Stockholm Denies Asylum: 84-Year-old Iraqi Assyrian Dies on Repatriation Flight

Hanna Saka. He had been waiting for seven years to have his asylum request accepted, in vain. The latest failure coincided with an expulsion and repatriation order and on the return flight to Baghdad, he dies.

This is the story of the 84-year-old Chaldean Christian Hanna Saka, which ended tragically in recent days on a Turkish Airlines plane forced to make an emergency landing in Warsaw, Poland, due to the death of the exile.

According to reports from Syriac Press, an information agency specializing in news on the Assyro-Chaldeans of Iraq, Israel, Lebanon and the Middle East, the managers of the immigration center in Stockholm rejected him with immediate deportation measures.

Adil Saka, brother of the deceased, spoke of Hanna's condition worsening upon arrival at the airport, during the repatriation phase, which quickly worsened on board the plane. Despite the request for help and the urgent care provided by the flight attendants and medical staff present, the efforts were in vain and the man died. A doctor on board confirmed the death of Hanna Saka, advising the pilot to initiate procedures for an emergency landing in the Polish capital airport.

Upon landing, the Warsaw police arrived quickly and questioned his brother Adil Saka, communicating the decision to perform an autopsy to determine the exact causes that led to his death. The Polish authorities then formalized Hanna's transfer to Iraq, through the Baghdad embassy in Poland.

Hanna Saka was struggling with heart disease and health problems in his lower limbs. His mental and physical health further deteriorated due to the stress following the rejection of his asylum application and the subsequent deportation order issued by the Swedish Migration Service.

Recently the Chaldean patriarch, card. Louis Raphael Sako returned to the topic of emigration, relaunching the danger of a progressive reduction of the Christian component in Iraq in the face of a massive exodus, to stem which the cardinal proposed a "crisis unit".

"There is no strategy, security or economic stability", there is a lack of "sovereignty" and there is a "double" application of the concepts of democracy, freedom, constitution, law and citizenship by those who should be at the service of the nation and of its inhabitants.

In this way, the institutions have been "weakened" and there has been a "decline" in morals and values, services, healthcare and education have worsened, as well as "widespread corruption" and "growing unemployment" combined with returning illiteracy. .

In this context, the Christian component, already on the margins, has become even more fragile and has been the subject of kidnappings, killings that began in 2003 with the US invasion and culminated in the years of domination of the Islamic State (ISIS), with the great escape from Mosul and the Nineveh Plain.

The emergency is confirmed by the numbers, as revealed by the patriarch himself: in the last 20 years over one million Christians (out of a total of less than 1.5 million) have fled. In the last few weeks alone, "over 100 families have left Qaraqosh and emigrated", joining "dozens of families from other cities" who have fled due to an uncertain future and months of unpaid wages.
Chinese military spokesperson answers media questions during annual legislative session

Xinhua) 10:58, March 10, 2024

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Saturday answered media questions during the ongoing second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), the country's national legislature.

Wu Qian, spokesperson for the delegation of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, responded to questions on the deliberations of lawmakers from the military, China's defense budget, and U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan.

During discussions at the NPC session, lawmakers from the military delegation said efforts should be made to step up the effective supply of advanced combat capabilities and better modernize the national defense and the armed forces based on China's composite national strength, Wu said.

Answering a question about the defense budget, Wu said China's defense expenditure is transparent, reasonable and appropriate.

This year, China plans to spend 1.66554 trillion yuan (about 234.5 billion U.S. dollars) on national defense, up 7.2 percent from the actual figure in 2023, according to a budget report submitted to the session for deliberation.

Responding to a question about the recent U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan region, Wu said China is willing to work with utmost sincerity and do all it can to strive for peaceful reunification.

"But we will never leave any room for separatist activities seeking 'Taiwan independence,'" he added.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Sheng Chuyi)
Jonathan P. Costa Sr. who is slated to become executive director of EdAdvance. Jack Sheedy

LITCHFIELD  Jonathan P. Costa Sr. believes passionately in public education. I love the fact that we are helping with a critically important public mission, said Costa, who on July 1 will become executive director of EdAdvance, the Regional Educational Service Center (RESC) that serves school districts in northwest Connecticut.

Without public schools, this nation is doomed, Costa said in an interview at the centers administrative office in Litchfield. Theres nothing more important than appropriately preparing every generation for the world that they face after school, and we help our districts do that. Its a fundamentally critical mission.

Costa is the current assistant executive director at EdAdvance. He is a graduate of Fairfield University and holds advanced degrees in educational leadership. He joined the agency in 1990 after serving as a secondary-level history and social studies teacher, according to a press release. He began here as the Connecticut facilitator of the National Diffusion Network, a federal program aimed at spreading innovative education programs into public schools.

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I worked here from 1990 to 1997, then went off on my own for 12 years as a self-employed consultant, Costa said. He returned to EdAdvance in 2008 as director of professional learning before becoming assistant executive director in 2016.

Costa will succeed Dr. Jeffrey Kitching, who will become a full-time professor at Central Connecticut State University, Costa said.

EdAdvance is one of six RESCs in Connecticut, he said. What we do is provide services for schools and their communities, that we can do more efficiently as a regional collaborative than they could individually, he said.



For example, we have drivers who transport students from our member districts to educational facilities when theyre needed. When you have a small district, its prohibitively expensive for them to have their own bus fleet, so we provide the transportation for them, Costa said

The agency also runs a federal Headstart program, which will move from the former St. Peter School building in Torrington to a new facility on Grove Street in Torrington, he said. That new building, on the former Sacred Heart Church campus, will focus on early childhood learning and is expected to be ready for classes in the fall, he said.

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Besides Litchfield, EdAdvance has another administrative office in Danbury, the southernmost of the 32 towns it serves, he said. Located in various towns are sites for adult education, alternative/special education, community services, and early childhood and school-age programs, according to information on the website, www.edadvance.org.

There are currently 19 regional school districts in Connecticut, served by the six RESCs, he said. A new Region 20 will come into existence on July 1, merging the Region 6 schools in Warren, Morris and Goshen with the schools in Litchfield. That new region, which was created by a referendum vote in 2022, will be served by EdAdvance, Costa said.

Our job is to listen and to deliver, he said. Without our schools and communities, we would not exist. We are here for them. Our board of directors is made up of a representative from our member districts, so we are governed by our local school districts. If we do not serve their interests, we go out of business.

He said that schools reflect the society they serve. As society changes and evolves, as technology changes and evolves, as the pressures and required skills and knowledge that students need to be successful change, we need to support districts, making those adjustments to meet those needs of students. So, every day is a different challenge. And that is an invigorating work environment to be in.
Former prime minister Theresa May was all smiles this morning as she attended church in her Maidenhead constituency after announcing she would not be standing at the next general election.

Mrs May, 67, was clutching a light olive green handbag and wearing a maroon-coloured jumper and trousers as a light blue and white tartan scarf shielded her from the cold as she arrived at the service.

She was all smiles as she walked into the church alongside her grinning husband, Philip, who waved to photographers as they walked into the church.

It comes 24 hours after Mrs May announced her 27 years in the Commons would be coming to an end after making a 'difficult decision' for her name not to appear on the ballot paper at the next election.

She led the Tories through three years of torrid Brexit infighting between 2016 and 2019 in the wake of the EU referendum, joins a growing list of MPs opting to quit the House voluntarily.

Former prime minister Theresa May and her husband Philip were all smiles this morning as they attended church in her constituency after announcing she would not be standing at the next general election

Mrs May, 67, was clutching an olive green handbag and wearing a maroon-coloured jumper and trousers as a light blue and white tartan scarf shielded her from the cold as she arrived at the service in Maidenhead where she was greeted by a black and white pooch

Mrs May has represented the safe Tory seat in Maidenhead since 1997 and won the last election with a majority of 18,846.

Rishi Sunak led tributes to her public service - although Labour swiped that it was evidence MPs had 'no confidence' in the PM.

Known for her fondness for bold kitten heels - in contrast to her buttoned-down public persona - Mrs May has been a major player in the Conservatives since the early 2000s. She famously told activists at their 2002 conference that they were seen as the 'nasty party'.

Mrs May, a self-professed 'bloody difficult woman', was one of the longest-serving Home Secretaries in modern political history during David Cameron's premiership.

She surprised many by grabbing the top job in 2016, becoming Britain's second woman PM after Cameron quit and Boris Johnson's bid imploded.

But the writing was on the wall after she called a snap election the following year and ran a disastrous campaign, notoriously U-turning on social care plans while awkwardly insisting 'nothing has changed'.

After emotionally quitting as PM Mrs May has intervened sparingly, but has been ready to criticise the government at key moments. She is likely to be elevated to the House of Lords if she wishes.

In a statement on her social media channels, Mrs May said: 'It has been an honour and a privilege to serve everyone in the Maidenhead constituency as the Member of Parliament for the last 27 years.

'Being an MP is about service to one's constituents and I have always done my best to ensure that I respond to the needs of local people and the local area.

Mrs May tearfully quit as PM in 2019 after three years of bitter Tory infighting on Brexit

Mrs May said it was 'the honour of her life' to serve as prime minister (Pictured in March 2019)

Theresa May pictured outside Downing Street with her husband Philip in 2019

Theresa May revealed she is bringing her 27 years in the Commons to an end after announcing she was standing down as an MP at the next General Election

'Since stepping down as Prime Minister I have enjoyed being a backbencher again and having more time to work for my constituents and champion causes close to my heart including most recently launching a Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.

'These causes have been taking an increasing amount of my time.

'Because of this, after much careful thought and consideration, I have realised that, looking ahead, I would no longer be able t o do my job as an MP in the way I believe is right and my constituents deserve.

'I have therefore taken the difficult decision to stand down at the next General Election.'
Winchester Cathedral has defended its plans to erect a statue of author Jane Austen, costing 100,000, after critics slammed the project as 'cynical cultural misappropriation' which would turn the area into 'Disneyland'.

The historic cathedral in Hampshire previously announced that the sculpture, which was created by Martin Jennings, who is known for his portrait of King Charles III for the Royal Mint, would be unveiled next year ahead of the 250th anniversary of the legendary novelist's birth.

The life-sized 5 foot 7 inches statue would stand just a few yards away from the site of the Pride and Prejudice writer's burial site in the nave of the 1000-year-old cathedral.

But critics slammed the plans for potentially turning the Inner Close at the place of worship into 'Disneyland' with 'American tourists' swarming to take selfies.

The design of the statue has also been attacked with others arguing that Austen herself hated publicity and would not have been keen on the idea.

Winchester Cathedral has defended its plans to erect a statue of author Jane Austen (pictured), costing 100,000, after critics slammed the project as 'cynical cultural misappropriation' which would turn the area into 'Disneyland'

The historic cathedral in Hampshire (pictured) previously announced that the sculpture would be unveiled next year ahead of the 250th anniversary of the legendary novelist's birth

Now The Very Rev Catherine Ogle, Dean of Winchester, has hit back at the project's detractors and drew attention to the author's links to the area.

She said: 'It is well-known that Austen was a Hampshire-born woman and she would have known Winchester and recognised the Cathedral Close as it remains today.

'The proposed location of the statue in the Inner Close is close to the route she would have taken when visiting her nephews at the nearby Winchester College and her friends at No.12 The Close.

'This route also became her final journey from her College Street lodgings adjacent to Winchester College, the funeral procession to her place of rest in the Cathedral.

'The Cathedral has hoped to give Jane Austen a fitting tribute as a sculpture for some years.

'The opportunity has now arisen with a significant number of private donors and small grant providers keen to see in place the splendid and sensitive design by the acclaimed sculptor Martin Jennings. These funds are restricted by the donors to this project only.'

Mr Jennings also defended the scheme.

The 66-year-old said: 'I don't think we have, in any way, invaded her private personality - she was sure of her worth as a writer.'

The life-sized 5 foot 7 inches statue would stand just a few yards away from the site of the Pride and Prejudice writer's burial site in the nave of the 1000-year-old cathedral

The design of the statue has been attacked with others arguing that Austen herself (pictured on an engraving from 1873) hated publicity and would not have been keen on the idea

This comes after Phil Howe, of Hidden Britain Tours, warned the cathedral that it risked joining Bath, which boasts a Jane Austen Centre and a yearly Jane Austen Festival, in 'hijacking' the novelist's 'brand'.

Mr Howe said: 'Jane Austen has two memorials to her memory in the cathedral.

'At the time of her death, she was not recognised as a writer, buried as the daughter of her rector father and only later was a memorial placed on an adjacent wall acknowledging her as an author. Three memorials seem disproportionate.

'Winchester need not follow Bath's hijacking of the Jane Austen brand with a cynical cultural misappropriation commemorating the work of one of the world's most famous female novelists.'

Former chairman of the Jane Austen Society Elizabeth Proudman also hit out at the project.

She said: 'We don't know what she looked like but we do know that she was a very private person.

'She despised publicity - this statue speaks for feminism but that is not what Jane Austen was all about.

'I don't think we want to turn it into "Disney Land on Itchen", I don't think the Inner Close is the place to attract a lot of lovely American tourists to come and have a selfie with Jane Austen.

Sculptor Martin Jennings defended the scheme and said: 'I don't think we have, in any way, invaded her private personality - she was sure of her worth as a writer'

Mr Jennings, 66, is known for his portrait of King Charles III for the Royal Mint (pictured)

'She was not a Winchester woman, she was a Hampshire woman.'

Lizzie Dunford, director of Jane Austen's House, added: '[I] think any statue should encompass her sense of strength and self-belief, even if that doesn't necessarily look modest.

'Also, why didn't you choose to have her writing?'
A nurse who left the profession due to burnout and ongoing staff shortages has revealed some in the industry have turned to sex work because it pays far better and they get less trouble from clients.

Amy Halvorsen, 34, was on the front line of the Covid outbreak serving in the neurology and trauma unit at Sydney's Westmead Hospital, but left two years ago.

She is now speaking out about the deteriorating conditions that led to her leaving, including abusive patients and senior management that offered only 'scripted rhetoric' when she complained.

Shockingly, some of the 75,000 Australian nurses who left the profession in the past two years now operate as sex workers, with Ms Halvorsen comparing the two jobs on The Project Sunday night.

'You're dealing with multiple people spitting at you and different body fluids and exposure and infection risks. You need to be educated, knowledgeable (and) professional,' she explained.

Amy Halvorsen (pictured) is a nurse who left the profession due to burnout and ongoing staff shortages

READ MORE: Major change to work from home rules - Here's what they mean for you More than 85,000 federal government employees have secured more generous working from home rights (stock image) Advertisement

'I've had people say to me, I only deal with one man, one body fluid, totally safe, screened, no abuse, totally worshipped and I make a week's wage in a day.

'You have to weigh up what these people are exposed to in healthcare. Why would they not leave and do anything else.'

She said many of the nurses who have left are very dissatisfied with their pay.

'If you look at a first year nurse who has finished a thee-year degree and is heading into a career for the rest of their life, they start at about $35 an hour.

'There's Aldi warehouses that are offering people the same amount of money.

'So, nurses can leave and really just do anything. That was a big factor I pushed when I left and mentioned it to a lot of hospital management that we aren't uneducated.'

Other nurses who have left have become baristas, firefighters and one even became a goat farmer.

'During the pandemic it was probably the worst abuse I've seen,' ICU nurse Julie Butterworth said.

'It would be stressed family members or stressed or sick, delirious or psychotic patients and they like to take it out on you.'

Ms Butterworth said nurses also get abused by colleagues. 'I've had abuse from senior doctors. They're obviously dealing with high stress scenarios themselves, but bhey can take out that abuse on you.'

Dr Kylie Ward, the CEO of the Australian College of Nursing, said 'nurses experience more occupational violence than police officers and prison guards ...

'If we don't wake up and take action, we are headed for a crisis ... If we do not have enough registered nurses delivering care, it is well researched and recorded that the patient experience and the patient outcomes are affected,' she said.

'There shouldn't be a politician who could sleep tonight knowing that nursing is not valued and that we're heading for a crisis.'

Ms Halvorsen was a registered nurse in 2017 and was on the front line of the Covid outbreak serving in the neurology and trauma unit at Sydney's Westmead Hospital

Ms Halvorsen agreed, saying a shortage of nurses was a key issue and would lead to poor outcomes for patients.

'Nurses are the backbone of the hospital. Being understaffed means that there are patients who don't have people looking after them that need to be,' she said.

'(With) as simple a thing as being walked to the toilet, a confused patient can hit their head, have an injury and it happened on our ward due to understaffing, due to all these kind of things, detrimental outcomes do happen.

'And I really think people need to be aware of why (that happens).'

In a previous interview with Daily Mail Australia, Ms Halvorsen said the conditions were so bad that there were rarely breaks, and nurses had to rely on fellow staff to watch their patients just to go to the bathroom.

Ms Halvorsen (pictured with her partner) said nurses are well educated and are not paid enough

She raised the issue with hospital management, who told her 'they are not seeing the same thing'.

'They just see numbers and targets and percentages, not what health staff are going through,' she said.

'They were bringing in inexperienced nurses to look after brain surgery patients. It's dangerous.

'You're frustrated, exhausted and overworked already, and then you are having to help train another nurse. The entire support system was falling apart.'
A Briton who went to Ukraine to fight against Russian invaders after being inspired by Liz Truss killed himself after suffering PTSD, an inquest has been told.

The family of Harry Gregg, 25, whose only previous military experience was in the Army Cadets, say he was traumatised by trench warfare and seeing comrades die.

They said after the hearing Mr Gregg, from Thetford in Norfolk, opted to serve after then-Foreign Secretary Ms Truss said she 'absolutely' supported anyone helping Ukrainians fight for their freedom.

Her comments made soon after the Russian invasion in February 2022 were criticised at the time by Conservative colleagues, who said it would be reckless and illegal to go and fight - while Downing Street distanced itself from her remarks.

Mr Gregg's mother Sandi Gregg told Norfolk Coroner's Court that her son's mental health was left 'very rough' on his return to the UK.

Harry Gregg, 25, from Thetford in Norfolk, decided to help Ukraine fight the Russian invasion

He was found dead at his home in December last year after suffering PTSD, an inquest heard

She added in a statement: 'He was suffering badly from PTSD from having fought on the front lines in Ukraine. He couldn't find any help for that sadly.'

Mr Gregg was due to go go-karting and clubbing with friends last December 14 to celebrate his 25th birthday but they were unable to contact him, she said.

The next day, after still not hearing from him, they asked for checks to be made and his body was seen through the letterbox of Mr Gregg's home.

He was found hanging and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

Norfolk Area Coroner Samantha Goward said: 'It's clear from the evidence that Mr Gregg had been to the GP with some concerns saying he'd returned from Ukraine and thought he may be suffering from PTSD.

'But unfortunately, he chose not to attend two appointments that were arranged for him with a mental health worker. There's nothing to suggest he'd given any indication to end his life at that time.'

She recorded a narrative conclusion, saying: 'Mr Gregg died due to a deliberate hanging but his intent is unknown, and his cognition may have been impaired by the use of recreational drugs'.

Ms Gregg said after the inquest that her son had made three visits to Ukraine with his first inspired by Ms Truss who was his local MP in South West Norfolk.

Ms Truss was asked if she supported Britons going to fight on BBC One's Sunday Morning programme on February 27, 2022.

She replied: 'That is something people can make their own decisions about. The people of Ukraine are fighting for freedom and democracy, not just for Ukraine, but for the whole of Europe.

'Absolutely, if people want to support that struggle, I would support them in doing that.'

Her comments ran counter to advice on her department's own website, which said anyone going to eastern Ukraine to 'fight or assist others engaged in the conflict' could be prosecuted on their return to the UK.

Ms Gregg said her son made up his mind to go, despite his only military experience being six years in the Army Cadets from the age of 11.

She added: 'He told me, "Mum, they need us". He said to me, "I have done some bad things, so I want to give back to society." Harry felt that he was needed and that he could help them.

'He contacted the embassy and found out what he needed to do. Within days, he'd booked himself on a flight and off he went.'

Harry Gregg's only previous military experience had been in the Army Cadets from age 11

Mr Gregg went to Ukraine 'with the best intentions to try to help', his family said

The coroner at Norfolk Coroner's Court recorded a narrative verdict on Mr Gregg's death

Ms Gregg recounted how her son missed his bus to the Ukraine border so had to get a taxi.

Concerned that he was being driven the wrong way, he called her to check his location by tracking his phone to make sure he 'had not been captured by the Russians'.

Once she confirmed he was heading in the right direction, he got settled in the taxi, only to be left stranded at a service station.

He eventually hitched a lift in a lorry, after the driver said he was going to the border, only to be told there was a different border for foot passengers.

With the help of aid workers, he joined a training camp which was later bombed by the Russians. Mr Gregg was not hurt but a friend suffered serious injuries.

He was eventually put on the front line on his third visit last year when he was assigned to the 48th Battalion and nicknamed 'Eagle' by his comrades.

Ms Gregg said: 'He told me about things that he had seen which he knew would stick in his head.

'They were being shelled quite badly. In the trenches, as they were being shot at, his comrade told him to keep his head down. Ten minutes later he was shot in the head and Harry had to put his friend in a body bag.'

Ms Gregg said her son saw other horrors including the mutilation of civilians, among them children.

She added: 'He went out with the best intentions to try to help. He met some phenomenal people there.

'When he came back from Ukraine, he was not himself. He had PTSD and we weren't able to get him the help he needed to deal with that.'

Paying tribute to him, she added: 'He was a cheeky chappie and a little sod but he was my little sod and I loved him dearly.

'Harry was loved by many people. That was clear by the amount of people at his funeral.

'As a son, he had a wicked sense of humour. He used to bounce through the door. I always knew when he was about. His personality filled the room.

'He was very loving, caring - if he valued you and loved you, he would give you his last penny. He went to Ukraine because he knew people needed help.'

Ms Gregg said her son had completed a resin flooring course with two close friends, passing it with 'flying colours' shortly before his death and was 'very excited' about going into business with them.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
A major explosion hit a key Russian gas pipeline for the second time in ten months.

Footage caught the huge fireball from the blast on the Yamburg-Yelets 1 main supply pipe.

The glow from the inferno and smoke column were visible for several miles.

The cause of the explosion is being urgently investigated and comes amid a series of sabotage strikes on key Russian energy facilities linked to the war in Ukraine.

Kyiv rarely claims responsibility for such strikes.

The powerful inferno was near the village of Lykhma in the Khanty-Mansi region of Siberia, 300 miles north of capital Khanty-Mansiysk

The pipeline supplies gas from the Yamal peninsula in northern Siberia to European Russia

The pipeline supplies gas from the Yamal peninsula in northern Siberia to European Russia

The powerful inferno was near the village of Lykhma in the Khanty-Mansi region of Siberia, 300 miles north of capital Khanty-Mansiysk.

The pipeline supplies gas from the Yamal peninsula in northern Siberia to European Russia.

Reports said there were no casualties in the remote explosion.

The gas pipeline had to be cut, hitting supplies to European Russia.

In January, Ukraine managed to use a fleet of drones to attack an oil refinery deep inside Russian territory.

The SBU struck a refinery used by Russian oil company Rosneft in Tuapse, a town on the Black Sea far away from Ukrainian territory.

A fire at the facility reportedly spread over 200 square metres before it was put out.

That attack took place four days after SBU drones attacked a refinery in Ust-Luga, a port city in the Leningrad region. The hub is one of Russia's two main oil export epicentres, and the attack forced it to halt its operations at the time.

More to follow.
A swimmer has gone missing after being caught in a rip at a popular Sydney beach - sparking a massive search operation.

Emergency services were called to Bronte Beach following reports of a man missing in the surf about 7:45pm on Sunday.

Another person is believed to have also been stuck in the rip but was saved.

A maritime police boat and a NSW Ambulance rescue helicopter were deployed to scour through the rough surf conditions for the man.

Footage from the scene shows the helicopter shining its search light across breaking waves at the bottom of jagged cliffs.

A massive search operation is underway for a man who went missing after being caught in a rip at Bronte Beach in Sydney's East on Sunday night (pictured)

NSW Police and Ambulance launched a ground, water and air search for the man with the help of a rescue helicopter and a police boat (pictured, police at the scene)

A NSW Ambulance spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia its search efforts have since been suspended for the night. NSW Police are continuing the search.

Local police and Surf Lifesavers also aided in the search and could be seen conducting a ground search across the shoreline and off of the beach pool.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact police.

Hundreds of people descended on the beach earlier on Sunday as temperatures climbed to 29C.

More to come.
New satellite images have revealed how cemeteries holding the remains of Russian troops have massively expanded since the nation invaded Ukraine.

The snaps, taken by private satellite company Maxar Technologies, show the final resting places for many of Russia's elite military units, including the Wagner Mercenary group, have multiplied in size.

Images of just one section of Tula Cemetery in Moscow show that the number of graves dug quadrupled between October 2021 and April 2023.

Elsewhere in Moscow, the Bogorodskoye cemetery has seemingly tripled in size, with another section being added in the same time period.

The new images starkly visualise the sheer number of Russian soldiers who have died fighting Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

 Slide me  A satellite image shows an overview of Bogorodskoye cemetery, near Ryaza

 Slide me  A satellite image shows an overview of Blyzhnie cemetery, near Feodosiya

 Slide me  A satellite image shows an overview of Mikhaylovsk cemetery, near Stavropol

While the Kremlin doesn't publish official stats on the number of troops who have been killed during the invasion of Ukraine, there have been wildly varying estimates.

The UK's MoD believed up to 70,000 Russian soldiers have died. Independent media outlets Mediazona and Meduza, meanwhile, believe that up to 88,000 soldiers died at the end of 2023.

Their estimate was based on public obituaries and official inheritance records.

But the US believes the figure could be as high as 120,000, while Ukraine claimed last month that up to 180,000 had died.

Research by The Economist claimed that a quarter of Russian soldiers killed come from normal militart units, another quarter are from volunteer corps and the rest are convicts who have been offered a commuted sentence in exchange for a stint on the front lines.

While Russia has suffered staggering losses, Ukrainian troops and allies have also suffered hugely.

 Slide me  A satellite image shows an overview of Lazarus cemetery, near Alabino

 Slide me  A satellite image shows an overview of Bakinskaya cemetery

 Slide me  A satellite image shows an overview of Tula cemetery

A Briton who went to Ukraine to fight against Russian invaders after being inspired by Liz Truss killed himself after suffering PTSD, an inquest has been told.

The family of Harry Gregg, 25, whose only previous military experience was in the Army Cadets, say he was traumatised by trench warfare and seeing comrades die.

They said after the hearing Mr Gregg, from Thetford in Norfolk, opted to serve after then-Foreign Secretary Ms Truss said she 'absolutely' supported anyone helping Ukrainians fight for their freedom.

Her comments made soon after the Russian invasion in February 2022 were criticised at the time by Conservative colleagues, who said it would be reckless and illegal to go and fight - while Downing Street distanced itself from her remarks.

Mr Gregg's mother Sandi Gregg told Norfolk Coroner's Court that her son's mental health was left 'very rough' on his return to the UK.

She added in a statement: 'He was suffering badly from PTSD from having fought on the front lines in Ukraine. He couldn't find any help for that sadly.'

Mr Gregg was due to go go-karting and clubbing with friends last December 14 to celebrate his 25th birthday but they were unable to contact him, she said.

The next day, after still not hearing from him, they asked for checks to be made and his body was seen through the letterbox of Mr Gregg's home.

He was found hanging and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall staged a public row with the Health Secretary today as he accused ministers of doing 'next to nothing' to tackle obesity.

The River Cottage star engaged in a furious TV clash with Victoria Atkins as he claimed there was a 'crisis' in Britain.

He said ministers had ignored a 'raft of policies' put to them by health-eating campaigners, such as himself, to combat the problem.

But Ms Atkins insisted she was working on a 'prevention strategy' aimed at stopping people from becoming ill, which would cover obesity.

She suggested the NHS app could help people take responsibility for their own health.

Celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall staged a public row with the Health Secretary as he accused ministers of doing 'next to nothing' to tackle obesity

Victoria Atkins insisted she was working on a 'prevention strategy' aimed at stopping people from becoming ill, which would cover obesity

Appearing on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show, Fearnley-Whittingstall said obesity was 'the single biggest factor in the ailing health of the nation'.

'Treating obesity is the single biggest cost to the NHS,' he added. 'We've got approaching three million people who are long-term sick.

'The estimated cost to the economy of obesity is 100billion a year.'

He highlighted how campaigners such as himself, the Food Foundation, the Obesity Health Alliance, fellow celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, and businessman Henry Dimbleby - the Government's former food tsar - had all offered a 'raft of policies' to ministers.

'They've put a raft of policies, of levers that you could be pulling to address the obesity crisis,' he told the Health Secretary.

'You're not pulling any of them, you've done next to nothing to help these ailing, struggling, sick citizens of the UK find healthier food.'

Responding to the accusations, Ms Atkins replied: 'I've been in post for three months now I will be, over the coming weeks, setting out a prevention strategy which, of course, will include obesity.

'We make the mistake, I think, of siloing obesity by itself. We know that it can have many, many other conditions, including causing type two diabetes.

'So, over the coming weeks you will see the Government set out our plans.

'I want to take a strategic approach to prevention and, in fact, the biggest public health intervention we can make, we are making, which is creating the first smoke-free generation.'

Pushed on delays to measures to tackle unhealthy eating - including banning multi-buy deals and pre-watershed adverts for junk food - Ms Atkins said: 'We've got to reflect the society in which we serve, in which the NHS serves.'

Fearnley-Whittingstall, a panellist on the show, replied to the Health Secretary's comments by saying: 'I didn't hear any obesity strategy.'

Mr Dimbleby, co-founder of the food chain Leon, quit as the Government's food tsar last year in order to be free to criticise its 'insane' inaction against obesity.
Dramatic aerial footage reportedly shows the moment two US-made truck-mounted quad-launchers for the Patriot surface-to-air missile systems are destroyed.

A giant explosion followed a strike by a Russian hypersonic Iskander missile.

The Russians have called it the first video-confirmed destruction of the Patriot complex displayed by Ukraine. Each system is believed to cost $400million, while missiles can cost up to $6million each.

The hit comes after Ukraine is believed to have deployed the Patriot to down a succession of Russian war planes in recent weeks.

If confirmed - and Russia initially claimed Ukrainian S-300 complexes had been blitzed - the strike is a severe blow to Ukraine.

A giant explosion followed a strike by a Russian hypersonic Iskander missile

Patriots have been supplied to Ukraine by the US, the Netherlands and Germany

Ukraine only had five of the Patriot systems before this strike, and each battery, with missiles included, cost around a billion dollars each

Ukraine only had five of the Patriot systems before this strike, and each battery, with missiles included, cost around a billion dollars each.

Patriots have been supplied to Ukraine by the US, the Netherlands and Germany.

The strike came as the Patriot equipment was being moved near the frontline, seemingly without air cover, near Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, according to reports.

The Patriot has been key to Ukraine to defend major cities from incoming strikes but also as an offensive weapon to blow Putin's warplanes out of the sky.

The system has proved effective against the hypersonic Iskander missile, but it was an Iskander that hit the Patriot complex and its support vehicles here.

The Patriot has been key to Ukraine to defend major cities from incoming strikes but also as an offensive weapon to blow Putin's warplanes out of the sky

Each battery has five components: The missiles themselves, the missile launcher, a radar antenna, a control truck and a power-plant truck

Loyalist pro-war channel Military Informant called it 'the first confirmation of the destruction of two American MIM-104 Patriot air defence systems'.

It appears a Russian military drone had spotted the Patriot movement and relayed the data to enable the clinical Iskander targeting.

Russian state news agency TASS claimed that three launchers may have been destroyed but other sources reported two.

'The Iskander tactical missile system presumably wiped out three launchers of the US-made Patriot system near Pokrovsk,' a source told TASS.

Each battery has five components: The missiles themselves, the missile launcher, a radar antenna, a control truck and a power-plant truck.
Jeremy Clarkson and Lord Cameron were seen joining in the lively Twickenham celebrations after England secured a memorable Six Nations victory over Ireland yesterday.

The former Top Gear host was seen jumping and cheering with the Foreign Secretary as the ecstatic pair joined the crowd in dancing along to 'Freed from Desire' - the 90s hit which has become an anthem for England's national teams.

Lord Cameron, who is a friend of Clarkson and lives close to him in his former Witney constituency in Oxfordshire, put his arm around the TV presenter as they embraced other England fans in the row behind.

The friends were relishing the Twickenham atmosphere after England's Marcus Smith marked his return from injury with a last-gasp drop-goal over the posts to hand his side a sensational 23-22 victory to crush Ireland's hopes of a Grand Slam.

Clarkson, who opted for Twickenham over the Saudi Grand Prix this weekend, was also spotted enjoying a picnic with Lord Cameron ahead of kick-off as the pair caught up over some drinks.

Jeremy Clarkson and Lord Cameron were lapping up the Twickenham atmosphere after England's memorable win against Ireland

Lord Cameron and Clarkson were also pictured having a picnic before the Six Nations clash

When Prime Minister Rishi Sunak brought Mr Cameron back into the fold, his official title was confirmed as Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton.

The new name reflects Lord Cameron's ties to the Cotswold town, which lies within his former Witney constituency.

During his time at No 10, the former Tory leader was known as a member of the so-called 'Chipping Norton set'. The group of wealthy members of the British establishment who lived in the area, includes Clarkson.

Clarkson's Diddly Squat farm, which he opened with his wife Lisa in 2020, is located in Chipping Norton and features in his hit Prime Video mini-series.

In November 2022, Clarkson accused Cameron of accidentally 'blowing up' his tractor and causing an 'explosion'.

Clarkson said he was left 'dumbstruck' before finding out what had happened after initially thinking Cameron has been 'hit by a heat-seeking missile'.

The presenter initially said that 'a mate' had asked to borrow his tractor to mow his paddock. But in his column for The Times, he wrote: 'I won't give you his name, save to say it begins with a D. And ends with an 'avid Cameron'. But that's not important.

"What is important is that he borrowed it and it blew up.'

The two friends appeared to be enjoying some drinks before they took their seats in the crowd

Clarkson's Diddly Squat farm, which he opened with his wife Lisa in 2020, is located in Chipping Norton and features in his hit Prime Video mini-series

Former PM David Cameron (C) talks with Jeremy Clarkson (R) and James May (L) during a visit to W Chump & Sons Ltd TV studio in west London on June 16, 2016 ahead of the EU referendum

Lord Cameron also offered support to Clarkson when he lost his job at Top Gear for punching a producer

Both Cameron and Clarkson are also understood to be members of Soho Farmhouse, the trendy members club and hangout of the Chipping Norton set.

Other members of the group, who have houses in the area and socialise with each other at lavish parties, including News UK chief executive Rebekah Brooks and media executive Elisabeth Murdoch, daughter of Rupert Murdoch.

Lord Cameron also offered support to Clarkson when he lost his job at Top Gear for punching a producer.

He described his friend as a 'huge talent' and said he hoped the incident could be 'sorted out'.

Lord Cameron told BBC Midlands in March 2015: 'I don't know exactly what happened. He is a constituent of mine, he is a friend of mine, he is a huge talent.

'I see that he said he regrets some of what happened. All I would say, because he is a talent and he does amuse and entertain so many people, including my children who'll be heartbroken if Top Gear is taken off air, I hope this can be sorted out because it is a great programme and he is a great talent.'

Clarkson is pictured with embattled Red Bull boss Christian Horner in Bahrain last weekend

Clarkson was later axed by Top Gear in 2015 after the BBC's internal investigation found he spent 20 minutes verbally abusing producer Oisin Tymon in a luxury North Yorkshire hotel before launching a 30-second physical assault that led to another member of staff dragging him away.

North Yorkshire Police waded into the row but Mr Tymon did not press charges and Jeremy has since publicly apologised to him.

Clarkson also faced a backlash with an incendiary column in The Sun about Meghan Markle - but it was reported this week that ITV bosses have offered him a 'lifeline'.

Clarkson said he 'hated' the royal but later apologised, calling his language 'disgraceful'. The Sun newspaper also apologised for publishing the column and removed it online.

Now, The Mirror has reported that ITV are allowing Jeremy to keep his job as host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

A senior source at Stellify, who makes WWTBAM, told the publication: 'Clarkson made a big mistake with his column, but unusually for him, he did apologise wholeheartedly afterwards. This helped him compared to someone like Piers Morgan who refused to make a U-turn on his comments about Meghan on GMB.

'ITV have been playing a waiting game to see how things look and how people have been reacting to new episodes going out this year of Millionaire with Clarkson.

'There has been no huge reaction and so a decision has been made to continue with him in the chair. It is a second chance for Clarkson but if he were to overstep the mark again it's unlikely there will be a third chance.'

MailOnline has contacted ITV and Jeremy's representatives for comment.
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A team of vets carried out root canal work on a huge 170kg Siberian tiger after he broke a tooth.

Marwell Zoo's in-house veterinary team were called in when a zookeeper saw 11-year-old Bagai had chipped one of his 3.5inch-long canines.

Bagai's age and known health conditions meant the operation and anaesthetising him were 'high risk' with it imperative 'everything went to the plan', the Winchester zoo in Hampshire said.

But veterinary dentist Rachel Perry managed to carry out the tricky procedure with roaring success in performing a root canal, removing the dental pulp, sterilising the inside of the tooth and filling it with a sealer.

Ms Perry was accompanied by a team of registered veterinary nurses who monitored the anaesthetic and Bagai's vital statistics.

Marwell Zoo's in-house veterinary team were called in when a zookeeper saw 11-year-old Bagai had chipped one of his 3.5inch-long canines

Bagai's age and known health conditions meant the operation and anaesthetising him were 'high risk' with it imperative 'everything went to the plan', the Winchester zoo in Hampshire said

A team of registered veterinary nurses monitored the anaesthetic and Bagai's vital statistics

Zoo veterinarian Dr Elyse Summerfield-Smith oversaw the operation. She said: 'When we run procedures like this, everyone involved has responsibility for the lives of their colleagues as well as the life of the tiger.

What are Amur (Siberian) tigers?

Amur (also known as Siberian) tigers are the largest known species of the world's cats. They can grow to as much as three metres in length and weigh up to a staggering 230kg. Amur tigers live in Russia, northern China and Korea in dense forest habitats and mountains, The species is heavily endangered due to hunting and deforestation and there are thought to be between 265 and 486 in the wild in the Russian Far East. The meat eaters hunt deer, wild pigs, moose, hares and other animals they find roaming around. Source: Zoological Society of London Advertisement

'We're all women, and all of us had an area of responsibility so being able to work together, communicate well and perform our role to the best of our ability was critical.'

The zoo spokeswoman added: 'Bagai has since made a full recovery and is enjoying his food once again thanks to the care, professionalism and expertise of this fantastic all-female team.'

Carrie Arnold, animal team leader for carnivores, was the one who alerted the team to Bagai's plight when she noticed his tooth was broken.

She said: 'Working with different talents and strengths and learning from them is such a great privilege.

'It is great to coordinate and manage such high-profile procedures alongside amazing women in the industry.'

Bagai's canines measured 3.5in long. Human teeth are usually between 0.7-1in, with the largest domestic dog teeth about 1.5-1.7in long.

Victoria Sissons, animal keeper, said: 'This was an amazing experience to be part of and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to work alongside and learn from a team of such experienced and professional women.'

Siberian, also known as Amur, tigers are the largest of the world's big cats and are heavily endangered due to hunting and deforestation.

There are thought to be between 265 and 486 in the wild in the Russian Far East, according to the Zoological Society of London.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has revealed how he was scolded by his son for initially refusing to forgive his mother on her deathbed as she tried to apologise for 'messing up his life'.

Justin Welby has today spoken publicly about the final few moments he had with his mother Jane Williams before she died in June last year.

The leader of the Church of England says his mother was an 'alcoholic and troubled' woman, who tried to apologise for his 'volatile' upbringing in the last few days of her life.

She also tried to acknowledge the 'difficult times we'd had over the years', which included not telling her son who his real father was until he made the shocking discovery in 2016 via a DNA test.

Mr Welby initially dismissed Jane's attempts at forgiveness by saying he 'didn't feel' that her parenting had negatively impacted on his life, leading his son Pete to take him outside and bluntly explain what she was trying to do.

The Archbishop revealed how Pete had scolded him for having 'no pastoral skills' and questioned 'which idiot had made him the Archbishop of Canterbury?'.

Following the strong words from his recently-ordained child, Mr Welby realised he 'was in the wrong' and returned to his mother's bedside to say: 'I forgive.'

Justin Welby has spoken publicly about the final few moments he had with his mother Jane Williams before she died in June last year

The Archbishop says his mother Jane (pictured) was an 'alcoholic and troubled' woman, who tried to apologise for his 'volatile' upbringing in the last few days of her life

Speaking in the Sunday Times, Mr Welby described how his son had angrily criticised him outside his mother's room, before telling him: 'Don't you realise she is trying to ask for your forgiveness?'

Mr Welby says he acknowledged that his son was right, causing him to return to his mother's bedside and listen to what she had to say, all whilst 'still being frightened of showing too much emotion' to her.

The Archbishop described forgiving his mother as a 'moment of great peace', revealing that Jane had said: 'I shall see god.', before she passed away.

He thanked his son for helping him understand what his mother was trying to do, writing: 'I thank Pete for his blunt words at the bedside. I realised I needed to forgive my mother for the pain and confusion of my early years.

'Debt abolished and endings accepted in the right place set us free from the chains of the past.'

In 2016, Rev Welby discovered he was conceived in an alcohol-fuelled 'liaison' between his mother and Winston Churchill's private secretary, Sir Anthony Montague Browne, and not, as he had always believed, his mother's first husband, Gavin Welby.

His mother, who married again and later became Lady Williams of Elvel, was one of the prime minister's personal secretaries and said her liaison with Sir Anthony happened in the days before her marriage to Gavin Welby, on April 4, 1955.

In 2016, she said Gavin, whom she described as 'a very strong, possessive character', had bullied her into leaving her job and eloping with him to the USA, where his divorce was being finalised.

Then 25, she said she began drinking heavily because of the pressure, adding: 'I now recognise that during the days leading up to my very sudden marriage, and fuelled by a large amount of alcohol on both sides, I went to bed with Anthony Montague Browne.

'It appears that the precautions taken at the time didn't work and my wonderful son was conceived as a result of this liaison.'

Her drinking later developed into 'serious alcoholism', she said, and she entered rehab in 1968 and has not drunk alcohol since.

The Archbishop revealed more about his difficult upbringing today, saying: 'Throughout my childhood, the pernicious influence of alcohol dependency in both parents led to divorce, hatred, litigation, abuse and cruelty.'

He added that he thought his believed-to-be-father Gavin was a 'volatile, unpredictable man' who was addicted to alcohol and tobacco before he died in 1977.

Mr Welby says he dealt with the difficulties of his childhood by 'shutting himself off from the rest of the world', but also admits he grew up with 'great privilege and prosperity'.

Gavin Welby and wife Jane Welby with Justin Welby at his christening in 1956

Anthony Montague Browne, Sir Winston Churchill's secretary and the Archbishop's father

The Archbishop said he had met his biological father, a decorated wartime RAF pilot, when he was a boy but had never suspected his true paternity.

He had heard rumours but dismissed them because he was born almost exactly nine months after his mother's marriage to Gavin.

But after The Daily Telegraph revealed its research supported those rumours, he took a DNA test that compared his mouth swabs with hair samples from Sir Anthony, taken from an old hairbrush.

The samples showed a 99.9779 per cent probability that they were father and son.

Jane also sprung another surprise on her son from beyond the grave in January this year, when it was revealed that she had left Mr Welby with a staggering 2.4million.

Probate documents confirmed that Williams had left her entire estate to the Archbishop, who found out the day before his 68th birthday earning him a windfall which was 28 times his annual salary of 85,000.
The young woman who stabbed her mother to death before being shot dead by police had a troubled past which included home invasion and drug charges.

Joanne Perry, 53, died on Friday evening when she was stabbed multiple times in the neck and chest by her daughter Carly Pirronelli, 26.

Officers were called to Kett St in Lower Plenty, 16km north-east of Melbourne CBD about 6.30pm on Friday, following reports Pirronelli was trying to set her mother on fire.

Upon arrival, officers said they were challenged by Pirronelli who was armed with a knife and, despite being told to drop the weapon, continued to plunge the blade into her mother's torso and neck.

Pirronelli, who was on bail for an unrelated matter and the subject of an apprehended violence order, was gunned down by a police officer and died at the scene.

Carly Pirronelli, 26, stabbed her mother to death before being shot dead by police

Carly Pirronelli (pictured) had a dark past which included home invasion and drug charges

Joanne Perry (pictured), 53, died on Friday evening when she was stabbed multiple times in the neck and chest by her daughter Carly Pirronelli

READ MORE: Joanne Perry stabbed to death by daughter who was shot dead by police in Melbourne Melbourne woman Joanne Perry is pictured Advertisement

Just over a year ago, she appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court charged over a home invasion.

She was alleged to have entered a Kingsbury home as a trespasser in company with one or more persons while another person was inside the house on February 21, 2023.

It was further alleged Pirronelli entered the Lowell Avenue home with 'intent to assault a person' and she was also charged with cannabis possession.

The home invasion charge was eventually dropped in August after the prosecution withdrew their case.

Magistrate Belinda Franjic said only the cannabis possession charge would be proceeded with.

The magistrate said she took Pirronelli's 'lack of prior conviction or findings of guilt' into account.

'The criminal charges, the charge of home invasion, has been struck out having been withdrawn by the prosecution,' she said.

Prior to the horrific double tragedy, the mother and daughter appeared to have a close and happy relationship.

Photos posted to their social media profiles show them smiling wide with their arms around each other.

On one occasion they even joked about what their graves would look like.

Pirronelli tagged her mum in the comments section of a Facebook post showing a grave site with cannabis plants growing out of it and the caption 'How my grave will look'.

'Next to your cascade bottles (and) marks guitar,' Pironelli wrote with a smiley face emoji.

'OMG haha,' her mother responded.

An online exchange between Joanne Perry and her daughter Carly Pirronelli is pictured

Mother and daughter Joanne Perry (left) and Carly Pirronelli (right) are pictured

Ms Perry (left) and her daughter Carly Pirronelli (right) are pictured at Christmas

The mother and daughter (left and right respectively) are pictured in a selfie taken by Carly Pirronelli

Carly Pirronelli (left) is pictured with her mother Joanne Perry. Both women are now dead

Speaking about the shooting of Pirronelli, Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Scott Colson said the officer was left 'no other choice' than to discharge his firearm.

'It's a terrible situation,' he said. 'They (police) don't go to work expecting to draw their firearms and be involved in these sorts of tragedies.'

Superintendent Scott Colson said he was 'comfortable' with the officer's actions when confronted with the 'horrible situation'.

'(Police) were confronted with the daughter stabbing the mother and have called on the daughter to drop the knife,' he said.

'However, she continued to stab the mother ... tragically, both the mother and the daughter died on the scene.'

Neighbours said they heard multiple gunshots during the incident on the usually quiet street.

It is understood other people were inside the home at the time of the fatal attack, but the triple-O call came from neighbours.

The mother and daughter are pictured. Carly Pirronelli (left) killed her mother (right) on Friday

Officers had responded to neighbours' reports the daughter was trying to set her mother on fire at the Lower Plenty property but were instead confronted with her repeatedly stabbing the older woman once they arrived

The mother, 53, died at the Kett St property and officers were forced to shoot the daughter, 26

In a statement, Victoria Police said they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.

Homicide Squad detectives will investigate the incident with oversight from the Professional Standards Command, which is standard protocol when a police firearm is discharged.

Ms Perry is the 17th woman killed in Australia this year and the fourth to be slain this month.

According to Australian Femicide Watch, there have been two femicides a week since the year began.
Podcaster Joe Rogan has said that Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was an 'identity hire' and the worst spokesperson in White House history.

In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, the host and American conservative activist Christopher Rufo openly bashed Jean-Pierre - who is a black, gay woman - and her boss, President Joe Biden.

Rogan, 56, started off by calling out Biden's concerning old age, and said that the 81-year-old is 'so frail' and 'transparent.'

The podcast host continued: 'And it's so transparent to the point where the White House press secretary accidentally tweets as him from her account.'

He then went on to ask Rufo if there has 'ever been a worse press secretary' before he questioned how Jean-Pierre got the coveted position in the first place.

In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan and American conservative activist Christopher Rufo openly bashed Karine Jean-Pierre

The pair agreed that she was hired based on her 'intersectional identities' and branded her 'the worst press secretary'

'She's so bad at convincing people,' Rogan said before he suggested that 'hard-core, ideologically driven, left-wing pundits that are on YouTube' would do better at her job.

'Like, she's not the one. She's f****** terrible at it,' he added.

The host then mentioned how journalist Peter Doocy is 'always setting her up' at press conferences, and added that 'he's so good.'

Rufo said that even though she's 'challenged by one person' in the briefing room, she 'still manages to bungle it on the daily.'

'Well, it's just, there's so much madness she has to cover up,' Rogan responded.

Rufo said that she was not hired on her 'competence, excellence, or merit' and instead said she was given the job because of her race, gender and sexuality.

'It's what happens when you put identity over competence,' Rufo said before he added that her 'intersectional identities' got her the job.

'This is our first black female, I don't know LGBTQ, not really sure,' he added.

Rufo said that she was not hired on her 'competence, excellence, or merit' and instead said she was given the job because of her race, gender and sexuality

Rufo went on to say that now that Jean-Pierre is in the position, nothing can be done on the 'back end' to kick her out of the job.

'Well, you elevated this person for identity, you can't fire that person because of incompetence,' Rufo said before he compared it to former Harvard President Claudine Gay.

'But the Harvard story is the exact phenomenon,' Rufo said.

Gay, a black, female president, resigned on January 2 following her shocking response at a congressional testimony about campus anti-Semitism.

Jean-Pierre has repeatedly been criticized for her responses at press conferences as she was seen brushing aside Biden's age concerns in a recent briefing.

During it, the White House confirmed that the president did not take a cognitive test during his annual physical, and insisted he 'doesn't need' one.

Jean-Pierre insisted that Biden is fit for a second term and dismissed the need for a cognitive, despite the Department of Justice calling him an 'elderly man with a poor memory' in the special counsel report on his mishandling of classified documents.

Jean-Pierre has served at the White House press secretary since May 2022. She previously worked as deputy press secretary for Jen Psaki, the former press secretary, and served as the chief of staff for Kamala Harris during the 2020 presidential campaign

In a recent briefing, Jean-Pierre brushed off concerns about President Biden's age and said that he did not take a cognitive test during his annual physical

'His doctor, including the neurologist, do not believe that he needs one,' Jean-Pierre said at the press briefing.

She responded: 'Folks need to understand that the president passes a cognitive test every day!'

Jean-Pierre has served at the White House press secretary since May 2022.

She previously worked as deputy press secretary for Jen Psaki, the former press secretary, and served as the chief of staff for Kamala Harris during the 2020 presidential campaign.

She also worked as political analyst for MSNBC and NBC News and lectured on international and public affairs at Columbia University.
Pro-Palestine protesters have taken to the streets near Dolby Theatre as the Academy Awards red carpet begins

Video shows demonstrators shouting 'Shame on you' at limos arriving to the event

Pro-Palestine protesters have descended upon Hollywood to disrupt the Academy Awards with calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

As celebrities make their way to the Oscars red carpet at the Dolby Theatre, demonstrators are waving flags, chanting 'Free Palestine' and holding signs at near by street.

Video posted to social media shows protesters gathered at on the Oscars security checkpoints shouting 'Shame on you!' at limos carrying celebrities to the event.

Several groups, including Film Workers for Palestine, have organized the protest because they believe Israel will attack Rafah, Gaza, while Americans are watching the award show.

The Los Angeles Police Department has amped up its presence at the Academy Awards to prevent pro-Palestine protesters from stealing the show.

Pro-Palestine protesters have descended upon Hollywood to disrupt the Academy Awards with calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war

Approaching the Dolby for the #Oscars. Pro-Palestine protest at one of the security checkpoints. pic.twitter.com/CCrylnvDXX  Tomris Laffly (@TomiLaffly) March 10, 2024

As celebrities make their way to the Oscars red carpet at the Dolby Theatre, demonstrators are waving flags and holding signs at near by street

I am OTG for a pro-Palestine protest against the Oscars. @KnockDotLA pic.twitter.com/RZMPy44MAz  Joey Scott (@joeyneverjoe) March 10, 2024

Several groups, including Film Workers for Palestine, have organized the protest because they believe Israel will attack Rafah, Gaza , while Americans are watching the award show

The Los Angeles Police Department has amped up its presence at the Academy Awards to prevent pro-Palestine protesters from stealing the show

LAPD Commander Randy Goddard told The New York Times ahead of the event that at least one group 'would like to stop the Academy Awards.'

'It's going to be our goal to ensure that the Academy Awards is successful, that guests can arrive safely and get into the venue,' Goddard said.

'But, also, we are going to try very hard to make contact with the groups as they show up, and lay out the expectation that we as the police are here to support your First Amendment constitutional rights.'

Film Workers for Palestine, along with the LA chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, SAG-AFTRA Members for Ceasefire and the Adalah Justice Project scheduled a protest for 1 p.m. at the Cinerama Dome, about one mile away from Hollywood's Dolby Theatre.

'This Oscars Sunday, Rafah faces a planned invasion from Israeli forces. The Israeli government and its allies hope we will be too distracted to notice,' Film Workers for Palestine said in an Instagram post.

'This has happened before. On February 11, over 120 million tuned in to the Super Bowl. While our eyes were glued to the TV, the Israeli military launched deadly strikes on Rafah (Gaza's "safe zone"), killing hundreds.'

'We will not let people turn away from the atrocities in Gaza. We are taking action and making sure Palestine will NOT be ignored for some glitz and glam,' said the group.

A stretch of Hollywood Boulevard has already been shut down for pre-show construction, and there are road closures in place for the star-studded event, reported NBC Los Angeles.

Orange Drive to Highland Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard is scheduled to be closed until 6 a.m. on March 13.

On TikTok, one user said, 'If you are in the area where the Oscars are going to be held, it's time to cause chaos. Not violence, but chaos.'

'I mean every road blocked, any entryway blocked, as much as you can. I don't care if you have to fill the entire street with garbage cans, trash, just leave cars and sit in there, nobody should be watching the Oscars.'

LAPD Commander Randy Goddard told The New York Times at least one group 'would like to stop the Academy Awards'

A stretch of Hollywood Boulevard has already been shut down for pre-show construction, and there are road closures in place for the star-studded event

Oscars telecast showrunner Raj Kapoor told The Hollywood Reporter he and his fellow producers are prepared for possible disruptions.

'There are a lot of plans in place and hundreds of people involved in those type of decisions. There's a formal plan, but, in the end, there are a few people that will make key decisions in a very short amount of time if anything happens,' said Kapoor.

There's a lot of thought that goes into every single piece of this show. That's why it is the Oscars. That's why it's a global show because every nuance is actually thought about ahead of time.'

It is unknown if any presenters or award winners will mention the Israel-Hamas war tonight.

In 1978, best supporting actress Vanessa Redgrave congratulated the academy for standing up to a 'bunch of Zionist hoodlums' who attacked her documentary on Palestine.

Jimmy Kimmel will host the award show for the fourth time starting at 4 p.m., an hour earlier than usual thanks to Daylight Savings. The ceremony is set to air starting at 7 p.m. eastern/4 p.m. pacific on ABC.

Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer leads the field with 13 nominations and is the frontrunner to win best picture.
Voters also rejected a proposal to 'cancel' women from the constitution

Ireland has voted to reject Government proposals to change the Constitution that would have widened the definition of family to include families which are not based on marriage.

The proposal would have expanded marriage to include 'durable relationships' such as cohabiting couples but it was rejected by 67.7 per cent.

The public also rejected a proposal which would have changed language about a mother's 'duty in the home' with a clause to recognise care provided by family members to one another.

But this was also overwhelmingly defeated, with 73 per cent voting against it.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the electorate had given the Government 'two wallops' as he conceded early on Saturday that the proposals for change had been rejected.

The public rejected both attempted changes to the constitution. Pictured: A person wearing a costume holds a sign against the proposals as people attend the Friends of Ted Festival, an annual fan convention held on the largest of the Aran islands, for fans of the sitcom Father Ted

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the electorate had given the Government 'two wallops' as he conceded early on Saturday that the proposals for change had been rejected

People from the Equality Not Care group, who campaigned for a No vote clapping as the proposals were rejected

He held the referendum vote on Friday to coincide with International Women's Day, and said it was the chance to delete some 'very old-fashioned, very sexist language about women'.

His government had previously told citizens not to take steps 'backward' by keeping the constitution the way.

But in a humiliating defeat the Irish premier said it was clear that the referenda to change the Constitution in Ireland had been 'defeated comprehensively'.

Opinion polling had shown that Yes was in the lead as the vote approached but undecided voters are thought to have changed the balance.

All of the major parties in Ireland have been shocked by the result as they all supported a Yes-Yes vote until recently.

Varadkar held the referendum vote on Friday to coincide with International Women's Day, and said it was the chance to delete some 'very old-fashioned, very sexist language about women'

His government had previously told citizens not to take steps 'backward' by keeping the constitution the way. Pictured: Speaking to the media in Dublin Castle following the result

Votes are counted following the referendum at the RDS Dublin Count centre on Saturday

Opinion polling had shown that Yes was in the lead as the vote approached but undecided voters are thought to have changed the balance. Pictured: The votes are counted

No campaigners successfully argued that the definition of a 'durable relationships' was fuzzy and mothers had been 'cancelled' out of the constitution.

As the core legal text of the nation, the constitution can only be changed through a national referendum.

This latest Irish referendum comes as several other votes in recent years, including the legalisation of divorce in 1995, the approval of same-sex marriage in 2015 and repealing the ban on abortion in 2018.

The referendum returning officer Barry Ryan made the official declarations at Dublin Castle on Saturday evening.

Turnout for the referenda was 44.36 per cent, a significant drop from the abortion referendum in 2018 which saw a turnout of 64 per cent.

The boxes were opened at 9am on Saturday after the public went to the polls on Friday to vote on whether to change the wording of the Constitution relating to the areas of family and care.

The high number of no votes signalled an embarrassing defeat for the Government.

No campaigners successfully argued that the definition of a 'durable relationships' was fuzzy and mothers had been 'cancelled' out of the constitution

As the core legal text of the nation, the constitution can only be changed through a national referendum

Turnout for the referenda was 44.36 per cent, a significant drop from the abortion referendum in 2018 which saw a turnout of 64 per cent

Speaking at Dublin Castle, Mr Varadkar said: 'The Government accepts the results and will respect it fully'

Speaking at Dublin Castle, Mr Varadkar said: 'I think it's clear at this stage that the family amendment and the care amendment referendums have been defeated, defeated comprehensively on a respectable turnout.

'The Government accepts the results and will respect it fully.

'As head of Government, on behalf of the Government, we accept responsibility for the results.

'It was our responsibility to convince a majority of people to vote yes and we clearly failed to do so.

'I think we struggle to convince people of the necessity or need for the referendum at all, let alone detail on the wording.

'That's obviously something we're going to have to reflect on into the weeks ahead.

'What I do want to say to people, though, is that when it comes to the work of Government, in relation to gender equality, in relation to improving conditions for carers, in relation to giving rights for people with disabilities, that work will continue.'

A woman holding a Yes badge before the vote

The boxes were opened at 9am on Saturday after the public went to the polls on Friday

The high number of no votes signalled an embarrassing defeat for the Government

Mr Varadkar also admitted the Irish Government 'clearly got it wrong'.

'I think Enda Kenny (former Taoiseach) famously said once that the electorate often gives the Government a wallop - this is two wallops,' he added.

'Well, look, clearly we got it wrong.'

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party is 'very much' in touch with the Irish public despite the overwhelming result.

This is despite her party advocated for a 'yes-yes' vote in Ireland's ballot on family and care.

'No, we're very, very much in touch with people, and you'll recall that I said from the get-go, that we were very much in favour of removing sexist language from the Constitution, very much in favour of an inclusive definition of families,' Ms McDonald said on Saturday.

'But we knew that the Government did come up short in terms of the caring wording. They disregarded the Citizens' Assembly, they didn't consult with opposition or with other stakeholders. They didn't collaborate, and they failed to convince.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald speaks to the media outside Dublin castle following the referendum

She said her party is 'very much' in touch with the Irish public despite the overwhelming result

Votes were counted on Saturday beginning at 9am and being announced hours later

Yes campaigners pose at a photo call organised by the National Women's Council in Dublin on March 5

'I know, talking to lots of people, that people were left with an unbalanced decision to make and I think it's a great pity that the Government went on this kind of solo run, and they've had their answer.

'I don't think there has been a lack of clarity for people, I think people when they came out and voted were very clear how they were voting and why they were voting in a particular way.

'If there is one big takeaway message from this, it is that support for people with disabilities as full and equal citizens and support for carers is something that has to be taken seriously by Government.

'I think it'll fall to the next government to vindicate those rights.'

Ms McDonald said Sinn Fein will 'return to' consideration of the 'sexist language' in Ireland's Constitution if the party is in the next government.

It comes after the nationalist leader said there should be a referendum on Irish unification by 2030 last month.

Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman said the Government was not successful in convincing the public of its arguments to change the Constitution.

Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman said the Government was not successful in convincing the public of its arguments to change the Constitution

Members of the public arrive at the polling station in scoil Treasa Naofa on Donore Avenue, Dublin to vote on Friday

'The Government has to make the case, and it's clear that throughout this campaign issues were raised, issues that I think were incorrect interpretations that I and Government believe were incorrect,' Mr O'Gorman said.

'But we weren't successful in convincing people that our arguments were strong.

'I think it has to be acknowledged that the departure from the wording of the Citizens' Assembly meant that some of those NGOs and civil society organisations, who would have been supportive originally, didn't feel they could support and (didn't) feel they could campaign to the same degree.

'I think that was certainly an element.

'Finally, I think the people didn't see the urgency of the change here in terms of the repeal campaign, where there was a clear outcome the day after the yes vote and in the case of marriage equality, where there was a clear outcome the day of the vote.

'People didn't get that sense of the need for change here. I think that was another factor.'

Irish deputy premier Micheal Martin said the majority of the public were not persuaded by the arguments for changing the Constitution.

'The result of the referendums on family and care is clear,' Mr Martin said in a statement.

'The majority were not persuaded by the arguments for changing the Constitution in this way.

'It is a core strength of our Constitution that the people have the final say. We fully respect their decision.

Leo Varadkar was pictured walking in to cast his vote in the referendum on Friday

Yes posters by Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein on lamp posts

'There is no single reason why these proposals were rejected and, like all who supported them, we will reflect on this over time.'

Senator Michael McDowell, a former tanaiste and ex-justice minister, who campaigned for a no-no vote, said the move had represented 'unwise social experimentation' with the Constitution.

Mr McDowell, who was part of the Lawyers For No group, said: 'I trust individual voters.

'They looked at what was being put before them and they said no.

'Many of them will have a slightly different perspective as to why they were voting no, but in the end we live in a republic and the sovereign power is the people, and every individual vote is as good as anybody else's vote, and this is an emphatic repudiation of what I think was unwise social experimentation with the Constitution.'

Labour leader Ivana Bacik defended her party's decision to back a yes-yes vote.

'I do think and it is clear that it is the Government's responsibility, because the Government needs to explain to the people first why it chose and proceeded with wording that was so distinctly different from the wording that our Oireachtas committee on gender equality has proposed, wording that cross-parties had supported,' she added.

'Why did they not go out more assertively and sell it to the people? Because what we saw from Government, particularly in the last few weeks as the no side was gaining ground, we saw a lacklustre campaign from Government.'
The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 flight which suffered a near catastrophic blow out at 16,000ft.

A door plug blew off midflight on January 5 with 171 passengers and crew onboard, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon.

Investigators have now contacted some passengers informing them they may be the victim of a crime, and interviewed pilots and flight attendants, according to documents seen by The Wall Street Journal.

The investigation may not result in formal charges of wrongdoing, but it will inform a Justice Department review of whether Boeing has met the requirements of the settlements reached after the two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019.

If they have not met the terms of the settlement, then Boeing could be prosecuted on a count of defrauding the US.

The latest development into the investigation of Boeing adds to the company's woes that include a civil investigation in addition to other recent high-profile incidents involving its jets.

Six Alaska Airlines passengers have sued Boeing after their horror flight where a door plug blew out at 16,000ft, forcing a dramatic emergency landing in Oregon

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun speaks with reports at the Capitol in January after MAX 9 planes were grounded

Alaska Airlines told The Journal: 'In an event like this, its normal for the DOJ to be conducting an investigation. We are fully cooperating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation.'

The new criminal investigation follows civil probes from the the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA which found 'multiple instances where the companies allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements.'

The criminal investigation will examine whether Boeing has met the conditions of the 2021 settlement reached after the fatal 2018 and 2019 crashes that killed 346 people.

The first occurred when a Max 8 operated by Indonesia's Lion Air plunged into the Java Sea in October 2018.

The second was when an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max 8 crashed nearly straight down into a field six minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa in March 2019.

Boeing reached a $2.5 billion settlement with the FBI and the Transportation Department in the wake of the crashes, admitting that two former employees had misled the FAA over how much training a new flight control system would require.

If the Justice Department finds that Boeing has violated the terms of that settlement, they could face prosecution on the original count of defrauding the US.

Boeing declined to comment on the criminal investigation. DailyMail.com contacted Alaska Airlines for comment.

Boeing is also facing a civil lawsuit from a group of passengers onboard the flight.

In January, an Alaska Airlines flight suffered a near-catastrophe as a plane door blew out at 16,000ft over Portland

There were no serious injuries from the terrifying air failure, but passenger's belongings including phones flew out of the aircraft

Earlier this week, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board accused Boeing of failing to provide some key records sought in its ongoing investigation into the mid-air cabin door emergency.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said investigators have sought the names of the 25 people who work on door plugs at a Boeing facility in Renton, Washington, but have not received them from Boeing.

'It is absurd that two months later we don't have it,' Homendy said at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday.

Boeing insisted that it had initially provided the NTSB with some of the names of Boeing employees, including door specialists it believed would have relevant information.

Senator Ted Cruz, the top Republican on the Commerce Committee, called it 'utterly unacceptable' that the NTSB was not receiving full cooperation from Boeing.

Homendy also confirmed that the MAX 9 door plug had moved during prior flights, citing markings on the door.

An Alaska Airlines flight arrived in Portland with the door to its cargo space where passengers' pets were inside left slightly ajar

The door plug incident has been followed by a string of bad press for Boeing, which has made headlines in recent weeks for issues with planes - including an engine exploding on a flight out of Texas and a wheel falling off on take-off at San Francisco.

Last month, another Alaska Airlines plane landed safely in Portland with its cargo door open.

Alaska Airlines Flight 1437 from Los Cabos, Mexico, arrived at Portland International Airport and photos show the open door.

It's unclear how long the door was open for, but the flight did not require an emergency landing.

There was no indication that the door was open during the flight, according to crew members, which points to the door opening after landing.

'Upon landing at PDX on March 1, Alaska Airlines flight 1437 was discovered to have the forward cargo door unsealed,' Alaska airlines said in a statement.

'There was no indication to the crew that the door was unsealed during flight and all indications point to the door partially opening after landing.

'Our maintenance teams inspected the aircraft, replaced a spring in the door, tested the door and reentered it into service.'
Humanitarian aid has been dropped into war-torn Gaza once again, as Israel continues its deadly campaign against the Palestinian territory.

A Spanish charity ship carrying food aid was expected to soon set sail from the Mediterranean island-nation of Cyprus to help alleviate the suffering in the coastal Gaza Strip, now in its sixth month of war.

The non-governmental group Open Arms said its boat would carry 200 tonnes of food, which its partner the US charity World Central Kitchen would then unload on the shores of Gaza where it had constructed a basic dock.

As famine looms in parts of besieged Gaza, US, Jordanian and other planes have also airdropped food aid there, but UN agencies warn this falls far short of the needs of its 2.4 million people.

The war, started by the October 7 attack on Israel, has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza, where vast swathes have been reduced to a bombed-out wasteland.

Humanitarian aid was being airdropped over the Palestinian territory

The war, started by the October 7 attack on Israel , has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza

Weeks of talks involving US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators have aimed for a six-week truce and the release of many of the about 100 hostages Hamas is still holding in return for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, with no result so far.

The widely shared target had been to halt the fighting by the start of Ramadan, which is expected to begin Monday depending on the first sighting of the crescent moon.

Both sides have blamed each other for failing to reach a ceasefire deal so far, after Israel had demanded a full list of surviving hostages, and Hamas had called for Israel to pull out all its troops from Gaza.

Israel's government accused Hamas of 'entrenching its positions like someone who is not interested in a deal and is striving to inflame the region during Ramadan'.

US President Joe Biden reiterated Saturday that Israel has 'a right to continue to pursue Hamas', but also stressed his growing impatience with Israel's right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As the civilian death toll has surged, Biden told broadcaster MSNBC Netanyahu 'must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken'.

At this stage, said Biden, Netanyahu's approach to the war was 'hurting Israel more than helping Israel'.

Weeks of talks involving US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators have aimed for a six-week truce and the release of many of the about 100 hostages Hamas is still holding in return for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, with no result so far

Both sides have blamed each other for failing to reach a ceasefire deal so far

US President Joe Biden reiterated Saturday that Israel has 'a right to continue to pursue Hamas'

The comments came after Israeli protesters again took to the streets of Tel Aviv in growing anti-government rallies, joined by some of the desperate families and friends of the remaining captives.

Biden also signalled he would be willing to speak directly to the Israeli people through an address to the Knesset legislature, but without revealing any further plans or details.

The war started when Hamas launched their unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel that resulted in about 1,160 deaths, mostly civilians, according to Israeli official figures.

The militants also took 250 hostages, dozens of whom were released during a week-long truce in November. Israel believes 99 hostages remain alive and that 31 have died.

Israel's withering bombardment and ground offensive have killed 31,045 people, mostly women and children, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Sunday.

It has also said at least 23 children have died from malnutrition and dehydration.

Inside Gaza, displaced Palestinians were lining up at a truck carrying scarce drinking water, which they filled into jerry cans and plastic containers.

Biden also signalled he would be willing to speak directly to the Israeli people through an address to the Knesset legislature

Israel's withering bombardment and ground offensive have killed 31,045 people, mostly women and children, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Sunday

Inside Gaza, displaced Palestinians were lining up at a truck carrying scarce drinking water, which they filled into jerry cans and plastic containers

'Now, on regular days, we can barely get water, so what about the upcoming Ramadan?' said one woman, Nesreen Abu Yussef.

'In the camp we have sick children who need sugar and protein, our children are getting dizzy,' she said. 'I swear, for the last five months we haven't seen a single egg or meat.'

Fighting and bombardment again rocked Gaza, where 81 bodies arrived overnight at barely functioning hospitals, according to the health ministry.

The Israeli military said its troops had killed 13 militants in air strikes and with tank and sniper fire in central Gaza over the past day.

Troops were also engaged in 'close-quarter combat' in the southern city of Khan Yunis, where strikes had killed 17 militants.

The army has reported that 248 of its forces have died in Gaza, where it claims to have killed more than 10,000 militants.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Israel was preparing for 'all possible operational scenarios' during Ramadan.

'Shortly before Ramadan, Hamas is preventing a deal and is acting against what was raised by the mediators,' he said.

The Israeli military said its troops had killed 13 militants in air strikes and with tank and sniper fire in central Gaza over the past day

Biden last Thursday announced that the US military would build a temporary pier on Gaza's coast to facilitate larger aid shipments by sea

The army earlier dropped leaflets with pictures of Hamas leaders enjoying a lavish meal and Palestinians with near-empty plates.

One Gaza man, Attallah al-Satel, told AFP: 'What is the purpose of this leaflet? We want a solution, to stop the war. We are just exhausted citizens.'

Qatar-based Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh called for the speedy distribution of aid and the full opening of border crossings 'to end the siege of our people'.

Biden last Thursday announced that the US military would build a temporary pier on Gaza's coast to facilitate larger aid shipments by sea, but the Pentagon warned this would take about 60 days.

The US Central Command said a ship had left Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia on Saturday carrying the 'first equipment to establish a temporary pier' to receive aid off Gaza.

International Committee of the Red Cross chief Mirjana Spoljaric again called for a ceasefire and for both sides to respect international law and protect civilians.

'It is the line between humanity and barbarity,' she said, adding that the situation was degenerating 'by the hour' in a war that had 'ruptured any sense of a shared humanity'.
Actress Maureen Lipman and TV presenter Vanessa Feltz were among a crowd of hundreds who gathered in Abbey Road, north-west London today to blow whistles and shofars to show solidarity with the dozens of hostages being held in Gaza.

More than 100 people are still being held by Hamas after their attack on Israel on October 7 last year.

And a rally today saw members of the Jewish community and supporters from 'Sussex to Jerusalem' blow whistles and shofars, an ancient musical horn often used in Jewish religious ceremonies, in a 'Blow for Hostages' event at St John's Wood Synagogue.

The performance was said to be the world's largest ram horn trumpet chorus.

The noisy demonstration at noon lasted 1 minute and 55 seconds, marking the 155 days the hostages have remained captive, and came after Dame Maureen, 77, and Ms Feltz, 62, had taken to the stage to address the crowd.

Actress Maureen Lipman and broadcaster Vanessa Feltz are among a crowd who have gathered in Abbey Road, north-west London to blow whistles and shofars to show solidarity with the dozens of hostages being held in Gaza

Ms Feltz said: 'Today our hearts are joined to the hearts and the souls of the mothers of the hostages, just imagine being there, it's just unbearable to think about it even one day'

Ms Feltz held a bag picturing her four grandchildren in an emotional speech

Dame Maureen said: 'I'm a mother, I'm an actor, I'm an aunt, I'm a grandmother, and since October 7 I'm a hostage like every other Jew in the world'

She called for people to 'fight back professionally' against 'the opposition', who she described as 'campus twits' and 'marching fools, who don't know which river or which sea they're talking about'

Ms Feltz held a bag picturing her four grandchildren in an emotional speech.

She said: 'Today our hearts are joined to the hearts and the souls of the mothers of the hostages, just imagine being there, it's just unbearable to think about it even one day.

'Imagine it, the mothers of the hostages who've been deprived their precious children now for 155 days.

'As we celebrate Mother's Day with our beloved children, our beloved grandchildren, these mothers are in agonising torment.'

Dame Maureen said: 'I'm a mother, I'm an actor, I'm an aunt, I'm a grandmother, and since October 7 I'm a hostage like every other Jew in the world.

'A hostage who shares that pain, that fear, that someone is coming, that childhood fear made real.

'I want to urge you to write this on your doorposts and tell your children we have to fight back.'

She called for people to 'fight back professionally' against 'the opposition', who she described as 'campus twits' and 'marching fools, who don't know which river or which sea they're talking about'.

More than 100 people are still being held by Hamas after their attack on Israel on October 7 last year

The attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on figures shared by Israel

Chorus organiser Marcel Knobil said the shofars and whistles were blown from 'Sussex to Jerusalem and from New York to the beaches of Thailand'

After the addresses, the participants raised their whistles and shofars as the rally continued

Conservative MP Mike Freer, for Finchley & Golders Green, spoke ahead of the demonstration and said 'as a non-Jew, to the Jewish community, you have friends, you are not alone'

Dame Maureen later added: 'How many of those girls, how many of those grandmothers, are ever going to face the beauty of life again?'

After the addresses, the participants raised their whistles and shofars as the rally continued.

Chorus organiser Marcel Knobil said the shofars and whistles were blown from 'Sussex to Jerusalem and from New York to the beaches of Thailand'.

He said: 'The shofar is such a significant icon.

'It's said to symbolise a number of things, some equate it with a sound of crying mothers and how appropriate that is to today's event, especially being Mother's Day.

'It's also said to represent hope and we are all bursting with hope for the release of the hostages.

'Many of us equate its wailing sound as a wake-up call.

'Waking us to address ourselves internally and stirring us to mend our way.'

A counter-protester was arrested at a pro-Palestinian march through central London on Saturday after displaying a placard reading 'Hamas is terrorist'

Iranian Niyak Ghorbani, 37, waved the sign in the middle of the rally, which saw thousands of demonstrators gather in the capital, before protesters turned on him leading to a large brawl

Mr Knobil added that he has spent time with families of hostages and said they are in 'total shock'.

He said: 'They are living in an unreal world.

'To see this terror and torment to be lifted from all these family members would be just a dream for me and the world Jewish community.'

Conservative MP Mike Freer, for Finchley & Golders Green, spoke ahead of the demonstration and said 'as a non-Jew, to the Jewish community, you have friends, you are not alone'.

He said: 'When we see mob rule on the streets of London, remember there are friends in Parliament that are seeking to curtail the hysteria that we see.'

Roughly 130 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza after Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on figures shared by Israel.

Today's demonstration comes after a counter-protester was arrested at a pro-Palestinian march through central London on Saturday after displaying a placard reading 'Hamas is terrorist'.

Iranian Niyak Ghorbani, 37, waved the sign in the middle of the rally, which saw thousands of demonstrators gather in the capital, before protesters turned on him leading to a large brawl.

The counter-protestor grinned at the camera as he was arrested by Met Police officers

Met spokesperson: 'He was arrested after an altercation was ongoing, and officers intervened to prevent a breach of the peace. He was arrested for assault'

Mr Ghorbani said that he would make a complaint after the incident and that he was not given back his sign

Police said he was arrested for assault before being de-arrested after officers reviewed footage.

Demonstrators carrying Palestine flags charged towards Mr Ghorbani and attacked him before police stepped in to arrest the counter-protester.

Mr Ghorbani was then hauled away from the scene as pro-Palestinian marchers continued to hurl abuse at him, shouting 'shame on you'.

Five further arrests were made at the march, including a man accused of carrying a shield and wearing a helmet, a woman said to be holding an an offensive placard, two men alleged to be chanting offensive slogans and one man for assault.

A Met spokesperson said: 'A video has been posted on X alleging officers arrested a man for having an anti-Hamas placard.

'This isn't accurate. He was arrested after an altercation was ongoing, and officers intervened to prevent a breach of the peace. He was arrested for assault.

'Officers then fully reviewed footage provided of the incident, and he was later de-arrested.

'The arrest was not made in relation to the placard.'

In February the families of hostages still held by Hamas marched on The Hague  demanding the International Criminal Court arrest the group's leaders.

They called for justice as lawyers filed a report that accused the terror state of war crimes, including sexual violence and torture.

Today's demonstration comes after the families of hostages still held by Hamas marched on The Hague in February  demanding the International Criminal Court arrest the group's leaders

They called for justice as lawyers filed a report that accused the terror state of war crimes, including sexual violence and torture

The group of more than 100, which included hostages freed in November, believe that issuing arrest warrants would put pressure on Hamas to free the remaining captives.

It emerged in November that Dame Maureen had been given a bodyguard by soap bosses amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and the UK's soaring anti-semitic attacks.

The outspoken Jewish actress was spotted with the burly security man, who could ensure her safety, as she filmed on location in Manchester
Pro-Palestine protesters have been accused of preventing Jews from mourning 'humanity's darkest hour' after activists staged a huge demonstration at the opening of a new National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam today.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Dutch King Willem-Alexander officially opened The Netherlands' first Holocaust Museum, but the day was marred by protesters throwing firecrackers and climbing police vans as they called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Thousands of protesters gathered near the museum and the Portuguese Synagogue in Waterloo Square in central Amsterdam amid tight security, waving Palestinian flags and chanting 'From the rivers to the sea, Palestine will be free'.

The protest leaders stressed that they were demonstrating against Mr Herzog's presence, not the museum and what it commemorates. Amid a sea of Palestine placards, there was also a group of people waving Israeli flags.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism told MailOnline: 'Nothing is sacred for these people. The Jews and those who care about history apparently cannot be permitted to mourn and reflect about humanity's darkest hour without being harassed or intimidated.

'In the discourse of the far-left and their Islamist allies, it is forbidden to view the Jews as victims. Any mention of the Holocaust must be accompanied with some baseless and grossly offensive claim that the Jews are committing one of their own.

Pro-Palestine activists have staged a huge demonstration outside the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam

Police officers intervene after a demonstrator climbed onto a van of the mobile unit during a demonstration

Protesters took to the streets on the same day that a National Holocaust Museum opened

Israeli President Isaac Herzog leaves after visiting the National Holocaust Museum on the day of its opening

Dutch King Willem-Alexander (R) receives a tour as part of the opening of the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam

'As we see all too often, that is not too far removed from saying that the genocide of the Jews never happened.

'People who do not respect history will never be able to learn from it. That's why they behave towards the Jews as they do. These people are a disgrace and should be treated as such.'

Speaking at a solemn gathering at a nearby synagogue, also attended by Dutch Holocaust survivors, King Willem-Alexander said: 'This museum shows us what devastating consequences anti-Semitism can have.'

President Herzog said the museum sent 'a clear and powerful statement: remember, remember the horrors born of hatred, anti-Semitism and racism and never again allow them to flourish.'

'Unfortunately never again is now, right now. Because right now, hatred and anti-Semitism are flourishing worldwide and we must fight it together,' added the president.

It comes as tens of thousands of protesters marched in central London yesterday - the 10th demonstration in central London since Israel started its military campaign in Gaza following the October 7 attacks by Hamas terrorists.

The president called for the 'immediate and safe return' of hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7 attacks and urged the congregation to 'pray for peace'.

Less than a mile away were protests against Herzog's appearance at the ceremonies, organised by, among others, Jewish groups urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Hundreds gathered waving Palestinian flags and banners, and shouting 'Never Again Is Now,' a reference to their belief Israel is committing genocide in the Palestinian territory.

They booed and shouted slogans such as 'Free Free Palestine' as the dignitaries arrived at the museum.

Dutch King Willem Alexander walks out of the National Holocaust Museum on the day of its opening

Demonstrators protest against Israel's President Isaac Herzog attending the opening of the new National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam

Demonstrators wave Palestine flags and lead chants outside the holocaust museum

Groups of Israelis and Palestinians were in the same area as police tried to keep peace

Demonstrators set off some firecrackers as Dutch riot police forms a line during a protest against Israel's President Isaac Herzog attending

Protesters said it could not stand by while the war in Gaza continued

'There's only one place for him here and that's the ICC,' said Estelle Jilissen, a 25-year-old consultant, referring to the International Criminal Court that tries suspected war criminals.

Protesters had hung signs on lampposts reading: 'Detour to International Criminal Court' along the route.

'A lot of Jewish people are against his arrival here as well because the pain of their ancestors, the suffering of their ancestors, is being smeared by this president's arrival,' said Jilissen.

Health officials in Gaza say nearly 31,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its offensive there in response to an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas fighters on southern Israel, in which some 1,200 people were killed and 253 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

Dutch Jewish anti-zionist organisation Erev Rave, which organised the protest with the Dutch Palestinian Community and Socialists International, said that while it honours the memory of Holocaust victims, it could not stand by while the war in Gaza continued.

Faced with international criticism of its campaign, Israel has been stressing that it did not start the war and was making all efforts to minimize civilian casualties, blaming Hamas for fighting in densely populated areas.

Some of Herzog's remarks have been cited by South Africa in its International Court of Justice lawsuit against Israel. He has said that not only militants but 'an entire nation' was responsible for the Oct. 7 attack and that Israel will fight 'until we break their backbone'.

Herzog has said his comments were misrepresented, and only part of what he said was cited in order to build a case against Israel in the ICJ, which after discussing told Israel to take action to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip but stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Herzog, before becoming president, which is a largely ceremonial role, used to head Israel's Labor party, which historically has been a advocate for making peace with Palestinians.

Dutch King Willem Alexander gets a tour at the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam

Protesters were seen walking around with placards reading: 'Detour to International Criminal Court' along the route.

Protesters carry signs calling Israel's military campaign in Gaza 'genocide' during a demonstration

People attend the opening of the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam

The museum told media that it had invited Herzog before the Hamas attack and Israel's subsequent offensive in Gaza.

It said in a statement it recognised that Herzog's attendance raised questions but added that he represented the homeland of Dutch Holocaust survivors who emigrated to Israel.

Nazi Germany killed six million Jews during World War Two. Three-quarters of the Dutch Jewish population, 102,000 people were killed by the Nazis, which is the highest proportion in western Europe.

The Netherlands had never had a national museum dedicated to those who lost their lives until now.
Experts have warned that schools could be forced to close amid a birth rate decline that could see thousands fewer pupils entering education in just a few years.

A report has found that by 2027 there will be more than 3,800 fewer children going into the first year of primary school in London alone - the equivalent of 134 reception classes.

The drop comes after a 17 per cent decrease in London's birth rate, with startling figures showing that by 2025 the number of reception pupils is expected to be 20,000 lower than a decade earlier.

There is also set to be a similar fall in the number of pupils entering secondary school, with London Councils warning that some schools will have to merge or close as receiving fewer students means getting less funding.

This decline is not just limited to London, with hundreds of primary schools across England and Wales at risk of being forced to close due to the falling birth rates.

The number of reception students is set to plunge to below 85,000 in the next couple of years

Five London boroughs are expecting to see the total number of students in their schools plunge by at least seven per cent by 2027

London Councils - a cross-party body which represents local authorities in the capital - said that the decline means that in Britain's biggest city the number of reception pupils is set to fall below the number of year 7 students for the first time next year.

However, the number of children entering the first year of secondary school is also expected to fall from next year, with the overall number of pupils in London boroughs set to decline by 4.3 per cent by 2027.

This will be most keenly felt in the borough of Lambeth, which is expected to see a 14.3 per cent decline in student numbers at mainstream schools by 2027, the BBC reports.

The City of London is set to see a fall of 11.8 per cent in the same period, while Lewisham, Westminster and Camden will all also see drops of more than seven per cent.

The population of young children is expected to plummet by more than half a million by 2030  the equivalent of 17,000 classes or 1,800 schools  the latest data analysis has suggested.

A baby boom in the early 2000s, partially fuelled by migration, fizzled out and births began to decline from 2012.

There were 605,479 live births in England and Wales in 2022, nearly 125,000 fewer than a decade earlier, and this downward trend is expected to continue.

London has also seen people move their families out of the capital in response to the Covid pandemic, house prices, the cost of living crisis and Brexit, London Councils said.

It has meant primary schools that were once scrambling to acquire extra classrooms are now unable to fill places, which has already led to dozens facing closure.

Schools receive on average about 7,000 for each child on their register, so if numbers drop too far it becomes financially unviable.

Secondary pupil numbers across the country are forecast by the Department for Education to fall from 2025 onwards, reaching 98,000 fewer by 2030  a three per cent drop which is equivalent to 3,266 classes or 92 schools.

Hundreds of primary schools could be forced to close by the end of the decade because of a dramatic fall in the number of births (File image)

The population of young children is expected to plummet by more than half a million by 2030  the equivalent of 17,000 classes or 1,800 schools (File image)

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, urged the Government to keep open schools even as pupil numbers fall.

He said: 'As well as lower birth rates, issues like the housing crisis and families moving out of cities after the pandemic may be having an impact.

'Schools are a crucial part of the fabric of local communities, including in rural areas with few other services and where pupils may have to travel long distances if their local school closes.

'A knee-jerk reaction of rushing to close these schools could backfire in the long-term if pupil numbers recover, leading to a shortage of places.

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'Councils and the Government should support schools in this situation and maintain funding.'

Cllr Ian Edwards, London Councils Executive Member for Children and Young People, said: 'London boroughs are seeing a significant reduction in the number of pupils beginning primary and secondary education, which has major implications for the future of schools across the capital.

'This report comes at a time when unfortunately some of our schools and local authorities are negotiating a complex balancing act. The drop in demand for places means schools face extremely difficult decisions over how to balance their budgets.'

Official figures from the Office for National Statistics showed fertility rates fell to 1.49 children per woman in 2022. That is well below the rate of 2.1 needed to maintain a steady population without significant immigration.

The falling birth rates since 2010 have already prompted schools closures in many areas in recent years.

A DfE spokesman said: 'It is for local authorities and academy trusts to balance the supply and demand of school places, in line with changing demographics, as they have done for many years.'
Catholic church officials have defended a decision not to contact police about a 'physical argument' between a priest and an elderly widow parishioner despite the woman saying she had been left with 'flashbacks and near to breakdown'.

Father Michael Brookes, 62, was removed from his post at St Thomas More chapel in Harleston, Norfolk, after he 'assaulting' the woman in a disagreement over whether a young boy could bring a puppy to Christmas Eve mass.

Church officials investigated before Peter Collins, the Bishop of East Anglia, concluded his position was untenable.

But the woman, who doesn't want to be identified, said: 'There was unbearable pressure on me afterwards not to speak about the assault, which meant there wasn't much support locally, and this has affected my mental health.

'I certainly have heard nothing from the church or the Bishop by way of apology.'

Father Michael Brookes, 62, (pictured) has been accused of 'assaulting' a woman in a disagreement over whether a young boy could bring a puppy to Christmas Eve mass

Catholic church officials defended their decision not to contact police over the 'physical argument' between Fr Brookes and an elderly widow parishioner despite the woman saying she had been left with 'flashbacks and near to breakdown'

Fr Brookes has been removed from his post at St Thomas More chapel in Harleston, Norfolk (pictured)

She added: 'I have scarcely slept since the assault and still have flashbacks and feel pretty near to breakdown.

'I was devastated by what happened, especially as a priest is meant to represent Christ to us, and this has shaken my trust in the church.'

A diocese spokesman said: 'Had the victim been a young person or a vulnerable adult and the incident had involved a potential offence, it would have automatically been referred to the police.

'Because the victim was not a young person or vulnerable adult and had the capacity to make her own decisions, she decided she did not want the police involved, as was her right.'

Masses at the chapel and some in nearby Bungay, which Fr Brookes also covered, have been 'temporarily paused' while a replacement is found.

The woman, a widow who acts as Eucharist minister, entitling her to give Communion with a priest, said the incident occurred when a couple she didn't know turned up with their 'very pleased' six-year-old, who was clutching a puppy.

'I said 'Oops, you'll have to smuggle that in, I think' and he was just picking it up to put it in his jacket when Mike came past and said extremely rudely 'You can't bring that in here',' she said.

She followed him into the sacristy where he was about to put on his vestments, explaining: 'I told him that it didn't give a very good image of the church and he just lost it big time. My memory is of his face in mine, screaming with spittle coming from his lips. I walked out of the sacristy, and he came after me.

'He grabbed me from behind on my upper arms and pulled me backwards into the sacristy and spun me round. I was shocked and [went] back into the chapel because I thought he was going to hit me.

'He just slammed the door with him still inside and shouted out that there was no mass today.'

The congregation were left 'sitting awkwardly'. Some remained to sing carols and do Bible readings. The family with the dog had already left.

Fr Brookes, who was appointed to the parish of Bungay in 2021 and lived at its presbytery, asked for the incident to be referred to the parish safeguarding officer, according to his victim because 'he knew he had crossed the line'.

The woman, who doesn't want to be named, said she was among several parishioners who accused the priest of having a history of 'screaming' at people if he felt 'challenged'.

In a statement last week, Bishop Collins, revealed he had been holding meetings with Fr Brookes since last summer because he was experiencing 'significant stress' from problems including his elderly mother's ill-health.

He expressed 'sadness and regret' for the woman, saying: 'This is a very sad and upsetting situation for everyone and the safety and well-being of all involved are our primary concern.'

A diocese spokesman said: 'Bishop Peter Collins took the decision that the priest should stand down from his priestly ministries and undergo independent clinical psychological assessment.

'He will be supported by diocesan authorities through the coming period.'

Fr Brookes originally worked as a psychiatric nurse changed course when his faith was strengthened by problems in his personal life.

'Things in my life fell apart  a relationship, work, where I was living,' he said in an article on the .

'Everything was negative, loss. Faith had become important in my life again and I wanted to take my faith more seriously.'

He converted from Anglicanism to Catholicism in the 1990s and joined the Order of the Carmelites at a priory in Kent for four years, then lived with the Community of Our Lady of Walshingham, while working in the NHS.

He settled in Dereham and worked with Norfolk social services before joining the priesthood in 2019.
TikTok could be sold for 'hundreds of billions of dollars' as Congress looks to pass a bill that would force the app to divest from its Chinese parent company amid national security concerns.

The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party unanimously approved a bipartisan bill on Thursday that would require TikTok to divest from Beijing-based company ByteDance within five months of the bills enactment in order to avoid a nation-wide ban.

Leaders in the tech and media industry are floating the idea of buying the popular app, reported The Wall Street Journal.

Sources said the former CEO of videogame publisher Activision, Bobby Kotick, and chief executive of OpenAI Sam Altman are rumored to be potential buyers.

'Any price tag is estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars,' the Journal noted.

TikTok could be sold for billions of dollars if the app is forced to divest from its Chinese parent company

The former CEO of videogame publisher Activision, Bobby Kotick (pictured), and chief executive of OpenAI Sam Altman have been floated as potential buyers

Sources said at Kotick discussed the idea of partnering to buy TikTok in front of a group that included Altman (pictured)

Kotick has reportedly approached ByteDance Executive Chair Zhang Yiming at a dinner at an Allen & Co. conference to express his interest in purchasing the company.

Sources said Kotick discussed the idea of partnering to buy TikTok in front of a group that included Altman.

The House select committee that introduced the bill has accused Chinese officials of using TikTok to spy on U.S. users' locations and dictate its algorithm to conduct influence campaigns, making it a national security threat.

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act would specifically designate ByteDance and TikTok as foreign adversary-controlled applications.

President Joe Biden has said that he would sign the bill if Congress successfully passes it.

Following the introduction of the House bill, TikTok used consumer location data to urge its users to call their representatives and demand the measure not be enacted, irking lawmakers.

Thousands of children called lawmakers on Capitol Hill Thursday, staffers told DailyMail.com, many of whom were crying begging that their beloved social media app not be banned.

'It's absolutely creepy,' Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said of the TikTok congressional call campaign. 'It's really crazy and it's a dangerous tool.'

'It is an algorithm designed to be addictive.'

The bill is scheduled to receive a vote on the floor next week after passing through the House Commerce Committee with unanimous approval.

However, some in the Senate have called into question the legitimacy of the measure.

Following the introduction of the House bill, TikTok used consumer location data to urge its users to call their representatives and demand the measure not be enacted, irking lawmakers

'I think it's a terrible idea and it's hysteria that's running through both parties now.' Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told DailyMail.com.

Paul argued that the bill would be an infringement on American's First Amendment rights.

'In America, we don't just tell people you can't own a company because we don't like you. And 150 million people use their First Amendment freedom to express themselves on TikTok, and you can't just have that taken away from them.'

He also noted that the bill could further distress tensions with China.

'People need to remember some of the lessons of history, when you start banning companies and banning interaction between countries, you come closer to a war,' he said. 'It's a huge step in the wrong direction.'
The US Air Force has launched a $6 billion contract for 1,000 AI-piloted fighter jets that can fly 30ft above the ground at 600mph and make moves that are too dangerous for manned planes.

The jets will bolster the current ailing and outdated fleet that leaders say is the smallest and oldest since the Air Force became a separate service in 1947.

The new fleet will be able to perform riskier maneuvers than unmanned aircraft, and will escort and protect crewed planes, carry weapons to attack targets on the ground and in the air and act as scouts.

Five companies are bidding for the contract: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Atomics and Anduril Industries, but only the Boeing Ghost Bat has been flown publicly.

The Pentagon will choose two of the companies by summer to start building the jets and hopes to have hundreds completed within five years at an estimated cost of $10 to $20 million per plane.

One of the jets under consideration is the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat which is already in use in Australia

The Ghost Bat is an unmanned drone and is the only one of the contenders that has been flown publicly

The drones, known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), will be smaller than existing fighters at 20 to 30 feet long. They will be made to deter China and its growing military strength.

The newest jets will travel at just below the speed of sound, carrying missiles and weaponry to fire at enemy aircraft and targets on the ground.

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told the Wall Street Journal: 'They offer a lot of things that traditional crewed fighter planes just arent designed to do.'

The newest models will be a step up from the small drones have become a key feature of modern battlefields in recent years in Ukraine and parts of the Middle East.

Larger drones, like the new fleet, are needed to tackle the vast distances of the western Pacific.

The planes rely on artificial intelligence to fly autonomously and adapt to changing conditions in combat.

One of the main new developers of flying software is Shield AI.

Their technology helped an uncrewed F-16 regularly beat some of the best Air Force pilots in simulated missions, allowing their planes to skim the ground at 600 miles an hour.

Ground controllers could manage 10 of the drones at once or they can be programmed to fly in swarms, overwhelming and confusing the enemy.

The planes should also be cheaper than manned aircraft as they are designed to be expendable, flying one or two missions before they are retired or destroyed, meaning they can be made with cheaper parts.

One of the potential jets under development by General Atomics

The jets will enhance and replace the current fleet of unmanned jets

Small drones have revolutionized modern battlefields but larger drones are needed to travel the long distances in the Pacific

The Air Force is aiming for a price between $10 and $20 million, but this could drop to around $10 million or less.

In comparison, a manned F-35 is $100 million new while a B-21 bomber is $750 million.

The Air Force would require 100 new jets each year with companies urged to keep their designs simple, doing the minimum for missions, rather than planning for every eventuality.

Unmanned aircraft have received opposition from pilots in the past who fear being made redundant.

But the balance is shifting with more options for on the ground controlling and with newer recruits - brought up playing video games - more accepting of the remote controls.
A massive search operation has resumed for a swimmer who went missing after getting caught in a rip at a popular Sydney beach.

Emergency crews were called after reports a man was last seen swimming in the water at Bronte Beach about 7.45pm on Sunday.

As the search dragged into the night, rescue crews decided to pause the operation until first light on Monday.

A massive search operation is underway for a man who went missing after being caught in a rip at Bronte Beach in Sydney's East on Sunday night (pictured)

The search has resumed as of 6.30am, with police, lifesavers and an ambulance helicopter expected to contribute.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said the man had failed to resurface, sparking the widespread search.

Surf Life Saving NSW city branch duty officer John Restuccia said crews searched the rocks as far south as Bronte Bogey Hole, near the baths, before suspending the search overnight.

According to Mr Restuccia, two swimmers had got caught in the rip, but only one was so far able to be located and rescued.

NSW Police and Ambulance launched a ground, water and air search for the man with the help of a rescue helicopter and a police boat

Two swimmers had got caught in the rip, but only one was so far able to be located and rescued
The giant charity established by tech titan Elon Musk could land him with a multi-million dollar fine because it has donated so little of its vast wealth.

The world's second-richest man has escaped billions in tax by gifting Tesla stock to the Musk Foundation which he set up in 2001.

But it gave away less than half of what it needed to for Musk to qualify for the tax break in 2022, and much of that went to employees, businesses and projects that he is personally associated with.

The billionaire SpaceX boss is one of just three people who run the foundation, one of whom reports devoting just six minutes a week to the task.

'The really striking thing about Musk is the disjuncture between his outsized public persona, and his very, very minimal philanthropic presence,' charity expert Benjamin Soskis told the New York Times.

Elon Musk on a visit to Flint, Michigan, where he donated $1.25 million in 2019 to decontaminate the water supply to local schools

Five of Musk's children were among the first 14 pupils of the ultra-exclusive Ad Astra school his charity has supported

Donations to Cameron County in Texas began minutes after this SpaceX rocket blew up over the area after blasting off from Boca Chica launch site in March 2021

Musk has created one of the world's largest charities with more than $7 billion in donations since 2020 alone.

But charities are required to give away at least five per cent of their assets each year to qualify for tax exemptions, but Musk's foundation barely managed two per cent in 2022, the last year for which records are available.

One of its favorite causes is Musk's non-profit school project called Ad Astra which he founded in Bel-Air Los Angeles in 2014, with five of his own children among the first 14 pupils.

Now centered on the SpaceX campus in Boca Chica, Texas, it caters to 250 students, but former SpaceX executives told the paper it is nearly impossible for lower-ranking employees to gain admission for their children.

The South African-born billionaire has done little to promote his charity and has insisted that it is his for-profit firms such as Tesla, SpaceX and the social media platform X which will do most to change the world for the better.

'Tesla has done more to help the environment than all other companies combined,' he said last year.

'As a leader of the company, I've done more for the environment than any single human on earth.'

Musk donated $55 million to Pennsylvania billionaire Jared Isaacman (third from left) who promise to raise $200 million for St Jude's Children's Research Hospital by raffling off a seat alongside him on a SpaceX rocket flight

The first Ad Astra was registered at this Musk property in Bel-Air Los Angeles before moving to SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California

But he has made a series of high-profile charitable interventions since he made his billions, notably in Flint, Michigan, where he donated $1.25 million in 2019 to decontaminate the water supply to local schools.

He originally promised to 'fund fixing the water in any house in Flint that has water contamination above FDA levels', and open a manufacturing plant in the city.

Those promises did not materialize but mayor Karen Williams Weaver said she was still grateful for his help: 'He didn't have to do anything.'

The charity ballooned in size in 2022 after a stock option gave Musk around $25 billion worth of Tesla shares.

Musk complained that he faced an $11 billion tax bill and hunted around for a charitable cause that would entitle him to a tax deduction.

He offered $6 billion to the World Food Program if it would satisfy his questions on how it would be spent, but eventually handed $5.7 billion of stock to his own foundation  saving him $2 billion in tax.

Musk's family office manager Jared Birchall is one of just three people running the charity

But he did donate $5 million to a UN program promoting internet access for schools in remote areas, eventually signing up two of the countries involved to his Starlink satellite service.

Donations to Cameron County in Texas began minutes after a SpaceX rocket blew up over the area after blasting off from Boca Chica launch site in March 2021.

'Am donating $20M to Cameron County schools & $10M to City of Brownsville for downtown revitalization,' Musk tweeted that morning.

'He's given to every organization that exists here in Brownsville, from our homeless shelters to the city of Brownsville to our school children  almost anything I can ever think of,' said city commission member Jessica Tetreau.

And many of the donations have been close to home, including $100 million to OpenAI the one-time non-profit on whose board he sat.

More than $100 million has gone to Texas startup educational charity The Foundation, run by Musk's family office manager Jared Birchall, who also co-manages the Musk Foundation.

The start-up has bought land outside Bastrop, Texas, just two minutes from a housing project for staff at Musk firm the Boring Company, and it is running recruitment adverts for a new Ad Astra school at the site.

And his largest donation of 2021 went to Pennsylvania billionaire Jared Isaacman who promise to raise $200 million for St Jude's Children's Research Hospital by raffling off a seat alongside him on a SpaceX rocket flight.

When Isaacman announced he had missed his target, Musk tweeted back: 'Count me in for $50M,' eventually donating $55 million through his charity.

Council on Foundations president Kathleen Enright accused Musk of abusing his position in the supposedly independent charity he established.

Musk at the Boca Chica site of his SpaceX headquarters in South Texas

The site is SpaceX's fourth active launch facility, and its first private facility, with over 2,100 full-time employees

'It's not his checkbook,' she said, 'It's not a private, family-owned company. It's a charitable organization.'

The charity fell $234 million short of the donations required by tax law between 2021 and 2022, leaving it liable to a fine amounting to 30 percent of that total, if it has not made up the shortfall in the meantime.

'It tells you it's not yet ready for prime time,' said Professor Brian Galle who studies nonprofit law at Georgetown University.

'It's not yet a professional organization.'
A prison has been forced to close down more than 180 cells after radioactive gas was detected, leading to nearly 200 criminals being moved out in the past three months.

HMP Dartmoor in Devon has carried out the prisoner removals due to the presence of radon - a odourless and colourless gas which can cause severe illness from prolonged exposure.

The capacity of the prison has been reduced by 184 places between November and February, with official figures suggesting its total safe capacity is 640.

In the same period until February, 194 prisoners have been moved out of the jail.

While the reason for their removal is not recorded, it's understood the vast majority have been moved out because of the gas.

HMP Dartmoor in Devon has been forced to close the cells and carry out prisoner removals due to the presence of radon

Radon is produced by decaying radioactive materials in rocks and soils. It is responsible for around 1,000 lung cancer deaths a year.

It is thought to occur more often in areas with high concentrations of granite, such as Dartmoor.

The Prison Service said 'a number of prisoners' had been moved as a precautionary step, with efforts to reduce radon levels currently ongoing.

The Service added that no prisoner or staff member is or has reported illness or adverse reaction to the radon exposure.

READ MORE: Squalid conditions inside Victorian jail HMP Bedford as damning watchdog report reveals how it's rife with violence and infested with rats and cockroaches

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The Labour Party, which revealed the figures in a series of questions to ministers, said it was 'shocking that the Government's mismanagement of the prison estate means they are having to reduce the number of prison places during a capacity crisis'.

Ruth Cadbury MP, shadow prisons minister, said: 'This dangerous gas was first detected in 2020, and yet the Ministry of Justice have said that measures weren't put in place until 2022.

'Ministers need to explain why it has taken over two years for them to act.

'After 14 years in power and a dozen prison ministers, our prisons are out of control and the Government need to get a grip.

'Labour will rebuild public confidence in the criminal justice system and we'll restore law and order in Britain.'

Answering Labour's questions on behalf of the Government, justice minister Edward Argar said the Prison Service is 'continually investing in the prison estate to ensure that prisons remain safe, decent and secure'.

Mr Argar said elevated radon readings were detected at Dartmoor in 2020 in 'subterranean areas adjacent to the kitchen and workshops'.

He added: 'Temporary mitigations have been in place at Dartmoor in those areas since 2022 following advice from specialist contractors, pending permanent mitigations that are near completion.

'Further specialist advice has been commissioned following the recent identification of elevated radon levels in some accommodation areas of the prison.'

The capacity of the prison has been reduced by 184 places between November and February, with official figures suggesting its total safe capacity is 640

A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'A number of prisoners have been relocated as a precautionary measure after routine testing revealed higher than normal levels of radon.

'This is a temporary measure while work to permanently reduce radon levels is completed and there are no safety implications to staff or prisoners who remain on site.'

The latest monthly bulletins for the prison population in England and Wales also appear to track a falling number of inmates and a decreased capacity at Dartmoor.

January figures record an operational capacity of 583, with a population of 555, while in February the capacity was 505 with a population of 470.

In December, a report by Dartmoor's independent monitoring board warned the prison was understaffed and overcrowded, and arguably 'not fit for purpose'.

It also pointed to radon first being detected in 2020, and claimed 'it is only in this year that some actions have been taken while further monitoring is undertaken to inform future decisions'.
Police are probing three branches of a funeral directors as bodies were removed after reports of 'concerns for care of the deceased'.

Humberside Police are investigating Legacy Independent Funeral Directors after a report over concerns about 'storage and management processes relating to care of the deceased'.

There is still a police presence with cordons at the company's three branches in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Residents told of police first arriving outside Legacy Funeral Directors in Anlaby Road and Hessle Road, both in Hull, last Thursday at about 3am on Thursday - and officers remain today at both branches, as well as one in Beverley.

A number of bodies have been removed from the premises on Hessle Road in Hull to the local authority mortuary in Hull, Humberside Police said, while a direct line has been set up for anyone who might be affected.

Police have been patrolling outside the Beckside branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull as well as two other outlets elsewhere in Humberside

Humberside Police are investigating after receiving a report expressing 'concern about the storage and management processes relating to care of the deceased'

Officers are seen outside the Hessle Road branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors

Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said: 'We received a report on Wednesday, March 6, expressing concern about the storage and management processes relating to care of the deceased in these locations.

'Since the initial report was made, teams of highly skilled detectives and specially trained staff from Humberside Police have been working closely with partner agencies, including Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and His Majesty's Coroner.

'Together we have been conducting extensive inquiries to fully understand the circumstances and concerns expressed in the report made to us.

'As part of this, we are now in the process of moving a number of deceased from the premises on Hessle Road in Hull to the local authority mortuary in Hull.

'Specially trained family liaison officers have already seen families involved and will continue to do so.

'These officers are working closely with our partners to ensure that families are provided with the most appropriate care and support for their personal circumstances whilst our investigation continues.'

Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council have also been helping Humberside Police in supporting affected families.

The Beverley branch, the smallest, is located on the corner of a residential street on the outskirts of the town.

A woman who owns the building and lives next door said: 'They don't very often come to this place.

'I have not seen them for ages. They used my place to try and drum up extra business but it has not really happened.

Police cordoned off all three of the company's branches including one in Hessle Road, Hull

Residents reported seeing police at the Hessle Road branch in the early hours last Thursday

Officers were also on alert at the Anlaby Road branch elsewhere in Hull

'It is very strange what has happened. It is not everyday you have the police watching the building.

'I know a couple of people who have had funerals there and they were really happy.'

The main branch and head office of Legacy is at the near derelict end of Hessle Road, Hull, next to a derelict house sprayed with graffiti and facing a row of takeaways and boarded up buildings.

Local takeaway staff were all aware of the investigation but had no idea what was behind it.

Mr McLoughlin added today: 'We have already received a number of calls from concerned members of the public and I want to offer my personal reassurance that we are working as hard as possible to make direct contact with each and every family that may have been affected by the concerns reported.

'This is a very complex investigation, with heartbroken and devastated families at the core of it, and we are determined to make sure that we keep the families involved at the heart of everything we are doing.

'We will continue to release updates as and when we are able, but we do need to be mindful not to jeopardise ongoing investigations and we ask that people refrain from speculating and show the utmost respect for bereaved families within our community.'

Emma Hardy, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle, revealed her shock after hearing about the police probe and said her 'heart goes out to all the worried family members'.

She reminded members of the public it was 'important' not to speculate about the nature of the probe, adding: 'The present focus is the investigation'.

Ms Hardy wrote on Facebook on Friday: 'I am extremely shocked to have been made aware that an investigation is taking place into a funeral directors in my constituency.

A number of bodies have been moved from the premises on Hessle Road in Hull

Police have also cordoned off the funeral firm's Beverley branch in Beckside

Emma Hardy, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle, revealed her shock after hearing about the police probe, saying her 'heart goes out to all the worried family members'

'My heart goes out to all of the worried family members and loved ones. I can only imagine the distress and devastation that you will be feeling.

'I have already spoken to the police and the chief cxecutive of Hull City Council. I understand that the present focus is on a police investigation and believe it's important not to speculate at this time, or do anything that may jeopardise its findings.'

Police urged anyone with concerns who has used Legacy Independent Funeral Directors to 'please call us' on 0800 051 4674 or 0207 126 7619 if from abroad.

There is also a Victim Support helpline on 0808 1689111.
The Metropolitan Police has been slammed by campaigners after denying its officers arrested a man because he was holding an anti-Hamas sign at a pro-Palestine protest.

The force has been heavily criticised after video emerged showing four officers wrestling Niyak Ghorbani to the ground and handcuffing him as he held a counter-protest in London yesterday.

The 38-year-old had been holding a banner saying 'Hamas is Terrorist' when he was confronted by multiple pro-Palestine demonstrators who tried to rip the sign from his hands, with police then dragging him away.

Police claimed officers had arrested him on suspicion of assault, although he was later de-arrested and shocking footage released showed one of the officers involved ripping the sign out of the Iranian dissident's hands and screwing it up.

Activist group Campaign Against Antisemitism has blasted the Met's treatment of Mr Ghorbani as 'outrageous and disproportionate', and accused the force of 'failing to enforce the law'.

Niyak Ghorbani (centre) was wrestled to the ground by four Met officers and handcuffed for carrying a 'Hamas is Terrorist' banner during a counter-protest to the pro-Palestine march in London

Mr Ghorbani was seen carrying the sign during the latest national protest against Israel's bombing of Gaza

During yesterday's rally thousands of people marched through the capital, a small number of whom were seen appearing to celebrate Houthi terror attacks in the Red Sea.

While he was later de-arrested and released, video of Mr Ghorbani's initial arrest was shared on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, sparking a fierce backlash.

As he was held down by police the IT professional was seen shouting: 'Shame on you I wrote down Hamas is a terrorist organisation... but they arrested me.'

Last night, Mr Ghorbani told The Mail on Sunday: 'I think the police are totally wrong. It is a total double standard. It is one rule for the Palestinian protesters and another for me. It is hypocrisy.'

In statement the Met Police denied he had been handcuffed as a result of having a banner decrying Hamas.

'A video has been posted on X alleging officers arrested a man for having an anti-Hamas placard,' a spokesperson said.

'This isn't accurate. He was arrested after an altercation was ongoing, and officers intervened to prevent a breach of the peace. He was arrested for assault.

'Officers then fully reviewed footage provided of the incident, and he was later de-arrested. The arrest was not made in relation to the placard.'

However, the Campaign Against Antisemitism said it was 'reviewing all the footage available' regarding the incident and its lawyers are 'examining options'.

Writing on X, it said: 'James Cleverly and Sadiq Khan, how confident are you that under Sir Mark Rowley understands the law, let alone that it can enforce it?

'The police response appears to have been not only outrageous and disproportionate but potentially legally actionable.

'For a phalanx of police officers to violently arrest a man who was verbally and physically attacked for observing that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist group while taking no action against his assailants is a breathtaking inversion of the law.

'Not only are the police failing to enforce the law but they appear to be punishing those who are daring to point out what the law is.'

Onlookers criticised the heavy-handed treatment of Mr Ghorbani compared to the softly-softly approach towards those glorifying Houthi terror attacks on British ships

Shocking footage showed Met Police officers handcuffing Mr Ghorbani on the floor, one of them is seen ripping the sign out of the Iranian man's hands and screwing it up

Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith last night reacted to Mr Ghorbani's treatment by saying: 'I will be demanding a full inquiry with a public apology from the police. This Iranian man has done nothing wrong at all.

'For a man to be arrested and bundled to the floor by officers, who do not seem to know the difference between a peaceful organisation and a terrorist one, is astonishing.'

Jewish Tory MP Andrew Percy said: 'For months the police have ignored support for actual terrorist groups on our streets yet they find time to arrest someone pointing out a simple statement of fact.'

MailOnline has contacted the Met Police for further comment.

Onlookers criticised the heavy-handed treatment of Mr Ghorbani compared to the softly-softly approach towards those glorifying Houthi terror attacks on British ships.

READ MORE HERE: Pro-Palestine protests have cost Met Police 32.2 million so far as thousands more marchers are set to take to London streets this weekend Advertisement

A man with a megaphone repeatedly screamed, 'Yemen, Yemen, do us proud' while a crowd chanted in response, 'Turn another ship around.'

Last week three sailors were killed on their ship by missiles launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen. The Houthis say the attacks are in support of the Palestinians.

Despite witnessing the chanting, two Metropolitan Police officers declined to take action when challenged by an onlooker, who asked: 'Guys, you know what that reference is, the Yemen reference the Houthis, proscribed terror organisation?'

One of the officers shook his head while the other said: 'I am listening to my earpiece, sorry.'

The incidents took place during the latest national protest against Israel's bombing of Gaza  and follow claims that London has become a 'no-go zone for Jews' during weekend protests.

For the first time since the conflict began, an official counter-demonstration was staged in solidarity with both Israel and British Jews who have felt intimidated by the weekly protests.

Organisers said they wanted to reclaim London as 'a bastion of democracy, diversity, and multiculturalism'.

Police said four other arrests were made at yesterday's march.

The UK Government officially designated Hamas as a terrorist organisation in 2021.

Membership and expressing support for Hamas is an illegal act in the UK, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Police shot at Pico while he was behind a building, but he got back up and rounded the corner where he got in a shoot-out with the cops

This is the dramatic moment a police sniper wounded a suspect, before other officers shot and killed him when he opened fire on authorities.

Tobin Pico was pulled over by Marana police in Arizona around 5:30 p.m. on February 10 at a gas station on the corner of West Ina Road and Old Father Drive.

As officers arrested Pico, he escaped and pulled out a weapon as cops gave chase.

At one point, Pico walked alone behind a building. A police sniper set up and unleashed three shots at the suspect. The first two missed, but the third hit and sent him to the ground withering in pain.

Pico, despite being shot, got up seconds later and went around the corner of the building. He was met by other officers who demanded he drop his gun. Instead, Pico opened fire leading to a gun battle where police killed him in a barrage of bullets.

Stunning video shows the moment police in Arizona used a snipe to shoot at suspect Tobin Pico as he ran following a traffic stop. Pico got up after being wounded, but was killed seconds later in a shootout with authorities

Authorities have launched an investigation into the fatal shooting to determine if police procedure was followed. It's unclear if the officers involved remain on duty during the investigation.

After conducting a DUI test, officers arrested Pico on suspicion of aggravated DUI, reported the Arizona Daily Star.

When officers tried to put handcuffs on him, he ran and fled through traffic.

Video released by the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team shows Pico pulled out a handgun during the chase.

While crossing the median, Pico fell and dropped the gun he was carrying.

'Gotta gun! Gun! Gun! Gun!' an officer is heard shouting as he chased Pico.

After Pico picked the gun back up, he continued running with the weapon. Officers repeatedly told Pico to stop and drop his weapon.

'Stop right now or I'm going to shoot you,' one officer said as Pico ran down a path behind a building.

Pico fled from police while being arrested on suspicion of aggravated DUI on February 10

Video released by the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team shows Pico pulled out a gun as he tripped while running from police

Eventually, a police sniper sets up as Pico walks behind a remote building

Officers fired three shots, the last one sending Pico to the ground

After being on the ground, Pico got up and went to the corner of the building

Pico got back up and ran around the corner where police and Pico shot at each other

Officers fired at least a dozen shots, some hitting the suspect, causing him again to fall to the ground

'Stop, drop the gun. Drop it. Drop the gun. Drop it,' another officer said during the foot pursuit.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department Survey Air Unit was called and drone footage shows Pico walking along a path along the Canyon Del Oro Wash. There Pico was seen firing off his gun.

A police sniper began getting into place to shoot at Pico as he continued down the path.

Pico then walked toward an occupied parking lot with open businesses in the 6900 block of North Thornydale Road.

As the suspect was walking behind a building, a sniper fired off three rounds at Pico from around the corner - hitting him once. The shot didn't kill Pico as he was able to get up after a few seconds and move close to the building.

There, another set of officers fired at Pico, who fired back, starting a shootout between him and the cops.

As an officer fired off multiple shots at Pico, another cop is heard telling the suspect to drop his weapon. Video shows police unleashing a dozen shots at Pico as he was hit and fell to the ground again - this time fatally wounded.

According to Pico's obituary, he left behind a pregnant girlfriend who was carrying their soon-to-be-born daughter

Police said once the suspect was struck, officers provided aid until paramedics arrived. However, Pico was pronounced dead at the scene.

The officers who fired their weapons during the incident have been identified as Officer Brad Gill, a 12-year veteran; Officer Jacob McCarthy, a 6-year veteran; and Officer Max Wozniak, a 7-year veteran.

According to Pico's obituary, he left behind a pregnant girlfriend who was carrying their soon-to-be-born daughter.

Pima Regional Critical Incident Team is investigating the incident and Marana police are conducting their own investigation to determine if department policies were followed.
Donald Campbell's record-breaking Bluebird will run again on Coniston Water after a 23-year restoration project, the Ruskin Museum has announced as the boat was returned to the Lake District.

Mr Campbell's body and the K7 hydroplane sunk to the bottom of the lake in Cumbria after it crashed as the 45-year-old tried to break his own water speed record of 276mph, on January 4, 1967.

The British racer's daughter Gina Campbell gave her blessing to engineer Bill Smith to salvage the wreck in 2001.

He restored the hydroplane with a team of volunteers at the Bluebird Project in North Shields.

On Saturday, the boat was collected by Ruskin Museum staff and driven 147 miles to Coniston, which Gina, Campbell's daughter, described as his 'spiritual home'.

Footage showed the moment that the finishing touches were applied to Donald Campbell's record-breaking Bluebird

Separate video shows the moment that the Bluebird was welcomed home by crowds in Coniston

Donald Campbell's record-breaking hydroplane Bluebird K7 has returned home to the Lake District

Gina Campbell (pictured) daughter of Donald Campbell, holding Donald's teddy bear mascot Whoppit with restoration engineer Bill Smith (pictured)

On Sunday, David Barzilay, director of communications for the museum, said: 'This morning, we are happy to announce that the boat will run again on Coniston at a time to be agreed in the future.'

Vice chairman of the Ruskin Museum Trustees Jeff Carroll said: 'K7 only returned home last night, people need to see her in the museum wing that was built for her, and there is lots of work to do, but we have plans to run K7 now that we have her back.'

The Bluebird K7 was unveiled in its new home, the Bluebird wing of the Ruskin Museum, a short distance from where Campbell is buried in Coniston Churchyard.

An engineering team is in place for the next stage of the boat's journey and the museum said it is in talks with potential partners who wish to help them manage the vessel's ongoing legacy.

More than 1,000 people welcomed the boat as it arrived in Coniston on Saturday evening.

A shire horse and a piper led the truck through the streets, and were joined by Ms Campbell and her partner, Brian Eastham.

Gina was 17 when her father died as Bluebird crashed then sank at Coniston Water in the Lake District on January 4, 1967 (pictured)

The restored hydroplane was loaded onto a lorry in North Shields yesterday, ready to return to Coniston Water in the Lake District

Crowds lined the street tow welcome Campbell's record-breaking jet engine back to its 'spiritual home'

In August 2018, the reconstructed craft, fitted with a new jet engine, took to the water again where it hit speeds of around 150mph

The Bluebird K7 arrived at the Ruskin Museum on the back of a lorry and will be the centrepiece in the Bluebird wing as per the family's wishes

Mr Campbell (pictured) was killed after his hydroplane flipped into the air and disintegrated on January 4 1967 as he attempted a new water speed record on Coniston Water

The restored wreckage will be put on permanent display in the Ruskin Museum, a short distance from where Mr Campbell is buried in Coniston Churchyard

Mr Campbell's widow, Tonia Bern-Campbell (pictured) inspecting the wreckage of her late husband's hydroplane after it was recovered in 2001

The wreckage, along with Campbell's body with his race suit intact, was recovered in 2001 by engineer Bill Smith (pictured), who restored the hydroplane

Locals gathered in the street to catch a glimpse of the world-famous hydroplane leaving Mr Smith's workshop and making it way back to the Lake District

The Campbell family gifted the hydroplane to Coniston's Ruskin Museum (pictured)

Ms Campbell said: 'At last, I shall be able to fulfil my promise made to Coniston way back in 2001 that Bluebird would return to the village and people that my father held so dear to him.'

Campbell broke eight world speed records on water and on land in the 1950s and 1960s.

In his fatal record attempt, the son of Sir Malcolm Campbell who himself held land and water speed records, was trying to reach 300mph on Coniston Water.

In August 2018, the reconstructed craft, fitted with a new jet engine, took to the water again on Loch Fad in Scotland where it hit speeds of around 150mph.
A four-year-old girl had her scalp torn off in a vicious dog attack before her mom hid from police and tried to hide her bloody clothes.

The girl, Lilianna, was rushed to the ICU at Nebraska Medicine after the attack on February 20 in an industrial estate in Omaha.

Police said in a report the dog belonged to her mother's boyfriend - and the dog was caught shortly after the attack and euthanized.

Lilianna's mother, Danielle Stratman, 24, hid from police when they arrived, changing out of her bloody clothes and hiding them under the bed. Both her and her boyfriend, Greg Preister, have been arrested for obstruction.

Lillianna's grand aunt, Kimberly Lane Koterba, said the toddler was 'was attacked by a Cane Corso Mastiff mix' and 'her scalp was torn off, her cheek bone was broken, she has torn ligaments in her neck and stitches all over her body.'

Lillianna, 4, was attacked on February 20 by a Cane Corso Mastiff mix that belonged to her mom's boyfriend

The attack occurred at an industrial park in Omaha, Nebraska

The attack happened while Lillianna was visiting her mother.

Stratman was not supposed to have any contact with her child as there was a no-contact order in place after she was arrested earlier in February and charged with child abuse and domestic assault, according to KETV.

Sharing a link to a GoFundMe for Lillianna's medical bills, Koterba said: 'Im fundraising for my Grand Niece Lillianna who was attacked by a Cane Corso Mastiff mix.

'She is 4 years old and her scalp was torn off, her cheek bone was broken, she has torn ligaments in her neck and stitches all over her body.

'She is now out of ICU but will possibly having another surgery later this week. Many more to follow. Shes also going to need therapy for the trauma.

'This angel was born with Spina bifida. Any funds not used for medical purposes will go into a trust account for her future needs. Thank you.

She added: 'It wouldnt have happened if the mother had not violated a no contact order while the child was being babysat by her Grandmother.'

Police detailed the incident, where they were initially called for a violent attack, officers said in a report seen by KETV.

The family started a GoFundMe which had raised over $4,700 by Sunday afternoon

Family shared photos of the little girl with calls for prayers and support

Lillianna will require multiple surgeries and therapy in the aftermath of the attack

When authorities arrived, they said Stratman hid from officers at her boyfriend's home and changed out of her bloody clothes - which she then hid under a bed.

Police did not find the dog at the scene of the attack but animal control was called and located the dog at Preister's home.

He handed the dog over voluntarily and officials took it to the Nebraska Humane Society, who euthanized it immediately.

Pam Wiese from the Nebraska Humane Society told KETV: 'We immediately euthanized the dog and sent the tissue out for testing due to the severity of the injuries and where they were located.

'It needs to be expedited because the injuries were very close to the brain.'
Fentanyl possession has been made illegal again in Oregon after the state rushed to roll back laws that saw drug use and homelessness take over cities.

Oregon lawmakers passed a bill to recriminalize possession of drugs weeks after Gov. Tina Kotek declared state of emergency over the fentanyl crisis in Portland.

A bill recriminalizing the possession of small amounts of drugs was passed by the Oregon Legislature on March 1.

The original bill called Measure 110 passed in 2020 and saw the possession of street drugs like heroin, fentanyl and methamphetamine become a non-criminal violation, equal to that of a parking ticket.

Oregon has seen a 210 percent increase in fentanyl-related deaths since the initial decriminalization bill was passed.

In 2023, 16 children were exposed to fentanyl in the state and 539 kids were exposed to the deadly drug across the country, according to KATU2.

Fentanyl possession has been made illegal again in Oregon after a new bill was passed by lawmakers on March 1 (Pictured: Officer Donny Mathew of the Portland Police Bureau's bike squad, stands next to a person who appears to be passed out)

Efforts from lawmakers come as governments struggle to respond to the deadliest overdose crisis in U.S. history. Oregon has seen a 210 percent increase in fentanyl-related deaths since the initial decriminalization bill was passed in 2020

House Bill 4002 reverses a key part of the state's drug decriminalization law, which was the first of its kind in the U.S.

Efforts from lawmakers come as governments struggle to respond to the deadliest overdose crisis in U.S. history.

Oregon has seen a 190 percent increase in overdose deaths since the initial decriminalization bill went into effect in February 2021, according to the CDC.

In the 12 months leading up to February 2021, there were 861 overdose deaths in Oregon; that number increased to 1,650 deaths in the same 12-month period ending in September 2023.

When Oregon voters approved the landmark plan to decriminalize hard drugs three years ago, they thought that putting an end to the jailing of drug users would do good for the state and potentially spread throughout the country.

However overdoses soared as the state struggled to fund the enhanced treatment centers at the core of the decriminalization plan.

The pandemic further hurt Portland's downtown, causing the streets to become an open-air drug market.

The Oregon Poison Center has urged people to keep young kids away from the street drugs, and specifically fentanyl.

About 80 percent of children aged one-and-a-half to 16-years-old were exposed to the deadly drug in their homes, according to state health officials.

The Portland Police Bureau reported in September 2023 that nine children ingested fentanyl since June. Five of them died and seven of them were under six-years-old.

Oregon's Democratic Governor declared a state of emergency over the fentanyl crisis in Portland at the end of January. (Pictured: Chris, 28, is seen smoking crack in downtown Portland)

Oregon has seen a 190 percent increase in overdose deaths since the initial decriminalization bill went into effect in February 2021

The open-air drug market in Oregon has also made the homelessness rates raise. (Pictured: A homeless encampment under Morrison Bridge in Portland, Oregon in August 2023)

Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and can cause death or serious injury to children under six, health officials said.

Now, even liberal politicians - like Oregon's Democrat Governor Tina Kotek - are ready to end the experiment before the drug crisis blows any further out of control.

The bill now waits on Kotek's signature. In January she said that she is open to signing a bill that would roll back decriminalization.

The state Senate approved the new bill in a 21-8 vote after the House passed it 51-7.

On Thursday, Kotek said: 'House Bill 4002 will require persistent action and commitment from state and local government to uphold the intent that the legislature put forward: to balance treatment for individuals struggling with addiction and accountability.'

Oregon's Democratic Governor declared a state of emergency over the fentanyl crisis in Portland at the end of January.

'With this bill, we are doubling down on our commitment to make sure Oregonians have access to the treatment and care that they need,' said Democratic Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, of Portland, one of the bill's authors.

She added that its passage will 'be the start of real and transformative change for our justice system.'

The bill is expected to come into effect on September 1 and will allow police to charge users with a misdemeanor crime that could see them in jail for up to 180 days.

The bill also aims to make it easier to prosecute people who sell drugs. It increases access to addiction medication, and to obtain and keep housing without facing discrimination for using that medication.

Under the current bill, police are only allowed to cite people for minor possession of street drugs, with the option to either pay a $100 fine or call a helpline for substance abuse screening.

Gov. Tina Kotek said in January that she is open to signing a bill that would roll back decriminalization

The bill also aims to make it easier to prosecute people who sell drugs. It increases access to addiction medication, and to obtain and keep housing without facing discrimination for using that medication

Kotek, along with her colleagues Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, issued the state of emergency.

They directed agencies to work with first responders in connecting people addicted to the synthetic opioid with resources including drug treatment programs and to crack down on drug sales.

In the 90 days following the declaration, Fentanyl addicts who interacted with first responders in Portland's downtown were triaged by the new command center.

Staff in the center can connect addicts with various resources from a bed in a drug treatment center to meeting with a behavioral health clinician to help with registering for food stamps.

'Our country and our state have never seen a drug this deadly addictive, and all are grappling with how to respond,' Kotek said.

Along with the bill, the Legislature approved a $2million program that will educated children from kindergarten to 12th grade on fentanyl, along with a social media campaign on the dangers of the drug, Oregon Live reported.

The helpline from the previous bill will still be available, though it was rarely used over the years.

Tera Hurst, the executive director of the Oregon Health Justice Recovery Alliance, the group that supported Measure 110, said that the parts of the initial bill will remain 'intact.'

Much of Measure 110 was funded by the Drug Policy Alliance, an organization based in New York that advocates for drug decriminalization.

Kellen Russoniello, a senior policy council for the alliance said: 'For the movement, this is more about what can we learn from this.'

'I dont think anybody is saying this is the end. This is a detour.'
Pete Buttigieg insists that the age of President Joe Biden's 'ideas' are more important than his age on paper.

The Transportation Secretary defended the 81-year-old president against attacks against his age and fitness for office by claiming his policies and ideas are in line with the younger generations.

Specifically, Buttigieg pointed to Biden's view on climate issues, protecting LGBTQ rights and restoring abortion access nationwide.

ABC News This Week host George Stephenopoulos asked Buttigieg how Biden, who would be 82 at the start of a second term, can be the 'candidate of change' considering his long career in politics.

'What matters most is the age of a leader's ideas,' Buttigieg assured.

Pete Buttigieg insists Joe Biden's 'ideas' are more important than his age and claims the president's stances are more in line with younger generations than that of four-years-younger Donald Trump

'Similarly, if you look at some of the issues that are especially important to younger generations like LGBTQ equality,' Buttigieg added, claiming that Biden is more in line with younger people on that issue.

'And then of course the issue which I think affects all generations of choice,' be said in reference to abortion access. 'Look, the last president, President Trump kept his promise to end the freedom to choose in America. That's one of the few promises he did keep.'

Trump, at 77, is four years younger than Biden.

When Trump was inaugurated in January 2017, he was the oldest ever president at age 70  breaking Ronald Reagan's record of 69. But then Biden took that title when he was elected at the age of 78.

'Look at the changes that he's brought about,' Buttigieg said of Biden's presidency so far.

Biden, 81, continues to face criticism over his age and fitness for office

Biden has come under intense fire for his age  even from Trump's campaign despite their closeness in age.

At a rally in Rome, Georgia on Saturday, Trump insisted that it wasn't just about age, but more about the 'competency' of the person. He claims that Biden is not competent regardless of his age.

Biden's falls, trips and verbal gaffes have all led to speculation  especially from Republicans  that he is not fit to serve another term in office.

If elected for a second term in November 2024, Biden would be 86 at the time he leaves office.
A teenage girl has been rushed to hospital after being seriously injured in a cemetery.

Part of Southern Cemetery in south Manchester has been cordoned off this afternoon after the attack on the girl, aged 16.

Emergency services, including an air ambulance and police cars, were called to the graveyard in Chorlton.

Pictures from the scene show part of a roundabout near the entrance taped off, with the air ambulance having landed within the cordon.

Emergency services, including an air ambulance and police cars, were called to the graveyard

Part of Southern Cemetery in south Manchester has been cordoned off this afternoon

Southern Cemetery is the largest municipal cemetery in the UK and the resting place of several notable Mancunians, including Sir Matt Busy, L.S. Lowry and Tony Wilson.

Police have now confirmed they're investigating an attack on the 16-year-old girl.

She was taken to hospital with serious injuries that are not thought to be life-threatening

A GMP spokesperson said: 'At around 11.40am today, officers received a report of an assault in Southern Cemetery, Manchester.

'Officers attended and a girl, aged 16, was taken to hospital with serious injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

'Enquiries are currently ongoing.'

It comes just hours after an unrelated attack occurred at another cemetery on the other side of Manchester, where a dog attacked a woman.
The Home Office's letter denying visas to teenage Afghan musicians on tour to raise awareness of Taliban repression has been revealed.

A concert organiser previously slammed the Home Office's 'callous and inhumane' decision to refuse visas to the 47 teenagers who were raising awareness of the plight of girls under the Taliban.

The Home Office finally made a U-turn on its decision after facing a massive backlash.

Now the letter that sparked the controversy - and the three reasons the musicians' visas were denied - has come to light.

The Home Office turned down the requests for a nine-day stay over doubts the group would leave at the end of their visit, The Sunday Times reported.

A concert organiser has slammed the Home Office's 'callous and inhumane' decision to refuse visas to 47 teenage Afghan musicians for a tour raising awareness of the plight of girls under the Taliban

The Home Office made a U-turn on its decision to deny visas to 47 young Afghan musician due to fly to the UK after facing backlash

The other reasons included questions over whether the group had enough money and queries about their student status in Portugal.

The orchestra first came to Europe in 2021, where they were offered a home in Portugal.

Yet out of an original 150 members, just 58 have remained. Many others have quit and moved elsewhere in Europe, including in Germany.

The Afghan Youth Orchestra managed to arrive on Thursday afternoon in Britain and play that night as scheduled at London's Southbank Centre - a mix of Afghan, south Asian and classical music from the West.

Concert organiser Jay Visvadeva said: 'After working for seven months and spending several thousands pounds in visa biometric and surcharges, my heart sank in disbelief that theirs was a callous and inhumane decision.

'Later, they finally woke up - after arriving at a highly damaging and detrimental decision.'

The Afghan Youth Orchestra are now touring the UK to raise awareness of the plight of girls and women under the Taliban even though their visas were initially denied.

The Afghan Youth Orchestra landed on Thursday and rehearsed ahead of their concert

Members of the Afghan Youth Orchestra practice for their Breaking the Silence tour at London's Southbank Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall

Mr Visvadeva added: 'In September 2023, when the South Bank Centre invited me to curate a season representing the arts of South Asia, I immediately suggested the Afghan Youth Orchestra now exiled in Braga, Portugal.

'It gave me a vision to invite this 48 young musicians to collaborate with young British musicians in a unique cross-cultural dialogue that would inspire and give hope to these highly traumatised young members of the Afghan Orchestra.

'We as programme producers recognize the significance of preserving cultural identities while fostering integration.

'To accomplish this delicate balance, we had organised a variety of vibrant cultural concerts and events that celebrate heritage and nurture community bonds.

'These concerts would take place at prestigious venues in London, Birmingham, Manchester and other places.

Mr Visvadeva added: 'In September 2023, when the South Bank Centre invited me to curate a season representing the arts of South Asia, I immediately suggested the Afghan Youth Orchestra now exiled in Braga, Portugal

He added: 'We as programme producers recognize the significance of preserving cultural identities while fostering integration'

'These concerts would take place at prestigious venues in London, Birmingham, Manchester and other places,' he said

'As producers, we have lost a lot of money in our contractual relationships, causing a havoc in our finances and breaking the hope of the young musicians.

'Once the pressure had reached the Home Office, the penny had dropped and they realised their error of judgment and slowly started to reverse its decision.

'I am now ever so pleased that they finally saw light at the end of tunnel and grant the orchestra the visas, which they have now been confirmed. We look forward to the tour.'

The musicians in the orchestra are part of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM), a group that fled their homeland after the Taliban seized power and banned music and education for young women and girls.

After the visa was initially refused, ANIM said: 'The visa refusal not only dealt a significant blow to the young musicians' aspirations but also deprived these young musicians an opportunity to raise awareness through music about the gender apartheid against Afghan women and denial of cultural rights of the Afghan people by the Taliban.'

After the public outcry over the refused visas the Home Office overturned its decision this week and said in a statement that 'musicians and performers are a valued and important part of UK culture'.

The Home Office made a U-turn on its decision to deny visas to 47 young Afghan musician (pictured) due to fly to the UK after facing backlash

The musicians in the orchestra (pictured) are part of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM), a group that fled their homeland after the Taliban seized power and banned music and education for young women and girls

The Afghan Youth Orchestra came to the UK to raise awareness of the plight of girls and women under the Taliban even though their visas were initially denied, according to journalist Christina Lamb (pictured above)

Members of the Afghan Youth Orchestra were allowed to perform in the UK after the Home Office reversed its decision to deny the group visas for entry

The Southbank Centre, where the half-female group aged 14-22 is playing on Thursday, said this week that they were 'extremely disappointed that the Afghan Youth Orchestra has had its visas denied'

The Southbank Centre, where the half-female group aged between 14 and 22 were playing, had said that they are 'extremely disappointed that the Afghan Youth Orchestra has had its visas denied'.

'The orchestra is a beacon of hope and free creative expression: its brave young people have been forced to leave their homeland because of a repressive regime and they have found a home in Portugal, where they have refugee status,' the statement continued.

'This decision denies UK audiences the opportunity of being inspired by their brave work and they deserve full support of the Arts community as well as the UK government. We urge the Home Office to reconsider its decision.'

The young musicians have already played in Spain, Germany, Italy and Switzerland and are due to play at New York's renomated Carnegie Hall later this year.

Dr Ahmad Sarmast, the head of the orchestra, told Ms Lamb that the initial decision was 'so disappointing'. 'These girls have been practising for months and it would have been so beautiful,' he added.

Ms Lamb said she previously visited the orchestra in Portugal, where she spoke to three female musicians told her about rebuilding their lives in the European country after fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban seized power.

When all 273 ANIM students and staff arrived in Portugal in December 2021, they had to be quarantined and didn't have their instruments, the Times reports.

More than 100 of them left for other countries and only 58 students - most of them minors - remain in Portugal with Mr Sarmast, who hopes to rebuild the music school there.

The Southbank Centre, where the half-female group aged 14-22 (pictured) were playing on Thursday, said: 'The orchestra is a beacon of hope and free creative expression'

After the public outcry over the refused visas the Home Office overturned its decision and said in a statement that 'musicians and performers are a valued and important part of UK culture'

Mask-clad members of ANIM group sit waiting to exit the SAS charter flight that brought Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM)'s 273 Students, Faculty, Staff and family members to Figo Maduro Military Airport on December 13, 2021 in Lisbon, Portugal

Ms Lamb urged the Home Office to 'let them in' on X

Conductor of the Afghan national orchestra Mohammed Qambar Nawshad leads musicians of the Afghanistan National Institute of music (ANIM) which all-female Zohra orchestra is part of, during a concert in the Qatari capital Doha on October 18, 2021

He said: 'Every performance we do is a protest against the Taliban,' while his students told Ms Lamb that they play knowing they are being watched at home.

One students added: 'I feel like I am playing for all the girls and women of Afghanistan who are locked in their homes.'

The orchestra itself said in a statement after the visas were initially denied: 'It is with deep regret that the Afghan Youth Orchestra (AYO) informs the community and public that the orchestra was denied an entry visa to the UK.

'AYO, a group of exceptionally talented young female and male afghan musicians, was scheduled to embark on a concert tour of the UK called 'Breaking the Silence'.

'This concert tour is part of the South Asian Sounds Festival hosted by the Southbank Centre.'

The statement added: 'AYO expresses its profound disappointment that the denial of visas not only deprives them of an opportunity to share the beauty of Afghan music with the audiences in four cities in the UK, but also share their message of resilience, hope and struggle with the international community.'

'The group flee Afghanistan after the return of the Taliban, and since December 2021, live and study in Portugal, where they were granted asylum,' ANIM said as they urged the Home Office to reconsider their decision - and a U-turn came on Monday.

A young member of ANIM group reacts as she is embraced in a welcome by Dr. Ahmad Sarmast, founder and director of the school

Good news for the group came as Ms Lamb wrote on X that the 'Home Office [had] overturned their decision'

Ms Lamb wrote: 'Great news - Home Office has overturned their decision & the Afghan youth orchestra will now be coming to UK and playing their women's day concert at Southbank Centre, then Bham, Liverpool & Manchester. Pls go see them & show your support for Afghan women & girls.'

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'Musicians and performers are a valued and important part of UK culture.

'Applications have to be considered on their individual merits in accordance with the immigration rules with the responsibility on applicants to demonstrate they meet these rules.'

Diana Johnson MP, the chair of the home affairs select committee, wrote on X: 'Excellent news and glad the @ukhomeoffice have done the right thing. Thank you to everyone who made this happen.'

Mr Sarmast told the Guardian before the visa decision was reversed: 'The group has been denied visas for entry to the UK to complete this wonderful tour called Breaking the Silence.

'We have played all over the world since we left [Afghanistan] but we never faced this.'

He added that the orchestra didn't just want to share Afghan music abroad while it is banned under the Taliban, 'but to achieve cultural diplomacy'.
Tragic adult film star Sophia Leone asked her fans to go outside and appreciate life in one of her final PG-social media posts, amid reports that police are investigating her death as murder.

The 26-year-old was found dead at her home in New Mexico on March 1, and her agency 101 Modelling said the death was being investigated as a 'home invasion homicide'.

She had more than 300,000 followers on Instagram alone where she posted racy shots from her glamorous film shoots.

But, in one of her final posts, she urged them to find joy in the world around them in a poignant, and fully clothed, last post on the platform.

'Go outside and just appreciate life a little extra today,' she wrote.

The joy of the great outdoors: Sophia Leone in one of her final social media posts

The 26-year-old had earned an army of fans for her racy performances in adult films

A Gofundme appeal looked set to reached its $12,000 target this afternoon as devastated friends and colleagues reacted to her sudden death.

'Sophia was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend,' her stepfather Mike Romero wrote on the crowdfunding page.

'She had a deep love for all animals, specifically her three pets.

'She enjoyed traveling and always found ways to make everyone around her smile.

Sophia will be deeply missed but her memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved her.'

Friends in her native Miami paid their tributes including Brian Berke, who founded AMA Modeling in 2004.

'At 18 years old you started with me at AMA and now at 26 I have to say goodbye,' he wrote.

'I'm speechless and heartbroken. I can't believe what I'm seeing,' former colleague Gina Valentine added.

Fans of the star have also been remembering her on X and posting tributes.

One person wrote: 'First we lose Akira Toriyama now we lose Sophia Leone. Life is too short, beautiful and tragic. May they rest in peace.'

Another added: 'Is this Sophia Leone news real??? I feel sick to my stomach.'

One adult creator who supposedly worked with the popular star wrote: 'Sophia Leone was a great member of our industry and she'll be missed.

'We bumped shoulders here and there, but I never really got the pleasure of having a friendship with her, I sincerely hope her family and friends are able to have a peaceful space to process her loss RIP.'

Her stepfather said was found unresponsive in her home by family members and that police were investigating the circumstances of her death.

The industry has suffered a spate of tragedies in recent weeks with the apparent suicide of Kagney Linn Karter last month, and the discovery of Jesse Jane, real name Cindy Taylor, found dead at 43 alongside her boyfriend at their home in Oklahoma days earlier.

Meanwhile Emily Willis is in a 'vegetative coma' and 'fighting for her life', her stepfather Michael Willis has revealed.

Willis was rushed from a popular celebrity rehab center in Malibu on February 5 to a medical facility in Thousand Oaks, California, after authorities received a call about the 25-year-old, who was found unresponsive.

'Sophia was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend,' her stepfather Mike Romero wrote on a crowdfunding appeal

The Miami-born model had more than 300,000 followers on Instagram alone

A Gofundme appeal looked set to reached its $12,000 target this afternoon as devastated friends and colleagues reacted to her sudden death

She had been staying at the facility to receive treatment for addiction, although it is unclear for what exactly and for how long.

Michael Willis denied claims that she had 'overdosed,' saying: 'Emily was receiving the treatment and help she needed at the time of the incident to overcome her struggles.

'Emily remains in a vegetative coma and is fighting for her life.'

Dailymail.com has reached out to Albuquerque Police for comment.
A man who was stabbed to death in a Sheffield park has been named by police as 24-year-old Sacad Ali.

Police have launched a murder investigation after they were called to Ponderosa Park at 4.35pm yesterday.

Mr Ali was found with multiple stab wounds and despite efforts from officers and paramedics, the 24-year-old sadly died.

His family, who are being supported by police, have been informed and are asking for their privacy to be respected.

A police cordon remains in place at the scene in the Netherthorpe area of the city, near Sheffield University.

Sacad Ali, 24, (pictured) was found with multiple stab wounds and sadly died from his injuries

Police maintain a cordon at the scene of the stabbing in Ponderosa Park on Saturday

There will be additional patrols in the area and anyone with information is urged to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Wood, who is the Senior Investigating Officer for this case, said: 'This was a truly horrific murder that has cut short the life of a young man.

'An investigation has been launched and our team are working hard to piece together the circumstances leading up to this tragedy and to find the people responsible for the death of Sacad.

'I want to urge any members of the public with information that may help us with our investigation to please get in touch.

'Even the smallest bit of information could prove incredibly important to help progress our enquiries.'

Multiple police vehicles were pictured at the scene of the stabbing near the park

Police are increasing patrols in the area. Pictured, police at the scene of the stabbing

A police cordon remains in place at the scene in the Netherthorpe area of the city

The park is located near Sheffield University. Pictured, a police cordon at the scene

DCI Wood said: 'If you live in the area and you have any concerns, worries or queries, please stop our officers and speak to them.

'They are there to help you and to keep you safe.

'I also wish to extend my condolences to Sacad's family and friends. My thoughts go out to them at this heartbreaking time and I want to assure them that we are working round the clock to secure justice for his loved ones.'

Anyone with information is asked to visit the police online portal HERE or by calling 101 and quoting incident number 170 of March 9, 2024, when you get in touch.

You can also stay anonymous and pass on details via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or complete a simple and secure anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.
JK Rowling has sparked another Twitter spat with a Mother's Day post wishing her followers 'Happy Birthing Parent Day'.

The Harry Potter author tweeted today: 'Happy Birthing Parent Day to all whose large gametes were fertilised resulting in small humans whose sex was assigned by doctors making mostly lucky guesses.'

The row comes after Rowling was reported to police earlier this week over accusations she 'misgendered' trans broadcaster India Willoughby.

Now the sarcastic Mother's Day post has caused a fresh furore on social media with users accusing the Harry Potter author of stirring up division.

Broadcaster Narinder Kaur replied: 'Of all the ways Rowling could have used her star status to make a difference in the world, she chose to pick on a miniscule per cent of a already very demonised group of people. So sad.'

JK Rowling has sparked another Twitter spat with a Mother's Day post wishing her followers 'Happy Birthing Parent Day'

Rowling's Mother's Day post on X today

The Harry Potter author posted a second tweet after the furore and did not back down

Another user Ian Timbrell said: 'It breaks my heart to see how she is descending into trolling and unnecessary attacks.

'She could have wished all mothers happy Mothers Day, but instead has decided to deliberately cause hurt and pain. History will not look kindly on it.'

A third person added: 'Happy Mothers Day to me, a cis woman who gave birth and isnt threatened by others who have gave birth choosing to identify as a birthing parent because it affects no part of pregnancy, childbirth or motherhood.'

However Rowling did not back down and instead posted a second tweet saying: 'Devastated and bewildered that my embrace of inclusive language has angered its most enthusiastic devotees, so let's just say: Happy Mother's Day to all females who've raised children.'

The 58-year-old has been particularly active on X in the last week as she feuded with Willoughby.

Willoughby claimed that Rowling had called her a 'man' in a series of posts on social media.

In a thread discussing whether trans women should be allowed into women's changing rooms, Rowling said: 'India didn't become a woman. India is cosplaying a misogynistic male fantasy of what a woman is.'

Willoughby, who is Britain's first trans newsreader, claimed the best-selling author had 'definitely committed a crime' under the 2010 Equality Act.

However, Rowling said there was no law which compelled her to refer to Willoughby as female.

Speaking to Byline TV, Willoughby said: 'JK Rowling has definitely committed a crime.

'I'm legally a woman. She knows I'm a woman and she calls me a man. It's a protected characteristic.

'And that is a breach of both the Equality Act and the Gender Recognition Act. She's tweeted that out to 14 million followers.'

Willoughby added: 'Well, I've been to the police and I've reported it as an issue. I contacted Northumbria Constabulary.

Broadcaster India, 58, has accused JK Rowling of 'misgendering' in a series of social media posts

On March 9 it emerged that the complaint against Rowling had been thrown out and she would face no police action

'I have reported JK Rowling to the police for what she said.

'I don't know if that's going to be treated as a hate crime, malicious communications, but it's a cut-and-dry offence as far as I'm concerned.

'And at the end of the day, it is a hate crime. Transgender identity is a protected characteristic, just as race is, just as sexuality is.

'And the equivalent of what JK Rowling said, calling a trans person a man deliberately... I am legally recognised as a woman and for JK Rowling to deliberately, and that is the key word, misgender me knowing who I am is grossly offensive.

'It is a hate crime and it should be treated just as somebody calling a black person the N-word or an Asian person the P-word.'

However on March 9 it emerged that the complaint against Rowling had been thrown out and she would face no police action.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: 'While we recognise the upset this may have caused, the post was reviewed and did not meet the criminal threshold.'
Candace Owens and Chris Cuomo sparred over her comments that Tucker Carlson's Vladimir Putin interview made the Russian president seem intelligent.

While discussing the former Fox News anchor's interview on the Patrick Bet-David podcast Friday, Owens praised the Russian president's intelligence and said it made him look smart compared to Joe Biden.

Cuomo criticized the firebrand for praising the leader. The NewsNation host added that Putin has had his enemies killed and limits Russian citizens' freedom.

'You just got triggered by the fact that I acknowledged that Putin...' Owens said before Cuomo cut her off.

'I am not triggered, what are you 19? What, are you using 19-year-old woke language now, that I'm triggered? I'm not triggered,' Cuomo said.

Candance Owens and Chris Cuomo sparred over her comments that Tucker Carlson's Vladimir Putin interview made the Russian president seem intelligent

Cuomo criticized the firebrand for praising the leader who the NewsNation host said has had his enemies killed and limits Russian citizens' freedom

WATCH 



Candace Owens and Chris Cuomo have a heated exchange because she called Putin intelligent.



Notice how Chris Cuomo describes America verbatim when referencing what Putin does to his opposition



Classic mainstream gaslighting. pic.twitter.com/9u7AVGzSOh  American Archer (@CalenArcher) March 8, 2024

'You just got triggered by the fact that I acknowledged that Putin...' Owens said before Cuomo cut her off

Owens said Putin's explanation of Russian history was impressive and intelligent compared to Biden's often gaffe-filled speeches.

'Tucker just went over and interviewed Vladimir Putin and this is significant because then you saw what it looks like when somebody not only has the mental faculty, I mean irrespective of what you thought about the interview, you are forced to acknowledge that he's an incredibly smart person,' said Owens.

'It's very obvious that Putin can complete a sentence and that Biden can't.'

During the interview, Putin gave a 'historical background' of the conflict with Ukraine, before defending his military's action.

He then went on to make a range of bombshell claims including that Bill Clinton offered Russia a place in NATO, Russia has superior 'supersonic missiles,' Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is a 'spy' and said the CIA blew up the Nord Stream Pipeline.

Cuomo was outraged by Owens' notion that Americans should want a leader like Putin.

'You [the audience] think he [Putin] gave you an accurate recitation of Russian history starting in the 8th century because Candace just said so,' Cuomo said.

'She's wrong and you're wrong okay? He did not give you an accurate recitation he gave you a KGB doctored look at why it's okay that he wants to reestablish the Soviet Union.'

Owens defended herself from Cuomo's criticism and said calling Putin smart does not mean she supports him.

'Chris, there's no reason to do this, there's no reason to do this. You're doing so great, I'm not going to let you do this to yourself,' Owens said.

'Seriously, there is no reason to do it. Obviously Vladimir Putin is intelligent. There's no reason, it doesn't make you anything to acknowledge the fact that any person that can for an hour straight unpack the history of their country starting from the 8th century has their mental faculties about them.'

In the Carlson interview, when asked what the decisive moment was that made up his mind to launch his attack, Putin responded, 'initially, it was the coup in Ukraine' - referencing the removal of Zelensky's predecessor Viktor Yanukovych in 2014.

'And what triggered the current events? Firstly, the current Ukrainian leadership would not implement the Minsk Agreements,' Putin continued. The Minsk Agreements were a series of treaties that sought to end the Donbas War between Ukraine and Russian separatist groups, signed in 2014.

He accused former leaders of Germany and France of reneging on their commitments to the agreements.

'They never intended to implement them, they simply led us by the nose,' he said.

During his interview with Tucker Carlson, Putin gave a 'historical background' of the conflict with Ukraine, before defending his military's action

When asked what the decisive moment was that made up his mind to launch his attack, Putin responded, 'initially, it was the coup in Ukraine' - referencing the removal of Zelensky's predecessor Viktor Yanukovych in 2014

He also bristled at the notion a change in president would change the outcome of the war.

'You just asked me if another leader comes and changes something? It is not about the leader,' he said.

Putin sensationally claimed that a peace deal over the Ukraine war was once almost agreed to, blaming the 'Western side' for wanting to keep the war going for as long as possible.

'We're willing to negotiate,' he said.

'It is the western side, and Ukraine is obviously a satellite state of the US. It is evident. I do not want you to take it as if I am looking for a strong word or an insult. But we both understand what is happening.'
By SA Commercial Prop News

An astute deal maker, Wainer held sway on the markets and the city's skyline, taking Redefine Properties from humble beginnings to a listing and building it into one of SA's largest



Redefine Properties today announced that its legendary founder and pioneering property investor and developer Marc Wainer retires from the company at the end of August 2019.

An astute deal maker, Wainer held sway on the markets and the city's skyline, taking Redefine Properties from humble beginnings to a listing and building it into one of SA's largest, and most respected, real estate companies. Today, Redefine has a market capitalisation of R46 billion and is included in the JSE Top 40 Index.

In line with Redefine's stated intention to create value through good governance practices and as part of its board succession plan Wainer, 70, had stepped down as Redefine's executive Chairman in May, handing the chairmanship of the company he founded in 1999 to businessman Sipho Pityana.

Wainer has been instrumental in transforming Redefine Properties into a global REIT with interests in commercial property diversifying into new markets such as Poland, United Kingdom, Germany and Australia and alternative investments such as student accommodation.



Under Wainer's tutelage, Redefine's asset platform surged from a modest R1 billion in 1999 to almost R100 billion today thanks to a string of major deals, innovative developments and active asset management initiatives.



"Looking back, I'm proud of what we have accomplished as a team. I am confident that Andrew Konig, CEO and the executive leadership team will be able to navigate Redefine in the current environment," says Wainer.



"My time at Redefine has encompassed some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. One of the things I am going to continue to do is be involved in mentoring. Corporate SA is missing the greatest opportunity in building the next generation of leaders. The Mentorship Challenge showed that mentoring is one of the greatest gifts you can give people and I will make sure I am available to those who need me".

"Following the loss of my beloved wife, Lesley, I have reassessed my priorities and want to give back by playing a broader, independent role in the property sector but will be available to Andrew and the team at Redefine in an advisory capacity".

Wainer served in various roles, including CEO, Executive Chairman and more recently Executive Director, as-well-as serving as a director on several listed local and international property company boards.

Going forward, Wainer plans to pursue outside interests including a private property fund to take advantage of trading opportunities in Europe, particularly eastern Europe. Wainer is also keen to share his experience in the sector by consulting widely on property matters to the broader industry as well as be available as a speaker to forums that will benefit from his insights.

"Marc's guidance, instincts and inspiration lifted Redefine as a team to achieve what we have and who we are today. We stand on Marc's giant shoulders to take Redefine forward. We are privileged to have had Marc as a leader and a mentor, but more importantly as a friend and we look forward to being part of Marc's new journey," adds Andrew Konig, CEO.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Redefine Properties, both current and ex-employees, our shareholders, the executive leadership team and the board for their confidence and continued support in our mission to be one of the best performing REITs. Your selfless contribution to our success and particularly mine remains a high point of my career. I look forward to continuing to see the company grow and lead the market," says Wainer in conclusion
An 83-year-old man in Berlin has killed a tourist and her four-year-old child in front of terrified relatives.

The driver, who had been speeding before the collision, smashed into the mother who was pushing her son in a pram across the road.

The woman's partner and sister witnessed the horrifying crash and were taken to hospital where they were treated for shock.

The family had been visiting from Belgium and were crossing the road near a busy shopping centre.

The 41-year-old mother died in hospital and despite an emergency operation, her son died the same evening, the German news agency DPA reported.

The 83-year-old driver killed the mother, 41, and her four-year-old son near Potsdamer Platz, Berlin

Two family members witnessed the horrific scene and were treated for shock at hospital

According to German police, the 83-year-old driver was travelling at high speeds in the 30 km/h zone on Saturday March 9.

As he approached a queue of cars waiting at a set of traffic light, he illegally used a right-hand cycle lane to drive past the traffic jam, crashing into the mother and her son head on.

The elderly driver then crashed into another vehicle which had been waiting at the red light.

The fire department performed CPR and attempted to resuscitate the mother but she sadly died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

Her son died later that same day following emergency surgery.

The driver was also taken to hospital but was released.

A voluntary breath alcohol test showed no alcohol in his system but the driver's license was confiscated and the vehicle involved in the accident was seized.

Shoppers and passers-by witnessed the tragic accident and the efforts of the 48 firefighters who worked to try and save the lives of the mother and son.

James Klein, a press spokesman for the Berlin fire brigade, confirmed a car ran into the woman as she crossed the road with her child.
A Republican politician was charged with 'sexual torture' and murder after a man was found dead in an Alabama home.

Kyle Hayden Lewter, 36, allegedly killed Derek Franklin Walls, 54, on March 6 during a 'physical altercation,' according to the Madison County Sheriff's Office.

Police discovered Walls' body the following day on Capshaw Road in Harvest, about 20 minutes west of Huntsville.

It is unclear how Walls died but cops believe he endured injuries from the altercation. According to WAFF, an autopsy was completed on Friday but police have not released the cause of death.

Police said that Lewter was already being held on murder charges when he was charged with sexual torture in relation to alleged sexual abuse with an inanimate object.

It is unclear if this new charge is connected to the murder investigation. Police believe the two men knew each other and were friends.

Kyle Hayden Lewter, a GOP campaign chairman, was charged with murder and 'sexual torture' after he allegedly killed Derek Franklin Walls. It is unclear if this new charge is connected to the murder investigation

Walls (left) was killed on March 6 during a 'physical altercation.' An autopsy was completed on Friday but police have not released the cause of death. (Pictured: Walls and his daughter Shelby Thorson)

His body was found the following day on Capshaw Road in Harvest. It is unclear how Walls died but cops believe he endured injuries from a 'physical altercation'

Lewter was arrested and taken to Madison County Jail and is being held without bond, a decision made in accordance with Aniah's Law.

Aniah's Law was created in honor of Aniah Blanchard, a young woman from Homewood, Alabama, who was kidnapped and killed in October 2019.

The law allows a judge to deny bail for violent offenders and has been used in many cases since her tragic death.

Walls' daughter Shelby Thorson created a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of funeral expenses for her father.

'My dad's life was taken from him in the middle of the night on March 6,' she wrote.

'Due to this unexpected passing nothing was in place to help with any of the funeral expenses. I would like to have a small service where everyone can get together in remembrance of my father.'

As of Sunday afternoon, the donation page has raised $2,400 of its $5,000 goal.

According to Lewter's social media posts, he has ties to the states GOP and worked for Senator Tom Butler as a campaign chairman.

According to Lewter's social media posts, he has ties to the states GOP and worked for Senator Tom Butler (left) as a campaign chairman

He was also seen in a picture with US Senator Ted Cruz and was chosen to represent the 5th district of Alabama at the bi-annual YRFA state convention of the Young Republican Federation of Alabama

Lewter was paid more than $10,5000 in 2022 and 2023, according to records reviewed by WHNT.

He was also seen in a picture with US Senator Ted Cruz and was chosen to represent the 5th district of Alabama at the bi-annual YRFA state convention of the Young Republican Federation of Alabama.

When asked for comment on the investigation, Butler told WAFF that he was 'speechless' and 'saddened for all families involved.'

Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon declined to comment on the investigation but did say that he was 'very surprised and shocked at this.'

On the donation page, Thorson said that they have raised enough money to have a 'beautiful service' for her father.

A 'receiving of friends' ceremony is set to be held for Walls on Saturday at the Berryhill Funeral Home & Crematory, according to his obituary.
Six mothers have begun a five-day hunger strike outside Parliament to highlight parents in the UK who are skipping meals to feed their children.

The protesters, from Mother's Manifesto, plan to strike without food from Sunday to Thursday.

Also, the group have a meeting in Parliament with MPs scheduled for Tuesday at 11.30am to discuss the next steps.

Their demands include making sure all children in the UK have enough to eat by enforcing universal free school meals and universal credit to guarantee life's essentials.

Also, they demand the Government keeps its promises on foreign aid as well as climate change and they are asking for the implementation of a loophole-free windfall tax on oil and gas companies' record profits.

A group of mothers begin a five-day hunger strike outside the Houses of Parliament in London on Mother's Day

The mothers taking part in the peaceful protest, set up by Mother's Manifesto, plan to strike without food from Sunday to Thursday

The group, pictured on Sunday, also organised a similar demonstration last year on Mother's Day

The organiser of the Mother's Manifesto campaign is Emma Hopkins, a 55-year-old herbalist and mother-of-four from Totnes, Devon.

She said: 'I thought there would be something really poignant about holding it on a day when we celebrate mothers, and we celebrate what they stand for, which is around nurturing and caring.

'As mothers, we feel like we should be able to feed children and take care of them and actually, many mothers are not able to do that both in the UK and globally.

'I think it's absolutely shameful that so many people here in the UK are struggling to manage to feed themselves - we've got millions of children who are below the poverty line in one of the richest nations.'

Mrs Hopkins and the rest of the strikers, Chantelle Norton, Anna Palmer, Jessica Upton, Erika Curren and Nellie Crowdy, will be joined by an additional eight women who will only be striking for a minimised time due to their own circumstances such as health reasons or work commitments.

'We will sit outside Parliament with a table with empty plates and knives and forks.

'On the plates we have written a number of our demands and we're making hearts with children's names on to show our support for their future.

'I'm so excited for it, and it will really show how much mothers are struggling with feeding their children.'

Their demands include making sure all children in the UK have enough to eat by enforcing universal free school meals and universal credit to guarantee life's essentials

Food poverty campaigners with Mother's Manifesto display placards as they demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament

The group plan on protesting between 11am and 4pm each day and are staying in a nearby Buddhist centre each night.

It is the group's second hunger strike after they protested outside Downing Street for six days from Mother's Day last year.

According to 2022 numbers from the Food Foundation charity, 25.8 per cent of households with children had experienced food insecurity within the past month, affecting an estimated four million children in the UK.

Mrs Hopkins organised a similar strike last year that led to a meeting at Parliament and support from 10 MPs - all of whom were interested in discussing the group's demands.

A food poverty campaigners with Mother's Manifesto hands out fliers

Passersby walk near a sign displayed by food poverty campaigners with Mother's Manifesto

'It was amazing, and we have also been in touch with other organisations, such as the Food Foundation - we're hoping to come together at some point for one big campaign,' she added.

'At the strike, different people reacted differently - everybody was quite well, but one person was really poorly from not eating.

'I felt so connected with the reality for so many mothers and I think when you're not eating yourself, that hits you really hard.

'Luckily, my family have always been relatively comfortable but I'm absolutely heartbroken for those who are not.'

Looking to the future, Mrs Hopkins said: 'I'd say that we're facing multiple crises at the moment, in terms of the climate, ecological and social crisis.

'But, the future is not set - we can change the future and we know we can and that we must.

'This is why we're doing this action, because we want to make a future when no child goes hungry, and when no child starves to death.'
Texas governor Greg Abbott has turned the screw on the Biden administration by barring federal agents from one of the hottest flashpoints on the southern border.

The White House was already demanding the Supreme Court allow it to rip down miles of razor wire the state government has strung across a 29-mile section of the border around Eagle Pass.

Now the Texas National Guard has barred Border Patrol agents entirely from the 2.5-mile section of Shelby Park and defiantly stationed its military vehicles at the entrance to block access.

'That is not a decision that we agreed to,' Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas wrote as he reported the show of force on Facebook.

'This is not something that we wanted. This is not something that we asked for as a city, I want to make that clear.'

Show of force: Texas National Guard vehicles have now blocked the Shelby Park flashpoint to Federal agents, reducing their view of the sector's border to a 'narrow sliver'

Texas Governor Gregg Abbott has promised to use 'every tool and strategy' to seal the border

Recorded illegal crossings reached an all-time high of 301,983 in December and the numbers are expected to rise again as the weather improves

Tensions have been rising for months between state and federal authorities amid a surge in recorded illegal crossings which reached an all-time high of 301,983 in December.

Immigration has become a flashpoint of the upcoming election, with both Biden and Trump conducting competing visits to the border on the same day.

Last month Texas troopers began arresting migrants crossing the border for criminal trespass before they could surrender to US Border Patrol agents and seek asylum.

The White House has asked the Supreme Court to overturn an injunction preventing it removing razor wire on the banks of the Rio Grande that is a 'risk to human life'.

Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas said the Shelby Park deployment was not wanted

The DOJ has said the blockade of Shelby Park has left its view of the border there 'limited to a narrow sliver from a single surveillance camera located outside of the newly fenced area'.

It also claims that State authorities have denied Border Patrol access to a boat ramp and a staging area previously used to inspect apprehended migrants.

'Border Patrol agents in a vehicle towing a boat to launch on the boat ramp requested access to Shelby Park, but the Texas National Guard refused to permit them to access the area,' they wrote in the latest filing.

'Border Patrol agents likewise requested access to the staging area and Texas National Guard refused.'

A spokesperson for the Texas Military Department told ABC News the move was intended 'to restrict access to organizations that perpetuate illegal immigrant crossings in the park and greater Eagle Pass area'.

The President used his State of the Union address to Congress to speak about the border crisis, mostly calling on Republicans to pass an immigration bill.

Senators from both parties hammered out a deal that would have toughened border policies and provided funding to slash wait times for asylum hearing to six months, among other measures.

However, House Republicans killed the bill under pressure from Trump, who wanted to use the issue to clobber his opponent in the election campaign.

Abbott hosted Donald Trump when the former president visited Eagle Pass earlier this month

Abbott warned the US is in 'imminent danger' due to an 'invasion' of 'known and unknown terrorists'

Between Dec. 1 and December 31, more than 302,000 migrants were documented attempting to cross the U.S. southern border

'If my predecessor's watching instead of paying politics and pressuring members of Congress to block the bill, join me in telling the Congress to pass it. We can do it together,' Biden said.

Authorities are expecting an uptick in attempted border crossings as the weather improves and Abbott warned that the White House will continue to feel the heat from Austin.

'Instead of enforcing federal immigration laws, the Biden Administration allows unfettered access for Mexican cartels to smuggle people into our country,' his spokesperson said.

'Texas will continue to deploy Texas National Guard soldiers, DPS troopers, and more barriers, utilizing every tool and strategy to respond to President Biden's ongoing border crisis.'
A trio of escaped prison inmates from Grenada were charged with the murders of an American couple this week

A Virginia woman was raped before she and her husband were murdered and thrown off their yacht into the sea by a trio of escaped prisoners, authorities say.

Kathleen Brandel and her husband Ralph Hendry were on a trip of a lifetime sailing around the Caribbean when their yacht was hijacked and they were murdered.

Ron Mitchell, Atiba Stanisclaus and Trevon Robertson, who had escaped from prison in Grenada, have been formally charged with their kidnapping and murder.

Now, Granada police have confirmed that Stanisclaus is also charged with raping Brandel before her death.

The trio made their first court appearance in St. Georges Magistrates Court in Grenada on Thursday and have also been charged with escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and kidnapping. They are next due in court on March 27.

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel (pictured) had been sailing around the Caribbean island and had docked near Saint George's when their catamaran was taken on February 18. Police fear the couple may have been murdered by three men who escaped a Grenada jail

Ron Mitchell, Trevon Robertson and Atiba Stanisclaus (pictured) have each been charged with two counts of capital murder over the deaths of Ralph Hendry and Kathleen Brandel

It was originally not clear if Stanisclaus' rape charge was linked to the case, but police told DailyMail.com: 'Atiba Stanisclaus was charged by the Grenadian police with one count of rape on Kathy Brandel.

'I believe he is also facing another rape charge from a separate incident in Grenada.'

The victims' bodies have not yet been recovered but information suggests the suspects 'disposed of the occupants' while traveling between Grenada and St. Vincent, which is about 80 miles away.

The men had escaped from prison where they were facing charges of entering the country by boat and disembarking without the consent of Immigration officer, entering without a passport, entering at a point other than an official port of entry and landing as a prohibited immigrant.

They were being held at the South Saint George's Police Station on the island when they escaped and are believed to have killed the couple before traveling to St. Vincent.

Hendry and Brandel had lived on their yacht, Simplicity, since 2013, after they decided to sell their home and the majority of their possessions to buy a boat.

They spent most of their time stationed in Florida, but would travel to Rhode Island during hurricane season. This winter was the first time the pair had sailed to the Caribbean.

Although Brandel 'worked her whole life' and has since retired, Brandel's son Nick Buro said that Hendry - who is in the financial services industry - had 'continued to work from the boat.'

The couple, who were lifelong sailors and married 27 years, have been able to travel to 'many parts of the world' due to their boat lifestyle and were living a 'life of joy and love.'

The couple, who were lifelong sailors and married 27 years, have been able to travel to 'many parts of the world' due to their boat lifestyle and were living a 'life of joy and love'. Pictured together: Hendry and Brandel

Hendry and Brandel, (pictured) who are in their 60s, live aboard the vessel, named 'Simplicity' and were enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime trip that they had been planning for 12 years

Bryan Hendry, son of Hendry, revealed that his parents just 'wanted to immerse themselves in different communities and share love and spread joy.'

Buro confirmed shortly after the incident that the boat was 'ransacked' and it appeared to be a violent 'altercation'

Buro previously shared that the family was 'hopeful' that his parents would be found, but said evidence on their boat indicates 'they were likely injured'.

'The boat itself was ransacked and everything was strewn about in the entire cabin so clearly there was an altercation of some type that took place on the boat,' he told CNN, adding: 'We are doing our best to try and get answers.'

He revealed the family was concerned 'there might be a possibility that they aren't with us,' which has likely proven to be true.

The couple had been sailing on their catamaran yacht 'Simplicity' and were enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime trip when the incident occurred

Brandel's son Nick Buro revealed the family was concerned 'there might be a possibility that they aren't with us,' which has unfortunately proven to be true

The boat was found 85 nautical miles from where the couple had last been seen on it

The suspects, Trevon Robertson (left), Atiba Stanislaus (middle) and Ron Mitchell (right) are seen walking out of Kingstown Magistrate Court on Monday in St. Vincent. Police fear that Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel were murdered by the escaped inmates

Two of the three murder suspects are seen hiding their faces with paper in the back of a pickup truck after they exited the court. The person in the middle is another prisoner being transported who is not related to the case

He said that his mother and stepfather were 'super careful' and 'safety was their top, top concern' everywhere they traveled. He suspects the 'unfortunate' and 'horrific' event likely 'came out of nowhere for them'.

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.
The family of a boy with Down syndrome and autism who has been missing for two days in Sydney's west have 'grave concerns' for him as the desperate search ramps up.

Hussein Al Mansoory, aged 12, was last seen running from Auburn Memorial Park towards the intersection of Station Road and Rawson Street, Auburn, at about 10.30am Saturday.

He was last seen wearing just a white t-shirt and a nappy with no shoes.

A member of the public spotted the boy at about 9pm on Saturday near Norval Street in Auburn, but police have not confirmed this sighting.

CCTV confirmed he didn't board a train at the nearby Auburn station with about 100 SES volunteers now knocking on doors and searching backyards in the hopes Hussein will turn up.

The search resumed on Monday morning, with police and Hussein's family holding 'grave concerns' due to the fact he is non-verbal.

Hussein Al Mansoory, aged 12, was last seen running from Auburn Memorial Park towards the intersection of Station Road and Rawson Street, Auburn, about 10.30am Saturday

Anyone looking for Hussein has, however, been told not to call out his name or approach him as it's feared that may disturb him and cause him to run off again.

Music is also being used by volunteers to try catch Hussein's attention, with police saying he is fond of music.

NSW Police Superintendent Simon Glasser said there was nothing to suggest anything sinister was to do with the 12-year-old's disappearance.

He told reporters on Monday there had been several possible sightings of the boy.

'We're highly concerned, this is as high risk as it gets for us,' Superintendent Glasser said.

'He's 12-years-old, special needs and he's been out and about by himself for 48 hours now.'

He has also urged local residents to search their properties for any hiding spots where Hussein could potentially be.

'The family are quite distraught. They're frantically looking for their son,' he said.

'The footage of him in the shirt and nappy shows just how vulnerable he is.'

SES members were going door to door on Sunday afternoon in the hopes of locating Hussein.

Member of the public spotted the boy at about 9pm on Saturday night near Norval Street in Auburn

A helicopter is being used as part of the search while the police dog unit are on standby.

There are also concerns about scorching temperatures over the weekend when the boy disappeared.

'We'll be throwing everything we have at it again today, all our police specialists resources, our local resources, and will be assisted greatly by the SES local council and the community members that have been coming out in force to assist,' Superintendent Glasser said.

'It was a very hot day yesterday, it's meant to be a hot day today. He's going to be extremely hungry, scared, so we've got grave concerns for him.'

Superintendent Glasser said that Hussein is 'prone to running away' but is usually found quickly, with the family 'devastated'.

'[The family have] been actively helping the search, but they're quite upset by it all,' he said.

'He is unfortunately prone to running away, he has done so in the past, but he's usually found relatively quickly by family in terms of those previous incidents.'

Police will focus their search around Auburn as Hussein is usually found in local streets.

CCTV confirmed Hussein did not board a train at nearby Auburn Station on Saturday night

He urged members of the public to check their front yards, backyards and garages before leaving home on Monday in case Hussein is taking shelter.

'If anyone does come across him please ring 000 immediately,' Superintendent Glasser said.

'Try and keep sight of him. There's no need to directly approach him, because that may scare him off. But if you could keep him in sight and ring 000.'

Hussein is described as being of Middle Eastern appearance, of slim build, about 140cm tall, with short black hair, and last seen wearing a white T-shirt.

Anyone with information in relation to Hussein's whereabouts is urged to contact Auburn Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Hamas says it is still open to talks with Israel over a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, after mediators have so far failed to secure a Ramadan truce.

In a televised speech earlier today, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh claimed Israel bore sole responsibility for failing to reach an agreement, but said the militant group was 'open to continuing negotiations'.

It comes as Israel previously threatened to invade Gaza's Rafah by the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan if Hamas did not return the remaining hostages, in a dark ultimatum that was condemned by international observers.

Haniyeh, who is in self-exile in Qatar, said Israel was unwilling to meet Hamas's conditions for a deal that would have seen hostages held by militants exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

He reiterated that Hamas wanted a durable ceasefire, a withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the return of displaced Gazans to their homes and ramped-up access to humanitarian aid in the besieged territory where famine looms.

Israel has rejected a complete withdrawal of its troops, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue his campaign to destroy Hamas, even after any truce deal.

Palestinian group Hamas' top leader, Ismail Haniyeh says Israel bears sole responsibility for failing to reach an agreement over a permanent ceasefire

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) has vowed to continue his campaign to destroy Hamas, even after any truce deal

An Israeli statement on Saturday accused Hamas of 'entrenching its positions like someone who is not interested in a deal and is striving to inflame the region during Ramadan.'

Haniyeh said he was in contact with mediators 'hours before this speech' but to no avail.

'If we receive from the mediator brothers a clear position on the occupation with its commitment to withdrawal, stopping the aggression, and the return of the displaced, then we are ready [to complete a deal]', he said.

Israel boycotted Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo last week after Hamas rejected its demand for a complete list naming hostages that are still alive.

A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo for the talks, billed as a possible final hurdle before an agreement that would halt the fighting for six weeks. But by early evening there was no sign of the Israelis.

'There is no Israeli delegation in Cairo,' Ynet, the online version of Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, quoted Israeli officials as saying. 'Hamas refuses to provide clear answers and therefore there is no reason to dispatch the Israeli delegation.'

A group of young boys inspecting a demolished building which belonged to the Palestinian Darduna family, following Israeli attacks at Jabaliya Refugee Camp

A view of destruction after Israeli attack on Deir Al-Balah, Gaza on February 17, 2024

A man is comforted by another man as people inspect the damage to their homes following Israeli air strikes on February 18, 2024 in Rafah, Gaza

A Palestinian boy has his arm measured for malnutrition at a medical tent set up by MedGlobal in cooperation with UNICEF, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, February 14, 2024

The United States and other governments, as well as the United Nations, have issued increasingly urgent appeals to Israel to call off its planned offensive on Rafah, where three-quarters of the displaced Palestinian population has fled.

Meanwhile, humanitarian aid has been dropped into war-torn Gaza once again, as Israel continues its deadly campaign against the Palestinian territory.

A Spanish charity ship carrying food aid was expected to soon set sail from the Mediterranean island-nation of Cyprus to help alleviate the suffering in the coastal Gaza Strip, now in its sixth month of war.

The non-governmental group Open Arms said its boat would carry 200 tonnes of food, which its partner the US charity World Central Kitchen would then unload on the shores of Gaza where it had constructed a basic dock.

As famine looms in parts of besieged Gaza, US, Jordanian and other planes have also airdropped food aid there, but UN agencies warn this falls far short of the needs of its 2.4 million people.

The war, started by the October 7 attack on Israel, has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza, where vast swathes have been reduced to a bombed-out wasteland.

Humanitarian aid was being airdropped over the Palestinian territory

The war, started by the October 7 attack on Israel , has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza

Weeks of talks involving US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators have aimed for a six-week truce and the release of many of the about 100 hostages Hamas is still holding in return for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, with no result so far.

The widely shared target had been to halt the fighting by the start of Ramadan, which is expected to begin Monday depending on the first sighting of the crescent moon.

Both sides have blamed each other for failing to reach a ceasefire deal so far, after Israel had demanded a full list of surviving hostages, and Hamas had called for Israel to pull out all its troops from Gaza.

Israel's government accused Hamas of 'entrenching its positions like someone who is not interested in a deal and is striving to inflame the region during Ramadan'.

US President Joe Biden reiterated Saturday that Israel has 'a right to continue to pursue Hamas', but also stressed his growing impatience with Israel's right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As the civilian death toll has surged, Biden told broadcaster MSNBC Netanyahu 'must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken'.

At this stage, said Biden, Netanyahu's approach to the war was 'hurting Israel more than helping Israel'.

Weeks of talks involving US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators have aimed for a six-week truce and the release of many of the about 100 hostages Hamas is still holding in return for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, with no result so far

Both sides have blamed each other for failing to reach a ceasefire deal so far

US President Joe Biden reiterated Saturday that Israel has 'a right to continue to pursue Hamas'

The comments came after Israeli protesters again took to the streets of Tel Aviv in growing anti-government rallies, joined by some of the desperate families and friends of the remaining captives.

Biden also signalled he would be willing to speak directly to the Israeli people through an address to the Knesset legislature, but without revealing any further plans or details.

The war started when Hamas launched their unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel that resulted in about 1,160 deaths, mostly civilians, according to Israeli official figures.

The militants also took 250 hostages, dozens of whom were released during a week-long truce in November. Israel believes 99 hostages remain alive and that 31 have died.

Israel's withering bombardment and ground offensive have killed 31,045 people, mostly women and children, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Sunday.

It has also said at least 23 children have died from malnutrition and dehydration.

Inside Gaza, displaced Palestinians were lining up at a truck carrying scarce drinking water, which they filled into jerry cans and plastic containers.

Biden also signalled he would be willing to speak directly to the Israeli people through an address to the Knesset legislature

Israel's withering bombardment and ground offensive have killed 31,045 people, mostly women and children, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Sunday

Inside Gaza, displaced Palestinians were lining up at a truck carrying scarce drinking water, which they filled into jerry cans and plastic containers

'Now, on regular days, we can barely get water, so what about the upcoming Ramadan?' said one woman, Nesreen Abu Yussef.

'In the camp we have sick children who need sugar and protein, our children are getting dizzy,' she said. 'I swear, for the last five months we haven't seen a single egg or meat.'

Fighting and bombardment again rocked Gaza, where 81 bodies arrived overnight at barely functioning hospitals, according to the health ministry.

The Israeli military said its troops had killed 13 militants in air strikes and with tank and sniper fire in central Gaza over the past day.

Troops were also engaged in 'close-quarter combat' in the southern city of Khan Yunis, where strikes had killed 17 militants.

The army has reported that 248 of its forces have died in Gaza, where it claims to have killed more than 10,000 militants.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Israel was preparing for 'all possible operational scenarios' during Ramadan.

'Shortly before Ramadan, Hamas is preventing a deal and is acting against what was raised by the mediators,' he said.

The Israeli military said its troops had killed 13 militants in air strikes and with tank and sniper fire in central Gaza over the past day

Biden last Thursday announced that the US military would build a temporary pier on Gaza's coast to facilitate larger aid shipments by sea

The army earlier dropped leaflets with pictures of Hamas leaders enjoying a lavish meal and Palestinians with near-empty plates.

One Gaza man, Attallah al-Satel, said: 'What is the purpose of this leaflet? We want a solution, to stop the war. We are just exhausted citizens.'

Qatar-based Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh called for the speedy distribution of aid and the full opening of border crossings 'to end the siege of our people'.

Biden last Thursday announced that the US military would build a temporary pier on Gaza's coast to facilitate larger aid shipments by sea, but the Pentagon warned this would take about 60 days.

The US Central Command said a ship had left Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia on Saturday carrying the 'first equipment to establish a temporary pier' to receive aid off Gaza.

International Committee of the Red Cross chief Mirjana Spoljaric again called for a ceasefire and for both sides to respect international law and protect civilians.

'It is the line between humanity and barbarity,' she said, adding that the situation was degenerating 'by the hour' in a war that had 'ruptured any sense of a shared humanity'.
A McDonald's was forced to close after a customer brought in live insects to feed a pet snake.

The branch in The Drove Retail Park, Newhaven, East Sussex, was shut for several hours on Friday as pest control experts were brought in.

It is currently unclear if the pet snake was also taken into the branch in the seaside town.

Users reacted to the events on social media with one saying 'it's the worst McDonald's we have ever been in before the insect incident, we used it a couple of times before catching the ferry.'

Another added: 'Who decides "I'm going to take my snake out with me to a restaurant to feed it its own food." But then again it's Newhaven.'

A McDonald's was forced to close after a customer brought in live insects to feed a pet snake

People were also confused if snakes should be eating insects at all.

One person commented: 'Pretty sure snakes don't eat insects?'

Another added: 'Snakes don't eat insects so did the person take the snake in maccies?? Whatever went in there is not hygienic.'

A spokesperson for McDonald's said: 'On Friday evening, we were made aware that a customer had entered our Newhaven restaurant with live insects to feed a pet snake.

'As soon as we were made aware, we closed the restaurant and asked the customer to leave.

'We reopened later in the evening having carried out a thorough clean of the restaurant.

'Pest control experts have been called to the restaurant today to carry out precautionary checks.'

MailOnline has contacted McDonald's for further comment.

This is not the first time that a McDonald's branch has had a run in with a snake.

The five foot boa constrictor was found outside a McDonald's drive-thru in Bognor Regis, West Sussex. Pictured: RSPCA inspector Hannah Nixon holding the snake

McDonald's staff at the Bognor Regis drive-thru (pictured) boxed up the injured snake which was collected by the RSPCA and taken to an animal centre in Hampshire

In August 2022, a five foot boa constrictor was found roaming around a restaurant in Bognor Regis, West Sussex - just one hour from Newhaven.

Restaurant workers boxed up the snake and called the RSPCA.

They thought the snake was a native British adder which had been injured in a road accident but it turned out to be a boa constrictor, a large, non-venomous snake found in tropical South America, as well as some islands in the Caribbean.

RSPCA inspector Hannah Nixon said at the time: Based on the report that was phoned in, I was expecting an adder, which is a fairly common native British snake.

But when I peeked in the box, I was confronted with a full 5ft of boa constrictor - a full, non-native snake and not what I was expecting at all.

The poor animal did look like he had been in the wars a bit, with a few scratches and cuts, so I have taken him to our Stubbington Ark animal centre in Fareham, Hampshire to get him checked out.
The Victorian government is being urged to reassess it stance on pill testing following the death of a man from a suspected drug overdose at a weekend music festival.

The 23-year-old was airlifted in a critical condition to the Alfred Hospital Hospital in Melbourne from Mafeking near Ararat, in the state's southwest, in the early hours of Sunday but later died.

Two other men aged in their 30s and 40s were reportedly also taken in a stable condition to East Grampians Health Service suffering suspected overdoses.

The Pitch Music and Arts Festival was subsequently cancelled due to dangerous heatwave conditions and extreme fire danger.

The Victorian Greens say the man's death should be a trigger for Premier Jacinta Allan to 'shift gears and finally sets up pill testing'.

'While this Labor government continues to stall, young Victorian lives are being put at risk,' party spokeperson Aiv Puglielli said in a statement on Monday.

'Even with pure MDMA we've seen how extreme heat can deal a deadly blow. So with untested drugs circulating, this was truly a disaster waiting to happen.'

Mr Puglilli said the government could not afford to delay pill testing any longer.

'It's taking an already dangerous situation and turning it lethal.'

The Greens say if further overdose deaths are to be prevented, pill testing needs to be established onsite at music festivals as a matter of urgency.

A suspected overdose death at a Victorian music festival has prompted fresh calls for pill testing
Top universities have been accused by Sir Iain Duncan Smith of being 'in hock' to China by clamping down on debates for fear of losing funding.

The former Conservative leader said universities were so reliant on revenue from overseas students that they were terrified of Beijing-critical discussions on campus.

His comments came after University College London banned a professor from teaching a 'provocative' seminar on China for financial reasons.

Sir Iain, one of a string of politicians to be sanctioned by Beijing over his criticism of the communist state, told the Mail: 'A lot of universities have basically admitted to me they are completely in hock with Chinese students, that they wouldn't be able to exist if they didn't have their fees.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith (pictured) is one of a string of politicians to be sanctioned by Beijing over his criticism of the communist state

UCL associate professor Michelle Shipworth (pictured) said she was asked to alter her masters course after a Chinese student complained

'There's a real problem with human rights in China but a lot of Chinese students are scared about speaking out because they are monitored. So they will shut down any debate on China.'

Fellow Tory MP Bob Seely added it was 'surprising how some UK universities are happy to trash their reputations for short-term financial gain'.

UCL associate professor Michelle Shipworth said she was asked to alter her masters course after a Chinese student complained a seminar was 'horrible provocation'.

It was examining data ranking China among the worst in the world for modern slavery.

China's President Xi Jinping (centre) sings the national anthem at the end of the closing session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

The university reportedly said courses 'need to retain a good reputation among Chinese applicants' to be 'commercially viable'. Professor Shipworth told The Sunday Telegraph she had to 'expose' how universities are 'conceding to the censorship demands of some Chinese students'.

She agreed to modify her seminar but said the incident left her feeling 'suicidal'.

China sends around 150,000 students to UK universities, more than any other country.

UCL said the professor's claims were 'concerning' and it was 'working to establish what has happened'.
By SA Commercial Prop News

Artist rendering of Diepkloof Square community shopping centre Image gallery



Soweto will enter a new era of convenient, quality retail when Diepkloof Square community shopping centre opens, fully let, on 29 November 2012.

The 16,108sqm community centre is anchored by Pick n Pay in a 3,112sqm store and features some 50 shops, including an exciting new 1,720sqm Food Lovers Market.



Diepkloof Square is a really exciting project, says Food Lovers Market Group Property and Business Development Manager Graeme Liebenberg. Diepkloof holds a special place in the heart of many South Africans. It was one of the earliest communities in Soweto and many influential South Africans live, have lived or passed through this suburb.



In the epicentre of affluent Soweto, Diepkloof Square is positioned in an exciting setting within a growing community. Diepkloof Square is in Diepkloof Extension 3, with excellent visibility and access from the main arterial road serving Diepkloof, Immink Road. It is near the N1 Highway.



Diepkloof Square will provide quality retail in a smart, modern setting  giving residents easy access to tailor-made convenience shopping.



Diepkloof Square gives meticulous attention to top design, apt retailer mix and the daily shopping needs of one of the wealthiest township suburbs in the country, says Jason McCormick, MD of developer McCormick Property Development.



Liebenberg echoes this ethos of exceptional shopping: Like Diepkloof Square, we see tremendous opportunities for Food Lovers Market in areas that havent previously experienced the theatre we create. It isnt only what we offer our customers  a wide array of produce, groceries, meat, fish, and much more  but how we offer it to them. We are unique in that we tailor our retail offering to the customer in each different area. Our new Diepkloof Square store is no exception.

Diepkloof Square is developed by McCormick Property Development, which pioneered retail development in South Africas emerging markets since 1983 with 49 completed developments to its name to date. For Diepkloof Squares development, McCormick partnered with leading African black-owned and -managed investment holding company, Shanduka Group.

Leasing Diepkloof Square is Retail Network Services - a full-service specialist retail leasing company with successes like Pan Africa Shopping Centre in Alexandra, Protea Glen Shopping Centre in Soweto, Tsakane Mall in Springs and Jabulani Mall in Soweto to its name.



Highlighting its thoughtful design, McCormick points to Diepkloof Squares covered food court as a vibrant space for the community. Diepkloof Square is more than a shopping centre, its a town square  a place to meet and share a sense of community.



Gavin Tagg of Retail Network Services says the concept of quality and community also reflects in Diepkloof Squares retailer mix. The shops and services at Diepkloof Square mirror its upmarket setting. Yet they still offer a large assortment of grocery and food stores to cater across income groups. Diepkloof Square features an array of leading retailers which appeal to everyday needs of this growing local market, explains Tagg.



In an area previously underserviced by shopping, retailers have lined up to satisfy Diepkloofs consumer needs. Besides Pick n Pay and Food Lovers Market, its retail mix includes Ellerines, Beares, OK Furniture, JD Group, McDonalds, King Pie, Steers, Debonairs, KFC, Old Mutual, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Cashbuild, Roots, Vodacom, Pep, Modjo Hair, Randcon Paints and Diepkloof Medical Centre.



Diepkloof Square shoppers can expect exceptional retail convenience and service all round, says Liebenberg. We believe Food Lovers Market will raise the bar for the retail expectations of Diepkloof residents and add tremendous value to all customers and stakeholders. In whatever we do, we strive to be Best in Brand, and let our customer be the judge of this. After all, it is our customers who determine the success, and therefore sustainability, of the store.

With its prime location, modern design, exciting retail mix, and unmatched local shopping experience, Diepkloof Square also offers generous parking and excellent access to public transport with an adjacent existing taxi rank.



Diepkloof is a strong community with ample amenities which creates a vibrant node for its residents and, importantly, form a natural retail node. It is attracting an increasing number of middle-class and aspirant residents. Diepkloof Square is set to become the dominant retail node within the Diepkloof area and its surrounding suburbs, explains Tagg.



When Diepkloof Square opens at the end of November, these residents and their neighbours will finally enjoy quality community shopping on their own doorstep.
A Scottish government quango has awarded almost 85,000 to an arts project featuring 'hardcore sex acts' with a casting call asking for porn-experienced sex workers to fulfill roles in a 'secret cave sex party'.

Creative Scotland awarded 84,555 to director Leonie Rae Gasson to develop film project Rein.

The project's website describes it as a 'fantastical' 45-minute art installation that will be performed by a mix of dancers, sex workers and performers who will take the audience on an 'erotic journey through a distinctly Scottish landscape'.

The team behind the film are promising a fee of 270 per day to take part in 'non-simulated' sex, including 'hardcore' acts.

The 'multi-screen, moving image installation', was first billed as a 'new immersive three-screen installation, fusing moving image, multi-sensory set design, dance and sex' by Creative Scotland.

Creative Scotland awarded 84,555 to director Leonie Rae Gasson (pictured) to develop film project Rein which will feature a 'secret cave sex party'

The arts project which was given the go-ahead by a Scottish Government quango features 'hardcore sex acts' and a casting call for porn-experienced sex workers

The project's website describes it as a 'fantastical' 45-minute art installation that will take the audience on an 'erotic journey through a distinctly Scottish landscape'

But the project will in fact require performers to dance and act as well as take part in 'snogging', 'vanilla sex' and 'hardcore acts'.

It explains 'any sex that features will not be simulated but performed by cast members, with the support of the intimacy coordinators and access and care team'.

Some of the scenes will feature 'daddies lurking in the woods' and 'bare-a*** lovers frolicking in long grass'.

The project promises ticket-holders a climax at the end including a 'secret cave sex party' with video clips of explicit sex acts.

The director, Leonie Rae Gasson, who has worked with the National Theatre of Scotland, is looking for performers over the age of 18 with 'experience of sex work, particularly in porn contexts'.

The four roles people can audition for are The Princess, The Daddy, Daddy-O, and The Cave performer.

The website states that the princess role will require a small dance routine and they are looking for 'Scene stealing divas who want to be watched'.

It goes on to describe the other roles with hints to those auditioning to 'think leather & tool belts' for The Daddy.

The director, who has worked with the National Theatre of Scotland, is looking for performers over the age of 18 with 'experience of sex work, particularly in porn contexts'

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser took to X to vent his shock at the decision to fund the film project

He posted again after Creative Scotland announced they were reviewing the funding for the project after it emerged the content was more explicit than expected

Ms Gasson states the project is also looking for a 'fat, powerful' individual to play Daddy-O with a 'strong stare'.

Those with 'porn or cam performance' are also wanted for the cave performers, who will be the only actors doing explicit scenes.

The casting call says there will be an intimacy co-ordination team.

Feminist campaigners and politicians have blasted the Scottish Government's funding decision, while Creative Scotland is now reconsidering its funding.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said on X: 'Our SNP-Green Govt giving our money to pornographers? Surely even they wouldn't stoop that low? Surely...?'.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher said: 'Scottish Government ministers must make clear that robust processes were followed before handing over taxpayers' money for the show.' The Scottish Government said funding decisions are made independently by the arts body.

Jenny Willmott, of Scottish Lesbians, said: 'Participating in sex acts that need aftercare does not appear to be either safe, healthy or 'good sex', and that has been an immediate red flag for me.

'This whole project feels like it has male fingerprints all over it, particularly the attempts to normalise violent, disturbing sex.'

A source with a community arts organisation currently applying for the same funding pot is quoted in the Sunday Post as having said it had been the 'most complicated, difficult and detailed process' they had ever gone through', raising more questions about how the funding was awarded.

The campaign group For Women Scotland said: 'It seems that Scottish Government-supported bodies are eager to splash the cash on projects that de-humanise women. If they are making porn on the public purse, who signed off on this? The public will be disgusted.'

A spokesman for Creative Scotland said: 'The project, Rein, is considerably more explicit in its execution than was indicated in the application received.

'As such, we are reviewing this award.'
The mother of a young man who took his own life after going to fight in Ukraine accused Liz Truss of having 'blood on her hands' yesterday.

Harry Gregg was 23 when he travelled to the war-torn country after the then foreign secretary encouraged British volunteers to enter the conflict.

He served three tours despite his only military experience being a few months in the Army Cadets when he was 11.

Mr Gregg, from Thetford, Norfolk, witnessed the violent death of Ukrainian soldiers and saw atrocities committed against civilians. His mother said he was 'broken' when he returned but was denied mental health support by the British military as he had not served with UK forces.

He took his own life on December 14, hours before he was due to celebrate his 25th birthday with friends. A coroner last week said Mr Gregg's exact intent that day was 'unknown', but his mother Sandi told the Mail he would still be alive if former prime minister Ms Truss had not spoken in favour of Britons joining the war.

Harry Gregg who took his own life after fighting in Ukraine went to the country following comments by Liz Truss, his family say

Army Cadets said Mr Gregg had been traumatised by trench warfare and seeing comrades die

Former Prime Minister Liz Truss speaks to the media after attending the European Political Community (EPC) summit at Prague Castle in Prague

'He suffered from ADHD and was very impetuous. He phoned me the day after Liz had said that and told me 'Mum, I'm going to Ukraine,' she said.

'He couldn't be talked down from it To all intents and purposes he had no military experience whatsoever. Liz Truss has blood on her hands.' At least ten people from Britain have died after going to fight for Ukraine.

Five days after Vladimir Putin's invasion in February 2022, Ms Truss said in a BBC interview: 'If people want to support that struggle, I would support them.' No 10 distanced itself from her comments, while fellow Conservatives said it would be reckless and illegal for Britons to become involved.

Ms Truss retracted the statement a week later, but Ms Gregg, 57, said the damage was already done. Her son served with the 48th Battalion and was nicknamed 'Eagle' by the other soldiers. He saw First World War-style trench warfare, which his mother said he was 'not equipped for' mentally.

Gregg had no formal military training other than a spell in the Army Cadets. But he decided to fly out to help defend the country following its invasion by Russia in 2022 when he was 23

Mr Gregg's mother said her son 'used to bounce through the door with a big grin on his face. When he came back, there was a sadness about him. He was broken'

She added: 'He ended up with one of his colleagues' brains all over his uniform and he had to put him in a body bag and drag him out of the trenches.'

Ms Gregg said of her son: 'He used to bounce through the door with a big grin on his face. When he came back, there was a sadness about him. He was broken.

'He tried to speak to the British military for help with PTSD but they rejected him as he didn't have a service number. You can't just expect people to go over and volunteer and then come back and carry on with life.'

At Mr Gregg's inquest in Norfolk, a coroner said he had spoken to a GP about PTSD but failed to attend appointments with a mental health worker. They said he 'died due to a deliberate hanging but his intent is unknown and his cognition may have been impaired by the use of recreational drugs'.

Liz Truss said yesterday: 'I am very sorry to hear of Harry's death. My thoughts are with his friends and family.' The Ministry of Defence and Foreign Office were contacted for comment.

For help, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
The Republican frontrunner has continued to criticize her despite her praise

Trump sat down for an interview with Kelly in September 2023

The former president blasted the conservative pundit for criticizing his treatment of women during the 2015 GOP presidential debate

Donald Trump revived his feud with ex-Fox News host Megyn Kelly during a Georgia rally, claiming she was 'making a career' by 'pretending' to like him.

The Republican frontrunner, 77, was campaigning in the city of Rome Saturday night when he recalled the first GOP presidential debate in 2015, which Kelly moderated - and opened with her pressing him on his treatment of women.

'Megyn Kelly. May she rest in peace,' Trump said, drawing laughter from the crowd. 'Shes sort of making a career by pretending she likes me.'

The former TV host, 53, left Fox for NBC, only to be fired from the network in 2018 after defending blackface on her morning talk show.

In her latest career move, Kelly has launched a conservative podcast with a focus on condemning 'wokeness.'

Donald Trump recalled Megyn Kelly's question about his treatment of women during a rally in Georgia Saturday night

'Shes sort of making a career by pretending she likes me,' Trump said of the former Fox News host who interviewed him in September 2023

The 77-year-old sat down with Kelly, 53, for an interview after tension between the pair boiled over during the 2015 presidential debate

'They asked me that horrible, horrible question, remember?' Trump continued. 'And I said, "Oh, am I dead?" Thats the first question I ever got.'

The question referenced Trump's past comments about women.

'Youve called women you dont like fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals,' Kelly said. 'Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president?'

After the debate, Trump launched a series of verbal attacks against the former TV host, deeming Kelly a 'bimbo' and suggested she 'had blood coming out of her eyes, or blood coming out of her wherever.'

On Saturday night, he segued from the insults into a tangent about how many women support his campaign.

Last summer, Kelly declared the years-long feud 'under the bridge,' even showering Trump with compliments during a Turning Point USA conference in July.

'Theres just something about him, its like an aura that sort of takes over the room,' she said at the time.

'Theres only one person you can look at. He could not have been nicer or more generous and had some interesting thoughts about the debates, whether hes going to attend.'

The former president agreed to an interview with Kelly last September. During the hour-long sit-down, Kelly praised him for how he answered her question during the debate nearly a decade prior.

Kelly asked candidates questions along with fellow Fox hosts Chris Wallace (left) and Bret Baier (right). Trump also attacked Wallace, but much more mildly than Kelly

Trump (left) launched an astonishing personal attack on Kelly (right) during the 2015 presidential debate

While the former anchorwoman has continued to defend Trump since then, the gesture has gone unreturned, with Trump blasting her at an Iowa rally just days after the interview.

'She became nastier all of a sudden,' Trump said. 'She was pretty nasty, didnt you think, anyone that watched it.'

During the interview, Kelly came at the septuagenarian over his handling of classified documents after departing the White House.

She recounted how his lawyers had claimed to have turned over all materials requested in the subpoena, only for federal agents to recover others later on.
Every so often, one of the more colourful Nats taps their nose and assures us that MI5 has agents inside the SNP.

I used to file away such pronouncements alongside alien mind-control rays and jet fuel cant melt steel beams.

Then I saw Angus Robertsons performance at First Ministers Questions last week, and Im not so sure any more.

If the security services wanted to plant an asset who would undermine the SNP, they couldnt possibly come up with a character as pompous, ludicrous and objectionable as the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture. (A job title that plainly screams: Weve got to give him something.)

FMQs shouldnt have been about Robertson, and not only because it takes place in Holyrood and his workplace appears to be the departure lounges of Europe.

The SNPs Constitution, External Affairs and Culture secretary Angus Robertson has been mockingly nicknamed Airmiles Angus for his many trips abroad apparently representing Scotland

The questions session should have been about the NHS patients and staff let down by the Scottish Governments abysmal mismanagement of the health service.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross was relaying to the chamber serious allegations about NHS Grampian.

A whistleblower had told the news- papers that, at one point in the previous week, there were 18 ambulances stuck outside Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

According to the insider, this meant up to half of the North-Easts fleet of ambulances were stuck in one place and unable to leave... instead of supporting and protecting the communities we serve.

There could scarcely be a more sombre subject.

First Ministers Questions is a rowdy affair but matters of life and death are usually discussed in respectful tones. Ambulances being unavailable to respond to 999 calls surely qualifies as a life-or-death issue.

But Robertson chose this as the moment to heckle the Scottish Tory leader. Ross thought he heard nobody cares, though Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone said she hadnt picked up on whatever the comment was.

Robertson later confirmed that he was the heckler, but said he had actually shouted manchild. Your 118,511-a- year Cabinet Secretary hard at work.

Most voters  including SNP voters  do not consider discussion of ambulance waiting times to be an occasion for juvenile insults.

They do not see it as Robertson and his ilk see it  a political talking point  but as a very real and urgent fear.

They worry about whether the paramedics will arrive in time if they or their loved ones take seriously ill.

Mind you, its no wonder the SNP doesnt want to hear about this topic.

Ambulances tied up outside hospitals is a Scotland-wide problem and typically linked to delayed discharges.

The Scottish Government pledged to eradicate delayed discharges by the end of the year. Unfortunately, the year in question was 2015.

Could Ross have handled things better? Perhaps, but you try talking about something gravely important while an oaf shoots his mouth off so dismissively.

Politicians are people too and sometimes they lose their temper.

And while Ross might have been better biting his tongue, he handled the situation with the utmost decorum compared to the Nationalists.

On Thursday afternoon, there were reportedly memes being shared on SNP WhatsApp groups in which the Tory leader had been mocked up as a baby and a Tiny Tears doll.

I suspect Robertsons objections were visceral. It was, after all, Ross who dealt Robertson his most humiliating blow in political life by capturing Moray from him in the 2017 General Election.

A seat that had been SNP since 1987, and that Robertson had won four times in a row, fell to a 34-year-old Tory.

That it did so after a campaign in which the Nationalists effectively invited Scots to repudiate the Brexit vote must have been especially stinging for Robertson, a true believer in the EU project.

But despite his abrupt ejection from the gravy train, it wasnt long before he climbed back aboard at the 2021 Scottish parliament elections.

And reaffirming his deep commitment to Moray, he did so as the MSP for Edinburgh Central. Right away, he was handed his pretend job by Nicola Sturgeon, an ally in the modern SNP cause of making a career out of never delivering independence.

It is in this posting that he has acquired the nickname Airmiles Angus for his trips overseas cosplaying as a foreign secretary and nonplussing mid-level diplomats.

Robertsons ministerial role exists solely to maintain the pretence that the SNP in its current incarnation is working towards constitutional change.

His antics wouldnt be so bad if he was a thundering partisan, too impatient for independence to be distracted by such piddling things as emergency healthcare.

That would be a callous position but it would also be a philosophically consistent one.

Robertson is not an ideologue, though. He hails from the SNPs New Labour wing, along with Sturgeon, Swinney and Yousaf  careerists who came into politics blazing the Nationalist flame but these days can barely keep it flickering.

Stick Angus on a plane and stick constitution in his title and thatll fob off the rank and file for another few years.

No matter how stridently they oppose independence, Unionists dont hold pro-independence voters in half as much contempt as the SNP establishment does.

There is no symbol of the SNPs contempt, for Unionists and Nationalists alike, quite like Angus Robertson.

He is everything that is wrong in Scottish politics today: smug, entitled, and self-righteous with it. Its as if they gave a sneer its own private office.

He is an establishment figure making a pretence at radical politics, a limited persons idea of an intellectual.

Utterly disconnected from ordinary people and their material concerns.

He is the consummate seat-warmer, someone who understands that the purpose of Holyrood is to legislate with as little input as possible from the Scottish people.

And so it is no wonder that this absurd figure prefers to heckle and name-call rather than hear about the state of the ambulance service.

There are many reasons for the degradation of public services under the SNP but one of the under-acknowledged ones is that we have almost no ministerial talent to speak of.

We have the middling and the mediocre, the vain and the vacuous. We have a self-perpetuating elite whose first and only principle is to keep themselves in power.

In short, we have far too many Angus Robertsons when one Angus Robertson is already one too many.
IT was once a concept reserved for works of science fiction. However, a Scottish health board is looking at using holograms to welcome patients and visitors to hospital.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde could deploy the technology to staff the reception desk at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

However, there are warnings the move may present challenges for older people or those with accessibility needs, amid claims the technology could prove off-putting or difficult to use for some hospital visitors.

Holograms like this could soon be used to direct hospital visitors and free up time for humans to deal with more complicated requests

Kiryl Chykeyuk, chief executive of one of the UKs leading hologram companies Hypervsn, claims holographic receptionists would be user-friendly

Age Scotland chief executive Katherine Crawford said: A move towards a digital- by-default system that removes in-person interaction may present challenges when it comes to ensuring older people and those with accessibility needs can access services in a way that is most comfortable for them.

Under the health boards plan, anyone arriving at the hospital would encounter lifelike and interactive 3D holograms which could offer directions to wards and clinics.

The virtual assistants could also provide information on topics such as parking or visiting hours in a wide variety of languages.

While the proposal is in its early stages, health bosses are seeking information from firms that would be able to provide the tech.

A spokesman for the health board said: Holographic technology may have the potential to help us communicate with people in multiple languages or in sign language, or to provide directions to patients and visitors.
Two people have been rushed to hospital after being stabbed in Sydney's northern beaches.

Emergency services were called to West Street in Balgowlah at about 5.40am on Monday to find a man and woman, both aged in their late 30s, suffering stab wounds.

Paramedics treated the pair at the scene before they were rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital via ambulance.

Emergency services were called to West Street in Balgowlah at about 5.40am on Monday to find a man and woman, both aged in their late 30s, suffering stab wounds (pictured are emergency services at the scene)

The man is in a serious condition with injuries to the left side of his back, while the woman is in a stable condition with serious injuries to her abdomen and shoulder.

Police have set up a crime scene and investigations are continuing.

More to come
Bill Maher has suggested President Joe Biden consider replacing his current Vice President Kamala Harris with either Nikki Haley or Republican Senator Mitt Romney in a bid to bridge the divide between the political parties.

Maher suggested that if Biden were to pursue such an unconventional idea, it would likely result in electoral victory for the Democrats as the GOP members would be running on a unity ticket.

'I know it's crazy to think that she could run with Biden, but that's my dream, a unity ticket. And then he would, I think, definitely win,' Maher suggested.

Maher, speaking during a panel conversation on HBO's Real Time, acknowledged that the scenario was extremely unlikely with Harris almost certain to be Biden's running mate.

Bill Maher says replacing Vice President Kamala Harris with Nikki Haley or Mitt Romney for a potential unity ticket Biden could secure a victory

Maher acknowledged Haley's controversial statements but defended the idea, emphasizing her status as a woman of color

Maher, speaking during a panel conversation on HBO 's Real Time, acknowledged that the scenario was extremely unlikely with Harris almost certain to be Biden's running mate

Maher also recognized Haley's controversial and 'crazy' statements, such as her assertion that America has 'never been a racist country.'

'Of course, she's said some crazy things. Most politicians have- not as crazy as "We've never been a racist country." I mean, that's pretty crazy,' Maher said.

In response to concerns about removing Harris, the first African American Vice President from the Democratic ticket, Maher pointed out that Haley is also woman of color.

On the panel, journalist Tara Palmeri raised concerns about potentially alienating the core of the Democratic party, which includes black women.

'You would literally destroy the Democratic base. Take off the first African American Vice President off the ticket?' Palmeri asked.

'She's a woman of color,' Maher replied  referring to Haley.

'But black women are the core of the Democratic party,' Palmeri pushed back.

The vice president has continued to struggle to demonstrate her competence after a series of political missteps and awkward moments during her first three years.

Harris' approval ratings are even lower than Biden's, with a recent NBC News poll showing her at just 28 percent approval.

She has largely abandoned her responsibilities for the border crises and root causes of migration, choosing instead to blame Congress for failing to pass immigration reform.

Harris also routinely faces ridicule for her awkward 'word salad' speeches that frequently spiral out of control, burdened by a host of dependent clauses.

Maher suggested Utah Senator Mitt Romney might also be another potential candidate with the aim of fostering a more inclusive political environment.

Maher suggested Utah Senator Mitt Romney might also be another potential candidate with the aim of fostering a more inclusive political environment

Harris' approval ratings are even lower than Biden's, with a recent NBC News poll showing her at just 28 percent approval

Harris applauds after being praised by Biden during the State of the Union address earlier this week

'Something to reach across so that we don't live in this world where everybody sees the other side as an existential threat,' Maher said.

Maher has suggested removing Harris from the ticket for the vice presidency in October 2022.

'What I could see is replacing the vice president because shes just not very popular anywhere. And it didnt seem to work out. And, I dont know, thats been done before on a ticket,' Maher suggested to applause from his liberal audience.

Last week, Maher called for Biden to step aside from the race, noting that such a move would secure a victory for the Democrats.

'If Biden drops out [Democrats] will win,' Maher said. 'Without a doubt.'

Haley suspended her presidential campaign this week after a disappointing Super Tuesday turnout.

She has so far refrained from throwing her support behind former President Trump, the sole Republican sailing towards the nomination despite having signed the RNC pledge to support the eventual nominee.

Haley suspended her presidential campaign this week after a disappointing Super Tuesday turnout but she has yet to throw her weight behind the former president

Trump is expected to clinch his party's nomination on Tuesday, when Georgia, along with Hawaii, Mississippi and Washington state hold nominating contests. He is pictured, Saturday

'It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him. And I hope he does that', Haley said on Wednesday.

'At its best, politics is about bringing people into your cause, not turning them away. And our conservative cause badly needs more people. This is now his time for choosing.'

Both Five Thirty-Eight and RealClearPolitics show Trump leading Biden in the majority of the recent national polls on the 2024 presidential race.

The New York Times/Siena College poll has Trump leading Biden 48 percent to 43 percent as of March 2. And a recent poll from CBS News had Trump leading Biden 52 percent to 48 percent.

After the GOP primary contests being held on Super Tuesday, Trump is now the last major Republican candidate standing and poised to be the partys nominee for a third time.

Trump is expected to clinch his party's nomination on Tuesday, when Georgia, along with Hawaii, Mississippi and Washington state hold nominating contests.

There may not be a more hotly contested state than Georgia which swung to Biden in the 2020 election and was central to Trump's false claims that he was the victim of widespread election fraud.

He faces criminal charges in the state over his attempts to interfere with the vote count there.
It was a beautiful Mother's Day image designed to calm nerves and quell vicious internet speculation about the Princess of Wales's condition.

But last night questions were raised over possible digital manipulation of a new family photograph showing Kate with her three children.

The image is the first time Kate, 42, has been pictured publicly  officially at least  since undergoing abdominal surgery in January. But in an extraordinary development last night, foreign picture agencies including Reuters, AP, Getty and AFP withdrew the picture, saying it may have been digitally manipulated.

While there is no doubt as to the authenticity of the photo, officially issued by Kensington Palace, it will do nothing to dampen the ridiculous online conspiracy theories swirling around the princess.

AP issued an alert asking for it to be 'killed' from their system, saying: 'At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image.'

Others demand it be removed from picture libraries for 'editorial' reasons.

Kensington Palace has released the first picture of Kate since her surgery as the Princess of Wales thanked the public for their support in a Mother's Day message while she continues to recuperate

The Princess of Wales has not been seen since she attended the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham

AFP added: 'Mandatory kill. Due to an editorial issue this photo by the Prince of Wales has been withdrawn... and may no longer by used in any manner. Please immediately remove it from all your online services, stop using it in any other fashion and delete it from your servers.'

A spokesperson for the PA news agency said it had not killed the picture on its service, but was seeking urgent clarification from Kensington Palace about the concerns raised about manipulation.

Reuters said the picture was being removed from circulation 'following a post publication review'. There is huge concern in the news industry currently about the manipulation of photographs using AI technology, although it is not clear whether that happened in this case.

Some royal watchers pointed out that Princess Charlotte's wrist and sleeve of her jumper appeared to have been digitally altered. There also appeared to be an issue with the heel of Charlotte's boot and with the paving behind the family.

One frequently identified 'photoshop fail' was also Kate's missing wedding ring on her left hand and her right hand looking 'blurred', according to posts on X.

From Prince Louis' hands to clothing patterns and lines not matching up, eagle-eyed members of the public pointed out a litany of what they believed to be suspicious issues with the photo.

In the image, one of Louis' fingers looks shorter than the others as he appears to be crossing his fingers in an odd gesture.

Further aspects pointed out by social media users include the length of Prince George's arms, Princess Charlotte's jumper sleeve looking disconnected from her hand, 'blurry' hair and the late-autumn leaves on the trees not matching up with the claim the photo is recent.

Others said that Charlotte's skirt appears out of place where it meets her jumper as well as Louis' trousers looking digitally altered.

Several social media posts claimed that George has two rows of bottom teeth in the picture, while others say circled the zipper on Kate's jacket not lining up.

Other issues social media users pointed out include the window panes in the background, Charlotte's hair stopping abruptly on her shoulder and Kate's chin seemingly being photoshopped.

The apparent editing errors in the photograph has added fuel to the fire of the conspiracy theories circulating about the whereabouts of Kate Middleton.

It comes after the Wales' family Christmas card was criticised for a 'Photoshop fail' with one of Louis' fingers apparently missing  at the time, sources insisted it was merely bent back.

Kensington Palace appeared to be taken by surprise at the development last night and declined to comment. But it will do little to quell fevered online and social media speculation around the princess, which the release of the picture had hoped to do.

Reuters said the picture was being removed 'following a post publication review'

Eagle-eyed members of the public were quick to point out odd aspects of the image

It appears Charlotte's hand was copied over from another picture

Kate left hospital on January 29 and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her children almost two weeks after having the surgery. Pictured: Kate and William in September 2022

William has been stepping up royal engagements in Kate's absence. Pictured: Prince William and Princess Kate are seen at a ceremonial welcome for The President and the First Lady of the Republic of Korea at Horse Guards Parade on November 21 last year

It was originally posted directly by Kensington Palace onto their social media channels and then sent to global picture agencies. It is said to have been taken by the Prince of Wales earlier in the week at their home in Windsor and is understood to have been sent on to the palace press office on Saturday directly by the couple.

Outside of a grainy paparazzi picture last week, it is the first time that Kate has been seen since she joined the Royal Family at church on Christmas Day.

While in previous years the couple have issued pictures taken by professional photographers, Adelaide Cottage has become a particular sanctuary for the family in the months since the princess was admitted to hospital on January 16, with only closest family permitted to visit. The photo was accompanied by a personally-penned message which read: 'Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day. C'

Despite what was clearly a serious operation, resulting in the need for a lengthy period of recuperation, many will feel comforted by how radiant Kate looks.

The photo of the princess is the first released since she was admitted to the London Clinic, the private hospital where the King underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate, for a planned operation on January 16.

King Charles, 75, visited his daughter-in-law's bedside after being admitted himself on January 26, the 11th day of Kate's stay. She was also visited by her husband, William.

Kate left the hospital on January 29, almost two weeks later, and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.

The Prince and Princess of Wales's annual Christmas card image with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, appeared to have a Photoshop fail

The Christmas card image, taken by Josh Shinner, appeared to be missing one element - Prince Louis' middle finger in another apparent editing mishap

Officials have said that the Princess of Wales (pictured on December 5) continues to do 'well'. Kate plans to return to royal engagements after Easter

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams was joined by royal fans in showing their delight at seeing the Mother's Day photo of Kate

The 42-year-old future queen was last pictured in public during a Christmas Day walk in Sandringham, Norfolk.

Kate is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter, and William, 41, had temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children.

In the photograph, wearing jeans with a casual jacket and jumper, plus her favourite 250 Chloe walking boots, Kate sits with her arms around Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis. Prince George, ten, stands behind her with his arms draped around his mother's neck.

All four are clearly roaring with laughter, either at their father or something behind the camera.

Kensington Palace's refusal to provide any significant update on the princess' condition has been criticised in recent weeks. Although they made clear from the start the public should not expect a running commentary on her recuperation  at the personal request of Kate  their silence has resulted in a swirl of speculation and innuendo in the darker reaches of social media.

King Charles also shared a touching tribute to his 'darling Mama' on Mother's Day and wrote: 'Wishing all Mothers, and those who are missing their Mums today, a peaceful Mothering Sunday'

Some of it has been vacuous and clearly designed to titillate, such as the ludicrous suggestion that the princess may be recovering from a 'Brazilian bum lift'.

Other claims, however, have been downright sick and slanderous in the extreme, often accompanied by frighteningly sophisticated, mocked-up photographs of Kate.

The chatter of gossipmongers has become so loud that mainstream publications, from the New York Times to British Vogue, have taken to writing about it, while even the BBC and ITV have run reports on the trending issue '#WhereisKate?'
Councils have almost doubled their spending on 'ridiculous' woke jobs in the past three years, figures show.

Almost 52million of taxpayers' cash has been spent by local authorities on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) roles.

The amount spent by councils rose from just over 12million in 2020/21 to almost 23million in 2022/23.

It comes after the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ordered town halls to ditch diversity schemes as part of plans to clamp down on wasteful spending as more struggling councils risk going bust.

Nearly 200 councils across the UK have forked out cash on EDI roles since 2020, figures compiled by the TaxPayers' Alliance show.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ordered town halls to ditch diversity schemes as part of plans to clamp down on wasteful spending as more struggling councils risk going bust

Councils have almost doubled their spending on 'ridiculous' woke jobs in the past three years, figures show

Almost 52million of taxpayers' cash has been spent by local authorities on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) roles

They include the bankrupt Labour-run Birmingham City Council, which hired an 'Assistant Director Community Services and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion' on an average salary of 103,165 in 2022.

Meanwhile Calderdale Council in West Yorkshire, also Labour, hired a 'Staying Well Team Manager (Agency)'  one of 40 'wellbeing' roles hired across ten councils over the three-year period at a total cost of at least 1,149,441.

Councils were last night facing pressure to scrap the roles as MPs and campaigners accused them of wasting millions.

Former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said: 'It shows why councils do not deserve extra funding from central government. Too many are wasteful and badly run and will only be brought to order by tightening finances.'

Tory MP Nick Fletcher said: 'Enough of this ridiculous woke spending that actually creates division. We absolutely must find a way to get rid of this wasteful and divisive resource allocation from right across our public sector.'

Last week Mr Hunt told local authorities to produce plans by July to reduce 'wasteful spend'. He has singled out diversity schemes as an example.

A Cabinet Office source said: 'The Government has been clear that councils cannot ask for more money while maintaining huge spending on non-jobs in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. They need to get their house in order, tackle this unnecessary expenditure and focus on service delivery to their residents.'

Last week Mr Hunt told local authorities to produce plans by July to reduce 'wasteful spend'. He has singled out diversity schemes as an example

Tory MP Nick Fletcher (pictured) has said that 'woke spending' actaully creates division

Millions of households are set to see their council tax bills rise in April, with many imposing a 4.99 per cent hike  the maximum it can be increased by without a referendum.

Families in areas where councils have effectively declared themselves bankrupt face even steeper hikes.

For example, Birmingham City Council is raising council tax by 21 per cent over the next two years.

Since 2020 ten councils have declared effective bankruptcy, according to the Institute for Government.

The figures from the TaxPayers' Alliance, which sent Freedom of Information requests to all 383 councils in the UK for details on the number of EDI roles they employed, show a rise in the amount spent and the number of roles in each of the past three years.

In 2020/21 UK councils employed 474 EDI roles, costing 12,043,455.15. This rose to 579 roles, costing 16,084,609.48, a year later. By 2022/23, councils had 717 EDI roles, costing 22,821,573.40.

Of those that responded to the FoI, 196 confirmed they employed EDI roles in the past three financial years, totalling 1,818 jobs at a cost of around 51,775,800.

Six of the nine biggest spenders were town halls with Labour majorities. They include Greenwich and Calderdale which spent a minimum of 2,562,500 and 2,561,538.50 respectively.

The 40 'wellbeing' roles had titles including 'Neighbourhood Worker Staying Well', 'Diversity Inclusion and Wellbeing Adviser' and 'Staying Well Team Leader'.

Joanna Marchong of the TPA said: 'With the cost of council tax soaring and the mounting debt councils are sitting on, taxpayers will be astonished by the money wasted on council non-jobs.'

The Local Government Association, which represents 315 of the 317 councils in England, said: 'Councils have a legal duty to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

'While councils continue to innovate and transform their services to meet the needs of their communities, it is unsustainable to expect them to keep doing more for less in the face of unprecedented cost and demand pressures.'
READ MORE: Retired British engineer claims he can solve the mystery of MH370

Experts describe what most likely happened to the ill-fated commercial plane

In the 10 years since Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 suddenly vanished, what exactly happened to the plane has become one of the biggest mysteries of our time.

The ill-fated aircraft vanished on March 8, 2014 after it took off from from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia on its way to Beijing.

All 239 people aboard are thought to have died shortly after the plane mysteriously veered westwards off course over the Andaman Sea in the Indian Ocean.

Although many theories about what happened to MH370 verge into bizarre conspiracy, a handful appear more credible than others.

MailOnline has spoken to aerospace scientists and aviation experts about the most compelling hypotheses  and whether there's any truth to them.

Although many theories surrounding the circumstances of the planes last moments verge into conspiracy, there are several rational hypotheses

On March 8, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 and the 239 people on-board took off into the night's sky from Kuala Lumpur, never to be seen or heard from again. The missing aircraft is pictured here in December 2011

MH370: What we know MH370 - a Boeing 777 - left Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 12:41am local time on March 8, destined for Beijing Capital International Airport. Crew last communicated with air traffic control 38 minutes after takeoff, around halfway between Malaysia and Vietnam. Minutes after, it is believed to have suddenly deviated westward from its planned flight path. Military radar tracked MH370 across the Malay Peninsular and over the Andaman Sea, before it left radar range 230 miles northwest of Penang Island. All 227 passengers and 12 crew aboard are presumed to have lost their lives when the plane somehow encountered problems. Advertisement

PILOT SABOTAGE

The last transmission from MH370 was about 40 minutes after it took off from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing.

Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah signed off with 'Good night, Malaysian three seven zero', as the plane entered Vietnamese air space.

Shortly thereafter, its transponder  a device that sends and exchanges signals  was turned off, which meant it could not be easily tracked.

Military radar showed the plane left its flight path to fly back over northern Malaysia and Penang island, and then out into the Andaman Sea towards the tip of the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

It then turned south and all contact was lost when it left radar range.

Since the MH370 was lost, theories have persistently centred on Mr Shah the captain, a veteran aviator who joined Malaysia Airlines in 1981.

The state of his mental state has since been the subject of much speculation, following reports quoting his friends that he was 'clinically depressed'.

Richard Godfrey is a British aerospace engineer and a founding member of the MH370 Independent Group investigating the plane's disappearance.

He told MailOnline that 'there was an active pilot to the end of the flight of MH370'.

Theories have persistently centred on MH370 pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah (pictured), whose mental state has since been the subject of much speculation

MH370 - a Boeing 777 - left Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 12:41am local time on March 8, destined for Beijing Capital International Airport. Crew last communicated with air traffic control 38 minutes after takeoff, around halfway between Malaysia and Vietnam. Minutes after, it is believed to have suddenly deviated westward from its planned flight path. Military radar tracked MH370 across the Malay Peninsular and over the Andaman Sea, before it left radar range 230 miles northwest of Penang Island

READ MORE Who was MH370 pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah? Inside the life of the aircraft captain at the helm of the missing plane Advertisement

'This fact is confirmed by the WSPR [radio software] data, as there were changes of track, climbs and changes of speed of MH370 during its flight for almost six hours over the Indian Ocean,' Mr Godfrey told MailOnline.

While the identity of the active pilot may not necessarily have been Captain Zaharie Shah, he appears the most likely, the expert added.

'It is theoretically possible, although less likely, it was the co-pilot or a hijacker,' Mr Godfrey told MailOnline.

'Only DNA evidence from a skeleton in the cockpit of the MH370 wreckage or possibly from the cockpit voice recorder might give us certainty, that would hold up in a court of law.

Back in 2021, Mr Godfrey published a report describing how the pilot 'avoided giving a clear idea where he was heading by using a fight path with a number of changes of direction'.

'The flight path seems well planned and avoids commercial flight routes,' he says in the report.

Pictured, authorities stand near a piece of barnacle-covered plane debris (part of the wing known as a flaperon) in Saint-Andre, on the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion, July 29, 2015. The Malaysian Prime Minister said early on August 6, 2015 the flaperon was confirmed as coming from missing flight MH370

READ MORE MH370 - the mystery that stunned the world 10 years on Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik creates a sand sculpture of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 on Puri beach in eastern Odisha state on March 7, 2015 Advertisement

'The pilot appears not so concerned about fuel usage and much more concerned about leaving false trails.'

HIJACKING

Dr Guy Gratton, professor of aviation at Cranfield University, thinks MH370 was 'in some form a hijacking that went wrong' by someone other than the pilot.

'My best guess  and I freely admit it's a poorly informed guess because of how little information we have  is that it was a hijacking by a person or persons who didn't really know what they were doing,' he told MailOnline.

'Evidence suggests that the aeroplane flew a long way under some form of control before ditching at low speed (so again, under some kind of control  not a high speed crash).

'Also it seems that various electrical systems were deliberately shut down  the failure to shut down the satcom antenna being the sole exception.'

Dr Gratton doesn't agree with the theory that captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah was responsible, following reports of his troubled personal life leading up to the flight.

'Irrespective of his mental state or any malign intent on his part, the captain was extremely experienced and competent, he knew the aeroplane very well,' Dr Gratton said.

Although no one knows exactly what happened to MH370, it's widely believed the plane hit the Indian Ocean because of several bits of washed-up debris that were confirmed to have been part of the plane

READ MORE Malaysia knows what happened to MH370, Australian aviation expert says A family member of a MH370 passenger holds a candle during a remembrance event in Subang Jaya, Malaysia March 3, 2024 Advertisement

'I'm quite certain that if he'd had a mind to he could have singlehandedly flown the aeroplane and put it on a beach, an island, or any airport within that part of the world, or even committed a terrorist offence with it, but he did none of those things.

'The aeroplane instead flew for hours into an area over deep ocean until the fuel ran out and/or a controlled ditching was flown just before the fuel ran out.

'That implies to me a degree of incompetence that he probably didn't suffer from.'

SOARED INTO EARTHS ATMOPSHERE

Most theories suggest MH370 maintained normal flight altitude before descending towards the Earth's surface, either steadily or dramatically nosediving.

But 10 years ago there were suggestions that the opposite happened  that it kept rising higher and higher before burning up in the Earth's atmosphere.

The remaining fragments of the plane fell back down to Earth before some of them were found in the Indian Ocean, the theory goes.

However, Dr Gratton said this could not happen, because commercial planes reach a 'service ceiling', typically around 45,000 feet, where they cannot go any higher.

The inability to locate MH370's crash site has fuelled numerous conspiracy theories, ranging from mechanical error or a remote-controlled crash, to more bizarre explanations like alien abduction and a Russian plot

READ MORE Scientists claim BARNACLES could reveal where flight MH370 landed Barnacles growing in a controlled environment as part of a growth experiment looking into flight MH370 Advertisement

This is due to air density getting lower as the altitude increases.

'As we climb, the air gets less dense, lower pressure, and colder,' Dr Gratton said.

'The lower density means the engines are capable of generating less thrust, and thus the higher you go, the poorer the climb rate.

'Eventually you reach a height  which we call the ceiling  where the aeroplane can't climb any more.'

MH370 spawned a huge multinational search effort  the most expensive search in the history of aviation at $200 million  that was controversially suspended in January 2017.

It's widely believed MH370 hit the Indian Ocean because of several bits of washed-up debris that were confirmed to have been part of the plane.

CYBER ATTACK

Dr Sally Leivesley, a risk management consultant and former scientific advisor to the UK government, has hypothesised that the plane may have been victim of a cyber attack.

She told MailOnline that planes under automatic pilot can potentially be taken command of and controlled remotely in a similar way to drones via computer chips.

'The best way to understand a cyber hijack is to consider what we now understand with drones,' Dr Leivesley told MailOnline.

'In the same way that you see with drones, you have whole computing systems controlling where the drone goes, what it does under certain conditions and how it reacts.

An expert said planes can potentially be taken command of and controlled remotely in a similar way to drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, pictured)

The search for MH370 spanned several thousands of miles along a north-south corridor deemed 'the seventh arc' (shown here) where investigators believe the plane could have glided after running out of fuel

'Seeing drones flying in an automated system should help you understand that a plane can fly as a remote object.'

She first put forward this theory in 2014 with the intention to start a full cyber forensics investigation, but the lack of any such efforts has been 'negligent'.

'When MH370 disappeared the concept of cyber hijack was just unbelievable,' she said.

'We now have a much greater understanding of the vulnerabilities of controlled systems.'

Dr Leivesley also said there's no information that has led her to assume the pilot had any kind of 'psychological condition that made this an aggressive suicide'.

SHOT DOWN

According to another theory, the US feared MH370 had been hijacked and was about to be used to attack the US military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

At the time, the US  under Barack Obama's administration  was withdrawing troops from Afghanistan.

So the US government supposedly had the plane shot down, although this doesn't explain the peculiar deviation in the plane's flight path.

Dai Whittingham, a former RAF pilot and CEO of the UK Flight Safety Committee, said such a theory 'lacks any credibility at all'.

'For the US to shoot down the aircraft they would need to have cause and the means to do so,' he told MailOnline.

'But there were no fighters based at Diego Garcia throughout ops into Afghanistan, only long range bombers which were withdrawn from theatre in 2006.'

Officers carrying pieces of debris from an unidentified aircraft apparently washed ashore in Saint-Andre de la Reunion, eastern La Reunion island, France on July 29, 2015

A similar theory was put forward by French journalist Florence de Changy, who said MH370 was brought down by the US Air Force after a failed attempt to intercept the plane and seize a shipment of 'electronic equipment' en-route to Beijing.

The US, she writes, did not want China  under the new leadership of Xi Jinping at the time  to have the equipment.

So two US Airborne Early Warning (Awacs) planes sandwiched MH370 from above and below, completely blocking its magnetic field and all communications, rendering it invisible, de Changy alleges.

Pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah, at this point, would have been ordered by the US to land the plane at a nearby airbase, likely airbase U-Tapao in Thailand.

Mr Whittingham also called this theory 'laughable'.

Meanwhile, other experts still aren't sure enough to form a solid theory or prefer not to be drawn into speculation.

Mark Lowenberg, professor of flight dynamics at the University of Bristol, said he hopes more evidence is still to be revealed.

'I too am very interested to know what happened to flight MH370 and hope that more factual detail will come to light that will allow investigators to finally agree a most-probable cause and course of events,' he told MailOnline.

Dr Gratton at Cranfield University added: 'I'm sorry to say, I think that this will remain a mystery and we can only really conject.

'It's not a good position to be in.'


Child falls into borewell in Delhi, rescue operation underway A child fell in a 40 to 50 feet deep borewell in west Delhi, a fire department official said on Sunday, adding that NDRF has reached the spot and rescue operation was underway. Director of Delhi Fire Service Atul Garg said that initial message "was received at around 1 a.m. that a person had fallen in the water treatment plant following which teams along with five tenders were rushed to the spot which is DJB, Keshopur Mandi".



At 2:45 a.m. a message was given by the team that a child had fallen in a 40 to 50 feet deep borewell pipe (diameter 1.5 feet), said Atul Garg.



Now the NDRF team has reached the scene along with Inspector-in-charge Veer Pratap Singh from NDRF. They will soon start rescue operations by digging a new borewell parallel to the borewell in which the child has fallen.



"This is a lengthy process so a team from the fire department will be on spot too, said Garg.



Deputy Commissioner of Police (west) Vichitra Veer said that after receiving a police control room call at Vikaspuri police station, a police team rushed to the spot.



NDRF team has also been called to the spot. Efforts are being made to take the person out. Identity or other details about the person, who has fallen, are not available as of now, the DCP added.




With only one ingredient, chips might seem like one of the most basic possible foods.

But these simple slabs of fried potatoes are actually far more complex than you might have thought.

Studies have found that potatoes' starchy flesh needs to be fried multiple times to get the ideal crunch.

And, for the best possible results, experts say that you should use Russet potatoes cut to exactly 7cm long and 1.2cm wide.

So, as researchers search for new way to get even better French fries, MailOnline reveals the recipe for the perfect chip.

The scientific formula for the perfect chip involves three stages of cooking: once in water, once in cooler oil, and once in hot oil

The perfect chips, according to science

Ingredients 1kg Russet Potatoes cut into 1.2x1.2x7cm cuboids

2 tbsp white vinegar

Rapeseed oil (enough to fill your pan halfway up)

Salt Method Wash the chopped potatoes under cold running water for four minutes to remove excess starch Place potatoes in boiling water with vinegar until almost falling apart - between 5 to 10 minutes Once tender, remove from the water, pat dry with paper towel, and lay out on a baking tray; place this in the freezer for at least one hour Heat rapessed oil to just over 325F (160C) Gently drop chips into the hot oil and cook until firm and lightly coloured - one to five minutes Remove chips from oil and allow to cool Increase the oil temperature to 360F (180C) Once the oil is hot, return chips to the pan and cook until a deep golden brown and crispy - around five minutes Remove chips from the oil and sprinkle with salt immediately Serve piping hot Advertisement

Chip science

The perfect chip has to start with the perfect potato but, to figure that out, we need to start with a quick lesson in chip science.

Potatoes, very simply, contain two things: starch and water.

And, it is the relationship between these two substances that determines whether a chip is a crispy delight or a floppy disappointment.

Starch is one of the ways in which plants store energy and consists of long chains of carbohydrates.

When potato is raw, these chains are coiled up tightly, making the potato tough and not very tasty.

But when we drop slices of raw potato into hot oil, the water inside the spud rapidly starts to evaporate and force its way to the surface - which is why chips bubble in oil.

This steam begins to break down the potato cells, turning the long chains of starch into smaller pieces and making the chip soft.

At the same time, hot oil is being forced into the chip, against the force of the steam escaping.

When the starch is hit by the hot oil it undergoes a process called 'starch gelatinisation' and becomes a glue-like layer which wraps around the surface of the chip.

As this outer layer dries out it hardens and becomes crispy, trapping moisture within the interior which then steams the chip from the inside out.

Dr John Lioumbas, a scientist from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, told MailOnline that it is the balance between oil absorption and water evaporation that determines how crispy the chip becomes.

The goal with chip making is essentially to get glue-like layer as thick as possible while avoiding overcooking the interior or burning the outside.

To achieve this, Dr Lioumbas recommends using a starchier potato.

He told MailOnline: 'Generally, potatoes with higher starch levels tend to undergo more extensive gelatinization during cooking.'

In his own research, Dr Lioumbas used the Angria variety, but other research suggests that a Russet variety might be best thanks to its high starch levels and good size.

The Russet potato (pictured) is a perfect potato for chips since it has a high starch content and is large enough to cut good sized chips from

READ MORE: The scientific formula for the perfect pancake - and why you should always use oil over butter

Advertisement

Preparing your chips

Now that you have chosen your potatoes, the next thing to do is to chop them into chip-sized pieces.

In his legendary 'triple-cooked chip' recipe Michelin-star chef Heston Blumenthal recommends cutting peeled potatoes into 2cm x 2cm x 6cm rectangles.

However, despite being known for his scientific approach to cooking, Heston may have actually missed the mark here.

A survey of 2,000 British adults by the Food Advisory Board conducted in 2019 found that the ideal chip was exactly 1.2cm x 1.2 cm x 7cm long.

This matters because a smaller chip will not only cook faster but also have a higher surface area to volume ratio.

In chip terms, this means a more crunchy exterior per gram of potato.

When cooking these at home you should make the chips as long as the potato to avoid wastefully trimming away perfectly good chip-material.

Once chopped, wash your chips under running water for a few minutes to remove any excess starch which can burn in the hot oil.

Heston Blumenthal (pictured) is the inventor of the triple cooked chip. He claims that this process produces a chip that is perfectly cooked on the inside and shatteringly crisp on the outside

Heston Blumenthal says that his perfect chips (pictured) should be 2cm by 2cm by 6cm. However, studies suggest that the perfect chip is actually 1.2x1.2x7cm

Why triple-cook chips?

Triple-cooked chips are cooked once in water and twice again in oil. This achieves the perfect level of crunch outside and soft inside. The first boil breaks down the starch and cooks the potato through The second cook in oil gelatinises the outer layer of starch The final fry in hot oil cooks the outer layer into a perfect crunchy shell Advertisement

Cooking your chips

Now that you have chopped and washed your chips, you are finally ready to start cooking.

But getting the perfect chip isn't as simple as dropping the potatoes into hot oil and being done with it.

The problem is that to get two different textures of potato - crispy and soft - one temperature of oil just doesn't cut it.

Dr Lioumbas explains: 'When lower temperatures of oil are utilized, the heat transfer occurs at a slower rate.

'The slower heat transfer allows for gradual water evaporation from the potato, leading to a softer exterior with less pronounced browning and crispiness.'

Using really hot oil works well to crisp and brown the outside, but risks leaving the interior of the chip uncooked.

The solution, according to scientists, is to cook the chips three times.

Once in boiling water, once again in cooler oil, and one final fry in hot oil.

The first fry in cooler oil sets up the gelatinised-starch structure around the edge of the chip that is then crisped up in hotter oil (stock image)

First, experts recommend that you should boil your chips for anywhere between five and 10 minutes until they are cooked all the way through.

To ensure they don't totally fall apart, add a tablespoon or two of white vinegar to the water, as this slows the breakdown of pectin and ensures they retain their structure.

Once the chips are cooked, dry them carefully and lay them out on a tray to rest in the freezer for at least one hour.

While this might seem like an unusual, and time-consuming step, it actually serves two important purposes.

First, the arid conditions of the freezer draw out any extra moisture from the chip that might have been absorbed during boiling.

This means that, when it is time to fry, the outer layers will crisp up quickly and won't be made soggy by too much water escaping from within.

Secondly, as the potatoes freeze, small ice crystals form which burst the cells holding in the starch.

In testing by food writer J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, this freezing process was found to give chips a distinctly fluffier interior.

Frozen chips like these might be a great place for cooking inspiration. As they freeze, ice crystals burst the potato cells leading to a fluffier chip, while the conditions in the freezer dry out the surface

The next step is to cook the potatoes in a relatively cool pot of oil until they are just beginning to crisp and are light in colour.

Experts recommend cooking the chips at 325F (160C) for between one and five minutes depending on the type of chip.

For the best results, use a neutral oil with a high smoke point such as rapeseed or groundnut oil which will let you reach high temperatures without imparting an oily flavour.

This first cook sets up that thick layer of gelatinised starch that holds the chip together and is prepared to become the crispy exterior.

Mr Lopez-Alt says this extra stage is necessary because boiling water doesn't have the energy to drive excess water out of the potato and get that thick crust we want.

'The rate of heat transfer during frying is linked to the dynamics of vapour bubbles formed on the potato surface,' he explained.

'When the temperature of the frying oil increases, the heat transfer becomes more rapid. This accelerated heat transfer results in quicker water evaporation from the potato.'

In fact, this relationships between bubbles and oil is so important that Dr Lioumbas suggests that the perfect chip would be literally out of this world.

He says: 'Fries tend to cook more efficiently in hypergravity due to alterations in gravitational forces affecting buoyancy forces and the vapor dynamics on the potato surface during frying.'

The ideal place to cook chips, he suggests, would be the surface of Jupiter since the intense gravity would speed up heat transfer and produce crisper chips.

Jupiter (pictured) would actually be the best place to cook chips since high gravity speeds up the transfer of heat from the oil to the potato, ultimately resulting in a better chip

For those of us who can't quite spare the time for a trip to Jupiter, Dr Lioumbas recommends using a centrifuge.

He said: 'By creating increased gravitational acceleration forces within the fryer environment, similar to those experienced in hypergravity settings, it's possible to optimize the frying process and achieve superior French fry quality.'

However, until hypergravity friers become commercially available, most home cooks will still have to follow the two stage frying process for the best results.

Having fried your chips once (on Earth) and allowed them to cool, it is now time for one final fry at a higher temperature.

This high-heat cook transforms the gelatinised layer into a dry, crispy crust that gives the chip its satisfying crunch.

Once the chips have been through their third and final stage of cooking they should be light brown and shatteringly crisp (stock image)

The heat also promotes the Maillard reaction, a chemical reaction between sugars and amino acids responsible for the browning you might recognise on a seared steak.

Dr Lioumbas explains that the high heat is responsible for 'promoting a more efficient Maillard reaction and caramelization process on the surface.'

He adds: 'Consequently, the crust becomes crisper and exhibits a deeper golden-brown color due to the enhanced development of desirable flavor compounds associated with the Maillard reaction and caramelization.'

So, to get the best out of your chips, crank the heat of the oil up to 360F (180C) and drop in the chips.

After about five minutes the chips will be a light golden brown and beautifully crisp.

When they are ready, pull them from the oil and toss them with salt immediately so it sticks to the hot oil.

Then, at long last, you will finally be able to enjoy a scientifically perfect chip.
READ MORE: Calls for Texas to secede from the US are growing louder

It is where delegates signed their declaration of independence from Mexico

Artifacts found at the 'Birthplace of Texas' have revealed new insights into the abandoned town that was home to 100 people in 1835.

Archaeologists uncovered more than 10,000 objects in Washington along the Brazos River, which tells the story of life as an early Texan shortly after the state won its independence from Mexico in 1836.

Excavations unearthed the base of a brick fireplace marks the spot where a tavern once stood, which supplied travelers with food and a room - specifically Davey Crockett, who spent two days in the town before his famed journey to the Alamo.

Objects like nails, knives, glass and ceramics, along with traces of a log cabin used as Sam Houston's presidential office were also discovered and paw prints of long-forgotten pets that roamed the streets.

Archaeologists at Texas A&M University uncovered more than 10,000 objects along in Washington, founded around 1835, which tells the story of life as an early Texan

Excavations unearthed the base of a brick fireplace marks the spot where a tavern once stood, which supplied travelers with food and a room

Jonathan Failor, alumni of the university who is serving as site manager, told DailyMail.com: 'The townsite is previously known and has been a protected historic site since 1916.

'The recent archeology project is giving us new insights into the town not previously known.'

Failor and his team with the Integrated Environmental Solutions uncovered coins from the ruins of the tavern, including an 1831 US dime and an 1820 Spanish silver coin with the image of King Ferdinand VII, who ruled over Spain in the early 19th century.

Before the town was officially formed, it was known as the spot where the Labahia Road crossed the Brazos River.

'The road, connected Mexico and the US, and the coins are a neat way to draw a parallel between the two,' Failor told DailyMail.com.

'You can imagine those coins traveling and meeting [at the tavern].'

Artifacts found at the 'Birthplace of Texas ' have revealed new insights into the abandoned town that was home to 1,000 people more than 200 years ago

A pair of knives were uncovered at the townsite. The top is a folding knife and the bottom is a blade that is missing its handle

Objects like nails, glass and ceramics were also uncovered

The team found a trash pit at the site, revealing even more secrets of the town. The artifacts included a pig jaw bone and ironstone platter, providing a look at the food eaten by early settlers

The excavations also uncovered the largely intact brick floor of a structure built around the late 1830s, which will be exposed when renovations re-create the building around it.

Failor explained that the brick floor tells the story about two buildings, with the first being an early store house that was later transformed into a two-story building in 1854.

'There are layers of history in that location,' he said.

The team also found a trash pit at the site, revealing even more secrets of the town.

The artifacts included a pig jaw bone and ironstone platter, providing a look at the food eaten by early settlers.

A horn comb and several knives were also found at the abandoned townsite.

The 'Birthplace of Texas' is undergoing a $51 million renovation to provide modern-day visitors with a more complete look at the town and how it fits into Texas's early history.

The team spotted a cat pawprint at the site

Failor (pictured) explained that the brick floor (pictured) tells the story about two buildings, with the first being an early store house that was later transformed into a two-story building in 1854

Pictured is one of the few remaining images of the town, showing a drug store

The 'Birthplace of Texas' is undergoing a $51 million renovation to provide modern-day visitors with a more complete look of the town and how it fit into Texas's early history. Pictured is a horned comb found during excavations

The renovation work is scheduled to be completed by mid-2025 with full-size recreations of the newly discovered tavern and Houston's log cabin office that was originally a family home built by early settlers.

Washington-on-the-Brazos, officially named Washington, is located in the upper northeastern corner of what is now Washington County and was a major political and commercial center in early Texas.

Approximately 300 families settled in the an are of Southeast Texas in 1821, when the state was still part of Mexico.

The Robinson family, who were part of the 300, later moved into the area that would become Washington and more settlers then followed over then next few decades.

Davy Crockett spent two days in the town before making is famous journey to the Alamo

Texas saw a growing influx of American settlers shortly after Washington was formed, which led to skirmishes with Mexico.

However, the Texas Revolution that was fought from October 1835 to April 1836 resulted in the state winning its independence.

Houston signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and led his troops to victory at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.

Around the same time, Washington had established itself as a supply stop for weary travelers who sat at the tavern, visited a nearby drugstore and purchased goods at several shops that lined the dirt roads.

In many ways, Failor said in the press release, the real story is less about what is still there and more about what is not

He and his team plan to build a representation of the buildings and the discoveries made will help them put the missing pieces together.

Failor told DailyMail.com that the town was abandoned after locals resisted to bring in the railroad in the 1850s.

'The townspeople relied heavily on the river and wanted to put their investments into ferries and steam boats,' he said.

'We can speculate that had they said yes to the railroad, the historic may not exist today.'
These fancy, highly-acclaimed restaurants have certainly left a bad taste with some customers.

DailyMail.com has analyzed reviews left by Tripadvisor users to find some the worst ratings for three-star Michelin eateries in the US.

Despite their merit and high price points, there are seven restaurants with dozens of reviews deeming them 'poor' or 'terrible.'

Bite your way down to see some of the complaints dished out by disgruntled diners - with everything from poor customer service and inedible dishes to rip off prices and menu spelling mistakes thrown into the mix.

DailyMail.com has analyzed reviews left by Tripadvisor users to find some the worst ratings for three star Michelin eateries in the US

Eleven Madison Park, New York: From $365 per person

Eleven Madison Park made its mark as the first ever vegan restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars

Chef Daniel Humm's New York restaurant Eleven Madison Park made its mark as the first ever vegan restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars.

The Michelin experts highlight the restaurant's precision, with 'nothing out of place' and an array of 'custom made' features, 'from the staff's suits to the handblown water vases.'

Addressing the plant-based menu, they describe it as 'a bold vision of luxury dining' which 'elevates the concept to unparalleled heights.'

Standout dishes, they say, include 'the freshly baked,' the quenelle of tonburi, mimicking caviar, and 'toothsome braised seitan, wrapped in spinach and dressed with morels.'

Eleven Madison Park has more Tripadvisor reviews than its contemporaries, with 2,697 entries.

While the feedback is mostly positive, 162 diners (6 per cent) have left negative reviews.

One patron who visited the swanky spot in January claimed his wife got some kind of tummy bug after eating there.

He revealed: 'Unfortunately, about six hours after we left, my wife had the chills, was nauseous, threw up, and had diarrhea.

'After eight to ten hours of that, she was feeling better. Not sure what she had, but something at dinner was not right.'

Another review left in October 2023 slams the service. It reads: 'This was our second time at Eleven Madison Park and I was very surprised we weren't welcomed as returning guest very disappointing for a restaurant of this caliber.

'From the time we stepped into the restaurant and was led to our table, the mood was off and things didn't quite feel right.

'From beginning to end the service was horrible! It literally took 30 minutes for us to get our first glass of wine. We felt it was way too much unnecessary time spent between meals. So much that we kind of thought they forgot about us.'

Masa, New York: From $750 per person

Masa Takayama became the first Japanese Chef to be awarded three Michelin stars and his restaurant continues to lure diners from far and wide

'Taste what may be the continent's best sushi,' the Michelin guide declares in its overview of Masa in New York.

Masa Takayama became the first Japanese Chef to be awarded three Michelin stars and his restaurant continues to lure diners from far and wide.

The Japanese eatery slides in at one of the more expensive spots, with its Omakase tasting experience priced at $750 per person.

In terms of what bites to expect, the Michelin team says some of the signature creations include 'a sweet chunk of hairy crab meat dressed in citrusy yuzu,' a 'glass coupe of minced toro and a very fine and generous - pile of Osetra caviar,' and 'wonderous' Maine uni 'served in its shell with caramelized custard and paper-thin white truffle.'

On Tripadvisor, the restaurant has 298 reviews and while many are positive, there are 39 negative pieces of feedback.

One diner who visited the restaurant this February deemed their experience an 'absolute catastrophe.'

Detailing their disappointing evening, they wrote: 'What should have been an exceptional evening turned into a series of disappointments.

'The ambiance was marred by an out-of-place chorus of Happy Birthday songs and a distracting photoshoot at the counter. Mishaps followed, from discovering a hair on one of my plates to the unexpected unavailability of a pre-ordered wine bottle.

'The most disheartening moment came during the Toro course, where conflicting explanations about its origin cast doubt on the restaurant's integrity.

'Despite addressing concerns with the director of operations, disappointments persisted.'

Another poor one out of five review left in February 2022 reads: 'Ridiculous, bad service, fast food type of sushi

'I don't know how Michelin gives the stars!!?? Portions and plate setting were amateur.'

Addison, San Diego: From $375 per person

Addison in San Diego serves a menu combining 'global inspiration and Californian sentimentality'

Addison became San Diego's first three Michelin star restaurant in December 2022.

The Michelin guide praises chef William Bradley for 'transforming this Southern Californian oasis into a world-class dining destination' since opening it in 2006.

The food is described as combining 'global inspiration and Californian sentimentality' with a 'playful yet polished' edge.

Example dishes given include chicken liver churros, Kumamoto oysters with pickled green strawberry and Iberian ham 'folded over a gloriously golden potato.'

The restaurant's ten-course tasting menu changes seasonally and is available for $375 a person.

While the experts applaud Bradley's innovative culinary skills, some Tripadvisor reviewers are unconvinced with 21 negative reviews out of 297 (7 per cent).

One reviewer who visited in December 2023 deemed it their 'worst experience in a Michelin star restaurant ever.'

They wrote: 'For starters, a glass of champagne was between $250 and $550

'Then the food was mediocre at best. The fish dry, the meat rather tasteless.

'And the background music was too loud and too "hard" for a dinner. We complained twice and were told that it was the playlist of the chef and that's it

'And the whole dinner was still not finished after 3.5 hours. We left without dessert, It was well past 11pm and we were tired and disappointed.'

Another reviewer who visited Addison the previous month also seemed unimpressed, simply branding it 'pretentious.'

Their write up reads: 'Pretentious, uncomfortable, overpriced and food is not memorable.

'So much effort is expended on trying to impress rather than trying to make the customer comfortable.'

The French Laundry, Yountville: From $390 per person

The French Laundry has had three stars since 2006 and the late Anthony Bourdain once lauded it as 'the best restaurant in the world, period'

The French Laundry from chef Thomas Keller is described as a 'legendary destination' by the Michelin experts.

The restaurant, located in wine country of California, has had three stars since 2006 and the late Anthony Bourdain once lauded it as 'the best restaurant in the world, period.'

The Michelin guide praises Keller's ability to 'pair classic French techniques with wildly fresh ingredients in a setting that is a perfect storm of restaurant greatness,' with some of his signature dishes including 'oysters with white sturgeon caviar in a warm sabayon studded with tapioca pearls,' and 'Wolf Ranch quail is then presented with white asparagus and dark cherries.'

While the majority of diners have given The French Laundry a thumbs up, it has a total of 143 negative reviews out of 1,725 entries (8.2 per cent) with the complaints ranging from the food being 'pretentious' to 'rip off' prices.

One customer wrote after their visit in March 2023, 'absolutely the worst Michelin rated restaurant with any stars.'

Their main complaint was that their reservation made through American Express' concierge service wasn't in the system and they were made to wait for an hour.

Another diner who visited in July 2022 deemed the experience 'nothing memorable.'

They wrote: 'If I could rate zero stars, I would. This overpriced dinosaur is a tourist trap with unfriendly service, pretentious food from a generation ago, and a poorly executed shuffle of untrained children.

'I could not wait to leave. If this is a great restaurant, then American dining should be the laughing stock of the world. What an embarrassment.'

Benu, San Francisco: From $390 per person

The Michelin guide describes Benu in San Francisco as an 'oasis in the center of the city'

Benu's website notes that it was the first restaurant in San Francisco to receive three stars from the Michelin Guide in 2014.

The guide describes the Asian eatery as an 'oasis in the center of the city' with chef Corey Lee whipping up 'highly-technical small bites.'

Some of his creations are revealed as 'barbecued quail with house-made XO sauce' and 'faux-shark's fin.'

It currently has 23 'poor' or 'terrible' reviews out of 260 on Tripadvisor (8.8 per cent) but none of these are recent.

The last review giving the restaurant just a one rating out of five and titled 'wildly overpriced and pretentious' is from March 2022.

The customer vented: 'The "meal" is not so much of a meal as it is a floorshow. It's a theatrical experience and the dishes are merely props.

'If you have no palate and you are easily dazzled by unique appearing foodstuffs, this may be the place you are looking for. For me, it was a disaster.'

Other disgruntled diners previously complained of 'bland' food and 'rude' service and one entry from August 2018 deems it 'worst restaurant ever.'

Single Thread, Healdsburg: From $475 per person

The majority of the ingredients at Single Thread in California are sourced from the neighboring 24 acre field

Single Thread in California landed three Michelin stars in 2019. The Michelin Guide reveals that the restaurant 'combines exquisitely with the deeply personal vision of owners Chef Kyle Connaughton and head farmer Katina Connaughton.'

The majority of the ingredients are sourced from the neighboring 24-acre field, while the style of the Connaughton's cooking is said to be influenced by their time in Japan.

No dishes are detailed, but the guide says the 'expert use of the donabe (Japanese claypot) is a signature, transforming seafood and vegetables alike.'

In total, the restaurant has 13 poor and terrible reviews out of 143 (9 per cent).

One disappointed diner wrote after their visit in January: 'While the food presentation was visually appealing, it regrettably fell short in terms of taste. The flavors didn't live up to the promising aesthetic. Moreover, the service had a somewhat awkward vibe, which affected the overall dining experience.

'The letter sent to diners requesting a tip in advance is in poor taste. A gratuity is supposed to be an expression of gratitude, not a compulsory subsidy.

'A check brought to the table before dessert is served is ludicrous.'

Another reviewer who visited in January 2023 titled their entry 'well short of expectations,' with their final note being: 'Not something we would recommend for the cost vs value received in return.'

Smyth, Chicago: From $325 per person

The Michelin guide describes Smyth in Chicago as 'very chic' with 'lounge styling' and an open kitchen

Smyth in Chicago is the worst-rated three Michelin over all, with 19 out of 173 (10.9 per cent) of reviewers rating it poor or terrible. It gained its three stars in 2023.

The Michelin guide describes the restaurant as 'very chic' with 'lounge styling' and an open kitchen.

In terms of the food, chef John Shields and Karen Urie Shields are praised for their bold and creative cooking style. Some of the menu items are revealed as 'wagyu sided by a truffle-flavored doughnut with marrow glaze' and new potato ice cream.

Despite the praise, out of all of the three Michelin's in the country, Tripadvisor reviewers gave Smyth the most damning reviews.

One unhappy customer said of his experience in 2022: 'I had very high expectations when I visited Smyth, but I have to say that I had a very poor experience (not even remotely comparable to other Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago).

'The tasting menu was repetitive (three courses of lobster?) and very oily, so you could not taste the ingredients... The 'caviar' courses are not prepared with real caviar (from sturgeon), but with regular fish eggs - the chocolate caviar plate is inedible.

'The last dessert (the 'mussel') had a very strong bitter aftertaste. Service was rushed and inattentive.'

Another Tripadvisor reviewer wrote after visiting the eatery this January: 'Disappointing on multiple levels; do not recommend. Top three critiques: the food started to taste the same (akin to blended seafood in salt), took four 'courses' and an ask to receive the martini I ordered, and a spelling error, which is 'fine' if you're not a three star Michelin restaurant.'
One little-known restriction could see fines of up to 1,000 if broken

Brits are being warned about a little-known rule that could turn a dream Spanish holiday into a nightmare.

Benidorm is the ultimate 'Brits abroad' destination, where over a million of us flock to soak up the sunshine each year.

Last autumn, it was even named the most popular international destination for Brits, according to Tripadvisor's Autumn Travel Index.

However, tourists will have to dig deep into their pockets if they break an important list of rules.

Scroll down to find out how to avoid being left short of cash on your next Benidorm getaway.

Brits are being warned about a little-known rule that could turn a dream Spanish holiday into a nightmare

Benidorm is the ultimate 'Brits abroad' destination, where over a million of us flock to soak up the sunshine each year

The new rule affects the place holidaymakers will spend the most time while abroad - the beach.

Time restrictions mean that if you're caught swimming in the sea between midnight and 7am, you'll be at risk of being fined between 750 and 1,200 (641.71 to 1,026.73).

The same rule applies to sleeping or camping on Benidorms beaches during these hours.

And these aren't the only rules tourists need to keep in mind - there's a whole list that could cause Brits to cough up cash.

Placing parasols and towels down to reserve a space could see beachgoers coughing up 150 (128.34), meanwhile playing ball games outside of designated areas will see fines of 120 (102.67).

Taking off your clothes on a non-nudist beach will result in a fine of 650 (556.15) and swimming when the red flag is flying will be a whopping 1,000 (855.61), reports Birmingham Live.

Urinating in the sea will cost 150 (128.34) and using soap and shampoo at beach showers will set you back 650 (556.15).

Fishing with a rod or net results in a fine of 750 (641.71) - if you're using a harpoon it's even higher at 1,100 (941.17).

The new rule affects the place holidaymakers will spend the most time while abroad - the beach

Time restrictions mean that if you're caught swimming in the sea between midnight and 7am, you'll be at risk of being fined between 750 and 1,200 (641.71 to 1,026.73)

Shockingly, drinking alcohol on the beach is also on this list and could see tourists forking out 750 (641.71).

It's important not to buy drinks from beach vendors as they are largely unlicensed and authorised.

No smoking on the beach is another huge rule - if you're caught you will have to pay a fine of up to 2,000 (1711.22).

Sex on the beach will see you fined 750 (641.71) and not covering up when you leave the beach to go into town can see you charged up to 300 (256.68).

Even building large sand sculptures is on the list with a fine of 150 (128.34), although it's important to note this is referring to those big enough to impede the beaches nightly clean - not childrens sandcastles.

And that's not all - barbecues and fires are banned on every Benidorm beach, as is sitting or sunbathing on the first six meters of sand closes to the water.
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Forget Beverly Hills, Garcelle Beauvais is getting ready to be a Real Housewife of Oxnard!

The 57-year-old Coming To America actress will soon see her dream home become a reality nearly three years after plunking down $765,000 for a run-down 850 square foot, 1950s-era vintage beach cottage in the seaside city.

The reality star purchased the shabby home in August 2021 before promptly bulldozing it to oblivion. The lot sat empty for two years with many falsely speculating Beauvais had run out of money on the passion project.

Last year, Garcelle herself admitted on RHOBH that she had been bogged down in 'red tape' with the building permits needed from Ventura County to complete the property.

But now the Dailymail.com can reveal the two-story house with massive ocean view upper deck is nearing completion, with painters putting the finishing touches on both the outside and the distinctive white spiral staircase.

Exclusive DailyMail.com photos offer the first glimpse of Garcelle Beauvais's fixer-upper in the oceanside city of Oxnard

'For me, buying a beach house, it's a pretty big deal. I'm proud of myself,' Beauvais said on RHOBH. 'I just want it to be a place my kids can go and just have fun, create memories, and when I'm gone, they can say, 'This is really cool that mom did this.'

The Beverly Hills housewife had previously expressed her 'vision' to build a 'modern' home with at least 2,700 square feet and different decks

The RHOBH star bought this one-bedroom, one-bathroom, modest shack in August 2021 for $765,600 with plans to demolish it and build her dream home

The passion project became bogged down in 'red tape' over the years due to all the building permits needed from Ventura County

Beauvais, who joined the cast of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in 2020, already owns a $1.2million dollar home in Los Angeles County

It looks a bit different than the artistic rendering she showed on Season 11 of the show and is quite narrow to fit the 2,450 square foot rectangular lot.

The home does not sit right on the ocean but is about a block away from Silver Strand Beach.

On April of 2023 Garcelle borrowed $1.5million from BMO Bank to fund construction of the project she called a dream come true.

'My vision is to build at least 2,700 square [feet]. I want to go up. I want to have different decks. I want it to be modern.

'I just want it to be a place my kids can go and just have fun, create memories, and when I'm gone, they can say, 'This is really cool that mom did this.'

Beauvais quickly bulldozed the home after buying the property and began work on the 2,450 square foot rectangular lot

But new photos show development is now nearing completion almost three years after Beauvais borrowed $1.5million to fund construction of the project she called a dream come true

A rendering of the project was seen in a season 11 episode of the reality show which showed a two-story home with an outdoor spiral staircase, and lots of outdoor deck space

Oxnard is miles west along the coast from Los Angeles. But unlike other seaside cities in the area such as Santa Barbara and Malibu it is not a celebrity hangout.

But a home near the beach in those more glamorous locations would easily be triple the price that Beauvais paid.

'I didn't grow up knowing anyone who owned more than one home or even owned an home,' the Haitian-born beauty said on RHOBH.

'So for me, buying a beach house, it's a pretty big deal. I'm proud of myself.'

Beauvais already owns a $1.2million dollar home in Los Angeles County.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Kathy Hilton, Annemarie Wiley, Garcelle Beauvais, Kyle Richards, Crystal Kung Minkoff and Erika Jayne posed together at the People's Choice Awards on February 18

One clue that the beach house was well on its way to being built was when Garcelle admired co-star Sutton Stracke's new $68,000 sapphire and diamond earrings on the finale episode.

'These [earrings] probably cost more than my kitchen at my new beach house!' she said.

Garcelle has been married twice, to producer Daniel Saundersfather of her son Oliver, 33and to talent agent Michael Nilonfather to their twin sons Jax, and Jaid, 16both marriages ended in divorce.

She is also a grandmother to three-year-old Oliver Sanders Jr.
Married At First Sight's Tim Calwell had his heart shattered when Eden Harper revealed that his wife Sara Mesa secretly met up with her ex behind his back.

But it appears as if Tim, 31, is anything but heartbroken as he was spotted smiling ear to ear while going for a surf in the ocean on a Gold Coast beach.

The online business owner showed off his washboard abs in a pair of colourful boardshorts as he took to the waves, carrying a large surfboard into the water.

Tim was then seen jumping on the board before he paddled out into deeper waters in an attempt to catch some waves.

The hunky e-commerce expert didn't seem to bothered by his ill-fated marriage to Sara playing out on screens.

No heartbreak here! Married At First Sight's Tim Calwell was spotted his washboard abs during a surf session on the Gold Coast... after bride Sara Mesa's 'cheating' scandal was exposed

The online business owner showed off his washboard abs in a pair of colourful board shorts as he took to the waves, carrying a large surfboard into the water

Eden accused Sara of secretly meeting up with an ex-boyfriend behind her TV husband Tim Calwell's back in scenes which aired on Wednesday evening.

Following the bombshell accusations, Sara spoke to Daily Mail Australia about her side of the story.

Explaining what happened, Sara said: 'One weekend, I did go out with my friends, and my ex was there. I'm still friends with him, which I made very clear to Tim.'

Tim was then seen jumping on the board before he paddled out into deeper waters in an attempt to catch some waves

The hunky e-commerce expert didn't seem to bothered by his ill-fated marriage to Sara playing out on screens

Tim appeared to be carefree and relaxed after spending some time in the ocean

She also expressed her disappointment in Eden's actions, feeling let down by her decision to bring the issue to light in front of Tim at the dinner party without discussing it with her first.

'It felt a bit sad to see her throw me under the bus like that and not really talk to me about it beforehand,' she remarked.

Sara acknowledged her mistake in handling the situation with Tim, admitting to emotional infidelity.

Following the bombshell accusations, Sara spoke to Daily Mail Australia about her side of the story

'One weekend, I did go out with my friends, and my ex was there. I'm still friends with him, which I made very clear to Tim,' Mesa stated. (Sara pictured with Lauren at Paddo Inn on the night in question)

'At the end of the day, it would be emotionally cheating, and I totally take that on. I feel like how I dealt with the situation was completely wrong,' she confessed.

She further admitted to not being transparent with 'husband' Tim about her whereabouts and company.

'Now looking back, I'm like, I should have just been open and honest with Tim about where I was and who I was with, and maybe brought him along,' she said.

The controversy came to a head during the Byron Bay retreat on Tuesday, where fellow bride Eden felt torn about revealing a significant 'secret' concerning Sara.

Daily Mail Australia had exclusively revealed that Eden would expose Sara's 'secret meetings' with her ex-boyfriend, leading to intense speculation.

After isolating from the group activities at the retreat, her husband Jayden Eynaud expressed his concern, leading to her claiming that Sara had secretly met her ex-boyfriend behind her 'husband' Tim Calwell's back.

She claimed that via text, Sara had asked her to borrow some clothes for dinner, before shockingly revealing that she was meeting up with her ex-boyfriend.

Dropping the bombshell, she said: 'Just before the retreat, someone in the experiment sent me a message asking me for clothes, she's like "I want to wear a cool top to dinner tonight".

Fellow bride Eden Harper claimed that via text, Sara had asked her to borrow some clothes for dinner, before shockingly revealing that she was meeting up with her ex-boyfriend

'And I was like sweet, and I'd written to her, "where are you going to dinner?" and when I've opened it, she's said "I'm seeing my ex-boyfriend". It's Sara.'

A shocked Jayden insisted Sara's alleged actions equated to 'cheating' and the couple - who have both been cheated on by exes - agreed that Tim needed to know.

Jayden was left enraged upon learning of his wife's claims, and insisted that it was 'cheating' as he told Eden that they needed to tell Tim, and she was quick to agree.

A teaser clip for Wednesday's episode showed Eden telling Sara that if she didn't come clean about her antics the weekend before, then she would tell Tim in a cliffhanger ending.
Married At First Sight's Stephen Stewart has broken his silence after his relationship with Michael Felix was rocked by a flirting scandal this week.

Michael, 34, became upset after he witnessed his husband Stephen, 26, flirting with another man, before exchanging numbers with him.

Their relationship was thrown into doubt when Stephen told Michael he felt a stronger connection with the hair stylist than he did with him.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Stephen, 26, has now revealed his side of the story.

Married At First Sight's Stephen Stewart has broken his silence after his relationship with Michael Felix was rocked by a flirting scandal this week

Michael, 34, became upset after he witnessed his husband Stephen, 26, flirting with another man, before exchanging numbers with him

Poll Would you consider Stephen's flirty texts as cheating? Yes No Would you consider Stephen's flirty texts as cheating? Yes 127 votes

No 54 votes Now share your opinion





Stephen vehemently denied any wrongdoing in the texting incident, stating, 'Yeah. And look, it was definitely not flirty, the texting.'

He insists that the interaction was nothing more than friendly banter that perhaps went a bit too far, emphasising the innocence of their exchange.

'It was just friendly banter that got a little bit carried away, but the texting itself was nothing sinister at all,' he said.

After the flirting scandal, the couple were unable to reach a resolution, leaving the future of their relationship in doubt

During an exclusive interview with Daily Mail, Stephen vehemently denied any wrongdoing in the texting incident, stating, 'Yeah. And look, it was definitely not flirty, the texting'

An Open Book to Michael

In a bid to dispel any notions of deceit, Stephen highlighted his transparency with Michael during the incident.

He describes how he was openly communicating with the hairdresser in Michael's presence, even showing Felix the Instagram add and discussing booking a haircut for him with the same stylist.

'I was actually sitting next to Michael in the car on the ride home and showed him that he had added me on Instagram,' Stewart explained.

It's a bit sh*t watching it back

Reflecting on the experience of watching the drama unfold on screen, Stephen acknowledged the discomfort: 'Look it's definitely got its highs and lows... it's a bit sh*t watching it back.'

The hardest part, he reveals, was watching his conversation with Michael about the spark he felt with the hairdresser, a moment that has been the subject of much debate among viewers.

Reflecting on the experience of watching the drama unfold on screen, Stephen acknowledged the discomfort: 'Look it's definitely got its highs and lows... it's a bit sh*t watching it back

Michael's response

Appearing on HIT radio show Bronte & Lakey, Michael earlier this week admitted he felt 'blindsided' by the flirting, particularly given Stephen's openness about having been cheated on in a past relationship.

Michael said: 'Apparently there was a spark there that I did witness that I tried to ignore, and come to find out that there was a sexual attraction there to this guy that he never have with me, that he could never see with me. It was a shame.'

'It was a complete blindside, especially given his past as well and knowing how monogamy works for him and myself as well,' he added.

Married At First Sight continues on Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine.

In Monday's episode, Michael, 34, became upset after he witnessed his husband Stephen flirting with another man, before exchanging numbers with him
Pregnant Lala Kent glowed with baby joy as she welcomed a cavalcade of her friends to her daughter Ocean's third birthday party in Los Angeles.

She announced her latest pregnancy last week, posting a heart-melting snap of two-year-old Ocean beaming up at Lala's blossoming bump.

Lala is still locked in a rancorous custody battle with Ocean's father, movie producer Randall Emmett, more than two years after their split.

Bruised by her experiences and determined not to 'share my child again,' Lala opted for artificial insemination with a sperm donor.

Now, as she prepares to welcome her next baby on her own, Lala is celebrating Ocean's big day with some of the gal pals she rose to fame with on Vanderpump Rules.

Pregnant Lala Kent glowed with baby joy as she welcomed a cavalcade of her friends to her daughter Ocean's third birthday party in Los Angeles

She announced her pregnancy last week, posting a heart-melting snap of her two-year-old daughter Ocean beaming up at Lala's blossoming bump

Little Ocean, who turns three next week, was of course part of the festivities as well - and Lala made sure she was kept well-entertained even in adult company

Ocean could be spotted sitting in a glamorous toy car, gliding along the driveway beside her mother, who mingled with her arriving guests

Scheana Shay was spotted arriving with her hunky husband Brock Davies and their three-year-old daughter Hartford.

Brock sauntered ahead, wearing a 1980s chic print shirt with several buttons left tantalizingly open over his chest, revealing a retro necklace underneath.

Meanwhile Scheana, defying the lingering March chill in a summery pink tank top and acid wash jeans, trailed behind him carrying their child.

Katie Maloney, whose high-spirited antics on Vanderpump Rules earned her the nickname Tequila Katie, was the image of cheer as she arrived at the fete.

Wrapping a long dark coat over an olive green cardigan, she slid into a pair of dark cutoff trousers and rounded off the look with matching leather penny loafers.

She swung by the party holding a potted plant as well as a bulging bag, possibly containing gifts for the growing family she was visiting.

Stassi Schroeder could be spotted turning up at Lala's house with her boyfriend Beau Clark and their three-year-old daughter Hartford.

The blonde bombshell plumped for a casual look, bundling up in a cozy-looking sweater that contrasted with her Daisy Dukes.

Scheana Shay was spotted arriving with her beefcake husband Brock Davies and their three-year-old daughter Hartford

Scheana, defying the lingering March chill in a summery pink tank top and acid wash jeans, trailed behind him carrying their child

Katie Maloney, whose high-spirited antics on Vanderpump Rules earned her the nickname Tequila Katie, was the image of cheer as she arrived at the fete

Stassi Schroeder could be spotted turning up at Lala's house with her steamy beau Bea u Clark and their three-year-old daughter Hartford

The blonde bombshell plumped for a casual look, bundling up in a cozy-looking sweater that contrasted with her Daisy Dukes

Jason Caperna, who stars with some of Lala's other Vanderpump Rules co-stars on a new Bravo series called The Valley, was also on the guest list

Jason Caperna, who stars with some of Lala's other Vanderpump Rules co-stars on a new Bravo series called The Valley, was also on the guest list.

The mother-to-be, meanwhile, cut a luminous figure in a sleek-and-chic maternity dress with a thigh slit that allowed her to showcase her shapely legs.

Her knit grey number was sleeveless, but she came prepared for a drop in temperatures with a matching jacket.

Letting her luxurious caramel locks tumble freely over her shoulders in waves, she accentuated her pinup features with naturalistic makeup.

Lala added a touch of color to her look with a blue pair of checked stiletto boots, lending the outfit an extra dash of flair.

Little Ocean, who turns three next week, was of course part of the festivities as well - and Lala made sure she was kept well-entertained even in adult company.

Ocean could be spotted sitting in a glamorous toy car, gliding along the driveway beside her mother, who mingled with her arriving guests.

In a recent Amazon Live appearance, Lala shed some light on why she conceived via artificial insemination rather than doing so naturally.

The mother-to-be, meanwhile, cut a luminous figure in a sleek-and-chic maternity dress with a thigh slit that allowed her to showcase her shapely legs

Her knit grey number was sleeveless, but she came prepared for a drop in temperatures with a matching jacket

Letting her luxurious caramel locks tumble freely over her shoulders in waves, she accentuated her pinup features with naturalistic makeup

Lala added a touch of color to her look with a blue pair of checked stiletto boots, lending the outfit an extra dash of flair

In a recent Amazon Live appearance, Lala shed some light on why she conceived via artificial insemination rather than doing so naturally

Lala posed with Ambyr Childers - Randall's ex-wife - as well as Ambyr and Randall's daughters London and Rylee, who are Ocean's half-sisters

Scheana posted a heart-melting Insta Story that showed her, Stassi and Lala's daughters all enjoying each other's company at Ocean's party

'The best part about my baby daddy is that he does not exist. I have been pretty open about wanting to really have full control of - I guess not my child, but having them around me all the time,' she explained.

'I went through a really hard time with my past and just with Ocean,' she noted without mention Randall's name. 'For me, my child will never be up for grabs again.'

Lala and Randall broke up in 2021 amid a swirl of allegations that he had cheated on her, and the consequent custody battle is still thundering ahead.

By 2022 she was so disillusioned with the idea of co-parenting that she declared she would only have her next child with a sperm donor.

'I will not even attempt to try and do it a different way. I don't want another person involved,' she said on Scheana's podcast Scheananigans.

Although there was always the chance a boyfriend could 'come into my life,' she was 'not taking a chance' on raising a child with someone else again.

'There's such a high chance of it not working out, especially where we live. Like, I am so scarred from all of this s*** that has happened in my life.'
An Australian actress, best known for her role in Neighbours, has opened up about her ongoing health battle with an invisible illness which left her suffering in silence until she was finally given a diagnosis.

Jordy Lucas, 32, revealed after landing her dream role on the Aussie soap as a teenager, she began to suffer from excruciating and irregular periods.

However, due to a common misconception that painful periods are normal, Ms Lucas' concerns were shrugged off by doctors.

The actress remembers one episode where she was rushed to hospital after finishing a scene for Neighbours because she'd been bleeding for several weeks.

'I felt like I was going to pass out,' she told News.com.au.

Jordy Lucas (pictured) was diagnosed with endometriosis last year after more than a decade of suffering from chronic pain and heavy periods

Ms Lucas, best known for her role on Neighbours (pictured), began suffering symptoms after landing her dream role on the Aussie soap

Once again, her pain and bleeding were dismissed, and Ms Lucas was prescribed the contraceptive pill.

To a certain extent, the pill helped her manage her symptoms, and she stayed on it for several years - including during her time living in America.

In 2020, she made the difficult choice to go off the pill after suffering from migraines and found all the contraceptive had done was mask her original symptoms.

She, again, began suffering from chronic pain and heavy periods but continued to be dismissed by doctors as nothing appeared abnormal in ultrasounds.

Even though her symptoms were a textbook case of endometriosis, a disease an estimated one million Aussies will suffer in their lives, she found it difficult to get a diagnosis.

On average, it takes seven years for an Australian to be diagnosed with endometriosis, often because the pain is written off as menstrual cramps.

Ms Lucas did her best to continue with her everyday life, but the pain became increasingly debilitating, and her heavy periods would make her anaemic.

Ms Lucas (pictured) was dismissed by doctors and prescribed the contraceptive pill as a way of masking her symptoms

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It was during this time she realised she was lucky to work as an actress as she'd be unable to keep up with the strain of a nine-to-five job.

She finally was given the green flag to undergo keyhole surgery but admitted she was paranoid doctors wouldn't find anything wrong and label her as melodramatic.

However, the medical team was able to confirm Ms Lucas had endometrioses in May of 2023, and she burst into tears at the relief of being 'validated'.

'I had to fight for years to be taken seriously; by the time I was taken seriously, I was stage four, and everything [internal organs] was fused together,' she said.

Ms Lucas underwent excision surgery in January 2024 to remove excess endometrial tissue and, in February, shared pathology findings from the procedure.

'Extensive, deep infiltrating endometriosis, adenomyosis and ovarian cysts. Things that certainly don't belong together, were literally stuck together,' she said.

'I feel vindicated, but I also feel incredibly angry. Angry that this diagnosis took over ten years. Angry that I was made to feel like a drug-seeking hypochondriac.

'What Im most angry about is that I began to question myself, my own body, my own pain.'

Ms Lucas (pictured) underwent excision surgery in January, 2024, to remove excess endometrial tissue and described being 'angry' her diagnosis took so long

Since her diagnosis, Ms Lucas has shared her endometriosis journey online in an attempt to remedy the 'embarrassment' and 'shame' she used to feel.

She also encourages women to advocate for their health and trust their instincts.

'Hoping I can help women better advocate for themselves during diagnosis and treatment of this hideous disease,' she said.
She recently jetted off to the Maldives with her boyfriend Andrew Le Page to celebrate his 29th birthday.

And Tasha Ghouri flaunted her hourglass figure in a silver metallic bikini on Saturday as she soaked up some rays by the pool.

The former Love Island star, 25, looked nothing short of sensational as she donned the tiny bikini which boasted a triangle bikini top and a pair of thong bikini bottoms.

She opted for styling her long blonde locks up in a loose bun before further accessorising the look with a pair of gold-toned shades.

In another stunning snap, Tasha can be seen giving off beach babe energy as she struck up a sultry pose on a sandy white beach.

Tasha Ghouri flaunted her hourglass figure in a silver metallic bikini on Saturday as she soaked up some rays by the pool during her trip to the Maldives

The former Love Island star, 25, looked nothing short of sensational as she donned the tiny bikini which boasted a triangle bikini top and a pair of thong bikini bottoms

The beauty let her luscious wet blonde locks flow freely down her shoulders as she showed off her glorious tan.

It comes after Tasha showed off her toned figure in a denim-blue string bikini earlier this week as she enjoyed some downtime onher trip.

The influencer looked nothing short of sensational as she danced and brushed her teeth in the mirror while taking snaps of herself.

She then shared a photo of Andrew on Instagram and wrote: 'Happy birthday to this one! Going to share some vids that people rarely get to see this side of him.. I love this side of him.'

On her main feed, Tasha shared more photos of herself and Andrew and wrote a very loved-up caption to him.

She began: 'Happiest of birthdays to this one @andrewleplage, celebrating you!'

Tasha continued: 'Nearly two years weve been together and every day I look at you and think how did I get so lucky.

'I love your resilience, the way you turn any negatives into positivity always, you always make me laugh until my cheeks hurt, your kindness.

It comes after Tasha showed off her toned figure in a denim-blue string bikini earlier this week as she enjoyed some downtime in the Maldives

The influencer looked nothing short of sensational as she danced and brushed her teeth in the mirror while taking snaps of herself

'The way you are just so kind with integrity, the way you lead with love, the way you make sure everyone around you is okay and feel welcomed, you create such a safe space where I feel relaxed and safe in your arms.

'Your bravery inspires me with what youve gone through in life but yet you push through and show that you are unstoppable. You are my rock and Im your biggest cheerleader.

'Youre so so special to me. True love is six little words, no matter what, I got you. I love you endlessly.

'Heres to many more candles to blow, cards to read, youre the person I want to grow old with, hand in hand, we always have each other through the highs and lows.

She then shared a photo of Andrew, 29, and wrote with it: 'Happy birthday to this one! Going to share some vids that people rarely get to see this side of him.. I love this side of him'

'You stole my heart and its always yours, you take such good care of it, my soulmate. Every chapter with you is so magical.'

Tasha and Andrew found got together on Love Island 2022, but their journey to happiness was far from smooth.

Andrew allowed himself to be convinced Tasha was playing a game and moved on with Islander Coco Lodge.

However, he and Tasha later reunited and made it to the final, finishing in fourth place.
The high-rise at 555 California St. in San Francisco is in the 94104 ZIP code, which has Californias highest average income. Mathias Lervold / Getty Images

One of San Franciscos smallest ZIP codes has the highest average income in California.

The 94104 ZIP code, which includes a handful of blocks in the citys Financial District with such buildings as 555 California St. and the Ritz-Carlton residences, had an average household income of about $5.5 million in 2021, according to recently released tax data from the IRS. Only one ZIP code in the United States had a higher average household income: 33109 of Fisher Island, Fla., where about 300 filers, totaling 500 people, made an average of $6 million.

The IRS tax data, based on information provided on individuals and couples who filed taxes in 2022, is available only as an aggregate amount, meaning high averages could be skewed upward by the presence of a few very wealthy people. The IRS also cautions that some tax filers might not use their home addresses for their returns. That could help explain why about 1,500 people, including dependents, were listed on filings from Financial District addresses even though the ZIP codes population is less than 600.

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Still, the IRS data provides perhaps the most detailed breakdown of U.S. income available, including not only earnings but also interest payments and capital gains.

The Financial District isnt the only part of the Bay Area with a seven-figure average income. Many of the highest incomes were concentrated in the Silicon Valley, with the 94027 ZIP code that makes up the uber-wealthy city of Atherton having an average income of $3.5 million.

Two Palo Alto ZIP codes, 94304 and 94301, had average incomes exceeding $2 million.

Those ZIP codes had some of the highest average incomes in California. Just two of the states 10 highest-income ZIP codes  90067 and 90272, which contain Los Angeles wealthy Century City and Pacific Palisades neighborhoods  werent in the Bay Area.

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Only seven California ZIP codes had average incomes exceeding $1 million, six of them in the Bay Area.

Most Bay Area neighborhoods  though higher-income than most California ZIP codes  came nowhere close to that level. Excluding the Financial District, the average income of San Francisco ZIP codes ranged widely, from as little as Treasure Islands $55,000 to as much as the Embarcaderos $732,000.

Indeed, the high incomes of the Bay Areas richest neighborhoods stood even starker when compared with the rest of the state. California ZIP codes that had average incomes of at least $400,000 tended to be concentrated in and around major cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

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ZIP codes in parts of the San Joaquin Valley and near Sacramento also had higher average incomes.

That doesnt necessarily mean the typical worker in those areas received a large salary. In many of the highest-income ZIP codes, the largest share of total income comes from sources other than wages or salaries, IRS data shows. For example, about 39% of total income reported by all tax filers in the Financial District was from capital gains  the selling of stock or property  while just 13% came from earnings and 6% came from investment payments.

IRS data doesnt specify where much of the remaining 42% of total income came from, though possibilities include business and rental income, pension payments and some sales of stock options.

In Atherton, as well as Palo Altos 93404 and 94301 ZIP codes, more than half of total income came from capital gains.

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Because the IRS data is available only through 2021, it might not reflect more recent economic trends in the Bay Area, such as the boom in housing values in 2022 and the wave of tech layoffs thats raised the regions unemployment rate.
Emily Blunt is taking her parents to the Oscars.

The Oppenheimer star, 41, is up for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the wife of the titular wartime hero in the lauded summer epic.

And when she arrives at the ceremony on Sunday in Hollywood, she will be joined by her parents Oliver and Joanna as she recalled that her parents inspiring her to take up acting by hiring 'inappropriate' titles like Jaws for her to watch as a child.

She told The Sunday Mirror: "My dad was always going to the video store to get really inappropriate films for all of us to watch.

'One of my first experiences was watching Jaws at the age of seven, and he would pitch that it was for the whole family  but it was really for him and we would be terrified. It was one of my first memories of films and its still my favourite, even now.'

Emily Blunt is taking her parents to the Oscars where she is nominated for Best Supporting Actress (pictured in February 2024)

Her parents Oliver and Joanna inspired her to take up acting by hiring 'inappropriate' titles like Jaws for her to watch as a child

Emily took her parents to the EE BAFTA Awards last month, where she and her mother dazzled in gold dresses whilst her dad was suited and booted as he quaffed a glazz of fizz.

The Devil Wears Prada actress - who is married to John Krasinski and has Hazel, nine, and seven-year-old Violet with him - recently explained that she was hoping to take her folks along to the biggest nights in film because it coincided with her dad's birthday.

She said: 'I'm going to bring John and I'm hoping my parents, who are sort of angling for me. It's my dad's birthday that weekend!

'I think the kids may stay up and watch it.'

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.

The actress went on to talk about several scenes in the movie when she had to depict her character of Kitty Oppenheimer drunk - and she insisted she was sober throughout after previously knocking back booze for another drunken role and it went horribly wrong.

She explained: 'I've done it once [downed alcohol for a drunk scene] and it was a disaster.'

'I was so paranoid and messy - it was way back in the day, I'm not even going to tell you what it was for. No, I prefer to be stone-cold sober.

The English actress is nominated for her role in Oppenheimer as Katherine 'Kitty' Oppenheimer, the wife of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy)

Emily was a vision of beauty as she stormed the red carpet in a glamorous beaded gown with cut outs along the waist that showed off her lithe figure

The British actress landed a nod in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in Oppenheimer, opposite Cillian Murphy who is also nominated

'I mean I seem to have done this a couple of times, I'm like the go-to for ugly drunks.'

Oppenheimer came away with a leading 13 Oscar nominations, receiving nods for Best Picture; Best Director for Christopher Nolan, Best Actor for Cillian Murphy and Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr.

Director Christopher Nolan has been nominated for five Oscars for his films Momento, Inception, Dunkirk in the past - but has never won.

He'll be hoping to change his luck with his three-hour epic about the creation of the atomic bomb, which has been an awards season favourite so far.
Melanie Griffith stepped out for lunch and shopping in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon.

The Oscar nominee, 66, made her way to Melrose Place, the quiet little street with several chic clothing shops and a cafe that's just off Melrose Avenue.

Griffith  whose daughter Dakota Johnson recently dished on her parenting style  looked stylish in baggy blue jeans, a cream-colored blazer and a beige sweater.

She strolled the sidewalk in Gucci slip-ons and she had a Givenchy purse slung over one shoulder.

Rounding out her afternoon look, Griffith slipped on a stylish sunglasses to help stave off the glaring sun on another warm sunny day in Southern California.

Melanie Griffith stepped out for lunch and shopping in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon

The New York City native, who mainly grew up in Los Angeles, was spotted moments after leaving a restaurant, walking past a number of high-end storefronts.

Her afternoon outing comes in the wake of rumors that her daughter Dakota is now engaged to Chris Martin after six years as a couple.

Just two days earlier, Johnson, 34, was photographed on a coffee run in in LA before meeting up with Martin, 47, for some shopping in Beverly Hills.

The Fifty Shades actress was not wearing a ring on her left ring finger as she emerged from a local coffee spot with her to-go items in hand.

She did look comfortable dressed in a gray crewneck sweater, white pants, Adidas sneakers, and her dark locks blowing in the wind styled long with blunt bangs

Not long later, Johnson reunited with her rumored fiance inside of a high-end Beverly Hills store.

The Coldplay frontman was photographed standing in front of a window wearing black pants and a simple white T-shirt.

All the chatter surrounding their engagement began earlier this week when it was claimed that Martin had proposed to Johnson, and that the couple have the blessing of his ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow, who's the mother of his two children Apple, 19, and Moses, 17.

Griffith  whose daughter Dakota Johnson recently dished on her parenting style  looked stylish in baggy blue jeans, a cream-colored blazer and a beige sweater

Her afternoon outing comes in the wake of rumors that her daughter Dakota Johnson  who she shares with ex Don Johnson  is now engaged to Chris Martin after six years as a couple

All the chatter surrounding their engagement began earlier this week when it was claimed that Martin had proposed to Johnson, and that the couple have the blessing of his ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow, who's the mother of his two children Apple, 19, and Moses, 17; Martin seen in November

'The couple got engaged a while ago and have kept the news private. But now they are being open about it with their circles.' a source told The Mirror. 'They have been besotted with each other from day one so taking this next step was inevitable.'

That insider went on to reveal that they are not in 'any rush to plan the wedding, but instead are just enjoying making their commitment official.'

Johnson was also seen wearing an emerald green ring on her wedding finger at her 34th birthday in Los Angeles last October.

The couple's romance dates back to 2017 after meeting through mutual friends. Eventually, they were seen out together on a date in October of that year at a sushi restaurant in Los Angeles, according to People.

Just months later, Griffith opened up about her daughter's relationship in an impromptu interview.

'I adore him!' she said during the Global Gift Foundation USA Women's Empowerment Luncheon at the Yardbird Southern Table & Bar in 2018. Keeping her comments brief out of respect for their privacy she added, 'She is very private about her life and I respect that.'

After nearly two years of blissful dating, the pair went through a shaky period, which was rumored to be a result of the musician pushing for them to have children.

They would be able to patch things up and be back in each other's arms before the summer gave way to fall in 2019.

The Oscar-nominated actress also has a daughter Stella, 27, with ex-husband Antonio Banderas, 63, whom she married to from 1996-2015; the actress also has a son Alexander, 38, with ex-husband Steven Bauer, 67

Johnson is Griffith's second child, but first with two-time husband and Miami Vice actor Don Johnson.

Four years earlier she welcomed her son Alexander, 38, whom she shares with second ex-husband Steven Bauer, 67, who's best known professionally for his role in Scarface.

Following her second divorce from Don Johnson, she would ultimately start dating and then marry Antonio Banderas, 63, in 1996, resulting in the birth of their daughter Stella, 27.

Griffith and Banderas ended up divorcing in 2015, but like her other two ex-husbands, they have remained friendly through the years.
Chris Evans was spotted sweetly holding hands with his wife, Alba Baptista, as the couple left a pre-Oscars bash at the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood on Friday.

The Knives Out star, 42  who married the Portuguese actress, 26, last year in September  strolled alongside the beauty after attending the party ahead of the 2024 Oscars which will take place on Sunday, March 10th.

He was dressed for the occasion in a white button up which was tucked into the waist of gray trousers.

Evans completed his ensemble for the night by slipping into a pair of sleek, brown shoes and also added a black watch on his left wrist.

Alba put on a fashionable display in a white, off-the-shoulder dress that clung to her figure and had strips of fabric tied into a loose knot at the neckline.

Chris Evans, 42, was spotted sweetly holding hands with his wife, Alba Baptista, 26, as the couple left a pre-Oscars bash at the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood on Friday

He was dressed for the occasion in a white button up which was tucked into the waist of gray trousers

The Warrior Nun actress additionally wore a pair of open-toed, nude heels and accessorized her look with a stylish choker.

Her dark locks were parted in the middle, and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in light waves.

The lovebirds were spotted exiting the venue before heading to their next destination on their rare outing together.

Chris and Alba mainly keep their relationship out of the public eye, and first sparked romance rumors back in 2021 when Baptista followed the Marvel star on social media, as well as some of his family members.

The following year in November 2022, the two spent quality time together while holding hands during a relaxing outing in NYC.

That same month, a source informed People that both Evans and Baptista had already been dating 'for over a year and it's serious.'

The insider continued, 'They are in love and Chris has never been happier. His family and friends all adore her.'

During an interview with People at the time, the Captain America actor expressed that he felt 'content' in terms of his personal life.

Evans completed his ensemble for the night by slipping into a pair of sleek, brown shoes as well as a watch that was placed on his left wrist

Alba put on a fashionable display in a white, off-the-shoulder dress that clung to her figure and had strips of fabric tied into a loose knot at the neckline

Chris and Alba mainly keep their relationship out of the public eye, and first sparked romance rumors back in 2021 when Baptista followed the Marvel star on social media, as well as some of his family members

He also opened up his dreams for the future and said, 'That's absolutely something I want: wife, kids, building a family.'

'When you read about most of the best artists, whether it's actors, painters, writers, most of them [admit] it wasn't the work they made [that they are most proud of], it was about the relationships; the families they created, the love they found, the love they shared.'

The star added, 'So it's also something through my long 41 years that also rings true. Those things are the most important.'

'I love the idea of tradition and ceremony. I had a lot of that in my life, so the idea of creating that  I can't think of anything better.'

In January 2023, Evans publicly confirmed his relationship with Alba while taking to his main Instagram page to share an adorable video of the pair.

And later in September, Page Six reported that the couple said 'I do' during an intimate ceremony in Cape Cod.

Celebrity guests included Jeremy Renner, Robert Downey Jr. and also Chris Hemsworth. The nuptials were 'locked down tight' and attendees had been asked to 'sign NDAs and phones were forfeited.'

Evans and Baptista then held a second ceremony in the actress's home country of Portugal.

The following year in November 2022, the two spent quality time together while holding hands during a relaxing outing in NYC

During an interview with People at the time, the Captain America actor expressed that he felt 'content' in terms of his personal life

Shortly before the additional wedding, an insider told Page Six, 'There is going to be a second gathering in Portugal for members of Alba's family who couldn't be in Massachusetts.'

'Sometime this week, I believe. Then they'll depart from Portugal for their honeymoon.'

In October 2023, following the two ceremonies, Chris himself confirmed that he had tied the knot while at Comic Con in NYC.

'It was really, really great. We kinda had two ceremonies. We had one on the East Coast. We did one in Portugal. My wife's Portuguese. Yeah, go Portugal!' he told the audience during a panel at the event.

And later in September 2023, Page Six reported that the couple said 'I do' during an intimate ceremony in Cape Cod, followed by a second wedding in Portugal

In October 2023, following the two ceremonies, Chris himself confirmed that he had tied the knot while at Comic Con in NYC (seen above)

'They were wonderful and beautiful. It's a lot planning a wedding. For those you who are married, it takes a lot out of you.'

Evans continued, 'Now that we're through that, we've just kinda been enjoying life, gearing up for autumn, my favorite season. It's, like, the best time of year right now.'

The lovebirds were spotted earlier this year in January enjoying a triple date with Robert Pattinson as well as longtime partner, Suki Waterhouse, and also Adrien Brody and girlfriend Georgina Chapman.

The stars grabbed a tasty bite to eat at the celebrity hotspot, Funke, which is located in Beverly Hills.
Nicky Hilton provided an update on her sister Paris Hilton's well-being after the arrival of two children.

In November, Paris, 43, welcomed daughter London with her husband, Carter Reum, following the birth of their son, Phoenix, in January 2023.

'She's so happy, she's so at peace,' Nicky, 40, told People at the 17th Annual Women in Film Oscar Nominees Party in Los Angeles on Friday.

The hotel heiress added that her own children 'love' being cousins to Paris' kids.

Nicky and husband James Rothschild share Lily-Grace Victoria, 6, Theodora 'Teddy' Marilyn, 5, and an 18-month-old son, whose name has not yet been revealed.

Nicky Hilton (R) provided an update on her sister Paris Hilton's (L) well-being after the arrival of two children; pictured in October 2023

In November, Paris, 43, welcomed daughter London with her husband, Carter Reum , following the birth of their son, Phoenix, in January 2023

Last month, the gorgeous mom made her first public appearance with all three of her adorable kids.

The socialite was seen arriving at the Museum of Ice Cream with her family.

Nicky met James at the 2011 wedding of Petra Ecclestone  daughter of the former Formula 1 CEO, Bernie Ecclestone  to her now-ex James Stunt.

They spent their first year doing long-distance before they both decided to move to New York City to be together.

The pair dated for about three years before getting engaged during a summer holiday in Lake Como in 2014.

That following year, they tied the knot in a star-studded wedding at Kate Middleton and Prince William's home in Kensington Palace.

Meanwhile, Paris surprised her fans on Thanksgiving by announcing she and Carter had welcomed their second child via surrogate.

The star shared the happy news by posting a pink baby outfit with the name 'London' - thereby revealing the gender and name of her little one.

'Thankful for my baby girl,' the heiress wrote in the caption of the image.

After initially confusing fans by not revealing if the baby was on the way or had already been born, Paris clarified in a TikTok comment that her daughter has already arrived, writing: 'My princess has arrived!!'

'She's so happy, she's so at peace,' Nicky, 40, said of Paris to People at the 17th Annual Women in Film Oscar Nominees Party in Los Angeles on Friday; pictured 2023

The hotel heiress added that her own children 'love' being cousins to Paris' kids

Nicky shares her three children with billionaire heir and financier James Rothschild. They have been together since 2011 and married since 2015

For the Young Hearts Friends Fest, Nicky dressed up her eldest daughter, who turns eight in July, and six-year-old daughter Teddy in matching patterned dresses

Paris also shared a sweet snap of her baby boy to Instagram Stories, proudly calling him a 'big brother'.

After announcing the news on Instagram, Paris took to her TikTok with a sweet clip of her nephew and niece, whom she asked: 'Are you guys excited for your new cousin?'

'You have two babies?' they inquired.

'I have two babies,' she confirmed. In the clip her she was seen holding her son.

'Priceless moments Family is everything,' she captioned the clip.
Bella Hadid dressed the part of a stylish girlfriend as she donned a dark cowboy hat to support boyfriend Adan Banuelos at a Texas rodeo event.

The 27-year-old supermodel  who recently shared birthday photos online  teamed the accessory with a low-cut and backless beaded brown tank top.

She wore black leather trousers with the look, which had a matching jacket that she donned at some points during the sporting spectacular.

The catwalk queen's long, brunette locks spilled out from under her hat in a tousled, wavy texture.

Hadid shared sweet moments with Adan as her mom Yolanda Hadid captured them on her phone.

Bella Hadid dressed the part of a stylish girlfriend as she donned a dark cowboy hat to support boyfriend Adan Banuelos at a Texas rodeo event

The 27-year-old supermodel teamed the accessory with a low-cut and backless beaded brown tank top

She wore black leather trousers with the look, which had a matching jacket that she donned at some points during the sporting spectacular

Hadid shared sweet moments with Adan as her mom Yolanda Hadid captured them on her phone

The Kin Euphorics founder looked stunning in a face of glowy makeup that highlighted her features.

She wore a dark string necklace with a silver-toned statement pendant that boasted a turquoise stone in the middle.

Bella's nails were short and she rocked various rings between both of her hands.

For his part, her beau, 34, also donned a black cowboy hat as well as a black shirt and jeans.

His dark hair peeked out from underneath and he looked handsome with a full beard.

The event was helmed by Teton Ridge and held at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

The American Performance Horseman is a novel affair that is now part of the annual American Rodeo.

Activities include equestrian competitions and contestants could win $1 million in prize money.

The catwalk queen's long, brunette locks spilled out from under her hat in a tousled, wavy texture

Bella couldn't contain her excitement as she cheered on her man

The Kin Euphorics founder looked stunning in a face of glowy makeup that highlighted her features

The beauty beamed and flashed her megawatt smile

Hadid recently shared snaps and video footage from her 27th birthday celebration.

The party was held in a horse stable in Fort Worth, Texas.

She looked typically gorgeous and very in love with her boyfriend, who is a Mexican-American equestrian.

The couple packed on the PDA in the photos, which she captioned: 'October 9, 2023. My 27th Birthday.'

It was the first time Bella posted snaps of her Adan outside of horse competitions.

She first shared photos of her boyfriend in January when she was competing in an event for the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA).

The star uploaded a carousel of photos including one of her with Adan, though their heads weren't visible in the picture.

Bella was previously in a relationship with art director Marc Kalman for two years.

Bella's nails were short and she rocked various rings between both of her hands

The superstar hugged a friend during the event

The socialite chatted and mingled with other eventgoers

The model's makeup look was rounded out with a glossy lip

Bella was in good company among others who also rocked cowboy hats

Banuelo is the son of Ascencion Banuelos, the first Mexican-American to be inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame.

He is renowned in horse riding and became one of the youngest people to be inducted into the NCHA Hall of Fame in 2017.

Bella is also an avid horse rider and often documents her love of the animal and sport online.

On February 5 Adan shared an image of Bella on his Instagram and wrote in the caption: 'Congratulations to Bella and #MetallicTito on their first major aged event finals at their first aged event together!'
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Lily Gladstone, Alessandra Ambrosio and Olivia Munn took over the Giorgio Armani Pre-Oscars Party in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The stunning stars descended upon the Armani flagship store on Rodeo Drive to celebrate Martin Scorsese's historic 10th Academy Award nomination for Killers of the Flower Moon.

Ahead of the Academy Awards on Sunday, Best Actress nominee Lily exuded movie star glamour in a couture dress and matching tuxedo coat.

Supermodel Alessandra looked sophisticated chic in an all-black ensemble, while X-Men alum Olivia dared to impress in pink satin pants.

The Hollywood heavyweights were joined by such luminaries as Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan, Nicolas Cage, Jane Seymour and Dua Lipa's boyfriend, British heartthrob Callum Turner.

Lily Gladstone, Alessandra Ambrosio and Olivia Munn took over the Giorgio Armani Pre-Oscars Party in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Ahead of the Academy Awards on Sunday, Best Actress nominee Lily exuded movie star glamour in a couture dress and matching tuxedo coat

Supermodel Alessandra looked sophisticated chic in an all-black ensemble

X-Men alum Olivia dared to impress in pink satin pants

The star-studded shindig is 'hosted by Roberta Armani in celebration of Martin Scorsese on the occasion of historic 10th Academy Award nomination for Killers of the Flower Moon ,' according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The tribute to the legendary filmmaker comes after Lily, Martin and Leonardo DiCaprio reunited to discuss all things Killers of the Flower Moon.

The Hollywood heavyweights posed for the cover of Variety and got candid about the making of the drama, its long runtime and the glaring Oscar snub for star Leonardo.

Lily defended her costar to the outlet, stating that both she and her parents were outraged by the omission.

'They were pissed,' she said. 'He was the first to text me congratulations, with popping confetti. I told him how upset we all were.'

When 96th annual Academy Award nominations were revealed, Martin landed his 10th Best Director nod while Lily received one for Best Actress, becoming the first Native American to be nominated in that category.

The 3 1/2 hour film received a total of eight more Oscar nominations - but the Titanic star was left out in the cold.

'My nomination is equal parts his. I would not have been able to do what I did without his generosity as an actor and as a human being,' Lily added.

The star's natural beauty took center stage as she opted for bit of blush and red lip

Alessandra and Olivia showed off their chestnut tresses by styling them long and loose

The brunette beauty sparkled in the night as she left the event

Kathryn Newton stunned in a plunging gown for the event

The stunning actress stole the spotlight in her couture number as it featured a sheer silhouette

She kept her blonde tresses swept up in a chic bun

Jane Seymour looked every inch the tasty snack as she showed the young Hollywood queens how to take over a red carpet

In the film, Leo plays World War I veteran Ernest Burkhart, who falls in love with an Osage woman, Lily's Mollie Kyle.

Scorsese chimed in, arguing Leo's performance speaks for itself.

'He went so far into the complexities and contradictions of a man who was so weak, so malleable, who did such unspeakable things, but who also truly loved his wife,' the filmmaking icon explained.

'Leo fearlessly created a true Everyman  an Everyman that people just don't want to acknowledge. So that will endure.'

Leonardo has yet to make a public statement about the snub, although he did take to his Instagram to recognize the Oscar nominations.

'Congratulations to my dear friend @LilyGladstone for making Oscars history, as the first Native American woman to be nominated for Best Actress in Killers Of The Flower Moon, and the fourth Indigenous actress to ever earn a nomination in the category,' he gushed.

'And to this powerful film's nine other nominations - telling this story with all of you has been an honor.'

As for the criticism over the movie's length, Scorsese explained to Variety, 'I really don't know how to respond to it except for the fact that many people seem to go with it.

'This one felt right [at this length], and I felt that while I was watching it. I felt inside of it.'

Paris Jackson showcased her fabulous style at the event

The daughter of Michael Jackson took over the event in a barely-there ensemble as she showed off her sculpted figure

Her intricate body art was on full display

He also talked about hiring Lily for the role on the spot.

'What I saw Lily do in Certain Women how she commanded the space and the screen and the emotional impact of what appeared to be minimal and very internalthat's what I was looking for.

'We had just started developing the character, and I felt that Lily had it in her. That she would seriously find her.'

In January, Lily made history at the 81st Golden Globe Awards when she took home the Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama, making her the first Indigenous actor to win an award in the ceremony's 81-year history.

In the film, Lily-- who uses she/they pronouns  portrayed Burkhart, an Osage woman whose family members are tragically murdered in a plot to seize their fortune.

Gladstone, whose heritage includes Blackfeet and Nez Perce roots, is now just the second Native actress recognized by the Globes. The first was Irene Bedard, nominated in 1995 for the television movie Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee.

'This is a historic one, and it doesn't belong to just me,' Gladstone said in English while accepting the Golden Globe, after opening their acceptance speech speaking in the Blackfeet language.

'I'm holding it with all of my beautiful sisters in the film and my mother [in the film], Tantoo Cardinal.'

Jeffrey Wright looked dapper in his navy suit

Nicolas Cage flashed his megawatt smile

The Raising Arizona star looked dapper in a black suit

Dua Lipas boyfriend Callum Turner made the cut for the invite-only shindig

Robert DeNiro made an appearance for his old pal Marty

Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan looked sharp in his black suit as he arrived to the Rodeo Drive party

Martin cut a classic figure in his sharp suit

Lily Gladstone and Martin Scorsese led the stars at the Giorgio Armani Pre-Oscars Party in Los Angeles on Saturday

The party was thrown in honor of Martin's 10th Oscar nomination

Martin will be up for the Best Director at the 2024 Oscars

Martin was the talk of the town as he graced the event in a pair of blue leather loafers

The star is up for the Best Actress Oscar for Killers of the Flower Moon

Wearing a couture skirt and tuxedo jacket, Lily effortlessly exuded movie star glamour

At the end of the evening, Newton was spotted heading out form the party with her gal pal by her side

Sissy Spacek was also spotted exiting the bash with her husband Jack Fisk as the longtime couple donned complementing blazers and dress pants in different colors

The star then noted that, in the past, Hollywood would create fictional Native languages instead of portraying them accurately and authentically

'I'm so grateful that I can speak even a little bit of my language because in this business, Native actors used to speak their lines in English and then the sound mixers would run them backwards to accomplish Native languages on camera,' Gladstone explained.

She then thanked Chief Standing Bear and the Osage Nation as well as Scorsese, and her costars Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro, for being 'allies'.

'This is for every little res kid, every little urban kid, every little Native kid out there who has a dream, who is seeing themselves represented and our stories told by ourselves, in our own words, with tremendous allies and tremendous trust with each other.'
Married At First Sight star Jessika Power has appealed to her fans for help after battling a mystery skin condition for six months.

The Australian reality star, 31, took to Instagram Stories on Saturday with a close-up video of her chin and upper mouth covered in a painful-looking red rash.

'I hate posting this because I'm super self conscious but I've been struggling with this rash for six months now and I've tried EVERYTHING and it won't go away,' the British-based blonde lamented in her caption.

Asking her fans for advice, Jessika added: 'Can anyone explain what it is or what I could do to get rid of it? I've never had bad skin in my life.'

She went on to clarify that the red marks 'aren't pimples', and that the best way to describe the condition is a 'raised rash'.

Married At First Sight star Jessika Power, 31, (pictured) has appealed to her fans for help after battling a mystery skin condition for six months

Her inbox was quickly flooded with responses from concerned followers, prompting Jessika to share a snippet of what she had received via a separate post hours later.

Several fans suggested it could be perioral dermatitis, a facial skin problem characterised by areas of small red pauples that are itchy and tender.

Often it is caused by an allergic reaction to a substance that has come into contact with the skin such as makeup or skincare products.

The Australian reality star took to Instagram Stories on Saturday with a close-up video of her chin and upper mouth covered in a painful-looking red rash

Several fans suggested it could be perioral dermatitis, a facial skin problem characterised by areas of small red pauples that are itchy and tender

Another speculated that it is rosacea, a long-term condition in which facial blood vessels enlarge, causing reddened skin and pimples.

It comes after Jessika returned to screens on the latest season of MTV's Celebrity Ex On The Beach.

Following her time on Married At First Sight Australia in 2019, Jessika moved to the UK to pursue a television career and to be with her then-boyfriend, British podcaster Connor Thompson.

Since moving abroad Jessika has continued to appear on screens, appearing on UK reality show Celebs Go Dating and more recently, the latest season of MTV's Celebrity Ex On The Beach.

She also recently found love with British music producer Brent Anthony and is reportedly planning on staying in London to be with him.

Following her time on Married At First Sight Australia in 2019, Jessika moved to the UK to pursue a television career and to be with her then-boyfriend, British podcaster Connor Thompson
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Margot Robbie glammed up alongside stylish Kristen Stewart and Lily-Rose Depp at Chanel's star-studded, pre-Oscar awards dinner in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The Barbie actress, 33 - who was recently seen filming a commercial in Malibu - joined her fellow Chanel ambassadors at the event, including the Twilight alum, 33, and the French-American actress, 24.

The special dinner was held at the Beverly Hills Hotel just one day before the 96th Academy Awards which will be held on Sunday, March 10th.

Robbie - whose film Barbie raked in seven Oscar nominations - made a statement as she arrived to the festivities.

She showed off her toned legs in a black miniskirt as well as a matching jacket that contained a fuzzy brown trim on the front as well as at the arm cuffs.

Margot Robbie, 33, glammed up alongside stylish Kristen Stewart, 33, and Lily-Rose Depp, 24, at Chanel's star-studded, pre-Oscar awards dinner in Los Angeles on Saturday

Margot slipped into a pair of closed-toed, black heels that were secured with thin straps that wrapped around her ankles.

The beauty easily carried a mini, black Chanel purse in her hand that could hold an item or two that she needed during the evening.

Her blonde locks were parted in the middle, and effortlessly flowed down straight past her shoulders.

The Wolf Of Wall Street star opted for minimal accessories to allow the ensemble to be the main focal point, and added a few gold rings to each of her hands.

Robbie's makeup was classically done and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as a light shadow around her eyes.

A light pink blush was added to her cheekbones for a radiant glow, while a dark pink tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch.

Margot struck a few poses to flaunt her look upon arriving to the event along with other A-listers, such as Kristen Stewart.

The actress donned a black and white-colored, bralette top as well as a pair of white shorts from the luxurious brand that contained a black trim around the waist.

Margot struck a few poses to flaunt her look upon arriving to the event along with other A-listers, such as Kristen Stewart

The actress donned a black and white-colored, bralette top as well as a pair of white shorts from the luxurious brand that contained a black trim around the waist

The Love Lies Bleeding star layered the look with a sheer, black blouse which she chose to leave unbuttoned at the front

Lily-Rose Depp showed off her toned figure in a strapless, pink cropped top that had a row of stylish buttons at the front

The Love Lies Bleeding star layered the look with a sheer, black blouse which she chose to leave unbuttoned at the front.

Stewart additionally wore a pair of black, ankle boots that offered an edgy flare, and also added a silver-chained necklace as well as flashy rings for a final touch.

Her dark locks were partially combed back away from her face, allowing loose strands to gently fall onto her forehead.

Lily-Rose Depp showed off her toned figure in a strapless, pink cropped top that had a row of stylish buttons at the front.

The Idol star also slipped into a low-waisted skirt that contained various hues, such as black, white, yellow and pink.

The daughter of actor Johnny Depp donned open-toed, black heels that were secured with straps that wrapped around her ankles.

She held a small, black Chanel purse in her hand while flaunting her outfit during the photo session.

Depp's hair was pulled back into a sleek up do, easily revealing a pair of mini, silver earrings as well as a dainty necklace.

Kerry Washington was also spotted at the festivities, and donned a red and black-striped skirt that fell down towards her ankles and contained a thigh-high slit on the left side

She also wore a white and black-colored, tank top that had Chanel's logo printed on the front

Da'Vine Joy Randolph was chic in a long-sleeved, light gold dress that fell down to brush the ground

At one point, she crossed paths with Lily-Rose Depp and the pair - who both starred in The Idol together - happily reunited

Chloe Sevigny was radiant in a pink and orange-colored, plaid dress that had two pockets around the lower waist as well as buttons at the top portion

Kerry Washington was also spotted at the festivities, and donned a red and black-striped skirt that fell down towards her ankles and contained a thigh-high slit on the left side.

She also wore a white and black-colored, tank top that had Chanel's logo printed on the front.

The Scandal alum slipped into a pair of closed-toed, black pumps and carried a black, cross-body purse over her shoulder.

The beauty accessorized her ensemble with a chunky necklace as well as a few flashy rings on each of her hands.

Da'Vine Joy Randolph - who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Holdovers - was chic in a long-sleeved, light gold dress that fell down to brush the ground.

The top portion was partially fastened and actress added glittering earrings as well as Chanel pearls for an elegant flare.

Her locks were parted to the side, and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in light waves. At one point, she crossed paths with Lily-Rose Depp and the pair - who both starred in The Idol together - happily reunited.

Chloe Sevigny was radiant in a pink and orange-colored, plaid dress that had two pockets around the lower waist as well as buttons at the top portion.

The Boys Don't Cry actress donned a pair of white and black-colored shoes that offered a bit of contrast to the look

She easily carried a white, Chanel purse in her hand to hold a few items she needed during the special dinner on Saturday

America Ferrera - who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Barbie - was stylish in a black, satin blouse that was tucked into the waist of sleek, black trousers

Tessa Thompson embraced her edgy side in a black, leather top with corset-styled details along and also a pair of matching pants

The Boys Don't Cry actress donned a pair of white and black-colored shoes that offered a bit of contrast to the look.

She easily carried a white, Chanel purse in her hand to hold a few items she needed during the special dinner on Saturday.

Her blonde locks were parted in the middle, and cascaded down past her shoulders in elegant waves.

America Ferrera - who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Barbie - was stylish in a black, satin blouse that was tucked into the waist of sleek, black trousers.

Her locks were parted to the side, and fell down straight to nearly brush the tips of her shoulders. The star carried a dazzling, gold Chanel purse in her hand while also adding a large, gold bracelet on her left wrist.

Ferrera was joined by husband, Ryan Piers Williams, who sported a dark navy suit as well as a white dress shirt underneath. He completed his look by slipping into a pair of dark brown shoes.

Tessa Thompson embraced her edgy side in a black, leather top with corset-styled details along and a pair of matching pants.

The Creed star also wore open-toed, black heels while carrying a mini, black Chanel purse in her hand.

The Creed star also wore open-toed, black heels while carrying a mini, black Chanel purse in her hand

Olivia Munn turned heads wearing a black, leather coat that was secured with a belt to better accentuate her waist

Alexandra Shipp - who also starred in Barbie - embraced her preppy side in a pink, plaid miniskirt along with a matching jacket that had a black, floral trim

Her dark locks were swept up into a chic up do, allowing loose strands to border the sides of her face.

Olivia Munn turned heads wearing a black, leather coat that was secured with a belt to better accentuate her waist.

She slipped into a pair of sheer tights as well as open-toed, black heels to coincide with the monochromatic color scheme of her outfit.

Her brunette locks were parted in the middle, and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in light waves.

Leslie Mann showed off her sense of style in a black, satin blouse that was tucked into the waist of a semi-sheer, black skirt that was made of a glittering, floral material.

The This Is 40 star donned a pair of closed-toed, black shoes that had straps with bow embellishments. She flashed a cheerful smile while holding a black, Chanel purse in her right hand.

Alexandra Shipp - who also starred in Barbie - embraced her preppy side in a pink, plaid miniskirt along with a matching jacket that had a black, floral trim.

She opted to not wear a shirt underneath for a sultry flare, and slipped into a pair of black and white pumps.

Phoebe Tonkin put on a leggy display wearing an oversized, layered dress shirt that contained a hem that stopped inches above her knees

Minnie Driver was classy in a black, satin minidress that contained fabric that fell down towards her ankle on the right side

Celine Song - whose film Past Lives has been nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars - opted for a full, black skirt that fell down to brush the ground

Her hair was swept up into a chic bun, and the actress carried a small, white Chanel purse to complete her look.

Phoebe Tonkin put on a leggy display wearing an oversized, layered dress shirt that contained a hem that stopped inches above her knees.

The black and white-colored ensemble was paired with sheer tights as well as open-toed, black heels.

She opted for a bold, red tint to her lips while her hair was combed back away from her face and styled into a half up do.

Minnie Driver was classy in a black, satin minidress that contained fabric that fell down towards her ankle on the right side.

The Good Will Hunting actress also opted for a vibrant, red lipstick while her locks were pulled up into a bun, allowing her bangs to gently fall onto forehead. To complete the look, Driver carried an eye-catching, green purse in her hand.

Molly Sims was elegant in a patterned dress with colorful, floral details which was layered with a glittering, black tweed jacket.

The star donned black pumps while also holding a stylish, Chanel purse in her hand. Molly's blonde locks were parted in the middle, and cascaded down straight past her shoulders.

Celine Song - whose film Past Lives has been nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars - opted for a full, black skirt that fell down to brush the ground.

Joan Collins put on a glamorous display in a figure-hugging, sparkling black dress with a V-neck cut on the front

Rebecca Hall showed off her sense of style in a colorful cropped top with floral details as well as a striped skirt that had pastel hues of pink, blue and yellow

Kelly Lynch wowed in a sequin, silver dress contained a thigh-high slit of the left side. The Road House star slipped into a pair of open-toed, silver strappy heels to coincide with the color scheme of her outfit

Joan Collins put on a glamorous display in a figure-hugging, sparkling black dress with a V-neck cut on the front.

A belt wrapped around the waist and the Esther And The King actress donned black gloves while also slipping into closed-toed, black shoes.

Her husband, Percy Gibson, was by her side and donned a classic, blue suit as well as a white dress shirt. He completed the look with a pair of sleek, black dress shoes.

Rebecca Hall showed off her sense of style in a colorful cropped top with floral details as well as a striped skirt that had pastel hues of pink, blue and yellow.

The actress also wore a pair of glittering, silver flats while a mini, white purse was placed over her left shoulder.

Kelly Lynch wowed in a sequin, silver dress contained a thigh-high slit of the left side. The Road House star slipped into a pair of open-toed, silver strappy heels to coincide with the color scheme of her outfit.

Her hair was parted in the middle, and pulled back into a low ponytail, easily revealing a pair of dangly, silver earrings.

Maya Rudolph dressed to impress in a white shirt that contained pearl-tasseled embellishments. A black floral piece was placed at the collar and the SNL alum also donned a pair of fitted, black trousers

Havana Rose Liu was stunning in a white dress that contained a semi-sheer bodice with black and white-patterned details

Sandra Huller wowed in a pink, plaid skirt that fell down towards the ground and contained a slit on the front

The director also wore a white button up that was tucked into the skirt and held a small, black Chanel purse in her hand with gold details.

Maya Rudolph dressed to impress in a white shirt that contained pearl-tasseled embellishments. A black floral piece was placed at the collar and the SNL alum also donned a pair of fitted, black trousers.

She slipped into closed-toed, black pumps while carrying a bedazzled, Chanel purse in her hand.

Havana Rose Liu was stunning in a white dress that contained a semi-sheer bodice with black and white-patterned details.

The star layered the piece with a jacket that matched the material on the skirt of the dress. She donned black and white-colored pumps that were secured with straps and flaunted a mini Chanel purse in her hands.

Gracie Abrams was fashionable in a pair of loose-fitting, black trousers as well as a cropped, leather jacket.

Underneath, the beauty added a fuchsia-colored blouse and the collar popped out around the neckline of the jacket.

Sandra Huller wowed in a pink, plaid skirt that fell down towards the ground and contained a slit on the front.

The Anatomy Of A Fall star also wore a matching, long-sleeved cropped top while a thin belt was wrapped around her waist.

Justine Triet was chic in an off-white blouse that was tucked into the waist of stylish, brown trousers

Huller and Triet had the chance to reunite upon arriving to the Beverly Hills Hotel and paused for a snap together

Usher was also spotted at the event, and wore a black shirt that was partially unfastened as well as a pair of black, leather pants

The singer was joined by wife, Jennifer Goicoechea - whom he tied the knot with last month in February. She donned a black jumpsuit as well as a black, tweed coat that was draped over her shoulders

Justine Triet was chic in an off-white blouse that was tucked into the waist of stylish, brown trousers.

The filmmaker slipped into a pair of sleek loafers that contained hues of black, white and also red.

Ava DuVernay made a statement in a pair of loose-fitting, black pants that had sparkling, floral details on the material. She added a plain, black top underneath as well as a lace sweater.

The star also donned a pair of close-toed, black pumps and carried a black purse with a gold-chained strap in her hand.

Usher was also spotted at the event, and wore a black shirt that was partially unfastened as well as a pair of black, leather pants.

The performer added a black and white-patterned coat for a stylish flare while also sporting flashy, silver necklaces and a pair of black shades.

The singer was joined by wife, Jennifer Goicoechea - whom he tied the knot with last month in February. She donned a black jumpsuit as well as a black, tweed coat that was draped over her shoulders.

For a final touch, Jennifer added an assortment of gold-chained necklaces and a belt while also holding a small purse in her hand.

Adrien Brody was dapper in a classic, black suit as well as a white dress shirt underneath that was partially unbuttoned

He was accompanied by girlfriend, Georgina Chapman, who was chic in a black satin dress that contained sheer material around the bodice and right side

Patrick Dempsey dressed to impress in a pin-striped suit which he paired with a white shirt underneath as well as black dress shoes and was seen with his wife, Jillian

James Marsden put on a stylish display in a pair of mustard yellow trousers as well as a dark navy shirt. He layered the ensemble with a black coat and slipped into a pair of sleek, brown shoes

Adrien Brody was dapper in a classic, black suit as well as a white dress shirt underneath that was partially unbuttoned. For a finishing touch, he slipped into a pair of sleek, black dress shoes.

He was accompanied by girlfriend, Georgina Chapman, who was chic in a black satin dress that contained sheer material around the bodice and right side.

A bow embellishment could also be seen on the right and she sweetly posed for a quick snap with the actor.

Patrick Dempsey dressed to impress in a pin-striped suit which he paired with a white shirt underneath as well as black dress shoes.

He was seen with his wife, Jillian, who stunned in a black blouse which was tucked into the waist of a fitted skirt with a fringed hem.

James Marsden put on a stylish display in a pair of mustard yellow trousers as well as a dark navy shirt. He layered the ensemble with a black coat and slipped into a pair of sleek, brown shoes.

Michael Keaton sported a pair of dark navy slacks as well as a matching, double-breasted blazer. He added a white and blue-pattered shirt underneath while also wearing a pair of black dress shoes.

Dominic Sessa was seen wearing a pair of black slacks as well as white dress shirt and stylish black coat that was layered on top. He completed the look by slipping into black shoes

The Holdovers actor was also joined by Bella Sessa who wore an elegant, black dress as well as short-sleeved, floral sweater on top

Daniel Kaluuya showed off his sense of style in a pair of black trousers as well as a green jacket that was secured with a belt at the waist

Willem Dafoe donned a black suit and also added a burgundy shirt underneath. The Poor Things star completed his look by sporting sleek, black dress shoes

Dominic Sessa was seen wearing a pair of black slacks as well as white dress shirt and stylish black coat that was layered on top. He completed the look by slipping into black shoes.

The Holdovers actor was also joined by Bella Sessa who wore an elegant, black dress as well as a short-sleeved, floral sweater on top

Daniel Kaluuya showed off his sense of style in a pair of black trousers as well as a green jacket that was secured with a belt at the waist.

He donned flashy jewelry, including a sparkling Chanel ring, and wore a pair of white sneakers for a finishing touch.

Willem Dafoe donned a black suit and also added a burgundy shirt underneath. The Poor Things star completed his look by sporting sleek, black dress shoes.

He was joined by Giada Colagrande who wore a sleeveless, black ensemble as well as a long, silver necklace that fell on top of the dress.

Riz Ahmed opted for an all-black ensemble that comprised of a ribbed shirt as well as black pants. He draped a black sweater over his left shoulder in case he grew chilly later in the night

Cord Jefferson dressed for the pre-Oscars event in a stylish black suit which he paired with a white dress shirt as well as a classic, black bowtie

Nicole Avant stunned in a black dress with floral embellishments alongside Ted Sarandos who sported a dark navy suit while attending the star-studded Chanel dinner

Riz Ahmed opted for an all-black ensemble that comprised of a ribbed shirt as well as black pants. He draped a black sweater over his left shoulder in case he grew chilly later in the night.

By his side was Farheen Mirza who was chic in a black and white-colored dress as well as open-toed, black heels.

Geoffrey Ogunlesi donned a monochromatic ensemble while joined by Jennifer Myer who wore a semi-sheer, black minidress with a white collar.

Nicole Avant stunned in a black dress with floral embellishments alongside Ted Sarandos who sported a dark navy suit while attending the star-studded Chanel dinner.

Rebecca Gayheart was chic in a black and white-striped minidress which was layered with a long, black coat that brushed the ground. She was also joined by Peter Morton who wore a dark navy suit as well as a light blue dress shirt and navy tie

Shannon Click was elegant in a white ensemble which was layered with a black blazer alongside Jack Huston who wore a black, pin-striped outfit as well as a plain shirt and sleek dress shoes

Huston was also seen flashing a smile with his half-uncle and fellow actor, Danny Huston, who wore a sleek, gray suit and a blue shirt underneath

Marine Delterme donned a fitted, black dress as well as black, heeled boots with Florian Zeller who sported a classic blue suit for the festivities

Kristen Stewart and Lily Rose Depp couldn't contain their laughter while catching up at the party

Jeff Bezos cosied up to fiancee Lauren Sanchez inside Chanel 's star-studded, pre-Oscar awards dinner in Los Angeles on Saturday

The special dinner was held at the Beverly Hills Hotel just one day before the 96th Academy Awards which will be held on Sunday, March 10th

Usher donned a black and white coat as he partied with A-list celebs

Robert De Niro, 80, and his girlfriend Tiffany Chen, 45, looked loved-up at the annual Chanel pre-Oscar dinner party in The Polo Lounge, Beverly Hills on Saturday

The actor cut a dapper display in a black sweatshirt and trousers, teamed with a smart navy blue blazer

His beloved girlfriend Tiffany put on a racy display in a busty mesh bra underneath a plunging black blazer (pictured with Charles Finch)

The duo looked happier than ever at the star-studded event ahead of the 2024 Oscars (pictured chatting with Danny Huston)

Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley were spotted leaving the event

America Ferrera smiled and waved to onlookers

Leslie Mann, Derek Blasberg, and Kelly Sawyer Patricof all dressed to impress

Rebecca Gayheart was chic in a black and white-striped minidress which was layered with a long, black coat that brushed the ground. She was also joined by Peter Morton who wore a dark navy suit as well as a light blue dress shirt and navy tie.

Shannon Click was elegant in a white ensemble which was layered with a black blazer alongside Jack Huston who wore a black, pin-striped outfit as well as a plain shirt and sleek dress shoes.

Huston was also seen flashing a smile with his half-uncle and fellow actor, Danny Huston, who wore a sleek, gray suit and a blue shirt underneath.

Marine Delterme donned a fitted, black dress as well as black, heeled boots with Florian Zeller who sported a classic blue suit for the festivities.
Jackie 'O' Henderson has insisted her Besties business venture is going strong.

The radio queen started the company with business partner Gemma O'Neill and says interest remains high.

'We are really excited about the level of demand and the overwhelming positive response that we've had because at this stage we are still focused on the holidays and our speaker events and we are going to be expanding the business and growing it,' she told the Daily Telegraph.

'Where we can take it, the possibilities are endless but we are excited this year to launch into some internal work and showing women how they can nurture themselves because that side of things is really important.'

It comes after Gemma denied the pair lost money on their event hosted by Gwyneth Paltrow in October.

Jackie 'O' Henderson has insisted her Besties business venture is going strong. The radio queen started the company with business partner Gemma O'Neill and says interest remains high. Both pictured

The speaking engagement, the first organised by the duo's business venture Besties, saw the A-list actress fly to Sydney for a one-night appearance.

Despite having a Hollywood drawcard, the event, which was held at the ICC theatre, was only half-full - but O'Neill insists that was deliberate.

'Look, we're not professional events people and we are very new to this game, but we are really proud of the fact we wanted to do it and are having a crack,' O'Neill told The Daily Telegraph.

'The ICC is the only venue that offered more than 2000 capacity. You can book it for full capacity or half-full,' she added.

It comes after Gemma denied the pair lost money on their event hosted by Gwyneth Paltrow in October. All pictured

'We booked for half capacity and sold just under half 4000 seats.'

Paltrow's fee was estimated at between $150,000 and $500,000, and tickets for the event started from $100 and went up to $2,500 for VIP access.

O'Neill denied that a four-day Kokomo Island trip in December hosted by Besties had a poor response, or that a second trip to Fiji slated for September this year was cancelled for lack for interest.

A three-day Southern Highlands getaway scheduled for March has sold out, she claimed.

Paltrow sat down with Jackie for what was described as a candid conversation for a paying crowd in October.

The speaking engagement, hosted by the pair's Besties business venture, saw the Hollywood actress arrive in Sydney for a one-night appearance. Despite having a Hollywood drawcard, the event, held at the ICC theatre, was only half-full - but O'Neill insists that was deliberate

The Goop founder touched on Hollywood, love, heartbreak, style, running a global business and more.

Jackie had earlier revealed how much fans could expect to pay to hear the Shakespeare In Love star speak live.

'We want to start [ticket prices] at $100,' said Jackie.

She then revealed that those who wanted to get up close and personal with the Oscar winner could expect to pay $2,500 for a 'VIP' experience.

'For $2,500 you'll get a photo with her and you'll be at the cocktail party with us,' Henderson explained.

Jackie is launched her event-based business with close friend Gemma last year, and said it 'celebrates the most important relationship in your life - your best friend'. The pair also launched a line of Besties branded clothing in October

Jackie is launched her business with close friend Gemma last year, and said it 'celebrates the most important relationship in your life - your best friend'.

Besties appears is event-based business which sells experiences for 'best friends' to create memories together.

The pair also launched a line of Besties branded clothing in October.

The website said: 'Besties is a space that gives you and your BFF the perfect opportunity to spend more time with each other and create additional memories together.'

'Besties will bring you closer to extraordinary people at engaging events where we will welcome some of the most talked about and high-profile guest speakers to the stage, take you to the most breathtaking and exclusive destinations on group holiday adventures, plus spoil you with ranges of luxe products specifically and personally curated by us for you.'
Robert Irwin has made a surprising career move and was unveiled as the new host of Channel Ten's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Australia.

The Wildlife Warrior was on his way to South Africa on Sunday alongside his mother Terri Irwin to start filming on the popular reality series.

Dropping the duo off at Brisbane Airport was Robert's brother-in-law Chandler Powell, who is married to sister Bindi Irwin.

Robert, 20, appeared in great spirits as he unloaded a car and grabbed a large amount of luggage.

He dressed casually for his long haul flight, wearing a black polo shirt and a pair of blue jeans.

Robert Irwin (right) has made a surprising career move and was unveiled as the new host of Channel Ten 's I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! Australia

The Wildlife Warrior was on his way to South Africa on Sunday alongside his mother Terri Irwin (left) to start filming on the popular reality series

Dropping the duo off at Brisbane Airport was Robert's brother-in-law Chandler Powell (centre), who is married to sister Bindi Irwin

The TV star and model added a pair of well loved sneakers and a green and gold cap to the ensemble.

Terri, 59, stayed safe in a black face mask and could be seen carrying a colourful suitcase.

She opted for blue T-shirt with a hoodie tied around her waist as well as a pair of blue jeans.

Chandler, 27, embraced the pair before they headed off through the terminal to catch their flight.

Robert, 20, appeared in great spirits as he unloaded a car and grabbed a large amount of luggage

He dressed casually for his long haul flight, wearing a black polo shirt and a pair of blue jeans

The TV star and model added a pair of well loved sneakers and a green and gold cap to the ensemble

Terri, 59, stayed safe in a black face mask and could be seen carrying a colourful suitcase

She opted for blue T-shirt with a hoodie tied around her waist as well as a pair of blue jeans

Robert recently revealed why he accepted the offer to host the new season of I'm A Celebrity.

The zookeeper-turned-reality TV host told Yahoo Lifestyle, hosting the show is important in continuing the legacy of his father Steve, who tragically passed away when Robert was just three years old.

'I love that I have a real purpose and a legacy that I get to continue from my family, and my dad particularly, and I get to create my own - of wildlife conservation, of fun, of passion and positivity,' he said.

'And no show does it better than I'm A Celebrity when it comes to just fun, family, positive, let's give it a go. Plus, every contestant's working for a charity.'

The group were all smiles as Robert set off for his adventure

Chandler, 27, embraced the pair before they headed off through the terminal to catch their flight

Robert recently revealed why he accepted the offer to host the new season of I'm A Celebrity

The zookeeper-turned-reality TV host told Yahoo Lifestyle , hosting the show is important in continuing the legacy of his father Steve, who tragically passed away when Robert was just three years old

'I love that I have a real purpose and a legacy that I get to continue from my family, and my dad particularly, and I get to create my own - of wildlife conservation, of fun, of passion and positivity,' he said

'And no show does it better than I'm A Celebrity when it comes to just fun, family, positive, let's give it a go. Plus, every contestant's working for a charity' he added

He said he is a 'huge fan of the show' and it is a 'privilege and a real honour' to co-host the series alongside Julia Morris

It comes after Robert revealed he laid down the law to producers before accepting his new role on I'm a Celebrity

He said he is a 'huge fan of the show' and it is a 'privilege and a real honour' to co-host the series alongside Julia Morris.

It comes after Robert revealed he laid down the law to producers before accepting his new role on I'm a Celebrity.

Appearing on KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O Show, he said he wanted to alter one of the show's major gimmicks - the eating challenge.

'The one thing that I was like ''mmm I got to change this'', was eating the African wildlife I'm a conservationist at heart,' he said.

Appearing on KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O Show, he said he wanted to alter one of the show's major gimmicks - the eating challenge

The one thing that I was like ''mmm I got to change this'', was eating the African wildlife I'm a conservationist at heart,' he said

'They have changed it so we're just doing the cow, and the chicken, and the fish, and the cockroachbut it's cool cause we really get to bring this to a whole new level' he added

Robert went on to reveal that Australia Zoo 'does a lot of conservation work in Africa' and thought that the new season was an opportunity to 'celebrate' the wildlife

Co-host Julia Morris also appeared on the breakfast show and stood behind the fresh look of the show

'I think what Robert's been doing is making people think ''do you need it or not?'' like if you need it, tell me why you need the wildlife in places like that?,' she said

'They have changed it so we're just doing the cow, and the chicken, and the fish, and the cockroachbut it's cool cause we really get to bring this to a whole new level.'

At one point in the chat Kyle and Jackie O Show co-host, Kyle Sandilands teased the famed Wildlife Warrior.

'You've ruined the show with your own personal opinions on life, is that right?,' he joked.

Robert went on to reveal that Australia Zoo 'does a lot of conservation work in Africa' and thought that the new season was an opportunity to 'celebrate' the wildlife.

Robert earlier said his entire family will be accompanying him when he goes to South Africa to shoot the series

'I've got everyone, including my little niece Grace, coming over, so the whole family are there' told the Daily Telegraph

Robert first appeared on the Ten reality show as a guest in 2016, along with mum Terri and sister Bindi

Joining them this time will be Bindi's husband Chandler Powell, their two-year-old daughter Grace

Co-host Julia Morris also appeared on the breakfast show and stood behind the fresh look of the show.

'I think what Robert's been doing is making people think ''do you need it or not?'' like if you need it, tell me why you need the wildlife in places like that?,' she said.

Robert earlier said his entire family will be accompanying him when he goes to South Africa to shoot I'm A Celebrity.

'I've got everyone, including my little niece Grace, coming over, so the whole family are there' told the Daily Telegraph.

Robert first appeared on the Ten reality show as a guest in 2016, along with mum Terri and sister Bindi.

Joining them this time will be Bindi's husband Chandler Powell, their two-year-old daughter Grace.
A levee is in place in Pajaro (Monterey County) one year after a levee breach forced residents of the tiny agricultural town to flee as floodwaters destroyed their homes and businesses. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

PAJARO, Monterey County  Construction of a new flood control system on the Pajaro River is finally on the fast track, a year after a long-neglected levee ruptured and inundated the tiny Monterey County farm town of Pajaro.

But officials say the levee will remain at risk of new breaches for several years while construction takes place  and theyre working to improve emergency preparedness and response in Pajaro, which some residents and advocates said was confusing and contradictory during the crisis that began the night of March 10, 2023.

The town is still struggling to recover from the disaster, which displaced about 3,500 residents and drew national attention  and criticism.

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Federal officials had known for decades that the Pajaro River earthen levee was unsound. It had already failed multiple times since its construction in 1949. However, local flood control officials said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did not prioritize making needed repairs because of the relatively low property values in the area, which is populated mostly by low-income Latino farmworkers.

The disaster suddenly brought new urgency to a levee overhaul plan that had been in the works since 2019. The $599 million state and federal project is expected to begin this summer and could take five to 10 years to complete, officials said.

In the meantime, while emergency repairs already carried out have made the levee stronger than its ever been, it is still decrepit and undersized, posing further risk of failure, said Mark Strudley, executive director of the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency, representing a consortium of cities and counties in the area.

The public should know that this system is still vulnerable because it needs to be rebuilt, Strudley said. Thats why weve been prioritizing this levee reconstruction project with the Army Corps.

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This has been an aspiration for decades, and its finally happening, he said. Its happening far later than any of us ever wanted it to, but its happening.

Some Pajaro business owners and residents also say the improvements were long overdue.

The levee failures should have been corrected a long time ago, said Alfonso Moran, 41, owner of Real Colima restaurant near Pajaro. Moran was 12 years old when a levee failure caused the severe flood in 1995, that resulted in two deaths and over $95 million worth of damage.

After recent historic storms, and with the potential for even more extreme weather events in the future, Pajaro residents and merchants hope the project is done quickly. The major storm that hit Northern and Central California last weekend made Moran nervous about possible flooding.

Its still a concern, he said.

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Flood disaster accelerated Pajaro River levee project

The Pajaro flood disaster last year put an intense spotlight both on Californias aging flood control infrastructure and on the impact of extreme weather on the states most vulnerable residents. It was the fifth time the Pajaro River levee system failed, after floods in 1955, 1958, 1995 and 1998.

The Federal Flood Control Act of 1966 authorized the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to replace storm-weakened levees across the country but did not prioritize Pajaro. The agency used a cost-benefit analysis system to determine which infrastructure projects to fund that was biased against projects like ours, where property values were lower, and so our project always ranked low, Strudley said.

The Army Corps told the Chronicle last year that the cost-benefit analysis used to prioritize projects measures the potential cost of a project and the size of the economies the project will protect. Ultimately it is Congress that makes (funding) decisions; we just make a recommendation, said Patrick McKinley, former head of flood reduction projects for the Army Corps local district office in San Francisco.

Water flows through a broken levee on the Pajaro River last March, when the Pajaro city center flooded. LiPo Ching/Special to the Chronicle 2023

After years of pressure from local and state officials, the Army Corps recently began incorporating social justice factors into its infrastructure recommendations, according to officials.

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The agencys San Francisco district approved a long-stalled plan for repairs in 2019. Funding for the project was provided by the Biden administrations $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill enacted in 2021, and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill in September 2021 to provide state funding.

An environmental review for the project was due to be completed last year, but the flood added urgency to speeding up the project. In October 2023, Newsom signed a bill authored by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, who represents Pajaro, that exempts the levee improvements from state and local environmental regulations. In November, local, state and federal officials gathered for the official signing of the long-awaited construction agreement.

The community deserves our utmost respect for their resilience and dedication, Rivas said in a statement. As a result of their tireless advocacy, California began long-overdue levee and waterway upgrades as quickly as possible, and that work will be completed years earlier.

The projects $599 million price tag is being split between the federal and state governments, at 65% and 35%, respectively. Local governments will be responsible for the costs of levee maintenance and operations.

We have fought for funding and fought for relevance in the federal funding processes to elevate the voices of those in the Pajaro Valley that havent been heard for generations, said Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend, chairman of the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency.

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Our communities shouldnt have to look at forecasts with fear as they do now, and this project will give peace of mind and security in ways long overdue, Friend added.

Two of three emergency repairs to the levee were completed as of early March, according to Tommy Williams, deputy district engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District office, which is working with state and local officials on the project. The last repair is still under construction.

The Army Corps plans to finish designs for the new 12-mile levee system this year, Williams said. Construction is expected to begin this summer, with the goal of completing it in five years, he said.

The project is a combination of building new levee sections, adding floodwalls atop current sections and rebuilding others. A large portion of the project will incorporate setback levees that re-establish 110 acres of floodplain, allowing more natural flooding while protecting the surrounding area, Williams said.

In the interim, risks remain

The new levee system is predicted to provide Pajaro and nearby Watsonville with 100-year flood protection, meaning a 1% annual chance of a major flood. Surrounding agricultural areas will gain 25- to 100-year flood protection, according to the projects website.

Thats up from the areas current eight-year flood protection level, which the Pajaro flood agency calls among the lowest of any federal flood control system in California.

While the ongoing emergency repairs have strengthened the levee, Its still not as structurally sound as we would want it to be because its old, so the risk (of another breach) is still there, Strudley of the regional flood agency said.

The system is in better shape right now, but that doesnt mean that its perfect, said Williams of the Army Corps. And that is one of the main reasons why we are engaging in the five-year construction project beginning this summer.

Army Corps inspectors check the Pajaro levee annually, and county officials also perform inspections, especially during rainstorms, Williams said. While it is impossible to precisely pinpoint the chances that a levee system will collapse, he said, inspectors look for clues to possible problem areas, such as water seeping underneath, rodent holes or deteriorating vegetation growth.

Preparing for future emergencies

But Ray Cancino, CEO of the Watsonville-based nonprofit Community Bridges, said he hopes government officials dont focus solely on the levee reconstruction project, because that could create a false sense of security for the community.

Cancino, whose group provided Pajaro residents with disaster relief, said he wants government officials to be transparent with residents about the possibility of another flood before the project is complete, and focus on helping people prepare.

Some residents and community advocates said the communication from local and county officials during the flooding emergency last March was confusing and contradictory.

It took us way too long for incident commands to determine who was the lead on the disaster, and in doing so caused mass miscommunication and missed opportunities, Cancino said.

Cancino said the city of Watsonville  which is in Santa Cruz County but shares a ZIP code with Pajaro  apparently sent out alerts last March saying the evacuation warning was lifted, while Monterey County said it remained in effect.

Local officials said they have improved their emergency preparedness and hosted meetings with community members on how to prepare for a flood.

At a news conference Wednesday in advance of the flood anniversary, Monterey County officials acknowledged that there was a communication struggle last March because many Pajaro residents arent registered in the countys alert system, which issues alerts via phones, email, text messages and more. That was extremely eye-opening for us, said Kelsey Scanlon, director of the countys Department of Emergency Management.

Since then, county officials have focused on going door to door to get more people to sign up, she said. She added that communication in the Pajaro community is largely face to face and friend to friend or neighbor to neighbor, rather than standard emergency channels, so her agency is establishing relationships with trusted sources like nonprofits and community leaders who can help close communication gaps.

In November 2023, Monterey County emergency management officials tested a new alert and warning system that had been delayed due to last years flood and back-to-back storms that winter. County officials said the test revealed several errors and that the vendor was working to fix them. A full transition to the new system is expected sometime this year, according to a county report.

The Army Corps of Engineers has also conducted periodic community meetings in Pajaro to discuss emergency preparedness, according to Williams.

Cancinos group is also hosting community meetings with emergency preparedness officials who cover how to prepare for a flood, long-term recovery and more. With a grant received through the Army Corps, Cancino said, his groups goal is to increase coordination across government agencies to ensure effective communication.
Alison Hammond has broken her silence regarding This Morning's new hosts after being 'snubbed' by ITV bosses.

The TV personality, 49, hosts This Morning alongside Dermot O'Leary on a Friday, as well as fronting other big shows such as The Great British Bake Off and For the Love of Dogs.

Alison was reportedly offered a huge pay rise to replace Holly Willoughby and front This Morning four times a week, but Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard have now taken on the role.

Clearing things up, Alison told The Sunday Times Magazine: 'We're the Friday guys! We love being Friday guys!'

When asked if there was any discussion about doing more than she does currently, she said: 'Absolutely not. How could I?

Alison Hammond has broken her silence regarding This Morning's new hosts after being 'snubbed' by ITV bosses

Elsewhere in the interview, Alison was reluctant to speak about former host Phillip Schofield after he resigned from ITV following his affair scandal

'I live in Birmingham and do Bake Off and For the Love of Dogs. I never wanted that job. Last year we did extra because we were going through issues, but Cat and Ben will save that show.'

Elsewhere in the interview, Alison was reluctant to speak about former host Phillip Schofield after he resigned from ITV following his affair scandal.

She said: 'As for said "issues"... Listen. I don't want to get into salacious gossip. All I need to say is I personally wish Phillip Schofield all the best. I loved Phillip Schofield. Full stop. But that's the last thing I would want to speak about.'

Cat and Ben were unveiled as the new hosts of This Morning, with ITV revealing the news three weeks ago.

The pair had been locked in talks for some months following the exit of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield and are now set to make their debut on Monday.

It had been claimed that Cat was finally won round with a lucrative deal, but insiders at ITV denied the claims - insisting it was the ability to spend more time with family, over a big money payday, that finally sealed the deal.

The news was confirmed via a bespoke promo on This Morning's Twitter, showing Ben walking down the familiar This Morning production corridor and placing a new photo of Cat on the wall, before turning to the camera as the photo comes to life.

Cat said: 'This Morning is a national institution. Whenever it's on, it's like having your friends over - funny, smart, silly, heartfelt, informative and joyful - like all the greatest friendships!...

'This Morning is and always will be the viewer's show. Ben and I both know how much people love it, and with the help of an amazing team of people, we're going to do our best to take care of it.'

The TV personality, 49, hosts This Morning alongside Dermot O'Leary on a Friday, as well as fronting other big shows such as The Great British Bake Off (pictured) and For the Love of Dogs

Cat and Ben were unveiled as the new hosts of This Morning, with ITV revealing the news three weeks ago, with a teaser clip showing their images in the ITV corridors

Cat and Ben have been the subject of whispers for some time after her trial week

Phillip has bowed out of the spotlight in recent months since his affair scandal in May, which led to his departure from This Morning after over 20 years on the show

Ben added: 'This really feels like a very special moment for Cat and I to be part of the next chapter of This Morning. It's an honour to be trusted with the reigns, join Alison and Dermot and all the team that work on and off screen and do such a great job...

'For the last ten years I've been waking up with our ITV daytime audience on GMB and I now look forward to spending time with Cat...

'Welcoming the viewers home after the school run or from their early morning routines, with a cup of tea and a mix of everything that makes This Morning so loved.'

During the show, Friday hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary discussed the news, showing a throwback snap of Dermot, Andi Peters and Ben. Dermot joked: 'Ben at T4 that's actually from last week!', while Alison replied: 'Look at Andi Peters!'

Moving on to Cat, Dermot said: I've known Cat for so long', while Alison revealed she first met Cat at a party in Los Angeles about four years ago and they bonded over both being from Birmingham.

She told Dermot: 'I met her in LA. We're both Brummies. I met her about four years ago, we met in LA at a party. We are so so happy they are joining the family Ben and Cat. This is going to be so so nice'.

Dermot said: 'The secret is out!', while Alison revealed: 'They are joining us in March'.

This Morning's Editor, Martin Frizell said: 'The team and I have relished the opportunity to try new things these past few months and remind viewers what a massively talented team both on and off screen we have here at This Morning...

'We can't wait to welcome Ben and Cat fully into the fold next month and witness the start of another exciting chapter in the show's 35 year journey.'

Holly left the show last October 'for the sake of her family' after discovering she was the target of a foiled kidnap and murder plot.

It came five months after Phillip's departure after his affair with a young male showrunner was made public, followed by claims of an increasingly strained relationship with his co-host.

Phillip has bowed out of the spotlight in recent months since his affair scandal in May, which led to his departure from This Morning after over 20 years on the show.

Holly left the show last October 'for the sake of her family' after discovering she was the target of a foiled kidnap and murder plot (pictured in September)

It came five months after Phillip's departure after his affair with a young male showrunner was made public, followed by claims of an increasingly strained relationship with his co-host (pictured together in May 2023)

After much speculation about his private life, his affair finally went public and he admitted he had been left 'broken and ashamed' but insisted he was not a groomer.

He said the affair 'never came across' as an abuse of power because he and his lover were 'mates'. He told The Sun: 'I was unprofessional, one time, in a 41-year career. There is no excuse. No one did anything wrong apart from me.'

In his first interview since leaving the broadcaster and This Morning, the 61-year-old presenter said: 'I did not, I did not [groom him].

'There are accusations of all sorts of things. It never came across that way because we'd become mates. I don't know about that. But of course I understand that there will be a massive judgment, but bearing in mind, I have never exercised that.'

At the time, Phillip offered a number of apologies, including to his co-presenter of 14 years Holly and his wife of 30 years, Stephanie Lowe.
Jodie Turner-Smith exuded confidence in a sheer ensemble as she enjoyed a night out at The Chateau Marmont in LA on Saturday over Oscars weekend.

The Queen & Slim actress, 37 - who recently broke her silence following her divorce from Joshua Jackson - turned heads as she exited the hotspot while preparing to head to her next destination.

Her outing comes after her ex and Lupita Nyong'o were seen sharing a passionate kiss during a getaway to Mexico earlier last week.

The British-born star showcased her toned figure wearing a sleeveless, black mesh dress that was a made of a sheer material.

A circular cutout could be seen on the upper portion of the outfit and Jodie additionally slipped into a pair of closed-toed, black pumps.

Jodie Turner-Smith, 37, exuded confidence in a sheer ensemble as she enjoyed a night out at The Chateau Marmont in LA on Saturday over Oscars weekend

The British-born star showcased her toned figure wearing a sleeveless, black mesh dress that was a made of a sheer material

She accessorized her look by wearing a dainty, silver-chained necklace as well as flashy gold and silver bracelets on each of her wrists.

Jodie easily carried a black purse with a chained strap in her hand to hold a few items she needed during the evening.

As she exited The Chateau Marmont, the beauty was seen making her way down a few steps while also flashing a quick smile.

Her nighttime excursion comes shortly after her ex, Joshua Jackson, was seen spending time with Lupita Nyong'o on a tropic getaway earlier this month.

The hot new couple - who DailyMail.com exclusively revealed are 'exclusive and serious' - recently exchanged some sweet smooches while in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The two seemingly confirmed their romance as they enjoyed a PDA-packed celebration for the Oscar winner's 41st birthday.

Joshua, 45, seemed to have more than just presents for her as he even lifted the bikini-clad babe up by her derriere as they exchanged passionate kisses.

Lupita - who was born in Mexico City, Mexico - showcased her stunning figure in an orange two-piece.

A circular cutout could be seen on the upper portion of the outfit and Jodie additionally slipped into a pair of closed-toed, black pumps

She accessorized her look by wearing a dainty, silver-chained necklace as well as flashy gold and silver bracelets on each of her wrists

Joshua kept it simple in green Vilebrequin board shorts as he showed off his physique by going shirtless.

No doubt it was a day of fun in the sun as they hit the pool together while packing on the PDA.

This comes as DailyMail.com reported the two are 'exclusive and serious,' according to insiders, who claim the Oscar-winning actress 'saved' him after his divorce when he didn't think he would ever find love again.

The romantic getaway marked five months since Joshua split from actress Jodie Turner Smith with whom he has daughter Juno, and four months since Lupita announced she was no longer with presenter Selema Masekela.

Lupita has reportedly been a 'revelation' for the former Dawson's Creek star  but she is yet to build a 'relationship' with Jodie, who filed for divorce in October.

'Josh and Lupita are exclusive and serious,' an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'They get each other, and she has been such a calming force for him.'

'They are in love and Josh feels saved. That might sound extremely corny but after his relationship with Jodie, who he thought was it for him, finding love with Lupita has been a revelation.'

'It is everything to him that he has been able to find love again. He is very excited for their future.'

Her nighttime excursion comes shortly after her ex, Joshua Jackson, was seen spending time with Lupita Nyong'o on a tropic getaway earlier this month; Jackson seen in April 2023

The two seemingly confirmed their romance as they enjoyed a PDA-packed celebration for the Oscar winner's 41st birthday; seen in February in Berlin

They continued, 'Lupita and Jodie don't have much of a relationship, but Lupita is not looking to cause any problems.'

'Jodie will be in Joshua's life forever and Lupita understands that dynamic, and Lupita will tackle those roads when the timing is right.'

The insider added that Joshua loves how 'unquestionably smart' and 'strong' Lupita is and would not be averse to working with her on a future film. 'They have zero issues about potentially working together in the future.'

'They think it would be a lot of fun to be lovers or enemies on film, mixing business and pleasure seems to be something they would be interested in if the story was right.'

It comes after Lupita admitted she will go back to her 'old ways' and keep her new relationship private after posting publicly about Selema online.

Addressing her new romance, she recently told Porter that keeping quiet in the past 'was very, very sage of me,' adding: 'I'm going back to those days, by the way.'

Lupita and Joshua first sparked speculation in October when they enjoyed a Janelle Monae concert together.

The romantic getaway marked five months since Joshua split from actress Jodie Turner Smith with whom he has daughter Juno, and four months since Lupita announced she was no longer with presenter Selema Masekela; Jodie and Joshua seen in March 2023 in Beverly Hills

It comes after Lupita admitted she will go back to her 'old ways' and keep her new relationship private after posting publicly about Selema online; seen in November 2023 in NYC

They were then pictured shopping at organic market, Erewhon, in December, before driving off in a car with her rescue cat YoYo in tow.

At the time of their outing, a separate source explained to DailyMail.com that the pair were attempting to take things slow as they navigated their breakups.

Sources told DailyMail.com Joshua had been left 'heartbroken' over his split from Jodie who cited 'irreconcilable differences' when she filed for divorce.

The actor had not been 'thrilled' about the termination of his marriage - but it was made clear by insiders that there was no foul play involved and that their union had simply 'run its course.'
Hugh Bonneville and his wife Lulu Williams recently split up after 25 years of marriage.

And the Downton Abbey star, 60, has already moved on from his marriage with Canadian actress Claire Rankin, 53.

The pair have reportedly been on a string of dates and have been spending time at his London flat, as well as an evening at the luxurious Broadwick Soho Hotel.

According to The Sun, Hugh also took the actress to an event at Buckingham Palace where she met Queen Camilla as well as dinner with his Downton co-stars.

So, who is his rumored new girlfriend Claire Rankin? Read on to find out.

Who is Hugh Bonneville's new girlfriend Claire Rankin?

Meet Downton Abbey star's Canadian love interest as he moves on just months after split from ex-wife Lulu Williams (pictured)

Who is Claire Rankin?

Claire Rankin is a Canadian actress who was raised in Prince Edward Island.

The star began acting in Shakespeare plays in the 90s and appeared on shows including Ally McBeal, Without A Trace and House.

Claire, who is also a professional dancer, is currently starring in Canadian comedy series Son of a Critch.

Claire was previously married to the actor Josh Randall, who appeared alongside Hugh in US sitcom Courting Alex nearly 20 years ago.

How did Hugh and Claire meet?

Hugh has been on a series of dates with Claire, just months after his split from wife Lulu Williams.

He has reportedly been spending time with Claire at his London flat as well as an evening at the luxurious Broadwick Soho Hotel.

According to The Sun, Hugh also took the actress to an event at Buckingham Palace where she met Queen Camilla as well as dinner with his Downton co-stars.

Claire was previously married to the actor Josh Randall who appeared alongside Hugh in US sitcom Courting Alex nearly 20 years ago.

Claire has shared snaps of her recent trip to London on her Instagram account, however Hugh has not been featured in them.

Claire Rankin is a Canadian actress who was raised in Prince Edward Island

Claire was previously married to the actor Josh Randall (pictured together in 2001)

Josh and Hugh appeared together in US sitcom Courting Alex nearly 20 years ago

Claire, who is also a professional dancer, is currently starring in Canadian comedy series Son of a Critch (pictured on the show)

Claire pictured in Without a Trace in 2002

An onlooker who saw the pair strolling in central London said: 'Hugh and Claire looked so happy together, they couldnt stop smiling.

'They looked liked any other couple and seemed to be really enjoying each others company.'

Hugh recently delivered a reading to the young winners of a BBC writing competition with Claire in the audience.

On Wednesday, they were said to have enjoyed dinner with Hugh's Downton co-star Michelle Dockery.

On Friday, Claire shared a photo taken at the airport as she prepared to return to Canada.

When did Hugh split from his wife Lulu Williams?

A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, ended their marriage.

However, it seems the split has not been smooth sailing, with a source revealing: 'It is clear that Lulu feels as if 20-odd years of marriage counts for nothing.'

Lulu often accompanied her husband to premieres and film sets and her recent absence sparked rumours the pair were having troubles.

The actor, famous for his role as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, had never shied away from expressing his love for Lulu, having previously called her his 'bedrock' and 'anchor' and crediting his wife for being the backbone of their household.

A source told The Sun: 'Hugh has been away from home filming a lot this year. He has lost a bit of weight this summer, he was looking trim, tanned and relaxed.'

The heartbreak came just five years after the couple renewed their vows at Graceland chapel in Las Vegas.

Claire has shared snaps of her recent trip to London on her Instagram account, however Hugh has not been featured in them

Hugh recently delivered a reading to the young winners of a BBC writing competition with Claire in the audience

A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, ended their marriage (pictured together in 2017)

The pair met as teens but reconnected later in life and got together in their 30s, thanks in no small part to Hugh's mother Patricia.

Hugh has said: 'Lulu was running a marquee company... my mother rang her to hire some chairs or something and said, ''Do you remember Hugh?''

'It did infuriate me that I had to give full credit to my mum for reintroducing us.'

The former couple later tied the knot in November 1998.

In previous interviews Bonneville claimed he was 'completely indebted' to his wife for the way she supported him throughout his career while looking after their son Felix, 20, who himself has enjoyed success on the screen.

'Lulu's priority has been to be a bedrock for Felix and me and I'm completely indebted to her,' he said.
Jimmy Barnes shared a hilarious health update on Sunday when he took to the pool for some laps to improve his physical fitness.

The Australian rock legend, 67, had an awkward gaffe when he posed for photos in the water and managed to slip his goggles on upside down.

Wearing naught but a pair of black trunks, the Scottish-born musician was all smiles as he threw his hands up in excitement for a couple snaps shared to Instagram.

However, the second image in his reel saw the former Cold Chisel frontman slip on a black swim cap and goggles, the latter of which sat the wrong way on his face.

'Sunday's pool goal, 30 laps. Don't get too excited, 25m pool. I didn't know my goggles were upside down until Jane showed me this photo,' the caption read.

Jimmy Barnes, 67, (pictured) shared a hilarious health update on Sunday when he took to the pool for some laps to improve his physical fitness

Jimmy's followers flocked to the comments to point out the rocker's funny mix up, with one person saying: 'Should have gone to Specsavers.'

Another wrote, 'I saw that,' next to a goggles emoji and a series of laughing-crying emojis.

'Brilliant well done Jimmy and thanks for the giggle about the goggles I love that!' someone else commented.

The Australian rock legend had an awkward gaffe when he posed for photos in the water and managed to slip his goggles on upside down

'Sunday's pool goal, 30 laps. Don't get too excited, 25m pool. I didn't know my goggles were upside down until Jane showed me this photo,' the caption read

Yet another praised Jimmy's wife Jane for 'coming to the rescue' before adding: 'Looking great Barnsey.'

It comes after Jimmy opened up about his close brush with death and grave fears he wouldn't wake up from heart surgery.

The performer has survived his fair share of health scares from his years of living life to the max, along with drug and alcohol addiction.

Jimmy's followers flocked to the comments to point out the rocker's funny mix up, with one person saying: 'Should have gone to Specsavers'

It comes after Jimmy opened up about his close brush with death and grave fears he wouldn't wake up from heart surgery. Pictured with wife Jane

While previously it was others who were concerned about him, two months ago, he was just as worried as his family after he was struck down by a life-threatening infection that attacked his heart.

At one point, while lying in Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital, a gravely-ill Jimmy told his wife Jane: 'I don't think I'm gonna make it.'

'I just had this horrible morbid feeling because I've never felt this sick before. I thought I was gone,' he told 60Minutes.

Hours before checking into hospital, an unwell Jimmy took to the stage at a memorial concert for his late friend and promoter, Michael Gudinski.
Robert De Niro and his girlfriend Tiffany Chen looked loved-up at the annual Chanel pre-Oscar dinner party in The Polo Lounge, Beverly Hills on Saturday.

The actor, 80, cut a dapper display in a black sweatshirt and trousers, teamed with a smart navy blue blazer.

His beloved girlfriend Tiffany put on a racy display in a busty mesh bra underneath a plunging black blazer.

She teamed her look with matching tailored trousers while accessorising with stylish sunglasses and a pink Chanel handbag.

The duo looked happier than ever as they arrived arm-in-arm to the star-studded event ahead of the 2024 Oscars.

Robert De Niro, 80, and his girlfriend Tiffany Chen, 45, looked loved-up at the annual Chanel pre-Oscar dinner party in The Polo Lounge, Beverly Hills on Saturday

The couple were first romantically linked in 2021, and welcomed their daughter in April 2023.

The twice-divorced De Niro, a screen legend of such classics as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and Godfather II, is also the proud father of six other children.

He has Drena, 56, and Raphael, 47 with his ex-wife Diahnne Abbott, Elliot, 25, and Helen, 12, with ex-wife Grace Hightower, and twins Aaron and Julian, 28, with former girlfriend, Toukie Smith.

In January, Robert became the recipient of another Oscar nomination when he was recognised for his role in Killers of the Flower Moon.

For his work playing William King Hale, he received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. De Niro is already a two-time Oscar winner, having received trophies for The Godfather Part II and Raging Bull.

The actor said it felt 'great' to receive another Oscar nod, however didn't celebrate the achievement by breaking out the champagne.

The legendary actor, whose career has spanned decades and includes roles in Taxi Driver and Goodfellas, also admitted he's not currently considering retirement.

'Not at the moment,' he said.

The actor cut a dapper display in a black sweatshirt and trousers, teamed with a smart navy blue blazer

His beloved girlfriend Tiffany put on a racy display in a busty mesh bra underneath a plunging black blazer (pictured with Charles Finch)

The duo looked happier than ever at the star-studded event ahead of the 2024 Oscars (pictured chatting with Danny Huston)

De Niro welcomed daughter Gia with girlfriend Tiffany Chen last year

In May 2023, Robert announced he has recently welcomed a baby with his girlfriend Tiffany Chen.

When asked about his feelings about becoming a father again, at age 79, the New York native told Page Six that Chen's pregnancy was 'planned.'

'I'm ok with it,' the actor told Extra when asked if he was excited. 'I'm good with it.' When asked if becoming a parent ever gets easier the Taxi Driver quipped, 'Never gets easier.'

De Niro confirmed the surprising new addition to his family during an interview with ET Canada, after he was asked what it was like to be a father of six children.

That is when he said he did not have six, but rather seven children, then shared that he recently welcomed a new child into his life.

'I just had a baby,' he said.

He did not share the name of the baby or the gender at the time of the interview.

Tiffany and Robert are thought to have first met in 2015 when they worked on the film The Intern together.
She is never shy showing off her incredible figure.

And Kimberley Garner looked radiant as she enjoyed a day on the beach in Miami with her family on Saturday.

The model, 32, sizzled in a white and blue crochet bra and skirt from My Beachy Side as she soaked up the sunshine.

Kimberley put on a sultry display in the chic two-piece set, while carrying a yellow shoulder bag.

The former Made In Chelsea star opted for a soft glam makeup look, while her blonde locks blew in the wind.

Kimberley Garner showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a white and blue crochet bra and skirt as she enjoyed a day on the beach in Miami with her family on Saturday

The model, 32, put on a sultry display in the chic two-piece set from My Beachy Side, while carrying a yellow shoulder bag.

The star spent her New Year's Eve shooting for her new swimwear collection as she wore four of her own creations, including a skimpy khaki bikini with straps at the waist, a simple purple two-piece, a scarlet bikini and a patterned lilac number with low-cut sides.

She is famed for flaunting her stunning frame - making her the best advertisement for her eponymous swimwear collection.

Kimberley first found fame on Made In Chelsea and has made a name for herself as a successful swimsuit brand entrepreneur.

She has previously spoken about how she used to pretend to be an intern when she first started the business as nobody took her seriously.

She told MailOnline: 'I think people sometimes think that Im only the face, but I am responsible for every bit of the business.'

'I was 18 when I started my first company - I came up with an idea, stayed up for days learning how to register the company and teaching myself. It became very successful overnight.'

She explained: 'However, as I was only 18, no one ever imagined it was mine. I was a young blonde girl with a soft voice.

'No one would take me seriously or realise it was my company. So, I pretended to be the Intern!

The former Made In Chelsea star opted for a soft glam makeup look, while her blonde locks blew in the wind

'I handled all the meetings, phone calls, and emails for the company. When it became a success, I put all the revenues into starting Kimberley London.'

The star is currently dating Andreas Anthis, as they were seen for the first time together in July 2023 packing on the PDA while walking her dog Sasha in London.

While not much is known about the handsome chap, the couple appeared happier than ever as they made their way through the busy city and stopped numerous times to enjoy a kiss.

While Kimberley appeared to have been joined by a male friend for the beach day, it didn't look to be Andreas.
Hugh Bonneville 'looked so happy' with Canadian comedy star Claire Rankin after going on a series of dates with her following his split from Lulu Williams.

The Downton Abbey star, 60, was seen strolling arm in arm with Claire, 53, in Soho, having reportedly been spending time with her at his London flat and at the luxurious Broadwick Soho Hotel.

One onlooker who spotted the pair said they 'looked so happy' and like 'any other couple' - despite Bonneville only parting ways with his wife a few months ago.

'Hugh and Claire looked so happy together, they couldn't stop smiling,' the onlooker told The Sun.

'They looked like any other couple and seemed to be really enjoying each other's company.'

Hugh Bonneville has been on a series of dates with Canadian actress Claire Rankin just months after his split from wife Lulu Williams (pictured with Lulu in 2019)

Bonneville has reportedly been spending time with Canadian comedy star Claire Rankin (pictured)

Hugh reportedly also took the actress to an event at Buckingham Palace where she met Queen Camilla as well as dinner with his Downton co-stars.

Claire was previously married to the actor Josh Randall who appeared alongside Hugh in US sitcom Courting Alex nearly 20 years ago.

Claire has shared snaps of her recent trip to London on her Instagram account, however Hugh has not been featured in them.

Hugh recently delivered a reading to the young winners of a BBC writing competition with Claire in the audience.

On Wednesday, they were said to have enjoyed dinner with Hugh's Downton co-star Michelle Dockery.

On Friday, Claire shared a photo taken at the airport as she prepared to return to Canada.

The actress, from Prince Edward Island, began acting in Shakespeare plays in the 90s and appeared on shows including Ally McBeal, Without A Trace and House.

Claire has shared snaps of her recent trip to London on her Instagram account, however Hugh has not been featured in them

Hugh also took the actress to an event at Buckingham Palace where she met Queen Camilla

Claire was previously married to the actor Josh Randall (pictured together in 2001)

Josh and Hugh appeared together in US sitcom Courting Alex nearly 20 years ago

Hugh recently delivered a reading to the young winners of a BBC writing competition with Claire in the audience

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Hugh Bonneville for comment.

A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, ended their marriage.

However, it seems the split has not been smooth sailing, with a source revealing: 'It is clear that Lulu feels as if 20-odd years of marriage counts for nothing.'

Lulu often accompanied her husband to premieres and film sets and her recent absence sparked rumours the pair were having troubles.

The actor, famous for his role as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, had never shied away from expressing his love for Lulu, having previously called her his 'bedrock' and 'anchor' and crediting his wife for being the backbone of their household.

A source told The Sun: 'Hugh has been away from home filming a lot this year. He has lost a bit of weight this summer, he was looking trim, tanned and relaxed.'

The heartbreak came just five years after the couple renewed their vows at Graceland chapel in Las Vegas.

A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, ended their marriage (pictured together in 2017)

The pair met as teens but reconnected later in life and got together in their 30s, thanks in no small part to Hugh's mother Patricia.

Hugh has said: 'Lulu was running a marquee company... my mother rang her to hire some chairs or something and said, ''Do you remember Hugh?''

'It did infuriate me that I had to give full credit to my mum for reintroducing us.'

The former couple later tied the knot in November 1998.

In previous interviews Bonneville claimed he was 'completely indebted' to his wife for the way she supported him throughout his career while looking after their son Felix, 20, who himself has enjoyed success on the screen.

'Lulu's priority has been to be a bedrock for Felix and me and I'm completely indebted to her,' he said.
Ekin-Su Culculoglu has admitted she has 'a lot more boundaries' going into future relationships following her split from ex-boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti.

The reality star, 29, who met Davide on Love Island, confirmed she had parted ways with the Italian businessman, also 29, in February, for a second time as she blamed a 'rollercoaster of ups and downs' in their romance.

The Celebrity Big Brother star spoke to Fabulous magazine about her break-up prior to entering the CBB house earlier this week.

Ekin-Su said: 'I do feel a lot more confident in myself. I know what I want, I know what I tolerate and what I wont tolerate and I have a lot more boundaries than I did before.'

'I'm single and I'm really focusing on myself at the minute. You can't plan who you'll meet in life, but I believe everything happens for a reason, and so Im just going with that.'

Ekin-Su Culculoglu, 29, has admitted she has 'a lot more boundaries' going into future relationships following her split from ex-boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti, also 29

The reality star, who met Davide on Love Island, confirmed she had parted ways with the Italian businessman in February, for a second time as she blamed a 'rollercoaster of ups and downs' in their romance

She also claimed she is 'sure men are scared' of her because she is a 'fiery woman', which makes men 'intimidated by her'.

Ekin-Su also spoke about how close she went onto Celebrity Big Brother, so shortly after her break-up.

She added: 'I've just come out of one relationship and I never jump from one to another. Thats definitely not the reason why Im going into Big Brother! Im excited to get to know everyone on friendly levels  thats the only love Im looking for at the minute.'

Ekin-Su first split from Davide in June 2023 but they reconciled just two months later, enjoying a romantic getaway to Turkey, where Ekin-Su's parents hail.

Taking to her Instagram Story to announce the break-up, the former Dancing On Ice contestant wrote: 'The last 18-months have been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, just like every relationship.

'Davide and I both wanted to make this work as we cared deeply for each other. Unfortunately I have recently made the decision to end our relationship and to go our separate ways..

'Breakups are never easy. For any couple. And we hope that our privacy will be respected. I enjoyed our time together and the memories we made.

'Thank you for your continued support. It's been so lovely to have you follow our Love Island journeys together since the villa and we hope you'll continue to follow our careers as we go off in our own directions. Love always, Ekin-Su.'

The Celebrity Big Brother star spoke to Fabulous magazine about her break-up prior to entering the CBB house earlier this week

Ekin-Su said: 'I do feel a lot more confident in myself. I know what I want, I know what I tolerate and what I wont tolerate and I have a lot more boundaries than I did before'

She added: 'I'm single and I'm really focusing on myself at the minute. You can't plan who you'll meet in life, but I believe everything happens for a reason, and so Im just going with that'

Ekin-Su's statement regarding their split read: 'The last 18-months have been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, just like every relationship'

Davide also had his say on his own Instagram Story statement which said they had 'grown apart', after previously believing in a 'future together'

Davide released his own statement later that same day also on his Instagram story, and used the same font and colours as Ekin-Su.

He wrote: 'Life sometimes reserves surprises and suddenly wakes you up... Ekin and I, just after the ski holidays, decided to go different ways. It was a joint decision, but I was waiting to make it public to respect her time in the show.'

Hinting at foul play from Ekin-Su, he said: 'I don't know why the agreed statement changed last minute, but continued: 'I agree, it was a beautiful story even with its ups and downs like all couples.

'I loved every moment, from the first time I knew her in the Villa until the life outside. I really believed in us and saw a future for us.

'But sometimes in life people need to grow apart. Is just the direction of life. I will treasure our moments forever.'

He signed off by saying: 'Now it's time to focus on myself. I love you all always, thank you for the unconditional support everyone showed me from the beginning. Davide.'
Hugh Bonneville starred alongside his new girlfriend's now-ex husband in a US sitcom nearly 20 years ago.

The Downton Abbey star, 60, has reportedly been wooing Canadian actress Claire Rankin in a 'string of dates' at his London flat and at the luxurious Broadwick Soho Hotel months after splitting from his wife Lulu Williams.

Claire was previously married to Scrubs actor Josh Randall who appeared alongside Hugh in the short-lived 2006 US sitcom Courting Alex nearly two decades ago.

Hugh starred as British neighbour, Julian, who gives love advice to Alex (Jenna Elfman) while having a secret crush on her. Josh played Alex's lover Scott.

Claire married Josh in 2000 until the actor filed for divorce in 2012 citing 'irreconcilable differences', reported US gossip site TMZ. The couple had no children together.

Hugh Bonneville, 60, (right pictured in 2006) starred alongside his new girlfriend's now-ex husband Josh Randall (left) in US sitcom Courting Alex nearly 20 years ago

The Downton Abbey star has reportedly been spending time with Claire Rankin, 53, (pictured) at his London flat as well as an evening at the luxurious Broadwick Soho Hotel

According to The Sun, Hugh took Claire to an event at Buckingham Palace where she met Queen Camilla as well as dinner with his Downton co-stars.

An onlooker who saw the pair strolling in central London said: 'Hugh and Claire looked so happy together, they couldnt stop smiling.

'They looked liked any other couple and seemed to be really enjoying each others company.'

Hugh recently delivered a reading to the young winners of a BBC writing competition with Claire in the audience.

On Wednesday, they were said to have enjoyed dinner with Hugh's Downton co-star Michelle Dockery.

On Friday, Claire shared a photo taken at the airport as she prepared to return to Canada.

The actress, from Prince Edward Island, began acting in Shakespeare plays in the 90s and appeared on shows including Ally McBeal, Without A Trace and House.

A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, ended their marriage.

However, it seems the split has not been smooth sailing, with a source revealing: 'It is clear that Lulu feels as if 20-odd years of marriage counts for nothing.'

Claire was previously married to Scrubs actor Josh (pictured together in 2001). Josh filed for divorce in 2012

A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, ended their marriage

Claire has shared snaps of her recent trip to London on her Instagram account, however Hugh has not been featured in them

Hugh also took the actress to an event at Buckingham Palace where she met Queen Camilla

Lulu often accompanied her husband to premieres and film sets and her recent absence sparked rumours the pair were having troubles.

The actor, famous for his role as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, had never shied away from expressing his love for Lulu, having previously called her his 'bedrock' and 'anchor' and crediting his wife for being the backbone of their household.

A source told The Sun: 'Hugh has been away from home filming a lot this year. He has lost a bit of weight this summer, he was looking trim, tanned and relaxed.'

The heartbreak came just five years after the couple renewed their vows at Graceland chapel in Las Vegas.
Patrick Dempsey enjoyed a glamorous date night with his groomer-turned-second wife Jillian Fink Dempsey at Chanel and Charles Finch's 15th Annual Pre-Oscar Awards Dinner, which was held at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Saturday.

The married couple of 24 years - both age 58 - recently returned from a promotional trip Down Under with the luxury watch company, TAG Heuer.

Patrick looked dapper as ever in a black pin-stripe double-breasted suit sans necktie and Oxfords selected by stylist Warren Alfie Baker.

Jillian coordinated with People's reigning Sexiest Man Alive in a silk blouse tucked into a fringed maxi-skirt and patent leather Mary Janes.

The inseparable pair were joined at the industry event by Oscar winner Adrien Brody.

Patrick Dempsey enjoyed a glamorous date night with his groomer-turned-second wife Jillian Fink Dempsey at Chanel and Charles Finch's 15th Annual Pre-Oscar Awards Dinner, which was held at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Saturday

It's hard to believe the Dempeys - who don't have a prenup - nearly divorced nine years ago.

In January 2015, the professional make-up artist hired celebrity divorce attorney Laura Wasser and filed to end her 15-year marriage to the Grey's Anatomy alum.

However, Jillian had the divorce filing officially dismissed by an LA County Superior Court judge in November 2016.

'You can only do one thing at a time and do it well,' Patrick explained to People at the time.

'I [learned] to prioritize. Our union has to be the priority. I wasn't prepared to give up on her and she wasn't either. We both wanted to fight for it...You've got to keep at it. You've got to communicate, and stay open, and not get lazy. And not give up. And lots of sex!'

On February 20, the Dempseys celebrated the 22nd birthday of their daughter Tallula Fyfe Dempsey with two touching Instagram tributes.

'Happy birthday to the most amazing daughter in the world! You make every day brighter with your smile and laughter!' the Maine-born silver fox gushed in the caption of a daughter-pug snap.

Tallulah sarcastically replied in the comments: 'Wow you only pick the most amazing photos.'

The married couple of 24 years - both age 58 - recently returned from a promotional trip Down Under with the luxury watch company, TAG Heuer

Patrick looked dapper as ever in a black pin-stripe double-breasted suit sans necktie and Jillian coordinated with him in a silk blouse tucked into a fringed maxi-skirt and patent leather Mary Janes

The inseparable pair were joined at the industry event by Oscar winner Adrien Brody (L)

It's hard to believe the Dempeys - who don't have a prenup - nearly divorced nine years ago

People's reigning Sexiest Man Alive explained to the mag at the time: 'I [learned] to prioritize. Our union has to be the priority. I wasn't prepared to give up on her and she wasn't either. We both wanted to fight for it'

On February 20, Patrick celebrated the 22nd birthday of their daughter Tallula Fyfe Dempsey, writing: 'You make every day brighter with your smile and laughter!'

The professional make-up artist shared a video montage of their 'favorite girl' captioned: 'I am so proud to be your momma - you are beautiful, kind, generous of spirit, and an incredibly humorous person'

The Dempseys celebrated the 17th birthdays of their twin sons - Sullivan Patrick Dempsey (L, pictured December 12) and Darby Galen Dempsey (R) - on February 1

The self-titled beauty brand founder shared a video montage of their 'favorite girl' captioned: 'I am so proud to be your momma - you are beautiful, kind, generous of spirit, and an incredibly humorous person. You bring joy and laughter to us all every day & so much more. I love you to the moon and back!'

Patrick and Jillian celebrated the 17th birthdays of their twin sons - Darby Galen Dempsey and Sullivan Patrick Dempsey - on February 1.

The Dempsey family were last pictured all together attending the Los Angeles premiere of his film Ferrari at the Directors Guild Of America on December 12.

'They keep me very active. I need to stay in shape to keep up with them. The older you get, the more work you have to put in,' the Thanksgiving actor told People last November.

'You need to be around, but they don't want you around because they're fighting for their independence, which they should. They need to find out how they interact in the world, they need to learn those boundaries, they need to make mistakes. And you need to be there for them and allow them to learn from that.'
PAJARO, Monterey County  Tonette Quesada and her family have moved four times since they were displaced from their home in Pajaro a year ago, when a notoriously faulty levee failed and flooded the small town, forcing more than 3,000 residents to evacuate.

Living at a motel, a shelter and two hotels has taken a huge mental toll on Quesada and her children; one of her teenage sons has dropped out of high school. Today, the Quesadas are living at a hotel provided by Monterey County in Marina, a coastal town south of Pajaro, while they look for permanent affordable housing.

I would like to get housing, but its not that easy, Quesada said on a recent Wednesday from her hotel room. I lost my stuff, but I dont care about that. I just want a home, (to) cook for my kids. Were like strangers coming here every day. Its not the same.

Finding a permanent home is becoming more urgent: The Quesadas must find one by the end of the month, with the expiration of a county program that provided housing assistance to about 265 people in the wake of the flooding disaster that began the night of March 10, 2023.

The damage caused by a failure of the Pajaro River levee was staggering. According to a recent review by Monterey County, nearly every home in Pajaro was affected: 250 residential structures damaged or destroyed, with damages totaling $100 million. The total damages to infrastructure including roads, water and sewage systems: $60 million. Businesses and commercial structures: $30 million. The agricultural industry, one of Californias largest: $600 million.

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When residents returned from the two-week evacuation, they faced health risks from mold and contaminated soil as they cleared mud and debris from their homes and businesses, officials said.

A year later, its clear Pajaro has come a long way since the flood.

Lorena Roman joins her family for dinner at their apartment in Watsonville. Last year, Roman and her family were among thousands of residents who were forced to evacuate when a long-neglected levee burst and flooded Pajaro. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

A coin laundry that lost all of its machines was back up and running. A small panaderia bustled with business, serving customers and making colorful conchas and other Mexican pastries. Cars were being serviced at auto repair shops. At a gift shop, a stereo blared cumbia music while the owner waited for customers to come in and buy Latin American handcrafts.

But despite the return of some normality, Pajaro residents said theyre still feeling the long-term impacts of the disaster.

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Some longtime residents, such as Quesada, dont want to resettle in Pajaro because of the potential risk of another breach while a new levee is being built. Some merchants have lost customers and are struggling to make ends meet. Many believe that local, state and federal officials havent provided enough help for their town.

And hundreds of residents filed two lawsuits against local and state agencies and governments this year, alleging that they did not do enough to prevent floods last winter.

Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church, whose district includes Pajaro, acknowledged that the community of mostly low-income Latino farmworkers has been ignored by all levels of government for a long time. He said that though the countys recent efforts cant address years of neglect, hes hopeful that a new $20 million state-funded recovery program can help people get back on their feet.

While many in Pajaro feel they were left to fend for themselves, they said their frustrations and challenges have brought the community closer. Resident and business alliances have formed to successfully advocate for resources and the towns recovery.

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Their efforts are something that has never been done before, said Sister Rosa Dolores Rodriguez, executive director of the Pajaro-based nonprofit Casa de la Cultura Center, where local groups hold weekly meetings.

Sister Rosa Dolores Rodriguez, founder of the nonprofit Casa de la Cultura and chair of the Pajaro Disaster Long Term Recovery Alliance, listens to the board of supervisors at the Monterey County Administrative Office in Salinas last month. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Whats coming out of this community is a stronger community, Church said. Theres a brighter future than there was before this disaster.

Lawsuits seek damages

In the pair of recent lawsuits, about 700 Pajaro and Watsonville residents are contending that the disaster never should have happened.

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The suits against local and state agencies allege that they caused residents emotional and mental distress by doing too little to prevent the massive floods that occurred in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties between Dec. 31, 2022, and March 11, 2023.

Quesada is among the plaintiffs. Im still hurting, and they havent fixed (the levee) yet, she said. Thats not fair.

The lawsuits allege that the agencies and governments named as defendants allowed flood control systems on the Pajaro River to deteriorate into an unprecedented state of disrepair, even after multiple flood events over decades  the most significant in 1995, which caused $100 million in damage and killed two people.

There is a stark contrast on how this community is treated by the government, said Emily Ruby, one of the attorneys representing Pajaro and Watsonville residents in their lawsuits. Ruby, whose firm is based in El Segundo (Los Angeles County), got involved after her parents volunteered in Pajaro relief efforts.

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Ruby said some of her clients have been displaced for months, and that many lost their homes, businesses and personal belongings. They live in constant fear that it could happen again, she said.

They feel forgotten by the county and the state, Ruby said. This doesnt happen in Malibu, she added, citing an example of a wealthier area that has more resources to make sure this doesnt happen.

The defendants in the lawsuits include the state of California, California Department of Transportation, Monterey County, Monterey County Water Resources Agency, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, the city of Watsonville and the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency. Those agencies either did not respond to a request for comment or said they could not speak about pending litigation.

Neither lawsuit cites a dollar figure sought by the plaintiffs. Ruby said much of the damages are noneconomic, such as emotional distress and mental suffering, and that a dollar amount is something that will be proven at trial.

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However, Ruby believes the defendants will choose to settle. She predicted that would be the outcome for the Pajaro lawsuits, after a case three decades ago when a jury sided with about 250 people who sued Santa Cruz and Monterey counties and the California Department of Transportation for failing to maintain the Pajaro River during the 1995 floods.

Carmen Roman, 71, is another of the plaintiffs in the Pajaro lawsuit. She, her daughter, Lorena, and her two grandchildren were displaced from the two-bedroom apartment they had lived in for 47 years. The building, which shares space with a beauty salon, was red-tagged after the flood.

We were not prepared, Lorena Roman said of the evacuation.

Carmen Roman said she wanted to join the lawsuit to get justice for what she said was a governmental failure.

How do they leave us in the middle of nowhere with nothing, having lost everything and no help? Carmen Roman said in Spanish.

After living first with a relative and then in a hotel, the Romans moved to an apartment in Watsonville. Lorena Roman said theyve had no choice but to adapt to their new environment  but they miss their home, where they knew all their neighbors.

Sometimes I still cry, Lorena Roman said. Theres times where I go to Pajaro and I cry.

$20 million financial aid package

In its recent one-year review, Monterey County listed several types of aid provided to Pajaro residents after the flood.

Local shelters housed more than 600 people for several months. During the cleanup, the county provided water, portable restrooms, showers and laundry facilities, food and curbside debris removal. Local assistance centers and crisis networks helped with disaster recovery and repairs.

Economic aid has taken longer to arrive  though its crucial in an area like Pajaro. Many residents, including farmworkers, are undocumented and did not qualify for federal disaster aid and unemployment benefits.

The state budget approved last July included $20 million in flood relief, which Monterey County is preparing to roll out after meetings with Pajaro residents and business owners for feedback on how to spend it.

The $20 million will pay for efforts including individual and economic recovery, community grants, infrastructure and community development, repairs to the Pajaro Library and parks, emergency preparedness and response upgrades.

Pajaro is believed to be one of the first disadvantaged communities in California to receive this type of state flood assistance after a disaster, Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo said during a board meeting in February.

I dont think in any other flood have they given $20 million to any community, Alejo said.

Two local nonprofits, Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey and Community Bridges, will oversee the distribution of the relief aid.

Businesses form an alliance

Of the funds, $10 million will go toward assisting individuals and households and small businesses. That is up from an initially planned $6 million, due to efforts by the Pajaro Disaster Long-Term Recovery Alliance, a group of local business owners who advocated for more aid.

We were united and prevailed, said Alfonso Moran, owner of Real Colima restaurant in Pajaro and chairman of the 50-member alliance.

Alfonso Moran owns Real Colima 1 restaurant near Pajaro, one of dozens of businesses flooded. Moran helped form the Pajaro Disaster Long Term Recovery Alliance. We got involved because we feel neglected, and its been years, he says. It was time to let the county know that we are here. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Members, who own restaurants, mechanic shops, markets, car dealerships and other small businesses, continue to meet weekly to discuss the future of Pajaro and how to advocate for more assistance.

We got involved because we feel neglected, Moran said. It was time to let the county know that we are here.

The meetings also serve as therapy sessions for some merchants, Moran said, allowing people to vent about their struggles and seek advice. We ended up having so many things in common that it created a bigger community, Moran said.

The groups focus now is making sure the county provides residents and merchants with assistance applying for relief, especially for those who are non-English speakers or have difficulty using a computer.

Juan Garcia owns Gs Market, one of the businesses damaged when a long-neglected levee burst and forced the town to evacuate. Garcia says the store lost more than $30,000 in merchandise during the flood. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Juan Garcia, owner of Gs Market, hopes that in addition to help from the county, customers will return and spend their money at Pajaro businesses like his.

Garcia said he lost more than $30,000 in merchandise and equipment in the floods. Business has been slow, and Garcia said he is struggling to pay his bills. He has decided to become a truck driver instead.
Olivia Munn and John Mulaney looked happy as can be on Saturday evening.

The power couple were seen cuddling at the CHANEL and Charles Finch Annual Pre-Oscar Dinner at The Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel.

The actress looked elegant in a black belted leather Chanel coat with the famous Chanel gold woven chain as the accent.

Her long brown hair was worn down as she was nicely made up with a bright pink pout.

John was handsome in a blazer suit with an opened white shirt and no tie.

Olivia Munn and John Mulaney looked happy as can be on Saturday evening. The power couple were seen cuddling at the CHANEL and Charles Finch Annual Pre-Oscar Dinner at The Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel

The actress looked elegant in a black belted leather Chanel coat with the famous Chanel gold woven chain as the accent. Her long brown hair was worn down as she was nicely made up with a bright pink pout

John has a child with actress Munn; seen last week on Instagram

John's ex-wife Anna Marie Tendler is slated to release a memoir titled Men Have Called Her Crazy this August.

The book promised to provide details into her love life.

But it is reported that his name is not mentioned in the book at all because the book is about the last two years, and she split from John over three years ago; he went on to have a child with Munn.

'It is a story about mental health; about being a woman; about family,' Tendler wrote via social media. 'And finally, about the endless source of my heartbreak and rage - men.'

The Connecticut native says the book is a collection of experiences about how men have treated her.

Despite fan speculation, TMZ reported on Friday that 'sources with direct knowledge - who've already read Anna's memoir - said that John is never mentioned in her forthcoming offering ... either directly or indirectly.'

Anna Marie Tendler, 38, the ex-wife of Mulaney, 41, is slated to release a memoir titled Men Have Called Her Crazy this August, providing details into her split with the actor-comedian

The former couple was pictured on the red carpet in NYC in July of 2019

Although she does touch on men in her life, the author mostly focuses on her journey with mental health.

Tendler noted that the book 'is now available for pre-order,' and asked her 329,000-plus followers to share a link 'with anyone for whom you think this book might resonate.'

Mulaney and Tendler wed on July 5, 2014 at the Onteora Mountain House in the Catskill Mountains in Boiceville, New York with notable names such as Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler in attendance, US reported at the time.

Mulaney in July of 2021 filed for divorce to end the marriage to Tendler, who told People via her rep that she was 'heartbroken that John has decided to end our marriage.'

In the months leading to the divorce, Mulaney had checked into a rehab facility in December of 2020 for a 60-day stint.

Days after the divorce was announced, reports emerged that Mulaney was romantically-linked to actress Olivia Munn, 43, and the pair emerged publicly four months after.

In November of 2021, Mulaney and Munn welcomed son Malcolm Hiep Mulaney.

'He has his whole life ahead of him,' Mulaney said alongside of a picture of his son he shared to Instagram on Christmas Eve 2021. 'He hasnt even tried seltzer yet. Im very in love with him and his whole deal.'

Tendler later took to the social media site to thank people who pre-ordered her book

The Connecticut native visual artist-writer said that the memoir is the product of her life experiences

Tendler opened up on the emotional impact left in the aftermath of her divorce in a Harper's Bazaar interview in January of 2022.

'Everything that has transpired has been totally shocking and I think surreal,' Tendler said. 'In a way, I feel like, well, it can only go up from here, because I reached the depth of where I could go.'

Tendler in June of 2023 said in a piece for Elle that she'd been 'hospitalized for depression, self-harm, and severe suicidal ideation in the first two weeks of 2021,' months before her split from Mulaney.

She said that her late pet canine Petunia helped buoy her spirits amid the turbulent time.

'The doctors asked me to make a list of my reasons for living,' Tendler said. 'Petunia was the one and only thing on that list.'
Jennifer Aniston's The Morning Show co-star Billy Crudup says the A-lister 'juggles enormous challenges' in order to live a normal life.

The actor, 55, who's played Jennifer's boss Cory Ellison in the Apple TV+ show since it's 2019 premiere, praised the Friends star, also 55, who also produces the series alongside Reese Witherspoon.

Ahead of his West End debut he told The Telegraph: 'It's so extraordinary what happens around her, she's juggling enormous challenges trying to manage some kind of ordinary life'.

'Of course, she's incredibly capable, but you can't be around her and not observe how difficult things are for her'.

Jennifer previously told InStyle what she eats when she is stressed, admitting: ' A chip. Crunch, crunch, crunch.'

Jennifer Aniston's The Morning Show co-star Billy Crudup, 55, says the A-lister, also 55, 'juggles enormous challenges' in order to live a normal life (pictured together in January)

The actor praised the Friends star who also produces the series alongside Reese Witherspoon (pictured 2020)

Billy has played Jennifer's boss Cory Ellison in the Apple TV+ show since it's 2019 premiere

And then asked to clarify if she means just a single one, she confirmed: 'Usually. I'm good at that. I can have one M&M, one chip. I know, that's so annoying.'

She revealed to Marie Claire how she had made a conscious effort to 'slow down' amid her busy lifestyle, saying: 'Meditation is majorly important, moving my body, drinking water, and getting sleepthose are the basics,'

Jennifer is currently not romantically involved and has not been linked to anyone for the past five years.

Having been married twice, her first notable marriage was with Brad Pitt in 2000, which ended in a high-profile divorce in 2005.

Subsequently engaged to Justin Theroux in 2012, they married three years later but separated in 2018.

Throughout her life, Jennifer has also dated well-known personalities including Paul Rudd, Tate Donovan, Vince Vaughn, and John Mayer.

Despite her varied relationship history, Jennifer is reportedly optimistic about finding love again in her 50s.

Last summer, a source told UsWeekly: 'In her gut, Jen believes she'll eventually meet the right person.'

Ahead of his West End debut he said: 'It's so extraordinary what happens around her, she's juggling enormous challenges trying to manage some kind of ordinary life'

'Of course, she's incredibly capable, but you can't be around her and not observe how difficult things are for her' (Billy pictured with wife Naomi Watts, L, and Jennifer, R)

But the insider also added that if she never finds love again, she will be just fine, saying: 'She's not going to beat herself up if it doesn't happen. She is fine on her own.

'[Jennifer] is in a great place. She's happy, healthy and fulfilled by her career, family and friends. [She's] been through a lot, but she feels blessed to be thriving personally and professionally.'

Jennifer herself admitted she would 'love a relationship' in November 2022, but also said that she wasn't 'interested' in getting married again.

When asked if she planned to walk down the aisle once again in the future, she told Allure: 'Never say never, but I don't have any interest.'

However, she confessed she would still be open to love as being single could sometimes be overwhelming.

Jennifer said: 'I'd love a relationship. Who knows? There are moments I want to just crawl up in a ball and say, 'I need support.''

Jennifer's last outing at an award show caused quite the stir, as she sparked engagement rumors after posing at the SAGs with a giant diamond ring on her left hand

Jennifer has been married twice before, first famously to Brad Pitt in 2000 before their split in 2005, which became one of the most high-profile divorces in Hollywood (pictured in 2004)

Subsequently engaged to Justin Theroux in 2012, they married three years later but separated in 2018.; pictured in 2016

'It would be wonderful to come home and fall into somebody's arms and say, 'That was a tough day'.'

But the Morning Show star clarified that she didn't want to start a new relationship until she had had time to work on herself and address her early traumas.

Last year, Jennifer opened up further on the impact of her childhood on her love life, admitting her romantic relationships have been negatively impacted by her parents' bitter split.

She admitted that her 'difficult' childhood experiences have not left her desperate to say 'I do'.

'It was always a little bit difficult for me in relationships, I think, because I really was kind of alone,' she explained in an interview with WSJ. Magazine.

'I don't know. My parents, watching my family's relationship, didn't make me kind of go, 'Oh, I can't wait to do that',' she said, referring to her father John Aniston and her mother Nancy Dow.

John, who regrettably passed away in November 2022, wed Nancy in 1965. However, their relationship concluded when Jennifer was merely nine years old, leading to their divorce in 1980.
Ekin-Su Culculoglu has slammed OnlyFans models after her ex-boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti was linked to a popular model on the site.

The Love Island winners called it quits on their relationship in January, after Ekin, 29, blamed a 'rollercoaster of ups and downs' as the reason for their split.

Davide was linked to OnlyFans model Sylvija Vasilevska, after the Italian hunk liked a few of her posts on social media.

And now Ekin has revealed what she really thinks of OnlyFans during a chat with Sharon Osbourne in upcoming scenes for Celebrity Big Brother.

Joined by Louis Walsh and Lauren Simon, Ekin said she has too much pride to make money by taking her clothes off.

Ekin-Su Culculoglu has slammed OnlyFans stars after ex-boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti was linked to site model during Sunday's upcoming episode of Celebrity Big Brother

The Love Island winners called it quits on their relationship in January, after Ekin, 29, blamed a 'rollercoaster of ups and downs' as the reason for their split after Davide liked some of OnlyFans model Sylvija Vasilevska's social media posts

She confessed: 'I'd rather have zero pounds than a million pounds doing it the wrong way, but have pride.'

The conversation began as Lauren reflected on her journey to fame after she began her career as a hairdresser.

The Real Housewives star said: 'I always wanted to be famous. It gave me freedom. Financial freedom that I could spend what I wanted because I was being paid for a job'

As Louis called her an exception, Lauren continued: 'No I'm not an exception. I think all these women that are flaunting the wealth but haven't got it. There's something behind it, there's something else.'

Sharon then added: 'Denise Richards, I'll give you an example, she was a magnificent looking girl when she was young, an actress, she was in James Bond. But her daughter is very very good looking, very beautiful, very young, she's gone on that website'

As Louis chipped in: 'Only Fans, or only girls,' Sharon asked: 'What message is she sending out to other young girls?'

Lauren replied: 'They're doing it for money, what else would you do? You have a choice. I was talking to someone, and they made a million pounds that year, on only fans.'

Ekin then entered the discussion as she said: 'I'd rather have zero pounds than a million pounds doing it the wrong way, but have pride.'

She confessed: 'I'd rather have zero pounds than a million pounds doing it the wrong way, but have pride.'

And as Sharon asked if Ekin would consider doing it, she replied bluntly: 'F**k off!'

Ekin-Su dumped Davide after 'rows' over his friendship with Only Fans star Sylvija Vasilevska (pictured)

Branding Ekin-Su a 'victim', the OF star told The Sun that she has been made out to be 'this evil porn star who has stolen her man'

And as Ekin asked if Sharon would consider doing it, the 71-year-old replied bluntly: 'F**k off!' as the housemates exploded into laughter.

It comes after Ekin dumped Davide after 'rows' over his friendship with the Only Fans star Sylvija Vasilevska.

The model, who has since been branded a 'home wrecker' by Ekin-Su's fans, shed light on what really happened between her and Davide, 29, in an interview last month as she denied any relationship with the reality star.

Branding Ekin-Su a 'victim', the OF star told The Sun that she has been made out to be 'this evil porn star who has stolen her man'.

She said: 'Im in shock, he's liked a few of my stories. Im so confused as to where this has come from. Shes convinced Im the girl [that broke them up], but I am not.

'All I've done is liked his picture. It was completely innocent. Of course Ekin is upset but its got nothing to do with me.'

'She's liking tweets about me which indicates to her fans that he did cheat with me, which prompted messages [from fans] calling me trash and a homewrecker. Im so angry to have been dragged into this. No offence to them but I couldnt care less about their relationship.'
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Hollywood veteran Heather Graham, 54, almost spilled out of her strapless black gown on Saturday.

The Hangover actress attended the star-studded MPTF's 22nd Annual Night Before event. It is one of the top pre-Oscar parties in town.

The event took place at the Fox Studio Lot in Los Angeles.

The dress was quite the number as it had a sheer lace panel on the midsection. She added strappy gold heels and a small black shoulder bag with a gold chain strap.

Her long blonde hair was worn down over her bare shoulders.

Also at the event were musician and model Paris Jackson and Barbie actress America Ferrara who posed with her husband Ryan Piers.

Hollywood veteran Heather Graham , 54, almost spilled out of her strapless black gown on Saturday. The Hangover actress attended the star-studded MPTF's 22nd Annual Night Before event. It is one of the top pre-Oscar parties in town

Also at the event were musician and model Paris Jackson and Barbie actress America Ferrara who posed with her husband Ryan Piers.

Also at the event were sisters Kyle Richards and Kathy Hilton. They have feuded in the past but seem to be getting along better these days. They are both stars of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.

Eva Longoria looked very slender in this long black gown with a slit up one leg as she added pointy heels with a rhinestone ankle strap.

Zooey Deschanel wore a plunging black gown with a mermaid finish. Helen Hunt kept it cocktail party chic with a flirty black dress and strappy high heels.

Jodie Foster wore a red suit as she held onto a small red handbag while posing with partner Alexandra Hedison who opted for a black outfit with black nails.

The Motion Picture & Television Fund raised more than $4.3 million at its 22nd annual star-studded benefit on Saturday night.

The exclusive event was co-chaired by Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Michelle Bathe, America Ferrera and Ryan Piers-Williams, Jodie Foster and Paul Giamatti.

Funds raised from the event will be used to support industry members and their families who benefit from MPTFs charitable programs and services, such as financial assistance, crisis counseling, caregiving support and residency on the Wasserman Campus in Woodland Hills, which now serves as 'home' to many television and film veterans. During the recent work stoppages, MPTF received over 13,000 calls for aid and provided more than $8 million in charitable financial assistance.

This comes after Graham showed off her impossibly slender figure this week while on a yoga retreat in Mexico.

This comes after Graham showed off her impossibly slender figure this week in Mexico

The Drugstore Cowboys actress wore a chocolate brown string bikini while in new images she shared to Instagram.

The cover girl from Milwaukee, Wisconsin had a flat tummy with abs and sculpted legs as she looked to be toned to perfection.

The 54-year-old star has said in the past she looks so youthful because she likes to sleep a lot. Often she gets as much as 12 hours of shut-eye a day.

And the looker, who has worked since she was a teen, also said she meditates twice a day as it centers her and makes her relax.

'So grateful I got to go on a yoga retreat and meditate looking at the ocean with @soukofrima_ and @mjmasala @souk.studio. Me gusta ,' she said in her caption.

She is also a big yoga fan which she started doing when she worked on Twin Peaks prequel Fire Walk With Me in 1992.

The star was with her boyfriend John de Neufville, 47.

In February, she stole the spotlight at the 39th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival Closing Night.

The stunning star looked incredible in a stylish red gown as she arrived at the Arlignton Theatre gala, which included the world premiere of her film Chosen Family.

The dramedy was written and directed by the actress, who also stars in it alongside Julia Stiles, Andrea Savage, Ella Grace Helton and John Brotherton.

She effortlessly commanded attention at the event in her bold gown, showcasing a plunging neckline and a strategically placed cut-out design that highlighted her sculpted abs.

Opting for minimal makeup, Heather let her natural beauty take center stage as she posed alongside her co-stars, Ella and John.

Also at the event were sisters Kyle Richards and Kathy Hilton. They have feuded in the past but seem to be getting along better these days. They are both stars of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills

Here they posed with a very leggy and tattooed Paris

Eva Longoria looked very slender in this long black gown with a slit up one leg as she added pointy heels with a rhinestone ankle strap

Zooey Deschanel, left, wore a plunging black gown with a mermaid finish. Helen Hunt, right, kept it cocktail party chic with a flirty black dress and strappy high heels

Jeanne Moore was seen with The Whale actor Brendan Fraser

Paula Abdul stood out in this impressive green and ivory alligator print dress that had oversized shoulders

Jodie Foster wore a red suit as she held onto a small red handbag while posing with partner Alexandra Hedison who opted for a black outfit with black nails

(L-R) Sterling K. Brown, Hedison, Foster, and Paul Giamatti

(L-R) Brown, Matt Bomer, Colin Farrell, and Eva Longoria

In Chosen Family, Heather takes on the role of Ann, a yoga teacher on a quest for inner peace amidst her chaotic family dynamics and a less-than-ideal dating life.

Despite her struggles, Ann grapples with an inability to say no, constantly finding herself entangled in others' problems.

As she endeavors to mend her fractured relationship with her sister Clio (Stiles), Ann leans on her friends Roz (Savage), Max (Thomas Lennon), and Frances (Odessa Rae) for support.

'Im so excited to be making my dream project with an amazing team,' Graham previously said in a statement.

'In a male-dominated industry, we love supporting women,' producers Chad A. Verdi and Michelle Verdi told The Hollywood Reporter.

'Heathers drive, writing, directing and starring in this film has been wonderful to witness.'

Heather's big night at the annual festival comes a week after Robert Downey Jr. was recognized with the esteemed Maltin Modern Master Award at the Arlington Theatre.

Downey Jr. - whose searing performance as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer is gaining Oscar buzz - was also joined by superstar pals Rob Lowe, David Duchovny, Natasha Leggero, Chelsea Peretti and more.

Cillian Murphy - who played nuclear physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan's blockbuster - beamed with pride as he posed with the guest of honor.

The Modern Master Award is the highest honor presented by SBIFF, according to its website.

'Established in 1995, it was created to honor an individual who has enriched our culture through accomplishments in the motion picture industry,' reads the statement.

The award was re-named the Maltin Modern Master Award in 2015 in honor of long-time SBIFF moderator and renowned film critic Leonard Maltin.

Past winners included Jamie Lee Curtis Javier Bardem, Nicole Kidman, Bill Murray Brad Pitt, Glenn Close, Gary Oldman and Denzel Washington.
Katy Perry glammed up to attend a private pre-Oscars party in Beverly Hills on Saturday.

The 39-year-old pop star bared her shoulders in a white strapless dress, matching stilettos, and gold jewelry selected by stylist Tatiana Waterford.

Hairstylist Rick Henry blew out Katy's (born Katheryn Hudson) middle-parted raven mane and make-up artist Michael Anthony fully contoured her complexion for the industry function.

Missing from Perry's sided were her fiancee of five years - Red Right Hand action star Orlando Bloom - and their three-year-old daughter Daisy Dove Bloom.

The 13-time Grammy nominee confirmed on Jimmy Kimmel Live on February 13 that the seventh (or 22nd) season of ABC's American Idol will probably be her last in favor of traveling the world and releasing new music.

Katy Perry glammed up to attend a private pre-Oscars party in Beverly Hills on Saturday

'I love Idol so much. I know. It's connected me with the heart of America. But I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat,' Katy - who earned $25M from American Idol in 2017 - revealed.

'It's going to be a very, very exciting year, Jimmy, for all pop star girlies. Let's just say I'm creating space for my new wingspan.'

Perry is 'really excited' to next headline the 'World Stage' of Brazilian music festival Rock in Rio, which takes place in Rio de Janeiro on September 20.

Also spotted leaving the Beverly Hills bash in a car was two-time Golden Globe nominee Demi Moore.

The Feud: Capote vs. The Swans actress easily defied her 61 years in a shimmering black Gabriela Hearst pantsuit over a white fishnet top, black Santoni heels, and Anita Ko jewelry selected by stylist Brad Goreski.

Hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos blew out Demi's signature middle-parted raven mane and make-up artist Sil Bruinsma brightened up her suspiciously wrinkle-free complexion.

Moore (born Guynes) has been hard at work in Fort Worth, TX filming her series regular role as Cami in the upcoming Paramount+ oil-pumping drama, Landman.

Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace's small-screen adaptation of Texas Monthly's 11-part podcast Boomtown (2019-2020) will also feature Jon Hamm, Billy Bob Thornton, and Ali Larter.

The 39-year-old pop star bared her shoulders in a white strapless dress, matching stilettos, and gold jewelry selected by stylist Tatiana Waterford

Hairstylist Rick Henry blew out Katy's (born Katheryn Hudson) middle-parted raven mane and make-up artist Michael Anthony fully contoured her complexion for the industry function

Missing from Perry's sided were her fiancee of five years - Red Right Hand action star Orlando Bloom - and their three-year-old daughter Daisy Dove Bloom

The 13-time Grammy nominee confirmed on Jimmy Kimmel Live on February 13 that the seventh (or 22nd) season of ABC's American Idol will probably be her last in favor of traveling the world and releasing new music

Resuming March 17! Katy - who earned $25M from American Idol in 2017 - revealed: 'I love Idol so much. I know. It's connected me with the heart of America. But I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat. It's going to be a very, very exciting year, Jimmy, for all pop star girlies. Let's just say I'm creating space for my new wingspan'

Also spotted leaving the Beverly Hills bash in a car was two-time Golden Globe nominee Demi Moore

The Feud: Capote vs. The Swans actress easily defied her 61 years in a shimmering black Gabriela Hearst pantsuit over a white fishnet top, black Santoni heels, and Anita Ko jewelry selected by stylist Brad Goreski

Hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos blew out Demi's signature middle-parted raven mane and make-up artist Sil Bruinsma brightened up her suspiciously wrinkle-free complexion

Moore (born Guynes) has been hard at work in Fort Worth, TX filming her series regular role as Cami in the upcoming Paramount+ oil-pumping drama, Landman

But audiences can next catch the Emmy-nominated producer in Andrew McCarthy's (R, pictured May 21) Brat Packer documentary Brats, which premieres this spring on Hulu

Nineties supermodel Cindy Crawford wore a sparkly black sweater to the star-studded pre-Oscars party as she held hands with her husband of 25 years, Casamigos co-founder Rande Gerber

But audiences can next catch the Emmy-nominated producer in Andrew McCarthy's Brat Packer documentary Brats, which premieres this spring on Hulu.

It reunites eighties-era stars Rob Lowe, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez, Lea Thompson, Jon Cryer, and Timothy Hutton.

'No one would be seen in a movie together. I hadn't seen Rob in 30 years. I hadn't seen Emilio since the premiere of St. Elmo's fire. I hadn't seen Demi,' the 61-year-old Brat author said at last month's Television Critics Tour.

'I know they have not been in touch. I'm surprised at how much affection we had for each other.'

Demi will also appear in Coralie Fargeat's feminist body horror film The Substance alongside two-time Emmy nominee Margaret Qualley.

Nineties supermodel Cindy Crawford wore a sparkly black sweater to the star-studded pre-Oscars party as she held hands with her husband of 25 years, Casamigos co-founder Rande Gerber.
Lorraine Kelly shared a health update on her 'brave and lovely' Mum Anne while marking Mother's Day on Sunday.

The TV personality, 64, posted a sweet snap of the 81-year-old as she enjoyed a glass of wine, almost a year after being rushed to hospital in her native Scotland.

Heartbroken Lorraine rushed to to be by her elderly mother's bedside in July after Anne was admitted into University Hospital Monklands, in Lanarkshire.

Taking to Instagram with a tribute she penned: 'Happy Mothers Day to my brave lovely mum - coping with a tough illness and still able to (occasionally) say cheers! and always living each day to the full!'.

Fans rushed to the comments section in their droves to wish the pair well with one writing: 'Your Mum's looking very well. Lovely photo'.

Lorraine Kelly, 64, shared a health update on her 'brave and lovely' Mum Anne, 81, while marking Mother's Day on Sunday

Taking to Instagram she penned: 'Happy Mothers Day to my brave lovely mum - coping with a tough illness and still able to (occasionally) say cheers! and always living each day to the full!'

Heartbroken Lorraine rushed to to be by her elderly mother's bedside in July after Anne was admitted into University Hospital Monklands, in Lanarkshire

While a second said: 'Ahhh what a lovely post, and your mum looks so sweet. Happy Mother's Day to you too Lorraine'.

Someone else added: 'Happy Mother's Day to lovely Anne!!'.

And: 'Happy Mother's Day beautoful lady and Lorraine you are so blessed to have your wee mum'.

Last year Lorraine took to X, writing: 'Having spent a lot of time over the past few days with my mum in @UHMonklands hospital Ive seen again just how kind, caring, hard working, funny and downright fabulous our NHS workers are.

'Thank you doesnt begin to cover it.'

She did not go into further detail about her mum's condition.

But Anne was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome in February 2023, a condition that stops the kidneys functioning properly which also saw her hospitalised.

Lorraine moved to London to be close to work, but her parents and her husband Steve live in her hometown of Glasgow.

Anne was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome in February 2023, a condition that stops the kidneys functioning properly which also saw her hospitalised (pictured 2011)

Fans rushed to the comments section in their droves to wish the pair well with one writing: 'Your Mum's looking very well. Lovely photo'

Back in December 2020, Lorraine was surprised on the show with a moving message from her mum during the pandemic, moving the broadcaster to tears.

She told Dr Hilary Jones and fashion expert Mark Heyes: 'I wish I could see them, it's terrible isn't it? I haven't seen her for ages.

'Everybody is the same though. Zoom calls galore today. We will see each other. It's like we keep saying. We have to scale it down for this year but wow are we going to make up for it next year? My wee mum, that was so lovely.'
Lorraine Kelly shared a gushing tribute to her mum Anne to celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday on Instagram.

The TV presenter, 64, uploaded a stunning picture of her 82-year-old mother who held up a glass of wine to the camera.

Lorraine said her mum is so 'brave' and revealed Anne is still living each day to the fullest despite battling with a 'tough illness'.

She penned: 'Happy Mothers Day to my brave lovely mum - coping with a tough illness and still able to (occasionally) say cheers! and always living each day to the full! #love #mothersday #brave #inspiration'

Anne was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome in February 2023, a condition that stops the kidneys functioning properly which also saw her hospitalised.

Lorraine Kelly shared a gushing tribute to her mum Anne to celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday on Instagram

Lorraine said her mum is so 'brave' and revealed Anne is still living each day to the fullest despite battling with a 'tough illness'

Lorraine moved to London to be close to work, but her parents and her husband Steve live in her hometown of Glasgow.

Back in December 2020, Lorraine was surprised on the show with a moving message from her mum during the pandemic, moving the broadcaster to tears.

She told Dr Hilary Jones and fashion expert Mark Heyes: 'I wish I could see them, it's terrible isn't it? I haven't seen her for ages.

'Everybody is the same though. Zoom calls galore today. We will see each other. It's like we keep saying. We have to scale it down for this year but wow are we going to make up for it next year? My wee mum, that was so lovely.'

In October, Lorraine gushed about how youthful her mother looks during an interview with Woman & Home.

She said: 'I'm lucky. My mum [Anne Kelly] looks incredible and I've inherited her skin and cheekbones.

'I've got wee patches of grey but I've never done anything to my face. I'm too scared to do Botox. I've heard too many stories over the years where people have ended up looking like Klingons.'

She added: 'After gaining weight in lockdown, I'd become very unhappy with my size. Like most of the nation, I had been comfort-eating, not doing as much exercise as normal and my husband has no conception of portion.'
Jasmine Harman paid tribute to her A Place in the Sun co-star Jonnie Irvin as she marked the 20-year anniversary of her first appearance on the show.

Jonnie tragically lost his battle with lung cancer aged 50 in early February after being diagnosed with the disease in 2020.

Co-presenters Jasmine, 48, and Jonnie were hired together in 2004, meeting during a pilot shoot in South Africa.

Following Jonnie's death Jasmine took a break from Instagram, but she returned on Saturday to mark her milestone on the programme.

Jasmine dedicated her milestone post to her 'very special friend' Jonnie, admitting the thought of celebrating the anniversary had left her 'choked up' .

Jasmine Harman paid tribute to her A Place in the Sun co-star Jonnie Irvin o Instagram on Saturday as she marked the 20-year anniversary of her first shoot for the programme

Jonnie tragically lost his battle with lung cancer aged 50 in early February after being diagnosed with the disease in 2020

Sharing a montage of pictures of herself and Jonnie, Jasmine wrote: 'I recently passed the 20 year anniversary of my first ever shoot on A Place in the Sun.

'Two decades ago, my career turned onto a different path which has shaped so many factors of my life until now. From meeting my husband, having our children, moving to Spain, to making so many wonderful friends over the years.

'In particular, one very special friend'

Jasmine continued: 'Jonnie and I started our Television careers together, which makes the 20 year anniversary especially poignant.

'Without him, I have not really felt like celebrating. I've been pretty choked up about posting anything about it to be honest.

'I miss him. He was always full of fun and mischief, it doesn't seem possible that he is gone.

'In Jonnie's memory, I give you a snippet of the last 20 years. What an honour to work with someone so vibrant and fun.

'Thank you Jonnie for the memories, sending love as always to Jonnie's family and loved ones.'

A Place in the Sun co-hosts Jasmine, 48, and Jonnie were hired together in 2004 and met during a pilot shoot in South Africa

Following Jonnie's death Jasmine took a break from Instagram, but she returned on Saturday to mark her milestone on the programme

Jasmine dedicated her milestone post to her 'very special friend' Jonnie, admitting the thought of celebrating the anniversary had left her 'choked up

Sharing a montage of pictures of herself and Jonnie, Jasmine wrote: 'I recently passed the 20 year anniversary of my first ever shoot on A Place in the Sun

'Two decades ago, my career turned onto a different path which has shaped so many factors of my life until now,' she said

Jasmine continued: 'Jonnie and I started our Television careers together, which makes the 20 year anniversary especially poignant'

'Without him, I have not really felt like celebrating,' she said. 'I've been pretty choked up about posting anything about it to be honest'

Jonnie's wife Jessica Holmes announced his death on social media on February 2, and described her beloved partner, with whom she shares sons Rex, four, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac, as a 'truly remarkable husband'.

The TV host revealed in November 2022 that his cancer had spread to his brain after first being diagnosed with the disease in 2020 - a week after filming the popular Channel 4 show in Italy.

Shortly after news of his death was announced, Jasmine shared some heartfelt words on social media.

Sharing a picture of them looking off towards a sunset, she wrote: 'Jonnie Irwin - I will always remember the first time I heard your name. When I was doing a screen test for a new show, they said 'we definitely want Jonnie, but we need to find another presenter'. I wondered who this mysterious Jonnie was. We met in Cape Town, filming the pilot. You we're so charismatic and energetic, so confident and fun. I understood immediately why they had to have you.

'Your cheeky-chappy persona and naughty sense of humour always broke the ice and made people laugh. Everyone warmed to you and you had the incredible ability to connect with people, making them feel like they'd known you for years.

'To begin our TV careers together was a pleasure and a privilege I will be eternally grateful for. Almost twenty years ago, as two nervous new presenters (me perhaps more nervous than you!) little did we know we know about the adventure we were about to embark on, and the friends we would become.

'Professionally, you were well suited to life in front of the lens. But for years, you always talked about wanting to settle down and become a dad. Your wish was granted when you met Jess. Never were you happier than in your role as husband and Dad to the most awesome three boys  you are a legend.

Jasmine (seen at her wedding), said: 'I miss him. He was always full of fun and mischief, it doesn't seem possible that he is gone'

'In Jonnie's memory, I give you a snippet of the last 20 years,' she said. 'What an honour to work with someone so vibrant and fun'

Jasmine concluded: 'Thank you Jonnie for the memories, sending love as always to Jonnie's family and loved ones'

Jonnie's wife Jessica Holmes announced his death on social media on February 2

Shortly after news of his death was announced, Jasmine shared some heartfelt words on social media

Jasmine led tributes for her co-host Jonnie Irwin following his death at the age of 50 from cancer

Jonnie tragically lost his battle with lung cancer aged 50, his wife Jessica Holmes announced in a heartbreaking tribute on Friday (Jonnie and Jasmine pictured)

Jasmine and Jonnie presented A Place In The Sun alongside one another from 2004 to 2019

'Life is simply not fair. We can't reason with it; there are no answers to the question Why?

'We can, in your memory learn to cherish every hug, every conversation, every moment, for the priceless time we have. Enjoy every breath, every sunrise and sunset, never take anything for granted, because tomorrow is not promised.

'Jonnie, you've taught me so much in our time as work colleagues and as good friends. I have never admired you more than over the last few years as you've faced life with cancer with positivity, determination and bloody mindedness. I've never known anyone as strong as you. You have done yourself, your loved ones and all of us proud.

'The world is a little darker today without you, but I will always smile when I think of you. My partner in crime, my OG co-presenter  Jonnie, I will miss you.'
Hugh Bonneville was spotted for the first time with new flame Claire Rankin on Saturday following his split from wife Lulu Williams.

The Downton Abbey star, 60, put on a cosy display with the Canadian comedy star as they strolled arm-in-am after enjoying a dinner date in Soho.

Hugh appeared in great spirits as he stepped out with the blonde beauty - whom have reportedly enjoyed a string of dates together.

The actor cut a dapper display in a navy blue suit, while Claire looked smart in a grey overcoat and black heeled boots.

The new 'couple' could be seen chatting away while linking arms as they departed a luxury restaurant.

Hugh Bonneville, 60, was spotted for the first time with new flame Claire Rankin on Saturday following his split from wife Lulu Williams

A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu (pictured), who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, ended their marriage

One onlooker who spotted the pair said they 'looked so happy' and like 'any other couple' - despite Hugh only parting ways with his wife a few months ago.

'Hugh and Claire looked so happy together, they couldn't stop smiling,' the onlooker told The Sun.

'They looked like any other couple and seemed to be really enjoying each other's company.'

Hugh reportedly also took the actress to an event at Buckingham Palace where she met Queen Camilla as well as dinner with his Downton co-stars.

Claire was previously married to the actor Josh Randall who appeared alongside Hugh in US sitcom Courting Alex nearly 20 years ago.

Claire has shared snaps of her recent trip to London on her Instagram account, however Hugh has not been featured in them.

Hugh recently delivered a reading to the young winners of a BBC writing competition with Claire in the audience.

On Wednesday, they were said to have enjoyed dinner with Hugh's Downton co-star Michelle Dockery.

The Downton Abbey star put on a cosy display with the Canadian comedy star as they strolled arm-in-am after enjoying a dinner date in Soho.

Hugh appeared in great spirits as he stepped out with the blonde beauty - whom have reportedly enjoyed a string of dates

The actor cut a dapper display in a navy blue suit, while Claire looked smart in a grey overcoat and black heeled boots

The new 'couple' could be seen chatting away while linking arms as they departed a luxury restaurant

One onlooker who spotted the pair said they 'looked so happy' and like 'any other couple' - despite Hugh only parting ways with his wife a few months ago

'Hugh and Claire looked so happy together, they couldn't stop smiling. They looked like any other couple and seemed to be really enjoying each other's company', the onlooker told The Sun

On Friday, Claire shared a photo taken at the airport as she prepared to return to Canada.

The actress, from Prince Edward Island, began acting in Shakespeare plays in the 90s and appeared on shows including Ally McBeal, Without A Trace and House.

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Hugh Bonneville for comment.

A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, ended their marriage.

However, it seems the split has not been smooth sailing, with a source revealing: 'It is clear that Lulu feels as if 20-odd years of marriage counts for nothing.'

Lulu often accompanied her husband to premieres and film sets and her recent absence sparked rumours the pair were having troubles.

The actor, famous for his role as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, had never shied away from expressing his love for Lulu, having previously called her his 'bedrock' and 'anchor' and crediting his wife for being the backbone of their household.

A source told The Sun: 'Hugh has been away from home filming a lot this year. He has lost a bit of weight this summer, he was looking trim, tanned and relaxed.'

Bonneville has reportedly been spending time with Canadian comedy star Claire Rankin (pictured)

Claire has shared snaps of her recent trip to London on her Instagram account, however Hugh has not been featured in them

Hugh also took the actress to an event at Buckingham Palace where she met Queen Camilla

Claire was previously married to the actor Josh Randall (pictured together in 2001)

Josh and Hugh appeared together in US sitcom Courting Alex nearly 20 years ago

Hugh recently delivered a reading to the young winners of a BBC writing competition with Claire in the audience

A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, ended their marriage (pictured together in 2017)

The heartbreak came just five years after the couple renewed their vows at Graceland chapel in Las Vegas.

The pair met as teens but reconnected later in life and got together in their 30s, thanks in no small part to Hugh's mother Patricia.

Hugh has said: 'Lulu was running a marquee company... my mother rang her to hire some chairs or something and said, ''Do you remember Hugh?''

'It did infuriate me that I had to give full credit to my mum for reintroducing us.'

The former couple later tied the knot in November 1998.

In previous interviews Bonneville claimed he was 'completely indebted' to his wife for the way she supported him throughout his career while looking after their son Felix, 20, who himself has enjoyed success on the screen.

'Lulu's priority has been to be a bedrock for Felix and me and I'm completely indebted to her,' he said.
Jenna Dewan obscured her baby bump with a white t-shirt while visiting a park with her family in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon.

The 43-year-old actress was joined by her fiance, Steve Kazee, her daughter Everly, 10, and son Callum, four, as they made their way through a parking lot while preparing to shoot a few hoops.

The performer - who recently engaged in a bit of public PDA with her partner - also wore a white button-up shirt and a pair of distressed blue jeans as she stepped out with her family.

Dewan completed her look with a pair of tri-tone running shoes, and her gorgeous brunette locks fell onto her shoulders.

The professional dancer first became a mother in 2013 when she welcomed Everly, whom she shares with her former husband, Channing Tatum.

Jenna Dewan showed off her baby bump with a white t-shirt while visiting a park with her family in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon

The couple initially met while costarring in the dance film Step Up, which was released in 2006.

Dewan and the 43-year-old actor tied the knot in 2009 and welcomed Everly four years later, although they went on to divorce in 2019.

The actress eventually moved on with Kazee, 48, whom she first began dating in October of 2018.

The cast member of The Rookie and her partner became engaged in February of 2020, and she welcomed Callum the following month.

Dewan went on to reveal that she had become pregnant for the third time by sharing a post on her Instagram account this past January.

The performer opened up about her pregnancy during an interview with Romper, where she remarked that the process made her 'feel alive again.'

The actress also told the media outlet that neither she nor Kazee were planning on learning about their baby's sex prior to its arrival.

Dewan went on to state that she had decided that her third pregnancy would be her final time carrying a child.

The performer - who recently engaged in a bit of public PDA with her partner - also wore a white button-up shirt and a pair of distressed blue jeans as she stepped out with her family

Dewan completed her look with a pair of tri-tone running shoes, and her gorgeous brunette locks fell onto her shoulders

Dewan went on to reveal that she had become pregnant for the third time by sharing a post on her Instagram account this past January

The actress also told the media outlet that neither she nor Kazee were planning on learning about their baby's sex prior to its arrival

'You don't race to the end because this is the last time. So there's a bit of joy and a little sadness. I'm really trying to enjoy it all and not try to just get through the days,' she said.

The performer then admitted that she was unsure about how her body would change following the birth of her third child.

She stated: 'I'm not sure the body necessarily gets right back into action the way it did years ago...I do think there's a bit of ignorance, this dancer in me that just says "OK, well, you just get it done."'

Dewan added that she had 'recovered great every time, but I'm open to whatever happens.'
Palestinian death toll in Gaza from Israeli attacks rises to 30,960: ministry

Xinhua) 11:02, March 10, 2024

People inspect destroyed buildings after intense airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 9, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 30,960 with 72,524 others wounded, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Saturday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

GAZA, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 30,960 with 72,524 others wounded, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Saturday.

During the last 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 82 Palestinians and wounded 122 others, it added.

The statement noted that some victims remained under the rubble amid heavy bombardment and a lack of civil defense and ambulance crews.

Dozens of Palestinians, the majority of whom are children and women, were killed and others injured in a series of Israeli airstrikes that targeted multiple areas across the Gaza Strip since Friday night, Palestine's official news agency WAFA reported.

The report said at least 23 people were killed in intense airstrikes that targeted a number of houses in the southern Gaza Strip cities of Khan Younis and Rafah.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage.

People inspect destroyed buildings after intense airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 9, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 30,960 with 72,524 others wounded, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Saturday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

A Palestinian inspects destroyed buildings after intense airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 9, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 30,960 with 72,524 others wounded, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Saturday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

People inspect destroyed buildings after intense airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 9, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 30,960 with 72,524 others wounded, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Saturday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

People inspect destroyed buildings after intense airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 9, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 30,960 with 72,524 others wounded, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Saturday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

People inspect destroyed buildings after intense airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 9, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 30,960 with 72,524 others wounded, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Saturday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

People inspect destroyed buildings after intense airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 9, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 30,960 with 72,524 others wounded, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Saturday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Sheng Chuyi)
Jessica Flores is a reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. Before joining The Chronicle in 2021, she worked for USA Today, NPR affiliate KPCC and Curbed LA. Originally from L.A., she received her masters degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and a bachelors degree from Mount Saint Marys University in Los Angeles.

She can be reached at Jessica.Flores@sfchronicle.com.
Nicolas Cage posed up a storm on the arm of his fifth wife Riko Shibata at a pre-Oscar party.

The 60-year-old movie icon wore all black as he posed next to his Mrs.

Riko, 28, who married Nicolas in Las Vegas in 2021 and welcomed their daughter August 2022, wore blood red lipstick.

They were at the MPTF's 22nd Annual Night Before at Fox Studio Lot on Saturday in Los Angeles.

The two were seen chatting up Brendan Fraser of The Whale fame with Colin Farrell being spotted in the background.

Nicolas Cage posed up a storm on the arm of his fifth wife Riko Shibata at a pre-Oscar party. The 60-year-old movie icon wore all black as he posed next to his Mrs

The two were seen chatting up Brendan Fraser of The Whale fame with Colin Farrell being spotted in the background

This image shows Cage in a scene from Dream Scenario

Cage and Shibata were last seen on a red carpet together in March 2023 when they attended the premiere of Universal Pictures' Renfield at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Also at the event were musician and model Paris Jackson and Barbie actress America Ferrara who posed with her husband Ryan Piers.

Sisters Kyle Richards and Kathy Hilton were seen too. They have feuded in the past but seem to be getting along better these days. They are both stars of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.

Eva Longoria looked very slender in this long black gown with a slit up one leg as she added pointy heels with a rhinestone ankle strap.

Zooey Deschanel wore a plunging black gown with a mermaid finish. Helen Hunt kept it cocktail party chic with a flirty black dress and strappy high heels.

Jodie Foster wore a red suit as she held onto a small red handbag while posing with partner Alexandra Hedison who opted for a black outfit with black nails.

Cage posed up a storm on the arm of his fifth wife Riko Shibata at Tuesday's New York premiere of his new vampire film Renfield

Also at the event were musician and model Paris Jackson with sisters Kyle Richards and Kathy Hilton. They have feuded in the past but seem to be getting along better these days. They are both stars of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills

Eva Longoria looked very slender in this long black gown with a slit up one leg as she added pointy heels with a rhinestone ankle strap

Zooey Deschanel wore a plunging black gown with a mermaid finish. Helen Hunt kept it cocktail party chic with a flirty black dress and strappy high heels

. Jodie Foster wore a red suit as she held onto a small red handbag while posing with partner Alexandra Hedison who opted for a black outfit with black nails

The Motion Picture & Television Fund raised more than $4.3 million at its 22nd annual star-studded benefit on Saturday night.

The exclusive event was co-chaired by Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Michelle Bathe, America Ferrera and Ryan Piers-Williams, Jodie Foster and Paul Giamatti.

Funds raised from the event will be used to support industry members and their families who benefit from MPTFs charitable programs and services, such as financial assistance, crisis counseling, caregiving support and residency on the Wasserman Campus in Woodland Hills, which now serves as 'home' to many television and film veterans.

During the recent work stoppages, MPTF received over 13,000 calls for aid and provided more than $8 million in charitable financial assistance.
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Amelia Gray Hamlin set pulses racing while leaving very little to the imagination as she stripped down for her most provocative photoshoot yet.

The 22-year-old model, who first stepped into the spotlight appearing on her mother Lisa Rinna's reality show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, pushed boundaries as she modeled for the cover of CR Fashion Book's spring/summer 2024 issue.

In one image, the Vogue cover girl went topless under a white bathrobe as she poured a bottle of milk all over herself inside a motorhome.

Other photos featured the younger sister of Delilah Belle kissing her reflection through a bathroom mirror and smoking a cigarette in bed while rocking just a bra and miniskirt.

Amelia Gray Hamlin set pulses racing while leaving very little to the imagination as she stripped down for her most provocative photoshoot yet

The 22-year-old model, who first stepped into the spotlight appearing on her mother Lisa Rinna's reality show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, pushed boundaries as she modeled for the cover of CR Fashion Book's spring/summer 2024 issue

Hamlin, later, slipped into a stunning red sequined gown, from Balenciaga, which hugged every curve of her toned frame.

During the accompanying interview, the catwalk queen opened up about her 'current state of mind' as she revealed she was feeling 'so happy' and 'blessed.'

'I dont think Ive ever been better than right now. I just love my life so much. Im really on a journey of getting to know myself,' she told the outlet.

Additionally, she credited her mom for inspiring her 'the most.'

'Her work ethic is truly incredible. Im so blessed to have been raised by someone like her,' she said of Rinna.

When asked about which characteristics she likes most about herself, Hamlin said her 'kindness.'

'Its very important to me. I think it makes me me. And Im slowly learning to like my laugh!' she added. 'Im so loud and embarrassing, but its what makes me, me!'

If her life was a reality show, the five-foot-ten beauty said it would be called 'chaos, a little anxiety, but mostly fun.'

As for her greatest achievement, the former reality star said she was proud to have the 'reputation of being the nice hard working girl.'

In one image, the Vogue cover girl went topless under a white bathrobe as she poured a bottle of milk all over herself inside a motorhome

Another photo featured the younger sister of Delilah Belle kissing her reflection through a bathroom mirror

Additionally, she posed for a snap while smoking a cigarette in bed while rocking just a bra and miniskirt

Beside her mom, her greatest inspirations include Naomi Campbell, Yasmeen Ghauri, Cindy Crawford and Shalom Harlow.

Naturally, Rinna shared a number of shots from Hamlin's photo shoot with CR Fashion Book, which prompted mixed opinions.

While a large handful praised the TV personality for being a 'proud mama' and supporting her youngest, others criticized Rinna for posting images of her daughter smoking and with her nipples visibly exposed.

'I think this is appalling. I sure wouldn't want my daughter to show her body like that to the world to see. Not to mention her father to see,' one wrote.

Another said the photo shoot looked 'like a cry for help.'

'I'm sorry but no. Nope. Creepy AF,' a third stated. 'The staging really gives me the ick. Not at your daughter but for your daughter. Ugh.'

'The pics are great but why glamorize smoking,' a fourth asked.

Hamlin, later, slipped into a stunning red sequined gown, from Balenciaga, which hugged every curve of her toned frame

Hamlin's modeling career only continues to skyrocket, following her runway debut at the Dennis Basso Spring/Summer show in 2018.

In 2023 Hamlin, who has appeared in campaigns for Vivienne Westwood, Miu Miu, Courreges, H&M, Givenchy, Versace, walked 23 fashion shows.

Last April, she even graced the coverr of Vogue Japan.

The full circle moment comes six years after she and her sister, Delilah Belle Hamlin, shot a spread for Vogue in Tokyo.

Since walking her first runway at 18, Gray has gone on to appear in ads for Stuart Weitzman, Savage x Fenty and Levi's as well as strut her stuff for major fashion shows across the globe, including Diesel, Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier.

During the accompanying interview, the catwalk queen opened up about her 'current state of mind' as she revealed she was feeling 'so happy' and 'blessed'

'I dont think Ive ever been better than right now. I just love my life so much. Im really on a journey of getting to know myself,' she told the outlet

Additionally, she credited her mom for inspiring her 'the most'

'Her work ethic is truly incredible. Im so blessed to have been raised by someone like her,' she said of Rinna

In 2020, Amelia's mother revealed that Amelia, then 19, was paying for her own Los Angeles.

'It's all her money,' Rinna said on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills when asked her kid was paying for her $5,700-a-month apartment. 'I'm not even helping her a thousand dollars.'

The reality star then claimed: 'Amelia Gray makes more money than all of us.'

Despite her incredible success at such a young age, the bombshell has overcome a lot in her life, including battling anorexia as a teenager.

The model previously said she was about 14 or 15 when her eating disorder started. She was going through an 'awkward stage' and was upset by her appearance in paparazzi photos that were taken when she was leaving a store with her mom.

'I remember crying to my mom about them,' she recalled on Dear Media podcast The Skinny Confidential Him and Her in 2020.

The teen decided to do the Master Cleanse after reading online that a model she had looked up to at the time would always do it 'before a huge job.'

When asked about which characteristics she likes most about herself, Hamlin said her 'kindness'

'Its very important to me. I think it makes me me. And Im slowly learning to like my laugh!' she added. 'Im so loud and embarrassing, but its what makes me, me!'

If her life was a reality show, the five-foot-ten beauty said it would be called 'chaos, a little anxiety, but mostly fun'

Naturally, Rinna shared a number of shots from Hamlin's photo shoot with CR Fashion Book, which prompted mixed opinions

While a large handful praised the TV personality for being a 'proud mama' and supporting her youngest, others criticized Rinna for posting images of her daughter smoking and with her nipples visibly exposed

. 'I think this is appalling. I sure wouldn't want my daughter to show her body like that to the world to see. Not to mention her father to see,' one wrote

Another said the photo shoot looked 'like a cry for help'

Ultimately, she eventually got so thin that her family took her to UCLA to get her treatment.

'We show up. It's like this really scary old man's office. It could not have been a more uncomfortable vibe for me,' she said. 'I sat there and there was just like books everywhere, even on the floor...

'He looked at me and he was like, "So, yeah, basically, at this rate in about four months you're going to be 45 pounds and you're going to be dead."'

Amelia remembered asking herself how that is even 'humanly possible' and couldn't get the number out of her head.

'I just snapped out of it,' she said. 'I was so lucky that I was just like, yeah, I don't want to be 45 pounds.'

As for her greatest achievement, the former reality star said she was proud to have the 'reputation of being the nice hard working girl' (pictured alongside sister Delilah Belle and her parents Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin in 2017)

In 2023 Hamlin, who has appeared in campaigns for Vivienne Westwood, Miu Miu, Courreges, H&M, Givenchy, Versace, walked 23 fashion shows (pictured on May 25, 2023)

She said the beginning of her recovery was particularly difficult because she started rapidly gaining weight and didn't know why.

'I was still eating just an apple a day, and then I would have a bowl of vegetables at night, maybe with some sriracha and like a drizzle of olive oil if things got pretty crazy,' she recalled. 'I gained 50 pounds in six months and I was like, I know something's wrong with me.'

Amelia went on to note that she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the thyroid gland is attacked.

She stressed that 'the longer you're anorexic, the more detrimental effects it's going to actually have on your body.'

In addition to Hashimoto's, the model stated that she suffers from an inflamed thyroid, a hormone imbalance, depression, and anxiety.

Over the years, Amelia said she has been focused on healing her body and mind and does not weigh herself.
Paris Hilton's younger brother Barron Hilton II has welcomed his third child.

The 34-year-old real estate broker's wife of five years, Tessa Grafin von Walderdorff, announced Sunday on Instagram that their son Apollo Winter Hilton officially arrived last Friday.

The 30-year-old countess included a black-and-white snap of their newborn baby boy wearing tiny beanie while swaddled into a cozy blanket.

Tessa received congratulatory comments from Barron's other big sister Nicky Hilton, aunt Kyle Richards, cousin Farrah Brittany Aldjufrie, stylist Rachel Zoe, and socialite Faye Resnick.

The Hiltons are already proud parents of four-year-old daughter Milou Alizee and 18-month-old son Caspian Barron Hilton.

Paris Hilton's (L) younger brother Barron Hilton II (R) has welcomed his third child

The 34-year-old real estate broker's wife of five years, Tessa Grafin von Walderdorff, announced Sunday that their son Apollo Winter Hilton officially arrived last Friday

'We'll be outnumbered! But I feel like once you do two, then you can do three. You just get used to it,' Tessa told People last November.

'It's hard now to imagine even when it's just Barron, Milou, and myself on the beach and Caspian's napping we're like, there's something missing. So it just keeps growing and it just keeps getting fuller. And the memories just keep getting better.'

The former Bernstein Equity Parterns VP of Marketing originally met his ladylove at a Saint Barthelemy restaurant Le Ti in January 2016.

Barron proposed to Tessa in Central Park in their native Manhattan just 20 months later.

The Hiltons and patriarch Rick Hilton are the co-founders and co-CEOs of Hilton Hilton, a newly-launched 'unconventional global luxury real estate brokerage.'

Real estate is a far cry from the inseparable couple's educational background.

Tessa double majored in written arts and French while attending Bard College in New York.

Barron graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in cinematography and film/video production.

The 30-year-old countess received congratulatory comments from Barron's other big sister Nicky Hilton, aunt Kyle Richards, cousin Farrah Brittany Aldjufrie, stylist Rachel Zoe, and socialite Faye Resnick

The Hiltons are already proud parents of four-year-old daughter Milou Alizee and 18-month-old son Caspian Barron Hilton (pictured December 26)

Tessa told People last year: 'We'll be outnumbered! But I feel like once you do two, then you can do three. You just get used to it. It's hard now to imagine even when it's just Barron, Milou, and myself on the beach and Caspian's napping we're like, there's something missing. So it just keeps growing and it just keeps getting fuller. And the memories just keep getting better'

The former Bernstein Equity Parterns VP of Marketing (R, pictured October 5) originally met his ladylove at a Saint Barthelemy restaurant Le Ti in January 2016
Jeff Bezos cosied up to fiancee Lauren Sanchez inside Chanel's star-studded, pre-Oscar awards dinner in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The special dinner was held at the Beverly Hills Hotel just one day before the 96th Academy Awards which will be held on Sunday, March 10th.

The billionaire businessman, 59, and his glamorous partner Lauren, 54, who became engaged in May 2023 while they were traveling on his $500 million superyacht, put on a loved-up display as they posed for a sweet snap together.

Meanwhile, Kristen Stewart and Lily Rose Depp couldn't contain their laughter while catching up at the party.

They joined stars such as Joan Collins, Robert De Niro and Usher ahead of the award ceremony on Sunday.

Jeff Bezos cosied up to fiancee Lauren Sanchez inside Chanel 's star-studded, pre-Oscar awards dinner in Los Angeles on Saturday

Kristen Stewart and Lily Rose Depp couldn't contain their laughter while catching up at the party

Kristen wowed in a black and white-colored, bralette top as well as a pair of white shorts from the luxurious brand that contained a black trim around the waist.

The Love Lies Bleeding star layered the look with a sheer, black blouse which she chose to leave unbuttoned at the front.

Stewart additionally wore a pair of black, ankle boots that offered an edgy flare, and also added a silver-chained necklace as well as flashy rings for a final touch.

Her dark locks were partially combed back away from her face, allowing loose strands to gently fall onto her forehead.

Lily-Rose Depp showed off her toned figure in a strapless, pink cropped top that had a row of stylish buttons at the front.

The Idol star also slipped into a low-waisted skirt that contained various hues, such as black, white, yellow and pink.

The daughter of actor Johnny Depp donned open-toed, black heels that were secured with straps that wrapped around her ankles.

She held a small, black Chanel purse in her hand while flaunting her outfit during the photo session.

Depp's hair was pulled back into a sleek up do, easily revealing a pair of mini, silver earrings as well as a dainty necklace.

The special dinner was held at the Beverly Hills Hotel just one day before the 96th Academy Awards which will be held on Sunday, March 10th

The billionaire businessman, 59, and his glamorous partner Lauren, 54, posed alongside Nicole Avant and Ted Sarandos

Lauren put on a busty display in a plunging black gown, teamed with platform heels

Kristen wowed in a black and white-colored, bralette top as well as a pair of white shorts from the luxurious brand that contained a black trim around the waist

The Love Lies Bleeding star was joined by girlfriend Dylan Meyer

Margot Robbie showed off her toned legs in a black miniskirt as well as a matching jacket that contained a fuzzy brown trim on the front as well as at the arm cuffs

Usher donned a black and white coat as he partied with A-list celebs

Robert De Niro, Tiffany Chen, and Danny Huston caught up inside the venue

Percy Gibson and his wife Joan Collins appeared in high spirits

With just a few days to go until the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday , the show's producers are feeling good about what theyve put together.

The nominees are some of the best the Oscars have seen, including some true blockbusters like Oppenheimer and Barbie.

Ryan Gosling is singing 'I'm Just Ken' during the show, as well as presenting along with stars like Charlize Theron and Melissa McCarthy .

There will be a live orchestra in the theater.

And the ever-reliable Jimmy Kimmel is back to host the proceedings for the fourth time.

'We're really excited about this year,' said Kimmel's wife Molly McNearney, who is executive producing the show for the fourth time.

'It's a phenomenal year of movies. And we have great movies that the home audience is familiar with, which makes our jobs easier.'

The producers were hired earlier than usual , meaning theyve had more time to plan and study past Oscars broadcasts to try to home in on what works and what doesn't.

Lily-Rose Depp showed off her toned figure in a strapless, pink cropped top that had a row of stylish buttons at the front

She later posed with actor Willem Dafoe

Leslie Mann, Derek Blasberg, and Kelly Sawyer Patricof all dressed to impress

Tessa Thompson looked typically stylish in a black leather jacket

Patrick Dempsey and Jillian Fink attended the dinner

Leslie Mann and Phoebe Tonkin looked radiant at the party

One thing theyve learned is that if the room is laughing, the audience at home is usually laughing too.

McNearney said that they're focusing on jokes over big, highly produced comedy bits. Kimmel will do his 10-minute monologue to kick off the show and will be sprinkled throughout.

'I think an evening that just makes people feel good is a win,' McNearney said.

'Our job as producers is to keep that feeling good moving quickly because it is a long show and we want to make sure people are staying throughout.'

Another thing that works: When the speeches are good and people feel invested in the winners.
It has been almost a year since Chris Graf received an electricity bill delivered through the mail.

Not only does the technical manager, who lives in Round Rock, Texas, no longer receive a monthly demand for $250, but he actually gets money back from his supplier.

Since May 2023, Chris has pocketed $2,000 in rebates from his provider, Octopus Energy.

Instead of being at the mercy of the temperamental Texas grid, he is among a growing number of Americans becoming energy independent.

This means never having to pay for electricity, while also selling energy back to the grid for a profit.

Since May 2023, Chris has pocketed $2,000 in rebates from his supplier, Octopus Energy

In order to do this, Chris installed solar panels on his four-bedroom house near Austin in May last year and added two giant batteries to store the energy.

In the months since, he has also added another battery to increase the amount of solar energy he is able to store.

According to fresh figures from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) released this week, solar installations jumped in the US in 2023 - with residential installations up 13 percent on the year prior.

'It's nice not to have monthly bills coming in,' Chris, who lives with his wife and daughter, told DailyMail.com.

'It's great to pay those costs up front as a one-time expense and then enjoy the monthly savings.'

When the Texas power grid is strained, his storage is full and wholesale electricity prices are high, Chris is able to sell back the excess energy his home has generated.

During the sweltering weather last August - which was the hottest on record for most of Texas - Chris said at times he exported enough electricity to power 10 other homes.

Chris installed solar panels on his four-bedroom house near Austin in May last year

Chris started with two Tesla Powerwall batteries to store the solar energy, and has since added a third

Largely to avoid federal regulation, independently-minded Texas is the only state in the US with its own energy grid.

The rest of the country is covered by two grids - one in the east and one in the west.

The Texas grid is operated by nonprofit corporation Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which is overseen by the state's utility regulator and the Texas legislature.

While supporters of the so-called 'energy island' say it is a lure to business, others argue it puts the state's 30 million residents at risk of blackouts.

In February 2021, over a week of freezing weather left over 4 million people without power - some for several days.

More than 200 people died during the devastating storm, which saw frozen utility plants unable to cope with the extreme demand from families to heat homes.

In the years since, residents of the Lone Star State have faced the threat of blackouts as power generation has struggled to keep up with a booming population and economy.

But for Chris, his newfound energy independence helps him feel reassured.

'Whenever we have severe weather - including extended periods of extreme cold that we're really not used to here in Texas - that causes strain on the grid. But we feel protected now,' he said.

When there is excessive load on the grid, Chris added, he likes to know that he is putting power back and helping others.

'That's a good feeling that comes along with the system,' he said.

Michael Lee, Octopus Energy CEO, told DailyMail.com: 'Octopus customers give energy back to the grid for cash. This helps stabilize the grid when it needs it the most whilst putting money back into their pockets.

'The adjustments are small but benefit all. It's a win win.'

Texas increasingly experiences extreme weather, such as intense heat and sudden cold snaps, he added, which puts strain on the grid.

'To prevent blackouts we must manage demand flexibly. This needs to be the grid of the future,' he said.

Snow covered the Texas roads in February 2021 when hundreds of people died due to blackouts across the state millions were plunged into darkness for more than 70 hours

Millions were plunged into darkness for more than 70 hours amid extreme energy demand and overloaded frozen utility plants

In 2023, almost 800,000 households installed solar panels, according to the SEIA data.

If the number of residential installations continues growing at the same pace year-on-year, more than a million homes will have solar panels by 2026.

For the first time in history last year, solar accounted for more than half of all new electric generating capacity added to the grid across residential, commercial and utility sectors.

By 2035, President Joe Biden wants 40 percent of the nation's electricity to be solar-powered as part of his landmark green legislation.

'If we stay the course with our federal clean energy policies, total solar deployment will quadruple over the next ten years,' said SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper.

Alongside the rise in solar panel installations in 2023, the number of households adding solar storage battery systems to their homes also increased.

Some 13 percent of homes adding solar panels also included batteries, according to the SEIA data. In 2024, it predicts a quarter of residential installations will also include storage.

Solar panel installations are on the rise in the US, according to data from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)

But while Chris may no longer receive monthly bills, it is not to say that his energy independence has not come at a price.

'The total cost of the system is probably around $90,000,' he said. 'Solar is an expensive, long-term investment.

'The panels themselves were probably about $60,000 and the Tesla Powerwall storage batteries were probably about $10,000 each to install.'

Chris estimates that it will take between 10 and 20 years to break even on the cost of installing the system.

On average, solar panel systems cost around $25,000, but the cost depends on many factors - how much sun exposure a home gets being the most important.

Chris wanted a large system, he said, so his ended up costing more.

Chris is able to track his family's energy usage through his solar panel and battery system

For the millions of Americans who are unable to make this expensive long-term investment, there are still smaller adjustments that can be made around the house in order to save on energy bills.

For Chris, the key is simply understanding your power bill a little better.

'Every appliance that you buy, even an air conditioner or a microwave oven, all of these things tell you how much power they consume,' he said.

He recommends buying a smart plug, which you can plug into an outlet or an appliance and it will tell you how much electricity the appliance is using, and making sure you use energy-saving LED lightbulbs.

Smart thermostats are also a good investment, he said, which can be optimized to work with your home's air conditioning system in the summer months.

'The main thing is monitoring and taking more interest in how your power works,' he said.

'That way if you do ever want to make a jump to solar, youre a little bit better educated in the vocabulary around electricity.'
The feminist movement in India owes its growth solely to western and colonial influences, overlooking indigenous traditions

The feminist movement has been a dynamic sociopolitical reality, evolving to resist oppression in various forms. However, there is a prevailing misconception that its growth and development are primarily influenced by Western and colonial ideals, disregarding the rich tapestry of local history and culture. This oversight fails to recognize the nuanced complexities of traditional concepts and undermines the importance of cultural differences. Culture, as a pervasive force, shapes every aspect of life - from behaviour and relationships to identity and knowledge acquisition.

Even after the departure of British colonial rulers, Indias policies towards tribal and local communities continued to be influenced by Western ideologies propagated by certain agenda-driven British and Western anthropologists. These ideologies often denigrated indigenous knowledge and epistemologies, labelling tribal communities as primitive or uncivilized. These derogatory stereotypes persist in contemporary media portrayals, fostering a sense of shame and alienation among indigenous peoples towards their traditions and ancestors. Consequently, there is a pervasive sentiment of inferiority towards indigenous culture, instilled to foster gratitude towards foreign religions and cultures.

The concept of Indigenous feminism emerges as a call to reclaim local traditions within indigenous communities and to shed the colonial foundations that continue to shape native life. Mainstream feminism, often associated with an out-of-touch white worldview, tends to devalue reproductive work - such as forestry and agriculture - which sustains life and conserves nature. Indigenous women, raised amidst nature by their grandmothers and matriarchs, understand the sacred importance of nurturing and caretaking. They question how they can align with a movement that fails to recognize or value these fundamental aspects of existence.

For me, feminism transcends the mere categorization of gender; it delves into the depths of individual and social consciousness. Both self-image and social image intertwine to shape perceptions of reality. Feminism, as a term, requires redefinition beyond its association with protest and radicalization. It emphasizes the recognition of agency and the carving out of distinct spaces within societal structures, without negating the importance of relationships, values, and cultural roots. It fosters a perspective that acknowledges womens integral role in human interaction with nature, coupled with reverence for elders and respect for traditional knowledge.

There exists a vein of feminist work within indigenous communities, often overlooked or implicitly dismissed. The prevailing Western-centric model of development perpetuates male privilege at the expense of women and erases indigenous teachings on gender and sexuality, disregarding their diversity and power. The intersections of patriarchy, colonialism, and white supremacy form a complex web of oppression, where the exploitation of women and indigenous peoples sustains systems of domination and control.

Patriarchy, intertwined with colonial structures, perpetuates systems of oppression that prioritize male power and privilege. Industrialization further exacerbated gender disparities, leading to atrocities such as rape and forced prostitution. The colonial legacy of exploitation and displacement continues to haunt indigenous communities, fueling feelings of psychic distress and identity crisis.

The treatment of women in India, shaped by centuries of Western influence, reflects the pervasive impact of colonial ideologies. Edward Saids concept of Orientalism sheds light on the attitudes of colonial overseers towards Indians, perpetuating stereotypes and justifying oppression. British feminists, in their efforts to save Indian women, imposed Victorian-era gender norms, further entrenching patriarchal structures.

The rule of the East India Company was marked by brutality and exploitation, as evidenced by the use of forced labour and the demeaning treatment of the Indian population. The concept of Orientalism, rooted in racial repression and exoticization, perpetuated a system of governance that systematically discriminated against indigenous peoples. In India, the integration of forest and hill communities with plains-dwellers underscores a rich history of cultural exchange and civilizational unity. Yet, policies and public discourse continue to align with Western views, perpetuating divisions between indigenous and non-indigenous populations. The ancient forest civilization of India, long revered as a source of wisdom and enlightenment, has been marginalized and misrepresented by Western scholars and ideologies.

In conclusion, the feminist movement must embrace indigenous perspectives and challenge colonial legacies to foster a more inclusive and equitable society. Recognizing the interconnectedness of cultural, social, and environmental factors is crucial in dismantling systems of oppression and reclaiming traditional knowledge. By centring indigenous voices and narratives, feminism can evolve into a more holistic and intersectional movement, transcending Western-centric paradigms and honouring the diverse experiences and wisdom of all peoples.

(The writer is assistant professor, JNU; views are personal)
The death of a Kerala university student sheds light on the alarming state of affairs within Keralas educational institutes

The recent suspension of PC Saseendran, Vice-Chancellor of Kerala Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences University in Wayanad, by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan marks a significant event in the state's history. This action, prompted by the mysterious death of a second-year BV Sc student, is unprecedented, particularly given the dominant presence of the CPI(M) in Kerala's political landscape.

The student in question, JS Sidharth, was described as apolitical and amicable towards his peers. However, his participation in a dance with a Muslim female student on February 14th incurred the disapproval of certain community members. The Students Federation of India (SFI), the university's sole student organisation, conducted a secretive trial during late-night hours, subjecting Sidharth to brutal assault and torture. Tragically, Sidharth was found dead in his hostel's washroom shortly afterward, revealing the harrowing experience he endured.

In the aftermath, the Vice-Chancellor and the Dean hastily attributed Sidharth's death to academic pressures, dismissing any suspicion of foul play and absolving the SFI of any wrongdoing. This response is consistent with the CPI(M)'s tendency to manipulate narratives to suit its interests.

Just before Sidharth's death, colleagues recount a vicious attack that preceded his demise, suggesting a premeditated assault. The political manoeuvring within Kerala's academic institutions extends to the appointment of officials, with CPI(M) loyalists often favoured despite legal objections. This was evident in the nullification of Gopinath Raveendran's appointment as vice-chancellor of Kannur University by the Supreme Court.

The Kerala Police, known for its efficiency, faces constraints imposed by party directives, hindering impartial investigations into incidents involving SFI members. The SFI's notoriety for violence and intimidation, including the murder of ABVP activists in 1996, underscores its unchecked influence.

The convergence of extremist ideologies within CPI(M)-affiliated groups further complicates the situation, with organisations like SIMI and Popular Front of India finding refuge and wielding influence within student politics. This nexus fosters an environment of religious policing and intolerance, with dissent often met with aggression.

Instances of SFI members promoting illicit activities, such as drug use, highlight the erosion of academic values and institutional integrity. Principals who challenge such behaviour face retaliation, exposing the pervasive influence wielded by SFI leaders.

The SFI, once a symbol of student activism, has devolved into a vehicle for promoting vice rather than virtue.

Ultimately, the sanctity of the student-teacher relationship and the moral fabric of educational institutions are at stake. It is imperative to uphold the principles of education and integrity, as espoused in the age-old adage, "Guru Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devo Maheswara, Gurur Sakshaat Parabrahma, Tasmai Shri Guruve Namaha."

In conclusion, the suspension of Vice-Chancellor PC Saseendran signifies a critical juncture in Kerala's academic and political landscape, underscoring the need for accountability, integrity, and the preservation of educational values.

The situation extends beyond Kerala's borders, infiltrating prestigious institutions. Despite their reputation for academic excellence, these institutions are not immune to political interference and student unrest. This necessitates a concerted effort to root out corruption, nepotism, and ideological bias, fostering an environment conducive to learning, critical inquiry, and academic integrity. Only then can these institutions fulfill their potential as engines of national progress and social transformation.

(The writer is special correspondent with the Pioneer, views are personal)
Nepals former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has aligned with his arch-rival KPS Oli to retain power. This could lead to a tilt towards China

A saying adapted from the play The Tempest by William Shakespeare, Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows, emphasises the peculiar alliances that can form in politics driven by common interests rather than personal affinities. This adage finds resonance in the recent political developments of Nepal, where former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, popularly known as Prachanda, has forged an unexpected partnership with his longstanding adversary and political rival, KPS Oli, to retain the Prime Ministers chair for the third time within a mere span of 15 months.

The Himalayan Kingdom has witnessed a whirlwind of political manoeuvring, with Prachanda showcasing his adeptness in navigating the turbulent and uncertain political landscape to his advantage. While his ability to secure power may appear as a significant achievement on a personal level, it has raised concerns both domestically and internationally, particularly among neighbouring countries like India and the United States.

The current political trajectory in Nepal, with its potential tilt towards China, has set off alarm bells in New Delhi and Washington. Given the pro-China inclinations of the current government in the Maldives and the strained relations with Pakistan, there is a palpable apprehension about Nepal slipping away from Indias traditional sphere of influence. This apprehension is further fueled by the ideological commitment of the emerging communist-dominated coalition government in Nepal towards Beijing.

In contrast, India has been nurturing friendly relations with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and has made efforts to mend ties with Sri Lanka, notably intervening to prevent an economic collapse. However, Chinas response to such initiatives has been muted, reflecting a strategic ambiguity. Amidst these geopolitical dynamics, the unexpected turn of events in Nepal has emerged as a cause for concern.

Observers of Nepalese politics attribute the rift between Prachanda and the Nepali Congress, a former coalition partner, to contentious governance issues. Despite their shared enmity towards Oli, their inability to reconcile crucial matters led Prachanda to distance himself from the Nepali Congress. This realignment, which has shifted the balance of power, necessitates a recalibration of Indias foreign policy priorities to navigate the evolving political landscape in Nepal effectively.

Of particular significance is the fate of the trilateral power agreement signed during Prachandas visit to New Delhi, aimed at importing 10,000 MW of power from Nepal to India over a decade. This agreement, a breakthrough after years of stalemate, holds immense economic potential for both countries. However, the ascendance of the new communist regime in Nepal raises concerns about its continuity, posing a potential setback to bilateral energy cooperation.

Additionally, the approval of the citizenship bill by the Prachanda-Deuba government was perceived as a gesture of goodwill towards India and the United States, much to Chinas chagrin. Prachandas decision to prioritise India over China in his inaugural visit in 2022 yielded positive outcomes, evident in the signing of multiple bilateral agreements. However, the recent political realignment raises doubts about the sustainability of this pro-India stance.

Prachandas manoeuvring has effectively sidelined the Nepali Congress and CPN (UML), despite their larger parliamentary representation. Prachandas alliance with Oli in 2022, followed by a subsequent fallout and a renewed partnership, underscores the fluidity of Nepalese politics. The emergence of a new communist-led coalition challenges the traditional dominance of pro-India forces, necessitating a strategic reassessment in New Delhi.

The dominance of Olis faction in the new government poses a formidable challenge for India, given his history of antagonizing India-Nepal relations.

Olis controversial actions, such as redrawing the political map to include Indian territories and opposing strategic infrastructure projects, have strained bilateral ties. Indias apprehension about Olis proclivity towards China is exacerbated by Beijings strategic interests in the region.

Furthermore, Chinas ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) presents a potential security risk for India, given the open border shared with Nepal. Chinas significant investments in Nepal, coupled with its strategic objectives, underscore the need for India to remain vigilant. Any further consolidation of Chinese influence in Nepal could have far-reaching implications for regional stability and Indias security interests.

In the realm of defence cooperation, Indias Agneepath scheme, aimed at recruiting Nepalese youths as Agniveers, remains mired in controversy. Despite the schemes potential to address unemployment and enhance bilateral defence ties, opposition from certain quarters in Kathmandu has stalled its implementation.

The reluctance of successive Nepalese governments to endorse the scheme reflects broader geopolitical considerations and internal power dynamics.

Now India faces the daunting task of recalibrating its foreign policy to safeguard its strategic interests in the region. The growing influence of China poses a formidable challenge, necessitating closer cooperation with like-minded partners.

(The writer is a political analyst; views are personal)
Not too long ago, poll freebies used to be an exception. But now it has become a norm with almost every other party promising it

Barely a week before the Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce the schedule for the polls for Lok Sabha elections when the Code of Conduct will come into force, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has given yet another dose of mesmerizing voters in Delhi with freebies  an acronym for something given free of charge  a bizarre practice it started in the February 2020 elections.In the budget for the financial year (FY) 2024-25 presented by the Delhi finance minister Atishi in the assembly on March 4, 2024, she announced the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana (MMSY) under which, the AAP government will give Rs 1000 per month to all the women above the age of 18 in the national capital.

Only registered voters will be eligible for this scheme. Further, she should not be a member of any pension scheme, not a government employee and not pay income tax.

The top brass of AAP describes the Scheme as revolutionary, aimed at empowerment of the women and ushering in what it terms as Ram Rajya (a euphemism borrowed from the Hindu epic Ramayana where the system of governance ensured equal rights alike of prince and pauper). Shorn of rhetoric, the key question we need to examine is whether MMSY could be justified as a welfare scheme.

A welfare scheme is rooted in three basics viz. the state assistance goes to persons who are poor and primarily focused on bare essentials such as food, fuel, water, housing, education and health; it should be backed by well-orchestrated efforts to garner revenue so that budgetary position is not destabilized; finally, it is given for a limited period after which the beneficiaries should stand on their own.The Scheme isnt about bare essentials; instead, a lump sum amount is given which the beneficiary can spend in the manner she likes. Moreover, it doesnt focus on the poor alone. The eligibility conditions wont rule out financially well-off women also getting the benefit. The requirement of the beneficiary not paying income tax doesnt mean that they will be excluded. Under the extant IT dispensation, a person having an annual income of Rs 700,000 (or around Rs 60,000 per month) is not required to pay income tax. It makes no sense to make her a beneficiary under the Scheme, but it does. Consider another case where the woman happens to be a housewife. She doesnt earn. But, she belongs to a very rich family requiring no assistance yet, she will be eligible. The FM has made an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore for implementation of the Scheme during the FY 2024-25. This falls substantially short of the amount that will be required.

The number of women above the age of 18 years in Delhi is 67,00,000. @Rs 1000 per month or Rs 12,000 annually to each woman, giving assistance to them all will require Rs 8000 crore - four times the budget allocation.

But, the government intends to exclude government employees, those drawing pensions and paying income tax. After these exclusions, the beneficiaries would be around 4500,000. Even for this reduced number, the fund requirement will be Rs 5400 crore which is nearly three times the allocation.

The mismatch between the availability of funds and the requirement will make the Scheme prone to the use of discretion, corruption and nepotism in choosing the beneficiaries. Moreover, considering that a beneficiary only needs to have a voter ID (not an Aadhaar card which is based on biometric details of a person hence, more authentic), this will make it susceptible to fake persons getting payments.

Collateral damage will be socio-economic tensions as some women would get the benefit even as others are left out. To avoid these tensions and just in case, the government decides to give assistance to all the 6700,000 women above 18 years sans any rider - as has been the case with electricity subsidy - it will have to spend Rs 8000 crore annually. While handing down the Scheme, the AAP government is unmindful of the implications for its budgetary position which contrary to the claims made by the Chief Minister is not robust.

Against the total expenditure of Rs 76,000 crore during FY 2024-25, the total revenue is estimated at around Rs 58,000 crore. This leads to a fiscal deficit (FD) of Rs 18,000 crore which is 80 per cent higher than the FD for FY 2023-24 at Rs 10,000 crore. The surge in FD is despite a steep reduction of over 30 per cent in capital expenditure from the budget estimate (BE) of Rs 22,000 crore for FY 2023-24 to Rs 15,000 crore for FY 2024-25.

Meanwhile, the governments expenditure on social security and welfare schemes has been increased by over 40 per cent from the BE for 2023-24 of Rs 4750 crore to Rs 6700 crore during 2024-25. The estimate for FY 2024-25 includes Rs 2000 crore for the MMSY. If this were to become Rs 8000 crore (as discussed above), it could end up spending Rs 12,700 crore which will be 2.7 times the BE for 2023-24.

The current debt of the Delhi government is about Rs 40,000 crore. But, this is not all. We also need to add the loans taken by its departments such as Delhi Jal Board (DJB): Rs 70,000 crore and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC): Rs 10,000 crore as the liability for servicing those debts is vested entirely in the NCT government.

This takes the total debt of Delhi to Rs 120,000 crore. This is far from being a healthy situation. Finally, unlike any well-intentioned scheme that could have a sun-set, a poll-induced free - the MMSY unambiguously falls in this category - once given, is more likely to stay eternally.Not long ago, poll freebies used to be an exception. But, now it has become a norm with almost every other party promising it.

If allowed to continue, this is sure an invitation to economic disaster. Even the Supreme Court (SC) has expressed concern. Hearing a PIL seeking directions against freebies on January 25, 2022, it observed This is no doubt a serious issue, budget for freebies is going above the regular Budget. This disturbs the level playing field. The way forward is to legally prohibit parties from promising freebies. But, we have a speed breaker erected by none other than the top court itself.

In an order in S Subramaniam Balaji vs the Government of Tamil Nadu & Ors in July 2013, it was observed that the distribution of freebies of any kind influences all people. It shakes the root of free and fair elections to a large degree.

Yet, it held:-the promises in the election manifesto cannot be construed as corrupt practice under the Representation of People Act (RPA), or any other prevailing law and, hence, distribution of freebies cant be stopped when the ruling party uses public funds for this purpose through the passage of Appropriation Acts in the state Assembly.

Currently, a three-judge bench, headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is hearing a plea to take a re-look at the above stance. The SC should give an order barring poll freebies as political parties who are deeply rooted in this practice left to themselves, wont enact a law to curb it.

(The wrier is a policy analyst; views are personal)
In multiple interceptions and searches, the Mumbai Airport Customs Zone-III officials have seized over 6.53 kg gold worth Rs 3.73 crore and eight expensive iPhones during the past 24 hours.

Acting on an intel tip-off, the customs sleuths found unclaimed 3,300 grams of gold dust concealed wax cases in the toilet commode of a Jeddah-Mumbai Vistara flight UK-236.

In another case, two Indians arriving here form Dubai by Spicejet flight SG-14 were caught with 24 pieces of gold jewelry weighing 1,278 gms. The Customs officials found gold hidden on the person and the trousers of the accused passengers.

Similarly, the Customs officials intercepted another Indian arriving here from Ras Al-Khaimah via IndiGo flight 6E-1492 and seized gold dust hidden in wax, 605 gms gold chains and three expensive iPhones. The gold dust was concealed in the passengers rectum. He had hidden the gold chains and iPhone in his pants, a Customs official said.

The customs sleuths also arrested one more Indian arriving from Abu Dhabi by IndiGo flight 6E-96 with one case of gold dust in wax and three gold articles weighing 520 gms and two iPhones, hidden in his rectum and trousers.

Simultaneously, an Indian arriving here from Hanoi by VietJet Air flight VJ-907 was taken into custody with 510 gms of gold dust in wax concealed in his headgear.

The Customs officials attributed the increase in gold smuggling to the fact that the prices of gold had gone up to Rs 66,000 per tola (11.66 grams). Apart from the increase in the gold rates, another reason for the increase in the gold smuggling is that the wedding season started now, a Customs official said.
Oakland police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old man Saturday night. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle 2021

A San Francisco man was fatally shot in Oakland on Saturday night, police said.

The shooting occurred about 10:30 p.m. in the area of East 17th Street near 13th Avenue. The ShotSpotter gunfire detection system alerted officers to the shooting, police said.

Officers found a 28-year-old man suffering from at least one gunshot wound about four blocks away, on 14th Avenue near East 21st Street, police said. The victim was taken to a hospital, where he died. His name was not released, pending family notifications.

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Homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances of the shooting. The gunfire erupted after the victim got into a dispute with another person, the East Bay Times reported.
n Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the signing of the trade agreement between India and the four-nation European bloc EFTA is a "watershed moment" as it symbolises shared commitment to open, fair and equitable trade.

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

The Prime Minister said India will extend all possible support to these countries and facilitate industry and businesses, not only to achieve the committed targets but also to go beyond them.

In the agreement, the EFTA bloc has committed to invest USD 100 billion in India over the next 15 years.

"The Tenth of March 2024 marks a new turn and a watershed moment in the bilateral relationship between India and EFTA countries," Modi said.

He said the global leadership of the four nations in innovation, R&D across diverse areas such as digital trade, banking and financial services, transport and logistics, industrial machinery, biotechnology, pharma, chemicals, food processing, and clean energy, will open up new doors of collaboration.

"Heartiest Congratulations and best wishes to the negotiators and signatories involved in the signing of India-EFTA Trade and Economic Participation Agreement (TEPA)," Modi said in a written message.

The Prime Minister's statement was read by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal here in the presence of ministers and officials of EFTA countries.

"In the last 10 years, India's economy has taken a quantum leap, moving from being the world's eleventh largest economy to the fifth largest. Our next goal is to make India's economy in the world," the Prime Minister said.

The "well-balanced" trade deal reflects the respective developmental aspirations of both sides, he added.

"On the most pioneering free trade agreements ever concluded between our countries, TEPA emphasises our steadfast commitment to shared prosperity and our drive to cultivate a stronger, more inclusive partnership," he said.

Despite structural diversities in many aspects, the Prime Minister said, the economies of the two sides possess complementarities that promise to be a win-win situation for all nations.

"With the opening up of enormous trading and investment opportunities, we have reached a new level of trust and ambition...The trade agreement symbolises our shared commitment to open, fair, equitable trade as well as generating growth and employment for the youth," he said.

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

The agreement was signed after a gap of almost 16 years as negotiations, started in 2008, but were put on hold in November 2013. Talks resumed in October 2016, and after 21 rounds of negotiations were held before its conclusion.

For the first time in the history of FTAs (free trade agreements), a legal commitment is being made to promoting target-oriented investment and the job creation.

Almost all the domestic industrial goods would get duty-free access in EFTA nations under the agreement, besides duty concessions on processed agricultural products. Switzerland, the major trading partner of India in the bloc, already removed duties from January this year on almost all industrial goods.

On the other hand, India is offering 82.7 per cent of its tariff lines or product categories, which covers 95.3 per cent of EFTA exports of which more than 80 per cent of imports is gold.

On gold, India has not touched the effective customs duty (which is 15 per cent) but has reduced the bound rate by one per cent to 39 per cent.

Bound and applied rates are used in international trade parlance. While bound tariffs or duties refer to the ceiling, the applied tariff is the duty, which is currently in place.

India will also provide duty concessions on certain PLI (production-linked incentive) sectors like pharma, medical devices and processed food.

Sensitivities related to these sectors have been kept in mind while extending offers.

Sectors such as dairy, soya, coal and sensitive agricultural products are kept on the exclusion list, which means there would not be any duty concessions on these goods.

In the services sector, the commerce ministry said, India has offered 105 sub-sectors to the EFTA like accounting, business services, computer services, distribution and health.

On the other hand, the country has secured commitments in 128 sub-sectors from Switzerland, 114 from Norway, 107 from Liechtenstein, and 110 from Iceland. Segments where Indian services will get a boost include legal, audio-visual, R&D, computer, accounting, and auditing.

TEPA (trade and economic partnership agreement) would stimulate our services exports in sectors of our key strength/interest such as IT services, business services, personal, cultural, sporting and recreational services, other education services, and audio-visual services.

Further commitments related to Intellectual Property Rights in TEPA are at the TRIPS (trade-related aspects of IPRs) level.

The IPR chapter with Switzerland, which has high standards for IPR, shows our robust IPR regime.

India's interests in generic medicines and concerns related to the evergreening of patents have been fully addressed, it added.

It also said that the agreement will empower Indian exporters access to specialised inputs and create a conducive trade and investment environment.

This would boost exports of Indian-made goods as well as provide opportunities for the services sector to access more markets.

TEPA would also provide an opportunity to integrate into EU markets. Over 40 per cent of Switzerland's global services exports are to the EU (European Union).

Indian companies can look to Switzerland as a base for extending their market reach to the EU.

It will also facilitate technology collaboration and access to world-leading technologies in precision engineering, health sciences, renewable energy, Innovation and R&D.

After signing the agreement, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal described the signing as a "watershed moment", as it is India's first modern trade pact with a bloc having developed countries.

He said that for the first time in a trade agreement, EFTA had committed to invest USD 100 billion in the next 15 years.

It would take around a year for the agreement to come into force.

The agreement has 14 chapters, including trade in goods, rules of origin, intellectual property rights (IPRs), trade in services, investment promotion and cooperation, government procurement, technical barriers to trade and trade facilitation.
In a very unique fashion Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged women voters to deny meal to their husbands if they keep on chanting Modi (Prime Minister Narendra Modi). Kejriwal asked the women voters to vote for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Lok Sabha elections wherever including Delhi the party is contesting as partners of Congress under the INDIA bloc.

Kejriwal said it was their (women) responsibility to encourage the men in their families to support AAP, and not the BJP.

Many men are chanting PM Modis name, only you can set it right. If your husband says hell vote for PM Modi, tell him you wont serve him dinner, Kejriwal quipped.

He told the women to ask their husbands to swear upon them that they would support AAP.

Every husband has to listen to his wife. Isnt it? And if a wife makes him swear on her, he is bound to follow her, he said.

Tell them, Kejriwal has made your electricity free, bus tickets free and now he is giving Rs 1,000 to women. What has BJP done for them? Then why vote for BJP? he said.

The Delhi government in its this year budget announced that it will provide Rs 1,000 to all women above 18 years of age under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana.

They (BJP) say Kejriwal is wasting the money by giving Rs 1,000 to every women in the city. I ask them when you waived off big loans of a lot of people, werent they spoilt? the Chief Minister said.

The Delhi Chief Minister said till now, a fraud was being committed by the BJP in the name of empowering women.

Till now, fraud has been going on in the name of empowerment. Till now, they used to praise a woman from the party and say that women were being empowered. Now I will put a thousand rupees in every womans purse every month. An empty purse does not do empowerment, Kejriwal said at an event on late Saturday night.
In an apparent heads on with the BJP led Modi regime, TMC supremo and chief West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday has once again fielded Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from the current Lok Sabha, from Krishnanagar.

The move by TMC is seen as a challenge to the BJP which has been trying to flex in West Bengal post the Sandeshkhali episode. Mamta however dropped the sitting MP from Sandeshkhali.

Moitra, who was embroiled in a cash-for-questions scandal, has been supported by Trinamool despite initial reservations and a open front opened in and out of the Parliament as well as social media platforms by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey.

Mahua is facing multiple investigations led by Enforcement Directorate and CBI in the cash for query matter. In the CBI probe she has sent her response to the questionnaire.

The CBI is examining the response after which it will send a report to anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal which had referred the matter to the agency, they said. The agency is conducting a preliminary inquiry into the allegations against Ms. Moitra on the reference from the Lokpal.

Moitra has denied any wrongdoing and claimed she was being targeted as she had raised questions on the deals of an industrialist.

Days after Mahua was disqualified by the Parliament Ethics Committee last year, Mamata has termed the expulsion unacceptable and hinted that the TMC will field Mahua Moitra in the next Lok Sabha polls from Krishnanagar. No reason why Mahua will not be given a ticket in the next elections. Party has already made her district president (of Krishnanagar organisational district), Banerjee said amidst the Winter Session when asked whether Moitra will be given ticket in 2024 to contest from Krishnanagar. The Trinamool Congress has dropped MP Nussrat Jahan from contesting the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat amid the Sandeshkhali row. The party has fielded Nurul Islam in place of Nusrat.

Nusrat was largely absent in terms of her engagements within the organisation while her Parliamentary attendance was below average. She was missing in the special session of Parliament, which was called to pass the womens reservation bill, something the TMC tried to own up by saying they have always walked the talk by giving maximum tickets to female candidates.

BJP has gone full throttle improve upon its present tally of 16 Lok Sabha seats and post the Sandeshkhali incident party workers have camped in the State and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held two big rallies including one where he met the victims of Sandeshkhali.

TMC announced all 42 candidates which also indicated no truck with the Congress led Opposition bloc INDIA. Reacting to the TMC announcing its candidates on all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, Congress chief spokesman Jairam Ramesh said, The Indian National Congress has always maintained that it wants a respectable seat-sharing formula with the TMC in West Bengal. It means mutual negotiations, give and take, some compromise.
n Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a significant virtual ceremony on Sunday, inaugurated airports at several locations and laid the foundation stone for numerous development projects marking a significant stride towards nationwide progress. Addressing the occasion, Modi highlighted the transformation of Azamgarh, formerly considered a backward region, into a hub of development.

Today, not only Azamgarh but many development projects for the entire country are being launched from here, said the Prime Minister. Azamgarh once counted among the backward areas, now stands as a beacon of development for the nation.

The Prime Minister emphasized the unprecedented scale of development initiatives being undertaken across the country. For several days, I have been inaugurating numerous projects simultaneously from one place, Modi stated. This reflects our commitment to rapid progress and inclusive growth.

Highlighting the transformative journey under the double-engine government, Modi lauded UPs exemplary performance in implementing central schemes, positioning it as one of the leading states in the nation. He affirmed, Both the picture and destiny of UP have changed.

During the event, Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 782 development projects, amounting to a staggering Rs 34,700 crore investment. These projects span various sectors including Railways, Civil, Jal Shakti, Housing, Urban and Rural Development, and State Sector initiatives. Notable among these were the inauguration of new airports in five districts, including Azamgarh, Shravasti, Moradabad, Chitrakoot, and Aligarh, along with the expansion of the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow. Echoing his commitment to development, PM Modi assured, It is Modis guarantee; Azamgarh will remain a bastion of development till eternity.

Addressing the political landscape, Modi asserted a shift away from appeasement politics, citing the recent electoral outcomes in Azamgarh as evidence of changing dynamics. He stated, The people of Azamgarh demolished the dynasts notion that Azamgarh was their stronghold.

Modi rallied for continued support towards the National Democratic Alliance, urging citizens to ensure a resounding victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

In his vision for a developed India, Modi stressed the importance of urbanization, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, underlining the mantra of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas.

Amidst the celebrations of progress, PM Modi reiterated his commitment to farmers welfare, highlighting initiatives to ensure fair prices for agricultural produce and alleviate farmer distress.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed the occasion as a momentous shift for Azamgarh, which has seen a significant turnaround from its previous challenges. What was the identity of Azamgarh 10 years ago? Today, it stands as a testament to our efforts to eradicate crime and foster economic growth, he remarked.

Among the notable projects inaugurated were the Maharaja Suheldev State University in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and the four-lane road connecting Ghazipur to Maharaja Suheldev State University, Yashpalpur, Azambandh, Maharashtra. Additionally, 744 roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana were initiated, aiming to improve connectivity and infrastructure in rural areas.

Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 15 airports across the country, including major projects in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Punjab. These airports are poised to boost regional connectivity and spur economic growth in their respective regions.

Furthermore, Modi initiated 12 railway projects worth Rs. 8176.00 crores, aimed at enhancing rail infrastructure and connectivity. Projects such as electrification, double-lining, and station modernization were launched, emphasizing the governments commitment to upgrading transportation networks.

In the realm of water resources, Modi inaugurated Jal Shakti projects worth Rs. 1114.24 crore in Prayagraj, Jaunpur, and Etawah, emphasizing the importance of sustainable water management.

The Prime Minister also marked the inauguration of housing and urban development projects in Lucknow and Ranchi, alongside the foundation laying of key road transport and highway projects aimed at improving connectivity and infrastructure.

The comprehensive range of projects inaugurated and initiated underscored the governments commitment to fostering development and prosperity across the nation. PM Modis address reiterated the importance of inclusive growth and sustainable development as India marches towards a brighter future.
A banquet in the national Capital Dwarka area has turned into a fortress for the notorious wedding of Gangsters Sandeep Jhanjhariya alias Kala Jathedi and Anuradha Chaudhary alias Lady Don alias Madam Minz. A total of six hours of parole has been granted by Tihar Jail to facilitate all ceremonies, including ring ceremony followed by marriage on Tuesday and then a visit to their ancestral village in Sonepat, Haryana, to seek the blessings of their elders.

The banquet has been booked by Jathedis lawyer for Rs 51,000 and the Delhi police has deployed a sizable contingent of 250 police personnel, SWAT commandos with cutting-edge equipment, special cell and crime branch teams and officers from the CID of Haryana. Police personnel and the crime branch have also finalized the list of over 150 guests attending the wedding and all waiters and other staff will be issued ID cards, said a Delhi police official.

Jathedi is a resident of village Jatheri in Haryanas Sonepat district. In July 2021, Delhi police arrested Jathedi, who was being held at the Tihar jail in Delhi, along with his fiance Anuradha. The Lady Don is also facing several cases including murder, extortion, kidnapping and is currently out on bail and stays with her paternal family in West Delhi area.

Given his history of escaping custody and also orchestrating the escape of associates, its not going to be an easy task for Delhi police to arrange this wedding. In 2020, Jathedi and his gang members allegedly opened fire on an officer while being driven by Haryana Police to a court in Faridabad, causing injuries and helped him get away also in 2021 on a shootout at Delhis GTB hospital was orchestrated by Jathedi and his gang members in order to release an associate by the name of Kuldeep Fajja from police custody. Fajja was later re-captured and killed in an encounter with Delhi Polices special cell.

Jathedi is close to infamous gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. He is charged with multiple felonies in multiple states, including robbery, attempted murder. Murder, extortion and arms act. A second police officer claims to have participated in corporate extortion and contract killings.

In spite of this, Jathedi was given a six-hour parole for his wedding by a Delhi court, which meant he could spend March 12 outside of jail from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. He will be taken to his hometown village Jatheri under the district Sonipat, Haryana the next day for customs related to the wedding.
With the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a program against malnutrition has been started in Ranchi. Under this program, nutrition kits will be distributed among pregnant women on the initiative of MP Sanjay Seth, courtesy of GAIL India Limited. The MP held a press conference regarding this in Ranchi.

Addressing the press conference, Seth said that for a long time he was trying to ensure that nutrition kits are available to pregnant women. Great success has been achieved in this direction. Through GAIL India's CSR, more than 2500 nutrition kits will be distributed among pregnant women of Ranchi Lok Sabha constituency.

This nutritional kit includes many such ingredients including cow's ghee, dry fruits laddus, protein powder, various types of nutritious seeds, laddus made from coarse grains, which are considered important from the health point of view of pregnant women and their foetus.

Seth said that this is a kit prepared entirely on the advice of doctors. The list of its beneficiaries has been prepared. According to this list, it will be distributed in Ranchi, Hatia, Kanke, Ichagarh, Silli, Khijri assembly constituencies of Ranchi Lok Sabha constituency.

Seth said that slogans like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao of Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspire people to work in such areas. It was with his inspiration that I made this effort, which has now been successful. The MP said that the cost of one set kit is approximately Rs 2500. The MP said that in the first phase, a target has been set to give this kit to about 2500 women. It will be increased further after the elections in the second phase.

On this occasion, Ranchi MLA CP Singh, Ranchi Lok Sabha constituency in-charge Sanjeev Vijayvargiya, Ranchi Metropolitan BJP President Varun Sahu, Ranchi Rural District President Surendra Mahato, former Rajya Sabha MP Ajay Maru, former MLA Ram Kumar Pahan and many other dignitaries were present.
Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), under the aegis Ministry of Culture, Government Of India, hosted its 10th edition of the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Festival - Kalakaron evam Shilpkaron ka Mela, 2024 at CCRT Headquarters, Dwarka in national Capital.

The 10-day festival dedicated to the skilled craftspersons and eminent artists of India commenced on March 5 and will continue till March 14, 2024, according to a CCRT Press release.

The celebration of festival started with the inauguration of the 'Raja Ravi Verma Kala Vitika', showcasing a captivating exhibition of diverse sculptures. Throughout the event, attendees have been treated with outstanding performances and theater productions by eminent artists, including recipients of CCRT scholarships.
Students, friends and family of late Pushpendra Pal Singh, the doyen of Indian journalism who left an indelible mark on the lives of thousands will commemorate his first death anniversary on 10th of March at Hindi Bhawan in Bhopal's Polytechnic Square from 4 to 7 PM at a memorial event.

Senior journalist Girija Shankar and socialist thinker Raghu Thakur will throw light on the life and works of late Pushpendra Pal Singh and share their memories of the times spent with him. The event will also see Dharmendra Singh Bhadauria, Editor of Dainik Bhaskar, Haryana and Sandeep Purohit, Assistant Editor of Rajasthan Patrika newspaper group deliver lectures on 'Challenges Before Journalism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence'.

Apart from this, 'Saaya Band' will perform compositions of Dushyant Kumar, Kabir, Mir Taqi Mir, Makhan Lal Chaturvedi and others. A short film 'Ek Kirdar - Kisse Hazaar' based on the memories of Pushpendra Pal Singh's students, whom they fondly called 'PP Sir' will also be screened at the event. A blood donation camp will also be organized from 3 to 7 PM in collaboration with Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre at the same venue to mark PP sir's death anniversary.

The program will see participation of senior personalities from the field of journalism and public relation apart from students, friends and family of Singh. This event will provide an opportunity to remember PP sir's invaluable contribution to the field of journalism and take inspiration from his life. The organizers have invited people from all walks of life to attend the event and pay their tribute to him. This program will not only serve as a medium to pay tribute to late PP Sir, but will also try to carry forward his legacy in the field of journalism and elsewhere.
Medi-Caps University, Indore radiated with the spirit of empowerment and equality as it joyously celebrated International Women's Day on March 7th, 2024. Theme of International Women's Day for this year was 'Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress'. It is aimed at tackling economic disempowerment. On the occasion of International Women's Day, all members of the university came together to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in society.

The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Honorable Chancellor Madam Mrs. Kusum Mittal, along with Director Branding and promotion Ms. Saloni Garg, Governing body Members of university Manisha Garg and Geetika Aggarwal. The event was organized by Registrar Dr. P. Siluvainathan and all the Male Faculties of the university for the female members and staff. The program was featured with a number of inspiring talks, cultural activities and fun games.

The program was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Honourable Mrs. Kusum Mittal Ms Saloni Garg spoke about the challenges faced by women in our society and the need to address issues of gender inequality and discrimination. Addressing the gathering, HonourableVice Chancellorof the UniversityProf. (Dr.) D.K. Patnaik stressed the importance of creating such an inclusive environment.Where women can move forward and enhance their potential. The ceremony reaffirmed the University's commitment to fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion and respect for all.

International Women's Day was organized by under the guidance of Vice Chancellor, it was accomplished under the successful leadership of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Palash Garg, Head of Department Computer Application, Anil Patidar, Chief Finance Officer Sanjay Dhare, Placement Officer Mr Prasad Mule, Head of Admission cell Kapil Srivastava. Medi-Caps University, Indore is dedicated to empowering women and creating a more equitable and just society for all.
Former Mayor of Ranchi and National Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party, Dr. Asha Lakra, has been appointed a member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) by the Government of India.

Lakras appointment was done on the recommendation of President Draupadi Murmu by the National Commission of Scheduled Tribes section of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on Saturday. Lakras post is equivalent to that of a Union Minister of State in the Centre.

A native of Gumla district in the State, Asha Lakra is also the co-in-charge of BJPs West Bengal unit. She has been considered as a very strong tribal womens voice in the State. Sources said that her work in the field and her distinct identity among the common masses, especially tribals, made her prominent in the eyes of the Central BJP, which gave her the responsibility of the National Secretary.

Lakra was given the responsibility of preparing election strategy in many states of the country in 2022, in which she performed well. In the assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Assam, West Bengal and Goa, she gave the lead to BJP with her wisdom and political maturity.

The former Ranchi Mayor has been vocal in Jharkhand against the government on issues such as exploitation of tribals, atrocities on tribals, mental harassment, rape and other issues.

After her appointment to NCST was announced, Lakra expressed gratitude to President of India Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda.

She said that no work is small or big. It is the result of true dedication, hard work and honest work that she became the National President of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. After this, she got new responsibilities, which she considered as her duty and moved forward. Now I will try to fulfill this new responsibility in a better way, she said.

Interestingly, Asha Lakras name was being considered for the Rajya Sabha candidate from Jharkhand. But, she was given the new responsibility at the Centre on the same day Pradeep Vermas name was announced to contest the polls.
Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and the AAP Government traded charges on Saturday over the city's civic issues as he shared on social media pictures highlighting cleanliness issues in the slum clusters of Tehkhand and Okhla.

Posting pictures captured during his Friday visit to Golkuan in Tehkhand and Sanjay Colony in Okhla, both slum areas in southeast Delhi, Saxena requested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to take cognisance of it.

In its reaction to Saxena's posts and pictures on X, the Kejriwal government alleged in a statement that three lakh slum-dwellers in Delhi have become homeless due to LG's decisions and directions.

The LG office sent out a strongly-worded reply, saying, "This is typical and blatant lie being peddled, supposedly by Delhi government."

"Not a single Jhuggi has been removed at LG's directions. In fact, on many occasions, the last being at Majnu ka Tila, demolitions were stopped due to LG's intervention," a Raj Niwas official said.

The LG has made four visits to underdeveloped areas like unauthorised colonies and slum clusters in the city in recent days.

Previously, he visited Kirari, Burari, Sangam Vihar and shared similar pictures and issued directions for action by the concerned departments.

In a series of posts on X on Saturday, Saxena expressed concern that thousands of people were living in these areas with heaps of garbage, overflowing and smelly drains, facing the danger of getting diseases.

He also alleged there was "inaction and insensitivity" of those responsible for taking corrective steps.

"Complaints of lack of public facilities are being regularly received from each part of Delhi. In this connection, visited Golkuan Tehkhand JJ Cluster and Sanjay Colony, Okhla yesterday and witnessed the ground reality. Nothing could be a bigger example of inaction and insensitivity than this," he posted on X.

In another post with more pictures, he said "It is shameful that our citizen are facing such plight due to years of neglect."

The LG pointed that according to news reports, Rs 5,500 crores were spent on development of these settlements.

He directed agencies concerned -- the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (DSIIDC) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) among others -- to immediately ensure sanitation in the settlements and provide necessary facilities there.

"It is requested to the Chief Minister to take cognizance of this serious issue," he said in another post tagging him with more photos of the areas he visited. The AAP government charged that "Delhiites are aware that since LG Vinai Kumar Saxena took office, in the past approximately one and half years, he has demolished as many 'jhuggis' as never before in Delhi".

It accused the LG for demolition of JJ cluster near Sundari Nagari, and rendering people homeless in Tughalqabad.

It also alleged that an attempt was made to demolish Ghosiya colony near Mehrauli but it was stayed by High Court after the intervention of the Kejriwal government.

"In the last few days, the LG has rendered numerous people homeless. Now, before the elections, he is playing drama and shedding crocodile tears because he knows that people living in unauthorised colonies and slums will vote against the BJP because of the demolitions," the AAP government charged.

It also alleged that the LG ordered the demolition of a slum near Majnu Ka Tila where 800 Hindu refugees from Pakistan were living since 2011, but it was prevented after Chief Minister Kejriwal intervened.

Replying to the charges, Raj Niwas officials said it was "atrocious" that AAP government was even dragging the courts into its "murky games."

"They are charging the LG of misleading the courts, a tactics that they have perfected and the LG Secretariat has even moved courts against the perjury committed by them," the official said.

The Raj Niwas officials challenged the AAP government to take legal recourse if they thought that the LG was "misleading" the courts, questioning what was stopping it.
The body of a man who fell into a 40-foot-deep borewell at a Delhi Jal Board sewage treatment plant here was pulled out after a nearly 14-hour-long operation on Sunday, police said.

The man is yet to be identified. Sources said the borewell was in a locked room and was abandoned.

Delhi Water Minister Atishi visited the spot to take stock of the situation while the BJP targeted the AAP dispensation over the incident, calling it "shameful" and demanding compensation for the victim.

Later, Atishi directed the Delhi Chief Secretary to conduct a time-bound enquiry and take strong and exemplary action against any officers found responsible for the incident. The chief secretary was also directed to ensure that all abandoned borewells, government and private, are welded and sealed immediately.

Information about the man falling into the borewell at the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) plant in west Delhi's Keshopur Mandi area was received around 1 am. The rescue efforts were led by teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Delhi Fire Services (DFS).

As part of the rescue operation, the NDRF had dug another well parallel to the borewell into which the man had fallen.

A senior police officer said the person was brought out from the borewell dead. "It appears that he was aged between 25 and 35 years. Efforts are being made to identify him," he said.

According to government officials, the borewell was inside a locked room. "So whoever entered the borewell room would have done so by breaking the lock and the door," an official said.

Officials said there was a possibility of foul play since it is not easy for an adult to fall in a borewell of 12-inch diameter. "So the victim might have been pushed in," an official said.

However, police have not said anything about foul play in the incident.

In a post on X, Atishi shared the news about the death of the man. "How he entered the borewell room, how he fell inside the borewell this will be investigated by the police. I thank the NDRF team who made every possible effort in the rescue operation for many hours," she said in the post.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal shared the news of the man's death in a post on X and thanked the NDRF for its rescue operation.

"Got the sad news that the man who fell into the borewell was found dead. May his soul rest in peace. I would like to thank NDRF whose team made every possible effort during the 14-hour-long operation. The NDRF has supported the people of Delhi in all difficult times," he said on X.

Earlier in the day he said that the DJB has been instructed to carry out a probe into the incident and warned of strict action against officers found responsible for it. He also said that all abandoned borewells, government and private, would be sealed within 48 hours.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said, "The death of a person after falling into a borewell located on the premises of Delhi Jal Board is painful. The Kejriwal government should give compensation for the accidents caused by the DJB's negligence in Keshopur and Alipur."

"Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi tweeting that the borewell room is safe is a disgusting conspiracy to save their government and DJB officials. The Kejriwal government continuously suppresses not only the scams of DJB but also the accidents because it is an equal partner in the misdeeds happening at board," he alleged.
Fire broke out on the fifth floor in the mantralaya building in Bhopal on Saturday. The massive fire took more than 5 hours to pacify.

A fire broke out at around 9.30 am on Saturday morning on the fifth floor of a large building between gate numbers 5 and 6 of Mantralaya Vallabh Bhawan in Bhopal. Within no time the fire spread to the fourth and third floors also.

Apart from Bhopal, Raisen, Vidisha, more than 100 fire engines and tankers of Airport, BHEL and Army were busy in pacifying the fire.

During this time, army soldiers climbed the building and pacified the fire. During this, the SDRF jawan got injured in his eye. More than 200 policemen were deployed at the spot. The fire could be controlled after 3 hours.

The government has formed a 7-member committee to investigate the fire. The committee will submit the preliminary investigation report in 3 days, while the detailed report will have to be submitted in 15 days. The committee will be headed by ACS Health Mohammad Suleman. In which, Principal Secretary Home Sanjay Dubey, Principal Secretary Urban Development and Housing Neeraj Mandloi, Principal Secretary PWD DP Ahuja, Additional Director General Fire Services Ashutosh Rai, Bhopal Division Commissioner Pawan Sharma, Commissioner Police Harinarayan Chari are included as members.

A massive fire broke out in Vallabh Bhawan on Saturday morning. It was brought under control after about 3-4 hours of hard work.

A massive fire broke out in Vallabh Bhawan on Saturday morning. It was brought under control after about 3-4 hours of hard work.

Since it was the second Saturday of the month, there were not many employees in the building. The five employees trapped in the building were taken out, 2 employees were taken to hospital.

On receiving information about the fire, PCC Chief Jitu Patwari also reached Vallabh Bhawan. But, the police stopped them from going further. Angered by this, the Patwari sat on strike in front of Vallabh Bhawan. He said that is a government fire, it has been set deliberately.
In pursuance to the National Legal Service Authority calendar and under the directions of Jharkhand Legal Services Authority, the National Lok Adalat was held on Saturday in the district, by the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA),Garhwa for amicable settlement of cases of different nature.

Under the insightful directions of Principal District and Sessions Judge Rajesh Sharan Singh, 2nd National Lok Adalat was organized today at Civil Court premises Garhwa and Sub-divisional court premises Nagar Untari. The National Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Chairman District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Garhwa, at the conference hall by lighting the lamp.

Addressing the judicial officers and public, the primary goal of Lok Adalat is to quickly and cost-effectively readdress the wide range of civil, criminal and compoundable cases, which lowers the burden of the formal judicial system.

The Principal District and Sessions Judge said that there is a separate bench for the disposal of cases of each field. In which cases are executed. A large number of bank loan cases are processed in Lok Adalat. Rebate on interest is available through Lok Adalat and sometimes the entire interest is waived off to the litigant on making lump sum payment. National Lok Adalat is such a forum in which not only the pending cases are settled but also the cases coming in future like if you have any litigation then you can settle it through pre-litigation mediation. Apart from this, if you have any problem, we will tell you the way to solve it. There is no coercion here, here the matter is executed as per your wish.

A total of 20 benches were constituted for the successful conduct of the National Lok Adalat. In which Ram Bachan Singh, Judge Family Court, Sanjeev Kumar Singh District and Sessions Judge First, Manoj Kumar Tripathi District and Sessions Judge, Nagar Untari, Vimlesh Kumar Sahay District and Sessions Judge Fifth, Santosh Anand Prasad District and Sessions Judge Judge-II, Arvind Kachhap Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Nagar Untari Ms. Sangeeta Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mrs. Sangita, Mrs. Veena Kumari Judicial Magistrate, Ravi Choudhary Judicial Magistrate, Nagar Untari, Krishna Lohra Judicial Magistrate, Mohd. Javed Khan Judicial Magistrate, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Nagar Untari, Amit Khanna Judicial Magistrate, Nagar Untari, Harshit Tiwari - Judicial Magistrate, Abhinav Kumar Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Vijay Kumar Das- Judicial Magistrate Kamal Nayan Pandey, President, Permanent Lok Adalat, Om Prakash Pandey, President, Consumer Forum.

Around 6500 cases of litigation and pre litigation were settled in the said Lok-Adalat. An amount of Rs, 3.5 crores was as settlement amount in all cases including award of MACT Cases.

National Lok Adalat held in Garhwa

Nityanand Dubey

Garhwa

In pursuance to the National Legal Service Authority calendar and under the directions of Jharkhand Legal Services Authority, the National Lok Adalat was held on Saturday in the district, by the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA),Garhwa for amicable settlement of cases of different nature.

Under the insightful directions of Principal District and Sessions Judge Rajesh Sharan Singh, 2nd National Lok Adalat was organized today at Civil Court premises Garhwa and Sub-divisional court premises Nagar Untari. The National Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Chairman District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Garhwa, at the conference hall by lighting the lamp.

Addressing the judicial officers and public, the primary goal of Lok Adalat is to quickly and cost-effectively readdress the wide range of civil, criminal and compoundable cases, which lowers the burden of the formal judicial system.

The Principal District and Sessions Judge said that there is a separate bench for the disposal of cases of each field. In which cases are executed. A large number of bank loan cases are processed in Lok Adalat. Rebate on interest is available through Lok Adalat and sometimes the entire interest is waived off to the litigant on making lump sum payment. National Lok Adalat is such a forum in which not only the pending cases are settled but also the cases coming in future like if you have any litigation then you can settle it through pre-litigation mediation. Apart from this, if you have any problem, we will tell you the way to solve it. There is no coercion here, here the matter is executed as per your wish.

A total of 20 benches were constituted for the successful conduct of the National Lok Adalat. In which Ram Bachan Singh, Judge Family Court, Sanjeev Kumar Singh District and Sessions Judge First, Manoj Kumar Tripathi District and Sessions Judge, Nagar Untari, Vimlesh Kumar Sahay District and Sessions Judge Fifth, Santosh Anand Prasad District and Sessions Judge Judge-II, Arvind Kachhap Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Nagar Untari Ms. Sangeeta Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mrs. Sangita, Mrs. Veena Kumari Judicial Magistrate, Ravi Choudhary Judicial Magistrate, Nagar Untari, Krishna Lohra Judicial Magistrate, Mohd. Javed Khan Judicial Magistrate, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Nagar Untari, Amit Khanna Judicial Magistrate, Nagar Untari, Harshit Tiwari - Judicial Magistrate, Abhinav Kumar Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Vijay Kumar Das- Judicial Magistrate Kamal Nayan Pandey, President, Permanent Lok Adalat, Om Prakash Pandey, President, Consumer Forum.

Around 6500 cases of litigation and pre litigation were settled in the said Lok-Adalat. An amount of Rs, 3.5 crores was as settlement amount in all cases including award of MACT Cases.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join 1092 drone trained women from various States when they will be flying drones together on March 11. These women drone didis. The Prime Minister will interact with the drone didis. As many as 102 drone didis from MP and Maharashtra will fly in Bhopal. This is an initiative to empower rural women.

This event will be held on March 11 between 10 am to 12 am. As many as 89 from Madhya Pradesh, 60 from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh-108, Gujarat- 58, Goa 01, Haryana -102, Karnataka -145, Punjab -57, Himachal Pradesh -4, Uttarakhand -3, Rajasthan -40, Tamil Nadu -44, Kerala -51, Telangana -81, Chhatishgarh 15, Bihar 32, Jharkhand 15, Odisha 16, Assam 28, West Bengal 15 will fly drones together. Pilot drone didis will interact with the Prime Minister. According to the information, the Prime Minister will join the event virtually from Delhi. Drone Didis, trained by RPTO - Remote Pilot Training Organization recognized by DGCA - Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Government of India, will join their respective states and fly drones. Women from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra will fly 102 drones together from Indian Institute of Pulses Research Centre, Phanda district, Bhopal.It is an opportunity to salute the contribution of women power in the country's development journey. India's women power is touching new heights of progress in every field. Women flying drones was just a fantasy. Now women living in villages will also fly drones.

This is becoming possible, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The central government is planning to increase the Lakhpati Didi target from 2 crore to 3 crore in the 2024 budget speech. The term 'Lakhpati Didi' refers to the entrepreneurship of women members of Self Help Groups (SHGs). They earn an income of at least Rs 1 lakh per year using their skills. Its objective is economic independence and women empowerment.

As many as 10 crore rural women Self Help Groups (SHGs) are changing the rural socio-economic landscape with empowerment and self-reliance.The number of Lakhpati Didis has touched 1 crore and will soon reach 3 crore. In Namo Drone Didi Scheme where groups of women are being trained for use in farming. It is becoming a source of additional income for them.Under Lakhpati Didi Yojana, fertilizer companies will give drones to women SHGs, this drone will be used in farming work, especially for spraying pesticides and fertilizers.

Under the scheme to make women associated with women self-help groups (SHGs), the government has decided to spend Rs 1261 crore and provide drones to 15,000 women SHGs. 14,500 drones will be given to women SHGs during the financial year 2024-25 and financial year 25-26.Through drone scheme, drones will help in spraying fertilizers and pesticides, about 15 days of training is being given from its Recognized RPTO. The drone pilot will get an honorarium of Rs 15,000 and the co-pilot will get around Rs 10,000.The Drone Didi scheme aims to empower 15,000 women self-help groups (SHGs) by providing them drones to provide rental services to farmers.

It addresses the need to modernize agricultural practices by providing cutting-edge technology to rural women, making them the backbone of the rural economy.Drones create opportunities in the emerging field of aeronautics, providing opportunities to rural women as pilots, mechanics and spare-part dealers. Efficient Fertigation System: The scheme contributes to the development of an efficient fertigation system using innovative liquid fertilizers and drone technology for time saving and uniform distribution.
Siddharth Chaturvedi, Chancellor of Scope Global Skills University, Bhopal, Central India's first skill-based university, has been honored with the Progressive Digital Leadership Award at the Tech Edu India Awards held at Sahara Star Hotel, Mumbai.

Award has been given to him for Best Technical Implementation in Higher Education.

On this occasion, Siddharth Chaturvedi expressed happiness and said that we are continuously innovating in the field of education. Under this, many digital and technological aspects are being included on priority to make education more and more accessible and reach the larger population. Receiving the Progressive Digital Leadership Award at the Tech Edu India Awards signifies our work.

On this achievement, ISECT Chairman Santosh Choubey, Scope Global Skills University Vice Chancellor Ajay Bhushan, Registrar Sitesh Kumar Sinha, Rabindranath Tagore University Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajni Kant, Registrar Vijay Singh, Prof. Best wishes were extended by Chancellor Aditi Chaturvedi Vats and all the organizations of AISECT group.
A day after Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned from the post, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday lauded him for "not succumbing" to the BJP's pressure, and asserted that the saffron camp would be defeated in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking at a mega rally of the TMC at Brigade Parade Grounds here, Banerjee said the sudden resignation of Goel proves that the BJP is attempting to loot votes in the Lok Sabha polls.

I salute Arun Goel for not succumbing to pressure by Delhi leaders (of BJP) and his top bosses in connection with the West Bengal LS polls and the deployment of forces. It is proven that what they (the BJP-led NDA government.) want to do in the name of election. They want to loot votes, she said.

Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned on Saturday, days before the expected announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. His tenure was till December 5, 2027, and he would have become Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after incumbent Rajiv Kumar retired in February next year.

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his allegations that central funds are being siphoned off in West Bengal, the TMC supremo said, The PM must cross-check facts with officials before making baseless allegations against Bengal."

He is only inaugurating projects in Bengal but not releasing funds for the state. This is his guarantee. He has made all false promises, she said.

The Trinamool Congress on Sunday announced its candidate list for the 42 Lok Sabha seats and launched its poll campaign from the grand rally at Kolkata's famed Brigade Parade Grounds.

The TMC boss iterated that her party, which is a partner of the opposition bloc INDIA, will contest the Lok Sabha polls in Bengal alone.

We will contest the Lok Sabha polls in Bengal alone and will fight against the Congress, BJP and the CPI(M). We will also contest elections in Assam and Meghalaya. We are in talks with Akhilesh Yadav (of SP) for contesting one Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, she said while addressing the 'Jana Garjan Sabha'.
StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of American Shared Hospital Services (NYSEAMERICAN:AMS  Free Report) in a research report released on Thursday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock.

American Shared Hospital Services Trading Up 1.7 %

Shares of American Shared Hospital Services stock opened at $2.74 on Thursday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $2.60. The company has a current ratio of 2.03, a quick ratio of 2.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. American Shared Hospital Services has a twelve month low of $2.16 and a twelve month high of $3.14. The stock has a market cap of $17.25 million, a PE ratio of 39.11 and a beta of 0.66.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Shared Hospital Services

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AMS. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its position in American Shared Hospital Services by 26.3% in the 3rd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 19,321 shares of the companys stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 4,021 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 158,681 shares of the companys stock valued at $465,000 after purchasing an additional 5,899 shares in the last quarter. CI Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Shared Hospital Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $470,000. Citadel Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 140.0% in the 2nd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 33,223 shares of the companys stock valued at $85,000 after purchasing an additional 19,381 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 16.2% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 117,884 shares of the companys stock valued at $280,000 after purchasing an additional 16,475 shares in the last quarter. 17.54% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Shared Hospital Services Company Profile

American Shared Hospital Services provides radiosurgery and radiation therapy equipment to health care providers. The company offers radiosurgery equipment for the Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery, a non-invasive procedure to treat malignant and benign brain tumors, and arteriovenous malformations, as well as for trigeminal neuralgia.

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Shore Capital reissued their buy rating on shares of Virgin Money UK (LON:VMUK  Free Report) in a report released on Thursday morning, Marketbeat.com reports.

VMUK has been the topic of several other research reports. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Virgin Money UK from GBX 210 ($2.67) to GBX 195 ($2.47) and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 17th. Berenberg Bank cut their price target on shares of Virgin Money UK from GBX 220 ($2.79) to GBX 200 ($2.54) and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 27th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price target on shares of Virgin Money UK from GBX 265 ($3.36) to GBX 180 ($2.28) and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 27th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of GBX 198.75 ($2.52).

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View Our Latest Research Report on VMUK

Virgin Money UK Trading Down 0.5 %

Virgin Money UK Cuts Dividend

Shares of LON:VMUK opened at GBX 213.70 ($2.71) on Thursday. Virgin Money UK has a twelve month low of GBX 134.20 ($1.70) and a twelve month high of GBX 218.80 ($2.78). The companys 50 day moving average is GBX 158.25 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 159.08. The company has a market cap of 2.78 billion, a PE ratio of 1,187.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.17 and a beta of 1.88.

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 22nd will be paid a dividend of GBX 2 ($0.03) per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a dividend yield of 1.27%. Virgin Money UKs payout ratio is 2,777.78%.

Insider Transactions at Virgin Money UK

In other news, insider David Duffy sold 71,341 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 168 ($2.13), for a total transaction of 119,852.88 ($152,116.87). Corporate insiders own 19.44% of the companys stock.

Virgin Money UK Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Virgin Money UK PLC provides banking products and services for consumers, and small and medium sized businesses under the Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank, and Virgin Money brands in the United Kingdom. The company offers savings and current accounts, mortgages, credit cards, and home loans; business loans, overdraft facilities, treasury solutions, and corporate and structured finance; risk management; asset and invoice finance services; international trade services; and home, car, and life and critical illness insurance products.

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Spartan Planning & Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor bought 6,801 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $992,000. Procter & Gamble makes up 1.2% of Spartan Planning & Wealth Managements portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest position.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Integrated Advisors Network LLC boosted its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC now owns 24,128 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,519,000 after purchasing an additional 798 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning boosted its stake in Procter & Gamble by 5.6% during the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 1,290,443 shares of the companys stock worth $188,224,000 after acquiring an additional 67,944 shares in the last quarter. Revisor Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Procter & Gamble during the third quarter worth $717,000. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in Procter & Gamble by 2,178.7% during the third quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. now owns 144,218 shares of the companys stock worth $21,036,000 after acquiring an additional 137,889 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wilson & Boucher Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Procter & Gamble by 2.7% during the third quarter. Wilson & Boucher Capital Management LLC now owns 13,100 shares of the companys stock worth $1,911,000 after acquiring an additional 350 shares in the last quarter. 63.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Procter & Gamble Stock Performance

NYSE:PG traded down $0.27 on Friday, reaching $160.35. 5,080,225 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,291,766. 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 firm has a market cap of $377.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.86, a P/E/G ratio of 3.27 and a beta of 0.44. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 52 week low of $136.10 and a 52 week high of $161.74. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $155.18 and a 200-day simple moving average of $151.43.

Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend

Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.70 by $0.14. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 17.60% and a return on equity of 34.04%. The company had revenue of $21.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.48 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.59 earnings per share. Procter & Gambles revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.45 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Friday, January 19th were paid a $0.9407 dividend. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.35%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 18th. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio is currently 62.98%.

Insider Activity at Procter & Gamble

In other Procter & Gamble news, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 101,704 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.57, for a total transaction of $15,618,683.28. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 163,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at $25,097,637.96. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 3,865 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.60, for a total value of $620,719.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,886 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,908,891.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 101,704 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.57, for a total transaction of $15,618,683.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 163,428 shares in the company, valued at $25,097,637.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 279,063 shares of company stock valued at $43,187,745 over the last three months. 0.17% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on PG shares. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble in a report on Friday, March 1st. They set a neutral rating and a $168.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $156.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble in a report on Monday, November 13th. They set a buy rating and a $177.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $162.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $172.00 to $178.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Procter & Gamble currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $167.53.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands.

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San Francisco Mayor London Breed promotes measures to loosen restrictions on the police and screen welfare recipients for drugs on Election Day. Both measures passed, and a moderate slate of candidates is expected to dominate the Democratic County Central Committee. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

Regarding: Voters make it clear: San Francisco can no longer be called a progressive city (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, March 6): Many voters have progressive goals but reject the actual performance of our professed progressives.

The 2014 San Francisco Board of Education decision to not allow our students to have the option of taking algebra in eighth grade was done with the goal of equity, but it was a bad intervention and disadvantaged our children.

City voters are appalled that mentally ill people are left to live in the gutter. Voters are sick of not being able to assume that their car will not be broken into. They are dismayed that looting is rampant and that hard-working merchants are the victims.

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Restorative justice is a valuable goal but persons repeatedly committing crimes hurt us all.

San Francisco voters are expressing frustration at the neglect of enforcing civilized behavior in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It really has nothing to do with being progressive-moderate-conservative.

Its time to fix the problems.

Dawn Isaacs, San Francisco

Voting is accountability

Regarding Young, progressive Democrats are standing up for their values. What are older moderates doing? (Letters to the Editor, SFChronicle.com, March 8): The writer makes a cogent argument about the failure of the Democratic Party to connect with and address younger voters, but she dismisses the if you dont vote, its your fault argument, and pushes it back on the older generation to organize and hold politicians accountable.

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Holding politicians accountable is the very definition of voting. A protest vote is the equivalent of a child screaming in a grocery store until the parent gives in to buy a favorite snack.

An election ballot is the only poll that matters; a protest vote or abstention is a vote for the other candidate. I have rarely had the luxury of voting for someone who I wholly supported, but I have always voted for the candidate who I think will move the needle in the direction I want it to go. Its the mature thing to do.

Roger Drosd, San Francisco

Dont blame police

Regarding Police chases are killing more and more Americans. With lax rules, its no accident (In-Depth, SFChronicle.com, Feb. 27): Im dumbfounded by this story that essentially blames police officers for injuries and deaths caused by dangerous drivers fleeing from police cars.

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The police dont cause these wrecks. Negligent drivers do by refusing to pull over when they see police cars flashing red lights behind them. These reckless people make the decision to evade police vehicles instead of pulling over and stopping, as required by law.

The police and other law enforcement personnel are just doing their jobs to prevent potential injuries and/or deaths.

Put the blame where it belongs  on careless, self-serving drivers who flout traffic laws.
Crestwood Advisors Group LLC purchased a new stake in Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 2,253 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $208,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Entergy by 157.1% in the third quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 270 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares in the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its stake in shares of Entergy by 108.8% in the 3rd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 307 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new position in shares of Entergy during the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Entergy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A bought a new stake in Entergy in the second quarter valued at about $34,000. 86.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at Entergy

In other Entergy news, EVP Kimberly Cook-Nelson sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total value of $200,700.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 16,037 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,609,312.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Kimberly Cook-Nelson sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total value of $200,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 16,037 shares in the company, valued at $1,609,312.95. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Marcus V. Brown sold 38,417 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated 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 in the company, valued at approximately $952,351.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.39% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Entergy Stock Performance

Shares of Entergy stock opened at $103.35 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $100.86 and a 200 day simple moving average of $98.40. Entergy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $87.10 and a fifty-two week high of $111.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 0.57 and a quick ratio of 0.32. The firm has a market cap of $22.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.32, a P/E/G ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 0.70.

Entergy (NYSE:ETR  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.52. Entergy had a return on equity of 10.54% and a net margin of 19.41%. The company had revenue of $2.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.27 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.51 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Entergy Co. will post 7.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Entergy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th were paid a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. Entergys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.76%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ETR has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $117.00 price target on shares of Entergy in a research note on Monday, February 26th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Entergy from $92.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Bank of America raised shares of Entergy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $94.00 to $110.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Entergy from $117.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of Entergy from $110.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, February 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Entergy has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $110.73.

Read Our Latest Research Report on ETR

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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Crestwood Advisors Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  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 2,364 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $215,000.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. KB Financial Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 99.9% during the 3rd quarter. KB Financial Partners LLC now owns 11,230 shares of the companys stock worth $1,021,000 after purchasing an additional 5,613 shares during the period. Geo Capital Gestora de Recursos Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 113.9% during the 3rd quarter. Geo Capital Gestora de Recursos Ltd now owns 26,707 shares of the companys stock worth $2,429,000 after buying an additional 14,221 shares during the last quarter. Baker Avenue Asset Management LP increased its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Baker Avenue Asset Management LP now owns 738 shares of the companys stock worth $67,000 after buying an additional 369 shares during the last quarter. Cito Capital Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Cito Capital Group LLC now owns 2,206 shares of the companys stock worth $201,000 after buying an additional 1,103 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 109.2% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 3,643,061 shares of the companys stock worth $331,300,000 after buying an additional 1,901,429 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 6.41% of the companys stock.

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Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Down 2.1 %

Shares of NYSE NVO opened at $133.07 on Friday. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 12-month low of $67.66 and a 12-month high of $138.28. The company has a market cap of $597.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $115.21 and a 200 day moving average price of $96.76.

Novo Nordisk A/S Increases Dividend

Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The company reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.66 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $9.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.14 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 36.03% and a return on equity of 90.36%. Research analysts anticipate that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be given a $0.664 dividend. This is a boost from Novo Nordisk A/Ss previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.22. This represents a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. Novo Nordisk A/Ss dividend payout ratio is presently 22.92%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently commented on NVO. UBS Group began coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. They set a neutral rating for the company. TD Cowen upped their price objective on Novo Nordisk A/S from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. They set an overweight rating and a $120.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $140.00 price target on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Novo Nordisk A/S presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $121.25.

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About Novo Nordisk A/S

(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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DA Davidson restated their buy rating on shares of e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE:ELF  Free Report) in a research report report published on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a $220.00 price target on the stock.

A number of other research analysts have also commented on ELF. Raymond James increased their price objective on e.l.f. Beauty from $140.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Truist Financial increased their target price on e.l.f. Beauty from $150.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on e.l.f. Beauty from $141.00 to $167.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on e.l.f. Beauty from $130.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their target price on e.l.f. Beauty from $212.00 to $225.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $183.55.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ELF

e.l.f. Beauty Stock Performance

Shares of ELF stock opened at $200.91 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 1.50 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The firm has a market cap of $11.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 88.90, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 1.60. The stocks 50-day moving average is $170.28 and its two-hundred day moving average is $136.45. e.l.f. Beauty has a fifty-two week low of $67.59 and a fifty-two week high of $221.83.

e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE:ELF  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $0.58 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.47 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $270.94 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $239.66 million. e.l.f. Beauty had a return on equity of 28.98% and a net margin of 14.53%. Analysts predict that e.l.f. Beauty will post 2.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Joshua Allen Franks sold 200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $152.53, for a total transaction of $30,506.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 91,003 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,880,687.59. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, CEO Tarang Amin sold 23,519 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $198.89, for a total transaction of $4,677,693.91. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 10,889 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,165,713.21. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Joshua Allen Franks sold 200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, January 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.53, for a total value of $30,506.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 91,003 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,880,687.59. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 92,611 shares of company stock worth $14,759,884. 5.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On e.l.f. Beauty

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ELF. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. increased its stake in shares of e.l.f. Beauty by 7.6% in the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 6,765 shares of the companys stock valued at $174,000 after buying an additional 476 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in shares of e.l.f. Beauty by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 428,775 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,076,000 after buying an additional 4,476 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. increased its stake in shares of e.l.f. Beauty by 12.4% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 41,711 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,077,000 after buying an additional 4,617 shares during the period. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of e.l.f. Beauty in the 1st quarter valued at $342,000. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of e.l.f. Beauty by 53.3% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 26,424 shares of the companys stock worth $683,000 after purchasing an additional 9,189 shares during the last quarter. 92.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About e.l.f. Beauty

(Get Free Report)

e.l.f. Beauty, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides cosmetic and skin care products under the e.l.f. Cosmetics, e.l.f. Skin, Well People, and Keys Soulcare brand names worldwide. The company offers eye, lip, face, face, paw, and skin care products. It sells its products through national and international retailers and direct-to-consumer channels, which include e-commerce platforms in the United States, and internationally primarily through distributors.

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Dana Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Energy ETF (NYSEARCA:RYE  Free Report) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm bought 2,725 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $182,000.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of RYE. Blair William & Co. IL acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Energy ETF in the first quarter valued at about $391,000. Cetera Investment Advisers acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Energy ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $221,000. Donaldson Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Energy ETF by 8.1% in the 1st quarter. Donaldson Capital Management LLC now owns 6,710 shares of the companys stock valued at $452,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Energy ETF during the first quarter worth $145,000. Finally, Private Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Energy ETF during the first quarter worth $296,000.

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Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Energy ETF Stock Performance

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Energy ETF stock opened at $77.17 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $552.54 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.88 and a beta of 1.60. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Energy ETF has a fifty-two week low of $55.85 and a fifty-two week high of $82.02. The stocks fifty day moving average is $72.73 and its two-hundred day moving average is $74.63.

About Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Energy ETF

The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Energy ETF (RYE) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Equal Weight Energy Plus index. The fund tracks an equal-weighted index of US energy companies in the S&P 500. RYE was launched on Nov 1, 2006 and is managed by Invesco.

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Diversified Trust Co lifted its position in shares of ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW  Free Report) by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,302 shares of the information technology services providers stock after acquiring an additional 628 shares during the quarter. Diversified Trust Cos holdings in ServiceNow were worth $9,671,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of NOW. First Foundation Advisors lifted its holdings in ServiceNow by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. First Foundation Advisors now owns 5,292 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $2,974,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the period. First Hawaiian Bank lifted its holdings in ServiceNow by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 7,514 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $4,200,000 after buying an additional 165 shares during the period. William Blair Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in ServiceNow during the 2nd quarter worth about $144,098,000. Guggenheim Capital LLC lifted its holdings in ServiceNow by 7.3% during the 2nd quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 64,245 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $36,104,000 after buying an additional 4,352 shares during the period. Finally, F M Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of ServiceNow in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,624,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.14% of the companys stock.

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ServiceNow Stock Performance

NOW traded down $10.40 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $757.68. 1,026,916 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,239,684. The stock has a market capitalization of $155.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 90.09, a P/E/G ratio of 4.83 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The companys fifty day moving average price is $753.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $663.36. ServiceNow, Inc. has a 52-week low of $405.37 and a 52-week high of $815.32.

Insider Buying and Selling

ServiceNow ( NYSE:NOW Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The information technology services provider reported $3.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.77 by $0.34. ServiceNow had a net margin of 19.30% and a return on equity of 11.85%. The firm had revenue of $2.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.40 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.88 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 25.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that ServiceNow, Inc. will post 6.11 EPS for the current year.

In other ServiceNow news, insider Paul John Smith sold 5,159 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $745.32, for a total value of $3,845,105.88. Following the sale, the insider now owns 5,453 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,064,229.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other ServiceNow news, CEO William R. Mcdermott sold 5,030 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $753.08, for a total value of $3,787,992.40. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 17,177 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,935,655.16. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Paul John Smith sold 5,159 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $745.32, for a total transaction of $3,845,105.88. Following the sale, the insider now owns 5,453 shares in the company, valued at $4,064,229.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 13,164 shares of company stock valued at $9,940,303. Company insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently weighed in on NOW. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on ServiceNow from $800.00 to $910.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Needham & Company LLC upped their price target on ServiceNow from $660.00 to $900.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. UBS Group upped their price target on ServiceNow from $865.00 to $885.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Oppenheimer upped their price target on ServiceNow from $750.00 to $800.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on ServiceNow from $630.00 to $850.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, ServiceNow presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $750.93.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ServiceNow

About ServiceNow

(Free Report)

ServiceNow, Inc provides end to-end intelligent workflow automation platform solutions for digital businesses in the North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company operates the Now platform for end-to-end digital transformation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, process mining, performance analytics, and collaboration and development tools.

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iA Global Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 13,629 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $867,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Belpointe Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 12.7% in the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 1,521 shares of the companys stock worth $79,000 after buying an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 13.4% in the third quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 1,487 shares of the companys stock worth $95,000 after buying an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp lifted its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 0.5% in the second quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 39,371 shares of the companys stock worth $2,592,000 after buying an additional 178 shares during the last quarter. Syntax Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 5.0% in the third quarter. Syntax Advisors LLC now owns 3,866 shares of the companys stock worth $246,000 after buying an additional 185 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd lifted its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 1.3% in the third quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 15,259 shares of the companys stock worth $970,000 after buying an additional 196 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.95% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have weighed in on TAP shares. TheStreet raised Molson Coors Beverage from a c rating to a b- rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. HSBC assumed coverage on Molson Coors Beverage in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. They issued a hold rating and a $68.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com lowered Molson Coors Beverage from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Barclays lifted 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. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Molson Coors Beverage in a research note on Monday, November 13th. They issued a hold rating and a $62.00 price objective on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Molson Coors Beverage presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $67.57.

Molson Coors Beverage Stock Up 0.8 %

NYSE TAP opened at $64.56 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. The stocks 50 day moving average is $62.35 and its two-hundred day moving average is $61.53. The company has a market capitalization of $13.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.81, a PEG ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.83. 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 released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.12 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.78 billion. Molson Coors Beverage had a return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 6.83%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.30 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Molson Coors Beverage will post 5.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Molson Coors Beverage Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.44 per share. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.73%. This is an increase from Molson Coors Beverages previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. Molson Coors Beverages payout ratio is presently 40.37%.

Insider Transactions at Molson Coors Beverage

In other news, CFO Tracey Joubert sold 2,771 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.37, for a total value of $167,285.27. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 60,538 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,654,679.06. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 2.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Molson Coors Beverage 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.

Further Reading

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First Foundation Advisors cut its holdings in Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (NYSE:KYN  Free Report) by 30.3% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 15,223 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 6,603 shares during the period. First Foundation Advisors holdings in Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund were worth $128,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Morgan Stanley raised its stake in Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 3.2% during the third quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 5,674,705 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $47,724,000 after purchasing an additional 177,553 shares during the period. Essex Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 3.9% during the third quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 43,948 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $370,000 after purchasing an additional 1,660 shares during the period. Penserra Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 3.7% during the third quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 1,257,117 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $10,572,000 after purchasing an additional 44,971 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada raised its stake in Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 6.3% during the third quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,591,252 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,382,000 after purchasing an additional 94,886 shares during the period. Finally, Axxcess Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund during the third quarter worth approximately $273,000.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund news, President James C. Baker bought 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 10th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $8.84 per share, with a total value of $442,000.00. Following the transaction, the president now owns 681,039 shares in the company, valued at $6,020,384.76. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink.

Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund Stock Down 0.9 %

Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund Increases Dividend

NYSE:KYN opened at $9.39 on Friday. Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $7.84 and a fifty-two week high of $9.49. The firms 50 day moving average is $8.84 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.60.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 3rd were given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.37%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, January 2nd. This is an increase from Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Funds previous quarterly dividend of $0.21.

Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund 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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Spartan Planning & Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 1,058 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $153,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. grew its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 20.0% in the third quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 4,557 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $661,000 after purchasing an additional 760 shares in the last quarter. Mezzasalma Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 3.3% in the third quarter. Mezzasalma Advisors LLC now owns 2,151 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $312,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning grew its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 14.2% in the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 1,147,696 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $166,439,000 after purchasing an additional 142,616 shares in the last quarter. Strait & Sound Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 40.4% in the third quarter. Strait & Sound Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,114 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,467,000 after purchasing an additional 2,912 shares in the last quarter. Finally, RB Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 0.6% in the third quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 23,632 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,427,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.94% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

JPM has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Barclays increased their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $186.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $191.00 to $221.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. Bank of America increased their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $177.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $192.00 to $194.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $179.11.

Insider Buying and Selling at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

In other JPMorgan Chase & Co. news, General Counsel Stacey Friedman sold 6,030 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.73, for a total value of $1,101,861.90. Following the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 59,456 shares in the company, valued at $10,864,394.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other JPMorgan Chase & Co. news, General Counsel Stacey Friedman sold 6,030 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.73, for a total value of $1,101,861.90. Following the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 59,456 shares in the company, valued at $10,864,394.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Vice Chairman Peter Scher sold 1,812 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $166.65, for a total value of $301,969.80. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 46,766 shares in the company, valued at $7,793,553.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 877,626 shares of company stock worth $159,500,516 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.79% of the companys stock.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE JPM traded up $0.35 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $188.22. The company had a trading volume of 6,172,199 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,204,309. The company has a market capitalization of $542.14 billion, a PE ratio of 11.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.91. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 1-year low of $123.11 and a 1-year high of $190.50. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $176.17 and its 200 day simple moving average is $159.34.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $3.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.73 by ($0.69). The company had revenue of $38.57 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $39.73 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a net margin of 20.70% and a return on equity of 17.80%. The firms revenue was up 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $3.57 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 15.88 earnings per share for the current year.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 4th were paid a $1.05 dividend. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio is presently 25.89%.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Profile

(Free Report)

JPMorgan Chase & Co operates as a financial services company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Consumer & Community Banking (CCB), Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB), Commercial Banking (CB), and Asset & Wealth Management (AWM). The CCB segment offers deposit, investment and lending products, cash management, and payments and services; mortgage origination and servicing activities; residential mortgages and home equity loans; and credit cards, auto loans, leases, and travel services to consumers and small businesses through bank branches, ATMs, and digital and telephone banking.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JPM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Free Report).

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Sprott Inc. lowered its stake in shares of Westlake Co. (NYSE:WLK  Free Report) by 5.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 95,000 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 5,000 shares during the period. Westlake accounts for 0.9% of Sprott Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest holding. Sprott Inc. owned approximately 0.07% of Westlake worth $11,844,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. FMR LLC increased its stake in shares of Westlake by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 4,630,975 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $577,344,000 after purchasing an additional 96,152 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in Westlake by 6.6% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,803,250 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $454,374,000 after buying an additional 236,332 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its stake in Westlake by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,164,284 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $139,097,000 after buying an additional 20,212 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP grew its stake in Westlake by 6.7% in the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,025,242 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $118,908,000 after buying an additional 64,504 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its stake in Westlake by 4.5% in the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 830,404 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $81,396,000 after buying an additional 35,639 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 28.40% of the companys stock.

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Westlake Stock Performance

Shares of WLK traded down $0.92 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $141.68. The stock had a trading volume of 375,953 shares, compared to its average volume of 442,370. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 1.79 and a current ratio of 2.37. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $138.88 and a 200 day moving average price of $131.24. Westlake Co. has a fifty-two week low of $102.64 and a fifty-two week high of $145.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.29, a PEG ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.30.

Westlake Dividend Announcement

Westlake ( NYSE:WLK Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.81 by ($0.09). The firm had revenue of $2.83 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.85 billion. Westlake had a net margin of 3.82% and a return on equity of 9.70%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 14.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.79 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Westlake Co. will post 6.92 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 14th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 28th will be given a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.41%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 27th. Westlakes dividend payout ratio is presently 54.05%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on WLK shares. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on shares of Westlake from $144.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, November 20th. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. raised shares of Westlake from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Westlake from $139.00 to $134.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 26th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Westlake from $139.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Westlake has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $131.31.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on WLK

Insider Transactions at Westlake

In related news, CFO Mark Steven Bender sold 4,804 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.02, for a total value of $677,460.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 45,306 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,389,052.12. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 74.10% of the companys stock.

Westlake Company Profile

(Free Report)

Westlake Corporation manufactures and markets performance and essential materials, and housing and infrastructure products in the United States, Canada, Germany, China, Italy, Taiwan, and internationally. The Performance and Essential Materials segment offers polyethylene, styrene monomer, ethylene co-products, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl chloride monomer, ethylene dichloride chlor-alkali, chlorinated derivative products, and epoxy resins.

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Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer. The movie focused on the drama of Oppenheimer losing his security status. Universal Pictures

Oppenheimer is a front-runner for best picture Sunday at the Academy Awards, earning 13 nominations.

The movie is a masterpiece, from Cillian Murphys acting to its hauntingly beautiful score. But while it explores the ethics of building the atomic bomb, it glosses over the aftermath of the bombings.

The second atomic bomb exploded over Nagasaki at 11:02 a.m. on Aug. 9, 1945. U.S. occupation troops arrived in the city about 45 days after that. My grandfather, Carmine Gerardi, was one of them.

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Carmine was 23 years old at the time. The son of two Italian immigrants, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the start of the war, like most of his friends in Brooklyn. He was part of the Hospital Corps, serving as a medic aboard warships in the Pacific. In late 1945, he was sent to Japan to aid in the recovery efforts with the Marines.

Ill never know exactly what he saw there, because according to my mother, he never talked about it. What I do know is that it killed him. He suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and died in 1964 from alcohol poisoning at the age of 42.

More than half of Nagasakis doctors were killed or wounded in the blast, so medics from the U.S. forces were tasked with taking care of the injured survivors. My grandfather probably knew nothing, or very little, about radiation poisoning when he arrived there. After the bombings, U.S. officials  worried about being labeled war criminals for using chemical weapons  attempted to suppress information about radioactivity. Biopsies and other pieces of evidence were confiscated by U.S. occupation authorities and kept classified for years.

I imagine my grandfather must have arrived in Nagasaki expecting to find injuries similar to what hed encountered during the war. Instead, he must have been horrified to find people bleeding from their gums, children suffering from severe and disabling burns, limbs amputated. Japanese doctors were only just figuring out the effects of radiation. And virtually the entire Japanese population was starving.

Heres what else he must have seen: the utterly blackened landscape, hospitals destroyed and human shadows etched into stone. By then, about 60,000 people had died, some completely vaporized by the explosion, others lost to the agony of radiation sickness  which peaked right around the time my grandfather arrived.

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On Aug. 6, 1946, my grandfather was discharged from the U.S. Navy and sent home to marry my grandmother. He brought her a kimono  and that was the last time he ever talked about Japan. Over the next 18 years before he died, I know he must have seen the news that slowly leaked out, about the leukemia, tumors and birth defects. He may have learned that while the U.S. government claimed to have dropped warning leaflets over Japanese cities ahead of the bombing, the vagueness of the warnings made it nearly impossible for civilians to know where to safely evacuate.

I wonder if, when each of his healthy children was born with thick, dark Italian hair, he thought about all the children he must have treated who had lost their hair from the radiation.

After my grandfather died, my grandmother went back to work as a chemist until she retired. Even though she spent most of her days around men, she never remarried. Her marriage, and its two-decade disintegration, had been the ultimate disappointment of her life.

Oppenheimer could have talked about any of these things in its 1950s scenes  the cover-ups, the wives who smiled through their own trauma, the physical and psychological toll of those involved. Instead, it focused on the drama of J. Robert Oppenheimer losing his security status.

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Im not arguing that the bomb itself was a mistake; as the wife of a Marine veteran, I understand the way winning the war changed the course of history and all the freedoms it brought. And in so many ways, Christopher Nolan got the movie right. But in this respect, he got it wrong.
Who would have thought we would be living through a mal du siecle time when holding a protest sign stating the fact that a designated terrorist group like Hamas are actually terrorists would get you fucking arrested. Hamas are terrorists, they have committed atrocities against humans that even the Nazis would find overkill. Truth be told, Hamas and Nazis are on different levels of atrocity creation, each group a disgusting reminder of the horrors humans can do to other humans. The war in Gaza is a direct creation of Hamas, who have been the cause of plunging immeasurable suffering upon Israeli Jews who they want to completely erase from the earth and the misguided Palestinian people, following them to the gates of hell itself.

Hamas is Terrorist

London, on the other hand used to be the capital city of the island of Britain, but somehow it has been hijacked, it has been subverted into a state of criminal cleptobiosis and now even the Metropolitan Police are somehow siding with terror itself, all conducted of course by the muciferous Jihadist Mayor of London  Sadiq Khan, a divisive character who has plunged the once great capital city into a sick morose den of religious war, terror, crime and most of all despair.

There is now an element of true fear seen in the faces of Londoners, because they know that the Met. Police are ineffective observers of crime  they dont fight crime, they observe it. Okay, they might make a report here or there about the crime they just witnessed on some scratchy CCTV screen, or heard of occurring maybe months later after the fact, but filling in another report is always good because its another report that no one will ever read or fucking care about. The only people they arrest are those who dare to misgender the elevated and immune trans population, those who make an anti-woke comment on a social media site, or people protesting against terrorism.

When rampallian public officials like Sadiq Khan are not held accountable for their actions, then we are on dangerous ground as a supposed democratic nation. Here is a cockroach mini-Stalin or mini-Hitler who is running the once great capital city of a once great nation into the fucking ground. He has turned London into a dangerous eigengrau cesspit where terror is revered, and hard-working Londoners are daily trodden on under the maelstrom of rabid crime, evil and unjust taxation upon taxation. Khan should be arrested immediately and tried for gross misconduct as well as the promotion of terror upon the citizens of London. He should then be paraded through the streets in a fucking cage and pelted with rotten tomatoes, shit and rotten eggs, taken to the stocks and left there for the jeering crowds for a few weeks until taken to the Tower, dragged under the waters through Traitors Gate to await the inevitable axe man.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor plays journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson in Ava DuVernays Origin. Atsushi Nishijima/Neon

A few weeks ago, a dear friend and I walked out of an Emeryville movie theater in stunned silence. The film we had just experienced  and, it was, an experience  left us devastated yet somehow elated.

Id never seen anything like it, artist Maria Blanco said as I nodded along.

On Sunday, the Oscars will celebrate an exceptional year in cinema, with a Best Picture slate full of audacious and original films: A biopic told in alternating timelines and perspectives; a meta, live-action adaptation of a toy doll; an incisive satire of the publishing industry; a vanitas about the Holocaust. Absent from the ceremony completely, however, is arguably the most audacious and original film released last year: Ava DuVernays Origin.

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At a time of rampant disconnection in the world, Origin dares to make connections. Like the book on which it is based, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Isabel Wilkersons nonfiction best-seller Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, Origin connects segregation in the United States, Indias caste system and Nazi Germanys plan to eradicate Jewish people to make a case for a new language around equality and equity. But DuVernay pushes the conceit further, connecting Wilkersons rigorously academic theory of American racism to her lived experience developing and writing it. Anyone could have adapted Caste into a documentary. As a documentary filmmaker, I had imagined a docuseries, visualizing what I was reading on the page. What I did not envision was that DuVernay would dare to reimagine it as a character-driven journey of discovery, fusing melodrama and reportage, and mixing actors with real-life scholars and journalists playing themselves. I cant recall ever seeing another film like it, let alone a film about a Black female intellectual wrestling with her ideas on a global level. Origin is sui generis.

Ava DuVernay, third from right, directs a scene from Origin on location in Berlin. Atsushi Nishijima/Neon

Ive followed DuVernays career since her first feature film, I Will Follow. At the time I was scrambling to self-fund my own film  a feature documentary that I ended up calling Documented, as I chronicled my undocumented immigrant experience  and I read an article in the Los Angeles Times that a first-time filmmaker named Ava DuVernay, who owned a film and television public relations agency, was financing her own movie because it would have taken too long to convince others to fund it. And then, through a collaboration with key Black film festivals and arts organizations, she founded AFFRM (African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement) to release I Will Follow in theaters. I Will Follows earnings were reinvested into what is now ARRAY, which has since produced (via ARRAY Filmworks) or distributed (via ARRAY Releasing) over 40 films by and/or about people of color and women of all kinds. ARRAY also expanded to include ARRAY Alliance, a nonprofit division that launched ARRAY Crew, a database designed to connect below-the-line production personnel from underrepresented backgrounds with producers and studio department heads.

After helming the big-budget Disney fantasy A Wrinkle in Time, Origin is a bit of a throwback to I Will Follow. It was originally set up at Netflix, which eyed a fall 2024 release, but DuVernay wanted it out well in advance of this falls U.S. presidential election. Instead of approaching another studio and making a pitch for why this film needed to get made right now  Its not what theyre looking for, DuVernay told the New Yorker. Its not a business proposition that will work. Instead, she approached philanthropists. Through its Alliance division, ARRAY already had relationships in the nonprofit world.

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Many of those investors were looking for ways to make sure their money had more impact, and they were open to an unconventional idea, said ARRAY Filmworks president Paul Garnes.

In addition to individual donors, ARRAY garnered investments from charitable organizations like the Ford Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Laurene Powell Jobs Emerson Collective, some of which were entirely new to feature film financing, and all gave money less in hopes of profit and more to spark discourse. Combined, their contributions make up most of Origins $38 million budget.

Ava DuVernay founded AFFRM (African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement) in collaboration with key Black film festivals and arts organizations, to release her first film. Richard Shotwell/Associated Press

In pursuing philanthropic funding, DuVernay has, in a major way, shifted the paradigm on how to finance less commercial cinema in an increasingly risk-averse film world, one thats in the throes of sagging stock prices and theatrical malaise. For us to continue bold work, we need to consider all avenues. Philanthropy could fill an artistic hole that capitalists may not strive for.

We generally dont fund scripted feature films. We fund documentaries. But (Origin) was so compelling, we had to support it, Darren Walker, the president of the Ford Foundation, told me. For philanthropy, we need to be flexible and open to those rare occasions when a film like this comes along to say yes. 

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Adds Bridgit Antoinette Evans, a theater artist who heads Pop Culture Collaborative, which supports storytellers seeking to make a societal impact: We also have to fund the infrastructure that creates a robust and thriving pop culture narrative change field that can rise to the moment of artistic expressions like Origin. We want to get to the day that when an Ava says, I want to make a film like that, not only is there financing to make a film, but there are cultural strategy firms ready to leap into action with the resources that they need to build really diverse impact strategies around the film. The combination of those two types of investment is needed to really establish clear narrative power around social justice inside of Hollywood.

DuVernay once said: If your dream is just for you, its not big enough. What she pulled off with Origin, and what philanthropy supported at the scale it did, could have an impact lasting far beyond Sundays Oscars. There are times when storytelling is a moral imperative, and DuVernay opened the door for more voices to be heard, for the message to be the medium.

More than a decade ago, when I was struggling to finance Documented, I did not seek funding from foundations  I had no connections, and, once I became aware of the funding process, I decided it moved too slowly given the immediacy of what I was trying to do: humanize the illegal immigrant conversation. But that does not have to be the case anymore. The media we consume is where we are as a society, and there should be space for both a process film about a white man making a bomb and a process film about a Black woman making a case about the hierarchy at the heart of American culture.

Origin will be available March 12 via video on demand.

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California State Teachers Retirement System lessened its stake in GATX Co. (NYSE:GATX  Free Report) by 12.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 37,529 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 5,389 shares during the quarter. California State Teachers Retirement Systems holdings in GATX were worth $4,084,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in GATX by 5.8% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,675,622 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $601,940,000 after acquiring an additional 255,466 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of GATX by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,794,147 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $323,071,000 after purchasing an additional 40,537 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of GATX by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,198,966 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $154,355,000 after purchasing an additional 3,702 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in shares of GATX by 4.8% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,021,205 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $112,353,000 after purchasing an additional 47,037 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of GATX by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 706,757 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $90,988,000 after purchasing an additional 33,202 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.15% of the companys stock.

GATX Stock Up 0.1 %

GATX stock opened at $132.76 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $123.91 and its 200 day simple moving average is $115.92. GATX Co. has a fifty-two week low of $97.21 and a fifty-two week high of $134.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.57 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.26, a current ratio of 2.79 and a quick ratio of 2.79.

GATX Increases Dividend

GATX ( NYSE:GATX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.74 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.58 by $0.16. GATX had a net margin of 18.37% and a return on equity of 11.81%. The firm had revenue of $368.70 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $365.32 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.54 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 14.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that GATX Co. will post 7.53 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be paid a $0.58 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.75%. This is a positive change from GATXs previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. GATXs payout ratio is presently 32.45%.

Insider Buying and Selling at GATX

In other GATX news, CFO Thomas A. Ellman sold 18,000 shares of GATX stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.54, for a total value of $2,295,720.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 35,429 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,518,614.66. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, CEO Robert C. Lyons sold 19,300 shares of GATX stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.70, for a total value of $2,426,010.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 44,710 shares in the company, valued at $5,620,047. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Thomas A. Ellman sold 18,000 shares of GATX stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.54, for a total transaction of $2,295,720.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 35,429 shares in the company, valued at $4,518,614.66. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 37,494 shares of company stock valued at $4,746,230. 1.80% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

GATX has been the topic of several recent research reports. Susquehanna raised their target price on shares of GATX from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of GATX from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of GATX from $122.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $134.50.

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GATX Company Profile

(Free Report)

GATX Corporation, together its subsidiaries, operates as railcar leasing company in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and India. It operates through three segments: Rail North America, Rail International, and Portfolio Management. The company leases tank and freight railcars, and locomotives for petroleum, chemical, food/agriculture, and transportation industries.

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California State Teachers Retirement System trimmed its holdings in SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:S  Free Report) by 6.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 251,581 shares of the companys stock after selling 18,383 shares during the quarter. California State Teachers Retirement Systems holdings in SentinelOne were worth $4,242,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

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Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of SentinelOne in the 1st quarter valued at about $43,000. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new position in SentinelOne during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. CWM LLC raised its stake in SentinelOne by 57.4% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,969 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 718 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in SentinelOne during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. acquired a new position in SentinelOne during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. 71.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

S has been the topic of a number of research reports. Guggenheim upped their price target on SentinelOne from $26.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. Susquehanna initiated coverage on SentinelOne in a research note on Friday, December 15th. They set a positive rating and a $35.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on SentinelOne from $20.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Citigroup increased their price objective on SentinelOne from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and issued a $26.00 target price (up previously from $23.00) on shares of SentinelOne in a report on Tuesday, December 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating, ten have issued 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 Hold and an average price target of $24.02.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other SentinelOne news, CAO Robin Tomasello sold 4,001 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.25, for a total value of $109,027.25. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 203,196 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,537,091. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, CEO Tomer Weingarten sold 69,427 shares of SentinelOne stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.09, for a total value of $1,880,777.43. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,285,122 shares in the company, valued at $34,813,954.98. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CAO Robin Tomasello sold 4,001 shares of SentinelOne stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.25, for a total value of $109,027.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 203,196 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,537,091. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 1,080,821 shares of company stock valued at $26,450,359 over the last ninety days. 5.93% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

SentinelOne Price Performance

NYSE:S opened at $27.45 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $26.83 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $21.49. SentinelOne, Inc. has a 1 year low of $12.43 and a 1 year high of $30.76.

About SentinelOne

(Free Report)

SentinelOne, Inc operates as a cybersecurity provider in the United States and internationally. Its Singularity Extended Detection and Response Platform delivers an artificial intelligence-powered autonomous threat prevention, detection, and response capabilities across an organization's endpoints; and cloud workloads, which enables seamless and automatic protection against a spectrum of cyber threats.

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California State Teachers Retirement System lessened its position in PNM Resources, Inc. (NYSE:PNM  Free Report) by 9.2% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 91,032 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 9,263 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement Systems holdings in PNM Resources were worth $4,061,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in PNM. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can lifted its holdings in shares of PNM Resources by 8.2% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 46,260 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,263,000 after acquiring an additional 3,493 shares during the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in PNM Resources by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 45,120 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,151,000 after buying an additional 724 shares in the last quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp bought a new stake in PNM Resources during the 1st quarter valued at about $5,387,000. Sei Investments Co. lifted its holdings in PNM Resources by 114.7% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 238,673 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $11,378,000 after buying an additional 127,483 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its holdings in PNM Resources by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 391,228 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $18,650,000 after buying an additional 2,959 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.18% of the companys stock.

PNM Resources Trading Down 0.1 %

NYSE PNM opened at $37.69 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a current ratio of 0.39. The company has a market capitalization of $3.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 0.35. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $37.32 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $41.19. PNM Resources, Inc. has a one year low of $34.63 and a one year high of $49.27.

PNM Resources Dividend Announcement

PNM Resources ( NYSE:PNM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.18 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.14 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $412.11 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $705.05 million. PNM Resources had a net margin of 4.54% and a return on equity of 10.51%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.15 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that PNM Resources, Inc. will post 2.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 26th will be given a $0.387 dividend. This represents a $1.55 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.11%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 25th. PNM Resourcess payout ratio is currently 150.49%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Mizuho lowered shares of PNM Resources from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $41.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. TheStreet lowered shares of PNM Resources from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. StockNews.com lowered shares of PNM Resources from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Barclays assumed coverage on shares of PNM Resources in a report on Thursday, February 8th. They set an overweight rating and a $40.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of PNM Resources from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $44.00 price objective for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $46.20.

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PNM Resources Company Profile

(Free Report)

PNM Resources, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides electricity and electric services in the United States. It operates through Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM); Texas-New Mexico Power Company (TNMP); and Corporate and Other segments. The PNM segment engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity.

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Glenmede Trust Co. NA cut its stake in Raymond James (NYSE:RJF  Free Report) by 97.7% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 6,535 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 283,149 shares during the quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NAs holdings in Raymond James were worth $656,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of RJF. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise raised its holdings in Raymond James by 13.3% in the 3rd quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise now owns 2,718 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $273,000 after acquiring an additional 318 shares during the last quarter. Operose Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Raymond James by 241.3% in the third quarter. Operose Advisors LLC now owns 1,024 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $103,000 after purchasing an additional 724 shares during the last quarter. Comerica Bank purchased a new position in Raymond James during the second quarter worth approximately $38,099,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Raymond James by 8.9% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,434,163 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $148,829,000 after buying an additional 117,155 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in Raymond James by 4.7% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,196,715 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,784,503,000 after buying an additional 772,492 shares in the last quarter. 75.00% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently commented on RJF shares. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a hold rating and set a $117.00 price target (up previously from $112.00) on shares of Raymond James in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Raymond James from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Raymond James from $106.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Raymond James from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $110.00 to $135.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their target price 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 equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $119.25.

Raymond James Price Performance

Raymond James stock opened at $120.20 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $114.47 and its 200-day simple moving average is $107.33. The company has a market capitalization of $25.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.04. Raymond James has a 1 year low of $82.00 and a 1 year high of $122.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 0.99.

Raymond James (NYSE:RJF  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The financial services provider reported $2.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.25 by $0.15. The business 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 businesss revenue was up 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.29 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Raymond James will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current year.

Raymond James Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Monday, April 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.50%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 28th. Raymond Jamess payout ratio is currently 22.56%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Steven M. Raney sold 930 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.42, for a total transaction of $102,690.60. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 55,618 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,141,339.56. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, Director Art A. Garcia purchased 879 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 9th. The stock was bought at an average price of $112.30 per share, for a total transaction of $98,711.70. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 879 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $98,711.70. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Steven M. Raney sold 930 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.42, for a total transaction of $102,690.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 55,618 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,141,339.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 9.74% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Raymond James

(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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Glenmede Trust Co. NA lowered its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS  Free Report) by 25.1% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 1,611 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 540 shares during the period. Glenmede Trust Co. NAs holdings in FactSet Research Systems were worth $704,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

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A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of FDS. Covestor Ltd grew its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 82.9% during the second quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 64 shares of the business services providers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. acquired a new stake in FactSet Research Systems in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Clear Street Markets LLC raised its position in FactSet Research Systems by 94.9% in the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 76 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Tyler Stone Wealth Management bought a new position in FactSet Research Systems in the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Eagle Bay Advisors LLC bought a new position in FactSet Research Systems in the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. 89.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

FactSet Research Systems Price Performance

Shares of FDS stock opened at $466.12 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91. FactSet Research Systems Inc. has a twelve month low of $377.89 and a twelve month high of $487.79. The company has a market cap of $17.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.71, a P/E/G ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.73. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $466.28 and a 200 day simple moving average of $452.38.

FactSet Research Systems Announces Dividend

FactSet Research Systems ( NYSE:FDS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 19th. The business services provider reported $4.12 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.10 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $542.20 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $540.34 million. FactSet Research Systems had a return on equity of 34.47% and a net margin of 22.60%. FactSet Research Systemss revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.99 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that FactSet Research Systems Inc. will post 15.76 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 21st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be given a $0.98 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.84%. FactSet Research Systemss dividend payout ratio is presently 31.72%.

Insider Buying and Selling at FactSet Research Systems

In other news, CEO Frederick Philip Snow sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $476.02, for a total value of $1,428,060.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 12,915 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,147,798.30. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other FactSet Research Systems news, EVP Christopher R. Ellis sold 9,291 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $450.76, for a total value of $4,188,011.16. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 23,433 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,562,659.08. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Frederick Philip Snow sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $476.02, for a total value of $1,428,060.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 12,915 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,147,798.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 14,805 shares of company stock worth $6,805,651. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

FDS has been the topic of a number of research reports. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on FactSet Research Systems from $436.00 to $469.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $464.00 target price on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating and set a $480.00 target price (up from $471.00) on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research report on Friday, December 8th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on FactSet Research Systems from $436.00 to $447.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $434.25.

Read Our Latest Report on FDS

About FactSet Research Systems

(Free Report)

FactSet Research Systems Inc, a financial data company, provides integrated financial information and analytical applications to the investment community in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company delivers insight and information through the workflow solutions of research, analytics and trading, content and technology solutions, and wealth.

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Palantir Technologies (NYSE:PLTR  Free Report) had its price target lifted by Mizuho from $18.00 to $21.00 in a report published on Thursday, Benzinga reports. Mizuho currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

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Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Bank of America lifted their target price on Palantir Technologies from $24.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday. Wedbush boosted their price target on Palantir Technologies from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Citigroup upgraded Palantir Technologies from a sell rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $10.00 to $20.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Palantir Technologies from an underperform rating to a hold rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $13.00 to $22.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an underperform rating and set a $5.00 price target on shares of Palantir Technologies in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $18.21.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on PLTR

Palantir Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE PLTR opened at $26.04 on Thursday. Palantir Technologies has a 52 week low of $7.19 and a 52 week high of $27.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $57.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 289.37, a PEG ratio of 6.39 and a beta of 2.82. The stocks fifty day moving average is $20.35 and its 200 day moving average is $18.18.

Palantir Technologies (NYSE:PLTR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 5th. The company reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.04 by ($0.01). Palantir Technologies had a return on equity of 6.17% and a net margin of 9.43%. The company had revenue of $608.35 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $603.48 million. Equities research analysts forecast that Palantir Technologies will post 0.16 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Palantir Technologies news, insider Ryan D. Taylor sold 120,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.00, for a total value of $2,640,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 181,460 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,992,120. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other Palantir Technologies news, insider Ryan D. Taylor sold 120,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.00, for a total value of $2,640,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 181,460 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,992,120. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Heather A. Planishek sold 32,828 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.95, for a total value of $851,886.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 662,006 shares in the company, valued at $17,179,055.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 404,517 shares of company stock valued at $9,512,360 over the last ninety days. 13.96% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Palantir Technologies

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Qsemble Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Palantir Technologies during the third quarter worth approximately $1,178,000. Trexquant Investment LP acquired a new position in shares of Palantir Technologies during the third quarter worth approximately $4,446,000. Van Cleef Asset Management Inc raised its position in shares of Palantir Technologies by 82.9% during the second quarter. Van Cleef Asset Management Inc now owns 690,267 shares of the companys stock worth $10,582,000 after purchasing an additional 312,767 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Palantir Technologies by 3.9% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 684,953 shares of the companys stock worth $10,959,000 after purchasing an additional 25,787 shares during the period. Finally, Korea Investment CORP grew its holdings in Palantir Technologies by 148.4% during the third quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 193,957 shares of the companys stock worth $3,103,000 after buying an additional 115,876 shares in the last quarter. 34.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Palantir Technologies Company Profile

(Get 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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California State Teachers Retirement System decreased its holdings in shares of SPX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SPXC  Free Report) by 8.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 50,017 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,750 shares during the quarter. California State Teachers Retirement Systems holdings in SPX Technologies were worth $4,071,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of SPXC. Point72 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in SPX Technologies during the second quarter worth about $34,000. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in SPX Technologies during the first quarter worth about $35,000. Huntington National Bank raised its stake in SPX Technologies by 45.5% during the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 467 shares of the companys stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the period. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in SPX Technologies during the second quarter worth about $44,000. Finally, Smithfield Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of SPX Technologies in the second quarter valued at approximately $54,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.93% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on SPXC shares. Oppenheimer restated an outperform rating and issued a $124.00 price target (up previously from $118.00) on shares of SPX Technologies in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. StockNews.com lowered shares of SPX Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $107.00.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Eugene Joseph Lowe III sold 35,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.34, for a total value of $4,036,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 667,045 shares in the company, valued at $76,936,970.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 4.02% of the companys stock.

SPX Technologies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:SPXC opened at $115.64 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average is $105.56 and its two-hundred day moving average is $91.92. The company has a current ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 60.23, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.25. SPX Technologies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $61.09 and a 52 week high of $118.14.

SPX Technologies (NYSE:SPXC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The company reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.25. The business had revenue of $469.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $481.98 million. SPX Technologies had a net margin of 5.16% and a return on equity of 17.30%. The businesss revenue was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.17 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that SPX Technologies, Inc. will post 5.03 earnings per share for the current year.

SPX Technologies Company Profile

(Free Report)

SPX Technologies, Inc supplies infrastructure equipment serving the heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC); and detection and measurement markets in the United States, China, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, HVAC and Detection and Measurement. The HVAC segment engineers, designs, manufactures, installs, and services package and process cooling products and engineered air movement solutions for the HVAC industrial and power generation markets, as well as boilers and comfort heating and ventilation products for the residential and commercial markets.

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A Peoples Panel drawn from citizens living in Derry will meet for a third year in St Columbs Hall in April to provide local input into shaping decision making in the city.

This years initiative, organised by peacebuilding charity Co-operation Ireland, is specifically designed with a focus to empower, and engage young people aged 16-28 but is open to all age groups.

The goal is to provide them with a platform to amplify their voices so that any programmes developed will be informed by the people they impact.

Households across the Derry City Council area will be receiving invitations in the post asking them to take part; 50 residents will be selected through a process known as civic lottery and offered a place on the Peoples Panel. If selected, participants will receive a voucher in the amount of 120 in addition to any other costs reimbursed.

The Panel will be reflective of the population of various areas in the city, according to gender, age, ethnicity, and socio-economic background. The Panel will meet in St Columbs Hall for three days over the course of two weekends.

The first event will be held on Saturday and Sunday April 20-21, with the second on Saturday May 4.

In 2022 the programme explored Mental Health, with a report published of the panels recommendations and given to the Western Trust. In 2023, the topic was on increasing participatory decision-making with a report also published alongside the panel's recommendations and delivered to Derry City Council.

Ireland Twiggs from Co-operation Ireland said, "Voice Matters is a really exciting program in which citizens can be directly involved with decision making - producing recommendations that go directly to the council and other relevant organisations. If you receive an invitation, be sure to register and get involved!"
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On 22 February 2024, the ACRPS Iranian Studies Unit (ISU) hosted a public lecture by Maryam Alemzadeh, Associate Professor in History and Politics of Iran at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies and a Middle East Centre Fellow. The lecture, titled Irans Military Presence in the Middle East: Do Sanctions and Terrorist Designations Work?, was moderated by Aicha Elbasri, Researcher at the Arab Center. Alemzadehs lecture focused on why sanctions have persisted despite their failure to alter the trajectory of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) extraterritorial activities.

Alemzadeh began by discussing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) role in Iran and the sanctions imposed on the organization and Iran more broadly. She stated that the IRGC is an expansive security, economic, financial, and cultural production that has a significant influence on Iranian politics. The extraterritorial branch of the IRGC, the Quds Force, pursues Iranian regional interests. She briefly mentioned the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and how its implementation from 2015 to 2018 provided temporary relief since most of the sanctions related to Irans nuclear program were lifted. However, the JCPOA had no lasting impact on Irans economy.

Following Trumps withdrawal from the JCPOA, the US further reinstated sanctions against Iran and the Trump administration added the IRGC to the US Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) list in 2019. The primary goal of the FTO designation was to restrict Quds Force operations in the region against US forces. Alemzadeh then provided a history of international sanctions against Iran and the IRGC. She argued that terrorism-related sanctions against the IRGC have failed to curb its extraterritorial activities because the terrorist label provided a strong deterrent factor, but it did not change the mechanism for pressuring Iran. Alemzadeh further added that sanctions do not have the means to monitor potential extralegal transactions.

To explain why sanctions have failed to limit the extraterritorial activities of the IRGC, Alemzadeh discussed its institutional history and how it became a major power today. The IRGC started as a non-professional revolutionary force that depended on informal setups, local resources, and personal relationships of trust. According to Alemzadeh, the IRGC preserved some of its reliance on informal and spontaneous action, and its participation in the repression of resilient ethnic uprisings weeks after its formation and its contribution to the governments relative success of the violent crackdown consolidated the informality and spontaneity as an acceptable mode of operation. Between 1998 and 2000, the IRGC underwent structural changes, maintaining some of its revolutionary traits but growing in terms of security and policing, as well as its mercantilization and entrance into financial and infrastructural businesses. The researcher mentioned that the IRGC recruits low-skill combatants and exports drones and ballistic missiles, military and engineering skills, asymmetric warfare advice and potential training. She maintained that the IRGC has become the expert in operating in a limited area of expertise over the years and as a result remained a largely undetectable force.

Alemzadeh concluded by discussing why counterterrorism sanctions continued as a strategy and have remained popular despite their ineffectiveness in curbing the IRGCs extraterritorial activities. She acknowledged that sanctions have further limited Irans economy due to the significant role played by the IRGC in the economic sector, and highlighted how sanctions also hampered the IRGCs domestic gains. She presented a counterargument, stressing that the IRGC not only evades sanctions but also benefits from them. According to Alemzadeh, sanctions have enabled the IRGC businessmen and their political patrons to engage in even more corruption and extralegal monetary gains in Iran, and these benefits are more likely to be personal rather than benefiting the IRGC as a corporation at large.


San Franciscos wealthy Sea Cliff neighborhood could be a deciding factor in a hotly contested supervisor race, with many neighbors coalescing behind a centrist candidate. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle Residents of the wealthy Sea Cliff neighborhood have great views  and strong opinions about the future of San Francisco. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

Sea Cliff resident Rita Williams hasnt always been a Democrat.



She was raised in a right-wing Sacramento family, lives in one of San Franciscos most affluent and conservative neighborhoods, and voted for Donald Trump in 2016.

But in San Francisco, its kind of lonely to be a Republican, Williams said.



Williams isnt so lonely lately. Shes now a registered Democrat and part of a highly motivated group of Sea Cliff residents hoping to shape the future of the Democratic Party in San Francisco. She and like-minded neighbors are cheering the wins notched by moderate candidates and causes last week, and theyre hoping to go further in November.

Sea Cliff residents Dennis and Rita Williams recently became politically active for the first time in years to oust current their current supervisor, Connie Chan, and elect her moderate opponent, Marjan Philhour. Juliana Yamada/Special to the Chronicle

Their main target now is her districts progressive supervisor, Connie Chan. Theyre coalescing behind a centrist candidate to oust her: Marjan Philhour.



Its going to be a battle this year, she said of Chans reelection bid. And shes going to have her work cut out for her.

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For the first time, Williams and her neighbors will have a say in who gets elected in Chans district. Redistricting in 2022 moved more than a dozen blocks that are north of Lake Street as well as Presidio Terrace, San Franciscos only gated community, into District 1.



Williams is one of many voters across her affluent, quiet neighborhood who are hosting parties, knocking on doors and talking to neighbors about voting for Philhour and might influence one of the most hotly contested races for supervisor in San Francisco this year.

In 2020, Chan beat Philhour by only 125 votes. The addition of Sea Cliff voters, who political experts predict will lean toward Philhour, could be a problem for Chan.



Williams and her neighbors said theyre sick of seeing neighborhood retailers close and downtown languishing, and they worry about safety, despite San Franciscos reported crime rate falling slightly over the past several decades.



San Francisco is also safer, statistically, than many other big cities such as Houston, Dallas, Seattle and New Orleans.



Fairly or not, many Sea Cliff residents  galvanized by the recalls of progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin and three San Francisco Unified school board members  blame progressives for the citys problems.

Progressive Supervisor Connie Chan, shown at an election night party for the Proposition A affordable housing bonds at Slate nightclub, faces a centrist challenger for her seat. Amy Osborne/Special to the Chronicle

Supervisor Connie Chans reelection campaign defended her record, saying the supervisor is connecting with constituents who were moved into her district and advocating for them.



Since redistricting, she has done extensive outreach to the newest residents of D1, including hosting meet and greets with Richmond Station Captain Canning to talk about what we can do to strengthen community safety, said Chans campaign spokesperson, Julie Edwards.



Edwards blamed Mayor London Breed for many of the problems constituents are worried about.



They understand there is no candidate closer to London Breed and her failed agenda than her former senior adviser, Marjan Philhour, Edwards said. Connie Chan will continue to fight for all residents of D1 because thats what shes done every day for the last three years.



Wedged between the Pacific Ocean, the Presidio and the Richmond District, Sea Cliff has long been an enclave of the citys elite. The neighborhood is home to tech billionaires and old money San Franciscans living in palatial mansions with manicured yards and Golden Gate views. Billionaires such as Salesforce co-founder Marc Benioff, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and Gap co-founder Donald Fisher have called it home.

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Many voters in the affluent Sea Cliff neighborhood above Baker Beach are hoping to influence the hotly contested race for District 1 supervisor this year. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

San Francisco State University professor Jason McDaniel told the Chronicle that Chan is in danger of losing her seat unless she can persuade progressive voters who came out in limited numbers for the primary election last week to vote for her in November. He expects that residents in Sea Cliff, which he said is the most conservative part of her district, are going to turn out in a strong way.

He has his money on Philhour.



It was a close loss last time, so I dont think its certain that shell beat Chan. Its hard to beat an incumbent, McDaniel said. But Chan should absolutely be worried.

Tuesdays election was a big win for moderates. A slate of moderate candidates were poised to take control of the city Democratic Party Central Committee, which gives out election endorsements. Both Philhour and Chan look likely to get seats on the committee, but it could end up endorsing Philhour given its makeup.



Voters also endorsed moderate ballot measures that address public safety and the drug crisis. Sea Cliff voters helped them prevail. Among the 1,049 registered Democratic voters in Sea Cliff, about 450 ballots had already been counted by Friday. More than 70% voted for Proposition E, which will expand police powers, and Proposition F, which will take away cash benefits from welfare recipients struggling with addiction who refuse treatment.

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Marjan Philhour is gaining support from a neighborhood group in her campaign for District 1 supervisor. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle 2016

Williams and her husband, Dennis, say theyve seen their neighborhood struggle with garage break-ins, constant car smash-and-grabs and shuttered or burgled small businesses.



The fatal beating of a Richmond merchant during an attempted robbery upset them, as did the theft of an ATM from their local CVS pharmacy.

The perception were immune from all of it is inaccurate, Dennis Williams said.



The Williams hosted a party for Philhour at their home and invited their neighbors. Rita Williams said she expected 10 neighbors would show up.

We got 30, she said

Sea Cliff resident Brendan Nemeth says he considers himself liberal, but progressivism went too far. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

One was Brendan Nemeth, who said he was radicalized by the general overreach he saw within the government, the demonization of the police, and the school board and district attorney recalls in 2022.

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Im not a Republican, Im a liberal, he said. But it (progressivism) went too far.

Energized after a meeting he attended hosted by the political advocacy group Together SF, Nemeth later also threw his own party for Philhour and got 25 neighbors to attend.

When I learned that Marjan lost by just 125 votes, I thought, a couple of these events could really swing the vote, he said.

Another Sea Cliff resident, Cameron Crisman, said the past four years have shown that Chan isnt doing enough for people like him, calling her out of touch with the community.



Sea Cliff is going to tend toward the moderate just because theres a more conservative bent, he said. Connie doesnt seem like a part of this community.

Chans spokesperson, Edwards, said the supervisor has fought for every resident of the Richmond District by advocating for increasing police patrols and helping small businesses impacted by the Geary Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit improvements.

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Chan, who was budget chair, has touted her support for working families, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, and an increase in shelter beds to get more homeless people off the streets. She also has worked across the aisle with opponents such as Breed to get the budget done.

A mail carrier walks past a Marjan for Supervisor sign in the window of a home in the Sea Cliff neighborhood. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

Philhour said in an interview she was encouraged by her apparent victory in the DCCC race and by the support shes receiving in Sea Cliff and other parts of the Richmond.



I dont take anything for granted, she said. Were working to unseat not just an incumbent but the entrenched political machine that she represents that has dominated the narrative in the Richmond for two decades.
A junior minister has denied accusations the Government did not give enough information to the public about the failed referenda, describing it as a complex issue.

Junior Minister Pippa Hackett said there were many reasons why the referenda campaign failed.

The Governments proposals on family and care votes were overwhelmingly rejected as the electorate voted against changing the Constitution.

The family vote lost 67.7% to 32.3%, while the care vote lost 73.9% to 26.1%.

The care vote is the highest no vote in the history of the states referenda.

The Government conceded early in the count on Saturday that it had lost the vote.

Ms Hackett told RTEs The Week In Politics show on Sunday: It is a failure on behalf of the wider yes campaign group. The Government is front row in that. We failed to articulate to the electorate why they should vote yes and yes in the referendum.

She rejected accusations that not enough work was put into the referenda campaign and that the Government ignored the suggested referenda wording put forward by the Citizens Assembly.

I refute that in the sense that this has been a question to be asked for at least 30 years, she added.

The joint Oireachtas committee on Gender Equality amended some of the recommendations from the Citizens Assembly, then they put forward their recommendations. There were three Sinn Fein members on that committee. So I mean, this was a consent.

She added: I think its a complex issue, and I think there were many reasons why people voted no, it wasnt a singular point. I think maybe yes, I think we did get that wrong. We did maybe get the language wrong in the sense.

Sinn Fein TD Claire Kerrane said her party called it wrong.

The Roscommon and Galway TD was also critical of the Governments process in pushing the referenda through the Dail.

She told the same show: The Government chose the wording, it was their referendum. They chose not to allow pre-legislative scrutiny which we sought. They also chose to guillotine the bill.

It wasnt a Sinn Fein referendum. It was a government referendum. To be perfectly honest, it was very rushed as well. I dont see why pre-legislative scrutiny wasnt allowed in relation to this bill.

But I hope one positive message comes out of all of this. I think the Irish people have been clear in relation to the very lack of support that is there for disabled people, our citizens and for family carers.

I hope the one good thing that will come out of this will be that we will see action now for those citizens because at the end of the day if you ask a lone parent, a family carer or a disabled person tomorrow, what do you need from government, none of them would say we want words change in the Constitution.

They want proper income support.

While all the opposition parties backed a yes-yes vote, many of them, including Sinn Fein, Labour and Social Democrats, said they would have preferred different wording, particularly in the care referendum.

Only Peadar Toibins party, Aontu, supported a no-no vote.

Independent TD Michael McNamara, who was one of a few TDs in the Dail who called for a no-no vote in the referenda, said it casts a dim light on how the parliament operates.

Weve all these referenda about our Constitution, but arguably the Dail does not fulfil the role assigned to it in our Constitution, he added.

Michael Collins, myself and others tried to call a vote on the wording of this, and we didnt have the numbers to even get a vote. You need 10 people to stand in their place to call a vote. We didnt even have that.

Sinn Fein didnt support, not necessarily support how we would have voted, but the right to have a vote on this. It was guillotined, thats something the Government used their majority to do.

The control that the Government exercises over the Dail is unusual compared to any other country in Europe.

The family amendment proposed extending the meaning of family beyond one defined by marriage and to include those based on durable relationships.

The care amendment proposed deleting references to a womans roles and duties in the home and replacing them with a new article that acknowledges family carers.
Knockbridge ladies, Dolores McNally and Mary McArdle, are hosting an afternoon tea dance in Knockbridge Community Centre on bank holiday Monday 18 March, to raise funds for NECRET (North East Cancer Research & Education Trust) / Drogheda Oncology a cause very close to both women, who have both availed of these services.

The mission of NECRET is to improve both the treatment and outcome of those people affected by cancer. Both Dolores and Mary say they cannot speak highly enough of the services provided by NECRET and Drogheda Oncology, having witnessed first hand the dedication and care provided by the services and medical teams and are grateful to be able to give something back to the organisation, and have a bit of fun while doing so.

The tea dance will be held on the bank holiday Monday 18 March in Knockbridge Community Centre between 3-6pm, there will be good food, craic and music by Brian Mohan and friends.

The ladies say not to forget your dancing shoes, and they will provide the hats! There will be a raffle on the day with some fantastic spot prizes up for grabs. Tickets are 15 and can be bought by contacting 085-1446825 or 087-2395203.

Dolores and Mary say are extremely grateful to the local clubs and organisations who have been so supportive in the lead up to this event.

If you are unable to make the tea dance and still want to make a contribution, donations and sponsorships are very much appreciated, the organisers say.

It is expected to be a great opportunity to catch up with friends, and enjoy some nice homebaking, while dancing along to wonderful tunes, all while raising funds for a very worthy cause.
Originally from Dublin, Julie Corcoran moved to Cavan almost 25 years ago and she is looking forward to calling Dundalk home for the next two months.

Julie is no stranger to the Creative Spark Print Studio, and has attended various printmaking workshops facilitated by Print Studio Coordinator Grainne Murphy. She also joined Creative Sparks affiliated arts group, AAEX, in late 2021.

It really is an amazing opportunity to develop and grow as an artist, Julie commented. With access to a studio and all the facilities Creative Spark has to offer, I feel blessed. Up until now I have produced digital prints but now Ill have the opportunity to hand print my work with techniques like silkscreen, engraved woodblock and cyanotype.

Above: To be Held by Julie Corcoran

Julies art practice involves manipulating her digital photographs using computer software to produce digital prints that look more like paintings than photographs. She has exhibited her work in solo and group exhibitions and is represented by three galleries on the island of Ireland; ArtisAnn, Belfast, Solart Gallery, Dublin and Hambly & Hambly, Enniskillen.

As part of her residency Julie wants to reach out to the community of Dundalk starting with a callout for participants for her Womanhood photographic project to mark International Womens Day on Friday, 8th March.

Creative Spark says it would like to invite all women to join Julie at Creative Spark on International Womens Day between 11:30 am and 3 pm to be part of Julie's Womanhood photographic project.

Photo Credit: Barry Cronin

Light refreshments will be provided with an opportunity to have your photograph taken and included in Julie's printmaking project; Womanhood.

Julie adds, the images I take on the day will form the basis of my artworks produced at Creative Spark during my residency.

Its really very exciting and Im very much looking forward to all the resulting conversations over coffee too!
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A QUARTET of Cork students recently took part in the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp, pitching their innovative projects to a panel of expert judges.

The bootcamp was set up to support BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) finalists in developing their project ideas into commercial enterprises under the guidance of BTYSTE alumni, BT Ireland mentors, and the judges.

Fifth-year students Anne ODonovan from Colaiste Choilm, Alex Neff from Gaelcholaiste Charraig Ui Leighin, and Ian Cullinane from Kinsale Community School, along with fourth-year student Philippa McIntosh from Bandon Grammar School, were among 26 students representing 10 counties taking part in the bootcamp.

They were shortlisted from the prize winners at BTYSTE 2024, with six projects selected from the exhibition for the students to work on and develop during the bootcamp.

The students engaged in a four-day intensive programme that included workshops on business development, marketing, and commercialisation.

On the final day, students pitched their project to the panel of judges, which included the managing director of BT Ireland, Shay Walsh; co-founder of the BTYSTE, Dr Tony Scott; vice president of technology at IDA Ireland, Catherine Howard, and work and technology correspondent at RTE, Brian ODonovan.

Now in its 15th year, the BT Young Scientist Business Bootcamp provides finalists at the exhibition with the skills and insights to encourage them to turn their projects into commercial enterprises, said Mr Walsh.

As the demand for STEM skills continues to grow each year, we know that the skills and advice that the students receive here will be instrumental in the development of Irelands future workforce, ensuring that Ireland continues to drive innovation as a market leader.

The winning project, developed by Ava Gaffney, a fourth-year student from Ballinamore Community School in Leitrim, examined the local bus routes to school to see whether or not they are operating in the most efficient way.

Members of the winning group also included Alec Hannan, a fifth-year student from Gonzaga College in Dublin; Caragh Killeen, a sixth-year student from St Josephs Community College in Clare, and Sean Murphy, a fourth year student from Colaiste Mhuire in Westmeath.

Gonzaga College fifth-year student Harry OLeary was named best individual.

Since the bootcamp began, several participants have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs, including Protex AI, betterexaminations.ie, and Evervault.
PEPSI is celebrating its 50th year in Cork through a new charitable campaign, 50for50.

Employees at PepsiCo will support a number of Cork charities and organisations by committing to undertake at least 50 good deeds throughout 2024 to spread positivity, and support the needs of the local community.

One of the organisations that PepsiCo will be supporting is the Crann Centre, which hosted the launch of the campaign with a tree-planting ceremony.

In marking 50 years in Little Island, we wanted to do something impactful which would reaffirm our dedication to supporting the communities that have been integral to our success, site director of PepsiCo in Little Island, Brian Colgan said.

Through the campaign, we aspire to carry out meaningful acts to inspire positive change.

We are excited to extend our support to organisations who make an impact in the community, starting with the Crann Centre.

We are deeply inspired by their work and the profound difference they make in the lives of people and families living with neuro-physical disabilities.

We are delighted to launch our 50for50 campaign with this tree planting ceremony, and we look forward to building on this partnership in the year ahead.

Also commenting on the partnership, founder and board chairwoman of the Crann Centre, Kate Jarvey, said: We are honoured that PepsiCo have chosen the Crann Centre as one of their charity partners for their 50th year in Ireland.

We just welcomed our 500th family through our doors, and its because of support from brilliant partners like PepsiCo who offer their time and resources so that Crann can deliver life-changing services for children, adults, and families living with neuro-physical disability.

Founded in 2018, as a pioneering Irish charity, the Crann Centre provides life-changing solutions for individuals and families living with neurophysical disabilities across Munster, including those with spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.
Families from across Cork today departed from Cork Airport for a very special trip to Disneyland Paris.

The trip was organised by Cork City Childrens Hospital Club and will see the group spend the next three days at the theme park.

More than 80 people are traveling including doctors, nurses, social workers, ambulance personnel, HSE secretaries, security officers, and gardai; all volunteers who have taken annual leave from their jobs to help keep the children safe.

Speaking to The Echo before the trip, chairperson John Looney said this will be the 30th such visit organised by Cork City Childrens Hospital Club and the first since the covid pandemic.

There were five children informed that they were going to Euro Disney in 2020, we were due to fly out in February and then covid hit in January, and they were very, very disappointed, he said.

Craig Hurley, The Glen travelling with daughters Keela and Ali with very special 'hairdos' for the trip at Cork Airport before departure. Pic Larry Cummins.

Mr Looney said that the pandemic was particularly hard for vulnerable children, as they had to stay indoors for a long time.

Parents Paul and Aishling Higgins with children Max, Zac and Belle at Cork Airport before departure. Pic Larry Cummins

These are all children who we were waving at from their windows, the distance was very hard for them to understand, but amazingly, they all did understand.

Attendees departed Cork Airport today and will enjoy a meticulously planned trip including three different restaurants on different nights.

The Hospital Club has special passes for the children to help reduce queue times.

The children will return to Cork on the Wednesday evening.

Mr Looney said that though the children will undoubtedly be tired after the action-packed few days, its fantastic to see the smiles on their faces.

He said that there are lots of children attending who may be struggling with the same things but have never met before, adding: Suddenly theyll realise theyre not the only children going through this.

Mr Looney said there is something for everyone at the park, adding: Were all children at heart when we go to Disneyland.
Sergeant Pat Lyons is moving on from being a court presenter for the prosecution in Cork District Court to being a detective sergeant in Togher.

Judge Mary Dorgan said: I would like to pay tribute to Pat Lyons, who is going on to a new role in criminal matters, moving to Togher.

We are going to miss him. He dealt with cases with great good humour and efficiency: It is not an easy job. We have been delighted to have him in court. He is going on to an even brighter future. I wish him well.

Daire Coughlan, registrar, said on behalf of the court staff: We will miss him in court. He is a great communicator.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, on behalf of legal practitioners, said that Sgt Lyons had shown considerable skills and professionalism in advocacy.

Mr Buttimer said that Sgt Lyons and his court presenter colleagues, Sgt Gearoid Davis and Sgt John Kelleher, were operating with great professionalism in the epicentre of prosecution work in the district court.

We will miss you in the court environs, he said.

Sgt Lyons, now Detective Sergeant Lyons, thanked the parties for their kind wishes and for their co-operation throughout his four years as a court presenter.
A FUNDRAISING evening in a Cork restaurant has raised approximately 4,500 to help the people of Gaza.

About 100 people gathered recently in Il Padrino on Cook Street, with 15 volunteers preparing food for 85 guests, to raise funds to help Palestinian people living in Gaza.

Peyman Nasser, owner of Il Padrino, is a Tehran native who has lived in Cork for more than three decades, and he organised the fundraiser.

We had a good turnout from the Palestinian community in the restaurant, about 10 to 15 people, some of them from Gaza, Mr Nasser said.

Meabh O'Connell and Bronagh Moynihan at a charity event organised by the Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign to raise funds for the people of Gaza which took place at Il Padrino, Cook Street, Cork. - Picture: David Creedon

Izzeddeen Allcarajeh of Izz Cafe, which is a Palestinian restaurant on Georges Quay, he participated with some of the food, and we made the rest of the food in-house.

We had a lot of people from different nationalities and a lot of Irish people too.

Imane Allaovi and Aminata Ba at the event. Picture: David Creedon

Mr Nasser said Irish people had responded with great empathy to the plight of the people of Gaza.

I believe that given the history of Ireland, Irish people will stand up for anyone who cannot stand up for themselves.

The people in Gaza need help, they really badly need help.

Latif Midoume and Tom O'Halloran at the charity event. Picture: David Creedon

There are 70,000 houses collapsed completely, 142 government facilities destroyed, nearly 200 mosques destroyed, hundreds of schools and universities completely flattened, this is ethnic cleansing, up to 25 cemeteries destroyed, they dont even want people visiting the dead, he said.

With most of Gazas people hungry, and malnutrition now widespread on the Gaza Strip, aid agencies have described pockets of famine in the territory.

With the IDF destroying food supplies and severely restricting the flow of aid to Gaza, the UNs leading expert on the right to food this week accused Israel of intentionally starving Palestinians.

Peyman Nasser and Izzeddeen Alkarajeh at the event. Picture: David Creedon

In an interview with The Guardian, Michael Fakhri, the UNs special rapporteur on the right to food, said Israel should be held responsible for war crimes and genocide.

Intentionally depriving people of food is clearly a war crime. Israel has announced its intention to destroy the Palestinian people, in whole or in part, simply for being Palestinian.

In my view as a UN human rights expert, this is now a situation of genocide, Mr Fakhri said.

Mary Pappin, Carrie Griggin and Jane D'Arcy at the event. Picture: David Creedon

Following the success of this weeks fundraiser, Mr Nasser said Il Padrino will host another fundraiser for Gaza in the near future.

Mr Nasser said it was his hope that there might be a permanent ceasefire in the near future, but even then the people of Gaza would be in need of help and support for years to come.

I know the people in Cork are never found wanting when it comes to helping people who are suffering persecution, so we will be making our restaurant available for another fundraiser again very soon, Mr Nasser said.
A CORK city family are holding a bake sale in the Marina Market next Saturday, March 16, to raise money for Childrens Health Ireland Temple Street.

They have had many trips to Temple Street over the last few years due to daughter Saras rare genetic condition, and said that the team there has supported them in every way.

Sara was born with Muenke syndrome, meaning that her skull had fused prematurely in the womb, which cause many issues such as hearing and vision loss, as the brain does not have the space to grow.

Sara Higgins, who is raising money along with her family for for Children's Health Ireland Temple Street.

She has been through a number of major surgeries, three in the last 10 weeks alone  the first of these taking place in the childrens hospital when she was just six months old. That was a six-hour surgery which saw metal bars inserted into her skull with the bars protruding to the outside of her head.

This is the familys third year raising money with the bake sale, with over 13,000 raised during the previous two bake sales, and an ambitious goal of 7,000 this year for the total raised on the day and online, taking their total raised to 20,000.

Mum Diane told The Echo: The experience has shown us how fantastic the team in Temple Street is, and how the bake sale the previous years has shown us how willing the people of Cork are to come together and support a good cause.

Sara has always said she wants to be a baker when she grows up, and doing this is an opportunity for her and my other children to not only do something they love but also to learn the important skill of community and giving back.

We never want Sara to feel like a victim, and although there have been tough times for us as a family over the past few weeks, and years, the bonding and support we have felt with each other and with our community has been positive, and in a way we are lucky to have an opportunity to see so much good in people.

They are looking for donations in the form of cash or cakes, or support for the raffle, and more information is available here at the familys fundraising page on Facebook.
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A LEADING homelessness charity is calling on Cork walkers to join in a fundraising challenge in Northern Spain.

Focus Ireland has launched its annual Camino De Santiago fundraising challenge, and this year, the charity aims to gather 20 walkers to journey along the last 115km of The Camino, from Sarria to Santiago De Compostela.

Recognising that not everyone can commit to a month-long pilgrimage, Focus Ireland is offering walkers the opportunity to experience the final stage of The Camino while raising vital funds to combat homelessness.

Pat Dennigan, CEO of Focus Ireland, who makes annual trips to the Camino, said he was excited to launch the walk.

The Camino journey is not just about the physical challenge  its about solidarity, self-discovery, and making a meaningful impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness, he said.

The seven-night trip will consist of five walking days, covering varying distances of at least 20km each.

Participants will traverse diverse terrains, including villages, forests, rivers, and towns as they soak in the sights, sounds, and culture of Spain along the way.

Lorraine Toner, head of community fundraising at Focus Ireland, said the walk offered an opportunity to support some of the charitys vital services.

Every kilometre walked could make a difference to the 1,916 individuals currently experiencing homelessness or the 4,000 children in emergency accommodation, she emphasised.

The charity said participants would receive comprehensive fundraising support to achieve their goals, as well as guidance and preparation tips. The goal of the challenge is to raise 50,000, enabling Focus Ireland to expand the reach of its services.

For more information, contact events@focusireland.ie.
IN the play Disco Pigs, the characters Runt and Pig use a coded language, their own unique Cork vernacular. But instead of referring to their home place as Cork City they re-christen it Pork City.

The play by Enda Walsh launched Cillian Murphys acting career. With the success of the film Oppenheimer, and with Murphy widely tipped to win an Oscar for that role on Sunday night, there is fresh interest in his home-place. A new light is shining on Pork City.

Douglas-born Murphy has achieved global superstardom with the blockbuster Oppenheimer, already picking up a Golden Globe and Bafta. So in light of this, it is understandable that we transpose ourselves back to the Triskel Arts Centre in 1996, and the Corcadorca premiere production of Disco Pigs, which also featured Eileen Walsh and was directed by Pat Kiernan.

Who knew? Who knew that the two actors in the play would be, nearly 30 years later, two of the most vital talents on stage and screen?

Walsh delivered an acclaimed performance this year in Marina Carrs play Girl On The Altar at Dublins Abbey Theatre. She won New Yorks Tribeca Festival Award in 2008 for her lead turn in the film Eden. In 2017, she appeared with Emma Thompson in The Children Act.

Murphys role in the TV series Peaky Blinders made him a household name, but his performance as physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer has shot him into the Hollywood stratosphere, should he wish to reside in that heady place.

Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer

Given his legendary reticence regarding the business of fame and celebrity, that is far from being a certainty. But the Christopher Nolan film has made him a hot property and future acting assignments could bring him a level of industry status and personal wealth he could not have conceived of back in 1996.

Murphys route to where he is today was through the stage. Two parts in particular after Disco Pigs caught attention and gave an indicator of the brooding containment he would bring so effectively to the screen.

In Gary Hynes 1999 production of Sean OCaseys Juno And The Paycock at the Gaiety in Dublin, Murphy had to hold his own as Johnny Boyle against the magisterial Michael Gambon as his father, the Tony Award-winning Marie Mullen as his mother, and a legendary Joxer Daly by John Kavanagh.

The Corkmans understated performance captured the haunted guilt of the Republican soldier who has ratted on his own side to the Free State. Murphys eyes radiated terror in the awareness that Johnny was doomed.

Those eyes again would haunt in the Gate Theatre Dublins production of Neil LaButes play The Shape Of Things in 2002. As an art student effectively hoodwinked by his artist girlfriend, played by Flora Montgomery, who proceeds to mould him into her newest artistic creation, he registered mute devastation at the level of deceit wielded on him.

LaBute has a connection with Cork. In 2005, the Everyman staged the world premiere of his play Wrecks, starring Ed Harris, whose dominant screen presence is his hypnotic blue eyes. For instance, see his scenes in David Cronenbergs masterly The History Of Violence.

It is a quality Murphy shares: an innate understanding that, where the camera is concerned, less is more and the eyes eloquently convey the inner workings of a characters mind. His performance in Oppenheimer is filled with examples.

Disco Pigs, on the other hand, is a frenetic piece of physical theatre which showcased the astonishing range of a young, inexperienced Murphy. It led him to forge a dynamic working relationship with playwright Walsh, one of the most distinctive voices to emerge from Irish theatre in the last 30 years.

Murphy would go on to appear in two other Walsh titles: the explosive solo play Misterman (2011) in which the lead character inhabits a jagged, surreal enclosed world, and Ballyturk (2014), a different riff on a similar theme that co-starred Stephen Rea and Mikel Murfi. These performances would remind us that the bottomless broodiness Murphy oozes on screen can be in inverse proportion to the violent intensity he achieves on stage.

No Cork actor had ever been nominated for an Oscar until now. Only two Irish-born actors have won one: Barry Fitzgerald for Going My Way (1944) and Brenda Fricker for My Left Foot (1989). Daniel Day Lewis, an Irish citizen, has won three Best Actor Oscars, for My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood (2007) and Lincoln (2012).

Murphy will be in stellar company on Sunday night. Other contenders are Bradley Cooper for Maestro, Colman Domingo for Rustin, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers. and Jeffrey Wright for American Fiction.

With his enhanced profile, Murphy formed his own production company, Big Things Films. A book he optioned film rights for immediately was, ironically, Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, author of the novella Foster, which formed the basis for the film An Cailin Ciuin. Small Things Like These will be released in 2024. To do the script, Murphy enlisted his old friend and collaborator, Enda Walsh.

Back to Pork City.
(Photo: REUTERS / Benoit Tessier)People wave trademark pink, blue and white flags during a protest march called, "La Manif pour Tous" (Demonstration for All) against France's legalisation of same-sex marriage and to show their support of traditional family and education values, in Paris February 2, 2014. In April 2013 the French parliament approved a law allowing same-sex couples to marry and to adopt children, a flagship reform pledge by the French president. Banners read, "French Muslims Say NO to Marriage of Homosexuals" (L) and "No to Gender Theory" (R).

The Catholic Church does not have the power to bless same-sex unions although it can give blessings to individual persons "with homosexual inclinations," the Vatican has said.

The message on March 15, approved by Pope Francis, came in response to questions about whether the church should reflect the increasing social and legal acceptance of same-sex unions.

"Does the Church have the power to give the blessing to unions of persons of the same sex?" the question asked.

"Negative," replied the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is responsible for defending Catholic doctrine.

In its "explanatory note," the Vatican said that in some ecclesial contexts, plans and proposals for blessings of unions of persons of the same sex were being advanced.

"Such projects are not infrequently motivated by a sincere desire to welcome and accompany homosexual persons, to whom are proposed paths of growth in faith, 'so that those who manifest a homosexual orientation can receive the assistance they need to understand and fully carry out God's will in their lives.'"

As blessings on people are in relationship with the sacraments, the blessing of homosexual unions cannot be considered acceptable.

"This is because they would constitute a certain imitation or analogue of the nuptial blessinginvoked on the man and woman united in the sacrament of Matrimony, while in fact 'there are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God's plan for marriage and family.'"

NOT INTENDED AS 'UNJUST DISCRIMINATION'

The doctrinal congregation said that the declaration of the unlawfulness of blessings of unions between persons of the same sex is not intended to be, a form of unjust discrimination.

It is rather "a reminder of the truth of the liturgical rite and of the very nature of the sacramentals, as the Church understands them."

The declaration said the Church recalls that God Himself never ceases to bless each of His pilgrim children, because for Him "we are more important to God than all of the sins that we can commit."

"But he does not and cannot bless sin: he blesses sinful man, so that he may recognize that he is part of his plan of love and allow himself to be changed by him. He in fact 'takes us as we are, but never leaves us as we are.'"

"For the above mentioned reasons, the Church does not have, and cannot have, the power to bless unions of persons of the same sex in the sense intended above."

The National Catholic Register in the United States ran a story on the announcement headlined, "Vatican says priests can't bless gay couples. Why did Pope Francis approve this decree?"

"Pope Francis, who made headlines in the first months of his papacy by responding, "Who am I to judge? when asked about gay priests, has now signed off on a Vatican decree that priests cannot bless same-sex unions since God "cannot bless sin."

"For some, the new decree may result in whiplash, coming less than five months after the Pope made headlines in a documentary film for once more affirming his support of civil union laws for same-sex couples.

"For others, it's further affirmation of the church's teaching that 'homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.' But for all, it's another tricky move in Francis' tightrope walk of upholding church teaching, while also trying to extend a warmer welcome to LGBTQ persons."

NCR said the Vatican's decree comes at a time when Catholics in Western Europe and the United States are increasingly accepting of LGBTQ relationships, with 61 percent of U.S. Catholics approving of gay marriage.

Another U.S. outlet Christian Headlines reported, "The Vatican on Monday pointed to Scripture and centuries of church teaching in stating it does not have the power to bless same-sex unions.
(Photo: Vatican News)Pope Francis delivers Christmas greetings and his Urbi et Orbi blessing in St. Peter's Square on Dec. 25, 2021.

The Vatican's Dec. 18 ruling approved by Pope Francis that Roman Catholic priests can bless same-sex couples, as long as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies, has run into heavy flak from one of the most influential Oriental Orthodox Churches.

"Now, as liberals celebrate and same-sex couples begin receiving public blessings, some are wondering why the Pope delivered the groundbreaking rule now, more than a decade after he started his pontificate with a resoundingly inclusive message on gay issues, 'Who am I to judge?' he famously said in 2013, when asked about a priest rumored to be gay," The New York Times reported on Dec. 22, 2023.

People who have talked to him over the years and Vatican analysts say Francis' thinking evolved through frequent private conversations with L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics and the priests and nuns who minister to them.

The Coptic Church in Egypt has, however, suspended theological dialogue with the Catholic Church and reaffirmed its opposition to "all forms of homosexual relationships" in a blow to the Vatican document that sets a way for blessing members of same-sex relationships, according to The Catholic Herald on March 9.

'THE PASTORAL MEANINGS OF BLESSINGS'

The declaration  "Fiducia Supplicans: On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings," was published Dec. 18 by the prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez.

The Church teaches that same-sex attraction is not sinful but that homosexual acts are.

Since his election in 2013, Francis has tried to make the more than 1.35-billion-member Church more welcoming to LGBT people without changing moral doctrine, Reuter's Philip Pullella wrote on Dec. 19, 2023.

According to the declaration traditional Catholic doctrine on marriage remains unchanged, clergy are encouraged in the document to exercise personal prudence and wisdom in joining in the prayer "of those persons who, although in a union that cannot be compared in any way to a marriage," nonetheless wish to entrust themselves to God with a blessing.

The Catholic Herald reported on march 9 that the document has encountered an unprecedented level of opposition within the Catholic Church.

It cites bishops' conferences in Africa, the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary and individual dioceses including nine in France and many more across the United States and the rest of the world saying they would refuse anything that appears to be a blessing of a homosexual couple.

Now the Coptic Church in Egypt has "decided to suspend the theological dialogue with the Catholic Church, re-evaluate the results that the dialogue has achieved since its beginning twenty years ago, and establish new standards and mechanisms for the dialogue to proceed."

In a March 7 release of the Church's Synod, the Coptic Church said it "affirms its firm position of rejecting all forms of homosexual relationships, because they violate the Holy Bible and the law by which God created man male and female, and it considers that any blessing, whatever its type, for such relationships is a blessing for sin, and this is unacceptable."

This is the latest criticism on Fiducia Supplicans made by an Eastern Church.

RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

The Synodal Biblical-Theological Commission of the Moscow Patriarchate, the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church, spoke on the Vatican document on Feb. 20, saying "this innovation reflected a sharp departure from Christian moral teaching."

Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev of Budapest, head of the commission that studied Fiducia Supplicans, described the document as "a kind of shock."

"We always cite the Catholic Church as a beacon of traditional Christianity," he revealed, "the Church which always supports the traditional Christian values and moral teaching in spite of the fact that from many different angles it is attacked for this traditionalism and stubbornness."

"Everyone now will believe that the Church blesses homosexual couples," he said in an interview, adding it "deceives those who receive such a blessing and those who witness it."

Despite such objections  both inside and outside the Catholic Church  Pope Francis has defended the document.

"The intent of the 'pastoral and spontaneous blessings' is that of demonstrating concretely the closeness of the Lord and of the Church to all those who, finding themselves in different situations, ask for help in carrying forward  sometimes in starting  a path of faith," Francis said on Jan. 26.

"I want briefly to underline two things: The first is that these blessings, outside any context or form of a liturgical character, do not require moral perfection for being received; the second, that when a couple spontaneously comes forward to request [these blessings], it's not the union that is blessed, but simply the persons who together made the request," said Francis.

"Not the union, but the persons, naturally taking account of the context, the sensibilities, and the places in which one lives, and the most appropriate way of doing it," the Pope said.
Chasity Nunez, a Massachusetts resident who was killed along with her daughter, was a member of the Connecticut Army National Guard. CT Army National Guard / Contributed Photo

Federal authorities have offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information that could lead to the capture of a Massachusetts man wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a Connecticut Army National Guard specialist and her 11-year-old daughter.

Dejan Dante Belnavis remained at-large as of Saturday afternoon, three days after police said Chasity Nunez and her daughter, Zella Nunez, were killed in a shooting in Worcester, Mass. Worcester police said they charged Belnavis, who should be considered armed and dangerous, with armed assault with intent to murder and possession of a firearm without a license in connection with the homicides.

Worcester police spokesperson Lt. Sean Murtha wrote in an email Saturday morning that there were no updates in the case.

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The United States Marshals Service announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to Belnavis' arrest, according to a wanted poster that Worcester police shared on their Facebook page Saturday.

Nunez, 27, a Massachusetts resident, held the rank of specialist and was assigned to the 142nd Medical Company, based in Danbury, where she served as a Patient Administration Specialist, said Maj. David Pytlik, a guard spokesperson.

"Chasity was beloved by her fellow soldiers in the 142nd Medical Company," Pytlik said. "Her wit, social nature and dedication to duty made her one of the best Soldiers in our unit."

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Pytlik described Nunez as resilient, intelligent and "destined for success in her civilian and military careers, and more full of compassion than anyone I know."

Police previously said Nunez and her daughter were fatally shot while sitting in a parked SUV on the afternoon of March 5.

On March 6, police said they took 28-year-old Karel Mangual, of Worcester, into custody in connection with the incident. Mangual, who had an outstanding warrant, is charged with armed assault to murder and carrying a firearm without a license, according to police.

A car believed to have been used in the killings later was found in Hartford, authorities said. One of Belnavis' relatives lived near where the car had been parked in Hartford, according to a criminal complaint filed against Mangual in Worcester District Court.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a surprise visit to the family of a teacher killed in the Uvalde school shooting on Saturday (09.03.24).

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been in Texas this weekend

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan were in Uvalde, Texas, to meet with the relatives of Irma Garcia - who was one of 21 people shot dead at Robb Elementary School in May 2002 - after having been in contact with them since the tragedy.

Irma's nephew, John Martinez, told CNN in a text message: It was such a beautiful experience, theyre so nice and compassionate, very down to earth, humble people.

It was kind of by surprise, she [Meghan] had called my mom one random day and dropped the news on us not too long ago that she was coming to visit the kids and of course we got so excited."

Irma's husband Joe tragically died of a heart attack just days after his wife was killed, and Harry and Meghan spoke at length with their children about their plans for the future.

And before they left, Meghan surprised John's mother Claudia with a cake.

Video footage shared by John showed the couple singing 'Happy Birthday' to Claudia, who suggested it wasn't her first meeting with the pair.

During their time in Texas - where Meghan had been part of a panel discussion at the SXSW Conference - the couple also enjoyed a date night at La Barbecue in Austin, tucking into brisket and sausages.

Director of Operations Cory Rivademar told People magazine: "Their visit was a scheduled thing. They let us know that she wanted to come by, but did not know Harry was coming.

"They came in, and they toured the pits with Frankie, who is the pit guy, and talked about how hot it was around the pits, which is funny because this is Texas, and actually, it can be much hotter than today."

Cory praised the pair - who are parents to Prince Archie, four, and two-year-old Princess Lilibet - for being "absolutely lovely", taking pictures with staff and other diners as the restaurant stayed open to the public throughout their visit.

And after they left, the former 'Suits' star's representative sent a text saying it was the best barbecue they had ever had.

Cory added: "I thought they seemed happy and sweet, he's very lovely. She spoke about their kid loving the new Disney movie, 'Wish'. Very genuine and very loving. Happy couple. Nice to people who didn't even know what was going on."
Emily Blunt was inspired to become an actress after watching 'Jaws'.

Emily Blunt has revealed her acting inspirations

The 41-year-old star - who has been nominated for the Best Actress in a Supporting Role Oscar for her performance in 'Oppenheimer' - has revealed that her dad has played a huge role in her success by exposing her to movies like 'Jaws' at an early age.

The London-born star told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: "My dad was always going to the video store to get really inappropriate films for all of us to watch.

"One of my first experiences was watching 'Jaws' at the age of seven, and he would pitch that it was for the whole family - but it was really for him and we would be terrified.

"It was one of my first memories of films and its still my favourite, even now. I must have seen it 35 times. The more you see it, the more you learn about how extraordinary it is."

Emily didn't have any formal acting training before breaking into the movie business. And the Oscar-nominated star has been forced to overcome her own insecurities in order to achieve success in Hollywood.

The acclaimed actress said: "I saw that it was a profession you needed to wear a helmet for, emotionally, and that it was going to be hard on you and hard on your soul.

"I love emphasising the fact that everybodys path in this industry is different - and thats OK. You could be formally trained, or you cannot be  it doesnt matter as long as it feels right to you. And I had quite a lot of shame about that in the beginning, not having formal training.

"I felt kind of guilty and felt like Id maybe missed out on a roadmap that wouldve been helpful when I felt a bit lost."
Natalie Portman reportedly found it tough when her 11-year marriage to Benjamin Millepied collapsed.

Natalie Portman reportedly found it tough when her 11-year marriage to Benjamin Millepied collapsed

The Black Swan actress, 42, and choreographer Benjamin, 46, secretly called it quits on their relationship eight months ago, and it emerged on Friday (07.03.24) the pair have already finalised their divorce.

A source has now told People about how Natalies allegedly coped with the collapse of their romance: It was initially really tough for her, but her friends rallied around her and helped get her through the worst of it.

They added: Natalie is coming out of a really tough and painful year but shes come out the other side of it stronger and is finding joy in her family, friends and work.

On Friday, a representative for Natalie confirmed she and Benjamin had split after the actress filed for dissolution in July.

The former couples divorce was finalised last month in France, where they live with their children, son Aleph, 12, and seven-year-old daughter Amalia.

It was first reported in June Benjamin had allegedly cheated on the actress with a 25-year-old woman named Camille Etienne.

A source told Page Six Natalie and Benjamin, who married in 2012, had first separated in 2022 but managed to work through their marital troubles.

However, the insider added their marriage was rocked once again by the revelations Benjamin had allegedly had a fling.

A source said at the time: They have not split and are trying to work things out. Ben is doing everything he can to get Natalie to forgive him.

He loves her and their family.

The insider added Natalie is incredibly private and her biggest focus is protecting the kids.

May December star Natalie fuelled rumours she and Benjamin had split in January when an interview she gave the Wall Street Journal revealed she lived in France with her children, while the profile failed to mention Benjamin.

Natalie then told Vanity Fair in an interview published in February the speculation surrounding her marriage had been horrible.

She would only tell the magazine about the gossip: Its terrible, and I have no desire to contribute to it.
Robert De Niro has branded Donald Trump a "total monster".

Robert De Niro has blasted Donald Trump

The 'Killers of the Flower Moon' actor has urged Americans to vote for Joe Biden to stay in office at the upcoming presidential elections as letting the former 'Apprentice' star back into the White House would be a "nightmare".

Speaking on 'Real Time with Bill Maher', he said: We wanna live in a world that we want to live in and enjoy living in, or live in a nightmare? Vote for Trump and youll get the nightmare, vote for Biden and well be back to normalcy.

I just dont want to feel the way I did - and many of us did - the many months after the election in 2016, where we couldnt believe that it happened. [Trump] is a total monster

The 80-year-old actor can't understand why such a "hateful person" attracts as much support as he does.

He said: I dont understand it. I guess they get behind that kind of logic, they wanna [mess] with people, screw them, because theyre unhappy about something. Hes such a mean, nasty, hateful person.

And the 'Goodfellas' star insisted he would "never" play the former president in biopic because he has no "redeemable" qualities.

He ranted: Id never play him as an actor because I cant see any good in him. Nothing. Nothing at all. Nothing redeemable in him."

De Niro is convinced something would happen to him because of his stance if Trump gets reelected.

He said: If he wins the election, you wont be on this show anymore. Hell come looking for me. Therell be things that happen that none of us could imagine.

"That's what happens in that kind of a dictatorship, which is what he says, let's believe him, take him at his word."

He went on to brand the 77-year-old Republican a "sociopathic, psychopathic, malignant narcissist."

He added: The bottom line is Bidens our guy. He represents what this countrys supposed to be about.

In response, Trump branded the 'Taxi Driver' actor a "stupid-sounding guy".

He wrote on his Truth Social platform: "Robert DeNiro has a terminal case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. Such a stupid sounding guy, a low IQ individual!(sic)"

This isn't the first time the pair have locked horns.

At the Gotham Awards in November, De Niro branded Trump a liar.

He said: The former president lied to us more than 30,000 times during his four years in office, and hes keeping up the pace with his current campaign of retribution.

With all of his lies, he cant hide his soul. He attacks the weak, destroys the gifts of nature and shows his disrespect for example using Pocahontas as a slur.

In response, Trump branded the actor a "total loser".

He wrote on Truth Social: Robert De Niro, whose acting talents have greatly diminished, with his reputation now shot, must even use a teleprompter for his foul and disgusting language, so disrespectful to our Country.

"He has become unwatchable both in movies, and with the FOOLS that destroyed the Academy Awards, bringing them from one of the top shows in the Country to a Low Rated afterthought.

"He should focus on his life, which is a mess, rather than the lives of others. He has become a total loser, as the World watches, waits, and laughs!
Sydney Sweeney says her dog is vital to her self-care process.

Sydney Sweeney says her dog is vital to her self-care process

The Anyone But You actress, 26, who is also a fitness fanatic, opened up about how essential she finds her pet in keeping her mental check in order while adding she also loves to unwind by reading and downs water to stay healthy.

Sydney told People: My dog, Tank, really is so important in my own self-care process. Whether it is just playing with her, taking her to the dog park or taking her on a walk, it just lets me take a moment and unplug from everything else.

She added about her other methods of relaxation: Usually Im reading. I love to read.

Sydney also declared: I love to work out in the chat about her strategies to stay balanced and healthy in mind, body and spirit.

She said one of her main exercise routines is Solidcore, which is billed as Pilates redefined,.

Sydney added the workout is so freaking good due to how gruelling it is, saying: Its the hardest workout you'll ever have in your entire life... you will feel pain youve never felt before.

The actress also said she focuses on hydration and sticks to one drink  adding: I only drink water.

Sydney is a brand ambassador for Bai, and has crafted her Raspberry Lemon Lime flavour drink for the flavoured water company.

She said the drink reflects her tastes as she is a berry girl  adding: I love berries. I always start my morning with the bowl of berries, so when Bai came to me and said, Lets create your dream flavour, I was like, I know that Id love for it to have some type of raspberry infusion in it because I love raspberries.

Also, I grew up berry picking with my family, so when we started putting different combinations together I knew that this was going to be special because it reminded me of my childhood.

It just became exactly what I want it to be, and with the electrolytes, antioxidants and zinc, its everything that I look for in a drink.
Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 6: Anticipation builds as Bigg Boss Malayalam prepares for its highly anticipated return to television screens. Amidst the excitement, rumours swirl regarding the potential contestants for the upcoming season.

The highly anticipated launch episode of Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 6 is scheduled for Sunday, March 10, at 7 p.m., a moment eagerly awaited by fans. Only a few hours are left for the launch of Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 6. Following the premiere, the show will air at 9:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday and at 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Additional contestants will be exclusively revealed during the launch episode, adhering to the customary format.

A few days ago, in an unprecedented move in the history of Bigg Boss Malayalam, host Mohanlal revealed the first contestants of the upcoming season prior to its official launch. Breaking tradition, the contestants were announced ahead of the opening episode. The introduced contestants are commoners: Resmin Bai, a physical education teacher and avid bike rider, and Nishana N, known for her passion for travel.

Meanwhile, there are divided opinions among Bigg Boss fans regarding the selection of commoners. Some argue that the chosen individuals cannot be classified as commoners since they have a considerable following on social media and have previously garnered public attention. However, another section of fans contends that many audience members are unfamiliar with Resmin Bai and Nishana, thus qualifying them as commoners. Regardless, the selection of these two individuals has sparked widespread discussion.

Is Suresh Menon Joining Mohanlal's Show?

As social media is abuzz with rumors, speculation escalates regarding potential contestants for the upcoming season of Bigg Boss Malayalam 6. One frequently mentioned name across various platforms is that of Suresh Menon. Suresh Menon is a fashion designer with a brand of the same name. With widespread speculation, Suresh Menon's rumored participation in Bigg Boss Malayalam 6 continues to garner attention.

While the official announcement of the final contestants is eagerly awaited, reminiscing about the past season's triumphs fuels the excitement. Akhil Marar clinched victory in the last season, with Reneesha Rahiman and Junaiz VP following suit as the first and second runners-up, respectively. Sobha Viswanath and Shiju Abdul Rasheed secured their spots among the top five.

With 21 contestants braving the Bigg Boss house in the fifth season, the forthcoming season is anticipated to have a fresh and vibrant lineup, igniting fervent speculation and fervour among fans. The countdown begins for the grand reveal!
Bigg Boss Malayalam 6, which will be hosted by Mohanlal, is all set to premiere tonight. And while it is just a few hours left for the grand premiere, the new season of the popular reality show will be coming up with a lot of surprises and twists. Interestingly, Mohanlal has already been making the headlines for his stylish look as a host of the show.

Talking about his looks, designer Praveen Varma stated, "Rather than sticking to a specific theme, my focus is always on showcasing Lal sir in a fresh look for each episode. This season, we're leaning towards crafting edgy casual ensembles. Expect to see a more approachable and endearing side of him, reflected in the choice of colors, fabrics, and detailing. The aim is to capture his unique personality and charisma while ensuring that each outfit complements his persona".

Interestingly, there have been a lot of speculations about who will be participating in Bigg Boss Malayalam 6. While several names have been doing the rounds, there are reports that actress Sreethu Krishnan also participating in the show.

Who is Sreethu Krishnan?

A renowned 24 year oled Malayalam actress, Sreethu made her debut with Vijay TV's 7aam Vaguppu C Pirivu in 2012 as a child artist. However, she got her share of fame with her performance as Indira in Aayutha Ezhuthu and Aleena Peter in Ammayariyathe. She was seen as a contestant in Start Music Season 3, season 4 and season 5. Besides, she is also seen playing the lead role in Tamil movie Irulil Ravanan which is expected to release this year.

Apart from Sreethu, contestants like Sreelekha, Jaseela Parveen, Yamuna Rani, Apsara Alby, Suresh Menon, Jinto, Jaanmooni Das, Apsara Alby, etc are also rumoured to be participating in the show.. Besides, Bigg Boss Malayalam 6 has also opened gates for commoners and will be having two commoners Resmin Bai and Nishana as contestants recently

To note, Bigg Boss Malayalam 6 will be premiered on March 10 from 7 PM and will be aired on Asia Net. The popular reality show will premiere at 9:30 PM on week days and at 9 PM during the weekend. It will also be premiered on OTT at Disney+ Hotstar. This isn't all. Bigg Boss Malayalam 6 will also be having a LIVE streaming.
Toxic: Kareena Kapoor Talks About Shooting For Her South Debut With Yash; All The Deets You Need To Know

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The 96th Academy Awards are keenly awaited and anticipated and fans cannot wait to see who bags the top honours and what the hosts have in store for viewers

Ryan Goslings performance and popularity were nothing sort of spectacular post the blockbuster success of 2023s Barbie, and the KENergy is likely to take over the Oscar 2024 stage, if the insider news on his rehearsals have to go by. A source told People about Gosling, Ryan was in great spirits, and he was a total pro. He was joking around and having a great time.

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Ryan was relaxed, his spirits were high, and everyone was having fun, added the source.

Ryan Gosling on Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwigs Oscars snub

The nominations list for Oscars 2024 turned out to be a surprising one as we witnessed some shocking snubs in major categories and among them were Barbies Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, who didnt get nominated in the categories of Best Director and Best Actress in a Leading Role respectively.

Gosling said, No Ken without Barbie. The actor penned a long note, which read, I am extremely honored to be nominated by my colleagues alongside such remarkable artists in a year of so many great films. And I never thought Id be saying this, but Im also incredibly honored and proud that its for portraying a plastic doll named Ken.

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He added, But 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. No recognition would be possible for anyone on the film without their talent, grit and genius. To say that Im disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement.
Pakistan has undergone a transformation wherein various facets of the state are under military control, making it challenging to maintain the essence of democracy

Presently, the military finds itself entangled in a subsequent confrontation with Imran Khan, the favourite of the masses. Image Courtesy: Reuters

What facet of the militarys participation in the nations political apparatus contributes to its operational dysfunction? Alternatively, what constituent of the militarys involvement propels society towards the precipice of civil conflict?

From a subjective standpoint, the militarys influence on decision-making processes, notably in formulating foreign and internal security policies, does not inherently manifest as problematic.

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Given its precarious geopolitical surroundings, the contextualisation of Pakistan as a security state from its inception underscores the historical roots of such a paradigm.

The 1990s witnessed the ascendancy of a military-oriented perspective, accentuating assumed internal threats to the nations survival.

This perspective gained further traction in the aftermath of the post-9/11 security paradigm.

The substantial role assumed by the military in shaping foreign and security policies finds its justification in these historical antecedents.

Critics of the militarys pervasive role in these processes must proffer pragmatic alternatives, implying the establishment of alternative institutional frameworks to curtail the involvement of military bureaucracy.

However, complications arise when the military bureaucracy exploits international linkages forged during policy formulation to consolidate its influence within the countrys power structures.

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In the post-Musharraf epoch, military leadership assumed the mantle of de facto diplomats for Pakistan.

The internal security landscape emerged as the preeminent foreign policy concern for successive governments in Islamabad, prompting foreign leaders, including foreign ministers and heads of state from Western and Muslim nations, to seek consultations primarily with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

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The high-profile international visits undertaken by the Army chief were extensively publicised in domestic and international media during this time.

This heightened visibility finds rationale in the geopolitical reality that Pakistan and its adjacent Afghanistan were focal points in global terrorist networks, hosting the headquarters of major international terror organisations.

A historical context is pertinent, wherein the nexus between the Pak-Afghan border areas and mainland Afghanistan was implicated in major terrorist incidents worldwide.

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In such scenarios, the discernment of a foreign leader is of manageable complexity; the point of contact for addressing such difficulties is perceived to be the Army chief rather than the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

The irony is underscored by the conspicuous absence of institutional capacity within the prime minister or the civilian government to formulate policies germane to these concerns.

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Despite the technical attribution of military capacity within the ambit of the prime ministers executive powers, the unequivocal proclamations of the militarys media wing regarding its intent to support civil governments on diverse policy matters substantiate the de facto institutional autonomy exercised by the army.

This nuanced interplay unfolds within Islamabads structured and disciplined bureaucratic milieu, characterised by an absence of tumult or disorder.

The constitutional powers of the prime minister are willingly ceded, facilitating the encroachment of the Chief of Army Staff and the military bureaucracy, particularly in scenarios where civilian governments lack the independent capacity for policy formulation and execution.

However, it is essential to note that this singular dynamic does not make Pakistans political system dysfunctional.

Comparable instances of military leadership involvement in the formulation and execution of foreign and security policies are observable in other nations.

The difficulty associated with the militarys engagement in Pakistan lies primarily in its role as a partisan actor in the nations internal political contentions.

This predicament is further underscored by the extensive historical record depicting the Pakistani militarys involvement as a participant in ideological, religious, sectarian, and political conflicts.

The epoch of General Zia-ul-Haqs military regime stands out as a significant period wherein the military was ostensibly positioned as the guardian of the states ideological frontiers.

During this tenure, the military administration actively contributed to the cultivation and reinforcement of profound religious and sectarian divisions within society through legislative measures, persisting as unresolved issues within the broader Pakistani political landscape.

Since its inception, Pakistan has manifested itself as an ideologically diverse society, accommodating various political, religious, sectarian, and ideological factions, a characteristic dating back to British colonial rule.

However, the Zia-led military sought to impose an ideological homogeneity on Pakistani society, endeavouring to enforce a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam at both the social and political strata.

Consequently, the military, under Zias leadership, assumed a partisan role in ideological, sectarian, and religious conflicts, aligning itself with advocates promoting specific interpretations of Islam, distinct ideological perspectives, and particular sectarian worldviews.

This multifaceted involvement raises intricate questions surrounding the militarys role and its impact on the socio-political fabric of Pakistan.

In the post-Zia period, a specific cadre of politicians, sectarian leaders, and ideologues emerged within Pakistani society, leveraging the militarys partisan engagement in political, sectarian, and ideological spheres.

Following General Zia-ul-Haqs demise in an air crash, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) under Benazir Bhutto ascended to power after parliamentary elections.

The PPP, subjected to the militarys repressive measures during Zias era, was perceived as a potential threat by the incumbent military leadership.

Consequently, the military aligned itself with the right-leaning coalition led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, participating in a political conflict against the left-leaning PPP.

This trajectory was characterised by non-linearity; as the PPP normalised its relations with the military leadership, the latter shifted its focus towards the sitting leader, Nawaz Sharif.

Subsequently, the militarys entrenched partisan role became customary, transforming into an autonomous actor within the political landscape.

By the conclusion of General Musharrafs military government, the military had assumed a permanent partisan role in the political arena, intermittently aligning with various political playersa trend facilitated by the emergence of figures such as Imran Khan openly advocating for the militarys partisan involvement in politics.

Imran Khan actively implored military leaders to support his anti-corruption initiatives against political adversaries, particularly during the concluding phases of his governance.

Some journalists in Pakistan asserted that the military possessed files detailing the corruption of the Sharif family, with military intelligence officials reportedly confirming and sharing these files.

Imran Khan overtly appealed to the military to relinquish their proclaimed neutrality in the no-confidence motion against his government, emphasising the imperative for collaborative efforts against his political opponents.

Imran Khans public proclamations elucidated his intention to instrumentalise the military in his anti-corruption campaign against political rivals.

Conversely, Nawaz Sharif, while not overtly advocating for the militarys partisan role, strategically appears to derive benefits from its involvement in the countrys political milieu.

The imperative for the Pakistani military lies in its transformation into an institution characterised by unwavering non-partisanship.

This principle should be theoretical and rigorously practiced across political, social, ideological, and religious spheres.

It is paramount for military leaders to comprehend the intricate societal tapestry they are mandated to safeguard, acknowledging its diversity in political affiliations, social structures, ideological orientations, sectarian diversities, and religious beliefs.

Persistent partisanship directed against specific segments of society would undermine the fundamental rationale and legitimacy underlying the militarys existence and operational integrity.

In such a milieu, confrontations with influential political leaders and groups could be imprudent and detrimental to the institutions objectives.

The post-Musharraf era witnessed an initial manifestation of military leaders adopting a partisan stance against Nawaz Sharif, thereby precipitating a state of confrontation between the military leadership and prevalent political entities.

Presently, the military finds itself entangled in a subsequent confrontation with Imran Khan, the favourite of the masses.

This recurring pattern presents a pronounced peril, with the potential to escalate into a substantial catastrophe, ultimately leading to turmoil within the military and the potential for civil conflict.

So far, Pakistan has undergone a transformation wherein various facets of the state are under military control, making it challenging to maintain the essence of democracy.

Unfortunately, those very people who had the onerous responsibility to safeguard it and make it people-centric have sabotaged democracy. Surprisingly, the world leaders have maintained silence, though the media has not.

The author is the chairman of Law and Society Alliance, a New Delhi-based think tank. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost_s views._
Explainer: Why Chinese modernization a buzzword during China's "two sessions"?

Xinhua) 11:08, March 10, 2024

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese modernization remains a buzzword during the ongoing annual sessions of China's top legislature and political advisory body.

During the "two sessions," global observers have been closely following pronouncements regarding policy and economic decisions in order to better understand the Chinese path to modernization. They say China's experience is inspiring the world, especially developing countries.

Chinese modernization is the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature, and of peaceful development.

Noticing the difference between Chinese-style modernization and the Western path to modernization, Ahmed Sallam, an Egyptian expert on Chinese affairs, said that China's path is rooted in its "unique civilization."

"The Chinese path to modernization aims to achieve common prosperity for all," noted Liudmila Veselova, an associate professor at the School of Economics and Management of the St. Petersburg Branch of the Higher School of Economics, saying the Chinese government's innovative and rational policies are key to its development process.

"The Chinese path to modernization has become quite attractive to the developing countries," said Cavince Adhere, a Kenya-based international relations scholar.

China's path to modernization has been paved by peace, good intentions towards other countries and emphasis on the collective good of humanity, which explains why China has been sharing proceeds of its development with the rest of the world, the scholar said.

"Peace and shared development remain key attributes of China's modernization story," Adhere added.

"China is unique based on its large market size, its relatively high education, its strong integration of business and policy, and its large financial market," said Christoph Nedopil Wang, director of the Griffith Asia Institute and a professor of economics.

He noted that specific aspects of China's development can provide lessons for other countries, such as the importance of good education and free trade zones with a focus on supporting exports by domestic businesses.

"Whilst modernization is a global process and a universal aspiration, it can take and assume radically different forms," argued Keith Bennett, an international relations consultant based in London.

Chinese modernization "represents something fundamentally new" -- something that will come to be seen as a modernization that is actually comprehensive, equitable and sustainable, Bennett said.

Noting that China has shared its modernization opportunities with the world, the expert called Chinese modernization "a fundamentally different paradigm for modernization."

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Sheng Chuyi)
The East Norwalk Station in East Norwalk, Conn., shown on Friday Feb.. 23, 2024, will be closed for three weeks in March, beginning on Monday, for construction work. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media The East Norwalk Station in East Norwalk, Conn., shown on Friday Feb.. 23, 2024, will be closed for three weeks in March, beginning on Monday, for construction work. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media A view of work being done at the East Norwalk Station in East Norwalk, Conn., on Friday February 23, 2024. The station will be closed for three weeks in March while crews begin work on replacing it. This project is a part of the Walk Bridge Project and CDOT's rail improvements on the New Haven line. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media An exterior view of the East Norwalk Station in East Norwalk, Conn., on Friday February 23, 2024. The station will be closed for three weeks in March while crews begin work on replacing it. This project is a part of the Walk Bridge Project and CDOT's rail improvements on the New Haven line. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media A view of work being done at the East Norwalk Station in East Norwalk, Conn., on Friday February 23, 2024. The station will be closed for three weeks in March while crews begin work on replacing it. This project is a part of the Walk Bridge Project and CDOT's rail improvements on the New Haven line. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media A rendering of the new East Norwalk train station from the Connecticut Department of Transportation on March 8, 2024. Connecticut's Department of Transportation, Contributed by

NORWALK  Both the East Norwalk Train Station and a section of East Avenue will be closed for three weeks starting Monday due to construction work related to the Walk Bridge replacement project.

Beginning on March 11 and lasting until March 31, no Metro-North trains will stop at the East Norwalk station while Connecticuts Department of Transportation crews work to install a new underdrain system under its northern parking lot.

To ensure the safety of the workers, the East Norwalk Train Station will be temporarily closed for three weeks, Benjamin Limmer, the DOTs bureau chief of public transportation, said in a statement. We encourage customers to utilize the South Norwalk and Westport stations while construction activities are underway.

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With the train station closed, the city of Norwalk and DOT helped arrange for Frontier to install new utility conduits under East Avenue during those three weeks as well.

The Frontier utility installation is part of the advance utility work to underground utilities in the area in preparation for the new East Avenue Railroad bridge replacement and roadway improvements, DOTs announcement states.

East Avenue will be closed between Fort Point Street and Winfield Street for crews to work uninterrupted. City officials said the three-week closure will allow Frontier to finish the project in less than half the time than was originally planned.

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During this closure, area traffic will be diverted to Fort Point Street and Van Zant Street.

East Norwalk train station commuters can take the train from either the South Norwalk train station or the Westport train station.

The Norwalk Transit District will provide a free shuttle service, starting March 11, that will operate Monday-Friday during the three-week closure, said Michelle Woods Matthews, Norwalks director of communications. During the three-week closure, the shuttle will travel to and from East Norwalk, at the Roger Square Norwalk Transit District bus shelter, and the South Norwalk train station in the morning and afternoon, evening.

Shuttles will be timed with the Metro-North train schedule.

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Additionally, East Norwalk station parking permit holders can access the South Norwalk Train Station Garage at no additional cost during the three-week closure, Woods Matthews said. Parking permits will not be honored at the Westport station.
With some of the most stringent internet restrictions in the world, Beijing prevents users in mainland China from accessing anything from Google to news websites unless they utilise a virtual private network (VPN)

During a high-level political gathering this week, China stepped up its efforts to restrict software that allows users to visit websites that are prohibited, a prominent supplier of firewall-leaping software told AFP.

With some of the most stringent internet restrictions in the world, Beijing prevents users in mainland China from accessing anything from Google to news websites unless they utilise a virtual private network (VPN).

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Furthermore, even when compared to other delicate political occasions, VPN software has grown increasingly difficult to get beyond the censorship, and outages have increased significantly as hundreds of delegates convene in Beijing this week for the annual Two Sessions gathering.

Currently, there is increased censorship due to political meetings in China, a representative of the Liechtenstein-based service Astrill  one of the most popular VPN services for foreigners in China  confirmed to AFP.

Unfortunately, not all VPN protocols are functioning at this time, they said.

We are working intensively on bringing all services back to normal, but currently have no ETA.

It is forbidden in China to use a VPN without permission from the government or to access websites that are prohibited.

Diplomats and state media representatives, however, are permitted to visit banned websites like X, which was once Twitter.

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Throughout the Two Sessions, Beijings security has been tighter, with police using sniffer dogs to patrol the streets and senior volunteers wearing red armbands to keep an eye out for suspicious activity.

Weibo, a massive social media platform in China, has also blocked problematic subjects quickly.

Search results for all hashtags related to Beijings decision to postpone the premier of the nations customary news conference were promptly cleared.

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And another, a reference to Chinas economic woes declaring middle class children have no future was also removed.

Chinas domestic media is state-controlled and widespread censorship of social media is often used to suppress negative stories or critical coverage.

Regulators have previously urged investors to avoid reading foreign news reports about China.

In a speech last year, President Xi Jinping said the ruling Communist Partys control of the internet had been strengthened, and that it was crucial that the state govern cyberspace.
Although Tigray is again quiet, the impacts of the conflict continue, made worse by drought and a degree of mishandled aid that forced the US and the UN to briefly halt supplies last year

An elderly woman sits outside the district's head office in Finarwa, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. AP

For Tinseu Hiluf, a widow living in the parched depths of Ethiopias Tigray region and nursing four children left behind by her sisters recent death in delivery, the harsh realities of war and drought appear to have combined.

One of her own boys was murdered in a two-year battle between federal and regional forces; the other sons are now adults. The youngest kid she is parenting is now underweight due to a scarcity of food brought on by the regions drought.

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She makes an effort to gather seeds from the sparse vegetation on the yellow, rocky terrain of the desert. To try to save the one-year-old infant, she recently had to travel to the local Finarwa health centre in southeast Tigray.

When hungry, we eat anything from the desert, she said. Otherwise, nothing.

She joined several other mothers seeking help at the center in the remote administrative area of Nebar Hadnet. A mother of five complained that she had no breastmilk for her eight-month-old baby. Another with 1-year-old twins said she needed sachets of baby food to keep my babies alive.

Although Tigray is again quiet, the impacts of the conflict continue, made worse by drought and a degree of mishandled aid that forced the US and the UN to briefly halt supplies last year.

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Once verdant fields are become desolate. Maternals, their faces furrowed with concern, watch helplessly as their malnourished children become weaker. The national ombudsman reported in January that around 400 individuals in Tigray and the nearby Amhara area perished from famine in the six months before January. This was an unusual admission of hunger-related deaths by a federal administration.

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With 5.5 million residents, Tigray is home to the majority of those fatalities.

The area was the site of a bloody conflict between federal soldiers and forces loyal to the regions now-ousted ruling party until a peace accord was signed in November 2022. However, the UN and the US stopped providing food help to Tigray months after the battle ended due to a large-scale plot by Ethiopian officials to pilfer humanitarian grain.

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A poor growing season ensued.

Only 49% of Tigrays farmland was planted during the main planting season last year due to persistent insecurity, according to an evaluation reviewed by the AP that was conducted by UN agencies, NGOs, and regional authorities. Due to the drought, crop output in these areas was just 37% of what was anticipated. According to their evaluation, the percentage was as low as 2% in certain places.

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Due to the inadequate harvest, the authorities in Tigray issued a warning, stating that unless the humanitarian response was increased, there may be a unfolding famine that would equal the famine that killed hundreds of thousands of people in northern Ethiopia in 19841955. Food supplies were sent to Tigray in the second part of last year, but according to humanitarian workers, just a small portion of the countrys poor population is receiving food assistance.

Finarwa, a farming community with 13,000 residents, is one of the areas most severely affected.

The towns health center still has war-damaged equipment and some of its rooms appear abandoned. Tadesse Mehari, the officer in charge of the clinic, said the lack of food at homes in the community has forced children to flee and beg in nearby towns.

Nothing here to eat. So, for the sake of getting food and to save their lives, they are displaced anywhere, far from here, he said. So, in this area, a lot of people are suffering. They are starved. They are dying due to the absence of food.

Some local leaders, feeling helpless, have been turning their own people away

Hayale Gebrekedian, a Nebar Hadnet district leader for five years, listened to the pleas of villagers who streamed into his office one recent afternoon. A widow named Serawit Wolde with 10 children was in tears as she recounted that five of them were falling ill from hunger.

Please, any help, she told Hayale.

Hayale told the woman he had nothing to give. There simply isnt any (food), he said.

Hayale later told the AP, This place used to be a source of hope, even for those displaced by the war. We had enough for everyone, but now we cant even feed ourselves.

The war took everything, he said. Theres nothing left."

Havale said access to water was an additional challenge. Of the 25 wells that once sustained the community and its animals, only five remained functional. People now trek for over an hour and a half to access water, he said.

The regions drought has meant that some areas that usually get about 60 days of rain during the rainy season have seen only a few.

Some farmers arent giving up.

Haile Gebre Kirstos, 70, continued to plough his parched land and plant sorghum in a village in Messebo, although rain fell only two days during the last rainy season, he said.

Once lush and teeming with livestock, the land is now a barren expanse, yet he remained hopeful even after the failure of the previous harvest.

Although the ploughing usually doesnt begin until the rainy season in May or June, this year he started the work early, driven by extreme need. He spoke of farmers who have sold their oxen and farming tools to feed their families.

For him, the memory of the 1980s famine is haunting. It affected the entire region then, he said. Now, in some districts, its either as bad as the 1980s, or even worse.
Disinformation spreaders are keen to depict the EU as a malevolent, all-powerful machine that encroaches on the sovereignty of member states, as well as on the lives and freedoms of their citizens

The European Union is facing a wave of misinformation ahead of the legislative elections in June. The EU is being accused on social media of trying to outlaw the repair of old automobiles and of concealing bug components in food.

The European Union will force livestock to wear face masks or implant microchips into the populace to track their every move, among other ludicrous claims that have gone viral in recent months and have been refuted by AFPs fact checkers.

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In January, the EUs top diplomat Josep Borrell tweeted that disinformation represents one of the most significant threats of our time.

Many people have a negative perception of the EU, which fuels distrust and even resentment towards its institutions. Experts suggest that ignorance contributes to this negative perception, given the sheer size and complexity of the EUs decision-making apparatus, which affects the lives of nearly 450 million people in 27 different countries.

Clearly, low levels of knowledge about even basic aspects of how the EU works contributes to the problem of disinformation, said Simon Usherwood, professor of Politics and International Studies at The Open University in London.

So when the European Commission proposed in July 2023 to revise regulations on the management of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), social media users in France, Germany and Greece were quick to pounce on the news and spread the false claim that Brussels was planning to scrap or ban the repair of vehicles over 15 years old.

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All-powerful machine?

Disinformation spreaders are keen to depict the EU as a malevolent, all-powerful machine that encroaches on the sovereignty of member states, as well as on the lives and freedoms of their citizens.

Nevertheless, Cyril Lemieux, a media sociologist who runs a seminar on fake news at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS) in Paris, said: Im not sure that the topics are much more complex in Brussels than at a national public policy level.

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More fundamentally, it is an expression, at all levels, of the distrust of the working classes towards elites who are perceived to be too far-removed. And that encourages an adherence to fake news.

Jakub Kalensky, senior analyst at the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE) in Helsinki, said that pro-sovereignty, anti-EU actors found it easy to weaponise the lack of trust.

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Hence, people like British Eurosceptic Nigel Farage, the head of Frances nationalist Popular Republican Union Francois Asselineau and Hungarys Agriculture Minister Istvan Nagy helped spread false claims that the European Commission wants to make people eat insects without their knowledge.

Pro-Kremlin ecosystem

Kalensky said the pro-sovereignty advocates had developed a symbiosis with an adversary even more formidable than the EU  Russia.

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The relationship with the pro-Kremlin disinformation ecosystem was mutually beneficial, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine, the analyst said.

The pro-Kremlin ecosystem gains new domestic actors who provide legitimacy to their messaging and the anti-EU actors receive visibility that they otherwise might not be able to get. It is not a coincidence that these actors so often defend the Kremlins interests in the EU, Kalensky said.

The Open Universitys Usherwood said that disinformation targeting the EU comes from lots of different sources, and includes messages from people genuinely confused about (or opposing) the EU, which then get weaponised by more organised political groups.

Usherwood warned that the risk for the EU would be to simply dismiss any negative messages as disinformation, when the criticism might be legitimate.

It might be telling a story about the problems of making the integration process work for citizens, he said.
The United States and Jordan are among the countries to have carried out airdrops in northern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are facing dire conditions after more than five months of war

The United Nations has said airdrops or a proposed maritime aid corridor cannot be a substitute for land deliveries, urging more trucks to be permitted to reach Gaza through more border crossings Image Courtesy Reuters

A medic at Gazas largest hospital said Friday a humanitarian airdrop in the north of the Palestinian territory killed five people and wounded 10.

The casualties were taken to Gaza Citys Al-Shifa hospital, the emergency rooms head nurse, Mohammed al-Sheikh, told AFP.

Sheikh said the deadly airdrop occurred north of the coastal Al-Shati refugee camp.

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A witness from the camp told the news agency AFP he and his brother followed the parachuted aid in the hope of getting a bag of flour.

Then, all of a sudden, the parachute didnt open and fell down like a rocket on the roof of one of the houses, said Mohammed al-Ghoul.

Ten minutes later I saw people transferring three martyrs and others injured, who were staying on the roof of the house where the aid packages fell, the 50-year-old told AFP.

The United States and Jordan are among the countries to have carried out airdrops in northern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are facing dire conditions after more than five months of war.

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A Jordanian military source told AFP that the kingdom was not involved in Fridays fatal drop.

The technical defect that caused some parachutes carrying aid not to open and to fall freely to the ground during the airdrop on Gaza on Friday was not from a Jordanian aircraft, the source said.

The four Jordanian aircraft that carried out the airdrop in partnership with five other countries carried out its mission without any glitches.

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Referring to the five killed on Friday, the government media office in Hamas-run Gaza said airdrops were futile and not the best way for aid to enter.

The United Nations has said airdrops or a proposed maritime aid corridor cannot be a substitute for land deliveries, urging more trucks to be permitted to reach Gaza through more border crossings.
In a major statement, PM Modi told President Putin that this is not the era of war on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Uzbekistan last year. The statement even made to the G20 communique under the presidency of India

Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has always condemned civilian killings and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict Image Courtesy Agencies

India reportedly played a key role in averting a potential catastrophe in 2022 as the United States started preparing rigorously for a potential nuclear strike by Russia against Ukraine.

A CNN report citing two senior US administration officials stated that outreach from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other countries also played an important role in averting the crisis.

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The US administration led by President Joe Biden was specifically concerned Russia might use a tactical or battlefield nuclear weapon, the officials said.

Amid the fears, the US sought to enlist the help of non-allies including India, to discourage Russia from such an attack, as reported by CNN.

One of the things we did was not only message them directly but strongly urge, press, encourage other countries, to whom they might be more attentive, to do the same thing, the senior administration official said.

US officials say that outreach and public statements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others helped avert a crisis.

I think we believe showing the international community the concern about this, particularly the concern from key countries for Russia and the Global South, was also a helpful, persuasive factor and showed them what the cost of all this could be, CNN quoted a senior administration official as saying.

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I think the fact that we know, India weighed in, China weighed in, others weighed in, may have had some effect on their thinking, the senior administration official added. I cant demonstrate this positively, but I think thats our assessment.

Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has always condemned civilian killings and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

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In a major statement, PM Modi told President Putin that this is not the era of war on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Uzbekistan last year. The statement even made to the G20 communique under the presidency of India.

During this period from late summer to fall 2022, the National Security Council convened a series of meetings to put contingency plans in place in the event of either a very clear indication that they were about to do something, attack with a nuclear weapon, or if they just did, how we would respond, how we would try to preempt it or deter it, the senior administration official said.

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Notably, late summer 2022 was also proving a devastating period for Russian forces in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces were advancing on Russian-occupied Kherson in the south, the city which had been Russias biggest prize since the invasion.

As these Ukrainian forces advanced, entire Russian units were in danger of being surrounded. The view inside the administration was that such a catastrophic loss could be a potential trigger for the use of nuclear weapons, according to CNN.

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Also, at the same time, Russia was allegedly circulating a new false flag story about a Ukrainian dirty bomb, which US officials feared could be intended as a cover for a Russian nuclear attack.

In October 2022, Russias defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, made a series of phone calls to defence officials in the US, the UK, France and Turkey, telling them that the Kremlin was concerned about possible provocations by Kyiv involving the use of a dirty bomb.

But, it is pertinent to note that at no time did the US detect intelligence indicating Russia was taking steps to mobilize its nuclear forces to carry out such an attack, CNN reported.

We obviously placed a high priority on tracking and had some ability at least to track such movements of its nuclear forces, a senior administration official said. And at no point did we ever see any indications of types of steps that we wouldve expected them to take if they were going down a path toward using nuclear weapons.

(With agency inputs)
The 153 passengers on board the Airbus A320 and the four flight attendants did not sustain any injuries during the two hours and thirty-five-minute flight, despite multiple navigational errors caused by the incident

earlier in the day, the co-pilot was informed by the second-in-command pilot that he had not received "proper rest" Image Courtesy Agencies

Two Batik Air pilots from Indonesia shockingly dozed out during a thirty-minute flight with passengers inside. For about twenty-eight minutes, the pilot and co-pilot napped simultaneously. According to the National Transportation Safety Committees (KNKT) preliminary investigation, the Batik Air flight on January 25 was its route from South East Sulawesi to Jakarta, the Indonesian capital.

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The 153 passengers on board the Airbus A320 and the four flight attendants did not sustain any injuries during the two hours and thirty-five-minute flight, despite multiple navigational errors caused by the incident.

According to a report in the Guardian, M. Kristi Endah Murni, the director general of civil aviation for the Transport Ministry, said that the ministry strongly reprimands Batik Air for the event and asked carriers to be more considerate of their aircrews rest time. The ministry is also starting a probe.

The report states that earlier in the day, the co-pilot was informed by the second-in-command pilot that he had not received proper rest. About ninety minutes after departure, the captain asked his second-in-command if he might take a quick break. The request was granted. According to the investigation, the co-pilot inadvertently fell asleep too once he took over piloting the plane. The second-in-command had twins that were one month old. While at home, he helped out while his wife took care of the babies, according to the report.

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Twelve minutes after the co-pilots last known message, the Jakarta Area Control Centre (ACC) tried to get in touch with the aircraft, but the pilots did not reply, the ACC said. The pilot-in-command realized the aircraft was not on the correct flying route when he woke asleep, some 28 minutes after the previous signal was logged. The report states that he then answered the ACC and roused the second-in-command. The pilot-in-command notified the air traffic controller (ACC) of a radio communication problem that occurred during the flight, but it was resolved.

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The report identified the pilot-in-command as a 32-year-old male Indonesian, and the second-in-command as a 28-year-old male Indonesian, but did not disclose the names of the pilots.

BTK6723 made a safe landing, and no injuries were recorded. The flight crews have also been grounded till additional investigation is completed in accordance with standard operating practice.

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In a statement, Batik Air stated that it committed to implement all safety recommendations and that it operates with adequate rest policy. The pilots have been suspended, it continued.
The prosecutors office in the Donetsk region said the strike wounded a 16-year-old boy, five women and five men aged 34 to 95 and that 17 high rise buildings were damaged in explosions

At least 11 people were injured in a Russian nighttime attack on the eastern Ukrainian town of Myrnograd, according to Kyiv on Sunday. Meanwhile, Moscow deployed attack drones around the nation.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has continued for more than two years.

The settlement of Myrnograd is located in the Donetsk area, some 25 miles (40 km) from the Russian front line.

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Around 03:00 AM on March 10, Russian forces launched three S-300 missiles at the city of Myrnograd. They targeted a residential neighbourhood, the prosecutors office in the Donetsk region said on social media.

It said the strike wounded a 16-year-old boy, five women and five men aged 34 to 95 and that 17 high rise buildings were damaged in explosions.

Photographs of wrecked automobiles and the exteriors of typical Soviet-era apartment complexes with debris outside were released by officials.

Additionally, Kyiv reported that Russia had fired over two dozen Shahed attack drones manufactured in Iran throughout the central and southern areas, including the Kyiv region.

As a result of combat operations, 35 Shaheds were shot down over 10 regions, the air force said on social media.

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It claimed that the drones were shot down in the southern areas of Odesa, Kherson, and Mykolaiv as well as in the central districts of Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, and Dnipropetrovsk.

Drone assaults were also launched against the areas of Khmelnytsky and Zhytomyr, farther to the west.

According to local governor Oleg Synegubov, shelling in the village of Bogodukhiv, which is northeast of Kharkivs main city and near the Russian border, set a pleasure camp on fire.

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According to Synegubov, the camp was bombarded just after midnight. He said there were no injuries while releasing images of wooden buildings in flames.

Denis Pushilin, a Russian-installed official in Moscow-occupied Ukraine, said that Kyiv had attacked a Gorlovka bread factory at night, injuring four workers.
Once thought to be ideologically non-identifiable, Musks views have now shifted to the hard right as he utilises his platform, which he now calls X, to promote ideas that are valued by far-right movements, Fox News, and conservative talk radio around the West

Elon Musk has openly shifted to the right politically since his turbulent acquisition of Twitter, confounding the conventional wisdom that Silicon Valley is a bastion of affluent liberals loyal to Democrats.

Once thought to be ideologically non-identifiable, Musks views have now shifted to the hard right as he utilises his platform, which he now calls X, to promote ideas that are valued by far-right movements, Fox News, and conservative talk radio around the West.

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Reiterating a conspiracy theory popular in far-right chat boards, Musk recently stated that US President Joe Biden was importing immigrants in order to win elections and create the conditions for something far worse than 9/11. This is only the most recent incident.

But beyond the posts, the question on everyones mind is whether the worlds second richest person will put his weight, and wealth, behind the bid of former US president Donald Trump to retake the White House.

The rumor mill went into overdrive when The New York Times reported that the two men met, along with other Republican donors, in Florida last week.

Trump is seriously trailing Biden in raising campaign funds, even if he sailed toward the Republican nomination to be US president, and Musk could single handedly make up the shortfall.

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Musk turned to X to insist that to be super clear, I am not donating money to either candidate for US President.

But the funding of US elections is opaque and complicated, and Biden backers worry that Musk could change his mind or fund political committees that themselves finance Trump, or find other ways to help the Republican cause.

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Techno-optimist

Musk is not alone: other Silicon Valley mavens are also defending conservative causes, making noise in what electorally remains a liberal stronghold; in 2020, Trumps vote share in Silicon Valley was less than 25 percent.

Some tycoons are seeking to build a political movement that, even if not directly supporting Trump, embraces conservative causes, cryptocurrencies, and goes against the California grain.

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One of the loudest voices in this shift is Marc Andreessen, the early internet tycoon who founded Netscape and now co-runs Andreessen Horowitz, a venerable venture capital company.

Once a typically left-of-center tech magnate, who had close ties to former vice president Al Gore, Andreessen now fights vehemently against left-wing priorities, especially so-called woke considerations about equality or workplace inclusiveness.

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Last year, in a 5,200-word techno-optimist manifesto, Andreessen laid out a techno-utopian vision for the future that listed co-opted government, regulation and worries about discrimination or equality as enemies.

Like many of his fellow right-wing investors, Andreessens company is heavily invested in cryptocurrencies and last year launched a political war chest to make trouble for lawmakers, Democratic or Republican, who want the nascent industry more heavily controlled.

For tech analyst Carolina Milanesi, the newly emerging outspokenness could be less about aping Musk than worry from an old guard that the status quo is vanishing.

As people are talking about wokeness, when youre talking about either diversity, equality and inclusion, or youre talking about sustainability, all of those things, basically are a threat to the status quo, she said.

This exasperation with what Musk calls the woke mind virus is what drives a hit podcast called All-In, where four tech bigwigs, some friends with Musk, opine about the world and the latest tech developments.

The hosts include David Sacks, one of the members of the PayPal mafia, a group of men that includes Musk, who worked at that late 1990s startup and since became the representatives of Silicon Valleys small but growing right-leaning faction.

Another PayPal veteran is investor Peter Thiel, a German-born arch conservative who associated himself with Trump when he entered the White House.

After the assault of the US Capitol in 2021, Thiel said he would stay out of politics and has since become a sort of philosopher king of Silicon Valleys right-wing who remains above the fray.

Far left AI

The power of this new guard is beginning to be felt with the diversity minded tech companies on the back foot over criticisms that San Francisco is ridden with drugs and crime or that generative AI has become too woke.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai last month found himself under fire, and his companys share price bruised, after it emerged that its just launched Gemini AI app had generated images of ethnically diverse World War II Nazi troops and other ahistorical gaffes.

The people running Google AI are smuggling in their preferences and their biases, and those biases are extremely liberal, said Sacks in an All-In podcast segment titled Googles woke AI disaster.

In a sign of rising conservative influence, Googles Pichai called the AI snafu completely unacceptable and founder Sergey Brin said we definitely messed up in generating such far left imagery.
Not a single organisation took credit for any of the most recent kidnappings. However, its believed that Islamic extremists leading an insurgency in the northeast are responsible for the Borno kidnapping. Locals blame the school kidnappings on herders who are in conflict with the settled communities

Children play at the LEA Primary and Secondary School Kuriga where students were kidnapped in Kuriga, in Kaduna state, Nigeria. AP

Rashidat Hamza is in despair. All but one of her six children are among the almost 300 pupils kidnapped from their school in Nigerias conflict-torn northwest.

More than two days after her children, aged seven to eighteen, went to school in isolated Kuriga town only to be herded away by a gang of gunmen, she was still stunned Saturday.

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We have never seen this kind of thing where our children were abducted from their school, she told an Associated Press team that arrived in the Kaduna State town to report on Thursdays attack. We dont know what to do, but we believe in God.

The fact that there have only been three major kidnappings in northern Nigeria since late last week, including the one in Kuriga, serves as a reminder of the security situation that plagues the most populous nation in Africa. A few days prior, 200 people were kidnapped in northeastern Borno State, and on Saturday morning, a squad of gunmen seized 15 students from a school in another northwest state, Sokoto.

Ten years ago, in Bornos Chibok town, Nigerian school kidnappings made international headlines when, in 2014, Islamic militants abducted over 200 schoolgirls, startling the whole globe.

Not a single organisation took credit for any of the most recent kidnappings. However, its believed that Islamic extremists leading an insurgency in the northeast are responsible for the Borno kidnapping. Locals blame the school kidnappings on herders who are in conflict with the settled communities.

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Among the students abducted Thursday were at least 100 children aged 12 or younger. They were just settling into their classrooms at the government primary and secondary school when gunmen came in dozens, riding on bikes and shooting sporadically, said Nura Ahmad, a teacher.

The school sits by the road just at the entrance of Kuriga town, which is tucked in the middle of forests and savannah.

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They surrounded the school and blocked all passages  and roads to prevent help from coming before marching the children away in an operation that lasted less than five minutes, Ahmad said.

Fourteen-year-old Abdullahi Usman braved gunshots in making his escape from the captors.

Those who refused to move fast were either forced on the motorcycles or threatened by gunshots fired into the air, Abdullahi said.

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The bandits were shouting: Go! Go! Go! he said.

By the next day, Nigerian police and soldiers headed into the forests in search of the kids but combing the wooded expanses of northwestern Nigeria could take weeks, observers have said.

Since this happened, my brain has been scattering, said Shehu Lawal, the father of a 13-year-old boy who is among those abducted.

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My child didnt even eat breakfast before leaving. Even his mother fainted.  We were worried, thinking she would die, Lawal said.

Some villagers like Lawan Yaro, whose five grandchildren are among the abducted, say their hopes are already fading into fear.

People are used to the regions insecurity, but it has never been in this manner, he said.

We are crying, looking for help from the government and God, but it is the gunmen that will decide to bring the children back, Yaro said.

God will help us, he said.

Since the 2014 abduction in Chibok of 276 schoolgirls, which sparked the global #BringBackOurGirls social media campaign, at least 1,400 Nigerian students have been seized from their schools in similar circumstances. Some are still in captivity including nearly 100 of the Chibok girls.

But schools are not the only targets.

Thousands of people have been abducted across Nigeria in the last year alone, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The crisis has even hit homes in the capital of Abuja, where President Bola Tinubu took office after being elected last year following a campaign in which he promised to resolve kidnappings.

A major factor that conflict analysts say has fueled the abductions is how easy it is to smuggle in arms over Nigerias poorly policed borders. More than half of its 1,500-kilometer (932-mile) border with Niger, for instance, stretches across the northwest. Though mostly savannah, the region also has vast forests that are ungoverned and unoccupied, providing havens for organized gangs and their kidnap victims.

In 2022, Nigerian lawmakers passed a bill to bar ransom payments, but Nigerias kidnappers are known for brutality, prodding many families to scramble to pay a ransom.

Fatigued by the 14-year Islamic insurgency in Nigerias northeast, the military continues to conduct air raids and special military operations in the region. But the armed gangs continue to grow in numbers and often work with the extremists who are seeking to expand their operations beyond the northeast.

The armed gangs are adapting their strategies and further entrenching themselves in the northwest through extortion, said James Barnett, a researcher specializing in West Africa at the U.S.-based Hudson Institute.

Their mentality is that they should be allowed free rein to do what they please in the northwest and that if the state challenges them, directly or indirectly, they will have to respond and show their strength, Barnett said.

More than a dozen checkpoints and military trucks now dot the 55-mile (89 kilometers) road that runs from Kuriga town to the city of Kaduna. But the soldiers are likely to soon be deployed elsewhere, whenever a new security incident requires that troops provide a presence.

People in Kuriga can only hope that the schoolchildren return unhurt and that the security they feel now with the military trucks around endures.

We hope for help from the government so that they will arrest the attackers, said Hamza, the mother fearful for her five kidnapped children. The gunmen dont allow us to farm, they dont allow us to have peace outside  we dont have security  no soldier, no police.
In a message, Shehbaz Sharif said that the Senate, National Assembly and elected members of all the four provincial assemblies have expressed their confidence in Zardari. He said that the Zardari will be a symbol of the strength of Pakistan

The office of the president is a ceremonial post, and he acts on the advice of the prime minister. But Zardari is expected to play a larger role as his PPP is a key partner of the coalition government Image Courtesy Reuters

Sunday saw Asif Ali Zardari take office as Pakistans 14th president, following a stunning return the day before when he was resoundingly elected to serve as the nations sole civilian president for a second time.

At a modest but official ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the Presidential Palace, 68-year-old Mr. Zardari was administered the oath by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa.

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After Dr. Arif Alvis five-year term ended in September 2023, he served in office for five months before being replaced by Mr. Zardari.

Along with other senior army and civilian officials and diplomats, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, General Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, and General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Attending the oath-taking event was Mr. Alvi, the departing president and a prominent figure in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which is led by the imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan.

Present on the occasion were former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, his son, Aseefa and Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, and other family members.

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated Mr Zardari on his election as the president for the second term.

In a message, Shehbaz Sharif said that the Senate, National Assembly and elected members of all the four provincial assemblies have expressed their confidence in Zardari. He said that the Zardari will be a symbol of the strength of the federation.

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This is the second time that Mr Zardari has won the presidency, a record for any civilian. Earlier he served as the 11th president of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013 and is one of the four democratically elected presidents to have completed their five-year constitutional term.

He has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since August 2018.

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Co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Mr Zardari was the joint candidate of the ruling alliance and was elected on Saturday after he defeated Mahmood Khan Achakzai, a candidate backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) by a huge margin.

Born in 1955, Mr Zardari was brought up and educated in Karachi. He was married to Pakistans former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhuttos daughter, Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in December 2007.

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Congratulations to all democrats on the swearing in of Asif Ali Zardari as the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, God willing, Asif Ali Zardari will use all his powers as the President of Pakistan for the political, democratic and constitutional stability of the country and the country will be on the journey of development. Will proceed, the party posted on its social media X handle.

The office of the president is a ceremonial post, and he acts on the advice of the prime minister. But Zardari is expected to play a larger role as his PPP is a key partner of the coalition government.

While the chief ministers of Punjab and Sindh attended the ceremony, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who belongs to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party was not present.

Incidentally, almost 12 years ago, Qazi Faez Isa, who was then the Balochistan High Courts Chief Justice and headed a Commission that investigated what was known as the Memogate scandal for over five months and exonerated Mr Zardari from any direct involvement in the memo scandal.

On Saturday, Mr Zardari secured 411 electoral votes in Parliament and all four provincial assemblies with the backing of allied parties - mainly Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) against Achakzais 181 electoral votes.

An electoral college comprising lawmakers belonging to federal and provincial assemblies votes for the president.

After the partition in 1947, Pakistans first president was Iskandar Mirza who took office on March 23, 1956 after the first constitution was adopted and the country became a republic. Before that the country was led by the governor generals who ruled under the amended India Act of 1935.

In an editorial, the Dawn newspaper noted that Mr Zardari was the countrys first civilian president to complete his tenure and his election as president has made him the first Pakistani to hold that office twice.

It is evident that his style of politics has kept currency in the corridors of power despite the many sociopolitical changes this country has seen since the last time he occupied the presidency. It is, undoubtedly, a remarkable comeback orchestrated by a sharp political mind, the editorial commented.

Both Shehbaz and Mr Zardari have returned to their previous roles now and sit at the pinnacle of their political careers, an editorial in The Express Tribune newspaper said.

Earlier, Mr Zardari was dubbed as an accidental beneficiary entering the presidency. However, this time around, he ensured that the timely wheeling and dealing between the two major political parties - his PPP and the PML-N  paved the way for his return to the presidency, it commented.

In line with Mr Zardaris easy win in the vote involving legislators from Parliament and four provincial assemblies, there are hopes that the duos rule will mark a new phase of stability in the country," it added.

(With agency inputs)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome Ga. Mike Stewart/AP President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in Atlanta, Saturday, March 9, 2024. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP A supporter holds a oster with a photo of Laken Riley before Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome Ga. Mike Stewart/AP Allyson Phillips, center, the mother Laken Riley, listens as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures at a campaign rally Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome Ga. Mike Stewart/AP President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign rally Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Pullman Yards in Atlanta. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Supporters arrive before Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome Ga. Mike Stewart/AP Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome Ga. Mike Stewart/AP President Joe Biden puts on a button that was thrown to him from the crowd that says "Regulate Guns NOT Women" as he speaks at a campaign rally Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Pullman Yards in Atlanta. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

ATLANTA (AP)  President Joe Biden said Saturday that he regretted using the term illegal during his State of the Union address to describe the suspected killer of Laken Riley, as his all-but-certain 2024 GOP rival, Donald Trump, blasted the Democrat's immigration policies and blamed them for her death at a rally attended by the Georgia nursing students family and friends.

Biden expressed remorse after facing frustration from some in his party for the use of the term to describe people who arrived or are living in the U.S. illegally.

I shouldnt have used illegal, its undocumented, he said in an interview with MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart taped in Atlanta, where the president was meeting with small business owners and holding a campaign rally.

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Trump, campaigning in Rome, Georgia, at the same time, assailed Biden for the comments.

Joe Biden went on television and apologized for calling Lakens murderer an illegal," he said to loud jeers and boos. Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer."

The back-and-forth underscored how Riley's murder has become a flashpoint in the 2024 campaign and a rallying cry for Republicans who have seized on frustrations over the Biden administrations handling of the U.S-Mexico border during a record surge of migrants entering the country. An immigrant from Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally has been arrested and charged with her murder.

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Trump was joined at his rally by Riley's parents, her sister and friends and met with them before he took the stage. They were welcomed with a standing ovation and large signs handed out by the campaign that featured Rileys photograph and the words SAY HER NAME! REMEMBER OUR ANGELS, they read on the back.

We share your grief," Trump told them in his remarks.

Trump, in a speech that lasted nearly two hours, hammered Biden on the border and for mispronouncing Rileys name during his State of the Union address this past week.

What Joe Biden has done on our border is a crime against humanity and the people of this nation for which he will never be forgiven, Trump charged, alleging that Riley would be alive today if Joe Biden had not willfully and maliciously eviscerated the borders of the United States and set loose thousands and thousands of dangerous criminals into our country.

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Trump, who had made immigration a centerpiece of his campaign, has repeatedly vowed to mount the largest deportation in the nation's history if he wins.

He contrasted his rhetoric with Biden's  I say he was an illegal alien. He was an illegal immigrant. He was an illegal migrant"  and accused Biden, who has long been seen as an empathetic leader, of having no remorse. Hes got no regret, hes got no empathy, no compassion, and worst of all, he has no intention of stopping the deadly invasion that stole precious Lakens beautiful American life, Trump said.

Biden earlier this year bucked activists within his party by agreeing to make changes to U.S. immigration law that would have limited some migration. The deal that emerged would have overhauled the asylum system to provide faster and tougher enforcement, as well as given presidents new powers to immediately expel migrants if authorities become overwhelmed. It also would have added $20 billion in funding, a huge influx of cash.

The changes became part of a short-lived bipartisan compromise that was quickly killed by Republican lawmakers after Trump made his opposition known.

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After the deals collapse, Biden has been considering taking executive action to try to curtail migration, but hes expressed frustration that his lawyers have yet to devise options that they believe can pass muster with federal courts. Biden, instead, has insisted that Congress take up the measure again, trying to flip the script on Republicans and arguing they are more interested in being able to talk about the issue in an election year than taking action to fix it.

Among those who attended the rally was Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who represents Rome in Congress and yelled at Biden during Thursdays State of the Union to Say her name!

The phrase was popularized by civil rights activist Kimberle Crenshaw in 2015 following the death of Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old Black woman who was found dead in a Texas jail cell a few days after she was arrested during a traffic stop.

Crenshaw and others began using the phrase to draw attention to cases in which Black women are subject to police brutality. In 2020, the hashtag #SayHerName helped put more public scrutiny on the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman in Louisville, Kentucky, who was shot and killed in her home during a botched police raid.

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The term illegal was once common but is far less so today, particularly among Democrats who more fully embraced immigrant rights issues during Trumps presidency.

Biden used the term Thursday night during an exchange in which the president pressed Republicans in his address to pass the bipartisan border security deal. Greene, a stalwart Trump ally, then shouted at the president to say Riley s name, adding she was killed by an illegal.

By an illegal, thats right, Biden responded immediately, before appearing to ask how many people are being killed by legals.

He added, To her parents, I say: My heart goes out to you. Having lost children myself, I understand.

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Speaking to Capehart, Biden said, Look, when I spoke about the difference between Trump and me, one of the things I talked about in the border was his, the way he talks about vermin, the way he talks about these people polluting the blood. I talked about what Im not going to do. What I wont do. Im not going to treat any, any, any of these people with disrespect. Look, they built the country.

Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita slammed Biden for apologizing for his phrasing and not to Rileys family.

He should be apologizing to the family as opposed to apologizing for the word that he used which is an accurate description, he told reporters before Trump took the stage, blasting the response as tone deaf and highlighting the candidates two very distinct differences in approach on the border invasion.

Biden's expression of regret was a shift from a day earlier, when Biden had hesitated when asked by reporters if he regretted using the term, saying, well I probably, before pausing and saying I dont and appearing to start saying regret.

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___
Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, which borders Afghanistan, has experienced an increase in violent assaults in the recent year, with many of them claimed by the Pakistan Taliban and the ISIL organisation

Security personnel examine the site of a blast in Peshawar district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. AFP

According to authorities, an explosion occurred on Sunday in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan, leaving at least two people dead and one wounded.

The event happened on Peshawars Nasir Bagh Road near Board Bazar. A motorcycle was used to plant the device.

The Khyber Teaching Hospital has admitted the deceased and injured patients.

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The official stated that explosives were hidden in a motorbike that was parked nearby, according to unverified and preliminary reports. The blast location has been blocked off, and rescue efforts are in progress.

But as of yet, no organisation has taken credit for the explosion.

KPK Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister, denounced the explosion and requested a police report on the event.

The blast comes nearly a month after at least 28 people were killed in twin blasts in Balochistan province just ahead of the parliamentary elections. The February 7 attacks were claimed by the ISIL (ISIS) group.

Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, which borders Afghanistan, has experienced an increase in violent assaults in the recent year, with many of them claimed by the Pakistan Taliban and the ISIL organisation.

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Last December, a vehicle bomb strike in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Dera Ismail Khan area killed at least 23 troops and wounded another 34.

According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based research group, Pakistan had 664 assaults in the first 11 months of 2023, a 67% rise over the same period in 2022.
Israels relentless campaign in Gaza has drawn increasing alarm across the world as the growing risk of famine threatens to add to a death toll that has already passed 31,000

Thousands of police have been deployed around the narrow streets of the Old City in Jerusalem, where tens of thousands of worshippers are expected every day at the Al Aqsa mosque compound, one of the holiest sites in Islam Image Courtesy AP

Palestinians prepared for Ramadan in sombre mood with heightened security measures by Israeli police and the spectre of war and hunger in Gaza overshadowing the normally festive Muslim holy month as talks to secure a ceasefire stalled.

Thousands of police have been deployed around the narrow streets of the Old City in Jerusalem, where tens of thousands of worshippers are expected every day at the Al Aqsa mosque compound, one of the holiest sites in Islam.

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The area, considered the most sacred place by Jews who know it as Temple Mount, has been a longstanding flashpoint for trouble and was one of the starting points of the last war in 2021 between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist movement that controls Gaza.

That 10-day conflict has been dwarfed by the current war, which is now in its sixth month. It began on Oct. 7 when thousands of Hamas fighters stormed into Israel, killing some 1,200 people, by Israeli tallies.

Israels relentless campaign in Gaza has drawn increasing alarm across the world as the growing risk of famine threatens to add to a death toll that has already passed 31,000.

After some confusion last month when hard-right Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said he wanted restrictions on worshippers at Al Aqsa, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the numbers admitted would be similar to last year.

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This is our mosque and we must take care of it, said Azzam Al-Khatib, director general of the Jerusalem Waqf, the religious foundation that oversees Al Aqsa.

We must protect the presence of Muslims at this mosque, who should be able to enter in big numbers peacefully and safely.

Depending on lunar observations, Ramadan will begin on Monday or Tuesday of this week.

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But in contrast to previous years, the usual decorations around the Old City have not been put up and there was a similar sombre tone in towns across the occupied West Bank, where around 400 Palestinians have been killed in clashes with security forces, or Jewish settlers since the start of the war.

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We decided this year that the Old City of Jerusalem wont be decorated out of respect for the blood of our children and the elders and the martyrs, said Ammar Sider, a community leader in the Old City.

Police said they were working to ensure a peaceful Ramadan and had taken extra measures to crack down on what they described as provocative and distorted information on social media networks and had arrested 20 people suspected of incitement to terrorism.

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The Israel Police will continue to act and allow for the observance of Ramadan prayers safely on the Temple Mount, while maintaining security and safety in the area, police said in a statement.

For the rest of the Muslim world, Israels policing of Al Aqsa has long been among the most bitterly resented issues and last month, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh called on Palestinians to march to the mosque at the start of Ramadan.

Last year, clashes that erupted when police entered the mosque compound, drew condemnation from the Arab League as well as Saudi Arabia, with which Israel had been seeking to normalise diplomatic ties, extending its push to build ties with regional powers including the United Arab Emirates.
According to local media, the cars belonged to the National Guard, and demonstrators temporarily held the passengers

On Saturday, demonstrators set fire to two patrol vehicles in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero in protest of a students recent death at the hands of police.

An AFP correspondent witnessed the automobiles being torched on a roadway in the town of Tixtla, around 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Chilpancingo, the state capital.

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According to local media, the cars belonged to the National Guard, and demonstrators temporarily held the passengers.

On Thursday, one student from the Ayotzinapa teacher training institution was killed and another injured in a clash with police in Guerrero, sparking demonstrations.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador previously said the pair were traveling in a stolen car when police ordered them to stop, and that the men in the car had opened fire first.

According to the Guerrero public security secretariat, a firearm was found in the vehicle.

Some, however, have rejected the official version of events, and students from Ayotzinapa went to demonstrate in Chilpancingo after the incident, allegedly setting fire to at least one vehicle.

The shooting is under investigation by the attorney general and state prosecutors offices.

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It took place against a backdrop of flaring tensions over the case of 43 students from the same college who went missing nearly a decade ago.

The day before the shooting, protesters smashed open a door to Mexicos presidential palace demanding to meet Lopez Obrador to discuss the case.

The 43 students had been traveling to a demonstration in Mexico City when investigators believe they were kidnapped by a drug cartel in collusion with corrupt police.

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The exact circumstances of their disappearance are still unknown, but a truth commission set up by the government has branded the case a state crime, saying the military shared responsibility, either directly or through negligence.
The term illegal was once common but is far less so today, particularly among Democrats who more fully embraced immigrant rights issues during Trumps presidency

At a rally attended by the family and friends of the Georgia nursing student, President Joe Biden expressed regret on Saturday for referring to the suspected killer of Laken Riley as a illegal during his State of the Union address. Meanwhile, his likely 2024 GOP opponent, Donald Trump, attacked the Democrats immigration policies and held them responsible for Rileys death.

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After some in his party were irate with him for using the term to characterise those who entered or are now residing in the US illegally, Biden apologised.

I shouldnt have used illegal, its undocumented, he said in an interview with MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart taped in Atlanta, where the president was meeting with small business owners and holding a campaign rally.

Trump, campaigning in Rome, Georgia, at the same time, blasted Biden for the comments.

Joe Biden went on television and apologized for calling Lakens murderer an illegal, he said to loud jeers and boos. Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer.

The back and forth highlighted how Republicans, who have latched onto resentment over the Biden administrations management of the U.S.-Mexico border during a record surge of migrants entering the nation, have turned Rileys murder into a focal point and a rallying cry for the 2024 campaign. A Venezuelan immigrant who entered the US illegally has been detained and accused of killing her.

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Rileys parents, sister, and friends attended his rally with him, and he spoke with them before taking the platform. They were welcomed with a standing ovation and large signs handed out by the campaign that featured Rileys photograph and the words SAY HER NAME! REMEMBER OUR ANGELS, they read on the back.

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We share your grief, Trump told them in his remarks.

Trump, in a lengthy speech that lasted nearly two hours, hammered Biden on the border and for mispronouncing Rileys name during his State of the Union address this past week.

What Joe Biden has done on our border is a crime against humanity and the people of this nation for which he will never be forgiven, Trump charged, alleging that Riley would be alive today if Joe Biden had not willfully and maliciously eviscerated the borders of the United States and set loose thousands and thousands of dangerous criminals into our country.

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Trump, who had made immigration a centerpiece of his campaign, has repeatedly vowed to mount the largest deportation in the nations history if he wins.

He contrasted his rhetoric with Bidens  I say he was an illegal alien. He was an illegal immigrant. He was an illegal migrant  and accused Biden, who has long been seen as an empathetic leader, of having no remorse. Hes got no regret, hes got no empathy, no compassion, and worst of all, he has no intention of stopping the deadly invasion that stole precious Lakens beautiful American life, Trump said.

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Biden earlier this year bucked activists within his party by agreeing to make changes to US immigration law that would have limited some migration. The deal that emerged would have overhauled the asylum system to provide faster and tougher enforcement, as well as given presidents new powers to immediately expel migrants if authorities become overwhelmed. It also would have added $20 billion in funding, a huge influx of cash.

The changes became part of a short-lived bipartisan compromise that was quickly killed by Republican lawmakers after Trump made his opposition known.

After the deals collapse, Biden has been considering taking executive action to try to curtail migration, but hes expressed frustration that his lawyers have yet to devise options that they believe can pass muster with federal courts. Biden, instead, has insisted that Congress take up the measure again, trying to flip the script on Republicans and arguing they are more interested in being able to talk about the issue in an election year than taking action to fix it.

Among those who attended the rally was Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who represents Rome in Congress and yelled at Biden during Thursdays State of the Union to Say her name!

The phrase was popularized by civil rights activist Kimberle Crenshaw in 2015 following the death of Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old Black woman who was found dead in a Texas jail cell a few days after she was arrested during a traffic stop.

Crenshaw and others began using the phrase to draw attention to cases in which Black women are subject to police brutality. In 2020, the hashtag #SayHerName helped put more public scrutiny on the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman in Louisville, Kentucky, who was shot and killed in her home during a botched police raid.

The term illegal was once common but is far less so today, particularly among Democrats who more fully embraced immigrant rights issues during Trumps presidency.

Biden used the term Thursday night during an exchange in which the president pressed Republicans in his address to pass the bipartisan border security deal. Greene, a stalwart Trump ally, then shouted at the president to say Riley s name, adding she was killed by an illegal.

By an illegal, thats right, Biden responded immediately, before appearing to ask how many people are being killed by legals.

He added, To her parents, I say: My heart goes out to you. Having lost children myself, I understand.

Speaking to Capehart, Biden said, Look, when I spoke about the difference between Trump and me, one of the things I talked about in the border was his, the way he talks about vermin, the way he talks about these people polluting the blood. I talked about what Im not going to do. What I wont do. Im not going to treat any, any, any of these people with disrespect. Look, they built the country.

Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita slammed Biden for apologizing for his language and not to Rileys family.

He should be apologizing to the family as opposed to apologizing for the word that he used which is an accurate description, he told reporters before Trump took the stage, blasting the response as tone deaf and highlighting the candidates two very distinct differences in approach on the border invasion.

Bidens expression of regret marked a shift from a day earlier, when Biden had hesitated when asked by reporters if he regretted using the term, saying, well I probably, before pausing and saying I dont and appearing to start saying the word regret.
In the lead-up to King Charles IIIs coronation last May, a man was arrested for throwing shotgun cartridges into the grounds of Buckingham Palace

Security measures at Buckingham Palace, the British royal family's official residence, are stringent, with the building in the heart of the capital constantly monitored by armed officers Image Courtesy AP

A man was arrested in London on Sunday for allegedly crashing a car into the gates of the Buckingham Palace over the weekend.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the car collided with the gates of the royal residence at 02:30 GMT on Saturday.

Armed officers arrested the man at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage and he was taken to hospital, a spokesperson for the force said.

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They added that no one was injured and enquiries were ongoing to establish the circumstances, the spokesperson added.

Security measures at Buckingham Palace, the British royal familys official residence, are stringent, with the building in the heart of the capital constantly monitored by armed officers.

The palace has faced multiple break-in attempts in the past.

In September last year, a 25-year-old man was arrested after trying to enter the royal stables.

In the lead-up to King Charles IIIs coronation last May, a man was arrested for throwing shotgun cartridges into the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

The same month a 43-year-old man was arrested for ramming his car into the gates that guard Downing Street, home of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

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(With agency inputs)
The Catholic leader had fuelled anger in Kyiv after saying in an interview published Saturday that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia, which has seized large swathes of its territory during the war

However, Ukraine slammed the Pope for his statement and vowed "never" to surrender after the pontiff said Kyiv should "have the courage to raise the white flag" Image Courtesy AP

Ukraine on Sunday rejected an appeal by Pope Francis to negotiate a peace deal with Russia.

The appeal by the Pope came two years after Russia started its invasion of Ukraine.

However, Ukraine slammed the Pope for his statement and vowed never to surrender after the pontiff said Kyiv should have the courage to raise the white flag.

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The Catholic leader had fuelled anger in Kyiv after saying in an interview published Saturday that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia, which has seized large swathes of its territory during the war.

Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags, Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on social media.

While battling its bigger neighbour, Ukraine has vowed not to give up its territory.

The Pope fuelled anger by saying: When you see that you are defeated, that things are not working out, to have the courage to negotiate.

Kuleba called on the elderly pontiff to stand on the side of good and not put the opposing sides on the same footing and call it negotiations.

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He also appeared to reference some of the Catholic church collaborating with Nazi forces during World War II.

At the same time, when it comes to the white flag, we know this Vatican strategy from the first half of the 20th century," Kuleba said.

I urge to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine and its people in their just struggle for their lives.

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He also thanked Pope Francis for his constant prayers for peace and said Kyiv hoped the cleric would visit Ukraine.

We continue to hope that after two years of devastating war in the heart of Europe, the Pontiff will find an opportunity to pay an Apostolic visit to Ukraine to support over a million Ukrainian Catholics, over five million Greek-Catholics and all Ukrainians, Kuleba said.

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(With agency inputs)
The creation of the maritime channel demonstrated growing concern about Gazas humanitarian catastrophe and a new readiness to circumvent Israeli restrictions over land imports, as did airdrops by the US, Jordan, and other countries

In this photo provided by U.S. military's Central Command, U.S. Army Vessel (USAV) General Frank S. Besson (LSV-1) from the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, XVIII Airborne Corps, prepare to departs Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., en route to the Eastern Mediterranean less than 36 hours after President Biden announced the U.S. would provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza by sea. US Central Command via AP

Three days after US President Joe Biden announced plans to increase aid deliveries by sea to the besieged enclave where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been going without food, a US Army vessel carrying supplies for constructing a temporary pier in Gaza was making its way to the Mediterranean on Sunday.

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The creation of the maritime channel demonstrated growing concern about Gazas humanitarian catastrophe and a new readiness to circumvent Israeli restrictions over land imports, as did airdrops by the US, Jordan, and other countries.

Israel declared that it would examine goods headed for Gaza before it left a staging location in neighbouring Cyprus and that it welcomed the marine deliveries. Due to Israeli limitations and security concerns, the number of relief trucks that have entered Gaza by land each day over the last five months has significantly decreased from the 500 that did so before to the conflict.

With the conflict against Hamas in Gaza entering its sixth month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under increasing public fire from Biden, who says that Netanyahu is hurting Israel more than helping Israel in this regard.

The president defended Israels right to go after Hamas following the terrorist groups 7 October attack on southern Israel in an interview with MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart on Saturday. However, he stated that Netanyahu must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken. He added that you cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead.

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In Gaza, Palestinian casualties continued to rise.

The Civil Defense Department said at least nine Palestinians, including children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza City late Saturday.

Footage shared by the civil defense showed first responders pulling out the dead and injured trapped in the collapsed house. One rescuer was seen holding a dead infant, before placing the limp body on a sofa amid the wreckage.

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Elsewhere, the bodies of 15 people, including women and children, were taken to the main hospital in the central town of Deir al-Balah on Sunday, according to an Associated Press journalist. Relatives said they were killed by Israeli artillery fire toward a large tent camp for displaced Palestinians in the coastal area east of the southern city of Khan Younis.

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Israel rarely comments on specific incidents during the war. It has held that Hamas is responsible for civilian casualties because the militant group operates from within civilian areas.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said Sunday that at least 31,045 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. It doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and its figures from previous wars have largely matched those of the U.N. and independent experts.

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Meanwhile, US efforts got underway to set up the temporary pier in Gaza for the sea deliveries. US Central Command said a first US Army vessel, the General Frank S. Besson, left a base in Virginia on Saturday and was on its way to the Eastern Mediterranean with equipment for pier construction.

US officials said it will likely be weeks before the pier is operational.

The sea corridor is backed by the EU together with the United States, the United Arab Emirates and other countries. The European Commission has said that U.N. agencies and the Red Cross will also play a role.

A ship belonging to Spains Open Arms aid group was expected to make a pilot voyage to test the corridor as early as this weekend. The ship has been waiting at Cyprus port of Larnaca.

Open Arms founder Oscar Camps has said the ship, which is pulling a barge with 200 tons of rice and flour, would take two to three days to arrive at an undisclosed location.

A member of the charity World Central Kitchen, which is also involved in the test run, said on X, formerly Twitter, that once the barge reaches Gaza, the aid would be offloaded by a crane, placed on trucks and driven to northern Gaza, which has been largely cut off from aid shipments.

Senior aid officials have warned that air and sea deliveries cant make up for a shortage of supply routes on land.

The new push for getting more aid in came on the eve of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which follows a lunar calendar and could start as early as Sunday evening, depending on the sighting of a crescent moon.

Israel declared war on Oct. 7 after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians and taking 250 hostages. Israels blistering air and ground offensive has devastated large parts of Gaza, displaced about 80% of the population of 2.3 million and set off a worsening humanitarian crisis.

The US and regional mediators Egypt and Qatar had hoped to have a six-week cease-fire in place by the start of Ramadan, but talks appeared to be stalled, with Hamas holding out for assurances that a temporary truce will lead to an end of hostilities.

Mediators had hoped to alleviate some of the immediate crisis with the temporary cease-fire, which would have seen Hamas release some of the Israeli hostages its holding, Israel release some Palestinian prisoners and aid groups be given access for a major influx of assistance into Gaza.
Since November, the Houthis have launched attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, claiming that their actions are a show of support for Palestinians amidst Israels conflict with Hamas in Gaza

HMS Richmond, currently taking part in Operation Prosperity Guardian protecting merchant shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi rebel attacks, fires missiles to shoot down hostile Houthi drones heading towards the ship, on the Red Sea. Reuters

Following the Houthis of Yemen, who are affiliated with Iran, targeting US warships and the bulk carrier Propel Fortune in the vicinity, US, French, and British troops shot down dozens of drones in the Red Sea area overnight and on Saturday, according to a statement from the US military.

Since November, the Houthis have launched attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, claiming that their actions are a show of support for Palestinians amidst Israels conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

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The cargo ship and a number of US war destroyers at the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with 37 drones were the targets of the groups attack, according to military spokesperson Yahya Sarea in a televised statement on Saturday.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the US military and coalition forces had downed at least 28 uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the Red Sea in the early hours of Saturday.

No US or Coalition Navy vessels were damaged in the attack and there were also no reports by commercial ships of damage, CENTCOM said in a statement.

Earlier on Saturday, CENTCOM said the military was responding to a large-scale attack on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden between 4 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. (0100-0330 GMT).

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The UAVs were intended to present an imminent threat to merchant vessels, US Navy, and coalition ships in the region, it said in a post on social media platform X.

A French warship and fighter jets also shot down four combat drones that were advancing towards naval vessels belonging to the European Aspides mission in the region, a French army statement said.

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This defensive action directly contributed to the protection of the cargo ship True Confidence, under the Barbados flag, which was struck on March 6 and is being towed, as well as other commercial vessels transiting in the area, it said.

France has a warship in the area as well as warplanes at its bases in Djibouti and the United Arab Emirates.

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Drone attack

Britains Ministry of Defence said its warship HMS Richmond had joined international allies in repelling a Houthi drone attack overnight, saying no injuries or damage were sustained.

Last night, HMS Richmond used its Sea Ceptor missiles to shoot down two attack drones - successfully repelling yet another illegal attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis, defence minister Grant Shapps said on X.

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The UK and our allies will continue to take the action necessary to save lives and protect freedom of navigation.

On Wednesday three seafarers were killed in a missile strike by the Houthis on the Greek-operated True Confidence, the first civilian casualties since the group started its attacks on the key shipping route.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also confirmed there had been an attempted attack on the Singapore-flagged Propel Fortune.

It said the shipping company reported two explosions in close vicinity of the bulk carrier, but all crew on board were safe and the vessel was proceeding to its next port of call.

Based on sources, Propel Fortune was likely targeted due to outdated US ownership data, UKMTO said in a statement.

Sarea said the Houthis would continue their attacks until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted.
Emill Brandt Ulloa will be tried in a Caracas anti-terrorism court, Attorney General Tarek William Saab said, accusing him of participating in violent protests against the government in January

With allegations of conspiracy among other offences, Venezuelas attorney general announced on Saturday the arrest of a regional campaign leader for opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.

Emill Brandt Ulloa will be tried in a Caracas anti-terrorism court, Attorney General Tarek William Saab said, accusing him of participating in violent protests against the government in January.

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The countrys top court confirmed Machados prohibition from running earlier this year, so its unclear who will represent the opposition coalition in the upcoming July 28 presidential election in Venezuela.

According to Machado, the administration of President Nicolas Maduro engineered her suspension in order to shield him from a strong rival.

The Attorney Generals office is seeking to avoid the anarchy seen in Haiti at the moment, the attorney general wrote in a post on social media platform X when referring to the arrest.

Machados ally will also be charged with gender-based violence and insulting an official, he noted.

Machado warned earlier on Saturday that the Maduro government had kidnapped Brandt.

In January, three regional leaders of Machados team were arrested and linked to an alleged conspiracy against the government, according to information from the attorney generals office.

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The attorney general said at the time that they were part of a group of at least 11 people who allegedly tried to rob a military facility last year, to then attack Freddy Bernal, the pro-government governor in the state of Tachira, which borders Colombia.
In his speech, Xi stated that the strategic importance of China-Pakistan relations has grown as the globe faces faster changes than it has in a century

Asif Ali Zardari was congratulated by Chinese President Xi Jinping on his election as the president of Pakistan on Sunday. He said that the two nations iron-clad friendship is a historical decision and that its strategic importance has grown in light of the global changes that are currently taking place.

The late Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhuttos husband, Zardari, was resoundingly elected as Pakistans 14th President on Saturday, making history as the nations only two-term civilian leader.

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Zardari, who is also the co-chair of the Pakistan Peoples Party, was the joint candidate of the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which forms the ruling coalition.

In his message to Zardari, Xi said China and Pakistan are good neighbours, good friends, good partners and good brothers, adding that the two countries iron-clad friendship is a choice of history and a precious treasure of the two peoples.

Xi said that the two countries have in recent years maintained close high-level exchanges, supported each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, achieved fruitful results in the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and maintained a high level of development of bilateral relations, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

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India has taken issue with Chinas $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which travels through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to connect Gwadar port in Balochistan with Chinas Xinjiang province.

In his speech, Xi stated that the strategic importance of China-Pakistan relations has grown as the globe faces faster changes than it has in a century.

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In order to better serve the interests of the two peoples, Xi stated that he holds the development of China-Pakistan relations in the highest regard and that he is prepared to collaborate with President Zardari to uphold the historical friendship between the two countries, advance practical cooperation in a variety of fields, and push for the expansion of the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

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Earlier, Xi greeted Shehbaz Sharif on being elected as Pakistans Prime Minister.

The return of Shehbaz and his brother Nawaz Sharif as well as Zardari at the helm of Pakistans politics and government amid chaos and severe economic crisis in Pakistan is viewed with a sense of relief here as all three of them over their years in power in the past few decades maintained close ties with Chinese leaders and furthered the strategic ties with Beijing viewed widely as a strategic alliance against India.

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China had an uneasy relationship with former prime minister Imran Khans government which was blamed for the slow pace of USD 60 billion CPEC.

China has been providing forex loans and rollover of its debt periodically to bail out Pakistan which is facing a severe economic crisis.

Recent reports from Islamabad said China has agreed to roll over a USD two billion loan due to be paid in March.
Nancy Ohanian illustration relating to Republican and Democrat views. Ohanian/TNS

Gee, Id really like to use a metaphor, an allegory, a simile or a parable to frame a discussion about the Connecticut political scene in recent weeks, but now Im afraid it would make someone try to take away my keys.

After Stamford Board of Representatives member Carl Weinberg wrote an op-ed comparing rivals in the reform branch of his own Democratic Party to the ruling pigs in George Orwells Animal Farm, several of his colleagues called for him to be censured and face (gasp!) sensitivity training.

On a national scale, nothing says Connecticut is broken louder than the quartet of elections it took to confirm that Joe Ganims second spell in office will be longer than his nine-year prison sentence in 2003. But Ganim seems like a model of stability compared with the politicos in Greenwich and Stamford who are currently busy putting the nut in Nutmeg State.

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Once upon a time, Greenwich was reliably redder than Marjorie Taylor Greens collection of MAGA hats. Similarly, Stamford was only one shade of blue during the Ellen Camhis 29-year reign as kingmaker/chair of the citys Democratic City Committee that began in the early 1980s.

Its now a coin flip on whether Stamfords Democrats or Greenwichs Republicans are more dysfunctional. The biggest difference is that Greenwich Democrats have exploited it to claim three of the four state delegation seats. Stamfords Republicans remain a third party in a one-party town.

Greenwichs upstart Republicans (who reject being labeled as red hats or MAGA or extremists) and Stamfords rebellious Democrats (who no longer go by their original handle Reform Stamford), do have common traits.

Primarily, they are contrarians. Their theme song should be a rewrite of the Beatles' Hello, Goodbye.

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You say high (density housing),

I say low 

But the true common ground is that both rebel camps reject change. They long for those mythical good 'ol days. The Stamford reformers resist development like Trumplicans combat immigrants. Their Greenwich counterparts want to build their own walls to block out affordable housing.

Anyone who knows me (or has read this column) is aware that Im more nostalgic than most. I was nostalgic out of the womb (it was cozy in there). I also quickly realized the perils of clinging to the past (I wrote an opinion piece condemning it when I was a high school freshman). But history can provide invaluable lessons.

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In Greenwich, the sniping between First Selectman Fred Camillo and Carl Higbie deserves its own FOX reality show. Back when President Donald Trump appointed Higbie to a post, Camillo celebrated the rise of Greenwichs own. Higbie helped shepherd the successful coup of the Greenwich RTC in 2022, which left the popular Camillo to walk a tightrope to hang onto his office.

The tightrope snapped in recent weeks as Camillo campaigned against current RTC leadership. They tried to claim they boosted his November victory. He wasnt having it, pointing out that they tied to replace him.

The day before Tuesdays RTC primary, Camillo tweeted that RTC leadership was cowardly, despised and discredited.

Higbie responded that I like you as a person Fred, but your DEMOCRAT endorsed slate against actual republicans is appalling 

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Suggesting Camillo has Democratic leanings taps into the root of Americas political perception problem in 2024. Trump supporters seem to think that if youre not on their team, youre the second coming of FDR. In reality, when it comes to shades of Republicans, the insiders and outsiders in Greenwich are candy apple or scarlet. Only a few months ago, Camillo expressed admiration for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (Hes done a very good job).

Meanwhile, Higbie may deserve a special Academy Award. As a host on Newsmax, he managed to keep a straight face after the network broadcast footage of Trump decrying the 2020 election results.

I never get tired of that guy, Higbie chuckled as though hed just watched his favorite stand-up comic crank out woke jokes.

Then he held up a piece of paper and read a disclaimer fact-checking his former boss with Cronkite gravity: The president mentioned in his speech the 2020 elections. Newsmax as a network believes the results were legal and final.

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Boom.

Notice Higbie still calls Trump the president. Now theres some nostalgia.

Current RTC leadership succeeded two years ago by exploiting the distressing reality that most people dont recognize the significance of party elections. But its the people who vote in these elections who select the November candidates, so many races are decided months before Election Day. In this years round, the establishment Republicans in Greenwich and Democrats in Stamford turned out in force to flip results in their favor.

In both cases, most of the agitators were vanquished. In Stamford, some 20% of registered Democrats turned up to vote. Thats about twice as many as usual, and still pathetic. Every vote really does matter. In one Stamford district, Tracey Bass unseated incumbent Megan Cottrell by a count of 101-100. Think about that. Theres more people than that in Costco on a drizzling Saturday morning in March.

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Will order be restored? Dont count on it  not in Stamford, Greenwich or the rest of America after Nov. 5. This civil war will never end.

Which brings us back to the kerfuffle over metaphors and perceived insults. The print version of Weinbergs op-ed in The Stamford Advocate ended with the words, It looks like Reform Stamford has decided to emulate the ruling pigs.

I had edited out his original final three words (in Animal Farm ) because they seemed redundant. Weinberg had already offered a synopsis of Orwells fable in the previous sentence.

Some of his colleagues expressed umbrage at being labeled pigs, claiming it was dehumanizing.

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The Reform setback was foreshadowed in the fall election when the city charter revisions they championed were thwarted by voters. There was similar turmoil back in 1983, when the Stamford Charter Revision Commission proposed downsizing the Board of Representatives from 40 members to 25.

Im afraid it would be like George Orwells Animal Farm,  then-city Rep. Elizabeth Gershman offered as a retort 39 years ago. All of us would be equal, but some of us would be more equal than others.

A few months later (in yes, Orwells favorite year) an architect in New Canaan protested discourse about downsizing the towns retail district by entering a copy of Animal Farm into the public record.

No one freaked out in either case. Of course, they had probably read Animal Farm.

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Crews work atop the Fitchville Dam in Bozrah Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, one day after it partially failed following heavy rains. Neill Ostrout / Hearst Connecticut Media Flooding on the Yantic River at Fireman's Field in Norwich, Conn. Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Jesse Leavenworth/Hearst Connecticut Media

One state agency is asking lawmakers to give it greater power to go in and fix aging or failing dams  even on private property  before catastrophe strikes.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has proposed a dam safety bill for the Connecticut General Assembly to consider that, if adopted, would make it illegal for any entity to maintain a dam in condition that might endanger life or property. The proposed legislation would also empower the DEEP commissioner to order private owners of dams around the state to fix any safety issue in a timely manner.

According to DEEP officials, there are about 4,000 dams in Connecticut, many of which are privately owned by businesses, land trusts, or even municipalities.

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"It does clarify our authority to go in and, potentially, take action to put a privately owned dam into safe condition," said Emma Cimino deputy commissioner of the DEEP Environmental Quality Branch, which oversees the Dam Safety Office.

If approved, the legisation would also apply to situations where the governor has issued a civil preparedness state of emergency on specific dams, levees or other water control infrastructure.

The bill, which had a public hearing before the legislature's Environment Committee on Friday, would also grant DEEP the authority to immediately act to abate, repair or alleviate the dangerous condition of the dam by any means, including but not limited to stabilization or repairs to the structure.

"This gets difficult with privately owned dams," said Cimino, citing that it might take days to get emergency intervention approvals. "In certain circumstances there may not be days that we have" before the structure fails and property downstream floods.

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In submitted testimony to the committee, DEEP said the bill would enable them to take action to protect public safety when a dam poses an imminent risk and eliminates uncertainty in cases where DEEP needs to act quickly.

Importantly, the bill makes it explicit that DEEP would be allowed to seek cost recovery from the owner for any money it spends to address imminent, substantial threats to public safety.

The bill comes several months after the Fitchville Pond Dam partially failed in Bozrah, causing flooding and evacuations. That dam had a history of missed and failed inspections and had a designated rating of being in poor condition by the DEEP Dam Safety Program.

The agency cited climate changes impact as a factor in proposing the legislation. Climate change is anticipated to increase the severity of rainfall, which is an obvious problem for aging dams.

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Connecticut holds over 4,800 dams making it one of the most densely dammed states in the nation per river mile.

Environmental groups support the agencys bill. The Long Island Sound River Restoration Network in submitted testimony said that poorly maintained dams that have outlived their useful life are at risk of failing. In addition to the safety and injury risks posed by these failures, many dams have, over time, trapped polluted sediments behind them. The network pointed out that this would pose an additional long-term health risk to the area's ecosystem.

Environmental groups urged the state to make it explicit in the proposed law that DEEP would have the authority to remove old dams, rather than just restore them. They pointed to successful dam removal and remediation projects, like the Lilly Pond Dam in New Haven, that improved river health and mitigated flooding.

The Connecticut Water Works Association also supported the bill, citing the long and lengthy permit approval process for repairing or altering dangerous dams. They said that this would help them resolve the budgetary problem of not having durable financing for repairs by expediting the rate at which repairs could be done.
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The Connecticut Legislature is considering a proposed bill that would ban the possession, sale, trade or distribution of shark fins, following a trend set by neighboring states.

The proposed bill is now before the legislature's environmental committee and is expected to move up and go before the full General Assembly. If adopted, the prohibition would apply to both raw, dried, and processed shark fins and tails.

Several nearby states, including New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts have banned the trade and practice of shark finning, and advocates say its important that Connecticut follow suit.

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Shark finning is the fishing of sharks at sea, removing their fins and tail, then throwing the rest of the animal overboard back into the sea. Finless sharks are unable to swim and soon die by suffocation, blood loss or from predators.

While shark finning is illegal in U.S. waters, advocates say Connecticut should adopt it's own ban on the trade to ensure the state doesn't become a commercial hub of shark fins.

By doing this we are aligning ourselves with similar language from the state of New York and Rhode Island," said Rep. Joseph Gresko, D-Stratford, said of the proposed bill. We are trying to make sure that theres no question  that were not going to be tolerating this.

The shark dies a horrible death and its not used for anything, said Gresko of the discarded body. The law is twofold. Were trying to make the shark population come back  and not having Connecticut be the place for illegal trade and distribution of fins.

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The fins are used in traditional Chinese Medicine and for shark fin soup, a dish that is considered a delicacy and is served at banquets or holiday celebrations.

A spike in demand during the 2000s for shark fin soup caused a rush of overfishing, and many shark species have become threatened or endangered as a result, experts say. But sharks werent doing well long before that.

Decades ago, even before (the movie) "Jaws," people would go out and kill sharks for the sake of killing sharks, said Peter Auster, a senior research scientist at Mystic Aquarium and emeritus professor at the University of Connecticut. Most local sharks were killed for trophies, but theres also always been a market for shark meat," he said. "The largest fish-eating sharks taste like swordfish and would be substitutes on the market.

Shark finning was made illegal in U.S. waters with the passage of the Shark Finning Act in 2000, which made it illegal to remove shark fins, and discard their bodies while at sea.

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This will preclude killing a long-lived, low-reproductive output animal  simply for its fin, said Auster, adding that many shark species were threatened specifically because of the fin trade. The practice caused the shark population to collapse, resulting in a systemic, cascading problem in the ocean's ecosystems and control over predators and prey among marine life, he said.

While demand for shark fins isnt high in the United States, U.S. ports and shipping facilitated the trade of fins globally, scientists say. To close that loophole Congress passes the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act in December of 2022, making it illegal to possess, buy, sell, or transport shark fins or products containing shark fins.

This is significant progress, said Auster of the proposed Connecticut legislation. Its important because it fills this gap where Connecticut cant become this point of transshipment.

He said that it was important that Connecticut not fall out of step with nearby states or the federal government. Without the ban, Connecticuts proximity to huge population centers like New York City and Boston would make it attractive to move shark fins here, he said.

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State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes and advocates on behalf of the local fishing industry offered testimony in support of the bill in recent weeks, saying the bill should protect sharks, without harming local fishermen.

Some advocates dont think the ban goes far enough, however. Annie Hornish, state director of the Connecticut Humane Society pointed out that the bill specifically carves out an exemption for smooth hounds, a genus of dogfish. There is a managed smooth hound fishery in the New England region.

You run into the problem of a restaurant serving soup where yes you could determine where that fin came from but its not likely that resources will be put toward the scientific analysis of the product, said Hornish. Without molecular testing its almost impossible to determine what species the fin came from.

She said to fully eradicate shark finning, the state needs to make it entirely illegal to sell or possess all fins, and not make an exception, as it creates loopholes for people to hide otherwise illicit wildlife trade.

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DEEP officials said the dogfish exception in the proposed bill follows federal and neighboring state guidelines.
Photos by Larry Robinson/The Daily Sentinel

A makeshift shelter for a person experiencing homelessness inside deep brush along the Colorado River in Grand Junction, taken during a police ride-along on Feb. 22. Various camps and shelters line the river on public and private property, an issue the Grand Junction Police Department has been working on with both homeless folks and landowners for a couple of years. The Grand Junction Police Departments Community Resource Unit often visits camps like this to speak with those living there, offering to connect them with resources to help.
Saturday Night

Partly cloudy in the evening with more clouds for later at night. Low 42F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.
March 8 Red Sea Update

U.S. Central Command

Press Release | March 8, 2024

USCENTCOM

March 8, 2024

Release Number 20240308-03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. -- At approximately 9:50 a.m. (Sanaa time), United States Central Command conducted a self-defense strike against two Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists' truck-mounted anti-ship missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. At approximately 3:55 p.m. (Sanaa time), Houthi terrorists fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen into the Gulf of Aden at M/V Propel Fortune, a Singapore-flagged, owned, and operated vessel. The missiles did not impact the vessel. There were no injuries or damages reported. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.







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Secretary Antony J. Blinken's Video Remarks at U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day Event

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Dean Acheson Auditorium

Washington, D.C.

March 8, 2024

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Welcome to the inaugural U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day.

Today, the State Department, the White House, and federal buildings across our nation's capital are displaying the yellow and black U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag for the first time. A flag that reads: "Bring them home."

That's the mission we commit ourselves to - today and every day.

In my pocket, I carry a list with the name of every American who is held hostage or unjustly detained.

Over the past three years, I've been able to cross 46 names off that list,

as we secured the release of Americans. Today, we celebrate their freedom - and the joy and relief it's brought to their loved ones.

And yet, we also mark yet another day of grave injustice - another day when dozens of our fellow citizens are held without cause by foreign governments, terrorist groups, and other non-state actors - without their rights and apart from their families.

Families who, month by month, minute by minute, endure the agony of not knowing where their loved one is being held whether they are suffering or when they will see them again.

To those families, several of whom are here today, know this: We will keep fighting for your family members as if it they were our own. We will not give up - ever.

And we will keep expanding and strengthening the tools we have to get your loved ones back.

Many are tools you advocated for and helped shape. Like the Hostage Recovery Group, which brings together the State Department, the White House, the intelligence community, and other parts of our government to coordinate our efforts to free unjustly detained Americans and provide support for their families. And like the 2020 Robert Levinson Act, which passed with bipartisan Congressional support, and empowers us to impose additional financial penalties and travel restrictions on the perpetrators of this heinous practice.

We've teamed up with Canada to lead a group of more than 70 countries who have endorsed a declaration against arbitrary detention by states, and who strive to stand together against any government that uses foreign nationals as bargaining chips.

The more countries who join us in applying pressure, the more we raise the cost on perpetrators, and the more we force them to think twice before detaining additional innocent people. And that's crucial to ensuring no one else has to live through this nightmare.

Every day that we fight for the release of unjustly detained Americans - whether that "we" is our government, a community, a family, or an individual - we show who we are, and what we value most. Our freedom. Our humanity. And our readiness to bring to bear the strength of an entire nation to defend the rights of a single citizen.

So, thank you all for being there for our fellow Americans when they need us most, for showing who we are, and for working with us to bring our people home.

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UN Presses Taliban Again to End 'Heartbreaking' Curbs on Afghan Women

By Ayaz Gul March 08, 2024

The United Nations warned Afghanistan's Taliban authorities Friday that their bans on women's education and work risk pushing the country further into deeper poverty and international isolation.

The head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, called again on the fundamentalist regime to reverse the restrictions as the world marked International Women's Day to highlight the need to invest in women.

"It is heartbreaking that we are seeing precisely the opposite unfolding in Afghanistan: a catastrophic and deliberate disinvestment that is causing immense harm to women and girls, creating only barriers to sustainable peace and prosperity," said Roza Otunbayeva.

Since reclaiming power in August 2021, the Taliban have blocked girls from accessing secondary school education and beyond. They have limited women's freedom of movement outside the home and prohibited most from public and private sector workplaces, including the United Nations and other aid groups.

The U.N. Development Program, or UNDP, reported Thursday that nearly 70% of Afghans do not have enough basic resources, and restrictions on women continue to thwart basic rights and economic progress. It said the Afghan economy had contracted by 27%, and unemployment doubled since the Taliban takoever.

"The biggest challenge is the continued edict that bans girls' education. Not being able to move forward after the sixth grade is a major stumbling block," said Kanni Wignaraja, UNDP's director for Asia and the Pacific, told reporters in New York.

"Last year, no girl graduated the twelfth grade so how are they going to jump from sixth grade to moving into technical colleges or universities need for the medical field?" said Wignaraja, who recently returned from a visit to Afghanistan.

The ban on female aid workers has undermined relief activities in a country where the U.N. estimates more than 12 million women will need humanitarian assistance this year.

In a statement Friday, UNAMA said it "also fears a recent crackdown by the de facto authorities because of alleged non-compliance with the Islamic dress code is pushing women into even greater isolation due to fear of arbitrary arrest."

The U.N. refers to the Taliban as de facto authorities because no foreign government has formally recognized their government in Kabul.

However, the euphemism has upset human rights groups and many women in Afghanistan, who are vehemently opposed to granting legitimacy to the Taliban government until it lifts all bans on women.

Heather Barr, the associate director at Human Rights Watch, urged diplomats, the UN, and aid workers on Friday to stop referring to the Taliban as the de facto authorities to show solidarity with Afghan women.

"This euphemism kowtows to Taliban demands for normalization," Barr said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Rights groups oppose any recognition of the Taliban and accuse it of implementing "gender apartheid" policies.

"Every step toward normalizing the Talibanevery time they walk a red carpet, or send a new ambassador, or host a meeting w/smiling foreignerssends a message to the Taliban that what they're doing to women & girls is fine and they are free to carry on," she wrote in a subsequent X post.

The U.N. acknowledged in a quarterly report Wednesday that the Taliban had consolidated political, security, and economic gains since taking power. However, it noted that Afghan de facto authorities "appear to be facing growing internal disagreements over key governance issues, including the enforcement of the drug ban."

The report did not elaborate further, but Otunbayeva suggested after briefing a U.N. Security Council meeting on Wednesday that curbs on Afghan women were among the issues causing internal Taliban disagreements.

"There is a part of the [Taliban] government who understand that they should overcome [these restrictions]. But someone else ... decided that no, women and girls should be behind the scene," she said, without naming anyone.

Most of the religious edicts or decrees the reclusive Taliban supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has issued over the past 2 years have targeted women directly, banning their rights to education, work, to visit public places, including parks and gyms, as well as preventing them from taking road trips without a male chaperone.

Akhundzada, who directs the government from the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, defends his policies and dismisses international calls to reverse them as interference in Afghanistan's internal matters.

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March 9 USCENTCOM Conducts Humanitarian Airdrops into Gaza

U.S. Central Command

Press Release | March 9, 2024

USCENTCOM

Mar 9, 2024

Release Number 20240309 - 01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. -- U.S. Central Command conducted a humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on March 9, 2024, at 2:18 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.

The joint operation included U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft and U.S. Army Soldiers specialized in aerial delivery of U.S humanitarian assistance supplies.

U.S. C-130s dropped over 41,400 U.S. meal equivalents and 23,000 bottles of water into Northern Gaza, an area of great need, allowing for civilian access to the critical aid.

The DoD humanitarian airdrops contribute to ongoing U.S. and partner-nation government efforts to alleviate human suffering. These airdrops are part of a sustained effort, and we continue to plan follow on aerial deliveries.

-30-

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Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide on UNRWA

Government of Norway

Speech/statement | Date: 09/03/2024

By Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide

The situation in Gaza is desperate. UNRWA is the lifeline for Gazans, and crucial for Palestine refugees across the Middle East.

After allegations earlier this year that some UNRWA employees took part in the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, many countries halted their funding of UNRWA. Norway chose to continue funding this crucial agency. We remain one of UNRWA's top donors, committing 45 million USD last year.

The UN has addressed accusations against UNRWA staff in a timely manner. Regardless of these allegations, we cannot collectively punish millions of people for the alleged deeds of a few. Commissioner-General Lazzarini has been clear that the fate of UNRWA, and millions of people, is at stake. I therefore welcome the decisions by the EU, Canada and Sweden to continue funding UNRWA.

I urge other donors who have suspended their support to resume their funding. For UNRWA, this will support their desperately needed relief work in Gaza, the West Bank and beyond. For many Palestinians, continued support to UNRWA could make the difference between life and death.



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A statement on Gaza and Israel from the president of the ICRC

ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross

Geneva (ICRC) -- Five months into the escalation of hostilities, which began with the horrific events in Israel on 7 October, the situation in the Gaza Strip degenerates by the hour. There is nowhere safe for people to go. The civilian death toll and the ongoing captivity of hostages are shocking and unacceptable.

Article 09 March 2024

Israel and the occupied territories

This brutal war has ruptured any sense of a shared humanity. In the face of such deep suffering, we are making three urgent calls:

 A cessation of hostilities to allow for meaningful assistance to reach the people in need.

 That hostages held by Hamas are released unconditionally and their dignity, safety and medical needs cared for. The ICRC reiterates its call to be allowed to visit the hostages.

 That Palestinian detainees are treated humanely and permitted to communicate with family. The ICRC must be notified of and allowed to visit Palestinians in Israeli detention.

A steady, robust flow of humanitarian aid to match the needs is only part of the solution. Alleviating the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza starts with a clear will and measures that safeguard civilian life and human dignity, meaning both sides must conduct their military operations in a way that spares the civilians who are caught in the middle.

The only way to achieve this is that the parties strictly adhere to international humanitarian law, which means preserving the life, dignity and humanity of all people affected by armed conflict, regardless of which side they are on. It is the line between humanity and barbarity. The principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution must be applied in practice to achieve their very purpose: that preserving civilian life and health is the rule, not the exception.

As an occupying power, Israel must provide for the basic needs of the population or facilitate the safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian relief.

International humanitarian law provides a way out of the downward spiral we currently see. All states - indeed all of humanity - have a stake in this. Respect for international humanitarian law not only preserves the humanity of the enemy, it preserves our own humanity, both today and in the future. In this conflict, as in all others, the international community must make respect for IHL and its implementation a political priority.

The ICRC is standing by to serve as a neutral intermediary - a trusted and experienced third party - facilitating the humanitarian aspects of any political agreement reached by the parties, contingent upon the provision of necessary access and security guarantees.

If there is a cessation of hostilities that will allow for meaningful assistance to reach people in need, then the ICRC can significantly expand food, shelter, and hygiene assistance. The ICRC's longstanding work in Gaza's health, electricity and water sectors would enable us to swiftly support these vital services.

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Iraqi airstrikes kill 6 IS militants

Baghdad, Mar 10 (UNI) Six Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in airstrikes in a desert area between the provinces of Salahudin and Nineveh, the Iraqi military said.



Iraqi warplanes carried out four airstrikes on six IS militants hiding inside a tunnel in the Tharthar desert on Saturday, based on intelligence reports, according to a statement from the Security Media Cell, a media outlet affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command.
Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, March 9, 2024

IDF Press Release

March 9, 2024

09.03.24

IDF



IDF Spokesperson's Statement on March 9

Good evening,

With the end of Shabbat, we announced the fall of Major (res.) Amishar Ben David, of blessed memory, a commander in reserves, who fell during combat in Khan Yunis. I send condolences to his family, and all of the IDF embraces them. May his memory be a blessing. At this hour, IDF soldiers continue to engage in combat, kill more terrorists, and destroy more of Hamas' terrorist infrastructure. It is five months since we went to war, since the war began on October 7th. For these five months, IDF soldiers have been fighting in Gaza with determination and courage, bringing about significant achievements on the way to dismantling Hamas, restoring security to our borders, and returning the hostages. Some have paid with their lives. We could not continue and fight without their sacrifice, the sacrifice of the bereaved families and the wounded of the IDF - in body and soul. We salute you this evening.

During the day, the Chief of the General Staff and the Head of the Israel Security Agency approved plans for the continuation of combat in the Southern Command. Alongside the continuation of the war, we are strengthening our security preparedness for the month of Ramadan. Together with the Israel Security Agency and the Israel Police, we are preparing for all operational scenarios and increasing inter-organizational coordination, in all arenas, with the goal of enabling freedom of worship in accordance with security and safety restrictions.

Just before Ramadan, Hamas is preventing an agreement and is acting in contrary to what was raised by the mediators.

Hamas leaders continue to focus on only one thing - their survival and the conditions they themselves receive. According to the intelligence of the Israel Security Agency and the Intelligence Directorate, Hamas is hoarding equipment and food for itself while the people of Gaza struggle to obtain essential supplies.

By refusing to agree to the return of the hostages, Hamas is preventing a humanitarian ceasefire and is continuing to increase the suffering of the people of Gaza.

Following the directive of the Minister of Defense, and together with our partners in the United States and the United States Central Command, we are coordinating the establishment of a temporary floating pier, intended to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza following full Israeli inspection. The mission is clear and in complete coordination between the IDF and the United States Central Command. We will distribute the equipment through international organizations to the population who need this. Alongside this, we will continue to fight and dismantle Hamas' military capabilities.

In Lebanon, we continue to act with the aim of bringing about a security situation in which the residents [of northern Israel] can return to their homes. The challenge is clear, and we are determined.

We will continue to strike Hezbollah's military systems - headquarters, weapons storage facilities, military posts, and any infrastructure that may serve it, and every Hezbollah terrorist that endangers the State of Israel. Today, we struck three targets in southern Lebanon. Alongside this effort, we continue to accelerate our readiness for war, if required. We are prepared to launch a broader operation if ordered.

Five months have passed since the war began, five months that 134 hostages, men and women, are still being held in Gaza. Five months in which it is impossible to return to routine life. Every moment there is unbearable, knowing that they are held in harsh, cruel, and inhumane conditions, obliges the whole world to act. Their return home is a supreme national mission, our moral duty. We will continue to do everything to bring the hostages back home.



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Yemeni missiles, drones hit US vessels in fresh attacks: Army

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 9, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Yemeni army has announced fresh "successful" military operations against American vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as tensions remain high in the region over Israel's war on Gaza and the US support for the regime.

Army Spokesman Yahya Saree issued a statement on Saturday, announcing two military operations involving missiles and drones, which he said "successfully achieved their goals" earlier in the day.

The first operation targeted the American ship, "Propel Fortune", in the Gulf of Aden with a "number of suitable naval missiles", according to the text of the statement.

The second operation, it said, targeted "a number of American war destroyers in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with 37 drones."

The statement further said that the operations were conducted in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza and in retaliation for "the American-British aggression" against Yemen, which is about the ongoing airstrikes that the US and the UK launched in mid-January for what they described as protecting international shipping in the face of Yemeni attacks in the Red and Arab seas.

US Central Command, CENTCOM, confirmed the Saturday "large-scale uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) attack into the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden", but claimed to have "defeated" it with the cooperation of a several-member coalition the US formed in December 2023.

"CENTCOM and coalition forces identified the one-way attack (OWA) UAVs and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels, U.S. Navy, and coalition ships in the region. US Navy vessels and aircraft along with multiple coalition navy ships and aircraft shot down 15 OWA UAVs", according to an announcement on X social media platform by CENTCOM, which operates military activities in West Asia, among several regions.

Yemen launched its military operations in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza in mid-November. The country has time and again said that its operations only target Israeli ships or the vessels bound for ports in the occupied territories, to pressure the regime to stop the war in Gaza and lift its siege of the Palestinian territory.

Yemen also says that the US-UK airstrikes on its territory are only aimed at protecting the interests of the Israeli regime, rejecting claims by the two Western states that they protect international shipping.

"The Yemeni armed forces will persist in upholding their military operations in the Red and Arab seas until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted," the Yemeni army reiterated in its Saturday statement.

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Yemen says well aware of US warplanes' weaknesses

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 9, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- A senior member of the Supreme Political Council of Yemen has warned the US fighters against taking off or landing on destroyers in the Red Sea.

The armed forces are aware of the American fighters' weak points when they take off and land on destroyers, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi wrote on his X account on Saturday.

In the past few months, the Yemeni army targeted several Zionist vessels or those bound for the occupied territories in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait in support of the resistance of the Palestinian nation in the Gaza Strip.

The Yemeni armed forces have vowed to continue to attack the Zionist ships or those bound for the occupied territories in the Red Sea until the Israeli regime stops its attacks on Gaza.

The Yemeni forces stressed that navigation in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea is free for other ships and they enjoy full security.

9376**4354

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Israel not serious in truce talks: Hamas official

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 9, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Israeli regime has not shown seriousness in indirect negotiations regarding ceasefire and prisoner swap, says a top member of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.

Deputy Foreign Minister of the Hamas government Ghazi Hamad said the Israeli regime proposes inapplicable conditions during the negotiations and does not show enough seriousness to reach an agreement.

He also argued that the war cabinet of the occupying regime is willing to continue the war and massacre in Gaza and pays no attention to the prisoners and their families.

However, he went on, Hamas will continue the negotiations until achieving a noble agreement, which will secure the cessation of war, withdrawal of occupying forces, reconstruction of Gaza, and return of refugees.

Given the increase in hunger in the Gaza Strip, international parties have imposed pressure on the Israeli regime, he said, adding that Hamas calls for more pressure on the regime to open routes for the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza by land and sea.

Husam Badran, a member of the Hamas political bureau, had earlier ruled out any possible ceasefire prior to the holy month of Ramadan, arguing that the Israeli regime rejected Palestinians' proposals during the recent Cairo talks.

Badran said that Hamas will continue intense negotiations at the internal level to reach a consensus on this issue. However, he emphasized that the Palestinian resistance movement would not give any concession to the occupying regime.

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Abu Obeida: No compromise on main demands, Ramadan a month of Jihad

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sat / 9 March 2024 / 11:37

The spokesperson for al-Qassam Brigades has come out in a live address to the world, urging Muslims to defend one of their holiest sites.

Tehran-ISNA- The ongoing Battle of Al-Aqsa Storm "establishes a new phase not only in Gaza and Palestine but on a global level," as it promotes the fact that "justice is only secured through force," the military spokesperson for Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades Abu Obeida stated in a crucial broadcast address on Friday.

Sixth months into Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, Abu Obeida brought clarity to several key issues, including ongoing mediated talks between the Palestinian Resistance and "Israel", as well as the operational situation for the Palestinian Resistance and the condition of Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip.

"This savage war against our people enters its sixth month, with the criminal enemy persisting in perpetrating a true Nazi holocaust against our people - involving the killings, starvation, intensification of oppression, destruction, and disdain for all international laws and feeble systems that stand powerless against the occupying entity, which is stripped of any human values," Abu Obeida stated.

Abu Obeida's speech highlighted the futility of diplomacy and legal pathways through international law or the decisions of the United Nations Security Council in achieving a ceasefire and the rights of the Palestinian people.

Instead, the spokesperson pushed for continued confrontations and expanded mobilization in the month of Ramadan, in the West Bank, occupied '48 territories, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and other Islamic and Arab nations to end the genocide against the Palestinian people.

"May the approaching month of Ramadan be a month of obedience, jihad, and victories," Abu Obeida said as he began to address Muslims around the world.

"As Muslims worldwide prepare to welcome Ramadan, we have offered a sacrifice to Allah - a cascade of pure blood and pure souls. We welcome it with the peak of Islamic zeal, jihad, steadfastness, and combat during a time when men are honored [for their actions during the Holy month]," Abu Obeida said.

End Item

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Israel hits residential tower in Rafah, displaces dozens of families

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 09 March 2024 6:54 PM

An Israeli airstrike has hit one of the largest residential towers in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, displacing dozens of Palestinian families, as the occupying regime continues its relentless war on the besieged territory.

The 12-floor building, located some 500 meters from the border with Egypt, was destroyed in the strike on Saturday, residents said.

Preliminary reports said there were several injuries in the attack on Rafah's Burj al-Masri building.

One of the tower's 300 residents said Israel gave them a 30-minute warning to flee the building at night.

"People were startled, running down the stairs, some fell, it was chaos. People left their belongings and money," said Mohammad al-Nabrees, adding that among those who tripped down the stairs during the panicked evacuation was a friend's pregnant wife.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the incident.

Rafah, the town along the Egyptian border, which was once deemed a "safe zone" by the Israeli military forces, has now become the last refuge for over half of Gaza's entire population of more than 2.3 million, who have fled their homes in other parts of the territory to shelter from incessant Israeli attacks.

The Israeli regime has repeatedly pummeled the area with numerous airstrikes, killing scores more of the Palestinians trapped in Gaza, already suffering from acute shortages of food and water.

The latest attack comes as talks for securing a ceasefire by the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Gaza have stalled.

Israel waged its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed 30,878 Palestinians and injured 72,402 others.

The Tel Aviv regime has also imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

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No let-up in Yemeni strikes until Israeli genocide in Gaza fully halts: Ansarullah

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 09 March 2024 6:39 PM

A senior Ansarullah official says the Yemeni armed forces will continue their retaliatory operations against Israeli-affiliated commercial vessels as well as US and British assets in the Red Sea as long as the occupying regime forges ahead with its genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of Ansarullah's political bureau, stated on Saturday that Yemeni forces targeted the US Propel Fortune bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden with "appropriate" naval missiles.

They also conducted a large-scale operation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and employed 37 combat drones to strike US warships in those areas.

"We have received messages from international bodies, demanding an end to our strikes. Yemen will not abandon Gaza and will never end its support for Palestinians as repeatedly underscored by Ansarullah leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi," he said.

Bukhaiti went on to state that the sole way to secure an end to Yemeni maritime operations in the Red Sea area is for Israel to end its genocidal war on Gaza.

"We demand a complete stop to the Zionist regime's aggression in the Gaza Strip and complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the territory. We will cease our operations once these two demands are met.

"We will carry on with our strikes in the holy fasting month of Ramadan, and will increase its intensity," the high-ranking Ansarullah official pointed out.

Bukhaiti also sharply criticized some Arab governments for abandoning the Palestinian cause, and conspiring against it instead.

The high-profile Ansarullah figure finally noted that Palestinians' independence of decision making has infuriated the US administration.

Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.

The Yemeni Armed Forces have said they won't stop retaliatory strikes.

The maritime attacks have forced some of the world's biggest shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through one of the world's most important maritime trade routes.

Tankers are instead adding thousands of miles to international shipping routes by sailing around the continent of Africa rather than going through the Suez Canal.

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Hamas leader urges immediate action to end Gaza war ahead of Ramadan

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 09 March 2024 5:20 PM

Head of the politburo of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has called for immediate efforts across the Muslim world to force an end to the war in Gaza in the days remaining to the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ismail Haniyeh urged heads of states, notable figures and clerics in Muslim countries around the world to expedite their political, diplomatic and legal actions to prevent the continuation of an Israeli aggression that has killed nearly 31,000 Palestinians in Gaza since early October.

"Our people welcome Ramadan this year burdened with pain and hopes, and our people are being exposed to the most horrific massacres in the genocidal war on Gaza," Haniyeh said in the message.

He said there is a need for increased pressure on countries that support Israel to force the regime to "immediately and unconditionally" end its war on Gaza.

The senior Palestinians resistance leader also urged increased humanitarian assistance to the people in Gaza ahead of Ramadan as they will need more food, medicine and shelter during the holy month which will start around March 10 this year.

Haniyeh said, however, that regardless of the onslaught committed by the Israeli regime in Gaza, the Palestinians have become more confident that resistance is "the legitimate way to end the occupation".

"We reassure you, and all free people, that our people are increasingly committed to their land...and will confront all plots that aim to break up the Palestinian cause," he said in the message.

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Israel given free hand to complete ethnic cleansing, genocide in Gaza: Iran Foreign Ministry

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 09 March 2024 4:34 PM

The spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry says the US, Europe and international organizations have no intention to put an end to Israel's crimes against the Palestinian children and women in the Gaza Strip.

"The criminal Israeli regime has been assured that it has a free hand to complete its ethnic cleansing project and genocide (of the Palestinian people) without having to be held accountable," Nasser Kan'ani said in a post on his official X account on Saturday.

Kan'ani added that in a message posted by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell on the X on Friday marking International Women's Day, he warned about the high casualty figures among civilian women and children in Gaza, saying, "70% of the casualties are women or children, 2 mothers are killed every hour."

Borrell has confirmed whopping and mind-boggling figures which are lost to no one around the world and everyone across the globe is witnessing that every day, the Iranian spokesman noted.

He emphasized that the US and EU have held international and human rights organizations to ransom to advance their own unilateral and profiteering policies.

"What is a clear example of 'crimes against humanity' in the eyes of EU and US?" he asked.

Kan'ani described the unfolding crimes against humanity in Gaza as "a historic embarrassment for so-called advocates of human rights."

At least 30,960 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been confirmed killed and 72,524 others wounded so far during Israel's genocidal war, which began following Operation al-Aqsa Storm by Gaza-based resistance movements on October 7, 2023.

The Israeli military campaign has devastated large swathes of Gaza, destroyed hospitals and displaced a major proportion of the population of 2.4 million in the world's "largest open-air prison."

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Hezbollah says attacks Israeli troops with heavy-caliber Burkan missile

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 09 March 2024 3:09 PM

The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement says it has struck Israeli troops near the border with southern Lebanon in response to the regime's ongoing genocidal war in Gaza, and in support of Palestinian fighters facing off a relentless offensive.

Lebanon's Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network, citing a brief Hezbollah statement, reported that the group launched a heavy-caliber Burkan (Volcano) missile at the Israeli al-Baghdadi military outpost on Saturday, and that the projectile precisely struck the designated target.

The development came a day after the resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli troops near al-Raheb military site with a barrage of artillery shells.

Israeli forces stationed at al-Sammaqa as well as Ruwaisat al-Alam outposts in the occupied Kfarchouba Hills also came under separate rocket attacks.

Hezbollah fighters also used a surface-to-surface Falaq-1 (Dusk-1) missile to directly pound Israeli soldiers close to Jal al-Alam military site.

Later in the day, the resistance group struck a gathering of Israeli forces stationed near the Hunin Castle in Margaliot in the northern part of occupied Palestinian territories near the Lebanese border, causing casualties.

Moreover, Hezbollah rained down rockets on other Israeli military sites, including those in Ruwaisat al-Qarn, Zibdin and Jabal Nader regions.

Israeli aircraft bomb southern Lebanon towns

Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes on Saturday bombed a house in the southern town of Majdal Zoun, totally destroying it. Emergency crew and paramedics rushed to the area to save those trapped under the rubble, Lebanon's official National News Agency said.

Earlier in the day, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an empty house in the southern border town of Blida.

The Israeli regime has been attacking southern Lebanon off and on since October 7, when it launched the devastating campaign of death and destruction in Gaza.

In retaliation, Hezbollah has launched near-daily rocket attacks on Israeli positions.

At least 280 people have been killed on the Lebanese border, most of them Hezbollah fighters but also 44 civilians.

Israel says at least ten of its troopers and six settlers have been killed in the area.

The fighting has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands from the northern part of the occupied territories, which have been pummeled by rocket fire and shelling carried out by Hezbollah and allied Palestinian groups.

Hezbollah has already fought off two Israeli wars against Lebanon in 2000 and 2006. The resistance forced the regime to retreat in both conflicts.

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Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC launches MyMutualFundGPT 18 Mar 2024 | 4:06 PM New Delhi, March 18 (UNI) Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC on Monday announced the launch of MyMutualFundGPT, an information tool designed to help investors know more about its products and conduct research on its top-performing funds, fund managers, and related topics. see more..

Steel sector thrives as India deliberates infrastructure evolution 18 Mar 2024 | 2:19 PM New Delhi, Mar 18 (UNI) The steel sector in India has showcased remarkable growth, soaring at approximately 8% amidst global challenges. see more..

Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd forges pivotal associations with key global players for its upcoming PLA- Bioplastics manufacturing facility 18 Mar 2024 | 2:06 PM Kolkata, Mar 18 (UNI) Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) has inked agreements with three renowned technological experts Sulzer AG, Alpine Engineering GmbH and Jacobs. see more..

Flipkart Foundation teams up with Kineer Services 18 Mar 2024 | 2:04 PM Mumbai, Mar 18, (UNI) Flipkart Foundation, the charitable arm of the Flipkart Group, has collaborated with Kineer Services, an organization advocating for gender sensitization, to launch Trans-formation, an initiative aimed at uplifting the marginalized transgender community and other members of the LGBTQ+ spectrum. see more..
Hamas rejects Israel's sham investigation into 'flour massacre' in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 09 March 2024 3:07 PM

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has rejected the "false and deceitful" investigation of the Israeli regime into the "flour massacre" in the southwest of Gaza City, in which at least 116 Palestinians were killed.

Hamas said on Friday it goes beyond the undeniable facts that documented the direct shooting of Palestinians with the intention of immediate killing.

Hamas made the remarks in a statement after the Israeli regime announced the results of a preliminary investigation into the incident, alleging that its forces have opened fire on Palestinians who moved toward soldiers and a tank at an IDF checkpoint, endangering troops" and that they have not fired shots at the convoy itself.

"We reject the results of the sham and misleading investigation carried out by the criminal Zionist occupation army, on Al-Nabulsi Roundabout massacre last week, which claimed the lives of about 120 Palestinians who were waiting to receive aid," the resistance group said.

Hamas went on to say that "this sham deceptive inquiry goes beyond the compelling facts on the Israeli intentional killing of Palestinians by shooting them directly on the upper parts of the body."

It also emphasized that the "horrific massacre will remain a witness to the criminality and Nazism of this entity devoid of humanitarian and ethical values."

"This massacre and other violations haunt until justice is served for Palestinian people, and the Israeli soldiers and authorities are tried for the crimes and violations they have committed against our Palestinian people," Hamas said.

The resistance group further noted that the massacre "has received widespread international condemnation," which prompted the occupying regime to try to exonerate its soldiers of the horrific crime they committed "with no justification other than their thirst" to kill more Palestinians.

On February 29, Israeli troops opened indiscriminate fire on people waiting for humanitarian aid near al-Nabulsi roundabout in Gaza City, killing at least 116 people and injuring 760 others in what rights groups described as a textbook case of cold-blooded massacre in Gaza.

The regime denied involvement in the massacre that came nearly five months into the Israeli genocide in the besieged territory.

The flawed Israeli narrative kept changing and evolving throughout the day, designed to shift the blame on victims, the desperate aid-seekers who were there to get some flour.

The Israeli army claimed they had nothing to do with the incident and blamed a stampede for it. Later, they said trucks carrying aid had run over civilians. Finally, they admitted to having fired at the crowd, but "only targeting the militants trying to sabotage the aid delivery."

The latest massacre of Palestinians by Israeli forces has been met with strong condemnation from different states and international organizations.

Israel waged its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed 30,878 Palestinians and injured 72,402 others.

The Tel Aviv regime has also imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

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Israel tortured UNRWA employees to falsely admit links to Hamas: Report

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 09 March 2024 11:02 AM

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees says some of its employees were tortured by the occupying regime to falsely admit that the agency had ties with Hamas and its retaliatory operation in October last year.

The assertion was made in a February report by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) that detailed various cases of mistreatment in Israeli detention centers against Palestinians, including several working for the agency.

The document said several UNRWA Palestinian staffers had been detained by the Israeli occupation army in Gaza, and that the ill-treatment and abuse they said they had experienced included severe physical beatings, waterboarding and threats of harm to family members.

"Agency staff members have been subject to threats and coercion by the Israeli authorities while in detention, and pressured to make false statements against the Agency, including that the Agency has affiliations with Hamas and that UNRWA staff members took part in the 7 October 2023" attack, the report said.

In addition to the abuse confirmed by UNRWA staff members, Palestinian detainees more broadly described allegations of abuse, including beatings, humiliation, threats, dog attacks, sexual violence, and deaths of detainees denied medical treatment, the UNRWA report underlined.

Juliette Touma, the UNRWA communications director, said the agency planned to hand the information in the 11-page, unpublished report to agencies inside and outside the UN specialized in documenting human rights abuses during the Israeli war on Gaza.

"When the war comes to an end there needs to be a series of inquiries to look into all violations of human rights," Touma said.

Earlier this year, the Israeli regime claimed that 12 employees of the UNRWA were involved in the Hamas-led retaliatory attack on the occupied territories on October 7.

Tel Aviv also alleged that 10% of all UNRWA's 12,000 workers have links to Hamas.

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.

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise operation against the occupying entity in response to its intensified violence against Palestinians.

Since the start of the genocidal war, the Tel Aviv regime has killed 30,878 Palestinians and injured 72,402 others.

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FM Mirzoyan says Armenia considering seeking EU membership

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 09 March 2024 10:54 AM

Armenia's Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has voiced his country's aspirations to expand ties with the West, saying they are considering seeking membership in the European Union (EU).

In an interview with TRT's Yusuf Erim on the sidelines of a diplomatic forum in the Turkish city of Antalya on Friday, Mirzoyan said Armenia is considering applying for EU membership as Yerevan seeks to forge closer ties with the West.

"Many new opportunities are largely being discussed in Armenia nowadays and that will not be a secret if I say that includes membership in the European Union," Mirzoyan, who was discussing the progress of the ongoing peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, said.

Since coming to power in a 2018 revolution, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has deepened Armenia's ties with Europe and the United States, repeatedly drawing the ire of traditional ally Russia.

Armenia blames Russia for failing to defend it against long-standing rival Azerbaijan, which has drawn closer to Moscow in recent years.

However, Yerevan has maintained that its traditional alliance with Moscow does not stretch to the war in Ukraine.

Pashinyan has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of seeking to undermine the Armenian government.

Media observers also link the strained ties between Yerevan and Moscow to the Hague-based ICC Court issuance of arrest warrants for Putin for alleged crimes committed during Russia's special military operation in Ukraine.

ICC accuses Putin of allowing the illegal deportation of hundreds of children from Ukraine.

The court claims there is reasonable ground to believe that Putin bears individual criminal responsibility in the move.

The Kremlin has already called the move outrageous and legally void, as Russia is not a signatory to the treaty that created the ICC. Russia withdrew from the ICC treaty under a directive signed by Putin in 2016.

Russia says the military operation in Ukraine has been in order to defend the pro-Russia population in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk against the persecution of Kiev's pro-Nazi leaders.

Since Russia launched its military operation in February 2022, the US-led Western allies, namely, the UK and the EU, have been extending all-out support to the Kiev leaders' forces to fight Russian troops.



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Anarchy, gang violence bring Haiti to 'standstill'

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 09 March 2024 10:37 AM

Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince was engulfed in intense gunfire as residents frantically sought refuge during the recent surge of gang violence in the capital sparked by the absence of prime minister Ariel Henry.

Gunshots were heard throughout the capital late Friday, especially concentrated in the southwestern districts of Turgeau, Pacot, Lalue and Canape-Vert, AFP reported.

Chaos spread among frightened locals who ran for shelter, while clashes "between police officers and bandits" took place as gangs apparently tried to subdue police stations in the city center, it further reported.

The humanitarian situation further worsened as armed groups unleashed widespread chaos in the long-troubled Caribbean nation last week.

Aid groups and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have raised concerns about the scarcity of medical resources and food supplies.

Criminal organizations, which have established dominance over a significant portion of the capital and the connecting roads to other parts of the nation, have launched assaults on critical infrastructure in the past few days, along with targeting two prisons, resulting in the escape of the majority of the 3,800 inmates.

The groups, in addition to several regular Haitian citizens, are demanding that Prime Minister Ariel Henry step down from his position, backed by gang alliance G9 head, Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier.

Originally scheduled to step down in February, Henry opted to enter into a power-sharing agreement with the opposition until new elections can take place.

The island nation is facing a severe hunger crisis, along with surging cholera, and low fuel scares.

The UN warned Friday that thousands of people, especially pregnant women, are in danger of losing vital health care as the crisis drags on.

"If greater Port-au-Prince remains at a standstill in the coming weeks, almost 3,000 pregnant women could be denied access to essential health care, and almost 450 could face life-threatening obstetric complications if they do not receive medical assistance," the UN's office in Haiti said in a statement.

Political experts are blaming the United States for the violence Haiti is experiencing these days, as the US has historically acted towards Haiti as a semi-colony, and has backed several regimes that have led to the country's downfall, notably the regime of Papa Doc Duvalier.





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Nigeria: Troops deployed to rescue more than 250 kidnapped schoolchildren

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 09 March 2024 9:11 AM

Nigeria's president has ordered the deployment of the country's troops to rescue hundreds of pupils kidnapped from a school in the country's northwest.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent the troops on Friday to rescue more than 250 children taken by gunmen in one of the largest mass abductions across the country in three years.

Local officials confirmed the attack on a school in the north-western town of Kuriga in Kaduna state on Thursday, but they have still not given figures as they said they were still working out how many children had been abducted.

A teacher at the girls' secondary school in Chikun district said staff had managed to escape with many students when the gunmen known locally as bandits attacked early Thursday firing in the air.

Sani Abdullahi told local officials that 187 students had been taken from the main junior school along with another 100 from the primary classes.

Three local residents also said between 200 and 280 children and teachers had been snatched.

"Early in the morning... we heard gunshots from bandits, before we knew it they had gathered up the children," local resident Musa Mohammed told media. "We are pleading to the government, all of us are pleading, they should please help us with security."

The local residents reported that at least one person was shot dead during the attack as he tried to save the students.

Armed criminal gangs on motorbikes demanding ransom money target victims in villages and schools and along highways have been wreaking havoc in Kaduna.

Local residents blame the kidnapping on lack of security in the area.

Last week, mass abductions were also reported at refugee camps in northeast Borno state.

Tinubu, who hails from a merchant family in Lagos and rose to power last year, has promised to make Nigeria safer and bring in more foreign investments.

"I have received briefing from security chiefs on the two incidents, and I am confident that the victims will be rescued," Tinubu said in a statement ordering Nigeria's armed forces to track down the kidnappers.

Tinubu insisted, "Nothing else is acceptable to me and the waiting family members of these abducted citizens. Justice will be decisively administered."

In 2014, Boko Haram militants kidnapped more than 250 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno state.

Many of the school girls later returned to their families. However, some of them are still missing after almost 10 years.





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Yemen says strikes US vessel, destroyers with naval missiles, 37 drones

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 09 March 2024 7:47 AM

The Yemeni military says it has targeted a US vessel and several destroyers with naval missiles and drones in the Red Sea in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, amid the Israeli regime's US-backed genocidal war on the besieged territory.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, said in a video statement on Saturday that Yemeni forces implemented "two qualitative military operations" targeting a ship and a number of American warship destroyers in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with a "number of naval missiles and 37 drones."

"The first operation targeted the American ship 'Propel Fortune' in the Gulf of Aden with a number of suitable naval missiles, while the second operation targeted a number of US destroyers in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with 37 drones," Saree said.

"The two operations successfully achieved their goals," he added.

The spokesman also thanked Yemeni people for their two million-strong demonstrations on Friday in the capital Sana'a and in other governorates and districts in confirmation of their firm position in support of the Palestinian people.

"The Yemeni Armed Forces will continue to carry out their military operations in the Red and Arab Sea until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted," Saree underlined.

Yemen knows 'loopholes' of US aircraft on take-off, landing

Earlier on Saturday, top Yemeni official Mohammed Ali al-Houthi warned the US against the continuation of its hostile moves in the Red Sea, saying the Yemeni Armed Forces are fully aware of the "loopholes" of American aircraft operations in the strategic waterway.

"The heroes in the armed forces know about the loopholes that can be exploited while the take-off or landing of American aircraft on the ships," Houthi wrote in an Arabic-language post on his X social media account on Saturday.

"I advise the United States and its allies to issue a decision not to fly at all."

Speaking in a weekly televised address on Thursday, leader of Yemen's Ansarullah Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said the United States is the main culprit in the Israeli genocide in Gaza and the silence of the international community on the regime's crimes is a source of shame.

Yemen has openly supported Palestine's struggle against Israel since the occupying regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.

The Yemeni Armed Forces have carried out retaliatory strikes against the Israeli regime's interests in the Red Sea.

The maritime attacks have forced some of the world's biggest shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through one of the world's most important maritime trade routes.

Tankers are instead adding thousands of miles to international shipping routes by sailing around the continent of Africa rather than going through the Suez Canal.





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Mar. 8: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 09 March 2024 5:44 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 30,800 Palestinians so far, including at least 14,000 children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers.

The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Friday, March 8, are as follows:

A-Qassam Brigades' operations on Mar. 8:

Lobbed two anti-personnel grenades from a drone at a command center of the Israeli military east of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip.

Sniped an Israeli military officer, east of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip.

Ambushed an Israeli infantry force inside one of the residential apartments in Hamad Town, north of Khan Younis city, southern Gaza Strip.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Mar. 8:

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces and their military vehicles in Hamd town, Khan Younis city, using appropriate weapons.

Targeted a gathering of Israeli army vehicles and the deployment of its engineering soldiers with a barrage of short-range rockets, east of Jabalia, resulting in direct hits.

Al-Aqsa Brigades' operations on Mar. 8:

Targeted an Israeli military vehicle with an RPG in the axis in Hamd City, northwest of Khan Younis city.

Shelled a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles with a barrage of 60-caliber mortar shells in the axis in Hamd City, northwest of Khan Younis city.

Carried out multiple shooting operations against Israeli military checkpoints in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.

Engaged in intense clashes with Israeli army forces, using appropriate weapons, in the axis in Hamd town, northwest of Khan Younis city.

Hezbollah's operations on Mar. 8:

Eastern sector:

At around 15:20 local time, Israeli soldiers and vehicles east of the Al-Samaqa site in Kfar Shuba hills were targeted with missiles and artillery.

At around 15:30 local time, the Ruwaisat Al-Alam site in Kafr Shuba was targeted with missiles.

Western sector:

At around 13:55 local time, Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Raheb site were targeted with artillery shells.

At around 16:30 local time, Israeli soldiers were targeted in the vicinity of the Jal al-Alam site with a "Falaq One" missile.

At around 18:18 local time, Israeli artillery in Dishon was targeted with Katyusha rockets.





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Biden: Ceasefire in Gaza by Ramadan 'looking tough'

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 09 March 2024 2:59 AM

US President Joe Biden has said that it would be "tough" to secure a ceasefire by the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Gaza where Israel has been carrying out a genocidal war since October 7, 2023.

"It's looking tough," Biden told reporters on Friday when asked if a deal to halt the five-month-old war could be achieved by Ramadan, which is due to start as early as Sunday depending on the sighting of the moon.

Biden has been dubbed as "Genocide Joe" by American protesters due to his administration's continued support for Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

The Biden administration has backed Israel's war on the Palestinian territory as an instance of "self-defense," and has provided the regime with thousands of arms consignments since the onset of the war.

Washington has also been casting its veto against the United Nations Security Council's resolutions that would call on the occupying regime to cease its aggression.

Biden said that "I sure am" worried about the possibility of violence in Israeli-occupied East al-Quds (Jerusalem) as Ramadan approaches.

Palestinian resistance movement Hamas's armed wing on Friday called on supporters to mobilize towards the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in East al-Quds.

It also said there would be no compromise on the movement's demand that Israel withdraw from Gaza to secure the release of hostages seized by Hamas.

Biden has been facing mounting pressure to stop providing Israel with bombs, missiles and ammunition since the regime launched its military offensive against Gaza in early October. The regime's forces have so far killed more than 30,878 Palestinians, mostly children and women, in the besieged territory.

Five months into the war in Gaza, the Biden administration has repeatedly bypassed Congress to greenlight an emergency weapons sale to Israel.

On Thursday, Biden's State of the Union address sparked protests across the United States, with demonstrators gathering outside of the US Capitol building.

The protesters called on him to stop funding Israel's genocide in Gaza.

They gathered on Pennsylvania Avenue - the arterial road that connects the White House to the seat of the US legislature in Washington, DC - before the annual presidential speech to both houses of Congress on Thursday.

Protesters near the Capitol laid out a huge Palestinian flag across the avenue's asphalt and held banners that said "Biden's legacy is genocide."

"When Palestine is under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!" protesters chanted.

"I feel like they're killing with my hands with my tax dollars," said one protester.

Protest organizers said people forced Biden to reroute and arrive late to give his speech at the Capitol.

Protesters near the Capitol laid out a huge Palestinian flag across the avenue's asphalt and held banners that said "Biden's legacy is genocide."

"When Palestine is under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!" protesters chanted.

"I feel like they're killing with my hands with my tax dollars," said one protester.

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Netanyahu's Office Says Hamas Currently Not Interested in Hostage Deal

Sputnik News

20240309

TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - Palestinian movement Hamas is not interested at this stage in a deal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Saturday, adding that Israel maintains contacts with mediators in an attempt to bridge differences.

On March 8, Israel's Secret Intelligence Service (Mossad) chief David Barnea met with US Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns in an effort to promote a deal with Hamas to release hostages in exchange for a ceasefire in Gaza, Netanyahu's office said.

"At this stage, Hamas is reasserting its position that it is not interested in a deal, and is seeking to inflame the region during Ramadan at the expense of the Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip. We emphasize that contacts and cooperation with the mediators continue unceasingly in an attempt to narrow differences and advance agreements," the Prime Minister's Office said on behalf of the Mossad.

On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip and in the ensuing fighting killed 1,100 Israelis, both military and civilians, and abducting some 240 others. Israel launched massive strikes on Gaza, fully blockaded the Palestinian enclave and then invaded it with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas and rescuing the hostages.

Some 31,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's military operations and more than 76,000 have been wounded, according to the local authorities. More than 1.9 million Palestinians out of 2.3 million in Gaza have been displaced more than a half are facing hunger and starvation as a result of Israel's blockade.

On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and hostages taken by Hamas, 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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Gaza Strip's Post-Conflict Reconstruction Estimated at $90Bln

Sputnik News

20240309

TUNIS (Sputnik) - The Gaza Strip's recovery from the damage inflicted by the ongoing escalation of armed conflict between Israel and Hamas is currently estimated at $90 billion, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi said on Saturday.

"The cost of rebuilding the Gaza Strip amounts to $90 billion," Sisi said when speaking in Cairo.

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 the Gaza Strip, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. At least 30,800 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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SL navy seizes 3 Indian trawlers, apprehends 22 fishermen in its waters

Colombo, Mar 10 (UNI) Sri Lanka's navy seized three Indian trawlers and apprehended 22 Indian fishermen who were poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Kareinagar in northern Sri Lanka, the navy said in a press release on Sunday.

The boats were seized and fishermen were apprehended during operations carried out on Saturday night and Sunday morning, the navy said.

The seized trawlers and Indian fishermen were brought to Kankesanthurai Harbor and were handed over to local authority for legal action, the navy said.
Secretary Blinken's Call with Kenyan President Ruto

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

March 9, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto to discuss the ongoing political and security crisis in Haiti. They underscored unwavering commitment to the deployment of a Multinational Security Support mission to support the Haitian National Police in creating the security conditions necessary to conduct free and fair elections. Secretary Blinken also offered his appreciation for Kenya's diplomatic work to support peace and security in the Horn of Africa.

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"What is going on in Gaza has exceeded the limits of tolerance"

Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey

09.03.2024

Speaking at the General Assembly of the Science Dissemination Foundation, President Erdogan said: "What has been going on in Gaza, particularly since October 7, has already exceeded the limits of tolerance. Backed by the unlimited military and diplomatic support of western powers, Israel, which is a terror state, has been carrying out an all-out policy of genocide against our Palestinian brothers and sisters."

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the General Assembly of the Science Dissemination Foundation in Istanbul.

Speaking at the General Assembly, President Erdogan drew attention to the upcoming month of Ramadan, and said: "We will try to mark in the best manner possible this holy month, the beginning of which is mercy, the middle is forgiveness, and the end is salvation from the hellfire. However, we are welcoming Ramadan during a period, in which grave humanitarian tragedies have been taking place in many parts of our kindred geography, Gaza in particular."

"ISRAEL HAS BEEN CARRYING OUT AN ALL-OUT POLICY OF GENOCIDE"

"Backed by the unlimited military and diplomatic support of western powers, Israel, which is a terror state, has been carrying out an all-out policy of genocide against our Palestinian brothers and sisters," President Erdogan stated, underscoring that as a result of Israel's attacks, which have been directly targeting civilians, over 32 thousand Palestinians have been martyred and 72 thousand others have been injured.

Further stressing that nearly two million people have been forced to leave their homes, President Erdogan said that mosques, universities, schools and civilian residential units have fallen into ruins, and that the world is faced with a barbarism whereby even innocents waiting in queue to receive food are murdered.

"We have witnessed such scenes that it is impossible for someone, who has a bit of humanity inside, or for a state, which respects international law in the minimum manner possible, to do all this. With the crimes of humanity they have committed in Gaza, Netanyahu and his administration simmering with hatred have added their names as 'present-day Nazis' next to Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Pol Pot, Franco and other modern era murderers," President Erdogan said.

"ISLAMIC WORLD HAS FAILED TO FULFILL ITS DUTY OF BROTHERHOOD TO THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE"

Noting that Turkiye is and will continue to do what is necessary to bring the murderers, who have already been convicted in the conscience of humanity, to account before international law, President Erdogan stated: "In the 155 days since October 7, we have encountered many shameful incidents that have broken, if not torn our hearts out, and have reddened our faces as humans."

Stating that they have seen that international organizations, human rights organizations and media outlets are useless when it is Israel in question, President Erdogan continued as follows: "We have all together witnessed how the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has become a piece of paper when it comes to the right to live of Palestinian children, women and innocent civilians. Also, this period has shown us that the Islamic world still has very significant shortcomings, especially in terms of acting in unity, putting result-yielding pressure on Israel and its supporters, and of preventing oppression and massacre. Unfortunately, the nearly 2 billion-populated Islamic world has failed to duly fulfill its duty of brotherhood to the Palestinian people. Obviously, a hard work has been carried out and many efforts have been exerted in terms of diplomacy. However, the innocent children in Gaza could not be prevented from dying either of hunger or by the bullets and bombs dropped over them."

"WE HAVE MOBILIZED ALL OUR MEANS FOR THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE"

Describing the Muslim-alienating structure of the United Nations Security Council and the global system as one of the many reasons of this situation, President Erdogan said: "Muslims are seen as stepchildren in the current order built by the victors of the Second World War. Turkiye, with its cry that 'the world is bigger than five', objects to this role cast for and imposed on us as well."

Stating that they as the country and the nation have mobilized all their means for the Palestinian people since the very first day of Israel's attacks on Gaza, President Erdogan said that he has raised the Palestinian issue and the situation of the people of Gaza during the talks he has made with foreign leaders since October 7.

Further noting that they have been the voice of Palestine and Gaza at all the international meetings they have attended, President Erdogan went on to say: "In a period, during which almost everyone, including those fond of Israel in our country, is racing to label Hamas as a 'terrorist organization', we are openly objecting to this. We have baldly declared to the entire world that no one can cast such a stain upon Palestinian fighters who defend their territories, honor and people. We have used our recently-improving relations with Egyptian officials to deliver aid to Gaza."

"TURKIYE HAS SENT 40,000 TONS OF HUMANITARIAN AID TO GAZA"

Pointing out that the total amount of the humanitarian aid Turkiye has sent to the region has reached 40 thousand tons, President Erdogan underscored that they will hopefully increase the amount of the aid, which has included 53 ambulances, 1,551 generators, eight field hospitals and three thousand tents, in Ramadan, and said: "The only country that defends the Palestinian cause at the highest level is unequivocally Turkiye."

Also reminding his visit to the US 21 years ago as the Chairman of AK Party before taking office, President Erdogan noted that when he was told during that visit that Hamas was a terrorist organization, he explained them that Hamas, on the contrary, was a resistance movement.

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Joint press conference at conclusion of visit to Somalia by Ms.Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Ms.Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Joint press conference at conclusion of visit to Somalia by Ms. Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Ms. Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Mogadishu, Somalia, 9 March 2024

Assistant Secretary-General Musya: Good afternoon, members of the media and those who have joined online. Assalam alaikum. We have spent, and my colleague Beth [Bechdol, Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)] will speak, we have spent about two and a half days here in Somalia. I want first to start by expressing my deepest, deepest thanks to the Government and people of Somalia for an incredible warm hospitality and welcome that has made this visit very possible.

Everywhere I have gone, I have been deeply moved by the strength, by the resilience, by the courage, by the commitment starting from the communities all the way up to the Government at the federal level for the people of Somalia.

I saw the strength yesterday on International Women's Day -- I had the privilege of visiting Kaharey and Qansahley camps for internally displaced people in Doolow. What impressed me is how cohesive the host communities and the IDPs [internally displaced people] were living, hand in hand in peace. I was also inspired and touched by the women, including a 17-year-old, Fatma, who was kind enough to actually paint henna on my hands -- a gift that I will take with me as I leave this country to go to New York to tell her story and the story of Somali people, the strength of communities. The backbone strength of Somali women, entrepreneurs, farmers who have gone through the swamp much that yet have the courage to keep on going -- that gave me hope on International Women's Day.

I also heard the combined efforts -- and I wanted to congratulate the Government of Somalia -- for the deep, deep commitment to working with humanitarian and development partners, including the UN agencies, NGOs, our local partners, to provide assistance to the Somali people. The community participation, particularly in providing humanitarian assistance, is incredibly impressive.

If you look at the climate change impact on the people of Somalia -- from drought, flooding and everything in between -- it's really impressive to see how farming was averted with all the collective efforts of all the factories. But also, as one of the ministers mentioned when we met, and I quote, "Somalia is a victim of secondhand smoking." Somalia suffers from climate change, a problem that they did not generate, and yet, year by year, they have to deal with the impact of climate change.

Our visit is also timely because just about a week or so ago, the whole world met in Nairobi at the United Nations Environment Assembly. Our visit is a continuation of the global commitment, including but not limited from the humanitarian community, to address climate change as a driver for humanitarian [needs].

Having said that, I want to be very clear that the worst from climate change is far from over. Somalia's future and the lives of millions of people hang on a very, very tight balance. One in five people in Somalia have so little food that their lives or livelihoods are in immediate danger. Some 1.7 million people face acute malnutrition. This year, we are targeting 5.2 billion people out of 6.9 million people in need. And our mission, our visit here was aimed at actually advocating for more support, international support, to Somalia, on humanitarian, as well as climate and development, and my colleague will speak more about that.

As is often the case, women and girls bear the largest brunt of crisis and also climate change. As I mentioned in my comments just a couple of minutes ago, yesterday, we had a chance to interact with the communities with women farmers, IDPs, a woman who has lived in an IDP camp for 10 years, and yet she was farming, and out of the products from the farm, managed to buy a goat, which provided her family with nutritious goat milk for the children and also allowed her to send her children to school. As we leave Somalia, we will take her story and many, including what we heard from the humanitarian partners, to the outside world.

We were very impressed by the local partners, the local and national NGOs, and the humanitarian community is benefiting from working very, very closely together. A core part of our job after we leave Somalia is to mobilize, to ask for more support from finding partners to help support the Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia for 2024.

I want to express our thanks, my thanks, to the funding partners, to the humanitarian community, including local partners, for all the investments that they're doing in service of Somalia's people. We leave this beautiful country, I will leave this beautiful country, ahead of Ramadan next week, with a deep sense of humility and a deep commitment to continue serving, not just the world, but also the people of Somalia.

Thank you very much. Shukran.

**Deputy Director-General Bechol: **Thank you very much to everyone gathered here -- to members of the media.

It is very much a pleasure to be here alongside Joyce, our colleagues and OCHA based in New York, and to be able to be here representing the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, headquartered in Rome. I think this is a very important demonstration, and what I hope becomes a new approach to collaboration and partnership among many of us inside the UN family -- to ensure that we are really delivering on the very important needs that we see here in a country like Somalia.

This is my first visit to Somalia and, as Joyce mentioned into her comments, it will forever be one that remains with me -- very deep felt, a very inspiring opportunity -- and one where I have learned quite a bit. It is one where I think, as we recognize from our various meetings and discussions, perceptions that many have are corrected from a visit such as this.

This is a Somalia that is not the same country that it was 10 or 20 years ago, and the efforts that the Federal Government, the people of Somalia, partners, donors, and local actors have all put into transforming and bringing peace, stability and commitments to development despite some incredibly formidable challenges and obstacles -- some of which admittedly still remain. It is certainly something that I think we have taken away from our time here.

As I said, significant challenges still remain and Joyce mentioned, just a number of the data points that continue to concern all of us. Despite some improvements, 3.4 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity in this country in the coming months. Between 2021 and 2023, we saw the deep-felt challenges of a drought that served to be the longest in recorded history, pushing the country to the brink of famine. At the same time -- very unexpectedly and probably one of the more unique situations of any country in the world -- this was immediately followed at the end of last year by a series of devastating floods. Also, the worst on record. Those are formidable obstacles and huge challenges to try to overcome.

What has helped in recent years has indeed been the very strong level of commitment provided by humanitarian donors, that is still needed in this particular period that the country finds itself in. But it's time to start transitioning to more development support for the country and the people -- that's so critical. We see that through our lens of FAO and the lens of food and agricultural production and productivity through the need to really transform agrifood systems here in the country.

This we admittedly see around the world, whether it's the impacts that have been felt due to the global COVID-19 pandemic -- the challenges that it brought economically for all countries of the world, the challenges that it brought to logistics and supply chains, the challenges that then have emerged because of the climate crisis, again, affecting every person on this planet and affecting food and agriculture in every corner of the world. These types of developments along with instability, conflict and war that have played in in so many parts of the world, are showing the fragility and the sensitivities of our food and agricultural systems. So, it's time to change.

What I have observed here, is the start of what I think is very transformative change in the way Somali food and agriculture is handled. This comes from the Government itself, with a real commitment to transform, to invest, to make it more progressive, to be more innovative, and to really commit to the building blocks of what's needed in a constructive, productive and ultimately, profitable, food and agriculture economy. It is quality seeds, livestock productivity, training, research extension for smallholder farmers around the country. It manifests in the commitment to addressing long standing water issues the need for better irrigation management. It's manifesting itself in a commitment to try to bring forward real, tangible solutions to this climate variability that frankly, won't stop. We won't see an end to this climate crisis. We will see ourselves finding new ways to adapt and to mitigate the crisis itself. And, we are seeing that happening here already.

I'm also very proud of FAO, because the commitment to good solid information, data and analysis and predictive modelling and forecasting is so core to our mandate. I give great credit to the FAO Somalia team who is here in this event that we are having with the media today. It's been said to me many times in just the last two days that the team here, representing FAO, because of the predictive work ahead of this most recent flood and the commitments that were taken to try to prevent that, saved 1000s of lives. That's meaningful and important impact that has taken many of us to really deliver and those are the things that we need to do more of.

Like Joyce, I was so moved by our visits yesterday to Doolow and the opportunity to celebrate International Women's Day -- not only with her, but with so many of our current friends and new friends that we were able to spend that day with.

It is so critical in the food and agriculture system that we lift up with it women. And it's not just because of the opportunities that are presented to them. It's because they're already the backbone. On the African continent, two-thirds of the work that is done in food and agriculture is done by women.

There's more opportunity, there's more visibility. There are more tools and resources that need to be brought to bear. But I see the potential here of women and girls and youth in general, to find an opportunity in a future in agriculture in Somalia. I hope that is something that all of us can continue to work on.

Let me just close with a few thank yous and also a few notes of optimism about how we work together and what I think this trip, that we both made, can do to set things into a new direction for our work here.

First, I just want to say that we all recognise, what is maybe manifested by this joint visit and what we see more broadly as members of the UN family -- business as usual doesn't work any longer. We see it as FAO. We see that old programmes, old approaches, old siloed ways of supporting farmers and communities just do not work any longer. The size of the crisis is too big, the resources needed by the minute, the new partners that have new things to offer -- like the private sector, whether it's data, innovation technologies that aren't invented in organizations like ours or in the UN system.

We have to find ways to collaborate to bring better types of solutions, more immediate or urgent and more fit-for-purpose solutions forward. And I think this visit highlights the fact that there is already a strong sense of that cooperation here. Joyce and I are certainly committed to making sure that inside our UN family, we do better together and bring examples of stories of need and success from Somalia back to our colleagues in New York, Rome and Geneva and elsewhere. But it is going to take a large percentage of partners so she has them to really deliver on the needs here.

Lastly, I too would just want to thank and give a very strong signal of support and commendation to the Government. We've had such wonderful discussions and meetings. I'm so impressed by the level of commitment, the level of technical knowledge and understanding of needs, and the priorities that are so clearly and so succinctly being laid out by, whether, it's the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, the Ministry of Livestock and Fishery Development, and the Ministry of Energy and Water, and the collected cooperation that is happening is even more important. So, we want to again, thank everyone who made this trip so meaningful, making the visits so impactful, and we they just would like to signal one more time that this is certainly an opportunity for us to rally and to bring so many of our other colleagues and partners and stakeholders together to do more to advance the priorities and the needs of everyone who is here in Somalia.

Thank you.

9 March 2024

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Russo-Ukraine War - 09 March 2024 - Day 744

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

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 1 March 2024, Russia introduced a six-month ban on gasoline exports to stabilise prices in the domestic market amid rising demand. Russian Government Resolution number 243 of 29 February 2024 restores the export embargo that had originally applied from 21 September 2023 to 17 November 2023.

It is likely that Russia's refining capacity has been temporarily reduced by multiple Ukrainian uncrewed aerial vehicle strikes against refineries across Russia. The export ban will relieve pressure on supplies and enable Russia to make repairs to its refineries. Repairs are likely to take longer than normal as Western sanctions have prevented the import of some necessary components.

The Russian Government will be particularly sensitive to rising prices for gasoline and other daily commodities in the run-up to the 15-17 March Russian presidential election.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of March 9, there were 58x combat engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 3x missile and 61x air strikes, carried out 70x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, Russian attacks resulted in 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. The Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinity of Hraniv (Kharkiv oblast). Around 40x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Yeline, Baranivka, Bleshnya, Buchky (Chernihiv oblast), Volfyne, Katerynivka, Zapsillya, Porozok (Sumy oblast), Hur'iv Kozachok, Hatyshche, Vovchans'k, Bochkove, Budarky, Ambarne (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. The adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x assaults near Terny and Spirne (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian adversary made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Novosadove, Terny, Yampolivka, Mykolaivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Tors'ke, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 5x attacks in the vicinities of Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers made attempts to improve their tactical situation. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Druzhba (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Mykolaivka, Vasyukivka, Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, New York (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 11x attacks in the vicinities of Berdychi, Orlivka, Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Oleksandropil', Novooleksandrivka, Novobakhmutivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Prohres, Vovche, Zhelanne, Myrnohrad, Novohrodivka, Umans'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian invaders, with air support, made 21x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strikes near Krasnohorivka, Maksymil'yanivka, Vuhledar (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 20x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Berestky, Kostyantynivka, Antonivka, Katerynivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne (Donetsk oblast).

Orikhiv axis: Russian forces conducted 6x attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinity of Robotyne and west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 20x settlements, including Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Mala Tokmachka, Novoandriivka, Mali Shcherbaky, Prymors'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 20x settlements, including the city of Kherson, Osokorivka, Beryslav, Odradokam'yanka, Tokarivka, Antonivka, Stanislav (Kherson oblast).

During the day of March 9, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 8x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x concentration of troops, 1x electronic warfare station, and 1x air defense system of Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces repelled two counter-attacks launched by units of AFU 32nd mechanised, 57th mechanised infantry brigades near Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

Manpower and hardware of AFU 60th mechanised and 103rd territorial defence brigades were hit near Tabayevka (Kharkov region), and Terni (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and two D-30 howitzers.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces captured more favourable lines and positions on the front line, and hit units of AFU 81st airmobile, 79th air assault, 5th and 92nd assault brigades close to Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Georgiyevka, Kleshcheyevka, Krasnoye, Kurdyumovka, and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

In addition, two counter-attacks launched by assault groups of the AFU 31st Mechanised Brigade were repelled near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU has lost more than 300 troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, one D-20 howitzer, and one Strela-10 SAM system. Moreover, one AFU ammunition depot was wipied out.

In Avdeyevka direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units captured more favourable lines and positions.

In addition, manpower and hardware of AFU 24th, 27th, 47th, and 53rd mechanised, 59th mechanised infantry brigades were hit close to Ocheretino, Novosyolovka, Pervaya, Toretsk, Novgorodovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Two attacks launched by assault groups of the AFU 24th Mechanised Brigade were repelled near Druzhba and Shumy, as well as seven counter-atacks launched by 78th air assault, 47th, 53rd mechanised, and 59th mechanised infantry brigades, which were repelled near Berdichi, Tonenkoye, Pervomayskoye, Orlovka, Petrovskoye, and Severnoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 450 Ukrainian troops, three infantry fighting vehicles, two armoured fighting vehicles, and 18 motor vehicles were neutralised.

During the counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one Czech-made RM-70 Vampire MLRS combat vehicle, as well as one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-48 counter-battery radar station were neutralised.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces improved tactical situation, and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 127th territtorial defence and 72nd mechanised brigades near Rovnopol and Vodyanoye (Donetsk People's Republic), as well as repelled one enemy attack close to Vladimirovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost up to 140 Ukrainian troops, one U.S-made Stryker armoured personnel carrier, and four motor vehicles.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops hit two U.S.-made M777 artillery systems, one French-made Caesar self-propelled artillery system, one Rapira anti-tank gun, and one Nota electronic warfare station.

In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of AFU 65th mechanised, 128th mountain assault, 15th, 23rd national guard brigades close to Rabotino, Novopokrovka, Zherebyanka (Zaporozhye region), and Nikopol (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The enemy's losses amounted to up to 55 Ukrainian troops, six motor vehicles, as well as one D-30 howitzer, and one Khortitsa electronic warfare station.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces eliminated one S-300 SAM system close to Pokrovsk (Donetsk People's Republic), ammunition depots of AFU 43rd artillery, 3rd assault, 47th mechanised brigades, one UAV control post of the AFU 126th Mountain Assault Brigade near Stepovoye (Zaporozhye region), as well as manpower and military hardware in 127 areas.

Air defence systems intercepted one Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 close to Krasnoarmeysk (Donetsk People's Republic).

Three U.S-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles and one U.S.-made Hammer aerial guided bomb were shot down.

Moreover, 197 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Yasinovatoye, Novoandreyevka, Yakovlevka (Donetsk People's Republic), Zmiyevka, Kremennaya, Zhitlovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Shevchenkovo, Zhovtnevoye (Kharkov region), Pologi, Kopani, Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region), and Novaya Mayachka, Chaplinka (Kherson region).

In total, 577 airplanes and 267 helicopters, 14,855 unmanned aerial vehicles, 484 air defence missile systems, 15,409 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,235 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,332 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 19,549 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.





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Presidium of China's annual legislative session holds 2nd meeting

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:11, March 09, 2024

BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The presidium of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, held its second meeting Friday.

Zhao Leji, executive chairman of the presidium, presided over the meeting.

The meeting decided to submit multiple documents to lawmakers for deliberation.

The documents include draft resolutions on the government work report, on the national economic and social development plan report and the plan for 2024, and on the central and local budgets report and the budgets for 2024.

The documents also include a draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council.

The presidium's executive chairpersons met before the meeting to prepare the documents.

The executive chairpersons meeting was presided over by Zhao, who is also chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.

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Iran FM spox slams imposing fresh sanctions on Iranian individuals by Canada

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Mar 9, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has strongly condemned the imposing fresh sanctions on Iranian individuals by the Canadian government.

In reaction to sanctioning the Chief Executive of the Tehran metro system and a senior woman parliamentarian in the Majlis by Canada, Kanaani strongly condemned the Canadian government's fresh sanctions on Iranian individuals.

Kanaani added that such measures by Canada are motivated by political and propaganda goals, and in line with the country's selective approach to Iran's human rights issues.

If the Canadian authorities are honestly concerned about the situation of women's rights in the world, they need to answer their public opinion and the world about their continuous deadly silence on the genocide and the brutal and painful killing of more than 30,000 Palestinian citizens, more than 70% of whom are women and children, by the Zionist regime over five months, he noted.

He further noted that Canada should end its support for the criminal Zionist regime and help stop the biggest catastrophe underway in the Gaza Strip.

3266**2050

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Iranian Female Political Prisoners Blast 'Gender Apartheid'

By VOA Persian Service March 09, 2024

Eleven female political prisoners at Evin Prison in Tehran have written a letter stating that exposing gender apartheid can help fight discrimination and oppression.

Golrokh Iraee, a political detainee, shared the letter on her X social media account, revealing the signatories Nasim Soltan Beigi, Anisha Asadollahi, Mahvash Sabet, Narges Mohammadi, Sepideh Gholian, Vida Rabbani, Golrokh Iraee herself, Joanna Seneh, Pakhshan Azizi, Fariba Kamalabadi, and Mahboubeh Rezaii.

The letter says, "March 8, International Women's Day, serves as a reminder of the century-long history of women's struggles. This global day of solidarity aims to realize gender equality and combat all manifestations of injustice, exploitation, as well as legal, economic, political, cultural and social discrimination."

The prisoners, reflecting on the status of women, particularly in the Middle East and nations such as Iran and Afghanistan, said, "We acknowledge that there is a lengthy path ahead to attain freedom and equality."

Political and civil activists, labor unions, trade unions and critics of the Islamic Republic government extended their greetings on International Women's Day to Iranian women, while condemning the government's suppression of women.

Earlier, Narges Mohammadi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate incarcerated by the Islamic Republic, urged the United Nations secretary-general to "criminalize gender apartheid" and designate it as "one of the crimes against humanity" in a message shared on her Instagram page on February 1.

In her message, she reflected on decades of "women's existence in Iran under the shadow of the Islamic Republic government," asserting that the Islamic Republic "systematically and deliberately, leveraging all governmental tools and powers, particularly through legislation, perpetuates the marginalization of women and violates their human rights."

In that context, a panel of United Nations experts has recently spotlighted the profound injustices experienced by women, particularly under governments such as the Taliban, and urged for the worldwide recognition of "gender apartheid" as a "crime against humanity." The initiative, previously championed by Mohammadi, calls for an investigation by the United Nations.

The panel of U.N. experts, comprising representatives from the United States, China, Mexico, Uganda and Serbia, emphasizes that the acknowledgment of gender apartheid as a crime is long overdue and that this form of apartheid is not explicitly addressed in international law.

Karima Bennoune, an international law professor at the University of Michigan, told VOA, "Gender apartheid draws from the legal structure of racial apartheid, highlighting that gender discrimination is ingrained within the governmental system itself."

The experts are urging the Sixth Committee of the U.N. General Assembly to include gender apartheid in Article 2, which deals with the prevention of crimes against humanity and their punishment. One of those experts emphasizes, "Gender apartheid isn't just a theoretical concept or legal construct; it's a genuine danger and a tangible reality for millions of women and girls across the globe."

Last week, Bennoune, an Algerian American and former U.N. special rapporteur on cultural rights, delved into the legal aspects of criminalizing gender apartheid in an interview with VOA.

Having held the position of U.N. special rapporteur on cultural rights from 2015 to 2021, she also addressed the U.N. Security Council in 2023 concerning gender apartheid in Afghanistan.

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'The Militarization Of Childhood': Russian Children Being Roped Into Country's All-Out War Effort

By RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities March 09, 2024

For the last 20 years, the mayor's office of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk has run a volunteer program for teenagers aged 14 to 18 called the Mayor's Labor Brigade.

"Participants in the Labor Brigade will work as usual to clean up parks, city squares and embankments, residential courtyards, and other relaxation areas for city residents," one 2010 newspaper announcement for the program read.

Since last year, however, the Krasnoyarsk teens have taken on a different set of tasks, a spokesman for the mayor's office told RFE/RL: sewing items and preparing care packages for Russian troops invading Ukraine.

The sewing machines were donated by "engaged entrepreneurs at the request of the head of the Central District administration," according to one post published by Labor Brigade's social media pages.

Russia's economy is already on war footing as the Kremlin prioritizes building weaponry and supplying equipment to fuel the invasion, now in its third year. The result is labor shortages as large sectors of the economy scramble to find employees. That in turn has driven up wages in many industries.

The Krasnoyarsk program, which has just opened its 2024 recruiting campaign, is just one of many across the country that have been engaging underage children in tasks supporting the war, a phenomenon one labor expert described as "the militarization of childhood."

An increasing number of these "militarized initiatives" are being carried out by commercial enterprises seeking to compensate for labor shortages in an emerging, war-centered gray economy, said the expert, who, like others quoted in this article, asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution or prosecution by authorities.

"It can be risky for employers to use child labor," the expert said, "because the majority of minors are working without proper documents."

A representative of the Krasnoyarsk Labor Brigade told RFE/RL that volunteers can choose their preferred type of work, adding that the option to sew items for troops in Ukraine appeared last summer and was "in high demand." The teens had sent more than 300 items in the last two months to "the warriors in the special military operation," the Kremlin's euphemism for the Ukraine invasion.

"They finished almost 50 camouflage nets," the representative said. "Participants also helped pack care packages to be sent to the zone of military activity."

The parents of several schoolchildren said the city administration sent representatives into the schools to recruit volunteers.

"But without heavy pressure, thank God," a mother of an eighth-grader told RFE/RL. "Of course, if they start pressuring, it will be harder to refuse than it is now."

'Stockings For Stumps'

During his state-of-the-nation address on February 29, President Vladimir Putin praised workers, entrepreneurs, engineers, volunteers, political parties, and others for "their responsible, tireless work to support Russia's interests," claiming that "this just struggle belongs to our citizens."

Over the last few months, this has increasingly included children as young as 9 or 10.

Last November, students at School No. 8 in Mozhga, a town in the central region of Udmurtia, launched a "volunteer" initiative to help wounded war veterans. They have been knitting special stockings for amputees that are intended to prevent prosthetic devices from chafing.

The school itself was named in December 2022 in honor of a former student who was killed months earlier in fighting in Ukraine.

According to a post on the social media platform VK, the initiative is called Stockings for Stumps.

The program's coordinator, a student named Vasilisa Skovordnikova, wrote that "mothers and grandmothers" of the children help them learn how to knit and that a goal of the program is "to give moral and physical help to participants in the special military operation who have had parts of their bodies amputated." Each child has been set the goal of producing 35 stockings.

Several students in the program said participants were recruited on a volunteer basis but under some pressure that refusal could have negative consequences.

There were "notes of blackmail," one student told RFE/RL.

"They didn't directly force us, but they hinted that participation in 'socially significant' activities was taken into consideration when you apply to college," another student said. "This didn't bother me because I volunteered. I have heard that other students signed on to get credit but then get their mothers to knit the stockings."

In the Tatarstan city of Mamadysh, schoolchildren have been finishing stabilizing fins for drone-dropped bombs to be used in Ukraine.

The plastic fins are produced using 3-D printers and are then worked and polished by the children, according to a report on local state TV.

In the report, one child who appears to be about 10 years old is shown demonstrating a tourniquet that the children are also assembling from printed parts. They're also shown preparing plastic cases for storing doses of painkillers to be administered at the front.

In Abakan, the capital of the southern region of Khakassia, the local branch of the ruling United Russia party has recruited children with hearing disabilities to produce "trench candles" -- tin cans stuffed with cardboard and filled with paraffin wax that burn for several hours.

"The work is rather tedious and takes a long time," a post to the party's social media page dated October 2023 said. "But the kids are taking part in this mass program with great interest. Trench candles are really an essential item at the front. Soldiers use them to warm themselves or to heat up food and water."

The program, called Warmth From Home, had already been implemented in 28 regions, the post said.

"I know of one candlemaker who was invited to conduct a seminar on producing trench candles for students in the third grade," another expert on child labor told RFE/RL. "That is, kids who are 9 or 10."

"We aren't talking about producing one candle," he added. "One class might make dozens at a time. And this is hazardous work."

Fumes from heating and pouring several kilograms of paraffin can be harmful, he said, and there is the risk of receiving chemical burns if hot wax spills onto skin. Soldiers, he said, are trained not to burn the candles in enclosed spaces.

Last August, reports emerged that a technical university in Tatarstan was using students, some as young as 15, to assemble Iranian-produced attack drones.

At the time, RFE/RL's Idel.Realities interviewed dozens of parents of the students who claimed the children were being forced to work long hours without proper breaks or meals.

The program, said Sergei Podsytnik, a reporter who runs a Telegram channel focusing on the Samara region, was "a textbook definition of what constitutes exploitation."

Around the same time, the governor of the Far Eastern Chukotka region reported that "college students, instructors, and volunteers" were assembling drones for the military as well.

In March 2023, lawmakers in the Rostov regional legislature debated whether it was necessary to receive the permission of parents before recruiting children into the "socially significant work" of providing equipment to the troops.

"Don't parents trust the schools?" Communist Party lawmaker Tatyana Ivashchenko was quoted as saying during the debate.

"[Children] don't lift anything heavier than a blackboard eraser through the 11th grade," she added. "And then three years later they have to pull their friend out of a battlefield. That isn't right, in my opinion."

RFE/RL correspondent Robert Coalson contributed to this report.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-children- militarization-war-ukraine/32855157.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 Goes NGO-Hunting In Central Asia, Where NGOs Have Enough Problems

By Chris Rickleton March 09, 2024

When Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke of Moscow taking "preventive measures" against "pro-Western" NGOs in the Central Asian region last week, he may not have known that he was speaking on World NGO Day.

It is not a date well-celebrated in Russia, where some of the most vocal and politically active nonprofits have been designated "foreign agents" and "undesirable organizations" in recent years or simply shut down.

Indeed, when Shoigu referenced what he called the "complicated" situation in Central Asia, he mentioned "more than 100 large pro-Western nongovernmental organizations operating in the region" alongside potential militant incursions from Afghanistan and an expected rise in narcotics production in Central Asian countries in the coming years.

In other words, he sees NGOs as an existential threat to the region -- or at least Russia's interests in it.

"Against the backdrop of the special military operation, these NGOs significantly increased their anti-Russian activities in order to reduce military-technical, economic, and cultural cooperation between the Central Asian states and the Russian Federation," Shoigu complained on February 27, using the Kremlin's term for Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russia's paranoia about NGOs potentially undermining Moscow's influence in neighboring countries is not new, according to analysts.

"The Russian leadership believes or convinces itself that Western countries, through networks of NGOs, are trying to destroy regimes in undemocratic countries," said Temur Umarov, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia-Eurasia Center in Berlin.

"The more Russia is in isolation from and in conflict with the international community, the more its rhetoric will focus on fighting Western influence everywhere from the Internet and schools to the territory of other countries," argued Umarov.

Leaving aside the fact that Shoigu's comments more than hint at the kind of external interference that he accuses NGOs of perpetrating, there is the obvious fact that most of the Central Asian countries are at least in line with Russia -- and in some cases well ahead -- when it comes to cracking down on civil society groups.

So, which Central Asian countries might Shoigu have had in mind?

Kazakhstan Pushes Back, Kyrgyz Lawmakers Push On

The only country that responded to Shoigu's statements was Kazakhstan.

"I don't know about any preventive measures," Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Roman Vasilenko told journalists the day after the Russian official made his comments.

"Supporting the civil sector and supporting NGOs are a top priority for President [Qasym-Zhomart] Toqaev, for the government, and for the Culture and Information Ministry, which is responsible for this area," Vasilenko added.

"If I remember correctly, there are 18,000 NGOs in our country; they operate in accordance with our legislation and are a very important part of our society. That means that civil society is supported by the state of the Republic of Kazakhstan."

Since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kazakhstan, which has remained neutral in the conflict, has used diplomatic statements to put some distance between itself and its northern neighbor.

But the reality is that Kazakhstan has not always been the most comfortable place for NGOs.

Just ask Dina Smailova (aka Tansari), head of the women's rights group NeMolchi.KZ (Don't Be Silent).

Renowned for defending victims of domestic violence and rape -- including incidents in which police were allegedly involved -- Smailova currently lives abroad and will face recently levied charges of large-scale fraud if she returns to her homeland.

In connection with the case against her, hundreds of private Kazakhs who donated to NeMolchi.KZ have reportedly been called in for questioning by police -- a drive Smailova says is motivated by authorities' need to back up the accusations.

Kazakhstan also keeps close tabs on civic organizations that receive foreign funding, publishing regularly updated lists of such groups while repeatedly refusing registration for others.

But Kazakhstan might end up becoming the most NGO-friendly country in Central Asia by default, now that Kyrgyzstan, the longtime holder of that title, is following Russia's lead in the most literal sense.

On February 22, the Kyrgyz parliament passed the second of three readings of a controversial bill that would allow authorities to apply stringent regulations to organizations deemed "foreign representatives," echoing a law on foreign agents that Russia passed in 2012.

And echoing might be putting it too mildly.

An analysis carried out by the nonprofit Legal Clinic Adilet showed that the wording of the draft legislation is more than 90 percent copied from the Russian original, which Moscow has since expanded to make it even more punitive.

Falling In Line With The Neighbors

The Russia connection to Kyrgyzstan's draft law doesn't end there.

Journalists from the Politklinika outlet found in 2022 that the law's initiator, Nadira Narmatova, owned the deeds to the building that houses Russia's consulate in Kyrgyzstan's second-largest city, Osh.

Did this fact not make Narmatova herself a "foreign agent," Politklinika asked in its investigation, only somewhat tongue-in-cheek.

When that question was put to her again in the parliament last month by one of the few lawmakers opposed to the law, Narmatova admitted that she continued to lease the building to Russia but took umbrage at the suggestion that this prejudiced her views on NGOs.

"This bill has nothing to do with my personal life. We are late [passing it]. If we had adopted the law 10 years ago there would not have been questions like yours and there would not have been sellouts working for the state," said Narmatova in comments reported by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service on February 22.

But Narmatova is arguably a sideshow in all of this because without a nod from Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov the bill would not be making the progress it has.

Japarov has shown since he came to power in 2020 that he doesn't need a command from Moscow to jail activists, journalists, and political opponents who try to obstruct his agenda.

In this sense, said Umarov of Carnegie, Russia is only "supporting the leadership of Kyrgyzstan, which has taken the course of autocracy."

More than 29,000 NGOs are currently registered in Kyrgyzstan -- a country of 7 million people -- almost twice the number that are registered in Kazakhstan, which has a population of nearly 20 million.

Turkmenistan is still Central Asia's civic wasteland, while authorities in Tajikistan, the region's poorest country, may be heading in the same direction.

An analysis by the Tajik independent news website Asia-Plus in August 2023 showed that NGO liquidations there outpaced registrations 711 to 217 over the period covering all of 2022 and the first half of 2023.

One NGO shuttered by a court over alleged violations of its charter in 2023 was the Independent Center for Human Rights Protection, a prominent nonprofit that offered free legal services to activists and journalists under arrest.

Uzbekistan, the region's most-populous country with around 35 million people, has about 9,000 NGOs, according to Yuksalish, a government-backed think tank, which sent them all its best wishes on World NGO Day.

But as independent Tashkent-based civil campaigner Irina Matvienko noted in a 2021 opinion piece for Open Democracy, "the majority are actually government-organized nongovernmental organizations, or GONGOs," while the amount of funding that NGOs can legally source from abroad remains pitifully low.

Uzbek rights defender Agzam Turgunov -- released from a nine-year stint in jail in 2017 -- learned last week that his application to register a would-be rights organization called Human Rights House had been scuppered for a 14th time after a Tashkent court agreed with the Justice Ministry's objections to its registration.

"Preventive measures" by Russia? They are hardly necessary.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ngo-hunting-central- asia/32854969.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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Tsai oversees ceremonial launch of Taiwan-built offshore patrol vessel

ROC Central News Agency

03/09/2024 05:52 PM

Kaohsiung, March 9 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (ee) oversaw the launch Saturday of the 4,000-tonne Coast Guard ship "Taipei," one of the Chiayi-class offshore patrol vessels ordered from Taiwan's CSBC Corporation.

At a ceremony in Kaohsiung, Tsai said that Taiwan hoped its domestic shipbuilding program would underline the country's resolve to defend freedom and democracy.

Tsai also observed the delivery of the Taipei's sister ship "Yunlin," which was ceremonially launched in December 2022.

Both ships are equipped with an operating theater and negative pressure rooms, meaning Taiwan can provide more assistance in international humanitarian rescue missions, Tsai noted.

Taiwan's Coast Guard force is expected to receive a significant boost once the two ships enter service, Tsai said, as she successfully smashed a bottle over the Taipei's hull to mark its ceremonial launch.

The government has set aside a budget of NT$42.6 billion (US$1.35 billion) for an initiative to boost the local shipbuilding industry and beef up Taiwan's maritime patrol capacity, Tsai added.

According to the Ocean Affairs Council (OAC), 141 Coast Guard ships will be built by 2027 under the initiative, which began in 2018.

In a statement on Saturday, the OAC said the Yunlin can withstand level-10 winds and has a range of 10,000 nautical miles.

It is armed with three water cannons for expelling targets and is equipped with field hospital-grade medical stations, the OAC said.

The vessel also has a helicopter pad that can be used by the National Airborne Service Corps when transporting injured personnel.

Su Tzu-yun (ece), a research fellow at Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research, told CNA that the Chiayi-class Coast Guard patrol vessels had good range and maneuverability.

The ships were designed to escort Taiwan-registered fishing boats working in contested waters and protect civilian ships from pirates, Su said.

They can also be deployed against Chinese coast guard ships if necessary, Su said.

The vessels' displacement is comparable to that of the United States Coast Guard's (USCG) Legend-class national security cutters -- the largest patrol vessels in the USCG fleet, Su noted.

In light of China's brazen "gray zone" activities near Taiwan-controlled waters, Su said he believed the ships would boost morale among Taiwan's Coast Guard officers enforcing the law, Su said.

Also in attendance for Saturday's ceremony were Vice President Lai Ching-te (ea), OAC Minister Kuan Bi-ling (cccZ), and CSBC Corp, Taiwan Chairman Cheng Wen-lon (ees).

Lai, who won the presidential election in January, is scheduled to take office in May.

(By Lin Chiao-lien, Chang Jung-hsiang and Sean Lin)

Enditem/ASG

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U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst Arrested and Charged with Conspiracy to Obtain and Disclose National Defense Information, Export Control Violations, and Bribery

Korbein Schultz, a U.S. Army soldier and intelligence analyst, was arrested today at Fort Campbell following an indictment by a federal grand jury charging him with conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information, exporting technical data related to defense articles without a license, conspiracy to export defense articles without a license, and bribery of a public official.

Mr. Schultz, a member of the U.S. Army, stands accused of conspiring to obtain and provide national defense information to an individual overseas. As part of the conspiracy, the defendant provided sensitive government information to his coconspirator in exchange for thousands of dollars, placing personal profit above the security of the American people, said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division. Todays arrest shows that such a betrayal does not pay  the Department of Justice is committed to identifying and holding accountable those who would break their oath to protect our nations secrets.

Protecting national defense information is absolutely critical to our countrys safety and security, said U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee. The unauthorized sale of such information violates our national security laws, compromises our safety, and cannot be tolerated. Todays indictment should serve as a reminder of the Justice Departments vigilance in protecting the United States against any threat to national security, foreign or domestic.

The American people rely on our military personnel and clearance holders to serve and protect U.S. interests, said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI's National Security Branch. The conduct alleged in today's indictment represents a grave betrayal of the oath sworn to defend our country. Instead of safeguarding national defense information, the defendant conspired with a foreign national to sell it, potentially endangering our national security.

Todays arrest underscores the unwavering commitment of the Army Counterintelligence Command, our partners at the Department of Justice, and the broader intelligence community in safeguarding our Nations secrets, said Brigadier General Rhett R. Cox, Commanding General of the Army Counterintelligence Command. We cannot tolerate any betrayal of trust, and we remain vigilant in our mission to protect national defense information crucial to our security. We encourage all members of the Army team, past or present, to remain vigilant and report any potential suspicious activity."

The indictment alleges that from June 2022 until the time of his arrest today, Schultz conspired with an individual, identified as Conspirator A, to disclose documents, writings, plans, maps, notes, and photographs relating to national defense as well as information relating to national defense which Schultz had reason to believe could be used to injure the United States or used to the advantage of a foreign nation. Conspirator A recruited Schultz, who possessed a Top Secret security clearance, and frequently tasked him to gather documents and sensitive U.S. military information. Specifically, Conspirator A tasked Schultz with gathering information related to a variety of U.S. military weapons systems, including classified information, and information related to the United States potential plans in the event that Taiwan came under military attack. Some of the information that Schultz provided to Conspirator A included documents related to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), information on hypersonic equipment, studies on the future development of U.S. military forces, studies on major countries such as the Peoples Republic of China, and summaries of military drills and operations. In exchange for the documents and information, Conspirator A made at least 14 payments to Schultz that totaled approximately $42,000. Throughout the entirety of the conspiracy, Conspirator A represented to Schultz that he lived in Hong Kong and worked for a geopolitical consulting firm based overseas.

During the course of the conspiracy, Schultz also sent Conspirator A three documents that violated the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). The three documents included an Air Force Tactics Techniques and Procedures manual for the HH-60W helicopter, an Air Force Tactics Techniques and Procedures manual for the F22-A fighter aircraft, and an Air Force Tactics Techniques and Procedures manual for intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The FBI and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Kurtzman for the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Adam Barry and Christopher Cook of the National Security Divisions Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This story has been published on: 2024-03-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Int'l legislators urge countries to assess impact of Taiwan Strait shock

ROC Central News Agency

03/09/2024 12:23 PM

London, March 8 (CNA) Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) launched a campaign on Friday urging governments around the world to assess the domestic economic impact of a shock in the Taiwan Strait.

The campaign named "Operation Mist" is aimed at compelling governments to admit that "cross-strait stability is in the domestic interests of nearly every country in the world," the IPAC said.

According to a recent report published by Bloomberg Economics, a war over Taiwan would result in a US$10 trillion shock to the world economy -- about 10 percent of global gross domestic product.

"No country will be immune from this economic fallout, which is likely to be at least five times worse than the economic damage caused by Ukraine," the cross-national parliamentarian group said.

Ordinary people will have to bear the consequences if governments fail to de-escalate and deter cross-strait conflict, it said, adding that "it behooves elected representatives worldwide to ensure this does not happen."

"Operation Mist" was initiated by several co-chairs and members of the IPAC, including German parliamentarian Reinhard BAtikofer, Dutch lawmaker Jan Paternotte, Australian Senator David Fawcett, and French Senator Olivier Cadic.

Stewart Malcolm McDonald, a United Kingdom lawmaker who is also an IPAC member, asked during a parliamentary debate in January whether the U.K. government had conducted economic modeling on the potential impact of an economic blockade by China on Taiwan or a full-scale invasion.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a British politician serving as Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific, responded that the government is currently focusing on how it can "build resilience in UK interests and support partners."

Speaking to reporters, McDonald on Friday said he believed the British government had simulated various Taiwan Strait scenarios, but is unwilling to release the information. Like some other MPs, Macdonald said the government should make its findings and conclusions public.

(By Chen Yun-yu and Ko Lin)

Enditem/kb

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Opposing 'Taiwan independence' prevailing public sentiment in Taiwan: lawmakers, political advisors

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Mar 09, 2024 05:08 PM

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cannot represent Taiwan, nor can it represent all Taiwan compatriots. The prevailing public sentiment in Taiwan has been opposed to "Taiwan independence," deputies to 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) said during the two sessions on Saturday.

The prevailing public sentiment in Taiwan has been favoring peace over war, development over decline, communication over estrangement and cooperation over confrontation, Fu Zhiguan, the vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, said in Beijing on Saturday.

Fu, also a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks on behalf of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League (TDSL) at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, a group meeting of deputies from the Taiwan delegation was held at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in the Taiwan Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

When talking about the expectations for the future development of cross-Straits relations at the meeting, Yan Ke, the deputy head of the Taiwan delegation to the NPC, admitted that the current cross-Straits relations face a severe and complex situation.

The DPP authorities refuse to acknowledge the "1992 Consensus" and insist on the "anti-China" stance, relying on the US to seek "independence," seriously endangering the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits, Yan noted.

Yan emphasized that despite the complex and severe situation, the mainland has demonstrated a firm will and confidence and always firmly grasps the initiative in cross-Straits relations and responds to the common aspiration of compatriots on both sides of the Straits for peace, development, communication, and cooperation.

The mainland firmly opposes "Taiwan independence" secessionism and foreign interference, maintaining peace, expanding exchanges, promoting cooperation, deepening integration, and advancing reunification, Yan noted.

Fu told the audience that the provocation tricks of the Democratic Progressive Party authorities to seek "Taiwan independence" cannot shake the status and fact that Taiwan is part of China, cannot change the basic pattern and development direction of cross-Straits relations, and cannot stop the inevitable trend of national reunification.

Recent years, a growing number of Taiwan compatriots are willing to follow the trend of the times, uphold the national righteousness, and stand on the right side of history, Fu noted. He cited data demonstrating the meaningful integration and development cross the Straits.



Currently, there are more than 130,000 Taiwan-funded enterprises on the Chinese mainland. In 2023, over 7,000 new projects invested by Taiwan investors in the mainland were added, with actual use of Taiwan investment totaling $2.76 billion, a year-on-year increase of 37.1 percent. The two sides have reached 481 industrial consensus and announced 72 common standards. More than 12,000 students from the island are studying in mainland universities and colleges, and over 2,000 Taiwan teachers are teaching in the mainland.



On how to further strengthen integration, Fu suggested promoting economic and trade cooperation by better connecting the island's land, sea, and air transportation infrastructure, such as increasing more direct flights between cities, building passenger and cargo ports, and logistics bases to enhance convenience.



Fu also proposed facilitating higher quality circulation of production factors between the island and the mainland, such as energy, resources, talent, funds, and technology between the two sides by adopting mutual recognition of industry standards, qualifications, inspection and quarantine.



"The economies on both sides of the Straits belong to the economy of the Chinese nation, and cooperation is mutually beneficial," Fu noted. He said a mechanism for government and Taiwan-funded enterprises to align their demand and supply lists in both directions can be explored, so as to promote the complementary and integrated development of the industrial chain and supply chain across the Straits.

In addition, Fu highlighted the importance of continuing to optimize the business environment, encourage enterprises on both sides of the Straits to form enterprise alliances and benefit from a unified market.



"We should support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises funded by Taiwan residents to grow stronger, and enhance the sense of achievement of Taiwan enterprises in integrating into the new development pattern," Fu noted.



Fu further added that Chinese culture is the root and belonging of the hearts of compatriots on both sides of the Straits. He suggested increasing efforts to protect cultural relics and historical sites related to Taiwan, and deeply exploring the patriotic history of Taiwan compatriots in different periods.

At the Saturday NPC meeting, Chen Yunying, a deputy to the 14th NPC from the island of Taiwan, also made remarks. She mentioned the regional election in Taiwan, saying it cannot represent mainstream opinions and that sensational campaign mobilization has deepened some residents' recognition of themselves as not being Chinese, which is a pity, media reported.

Taiwan question is one of highlights in this year's Government Work Report, which omitted the term "peaceful reunification." Instead, it said the central government will "be firm in advancing the cause of China's reunification."

Chinese observers believed this signals that countering secessionism has already become a priority in addressing the Taiwan question and opposing foreign interference, which is also a practical approach in regard of the status quo. Yet the central government's overall stance on the Taiwan question remains consistent and unchanged.

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Mar. 10, 2024

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2024/03/10

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1. Date:

6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Saturday to Sunday, Mar. 9-10

2. PLA activities:

7 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 of the aircraft entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities.



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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

March 9, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met yesterday in Washington with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Fidan discussed U.S.-TArkiye cooperation regarding Syria, the South Caucasus, and achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East. The Secretary and Foreign Minister agreed to enhance trade and investment between the United States and TArkiye and reaffirmed that, notwithstanding Russia's illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Black Sea region must remain safe and secure. They also recognized the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-TArkiye Fulbright program and welcomed the accession of Sweden as the 32nd NATO Ally. Their meeting capped two days of senior-level bilateral discussions held under the auspices of the U.S.-TArkiye Strategic Mechanism.

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Joint Statement on the U.S.-TArkiye Strategic Mechanism

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

March 9, 2024

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and TArkiye on the occasion of the seventh meeting of the U.S.-TArkiye Strategic Mechanism.

Begin Text:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan presided over the seventh meeting of the U.S.-TArkiye Strategic Mechanism on March 7-8, 2024, in Washington. The Strategic Mechanism featured open, collaborative, strategic discussions led by senior-level officials from the U.S. Department of State and TArkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 7, followed by a meeting between Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan on March 8.

Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan reiterated their commitment to a results-oriented, forward-looking, positive bilateral agenda that advances shared objectives and addresses emerging global challenges. They discussed strengthening the U.S.-TArkiye relationship on a wide range of issues, including regional priorities, counterterrorism, defense cooperation, economic growth, trade, energy security and climate change, and people-to-people ties.

Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan reiterated the support of the United States and TArkiye for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russia's unacceptable war. The United States welcomed TArkiye's efforts in the Black Sea, including the recently announced mine countermeasure task group and the facilitation of vital safe routes for grain and other international commerce.

Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan discussed the ongoing crisis in Gaza and reviewed their respective diplomatic engagements. They underlined the importance of finding a path towards ending the conflict and addressing the humanitarian crisis immediately. They also reaffirmed their commitment to a durable two-state solution.

Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan reiterated the need to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The United States and TArkiye relaunched the TArkiye-U.S. Counterterrorism Consultations during the Strategic Mechanism to expand cooperation against terrorism and addressing related networks engaged in organized crime and drug trafficking, as threats to their respective national security. The Secretary reiterated the United States' condemnation of the PKK terrorist organization, DHKP-C, as well as ISIS/DAESH targeting TArkiye and Turkish interests. The United States and TArkiye reiterated their shared commitment to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS/DAESH in Syria and Iraq and discussed cooperation to counter the threat of ISIS/DAESH and al-Qa'ida affiliates present in Africa and Central Asia.

Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan discussed all aspects of the Syrian crisis and reiterated the commitment of the United States and TArkiye to a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political process in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. TArkiye and the United States reiterated the importance of the repatriation of ISIS affiliated detainees and displaced persons from northeast Syria to their countries of origin, where they can be rehabilitated and reintegrated into their communities of origin, and, as appropriate, brought to justice.

The two sides also addressed broader issues in the Middle East and Africa, including the need to build regional stability and connections through increased economic and security cooperation.

Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan discussed the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and underscored the importance of preserving stability and channels for communication. The Secretary welcomed ongoing engagement between TArkiye and Greece, including the Fifth High-Level Cooperation Council in December 2023, in Athens and the signing of a TArkiye-Greece Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good Neighborliness.

On the South Caucasus, Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan committed to work together to promote a balanced and lasting peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and concurred that this would promote regional stability, cooperation, and welfare.

Looking ahead to the 75th NATO Summit in Washington, Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan discussed ways to bolster NATO coordination and solidarity in the face of current threats and challenges. They reaffirmed their long-standing commitment to collective defense as Allies, as well as to NATO's Open Door Policy. As NATO's two largest armed forces, both sides reiterated the importance of our commitments, as well as our renewed, two-way defense trade relationship to enhance capabilities, ensure interoperability and increase the strength of our collective security. The two ministers welcomed Sweden's accession as the 32nd NATO Ally that will strengthen the Alliance and Euro-Atlantic security.

Looking forward, Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan discussed opportunities to transform the U.S.-TArkiye security and defense relationship to build upon each country's significant capabilities and innovation to meet strategic challenges and opportunities. In this regard, they announced the U.S.-TArkiye Defense Trade Dialogue would meet in 2024 and both countries would pursue opportunities to advance defense industrial cooperation.

Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan appreciated the continuous growth in U.S.-TArkiye-bilateral trade, which has reached over 30 billion. They reaffirmed the importance of expanding economic and commercial cooperation and building upon existing bilateral foraasuch as the Digital Dialogue, held on March 4 in TArkiyeato broaden and deepen our economic cooperation. The two sides discussed capitalizing on financing opportunities under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment to create high standards for infrastructure in developing nations. Both sides endorsed an Energy and Climate Dialogue (ECD), which will be launched and co-chaired by the U.S. Department of Energy and TArkiye's Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources together with the participation of the U.S. State Department and TArkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ECD will advance energy security and the energy transition in both countries and cooperation on climate change. Both sides acknowledged, particularly in light of net zero targets, the growing importance of civil nuclear energy, both conventional and Small Modular Reactors, developed to the highest standards of safety, security, and nonproliferation, and encouraged Turkish and US public and private sectors to explore opportunities and develop concrete proposals for cooperation in this field.

Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan also recognized people-to-people relations between the two countries as one of the pillars of the bilateral relationship. This year's 75th anniversary of the U.S.-TArkiye Fulbright program is illustrative of this connection. The two sides acknowledged the 2021 Cultural Property Agreement through which 72 Turkish cultural and historic artifacts have been returned to TArkiye since the Agreement's entry into force as a reference point for the strength of our partnership.

Secretary Blinken and Minister Fidan welcomed their opportunity to use the Strategic Mechanism to build a positive, forward-looking, strategic vision to advance shared objectives. The two sides look forward to the continued advancement of the U.S.-Turkish strategic relationship and welcomed increased bilateral meetings.

End Text.

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Berlin: Nobody wants to send troops to Ukraine

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sat / 9 March 2024 / 11:42

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has categorically rejected the French president's suggestion.

Tehran-ISNA- Discussions about NATO boots on the ground in Ukraine need to end, because nobody actually wants that to happen, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Friday.

Pistorius was in Finland to visit the German troops taking part in NATO's Nordic Response wargames in the Arctic Circle. While there, he held a joint press conference with his Finnish counterpart Antti Hakkanen.

"Nobody really wants to have boots on the ground in Ukraine," Pistorius said, responding to a question about recent remarks made by French President Emmanuel Macron suggesting that the matter was open-ended.

Discussions about that "should stop," he added.

"Nobody is now supporting 'boots on the ground'," Hakkanen agreed.

Macron said last week that no option should be ruled out, including ground troops, because Russia can't be allowed to win. Only two Baltic states endorsed the idea, however, with most other NATO members publicly denouncing it.

Pistorius argued that what the West needs to do instead is ramp up the delivery of ammunition and equipment to the Ukrainian military.

"Germany is the second-largest supporter of Ukraine world wide," donating a7.5 billion ($8.2 billion) this year alone, Pistorius noted, adding that Berlin has sent "air defense, artillery, ammunition, what[ever] Ukraine needs."

Addressing questions about Germany's decision not to send Ukrainie its long-range Taurus missiles, Pistorius said that would be a step too far.

"We always emphasize that long-range missiles won't decide that war," he told reporters, adding that Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said "there is one decisive line we never will cross, and this is being participants, being party to the war."

Last week, RT published an audio recording and a transcript of a conversation between senior German Luftwaffe (air force) officers from mid-February, in which they discussed the use of Taurus missiles to destroy the Crimean Bridge. The generals assumed the missiles would be delivered and tried to come up with ways of helping Ukraine use them while maintaining plausible deniability.

Russia has repeatedly warned the US and its allies that deliveries of weapons to Ukraine will not prevent Moscow from achieving the goals of its military operation, and will only serve to prolong the fighting and increase the risk of a direct confrontation with NATO.

End Item

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Zelensky could fire foreign minister

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sat / 9 March 2024 / 11:40

Dmitry Kuleba may soon lose his job, as Kiev grows unhappy about the diplomatic service.

Tehrain-ISNA- Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is thinking about dismissing Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, the outlet Strana reported on Friday, citing a source in the presidential office.

Kuleba, 42, has been foreign minister since March 2020. Prior to that, he was deputy prime minister for Euro-Atlantic integration and Ukraine's envoy to the Council of Europe.

"There are a lot of questions for Kuleba," the anonymous source told Strana. "In particular, there are a lot of complaints regarding the candidacies of ambassadors provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

Zelensky's office is "generally dissatisfied with the diplomatic service," the source added.

Strana's report coincided with the resignation of OIeg Nikolenko, the chief spokesman for the Foreign Ministry. Posting a photo of himself with Kuleba on Facebook, he announced on Friday that his service with the ministry was ending, without specifying why.

According to Strana, the "most likely candidate" for the new foreign minister is Igor Zhovkva, Zelensky's deputy chief of staff, who oversees foreign policy at the presidential office.

End Item

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China calls on parties to Ukraine crisis to enhance direct engagement

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:58, March 09, 2024

UNITED NATIONS, March 8 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Friday called on the parties to the Ukraine crisis to enhance direct engagement and dialogue to find a solution.

As the Ukraine crisis drags on, aggravated attacks and civilian casualties continue to occur, and the humanitarian situation keeps worsening. China is deeply concerned and saddened by this, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

Conflict and confrontation produce no winner. All conflicts have to end at the negotiating table. The earlier the talks start, the sooner peace will arrive, he told the Security Council.

So long as all parties uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and properly address each other's legitimate concerns, Europe will be able to truly establish a balanced, effective, and sustainable security architecture, he said.

"We call on the parties concerned to remain calm and exercise restraint, enhance direct engagement and dialogue, gradually build consensus, and jointly explore viable solutions," he said. "The international community should also increase diplomatic efforts to facilitate the de-escalation of the situation and create conditions for a political settlement."

On the Ukraine issue, China has always held an objective and just position and has never given up efforts to facilitate talks for peace. China supports the holding in due course of an international peace conference that is recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, that ensures the equal participation of all parties and fair discussions on all peace plans, said Geng.

China is ready to continue communication and engagement with all parties to work tirelessly to consolidate consensus for ending the conflict, to pave the way for dialogue and peace talks, and to promote a political solution, he said.

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Russian Military Says Dozens Of Ukrainian Drones Launched Over Russian Territory

By RFE/RL March 09, 2024

Russia's military said Ukraine launched dozens of drones over western and southern Russia overnight, causing minimal damage and casualties.

The Defense Ministry on March 9 claimed that 47 drones in all were intercepted or downed over the Rostov, Kursk, Belgorod, and Volgograd regions. Local officials said an emergency worker was slightly wounded, possibly by falling debris.

One drone attack was reported at a facility in Taganrog, where A-50 command surveillance planes are maintained.

Two A-50 planes have been allegedly downed by Ukrainian forces in recent months. The planes help provide airborne guidance for Russian jets and ships, firing missiles at targets in Ukraine.

Ukraine made no comment on the drone flights but did report downing a dozen Russian drones over central Ukrainian regions. No casualties were reported.

Russia also claimed on March 9 that it had shot down a Ukrainian fighter jet over the eastern Donetsk region. Ukraine also had no comment on the claim about the MiG-29 jet.

Russian forces are making slow, steady gains in several places in Ukraine. Last month, Ukrainian troops withdrew from the industrial city of Avdiyivka after months of armored and infantry assaults. Since then, Russian units have pushed gradually west.

In the town of Chasiv Yar, west of the city of Bakhmut, which was captured by Russian troops last year, a Ukrainian man was killed overnight by Russian shelling, local authorities said.

Vadym Filashkin, the regional military administrator, said at least two apartment buildings were damaged in the shelling and at least one other person was wounded.

In the Nikopol district of the Dnipropetrovsk region, a 16-year-old boy was killed as a result of Russian shelling, regional military administrator Serhiy Lysak said.

Elsewhere, Poland's foreign minister said the presence of NATO forces in Ukraine "is not unthinkable" and that he appreciated the French president for not ruling out that idea.

Radek Sikorski made the observation March 8 during a discussion in the Polish parliament. The Foreign Ministry later tweeted the comments in English.

Last month French President Emmanuel Macron said the possibility of Western troops being sent to Ukraine could not be ruled out.

French officials later sought to clarify Macron's remarks and tamp down the backlash, while insisting on the need to send a clear signal to Russia that it cannot win its war in Ukraine.

The Kremlin has warned that if NATO sends combat troops, a direct conflict between the alliance and Russia would be inevitable.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-says-ukrainian- drones-launched/32854860.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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Russian Iskander Missile Destroys Two US-Made Patriot Systems in Donetsk - Source

Sputnik News

20240309

LUGANSK (Sputnik) - Two US-made Patriot systems were among the hardware of Ukrainian troops destroyed by a strike of Russia's Iskander missile in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), a security source told Sputnik on Saturday.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported Iskander's strike earlier in the day. Its preliminary data suggested the strike destroyed an S-300 missile system of Ukrainian troops near the town of Pokrovsk in the DPR. Sputnik later obtained footage suggesting there were three missile systems destroyed by Iskander's strike.

"A control analysis has found that captured on the video was not only the S-300, as previously stated, but two of the three vehicles destroyed [by the strike] were the Patriot missile systems," the source said.

The Iskander tactical missile system is a high-precision weapon with a firing range of up to 500 kilometers. The missile's warhead can destroy almost any target: enemy command posts, columns of equipment, or air defenses.

Iskander can be armed with both ballistic and winged projectiles, which create false electronic interference as they approach the target and become virtually invulnerable to enemy air defense systems. Cruise missiles can fly at ultra-low altitudes and skirt terrain.

The US sent Ukraine Raytheon-made air defense systems last spring, but they have had difficulties intercepting Russian projectiles and have been targeted themselves. In January this year, an advisor to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Air Force Command admitted that Ukraine's NATO-sourced air defenses have never actually managed to intercept even one of the estimated 300 Kh-22 series missiles Russian warplanes had launched into Ukraine since 2022.

In May 2023, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that its forces had destroyed a Kiev-stationed Patriot with a hypersonic Kinzhal missile. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced a successful hit on another Patriot two weeks later.

Western countries have been providing Ukraine with military equipment since the start of Russia's special military operation in February 2022. The support evolved from lighter artillery munitions and training to heavier weapons, including tanks. Ukraine eventually started pushing for Western-made fighter jets, which its donors abroad long resisted.

The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, saying it would lead to further escalation of the conflict. In April 2022, Russia sent a diplomatic note to all NATO countries on the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russian strikes.

A Sputnik

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Iskander Missile Makes Short Work of Ukrainian S-300 Air Defense System

Sputnik News

20240309

Russia's Ministry of Defense reported on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine.

Footage provided by the Russian Ministry of Defense has shown an Iskander missile blasting a group of Ukrainian transporters with S-300 launcher mounts near a woodland area.

The powerful explosion caused by the precision strike obliterates them while S-300 projectiles also subsequently detonate - causing a fireball-like explosion all around the area.

In the Ministry of Defense's regular briefing, it was informed that the Russian Armed Forces improved their positions in the Donetsk, South Donetsk and Avdeyevka areas.

Enemy losses amounted to 975 soldiers, as well as a tank, three US-made M-777 howitzers, a RM-70 MLRS aka "Vampire", French Caesar howitzer, US-made "Stryker" IFV and MiG-29.

In addition, the Russian army destroyed several electromagnetic warfare installations and numerous ammunition depots.

Apart from the MiG-29 fighter jet, Russian air defenses shot down 197 drones and three HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system shells, as well as a French-made Hammer guided bomb over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

"The air defense systems shot down a Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft near the village of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk People's Republic. Over the past 24 hours, three rockets from the US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system and a French-made Hammer guided bomb were intercepted," the ministry said.

A Sputnik

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Zelensky Rejects Proposed Peace Summit, Negotiation With Russia

Sputnik News

20240309

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's idea to hold a peace summit with Russia's participation.

"We don't see Russian representatives at such a summit," Zelensky said at a joint conference with the Turkish leader in Istanbul, reiterating his old thesis that a peace plan should be prepared by other countries without Moscow's participation - an idea already repeatedly rejected by Russia.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara is ready to host a peace summit on Ukraine with Russia's participation. He recalled that the Black Sea Initiative prevented a global food crisis.

"We are ready to hold a peace summit with Russia's participation. The Black Sea Initiative helped prevent a global food crisis. This agreement was again concluded in this hall. We are ready to provide all possible support to the new agreement, as before," the Turkish leader said during a press statement with the participation of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul on Friday.

Moscow has repeatedly indicated that it is ready for talks, but Kiev has introduced a legislative ban on them. The West ignores Ukraine's constant refusals to engage in dialogue.

According to the Kremlin, the conflict in Ukraine can move to a peaceful course if the de facto situation and new realities are taken into account, and all of Moscow's demands are well known.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that if Ukraine wants a negotiation process, performative gestures are not the way. It is necessary to cancel the decree prohibiting negotiations with Russia. According to the president, Russia has never been against the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine by peaceful means, but insists on the observance of Russian security guarantees.

A Sputnik

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In times of war, culture holds even greater significance than in times of peace - Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Taras Shevchenko National Prize ceremony

President of Ukraine

9 March 2024 - 15:41

During wartime, cultural figures are crucial as they narrate the story of Ukraine, preserve the memory of everything the Ukrainian people endure, reviving what gives people strength. This was emphasized by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his speech at the ceremony of the Taras Shevchenko National Prize 2024.

"In times of war - even more so than in times of peace - we must all remember the significance of culture. And people of culture matter. Everyone who speaks out for Ukraine. Who voices what's on their hearts. Who preserves everything we go through. Who revives what could have been forgotten but, renewed, gives people strength, gives emotions," said the President.

The Head of State said that Ukrainians have come a long way to become a nation, creators of their culture, state, and destiny.

"For a human community to become a nation and a state, the best characters in the country must have hearts that do not live only for themselves. Such hearts speak to those around them. They care. They teach - teach to understand. They unite. Protect. Save when necessary. And in the end, we all recognize each other, feel each other, feel that we are Ukrainians," said the Head of State.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this became possible not only thanks to the strength of our weapons but also to the strength of our people's hearts.

"In Mariupol, during the most terrifying days, there are those who understand: what they see, they must capture, preserve to later tell the whole world about it. Whether it's a person who doesn't want human memory to lose what was seen somewhere along the road to Bahmut or experienced in temporarily occupied Skadovsk. And who feels: they must record this, rhyme this moment, rhyme this pain. Or an artist who believes that the people of Ukraine, killed in this war, will be preserved in the emotions of those who are alive. And who speaks about it through their music. So that every living person in Ukraine remembers what this land is about, what its people are about, what thoughts the mother has, who is waiting for her son or daughter here, in Ukraine," said the President.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to everyone who lives not only for themselves but also cares for people and the entire Ukrainian state.

"I thank you, I thank everyone who is now on the front lines and who is with those who are on the front lines. Those who are with Ukraine and cherish and develop it," said the Head of State.

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The President of Ukraine met with representatives of defense companies in Istanbul

President of Ukraine

9 March 2024 - 01:47

During his working visit to the Republic of TArkiye, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with representatives of the Turkish defense industry.

"Agreements on joint defense projects, both at the government level and between companies, have been reached. I am very pleased with this. I met with representatives of the Turkish defense industry. We are prepared to move quickly to put everything we discussed into action. I am very satisfied with the discussions with defense companies, and confident that the results will be strong," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with media representatives in Istanbul.

The President said that Ukraine is prepared to quickly resolve issues regarding economic cooperation with TArkiye, particularly the reconstruction of our country and advancing bilateral agreements.

"Ukraine and TArkiye are strengthening each other and our entire region. We are working towards joint arms production, which will strengthen our region. There are already representatives of Turkish business in Ukraine. It's our strategic direction of cooperation - more strength for our peoples," added the Head of State.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy handed over a list of Ukrainian citizens detained by Russia during the meeting with Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan

President of Ukraine

9 March 2024 - 01:33

As part of his working visit to TArkiye, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the Republic of TArkiye Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan.

The negotiations took place in a narrow circle and with the participation of delegations.

"Talks between Ukraine and TArkiye are always sincere and fruitful. The obvious priority is that we are trying to enhance our security and our strength as much as possible, to quickly restore a just peace for all our land and all our people, and for the Black Sea region," said the Head of the Ukrainian state during a meeting with media representatives following the negotiations with the President of TArkiye in Istanbul.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan and the people of TArkiye for their support of our state's independence and territorial integrity and all our people. He separately expressed gratitude to the Turkish leader for efforts to release Ukrainian citizens from Russian captivity.

"Thanks to TArkiye's mediation, we have achieved significant humanitarian results. We are now counting on further efforts. Today, I submitted a list of our Ukrainian citizens, including Crimean Tatars, who have been repressed by Russia in Ukraine's occupied territories and are being held in Russian prisons and camps under extremely harsh and inhumane conditions. We must release them all, both warriors and civilians, those who were captured while defending their people, and those who suffer Russian repression simply because of who they are a Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars, everyone... Such as Nariman Dzhelyal, Lenie Umerova, Server Mustafayev, and all other unlawfully detained persons," said the President.

During the meeting, the parties also paid significant attention to the implementation of the Peace Formula and preparations for the Global Peace Summit at the leaders' level, organized in Switzerland.

"It is obvious that TArkiye's special role deserves your country's leadership to be demonstrated at the peace summit and in the joint work of the world majority for the full implementation of the Peace Formula," said the Head of the Ukrainian state.

At the same time, he emphasized that the format of the inaugural peace summit does not include inviting representatives of Russia to participate.

"We do not see how it is possible to invite people who are blocking, destroying, and killing everything. We want to achieve a result - a just peace for Ukraine. Therefore, first, civilized countries of the world will develop a detailed plan and have results, and only then will they involve representatives of Russia - those who are ready for a just peace," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Presidents of Ukraine and TArkiye also discussed food security and ensuring stability in the Black Sea region.

"The Ukrainian maritime corridor operates with consistent efficiency - almost 30 million tonnes of cargo have already passed through the corridor. We are grateful to our Turkish partners for their constant cooperation. I am confident that we can do much more. The entire Black Sea needs security, so we need to stop Russian aggression," said the Head of State.

For his part, the President of the Republic of TArkiye emphasized support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence.

"It's very important for Ukraine to have a strong economy and lasting peace in the future," said Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan.

He affirmed TArkiye's support for Ukraine's goals regarding Euro-Atlantic integration and expressed readiness to assist in the reconstruction of our state.

"We provide strong support for Ukraine's reconstruction. In this context, in January, we held a forum on the reconstruction of Ukraine in Istanbul," said the President of TArkiye.

Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan also emphasized that Crimean Tatars are steadfastly fighting for the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, and his country will continue to support the Crimean Tatar people.

"The Crimean Tatars in Ukraine are one of the important factors in strengthening friendship between our two countries. I thank the President for guaranteeing the rights of our brothers and his work to strengthen their autonomous status. We have always supported the Crimean Tatars and will continue to do so," said the President of TArkiye.

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Zelenskyy Praises Ukraine's Cultural Leaders, Front-Line Fighters

By VOA News March 09, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that the culture that is keeping Ukrainians united and steadfast against the enemy is as powerful as its weapons.

Zelenskyy spoke at the ceremony for the Taras Shevchenko National Prize, Ukraine's top cultural award. He thanked cultural leaders who help maintain the history and cultural identity of the Ukrainian people through their works, art and teaching.

"For a human community to become a nation and a state, the best characters in the country must have hearts that do not live only for themselves. Such hearts speak to those around them. They care. They teach a teach to understand. They unite. Protect. Save when necessary. And in the end, we all recognize each other, feel each other, feel that we are Ukrainians," he said.

Zelenskyy thanked everyone "who is now on the front lines and who is with those who are on the front lines."

Papal message

With fierce fighting continuing between Ukraine and Russia, Pope Francis urged Ukraine to "have the courage to negotiate" an end to the war with Russia, now in its third year.

According to a transcript of the pontiff's interview last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI and a partial video made available to Reuters on Saturday, the pope made the comments when asked whether Ukraine should surrender because it has not been able to repel Russian forces, or if doing so would legitimize actions by the strongest party.

In the question the interviewer used the term "white flag" to refer to peace negotiations initiated by Ukraine.

"It is one interpretation, that is true," Francis said adding, "I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates," he said, adding that talks should take place with the help of international powers.

The interview is slated for broadcast on March 20.

A spokesperson for Zelenskyy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the pope's remarks.

Zelenskyy has said that while he wants peace, he will not give up any territory. The Kremlin has ruled out engaging in peace talks on terms set by Kyiv.

Turkey to host peace summit

Pope Francis made his comments well before the announcement Friday by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to host a peace summit between Ukraine and Russia. The Turkish leader expressed his intentions after a meeting with Zelenskyy in Istanbul.

"We are giving our utmost contribution for the war to end on the basis of negotiations," Erdogan said, reiterating Ankara's support for Ukraine's sovereignty.

Ankara "will once again emphasize that our strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, including Crimea, continues," a Turkish diplomatic source told Agence France-Presse.

Last week, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan urged Ukraine and Russia to begin cease-fire talks after meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, and added that such talks must not mean the recognition of Russia's occupation.

As part of its balancing act between Ukraine and Russia, Ankara has offered to host peace talks while keeping up its defense industry ties with Ukraine and deepening its energy cooperation with Russia. Additionally, it has inked an accord to take part in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.

Russian attacks continue

Ukrainian officials say three people were killed, including a 16-year-old boy, in Russian artillery attacks that hit the town of Chervonohryhorivka located across the Dnipro River from the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, while a 7-year-old child was wounded by a Russian bomb that landed Saturday in a residential area, in the southern city of Kherson.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its air force shot down a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet over Pokrovsk, a city in the Donetsk region with an important railroad junction that is a prime Russian target after Ukrainian forces retreated from Avdiivka last month, a significant setback for Ukraine's war effort.

The Russian defense ministry also said Saturday that its forces shot down 41 drones over the Rostov region home to Russia's southern military command.

"Air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed over the territories of Belgorod region (one drone), Kursk region (two drones), Volgograd region (three drones) and Rostov region (41 drones)," the Russian army said on social media.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Ukraine downs 12 drones

Kyiv's air force said earlier it had downed 12 out of 15 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russia over the eastern Donetsk region and central Dnipropetrovsk and Poltava regions.

In the eastern Donetsk region, Ukraine said Saturday it had evacuated almost 200 people from front-line villages, including 21 children, amid fighting.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.

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Xinhua Commentary: China-Europe rail route stabilizes global supply chains amid turmoil

Xinhua) 11:09, March 10, 2024

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict spills into the Red Sea, disrupting vital shipping lanes and global supply chains, attention is being drawn to the land-based rail route between China and Europe.

The China-Europe freight train service, a flagship program of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is experiencing a surge in demand amidst the turmoil, highlighting its critical role as a dependable trade route that contributes to the resilience of global supply chains.

The growing popularity of the freight train service stems from its safety, reliability, and resilience against external disruptions.

Unlike maritime routes, which are susceptible to piracy, adverse weather conditions, and geopolitical tensions, the land-based China-Europe freight train channel offers a faster, more secure and stable alternative.

Safety concerns are significantly reduced along the rail route because it avoids piracy-prone waterways and potential conflict zones. This assurance of security is especially appealing to businesses that need to carry high-value goods and cargo.

The freight rail service goes to great lengths to ensure timely delivery and minimize supply chain disruptions. Therefore, companies can better manage their logistics with scheduled departures and specified transit durations, reducing the risk of delays and uncertainty that are prevalent in maritime shipping.

In addition, the China-Europe freight train service is highly cost-effective. In reaction to the Red Sea crisis, many shipping corporations have to redirect their routes through South Africa's Cape of Good Hope. This move, which adds 14 days to normal East-to-West container ship voyages and 18 days for slower bulk carriers and tankers, eventually results in higher costs.

A report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in February showed that shipping fees from Shanghai to Europe via sea transport have increased by some three times since November.

This surge in costs has diminished the price advantage traditionally associated with sea freight. Currently, rail freight from China's Chongqing municipality to Europe is about 30 percent cheaper than sea freight. As a matter of fact, over a decade of development, the full-process costs of China-Europe freight trains have decreased by over 30 percent compared to their initial operation costs.

Amidst the Red Sea crisis, an analysis by Foreign Policy magazine in late January called China "ahead of the curve" and the BRI "a blueprint for what every nation needs in an age of uncertainty and disruption."

"The solution to supply shocks is more supply chains. More belts, more roads," it wrote.

The China-Europe freight train service, a pivotal component of the BRI, epitomizes this sentiment by offering new possibilities for global trade to navigate various challenges.

The rail line, which connects 219 cities in 25 European countries, is not in competition with maritime shipping, but rather complements it. Both forms of transportation work together to ensure the smooth flow of commodities and promote global economic stability amid uncertainties and volatility. 

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Sheng Chuyi)
Bearman heads to Melbourne, as Sainz meets with Mercedes

Impressive F1 rookie Oliver Bearman will travel to Australia next week so that he can remain on standby for the recovering Ferrari regular Carlos Sainz.

Carlos Sainz, Saudi Arabian GP 2024

 Ferrari

Following his emergency appendix surgery, Sainz walked slowly and cautiously back into the Jeddah paddock on Saturday, where British teenage Formula 2 star Bearman, 18, was preparing to race the Spaniard's red car on the fast Saudi streets.

Briton Bearman impressed, finishing seventh, but attention was already turning to whether Sainz will be well enough to return to his cockpit in Melbourne.

We will probably only make a decision in Melbourne, team boss Frederic Vasseur said. At least we now know that we have a good replacement in Ollie.

Experienced F1 doctor Riccardo Ceccarelli had said a day earlier that Sainz should have enough time to be fit for Melbourne. Vasseur said: "We have to take it step by step.

He has to recover first and we will make a decision next week. We will have Oliver in the team just in case, but we are already optimistic that he (Sainz) will be there again.

Sainz will travel from Saudi Arabia to his native Madrid on Sunday, but just a couple of days later will be en route on the long haul to Australia.

I visited him this morning, Vasseur said on Saturday, "and he looked quite well. He was here today. He is in pain and has difficulty walking, so some serious recovery lies ahead.

He needs to rest well this week, so we'll see. Now we need to focus on Melbourne.

Some believe Sainz, 29, was determined to return to the Jeddah paddock on Saturday to demonstrate his intense commitment to Formula 1 - as a key meeting about his future took place.

DAZN, the Spanish F1 broadcaster, captured images of Sainz's father, Carlos Sainz snr, as well as his manager and advisor, Carlos Orono, coming out of the Mercedes hospitality area after a meeting with Toto Wolff.

That is the job that every driver and every manager has to do, said former F1 driver Pedro de la Rosa.

They say in F1 that managers are so important because when you sign a contract, they start studying how they can break it, he laughed. In the end, what you learn in this sport is that you are worth only as much as your last race.

(GMM)
Shoppers at Andersen Air Force Base Exchange are enjoying the sweet smell of Bath and Body Works, thanks to the store-in-store concept.

The Base Exchange, or BX, cut the ribbon on the store-in-store concept in February, making it the second retail store on Guam to offer the popular brands products.

The product assortment includes the brands aromatherapy line, candles, hand soaps, shower gel, lotions and mist, hand sanitizer and Wallflower plugs.

Shoppers have been absolutely thrilled to have these products in the main store, Andersen AFB Exchange general manager George McNamara said in a press release. Being so far from mainland U.S., numerous customers have commented on how the Bath and Body Works shop really makes them feel more at home here.

Army and Air Force Exchange Service Pacific Region senior vice president Jesse Martinez, Pacific Region vice president Larry Salgado and Softlines vice president Marissa Carpenter were in attendance to help celebrate the grand opening with the Andersen Exchange team.

The Exchange is committed to making life better for all who call Andersen Air Force Base home, McNamara said. Its an honor to make it easy and convenient for our service members and military families to enjoy their favorite brands.

The Andersen AFB main Exchange is at Building 24016 and is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Since 1895, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing.

The Exchange is the 54th-largest retailer in the United States, and 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities.
The Guam Election Commission released an invitation for bids for a commercial office space that it can lease from June 1 to Nov. 30 for this years early voting for the primaries and the general election.

Some 5,000 rentable sq.ft. of space is needed, and space must be contiguous on one floor with at least 4,000 sq.ft. of open floor space, the commission said.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Guam enacted an early voting law for the 2020 elections.

A similar law was enacted in 2021, making the 30-day early voting a permanent option for Guam voters starting in the 2022 elections.

With GECs existing office space not large enough to accommodate early voters daily, the commission had to lease a commercial space for it starting in 2022.

In the 2022 elections, GEC awarded the commercial space contract to The Westin Resort Guam after beating two other bidders. It bagged a contract of about $72,500 for five months.

This years primaries are set for Aug. 3, while the general election is Nov. 5.

For this year, the deadline to submit a bid for an early voting space is at 2 p.m. on April 5.

Bid submissions must include a floor plan of the building identifying the proposed lease space. There are also office building requirements, including power, water, on-site maintenance and security.

GEC requires that the commercial space is located within 5 driving miles of the current GEC office at 241 Farenholt Ave. in Tamuning.

The proposed six-month lease is subject to the availability of funds, among other things.

GEC Executive Director Maria Pangelinan over the weekend said funding for the early voting place is already included in the annual budget.
Potential delegate candidate Ginger Cruz issued a statement over the weekend saying that while some states secured supplemental security income, or SSI, win in Congress, Guam is "left at a loss."

A businesswoman and prominent advocate for Guam's rights and equitable policy, Cruz was commenting on the passage of new Compact of Free Association, or COFA, agreements and the mixed implications for Guam and Micronesia.

These COFA agreements, vital for national security and regional development, also shine a glaring light on the challenges faced by Guam.

"We stand in support of our fellow Micronesian families and the broader national security objectives of the COFA agreements. At the same time we know the unique cost of these agreements to the people of Guam  over $300 million to date, lost, that could have been used for our schools, roads, hospital, and prison," Cruz said. "Add to that the loss of millions in future reimbursements for Compact related costs."

Cruz said there has to be a more balanced approach to federal policymaking.

"We cant be asleep at the wheel as these issues are being debated by Congress," she said in a press release.

Cruz points to a new level of unfairness by Congress despite the existence of a Guam delegate.

Republican Del. James Moylan is seeking re-election and could face off with whoever wins in the Democratic primary among three potential candidates: Cruz, Sen. Amanda Shelton and former Del. Michael San Nicolas.

"The introduction of a double standard regarding SSI adds another layer to our challenges. Under the terms of what is called 'Compact Impact Fairness Act' new provisions of law make it so non-citizen residents from FAS states are eligible for SSI, a benefit that Guam residents are denied. And while federal law requires that this benefit may only be extended 'at the option of the Governor'  no Governor should be put in that position," Cruz said.

She said the point though is even simpler: "Without a delegate to Congress or the benefit of being U.S. soil, COFA representatives got more out of Congress than we did.

Cruz uses an analogy to highlight the situation.

If I invited 100 people to your house for potluck dinner and did not bring any food with me, none of us would enjoy the party," she said. "That is what is happening here."

This scenario mirrors Guam's current predicament, she said, "welcoming, yet overstretched, due to policies that fail to account for our island's unique position and the failure at the federal level to address the burden it is causing."
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Haiti - FLASH : Night military evacuation of non-essential personnel from the American Embassy





As heavily armed gangs continue to spread terror and turn Port-au-Prince into a battlefield, the State Department sent U.S. Marines on Sunday to reinforce security at its Embassy and evacuate non-essential personnel.



The operation took place this Sunday in the middle of the night and was carried out by helicopter by the American army at the request of the State Department.



"This airlift of personnel into and out of the embassy is consistent with our standard practice for embassy security augmentation worldwide, and no Haitians were on board the military aircrafte the United States Southern Command said in a statement.



This airlift comes amid ongoing gang attacks in several locations around the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, including in Tabarre, where the US embassy is located. Several neighboring businesses were looted and stormed by armed gangs who now control more than 80% of Port-au-Prince.



The U.S. Embassy in Haiti remains open. Heightened gang violence in the neighborhood near U.S. embassy compounds and near the airport led to the State Department's decision to arrange for the departure of additional embassy personnel. All arriving and departing passengers work for the U.S. government.



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Haiti - Politic : Canada grants $30M for 2 projects in Haiti





Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, reiterated Canada's commitment to supporting the Caribbean region, including 30 million for two projects in Haiti.



- $15 million will be allocated to the "Green Corridor in the Baraderes-Cayemites protected area" project in Haiti, which will support climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation while contributing to food security and sustainable economic opportunities for vulnerable people. Implemented by Viridis Terra International and the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation, the project contributes to Canadas international climate finance commitment and meets the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework presented at COP15 in Montreal.



- $15 million will be allocated to the "Investing in midwives, ensuring the right to access sexual health services" project in Haiti, implemented by the United Nations Population Fund, which aims to improve and save the lives of marginalized women and girls by increasing access to maternal and child healthcare, sexual and reproductive health services, and gender-based violence care.



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Haiti - USA : Declaration of the Haitian-American Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus McCormick





In a statement, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus Mccormick and Co-Chairs of the Haiti Caucus urge their colleagues in Congress to join the Biden-Harris administration and the international community in funding urgent aid aimed at restoring the security of the people Haitian.



Text of the declaration :



"The time has come for Prime Minister Ariel Henry to do what is right for the Haitian people. He should not return to Haiti, and he should immediately hand over power to a transitional consensus government. It is crucial that all parties in Haiti urgently put aside their differences and form a transitional government that does not include Ariel Henry, criminals and/or associated organizations. No



one's personal ambition is worth the blood of innocent Haitian lives.



We continue to be deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Haiti. At least 80% of Port-au-Prince is under the control of the gangs, while de facto Prime Minister Ariel Henry is out of the country and has



no credibility to lead. Last year alone, there were nearly 5,000 murders, 2,000 kidnappings, and more than 310,000 people who have been internally displaced. Gangs are routinely using sexual violence and have threatened to start a civil war. Enough is enough.



We urge our colleagues in Congress to join the Biden-Harris Administration and the international community in funding urgent assistance to restore security for the Haitian people. Every day we wait for this critical funding, more Haitians will die. The clock is ticking."



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Haiti - News : Zapping...





The FBI discreetly moves Ariel Henry

Friday March 8, 2024, Ariel Henry would have left around 2:30 p.m. the Courtyard hotel on Isla Verde where he had been since March 5 to go to another secret location, but still in Puerto Rico. He was escorted by FBI agents who have been with him since his arrival in Puerto Rico. This change of location was allegedly caused because a group of protesters from the Haitian community had gathered in front of the hotel the day before to demonstrate and demand his resignation...



Risk of water shortage in PAP

Guyto Edouard, Director General of the National Directorate of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DINEPA, warns of the consequences of the violence due to the fact that "the institution's technicians are unable to access the various sites in the region metropolitan area. The water supply situation in the capital is literally worrying,3 declares Guyto Edouard, calling for the creation of a humanitarian corridor.



Shortage of medicines...

The deterioration of the security climate is causing significant difficulties for community and hospital pharmacies who can no longer have the essential intrans and medications they need to replenish their stocks delivered, which endangers the lives of patients...



Agreement of December 21 : Emergency appeal to the Nation

In an emergency appeal to the Nation of the signatories of the Consensus of December 21 including Marjorie Michel, Me Andre Michel and Edmonde Supplice Beauzile, declare "[...] The duty of every patriot today is to stand as one man and only one woman to save the Republic. The battle is against the Haitian people, whoever you are, in power or in the opposition. As events plot, unfold and unravel in the twists and turns of an infernal maze, there is a plan against you, against us, which must confirm our moral bankruptcy. The International Community, which advocates so much for Peace throughout the world, must position itself against the battle of the allied gangs."



Canada and Barbados deeply concerned

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with Mia Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados. Both leaders expressed deep concern about increasing gang violence and unrest in Haiti. They agreed that it was necessary to urgently deploy the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) in order to advance the efforts made by the Haitian National Police (PNH) to improve the security conditions of the population. Trudeau welcomed Barbados' commitment to providing security personnel to the Mission and stressed that Canada remains committed to working with Barbados, Kenya and other partners to ensure the success of this Mission.



Ministry of the Interior attacked

Friday March 8, 2024 in the evening, the Ministry of the Interior, at the Champ de Mars, was attacked. Contrary to the rumors that circulated it was not set on fire. Only 2 vehicles in the parking lot were set on fire and part of the facade of the Ministry bears traces of bullet holes See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41853-haiti-flash-bloody-failure-of-an-attempt-to-take-the-national-palace.html



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Finland is new to NATOs nuclear alliance. With its legacy of neutrality and diplomacy, the new NATO member has the choice of whether to continue to explore avenues for diplomacy, or whether to turn up the reliance on nuclear weapons of mass destruction. Calling for these warheads to be based in Finland is provocative for threatening a form of nuclear proliferation under the benign term of nuclear sharing.

Finland petitioned to become a member NATO in May of 2022 and realized their aim on 7 April 2023. Their accession followed decades of neutrality and nonaligned status. Finlands 1340 km border with Russia is now boots, barbed wire, and tanks as a function of the military exercises taking place. Finland has shaken free of its self-imposed Finlandization, a cautious eastward facing policy adopted throughout the Cold War to avoid antagonizing its neighbor. The indigenous Arctic Sami people can no longer readily roam between Norway, Finland, and Russia as has been their birthright and custom for millennia.

In the current Presidential election cycle, after the nine-candidate run-off election, Finnish citizens were able to choose between Alexander Stubb, representing the National Coalition Party, and Pekka Haavisto, running as an independent, but affiliated with the Green party. Haavistos sexuality, combined with voters varying degrees of bias rendered the candidate unattractive for up to 45% of conservatives and 30% of liberals, and this dominated the news leading up to election day. This mar in the veneer of Finlands progressive national identity detracted from other substantive issues: the war against Russia has eclipsed climate change as the dominating national cause, and Finland has yielded its former diplomatic neutrality for an offensive realist national security posture as part of a NATO nuclear force.

Finland joins NATO with a mixture of understated emotions: anxiety about Finlands security, pride in freely expressing national sovereignty, and empathy toward Ukraines war against Russia. The publics overwhelming approval toward joining NATO was well documented in opinion polls following the Russian invasion. Prime Minister Sanna Marin spoke of the importance of not being afraid to bid for NATO accession. Yet Finns were worried about being isolated, like Ukraine, without being a member of the Cold War security alliance. They doubted that the European Unions Mutual Defense Clause would be a sufficient guarantor of defense assistance were Russia to invade their nation. Finns empathy with Ukraine was visceral and clear as the Ukrainian flag dominated Helsinki landmarks, including the train station, unaccompanied by either the Finnish or EU flag. United States Secretary of State Antony Blinkens words resonated with Finns deepest held sentiments, stating that theyd walked in the Ukrainian shoes in 1939.

National pride, solidarity, and relief of joining NATOs security apparatus unify Finns. Thus, the two Presidential candidates seemed close on the key issues of providing ongoing support to Ukraine and standing for the rule of law nationally and internationally. However, with respect to how Finland positions itself within and toward NATO, the two candidates differed. Candidate Haavisto would have kept diplomatic channels open to the Russian president, while Candidate Stubb refuses contact, and has been quick to suspect the Russian Federation of foul play. With respect to NATOs 2010 adoption of its identity as a nuclear security alliance, Stubb is favorable toward Finland actively participating in nuclear sharing as a host state while Haavisto would have opted for less ambitious participation in NATO nuclear planning. Nuclear sharing entails hosting US B61-12 nuclear gravity bombs which then would come under a nations command and control within wartime contexts. Nuclear planning means joining in strategic discussions, and joining in military exercises.

It is highly unlikely that NATOs command would invite Finland to host nuclear weapons, because US and western European states would actively oppose the idea, and the Alliance deterrent would not be strengthened by such deployments. Neither is it clear that Finland will alter its constitution that prohibits nuclear weapons on its territory. Poland has repeatedly sought to attain nuclear sharing status in order to gain more status within NATO, without any suggestion that NATO deems this warranted. Thus, Stubbs openness to Finlands hosting NATOs nukes may be gratuitous. However, as with Donald Trumps headline provocation that invites Russia to invade those NATO countries not paying their dues, regardless of how absurd, still sends powerful signals.

With the battle against climate change to limit emissions to a 2 C temperature rise, and the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists 90 seconds to midnight countdown combined with a new and intensifying arms race, suggestions that Finland participate in nuclear sharing are a dangerous distraction. They jibe with an old fashioned tough guy masculinity, and embrace nuclear proliferation (NATO has not based nuclear weapons in any new states since the NPT was negotiated in 1967). They fail to grasp the disproportionate nature of the nuclear security dilemma, threatening the survival of billions worldwide to deter a local invasion with conventional arms.

Finland is new to the nuclear security dilemma, and with Stubbs presidency, celebrates its new-found importance in a security alliance that predated the Warsaw Pact and outlived the collapse of the Soviet Union. Created by the colonial powers Belgium, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, each with their own struggles to maintain order over subjugated territories, NATO currently represents the wealthiest nations with the highest consumption levels. It is the most powerful alliance the world has ever seen. As well, the leading NATO power, the US, was recently seeking full spectrum military dominance over all nations. Some viewed this to be humanitys best hope to relinquish global security needs to the US, which then over time will be the sole remaining dominant superpower. But others point out that this is a fantasy, that the US rivals of China and Russia will never let this happen without sparking World War III.

NATO membership creates a strong dependency on the United States and its (often inconsistent) foreign policy. Israel is a case in point demonstrating how disproportional force that can be marshalled by a local hegemon, in this case a state with a secret nuclear arsenal. Israel remains outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty widely promoted by the US, yet justifies its military strikes against alleged nuclear facilities in Syria and Iraq, and potentially against Iran, by accusing these states of violating their NPT obligations. President Biden continues to stand by while Israel daily wreaks havoc on Gaza. US allies, including Finland, did not vote for the initial October 2023 United Nations resolution for truce, did co-sponsor the December 2023 humanitarian ceasefire. Finland is purchasing advanced weapons systems from Israel.

Finland has a long and proud history in managing difficult and complex relations involving a far more powerful neighbour, alongside an approach to global politics that recognizes the importance of diplomacy and agreements. Some believe that it was the 1975 Helsinki Accords that created a process that ended the Cold War. Now that Finland has joined the NATO nuclear alliance it has a chance to use its experience to emphasise defensive approaches and broad concepts of security that could genuinely strengthen common global security.

Dr. S.M. Amadae, Politics, University of Helsinki and Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, Cambridge University (see recent related publications)

Dr. Paul Ingram, Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, Cambridge University

Recent related articles, events, and research projects

NATO: One Year In, Public Panel, University of Helsinki, 13 March, 2024

Dynamic Public Support for Finnish Defense Policy, University of Helsinki

Advocating Nuclear Disarmament as NATO Members Lessons from the Past and Possible Routes ahead for Finland and Sweden by Thomas Jonter, Stockholm University, and Emma Rosengren, Swedish Institute of International Affairs. 2 H-Diplo | Robert Jervis International Security Studies Forum, Policy Roundtable III-2, NATO and Nuclear Disarmament, 9 February 2024

Top gear security: Finns expectations for NATO membership

SM Amadae, H Wass, M Hentunen, J Tukiainen, A Weckman, M Laine

NATOpoll Policy Brief 1, University of Helsinki, 2023.

SM Amadae, H Wass, M Hentunen, J Tukiainen, A Weckman, M Laine NATOpoll Policy Brief 1, University of Helsinki, 2023. Guarantees for multifold security concerns: Finns expectations for security and defense policy in in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential elections

SM Amadae, H Wass, J Eloranta, T Forsberg, M Hentunen, I Kaihko, M Laine, J Lehtinen, J Tukiainen, L Valkama, J Vuorelma, A Weckman, NATOpoll Policy Brief 2, University of Helsinki, 2023

This is a "Viewpoint" opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or position of The Helsinki Times. This column is not fact checked and HT is not be responsible for any possible inaccurate or incorrect statement in this article.

HT
Nominations are now open for UNC Health Pardee's Physician of the Year Award, Pardee Hospital Foundation announced

The annual accolade aims to celebrate and honor the exceptional contributions of physicians whose careers epitomize medical excellence, unwavering dedication to compassionate patient care, and a profound commitment to enhancing the well-being of individuals across the community.

Physicians play an indispensable role in shaping the healthcare landscape, and their tireless efforts often go beyond the call of duty. The Physician of the Year Award seeks to highlight and honor those remarkable individuals who have significantly enriched the field of medicine and whose passion for their profession shines through in every aspect of their work.

The award process involves the submission of nominations by any individual on behalf of the candidate. Nominations should provide insights into the nominee's personal and career accomplishments, underscoring their demonstrated medical excellence, dedication to compassionate patient care and commitment to improving the lives of others

All nominations must be submitted by April 1,. Current members of the UNC Health Pardee Medical Staff are eligible nominees. Once the nomination period concludes, the medical staff at UNC Health Pardee will vote to select the recipient of thr esteemed honor.

"The Physician of the Year Award represents an opportunity for us to recognize and express our gratitude to the exceptional physicians within our community who consistently go above and beyond to deliver outstanding healthcare services," said Amy Treece, executive director of Pardee Hospital Foundation. "Their unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence not only impact the lives of individual patients but also contribute to advancing healthcare standards."

The Physician of the Year is announced and honored during the Summer Soiree on June 21.

Last year, when chosen to be the 2023 Physician of the Year, I remember feeling a wave of honor and respect from not only my patients but also my UNC Health Pardee colleagues, said Dr. Joel Callahan. I encourage the community to nominate a physician who has positively impacted their health, wellness, and life to be named this years Physician of the Year.

For more information on the nomination process and eligibility criteria visit https://pardeehospitalfoundation.org/physician-of-the-year-nomination-form/.
BEES are being kept in the grounds of a prison.

Staff at Huntercombe Prison in Nuffield have helped improve the area where two large orchards are being planted so the bees can pollinate the fruit trees.

Members of the South Chilterns Beekeepers Association created the teaching apiary after moving 16 hives there in 2021.

Their latest project was to build a dead hedge along the north and east aspects in order to protect the bees from wind chill using recycled Christmas trees.

For the last two years Andrew Ingram, who runs the Tree Barn in Christmas Common and is a member of the association, has donated two trailer loads of cut trees.

Margaret Moore, who chairs the association, said: It is a great way to recycle the trees as well as provide much-needed material for our dead hedge.

Dead hedges have many advantages over a live hedge for us  theyre built quickly so provide an instant wind break, theyre not eaten by rabbits and deer and they dont need regular cutting.

They are also fantastic for wildlife  they attract nesting birds and insects as well as providing hibernation sites for hedgehogs, invertebrates and amphibians.

A dead hedge gradually sinks and beds down, so needs more material added once a year.

A perfect time for us to add material is when the bees are cool and inactive, so we repeated our Christmas tree drop-off last year and hope to continue with this each year.

Mrs Moore said the site was quiet and beautiful but also isolated so some equipment had been stolen.

Now the apiary has been made more secure as it is enclosed in a 20m by 20m fenced area which is locked and is itself inside an area that is locked at night.

Furthermore, the prison has security cameras and the registration numbers of all vehicles entering are recorded.

Mrs Moore said: There is also hard surfacing so it is much easier for us to access the hives with a vehicle to move or repair the equipment in the winter. Plus, there are on-site toilets.

She said the prison governor was very positive about the idea of using the outer grounds for the apiary.

Mrs Moore added: The staff are fantastic as they provide meaningful work for those prisoners who are allowed outside the prison, so they helped to flatten out the site, erect a perimeter wire fence around the apiary and sink 16 concrete pads to stand the hives on.

The beekeepers hope to start working with inmates at Huntercombe, a low-security prison for foreign nationals.

Mrs Moore said: The coronavirus pandemic scuppered our early plans to involve those prisoners allowed to work in the grounds in beekeeping activities and other related projects, such as sowing a wildflower meadow, but we aim to get back on track.

The bees on the site produce honey and beekeepers take any excess they dont need for the winter.

But the main reason for the apiary is to put the student beekeepers knowledge learned on the theory course to practical use.

The association has just begun its annual beginners theory course for student beekeepers.

Students progress on to the summer practical course, which takes place on Saturday mornings from early May to the end of July.

They pay a fee which goes towards the cost of the apiary, teaching venues and specialist lectures as the association is a not-for-profit organisation.

For more information, email chair@scbka.org
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed the widely held belief that the nation's economy is in a crisis. He said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the 16th annual LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards 2023, with the theme, 'An Economy in Distress: Which Way Forward?'.

Apart from being penciled down as special guest of honour at the event, President Tinubu was also named the LEADERSHIP Person of the Year for braving monumental odds to clinch the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket and subsequently going ahead to win the keenly contested 2023 presidential election.

President Tinubu's comment was coming on the heels of nationwide protests by Nigerians over the economic crisis and hardship that culminated on the Tuesday 27 February nationwide protest organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The resultant effects also led to pockets of separate protests by Nigerians in FCT, Niger, Lagos, Oyo, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, Osun, Kogi, and Benue states, among others, with some of the protests leading to looting of government and private warehouses and also on trucks conveying food items to various destinations.

The president, however, urged Nigerians to remain patient as his administration's economic reforms begin to take effect, promising a more stable and prosperous future for the nation.

He said while the path to a more robust and stable economy might be fraught with challenges, Nigeria is on course to achieving lasting economic success with the government's reforms.

"I shall start by respectfully challenging the notion that Nigeria's economy is indeed facing challenges, distress, suggesting helplessness. Being at the mercy of the people, we are at the mercy of something we have no control over.

"But that is not the case here. We have challenging times, no doubt, but these times have also been marked by unprecedented opportunities to research the cause and build a sustainable economy away from the rent-seeking and waste that was once the order of the day," Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, said.

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Apparently replying to the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi, President Tinubu also said the fact that Nigeria accepted grains from Ukraine does not make Nigeria a weak or failed state.

"Egypt gets about 60 per cent of its grains from Ukraine. The fact that Egypt gets about 60 per cent of its grains from Ukraine does not make it a failed state. The fact that we are having challenges at the moment does not make Nigeria a failed state," he said.

He explained that fuel subsidy removal was a bold step in the right direction and urged Nigerians to support the president as the country would soon begin to reap the benefits.

In her welcome address at the event, Chairman of Leadership Media Group, Mrs Zainab Nda-Isaiah, said that the annual LEADERSHIP Awards ceremony is to celebrate individuals who dare to seize possibilities.
Dear Health Care Leaders,

As you know, last month Change Healthcare was the target of a cyberattack that has had significant impacts on much of the nations health care system. The effects of this attack are far-reaching; Change Healthcare, owned by UnitedHealth Group (UHG), processes 15 billion health care transactions annually and is involved in one in every three patient records. The attack has impacted payments to hospitals, physicians, pharmacists, and other health care providers across the country. Many of these providers are concerned about their ability to offer care in the absence of timely payments, but providers persist despite the need for numerous onerous workarounds and cash flow uncertainty.

In a situation such as this, the government and private sector must work together to help providers make payroll and deliver timely care to the American people. The Biden-Harris Administration has taken action by removing challenges for health care providers and addressing this cyberattack head on. Now, we are asking private sector leaders across the health care industry  especially other payers  to meet the moment.

The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to ensuring that all Americans can access needed care in spite of this cyberattack. We urge the private sector to quickly identify and carry out solutions. Specifically, we call on UHG, other insurance companies, clearinghouses, and health care entities to take additional actions to mitigate the harms this attack places on patients and providers, particularly our safety net providers.

We urge UnitedHealth Group to:

Take responsibility to ensure no provider is compromised by their cash flow challenges stemming from this cyberattack on Change Healthcare.

Ensure expedited delivery of funds to impacted providers for all receiving advanced payment from UnitedHealth Care.

Communicate more frequently and more transparently, both within the health care community and with state Medicaid agencies.

Ensure ease of access to UHG programs, both by providing less restrictive terms and by addressing providers concerns regarding indemnification and arbitration requirements.

Provide Medicaid agencies with a list of providers impacted in their states.

Expedite activation and ensure effectiveness of all programs UHG announces to serve as a financial backstop, and prioritize under-resourced, lower margin providers.

We urge insurance companies and other payers to:

Make interim payments to impacted providers. Larger payers in particular have the balance sheet stability to advance payments. Payers have the opportunity to stop-gap the cash flow concerns by stepping in with bridge payments.

In particular, for Medicaid plans, consider making interim payments to impacted providers.

Ease the administrative burden on providers by simplifying electronic data interchange requirements and timelines and by accepting paper claims.

Pause prior authorizations and other utilization management requirements; use all available leeway on deadlines.

While we believe payers have a unique responsibility and opportunity to address the challenge before us, we urge action on the part of any health care entity that can step up. For example, we appreciate the actions taken by clearinghouses to enable switching from Change Healthcare systems, and we encourage them to offer easy-to-implement, standard terms for additional providers who want to switch, and avoid cost-prohibitive pricing.

In addition to the actions outlined above, earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced steps that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking to assist states and health care providers to continue to serve patients and avoid disruptions. Specifically, CMS has streamlined the process for providers to change clearinghouses to ensure continuity of payments, encouraged insurance plans to remove or relax prior authorization requirements in both Medicare and Medicaid, and directed Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to be prepared to accept paper claims submissions during the course of the outage. Just yesterday, CMS provided instructions to MACs about how to consider applications for accelerated payments from Medicare Part A providers and for advance payments from Part B providers and suppliers.

Overall, this incident is a reminder of the interconnectedness of the domestic health care ecosystem and of the urgency of strengthening cybersecurity resiliency across the ecosystem. Thats why, in 2023, HHS released a concept paper that outlines HHS cybersecurity strategy. The concept paper builds on the National Cybersecurity Strategy that President Biden released in 2023, focusing specifically on strengthening resilience for hospitals, patients, and communities threatened by cyberattacks. Also, in 2021, the Department of Labor released Cybersecurity Program Best Practices to assist plan fiduciaries and recordkeepers in their responsibilities to manage cybersecurity risks. We urge you to visit the HPH Cyber Performance Goals website and implement these steps to stay protected.

Sincerely,

Xavier Becerra

Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Julie A. Su

Acting Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor
Though 14 years have passed since Keralas four-time chief minister Kannoth Karunakaran (alias K Karunakaran) died aged 93, the state will never be allowed to forget the wily Congress politician.

On March 7, Thankamani, a Malayalam film starring superstar Dileep, released and immediately triggered a heated debate on the large-scale police excesses that occurred during the heydays of Karunakaran. The film is based on an incident that took place in Thankamany village of Idukki district on October 21, 1986.

Under the leadership of the then-circle inspector I.C. Thamban, the police were accused of extreme violence  they opened fire at village residents, demolished houses, and reportedly sexually assaulted the women. Karunakaran, who was CM and also incharge of the home affairs department, justified the police action and defended those involved in the excesses. The incident started after a group of students living in the village protested against the practices of a bus operator, who would take full fare from them but drop them off kilometres away from their village. The operator was a Congress worker. When the villagers became involved in the protest, the police were called in. The incident of police brutality was even raised in the Kerala assembly.

A judicial commission was formed to investigate what happened, and the EK Nayanar-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government that succeeded Karunakaran prosecuted over a dozen policemen.

Sibling rivalry

March 7, 2024 also reminded the state of the former CM for another reason: it was the day that his daughter, Padmaja Venugopal, accepted primary membership in the Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi. The 64-year-old was the general secretary of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

Padmaja claimed that she switched loyalty due to the longtime neglect she had suffered within the Congress organisational setup, despite being the daughter of Karunakaran. Her father, she said, took enormous pains to rebuild the party in Kerala fighting the Communists, yet she was forgotten. She said that her joining the BJP even had the blessings of prime minister Narendra Modi.

Padmajas brother, Congress Lok Sabha member K Muraleedharan, launched a scathing attack on her. He called her a power-crazy, ineffective party leader who had usurped numerous positions of power and contested many crucial elections unsuccessfully, using the legacy of her father.

Congress leader K Muraleedharan has vowed that he will not allow the BJP to use his father's pictures as campaign materials(Agencies)

Muraleedharan, a former KPCC president and one of the mass leaders of Congress in Kerala, even went to the extent of saying that no political party can reward work at home the way Congress did with Padmaja, implying that his sister had no work experience on the ground, and lacked mass support.

Padmaja was never electorally successful, but she held many coveted positions in the party, including the vice chairperson of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. She was also a member of the top decision-making bodies of the Congress in the state in the past two decades.

Before dabbling in politics in 2000, she managed a garment export business, produced Malayalam television soaps, and ran a recording studio.

On March 8, Padmaja returned from Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram, where she was accorded a grand reception by the state unit of the BJP, and where almost all senior state leaders were present. At the function, party state chief K. Surendran termed Karunakaran the best CM Kerala had ever seen.

This is the second such shift of a former Congress leader to the BJP in the state in recent times. The BJP inducted the oldest son of veteran Congress leader A.K. Antony, Anil Antony, to its fold. He will contest for the saffron party in Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency.

BJPs shift in narrative

The praise that Surendran showered on Karunakaran marks a major shift in the party's position, which long dubbed him a henchman of Indira Gandhi during the Emergency days. Not only did Karunakaran jail many Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-Jan Sangh leaders, he also subjected numerous political activists, and civil society leaders to police brutalities, custodial torture and murder, the biography of K Kunhikannan, a journalist who worked with Janmabhumi, the Malayalam mouthpiece of the BJP, contended.

Karunakaran arrested and jailed many old Sangh leaders in Kerala, including K. G. Marar, O. Rajagopal, and K. Raman Pillai, who eventually emerged as faces of the BJP in the state in the 1980s.

Late Congress stalwart K Karunakaran(HT Photo)

According to the BJP, Karunakaran was always a practitioner of appeasement politics who built the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala using the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the Catholic Church promoted Kerala Congress, and the upper caste Nair dominated the National Democratic Party (NDP) as constituents. Karunakaran, a brilliant anti-Left coalition builder, won the confidence of almost all religious groups in the state, and checked the growth of the BJP.

Thus for the Sangh parivar, Karunakaran was of the same mould as the West Bengal Congress leader Siddhartha Shankar Ray, who unleashed a reign of terror against political rivals during the Emergency days.

After Surendran's speech, BJP cadres pasted posters across the state carrying images of Karunakaran with PM Modi and Padmaja. In Nilambur in Malappuram district, Congress workers tore up these posters, leading to some tense moments.

Muraleedharan has vowed that he will not allow the BJP to use his father's pictures as campaign materials.

Political observers said that the sibling rivalry goes back decades.

Old-timers recall the public outbursts by Karunakaran during the Kerala assembly elections in 2001, when Padmaja was denied a ticket by the Congress.

Muraleedharan was the KPCC president at the time and also held the portfolio of electricity minister under chief minister A. K. Antony.

Muraleedharan evolved as a mass leader over the years but, according to political experts, lacks Karunakaran's persistence, intelligence, scathing humour and astute political manoeuvring.

Despite all his authoritarian tendencies, Karunakaran was a dynamic leader and brilliant organiser. A close confidant of Indira Gandhi, he was known for his efficiency, quick decision-making, and tendency to have things done quickly. He at the same time lacked humility and moral integrity. He wanted to advance his children's political careers, said Dr. Sebastian Paul, a former member of Lok Sabha, who was an independent supported by the LDF.

The impact of Padmajas exit

Though she lacked a mass base, Padmaja's exit from the Congress is a setback to the party, which knows that she can manipulate Karunakaran's legacy, at least in the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency in central Kerala that was once the home turf of the late legendary politician.

Malayalam superstar-turned-politician Suresh Gopi is now leading a high-voltage campaign in Thrissur, and the BJP considers it a prestigious seat from which it has high hopes. In response, the Congress has now asked Muraleedharan, who was due to contest from Vadakara constituency in the north, to stand from Thrissur.

Muraleedharan has now become a strong contender against Gopi, and political observers feel that he can effectively prevent the flow of votes from Karunakaran supporters to the BJP, despite Padmaja.

Padamaja hopes to remain electorally viable in Kerala in the long run by using the Karunakaran legacy in Sangh Parivar's favour. According to political observer John Mundakkayam, she raised two demands in her discussions with BJP national president J. P. Nadda in Delhi: A posthumous Bharat Ratna to Karunakaran, and the naming Kochi International Airport after him.

Karunakaran, who pushed forward many infrastructure projects in Kerala, was the driving spirit behind the airport, which was built in a public-private partnership in 1999.

The leftists in Kerala had nothing good to say about Karunakaran. But Padamaja's joining the BJP has created a situation in which leaders, including chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, now call Karunakaran secular and inclusive, who prevented the BJP from growing in the state. With all major political formations in Kerala forgetting his excesses and invoking his legacy as an able administrator, Karunakaran becomes the focal point of the Lok Sabha election, fourteen years after his death, said J. Prabhash, the former head of the department of political science at Kerala University.

Correction: An earlier version of the article stated that the death anniversary of K Karunakaran was on March 7. The former CM died on December 23, 2010.
Anand Mahindra, the chairperson of Mahindra and Mahindra, on Sunday pitched a trishul model to make India a global superpower in the eyes of powerful governments, seeking inspiration from the model on which the United States operates. =Chairperson of Mahindra and Mahindra, Anand Mahindra delivers the 4th Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture (ANI)(Sanjay Sharma)

While speaking at the 4th Annual Atal Bihari Vajpayee Lecture in New Delhi, Anand Mahindra talked about what factors can help India create a global influence or Antarrashtriya Samman. He further said that business and commerce can make a vital contribution towards our aspiration of earning international respect.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Taking a practical approach" to how India can turn into a country with an even stronger global influence, Anand Mahindra sought inspiration from the US, which has been regarded as the benchmark for strong influence for decades.

Mahindra said, Let me look at the country which, for better or for worse, is regarded as the most powerful and influential nation in the world todaythe United States of America.

He said that there are three prongs with which the US has gained global influence, which are - world-leading military might; unparalleled soft power and influence across the world; and a dominant role in the world economy which embraces the power of American businesses.

Mahindra further said that by using the same three-pronged or Trishul approach, India can too gain Antarrashtriya Samman. From his actions, its clear that Prime Minister Modi has understood the importance of all three prongs and is working feverishly on all fronts, he said.

Read more: Anand Mahindra reacts to visuals of new T3 Terminal at CCS International Airport in Lucknow

Anand Mahindra's three-pronged model for India

Highlighting the importance of each prong in the trishul model of creating global influence, Anand Mahindra said how the Indian military can further advance.

He said, Today there is a huge opportunity for an Indian version of a military-industrial partnership to emerge. In fact, companies like Tata Advanced Systems and Mahindra Defence are already leveraging these opportunities.

Moving on to the soft power prong, Mahindra said, Just look at the K-wave that is sweeping the world. The small nation of South Korea has had an outsized impact on the world. Maybe India needs to change gears to create its own I-wave. The superheroes of our epics and folk tales are more than a match for the Marvel Universe.

We have top class technical education institutions and under PM Modi the proliferation of new IITs, IIMs and AIMSs has been mind-boggling; but if innovation is to flourish, we need the private sector to chip in and double or even triple that number, he added.

Speaking about the business prong, Mahindra said, In order to gain global influence, dominant Indian corporations must find a seat at the high table. In 2023, I was fortunate to be invited to a meeting at the White House called the Tech Handshake, presided over by PM Modi and President Biden.

Who were the people that President Biden seated, quite literally, at the high table: It was Tim Cook, Sunder Pichai, Satya Nadella, Sam Altman. The projection of economic power was unmistakable. And what power was he projecting? It was not just the power of scale, but also the power of innovation, and disruption. Today, both are symbols of economic might.
Cash-strapped edtech platform BYJU's has announced that it disbursed parts of pending salaries to all the employees for the month of February, promising to clear the balance once it is allowed to use the funds from the closed rights issue, Moneycontrol reported.



In a letter to employees as seen by the website, BYJU's said it has processed part of salaries for February on Friday night to the extent of capital it had outside the rights issue. According to the report, the company expects the salaries to be reflected in the accounts of employees on March 11 as it was delayed due to a second Saturday and a long weekend.



ALSO READ: Mystery behind Byju's hidden $533 million: Here's where it's tied up



The company also said that it has made alternate fund arrangements to ensure that the daily lives are not disrupted. The edtech platform added that is committed to serve the students with passion and dedication they deserve.



Last week, the company's chief executive Byju Raveendran in a letter to employees had said that the company will not be able to pay them salaries because it cannot access recently raised funds due to a legal dispute with some of its investors.



Unfortunately, a select few (4 out of our 150 plus investors) have stooped to a heartless level, ensuring that we are unable to utilise the funds raised to pay your hard-earned salaries, Raveendran's letter to employees read.



Last month, the investors had alleged that BYJU's had siphoned off $533 million in an obscure hedge fund in the United States and sought a stay on a $200 million rights issue, calling it illegal. However, the company had rejected the allegations.



Byju's has suffered setbacks since early 2023, including its auditor resigning, lenders beginning bankruptcy proceedings against a Byju's holding company, and a U.S. lawsuit disputing the terms and repayment of a loan. The company was once one of India's hottest startups and valued at $22 billion in 2022.

BYJU's also said that it has made alternate fund arrangements to ensure that the daily lives are not disrupted
A Google employee was fired after he disrupted the keynote address addressed by the managing director of the search engine giant's Israel business over the company's contract with the Israel military, CNBC reported.



A viral video shows the now former Google Cloud engineer standing up and interrupting the top executive, saying,"I refuse to build technology that powers genocide". Hindustan Times cannot independently verify the authenticity of this viral video. Google employees had written to CEO Sundar Pichai in 2018, demanding that he end contract with Pentagon in 2018.(Reuters file photo)

According to the report, Google's employee message board was hit by comments from employee on the search engine behemoth's ties with the Israeli military. The online forum was shut down for what a Google spokesperson described as divisive content that is disruptive to the workplace.



ALSO READ: Ex-Google employee's ordeal after working for 10 years at tech giant

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The Google workplace has been hit by protests by employees in recent times over its relations with militaries of US and other countries. In 2018, the Google employees had opposed a Defence Department contract called Project Maven.

According to The Verge report, more than 3,100 employees then had demanded that the company pull out of the Pentagon project to develop computer vision algorithms that can analyse drone footage.

The Google engineer who was fired from the company, was protesting against Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion Israeli government contract for access to cloud services from Google and Amazon that started in 2021.



ALSO READ: Who is Linwei Ding, former Google engineer charged with stealing AI secrets?

According to the CNBC report, the Israel-Palestine conflict has upped the tension within the company. Recently, more than 600 Google workers signed a letter demanding that the search engine giant drop its sponsorship of the annual Mind the Tech conference promoting the Israeli tech industry.



ALSO READ: Google employee shares a day in the office, netizens have mixed reactions



No cloud for apartheid, the Google employee who was fired, yelled. Members of the crowd booed him as he was escorted by security out of the building. A Google spokesperson said that the said employee has been ousted for interfering with an official company-sponsored event. The spokesperson also said that the employee's services were terminated for violation of the company's policies.
(Bloomberg) -- The Biden administration is weighing sanctions on several Chinese tech companies, including memory chipmaker ChangXin Memory Technologies Inc., according to people familiar with the matter, in a fresh bid to restrain the Asian countrys development of advanced semiconductors. HT Image

The US Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Security is considering adding ChangXin to its so-called Entity List, which restricts companies access to US technology, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the conversations are private. BIS is also considering restricting five other Chinese firms, the people said, while emphasizing that the list isnt final.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

ChangXin, or CXMT, makes chips used in a wide range of products, including computer servers and smart vehicles. It competes with US-based Micron Technology Inc. and South Koreas Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. Micron funded an advocacy group that has long pushed for CXMT to be restricted.

BIS and White House National Security Council declined to comment.

We actively endorse and promote free and fair competition, CXMT said in a statement. Our commitment to this principle is demonstrated by our strict compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, including US export regulations. The company emphasized that its chips were used in everyday consumer products, with a specific focus on civilian and commercial applications.

The potential sanctions are a response by President Joe Bidens administration to a chip breakthrough that Huawei Technologies Co. made last year, US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul of Texas said in an interview this week. The Commerce Department is weighing a sanctions package on multiple firms, he said, without naming CXMT.

Huawei launched a 5G phone last year with an advanced 7-nanometer semiconductor made in China. It was lauded as a significant breakthrough considering that the Trump administration cut off Huaweis access to leading global chipmakers in 2020 over national security concerns.

The handset  released in August when US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo was visiting China  signaled that the countrys chip industry was further along than expected. In response, Raimondo vowed the strongest possible action to protect US national security.

Read More: China Secretly Transforms Huawei Into Powerful Chip War Weapon

The Biden administration has stepped up use of Commerces Entity List to keep Chinese companies from obtaining the latest American technologies. US suppliers are blocked from selling certain advanced products, equipment and components to customers on the list unless they obtain a special license from the Commerce Department.

Several key Chinese tech companies are already subject to those sanctions, including Shenzhen-based Huawei, its chipmaking partner Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. and lithography machine maker Shanghai Micro Electronics Equipment Group Co. In 2022, Yangtze Memory Technologies, CXMTs memory-chip peer, was added to the list.

Read More: US Urges Allies to Squeeze China Further on Chip Technology

Beyond the blacklisting, the US is urging allies to work more closely together to contain Chinas rise. The Biden administration is pressing the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea and Japan to further tighten restrictions on Chinas access to semiconductor technology.

(Updates with response from CXMT in fifth paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Karnataka BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde sparked a new controversy after he said that there is a need to rewrite the majority of the Indian constitution. He alleged that the Congress leaders in the past amended the constitution to downgrade Hinduism and said that it must be prioritised. Karnataka BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde alleged that Congress leaders in the past amended the constitution to downgrade Hinduism.

Also Read - Will get a clear picture on BJP candidates from Karnataka today: BS Yediyurappa

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

He also said that the BJP alone would need 400 Lok Sabha seats to do that in the upcoming general election.

According to PTI report , the sitting MP from Uttara Kannada district said, You all must help BJP to win over 400 seats. Why does the BJP need 400+ seats? Congress leaders in the past made changes to the constitution and made it in a way that it doesnt put Hinduism in front. We need to change it and save our religion. We already have a two-thirds majority in Lok Sabha, and we do not have that in Rajya Sabha to amend the constitution. 400+ numbers will help us achieve that.

Hegde also said that the BJP must get a two-thirds majority even in the state. If we win more than 400 Lok Sabha seats, we can win the assembly seats. Because of this more than 20 states will come to us, and we will have two-thirds majority among the state governments. With two-thirds majority in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and among state governments, then the amendments can be made, he added.

This comes when the Karnataka government has been organising a statewide Constitution awareness programme to educate people about the Indian constitution.



Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah had said few days ago, Some people are saying that they will change the constitution if they come to power. A few leaders who do not even know the power of the Indian constitution are making irresponsible comments. People need to be aware of how great our Indian constitution is, and this drive will help them to learn about it," he said.

Several opposition leaders like Samajwadi Partys Akhilesh Yadav and TMCs Mamta Banerjee have alleged that the BJP has plans to change Indias constitution. In December last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi rejected any talk of amending the Constitution as meaningless and said his government will not do that.
The BJP top brass' decision regarding the Mandya Lok Sabha seat is keenly awaited with party-backed sitting Independent MP Sumalatha Ambareesh and its alliance partner JD(S) both making a strong pitch for the ticket. Sumalatha Ambareesh with PM Modi

Also Read - Karnataka BJP MP calls for rewriting constitution: Report

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While JD(S) has conveyed to the BJP leadership that it wants to field its candidate, multilingual actress-turned-politician Sumalatha has also thrown her hat in the ring and wants to contest on a ticket from the national party. JD(S) is firm on this seat--which is located between Bengaluru and Mysuru-- as the constituency is dominated by Vokkaligas, the community that forms its strong voter base. The party headed by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has already conducted multiple rounds of meetings under its state President H D Kumaraswamy to decide on the candidate.

Incidentally in 2019, Sumalatha had defeated the then Chief Minister Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil, the joint candidate of Congress-JD(S) alliance in Mandya, known in Kannada as 'Sakkare Naadu' (land of sugar). Mandya is known for its rivalry between Congress and JD(S) for supremacy. The BJP too over the years has been putting in efforts to make inroads here.

Sumalatha came into the picture in 2019 after the death of her husband and popular film star M H Ambareesh, who represented Mandya in the Lok Sabha. In that election, she had defeated Nikhil Kumaraswamy of JD(S), Deve Gowda's grandson, by a huge margin of 1,25,876 votes. However, BJP sources said that this time, the party may leave Mandya seat to its alliance partner, This is despite many local leaders supporting Sumalatha's candidacy from the party and opposing the move to give the seat to JD(S). JD(S) has started firming up plans for Mandya; though there is pressure on H D Kumaraswamy to contest, former Minister and ex-MP C S Puttaraju might get the ticket, if the former chooses not to, party sources said.

Not wanting to comment much on who will get the Mandya ticket, Kumaraswamy has been maintaining that the BJP high command will announce the decision.

Sumalatha too has expressed confidence about getting the ticket from Mandya reposing faith with the BJP central leadership. She had earlier met the party's top brass including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and national President J P Nadda.

"The High Command (BJP) has to say, they have to make a decision. My decision, not to leave Mandya, is always strong," she has said.

Asked if she will contest, even if BJP denies her the ticket, she said, "Wait for a couple of days, maximum a week, everything will be before you. Let's speak then. My desire is to become a BJP MP."

If BJP cedes Mandya seat to JD(S), it remains to be seen whether Sumalatha will contest as an independent once again, as she did in 2019, after Congress denied her the ticket and gave it to JD(S). Sumalatha rode on a sympathy wave following her husband's death.

Popular Kannada film stars like Darshan and Yash had campaigned for her then. Darshan has said he will campaign and support her this time too, addressing her as "mother".

Congress, banking on its guarantee schemes being implemented, has fielded Venkatarame Gowda (Star Chandru), a contractor, as its candidate from Mandya, despite opposition from within the party. Gowda is the brother of Independent MLA from Gauribidanur K H Puttaswamy Gowda, who backed the Congress in the recent Rajya Sabha polls.

Mandya has eight assembly segments, out of which six are represented by Congress, and one each by JD(S) and 'Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha'.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Hisar Brijendra Singh resigned from the primary membership of the party and later switched over to the Congress in the presence of partys national president Mallikarjun Kharge, Haryana affairs in-charge Deepak Babria and others in Delhi. Newly-joined Congress member Brijendra Singh with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and party general secretary Mukul Wasnik, at his residence, in New Delhi on Sunday. (ANI)

Brijendra, a former IAS officer, had taken voluntary retirement after serving for 21 years in service and joined the BJP ahead of the 2019 general polls. He defeated Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) leader Dushyant Chautala by 3.14 lakh votes.

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Read here: Hisar BJP MP Brijendra Singh joins Congress, reveals reason for switch

The bureaucrat-turned politician took to X (formerly twitter), and said, I have resigned from the primary membership of the BJP due to compelling political reasons. I extend gratitude to the party national president JP Nadda, Prime Minister Narender Modi and Amit Shah for giving me the opportunity to serve as the member of Parliament from Hisar. Later, he resigned as an MP.

The BJP is yet to announce Lok Sabha seats for Haryana and Brijendras resignation raises many questions within and outside the party.

Brijendras father Birender Singh, a veteran politician and former Union minister, said his son Brijendra had quit the BJP because of ideological and political differences.

He has a different stand on issues like farmers protest, women wrestlers issue, Agniveer scheme and he believes in secularism. At present, a person with strong determination and commitment can leave the BJP and join any other party. Our family has more than four decades of association with the Congress and our workers could not adopt BJPs ideology, he said.

Former Union minister and five-term MLA Birender said he is likely to join the Congress by holding a bigger rally.

When reporters asked him about deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautalas jibe that people prefer to change their God instead of changing themselves, Birender said he is surprised that those people who are bowing down before the BJP, are making such comments.

While interacting with reporters in Sirsa, JJP leader Dushyant Chautala said he does not know with what planning Brijendra had quit the BJP and joined the Congress.

He can reveal better about his planning. For the last one year, he (Brijendra) was trying to leave the BJP and finally he left the party and joined the Congress. We will see whether he contests from Hisar parliamentary seat or Sonepat, he added.

In a Faridabad rally, Haryana Congress president Udai Bhan said the BJP MPs are leaving the party, and this shows that BJPs graph has started falling in Haryana.

Read here: Police stop farmers in Hisar from marching towards Delhi

Former Haryana Congress chief Kumari Selja expressed happiness over induction of Brijendra Singh into the party fold.

My family has close association with Birender Singhs family and I appreciate the decision taken by Hisar MP Brijendra Singh. We hope that senior leader Birender Singh will also join the party soon, she added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 15 new airport projects across the country virtually on Sunday, which included the new and expanded Terminal 1 (T1) of Delhis Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport. The expanded Terminal 1 in New Delhi inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by video conferencing on Sunday. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)

Read here: PM inaugurates 15 new airport projects including Delhis revamped Terminal 1

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The terminal will now expected to undergo a series of trials before being fully operational in May, officials aware of the matter said. Presently, only a portion of T1 is operational, as it has been during the construction which began in 2019.

T1 will continue its domestic operations once fully operational but the shifting of airlines to the new terminal is yet to be decided, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said.

The operational capacity at the expanded T1 has more than doubled  from the existing 17 million passengers per annum (PPA) to around 40 million PPA  also taking the overall capacity of the IGI airport to over 100 million PPA. The new T1 has brought both arrivals (T1C previously) and departures (T1D) under one roof, which has more than tripled its total.

The total area of the previous T1 was 55,740sqm, which has now been increased to 206,950sqm, DIAL said. The terminal was sliced into two parts with a 19-metre-high facade of puff panel. This facade shielded the operating part of T1 from dust, smoke, and rain during the construction.

Terminal 1 enhances capacity and redefines the passenger experience while embracing sustainability. The expanded integrated terminal, a marvel of innovation and aesthetics, will serve 40 million passengers annually, double its previous capacity. Through this project, we have reimagined a seamless journey facilitated by facial recognition, self-service kiosks, and automated baggage systems. Spacious concourses bathed in natural light, offering a haven of comfort with prayer rooms, yoga areas, and quiet zones are its integral part, said I Prabhakara Rao, group deputy managing director, GMR Group. DIAL is a GMR-led consortium that manages the airport.

Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the new aviation projects have added a new chapter to passenger convenience. In a post on X, Scindia said: These aviation projects worth 9,811 crore will not only connect people to people and country to country but will also develop every corner of the country.

The other projects launched by Modi during an event at Uttar Pradeshs Azamgarh include 11 new terminal buildings of Pune, Kolhapur, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Lucknow, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Shravasti and Adampur Airports, along with laying of the foundation stone for new terminal buildings of Kadapa, Hubballi and Belagavi airports. These terminal buildings also have state-of-the-art passenger amenities and are equipped with various sustainability features like double insulated roofing system, provision of canopies for energy saving, LED Lighting, etc.

Sharing details about the new T1, DIAL said passenger facilities were at the forefront of their revamp, which will include facial recognition systems or DigiYatra at all entry gates. There will be a total of 24 entry points to the terminal in total.

There will be 20 Automated Tray Retrieval System (ATRS), Individual Carrier System (ICS), 108 Common Usage Self Service (CUSS), 100 check-in counters including 36 Self Baggage Drop (SBD) kiosks, among others. The seamless journey is complemented by a myriad of offerings, including expanded baggage reclaim carousels, multiple entry gates, and enhanced shop and dine facilities, said a DIAL spokesperson, adding that to board the aircraft, T1 also has a smart-apron, with 22 contact stands.

The new T1 also has 10 baggage reclaim carousels  each 70 metres long. Earlier, there were eight baggage reclaim carousels in total, each being 52 metres belts. DIAL said with ample space between two baggage belts, the waiting time should be reduced for passengers.

The capacity of the Baggage handling system at T1 has also doubled from 3,240 baggage per hour to around 6,000 per hour. The number of check-in islands has also been increased to five against four earlier. These would help in the easy flow of passengers and enhance passenger experience, the spokesperson added.

The terminal will be connected with the Delhi Metro at both arrivals and departures via the Magenta Line.

Read here: To be inaugurated on March 10, new Pune airport terminal building to function after 3 weeks

DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar said with the multiplicity of agencies involved, final tests and trials have to be carried out before the new terminal can be operational. Agencies and personnel have to get used to the new building and the facilities. We expect this to become operational by May. This will continue to run domestic flights, as earlier, he said.

With this expansion, T1 has a capacity of 40 million passengers per annum (MPPA). Terminal 3 (T3) is around 45 MPPA and Terminal 2 (T2) can handle around 15-17 MPPA.

DIAL said the next plan of expansion will focus on T2, which will see it being demolished to make a new Terminal 4. .
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These lawyers, as part of NGO 'Dard se Humdard Tak', have helped the undertrials secure bail, arrange for their bail bond, and facilitated the release of those arrested in petty crimes cases such as robbery, mobile theft, etc after having spent considerable time in jail, advocate Prakash Salsingikar told PTI. HT Image

They visit jails across the state after having received permission from the state government and collect data of prisoners who need their services.

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The organisation has come to the aid of more than 500 prisoners in the last three years, claimed Salsingikar who is working along with 20 other lawyers to provide such services.

Their organisation was registered as an NGO in May 2023, he said.

The lawyers visit the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai thrice a week, the Thane jail and Pune's Yerwada prison twice a week and the Byculla womens' prison here once a fortnight.

They meet the prisoners, study their case papers and provide assistance accordingly.

Salsingikar said majority of the undertrials fail to get proper legal assistance either due to non-awareness of remedies available to them under the law or because of their poor financial condition.

A woman, who is mother of two daughters, spent more than four years in a jail here for allegedly killing her husband after being forced to conceive again.

She came across this organisation and with the help of its lawyer, secured bail from the Bombay High Court earlier this year.

"I did not get any help from outside until I came across this NGO. I am educated so I spent the time in jail doing office work but life for many others is very difficult," she said.

Fayal Sheikh, a daily wage labourer from Mankhurd in Mumbai, spent two years in jail after he was arrested for allegedly killing a man with whom he had an altercation with over urination.

His mother said they had lost all hope until lawyers from this organisation got in touch with them and fought his case.

Sheikh was granted bail in October last year by a sessions court which noted that the cause of the man's death was not injuries suffered in the altercation but due to pre-existing medical conditions.

Another 31-year-old labourer from Thane, Suraj Tevar, spent more than two years in prison following a scuffle with a man over sleeping space on a footpath. He got bail in December last year.

Advocate Ganesh Nagargoje from the NGO brought to the court's notice the medical report of the complainant to point out that his injuries were simple in nature. He argued that the victim (complainant) was also under the influence of alcohol.

In another such case, Maruti Pingale, 36, had come to Mumbai from a village in Amravati for sight-seeing. He was arrested for allegedly winking at a girl and spent nine months in jail before he was acquitted by the trial court.

"Most of such accused persons have been in jail for so many years and no one has come forward to help them. They are approaching us, now we are continuously working for them and our effort will continue in future too," Nagargoje said.

Advocate Aniruddh Yadav, who appeared for Pingale in the court, said when they join this field, they know it is a noble profession through which they can help people.

"There are cases where people from other states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, etc get arrested for someone else's crime as they are unable to present their side because of language issues. Through the NGO, we have got an opportunity to help such people," Yadav added.
A 25-year-old woman labourer was gangraped and murdered by two of her co-workers at a brick factory in Assams Darrang district, police said on Sunday. The incident happened in Sipajhar area on March 8 and the accused have been arrested, officials said. The dead body of the woman has been sent to a government hospital for postmortem and itll be handed over to the family members after the process is completed. (Representative Image)

The victim, identified as Priyanka Murmur, was working at MJB Brick Kiln at East Naodinga in Sipajhar from where she went missing. Her dead body was later recovered by police from an abandoned area near the factory.

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The family members lodged a complaint at Sipajhar Police Station on March 9 and police registered a case based on it, said the superintendent of police (SP), Darang, Prakash Sonowal.

Based on that we started the search and arrested both the accused on Saturday evening. Theyll be produced before court today (Sunday) and further investigation is going on, the SP said.

The accused have been identified as Balaram Himbroom and Alice Talai, residents of Gosaigaon area of Kokrajhar district, and the duo used to work at MJB Brick Kiln along with Priyanka.

Priyankas family members said that she had been feeling disturbed for some reasons at the workplace but didnt reveal the reason. These two were disturbing her but she kept working because we didnt have any other option. We demand strict action against the rapists, said a family member. A group of locals from Sipajhar staged a protest and demanded strict punishment for the accused.

The investigating police officers said that Himbroom and Alice Talai have been arrested under 376D (gangrape), 302 (murder) and some other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

They confessed their crime during the initial interrogation, an official said.

The dead body has been sent to a government hospital for postmortem and itll be handed over to the family members after the process is completed.
After much delay, the state school education department has started the admission process under the Right to Education Act (RTE) with the process of school registration being started first. State director, primary education department, Sharad Gosavi, informed that the education department has sought guidance from the government regarding the implementation of Maratha reservation in the RTE process. Since the RTE Act was amended a few days ago, more than 90,000 schools in the state will have to register for it. The deadline for school registration is March 18 and after registration of schools, the process of accepting admission applications of students will begin. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Since the RTE Act was amended a few days ago, more than 90,000 schools in the state will have to register for it. The deadline for school registration is March 18 and after registration of schools, the process of accepting admission applications of students will begin.

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Every year, lakhs of parents in Maharashtra wait for the RTE admission process with around 80,000 to 90,000 students in the state admitted under RTE annually. However, this year, the state government has made a change that if there is an English medium school within 1 km of a government or aided school, admission will not be given to the respective school. Not only English medium schools but other schools, too, have come under the purview of the RTE due to the change in the law. The education department is expecting that this will increase the admission capacity.

While the state school education department has started the RTE admission process for the academic year 2024-25 late, the actual admission process, too, will be delayed by implementing the school registration and online admission process. Due to the delay on the part of the education department, many parents take admission for their children in other schools every year. There is now demand that the admission process be carried out in the next three to four months as the registration has started in the month of March.

Gosavi said, According to the government order, the primary education department has started the process of school registration. Student registration will be started after school registration. Until then, parents should keep the documents required for RTE admission ready. Also, guidance has been sought from the government on how to implement reservation for the Maratha community in the RTE process.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has found a footing in Andhra Pradesh (AP), where assembly elections are due along with the general elections soon. On Saturday, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) returned to the NDA, which it quit in 2018, and negotiated a seat-sharing deal with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Jana Sena. This opens up the political field in AP, which has become a bipolar polity, dominated by the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy and the TDP led by Chandrababu Naidu. The appointment of Reddys sister, YS Sharmila, as the state chief has infused life into the Congress party  in oblivion since the bifurcation of AP in 2014.

The revival of the NDA is interesting for multiple reasons. One, it may allow the BJP a foothold in a state where it has minimal presence: Its vote share in the 2019 general and assembly elections was less than 1%. Naidu, the leader of the NDA in Andhra, has been magnanimous in offering five Lok Sabha seats (of a total of 25 seats) to the BJP besides six assembly seats (out of 175). This is an arrangement similar to the coalition arithmetic that the Congress has had with the Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu since the 1970s: The leader of the coalition, the DMK or AIADMK, would contest most of the assembly seats while allotting a significant number of Lok Sabha seats to the Congress, disproportionate to the latters base. This arrangement helped the Dravidian major and the Congress to do well in most elections. Naidu expects that an alliance with the BJP, and especially the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a campaigner, will act as a force multiplier for the TDP, which has been entangled in corruption cases.

The BJPs AP strategy also follows its template for states where it lacks organisational clout. For instance, in states such as Maharashtra, Bihar and Assam, it tied up with a regional player, allowing the latter to dominate state politics. The combined strength helped the BJP to do well in elections and expand its organisation over time. In all three above-mentioned states, the BJP is now in a pivotal position (also proving the theory that the Congress weakens when it is in alliance and the BJP becomes stronger). The political dynamic of AP, like Tamil Nadu, is very different, but the NDAs performance in AP will be keenly watched, as it will test the BJPs capabilities to expand in southern India, where its influence is confined mostly to Karnataka.
APPSC Group 1 Hall Ticket 2024 Live Updates: The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has released hall tickets or admit cards for the screening test (objective type) for group 1 services recruitment today, March 10. Candidates can download it from the commission's website, psc.ap.gov.in. The direct link is given below:...Read More

APPSC group 1 hall ticket 2024

OTPR ID and password are required to download APPSC group 1 hall tickets 2024.

The examination is scheduled for March 17. The test will be held in two shifts  the first shift, for paper 1 will take place from 10 am to 12 pm and the second shift for paper 2 is from 2 pm to 4 pm  at 18 district centres of Andhra Pradesh.

The candidates are hereby advised to download the Hall Tickets well in advance and go through the Guidelines and Instructions thereon. They should also ensure the location of the test centre allocated to him/her in advance, so as to reach the venue on time on the day of examination, the APPSC said.
The Union Bank of India has released call letters or admit cards for the Specialist Officer recruitment examination 2024. Candidates can download UBI SO admit cards 2024 from the official website of the bank, unionbankofindia.co.in or use the link given below. UBI SO admit card 2024 released (Representational image)(Unsplash)

Admit cards will be available for download up to March 17.

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Union Bank of India SO admit card 2024.

To download call letters, candidates need to log in using the following information:

Registration number/roll number

Password/date of birth.

The bank has also released an information handout for candidates, which contains detailed information about the post-wise exam pattern, sample questions, among others.

Check the UBI SO 2024 information handout here.

On the exam day, candidates need to bring their call letters with their recent passport-size photographs pasted on it.

They have been asked to follow all the instructions given to them, failing to do which would result in disqualification.

No use of books, note books or written notes, cell phones (with or without camera facility), or any other electronic device will be allowed during the examination. Use of Simple Calculator (which will be available on Computer Screen) is permitted for the following posts during the examination- Senior Manager (Risk)  Grade III, Manager (Risk)  Grade II, Manager (Credit)  Grade II, Manager (Technical Officer)  Grade II, Senior Manager (Chartered Accountant)  Grade III, instructions given to the candidates read.
The special task force (STF) of Uttarakhand Police arrested the 47th accused in connection with irregularities in the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) graduate level exam, as informed by a police official. Accused Kashan Khan in STF custody.

The accused, identified as Kashan Khan, is a resident of Firozabad district. He was arrested from Aligarh.

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According to police officials, the STF team was conducting raids at possible locations in Aligarh for a week to nab the accused.

The UKSSSC conducted the graduate-level exam in December 2021 and declared the result for 916 successful candidates. However, the commission cancelled the exam and result in December 2022 owing to large-scale irregularities found in the investigation conducted by STF.

A case in this regard was registered at the Raipur police station in Dehradun under section 420 (fraud) of the Indian Penal Code on July 22, 2022.

Senior Superintendent of Police (STF) Ayush Agarwal said, Following the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in the UKSSSC paper leak case, a reward of 50,000 was announced last year for the arrest of the accused Kashan Khan. Our teams had been trying to arrest Khan, and raids were being conducted at possible hideouts.

Also read: BSEB Board Exams 2024: Results of Class 12 Board Exams likely to be out in March, Toppers List to also be released

With no success initially, I had directed our teams to collect manual information for his arrest and make a concrete plan, SSP Agarwal said.

He added, A week ago, we received inputs that the accused was hiding in Aligarh, and immediately dispatched a team to Aligarh for his arrest. After conducting raids for a week, we finally arrested him from the Mohalla Jamalpur area in Aligarh. He was subsequently brought to Dehradun.

The police official informed that it is the 47th arrest made in connection with the rigging in the UKSSSC graduate level exam. Overall, 62 people have been arrested so far for irregularities in four recruitment exams conducted by UKSSSC.

SSP Agarwal said that during interrogation, Khan informed that he used to work in the Lucknow-based company RMS from 2018 as a printing machine operator. His sister was to be married in February 2022.

He stole the copy of the question paper of the graduate level exam while packing it at the request of his colleagues Rupendra Jaiswal and Sadiq Musha and handed it over to them. Khan was given between 4 - 5 lakh for the task, he said.

Also read: APPSC group 1 hall tickets out, link to download admit cards

It was after the matter came to light that he left his house to evade the arrest. He continued to move from places and stayed in Agra, Delhi, Ajmer, Agra, and other locations, the police official informed.

The SSP revealed that four separate cases have been registered for irregularities in exams. These include the graduate level recruitment examination 2021, the secretariat guard recruitment Examination, the forester recruitment examination, and the gram panchayat development officer recruitment examination 2016.

"In all four cases, the STF has submitted chargesheets in the court. We have been making continuous efforts to arrest the culprits who are still absconding. Of the 49 accused involved in the UKSSSC graduate-level exam paper leak case, 47 have already been arrested. Among the two absconding, one has secured a stay order against his arrest from the Uttarakhand high court, whereas efforts are on to nab the other remaining accused, said SSP Agarwal.
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a digital-first, high-stakes English proficiency test designed for students that is now accepted by over 5,000 programs worldwide, including prestigious institutions such as MIT, Yale and Columbia University. Last year, test takers certified their English in over 225 countries. For the second year in a row, India had the most test takers - in 2023, students in India applied to programs in over 83 countries, up 9% from last year. Interested in studying a good course abroad? Getting a scholarship can make it much easier for many students.(Shutterstock)

India is the largest market for the Duolingo English Test. Test-takers can easily book the test by creating a free account on the official Duolingo English Test website. In India, the DETs top 10 largest cities account for 76% of overall test volume and it witnessed between 50 and 100% year-over-year growth in key metros - Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Chennai.

The Duolingo English Test typically costs around 5000 INR on average. For individuals considering the test, there is an option to acquire a test bundle, allowing them to take two tests. The test bundle is offered at a discounted price of $49 each, totalling $98 and is non-refundable. Upon the purchase of the test bundle, test-takers have a 21-day window to complete the first test. After receiving the results, they can take the second test within an additional 21-day period.

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Is DET accepted as an English Proficiency Test in all universities worldwide?

DET is accepted by more than 5,000 programs globally for undergraduate and postgraduate admissions across the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland etc. including prestigious ones such as Stanford, MIT, and UCLA.

Particularly in the US, the DET is almost universally accepted, on par with IELTS and TOEFL. The DET is also recognised by all of the top 25 universities with the highest international student enrolments and is accepted for student visa applications in the USA.

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Innovative Tech, Seamless Prep: The DET employs AI and ML to assess English language skills. It is computer-adaptive, which means you can take the test multiple times but it is unlikely that youll get the same question more than once. The DET also provides unlimited free practice tests.

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Is DET available both online & offline?

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Collaborative efforts have been a focal point for us, with partnerships such as The Next Genius Scholarship Program, exemplified by our involvement in the Inspiring India Tour. This two-year initiative involves visiting over 1,000 high schools across 50+ cities in India, and as of 2023, we have successfully engaged with over 500 schools.

We have also partnered with the UNHCR to launch the Duolingo University Access Program, a first-of-its-kind partnership to support refugee students who come from countries including Somalia, Afghanistan and Myanmar in applying to universities. The first batch of students have now been successfully placed at institutions including the University of Canberra, the University of California Berkeley, the University of Dundee and the University of the People.

Good to know:

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Check DETs YouTube channel and playlists that feature informative videos that delve into various aspects of the test.

One can also practice learning the language on the Duolingo language app.
In a big shocker, Varun Dhawan won the Best Actor award at the News18 - Showsha Reel Awards 2024 in Mumbai on Saturday, beating the likes of Ranbir Kapoor and Sunny Deol. Even the actor himself could not believe it. (Also read: News18 Showsha Reel Awards full list of winners: Animal is Best Film but Ranbir Kapoor loses Best Actor to) Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan attends the News18 - Showsha Reel Awards 2024 in Mumbai.(AFP)

Varun's honest speech

As he accepted the award, Varun got a little too honest, earning loud laughter from the crowd. Varun, who won the award for his performance in Bawaal, said, When the nominations were announced, Bhushan ji very sweetly told me, tumhi jeet rahe ho isiliye toh aae ho (of course you are winning the award, that's why you showed up). Hosts Neha Dhupia and Aparshakti Khurana laughed and tried to do some damage control, asking Varun not to reveal any more secrets.

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Varun then got a little more serious and said that even he did not expect he would win in a category that included the likes of Salman Khan and Sunny Deol. My vote would go to them, he said. Varun also spoke about Bawaal and how it was criticised as insensitive upon release but ended up becoming one of the most-watched films of the year on OTT. He said that the film stood the test of time.

At the same awards show, Animal won Best Picture (popular) with Shraddha Kapoor winning Best Actress (popular) for Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. Ranbir Kapoor, who lifted the Best Actor Filmfare Award a few weeks ago for Animal, did not win here.

About Bawaal

Bawaal was made by Nitesh Tiwari and also starred Janhvi Kapoor. It tells the story of a newly married couple not getting along after the husband learns that his wife suffers from seizures. They take a trip to Germany and other European countries where they realise parallels between their issues and the sufferings of Jews under Nazi Germany before the Second World War.

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Adult film star Sophia Leone was found dead in her apartment a week ago. The 26-year-old was reportedly found unresponsive when her family tried to connect with her over a call. Following this incident, Mike Romero, stepfather of the deceased, released information about it on GoFundMe where Memorial funds will be raised. The case is currently under investigation; however, this has definitely sparked some debate online as more and more adult stars' deaths have come to light in the previous few months. Adult film star Sophia Leone dead at 26,(Instagram)

Adult film star Sophia Leone passed away at age 26

Also read: Depressed cartoonist jumps from NYC building as girlfriend tries to save him from slipping away

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Last week Sophia who hails from Miami was seen active on her social media platforms where she uploaded few posts. The news came out barely two days after adult star Emily Willis, who was taken to the hospital on February 5, revealed that she has been struggling for her life while on a ventilator. "On behalf of her Mother & Family, It is with a heavy heart that I have to share the news of our beloved Sophias Passing. The Sudden loss of Sophia has left her family and friends devastated and in shock." Sophies stepfather confirmed her passing on the funding page.

"Sophia was found unresponsive in her apartment on March 1st, 2024, by her family. An investigation by local police into the cause of death is still ongoing," he added. The website described Sophia as a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend. Her father also shared that the actress deeply loved animals and specifically her 3 pets. She enjoyed traveling and always found ways to make everyone around her smile," the statement continued.

Also read: Garrison Brown, son of Sister Wives stars dies at 25 by apparent suicide

Fourth adult film star death in three months

Over the course of three months, netizens have observed a sudden rise in deaths in the adult film industry. Earlier, Kagney Lee committed suicide at just 36 years old. Her case was later handed over for investigation. Before her, in January, Jesse Jane was found dead alongside her boyfriend Brett Hasenmuller in Oklahoma, and so on.

The news came to many as a shocker. A person wrote, First Kagney Linn Karter, now Sophia Leone and very soon Emily Willis.. my search history is slowly becoming a cemetery, Others chimed in, First Emily Willis and now Sophia Leone. This is what happens when you speak up and expose the porn industry. They kill you when you speak the truth. All these adult film stars are committing suicide, a few weeks ago Kagney Linn Karter committed suicide at the age of 36, Emily Willis overdosed a few weeks ago at the age of 25 and now Sophia Leone. 
Tom Perriello (left in both photos) on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served one term in the U.S. House representing Virginia's 5th District, waiting for the arrival of President Biden for his State of the Union address. Pictured in social media posts with (right) Rep . Gregory Meeks, ranking Democratic on the Foreign Affairs Committee and (left) with Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner with Ron Wyden (Oregon) in the rear. Former members are granted access to the House floor, and many regularly attend the high-profile annual presidential speech.

document

Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello will travel to Africa and the Middle East March 11-23, demonstrating the priority the Administration places on ending the Sudan conflict, meeting the immediate and dire humanitarian needs of the Sudanese people, and charting a path toward civilian, democratic government.

In Kampala, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, and Cairo, the Special Envoy will meet with a broad range of Sudanese civilians, including civil society, Resistance Committees, Emergency Response Room members, women, youth, and other Sudanese grassroots organizations and parties to hear their perspectives on how to bolster their efforts to respond to urgent needs, demand an end to the conflict, and prepare for a democratic transition in Sudan.

In each of these capitals, as well as in, Djibouti, Riyadh, and Abu Dhabi, he will meet key African, regional, and multilateral partners to align efforts to bring an end to the devastating Sudan conflict.

Office of the Spokesperson
Chris Evans and Alba Bapista enjoyed a date night at the pre-Oscars party hosted by CAA on Friday evening. As per new pictures reported by Page Six, the duo was seen in matching white outfits as they were photographed while leaving the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood, Calif. (Also read: Chris Evans & Alba Baptista enjoy double date with Rob Pattinson & pregnant Suki Waterhouse) Chris Evans made a rare appearance with wife Alba Bapista ahead of the Oscar ceremony.

Chris and Alba enjoy a date night

In the pictures, Chris was seen looking handsome in a white shirt, fitted gray trousers and brown shoes. Meanwhile, Alba rocked an off-shoulder, form-fitting gown and high heels. In one of the pictures, Chris was seen walking just behind Alba as they headed towards the venue.

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The couple, who is not often seen together, share an age gap of around 16 years, with Evans being 42 and Baptista 26. The duo was last spotted earlier this year in January, when they enjoyed a double date with Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse in Beverly Hills. The four of them were later joined by Adrien Brody and girlfriend Georgina Chapman.

About their relationship

Chris and Alba got married at their home in Massachusetts last year in September. The wedding was a private affair. Some of the guests included the actor's Marvel co-stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, and Jeremy Renner. The guests had to sign NDAs and give up their phones to ensure the secrecy of the ceremony.

Alba Baptista is also an actor herself, having starred in the Netflix series Warrior Nun and the film Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. They were reported to have been dating for more than a year when their romance became public.

Chris was last seen in the Pain Hustlers opposite Emily Blunt. Directed by David Yates, the film also starred Hillary Harley, Aubrey Dollar, Alexis Baca and Catherine O'Hara.

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Will Oppenheimer make Oscars history? Who will win the closely contested best actress race? And could Martin Scorsese go home empty-handed again? (Also read: Oscars 2024: From Olivia Colman to Denzel Washington, most memorable acceptance speeches of all time) Emma Stone (R) and Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos attend the Oscar Nominees Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on February 12, 2024. (AFP)

Variety awards editor Clayton Davis suggests five things to watch out for this Sunday at the 96th Academy Awards:

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Oppenheimer record-breaker?

There is no doubt Christopher Nolan's atomic blockbuster Oppenheimer will win multiple Oscars. But how many? Even a "really conservative" eight would be the most for a film since Slumdog Millionaire in 2009, explained Davis.

The record of 11 is probably just out of reach. But 10 -- achievable if it wins close races like best actor and best adapted screenplay -- would put it tied with West Side Story (1961).

Irish actor Cillian Murphy (L) and US actor Robert Downey Jr. (R) pose in the press room with the awards for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role (Murphy) and Supporting Role (Downey) and Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for Oppenheimer during the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild awards.(AFP)

After years of small, indie hits taking best picture, Oppenheimer would be the highest-grossing winner since Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in 2004, and the third-highest of all time (also behind Titanic).

It seems certain to be the top grossing film in history to win Oscars for its actors, in Robert Downey Jr and -- potentially -- Cillian Murphy.

And it would be only the second film to win best picture produced by a married couple -- Nolan and his wife Emma Thomas -- after Driving Miss Daisy.

Barbie avalanche

While not likely to win more than a couple of Oscars, Barbie will be omnipresent throughout Sunday's gala. Both Billie Eilish and Ryan Gosling are set to perform Oscar-nominated songs from the movie, and host Jimmy Kimmel is certain to pepper his opening monologue with jokes about the smash hit comedy.

"I can't imagine an entire evening that doesn't reference Barbie multiple, if not hundreds of times," joked Davis.

Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie receive the Best Comedy Award for 'Barbie,' during the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards.(REUTERS)

Expect quips about the so-called "snubs" for Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, who were not nominated for directing and starring in the year's highest-grossing film, and many references to all things pink.

"It's going to be an avalanche of Barbie content. That might annoy a couple people," said Davis.

Best actress nail-biter

No major race is harder to predict than best actress, where Lily Gladstone and Emma Stone are neck-and-neck among the pundits' picks.

Davis is calling it for Killers of the Flower Moon star Gladstone, but admits his answer changes "at different moments."

Lily Gladstone arrives at the 96th Academy Awards Oscar nominees luncheon.(Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

As the first Native American actor to win, Gladstone would provide the gala with a historic moment, though some voters don't see her as the true "lead" of a film in which Leonardo DiCaprio dominates the three-and-a-half hours of screen time.

Stone's performance in Greek auteur Yorgos Lanthimos's Poor Things is popular among the Academy's "international vote" -- but could suffer if some of that bloc splinters off for Sandra Hueller, of French courtroom drama "Anatomy of a Fall."

"This is where it comes down to math," said Davis.

Scorsese's losses

Martin Scorsese, one of the greatest living directors, is hardly short of accolades.

But if Gladstone loses, Killers will likely become the third of Scorsese's movies to enter an Oscars with a whopping 10 nominations, and yet leave empty-handed.

Martin Scorsese cheers with the Honorary Golden Bear Award during the Hommage Gala Award Ceremony at the 74th Berlinale film festival.(AFP)

Scorsese suffered the same with The Irishman and Gangs of New York.

"It's like 'first world problems,' to have 30 Oscar nominations and you didn't win any of them," joked Davis. "But that is a lot."

America, America

As usual, the list of Oscars presenters is a who's who of Hollywood.

At a press conference this week, organizers revealed that five previous winners of each acting category will take to the stage to introduce the five nominees this year.

That could mean Jennifer Lawrence introducing Emma Stone, Matthew McConaughey announcing Paul Giamatti, and Tim Robbins praising Robert Downey Jr.

It is an approach borrowed from the 2009 Oscars, and brings a "lovely connection and that human interaction," said this year's showrunner Raj Kapoor.

The combination Davis is most hoping for?

"Rita Moreno is a presenter. And putting two and two together, there's no reason why she doesn't introduce America Ferrera's nomination for Barbie and say 'America, America!'"

"I'm gonna cry. I'm gonna be in tears. And I can't wait."
Oscars 2024: Anticipating protests at the Academy Awards over the Israel-Hamas war, the Los Angeles police will increase its presence on Sunday night so that the Oscars ceremony isn't disrupted. The New York Times, citing the Los Angeles Police Department, reported that at least one group would like to stop the Academy Awards. The police gathered the intelligence-based partially on social media posts. (Also Read | What's in the Oscars $178,000 goodie bag? A trip to Swiss Alps and so much more) Police will increase security during Oscars.(Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

Security to be beefed up outside Oscars venue

Its going to be our goal to ensure that the Academy Awards is successful, that guests can arrive safely and get into the venue. But, also, we are going to try very hard to make contact with the groups as they show up, and lay out the expectation that we as the police are here to support your First Amendment constitutional rights," said Commander Randy Goddard.

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While some groups may try to block traffic or use other disruptive measures, others may protest closer to the Dolby Theater, where the Oscars take place. The police said that it would build out more resources to help facilitate any protests. They wouldn't allow protesters to break the law or prevent guests from arriving safely at the Oscars.

Were hopefully going to find that middle ground. My objective is to get the guests safely inside that venue, the commander said. The police said the Dolby Theater, secured by the Academy, has railings, fencing, checkpoints and almost 2,000 private security guards.

Ukraine war could be reason for protests too

As per AP, the war in Ukraine will be on some attendees minds, particularly those of the journalist filmmakers behind the documentary favourite, 20 Days in Mariupol, by Mstyslav Chernov. With the presidential election in full swing, politics could be an unavoidable topic despite an awards season thats played out largely in a vacuum.

The step comes after a few dozen pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated outside Crypto.com Arena during the Grammys. They blocked traffic by the drop-off area.

About the Oscars 2024

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is hosting its 96th Oscars on Sunday. It will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Among the many announced presenters are-- Zendaya, Al Pacino, Jennifer Lawrence, Michelle Yeoh, Steven Spielberg, Dwayne Johnson, Matthew McConaughey, Lupita Nyongo, Mahershala Ali, Nicolas Cage and Bad Bunny.

Read more from our coverage of the Awards Season 2024 here.

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A night filled with glitz and glamour! Oscars 2024 is finally here. In just a few hours, the world will witness cinematic masterpieces bagging one of the most prestigious awards, and the pre-parties have already begun. Celebrities ranging from Hailey Bieber to Jonathan Bailey, Blackpink ROSE , Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Garcelle Beauvais, Paris Hilton, and Zoe Kravitz were spotted gracing various pre-Oscars parties, including those hosted by the Creative Artists Agency, the Saint Laurent x Vanity Fair x NBCUniversal dinner, and the 17th annual Women in Film Oscar nominees party. Pre-Oscars party 2024(Getty Images via X)

Pre-Oscars party 2024 sneak a peek

Hailey Bieber at the pre-Oscars party

The Rhode founder ditched the usual glam game for a chic bossy look in a black suit. Hailey was spotted attending Saint Laurents lavish pre-Oscars dinner and party in Los Angeles. Justin Bieber was not in attendance.

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Blackpink ROSE at Oscars pre-party

K-pop idol Blackpink ROSE attends Saint Laurents pre-Oscars dinner party in Los Angeles as the brand's global ambassador.

Bridgerton Reunion

Lord Anthony Bridgerton reunited with the Duke of Hastings at a pre-Oscars party on Friday. Both Jonathan Bailey and Rege-Jean Page were caught catching up and getting clicked at the Creative Artists Agency pre-Oscars party at the Sunset Tower Hotel in Los Angeles. The stars were joined by stars such as Olivia Wilde and Sandra Bullock.

Paris Hilton and Carter Reum

The United Talent Agency's Oscars pre-party at Soho House Holloway on March 8 saw the adorable couple and Hollywoods A-lister Paris Hilton and Carter Reum enjoying some glam time together.

Also read: Twilight Saga goes animated, John Wick TV Series starring Keanu Reeves in works

Lili Reinhart

Lili was present at the 17th annual Women in Film Oscar nominees celebration in Los Angeles on March 8.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Garcelle Beauvais walked the pre-Oscars red carpet at the 17th annual Women in Film Oscar nominees party. Zoe Kravitz looked drop-dead gorgeous in black as she attended the Saint Laurent x Vanity Fair x NBCUniversal dinner.

Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh Sperry at the CAA pre-Oscars party at Sunset Tower Hotel.
This year's Oscar gift bags will have nominees well-rested with great skin and full stomachs. For the 22nd year, Lash Fary, founder of Los Angeles-based marketing company Distinctive Assets, has put together a mix of treats for a select number of nominees at the Academy Awards. (Also read: Oscars 2024 is just a few hours away: 5 things to look forward to) Golden chocolate Oscars are displayed during the 96th Oscars Governors Ball preview at the Ray Dolby Ballroom.(AFP)

What's in the bag?

We call it Everyone Wins and we do this independently of the Academy, which means I get to decide who gets it and it's only the top acting and directing nominees," Fary told Reuters.

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"That's 25 people this year and we also get to decide what goes in it and it's some fabulous stuff this year.

The swag bag includes nearly 60 items worth over $170,000, with the most expensive a $50,000 dollar trip to a luxury chalet in the Swiss Alps.

Companies pay a fee for their spot in the bag, but the exposure to A-list celebrities can be priceless.

They're so famous and their names have such value and such cachet and that's exactly what they can bring to these products, Fary said.

Other gift bag items this year include beauty products, movie-inspired chocolates, gourmet popcorn, sleep aide products, as well as a Rubik's Cube.

Oscars tomorrow

The Academy Awards take place on Sunday (Monday in India). When Hollywood gathers for the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday, the blockbuster biopic is widely expected to overpower all competition  including its release-date companion, Barbie  at an election-year Oscars that could turn into a coronation for Christopher Nolan.

The Oscars, kicking off on ABC at 7 p.m. EDT Sunday, are springing forward an hour earlier than usual due to daylight saving time. But aside from the time shift, this years show is going for many tried-and-true Academy Awards traditions. Jimmy Kimmel is back as host. Past winners are flocking back as presenters. And a big studio epic is poised for a major awards haul.

Read more from out coverage of the awards season here.
Sen. Katie Britts State of the Union response was so dramatic and disastrous, as some said, that many were quick to compare it to a Saturday Night Live skit. SNL did not not hold back. Scarlett Johansson made a surprise appearance as Britt, with her hilarious monologue taking the internet by storm. Scarlett Johansson hilarious recreation of Katie Britt's SOTU response takes the Internet by storm (@CollinRugg/X, @nbcsnl/X)

Britt, in her 17-plus minute response to Joe Bidens State of the Union address, mocked the presidents age and his policies. "Biden proudly proclaims that Bidenomics is working,'" Britt said, at times appearing as though she was on the verge of tears. "Goodness, y'all. Bless his heart. We know better.

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"Let's be honest," Britt said. It's been a minute since Joe Biden pumped gas, ran a carpool or even pushed a grocery cart.

Her melodramatic speech prompted criticism, and needless to say, social media memes.

Scarlett Johansson as Katie Britt

Johansson as Britt is as funny as it gets. Good evening America, my name is Katie Britt, and I have the honor of serving the people of the great state of Alabama. But tonight, Ill be auditioning for the part of scary mom, she said. The setting was the same as Britts, and so were the clothes.

Ill be performing an original monologue called This country is hell. You see, Im not just a senator. Im a wife, a mother, and the craziest bitch in the Target parking lot, she continued.

During Britts speech, she told a story about a woman she met while she was visiting Texas, who had been sex trafficked by the cartels. Blaming Bidens border policies, she made it sound like the incident was a recent one. However, The Washington Post reported that her experiences are from the time when George W. Bush was president.

Johansson as Britt told viewers in the sketch, First and foremost, Im a mom, and like any mom, Im going to do a pivot out of nowhere into a shockingly violent story about sex trafficking. Rest assured, every detail about it is real except the year, where it took place, and who was president when it happened.

Breaking into full QVC mode, Johanssons Britt then began hawking a diamond necklace that goes with anything, and you can wear it from the church to da club.

Johansson also poked fun at the setting of Britts speech, which was a kitchen. You know, my husband Wesley and I spend a lot of time in this kitchen  worrying. Kitchens are where families have the hard conversations like the one well have now about how mommy freaked out the entire country, she said.

Audience found Britts speech to be especially bizarre as it was a mix of dark talk, as well as a bright disposition. Britt told viewers in the sketch, Its like I tell my kids every night: We are steeped in the blood of patriots in a castle made of bones. Goodnight kids!

The American people who are struggling right now, know this: We hear you. We see you. We smell you. Were inside your kitchen right now looking through your fridge. And whats that on the top shelf? Migrants, she finished.
The experts at a session on 'Growing Need for Assistive Technologies' at the 8th National Health Writers and Influencers Convention, held at AIIMS, asserted that India has a huge and growing demand for assistive technologies (ATs) to help about 250 million people who need them to cope with disabilities, ageing or chronic illnesses. HT Image

Speaking on the occasion, Dr R K Srivastava, former director general of health services at the Union Health Ministry, said 18 per cent of India's population requires assistive care solutions such as spectacles, hearing aids, wheelchairs, communication aids and prosthetic limbs.

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Dr Ashoo Grover, Scientist 'F' and Deputy Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research, said ICMR and other partners have identified some priority ATs for India and are working on developing and delivering them indigenously.

She said evidence-based implementation research is crucial for bridging the gap between innovative products and end-users. Grover also emphasised the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to ensure the effectiveness, affordability and accessibility of ATs.

Dr Srivastava added that these solutions were vital for improving the quality of life and social inclusion of the elderly, long-term hospital patients and individuals with congenital or acquired disabilities.

He also highlighted the global scale of the issue, saying that in developed countries, up to 30 to 40 per cent of the population requires ATs, while in less-developed countries, it accounts for about 18 per cent.

Public health expert Dr Chandrakant S Pandav, former head of the Department of Community Medicine at AIIMS, shared his personal experiences of using a wheelchair and called for a change in societal attitudes towards individuals who rely on ATs.

He said the disabled community in India faces a lack of societal acceptance and infrastructure, and urged people to view them as valued members of society.

Dr Srivastava also called upon journalists and influencers, highlighting their vital role as messengers in informing and influencing public opinion and policy decisions regarding assistive care solutions.

He stressed the need for a positive shift in society's attitude towards individuals using assistive technologies while emphasizing the critical importance of timely, affordable, and high-quality assistive products for all members of society.

The session concluded with a call for collaboration among various stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, manufacturers, healthcare providers and the media.
A person who fell into a 40-foot-deep borewell at a Delhi Jal Board water treatment plant in the wee hours on Sunday was found dead upon being rescued. The identity of the person is yet to be ascertained. NDRF personnel present at the site where the incident took place.(PTI)

Tweeting the information, minister Atishi said, "It is with great sadness that I share the news that the men who fell into the borewell have been found dead by the rescue team. May God give him a place at his feet.

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The deceased was a male aged around 30 years. How they entered the borewell room, how they fell inside the borewell  this will be investigated by the police, Atishi said.

I thank the NDRF team, who made every possible effort in the rescue operation for many hours."

It was around 1am on Sunday that the Delhi Fire Service received information about the incident that took place in west Delhi's Keshopur Mandi area. "Five fire tenders were rushed to the spot" DFS chief Atul Garg has said speaking about the rescue operations. The NDRF team will soon start digging another borewell parallel to the one in which the child has fallen, he added.

The rescue team was led by inspector-in-charge Veer Pratap Singh.

READ | Rescue operations on to save infant stuck in Odisha borewell

Speaking about the incident, deputy commissioner of police (West) Vichitra Veer said, "A PCR call was received at Vikaspuri police station at night informing that a person had fallen into the borewell at the Keshopur (Delhi) Jal Board office. The local police as well as fire brigade teams reached the spot. An NDRF team has also been called to the spot. Efforts are being made to take the person out safely."

Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, a 24-year-old woman fell into an open borewell in Ramnagar Dhosi village of Rajasthan's Gangapur city last month. The administrative officials immediately sprung into action as soon as information regarding the incident was received. Under the direction of Gangapur District Collector Dr. Gaurav Saini efforts were made to save the woman who fell in the borewell. However, the woman died. The deceased was identified as Mona Bai of Rajasthan's Bairwa Dhani.

(With inputs from ANI)
There was no evidence to prove the charges against them in the departmental proceedings, a division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor said while quashing the disciplinary action orders. HT Image

The duo, S M Padwal and Yashwant Lotale, retired superintendents of the Central Excise department, shall be entitled to all consequential benefits such as arrears of salary and pension, which shall be made available to them within two months, the HC said in its judgment on March 4.

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Twelve bombs went off at different locations in Mumbai on March 12, 1993, killing 257 persons and injuring more than 700 others.

A special court later convicted 100 persons in the case and acquitted 23 others.

The HC noted that Padwal and Lotale did not face any criminal trial in the case.

Based on the alleged evidence available, the charges against them do not stand proved, it said.

"Our indefeasible conclusion is that it is a case where there was no evidence at all and accordingly, the conclusion arrived at by the disciplinary authority while passing the punishment orders is erroneous," the HC said.

The high court said the only evidence available against them is the alleged confessional statements made by the accused persons to the police during investigation.

"In our opinion, this (confessional statements) could not be made basis of inflicting the punishment upon the employees in this case," the bench said.

Padwal and Lotale were charged for accepting illegal gratification to permit landing of the consignments containing explosives, arms and ammunition that were used in the bomb blasts.

They were charged with failure to maintain absolute integrity and devotion of duty and for having acted in a manner unbecoming of a government servant.

While Padwal was ordered to be dismissed from service, Lotale was handed over compulsory retirement and was held to be entitled to only 65 per cent of the full compensation of pension and gratuity.

Both the officers challenged the orders before the Central Administrative Tribunal. While Padwal's dismissal order was quashed by the tribunal, Lotale's disciplinary order was upheld.

Lotale then moved the high court in appeal, while the Union government filed a petition in the HC against the tribunal order granting relief to Padwal.

The HC dismissed the Union government's petition against Padwal and allowed Lotale's plea.

The confessional statements made by the accused person in the criminal case of the 1993 serial bomb blasts before the police could not have been relied upon in the departmental proceedings, the court said.

In the departmental proceedings, the authority has heavily relied on the confessional statements of four accused persons but they were not examined during the proceedings, it noted.

"Such confessional statements made in a criminal case cannot be the basis of proving the charge in departmental proceedings," the HC said.

The duo had refuted the allegations.

They said there was no evidence against them and the disciplinary action was initiated against them merely on the statements given by some police officers who had relied on alleged confessional statements given by the accused in the 1993 serial bomb blasts case.

The two persons further said they were never named as accused in the criminal case.

The Union government, however, said due to the laxity and misconduct by officials, contraband goods such as explosives, arms and ammunition were allowed to be landed which were then used in the serial bomb blasts.

The bench in its judgment said mere suspicion even in the matter of departmental proceedings cannot be allowed to take the place of proof and the disciplinary authority should arrive at its conclusion of guilt based on definite evidence.

"In both the departmental proceedings, the employees (Padwal and Lotale) were not tried as accused persons in the criminal case which the CBI had investigated and even prosecuted certain other departmental officers," the HC said.
India epitomises the global communication technology revolution. In the early 1990s, there were only an estimated six landline phones for every 1,000 Indians and waiting times were measured in months. Today, smartphones can be purchased over the counter within minutes and their presence is ubiquitous. This transformation is further enabled by Indias cheap mobile data rates. By the end of 2022, roughly two-thirds of Indians were using smartphones, and by 2026, India will have an estimated one billion smartphone users. Indias political parties have increasingly turned to social media and the messaging app WhatsApp in their campaigns, leading observers to characterise the 2019 parliamentary elections as the WhatsApp election. The ongoing prevalence of mass campaign rallies in the digital age motivates a broader question about modern campaigns in India. (PTI)

Read here: Seat-sharing for Lok Sabha polls: Rahul trying to resolve NC, PDP tussle, says J&K Congress secretary

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However, alongside the proliferation of smartphone usage, which allows for low-cost party-voter communication, Indias parties continue to conduct mass in-person campaign rallies during election season. For instance, prior to Indias 2019 national general elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi each addressed around 140 in-person rallies during the official two-month campaign. These were accompanied by even more rallies featuring other star campaigners.

The ongoing prevalence of mass campaign rallies in the digital age motivates a broader question about modern campaigns in India. Why do expensive, labour-intensive, and time-consuming in-person mass campaign rallies persist when there are cheaper ways for parties to conduct more targeted outreach online? More specifically, how are internet-based communication technologies shaping party campaigns in India today?

Continued importance of in-person campaigning in India

An analysis of parties self-reported campaign expenditures reveals that, during the 2014 and 2019 parliamentary elections, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC or the Congress) spent between one-quarter and one-third of their total campaign expenditure on in-person campaigning, with a substantial share spent on rallies. Nationally representative surveys conducted by Lokniti-CSDS reveal that, during campaigns from 1999 to 2019, the share of voters attending election meetings or rallies has remained stable at about 20%.

A face-to-face survey I conducted with approximately 4,000 voters in Uttar Pradesh in 2022 revealed that voters consider in-person campaigning to be of high importance for voter outreach. In the survey, each voter was asked to rank the importance of five campaign activities of a party in its voter outreach efforts: Door-to-door canvassing, mass campaign rallies, campaigning on social media, party advertisements on TV and radio, and party advertisements on roadside public posters and billboards. For smaller, regional-level parties, 73% of surveyed voters considered in-person campaigning  such as door-to-door campaigning and mass campaign rallies  to be the most important campaign activity for voter outreach. Even for large, national-level parties  such as the BJP and the Congress  nearly 54% of the surveyed voters considered in-person campaigning to be of greatest importance. Given how highly voters rank in-person campaigning, it is unlikely to be displaced.

Innovation or normalisation?

Existing scholarship on how the growing use of the internet will affect party campaign strategy is divided into two schools of thought. The first, innovation hypothesis, posits that the internet can reform politics and holds that as internet use becomes widespread, party campaigns conducted on social media platforms will substitute traditional campaigns. Proponents of this theory expect digital technologies to fundamentally upend campaign politics, rendering physical campaigning obsolete. This prediction implies that a party can potentially run a successful campaign entirely online.

On the other hand, the normalisation hypothesis asserts that, even as internet use increases, a partys online campaigns will supplement  rather than replace  traditional, in-person campaign activities. This logic holds that in-person campaigning is expected to remain central to party strategy, ultimately resulting in politics as usual. This theory suggests that in the future, parties may merely live-stream their in-person campaign events on social media.

However, evidence from recent election campaigns in India does not easily align with either of these hypotheses.

Content-complementarity during party campaigns in India

In modern Indian political campaigns, parties strategically leverage content-complementarity  a two-way relationship between online and in-person campaigning.

Social media creates a perpetual demand for parties to produce online content, with campaign rallies being particularly valuable. Scholars have found that rallies achieve a range of purposes, such as solving asymmetric information within a party and enabling clientelistic exchanges between parties and voters. In addition, in the digital age, rallies provide parties with online material, which boosts their importance. The demand for online content also shapes how parties conduct mass campaign rallies.

Before an upcoming rally, a party will broadcast information about it on social media platforms  such as X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, and WhatsApp  to mobilise lower-level party functionaries and voters. After the rallys conclusion, the party will select specific photographs, speech excerpts, sound bites, and displays of enthusiasm from the rally to share on social media. Voters see real-world evidence from rallies as vital in evaluating a partys fit with their interests and prospects for electoral success.

A partys concurrent use of different campaigning modes extends the rallys shelf life, giving it a pre-life and afterlife on social media. The rally-organising party can bypass mainstream media, disseminating rally content on social media. For the rally-organising party, the benefits of the event are no longer limited to reaching those who physically attend it. Rather, through content circulated on social media, a rallys effects travel to voters phones, transcending the rallys time and place. Social media content from in-person rallies can simultaneously influence voter perceptions of the rally-organising party and mobilise voters for the partys future rallies.

Parties' functionaries

Content-complementarity manifests most explicitly in content about rally crowds. Because rally crowds provide ready-made content for parties online engagement, they are high-stakes endeavours, laden with great risks (if they flop) as well as great rewards (if they succeed). Photographs and videos revealing low turnout are fodder for an opposition party to exploit on social media to mock the rally-organising party for its apparent lack of support. This can negatively impact voter perceptions about the rally-organising party and demobilise voters from participating in its campaign.

On the other hand, if a large crowd turns out for a rally, the rally-organising party can boast about the crowd turnout on social media. This can positively influence voter perceptions and mobilise voters to participate in its campaign.

Party-voter linkages: Evidence from party campaigns

To test the parties use of content-complementarity, I examined partisan tweets during recent state election campaigns in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. For Uttar Pradesh, I investigated content on the official X handles of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh and the Samajwadi Party (SP), which were the two most competitive parties in the 2022 state elections. A content analysis of nearly 9,300 tweets that appeared from these handles during the campaign period revealed that around 40% of partisan tweets included rally content. For both the BJP and the SP, among tweets that contained rally content, at least 75% included post-rally content.

For Madhya Pradesh, I examined content on the official X handles of the state units of the BJP and Congress. A content analysis of around 3,100 tweets that appeared from these handles during the 2023 state elections campaign uncovered a similar pattern. Around 35% of tweets contained rally content, and of those, almost 70% included post-rally content.

A remarkable percentage of partisan X data contained rally content, and a striking proportion of this was post-rally content, which typically consisted of photographs of the rally crowd and the partys campaigner and videos from the campaigners rally speech.

On X, parties boasted about historic crowd sizes at their rallies. For instance, in one post, which included an accompanying video with visuals of large rally crowds, @BJP4UP said: jan sailab phir se itihaas likhne jaa raha hai, UP mein phir se kamal khilne jaa raha hai ([this] flood of people is going to write history, the lotus is going to bloom again in UP). In another post, which included a video with a speech excerpt that referred to the large crowd gathered at the rally site, @samajwadiparty said. Aitihasik jansamarthan bata raha hai badlaav hone jaa raha hai ([this] historic peoples support is telling us that change is going to happen).

Party circulation of post-rally content is not limited to X. Among the approximately 400 party functionaries from the BJP and the SP who I surveyed in Uttar Pradesh in 2022, 90% said that they posted photographs and/or videos from their partys rallies on WhatsApp and/or Facebook. Moreover, among the nearly 2,000 voters surveyed in Uttar Pradesh in 2022 who were smartphone users, 53% reported having seen photographs and/or videos of campaign rallies on their phones at least once a day in the lead-up to the elections. This exposure to rally content has the potential to influence voter perceptions and voter mobilisation, especially among smartphone users.

Intraparty Linkages: Evidence from party organisation in India

In addition to leveraging content-complementarity for party-voter linkages, parties also utilise this complementarity for building and maintaining intraparty linkages. Each of Indias major parties has an organisational vertical  variously referred to as the partys IT and social media cell, department, team, or wing  dedicated to generating and circulating fresh social media content. Content creation and dissemination are among the core functions of these verticals, which operate from a partys top level (the national or state level) down to its lowest tier (the polling booth level).

The demand for intraparty online content raises the importance of in-person party events and shapes how they are conducted. Online content associated with in-person party events fosters intraparty online engagement between party elites, party functionaries across hierarchy levels, and grassroots party workers.

To disseminate online content, political parties attempt to establish robust networks online. My survey of party functionaries in Uttar Pradesh found that almost all functionaries of the BJP and the SP made use of smartphone apps for party purposes, especially WhatsApp and Facebook. 66% of surveyed party functionaries reported forming new political WhatsApp groups during the 2022 Uttar Pradesh elections. Among them, roughly 70% reported that they had mostly included their partys workers and supporters in these groups, while the remainder reported that they had mostly included voters in these groups.

To understand how often party functionaries communicate over WhatsApp for party purposes, I asked them how many times in a day they used WhatsApp for intraparty communication and how many times for voter communication. On average, during the 2022 state elections campaign in Uttar Pradesh, BJP functionaries said that they used WhatsApp to communicate with other party functionaries and workers around 55 times a day. For SP functionaries, this number was slightly lower at 48 times a day. Both BJP and SP functionaries used WhatsApp to communicate with voters during their campaigns around 40 to 50 times a day on average. In the months following the elections (when the survey was administered), the average number of times per day these functionaries used WhatsApp for political communication reduced to around 15, one-third as much as during the campaign. This implies that even without an upcoming election and associated campaigns, party functionaries used WhatsApp about once every waking hour for intraparty communication and voter communication.

Equipped with organisational resources as well as online networks that span across a partys levels, together with a steady stream of content  a significant share of which is linked with party events  parties engage in continuous social media messaging. Through messages that they circulate among their functionaries and workers as well as supporters throughout the day, parties reinforce their partisan inclination and keep them in a state of constant mobilisation.

Read here: TMC snubs INDIA in West Bengal, names candidates on all seats for Lok Sabha polls

Conclusion

Technological change is shaping election campaigns and party organisation in India. The BJP has been the leading party in the online space, but other parties are catching up, investing in IT and social media units to build their digital presence. These investments can bear fruit, but party leaders must recognise the limits of online-only campaigns. In the 2024 election  and likely beyond  online campaigning is best utilised as a complement, rather than as a substitute or adjunct, to old-fashioned retail politicking.

(Shahana Sheikh is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science at Yale University. In the months ahead, the Carnegie-HT India Elects 2024 series will analyse various dimensions of Indias upcoming election battleincluding the role of foreign policy, the strength of partisan ties, and the impact of welfare schemes)
Gabina VOA is designed to be an infotainment youth radio show broadcasting to Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Amharic language. The show brings varied perspectives on issues concerning young people in the Horn of Africa region. Gabina in the Amharic language is a front-row taxi ride.
Days before the expected announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, election commissioner Arun Goel on Saturday resigned, sparking speculation behind the sudden move. Arun Goel's tenure was till December 5, 2027, and he would have become chief election commissioner (CEC) after incumbent Rajiv Kumar retired in February next year. Arun Goel resigned as the election commissioner on Saturday, days before the expected announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.(PTI)

A notification by the law ministry states Arun Goel's resignation has been accepted by President Droupadi Murmu with effect from Saturday, March 9.

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While it was not immediately known why Arun Goel stepped down, some media reports indicated there were differences on various issues and that could be a reason for his resignation. NDTV, citing top officials, reported that Arun Goel cited personal reasons while resigning.

Questioning the shock move, Mahua Moitra of the Trinamool Congress said on X (formally Twitter), Why does EC Arun Goel resign right after ECIs poll review mtng in Kolkata where he left abruptly? Apparently disagreed with Delhis diktat on num of phases & excessive force deployment . Will now be replaced by hand picked yes man.

Another TMC leader and MP Saket Gokhale said it was concerning that two appointments are to be made to the poll panel ahead of the general elections.

"In a sudden move, Election Commissioner Arun Goel has abruptly resigned. The post of the other EC is vacant. That leaves the Election Commission now with just one Chief Election Commissioner," Saket Gokhale said in a post on X.

The Congress, too, expressed "deep concern" over Arun Goel's resignation and said that if the systematic decimation of independent institutions is not stopped then democracy shall be usurped by dictatorship.

"Election Commission or Election OMISSION? India now has only one Election Commissioner, even as Lok Sabha elections are to be announced in few days. Why?" Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X.

"As I have said earlier, if we do not stop the systematic decimation of our independent institutions, our democracy shall be usurped by dictatorship!" Mallikarjun Kharge said.

Congress general secretary organisation KC Venugopal said in a post on X, "It is deeply concerning for the health of the worlds largest democracy that Election Commissioner Mr. Arun Goel has resigned on the cusp of the Lok Sabha elections."

Who is Arun Goel?

Arun Goel, a retired bureaucrat, was a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre.

He had joined the Election Commission of India in November 2022.

Born on December 7, 1962, at Patiala, Arun Goel is MSc.(mathematics) and was awarded Chancellors Medal of Excellence for being first class first and record breaker throughout in all the examinations of Punjab University. He is post-graduate with distinction in development economics from Churchill College, University of Cambridge, England and has been trained at John F Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA.

Following the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey in February and Arun Goel's resignation, the three-member election panel has now only one member: chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

On November 18, 2022, Arun Goel had taken voluntary retirement and was appointed election commissioner just a day later.

His appointment had been challenged in the Supreme Court, which had asked the government what the "tearing hurry" was. The plea was later dismissed by a two-judge bench in 2023, which noted that a constitution bench had examined the issue but had refused to cancel Arun Goel's appointment.

Arun Goel resigns: What happens next?

Under the new Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Terms of Office) Act, 2023, which was passed by the Parliament in December and came into effect on January 2, the central government can now appoint two election commissioners before the Lok Sabha elections.

The selection process consists of two committees  a three-member search committee led by the law minister and constituting two government secretaries; and a three-member selection committee headed by the prime minister and consisting of a Union minister recommended by the prime minister and the leader of Opposition.

Thus, of the six individuals involved in the process, three are members of the government and two are employed by the government.

The search committee will recommend five names to the selection committee but the latter is empowered to select commissioners from outside this list as well.

The chief election commissioner or election commissioner then gets appointed by the President.

(With inputs from agencies)
The abrupt resignation of Arun Goel as Election Commissioner days before the expected announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has raised eyebrows, with the Congress party claiming that the government doesn't want a free and fair election. Arun Goels term was until November 2027 and he was slated to become the Chief Election Commissioner in 2025. Arun Goel resigned as Election Commissioner on Saturday, days before the expected announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.(PTI)

His resignation has left the three-member Election Commission of India down to a single office-bearer in CEC Rajiv Kumar after Anup Chandra Pandey retired as a commissioner last month.

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"India now has only ONE Election Commissioner, even as ... elections are to be announced in few days. Why?" Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X.

He said India needs to stop "the systematic decimation of our independent institutions".

Also Read: Why did Arun Goel resign as election commissioner? What happens next?

Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale said it was concerning that two appointments are to be made to the panel ahead of the general elections.

"Modi Govt has introduced a new law where Election Commissioners will now be appointed with a majority vote of PM Modi & one Minister chosen by him," he said, referring to The Chief Election Commissioner And Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service And Term of Office) Act.

The Act, which came into effect on January 2, has provisions for a Selection Committee, chaired by the prime minister, leader of the opposition and a Union minister, to make recommendations to the President for appointment of CEC and other ECs.

"Ergo, before 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Modi will now appoint two out of the three Election Commissioners after today's resignation. This is very very concerning," Gokhale said.

Controversy around Goel's appointment

Goels appointment as election commissioner was also mired in controversy. He took voluntary retirement from the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) on November 18, 2022. He was due to retire on December 31, 2022. Goel was serving as the secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industries at the time of his retirement.

The bureaucrat was appointed as election commissioner just a day after his voluntary retirement, prompting the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) to move the Supreme Court. The plea challenging the appointment said it was arbitrary and violative of the institutional integrity and independence of the Election Commission Of India. ADR said that Goel seemed to have remarkable foresight to seek voluntary retirement ahead of his appointment as EC.

A bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna dismissed the petition in August 2023 while observing that a Constitution bench of the court had considered the issue and had eventually decided not to quash it.
New Delhi: Arun Goels term was till November 2027 (Twitter Photo)

Election Commissioner Arun Goel has stepped down from the post, the government said in a notification on Saturday, adding that President Droupadi Murmu has accepted his resignation, which came days before the likely announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

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According to a gazette notification by the law ministry, Goels resignation came into effect on Saturday. In pursuance of clause (1) of Section 11 of The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, the President is pleased to accept the resignation tendered by Shri Arun Goel, Election Commissioner with effect from the 09 March 2024, the notification said.

Goels term was till November 2027, and he was scheduled to become the chief election commissioner (CEC) in 2025.

The Election Commission (EC) has at its helm CEC and two election commissioners. After Goels resignation, the three-member panel only consisted of chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar, as Anup Chandra Pandey had retired as the election commissioner in February.

Also Read: Arun Goel resigns as election commissioner: Why ex-IAS officers appointment was also controversial

It was not immediately known why Goel resigned. A senior EC official, however, said on condition of anonymity that there appeared to be some differences between Goel and Kumar but did not divulge further details. Former CEC SY Quraishi said Goels decision to step down from the post just days ahead of the Lok Sabha elections was very surprising.

Goel, a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre, was serving as the secretary in the ministry of heavy industries before he took voluntary retirement on November 18, 2022. He was due to retire on December 31 of the same year. He was appointed as an election commissioner on November 19, 2022.

In April 2023, his appointment was challenged in the Supreme Court by the NGO Association of Democratic Reforms but the petition was eventually dismissed by the top court in August.

The Congress expressed deep concern over Goels decision. It is deeply concerning for the health of the worlds largest democracy that Election Commissioner Mr Arun Goel has resigned on the cusp of the Lok Sabha elections, party general secretary KC Venugopal said in a post on X.

Selection process

Parliament passed a new law on the appointment of CEC and election commissioners in December. The selection process now consists of two committees  a three-member search committee led by the law minister and comprising two government secretaries; and a three-member selection committee headed by the Prime Minister and consisting of a Union minister recommended by the PM and the leader of the opposition.
Silchar: The All Assam Students Union (AASU), along with 30 other organisations on Sunday, began their 12-hour-long hunger strike against the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the state. The hunger strike started Sunday morning and will continue till 6:00pm (File Photo)

The hunger strike started Sunday morning and will continue till 6:00pm, AASU members said. They said this is a series of agitations they are staging. A massive bike rally was taken out in Dibrugarh and several other districts of the state on March 7.

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Assam previously witnessed violent protests in December 2019 against the controversial legislation that seeks to grant citizenship to religious minorities from Muslim-majority Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

AASU chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya on Sunday told HT that they are staging democratic non-violent protests across Assam and other northeastern states in their fight against the implementation of CAA.

CAA is an injustice towards the people of Assam and northeast. 53 petitions from Assam and Tripura have been submitted before the Supreme Court against it since December 2019, Bhattacharya said.

He said they would burn the copies of CAA rules on the day it will be announced and warned of more protests. Well burn the copies of CAA rules in all the district headquarters in Assam on the day the central government announces it. After that, there will be a series of satyagraha and other non-violent democratic agitations, he said.

Union home minister Amit Shah had in February said the CAA rules would be notified and implemented before the Lok Sabha elections.

According to Bhattacharya, CAA is not applicable in the inner-line states of the northeast, including in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur. It also excludes five districts that fall under the sixth schedule of the Constitution of India and three hill districts of Assam.

Our fundamental question is, if the CAA is bad for Mizoram or Arunachal Pradesh, how is it good for Assam? If it is wrong for Assams Kokrajhar and Karbi Anglong, how is it good for Nagaon and Kamrup? We cannot be considered as dumping grounds, he said.

He said that the AASU is leading the arguments in the Supreme Court against the implementation of CAA and the top court has agreed to hear their side separately. Out of 234 petitions, 53 are from Assam and Tripura, according to him.

Northeast is different from other parts of the country because we have received most of the illegal migrants. There was an Assam movement, and the government signed the Assam Accord in the 1980s. Well keep protesting against CAA till the end, Bhattacharya said.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that CAA has become a law and there is no point protesting against it now.

They should have protested before it was passed in the parliament in 2019. I respect those who are protesting, but they should rather challenge it before the Supreme Court, like the Illegal Migrants Determination by Tribunals (IMDT) Act, Sarma said.

Responding to the CMs statement, Bhattacharya said that IMDT was challenged in the top court and was scrapped.

IMDT was scrapped by the Supreme Court in 2005, and before that, we fought at court, as well as, staged protests across Assam. It was democratic agitation at that time, and we are doing the same this time too, he added.

Assam police recently increased the security arrangements in the areas where anti-CAA are taking place. CM Sarma on Sunday issued a warning against the political parties to stay away from calling for bandh and agitations.

We cannot interfere in activities of student organisations, but if any political party calls for bandh against CAA, well lodge complaints before the election commission and they may lose their party registration, Sarma said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday demanded an explanation from Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin on former Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) office-bearer Jaffer Sadiqs alleged involvement in a drug smuggling case and sought a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the matter. BJP Mahila Morcha president Vanathi Srinivasan and party spokesperson Tom Vadakkan addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Sunday. (Video grab/ Video posted on X by BJP)

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, BJP Mahila Morcha president Vanathi Srinivasan said, Several reports say that Jaffer Sadiq who has been arrested by The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has invested his money (earned through the drug trafficking network) in the hospitality sector, film production, and political donations to the ruling party of Tamil Nadu (not only one party).

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She alleged that the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu has had a close connection with the film industry for a long time and Jaffer Sadiq had become close to the DMK leadership and even obtained an award from the director general of police (DGP).

The Narcotics Control Bureau on Saturday arrested movie producer Jaffer Sadiq, formerly deputy head of the DMKs NRI wing in Chennai district, in connection with the 2,000 crore drug trafficking racket busted last month. The central anti-drugs agency has termed Sadiq the mastermind and kingpin of an illicit network spread across India, Australia and New Zealand.

Vanathi said, It seems that his (Sadiq) family members are closely associated with many other political parties who are having an alliance with the present ruling party.

She also referred to a Tamil film, Mangai, which was directed by the daughter-in-law of Stalin, and accused that the film was entirely funded by Jaffer Sadiq. She said that after news of his alleged involvement in the drug racket came to light, Sadiq was expelled from the DMK.

BJP spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said that Stalin and company have reduced the government (DMK) to a drug marketing kazhagam and demanded that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) should probe the Jaffer Sadiq case.

He also asked a question to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi- Is drug carter acceptable to you? Is Tamil Nadu a drug corridor?

Referring to the scams in the opposition ruled state, Chhattisgarh (Mahadev betting scam), Jharkhand ( (Hemant Soren land Scam and illegal mining scam), Delhi (liquor scam), and 1,000 core unaccounted cash sales in Bengaluru, Vadakkan asked, Why are most of the crimes are in your (oppositions) constituencies?

The chief minister (Stalin) is liable to answer as this is not about a political party, but its about our national interest, he added.

The only people who can address this issue are Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the home minister Amit Shah. Give them another chance and youll see these drug peddlers in jail, Vadakkan said.

There was no immediate response from the DMK.
Cheetah 'Gamini' on Sunday gave birth to five cubs in Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district, taking the total number of the big cats in the country to 26, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said. Cheetahs seen at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district. (PTI)

Taking to social media platform X, the Union Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change said, "High Five, Kuno! Female cheetah Gamini, aged about 5 years, brought from Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa, has given birth to 5 cubs today."

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The number of cheetah cubs born in India now stands at 13, the minister added.

This is the fourth cheetah litter on Indian soil and the first litter of cheetahs brought from South Africa, Yadav informed. In March last year, cheetah Jwala (Namibian name Siyaya) had given birth to four cubs but only one managed to survive. Jwala gave birth to her second litter of four cubs in January this year., which was followed by cheetah Aasha delivering three cubs.

"Congratulations to all, especially the team of forest officers, vets, and field staff who have ensured a stress-free environment for cheetahs, which has led to successful mating and birth of the cubs. The total number of cheetahs, including cubs in Kuno National Park, is 26. Gamini's legacy leaps forward: Introducing her adorable cubs," the Union Minister stated.

Under the ambitious cheetah reintroduction project, eight Namibian cheetahs, comprising five females and three males, were released into enclosures at KNP on September 17 in 2022.

In February 2023, another 12 cheetahs were brought to the park from South Africa. Gamini is part of the group brought from South Africa. Since March last year, 10 cheetahs, including three cubs born to Jwala, have died. According to officials, the 26 cheetahs in KNP presently comprise seven females, six males and 13 cubs.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Sunday raised three questions over the sudden resignation of election commissioner Arun Goel ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He slammed the Narendra Modi government alleging that Modi's India deals an added blow to democracy and democratic institutions each day. Jairam Ramesh. (File)

The Congress leader also hit out at the Election Commission of India for refusing to meet the INDIA bloc parties for the past eight months on the issue of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPATs) that are so very essential to prevent Electronic Voting Manipulation (EVM).

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Congress' three questions include:

1. "Did he (Arun Goel) actually resign over differences with the Chief Election Commissioner or with the Modi Govt, which does the front-seat driving for all supposedly independent institutions?"

2. "Or did he resign for personal reasons?"

3. Or did he, like the Calcutta High Court Judge a few days back, resign to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls on a BJP ticket?

Arun Goel resigned as the election commissioner on Saturday, speaking speculation about his sudden move. The resignation came days before the expected announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. According to a law ministry notification, Goel's resignation has been accepted by President Droupadi Murmu with effect from Saturday.

While the reason behind Goel's resignation is not yet known, some media reports claimed that there were differences on various issues. Meanwhile, some reports said that he resigned owing to personal reasons.

Notably, Goel's tenure was till December 5, 2027. He would have become chief election commissioner (CEC) after incumbent Rajiv Kumar retired in February next year.

Arun Goel, a retired bureaucrat, was a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre. He had joined the Election Commission in November 2022. Following his resignation and the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey in February, the three-member election commission now only has one member - the chief election commissioner.
Six members of a family including a child were killed, and three others were injured as their car collided with a speeding truck in Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur district during the early hours of Sunday. According to the police, the car was headed for Prayagraj when the accident took place on the Karjag-Kerakat road in the Gaura Badshahpur police station area around 2:30 am. Family of 6 killed as car collides with truck in Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur

While all the nine family members in the car were rushed to a nearby hospital, six of them - four men and two men - were declared dead. The deceased have been identified as Gajdhar Sharma (60) and his son Anish Sharma (35), Jawahar Sharma (57), and his 17-year-old son, Sonam (34) and Rinku (32).

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Also read: Eight lives snuffed out in road mishaps in Haryana within 24 hours

Three other members who have been injured are undergoing treatment at the BHU hospital, said Jaunpur Superintendent of Police Brijesh Kumar.

The family of nine are all residents of Bihar's Sitamarhi district, the police said.

Meanwhile, the truck driver and the conductor are currently absconding. The truck, meanwhile, has been seized, a police official told PTI.

The police are investigating the matter.

Further details are awaited.

In a similar incident, two people were killed after a car collided with a mini pickup van on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME) stretch in Ghaziabad on Wednesday. According to the police, the van had stopped on the expressway after suffering from a sudden tyre puncture. Shortly after, a car coming behind it crashed into the van, leading to the death of a woman car passenger and the pickup van driver.

The pickup suffered a puncture and the driver lost control of the vehicle on the DME. The Dzire car coming behind it could not stop on time and crashed into the commercial vehicle. The collision led to death of the woman in the Dzire car and the driver of the pickup van. Our team reached the spot and found the pickup van with a punctured tyre, said Naresh Kumar, station house officer, Masuri police station.
Farmers, who resumed marching towards Delhi on March 6, will hold a nationwide rail roko agitation for four hours on Sunday. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha had called for the agitation to continue pressing their demands to the Centre. The rail roko protest, which will be held between 12pm and 4pm, comes a few days after the Delhi Chalo march. Farmers to hold Rail Roko protest today; security tightened across borders

Top updates on farmers' rail roko protest today:

The nationwide rail roko agitation is likely to witness hundreds of farmers protesting in around 60 locations across Haryana and Punjab and is expected to cause some disruptions to the trains. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Saturday said during the rail roko protest, hundreds of farmers will sit on railway tracks at several places in Punjab, including Ferozepur, Amritsar, Rupnagar, Gurdaspur districts. The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), Bharti Kisan Union (Dakaunda-Dhaner) and the Krantikari Kisan Union - farmers' bodies that are part of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha - will also participate in the rail roko agitation. The security has also been tightened across all the borders ahead of the rail roko protest. Authorities in Haryana imposed Section 144 in Ambala district on Sunday to avoid major disturbances. The police have also been positioned in tense areas in the state. The protest is likely to affect inter-city and state train schedules today. Last month, several trains ran late on the Delhi-Amritsar route because of farmers holding a sit-in agitation at the tracks. Farm leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who called for the Rail Roko protest, said that the farmers will intensify their agitation at the existing protest points till their demands are met by the Centre. Dallewal on Saturday urged the Centre not to run away from its responsibility of giving legal guarantee for MSP on all crops. The government should not run away from its responsibility. To save the country's farmers, a law on MSP should be enacted, he said. The farm leader also asserted that farmers must be given MSP on all crops for their survival under the "C2 plus 50 per cent" formula recommended by the Swaminathan Commission. Dallewal had also called for all the Punjab panchayats to pass a resolution in support of the farmers' demands, adding that the Centre used all tactics to stop their Delhi Chalo march. The farmers' protest started on February 13 with the Delhi Chalo march where more than 200 farmers' unions, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, began marching towards the national capital to press the Centre to accept their demands.

Why are farmers protesting?

The protesting farmers are demanding a law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) - a condition they had set in 2021 when they agreed to withdraw their agitation against the now-repealed farm laws. They are also demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commissions recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, 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 families of farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21.
Farmers on Sunday blocked railway tracks at several places across Punjab as part of a rail roko protest called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to press the Centre to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee on minimum support prices (MSP). Farmers protesting on railway tracks in Ludhiana on Sunday. (Manish/HT Photo)(HT_PRINT)

The protest was supported by four unions of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), including the influential Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), and farm activists blocked all the major railway tracks across the state for four hours  noon to 4pm. In all, farmers blocked railway tracks at 52 locations in 22 districts, including Amritsar, Ludhiana, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Sangrur, Mansa, Moga and Bathinda.

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Read here: Farmers' 4-hour rail roko protest today, trains to face disruptions | 10 points

A total of 69 trains, including Vande Bharat, Shatabdi and other passenger trains, were affected in the region. In the Ferozepur division alone, 24 trains were affected: nine were cancelled, eight short-terminated, and seven short-originated.

Trains were cancelled on the Ferozepur-Bathinda, Bathinda-Ferozepur, Verka-Dera Baba Nanak, Dera Baba Nanak-Verka, Jalandhar City-Hoshiarpur, Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar City, Jalandhar City-Pathankot, Pathankot-Verka, and Verka-Pathankot routes.

Simultaneously, eight trains were short-terminated on the New Delhi-Amritsar, Ludhiana-Ferozepur, Ferozepur-Fazilka, Jakhal-Ferozepur, Khemkaran-Bhagtwala, Ajmer-Amritsar, Ludhiana-Cheratta, and New Delhi-Amritsar routes. In the Ambala division, a total of nine trains were cancelled and 26 others were affected. The Shatabdi was rescheduled for the evening. Amid heavy presence of security forces, the farmers were not able to block the crucial Delhi-Ambala track at Mohra in Ambala Cantonment, Haryana.

The protest remained peaceful and no untoward incident was reported, police said.

Jagjeet Singh Dallewal, convener, SKM (non-political) said: The response to our rail roko call has been good. Protests were held in more spots than it was announced. We have received reports that rail roko was held even in Tamil Nadu, Odisha, UP, Rajasthan, and Bihar.

The stir was led by KMM convener Sarwan Singh Pandher and Dallewal in Amritsar. Both of them said more protest-related action plans will be carried out in the coming days.

There are reports of railway tracks being blocked by farmers in various states of the country, including Tamil Nadu (20 places), Madhya Pradesh (3), Punjab (75), Rajasthan (3) and Haryana (5). There are also reports of arrests of farmers by police in Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the farm leaders said in a joint press statement. If the arrested farmers are not released, it will invite a strong reaction, the statement added.

Dallewal welcomed the support of four SKM organisations. Though, we have ideological differences, the support of these organisations has given a boost to the fight for farmers rights. We welcome their support, and other organisations should also join in, he said.

Commenting on his decision to join, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president, BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), while addressing a protest at Sangrur railway station, said, We have not joined the rail roko because of Pandher and Dallewal, we are protesting for farmers of Punjab, it is them we are answerable to. Even if Dallewal and Pandher dont want to talk to us, we will continue to protest even if we havent given any call.

Read here: After Chalo Delhi, farmers prepare for rail roko protest on March 10; trains to face disruptions

Pandher while addressing a gathering in Amritsar, said, We are determined and will stay put for the long haul. The Union government should realise that. We will not call off out stir until our main demand  a legal guarantee on MSP  is fulfilled.

So far, Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Nityanand Rai have held four rounds of talks with leaders of the protesting farm bodies in Chandigarh, but no breakthrough has been achieved.
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Farmers from Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee block the railway track as they stage a nation-wide 'Rail Roko Andolan' at Devidaspura, in Amritsar on Sunday

The farm organisations Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have announced a 'rail roko' protest on Sunday to press the Centre for their demands. Where are farmers taking rail roko protest? According to Sarwan Singh Pandher, a leader from Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, the protesting farmers will stage sit-ins on railway tracks across Punjab, including Ferozepur, Amritsar, Rupnagar, and Gurdaspur districts....Read More

The train services in Haryana are also likely to be impacted.

Who is participating in the rail roko protest?

The 'rail roko' agitation will witness participation from the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), Bharti Kisan Union (Dakaunda-Dhaner), and the Krantikari Kisan Union, affiliated with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha.

While not part of the "Delhi Chalo" call, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha has expressed solidarity with farmers camped at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points.

Farmers Delhi Chalo march

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are leading the "Delhi Chalo" march to push the government to meet farmers' demands, particularly a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on all crops.

The protesting farmers have established camps at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points on the Punjab-Haryana border after facing hindrances from security forces during their march to Delhi, which commenced on February 13.

Why are farmers protesting and what are their demands?

Farmers are sitting on a widespread protest demanding the Center to acknowledge their list of demands.

 Key demands include legislation ensuring a legal status to MSP for their crops.

 Additionally, they demand implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations for MSP, pensions for farmers and agricultural workers, and the waiver of farm debts.

 Furthermore, farmers are asking the Center to deliver "justice" for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case.
New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Brijendra Singh from Haryanas Hisar resigned from the partys primary membership and joined the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in the presence of party president Malkarjun Kharge on Sunday. Hisar MP Bijendra Singh joined Congress in presence of party chief Mallikarjun Kharge (Twitter Photo)

He attributed his decision of resigning due to compelling political reasons. I have resigned from the primary membership of BJP, due to compelling political reasons. I extend gratitude to the party, National President Sh. JP Nadda, Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, & Sh Amit Shah for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Member of Parliament for Hisar, Singh wrote in a post on X.

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I have also resigned from Lok Sabha membership. I am grateful to the people of Hisar for giving me the opportunity to represent them and raise their demands as their MP. The resolve of public service with which I left the IAS job and entered politics will continue, his X post read.

Senior leaders Ajay Maken, Mukul Wasnik, and Deepak Babaria were also present at Kharges residence to welcome Singh to the Congress.

I want to thank the party leadership. I want to thank Malikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Deepak Babaria. I would also like to mention that Im thankful to the PM for giving me a chance to become an MP. But there were certain reasons why I was not happy there which included farmers issues or wrestler meetings, Singh told the media after joining Congress.

Singh is a former Indian Administrative Service officer. He took voluntary retirement after serving the nation for 21 years and made his electoral debut in 2019.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Singh emerged victorious in the Hisar constituency, defeating Dushyant Chautala of the Jannayak Janta Party and Bhavya Bishnoi, who was then aligned with the Congress. Last year, he publicly backed the wrestlers protesting against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations.

Singh is the son of veteran BJP leader Chaudhary Birender Singh and great-grandson of Haryana icon Chhotu Ram. His mother, Prem Lata, was also a BJP MLA in Haryana.
While the national Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi is etched in collective Indian memory, the more frequently imposed state emergency provision, Article 356, is now rarely used. We must thank the Supreme Court judges who decided SR Bommai v Union of India 30 years ago today for this change. Writing during the Partition, the Constitution framers feared secession, violent ethnic conflict, and communist revolutions in certain states. (AP)

Article 356, also known as Presidents Rule, is designed to be invoked when a state cannot function constitutionally. It grants the Union Cabinet power to dismiss democratically elected state governments and dissolve legislative assemblies. While the constitutional framers intended Article 356 to be used sparingly, its misuse by various Union governments to topple Opposition-led state governments has been rampant. On March 11, 1994, nine Supreme Court judges, hailing from eight states, took a stand against this abuse of power. Without augmenting their authority, they put crucial limits on the Union governments discretionary power, strengthening democracy and federalism.

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What led to this case?

It started with the events on April 21, 1989. As the world watched 100,000 students march across Tiananmen Square in China, in Bengaluru, then chief minister SR Bommai was fighting political upheaval; Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had dismissed Bommais Janata Party-led government and dissolved the legislature after 19 MLAs withdrew support. By the time President R Venkataraman issued the order for Presidents Rule, seven lawmakers had rejoined Bommai, who again claimed a majority. Governor P Venkatasubbaiah never gave Bommai the chance to prove his majority, and the Karnataka high court rejected Bommais petition challenging Presidents Rule.

His governments fate reflected a broader pattern of Union governments misusing Article 356. In 1988 the Sarkaria Commission found that at least a third of all Article 356 impositions were politically motivated.

The reason was simple: Once dismissed, it was much harder for that government or party to get reelected. Our study titled Presidents Rule in India: State Emergency or Political Capture? finds that of the 123 instances of Presidents Rule in states (1952-2019), the dismissed CM continued only in 24 cases, and the dismissed party formed the government again in only 44 instances. The then-dominant Congress represents 29 of these 44 instances.

As Bommai approached the Supreme Court, there were other cases of Presidents Rule with varying circumstances. In 1987, Congress won and formed the government in Nagaland, but a 1988 split in the party and the wrongful confinement of 13 MLAs prompted the Union government to impose Presidents Rule. In 1991, in Meghalaya, the speaker challenged the government and disqualified five MLAs for defection, and then called the confidence motion a tie, triggering Presidents Rule. The Babri Masjid demolition in 1992 sparked violence, followed by the governments resignation and Presidents Rule in Uttar Pradesh, which was never challenged. However, soon after, BJP governments in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh also faced Presidents Rule for alleged support of communal groups and a breakdown in law and order. All three states challenged Presidents Rule as politically biased. Petitions challenging the imposition of Presidents Rule in all five states (except Uttar Pradesh) were reviewed along with SR Bommais petition.

Why did the Constitution have such a provision?

Writing during the Partition, the Constitution framers feared secession, violent ethnic conflict, and communist revolutions in certain states. They decided that the power to intervene during a breakdown of law and order, or constitutional governance, would lie with the Union government rather than the state CM. However, they were also aware of its potential for abuse. BR Ambedkar explained, I do not altogether deny that there is a possibility of these articles being abused or employed for political purposes and I share the sentiments that such articles will never be called into operation and that they would remain a dead letter.

Far from it. All but two states (Chhattisgarh and Telangana) have been under Presidents Rule, 123 times, not including 19 impositions in Union territories. The governments in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha, Manipur, and Kerala have been dismissed most frequently.

In terms of duration, Punjab and the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir have borne the brunt. Typically, Presidents Rule is valid for two months unless Parliament extends it for up to six months. Extensions beyond a year are only permitted in a national security emergency or if the Election Commission certifies that holding assembly elections is difficult. Even then, the limit for Presidents Rule is three years, but through a constitutional amendment, an exception was made for Punjab, whose residents experienced Union rule, cumulatively, for almost a decade.

When should Article 356 be used?

The formal procedure to invoke Article 356 begins when the governor sends a report to the Union Cabinet explaining why the state government cannot function according to the Constitution. If the Cabinet concurs with the governors report and recommends that the President invoke Article 356, then the President has discretionary power. However, the Constitution is silent on what constitutes a failure of constitutional machinery or a constitutional emergency, making the provision vulnerable to misuse.

In practice, the governor is appointed by the Union cabinet, and over time, the governors office becomes partisan. Consequently, taking time to form a coalition is sometimes opportunistically interpreted as political instability.

Article 356 can be invoked in three broad ways - one, in line with the goal spelled out in the Constitution to deal with a genuine constitutional emergency, two, using an emergency as a pretext to increase the power of the Union government, and three, to increase the power of the Union government and reduce the power of the state government without any emergency occurring.

The frequent misuse of Article 356 started with Indira Gandhi, who imposed it 48 times, including four times during the 22-month national Emergency. In 1977, when Morarji Desai formed a coalition government, he imposed Presidents Rule 13 times, including in nine Congress-governed states. The Janata government would impose Presidents Rule four more times in 1979 under Charan Singh. When Indira Gandhi returned as PM in 1980, her government retaliated and imposed Presidents Rule in nine states with Opposition party governments.

Were the tactics of Indira Gandhi and the Janata Party exceptional? In our study, we analysed the legislative data of every Union and state government between 1952 and 2019. We find that the primary driver for imposing Presidents Rule is political arithmetic. Given a Union government in power at the Centre, a five-percentage-point smaller seat share of a state government is associated with a 10% higher probability of Presidents Rule.

Unsurprisingly, coalition governments in states are about three times more likely to experience Presidents Rule than state governments formed by a single party. The number of times a party has formed a government in the state in the past, i.e., more experienced governments, is correlated with a lower likelihood of Presidents Rule. The Union government is more likely to take advantage when there is a political vacuum in a state; for instance, the death of a CM in office increases the likelihood of Presidents Rule by 37 times. Finally, emergencies such as communal riots or natural disasters are not significant predictors of Presidents Rule, and emergencies are not even ostensible triggers. Its pure politics - the strength of the states political majority determines the likelihood of Presidents Rule.

The SR Bommai judgment

In Bommai, the Supreme Court faced three primary questions: One, whether proclamations of Presidents Rule were justiciable; two, the scope and limits of the Presidents powers under Article 356; and three, the effects of holding such a proclamation invalid after Parliaments approval.

The majority of the nine-judge bench , across six opinions, overruled the 1977 decision in State of Rajasthan v Union of India, and held that proclamations under Article 356 were subject to judicial review. The courts could strike down an Article 356 proclamation if found to be malafide or based on wholly irrelevant grounds. When reviewing the proclamation, the court would examine if it was issued based on any material, if such material was relevant, even if partially, to impose Presidents Rule.

Furthermore, it said that the President must have relevant material, such as a governors report, before imposing Presidents Rule. Despite Article 74(2) prohibiting review of ministerial advice, courts can verify the existence and relevance of the underlying material for such advice without reviewing the quality of the advice. And if the proclamation is held unconstitutional, the court can restore the dissolved government, even if Parliament had previously approved such a proclamation. The review would have no meaning without granting relief upon finding Presidents Rule unconstitutional.

One relevant question was whether the state government had the chance to test its strength in the state legislature before Presidents Rule was imposed. A majority declared the imposition of Presidents Rule in Karnataka, Nagaland and Meghalaya unconstitutional. But the imposition of Presidents Rule in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, to control communal violence, was upheld.

Did it have an impact?

Presidents Rule was invoked 81 times pre-Bommai, 16 times during review, and 26 times post-Bommai. In our study, we calculated simple probabilities of observing Presidents Rule of 0.9%, 1.2%, and 0.3% before, during, and after the judgment.

We found that post-Bommai, destabilising state governments with strong political mandates became harder. Crucially, coalition governments are not more likely to face Presidents Rule, likely due to the floor test requirement, allowing them to demonstrate political strength. Now, situations where parties are unable to form a government or the government has collapsed can be separated from skirmishes involving defecting MLAs.

The Bommai judgment did not eliminate Article 356s opportunistic potential. Small or precarious majorities in state governments remain vulnerable to partisan applications of this rule. Furthermore, the Union government has demonstrated its ability to bypass Article 356, as seen in Jammu & Kashmir since 2019. Presidents Rule, imposed in 2018 when Mehbooba Muftis coalition government fell, was lifted in 2019 after Jammu & Kashmir became a Union Territory. Yet even after four years, no legislative assembly elections have been held in Jammu & Kashmir, which is still governed by a lieutenant governor who reports to the Union home ministry.

The significance of Bommai lies in its success in curbing the Union governments arbitrary actions. The judges made Article 356 proclamations justiciable without undermining the Presidents discretionary powers, thus strengthening Indias federalism without diminishing its separation of powers.

Shruti Rajagopalan is a Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Abishek Choutagunta is a Researcher at the Institute of Law and Economics, University of Hamburg. Christian Bjrnskov is a Professor at the Department of Economics at Aarhus University. Stefan Voigt is the Director of the Institute of Law and Economics, University of Hamburg
A 10-member National Investigation Agency (NIA) team is pursuing the prime suspect in the Bengaluru cafe blast case in north Karnatakas Kalaburagi, said officials aware of the matter, who added that the anti-terror unit is scaling up operations to bring in the man who has now been at large for 10 days. The blast at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengalurus Brookefield injured nine people. (PTI)

Read here: Bengaluru blast: What CCTV footage found about Rameshwaram Cafe bomber

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NIA officials on Friday said the suspect had been spotted in Ballari district, roughly 310km away from Bengaluru. A senior officer on Sunday said the man had then been sighted at a bus stand in Ballari, likely to Kalaburagi, which is a further 300km north.

The officer cited above said they received information that two unidentified individuals were seen interacting with the suspect at the bus stand, adding that a specific Karnataka Road Transport Corporation bus is under the scanner.

Bus KA-32-F-1885 set off from Kalaburagi Depot No 1, said the officer.

Two unreserved seats on this bus were occupied by individuals who alighted at Ram Mandir Circle and the Central Bus Stand respectively in Kalaburagi late on March 1, said the officer.

Additional NIA teams have procured surveillance camera footage from Kalaburagi Railway Station and its surrounding areas, including Ballari and Humnabad.

Kalaburagi police chief R Chetan confirmed that the NIA team had arrived in the district, but said the team had not shared any information about the investigation with the local police.

NIA took over the probe into the blast at the Rameshwaram Cafe on March 4, three days after the low-intensity explosion rocked a branch of the popular restaurant in eastern Bengalurus Brookefield.

The ministry of home affairs (MHA) handed over the investigation to NIA, which was already assisting the state investigation teams, they added.

The anti-terror agency has also released four new images of the suspect as part of attempts to help identify the man. These images, captured at Ballari bus stand, depict the suspect without a cap, unlike previous images. NIA has offered a 10 lakh reward for credible information that may lead to the suspects arrest.

Further, in light of concerns that the suspect may attempt an escape via coastal routes, NIA has sought heightened security in coastal areas. It has also begun checking boats to prevent potential escape attempts.

Read here: Security beefed up in Bengaluru public places after threat e-mails row

Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara said the prime suspect changed his clothes after the incident and travelled by bus. He said the suspect first headed towards Tumakuru town by bus.

Earlier, the Bengaluru police had registered a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Substances Act.
Azamgarh: Addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the venom of appeasement is weakening as his government is bringing about development in the state. Reacting to Lalu Yadav's 'no family' remark, PM Modi said the entire nation is "Modi ka Parivar". Azamgarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the foundation stone laying and inauguration ceremony of various developmental projects.(PTI)

"As Uttar Pradesh is scaling the heights of development, the venom of appeasement is weakening So, 'parivar vaadi' people are baffled and abusing Modi every day. They say Modi doesn't have a family of his own. They forget that the 140 crore people of the country are 'Modi ka Parivar'," he said.

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Several top BJP leaders used the suffix Modi ka Parivar after their names on social media, in response to Lalu Yadav's jibe.

BJP's Dinesh Lal Yadav is the Member of Parliament from Azamgarh, which was once considered the bastion of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's family.

"Today, the star of Azamgarh is shining. There was a time when there would be an event in Delhi and other states would join in. Today, the event is being held in Azamgarh and thousands of people from different parts of the country are connecting with Azamgarh," Modi said.

PM Modi attacked the Opposition's INDIA bloc, accusing it of casteism and dynasty politics.

"Your love and development of Azamgarh is making the INDI alliance, which is dependent on casteism, dynasty and vote bank, lose its sleep. For decades, Purvanchal saw the politics of casteism and appeasement. In the last 10 years, this region has also seen the politics of development, it has picked up pace in the last 7 years under the leadership of CM Yogi. The people have also seen 'mafia raj' and dangers of extremism and now, they are also seeing rule of law," he said.

PM Modi said Azamgarh will become 'Ajanmagarh'.

"People of Azamgarh - hear one more Modi ki guarantee. I give you one more guarantee. The Azamgarh of tomorrow is 'Ajanmagarh'. This' Ajanmagarh' will be the 'garh' of development. This will be the 'garh' of development for eternity. Ye Modi ki guarantee hai," he added.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath lauds Modi

UP CM Yogi Adityanath said the BJP government changed the identity of Azamgarh.

"What was the identity of Azamgarh 10 years back? Azamgarh, which was made the bastion of criminal and mafia activities - today, PM Modi has come to that Azamgarh and is showering money here by giving the gifts of projects worth crores of rupees. In the last 10 years, Azamgarh has not only been given a good atmosphere of security but has also been given modern infrastructure. We are thankful to PM Modi for this," he said.

PM Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundations of projects worth 34,700 crore in the state.

"I am running with speed and moving the country with speed to fulfil the promise of developed India by 2047," he said.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday invoked the Hindu epic Mahabharata and described the coming general elections as a fight between dharma and adharma. Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal.(X/AAP)

...It is the fight between 'dharma' and 'adharma'. We know that Pandavas won but Kauravas had everything...Pandavas had lord Krishna with them. What do we have with us? We are also very small but we have lord Krishna with us, Kejriwal said while addressing a public gathering in Haryana's Kurukshetra, according to ANI.

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He also alleged that accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misusing central agencies.

"Today, they (BJP) have all the power be it IB, CBI, ED and everything else. We have only our 'dharma' with us and this is the fight of 'dharma' and 'adharma'..." the Delhi chief minister said.

Kejriwal also urged the public to not fall into the trap of electing the prime minister in the Lok Sabha.

"...Don't make a mistake this time. Don't get trapped to elect the Prime Minister; vote to elect your MPs. Elect an MP that works for you during tough times..." he said.

Kejriwal also added that the BJP has been winning 10 Lok Sabha seats from Haryana for the last 10 years.

For the last 10 years you have been sending 10 BJP MPs after winning. These MPs have not done a single thing for you. These are not your MPs, they are slaves of BJP, Kejriwal said.

He also criticised the Modi government for exuding confidence of winning 370 seats in the general elections.

BJP is openly saying that they are getting 370 seats, they do not want your votes, he told the gathering. We (AAP) need your votes, I have come from Delhi to touch your feet and seek your blessings.

Kejriwal added: Sushil Gupta (AAP candidate) is going door to door asking for your votes, so you should vote for us only.

The AAP is contesting the Lok Sabha polls along with the Congress as constituents of the INDIA bloc formed by opposition parties to take on the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The two parties announced their seat-sharing arrangement for Delhi, Gujarat, Goa and Haryana a week ago. As part of the arrangement, the AAP has fielded Gupta from Kurukshetra while the Congress will contest the remaining nine seats in Haryana.
India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) bloc were able to stitch together a trade deal after negotiations spread over just a year because both sides respected each others sensitivities and aimed for a balanced agreement, a top Swiss official said on Sunday. Swiss state secretary for economic affairs Helene Budliger Artieda met commerce minister Piyush Goyal 10 times in less than a year. (Image posted on X by Helene Budliger Artieda)

The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) signed by India and the bloc comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland is set to facilitate easy services exports and allow scaling up of cutting-edge technologies in the large Indian market. It includes a commitment by the four countries on investments of $100 billion and creating a million jobs in India over 15 years.

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The Swiss state secretary for economic affairs, Helene Budliger Artieda, who met commerce minister Piyush Goyal 10 times in less than a year, said in an interview that the clear definition of ground rules and principles after the two sides resumed discussions on the trade deal last year helped drive the negotiations.

Both sides wanted to have a balanced deal and to respect each others sensitivities, and Indias evolution in the handling of intellectual property rights (IPR) in recent years also facilitated discussions in an area that is important for Switzerland, she said.

This time around, India has been able to give us something which was important for our pharma...not obliging our pharma to multiply production hubs in the world, Artieda said.

In this context, Artieda referred to the pre-grant opposition process, whereby entities can oppose a foreign firms patent application in India, and said the Swiss pharmaceutical industry sometimes felt this was endless. She added, The fact that under minister Goyals leadership, I understand the Patent Office has hired new staff. So, they were able to deal with pending issues much faster. India sort of met us somewhere in the middle.

While it wasnt possible for Switzerland to push for TRIPS-plus language in the TEPA, it was important that we would jot down into this IPR chapter Trips language commitments that India had already undergone in the framework of WTO, she said.

Artieda referred to the commitment on investments and job creation in the TEPA and said this was part of efforts to create a balance between the market of 1.4 billion people in India and the market of about 15 million in EFTA states. The four of us are large FDI net exporters...we just never did the pledge in a free trade agreement, she said.

This is where we did the investment pledge and it is connected to the access to the market. So should we, in 15 years, not be able to pledge or to actually underlie with concrete investment projects this $100 billion and the one million jobs, then there will be a revision, she said.

Artieda also said Switzerlands state secretariat for migration has been discussing a bilateral mobility and migration agreement with India that will focus on young professionals who could come and work in Switzerland after getting a masters or a PhD degree in certain areas of interest. She also said the four EFTA states dont have a common standard for migration, which in Switzerland is handled by the cantons or states.

Its not finalised yet, she said, adding she was sure Swiss companies would take advantage of such an agreement.
Patna, Mar 10 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is currently in London, was on Sunday paid a visit by Vikram K Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. HT Image

Others who came to meet Kumar, who has been abroad for about a week, included Baba Mohinder Singh, the Jathedar of UK Seva Dal, a body of Sikhs, and a number of people from Bihar settled in Britain.

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According to the office of the chief minister, during the "courtesy call" from Doraiswami, Kumar shared with the envoy his impressions about the renowned science museum in London, which he had visited a few days ago.

Kumar also told Doraiswami that a "science city" was coming up in Patna, and it has been named after former president APJ Abdul Kalam.

The science city would, among other things, "highlight the contributions in science of ancient India", including the city of Pataliputra, the name by which Patna was known in the distant past.

Kumar was greatly impressed with the water management techniques adopted in Scotland, which had "plenty of water resources, just like Bihar", the chief minister is understood to have told Doraiswami.

Kumar said he was looking forward to making use of Scotland's knowhow in Bihar, parts of which reel under drought while other regions are ravaged by floods.

Baba Mohinder Singh felicitated the Bihar CM and lauded him for "winning the hearts of Sikhs world over" by organising the 350th 'Prakash Parv' six years ago.

The 'Prakash Parv' was held to celebrate the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, who was born in Patna.

Baba Mohinder Singh also showered praise on Kumar for construction of a "magnificent" Gurudwara at Rajgir, a pilgrim spot visited by Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.

A delegation of "non-resident Biharis" also called on the chief minister, whom they credited with the "all round progress" made by the state.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday questioned the impartiality of the Election Commission of India after Arun Goel's abrupt resignation as election commissioner ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)

The Constitution, which has three pillars - Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, is the base of democracy, Sibal told reporters, highlighting the foundational principles of India's governance structure. "The election commission's role is to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free and fair way," he continued.

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Reacting to Goel's departure, Sibal, a seasoned politician and legal luminary, minced no words in his criticism of the institution tasked with overseeing the democratic exercise.

"In the last 10 years, it looks like the election commission has become an extended arm of the government," he said.

In a post of X, Sibal wrote, Way cleared to: Pack the Commission with Yes men. This applies to all institutions that are the foundations of our Republic !

Also Read: Why did Arun Goel resign as election commissioner? What happens next?

Goel's resignation comes at a time when preparations for Lok Sabha elections are in full swing, with the Election Commission holding meetings with top Home Ministry and Railway officials on the deployment and movement of security personnel across the country.

Arun Goel's resignation left the Election Commission of India with only one of its three top officials to conduct what will be the largest exercise of the democratic franchise in human history.

Congress general secretary organisation K C Venugopal said in a post on X, "It is deeply concerning for the health of the worlds largest democracy that Election Commissioner Mr. Arun Goel has resigned on the cusp of the Lok Sabha elections."

There is absolutely "no transparency" in how a constitutional institution like the ECI has been functioning and the manner in which the government pressures it, he said.

During the 2019 elections, Ashok Lavasa had dissented against a clean chit to the PM for violating the Model Code of Conduct, he said.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday night arrested Subhash Yadav, a close aide of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, in a money laundering case linked to the alleged illegal sand mining case in Bihar. Reports claimed that Subhash Yadav was produced before the court on Sunday morning and was sent to judicial custody. He will be produced before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Patna on Monday, reported news agency PTI. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. (File)

The arrest of Lalu Prasad's aide came as the probe agency found around 2.3 crore cash during searches at half a dozen of Yadav and his associates' premises in the state.

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What is the illegal sand mining case?

The probe into illegal sand mining money laundering case began after 20 FIRs were registered by Bihar Police against a company called Broadsons Commodities Pvt. Ltd. (BCPL) and its directors, alleging that they were engaged in illegal mining and sale of sand without using e-challans. According to the probe by ED, proceeds of crime to the tune of 161 crore were generated in the case.

According to the ED, the alleged illegal sand trade is controlled by a syndicate that invested funds in the Broadsons Commodities Pvt. Ltd. company. Reportedly, the syndicate earns profit by illegally selling sand.

Last year, the probe agency arrested Bihar MLC and JD(U) leader Radha Charan Sah, his son Kanhaiya Prasad and directors of Broadsons Commodities Mithilesh Kumar Singh, Baban Singh and Surendra Kumar Jindal in the case. The ED had filed a charge sheet against the accused before a Patna special PMLA court in November 2023. They are currently lodged in jail under judicial custody.

RJD hits out at BJP

Meanwhile, RJD spokesperson Rishi Mishra on Saturday hit out at the BJP over the ED raids against Subhash Yadav. The BJP has lost trust in its own leaders and workers. It seems to have realised that they will not be able to fetch votes for the party. Hence, it has reposed its entire faith in the ED, the CBI, and the I-T department, he said as quoted by PTI.

(With inputs from PTI)
Jager bombs being poured - Oattobar69/Getty Images

If you're partial to a big night out, you've probably seen or heard of a Jager Bomb. This powerful mix of Jagermeister with Red Bull is a staple of college parties and bars across the world, although it's generally considered to be American in origin.

When it comes to specifics, there are no watertight sources linking one person or place to the creation of the Jager Bomb. Red Bull arrived in America in 1996, nearly a decade after launching in its home country of Austria. It's fair to assume this drink is, at the very least, a Gen Z baby. Anecdotal evidence shared by mixologist Sideshow Pete supports this, with the combination being linked to Lake Tahoe in 1997.

Even within the confines of Lake Tahoe, there's something of a north-south divide when it comes to the Jager Bomb. Two of the earliest adopters were Mulligan's bar in South Lake Tahoe and Humpty's in Tahoe City. Unfortunately, neither of the bars is around anymore and, therefore, cannot officially claim the drink. However, Sideshow Pete's "reliable source that [he has] personally known for many years" places the Jager Bomb origin story firmly on the south side of the lake.

Read more: Popular Vodka Brands Ranked From Worst To Best

What Was The First Jager Bomb Like?

Jager bombs in a line - KJ60/Shutterstock

The drink concocted in 1997 was slightly different to the one we're familiar with now. The story goes that bar manager Scott O'Neill was at Mulligan's with other bartenders, all hanging out and chugging Red Bulls together. Whether they were buzzed from the caffeine or were in the mood to experiment, the crew came up with the idea of combining the energy drink with Jagermeister.

Exactly why they chose Jagermeister is unclear, but perhaps easy access was a factor. The Jagermeister Tap Machine began to show up in American bars in the '90s, causing a boom in popularity for the drink. It seems possible that O'Neill and Co. saw a readily chilled option and capitalized on it.

In spite of the name, the first Jager Bomb was not technically a bomb. It was made by pouring a can of Red Bull into a glass (no ice), adding two ounces of chilled Jagermeister, and then topping up with a splash of cranberry. It was more of a super simple cocktail than a bomb. The act of nestling the shot on top of the glass and tipping it came later, possibly coinciding with the popularity of the Irish Slammer in the '80s and '90s. The inclusion of cranberry juice seems to have been lost over time, which is unsurprising considering the drink's college party popularity. You already have the Red Bull and the Jager, why would you want anything else?

Read the original article on Mashed.
In a shocking incident, a liquor businessman who was recently released on bail, was shot dead in broad daylight outside a dhaba (roadside eatery) in Murthal of Haryana's Sonepat on Sunday. The murder was captured on a CCTV camera nearby. Screengrab from CCTV footage of the murder (twitter.com/i@iAtulKrishan1)

Speaking to the media, Sonepat Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Gaurav Rajpurohit identified the victim as Sargathal village's Sunder Malik, 36, who, the DCP said, was living in Sonepat. The killing took place around 8:30 am when the victim was parking his car in a parking lot, he added.

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Seven teams have been formed to investigate the case and and the assailants will be arrested soon. We are contacting Malik's family to probe his criminal background. He was also facing cases of murder, attempt to murder, and other offences, DCP Rajpurohit said, even as he dismissed speculations of a gang-war behind the killing.

However, notorious gangster Himanshu alias Bhau has claimed responsibility. In August last year, Interpol issued a Red Notice against Bhau, who is believed to be outside India; in July 2023, the international police organisation had issued a Red Notice against Bhau's accomplice Sahil Kumar as well.

A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

Sunday's firing, meanwhile, is the fifth such incident in Sonepat, Jhajjar and Rohtak districts in less than two months. Four people, including Malik, the latest victim, have lost their lives.

On February 25, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) state unit chief Nafe Singh Rathee, and Jai Kishan, a party worker, were gunned down in Jhajjar's Bahadurgarh. Gangster Kapil Sangwan has taken responsibility.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday reacted to the surprise resignation of Arun Goel as election commissioner just days before the Lok Sabha elections. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and former election commissioner Arun Goel.(PTI/ANI)

Banerjee praised Goel for "not succumbing" to what she described as BJP's attempts at coercion, reported PTI.

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She also alleged that Goel's sudden resignation is evidence of the BJP's attempt to manipulate the general elections.

I salute Arun Goel for not succumbing to pressure by Delhi leaders (of BJP) and his top bosses in connection with the West Bengal LS polls and the deployment of forces, Banerjee was quoted as saying by PTI. "It is proven that what they (the BJP-led NDA government) want to do in the name of the election. They want to loot votes."

Banerjee was addressing a huge gathering at the Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata, where the Trinamool Congress (TMC) announced its candidate lineup for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Arun Goel's surprise resignation



Election Commissioner Arun Goel stepped down from the post, the government said in a notification on Saturday. His resignation was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu.

Goels term was till November 2027, and he was scheduled to become the chief election commissioner (CEC) in 2025.

While Goel's reason for resigning is not yet known, a senior EC official, however, told HT on condition of anonymity that there appeared to be some differences between Goel and chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar but did not divulge further details.

Goel, a retired bureaucrat and a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre, joined the Election Commission of India in November 2022.

Opposition parties have launched multiple attacks on the Modi government over his resignation, hinting at differences between Goel and the Centre.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that one needs to wait and see Goel's move in the coming days.

I was thinking that after the high court judge resigned and joined the BJP the next day and started abusing the TMC. It shows that the BJP has appointed people with such a mindset. Now the election commissioner has resigned, let us wait for some time to see what he does, he said.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is set to launch its 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign with a mega rally - Jana Garjan Sabha - at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Grounds and announce its list of 42 party candidates on Sunday. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will take the centre stage during the rally to set the tone for the upcoming elections. West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee along with party leaders during the party's Mahila Wing Rally, in Kolkata. (ANI Photo)

Ahead of the rally, Mamata Banerjee posted a video on X (formerly known as Twitter), urging people to join the march.

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Bengal's patience & courtesy should NOT be mistaken for its weakness. The Bohiragoto Jomidars must be reminded of this on March 10. The #JonogorjonSabha at Brigade Ground this Sunday will be a historic event on the land that has always fought for its rights. Join us as we lead the people's movement for Bengal's secure future, she wrote.

The TMC's rally will feature three platforms, including a cross ramp aiming to enhance engagement, connect with the grassroots, and facilitate closer interaction between leaders and supporters during speeches. The rally's theme revolves around the alleged withholding of the state's financial dues by the central government, a contentious issue that has dominated state politics for the past two years, reported news agency PTI.

Around six to eight lakh supporters and several block-level leaders are expected to flock from different districts to join the rally, Abhishek Banerjee predicted.

BJP's swipe at TMC's rally

The BJP took a dig at the TMC's mega rally, calling it the party's farewell rally. According to senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, TMC's leaders as "goons and corrupt," and predicted their impending downfall.

Meanwhile, the rally comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bengal on Saturday. Addressing a crowd, he slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led party, alleging that they are looting the people of Bengal. Modi sends the money for MNREGA wages from Delhi but the TMC government here has looted you at every step. To benefit the TMC's 'tolabaz', 25 lakh fake job cards were made and given to the people. If Modi sends money to the poor's houses, then the TMC government gives your money to the people chosen by tolabaz, he said.
Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led government in West Bengal of looting the people at every step and said that the road to oust the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC will open up with the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (File Photo)

The road to oust the corrupt, anti-poor, anti-women and anti-dalit TMC-government will open up with the coming Lok Sabha election. The lotus should bloom in every Lok Sabha seat and booth in north Bengal, Modi said.

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Modi was addressing a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally at Siliguri in north Bengal. This is his third visit to the state since March 1. During his earlier visits, he addressed three BJP rallies at Arambagh, Krishnanagar and Barasat. This is however his first rally in north Bengal.

Addressing the Gorkhas of the upper reaches of the state, Modi said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the centre was sensitive to the issues of Gorkhas in north Bengal and was close to finding a solution.

The BJP has always been sensitive to the problems and challenges of the Gorkhas. The BJP continuously striving to address your concerns. We are close to finding a solution now, he added.

Also Read: PM Modis Sandeshkhali attack on corrupt TMC: Show them the door in Lok Sabha poll

The PM continued with his attacks over the Sandeshkhali issue, where allegations of sexual assault and land grabbing have surfaced against local TMC leaders.

The entire country is now discussing what the TMC leaders did to the poor, Dalit and Adivasi sisters in Sandeshkhali. The TMCs extortionists have been engaged in looting the earnings of the poor and atrocities on women, Modi said.

Earlier in the day, Modi addressed a program of Viksit Bharat, Viksit West Bengal in Siliguri from where he inaugurated and dedicated to the nation multiple rail and road projects worth more than Rs.4,500 crore in the state.

Branding the Banerjee-led party as corrupt, anti-poor, anti-women and anti-dalit, Modi accused the TMC of depriving millions of people by not implementing central schemes and siphoning off central funds.

The TMC government is looting you at every step. Modi sends funds for paying wages under the MGNREGS. The TMC government made 2.5 lakh (250,000) fake job cards. The money, which Modi sends for you, is given to some select extortionists by the TMC, he said.

The TMC hit back saying that the PM was repeating his old and fake promises to the people and that the net result of his visits would be zero.

This is his fourth rally in the last nine days. He is repeating old and false statements. He had come earlier too. He has started coming again. His visits didnt yield any results earlier. They wont bring any result in future too, Bengal minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said in a video message shared by the TMC.

Stepping up his attack against the INDIA alliance, Modi said that the TMC, Congress and Left were in favour of dynasty politics and blocking opportunities for the poor.

Also Read: Mamata Banerjee to announce TMCs Lok Sabha candidate list in Kolkata today

Modi government is introducing opportunities for poor people. But those who believe in familism dont like it. They came to politics just to grab power. They conspire to keep their family members at the helm of power. The INDIA alliance does the same thing, TMC thinks about the nephew and the Congress favours the son and daughter of the shahi party. The Left maintains a balance between these two, he added.

Former Calcutta high court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who recently resigned to join the BJP also shared the dais with the Prime Minister. The two were seen shaking hands.

We have read in the media that the corrupt TMC has started to crumble from within. We need to take a vow that not a single vote should go to the TMC so that they can be shown the exit in the 2026 assembly election. The endeavour should start from the coming Lok Sabha poll, Gangopadhyay said while addressing the rally.

The TMC countered saying that the party has been speaking out against Gangopadhyay for his politically motivated orders during his tenure in the judiciary.

Whatever he is saying now substantiates our statements. He has been in touch with the BJP for long. People are now certain that his judgements were influenced, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh told media.
Bhubaneshwar: The Odisha government on Saturday revised the pay structure of state elementary school teachers and mass education departments. The decision would benefit over 100,000 school employees, officials aware of the matter said. (Representative Photo)

The state governments decision would entail an annual expenditure of Rs.587 crore and benefit 104, 350 employees, said officials.

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The cabinet chaired by chief minister Naveen Patnaik also announced that retiring teaching and non-teaching employees of non-government schools receiving block grants from the government would get a one-time benefit of Rs.10 lakh and Rs.5 lakh, respectively.

Over the last few years, teachers of elementary schools, headmasters and officers working in the elementary cadre have been demanding pay revision. In consideration of their demands, the government of Odisha has decided to modify their pay structure, officials added.

The teachers play a crucial role in elections and the cabinet decision would give a fillip to the prospects of the Biju Janata Dal-led government in the state, said officials.

Similarly, the one-time retirement benefit to the teaching and non-teaching staff was to comply with the order of Orissa high court in 2020.

The high court had held that employees, both teaching and non-teaching, in non-government-aided educational institutions receiving aid from the state government were eligible to get a pension.

Instead of paying regular pensions, the government has decided to give one-time retirement benefits, said officials.
Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai interacted with women police personnel on the occasion of International Women's Day at Dantewada. The police personnel from Danteshwari Fighters and Bastar Fighters forces shared their life experiences with him.



I was the Sarpanch of my village. My husband and I were active in improving the village. Both of us had to face threats for development work. We were pressurised to stop development works. We were asked to close our school and Anganwadi. I was deeply hurt by this, Pokeshwari Salam, a police personnel of Bastar Fighters, said at the event.



I decided to oppose Naxals. I felt the need to empower myself after understanding the problems of my society and I became a fighter. Today I feel more powerful than my husband, she added.



ALSO READ: International women's day 2024: Key state government schemes for females A Chhattisgarh Police personnel speaks during her interaction with chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai at an event to mark International Women's Day.

Hailing the courage of Salam, the chief minister said,"I also started my political journey as Panch. With public support, I became Sarpanch, MLA, MP, Minister at the Centre and now I am serving as the Chief Minister of the state.

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Another police personnel Sheetal said that her family and village were affected by Naxal terror. She added that her Dada's brother was killed for supporting Salwa Judum and the Naxals kept pressurising her father's sister to join their party. Sheetal said her uncle suffered mental issues due to constant stress.

I pursued education even under difficult circumstances because I believed in the power of education, but I am sad that I am still unable to return to my village, she added.

Sheetal Ji, I am very sad to hear about the tough times you and your family went through due to Naxal terrorism. But you have raised an important issue which is very close to my heart. Education and that too women's education. I also believe in the power of education. And I believe that if a man is educated, only one person is educated, but if a woman is educated then the whole family is educated," Sai said.



ALSO READ: International Womens Day 2024: Planning to start your own venture? Here are 5 govt schemes that you should know!



This is the power of women's education. Our government is completely dedicated to women's education. I hope that after listening to your story, women of Chhattisgarh will be inspired to get education, he added.



Sai also stated that the children of Silger and Tekalgudem Puvarti were taken on a tour of the capital Raipur which gave them new exposure.
Just a day after Arun Goel stepped down from his post as the election commissioner of the country, Opposition parties launched multiple attacks on the Modi government over his resignation, hinting at differences between Goel and the Centre. Arun Goel resigned as Election Commissioner on Saturday, days before the expected announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. (PTI)

Congress and opposition parties, on Sunday, asked the central government whether Goel stepped down from his post due to differences with the CEC or with the Modi government.

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Taking potshots at the BJP, some opposition leaders also wondered if Goel resigned to contest the Lok Sabha polls on its ticket like former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay. "The resignation of Arun Goel as Election Commissioner last evening raises three questions," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said.

Posting on X, Jairam Ramesh said, "Did he actually resign over differences with the Chief Election Commissioner or with the Modi Government, which does the front-seat driving for all supposedly independent institutions? Or did he resign for personal reasons?"

Read more: Arun Goel steps down as election commissioner weeks before Lok Sabha polls

He further added, Or did he, like the Calcutta High Court Judge a few days back, resign to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls on a BJP ticket.

Ramesh further alleged that the the Election Commission has refused to meet with INDIA parties for more than eight months. INDIA parties have been pressing the ECI to discuss the issue of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) that is essential to prevent "electronic voting manipulation".

On Goel's resignation, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that one needs to wait and see what he does in the next few days. I was thinking that after the high court judge resigned and joined the BJP the next day and started abusing the TMC. It shows that the BJP has appointed people with such a mindset. Now the election commissioner has resigned, let us wait for some time to see what he does, he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged the Election Commission has become an "extended branch of the BJP". It is not the same Election Commission that it was during TN Seshan's time, which functioned as a watchdog over the elections and remained impartial, he claimed.

As reactions to Goel's resignation poured in, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi demanded answers from the former election commissioner regarding the proximity of him stepping down to the Lok Sabha elections.

It would be better if he (Arun Goel) himself or the government would tell the reason behind the resignation ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, he said.

(With inputs from PTI)
The NDA government in the state has decided to provide "free medical treatment up to 5 lakh every year to all ration card holders of the state under the Ayushman scheme", he said. HT Image

"Issuance of Ayushman Bharat cards to 1.03 crore families in just six days (till 11 am of March 8) is a big achievement of our government in the state," the deputy chief minister told PTI.

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All ration card holders covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) get 5 kg of rice, and now, they will avail of free treatment up to 5 lakh every year, Chaudhary said.

"At present, around 1.2 crore families in the state are availing of Ayushman Bharat benefits. Now, 1.03 crore families, who are beneficiaries under the NFS Act, have also been added," said Chaudhary, who holds the health department portfolio.

According to data compiled by the state health department, the maximum number of Ayushman Bharat cards at 5,99,609 were issued in Siwan district in the six-day campaign, followed by 5,44,018 in Muzaffarpur, 5,00,292 in Patna and 4,72,977 in Madhubani.

Districts where less than one lakh Ayushman Bharat cards were issued in the special campaign are Munger (99,984), Kishanganj (76,861), Sheikhpura (58,132) and Sheohar (47,288).

The Bihar cabinet headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had, in February, decided to extend the benefit of the Ayushman Bharat scheme to all ration card holders of the state.

The 'Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana' is a national public health insurance scheme of the central government, which aims at providing coverage for low-income earners in the country.

It is a centrally sponsored scheme and is jointly funded by both the union government and the states.
New Delhi: In a major boost to the aviation infrastructure of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated 15 airport projects, including the revamped Terminal 1 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, worth over Rs.9,800 crore. The project was virtually launched by the Prime Minister during an event at Uttar Pradeshs Azamgarh (Twitter/@BJP4UP)

The project virtually launched by the PM during an event at Uttar Pradeshs Azamgarh included 12 new terminal buildings of Pune, Kolhapur, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Shravasti and Adampur Airports, along with laying of the foundation stone for new terminal buildings of Kadapa, Hubballi and Belagavi airports.

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Azamgarh, which was counted among the backward areas, is writing a new chapter of development today, Modi said.

The PM said that the Gwalior terminal was completed in just 16 months. This initiative will make air travel easier and accessible for the common citizens of the country, he said.

Emphasizing that the record of the government of completing announced projects in time repudiates the allegation of these projects being election gimmicks, Modi said, People are seeing that Modi is made of different material. I am working relentlessly to create a Viksit Bharat.

Along with airports, highways and railway infrastructure, projects related to education, water and the environment also received a new push on Sunday.

Also Read: In Azamgarh speech, PM Modi calls out venom of appeasement

Giving a new guarantee to the people of Azamgarh, Modi said, Azamgarh will remain Aajanm a Vikas ka Garh (bastion of development forever). He said that with an airport, hospital and medical college, Azamgarh is no longer dependent on the neighbouring big cities.

In an indirect jibe to the Congress, Modi said that in the last 10 years, the region has seen politics of development in place of the earlier politics of appeasement and dynasty. This trend got a new momentum under the leadership of the chief minister Yogi Adityanath, he said.

He said cities such as Aligarh, Moradabad, Azamgarh, and Shravasti, which were ignored as backward areas of Uttar Pradesh are getting air connectivity due to rapid overall development, and just like welfare schemes, modern infrastructure is moving beyond metro cities to small towns and villages.

Small cities have equal rights to airports and good highways as big metro cities. We are increasing the strength of the tier 2 and tier 3 cities so that urbanization continues unabated, Modi said.

Emphasizing on the importance of connectivity and infrastructure development in the region, the PM referred to the inauguration and foundation-laying ceremonies of several railway projects, including those connecting districts like Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Gazipur, and Prayagraj. Azamgarh, Mau and Balia received the gift of many railway projects.

In addition to railway projects, Modi underscored the governments commitment to rural infrastructure development through the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

More than 5,000 kilometres of roads have been inaugurated under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, aiming to improve connectivity for the farmers and youth of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, he said.

The PM also highlighted the governments focus on ensuring fair prices for farmers produce. He spoke about the substantial increase in minimum support price (MSP) for various crops, including sugarcane, stating, Today, MSP for sugarcane farmers has been increased by eight per cent, reaching Rs.340 per quintal.

Also Read: India, EFTA states sign trade deal to create resilient supply chains

Modi also addressed the historical challenges faced by sugarcane farmers in the region. Our government has settled pending dues worth thousands of crores for sugarcane farmers, providing them timely and fair payment, he said.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office, the 12 new terminal buildings will have a combined capacity to serve 62 million passengers annually, while for the three terminal buildings, whose foundation stone is being laid, once completed, the combined passenger handling capacity of these airports will increase to 9.5 million passengers per annum.

These terminal buildings have state-of-the-art passenger amenities and are also equipped with various sustainability features like a double insulated roofing system, provision of canopies for energy saving, LED lighting etc.

The designs of these airports are influenced and derived from the common elements of heritage structures of that state and city, thus reflecting the local culture and highlighting the heritage of the region.

In the event, which was attended by chief minister Yogi Adityanath and several others, the PM also dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of several road projects worth around Rs.11,500 crore in Uttar Pradesh.

The road projects will improve connectivity, help reduce traffic congestion and will lead to socioeconomic development in the region. Modi also dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of several road projects worth more than Rs.19,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a pivotal role in preventing a potential Russian nuclear attack on Ukraine, a CNN report has claimed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin prior to their delegation meeting at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi, India, on December 6, 2021. (Photo by Sanjeev Verma/ Hindustan Times)

According to the report, which cited two senior officials, the United States had been preparing rigorously for a potential nuclear strike by Russia on Ukraine.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The report claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's outreach to Vladimir Putin, along with the intervention of other countries, played an important role in averting a nuclear disaster.

The officials told the US-based network that the Joe Biden administration was concerned that Russia might use tactical nuclear weapons to deal a deadly blow to Ukraine's war efforts.

US officials say that outreach and public statements from Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped avert a crisis, CNN reported.

Also read: PM Modi speaks to Putin, Ukraine war, Russia's BRICS presidency feature in talks

"One of the things we did was not only message them directly but strongly urge, press, and encourage other countries, to whom they might be more attentive, to do the same thing," the senior administration official told CNN.

"I think we believe showing the international community the concern about this, particularly the concern from key countries for Russia and the Global South, was also a helpful, persuasive factor and showed them what the cost of all this could be. I think the fact that we know, India weighed in, China weighed in, others weighed in, may have had some effect on their thinking," the officer said.

India hasn't directly criticised Russia. However, PM Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin that this is not the era of war.

CNN reported that Russian units were in danger of being surrounded, precipitating the danger of nuclear attack.

It said Russia was also circulating a false story about a Ukrainian dirty bomb, which could have been used as a ruse for a nuclear strike.

"We obviously placed a high priority on tracking and had some ability at least to track such movements of its nuclear forces," a senior administration official said.

And at no point did we ever see any indications of the types of steps that we would've expected them to take if they were going down a path toward using nuclear weapons, he added.

With inputs from ANI
China Development Bank ups support for urban village renovation

Xinhua) 15:38, March 10, 2024

BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The China Development Bank (CDB), a major policy bank in the country, has stepped up loan support for urban village renovation projects nationwide.

As of Thursday, the bank had issued 61.4 billion yuan (about 8.65 billion U.S. dollars) of special loans to 271 projects in 33 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Wuhan, data from the bank showed.

These projects had benefited about 360,000 households and had supported the construction of 695,000 housing units for people displaced by urban transformation, the CDB said.

The bank added that it issued the first batch of such loans on Jan. 30 this year, which amounted to 9.08 billion yuan.

The central economic work conference, which was held in December last year and set the country's economic policy priorities for 2024, underlined efforts to advance the construction of affordable housing and public infrastructure for both normal and emergency use, as well as urban village renovation.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Sheng Chuyi)
After hours of breathing in recycled air on a long-haul flight one plane full of passengers had more fumes sprayed over their heads when they touched down in Australia on Tuesday.

In footage shared online a worker wearing a hi-vis vest can be seen slowly walking down the aisle of a plane spraying the contents of two small cans.

Aussie passengers had to remain seated while a worker used a 'pest control' spray down the plane aisle. Source: TikTok

Aussie band Sheppard  famous for the hit song Geronimo  were returning from a trip in the US and said passengers were notified by cabin crew the process was for "pest control", yet online many Aussies were shocked to learn they could be subjected to the same thing at the end of an international flight.

"I've never had this happen when I've returned home on a flight," one Aussie wrote, while another said they would likely struggle with the spray due to their asthma.

What is being sprayed in the plane?

The worker is spraying a disinfectant into the air  an on-arrival pest control method which helps to protect the country against insects which carry diseases considered a biosecurity threat. The treatment is usually administered by biosecurity staff, like in the video.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) manage aircraft disinsection in Australia, and several other viable biosecurity measures are available to airlines to ensure an aircraft is certified and meets biosecurity standards.

"All international aircraft arriving in Australia are required to undertake one of the four approved aircraft disinsection methods to control exotic mosquito disease vectors on board the aircraft," the DAFF told Yahoo News.

Insecticides can be sprayed at various times including before passengers board, pre-departure and also when the plane is vacant.

The method seen in the footage is the least favoured as it is the most invasive for passengers, according to the DAFF, and is usually performed if an airline has not met certification or performed any of the other disinsection processes.

Story continues

Airlines are required to announce to passengers what is happening before the process is carried out.

"The announcement briefly explains the process and asks travellers with medical conditions, that may be affected by the disinsection process, to identify to airline cabin crew prior to the disinsection on-arrival commencing," DAFF explained.

The majority of passengers will not be impacted by the approved insecticide sprays yet some passengers have reported feeling unwell after the process.

"An air hostess once held this bottle so low it sprayed into my sisters face and she was violently ill," a passenger wrote online.

DAFF confirmed this method is used "less frequently" now to previous years, and compared to the other methods.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Narendra Modi UP visit Updates: The Prime Minister on Sunday attended a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh where he inaugurated numerous development initiatives totalling 34,000 crore. In a significant boost to the civil aviation sector, the Prime Minister initiated the groundwork for multiple airport projects nationwide. Additionally, he unveiled 12 new Terminal Buildings at airports including Pune, Kolhapur, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Adampur. Furthermore, he laid the foundation stones for three new Terminal Buildings at Kadapa, Hubballi, and Belagavi Airports....Read More

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Light House Project (LHP), which has facilitated the construction of over 2000 affordable flats with modern amenities. Previously, similar LHPs were inaugurated by the Prime Minister in Chennai, Rajkot, and Indore.

Additionally, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation 744 rural road projects valued at more than 3700 crore, constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. These projects encompass a cumulative length of over 5,400 kilometres of rural roads in Uttar Pradesh, benefiting approximately 59 districts in the state.

The Prime Minister also disbursed the first installment under the Mahatari Vandana Yojana in Chhattisgarh today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for 15 airport projects, including 12 new terminal buildings, during his visit to Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday. Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrives at the Kashi Vishwanath temple, in Varanasi, Saturday, March 9, 2024. (PTI Photo) (PTI)

Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that the project worth over 42,000 crore will be inaugurated. The projects include virtual inaugurations and foundation stone laying for 15 airports nationwide, with a total investment exceeding 9,800 crore.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

ALSO READ- PM Modi slams Congress in Assam, says party insensitive towards Northeast | Key takeaways

Which new airport projects will be launched?

Inauguration of new terminal buildings at:

1. Pune Airport

2. Kolhapur Airport

3. Gwalior Airport

4. Jabalpur Airport

5. Delhi Airport

6. Lucknow Airport

7. Aligarh Airport

8. Azamgarh Airport

9. Chitrakoot Airport

10. Moradabad Airport

11. Shravasti Airport

12. Adampur Airport

Foundation stone laying of new terminal buildings at:

13. Kadapa Airport

14. Hubballi Airport

15. Belagavi Airport

ALSO READ- PM Modi picks trishul after offering prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. Watch

PM Modi's schedule on Sunday

 On Sunday, around noon, the Prime Minister will be part of a public programme, laying the foundation stone for various development projects exceeding 42,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh.

 Later, at approximately 2:15 PM, he will reach Varanasi to disburse the first instalment under the Mahatari Vandana Yojana in Chhattisgarh through video conferencing.

ALSO READ- RJ Raunac on winning National Creators Awards: Told PM Modi we are colleagues, 'You do Mann Ki Baat, I do Fun Ki Baat'

PM Modi's whirlwind campaign

In a whirlwind campaign ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held rallies in three eastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and West Bengal.

He also conducted a late-night roadshow in Varanasi, along with offering prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 15 airport projects, including 12 new terminal buildings, during his visit to Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday. PM Modi launches 16 airport projects in Azamgarh, UP.(YouTube/Narendra Modi)

"Azamgarh's star is shining today. There was a time when an event was held in Delhi and (people from) other states used to attend it. Today, the event is being organised in Azamgarh and people from different parts of the country are attending it," said PM Modi.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Follow- Narendra Modi UP Visit LIVE Updates

The prime minister inaugurated airport projects nationwide, totalling over 9,800 crore.

"Don't see these developmental projects from electoral spectacles, said Modi and added that he is running development fast to make India a developed India by 2047," PM Modi said.

ALSO READ- PM Modi slams Congress in Assam, says party insensitive towards Northeast | Key takeaways

Which airport projects did PM Modi launch today?

Inauguration of new terminal buildings at:

1. Pune Airport

2. Kolhapur Airport

3. Gwalior Airport

4. Jabalpur Airport

5. Delhi Airport

6. Lucknow Airport

7. Aligarh Airport

8. Azamgarh Airport

9. Chitrakoot Airport

10. Moradabad Airport

11. Shravasti Airport

12. Adampur Airport

Laid foundation stone of new terminal buildings at:

13. Kadapa Airport

14. Hubballi Airport

15. Belagavi Airport

ALSO READ- RJ Raunac on winning National Creators Awards: Told PM Modi we are colleagues, 'You do Mann Ki Baat, I do Fun Ki Baat'

The 12 new terminals will collectively handle 620 lakh passengers annually, and the three new ones, once completed, will increase the combined passenger capacity to 95 lakh per year, a government statement said.

These terminals feature advanced passenger amenities and sustainable elements like insulated roofing systems, energy-saving canopies, and LED lighting. The designs draw inspiration from local heritage, reflecting the state and city's culture and history, the statement said.

ALSO READ- PM Modi picks trishul after offering prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. Watch

Later, around 2:15 PM, he will arrive in Varanasi to distribute the inaugural instalment under the Mahatari Vandana Yojana in Chhattisgarh via video conferencing.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday reacted sparkly to Karnataka BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde's fresh statement purportedly saying that there is a need to rewrite the majority of the Indian Constitution. The BJP MP reportedly alleged that Congress leaders in the past amended the Constitution to downgrade Hinduism and said it must be prioritised. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (ANI)

Anantkumar Hegde also said the BJP alone would need 400 Lok Sabha seats to do that in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The statement of the BJP MP that he needs 400 seats to change the Constitution is a public declaration of the hidden agenda of Narendra Modi and his 'Sangh Parivar'. The ultimate goal of Narendra Modi and the BJP is to destroy Baba Saheb's Constitution. They hate justice, equality, civil rights and democracy, Rahul Gandhi wrote in Hindi on X (formally Twitter).

The former Congress president also alleged that by dividing society, guarding the freedom of expression and crippling independent institutions, they want to turn India's great democracy into a narrow dictatorship by conspiring to eliminate the opposition.

We will not let these conspiracies succeed along with the dreams of the freedom heroes and will continue to fight for the democratic rights guaranteed by the Constitution till our last breath. Every soldier of the Constitution, especially Dalits, tribals, backward and minorities, wake up, raise your voice - INDIA is with you, Rahul Gandhi added.

What did Anantkumar Hedge say?

Six years since Anantkumar Hegde said the BJP would change the Constitution to do away with the word "secular" in its preamble, the BJP MP on Sunday reiterated it, exhorting the public to ensure two-thirds majority for the saffron party in Lok Sabha to amend the country's founding document, news agency PTI reported.

Addressing a gathering, Hedge said the BJP needs a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament to amend the Constitution and set right distortions and unnecessary additions made to it by the Congress.

The party would also need to come to power in more than 20 states for this, the six-time Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka said.

If the Constitution has to be amended -- the Congress fundamentally distorted the Constitution by forcefully filling unnecessary things in it, especially by bringing in laws that were aimed at suppressing the Hindu society -- if all of this has to be changed it is not possible with this (current) majority, PTI quoted him as saying

"If we think it can be done as Congress is not there in Lok Sabha and (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi has two-thirds majority in Lok Sabha, and keep quiet, it is not possible," Hedge said.

"Modi said -- Ab ki baar 400 paar (This time it will be above 400 seats) -- Why above 400? ... We have two-thirds majority in Lok Sabha, (but) in Rajya Sabha we don't have two-thirds majority. We have a small majority. In state governments, we don't have an adequate majority," Hegde said.

Hegde said NDA winning more than 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls would eventually help in mustering a similar majority in the Rajya Sabha, and coming to power in two-third of the states.

The statement comes when the Karnataka government has been organising a statewide Constitution awareness programme to educate people about the Indian constitution.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah had said a few days ago, Some people are saying that they will change the Constitution if they come to power. A few leaders who do not even know the power of the Indian constitution are making irresponsible comments. People need to be aware of how great our Indian constitution is, and this drive will help them to learn about it," he said.

In 2017, Hegde had to apologise to the Lok Sabha for simillar remarks against the Constitution but said his comments were twisted.

Regarding the deadlock in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha due to my statement, I want to assure my friends that the Constitution is supreme to me, Parliament is supreme to me, he had said.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, however, objected to Hegdes clarification and said that he had spoken against Ambedkar.

Hegde had reportedly said at a public event in Karnataka that people should identify themselves by their religions and those who, without knowing about their parental blood, call themselves secular, they dont have their own identity ... They dont know about their parentage".

Seculars do not know what their blood is. Yes, the Constitution has given that right to say we are secular.... but the Constitution has been amended many times, we will also amend it. We have come to power for that, Hegde was reported as saying.
The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has completed a key test for Indias first manned submersible mission called Samudrayaan, the earth sciences ministry said on Saturday. HT Image

An underwater acoustic telephone, developed by NIOT scientists for the submersible, was successfully tested at a depth of about 500 metres in the Bay of Bengal on board Sagar Manjusha, a research and survey vessel, the ministry said in a statement.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Deployment preparation, operation and functional testing of underwater acoustic telephone was successfully conducted on board, the ministry said.

Announced by the government in October 2021, Samudrayaan is a manned submersible mission that will allow scientists to observe unexplored deep-sea areas directly. The Deep Ocean Mission aims to unlock mysteries in the heart of the deeps, and if successful, will put India in an elite club of nations, including the US, Russia, Japan, France and China in developing technology and vehicles to carry out undersea activities.

While explaining the aim of the Samudrayaan mission last year, the ministry called it a self-propelled manned submersible to carry three human beings to a water depth of 6,000 metres in the ocean with a suite of scientific sensors and tools for deep ocean exploration.

Agencies associated with the mission have said the design of the vehicle was complete and the realisation of various components of the vehicle was in progress.

Manned submersible facilitates the direct observation by the human in deep ocean in exploring mineral resources rich in nickel, cobalt, rare earths, manganese etc. and collection of samples, which can be used for analysis, the ministry said in its mission document.

The Centre approved the Deep Ocean Mission at a total budget of 4,077 crore for five years. The estimated cost for the first phase for the three years (2021-24) is 2,823.4 crore, government data show.

India has a unique maritime position with a 7,517 km coastline along nine mainland states and 1,382 islands. The mission aims to boost the central governments vision of a new India that highlights the blue economy as one of the 10 core dimensions of growth.
Over the last several decades, there have been monumental changes in the social, economic, and political lives of Dalits, who have historically been one of the most oppressed groups in all of South Asia. A new volume edited by three leading scholars of IndiaDalits in the New Millenniumexamines these changes, interrogates their impacts on Dalit lives, and traces the shift in Dalit politics from a focus on social justice to a focus on development and socio-economic mobility. Shyam Babu told host Milan Vaishnav that a reexamination of Dalit lives was needed in light of the dramatic rise of the BJP and what looks like the terminal decline of Mayawatis BSP. (HT Photo)

Read here: PM Modi biggest champion of Dalit cause: Nadda in Agra

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

One of the co-editors of this volume, D. Shyam Babu, expanded on this subject on last weeks episode of Grand Tamasha, a weekly podcast on Indian politics and policy co-produced by HT and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Shyam Babu, who along with Sudhai Pai and Rahul Verma, is one of the co-editors of this new book also serves as a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi. For years, he has researched the political, social, and economic realities of Dalits across India, collaborating with well-known India scholar Devesh Kapur and Dalit writer-activist Chandra Bhan Prasad.

On the show, Shyam Babu told host Milan Vaishnav that a reexamination of Dalit lives was needed in light of the dramatic rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and what looks like the terminal decline of Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

On the BJPs growing appeal among Dalits, Shyam Babu said it was always incorrect to think of Dalit politics as antithetical to Hindutva politics. A predominant number of Dalits still remain as Hindus. So, when you appeal to the Hindu religion, [Dalits] find some resonance there, he explained. Dalits tend to identify with not only the Hindu religion and co-religionists, but they also tend to see Muslims as the other. Its a sad fact, but its a fact. So, the idea that Dalit politics was somehow not in tune with Hindutva politics, I would say it is completely misplaced. Thats what were seeing now.

On the question of how the BJP has navigated a large and diverse Dalit community, Shyam Babu emphasized the partys efforts to exploit internal divisions among Dalits. Among many caste groups, including Other Backward Classes (OBCs), he said that numerically significant subcastes are not big supporters of the BJP. Take Andhra Pradesh, the Reddys and Kammasthey have their own political parties. Ditto in Tamil Nadu. In Karnataka, its a bipolar order, [dominant castes] play the BJP to their own advantage. Take Uttar Pradesh, Yadavs, Kurmis, Jatsall of these larger castes are not 100% with the BJP, he explained. According to him, the BJPs success has been in reaching out numerically very insignificant castes across a range of states. Its like a chit fund, he said. [The BJP] gathers votes here and there and makes it work.

Read here: Increased OBC, Dalit and ally representation in Yogi 2.0 ministry

Asked about the critique that the BJP has branded itself as the party of Dalits and yet Dalits are not adequately represented in the party leadership, the veteran scholar said this is nothing new. That was true of Congress also. In 1977, after Babu Jagjivan Ram left the party, the party never had a Dalit face. There were ministers of course, you get some kind of quota system there. But they were all insignificant.
Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development schemes worth 8275.51 crore. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.(PTI)

These included the laying of the foundation stone for schemes worth about 7227.36 crore and the inauguration of schemes worth 1048.15 crore.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Dhami also distributed tool kits to workers registered through the building and other construction worker's welfare boards. He also presented allotment letters for solar energy projects to various entrepreneurs, as well as, allotment letters to individual beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Solar Swarozgar Yojana.

Also Read | Uttarakhand govt to constitute committee to prepare for Char Dham Yatra

Dhami said that his government aims to make Uttarakhand the best in the country. All these development works related to various sectors will play an important role in making Uttarakhand the leading state of the country, he said, according to a press release.

The chief minister added that his government is working with the mantra of resolution without options to ensure the all-round development of the state

Dhami also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that his special love for Uttarakhand is not hidden from anyone.

India is writing an unprecedented story of development under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dhami said. There is a huge difference between India before 2014 and the India of now.

He added: Modi ji started welfare schemes for every section. Modi government is continuously working for every class and region, from farmer to soldier and from city to village.

Dhami pointed out that the central government is helping in the all-round development.

Many of the works that have been inaugurated and the foundation stone laid today are being completed with the assistance provided by the Central Government. Under the guidance of PM Modi ji, on the one hand we are running various welfare schemes, on the other hand, many unprecedented and tough decisions have also been taken in the interest of the state.

Dhami also said that his government was the first to bring a Uniform Civil Code to the country.

With the implementation of this code, especially our Muslim sisters and daughters will get freedom from oppression in many ways. Many Muslim sisters thank him for implementing this code.
It has been nearly nine months since plumber turned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) operative Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in British Columbia but the Justin Trudeau government to date has not been able to provide a shred of evidence to substantiate the Canadian PMs allegation that Indian government was behind the murder of the terrorist who seized control of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara in Surrey. Poster at Surrey Gurudwara where terrorist Nijjar was the president.

Yet on the eve of a planned pro-Khalistan activist protest against Indian Ambassador Sanjay Vermas visit to Edmonton tomorrow, the Canadian government funded CBC aired a documentary containing the CCTV footage of Nijjars murder. The so-called investigative documentary builds a narrative to point the needle of suspicion against India for the so called political assassination of Nijjar.



ALSO READ: View: Radical politics the driver in Punjab & Canada, the target is PM Modi

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

However, the documentary provides no fresh evidence but based on interviews of known pro-Khalistan activists to build a case against India. The same CCTV footage was aired by another Canadian channel some days prior to this investigative documentary, which is full of innuendos and imputation as if trying to justify PM Trudeaus statement to Parliament on September 18, 2023.

It largely relies on the indictment filed in the US against an Indian origin national in an alleged plot to assassinate pro-Khalistan instigator and rabble rouser G S Pannun at the behest of an unnamed Indian official who had links with Indian para-military forces.

Given the advancement in crime detection technologies, it should not be difficult for the five Eye alliance agencies to get the registration number of the Toyota Camry that apparently blocked Nijjars car and the faces of the two alleged assassins seen approaching the truck of the terrorist before he was repeatedly shot.

Either the airing of the government documentary is a precursor to Canada coming out with evidence to nail the Indian government on assassinating Nijjar or this has been done to keep the Khalistani pot on permanent boil for political gains as Sikh extremists are a vote bank for Trudeau.

A plausible theory is that the airing of CCTV footage and the imputations are to polarize the Sikh voter in India against the Narendra Modi government for the forthcoming 2024 General Elections.

The timing of the airing of the documentary by Canadian government media comes also at a time when the pro-Khalistan activists are planning to hold a referendum in Sacramento on March 31 and a protest was held outside the Indian consulate at San Francisco today.

The protest at Surrey against the visit of Indian Ambassador Sanjay Kumar Verma and Consul General Manish on March 1 fizzled out with handful of extremists turning up for the protest. At Nijjars gurudwara, the extremists have put up a billboard targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Ambassador Sanjay Verma.

According to Canada watchers, rather than using CCTV footage to further radicalize the Sikh diaspora, the Trudeau government should either come out with a proof of Indian hand or stop interference in Indias domestic politics as Canadian diplomats posted in India have been doing in the past.
The Congress on Saturday released its Nyay Geet, which talks about the party's five pillars of justice and its guarantees to youngsters. The song was shared on social media platform X by Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders. Captioning the Congress's Nyay Geet, Rahul Gandhi wrote, The dreams of those who have been left behind will also be fulfilled! This song of justice is the music of the coming of the dawn in the lives of the deprived. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with supporters during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, in Dahod, Gujarat.(PTI)

The song is two minutes and 34 seconds long. The Congress has pledged to provide both employment rights and apprenticeship opportunities for young individuals in a series of commitments in its new song. The five pillars of justice declared by the Congress are justice for youth, women, farmers, workers, and participatory justice.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The video of the song features Rahul Gandhi interacting with locals while visiting several states as part of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. The yatra is a sequel of the Congress's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' taken out last year. The Congress commenced the yatra on January 14 from Manipur. It is slated to end in Mumbai towards the end of this month. The yatra is expected to cover a distance of 6,200 kilometres across 14 states.

Since it was shared on social media Congress' Nyay Geet has amassed around 357.8K views. The song is available on platforms such as Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Wynk and Saavn.

(With inputs from PTI)
New Delhi: BJP MP Brijendra Singh on Sunday resigned from the primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He attributed his decision to compelling political reasons. He later joined the Congress. Brijendra Singh joined the Congress in the presence of party chief Mallikarjun Kharge.

"I have resigned from the primary membership of BJP, due to compelling political reasons. I extend gratitude to the party, National President Sh. JP Nadda, Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, & Sh Amit Shah for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Member of Parliament for Hisar," he wrote on X.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Senior Congress leaders Ajay Maken, Mukul Wasnik and Deepak Babaria were present at party chief Mallikarjun Kharge's residence when Bijendra Singh joined the party.

"One issue that was raised in the rally in Jind on 2nd October was about the alliance of BJP-JJP in Haryana. A decision was taken regarding it and that too is a reason (for quitting BJP)," Singh told ANI.

Who is Brijendra Singh?

Brijendra Singh is a Member of Parliament from Haryana's Hisar. He is also a member of many parliamentary panels.

Brijendra Singh is a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, who took voluntary retirement after serving the nation for 21 years.

In 1998, he secured 9th rank in the Civil Services Examination.

Brijendra Singh had pursued MA in modern history from JNU. He is a native of Haryana's Jind.

Brijendra Singh is the son of former union minister and BJP leader Birender Singh. He is the great grandson of Jat icon Chhotu Ram.

Brijendra Singh not product of nepotism

Brijendra Singh made his electoral debut in 2019. During his campaign, he had said he was not a product of nepotism.

"I should not be seen as a product of nepotism. I do come from an influential political family which has been in existence for over a century. But it's not that I am joining mainstream politics because I had nowhere to go. I had charted my own path in which I fairly succeeded," Singh had told PTI before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Bijendra Singh defeated JJP's Dushyant Chautala and Bhavya Bishnoi, who was then with the Congress.

Last year, Brijendra Singh publicly backed the wrestlers who were protesting against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations.

In 2022, there was speculation that Brijendra Singh is mulling at joining the Aam Aadmi Party. He, however, later rejected the rumours, saying he had no plans to join the party.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi welcomed him in the INDIA bloc.

Happy to see Brijendra Singh ji become a part of team INDIA from Haryana. He is an accomplished former bureaucrat, a successful MP, his presence will definitely add value to the alliance, she wrote on X.
A heartbroken Aussie grandmother is calling for immediate changes to safety standards in rental properties after her three-year-old grandson died thanks to a simple danger she said "many people aren't aware of".

Victorian woman Kerrie said she "wants the law changed", after her grandson Lincoln, 3, died when he became entangled in a blind cord while playing on a windowsill at his Melbourne home in September 2020. Lincoln was found by family members unconscious that day and Kerrie said years on, "we are still completely broken".

Lincoln's mother was renting the property in which he passed away in and Kerrie is now calling for new laws to require older rental homes to comply with modern blind safety standards. Kerrie argues loose hanging blinds that aren't properly fixed to walls are an accident waiting to happen, and that by campaigning for legislative changes she might be able to prevent another family's heartache.

Victorian grandmother Kerrie is calling for changes to safety standards in rental properties and Airbnbs. Source: 9News

Grandmother's quest for change

Window furnishings in homes built after 2010 must be taut and affixed to the wall to reduce entanglement risk, according to the ACCC, and the "corded internal window covering" must be "installed in a way that ensures a loose cord cannot form a loop 220 mm or longer at or less than 1,600 mm above floor level".

However there are no rules which state older properties must adhere to these guidelines.

Kerrie said she's "amazed" more people don't know of the dangers.

"My son described him as his best friend, his right arm," she told 9News on Sunday. "I'm constantly amazed how people aren't aware...I go to Airbnbs and hotels now and I'm [telling] them, 'Hey your blinds aren't attached to the wall.'"

Three-year-old Lincoln died after being strangled by a blind cord in 2020. Source: 9News

Lincoln's law in the works

Kerrie is now working with Kidsafe, the county's peak not-for-profit agency dedicated to the prevention of unintentional serious injury and death of children, to expand safety requirements for older homes.

Story continues

"I want it to be Lincoln's law," she said. "Any looped or hanging cords are a danger to children, so they need to be affixed to the wall," she said.

Window furnishings in homes built after 2010 must be taut and affixed to the wall to reduce entanglement risk. Source: Getty

As a result of Kerrie's work, the state government is consulting on the potential introduction of a mandatory blind cord safety standard for all rental properties, irrespective of the property's age.

Kidsafe Victoria CEO Melanie Courtney said as of this weeks, talks with the Victorian Government are ongoing. "We wrote to the state government in 2021 and we're calling for the introduction of a requirement for curtain and blind cords to me fixed when renters moved in," she told Yahoo News Australia.

"We've had three ministers in that time, in that particular portfolio, who all seen keen an interested. It just hasn't happened as yet, but we're still working on that."

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Summary

Usually, the crescent of Ramadan is first sighted in Saudi Arabia and some parts of India along with some Western countries and then usually a day later in the rest of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries. The crescent moon of Ramadan 2024 is expected to be sighted in some parts of the world tonight i.e. March 10, 2024 with Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK and US gearing up to mark the first fast of Ramadan 2024 tomorrow on Monday, March 11.

Ramadan may begin in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries a day later i.e. taraweeh from the evening of March 11 and first fast on March 12, Ramadan 1445 AH, depending upon the sighting of the crescent moon on March 11 evening after maghrib prayers.
The low self-reportage of mental health issues in India is a multifaceted phenomenon deeply intertwined with cultural, societal and systemic factors. To understand this issue, we must delve into the scientific and realistic perspectives that underpin its complexities. Low self-reporting in mental health: Challenges, tips to tackle taboo, strategies for change, solutions (Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash)

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Navodita Kumar, Clinical Psychologist at Apollo Clinic in Chandanagar, revealed, Cultural factors play a significant role in shaping attitudes towards mental health. In India, traditional beliefs often view mental illness as a moral failing or a result of past karma, leading to stigma and discrimination. For example, conditions like depression and anxiety may be perceived as signs of weakness rather than legitimate health concerns. This cultural narrative discourages individuals from acknowledging their struggles and seeking professional help.

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She shared, Societal pressures also contribute to low self-reportage of mental health issues. The emphasis on success and achievement can create an environment where admitting vulnerability is seen as a sign of failure. For instance, high academic expectations in schools may exacerbate stress and anxiety among students, yet seeking support is often viewed as a sign of inadequacy. To address this complex issue, evidence-based interventions grounded in scientific principles are essential. This includes implementing community-based mental health programs that prioritize early intervention and prevention efforts. For instance, school-based initiatives that teach coping skills and resilience-building strategies can promote mental well-being from a young age.

The expert added, Furthermore, integrating mental health services into primary care settings can improve accessibility and reduce stigma. By embedding mental health screenings and interventions within routine healthcare visits, individuals may feel more comfortable addressing their concerns and seeking support.

According to Dr Valli Kiran, Consultant Psychiatrist at SPARSH Hospital in Bangalore, low reporting of mental health issues is a problem because many people don't realise they have a problem or are too embarrassed to seek help. She said, Even though more people are aware of mental health now, many still don't know much about different disorders. Sometimes, people only realize they have a problem when they see a doctor. People are still afraid to talk about mental health because of what others might think. They might be okay with talking to a counsellor but not with taking medication or admitting they have a serious problem. This makes it hard for them to get the help they need.

Asserting that this lack of reporting has a big impact on healthcare, Dr Valli Kiran said, Some people don't get help at all, so their problems get worse. Others go to the doctor for physical symptoms caused by stress or depression, which makes it harder to treat their mental health issues. This puts more pressure on hospitals and delays treatment for everyone. Our healthcare system needs to focus more on helping people stay mentally healthy, not just treating them when they're sick. Things like yoga and meditation can help, but we need to do more to prevent mental health problems. We should also look out for signs of trouble, like changes in behaviour or problems with relationships. If someone needs help, they should get it quickly from a doctor who knows how to treat mental health issues. We need to work together to make sure everyone can live a happy, healthy life.

Bringing his expertise to the same, Dr Ravi Kumar CP, Consultant - Paediatric Neurology at Aster CMI Hospital in Bangalore, highlighted why self-reporting of mental illness is low even after so much awareness now and said, For centuries, mental illness has been stigmatized globally, transcending borders and genders. This pervasive stigma creates barriers for individuals to openly share their experiences and emotions. Even when they muster the courage to speak up, there's a lingering fear of confidentiality breaches or discrimination. Teenagers, especially, grapple with the fear of peer bullying and ostracization. Similarly, professionals worry about job security amidst the negative perceptions surrounding mental health issues. These challenges collectively hinder individuals from seeking the support they need.

Revealing that this indicates that the actual burden is higher than noted, he explained how it affects the healthcare system and said, The existing healthcare infrastructure is ill-prepared to address the escalating challenges posed by mental illness. Despite the prevailing notion that minor difficulties can be managed through resilience and assistance, numerous individuals are grappling with severe mental health conditions without adequate support. A substantial portion of the population silently endures mental health issues without seeking help or experiencing improvement. In a nation of millions, this neglected segment faces detrimental impacts on their well-being and career trajectory. Furthermore, the repercussions may extend to future generations, perpetuating the cycle of untreated mental health issues.

Talking about ways to overcome this burden, Dr Ravi Kumar CP suggested, Addressing the stigma surrounding mental health and overcoming barriers such as high insurance costs are crucial endeavours. The government must acknowledge mental health disorders as legitimate medical conditions. Furthermore, authorities must intervene to alleviate financial burdens by providing assistance with insurance expenses and supporting individuals grappling with mental illness. These reforms are urgently needed to ensure that individuals receive the necessary support and care without delay.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has finally acknowledged that late Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto did not receive the justice he deserved  that the seven-judge panel, responsible for sentencing him to death more than four decades ago, deviated from lawful procedures. What does this decision indicate?

It clearly reveals a collusion between the judiciary and the political class. Observers of Pakistani politics in the 1970s talked a lot about General Zia-ul-Haq, the countrys then-military dictator, wanting to eliminate Bhutto at all costs. He believed it was appropriate to take the legal route because if he had taken any direct action, it could have ignited a rebellion. Saanp bhi mar jaye aur laathi bhi na toote (kill the snake without breaking your own stick) is an old Hindustani proverb. This was Zia-ul-Haqs standard policy. I want to give you a quick rundown of everything that happened in those days.

In 1977, General Zia seized power by deposing his former boss Bhutto, who was arrested, and then charged with orchestrating the murder of Nawab Mohammad Kasuri. Zia, who was exceedingly crafty in both practice and malpractice, realised that he could not carry out his intentions through democratic means. This was why he declared martial law.

As soon as martial law was declared, the trial of Bhutto gathered momentum. Within two years, a seven-member Supreme Court bench sentenced the former head of State to death. On the morning of April 4, 1979, this sentence was carried out in Rawalpindi jail. Later, an officer who carried out the capital punishment process stated that Bhutto used to say in jail that he was innocent. When he was led to be hanged, he clutched onto his bed and repeated this. He had to be forcibly taken to the gallows.

Asif Ali Zardari, the son-in-law of Bhutto, took over as president 32 years later. He filed a petition before the Supreme Court in 2011 requesting a review of the death sentence for Bhutto. According to the Constitution of Pakistan, the President can request a higher court to consider or provide an opinion on any issue pertaining to public interest. The Supreme Courts nine-member bench delivered its verdict on the issue last Wednesday. This ruling has given rise to many questions, with the paramount concern centring around the preservation of judicial integrity. A crucial question arises: In a scenario where courts lack independence and judges are not impartial, how can the common man receive justice? The focal point of this deliberation was the most highly influential figure of his time, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Throughout his tenure, Bhutto left an indelible mark on the Indian subcontinent as one of its most charismatic leaders. It is perplexing that such a prominent leader could fall victim to injustice and an unfair trial. If a leader of his stature could face such circumstances, what hope is there for justice for the common man?

Incidentally, similar questions are currently being raised in India as well. Just a day before Bhuttos verdict, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay of the Kolkata High Court resigned and announced his intention to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. There is speculation that he will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Previously, when Ranjan Gogoi became a member of the Rajya Sabha after retiring as the Chief Justice of India, similar objections were raised. The Indian Constitution makes no mention of what judges, high-ranking Army officers, and persons holding constitutional positions should do or not do after they retire. This implies that anyone is free to do anything they want after their tenure is completed. But any position with enormous authority is incomplete without morality. Im not suggesting that joining politics entails being immoral. However, persons in constitutional positions should set moral standards for themselves.

The unfolding of events surrounding the death of Bhutto serves as a stark reminder that without morals, power becomes anarchic, and the Constitution becomes a tool for that anarchy. Thats dangerous.

This noble task of balancing power and responsibility can only be accomplished when society and politics collaborate. Politicians must become responsible and accountable to do this, yet they are doing the just opposite. Today, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders who are questioning the morality of Abhijit Gangopadhyays action should look within. Sheikh Shahjahan, the perpetrator of the terror regime in Sandeshkhali, used to be a key regional leader for the party. Why did the party turn a blind eye to his misdeeds? Why is the TMC trying to cover up his actions, even today?

There is undoubtedly no more opportune moment than the present to ponder these questions seriously. With the general elections round the corner, why dont voters and those seeking votes take advantage of this opportunity and reflect on these issues?

Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. The views are personal
Aaron Bushnells self-immolation as an act of protest against Israel has many dimensions. Firstly, it was a protest against the growing horrors of the Israeli military attacks against Palestinians. Secondly, he felt responsible for the attacks as he was an active member of the United States Air Force. So this act was not merely one of protest but also an expression of complicity in an unethical act. Thirdly, his act was not merely a protest (such as shouting slogans) but a protest that demanded a price of himself. While it can be classified as suicide, the implicit morality behind that action elevates it to something more.

As is well-known, self-immolation as a protest is not a new phenomenon. Over history, there have been many instances of such acts. In the context of modern wars, the act of self-immolation by a Buddhist monk during the Vietnam War catalysed massive protests. Buddhist monks have continued this form of protest against the Chinese oppression in Tibet. A similar act is often cited as the catalyst for the Arab Spring. In India, there is a long history of self-immolation that ranges from protests against unjust political acts to suicides by farmers. There are three aspects to this action. First is the act of voluntarily killing oneself, second is the mode of killing oneself, and third is the expression of protest.

In the majority of cases, suicides are related to tangible problems of the individual such as a farmers debt or unrequited love. This is not the case when the motivating action behind suicide is protest. In this case, it is about performing an act on behalf, and for the benefit, of others. There are many who find something heroic about this act of sacrificing oneself for the sake of others. Martyrdom is often of this kind. Soldiers sacrifice themselves, although under orders when they fight a war to protect a nation.

But there is one important difference between soldiers who die in war and persons who immolate themselves in protest against a war. This lies in the idea of autonomy, the independent decision behind the act. In the case of soldiers who die while on duty, their death is not due to their autonomous decision but is only a consequence of the orders of their higher-ups. There are two elements of autonomy in self-immolation: The decision to kill oneself and choosing to be in extreme pain while doing so. Modern societies, which have come to privilege autonomy over many other aspects of being human, do not know how to deal equanimously with death and pain. That is why the idea of killing oneself is so troubling in our societies today since suicide exhibits the limited point of autonomy.

Modern societies go to great lengths to protect this particular idea of the individual as one who is defined by her autonomy. Our justice system, as well as major theories in ethics, are built on this value. However, we should remember that this view of an individual is a particular one associated with the modern era. For example, in India, an individuals autonomy is always regulated by ties to the family, and by the community to which they belong.

The focus on framing the concept of the individual entirely through the idea of choice and rights has led our justice system to overemphasise concerns with individual crime and punishment. An influential reason for this is the inability to understand society as more than its individual members. Such a limited view poses serious challenges to the possibility of social justice.

Paradoxically, while autonomy is valorised as the essential character of an individual, nobody has complete autonomy. Autonomy is always limited and in most cases has to be granted by others. What is allowed in the name of autonomy is only that which is tacitly allowed by those in power. The choice is disguised as autonomy, but it is not.

There is never a totally free choice but only the feeling of choice between a small set of possibilities. A mall seems to be a paradise of choice but others carefully choose all those choices. Such consumerist choice is not the definition of autonomy although most often we tend to this reduction.

Bushnells act of immolating himself to protest what is happening in Gaza is a choice, but is not the same as consumerist choice. It is truly an expression of his autonomy since the act of killing oneself is the final frontier of autonomous action. This act is not a consumerist choice for ones gratification. This act highlights the fact that while he died out of choice, the civilians in Palestine are dying out of no choice of theirs.

The act of self-immolation also has an important element of showing. It shows the process of dying painfully. It is not about the state of death as much as it is about the process of dying. We cannot experience death but can experience the act of dying. Self-immolations significance lies in the hope that when the living sees the painful process of voluntarily dying, it will trigger moral consciousness within the viewer. Self-immolation as protest can be seen as a desperate act to awaken the moral conscience of the people.

Thus, achieving death is not the ultimate end of the act of self-immolation. It is only a means to provoke the question: How much pain are we willing to endure to protest against what is wrong? It is a question that asks us how we should live in the midst of so many injustices to others around us. It is a question of what our response should be when we recognise that we are complicit in being part of systems that are unjust and unethical wherever we live. The self-immolator pain is a way to provoke us to embrace what pain we can in the task of becoming a moral individual.

Sundar Sarukkai is the founder of Barefoot Philosophers and author of the novel, Following a Prayer. The views expressed are personal
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told a German newspaper that at least 13,000 "terrorists" were among Palestinians killed during Israel's air and ground assault on Gaza. This handout picture released by the Israeli army shows troops on the ground in the Gaza Strip, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (AFP)

Five months into Israel's campaign following the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, Palestinian health authorities say nearly 31,000 Palestinians have been killed.

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The Gaza health ministry does not break down the death toll between civilians and Hamas militants but has said that 72% of those killed were women and children. Hamas dismisses Israeli figures for militants killed as attempts to portray "fake victories".

In an interview with Germany's Bild newspaper, Netanyahu was quoted as saying that an extension of Israel's offensive into Rafah in southern Gaza was key to defeating Hamas.

"We are very close to victory ... Once we begin military action against the remaining terror battalions in Rafah, it is only a question of weeks" until the intensive phase of fighting is concluded, he said.

Three quarters of Hamas battalions had been destroyed and halting the offensive now would only allow them to regroup, Bild quoted Netanyahu as saying.

Bild made excerpts of the interview, which was jointly held with Politico and German broadcaster Welt TV, available to Reuters on Sunday.
Nikki Haley formally dropped out of the Republican race after winning just one primaryVermontagainst Donald Trump on Super Tuesday. She pointedly declined to endorse Mr Trump, who clinched 14 states , including thumping victories in the biggest prizes of the night, California and Texas. Meanwhile, Dean Phillips, who launched a long-shot challenge against Joe Biden, ended his campaign, too. Mr Biden registered a clean sweep in the Democratic primary contests.

With Mr Trumps Republican nomination all but official, Mitch McConnell, the Senates minority leader, finallyand not particularly enthusiasticallyendorsed the former president. The two have not spoken since the January 6th attack on the Capitol in 2021. When he announced last week that he would retire from leadership in November, Mr McConnell acknowledged that he was out of step with his party.

The House passed a spending bill package worth almost $460bn to avoid a partial government shutdown on Friday. It now goes to the Senate. Some Republicans opposed the bipartisan bills, which skirt conservative policy riders, leaving Mike Johnson, the speaker, to rely on Democrats. At an earlier press briefing, Mr Johnson tried to highlight right-wing wins by listing cuts to agencies, including the FBI, saying they had been turned  against the American people.

In North Carolina and Texas, MAGA-aligned candidates performed well in closely watched races on Tuesday. North Carolina Republicans backed Mark Robinson, whose insults have targeted a stunning array of groups, for governor. And Dade Phelan, the Republican speaker of Texass House, will face a run-off against a far-right challenger. Mr Phelan led a failed impeachment effort against the states powerful attorney general.

San Francisco turned sharply against progressive politics after years of dysfunction. Voters there approved ballot measures requiring welfare recipients to be screened for drugs and giving the police more power. These are wins for London Breed, the embattled mayor seeking re-election, and reflect widespread anger at rampant public drug use, homelessness and property crime.

The National Guard and state police will be deployed on New York Citys subway to check bags for weapons, Kathy Hochul, New Yorks governor, announced. The officers join 1,000 extra city police assigned to platforms following a number of high-profile violent crimes. Ms Hochul also proposed allowing judges to ban people convicted of a violent crime against fellow passengers from public transit.

Americas elite universities are in crisis. Some are knee-deep in controversy and publicly accused of antisemitism. Several are feeling the pressure to reintroduce the test-based admissions policies they ditched during the pandemic. Can the Ivies, flabby with cash and blighted by groupthink, keep their competitive edge? As one professor tells our correspondent: We are at an inflection point.

Todays polls

Mr Trump is having a good week. He looks set to win his partys nomination and the Supreme Court just ruled in his favour. But according to our daily poll-tracker, which shows an average of the latest polls, he remains basically tied with Mr Biden.

Figure of the day

23, the number of states that have restricted or banned medical treatments, such as hormone therapy or surgery, for transgender patients. Read our story about what leaked discussions from surgeons, social workers and therapists reveal about the uncertainty over transgender care.

Daily quiz

Wednesday: As of 2023, what proportion of the federal budget goes to Social Security?Tuesday: As of 2023, what proportion of the federal budget goes to foreign aid?

From Monday to Thursday well quiz you on American politics. Email all your answers with your name and where you are from to usib@economist.com before 5pm New York time (10pm London time) on a Thursday. The weekly winner, chosen at random from those who give all the right answers, will be announced here on Fridays.

If you enjoyed this weeks quiz, play Dateline, The Economists new history game.

- Dean Phillips, whose Democratic challenge against Joe Biden failed to take off, on March 5th

Read all of our recent coverage of the 2024 election. Confused about a term? Check out our A-Z of American politics.

What do you think of The US in brief? Send us feedback at usib@economist.com. And sign up here to receive it as a newsletter, each weekday, in your inbox.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
At least five people were killed Saturday, four from the same family, and nine wounded in an Israeli strike on a house in southern Lebanon, the country's official National News Agency reported. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement and Israel have traded deadly cross-border fire on a near-daily basis(REUTERS)

Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement and Israel have traded deadly cross-border fire on a near-daily basis since war broke out in October between Israel and the Gaza militant group Hamas, a Hezbollah ally.

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"The attack against a house in the Khirbet Selm area killed a family of four," a couple and their two children, and one other person, the NNA said, adding that the mother was also pregnant.

The strike demolished the house, wounding at least nine others who lived nearby, it said.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October at least 312 people, mainly Hezbollah fighters, and 56 civilians have been killed in Lebanon, according to an AFP tally.

The fighting is mainly along border regions but fears have grown of a broader conflict in Lebanon.

Last Tuesday, a Lebanese couple and their son were killed in an Israeli strike on a house in the southern border village of Hula.

In Israel, at least 10 soldiers and seven civilians have been killed.

The Hamas attack on southern Israel that triggered the war in Gaza resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli figures.

Israel's retaliatory campaign to destroy Hamas has killed 30,960 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the Hamas-ruled territory's health ministry.
Editors note: On April 15th Kishida Fumio was evacuated from an event at which he was due to give a speech, following an explosion. Mr Kishida was reportedly unhurt after what appears to have been a smoke bomb was hurled at him in a venue in Saikazaki. A man was arrested at the scene.

Kishida Fumio, Japans prime minister, should not have to worry about his grip on power. His Liberal Democratic Party (ldp) has ruled with only two brief interruptions since 1955; the main opposition parties are a shambles. After winning a party ballot to head the LDP in late 2021, Mr Kishida led it to a thumping victory in Upper House elections in the summer of 2022. He does not need to face another leadership contest until late 2024 and the next national parliamentary election need not be held until 2025.

And yet, doubts about Mr Kishidas standing have dogged his administration throughout his 18 months in office. They became especially acute late last year, when his approval ratings dipped below 30% after the assassination of Abe Shinzo and subsequent revelations about the LDPs links to the Unification Church, a cult-like group, that had inspired the former prime ministers killer. Party insiders began to grumble about Mr Kishidas leadership. Whispers started circulating that if the LDP stumbled in its next electoral challengea quadrennial and nationwide contest for prefectural officesthen Mr Kishida might be ousted, perhaps soon after he is due to host a G7 summit in his hometown of Hiroshima in May.

The results from the first batch of the local elections, held on April 9th, have largely quelled those doubts. The LDP won 51% of seats in prefectural assembly elections. Along with its coalition partner, Komeito, it took six of the nine gubernatorial posts up for grabs. Voters have recognised our achievements, declared the LDPs election chief, Moriyama Hiroshi. Political analysts now expect a similar triumph on April 23rd in the second round of elections, which includes five special elections for seats in the national parliament. Mr Kishida is riding high and feeling very confident, says Toshikawa Takao, editor of Insideline, a political newsletter.

The LDPs latest electoral success in part reflects an upswing in public attitudes toward Mr Kishida. His approval ratings have steadily ticked upwards, and are now comfortably above 40% in most recent polls. The prime ministers recent trip to Kyiv, the first time a post-war Japanese leader has visited an active conflict zone, proved to be immensely popular. Voters also credited Mr Kishida with patching up relations with South Korea, whose president, Yoon Suk-yeol, visited Tokyo for a long-awaited summit last month.

Yet the good news for the LDP also masks more troubling signs about the health of Japans democracy. Voter turnout, which has been steadily falling over the past decade, hit a new low for prefectural assembly elections at 42%. Mainstream challengers to the LDP, such as the Constitutional Democratic Party, successor to the last opposition group to hold power nationally, continued to flounder; the most successful challenger was the Japan Innovation Party, a populist outfit that made inroads beyond its traditional base in Osaka. Japans shrinking, greying population is also making it hard to find candidates: races in about 40% of electoral districts were uncontested. A lack of competition, rather than great enthusiasm for LDP policies, thus explains a lot of the partys ongoing dominance. Kishida doesnt have much colourits hard to tell what hes thinking or what he wants to do, says Kimura Mariko, who voted for the LDP in elections in Chiba, near Tokyo, all the same.

Nonetheless, Mr Kishida will feel reinvigorated as he heads into the G7 next month. Having dispelled questions about his immediate future, he will be able to engage with his global peers without them wondering if, like so many previous Japanese prime ministers, he will be gone before they have a chance to meet again. Mr Kishida looks well-placed ahead of next years LDP leadership contest. His next move may be to call for a snap lower-house election, a tactic favoured by the late Abe as a means of reasserting prime ministerial control over his party. On March 29th, Mr Kishida denied rumours that he was already planning such a move.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
At least two people were killed while one sustained injuries in a blast near the Board Bazaar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Peshawar early Sunday morning, Dawn reported citing officials. Security personnel examine the site of a blast in Peshawar district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on March 10.(AFP)

The bodies of the deceased, and the wounded were moved to the Khyber Teaching Hospital and the blast site had been cordoned off, officials said.

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Speaking to the media, Peshawar Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Kashif Aftab Abbasi said teams of the Counter Terrorism Department and other law enforcement agencies had arrived at the site and were collecting evidence.

"We have found an almost mutilated body and a damaged motorcycle here," he said.

Also Read | Deeper implications of Pakistan election verdict

"The blast occurred during the transportation of four to five kilogrammes of explosives," the SSP told Geo News. He elaborated that the explosives were being transported on a motorcycle.

"Two people involved in the transportation were killed while one was injured," Abbasi said, adding that the identities of the suspects were being determined.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur took notice of the incident and sought a report from the provincial police chief.

In a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Office, PM Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast. The premier directed the provision of the best medical treatment to the injured.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also condemned the blast and expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives.

Notably, Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in the past year, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan after the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022, Dawn reported.

According to an annual security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, Pakistan witnessed 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1,463 injuries from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations in 2023 -- marking a record six-year high.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were the primary centres of violence, accounting for over 90 per cent of all fatalities and 84 per cent of attacks, including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations. (ANI)
Ukraine on Sunday slammed Pope Francis's call to negotiate with Russia two years into its invasion, vowing "never" to surrender after the pontiff said Kyiv should "have the courage to raise the white flag". Pope Francis (REUTERS)

The 87-year-old Catholic leader fuelled anger in Kyiv this weekend after he said in an interview that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia, which has seized large swathes of its territory in the offensive.

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It is not the first statement by Pope Francis during Moscow's invasion that has caused outrage in Ukraine. The pontiff has also made statements slammed by Russia.

"Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

He was responding to the Pope's interview to Swiss broadcaster RTS in which the Catholic leader raised the prospect of surrender -- two years after Kyiv has battled Russian forces on its territory.

"I believe that the strongest are those who see the situation, think about the people, and have the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate," Pope Francis said in an interview the Vatican said was conducted in early February.

In a sign of how angered Kyiv was, Ukrainian officials compared the statement to some of the Catholic church collaborating with Nazi Germany in World War II.

"At the same time, when it comes to the white flag, we know this Vatican strategy from the first half of the 20th century," Kuleba said, calling on the Holy See to "avoid repeating the mistakes of the past".

Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican, Andrii Yurash, went further by comparing the Pope's negotiation suggestion to talking to Adolf Hitler:

"(The) lesson is only one -- if we want to finish war, we have to do everything to kill (the) Dragon!," he said on social media.

After the interview was aired, Francis offered fresh prayers for "martyred Ukraine", as Vatican officials said his call was simply intended to end fierce fighting.

Kyiv hopes Francis will visit

On Saturday evening, the Vatican issued a statement insisting the pope's use of the phrase "white flag" -- a widely used sign of surrender on the battlefield -- was intended to mean "a cessation of hostilities, a truce reached with the courage of negotiation".

But the pontiff's words were widely understood as a call for surrender and slammed by some Western diplomats.

"Russia is the aggressor and breaks international law! Therefore Germany asks Moscow to stop the war, not Kyiv!", said Bernhard Kotsch, Germany's envoy to the Vatican.

Kuleba said Kyiv hoped Francis would visit his war-torn country after more than two years of battling its bigger neighbour.

"We continue to hope that after two years of devastating war in the heart of Europe, the Pontiff will find an opportunity to pay an Apostolic visit to Ukraine to support over a million Ukrainian Catholics, over five million Greek-Catholics and all Ukrainians," Kuleba said.

Francis drew criticism in the first months after Russia's February 2022 invasion for failing to name Moscow as the aggressor.

He was also criticised by Ukraine last year when he allegedly praised Russian imperial leaders Peter the Great and Catherine II.

The pontiff has also caused upset in Russia, when he said in winter 2022 that its "cruellest" forces in Ukraine were "not of the Russian tradition", but minorities like "the Chechens, the Buryati and so on".

The Vatican then officially apologised to Moscow.

Last year, Pope Francis appointed a top cardinal to try to broker peace in Ukraine who has visited Moscow, Kyiv, Washington and Beijing.
A mum fears she may not see her children grow up after doctors "dismissed" her incurable brain tumour as "bad headaches" for years.

Morgan Nottle's life turned upside down in September after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour at 26 weeks pregnant.

The mum of two had been experiencing throbbing headaches for seven years but claims doctors dismissed the pain for recurrent migraines. It wasn't until the 25-year-old became pregnant with her second child, Lilah, that her symptoms worsened, leaving her in so much pain she could "barely walk".

Morgan Nottle discovered she had an incurable tumour on her brain when she was pregnant with her second child. Source: Kennedy News and Media

"I've always suffered really badly with headaches for the last seven or eight years. They were so intense. But the doctors would always put them down to migraines and said it was nothing to worry about," she said.

"Then when I got pregnant, the headaches got more intense. I'd had them for a few days and nothing was helping. I felt pressure in my head. It felt like my head was going to explode."

Further investigation leads to troubling find

The former shop assistant demanded further investigation and an MRI scan revealed an incurable brain tumour growing in her head.

"They kept me in for two days and did an MRI scan then asked to talk to me in a private room. I knew it was something bad," she said. "I was thinking the worst when I was given the diagnosis. I wanted another baby for such a long time and finally got pregnant then this happened.

"When they told me I had a brain tumour, it was like I couldn't hear anything. It was awful."

Distraught, Morgan, who lives in Dartfort, Kent, was unable to begin treatment until the birth of her baby girl in December, after which she had brain surgery to remove the tumour. The mum was told in January her tumour was 'stable', but after she began experiencing debilitating headaches again doctors referred her for another surgery.

Story continues

Morgan underwent a five-hour craniotomy operation to remove the brain tumour from the frontal lesion on February 14th, and is still awaiting the results.

The mum had a large tumour on her brain. Source: Kennedy News and Media

Mum fears she'll miss her kids growing up

Despite being told her tumour is incurable, Morgan hopes, with surgery, treatment and MRI scans, her cancer can be managed. However, it may one day become unmanageable and more "aggressive", leaving her fearing she could miss out on seeing her children grow up.

She admits she is "frustrated" that it wasn't found earlier and claims if doctors had just "listened to her" she "wouldn't be in the situation that I am now".

"I'm still waiting to hear back about how much of the tumour they actually got out. They told me they weren't sure if they could remove all of it and the surgery would be complicated," she said. "They said it can keep coming back and eventually it will become more aggressive. It's just a case of managing it."

"I do think I might not see my babies grow up. It was so frustrating my symptoms were dismissed," she continued. "I always say to people go and get checked if they have symptoms. You know your body."

Morgan's friend Chloe Jackson launched a fundraiser to help pay for a dream holiday to Disneyland Paris for Morgan and her kids. The Go Fund Me page has already racked up more than 1,000 in donations, with more money still flooding in.

Kennedy News and Media

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US President Joe Biden, who is campaigning for a second term in the White House, witnessed an embarrassing moment on Saturday during an election rally in Georgia. A pro-Palestine protestor interrupted US President Joe Biden's Georgia address on Saturday.(X@@RealBrittain)

Calling out Biden for the United States' continuous support to Israel amid the war and rising death toll in Gaza, a pro-Palestine protestor yelled at the US President and dubbed him "genocide Joe".

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In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), a protestor can be heard yelling, "You're a dictator, Genocide Joe." "Tens of thousands of Palestinians are dead. Children are dying."

The protester demanded a ceasefire and an end to the Israel-Hamas war, which has claimed the lives of at least 30,000 Palestinians.

According to local news sources, Secret Service personnel took out the man from the venue.

Also Read: Biden concerned over Gaza deaths, avers Netanyahu doing more harm than good to Israel

Meanwhile, the pro-Biden crowd started chanting, "Four more years! Four more years!" Responding to this, the President praised the protest for his passion.

Look, I don't resent his passion. There's a lot of Palestinians who are being unfairly victimised, Biden said, according to Fox News.

On October 7, Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, killing 1,200 people, and taking nearly 250 others hostage.

Biden says working non-stop to establish ceasefire

The Saturday incident came after Biden's State of the Union address (SOTU) on Thursday. During his speech, the US President said that his administration is continuously working to create at least six-week-long ceasefire deal and the United States is driving efforts to bring additional supplies into Gaza.

Advocating for two-state solution, he said: "Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and ensure humanitarian workers aren't caught in the crossfire."

"As we look to the future, the only real solution to the situation is a two-state solution over time," he added.

Also Read: Donald Trump roasts Joe Biden's State of the Union address in Truth Social. Here's a point-by-point rebuttal

Following his speech, Biden was overheard telling Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) that he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that they were going to have a "come to Jesus" meeting, and asked the senator to keep the information confidential.

"I told him, 'Bibi'  and don't repeat this, but [I said] 'You and I are going to have a come to Jesus'," Biden went on to say. His aide quickly intervened to prevent him from saying anything else.

"I'm on a hot mic here," Biden announced aloud after the aide whispered in his ear, "Good." "That was good," he said sardonically.
Amid escalating tensions between White House and Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Joe Biden slammed the Israeli PM's approach of handling the Gaza crisis, stating that he is "hurting Israel'' by not putting efforts to save Palestinian citizens. US President Joe Biden slammed the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's approach of handling the Gaza crisis.(via REUTERS)

During an interview with MSNBCs Jonathan Capeharton on Saturday, Biden admitted to having an awkward hot-mic moment following the State of the Union address. He was caught telling Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) that he told Netanyahu that they were going to have a "come to Jesus" meeting, asking the lawmaker to keep the information private.

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Speaking about the same, the POTUS told MSNBC: Its an expression used in the southern part of my state meaning a serious meeting. Ive known Bibi (Netanyahu) for 50 years, and he knew what I meant by it."

I told him, Bibi  and dont repeat this, but [I said] You and I are going to have a come to Jesus, Biden said. Soon, his aide ran over to prevent him from saying anything else.

"I'm on a hot mic here," Biden declared aloud after the aide whispered in his ear. "Good. That was good," he added sarcastically.

Also Read: Biden's fiery & forceful State of the Union speech features Israel, Trump & Laken Riley: Key takeaways

Netanyahu doing more harm than good to Israel, says Biden

In the hard-hitting interview, the US President expressed profound concerns over the deaths of civilians in Gaza, claiming that Netanyahu was doing "more harm than good to Israel and its interests", and described the IDF operation in southern Gaza's Rafah as a "red line."

Stressing that Israel has a right to continue to pursue Hamas, Biden urged Netanyahu to pay more attention to innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.

The MSNBC interviewer asked Biden if he would be ready to revisit Israel and address the Knesset. Yes, the President replied without providing any further details about it.

He, however, maintained that the Israeli PM is hurting Israel more than helping Israel.

Also Read: Joe Biden says he hopes for ceasefire in Israel-Hamas conflict by next Monday: Were close

On being asked about Israel-Hamas truce talks and his post war plans, Biden said he is hoping to secure at least a six-week ceasefire by Ramadan, a holiest month for Muslims around the world that lasts for 20 or 30 days. It is expected to begin on 11 March and end on 9 April this year.

Biden revealed that he was holding discussions with Arab leaders about the ceasefire, adding that they are prepared to fully recognise Israel [and] begin to rebuild the region.

The US President further lamented Israel over the Gaza death toll and said, Its contrary to what Israel stands for. And I think its a big mistake.

Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel claimed at least 1,200 innocent Israelis. Following this, Israel launched war on Hamas, killing nearly 30,000 Palestinians.
Daylight saving time has officially begun for 2024 as millions of clocks sprang forward an hour on March 10 at 2 am local time in the US. Every year, the time change begins on the second Sunday in the month of March and ends on the first Sunday of November. As Americans lost an hour during their sleep in lieu of more natural light in the evening, not everyone is happy about it. Daylight Saving Time begins on March 10(Pixabay)

Why do clocks spring forward as daylight saving time begins?

The time between March and November is when most Americans are forced to lose an hour in the mornings to gain additional daylight during the evening. Due to the advancement in technology, all gadgets, including mobile phones, automatically spring forward an hour. However, analogue clocks need to be changed manually. This is done so based on the logic that in the warmer months, people will spend more time outdoors as compared to winters.

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As daylight saving time begins, people have to adjust to darker morning times than usual and brighter evenings. Despite the public outrage over the years, the practice is still followed in every US state except Arizona and Hawaii. The change in time not only forces millions of Americans to lose an hour in the morning but also takes a toll on their physical health due to changes in sleep patterns.

Meme fest erupts on social media as daylight saving time begins

After the clocks sprang forward last night, netizens turned social media into a meme fest, expressing their discontentment. Many revealed how they slept in as the time changed from 1:59 am to 3:00 am. Several others called out for the abolishment of the biannual changing of clocks, urging lawmakers to take action. One X, formerly Twitter user shared a hilarious GIF along with the message, Was trying to figure out how TF I managed to sleep in & why it's so dark out. Time shifting is not natural.

Another user wrote, why tf didn't anyone say it's daylight savings time  I thought the government cancelled it. One more wrote, I will vote for whoever ends daylight freakin savings time. Yet another user commented, Today is my birthday. And for my birthday, I got an hour of sleep stolen from me. The struggle is real.
Former president Donald Trump has blasted Joe Biden for saying he regrets calling Laken Rileys killer an illegal. During the State of Union speech, Biden also mistakenly referred to Laken Riley as Lincoln Riley. Donald Trump has blasted Joe Biden for apologizing to Laken Riley's killer (AP Photo)(AP)

Biden failed to apologise for his mistake, but instead said he regrets referring to Rileys killer, Jose Antonio Ibarra, as an illegal.

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Campaigning in Rome, Georgia, Trump slammed Biden, saying, Joe Biden went on television and apologized for calling Laken murderer an illegal. Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer."

"I say he is an illegal alien, he is an illegal immigrant, he is an illegal migrant, and he should have never been in our country, and he wouldnt have been under the Trump policies, Trump said.

Joe Biden's gaffe

Butchering Rileys name was one of Bidens latest gaffes. After Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene (R-Ga.) shouted from the audience, Say her name!, Biden snapped back, saying I know how to say her name.

Lincoln  Lincoln Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal, he added.

Biden later appeared in an interview with MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart and said he regrets using the word illegal to describe Ibarra. However, he failed to apologise for saying Rileys name wrong. I shouldnt have used illegal, its undocumented, he said.

Ibarra, an illegal immigrant, was charged with malice and felony murder, aggravated battery, kidnapping, concealing the death of another and other charges. Police said Rileys murder was a crime of opportunity.

Rileys mom also called out Biden for his gaffe. Biden does not even KNOW my childs name  it [sic] pathetic! Allyson Phillips wrote on Facebook in response to a comment celebrating the Laken Riley Act.

If you are going to say her name (even when forced to do so) at least say the right name! she added. Phillips also wrote Amen! underneath a comment calling 81-year-old Biden a disgrace of a president.
Donald Trump met Laken Rileys family backstage before he spoke at a rally in Georgia on Saturday, March 9. "I met her beautiful mother and family backstage," Trump told the crowd in Rome. "They said she was like the best. She was always the best to us. They admit that she was the best, and she was the first in her class. She was going to be the best nurse. She was the best nursing student. She was always the best. She was the brightest light in every room, they told me." Donald Trump met Laken Riley's family before his Georgia campaign, blamed Biden for her death (Photo by TANNEN MAURY and Brendan Smialowski / AFP)(AFP)

"She was the whole world to her parents and to her sister and just to the whole family, the former president added.

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That crooked Joe created it

Trump blamed president Joe Biden and his policies for Rileys death. This comes after Biden said he regrets referring to Rileys killer, a Venezuelan migrant who came to the country illegally, asd illegal. However, he failed to apologise for referring to Laken Riley as Lincoln Riley during his State of the Union address.

"Biden has implemented a formal policy that illegal aliens who intrude into the United States are granted immunity from deportation," Trump said. "Thus, when this monster showed up at our border, he was set free immediately under the program. That crooked Joe created it."

Trump said he was "profoundly honoured" to have Rileys loved ones at the rally. "They're so incredible," he said. "The hearts of hundreds of thousands and indeed millions and millions of Americans and people worldwide, they're shattered alongside of your beautiful hearts. We share your grief. We share your grief. Thank you, darling. Thank you. Thank you very much. We appreciate it."

Campaigning in Rome, Trump also slammed Biden for his recent comments, saying, Joe Biden went on television and apologized for calling Laken murderer an illegal. Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer."
Joe Biden has apologised for using the word illegal while describing the Venezuelan migrant who murdered Laken Riley, during his State of the Union address. The president, however, did not apologise for calling Riley Lincoln Riley twice during the address. Joe Biden has apologised for using the word illegal to decribe Laken Riley's killer( REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein)(REUTERS)

Biden apologised for using the word illegal to describe migrants who are actually living illegally in the US during an interview with MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart. I shouldnt have used illegal, its undocumented, he said.

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We have to control the border

And look, when I spoke about the difference between Trump and me, one of the things I talked about in the border was his, the way he talks about vermin, the way he talks about these people polluting the blood. I talked about what Im not going to do. What I wont do, Biden continued.

Im not going to treat any, any, any of these people with disrespect. Look, they built the country. The reason our economy is growing. We have to control the border and more orderly flow, but I dont share his view at all, he continued. Look, they built the country. The reason our economy is growing. We have to control the border and more orderly flow, but I dont share his view at all."

So, you regret using that word? Capehart asked. Yes, replied the president.

During the speech, Biden used the word illegal while calling for the passing of a bipartisan border security. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene yelled at him to say Rileys name, who she added was killed by an illegal.

By an illegal, thats right, responded Biden, and then asked how many people are being killed by legals.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, was charged with malice and felony murder, aggravated battery, kidnapping, concealing the death of another and other charges. Police said the incident was a crime of opportunity.
President Joe Biden is being blasted online for a post saying, America is safer today than when I took office. In a recent post on X, Biden said America under his presidency is much safer than it was under former president Donald Trumps. Joe Biden has been blasted for saying America is safer with him as president (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP)(AFP)

Last year, the murder rate saw the sharpest decrease in history and violent crime fell to one of the lowest levels in more than 50 years, Biden wrote.

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A photo he posted alongside this caption reads, In Trumps final year as president, murders went up 30% nationwide  the biggest increase in history.

The social media outrage comes especially after the brutal murder of Laken Rile, a Georgia nursing student who was killed by illegal immigrant Jose Antonio Ibarra. Many in the comment section claimed that criminals under Bidens presidency are not being arrested and prosecuted.

Tell that to Laken Rileys family

I think Laken Riley would disagree, an X user commented on Bidens post. Just because criminals arent being arrested and prosecuted it doesnt mean the crimes arent being committed, another wrote. If you let criminals go without charging them, does that count as less crime? one user said, while another wrote, America is safer? Really? Tell that to Laken Riley. Tell that to all the American citizens who are dead now because of your open border policies Joe Biden. Shame on you. And her name is Laken. Not Lincoln like you said during your disastrous SOTU speech last night.

No one in the country believes that crime went down since you have been in office, Joe. Your corrupt DAs have simply stopped prosecuting crime, said one user. Why did New York bring in the national guard to secure the NYC subway? said one, while another user wrote, Tell that to Laken Rileys family. Tell that to suburban women in Oakland/San Francisco who are too afraid to fill their gas tanks during broad daylight, tell that to business owners who are closing their stores because of high retail theft and threats to their employees.
President Joe Biden is seen joking about his age in a new advertisement for his re-election campaign. Look, Im not a young guy. Thats no secret, Biden says, smiling and looking into the camera. But heres the deal: I understand how to get things done for the American people. Joe Biden jokes about his age in a new ad (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)(AP)

The 81-year-old president then lists what he accomplished in his first term, including how he handled the pandemic, capped insulin prices for older people, and passed infrastructure legislation. He makes a contrast of his record with that of Donald Trump, accusing him of taking away the freedom of women to choose in reproductive matters.

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A recent special counsels report referred to Biden as a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory. He has come under the spotlight several times for his gaffes, mixing up names of people, and struggling to recall simple words.

In the recent ad, a voice off-camera asks Biden to do one more take after the announcement that he had approved the message. Look, Im very young, energetic and handsome. What the hell am I doing this for? Mr. Biden then says, with a grin on his face. The screen then goes black.

President Joe Bidens latest gaffe

Among Bidens latest gaffes is when he referred to Georgia murder victim Laken Riley as Lincoln Riley during the State of Union speech. After Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene (R-Ga.) shouted from the audience, Say her name!, Biden snapped back, saying I know how to say her name.

Lincoln  Lincoln Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal, he added.

While Biden never apologised for the mistake, he later said during an interview with MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart that he regrets using the word illegal to describe Jose Antonio Ibarra, the Venezuelan migrant who killed Riley. I shouldnt have used illegal, its undocumented, he said.
Georgia nursing student Laken Rileys mother has blasted president Joe Biden for referring to her daughter as Lincoln Riley during the State of Union speech. Biden does not even KNOW my childs name  it [sic] pathetic! Allyson Phillips wrote on Facebook in response to a comment celebrating the Laken Riley Act, which was recently passed. Laken Rileys mom has slammed Joe Biden for calling her daughter Lincoln Riley (GoFundMe, AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

"If you are going to say her name (even when forced to do so) at least say the right name! she added. Phillips also wrote Amen! underneath a comment calling 81-year-old Biden a disgrace of a president.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Bidens gaffe

During Bidens speech, Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene (R-Ga.) was heard yelling, Say her name!  referring to Riley. The president quickly snapped back saying, I know how to say her name.

Lincoln  Lincoln Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal, he added.

Biden did not apologise for the gaffe. However, he went on to say during an interview with MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart that he regrets using the word illegal to describe Jose Antonio Ibarra, the Venezuelan migrant who attacked and murdered Riley, 22. I shouldnt have used illegal, its undocumented, he said.

What is the Laken Riley Act?

Introduced by Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., the Laken Riley Act demands that ICE detain illegal immigrants who are charged with local theft or burglary. Collins represents Georgias 10th Congressional District of Athens, where Riley was murdered.

The bill is an attempt to combat the "illegal crime wave" that Collins said has become rampant due to the ongoing border crisis. He also said Rileys ruthless murder is a "wakeup call" for America.

The act would "require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to issue a detainer for illegal aliens who are charged or cited with local theft or burglary. More serious crimes already require ICE to issue detainers but had Athens, GA Police reached out to ICE about Jose Ibarra when he was cited for shoplifting, and ICE issued a detainer and picked him up, Laken Riley would be alive."

Further, individual states will be allowed to take action against the federal government "if an immigration related action harms the state or its citizens."
Meghan Markle recently addressed social media bullying on Women's Day. The Duchess of Sussex delivered a bold statement on pressing issues during the keynote event of the South by Southwest Festival. On Friday, she revealed being a victim of cyber-bullying while pregnant with Archie and Lilibet. Now, a former royal butler has issued a stern statement after the claims went viral yesterday. Kate Middleton-Meghan Markle: Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are seen. (File)

Meghan Markle on cyber-bullying

During the event where the Suits alum was a panel member alongside Brooke Shields, Katie Couric, and author and sociologist Nancy Wang Yuen, Meghan shared a personal experience. Opening up about how she faced trolls in one of her most vulnerable times she said, You know, I think its really interesting as I can reflect on it, I keep my distance from it right now just for my own well-being, but the bulk of the bullying and abuse that I was experiencing on social media and online was when I was pregnant with Archie and Lili, and with a newborn with each of them.

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Also read: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle enjoy dinner date in Austin ahead of SXSW Conference

Meghan Markle asked to rise above it

Now, as reported by the Mirror, the Duchess of Sussex has been advised to rise above certain things. Royal aide Butler Grant Harold said, "Millions of people sadly experience online bullying... it happens all the time. Harold went on to say: A lot of the members of the Royal Family do not go on social media for that very reason. So they dont see the negative comments. There is positive, but there is always negative.

The butler went on to remark how Princess of Wales Catherine doesnt talk about social media, although she might be using it. "Sometimes you should be rising above it. Catherine the Princess of Wales could be on social media but she doesn't talk about it."

Also read: Pre-Oscars party 2024: Hailey Bieber with Blackpink ROSE, Bridgerton reunion, Paris Hilton, Carter Reum

Which Royal members have social media handles?

Only a few royal members, including the Duchess of York, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Lady Amelia Windsor, Lady Gabriella Kingston, Cassius, and Columbus Taylor, hold a public social media account. Meanwhile, Prince William and Kate Middleton occasionally use their handles if something important is up for posting.

Why did Harry and Meghan quit social media?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stopped using social media after stepping down from their royal duties in 2020. The couple, who found a new home in California, previously used to handle the Royal Instagram account called SussexRoyal to interact with the public.

However, before leaving the UK, they announced that they would be taking a step back. In a statement, they said, "While you may not see us here, the work continues, Thank you to this community - for the support, the inspiration, and the shared commitment to the good in the world. We look forward to reconnecting with you soon. You've been great!
Five weeks after news broke of Samantha Murphy's disappearance, women across Australia admit they're feeling scared. They're scared to go running alone regardless of the time of day, even in familiar neighbourhoods where they'd normally feel safe.

The 51-year-old left her house in Ballarat, Victoria at 7am on 4 February to go for jog on a track she knew well. This week, a 22-year-old man, believed to have had no connection to her, has been charged with her alleged murder, and there's still no trace of her.

The devastating news has renewed safety concerns among women across the country, particularly runners who say they've been left shocked and shaken.

Samantha Murphy, 51, disappeared while going for a jog in Ballarat last month.

Woman's shock realisation while out running

One woman named Georgia shared her thoughts on social media while going for a run last week. She admitted it's "incredibly unfair" to have to think about "taking precautions" every time women leave the house alone.

The realisation hit her while running down her "regular paved route" before she was presented with an alternate path.

"I went to turn the other direction and it was a quite wooded, dark, non-visible path I was like, 'I've run that way so many times, why don't I turn right here and run the other way'," she said in a video posted on Tiktok.

"But I thought that doesn't feel like the safest option right now," she added saying these thoughts are "automatic" for most women. Georgia said she lives in a "really beautiful suburb", but did not disclose where. "Yet the 51-year-old missing mum who went out for a Sunday run is on my mind," she said.

"Men don't have to make those decisions unless they're running in a really dangerous area. But it's something we have to do every day to have this level of protection of ourselves, especially when we're on our own early in the morning when there's not that many people around."

Story continues

'Really scary' reality most women face

Georgia said it's a "really scary" thought to have but an "important one" that's required to "keep ourselves safe  and she's not alone in her feelings with dozens more admitting they too are scared.

"Im with you! We saw a lady running alone down through a forest yesterday and I thought 'is she crazy'," one replied in the comments. "Havent felt safe to do my usual walk in Ballarat," another said.

A third questioned, "when are women ever going to be/feel safe?". Meanwhile, another woman said, "this is exactly why I run without headphones"

One woman who lives in a rural area and walks alone with her dog on dirt roads said "the scenery is beautiful and its so peaceful but every car or truck I see gives me a sinking feeling and Im constantly planning".

Female runner Georgia shared her safety fears about running alone on TikTok. Source: TikTok

Female runners taking precautions to feel safe

Speaking in the wake of the Samantha Murphy tragedy, City of Ballarat councillor and avid runner Samantha McIntosh said it had been a "really challenging" time for many locals.

"It's very hard for our community to not be thinking and talking of Samantha Murphy and her family," she told the ABC. "That ability to go for a jog or run, whether it be with friends or on your own, is a really important and healthy thing to do."

But the mother's disappearance means she, like many others, no longer feels safe going out alone. Running in pairs and always having a mobile phone handy is what women feel they must do just to make it back home unharmed.

Others shared with the publication the precautions they take to help them feel safe while running. Michelle Harris from Inverloch, Victoria said she wears a headlight while others say they often change their running paths depending on the time day.

"It makes me feel really sad, because there's so many barriers for women and girls to be active," she said."[Women] have the right to use public spaces, to get out there and be active."

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Amid swirling rumors about their marriage, former first lady Melania Trump was conspicuously absent from Donald Trump's Super Tuesday triumph speech to supporters. Former first lady Melania Trump can be seen walking along with husband Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.(X@PM_ViktorOrban)

Putting all the speculations aside, Melania on Friday night made a rare appearance alongside her husband at a formal dinner reception in Mar-a-Lago, where the former president hosted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

In the video shared on X (formerly Twitter), Melania can be seen walking behind Trump and greeting guests and cameras with her beautiful grin.

The former first lady was looking stunning in a startling white pantsuit with a black undershirt and sky-high pointed-toe stilettos. Hungarian PM Orban greeted her with flowers and later posted a video of the exchange on his Instagram handle, calling Melania "pretty woman".

Also Read: Trump reveals why wife Melania not appearing at his campaign rallies: Her life revolves around

Melania's presence at the formal dinner garnered a lot of reactions on the Internet as she hasn't been spotted with Trump since the beginning of his re-election campaign. In a few interviews, Trump tried to back Melania over her absence from his rallies, stating that Melania is a private person and she is spending more time with their son Barron Trump.

Taking to Instagram, Orban published several videos, including a shot of the American flag and Trump's photo and his framed Time Magazine cover. He also shared a video of his meeting with Trump and his staff.

Also Read: Biden claps back at age critics, roasts Donald Trump for calling his wife Melania Mercedes

In one of the videos, Trump can be heard calling the Hungarian PM the boss and "fantastic European leader."

"He's a non-controversial figure because he says, 'This is the way it's going to be,' and that's the end of it. Right? He's the boss," the GOP leader added.

Following this, Orban expressed his gratitude to the ex-US president for organising a grand dinner and also extended his support to Trump for second term in the White House.

"It was a pleasure to visit (ex) President @realDonaldTrump today. We need leaders in the world who are respected and can bring peace. He is one of them! Come back and bring us peace, Mr. President!" he wrote.

Internet reacts over Melania's Mar-a-Lago appearance

Melania's hiatus from the public corresponds with the death of her mother, who breathed her last this January.

Melania confirmed the tragic demise of her mother on X. It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija. She was entirely devoted to her husband, daughters, grandson, and son-in-law. We will miss her beyond measure and continue to honor and love her legacy, she wrote.

However, her recent absence from Trump's key events and rallies prompted the Internet to ask about her whereabouts and even the hashtag "WhereIsMelania" went viral on X.

The former first lady's presence at Friday dinner with Trump seems to have poured water on all the speculations as netizens hailed Melania as beautiful lady, both inside and out.

An X user wrote: Absolutely beautiful and chic. Melania radiates grace.

Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady, both inside and out, another added.

Third user wrote, Playing Petty Woman  for Melania as she walks in. Perfect!

Trump and Melania-all class!! one more reacted.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry surprised the family of an Uvalde school shooting victim by suddenly visiting them in Texas on Saturday, March 9. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex celebrated the birthday of Claudia Martinez, the sister of beloved fourth-grade teacher Irma Garcia. Garcia was killed while she tried to protect her students during a deadly shooting inside Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle paid a surprise visit to an Uvalde school shooting victim's family (@fuhknjo/X)

A video shows Meghan singing Happy Birthday before stopping and asking, Is everyone singing too? The room was seen bursting into laughter. Garcias nephew John Martinez posted the video to X.

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Meghan, who was seen holding a cake she had brought, turned around and asked Harry to sing along. Several other family members of Garcia were present.

In a separate post, Martinez wrote, before i take a small break i just wnna say how grateful i am that Meghan and Harry took their time out of their busy schedules to visit with irma and joes kids, it meant so so so much to them and us, and thank you to all the continued love and support from their supporters.

Shes not the evil person you desperately want her to be

Martinez also called out haters commenting on his video, saying, i literally posted a video proving Meghan Markle checks up on us and yet I still have people in my comments saying horrible untrue things about her and somehow its PR and I got paid ? how can anyone speak about this when its MY experience with her. Shes not the evil person you desperately want her to be and i can promise i wasnt paid otherwise i wouldnt have only $43 to my name or do i need to prove that to you guys too ?

During the Uvalde school shooting, former student 18-year-old Salvador Ramos shot 19 students and two teachers dead. 17 others were injured. He was eventually shot dead by members of the United States Border Patrol Tactical Unit.
Princess Dianas intimate love letters to former Army officer James Hewitt are reportedly set to go for an auction in the United States, prompting fears that they could be made public. Princess Diana and James Hewitt's letters are extremely intimate and they may cause humiliation and embarrassment to royals if made public.(AP )

According to The Sun, 64 notes, which were penned by Diana from 1989 to 1991, will be sold to a wealthy collector for up to $1million. The duo was in a five-year relationship until 1992.

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Hewitt, 65, had previously offered the letters as collateral for a 500,000 loan.

Also Read: Prince William-Kate put their kids ahead of royal duties? Princess Diana did'

Will the release of letters cause any humiliation to Royals?

As per the report, these letters are extremely intimate and they may cause humiliation and embarrassment to Royals if made public. They both were in an affair when the late Princess was still married to King Charles. It is believed that they exchanged letters when Hewitt was serving in the Gulf War.

The author of the royal book 'My Mother and I', Ingrid Seward, stated, James Hewitt has betrayed Diana in so many ways so this is just the final insult. I presume Hewitt desperately needs the money and he sees the value in these letters."

"It is unthinkable these notes for such a sensitive time in her life could become public," she added.

Last year in October, Heritage Auctions declined to sell the letters after being approached for the same. Another auction company was also reportedly approached, but it declined to appraise the letters.

However, Captain Hewitt's spokespersons have disputed that he intends to sell the letters claiming that he is just interested in assessing the documents, which were apparently written in Diana's distinctive script, according to The Sun.

Also Read: How Princess Diana would feel about her dress being sold for $1.1 million record

Diana publicly confessed her relationship with Hewitt

Diana and Hewitt met each other at a party hosted by her lady-in-waiting, Hazel West, in 1986. The Princess revealed about their connection in a 1995 BBC interview with Martin Bashir.

Yes, I adored him. Yes, I was in love with him. But I was very let down," she said.

The Princess took divorce from the then Prince Charles in 1996. Diana, her partner Dodi Fayed and their driver Henri Paul were killed in a car accident in Paris' Pont de l'Alma tunnel the following year.

After her demise, Hewitt agreed to keep the letters in a safe place in a settlement with the Spencer family's lawyers. He promised to never sell them, and destroy them after his death.
Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who was previously critical of Donald Trump, has strongly defended her support for the ex-President's run for a second presidency, despite the fact that he has been held liable for sexually assaulting and defaming columnist E Jean Carroll. Taking to his social media platform Truth Social, Trump announced the endorsement for South Carolina Republican Nancy Mace.(X@NancyMace)

Mace, who herself is a rape survivor, had earlier shed light on her disturbing experience as a youngster. In her recent post on X, she accused This Week presenter George Stephanpolous of attempting to humiliate her by quizzing her about her support for Trump.

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What happened at This Week?

During ABC News' This Week, Mace reacted angrily when she was grilled about her support for Trump in light of the Carroll case.

Any rape victim will tell you Ive lived for 30 years with an incredible amount of shame over being raped, Mace remarked. Its a shame that you will never feel, George. And Im not going to sit here on your show and be asked a question meant to shame me about another potential rape victim. Im not going to do that.

Mace further insisted that Trump's case was "not a criminal court case." She also corrected ABC host Stephanopoulos that Trump was convicted for sexual assault rather than rape.

"It was not a criminal court case, number one," she stated. Number two, I live with shame. And you're asking me a question about my political choices, trying to shame me as a rape victim and I find it disgusting.

Also Read: Donald Trump blasts Joe Biden for apologizing to Laken Riley's killer: He is an illegal alien

After her exchange with Stephanopoulos, Mace took to social media and lambasted ABC host for attempting to insult her as a rape victim

"I was brought on to talk about 2024...instead Clinton crony turned fake journalist @Gstephanopoulos attacked me and tried to shame me as a rape victim. Gross," she wrote. In response, the ABC host said, We'll let the viewers decide about that.

Meanwhile, Carroll thanked Stephanopoulos for valiantly defending her.

I wish representative Mace well. And I salute all survivors for their strength, endurance and holding on to their sanity," she wrote on X.

Trump endorses Nancy Mace

Mace received Trump's endorsement on Saturday, which could boost her campaign for a third term.

Taking to his social media platform Truth Social, Trump announced the endorsement for the South Carolina Republican.

"Nancy Mace worked hard campaigning across South Carolina in support of our record breaking win," he said in a statement.

"In Congress, she is fighting to Secure the Border, Strengthen our Military, Support our Veterans, Uphold the Rule of Law, Stop Political Weaponization, and Protect and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment, the ex-US president added, calling her a strong conservative voice.

Also Read: 'Why don't you go.': Marjorie Taylor Greene enraged after British journalist quizzed her on conspiracy claim

Trump's support is crucial for Mace as she faces a primary battle this year in her Lowcountry 1st Congressional District. Moreover, Trump maintains a strong grip on the Republican base. She is being challenged by Catherine Templeton, a former contender for governor

In recent past, Mace and Trump shared a difficult bond. In 2022, Trump chose former state Rep. Katie Arrington over Mace in the Republican primary. However, Mace defeated Arrington with the support of Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor, who was competing against Trump in the presidential race. Haley recently suspended her presidential campaign.

In this year's South Carolina Republican presidential primary, Mace backed Trump over Haley and even campaigned for him.
A 25-year-old Indian woman has gone missing in New York City and the police are seeking information from the public to help locate her. Indian woman Ferin Khoja was last seen leaving her residence in Queens on March 1 at around 11 pm.(Unsplash)

Ferin Khoja was last seen leaving her residence in Queens on March 1 at around 11 pm.

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She was last seen wearing an olive green jacket, green sweater and blue jeans, according to information released by the New York City Police Department.

The information said that Khoja suffers from bipolar disorder.

The 112 Precinct Detective Squad is endeavouring to locate Khoja, said the police department, while also releasing her photograph.

The Consulate General of India in New York has been informed about the case and is working to help get information about Khoja and her whereabouts.

Also Read: Indian American family of 4 found dead in California

Classical dancer from India shot dead in US

In yet another attack on Indians and Indian-Americans in the US, a 34-year-old trained classical dancer from India was shot dead in St Louis, Missouri.

Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam dancer Amarnath Ghosh, who migrated to the US last year to follow his dancing dreams, was shot several times near the border of St Louis' Academy and Central West End neighbourhoods. He died on the spot.

According to the St Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the shooting happened at 7:15 pm on Tuesday at Delmar Boulevard and Clarendon Avenue, news portal 5 On Your Side reported on Friday.

Also Read: Massachusetts: Indian-origin family's death mystery solved, husband shot dead his wife and daughter

Calling him a very friendly and very talented, Ghoshs friends Hima Kuppa and Ravi Kuppa said, He was always travelling a lot for his performances. A lot of organisations called him for performances, but he always wanted to come back to St Louis.

Ghosh was learning ballet and dance. I think it was a full scholarship at Wash U. His ultimate dream was to get his PhD in dance and work full-time with us at our Kuchipudi Art Academy, Hima was quoted as saying by 5 On Your Side.

He enjoyed volunteering as a dance instructor at a local studio and also taught children between the ages 5 and 18. His friends told the news outlet that Ghosh was the only child of his parents; his mother died three years ago and his father died when he was a child.

Asserting that the mission is extending all help to the relatives of deceased Amarnath Ghosh, India's Consulate in Chicago posted on X that it has taken up the case strongly with St Louis police and the University for the investigation of the reprehensible gun attack.
House Republicans sent a sharp letter to the Biden administration, requesting that the president "immediately terminate" the program that has allowed the entry of almost 320,000 migrants into the country.

Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., wrote to acting director Troy Miller of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), saying, "We write today to express our grave concerns over the Biden administration's actions to fly approximately 320,000 illegal immigrants from Latin American airports to 43 cities across the United States."

"These hidden flights have worsened the impact of the already unusual situation at the Southern Border," the letter said.

Joins GOP Call for Answers on Secret Migrant Flights

Representative Fry is asking the Biden administration to provide detailed information on the placement of illegal immigrants into the nation, joining 22 other GOP legislators in doing so, as worries about the southern border situation continue to increase.

Expressing significant concern, Fry referenced a report by the Center for Immigration Studies that revealed the utilization of "secret flights" by CBP to transport undocumented individuals from Latin America to different US communities.

In a formal statement, Fry made the essence of ending this practice, presenting the potential dangers of allowing illegal immigrants to enter the country without proper scrutiny. In light of the unfortunate passing of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, there is a growing demand for transparency.

Fry emphasized the importance of implementing policies that focus on protecting American citizens and avoiding future incidents caused by illegal immigration.

The South Carolina representative pointed out alarming statistics under President Biden's tenure, revealing that in 2023, 340 individuals stopped at the Southern Border were on the terrorist watchlist.

Expressing deep concern, Fry emphasized the need to address the possibility of more individuals with terror connections being flown into cities across the United States, according to Fox News.

Read Also: VP Harris Says She's Willing to Become President If Necessary But Downplays Possibility

Biden's Asylum Policies Under Scrutiny

Additionally, the Biden administration's decision to allow 30,000 asylum seekers per month into the US from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela has drawn scrutiny. The migrants, processed through the CBP One mobile application, have arrived in significant numbers, with 327,000 asylum seekers admitted through the parole program by December.

The CBP One app, also employed for family reunification, has facilitated the entry of individuals from several countries, further contributing to the surge.

Programs like this haven't stopped a rise in unauthorized border crossings. In December, a significant milestone was reached with more than 302,000 apprehensions, which is comparable to the population of Pittsburgh. In January, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas admitted that more than 85% of individuals detained for illegal border crossings were being released into the US, marking a significant rise from previous months.

The crucial backlog in processing asylum applications has resulted in delays of almost ten years in resolving asylum claims, causing millions to live in uncertainty.

The budget years 2022 and 2023 saw record-breaking numbers of apprehensions along the US-Mexico border, totaling 2.4 million and 2.5 million, respectively. The ongoing challenges require urgent attention, with legislators pushing for accountability and efficient solutions to tackle the intricate issues related to immigration and border security, New York Post reported.

Related Article: Supreme Court Blocks Texas Border Law Allowing Police To Arrest Illegal Migrants
A NATO stealth fighter, armed with the deadly B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bomb, has been approved to carry nuclear weapons as conflicts between Russia and NATO reach a breaking point.

The F-35A Joint Strike Fighter has been approved to carry nuclear weapons, making it the first stealth fighter of its class to do so.

F-35A Achieves Historic Nuclear Certification

The F-35A Joint Strike Fighter has attained Nuclear Certification, marking a historic milestone as the first 5th generation nuclear-capable aircraft and the initial platform to achieve such status since the early 1990s.

The F-35 Nuclear Certification effort, spanning over a decade, involved collaboration among 16 government and industry stakeholders, solidifying its crucial role in supporting US extended deterrence commitments and bolstering NATO's defense capabilities.

As geopolitical tensions intensify between NATO and Russia, this strategic move coincides with heightened concerns following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The certification underscores the F-35A's advanced capabilities, providing the US and NATO with a critical advantage to navigate the evolving security landscape.

At the same time, Sweden formally became a part of the NATO alliance, moving away from years of neutrality. Sweden's decision to join the alliance reflects the country's dedication to "unity and solidarity," as selected by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The addition of Sweden was praised by US President Joe Biden, strengthening NATO's solidarity in upholding freedom and democracy amidst increasing challenges.

Meanwhile, Lithuania revealed its use of a new air defense system, withholding details about the present Western nations while verifying the presence of Patriot surface-to-air missile systems.

The choice is intended to strengthen air defense capabilities, with the anticipation of continued support beyond the initial placements. This defense initiative is viewed as a proactive measure in response to potential threats, demonstrating NATO's dedication to protecting its eastern borders, according to Express.

Read Also: Steve Lawrence of Popular Stage Duo 'Steve and Eydie' Dead at 88

NATO Intensifies Eastern Border Defenses

NATO has been aggressively improving its defensive systems along the eastern border in the face of growing tensions. More than 90,000 troops from all 32 member states took part in spring training exercises that worked on countries surrounding Russia, such as the Baltic nations and Poland.

This joint endeavor showcases NATO's dedication to upholding a strong defense stance in the face of changing geopolitical challenges.

Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, vocal advocates within NATO, have consistently urged the alliance to prepare for potential escalations in the region. Estonia's Foreign Intelligence Service has sounded alarms, suggesting Russia's preparations for war against NATO countries within the next decade.

The alliance's unwavering support for Ukraine has strained relations with Moscow, with Russian President Vladimir Putin attributing the conflict's continuation to NATO's influence on Ukraine.

The Kremlin has warned about potential NATO army intervention in Ukraine, highlighting the need to stop Russia from declaring triumph, even as NATO stays cautious in the face of uncertainty.

Even though NATO nations have not shown intentions for direct participation, French President Emmanuel Macron's statement that "nothing should be excluded" highlights the alliance's dedication to considering every opportunity for dealing with an evolving geopolitical situation, Newsweek reported.

Related Article: NATO Mirage Jets Intercept Russia's SU-30-M Fighters Over Baltic Sea Following Putin's Threat to West
(Photo : by AFP via Getty Images))

Members of the Yemeni Coast Guard affiliated with the Houthis patrol near the Red Sea port city of Hodeida in January. The Iranian-backed rebel have been attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea region in support of Hamas in their fight with Israel in Gaza.

American and allied military forces shot down more than a dozen Houthi drones in the Gulf of Aden overnight Friday into Saturday after the Iranian-backed militant group targeted a U.S. destroyer and a Singapore-flagged ship, according to reports.

U.S. Navy ships and aircraft downed 15 bomb-carrying drones in the waterway, U.S. Central Command said in a statement on Saturday.

The Houthis, who have said they are menacing shipping in the Red Sea area in solidarity with Hamas' fight against Israeli forces in Gaza, targeted the Propel Fortune freighter on Friday, the Associated Press reported.

The ship continued on its way.

"The missiles did not impact the vessel," the U.S. military said. "There were no injuries or damages reported."

The Houthis, who have been attacking ships since November, confirmed they were behind the assault on the Propel Fortune.

Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea said the group targeted the cargo ship and "a number of U.S. war destroyers at the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with 37 drones."

U.S., British and French forces downed dozens of drones in response, according to Reuters.

Fighter jets and a warship belonging to France shot down four of the drones that were heading toward ships in the region, Reuters reported, citing the French army.

"This defensive action directly contributed to the protection of the cargo ship True Confidence, under the Barbados flag, which was struck on March 6 and is being towed, as well as other commercial vessels transiting in the area," the statement said.

A Houthi missile struck the commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday, killing three crew members.
Among many ongoing legal disputes between the United States federal government and Texas, a federal judge blocked the Biden administration on Friday, March 8, from redirecting $1.4 billion in funds authorized by Congress from border wall building to other projects.

The judgment follows President Joe Biden's January 2021 decree ending the Trump-era southern border national emergency and halting border wall construction. Agencies are now reviewing the case, which halted financing for the border wall that was supposed to be allocated in fiscal 2020 and 2021.

Biden stated, "It shall be the policy of my administration that no more American taxpayer dollars be diverted to construct a border wall."

Border Wall Construction

In June 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a proposal to halt construction on the majority of the border wall. By 2022, the plan would have been amended to cover repairs and improvements to the barrier system, including new lighting, cameras, and detecting systems.

According to Fox News, the states of Missouri and Texas filed a lawsuit, claiming that the transfer of funds was unlawful and a violation of the separation of powers. They also claimed that the states would suffer financial losses due to an increase in illegal immigration.

The DHS said that Texas had failed to prove that further illegal immigration would ensue from insufficient wall construction on the grounds that many social, economic, and politics-related factors may influence migratory surges.

See Also: Supreme Court Blocks Texas Border Law Allowing Police To Arrest Illegal Migrants

The Court's Decision

US District Judge Drew Tipton ruled in favor of Texas and Missouri and placed a temporary injunction on redirecting money.

In his ruling, he said, "Texas has shown injury-in-fact through costs that it has incurred in administering driver's licenses, education, and healthcare to a rising number of illegal aliens." He added that the decision would mitigate the financial losses that Texas would otherwise suffer, making this disagreement redressable.

Attorney General Ken Paxton of Texas issued a statement in which he accused Biden of unlawful behavior, as reported by Fox News. "His actions demonstrate his desperation for open borders at any cost, but Texas has prevailed."

See Also: Chinese Migrants Crossing US Southern Border Surge, Surpass Numbers of Mexicans
Were just a few months into the year, and the Cayuga Museum of History & Art has received several interesting donations from our community, the first of which was a painting created by an incarcerated person at Auburn Correctional Facility.

While the majority of formalized arts programs in prisons didnt arise until the 1970s, incarcerated individuals have been recorded as producing art throughout the history of incarceration. For example, in 1842 Charles Dickens visited the United States and several of its prisons. He commented on the abundance of art created by incarcerated men in silent system prisons such as Auburn. When visiting Eastern State Penitentiary, he wrote, In another cell, there was a German, sentenced to five years imprisonment for larceny, two of which had just expired. With colours procured in the same manner, he had painted every inch of the walls and ceiling quite beautifully, page 90, "American Notes for General Circulation," 1842.

Sanctioned arts programs slowly began to arise, such as prison bands, which rose in prominence in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These bands were typically relegated to playing patriotic or religious tunes, and religious choirs also grew out of this trend.

Industrialization and growing populations contributed to a rise in crime and drug abuse by younger generations in the early 1900s. Youth detention facilities and reformatories were constructed to deal with this new phenomenon. Many of these institutions used arts programming to provide outlets for their young charges, and to help lower incidents of violence. The success of these programs led to further exploration of the use of arts in such establishments.

Art programs became common in prisons throughout the country in the 1970s, partly stemming from a new program that allowed incarcerated individuals the opportunity to obtain education through Pell grants. At the same time, the Comprehensive Employment Training Act was introduced by the Department of Labor. CETA provided funding to hire unemployed workers in community service roles. Arts councils took advantage of this funding to employ artists in prisons, jails, detention centers and other community venues.

The first federally funded arts program for prisons was introduced in 1977. Project Culture, formed by the American Correctional Association with funding through the Office of Criminal Justice, helped fund 21 prison arts programs that were successful in providing opportunities for personal growth and reducing disturbances at correctional facilities.

Locally, the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse hosted a successful art program at Auburn Correctional in the early 1970s. This program inspired Juan Cruz, who was incarcerated in Auburn at that time. While Cruz had always loved art, the Eversons program taught him new ways to express himself through his art and he became a prolific painter and sculptor. After his release from prison, Cruz studied at the Art Students League in New York City and at Syracuse Universitys College of Visual and Performing Arts. Cruz remained active in his Syracuse community and led several mural projects in the city. In 2019, the Everson hosted a retrospective of his work. Cruz passed away earlier this year.

The painting recently donated to our collection was also created in the 1970s and features a unique frame, which was produced in the prison as well. The frame is made of sheet metal and painted to resemble wood. It was fabricated in the prisons sheet metal shop under the guidance of Ed Clancy.

Many of the paintings produced through the prison art programs were sold at art fairs, where members of the community could purchase art and other items made by incarcerated individuals. It was at one of the fairs that Ed purchased the painting.

Prison art programs declined after the 1970s. In 1994, Pell grants for incarcerated individuals were eliminated, forcing many colleges to remove their presence from prisons. The growth of private prisons further reduced creative programs, although many nonprofits continue to offer art programming to prisons and Pell grants for incarcerated individuals were recently reinstated.
Israeli intelligence agency Mossad said on Saturday, March 9, that despite dwindling prospects for a truce during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, efforts are still underway to negotiate an agreement on a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

According to Reuters, Mossad said in a statement that David Barnea, head of the agency, met with William Burns, director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), on Friday, March 8, to discuss possible negotiations for the release of captives.

Released by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the statement reads: "Contacts and cooperation with the mediators continue all the time in an effort to narrow the gaps and reach agreements."

Also Read: Netanyahu Says Israel Will Push on With Rafah Offensive in Gaza Despite International Pressure

Pointing Fingers

The Palestinian enclave's governing militant Islamist party, Hamas and Israel, have both pointed fingers at one other for the apparent impasse in negotiations leading up to Ramadan, which starts on Sunday, March 10.

Since January, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been mediating the ceasefire talks. During the most recent agreement, which took place in November 2023, there was a weeklong truce in combat.

During that period, about a hundred hostages were released by Hamas, while around three times as many Palestinian detainees were liberated by Israel.

Since Israel denies any assurances to halt the conflict or withdraw its soldiers from the enclave, Hamas claims that Israel is to blame for the deadlock in talks for an extended truce and the release of the 134 hostages who are supposedly still detained in Gaza.

Netanyahu reportedly also said that Israel would not cave to international pressure to delay an assault on Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, and will instead push its brutal onslaught against Hamas.

Meanwhile, according to Mossad, Hamas is determined to prolong the conflict in the area until Ramadan.

Also Read: UN Expert Criticizes US Aid Policy for Gaza as 'Absurd' Amid Military Support for Israel
Authorities in northwest Nigeria reported that armed men stormed a boarding school early Saturday, March 9, and abducted 15 students as they slept. This incident occurred only two days after 287 students were kidnapped in the area, which is now experiencing a lot of violence.

Since the 2014 abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in the Chibok town in Borno state by Islamic extremists stunned the world, school abductions have become increasingly prevalent in northern Nigeria. Since then, at least 1,400 people have been kidnapped by armed gangs who have targeted schools for the purpose of demanding ransom.

Most Recent Kidnapping

Police told The Associated Press that the latest kidnapping incident on Saturday began at around 1:00 AM local time when armed men stormed the hamlet of Gidan Bakuso in the Gada council region of Sokoto state. According to Sokoto police spokesperson Ahmad Rufa'i, the masked individuals abducted the students from the Islamic school's dorm before the arrival of security authorities. In addition to the pupils, a lady was also kidnapped from the area.

Rufa'i said a police tactical unit was sent to find them. However, the rescue attempt was hindered by the area's impassable roads, and the police team had to utilize motorbikes to reach the distant settlement.

Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima met with officials and many parents of the kidnapped kids on Saturday, assuring them that security forces are making every attempt to locate and rescue their children.

See Also: Nigerian Gunmen Kidnap Nearly 300 Students in 2nd Mass Abduction Over Past Week

Mass Abductions

Suspected extremists in Borno state seized over 200 individuals, mostly women and children, late last week. This Saturday's incident was the third major abduction in northern Nigeria since then. A government elementary and secondary school in Kaduna state was also raided on Thursday, March 7, capturing 287 kids.

These recent assaults have brought the security situation in Africa's most populous nation back into the spotlight. There are hundreds of armed gangs in the northern area of Nigeria, and kidnapping people for ransom has become a lucrative activity there.

None of the abductions were attributed to any one organization. While Islamic militants in northeastern Nigeria are being scrutinized for the kidnappings in Borno state, the locals have pointed the finger at herders who were involved in conflicts with their host communities before turning to violence.

See Also: Nigeria: President Tinubu Vows To Provide 'Massive Education' Amid Rising Kidnapping Incidents
U.S. President Joe Biden said on Saturday, Mar. 9, that he regretted using the term "illegal" during his State of the Union Address to describe Jose Ibarra, the suspected murderer of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley.

He made the statement after facing frustration from some in the Democratic Party for the use of the term to describe people who arrived or are living in the United States illegally.

"I shouldn't have used illegal, it's undocumented," Biden told MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart in a taped interview in Atlanta, where he was meeting with small business owners and holding a campaign rally.

In response, former US President Donald Trump criticized Biden's immigration policies and blamed them for her death at a rally attended by Riley's family and friends on the same day in Rome, Georgia, telling her family that he shares their grief.

"Joe Biden went on television and apologized for calling Laken's murderer an illegal," he said to loud jeers and boos. "Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer."

Riley's murder became the newest flashpoint in the 2024 US election campaign, as well as becoming a rallying cry for Republicans who have seized on frustrations over the Biden administration's handling of the US-Mexico border amid a record surge of migrants entering the country, the Associated Press reported.

"What Joe Biden has done on our border is a crime against humanity and the people of this nation for which he will never be forgiven," Trump added, alleging that Riley "would be alive today if Joe Biden had not willfully and maliciously eviscerated the borders of the United States and set loose thousands and thousands of dangerous criminals into our country."

Read Also: Mitch McConnell's Sister-In-Law Angela Chao Made Frantic Final Call Before Drowning as Tesla Sank Into Pond on Her Ranch

Weaponizing Riley's Murder

Trump has been using immigration as the central issue of his campaign, repeatedly vowing to mount the largest deportation in the nation's history if he wins.

Earlier this year, Biden bucked activists within his party by agreeing to make changes to US immigration law that would have limited some migration.

The deal that emerged would have overhauled the asylum system to provide faster and tougher enforcement and given presidents new powers to immediately expel migrants if authorities become overwhelmed. It also would have added $20 billion in funding.

The changes became part of a short-lived bipartisan compromise that was quickly rejected by Republican lawmakers after Trump made his opposition known.

In addition to Trump using Riley's death as a weapon to promote very strict immigration crackdowns, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) demanded Biden to "Say her name!" during Thursday's Mar. 7 State of the Union.

The phrase was first popularized by civil rights activist Kimberle Crenshaw in 2015 following the death of Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old Black woman who was found dead in a Texas jail cell a few days after she was arrested during a traffic stop.

The hashtag #SayHerName became more popular in 2020 after Black women were allegedly killed due to police brutality post-George Floyd.

Related Article: Biden, Trump Hold Competing Georgia Rallies as 2024 Race Gains Steam
The subject of the new Angel Studios film "Cabrini" - Frances Xavier Cabrini, foundress of the Missionary Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and a canonized saint in the Catholic Church - has been remembered by many as the "Patroness of Immigrants" for her tireless work with the poorest of the poor in 19th-century New York and elsewhere.

The National Catholic Register revealed that the homily for her funeral mass on Dec. 27, 1917, poignantly extolled her.

Molly Carr of the Catholic Extension Society provided excerpts of the homily. She told the Register that the organization's founder, the Rev. Francis Clement Kelley, delivered the funeral sermon.

"To the true believer, Mother Cabrini is ... surrounded by a new light reflected from the face of the Master she served so well and faithfully," his sermon wrote. "She named her order after the Sacred Heart. She spread the devotion by every means in her power. It is from love that comes fortitude of soul, which she had to a most remarkable degree."

Kelley further recalled that discouragements regarding her missionary work "did not cause her to hesitate for an instant."

"[H]er confidence in God was so great that ... she was far from discouraged," he added. "Before night, her confidence was rewarded, for the crisis had passed."

He also recalled the remarkable breadth of her mission, focused on caring for orphans as well as education and health care.

"Like her predecessors among the founders of religious orders, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini was a pioneer, already canonized in the hearts of her spiritual daughters," Kelley added in his sermon.

Read Also: District Judge Strikes Down Gov. Abbott's Border Law

Monteverde: Mother Cabrini is 'Ultimate Underdog Story'

"Cabrini" director Alejandro Monteverde told EWTN that creating a film about the immigrant nun because he believed that "what she was fighting for is something that can unite the entire world."

"She was a woman who came here with nothing; this is the ultimate underdog story," he earlier told the Register. "And she fought for the good of others."

Monteverde also recalled how Cabrini used whatever time she had to serve the poor despite her own poor health.

"That's what I love about her life," he added. "In many ways, her life was very cinematic, meaning her story is very artful."

Cabrini was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1946, the very first US citizen to be raised to Catholic sainthood.

Related Article: Texas Inmate Facing Execution Says New Evidence Proves Innocence
(Photo : Flickr I Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk)

Pope Francis says Ukraine should have the "courage of the white flag" in its war with Russia.

Pope Francis said in an interview that Ukraine should have the "courage" to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

The interview was recorded last month with Radio Television Suisse (RSI) and partially released on Saturday.

"I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates," Francis said, according to the Associated Press. He also said talks should take place with the help of international powers.

Ukraine has repeatedly said it would not engage directly with Russia on peace talks after the invasion more than two years ago.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said while he wants peace he will not give up any territory to Russia, which has occupied about 20% of Ukraine.

The Vatican was questioned about the pope's response and whether his reference to the "white flag" meant a surrender.

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, responded by saying, "The Pope picked up the image of the white flag, proposed by the interviewer, to indicate a cessation of hostilities, a truce reached with the courage of negotiation. His hope is for a diplomatic solution for a just and lasting peace."

He went on to add, "Elsewhere in the interview, speaking of another situation of conflict, but referring to every situation of war, the Pope clearly stated: 'Negotiations are never a surrender.'"

The full interview with the public broadcaster is expected to be released later this month.

A spokesman for Zelenskyy did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the pope's remarks.

He previously said that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the invasion and that tens of thousands of civilians had been killed.

The pope was previously slammed for a statement praising Russia's imperial past he made to a Russian youth group last year.
(Photo : Miriam Alster / POOL / AFP)

US President Joe Biden (L), sits with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the start of the Israeli war cabinet meeting, in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.

President Biden said Saturday that he believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doing his own country more harm than good in his handling of the war on Hamas, stressing the need for Israel to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza.

Biden made the comment during an interview with MSNBC that aired two days after he was caught on a hot mic at his State of the Union address saying that he and Netanyahu were due for a "come to Jesus meeting."

"He has a right to defend Israel, a right to continue to pursue Hamas," Biden said when pressed in the interview to elaborate on the hot mic remark. "But he must - he must, he must - pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken."

"He's hurting - in my view - he's hurting Israel more than helping Israel by making the rest of the world," Biden continued, without finishing the thought. "It's contrary to what Israel stands for."

Israel's war against Hamas began on Oct. 7 when the terror group launched a surprise attack on Israel, indiscriminately killing some 1,200 people and abducting about 250 hostages back to Gaza.

Israel responded with a large-scale air and land campaign aimed at rooting Hamas out of Gaza. According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, some 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza.

But the majority of those killed in Gaza - as in Israel on Oct. 7 - have been civilians, prompting international outcry and repeated pleas from the U.S. to minimize civilian casualties.

The ongoing strikes have also created a humanitarian crisis with dire shortages of food, water and medicine, which the U.S. and allied nations recently began attempting to combat through airdrops over Gaza.

Biden said Saturday that he would like to see a six-week cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, centered around a "major, major" exchange of prisoners. He voiced hope that such an agreement could still be reached before the start of Ramadan on Monday.
(Photo : Luis Sanchez Saturno-Pool/Getty Images)

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, former armorer on the set of the movie "Rust," is seen in court.

'Rust' armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is reportedly struggling in jail as she awaits her sentencing following her involuntary manslaughter conviction.

She was in charge of the weapons on the set of the Alec Baldwin film where he shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins with a gun that was, unbeknownst to him, loaded with live ammunition.

Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty Wednesday of involuntary manslaughter by a New Mexico jury after deliberating for approximately two and a half hours.

The judge ordered her held until her sentencing. The 26-year-old is looking at a potential 18-month sentence in state prison.

Attorney Jason Bowles told TMZ, "She is having a really difficult time" at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility.

He says he is planning an appeal. Bowles accused the production of overworking Gutierrez-Reed and said the shooting was not her fault.

During closing arguments, the prosecutor said that Gutierrez-Reed exhibited negligence, carelessness, and thoughtlessness, and claimed that after the shooting, she was primarily concerned about her professional future rather than the victims.

Hutchins' family issued a statement after the trial saying they were "satisfied" with the verdict.
(Photo : Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) walks to a luncheon with Senate Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building on February 27, 2024 in Washington, DC. U.S. Scarlett Johansson depicted Britt on this week's episode of "Saturday Night Live."

Going into a new episode of "Saturday Night Live," it was clear that this week's political news had provided the show with plenty of material for the cold open - though whether the show would focus on the State of the Union itself or the Republican rebuttal remained an unknown.

Ultimately, the show decided to split the difference with Mikey Day briefly impersonating President Joe Biden, before throwing the sketch to the GOP's response, which Day's Biden joked would "help me more than anything else I could say here."

The show cut to Scarlett Johansson in a mock-up of Alabama Sen. Katie Britt's barren kitchen, where the actress mimicked Britt's slow, choppy cadence while saying that she was "auditioning for the part of scary mom."

While Johansson is not a member of the SNL cast, she is a longtime friend of the show who has hosted six times and is married to Weekend Update anchor Colin Jost.

"I'm worried about the future of our children. And this is why I've invited you into this strange, empty kitchen," Johansson said. "Because Republicans wanted me to appeal to woman voters. And women love kitchen."

The sketch took aim at Britt's claim that a Mexican woman was sex-trafficked in the United States during the Biden administration when in actuality the woman in question was trafficked in Mexico decades ago.

"Rest assured, every detail about it is real," Johansson-as-Britt said. "Except the year, where it took place and who was president when it happened."

The sketch then lapsed into parodies of a QVC ad and the hypnosis scene in Jordan Peele's "Get Out" before concluding with a warning from Britt to the president.

"In conclusion, to the President of the United States, I'll just say this: Mr. Biden, this isn't the last you'll see of Katie Britt. Maybe not in politics. But when you close your eyes - I'll be right there."
(Photo : EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Americans are looking at owning vending machines to earn extra money.

Americans are reportedly turning to vending machines to make money.

People are interested in owning machines because the start-up costs are relatively low and the business model is simple to understand, according to the Wall Street Journal.

A used vending machine can cost $1,500 to $2,000, and a new machine goes for about $7,500.

The owner buys snacks in bulk from stores like Costco or Sam's Club to fill it, then sets prices at a markup, generally about 100%.

The top-selling items are drinks, snacks and candy, according to Automatic Merchandiser magazine.

But profits are not guaranteed, especially if the machines are not areas with high foot traffic. The competition is also growing, according to the WSJ.

There are some 17,273 vending machine companies and operator businesses in the U.S., according to IBIS World. The site Vending Locator reports that there are more than 7 million vending machines in the country.

Social media has helped fuel the vending machine craze.

Jaime Ibanez is among those touting his successes. He has more than 500,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel about his vending machine business. He has more than 50 machines spread across the Dallas area.

But others are not seeing the riches flow in.

Tom and Missi Hakes of Midway, Ala. became interested in vending machines after watching YouTube videos. But they struggled to find a location that was interested in allowing them to put their single machine.

They told the WSJ that it is only grossing about $30 a month.
(Photo : CLARENS SIFFROY/AFP via Getty Images)

Charred vehicles remain parked as gang violence escalates in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 9, 2024.

The State Department has evacuated nonessential personnel from the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti as the security situation continues to deteriorate, a report said Sunday.

U.S. Marines were also flown into the capital to help reinforce defenses at the embassy, according to a statement by the U.S. Southern Command reported on by several news outlets.

"This airlift of personnel into and out of the embassy is consistent with our standard practice for embassy security augmentation worldwide, and no Haitians were on board the military aircraft," the statement said, according to the Miami Herald.

Armed gangs have been rampaging across the metropolitan area and reportedly control more than 80% of the capital.

In many cases, nonessential personnel can include the families of diplomats, but the embassy had already ordered departure for nonessential staff and all family members in July, the Associated Press reported.

As the statement noted, "No Haitians were on board the military aircraft." There are concerns that senior government officials are trying to flee the country.

Haiti has been in a state of emergency since March 3.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry was in Nairobi seeking a deal for a U.N.-backed mission in Haiti, Reuters reported.

Kenya planned to lead the force but it remains on hold due to domestic issues in the African country.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto about the Haiti crisis on Saturday.

Caribbean leaders planned an emergency meeting Monday in Jamaica to discuss Haiti's "dire" situation. The United States is among the countries invited to take part.

Police in Port-au-Prince attempted Saturday to retake some streets after gangs attacked at least three police stations. The gangs have paralyzed the country and left it with dwindling supplies of basic goods.
On this day in 1913, Harriet Tubman passed away in Auburn. Her age was unknown, but it was somewhere between 90 and 95.

Below is the full obituary for the American icon that appeared in The Citizen the next day.

(Editor's note: Two quotes attributed to Tubman contain exaggerated phonetic spellings that most would now consider racist. The quotes have been transcribed as they were originally published in the interest of historic preservation. One use of a racial slur has been paraphrased.)

HARRIET TUBMAN IS DEAD

"I Go to Prepare a Place for You" the Last Words She Uttered.

BORN IN SLAVERY NEARLY 100 YEARS AGO

She Rendered Wonderful Service to the Cause of the Abolitionists and Her "Underground Railroad" Had a Record of Never Running a Train Off the Track or Losing a Single Passenger  Too Feeble to Withstand Pneumonia  A Sketch of Her Career.

Harriet Tubman-Davis, Aunt Harriet, died last night of pneumonia at the home she founded out on South Street road near here. Born lowly, she lived a life of exalted self-sacrifice and her end closes a career that has taken its place in American history. Her true services to the black race were never known but her true worth could never have been rewarded by human agency.

Harriet's death was indeed the passing of a brave woman. There was no regret but on the contrary she rejoiced in her final hours. Conscious up to within a few hours of her passing she joined with those who came to pray for her and the final scene in the long drama of her life was quite as thrilling as the many that had gone before.

Yesterday afternoon, when the trained nurse, Mrs. Martha Ridgway of Elmira, and Dr. G. B. Mack had decided that her death was but the question of a few hours, Harriet asked for her friends, Rev. Charles A. Smith and Rev. E. U. A. Brooks, clergyman of the Zion A. M. E. Church. They, with Eliza E. Peterson, national superintendent for temperance work among colored people of the W. C. T. U., who came here from Texarkana, Tex., to see Harriet, and others, joined in a final service which Harriet directed. She joined in the singing when her cough did not prevent, and after receiving the sacrament she sank back in bed ready to die.

LOVE TO ALL THE CHURCHES.

To the clergymen she said: "Give my love to all the churches" and after a severe coughing spell she blurted out in thick voice this farewell passage which she bad learned from Matthew: "I go away to prepare a place for you, and where I am ye may be also." She soon afterward lapsed into a comatose condition and death came at 8:30 o'clock last evening. Those present when she died included Rev. and Mrs. Smith and Miss Ridgway, the colored nurse.

Two grandnieces of Harriet, Miss Alida Stewart and Miss Eva Stewart, were in Washington attending the inaugural and had not returned to Auburn. Harriet's nephew, William H. Stewart, and his eon, Charles Stewart, were in attendance during the final hours.

Harriet's age was unknown Born a slave of slave parents her lowly origin did not become a matter of sufficient moment to demand chronicling until it was too late to obtain other than a vague story of her childhood.

Today, more than half a century after John Brown said: "I bring you one of the bravest and best persons on this continent" when he presented Harriet to Wendell Phillips, a glance over her remarkable career shows that the hero of Harper's Ferry might well be quoted in selecting Harriet Tubman's epitaph.

First Married in 1844.

Harriet was first married to John Tubman, the marriage taking place in 1844. She became separated from her husband at the time of the Civil War when she was active in the violation of the fugitive slave law. Her husband died during this period. A number of years ago she married Nelson Davis of this city.

Harriet Tubman-Davis, or "Aunt Harriet" as she was familiarly known to Auburnians, died in the modest institution she founded here several years ago under the name of The Harriet Tubman Home for Aged and Indigent Negroes. The building is out on South Street road and the property on which it is located adjoins a place that was given to Harriet by William H. Seward, Lincoln's secretary of state. The place had been deeded to the African Methodist Episcopal Church and among the leading colored people who is interested in it is Bishop C. R. Harriss, D. D., of Salisbury, N. C., one of the most prominent Zion A. M. E. clergymen. Booker T. Washington, on his visit here two years ago, considered a visit to Harriet Tubman as the most important duty he had here on that occasion.

It had been Aunt Harriet's hope that her home in Auburn would receive support on a par with that extended to Hampton and Tuskegee, but her hopes were not realized. Up to the last, however, Harriet labored faithfully for her Home and spent much of her time about town seeking local aid for her charges.

Exact Age Not Established.

Her age has never been established, but it is known that she was over 90 years and possibly was even more than 95 years. To a reporter, who met her some time before she was finally compelled to remain at the Home, she replied to the question of her age: "Indeed I don't know, Sir. I am somewhere's about 90 to 95. I don't know when I was born, but I am pretty near 95." She was in the office of Superintendent of Charities F. J. Lattimore at the time, and her mind was unusually clear.

Medal from Queen Victoria.

It is no exaggeration to say that Harriet Tubman, as she is best known, furnishes a career of self-sacrifice that, in her services to the negro race, does not fall far short of the brilliancy of Joan of Arc, Grace Darling or Florence Nightingale. She has been honored by thousands and exalted personages have been equally eager to pay homage with the humble folk that she labored for. She was the friend of William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips, John Brown, Gerrit Smith, Seward, Lincoln and others connected with the Anti-Slavery period. One of the treasured possessions that she leaves behind is a medal given to her by Queen Victoria.

Her Underground Railway.

Her premier claim to recognition rests in the wonderful manner in which she operated for 15 years the Underground Railway by which she personally conducted over 300 runaway slaves safely into Canadian territory. Her shrewdness in doing this work was nothing short of marvelous. She made no less than 19 trips down into the Southland in her dangerous work, and this in the face of the fact that her own eyes beheld in every railroad station and post office the placards of the State of Maryland which offered $12,000 reward for her body, dead or alive, while a reward of $40,000 additional was offered by an association of Southern planters whose slaves she was spiriting away to freedom.

Fortunately for Harriet she was unable to read so that her very ignorance probably was her salvation, because she proceeded in simple faith to carry out her plans without the strategy that might have been observed had she known that her life was in constant danger. Indeed her instinctive knowledge that danger was near when such proved to be true caused her friends, both negro and white, to believe that she was divinely inspired. The prices set on her head were high but nobody ever succeeded in capturing Harriet, although she had many narrow escapes and on one occasion hid herself and six fugitive slaves in "potato holes" dug in the fields, the runaways covering themselves completely with dirt. The Eliza-crossing-the-ice episode of Uncle Tom's Cabin was not more thrilling than many of the escapes in which Harriet figured.

In later years Harriet's wonderful career was recognized by several friends and one, a daughter of one of the professors of Auburn Theological Seminary, collected the facts that were then available concerning Harriet Tubman and made the aged negress the heroine of the book:"Harriet, The Moses of Her People."

Her Wit Was Sharp.

Harriet's sharp wits maintained their edge even in late years. In a visit to Rochester just prior to the death of the late Susan B. Anthony the latter presented Harriet as the "Conductor" of the Underground Railway. Harriet promptly declared: "Yes, ladies, I wuz de conductor ob de Undergroun' Railway an' I kin say what mos' conductors can't saydat I nebber run my train off de track an' I nebber los' a passenger."

Born in Slavery in Maryland.

Harriet was born in slavery, her parents being Benjamin Ross and Harriet Green. Her birthplace was on an estate in Dorchester County, Maryland, and the time has been fixed as in the decade of 1815-1825. In later years her relatives became known under the name of Stewart and have borne that name for over 60 years. Harriet took her parents and brothers to Canada but came to Auburn with her kinsmen when the Civil War settled for all time the question of slavery. As a child Harriet was known as "Araminta" but later was called "Harriet." She moved on a plantation near Cambridge, Md. Those who tried to obtain a definite date for her birth when her career was being studied 30 years ago decided that 1814 was the year, but Harriet herself did not believe that she was so close to rounding a century when she last talked with the reporter.

Skull Fractured at 12 Years.

As a child of six years she was apprenticed to a weaver but was turned to work in the fields. When she was about 12 years of age she was struck on the head by a metal weight thrown by an angry overseer at a fleeing insubordinate slave. The blow resulted in a fracture of Harriet's skull and caused her to be subject to periodic fits of insensibility during her after life. This injury was largely relieved after the Civil War when she submitted to an operation at the Massachusetts General Hospital. There, despite the fact that the use of anaesthesia had come into general use, Harriet insisted that the operation go on without ether, and it is recorded on good authority that the task was accomplished by the surgeons.

In her youth Harriet's injury had caused her to be unfitted for high class labor and she was put to work driving oxen, carting, plowing and hard manual labor. This developed her physically so that in time her strength became so great that she did more work than a male slave and her market value stood at the current rate paid for a first class male slave, $150.

In 1844 Harriet's owner was a kind man and she was allowed to marry a free negro, John Tubman. Soon afterward, however, her owner died and she became the property of a minor son and in turn she was placed in charge of a Doctor Thompson, guardian for the minor. The sale of the slaves was ordered in settling the estate, and then Harriet conceived the great idea of liberation. She resolved to break her own shackles and one night stole away, following the North star as her guide. By day she hid and by night she traveled, ever Northward until she reached Philadelphia where the good Quakers befriended her. Establishing herself as a free negress her work of liberating other slaves began.

Big Reward for Her Capture.

In December, 1850, she visited Baltimore where she secretly met her sister and two children who were fugitives and brought them to Philadelphia. The next year she went "down into Egypt" to get her husband, but he had married another negress and at this point their ways parted forever. Instead of taking her husband to freedom she took a party of fugitives, and her success and their gratitude caused her to devote her life to this work.

She established a headquarters at Cape May, N. J., and in the Fall of 1852 disappeared from her usual haunts to reappear in a few weeks with nine fugitives. Then the Fugitive Slave Law drove her from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York into Canada, her only refuge. With Thomas Garrett, the well known Quaker abolitionist of Wilmington, Del., she aided in freeing over 3,000 slaves, her personal conduct taking 300 of them into Canada. Through Garrett she met the leaders in the Anti-Slavery movement and soon had established her Underground Railway, stations being located in every abolitionist center wherein fugitives were concealed and fed by day and aided on their way to Suspension Bridge and Canada by night. Journey followed journey to the South and Harriet's depredations became so great among the slaves that the Legislature of Maryland was forced to act and a reward of $12,000 was put on her head while slave owners privately banded together and put up $40,000 for her capture. Detectives everywhere, North and South, were on the watch for her and she had many narrow escapes, but a divine providence seemed to watch over her. Many times she sat huddled in Southern railway trains while the cars used by the "(black people)" were placarded inside and out with rewards for her capture persons actually shoved her aside to read the bills. Harriet in her ignorance not knowing the import of the signs. On one occasion she went back to her own home and found a former overseer, who knew her well, coming down the street. Her ready wit had caused her to prepare for such an emergency. On entering the town she had purchased two chickens which she tied together, and as she carried them along the highway she was unsuspected. When about to be confronted by her former overseer she allowed one of the chickens to escape and giving chase created a laugh but eluded close inspection and probable discovery. She laughed last. Her remarkable career is filled with such incidents and that a complete volume on her life has not been written leaves a peculiar vacancy in Abolitionist bibliography.

Freed Mother and Father.

In 1857 Harriet made one of her most important trips South and brought away to freedom her mother and father. They were conducted by Underground to Auburn, an important "station" where the coming secretary of state for Lincoln, Seward, resided. Out on South Street, where William H. Seward's mansion is, that kind gentleman sold to Harriet on easy terms a plot of ground where she built a home for her fugitive slave parents. It was in this house that Harriet spent many years, and she lived long enough to see her last ambition gratified in the foundation on adjoining premises of the Harriet Tubman Home for Aged and Indigent Negroes. One time, however, she broke off active participation in its behalf, because, as she explained to the writer: "Wen I gabe de Home over to Zion Chu'ch w'at you s'pose dey done? Why, dey make a rule dat nobody should cum in widout a hundred dollars. Now I wanted to make a rule dat nobody should cum in 'nless dey didn't hab no money. W'at's de good of a Home if a pusson w'at wants to git in has to have money?"

Scout Army Nurse and Spy.

Harriet's possessions at one time included many letters and documents of interest to the historian. They included letters from the most prominent abolitionists and generals of the Federal Army during the wartime period.

It must be said that Harriet Tubman was probably the only woman who served through the war as scout, army nurse and spy, taking her life in her hands many times in the last capacity. She was proud of the fact that she had worn "pants" and carried a musket, canteen and haversack, accoutrements which she retained after the war and left as precious relics to her colored admirers. When the war broke out she did not wait for the Emancipation Proclamation but began at once forcibly to free slaves. In 1863, when it was decided to use negro troops, Harriet was instantly alert to became nurse for a regiment, and when the famous Fifty-fourth Massachusetts marched away from Boston, the event now commemorated by the bronze tablet of Col. Robert Gould Shaw and his men opposite the State House on Boston Commons, Harriet followed a few days later with a commission in her pocket from Governor Andrew. She cooked for Colonel Shaw and dined with him, too, on certain occasions, and when she was not acting cook she was turned loose as escaped "contraband" to browse around in the enemy's lines, only to reappear soon with valuable news of the Confederate movements.

On one occasion she informed Major General Hunter at Hilton Head of mines planted in the river and several gunboats sent to the scene removed a lot of torpedoes that would certainly have destroyed an expedition about to pass over that dangerous ground. Harriet went to Fort Wagner after that famous charge was made there and aided in burying the black soldiers and their white officers, and in nursing the injured. Her success as a nurse, especially her ability to cure the men of dysentery by means of native herbs, became so well known to the army surgeons that she was transferred by the War Department to Fernandina, Fla., which in 1863-65 was a military base, as in the Spanish-American War of 1898.

She Drew a Pension.

Her services were subsequently recognized by Congress which issued her a pension, which during the past seven years, owing to the efforts of Hon. Sereno E. Payne, leader of the House and a resident of Auburn, was increased. Yet she died in poverty, all of her money having been expended as fast as acquired in aiding indigent negroes.

Among Harriet's effects are papers indicating her intimate friendship with men and women of prominence before and after the war. She lived for a time at the home of Emerson in Concord, then with the family of William Lloyd Garrison, and visited the Alcotts, the Whitneys, Mrs. Horace Mann and Phillips Brooks. A letter written by Wendell Phillips to an Auburn lady in June 16, 1868, says regarding Harriet Tubman: "The last time I ever saw John Brown was under my own roof when he brought Harriet Tubman to me saying: 'Mr. Phillips, I bring you one of the best and bravest persons on this continent  General Tubmen, as we call her.' The famous leader of Ossawatommie narrating to Boston's famous preacher the career of Harriet and concluding for himself, said: 'In my opinion there are few captains, perhaps few colonels, who have done more for the colored race than our fearless and sagacious friend, Harriet.'"

A Treasured Pass.

Letters from such important personages are found in abundance among Harriet's belongings and there are tributes from Frederick Douglass, Gerrit Smith, Queen Victoria, John Brown, Seward, Phillips, Generals Baird, Gilmore, Hunter, Montgomery, Saxton, Surgeon General Barnes, etc., etc.

One of her most treasured "passes," most of which are hardly decipherable owing to wear and tear in service during the war, and now dim with age, is the following issued to her by Maj. Gen. David Hunter of Port Royal near Hilton Head, S. C., headquarters of the Department of the South in 1863 at a time when carte blanche privileges were conferred only upon the most trusted persons in the service of the Federal government. The pass reads:

"Pass the bearer, Harriet Tubman, to Beaufort and back to this place, and wherever she wishes to go; and give her free passage at all times, on all government transports. Harriet was sent to me from Massachusetts by Governor Andrew at Boston and is a valuable woman. She has permission, as a servant of the government, to purchase such provisions from the Commissary as she may need.

"DAVID HUNTER,

"Major General Commanding."

Shimer and the Gold.

In Auburn there has grown up a wealth of anecdotes about Harriet that illustrate her unique character. None is better known, perhaps, than her adventure with the late Anthony Shimer. In this Harriet has been generally conceded to have been an innocent pawn moved by clever swindlers who mulcted the Auburn miser of $2,000. A negro named Stevenson had come to Auburn in 1873 with a story that another negro, Harris, had come from the vicinity of Charleston, S. C., with a hoard of $5,000 in gold which he had found during the war and had concealed and which he dared not to exchange for the more convenient greenbacks in the South because the government would seize the gold. The negro, it was said, would gladly change his gold for greenbacks and after some interest had been stirred in Seneca Falls the people who like to obtain much for little in Auburn began to warm up to the proposition.

Through the late John Stewart, a brother of Harriet Tubman, the latter was interested in the matter and she called upon many prominent citizens. They advised her not to have anything to do with the offer but she had faith in it and finally after Shimer had heard of the proposition through one Thomas, a Seneca Falls negro, he accepted as corroborative the stories told by Harriet. Shimer knowing that gold bore a premium of 12 per cent at the time, agreed to give $2,000 in greenbacks for $2,000 in gold, and a party consisting of Shimer, Charles O'Brien, then cashier of the City Bank, Harriet Tubman and her husband, her brother, John Stewart, and the man Stevenson started out to make the exchange in the seclusion of a forest in the South end of the county. They drove to Fleming Hill expecting to find the representative of the owner of the gold there, but he was not there so they drove on to Poplar Ridge where they got out and put up at the tavern. Then the man Stevenson explained that the transaction was of such a secret character that only himself and Harriet could meet the mysterious stranger with the gold and Shimer easily handed over his money to Harriet, who departed with Stevenson. They were to return as soon as the gold had been passed for the greenbacks.

After due time had passed and they failed to return the party became suspicious for the first time and started out to search for the missing pair with the $2,000. Stevenson was never seen again. Harriet was found bleeding and gagged, her clothing torn and making her way along as best she could. She was taken back to the tavern where she told a story that was generally accepted as a romance. It was apparent that the man Stevenson and his pal, Harris, were swindlers and that having taken Harriet alone to a secluded place they had forcibly taken the money from her. Harriet, however, narrated a story that included hypnotism and ghosts to account for the loss of the money and her injuries, and Shimer, who was the "goat," probably for the first time in his life, almost suffered heart disease at his loss. He attempted in his characteristic manner to hold Harriet and her brother responsible for his loss, charging that they had "borrowed" the money from him. He was never able to collect the money.

Harriet leaves very little property, and so far as known her possessions include only the seven acres, little brick house and barns on the place out on South Street road where she lived so many years.

Funeral Arrangements Incomplete.

The arrangements for the funeral were incomplete at a late hour this afternoon. Rev. Charles A. Smith and Rev. E. U. A. Brooks are in charge of the matter and expect to complete the arrangements late today.
(Photo : NY State Police)

An Amber Alert was issued for Halo Branton.

A 10-month-old girl who was reported abducted Saturday night in New York, prompting an Amber Alert and a desperate search by police was located on Sunday afternoon.

Halo Branton was reportted kidnapped around 9:15 p.m. in Schenectady, New York State Police wrote in a social media post announcing the alert. Police say the little girl was abducted near Campbell Avenue and 12th Street.

The 23-pound baby was wearing white sweatpants with brown & tan flowers, a long-sleeve, light pink shirt with a butterfly design, and had a Minnie Mouse blanket.

Police did not release information about the kidnapping or details on how she was located.
(Photo : Venice, Florida Municipal Government)

Crews were working to save a whale beached about 50 yards from shore.

A 70-foot sperm whale became stuck on a sandbar off Florida's Gulf Coast on Sunday, sending crews into action to free it.

Police closed the entrance to Service Club Park while Mote Marine Laboratory and state wildlife workers worked to assess the whale, according to officials in Venice.

It was beached on a sandbar about 50 yards from shore.

Authorities said Sunday afternoon that the whale was alive and they were trying to free it before it was too late.

The Venice Police Department shared a video of the whale being hit by waves.

SCSO is currently assisting Venice Police and Mote Marine Laboratory with a beached whale just off the coast of Venice. pic.twitter.com/xVxcrbr2cv  SarasotaSheriff (@SarasotaSheriff) March 10, 2024

Venice is about 75 miles south of Tampa.

Officials asked people to avoid the area.
(Photo : CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Rescuers take part in searching operations of seven missing persons on the Gardon river in Russan, on March 10, 2024 following heavy rain over south-eastern France.

Seven people, including two children, were reported missing as floodwaters swept France over the weekend.

Swift-moving floodwater swept cars away, including one carrying a family of four with two children aged 4 and 13, Sky News reported.

Their 40-year-old mother was rescued but her husband and the kids remained missing.

Gerald Darmanin, the interior minister described the floods as "extremely violent episodes."

Several vehicles were found but the people inside were missing.

In another incident, two women were missing after being swept off of a bridge.

A power station manager who went to check on the facility has also been missing since Saturday in Saint Martin de Valamas, AFP News reported.

The body of another man who ignored warnings not to use a bridge over a flooded area was found a few hundred yards from his car. A passenger survived and was clinging to a tree for several hours until they were rescued.
(Photo : ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)



High school students took a new-school version of the SAT on Saturday - one that is an hour shorter, features briefer reading passages and is conducted entirely online.

The changes to the exam are intended to make it easier to grade while hindering would-be cheaters. High school students also reportedly prefer the digital test, which is more reflective of their education in a post-COVID-19 world.

"Today's students, they do a lot of their living digitally, they do a lot of their learning digitally and they do a lot of their test-taking digitally," Priscilla Rodriguez, the vice-president of College Readiness Assessments for the College Board told NPR.

"They were kind of telling us in so many words, 'You're a little behind us at this point, actually. Can you please catch up?'"

The new SAT is also adaptive - with the exam's reading and math components split into two sections. Students who score better on the first section are then given a more challenging set of questions on the second portion of the exam. The College Board has said, however, that students who are given an easier set of questions will not have their scores penalized, CNN reported.

Students who took the exam on Saturday had the option of bringing their personal laptops or using devices provided by their schools.

High school junior Matthew Schmitt told the New York Times that there were some technical issues with getting everyone online but that he preferred being able to "work more at your own pace."

The online test also included a digital graphing calculator and highlighter - though 15-year-old Liba Safa told the outlet that she brought her own calculator because she was concerned that the online version might feel too unfamiliar.

The teen told the newspaper that she was initially concerned about the new format because she'd previously taken the test on paper.

"To be honest? It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be," she said. "I feel like I probably did better this time."

Her sentiments were echoed by other students, who said they preferred the new format despite the learning curve associated with switching from pen-and-paper to digital.

"I got more questions done online," 18-year-old Elijah McGlory told the New York Times, adding the digital test was "way better" than the old format.

"It's here to stay," Atlanta student Harvey Joiner told the outlet. "Computers are what we're more comfortable with."
While the automotive industry is shifting towards electric vehicles (EVs), Stellantis, the conglomerate behind 14 automotive brands, is making a bold statement by investing $6 billion in South America for new internal combustion engines (ICEs) and vehicles. This move comes as Stellantis prepares to launch over 40 cars in the region and develop flex-fuel engines, designed to run on gasoline and ethanol.

The company plans to introduce vehicles with hybrid-flex and plug-in hybrid-flex setups, combining combustion engines with batteries for increased efficiency. Additionally, at least one fully electric car is expected to be produced in the region. These investments are scheduled to be made between 2025 and 2030.

Also check these Vehicles Find more Cars UPCOMING Emote Electric Surge 100.0 100.0  1 Lakhs View Details Kinetic Green Flex 3 kWh 3 kWh 120 km 120 km  1.10 Lakhs Compare UPCOMING MG 4 EV 64kWh 64kWh 350 km 350 km  30 - 32 Lakhs View Details UPCOMING Tata Sierra EV 69 kWh 69 kWh 420 Km 420 Km  25 - 30 Lakhs View Details UPCOMING Tata Harrier EV 50 kWh 50 kWh 400 Km 400 Km  22 - 25 Lakhs View Details UPCOMING Honda Elevate EV  18 Lakhs View Details

India has shown significant enthusiasm for ethanol-powered vehicles, with the government setting a target of achieving 20 per cent blending of ethanol in petrol under the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) by the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26. According to the "Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25," the estimated requirement for achieving 20 per cent ethanol blending in ESY 2025-26 is approximately 1016 crore litres, which will replace an equivalent quantity of petrol. The successful implementation of an E20 program, as outlined in the roadmap, is projected to save the country approximately $4 billion ( 400 crore approx.) per annum.

The development of electrified flex-fuel engines is a strategic move by Stellantis, allowing multiple models across its portfolio to be accommodated. These engines will be compatible with existing production lines in South America, ensuring cost-effectiveness. New flex-fuel hybrid models are set to be released in late 2024, with some models receiving a dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Also Read : Brazil to help India in ethanol production, share tech to produce flex-fuel

Stellantis' strong presence in South America, with a market share of 31.4 per cent in Brazil and 23.5 per cent across the entire region, underscores the region's importance to the company. It is also a leader in sales in Argentina and Chile. In 2023, Stellantis sold over 878,000 vehicles in South America, maintaining its position as the leader in the commercial vehicle segment with a market share of 28.6 per cent.

Toyota has also affirmed its commitment to ICEs, announcing the development of a new family of ICEs. While emissions regulations in South America are not as stringent as in Europe, the EU's plan to ban new cars with harmful emissions by 2035 could potentially be delayed, according to Porsche Chief Financial Officer Lutz Meschke. Meschke made this statement earlier in the year in an interview with Automotive News Europe, indicating a possible shift in the timeline for stricter emissions regulations in Europe.

First Published Date:
Veteran Spotlight: Army Spc. Robert Dutra

FALMOUTH, Mass.  Robert Dutra served his country in the Army in the Vietnam War as a specialist E-4.

He would do a 10-month tour as a combat soldier, from February to December of 1969.

A graduate of Lawrence High School, he initially joined the Army National Guard. His basic training would take him to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

"It was OK, I was 18. I didn't have anything. I was young, in shape and got to meet a few people," he recalled.

While at Fort Leonard Wood, he would also be assigned to four months of Advanced Infantry Training then sent to Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), Ga., and then, overseas to Vietnam at the end of February 1969.

"I was waiting in line like everyone else, the sergeant comes over told me to go into another line that was going to the LZ [landing zone]. I tried to explain that I was trained in radio and communications, he said, 'yeah right, get in that line.'"

"The plane was eerily quiet  nobody said anything. I knew nobody. When we landed all the stewardess' were hugging guys and crying as they got off," he said. "I thought, 'what did I get myself into?'"

Dutra would be assigned to the Central Highlands where combat and action was constant.

"I was with the 1st and 14th Artillery. We had six guns (howitzers). Then I got assigned to the 1st of the 96th Infantry of the Americal Division. the order would come down that we were moving," he recalled. "We always landed ahead of the guns and they took us about 10 miles on helicopters. We landed after they had sprayed Agent Orange. The chopper blades never stopped. You jumped and all the sand, debris and Agent Orange came right up in your face, eyes, in your mouth, on your skin. then you had to unstrap the guns.

"We always landed in an open field and always worried about snipers. That was the time to worry. On the LZ, they

had the perimeter surrounded with wire. A couple of times the enemy tried to break through, but they never got far."

How were the holidays? "Didn't really bother me. The next guy was in the same boat as you. The guys I felt sorry for were the guys that were married. They'd get a cassette from home, then go off by themselves and play it on a recorder and listen. It was tough for the older guys."

He shared this powerful story. "My father had sent me some linguica in a coffee can. He filled it with Crisco, then put the linguica in. I got it in a CARE package and shared it with everyone, that's what we did, cooked it right over a fire. Much better than sea rations."

He continued, "I never trusted the South Vietnamese. I was always leery of them, maybe it was me. I trusted the guys with the American flag on their uniforms. Night time was the worst, it was not a comfortable time. You can't see anything. The enemy could sneak up on you in a split second. I never slept well at night. You were always hot, sticky and sweaty.

"The infantry guys really had it tough. I had a lot of respect for those guys. When you got back to base camp, you

could take a shower  they poked two holes in a large drum, filled it with water, put faucets on it, then you had your shower. You had no idea what had been in those drums prior."

What was it like to lose a fellow soldier? Dutra became quiet.

"It kind of stuns you, kind of like a shock. It's something you never get over," he said. "I did run into a guy from New

Bedford when I was there. We talked a few times, one of the few bright spots."

Thoughts on his service and protestors?

"My fondest memory was when I got my notice to come home, I didn't like being there  all the casualties, deaths, then

just pick up and leave? The POWs, those guys were heroes to me, and the guys we left behind ... I haven't forgiven the protestors to this day. Everybody's entitled to their opinion but when you're there [in Vietnam], you like to have people behind you with a little support. We went through a lot and nobody wanted to be there."

He would go on to serve in his community in the Falmouth Fire Department for 32 1/2 years and continues to be one of the most respected and well-liked men in the town of Falmouth.

Spc. Bob Dutra, a long awaited welcome home and thank you for your service to our great country.
Williamstown's Planning Board sits in the town hall meeting room in front of the town's flag.

Williamstown's Town Flag a Topic of Discussion

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  Nine years after its adoption, the town flag continues to come under scrutiny.

And one of the people involved in its creation agrees that if someone wants to change the flag, they should.

The flag adopted by the Select Board in January 2015 includes imagery of three Berkshire hills in the background, trees, the year of the town's charter (1765), the town's name, a furrowed field, the words "Culture, Education, Nature," and, at its center, a depiction of the 1753 House, a replica of a colonial-era structure that was built on Field Park for the town's bicentennial.

There are only two known copies of the flag in existence: one at the State House and one in the meeting room on the first floor at town hall.

It was in the second location that the imagery on the flag has drawn the attention of the town's Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Equity Committee, which most recently noted the emblem at its Monday meeting.

During a discussion of a proposed town meeting warrant article to amend the flag bylaw adopted at last May's meeting, DIRE Committee member Andrew Art said the town flag itself runs afoul of that bylaw because it is affixed to a town structure and not on the short list of flags approved for that use: the American flag, the flag of the commonwealth and the POW/MIA flag listed in the May 2023 bylaw.

Art was making a point that the list of approved flags ought to include the flag of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, whose ancestors were the first known inhabitants of the land where Williamstown now exists.

"While, at the same time, I'm staring at the town flag, behind you, which centers on its field the regulation house of a settlement, a colonial settlement, on those lands," said Art, who participated in the meeting remotely and was watching the video feed from town hall.

When Justine Beringer, a relatively recent addition to the panel, asked whether the flag Art indicated is actually the official town flag, DIRE Committee veteran Noah Smalls replied.

"Yes, that is the official Williamstown flag," Smalls said. "We have all had the time to process and come to a better understanding of the flag and how it came to be. So take your time. It might require a moment or two to take hold of it."

Ultimately, the committee decided to have Art send an email to the town manager asking that the flag be removed from the meeting room in accordance with the bylaw.

As Smalls indicated, it was not the first time the flag, with its recognition of the town's colonial origin, has come up in a DIRE Committee meeting.

Six years before the DIRE Committee existed, the topic of whether the town needed a flag and what it should look like filled a lot of time at Select Board meetings.

For more than 200 years, no one gave much thought to having a town flag. But in 2014, a request came from one of the town's representatives on Beacon Hill that the town create one so it could be included in the collection of municipal flags on Beacon Hill and displayed in the capital's Hall of Flags.

The request generated months of discussion, an appeal for submissions of flag ideas from residents, an ad hoc committee, an online survey and, ultimately, a vote to adopt the current flag. And, since the town was paying to have one cloth version created  for the State House  it went ahead and ordered a second to be displayed in the meeting room.

At the time, none of the hours of discussion on the potential flag design included a conversation about whether the image of the 1753 House was problematic.

"The world has changed, and Williamstown's world has changed dramatically in the 10 years since that flag was developed and then approved," said Tom Sheldon, a member of the Select Board in 2015 who served on the committee that brought the flag design to that body. "My own consciousness of things has changed, and, for anyone who is paying attention to life in Williamstown, it's different, too.

"Which is not to say that the 1753 House is anathema and should be burned to the ground. But it carries additional meanings now than we were sensitive to back then. I'd be the first to admit that. It's a different world, and if people want to change the flag, I'd understand and say, 'Go for it.' "

Much has changed in the way Williamstown residents think about the occupation of indigenous lands by the people who founded the town.

 In May 2017 , town meeting voted to change the name of an October holiday from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day, a change the Legislature later made for the commonwealth in 2023.

 In July 2020 , town residents took down a sign on Main Street that identified a neighborhood as "Colonial Village."

 In the fall of 2020, Williams College removed In the fall of 2020, Williams College removed murals depicting the college and town's namesake, Ephraim Williams, a veteran of the French and Indian War, and the town's 1753 House Committee added language to the sign near the structure on Field Park identifying the land as the homelands of the Mohican people.

 , a public art display shrouded the 1753 House in an effort to make people think about the Mohican's experience at the time of Indigenous Peoples Day. In October 2021 , a public art display shrouded the 1753 House in an effort to make people think about the Mohican's experience at the time of Indigenous Peoples Day.

 , Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians President Shannon Holsey spoke at the town's Independence Day celebration. Last July , Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians President Shannon Holsey spoke at the town's Independence Day celebration.

 And when the Department of Transportation named a new recreation trail the "Mohawk Trail," during its construction, protests from town residents led to the removal of those signs, and the town later dubbed the path the And when the Department of Transportation named a new recreation trail the "Mohawk Trail," during its construction, protests from town residents led to the removal of those signs, and the town later dubbed the path the Mohican Trail

None of the Select Board debate at the time of the flag's adoption included a discussion of the indigenous people displaced by the colonists and what the 1753 House could represent. Sheldon does not recall hearing anyone raise those issues to the committee and suspects, if they had, the flag would have turned out differently.

"The 1753 House was a piece of relevant history, but it wasn't one of the organizing themes of the flag," Sheldon said. "The others mentioned were: natural beauty, education, agriculture. Those are the ones we wanted to reflect on. History was just not one of the organizing concepts.

"At that point  the 1753 House was just kind of iconic. If you were to pick one thing in Williamstown that was not a college building, that would be the thing everyone would recognize. It was, in my view, an understandable element in the design  not necessarily as an effort to represent history, but that it was a commonly held image."

He said he "100 percent" agreed with the notion that the flag would have been different if anyone had objected to the inclusion of the 1753 House at the time.

"I can explain to anyone who wants to know how the flag came to be, but I would be the first one to admit that things are so substantially different now, and I understand why questions are arising," Sheldon said. "It's appropriate that they do. And however the sentiments lie on that, it's a fair question to raise."

The topic of flags came before the DIRE Committee on Monday when committee and Select Board member Randal Fippinger reported he is working with members of the Gender Sexuality Alliance at Mount Greylock Regional School on a proposal to add the Pride Progress flag to the list of flags acceptable for display on town flag poles and buildings. Fippinger said the group is aiming to put an article on May's annual town meeting warrant to amend the 2023 bylaw.

Art raised the issue of whether the Stockbridge-Munsee flag ought to be added to that list given the nation's historical claim to the town's lands.

In other business on Monday, the DIRE Committee:

 Discussed the panel's place in the town budget and advocated that rather than receiving funds at the discretion of the Select Board, money should be identified specifically in a town budget line item for DIRE Committee programs.

 Heard a call from Chair Shana Dixon for more recognition and education locally during future Black History Months.

 And talked about whether and how to revive the committee's Facebook group, which currently is paused.
 Close Best Oscar moments

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The 2024 Oscars was a glittering night that saw Oppenheimer and Poor Things win big while Killers of the Flower Moon went home empty-handed.

You can find a list of all the winners here.

The Academy Awards, which aired in the UK on ITV, were once again hosted by late-night titan Jimmy Kimmel. In his opening monologue, the host took aim at Sonys Madame Web, disgraced French actor Gerard Depardieu and Oppenheimer nominee Robert Downey Jr.

Among the performers was Ryan Gosling who stunned the audience with his typically vibrant rendition of Im Just Ken from Barbie.

One of the most talked-about moments of the night came when John Cena took to the stage totally naked in a streaking skit gone awry with Kimmel.

Then, after the ceremony, the celebrities headed to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party to let their hair down and bask in the end of another glitzy awards season.

Follow live updates below
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Radio presenter Ken Bruce has expressed his hurt that the BBC allegedly failed to promote the news that, in 2019, his mid-morning programme became the most listened-to radio show in the UK.

The veteran broadcaster, 73, regularly presented the Radio 2 show from 9.30am to midday for more than 30 years, until he left the station in March 2023 to be replaced by Vernon Kay.

His decision came after the late Steve Wright was nudged out of his Radio 2 afternoon slot, while Simon Mayo, Graham Norton and the late Paul OGrady also stepped down from their respective programmes.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Bruce said he didnt recall the BBC mentioning his success in 2019, when he overtook Zoe Ball to become Britains most listened-to radio presenter.

I didn't want any hoo-ha, so when my show became the biggest show on radio, I didn't want to say anything about it, but I kind of thought the BBC should, he said.

I wasnt expecting to be carried on a litter with people strewing palms in front of me, but I thought, surely that's worth a mention? As far as Im aware, it wasnt mentioned by the BBC at all. Ever.

The BBC declined to comment when approached by The Independent.

Bruce, who is now at Greatest Hits Radio, presented a mid-morning show on Radio 2 for more than 30 years (PA Wire)

Bruce left the BBC to move over to its rival, Greatest Hits Radio, which he said had made him feel at home since pretty much day one.

While he initially said it was his decision to step down from the BBC, he later accused the corporation of pushing him to leave earlier than he had intended, in a tweet shared shortly before his last show.

I will be presenting my last show on Radio 2 next Friday, he wrote on 24 February last year. I had intended fulfilling my contract until the end of March but the BBC has decided it wants me to leave earlier. Lets enjoy the week ahead!

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Responding to Bruces tweet, a BBC spokesperson told The Independent: Ken decided to leave Radio 2 and its always been known hes leaving in March. Returning to Wogan House for a week after a month of broadcasting the Piano Room sessions at Maida Vale provided a natural break. We wish Ken all the best for the future.

In the Telegraph interview, Bruce also rejected claims that his former colleague, Steve Wright, had died of a broken heart aged 69, after being taken off his Radio 2 slot.

Above all, Steve was a realist, the Glasgow-born presenter said. Nobody likes to be taken off a show... but its something we all have as a possibility at the back of our mind.

Presenter Steve Wright, who was also taken off his BBC Radio 2 slot, died earlier this year at the age of 69 (BBC)

Nothing is forever, he continued. Its happened for decades. Jimmy Young was asked to move on before he was ready and there was nothing wrong with his figures  it was because they felt he was representing an age group that they didnt want to have represented any more.

These decisions are taken, we are the foot soldiers, and we just go along with whats wanted. For most people, theres an option of going to work somewhere else or work in a different way in the same place.

He added: Very rarely does somebody have the rug pulled from under them with nothing left.

Following his move, Bruce now plays the biggest songs of the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties every weekday morning on Greatest Hits Radio.
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Pakistan's lawmakers elected Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday as the countrys president for the second time.

He is the widower of assassinated former premier Benazir Bhutto and the father of former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

Mr Zardari secured 411 votes from national and provincial lawmakers. His opponent, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, who is backed by the party of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan, received 181 votes.

The Pakistani presidency is a largely ceremonial role. Mr Zardari was previously in the job between 2008 and 2013. Mr Zardari was the joint candidate of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, or PML-N, party of prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and his other political allies.

He was the favorite to win on Saturday because of his alliance with Pakistans other political dynasty, the Sharifs, and his key role in talks to form a coalition government after the disputed national parliamentary election on Feb. 8.

Mr Sharif congratulated Mr Zardari on becoming the country's new president with a majority vote.

Mr Zardari will be a symbol of the strength of the federation, Mr Sharif said in a statement.

He said that he hoped that Mr Zardari would fulfill his constitutional responsibilities in an efficient manner.

Mr Zardari's rival Achakzai also congratulated him on his victory, saying the vote was held in a free and fair manner. Mr Zardari is known for handling complicated political and other issues in a cool manner.

Last months poll was overshadowed by militant violence, an unprecedented cellphone shutdown and vehement claims of vote-rigging from Mr Khans party.

Mr Khan was kicked out of office in 2022 and has faced a number of legal challenges since then. He's currently serving multiple prison terms.

Mr Zardari also has been dogged by criminal cases. He spent 11 years behind bars before becoming president, but was never convicted and has denied any wrongdoing. He has been arrested and indicted on various charges in recent years.

He will take the oath of office on Sunday.
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Mel B has revealed how the Spice Girls rallied around Geri Horner as her husband Christian faced allegations of inappropriate behaviour as a Formula One team principal.

The Red Bull boss has faced intense scrutiny in recent weeks following allegations relating to the leak of hundreds of WhatsApp messages which appeared to be written by him to a female colleague  claims he has always denied.

Mr Horner was allowed to remain in his role after Red Bull Racings parent company, GmbH, dismissed the grievance, while the female employee was suspended on full pay as a direct result of Red Bulls inquiry.

And its been reported that the former Spice Girl star will attend this weekends Saudi Grand Prix in support of her husband.

Mel B said the pop group, which formed in 1994 and went on to dominate the charts with hits such as Wannabe, Who Do You Think You Are? and Viva Forever, have been protective of Geri during a difficult time.

Former Spice Girl and patron of Womens Aid, Melanie Brown has spoken of her support for Geri (PA Wire)

Oh God, we are all so supportive of each other, we would literally take a bullet for each other, Brown told the Mirror of her bandmates Melanie Chisholm, Emma Bunton, Victoria Beckham, and Horner.

Between the four of us, weve all been messaging her; I sent a message to her earlier.

I just feel for her, and oh my God. I just feel sad. But she knows she has us four that are with her.

Brown said she didnt know the ins and outs of the allegations but only saw her friend who is going through a really tough time.

All you can do is be there, just like the girls have been there for me; all I can do is be there for Geri, she said.

But it is horrible to see your friend going through something  something that you dont quite know what it is  but thats your friend and you want to protect her, no matter what.

What us five have been through in the 30 years weve known each other, thats a solid bond.

Follow our live blog on the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix by clicking here
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The cacophonous wail of the shofar was loud, mournful and lasted nearly two minutes as dozens of Jews blew on rams' horns Sunday to wake up others to the plight of the estimated 100 hostages still held in Gaza.

Demonstrators standing in the rain outside a London synagogue blew on the long, curling horns and chanted bring them home to mark the 155 days that hostages have been held in captivity.

The shofar is such a significant icon," said Marcel Knobil, who organized the "Blow for Hostages" event. Some equate it with a sound of crying mothers and how appropriate that is to todays event, especially being Mothers Day. Its also said to represent hope and we are all bursting with hope for the release of the hostages.

Nearly five months into the Israel-Hamas war, they said they remain hopeful the remaining hostages will be released, but are growing increasingly desperate for a resolution and fear that the world is losing interest in their cause.

Hamas has refused to release all of the estimated 100 hostages it holds, and the remains of around 30 more, unless Israel ends its offensive, withdraws from Gaza, and releases a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including senior militants serving life sentences.

Demonstrations by Jews and Palestinians have been regular fixtures in London on weekends since the war began Oct. 7 with Hamas attack on Israel that killed some 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage. Israel responded by blasting the Gaza Strip that so far has seen over 30,000 Palestinians killed and an intense siege of the seaside enclave cutting off electricity, food and water.

On Saturday, tens of thousands of Palestinian supporters marched peacefully through central London calling for a cease fire. Some were draped in green, black and red Palestinian flags while others held signs for a Free Palestine.

Knobil said similar shofar events were held elsewhere around the world  from New York to Jerusalem to Thailand.
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On the eve of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, Jerusalems Old City bears few of its usual hallmarks of festivity.

Nearly half of the grotto-shaped gift shops are sealed behind metal shutters. The narrow streets that run toward Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islams third-holiest site, are eerily empty. Absent are the fairy lights and shining lanterns that would usually dangle above hurried worshippers.

Ramadan preparations in Jerusalem, the spiritual heart of the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, have been subdued because of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, now in its sixth month. With more than 30,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza and hundreds of thousands going hungry, there's little room for expressions of joy.

This will be the black Ramadan, Abu Mousam Haddad said in front of his coffee stand near Damascus Gate, one of the Old Citys main entrances.

But over the next few days, attention is likely to shift from Gaza to Al-Aqsa, which has been a frequent flashpoint for quickly escalating Israeli-Palestinian violence in the past.

Hamas, which portrayed its Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel as a battle for Muslim rights at Al-Aqsa, seeks such an eruption now in the hopes of engaging Israeli forces on new fronts and improving its leverage in Gaza cease-fire talks.

The militants have urged Palestinians across Israel and the occupied West Bank to stream to the mosque during Ramadan to challenge anticipated Israeli restrictions on worship and movement.

Although such restrictions often triggered past clashes, it's not clear if Palestinians will risk confrontations in the current climate in which Israeli forces are clamping down hard on any perceived threats.

There is great fear among people about what Ramadan will look like this year and how the Israeli police will behave regarding the entry and exit ... into the city, said Imad Mona, who owns a bookshop outside the Old City.

Israel has limited access to Al-Aqsa to varying degrees over the years, including by barring young men, citing security concerns. The Israeli government has provided few details ahead of this years Ramadan, which could start as early as Sunday evening. But it has said some Palestinians from the West Bank will be allowed to pray at Al-Aqsa

In the past, Israeli forces raiding the sacred compound have clashed with stone-throwing Palestinians who barricaded themselves inside, at times to protest Israeli access restrictions. Such clashes have triggered escalations, including Hamas rocket fire, which set off a brief Israel-Hamas war in 2021.

The compound has long been a deeply contested religious space, as it stands on the Temple Mount, which Jews consider their most sacred site. It lies in east Jerusalem, a section of the city Israel occupied during the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed. Palestinians want to make it the capital of their own future state.

The United States and other international mediators had pushed for a Gaza cease-fire to coincide with the start of Ramadan. However, there has been no breakthrough.

Israel remains committed to continuing its invasion and annihilating Hamas, which killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took about 250 hostages on Oct. 7. The militant group freed dozens of hostages during a November truce, but it refuses to release more without guarantees of a complete end of hostilities.

Most Old City shop owners declined to share their views about the coming Ramadan. Scores of Palestinians have been detained by Israel over social media posts about the war in Gaza since it started.

Some who would speak said that more Israeli police have been deployed in the Old City since October. Young Palestinian men are reguarly barred from entering the Al-Aqsa compound for noon prayers on Fridays since the war started, according to the store owners. This has fueled speculation about other possible restrictions. The Israeli police did not respond to requests for comment.

According to Israeli media, the countrys firebrand National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, has been pushing to keep out all West Bank Palestinians, as well as young men who are among the more than 2 million Palestinian citizens of Israel. His spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

The Israeli military body in charge of Palestinian affairs in the West Bank, known as COGAT, said Friday that some Muslims from the West Bank would be allowed in from the territory for Ramadan prayers, but it didn't elaborate. Last year, hundreds of thousands were able to enter, most of them women, children and elderly men.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been vague, saying only that similar numbers of people as last year would be allowed for prayers at Al-Aqsa during the first week of Ramadan. He said this will be evaluated on a weekly basis throughout the month. No further details were made public.

Under an informal arrangement since 1967, the compound is administered by a Jordanian-based Muslim religious body known as the Waqf. Jews are allowed to visit the compound, but not to pray there. The agreement has broken down in recent years as large groups of Jews, including hard-line religious nationalists, have regularly visited. Some among them have attempted to pray at the site.

In the days leading up to Ramadan, West Bank Palestinians have been unsure whether they would be able to attend prayers.

In general, Palestinians in the territory need a permit to enter east Jerusalem, which Israel considers part of its united capital, though its annexation is not recognized by most of the international community. Since Oct. 7, Israel has forbidden Palestinians from entering Jerusalem or any part of Israel.

It is the dream of every Palestinian, Muslim and Arab to pray in Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, said Akram al Baghdadi, a Ramallah resident who has extended family scattered across the West Bank and Gaza.

The holy month also threatens to heighten divisions within Israels unruly cabinet, with ministers already split over how to conduct the Gaza war.

In a post on X, Ben Gvir denounced Netanyahus decision to allow Palestinians access to Al-Aqsa for Ramadan prayers. He wrote that Hamas celebrations on the Temple Mount do not equate to a complete victory, a reference to Netanyahus wartime battle cry.

Ben Gvir, who has visited the Al-Aqsa compound several times, is also a vocal opponent of any cease-fire arrangement with Hamas. He has repeatedly called for the removal of Palestinians from Gaza and the establishment of Israeli settlements  ideas that most Cabinet members oppose.

Months of conflict and tension have also brought economic hardship, with a lack of tourists and Palestinians shopping in the Old City.

Its not just my shop that is affected, but all the traders here, too, said Jihad Abu Salih, a sweets and pastry merchant from the city. Its sad.

___

Associated Press journalist Mahmoud Illean in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
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A man has died in a shooting outside a theatre in south London in the early hours of this morning

Passers-by tried to perform CPR on the victim, a man believed to be in his 30s, after he was found with a single gunshot wound in Catford Broadway in Lewisham at 4.30am.

He was pronounced dead at the scene opposite Lewisham Town Hall and Catford Broadway theatre, an area described as always busy by locals.

Horrific mobile phone footage shows a woman giving the victim chest compressions before paramedics could arrive.

The man was found close to Catford Broadway theatre in Lewisham at 4.30am (James Prescott-Kerr)

Pictures on Sunday morning show a forensic tent in the town centre as officers search for clues.

There has been no arrest at this time.

One local told The Independent: Its the busiest part of Catford. Always busy, it was quite surreal seeing it so dead on a Sunday morning.

Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry responsible for policing in South East Area said: My sympathies and thoughts are with the family and loved ones of this young man who has lost his life in very tragic circumstances.

The incident took place in a busy part of south London and Im hopeful there will have been a number of witnesses who I would appeal to come forward. I know such a shocking incident will cause great concern in the community and want to reassure residents that we have assigned significant resources to this investigation.

We also have officers patrolling the local area and I would urge those with concerns to talk to them. They are there to support you.
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The first IPP prisoner to have his parole bid held in public has revealed how each day is torture serving a sentence with no release date.

Controversial imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences were scrapped in 2012 amid human rights concerns, but not retrospectively, leaving thousands languishing in jail for years beyond their minimum tariff.

Among them is Nicholas Bidar, 36, who was handed an indefinite jail term with an eight-year minimum tariff for a string of robberies and using a gun to resist arrest aged 20 in 2008.

But more than 15 years later he is still being held in a maximum-security Category A prison with no release date.

To raise awareness of his plight, he has successfully applied to be the first IPP prisoner to have his parole hearing held in public after new laws came into force to increase transparency around parole decisions.

Ahead of the landmark hearing on Monday, Mr Bidar told The Independent how the reality of his uncertain sentence has impacted him, adding: Every day feels like torture. I struggle daily to get through the day.

Nicholas Bidar argues he is a political prisoner and has completed his tariff (Getty/iStockphoto/PA)

His plea comes after The Independent revealed a coalition of mental health, human rights and criminal justice experts had issued a joint appeal for parliament to end the living nightmare of IPP sentences by pushing through reforms in the Victims and Prisoners Bill.

This includes a call to carry out a resentencing exercise for almost 3,000 IPP prisoners, 800 of whom have served more than 10 years longer than their minimum tariff.

So far more than 80 IPP prisoners are known to have taken their own lives amid fears about the hopeless nature of the sentence  including seven whose self-inflicted deaths were revealed by The Independent last year.

In a rare statement issued through his lawyer from inside HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire, Mr Bidar said he accepts his offending was serious  including further assaults committed in prison and a period in which he escaped custody  admitting I did wrong.

But he insists he has completed his sentence plan and is ready for release  adding that a 2021 parole board previously recommended he should be moved to open conditions.

Despite the parole board decision, the move was blocked by the secretary of state for justice who refused to downgrade him from a Category A high-risk prisoner.

He argues this has left him a political prisoner until the justice secretary Alex Chalk agrees he should progress.

Im in a high-risk environment among some of the most evil men. Serious violence occurs daily often over such minor things. Its a hostile and dangerous place. Ive not been violent for a number of years, he told The Independent.

Im exhausted by the sentence. Life is passing me by. I did wrong. Ive spent a long time doing courses and those who assess me have consistently said Ive completed my sentence plan.

I need a chance. A life licence is a heavy burden and one I take seriously. I would not return to prison. I want to spend time with my family.

His lawyer Dean Kingham, a prison and public law solicitor at Reece Thomas Watson, represents several inmates struggling under the abolished IPP sentence.

He told The Independent: He has completed his sentence plan. He should at the very least be going to open conditions. I have got two psychologists who are recommending his direct release  that is a marker of the progress he has made.

I have represented Nick for years now. I noticed a real shift in his attitude in the last six to 12 months in the sense that hes just become so hopeless.

The government has so far refused to resentence IPP prisoners, despite a worrying rise in self-inflicted deaths reported in prisons as inmates lose hope. Instead, justice secretary Alex Chalk proposed reducing the IPP licence period from 10 to three years, in plans announced last year.

However, Mr Kingham said resentencing is the only way to address the stain of the flawed sentence, which the British Psychological Society has said leaves people in a chronic state of anxiety and hopelessness.

Its causing ongoing psychological harm and some of them do have mental health issues. Its only getting worse, he said, noting that despite overwhelming evidence the sentence is flawed, there is a lack of political will to release inmates in case they go on to reoffend.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has proposed reducing the IPP licence period from 10 to three years (Lucy North/PA) (PA Wire)

Urging Mr Chalk to revisit resentencing, he said: In an election year, have the cojones to do whats right rather than put your political career first. Because he knows this sentence is flawed and wrong.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: We have reduced the number of unreleased IPP prisoners by three-quarters since we scrapped the sentence in 2012.

We have also taken decisive action to curtail licence periods and continue to help those still in custody to progress towards release by improving access to rehabilitation programmes and mental health support.

Earlier this month, 11 leading voices called for IPP reform including the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the British Psychological Society, Amnesty International, Justice, Liberty, the United Group for Reform of IPP, the Probation Institute, the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Inquest, the Howard League for Penal Reform, and the Prison Reform Trust.

Mr Bidar will face a two-day parole hearing on 18 March.
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The King has given his brother the Duke of Edinburgh the highest honour in Scotland as four new images of him are released to celebrate his 60th birthday.

Prince Edward was handed the Order of the Thistle as a personal gift from the King which did not require prime ministerial advice.

The three other new recipients of the order are anthropologist Professor Dame Sue Black, distinguished lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy and Scotlands first black professor, Sir Geoff Palmer.

Duke of Edinburgh with his labrador puppy Teasel (Chris Jelf/PA Wire)

The new appointments are effective from Sunday, and the installation ceremony is expected to take place over the summer.

The order has a complement of 16 knights and ladies, and in addition, the Queen, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Rothesay, as the Prince of Wales is known in Scotland, are Royal Knights of the Thistle.

Charles made Edward the Duke of Edinburgh to mark his 59th birthday, and he had his first solo engagement with the title at the Palace of Holyroodhouse a few days later, hosting participants in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Duke of Edinburgh with his labrador puppy Teasel (Chris Jelf/PA Wire)

Queen Elizabeth II granted him the additional title of Earl of Forfar to mark his 55th birthday, and he holds several patronages of Scottish charitable organisations including the Edinburgh International Festival.

Professor Dame Sue Black who has been appointed to the Order of the Thistle by King Charles III (St John's College, Oxford/PA Wire)

Prof Black is an anatomist and forensic anthropologist whose research on human morphology and biometrics has been used to assist with international war-crime investigations and to identify those involved in mass-fatality events.

Baroness Helena Kennedy who has been appointed to the Order of the Thistle (Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)

Baroness Kennedy is the recipient of 42 honorary degrees from many universities, including those of Glasgow and Edinburgh, in recognition of her work on women and the law and on widening participation in higher education.

She has also been honoured by the governments of France and Italy for her considerable work on womens rights.

Sir Geoff pioneered the use of the scanning electron microscope to study cereal grains using research from his PhD, sits on the boards of community organisations and has received honorary degrees from various academic institutions.

Sir Geoff Palmer who has been appointed to the Order of the Thistle by King Charles III (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

He has published books on race relations and cereal science and technology.

In newly released images, Edward is pictured smiling with his three dogs, labrador Teal, cocker spaniel Mole and labrador puppy Teasel.

The Kings brother, the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II, will celebrate on Sunday.

Duke of Edinburgh with Teal (labrador), Mole (cocker spaniel), and Teasel (labrador puppy) (Chris Jelf/PA Wire)

In a rare newspaper interview, Edward told the Daily Mail: Our role  being part of the monarchy  in trying to bring people together is as important as ever, if not more so today.

I think we all wonder how we can reach out to those communities who perhaps dont always think that this, the monarchy, is something for them.

The duke carried out a series of engagements with the Duchess of Edinburgh earlier this week, ahead of his milestone birthday.

He was presented with a Leeds Rhinos rugby shirt with HRH 60 on the back to mark the date, during a visit to Headingley Stadium in Leeds on Friday.

Edward noticed the detail on the back and said to his wife: Yours is more subtle than mine.

He told the young players: Thanks a bunch. I really need to be reminded.

Sophie then paid a tearful tribute to Edward at the end of the Community Sport and Recreation Awards, saying he was the best of fathers, the most loving of husbands and he is still my best friend and she was so proud of the man he is.

The slimmed-down working monarchy has been under increasing pressure, with some leading members of the royal family ruled out of public-facing duties.

Charles, 75, is undergoing treatment for cancer and the Princess of Wales is recuperating from abdominal surgery.
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A woman has been taken to hospital for treatment after being attacked by a dog at a cemetery in Greater Manchester.

Emergency services were called to Hurst Cemetery, Prospect Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, at around 1.25pm on Sunday following reports that a woman was bitten on her leg.

Armed police were sent to the scene but the canine was secured and officers did not need to discharge their weapons, Greater Manchester Police said.

It was not immediately clear what type of dog was involved in the incident. No arrests were made.

In December last year, The Independent revealed that fatal dog attacks have soared to record highs.

At that point 16 deaths by dog bites had been recorded in 2023/24 - more than double the six fatalities in 2022. Between 1991 and 2021, the number never went above five, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.

Armed police were dispatched to Hurst Cemetry but the canine was subsequently secured and officers did not need to discharge their weapons (Google)

The increase has been blamed on a rise in dog ownership sparked by Covid  11 million in 2023 compared to 9.6 million in 2021, according to charity PDSA  with puppies bred and smuggled from abroad with little care for their welfare.

XL Bully dogs, which have been banned by the government, have been linked to a number of attacks and deaths.

Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: Officers attended and the dog was subsequently secured. The female was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening or changing injuries.

It was one of two incidents to take place at a cemetery in Greater Manchester on Sunday.

Police were also called to Southern Cemetry in Chorlton, south Manchester, following a report of assault.

A 16-year-old girl was taken to hospital with serious injuries although her condition was not life-threatening.

Police said enquiries were ongoing.
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A fire broke out on the Royal Navys 3bn flagship, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, while it was in the dock awaiting repairs.

The fire started on board the Royal Navys largest and most powerful vessel, said to be docked at Glenmalan in Scotland, on Saturday morning.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said the minor, isolated fire was quickly brought under control and extinguished.

It is understood there were no reported injuries and no ordnance was involved in the incident. Officials are working to establish how the fire started.

It is the second time in as many weeks that HMS Queen Elizabeth has been hit with a problem. The flagship vessel pulled out of a Nato exercise earlier this month after an issue was discovered with its coupling - a part between the propeller shaft and gearbox.

It was replaced with its sister ship HMS Prince of Wales, which was to take part in the largest Nato maritime exercise in nearly half a century.

HMS Prince of Wales itself encountered problems when it broke down off the Isle of Wight 18 months previously after setting sail for the US. It also suffered a malfunction with a coupling on its starboard propeller.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is now en route to Rosyth in Scotland so any necessary repairs can be carried out on her starboard propeller shaft coupling.

The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth leaves Portsmouth Harbour (Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

It comes after the government faced questions over the effectiveness of Britains nuclear deterrent after a test launch of the UKs Trident nuclear missile failed, crashing back into the ocean close to the submarine that fired it.

The unarmed Trident II missile was launched from the nuclear-powered HMS Vanguard as part of final tests following a 500m overhaul , before the vessel returns to patrol service.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt did not announce any additional funding for the Ministry of Defence in his spring Budget on Wednesday despite growing threats around the world and war in Europe.

Rishi Sunak is under pressure to boost defence spending after two serving ministers publicly called for a much greater pace of investment.

The call from Foreign Office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan and security minister Tom Tugendhat came after the Budget was criticised for failing to boost defence spending.

The two senior Tories said the UK needs to lead the way by increasing defence and security spending to at least 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), a measure of the size of the economy.

While the g overnment has an aspiration to reach 2.5 per cent, beyond the Nato-wide target of 2 per cent, the ministers said the global risk posed by countries including Russia and China meant there was no time for delay.

The sad truth is that the world is no longer benign, they said.
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Winchester Cathedral has defended its plan to put up a 100k sculpture of author Jane Austen after critics complained that the project would turn the area into a kind of Disneyland.

The historic Hampshire cathedral announced late last year proposals to install a life-sized statue of one of the great British authors along the path of her funeral cortege. Austen died in Winchester in 1817 aged 41 and was buried in the cathedral.

But critics have voiced their concern about the sculpture, with one claiming that it would become a tourist hot spot packed with people keen to get a selfie, resulting in the Disneyfication of the area.

Elizabeth Proudman, an Austen expert and prominent figure in the Jane Austen Society, also claimed the Pride and Prejudice author would not have approved of the sculpture herself, saying she was a very private person who despised publicity.

English novelist Jane Austen from an original family portrait (Getty)

The Very Reverend Catherine Ogle, dean of Winchester Cathedral, has hit back at the criticism, saying the sculpture would be a very fitting tribute to the Hampshire-born woman who would have known Winchester and recognised the Cathedral Close as it remains today.

The proposed location of the statue in the Inner Close is close to the route she would have taken when visiting her nephews at the nearby Winchester College and her friends at No 12 The Close, she wrote in a letter to the Hampshire Chronicle.

This route also became her final journey from her College Street lodgings adjacent to Winchester College, the funeral procession to her place of rest in the Cathedral.

The dean added: The Cathedral has hoped to give Jane Austen a fitting tribute as a sculpture for some years. The opportunity has now arisen with a significant number of private donors and small grant providers keen to see in place the splendid and sensitive design by the acclaimed sculptor Martin Jennings. These funds are restricted by the donors to this project only.

The 5ft 7in statue would stand just a few yards away from the site of Austens memorial gravestone at the cathedral, built between 1079 and 1420.

It will be designed by Mr Jennings, who is known for his portrait of King Charles III for the Royal Mint and the plan is for it to be unveiled next year ahead of the 250th anniversary of Austens birth.
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A member of Rishi Sunaks cabinet has been accused of major incompetence for failing to correct the parliamentary record four years after having admitted to misleading parliament.

Veterans minister Johnny Mercer has acknowledged that he misled the House of Commons in January 2020 during a debate about allegations of war crimes by UK special forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But, despite saying he would correct the parliamentary record in August 2020, Mr Mercer has until now failed to do so.

Labour MP Kevan Jones has written to cabinet secretary Simon Case accusing Mr Mercer of having breached the ministerial code.

Minister for veterans affairs Johnny Mercer continued his evidence to the inquiry on Wednesday (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)

I ask that you investigate this continued breach of the ministerial code, why the record has not yet been corrected, and outline what action will take place as a result, he said, in a letter seen by The Independent.

And the ex-chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Sir Alistair Graham, told The Independent Mr Mercer was guilty of letting the House of Commons down.

It sounds like major incompetence the speaker should be criticising him as much as anything, Sir Alistair said.

He added: The House of Commons is based on trusting the word of ministers, that what ministers say is true.

And if they have promised to do something, it undermines the integrity of the political system if they do not keep to their word.

During the January 2020 debate, sparked by a Panorama probe into accusations that the government and armed forces covered up the killing of civilians by British troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, then-defence minister Mr Mercer told MPs: There have been allegations made by individuals, a very small number of whom worked within the investigative teams.

But in evidence given in person and submitted in writing to the independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan last month, Mr Mercer admitted he had inadvertently misled MPs by reading out statements he later found to be incorrect.

And in an August 2020 letter released as part of the evidence submitted to the inquiry, Mr Mercer told his then-boss, defence secretary Ben Wallace: That I have now been allowed to read out statements to the House of Commons that individuals in strategic appointments in the department knew to be incorrect is completely unacceptable.

Working under Ben Wallace in the Ministry of Defence was very difficult, Mercer said, as it placed him in uncomfortable positions (PA Archive)

These were clearly not complaints by a small number of individuals within the investigations team but widespread. I have continually downplayed these allegations in public too to support [special forces unit] UKSF1 and the department.

That was clearly a mistake.

Mr Mercer told Mr Wallace he wanted to make a statement to the House of Commons in the first week of September 2020 correcting the record.

Mr Mercer did not correct the record in the first week of September 2020 and has still yet to do so in almost three and a half years since.

The ministerial code states that it is of paramount importance for ministers to give accurate and truthful information to parliament. And it states that ministers must correct any inadvertent error at the earliest opportunity.

In a statement posted on X in February, Mr Mercer said: I am an elected politician who serves the public. I am not an appointed official and my position relies on my reputation and my ability to sustain public confidence in my character.

In his letter to Mr Case, Mr Jones, a member of parliaments defence committee, said he has the utmost respect for those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, including Mr Mercer.

He said: As a former member of our Armed Forces, Mr Mercer is aware of the standards maintained by our Armed Forces and the importance of making sure they are upheld.

It is with this in mind that I would ask the department why Mr Mercer, with due respect to Parliament, as prescribed under the ministerial code, did not correct the record at the first opportunity in September 2020, and has yet to do so in the three and half years since.

By his own admission, it appears Mr Mercer has knowingly  if inadvertently  misled Parliament and therefore is in breach of the ministerial code.

I ask that you investigate this continued breach of the ministerial code, why the record has not yet been corrected, and outline what action will take place as a result.

In February, Mr Mercer said he was angry at Mr Wallace after discovering UK special forces officers knew about Afghanistan death squad allegations before he described them as untrue in the House of Commons.

Giving evidence to the inquiry, he described his time working under Mr Wallace as very difficult, adding: I did not enjoy it and it placed me in a number of very, very uncomfortable positions.

The inquiry will examine whether a special forces unit, known to the probe as UKSF1, had a policy of executing males of fighting age who posed no threat in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.

Afghan families have accused UK special forces of conducting a campaign of murder against civilians, while senior officers and personnel at the Ministry of Defence sought to prevent adequate investigation.

Mr Mercer has been contacted for comment.
Communities minister Michael Gove is set to publish a new government definition of extremism.

The announcement comes at a sensitive time, with tensions high in the Middle East, pro-Palestinian marches on the streets and MPs under intense pressure to call for a ceasefire in the fighting in Gaza.

More than a decade ago, in 2011, the governments Prevent strategy defined extremism as the active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
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Two women have been accused of driving the body of a dead man to a bank to withdraw money from his account.

Police said they were called on Monday evening and told that two women had dropped off a body at the Ashtabula County Medical Center emergency room without identifying the person or themselves. A few hours later, one of them contacted the hospital with information on the dead man, who was then identified as 80-year-old Douglas Layman of Ashtabula.

Karen Casbohm, 63, and Loreen Bea Feralo, 55, were charged on Tuesday in Ashtabula with gross abuse of a corpse and theft from a person in a protected class, according to Ashtabula Municipal Court records.

Officers responded to Laymans residence and made contact with Casbohm and Feralo, who told them they had found Layman dead earlier at the home where all three lived.

Police allege that, with the help of a third unnamed person, they placed Layman in the front seat of his car and drove to a bank where they withdrew an undisclosed amount of money from his account.

Douglas Layman (WKYC)

Layman's body was placed in the vehicle in such a manner that he would be visible to bank staff in order to make the withdrawal, Ashtabula Police Chief Robert Stell said in a news release on Thursday.

Stell told the (Ashtabula) Star Beacon that the bank had allowed this previously as long as they were accompanied by him.

Lt. Mike Palinkas told WEWS-TV that one of the women had been in a live-in relationship with Layman for several years while the other had been staying there for a few months. The women said it was normal for them to take money from the account, but Palinkas said he didn't have a full explanation for why they went there that day.

Allegedly, they wanted to pay some bills but outside of that, there wasnt a specific motivation provided, Palinkas said.

Karen Kasbohm (Police)

Casbohm was arraigned and ordered held on $5,000 bond while Feralo is scheduled for arraignment next week. It's unclear whether they have attorneys; numbers listed in their names had been disconnected. A message was sent to the county public defender's office seeking comment if the office was defending one or both.

Police said they continue to investigate and other charges are possible. The coroner's office said an autopsy to determine the cause of Layman's death could take eight months.
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A criminal investigation has been launched into the Boeing jetliner blowout that left a huge hole on an Alaska Airlines plane in January, it has been reported.

The Wall Street Journal reported said investigators have contacted passengers and crew - including pilots and flight attendants - who were on the January 5 flight.

The Boeing plane used by Alaska Airlines suffered the blowout seven minutes after take-off from Portland, Oregon, forcing the pilots to make an emergency landing.

Boeing has been under increased scrutiny since the incident, when a panel that plugged a space left for an extra emergency door blew off a Max 9 jet. There were no serious injuries.

Alaska Airlines said in a prepared statement: In an event like this, its normal for the DoJ to be conducting an investigation.

We are fully co-operating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation.

A section of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 that is missing panel on a Boeing 737-9 MAX in Portland

It is reported that the investigation would assist the Departments review of whether Boeing complied with a previous settlement that resolved a federal investigation into the safety of its 737 Max aircraft following two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019.

In 2021, Boeing had agreed to pay 2.5 billion dollars (1.9 billion), including a 244 million dollar (190 million) fine, to settle an investigation into the crashes of flights operated by Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines. The company also blamed two employees for deceiving regulators about flaws in the flight-control system.

Boeing has acknowledged in a letter to US congress that it cannot find records for work done on the door panel of the Alaska Airlines plane.

We have looked extensively and have not found any such documentation, Ziad Ojakli, Boeing executive vice president and chief government lobbyist, wrote to senator Maria Cantwell on Friday.

The company said its working hypothesis was that the records about the panels removal and reinstallation on the 737 MAX final assembly line in Renton, Washington, were never created, even though Boeings systems required it.

The letter, reported earlier by The Seattle Times, followed a contentious Senate committee hearing on Wednesday in which Boeing and the National Transportation Safety Board argued over whether the company had co-operated with investigators.

The safety boards chair, Jennifer Homendy, testified that for two months Boeing repeatedly refused to identify employees who work on door panels on Boeing 737s and failed to provide documentation about a repair job that included removing and reinstalling the door panel.

Its absurd that two months later we dont have that, Ms Homendy said.

Without that information, that raises concerns about quality assurance, quality management, safety management systems at Boeing.
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A former associate of the Colombian drugs baron Pablo Escobar has been arrested at his luxury villa in the city of Medellin following an international operation, Spanish police said on Saturday.

The man was recognised because of the distinct way he walked and was spotted because he was taking his dog to the vets.

The detained man is suspected of being the nexus between Medellin-based traffickers and the European crime groups Ndrangheta - based in Italy - and Mocro Mafia, which operates from the Netherlands, police said in a statement.

He was known by police authorities for having collaborated in the past with a historical leader of (the Medellin Cartel) between the 80s and 90s, the police statement said.

Adding: There were two elements that led to his identity, his visits to a medical centre due to his own problems with mobility which led him to use a walking stick, and the continual trips to a vet for his dog.

But then H1 disappeared again, before he was seen at another mansion in Antioquia, valued at around 1.5million, where he was spotted every now and again taking his dog for a walk by a private lake.

A police source with knowledge of the investigation identified the man as Julio Andres Murillo Figueroa, and named the cartel leader he had links to as Escobar.

Julio Andres Murillo Figueroa was arrested in Colombia (Police)

Medellin is the capital of Colombias Antioquia province. It is nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring for its weather,

The operation leading to the suspects arrest began after an exchange of information between the Spanish National Polices fugitive unit and their counterparts in Colombia, the statement said.

Elsewhere Portugals criminal police agency PJ said on Saturday it arrested a member of Italys Camorra crime group who has been on the run for two decades.

PJ said in a statement it made the arrest in the countrys northern region and that the member of the Camorra, as the Naples version of the mafia is known, was the target of a European arrest warrant.

Twenty years ago, the 69-year-old male was sentenced to 15 years behind bars for drug trafficking but absconded and has been wanted by Italian authorities ever since, PJ said.

He has appeared before a Portuguese judge and will remain in jail until he is extradited.
Xem them

...

Tin bai cuoi cung

Khong con du lieu e load
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Joe Biden walked back his use of the term "illegal" when describing an undocumented migrant and doubled-down on his belief that the Supreme Court was wrong in its 2022 abortion access ruling during a recent interview.

Mr Biden sat down with MSNBC's "The Sunday Show" for a rare, wide-ranging interview just days after he gave the State of the Union address.

He refused to back down on his belief that the Supreme Court fumbled its 2022 Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health ruling.

I think [the Supreme Court] made a wrong decision. I think they read the Constitution wrong. I think they made a mistake, Mr Biden said.

Mr Biden said he found the Supreme Court's observation that women can vote to change the laws in their individual states if they want access to abortion services to be "insulting" and referenced it during his speech.

They used the phrase that women can vote making change, if they want to, Mr Biden said. I found that somewhat insulting, the idea that they dont think [women] can. Women are speaking now. They spoke out in 2022. They spoke out in 2024  2020. This is whats going to happen. And I was just making clear, women speak up. This is going to change.

President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol, on March 7, 2024 (AP)

During his State of the Union address, Mr Biden told the Justices that "with all due respect, justices ... you're about to realize just how much you got right [about women's ability to make change through voting]."

The president took a lashing of his own after he referred to an undocumented migrant as an "illegal" during the address. He told MSNBC that he regretted using that term.

An undocumented person. And I shouldnt have used illegal. Its undocumented, Mr Biden said when asked about his use of the term.

When asked directly if he regretted using "illegal," Mr Biden said "yes."

The president was referring to Jos Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan who has previously been arrested by federal officers after crossing into the US. He has been charged with killing Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student.

Ms Riley's death has been weaponised by the GOP  in particular Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene  who was decked out in pins and a shirt ostensibly memorialising the student. The right is using her death as a way to stoke fears about migrants in order to push their immigration agenda.

Marjorie Taylor Greene at the State of the Union 2024 (AP)

During Mr Trump's rally in Georgia, Ms Greene pointed out that "even Joe Biden" was forced to "tell the truth" and use the word "illegal" to describe Mr Ibarra.

Mr Biden insisted during his interview that he does not share Mr Trump's view that undocumented migrants are "vermin" and are "polluting the blood" of the nation.

I dont share [Trumps] view at all, he said, noting that immigrants "built the country" and "are the reason our economy is growing."

He also said the US needed to control its border and ensure that there was a "more orderly flow" of migrants into the country.

Elsewhere in the interview, Mr Biden was asked if he had a "red line" when it came to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Host Jonathan Capehart asked if an invasion of Rafah  where millions of Palestinians are sheltering after being driven from their homes by the IDF  would be a red line for him.

It is a red line," Mr Biden said, adding, But Im never gonna leave Israel. The defense of Israel is still critical.
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President Joe Biden said on Saturday that he regretted using the term illegal to refer to the suspected killer of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley.

Mr Biden apologised after some people from his political party expressed frustration with the president using the term to describe people who arrived in the US illegally.

I shouldnt have used illegal, its undocumented, he said in an interview with MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart taped in Georgias capital city Atlanta.

Donald Trump, who was campaigning in Rome, Georgia, at the same time, blasted Mr Biden for his apology.

Joe Biden went on television and apologized for calling Lakens murderer an illegal....Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer, Mr Trump said at his rally.

Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was murdered while she was jogging on the campus of the University of Georgia.

Police detained a 26-year-old man from Venezuela named Jose Ibarra, allegedly an undocumented immigrant who has been charged with felony murder, kidnapping, and false imprisonment.

Trump discusses meeting Laken Riley's family

Rileys murder has become a hotly debated topic in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, with Republicans rallying over the Biden administrations handling of the immigration crisis at the US-Mexico border.

Mr Trump, who has made immigration a central topic in his campaign, was joined at his rally by Rileys parents, her sister, and friends on Saturday, who were welcomed with a standing ovation and large signs.

We share your grief, the former US president told them.

What Joe Biden has done on our border is a crime against humanity and the people of this nation for which he will never be forgiven, Mr Trump said.

He alleged that Riley would be alive today if Joe Biden had not willfully and maliciously eviscerated the borders of the United States and set loose thousands and thousands of dangerous criminals into our country.

The former president contrasted Mr Bidens apology, calling aloud that the alleged killer of Riley was an illegal alien.

He was an illegal immigrant. He was an illegal migrant, he reiterated at his rally, before accusing Mr Biden of having no remorse.

Hes got no regret, hes got no empathy, no compassion, and worst of all, he has no intention of stopping the deadly invasion that stole precious Lakens beautiful American life, Mr Trump said.

The term illegal, which was once common, is used less frequently now, particularly among Democrats as they embrace the issues of immigrant rights.

During Mr Bidens State of the Union address on Thursday, the president called on Republicans to pass a bipartisan border security deal, which was killed by the opposing lawmakers after Mr Trump made his opposition known.

Republican Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, a stalwart ally of the former president, then asked Mr Biden to say Rileys name, adding she was killed by an illegal.

By an illegal, thats right, Mr Biden responded to Ms Greene, before asking how many people are being killed by legals.

Following the presidents apology for using the term illegal, Mr Trumps campaign adviser Chris LaCivita slammed Mr Biden for apologising for his language, and not to Rileys family.

He should be apologizing to the family as opposed to apologizing for the word that he used which is an accurate description, Mr LaCivita said.
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New York Fire Department Commissioner Laura Kavanagh is reportedly trying to find which firefighters and staffers booed New York Attorney General Letitia James during a promotion ceremony earlier this week, according to a report.

Some members of the FDNY booed Ms James and chanted Donald Trump's name over her during the ceremony, which was held at the Christian Cultural Centre's Brooklyn Campus, according to the New York Post.

Oh, come on. Were in a house of God. First, simmer down, Ms James told her detractors during the event. Thank you for getting it out of your system.

Ms James was at the event because her friend, Reverend Pamela Holmes, was bring sworn in as the department's second female chaplain. She is the first Black woman to hold the title.

The attorney general won a $454m civil fraud judgement against Mr Trump after he was found guilty of inflating his personal wealth to convince investors to fund his real estate ventures.

FDNY Engine 2 truck drives in the 2023 New York City Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2023 in New York City (Getty Images)

The FDNY Chief of Department John Hodges reportedly sent an email to agency heads warning that the search was by its Bureau of Investigation and Trials to find who disparaged the state's attorney general.

In his email, he said he recommended that the individuals "come forward."

"I have been told by the commissioner it will be better for them if they come forward and we don't have to hunt them down," he said in the email.

Mr Hodges reminded the agency heads that there was video of the event.

I realize members might not come forward but they should know that there is clear video of the entire incident and they will be contacted by BITS if they dont, he wrote in the email.

He further stated that those who come forward will be sent to the FDNY headquarters "to be educated why their behaviour is unacceptable."

The Uniformed Fire Officers Association, a union for firefighters, advised its members that the heads of the department were looking for those involved, and emphasised that the brass were in "possession of video footage of the event."

The union told members who thought they might be targeted by the investigation that they may want to consider seeking representation.

FDNY spokesman Jim Long said the department was not trying to punish employees for their political views, but rather for their unprofessional behaviour toward a visiting official.

Nobody is hunting anyone down. Were looking into those who clearly broke department regulations, he told the Post. It has nothing to do with politics. Its about professionalism at an official event held in a house of worship.
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Katie Britt, the freshman Alabama Senator whose State of the Union rebuttal was widely ridiculed this week, is defending accusations that she misrepresented a story about a human trafficking survivor in order to amplify fears and critiques of President Joe Bidens border policies.

Over the weekend, Ms Britt faced backlash after a journalist revealed that a story she told of a human trafficking survivor happened more than 15 years ago in Mexico and not recently in the US, as Ms Britt had implied.

But on Sunday, Ms Britt told Shannon Bream on Fox News Sunday that she did not intend to make it seem that this happened recently and clearly stated in her rebuttal speech that she spoke with someone who was trafficked as a child.

Joe Biden during the 2024 State of the Union (Getty Images)

The Alabama senator said that her language should have indicated to audiences that the story took place many years ago because she was trafficked when she was 12 years old and now she is a woman.

I very clearly said, I spoke to a woman who told me about when she was trafficked when she was 12. So I didnt say a teenager, I didnt say a young woman. A grown woman, Ms Britt said.

During her rebuttal, Ms Britt recounted graphic details of the survivors experience before saying, We wouldnt be OK with this happening in a third-world country. This is the United States of America, and its past time we start acting like it. President Bidens border crisis is a disgrace.

Ms Britt did not name the survivor but a spokesperson for her office told The Washington Post she was referring to Karla Jacinto, a human trafficking victims rights advocate who testified to Congress in 2015 in support of International Megans Law.

At the time, Ms Jacinto testified that she was trafficked in Mexico beginning at the age of 12 (around 2004) after her mother threw her out of the house. She was recused in 2008 at the age of 16.

However, Ms Britt omitted details about where and when this happened from her rebuttal, leading some to believe it could be tied to the current border crisis.

The Independent reached out to Ms Britts office on Saturday and did not get a response.

Katie Britt, the Alabama Senator, joined Fox News Sunday to defend herself against criticisms of her SOTU rebuttal (Fox News Sunday / Fox News)

However, Ms Britt did not apologise for causing any confusion and instead lashed out at the media for not covering Ms Jacintos story to raise awareness about human trafficking.

If you are a child and you need help because something has happened to you, you can call the NSPCC free of charge on 0800 1111. You can also call the NSPCC if you are an adult and you are worried about a child, on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adults on 0808 801 0331
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A partial government shutdown was narrowly avoided when the Senate passed a six-bill package to ensure funding through September.

The Senate voted 75 to 22 on Friday night just before a midnight deadline. Joe Biden then signed the bill into law on Saturday.

The package provides $460bn in funding for parts of the government.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the cooperation between the parties that enabled the bill's passage.

"We have good news for the country," he said just before the vote. "We will keep important programs funded for moms and kids, for veterans, for the environment, for housing and so much more. Because both sides cooperated today, we've taken a major step towards our goal of fully funding the government. Today's bipartisan agreement gives us momentum and space to finish the remaining appropriation bills by March 22."

He said that despite deep political divides, the passage of the funding measure showed that Congress can still govern.

To folks who worry that divided government means nothing ever gets done, this bipartisan package says otherwise," he said.

Republican lawmakers threatened to hold out past the midnight deadline, demanding amendments to issues involving immigration. Even still, Democrats in the House managed to secure enough votes on Wednesday to move the package to the Senate.

While the bill does not provide full government funding, the package will cover energy, environment, agriculture, transportation, housing, and veterans issues. It also will provide funding to the Justice Department.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) walks to a luncheon with Senate Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building on February 27, 2024 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

Senator Susan Collins, the top Republican on the chamber's appropriations committee, urged her colleagues to vote in favour of the funding.

Do we really want a veteran who has bravely and loyally served his country, and is now trying to file a claim for benefits, to find that the Veterans Benefits Administrations doors are closed to him or her? Is that what we want to have happen? Ms Collins said. Why in the world would we want to shut down the government and stop serving the American people?

The Office of Management and Budget announced on Friday night that it had stopped "shutdown preparations" because the funding had been passed.

"Because obligations of federal funds are incurred and tracked on a daily basis, and the President will sign the bill tomorrow, agencies will not shut down and may continue their normal operations tomorrow," the agency said in a statement.

In order to fully fund the government, Congress will need to pass an additional six spending bills. Lawmakers have until 22 March to pass the remaining legislation. The remaining bills will provide the Defence Department, Homeland Security, and the State Department funding to continue operating.

Several federal agencies will be subject to cuts as part of the latest funding measure. The FBI, the EPA, the ATF will all face cuts.

Despite the shrinking of the federal agencies, Republicans in the House Freedom Caucus were still not pleased with the result, complaining that the package "punts on nearly every single Republican policy priority".
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Donald Trump and president Joe Biden traded barbs on Saturday as they both campaigned in Georgia, signifying the key role the state may play in Novembers general election.

Mr Trump, who faces criminal charges for undermining the 2020 US presidential election in the state, repeatedly insisted falsely that he was the victim of election fraud.

He blasted Georgia district attorney, Fani Willis, who is prosecuting the former US president for interfering with the 2020 election.

Theyre trying to take us out, and its not going to work, Mr Trump told a rally in Rome, Georgia.

He also devoted much of his time to the immigration crisis in the US, blaming Mr Biden for the death of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley who was killed last month allegedly by an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela.

During his State of the Union remarks, Mr Biden used the term illegal immigrant to refer to Rileys alleged murderer, to which he apologised on Saturday.

Joe Biden went on television and apologized for calling Lakens murderer an illegal...Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer, Mr Trump said at the rally in Georgia.

Donald Trump holds rally in Georgia

Last month, Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was attacked and killed while going for a run. She died of blunt force trauma to the head after her killer allegedly used an object to strike her, disfiguring her skull, before dragging her to a secluded area.

Police say her murder came at the hands of murder suspect Jose Antonio Ibarra, the man who was charged on 23 February with malice murder, felony murder, false imprisonment and kidnapping in the case.

Mr Ibarra is not a US citizen and is an undocumented migrant.

The former US president was campaigning in right-wing firebrand congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greenes hometown of Rome on Saturday.

Mr Biden, who was campaigning in the state capital Atlanta, called out the ex-president for entertaining Hungarys right-wing nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, accusing him of sucking up to dictators and authoritarian thugs all around the world.

When he says he wants to be a dictator, I believe him, the US president said.

Mr Trump is expected to win his partys nomination on Tuesday when Georgia  a state central to Trumps fraud claims  along with Hawaii, Mississippi, and Washington states are set to hold nominating contests.

He so far has 1,076 delegates on his side, and needs 139 more for the number needed to become the Republican nominee. Meanwhile, Mr Biden has the nod of 1,859 delegates and is 109 short of securing the Democratic ticket.

Mr Biden too faces strong backlash from his own party for his staunch support of Israel in its invasion of Gaza in the fight against Hamas.

At one of his campaigns in Georgia on Saturday, a heckler was escorted out after he called the president Genocide Joe.

Georgia, which swung in Mr Bidens favour in 2020, could be the most highly contested state in the upcoming elections.

In 2020, Mr Biden won the state by a very small margin of just 0.23 per cent.

While the ex-president continues to insist there was election interference in 2020, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and the states top election official, Brad Raffensperger, have been adamant that no widespread fraud occurred.

Georgia prosecutors allege that Mr Trump and his allies engaged in a conspiracy, making false claims about the election in a concerted effort to disrupt the official certification of votes  an allegation which Trump denies.
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Despite recently posting a $91.6 million bond to appeal the case where he was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation, former president Donald Trump continues to defame writer E Jean Carroll.

During a rally in Georgia on Saturday, Mr Trump attacked Ms Carroll, her lawyers and the judge who oversaw the case  claiming the lawsuit was politically motivated and funded by Democratic operatives.

I just posted a $91 million bond on a fake story. Totally made up story, Mr Trump said. Based on false accusations made about me by a woman that I knew nothing about, didnt know, never heard of it. I know nothing about her.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Her lawyers are big Democratic operatives. The judge was a disaster. But Democratic operatives funded and directed her, they gave her the money to pursue the case, Mr Trump told supporters.

The assertions are familiar ones that the former president has made countless times before. Theyre the same ones that landed Mr Trump with a $83m bill which he was ordered to pay Ms Carroll after defaming her when she came forward with accusations that the former president sexually assaulted her in the 1990s.

Two separate juries in New York awarded Ms Carroll damages for Mr Trumps defamatory statements.

Last spring, a jury found the former president liable for sexual abuse and defamation when he denied the allegations and called Ms Carroll a hoax and a con job. In that case, the jury awarded Ms Carroll $5m.

Then in January, another jury awarded Ms Carroll $83m in damages for making more defamatory statements. The jurys only job was to determine the amount Mr Trump was responsible for paying Ms Carroll as the previous jury already found him liable for abuse.

During the most recent trial, Ms Carrolls lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, urged the jury to come up with a sum of money that would prevent the former president from continuing to defame Ms Carroll. But $83m is still not enough to prevent Mr Trump from making similar statements.

Mr Trump told supporters on Saturday that even the judge overseeing the case, District Judge Lewis Kaplan, was highly corrupt and a federal Democrat Trump-deranged judge.

His name is Lewis Kaplan  an angry man, he screamed at my lawyer, Mr Trump said.

During the trial, Judge Kaplan expressed frustrations with both Mr Trumps lawyer, Alina Habba, as well as Ms Kaplan, but he never screamed in the courtroom.

Attacking the prosecution or judge is one of Mr Trumps most commonly-used defences when speaking about one of his many criminal or civil trials. In his civil fraud case, Justice Arthur Engoron placed a gag order on the former president to prevent him from inspiring people to send threats to individuals or the court.
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Donald Trump displayed his usual level of class on Saturday when he began a rally in Rome, Georgia, by mocking Joe Biden stutter.

Mr Trump has previously impersonated Mr Biden by exaggerating his life-long stutter, usually to suggest that the president is incompetent.

"I'm gonna bring the country together," Mr Trump said, mocking the president by stammering over the words "together". "I'm gonna bring it together."

Mr Trump was predictably maligned on social media for his cruelty.

"Trump is on stage right now making fun of Bidens stutter. The right shamed Hunter, a recovering addict. They attacked 83-yr-old Paul Pelosi whose brain was smashed in. They harassed the parents of 6-yr-old Sandy Hook murder victims. GOP has no bottom," political strategist Lindy Li wrote on Twitter. "They go right through hell."

A Biden campaign spokesman, TJ Ducklo, responded to Mr Trump's mockery in a statement issued on Sunday.

Thursday night President Biden spoke about the kind of America he wants for our future  one based on the core values of honesty, decency, dignity, and respect for everyone  values that are unrecognizable to Donald Trump," he wrote. "Trump thinks mocking people and taking away their rights makes him look strong. But it just reveals how weak and insecure he is.

Mr Trump spent much of his two hour rally speech attacking Mr Biden's physical and mental health, as well as revisiting his usual  and always growing  laundry list of grievances with his various enemies.

He told rally-goers that everything Mr Biden touches turns to "s***", and characterised the president's State of the Union speech as a "dark, angry rant."

Joe Biden should not be shouting angrily at America, Mr Trump said. America should be shouting angrily at Joe Biden.

He also criticised the press, calling reporters "criminals," and suggested that his followers were facing a "threat from within" the US.

His most extreme rhetoric was saved for immigrants. He vowed to crack down on immigration on his first day in office, if he is elected, and described immigration as the agony of our people, the plunder of our cities, the sacking of our towns, the violation of our citizens and the conquest of our country.

The "conquest of our country" line is an encapsulation of the white supremacist Great Replacement conspiracy theory, which argues that Democrats are intentionally ferrying migrants across the border in the hopes they will change the demographics of the US to favour their electoral prospects.

He further insisted that "migrants are hurting people"  likely a reference to Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was allegedly killed by a Venezuelan migrant, and whose death the GOP has exploited for fear-mongering  and called those crossing the border "monsters."

They talk about the beautiful dream of migrants. It sounds so nice, you know, like in a fairy-tale book. But some of these people are monsters," he said.
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Two transgender people have been attacked in Greece in a city due to host an international Pride event later this year.

Nine people have been jailed and will be tried on Monday over accusations they harassed and threatened two 21-year-old transgender persons in the northern city of Thessaloniki.

The nine were remanded after appearing before a prosecutor on Sunday. Twelve other people, all children, were released pending trial on the same charges before a juvenile court.

News site thestival.gr reports the incident happened at 10.30pm in a central square in the city popular with tourists. It adds that the two people ran from the mob into a nearby restaurant and had bottles thrown at them.

Police said some of the group then attempted to enter the restaurant.

Police arrived and led the victims away, detaining the suspects on the spot. It was while they were escorted out of the restaurant that the two people were hit by bottles, police said, adding that they were not seriously injured.

The charges include abuse with bigoted intent. Two of the adults, who allegedly threw bottles at the transgender persons, were also charged with assault.

The attack happened as the city hosts the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.

Videos of the incident have been posted online with a gang of young people appearing to be shouting abuse.

Thessaloniki is due to host EuroPride this year, an international LGBT+ event featuring a Pride parade, hosted by a different European city each year.

The city won the event in October 2017 and it was due to take place in Thessaloniki in 2020 but was cancelled due to the pandemic. It will now be between June 21 and 29.

Police said they are looking for more people who might have been involved in the incident that drew widespread condemnation from politicians.

Greeces decision last month to legalize same-sex marriage and grant full parental rights to same-sex couples has faced backlash from the Orthodox church and from the far right.

While polls show that a slender majority of Greek public opinion backs same-sex marriage, the Church has made it clear its thoughts at the legalisation. On Tuesday, Church officials on the island of Corfu imposed a religious ban on two local lawmakers who voted for the reform.

Greece is the first majority Orthodox Christian country to allow same-sex marriage. It legalized same-sex civil unions nearly a decade ago.

Greek author Petros Hadjopoulos, who uses the pen name Auguste Corteau, kisses his husband's hand, lawyer Anastasios Samouilidis, during their wedding at Athens City Hall, Greece, on Thursday, March 7, 2024 (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Last week a novelist and his partner became the first same-sex couple to be married in Athens city hall.

The Greek capitals mayor officiated at the civil wedding of Petros Hadjopoulos, who writes under the pen name Auguste Corteau, and lawyer Anastasios Samouilidis.

Hadjopoulos said the event was a dream that we didnt dare entertain when we were in our teens.

There is a symbolism to this, he told The Associated Press. I understand that (marriage) doesnt work for everyone, but for people who grew up in Greece in the 1980s and 90s, when guys like us lived a very lonely existence, even symbols have a great value.

The couple arrived with their dog, to the applause of more than two dozen guests.
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David Cameron has said he is opposed to sending Western troops to Ukraine even for training missions, warning that the UK should not create obvious targets for Vladimir Putin.

During an interview with German daily newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, the foreign secretary was asked whether it was wise to rule out sending Western soldiers to Ukraine.

He said training missions were best carried out abroad, and added that 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained in the UK.

Lord Cameron also outlined his vision for a post-war Europe, telling the paper: A success for Putin would be very bad and destabilising for Europe.

I see two scenarios for our future. In one, Ukraine succeeds in pushing back Russia and achieving a just peace. In this scenario it would become clear that aggression is not worth it and that Putin has to pay a price for it. Then we look forward to a brilliant future with a stronger Nato, a united transatlantic community and growth and prosperity.

[The other] would mean great uncertainty, not only for Europe but also for the world. If one bully gets away with unwarranted aggression, other bullies will follow.

Lord Cameron warned that success in Ukraine for Vladimir Putin would be very bad and destabilising for Europe (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Lord Cameron also said Ukraine needed more long-range weapons and that he was willing to work with Berlin to solve its hesitance in supplying Taurus cruise missiles.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stalled for months on Ukraines desire for the German-made missiles, which have a range of up to 500 kilometres (310 miles) and could, in theory, be used against targets deep into Russian territory.

Lord Camerons comments come as Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba hit out at Pope Francis, who reportedly said Ukraine should have the courage of the white flag and be ready for negotiations with Russia.

The strongest is the one who, in the battle between good and evil, stands on the side of good rather than attempting to put them on the same footing and call it negotiations, Mr Kuleba said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

At the same time, when it comes to the white flag, we know this Vaticans strategy from the first half of the 20th century. I urge to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine and its people in their just struggle for their lives.

Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags.

We thank his holiness Pope Francis for his constant prayers for peace, and we continue to hope that after two years of devastating war in the heart of Europe, the pontiff will find an opportunity to pay an apostolic visit to Ukraine to support over a million Ukrainian Catholics, over five million Greek Catholics, all Christians, and all Ukrainians.

Pope Francis, in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI, called for negotiations in Russias war against Ukraine. He reportedly said: The strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates.

Responding through a post on X, Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski said: How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations.

The Vatican later clarified that the Pope supported a stop to hostilities [and] a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations, rather than an outright Ukrainian surrender.

Matteo Bruni said that the journalist interviewing the Pope used the term white flag in the question that prompted the controversial remarks.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe celebrated a $13.4 million inter-tribal electric vehicle charging network project in Fort Yates recently.

Standing Rock received six EVs that will be transferred to SAGE Development Authority, Sitting Bull College, tribal casinos and Standing Rock Public Transit.

The vehicles are five Ford F-150 Lightnings and a Ford E-Transit passenger van, which will be used by the tribal transit system to ferry veterans, elderly residents and others to appointments and locations around the region.

Attendees of a Feb. 14 event also viewed a freshly powered-up EV charging station at Sitting Bull College.

Joseph McNeil, chief executive officer of the SAGE Development Authority, said it is vital that tribal lands have this new EV technology and infrastructure so they can participate in the nationwide transition to clean energy.

People are going to be turning to this, McNeil told the North Dakota Monitor. If it all just exists around us and not within our communities, then we wont be involved in the economy of it and the tourism of it.

SAGE Development Authority describes itself as a Native-led, community development organization for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The organization also is the reservation's Public Power Authority, which oversees energy production in the region.

McNeil said they have plans to install two more EV charging stations this year. One will be at the Fort Yates Tribal Office and the other in McLaughlin, South Dakota.

The new EV charging station network is part of a larger regional project across the Upper Midwest conducted by Minneapolis-based Native Sun Community Power Development.

Half of the projects funding will come from a $6.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energys Vehicle Technology Office, with the remaining costs covered by partnering organizations, which are listed on the project website.

The effort is part of a larger regional initiative that will see 120 new charging stations installed on tribal lands across North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, according to Native News Online.

McNeil said SAGE is looking at applying for more grants to install additional EV charging stations across the Standing Rock tribal lands to expand their renewable footprint, including an independent, solar-powered unit.

McNeil said he was overjoyed to see a group of local middle school students attend the Feb. 14 event because the new EV infrastructure is setting up a much larger generational transition to clean energy.

I was able to relate to them how our culture is involved in renewable energy as we talk about our relationship to the Earth, McNeil said. That was a really important part of the morning  is to connect this, not just to my generation and how were utilizing it, but connect it to the next generations coming up.

John Pretty Bear, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council, said hes excited to see the tribe moving into clean energy transportation. He added the new technology is bound to create new jobs and training opportunities for their youth.

It shows these kids and the people here on Standing Rock that we are moving in a new direction in this day and age, Pretty Bear said.
 Close Putin threatens Nato with World War 3

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The West has criticised Vladimir Putins sham elections as the Russian president sent a sinister warning to Nato.

Putin warned against any move that would risk direct conflict with Russia, saying it would be one step away from World War 3.

Asked about the dangers of a wide-scale Nato-Russia conflict, Putin said: Everything is possible in the modern world.

It is the latest example of the Russian president dangling the threat of a larger, or even nuclear, conflict in Europe as he attempts to pressure Ukraines Western allies against an escalation of their involvement in his war.

The comments came as Putin claimed a landslide victory in Russias sham presidential election with 87.8 per cent of the vote.

The US, Germany, the UK and other nations have said the vote was neither free nor fair due to the imprisonment of political opponents and censorship.

Earlier, Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Alexei Navalny, called Mr Putin a killer and a gangster, as she joined scores of Russians unhappy with his regime lining up to vote on Sunday afternoon at polling stations both inside Russia and at its embassies around the world.
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A ship with aid for Gaza has set sail from Cyprus through a safe sea corridor to the occupied territory.

The vessel is carrying the first equipment to establish a temporary pier to deliver vital humanitarian supplies, the US Central Command (Centcom) said in a statement early on Sunday.

The US Army Vessel (USAV) General Frank S Besson (LSV-1) departed the joint base Langley-Eustis  a military facility in Virginia  to the Eastern Mediterranean to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea, Centcom said.

It said the vessel left less than 36 hours after president Biden announced the US would provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza by sea.

The announcement comes days after Mr Biden vowed to build a temporary pier to supply Gaza.

Since Gaza has no port infrastructure, the US would initially use Cyprus, which is offering a process for screening cargo that will include Israeli officials.

The US, UK, and other allies rallied to create the maritime corridor amid mounting concerns about the level of aid getting into besieged Gaza, which is facing widespread hunger some five months after the 7 October attack by Hamas.

It comes after 100 people were killed while scrambling to find food for their families when crowds descended on a convoy of lorries on the coastal road southwest of Gaza City.

Israel said tanks present at the time fired warning shots but did not strike the lorries, adding that many of those killed were run over or trampled. Hamas rejected the account, claiming there was undeniable evidence of directing firing at citizens. Doctors at a nearby hospital said 80 per cent of the victims it treated after the massacre had gunshot wounds.

Lord David Cameron, the UK foreign secretary, described the deaths as horrific and called for an immediate investigation and accountability.

The Open Arms docked in Larnaca on Saturday (Proactiva Open Arms/AFP)

Earlier this week he confirmed that the UK would join the US in creating the sea corridor, with Washington troops also set to create a temporary port on the Gaza coast.

Last week, following the deaths during the convoy incident, the US dropped food in pallets over Gaza. Three planes from Air Forces Central dropped 66 bundles containing about 38,000 meals into the territory.

The European Commission said on Friday that the sea route could start operating as early as this weekend. Images on Saturday afternoon showed the vessel, named the Open Arms, remained docked at the port of Larnaca in Cyprus on Saturday.

It was expected to set sail before Sunday, although officials were unable to give a precise time for its departure. Cyprus lies about 210 miles northwest of Gaza, or about 15 hours sailing time.

The vessel belongs to a Spanish aid organisation of the same name and will deliver food aid from World Central Kitchen, a US charity founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres.

Palestinians wait for humanitarian aid on a beachfront in Gaza (AP)

In the absence of a port, Open Arms founder Oscar Camps said the ship would arrive at an undisclosed location where the group World Central Kitchen is constructing a pier to receive it.

The ship will pull a barge loaded with 200 tons of rice and flour close to the Gaza shore, he added.. Pontoon boats will then be used for the complicated final leg to tow the barge up to the pier.

Mr Camps said his group had been planning the delivery for two months, long before the EU declared the launch of the safe corridor. He said hes not as concerned about the security of the ship as about the security and lives of the people who are in Gaza.

Gaza has been under an Israeli navy blockade since 2007, when Hamas took control of the enclave. There have been few direct sea arrivals since then. Larnaca port was used by pro-Palestinian activists, who used small sail boats to get into Gaza harbour in 2008.

Negotiations on a possible ceasefire in Israels war against Hamas, meanwhile remain deadlocked.

The United Nations in February warned that at least one quarter of Gazas population  576,000 people - is one step away from famine and virtually the entire population desperately needs food.

Meanwhile, the head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said he was cautiously optimistic more donors would start funding it again within weeks, warning it was at risk of death after Israel alleged some of its staff took part in the 7 October attack.

An independent review of UNRWA has been launched under French former foreign minister Catherine Colonna, and her final report is expected to be published next month. Canada and Sweden have said they were resuming their funding of the agency.
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Watch as protests are expected as Israeli President Isaac Herzog attends the opening of the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam.

A planned protest against Israel's killing of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza is expected on Sunday (March 10).

The museum told media that it had invited Herzog before the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and Israel's subsequent offensive in Gaza which has turned many neighbourhoods into ruins.

It said in a statement it recognised that Herzog's attendance raised questions but added that he represented the homeland of Dutch Holocaust survivors who emigrated to Israel.

"We express our deep concern regarding the upcoming opening of the Dutch National Holocaust Museum, where Israeli President

Herzog is scheduled to attend," the Dutch Jewish anti-zionist organisation Erev Rav said.

It is organising a protest with the Dutch Palestinian Community and Socialist International.

It added that while it honours the memory of Holocaust victims, it could not stand by while the war in Gaza continued.
A couple who met on a train, commuted by train to date each other and shared their first kiss on a train have tied the knot in a very similar fashion.

Leah Anderson, 38, and Vince Smith, 39, held their entire wedding on board a special Great Western Railway (GWR) train on Friday (March 9) which set off from London Paddington station and took the wedding party to Swansea.

The pair were wed in front of their nearest and dearest in a carriage dedicated to the special pair.

Guests were treated to a three-course meal onboard the Great Western Railway train while during the wedding speeches.
How influencer Rosie Connolly built a lockdown fashion brand into a 16.5m enterprise

Sitting in her office, looking out over the well-to-do Dublin suburb of Malahide, Rosie Connolly smiles as she reflects on the past year. And well she might, as shes seen her fashion brand grow into a business with 16.5m of sales around the globe.
If you fancy an outdoor adventure and wellness festival taking place in UNESCO Killarney National Park, see wanderwildfestival.com

Mad hatters Get your most daring hat on for the Mad Hatters Tea Party, a fundraiser for Cork ARC Cancer Support House, this Thursday at the Montenotte Hotel. Afternoon tea will be served, there will be prizes on the day from Cork Laser Clinic and Designerd, among others, and if you dont have a hat to wear, Celestine McCoy of Hattitude, Kinsale, will be on hand with a choice selection. SC Tickets 70, see corkcancersupport.ie

If you fancy an outdoor adventure and wellness festival taking place in UNESCO Killarney National Park, see wanderwildfestival.com

NOTION

Wellness vibes The Wander Wild Festival is an outdoor adventure and wellness festival taking place in UNESCO Killarney National Park and the MacGillycuddys Reeks from March 22-24, with events including forest bathing, yoga, pony and kayak treks, photography workshops, storytelling and a concert with Bressie. LH See wanderwildfestival.com

Steve Wickham of The Waterboys performs in The Hare, see onceoffproductions.com. Photo Cian Flynn

NECESSITY

Into the wild Once Off Productions is currently touring The Hare by award-winning theatre-makers Clare Monnelly and Bob Kelly. A one-woman play with live music by Steve Wickham of The Waterboys, right, it explores being out in rural Ireland, and isolation. The nationwide tour ends March 28. LH See onceoffproductions.com/the-hare

Sea + Solu Moisture Melt Hair Mask, 33.95; +Strength Booster, 20.95, see seaplussolu.com

NOTION

Happy hair day Fine tune your haircare routine with Sea + Solu, a new Irish brand that recognises that one treatment does not fit all. The foundation stone of their offering is a Moisture Melt Hair Mask, with fermented rice, algae, vitamins and proteins for moisture and shine, while their three-part collection of Hair Boosters, for added moisture and volume or to defrizz, can be added to a mask or conditioner, or used post-wash when extra help is required. SC Sea + Solu Moisture Melt Hair Mask, 33.95; +Strength Booster, 20.95, see seaplussolu.com

Hook Lighthouse is hosting a St Patrick's freebie, see hookheritage.ie

NECESSITY

Light relief Built roughly 800 years ago, Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operational lighthouse in the world. This Patricks Day, they will be offering Patricks and Patricias a free tour, with a Snake Hunt at 2pm and 3pm for everyone to enjoy. Guided tours are available seven days a week. LH For further details, see hookheritage.ie

Begley & Bowie hoodie, 160, see adaremanor.com

NOTION

Snug up in the Manor Adare Manors newly updated and extended boutique stocks a number of the Limerick hotels products, as well as a collection of items and collaborations with independent brands, Irish designers and luxury brand Begley & Bowie, who have created a loungewear collection for the boutique, and a nightwear collection by Moon + Mellow. The boutique at Adare Manor is open to non-residents. LH Begley & Bowie hoodie, 160, see adaremanor.com

Nespresso X Liberty Vertuo Next Machine (219), see nespresso.ie

NECESSITY

Taking liberties This Nespresso X Liberty collaboration brings the spring to your kitchen counter and your daily coffee habit, with an exclusive, hand-drawn flower pattern across the new Vertuo Next Machine (219), Aeroccino 3 milk frother (99) and a Vertuo Mug (20). Thats your caffeine fix sorted. SC Nespresso boutiques, or see nespresso.ie

Muckross Wild Irish Gin, 49.95, is flavoured with botanicals youd find in that glorious Kerry national park, see muckrossirishgin.com

NOTION

Kingdom of gin Muckross Wild Irish Gin is, as you might expect, flavoured with botanicals youd find in that glorious Kerry national park. With a London Gin-style at its heart, blackthorn, hawthorn and heather also feature, along with citrus and coriander from further afield. Its best served with tonic, lime and a sprig of rosemary, its creators say. SC 49.95, see muckrossirishgin.com
Martin Beanz Warde: How I learned that our kindly clothing donations could be doing more harm than good

A new show on RTE looks at how Irelands cast-offs are contributing to an environmental hazard in Africa

Martin Warde saw where our cast-offs were being sold and destined for the dump

Martin Warde Sun 10 Mar 2024 at 03:30

Lets just start this off with a little disclaimer. I am not the worlds foremost thinker when it comes to the topic of climate change, the environment, or the green policies that are being dished out by our political betters. I am no bearded version of Greta Thunberg, and I couldnt tell you to change your life for the sake of the planet. I will, however, tell you about a little journey I took recently.
Closure, closure, closure. Its all anybody was looking for in crime drama Blackshore (RTE1, Sunday, March 10; all episodes streaming on RTE Player).

Our heroine Fia Lucey (Lisa Dwan), the sarkiest, narkiest, angriest detective in television crime drama, was seeking closure over an apparent murder-suicide in her family.

Twenty years earlier, her father Jack (Sean T O Meallaigh, seen in flashback) had seemingly shot her mother and sister, then turned the gun on himself.

Fia had fled the hostile stares and malicious whisperings of her neighbours in the town of Blackwater and into a career in An Garda Siochana in Dublin, but her disciplinary record sees her bounced back to her old stomping ground.

Religious cultists Dr James Whelan (Barry McGovern) and his wife Marjorie (Ingrid Craigie), who, in one of the more bizarre touches, wore a painful spiked metal cilice around her thigh, were seeking closure over the presumed murder of their daughter Chloe, who went missing two days before the tragedy in Fias family.

Chloes body had never been found and there was no evidence pointing to a culprit, but the Whelans were convinced Fias father was the murderer.

And everybody, of course, was seeking closure over a more recent murder, that of Roisin Hurley (Clara Fitzgerald), an old pal of Fias, who was found floating naked in a river.

Fias boss Superintendent Shanahan (Lloyd Hutchinson) wanted the case solved and off his desk because hes useless and lazy.

Boorish bigwig Bill McGuire (Stanley Townsend, Irelands answer to Brian Blessed), whose whiskey distillery and hotel transformed Blackwater from a backwater to a vibrant, thriving community, wanted it wrapped up because he had a big festival coming up, and murder is always bad for business. The fact Roisin was a half-owner of the hotel should have immediately put McGuire in the frame as the one most likely to have bumped her off.

Oddly, this didnt seem to occur to Fia or her sidekick Cian Furlong (Rory Keenan) until extremely late in the day.

But the ones looking for closure more than anyone were surely the viewers, whod expended six hours on a series that was occasionally intriguing and gripping, but more often than not daft, cliched, far-fetched, over the top, muddled and frustrating.

They didnt get it on Sunday night. Instead, Blackshore signed off with a cluttered, convoluted finale which tied up a few loose ends, yet seemed to be just setting up a return visit.

We should probably have expected this from the start. Blackshore comes from the same team  writer Kate ORiordan and director Dathai Keane  behind the soapy Smother, which dragged on for three seasons, at least one more than it merited.

It also suffered from the same problems: a surfeit of characters and subplots, most of them uninteresting, and some terribly baggy plotting.

After quite a bit of wheel-spinning in the middle episodes, the revelations came flying a little too fast. It turned out Blackwater had been harbouring more than one murderer.

Charlie Reid (Aidan McArdle), a character whod barely registered, was revealed as a sleazebag who for years had been drugging women with ketamine and raping them. Furlongs wife Niamh (Amy De Bhrun) was one of his victims.

He and another guy were hired by McGuire to murder Fias dad Jack, but the situation got out of control and they ended up killing his wife and other child too. Jack had to be silenced after he witnessed McGuire driving his car into the water.

McGuire was carrying a passenger: Chloe Whelan, with whom hed been having an affair. Her body remained undiscovered for 20 years.

Roisin was murdered at the behest of McGuire when she threatened to spill the beans on him. The killer was none other than Fias nice ex-garda uncle Donal (Andrew Bennett). He was indebted to McGuire, whod paid for his daughters lifesaving cancer treatment.

Despite all this, Fia still lacks hard evidence to nail McGuire  cue the inevitable season two.

Most thrillers strain believability to some degree. Blackshore snapped it in half. Enough, thanks.

Blackshore (RTE1) 2/5
Crime

New victim comes forward with claims against Bill Kenneally and says detective advised him to drop allegations
Exclusive | Exit poll reveals anger behind No vote - and how supporters of political parties voted in both referendums

Lack of clarity and mistrust of Government cited by voters as reasons for rejectionTaoiseach Leo Varadkar blames Coalition for failure to win minds

Government defeated in second referendum on woman's role and duties in the home

Jody Corcoran Sun 10 Mar 2024 at 03:30

An exclusive Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks exit poll today reveals why voters decided overwhelmingly to reject the Governments proposed family and care amendments to the Constitution.
There were dozens of CCTV cameras, but no clue where she is  disappearance of Jean Tighe four years ago was plagued by confusion from the start
Amy Hanley sets up action group to support families after nightmare few months trying to get the right treatment

Amy Hanley on the struggle to get support for her daughter who suffers from anorexia

Amy Hanleys youngest daughter began to develop issues around food when she was just 13 years old. Anna (not her real name) had a difficult transition from primary to secondary school and the Covid pandemic had just begun, compounding her anxieties.

She has always been tall and thin and shes always been a picky eater. She had a difficult time after starting secondary, many of her friends werent going to the same school. Because of the pandemic, she missed her confirmation and her graduation was online, so she missed a lot and it impacted her, Amy said.

Then her friends told her older sister she wasnt eating her lunch in school and we soon realised that at dinnertime at home she was putting her dinner in the bin when our backs were turned.

Unsure what to do, Amy took her daughter to the GP, who recommended Anna be referred to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Camhs) for assessment. She was placed on a waiting list to be seen by a specialist. But as the weeks turned to months, her eating disorder got progressively worse.

We just didnt know what to do, we had no help. I had no experience of this. I kept getting back in touch with the GP, asking could he reapply for her to be seen by Camhs, but the waiting list was very long. I was watching my daughter getting worse, Amy said.

Soon Amy was so concerned she rushed her daughter to Tallaght Hospital.

She had to be hospitalised for medical stabilisation due to her weight, blood pressure and heart rate. She spent a month in hospital, before she was finally transferred to a Dublin Camhs facility, Linn Dara in Cherry Orchard.

Amy Hanley has set up Mind EveryBody for patients and families. Photo: Frank McGrath

A year had passed since Annas referral by her GP and her anorexia nervosa had significantly progressed in those 12 months. Her mother said she felt huge relief her daughter was finally receiving specialist treatment, including crucial psychological support, during her three-month stay at Linn Dara.

She finally got a diagnosis of anorexia and we did see improvements because of the therapy she began to receive. Anorexia isnt just about a person not eating, its psychological and emotional as well. There was family therapy too, for us all, which was a help.

After three months Anna was discharged and returned home to her family. But a week later she was admitted to Temple Street Hospital after failing to eat.

She remained there for three months, being fed through a feeding tube. There were no psychological supports available for children with anorexia at the hospital so her mother fought to get her readmitted to Linn Dara, which was not within the catchment area of Temple Street.

Even though she had just been discharged from Linn Dara a week previously, we couldnt get her back in. We couldnt believe it. It was a very difficult time, she said.

Another Dublin Camhs facility became available to treat Anna as an inpatient, but it did not have the medical capability to accept her while she was being fed through a tube.

No other family or individual should have to go through what we went through

What followed was a nightmare few months which eventually saw Anna discharged from hospital. She was in and out of school during this time. Her mother would visit at lunchtime and her daughter would come to the car, so she could supervise her eating.

As Anna continued to battle her eating disorder she was admitted to hospital through A&E as an adult on three occasions, as she had turned 16. Her mother believes this daunting experience motivated her to begin to eat orally, meaning she fit the criteria to be readmitted to a Camhs facility as an inpatient.

The 16-year-old has now been living back in the family home since shortly before Christmas and is doing well, according to her mother.

She spent 13 months in and out of hospitals and different facilities. Trying to secure treatment for her has been extremely challenging to say the least. We were met with barriers every step of the way. Every child and every person with an eating disorder deserves treatment of both body and mind together.

Access to treatment is a human right that individuals and families should not have to beg and plead for. No other family or individual should have to go through what we went through.

The mother-of-two set up an action group, Mind EveryBody, to support people with eating disorders and their families. It lobbies for reform and raises awareness, often through protests, about the lack of services and support for those impacted by eating disorders.

I cannot speak highly enough about my daughter. She is so resilient and brave

Amy is extremely proud of how her daughter is now. She is extremely smart and very funny with a great sense of humour. She has always been a bit reserved. I cannot speak highly enough about my daughter. She is so resilient and brave. We know we still have a long road ahead of us. The reality is, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. They cause death and lifelong physical problems for children. We need far better facilities in this country.

She said the impact her daughters illness had on the family has been immense. She feels guilt over neglecting her older daughter at times, and struggled to maintain her job. There were lots of times when I would be crying at work, or in the car before and after work. At times, it was hard to cope.

Harriet Parsons of BodyWhys. Photo: David Conachy

Harriet Parsons, the training and development manager at Bodywhys  The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland  agreed that the impact on families living with a loved one with an eating disorder can be huge. Bodywhys offers a range of family support training and therapy, free of charge.

What we hear all the time is: How can I get my loved one to want to recover? The answer is to create an atmosphere to help them to want to recover. Its about a collaborative effort from the family, she said.

Ms Parsons, who is also a psychotherapist, said there is a worrying trend of younger children now presenting with eating disorders.

Ive had emails from primary school principals telling us there are groups of girls in 5th and 6th class who are collectively deciding not to eat. I think the world is coming into childrens lives much earlier and social media plays a big role.

Anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorder are the top three issues, in that order, that people are dealing with in terms of eating disorders in this country. Its important that people know it is not their fault.

People with eating disorders are very intelligent and capable, often high achievers, sometimes with anxiety issues. We are a charity and our message is: we are here to try and help anyone impacted by an eating disorder.

Helplines: If you have been affected by the contents of this article, click here for more information
Maria Lyons from London during Tedfest on Inis Mor on Saturday. The annual festival honours sitcom Father Ted. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The referendums on Care and the Family were a marketing ploy by the Government, Aontu leader Peader Toibin has claimed after they were both defeated.

Aontu was the only political party which was advocating for a No-No vote, which turned out to be the overwhelming result yesterday.

While speaking to Newstalk's Anton Savage Show, he said: "They were to create a backdrop for the upcoming year of elections."

Mr Toibin said the Government wanted to "tap into some of the positivity" they received from the previous referendums.

"I think they spent 23 million as an election backdrop on that purpose, he said.

Aontu leader Peadar Toibin backed a No-No vote. Photo: Frank McGrath

"There's another thing happening in Irish society at the moment - I don't think the political establishment is aware of it.

"We have that [political] bubble which often prioritises what I would call the virtue signalling issues over the bread and butter issues.

"If they were to listen to the Irish people, they would realise at this stage that the tolerance for this type of virtue signalling has reduced significantly in this country.

Yesterday's vote saw only one constituency voting Yes to the Family amendment - Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown.

In relation to this, Peader Toibin has said there is a problem in Irish politics concerning the political representation in the Government.

"Much of the political establishment is very South Dublin-based, and that's no disrespect for people of Dublin south, I know a lot of those people recognise this too.

"For example, the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown is a constituency of four TDs - all of them are ministers.

"There are 10 counties on the west coast of Ireland, with no ministers there at all.

"So we have a really unbalanced political representation in this country, and as a result, many of these political parties have very little grassroots.

"Most of the large political parties have lost those grassroots, and are operating now in focus groups and polls to really understand what people are thinking about, and they're losing that connection of people and they're misunderstanding people.

"This is a big problem for the likes of Sinn Fein and the Labour Party because working-class areas want them to focus on bread and butter issues, such as rents and mortgages, housing, health and education but these parties are ignoring that to a certain extent.

"Parties need to get back and start to talk to people, to listen to people.

"That was the big lesson for the Government. They're not listening to the people on these issues," he added.

Government defeated in second referendum on woman's role and duties in the home

Mr Toibin said he could understand that "anybody can fight a referendum and anybody can get it wrong" but there's a "major problem for the Government on this".

"The Government received advice from the Attorney General, which says that the issue of durable relationships would not be understood properly by the Courts, he said.

"[Equality Minister] Roderic OGorman and Government ministers said that they had never received that information from the Attorney General.

"They misled the people on the most important law of the country.

"I think I don't have confidence in Minister Roderic OGorman as a result of that," he added.

Meanwhile, a junior minister has denied accusations the Government did not give enough information to the public about the failed referendums, describing it as a complex issue.

Junior Minister Pippa Hackett said there were many reasons why the referenda campaign failed.

The family vote lost 67.7% to 32.3%, while the care vote lost 73.9% to 26.1%.

The care vote is the highest No vote in the history of the states referenda.

The Government conceded early in the count on Saturday that it had lost the vote.

Ms Hackett told RTEs The Week In Politics show on Sunday: It is a failure on behalf of the wider yes campaign group. The Government is front row in that. We failed to articulate to the electorate why they should vote yes and yes in the referendum.

She rejected accusations that not enough work was put into the referenda campaign and that the Government ignored the suggested referenda wording put forward by the Citizens Assembly.

I refute that in the sense that this has been a question to be asked for at least 30 years, she added.

The joint Oireachtas committee on Gender Equality amended some of the recommendations from the Citizens Assembly, then they put forward their recommendations. There were three Sinn Fein members on that committee. So I mean, this was a consent.

She added: I think its a complex issue, and I think there were many reasons why people voted no, it wasnt a singular point. I think maybe yes, I think we did get that wrong. We did maybe get the language wrong in the sense.

Sinn Fein TD Claire Kerrane said her party called it wrong.

Minister of State Pippa Hackett said there were many reasons why the campaign failed but conceded that they did maybe get the language wrong

The Roscommon and Galway TD was also critical of the Governments process in pushing the referenda through the Dail.

She told the same show: The Government chose the wording, it was their referendum. They chose not to allow pre-legislative scrutiny which we sought. They also chose to guillotine the bill.

It wasnt a Sinn Fein referendum. It was a government referendum. To be perfectly honest, it was very rushed as well. I dont see why pre-legislative scrutiny wasnt allowed in relation to this bill.

But I hope one positive message comes out of all of this. I think the Irish people have been clear in relation to the very lack of support that is there for disabled people, our citizens and for family carers.

I hope the one good thing that will come out of this will be that we will see action now for those citizens because at the end of the day if you ask a lone parent, a family carer or a disabled person tomorrow, what do you need from government, none of them would say we want words change in the Constitution.

They want proper income support.

We've all these referenda about our Constitution, but arguably the Dail does not fulfil the role assigned to it in our Constitution

While all the opposition parties backed a Yes-Yes vote, many of them, including Sinn Fein, Labour and Social Democrats, said they would have preferred different wording, particularly in the care referendum.

Independent TD Michael McNamara, who was one of a few TDs in the Dail who called for a No-No vote in the referendums, said it casts a dim light on how the parliament operates.

Weve all these referenda about our Constitution, but arguably the Dail does not fulfil the role assigned to it in our Constitution, he added.

Michael Collins, myself and others tried to call a vote on the wording of this, and we didnt have the numbers to even get a vote. You need 10 people to stand in their place to call a vote. We didnt even have that.

Sinn Fein didnt support, not necessarily support how we would have voted, but the right to have a vote on this. It was guillotined, thats something the Government used their majority to do.

The control that the Government exercises over the Dail is unusual compared to any other country in Europe.

The family amendment proposed extending the meaning of family beyond one defined by marriage and to include those based on durable relationships.

The care amendment proposed deleting references to a womans roles and duties in the home and replacing them with a new article that acknowledges family carers.
For the first time in its 125-year history, the Pioneer movement of Catholic teetotallers has elected a woman as its President.

Galway-based mother of four, and grandmother of three, Frances Egan, was announced as the new leader of the organisation on Mothers Day.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Ms Egan described it as a huge moment for the Pioneers which was founded in 1898 by Fr James Cullen and four women, but which has never had a woman at the helm.

She said the goals of the Pioneers  or Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA)  were more important than ever as alcohol is a big problem and every family in the country has someone who has issues with alcohol.

She believes those who take the pledge and abstain from alcohol are in a much better position to say no to drugs, another huge challenge today.

While Pioneers abstain from alcohol, Frances Egan, said she is happy to see anyone drinking in moderation.

Alcohol is a big problem in Irish society. It is up to us as Pioneers to do the best we can to encourage people to drink in moderation or to abstain altogether from alcohol for the good of those who have problems, she said.

The organisation, which was very popular in the middle of the last century, drew 179 new members last year alone, who pledged themselves to abstinence.

Members abstain for the good of those who have problems. The organisation has also spread from Ireland to Africa and is very popular in countries such as Kenya and Zambia.

Under Mr Egans leadership, the movement is set to raise its visibility as she is encouraging members to wear their pioneer badges and make themselves identifiable. She said this is to help those in recovery identify people willing to support them in their journey.

I want people to join the Pioneer Association because it is a prayerful movement that prays for people who have problems with alcohol addiction, and for their families, said Ms Egan, who manages the family farm in Co Galway with her husband of 40 years.

According to Fr Robert McCabe, chaplain to the movement, over the past year the Pioneers have been working with some university chaplaincies across the country to provide resources containing information on the 12 Steps programme to students dealing with addiction and those who support them.

He also highlighted a report published by Alcohol Action Ireland for International Womens Day warning of the impact of alcohol on women. Concerns have been raised over the alcohol industrys marketing campaigns in Ireland which increasingly target women, especially through sport.

On Friday, an event was held in Letterkenny for International Womens Day by Donegal Womens Centre, Alcohol Forum Ireland and the Atlantic Technological University to highlight how drinking affects womens wellbeing.

It is estimated that alcohol causes at least 200 breast cancers every year in Ireland, but only 21pc of women were aware of the connection between alcohol consumption and the risk of developing breast cancer.
Colin Block talks about his 45-year career conducting Dublin County Choir, how the marvel of music can be healing, and what hell be doing in retirement

Colin Block, conductor and musical director of the Dublin County Choir, reviewing his music notes at home in Balinteer. Photo: Frank McGrath

Colin Block, who is musical director of the Dublin City Choir, holds a model of a biplane he built at home in Balinteer. Photo: Frank McGrath

For 45 years, Colin Block has been the conductor of Dublin County Choir. Occasionally I get tired and I think I dont really feel like going tonight. But then I go and within five minutes Im buzzing, he says.

His eyes widen with delight.

Its just the whole thing of music and people enjoying themselves. It gives you energy, says the sprightly 80-year-old. The adrenaline is powerful stuff.

Over the years the choir has performed everything from Bach and Britten to The Beatles and The Beach Boys.

Its always been an eclectic mix, he says. He tells me that being able to sing is the basic requirement to join the choir and people have to do an audition but they dont have to be able to read music. Learning CDs are handed out.

The choir can be a lifeline for so many people, says Block. For people who have lost someone  a spouse or a parent  the choir provides tremendous healing. It gets people out in society again.

Tonight, he will conduct the choir in his final concert at the National Concert Hall. The programme for the Gala Farewell Concert includes Carl Orffs Carmina Burana and songs like When Im Sixty-Four by The Beatles which they plan to amend to 84.

I first heard Carmina Burana when I was 15-years-old in school, he says. We had a record club and somebody played it and I just thought, wow. It was so powerful and then it alternated with meltingly beautiful moments. Its just a mighty piece of music.

For the first concert he did with Dublin County Choir in 1979, they did Carmina Burana and so, in his beginning is his end.

After two bouts of Covid, he feels that hes beginning to get a bit of brain fog.

I want to finish while Im still at the top of my game, he says. I want to go out on a high. Ive enjoyed it immensely. I get really emotional thinking about what the choir means to me. Stopping now is difficult. Theyre a really nice bunch of people.

As with others, the choir was a lifeline for him. It rescued him at a difficult time of life.

Block started his professional music life playing the French horn in the National Symphony Orchestra. Born in the English town of Wickham in Hampshire, he came to Dublin in 1965 on his Honda 50. He and his wife Carol packed all their worldly possessions onto their little motorbike, the most important being their instruments  his French horn and her bassoon, along with everything else.

Colin Block, conductor and musical director of the Dublin County Choir, reviewing his music notes at home in Balinteer. Photo: Frank McGrath

Their plan was to set off from London to Holyhead and get the ferry. A few streets away from home, they had to turn back. The bike was so laden down with stuff that the front wheel was up in the air. They went home, took off half the gear and set off again on the 300-mile journey.

It was winter. It was freezing and terrifying. I dont know why we chose to do it that way, he says.

For many years, Block with the National Symphony Orchestra but he developed a bad back and the pain became debilitating, so much so that even sitting became intolerable.

It might have been caused by bad posture, because youre sitting and youre resting the French horn on your knee. That meant I was hunched forward when I was playing it.

Eventually it was just torture to sit down for any length of time. I could just about manage 15 minutes. In the end, it was unmanageable in the orchestra. They tried to facilitate me and I would play standing up but I had to resign.

I was clinically depressed. I couldnt stop crying

At that time, the RTE Concert Orchestra was looking for a bassoon player and Carol had been doing a lot of deputy work. She took over as the breadwinner while her husband stayed at home with their two sons, who were older at that stage.

Carol takes great pride in being the first female professional bassoon player in Ireland, he says.

He carried on with a different life in music as the musical director and conductor with Dublin County Choir. But one day his back pain was so bad that it pushed him to breaking point. He couldnt take it anymore.

I was clinically depressed, he says. I couldnt stop crying.

He was supposed to be preparing for a concert of Verdis Requiem. The pain was overwhelming but, lost in the beauty of the music, it brought him back from the brink. He turned a corner and started to find ways to overcome the pain.

On the days of a concert, he would dose himself with painkillers and during the interval he would lie on a table to give him some relief.

Thanks to generous financial help from his father-in-law who was grateful for how they had cared for him, Colin and Carol bought a caravan. This meant that he was able to get around and pull in for a cup of tea and a lie down when things got bad. He would bring his own chair into restaurants and make sure to arrive at the cinema just before a film would start.

Thanks to this fighting spirit, his optimism returned.

When I lost some teeth, the others called me Top Gum

Just like his father Bob Block, who went from being an engineer in the British army to writing BBC radio scripts for a comedy series called Life with the Lyons and for comedians Ken Dodd and Bob Monkhouse, Colin is a renaissance man too. Apart from music, hes interested in photography, and flying is another huge passion. He likes being in the air, making model planes and then flying them.

Its all about flight. When I was learning to hang-glide, I had a lot of accidents. When I lost some teeth after a fall, the others in the group called me Top Gum. But theres nothing like being a few thousand feet up and catching the thermals which take you way up.

Then you go across miles and miles of countryside and seeing the panoramic vista, and being in it, is just fantastic, he says.

In 1996, his parachute opened accidentally while he was hang-gliding off Mount Leinster, around 500ft up. The accident left him badly injured. And so his passion for flying turned into a passion for model planes.

In a field just south of the Sugar Loaf, he joins a bunch of kindred spirits who rent a field from a farmer. On weekends when the weather is suitable, they fly their models. He brings me out to his caravan which he now mostly uses as a hangar and shows me an enormous bi-plane and another he has made.

What Im trying to do is push the limits and think of new manoeuvres that can be done. Its astonishing what these planes can do.

Most flying takes place at the weekends because of peoples jobs but if you get a nice evening you go out, he says.

Dublin County Choir presents The Gala Farewell Concert in the National Concert Hall on March 10 at 7.30pm; nch.ie
But the people saw through their empty, vacuous posing and said No-No

The proposed changes to the Constitution were counted out. Photo: RollingNews.ie

Here, in a word, is why the double referendum was lost. People thought it was BULLSHIT. Apologies for the rude word. I did use the politer vacuous in the Sunday Independent on January 14 when calling for a No result.

However, politicians who supported the proposals may simply be too out of touch to understand what happened  unless its spelled out in big, bold letters.

The public have had enough empty posing and not enough good governance.

This was not a failure of communications or messaging. You can put lipstick on a pig but its still a pig. And people saw through the public relations and virtue signalling. The emperor had no clothes.

And here is who is to blame for the expensive shambles:

1. The Government

Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Greens all peddled nonsense. The wording was hopeless, the arguments in favour sometimes dishonest. Irelands Constitution was maligned by ministers claiming for example that it said a womans place is in the home. It does not.

2. The opposition

Sinn Fein and the Labour Party failed to provide good, honest opposition. Their job was to oppose a bad proposal, not to try and have it both ways.

3. The NGOs

The National Womens Council and other bodies said the proposal was not really what they wanted. But they supported it anyway!

Their step-in-the-right direction mantra was at best politically naive and at worst reflected a cosy funding relationship with the Government.

The referendum was not what the Citizens Assembly or disability rights groups wanted. It was the second time in a row an assembly recommendation was cherry-picked to support a lesser proposal. The first time was in respect to blasphemy.

Ireland set an example in the concept of a citizens assembly, which was praised abroad. It has now undermined it cynically.

Attempts to portray those wanting a No vote as backward were offensive and counter-productive. I met a number of people voting No on Friday who did so despite the fact bishops wanted a No vote. People made up their own minds. Women did not find their fundamental rights strengthened.

And then there was durable relationship, which the Dail failed to define in legislation. At least judges will not have the whole mess foisted on them to sort out now.

Schools were shut so polling could take place on International Womens Day instead of on Saturday. Will the Government ensure these children get back a valuable days lost education? Or is that not included in its support for caring families?

Ironically, today is Mothers Day. They chose this weekend to try to cut from the Constitution its recognition of the States responsibility to endeavour to ensure that mothers are not forced by economic necessity to work outside the home to the neglect of children.

Smart move, guys.

But the good news is the proposed changes were never necessary in order for Dail Eireann to introduce new supports for carers and families.

All those things that ministers promised would be possible after the referendum can be done anyway. Or was that vacuous too?
Allocation of equal airtime and the moratorium contribute to the publics feeling of being uninformed

We need to discuss whether the current rules are fit for purpose. Stock image

With the votes now counted and the referendum bandwagons soon to pack up and move out of town, its important we take a minute to assess how theyre covered  and specifically the way in which broadcast media is able to tackle them.

Though nobody can quibble with their fundamental role in the democratic process, referendums can be crude instruments at the best of times. There are very few questions which are purely binary, especially in politics. Most topics have shades of grey that a referendum cannot accommodate, forcing people into black-or-white positions.

Look at Scotland for example: holding a referendum on independence only served to harden the positions of soft nationalists, and support for independence is consistently higher now than it was in the years before the vote.

In Ireland, though, theyre especially symbolic. The State wouldnt exist without its Constitution, and the Constitution cant be amended without a referendum, so when an amendment is put to us, were really being given the chance to redefine ourselves, and to say something about who we are.

There may be no doubting their importance in our society, but there is good reason to doubt whether the current rules on how broadcasters can cover them are fit for purpose.

Start with the allocation of airtime. The guidelines from Coimisiun na Mean do not explicitly mandate a precise 50-50 allocation of airtime, but still require broadcasters approaches to be equitable to all interests and undertaken in a transparent manner  which, in practice, necessitates something close to a stopwatch approach. Those with vested interests on either side will inevitably only be satisfied with equality of airtime.

Moreover, in an environment where campaigns are increasingly polarised, even discussing and critiquing an argument from one side or another  as the guidelines suggest we can  is liable to be seen as favouring that side.

Merely reporting the Electoral Commission had contradicted Catherine Martins interpretation of the women in the home clause or sought to fact-check the claims on Sharon Keogans posters, would doubtless prompt a demand for tit-for-tat retaliation from the victimised side.

And ironically, when the vast majority of TDs favoured a Yes vote in both ballots, there were fewer chances to mention it. Giving straight-bat coverage to the launches of each party would simply result in imbalanced coverage: unless each report included an express criticism of the arguments laid out, they would amount to a cavalcade of Yes material.

But a reporter would be visibly compromised if it fell to them to relay the counterpoints on a bulletin so unless someone from the shallow pool of No-supporting politicians is available on the same day, a report on a Yes launch simply doesnt get aired. Its hardly any wonder the public felt so uninformed about the issues at play.

The shortcomings were illustrated when preparing for last weeks episode of The Group Chat, the televised news podcast I co-host on Virgin Media One. Our audience was, understandably, asking us to sound things out  to rationalise argument X, or adjudicate on claim Y.

One recurring inquiry asked us to explain why carers and people with disabilities had such difficulty with the care amendment, something which was a clear harbinger of the mounting No vote. But it was a question we simply couldnt address.

How could I paraphrase the concerns they had, about a perceived State abdication of responsibility and the framing of family as carers whether they liked it or not, without being seen as advancing those arguments and not merely relaying them?

Even if I self-rebutted, pointing out that the wording wouldnt be justiciable or place a ceiling on the States actions, Id be perceived as either giving weight to the arguments or devoting disproportionate airtime to the perceptions of one camp over another.

These referendums were the first to take place since the establishment of Coimisiun na Mean as the successor to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

While the latters remit was solely on content over the airwaves, the former is responsible for the wider panoply of media, from broadcasting to streaming services and the conduct of social networks themselves.

Yet, one of the older broadcasting anachronisms has survived the reform. The spirit of the pre-polling moratorium is to give the public a chance to reflect on the arguments of the previous weeks away from the din of the airwaves, and to minimise the prospect of one side or another throwing a last-minute curveball without adequate time for scrutiny or rebuttal.

It hardly needs pointing out that the internet has rendered that idea redundant.

In fact, the moratorium arguably leaves the electorate less informed. Last Thursday, The Ditch published what purported to be a copy of the Attorney Generals legal advice on Fridays referendums  publishing the story at 2:13pm, a few minutes after the moratorium took effect.

The advice suggested ambiguity about whether the word strive in the Care Referendum would create obligations for the Government.

That was a salient piece of information, and ought to have been worthy of sharing on broadcast news bulletins to help voters make up their minds.

The moratorium leaves voters more vulnerable to late misinformation. Remember the viral voice note in March 2020, with an authoritative sounding (but ultimately nonsensical) Defence Forces member warning about a status red emergency being declared at zero eight hundred hours? Being widely shared didnt make it true.

The Electoral Commission last month encouraged people to treat every day as if it were April Fools Day and to scrutinise the information they come across. It already has a role as a neutral fact-checker and, in future, is set to have the power to issue takedown notices for online claims it deems false.

Yet while that law is uncommenced, and while we are warned of organised disinformation campaigns  possibly waged by state actors  there is every possibility of a sensationalist video being unleashed at 2pm on the day before polling, skewing reality and swinging the votes of people who cannot access responsible media to check its truth.

How do we square this proactive approach on the part of the electoral regulator, with a broadcast sector that would be forbidden from telling them such a video was nonsense?

We cannot change that for previous campaigns, but we should insist upon it for future ones. Debate and discussion go on when broadcasters cannot. The moratorium should go.

Gavan Reilly is political correspondent at Virgin Media News, writing in a personal capacity
The Operation Kenova Interim Report into Stakeknife, the British army's top agent inside the IRA during the Troubles. Photo: PA

New light has been shed on some of the most sinister and shadowy figures of the Troubles, those who orchestrated some of the worst crimes of the period. It comes from the publishing of an interim Operation Kenova report, investigating Freddie Scappaticci, the IRA agent known as Stakeknife, and his British army handlers.

It exposes the grimy interface between black ops security elements and the Provisional IRA and baldly states that more lives were lost than saved.

Among its many chilling conclusions is that lives might have been saved from the intelligence the informer provided, but it was not passed on or was not properly assessed. In other incidence, security forces chose not to intervene because it would have compromised or exposed an informer.

No amount of spin can cover up the fact Scappaticci was a bad actor, and that his handlers were complicit. The report also reveals shocking details about the IRA, which, it found was responsible for torture, inhumane and degrading treatment and murder.

Victims included children, vulnerable adults, those with learning difficulties and those who were entirely innocent of the claims made against them.

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill apologised to the families of alleged informers who were killed by the IRA.

I am sorry for every single loss of life, and that is without exception, she said.

But for those who were ripped from their families, murdered and dumped by the sides of roads, or those who were disappeared for ever, any report or apology may feel too little too late.

Nonetheless, it is important to remember and expose as much as possible about such atrocities if families are to get any sense of closure, let alone justice.

That the calculated and orchestrated murder spree was allowed to continue for so long and was so deeply concealed is disturbing.

Jon Boutcher, who is now Chief Constable of the PSNI and headed the seven-year, 40m inquiry, is to be commended for his work. He showed considerable courage and was the subject of skulduggery himself as the target of malicious unfounded claims.

Giving his response, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said: In the report, the futility, immorality and the sordid nature of the Provisional IRA campaign is laid bare.

Kevin Winters, a solicitor representing a number of families of people killed by the IRA unit, said the report leads to the horrendous conclusion that the IRA and the state were co-conspirators in murder. The shocking conclusions can only bolster the already profound concerns at the failure to prosecute anyone for the killings.

They will also again highlight why there are such widespread misgivings about the British governments Legacy Act conferring conditional amnesty for perpetrators of Troubles-related crimes

Drawing a legal line under unlawful killings would be another slap in the face for victims families, who have surely been hurt enough.
Todays episode of the Indo Daily comes from our sister podcast The Big Tech Show.

This time, authorities say they will be cracking down on Fire TV sticks which are often used to access dodgy box services.

The organisation behind the enforcement, the Federation Against Copyright Theft, stated that they are going after the middlemen selling the service rather than punters.

Ireland has one of the highest rates of dodgy box use in the EU with close to 5pc of people owning some form of the technology. Figures from one survey, conducted five years ago, showed 170,000 users in Ireland used a dodgy box.

Adrian Weckler discusses the current crackdown on dodgy boxes with producer, JJ Clarke and asks could authorities be calling to your home if you one?
St Mary's NS Ballygarrett winning team.Vanessa Walker, Eoghan Murphy, Ellie McEvoy and George O'Connor with adjudicator Patricia Foran and Kate O'Meara, Senan Power, Ella Shortt, Ruth Lynam Olga Bredescu-Kavanagh and Lorraine O'Gorman.

St. Kevins NS Tara Hill were Runners Up. Charlie Kavanagh, Finn OBrien, Doireann OKeeffe, Grace Peakin, Sophia Finn, Daniel Goland. Tierna Keating and Anais Faye-Lohou are missing from the photo.

Two primary school debating teams from north Wexford reached the final of the Concern Regional Debates competition.

The final took place recently in the Wexford Education Centre.

15 Wexford schools took part in the competition this year via Zoom and St. Mary's National School Ballygarrett and St. Kevin's National School Tara Hill successfully reached the final.

The final was in person and the motion up for debate was Sport Always Brings Communities Together. Tara Hill NS proposed the motion and Ballygarrett NS opposed the motion.

The debate was adjudicated by Patricia Foran. In the end the motion was defeated and St. Mary's NS were announced as the regional winners. They will now proceed on to the next stage of the competition and represent Wexford against the top 16 debating school teams in Ireland.

Both schools were complimented on their research, delivery and public speaking skills.

Gratitude was expressed towards all the facilitating teachers from both schools including Ms Kate O 'Meara and Mr Conor Sutton from Ballygarrett NS and Ms Eadaoin Ni Lionain from Tara Hill NS.
Soap star Ryan Thomas and his ice skating partner Amani Fancy have been crowned the winners of Dancing On Ice 2024.

The former Coronation Street actor, 35, saw off tough competition from Made In Chelsea star Miles Nazaire, who came second; and broadcaster Adele Roberts, who came third; in the ITV ice-skating competition finale on Sunday.

During his winners speech, Thomas dedicated his trophy to retired Olympian Greg Rutherford who had to pull out of the final only hours before after suffering a significant injury during rehearsals.

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After hosts Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern announced the winners, a shocked Thomas told them: Im speechless.

Fancy thanked him for making this happen to which he said he was happy for her as he felt she had put in so much hard work to train him.

This marked Fancys first year as a professional skater on the show, after previously working on the German version.

Thomas also sent a message to his fellow competitor Rutherford as he said: Listen Greg, if youre watching this at home, this trophy is for you mate.

He added: Im so happy, thank you to the public at home, the only reason Im here is because of you guys, so thank you for all your love and support.

During the grand finale, the couples all delivered one final special performance while Thomas and Nazaire both performed routines inspired by Jayne Torvill and Christopher Deans famous Bolero.

Ryan Thomas and Amani Fancy (Ian West/PA)

Thomas pulled out all the stops for his warrior-themed finale routine with Fancy, which included a host of other ice skaters.

Their powerful performance to Believer by Imagine Dragons, which featured dramatic lifts and spins, secured them a perfect 40 from the judges.

Judge Dean said: You put your heart and soul into that right from the beginning, you left it all out there on the ice.

After Thomas and Fancy performed their version of the Bolero, Torvill described it as beautiful, adding: I loved all the little moments from the original routine, it was seamless, well done.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Torvill and Dean winning gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo with the famous dance.

Following Nazaire and his skating partner Vanessa Bauers rendition of it, Dean said: For us, its such a humbling experience to see your interpretation and bringing it to the ice, its a wonderful thing and tonight you did that.

You had the fall in the earlier number but you certainly turned in this number. Well done.

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Earlier in the night, reality star Nazaire suffered a stumble during his first performance, dropping his score to 38 out of 40.

The couple were delivering an elegant routine to Turn To Stone by Ingrid Michaelson when he lost his footing, but he quickly got back up and completed the dance.

Afterwards, a frustrated Nazaire said about Bauer: I let her down, that was a stupid mistake, but she reassured him that he had done well.

Judge Oti Mabuse said she was heartbroken but described the dance as brilliant before the fall.

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While radio presenter Roberts kicked off the show with a bang by landing a perfect 40 for her country-inspired routine to Beyonces new hit, Texas Hold Em, alongside her partner, Mark Hanretty.

They secured the top score with a series of dramatic moves including one in which she was held upside down.

Judge Ashley Banjo called her an inspiration while Dean said it was a mean line-dance and it has been a pleasure to watch her development in the competition.

Speaking to Willoughby and Mulhern after being eliminated from the show, Roberts said: Ive absolutely loved it and I couldnt ask for a better experience.

The radio DJ has been competing in the skating competition to raise awareness about living with a stoma bag and bowel cancer, after she was declared cancer-free in 2022.

Roberts said her trophy from her time on the show is being able to help other people and let them know that anything is possible.

The finale also saw Torvill and Dean perform an emotional and elegant routine to Hold My Hand by Lady Gaga.

Team GB skaters Ashlie Slatter and Atl Ongay-Perez, who became the first British figure skaters to win a Olympic medal since Torvill and Dean when they picked up bronze at the Youth Winter Olympics in South Korea in 2024, also performed during the show.

Hours before the final was due to air, former Olympic long jumper Rutherford announced that he was devastated to have to withdraw from the competition.

In a video posted on his Instagram story, in which he appeared to be receiving treatment from a paramedic, he said: I know this looks very dramatic, and everything else.

Sadly, I picked up a big injury in rehearsals. Im on my way to the hospital so I will not be performing on Dancing On Ice tonight.

I am devastated but these things happen. So stay tuned, well keep you updated. What a nightmare way for this to finish.

At the start of the final, Willoughby said: Were all completely gutted and sadly he cannot continue in the competition.

A video was also shown featuring clips of Rutherford and his dancing partner Vanessa James during the series.

In it he said: As experience goes, Dancing On Ice for me has been the best Ive ever had.
North America

Thats going to be the least of it: Donald Trump claims US is facing a bloodbath if he loses November election
Britain's Princess of Wales has thanked the public for their support, as the first photo of her since her abdominal operation was released (Prince of Wales/Kensington Palace/PA)
US, French and British forces downed dozens of drones in the Red Sea area on Friday and Saturday, after Yemens Iran-aligned Houthis targeted a bulk carrier and US warships in the region.

The Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November. They say it is a campaign of solidarity with Palestinians during Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. Their military spokesman said yesterday that they targeted the cargo vessel and a number of US war destroyers with 37 drones.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in Amsterdam to protest at Israeli President Isaac Herzogs attendance at the opening of the Netherlands new National Holocaust Museum (Phil Nijhuis/AP)

The Netherlands National Holocaust Museum was launched on Sunday in a ceremony presided over by the Dutch king as well as Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose presence prompted protests because of Israels deadly offensive against Palestinians in Gaza.

The museum in Amsterdam tells the stories of some of the 102,000 Jews who were deported from the Netherlands and murdered in Nazi camps, as well as the history of their structural persecution under German Second World War occupation before the deportations began.
Ramadan ceasefire unlikely as Israel hits residential tower in Rafah

Over a million displaced Palestinians are sheltering in the southern city

Palestinians walk by a residential building destroyed in an Israeli strike in Rafah, Gaza Strip, yesterday. Photo: AP Photo/Hatem Ali

Nidal al-Mughrabi and Bassam Masoud Sun 10 Mar 2024 at 03:30







Israel struck one of the largest residential towers in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip yesterday, residents said, stepping up pressure on the last area of the enclave it has not yet invaded and where over a million displaced Palestinians are sheltering.
Photo courtesy: twitter.com/PiyushGoyal

New Delhi: India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) on Sunday signed a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).

The main highlights of the agreement are EFTAs commitment to promote investments to increase the stock of foreign direct investments by $ 100 billion in India in the next 15 years, and to facilitate the generation of 1 million direct employment in India, through such investments, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

The investments do not cover foreign portfolio investment.

EFTA is an inter-governmental organization set up in 1960 for the promotion of free trade and economic integration for the benefit of its four member states.

EFTA countries include Switzerland, Iceland, Norway & Liechtenstein.

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has approved signing of the TEPA with EFTA States, the statement said.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Minister said, TEPA is a modern and ambitious Trade Agreement. For the first time, India is signing FTA with four developed nations - an important economic bloc in Europe. For the first time in history of FTAs, binding commitment of $100 bn investment and 1 million direct jobs in the next 15 years has been given.

Goyal emphasised that the agreement will give a boost to Make in India and provide opportunities to young and talented workforce, and open window to Indian exporters to access large European and global markets.

The agreement comprises 14 chapters with the main focus on market access related to goods, rules of origin, trade facilitation, trade remedies, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, investment promotion, market access on services, intellectual property rights, trade and sustainable development and other legal and horizontal provisions.

EFTA is an important regional group, with several growing opportunities for enhancing international trade in goods and services.

EFTA is one important economic block out of the three (other two - EU &UK) in Europe.

Among EFTA countries, Switzerland is the largest trading partner of India followed by Norway.

For the first ever time in the history of FTAs, a legal commitment is being made about promoting target-oriented investment and creation of jobs.

Here are the other top highlights of the FTA

EFTA is offering 92.2% of its tariff lines which covers 99.6% of Indias exports. The EFTAs market access offer covers 100% of non-agri products and tariff concession on Processed Agricultural Products (PAP).

India is offering 82.7% of its tariff lines which covers 95.3% of EFTA exports of which more than 80% import is Gold.

The effective duty on Gold remains untouched. Sensitivity related to PLI in sectors such as pharma, medical devices & processed food etc. have been taken while extending offers. Sectors such as dairy, soya, coal and sensitive agricultural products are kept in exclusion list.

India has offered 105 sub-sectors to the EFTA and secured commitments in 128 sub-sectors from Switzerland, 114 from Norway, 107 from Liechtenstein, and 110 from Iceland.

TEPA would stimulate our services exports in sectors of our key strength / interest such as IT services, business services, personal, cultural, sporting and recreational services, other education services, audio-visual services etc.

Services offers from EFTA include better access through digital delivery of Services (Mode 1), commercial presence (Mode 3) and improved commitments and certainty for entry and temporary stay of key personnel (Mode 4).

TEPA has provisions for Mutual Recognition Agreements in Professional Services like nursing, chartered accountants, architects etc.

Commitments related to Intellectual Property Rights in TEPA are at TRIPS level. The IPR chapter with Switzerland, which has high standard for IPR,shows our robust IPR regime. Indias interests in generic medicines and concerns related to evergreening of patents have been fully addressed.

India signals its commitment to Sustainable development, inclusive growth, social development and environmental protection

Fosters transparency, efficiency, simplification, harmonization and consistency of trade procedures

TEPA will empower our exporters access to specialized inputs and create conducive trade and investment environment. This would boost exports of Indian made goods as well as provide opportunities for services sector to access more markets.

TEPA provides an opportunity to integrate into EU markets. Over 40% of Switzerlands global services exports are to the EU. Indian companies can look to Switzerland as a base for extending its market reach to EU.

TEPA will give impetus to Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat by encouraging domestic manufacturing in sectors such as Infrastructure and Connectivity, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Food Processing, Transport and Logistics, Banking and Financial Services and Insurance.

TEPA would accelerate creation of large number of direct jobs for Indias young aspirational workforce in next 15 years in India, including better facilities for vocational and technical training.

TEPA also facilitates technology collaboration and access to world leading technologies in precision engineering, health sciences, renewable energy, Innovation and R&D.
Photo Courtesy: PIB

New Delhi: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Manoj Kumar launched the collaboration on the styling of DD News and DD India anchors on Saturday in New Delhi as part of an MoU with Prasar Bharti on September 18.

Speaking on the occasion, the KVIC Chairman said, Naye Bharat ki NayiKhadi is ready to be attire of all the anchors of DD anchors.

The Khadi and Village Industry (KVI) Sector has witnessed significant growth by surpassing turnover of Rs 1.34 Lakh Crore and generating over 9.50 Lakh new jobs in the last nine years, which is a testament to the government's commitment to the welfare of Khadi artisans.

Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi opined that this a great moment of pride for Doordarshan when the collaboration with KVIC will be visible to the world in the form of styling of DD India anchors.
Photo Courtesy: Ayush Gupta/IBNS

The panel discussion, which was moderated by Sreyashi Ghosh, an international poet and artist and gender and human rights activist, had Niladri Chatterjee, Dept. of English, University of Kalyani; culinary commentator blogger and LQBTQ++ torchbearer Rukshana Kapadia; and documentary filmmaker Subha Das Mollik as panellists.

Talking about women's voices in society, Rukshana Kapadia said, "I think voices change over time and influences. The voices spoken and projected at 15 are very different from mine at 50."

"And I think you evolve, as does your voice, based on your journey and the people who come into your life for better or for worse and define who you end up wanting to be and choosing to be," she said.

"So voices are important for people like us as they encourage people and give them strength," Rukshana added.

Chatterjee, approaching it from a different angle, said, "Instead of talking about the voice I can talk about the listener? So when I am speaking, I can very well say that I'm trying to be very clear about what I'm trying to say."

"But what are you hearing? And I think that is rather interesting because what you hear can become very selective, no matter how clear I am with my message," the professor said.

On same-sex marriage in Indian context, Rukshana said, "I don't think I'll ever need a piece of paper or a ceremony to make me think of my partner as the very best part of my soul."

"But tomorrow, if it gets legal, I will definitely walk into a courthouse, holding her hand, and sign up on that paper. Just so that I know if I need to take care of her or if she needs to take care of me and I will be able to give her the dignity and respect that she's earned and deserves as my partner," she said.

(Reporting by Ayush Gupta)
Representative image/ credit: Pixabay

Shillong/IBNS/UNI: One person was injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast at Shillong City Bus Syndicate in Meghalaya late Saturday night, police said on Sunday.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

We have established that an IED was the source of the blast. We are now investigating how and who triggered the blast. The bomb squad and forensic experts are analysing the evidence at the site, Rituraj Ravi, the district police chief of East Khasi Hills, told UNI over the phone.

He said the blast occurred inside a small abandoned tin structure near the syndicate bus stand at around 10:30 p.m.

The damage was confined only to the tin structure and a few window panes nearby, Ravi said.

Secretary of Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) Gurjit Singh said that one of the residents from Sweepers Colony, identified as Lakhan Singh, sustained minor injuries in the incident.

He said the injured person had been discharged from the hospital after administering first aid.

Expressing concern about the IED blast last night, Singh urged the government to ensure security for the people residing in the colony and emphasised that such incidents should not occur.

We have spoken to the Home Department to provide us more security following the blast, the HPC Secretary said.

When asked, Singh said, We cannot suspect anyone and let the government investigate it.
Photo Courtesy: PIB

The comprehensive maritime security exercise Sea Defenders-2024 between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) & United States Coast Guard (USCG) culminated at Port Blair on Saturday.

The exercise was aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two forces.

"The Exercise included a variety of scenarios including a Pollution Response Demonstration, in which Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft showcased their expertise in responding to oil spills and other environmental hazards at sea. It also simulated Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) Operations for inspecting vessels suspected of illegal activity," read a statement issued by the Indian government.

During the exercise, the Indian Coast Guard helicopter and Dornier aircraft conducted Search & Rescue and Pollution Response demonstrations, showcasing ICG's ability to undertake aerial surveillance and rescue missions.

The exercise also included practice to neutralize asymmetric threats, akin to drone attacks on commercial merchant traffic.

The exercise also provided a platform for both USCG and ICG personnel to hone their firefighting and damage control skills through a simulated scenario, where DCFF teams showcased capabilities to combat shipboard emergencies.

After the Exercise, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf departed from Port Blair. Its visit was marked by a series of engaging harbour activities and sea exercises designed to foster collaboration.

The activities included cross-visits, where crew members from both the Bertholf and ICG had the opportunity to tour each other's ships, gaining valuable insights into their capabilities and procedures.

A friendly badminton competition was also organised, which provided a lighthearted opportunity for crews to interact and build camaraderie outside a professional setting.

These joint exercises provide valuable training opportunities for both Coast Guards, allowing them to refine their skills and improve their ability to work together in a coordinated manner.

The visit of the USCGC Bertholf to Port Blair serves as a powerful symbol of the growing partnership between the US and Indian Coast Guard. Through collaborative efforts, both nations are working toward a safer and more secure maritime environment.
Thousands of devotees gathered at Wat Maha Wanaram in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, to pay their tributes to the holy relics of Lord Buddha and his two disciples.

The Indian Embassy in Thailand posted on X: "The holy relics of Lord Buddha &his two disciples are enshrined at Wat Maha Wanaram in Ubon Ratchathani today at a solemn ceremony held in the presence of dignitaries and venerable monks. Thousands of devotees pay their respects &witness in a vibrant procession with the sacred relics."

The holy relics of Lord Buddha &his two disciples are enshrined at Wat Maha Wanaram in Ubon Ratchathani today at a solemn ceremony held in presence of dignitaries and venerable monks. Thousands of devotees pay their respects &witness in a vibrant procession with the sacred relics pic.twitter.com/vIDztc6C6J  India in Thailand (@IndiainThailand) March 10, 2024

The sacred relics of Lord Buddha and disciples Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Maha Moggallana reached Ubon Ratchathani on Saturday.

The sacred relics were previously displayed in Chiang Mai.

The relics arrived by a special aircraft at Don Mueang airport for a 25-day long exposition.

The holy relics are visiting four cities in Thailand till March 19.

Earlier, exposition the holy relics of Lord Buddha from India was held in Thailand in 1995-96 which marked the 50th anniversary of King Rama IXs accession to the throne. The relics of Arahata Sariputta and Arahata Moggallana were brought to India in 1952 by Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a renowned Indian statesman and the President of Maha Bodhi Society at that time.
Photo courtesy: PIB archive

The United States enlisted the help of the international community as it prepared rigorously to avert a potential nuclear strike by Russia on Ukraine after Moscow intensified its offensive on Kyiv in 2022, CNN reported citing two senior administration officials.

As the US feared that Russia might use a tactical or battlefield nuclear weapon on Ukraine, outreach from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other countries played a significant role in thwarting the crisis in the later part of that year, the report said.

The Biden administration reached the shocking conclusion about a potential nuclear strike by Russia based on not one but multiple developments, analysis, and  crucially - highly sensitive new intelligence, the report said.

Our assessment had been for some time that one of the scenarios in which they would contemplate using nuclear weapons [included] things like existential threats to the Russian state, direct threats to Russian territory, one of the senior administration officials quoted by CNN said.

Multiple senior administration officials took part in an urgent outreach.

One of the things we did was not only message them directly but strongly urge, press, encourage other countries, to whom they might be more attentive, to do the same thing, another senior administration official was quoted as saying by CNN.

US officials say that outreach and public statements from Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped avert a crisis.

I think we believe showing the international community the concern about this, particularly the concern from key countries for Russia and the Global South, was also a helpful, persuasive factor and showed them what the cost of all this could be, CNN quoted a senior administration official as saying.

I think the fact that we know, India weighed in, China weighed in, others weighed in, may have had some effect on their thinking, the senior administration official added. I cant demonstrate this positively, but I think thats our assessment.

In the context of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, India has consistently denounced the killing of civilians and advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In a major statement, PM Modi told President Putin that this is not the era of war on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Uzbekistan last year.

The statement was even placed prominently in the G20 communique under the presidency of India.

During this period from late summer to fall 2022, the National Security Council convened a series of meetings to put contingency plans in place in the event of either a very clear indication that they were about to do something, attack with a nuclear weapon, or if they just did, how we would respond, how we would try to preempt it, or deter it, one of the senior administration officials said.

Parallelly, Russia was allegedly spreading a fresh "false flag narrative" regarding a Ukrainian dirty bomb, a development that US officials were concerned might serve as a pretext for a Russian nuclear assault.

In October 2022, Russias defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, made a series of phone calls to defence officials in the US, the UK, France and Turkey, telling them that the Kremlin was concerned about possible provocations by Kyiv involving the use of a dirty bomb.

However, it is important to note that according to CNN, the US never detected intelligence indicating that Russia was preparing to deploy its nuclear forces to execute such an attack.

We obviously placed a high priority on tracking and had some ability at least to track such movements of its nuclear forces, a senior administration official said. And at no point did we ever see any indications of types of steps that we wouldve expected them to take if they were going down a path toward using nuclear weapons.
Mamata Banerjee (L) and Rahul Gandhi (R) | Image Credit: IBNS File and Facebook/Rahul Gandhi

Kolkata: Mamata Banerjee wants to send a message to the PMO that she has no intention to fight the BJP, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said after the TMC chief declared candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in Bengal, ignoring Congress.

Launching a scathing attack on Banerjee, Congresss leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said she should not be trusted by any political party in India.

With her move, Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress disregarded Congress, which had recently said it was open to seat-sharing discussions for the upcoming elections.

Both parties are part of the INDIA bloc, an opposition alliance aimed at challenging the BJP.

Mamata Banerjee's stance is in line with her claim that only her party can counter the BJP in Bengal, and the failure of negotiations with Congress over seat allocations further underscores this point.

"The Indian National Congress has repeatedly declared its desire to have a respectable seat-sharing agreement with the TMC in West Bengal. The Indian National Congress has always maintained that such an agreement has to be finalised through negotiations and not by unilateral announcements," Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on X (formerly Twitter).

"The Indian National Congress has always wanted the INDIA group to fight the BJP together," he added.

Chowdhury said Mamata is worried that PM Modi would be unhappy if she made seat-sharing agreement with the Congress.

"Mamata Banerjee has proven today that none of the political parties of India should trust a leader like her... Mamata Banerjee is in fear that if she continues to be in the INDIA alliance, PM Modi will be unhappy. By separating herself from the INDIA alliance, she has sent a message to the PMO, don't be unhappy with me, I am not standing to fight against the BJP," Chowdhury was quoted as saying by NDTV.

For months, Congress and Trinamool had been engaged in negotiations to reach a seat-sharing agreement in Bengal.

However, each time the Congress requested more than three seats in the state, the TMC backed off from the discussions.

As a result of this ongoing struggle, Mamata Banerjee chose not to participate in the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi, which passed through Bengal.

TMCs snub deprived the INDIA bloc of an opportunity to put forth a united front and counter the BJP's political attacks, which often target the internal conflicts within the Opposition alliance.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

Iranian specialists repelled the largest DDoS attack on servers in the country's history on the eve of elections to the parliament and the Assembly of Experts, Iranian media reported.

The DDoS attack occurred on February 28 and its speed was 136 million requests per second, the Fars news agency reported on Saturday, adding that it was completely repelled.

The report also noted that about 160 DDoS attacks were repelled a few days before the elections, that were held on March 1.

(With UNI Inputs)
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

At least two people died after a blast rocked Board Bazaar in Pakistan's Peshawar city on Sunday, media reports said.

The blast reportedly left one person injured.

Rescue 1122 Spokesperson Bilal Faizi confirmed the death toll and injuries to Dawn News.

The deceased and the injured were rushed to Khyber Teaching Hospital.

Security forces have cordoned off the blast site.

Speaking to the media, Peshawar Senior Superintendent of Police (Operation) Kashif Aftab Abbasi told Dawn News that teams of the Counter Terrorism Department and other law enforcement agencies had arrived at the site and were collecting evidence.



We have found an almost mutilated body and a damaged motorcycle here, he said.

KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur took notice of the incident and sought a report from the provincial police chief.

Pakistan has been witnessing an uptick in terror attacks in recent months.
Photo Courtesy: Representative image from Unsplash

Taipei city in Taiwan witnessed a parade on Sunday to mark the 65th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising.

Tibetan monks led the public in singing the Tibetan national anthem before leading a group down Zhongxiao East Road, reported Taiwan News.

The parade route went past the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, where a moment of silence was held to commemorate Tibetan sacrifice, the news portal reported.

A drama was also staged by participants in front of the Bank of China Taipei Branch.

The performance protested Chinas demolition of Tibetan temples and demanded the release of human rights defenders, the news portal reported.

China took control over Tibet in 1950.

The 1959 Tibetan uprising or the 1959 Tibetan rebellion began on 10 March 1959, when a revolt erupted in Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, which had been under the effective control of the People's Republic of China since the Seventeen Point Agreement was reached in 1951.

Armed conflict between Tibetan guerillas and the People's Liberation Army(PLA) had started in 1956 in the Kham and Amdo regions, which had been subjected to socialist reform.

The guerrilla warfare later spread to other areas of Tibet and lasted through 1962.

The anniversary of the uprising is observed by Tibetan exiles as the ''Tibetan Uprising Day''.

In early 1959 during the Tibetan uprising,their spiritual leader (Nobel Peace Winner) the Dalai Lama and his retinue fled Tibet with the help of the CIA's Special Activities Division, crossing into India on 30 March 1959.

He is based in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh since then.
Controversial YouTuber Elvish Yadav was seen thrashing YouTuber Maxtern. Social media users demanded that Elvish Yadav be arrested after witnessing Elvish beating up Sagar Thakur, causing a violent tussle. Elvish Yadav has said that after months of mocking him, Sagar Thakur threatened to burn Elvish's parents alive, which is why the BB OTT winner claimed he was furious.

YouTubers React To Elvish Yadav And Maxtern Controversy

Abhishek Malhans brother Triggered Insaan AKA Nischay Malhan said, " I just hope me jyada nahi bolunga warna clips kat ke.. I just hope maxtern is safe and support maxtern bro WE ALREADY DO "

Triggered Insaan :- " I just hope me jyada nahi bolunga warna clips kat ke.. I just hope maxtern is safe and support maxtern bro WE ALREADY DO " #TriggeredInsaan #FukraInsaan #AbhishekMalhan #PandaGang pic.twitter.com/18OKcFGOd1  EM FKA ISA F  (@TeamFukraOFC) March 9, 2024

Ashish Chanchalani wrote, Jo haal chaal chal rahe youtube ke Ab toh ye field chodhne ka hi mann karta hai. Yesterday was the darkest day for Youtube India. This was unnecessary and could have been avoided.

Jo haal chaal chal rahe youtube ke

Ab toh ye field chodhne ka hi mann karta hai

Yesterday was the darkest day for Youtube India

This was unnecessary and could have been avoided.  Ashish Chanchlani (@ashchanchlani) March 9, 2024

Lakshay Chaudhary wrote, is Beef ke baad sabki Jaati pata chal gayi.

Samay Raina added, Log usually pehle arrest hote hai uske baad big boss jeet te hai, par apne elvish bhai ka systam hi alag hai Samay also wrote, "Jokes apart, I really hope this doesn't escalate to a point where someone gets seriously hurt. I request Elvish Yadav and Random sena to not leak personal details and sort this over a chess match."

X

Elvish Yadav Clarification About Maxtern Controversy

A part of the clarification was as per HT, Maxtern had everything planned. There was a camera hidden and he also had the microphone on. If you see the video, you can hear the sound of thrashing. So he planned everything and knew how to use it. People are saying Maxtern was alone and I went with 10-12 people. But the truth is he had 4 people with him and the people with me were not there to beat up. But they were actually stopping me, Elvish said.

"I want to ask everyone how will you react if someone threatens your family, your mother...After the fight, I reached out to him to solve it. I called him home but he did not come. The next day, he filed an FIR and then questioned why 307 (attempt to murder) was not imposed on me. The Left lobby which has always been against me because I speak about Hindutva is supporting the call," Elvish said.

Also read: New Video: Elvish Yadav Shares His Side Of The Assault Controversy With Delhi YouTuber Maxtern

Watch the entire video here:

My Side Of Story. pic.twitter.com/bRDK9Hxvp8  Elvish Yadav (@ElvishYadav) March 9, 2024

Police send notice to Elvish Yadav

Elvish Yadav has received a notice from the Gurugram Police requesting that he participate in the inquiry into the incident of YouTuber Sagar Thakur being physically assaulted in a Delhi clothing store.

In accordance with Section 41A of the Criminal Procedure Code (notice of presence before police), the Sector 53 Police Station issued the notice on Saturday. ACP Sadar Kapil Ahlawat claims that eight or ten persons, Elvish Yadav included, are the subject of a case that has been filed.



For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Ramadan 2024: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims observe a month-long period of fasting, spiritual reflection, and charitable giving. It is considered one of the holiest months in Islam and is commemorated by Muslims worldwide.

Ramadan 2024 Start And End Dates

As per the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan in India is expected to commence on March 11 or March 12. The beginning of Ramzan depends on the sighting of the moon in Mecca. The exact date of Ramadan varies in different nations. If the moon is sighted, then Ramzan is expected to end on April 9, with Muslims celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr on April 10, marking the beginning of Shawwal month.

Ramadan Fasting Rules

Muslims fast during Ramadan from dawn until sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs. Fasting during Ramadan is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam, along with declaration of faith, prayer, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca.

Why Do Muslims Fast During Ramadan?

Muslims observe fasting during Ramadan to cultivate self-discipline, self-control, and a sense of solidarity with those who are less fortunate. This period also serves as a time for spiritual reflection, increased prayer and Quran recitation, as well as acts of charity and generosity. Ramadan provides an opportunity for Muslims to strengthen their relationship with God and renew their commitment to their faith.

Iftar During Ramadan

Each day, the fast is concluded at sunset with a meal known as iftar, where many Muslims gather with family and friends to break their fast together. The conclusion of Ramadan is marked by the celebratory holiday of Eid al-Fitr, a joyous festival centered around thanksgiving and community.

Important Things to Remember While Fasting During Ramadan 2024

During the holy month, Muslims around the world observe fasting from sunrise to sunset, refraining from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sinful behavior. As we commemorate this auspicious month, it is essential to keep certain things in mind to ensure a fulfilling and rewarding fasting experience. Here are some important guidelines to remember while fasting during Ramadan 2024:

1. Fasting Times: Fasting begins at dawn with the Fajr prayer and ends at sunset with the Maghrib prayer. It is crucial to start the fast before the Fajr prayer and break the fast immediately after the Maghrib prayer.

2. Sehri and Iftar: Sehri is the pre-dawn meal before the fast begins, and it is recommended to have a wholesome and nutritious meal to sustain you throughout the day. Iftar is the meal to break the fast at sunset, and it is customary to break the fast with dates and water, followed by a balanced meal.

3. Spiritual Practices: Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink but also about increasing spiritual practices. It is a time to read and reflect on the Holy Quran, offer prayers, and engage in acts of charity and kindness.

4. Health Considerations: Taking care of your health while fasting is important. Ensure that you stay hydrated during non-fasting hours and avoid overeating during sehri and iftar. If you have any health conditions, consult with a healthcare professional before fasting.

5. Travelling: If you are travelling during Ramadan, you have the option to either fast or postpone your fast and make it up later. It is important to consult with a religious scholar or authority to understand the rules regarding fasting while travelling.

6. Sickness: If you are sick or have a medical condition that prevents you from fasting, it is permissible to break your fast. However, you should make up for the missed fasts at a later date when you can do so.

7. Intention: It is essential to have a sincere intention (niyyah) to fast each day of Ramadan. This intention should be made before the Fajr prayer and should be renewed each day.

8. Community and Family: Ramadan is a time for community and family bonding. Take the opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones, participate in communal prayers, and share iftar meals with others.

9. Forgiveness and Reflection: Use this sacred month to seek forgiveness for past sins, reflect on your actions and behavior, and strive to be a better person.

10. Patience and Gratitude: Fasting teaches us patience and gratitude. Embrace the challenges of fasting with patience and gratitude for the blessings in your life.

Ramadan is a time of spiritual renewal and self-discipline. By following these guidelines and keeping these important things in mind, you can make the most of this blessed month and reap its spiritual rewards.

Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
Google Doodle Celebrates Flat White: On March 11, Google Doodle celebrates the rise of Flat white across the World. March 11th marks 13 years since the inclusion of flat white in the Oxford English Dictionary.

A flat white is a coffee beverage that combines espresso with microfoam. It typically features a higher espresso-to-milk ratio than a caffe latte and a thinner layer of microfoam compared to a cappuccino.

Origin Of Flat White

Many speculate the drink was first served in Australia and New Zealand during the 1980s when the drink popped up on menus in Sydney and Auckland around the same time. Traditionally served in a ceramic cup, a flat white is made up of a espresso shot topped with steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam.

Being flatter than a cappuccino or latte, flat whites are popular with coffee connoisseurs who are looking for less foam.

Often, baristas will show off their skills and create beautiful artwork with the pour, something that's a common sight in man cafes across Australia and New Zealand.

Coffee culture has changed a lot over the years and so have ways to make the flat white. No matter the origins, coffee lovers worldwide agree it's a favourite morning or arvo (afternoon) pick-me-up!

Flat White vs. Latte: What Sets Them Apart?

Now that we understand what a flat white is, let's explore the differences between a latte and a flat white.

While both flat white coffee and lattes are espresso-based beverages, they differ significantly. The most noticeable distinction lies in their size. An ideal serving size for a flat white is a 160-165ml tulip cupconsiderably smaller than the glass typically used for lattes and cappuccinos.

This disparity in size affects the coffee-to-milk ratio, influencing the overall taste. Due to its more compact nature, a flat white has a much higher ratio of coffee to milk compared to a latte. Consequently, the espresso in a flat white coffee tastes stronger than in a latte, even though the same amount is used. Lattes, on the other hand, tend to dilute the espresso more.



Here's a quick comparison of flat white with similar coffee drinks:

Feature Flat White Latte Cappuccino Coffee Base Espresso Espresso Espresso Milk Type Steamed Milk Steamed Milk Steamed Milk Milk Foam Microfoam More Foam Thick Foam Layer Milk Proportion Less Milk More Milk More Milk Coffee Taste Intensity Stronger Moderate Moderate

About Google Doodle

The very first Doodle was published way back in 1998 and was a bit of a joke from Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin to remind Googlers they would be out of the office for Burning Man.

The first animated doodle premiered on Halloween 2000. In 2009, Google created the first same-day Doodle when water was discovered on the moon.

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.


New Delhi Ramadan 2024 Sehri And Iftar Timings: Ramadan or Ramzan is a festival that is celebrated with a lot of joy and fervour by Muslims across the globe.

During the month of Ramadan, people observe Roza (without even drinking water for 30 days). Ramadan is also a time when people break their Roza together to celebrate the festival with their friends, family and loved ones.

Ramadan 2024 started on March 12 and ended on April 10 and Eid will begin on April 10th in the evening and end in on April 11th evening (tentative date).



Muslim community observes fast or Roza from dawn to dusk. Roza has two parts, one is Sehri - the meal that one consumes before daybreak and the second one is known as Iftaar - when people break the Roza - the meal that is eaten after sunset. People make elaborate meals for Iftaar. People also invite their friends and loved ones over for Iftaar and it is quite a grand affair.

At the end of the month of Ramadan, Muslims make some donations to disadvantaged people. These donations have to be made before starting the celebrations for Eid.

Therefore, it is important to keep a check on the time for Sehri and Iftaar. Here, take a look at the Sehri and Iftar timetable during Ramadan for Delhi:



Ramadan 2024: New Delhi Sehri and Iftar Timing Calendar

Delhi Ramadan Timings 2024 Calendar, Sehri & Iftar Time Table Date Sehri Timing Iftar Timing March 12 5:15 AM 6:30 PM March 13 5:14 AM 6:31 PM March 14 5:13 AM 6:31 PM March 15 5:12 AM 6:32 PM March 16 5:11 AM 6:32 PM March 17 5:10 AM 6:33 PM March 18 5:08 AM 6:34 PM March 19 5:07 AM 6:34 PM March 20 5:06 AM 6:35 PM March 21 5:05 AM 6:35 PM March 22 5:04 AM 6:36 PM March 23 5:02 AM 6:36 PM March 24 5:01 AM 6:37 PM March 25 5:00 AM 6:38 PM March 26 4:59 AM 6:38 PM March 27 4:57 AM 6:39 PM March 28 4:56 AM 6:39 PM March 29 4:55 AM 6:40 PM March 30 4:53 AM 6:40 PM March 31 4:52 AM 6:41 PM April 1 4:51 AM 6:41 PM April 2 4:50 AM 6:42 PM April 3 4:48 AM 6:43 PM April 4 4:47 AM 6:43 PM April 5 4:46 AM 6:44 PM April 6 4:45 AM 6:44 PM April 7

4:43 AM 6:45 PM April 8 4:42 AM 6:45 PM April 9

4:41 AM 6:46 PM

Ramadan 2024: Dua for Sehri and Iftar Dua For Keeping The Fast?

(Sehri Ki Dua | Suhoor Dua)

"Wa bisawmi ghaddan nawaiytu min shahri ramadan"

Dua For Breaking A Fast? (Iftar ki Dua | Iftar Dua)

" Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa 'alayka tawakkaltu wa 'ala rizq-ika aftarthu fathakabl minni"



Here's how Ramadan Roza is observed

During the holy month of Ramadan Roza (fasting) begins after sunrise and culminates with sunset Consumption of food and water is prohibited between sunrise and sunset. Interestingly, the days start with Fajr (prayer during dawn), followed by Zhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (evening) and conclude with the Isha (night).

Muslims consume a pre-dawn meal called Suhur, and they break their fast by having Iftaar during this month.

Ramadan 2024: Dua For Iftar And Sehri FAQs

What is Ramadan Dua?

Ramadan dua is an act of worship that can bring great spiritual benefits to believers. It helps to strengthen one's faith and deepen their relationship with Allah. It can also serve as a means of self-reflection and introspection, as believers reflect on their actions and seek forgiveness for any shortcomings.

What is Iftar and Sehri (Suhoor)?

Iftar is a meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break their daily fast during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Iftar is the evening meal when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. This is followed by a prayer called the Maghrib prayer. Then, depending on the region, the iftar meal consists of a variety of traditional dishes, such as soups, salads, appetizers, main dishes, and desserts. After the meal, many Muslims attend a special congregational prayer called the Tarawih.

What is dua for Sehri in Ramadan?

The dua for Sehri is Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri Ramadan means I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan after reading this dua in Ramadan 2024 for fasting in Sehri you are not permissible to eat and drink anything till the time of Iftaar.

What is dua for Iftar in Ramadan?

Iftar, also known as futoor (the Arabic word for breakfast), is a meal held every day during Ramadan at sunset. You can break your fast by saying this Ramadan iftar dua, 'Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika amantu wa 'alayka tawakkaltu wa 'ala rizqika aftartu'.

Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.


India is gearing up for the launch of the Gaganyaan Mission, the country's inaugural manned mission to the moon, with the selected astronauts already revealed. While the chosen four prepare for their lunar journey, the rest of us Indians might feel left out. However, showcasing our knack for jugaad, a couple has discovered a unique method to embark on a space adventure.

Going to space on a Diwali firecracker

A video that is going viral on X (formerly Twitter) depicts a couple seated on a rocket, with a younger man igniting it like a Diwali firecracker.

The woman, equipped with a bag of essentials, appears prepared for the journey.

Credit: X

As they soar into the sky, the hope is that their adventure extends beyond, possibly into space!



The video is evidently edited, capturing attention in quite a unique manner.

Watch the video here:

Sayenist Iyer idli must be crying at some corner after watching this. pic.twitter.com/eLc8BomOhd  Hun  (@nickhunterr) February 27, 2024

Gaganyaan mission prototype, say netizens

Having amassed over 11.3k views, the video amused the Internet.

"Science ka ek behtareen ajooba," said one.

Another jokingly quipped, "Will they come back now?" while someone said, "Gaganyaan mission ka prototype."

What is the Gaganyaan mission?

India's maiden human space flight initiative, the Gaganyaan mission, is currently undergoing comprehensive preparations across various ISRO centers.

According to ISRO, the Gaganyaan project aims to showcase human spaceflight capabilities by sending a three-member crew to an orbit of 400 km for a three-day mission.

TIL

The objective is to safely bring them back to Earth, with a planned landing in the Indian sea waters.



The chosen four astronauts have received training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia.

An estimated Rs 9,023 crore has been invested in the Gaganyaan mission.

gaganyaan isro 2024/isro

In October 2023, ISRO scientists successfully launched a rocket from Sriharikota, carrying payloads associated with crew safety for the Gaganyaan mission. The mission had achieved its objective of Crew Module and Crew Escape separation with precision.



For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.


The Japanese culinary delight, Sushi, has found a place in the hearts of many Indians. Traditionally comprising vinegared rice paired with diverse ingredients like seafood and vegetables, sushi has gained immense popularity.

However, the vegetarian community in India appears to have missed out on this gastronomic experience. To address this, there's a new contender in town  introducing Jain Sushi!

Tutti frutti filled sushi

A user on X (previously Twitter) posted a picture featuring an assortment of sushi with distinct colors, including pink, white, and black.

In the subsequent image, user @pavbhajilover is seen delicately holding a distinctive sushi with chopsticks, and surprisingly, it appears to be filled with tutti frutti!

Credit: X

In the caption, he expresses, "These Jain sushi were so good, I don't even know how!"



This isn't the first instance of infusing a desi twist into sushi.

On a previous occasion, an Instagram user concocted 'dal chawal sushi' featuring actual dal, pomegranate, garlic chutney, and sukhi dal as the stuffing, accompanied by dal tadka on the side!

Describing the dal chawal sushi as 'almost like a hug,' she captioned it, "All of these elements went SO well together, it had everything - sweetness, spice, sourness and it tasted really good, almost like a hug."

Watch the preparation here:

Food crime, express netizens

However, not everyone shared the same level of enthusiasm.

One individual commented, "Jain sushi is the new vegetarian biryani."

Another remarked, "Japanese will kill themselves when they taste Jain sushi."

Credit: X

One teased playfully in a sarcastic tone, saying, "You spelled 'Mithai' wrong," while another joked, "Do you pair it with ketchup or tamarind chutney?"



Yet, a third person expressed a sense of culinary disapproval, stating, "This is a food crime."

Despite varying opinions, the evolution of sushi in diverse flavors continues to captivate culinary enthusiasts and spark lively discussions.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.


Real life heroes are made of different matter. They shape their destiny with hard work and determination. While most of the people find excuses for their failure in the conditions that they live in, Umesh Dillirao Keelu, a 26-year-old resident of Dharavi-Sion Koliwada, derived his strength from this reality of his life.

He has become the first youth from the precinct to be commissioned in the Indian Army. His inspiring journey from battling poverty and misfortune to earning a place in the prestigious Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai has made the local community proud.

Internet photo

Umesh, who completed his 11-month training, had faced adversity early on when his father, a painter, became paralyzed in 2013 and passed away a day before Umesh was scheduled to report for Army training in March 2023. Undeterred by challenges, Umesh, with a sunburnt upbringing, exhibited tenacity and self-funded his education. He pursued scholarships, worked at a local cyber cafe, and received support from organizations like Tata Trusts, PF Davar Trust, and Mahalaxmi Trust.

His educational journey included a BSc in IT, a Master's degree in computer science, and work experience at Tata Consultancy Services and the British Council. Throughout, Umesh shouldered the responsibility of his family and funded his father's treatment while juggling multiple tasks.

AFP/Representational Image

Umesh's early exposure to the National Cadet Corps (NCC) fueled his dream of a career in the defense forces. His perseverance was evident as he cleared the Services Selection Board (SSB) exam after 13 attempts. While he maintains confidentiality about his posting, he expressed affiliation with the IT infantry unit.

Taking to social media platform X, Umesh highlighted the high unemployment rate in Dharavi and expressed hope that his achievement would inspire other youngsters from the area to consider a career in the Army. He emphasized the importance of hard work, determination, and seeking guidance from mentors for success, encouraging youth to face challenges and pursue their goals.

Umesh's accomplishment stands as a testament to resilience and determination, showcasing the transformative power of education and personal drive in overcoming adversity.

With inputs from TOi
It has been more than eight months since the Titan submersible tragedy in June 2023. On June 16, a group of people from Newfoundland, Canada, set off on a one-of-a-kind excursion to see the Titanic wreck.

However, barely 90 minutes into the dive, OceanGate lost touch with Titan, prompting a search. The five men on board were eventually confirmed to have died, with the US Coast Guard stating that the sub suffered a 'catastrophic implosion'.

Where was the text sent by Billionaire revealed?

Earlier this week, a two-part documentary about the disaster premiered. Channel 5's The Titan Sub Disaster: Minute by Minute featured previously unheard audio recorded by the Canadian Air Force, which heard the 'banging' from the start of their search.

Who was the billionaire?

Hamish Harding was among the people who went missing | Image: LADBible

Hamish Harding was among the people who went missing. Before boarding the Titan, the millionaire had participated in a number of strange adventures, including a journey to Challenger Deep, the deepest location in the ocean.



Before he was killed in the sub's implosion, he sent a heartbreaking goodbye text to his mate. Colonel Terry Virts, a friend of Harding and a veteran astronaut, appeared on Good Morning Britain while the search for the missing Titan continued.

He claimed his friend had sent him one last text message before embarking on his trek to the Titanic.

What did the text say?

One last text message before embarking on his trek to the Titanic | Image: X

"We don't really talk about risks, it's known," Virts told reporters. "He grasped the hazards, without a doubt. "The last text I received said, 'Hey, we're going out tomorrow, it looks good, the weather has been bad, so they've been waiting for this.'"



"He went down to the deepest section of the ocean, set a couple world records in the Mariana Trench, and we talked a lot about the hazards and what they'd be able to do. "So he was very excited about it."

According to Dr. Dale Mole, the former director of undersea medicine and radiation health, the Titan's implosion would have occurred so swiftly that the crew onboard would have had no idea what was occurring.

He told the Mail on Sunday: "It would have been so sudden, that they wouldn't even have known that there was a problem, or what happened to them."It's as if you're only here for a minute before the switch is turned off. "You're alive for one millisecond and then dead the next."

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

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China is known for its cutting-edge technology and inventive breakthroughs. This time, it's a room service robot in a Chinese hotel that's making headlines online.

Who got his robot food delivery in a China hotel?

Ken Abroad a travel vlogger had his food delivered by a robot in China | Image: Instagram

Ken Abroad, a travel vlogger, posted an internet video of a robot delivering food to his hotel room in Shanghai. The vlogger was astounded by the encounter and posted his thoughts on Instagram.



The video starts with him saying, ''Okay, the phone is ringing. That implies the robot is here. Oh, there's a robotic voice speaking Chinese. I'm not sure what it says, but we'll see if it's here.

What does the robot delivering food look like?

When he opens the door, he finds a robot standing there, waiting for him. When he hits the 'Open' button on the machine, the top opens to reveal his food delivery inside. He taps it again to close the container, and the robot can be seen returning. Abroad can't help but exclaim, ''This is awesome. Thank you for your delivery.



When he opens the door, he finds a robot standing there, waiting for him | Image: Instagram

''Food delivered by a robot in China. I'm getting food delivered to my hotel room in China. This feels quite futuristic! what do you think of this? Would you like to have your food delivered by a robot?'', the caption read.



In 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared a "robot revolution" in manufacturing, and the government has since gone all out for automation, replacing "humans with robots."

During the pandemic, China became increasingly reliant on technology, deploying robots to enforce safety regulations while limiting human interaction.

How did the internet react to the futuristic video?

One user commented on the video, saying, "This feels like what life will be like in the 2050s." China is far ahead in many areas, but we wouldn't know it until folks like Ken went there and showed us what it's like. Thank you, Ken!

Another said, ''Very convenient for clients.'' A third responded, ''It's fairly typical now in China, hehe; enjoy your time here! A fourth added, ''It began approximately three years ago, during a pandemic, to avoid touch.

Popular throughout China, particularly in chain hotels such as Atour and All Seasons Hotels.

Check the video here.

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.
A combined troops of Operation Udoka with the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security Service and Civil Defence Corps have killed 20 Indigenous People of Biafra terrorists during a raid operation in Mother Valley, Orsu LGA of Imo State.

Confirming this in a statement on Sunday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said that the security operatives cleared about 50 IPOB/ESN hideout tents in the valley, including terrorists Supreme Headquarters and their Command, including Control Centre as well as its Military Council Headquarters.

Buba said: Troops also, cleared Buteuzors hideout/residence office, logistic base, temple and shrine.

The hideouts was well concealed with foliage that affords the criminals cover from air surveillance in order to prevent monitoring and detection.

READ MORE: Igbo Fed Up With Nigeria, Wont Join Hardship Protest  IPOB Warns

The Valley had sufficient power supply for the camps. The terrorists hibernating there, reared animals and also owned farms in order to be self sustaining to live and fight. During the operations, troops also encountered several command IEDs and ditches along the axis to the camp. All were detonated and ditches covered with excavator before reaching the camp.

The location is identified to be the supreme headquarters, command and control centre as well as the Military Council Headquarters of IPOB/ESN. During the operations, troops made contact with terrorists and following a fire fight, troops neutralized 20 terrorists and recovered several quantities of assorted weapons. These included G3 rifles, AK47 rifles, auto pump action guns, double barrel guns, locally made pistols and RPG bombs.

Troops also recovered assorted ammunition which include 226 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 216 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 172 live cartridges, 4 AK47 magazines and 3 G3 magazines.

Others items recovered include: several quantities of IEDs (OGBUNIGWE), POS devices, baofeng radios, mobile phones, hand-held IEDs, CCTV cameras, inverter and batteries. Additional items include, Biafra flags amongst others.

Troops destroyed all camps, hideouts and shrines in the location. The location was also littered with shallow graves indicative of Idol worshipping and ritual killings.
Nine out of the 102 abducted Gamboru-Ngala, Borno State Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have returned home.

Recall that the IDPs were kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists while fetching firewood in the bush on last Sunday.

While media reports confirmed by locals that the young IDPs were abducted by the terrorists, the Borno State government dismissed the abduction narrative, arguing that they only lost their way back home from the wilderness.

This is as the United Nations confirmed and condemned the abduction.

In fact, we dont even believe that they were abducted, Dr. Barkindo Mohammed Saidu, the Director-General, Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) who led the state government fact-finding team to Ngala immediately after the reported abduction, had told newsmen in Maiduguri, on Friday.

He had argued: We believe they only lost their way back home, not abducted, because if they were abducted, the abductors would have, by now, called for ransom ; but nobody has called anybody for any ransom yet.

READ ALSO: Peter Obi Is Not A Bad Man, But I Dont Believe In Messiahs  El-Rufais Son

However, as of today, theres been no hint about the abductors quoting any ransom for the release of the abductees whom the Borno government still firmly believes only lost their way back home.

Saidu however told Punch on Sunday that: We have been reliably informed that nine out of the missing IDPs traced their way back to the camp last Friday, March 8.

Officials at Ngala have been instructed to mount an intensive and extensive vigilance to inform us about any trickling number returning.

He maintained that, You would have observed that the state government restrained all along from quoting any number because we know the IDPs very well because we are the ones managing their affairs; they are economical with the truth.

We dont believe the IDPs in this abduction narrative and the number of those they said were abducted; the IDPs are not trustworthy.

There is no trust between them (IDPs) and government and between them and NGOs; there is even no trust among themselves; if it is about food and other essential commodities distribution, or they want to raise public sympathy for them among the public, they exaggerate numbers; if it is about anything they dont want, like immunisation, they reduce numbers.

This is why we dont even believe the abduction story and the numbers quoted.
The Buffalo History Museum will receive $50,000 in state funding to support its sponsorship of local and regional competitions associated with National History Day, Assemblyman Bill Conrad announced.

Conrad  himself a former high school social studies teacher and member of the Assembly Committee on Education  said he secured the funds to offset the museums expenses for hosting students for the Buffalo Public Schools History Day and Western New York History Day contests, held Feb. 16 and March 9, respectively. Those costs include outreach, resources and the event-day logistics like transportation, refreshments and awards.

The yearlong programs are designed to encourage students to explore topics of local, state, national and world history by conducting research on a subject related to an annual theme, using libraries, archives, museums and oral interviews. Students then analyze and interpret what they learned, draw conclusions and create presentations that are entered into a series of competitions that rise from local to national levels.

This years theme is Turning Points in History, and students compete in five categories in either the junior division, for sixth through eighth grades, or the senior division, for high school. The categories are historical paper, exhibit, performance, website and documentary.

This is the first time that the Buffalo History Museum is hosting the regional contest, previously held at Canisius University, in partnership with the Niagara Frontier Council of Social Studies. At least 75 students from three counties are participating. Winners will go on to the New York State History Day Contest on April 14 at SUNY Oneonta, with state finalists proceeding to the National History Day Contest June 9 to 13, at the University of Maryland at College Park.

As a former teacher for 20-plus years, I know how an understanding of history can solidify a students grasp of the challenges facing todays world, Conrad said. It also fosters an interest in civitas, and a willingness to engage with ones community.
Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, on Saturday, revealed consultations are ongoing for the reopening of borders.

This is as he noted that only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the prerogative to reopen borders in the country.

Adeniyi stated this at an interaction session with members of the Kongolam border community in Maiadua Local Government Area of Katsina State.

While reacting to agitation for the reopening of the borders, he assured that engagements were being made regarding the issue.

Once consultations are concluded, a decision will be taken on the matter, he said.

According to the Comptroller, the Service will focus on removing obstacles militating against free trade in line with the present administrations agenda of fostering economic prosperity.

He said that proactive measures had been employed to reduce the number of checkpoints along the border posts and promote synergy between the service personnel and traders.

We are conscious of the concerns of the border communities, particularly with regard to the number of checkpoints and the closure of land borders

READ ALSO: Ramadan 2024: Look Out For New Moon On Sunday, Sultan Alerts Nigerian Muslims

I assure you that our operations are always guided by law and we only operate on delegated powers.

We have communicated the concerns and complaints by residents of the border communities to the President.

Because he has listening ears, and directed that we should release confiscated food items, on the condition that it only be sold in Nigerian markets, he said.

He furthered that the Service was collaborating with the Police and other sister agencies to address obstacles militating against free trade in the border areas.

We know that there are markets around our borders, and we know that not all of them are targeted at taking goods across the borders.

We will continue to monitor and ensure that food that is produced in Nigeria remains and is consumed in Nigeria. This is because we are in a period of national emergency that has to do with food insufficiency.

And that is why we must collectively work together to assist the government to enforce the various laws prohibiting exportation of food items at this time, he declared.
The Zone A Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized foreign parboiled rice concealed in petroleum jerry cans along Ajilete, Ogun State.

The customs comptroller, Hussein Ejibunu, disclosed this via X at the weekend.

Ejibunu noted the smugglers activities put Nigerians at risk of consuming the grains contaminated with petroleum products.

He further disclosed that the units anti-smuggling campaign has resulted in 93 seizures worth N751,127,025 and the arrest of nine suspects.

A reference case is the smuggling of foreign parboiled rice in petroleum jerry cans along Ajilete in Ogun state, which is not only illegal but also exposes potential consumers to the risk of eating contaminated grains that may have ingested poisonous properties, possibly from premium motor spirit (PMS), diesel, or other petroleum products.

READ ALSO: Unknown Gunmen Murder Farmer In Edo

Among the seized items were 11 exotic used vehicles valued at over N200 million and 3,779 X 50kg bags of suspected foreign rice, equivalent to over seven trailer loads worth over N365 million seized from various parts of the South-West.

Other items seized in the month under review include one locally made gun and six pieces of empty cartridges at Abeokuta road, 731 parcels of Indian hemp weighing 482 kg, 1 X 40ft container found to contain 286 cartons of new rubber slippers, seven units of used motorcycles, 28,000 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), and 2,420 pieces of used tyres, he said.

The comptroller also disclosed that three trucks containing 880 bags of white beans, 584 bags of onions, and 18 bags of dry pepper were siezed by the unit on Ajilete/Idiroko road in Ogun State.

Instead of seizing the food items, this unit ensured the trucks were redirected to the Nigerian markets where they were sold to Nigerians by the owners, he said.
Isa Tijjani, a former Vice-President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has said that incessant strike by the organised labour poses a massive threat to Nigerias economy.

Speaking at a news conference on Saturday in Kano, he posited there are alternatives to strike and urged labour unions to explore them in resolving their differences with the government.

The country is in a critical situation, and incessant strikes and protests will injure the economy.

When the economy is in tatters, everybody will suffer because we all depend on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Recession is everywhere, we are not currently good, the economy cannot afford a nationwide strike at this time, he said.

READ ALSO: NLC Hardship Protest Just Mere Distraction  Women Affairs Minister

On wage increase, Tijjani said the N485,000 minimum wage proposed by the unions was no longer feasible given the economic realities in the country.

He also accused the NLC leadership of alleged moves to plunge the country into political crisis over excessive calls for industrial action.

The NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero is allegedly up to something in his frequent callings for strike even when the Federal Government is on top of the particular situation they are talking about.

Bargaining power is not always 100 per cent, but as a pressure group, if you have 62 per cent of what you are looking for, you then negotiate and allow peace to reign.

Today, the integrity of NLC is at stake because they deviated from their main job of protecting the collective rights of Nigerians, he said.
The Federal Government, on Saturday, vowed to weaken the capacity of criminal elements to launch attacks on Nigerians.

Recall that on Wednesday, bandits abducted over 200 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who were in search of firewood at Ngala Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.

Also, on Thursday, gunmen attacked two schools in Kuriga community in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State and abducted about 287 students.

Reacting, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said the government will ensure the perpetrators are caught and brought to book.

He said the abductions are utterly unacceptable and went against fundamental values of humanity.

Government stands resolutely against any form of violence or coercion targeted at innocent civilians, especially the most vulnerable among us.

READ ALSO: Bandits Abduct 15 Students In Sokoto Fresh Attack

Our children deserve to seek education in conditions devoid of harm or threat of harm, and any threat to their security is a direct attack on the future of our country.

While extending heartfelt sympathies to families and communities affected by these distressing events, President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to swiftly ensure the safe return of all abducted persons, and the arrest of perpetrators.

Government will spare no effort in the pursuit of justice for the victims and in its determination to hold perpetrators of such heinous acts accountable to the full extent of the law, he said.

According to him, collective action and solidarity are essential for Nigeria to effectively combat the menace of banditry, insurgency, and insecurity.

Government reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and property of citizens.

It will continue to work very hard to ensure that the capacity of criminals to launch attacks is constantly and irreversibly degraded, he added.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a mother for attempting to kill her sick child using a poisonous insecticide, Sniper.

Benjamin Hundeyin, State Police Spokesman, on Saturday, revealed that the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, reported the attempted murder to the Police.

According to him, the Chief Security Officer at the hospital reported to the police that the mother brought her one-year-and-seven-month-old daughter to the hospital for treatment.

READ ALSO: Police Bust Baby Factory In Abia, Rescue Pregnant Women, Children

Hundeyin added that the mother confessed to a doctor at the hospital that she gave the child Sniper to drink on Sunday when her convulsion was not abating.

The mother said she gave the liquid to her child so she could rest from her excessive convulsions.

Detectives were immediately dispatched to the hospital, where they met the baby receiving treatment.

The mother has been taken in for investigation after the child had received treatment, he said.
The Anambra State Police Command says it intercepted a kidnap gang and rescued four men taken by the abductors.

Tochukwu Ikenga, the State Police spokesman, disclosed this in a Saturday press statement, adding that the kidnappers were taking the victims to an unknown destination before they were intercepted.

The police operatives, while on patrol with the local vigilantes, he noted, intercepted the kidnappers along the Amagu-Awgbu Road in Orumba North Local Government Area as they were heading towards an exit route from the State.

The gang, which opened fire sporadically on sighting the patrol team, bowed to police-vigilante superior firepower. Two of the three vehicles the gang operated with were demobilised.

While a remnant of the gang escaped in the third vehicle, other gangsters fled into the bush on foot with bullet wounds. One pump action gun was recovered during the encounter.

READ ALSO: North Has Problems, Bandits Are Not Muslims  El-Rufais Son

Also recovered were two SUVs  one 2017 edition of Toyota Highlander with registration number Abuja GWA 141 KZ and one Mercedes Benz GLK 350 4Matic with registration number Anambra AGU 242 NQ.

Preliminary inquiry revealed that the number plates on the Mercedes Benz SUV were issued to a Toyota Sienna Spacewagon vehicle, the statement read.

The spokesperson added that four abducted victims were rescued unhurt from the gang. Preliminary debriefing to ascertain circumstances of their abduction are ongoing.

He added that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, who described the rescue of the victims as heroic, has commended the effective collaboration between the police and vigilantes across the state.

The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be transferred to the anti-kidnapping unit in Awkuzu. He has mandated the unit to deploy its expertise in tracking down gang members who escaped the onslaught at Awgbu and bring them to justice, Ikenga added.
The Nigerian Senate has denied reports making the rounds that it padded the 2024 appropriation budget by well over N4 trillion.

Northern senators under the aegis of Northern Senators Forum (NSF) had confronted the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over alleged padding of the 2024 budget with about N4 trillion worth of projects.

Reacting in a Saturday statement made available to Senate Correspondents, Senate Committee Chairman on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, questioned the motives of those spreading falsehoods despite the transparent process the budget underwent before being assented to by President Bola Tinubu.

He said the budget document detailing expected revenue and expenditure was already in the public domain, emphasizing that the Akpabio-led 10th Senate was not aware of any altered version.

READ ALSO: Akpabio Tackles Gov Fubara At Herbert Wigwes Funeral (Video)

The statement read: There is no budget padding as far as the Senate and the National Assembly are concerned. The National budget is a public document that explicitly states the expected revenue and expenditure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Senate, under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, is not aware of any altered execution of the 2024 appropriation mandate, as approved.

The budget presentation and approval processes were conducted in the public eye, and the Presidential assent was also part of a public ceremony.

Any infractions would have been brought before the Senate, if any.

The general public should rest assured that there is no budget padding anywhere, and we are confident that the 2024 appropriation law shall be strictly executed under strict legislative oversight.
Marc Rowan, the big donor who led the effort to oust Penn's president and board chair, has continued his criticism of Penn over the last couple weeks during public appearances. Read more

During two public interviews in the last two weeks, Marc Rowan  the billionaire donor who led the effort to oust former Penn leaders over their response to antisemitism  continued his staunch criticism of the university.

He aimed squarely at University of Pennsylvanias School of Arts & Sciences, the home of 27 departments including a few that last September sponsored sessions of the Palestine Writes literary festival, which critics attacked for including speakers with a history of making antisemitic comments but supporters defended as a celebration of Palestinian art.

During an interview at the Economic Club of Washington on Feb. 27, Rowan said faculty members in Wharton  Penns business school from which Rowan graduated  as well as the engineering and medical schools, care about academic excellence and research.

If you are in our arts and sciences school, said Rowan, not so much.

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He echoed almost the same sentiment about the school, which includes everything from physics and chemistry to economics and mathematics, during a talk at the Anti-Defamation Leagues national conference on Wednesday.

 READ MORE: Penn faculty fear the donor who started the effort to oust Liz Magill is attempting to set the agenda for trustees

The remark  as well as others he made including an assertion that students rallying for Palestinians is more a reflection of anti-Americanism and anti-merit than antisemitism  continued to stir concern on the Ivy League campus about Rowan, who chairs Whartons advisory board. It also raised questions about the propriety of the leader of one of Penns boards publicly criticizing another school at the university.

This is not the first time Rowan has demonstrated that he does not respect and may not comprehend the principle of academic freedom, the purpose of a university to advance knowledge and educate students in all areas of study, or the quality of research and teaching at Penn, said Penns chapter of the American Association of University Professors. We question whether someone so poorly informed and apparently committed to undermining our universitys mission should serve on Whartons Board of Advisors.

 READ MORE: Penn donor who gave $50 million calls for university leaders to resign over embrace of antisemitism

The group in a statement Thursday noted that the AAUP defined the concept of academic freedom more than a century ago to guard against wealthy donors with no academic qualifications ... attempting to suppress research and teaching that they found inconvenient to their business interests and political agendas. It should be faculty members who make academic decisions and evaluate the quality of scholarship within their areas of expertise, the group said.

A spokesperson for Rowan declined comment. Rowan during his comments said support for his efforts has grown, asserting that 27,000 have indicated their support of his ideas.

The vast majority of reaction has been incredibly positive, he said.

Michael Poliakoff, president and chief executive officer of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, said its well within the framework of a free society and open university for Mr. Rowan to criticize anybody.

The sad fact is that the humanities have really suffered from the intrusion of a great big dollop of theory, things like intersectionality, post-colonial theory, oppressor-oppressed frameworks, he said. These are things that should be subject to much more rigorous review. ...It is a very valid criticism that Mr. Rowan is making.

 READ MORE: Who is Marc Rowan, the billionaire Wharton grad who led the campaign to topple Penns leaders?

Poliakoff pointed to surveys that have shown the vast majority of arts and sciences faculty at Harvard identify as liberal.

Its hard to have viewpoint diversity, Rowan said at the ADL conference.

Steven J. Fluharty, dean of Penns School of Arts & Sciences, did not respond to an email for comment.

A Penn spokesperson said: Penn embodies academic excellence across all aspects of our teaching, research, and scholarship, which is why we continue to attract the best and brightest students and faculty, who make a meaningful impact on the world.

Scott L. Bok, former chair of Penns board of trustees, disputed Rowans claim.

The school of arts and sciences is the core of the university, with a large and diverse faculty teaching everything from biology to history, he said. The notion that those people arent absolutely committed to academic excellence is simply wrong.

Dagmawi Woubshet, an associate professor of English, who is part of Penn Faculty for Justice in Palestine and participated in a die-in vigil on campus in January in recognition of the lives lost in Gaza, also took exception to Rowans statement.

To say that only the pre-professional schools are intellectually rigorous and merit-driven is at best a glib and self-serving characterization, Woubshet said. It discounts the extraordinary value of an arts and humanities education, which is the lifeblood of any university of note.

Rowan made clear during the interview at the economic club that he intended to continue paying attention to Penn. 100%, he responded when asked.

That raised concern in the Penn community over how much influence Rowan would try to wield. Penn already is facing a congressional committee probe over its handling of antisemitism.

A campaign that started in the fall

Rowan, CEO of New York-based Apollo Global Management, a private equity firm, began his public campaign to get donors to withhold their money in October, a couple weeks after Palestine Writes and just a few days after Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Rowan already had a high profile at Wharton, having given a $50 million gift to Wharton in 2018, the largest single gift in its history,

He urged donors to close their checkbooks until then-President Liz Magill and Bok resigned, faulting their handling of the festival. And he continued the efforts for months in daily emails to the board of trustees. Both Magill and Bok resigned in December after Magills congressional testimony on the campus response to antisemitism set off a backlash.

In the aftermath of their resignations, Rowan sent what was characterized as his final email to the trustees, questioning the universitys instruction, faculty hiring and political orientation. Among the questions, he asked whether the school should look at eliminating some academic departments  though he didnt identify which  and examine criteria for qualification for membership in the faculty, citing a provision in the charter that allows trustees to set general policies around admission to the faculty.

The email, titled Moving Forward, included 18 questions, some with as many as five parts. That raised fear among faculty leaders that Rowan was attempting to set the agenda for the university, in the style of a hostile takeover.

Rowans spokesperson said at the time that the questions Rowan raises are areas that trustees have jurisdiction over in the schools charter.

Hes saying these are questions, the spokesperson said. Hes not trying to provide answers.

We are fighting anti-merit

During his recent appearances, Rowan also asserted that students protesting Israel by chanting from the river to the sea, Palestine shall be free, dont even understand the geography they are talking about.

If you ask these kids what river and what sea, they dont know, he said. Who lives between the river and the sea, they dont know. How did they get there? They dont know.

Poliakoff pointed to a December op-ed in the Wall Street Journal by Ron Hassner, a political science professor at Berkeley, that said in a survey he commissioned, fewer than half of the students who supported the slogan were able to name the river and the sea in question.

That phrase refers to the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. It a rallying cry some have used to call for the destruction of Israel, but others use as a call for the liberation of Palestinian people from Gaza to the West Bank and within Israel.

Rowan said an accepted narrative on the campus that started to encourage social justice metastasized into post-colonial education, into oppressed and oppressors, into powerful and powerless, facts be damned.

Jews and Israelis are seen as white. Thats bad. Theyre seen as powerful. Thats bad. Theyre seen as oppressing Palestinians. Thats bad. So by any means necessary according to the narrative of these universities, facts be damned.

He said the fight on campuses is less about antisemitism and more about anti-Americanism.

We are fighting anti-merit, he said. Were fighting anti-power. Were fighting really for the soul of these institutions.

At the ADL conference, he said colleges have been taken over by a progressive narrative that evaluates everything in the context of victimhood.

Woubshet, however, said the critique of power is not new and is essential to knowledge production and moreover to fostering a just and democratic society. What we now have is a concerted conservative and right-wing agenda  an anti-intellectual agenda  to deliberately misconstrue the terms of critique so much so that teaching anything that challenges a romantic view of American civilization is deemed anti-American.

Jonathan Zimmerman, a Penn professor of the history of education who has ardently defended free speech, said Rowan has every right to express his opinion and said some of the questions he raised in his final email to trustees were worth asking.

But I dont believe Marc Rowans opinion should have any more weight than anyone elses, he said. I dont think the role of the trustees is to make academic policy. Thats the role of the administration and mainly the faculty.
Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland in the heart of the business district on the morning of Dec. 5, Avenue of the States and 5th Street. His administration is at odds with the state official who has filed for bankruptcy on the city's behalf. Read more

In an era when they were making everything from cars to ships to anchors to toilet tissue, armies of workers, armed with thermos bottles and sandwiches wrapped in wax paper, marched to the daily rhythms of factory whistles to their jobs along the Delaware River in Chester.

During World War II, the shipyard alone employed 36,000, greater than the entire population of the city today.

These days, what once was the venue for 28 ship bays is the site of a casino and a large piece of the riverfront is host to a waste-treatment industrial campus.

After seven decades of stunning economic decline, Chester has become a rarity among U.S. cities: Its in bankruptcy, one of only 31 of the nations 38,000 municipalities to enter that state in the 85 years since Congress offered the option as a last-resort lifeline.

The city is broke, and  according to the Pennsylvania receiver appointed to oversee its finances when Gov. Tom Wolf declared a fiscal emergency in Chester in 2020, and who filed the bankruptcy petition on the citys behalf last month  broken.

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Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland takes strong exception to that characterization. I think its overstated, he said.

Counters Vijay Kapoor, receiver Michael T. Dowearys chief of staff: Theres been a lot of hyperbole about what might happen with distressed cities. In Chester its actually happening.

Chesters immediate issue is a staggering pension underfunding crisis that municipal-finance experts describe as among the worst in the nation.

 READ MORE: The city lost $400,000 in a phishing scam

The receivers office will ask a federal bankruptcy judge on Thursday to appoint a mediator to negotiate with the citys creditors. A separate Commonwealth Court hearing next week will address the larger questions of the receivers powers and whether Chester officials can continue running the city.

Chesters financial challenges are familiar to postindustrial cities  the loss of manufacturing jobs, population decline, crime, and a diminished tax base exacerbated by its high poverty rate and proliferation of low-income rental housing.

Chester is not unique, said Swarthmore College economics professor John P. Caskey. its just more extreme.

However the bankruptcy shakes out, Chesterites will endure fallout if the city fails to restore fiscal order, advises Liz Farmer, a municipal-finance specialist. Those who are left are going to end up paying more and more for a municipality that is heading in the wrong direction, she said.

The road to bankruptcy

The receivers office said that with pension underfunding, the citys deficit, $46.5 million, rivals the size of its budget, about $55 million. Hypotheses of how Chester ended up in its fiscal straits far exceed proposed solutions.

The town was a marginal player in the American Revolution but became a force in the Industrial Revolution, evolving into one of the nations most important manufacturing centers. In addition to Sun Ship, factories located in or near Chester included Sun Oil Co., Scott Paper Co., the Ford Motor Co., Baldwin Locomotive, and Congoleum-Nairn.

 READ MORE: William Penn once envisioned Chester as Philadelphia

The citys fortunes began a downward turn after World War II. During the last 70 years:

1950s: After its population peaked at 66,000 in 1950, signs of decline appeared among downtown businesses. The number of apparel and general merchandise stores dropped from 119 to 68 between 1952 to 1960, according to Chester Planning Commission documents. The white exodus to the suburbs is evident as the white population declined 19% by 1960, while the Black population increased 53%. 1960s: In a tumultuous decade marked by racial turmoil and protests against the citys de facto segregation, the labor base remained strong. About half of the 26,500 people who worked in the city had manufacturing jobs. A city-commissioned report predicted, The citys population and labor force is expected to remain virtually at present levels in 1970 and 1980. 1970s: That forecast didnt fare too well. By 1980 unemployment had risen to 12.2%, double the rate of nearby communities. The population fell 12%, and the number of employed residents plummeted 25%, census figures show. Part of that loss was due to a devastating flood near the business district in 1971.

1980s: By the end of the decade, Chester had 18% fewer residents, and the numbers of jobs decreased 20%, a financial hit in a town that relies heavily on an earned-income tax. The citys per-capita income in 1990, about $9,000, was half of the Delaware County-wide average. 1990s: Over bitter community opposition, the city allows Westinghouse to locate one of the countrys largest incinerators in the city in 1992. Three years later, after six consecutive years of budget deficits, Chester becomes a distressed city under a Pennsylvania law aimed at uprighting towns struggling with debt.

21st century: In 2007, at the site of the erstwhile shipyard, Harrahs casino opens. The casino diverted at least $10 million of its revenues annually to the city, but Chester continued to roll up deficits. With COVID-19 issues exacerbating the citys fiscal stress, it is placed in receivership, and on July 1, 2020, Doweary is appointed receiver. Doweary learned in October that the city lost $400,000 in a phishing scam  four months earlier. On Nov. 10, he files for bankruptcy on the citys behalf.

 READ MORE: Some Chester residents have wage a long battle against the incinerator

Whose fault?

The receiver blames the Kirkland administration for its questionable accounting practices, obstinance, and intransigence.

Kirkland objects. He says he has tried to correct problems he inherited.

Farmer, a consultant with the municipal finance firm Funkhouser & Associates, suggested Kirkland has a point. Passing along debts and associated problems to the future administrations is a well-established tradition among fiscally troubled cities.

Turning the tables, Kirkland blamed the state, which had overseen the citys finances for 21 years before he assumed office in January 2016. He asked: Nobody could see a leak in the boat?

Kapoor said he couldnt speak to what happened before the city went into receivership in 2020. The receivers job is to fix Chesters problems, not to assign blame, he said. He said getting accurate financial information was a struggle. If the prior state teams, who had less power than the receiver, have experienced anything like we have, I can see why they werent able to turn Chester around.

Solutions

Doweary holds that the city will have to renegotiate pension and health-benefit agreements. And to replenish pension shortfalls, the city must find some way to draw revenue from the Chester Water Authority, a source of bitter and tangled conflict.

The City Council has voted to sell the Chester Water Authority to Aqua  now a division of Essential Utilities Co.  which has been fighting to acquire it for years, for $410 million.

 READ MORE: The city's attempts to sell the Chester Water Authority have set off a flood of litigation

Authority solicitor Frank Catania argued that the city doesnt own the authority and questions who would be entitled to the proceeds from any sale. Kirkland pointed to a court ruling affirming Chesters ownership; Catania has challenged it.

Catania contended that Chester is trying to regionalize its fiscal woes, since most of the authoritys customers are outside the city. The authority has mounted an aggressive campaign against the sale.

Doweary said the city must find a way to monetize the authority, none of whose revenues currently wind up in Chesters treasury. Aqua bills the sale as the solution to Chesters pension crisis.

Doweary also said cuts in retiree benefits and scaled-back health plans are all but inevitable.

This is insane, said Les Neri, former head of the Pennsylvania FOP, who represents the unions interests in the bankruptcy proceedings. He said that retired municipal workers have planned for their negotiated retirement benefits.

They cant go back, he said.

The anxiety through the roof, said Jonathan Ross, who has been a Chester police officer for 16 years and is head of the local FOP. How are we going to retain cops here?

Doweary says his bankruptcy filing was the citys only hope for righting its fiscal ship. Chester Councilperson Stefan Roots is an exception in city government, and agrees. He said it would force creditors to the table to negotiate payments.

I see the hope, said Zulene Mayfield, founder of Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living, adding that some welcome the receivers actions. The community and the residents are resilient. ...

Bankruptcy does not mean the end of life. Its just a pause. Its a reset button.
The Chester downtown on a dreary day. The business district never recovered from a historic flooding that wiped out a vibrant neighborhood in 1971. Stormwater management has come a ways since then, as have clean-water standards. Read more

While its not quite in a league with the Boston Tea Party or Pennsylvanias infamous Whiskey Rebellion, a recent bump in stormwater fees has stirred a wave of protest in the bankrupt City of Chester, where more than one in four residents live in poverty.

The typical homeowner now pays $16.50 a month, compared with $8.25 when the Stormwater Authority of Chester started billing in 2017. Chester homeowners now pay among the highest rates in the country, based on a survey by a national stormwater-management expert.

The Stormwater Authority of Chester says it is pouring the money into reducing runoff and water pollution, along with other projects, in the flood-prone riverfront city of 33,500. The agency says that since it was created in 2016, Chester has seen a tremendous reduction in flooding and road closings.

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Horace Strand, the authoritys chief, says the authority has added retention basins and upgraded pipes.

But some Chester residents derisively call the fee the rain tax, and evidently a lot of them have balked at paying it. As of last month, the authority had nearly more than 1,700 liens against property owners for non-payment, according to county records.

Adelaide Evans is among those who say she is paying too much for too little and she hasnt seen evidence of the authoritys work. I feel we are being ripped off, she said.

Said Brown Williams, a longtime resident of citys West End, I aint seeing nothing.

Strand said the fee is not a tax, but money dedicated for a specific purpose. He said the rates were fiscally responsible, and they didnt represent an increase. The $16.50 imposed in the fall was just the restoration of the original charge, which had been calculated on projected five-year costs of shoring up an aging stormwater infrastructure and repayment of a $32 million loan from the state.

The fee, which is based on an estimate of a propertys hard surfaces or impervious cover  including parking areas, sidewalks, and roofs  had been lowered to $8.25 because of the blowback, including from Widener University, one of the citys largest landowners. The university, which was paying more than $170,000 a year, sued and won a significant reduction.

Strand said that the opposition wells from unfamiliarity with the concept.

It is relatively new to Chester, and would be to most municipalities in the nation, although the stormwater-utility fee movement has been a rising tide across the country in recent years as communities contend with heavy rain and ever-increasing volumes of paved surfaces and tougher federal standards.

Fewer than 10 towns in the region have similar dedicated entities. New Jersey has no stormwater utilities, said Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson Larry Hajna, but the department is working with a number of towns looking to form them.

It is not new to Philadelphia, where it has long been in place. Many residents may be unaware of it because the charge is a line item in the monthly water bill thats even higher than Chesters, at about $18.50.

 READ MORE: Philly waters have had more than their fill of raw sewage

By any other name, Chester residents may have a point in calling it the rain tax, based on a Commonwealth Court decision in a suit brought by West Chester University.

In a ruling that could have profound implications across the state, and perhaps elsewhere, the court found that the stormwater fee the school is paying is in real life a tax; thus, tax-exempt entities shouldnt have to pay it. The case now is before the state Supreme Court.

What are stormwater utilities?

Stormwater is the rain and melted snow and ice that pours out of gutters and off roofs and patios and anything that covers the ground. In a typical rainstorm, a given property could generate more that 1,200 gallons of runoff, says Andy Yencha, a Penn State stormwater expert.

In some places, including Philadelphia and Chester, stormwater and sewage can share pipes. Federal clean-water standards have put the onus on towns to upgrade their water-management systems, saddling towns with unfunded mandates, according to officials in Norristown, which also levies the fees.

 READ MORE: 15 billion gallons of sewage-polluted water flows annually into Phillys rivers and streams, report says

More towns have been creating separate entities with powers to levy fees. In his most-recent stormwater utility survey, published in 2022, University of Western Kentucky professor Warren Campbell counted 2,000 of them nationwide, with a surge in the last 20 years.

Pennsylvania has at least 87, according to Penn States Yencha.

Campbell formerly was the hydrologist in Huntsville, Ala., where he wanted to adopt a utility and began collecting data to make a case. He hasnt stopped, even though his Huntsville efforts were unsuccessful.

Not surprisingly, the fees arent exactly welcome, and Yencha said the biggest resisters have been the nonprofits, such as churches, community centers, and universities, all of which tend to have extensive impervious cover.

West Chester University, socked with a $130,000 bill by the boroughs Stream Protection Fee, enacted in 2016, won a ruling in Commonwealth Court in January 2023 that the fee actually was a tax; therefore, as a tax-exempt entity, it should not have to pay.

The stormwater tax walks, talks, and acts like a property tax, the university had argued in court documents.

The case is on appeal in the state Supreme Court, and friend of the court briefs filed by other municipalities and environmentalists warned that if the ruling were upheld, it would be a tremendous blow to stormwater-control efforts around the state.

Citing active litigation, the university declined comment.

A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania attorney generals office, which is representing the state university, said no date had been set yet for oral arguments before the Supreme Court.

The university also argued that it had its own stormwater-treatment facility that benefited the entire borough. Companies along the Chester waterfront made similar, but unsuccessful, arguments in court challenges against the Chester fees.

Back to Chester

Chester, where the median household income of $39,000 is a little more than half the states, is different among other towns with similar fees: It is bankrupt.

 READ MORE: Chester's bankruptcy was 70 years in the making

Among 35,000 municipalities in the nation, only about about 30 have filed for bankruptcy since the option was offered in the 1930s.

In a court filing, the state receiver who took the city into bankruptcy had raised questions about imposing additional fees on residents who pay among the highest property tax rates in the county and the second-highest wage taxes in the state.

Homeowners, said Adelaide Evans, actually dont understand why we even have a stormwater authority. ... Im sure the elderly and lower-income homeowners are having trouble paying the bills.

Its sad how expensive it is to live in the City of Chester, she said, with all the fees attached to the homeowners.
Its coming up on four years since Laura Kuzdales second child was born at Oishei Childrens Hospital, but every detail remains fresh for the 39-year-old Dunkirk woman.

Kuzdale still smiles today when she hears the song she and her husband selected to play during the birth: Dont Worry Baby by the Beach Boys, its lyrics feeling right for a delivery four months into a stressful pandemic in late July 2020.

Blissful moments before it all came crashing down the following morning, she recalled.

The day after Kuzdales successful C-section, a social worker arrived in her hospital room at 9 a.m. and informed Kuzdale that her urine sample had tested positive for opiates.

Kuzdale was shocked and denied using opiates. She wasnt even aware her urine was being tested for drugs. She figured the sample she provided one day earlier, on July 27, 2020, would be used to check for proteins, just as samples had been during visits to her OB-GYN.

I had poppy seeds yesterday, Kuzdale told the social worker, thinking of the three Everything BagelBits she had from a Tim Hortons in Angola on her way to Buffalo. Thats literally the first thing out of my mouth.

Kuzdale said she was informed that Child Protective Services would be contacted, even though she was told that her newborn baby tested negative for opiates.

Experts say there are more women like Kuzdale who have been drug tested without their consent and thrust into the family regulation system.

But this practice has been changing in recent years. In fact, informed consent advocates see positive momentum developing in certain state capitals, including Albany.

They acknowledge, however, there are still hospitals across the country, including in New York, that continue to test pregnant people without their consent and, in some cases, report them to the family regulation system.

Gov. Kathy Hochul is backing efforts to require health care providers to obtain informed consent from individuals who are pregnant or who recently gave birth prior to drug testing them. In fact, legislative language to require informed consent could pass as part of the state budget, due April 1.

Drug testing pregnant people and newborns, Hochuls administration notes, deters some from accessing needed prenatal and postnatal care, exacerbating inequities in maternal health and eroding trust between patients and providers.

In Kuzdales case, Child Protective Services deemed the report of suspected child abuse as unfounded  but only after an investigation that spanned nearly two months.

Kuzdale is suing Kaleida Health over her experience, alleging discrimination and citing the emotional distress stemming from the nonconsensual drug testing of her and her newborn baby at Childrens Hospital.

How can such a facility threaten to take a newborn from its mother and inflict this kind of pain on innocent, trusting families? she said. Why would they test pregnant women, only, without their consent?

While the case unfolds  a previous lawsuit Kuzdale filed was dismissed, but her attorneys have filed an appeal as well as a motion to reargue  Kuzdale keeps pushing to raise awareness to ensure more pregnant people dont encounter what she did. Last summer, she joined the Informed Consent Coalition, fighting for change statewide.

Kaleida, which handles about 6,100 baby deliveries a year between Childrens Hospital and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, said in a statement that it is aware of the attention that Ms. Kuzdale is attempting to bring to her lawsuit against Oishei Childrens Hospital over the fact that, when she was a labor and delivery patient in 2020, she tested positive for opioids  which was confirmed after further testing.

Kaleida declined to discuss details of the case. But the health system said it feels Kuzdales first lawsuit  filed in August 2022 in State Supreme Court in Erie County  was correctly dismissed and claimed she sought another avenue for her already dismissed lawsuit by filing a new action in July in Supreme Court in Chautauqua County. The second lawsuit is being transferred to Erie County.

Despite Ms. Kuzdales allegations, baseless claims and inflammatory commentary, we will continue to vigorously defend the hospital, our dedicated staff and the tremendous care that takes place at Oishei Childrens Hospital every single day, Kaleida said.

Policies at WNY hospitals

Policies surrounding the drug testing of pregnant patients have evolved since Dr. Stephen Turkovich joined Childrens Hospital nearly two decades ago.

Around 2017, Childrens Hospital surveyed other hospitals across the state and found policies around screening and testing were all over the place, Turkovich said.

Childrens Hospital wanted to be consistent and moved to universal testing  testing every pregnant person  to try to remove bias from the process, said Turkovich, president of Childrens Hospital.

Today, Childrens Hospital staff starts by verbally screening a person for a substance use disorder. If that verbal screen is positive, the next step is a urine test  which Childrens Hospital gets consent from pregnant patients before performing, Turkovich said. Childrens Hospital has been providing informed consent to patients for about two years, he added.

I think everybodys philosophy is the most important piece about consent is the informed piece, Turkovich said. Recognizing why are we doing this? What is the information were going to gather from this and why do we need this information? And ultimately, you need the information in order to provide the best care to mom and fetus and then ultimately baby.

The state also has provided some clarity, via Health Department guidance sent to hospitals and providers in November 2021 that pertained to implementing plans of safe care for newborns and their families affected by substance abuse.

That guidance, which noted that informed consent should be obtained before drug screening, stressed that substance use alone is not an indicator of child abuse, maltreatment or neglect and this has not changed.

In the past, Turkovich recalled, the state had said a positive urine test in the mom or a baby is something that would reach that threshold for reasonable concern for abuse or neglect. Hospital staff  as mandated reporters  would then hand the situation over to Child Protective Services for further investigation.

But the 2021 guidance made clear that a positive drug test, on its own, was not sufficient to justify a call to Child Protective Services.

That has led to fewer calls to Child Protective Services and an increased focus on evaluating each patient individually, Turkovich said.

Thats important because we also dont want people with substance use disorder to feel like theres a punitive action thats resulting from a disease, Turkovich said. Because that then leads to people less likely to engage health care and when that happens, bad things can happen. Things can get missed and people can get hurt.

Catholic Health System, which handled about 5,000 births last year, said all of its maternity patients are verbally screened to determine if they are at risk for substance use. Catholic Health also reviews prenatal records to determine if toxicology testing was previously performed.

Catholic Health, under a process in place for 10 years, conducts urine toxicology tests only after getting written consent from a patient and after the medical reason for the test is explained to the patient. Results are then reviewed to determine the appropriate medical treatment for mothers and their babies.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, which handled 279 births last year, recently changed its policy.

Anna Pennesi, the facilitys director of womens services, said the hospital is now doing a verbal informed consent before performing a urine drug screen on a pregnant patient. It is working on a written consent form.

Previously, she said, the medical center was doing the tests without informed consent, though staff would tell the person what the test was for if they asked.

Pennesi said employees now explain to patients that the test is not intended to be punitive but rather to ensure the safe care of mother and baby.

I think the more forthright you are with your patients, theres a more trusting relationship, she said.

Health Department spokesperson Danielle De Souza said guidance on consent before drug testing pregnant people will be sent to hospitals in the near future.

Adding to the maternal health crisis

Kuzdale remembers feeling exhausted but exhilarated in late July 2020 after giving birth. But once she was informed of her test result, Kuzdale, a social worker, started gathering information and taking detailed notes.

It was hard to think of anything else than theyre accusing me of mistreating or abusing my child, said Kuzdale, who said the only drugs she took during her pregnancy were prenatal pills and an iron supplement.

Cases like Kuzdales are not unheard of, said Jenna Lauter, policy counsel at the New York Civil Liberties Union.

In late 2021, the NYCLU and National Advocates for Pregnant Women filed state Division of Human Rights complaints on behalf of two women who claimed they were drug tested without consent when giving birth at a Hudson Valley hospital. Those women, the organizations said, received false positive test results after eating foods containing poppy seeds.

After news of those cases broke, Lauter said the NYCLU heard from a whole wave of others who had been drug tested without their consent and reported to Child Protective Services.

We know that this is an issue that is happening around New York State and, frankly, around the country, Lauter said.

Aside from eroding trust between the patient and provider, there is sometimes no medical follow-up provided to a family that needs support for a substance use issue, said Miriam Mack, policy director to the Family Defense Practice at the Bronx Defenders.

And if a person gets pregnant again, Mack said they become hesitant to re-engage with the same health care providers.

Its an issue that is adding to the maternal health crisis, she said. It is actually driving people away from health care.

Other women who have gone through it

Kuzdale and her baby were discharged from Childrens Hospital at 3:30 p.m. on July 30, 2020. With the new baby sleeping, Kuzdale took her first shower in three days.

As she walked down the stairs, with a towel wrapped around her head after showering, the doorbell rang about 5 p.m.

At the door was a case worker from Child Protective Services.

In her lawsuit, Kuzdale claims that when she and her baby were discharged from Childrens Hospital, it was with the requirement that CPS immediately conduct a home inspection.

I was so devastated, Kuzdale recalled. It was not even 45 minutes that I had been home, and they came to do this visit. I didnt know how it was going to go, but that made it just twice as hard to come home to that.

In mid-August 2020, Kuzdale had a hair follicle drug test performed at a lab in Buffalo, which gave no indication of opioid use in the prior 90 days, her lawsuit states.

She also obtained her medical records from Kaleida, which included her urine toxicology result form that mentioned in its footnotes that foods containing poppy seeds and/or their byproducts may produce a positive opiate result, the lawsuit states.

The CPS investigation continued for several weeks, until Kuzdale received a notice Sept. 19, 2020, that the report of suspected child abuse or maltreatment was unfounded, according to Kuzdales lawsuit.

Despite that finding, a record of the allegation against Kuzdale is retained by the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment for 10 years.

The effects of the experience lingered. For months afterward, Kuzdale slept in the same room as her new baby, fearful to leave her alone. Even today when she hears her doorbell ring, Kuzdale said she thinks its someone at the door who will try to take away her baby.

Here we are almost four years later, and I feel physically sick as I talk about it, and I cant even imagine the amount of other women who have gone through it, she said.
It was the movie scene that launched a million journalism careers. Remember that moment in 1976s All the Presidents Men when actor Hal Holbrook, as the mysterious Watergate source Deep Throat, meets Robert Redfords Bob Woodward in a dark Washington, D.C.-area parking garage and tells him what became the mantra of political reporting ever since?

Follow the money.

Nearly a half-century later, with democracy dying in sun-drenched broad daylight, the next generation of Woodwards and Carl Bernsteins doesnt need to pay $30 to park in some shady downtown lot and track down backroom quid pro quos. The Selling of the President 2024 is taking place under blinding Florida sunshine, in dubious dealings that get posted on Elon Musks X or  irony alert  TikTok for all the world to see.

Last week, the 45th president whos now the GOPs presumptive nominee to become the 47th, Donald Trump, surprised political observers  the ones who arent paying close attention, anyway  with a stunning flip-flop on a hot-button issue before Congress: whether to impose restrictions that could effectively ban the wildly popular TikTok app, ostensibly because its ownership by the Chinese firm ByteDance poses a national security risk.

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When he was president, Trump not only supported such a crackdown on TikTok but tried to implement one, only for the move to be struck down in the federal courts as an overreach of White House power. Five years later, a bill before Congress that would turn off the app in 165 days after the presidents signature if ByteDance fails to divest its ownership is racing toward passage with broad bipartisan support  or at least it was before the man who turned his political party into an authoritarian cult suddenly reversed course.

If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck  that would be TrumpSpeak for Facebooks billionaire founder Mark Zuckerberg  will double their business, the candidate posted on his own social media site, Truth Social. I dont want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better. They are a true Enemy of the People!

Whoa, what just happened here? Trumps concerns about profit margins at Facebook  which, for anyone whos forgotten the name Cambridge Analytica, helped elect Trump in 2016  are about as real as the tears in Katie Britts kitchen.

Instead, follow the money.

Just six days before Trump threw on his flip-flops and posted on Truth Social, he staged a very public rapprochement with the richest man in Pennsylvania and one of the wealthiest men in the world, Jeff Yass. A money manager based in Philadelphias western suburbs, Yass is worth an estimated $28 billion, and a huge chunk of that is from his personal stake in the large investment by his firm, Susquehanna Investment Group, in TikToks owner ByteDance.

Yass is also the largest campaign donor in the United States, investing politically in everything from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to the Texas Legislature. But his main vehicle has been a leveraged takeover of the conservative Club for Growth, to which hes given at least $61 million since 2010, including $10 million in July. Under Yass growing influence, the Club for Growths agenda had  until recently  included a) backing pro-TikTok lawmakers (surprise, surprise!) and b) joining other superrich conservatives in seeking an alternative to Trump.

The case of failed GOP White House hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy is a kind of John the Baptist-conversion tale here. Like Trump, Ramaswamy used to be one of TikToks fiercest critics, calling the addictive app digital fentanyl. Then, Yass donated a whopping $4.9 million to keep Ramaswamys now-aborted campaign afloat. After that, Ramaswamy joined TikTok and became its fiercest defender in the Republican Party  at least before last week.

 READ MORE: The question is no longer Donald Trumps criminality, but whether America will care | Will Bunch

On March 1, when Trump surprisingly appeared at a Club for Growth retreat in his adopted hometown of Palm Beach, Fla., he was already on the brink of sewing up the GOP nomination. Yass, whose career as a trader started with college dorm poker games, and who knows when to fold em, had invited Trump, who in return had warm words for his host. Quid (support for TikTok), meet quo (Club for Growths massive Yass-funded war chest).

The bizarre thing in writing this column is that I actually agree with Trump (!!) that this is a terrible piece of legislation that needs to die  albeit for totally different reasons. Im on the side of the American Civil Liberties Union and other civil libertarians, which believe there are better ways (such as long-stalled restrictions on all websites from selling your personal data) to address security concerns without this clear assault on the First Amendment  a slippery slope that will be abused beyond recognition if the media-hating Trump returns to the White House. I also wonder how many lawmakers are more offended about whats being said on TikTok  such as truth-telling about the ongoing slaughter of women and children in Gaza  than by the threat of Chinese spying. Im also more than irked at President Joe Biden for supporting the bill, not only because its bad policy but because he might lose to Trumps authoritarian nightmare if under-30 voters watch TikTok vanish from their screens this fall.

Those issues are critical, but not as urgent as the real crisis here, which can be called, with apologies to the late Inquirer journalist Joe McGinniss, The Selling of the President 2024. Simply put, alleged billionaire Trump faces a cash crunch, both political and personal, and thus a need for emoluments the likes of which the founders could never have anticipated. Like the narrator in Bruce Springsteens classic Johnny 99, Trump has debts no honest man could pay.

Trumps campaign and legal needs for dollars are hurtling downward faster than that down escalator at Trump Tower. Despite his nonstop pleas for small money donations, Trumps campaign ended January badly trailing Team Biden in cash on hand, with $30 million to Bidens $56 million. Trumps campaign and his network of so-called super PACs might be in a better place if the candidates indictment on 91 felony charges hadnt created the need to spend at least $50 million, and counting, on legal fees instead of yard signs or TV ads. Of course, Trump is also losing his civil cases, which has meant hes had to personally scramble to post $91.6 million for adjudicated rape victim E. Jean Carroll, and at least $450 million for his recent financial fraud verdict in New York.

Thus, the personal and political are scrambled as Trump increasingly spends his days among the worlds richest people and multinational corporations, hat in hand. The first example of how this could prove problematic came on Friday when Trump  facing a deadline to come up with $91.6 million as he appeals the Carroll verdict  posted a bond he obtained from Chubb Insurance. Trump likely put up collateral and paid it a 1% to 3% fee.

Chubb is a global powerhouse with political interests all over the world. At the time of Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the firm was a major insurer of Vladimir Putins regimes oil-and-gas infrastructure, including the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The firms current relationship with Russia isnt clear, but then, neither are the details of its arrangement with Trump. The only thing that is clear is that Chubb would have a satisfied customer in the Oval Office if Trump wins in November.

Trump has met with other billionaires as he pitches shares in his potential presidency like a Silicon Valley start-up marketing its IPO, including the richest man on the planet, Elon Musk. Two days after his Club for Growth soiree, Trump welcomed the electric car guru at Mar-a-Lago for a private meeting then leaked to the New York Times. What a tangled web. Musk overpaid $44 billion to buy Twitter and rebrand it as X, and so he also opposes the TikTok bill. But hes also a major government contractor through his firms such as SpaceX. Hes already echoing Trumps xenophobic diatribes on immigration. What else is he willing to do for Trump? And vice versa.

A presidency for sale to the highest bidder was the founders nightmare and the reason they wrote the emoluments clause of the Constitution. Like so much other lawbreaking, Trump normalized these violations in his first and hopefully last term, when his companies raked in at least $7.8 million from at least 20 foreign countries, mainly from (wait for it) China. But this is not normal, and we should be screaming bloody murder about it  especially with a looming second act that would be much, much worse. For sure, big money has put democracy on life support over the 14 years since the Citizens United v. FEC ruling. But Trumps emoluments are threatening to pull the plug.

Will Trumps billionaire pandering shape his potential policies as president? The TikTok flip-flop just showed you that its already happening. Its starting to look like Springsteens desperate Johnny 99, so named because of the nearly century-long prison sentence he was facing, was nothing compared with the coming tragedy of Donny 91.

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Comedian John Bishop was the first guest on Saturday nights Tommy Tiernan Show and he spoke about his upcoming stand-up tour of Ireland, including his plan to travel the Wild Atlantic Way by motorbike.

The Liverpudlian said the adventure is fuelled by a midlife crisis. I want to tour in a slightly different way, he said.

Im going to tour on a motorbike because Im having a midlife crisis on loads of levels. Im going to do the Wild Atlantic Way.

I've got this affinity with Ireland that I have always understood. I feel comfortable here.

Bishop also spoke about the Irish influences he sees in Liverpool, particularly in attitudes towards the British government and monarchy and how let down the people there feel.

I think the enhanced alienation has come from the fact that we've had the worst series of governments for decades, he said, adding: Liverpool is a city that's felt less and less part of the greater whole.

He said he understands why Liverpool fans may boo the British national anthem at matches but said he does not consider it the best tactic.

I think we're better than booing the national anthem. I think there's a better way of displaying it. Although when I was there, on Sunday I wasn't uncomfortable about it, but I totally, totally got it.

Tiernans next guest was Capuchin Franciscan priest-friar Brother Richard, who shared his experiences in Ireland.

He reflected upon life and death from his point of view as a former hospital chaplain and why he believes we have souls.

"There is no doubt in my mind after attending hundreds and hundreds of deathbeds that it is not just a stopping. Something leaves, he said.

There is no doubt in my mind from what I've seen and experienced that there is something that leaves in that moment.

Finally, Sean Nos dancer and community activist Edwina Guckian spoke with Tiernan about preserving Irish cultural heritage and her love of dance.

I am of the old school type of dancer and I dance for the craic and respond to music rather than performing for an audience, she said.

She also spoke about the effects of the 1935 Dance Hall Act which made it a legal requirement to have a dance license. She said this had a bad impact on communities.

People always gather together in the houses to party, Guckian said. The next generation were the generation that had were impacted by the dance hall act and were going to the dance halls to see Dickie Rock and we're doing that type of dance.

It's taken nearly a full generation, Im waiting for all those ones that I'm teaching now to grow up and people and sy, Well look what we have now.
After a winter barrage of award shows  the Emmys, the Golden Globes, the Grammys  the grandaddy of them all, the Academy Awards, is here.

The 96th Oscars may be a coronation for Oppenheimer, which comes in with a leading 13 nominations, though other films, including Barbie, Killers Of The Flower Moon and Poor Things are in the mix.

Here is everything you need to know about this years show.

When are the Oscars?

The Oscars will be held on Sunday March 10 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

An Oscar statue underneath the entrance to the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. File picture: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

How can I watch the Oscars in Ireland?

The award ceremony takes place on Sunday night from about 11pm. ITV, UTV, and YouTube will have live broadcasts of various parts of the awards. RTE2 will have a highlights show on Monday night.

Will there be any performances?

Yes, all the original song nominees will be performed on the show. That means Ryan Gosling will serenade everyone with Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatts Barbie power ballad Im Just Ken, and Billie Eilish will sing What Was I Made For, which she co-wrote with Finneas OConnell.

The other nominated songs include Diane Warrens The Fire Inside, from Flamin Hot, to be performed by Becky G, Jon Batiste and Dan Wilsons It Never Went Away from American Symphony, and Scott Georges Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People) from Killers Of The Flower Moon.

Who is presenting at the Oscars?

Last years big acting winners are all coming back to present at the show (a tradition), including Brendan Fraser, Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis.

The academy also announced that Scarface co-stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino will hand out awards as well  probably not together, however.

Other celebrities to grace the Dolby stage include Zendaya, Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Lange, Nicolas Cage, Mahershala Ali, Sam Rockwell and Luptia Nyongo. More names will be disclosed as show day gets closer.

Who is hosting the Oscars?

Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted last years ceremony, will emcee for the fourth time.

That ties him with fellow four-timers Whoopi Goldberg and Jack Lemmon, and leaves Kimmel trailing only Johnny Carson (five), Billy Crystal (nine) and Bob Hope (11) among repeat Oscar hosts.

Jimmy Kimmel hosting the awards in 2017. Picture: AMPAS/AdMedia Credit: Ampas/AdMedia/ZUMA Wire/Alamy Live News

I always dreamed of hosting the Oscars exactly four times, said Kimmel.

What is nominated for best picture?

The ten nominees for best picture are American Fiction, Anatomy Of A Fall, Barbie, The Holdovers, Killers Of The Flower Moon, Maestro, Oppenheimer, Past Lives, Poor Things and The Zone of Interest.

Who are the favourites?

Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer is the frontrunner. Nolan, the best director favourite, is also poised to win his first Oscar.

The best actress category could be a nail-biter between Lily Gladstone ( Killers Of The Flower Moon) and Emma Stone ( Poor Things). If Gladstone were to win, she would be the first Native American to win an Oscar.

Best actor, too, could be a close contest between Cillian Murphy ( Oppenheimer) and Paul Giamatti ( The Holdovers). Both would be first-time winners.

Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan, left, with the film's star, Cillian Murphy. Picture: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

Giamattis co-star DaVine Joy Randolph is favoured to win best-supporting actress, while Robert Downey Jr ( Oppenheimer) is expected to win best-supporting actor. His closest competition is considered Ryan Gosling for Barbie.

Whats up with the Barbie snubs?

While Barbie, 2023s biggest box-office hit, comes in with eight nominations, much discussion has revolved around the nominations the film did not receive.

Greta Gerwig was left out of the directing category and Margot Robbie missed out on best actress.

Ryan Gosling, left, Margot Robbie, centre, with director Greta Gerwig on the set of Barbie. Picture: Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP

In those omissions, some have seen reflections of the misogyny parodied in Barbie, while others have noted the tough reception comedies have historically had at the Oscars.

The nominations for Barbie include best-adapted screenplay (by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach), best supporting actress for America Ferrera and two best song nominees in Billie Eilishs What Was I Made For and the Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt composition Im Just Ken.

Are there any changes to the Oscars this year?

Though recent Oscars have been marked by everything from slaps, envelope snafus and controversies over which awards are presented live during the telecast, this years show comes in with no big changes, besides starting an hour earlier.

All of the awards are to be broadcast live, though honorary prizes remain separated in the earlier, untelevised Governors Awards. The academy is adding a new award for best casting, but that trophy will not be presented until the 2026 Oscars.

What else is there to look for?

Composer John Williams is nominated for his record 49th best-score Oscar, for Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny, and 54th overall.

Godzilla is going to the Oscars for the first time, with Godzilla Minus One, notching a nomination for best visual effects.

For the first time, two non-English language films are up for best picture  the German language Auschwitz drama The Zone Of Interest and the French courtroom drama Anatomy Of A Fall.
Davy Rusell has fallen at the final hurdle, being sent home just before the grand final of Dancing with the Stars next week.

The retired jockey and Youghal native had scored 27 earlier in the night for his Viennese Waltz - his highest score in the competition so far.

Judge Brian Redmond had said it was "the strongest" he'd seen the champion jockey all season, while head judge Loraine Barry had praised his characterisation.

You have come a long way, judge Arthur Gourounlian added, "I am so proud of you."

Jockey Davy Russell has missed out on a place in the Dancing with the Stars final

Prior to his first dance, the Corkman had told the Irish Examiner: I was never one for saying I was going to win this, that, or the other, but I would be very disappointed if for lack of effort I didnt get as far as I could get, he says.

So I would just put in so much effort into it and try not to leave anything behind. To be honest, Im giving it everything.

He faced Wild Youths David Whelan in the dance-off, who has traditionally been one of the top scorers in the competition. Tonight was no different, as he had scored a perfect score of 30 for his salsa earlier in the night (indeed, Brian had said he had his place in the final wrapped up already following the performance).

Wild Youth Frontman David Whelan scraped through to the final

As Davy left the competition, he received a standing ovation from the judges as well as the audience.

"It's been a pleasure to have you," presenter Jennifer Zamperelli said, while Doireann Garrihy became emotional calling him "a dote".

"I have to thank my wife and all the lads at home," Davy said, saying the kids would be "gutted" but it had been a "fantastic" journey.

"And Kylee," he said turning to his dance partner, "what can I say, she's a master of her trade!"

That means, this season's finalists are David Whelan, Laura Fox, Jason Smyth and Blu Hydrangea.

So how did the rest of the finalists get on?

It was very close this week, with Laura Fox's score of 26 still leaving her bottom of the leaderboard

Well, off the back of last weeks perfect score, Laura Fox had a very high bar to meet tonight with her American Smooth.

Arthur thought she met it, saying your posture, your character, I believed everything." Loraine said her heel-turn was immaculate and said the lifts were fantastic. But, unfortunately, judge Brian had some critiques.

Some of the ballroom sections I think just lacked a bit of finesse, he said. The last hurdle is this hurdle, youve done a fantastic job... but I am just a little bit fearful for you," he said, commenting that everyone was upping their game tonight.

She scored 26, including an 8 from Brian and two 9s, leaving her bottom of the leaderboard.

Paralympian Champion Jason Smyth earned his highest score to date

Jason Smyth took on a tango this week and scored 27, his highest score to date.

Brian said Jason made the tango look simple tonight. Those couples that have been ahead of you.. I think theyre looking at this and fearful," he said.

Loraine said timing is a very important part of this particular dance and Jason's was "spot on".

"Youve saved the very best for the semi-final," she said.

Ru Paul Drag Races Blu Hydrangea has scored a perfect 30 three weeks in a row

Blu Hydrangea closed the night with a Charleston to Witch Doctor by The Cartoons and earned a standing ovation from all three judges.

Arthur called it "epic".

"You are a perfectionist," he said, "and you know how to deliver."

"What an awesome Charleston," Brian said. "I was totally in it... your commitment to every movement, whether its the point of the finger, a facial expression... you've been doing that week after week after week," he said.

Loraine said it was "simply outstanding".

She scored full marks again, 30.

The final of Dancing with the Stars will air on RTE One, St Patrick's Day, at 6:30pm.
Soon after the defeat of the Gaelic chieftains at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601, Red Hugh ODonnell sailed to A Coruna in Spain with the promise that he would return to Ireland with a large army. Following the penitential route to Santiago de Compostela, he was lavishly welcomed as an honoured guest by the archbishop. Red Hugh never made it back to Ireland, but in continuing to Santiago, he was following in the footsteps of countless Irish pilgrims who, since the 12th century, had taken a similar route to the burial place of St James.

The three great pilgrim journeys of the medieval period were to Rome, Jerusalem, and Santiago. Of these, the Spanish city was the most easily accessible for Irish penitents. It is, however, a common belief that in making their way to the tomb of St James, penitents from Ireland walked through England and France. In general, this was not the case. Mostly they found passage on merchant ships plying the busy trade route to the Spanish coastal city of A Coruna having hiked from their home to Irish ports such as Dingle, Kinsale, Waterford, and Wexford. On arrival in Spain, they then walked the relatively-short distance to Santiago.

With the great re-awakening of pilgrimage to Spain in the late 20th century, the Cathedral of Santiago decreed that to obtain a Compostela (completion certificate for a penitential journey), a pilgrim had to walk at least 100 km on any route leading to the shrine of St James. This worked fine for most routes, but the A Coruna to Santiago path was just 75km. No Compostela could, therefore, be issued  with the result that the route declined in popularity.

A Coruna harbour. Picture: John G O'Dwyer

During 2016 the policy was changed. In a move that has diverted Camino spending to the Irish countryside, the Cathedral of Santiago agreed it would now count a pilgrim path walked in Ireland before arriving in Spain. The certificate for completing 25km on an Irish Pilgrim Path could now be taken to A Coruna and combined with a further 75km walk in Spain to receive the full Camino Compostela from the Santiago Pilgrim Office. In this regard, the Irish Camino Society has been designated to provide certification that the required walk has been undertaken.

Titled the Celtic Camino, and sometimes known as the 'Seafarers Route', the newly-revitalised path has proven particularly attractive to those with busy working lives: the Spanish section is a comfortable four-day walk, while the required pilgrimage in Ireland involves just a one-day outing.

If you wish to complete the Celtic Camino, you start with a pilgrim walk in Ireland. The recommended Celtic Camino routes include:

St Declans Way

St Finbarrs Pilgrim Path

St Kevins Way

Boyne Valley Camino

Bray Coastal Rout

the Kerry Camino

and

Tochar Phadraig

All these paths have a passport stamping system. This acts as convenient evidence of having completed the required Irish pilgrim walk.

Once you have completed the walk, you should bring or post the stamped pilgrim passport to the Camino Society information centre, at St James Street in Dublin. They will certify that you have walked a 25km route by issuing you with a Celtic Camino Compostela. In Santiago, you submit your stamped Pilgrim Passport for the A Coruna route along with your Celtic Camino Compostela and you will be granted a Camino de Santiago Compostela.

According to Michael Walsh of the Irish Camino Society, the Celtic Camino is proving a hit with pilgrims: I have walked it in its entirety and can see why it has become popular."

Church of Santiago, A Coruna. Walk startpoint Picture: John G O'Dwyer

The Celtic Camino starts at the Old Port of A Coruna, which is steeped in medieval history; then you leave the city and you are into unspoiled countryside, with the path marked extremely well. It is never boring, since there is a great variety of terrain, with the woodlands particularly attractive. What I found most attractive was, however, the idea of walking in the footsteps of Irish pilgrims and the connection this gave to our ancestors, commented Walsh.

Overall, I would say the Celtic Camino is a quieter route; an ideal contemplative experience for those wishing to escape the cares of 21st-century living. It is, however, less developed, so it is necessary to think it through in advance and plan ahead for the next day.

For information on the Celtic Camino visit caminosociety.com/celtic-camino or call to the information office, St James Church, James Street, Dublin; open Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Click here for information on pilgrim walks in Ireland. Ryanair and Aer Lingus fly direct from Dublin to Santiago. The best way to get from Santiago to A Coruna is by train. This takes about 30 minutes.

Pilgrim Paths in Ireland  A Guide by John G ODwyer, is available from gillbooks.ie
The second Sunday of March is among the busiest days of the year for phone calls and lunch plans in Ireland. A gargantuan amount of flowers are bought  flower sales are 7% higher for Mothers Day than Valentines Day  and total spending on Mothers Day gifts only seems to go up, year on year.

This year, that spending is expected to reach a record high: up from $35bn annually in 2023. These public showcases of affection are always welcomed and beautiful, but it is the quiet vignettes, and consistent tethering of one anothers lives that all mothers I know quietly revel in.

For Corks PJ Kirby and Kevin Twomey, hosts of the podcast Im Grand Mam, that relationship is more tethered, still. Their podcast  named for the reassuring texts they would send their mothers when they first moved to London  sees them share the stories of their daily life as two young Irish expats who also happen to be gay, all while knowing their mams are listening in and wondering.. what would mam think?

PJ Kirby with his mam Nuala Kirby, and Kevin Twomey with his mam Phil Twomey. Picture: Miki Barlok

Over the past five years, the pair have brought listeners along for the ride as they navigated relationships and break-ups, the tragic loss of Kevins father, PJs return home to Ireland and subsequent engagement to fiance Jose, and most recently, the arrival of Kevins niece. Throughout it all, two key figures, Nuala Kirby and Phil Twomey, have been there, as familiar to the listeners as PJ and Kevin themselves.

Kirby and Twomey and their mothers, Nuala and Phil, have always been close. Speaking to them over zoom, its remarkable to see how similarly each pair holds themselves, and how easily the laughs come throughout. Growing up in Cork, the two pairs have spent their lives connecting and re-connecting, even when the other feels far away; PJ and Kevin both left home to move to London, separately, in the two thousand and tens. Mothers Days, however, have always been celebrated.

My favourite is when everyone comes to the house, Nuala shares. A lot of them are away now, but they always treat me so well on Mothers Day.

Thats the best, Phil echoes. When everyone comes home and either we go out for lunch or we all make something here. Wed always have gone to Nanas too, and the kids wouldve made cards or brought flowers. (Top tip from former florist Nuala Kirby: thin bleach kills bacteria and helps your flowers last longer. The cheapest of the cheap bleach will do it.) But I cant pick out a favourite  theyve all been so good. Even when Kevin was abroad, I would always have gotten lovely cards sent over the week before.

You cant trust the British postal service, Kevin says. So I had to send them way early. His mother laughs, adding: Theyve all looked after me so well.

Kevin and Phil Twomey. Picture: Miki Barlok

At its core, Mothers Day is about gratitude. And about recognising the impact the maternal figure in our lives has hand on us.

I was actually only thinking this morning how much Ive turned into Nuala, PJ laughs. This morning she kept on saying sorry, and I was like why are you apologising for being alive? Only last week Jose [PJs fiance] said the same to me.

Myself and my mum have always been very close, Kevin interjects. And I do like to lean into that, because Irish mammies are so funny. From Phil I absolutely inherited being a grammar freak.

Yeah, remember yesterday where I said something wrong and you immediately said it back to me with the correction? PJ laughs.

Ah no, stop, that didnt happen, Kevin smiles, as his mother gently pats his left hand.

Its obvious that Kirby and Twomey adore their mothers, as well as each other, something thats growing more obvious as Kirbys wedding to photographer and fellow dancer Jose Galang inches closer.

We have a venue! PJ beams. And I just asked Kevin to be my best man so its very special. We all went the other day to view the place, myself, mam, Jose and my sister Elaine.

Phil Twomey, PJ Kirby, Nuala Kirby and Kevin Twomey. Picture: Miki Barlok

Becoming mothers has provided Phil and Nuala with what they describe as total joy and laughter. But, as mothers are so often blamed for any and all of their childs misgivings  from manners to criminal behaviour  rarely are they credited with their childs success. So, I ask them, what do they think they got right?

You actually can only do your best, right? Nuala shares, sagely. I think we go back to our own upbringing for this, and it definitely has rubbed off on them with manners in particular.

Each of mine will give up their seat on the bus, or help neighbours with bags or help anyone who is in trouble. I think its how we were brought up ourselves, and it does rub off on you in the end.

Its absolutely about respect, Phil agrees. And how they treat others. You know what I mean? I suppose Im also all about the grammar and vocabulary, too, but manners are everything really. Theyre all so respectful. But listen, those were different times, too. Did we have a lot of money?

No, very little. But we made do. And the point is, we werent going to pubs or restaurants. Maybe twice a year, that would be it with the kids. And as such, they really appreciated it when we did, which is great.

PJ and Nuala Kirby. Picture: Miki Barlok

In-person, all four of the people before me are smiling and generous, and loveable, if wry. Its clear that all the best of one generation has been passed onto the other. The best piece of advice I always got from mam, and also from my mams mam, was whats for you wont go by you, Kevin says.

And I know its the most thrown-away sentiment ever, and everyone has a version of it, but its always been said around here. Like when I dropped out of college, moved away  it always came back to that. Trusting in that, especially when I was living away, was always something that gave me a bit of comfort. And I really do believe in it in it.

Like, you know, if you fail at something, its not the end of the road because actually, youre meant to be doing something else.

And my nanny always used to sing Que Sera, Sera when we were going to bed, after we said our prayers, which has also really stuck with me.

In a similar vein, PJ says. My mam would always say that weve never died a winter yet. It sounds quite pessimistic but like, it would be said when we got a huge electricity bill out of nowhere, or whatever. And instead of losing our lives over it, she would be there reassuring us that wed get the money from somewhere, and not to worry.

And we were only talking about another one last night, about closing the windows and doors, because Dad would be roaring at you keeping them open saying you were trying to heat the street. So hope, and energy efficiency is what Im taking from her, really.

PJ Kirby and Kevin Twomey. Picture: Miki Barlok

This year, the groups plans for Mothers Day remain much the same, despite Kevins insistence for more. I really want to go for a spa day, but mam hates being touched, he laughs.

The Kirbys will be out for lunch, as per. I just sort of arrive down on the day and tell her to cancel her plans, PJ smiles as his mother nods. As for plans for the rest of the year  outside of stag and wedding planning  the two men before me plan to break their two-year hiatus from touring.

Weve no dates released yet, but were definitely, 100%, going on tour this year, Kevin says. Weve also just done a huge rebrand, with a photoshoot, even though PJ had conjunctivitis at the time, Kevin adds.

It put my vanity back in check, PJ laughs. It humbled me.

Yeah, its been over two years since weve done our shows and like, obviously doing the podcasts is amazing, but the live shows are really really fun, Kevin says. So we cant wait to get back to them.
Location

A prime site next to Temple Bar and within walking distance of many of the city centres main attractions including the Grafton Street and Henry Street, its a speedy stroll to The 3Olympia Theatre.

A handy six-minute walk from the nearest luas stop at Jervis, and despite being so close to one of the citys busiest tourist spots, the rooms are peaceful all night with heavy curtains that block all light and sound from the outside world.

9/10

Style & design

Irelands only Hard Rock Hotel is a merging of two heritage buildings, the old Exchange Buildings and the former Fashion House, linked by an indoor glass Rainbow Bridge. The striking, red brick facade of the former Exchange Buildings doesnt look out of place next to Temple Bar, but once you step inside the hotels branding really gets to work. Near the check-in desk one of Kurt Cobains sweaters is on display, while the hotels bar and restaurant Zampas showcases an electric guitar from Bray musician Hozier. Memorabilia is scattered throughout the hotel, from one of U2s old touring cases to cymbals from Rolling Stone Charlie Watts old kits.

8.5 /10

Service

The check-in experience is fast and pleasant, but neglects to provide some crucial information like when breakfast is served and when check-out is the following day. Dinner and breakfast service the next day is spot-on, with plenty of staff around.

7/10

Activities & amenities

The hotel has just launched Bring Your Own Vinyl nights with resident vibe manager Joe Ballance. A mine of information, Ballance is on hand after dark to give guests the experience of being inside the DJ booth.

A live band also performs for a portion of the night on the Thursday we stay. Something we didnt test out but know would be a draw for our musician friends is the novel free-to-use electric guitars and amps. Fender Strats and Jaguars are among the choices guests can borrow for a jam in their room.

Theres no pool or gym, but the hotel does offer yoga mats for Rock Om  yoga classes available on-demand on the TV in rooms.

8/10

Guest rooms

Silver Suite in Hard Rock Hotel, Dublin

Rooms are bright and colourful, with feature headboards. thick curtains, and distinctive cushions reminding you Dont Give Up Your Daydream. Our Superior Room with a queen bed felt very spacious for a city-centre hotel. Embroidered guitars feature on the pillowcases, with a cool Crosley turntable and vinyl selection a nice touch.

8/10

In-room perks

The lighting touchpad beside the bed is most welcome, plunging the room into darkness when required and banishing the how do I turn off that lamp? game we so often end up playing begrudgingly in other hotels at bed time. Here, one simple master off button switches everything off.

Toiletries are supplied with Hard Rock branding and theres the usual Nespresso-style coffee machine with pods plus a selection of Bewleys teas and instant coffee. Water comes in glass bottles.

6/10

On the menu

Private dining area in Hard Rock Hotel, Dublin

Dinner at the Peruvian-inspired Zampas is a highlight of the stay. Papa Rellena  potato stuffed with spiced beef cheek and chilli cream with a fried egg and salsa criolla  is a delicious starter. Striploin with garlic butter, hand cut chips that taste triple fried and braised pink onion is good, tasting flame-grilled and succulent. House cocktails also impress.

Breakfast is a fresh continental spread including fruit, cereals and seeds, a variety of breads, cold meats and cheeses, mini pastries and more. A hot food menu includes the full Irish along with classics like avocado on toast. We choose French toast which is smothered in maple syrup and overly sweet for our tastes. Wed ask for the syrup on the side again.

8.5/10

Value for money

Cant Stop the Spring offer starts at 170 for a double or twin midweek including breakfast and a cocktail in Zampas.

Room to improve? The check-in service could provide more details for guests.

Access for guests with disabilities? Front desk, Zampas and specially fitted rooms are wheelchair accessible.

Family-friendly? Yes

Dogs welcome? No

The Hotel Examiner was a guest of Hard Rock Hotel Dublin.
Nicola Higgins and her family are living in limbo as they anxiously await a double-lung transplant for baby Nickey.

The Cork woman gave birth to her seventh child last May but it wasn't until two months ago she was able to bring her now 10-month-old home.

Having previously had six children with no issues, Ms Higgins, who is originally from Aghada, had no reason to suspect there was anything different about this pregnancy.

That all changed when she went for her 20-week scan, which identified Nickey had a cleft lip which can be an indicator of other health issues.

He was then screened for Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and Pataus syndrome. Although at this time, he tested negative for Down syndrome, he was diagnosed with it post-birth.

Nickey's journey

Less than two months after the scan  on May 3, 2023  Nickey was born via emergency C-section weighing just 985 grams.

Having been born at 27 weeks, Nickey was brought straight to ICU and Ms Higgins did not get to see her son until the early hours of the following day.

Although he was breathing unaided for the first two minutes of his life, doctors had to intubate him for seven days.

"Nickey was born with a lot of things. He was born with chronic lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary stenosis, hypothyroidism, the cleft lip and palate, an atrial septal defect in his heart in between the two chambers," Ms Higgins explained.

Little Warior: On more than one occasion, Nickey has proved his doctors and specialists wrong

When he was born, he had a grade two bleed to the brain, something Ms Higgins and her partner, Nickey Sr, were not aware of until he had been transferred to Crumlin children's hospital on July 25 and they met with his team of doctors.

The health issues seemed to be coming in waves, when they would get their heads around one thing, the next wasn't far off.

At two weeks old, Nickey contracted covid-19 while in intensive care and was put into isolation for four weeks.

"We nearly lost him," said Ms Higgins, noting there have been at least three occasions when they felt as though baby Nickey would not pull through.

While in Crumlin, Ms Higgins said Nickey got aspiration pneumonia and once again, they feared they would lose their baby boy.

Nickey had been due to go home at the end of August but due to this setback, he remained in Crumlin hospital until January of this year.

The aspiration pneumonia also resulted in Nickey being put on oxygen 24/7.

Transplant

Nicola and Nickey Higgins from with their sons Dylan 4, Joseph, 2 and baby Nickey, nine months. Picture: Moya Nolan

Currently, Nickey is on the list to receive a double-lung transplant and is considered a 'red alert' patient.

The transplant would address the most serious issues the boy faces  chronic lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary stenosis.

In a matter of weeks, they would be able to take Nickey off oxygen and his quality of life would dramatically improve.

An air ambulance will be on standby to pick up Nickey to immediately bring him to Birmingham once they receive the call that donor lungs are available.

"If he doesn't get it, I will be lucky to see Nickey at two years of age above ground," said Ms Higgins.

The family are all trained in CPR, with the knowledge that should something happen, a quick response is vital to Nickey's wellbeing.

They also know if Nickey's condition worsens, there may not be much that can be done.

"It's on his discharge papers. If he deteriorates, he is only for resuscitation. They won't intervene."

'Our little warrior'

He may be small but Nickey has proved that he is stronger than many expect.

Nickey faces daily struggles due to his various health issues but he is a very happy child.

On more than one occasion, he has proved his doctors and specialists wrong.

"He has a title, our little warrior. He has beaten the odds of the doctors. They were even afraid to put a PEG in his belly because they didn't think he would wake up."

Ms Higgins recalls a Sunday in the hospital when a doctor came to Nickey's room and told her her baby had three weeks left to live.

We were told to bring him home for palliative care and we were not taking palliative care because we knew he doesn't need that.

"Every day we went to Dublin, it was fight, fight, fight. And just to hear 'oh, bring him home for palliative care', no."

Nickey faces daily struggles due to his various health issues but he is a very happy child.

"He loves a cuddle and he loves the chats. He'll look straight up into your face and chat away to you," his mother said.

"The other day in Crumlin, I think he knew the professor because when he walked in Nickey just started giving out to him straight away."

His six siblings dote on him and always look out for him, even his two-year-old and four-year-old brothers.

"As soon as he sees them in the morning the arms are going up looking for a cuddle."

Isolation

Having a large family has been a help in the months since Nickey was born, with all of the children pitching in to help.

The two eldest even gave up full-time jobs to help look after their baby brother.

But the constant worry and stress take their toll on everybody.

Nicholas has his mother to lean on and in the evenings, when the children have gone to bed, Ms Higgins rings her mother in Cork or her sisters.

The extended family has never spent time with Nickey except when he was in the hospital. He was christened in the hospital with just his parents and the chaplain in attendance.

Nine-month-old Nickey Higgins. Picture: Moya Nolan

"I'm at home 24 hours, seven days a week, you might as well say," she said.

Any small cold or cough could be detrimental to Nickey so the family does not have people over to the house.

There is little support to be found as they play the waiting game to see if and when Nickey gets his transplant.

Perhaps it is no surprise to learn that Ms Higgins has at times entered into a negative place mentally.

"I'm going home and I'm saying, what have I done wrong? What have I done for baby Nickey to be like this?"

It has been a hard year for the family and, as Ms Higgins said, they are just getting by with what they have.

Fundraising

On top of worrying about baby Nickey, finances have become another stress factor for the family.

A specific chair that would help with Nickey's additional needs has been recommended by his occupational therapist but it is something people can wait years for and by the time they get it their child has outgrown it.

The chair and any accessories it requires will cost a few thousand euros and that is just one of the expenses arising from Nickey's complex needs.

Family and friends have rallied around and one well-known Cork man was straight on the case once he heard about baby Nickey's situation.

Mark O'Sullivan, aka Fanta, got in touch with Ms Higgins' mother when she had shared a post about Nickey on her social media.

When he was caught up on the situation, Fanta  as he has done countless times before  set about organising a fundraiser.

An Abba night will held at the Midleton Park Hotel on June 8, with tickets going on sale in a couple of weeks.

The family has also set up a GoFundMe page 'Support Nickey Junior with his Journey'. Anyone who would like to donate to help Nickey can do so here.

Other fundraisers are in the works but for now, it's a case of "sit and wait, hope and pray".
Man faces nearly a dozen charges after search warrant is executed

A Buffalo man faces nearly a dozen drug and gun charges after a search warrant was executed last week at a residence on St. Joseph Avenue, near Bailey and Walden avenues, the Buffalo Police Department reported Sunday.

Jerome Hargrave, 71, has been charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, five misdemeanor drug charges and a public health law violation for a controlled substance not in its original container.

According to the report, a loaded pistol, a loaded rifle and about 27 grams of suspected fentanyl were found during the search, along with a Glock magazine with 14-round capacity, ammunition, pills and drug paraphernalia.

The warrant was executed Wednesday, the report said, by officers from the Ferry Fillmore District, the Buffalo Police Intelligence Unit, the Buffalo Police SWAT Team, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

 Dale Anderson
A couple whose baby died in Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) nearly two years ago are backing calls for a commission of inquiry into avoidable baby deaths at the country's maternity hospitals.

Baby Elijah OSullivan died on May 6, 2022, a day after his mother Rachel Harrington presented to the hospitals emergency department.

An inquest into his death on Thursday at Cork City Coroners Court heard that several opportunities to save the baby boy's life were missed.

The Douglas couple, who are now suing the hospital, say the first time anybody from CUMH apologised to them was at Elijahs inquest, when a barrister read a brief apology out on behalf of CUMH.

They are now backing calls for a commission of investigation into avoidable mother and baby deaths and injuries.

Research conducted by the Irish Examiner estimates there have been at least 42 avoidable hospital baby deaths since 2013.

Ms Harrington, 27, said: We 100% back the calls for a Commission of Investigation.

People often talk about hospital beds. But although that is a big issue, there's babies dying consistently around the country in hospitals, and that's just not good enough.

It is life or death and we need to do something about it before more families experience this.

Elijah OSullivan died on May 6, 2022 a day after his mother Rachel Harrington presented to the hospitals emergency department.

It was the second time she had gone to the ED because her son had either stopped moving or was showing reduced movement, Cork City Coroners Court heard.

Although she was kept in overnight and regularly monitored, a cardiotocography (CTG) of her baby's heart rate was later found to have been misinterpreted by one or more maternity staff.

In addition to being wrongly interpreted as normal instead of pathological, indicating a potential need for immediate intervention, such as a Caesarean Section, the CTG was also stopped.

Ms Harringtons CUMH Consultant Dr Matt Hewitt told the inquest the CTG should not have been stopped.

In giving his verdict of medical misadventure, Cork City Coroner Philip Comyn said: The fact that the CTG was misinterpreted meant the opportunity was lost for intervention that may well have saved his life.

Before evidence was heard at the inquest, CUMHs barrister Caoimhe Daly said the hospital admits there were missed opportunities and was truly sorry to Elijahs family for what had happened. Ms Harrington said:

That was the first time since Elijah had died that we have received any apology from the hospital, or any acknowledgement, or sympathies or anything, Its been very disappointing.

We've had very little engagement. They haven't asked us for direct input into the review and we weren't even led to believe that there was a review.

I had contacted CUMH asking for some updates and involvement, and I heard nothing back until (the day of the inquest).

Mr OSullivan added: We were also told that this Inquest is something that we don't need legal representation for.

But we feel that if we didn't have it (at the inquest) that we would have been like a deer in the headlights, that we maybe wouldn't have got the right verdict.

A spokesperson for CUMH said: Cork University Maternity Hospital cannot comment on individual cases.
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Gardai are appealing for the public's help in finding a missing Dublin teenager.

Lorcan Meehan, 16, was last seen at 2pm on Thursday on Sundrive Road in Dublin 12.

He is said to be five foot eight inches in height with a thin build, blond hair and blue eyes.

When last seen, Lorcan was wearing a dark blue jacket, grey tracksuit bottoms and black runners.

Gardai and Lorcan's family say that they are concerned for his welfare.

Anyone with any information on Lorcan's whereabouts is asked to contact Sundrive Road Garda Station on 01 6666600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Cork and Kerry have been issued with a 24-hour weather warning for Monday through to Tuesday.

Spells of heavy will fall across the two Munster counties from 3pm on Monday afternoon through to Tuesday, with Met Eireann issuing the status yellow warning on Sunday evening.

It says: "Spells of rain Monday and Tuesday coupled with high tides and onshore winds. "Possible impacts include wave overtopping and localised flooding." The overall forecast does not make for good reading. Monday will be mostly cloudy to start, but rain and drizzle will break out in some places. Met Eireann's prediction continues: "Through the afternoon some brighter and drier weather will develop but along with a few showers, some possibly heavy. "By evening time a band of rain will move into the southwest. "Highest temperatures of 7 to 11C with light southwest or variable breezes. "Once again, coastal flooding is possible due to unusually high tides." Read More Gardai concerned for welfare of missing Dublin teenager
Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney does not expect the defeat of the Government in Friday's referenda to carry over into this year's local and European elections.

Mr Coveney made the comments as Fine Gael unveiled its selections for Ireland South  sitting MEP Sean Kelly and Cork businessman and entrepreneur John Mullins.

In Clonmel, Mr Coveney noted that there was "disappointment" at the results of the referenda, which were both rejected heavily.

He said: "Obviously, it's important to accept the result, this was a very clear rejection. I think we need to seriously assess what happened and fully understand why people voted the way they did.

"The issues here were particular proposals to amend the Constitution. This isn't the first time a referendum has been lost, there have been 11.

"It doesn't necessarily carry over into local elections, European elections, and general elections.

"The electorate are sophisticated enough to make decisions on proposals and they said no."

On the choice of candidates for June's elections, Mr Coveney said: "Im absolutely delighted that Sean and John have emerged as our candidates today and have no doubt they will make a very positive impact together. Its vital now that they get on with the business of winning two seats for Fine Gael in Ireland South this June.

The last five years have shown how vital Fine Gaels MEPs have been on the European stage, protecting our national interest through Brexit and covid, while also standing up for the right thing on the global stage, such as our position on Russias war in Ukraine."

'Honoured'

Mr Mullins said: "I am honoured to be selected by the Fine Gael membership of Ireland South to run as a candidate for the European elections in June. I am intent on giving this campaign my full energy and I am also intent on ensuring that we hold on to our two seats in Europe."

Mr Kelly added: "The forthcoming European election is set to be critically important for Fine Gael, for Ireland, and for Europe as a whole. It is vital that we continue to position ourselves at the forefront of EU decision-making and ensure the EU delivers for Irish citizens.
Freddie Scappaticci was not hauled in for interrogation by the IRA when he was suspected of being an informer.

This was in 1990, after the RUC raided a house where the Provos were holding another suspected informer, Sandy Lynch. Scappaticci had been interrogating Lynch at the house as part of the IRAs internal security unit, even though he was a British agent himself.

After he left, the police raided the house and rescued Lynch. A fingerprint belonging to Scappaticci was found at the house, but he was never prosecuted. Some in the Belfast provos put two and two together.

They werent the only ones with suspicions.

The South Armagh provos had long wanted nothing to do with Scappaticci, according to Richard ORawe, a former IRA man who authored the book Stakeknife's Dirty War. They didnt trust him.

So for some, it was no big surprise that maybe Scappaticci could be a tout. Despite that, he was not subjected to the appalling treatment visited on others who fell into that category, as documented in the Kenova Report published last Friday. Kenova doesnt name Scappaticci as Stakeknife, the security forces highest-placed agent in the IRA during the Troubles, but thats a mere formality.

Moral code

There had long been a code within the so-called Republican movement concerning informers.

PIRAs response to those who were supposed to have informed against it was torture and murder, Jon Boucher, who headed up Kenova, wrote in the report. Statements from republican leaders supported these actions.

The report references the occasion when Gerry Adams said at a news conference held close to the family home of a man murdered for allegedly being an agent that he, like anyone else living in West Belfast, [knew] that the consequences for informing is death".

Solicitor Kevin Winters, at the offices of KRW Law in Belfast, speaking to the media on behalf of his clients following the publication of the Operation Kenova Interim Report. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Martin McGuinness told the BBC journalist Peter Taylor that if Republican activists go over to the other side, then they more than anyone else are absolutely and totally aware what the penalty for doing that is".

Taylor asked if this meant death. Death, certainly, McGuinness replied.

So went the moral code in the Provisional IRA. And as the organisation styled itself as some form of socialist freedom fighting outfit, the code would have to apply from the top to bottom or it meant nothing. Yet for some reason, it didnt apply to Scappaticci.

He, more than anyone, knew the code, because he enforced it as the main man in the Provos Internal Security Unit (ISU), designed to root out and punish informers. In that guise, he was responsible for at least a dozen murders, according to Kenova, and possibly over 30, according to Richard ORawe.

He had a fearsome reputation as a torturer. Apart from that, some of those whom he tortured and murdered were not informers at all.

The motivation that some people were agents was often linked to PIRA hierarchal disputes, clashes over PIRA criminal activities and, on occasion, even intended to eliminate partners for those involved in extra-marital relationships, Kenova reports.

The moral code in these instances was nothing more than a convenient cover for mafiosi-style murders. Once Scappaticci had broken his victims, whether or not they were actually were agents, he had confessions recorded.

The audio and written statements of some ISU victims in which they apparently admit assisting the security forces should be disregarded, according to the report.

These people were under extreme duress, suffering physical mistreatment and torture to extract confessions. The ISU made some false promises that, should they confess to assisting the security forces, it would stop mistreating them. No one should be in any doubt that these crimes amount to some of the worst in the conflict.

Freddie Scappaticci arriving to an office on the Falls Road to give a statement to the media after newspapers exposed him as codename 'Stakeknife' the British Army's top mole inside the IRA. Picture: Justin Kernoghan

Yet, when Scappaticci himself came under suspicion, he was not hauled in for torture and probably dispatch. His role was such that, if he was a British agent, he would have done the most severe damage to the Provos. But instead of torturing the truth out of him, and shooting him if he was found to be guilty, Scappaticci was simply eased out of the organisation where he could do no further damage.

Had the IRA handed him the designated fate of informers, there would have been hell to pay in their own community. The idea that the man who had tortured and murdered all these people, often under a bogus premise and on behalf of the IRA, was a tout himself would have smashed credibility in the enclaves where the Provos writ ran. It was too much to bear, so they simply dumped the moral code and let him walk.

The case of Caroline Moreland

The moral code on informers was back in full force a few years later when a 34-year-old mother-of-three, Caroline Moreland, came under suspicion.

She had allowed her home to be used for IRA meetings. In July 1994, she was turned by the British after they found an armalite on the premises. She was told to co-operate or she would be spending a long time in prison and her children would go into care. A month later, the IRA suspected she was a tout. She was abducted and held for 15 days while her fate was decided. This was a month before the IRA ceasefire, and plans were in train for a cessation of violence.

With the end so near, they could have allowed this woman, who had been used mercilessly by the British, to just go home.

However, according to veteran journalist Ed Moloney, somebody on the army council decided she had to die, in order to send a message to the hard men in the organisation that despite the pending ceasefire, those in charge were not going soft. She was shot dead and her body dumped near the border in Fermanagh.

Nothing crystallises the wickedness of the IRA more than this appalling killing, ORawe writes in his book. The moral code, suspended when expedient in the case of Scappaticci, was ruthlessly enforced here, a young mother nothing more than a pawn in the hands of these self-styled freedom fighters.

People as pawns

The British werent much better.

Scappaticci is reputed to have warned his handlers on a number of occasions that an informer was about to be shot, but nothing was done. These murders were or could have been the subject of advance intelligence and so could have been foreseen and prevented", Kenova points out.

Some of these people were murdered under a false premise that they had been co-operating with the British.

Others were agents and had, for different reasons and under different pressures, informed on the IRA, provided a service to the British state and possibly saved lives. Yet they were expendable and allowed to be carried off to their deaths. For the big boys in the security services and the IRA, all of these people were just pawns. Whether they were foot soldiers in the conflict or the totally innocent, it didnt matter. Their lives were considered the cheap price to get one-up on the other side.

And what was it all for? Last month, on The Late Late Show, Patrick Kiely broached this subject with his interviewee, Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill. Kieltys father was murdered by loyalists when he was 16.

I know theres a lot of families, mine included, who think that people died for nothing, he said.

ONeill gave the stock Sinn Fein response about all victims and conflict is awful. Yet the more we learn about what went on, the more difficult it becomes to escape the awful conclusion that Kieltys observation is horribly accurate.
I expected a yes/no result.

I suspect the first no is a protest vote against government.

Another part of me is nervous that a regressive force is strengthening in our beautiful country. The boulder many of us are trying to push up that hill  well, it feels like it just slipped back down a bit. The far right is certainly celebrating today.

Whatever the truth of it, Im shocked that friends of mine who have decided not to marry or who live as single parents remain unrecognised in our constitution. They deserve better.

If Im shocked by the first no vote, Im saddened by the second, the article that keeps the reference to a womans place in the home. Its a truthful representation of where we are as a country, but Im embarrassed that it is in our constitution.

I thought about the suffragettes as I walked to vote. Not too long ago, women had no vote; they couldnt be members of public boards or local authorities; their education was considered unnecessary; and upon marriage, their property became their husbands property.

The first suffrage association in Dublin was founded by Anna Maria Haslam, a middle-class Quaker from Cork. Alongside her husband Thomas, she worked to secure equal voting rights for women. As I dropped my ballot into the box, I thanked them hoping that my children, two girls and a boy, would be waking up soon, with nothing constitutionally presumed of them by virtue of their biological sex.

It was not to be.

But the saddest part of this second half of the referendum was how allyship broke down. I was accused me of being an ableist, white, privileged, feminist for voting yes. I countered that Im also a family carer of two disabled parents.

What bothered me most was the assumption that I wouldnt vote on behalf of other people.

Many people vote on behalf of other people. I want better for disabled people, as well as my own family. I want better for children with complex needs. I empathise with people whose realities are not my own.

White, privileged, able-bodied women are not inherently bad because of their whiteness, their privilege, or their physicality. Indeed, some such people historically pushed progress for the rest of us. Women like Ann Maria Fischer, and Hannah Sheehy Skeffington fought for us all, not just themselves. Their privilege didnt make them better than poorer women, obviously not. It did afford them the freedom and the time to fight.

None of us is one thing. Many of us who voted yes to care, to remove sexist language, are carers and have been cared for, and are also disabled.

I understand people who voted no to the care amendment because they felt the wording didnt go far enough or that it gave expression to the states mistreatment of people with disabilities.

But I never heard anyone explain how a no vote could do anything positive. I waited weeks. I never heard it.

The injustices experienced by people like Senator Tom Clonan are injustices of the status quo. He understandably fears expression in the constitution based on his reading of the word strive. As a family carer, I chose to read the word differently. I also chose to welcome constitutional recognition of non-gendered care. I saw it, perhaps foolishly, as a hope for an Ireland wherein gender wont determine anyones duties.

Neither of us can know how the new article might have played out.

A yes vote offered at least a glimmer of hope for change, not in itself, but in what might have followed. As Rossa Fanning, the Attorney General, advised the government, the word strive could have had significant financial implications for the state. It could have created real potential for a significant volume of litigation. As the Yes to Care campaign said all along, the change would do no harm, and could have brought positive change. Maybe Rossa Fanning was overstating it. We will never know.

What do we know?

We know, or at least give lip service to the idea, that the reference to women in the home is sexist. It has been tested. We know for definite, with absolute certainty, that the state has never endeavoured to help women in real, legal terms. It is a sexist lie. We have chosen to keep it.

I accept that, but I refuse to accept being called ableist for voting yes. I believed people could push for real change through legislation, on the back of a yes vote and with a recognition of care. I hoped to make the word strive work for us in a meaningful way.

But I was in the minority and I respect and accept that too.

I will back the people who voted no in the second half of the referendum for genuine and not sexist reasons. We wanted the same thing  we just disagreed about how best to get there. Im disappointed that it got ugly. I celebrate any constitutional or legislative win for people with disabilities.

But I cant celebrate this. I still want equal recognition of my son, and my daughters, in our constitution. I still, against the tide, care about that.

I still want to get somewhere better. I think most of us do, or at least  here comes that word again, and a little less certainly now than last week  I hope we do.
The Irish people have spoken. My principal emotion is one of relief. The great Irish public have thoroughly rejected the wording of Article 42.B on care in the family as drafted and proposed by the Government.

Had it passed, it would have been catastrophic for citizens with disabilities and carers.

It had been very carefully worded and edited to give constitutional expression to the conservative ideological position that care for citizens with disabilities  by way of disability, neurodiversity, acquired brain injury, or accident  is the primary and exclusive responsibility of family members.

The wording chosen by the Government was inherently Thatcherite in its formulation and ideological position.

In an infamous 1987 interview, No Such Thing as Society, Margaret Thatcher infamously complained of state supports for citizens as an inherent evil.

She said: "'I am homeless, the government must house me and so they are casting their problems on society and who is society? There is no such thing.

"There are individual men and women and there are families and no government can do anything except through people and people look to themselves first."

With specific regard to family, Thatcher spoke of the ties that bind them or the duty or burden of care that Tories believe exist within families.

The wording of 42.B contained a similar formula of words by the bonds that exist between them in asserting in Bunreacht na hEireann  that families, not the State, are primarily responsible for care.

In choosing the word strive in regard to state support for care, the Government fell short of a commitment to state supports for carers and citizens with disabilities.

The Government chose this non-justiciable and non-binding word to indemnify the State from the legal and financial obligation to support disabled citizens to live autonomous, independent lives  apart from birth family and fully participating in the social, cultural, and economic life of this republic.

In terms of words, it is a carefully coded ableist prescription for apartheid for citizens with disabilities.

Citizens with disabilities  any citizen with additional needs  would be seen as the responsibility of hard-pressed families  to live out their lives in the back rooms and converted garages of homes or nursing homes all over Ireland.

Ireland is an outlier in this regard. We are the only jurisdiction in the EU where citizens with disabilities do not have the legal right to care supports, personal assistants, therapies, medical interventions or timely surgeries.

Had this care amendment passed  it would have enshrined this inequality in the primary legal text of the nation.

It would have been in direct contradiction to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities  UNCRPD  specifically Article 19 which articulates the inalienable right of citizens with disabilities to independent, autonomous lives in the community.

Citizens with disabilities in Ireland face abject discrimination and appalling outcomes on every measure of quality of life  from homelessness to poverty, to suboptimal medical outcomes  languishing and deteriorating on hospital waiting lists.

As a category of citizen they experience intersectional cruelty and disadvantage in ways that are brutal, life altering and life-limiting.

They are the most vulnerable category of citizen in Ireland  consistently failed by a post-colonial, post-Catholic state that sees them as having less human value than other citizens.

This has been my experience as a carer and father of a beautiful 22-year-old man. Disabled by a state that wished to enshrine inequality into our constitution.

No other category of citizen in Ireland is so proactively discriminated against so savagely and routinely.

We would not tolerate such discrimination against our LGBTQI community.

Nor would we tolerate such treatment of women or Irish citizens on the basis of ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion.

The Irish state does not tolerate explicit and comprehensive discrimination against any other category of citizen, however, it perpetuates the abject circumstances of citizens with disabilities and carers.

One of the most deeply disturbing features of the recent debates on the Care Referendum has been the absolute contempt with which government, political parties  and shamefully, state funded NGOs, many of whom purport to represent the interests of disabled citizens and carers  have shown to the rights of disabled citizens. They, along with many so-called progressive opinion leaders, talking heads and spokespersons  have been happy to subordinate the rights of disabled citizens by endorsing the failed wording, to the detriment of an entire category of citizen. This ableism needs to be called out for what it is  an ugly, wilful ignorance  as despicable as sexism, racism or homophobia.

The Irish people however have spoken.

By rejecting the care referendum, more than a million Irish citizens have demanded a just and equal society for citizens with disabilities and carers.

And hopefully this is an inflection point where finally  the Irish Republic will finally come to its senses and vindicate the rights of disabled citizens.

For my part, I will continue to publish and introduce legislation that vindicates the inalienable human rights of citizens with disabilities.

I will be asking my fellow legislators  of all parties and none  to support my Disability Rights Bill of 2023.

I will also publish a Disability Care Bill (2024) in the coming weeks that will give citizens with disabilities the legal right to care supports based on a progressive social model.

My fellow senators and TDs may now realise that there are political consequences for reneging on the rights of citizens with disabilities and carers.

I will also be urging the Government  in whatever time is left to it  to immediately and fully ratify the UNCRPD and all of its protocols.
US President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump warned of dire consequences for the country if the other wins another term in the White House as the pair held rallies in Georgia.

The pair are fresh off strong wins in Super Tuesday contests that positioned them for an all-but-certain rematch this November.

The state of Georgia was a pivotal 2020 battleground  so close four years ago that Mr Trump finds himself indicted here for his push to find 11,780 votes and overturn Mr Bidens victory  and both parties are preparing for another closely contested race in the state this year.

Mr Biden opened his speech at a rally in Atlanta, noting that Mr Trump was across the state with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, the firebrand legislator who has gone from the fringes of her party to the fore.

President Joe Biden waves to supporters after speaking at a campaign event in Atlanta (Brynn Anderson/AP)

It can tell you a lot about a person who he keeps company with, Mr Biden said to applause.

Mr Biden noted that Mr Trump had hosted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban  who has rolled back democracy in his country  at his Florida club the day before.

When he says he wants to be a dictator, I believe him, Mr Biden said of Mr Trump.

Our freedoms are literally on the ballot this November.

Mr Biden hosted the rally at Pullman Yards, a 27-acre arts and entertainment venue in Atlanta that was formerly an industrial site, to receive the endorsement of Collective PAC, Latino Victory Fund and AAPI Victory Fund, a trio of political groups representing, respectively, black, Latino, and Asian Americans and Pacific Island voters.

The groups announced a 30 million dollar (23.3 million) commitment to mobilise voters for Mr Biden.

Mr Trump, meanwhile, is expected to hammer Mr Biden on the border and blame him for the death of 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley last month.

An immigrant from Venezuela who entered the US illegally has been arrested and charged with her murder.

Republican presidential candidate former president Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally in Rome, Georgia (Mike Stewart/AP)

He hosted Ms Rileys family at his rally in Rome, Ms Greenes home town.

What Joe Biden has done on our border is a crime against humanity, Mr Trump was set to say.

Ahead of his rally, Mr Biden expressed regret for using the term illegal during his State of the Union address to describe Ms Rileys suspected killer, drawing more criticism from Mr Trumps team.

Mr Trumps rally opened with a message asking attendees to rise to support the hundreds of people serving jail time for their roles in the January 6 Capitol insurrection, when thousands of pro-Trump supporters tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election by halting the counting of Electoral College votes.

The intensity of the rhetoric presaged a gruelling eight months of campaigning ahead in the state.

Were a true battleground state now, said US Representative Nikema Williams, an Atlanta Democrat who doubles as state party chairwoman.

Once a Republican stronghold, Georgia is now so competitive that neither party can agree on how to describe todays divide.

A 52-48 state, said Republican governor Brian Kemp, whose party controls state government.

Were not blue, were not red, Ms Williams countered, but periwinkle, a claim she supports with Mr Bidens 2020 win and the two Democratic senators, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, Georgia, sent to Washington.
Ukrainian and allied officials have criticised Pope Francis for saying Kyiv should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, a statement many interpreted as a call on Ukraine to surrender.

The foreign minister of Poland, a vocal ally of Kyiv, and Ukraines ambassador to the Vatican both used Second World War analogies to condemn the popes remarks, while a leader of one of Ukraines Christian churches said on Sunday that only the countrys determined resistance to Russias aggression had prevented a mass slaughter of civilians.

In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI and partially released on Saturday, Francis used the phrase the courage of the white flag as he argued that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should be open to peace talks brokered by international powers.

How about, for balance, encouraging (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski responded with a post on X, formerly Twitter.

In a separate post, Mr Sikorski drew parallels between those calling for negotiations while denying (Ukraine) the means to defend itself and European leaders appeasement of Adolf Hitler just before the Second World War.

Andrii Yurash, Ukraines ambassador to the Holy See, said it is necessary to learn lessons from that conflict. His post on X appeared to compare the popes comments to calls for talking with Hitler while raising a white flag to satisfy him.

A Vatican spokesman later clarified that the pope supported a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations, rather than an outright Ukrainian surrender.

Matteo Bruni said the journalist interviewing Francis used the term white flag in the question that prompted the controversial remarks.

I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates, Francis said, when asked to weigh in on the debate between those who say Ukraine should agree to peace talks and those who argue that any negotiations would legitimise Moscows aggression.

Kyiv remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said multiple times that the initiative in peace negotiations must come from the country that has been invaded.

Throughout the war, Francis has tried to maintain the Vaticans traditional diplomatic neutrality, but that has often been accompanied by apparent sympathy with the Russian rationale for invading Ukraine, such as when he noted that Nato was barking at Russias door with its eastward expansion.

While the pope has spoken in the past about the need for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, the RSI interview appears to mark the first time he has publicly used terms such as white flag or defeated while discussing the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

In the RSI interview, Francis insisted that negotiations are never a surrender.

When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate, he said.

Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said on Sunday that surrender is not on the minds of Ukrainians.

Ukraine is wounded, but unconquered! Ukraine is exhausted, but it stands and will endure, he said while meeting Ukrainians in New York City.

Believe me, it never crosses anyones mind to surrender. Even where there is fighting today: listen to our people in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy, he added, referring to the regions that have been under heavy Russian artillery and drone attacks.

Archbishop Shevchuk also spoke of the brutality of Moscows aggression, referring to the town near Kyiv where Russian occupation left hundreds of civilians dead in the streets and in mass graves.

He argued that, if not for Ukrainians fierce resistance as Russian forces marched on the capital in February 2022, the gruesome scenes seen in Bucha would have been just an introduction.

During the Angelus prayer on Sunday from the window overlooking St Peters Square, Francis said he was praying for peace in the tormented Ukraine and in the Holy Land.

Let the hostilities which cause immense suffering among the civilian population cease as soon as possible, he said.

Pope Francis waves during the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St Peters Square at the Vatican (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Elsewhere, both Ukraine and Russia reported civilian deaths on Sunday after trading drone, missile and shelling attacks overnight that also caused a fire at a Russian oil depot and targeted Ukrainian power stations, according to officials.

Ukrainian air defences shot down 35 out of 39 drones launched by Russia, air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported, following a four-and-a-half-hour barrage that officials said damaged unspecified industrial sites in southern Ukraine and also targeted power stations.

Two people died under rubble after Iranian-made Shahed drones struck private homes and state offices around midnight in Dobropillya, a large Ukrainian-held town in the east, authorities said.

In Myrnohrad, another eastern Ukrainian town, 11 civilians were wounded when Russian missiles overnight struck residential buildings, the local prosecutors office reported.

It also posted photos of rubble lining the courtyard outside a high-rise apartment building, its windows blown out, and of cars parked outside that appeared reduced to piles of twisted metal.

A woman also died in Russias Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, after shells fired from Ukraine set her house on fire, according to local Governor Roman Starovoit, who added that the womans husband suffered severe burns.

Mr Starovoit also said debris from a downed Ukrainian drone sparked a fire at an oil depot in the Kursk region.

Nine Ukrainian drones targeted the Belgorod region, another southern Russian province that borders Ukraine, overnight and on Sunday, according to local Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

Later on Sunday, Russias Defence Ministry said two drones were shot down over the Novgorod region in northern Russia, more than 620 miles (1,000km) from the Ukrainian border. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
A sheriffs sergeant died early Sunday when a struggle broke out during an arrest at Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel, the Batavia Police Department reported.

According to the report, Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello, a 32-year veteran of the Genesee County Sheriffs Office, became unresponsive during the incident and CPR was administered. He was pronounced dead by a Genesee County coroner.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family members of Sgt. Sanfratello and all the members of the Genesee County Sheriffs Office at this extremely difficult time, Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said in a press statement.

Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said Sanfratello, who was on duty in a special assignment detail, was alerted along with casino security about an altercation inside the building at about 12:45 a.m.

According to the report, Sanfratello and security staff responded to the bar area and, after a verbal confrontation, began escorting Michael J. Elmore, 33, and Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, 39, outside.

During their exit, the report said, Wilcox began struggling with Sanfratello, who was able to place her under arrest with the help of casino security staff.

During the arrest, the report continued, Elmore attacked Sanfratello, and a fight ensued with security officers and bystanders coming to the aid of the sergeant.

Elmore continued to struggle after Sanfratello attempted to use a Taser to subdue him, the report added. During the altercation, it was noted, Sanfratello became unresponsive.

Further details were not immediately released. The Sheriffs Office transferred the investigation of the death to the Batavia Police Department.

Anyone with information about the incident or a video is asked to call the Batavia Police Detective Bureau at 585-345-6311 or submit a tip at bataviapolice.org.

 Dale Anderson
The Netherlands National Holocaust Museum was launched on Sunday in a ceremony presided over by the Dutch king as well as Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose presence prompted protests because of Israels deadly offensive against Palestinians in Gaza.

The museum in Amsterdam tells the stories of some of the 102,000 Jews who were deported from the Netherlands and murdered in Nazi camps, as well as the history of their structural persecution under German Second World War occupation before the deportations began.

Sundays ceremony came against a backdrop of Israels devastating attacks on Gaza that followed Hamass deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander speaks at the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam during a ceremony marking the opening of the new National Holocaust Museum (Bart Maat/Pool/AP)

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered near the museum and the Portuguese Synagogue in Waterloo Square in central Amsterdam amid tight security, waving Palestinian flags, chanting against Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, and demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The protest leaders stressed that they were demonstrating against Mr Herzogs presence, not the museum and what it commemorates.

For us Jews, these museums are part of our history, of our past, said Joana Cavaco, an anti-war activist with the Erev Rav Jewish collective, addressing the crowd ahead of the ceremony.

She added: How is it possible that such a sacred space is being used to normalise genocide today?

Three-quarters of Dutch Jews were among the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander tours the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool/AP)

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Mr Herzog visited the synagogue and opened the museum.

Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and the president of the German Federal Council, Manuela Schwesig, were also attending the ceremony, along with Jewish leaders from around the world.

Mr Herzog was among Israeli leaders cited in an order issued in January by the top United Nations court for Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza.

He accused the International Court of Justice of misrepresenting his comments in the ruling.

Israel strongly rejected allegations levelled by South Africa in the court case that the military campaign in Gaza breaches the Genocide Convention.

Demonstrators set off firecrackers as Dutch riot police form a line during a protest against Israels President Isaac Herzog attending the opening of the new National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam (Phil Nijhuis/AP)

I was disgusted by the way they twisted my words, using very, very partial and fragmented quotes, with the intention of supporting an unfounded legal contention, Mr Herzog said, days after the ruling.

A pro-Palestinian Dutch organisation, The Rights Forum, called Mr Herzogs presence a slap in the face of the Palestinians who can only helplessly watch how Israel murders their loved ones and destroys their land.

In a statement issued ahead of Sundays opening, the Jewish Cultural Quarter that runs the museum said it is profoundly concerned by the war and the consequences this conflict has had, first and foremost for the citizens of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

It said it is all the more troubling that the National Holocaust Museum is opening while war continues to rage. It makes our mission all the more urgent.

The National Holocaust Museum tells the stories of some of the 102,000 Jews who were deported from the Netherlands and murdered in Nazi camps (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool/AP)

The museum is housed in a former teacher training college that was used as a covert escape route to help some 600 Jewish children escape from the Nazis.

Exhibits include a prominent photo of a boy walking past bodies in Bergen-Belsen after the liberation of the concentration camp, and mementos of lives lost: a doll; an orange dress made from parachute material; and a collection of 10 buttons excavated from the grounds of the Sobibor camp.

The walls of one room are covered with the texts of hundreds of laws discriminating against Jews enacted by the German occupiers of the Netherlands, to show how the Nazi regime, assisted by Dutch civil servants, dehumanised Jews ahead of operations to round them up.
Authorities were seeking to assist a beached sperm whale stranded on a sandbar off Floridas Gulf Coast on Sunday, but said conditions in the water were too dangerous for crews to safely approach and administer a sedative.

The Venice police department said in posts on Facebook that the whale was alive on Sunday afternoon after it had beached on a sandbar about 50 yards from Service Club Park.


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Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  Journalist and science fiction writer Frank Herberts Dune epic has many themes. One is, clearly, environmentalism and the need for humans to adapt to their environment. Another is the struggle between regimented bureaucratic civilization and individualism. Yet another is the temptation to use religion for liberatory purposes.

The Denis Villeneuve Dune films signal that the Fremen Bedouins of the desert planet Arrakis are Muslim in various ways, including casting Arab Muslims, shooting in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, and the use of Arabic vocabulary, drawing from the Herbert novels. The films have been charged with playing down the Muslim-ness of the Fremen, and perhaps there is somewhat less Arabic in their language and less reference to their religion (which in the novels is ZenSunni). But I think the visual vocabulary of the films makes pretty clear that the Fremen are some sort of descendants, at least, of old earth Muslims.

We are seeing the films in a different context than the one in which the 1965 novel appeared. It is a Cold War novel (as I will explain below). We are now watching it in the wake of the Bush War on Terror (against Muslims) to which the Republican Party and elements of the Democratic Party in the US are still committed. For this reason, the films do not use the term jihad, translating it inaccurately as crusade (ironic!) or holy war, in contrast to the Herbert novels. Jihad is a sacred word for Muslims, meaning to exert oneself or struggle for the faith in all sorts of ways ethically, by donations to charities, by speaking out. It can also refer to taking up arms at the order of legitimate political authority to defend the country. Americans might call it patriotism.

We are also watching the second film in the the duology during Israels war on Gaza, and it is difficult not to see the Fremen as Palestinians. At least it was difficult for me not to see it in that context, though of course Villeneuve could not have predicted this moment when he and his team were shooting.

The massive firepower and awful destructiveness of the Harkonnen forces recall the intensive aerial bombardment pursued by the Israeli Air Force for five months. The Palestinians of Gaza are not Bedouin tribespeople, of course, but highly urbanized and literate. Still, the search for a religious and political deliverance from a brutal Israeli occupation led them to the fundamentalist Hamas, a dead end. In todays political atmosphere in the United States, the only sort of resistance against occupation that can be lionized is fictional, in Dune and James Camerons Avatar films. Despite their own progenitors revolution against King Georges despotism, the majority of Americans nowadays, according to opinion polls, have a knee-jerk tendency to identify with the occupiers and not the freedom fighters.

Warner Bros. Video: Dune: Part Two | Official Trailer 3

For those who have not read the book or seen the film, I should give a brief plot summary. A set of planets, each ruled by a Siridar or planetary governor with a noble rank such as duke or baron, owe fealty to an emperor, Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV. They form of council of nobles, the Landsraad. Flying spaceships between these imperial planets requires pilots to ingest a psychedelic drug, melange or the spice, produced by fungus in the sands exposed to effluvia from young sandworms on the desert planet of Arrakis. The vocabulary here is Islamicate. Padishah is Persian for emperor. Shaddam has the morphology of an Arabic word and may be modeled on Saddam (though not the Iraqi one). Siridar is from the Persian sardar or governor.

Shaddam IV grows concerned about the growing influence on the Landsraad of Duke Leto Atreides of the lush planet of Caladan, and fears Leto may make a play for the throne. He therefore forces him off Caladan and orders him to rule the arid Arrakis instead. In this alien environment, Leto is vulnerable. The emperor puts Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, the Siridar of Giedi Prime, up to attacking the House Atreides on Arrakis, and secretly provides imperial Sardaukar troops to help in the assault. Leto is killed but his concubine, Lady Jessica and his son, Paul, escape to the desert and find refuge with the Fremen, tribal desert dwellers. Jessica belongs to a religious order, the Bene Gesserit, who engage in genetic engineering, and Paul is a result of this experiment (though he was supposed to be a girl).

Among the Fremen, Paul is given the personal name Usul (Arabic for principles, foundations) and the title MuadDhib (Arabic muaddib, one who teaches culture). Paul Atreides, by imbibing the liquid derived from killing and harvesting a young Sandworm, gains superpowers, including prescience, and becomes accepted by the Fremen as their messiah or Mahdi (Arabic for guided one). He initially resists the temptation to lead them, seeing visions of a vast murderous horde conquering the known universe if he takes that course. But the Harkonnen attacks back him and the Fremen into a corner, and ultimately he takes on the mantle of the Mahdi, the tongue of the Unseen (Arabic lisan al-ghayb). He leads the Fremen in a campaign to overthrow the Harkonnens, and to subordinate the emperor himself.

I first read the book, I think, in 1967 when I was an army brat on a base in Africa. It had won a Hugo award the year before. Like many adolescents of my era, I found the story mesmerizing. We all wanted to be Paul Atreides; Denis Villeneuve, 15 years my junior, admits that the same was true for him. I didnt understand then that Paul Atreides is an anti-hero, who becomes a monster to fight monsters.

Herbert was deeply influenced by T. E. Lawrences Seven Pillars of Wisdom, in which a minor British intelligence official and amateur archeologist depicted himself as the true leader of the Arab Revolt during WW I, in which the Hashemite leaders of Mecca rebelled against the Ottoman Empire. In return for their opening of an internal front against the Ottomans in alliance with Britain, London promised the Hashemites an Arab kingdom that would have encompassed what are now Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel-Palestine, Syria and Iraq (the British may have excluded Christians in Mt. Lebanon from the deal). The sons of Sharif Hussain, Faisal and Abdullah, were of course the actual leaders of the revolt, and were joined by many other Arab chieftain, officers and intellectuals. The predecessors of MI6 and James Bond were embedded with them, but werent all that consequential. After the war, the British roundly screwed over their Arab allies, giving Palestine to the Zionists, greater Syria to the French, and colonized Iraq themselves. The British government (both major parties) are still dedicated to screwing over the Palestinians.

Herbert was also inspired by Lesley Blanchs The Sabres of Paradise (1960), which recounted the story of the rebellion by Caucasus Muslims against the Russian Empire after it conquered them in the nineteenth century. They were led by Shamil of Daghestan, a Sufi.

Haris Durrani wonders why Herbert, a Republican, was so open to multi-culturalism and psychedelics, but this bewilderment is anachronistic. Herbert was a fierce environmentalist, as many Republicans were in the 1960s and 1970s. Nixon passed the Clean Air and Water acts. Herbert had Libertarian tendencies, like Libertarian science fiction writer Robert Heinlein, who was also very interested in drugs for expanded consciousness. And Herbert hated bureaucracy and big government.

Heres the thing. In the Cold War era, for Libertarians the ultimate symbol of big government was the Soviet Union. And in that era, conservatives saw Muslims as allies against international Communism. The Eisenhower administration was afraid Muslims would secularize and go Communist, so it actually appropriated funds to encourage pilgrimage to Mecca by improving rail links to the holy city.

Much later, Ronald Reagan (whom Herbert admired) allied with the Afghan Mujahidin, about half of whom were fundamentalists, against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

So Herberts symbolic deployment of Muslim Bedouins against the iron law of bureaucracy and Big Government (with the Soviets as the biggest of big governments) was actually entirely in character.

The wrinkle is that Herbert was at the same time very nervous about such alliances with religious groups against the Soviet Union, because he feared their irrational tendencies and their coercive power. One of the strengths of Dune is that there are not really any heroes. There are just bad choices. Shaddam IV tried to centralize power and reduce the power of the nobles, destroying Leto Atreides for his despotism. Paul MuadDhib Atreides could only fight back by enlisting the Fremen. But in so doing he distorted the Fremen ethic of a kind of humanist egalitarianism, turning them into fanatical zealots and unleashing interplanetary war. People who see the story as fascist dont understand that it isnt an endorsement of either of these two extremes but a critique of them, a sigh of despair by someone who believes in liberty and the individual and fears the arc of reality is going in bureaucratic and authoritarian directions instead. I have argued that it is a Libertarian critique of the 1950s, not a celebration of dictatorship.

Herbert clearly admired much in Islam and its history and culture. It was, in specific, Mahdist movements that aroused his simultaneous fascination and distrust. In this regard, Herberts Orientalism is distasteful, since of course many Muslims have waged political campaigns for liberty without surrendering to those impulses. Algerians freed themselves from France without becoming Mahdists, and their revolution looks like a lot of other decolonial movements of the 1950s and 1960s, whether in Indonesia or largely Christian Kenya.

Ironically, the biggest force for a messianic fanaticism in todays world is the US Republican Party, so it turns out that the contemporary face of the Fremen fundamentalists is Donald John Trump. Herbert would have been a never-Trumper. One only hopes that our American fanatics dont pull us into their holy wars.
At least for now, the Buffalo School Board does not want the public to know how students fared on midyear math and reading tests, nor draw attention to the extent of disparities among races and special-needs students.

After examining data prepared by school district administration, board member Kathy Evans Brown said during a meeting Wednesday that the nine-person group should gather next week to minimize this information.

Its a pretty ugly datasheet, said board member Paulette Woods. It doesnt say anything like, Hey, look how much progress weve moved ahead. We should have a narrative of something positive.

The discussion about the data came during a public board work session in which the elected members continued the process toward a new governance model with the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS). The board for months, with direct guidance from the Councils Leslie Grant, has methodically redirected its focus toward academic results, or what students know or are able to do.

The partnership between the board and CGCS helped determine the three goals for Superintendent Tonja M. Williams year-end evaluation, urged time spent at board meetings to be at least 50% on student achievement and has begun preparation for more than 15 listening sessions that board members in coming weeks will conduct in pairs with the Buffalo Schools community.

Grant requested that board members arrive at these public meetings with a handout to clearly display how district students performed on English language arts and math, as well as graduation rates, so attendees have a baseline understanding.

NYS tests: Different year, different test, same results The latest New York State assessments in English language arts and math continue to show a gap between urban school children and their peers from wealthier suburbs.

The status quo is not OK is what yall have stood up to commit to doing, Grant told the board Wednesday.

After about a half-hour of spirited discussion, the board concluded that it would not release the data and instead reconsider how academic information would be shared at these sessions.

The conversation hinted that the data involved student results in DIBELS and i-Ready, the two assessment tools the district has leaned on rather than state tests, as well as a proficiency breakdown of subgroups, including by race and economic disadvantage.

Board members were cautioned to not yet share any specific numbers by Board President Sharon Belton-Cottman, who had tried to avoid the topic in the first place.

Invigorated by training, Buffalo School Board strives for unity despite history of division "It could be transformative for the board in how we conduct our meetings and represent the vision and values of the community," said Larry Scott, an at-large board member.

I think we need to have a conversation about this, Belton-Cottman told a CGCS representative. Timing is everything. I would choose at another point to do it, but not right now.

Grant urged the discussion to happen at that moment because she said the public needed to understand the point from which the board was starting  and to grasp why the board was changing its governance and holding these sessions in the first place. She also stressed that the sessions needed to happen soon.

This is not my data sheet, this is not the superintendents data sheet, this is the board talking to the public about the current reality for students, Grant said.

Concerns about stereotyping

Board members rationales for shelving the data included worries over exacerbating narratives about the school district, concerns of labeling all district students, the potential to misdirect conversations at the listening sessions and an overreliance on snapshot test results.

Im concerned about the narrative that goes out with Buffalo Public Schools, Belton-Cottman said. Make sure integrity for all children is maintained. No one else is disclosing their dirty laundry. No one.

With state scores delayed again, Buffalo Schools picks a balanced route forward While awaiting state testing data and the dawn of the new standards, Buffalo Schools has placed greater emphasis on internal assessments for math and reading, as well as identifying whether students are showing growth, not meeting a perceived standard.

Buffalo Schools, unlike urban district peers Rochester and Syracuse, offers a publicly available data dashboard that provides regularly updated information on assessment scores, enrollment, student behavior, attendance and school climate.

Belton-Cottman did not want generalizations to be made by the public. She cited the example of her grandson, a sixth-grader in the district who she said reads at a seventh- or eighth-grade level. He stands to be tied into a group of students that does not reflect who he actually is, the board president said.

Board members Larry Scott and Jennifer Mecozzi were concerned test scores on the sheet would dominate the conversation. Scott thought the sessions would be more of a blank slate and not begin with a preconceived view that math and reading scores would be most important to attendees, as opposed to alternatives like art, music or technology.

This is leading, Mecozzi. Its going to be the focus. Its already going to have its questions.

Williams, the superintendent, said her recent visit to Albany struck her about the different pathways to proficiency and success, and she cautioned against sharing information without a narrative.

It can be a little challenging when we, at one snapshot, with one piece of data, are measuring students and their abilities, Williams said. She suggested providing context such as the Covid-19 pandemics effect on learning and that other school leaders in the state are facing the same level of hurdles.

Glimpses of progress

To be clear, not all data sets paint Buffalo Schools in a bleak picture. For instance, the WNY Education Alliance on Wednesday released its second annual Reading Report Card, which includes a graph that ranks Buffalo Schools as seventh-best in Erie County in English language arts proficiency for grades 3-5 adjusted to income levels, measured by percentile of over or underperformance on the state assessment last year.

In other words, given the 86% of economically disadvantaged students in those grades, the districts students read and write significantly better than would be expected.

Buffalo Schools growth in reading and writing, too, impressed the authors of the report. The districts decision to follow the science of reading shows what is possible when teachers and schools shift toward implementing evidence-based practices, the report reads.

'We don't go back': Buffalo Schools superintendent on quest for student achievement Buffalo Schools Superintendent Tonja M. Williams' goals for the coming school year are focused on two words: action and accountability.

As for sharing the raw test and subgroup data with the public, the Buffalo School Board is declining  for now.

Whats not going to happen is that its a tool used against us and not for us, Belton-Cottman said. We have to control that dialogue.

Williams said going forward with the data sheet might be costly.

Weve done a lot of work in this district over the last two or three years to shift the narrative about Buffalo Public Schools, the superintendent said. I dont want us to go backwards, because we are making progress.
Amid his legal battle with drug issues, Yoo Ah In is rumored to make his acting comeback with "Goodbye Earth." The drama's production team released a statement on the matter.

Netflix Updates on K-Drama 'Goodbye Earth'

Yoo Ah In became a hot topic again after media insiders reported that he is gearing for a small screen return soon.

On March 9, famous streaming giant Netflix released a statement revealing some information about the much-awaited premiere of the series "Goodbye Earth."

"There's now a fixed schedule for the release of 'Goodbye Earth.' We will announce the release date through official reports as soon as it is confirmed."

This immediately captured the public's attention as it was known that Yoo Ah In was the male lead of the series.

Will Yoo Ah In Make His Long-Awaited Drama Comeback Amid His Controversy?

Netflix then gave their side about Yoo Ah In's appearance in the project:

"Actor Yoo Ah In appears as a character that builds the main story. Therefore, we ask for your understanding that it is hard to provide detailed information about his role ahead of the drama's release."

However, on the same day, some reports stated that "Goodbye Earth" had confirmed its premiere this April 26. Netflix immediately refuted and denied the date release circulating online.

"Goodbye Earth" features the story of a world and people living the rest of their time ahead of a predicted apocalypse, 200 days until the Earth and an asteroid collide.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Yoo Ah In's Counsel Claims He 'Suffered From Depression' While Living a Celebrity Life

Apart from Yoo Ah In, "The Good Bad Mother" actress Ahn Eun Jin is also part of the main cast members, same with Jeon Sung Woo. According to the source, the team has already completed filming the series but the production was postponed indefinitely due to Yoo Ah In's involvement in drugs.

Yoo Ah In's Drug Case Update

To recall, the notable actor is accused of administering different kinds of drugs from September 2020 to March 2023. The authority believed that Yoo Ah In received prescriptions and bought sleeping pills illegally from March 2021 to October 2023 and is now being investigated by the people around him.

As an update to his ongoing drug battle, the Seoul Central District Court held the trial for the actor on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act. Aside from that, the "Chicago Typewriter" actor was accused of administering propofol habitually, and receiving prescriptions of sleeping pills illegally under the name of other people.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Yoo Ah In Attends 3rd Trial + Prosecution Wants 'Doctor A' to Face 3 Years of Imprisonment

What can you say about the news? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.


Sunday, March 10, 2024  An Air Force contractor has been accused of spilling military secrets about Russia's war in Ukraine to his Ukrainian girlfriend.

Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel David Franklin Slater, 63, was arrested Saturday on charges of illegally disclosing national defence information and conspiracy.

He pleaded not guilty to all three charges on Tuesday, March 5, and is set to be released from jail on Wednesday pending trial.

The veteran, who retired in 2020, served in Afghanistan and Germany during his time in the Army. His social media likes show he had an interest in Russian and Ukrainian women.

He was assigned to the U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and had Top Secret security clearance from August 2021 until April 2022, attending briefings between February and April 2022 about Russia's war with Ukraine, the Justice Department said.

Despite having signed paperwork pledging not to disclose classified information, he allegedly intentionally and improperly shared details about military targets and Russian capabilities on an online messaging dating platform with an unindicted co-conspirator who claimed to be a woman living in Ukraine.

The co-conspirator is referred to as Slater's 'secret informant love' and described him as her 'secret agent.'

Court documents show she showed a keen interest in how the war was progressing and what any future plans might be. At least nine messages were identified by authorities where the woman asks for specific details about the military operation.

'American Intelligence says that already 100 percent of Russian troops are located on the territory of Ukraine. Do you think this information can be trusted?' the woman asks on March 7.

Four days later, she is seen asking specifics about data shown in one of the offices.

'Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting,' she writes.





'By the way, you were the first to tell me that NATO members are travelling by train and only now (already evening) this was announced on our news. You are my secret informant love! How were your meetings? Successfully?' the woman confirms.

One week later, the woman, supposedly in Ukraine writes: 'Beloved Dave, do NATO and Biden have a secret plan to help us?'

She later compliments Dave for providing such detailed intelligence information.

'Dave, it's great that you get information about [Specified Country 1] first. I hope you will tell me right away? You are my secret agent. With love.'

The following month, on April 12, the messages are still focused on the war effort.

'Sweet Dave, the supply of weapons is completely classified, which is great!', the woman writes.

'My sweet Dave, thanks for the valuable information, it's great that two officials from the USA are going to Kyiv.' she writes days later.

The woman regularly requested sensitive, non-public, closely held, and classified NDI, which had been labelled as 'SECRET.'

'Dave, I hope tomorrow NATO will prepare a very unpleasant 'surprise' for Putin! Will you tell me?' she asks to know later in April.

Finally, before his access was pulled, the woman messages: 'You have a job in the Operations Center today, I remember, I'm sure there is a lot of interesting news there?'

According to the indictment, that alleged co-conspirator, who is not identified by prosecutors, repeatedly asked Slater for information and described him as 'my secret informant love.'

Slater allegedly provided the classified information, including details about military targets and Russian military capabilities related to the invasion of Ukraine.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division emphasized the serious nature of the allegations.

'Mr. Slater, an Air Force civilian employee and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, knowingly transmitted classified national defence information to another person in blatant disregard for the security of his country and his oath to safeguard its secrets.'

The Justice Department stated that it is committed to holding individuals accountable for willfully disclosing classified information that jeopardizes national security.

U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr for the District of Nebraska similarly highlighted the gravity of responsibilities associated with access to Top Secret information.

'Certain responsibilities are incumbent on individuals with access to Top Secret information. The allegations against Mr Slater challenge whether he betrayed those responsibilities.'

Lehr also expressed her commitment to working with investigative agencies to ensure the safety of the country.

The FBI Omaha Field Office, along with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, is actively investigating the case.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count related to the conspiracy to transmit and the transmission of national defence information.


Sunday, March 10, 2024  Asylum seekers at a troubled immigration centre in the UK are being taken on shopping trips to keep them entertained following warnings that 'boredom' could lead to serious violence.

There have been issues of violence at Wethersfield airbase in Essex, which is home to hundreds of migrants, many of whom arrived in Britain after crossing the Channel.

Former border watchdog David Neal visited the isolated site near Braintree in December and February after insiders reported 'almost nightly fighting' between different nationalities.

He described a feeling of 'hopelessness caused by boredom' among residents, and warned this would 'lead to increased criminality, including arson'. The Home Office has rejected his assessment.

Now, new photos have emerged showing migrants boarding a minibus after a trip into Braintree, which is 15 minutes away from the airbase.

It comes as the atmosphere at the centre, set to house 1,7000 migrants, is said to be 'horrendous'.

Marion Parker, 44, who lives in the town said it was a 'complete joke' to see the men out shopping.





The administrator said: 'What message does it send out to others who want to come here? You get free journeys into towns to shop. It's a complete joke.

'I'm not against immigration at all. But this is a reward for breaking immigration law. Why don't homeless Brits get free trips to shopping centres?'

David Price, who runs a campaign called Wethersfield Protest, said: 'The situation has always been terrible and always will be terrible. It makes absolutely no sense to have it there.

'The asylum seekers have told me when I have come across them that conditions there are not suited.

'They complain it's too cold and not good enough.

'The whole situation is an almighty recipe for disaster. The situation in there is terrible.'


Sunday, March 10, 2024  Authorities in Brazil have discovered the dead body of a woman inside a refrigerator after she was murdered by her daughter's boyfriend.

Flavia dos Santos, 44, was killed following a fight with her 13-year-old daughter and her 22-year-old boyfriend at her home in the northeastern city of Maceio, the Alagoas Civil Police said.

Dos Santos' daughter, whose name has been withheld because she is a minor, was taken into custody on Tuesday, March 5.

Her boyfriend, whose name has not been released, was also arrested Tuesday, March 5, and confessed to killing dos Santos. His father, 47, was apprehended for assisting them in hiding the body.

The girl's boyfriend is facing murder, concealment of a corpse, and corruption of a minor, Alagoas Civil Police chief Thiago Prado said.





Prado told Brazilian news out G1 that dos Santos was angered last Friday night when she arrived home from work and confronted her daughter's boyfriend, whom she previously banned from visiting the residence in the Maceio neighbourhood of Jacintinho.

The girl told police that they argued with dos Santos last Friday because she disapproved of her relationship with her boyfriend and did not want her to move in with him.

The teenager added that the discussion turned violent and that they hit her mother in the head. Dos Santos fell to the floor before her daughter's boyfriend stabbed her multiple times with a knife.





The girl's boyfriend told cops that she grabbed dos Santos and handed him a knife, according to Thiago. He stabbed dos Santos in 'the skull, neck and chest region.'

The girl added that they cleaned the blood off the floor and then left the residence to sleep at a home they had rented to live in.

Her boyfriend's father helped them place dos Santos' body, which was wrapped with a blanket, inside a refrigerator and kept the corpse in it until Tuesday when he instructed his son to remove the body from the home.





They reportedly hired a driver on Monday night to remove the refrigerator from the house and transported it to a forested area about eight miles away in the town of Benedito Bentes, where the girl's boyfriend and his father dumped the appliance.

However, the man became suspicious because the refrigerator was covered with tape and alerted the police.

Thiago told Brazilian news outlet G1 that the girl attempted to cover up the crime by pretending to be her mother and sending messages via WhatsApp to people who knew her.

'She told Flavia's workplace that she was not going to work because she felt ill and had a medical certificate,' Thiago said. 'So, neither her co-workers, nor her family, nor her friends missed Flavia.'





'They thought, therefore, that it was justifiable that she was not showing up when in reality everything was done by her own daughter,' said the police chief.

Prado added that her adult brother had moved out of the home because he had grown tired of the fights between his mother and his sister and her boyfriend.

He also indicated that they learned that the boyfriend was sexually active with the teen, a minor.

'This has repercussions on the crime of rape of a vulnerable person,' Prado said.

'She was subjected to a corpus delicti and carnal knowledge examination and all of this was forwarded to the police station so that the crime could be investigated.'


Sunday, March 10, 2024  Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on set of the film Rust, has been found guilty for her role in the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a New Mexico film set.

Hutchins was fatally shot by Alec Baldwin while the actor was rehearsing a scene for the movie.

Baldwin, who also served as a co-producer on the film, was pointing a prop gun at Hutchins during rehearsal on October 2021 when the weapon fired, hitting the 42-year-old and wounding the films director, Joel Souza.

A New Mexico jury found Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for ensuring that all firearms on the set were safe, guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors had alleged that the weapons supervisor loaded a fully functioning .45 revolver used by Baldwin with dummy rounds and at least one live round.

She was negligent, she was careless, she was thoughtless, prosecutor Kari Morrissey said in the trials closing statements.

She described constant, never-ending safety failures on the film set and said Gutierrez-Reed showed an astonishing lack of diligence with gun safety.

Gutierrez-Reed had also faced a charge of tampering with evidence, but the jury found her not guilty on that count. After the verdict was read, her attorney said Gutierrez-Reed would appeal the conviction.

Gutierrez-Reed, who was taken into custody immediately, faces up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine. She had pleaded not guilty and her attorneys argued that she was being used as a scapegoat in the incident, which they said Baldwin was ultimately responsible for.

Baldwin has also been charged with involuntary manslaughter and is accused of causing Hutchinss death either by negligence or total disregard or indifference for safety. He has pleaded not guilty, and will face his own trial in July.

David Halls, the films assistant director, was sentenced to a six-month suspended sentence with unsupervised probation, a $500 fine, 24 hours of community service and a firearms safety class on a charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. Halls testified for the defense, speaking to Reeds competence as an armorer and stating that he took responsibility for the shooting.

I let a safety check pass, Halls said during his testimony.


Sunday, March 10, 2024  A mother who calls herself a specialist in erectile dysfunction, her son and her boyfriend, are behind bars, accused of several shocking child sex abuse charges.

In November 2023, police were called to a home in Ocala, Florida, after two minor boys reported being abused while they were away from their family home over Thanksgiving.

One boy said that the pair were pulled out of their beds separately to perform sex acts that included 'digital and object anal penetration' that occurred in front of a laptop.

The boy said that the abuse was ongoing and they did not want to go home.

On December 1, one of the victims, a 14-year-old boy, told investigators that the abuse began when he was nine and ceased in November 2023.

This week, police in Boca Raton, along with FBI agents, raided the home that Walquiria Cassini, 38, her son, Matthew, 20, and her boyfriend Ryan Londono, 42, all shared. The raid came after a four-month-long investigation.

Cassini is accused of sexually abusing two male children, the youngest of which is under ten, and charging online perverts a fee to watch. The abuse of her youngest child began when he was just five, and the other when he was nine.

Documents in the court case state that the abuse was uploaded to a web server. Amazon, Microsoft, PayPal and Zelle, all co-operated with the investigation.





'For the past 25 years, I've seen just about everything, so to shock the court's conscience is frankly a difficult proposition at this point in the court's career. The extent of this is probably never going to be known,' Judge Donald Hafele said when the trio made their first appearance in court on Wednesday, March 6.

The mother's boyfriend, Londono, an IT professional, is facing similar charges. Judge Hafele did not issue a bond for the couple.

Her son is not charged with livestreaming abuse but of sexually abusing the children. 'He's charged with actual intercourse with the child,' a prosecutor said in court.

According to the criminal complaint, during the raid police found various cameras and tripods that were used to record the abuse, authorities said.

Cassini is a native of Brazil and lists Boca Raton as her current hometown on her Facebook profile.





Cassini's lawyer argued in court that no actual videos had been recovered by investigators.

The judge countered by saying that on the day after the investigation, 33 videos were removed from an online platform. Cassini's mother and brother were in attendance in court.

The WPBF report notes that the suspect was reduced to tears.

The mother writes that she is a 'licensed medical sonographer sub-speciality - Male sexuality dysfunction. Urology girl.'

'Darling, Im a nightmare, dressed like a daydream,' the suspect writes in the bio section of her Instagram page.
Nationally, the issue of the war between Israel and Hamas is exposing fissures in the Democratic Party.

As last months Democratic primary in Michigan demonstrated, the conflict in Gaza has also emerged as a potential threat to President Bidens re-election, with one in eight Democrats voting uncommitted as a protest against American policies toward Israel.

So where do the candidates for the 26th District seat in Congress stand? As you might expect, far apart, though their responses are very much in keeping with their political styles.

State Sen. Tim Kennedy, a Democrat, will face Republican nominee Gary Dickson in the April 30 special election. Nate McMurray, a more left-leaning Democrat, did not gain enough signatures to appear on the ballot for the special election, but says he plans to challenge Kennedy in a Democratic primary later this year if Kennedy wins the special election.

Heres where the candidates stand on the issue:

Tim Kennedy

Kennedy declined a request to speak on the matter, but released the following statement: I have consistently supported the State of Israel and its right to defend itself. I stand with the Biden Administration in calling for an immediate temporary ceasefire to allow for the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza and a much needed influx of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian civilians who have endured immeasurable suffering. The United States must work to create a lasting peace for the people of the region.

Kennedy also snagged an endorsement from the influential American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies to American lawmakers.

Politico reported this week that AIPAC is expected to spend $100 million across its political entities in 2024, taking aim at candidates they deem insufficiently supportive of Israel.

The website noted that, so far, AIPAC has only waded into two open Democratic primary races  one House race in California and the race to succeed former Rep. Brian Higgins.

We proudly endorse Tim Kennedy because of his strong commitment to advancing the U.S.-Israel relationship as a member of Congress, AIPAC spokesperson Marshall Wittmann said in an email to The Buffalo News.

Adam Fogel, Kennedys chief-of-staff, said the South Buffalo Democrat has secured state funding for the Jewish and Muslim communities in recent years.

In 2019, that funding included $100,000 for the Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo for security enhancements, including building hardening, surveillance, lighting, and door access, as well as trainings at Buffalo-area synagogues. Those funds came after the attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018 in which 11 people were killed.

In 2022, Fogel said Kennedy secured $125,000 for the Arab-American Community Center for Economic and Social Services, a nonprofit organization that promotes understanding and the bonds of faith and friendship between members of the Arab American community and people of other nationalities and cultures living within America.

Last year, the state budget included an additional $25,000 for the Buffalo Jewish Federation. The funds were for the Holocaust Resource Center of Buffalo.

Gary Dickson

Dickson in an interview with The News said he supports Israel 100 percent.

I think Israel has every right to defend itself, Dickson said. There was peace on Oct. 6 and then it was broken. And before that, there were endless rockets launched at Israel.

Israel has come under criticism in recent weeks for the more than 30,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza since it began retaliating against Hamas. Hamas killed 1,200 people in Israel in the Oct. 7 attack that started the war.

I think we should always support them, Dickson said of Israel, but if theyre doing something against our values, we need to call it out.

Dickson said he does not know how peace in the region can be achieved, but he said Hamas releasing all Israeli hostages would be a good first step.

I feel sorry for the civilians on both sides caught in the middle, he said. They can fight forever or they can have peace. They share a common destiny. They have to do it together.

Dickson said he did not speak with AIPAC leaders but would be interested in seeking their endorsement for the general election. An AIPAC spokesperson, though, clarified that the group would be endorsing Kennedy for the special election and general election, as well as any potential Democratic primary.

Nate McMurray

Among the candidates, McMurray has been the most vocal in criticizing AIPAC and calling for a ceasefire. He also said Muslims in the Buffalo area who are frustrated with the Democratic Partys stance on the conflict are helping him circulate petitions to get on the ballot.

The October 7 attacks were a horrific tragedy and Israel has every right to defend itself by seeking to eliminate Hamas, McMurray said in a fundraising email on Feb. 22. But Israels military has gone too far, killing far too many innocent civilians, and decimating almost everything in Gaza.

McMurray called on the U.S. to stop giving military aid to Israel until a ceasefire occurs. He took to social media to denounce AIPAC, saying that he met with the group during one of his previous runs for Congress.

Ive chosen not to collaborate with AIPACEVER, McMurray wrote. During a visit with them in 2018, before understanding their true nature, our conversation quickly turned to the use of nuclear weapons against Iran, to which I firmly opposed. Within 5 minutes, I realized their extreme positions. Although I expressed support for Israel, I clarified it wasnt at the cost of its neighbors or other people. Their aggressive reaction to my stance was both shocking and bizarre.

McMurray in a text to The News said the response from the political left to the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas was troubling.

But if, after three months, youre still supportive of how this conflict is unfolding, then youre also turning a blind eye to the grim reality of (what) under any reasonable definition could be described as ethnic cleansing and even genocide, he said.


Sunday, March 10, 2024  Japanese manga comic creator, Akira Toriyama, who was best known for his "Dragon Ball" series, has died at the age of 68.

He died on March 1 from a blood clot in his brain, his production studio said on Friday.

"It's our deep regret that he still had several works in the middle of creation with great enthusiasm," the studio said in a statement posted on the official "Dragon Ball" website. "We hope that Akira Toriyama's unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come."

"Dragon Ball" was first serialised in Weekly Shonen Jump comic magazine in 1984 and was later adapted into movies, video games and TV series distributed in more than 80 countries.

Toriyama was also known as a character and monster designer of the blockbuster role-playing game series "Dragon Quest".

Many fans, and Japan's top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi, paid tribute to Toriyama and the global influence of his work.

"We will never forget Akira Toriyama for the gift he left on this earth. I can't imagine a world without Dragon Ball," a fan wrote in the section below the post.

Hayashi told reporters on Friday that Toriyama had played an "extremely important role in demonstrating Japan's soft power".

"Mr. Toriyama's work has led to the widespread recognition of Japan's content around the world," he added.

"Dragon Ball", a martial arts fantasy series that follows the protagonist's search for orbs known as dragon balls that summon a wish-granting dragon, was inspired by a 16th century Chinese novel and has a widespread following in China.


Sunday, March 10, 2024  A former member of the Indian Special Forces Unit, Sudhu Sarup Singh, has been arrested by operatives of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) in Zimbabwe.

The arrest took place during a sting operation at an upscale restaurant in Harare, where Singh was found in the company of unidentified individuals.

The implicated unit had previously been active in the war-torn Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique, where they were involved in combating Islamist insurgents.

It was gathered that Singh allegedly misrepresented his intentions upon arrival, posing as an investor and even meeting. President Emmerson Mnangagwa. However, it was later revealed that he engaged in dubious business activities.

Sources within the CIO told NewZimbabwe that Singh is currently being held at Borrowdale Police Station. There are indications that he might face criminal charges or, if fortunate, deportation.

Notably, Singhs daughter, whose name has not been disclosed, is among the 100 Indians he reportedly smuggled into the country. She is also under the CIOs scrutiny and is expected to be arrested and deported, according to an inside source.


Sunday, March 10, 2024  An ex-GOP Congressional candidate and former WWE wrestler has handed himself in on a murder charge in Las Vegas after a man was found dead in a hotel room.

Daniel Rodimer, 45, has been accused of the murder of Christopher Tapp, 47, which took place on October 29 last year.

Tapp was a recently exonerated man who had served 20 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of killing his friend in 1996.

His death at a Resorts World suite was initially ruled as an accident, but the Clark County Coroner's Office later determined it a homicide after discovering 'blunt force trauma' to his head.

Now Rodimer, a married father-of-six, turned himself into Clark County Detention Center on Wednesday night. Lawyers for the accused said he 'vigorously contests' the allegations, 8News Now reports.

Police said that Tapp had been involved in an 'altercation' prior to his death.

Rodimer became a wrestler after winning the 2004 WWE's Tough Enough contest, eventually going on to wrestle on its RAW brand under the name Dan Rodimer.

In 2020, he challenged Democratic Rep. Susie Lee for her District 3 seat in Nevada and lost by 13,000 votes.

He later moved to Texas to run as a Republican in the District 6 special election with the slogan, 'Vote Big Dan', where he was thrashed once again gaining just over 2,000 votes, equal to 2.7 percent of the ballot.

He also drew the ire of Donald Trump's team after branding himself as the 'Trump candidate' and falsely claiming he had received the current presidential hopeful's endorsement.

Tapp died not long after he was freed from prison where he was serving time for the wrongful conviction of the rape and murder of his friend 18-year-old Angie Doge in Idaho.





Tapp was charged in February 1997, roughly eight months after Dodge's nearly decapitated body was discovered at her Idaho Falls apartment.

Tapp initially told investigators he had nothing to do with the crime, but after multiple interviews and a polygraph test, the then 20-year-old confessed to being involved and accused two others.

One of his friends was also charged, but this was later dismissed. Tapp was found guilty in 1998 and sentenced to 40 years.

However, he maintained he had only told police what they wanted to hear, and his case was eventually taken up by the Idaho Innocence Project.

Carol Doge, the victim's mom, also did not believe Tapp was responsible after reviewing the video of his interrogation.

She was stunned to see police showing Tapp images of the crime scene after he did not appear to have any knowledge of Dodge's apartment.

Steve Drizin, a clinical professor of law at Northwestern University and co-director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions, also reviewed the videos of the confession and told 'Dateline' it was the 'worst example of police contamination' and 'fact-feeding' he had ever seen.

In 2017, Tapp's lawyer successfully argued his client had been coerced and the prosecutor's office agreed to vacate the conviction to time served, however, this still left him with the guilty conviction.

'That was one of the hardest decisions of my life, to continue to have to say I was convicted of a first-degree murder I know I didn't do,' Tapp told 'Dateline.'

'But I had to move on with my life. And that was the only opportunity I had so I took it with the best ability that I had.'

In 2019, he was fully exonerated after DNA evidence linked Dodge's neighbor Brian Dripps to the scene and he was sentenced to 20 years in jail.

Since returning to normal life Tapp had got married, bought a home and found work at a factory.

He was also pressuring officials to sign legislation guaranteeing compensation for the wrongfully convicted.

In 2021 the bill became law. Today wrongfully incarcerated people are given $62,000 for each year inside and $75,000 annually for those on death row.


Sunday, March 10, 2024  A judge has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to hand over sensitive material about Prince Harrys immigration papers for him to review while he decides whether to make them public.

This comes after a hearing in court in Washington last month in which Judge Nichols heard from DHS and the Heritage Foundation, which is seeking to release the material.

The Heritage Foundation is seeking the release of the documents as part of a Freedom of Information request it filed last year.

The think tank claimed that Harry could have lied about taking drugs in his immigration paperwork despite admitting to doing them in his memoir and in the Netflix show.

If the Duke did not tell the truth on his entry forms then he could be removed from the US or barred by a border agent.

In an order filed to the court in Washington, Judge Nichols stated that the Freedom of Information law authorized him to review declarations and/or contested records in camera.

Doing so would help him to determine whether any exemptions preventing the documents from being made public apply.

Judge Nichols said: Having reviewed the parties written submissions and heard oral argument on the motions, the court concludes that in camera review is necessary to determine whether the records in dispute come within the scope of the claimed exemptions.

Judge Nichols gave DHS until March 21 to submit declarations that detail the records it is withholding and the particular harm that would arise from public disclosure of them, his order said.

The review will be conducted on camera, meaning it will be done by the judge in private.

In his memoir, Spare, which came out last January, and the Netflix show Harry & Meghan, about the Duke and his wife, Meghan Markle, Harry was frank about his previous drug use.

He admitted to using cocaine and marijuana in the past, once saying that cannabis helped heal the trauma of his mothers death.

The Duke said that using ayahuasca, the psychedelic drug, he realized that his mother wanted him to be happy.

Despite this, Harrys US visa application in March 2020 could show he ticked the no box on questions about his drug use, The Heritage Foundation claims.

In its legal filing, DHS said that the records at issue are particularly sensitive because they would reveal Harrys (immigration) status in the United States.

DHS has claimed that Harry still has a right to privacy even though he is a celebrity.

Heritage has claimed in legal filings that Harry being so open about his private life means he has forfeited such a right.

During the hearing last month, lawyers for DHS said that Harrys claims about his drug use in Spare may not have been true and may have been in there just to sell books.

The book isnt sworn testimony or proof, John Bardo told the court. Saying something in a book doesnt necessarily make it true.


Sunday, March 10, 2024  A rapist paid for a taxi to bring a teenage girl more than 60 miles across the country before raping her.

The man, Jake O'Neil, aged 33, met the girl, who was under 16, in an online chat room where he groomed her before moving the conversation onto Snapchat.

The girl told O'Neil that she was underage but he continued to send explicit messages to her until she blocked him. However, he continued to message her using a different profile.

In December 2021 he paid for a taxi to bring her 65 miles from Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, UK to his home in Wilmslow where he raped her.

Her family then contacted the police when she didn't come to school. O'Neil tried to conceal his crimes by smashing her phone and throwing it into a river, but police men traced her location to Cheshire.

He left the girl alone while he went shopping but when he returned found police officers were at the house to arrest him. After his arrest, ONeill admitted having sex with the girl on two other dates that month, claiming he believed she was 16 at the time.

However, he was charged with eight charges, including rape, attempted rape, child abduction, grooming, and four counts of penetration. Following a trial, he was found guilty by a jury at Chester Crown Court on Friday, January 5.

On Tuesday (March 5) he was sentenced to 15 years in prison with a five-year extension by a judge. Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Charlotte Astbury from Cheshire Police, who led the investigation, said: ONeil clearly knew she underage - we even found a message he sent to someone admitting she was underage.

"Knowing this, ONeil took advantage of a vulnerable teenager, going to great lengths to groom her for his own warped intentions and is now paying the price for this with a prison sentence.


Sunday, March 10, 2024  A man fatally stabbed two women at a university in the western Mexico city of Guadalajara on Wednesday, a state prosecutor said.

The assailant was described as a man around 20 years old.

He burst onto the campus of Centro Universitario UTEG carrying a knife and a hatchet, which he used to smash several windows, said Luis Joaquin Mendez, prosecutor for Jalisco state.

"There was no reason, no apparent motive," for the attack, said the prosecutor, adding that the attacker's "aggression was directed against the first people he saw."

A man was also wounded during the attack.

Police have arrested the assailant and are also investigating his links to another woman who was found dead in a hotel on the same day.

At least 852 cases of femicide were recorded last year in the violence-plagued country, according to official figures.


Sunday, March 10, 2024  Rupert Murdoch is engaged for the sixth time.

The 92-year-old conservative media mogul is engaged to Elena Zhukova.

This comes just months after the Fox boss effectively handed over the reins of his conservative media empire to his son, Lachlan Murdoch.

A spokesperson confirmed the engagement

The wedding is set for June at his California estate and vineyard, called Moraga.

Zhukova is reportedly a 66-year-old retired scientist. Reports also say her daughter was married to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.

In August 2023, news broke that Murdoch's engagement to his last fiancee, Ann Lesley Smith, was called off.


Sunday, March 10, 2024  The family of a Tennessee mother of five who died after she had an illegal Brazilian butt lift has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against her doctor and the surgery center.

The 33-year-old Erica Russell died on June 16, 2021, after Dr. John Sampson punctured her intestines, bladder, liver, and abdominal wall during her surgery. Russell died after a fat deposit blocked her bloodstream and 'triggered fatal cardiac arrest.'

According to a press release from Stewart Tilghman Fox & Bianchi & Cain, the law firm representing her family, Russell's procedure started at 8.31pm, and a little over two hours later, she was dead.

'What happened to Ms. Russell should have never happened. This is assembly line medicine and thats what killed her,' Attorney Michael Levine said.

Sampson has since been banned from performing Brazilian butt lift surgeries at Seduction Cosmetic Center in Coral Gables, Florida, was fined $20,000, but was able to keep his license.





Seduction Cosmetic Center offers this procedure for $3,500 and also advertises other cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentations, tummy tucks, liposuction, vaginal rejuvenation, and a plethora of other options.

Prior to starting Russell's botched surgery, Sampson has performed six procedures for a total of 14 hours at the cosmetic center, according to the lawsuit.

Further investigation found that Sampson was not approved to perform surgeries at the cosmetics center, despite Russell signing off on paperwork before her procedure that said he had plastic and cosmetic privileges at Seduction as 'Designated Physician.'

During Russell's procedure, Sampson punctured the mother's intestines, liver, bladder, and abdominal wall with a cannula- a tube used for sucking fat out of the body.

State investigators say the doctor violated the 'minimum standard of care' as he also injected fat under her gluteal muscle and 'deep gluteal planes,' during her surgery.

At 10.50 pm, the fatal injuries caused severe bleeding in her abdominal cavity and she suffered a pulmonary fat embolism, the law firm said.

She died after a fat deposit blocked her bloodstream and 'triggered fatal cardiac arrest.'

Sampson has since been removed from the cosmetic center's social media and website, but on his personal Instagram, his bio still says that he works at Seduction.

'Its unbelievable that a surgery center could allow this to happen. This doctor should have never been performing this surgery, much less seven surgeries in one day,' Stephan Cain, another attorney for the family said.

Her devastated family held a funeral service for Russell after her passing, where many relatives, friends, and co-workers from her job at T-Mobile spoke highly of her.

'Erica was a person, that if you didn't know her, you probably wish you did,' one of her co-workers said.

Another woman, who said she was her best friend, cried and said that she 'was the last person' Russell talked to before her surgery.





'She texted me "I love you bestie," I said, "I love you too, talk when you come out." I been waiting on my baby to call me since June 16,' the friend said as she tried to hold back tears.

Many of her loved ones remembers Russell as a devoted mother who constantly spoke about her children and made sure she did everything she could for them.

'To know Erica was to love Erica. Erica went above and beyond. And when I say she was the representation of strong, no matter what, or despite whatever she was going through, she made sure everybody was good- everybody,' another friend said at the service.




Sunday, March 10, 2024 - Pastor James Ng'ang'a of Neno Evangelism Church has absolved himself of the land-grabbing accusations made against him.

According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the land on which Ng'ang'as church sits belongs to Kenya Railways.

The anti-graft body earmarked the particular tract among others to be reclaimed after supposed grabbing; Ng'ang'a's church would thus be demolished.

However, playing down the claims, the controversial cleric dared the government to demolish his church, saying they would know that they dont know.

According to Nganga, he acquired the piece of land legally.

Ng'ang'a said that the title deed to the land remained unchallenged for over four decades now.

He implied that he was not the first owner of the land, revealing that he acquired it in 2004, over 20 years after the original title deed was entered into the government's lands directory.

Using unprintable words, an abrasive Ng'ang'a wondered why the previous regimes from the late Daniel Moi's to Uhuru Kenyatta's never went after him on allegations he had grabbed the land.

"They say I grabbed this land. The title deed was first acquired in 1980. I bought the land in 2004. They should ask the CBK. EACC should go to the Ministry of Lands to verify things," said Ng'ang'a.

Contrary to the assertion that the land was fraudulently acquired from Kenya Railways, Ng'ang'a stated that he was sold the property by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

He said that before going for the land, he had verified the title deed was legitimate and thus proceeded to acquire it.

"I searched the title deed. It was out in 1980. It was during Moi's time. It was still there during Kibaki's time and later Uhuru's.

"All that time, all the governments that have been there, where was the EACC?" posed the preacher.

This came days after Bishop Margaret Wanjiru's church was raided and part of it demolished over alleged land grabbing.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Sunday, March 10, 2024  A 33-year-old woman has been charged with murdering her 10-year-old daughter, whose body was found in Rowley Regis on Monday, March 4.

Shay Kang was found with injuries at an address in Robin Close at around 12.10pm on Monday, and was pronounced dead at the scene after paramedics said nothing could be done to save her.

Her mother Jaskirat Kaur, aka Jasmine Kang, 33, from the same address has now been charged with her murder and has been remanded in custody following an appearance at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court.





Kaur spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth and was ordered to appear for a further hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday, March 7.

She was not required to indicate any plea to the murder charge, which alleges she unlawfully killed Shay on Monday.

Shay was a pupil at Brickhouse Primary School, which paid tribute to the bright child through West Midlands Police on Tuesday.

The school said in a statement: "Shay was a bright, happy, fun-loving child who was well-liked by all and she will be very sadly missed by everyone.

School is the heart of the community and we have already begun working with our children and staff to support them following this devastating news.





A cordon remains in place at the end-of-terrace house while police inquiries continue and a post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course to establish the cause of death.

Det Insp Dan Jarratt, leading the investigation, said: "Our thoughts remain with Shays family and friends. Her tragic death has had a profound impact on those who knew her as well as the wider community.

We ask that they are left to grieve in private as our enquiries continue.
Jamestown man accused of allowing toddler to consume marijuana

A 21-year-old Jamestown man is accused of allowing a toddler to consume marijuana.

Elijah T. McBride was charged Friday night with endangering the welfare of a child after taking the 1-year-old out of the hospital before the child was treated, according to the Jamestown Police Department.

McBride was transported to the Jamestown City Jail and was being held pending arraignment.

Police said they responded to a call reporting a suspicious situation at the Jamestown residence and through an investigation, determined McBride allowed the 1-year-old to consume marijuana.

McBride then put the child in a dangerous situation by taking him out of UPMC Chautauqua hospital, police said. When he returned about 30 minutes later, McBride was placed into custody.

 Michael Petro


Sunday, March 10, 2024  A criminal gang of airport workers in Spain have reportedly been arrested or placed under investigation on suspicion of stealing valuables from travellers' suitcases in a new police operation.

In December police in Tenerife announced they had arrested 14 people on suspicion of stealing millions of pounds worth of jewellery, phones, and cash from holidaymakers' luggage.

Overnight, detectives in Madrid went public with their operation at the city's busy international airport, revealing 16 workers had been arrested and another 22 were under investigation as part of an ongoing criminal probe.





Civil Guard officers said they had recovered stolen items worth more than 120,000 (100,000), with sources saying the value of the property taken could be far higher.

The victims reunited with their belongings including a young musician whose violin went missing as he headed to London for a concert.

A spokesman for the Civil Guard in Madrid, which led Operation Union, said: 'Investigators have managed to recover a large number of items stolen from suitcases which had been checked in by passengers.

'Their value exceeds 120,000 (100,000).

'As a result of this operation at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport, 16 people have been arrested and another 22 placed under investigation.





'They are all workers at firms operating inside the airport accused of taking advantage of their jobs inside the airport premises to access and steal the contents of suitcases.

'The items recovered include a large amount of designer clothing and electronic devices, cameras, jewellery and cash but also a violin and a bible.

'The violin belonged to a young musician who was going to participate in a concert in London.

'A stolen camera has also been returned to a US Army officer who was tracked down to Puerto Rico where he was stationed.

'Food items recovered, which included cured meats, cheese, and ham, have been handed over to soup kitchens after we were unable to identify the travellers they had been taken from.

In December Civil Guard officers revealed 14 Tenerife South Airport workers had been arrested and another 20 placed under investigation.

The operation to snare them was launched after an increase in the number of complaints from passengers who said things had gone missing from their luggage.

Nearly 30 designer watches were recovered along with jewellery, phones, and electronic devices as well as 13,000 (11,000) in cash.

Spanish police released footage showing them frisking suspects they had held before opening up their lockers to discover stolen items.

A spokesman for the Civil Guard, which led Operation Orotel as it was codenamed, said at the time: 'The value of the recovered items stands at nearly 2 million (1.7 million).

'Fourteen people have been arrested at Tenerife South Airport and 20 other people placed under investigation on suspicion of robbery, membership of a criminal gang, and money laundering.

'They are all airport workers.





'The operation began after an increase in the number of complaints from passengers who said valuables and cash had been stolen from suitcases they had checked in.

'The victims are of different nationalities.

'The suspects allegedly took advantage of their jobs at the airport to load and unload cases at a slower rhythm and put greater distance between each case.

'They would also open the luggage once it was inside the hold, out of view of passengers and other people.'

The spokesman added: 'Once they had taken the objects that interested them, they would close the zip to make sure there was no sign they had manipulated the contents.'

He said the suspects would also use screens to hide the fact they were opening up passengers' luggage.

Police sources said after the arrests at Tenerife South Airport, the airport used by most British holidaymakers to enter the island rather than the one in the north, that they believed millions of pounds worth of valuables could have been stolen given the value of the material recovered.


Sunday, March 10, 2024  Perus Prime Minister Alberto Otarola has tendered his resignation amid allegations of using his position and influence to assist a woman in securing lucrative government contracts.

The scandal took a different turn when Peruvian TV broadcaster Panorama aired audio clips purportedly featuring conversations between Otarola and the woman in question, identified as Yazire Pinedo, 25.

The allegations suggest that Pinedo was awarded two contracts for work in the defence ministry in 2023, amounting to a total of 53,000 sol ($14,000).

Otarola, 57, who served as Perus defence minister until the end of 2022 before being promoted by President Dina Boluarte to Prime Minister has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

In the audio recordings, Otarola is heard expressing affection for Pinedo and requesting her CV, contradicting his earlier assertion that their interaction is only during a single meeting.

Pinedo and Otarola claim that the recordings date back to 2021 before Otarola was appointed as the cabinet minister.

President Boluarte, responding swiftly to the controversy, summoned Otarola back from an official visit to Canada, demanding his resignation.

Otarola, in his resignation speech on Wednesday, March 6, accused individuals, including former Prime Minister Martin Vizcarra, of planning to tarnish his image.

Those who have always wanted me out of the government have not even hesitated to edit an audio with the veiled purpose of tarnishing my image, Otarola declared.

Peruvian law mandates that all 18 members of the cabinet must submit their resignations following Otarolas departure, with the president retaining the option to reappoint them if she chooses.

President Boluarte has already implemented multiple cabinet reshuffles in an effort to stabilize her administration and quell opposition since assuming office.
Sunday, March 10, 2024 - Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioner Roselyn Akombe has reacted to President Wiliam Rutos decision to appoint Ezra Chiloba as an ambassador.

According to Akombe, she is not troubled at all by Ezra Chiloba's appointment as an ambassador.

Chiloba once served as the IEBC chief executive officer.

Ruto appointed Chiloba as Consul General in the United States.

He would be in charge of the state of Los Angeles.

Reacting to the appointment, a Kenyan suggested that it was strategic in tracing Akombe, who fell out with the Kenyan state in 2017.

"Chiloba has been sent to look for Akombe. She should now be watchful and careful. Chiloba is hunting her down. She better move to Switzerland," said the concerned Kenyan named Mapangala.

In her reaction, Akombe said she is not in fear of anything, entrusting her safety with her God.

Akombe fled Kenya at a critical time ahead of the 2017 repeat elections, following the annulment of the presidential results by the Supreme Court.

She resigned from her post citing intimidation and lack of transparency in the country's electoral system.

Akombe had also promised to testify in the public inquest into the brutal murder of former IEBC ICT director Chris Musando.

Since then, she shunned Kenya until 2021 when she first returned.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Sunday, March 10, 2024  Sweden officially joined NATO on Thursday, March 7, a major shift from the country's decade old tradition of "neutralty"

Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson formally handed over treaty accession documents to the US State Department in Washington, DC, the final step of a months-long process to gain the approval of all members to allow his country to become the alliances 32nd member.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken received the documents, which he said were the product of nearly two years of tireless diplomacy by NATO members. The documents are put into a vault at the State Department, which serves as the treaty depositary for NATO.

Sweden remained neutral in both World Wars but when Russian troops began marching toward Kyiv in February 2022, Sweden and its Nordic neighbor Finland became alert to the threat Moscow could pose to nearby countries outside the alliance.

Finland shares a 1,300 kilometer (830 mile) border with Russia.

If you step back and think of where we were three years ago, none of this was foreordained  and in fact, none of this was foreseeable, Blinken said.

Blinken talked about Swedens 200-year-old policy of non-alignment  which stretches back to the Napoleonic Wars  and the Swedish populations lack of appetite to join the alliance before Russias invasion.

Then everything changed, he said.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also welcomed the news, describing it as a historic moment.

Like Finland, Sweden shares our values and principles and they share our unwavering commitment to international security in the face of Russias threats and their barbaric war in Ukraine, Sunak said. Sweden and Finlands membership will make NATO stronger and the whole Euro-Atlantic more secure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Swedens accession was a win for everyone, calling the country a strong ally and a country that can be trusted.

Ukraine has always supported Sweden in its pursuit of NATO membership, and I thank Sweden for its support of our country  there will be a day when Sweden will be able to congratulate Ukraine on joining the alliance as well. Together, we are always stronger, he said.

Kristersson thanked his allies for welcoming Sweden into the bloc.

We will strive for unity, solidarity and burden-sharing, and will fully adhere to the Washington Treaty values: freedom, democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law. Stronger together, he said in a statement.

NATOs next annual summit will be held in July in Washington, DC, and will mark the alliances 75th anniversary.


Sunday, March 10, 2024  A group of United Nations experts have urged Britain to repatriate Shamima Begum, claiming credible evidence the 'vulnerable' jihadi bride was recruited by ISIS for 'sexual exploitation'.

Shamima Begum, now 24 and living in a refugee camp in northern Syria, was stripped of her citizenship after leaving the country aged 15 to marry an Islamic State fighter.

She lost an appeal last month against the decision, prompting UN special rapporteurs to urge Britain to provide her with protection, including repatriation, and review the decision to revoke her citizenship.

'Begum remains stripped of her citizenship, vulnerable, and denied assistance and protection as a possible victim of trafficking,' the experts said.

In their statement, the UN experts argued: 'There is a credible suspicion that Ms Begum was recruited, transferred and then harboured for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Human trafficking is an international crime, a form of modern slavery.'

Voicing their concern at the February 23 ruling, the special rapporteurs added: 'Protections owed to victims of trafficking and those at risk of trafficking, especially children, must be respected to be meaningful,' they said.

The statement was issued by the special rapporteurs on people trafficking, contemporary slavery, human rights while countering terrorism, the sale and sexual exploitation of children, and on violence against women.

Special rapporteurs are mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but are independent experts and do not speak for the United Nations.

England's Court of Appeal rejected all five arguments presented by Begum.

The risk to national security took precedence over whether she had been a potential victim of trafficking, it ruled.

Giving her 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. Our only task is to assess whether the deprivation decision was unlawful.

'We have concluded it was not and the appeal is dismissed.'

Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary who took the decision to deprive Ms Begum of her British citizenship, said afterwards: 'I welcome the 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.'

Begum could still take her case to the UK Supreme Court.

The 24-year-old, whose family is of Bangladeshi origin, left her east London home for Syria with two school friends in 2015.

While there, she married a fighter with the IS jihadist group and had three children, none of whom survived.

In 2019, Begum argued she was left de facto stateless when Britain's then interior minister Sajid Javid revoked her citizenship on national security grounds.

She said at the time she regretted everything she did in Syria and begged for a second chance in the UK, claiming she was 'brainwashed'.

The 19-year-old, who lost three children prematurely while living in Baghuz, spoke out for the first time after the death of baby Jerrah in an interview with The Times.

She told the newspaper: 'Since I left Baghuz I really regretted everything I did, and I feel like I want to go back to the UK for a second chance to start my life over again.

'I was brainwashed. I came here believing everything that I had been told while knowing little about the truths of my religion.'

Ms Begum said she was radicalised online after feeling 'slightly depressed' and 'looking for a purpose'.

She added it was 'easy to manipulate' her at the time because of a disconnect with her family.
Man arrested twice in same day at Jamestown businesses on Friday

In a span of less than four hours on Friday, a man was arrested twice after acting in a disorderly fashion at two Jamestown businesses  at one of them he threatened an employee with a knife, according to the Jamestown Police Department.

Ervin L. Mitchell, 53, was arrested around 10 a.m. after the first incident at a Northside Jamestown business, and then after being released, was once again detained around 1:30 p.m. after breaking a window at a Westside Jamestown business, police said.

Mitchell was arraigned on the new charges Saturday and once again released, in accordance with New York State Bail Reform laws.

During the initial incident, Mitchell allegedly brandished a knife in a threatening manner to an employee and was charged with second-degree menacing and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was transported to the Jamestown City Jail and arraigned in Jamestown City Court.

Shortly after, police said they responded to a report of a disorderly person at the Westside business and there they found Mitchell, who had broken a window at the business. He was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and held in Jamestown City Jail until his arraignment on Saturday.

 Michael Petro
If anybody had said in the year 2000 that approaching the 2024 Cheltenham Festival a single trainer would be on the verge of saddling 100 winners at the meeting, it would have been seen as preposterous.

Nicky Henderson already had 20 to his credit and he now sits on a very respectable 73, but back then Willie Mullins only had six  and four of those had come in the Champion Bumper.

It is quite remarkable, then, that this year Mullins is expected to bring up his century, needing six to hit the magic number.

Since the millennium, he has averaged close to four winners at each Festival, with his best being an incredible 10 in 2022. Last years six was seen simply as par for the course.

Should he repeat that number this time around, Mullins will be a long way towards setting a marker that will surely never be beaten.

Here, we take a look at 10 of the very best horses that appear on Mullins Cheltenham roll of honour:

Tourist Attraction (1995 Supreme Novices Hurdle)

The very first Cheltenham Festival winner for Mullins. At a time when he was still an amateur rider himself, he entrusted Mark Dwyer with the mount on the mare who went off a 25-1 outsider. In beating subsequent Arkle winner Ventana Canyon, Mullins proved he was capable of mixing it with the very best. She only ran once more herself but went on to produce Pete The Feat, a prolific winner for Charlie Longsdon who went on to race until he was 15.

Cousin Vinny (2008 Champion Bumper)

By 2008, Mullins was a major player at the Festival and had begun to farm the Champion Bumper having won it five times in all. However, there is no doubt if you were to ask him which was his most memorable success in the race, he would nominate Cousin Vinny, as it was a first Festival winner for his then 18-year-old son, Patrick, who has gone on to break all records as an amateur jockey.

Quevega (Mares Hurdle 2009-2014)

There was not much to the diminutive mare who arrived from France in 2007 but once Mullins worked out the key to her, she created her own piece of Cheltenham history. While some disagreed with the way she was campaigned, as from 2010 onwards she made her seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham, there could be no doubting the execution of the plan. The extra races have undoubtedly helped Mullins rack up his incredible numbers and many would have preferred to have seen Quevega try her luck in the Champion Hurdle or more likely the Stayers given she won the Punchestown equivalent four times. Either way, just running in the same race six times is a notable achievement, never mind winning it.

Hurricane Fly (Champion Hurdle 2011 and 2013)

Another who created his own piece of history. Hurricane Fly, who came with a tall reputation as a Listed winner on the Flat in France, became the first horse to win the Champion Hurdle, lose it and then regain the crown. Injury meant he missed the first two Cheltenham Festivals he was eligible for, and given he beat that years Supreme winner, Go Native, by 10 lengths at Leopardstown in the Christmas of his novice season, you would have to think that is one that got away, and the year after that he came back from injury to win at Punchestown. His defeat in the 2012 Champion came on the fastest ground he encountered and the winner of 24 of 32 hurdle races certainly loved the mud.

Vautour (Supreme Novices Hurdle 2014, JLT Novices Chase 2015, Ryanair Chase 2016)

In terms of pure natural ability, Vautour has to be among the best Mullins has ever trained. The day he won the Supreme Novices Hurdle by six lengths he looked impregnable and he would have taken all the beating in the Champion itself. Sent straight over fences, he recovered from a blip at Leopardstown to bolt up by 16 lengths in what is now the Turners. A horse who certainly saved his best for Cheltenham, he won the Ryanair with a display that took the breath away, even if it met a muted reception due to owner Rich Ricci stating at a Cheltenham preview evening the horse would run in the Gold Cup.

Faugheen (Neptune Novices Hurdle 2014, Champion Hurdle 2015)

One of Mullins most popular trainees, on his day he looked nigh on unbeatable. A very easy winner of what is now the Gallagher Novices Hurdle, the following season he endured a very un-Mullins-like preparation for the Champion Hurdle by running at Ascot and Kempton first. His only run in Ireland that season came after he had already won the Champion, when he went to Punchestown and was even more impressive. Sadly, injury curtailed him after that and he did not run between January 2016 and November 2017. Never quite the same, he did win a Grade One novice chase at Limerick and it was to his credit that his final start came at Cheltenham when third in the 2020 edition of the Marsh (Turners) Novices Chase.

Douvan (Supreme Novices Hurdle 2015, Arkle 2016)

Oh what might have been. Super talented but also, ultimately, incredibly fragile. There were no signs of the heartache to come as he waltzed through his novice hurdle season unbeaten, or when he won all six of his novice chases the year after. That he had a subsequent Gold Cup winner in Sizing John seven lengths behind him in the Arkle spoke volumes. However, when 2-9 favourite for the Champion Chase the year after, he made mistakes and trailed in seventh, finishing lame. He had a year off but returned for the same race only to fall four out when leading the field a merry dance.

Al Boum Photo (Gold Cup 2019 and 2020)

Despite dominating the Festival by now, Mullins had yet to win the blue riband, coming close on several occasions. Step forward the unglamourous Al Boum Photo. No star over hurdles, he would have gone close in the 2018 RSA Novices Chase when falling two out, breaking Ruby Walshs leg in the process. The following season he ran once before the Gold Cup, winning a minor race at Tramore, and his 12-1 success at Cheltenham caught a few out. But he repeated the trick 12 months later, with Mullins sticking to the same routine. He finished a five-length third to Minella Indo when bidding to emulate Best Mate.

Allaho (Ryanair Chase 2021 and 2022)

If ever a race and a horse were a match made in heaven it was surely Allaho and the Ryanair Chase. Viewed as a stayer in his younger days, when he was third in the Albert Bartlett and RSA in his novice hurdle and chase seasons, it was not until the intermediate trip was settled upon that he was seen to his best. Eschewed by Paul Townend in favour of Min in 2021, Rachael Blackmore made no mistake and the punters sent them off favourite, suggesting Townend had made the wrong call pre-race and so it proved, with Allaho winning by 12 lengths. Townend did not make the same mistake again, with a 14-length success a year later. Unfortunately injury has ruled him out of the past two Festivals.

Galopin Des Champs (Martin Pipe 2021 and Gold Cup 2023)

Unfortunate not to be going for a fourth successive win at the meeting given he tipped up when miles clear as a novice in 2022, he must have been some certainty in the Martin Pipe the year before off 142. Mullins has got him right back to his best mid-season after two defeats and he looks to hold massive claims of emulating his former stablemate Al Boum Photo and you would not put it past him to go one better.
The Government should apologise to carers, the disabled, families and women for their 'arrogant' and 'complacent' running of last Friday's referenda, according to Labour Party election candidate and former Mayor of Kilkenny, Sean O hArgain.

Ireland has voted to reject Government proposals to change the Constitution that would have removed the so-called 'woman in the home' clause and widened the definition of family.

The public rejected the proposed changes on family, with 67% of people voting against the amendment.

Speaking after the referenda results were revealed on Saturday evening, Mr O hArgain described the conduct of the campaign for the Government-proposed referenda as the 'worst he had seen in 35 years of political activism' and claimed the Government had made an 'utter hames' of such an important opportunity to modernise our constitution.

"I have rarely seen the level of anger with a government proposal to the people that I have seen in recent weeks of canvassing in this referendum campaign. Even in the last week of the campaign, when I canvassed on High Street in the city, the anger and upset from young and particularly older voters was palpable. I had a stream of carers, many on the verge of tears approach me, expressing their frustration at a government who have ignored and devalued them for years," he said.

"The Governments decision to ignore the advice of the Citizens Assembly and Labours proposed amendments on the wording of the care section was disastrous from the start. The opportunity to commit the people and government of our republic to make real provision for family and non-family carers was turned away for ideological reasons by this conservative coalition. Carers and the disabled or ill people they care for deserve much better.," Mr O hArgain added.

"The failure of our constitution to recognise other family units, particularly those not based on marriage needs to be reversed as soon as possible. The ludicrous inclusion of the phrase durable relationships led to scaremongering and played into the hands of the opponents of change," the former Mayor stated.

Mr O hArgain also told the Kilkenny People that he did not meet 'a single voter' who had been canvassed by any of the government parties in Kilkenny on the referenda.

"There were no posters, leaflets or any of the other normal communications of referendum campaigns. To hear the Chairperson of the Referendum Commission complain last week that they did not have time to ensure every house received the commissions information booklet says it all. What is the point in having a commission if we needlessly rush campaigns with all the expense involved to citizens and taxpayers?"

The Labour Party election candidate concluded by saying: "It is now urgent that the government apologises to all of these groups for their fiasco of a campaign. They should learn from the marriage equality and other campaigns and build a real consensus among citizens and the campaign groups involved in seeking change. My own view is that this Government is incapable of achieving this. We need a general election as soon as possible. I will call for the Labour Party to lead the debate on future constitutional change but more importantly to lead the campaign for proper funding and provision for carers."
Gosling and Mendes' love story first started in 2011 when they costarred in 'The Place Beyond the Pines'

Sonia Recchia/Getty Images Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling at the premiere of The Place Beyond the Pines

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes found love on set.

The Hollywood power couple's romance developed while they worked together on the 2012 film The Place Beyond the Pines and eventually started a relationship offscreen.

In the years following, they have started a family together, welcoming two children: daughters Esmeralda Amada, 9, and Amada Lee, 7.

Though the Oscar-nominated Barbie actor and Hitch actress are extremely private about their personal lives and have only made a handful of public appearances together, they have revealed a look at the origins of their love story in interviews over the years.

Heres everything to know about how Gosling and Mendes met.

Related: Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes' Relationship Timeline

When did Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes meet?

Atsushi Nishijima/Focus Features/Everett Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling in The Place Beyond the Pines

By the time the couple first worked together on The Place Beyond the Pines, they were both megastars in their own right, with Gosling starring in 2004s The Notebook and 2010s Blue Valentine and Mendes having memorable parts in 2003s 2 Fast 2 Furious and 2005s Hitch.

In the 2012 film in which they costarred, Gosling plays a bank robber who tries to provide for his ex-girlfriend (played by Mendes) and their son. Though many assumed they first met on set, Mendes later revealed that they actually met offscreen first.

In an Instagram post shared in April 2023, Mendes reflected on filming the movie by sharing a clip of her and Gosling. Magic is Real, she wrote before clarifying, We did not meet on set.

The magic started way before but heres a little magic captured on camera, she added. Gracias to the incredible director Derek Cianfrance.

When did Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes start dating?

SplashNews.com Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes holding hands at Disneyland

After kicking off filming in the summer of 2011, Gosling and Mendes began to spark dating rumors later that year, after they stepped out for a handful of outings together. In September 2011, they went public with their romance by holding hands during a Disney date.

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They looked relaxed and seemed to be having a fun time together, an eyewitness told PEOPLE at the time. Like a dating couple, they always walked very closely, holding hands and their arms touching side-by-side.

Of their offscreen chemistry, a source told PEOPLE, Ryan and Eva have spent a lot of time together on set. They have great chemistry and seem to enjoy filming together. They seem to be good friends and always laugh together.

The couple later made their red carpet debut in September 2012 at the premiere of The Place Beyond The Pines at the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada.

What have Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes said about meeting each other?

Atsushi Nishijima/Focus Features/Everett Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes in The Place Beyond the Pines

Though Gosling and Mendes are notoriously private about their relationship, they have opened up about working together from time to time.

During an interview with GQ in 2023, Gosling said that meeting Mendes and working with her on the film made him want to start a family. I wasnt thinking about kids before I met her, he told the publication. But after I met Eva, I realized that I just didnt want to have kids without her.

He added, There were moments on The Place Beyond the Pines where we were pretending to be a family, and I didnt really want it to be pretend anymore. I realized that this would be a life I would be really lucky to have ... Im glad I didnt have control over my destiny in that way, because it was so much better than I ever had dreamed for myself."

Meanwhile, Mendes has reflected on their time on set with sweet throwbacks on social media. In honor of the films 10th anniversary in 2023, she shared a carousel of pictures of them from the film, writing, "Luke & Romina. Mi socia @scondito just sent me this telling me it's been 10 years since this film came out. Feels like lifetimes ago."

While accepting the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in January 2024, Gosling further reflected on working with Mendes, recalling how the film changed his life.

"I got to meet the girl of my dreams, Eva Mendes," he told the crowd. "I have two dream children. I dreamed of one day making movies and now movies have made my life a dream."

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Kaouther Ben Hania will make history for her native Tunisia on Sunday with its first Academy Award if her hotly tipped nominated work Four Daughters triumphs in the Best Documentary category on Sunday.

The director belongs to a generation of Tunisian filmmakers who emerged in the wake of their countrys so-called Jasmine Revolution, which ousted dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in early 2011.

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Habib Attia, who is one of the original producers on Four Daughters, has been an integral part of this movement too.

The Tunis-based producer has cinema in his blood as the son of late producer Ahmed Bahaeddine Attia, whose credits included Moufida Tlatlis 1994 breakout The Silences of the Palace, starring Tunisian-Egyptian star Hend Sabry in her first major big screen role.

On finishing his high school studies, Attia headed to his mothers native Italy to study engineering in Milan, rather than immediately following in his fathers footsteps.

I was going to be an engineer, recounts Attia, a fluent Arabic, French, Italian and English speaker.

He eventually returned to Tunisia in 2007 to take up the reins of his fathers company Cinetelefilms, following his early death.

Attia has kept the banner alive with a steady flow of award-winning local films, including a number of works reflecting the revolutionary period such as Hinde Boujemaas single mother drama It Was Better Tomorrow; Murad Ben Cheikhs documentary No More Fear, capturing the protests and exploring their legacy, and Sam Tlilis Cursed Be The Phosphate, exploring an early 2008 social disobedience movement against Ben Ali in the mining city of Redeyef.

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More recent credits, alongside the films of Ben Hania, include Meryam Joobeurs 2018 Oscar-nominated short Brotherhood, and Mehdi Barsaouis A Son, for which French star Sami Bouajila won Best Actor in Venices Horizons competition in 2019 and the 2020 French Cesars.

Attia also works regularly with non-Tunisian Arab filmmakers, producing Palestinian director Rashid Masharawis Lailas Birthday (2008) and Falestine Stereo (2013) and Moroccan filmmaker Hind Bensaris Hot Docs winner We Could Be Heroes (2018), about compatriot shot put Paralympian Azzedine Nouiri, and taking a co-producer credit on U.S. director Nathan Lotfys Harka set in the lead up to the Tunisian revolution.

He suggests that Tunisias filmmakers have moved on from the immediate political concerns of the 2011 revolution to tell other stories about their country and society.

What were living is historic. Tunisias post-revolution New Wave has matured, he says.

This New Wave which initially captured with urgency what we were living in the street, has matured and is moving more and more into fiction.

Attia is accompanying a number of Tunisian directors in this move.

He has just kicked off the shoot of Leyla Bouzids third feature Under Ones Breath. It marks his first collaboration with Bouzid, whose previous credits include As I Open My Eyes and A Tale of Love and Desire.

The film is a coming-of-age story about a young Tunisian woman living in Paris who returns home following the death of a beloved uncle on her mothers side.

She discovers he died in mysterious circumstances with his body found in the tourist resort of Sousse half naked. Through her quest to get to the bottom of what happened, the film explores fault-lines in Tunisian society, says Attia.

He is working on the film in co-production with lead producer Caroline Nataf at Paris-based production house Unite Films.

He is also finishing post-production on Aicha, his second collaboration with Barsaoui after A Son.

The drama revolves around a woman who tries to reinvent her drab life after she is involved in a road accident in which she is believed to have died.

She heads to the Tunisian capital of Tunis under a new identity, but it is not long before her subterfuge catches up with her.

Attia presented the movie at the Doha Film Institutes Qumra event last week, aimed at nurturing projects and talents that have received the support of its grants program, in its picture lock showcase.

He is producing the movie with Marc Irmer at Paris-based Dolce Vita Films, in co-production with Marseille company 13 Prods and Italys Dorje Films.

In the backdrop, Attia is also working on The Return of the Prodigal Son by French-Egyptian-Palestinian director and producer Rani Massalha.

The production, which took the $100,000 top prize at the project market of Saudi Arabias Red Sea Film Festival last December, is inspired by the real-life slaughter of 300,000 pigs in Egypt in 2009.

The film revolves around an estranged father and son, who are reunited in their quest to hide and keep their livestock alive.

Attia is hoping to shoot next October and is currently figuring out locations, with a preference for Egypt but other potential destinations including Jordan or possibly Italy, if extra backing could be sourced there.

He is producing the movie with Paris-based Les Films du Tambour, headed by Massalhas partner Marie Legrand. Other partners include Dorje as well as Egypt-based companies Mad Solutions and 26one1.

Attia and Ben Hanias collaboration goes back a decade, kicking off with her first 2013 film Le Challet de Tunis, the docudrama about a slasher harassing women on the streets of the Tunisian capital.

They also worked together on Canada-shot documentary Zeinab Hates The Snow (2013), Cannes 2017 Un Certain Regard selection Beauty and the Dogs and Venice 2020 Horizons title The Man Who Sold His Skin, which made it to the final nomination stage of the 2021 Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category, losing out to Another Round.

Four Daughters  about Tunisian mother Olfa Hamrouni who lost two teenage daughters to the Islamic Republic after they were radicalized and ran away to Libya  took six years to bring to fruition.

Attia, who was involved in the project from its early stages in 2016, says it was surprisingly difficult to get off the ground despite Ben Hanias growing renown on the back of The Man Who Sold His Skin.

Despite that brilliant career, Four Daughters was extremely hard to finance says the producer.

He suggests that initial attempts to find partners were hampered by perceptions around the story at the heart of the film work.

It was classed as one of those stories coming out of the Middle East and North Africa about ISIS, but the story of Olfa Hamrouni is very unique and her character is much bigger than that, he says.

The project started to gel after Ben Hania revisited her screenplay during the pandemic lockdowns and came up with the hybrid structure, mixing documentary and dramatized re-enactments to retell the story of Hamrouni and her daughters over the arc of a decade.

It was the turning point for the financing, says Attia, recalling how they relaunched the project at the Cairo Film Festivals Cairo Film Connection project market in late 2020.

Despite the award-winning credits and growing international footprint of Arab cinema, Attia says the business of getting indie film productions financed out of Tunisia and the wider Middle East is not getting any easier.

He acknowledges that grants schemes run by the Doha Film Institute and Saudi Arabias Red Sea Film Foundation are a boon, but says the cinema financing situation in his native Tunisia is a disaster with funding stagnating at the same level as a decade ago.

Its astounding really when you see how well Tunisian films are doing locally and internationally and not just in festivals but also in cinemas, says the producer.

This is the best ambassador for our culture and our identity. Our institutions, the Ministry of Culture and the National Cinema Centre have to follow this dynamic and evolve the laws that govern the sector.

He suggests there also needs to be more joined up thinking across the Arab world to create the sorts of co-production alliances that are commonplace in Europe.

The Tunisian government and the other countries in the region need to create south-south funding mechanisms, he says. We have so many subjects in common and it would strengthen us as producers.

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Groups of migrants of different nationalities arrive at the Rio Grande, to cross it and surrender to the American authorities on February 19.
NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund (NYSE:NXG  Get Free Report) is one of 1,248 public companies in the Asset Management industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund to similar businesses based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings, profitability, institutional ownership, valuation and risk.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Get NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund alerts:

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund -$28.13 million N/A -158.33 NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund Competitors $347.76 million $47.08 million 531.58

NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Funds peers have higher revenue and earnings than NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund. NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund 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.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund N/A N/A N/A NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund Competitors 343.89% 7.66% 4.95%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

This table compares NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

38.7% of shares of all Asset Management companies are held by institutional investors. 18.7% of shares of all Asset Management companies are held 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.

Dividends

NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund pays an annual dividend of $5.13 per share and has a dividend yield of 13.5%. NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund pays out -2,137.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Asset Management companies pay a dividend yield of 7.8% and pay out 897.1% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund is clearly a better dividend stock than its peers, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings for NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund 0 0 0 0 N/A NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund Competitors 1179 4867 5978 94 2.41

As a group, Asset Management companies have a potential upside of 71.52%. Given NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Funds peers higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Summary

NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund peers beat NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund on 8 of the 10 factors compared.

About NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund

(Get Free Report)

NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Cushing MLP Asset Management, LP. The fund invests in stocks of companies across the energy supply chain spectrum, including upstream, midstream and downstream energy companies, as well as oil and gas services and logistics companies, energy-intensive chemical, metal and industrial and manufacturing companies and engineering and construction companies. NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income Fund was formed in 2012 and is domiciled in the United States.

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Moon may be next frontier in U.S. competition with Russia, China for nuclear superiority
A member of Rishi Sunaks cabinet has been accused of major incompetence for failing to correct the parliamentary record four years after having admitted to misleading parliament.

Veterans minister Johnny Mercer has acknowledged that he misled the House of Commons in January 2020 during a debate about allegations of war crimes by UK special forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But, despite saying he would correct the parliamentary record in August 2020, Mr Mercer has until now failed to do so.

Labour MP Kevan Jones has written to cabinet secretary Simon Case accusing Mr Mercer of having breached the ministerial code.

Minister for veterans affairs Johnny Mercer continued his evidence to the inquiry on Wednesday (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)

I ask that you investigate this continued breach of the ministerial code, why the record has not yet been corrected, and outline what action will take place as a result, he said, in a letter seen by The Independent.

And the ex-chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Sir Alistair Graham, told The Independent Mr Mercer was guilty of letting the House of Commons down.

It sounds like major incompetence the speaker should be criticising him as much as anything, Sir Alistair said.

He added: The House of Commons is based on trusting the word of ministers, that what ministers say is true.

And if they have promised to do something, it undermines the integrity of the political system if they do not keep to their word.

During the January 2020 debate, sparked by a Panorama probe into accusations that the government and armed forces covered up the killing of civilians by British troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, then-defence minister Mr Mercer told MPs: There have been allegations made by individuals, a very small number of whom worked within the investigative teams.

But in evidence given in person and submitted in writing to the independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan last month, Mr Mercer admitted he had inadvertently misled MPs by reading out statements he later found to be incorrect.

And in an August 2020 letter released as part of the evidence submitted to the inquiry, Mr Mercer told his then-boss, defence secretary Ben Wallace: That I have now been allowed to read out statements to the House of Commons that individuals in strategic appointments in the department knew to be incorrect is completely unacceptable.

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Working under Ben Wallace in the Ministry of Defence was very difficult, Mercer said, as it placed him in uncomfortable positions (PA Archive)

These were clearly not complaints by a small number of individuals within the investigations team but widespread. I have continually downplayed these allegations in public too to support [special forces unit] UKSF1 and the department.

That was clearly a mistake.

Mr Mercer told Mr Wallace he wanted to make a statement to the House of Commons in the first week of September 2020 correcting the record.

Mr Mercer did not correct the record in the first week of September 2020 and has still yet to do so in almost three and a half years since.

The ministerial code states that it is of paramount importance for ministers to give accurate and truthful information to parliament. And it states that ministers must correct any inadvertent error at the earliest opportunity.

In a statement posted on X in February, Mr Mercer said: I am an elected politician who serves the public. I am not an appointed official and my position relies on my reputation and my ability to sustain public confidence in my character.

In his letter to Mr Case, Mr Jones, a member of parliaments defence committee, said he has the utmost respect for those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, including Mr Mercer.

He said: As a former member of our Armed Forces, Mr Mercer is aware of the standards maintained by our Armed Forces and the importance of making sure they are upheld.

It is with this in mind that I would ask the department why Mr Mercer, with due respect to Parliament, as prescribed under the ministerial code, did not correct the record at the first opportunity in September 2020, and has yet to do so in the three and half years since.

By his own admission, it appears Mr Mercer has knowingly  if inadvertently  misled Parliament and therefore is in breach of the ministerial code.

I ask that you investigate this continued breach of the ministerial code, why the record has not yet been corrected, and outline what action will take place as a result.

In February, Mr Mercer said he was angry at Mr Wallace after discovering UK special forces officers knew about Afghanistan death squad allegations before he described them as untrue in the House of Commons.

Giving evidence to the inquiry, he described his time working under Mr Wallace as very difficult, adding: I did not enjoy it and it placed me in a number of very, very uncomfortable positions.

The inquiry will examine whether a special forces unit, known to the probe as UKSF1, had a policy of executing males of fighting age who posed no threat in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.

Afghan families have accused UK special forces of conducting a campaign of murder against civilians, while senior officers and personnel at the Ministry of Defence sought to prevent adequate investigation.

Mr Mercer has been contacted for comment.
Sonitpur (Assam) [India], March 10 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday performed the Bhumi Pujan ceremony of 50 MW Solar Project being developed in Sonitpur district here.

"The Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma today performed Bhumi Pujan ceremony of 50 MW Solar Project being developed in Sonitpur, Assam by SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), a wholly owned subsidiary of SJVN," as per a press release from Ministry of Power.

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The 50 MW Solar Project is being developed in Sitalmari village, in Barsola Block under Dhekiajuli Revenue Sector in Sonitpur district. It will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 291 crores. The project will generate 101 million units of green energy in the first year and the cumulative energy generation over a period of 25 years will be about 2,319 million units. The energy generated will be supplied to Assam Power Development Corporation Limited at Rs 3.92 per unit.

"Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of Assam, Ashok Singhal; MP, Tezpur, Pallab Lochan Das; MLA, Barchalla, Ganesh Kumar Limbu; Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India, Ajay Tewari; Director (Finance), SJVN, Akhileshwar Singh; CEO, SGEL, Ajay Singh; and MD, APDCL, Rakesh Kumar were present for the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony," the release stated.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi To Inaugurate, Lay Foundation Stone of 112 National Highway Projects Worth Rs 1 Lakh Crore on March 11.

Chairperson & Managing Director, SJVN, Geeta Kapur informed that SJVN has set its footprint in Assam and that SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), the renewable arm of SJVN, is developing three solar projects of capacity 200 MW, 70 MW and 50 MW, thus amounting to a total power capacity in the state of 320 MW. Among these, the foundation stone for the 70 MW Solar Project in Dhubri, Assam was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 4.

"SJVN Limited, a Mini Ratna- Category-I and Schedule - 'A' Central Public Sector Enterprise under the administrative control of the Ministry of Power, Government of India, commenced its journey on May 24, 1988 as a joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh," as per the release.

A listed entity, SJVN has commissioned thirteen projects totalling 2377 MW of installed capacity and 123 km Transmission Lines. SJVN has diversified into almost all forms of energy i.e., Hydro, Thermal, Wind, Solar, Power trading and Transmission.

Looking ahead, SJVN aims to grow by setting ambitious targets to achieve the Shared Vision of 25,000 MW installed capacity by the year 2030 and 50,000 MW installed capacity by the year 2040. This Shared Vision has been formulated in line with the commitment of the Government of India of having 50 per cent of its power capacity from non-fossil-fuel-based energy sources by the year 2030. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Mar 10 (PTI) A child fell into a 40-foot-deep borewell at a Delhi Jal Board water treatment plant here in the early hours of Sunday and a rescue operation is underway, officials said.

The rescue efforts are being led by teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Delhi Fire Services (DFS).

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Exorcist Rapes Woman From Mumbai After She Approaches Him for Spiritual Healing, Arrested.

Around 1 am, information was received that a person fell into a borewell at the DJB plant in west Delhi's Keshopur Mandi area.

"Five fire tenders were rushed to the spot. We later received a message from our officials that a child had fallen into a 40-foot-deep borewell," DFS chief Atul Garg said.

Also Read | Kerala: 13 People Including Two Children Injured After Huge Wave Topples Floating Bridge in Varkala Beach (Watch Video).

A rescue operation was launched immediately and an NDRF team is also at the spot, he said.

The NDRF team will soon start digging another borewell parallel to the one in which the child has fallen, Garg said.

Police officials said a team was rushed to the spot soon after information about the incident was received.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Vichitra Veer said, "A PCR call was received at Vikaspuri police station at night informing that a person had fallen into the borewell at the Keshopur (Delhi) Jal Board office. The local police as well as fire brigade teams reached the spot. An NDRF team has also been called to the spot. Efforts are being made to take the person out safely."

The identity of the person who has fallen inside the borewell is yet to be ascertained, the officer said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
The Saskatchewan government has put its international skilled worker hard-to-fill skills pilot program on hold. It was launched for intermediate and low-skilled workers in eligible, high-demand occupations.

The Saskatchewan government has put a hold on its hard-to-fill skills pilot program.

In the wake of that decision, Saskatoon resident Rose Mary Antony is preparing to leave the country after five years of living in Canada. And she isn't the only one.

The pilot program was initiated in December 2021 "for intermediate and low-skilled workers in eligible, high-demand occupations."

Through the program, if a worker managed to get a job approval letter from an employer, they'd be eligible to apply for the Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program after working for as little as six months with that employer.

Antony moved from India to Canada in 2019 to study international business management at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ont. She said she moved to Saskatoon in 2022 for better job prospects that would help her get permanent residency.

She said the pilot program was one of the reasons she was willing to undermine her qualifications to work in a "hard-to-fill" job.

Antony was working as a food counter attendant at a fast food chain before Saskatchewan paused its permanent residency pathway in January. She said she's no longer hopeful she'll be able to stay in Canada  a country she had already started calling home.

"For the people who already invested their time, effort, money, I think it's just completely unfair what happened," she said. "I'm just trying to be hopeful about my future, but at the moment with everything that's going on, I'm not sure anymore."

LISTEN | Sask. puts its hard-to-fill skills pilot program for permanent residency on hold:

On the federal government's side, it made a recent raft of changes to immigration policies, including announcing that 18-month extensions to work permits for international students wouldn't be provided starting this year.

That has left Antony in limbo  she can't extend her work permit and she can't apply for permanent residency either. She said this disruption affects her in more ways than one.

Story continues

"It took a toll on my mental health and I'm the only one with an income back home. I have my parents who are retired. I'm the only source of income for them, so that's also going to throw me off financially."

Omer Khayyam, an immigration lawyer in Saskatoon, said the initial population boost for Saskatchewan could be attributed to easier permanent residency pathways.

Omer Khayyam, an immigration lawyer in Saskatoon, says the way the provincial government abruptly paused the pilot program was 'irresponsible.' (Osman Akthar)

Omer Khayyam, a Saskatoon-based immigration lawyer, said he heard from three or four people every day when the halt to the provincial program was first announced.

"It's sloppy. It's irresponsible the way they've done it; it really sends a bad message. It shows that the government really doesn't care for foreign workers," he said.

The government said it would still process employer-approved forms that were submitted prior to Jan. 11 and it would also consider applications that were added until Jan. 22 for existing employees working in the province. That gave employees a 10-day window to scramble for approvals.

Khayyam said 10 days were barely enough. He said the government should have given at least five to six months for employees to negotiate with their employers.

Category closed after cap reached, province says

The Saskatchewan government said it closed the program for a review, to be completed this spring. It said occupations in the health care, agriculture or value-added agriculture sectors are excluded from the closure.

The government said in an emailed response that it closed the category as it had reached its cap on nominations, and that it was a temporary category with a fixed allocation.

When asked about its sudden pause to the pathway with no prior notice to foreign workers, the government said it had added a banner to its website in 2021 advising people to look for future updates or changes to the program intake.

"The banner stated that depending on the program demand, thresholds or caps may be implemented to manage the number of applications under this pilot," Saskatchewan's Ministry of Immigration and Career Training said in the emailed response.

It added that the program review that's underway to evaluate the outcomes of the pilot will determine if and when the program will reopen.
New Delhi [India], March 10 (ANI): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government in Delhi and the Lieutenant Governor (LG) traded charges on Saturday over demolition drives in different slums of the national capital.

The Delhi government alleged that nearly three lakh slum dwellers have been rendered homeless since Vinai Kumar Saxena took office as LG. However, the Delhi LG's office refuted the claims, labelling them as "typical and blatant lies" peddled by the Delhi government.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Exorcist Rapes Woman From Mumbai After She Approaches Him for Spiritual Healing, Arrested.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Delhi government alleged that an attempt was made to demolish Ghosia Colony in Mehrauli on the orders of the LG.

"Delhiites are aware that since Mr Vinai Saxena became Delhi's LG, more slums have been demolished in the past two and a half years than ever before in Delhi. Nearly three lakh slum dwellers have been rendered homeless on the LG's directives during the last two and a half years," the Delhi government claimed.

Also Read | Kerala: 13 People Including Two Children Injured After Huge Wave Topples Floating Bridge in Varkala Beach (Watch Video).

"It has also come to light that an attempt was made to wrongfully demolish Ghosia Colony in Mehrauli on the LG's orders. When the Delhi government raised the issue of residents' voices in court, the High Court intervened. Otherwise, the LG would have demolished the entire Ghosia Colony. Similarly, there was a large slum cluster behind the Sundar Nagar nursery, which the LG demolished by misleading the court," it claimed.

"In recent days, the LG has rendered numerous people homeless. Because of this, the LG is resorting to such drama just before the elections, shedding crocodile tears, as the LG also knows that this time, the people living in unauthorized colonies and slums in Delhi will vote against the BJP. The LG's actions in clusters like JJ clusters are the main reason for this," it alleged.

Delhi government further pointed out, "It is also noteworthy that around 800 Hindu refugees from Pakistan have been living in Delhi since 2011. Two days ago, the LG ordered the demolition of these Hindu refugees' slums as well. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal raised their voices. Otherwise, the LG had also planned to render those 800 Hindu refugees homeless."

"Earlier, nearly two and a half lakh people were rendered homeless near Tughlakabad, hundreds of people were rendered homeless in Ghosia Colony, their homes were demolished with bulldozers. Hundreds of people behind the Sundar nursery were rendered homeless. All agencies responsible for this action come under the LG. LG should answer all this," it added.

In a stern reply, the Delhi LG Office said, "This is a typical and blatant lie being peddled, supposedly by the Delhi government."

"Not a single Jhuggi has been removed at the LG's directions. In fact, on many occasions, the last being at Majnu ka Tila, demolitions were stopped due to LG's intervention," a Raj Niwas official said in a statement.

"What is atrocious is that they are even dragging the Hon'ble Courts into their murky games. They are charging the LG of "misleading" the Courts, a tactics that they have perfected and the LG Sectt has even moved Courts against the perjury committed by them," the official said.

"If they think that the LG misled the courts, why aren't they taking recourse to bringing the true picture in front of the courts? Who is stopping them?" he added.

The LG has made four visits to underdeveloped areas like unauthorized colonies and slum clusters in the city in recent days. Previously, he visited Kirari, Burari, and Sangam Vihar, and shared similar pictures and issued directions for action by the concerned departments.

Taking to X on Saturday, LG Saxena expressed concern about people living in these areas. "Complaints about lack of public facilities are being continuously received from every part of Delhi. In this context, yesterday I went to JJ Cluster located in Golakuan Tehkhand and Sanjay Colony, Okhla and saw the ground reality from there. A more vivid example of inaction and insensitivity cannot be found than this," he said. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], March 10 (ANI): The nation's two iconic institutions, Prasar Bharati and Khadi Village and Industries Commission (KVIC), celebrated a momentous occasion on Saturday as they came together to strengthen the spirit of 'Khadi for Nation and Khadi for Fashion' at the Prasar Bharati Secretariat in New Delhi.

The event was attended by Manoj Kumar, Chairman KVIC, Gaurav Dwivedi, Chief Executive Officer Prasar Bharati, Priya Kumar, Director General, Doordarshan News (DD News), among other distinguished guests, and saw the launch of a new Khadi wardrobe for the news anchors of the Hindi news channel DD News and the English news channel DD India.

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India's Public Service Broadcaster, Prasar Bharati and Khadi India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in September 2023, under which the anchors of DD News and DD India will now actively contribute to carrying forward India's rich heritage and modernity by wearing clothes made of Khadi.

Addressing the program, Manoj Kumar said that this initiative of DD News and Khadi India will also send a message to those who do not want to wear Khadi.

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He praised DD News for its innovations in the media landscape and said that the journey of Khadi has to be taken further under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While addressing the program, Gaurav Dwivedi said that this initiative will further take forward the Prime Minister's vision of development along with nurturing our history and legacy.

Khadi's historical significance lies in symbolizing self-reliance, and independence in India. Mahatma Gandhi's advocacy for Khadi as a tool for economic self-sufficiency and empowerment, especially in rural economies, paved the way for its adoption as India's national fabric. This gave Khadi wide acceptance in the Indian social fabric.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong support, positions Khadi not just as a fabric but as an idea reflecting self-reliance and sustainability, boosted by 'vocal for local.'

The Prime Minister's vision sees Khadi breaking records daily, becoming a symbol of Atmanirbhar Bharat and promoting employment.

In recent times, KVIC has achieved remarkable sales milestones, crossing INR 15 crore in India International Trade Fair, establishing Khadi as a global fashion commodity.

Doordarshan's key support aligns with the Prime Minister's vision, dedicating shows to Khadi development, reaching millions through our special broadcasts, bulletins and programs.

The collaboration between Prasar Bharati and KVIC marks a significant step in popularizing Khadi. DD News and DD India anchors will now showcase Khadi attire, connecting millions.

Doordarshan, a symbol of reliability, has built a reputation for credible news coverage and quality programming, reaching every corner of India and being watched globally. Praising the brand value of DD News, the KVIC chairman said this, combined with Khadi's brand value, can do wonders.

Khadi attire on DD India anchors transcends boundaries, showcasing Indian culture. This collaboration promotes India's textile heritage and sustainable fashion choices globally.

This collaboration promotes a 'Modern Khadi of New India,' aligning with the vision of a self-reliant India. Khadi represents more than just a garment--it embodies an idea of self-reliance and sustainability. The collaboration between Prasar Bharati and KVIC strengthens this idea, promoting Khadi as a symbol of modern India. (ANI)

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Kolkata, Mar 10 (PTI) A fire broke out at a slum in Beleghata area of the city on Sunday evening, an official said.

There was, however, no report of any injury due to the blaze, he said.

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Five fire tenders were rushed to the spot in the north-east part of Kolkata, when the flames were spotted at one of the shanties of Chowlpatty area around 7:30 pm, the official said.

The blaze was put out after an hour, the fire brigade official told PTI.

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"There were a lot of combustible materials in the cluster," he said.

The cause of the fire is suspected to be an LPG cylinder explosion, but the exact reason could be ascertained after forensic tests, the official added.

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Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], March 10 (ANI): The security forces on Sunday recovered seven IEDs and a wireless set during a search operation at Dara Sangla, in the Surankote area of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

"7 IEDs and a wireless set were recovered during a search operation by joint security forces at Dara Sangla, in the Surankote area of Poonch district in Jammu region," officials said.

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A search operation in the area is underway.

Further details are awaited.

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Earlier on Saturday, the Sopore police recovered one Pistol, two pistol magazines, 18 live pistol rounds and one pistol pouch during a cordon and search operation in the Logripora area of Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore district, a press release from the police said.

The police received information through reliable sources regarding a possible hideout in the jurisdiction of Bomai police station in Jammu and Kashmir.

Acting swiftly, Sopore police along with Army 22 Rashtriya Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 179 Batallion, launched an intense cordon and search operation in the Logripora area of Jammu and Kashmir.

During this operation, one hideout of terrorists was busted and arms and ammunition were recovered from the said hideout, the release said.

Police said that terrorists have used this hideout as a safe place to keep arms and ammunition to create a terrorist-induced incident thereby disturbing the peace in the valley.

In connection with this incident, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered at Bomai police station and an investigation has been set into motion, the release said. (ANI)

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Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 10 (PTI) The Kerala University Union Youth Festival 2024 on Sunday witnessed a protest by activists of the KSU, the students wing of the Congress party, who marched to the main venue of the festival alleging assault by SFI activists.

The protesters staged a sit-in at the senate hall, the main venue, alleging that the SFI activists had beaten up those belonging to the KSU who came to attend the art festival.

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Police removed the protesting students amid sloganeering.

Meanwhile, SFI leaders denied the allegations.

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Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan, reacting to the incident alleged that "SFI criminals are attacking" KSU activists.

"The SFI goons are attacking the students from colleges which have elected the KSU. They (SFI) are attacking the students on the directions of the chief minister. KSU office-bearers are being attacked everywhere," Satheesan alleged.

Meanwhile, TV channels showed some participants raising allegations against the KSU activists saying the protest have delayed their programmes.

"They (KSU) can protest but we are waiting for hours after putting on makeup and dressing up for the competition. They should understand our emotions also," students were seen talking to the media.

The university youth festival has been marred by controversy after a case was registered against a judge and two trainers of Margamkali competition, for their alleged involvement in bribery for manipulating the results.

Police had on Saturday registered a case and arrested Shaji, a judge of the competition and two trainers, Jomet and Sooraj over the allegations.

The university officials later suspended the Margamkali competition and said it will be held at a later date.

The festival was in news after the Kerala University Vice-Chancellor on March 4, barred the students' union from using the name 'Intifada' for the youth festival, citing its association with the Palestinian uprisings against Israel, and said the festival platform cannot be used to propagate any type of ideologies.

The festival began on March 7 and will conclude on March 11.

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Bhubaneswar, Mar 10 (PTI) The Odisha government has decided to set up a Rs 562-crore aviation training centre to meet future demand for pilots and skilled personnel in the sector, a minister said.

A proposal to set up Biju Patnaik Aviation Centre (BPAC) at Birasal airstrip in Dhenkanal district was approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday.

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The proposed centre will provide training for pilots, simulators and cabin crew, Revenue Minister Sudam Marndi told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

The training centre will be established in accordance with the Civil Aviation Policy-2022 of the state government, he said.

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India faces a pressing need to consistently produce 2,000 pilots annually over the next 20 years to meet the escalating demand, and the aviation training centre aims at creating 500 professionals annually, an official said.

The proposed training institute will significantly benefit the local economy and support the growth in the tourism and hospitality sector, the minister said.

Higher Education Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and Development Commissioner Anu Garg were present at the press briefing.

The cabinet also approved the amendment to the NUA-O (Nutanm Unnata Abhilasa-Odisha) scholarship guidelines to broaden its scope.

After the amendment to the guidelines, students pursuing various non-technical undergraduate and postgraduate courses in institutions will be eligible to avail of the scholarship.

A total of 17 proposals from different departments were approved by the council of ministers at the meeting.

The state government will develop Ama Bus Stands' in all blocks of Odisha in six years and will spend Rs 6,164.80 crore till the 2028-29 fiscal for developing 318 bus stands across the state under the scheme.

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Guwahati, Mar 10 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said political parties could lose their registrations if they called bandhs in violation of court orders.

He said any opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) of 2019 should be taken to the Supreme Court and protesting on the streets would serve no purpose as the law had already been enacted.

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Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme at Batadrava, Sarma said, "Everyone has a right to protest, but if a political party disobeys court order, its registration may be cancelled."

He maintained that while it is permissible for student organisations to call for a bandh, political parties cannot do so in the state due to a Gauhati High Court order prohibiting bandhs.

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"If any political party violates the high court order, we will go to the Election Commission with it," he added, referring to opposition political parties announcing intensified agitations if the CAA is implemented.

The chief minister said those opposing the CAA should place their views before the Supreme Court as it is the only authority that can scrap the law now.

"If more intense agitation was to take place, it should have been done before the law was passed. Now it is only a matter of notifying the rules, which the government is bound to do. Even if some agitation happens now, it is my guarantee that no new person will join it," Sarma added.

Opposition political parties, students and other organisations have announced of intensified protests against the CAA, which seeks to provide Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis entering India on or before December 31, 2014 from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after five years of residence here.

The 16-party United Opposition Forum, Assam, (UOFA) had staged a sit-in demonstration in Kaliabor on Friday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on a two-day visit to the state.

The forum had said a state-wide bandh will be called the very next day the contentious act comes into force, followed by 'gherao' of the Janata Bhawan (the secretariat).

It had also submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, saying they would undertake a "democratic mass movement" across the state if the CAA was not repealed.

The state had witnessed massive protests after the Rajya Sabha passed the CAA on December 11, 2019, with agitators engaging in pitched battles with security forces, forcing the administration to impose curfew in several towns and cities.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier said CAA rules would be notified and implemented before the Lok Sabha polls.

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Pune, Mar 10 (PTI) In an attempt to enhance nutritional standards of mid-day meals and ensure they are cooked in hygienic conditions, the zilla parishad in Maharashtra's Solapur district has started an initiative to revamp school kitchens and allocated Rs 2.5 crore in its budget for this purpose.

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The zilla parishad's "Amrit Rasoi" initiative will ensure that school kitchens are equipped with appliances, dining tables, water purifiers, gas cylinders, utensils and other essential paraphernalia, an official said.

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A total of 1,500 schools that come under the zilla parishad will be covered in the programme, which has already been implemented on a pilot basis in 30 to 40 schools in Karmala tehsil, said Manoj Raut, the block development officer (BDO) of Karmala.

Solapur zilla parishad's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Manisha Awahle started the endeavour after she saw the neglected state of kitchens and the substandard conditions in which food was prepared during her inspection visits to schools.

The zilla parishad recently allocated Rs 2.5 crore for the Amrit Rasoi project.

Talking to PTI, Awahle said, "I found that kitchens lacked necessary utensils, basic appliances like refrigerators, mixer grinders, and water purifiers. I was especially concerned to see vegetables stored at the houses of helpers in the absence of proper storage facilities."

Unsettled by these conditions, she stressed the need for equipping school kitchens with essential amenities during coordination meetings with district officials.

She urged officials at the panchayat samiti level to prioritise revamping kitchens.

In this project, the emphasis will be on maintaining cleanliness and hygiene by keeping infestation at bay in the kitchen area.

"To enhance the dining experience, we are focusing on setting up dining tables so that students don't have to sit on the floor to eat," Awahle said.

While it costs around Rs 1 lakh to set up a basic kitchen, each school has been granted Rs 3 lakh to create dining areas as well, she said.

Karmala BDO Raut, who took the lead in implementing the project, said he selected several schools in his area and revamped their kitchens with the help of available funds and support from the gram panchayat.

Vilas Siral, the headmaster of a primary school in Khadki village where the school kitchen has been revamped, said that earlier, storing vegetables and eggs was a challenge without a refrigerator.

"Thanks to Raut sir and the zilla parishad, we can now store vegetables for longer periods. In addition to the refrigerator, we have also been provided utensils, aprons, caps, sanitisers, and cleaning materials to ensure the kitchen remains clean," he said.

Ranjana Unde, the village development officer of Khadki, said that the gram panchayat supplied a refrigerator, gas stoves, a mixer-grinder, utensils, a pressure cooker, plates, glasses and spoons.

"The total cost of these items was Rs 76,000, and we are committed to supporting the school to ensure that the nutritional aspect is prioritised," Unde said.

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Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], March 10 (ANI): The Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) of the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) lodged a complaint at the Panjagutta Police Station against former SIB (Special Intelligence Branch) DSP Dugyala Praneeth Rao on Sunday.

According to the FIR, D. Praneeth, while working in SIB, had two rooms exclusively for himself, unlike other teams, and operated with 17 systems issued to him. He also had an exclusive and dedicated leased line with an internet connection. Through this setup, he allegedly developed profiles of unknown persons and monitored them without authorization and illegally.

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"Upon investigation, it was revealed that Praneeth, by misusing and abusing his official position, regularly copied intelligence information into his personal drives and kept it under his custody. After the prevision election results, on December 4, 2023, Praneeth Rao allegedly turned off the cameras and destroyed old hard drives containing data gathered over decades, including information he obtained, to avoid suspicion. To avoid any criminal action against himself and others and to destroy the evidence, he turned off the CCTV cameras," the FIR stated.

Panjagutta Police booked Praneet Rao under Section 409, 427, 201, 120b, read with 34 IPC, 3 PDPPA, 65, 66, 70 ITA-2000-2008.(ANI)

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Chennai, Mar 10 (PTI) Farmers on Sunday staged agitations by blocking trains in railway stations across Tamil Nadu as a mark of solidarity with ryots of northern regions and demanding that the Centre fulfill assurances made on issues including Minimum Support Price.

Legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP), waiver of loans were among the demands and farmers leaders said here that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has to fulfill his government's commitments made to them.

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Farmers staged protest across Tamil Nadu and it includes Chennai, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Kovilpatti.

"Enact a law to assure MSP, Modi regime bring law for MSP, implement MS Swaminathan panel's recommendations; waive loans taken by farmers; do not shoot and kill justice who seek farmers," were among the slogans raised by farmers here who waved green flags (a symbol of farmers) seeking to draw the Centre's attention.

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Speaking to reporters, farmers' leader PR Pandian accused the DMK regime and Chief Minister M K Stalin of 'scuttling' putting up 'wall posters' by 'using police.' Such wall posters were against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led Centre in connection with demands of farmers and on their rail roko in Chennai, he said.

"The rail roko has been held across Tamil Nadu; is it fair to try to prevent it in Chennai by using police," Pandian asked. "We are not enemies of Modi, we are not talking politics here; we are only saying that we will not allow killing of farmers and that we will not allow non-fulfillment of assurances."

The rail roko agitation in Chennai, led by Pandian was held at Egmore Railway station amid heavy police security. After farmers raised slogans, who squatted on railway tracks, they were taken away from the railway terminal by police personnel.

The farmer leaders belonging to northern regions have rejected the Centre's proposal for procurement of pulses, maize and cotton at the MSP by government agencies for five years, saying it was not in farmers' favour.

Pension for farmers and farm labourers, withdrawal of police cases were among other demands that form part of the charter of demands of farmers.

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The Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning film A New Kind of Wilderness has bowed at the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival in Greece, marking its European premiere.

Director Silje Evensmo Jacobsen attended the Thessaloniki premiere in person along with two of the films protagonists: Freja Vatne Payne and Ronja Breda Vatne. Freja and Ronja are the daughters of Maria Vatne, a gifted photographer who celebrated her familys unorthodox lifestyle in a remote area of Norway through a blog called Wild + Free. The film begins with stunning footage and photographs taken by Vatne of her kids  in addition to the girls, boys Falk (Norwegian for falcon) and the youngest, Ulv (Norwegian for wolf).

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But that opening sequence is punctuated by a bracing image  Vatne hooked up to tubes as she receives chemotherapy treatment. This idyllic life of farming, home-schooling, and communing with nature will be cruelly interrupted by tragedy.

L-R Q&A moderator, Ronja Breda Vatne, Freja Vatne Payne, and director Silje Evensmo Jacobsen.

I discovered Marias blog 10 years ago, Jacobsen explained at a Q&A on Saturday in Thessaloniki. I called her because her photos and stories really grabbed me. They were amazing. I wanted to make a TV series and I reached out to her.

Jacobsen said she met in person with Vatne but despite Marias enthusiasm for the TV project, it ultimately didnt come to fruition. After the photographers untimely death, the director wanted to document the new and unexpected challenges facing Marias widower, Nik Payne and the kids (Payne is stepfather to the eldest daughter, Ronja). I realized I had to make something, Jacobsen said. It was still a real-life project on their values, but they were going on a different journey now.

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A New Kind of Wilderness

That journey of grief and fitful healing has touched viewers beginning at Sundance, where the film won the top prize for World Cinema Documentary. In Thessaloniki, a number of audience members expressed their emotional reactions. One viewer asked Ronja and Freja how they were able to open up in such a vulnerable way for the camera.

It was, of course, hard at times, Ronja conceded, but we kind of have been so natural [on] camera for so many years because our mom always documented everything. But sharing everything, it was very difficult, but we felt that it was worth it because then we have something to see back on. And for me, when I see myself and my journey and my growth through the film, I feel like its still worth it Its been a really up and down journey.

L-R Falk, Ulv, and dad Nik Payne in A New Kind of Wilderness

A New Kind of Wilderness is playing in International Competition at Thessaloniki, along with world premieres Stray Bodies (directed by Elina Psykou), Unclickable (directed by Babis Makridis), Pol Pot Dancing (directed by Eugene Sanchez), and nine other films. From Thessaloniki, Jacobsens film will head to Docville  the all-documentary festival in Leuven, Belgium that begins March 20. On March 22, the film will screen at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen.

Danish outfit DR Sales is handling world sales of A New Kind of Wilderness. Cinetic is working on U.S. sales, per Jacobsen.

I think its a film to see on the big screen, Jacobsen told Deadline. Hopefully, it will get a theatrical life in the U.S. as well.

L-R Ulv, Falk, and Freja photographed by their mother, Maria Vatne.

On her Instagram page, Vatne described herself as photographer, farmer & mama to four wildlings. Among her photographic essays on Wild + Free is one she called Faeries & wildlings which show her three youngest children in a forest setting that teems with wildflowers.

Every spring they appear like a magical blanket in the woods, covering the forest floor with their beautiful faerie-like spirit, the woodland anemones, Vatne wrote. Perfect for capturing my equally magical wildlings in, so I do it, every year, its a part of our celebration of spring.

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Tanakpur (Uttarakhand) [India], March 10 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami interacted with passengers on the Tanakpur-Dehradun weekly express train on Saturday.

The CM boarded the train from Tanakpur Railway station after the service was flagged off to take feedback from passengers and wished everyone well.

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Later, he received a grand welcome by his supporters and party cadre as he reached Khatima in Uttarakhand.

"I understand the importance of good railway service for the common man. It has been a dream, which is being made possible only by PM Narendra Modi. He has transformed the Indian railways," CM Dhami told ANI.

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"The abode of Maa Purnagiri has now been connected with the rest of the country. Nearly 50 lakh devotees visit the temple every year. Even though the train service has started, I will try and get the frequency increased. There should be a train from here to Ayodhya also soon," he said.

CM Dhami thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav for running the first express train from Tanakpur to Dehradun and also called it the fulfillment of a dream as this is the first express train to Dehradun from Tanakpur Railway Station built before independence.

The CM said that in the operation of Tanakpur Express, many important cities have been directly connected from Tanakpur to Dehradun, which will provide convenience to the people.

Through this express, people connected to Banbasa, Khatima, Pilibhit, Bhojipura, Bareilly City, Bareilly Junction, Chandosi, Moradabad, Najibabad, Laksar, Haridwar railway stations will get an easy option to travel and their time will also be saved.

Along with this, this train service will also become a better option of transport for the devotees coming from these cities to visit Maa Purnagiri. (ANI)

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Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 10 (PTI) Kerala police on Sunday registered a case against the private operator of the floating bridge at Varkala beach which toppled after a huge wave injuring thirteen persons including two children.

The incident occurred on Saturday.

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Police have registered an FIR against the operators of the floating bridge, owned by Trichy-based Joy Water Sports, for allegedly operating without following safety protocols.

The FIR was registered under Sections 336, 337 and 338 of the Indian Penal Code for the offences connected with acts endangering life or personal safety of individuals.

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Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas said stern action will be initiated against those responsible after considering the report submitted by the Tourism Director.

"We had earlier issued directions to remain cautious during harsh weather conditions. We will take action after considering the report of the Tourism Director," the Minister said.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress questioned the government over the alleged lapse of precautionary measures while operating the bridge.

Leader of the Opposition, V D Satheesan asked whether any studies were conducted before installing this hundred-metre-long bridge into the sea.

The Varkala Municipality, meanwhile, said the responsibility lies with the private agency running operations of the bridge.

The FIR says there were around 20 tourists on the floating bridge at the time of the accident.

Police had earlier said that 13 people were injured in the accident in which a handrail of the bridge was also broken under the impact of the wave.

The officers had on Saturday said there was a high tide due to adverse weather conditions and the floating bridge does not usually remain open to the public in such situations.

However, it was not closed, officials had said.

As the people standing on the floating bridge were wearing life jackets, they could be brought back to shore quickly without any loss of life, the police had said.

The incident occurred around 4.30 pm.

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New Delhi, Mar 10 (PTI) MG Motor India expects an accelerated growth path with more aggressive expansion plans after getting the JSW Group as an investor, according to company CEO Emeritus Rajeev Chaba.

With the company already establishing a well laid foundation based on technology, customer experience, gender diversity and community service in the first phase of its journey in the country, he said MG Motor India is now looking ahead to the next phase of growth.

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"Now with the investor coming in, definitely I would expect an accelerated growth path, and more aggressive expansion plans.That's what we look forward to and take advantage of the solid foundation," Chaba told PTI.

He was responding to a query on how MG Motor India was looking ahead with the new investor coming in but declined to share details on the future roadmap citing an impending announcement by the joint venture between China's SAIC Motor and JSW Group next week.

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Last year in November, China's largest automaker SAIC Motor had inked a joint venture agreement with the JSW Group in order to accelerate the transformation and growth of MG Motor in India. MG Motor is a British brand that is owned by Shanghai-headquartered SAIC Motor.

JSW Group will hold 35 per cent in the Indian JV operations. SAIC will continue supporting the joint venture with advanced technology and products to deliver mobility solutions with a focus on the Indian consumer, as per the agreement.

In 2022, MG Motor India had announced plans to invest around Rs 4,000 crore on a second manufacturing unit, for which it was in talks with several state governments, including Gujarat where its first facility is located.

The company, which was looking to expand its annual production capacity of its plant at Halol in Gujarat to 1.25 lakh units, was looking to add another 1.75 lakh units capacity from the second plant and take its overall capacity to 3 lakh units a year in two years. However, its expansion plans got delayed due to the funding crunch.

Since its inception in 2019, MG Motor India has invested Rs 7,000 crore and sold close to 2,00,000 vehicles in the country.

"We are quite established in terms of our image and technology, new innovation and gender diversity, with 37 per cent women right now across blue collar and white collar jobs, and what we do in community service. So the foundation is laid," Chaba said.

He further said,"Now we want more money injection for growth. Our volumes, we have grown every year. Since inception, we have grown much more than the industry growth but still we could have done better if we had more expansion capacity, new products and things like that. Still, until last year we launched one product every year. So despite the capital shortages, we have launched one new car every year till last year."

In 2023, the company had sold around 60,000 units as compared to about 48,000 units in 2022.

When asked about growth prospects for 2024, Chaba said,"Last year in 2023, our growth was over 20 per cent against industry growth of 10 per cent. This year also the industry is expecting the growth to be in single digit, 5-6 per cent. We definitely want to do much more than that. We are expecting 25-30 per cent growth this year in 2024."

The company has already announced that it would launch two new products this year, he said adding MG Motor India would continue to participate both in conventional engines and electric vehicles segment going forward.

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New Delhi, Mar 10 (PTI) A subsidiary of state-owned power producer SJVN, SJVN Green Energy, has entered into a long term pact to supply 600 MW solar electricity to Rajasthan.

The Power Usage Agreement is for 500 MW Solar Power from Bikaner Solar Power Project and the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is for 100 MW Solar Power from Rajasthan Solar Power Project, both for a period of 25 years, a power ministry statement said.

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According to the statement SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), a wholly owned subsidiary of SJVN, has signed a Long Term Power Usage Agreement (PUA) for 500 MW Solar Power and a Long Term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for 100 MW Solar Power, with Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services Limited (RUVITL) in Jaipur on March 10, 2024.

Under the Agreement, SGEL would supply 500 MW of power at a tariff of Rs. 2.57 per unit, from the 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project being developed by SGEL under Phase-II (Tranche-3) of the Central Public Sector Units Scheme.

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This project is the country's largest single-location project. Being developed at village Banderwala, in Bikaner, Rajasthan, the 1000 MW Solar Project is expected to generate 2,454.84 million units of energy in the first year and a cumulative energy of about 56,474 million units over a period of 25 years.

The project is being developed at a cost of Rs 5,491 Crores and is expected to be commissioned by September 30, 2024.

With the signing of this PUA, SGEL has secured a tie-up of the full project capacity of 1,000 MW, with 200 MW to be supplied to Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) and 300 MW to Jammu and Kashmir Power Corporation Limited (JKPCL).

SGEL will supply 100 MW Solar Power at a tariff of Rs. 2.62 per unit, from the project bagged by SGEL through competitive bidding for which Letter of Award was issued by RUVITL on October 6, 2023. The project is expected to generate 252 million units of energy in the first year and a cumulative energy of 5,866 million units over a period of 25 years.

The project will be developed on 387.56 acres of land of Sambhar Salts Limited at Nawa, Rajasthan leased in favour of SGEL for a period of 28 years. The project will be developed on Build, Own and Operate (BOO) basis at a tentative cost of Rs. 550 Crores.

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Streaks of Light Seen in California. (Photo Credits: Video Grab)

Peshawar, Mar 10 (PTI) At least two persons were killed and one injured in a blast on Sunday in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said.

The incident occurred in Board Bazar, Nasir Bagh Road Peshawar. The bomb was planted on a motorbike.

Also Read | Israel-Gaza Conflict: Hamas Planning To Escalate Issues in Palestine During Ramadan Period, Says Israeli Spy Agency Mossad.

The dead bodies and those injured have been admitted to the Khyber Teaching Hospital.

As per preliminary and unconfirmed reports, explosives were planted in a motorcycle parked in the area, the official said, adding that the blast site had been cordoned off and a rescue operation was underway.

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However, no group has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.

Chief Minister KPK Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the blast and sought a report from the police into the incident.

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Tehran [Iran], March 10 (ANI): Iran has condemned the US-based tech giant Meta's decision to remove the Facebook and Instagram accounts of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling it a "violation of freedom of expression," as reported by The Times of Israel on Sunday.

Instagram and Facebook are among the most popular social media platforms for Iranians, but while the government blocks their use, officials in the Islamic Republic have accounts on them.

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Meta said last month it had removed Khamenei's accounts from Facebook and Instagram for having "repeatedly violated" its policy on "dangerous organisations and individuals."

In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that the move was "not only a violation of freedom of speech, but also an insult to millions of followers of his positions and news."

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"The mottos of freedom of expression by some Western claimants are hollow and showy slogans and a cover for their illegitimate political goals," he tells the Middle East Eye news outlet in remarks also published by Iran's foreign ministry.

Khamenei, 84, has been the country's supreme leader since 1989, a position that gives him the final say in major state policies. He had about five million followers on Instagram, The Times of Israel reported.

Meta's move on February 8 came as Khamenei increasingly voiced support for Palestinian terror group Hamas following the October 7 assault on Israel, killing some 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and taking a further 253 hostages.

"Khamenei is the most prominent supporter of the oppressed people of Palestine and Gaza in the world, and the Silicon Valley Empire cannot prevent this voice from reaching the public opinion of the world," Amir-Abdollahian said.

Despite the Iranian government's ban on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms including X, internet users in the Islamic Republic can still access them using virtual private networks, or VPNs. (ANI)

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Abu Dhabi [UAE], March 10 (ANI/WAM): The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) has completed its preparations to receive masses of worshippers and visitors during the Holy Month of Ramadan 1445.

In Ramadan 1444, the mosque welcomed 684,945 worshippers and visitors while a record of over 60,000 worshippers gathered at the mosque on the 27th night of Ramadan to observe Laylat Al Qadr, a significant night in the Islamic faith.

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The SZGMC has formed committees and teams to ensure organised and integrated work around the clock to meet the needs of the large turnout of worshippers and visitors by providing various high-quality services and facilities.

It has also held a series of meetings with strategic partners, including government and private entities, to ensure the smooth functioning of the work system in place during the Holy Month.

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As part of its efforts to improve the level of services provided to its worshippers and visitors and to assume its social responsibility that aims to consolidate the value of volunteerism, the SZGMC enlisted over 580 qualified volunteers who work alongside the Centre's employees, the Emirates Red Crescent, the (Absher Ya Watan) volunteer team, police officers, paramedics and the Civil Defense personnel to provide the best services to worshippers, allowing them to perform their prayers with reverence and ease.

The SZGMC provided more than 70 electric cars to transport worshippers from parking lots to prayer halls. Priority use of these cars will be given to the elderly and people of determination.

Additionally, the centre has also provided 8,379 parking spaces for worshippers, including 1,500 for women and more than 60 for people of determination. 1,800 additional parking spaces have been added this year.

SZGMC has provided over 3,515 chairs and 50 wheelchairs for worshippers.

Seeking to revive a cherished Emirati cultural heritage, the Centre cooperated with the Ministry of Defence to fire the cannon announcing the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan in coordination with the Ramadan Moon Sighting Committee, and also fire the cannon daily at the mosque throughout Ramadan to mark the Iftar time, and to announce the advent of Eid Al Fitr, commemorating one the holy month's timeless traditions cherished by the UAE citizens and residents.

It also allowed people of different cultures to watch the daily live firing of the cannon on Abu Dhabi Media TV channels. (ANI/WAM)

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Abu Dhabi [UAE], March 10 (ANI/WAM): The UAE has welcomed the UN Security Council resolution which calls for a ceasefire in Sudan during Ramadan, in light of the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed hope that this step would lead towards ending the crisis between the Sudanese parties, preventing further suffering of the Sudanese people, and facilitating the arrival of relief and humanitarian aid to the affected areas, especially for the most vulnerable groups, including the sick, children, the elderly and women.

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The Ministry underscored its steadfast support for all endeavours working towards de-escalation, achieving a ceasefire, and initiating political dialogue, that facilitates the restoration of peace, safety and security and fulfils the aspirations of the brotherly Sudanese people for stability and prosperity. (ANI/WAM)

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London, March 10: One person was arrested after he crashed his vehicle into the main gates of Buckingham Palace early Saturday morning, the New York Post reported. The incident occurred around 2:33 am (local time) outside the royal residence in Westminster, Central London. However, no Royal Family member was inside Buckingham Palace at the time of the crash.

"Armed officers arrested a man at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage. He was taken to hospital. There were no reports of any injuries," police said in a statement. "Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances." UK Shocker: 11-Year-Old Boy Participates in Viral TikTok Chroming Challenge at Home, Suffers Apparent Cardiac Arrest and Dies.

Car Crashes Into Gates of Buckingham Palace

 BUCKINGHAM PALACE CAR CRASH. A car crashed into the gates of Buckingham Palace, leading to the detention of the driver. An investigation is currently underway. The incident occurred at night, and the arrest was captured by eyewitnesses. pic.twitter.com/NwJlFPpu6j  TabZ (@TabZLIVE) March 10, 2024

London Police were seen with their guns drawn, shouting commands at the man, who was kneeling on the ground with his hands on top of his head, according to video obtained by SWNS. A bystander near the palace at the time of the incident said he heard a noise before seeing the police arrest the man.

"I heard a loud bang, and I looked over and the car had crashed into Buckingham Palace," the witness who wished to remain anonymous said. "Police were on the scene pretty quickly - and they got the man out and arrested him." The driver was subsequently transported to a hospital for evaluation. Nirav Modi in Trouble: UK Court Orders Jailed Diamantaire To Pay USD 8 Million to Bank of India.

"There were no reports of any injuries. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances," the police said. King Charles, whose office is in the Palace, resides in the Clarence House, a short walk away from the iconic building, as reported by the New York Post.

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Washington, DC [US], March 10 (ANI): The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto on Saturday to discuss the ongoing political and security crisis in Haiti.

During their conversation, both leaders reiterated their commitment to ensuring free and fair elections in the region.

Also Read | Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, March 10, 2024.

"Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto to discuss the ongoing political and security crisis in Haiti. They underscored unwavering commitment to the deployment of a Multinational Security Support mission to support the Haitian National Police in creating the security conditions necessary to conduct free and fair elections," US Department of State official spokesperson, Matthew Miller said in an official statement.

"Secretary Blinken also offered his appreciation for Kenya's diplomatic work to support peace and security in the Horn of Africa," he added.

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This came after Haitian gang leader Jimmy Cherizier warned of initiating a civil war and "genocide" unless Prime Minister Ariel Henry steps down from his post, reported Al Jazeera.

Jimmy Cherizier, also known as Barbecue, and other armed criminal gangs, who control large swathes of the country, launched a coordinated assault to remove the prime minister when he was out of the country last week.

Haitian PM Henry, who was supposed to step down in February, was in Puerto Rico, a United States territory, on Tuesday after the Dominican Republic refused permission for his plane to land.

Notably, the Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, Al Jazeera reported.

"If Ariel Henry doesn't resign, if the international community continues to support him, we'll be heading straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide," Cherizier, a 46-year-old former police officer who is under United Nations sanctions for human rights abuses, said.

"Either Haiti becomes a paradise or a hell for all of us. It's out of the question for a small group of rich people living in big hotels to decide the fate of people living in working-class neighbourhoods," he added.

On February 26, gangs opened fire on police outside the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, as dozens of employees and other workers fled the bullets, Al Jazeera reported.

Following the incident, the airport remained closed on Tuesday, along with schools and banks.

Prior to that, the gangs raided Haiti's two largest prisons over the weekend, enabling thousands of prisoners to escape.

"Haiti is now under the control of the gangs. The government isn't present," said Michel St-Louis, 40, standing in front of a burned-down police station in the capital. "I'm hoping they can keep Henry out so whoever takes power can restore order."

On March 3, the Haitian government declared a state of emergency after thousands of prisoners escaped from its largest prison, Haiti's National Penitentiary, during a surge of gang violence that has upended the Caribbean nation for months.

Henry, who came to power under a deal agreed with the opposition following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, was supposed to step down in February so elections could be held, reported Al Jazeera. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on March 7, 2024. (Maansi Srivastava/The New York Times)

JERUSALEM  As the U.S. military rushes to assemble a temporary port on the Gaza Strip coast, daunting practical challenges to the seaborne humanitarian effort to stave off famine in the territory are becoming increasingly apparent. The obstacles include logistics, cost and security issues, diplomats and aid officials say.

But the desperate conditions in Gaza, depicted in images of starving children, make the U.S.-led international plan a necessity, they say, especially given the tight security imposed by Israel that is slowing land shipments of food, water and medicine.

Even if it can overcome the hurdles, the international initiative is likely to take several weeks, if not months, to reach its goal of delivering 2 million meals a day to the people of Gaza.

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Citing the spiraling humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Canada and Sweden are resuming funding for the main United Nations agency supporting Palestinian refugees in Gaza. The governments said the embattled agency had taken steps to improve accountability amid accusations that some of its employees had links to Hamas.

The two countries were among more than a dozen that suspended payments to the aid organization, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, known as UNRWA, after accusations in January by Israel that a dozen of its 13,000 employees in Gaza had been involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel or their aftermath.

UNRWA has argued that Israel, which has long called for the agencys removal from Gaza, has targeted it with a deliberate and concerted campaign to undermine its operations when its services are most needed. Warnings of widespread hunger bordering on famine have become more urgent, and signs of desperation are growing as people resort to consuming animal feed or ambushing aid trucks.

In a government statement Saturday, Sweden said it would disburse a conditional first payment of about $20 million. It said UNRWA had agreed to allow independent audits and to strengthen internal oversight.

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In this urgent situation, when the need is so great among the civilian population, it is first and foremost important to save lives, the statement said.

Canadian officials said Friday that they had received an interim report from the internal United Nations office investigating the claims, and that UNRWA had taken immediate steps to improve accountability. The United Nations has also commissioned an external review.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry reacted angrily to the countries decision, issuing a statement calling it a serious mistake, reached before the investigations have been completed. The resumption of funding to UNRWA will not change the fact that the agency is part of the problem and will not be part of the solution in the Gaza Strip, the ministry said.

The European Union, one of the largest donors to UNRWA, recently announced that it was substantially increasing funding to the agency, saying that Palestinians were facing terrible conditions and should not be made to pay for Hamas crimes. The first tranche of 50 million euros ($54 million) was scheduled to be disbursed this past week.

The United States has said it would wait for the results of U.N. investigations before deciding whether to resume donations. It is the agencys single largest donor, having pledged $344 million in 2022.

The multinational plan to build a functioning pier on the Gaza coastline is undeniably ambitious. But aid officials have criticized it, emphasizing that delivering food by truck is by far the most efficient way to help Gaza residents and calling for Israel to open new crossing points in northern Gaza and to ease its entry restrictions.

U.S. officials have conceded it will take time, but they say a maritime corridor will eventually enable them to massively increase the amount of aid.

Gaza does not have a functioning port and its coastal waters are too shallow for most vessels  particularly the large barges that would be necessary to ferry the enormous amounts of cargo necessary for hundreds of thousands of hungry Palestinians.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EU executive body, said Friday that officials expected to test the process in the coming days during what she described as a pilot project. But it was not immediately clear how or where any vessels would unload their cargo or how it would be distributed with continuing Israeli bombardment and attacks on aid trucks by both ordinary Palestinians and well-organized gangs, according to aid officials. Hundreds of thousands of Gazas 2.3 million people face the threat of starvation.

The effort will be costly, but it is uncertain how expensive. Initial estimates for the floating pier and shipping expenses run to tens of millions of dollars over several months.

But security and distribution, more than money, seem to be the bigger challenges. It is unclear who will manage and secure the port area and the convoys that would be needed to distribute the aid. In his State of the Union speech Thursday night, U.S. President Joe Biden was adamant that no American boots would touch ground in Gaza.

Israels invasion successfully toppled Hamas government in northern Gaza but nothing has filled the security vacuum, resulting in widespread lawlessness in the north.

The remaining employees of Hamas civilian police could step in to provide security, U.N. officials have said, but their involvement would probably be unacceptable to Israel and the United States.

The Israeli military could patrol the convoys, but their presence would pose a challenge for the United Nations, which takes pains to avoid being seen as too close to any side in the conflict. The U.N. coordinates its convoys with Israel but does not request that the Israeli military secure them.

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Gandhinagar, March 10: On the occasion of Dandi March Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will initiate "Ashram Bhoomi Vandana" at the 'Mahatma Gandhi Sabarmati Ashram Reconstruction Project' in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Sabarmati Ashram stands tall among the monuments that have huge historical significance as it became witness to the churnings of India's freedom movement with a congregation of leaders from India and across the world.

The Ashram embodies the essence of Gandhiji's profound ideals, message of simple living, and cherished values. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will also be present alongside the Prime Minister at the ceremony. PM Narendra Modi To Roll Out Rail Projects Worth Rs 85,000 Crore on March 12, Flag Off 10 New Vande Bharat Trains.

During his stint as Gujarat's Chief Minister, PM Modi exhorted people in India and around the world to abide by Gandhiji's principles. With a vision to enable the coming generations to first-hand experience the sobriety, serenity, and ideals of Gandhiji's life, the Prime Minister has conceptualised the Sabarmati Ashram Reconstruction Project.

Planned with a budget of Rs 1200 crore, the ambitious project aims to revamp the infrastructure surrounding Sabarmati Ashram, provide state-of-the-art amenities to visitors, and establish a world-class memorial dedicated to Gandhi ji. The memorial will inspire the coming generations and work towards strengthening Gandhiji's timeless principles of truth, non-violence, and satyagraha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Virtually Inaugurates Mahtari Vandan Yojana Giving Married Women Rs 1,000 Per Month (Watch Video).

The renovated Ashram will host a number of interactive exhibitions showcasing various facets of Gandhiji's life, yatras, salient movements of India's freedom struggle, and the Ashram's illustrious heritage. The ashram will also be equipped with an interpretation centre and public amenities of global accessibility standards, such as a food court, souvenir shops, among others.

In order to enable visitors to recreate and get a glimpse of Gandhiji's daily routine, hands-on workshops on activities such as spinning a wheel and producing hand-made textiles and paper will also be incorporated at the Ashram.

In the rejuvenation of Sabarmati Ashram, utmost care will be taken to retain its timeless essence while refashioning it with a new outlook. The project includes the conservation of 20 old buildings, the precise restoration of 13 buildings, and the redevelopment of three buildings, keeping in mind the sacrosanct goal of abiding by the Ashram's original architectural simplicity and essence. The aim is to furnish the ashram in such a manner that it exudes greenery, serenity, and lush tranquilly to all visitors.

In 1917, upon his return to India from South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi founded the Sabarmati Ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad. The ashram stood as a pivot of the Indian Independence movement as the humble, serene and pious Ashram became the place where Gandhi ji steered and strategized the freedom movement against the mighty British empire that had more than half of the world as its colony.
New Delhi, March 10: Two election commissioners are likely to be appointed by March 15 to fill the vacancies created by the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey and the surprise resignation of Arun Goel, sources said on Sunday. Days before the poll panel is expected to announce the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls, Goel resigned on Friday morning. His resignation was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday and the Law Ministry issued a notification to announce it.

This leaves Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar as the sole member of the poll authority. Pandey had demitted office on February 14 on attaining the age of 65 years. A search committee under Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and comprising the Home Secretary and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Secretary will first prepare two separate panels of five names each for the two posts. 'Election Commission or Election Omission': Congress After Arun Goel Resigns as Election Commissioner.

Later, a selection committee headed by the prime minister and comprising a Union minister and Leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury will then name two persons for appointment as election commissioners. The election commissioners will be appointed by the President.

Sources said the selection committee could meet either on March 13 or 14 depending on the convenience of the members and the appointments are likely to be made by March 15. Before a new law on the appointment of CEC and ECs came into force recently, the election commissioners were appointed by the President on the government's recommendation and as per custom, the senior-most was appointed as CEC. Arun Goel Resigns: Election Commissioner Resigns Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

Clause 2 of Article 324 of the Constitution states that the Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners, if any, as the President may from time to time fix. Responding to questions on reasons behind Goel's resignation, the sources said he might have resigned due to personal reasons.

They also rejected suggestions that there were differences between Goel and Kumar, saying records of internal communication, minutes and decisions show there was no dissent recorded by Goel. Goel, who tendered resignation on Friday morning, did not attend the crucial meeting between the EC and top home ministry and railway officials to firm up deployment and movement of central forces across India for poll duty.

Goel was a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre. He had joined the Election Commission in November 2022. His tenure was till December 5, 2027, and he would have become Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after incumbent Rajiv Kumar retired in February next year.

Ashok Lavasa had resigned as election commissioner in August 2020. He had given dissent notes on various model code violations decisions taken by the EC in the last Lok Sabha polls. Originally, the commission had only a CEC. It currently consists of the CEC and two election commissioners.

Two additional commissioners were first appointed on October 16, 1989, but they had a very short tenure till January 1, 1990. Later, on October 1, 1993, two additional election commissioners were appointed. The concept of a multi-member EC has been in operation since then, with decision made by a majority vote.
Ambedkar Nagar (Uttar Pradesh), March 10: The Ambedkar Nagar police have arrested Mohammed Ashraf, 50, on charges of raping a woman from Mumbai after she had approached him for "spiritual healing", the police said.

The rape survivor was allegedly held hostage at a guest house on the pretext of being offered spiritual healing by the accused. Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Man Shot Dead Over Love Marriage by Brother-in-Law in Bijnor; Accused Arrested.

The incident came to light when the woman's family, alarmed by her prolonged absence, intervened, and forcibly entered the guest house room. The accused fled the scene but was arrested later after an FIR was lodged by the complainant on Saturday.

Baskhari Station House Officer, Rajesh Kumar Singh, said on Sunday that a family from Maharashtra arrived at the guest house, located within the jurisdiction of Kichhauchha under Baskhari.

A man, his mother, and wife had visited the guest house, seeking spiritual assistance from the accused.

"Upon their arrival at the guest house, they encountered the accused Syed Mohammad Ashraf, a resident of Kichhauchha. Ashraf purportedly offered to perform 'dua-taweez' for the man's wife, assuring them of her better health. Subsequently, he led all of them to a room within the guest house for other rituals," said Singh based on the FIR lodged by the woman's husband. Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Alcoholic Man Sets Wife on Fire in Badaun As She Refuses To Give Money To Buy Liquor.

Instead of conducting prayers in presence of the family, Ashraf asked them to wait outside and closed the door behind them, the Station House Officer said.

The woman did not venture out after several hours and her mother attempted to open the door but found it locked from inside. Later, they broke open the door and found her in a distraught state.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 10, 2024 07:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Chennai, March 10: The Congress on Saturday finalised its seat-sharing alliance with the DMK in Tamil Nadu, with the former contesting on nine seats from the state and one lone seat from the Union Terrritory of Puducherry. However, the seats which the Congress would contest are still not finalised. The possibility of the party being allocated three new seats is high. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Kamal Haasans MNM Joins DMK-Led Alliance in Tamil Nadu, Gets One Rajya Sabha Seat for 2025 Polls

Other than the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President Selvaperunthagai, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal and senior Congress leader Mukul Wasnik were present during the discusions held at DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam. DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin was also present in the meeting. Main Hoon Modi ka Parivaar: PM Narendra Modi Hits Back at Opposition, Asserts 'Nation First' Over 'Family First' Motto in Tamil Nadu (Watch Video)

Venugopal while speaking to mediapersons said, "The INDIA bloc alliance will win all the seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry." "Tamil Nadu will set the agenda and model for the country and divisive forces will fail here," he added. The DMK has already formed its coalition allocating two seats each to the CPI-M, CPI and VCK as well as one seat each to Indian Union Muslim League and the Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK).

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 10, 2024 09:58 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
"During the programme, Prime Minister will also hand over drones to 1,000 Namo Drone Didis," an official statement issued by PMO read. The Namo Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi initiatives are integral to the Prime Minister's vision of fostering economic empowerment and financial autonomy among women, especially in rural areas.
Jakarta, March 10: According to a report by the Guardian, two Batik Air pilots from Indonesia shockingly slept out during a thirty-minute flight with passengers inside. For around twenty-eight minutes, the pilot and co-pilot napped simultaneously. According to the National Transportation Safety Committee's (KNKT) preliminary investigation, the Batik Air aircraft on January 25 was on its way from South East Sulawesi to Jakarta, the Indonesian capital.

The 153 passengers on board the Airbus A320 and the four flight attendants did not sustain any injuries throughout the two-hour and thirty-five-minute flight, despite many navigational mistakes throughout the journey. Plain Misses Destination in Australia by 50 km as Pilot Falls Asleep in Cockpit.

M Kristi Endah Murni, the director general of civil aviation for the Transport Ministry, said that the ministry "strongly reprimands" Batik Air for the event and asked carriers to be more considerate of their aircrew's rest time. The government is also starting a probe in the matter. The report states that earlier in the day, the co-pilot was informed by the second-in-command pilot that he had not had "proper rest." About ninety minutes after departure, the captain asked his second-in-command if he might take a quick break. The request was granted. According to the inquiry, the co-pilot inadvertently fell asleep too after he took over piloting the plane.

Twelve minutes after the co-pilot's last known message, the Jakarta Area Control Centre (ACC) tried to get in touch with the aircraft, but the pilots did not reply, the ACC said. The pilot-in-command noticed the aircraft was not on the correct flight route when he woke asleep, some 28 minutes after the previous message was logged. The report states that he then answered the ACC and roused the second-in-command. The pilot-in-command notified the air traffic controller (ACC) of a "radio communication problem" that occurred during the flight, but it was resolved. Ethiopian Airlines Pilots Fell Asleep As Flight From Sudan Missed Landing in Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

The report did not provide the pilots' identities. Still, it did identify the pilot-in-command as a 32-year-old male Indonesian and the second-in-command as a 28-year-old male Indonesian. BTK6723 made a safe landing, and no casualties were recorded. The flight crews have also been grounded till additional investigation is completed in accordance with normal operating practice. In a statement, Batik Air stated that it "committed to implement all safety recommendations" and "operates with adequate rest policy". The pilots have been suspended, it continued.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 10, 2024 04:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Kuriga, March 10: Rashidat Hamza is in despair. All but one of her six children are among the nearly 300 students abducted from their school in Nigeria's northwest, riddled with Islamic extremists and armed gangs. It has been more than two days after her children  ages 7 to 18  went to school in the remote town of Kuriga in Kaduna state only to be kidnapped by gunmen. She was still in shock Saturday.

Authorities said at least 100 children aged 12 or younger were among the abductees in the state known for violent killings, lawlessness and dangerous roads where people get regularly snatched. We don't know what to do, but we believe in God, Hamza told The Associated Press during a visit to the town. The mass kidnapping in Kuriga was the third in northern Nigeria since last week; a group of gunmen abducted 15 children from a school in another northwestern state, Sokoto, before dawn Saturday, and a few days earlier 200 people, mostly women and children displaced by conflict, were kidnapped in northeastern Borno State. Nigeria Blast: Explosion and Fire at Illegal Oil Refinery Site Kills 15, Including Pregnant Woman in Niger Delta Region

The kidnappings are a stark reminder of the security crisis plaguing Africa's most populous country. No group claimed responsibility for any of the recent abductions. But Islamic extremists waging an insurgency in the northeast are suspected of carrying out the kidnapping in Borno. Locals blame the school abductions on herders who are in conflict with the settled communities. It's not the first time for a student kidnapping in Nigeria to shock the world. In 2014, Islamic extremists abducted more than 200 schoolgirls from Borno's Chibok, sparking the global #BringBackOurGirls social media campaign. A decade later, at least 1,400 Nigerian students have so far been abducted from their schools in similar circumstances. Some are still held captive, including nearly 100 of the Chibok girls.

Recalling Thursday's kidnapping, Nura Ahmad, a teacher, told the AP that students were just settling into their classrooms at the government primary and secondary school when gunmen came in dozens, riding on bikes and shooting sporadically. The LEA Primary and Secondary School, one of the few educational facilities in this area, sits by the road just at the entrance of the town, tucked in the middle of forests and savannah. Even with its decaying roof and wrecked walls, it gave parents hope for a better future for their children.

They surrounded the school and blocked all passages  and roads to prevent help from coming before kidnapping the children in less than five minutes, Ahmad said. Fourteen-year-old Abdullahi Usman braved gunshots to escape the captors. Those who refused to move fast were either forced on the motorcycles or threatened by gunshots fired into the air, Abdullahi said. The bandits were shouting: Go! Go! Go! he said. Nigeria: Gunmen Attack US Convoy in Anambra; 2 Policemen, 2 Consulate Staffers Killed

Nigerian police and soldiers headed into the forests Friday to search for the missing children, but combing the wooded expanses of northwestern Nigeria could take weeks, observers said. Since this happened, my brain has been muddled, said Shehu Lawal, the father of a 13-year-old boy who is among those abducted. My child didn't even eat breakfast before leaving. His mother fainted (upon hearing the news)," he said.

Some villagers like Lawan Yaro, whose five grandchildren are among the abducted, say their hopes are already fading. People are used to the region's insecurity, "but it has never been in this manner, he said. We are crying, looking for help from the government and God, but it is the gunmen that will decide to bring the children back, Yaro said. God will help us." But schools are not the only targets.

More than 3,500 people have been abducted across Nigeria in the last year, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. Some were even kidnapped from their homes in the capital of Abuja. Last year, President Bola Tinubu took office after he successfully campaigned on the promise to tighten security and stop the kidnappings. Experts say it is easy to smuggle in arms, used in kidnappings, over Nigeria's poorly policed borders. More than half of its 1,500-kilometer (932-mile) border with Niger, for instance, stretches across the northwest. Though mostly covered in woodland savannah, the region also has vast ungoverned and unoccupied forests where organized gangs hide and keep their kidnap victims.

In 2022, lawmakers passed a bill to penalize ransom payments, but Nigerian kidnappers are known for their brutality, forcing many families to succumb to their demands. Nigeria's military continues to conduct air raids and special military operations in the region as well as respond to pockets of crisis across the country but is fatigued by the 14-year Islamist insurgency in the northeast. Armed gangs also keep on multiplying in the region where many are poor and often work with extremists, seeking to expand their operations.

The military previously said that sometimes kidnap victims were used as human shields to prevent aerial bombardments of the forests where their captors hide. The gangs are adapting their strategies and further entrenching themselves in the northwest through extortion, said James Barnett, a researcher specializing in West Africa at the U.S.-based Hudson Institute. Their mentality is that they should be allowed free rein to do what they please in the northwest and that if the state challenges them, directly or indirectly, they will have to respond and show their strength, Barnett said.

More than a dozen checkpoints and military trucks now dot the dangerous 55-mile (89 kilometers) road running from Kuriga town to the city of Kaduna. But the soldiers are likely to be redeployed elsewhere soon, depending on security needs. People in Kuriga can only hope their children are returned unharmed and the safety they now feel with the presence of military personnel endures. Hamza, the mother whose five children were kidnapped, hopes the government will arrest the kidnappers and return the students. The gunmen don't allow us to have peace."
Poem for a New Moon

In its disappearance into the sea of Pisces, the moon somehow is more expansive than in its fullness, or as one poet described, nature without check. If the new moon were a poem, it would be Song of Myself by Walt Whitman. I celebrate myself, and sing myself/And what I assume you shall assume/For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Something thats been tricky for you will become a smooth, downhill coast. The fun part is that this will not be the result of any effort made by you, rather its just your time to experience some ease.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). As you try to deal exclusively with a current circumstance, someone else brings up the past in an unhelpful way. Conflict resolution depends on a nonemotional approach.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Those who seem incurious regarding you are simply not a good fit. The lesser-known aspects of your life will be a point of fascination for someone who can appreciate you. Disinterest is a red flag of a signal.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Emotional avoidance causes more pain than dealing head-on with an uncomfortable feeling. Name the feeling and then let yourself wallow in it. It will dissipate more quickly than you expect.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You have kindred souls you havent met yet. As you explore your own depths and work on the things that interest you and bring you joy, youll meet new people who resonate with what youre doing.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Today features a satisfying experience; you realize youre happy in real time. In matters of attraction, saying whats on your mind isnt always the way. You hold back, and the effect is smoldering and intriguing.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Youre overflowing with inspiration. Youll find greatness in inconspicuous and overlooked details. Brevity is your success secret; float your ideas on a few well-chosen words and they will land lovely.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It is said that knowledge is power, but thats not always true. Unless its acted on, knowledge is as powerful as a closed book on a shelf. Knowledge is only power when it is powerfully applied.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You may feel stuck, but you dont have to worry about which direction to go or what option is best. Do what you can. Little by little, you become unstuck. Any move you make is a wiggle that will help free you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Youll get strong because you accept the full range of life, which includes pleasure and pain. Pain is a message, a teacher and a call to greatness. While it would be foolish to seek pain, its equally foolish not to expect it.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Youll have your options for company today, and none would blame you if you preferred your own -- its quality company indeed. Being able to relate kindly to yourself and relax into your own kind of fun -- thats a social skill worth cultivating.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Theres no mystical reasoning to the unfolding of todays action. A practical analysis will show you the mechanics of cause and effect. All will align in your favor. Youll make adjustments and try again.

TODAYS BIRTHDAY (March 10). Youre rolling into seasons of fun. You have a remarkable talent for building genuine connections, and people from all walks of life respond to your warmth. More highlights: At work, you bring out the best in people, and they will gladly put in more effort for you than they do for others, as your positivity and encouragement create an uplifting atmosphere. Capricorn and Cancer adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 18, 3, 33 and 21.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Like a Pisces, Carrie Underwood has been expressing her soul by promoting and celebrating others lately through endeavors like honoring George Michael at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, sharing her playlists on SiriusXM or teaching her fitness philosophy through books, apps and social media. Whether by accident or design, Underwood has a habit of releasing projects around her solar return. Natal sun and Mercury in soulful Pisces indicate strong intuition.

Holiday Mathis debut novel, How To Fail Epically in Hollywood, is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and ebook. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
The EU and the West have pledged to support Ukraine, whatever the cost. But are they living up to that vow?

When the widow of the Russian dissident Alexei Navalny addressed the European Parliament recently, she said something striking. "If you really want to defeat Putin, you have to become an innovator," Yulia Navalnaya told MEPs. "And you have to stop being boring."

Being innovative and interesting may be traits not always associated with some European politicians.

But they are having to think differently, not just about how better to support Ukraine but also to increase pressure on Russia.

The shadow of a potential Donald Trump presidency hangs over the continent, raising doubts about America's long-term backing for Ukraine.

A $60bn (47bn) package of US military support for Ukraine is held up in the House of Representatives. And on the battlefield, Russian forces are beginning to make gains against their less well armed opponents.

Two years on from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, European capitals have largely maintained their political backing for Kyiv.

In January the European Union agreed in January a 50bn package ($55bn; 43bn) of grants and loans to fund Ukraine's government and public services.

But the EU failed to meet its target of sending one million shells to Ukraine by the beginning of this month.

EU diplomats are still haggling over plans for a new 5bn top-up to the European Peace Facility to buy more weapons for Kyiv. And Nato says that this year about 12 European members may still not meet the alliance's target of spending 2% of national output on defence.

As politicians debate support, Ukraine is losing ground - and paying in blood

More weapons

With the diplomatic and military balance is shifting, Europe is having to think creatively about how to support Ukraine and deter future Russian aggression.

There are existing stocks of ammunition and weapons Europe could give to Ukraine.

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron told the House of Lords this week that instead of decommissioning weapons systems at great expense once they technically pass their expiry dates, allies should give them to Ukraine.

Story continues

He also said countries in Eastern Europe with "legacy Soviet ammunition" suitable for Ukrainian weapons should release those stocks immediately.

But, as throughout this war, European leaders are still agonising over what weapons to give Kyiv.

The latest row is over Germany's Taurus missiles. These have range of about 300 miles (500km), more than the UK-supplied Storm Shadows being used by Ukraine.

Many allies believe Taurus would give Ukraine the chance to strike deep behind Russian lines.

But German Chancellor Olaf Scholz fears they could also be used against Russian cities and is resisting, fearing escalation.

Olaf Scholz is under pressure at home and abroad to give the Taurus missile to Ukraine, amid recent demonstrations in Berlin

There are also plans to get Ukraine desperately needed artillery shells. The Czech government agreed a $1.5bn (1.2bn) deal this week for a consortium of 18 Nato and EU countries to buy 800,000 rounds - both 155mm and 122mm calibre - from outside the EU.

This is a significant shift for more protectionist-minded EU members, especially France. But it will not meet Ukraine's demand for the 2.5m shells it says it needs this year.

More defence spending

Policymakers are also are mulling new ways to increase spending on defence, including a proposal for the European Investment Bank to end its ban on funding defence projects.

There are proposals for European countries to co-operate more on defence procurement, buying arms jointly from manufacturers to drive down costs. Governments are also looking to give defence firms longer-term contracts to boost production in a highly risk adverse industry.

But little will happen overnight. One British minister told me: "One forgets that Dunkirk to D-Day was four years. It takes a long time to generate the mass to go from defence to offence."

More military support for Ukraine

Estonia wants all Nato countries to commit - as it has - to give Ukraine at least 0.25% of their output in military support.

This would raise about 120bn euros per year. Although some allies are sympathetic, this idea has yet to win widespread backing.

Some Europe policymakers are also drawing up plans for a form of updated "lend-lease" arrangement to loan weapons to Ukraine, just as the allies did for the USSR during WWII. But these ideas are at an early stage.

Russian assets

Much thought is going into how best to exploit the roughly 300bn euros of frozen Russian assets held in Western financial institutions.

Giving the money outright to Ukraine might be illegal and put European assets at risk in other jurisdictions.

But the EU is looking at a plan to use the profits to fund military support for Ukraine. And the UK is looking at a separate proposal to use the assets as collateral for fast-track reparations for Ukraine.

The aim is not just to raise cash for Ukraine but also level a strategic blow against Russia, hitting its economy hard.

Russia's economy under Vladimir Putin has managed to sidestep Western sanctions

So some European policymakers are thinking laterally. But tensions remain.

Many Eastern European countries are committing more military resource than their Western counterparts. Loose-lipped German officers are upsetting allies by revealing military secrets.

And President Emmanuel Macron of France has ruffled feathers by suggesting the West should consider putting military boots on the ground in Ukraine, thought by many analysts to be an unnecessary row over an implausible option.

Perhaps the biggest disagreement within European capitals is about the long-term challenge from Russia.

A recent poll from the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank suggested while most Europeans support Ukraine, only 1 in 10 think it can win an outright victory.

Some analysts say this is because European governments have not understood the broader challenge from Russia.

"There is no evidence that the highest political level has understood the scale of the threat or tried to explain it to the public," says Keir Giles, senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, a British think tank.

"If action comes too late to avoid disaster, it will have been because of criminal complacency."

So will Europe rise to the challenge? Maybe there was one small hint of change this week.

France has long been criticised for not giving Ukraine enough military support. But President Macron - who once said Russia should not be humiliated - was in bullish form.

"We are surely approaching a moment for Europe in which it will be necessary not to be cowards," he said.
Phillipsburg is up to its neck in nickels, dimes and clogged parking kiosks.

Police Chief Robert Stettner and Capt. John Maczko, of the Phillipsburg Police Department, asked the town council on Wednesday night to reconsider the way the town collects money from its parking meters and kiosks.

The current strategy is placing an unsustainable demand on police time and the towns wallet, Stettner said.

At some point we have to move into the future, and I think there is a revenue stream to be gained from parking, but I think theres a more efficient way of doing this, he said.

On multiple occasions meters and kiosks have been intentionally damaged, Maczko explained. Each time, the cost to have an outside agency repair the lock on meters supplied by Integrated Parking Solutions was $995, but the cost of the actual lock itself is only $40, he said.

The guy who comes out is a really nice guy, but when he comes its always $995. Doesnt matter if its for one hour or five hours, said Mazko. We dont have a service contract or anything.

Phillipsburg approved its most recent parking ordinance in 2022. The ordinance established new parking rules in the town-owned parking lots and established parking rules at other lots in town, including the Riverside Way parking lot.

The town did not approve a parking authority to oversee management of the machines so the responsibility fell on the police department, Stettner said. Officers reviewing parking meters must comb through three apps to determine if someone has paid for their parking before issuing a summons, he said  That eats up time.

When meters have to be emptied, officers must take the collected money to the bank and wait until the teller has counted and processed the transaction, Stettner said. The department has struggled to hire officers willing to commit to solely checking meters, he said.

Weve never gotten an application, Stettner said, adding, Were a much healthier department than weve been in a long time and we can handle some of it, but I do believe strict enforcement causes less enforcement.

Maczko suggested the town switch to using only one system. He said ParkMobile, which is also used widely in Easton, is the most tenable option.

(The money) goes right into our accounts. Theres no collection issue. Theres no reason to send somebody to go downtown, pull the money and drop the funds at the bank and wait for the count, he said.

Theres less room for error with that, Stettner added.

Council said it would consider the request at its next meeting.

Editors note: This article was updated to correct a reference to the Chief of Police.

Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on X (formerly known as Twitter.com), Facebook and Threads.

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Laois man and art gallery curator Kevin Kavanagh is presenting new paintings by a Irish-based Sweedish artist to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise.

Cecilia Danell, who is Galway-based, features in the exhibition with a selection of works inspired by nature in her Scandanavian homeland. She regularly returns to her family farm in Sweden to walk and gather research material for paintings and sculptures.

She says the experience of being in the landscape, along with the physical process of painting in the studio, results in works that detach themselves from the photographic source material. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

She says she walks and traces an environment that she knows intimately, happening upon decaying remnants of human activity, further upending the romantic notion of nature as untended wilderness.

She adds that her recent and ongoing research interests include the psychogeography movement and the psychological impact place has on a person, speculative fiction and science fiction novels. She says that she is struck by humanitys ability to persevere and adapt in adverse circumstances in these books.

"The human urge to find solace in a primeval landscape grows increasingly stronger amidst the uncertainty of our current condition. Yet wilderness is, for the most part, a construct and the places she depicts are managed forest landscapes," she says on her website. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Danell is the 2022 recipient of the RHA Hennessy Craig Award for painting, the ESB Keating Award at the 190th RHA Annual Exhibition, a 2017 Arts Council Next Generation Award and the 2011 Wexford Arts Centre Emergence Award and has received several bursary and project awards from the Arts Council.

Cecilia Danell is represented by Kevin Kavanagh who runs an art gallery in Dublin. A book on Danells work with an essay by was published by the gallery in 2021.

The exhibition runs from March 22 to April 27. It opens on Friday, March 22 with a reception from 6pm.
A man appeared in court accused of grabbing a womans backside in a shop in Laois.

The man, aged 65, is accused of sexual assault at a shop in Laois on September 23 last year.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the woman made a complaint to gardai on October 5, 2023.

He outlined the events as alleged by the woman.

This gent slapped her across her bum. He then grabbed her buttocks in the middle, he said the woman had told gardai.

Sgt Kirby said the man was alleged to have grabbed the woman right underneath and in doing so made contact with her vagina.

He said the DPP had directed summary disposal meaning the case could remain in the district court.

On hearing the alleged facts, Judge Nicola Andrews accepted jurisdiction in the case.

She asked the defendant if he was working. On hearing that he wasnt, she assigned Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald to the case on legal aid.

Sgt Kirby asked that the man have no contact with the alleged injured party as part of his bail conditions and he requested reporting restrictions.

Judge Andrews approved the bail conditions and imposed reporting restrictions meaning neither the accused or the alleged injured party can be identified.

She adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on April 8.
The performance of the IDA in attracting jobs to Laois was criticised at the latest meeting of Laois County Council.

The issue was raised by Fine Gael Cllr Wilie Aird who tabled a motion in relation to the agency.

He asked "that Laois County Council requests that IDA representatives are invited to the March meeting of the Council to give an update of their future plans for job creation in the County."

When were they last here? It is definitely four years ago, said Cllr Aird.

How many jobs did they create? he asked. He described the situation as very frustrating.

Cllr Aird said he would challenge any local authority, including Dublin, Cork or Galway, to show him a better site than the landbank on the Mountrath Road.

Where in the pecking order are we? What box did we not tick, he asked.

We are right on the crossroads no matter where you go, he pointed out.

He said Portlaoise was a growing town and it was a growing county and it was only a few minutes to two motorways. He wanted the IDA to tell him what the county doesnt have to offer.

If it werent for Laois County Council under the guidance of Chief Executive John Mulholland for the last nine and a half years, look at the number of jobs he has created, along with his backup staff in the council, said Cllr Aird.

He said anything that has opened or any job that was created is thanks to Laois County Council. He cited the Junction 17 project in Portlaoise and work on the Avon site in Portarlington.

We just seem to have been left behind, said Cllr Aird.

Fianna Fail Cllr John Joe Fennelly supported the motion and said it was essential that they get an answer.

Fine Gael Cllr Barry Walsh agreed with Cllr Aird. He said Laois was in a prime location with excellent connectivity with huge potential. We need to be pushing it on, he said.

Cllr Walsh said the councillors should also raise the matter with the local TDs.

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran said she couldnt understand why the IDA hadnt brought more investment to Laois. She said the county was just 90 minutes away from 80 percent of the population of Ireland.
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Ireland has voted to reject Government proposals to change the Constitution that would have removed the so-called woman in the home clause and widened the definition of family.

The public rejected the proposed changes on family, with 67% of people voting against the amendment.

The proposed changes to care were also overwhelmingly defeated, with 73% voting against it.

The referendum returning officer Barry Ryan made the official declarations at Dublin Castle on Saturday evening.

Turnout for the referenda was 44.36%, a significant drop from the abortion referendum in 2018 which saw a turnout of 64%.

Earlier, the Irish premier said it was clear that the referenda to change the Constitution in Ireland had been defeated comprehensively.

Leo Varadkar said the electorate had given the Government two wallops as he conceded from early on Saturday that the proposals for change had been rejected.

The boxes were opened at 9am after the public went to the polls on Friday to vote on whether to change the wording of the Constitution relating to the areas of family and care.

The high number of no votes signalled an embarrassing defeat for the Government.

Speaking at Dublin Castle, Mr Varadkar said: I think its clear at this stage that the family amendment and the care amendment referendums have been defeated, defeated comprehensively on a respectable turnout.

The Government accepts the results and will respect it fully.

As head of Government, on behalf of the Government, we accept responsibility for the results.

It was our responsibility to convince a majority of people to vote yes and we clearly failed to do so.

I think we struggle to convince people of the necessity or need for the referendum at all, let alone detail on the wording.

Thats obviously something were going to have to reflect on into the weeks ahead.

What I do want to say to people, though, is that when it comes to the work of Government, in relation to gender equality, in relation to improving conditions for carers, in relation to giving rights for people with disabilities, that work will continue.

Mr Varadkar also admitted the Irish Government clearly got it wrong.

I think Enda Kenny (former taoiseach) famously said once that the electorate often gives the Government a wallop  this is two wallops, he added.

Well, look, clearly we got it wrong.

Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman said the Government was not successful in convincing the public of its arguments to change the Constitution.

The Government has to make the case, and its clear that throughout this campaign issues were raised, issues that I think were incorrect interpretations that I and Government believe were incorrect, Mr OGorman said.

But we werent successful in convincing people that our arguments were strong.

I think it has to be acknowledged that the departure from the wording of the Citizens Assembly meant that some of those NGOs and civil society organisations, who would have been supportive originally, didnt feel they could support and (didnt) feel they could campaign to the same degree.

I think that was certainly an element.

Finally, I think the people didnt see the urgency of the change here in terms of the repeal campaign, where there was a clear outcome the day after the yes vote and in the case of marriage equality, where there was a clear outcome the day of the vote.

People didnt get that sense of the need for change here. I think that was another factor.

The result of the referendums on family and care is clear. The majority were not persuaded by the arguments for changing the Constitution in this way. It is a core strength of our Constitution that the people have the final say. We fully respect their decision. (1/3)  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 9, 2024

Irish deputy premier Micheal Martin said the majority of the public were not persuaded by the arguments for changing the Constitution.

The result of the referendums on family and care is clear, Mr Martin said in a statement.

The majority were not persuaded by the arguments for changing the Constitution in this way.

It is a core strength of our Constitution that the people have the final say. We fully respect their decision.

There is no single reason why these proposals were rejected and, like all who supported them, we will reflect on this over time.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party is very much in touch with the Irish public despite the result.

Her party advocated for a yes-yes vote in Irelands ballot on family and care.

No, were very, very much in touch with people, and youll recall that I said from the get-go, that we were very much in favour of removing sexist language from the Constitution, very much in favour of an inclusive definition of families, Ms McDonald said on Saturday.

But we knew that the Government did come up short in terms of the caring wording. They disregarded the Citizens Assembly, they didnt consult with opposition or with other stakeholders. They didnt collaborate, and they failed to convince.

I know, talking to lots of people, that people were left with an unbalanced decision to make and I think its a great pity that the Government went on this kind of solo run, and theyve had their answer.

I dont think there has been a lack of clarity for people, I think people when they came out and voted were very clear how they were voting and why they were voting in a particular way.

If there is one big takeaway message from this, it is that support for people with disabilities as full and equal citizens and support for carers is something that has to be taken seriously by Government.

I think itll fall to the next government to vindicate those rights.

Ms McDonald said Sinn Fein will return to consideration of the sexist language in Irelands Constitution if the party is in the next government.

Senator Michael McDowell, a former tanaiste and ex-justice minister, who campaigned for a no-no vote, said the move had represented unwise social experimentation with the Constitution.

Mr McDowell, who was part of the Lawyers For No group, said: I trust individual voters.

They looked at what was being put before them and they said no.

Many of them will have a slightly different perspective as to why they were voting no, but in the end we live in a republic and the sovereign power is the people, and every individual vote is as good as anybody elses vote, and this is an emphatic repudiation of what I think was unwise social experimentation with the Constitution.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik defended her partys decision to back a yes-yes vote.

I do think and it is clear that it is the Governments responsibility, because the Government needs to explain to the people first why it chose and proceeded with wording that was so distinctly different from the wording that our Oireachtas committee on gender equality has proposed, wording that cross-parties had supported, she added.

Why did they not go out more assertively and sell it to the people? Because what we saw from Government, particularly in the last few weeks as the no side was gaining ground, we saw a lacklustre campaign from Government.

The family amendment proposed extending the meaning of family beyond one defined by marriage and to include those based on durable relationships.

The care amendment proposed deleting references to a womans roles and duties in the home, and replacing it with a new article that acknowledges family carers.
The use of mirrors for road safety on a bridge built for horses and carts has confused councillors who have claimed that using them was not permitted Laois County Council.

The issue arose at a recent meeting in County hall where Cllr Ollie Clooney, Independent, tabled a motion calling for a traffic mirror at the bridge in Attanagh village.

James Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer in the councils Roads section replied that the local authority would arrange for the erection of a mirror to assist vehicles at this location.

Cllr Clooney said the mirrors would help.

It was badly needed because this bridge was built for horses and carts, he said.

However, other councillors queried the position taken by the council. Clllr James Kelly, Independent, said he supported the request but he had understood from previous queries that mirrors were not permitted. He said this arose from court case which found that a local authority should not erect a mirror because it does not give a true reflection of the road.

Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fail, said he was not familiar with the Attanagh location but he also recalled having requests for mirrors rejected as it was not council policy.

At least we know now that they are allowed in certain circumstances, he said.

Mr Donal Brennan, Director of Services, thanked the councillors for querying the use of mirrors and it would be looked into. He said if mirrors cannot be used in Attanagh other safety solutions would be looked at.

The issue was raised at a meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District.
A Naas District Court judge told off a defendant for their apparent rude behaviour towards their barrister.

The defendant appeared before Judge Desmond Zaidan on Thursday, March 7 last.

Their barrister, Aisling Murphy, was told that the case was being adjourned to a later date, as the prosecuting garda involved in the case against her client was not present.

When she explained the judge's decision to her client, the defendant loudly replied: "When!?"

Judge Zaidan interjected: "Show some respect; she is doing her best to help you."

When the defendant kept trying to speak to the judge, they were expelled from the court room by gardai, and the judge briefly rose for around one minute.

Aisling Murphy was defending the accused involved in the case.

The defendant could be seen muttering something angrily when they left the courtroom.

They were brought before the judge later in the day, and they were told that the case against them had been adjourned to a date later this month for hearing.

The judge remanded the accused on continuing bail until the case resumes.
Loulo-Gounkoto Delivers Another Value-Creating Performance





All amounts expressed in US dollars

LOULO, Mali, March 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) ? The Loulo-Gounkoto complex in Mali, one of the world's largest gold producers, has contributed more than $1 billion to the Malian economy over the past 12 months, maintaining its long record as one of the country's largest and most consistent revenue generators.

The complex is on track to meet its production guidance for the current quarter and the year. There have been no lost time injuries or major environmental incidents during the quarter to date.

Speaking to media and stakeholders at the mine today, Mark Bristow, president and chief executive of operator Barrick Gold Corporation, said the complex showed that a world-class mining business, developed by international investors but run entirely by Malians, could deliver real value to the state and the people.

"In our 29 years in Mali, we have seen multiple changes in government and administration. We have worked with each of these administrations for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders and, in the spirit of partnership, we continue to invest in the extension of Loulo-Gounkoto's life. It is worth noting that, in line with Barrick's policy of supporting local businesses, Malian contractors have been appointed to extend Gara West and re-open the Baboto open pit where drilling has confirmed a potential high-grade extension of the mineralized structure," he said.

"We are also looking for fresh growth opportunities within the Loulo region, among other things through a high-resolution airborne magnetic geophysical survey designed to complete the next generation of high-impact targets."

The commissioning of Phase 2 of the complex's solar power plant extension to 60 megawatts and its new battery storage system marked another stage in its transition to renewable energy.

Enquiries

Investor and Media Relations

Kathy du Plessis

+44 20 7557 7738

Email: [email protected]

Group Regional Manager

West Africa

Mahamadou Samake

+223 66 75 61 36

West Africa and Saudi Arabia Operations Manager

Chiaka Berthe

+223 66 74 75 88

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 "maintain", "on track", "opportunities", "guidance", "invest", "extension", "target", "potential", "could", "will", and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with respect to Loulo-Gounkoto's ability to achieve its production guidance for 2024; Loulo Gounkoto's productive partnership with the government of Mali; the Complex's potential to continue to make major contributions to the country's economy and mining industry while developing the skills of its in-country workforce; Barrick's exploration strategy and the potential to find new discoveries and growth opportunities in the Loulo region; Barrick's strategy, plans, targets and goals in respect of environmental and social governance issues, including with respect to greenhouse gas emissions reductions; and investments to local procurement and employment in Mali.

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 diesel fuel, natural gas, and electricity); the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation, and exploration successes; 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 the Mali and other jurisdictions in which the Company or its affiliates do or may carry on business in the future; risks related to 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; 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 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 of 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.

10 march 2024 at 06:00

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Ilker Catak, Beverly Hills, California, February 12, 2024. CHRIS PIZZELLO / INVISION / AP

German director Ilker Catak likes to recall the saying: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." His fourth feature film, The Teachers' Lounge, shot behind closed doors in a middle school in Hamburg, raises the question of the excesses of self-righteousness. This breathless school thriller, which will represent Germany at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, is inspired by a childhood memory of the filmmaker and his co-writer, Johannes Duncker: One day, in physics class, three teachers asked the girls to leave and the boys to open their wallets on the table.

In The Teacher's Lounge, a middle school is confronted with a series of thefts. To put an end to false accusations, a teacher lets her computer camera run. However, the situation backfires on her... Your film reflects a society that tends to get carried away and lacks discernment, doesn't it?

Indeed, the teacher, Carla Nowak, acts in good faith, but others believe they are even more morally upright than her... At times, I feel like we're back in medieval times: an individual judged to have acted wrongly is put on public display and can be scorned by everyone... It's important that cancel culture can offer a second chance, especially since a moral judgment may become outdated 10 years later. That said, cancel culture also has its advantages. For example, when Elon Musk makes anti-Semitic remarks, we can decide not to buy his Tesla or browse his platform. It's important to consider each case differently.

Have any films inspired your thinking?

Yes, two French films: Entre les murs [The Class], by Laurent Cantet [shot in a middle school, Palme d'Or in 2008] and La Loi du marche [The Measure of a Man], by Stephane Brize [the humiliation-filled path of an unemployed man, in 2015]. And then a Belgian film: Le Jeune Ahmed (Young Ahmed), by the Dardenne brothers [2019], which notably describes the relationship between a teacher and a pupil. I'd also say that, on a visual level, Elephant, by Gus Van Sant [2003], counted.

Where did you shoot?

Initially, I wanted to film during school hours. I asked several schools in Hamburg for permission, but they all said it was impossible, except during the short vacations, which didn't leave enough time. It's hard to make a film in two weeks. That's when my production manager found an old technological high school just before it was demolished.

Carla Nowak comes from a Polish family in Westphalia, speaks fluent Polish, but is not at ease with her origins. The question of identity runs through the film.

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The White House is partnering with the University of Virginia as part of President Bidens Cancer Moonshot, a national effort to end cancer.

While UVa has yet to provide any details on the partnership, more information is expected to be announced Monday when an administration officials is scheduled to visit Charlottesville.

On Thursday evening in advance of Bidens State of the Union address before Congress, the administration announced that UVas is one of 40 comprehensive cancer centers and community oncology practices that have committed to using new patient navigation services paid for by seven of the nations leading health insurance companies.

The services are designed to help patients and their caregivers more easily understand and access the complicated cancer treatment process.

The cancer navigator helps people with cancer deal with issues that prevent them from getting screened and diagnosed, accessing cancer care, and finding the help they need after cancer treatment, according to the American Cancer Society. The goal of cancer navigation is to find ways to overcome issues that keep people from getting access to quality cancer care.

Medicare and other health insurance plans often didnt cover the costs of a navigator. But the Biden administration has updated existing medical billing codes so that health insurers can now pay for those services.

For the first time ever, millions of Americans will be able to access much-needed support, like clinical care coordination, health education, patient self-advocacy training, health system navigation, and connection to community-based social services to address food and housing insecurity, transportation needs, or other issues that could interfere with treatment, according to a White House statement.

Participating health insurance providers include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Elevance Health, Health Alliance Plan, Humana, Priority Health and Select Health. Together, they serve more than 150 million patients, nearly half of all Americans across the country, according to the White House statement.

The UVa Comprehensive Cancer Center has committed to using the new navigation codes to provide patient navigation services to people facing cancer, the White House said.

The center employs more than 200 researchers working to prevent, detect and treat various cancers. Their work supports UVa Health clinicians and individuals who live in the health systems service area, which includes 87 counties in Virginia and West Virginia, home to 3.2 million people.

UVa Healths clinical cancer center is named after Emily Couric, a Charlottesville Democrat who served in the Virginia state Senate from 1996 to 2001. Couric died of pancreatic cancer in 2001. She was the sister of UVa alumna and journalist Katie Couric.

More details on UVas involvement in the Cancer Moonshot are expected to be announced Monday, when Danielle Carnival, director for health outcomes for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, is expected to visit the UVa Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Carnival will meet with key stakeholders to discuss how this latest step by the Biden Cancer Moonshot will reduce cancer disparities, improve health outcomes, and create a pathway of continued support for cancer patients and their families, the White House said in a statement.

Ending cancer has long been a plank in the Biden platform. The president mentioned the disease four times during his State of the Union address on Thursday night.

The Biden Cancer Moonshot program was started in 2016 when he was still vice president. The year prior, Bidens son, former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, died from glioblastoma, a rare brain cancer that would later kill Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona in 2018.

The Moonshot has two goals set by Biden and first lady Jill Biden, according to the White House: To prevent more than 4 million cancer deaths by 2047 and to improve the experience of people who are touched by cancer.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (right) and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen arrive for a press conference in Copenhagen on February 22, 2024. LISELOTTE SABROE / AFP

When it comes to his country's support for Ukraine, Denmark's Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen sees only one red line: "We do not plan on sending soldiers to the field and do not consider this an option," he said in an interview with Le Monde. For the rest, Denmark is not skimping on its aid, as already demonstrated in the spring of 2023, when it gave 19 of its Caesar guns, freshly acquired from France's Nexter  something which recently led Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to claim that her country had given "all [its] artillery" to Kyiv. Announced this summer, the delivery of the first of the promised 19 F16 fighter jets to Ukraine should take place before the summer, according to Frederiksen.

Read more Subscribers only Macron defends idea of potentially sending troops to Ukraine as allies distance themselves

In January, this Nordic country of 5.9 million inhabitants was one of Europe's biggest donors (coming in fourth) in terms of financial volume and second largest in proportion to its gross domestic product, behind Estonia, according to Germany's Kiel Institute. In total, Copenhagen has already pledged 4.5 billion in military support. In addition, Denmark has set up an 8.1 billion Ukraine aid fund, which will enable it to continue financing its support until at least 2028.

"The most important thing we can do right now is to show the Ukrainians that we'll be by their side for the long term," said Lund Poulsen. The 10-year bilateral security agreement signed on February 23 in Lviv by President Volodymyr Zelensky and Frederiksen  who was making her fourth visit to Ukraine since the start of the war  is "a clear signal" in this sense, said the defense minister.

'Being ready to do more'

The previous day, in Copenhagen, the government unveiled its 15th military aid package for Kyiv. Valued at 228 million, it included a shipment of 15,000 artillery shells, "to be delivered within a few months," in cooperation with the Czech Republic, as well as equipment and ammunition for air defense, mine clearance and drones.

On its website, the Ministry of Defense details donations made over the last two years. In addition to F16s and Caesar guns, Copenhagen has delivered 407 Stinger surface-to-air missile launchers, Harpoon anti-ship missiles and over 100 Leopard tanks (in cooperation with the Netherlands and Germany), as well as armored vehicles, ammunition and drones. "We're listening to our friends in Ukraine and trying to provide them with what they need," said the minister, delighted to see countries like France "being ready to do more."

Denmark's commitment allows Prime Minister Frederiksen to admonish the Europeans, as at the Munich security conference on February 17, when she hammered home: "Sorry to say, friends, there is still military equipment in stock in Europe. It 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 ourselves at the moment  that must be handed over to Ukraine."

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During the Dragon 24 military exercises, part of Operation Steadfast Defender 24, in Korzeniewo, Poland, on March 4, 2024. LAURENT VAN DER STOCKT FOR LE MONDE

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is no longer in hiding. After three decades of military retrenchment, following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the break-up of the Soviet Union two years later, NATO has decided to boost its capabilities in response to Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine and the threats made by its president, Vladimir Putin, to countries on Europe's eastern flank.

On January 24, the alliance launched Steadfast Defender 24, its largest series of military exercises in Europe since the end of the Cold War. Scheduled to last until May 31, these large-scale maneuvers bring together some 90,000 troops from 32 countries and no fewer than 1,100 armored vehicles, including 166 battle tanks. The exercises are taking place mainly on the plains of Poland and Norway, but also in Germany, the Baltic States, Romania, Finland, Slovakia, Greece and Sweden.

Read more Subscribers only Swedish defense minister: It is 'essential' for Europe and US that Russia does not win war in Ukraine

"This is our largest deployment since Exercise Reforger in 1988, in which 125,000 men were engaged," stated US General Randolph Staudenraus, head of operations at NATO's military command in Brunssum, Netherlands. Staudenraus came to Gdansk, Poland, on March 4 to supervise one of the two land exercises in the sequence, called Dragon 24.

Steadfast Defender 24 is also the first implementation of NATO's new defense plans, which were developed after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and adopted at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July 2023.

'Bringing things up a notch'

Hitherto reluctant to target Russia explicitly in order to avoid any escalation, NATO's military leaders no longer hesitate in their scenarios to designate Moscow as the enemy to be fought. For Dragon 24, the objective assigned to the troops was to move as quickly as possible from Western Europe to the border between Poland and Belarus, in order to prevent an enemy force from penetrating alliance territory. This is a scenario that NATO forces could face, among other threats, should Moscow attempt to seize the Suwalki Gap, the narrow corridor that links the Kaliningrad enclave to Russian territory and separates the Baltic States from Poland.

"The highest risk we face today is that of a major conflict in Europe," confirmed General Pierre Schill, chief of the general staff of the French Army, who came to observe the deployment of the 700 French soldiers and 12 Leclerc tanks involved in the Dragon 24 exercise on March 5. "Russia has built up powerful forces and is determined to use them to bring its adversaries to heel. (...) It is currently very focused on Ukraine, and it is difficult to assess its regeneration time. It could be very fast, two or three years, or slower. We need to use this time to prepare ourselves and bring things up a notch."

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Flanked by a plethora of his party's bodyguards and elected representatives, Andre Ventura walked with a smile through the old town of Braga, in northern Portugal, on Tuesday, February 27. Around the leader of the far-right Chega ("Enough is enough") party, some 50 supporters waved flags and chanted "Por-tu-gal" like a mantra. Margarita Paulina made no secret of her excitement. With tears in her eyes, she beckoned to Ventura, who approached her and embraced her effusively. "This is the best: The country needs an iron fist to bring order back to our small country and stop our young people leaving to seek a better future elsewhere," explained this 62-year-old retiree, whose son lives in Dubai and daughter in Switzerland. "The other political leaders keep making promises, but they do nothing."

In the streets, curious passers-by snapped photos and murmured as Ventura marched on. "I like his ideas and he's fighting against the status quo. This country needs to change its mentality and people need to wake up," asserted Jose Campos, a 52-year-old engineer who is still reluctant to give Ventura his vote, finding him "sometimes too aggressive." Two employees of a shoe store whisper on the landing. "He's too extreme for me, but he's right when he talks about housing and inequality," said one of them, in her 30s.

Andre Ventura, leader of the Chega party, at a rally in Braga, northern Portugal, on February 27, 2024. DIANA TINOCO FOR LE MONDE

Near Andre Ventura's rally in Braga, northern Portugal, on February 27, 2024. DIANA TINOCO FOR LE MONDE

Five years after bursting onto the Portuguese political scene, Chega is set for a strong showing in the early general elections on March 10. In 2019, with just 1.3% of the vote, the party of Ventura, a former Socialist local official and ex-sports commentator, won a single seat in the Assembly of the Republic, buoyed by an anti-system, anti-Roma discourse. "Back then," recalled political scientist Patricia Lisa, "he won votes in abandoned rural areas, among people who didn't feel they were being listened to. Now he's winning among young people, who are attracted by the parties at the extremes." After climbing to 7.1% of the vote in 2022 (12 lawmakers) and introducing a radical discourse, both in form and substance, into the hitherto orderly space of the Assembly, he is now being forecast by the most cautious polls at garnering between 16% and 18% of voting intentions.

The end of the Portuguese exception, a country that has long seemed allergic to the far right, is set to be ratified on Sunday. As historian Antonio Costa Pinto, professor at the Institute of Social Sciences at the University of Lisbon, pointed out, "In reality, as soon as democracy was consolidated, after the Carnation Revolution of 1974, we knew that between 18% and 20% of Portuguese society expressed authoritarian conservative views. However, the two parties of the right, the Socialist Party and the CDS [Democratic and Social Center], which came from the moderate opposition to Salazarism, contained them. Chega ultimately arose in the context of an anti-socialist momentum  under the left-wing government combining the Socialist Party, the radical left, and the Communist Party [between 2015 and 2019], nicknamed the geringonca, the "contraption"  and the inability of the right to return to power then."

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IN HER new book, Dr Sarah OBrien gives a voice to those who have been silenced in post-Famine America.

Titled Of Memory and the Misplaced, the book draws from 30 memoirs written between 1900 and 1970, works which show the prevalence of intimate and taboo themes in ordinary immigrants writing - themes such as domestic violence, same-sex love and famine-induced trauma.

Through the book, the Ballyhahill native highlights the voices that have traditionally been silenced and offers a rare and unexplored collection of primary source autobiographical texts to better understand the experiences of Irish immigrants in the United States.

According to Dr OBrien, memoir-writing was a craze in the US in the early twentieth century. Luckily, some of the memoirs written by Irish emigrants during this era survived. They offer a rare glimpse into the remembering mind of those who left after the Famine, she explained.

The memoirs I write about in this book were never published. These were outsider artists, with no expectation of a public audience, so they give a candid perspective on Irish emigrant life. I found the womens memoirs especially honest. They dont romanticise their past and they dont shy away from addressing taboo topics like domestic violence, same-sex relationships and the pain of motherhood, she said.

Of Memory and the Misplace critiques the role of the Irish landscape as a site of memory and shows how the interiority of the domestic world has provided Irish women with the language needed to reclaim their own lives.

Dr OBrien said: For me, the book is a reminder of the power of telling your own story. Immigrants in Ireland today are dealing with so many challenges. I hope that one day we will be reading some of their memoirs. I think they will have remarkable things to teach us.

READ MORE: PICTURES: Limerick Literary Festival celebrates 40th anniversary

Praising the new publication, professor in English at Oklahoma University Elizabeth Grubgeld, said: O'Brien has produced an exceptionally rich and beautifully written study of Irish diasporic life narratives informed by the arguments of contemporary memory studies and autobiographical theory.

"Historically precise and theoretically erudite, this book will be an essential text for scholars of autobiography, immigration, memory studies, and Irish literature and culture.

Dr Sarah OBrien is a lecturer in Education at MIC and is a co-director of the Oral History Centre at the College. She graduated as a primary teacher in 2004 before receiving a PhD in History from MIC in 2009.
IN 1985, Rachael English travelled up from Shannon to Dublin to see Bruce Springsteen perform in Slane - a night of firsts for more than one. While The Boss played for the first time in Ireland, Rachael attended her first ever big concert. She didnt sleep for a few days, but it was completely worth it.

With her friends Patricia and Sandra, a 16-year-old Rachael got on the bus to the capital. The girls had a lot to celebrate as they finished off their exams the previous day.

"We left quite early in the morning and didn't get there until 5 o'clock when the concert started. There was so much traffic in the area, it was just mayhem. It was estimated that there could have been 90, 000 people there that day. It was so brilliant. We didn't get back until seven o'clock the following morning," she recalls. I was working in Bunratty Castle Hotel washing dishes and I had to be at work at 10. So I literally went a couple of days with no sleep, but it was completely worth it. Completely worth it.

During Covid, the Clare author became obsessed with the music that was popular when she was in her early teens.

This was one of the things that was the catalyst for the book. Those would be my memories, the bands who were popular in the early 1980s. That was the time that U2 emerged. I remember in Shannon at the time when I was growing up, like it really was a music mad town, she says.

In her seventh book, Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy, the author takes us on a rollercoaster journey through the rise and fall of an all-woman rock band from a small town in Ireland. As they were on the verge of international success, The Diamonds vanished. 40 years later, podcaster Stacey Nash becomes fascinated with the band that broke up before she was born. But as former band members are reluctant to cooperate, will she ever know Whatever Happened to them?

With nostalgia and music, Rachael English masterfully immerses the reader into a compelling story. A portrayal of women whose career got cut short, in a music scene where darkness often lurks beneath the glamour.

Speaking of her new book, Rachael explains: What I wanted to do was to write about the women I grew up with and try and capture those times as well. I had this little idea at the same time of a podcaster who would sort of be like a detective without solving murders. The mystery being what happened to a particular group of people who were once famous, and try to find out what happened to them.

Rachael works as a presenter for Morning Ireland. Would she ever consider doing a series of podcast to investigate the past, in the same way her protagonist does?

It's funny, I was thinking about that because when the idea first came to me, I thought that would be really interesting, she says. Then I thought, in this day and age, it's hard to imagine any employer certainly being willing to allow you to do something that's a bit flaky like that might end up as a program or a podcast.

In the book, Rachael captures the essence of the 1980s. As she wrote her novel, she remembered her own youth.

I would be a few years younger than The Diamonds in the book. I remember Shannon at the time. You had all these different groups. You used to have mobs, all the guys who were into AC/DC and nothing else. I read somewhere, and apparently there is science behind this, that the music that you like when you're 13 or 14, pretty much defines you for life as far as your taste in music is concerned.

The first cassette she ever bought features in the book.

"The first album that I ever bought, even though it was a cassette, was Dare by The Human League, which came out in 1981. When I was putting together a playlist, I had to feature a song from that album in it, she says.

Rachael was always interested in writing. However, being an author does not always seem feasible.

I think for a lot of people, life sort of knocks that out of you because you have to earn a living. It's hard to earn a living from writing books, she says. I was lucky to get work as a journalist. I worked in Clare FM before I worked in RTE. I landed into something else that suited me and which I enjoyed and where I got opportunity, so I put the book thing on the back burner until recent years. Then I thought, If I don't get this a try now, I'm probably never going to do it. I didn't think I'd get as far as seven books.

While working on her new book, she read a few autobiographies by women who had been in bands. Who would she like to spend 24 hours in the shoes of?

I did become fascinated by Patti Smith and what an amazing life she has had and still has. She still performs a lot, and she's still very much involved in art. So I think being her would be fantastic.

Growing up in Shannon, Rachael and her friends often went to Limerick to go to discos or see bands. Now, with a series of big gigs to take place in Limerick this summer, some of her friends might have to travel from Dublin to the Treaty City - for a change.

We tended to go into Limerick a lot, it was it for us. So it's fantastic to see the way that these huge names are playing in Limerick now and people don't have to travel to Dublin or Cork to go and see bands, she says. A friend of mine couldn't get tickets for Liam in Dublin. I said, There you go now, there's your chance. It's great to think that people from Dublin might be travelling to Limerick for a change to see a band, she laughs.
Last month Odysseus became the first American spacecraft to land on the surface of the Moon in more than 50 years. The mission, a collaboration between NASA and a private firm called Intuitive Machines, can be counted a partial success: the craft did send back images even though its landing did not go to plan. Things might have gone better still if it had not been so long since NASA last visited the Moon. Experience usually makes things go more smoothly.

NASA does have an archive of materials from the Apollo missions. Sometimes, however, knowledge is lost for good. Gino Cattani of NYU Stern School of Business and his co-authors have looked at the violin-making family dynasties of Antonio Stradivari and others in Cremona, in Italy, in the 17th and 18th centuries. Modern players still laud the sound of the instruments made by these craftsmen. But there was a gap of about a century between the heyday of these dynasties and the rise of the public performances that showcased the instruments qualities. In that time the techniques of the Cremonese luthiers were lost.

Most organisations do not routinely blast into orbit or wait a century for customer feedback. But all organisations face the problem of storing and transferring knowledge so that newcomers know whats what, lessons are learned from successes and failures, and wheels are not constantly being reinvented. An ageing workforce adds to the urgency of training inexperienced hires before the old hands leave the building.

Some knowledge is easier to codify than other. In the 1960s Corning, a glassmaker, had developed a particularly strong glass that was christened Chemcor. Plans to commercialise this material falteredamong other reasons, it turned out that this was not a great windscreen for motorists to hit at speedand Chemcor was put on the shelf.

There it remained until 2005, when the firm started to wonder whether mobile phones might provide a use for Chemcor, which was renamed Gorilla Glass. In 2007 the boss of Corning took a call from Steve Jobs, who was hunting for the right kind of glass for a new smartphone. You presume that no one at Corning has since questioned the value of keeping good records.

The tougher task is capturing tacit knowledge". This is the know-how born of experience, which cannot easily be documented in the manuals and is not much thought about by those who have it.

Working alongside experienced colleagues is the best way to transfer tacit knowledge but it is not always possible. Sometimes you only want your very best people working on something, especially if the stakes are high. The most valuable employees are usually the ones with the least time to mentor others. When NASA was working on a Mars rover programme in the 2010s, it gave younger engineers a smaller, parallel project: to build a rover for use in educational programmes on Earth. It wasnt the real thing, but it was a way to give them some hands-on experience. NASA also has an emeritus programme that gets retired veterans to mentor junior staff.

Technology is both an answer and a barrier to the transfer of tacit knowledge. It is easier than ever to record and disseminate the wisdom of older hands. Unfortunately, it is easier than ever to record and disseminate the wisdom of older hands: the podcast episodes proliferate, the hours of unwatched training videos pile up. Watching someone on a screen is often less stimulating than hearing from them face-to-face. A recent study by Niina Nurmi and Satu Pakarinen, two Finnish researchers, found that participants in virtual meetings feel drowsier than those meeting in person, which is saying something.

Christopher Myers of Johns Hopkins University is a fan of informal storytelling as a way of passing on tacit knowledge. He spent time with the crews on an air medical transport team in America, whose jobs include flying patients by helicopter from the scene of an emergency to a hospital. Crew members routinely shared storieson shift changes, at mealtimes and at weekly meetingsin order to learn how to respond to unusual situations. (Top tip: in the event of a poisonous-snake bite, the local zoo is a good bet to get antivenom.)

Some stories are more gripping than others: people dont sit round camp fires telling each other how to get the printer to work. But managers everywhere should think about how to capture tacit knowledge. That starts by recognising the importance of retaining workers. You cant share experience if no one has any.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
PARISBernard Arnault, head of handbags-to-Champagne behemoth LVMH, has significant sway over the luxury industry. Now he wants to boost his influence in the media too.

The billionaire, one of the worlds richest people, already controls Frances leading financial title, a daily newspaper and a classical radio station, among a host of other media investments. His latest target is Paris Match, a French magazine best known for spreads of politicians and celebrities.

LVMH recently entered exclusive talks to buy the title for about 100 million euros, or roughly $109 million, according to people familiar with the matter, in a deal that could be completed in the coming months.

An LVMH spokesman confirmed the negotiations with Lagardere, the magazines parent company, but declined to comment further. Lagardere first disclosed the talks late last month.

Arnaults expanding media holdings place him among a cadre of billionaires who have scooped up prestigious titles in recent years. Jeff Bezos, the Amazon.com founder who vies with Arnault and Elon Musk to top the list of the worlds richest person, bought the Washington Post in 2013. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff bought Time magazine. And Musk, who bought Twitter and turned it into X, has said he wants the social-media platform to supplant traditional media as a means of communication.

While none of those entities are big moneymakers, influence has often been more important than profits in the media business.

Magazines and newspapers are also often trophy assets that give their owners a way to feel the vibrations of society," said Alain Minc, who has advised French executives and politicians.

The bid for Paris Match, if successful, would end Arnaults yearslong pursuit of the magazine that chronicles the creme de la creme of French society.

Founded in March 1949, the same month that Arnault was born, Paris Match covers major national and international news alongside its celebrity features. While its print circulation has declined in the past couple of decadesits paid distribution now stands at almost 450,000the weekly publication is still seen as a leading outlet for photojournalism and is often referred to as the photo album of the French.

Being featured in the magazines pages has long been considered a rite of passage for Frances aspiring prime ministers and presidents. Last month it ran an interview with the countrys interior minister, Gerald Darmanin, stoking expectations that he plans to mount a campaign to succeed Emmanuel Macron when the presidents term ends in 2027. Photographed on the phone in his office, his son on his lap, Darmanin, 41, told Paris Match that his family allows him to put political difficulties into perspective."

It also documents the lives of the rich and famous. In September 2005, the magazine ran a 22-page feature on the marriage of Arnaults daughter, Delphine, to a wealthy Italian wine heir. Readers learned that the workers of the Dior atelier spent 700 hours stitching together the John Galliano-designed wedding dress, and a further 600 hours embroidering it. Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld took some of the photos.

Paris Match is transpartisan, it seeks consensus," said Patrick Eveno, emeritus professor at the Sorbonne who specializes in the history of media. They seek to tell good stories about politicians, about monarchies, about big stars in cinema and music."

Across Europe, many media outlets are in the hands of powerful families and industrial groups, which often face criticism for using them to promote personal goals or influence politicians.

Arnault, who began buying up media assets in the early 1990s, told a French senate inquiry into media ownership in 2022 that his purchases were more like philanthropy," since many of the titles would have faced an uncertain future without investment from his luxury empire.

Arnault added that his media assets were marginal for LVMH and that he spent relatively little time on them. They made 400 million eurosabout $438 millionin annual sales, he said at the inquiry, before adding unfortunately, the losses are substantial."

Annual revenue at LVMH, whose brands include Louis Vuitton, Dior and Hennessy, surpassed 86 billion euros last year, more than 90% of which was generated outside of France.

Marketing benefits between LVMHs brands and its media assets are limited, analysts say. The head of LVMHs press unit has said he wished the groups brands would advertise more with its titles and less with the competition.

From time to time, though, Arnault has expressed an interest in expanding his media holdings. For instance, he has said publicly that he considered a deal for the Financial Times in 2015 before the British title was eventually sold to Japanese media group Nikkei.

Arnaults relationship with the media hasnt always been comfortable. As an owner, he faced a strike at his financial daily Les Echos last year over the abrupt dismissal of the publications editor. The newspaper has been operating without an editor in chief for about a year after staffwho get to vote on the titles top editorrejected LVMHs proposed candidate for the role.

As a public figure, Arnault has also faced some uncomfortable scrutiny at times. In 2012, Frances richest man confirmed that he was seeking Belgian citizenship, a move that came as the French government was pressing ahead with a controversial tax on the countrys wealthiest citizens. In response, left-wing newspaper Liberation ran a front-page photo of a smiling Arnault carrying a suitcase, alongside the headline, Get lost, you rich jerk." Arnault sued the publication, and the case was eventually settled before trial. Arnault later withdrew his bid for Belgian citizenship.

Eveno, the professor at the Sorbonne, said that Arnault was generally hands off with his newspapers, particularly when compared with his fellow billionaire Vincent Bollore, who currently controls Paris Match.

Bollore is the largest shareholder of French media group Vivendi, which took control of Lagardere last year. He has a record of shifting his media assets to the right of the political spectrum. At one of Vivendis 24-hour news channels, he increased time devoted to debates on topics including immigration and violent crime, and helped propel a nationalist French talk-show host to a presidential run.

Bollore has said that his group invests in the media to make money and not for political or ideological reasons.

One senior journalist at Paris Match said LVMH would in theory be a better owner for the publication because the luxury company is less political, and the two have a natural affinity through some of the topics covered by the magazine.

Still, the journalist said they hoped LVMHthe worlds largest seller of luxury goodswould retain the magazines balance of visually rich features on society and the arts, and in-depth reporting on topics like the war in Ukraine.

Write to Nick Kostov at nick.kostov@dowjones.com
The former representative of the 59th District in the Virginia House of Delegates was found not guilty of felony hit-and-run and malicious wounding last Tuesday.

Matt Fariss, who served in the state house for 12 years, was convicted by a jury of improper driving and ordered to pay a $500 fine.

On March 2, 2023, at about 5 p.m., Roanoke Commonwealths Attorney Donald Caldwell said Fariss was driving northbound on U.S. 501, traveling with Julie Miles toward South Boston for dinner when an argument erupted because of a flat tire.

Miles said in her testimony she had known Fariss for 20 years because he was friends with her brother. She said the two began a romantic relationship in July 2021 and it ended in October 2023.

Miles said she agreed to go to dinner with Fariss because she thought it would be a good time to discuss the particulars of his tools and some cattle he still had on her property in Evington.

Fariss had done some work on the farm earlier that day, left to clean up and returned that evening to pick Miles up for dinner at about 4:30 p.m., Miles said. She said Fariss eventually turned on to U.S. 501 and added he was flying.

The back tire on the passenger side lost air and Fariss pulled into a church parking lot to tend to it.

She said Fariss was looking for a jack to begin fixing the car, when he called his son to ask for a tool. Miles said he became irate and vulgar, and she responded by saying, I dont have to listen to this tonight.

She testified she grabbed her things and proceeded to walk out of the church parking lot toward a relatives house up the road.

Miles walked north on U.S. 501 in the southbound lane facing traffic when Fariss, she explained, began driving northbound on the right side of the highway screaming at me to get in the vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe SUV.

Fariss made a left turn from U.S. 501 toward a driveway when Miles said he struck her with his truck and proceeded to get out of the car screaming.

I thought he was going to kill me, she said.

She said a man came out of the house down the driveway when Miles screamed, call 9-1-1.

Miles said she had a bruised knee and wrist from the impact. She declined medical assistance initially, before going to the emergency room later in the evening.

Stephen Weaver testified he was traveling on the highway northbound when he noticed a woman walking north on the southbound side.

Weaver said he saw Fariss car in his lane making a left turn when he saw Fariss strike Miles.

Weaver said he then saw Fariss get out of his car and charge toward Miles, and after a short moment of time he stopped, got in his car and drove off.

Fariss denied most of those claims, testifying the two were heading to a dinner to meet with a member of the General Assembly.

Fariss said he wasnt driving aggressively but during travel, his tire began losing pressure.

He said Miles originally helped him look for tools but when he called his son for help, she was upset at how the conversation between the two was going.

Fariss changed the tire and said he then realized Miles was gone.

Thats when he drove northbound on the highway and proceeded to get Miles back into the car.

I told her, come on, get in the vehicle, Fariss said, adding he thought Miles had his phone.

Fariss said when he made the left turn off U.S. 501, he thought Miles threw his phone at him in the car, which caused him to duck. He said then, Miles made contact with the side of the car, pushing the side mirror in.

Fariss said he didnt think Miles was hurt as she didnt make any complaints, adding she wanted him to be gone.

He said his only goal initially, was to get her back in the car so the two can go to dinner.

I was upset and frustrated, Fariss said.

In closing, Caldwell said this was in all aspects a domestic argument. After the trial, he added the issues were put in front of the community and they spoke.

Caldwell said he feels relatively certain the lack of visible injuries played a role in the malicious wounding charge being overturned.

I trust their judgement, Caldwell said of the jury.

Defense Attorney Chuck Felmlee said the charges brought against Fariss are overkill.

If Matts [Fariss] intent was to harm Julie . He did a horrible job, Felmlee said.

He said after court, the defense is pleased with the decision and the results.

He was found guilty of a traffic infraction, Felmlee added.

Miles still has a protective order against Fariss, which will be heard in court at a later date.
(Bloomberg) -- Delta Air Lines Inc. expects deliveries of its Boeing Co. 737 Max 10 aircraft could be pushed out to as late as 2027 as the troubled planemaker undergoes federal safety and criminal reviews.

Delta has orders for 100 Max 10 planes and options to purchase 30 more, and had expected to begin receiving the planes next year.

We were already anticipating if it came in 25, itd be late in the year," Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian said of the Max 10 in an interview Sunday in Austin. My guess is it will be another year or two beyond that."

Delta planned to use the largest Max model  ordered in July 2022  within its domestic network. The airline has been taking Airbus SE A321neo single-aisle planes, and were very pleased with that aircraft," Bastian said.

Boeing is facing a rigorous review from federal aviation regulators after a series of incidents, including the blowout of a fuselage section during an Alaska Airlines flight in January. The Alaska incident has also triggered a criminal investigation by the Justice Department. Amid those issues, federal certification of the Max 7 and Max 10 models has been delayed.

Read more: United Air Closes In on Airbus A321 Jets Amid Max 10 Delay

United Airlines Holdings Inc. earlier this year pulled the Max 10 from its fleet plan because of the extended delays and has been in talks to switch to another Max variant or try to secure production slots for planes from Airbus. Since Delta hasnt taken the Max yet, its not an integral part of our fleet," Bastian said. Its a nice part of our strategy but its not an integral part."

Read more: Boeing to Face Enormous Scrutiny After Mishaps, Buttigieg Says

Delta is comfortable" with protections it negotiated against possible delays in its contract to buy the Max 10, Bastian said, declining to be more specific. There are several issues with the Boeing 737 Max that need to be addressed," and the carrier is in ongoing discussions with Boeing, he said.

Demand for travel during spring school breaks and summer remains robust, both in the US and international markets, with Delta having some of the strongest sales days in its history over the past 10 weeks, Bastian said.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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Google Doodle released a doodle today to mark Mother's Day 2024. This doodle will be visible across Ireland. The doodle depicts a mother reading out to her child while being seated on a couch in a setting of the house. The word Google is inscribed in the background with plants and a dog adding to the setting.

Mother's Day is a day to celebrate and honour one of the most special person in our lives mothers. Mother's Day marks celebrations of motherhood and maternal bonds. Mother's Day is celebrated on different days in more than 40 countries across the world. The day is usually celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of May. However, this day is celebrated on different days in different countries, usually falling in the month of March or May in some countries.

Ireland marks Mother's Day celebrations on March 10. Here are some ways to celebrate Mother's Day:

Have family gatherings or meals together. Gift flowers, cards, jewellery, chocolate, clothing, accessories, cakes or other items to express love and affection to your mother. Make your mother's day special by taking her out or spend the day by having all meals together. Cook something special for your mother. Dedicate poems or songs and let your mother feel special by knowing how important she is.

Also read: Three ways in which women investors are different from men

It is celebrated on the second Sunday of May in India, Canada, Australia, and the United States. In the United Kingdom, it is celebrated three weeks before Easter Sunday. Mother's Day is a public holiday in Costa Rica, Georgia, Samoa and Thailand.

History

The origins of Mother's Day can be traced back to the early 20th century when Anna Jarvis, an American social activist, advocated for a day to honour mothers and their contributions to society. Anna Jarvis's campaign gained traction and in 1914, Mother's Day was officially recognised as a national holiday in the United States by President Woodrow Wilson.

Durga-puja, honouring the goddess Durga, continues to be an important festival in India.

Significance of Mother's Day

The purpose of Mother's Day is to express love, appreciation, and gratitude towards mothers and mother figures for their unconditional love, support and sacrifices.

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As the water crisis in Bengaluru worsens, the residents of Silicon Valley have been calling for switching to an online model, similar to that in Covid-19, till monsoon. Bangaloreans, already struggling with water shortage and high temperature, have urge companies to adopt remote work and educational institutes to continue virtual learning, to conserve water and ease the pressure on employees and students.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has received several requests via social media to make work from home mandatory for IT companies in the Silicon Valley. The CM was also requested to allow schools to function online. Residents of Bengaluru, and different resident groups have said that if the online work model worked during Covid-19, it will work during water crisis too.

"It's high time," said Bengaluru Weather Man (@Bnglrweatherman) on X (formerly Twitter) tagging Siddaramaiah. "With sizzling hot days and severe water crisis prevailing in Bengaluru city and no major rains in sight as of now for the month, it's high time that government of Karnataka considers work from home option till the monsoon begins," the group of weather enthusiasts in the city wrote.

Highlighting that the work from home mandate will allow several residents to move back to their native towns, Bangaloreans on social media said that it will help in reducing the demand for water in the city.

"Water crisis - online classes and work from home? If students and employees are allowed to work from home, many will go back to their hometowns, reducing pressure on city!" Citizens' Agenda for Bengaluru (@BengaluruAgenda) wrote.

While Amit Chaudhury (@mrGlassHfEmpty) said, "I believe it is imperative that the government suggest work from home for all companies which can or have been doing it in the Covid era. This will lighten the load on the city. People can go back to their hometowns while the government can plan better."

Tagging the Congress-led Karnataka government, a federation of residents and resident welfare associations in the Whitefield area, Namma Whitefield, wrote, "Please mandate work from home, especially for IT sector. It will allow employees to return to their hometowns and reduce the burden on Bengaluru! Please mandate online for schools and colleges. It worked during Covid, it will work during water emergency."

Karnataka, especially its capital, is facing one of the worst water crises in recent years due to poor rainfall in 2023. The Indian Meteorology Department has attributed the scanty rains to El Nino effect.

According to IMD scientist A Prasad, there was an El Nino effect last year, which is moderate this year too but is likely to decline. Its effect was evident as summer set in the third and fourth week of February, which otherwise happens only in March in Bengaluru, he explained.

With the summer expected to be more severe this year, some 7,082 villages across Karnataka and 1,193 wards, including in Bengaluru Urban district, are vulnerable to drinking water-crisis in the coming months as per an assessment made by the state government as of February 10.

Civic authorities in Bengaluru have decided to fill the drying lakes with 1,300 million litres per day of treated water to replenish groundwater sources in the city, where about 50 per cent of the borewells have dried up.

A Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) official said the situation is grim because the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam in Mandya district from where Cauvery water is supplied to Bengaluru does not have adequate water due to summer.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Within days of the Maldives inking a defence deal to obtain non-lethal weapons from China, the archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean has acquired drones from Turkey for patrolling its vast exclusive economic zone, according to a media report on Saturday.

The Maldives government is likely to start operations of the drones within the next week.

However, the exact number of drones was not clear nor was there any official confirmation from the Maldives Ministry of Defence or Foreign Ministry, the report said.

Pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu, upon his return from China, indicated that the government was looking to acquire surveillance drones.

Military drones have been brought to the Maldives for the first time following an agreement by the current government with a Turkish company to purchase drones to patrol the country's waters. The drones were delivered to the Maldives on March 3.

The drones are currently at Noonu Maafaru International Airport," news portal Adhadhu said, quoting a senior government official involved in the matter.

Turkey was the first foreign country visited by Muizzu after he was sworn in as president in November.

However, the number of drones acquired from Turkey under the agreement remains unclear even as the government official said the government is working to start operations of the drones within the next week, it said.

Stating that the government has not made any official comments regarding the drones, Adhadhi said it had, during a press conference on Wednesday, questioned whether the Maldives can operate such drones.

But the Defence Ministry official declined to respond directly and said work is ongoing to strengthen the capabilities," the news portal said.

It further quoted social media posts to claim that it was Turkey company Baykar's TB2 drones and equipment needed for the drones that were delivered to the Maldives.

Earlier in January, speaking to reporters at the Velana International Airport after he returned from a state visit to China, Muizzu made a lot of claims about his countrys defence without naming India.

Stating that Maldives is not located in the backyard of any country, he had said, Even though our islands are small, we are a huge country with a very large exclusive economic zone of nine lakh square kilometres. Maldives is one country that holds the largest proportion of this ocean. This ocean is not the property of a specific country."

On March 4, Muizzu also announced that his country is working to establish a 24/7 monitoring system for the Maldivian waters this month to ensure control of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) despite its significantly large area.

Adhadhu further reported that earlier this year, the Presidents Office has amended the Import Duty Waiver Procedure to give the President the discretion to remove import duties on items for use by the security services.

This is believed to be an amendment to the rules to facilitate the purchase of military drones," it said.

Although this is the first time that such drones have been acquired for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), the government has not disclosed any information on the matter. Adhadhu earlier reported that USD 37 million (MVR 569.8 million) was allocated from the states contingency budget to purchase the drones.

The Defence Ministry later said the government is procuring modern platforms and equipment" for MNDF to defend and protect the Maldives by road, sea and air.

During Wednesday's press briefing, the Defence Ministry refused to provide details of the agreement to purchase the drones. The Foreign Ministry has also, so far, not provided any information on the matter.

The development comes ahead of the March 10 deadline set by the Maldives government for the withdrawal of Indian military troops from the island nation. Earlier this week, President Muizzu affirmed that no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be present inside his country after May 10.

Muizzus statement came less than a week after an Indian civilian team reached the Maldives to take charge of one of the three aviation platforms in the island nation, well ahead of the March 10 deadline agreed by the two nations for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel.

Last year, less than 24 hours after taking oath as the President, Muizzu formally requested India to withdraw 88 military personnel from his country by March 15, saying the Maldivian people have given him a "strong mandate" to make this request to New Delhi.

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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.
The suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and accused in the Sandeshkhali case, Shahjahan Sheikh, appeared before the Basirhat court on Sunday.

The court is set to deliver a verdict on his custody, marking the end of his 10-day police remand. Earlier in the day, Sheikh Shahjahan was brought out of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office at Nizam Palace in Kolkata on Sunday.

Following a directive from the Calcutta High Court, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Kolkata Police transferred custody of Sheikh Shahjahan to the CBI.

The high court, on Wednesday, issued a contempt notice to the CID and ordered that the case regarding the assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials be handed over to the CBI, along with custody of the main accused, Shahjahan. The court criticized the state police for their evasive actions in the matter.

Also Read: Sandeshkhali news: CBI registers 3 cases against suspended TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh for attacking ED officers

Describing the accused as a political figure of influence, the high court mandated that the investigation be transferred to the CBI and the accused be handed over to them by 4:15 pm on that day.

Reportedly evading authorities for nearly two months, the now-suspended TMC leader was apprehended by the West Bengal Police on February 29. He was subsequently presented before the Basirhat court, which granted a 10-day police remand.

In addition to the assault on an ED team during a raid on his residence in Sandeshkhali in connection with an alleged ration scam, Shahjahan faces accusations of land grabbing, extortion, and engaging in misconduct against women along with his associates.

Also Read: ED officials attacked by '800-1000' people with 'intent to cause death', Bengal Governor condemns ghastly ambush

The women residing in Sandeshkhali, located in the North 24 Parganas district, expressed their outrage through violent protests, taking to the streets to condemn Shahjahan and his accomplices for serious offences and atrocities.

Numerous women on the island alleged that Shahjahan and his associates were involved in land-grabbing and sexual assault," often through coercion.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ramadan, revered as the holiest month in Islam, carries immense importance for millions of Muslims globally. Spanning 29 to 30 days, Ramadan is a time marked by fasting, prayer, introspection, and communal bonding.

It serves as a commemoration of the initial revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad, as per Islamic teachings. The commencement of this sacred month hinges upon the sighting of the crescent moon. Fasting timing in Saudi Arabia and India Fasting in Saudi Arabia and India typically begins upon the sighting of the crescent moon marking the start of Ramadan. In Saudi Arabia, if the Ramadan crescent moon is sighted on Sunday evening, fasting will commence on Monday, March 11. Also Read: Ramadan 2024: London Mayor officially switches on festival lights, says our diversity is a strength | WATCH In a post on X, The Holy Mosques wrote, Ramadan 1445 : The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia officially calls for residents to investigate the crescent of the holy month of #Ramadan on Sunday evening, 10th March 2024, 29 Sha'ban 1445 AH."

However, if the crescent moon is not sighted on Sunday after Maghrib or evening prayers, fasting will begin on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Similarly, in India, fasting begins based on the sighting of the crescent moon, aligning with the same dates as observed in Saudi Arabia.

This period of fasting is a central aspect of Ramadan, symbolizing devotion, self-discipline, and spiritual growth for Muslims across these regions.

If the Ramadan crescent moon is sighted on Sunday evening, the Taraweeh prayers will begin that night and Muslims in Saudi Arabia will begin fasting on Monday, March 11. If the Ramadan crescent is not on Sunday after Maghrib or evening prayers, the holy month will start on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

Also Read: Ramadan 2024: Find out why Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammad Bin Salman banned iftar in mosques ahead of Ramadan

Throughout Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset as an act of devotion and spiritual discipline. The fasting period revolves around two main meals: Iftar and Suhoor.

Iftar is the meal eaten after sunset, marking the end of the day's fast, while Suhoor is consumed before dawn, prior to beginning the fast for the day. Iftar dinners hold significant cultural and social importance, serving as a cherished opportunity for families and communities to come together and break their fasts in unity and fellowship.

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(Bloomberg) -- Across the US and allied countries, owners of left-for-dead uranium mines are restarting operations to capitalize on rising demand for the nuclear fuel.

At least five US producers are reviving mines in states including Wyoming, Texas, Arizona and Utah, where production flourished until governments soured on the radioactive element following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.

Most of those American mines were idled in the aftermath of Fukushima, when uranium prices crashed and countries like Germany and Japan initiated plans to phase out nuclear reactors.

Now, with governments turning to nuclear power to meet emissions targets and top uranium producers struggling to satisfy demand, prices of the silvery-white metal are surging. And thats giving those once-unprofitable uranium operations a chance to fill a supply gap.

Uranium has been used as an energy source for more than six decades, fueling nuclear power plants and reactors. About two-thirds of global production comes from Kazakhstan, Canada and Australia.

Uranium will be a topic of conversation as thousands of mining executives, geologists and bankers descend on Toronto for the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada gathering this week. The annual event has attracted at least 10 uranium firms, including Denison Mines Corp., Fission Uranium Corp. and IsoEnergy Ltd.

As countries increasingly consider nuclear power to address climate change, demand for uranium is expected to skyrocket. The International Atomic Energy Agency estimates the world will need more than 100,000 metric tons of uranium per year by 2040  an amount that requires nearly doubling mining and processing from current levels.

Canadas Cameco Corp. and Kazakhstans Kazatomprom, which together account for half of global supply, have struggled to ramp up production. They have warned of some operational setbacks that will result in less uranium output than expected in the coming years.

Read More: Worlds Biggest Uranium Miner Warns of Production Shortfall

Were in an old-fashioned, plain-and-simple supply squeeze," said Scott Melbye, executive vice president of Texas-based Uranium Energy Corp. Demand is increasing again, with new reactors coming online."

Production hasnt kept pace due to years of underinvestment in mining and exploration, said Melbye, whose company is reopening mines in Wyoming and Texas that were idled in 2018.

Energy Fuels Inc. initiated plans late last year to restart operations in Arizona, Utah and Colorado, while Ur-Energy Inc. said it will dust off an idled mine in Wyoming. Mid-sized companies in Australia and Canada have announced similar plans.

To be sure, production from these mines  most of which are small and nearing the end of their lives  would comprise a small fraction of the worlds uranium supply.

The industry is clearly trying to respond with smaller mines reopening, but when you have a mine that hasnt operated for that long, its obviously not very substantive," said John Ciampaglia, chief executive officer of Sprott Asset Management, which operates the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust.

Top Producers

Supply constraints should ease with top producers churning out the millions of pounds of uranium they left in the ground when prices were low. Kazatomprom has been increasing output after years of operating well below its capacity.

Cameco has been ramping up production at the worlds largest high-grade uranium mine and mill  MacArthur River and Key Lake in the western Canadian province of Saskatchewan  after idling operations between 2018 and 2021 due to weak market conditions.

The two firms will be very concerned about losing their market share to a bunch of juniors, and so theyll want to claim that back," said Tom Price, a senior commodities analyst at London-based investment bank Liberum. That will take a lot of heat out of the market."

Still, US mine reopenings mark a revival for an American industry that was at risk of disappearing only five years ago. American uranium production hit an all-time low of 174,000 pounds in 2019  a drop from its 44-million-pound peak in 1980  as the US started increasing dependence on imports from countries like Canada, Australia, Kazakhstan and Russia.

Read More: The Long Arm of Russia and the Politics of Uranium

The US industrys push is also political, with the government seeking to secure access to supply amid geopolitical uncertainty. Sanctions on Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine have posed challenges for uranium shipments en route from Kazakhstan, since the former Soviet states exports typically pass through Russian ports.

To keep up with demand, the Uranium Producers of America forecasts the US will need eight to 10 new, major mines to start production over the next decade.

(Corrects spellings of Ciampaglia and Liberum in story published March 3.)

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US, French and British forces shot down several drones in the Red Sea area on Friday, March 8, night and on Saturday, March 9, following Houthis attack.

In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated,  US and Coalition Defeat Houthi Attack in Red Sea Area. Following further engagements through the morning, U.S. and Coalition forces downed a total of at least 28 uncrewed aerial vehicles between 4:00 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. (Sanaa time) on Mar. 9." Also read: Israel-Hamas War: 1.5 million Palestinian civilians forced to evacuate due to Israeli attacks; 10 updates The statement further mentioned that there were no US or Coalition Navy vessels that were damaged in the attack and there were also no reports by commercial ships of damage. Also read: Indian Navy rescues 21 crew, including 1 Indian, after ship hit by Houthi missile in Gulf of Aden | Watch

The US military in a statement said, Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis targeted bulk carrier Propel Fortune and US destroyers in the region after which the military forces shot down dozens of drones in the area, reported Reuters.

The Houthis' attack suggests a campaign of solidarity with Palestinians amid ongoing Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. These Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November and disrupting trade route and movement of cargo ships.

Houthi group's military spokesman Yahya Sarea on March 9 informed that they had targeted the cargo vessel and "a number of US war destroyers at the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with 37 drones," reported Reuters.

On March 9, CENTCOM informed that the military was responding to a large-scale attack on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden between 4 am and 6:30 am (as per GMT).

US Central Command in another post on X mentioned, Between 4 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists conducted a large-scale uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) attack into the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. "
(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump clashed with dueling campaign visits to the same state for the second time this year, making their pitches in battleground Georgia.

The Saturday visits to Atlanta and Rome  in a state that Biden narrowly won in their 2020 presidential matchup  follow the previous weeks split-screen visits to Texas border towns where the two clashed on immigration.

While Trump has targeted those border issues and economic malaise on the campaign trail, Biden has sought to reassure voters that his policies have revived the post-pandemic economy and that Trump would be a threat to democracy at home and abroad.

When he says he wants to be a dictator, I believe him," Biden said in a campaign speech in Atlanta alongside first lady Jill Biden, referring to Trumps remark last year that he wants to be a dictator for one day" if he returns to the White House.

As an example of Trumps affinities, Biden cited this weeks visit to Mar-a-Lago by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. This aint your fathers Republican Party," Biden said. These guys are different."

Georgia provided a fitting backdrop for the showdown, ending a week that saw Trump cement his status as the presumptive Republican nominee in the wake of Super Tuesday primary results, and just after Bidens State of the Union speech that made a sweeping case for a second term.

Trump, overlapping with Biden at a rally in Rome about an hours drive from Atlanta, derided the presidents speech to Congress on Thursday as an angry, dark, hate-filled rant" and called the president himself a threat to democracy.

Trumps trip took him to the district of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who confronted Biden during his speech about the killing of a Georgia nursing student allegedly by a Venezuelan migrant.

Biden said Saturday he regrets describing the suspect as an illegal" immigrant in his riposte to Greene during the speech. Undocumented. An undocumented person," he said in an interview with MSNBC. And I shouldnt have used illegal."

Democrats won big in Georgia in the last presidential cycle, with Bidens victory marking the first time since 1992 that the state went blue, while Republicans also lost two close Senate races that helped hand control of the chamber to Democrats. Recent polling by Bloomberg News and Morning Consult shows Biden lagging Trump by about 6 points in the state  in line with the RealClearPolitics polling average.

Both candidates are pushing to win over minority voters, who could easily swing the results in hard-fought battlegrounds like Georgia. On Saturday, Bidens campaign announced endorsements from The Collective, a political action committee for Black interests, the AAPI Victory Fund and the Latino Victory Fund.

Black voters were crucial to Bidens victory in 2020, including a South Carolina Democratic primary that revived his flailing bid for nomination. But his reelection effort is imperiled by lukewarm support among Black voters, as economic sentiments have weighed on their enthusiasm.

When asked about the two likely major candidates in Novembers presidential election, in the Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll, majorities of Black voters, young voters and women labeled Biden too old.

Our campaign will continue to build and expand our efforts to reach the key communities we need to win in November," Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement.

Trump has sought to capitalize on Bidens disapproval among diverse voting blocs like Black and Latino voters in hopes of chipping away at the incumbent presidents support.

--With assistance from Akayla Gardner.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated the newly elected Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on becoming the President of Pakistan. He said that the two nations' "iron-clad friendship" is a "choice of history" and that the ties' "strategic significance" has increased in light of recent global developments.

The late Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's husband, Zardari, was resoundingly elected as Pakistan's 14th President on Saturday, making history as the nation's only civilian leader for a second time.

Zardari, the co-chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party, was the joint candidate of the ruling alliance of the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

In his message to Zardari on Sunday, Xi said "China and Pakistan are good neighbours, good friends, good partners and good brothers, adding that the two countries' iron-clad friendship is a choice of history and a precious treasure of the two peoples."

Xi said that "the two countries have in recent years maintained close high-level exchanges, supported each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, achieved fruitful results in the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and maintained a high level of development of bilateral relations," state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Xi in his message said, that as the world is confronted with accelerated changes unseen in a century, the strategic significance of China-Pakistan relations has become more prominent.

Xi said he highly regards the development of China-Pakistan relations, and is ready to work with President Zardari to carry forward the traditional friendship between China and Pakistan, advance practical cooperation in various fields, push for greater development of China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, so as to better benefit the two peoples.

Earlier, Xi greeted Shehbaz Sharif on being elected as Pakistans Prime Minister.

The return of Shehbaz and his brother Nawaz Sharif as well as Zardari at the helm of Pakistans politics and government in the midst of chaos and severe economic crisis in Pakistan is viewed with a sense of relief here as all three of them over their years in power in the past few decades maintained close ties with Chinese leaders and furthered the strategic ties with Beijing viewed widely as a strategic alliance against India.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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Gov. Glenn Youngkin wants to amend  but did not reject outright  a bill Democrats said was a top priority for womens health, but he signed legislation saying marriage is legal regardless of the sex, gender or race of the couple.

The womens health bill, which requires insurers cover contraceptive drugs and devices, saw six Republican delegates and three Republican senators joining all the Democrats, although most Republicans opposed the measure.

But the overwhelming majority of GOP delegates and senators, more than 80%, opposed the marriage bill.

Del. Rozia Henson Jr., a Prince William Democrat, who has said he is the first Black openly gay man elected to Virginias legislature, sponsored House Bill 174, which requires that such lawful marriages are recognized in the state. It also provides that religious organizations or members of the clergy, acting in their religious capacity, shall have the right to refuse to perform any marriage. That addresses a concern some conservatives have expressed.

Equality Virginia Advocates hailed the news, issuing a statement headlined: Finally, marriage equality is codified in Virginia.

Two years into his term, Governor Youngkin has shown leadership and inclusivity, and has finally listened to his constituents with his signing of HB 174, said Narissa Rahaman, executive director of Equality Virginia Advocates.

Youngkin spokesman Christian Martinez said in a statement: This bill adds First Amendment protections to the code of Virginia. Religious organizations and members of the clergy acting in their religious capacity now have the authority to decline to officiate marriage ceremonies that violate their conscience.

Youngkin, meanwhile, vetoed bills on guns and elections that Democratic legislators backed and Republicans rejected.

All these were among 84 bills  some focused on the sharpest divides between Democrats and Republicans, some uncontroversial  that Youngkin had to act on Friday before midnight.

He approved 64, proposed changes to 12 and vetoed eight.

Youngkin said the bill on contraceptive coverage should be amended to ensure that plan sponsors with sincerely held religious or moral beliefs are not required to provide insurance coverage for contraception.

Same-sex marriage

In 2006, Virginia enacted a state constitutional amendment that barred same-sex marriage by defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman. That provision is technically moot because a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling granted rights to same-sex marriage nationwide.

Hensons bill, as well as Democrats planned effort next year to strip the prohibition from the state constitution, are meant to provide additional protections for same-sex marriage should the Supreme Court reverse its 2015 decision.

As with the contraception bill, Youngkin proposed to amend, rather than veto, another bill Democrats had highlighted, this one on the sharply partisan issue of gun laws.

The bill would require school boards to notify parents of their responsibility to store firearms safely. Youngkin wants the bill amended to direct the Department of Education to convene a workgroup and develop a comprehensive list of parental rights and responsibilities, before a second vote on the bill could enact it into law.

He also sought to amend bills that say local governments can take landlords to court when they do not correct fire hazards or serious threats to the health and safety of tenants or are out of compliance with their obligations in a rental agreement.

These bills passed the Senate unanimously, while two Republicans joined Democrats passing the House version.

Youngkin asked that the bills be amended to direct the Department of Housing and Community Development to review the impact on affordable housing.

He vetoed a bill that said parents cannot be denied custody of a child or visitation rights based only on the grounds of possession or use of alcohol, marijuana or other legal substances. This bill passed the Senate unanimously, but, in the House, only three Republicans joined Democrats to pass it.

This is a significant threat to child safety, potentially shielding parents engaging in substance possession or consumption from scrutiny, he said.

Youngkin vetoed additional gun measures. These bills said people barred from having a firearm because they are subject to a protective order or have been convicted of an assault and battery of a family or household member cannot transfer the gun to someone they live with or to someone under age 21.

To avoid inadvertent compromises to public safety, he said, policies should refrain from disarming individuals not subject to a court order, making other family members less safe.

Youngkin also vetoed bills that would have returned Virginia to the Electronic Registration Information Center, also known as ERIC, an interstate voter registration data-sharing program that Virginia commissioner of elections, Susan Beals, withdrew from last summer.

Virginia is one of several states with Republican governors that pulled out of ERIC, citing concerns over election integrity, even though the program is designed to remove names from states election rolls because people have died or are otherwise not qualified to vote.

Sexually explicit school materials

Youngkin also vetoed a bill meant to ensure that notifications to parents of sexually explicit content in school material would not be the basis for censoring books in any public school.

Youngkin said current law already provides for this.

Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, a Chesterfield Democrat, sponsored Senate Bill 235, which was meant to bar misinterpretation and misuse of a 2022 measure sponsored by then-Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, a Henrico Republican. Dunnavant had stressed that her measure was only meant to require schools to notify parents of sexually explicit school materials and to provide them an alternative.

The 2022 law included an enactment clause  language that specified that it should not be construed as requiring or providing for the censoring of books in public elementary and secondary schools. But some school boards have cited the law when banning books.

Hashmis bill would put that clarifying language from the 2022 enactment clause into the law.

I am not surprised by Youngkins actions, Hashmi said in a statement Friday night. Once again, he has placed partisan politics over the advancement of good policy.

No special treatment for legacies

Among the uncontroversial measures that the governor approved were bills that say state colleges and universities cannot give special treatment when children of alumni, donors or employees apply for admission.

The bills, including Senate Bill 46, sponsored by Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, a Henrico Democrat, passed unanimously. The measures came in response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision last summer that colleges can no longer use affirmative action in college admissions.

The College of William & Mary and Virginia Tech do not consider applicants legacy status. A spokesperson for the University of Virginia did not respond to a request for comment.

Youngkin also signed a bill requiring high school students to receive hazing prevention training. The measure was championed by the family of Adam Oakes, a Virginia Commonwealth University student who died in a hazing incident in 2021.

Under the state constitution, governors can sign bills into law, veto them or send them back to the General Assembly with recommendations for changes. It takes a two-thirds vote in the assembly to override a veto.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and some other countries outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin helped prevent a 'potential nuclear attack' on Ukraine in 2022, news agency ANI reported on Sunday citing a CNN report.

The report said two senior officials told CNN that in late 2022, the US started "preparing rigorously" for a potential nuclear strike by Moscow against Kyiv as the Biden administration was concerned that Russia might use a tactical or battlefield nuclear weapon.

The report further said the fear about Russia's move began in late 2022 when Ukrainian forces were advancing on Russian-occupied Kherson in the south, the city which had been Russia's biggest prize since the invasion. As the Ukrainian forces advanced, entire Russian units were in danger of being surrounded.

Also Read | Ramadan 2024: Palestinians prepare for Ramzan in shadow of Gaza war

At the same time, Moscow allegedly claimed that Ukraine might use the dirty bomb.

The CNN report said the view inside the US administration was that such a catastrophic loss at Kherson could be a "potential trigger" for the use of nuclear weapons and the alleged dirty bomb claim could be intended as a cover for a Russian nuclear attack.

Also Read | Princess of Wales Kate Middleton's first official photo since surgery released

Amid the fears, the US sought to enlist the help of non-allies including India, to discourage Russia from such an attack.

"One of the things we did was not only message them directly but strongly urge, press, encourage other countries, to whom they might be more attentive, to do the same thing," ANI quoted a senior administration official as saying in the CNN report.

US officials say that outreach and public statements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others helped avert a crisis.

"I think we believe showing the international community the concern about this, particularly the concern from key countries for Russia and the Global South, was also a helpful, persuasive factor and showed them what the cost of all this could be," CNN quoted a senior administration official as saying.

"I think the fact that we know, India weighed in, China weighed in, others weighed in, may have had some effect on their thinking," the senior administration official added. "I can't demonstrate this positively, but I think that's our assessment."

Also Read | When Ramadan 2024 moon is expected to be sighted in India, Saudi Arabia

It is important to note that New Delhi always condemned civilian killings and called for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Interestingly, it was in September 2022 when in a major statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told President Putin that "this is not the era of war" on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Uzbekistan last year.

"We will definitely get a chance to discuss how we can move onto the path of peace in the coming days, I will also get an opportunity to understand your point of view," he had said.

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The crescent moon of Ramadan was first sighted in Saudi Arabia and some parts of India on Sunday, and hence the holy month of Ramadan will begin tomorrow, i.e. March 11. In addition to Saudi Arabia and India, the moon is visible in some Western nations as well.

The sighting of the Ramadan moon was announced by the Majmaah University Astronomical Observatory.

However, there are some Asian countries, like Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, that will begin Ramadan on Tuesday after failing to see the crescent moon.

The crescent moon of Ramadan was not sighted in Oman, confirmed Oman's Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (MERA).

The Main Committee for Moon Sighting has met this evening. The committee has not received any evidence of sighting the crescent. Therefore, it announces that Monday (11 March 2024) will mark the end of Shaban 1445 AH, and Tuesday (12 March 2024) will mark the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan 1445 AH," stated the ministry.

Also Read | Ramadan 2024: Palestinians prepare for Ramzan in shadow of Gaza war

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on a 12-month lunar year of approximately 354 days. Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims.

In his sacred month, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Quran, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate.

Then they enjoy an iftar," or a large meal. They have a pre-dawn meal, or suhoor," to sustain themselves during the daylight hours.

Muslims try to avoid conflict and focus on acts of charity during the holy month.

Meanwhile, Reuters citing reports said given the sacred month of Ramadan starting Monday, Egypt was in contact with senior Hamas and Israeli figures as well as other mediators to restart negotiations for a truce in the Gaza Strip.

Qatar, Egypt and the United States have been trying to negotiate a deal for a ceasefire during Ramadan in return for the release of Israel hostages captured in the attack that Hamas carried out on Oct. 7, sparking the war in Gaza.

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(Bloomberg) -- The Philippines is counting on the US and its allies to play a crucial role in its plans to explore energy resources in the disputed South China Sea, according to Manilas envoy to Washington.

The country is seeking to parlay its deepening security ties with Washington into broader economic benefits, said Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez.

When the time comes that we are going to start exploring it, well have the options to be able to see how we can secure the expedition," Romualdez said in an interview in Manila. Were working closely with our allies, not only the US but also Japan and Australia," he said.

The Philippines is exploring several options in its quest to tap the resource-rich South China Sea, waters that China claims almost in its entirety. The body of water is estimated to hold significant quantities of oil and gas, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

Inviting US companies to invest in the exploration as well as development efforts and discussions with countries like Vietnam that also have overlapping claims with China are among the possible courses of action, he said on March 5.

The Philippines imports almost all its fuel needs and has been trying for years to start energy exploration in the disputed waters, including through a partnership with China. Negotiations between Manila and Beijing have, however, stalled amid heightened tensions, with their coast guard vessels recently clashing again at sea.

Calculated Way

Now the Philippines and its allies are moving in a calculated way," the envoy said declining to provide more details on the energy plan, except to say that it will likely happen within President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s term ending in 2028. Its part of our energy package," he said, referring to a broad strategy to bring power costs  among the highest in the region  lower to attract investors.

As the Philippines builds its security alliances amid tensions with Beijing, it wants these partnerships to yield more trade and investment, said Romualdez. While we have all these defense ties, the bottom line is economic prosperity. If we do not have economic security, we can have all these defense agreements and it would mean nothing to us," the envoy, a cousin of Marcos, said.

China is also keen on reaping benefits from the resource-rich waters. President Xi Jinping has called on the military to align its maritime strategy with economic development, in what may further intensify its dispute with the Philippines.

In a wide-ranging interview ahead of the US trade and investment mission this week, Romualdez said Marcos is trying to leverage his rising influence on the global stage to win deals for the country. Over the past year, Marcos has deepened security ties with the US. The Philippine leader last month addressed the Australian parliament and in May will be the keynote speaker at regional security forum.

Marcos is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on Monday before he heads to Germany for meetings with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, alongside other Southeast Asian leaders.

President Marcos is very, very keen on trying to catch these investment opportunities open to us now because were in the center," Romualdez said. Even European countries are taking interest, he added.

Raimondo will lead a delegation to Manila that also includes about 20 American executives from Microsoft Corp., United Airlines Holdings Inc., Alphabet Inc.s Google and some energy firms, aiming to strengthen economic relations and spur investment into an increasingly important ally. Raimondo will then proceed to Thailand, in hopes of boosting ties in areas including supply chain diversification.

While the Philippines strong relations with the US is an advantage, competition for investment among Southeast Asian nations is intense. Marcos has to prove that his government can provide a conducive business environment including less red tape and lower electricity costs, the envoy said.

High power costs remain one of the biggest hurdles for investors, according to Romualdez, and is one of the incentives driving the Philippines push to explore its own energy resources.

Marcoss defense chief, earlier this year, said that its increasingly urgent for the Philippines to pursue resource exploration in contested waters, as a key gas field nears depletion.

Last month, the nations foreign affairs secretary signaled openness to energy talks with Beijing, while maintaining that Manila would not yield control of any venture to China.

For Philippine Ambassador Romualdez, the time for being soft with Beijing is over.

What is ours is ours, and were not going to stop," he said of the nations plans to explore resources in its exclusive economic zone. Well do it when we feel like its time for us to do it," he said.

--With assistance from Clarissa Batino.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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The script at Chinas National Peoples Congress is pre-determined months before the event, but there had been speculation this week that Beijing might name a new foreign minister. Instead, it seems senior diplomat Wang Yi will continue in the role.

The worlds second-largest economy has missed a trick. While Wang is credible, highly respected and well known, China is increasingly losing friends and influence in the world, and needs a new envoy to reset the tone and work to create some goodwill. For now, it is clear that domestic stability is President Xi Jinpings priority, even as tensions escalate across the region. No surprise that among the foreign policy issues Wang highlighted at an annual press briefing in Beijing on Thursday, the US, Taiwan and Russia were at the top of the list, along with relations in the South China Sea.

Thats not to say the long-serving emissary isnt doing a half-decent job. He has recently had tough talk for Europe, met with his counterpart in the US, and is expected to go to Australia soon in a sign of warmer relations there. Wang may bring a steady hand, but hes also quick to call Washington out over its policies, particularly around Chinas access to advanced chips. The US has been devising various tactics to suppress China and keeps lengthening its unilateral sanctions list, reaching bewildering levels of unfathomable absurdity," he said.

Although Wang is repeating a lot of the old foreign policy tropes from the Communist Party doctrine, and has yet to introduce fresh or new ideas, he is a picture of stability. He brings much-needed order to Xis chaotic inner circle after the previous foreign ministerQin Gangwas unceremoniously, and mysteriously, removed just seven months into the job. The episode highlighted the secretive nature of the partys inner workings, but also shone a glaring spotlight on Xis personnel choices, given Qin was his pick.

The lack of a new foreign minister also highlights where Xis prime concerns lie, says Drew Thompson, visiting senior research fellow with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore. The domestic picture is the real priority, not foreign affairsother countries cannot bring down the Communist Party. Only the Chinese people can do that."

Social stability is the secret sauce that the success of the party is predicated on. The economic challenges facing China are acute, not least because they reflect the growing reality that it has lost its way. Indeed, projecting a strong and stable China to the outside world is part of the narrative that Xi needs to convince his people that hes brought about a period of peace and prosperity, even if the reality on the ground feels somewhat different.

Which is why Taiwan is always a key focus in these press conferences, although its not what Beijing would consider foreign affairs. China claims the island as its own, and Wang reiterated the long-standing policy on unification. He talked about the separatists"those Taiwanese who want a sovereign independent nationas the most destructive elements in cross-strait relations, and said that history would punish those promoting independence. Talking tough on Taiwan is a way for Xi to build up his nationalist credentials, and a way to show strength while the economy around him flounders.

That means that there are more dangerous times ahead for the island. This is not new rhetoric, but the tone of Chinas annual policy report released this week hardenedan indication that Beijing might view a stronger Taiwanese identity with a greater degree of concern. In the past party officials have said the two sides of Taiwan Strait are one big family, and Chinese people wont fight with Chinese people," Wen-Ti Sung, political scientist at the Australian National Universitys Taiwan studies program, and fellow at the Atlantic Councils Global China Hub, told me. That language has been removed. Beijing is projecting an increased sense of threat and urgency."

That will no doubt put pressure on the new government in Taipei and its partners like the US and Japan. There is increasing resistance to Beijings actions in the South China Sea, too, which this week has been the backdrop for yet another dangerous collision between Chinese and Philippines vessels. A new foreign minister would go a long way to help explain Beijings global viewpoint. A possible candidate is thought to be the former ambassador to the Philippines and Indonesia, Liu Jianchao. The fact that he was not announced should tell you that the focus for Xi is whats going on at home, not overseas. That may make some sense in the short term. In the long term, it will result in a less influential and more insular China. bloomberg
Indian farmers gaze at passing clouds to predict rains. Spin bowlers toss up blades of grass to detect whether theyre bowling into or against the wind. Conversations at autumn-end usually veer towards the approaching winter. Similarly, the advent of election season sees increased hubbub among political pundits and talking heads, or hyper-activity by central investigative agencies. Two other proxies currently provide clear indications of approaching elections: Bollywood releases and regulatory action in the financial sector.

Bollywoods right-wing underbelly is on show this election, with a long list of films queueing up for release before April-May. Bollywoods default political mode, especially during the 60s and 70s, was socialism, with screenplays focused on the repressive feudal hierarchy or big capital exploiting the dispossessed. The advent of 1991 economic reforms shifted the dominant leitmotif; the craggy arc of Indian cinema history now decisively bends towards the right, highlighting the imagined persecution of the religious majority.

The movies released so far have a skewed narrative and take liberties with historical facts, in tune with contemporary political grammar. A review (rb.gy/lrjnay) of the movie Article 370 in the Indian Express noted: Mixing facts with fiction, and some convenient untruths, dipping into the right-wing narrative of Jawaharlal Nehrus blunders in Kashmir and Maharaja Hari Singhs inclination towards India, Article 370 presents the government of the days scrapping of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir as a masterclass in State craft. The bending of Constitutional obligations along the way is just a necessary evil."

It is indeed interesting that the ruling political party finds feature films, in addition to social media platforms and traditional media properties, an effective vehicle for propagating its message. Apart from Article 370, some of the other movies up for release include, among others, one on Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar and a movie on the Naxalite movement in central India. Even some books with narratives that play to the ruling partys core election narrative are being released. For example, historian Vikram Sampaths book Waiting For Shivaon the controversial and disputed Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasiwas released recently, timed just before the elections, even as the courts are hearing arguments about the structures status.

Even the financial sector is chiming in with electoral messages. The countrys largest commercial bank, State Bank of India (SBI), expressed helplessness in complying with the Supreme Courts 15 February order on electoral bonds. The court had directed SBI to provide details by 6 March of all parties purchasing electoral bonds and all political parties encashing them. SBI waited till 4 Marchtwo days before the deadlineto plead with the court that it be given time till 30 June, which is well past the elections and new government formation, to tabulate the details.

It might be instructive in this context to view Section 19 of the State Bank of India Act. The relevant section gives the government, the largest shareholder with a 57.49% shareholding, the right to appoint a chairman and four managing directors as well as a majority of non-executive directors to the banks board. It has been insinuated that this power has the capability of yielding political dividends. Counsel Kapil Sibal had argued during the electoral bonds hearing that while the ordinary voter is clueless about political donations, the Centre is privy to this information" through SBI, implicitly pointing towards the governments influence over SBI management. It is also difficult not to discern the political implications of the banks prayer that it be granted time till 30 June.

The tightening noose of regulatory action by financial sector regulatorsthe Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi)over the past few weeks also points to a growing sense of unease over irrational exuberance in Indian capital markets and among financial institutions, something that could spell political risk for the election campaign. The first actor to feel the pinch was Paytm Payments Bank, an organization which has faced regulatory action every year since 2018 (barring 2020 during the pandemic) and survived to tell the tale till the guillotine came down this 15 February. The banks management has been playing fast and loose with RBIs know-your-customer norms, evading the regulatory slipknot each time while seeming to thumb its nose at authorities by ignoring the need to address regulatory breaches. This brinkmanship reached its sell-by date this election season.

RBI also initiated rapid-fire regulatory actions against some non-banks displaying risky lending behaviour: IIFL Finance was asked to stop its gold loans business, JM Financial Products was ordered to cease and desist" all forms of financing against shares and debentures. Sebi followed up by barring group entity JM Finance from underwriting any debt issues.

It can be argued that Paytms infractions were common knowledge for a while and yet it was afforded a long rope. A somewhat similar argument has been made about non-banks, because RBI has been warning against runaway growth in unsecured retail lending and associated risks for almost a year. All you need is to join the dots to understand what has precipitated action now.
Hamas leaders are betting that the holy month of Ramadan can turn the momentum of the war in Gaza in their favor, heaping diplomatic pressure on Israel to stop its offensive and help secure the militant Islamist groups survival.

Hamass chief in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, is also calculating that Ramadan, which begins with the new-moon sighting expected Monday or Tuesday, could spark violence near religious sites in Jerusalem, expanding the conflict beyond Gaza and drawing Iran and Hezbollah deeper and more directly into his war against Israel, according to political analysts.

Israel has warned that unless a deal is reached by Ramadan to release hostages and pause the fighting, its military will push ahead with plans to attack Hamas in its last stronghold of Rafah on Gazas southern border, where an estimated 1.5 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering.

Cease-fire talks are expected to resume Sunday. But their halting progress is increasing the likelihood of an Israeli assault against Hamas in Rafah, the last major city in Gaza that Israeli forces havent taken.

Hamas thinks the month of Ramadan will serve its interests," said Mkhaimar Abusada, a political scientist at Al-Azhar University in Gaza who is now based in Cairo. Hamas leaders belief that the holy month will increase international pressure on Israel to end the war is why they keep saying they are in no rush" to agree to a cease-fire, he said.

Its a risky strategy for Hamas. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening, with a growing share of the population struggling to find food. Discontent is rising over Hamass refusal to agree to halt the fighting.

In recent years Ramadan has often been a month of increased violence between Israelis and Palestinians. During Ramadan, Muslims typically fast in daylight hours, pray at mosques, decorate their homes and gather with family and friends in the evenings to eat. The lack of food in Gaza means this year many Palestinians will go hungry out of necessity rather than ritual.

Few Palestinians are in a celebratory mood either. More than 30,000 residents of Gaza have been killed in Israels invasion of the enclave, according to Palestinian health authorities, whose figures dont distinguish between civilians and combatants. An Israeli ground assault in Rafah could cause a steep rise in that toll, as the city is covered in the tents of refugees from the rest of the strip.

Husam Badran, a member of Hamass political leadership, said Ramadan can be a time of tensions even in years without a major war, but he said the blame for any unrest lay with Israels invasion of Gaza and its occupation of the West Bank.

Its a predictable thing that during Ramadan, people are doing things differently, with more emotions," Badran said.

From Israels perspective, entering Rafah is the only way to complete its war aim of destroying Hamas as a military organization. Israeli officials say five months of fighting in Gaza would be for naught if Israeli forces dont take out Hamass final bastion. The invasion was triggered by Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel, in which the U.S.-designated terrorist group killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took more than 200 hostages, according to Israel.

Israels military estimates it has damaged 18 of 24 of Hamass battalions, each made up of roughly 1,000 soldiers, and that four of the remaining battalions are in Rafah. The city is also considered the main way station for Hamas to smuggle weapons from Egypts Sinai Peninsula into the strip.

Unless Hamass forces and smuggling routes are dismantled, Israeli officials say the group would be able to mount an insurgency with the aim of preventing anyone else from governing the Gaza Strip after the war.

Israeli officials argue that such a scenario would defeat not only Israels goals, but also the hope of the U.S., Europe and Arab states for a more moderate Palestinian leadership to take over Gaza.

We cant leave a quarter of Hamas battalions in Rafah and say, well, thats fine," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with CBS News in late February. They will reconstitute themselves immediately."

In recent weeks Israel has demobilized tens of thousands of reservists who were fighting in Gaza. Military analysts estimate it could quickly deploy them again to mount a ground assault in Rafah. Israel hasnt said exactly when it might launch such an operation if talks aimed at a cease-fire by Ramadan fail.

Israel has said it would attack Hamas in Rafah only after an effort to move civilians out of harms way. The U.S., Israels most important ally, has called on Israel not to launch a Rafah ground operation until it has a credible" plan to protect the densely packed civilian population there.

Launching a ground assault in Rafah during the sensitive holy month of Ramadan would be risky, but Israel could lose momentum in the war if it waits, said Udi Dekel, a retired Israeli brigadier general and a researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.

Israel has delayed major ground operations in Rafah until now to allow time for negotiations aimed at a temporary cease-fire and the freeing of hostages, said Dekel. But if those talks fail to achieve anything, then Israel no longer has a reason to hold off, he said.

For weeks, U.S. and Arab officials have been pushing Israel and Hamas to agree to a six-week truce ahead of Ramadan in return for the release of some hostages.

Aware of the U.S. and international pressure on Israel, Hamas leader Sinwar is now demanding that Israel commit to stop its war in Gaza permanently, rather than to a temporary cease-fire. Sinwar, Israels No. 1 target for assassination, is believed to be hiding underground in Gaza. An end to the fighting would boost his chances of survival.

This is the breaking point in the negotiations, because Hamas does not want to give the only card they have, which is the hostages, in return for temporary cease-fire," said Ghassan Khatib, a lecturer at Birzeit University in the West Bank.

Whether violence will spread outside of Gaza during Ramadan is unclear. Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamass political bureau, has called on Palestinians to converge on Jerusalems Al Aqsa Mosque, one of Islams holiest sites.

Hamas, which named its Oct. 7 attack the Al Aqsa Flood," wants to use the mosque as a rallying symbol for Palestinians, Israeli officials said.

During Ramadan many Muslim worshipers traditionally gather at the mosque, housed in a compound that is known to Jews as the Temple Mount, Judaisms holiest place. Israeli police have often clashed with Palestinians there in recent years.

Tensions in Jerusalem and the West Bank have been high since the start of the war. Palestinian militants have attacked Israeli soldiers and civilians, and Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinian residents.

Israeli officials have said they wont limit access to the mosque for Arab citizens of Israel. But the Israeli government hasnt said yet how it will manage access for Palestinians from the West Bank. In previous periods of heightened tension, Israel has blocked fighting-age men from the West Bank from entering Jerusalem, to reduce the risk of clashes. Palestinians say Israel is abusing its security control of the holy site.

The threat of a broader regional conflagration is limited, political analysts said. While Iranian proxy forces have attacked Israel, U.S. forces and international shipping in the Red Sea since the start of the war, neither Tehran nor its Lebanese ally Hezbollah appear to want an all-out war with Israel.

Benoit Faucon contributed to this article.

Write to Rory Jones at Rory.Jones@wsj.com and Dov Lieber at dov.lieber@wsj.com
AIMIM chief Assaduddin Owaisi has reacted to the resignation of Arun Goel as India's Election Commissioner just days before the likely announcement of the dates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The elections are likely to be held in April-May. However, there is no confirmation yet.

Speaking about the resignation of Arun Goel as Election Commissioner of India, Owaisi said, It's very shocking, when the Election Commission of India is going to announce the schedule on any day after March 13 and just before that Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigns. I have said in the parliament that govt is going against the Supreme Court and changing the method of the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners."

If out of three people who are there to appoint them, two are from the govt, it's obvious that the govt will place their own people in that position. Supreme Court has said that the govt shouldn't have the majority in that committee... It's him (Arun Goel) or the govt itself should tell the reason that why this happened just before the election."

Why did Arun Goel resign as Election Commissioner of India?

The sudden resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel ahead of the Lok Sabha elections has brought the Modi-led government under fire and cast doubt on the transparency of 'free and fair' elections. Goel's tenure was until December 5, 2027, and he would have taken over as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after incumbent Rajiv Kumar retired in February next year.

According to a report by NDTV citing sources, the announcement of Lok Sabha election dates, expected next week, is uncertain due to Goel's resignation. According to top officials, Goel resigned citing personal reasons, despite efforts from the government to persuade him otherwise. Speculation about health being a factor in his resignation was dismissed, with officials confirming that Goel is in perfect health".

Opposition reacts to Arun Goel's resignation:

Even prior to Owaisi, several other opposition leaders had also raised concerns regarding the resignation of Arun Goel as Election Commissioner.

"Election Commission or Election OMISSION? India now has only one Election Commissioner, even as Lok Sabha elections are to be announced in a few days. Why?" Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said

On a similar note, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, "The Election Commission has become an extended branch of the BJP. It is no longer the same election watchdog as it was during the tenure of (former chief election commissioner) TN Seshan. The Commission, which used to be a reliable polling body, has lost its credibility today. In the last 10 years (under the BJP-led NDA), the Election Commission has been privatised,"

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Brijendra Singh, the former BJP MP from Haryana's Hisar, quit the saffron party because of "political and ideological differences". He joined the Congress on Sunday hours after resigning from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Singh, after joining the grand old party, said that his ideology differed from the BJP on several issues including that of farmers, Agniveers and wrestlers.

"I quit the BJP and joined the Congress because of political and ideological differences. From farmers' issues to Agniveers to the wrestler's protests - I differed on many things. I am very happy to join the Congress family," he said.

Singh also citied BJP's alliance with Dushyant Chautala's Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) in Haryana as his reason to quit the ruling party.

"One issue that was raised in the rally in Jind on 2nd October was about the alliance of BJP-JJP in Haryana. A decision was taken regarding it and that too is a reason (for quitting BJP)," Singh told news agency ANI.

Chautala, commenting on Singh's move to the Congress said, "For one year he was not able to take any decision and finally, he took it. This is his thinking. May God bless him."

There is a buzz over the seat-sharing arrangement between BJP and JJP for the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

The JJP had won 10 seats in the 2019 Haryana assembly polls and had entered into a post-poll alliance with the BJP, which fell short of the majority mark by six to form a government in the state. In the Lok Sabha elections of 2019, the BJP won all 10 seats in Haryana.

The former IAS officer, while resigning from the BJP, had attributed his decision to "compelling political reasons".

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Singh wrote: I have resigned from the primary membership of the BJP due to compelling political reasons. I extend gratitude to the party, national president JP Nadda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Amit Shah for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Member of Parliament for Hisar."

He also announced that he has also resigned from the Lok Sabha membership.

Brijendra Singh formally became a part of the Congress on Sunday at the party President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in New Delhi.

"I am grateful to the people of Hisar for giving me the opportunity to represent them and raise their demands as their MP. The resolve of public service with which I left the IAS job and entered politics will continue," he said.

As a Member of Parliament from Hisar, Brijendra Singh was also a member of several parliamentary panels.

Singh is the son of former union minister and BJP leader Birender Singh, and the great-grandson of Jat icon Chhotu Ram.

Last year, Singh had publicly backed the wrestlers who were protesting against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over alleged sexual harassment allegations.

In the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress will contest in alliance under the INDIA bloc in Haryana. As per their agreement, AAP will contest Kurukshetra and Congress in the remaining nine.

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Farmers' rail roko protest today: The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have organized a 'rail roko' protest on Sunday to advocate for their various demands.

Here are the top ten updates: 1. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Saturday urged the Centre not to run away from its responsibility of giving legal guarantee for MSP on all crops, even as farmers prepare to participate in the proposed 'rail roko' protest on March 10 to press for their demands.

2. In the meantime, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, while addressing the press, said the protesting farmers will squat on railway tracks at several places in Punjab, including Ferozepur, Amritsar, Rupnagar, and Gurdaspur districts.

3. Sarwan Singh Pandher, leader of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, informed journalists that the protesting farmers intend to block railway tracks at various locations in Punjab, including Ferozepur, Amritsar, Rupnagar, and Gurdaspur districts.

Also Read: Farmers protest: Delhi Chalo march resumes today; Police steps up vigil at Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur borders

4. As reported by PTI, Dallewal said the government is importing palm oil worth 1.38 lakh crore but it cannot spend on farmers by giving them MSP on all crops. "The government should not run away from its responsibility. To save the country's farmers, a law on MSP should be enacted," he said.

5. Additionally, the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), Bharti Kisan Union (Dakaunda-Dhaner), and the Krantikari Kisan Union, which are affiliated with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, will also take part in the 'rail roko' demonstration.

Also Read: Farmers' Protest 2.0: Reasons why farmers are protesting in Delhi; how it is different from 2020-21 demonstration?

6. Dallewal said that farmers need to receive Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops to ensure their survival, adhering to the "C2 plus 50 per cent" formula advocated by the Swaminathan Commission. Additionally, he dismissed claims that providing MSP for all crops would require a substantial expenditure.

7. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, although not directly involved in the "Delhi Chalo" call, has expressed solidarity with the protesting farmers who are stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points.

Also Read: Chandigarh-Ambala Highway re-opens after 22 days of closure amid farmers' protest

8. Leading the "Delhi Chalo" movement are the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, aiming to exert pressure on the government to meet farmers' demands, notably the legal assurance of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops.

9. Farmers who are protesting have set up camps at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points along the Punjab-Haryana border after their attempt to march to Delhi was halted by security forces. The march commenced on February 13.

10. Earlier, farmer representatives had turned down the proposal from the BJP-led central government to have government agencies procure pulses, maize, and cotton at Minimum Support Price (MSP) for five years, citing that it did not align with the interests of the farmers.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Lok Sabha elections 2024: Taking a Hitler jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said Those who had come (to power) in 2014, they are going (out) in 2024. Further, he commented that the upcoming Lok Sabha polls 2024 will save the Constitution and the democracy.

Yadav said, while speaking to reporters, "This is the election to save the Constitution and the democracy. This is the election to save reservation and save one's own honour. At one point of time, 'Samudra Manthan' (churning of the sea) had taken place. This is the time for 'Samvidhaan Manthan'."

"On one hand, there are people who want to defend the Constitution, and on the other hand, there are people who want to end the Constitution," he added.

Modi's 10 years have also been completed: Akhilesh Yadav

Taking a Hitler jibe at PM Modi, Yadav said, "Those who had come (to power) in 2014, they are going (out) in 2024. 10 years was the time of Hitler. He could not stay there for more than 10 years."

He added,"So, his (apparently pointing towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi) 10 years have also been completed.'

BJP govt betrayed Pichhde, Dalit, Alpasankhyak families: SP chief

Yadav also lashed out at the BJP-led government for allegedly betraying PDA (Pichhde, Dalit and Alpasankhyak) families.

Speaking to news agency ANI, he commented, "BJP will be nervous because they have snatched away the rights of PDA (Pichhde, Dalit and Alpsankhyak). Vice Chancellors were appointed but how many PDAs are there among them?''

"There are many districts where no person from PDA is posted on a high post. The government has not provided the list of appointments and they have betrayed the PDA families," the SP chief further said while speaking to ANI.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)

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Lok Sabha Elections 2024: The sudden resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel ahead of the Lok Sabha elections drew criticism about the Modi-led government and has raised questions about the transparency of 'free and fair' elections.

His tenure was till December 5, 2027, and he would have become Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after incumbent Rajiv Kumar retired in February next year.

Also Read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE Updates

According to a report by NDTV citing sources, the announcement of Lok Sabha election dates, expected next week, is uncertain due to Goel's resignation. According to top officials, Goel resigned citing personal reasons, despite efforts from the government to persuade him otherwise. Speculation about health being a factor in his resignation was dismissed, with officials confirming that Goel is in perfect health".

According to a notification from the law ministry, President Droupadi Murmu has accepted Goel's resignation, effective from Saturday. The reason for his resignation remains undisclosed.

Also Read: Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Transparency is lost, shocking Opposition reacts to EC Arun Goel's resignation, slams Centre

Goel, a retired bureaucrat, served as a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre. He joined the Election Commission in November 2022.

With the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey in February and Goel's resignation, the three-member Election Commission is now reduced to only one member, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

Under the new law governing the appointment of Chief Election Commissioners and Election Commissioners, a search committee led by the law minister and comprising two union secretaries will compile a list of five candidates.

Last year, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging Goel's appointment as an election commissioner, noting that a constitutional bench of the apex court had already addressed the matter.

Also Read: Any hanky panky?: Supreme Court to Centre on Arun Goels appointment as Election Commissioner

A five-judge constitution bench, led by Justice KM Joseph (now retired), examined the file concerning Goel's appointment but declined to annul it, although it did make certain observations.

In March of the previous year, the bench led by Justice Joseph instructed the government to enact legislation regarding the appointment of Chief Election Commissioners and Election Commissioners.

The Congress party expressed "deep concern" regarding Goel's resignation, warning that if the "systematic decimation" of independent institutions is not halted, democracy could be overtaken by dictatorship.
Alabama woman set for a plea hearing months after police say she faked her own kidnapping

A new plea hearing has been set for an Alabama woman accused of falsely telling police she was abducted last summer after stopping to check on a toddler wandering near a highway
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
We spoke with local attorney Robin Flores who gave us his interpretation of the Coleman-Baker Act, saying if the family of Kim Croft believes there is a reason to open the case, the act makes it the duty of the law enforcement agency to do so.
Fresh off his defiant State of the Union address, President Joe Biden and his senior aides are beginning to barnstorm the country to aggressively sell his vision for a second term to voters. He's also warning of the Republican alternative. The president will try to ride the post-speech momentum to Pennsylvania and Georgia, two critical swing states that he flipped in 2020 and is rallying to retain in his column this November. He'll visit Wisconsin and Michigan next week. Bidens reelection campaign adopted an almost giddy tone Friday after the speech, vowing to stay on the offensive against Donald Trump. Biden would not commit to debating Trump when asked by reporters Friday.
A defendant making compensation payments while on bail in respect of a number of thefts came before Longford District Court on additional charges.

Court presenter Sergeant Mark Mahon, said two additional charges were being entered against the defendant Francis Gavin (36) at the court sitting.



The two charges against Mr Gavin, of 3 Canal Bank, Longford were added to 12 other charges. He is now charged with an assault on Patrick Stokes on May 26, 2023 at Main Street Longford and failing to keep a court appointment on June 13, 2023 at Longford District Court.



The defendant also faces 12 theft charges in respect of robberies between November 2019 and February 2022. Those charges are that the defendant stole property including a high end hair dryer (240), four sets of duvet covers valued at 299.96, Lego (139.99, 99.99 and 169.99), face cream worth 230, perfumes costing 179 from businesses in Longford and Mullingar.

Before Judge Bernadette Owens accepted jurisdiction over the latest charges she asked for details of the alleged offence. Sergeant Mark Mahon said it's alleged the defendant committed an unprovoked assault outside a barber shop. The alleged injured party, Patrick Stokes, entered Longford Garda Station and collapsed shouting 'help'.



There was a laceration to the side of his head and he was bleeding heavily. Mr Stokes alleged he was assaulted by his second cousin, Mr Gavin, with a brush.



The injured man went to Mullingar General Hospital when he was treated for his injuries and discharged.

Solicitor Frank Gearty said his client has not come to Garda attention and continues to save compensation, having 150 in court and will have more when the matter returns before the court. Mr Gearty said the missed court date was around the time of a family bereavement.



Judge Owens said although it appeared the injuries were not particularly serious she would need to see a medical report before finalising the issue of jurisdiction. The judge remanded the defendant on continuing bail to May 14 next to allow the prosecution an opportunity to present a medical report on the alleged injured party.
Luxembourgish audiences may still see some of the winning films - including Reas and Terrestrial Verses - at Cinematheque on Sunday

Vicky Krieps and Viggo Mortensen presenting the directors latest film The Dead Dont Hurt at the Luxembourg City Film Festival

Vicky Krieps and Viggo Mortensen presenting the directors latest film The Dead Dont Hurt at the Luxembourg City Film Festival  Photo credit: Claude Piscitelli

Vicky Krieps and Viggo Mortensen presenting the directors latest film The Dead Dont Hurt at the Luxembourg City Film Festival  Photo credit: Claude Piscitelli

The Luxembourg City Film Festival, which launched 29 February and is set to conclude 10 March, has announced the winners of this years prizes. Featuring a special film screening and some very special guests, too, a total of nine prizes were awarded on 9 March in Kinepolis.

LuxFilmFest finds itself at the centre of the Grand Duchys burgeoning film industry, and with this years strong roster of films and guests, this 14th edition may well be the the most spectacular so far.

Before this years awards were handed out, tribute was paid to actor-director Viggo Mortensen. His latest film, The Dead Dont Hurt (written, directed and starring Mortensen alongside Vicky Krieps) was screened following the award ceremony.

As such, the actor-director was in attendance at Kinepolis where he expressed his gratitude to Luxembourgish audiences.

Youth Awards

First to be presented were the youth-oriented awards, presented by select school classes who were chosen to judge this years selection.

Kids Jury Award - The House of the Lost on the Cape, dir. Misaki no Mayoiga

School Jury Award - Scrapper, dir. Charlotte Regan

Youth Jury Prize - 5 Seasons of Revolution, dir. Lina

The International Jury was chaired by filmmaker Ira Sachs (l.) and also included Luxembourg actress Vicky Krieps (c.) and actor Arnaud Valois  Photo credit: claude piscitelli

The Youth Jury Prize by Kinepolis comes with a 2,000 endowment to the winner - in this case, Linas powerful account of Syrias descent into civil war.

Audience Award and 2030 Award By Luxembourg Aid & Development

The Audience Award by Orange, selected by audiences from this years Official Competition, reflects which film resonated with Luxembourgish viewers the most.

The 2030 Award by Luxembourg Aid & Development, presented by the Luxembourg Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, was given out for the third time as well. Endowed with 7,500, it is awarded either to one of five films which most powerfully illustrate issues of development or to a director linked to the partner countries of the Luxembourg Cooperation.

Audience Award - Gasoline Rainbow, dir. Bill Turner and Ross Turner

2030 Award by Luxembourg Aid & Development - The Echo (El Eco), dir. Tatiana Huezo

FIPRESCI, Documentary and Grand Prix

The FIPRESCI Award, also called the International Critics Award, is an internationally renowned prize handed out by a panel of critics from around the world.

The Documentary Award by BGL BNP Paribas is presented by a dedicated documentary jury and is endowed with 5000.

The Grand Prix, presented by an illustrious panel of judges including American director Ira Sachs and Luxembourgish actress Vicky Krieps, is chosen from the festivals official selection.

The filmmakers behind Terrestial Verses, including directors Alireza Khatami and Ali Asgari, which won the critics and International Jury prizes at this years Luxembourg City Film Festival  Photo credit: Claude Piscitelli

International Critics Award (FIPRESCI) - Terrestrial Verses (Ayeh haye zamini), dir. Alireza Khatami

Documentary Award - Reas, dir. Lola Arias

Special Mention: Hollywoodgate, dir. Ibrahim Nashat

Grand Prix - Terrestrial Verses (Ayeh haye zamini), dir. Ali Asgari & Alireza Khatami

Special mentions were also afforded by the international jury, who emphasised the quality of direction by Luna Carmoon in Hoard and Kauan Alvarengas performance in Toll, directed by Carolina Markowicz.

In presenting the FIPRESCI Award, panel member Jean-Pierre Thilges stated that he had never been in a jury that found it this easy to agree on a winner.

Having garnered both the FIPRESCI Award and the Grand Prix at LuxFilmFest, its directorial duo nevertheless emphasised that its a tough moment in Iran. Its not just a movie; its really happening.

The conclusion of another successful edition

Luxembourgish audiences may still see some of the winning films - including Reas and Terrestrial Verses - at Cinematheque on Sunday.

As the ceremony concluded, Viggo Mortensen once again took to the stage to present his film with Vicky Krieps and wish the audience a belle projection.

With extensive attendance, a strong roster of films on display and a lengthy guest list, the 14th edition of the Luxembourg City Film Festival has certainly been the most spectacular so far.
In 1999, German property developer Matthias Kuhn acquired 37,000 square metres of land in Puerto Soller. Thirty years previously, urban planning had classified this land for development. In 1990, Soller town hall granted a building licence, albeit that this was then suspended until 2004, when the town hall recognised that it could be developed.

In 2004, however, there was a moratorium on the development of this land while the Mallorca Territorial Plan was being processed. Four years later, the Balearic government introduced its urgent measures for sustainable territorial development in the Balearics. In the appendices to this law, various plots of land were specified and mapped. These included the 37,000 square metres in Puerto Soller - Muleta II. Reclassification of the land prevented any development.

When Kuhn bought the land, some services (roads) had been established. This was to be the story with certain other plots that were reclassified in 2008 and which thus elevated compensation demands that were subsequently (and inevitably) made. Infrastructure of sorts had been created which indicated that there was to be development. Kuhn was among other owners who filed lawsuits in seeking compensation.

Between 2013 and 2017, the land could have been developed. This was thanks to an agreement between Kuhn and the government by which Muleta II was again classified as developable land. Soller town hall baulked at processing the request for development, and in 2017 the land was once more - and definitively - classified as protected land.

Companies belonging to Matthias Kuhn had been hit by bankruptcy. One of these, Birdie Son Vida, had Muleta II as an asset. In 2018, a real-estate fund based in Luxembourg acquired Muleta. Its valuation was 160,000 euros. The land has very limited use. It cannot be developed for luxury chalets, that's for sure. This was what Kuhn had planned and which would have been permitted under the 2013 agreement with the then government. This is why the current Balearic government must now pay him compensation of 96 million euros.
Dear Annie: Im retired, which is fine, but not having to go to a job only leaves me with more time to live with my problem. Its one that Ive had for a very long time. My wifes sister came to live with us, and I got along with her very well, and when I wasnt working, we spent a lot of time together. We had a lot in common, which led to me actually falling for her.

I doubt that she feels the same way, and I never told her or anyone about it, but that doesnt make it any less of a problem. I know it has affected my marriage, but I just cant find a way to fall out of love with either one.

She hasnt lived with us for a long time now, but shes still with us even though shes not living with us. I try to go on as though nothing is wrong, but I know it would be better if I could erase it from my mind, but I guess its going to be here until Im gone.

Should I tell my wife?

 Life Problems

Dear Life Problems: You didnt specify how your marriage was affected by your crush on your wifes sister. The truth is you are allowed to be friends with your sister-in-law and get along with her, but while you are married, you are not allowed to act on it. Ask yourself why you felt so attracted to your sister-in-law instead of your wife. Sometimes when there are problems, it is easier to fantasize about what life with another would be like, when in reality that is just a fantasy and real life is passing you by. Seek the help of a professional marriage counselor to help you and your wife.

Dear Annie: Thank you so much for printing the letter from Hungry Pets. I applaud her suggestions and was grateful for your response. I just wanted to add one or two absolutely crucial suggestions.

In cold climates, the warmth of a hot car engine is irresistible to a freezing and hungry animal, and I think just how often this leads to a situation beyond horrific would shock people. Please, please, to all who read this and love animals, just bang on your hood three times before you start your car in the morning.

My second suggestion: whether you recycle or not, please crush any metal cans that have had food in them, and if possible, put the lids back on plastic containers. An animal with its head trapped in a can will die a terrible death, just for the crime of being hungry, and this also happens more frequently than anyone can know.

Thank you for your time and for all the good you do, Annie.

 Hit the Hood

Dear Hit the Hood: Thank you for your letter. These are two wonderful suggestions to help our animal friends, especially during the colder months.

How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner? is out now! Annie Lanes second anthology  featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation  is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
The newest members of Chewys Boston office are two yellow labrador retrievers who will be using the city as their classroom to eventually help children with autism.

Brothers Blue and Luca are 10-week-old puppies who are gearing up for their careers as service dogs.

This is part of Chewys first-time partnership with BluePath Service Dogs, a non-profit organization that trains service dogs to become autism service dogs for families.

Were so excited to work with Chewy, said Michelle Breyer, one of BluePaths founders and vice president of marketing and development.

I cant think of a better brand partner where every employee, everyone whos connected to Chewy, truly believes in the power of the human/animal bond and just the profound difference that animals make in our world, she continued.

Chewy's Boston office has an indoor dog park that can be used to help train service dogs.David Cifarelli

Founded in 2016, BluePath has placed more than 50 dogs with families and in facilities, according to Breyer. She also told MassLive that she expects that number to increase exponentially.

We continue to see how children with autism so beautifully connect with dogs in a way that sometimes theyre not able to do so with people, Breyer said. So were trying to put out more dogs every single year because the demand for our services is only rising.

Im hopeful that the BluePath opportunity expands with Chewy and other Chew-topians get to help out and raise some foster pets, said Blues trainer, Brian Distefano, who is also the creative director at Chewys in-house agency.

BluePath provides an orientation and training for volunteers, which was key for Distefano, who is a first-time trainer. He heard about the program after the Chewy Boston team asked for trainers about a month ago.

I mean, I love pets, but it was really the cause that got me, the Sutton resident said. If you ever spend time with a child with autism, theyll change your life in the best ways.

As someone who has two close friends who have children with autism, Distefano said he was instantly interested in getting involved with BluePath. After hopping on a call with the non-profit, Distefano was sold.

First of all, the people are great, he added. Then they started flashing up pictures of the puppies and I was done. I couldnt say no.

Brian Distefano holds Blue, a 10-week-old Yellow Labrador Retriever puppy and autism service dog in training.David Cifarelli

Over the next year-and-a-half, Blue and Luca will learn the basics of dog training, such as house manners, obedience and how to socialize with people.

The puppies can use the indoor dog park in Chewys Boston office to help them learn these skills, but there will be times their training brings them into the city.

Theyll definitely be taking the T more than a couple of times, said Breyer, who added that Blue and Luca were chosen to become autism service dogs because their breed is good at being people-connected dogs.

Luca will be working with Lauren Cook, who has been a volunteer puppy raiser with BluePath since it was founded. Cook was exposed to puppy raisers in college and signed up right away to become one herself. In her role, Cook will teach Luca how to be a good dog and basic obedience, she said.

Luca is one of two Yellow Labrador Retriever puppies in training to become an autism service dog at Chewy's Boston office.David Cifarelli

Once the pups reach a year-and-a-half, they will go through a formal training with BluePaths professional staff.

This is where Blue and Luca will learn actual service dog skills, such as anchoring. This skill involves a dog keeping a child from suddenly bolting away in public settings, according to Autism Anchoring Dogs.

Our dogs keep kids safe through a specially-designed tether system, according Breyer, who said this is the most effective training system. In addition to safety, our dogs also help facilitate connections, they help kids make friends, and they also become a friend in a relationship where verbal language isnt necessary.

The dogs are usually placed with families when they reach 2-3 years old, according to Cook. She mentioned that not all dogs will end up becoming service dogs because they ultimately pick their own career.

So whether they do end up becoming autism service dogs, Cook said Blue and Luca will end up exactly where theyre supposed to.
An 8-year-old Massachusetts boy was killed and three others were critically injured in a two-car crash in Maine Saturday afternoon, according to police. Authorities believe the high-speed crash involved a drunk driver.

A 911 caller reported the crash on Route 2 in Rumford around 3:15 p.m., Rumford police said in a press release. Authorities initial investigation indicates that 42-year-old Hopedale, Massachusetts, resident Matthew Kellogg was driving a Subaru Impreza east on Route 2 when it collided with a Volvo-80 that Rumford resident F. Michael Piveronas was driving in the opposite direction.

The 8-year-old boy and a 5-year-old boy were in the backseat of Kelloggs car, but there were no passengers in Piveronas car. Airbags were deployed during the crash, and multiple people became trapped in the cars.

Within minutes, a nearby game warden and nurse ran up to the cars to render aid, police said. They found the 8-year-old boy unresponsive and started providing life-saving measures.

When first responders arrived, they found that everyone involved in the crash had serious, potentially life-threatening injuries, police said. All four were rushed by ambulance to Rumford Hospital, but the 8-year old boy ultimately died from his injuries.

The 5-year old boy was later transferred to a Portland hospital for more intensive treatment, and Kellogg was transferred to a Lewiston hospital Saturday evening, police said. Both have life-threatening injuries.

Police said they believe alcohol was a factor in the crash, but did not specify which driver is thought to have been drunk. Police and the local district attorneys office is investigating the crash, but no charges have yet been announced.
A storm reached Massachusetts on Saturday, bringing heavy rain and intense wind to much of the state. On Sunday and Monday, different weather hazards are expected in several regions, according to the National Weather Service.

High winds

Wind will likely be the most commonly-experienced hazard, as much of the state will have a wind advisory in effect either on Sunday or Monday.

A wind advisory remains in effect in most of Eastern Massachusetts until 10 a.m. Sunday. During this time, south winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph are expected to blow around unsecured objects and tree limbs.

After a lull in high winds on Sunday, Massachusetts will get another round of strong northwest winds on Monday with gusts as high as 45 to 55 mph, according to the weather service. The greatest chance of such gusts will be in the high terrain of the Berkshires.

Wind gusts up to 55 mph are expected on Monday in Western Massachusetts, according to the National Weather Service.National Weather Service

The next wind advisory to go into effect will be for Berkshire County, and this will begin Monday at 8 a.m. and last through midnight. During this time, west to northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph could blow around unsecured objects and tree limbs, resulting in power outages. Residents are advised to secure outdoor objects and use caution when driving, especially if their vehicle is tall.

There will also be a wind advisory in effect for much of Central Massachusetts from noon Monday to 1 a.m. Tuesday. During this time, northwest winds of 25 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph could blow around unsecured outdoor objects and tree limbs, causing a few power outages.

Flooding

Flooding is also expected to be a hazard during this storm. The weather service has issued a coastal flooding warning for the eastern Massachusetts coast from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. on Sunday. During this time, communities could see up to a foot of inundation above ground level in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.

Drivers should watch out for flooding on Morrissey Boulevard in Boston and on vulnerable coastal roads from Salem to Newburyport, according to the weather service. Additionally, rough surf will likely cause some splash-over onto coastal roads around high tide.

The weather service advises those traveling in these areas to allow for extra time, as some roads may be closed. Additionally, drivers should not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth, and residents should take action to protect flood-prone property.

The weather service has also issued a flood warning for two rivers in Massachusetts on Sunday. Minor flooding is expected along the Connecticut River in Northampton, Holyoke and Springfield and along the Taunton River in Bridgewater.

Snow

The weather service has issued a winter weather advisory for Berkshire County from 5 p.m. Sunday to noon Monday. During this time, 2 to 6 in. of snow is expected to fall, and bursts of heavier snow could cause snowfall rates of up to an inch per hour.

The weather service advises that travelers in this area plan for slippery road conditions that could impact the Monday morning commute. Drifting snow is also possible, so drivers should slow down and use caution while traveling.

Temperatures

On Sunday, highs in the low 50s and upper 40s are expected in most parts of Massachusetts, according to the weather service. The rain is predicted to stop by mid-morning, except in Berkshire County, where it is expected to continue all day, becoming snow in the early evening.

Overnight lows in the upper 20s and low 30s are predicted for most of Massachusetts through Tuesday night, while highs in the low to mid 40s are expected in most of the state during a breezy and cloudy Monday, according to the weather service.

Predicted highs begin increasing on Tuesday when temperatures are expected to reach the low 50s amid sunny skies. The warm weather is predicted to continue Wednesday and Thursday with highs hitting the upper 50s and low 60s on amid cloudier skies.
Norwood police have arrested a 12-year-old student in connection with a mass shooting threat against Coakley Middle School that was sent last week, according to the department.

Detectives deemed the threat not credible on Friday and did not find guns in the students home, police said in a press release Sunday. Even so, the student will not be in school on Monday.

Officers learned of the threat Friday morning after a message sent to students via a group text warned of a mass shooting at the school on Monday, police said. The text contained information suggesting that the sender was familiar with the school, but the other students included in the group text did not recognize the senders number.

Uniformed and plainclothes officers provided additional security at the school and at Norwood High School on Friday while detectives tried to identify the senders number, police said. Though efforts had been made to hide the numbers origin, detectives soon identified a student who they believed sent the threat.

The student was traveling with family outside Massachusetts Friday morning, but returned to Norwood with their family on Sunday, police said. Detectives then executed a search warrant at the students home and seized a cell phone.

Officers arrested the student at their home, and they confessed to sending the threat, police said. During the investigation Friday, some students received a similar text threatening a mass shooting at the high school, but detectives determined that it was not credible.

The second threat was sent by a number different from that of the original, police said. It is unclear if another student will be arrested in connection with it.

Police have not identified the student who was arrested or said what charges they are facing.
Former Springfield City Councilor Paul Sears died at age 86 in the loving arms of his wife of more than 60 years on Tuesday, March 5, according to his obituary.

On Saturday, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno offered condolences to Sears family, describing the local real estate business patriarch as a well-respected realtor, shrewd businessman and dedicated community leader.

Always the gentleman, with that quick Irish wit and wisdom, Paul was a man of strong family and faith, the mayor said in a statement.

Paul Sears early life

Paul Joseph Sears was born in Springfield to Patrick and Mary Sears on Jan. 13, 1938, according to his obituary. He was the youngest of five children and grew up in the citys Forest Park neighborhood.

During his youth, Sears attended Holy Name Grammar School and Cathedral High School in Springfield, both of which are now closed. He went on to study at Providence College, graduating in 1959, and earned a masters degree from Yale University, according to this obituary.

In the fall of 1962, he asked his former Holy Name classmate, Josephine Ryan, on a date to the Big E. Less than a year later, they were married in August 1963, his obituary reads.

Sears and his wife began their married life by volunteering for missions in the mountains of New Mexico with the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, according to his obituary. They remained with the organization for two years before moving back to Springfield with their oldest child.

Paul Sears contributions to the Springfield community

Soon after their move home, Sears was hired as the first manager of a non-profit that encouraged home ownership, according to his obituary. In 1971, after a few years at the organization, he founded Sears Real Estate with his partners, Joe Albano and Ellie Dashevsky, and led the business for many years.

He embodied the Golden Rule and taught the important lesson of how to properly serve your client to all the agents in his brokerage, his obituary reads.

Sears served as a Springfield city councilor from 1968 to 1976, according to his obituary. Always deeply involved in the community, he was also a member of the local Rotary Club, the Forest Park Civic Association, Concerned Citizens of Springfield, the Everett Barney Trust, the Rental Housing Association of Greater Springfield and the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley.

Sears civic engagement was recognized in 2017 when he received the Ad Club of Western Massachusetts William Pynchon Award, which honors those citizens of our region who have rendered outstanding commitment to the community.

A lifelong parishioner of Holy Name Parish in Springfield, Sears Catholic faith was also very important to him, according to his obituary. He was an active member of the Cursillo Movement of Western Mass, a member of Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley and helped found the local chapter of Birthright  a group of anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers.

Additionally, he devoted many hours to help raise funds for St. Michaels Academy, as he was a strong believer in Catholic education and wanted to see future generations of Springfield children have that as an option, his obituary reads.

Paul Sears legacy

Today, Sears Real Estate is still run by Sears family members, according to his obituary. Together, they are continuing Sears legacy of helping people across western Massachusetts achieve the American Dream of home ownership.

Sears leaves behind his wife, their six children and their 17 grandchildren, according to his obituary. His wake is scheduled for Sunday, March 10, at Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation in East Longmeadow from 4 to 7 p.m. His funeral is set to be held Monday at Holy Name Catholic Church in Springfield at 11 a.m., and a funeral procession and burial at St. Michaels Cemetery will follow.

Paul was known for many things, but especially his quick wit, zest for life, generosity, and devotion to family, his obituary reads. He had an incredible sense of humor and always loved a good laugh. He will be missed beyond measure.
Sunday at dawn, Ramadan 2024 began a day of reflection by the worlds Muslims, the first of 30 days of prayer, fasting, reading the Quran, charity and family celebration.

It is the ninth month of the Hijri lunar calendar, said Imam Mirza Yawar Baig. When Ramadan starts depends on the size of the new moon.
ELECTED representatives from the Claremorris-Swinford area have complained about the lack of broadband coverage in rural Mayo.

Members of the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District made their comments at their monthly meeting, where one said rural Ireland was being let down very badly.

Under the National Broadband Plan (NBP), the Government aims to provide every household in the country with fibre broadband.

The NBP will see 145 million spent on connecting over 37,000 premises in Mayo with broadband speed of a minimum of 30mbps by the end of 2026.

Danny OToole, Mayo County Councils Broadband Officer, told councillors that the National Broadband Plan (NBP) was progressing a lot slower than wed like it in Mayo.

Councillors from across the ten-seat municipal area called for improved broadband connectivity, with some citing the possibility of remote working in rural areas.

Ballinrobe-based county councillor Michael Burke said that rural Ireland was being let down very badly by the lack of broadband in rural areas.

Cllr Burke was speaking following a presentation from representatives from SIRO, a private company providing fibre broadband to thousands of Mayo households, mainly in urban areas.

I listened to a [government] minister one night, telling me and a group of people  he lives down a side road outside LimerickPatrick ODonavan, and he cant get broadband down the road  its about 200 metres down the road, because it doesnt make sense financially for them [private companies] to deliver it, said the Fine Gael councillor.

Cllr Patsy OBrien said it was sad and unfortunate that some areas were being left without broadband coverage.

Its terribly hard to explain to people in rural areas why this is happening, the Independent councillor said.

Cllrs Richard Finn (Independent) and Damien Ryan (Fianna Fail) both called for private companies to be given subsidies to roll out broadband coverage.

The multi-billion-euro project is being delivered through a combination of commercial enterprise and state intervention.

To date, NBI has received a state subsidy totalling over 550 million.

DESPICABLE

CLLR Ryan described the fibre broadband speeds available in his locality despicable as deplorable.

People will sacrifice the quality of their road for a proper broadband service. Thats how essential and important it is in modern day living, the Fianna Fail councillor said.

Cllr Ryan said that competition between different providers would enable quicker delivery of broadband in rural areas.

If national government are serious about things, they need to provide a subsidy to companies like yourselves [SIRO] to actually deliver this serviceor the people around this table will be talking about it in 20 years time, added Cllr Ryan.

His fellow Fianna Fail councillor John Caulfield said councillors were getting it in the neck all time from constituents regarding rural broadband.

Charlestown-based county councillor Gerry Murray said some companies had left rural Ireland due to poor broadband speeds.

Damien Murray, SIROs Head of Projects told councillors that it would not make any commercial sense for SIRO to compete with companies installing broadband in NBI intervention areas.

Mr Murray said SIRO determined the viability of an area by the number of premises, rather than its population.

The company is due to complete the second phase of its broadband rollout in Mayo by the end of 2026.

Amanda Glancy, Director of Corporate Affairs with SIRO, said the company would consider rolling out a third phase in Mayo in areas not already covered by broadband.
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said the result of today's referendum was a direct consequence of a rushed and confused campaign by the Government.

Speaking of the result, Ms Cairns said: The defeat of both the family and care referendums is the result of a rushed and confused campaign by the Government. The Government delayed publishing the wording of both amendments; refused to accept Opposition amendments; guillotined legislation in the Oireachtas; and, patronisingly, insisted on holding the referendums on International Womens Day."



According to her, the low voter turnout and the resounding 'no' result is due to the Government's failure to properly engage with the public from the outset of this "shambolic" referendum campaign.



The electorate were confused by the wording of the family amendment  and the implications of it on things like succession rights  and unimpressed at the lack of ambition in the care referendum," she said. "I am disappointed that the family referendum has failed, given it is discriminatory that the Constitution recognises just one form of family  the marital family."



Issues raised by No campaigners in relation to the lack of clarity on the implications of the change in other areas of law were clearly effective in swaying voters. A lack of clear planning, and definitive responses, from the Government helped to sow this confusion. In recent days, a no vote on the care amendment was looking increasingly likely - in large part because of the Governments appalling decision to reject wording overwhelmingly endorsed by the Citizens Assembly."

She hit out at "inflammatory comments" made by the Taoiseach.



Inflammatory comments made on television by the Taoiseach  just days before polling  will have done little to convince voters about the States commitment to support carers and vindicate the rights of disabled people," she continued.



Many carers and disabled people are tired of receiving nothing more than lip service from successive governments. This record of failure, and absence of trust, lies at the heart of this failed referendum. The vote of the electorate must now be respected and there should be careful consideration and analysis of the reasons for their rejection of these amendments.



In the interim, there is nothing stopping the Government from demonstrating that they can pay more than just lip service to disability rights. An obvious, immediate next step is for the Government to ratify the Optional Protocol on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities without any further excuses or delay," Ms Cairns said.
About

Asperger's Syndrome or (AS) is a neurological condition marked by delay in the development of motor skills, difficulty in social interactions, strange facial expressions, misplaced gestures and fixed routines.

Asperger's Syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by delay in the motor skills development, extreme difficulty in social interactions, abnormal fixation with routines, portraying a marked tendency to perform repetitive tasks. Strange facial expressions, odd gestures and overriding clumsiness are characteristic of victims suffering this disorder.

Asperger's syndrome portrays a strong genetic link. Family history of any of the 'Pervasive Developmental Disorders' enhances the risks of this condition.

Dr Hans Asperger first described this condition in Vienna. He was intrigued by the abnormal behavior of four boys between the ages of 6 to 11. The boys demonstrated normal language development and cognitive skills despite the abnormal behavior.

Asperger's syndrome is more common in males than females. It may represent a milder form of autism and the child may possess normal intelligence, language development and cognitive skills.

Asperger's syndrome can coexist alongside other mental health conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Depression, and Learning Disability.

Diagnosis of the syndrome can be done by Mental Health Experts and Speech and Language Experts in children between the ages of five and nine. A few standard screening tools are also available to look for the red flags that characterize this condtion. The earlier the diagnosis is made the better it is likely for the child to cope with different situation and succeed in overcoming the emotional shortcomings.

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One must remember that each child is unique and the treatment needs to be custom made for the child depending on the environment and temperament of the child. Encouragement and support can do wonders. Sometimes watching a movie or reading a book related to the subject can be inspiring, educative and may help in creating awareness about the condition. Examples of such movies include the following 

Rain Man (Dustin Hoffman) - based on a autistic character.

Tare Zamin Par (2007 in Hindi)  Based on a Dyslexic child.

Mozart and the Whale" (2006) - This is a movie inspired by the lives of two people with Asperger's Syndrome.

Joining a 'Support Group' can be an enriching experience for both the child and the parents. Sharing, learning and caring can help the family and the child to come to terms with the condition and accept it; rather than fight it. You learn how to cope and avoid difficult situations.

"We each have our own way of living in the world, together we are like a symphony. Some are the melody, some are the rhythm, some are the harmony. It all blends together, we are like a symphony, and each part is crucial. We all contribute to the song of life." By - Sondra Williams
What is Pentalogy of Cantrell?

Pentalogy of Cantrell or thoracoabdominal syndrome is an extremely rare birth disorder with an incidence of 6 per million births. As the name indicates, Pentalogy of Cantrell involves a combination of five birth defects affecting the breastbone (sternum), the diaphragm (muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavities and helps in breathing), the covering of the heart (pericardium), the heart and abdominal wall.

The condition shows varying degrees of severity, and may result in severe, life-threatening complications. Most babies do not have all of the five potential defects, when it is termed incomplete pentalogy of Cantrell. If all five defects occur, this is termed complete pentalogy of Cantrell. The exact etiology (cause) of pentalogy of Cantrell is unknown. The condition mostly occurs in a scattered manner and in a random fashion without any definite pattern.

The condition was first described in 1958 by James Cantrell.

What are the Five Characteristics of Pentalogy of Cantrell?

Pentalogy of Cantrell comprises the following 5 main features

1. Defective formation of the central portion of the coverings of the abdominal organs which form the protective abdominal wall. This gap is found mostly in the upper portion of the abdomen above the navel. Through this gap, the babys intestine and abdominal contents bulged out enclosed within a covering sac (omphalocele)

2. Improper formation of the lower part of the chest (breast) bone or sternum plus/minus abnormal location of heart outside its normal position referred to as ectopia cordis

3. Defect in diaphragmatic muscle with diaphragmatic hernia

4. Defect in the covering membrane of heart

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5. Heart defects

Defect in wall or septum separating the two upper chambers (ventricular septal defect VSD)

Defect in wall or septum separating the two lower chambers (atrial septal defect ASD)

Tetralogy of Fallot (a complex birth defect having 4 distinctive components)

Left ventricular diverticulum (localized outpouching of the left ventricular wall)

How is Pentalogy of Cantrell Classified?

A diagnostic classification system suggested by Toyama is as follows:

Class 1 - Definitive diagnosis, with presence of all five characteristic defects

Class 2  Probable diagnosis  four out of five characteristic defects present, including abdominal wall defects and heart abnormalities

Class 3 - incomplete expression, with occurrence of defects in varying combinations, including an abnormality of the breast bone

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The exact cause of pentalogy of Cantrell is not clear. Most cases occur in a random and scattered manner without any reason even in families where no one has been affected before.

Abnormal formation of midline tissue in the developing embryo between 14 to 18 days following conception is one of the suggested hypotheses

between 14 to 18 days following conception is one of the suggested hypotheses Familial cases have been reported affecting members of the same family suggesting a possible role of genetic factors

However more studies are needed to identify the possible reasons that may be causing the disease.

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Varying combinations and severity of the five main defects mentioned above

The most severe form of the condition is when the baby is born with abdominal organs bulging outside through their defective covering (omphalocele) and when the heart is located outside its normal position in the chest cavity (ectopia cordis)

Severe respiratory distress and bluish discoloration of skin and lips at birth

Diastasis (defect) of abdominal muscles

Complete or partial absence of breast bone (or sternum), abnormally short sternum or cleft in the sternum

Other associated anomalies

Cleft lip and palate



Defective development of kidneys



Abnormalities of skull and face



Fluid-filled mass or sac in the head and neck region (cystic hygroma)



Limb defects (Absent bones in the arms or legs, club foot) and



Birth defects of the brain and spinal cord (neural tube defects).

Associated chromosomal defects such as trisomy 13, 18, Down syndrome or Turner syndrome

Respiratory difficulties due to defective lung development and diaphragmatic defects

Impaired heart function and heart failure

Abnormal electrical activity of heart and arrhythmias

The bulging portion of the ventricular wall may sometimes give way resulting in death

Increased risk of developing widespread infection (peritonitis) of the abdominal cavity

Thickening of blood and clot formation within the blood vessels which will affect blood flow and oxygen supply to various parts of the body

Prenatal  in the womb

A diagnosis of pentalogy of Cantrell can often be made before birth (prenatally) by a fetal ultrasound. When heart defects and defects in the coverings of the abdominal organs are found, (such as ectopia cordis with omphalocele) ) a diagnosis of pentalogy of Cantrell should be suspected and other components of the syndrome should be specifically looked for

Early diagnosis offers parents the option of early termination of the pregnancy. Small defects located in the sternum, pericardium or diaphragm, and in the absence of obvious herniation of the heart are difficult to diagnose. 3D obstetric ultrasonography can be used to confirm the diagnosis during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy

Post natal  after birth

An echocardiography (ultrasound of heart) will help to assess the extent of the involvement of the heart and the associated defects

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be performed which gives detailed pictures of chest and abdominal organs to assess the severity of abdominal wall and pericardial defects.

Termination of pregnancy should be considered when imaging tests such as ultrasound done during pregnancy indicate complex and severe abnormalities in the heart that suggest the chances of survival of the baby are low

In parents who opt to continue with pregnancy, treatment depends on the severity of defects and which organs and tissues have been affected. Treatment plan will vary from one case to another depending on several factors, such as the size and type and severity of abdominal wall defect, nature and severity of heart defects, and the specific type of ectopia cordis

Affected babies need complex medical care and surgery to correct these defects and the survival of the baby often depends on surgery to correct the abnormalities. Unfortunately even with treatment, many of these babies die and treatment is often largely supportive or palliative

Mild or isolated defects

Correction of an omphalocele necessitates surgery soon after birth. Concurrently, surgeons may also try to repair other defects including defects in the diaphragm, pericardium and breast bone

Multiple defects

In certain severe cases, doctors recommend staged repair of the various defects present in pentalogy of Cantrell. The first stage of surgery immediately after birth addresses separation of the abdominal and heart cavities, omphalocele repair and closure of the midline defect. Following appropriate growth of the thoracic cavity and lungs, the second stage involves repair of the heart defects and placing the heart back in its position.

By two or three years of age, reconstruction of the lower breast bone and abdominal wall may be necessary.
Eric Chu, husband of Van Thinh Phat chairwoman Truong My Lan, at the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City on March 8, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Eric Chu, husband of Van Thinh Phat chairwoman Truong My Lan, said he only signed documents to help Saigon Commercial Bank overcome difficulties and did not know he was violating the law by doing so.

The 68-year-old Hong Kong property tycoon is on trial at the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Court for violating banking regulations and helping Lan misappropriate money from SCB, causing it a loss of VND9.12 trillion ($369.9 million)

Chu, as chairman and main shareholder of Times Square Vietnam Company, approved the use of the assets for 73 loans worth VND30 trillion. The loans were disbursed to accounts Lan controlled.

For these acts, Chu has been charged with assisting Lan in causing losses of VND9.12 trillion to SCB.

Chu told the court Friday that he never knew who actually took the money and for what purpose, and only signed the papers to help restructure SCB.

Only recently he became aware that he had violated the laws, he claimed.

Lan faces charges of bribery, violating bank regulations and embezzlement.

She owned a 91.5% stake in the bank, but in the names of other people and entities.

Between 2012 and 2022 SCB gave her 2,500 loans worth over VND1 quadrillion ($44 billion), equivalent to 93% of its entire loan portfolio.

In all, she is accused of causing losses of VND498 trillion to the lender.

As of 2022 entities she controlled had nearly 1,300 loans worth VND677 trillion, all unrecoverable.

Eighty five other people are also being tried for embezzlement, bribery, abuse of power while performing official duties, lack of responsibility causing serious consequences, and violating bank regulations.
What is Nipah Virus (NiV) / Hendra Virus?

Nipah Virus (NiV) derives its name from a village called Kampung Sungai Nipah in Malaysia, where it was first isolated from an infected person in 1998, who succumbed to the infection. NiV is an RNA (ribonucleic acid) virus, belonging to the Family Paramyxoviridae and Genus Henipavirus. NiV is closely related to the Hendra virus, which was previously known as Equine morbillivirus. This virus causes pneumonia and acute respiratory infection in horses as well as humans and has been reported mainly from Australia.

NiV infection, also known as NiV encephalitis, is an important emerging viral zoonotic disease that affects both humans and animals. NiV is spread by fruit bats (also known as flying foxes), which belong to the Family Pteropodidae and Genus Pteropus. These bats are the natural reservoir host of NiV. Currently, NiV encephalitis is on the WHO list of Blueprint priority diseases.

History and Origin of Nipah Virus

History of Nipah Virus

The history of NiV goes back to the year 1998, when the first outbreak of NiV occurred in peninsular Malaysia during the period between September 1998 and April 1999. A total of 265 cases of NiV encephalitis were reported from Malaysia, among those who had close contact with infected pigs or had physical contact with NiV infected patients. Importantly, the disease has devastating zoonotic potential, which is reflected by the fact that over 1 million pigs were culled and destroyed to control the disease in Malaysia, causing huge economic losses and adverse social disruption. In March 1999, 11 abattoir workers in Singapore became infected after handling imported pigs from Malaysia. It is interesting to note that NiV infections can cause high mortality, such as in the Malaysian outbreak, or low mortality as in the Singapore outbreak where the abattoir workers primarily presented with neurological complications and pneumonia. Since May 1999, no new NiV outbreaks have been reported from Malaysia and Singapore till date. However, evidence of the virus, without clinical disease, has been found in fruit bats in Madagascar, Cambodia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Indonesia.

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Origin of Nipah Virus

Since there have been no reports of circulation of NiV prior to 1998, scientists have hypothesized that the virus remained largely within the fruit bat population in the tropical forests of Malaysia. However, due to mass deforestation activities to develop settlements, farming and rearing of domestic animals including pigs for food production, the natural habitat of the fruit bats was encroached by humans. Consequently, pigs became infected with NiV from the urine and feces of these bats. The virus replicated rapidly within the pigs, as a result of which the virus became amplified and eventually spilled-over to the farmers rearing the pigs, who become infected by animal to human transmission. Eventually, more and more people became infected by human-to-human transmission and when it reached the tipping-point, the explosive Malaysian outbreak occurred.

Transmission of Nipah Virus

Nipah virus is carried by fruit bats, which are the natural reservoir hosts. The virus is present in bat urine, feces, and saliva. It has been reported that fruit bats can infect date palm sap, while being extracted from palm trees. Upon consumption of raw sap, the infection can spread to humans. Likewise, fruits bitten by fruit bats can become infected, which upon consumption can cause NiV infection in humans.

The intermediate hosts are usually pigs. Infected pigs can infect other pigs as well as domestic animals. This is an example of animal-to-animal transmission. Infected pigs can also transmit the disease to humans, especially to pig handlers or through consumption of pork. This is called animal-to-human transmission.

Importantly, the disease can also be spread between humans by nasal discharges and other body fluids. The virus can also be transmitted via fomites such as clothing, equipment and shoes. This transmission between humans is called human-to-human transmission.

NiV infections can be caused by various factors. These are briefly highlighted below:

Close contact with the excretions and secretions of individuals potentially infected with the virus.

Consumption of partially-eaten fruits by bats.

Undercooked meat of infected animals.

Drinking of raw date palm sap/juice/toddy, which may be infected.

Uncovered containers used for collecting raw date palm sap can potentially cause NiV infection if the contents become infected by fruit bats.

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The initial presentation of NiV infection is non-specific. It is characterized by sudden onset of fever, often called brain fever . This is accompanied by headache, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting. The patient can also experience photophobia (an aversion for sunlight). Neck rigidity and severe muscle pain/spasm can also occur. The patients condition deteriorates rapidly and is accompanied by mental confusion and disorientation, often leading to coma within a couple of days. In the absence of prompt supportive care, the patient may die.

The consequences of NiV infection can be very grave. Serious complications such as encephalitis, associated with brain fever can occur, where there is inflammation of the brain. When these complications occur, control of NiV replication is not possible. A consequence of this is altered consciousness, sometimes even causing the patient to become unconscious. In very severe cases, the patient can slip into coma within a matter of 24 to 48 hours. The ultimate consequence of this is death!

The disease is very difficult to diagnose based on clinical symptoms alone. However, a definitive diagnosis can be made based on laboratory tests, which are briefly highlighted below:

ELISA: ELISA stands for Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. It is a very accurate and sensitive immunological test for detecting antigens or antibodies, depending upon the format of the ELISA technique used.

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In case for NiV infection, antibodies will be generated against the virus surface proteins (antigens). These antibodies circulate within the patients blood. So, a small sample of blood can be used for detecting as well as quantifying the level of virus-specific antibodies in the patients body using the ELISA test. The level of these antibodies is technically termed as titer, which gives an idea of the amount of virus present in the body  the higher the titer, the higher the severity of the disease.

RT-PCR: RT-PCR stands for Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction. This is one of the most sensitive molecular tests currently available for detection of viral infections. Since NiV has an RNA genome, a minute sample of blood is taken from the patient, which will contain the viral RNA.

The RNA is unstable, so it has to be converted to DNA, which is more stable. This is done by reverse transcription of the RNA to produce complementary DNA (cDNA), which is subsequently amplified by PCR using a thermocycler to generate millions of copies of the DNA from even a single strand of DNA molecule. This DNA is quantified by a procedure called agarose-gel electrophoresis. A positive test indicates that virus is definitely present in the patients body.

In any outbreak situation, these tests are generally carried out at the National Institute of Virology, Pune, which is the National Reference Laboratory for viral diseases in India.

These is no specific treatment for Nipah virus infection. Primary treatment involves intensive supportive care with continuous monitoring. The drug ribavirin has been shown to be effective against viruses in in vitro studies. However, its effectiveness in human clinical trials remains inconclusive and therefore lacks clinical applicability.

There is currently no vaccine available for preventing NiV infections. However, recent research has indicated that a subunit protein vaccine, using the Hendra virus G protein, produces cross-protective antibodies against Hendra virus as well as NiV. This experimental vaccine has been recently used in Australia to protect horses against Hendra virus infection. Importantly, this vaccine also has a great potential for protecting humans against NiV infection.

You can prevent NiV infection by taking the following precautions:

Avoid contact with sick people, infected animals such as pigs and horses, as well as the natural host, namely, the fruit bat.

Do not drink raw date palm sap or toddy.

Use netting on the opening of containers used to collect date palm sap, so that the fruit bats cannot cause contamination.

Maintain personal hygiene and hand washing practices.

Do not consume raw fruits.

Eat cooked, homemade food until the outbreak passes away.

Use personal protective equipment (PPE) like goggles, head covering and masks e.g. N95 mask while traveling and working in public areas to reduce the chances of human-to-human transmission.

Immediately report to the nearest health facility if you develop symptoms of NiV infection.

Nipah Virus Outbreaks

Malaysia Outbreak: It is the first outbreak of Nipah in the world (discussed above). The disease was primarily spread by infected pigs. Besides pigs there is evidence of NiV infection in several species of domestic animals, including dogs, cats, goats, horses, and possibly also sheep. However, following the initial Nipah outbreaks, the virus has primarily affected human populations around the globe.

Meherpur (Bangladesh) Outbreak: NiV was isolated during an outbreak in April-May 2001 in Meherpur district of Bangladesh. In this Bangladesh outbreak, there were 13 cases and 9 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 69%. Since then, NiV encephalitis has been reported almost every year in many districts in Bangladesh.

Siliguri (West Bengal, India) Outbreak: The Siliguri outbreak is the first Nipah outbteak on Indian soil. It occurred from January to February in 2001. The patients presented with fever and neurological symptoms. Blood samples were obtained from the patients and analyzed by ELISA and RT-PCR. NiV-specific antibodies were detected in 9 out of 18 patients by ELISA. RT-PCR detected viral RNA in 5 patients. In this outbreak, there were 66 cases and 45 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 68%.

Nadia (West Bengal, India) Outbreak: This is the second Indian outbreak, which occurred in Nadia district of West Bengal. In this outbreak 30 patients initially presented with febrile illness, of which 5 were confirmed as Nipah cases. All 5 cases proved to be fatal. All the fatal cases tested positive for NiV by RT-PCR. Therefore, the case fatality rate in this outbreak was 100%.

Important Details in Nipah Outbreaks:

In the outbreaks reported in Bangladesh and India, so far 263 NiV encephalitis cases and 196 deaths have been reported since 2001. NiV encephalitis exhibits a case fatality rate of 0-100%, with an average case fatality rate of 74.5%.

In the Bangladesh and Indian outbreaks, there was no involvement of pigs in the transmission of NiV infection, unlike the Malaysian outbreak. Consumption of raw date palm sap infected by fruit bats was the primary cause of the spread of NiV.

Kozhikode (Kerala, India) Outbreak: This is the third outbreak to occur in India and is currently ongoing in Kozhikode district in Kerala. Of the 20 patients who had presented with symptoms of NiV infection, 12 have so far died, including a nurse who got infected while treating patients.

The Kerala government has assured the public that it is safe to travel to Kerala, but has nevertheless issued a travel advisory to preferably avoid 4 districts in Kerala, namely, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kannur.

It is believed that the virus has the potential to spread to other states. One case of Nipah has already been detected from Mangalore in Karnataka, which has stepped-up surveillance and case detection efforts in the state as well as the neighboring states of Telangana and Tamil Nadu.

Experts from the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), New Delhi and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi are currently in Kozhikode to assess the situation. The outbreak is presently under control and the Union Health Ministry has urged citizens to remain calm and not to panic.
About

The human spine is made up of bones known as vertebrae. These vertebrae are anatomically divided into various regions as cervical (neck region), thoracic (midback), lumbar (lower back), sacral and coccygeal (pelvic region). Most of the fractures that occur due to major car accidents or fall from height affect the thoracic and the lumbar region. Spinal fracture mainly indicates an injury to the vertebrae, but may also affect the nerves, spinal cord, or the ligaments in the spinal column..

Spinal injuries that result in spinal fractures cause lot of discomfort, pain, difficulty in walking, or even paralysis in severe cases. Although pain relieving medications can help, injuries such as cervical spine fracture may warrant surgery.

Causes of Spinal Fracture

A spinal fracture may be caused due to following conditions:

A high-energy trauma: This includes a violent accident that puts extreme pressure on the spine. For example, car crash, fall from height, accident during playing sports, or gunshot wound

This includes a violent accident that puts extreme pressure on the spine. For example, car crash, fall from height, accident during playing sports, or gunshot wound Osteoporosis: This is a condition in which the bones become weak and fragile due to decrease in mineral content. Osteoporosis is thought to be the most common cause of spinal fracture

Tumors in the body that spread to the bones of spine

Tumors that start in the spine

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Symptoms and Signs of Spinal Fracture

The symptoms of spinal fracture vary based on the location and severity of the injury. A moderate-to-severe back pain signals spinal injuries. In addition, spinal fractures also cause muscle spasm, weakness, loss of control of the bowel or bladder, and paralysis if the spinal cord is affected. Spinal compression fracture that occurs due to osteoporosis may not show symptoms initially. However, over time symptoms such as severe back pain, loss of height or hump-like curvature of the spine may be observed.

Diagnosis of Spinal Fracture

Spinal injuries need a careful diagnosis in order to initiate the appropriate treatment. People with fractured spine may have to undergo several tests and examinations as described below.

Physical Examination

During physical examination, a doctor examines vital signs such as breathing, heart rate and consciousness. The doctor may also check for signs of tenderness over affected area or signs of kyphosis (hump-like curvature) that occur due to osteoporosis.

X-ray

An x-ray test can identify the fractured vertebrae.

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Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

A CT scan uses an X-ray beam and a computer to generate a two-dimensional image of the spine. This test can determine the changes or fracture in the bones of spine.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan

MRI scan uses a magnetic field and radiofrequency waves to generate a detailed view of the spine. MRI scan can investigate an injury to spinal cord or the ligaments. This test can diagnose a spinal fracture caused by a tumor.

What are the Treatment Options for Spinal Fractures?

The main goals of treatment plan include reduction of pain, improving mobility, and managing osteoporosis. For better understanding, the treatment plans can be divided as medical and surgical.

Medical Treatment

The medical treatment focuses on pain management using medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or opiates in severe cases, and bed rest. The spinal fractures that occur only through the vertebral body can be managed by using physical support such as braces or corsets for about 8 to 12 weeks. The braces restrict the movement of spine thereby reducing pain and improving healing process. The corsets are not recommended beyond 12 weeks as they may immobilize the spine and cause further bone loss.

Other physical treatment such as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) may be used to improve movement and strength of the muscles around the spine. The underlying osteoporosis if present should also be treated.

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Surgical Treatment

Surgery is required in cases of severe fractures or when pain lasts for more than two months.

Surgeries performed to fix the fractured spine include:

Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty

These procedures are performed to treat spinal compression fractures mainly caused by osteoporosis and spinal tumors. Both the procedures involve injecting cement into the broken spine bone so that it does not collapse again. Kyphoplasty additionally involves insertion of a balloon initially, which is inflated to restore the height of the vertebrae. Both the procedures are generally safe, however some complications such as infection, bleeding or leakage of the cement into surrounding area may be observed.

Both the procedures are considered to be minimally invasive and may cost up to INR 75,000 each.

Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion permanently joins two vertebrae with the help of a bone graft. The bone graft may be obtained either from another part of your body (autograft) or from a bone bank (allograft). The vertebrae may also be joined together with the help of rods, screws, plates, or cages.

The complications associated with spinal fusion procedure include infection, damage to the spinal nerve, and damage to the surrounding vertebrae. These procedures are relative expensive amounting approximately INR 3, 60,000.

Prevention of Spinal Fractures
What is Strabismus?

Strabismus or squint is a failure of the two eyes to maintain proper alignment. Proper evaluation and timely intervention are necessary to prevent permanent forms of visual dysfunction such as diminished depth perception and lazy eye.

The position of each eyeball is maintained by six extraocular muscles. These muscles get their innervation from the 3rd, 4th and 6th cranial nerves (nerves that originate in the brain). These muscles move the eyes in various directions. Any weakness in movements either due to central mechanisms or due to direct involvement of the nerves or the mechanical restriction of eye movements can result in strabismus.

Basics of Squint and Binocular Vision

Proper ocular alignment is necessary for 

Proper visual stimulation

Prevention of amblyopia (lazy eye)

Binocular single vision (the ability to perceive objects seen by both the eyes as one, along with depth perception)

Cosmesis

Visual stimulation is very crucial in children for proper functional development of the visual system. Any barrier to an appropriate visual stimulus (either in the form of an obstruction such as cataract or an ocular deviation such as squint) can result in the formation of a lazy eye (amblyopia), in which stimulation does not result in a good image, and hence renders vision in that eye subnormal. The younger the child, the greater the chances of and the depth of amblyopia.

Binocular vision has 3 grades -

Simultaneous macular perception (the images of objects in both eyes are appreciated by the person)

(the images of objects in both eyes are appreciated by the person) Fusion (separate images arising in each eye are appreciated as a single image)

(separate images arising in each eye are appreciated as a single image) Stereopsis (depth perception) - this is the highest grade of binocular vision, and which provides us with exceptional skill for certain tasks.

When there is a squint, one or more of these are affected to varying degrees, depending on the degree of squint, duration of squint, age at which squint develops and depending on whether it is an intermittent or a constant squint.

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Strabismus can be either latent or manifest. In latent squint,the tendency to squint is present, but kept in check by the fusion mechanisms of the eyes. Whenever fusion is interrupted, or when it is weak either due to illness or fatigue, the squint becomes manifest or apparent.

Manifest squint

Manifest squint is of two types -

Comitant (degree of deviation constant in all directions of gaze and no limitation of eye movements)

(degree of deviation constant in all directions of gaze and no limitation of eye movements) Incomitant (deviation varies in different directions of gaze with limitation of eye movements)

Comitant squint

This is the most common type of squint that is present in children. It may either be a convergent squint (esotropia) or divergent squint (exotropia). Persons with comitant squint do not experience double vision.

Some of the risk factors for comitant squint are prematurity, central nervous system impairment, low birth weight, family history of squint (usually same type is present), and refractive error. Exotropia or divergent squint is more common in Asia, in contrast to convergent squint or inward deviation of the eyes (esotropia) which is more common in the west.

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Convergent squint may present within the first few months or years of life. When it presents at around the pre-school age, it could be related to the use of accommodation (increased focusing power of the eye for near) either with or without associated hypermetropia (farsightedness). Overcorrection of a divergent squint or conditions that interfere with proper vision in younger children (such as drooping of the eyelid to obstruct vision, cataract, retinoblastoma or large refractive errors) can also cause convergent squint.

Divergent squint may be present at birth or later on when it is present intermittently initially, and later on becomes constant. Overcorrection of a convergent squint or long standing visual deprivation in one eye in adults (eg. cataract, corneal opacitiers, retinal problems) can also cause a divergent squint.

Incomitant squint

In incomitant squints, there is a limitation of movement of the muscles moving the eye, resulting in double vision.

Paralytic squint  due to a weakness in the muscles moving the eyes or the nerves supplying them eg. myasthenia gravis, nerve paralysis.

Restrictive squint  due to a physical restriction on the movement of the muscles eg. thyroid eye disease, tumors in the orbit.

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Decreased vision , either due to refractive error, disorder in the eye, or due to suppression

, either due to refractive error, disorder in the eye, or due to suppression Outward or inward deviation of the eyes

Reduced binocular function

Double vision if there is intermittent squint

Suppression of image in the deviating eye to prevent double vision. Thus the higher degrees of binocular vision are affected.

Abnormal retinal correspondence -

A poor adaptation made by the sensory mechanisms to maintain some sort of binocular vision even in the presence of a squint.



This should be specifically looked for in every patient of squint prior to surgical correction. If present, this should be addressed, otherwise surgical correction of the squint can lead to double vision.

The outward or inward deviation is obvious and patient presents mainly with this symptom.

How do You Evaluate a Person with Squint?

Visual acuity measurement- Visual acuity is usually abnormal. It may be normal if it is an intermittent or a squint alternating between the two eyes. Diminished vision may either be due to a refractive error, pathology such as cataract or retinal disorders, suppression, or a combination of these factors. Visual acuity measurement in younger children is more challenging. There are special charts and devices for this purpose and it requires a great deal of patience.

Visual acuity is usually abnormal. It may be normal if it is an intermittent or a squint alternating between the two eyes. Diminished vision may either be due to a refractive error, pathology such as cataract or retinal disorders, suppression, or a combination of these factors. Visual acuity measurement in younger children is more challenging. There are special charts and devices for this purpose and it requires a great deal of patience. Cycloplegic refraction: It is an objective determination of the true refractive error, by elimination of the effect of accommodation. This is achieved by paralyzing the ciliary muscle with cyclopentolate eye drops or atropine eye ointment. These drugs also cause dilatation of the pupil making it easier for the doctor to examine the retina.

It is an objective determination of the true refractive error, by elimination of the effect of accommodation. This is achieved by paralyzing the ciliary muscle with cyclopentolate eye drops or atropine eye ointment. These drugs also cause dilatation of the pupil making it easier for the doctor to examine the retina. Slit lamp exam- This test checks for any diseases or abnormalities in the anterior portion of the eye

This test checks for any diseases or abnormalities in the anterior portion of the eye Fundus (retina) examination- It is also referred to as fundoscopy, and is used to view the eye's interior portion, involving assessment of the retina, optic nerve and blood vessels

It is also referred to as fundoscopy, and is used to view the eye's interior portion, involving assessment of the retina, optic nerve and blood vessels Measurement and quantification of the amount of deviation

Assessment of movement of the eyes in various directions of gaze

Assessment of double vision if present

Determination of the degree of binocular vision that is present

Paralytic and restrictive squints may require additional testing for certain diseases such as CT scanning of orbits and brain or lab testing for thyroid hormone levels

Concomitant squint can be managed both by non-surgical and surgical treatments depending upon the condition of patient.

Non-surgical methods

Correction of refractive error - Refractive errors like myopia, astigmatism, and high degrees of hypermetropia need to be corrected both for improvement of vision as well as to help in reducing the stimulus for squint.

- Refractive errors like myopia, astigmatism, and high degrees of hypermetropia need to be corrected both for improvement of vision as well as to help in reducing the stimulus for squint. Orthoptic treatment makes use of fusional training exercises and may be useful in some cases.

Occlusion : Occlusion of one eye (the non-deviating eye) is required in children who have amblyopia due to the deviation (to stimulate vision in the deviating eye).

: Occlusion of one eye (the non-deviating eye) is required in children who have amblyopia due to the deviation (to stimulate vision in the deviating eye). Prism therapy- Prisms incorporated into spectacles are extremely helpful in improving the appearance of the eyes and facilitating the patients communication and interaction with others. It alleviates difficulties associated with misalignment. It is useful for older patients with limited fusional capabilities.

Surgical correction

Surgery is generally considered only after unsatisfactory non-surgical approaches. The goals of surgery are restoration of alignment and binocular function.

Incomitant squint needs correction of the underlying cause. Any residual squint may need to be corrected by surgery.

Squint may be prevented in certain cases -
What You Ought to Know About Therapeutic Hypothermia?

Therapeutic hypothermia is a deliberate reduction of the body temperature that may be administered to patients who do not regain consciousness even after circulation is resumed following a cardiac arrest.

Temperature maintained during therapeutic hypothermia: 320C - 350C

Regulation of Body Temperature:

The human body regulates body temperature to ensure optimum functioning of organs and metabolic processes. At lower temperatures, enzyme production is lowered, affecting the metabolic processes.

During hot weather, body temperature is maintained by:

Perspiration - Sweating aids in heat loss

Conduction/ Convection of heat is used to maintain body temperature

Radiation of heat

During cold weather, body temperature is maintained by:

Shivering, that promotes heat production by the muscles

Constriction of blood vessels to the skin to reduce the transfer of heat from within the body

Hypothermia is a condition where the body temperature is lowered to below 350C. This can be a gradual process or could be due to a sudden decrease like an accident that leaves an individual stranded in heavy snow.

As the temperature decreases, the symptoms of the condition become more severe, requiring immediate medical attention. There are three different stages of hypothermia, depending upon the temperature:

Mild Hypothermia: ( 32-35 0 C) In mild hypothermia, the patient begins to shiver rapidly, but shivering stops around 33 0 C. The person will seem quiet and withdrawn with slurred speech. The blood pressure of the patient is also lowered.

( 32-35 C) In mild hypothermia, the patient begins to shiver rapidly, but shivering stops around 33 C. The person will seem quiet and withdrawn with slurred speech. The blood pressure of the patient is also lowered. Moderate Hypothermia: (28-32 0 C) In moderate hypothermia, blood pressure and pulse of the patient is considerably lowered with no voluntary movements of the body. The person may turn unresponsive below 31 0 C.

(28-32 C) In moderate hypothermia, blood pressure and pulse of the patient is considerably lowered with no voluntary movements of the body. The person may turn unresponsive below 31 C. Severe Hypothermia: (<270C) The patient appears to be dead and is unresponsive.

What is Therapeutic Hypothermia?

Therapeutic hypothermia involves the lowering of body temperature to slow down metabolic process, especially those that affect the brain triggered by a cardiac arrest that occurs outside the safety of a hospital.

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Statistics show that nearly 300,000 people in America suffer from cardiac arrests outside the hospital, limiting their access to immediate medical care. Only about 40% of these patients receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation which results in lower number of cardiac arrest survivors.

In India, there is a considerable delay in bringing cardiac arrest patients to the hospital.

In North America, the time taken for a person who suffers a cardiac arrest to reach emergency unit in a hospital is between 110 and 140 minutes

In India, the time taken for a cardiac patient to reach the emergency unit in a hospital is between 180 and 330 minutes.

The delay in transfer is due to various reasons including:

Traffic snarls

Long distances to reach the hospitals

Only 5.4% of patients in India who suffer from cardiac arrest use an ambulance

Patients first visit primary/family doctor before reaching the emergency unit of a hospital

The prolonged time increases the risk for brain damage due to lack of oxygen to the brain.

How brain damage occurs after a cardiac arrest?

A cardiac arrest results in lowered oxygen to the brain due to lowered blood pressure/ activity of the heart.

The low oxygen level in the brain is called hypoxia and can lead to:

Absence of synaptic transmissions



Cerebral edema due to damage to the blood-brain barrier.

Prolonged hypoxia in the brain can lead to increased brain damage that can even lead to brain death. When cardiac resuscitation procedures are initiated shortly after a cardiac arrest, the brain is restored with blood supply.

When blood supply and thereby, oxygen supply is restored to the brain, there is further damage caused to the brain.

Increase in cerebral edema.

Inflammatory pathways are initiated leading to increased damage to brain tissue.

Initiation of chemical cascades that lead to the destruction of brain cells.

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Therapeutic hypothermia is used to lower the body temperature so that

Chances of survival after a cardiac arrest are improved due to relatively lower damage to the brain.

Quality of life after a cardiac arrest is improved as the brain suffers less damage on recovery from cardiac arrest.

Brain damage after a cardiac arrest:

Part of the brain Function Effects of hypoxia after cardiac arrest Basal ganglia, caudate Control of motor function, learning, behaviour and memory Loss in attention, memory, dystonia and loss of motor functions Hippocampus Visual, memory, learning abilities Memory lapses, seizure and amnesia Basal cortex Learning, language ability, consciousness, cognition and speech. Coma, a vegetative state of the patient, seizures, impairment of speech and cortical blindness Cerebellum (most importantly, the Purkinje cells) Co-ordination, gait, cognition, balance Dysmetria or lack of co-ordinated movement, fine motor impairment

The first documented evidence was by Edwin Smith Papyrus, written more than 5,000 years ago.

Hippocrates used cold packing consisting of ice and snow to lower hemorrhage in the wounded patients and for patients suffering from tetanus.

Dr James Currie, in the late 1700 performed experiment of therapeutic hypothermia on patients to study the effect of cooling on the body, respiration and pulse.

Napoleans chief surgeon used cold packs to cool limbs before they were amputated, to lower pain.

Since 1803, Russians use therapeutic hypothermia to resuscitate patients by placing them in snow.

Sir William Osler, from Johns Hopkins University, studied the effect of therapeutic hypothermia on typhoid patients and noticed a decline in mortality from 24.2% to 7.1%.

Dr Temple Fay in 1938 reintroduced therapeutic hypothermia to medical care by cooling a patient with metastatic cancer and reducing pain symptoms. He was the first to discover cooling blankets, which are special insulated blankets that aid in lowering body temperature.

In 1950, Bigelow and colleagues demonstrated the benefit of resorting to therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest in animals.

In 1958, the first published use of therapeutic hypothermia for patients in coma after a cardiac arrest was reported. The temperature of hypothermia was maintained at 33 0 C and 6 out of the 12 patients survived.

C and 6 out of the 12 patients survived. In 1964 Dr Peter Safar advocated the use of therapeutic hypothermia if patients did not show any central nervous system activity even after 30 minutes of resumption of blood circulation.

The use of therapeutic hypothermia was not popularly used during this period, even though studies showed their benefit, because of the side effects produced. Earlier moderate hypothermia, which is maintenance of body temperature between 33-280C was advocated, but it resulted in:

Coagulopathy

Arrhythmias

Infections

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In the 1980s, there was a resurgence of therapeutic hypothermia, when mild hypothermia was also found to have far reaching benefits for patients after brain injury following traumatic accidents or after cardiac resuscitation.

Bernard et al in a study on comatose patients after cardiac arrest showed that patients who were treated with therapeutic hypothermia had a 49% chance of survival while non-treated patients had 26%.

Peberdy and colleagues studied the effect of therapeutic hypothermia on out of hospital cardiac arrest patients and found that:

Better neurological symptoms were exhibited by therapeutic hyperthermia treated patients (55%) than control patients (39%).

6 months mortality rate among the treated patients (41%) was lower than in the control patients (55%).

Acute Phase:

This phase of therapeutic hypothermia extends from minutes to hours and it has the following benefits on brain activity:

For every 1 0 C drop in temperature, cerebral metabolic rate is lowered by 6 to 7%.

C drop in temperature, cerebral metabolic rate is lowered by 6 to 7%. Reduction in the demand for oxygen.

Preservation of phosphates and energy.

Prevention of acidosis.

Improves the utilization of glucose in the brain.

Lowers the release of excitatory amino acids (which lead to neural injury).

Prevents synthesis of nitrous oxide mediated by glutamate.

Subacute Phase:

This phase of therapeutic hypothermia extends from hours to days. The brain may have undergone secondary injury mechanism that results in the formation of reactive oxygen species, inflammation and programmed cell death. Hypothermia will result in:

Oxidative stress markers are reduced.

50% reduction in hydrogen peroxide concentrations.

The neurons then retain viability.

Inflammatory responses after brain injury are the leading cause of damage to brain cells, post injury. Hypothermia lowers the expression of:

Inflammatory cytokines



Neutrophils



Endothelial molecules



Monocyte infiltration

Neural injury results in the death of cells, but hypothermia aids in release of factors that prevent death and the secretion of factors (p53) that promote repair.

Preserves the blood brain barrier.

Chronic Phase:

This phase of therapeutic hypothermia extends from weeks to months.

Hypothermia for 4 to 24 hours aids in post-ischemic neurogenesis and provides benefits that are not observed when conducted for 45 minutes or less.

Lowers reactive oxygen species production.

Restricts apoptosis (programmed cell death) and inflammation.

Aids in neuronal cell regeneration and neuronal circuit repair.

There are three phases involved in therapeutic hypothermia: induction or the cooling phase, maintenance and the re-warming phase.

Induction Phase:

The induction phase involves lowering of the core body temperature to the required temperature. This may be done through internal cooling or surface cooling method.

Internal cooling - In this method of cooling the body, a catheter is inserted into the femoral vein which is in the groin of the patient. This catheter is inserted till it is just below the heart in the inferior vena cava. As soon as the catheter is in position, cool fluid (40C) is injected through it to cool the blood that flows near it. The circulation of this cooled blood aids in lowering the core body temperature.

External or surface cooling method - Thigh pads and chest pads are fastened onto the patient and water tubes are attached to these pads. Cold fluid is circulated through these pads to lower temperature.

It normally takes 30 minutes to cool the body temperature by 2 to 2.50C. Sometimes, a combination of both the methods of cooling is adopted. Once the temperature is achieved, cooling blankets are placed over the patient.

Maintenance:

The temperature of the patient should be maintained between the induction phase and the re-warming phase by attaching cooling blankets placed over the patient to cooling machine.

The patients vitals like blood pressure, urine creatinine and electrolyte levels are monitored. Anesthesia is provided to an extent that allows neurological tests to be monitored. Shivering is controlled by providing neuromuscular blocking agents.

Rewarming:

The re-warming procedure is a gradual process and should take place over a period of 12 hours. The temperature of the cooling machine is increased slowly till the temperature is increased.

In the event of severe bleeding, active re-warming procedures are carried out which allows return to normal temperature within 8 hours.

Therapeutic hypothermia produces both positive and increases the risk for negative effects on the various organ systems.

Cardiovascular System:

Hypothermia aids in improving left ventricular filling.

Increases the risk for arrhythmias, which is more pronounced below 30 0 C.

C. Increases risk for cardiomyopathy.

Pulmonary Effects:

Increases risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Decreases oxygen consumption and carbon -di-oxide production.

Lowered inflammatory response due to hypothermia; leads to infections like pneumonia.

Patients with decontaminated digestive tract showed lower rate of infection.

Coagulation of Blood:

Platelet count is lowered.

Hemoglobin levels remain the same.

There is a low risk of bleeding in patients without a history of bleeding disorder. Patients with bleeding disorder should not be cooled lower than 350C.

Gastro-intestinal, Renal and Endocrine Effects:

Electrolyte disorders are common.

Potassium levels are lowered.

Lowers insulin sensitivity.

Delayed ileus and gastric emptying.

In patients receiving therapeutic hypothermia, there are marked changes in drug metabolism as there is a delay in drug clearance in the body. This could increase the potency of the drug as it is retained for longer periods in the body.
About

It is common for individuals to cringe at the thought of visiting a doctor. Many of us attempt to delay the doctors visit for a number of reasons. To some, the financial expense is a deterrent, while for others, it is an unexplained fear of the doctor. The latter emotion leads to a temporary increase in blood pressure at the doctors office. This effect has been analyzed and categorized as white-coat hypertension or white-coat syndrome, and is observed in individuals with normal blood pressure. Another term for this condition is isolated office hypertension. The name is based on the fact that healthcare professionals in white coats tend to measure the blood pressure of individuals. This condition was first noticed in 1897 by Riva-Rocci. There is a difference in the terms, white-coat syndrome and white-coat effect. White-coat syndrome is the increase in blood pressure at the doctors office. White-coat effect, on the other hand, indicates the changes in blood pressure that occur before the visit to the clinic, during the visit at the clinic, and following the visit to the doctor. It is observed in patients that have been diagnosed with hypertension.

In 1983, Mancia et al quantified the changes in blood pressure in individuals, prior to, during, and immediately following the visit to the doctor. The research findings indicated that the white-coat syndrome was a relevant condition observed in most patients of all age groups and genders, from children to older people. The frequency of incidence is approximately 20% in the population that has hypertension. White-coat syndrome has been commonly observed in women compared with men. White-coat syndrome has been observed in pregnant women and the frequency of incidence ranges from 3% to 60%.

The vast range is based on the results obtained from 3 different clinical studies. It is observed that the white-coat hypertension in pregnant women is a mild, benign symptom and does not generate complications such as preeclampsia in women. Women may be prone to have a cesarean section during delivery based on the high blood pressure reading obtained at the time. A review article by Verdecchia et al states that an individual may be diagnosed with white-coat syndrome, if the blood pressure is equal to or above 140/90 mmHg during the clinical visit, while the regular blood pressure remains below 135/85 mmHg at all times.

Causes of White-coat Syndrome

Nearly 20% of the population that has hypertension is gripped with the white-coat syndrome. The most common cause of white-coat hypertension is the fear that gets lodged in an individual. Most individuals are tormented by the fear of hearing a poor prognosis of their health condition or a bad diagnosis of their symptoms. Today, the internet makes matters worse by providing infinite resources of information on different disease conditions. However, with the lack of appropriate medical knowledge or the guidance of a trained medical professional, individuals tend to get misled by negative advice or comments on the disease in question. Psychologists attribute this fear of doctors to the general association of hospitals with illness, injury, and death.

A second cause of white-coat syndrome is the fear of needles. Needle phobia is a recognized condition by the American Psychiatric Association and is listed under the phobia for blood, injection, and injury. Individuals who experience needle phobia start to experience anxiety, fainting, and panic attacks at the sight of a needle. Nearly 10% of the population have needle phobia. In a recent study in Switzerland, the white-coat syndrome was significantly associated with age. Other factors such as family history or physical activity, however, were not significant factors of white-coat syndrome.

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Symptoms of White-coat Syndrome

The one major symptom of the white-coat syndrome is an elevated blood pressure in the vicinity of a clinic, a needle, or a doctor.

The individuals with white-coat syndrome are also more susceptible to the following conditions:
What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema Pallidum. It affects sexually active people of both genders. Syphilis manifests in various regions of the body, in many different ways, because of which it is called the great pretender. The varied clinical presentations may require multiple laboratory investigations before the diagnosis is clear. Test results and physical exam findings must be interpreted by the doctor with reference to the patients history.

Syphilis presents in four stages:

Primary syphilis: It manifests as an ulcer or a sore on the genitalia, called a chancre. This is usually a raised or ulcerated area on the genitals which is painless. There may be fluid oozing from the ulcer.

It manifests as an ulcer or a sore on the genitalia, called a chancre. This is usually a raised or ulcerated area on the genitals which is painless. There may be fluid oozing from the ulcer. Secondary syphilis: If it is not treated in the primary stage, the bacteria spread through the body and the affected person develops secondary syphilis. It may cause rashes, warts, tiredness, fever, joint pains and swollen lymph nodes.

If it is not treated in the primary stage, the bacteria spread through the body and the affected person develops secondary syphilis. It may cause rashes, warts, tiredness, fever, joint pains and swollen lymph nodes. Latent syphilis: This is a stage where the bacteria hides in the body after the symptoms of secondary syphilis resolve. Affected individuals may have no symptoms at all, and may think that the disease has been cured. If it is not diagnosed and treated at this stage, the bacteria start attacking the tissues, and the disease progresses to the tertiary stage. Latent syphilis has been subdivided into early and late stages.

This is a stage where the bacteria hides in the body after the symptoms of secondary syphilis resolve. Affected individuals may have no symptoms at all, and may think that the disease has been cured. If it is not diagnosed and treated at this stage, the bacteria start attacking the tissues, and the disease progresses to the tertiary stage. Latent syphilis has been subdivided into early and late stages. Tertiary syphilis: Tertiary syphilis manifests very late in the course of the disease, sometimes even 50 years after the initial infection. It may present with multiple soft tumour like growths in various areas of the body, called gummae. It can also involve the brain, called neurosyphilis or it may involve the heart and the major blood vessels.

Mode of Spread

The most common mode of acquiring syphilis is though unprotected intercourse with a person who has an open syphilitic chancre. It is not passed through objects that a person with syphilis has used. Syphilis can very rarely be spread through blood transfusion. Pregnant mothers who are infected may pass the disease to their children, which produces what is called congenital syphilis.

There are three basic types of tests for syphilis.

Direct demonstration of Treponema pallidum

Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) Test



Tissue biopsy with special stains

Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (Polymerase Chain Reaction or PCR)

Nonspecific serological tests (Nontreponemal tests)

RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) test



USR test (Unheated Serum Reagin)



TRUST (Toluidine Red Unheated Serum Test)

Specific serological tests for Treponema pallidum (Treponemal tests)

Enzyme Immuno Assay



IgM  for early infection





IgG  becomes positive at 5 weeks





It is the preferred test for screening



Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination Assay (TPHA)



Treponema Pallidum Particle Agglutination assay (TPPA)



Fluorescent Treponemal antibody absorbed test (FTA-abs)



Treponema Pallidum Chemiluminescent Assay



Treponema pallidum recombinant antigen line immunoassay.

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Doctors may ask for a screening test in any person with symptoms and signs of syphilis.
What is Teleradiology?

Teleradiology is a part of telemedicine in which radiological images are transferred using telecommunication services to other facilities for reports from qualified radiologists.

This method is used to transmit reports of imaging studies like:

X-rays

MRI

Ultrasound

CT scan

Nuclear medical studies

This technological advancement aids in facilitating reports from radiologists in areas where there are no qualified radiologists.

How Did Teleradiology Evolve?

Teleradiology began in 1929 when dental x-rays were transmitted across health centers for consultations. Initially, patient pictures were captured using digital cameras and the images transferred to the computer, radiological images were likewise scanned and transferred to the computer. These files were then transmitted to the radiologist via the internet who in turn would assess the condition and provide a suitable report. However, the use of latest technologies involves telecommunication devices that are far superior and allow instant transfer of information.

In India, teleradiology started relatively late, only in 1996 by Jhankaria Imaging in Mumbai, which is a private imaging center. This center brought in teleradiology to facilitate immediate transfer of emergency CT scans to doctors. The first teleradiology company set up in India was in Bangalore called Teleradiology Solutions and where U.S. Board certified radiologists provided teleradiology services to people in the U.S, Singapore and India.

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DICOM Compliant Radiological Equipment : Nearly all radiological equipment that are available today are Digital Imaging and Communication (DICOM) compliant. This allows all images to be stored in a DICOM work folder can be transferred. Identifying micro-calcifications require large mammogram file size, but these cannot be transferred by teleradiology as of now.

: Nearly all radiological equipment that are available today are Digital Imaging and Communication (DICOM) compliant. This allows all images to be stored in a DICOM work folder can be transferred. Identifying micro-calcifications require large mammogram file size, but these cannot be transferred by teleradiology as of now. Image Transfer: The time taken to transfer images depends largely on the software and the equipment available at the centers. The images may be transferred over the internet or can be connected directly with the equipment across centers. The images may be transferred or they can be streamed.

The DICOM system serves to integrate scanners, network, printers, servers that are manufactured by different manufacturers into a common system.

Viewing The Images: The transferred images are then viewed on a high resolution screen by qualified radiologists who provide their report by dictating into a dictaphone.

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There are many benefits associated with teleradiology.

Connects with Qualified Radiologists: Teleradiology was initiated because there was a lack of qualified radiologists, though there were CT scanners and other required technologies available in various hospitals. Experts are consulted over teleradiology to facilitate better diagnosis. A study conducted in Japan by Masatoshi Matsumoto and colleagues titled  Geographic Distribution of Radiologists and Utilization of Teleradiology in Japan: A Longitudinal Analysis Based on National Census Data highlighted the increasing gap in the shortage of radiologists in rural and urban areas. According to the study authors, teleradiology will help reduce this gap. This holds true even for India, where rural areas do not have sufficient qualified radiologists.

Reduced Time and Effort : When second opinions are required concerning a certain diagnosis, teleradiology allows doctors in a hospital to consult with experts without having to travel to meet them.

: When second opinions are required concerning a certain diagnosis, teleradiology allows doctors in a hospital to consult with experts without having to travel to meet them. Transfer of Complex Data : With the advent of technology, transfer of complex diagnostic images is possible even from the most remote but technically compatible village if the relevant supporting equipment is available.

: With the advent of technology, transfer of complex diagnostic images is possible even from the most remote but technically compatible village if the relevant supporting equipment is available. Reduced Costs : The burden on the radiology department is reduced with the development of teleradiology and there is reduction in costs as experts are consulted based on the need.

: The burden on the radiology department is reduced with the development of teleradiology and there is reduction in costs as experts are consulted based on the need. Round The Clock Services : Countries like U.S and U.K require round the clock diagnostic services to support emergencies that may occur during the night. Teleradiology allows doctors from Asian countries like India and Singapore to be reached at night, as it would be day in these countries.

: Countries like U.S and U.K require round the clock diagnostic services to support emergencies that may occur during the night. Teleradiology allows doctors from Asian countries like India and Singapore to be reached at night, as it would be day in these countries. Patient Satisfaction : A technological advancement that satisfies patients is an important milestone in the quest to simplify lives. Jac J.W.M.Jacobs and colleagues from the Health Psychology Section, University Medical Centre Groningen, The Netherlands conducted a study titled Patient satisfaction with a teleradiology service in general practice(Feb 2016). The study found that patients were happy with:

: A technological advancement that satisfies patients is an important milestone in the quest to simplify lives. Jac J.W.M.Jacobs and colleagues from the Health Psychology Section, University Medical Centre Groningen, The Netherlands conducted a study titled Patient satisfaction with a teleradiology service in general practice(Feb 2016). The study found that patients were happy with: Technical quality



Interpersonal skills of the doctor

Moreover,

Elderly patients and patients who had trauma were more than the younger patients.

90% of the people included in the study were happy with the technology

It allowed patients from remote places to access advanced medical opinion without having to travel far.

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Teleradiology can be used in a variety of settings and they include:

Imaging Studies at Hospitals : This is the primary use of teleradiology where radiological images are scanned to qualified radiologists for opinion and directives.

: This is the primary use of teleradiology where radiological images are scanned to qualified radiologists for opinion and directives. Research Studies : Research scientists working on various studies would require the services of radiologists to study and provide a report on scans and other radiological images. Teleradiology would ensure that the scientists do not have to leave their laboratory to get the required information.

: Research scientists working on various studies would require the services of radiologists to study and provide a report on scans and other radiological images. Teleradiology would ensure that the scientists do not have to leave their laboratory to get the required information. Night Hawking : Scans and other imaging systems are sent to board-certified radiologists in India for review and report. This is considered to be a promising sector; however, the lack of qualified radiologists could affect its growth potential.

: Scans and other imaging systems are sent to board-certified radiologists in India for review and report. This is considered to be a promising sector; however, the lack of qualified radiologists could affect its growth potential. Teaching : Lectures and demonstrations of medical procedures can be used to teach and train student doctors.

: Lectures and demonstrations of medical procedures can be used to teach and train student doctors. Second Opinion: Certain hospitals may have qualified radiologists, but teleradiology may be used to acquire a second opinion.
What is health insurance & Its Policy?

'Happiness lies, first of all, in health.' - George William Curtis

Health insurance guarantees payments to a person in the event of sickness or injury and works as protection scheme.

Health insurance is protection, scheme to take care of health of a person and works it works by buying a policy from a company or an insurance agent. Depending on the premium paid the health insurance policy will pay specified amounts for the medical expenses incurred to overcome the health problem.

Currently the trend of some of the reputable companies seems to be to build in a health insurance policy as a benefit to an employee. Some countries offers free health insurance to their citizen. In India certain sectors like railways, army and the employees working with the central government are covered in a health scheme provided cover to almost 20 million people in different part of the country.

Health like education should be essential and should be freely available to all the citizens of a country. Some developed countries realizing the importance of the health of the nation spend as much as 6% to 8% of their GDP on it and have advanced facilities in their government run hospitals. Some examples include the United Kingdom where the National Health Services hospitals provide all the health requirements to majority of their citizens. Sweden and Norway follow similar government run health schemes.

As per the census of USA in the year 2004, it was noted that 245.3 million people had health insurance coverage; however 45.8 million lived without an insurance cover. In response to some of these stats Senator John Kerry said.

"Great physicians and nurses, skilled, caring and unparalleled in their training, intervened in my life and probably saved it. I was lucky but other Americans are not. It is time to speak again and stand again for the ideal that in the richest nation ever on this planet, it is wrong for 41 million Americans, most of them in working families, to worry at night and wake up in the morning without the basic protection of health insurance."

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Developing countries like India have priority of spending in other sectors like the army and the infrastructure development and barely 2% of the GDP is spent on the health and results in the government hospitals lack in facilities especially for any advanced procedures such as heart surgery or hip replacement.

Health insurance schemes are particularly important for individuals from the lower income group to provide them and their family members with adequate cover in event of any mishap or illness. The escalating medical costs are due to the advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that have become the hallmark of modern medical care. An insurance scheme will guarantee that no compromises are made in your treatment for wants of funds.

Remember when negotiating a policy you ask for adequate cover as the provided by the health insurance will depend on the type of policy purchased.

'Our health always seems much more valuable after we lose it' - Unknown Author
About Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, also called 'chemo' is one of the cancer treatments that uses one or more cytotoxic drugs to kill cancer cells in our body.(1 Trusted Source

Chemotherapy to Treat Cancer



Go to source) However, these drugs are unable to differentiate between normal cells and cancer cells and they destroy the former too in their war against cancer. This leads to certain side effects.

Chemotherapy is used in over half the patients who are treated with cancer. It is used to treat not only the cancer cells in an organ but also distant sites to which the tumor or cancer might have spread. Hence, chemotherapy is a systemic therapy, meaning, it treats the body as a whole.

When chemotherapy was first put into practice, there were many side effects, and sometimes they proved to be fatal. Now the practice is much safer with better monitoring and the use of combination therapy. An oncologist will prescribe a chemotherapeutic regimen, which is a combination of drugs used to treat cancer(2 Trusted Source

Combination therapy in combating cancer



Go to source). Some of these drugs are administered to treat the dividing cells at various stages. The regimen may also include some supportive drugs to minimize the side effects. To get the best results, it is important to follow the regimen and the schedule.

In the earlier days, when popping an aspirin for a headache was also referred to as 'chemotherapy'(3 Trusted Source

Prevention and treatment of cancer with aspirin: where do we stand?



Go to source), the word was used in reference to any drug or medicine employed to treat a disease. The term 'anti-bacterial chemotherapy' is used when antibiotics are employed to control a disease. In that sense, syphilis-treating arsenic compounds were the first modern chemotherapeutic agents. This was followed by other antibiotics, like sulfonamides and penicillin. In the modern sense, it primarily refers to the cytotoxic drugs used in cancer treatment.

These cytotoxic drugs completely cure cancerous conditions such as Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, certain types of leukemia, and testicular tumors (4 Trusted Source

Cytotoxic drugs and the CD95 pathway



Go to source).

Chemotherapy agents have also found use in treating non-cancer conditions like overcoming transplant rejections and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis(5 Trusted Source

Chemotherapeutics in the treatment of multiple sclerosis



Go to source).

Before starting the chemotherapy, one needs to check the patient's performance status. Performance status is usually a score that tells the physician if the patient is fit to undergo chemotherapy or if the dose of the drugs needs to be reduced.

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We must search for magic bullets. We must strike the parasites, and the parasites only, if possible, and to do this, we must learn to aim with chemical substances!

Much of the original work leading to the 'magic bullets' is credited to a German bacteriologist from Frankfurt - Paul Ehrlich(6 Trusted Source

Cancer Chemotherapy



Go to source).

He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1908 for some of his pioneering work and is considered the 'father of modern immunology and chemotherapy'(7 Trusted Source

Paul Ehrlich (1854-1915): founder of chemotherapy and pioneer of haematology, immunology and oncology



Go to source). After Ehrlich laid down the principles, the treatment of cancer cells using chemotherapeutic agents was first carried out in the 1950s. The first drug used to treat cancer was discovered by chance. During World War II, mustard gas was used as a warfare agent(8 Trusted Source

Hazards of chemical weapons release during war: new perspectives



Go to source). It was discovered that individuals who were accidentally exposed to mustard gas had low WBC counts. It was reasoned that an agent with such an effect on the rapidly dividing WBC could have the same effect on cancer cells too. As a result, the drug was intravenously used to treat individuals with late-stage lymphomas, with dramatic early results. Back then, the result of this treatment did not last long; nevertheless the effect it had on the patients was remarkable, and as a result, they improved considerably.

Later on, research helped to discover many more chemotherapeutic agents to treat cancer. Several drugs that have been researched and tested have entered the fray. Treatment is far more focused and effective than it has ever been, but the basic principles and limitations of the therapy still remain.

Today, it can be unquestionably said that with the help of these drugs, cancer patients are able to lead a better quality life.

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Chemotherapeutic drugs act on fast-dividing cells by arresting the mitotic stages of the cell cycle.

Cancer is characterized by the transformation of normal cells through uncontrolled division and growth. These malignant cells then spread to other parts of the body by a process known as metastasis(9 Trusted Source

Metastasis



Go to source). In the case of autoimmune disorders, the body launches an attack on itself by unleashing the WBCs. In the case of transplant rejection, the attack is directed towards the transplanted foreign organ.

It has been deduced that the chemotherapeutic drugs act on the fast - dividing cells by arresting the various mitotic stages of the cell cycle. Hence they are also called 'cytotoxic' drugs(10 Trusted Source

Toxicological testing of cytotoxic drugs (review)



Go to source). These drugs are more effective in individuals with diseases characterized by fast-replicating cells, like Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Hodgkins Disease.

Chemotherapeutic drugs have a better impact on tumors that are 'young,' in other words, those that have a considerable population of differentiated cells. As the tumor ages, the cells lose their ability to differentiate. Such tumors become 'indifferent' to chemotherapeutic drugs. Radiation or surgery may be a better option in this situation.

Some drugs bring about a semblance of orderliness in tumor cells by promoting 'apoptosis' or 'programmed cell death', which is a function of normal cells. This function is lost when the normal cells become malignant(11 Trusted Source

Apoptosis: A Target for Anticancer Therapy



Go to source).

Scientists are now working on drugs that target specific features of the cancer cells. Imatinib, a monoclonal antibody drug, has been successful in attacking the Philadelphia chromosome, commonly seen in patients with CML(12 Trusted Source

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults: encouraging developments on the way to higher cure rates



Go to source). Efforts are on to identify more such features in order to develop efficient treatment modalities. Intracellular efflux pumps, such as p-glycoprotein, have been identified that actively flush out drugs from inside the cells to the outside. In the year 2007, medications that promote the efficacy of chemotherapy by impairing the functioning of p-glycoprotein have been tested.

Cytotoxic drugs do not always distinguish between normal and abnormal fast-dividing cells. They enter the blood stream and have a profound effect on the healthy cells too, resulting in side effects. Examples are the hair cells and the cells that make up the intestinal lining, which are damaged during chemotherapy. However, the normal cells are able to revive due to an inherent repair mechanism, and the symptoms usually disappear once the treatment terminates. To address this issue, doctors 'mix and match' drugs in order to provide the most suitable treatment.

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Chemotherapy can be used in a variety of scenarios, including neoadjuvant, adjuvant, combination, and metastatic.

Neoadjuvant therapy

It is a treatment that is administered prior to the primary treatment.

Adjuvant therapy

It is a treatment that is used in addition to the primary therapy to suppress or eliminate the growth of occult cancer cells.

Combination therapy

It is a treatment modality that combines two or more therapeutic agents

Chemotherapy is carried out to cure cancer or prevent its recurrence.

Chemotherapy can be used to cure cancer completely or before or after surgery or radiotherapy. It may be given at an advanced stage as a palliative treatment. The objectives of the treatment depend on the stage of the cancer.

To cure cancer - In certain cancers, like acute leukemia or testicular cancer, chemotherapy can achieve a complete cure. Sometimes chemotherapy is given in combination with radiotherapy. This is known as chemo-irradiation or chemoradiotherapy .(   Trusted Source

Chemoradiotherapy in Cancer Treatment: Rationale and Clinical Applications



Go to source Trusted Source 13

- In certain cancers, like acute leukemia or testicular cancer, chemotherapy can achieve a complete cure. Sometimes chemotherapy is given in combination with radiotherapy. This is known as .( Prior to surgery (or) Neo-adjuvant therapy - Sometimes, when a tumor is large, there is a need to reduce its size before surgery. Chemotherapy is then employed to reduce the tumor size, and this is known as primary chemotherapy or neo-adjuvant therapy.(   Trusted Source

Neoadjuvant therapy in cancer treatment



Go to source Trusted Source 14

- Sometimes, when a tumor is large, there is a need to reduce its size before surgery. Chemotherapy is then employed to reduce the tumor size, and this is known as primary chemotherapy or neo-adjuvant therapy.( To reduce the likelihood of recurrence following surgery (or) adjuvant therapy - Chemotherapy is sometimes carried out after surgery or radiotherapy. This is to destroy the remaining cancer cells that have escaped destruction. This treatment is called adjuvant therapy.(   Trusted Source

Adjuvant Therapy



Go to source Trusted Source 15

Chemotherapy is sometimes carried out after surgery or radiotherapy. This is to destroy the remaining cancer cells that have escaped destruction. This treatment is called adjuvant therapy.( To control cancer by reducing symptoms (or) Palliative chemotherapy - When a complete cure is not possible, as in the case of advanced cancers, chemotherapy helps to shrink the cancer and reduce the symptoms. This helps to usher in a better quality of life and increases the chances of survival. This mode of therapy is known as palliative chemotherapy.(   Trusted Source

Palliative chemotherapy: oxymoron or misunderstanding?



Go to source Trusted Source 16

Several types of chemotherapeutic drugs are employed to treat cancer. They function by inhibiting cell division.

Chemo drugs may be classified as follows(6 Trusted Source

Cancer Chemotherapy



Go to source) -

Alkylating agents

Anti-metabolites

Plant alkaloids and terpenoids

Podophyllotoxin

Taxanes

Topoisomerase inhibitors

Anti-tumorantibiotics (L01D)

Monoclonal antibodies

Combination therapy drugs:

ABVD - An abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination used to treat Hodgkin lymphoma. It includes the drugs- doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin), bleomycin sulfate, vinblastine sulfate, and dacarbazine, also known as ABVD(17 Trusted Source

ABVD regimen



Go to source).

FOLFOX - An abbreviation for a combination chemotherapy regimen that is used to treat colorectal cancer. It includes the drugs leucovorin calcium (folinic acid), fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin(18 Trusted Source

Folfox



Go to source).

FOLFIRI - An abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination used to treat advanced colorectal cancer that has spread. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It includes the drugs leucovorin calcium (folinic acid), fluorouracil, and irinotecan hydrochloride(19 Trusted Source

Folfiri



Go to source).

FOLFIRINOX - An abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination used to treat pancreatic cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It includes the drugs leucovorin calcium (folinic acid), fluorouracil, irinotecan hydrochloride, and oxaliplatin(20 Trusted Source

Folfirinox Regimen



Go to source).

Chemotherapy drugs are delivered depending on the type of cancer and the drug used.

Chemotherapy is administered in such a way that the individual suffers the least amount of systemic damage. Depending on the type of cancer and the type of drug used, the modes of delivery may be as follows(6 Trusted Source

Cancer Chemotherapy



Go to source) -

Drugs in the form tablets or capsules are to be consumed orally (busulfan and capecitabine)

(busulfan and capecitabine) Other drugs are delivered as an intramuscular injection, into the muscles of the leg or the buttocks.

into the muscles of the leg or the buttocks. Some drugs may be injected subcutaneously, beneath the skin. Very fine needles are used for this purpose.

beneath the skin. Very fine needles are used for this purpose. In the case of intrathecal chemotherapy, the drugs are injected into the cerebrospinal fluid. This is usually done in the case of leukemias and lymphomas.

the drugs are injected into the cerebrospinal fluid. This is usually done in the case of leukemias and lymphomas. Sometimes the drugs may be delivered into certain body cavities,such as the bladder or the pelvic cavity; this type of chemotherapy is called intracavity chemotherapy. The drugs are introduced through the tube. It may be drained out after a period of time.

The drugs are introduced through the tube. It may be drained out after a period of time. For some skin cancers, chemotherapy creams can be applied topically.

Most chemotherapy is given It can be carried out either in an out-patient or in an in-patient set up depending upon the patient, the type and stage of cancer and the dosage of drugs

Sometimes, a combination of chemotherapy is administered, such as oral and intravenous chemotherapy.

Isolated Infusion Methods

In some cases of melanoma, an isolated limb perfusion may be carried out. Sometimes chemotherapy is delivered as an isolated perfusion into the liver or the lung. The main aim of this mode of treatment is to deliver a very high dose of chemotherapy to the tumors without seriously affecting the normal cells in the body. This treatment is not effective in treating metastasized cancers(21 Trusted Source

Isolated Limb Perfusion for Malignant Melanoma: Systematic Review on Effectiveness and Safety



Go to source).

Targeted Delivery Mechanisms

Specially targeted delivery vehicles aim to increase effective levels of chemotherapy for tumour cells while reducing effective levels for other cells. This should result in increased tumour killing and/or reduced toxicity(22 Trusted Source

Controlled drug delivery vehicles for cancer treatment and their performance



Go to source).

Specially targeted delivery vehicles have an increased affinity for tumour cells and interact with tumour-specific antigens. This method aims to deliver the maximum effective dose to the tumor cells while reducing the toxic effect on the normal cells.

Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are used as vehicles for delivering drugs that are not easily soluble, like paclitaxel. One such nanoparticle, Abraxane, won the approval of the FDA in January 2005 for treating refractory breast cancer(23 Trusted Source

Nanoparticle Albumin Bound Paclitaxel in the Treatment of Human Cancer: Nanodelivery Reaches Prime-Time?



Go to source).

Minicells

A new method makes use of the bacteria-derived minicells that helps to selectively deliver a wide range of chemotherapy drugs to specific tumour cells, using bispecific antibodies. Cancer cells absorb the drugs through the process of endocytosis. This method is in the trial stage in humans(24 Trusted Source

Bacteria-derived minicells for cancer therapy



Go to source).

Minicells are made up of a firm and, stable biological membrane and therefore, do not carry the risk of being destroyed. This reduces toxicity to the barest minimum.

There are several measures that may be adopted to make life easier during chemo(25 Trusted Source

Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle among Cancer Survivors



Go to source)

Maintain a positive attitude . Developing an understanding of the disease, the treatment modes,and the side effects will go a long way in helping the individual cope with cancer and chemotherapy. Accepting the situation also benefits the patient.

. Developing an understanding of the disease, the treatment modes,and the side effects will go a long way in helping the individual cope with cancer and chemotherapy. Accepting the situation also benefits the patient. Maintaining a diary is an intelligent way to comprehend the situation. It allows free expression of the individual's feelings and also helps to keep a track of the events and their developments.

is an intelligent way to comprehend the situation. It allows free expression of the individual's feelings and also helps to keep a track of the events and their developments. Complementary therapies , such as meditation, reduces stress and anxiety and helps withcancer treatment and its side effects of the treatment. Acupuncture and aromatherapy may also help.

, such as meditation, reduces stress and anxiety and helps withcancer treatment and its side effects of the treatment. Acupuncture and aromatherapy may also help. It is imperative that the patient rests whenever required. It is also important to spare some time to pursue hobbies that were once a passion.

whenever required. It is also important to spare some time to pursue hobbies that were once a passion. Joining a support group will definitely be very comforting, useful, and informative for a patient who is being treated for cancer.

will definitely be very comforting, useful, and informative for a patient who is being treated for cancer. Professional counseling may help some individuals cope with cancer and its treatment.

may help some individuals cope with cancer and its treatment. The patient must remember that family members are also very apprehensive about the patient's state. It will help to talk openly to them and to seek their help whenever required.

Some individuals who undergo chemotherapy find that their sexual lives are no longer the same. Emotions related to the treatment, such as stress and anxiety, chances of survival, finances, and thoughts about the family, are very common among those undergoing chemotherapy. These emotions can be very disturbing and are an anathema to sex.

Certain side effects, such as fatigue and tiredness, can also create disinterest in sex. It must be noted that most of the side effects tend to wear off after the treatment stops(26 Trusted Source

Sexual Functioning Along the Cancer Continuum: Focus Group Results from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMISa)



Go to source).

Cancer is not contagious, and undergoing chemotherapy should not prevent an individual from having or enjoying sexual activity. The drugs do not interfere with an individual's ability to indulge in sex. Some doctors believe that the drugs have an effect on the vaginal and seminal fluids. They advise their patients to use contraception for a few days after chemotherapy to protect their partner.

Cancer cannot be passed on to one's partner during sexual activity, and neither the drugs worsen the cancer. Talking to a health expert and also to one's partner will help to improve the situation.

Chemotherapy treatments may increase the risk of infertility in both men and women.

Infertility might shatter the self-esteem of an individual and prove to be very depressing. It is therefore essential to air all doubts with the doctor and include one's partner in the discussion.

Females

Chemotherapy treatments may increase the risk of infertility by bringing about menopause. In some cases, the problem may be reversed once the drugs stop. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may be given for some individuals with menopausal syndromes. This issue must be raised by the individual with the doctor and also with the partner.

In cases of pregnancy, chemotherapeutic drugs may harm the baby Therefore, effective contraceptive measures, such as condoms, must be adopted.

If a woman is pregnant during chemotherapy, it is important to discuss it with the doctor. Termination of pregnancy may be advisable. In some cases, chemotherapy is given during the later stages of pregnancy, while in others, it is postponed until after the birth of the child(27 Trusted Source

Cancer Treatment-Related Infertility: A Critical Review of the Evidence



Go to source).

Male

Some chemotherapy drugs may reduce the sperm count while other drugs affect sperm motility(28 Trusted Source

Fertility Issues in Boys and Men with Cancer



Go to source). This will affect an individual's ability to father a child, temporarily or permanently. This will however have no effect on the individual's ability to enjoy sex. If an individual is yet to father a child, his sperms may be cryo preserved or frozen in a laboratory for later use.

Testicular tumors affect men in the prime of their youth. Counseling before starting treatment should include discussion about sperm preservation.

The benefits of chemotherapy depends on the type and stage of cancer and also on the affected individual.

In early-stage cancer, surgery is performed with the intention of curing the disease. This is often followed by chemotherapy to reduce the risk of recurrence.

cancer, surgery is performed with the intention of the disease. This is often followed by chemotherapy to reduce the risk of recurrence. In the case of advanced-stage cancer, the aim of treatment is to control the cancer by controlling the symptoms. This enhances survival and ensures a better quality of life.

There are disadvantages as well -

Chemotherapy causes a number of side effects that can be extremely uncomfortable for the patient.This may be discussed with the doctor. There are several medications available that control these symptoms(   Trusted Source

The Most Common Side Effects Experienced by Patients Were Receiving First Cycle of Chemotherapy



Go to source Trusted Source 29

Some people may not benefit from the treatment but will not be spared the side-effects. Palliative care is usually given to such people.

from the treatment but will not be spared the side-effects. Palliative care is usually given to such people. The patient may be required to travel to a distant place to get treated.

to a distant place to get treated. Although the majority of the chemotherapy drugs can be administered to an individual as a day patient at the hospital, some treatments will require

The treatment may not improve the overall prognosis of the cancer and may not necessarily increase the life span of a person.

Sometimes the quality of life degradeswhen on palliative chemotherapy, and if it is unlikely to improve the life span, one needs to ask if it is worth taking the treatment.

Some chemotherapy regimenscan lead to death in a small group of patients, and one needs to understand these grave consequences before starting the treatment.

Chemotherapy can result in:

Fatigue

Lack of appetite List of Drugs that may cause Loss Of Appetite (Anorexia)

Nausea

Bowel difficulties such as constipation or diarrhoea

Hair loss

Mouth sores

Skin and nail problems

You can have difficulty concentrating or remembering things. There may also be nerve and muscular symptoms as well as alterations in hearing. You will be more susceptible to infections.

Chemotherapy can have long-term effects on the body. Some of these changes may occur months or years after the treatment is completed. Early menopause, infertility, changes in feeling in your hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy), and heart and lung problems are all possible late side effects.

Chemotherapy will be administered only with the patient's permission. Before undergoing chemotherapy, the details of the treatment will be explained to the patient who will then be asked to sign a consent form. This denotes the permission given by the patient to be treated through chemotherapy. Before signing the form, the patient should be informed about the following(30 Trusted Source

Informed Consent and Chemotherapy



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Nature and duration of the treatment

Advantages and disadvantages of the treatment

Benefits of the treatment

Risks involved

Possibilities of other treatments

The treatment will begin only after getting consent. Chemotherapy is often complex, so repeated explanations might be required. A list of questions about your condition, the treatment plan, its duration, and any side effects and how one can cope with them should be prepared before seeing the doctor or nurse. Taking along a friend or a relative may be useful for the patient.

Alternatively, the patient might decide not to have the treatment. This decision needs to be conveyed to the doctor, who will then explain the outcomes of not taking the treatment. The patient's decision is then recorded in the medical charts.

Infection, bleeding, and skin concerns are all possibilities. You must take care of yourself to stay healthy after chemotherapy. This includes, among other things, practising oral hygiene and preventing infections(31 Trusted Source

After chemotherapy - discharge



Go to source).

Understand how to cook and store foods safely.

When eating out, be cautious. Consume no raw vegetables, meat, seafood, or anything else you are unsure about.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, including after being outside.

After coming into contact with bodily secretions such as mucus or blood.

Keep your house tidy. Keep clear of large crowds. Visitors with a cold should wear a mask or refrain from visiting. perform, not do yard work or deal with flowers or plants.

Be cautious with pets and animals.

Keep your cat inside if you have one.

Have someone else change your cat's litter box on a daily basis.

Don't roughhouse with cats. Infections can occur from scratches and bites.

Keep puppies, kittens, and other young animals away from you.

Other things you may do to be healthy include knowing how to care for a central venous line or PICC (peripherally implanted central catheter) line.

If your platelet count remains low, learn ways to prevent bleeding during cancer treatment from your doctor.

Walk to stay active. Gradually increase your distance based on your energy level.

Consume enough protein and calories to maintain your weight.

Inquire with your provider about liquid food supplements that can assist you in getting enough calories and nutrients.

Be cautious when out in the sun. Wear a wide-brimmed hat. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to any exposed skin.

Don't smoke.

Mouth Care

Maintaining good oral hygiene is important as chemotherapy might result in dry mouth or mouth sores. This can increase the amount of bacteria in your mouth. Bacteria in your mouth can cause illness, which can spread to other parts of your body.
About General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is an assistive procedure to a surgery that is done to induce a state of deep sleep and unconsciousness in the patient. It involves administering certain medications so the patient is unaware of the pain that accompanies the surgery. Anesthetic agents are known to affect multiple sites in the central nervous system in order to cause loss of pain signals and reflexes that occurs once they are given.

The word "anesthesia" comes from a Greek word meaning no feeling. Different techniques of anesthesia can be used depending on the complexity of the procedure. Hence, the type of anesthesia depends on whether it is as major as a heart surgery or an ultra short procedure such as tooth extraction. Anesthesia blocks painful sensory and motor signals traveling to and from the nervous system and thereby induces a state of loss of sensation.

The type of anesthesia that is to be delivered will mainly depend on:

The general health condition of the patient

The location of surgery and its anticipated risks

A careful consultation with the anesthetist and surgeon can help determine the type of anesthesia that is required for a particular procedure.

General anesthesia is usually administered when there is a need for more extensive surgery. This form of anesthesia is nothing more than putting a patient to sleep until the surgery is over. While this is being done, the patients vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, urine output and cardiac function are constantly monitored.

General anesthesia is usually administered intravenously or through inhalation or a combination of both. From the time the anesthesia is given, the patient will not be in a conscious state and hence will not be aware of anything during the surgery. Following this, a curved tube called the endotracheal tube or the breathing tube is placed into the windpipe.

The tube is connected to a ventilator or an anesthesia machine that delivers oxygen and removes carbon-dioxide from the lungs. The set up ensures the continuous delivery of oxygen and anesthetic gases. The ventilator monitor can be used to determine whether the tube is properly positioned and whether adequate ventilation is provided throughout the surgery.

During the entire surgical procedure the heart rate, blood pressure and the oxygen level in blood are evaluated through monitors.

Inhalation anesthetics are either volatile liquids or gases that are delivered via an anesthesia machine where oxygen, the anesthetic agent and ambient air are combined before delivering. Some compounds that are still in widespread use today are:

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Injectable anaesthetics are mostly given as intravenous injections since they have a faster action and are more reliable than intramuscular or subcutaneous injections. Some widely used drugs are:

Propofol

Barbiturates such as methohexital and thiopentone

Etomidate

Ketamine

Benzodiazepines such as midazolam are sedatives that are used in combinations with other general anesthetics.

At the end of the surgery, the anesthesiologist essentially reverses the effects of the anesthetic drugs.

Following surgery, the patient is allowed to wake up and the tube is taken out only after the anaesthetist is reassured that they can breathe on their own.

Following this, the patient is shifted to the recovery room where all the vital signs are monitored. Nurses will be there to assist in case of any need. Usually, after an hour or so, the patient will be shifted back to a general ward.

The nurses and the doctors in the ward will provide instructions regarding the precautions to be taken and give other advice regarding food and medication.

It is best to avoid solid foods on the day of the surgery; in some cases the patient will be allowed to sip fluids once they are back in the ward. However, if they have nausea this is best avoided.

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With improvements in the field of medicine and technology, anesthesia is a very safe procedure. The risks can be minimized in most of the cases.

It is very important to communicate any previous history of kidney, heart or lung problem, stroke, smoking, alcohol status, previous blood transfusions, high blood pressure, diabetes, jaundice and other psychiatric disorders if any to the doctor. A report of previous surgery and anesthetic experience would also be very valuable. The doctor can then decide accordingly depending on whether there has been an allergic reaction to a particular anesthetic medication before or not. Information on dentures or other artificial implants would be critical.

The medication that one is taking can either increase or decrease the risk of blood loss during surgery. For example, the drug aspirin can increase bleeding complications during surgery. This may need to be stopped a few days prior to the surgery.

If all the points mentioned above are carefully examined, then the risk is very minimum. In some rare cases, allergic reactions to the administered drugs may occur. However, the medical team is well equipped to tackle any emergency. Usually, a small initial dose is given to check for such allergies before the entire medicine is used.

Anesthesia does affect the function of the heart and lungs and there can be unfortunate cases where a person is more susceptible and can end up having a major complication. However this is a very rare event.

Most people do not experience any problems following surgery and anesthesia. Serious complications of an anesthetic are very rare.

Minor and temporary side effects may be experienced in some cases. This will again depend upon the surgery performed and the overall health status of the individual.

Drowsiness: A feeling of drowsiness is not uncommon following anesthetic administration. It wears off quickly following the surgery.

Pain and discomfort: A mild discomfort at the site of the surgery is usually felt in some cases. This can be effectively managed by medications used for pain relief.

Nausea and vomiting: As a result of modern anesthetic drugs, nausea and vomiting after an operation are sometimes more common.

However, there is an answer to all the above common complications with improved patient care. Complications are more likely to occur when anesthesia is given for a prolonged period in major surgeries.

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Chest Infection: This is more likely if there is a long operation in the chest or abdomen regions. Early mobilisation and chest physiotherapy can help in overcoming the problems.

Deep Vein Thrombosis: This is another complication that can occur due to the stasis / stagnancy of blood in the lower limbs and the blood clotting in the veins. To prevent this, early mobilisation is advised. Even when in the bed the patient should move their toes and limbs to improve the circulation.
63 more people in vehicle registration centers and vehicle renovation businesses have been arrested over allegations regarding registration violations.

The police of HCMC on Sunday said these people are being investigated for giving, receiving and brokering bribes, as well as creating and using fake documents and seals.

Since an investigation has been launched in December 2022 regarding vehicle registration violations nationwide, 318 people have been arrested over numerous charges, including power abuse, corruption and property appropriation. By the end of 2023, police forces of 49 localities have launched investigations into 114 criminal cases, with over 800 suspects.

Two former heads of the Vietnam Register, Tran Ky Hinh and Dang Viet Ha, are being investigated for receiving bribes.

By August last year, the Party Committee of the Vietnam Registered had expelled 47 people out of the Party and suspended activities for 24 Party members who had made violations in vehicle registration.

The Vietnam Registration, under the Ministry of Transport, is in charge of registering vehicles used for inland, railway and waterway transportation. It is also responsible for evaluating safety criteria of vehicles.
What is Liver Transplantation?

Liver transplantation is a surgical option for the treatment of liver failure where the surgeon replaces the diseased liver with a healthy one. The transplant ensures a better quality of life for the recipient.

Currently, the liver for transplantation is obtained from two different groups of donors.

Living donors:

In this case, it is possible for a liver failure patient to receive a liver from his/her blood relative. The rate of success is better if the liver is obtained from a first degree relative (father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter).

Ideally it is important to match the tissue of the recipient with the donor so that the body will not reject it at a later stage. If a patient does not have any matched first-degree donor, then other relatives can be approached.

Only a segment of the liver from the donor would be transplanted to the recipient, as there is only one liver in the human body. The liver in the donor as well as in the recipient would then grow, as it has an excellent regenerative capacity.

Under exceptional circumstances, and only when it is medically and ethically acceptable to do so, it might be possible to consider a living unrelated donor for a liver transplantation as the supply of the organ far exceeds the demand. The procedure can be done if better results are anticipated when compared to a cadaveric organ donation and an enduring relationship exists between the donor and the recipient.

Such unrelated donation requires the permission of an authorization committee. This ensures prevention of any illicit trading of human organs.

Cadaveric donors:

This kind of donation is usually seen following a road traffic accident or an irreversible injury or tumor of the brain. In these individuals, a part of the brain known as the brain stem fails to function. If this happens, the patient is said to be brain dead. These patients are usually in the intensive care on ventilators and provided with artificial support and cannot be revived by any known means.

It has now been accepted that brain death equates in medical and ethical terms to the death of an individual. Following brain death, the brain stops functioning, however some solid and critical organs like the heart,lungs, liver, kidneys, and lungs may still continue to function. It is therefore possible to obtain organs for donation from such individuals as neither consciousness nor spontaneous respiration is possible in the absence of a functional brain stem.

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Brain death is different from coma, as a comatose patient has chances of revival and recovery, whereas a person who is brain dead cannot be revived by any known means.

The patient's relatives are explained about the condition of the patient and requested for organ donation. Following their consent, it might be possible to retrieve the organs to be transplanted into a needy patient. The diagnosis of brain death can only be made when certain medical criteria have been met.

There is an increasing need to spread awareness about this concept of organ donation as most of the organs from potential brain dead donors often get wasted.

More than 17,000 people are on the waiting list to get a liver transplant in the United States. While 6000 odd patients have their liver transplanted every year in the United States, around 1700 patients die waiting for it.

Among the transplanted livers, 80% of them are still functioning after 1 year and about 65% of them are functioning after 5 years.

Around 200 patients receive liver from living donors every year while around 6000 patients receive them from deceased donors.

The living donor has a 38% chance of a complication due to the transplant and the risk of dying from it is 1 in 500.

When the functioning of the liver is inadequate to meet the requirements of the body, a condition called liver failure sets in. It can either happen suddenly (acute liver failure for example following consumption of heavy poisonous substances or due to drug toxicity or it can occur over a prolonged period of time (chronic liver failure; like cirrhosis of the liver).

The liver is the largest organ in the human body and is situated below the diaphragm, on the right side of the abdomen. It would not be an exaggeration if the liver were compared to a very large chemical factory. In fact, it participates in more chemical reactions than that happens inside any factory.

The liver functions -

Plays a vital role in the detoxification process , and helps remove toxins and drugs from the blood.

, and helps remove toxins and drugs from the blood. Produces several biologically important compounds such as bile that helps infat digestion, as well as certain specific proteins and vitamin absorption).

that helps infat digestion, as well as certain specific and vitamin absorption). Plays a major role in the metabolic process - it breaks down complex food particles into smaller ones in such a way that the human body can use it.

- it breaks down complex food particles into smaller ones in such a way that the human body can use it. Serves as a storage organ for sugar (glucose), minerals and other substances.

for sugar (glucose), minerals and other substances. Plays a very important role in the clotting of blood (we would otherwise bleed to death even after a small injury) by the production of several compounds required for the same.

Due to the role it plays in the human body, it is vital to preserve our liver. The following conditions may give rise to liver failure:

Inflammation of the liver over a prolonged time period.

Cirrhosis of the liver.

Disorder of the immune system, in which the bile duct gets badly affected and destroyed (autoimmune disorder), eventually leading to liver failure. This condition is referred to as primary biliary cirrhosis.

Structural abnormality of the bile duct, called biliary atresia. In this condition there is either an absence or a closure of the bile duct opening. This is most commonly seen in children.

Chronic alcohol intake, eventually leading to cirrhosis and liver failure.

Congenital disorders of copper metabolism, leading to excess deposition of copper throughout the body including the liver (Wilson's disease, Menke's disease).

Liver cancer

After a diagnosis of liver failure is made, the patient is referred to a transplant unit. The doctor will evaluate the patients condition and assess the need for a liver transplant. Certain tests will be conducted to check if the patient can undergo a liver transplant without any complication. The functioning of other organs such as the heart, kidney, and lungs are also evaluated. The tests include:

Blood tests like liver function tests and tests for HIV or hepatitis.

Imaging tests like computed tomography (CT scan) and ultrasound.

Ultrasound to determine blood flow to the liver.

Echocardiogram or ECG to evaluate cardiac function.

Pulmonary function studies (PFT) to determine the functioning of the lungs.

If the patient opts for a deceased donor transplant then the name is entered in an organ transplant waiting list registry and is assigned a priority score depending on the medical condition. Two scoring systems determine the priority of the patient during this waiting time. The Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) is used for people aged 12 years and older and the Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease (PELD) is used for children under the age of 12 years. Specific blood tests are used to compute these scores. The childs age as well as its degree of growth failure are also considered while computing PELD. Scores for MELD range from 6 to 40 while scores for PELD range from negative numbers to 99.

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A higher score indicates a more urgent need for transplant. The score indicates whether a person is likely to die within the next 90 days without a transplant.

People who are critically ill with acute liver failure and are likely to die within a week are given the highest priority for liver transplant.

The complete details of the patient such as the blood type and tissue type are registered. In case of donor availability, the most eligible patient will be contacted for the liver transplantation.

An ideal liver is one that is obtained from a living or a dead person who has no risk or very little risk of transmitting an infectious disease or cancer.

A donor liver is also considered a non-ideal if there is a higher risk of the liver not working well following the transplant. A non-ideal liver is also one that carries a higher risk of transmitting an infection or cancer.

Patients are sometimes offered such non ideal livers if the risk of dying from waiting is more than the risk from a non-ideal liver.

Examples of Non-ideal liver are -

If the donor has been infected with hepatitis B or C .

. If the donor has had cancer.

If the donor has used IV drugs or had sex with a high-risk partner in the past one year.

or had sex with a high-risk partner in the past one year. If the liver obtained is a split one, is from an older patient

If the liver donation happened after circulatory or cardiac death.

Not all individuals with liver failure can undergo a liver transplantation. Certain conditions can make a patient unfit for the surgery and these include:

Presence of a large cancer in the liver

Presence of a malignancy (cancer) in any other part of the body

in any other part of the body Presence of an active infection

Presence of severe heart, lung or kidney disease

Presence of advanced HIV disease (AIDS)

Continued usage of alcohol or inability to comply to the recommendations made by the doctor would also exclude a patient from having a transplant. Normally a patient should be of alcohol for at least 3 to 6 months before they will b taken up for transplant surgery.

Before the Transplant -

During the waiting period, constant and regular follow ups are essential. To improve the chances for successful surgery, it is best to lead a healthy lifestyle ( example - stop alcohol & smoking) and maintain a positive attitude to life during this period.

If a suitable donor is identified,the hospital staff would contact the patient regarding the possibility of a liver transplantation, and a hospital admission will be made. Following admission, a number of blood tests and other specialized tests are done to assess the clinical condition of the patient.

The tissue of the donor and the recipient are tested for compatibility. The patient is also assessed by the anesthetist, who notes a complete medical and surgical history of the patient. Suitable instructions are given to the patient to be followed the day before the liver transplant is scheduled.

During the Transplant -

Two different medical and surgical teams work together to ensure the success of the liver transplantation. One team of surgeons and anesthetists prepare the potential recipient for the surgery, while the other team works on the removal of a liver segment from the donor.

The surgery on the recipient is performed under general anesthesia and can take anywhere between 4 to 14 hours. After a cut in the upper abdomen, the diseased liver is disconnected from its blood vessels and the common bile duct, and removed. The recipients blood vessels and bile duct are then attached to the donors liver, which is placed in the same location where the diseased one was located.

As liver transplantation is a major surgery, it would not be possible to move around during the next 24 or 48 hours. Several tubes are placed around the recipient's body to enable post-operative recovery. This ensures that the functioning of the body can go on without any compromise.

A tube is placed through the mouth into the windpipe to enable breathing. This is most commonly attached to a machine called the respirator that will help in breathing by contraction and relaxation of the lungs.The function of the bowel cannot resume immediately following the surgery. To aid in bowel function, a tube called the nasogastric tube would be placed through the nose, into the stomach.

Intravenous fluid will also be administered to provide hydration and nutrition.

In addition, a urinary catheter to drain the urine from the bladder would also be placed. This can be removed a few days after the surgery.

Furthermore, synthetic tubes would be placed around the abdomen to drain the blood and other fluids from in and around the liver. This can be removed after 1 week.

Post Transplant -

After the first few days in the intensive care unit (ICU), the patient is usually shifted into a single private room. A liver transplant patient will be expected to stay in the hospital for around 1 to 2 weeks.

The presence of infection, postoperative complications and the recovery of the patient are factors that play a critical role in planning the discharge.

During discharge, the patient is instructed about medications. Written instructions are usually given by most transplants units (called a discharge summary). It is very important to follow the instructions given by the doctor and take the appropriate medicines in time to ensure a better quality of life.

The drugs to prevent the rejection (immunosuppressive drugs) of the liver are required to be taken for rest of the life and SHOULD NOT BE STOPPED or the dose changed unless the doctor has been consulted.

Once a major surgery like liver transplant takes place, a lifelong follow up is required.

The first visit to the hospital is usually recommended after one or two weeks. However, if there is any fever or discharge from the wound or if the patient feels unwell for any other reason they would be advised to report back to the hospital immediately.

A contact telephone number of the unit should be kept handy in event of the necessity to contact either the doctors or the unit nurse.

During the first visit, the doctor examines the wound and removes the surgical sutures (stitches) if the wound has healed properly. Any problems faced by the recipient after surgery can be discussed with the doctor at this time. Subsequent visits are scheduled at the end of one month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, one year, 18 months and so on for life.

During these visits, blood tests to check the liver and the general state of health, ultrasound scans and x-rays may be undertaken. The immunosuppressant dosage may also be altered. In the long run, the dosage is gradually brought down.

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Rejection of the transplanted liver:

In case of transplants, drugs called immunosuppressants have to be given to suppress the natural tendency of the body to fight the foreign tissue, called immunity. Some of these have to be taken throughout the lifetime of the patient to prevent rejection.

Sometimes despite the drugs, the immune system identifies the liver as non-self and starts reacting against it aggressively and destroys it. This is called rejection.

Rejection can happen immediately after the surgery or a few days, months or even several years after the surgery. The rejection is diagnosed by blood tests and by a biopsy and can usually be controlled by additional medications or by increasing the dosage of medicines. The immunosuppressants drugs have to be taken throughout the lifetime of the patient to prevent rejection.

Increased chances of infection: The immune system of a patient who is receiving immunosuppressants is compromised, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections. The incidence of these infections can be prevented if appropriate care is taken such as wearing masks, avoiding exposure to contaminated places and so on. The medications may also cause other side effects like bone thinning and increased chances of diabetes.

Other complications include:

Leakage of bile

Bleeding

Chest infections

Blockage of blood vessels by formation of blood clots

Recurrence of the liver disease in the transplanted liver

The outlook of patients who have undergone a liver transplant is good.

Among the transplanted livers, 80% of them are still functioning after 1 year and about 65% of them are functioning after 5 years.

Several patients are able to return to routine activities after recovering a few months following the surgery.

However, the outlook is dependent on -


Australia is on high alert as a measles outbreak unfolds, prompting increased vigilance and public health measures in response to the emerging cases. #measles #Australia 

Measles: Fresh Insights

  Trusted Source

Measles



Go to source Trusted Source

Did You Know?

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection with symptoms including fever, cough, and a distinctive red rash. Vaccination is a crucial preventive measure against it.

Measles - (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/measles/symptoms-causes/syc-20374857)

The health authorities in the state of Victoria, Australia, issued a public alert following the identification of five measles cases in the state capital, Melbourne.Between February 19 and March 1, the five patients attended several public venues while infectious, including Melbourne Airport, Craigieburn Post Office, and Monash University, Xinhua news agency reported.One of the newly confirmed cases also traveled to New South Wales and visited Sydney's central business area during a one-day stay, triggering another health alert for local communities.the Victorian Department of Health warned in a statement. Symptoms of measles include fever cough , sore or red eyes, runny nose, and a red maculopapular rash. They may appear between seven and 18 days after an exposure.People who had been exposed to the listed sites during the specified dates and times were urged to monitor for any related symptoms.The health authority also noted that overseas travels could lead to exposure to measles at the current time, as outbreaks of the highly infectious disease have been recently reported in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the US.Source-IANS
Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis will hold a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Filip Ivanovic tomorrow, Monday, March 11, at 12:00 pm.



Following the expanded talks between the delegations, the two Ministers will deliver joint statements to the press at approximately 1:20 p.m., and a working lunch will be held.
On March 11, 2024, within the framework of the political dialogue between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Greece and Turkiye, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou, and the Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Burak Akcapar, will hold discussions in Ankara.



Talks will focus on bilateral relations between Greece and Turkiye, as well as regional and international developments.


Press Release

March 10, 2024 Villar cites importance of poultry industry; seeks help for farmers SAYING that poultry and egg productions are vital in food security, sustainability and poverty reduction, Sen. Cynthia Villar underlined the need to always seek ways to help our farmers. Speaking during the United Broiler Raisers Association (UMBRA) and the Philippine Egg Board Association events in Quezon City last March 6, Villar stressed the country's poultry industry is a major contributor to the economy. She said the Philippine broiler industry comprises 20% small farms and 80% commercial farms, with 588 registered poultry farms and approximately 175 meat processors. She noted poultry farming in the Philippines is projected to have a bright future. "Our total chicken inventory is composed of native/improved chicken- 43.3 percent, broiler chicken- 34.5 percent share, and layer chicken with 22.2 percent share," she said. The highest chicken inventory was noted in Central Luzon with 33.68 million birds, followed by CALABARZON with 27.32 million birds and Northern Mindanao with 25.87 million birds. "These 3 regions accounted for 43.4 percent share to the country's total chicken inventory. Western Visayas has the highest 12.91 million birds which are native/improved variety." Central Luzon reported the highest inventory of broiler chicken with 18.48 million birds, while CALABARZON had the highest layer chicken stocks with 16.35 million birds. "Improved Genetics and Breeding, Good Farm Management, Excellent Nutrition, Feeding and an effective biosecurity with complete vaccination program will prevent highly contagious diseases from entering the farm, reduce mortality and increase the overall health of poultry sector," said Villar, chairperson of the Senate Agriculture and Food committee. To further boost the poultry industry. she cited the Livestock, Poultry and Dairy bill which seeks to strengthen the livestock industry to promote its development, protection and regulatory functions. She said a twin bill- the Corn Industry Development Bill, is at the final stage at the Senate. This intends to improve the availability, profitability and development of corn farming. She said corn in animal feeds go up to as high as 60 percent for chicken and pigs. "Our corn requirement for livestock and poultry feeds is imported. We have to increase production and lower cost of inputs to make our farmers earn more and be competitive," she further stated. Villar, ipinunto ang kahalagahan ng poultry industry; humingi ng tulong para sa mga magsasaka DAHIL sa mahalaga ang poultry at egg production sa food security, sustainability at poverty reduction , ipinunto ni Sen. Cynthia Villar na kailangang palaging tulungan ang ating mga magsasaka. Sa kanyang pananalita sa United Broiler Raisers Association (UMBRA) at Philippine Egg Board Association events sa Quezon City nitong March 6, tinukoy ni Villar angpoultry industry na pangunahing contributor sa ating ekonomiya. Binubuo ang broiler industry ng 20% na maliliit na sakahan at 80% na komersyal na sakahan na may 588 registered poultry farms at 175 meat processors. Inaasahang gaganda ang hinaharap ng poultry farming sa Pilipinas. "Our total chicken inventory is composed of native/improved chicken- 43.3 percent, broiler chicken- 34.5 percent share, and layer chicken with 22.2 percent share," ayon kay Villar. Ang Central Luzon na may 33.68 million birds ang may pinakamataas na chicken inventory. Sinundan ito ng CALABARZON na may 27.32 million birds at Northern Mindanao na may 25.87 million birds. "These 3 regions accounted for 43.4 percent share to the country's total chicken inventory. Western Visayas has the highest 12.91 million birds which are native/improved variety," pahayag din ng chairperson ng Senate Committee on agriculture and food. Iniulat na ang Central Luzon ang may pinakamataas na inventory ng broiler chicken na 18.48 million samantalang ang CALABARZON ang may pinakamataas na layer chicken stocks na 16.35 million birds. "Improved Genetics and Breeding, Good Farm Management, Excellent Nutrition, Feeding and an effective biosecurity with complete vaccination program will prevent highly contagious diseases from entering the farm, reduce mortality and increase the overall health of poultry sector," sabi pa ni Villar. Para mas palaguin ang poultry industry,binanggit ni Villar ang Livestock, Poultry and Dairy bill na naglalayong palakasin ang livestick industry upang isulong ang pag-unlad, protection at regulatory functions nito. Inihayag din niya na nasa final stage sa Senado ang twin bill nito - ang Corn Industry Development Bill. Layunin nito na pabutihin ang availability, profitability at development ng corn farming. Aniya, tumataas ng 60%ang mais sa animal feeds para sa manok at baboy.! "Our corn requirement for livestock and poultry feeds is imported. We have to increase production and lower cost of inputs to make our farmers earn more and be competitive," sabi pa ng senador.
Processed vegetable, fruit exports boom as China, South Korea, US step up imports

Exports of processed vegetables and fruits have risen sharply this year with China, South Korea and the U.S. importing more of them than in the same period last year.

The global demand for Vietnamese processed fruits and vegetables has increased since the beginning of this year, according to Nguyen Van Thu, chairman of food producer GC Food.

"My company's export revenues have increased by 10% year-on-year and we have received a number of large orders."

Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha, CEO of food manufacturer Westfood, which operates mainly in the Mekong Delta, said her firms exports have been up nearly 50% year-on-year in the first two months.

Exports to Europe, America, Australia, and New Zealand have all grown strongly, she said.

Canned products exports to the U.S. increased sevenfold, she said.

Even exports to Europe, which has a slew of technical barriers, grew by 30%.

Vinamit, a company specializing in exports of dried fruits to China, has seen a steady flow of orders, according to its CEO Nguyen Lam Vien.

Exports of processed fruits and vegetables have topped US$1 billion for the last two years, according to the Vietnam Fruits and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit).

Last year they were worth nearly US$1.3 billion after rising by 20% from 2022.

Businesses in the sector said the figure could further rise this year as many rivals such as Thailand, Peru and Ecuador have recently seen vegetable and fruit production hit by the El Nino phenomenon.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, Vinafruits general secretary, expected exports to soar to $2 billion this year since Vietnamese frozen durian has been approved for official imports by China.

Concurring, Vien expected exports of frozen banana, jackfruit and durian to boom.

The Middle East, Eastern Europe and India are some other promising markets that have a fondness for Vietnamese fruit and vegetable products, he added.

To ensure they have adequate supply for exports, processing businesses have been working with farmers to secure adequate supply and expanding production.

GC Food has, for instance, expanded its production capacity to 25,000 tons of aloe vera and 20,000 tons of coconut jelly.

Vinamit is planning to acquire a 1,000-hectare farm in the Mekong Delta to grow MD2 pineapple, mango and papaya.

But experts warned that Vietnams exports could face some challenges this year, most notably the rising shipping costs resulting from the ongoing Red Sea tensions.

Shipping costs from Vietnam to Europe have risen by three to five times from a year ago.

Processed fruits and vegetables account for 24% of Vietnams total exports, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The global market for the products is growing and expected to reach $392 billion by 2025.
CAIRO (AP)  A Sudanese paramilitary group battling the countrys military in a nearly yearlong ruinous conflict endorsed Saturday a resolution by the U.N. Security Council calling for a cease-fire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The group, known as the Rapid Support Forces, said in a statement that it hopes the resolution, adopted by the U.N. Security Council on Friday, would help deliver crucially needed humanitarian assistance to millions of Sudanese trapped in the fighting across the Northeastern African country.

Ramadan, during which adult Muslims are required to fast from dawn to sunset, is expected to start on or around Monday, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon.

The RSF said it views the initiative as a crucial opportunity for the warring parties to embark on negotiations to find a political settlement to the conflict.

We view this as a crucial opportunity to initiate earnest discussions that could catalyze a political pathway. This pathway must culminate in a durable ceasefire, foster security and stability, and result in a substantive resolution that addresses the foundational issues of the historical crisis in Sudan, it said.

Sudan's military has already supported a call by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for a Ramadan cease-fire. In his Thursday appeal, Guterres warned Thursday that the conflict threatens Sudans unity and could ignite regional instability of dramatic proportions.

Sudan plunged into chaos in April last year, when long-simmering tensions between its military, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo broke into street battles in the capital, Khartoum. The fighting broke out during Ramadan last year.

Fighting spread to other parts of the country, especially urban areas, but in Sudans western Darfur region it took on a different form, with brutal attacks by the Arab-dominated Rapid Support Forces on ethnic African civilians. Thousands of people have been killed.

The 15-member Security Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of the British-drafted cease-fire resolution, with 14 countries in support and only Russia abstaining. The resolution expressed grave concern over the spreading violence and the catastrophic and deteriorating humanitarian situation, including crisis levels, or worse, of acute food insecurity, particularly in Darfur.

The head of the World Food Program, Cindy McCain, said earlier this week that the conflict risks creating the worlds largest hunger crisis, with some 18 million people across Sudan facing acute hunger, including 5 million who face starvation.

The conflict has uprooted more than 10 million people either to safer areas inside Sudan or to neighboring countries, according to U.N. agencies. South Sudan received 600,000 people who fled the fighting in Sudan.
OAKLAND COUNTY, MI  An investigation is underway after a 27-year-old man died in a shooting at a hotel, Michigan State Police said.

The Detroit Regional Communication Center was notified of a shooting around 10:20 a.m. Saturday, March 9, that happened at the Baymont Inn, 11000 West 8 Mile Road, in Royal Oak Township.

When troopers arrived, the suspect already fled from the hotel. The 27-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other injuries were reported, and the shooting remains under investigation.

Authorities ask anyone with any information to call the Michigan State Police tip hotline at 855-MICH-TIP or Crime Stoppers at 800-SPEAK-UP.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI -- Police arrested on Saturday afternoon an armed man suspected in a January shooting after a pursuit and search involving several agencies.

Officers from the City of Brighton Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle around 1:55 p.m. Saturday, March 9, near the intersection of W. Grand River Avenue and Challis Road after discovering the driver had multiple warrants for his arrest, police said in a release.

The man was wanted by the Eastpointe Police Department for shooting that took place in January, police said without releasing details. Eastpointe is in Macomb County.

Although officers pursued the vehicle through the city, they lost sight of the vehicle briefly. They stopped the pursuit before locating the unoccupied vehicle parked around 2:05 p.m. off Advance Street.

Police then set up a perimeter to contain the suspect in the area, as well as deployed drones and two K9 units.

The suspect was arrested around 3:41 p.m., police said. He was armed with a pistol when he arrested.

The man was lodged in the Livingston County Jail without incident.

The Brighton City Police Department was aided by officers from the Livingston County Sheriffs Office, Michigan State Police, Hamburg Township Police Department, Green Oak Township Police Department and the Novi Police Department.

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WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI  Webster Townships roots are in farming. Its logo is a barn. Through a dedicated tax, its residents have helped conserve more than 2,700 acres of open space, lots of it farmland.

But the rural community some 10 miles from Ann Arbor has told a handful of property owners they cant have chickens, cows and other livestock on their land because their lots arent big enough, even taking some of them to court to enforce violations.

Thats frustrated some Webster residents, who packed the township hall on Tuesday, March 5 to pepper their elected leaders with questions during a special session officials organized for that purpose.

It seems a little strange that out here in rural Washtenaw County that were telling people that have three or four acres that they cant have chickens, resident Bill Sullivan said at the gathering.

Sullivan was referencing a provision of the townships zoning rules that the township has interpreted to prohibit the keeping of poultry, goats, cows and a slew of other animals on properties under five acres, even those zoned for agriculture.

Webster officials have initiated legal proceedings against owners of an historic farmstead just down the road from township hall to enforce the rules, arguing they must expand their property or boot their livestock.

Children feed animals at Cottonwood Farm in Webster Township, Michigan, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.comChristina Merrill | MLive.com

A judge sided with the township in January, but the residents, a group of Catholic families living together on the Cottonwood Farm property, have vowed to appeal.

Read more: Livestock at historic Washtenaw County farmstead violate township rules, judge rules

Another resident, Stefanie Van Steenis, said Tuesday she recently had to rid her property of chickens after keeping the birds for more than eight years, thanks to a township violation notice. The Humane Society came to collect them, she said.

In Ann Arbor, residents can keep chickens in areas the size of dog kennels, she said. It seems like we could do bigger issues than worrying about chickens.

The townhall-style meeting lasted some three hours and covered a range of topics, from questions about township home-based business regulations to discussion of emergency sirens and ordinance enforcement. But livestock loomed large throughout.

The townships logo, a barn framed by two grain silos, was created in a farmhouse just about a mile from the township hall, said one Webster resident, Merri Rose.

If we are not going to be a township that supports farms to the most of our ability, then maybe we need a new logo, I dont know. I would hope that we can keep this one and that we can do a lot more for smaller farms, Rose told township leaders.

Another resident, Barbara Webb, said she had chosen Webster as a home after careful consideration because of it seemed friendly to agriculture.

The township has had a farmland and open space preservation program since 2005, attracting more than $15 million in outside grants to buy development rights and protect property, including in the Ann Arbor greenbelt.

We like the idea of all the young families that live here that want to farm but cant afford 100 acres, Webb said. Dont we want our kids raising chickens and eating the fresh eggs and stuff instead of on their screens all the time?

The seven-member township board listened attentively as several dozen residents spoke, also responding to direct questions.

Several board members emphasized that township rules must strike a balance between protecting landowners rights and ensuring those of surrounding property owners also respected.

I agree that there should be personal property rights, and you should be able to do anything. But  you shouldnt be able to infringe upon the person next door, township Supervisor John Kingsley said.

Enforcement of zoning rules is largely complaint-driven, he added.

No resident at the meeting, however, came forward to champion the regulation.

What we have to look for, the term that was used several times tonight, is a balance between your rights and your neighbors rights, Kingsley said. The board, and obviously the planning commission, has to look at what we can do in terms of codifying rules to make that happen.

When it comes to the keeping of farm animals, that process has been underway for well over a year.

Township leaders received a recommendation for new rules allowing certain animals on smaller agricultural and residential properties from Websters planning commission in March 2023. Chickens kept for personal use would be an option on even the smallest properties, subject to some restrictions, according to the draft ordinance amendment.

But, while the townships zoning violation case against Cottonwood farm advanced, the township board tabled the changes and didnt revisit them, according to meeting minutes.

On Tuesday, residents confronted board members with pointed questions over why the changes havent come back for debate while property owners continue to be cited for violating the current rules.

One of reasons that it hasnt been addressed is because there is considerable difference of opinion on this board as to what is appropriate, said township Trustee John Westman. He, for example, has issues with an allowance for some larger animals on small properties, Westman said.

Still, Westman added, he wasnt aware of the level of concern that existed over the issue, and he would advocate for the new rules to come back for debate in March or April.

I think we need to look at it, based on what we heard, added Trustee Dan Munzel.

With the pending litigation, the ordinance changes have not been revisited because the township was waiting for specific legal guidance, said Trustee Shelly Vrsek. Even if thats still the case, she favored moving the draft further along, she said.

The issue isnt likely to go away anytime soon.

Hopefully you get the sense that theres a profound lack of trust, said resident Pat Schloss, who runs a family farm in Webster Township.

Residents surrounded by hundreds of acres of conserved farmland are being cited under the current rules, he said. That sounds stupid, right? Well, thats whats happening in our township.

Township leaders concluded the meeting by thanking the dozens in attendance for sharing their thoughts.

Whenever we make a decision, were going to tick off a lot of people, Kingsley said before the meeting adjourned. My guiding star as a member of this township board is whats best for the township long-term. Not for me, but the township.

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BERRIEN COUNTY, MI -- A major I-94 project is beginning this week in Southwest Michigan, the start of three years of construction.

On Monday, March 11, work begins on rebuilding 8.5 miles of I-94 and four bridges, as well as repairing nine other bridges, between Puetz Road in Stevensville and Britain Avenue in Benton Township, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) said.

Work in 2024 will rebuild 3 miles of eastbound and westbound I-94 from Puetz Road (mile marker 22.5) to Washington Avenue (mile marker 25.5), including bridges over Red Arrow Highway at exit 23.

Two lanes of I-94 will be open in each direction throughout the work, MDOT said.

Other 2024 work includes drainage, sound abatement barriers and culverts between Washington Avenue and Puetz Road, MDOT said.

During the rebuilding of westbound I-94 from March 11 to July 1, northbound Red Arrow Highway traffic heading to westbound I-94 will be detoured on Red Arrow Highway and John Beers Road to westbound I-94. Southbound Red Arrow Highway traffic heading to eastbound I-94 will be detoured on John Beers Road to eastbound I-94. The westbound I-94 ramp to Red Arrow Highway will be detoured on John Beers Road Exit 22 to Red Arrow Highway.

View the project here on MDOTs MIDrive map.

From Monday, March 11, to March 27, Red Arrow Highway exit 23 will be closed at I-94 for bridge demolition. Southbound Red Arrow Highway will be detoured on westbound I-94 and John Beers Road. Northbound traffic will be detoured on St. Joseph Avenue, Marquette Woods Road, Cleveland Avenue and Glenlord Road.

Work in 2025 includes rebuilding westbound I-94 from Washington Avenue to Britain Avenue and the westbound I-94 bridge over Pipestone Road. Two lanes of I-94 will remain open in each direction, and Pipestone Road traffic will be detoured on M-139 and Napier Avenue.

I-94 near Napier Road. Pipestone Road traffic will be detoured on M-139 and Napier Avenue during work in 2025, MDOT said. (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com)(Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com)

Traffic will move to the newly built westbound I-94 lanes in 2026, and then the eastbound lanes and bridge over Pipestone Road will be rebuilt.

MDOT Spokesman Nick Schirripa said about 8.5 miles of highway will be rebuilt, and the overall project is nearly 10 miles long. A stretch nearly 1 mile long, between the St. Joseph River and Nickerson Avenue, will be repaved and not rebuilt, he said.

The project is expected to directly and indirectly support 2,911 jobs, MDOT said.

Funding for the three-year, $204 million investment is made possible by Gov. Gretchen Whitmers Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild critical state highways and bridges that carry the most traffic, MDOT said.

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ARENAC COUNTY, MI  A $1.1 million grant will help transform a Northern Michigan elementary school building into a comprehensive community center with full-time child care, programs for seniors and other services.

The nonprofit Arenac Community Center has been using the former Standish Elementary School, located at at 583 E. Cedar St. and owned by the Standish-Sterling Community School District, since 2018. The school closed in 2017 when the district consolidated schools, said Heather Smith, communications consultant with Michigan Health Improvement Alliance.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research in Auckland, March 10, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Nhat Bac

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the Plan and Food Research Centre (PFR) in Auckland on Saturday as part of his official visit to New Zealand.

The center has been cooperating with farmers, scientists, food companies, exporters, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Science and Technology in Vietnam in projects on raising crop output, quality and pest resistance, and promoting post-harvest and processing technologies to bring more profit to farmers and firms.

Noteworthy are projects in supporting for-export passion fruit and avocado industries, dragon fruit farming and safe vegetable farming based on GAP process.

PM Chinh said the advantages of Vietnam and New Zealand are supplementary, which provide a firm foundation for the two sides to promote cooperation, including in farming and food processing.

He expressed hope that building on the achievements, the two sides will accelerate joint work and make breakthroughs in agricultural cooperation.
Ngoc Tran, a female office worker, was abandoned since birth and knew nothing of her origins.

However, in March 2023, her life took an unexpected turn when she received DNA test results from across the ocean that revealed the identity of her biological father  an American Air Force veteran who had served in the Vietnam War.

Early this year, Ngoc will leave Vietnam for the U.S  her other homeland. The impending departure floods her with mixed emotions. Shes spending her remaining days in Vietnam visiting acquaintances, friends, and familiar street corners. Reflecting on her journey, Ngoc shared, "After 57 years of what would be worth a lifetime, Im only beginning to uncover the other half of my origin."

Ngoc Tran on a trip in July 2023. Photo courtesy of Tran

In the summer of 1967, little Ngoc was sent to live with a middle-aged woman on Vo Di Nguy Street (now Phan Dinh Phung Street) by her biological mother. Initially, her mother visited her regularly, providing financial support to the caretaker who would later become Ngocs adoptive grandmother.

However, from the third month, her mother stopped coming . No contact information was left behind, and Ngocs grandmother couldnt recall who the mother was.

Raising a mixed-race child during this time was no small task. Despite the challenges, Ngocs grandmother and her three daughters (Ngoc's three adoptive mothers) did their utmost to protect her and create a peaceful home. Nevertheless, the stigma of being an orphan persisted throughout Ngocs adulthood, leading her to remain single throughout her life.

After her grandmothers passing in 2007, Ngoc was left stricken with grief and an intense desire to uncover her true identity. The weight of not knowing who she was for the remainder of her life weighed heavily on her mind. She realized how fragile life was, and that time was precious.

After getting back on her feet, Ngoc began searching for information on the Internet with the keyword "mixed child". She spent a lot of time reading numerous search results related to Operation Babylift (1975), and visiting any relevant websites, in hope of finding her parents.

One day, Ngoc came across information about Phan Nhat Tung, also known as Jimmy A. Miller, founder of Amerasians Without Borders  an organization dedicated to assisting mixed-raced individuals in locating their birth families and reuniting with them in the U.S.

Without any hesitation, she contacted Jimmy to ask for help with a DNA test. Ngoc happened to be one of the last people to participate in the organizations DNA testing batch for April 2022, as Jimmy confirmed.

However, it was not an easy journey for them. The initial four DNA samples got damaged, leaving her disheartened. "I just need to know if I'm truly of mixed race. Is that too much to ask?", Ngoc recalled herself almost giving up.

Yet, Jimmy and his organization did not give up on her. On the fifth try, Ngoc noticed the saliva sample looked different from the previous times which got her hopeful.

Finally, after months of anticipation, her prayers were answered. One morning, Ngoc woke up to a series of missed calls from an unknown number at 4:30 AM (Vietnam time) on March 23rd, 2023. As she fumbled to return the call, her instincts told her this was it. The voice on the other end confirmed, "We have your results." Ngoc was left in tears and speechless.

"It felt like a dream," Ngoc recalled. Even hours after the call, she struggled to believe that it was truly happening.

The DNA results revealed that Ngocs biological father was Ronald Neal Hodnett, an Air Force veteran from New Bern, North Carolina. Although he had passed away, members of his extended family were still alive.

On April 1st 2023, Ngoc finally got connected to her biological aunt, Linda. Through Linda, she learned that her father was born into a family of 9 brothers, 5 of whom had passed away. The elder siblings were both over 90 years old, while the younger ones were in their 70s. During their first conversation, Linda cried a lot; she couldnt believe she actually had a lost niece.

"Youre Ronny's only child," Linda said.

Ronald served for 27 years in the US Air Force. His return from Vietnam left him deeply traumatized, and years later he eventually found solace living with his aunt and her adopted child. Ronald never knew he had a daughter, and he never shared the story of his relationship with a Vietnamese woman with anyone. Despite this, he was a true family man, who cared deeply for his family members.

Ronald Neal Hodnett, an American Air Force veteran from New Bern, North Carolina. Photo courtesy of Ngoc Tran

In 1997, Ronald passed away, yet his memory remains etched in the hearts of his family. "My aunt still preserves his uniform, like a treasure, and his Air Force hat is still kept by my uncle", Ngoc mentioned of the keepsakes, revealing that they would be passed down to her. "I never got to meet him, but I still love and respect him with all my heart".

After more than half a century, Ngoc felt like she was born again. Her close friend, Van, attested: "Ever since she learned about her father, Ngoc hasnt stopped talking about him. Its like she keeps showing off his dad".

As for her mother, the memories remain shrouded in fog. Before relocating to District 7, Ngoc spent nearly 50 years residing in the same childhood home, not far from Tan Son Nhat airport. "If my mom wants to find me," she reflected, "she will undoubtedly be able to."

Now that she knows of her father, Ngoc is determined to spend the rest of her life discovering her bloodline. Later this month, she will depart for Spokane, Washington State, where she plans to live for a while. The city is also home to many families of mixed-race Vietnamese people who were residing in Vietnam, facilitated by the support of Jimmys organization.

Ngocs American family will also fly from North Carolina to reunite with her. Linda, her biological aunt, eagerly anticipates Ngocs return to North Carolina, yet she respects Ngocs decision to remain in Spokane. For Linda, knowing about Ngoc's existence is already a great gift to her family; it feels to her like her deceased brother has been guiding the way.

"You've been away for far too long. Its time to come home," Linda said.

In Vietnam, Ngoc spends her remaining days with her three adoptive mothers, now in their 70s and 80s. In her luggage, she carries a cherished photo and an old blouse of her grandmother. Overflowing with gratitude and love, Ngoc bows before her grandmothers altar, whispering, "Im finally coming home."
Endesa (OTCMKTS:ELEZY  Get Free Report) and Avangrid (NYSE:AGR  Get Free Report) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, risk, valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Endesa and Avangrids top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Get Endesa alerts:

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Endesa N/A N/A N/A $0.73 12.40 Avangrid $8.31 billion 1.67 $786.00 million $2.03 17.65

Avangrid has higher revenue and earnings than Endesa. Endesa is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Avangrid, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Profitability

Endesa pays an annual dividend of $0.55 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.1%. Avangrid pays an annual dividend of $1.76 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.9%. Endesa pays out 75.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Avangrid pays out 86.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Endesa is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

This table compares Endesa and Avangrids net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Endesa N/A N/A N/A Avangrid 9.46% 3.92% 1.90%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

12.9% of Avangrid shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Avangrid shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Endesa and Avangrid, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Endesa 0 2 0 0 2.00 Avangrid 2 3 0 0 1.60

Avangrid has a consensus price target of $34.75, indicating a potential downside of 3.01%. Given Avangrids higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Avangrid is more favorable than Endesa.

Summary

Avangrid beats Endesa on 9 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Endesa

(Get Free Report)

Endesa, S.A. engages in the generation, distribution, and sale of electricity in Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Morocco, Italy, the United Kingdom, Holland, and internationally. The company generates electricity from various energy sources, such as hydroelectric, nuclear, thermal, wind, and solar. As of December 31, 2022, it had an installed capacity of 22,044 MW in Spain; operates 317,829 km of distribution and transmission networks; and distributes electricity to 10,545 thousands customers and gas to 1,799 thousands customers. The company also offers advisory services and technology relating to energy efficiency, distributed generation, and energy demand management; deploys structures for recharging electric vehicles, vehicle-to-grid, and second-life services for batteries; develops integrated services for local administrations, such as public lighting, smart city development, energy efficiency services, and solutions for connectivity; and provides energy producers with financial solutions. The company was formerly known as Empresa Nacional de Electricidad, S.A. and changed its name to Endesa, S.A. in June 1997. The company was incorporated in 1944 and is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. Endesa, S.A. operates as a subsidiary of Enel Iberia Srl.

About Avangrid

(Get Free Report)

Avangrid, Inc., an energy services holding company, engages in the regulated energy transmission and distribution, and renewable energy generation businesses in the United States. The company operates through Networks and Renewables segments. It is involved in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity; and distribution, transportation, and sale of natural gas. In addition, the company operates renewable energy generation facilities primarily using onshore wind power, as well as solar, biomass, and thermal power. Further, it delivers natural gas and electricity to residential, commercial, and institutional customers through its regulated utilities in New York, Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts; and sells its output to investor-owned utilities, public utilities, and other credit-worthy entities, as well as generates and provides power and other services to federal and state agencies, institutional retail, and joint action agencies. Additionally, the company delivers thermal output to wholesale customers in the Western United States. It owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.3 million customers in New York and New England, as well as owns and operates 9.3 gigawatts of electricity capacity primarily through wind power in 22 states. Avangrid, Inc. was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Orange, Connecticut. The company operates as a subsidiary of Iberdrola, S.A.

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Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited (ASX:BENPG  Get Free Report) declared a interim dividend on Friday, March 8th, MarketIndexAU reports. Shareholders of record on Sunday, March 24th will be paid a dividend of 0.186 per share on Sunday, March 24th. This represents a yield of 0.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 11th.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Price Performance

About Bendigo and Adelaide Bank

(Get Free Report)

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited provides banking and financial products and services to retail customers and small to medium sized businesses in Australia. The company operates through Consumer, Business and Agribusiness, and Corporate segments. It offers a range of products and services, including personal and business banking, financial planning, commercial mortgages and unsecured loans, investment products, insurance, and superannuation.

See Also

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Czech model and student Krystyna Pyszkova was crowned Miss World 2023 in the Saturday final in India.

24-year-old Czech model and student Krystyna Pyszkova outperformed 111 other contestants to win Miss World 2023 crown during the finale held in India on Saturday evening.

Pyszkova's victory marked back-to-back European wins in the competition. She was crowned by Miss World 2022, Karolina Bielawska of Poland.

Pyszkova emerged as a front-runner in the competition, with numerous websites forecasting her victory. Prior to the finale, she had already achieved significant milestones, including placing in the top 10 for the Beauty With a Purpose challenge and the top 20 in the Top Model event.

Pyszkova is proficient in four languages and is pursuing degrees in law and business administration.

Yasmina Zaytoun from Lebanon was the runner-up at Miss World 2023. Vietnam's Huynh Nguyen Mai Phuong made it to the top 40. Before the finale, Phuong secured her place in the top 40 by winning the Multimedia Challenge.
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Annesha Ghosh is an independent sports journalist. She tweets @ghosh_annesha
Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.
Sundeep Khanna is a senior journalist and the author of 'Cryptostorm: How India became ground zero of a financial revolution'. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
After 14 years of friendship, during which Gregory had quietly waited for Phuong to accept his love, she finally realized that she had already found her true other half.

They first met in Singapore in 2009 when Lan Phuong was 25 years old and Gregory Ducat had just turned 27. They were both transplants working in the island city-state: she from Vietnam, he from Belgian.

Phuong's first impression of Gregory found him gentle and approachable, while the young man was attracted to her hard-working mindset. He friended her on Facebook, and he was the one who made a point of keeping in touch with Phuong even after he moved to England for a new job.

In the following years, they talked back and forth as friends. Every year when there were special occasions like birthdays or Christmas, Gregory sent his wishes, and Phuong would often share stories of her life as a young woman far from home  both her sadnesses and her joys.

Gregory Ducat and Lan Phuong captured in a moment of togetherness on the streets of Bruges, Belgium, in March 2023. Photo courtesy of Gregory Ducat and Lan Phuong

Nine years later they met in person again for the second time, and everything between them seemed unchanged. Phuong was always enthusiastic and full of life, while Gregory was still calm and quiet, occasionally sneaking a smile at her. At the end of the meeting, he asked Phuong to become his girlfriend, but she refused because she did not like long-distance relationships. She wanted to find an Asian man close to home who could connect deeply with her family.

A few months later, Phuong and her best friend traveled to England as tourists and stayed at the hotel where Gregory worked as a manager. Upon receiving the news of their upcoming arrival, Gregory immediately asked for three days off to take Phuong to visit his favorite places.

Their first scheduled stop was Windsor Castle: Prince Harry and Meghan Markles wedding venue. Phuong joked with Gregory that she hoped to find her "dream prince" there. But the day they arrived, the castle was closed. Unable to help his friend fulfill her wish, Gregory took her to visit Cinderella Castle, ride the merry-go-round, and visit the ancient town of Bath - the place Phuong had most wanted to visit.

In photos they took together, the Belgian man always wanted to get physically closer together, but the Vietnamese girl always backed away because she didn't want the relationship to go beyond friendship.

The day he took Phuong to the airport, Gregory confessed his love for Phuong. He said if she agreed, he would go back to Singapore for work to be near her. But for the second time, Phuong refused.

"At that time, I had no feelings for Gregory. I was always looking for another ideal boyfriend, not him," she said.

In 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. Gregory's hotel industry was hit hard. Phuong stayed in touch and regularly checked up on him to ask about his health and work situation.

Three years later, Phuong took a business trip to Spain. Just like last time, Gregory immediately asked for leave and flew to Barcelona to meet Phuong. Phuong had just gone through a heartbreaking break up with her last boyfriend. She said she had "lost faith in true love."

As soon as she arrived in Spain, her first sight was Gregory standing there waiting for her at the station. He came forward to hug her tightly. Phuong felt like she was reunited with a loved one after a long time apart.

"When our eyes met, I suddenly wondered if maybe this was the prince I had been looking for all these years," Phuong said.

During their days in Barcelona, Phuong gradually opened her heart to Gregory and began to feel moved by his love for her. Next to this man, the Vietnamese girl "felt strangely at peace."

On her last day in Spain, Phuong was the one who took the initiative to talk about love with Gregory. She said she appreciated his unending patience.

"If you still dont have anyone else and want to take our friendship to the next level, I'm ready to give us a chance," Phuong told Gregory, to his surprise.

From that moment on, they were officially a couple.

Gregory Ducat proposing to Lan Phuong at the renowned "love bridge" in Bruges, Belgium, captured in March 2023. Courtesy of Gregory Ducat and Lan Phuong

For some time, Gregory remained in London while Phuong continued her work in Singapore. Even though they were 7 time zones apart, Gregory always waited patiently and committedly for Phuong to be free to call and chat, regardless of whether he had to stay up late or wake up early. To maintain their relationship, the two planned to meet in person every 2-3 months.

At the end of 2022, on Phuong's birthday, Gregory was invited to Vietnam by Phuongs family for the first time. During the trip, he took good care of Phuong's parents.

He opened and closed all doors for the elderly couple. At the restaurant, he pulled out chairs for everyone and served Phuong's parents first - a ritual of respecting and serving ones elders that Gregory had learned before coming to Vietnam, a country he was now falling in love with as well.

"I was also captivated by the beautiful scenery, people, and cuisine here," Gregory said. After a trip to his lover's hometown, Gregory began cooking Vietnamese dishes for Phuong. His best were pho and spring rolls.

In March 2023, Phuong went to Belgium to celebrate Gregory's mother's birthday. While the two were walking over the famous "love bridge," he suddenly knelt and proposed to his girlfriend.

They held two weddings in July and September later that year, in Singapore and Vietnam, respectively.

At the wedding in Singapore, where the two met for the first time, they used 14 years' worth of photos and videos to showcase their journey from friends to lovers. Some of these included footage of Gregory jokingly saying he would "go find" Phuong's "dream prince" when they arrived at Windsor Castle, or the photos the two took at Cinderella Castle, which Phuong had always dreamed of visiting.

At the wedding party held in the bride's hometown  the northern port city of Hai Phong  two months later, the couple arranged for the groom's family from Belgium to wear Vietnamese ao dai and dance with the bride's family on stage.

The wedding of Gregory Ducat and Lan Phuong, celebrated in Hai Phong, the bride's hometown, in September 2023. Photo courtesy of Gregory Ducat and Lan Phuong

After becoming a Vietnamese son-in-law, Gregory celebrated Tet (Lunar New Year festival) in his wife's hometown for the first time in 2024. Gregory likes ao dai, so he wanted a private photo shoot while wearing one. He also enjoyed the atmosphere of the towns main temple during the first days of the new year, so he went several times to burn incense to pray for luck and happiness for his small family.

Gregory has since quit his job in the U.K. to work with his wife on a plan to bring authentic Vietnamese coffee to Belgium. The couple's dream is to have a small cafe in Gregory's hometown of Bruges  a place known as the "Venice of Northern Europe"  where ancient mossy bridges cross small canals.

"I will always be with my wife," said Gregory. "My heart is hers and always points to where Phuong is."
Emeritus Professor Hal Hill (Photo: VNA)

Talking with the Vietnam News Agency in Australia, Hill described the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit marking the 50th anniversary of their dialogue relations from March 4-6 in Melbourne as very important for Australia as ASEAN is the most important partner, diplomatically and also commercially, for Australia, more than any other rich country member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).



He said Australia has a long relationship with ASEAN historically, being the first dialogue partner of the bloc five decades ago. Such relations have become more important with many people from ASEAN studying and living in Australia.



According to him, the summit is a good opportunity for the Australian PM to meet nine ASEAN leaders.



He said that the Nicholas Moores report which was issued in the middle of last year was an attempt by the Australian Government to highlight the opportunities for Australian business and society in close engagement with ASEAN countries. Australian universities have a role to play in connecting with ASEAN, with business expertise in certain areas in climate technology and advanced medical facilities so that both sides can do a lot together.



Australia has established a fund to encourage domestic investment in ASEAN, so the government is trying to push them to take more interest in ASEAN, he said, adding that though the summit was useful, both sides need to do a lot more.



In his view, they need to deepen bilateral ties economically, politically and culturally because collectively, they are more influential than individually, especially in important global issues like climate change and energy transition. They could also do a lot more together exchange of students and faculty.



Commenting on Vietnams role in promoting ASEAN-Australia ties, he hailed Vietnam as the most dynamic economy in Southeast Asia so that Australia needs to maintain its close relationship with the country. He was also impressed by the way Vietnam has managed its foreign policy very effectively./.
March 10, 2024 / 10:19 PM IST

Anant Kumar Hegde's statement about the need for the BJP to secure 400 seats to protect Hinduism by amending the Constitution *is not his personal statement but a part of the secret agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Our Constitution protects people of every religion equally and provides every citizen the freedom to follow his or her faith. So, what version of Hinduism is Anant Kumar Hegde aiming to protect by altering the Constitution itself? Hegde's statement has exposed the ulterior motives of the BJP to replace Baba Saheb Ambedkar's version of the Constitution with their own, influenced by the Manusmriti. The BJP's version would reinforce the evil practices of the caste system. *The BJP will remove all reservations for OBCs and Dalits if they come to power. His statement is a direct attack on OBCs and Dalits.

This is not the first instance of Anant Kumar Hegde speaking against the Constitution. He has repeatedly expressed the intent to change the Constitution.

(Excerpt from Press Release by Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah)
Pipat expressed gratitude to the IOM's chief for coming to discuss and exchange information. Thailand shares borders with neighboring countries, spanning long distances, leading to the infiltration of undocumented migrant workers. The government and security forces strive to prevent such unauthorized entries.



Thai Minister of Labour Pipat Ratchakitprakarn (R) extends a warm welcome to Geraldine Ansart, Chief of Mission in Thailand at the International Organization for Migration (IOM). (Photo: https://thailand.prd.go.th)

Similarly, the Ministry of Labour has instructed the Department of Employment to collaborate with employers to oversee and ensure compliance in all aspects, preventing exploitation of workers, whether in large enterprises or SMEs.



In addition, the Ministry of Labour collaborates with the Thai government to address situations involving undocumented foreign workers. Once present, the priority is to ensure legal treatment, employment, and care in accordance with human rights principles. The Department of Skill Development offers upskilling for Thai and foreign workers. Recognizing Thai workers' agricultural skills, the Ministry of Labour seeks IOM support if deemed capable of hosting seasonal agricultural workers.



Pipat also mentioned that the Thai government strives to elevate the status of labour in every possible way, whether it is the labour force exported to other countries or imported into Thailand.



Ansart expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the Minister of Labour and praised the Thai government's commitment to upholding human rights for migrant workers, which could serve as a good model for many countries. She highlighted the importance of social security and healthcare for migrants and affirmed the IOM's readiness to support the Ministry of Labour.



In the past, the IOM has collaborated with various public, private, and civil society organizations in Thailand to develop the skills of migrant workers. At the same time, the IOM stands ready to support and assist Thai workers going abroad, ensuring that their overseas employment is conducted safely and securely./.
Reporter

Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post.
Protestors wave flags and placards as demonstrators protest in support of Palestinians in New York on Dec. 25, 2023. On Friday, more than 60 demonstrators were arrested in three separate city protests over the war in Gaza, police said. For months protesters have taken to the streets in New York City. (Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)
Brent Fode, 63, and his dog TaterTot on Dec. 9, 2022. The two were living at the Cecil Hotel. The Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles turned into a permanent supportive housing project and is now up for sale in 2024. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
A United Airlines jet is taxied to the gate at O'Hare International Airport on Jan. 3, 2020, in Chicago. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/TNS)
In this National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) handout, an opening is seen in the fuselage of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Boeing 737-9 MAX on Jan. 7, 2024, in Portland, Oregon. A door-sized section near the rear of the Boeing 737-9 MAX plane blew off 10 minutes after Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 took off from Portland, Oregon, on Jan. 5 on its way to Ontario, California. (NTSB/Getty Images/TNS)
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Jeffrey Gandel, Non-Executive Chairman of ASM  an emerging Australian group in mining. (Photo: VNA)

At the meetings in Canberra, part of his official visit to Australia, PM Pham Minh Chinh highly valued the firms fruitful investment and business activities while welcoming their investment intentions and current operations in Vietnam.



He asked the enterprises to coordinate closely with Vietnamese ministries, sectors, businesses, and partners to implement their projects in line with regulations, apply modern technology, and increase support and technology transfer to help Vietnamese businesses further engage in global supply chains.

PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Lu Yi-hua, Chief Representative of the Asia-Pacific Region of Corio Company of Macquarie Group - a multi-industry, multinational financial group operating in financial investment and infrastructure development. (Photo: VNA)

He pledged the best possible conditions for the enterprises to operate effectively and sustainably, stating that Vietnam always protects the rights and legitimate interests of investors.



Meeting with the Vietnamese leader, an executive of Corio Generation, a portfolio company of Macquarie Asset Management, said Corio has participated in some renewable energy projects in Vietnam since 2019 and hopes to invest in offshore wind power development in the country.

PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives CEO Paul Serra of the SunRice Group. (Photo: VNA)

The company is working with Vietnamese partners, ministries, sectors, and localities to make investment preparations but it is facing some problems, he noted, proposing the PM order ministries and sectors to facilitate its project.



In reply, PM Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam approved the National Power Development Plan 8 in 2019 to provide an important legal basis for attracting more foreign investment to power, renewable energy, and energy transition projects.



He demanded the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and related ministries and sectors give guidance and streamline procedures to promote the project of Corio.



The Government leader asked Corio to coordinate closely with the Vietnamese parties to take the next steps of project implementation to bring about tangible benefits for both sides.



He called on the company to thoroughly consider the projects feasibility, transfer wind power technology to Vietnam, and cooperate with experienced and capable businesses of Vietnam like the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) to reduce production costs.



PM Pham Minh Chinh had separate meetings with Jeffrey Gandel, Non-Executive Chairman of ASM  an emerging Australian group in mining; and Oliver Kleinhempel, Chairman & Non-executive Director of EQ Resources  a leading Australian group in the production and distribution of tungsten - one of the important raw materials in electronics manufacturing.



The groups are seeking investment opportunities in Vietnam and they share the wish to inject capital into mining and developing mineral supply chains in the country.



At the meetings, the PM said Vietnam boasts relatively large mineral reserves, which have been highly valued by partners, noting the country has been devising a planning scheme and selecting investors in this sector.



Chinh suggested the businesses consider and roll out feasible, effective mining projects in Vietnam, apply high-tech, transfer mining technologies to the country, and help it join global mineral and metal supply chains.



The two groups pledged to closely coordinate with Vietnamese ministries, agencies and enterprises, as well as relevant partners to implement projects in line with regulations, and in the spirit of harmonising interests and sharing risks as suggested by the PM.



PM Pham Minh Chinh also received CEO Paul Serra of the SunRice Group  the largest rice production and distribution conglomerate in Australia, having about 90% of the country's rice market share.



Serra said the group, operating in Vietnam since 2008, has been coordinating the implementation of a project on developing a high-quality rice supply chain in the Mekong Delta since 2022 with the aim of developing high-yield, high-quality and sustainable varieties serving the international consumer market.



The SunRice Group wants to expand its investment in Vietnam in the time to come, he affirmed.



The Government leader informed the businessman on Vietnams current implementation of its green transition strategy to develop green and clean production, especially in agriculture. He lauded the groups existing projects in Vietnam and welcomed its intention of future investment expansion.



PM Pham Minh Chinh recommeded the conglomerate to continue working directly and supporting Vietnamese farmers in farming production, seeking Vietnamese partners, investing in warehouses, promoting e-commerce, and supporting Vietnams participation in global supply chains.



He also suggested SunRice Group engage in Vietnams conduction of a project on growing 1 million ha of high-quality, low-emission rice and developing green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030. The group is encouraged to collaborate and invest in the countrys halal food, seafood, fruit industries.

PM Pham Minh Chinh visits the hydrogen project model in Australia of SK Group from the Republic of Korea . (Photo: VNA)

Earlier the same day, PM Pham Minh Chinh visited the hydrogen project model in Australia of SK Group from the Republic of Korea. The group is looking to invest in an LNG exploitation and hydrogen production project in Vietnam.



PM Pham Minh Chinh said that Vietnam is focusing on implementing its green transition strategy, including energy transition and measures to realise its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.



He said the SK Group's investment plan is in line with Vietnam's policies.



According to him, Vietnam has advantages and experience in the gas and oil exploitation industry and has large gas reserves. Vietnam prioritises LNG gas exploitation projects for electricity production, which will then serve for hydrogen production.



PM Pham Minh Chinh said that many corporations want to cooperate and invest in Vietnam and Vietnam will select qualified ones based on the spirit of respecting market mechanisms and competition rules.



He requested the SK Group to coordinate with experienced and potential Vietnamese partners to quickly prepare project proposals and submit them to competent authorities for consideration. He called on the group to develop a long-term investment strategy in Vietnam./.
Pope says Ukraine should have 'courage of the white flag' of negotiations
FILE PHOTO: A Sudanese woman, who fled the conflict in Murnei in Sudan's Darfur region, walks beside carts carrying her family belongings upon crossing the border between Sudan and Chad in Adre, Chad August 2, 2023.
Attendees gather for the University of Guam's 2024 Homecoming Blue Night at the UOG campus in Mangilao on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Gunmen kidnap 15 children in yet another school abduction in northern Nigeria View Photo

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)  Armed men broke into a boarding school in northwestern Nigeria early Saturday and seized 15 children as they slept, police told The Associated Press, about 48 hours after nearly 300 students were taken hostage in the conflict-hit region.

School abductions are common in Nigerias northern region, especially since the 2014 kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls by Islamic extremists in Borno states Chibok village shocked the world. Armed gangs have since targeted schools for kidnap ransoms, resulting in at least 1,400 abducted since then.

The gunmen in the latest attack invaded the Gidan Bakuso village of the Gada council area in Sokoto state at about 1 a.m. local time, police said. They headed to the Islamic school where they seized the children from their hostel before security forces could arrive, Sokoto police spokesman Ahmad Rufai told the AP.

One woman was also abducted from the village, Rufai said, adding that a police tactical squad was deployed to search for the students.

The inaccessible roads in the area, however, challenged the rescue operation, he said, adding: It is a remote village (and) vehicles cannot go there; they (the police squad) had to use motorcycles to the village.

Saturdays attack was the third mass kidnapping in northern Nigeria since late last week, when more than 200 people, mostly women and children, were abducted by suspected extremists in Borno state. On Thursday, 287 students were also taken hostage from a government primary and secondary school in Kaduna state.

The attacks highlight once again a security crisis that has plagued Africas most populous country. Kidnappings for ransoms have become lucrative across Nigerias northern region, where dozens of armed gangs operate.

No group claimed responsibility for any of the abductions. While Islamic extremists who are waging an insurgency in northeastern Nigeria are suspected of carrying out the kidnapping in Borno state, locals blamed the school kidnappings on herders who had been in conflict with their host communities before taking up arms.

Nigerias Vice President Kashim Shettima, meanwhile, met with authorities and some parents of the abducted students in Kaduna state on Saturday and assured them of efforts by security forces to find the children and rescue them.

By CHINEDU ASADU

Associated Press
Justice Department AI View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Justice Department is stepping up its focus on artificial intelligence, with officials warning Thursday that companies and people who deliberately misuse the technology to advance a white-collar crime like price fixing, fraud or market manipulation will be at risk for a harsher sentence.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said the Justice Department will take into account how well a company is managing the risks of AI technology each time it assesses a corporate compliance program. Such a program is a set of policies and procedures designed to detect misconduct and to ensure that executives and employees are following the law.

The comments from the Justice Departments No. 2 leader underscore the extent to which law enforcement officials are concerned about how the rapidly developing technology could be exploited, by foreign adversaries or by corporate criminals, to harm the U.S. The remarks were designed to put business leaders on notice of a legal responsibility to mitigate the risk of advancements in AI.

Monaco disclosed the policy moves one day after the Justice Department announced charges against a former Google software engineer accused of stealing AI trade secrets from the Mountain View, California-based company while secretly working with two China-based companies.

All new technologies are a double-edged sword  but AI may be the sharpest blade yet. It holds great promise to improve our lives  but great peril when criminals use it to supercharge their illegal activities, including corporate crime, Monaco told an American Bar Association conference of white-collar lawyers in San Francisco.

Even as the Justice Department works to responsibly harness the benefits of AI, we are alert to its risks, and we will be using our tools in new ways to address them, she said.

Federal prosecutors have long used increased sentences for criminals whose behavior is seen as posing an especially serious risk to victims and the public, and the same principle applies to AI, she said.

Where AI is deliberately misused to make a white-collar crime significantly more serious, Monaco said, our prosecutors will be seeking stiffer sentences  for individuals and corporate defendants alike.

And, she added, compliance officers should take note. When our prosecutors assess a companys compliance program  as they do in all corporate resolutions  they consider how well the program mitigates the companys most significant risks. And for a growing number of businesses, that now includes the risk of misusing AI.

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Follow the APs coverage of artificial intelligence at https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence.

By ERIC TUCKER

Associated Press
Pope Francis white flag comment is met by criticism from Ukraine and its allies

Pope Francis white flag comment is met by criticism from Ukraine and its allies View Photo

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukrainian and allied officials Sunday criticized Pope Francis for saying that Kyiv should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, a statement many interpreted as a call for Ukraine to surrender.

The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Poland, a vocal ally of Kyiv, condemned the popes remarks. And a leader of one of Ukraines Christian churches on Sunday said that only the countrys determined resistance to Moscows full-scale invasion, launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 24, 2022, had prevented a mass slaughter of civilians.

In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI and partially released on Saturday, Francis used the phrase the courage of the white flag as he argued that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should be open to peace talks brokered by international powers.

Our flag is blue and yellow. We live, die and win under it. We will not raise other flags, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba posted on Sunday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski tweeted: How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations.

In his tweet, Kuleba urged the Holy See to not repeat historical mistakes as he alleged that the Vatican didnt do enough to resist Nazi Germany. Yet he also invited Francis to Ukraine, saying the popes visit would show support for the more than a million Ukrainian (Roman) Catholics, more than 5 million Greek Catholics, all Christians and all Ukrainians.

The head of Ukraines Greek Catholic Church, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, said Sunday that surrender isnt on the minds of Ukrainians.

Ukraine is exhausted, but it stands and will endure. Believe me, it never crosses anyones mind to surrender. Even where there is fighting today: listen to our people in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy, Shevchuk said while meeting with Ukrainians in New York City. He mentioned the regions that have been under heavy Russian artillery and drone attacks.

Shevchuk also spoke of the brutality of Moscows invasion, referencing the town near Kyiv where Russian occupation left hundreds of civilians dead in the streets and in mass graves. He argued that the gruesome scenes seen in Bucha would have been just an introduction if not for Ukrainians fierce resistance as Russian troops marched on the capital in February 2022.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni on Saturday clarified that the pope supported a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations, rather than an outright Ukrainian surrender. Bruni said that the journalist interviewing Francis used the term white flag in the question that prompted the controversial remarks.

I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates, Francis said, when asked to weigh in on the debate between those who say that Ukraine should agree to peace talks and those who argue that any negotiations would legitimize Moscows aggression.

Kyiv remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said multiple times that the initiative in peace negotiations must come from the country that has been invaded.

Throughout the war, Francis has tried to maintain the Vaticans traditional diplomatic neutrality, but that has often been accompanied by apparent sympathy with the Russian rationale for invading Ukraine, such as when he noted that NATO was barking at Russias door with its eastward expansion.

In the RSI interview, Francis insisted that negotiations are never a surrender.

When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate, he said.

During the Angelus prayer on Sunday from the window overlooking St. Peters Square, Francis said that he was praying for peace in the tormented Ukraine and in the Holy Land.

Let the hostilities which cause immense suffering among the civilian population cease as soon as possible, he said.

Elsewhere, both Ukraine and Russia reported civilian deaths on Sunday after overnight trading drone, missile and shelling attacks that also caused a fire at a Russian oil depot and targeted Ukrainian power stations, according to officials.

Ukrainian air defenses overnight shot down 35 out of 39 drones launched by Russia, air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported, following a 4-hour barrage that officials said also targeted power stations.

Two people died under rubble after Iranian-made Shahed drones around midnight struck private homes and state offices in Dobropillya, a large Ukrainian-held town in the east, authorities said. A 66-year-old man was also reported killed by shelling in Chasiv Yar, northeast of Dobropillya.

In Myrnohrad, another eastern Ukrainian town, 11 civilians were wounded after Russian missiles overnight struck residential buildings, the local prosecutors office reported. It also posted photos of rubble lining the courtyard outside a high-rise apartment building, its windows blown out, and of cars parked outside that appeared reduced to piles of twisted metal.

A woman also died in Russias Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, after shells fired from Ukraine set her house on fire, while her husband suffered severe burns, local Gov. Roman Starovoit reported.

Starovoit also said that debris from a downed Ukrainian drone sparked a fire at an oil depot in the Kursk region.

Nine Ukrainian drones targeted the Belgorod region, another southern Russian province that borders Ukraine, overnight and on Sunday, according to local Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov. Later on Sunday, Russias Defense Ministry said that three drones in total were shot down over the northern Leningrad and Novgorod regions, well over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

Earlier on Sunday, Russian media reported on a fire at an aircraft hangar near the main airport in St Petersburg, just kilometers (miles) from the Leningrad region, without specifying what caused it. According to the reports, two people were hospitalized with burns, and flights were briefly diverted away from the airport, Pulkovo.

___

Nicole Winfield and Giada Zampano in Rome, and Vanessa Gera in Warsaw, Poland, contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

By SUSIE BLANN

Associated Press
A helicopter rescues crew members on the Barbados-flagged True Confidence

cargo ship. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Ambassador Nguyen Huy Dung said that one of the four Vietnamese crewmen on the ship died in the attack and his body is now kept at a hospital in Djibouti city, Djibouti.

Meanwhile, the remaining three, along with other alive crewmen, were evacuated to Laurie Hotel, Djibouti city with the help of Indias navy, and are now in stable health condition but have lost all of their personal documents due to the attack.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Djibouti stands ready to support the Vietnamese seafarers with necessary documents to return home, he said, adding the Vietnamese embassy is preparing measures to reissue passports for the crewmen as well as related procedures to bring the body of the deceased home as soon as possible.

Dung said in case of necessity, the embassy will send its staff to Djibouti to support the sailors.

The embassy is contacting competent sides to identify a specific repatriation route for the nationals, he said.

There were 20 crew members, consisting of 15 Filipinos, four Vietnamese, and one Indian, on board the True Confidence when the Houthi forces fired a missile at the ship. The strike also resulted in the deaths of two Filipinos./.
WOMEN Affairs minister Monica Mutsvangwa is said to be under intense pressure within government and Zanu PF circles over her alleged involvement in the purchase of a Starlink kit by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).

Mutsvangwa, who was Information minister when the deal was done, is alleged to have used her influence to get ZBC to purchase the Starlink kit.

The procurement of the Starlink internet kit, whose usage in Zimbabwe is not authorised, has already claimed the scalp of ZBC chief executive officer Adelaide Chikunguru.

Chikunguru, who opted to resign after she was suspended by the ZBC board, was facing a range of charges which included giving the greenlight to purchase the Starlink internet kit.

Starlink is a satellite internet service operated by United States-based aerospace company SpaceX, which is owned by American billionaire Elon Musk.

The state-run broadcasting firm acquired Starlink when Mutsvangwa was presiding over the Information ministry.

ZBC falls under the same ministry. Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services ministry secretary Nick Mangwana told The Standard that the matter was under investigation.

The information that we have is that the regulator (Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe -Potraz) visited the premises of ZBC over the matter on (last) Thursday, Mangwana said.

At the moment we are not yet aware of their findings.

In February, a mining firm was fined US$700 for unauthorised use of Starlink.

Last week, a Victoria Falls based company was also fined US$500 for unauthorised use of Starlink internet services.

Potraz has issued stern warnings against the advertising, distribution and use of Starlink.

The controversial purchase of the Starlink kit by ZBC has raised serious questions about the role Mutsvangwa could have played as a minister.

Sources familiar with how the government was dealing with the matter that has raised grave questions of possible favouritism, nepotism and conflict of interest told The Standard that Mutsvangwa was under increasing pressure to resign.

Top officials in the party (Zanu PF) and government are increasingly concerned over the potential involvement of Mutsvangwa in awarding the Starlink kit contract, sources said.

They have pointed out that this is a clear case of favouritism and nepotism, which must result in the minister resigning from government.

Influential party and government officials are worried about the transaction because the government has not licensed Starlink to offer internet services in Zimbabwe.

Before Chikunguru opted to step down from her role, images of a ZBC outside broadcast van with a Starlink kit mounted on top surfaced on the internet.

The former executive is also accused of arm twisting ZBC to pay US$150 000 annually to Azam TV, a satellite TV service provider.

Mutsvangwa presided over the ceremony when Azam TV launched its services in Zimbabwe in 2022.

Basically, Monica feels cornered over her involvement in the Starlink transaction, a source close to the matter said.

Mutsvangwa declined to address questions posed by The Standard on the matter.

This publication also wanted to understand whether Mutsvangwa was contemplating resigning because of the scandal.

Mutsvangwa, whose husband Chris was booted out of government by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in February, served as Information minister since 2018.

Chris was the minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs before he was sacked.

Meanwhile, Chikunguru has pulled down her LinkedIn posts where she alleged an assassination plot against her at a Zanu PF conference.

In her post, she accused the national broadcasters board, Information minister Jenfan Muswere and indirectly, Mnangagwa, of violating corporate governance principles.

Chikunguru was forced out of office over two weeks ago over a slew of allegations among them entering into a contract with the yet-to-be-licenced American internet service provider, Starlink, abuse of funds, and embarking on foreign trips unsanctioned by the board, among others.

She resigned soon after the suspension to avoid a disciplinary hearing.

Soon after her resignation, she went on LinkedIn and started making several allegations against Muswere, the ZBC board chair Helliate Rushwaya, ZBC workers and Mnangagwa.

In one of her posts, she alleged an assassination plot claiming she survived an accident on her way to a Zanu PF meeting after wheel nuts on her service vehicle were loosened.

She alleged that Rushwaya was behind the plot.

She claimed she had audio recordings of her vowing to get her retired, and if it failed, she was under instruction from her principal to exterminate her.

Chikunguru, who is also accused of landing that job under unclear circumstances, did not clarify who the principal was.

My life is at risk, she had posted. There are audios where she (Rushwaya) is heard saying that if she cant remove me, then she will have to exterminate me as she is under instruction from the principal.

The ZBC board is appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Information minister.

Chikunguru also claimed that she has always been targeted by the workers and Rushwaya.

She accused Muswere and Mnangagwa of violating corporate governance regulations by appointing Rushwaya to the position of board chair barely three years after working as CEO for the national broadcaster.

She also claimed that Muswere made advances to her in 2021 in Chimanimani at the World Radio Day but she turned him down. Muswere was then ICT minister.

In another post, Chikunguru claimed that Rushwaya was after her because she applied for the position of CEO and failed to make it because she did not have a degree.

Chikunguru dropped a call when contacted for comment. She did not respond to WhatsApp and text messages sent to her. The Standard.

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FOUR United States nationals contracted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) reportedly sneaked into the country last month without notifying the authorities as per protocol and proceeded to hold unsanctioned and covert meetings, which were to inform Washingtons adversarial foreign policy towards Zimbabwe.

The quartet  Brenda Lee Pearson, Norma Kriger, Sarah Logan and Loretta Bass  work for a US government affiliate, Navanti Group, and their mission was ostensibly to carry out a democracy and governance assessment to help USAID design its local programmes.

However, the team was busted and deported on February 17 after it was established their real agenda was more focused on seeking a more effective method to effect regime change in the country, informed sources told The Sunday Mail yesterday.

Curiously, the quartet entered the country without prior communication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and went on to conduct assessment activities in the country, thereby violating the Geneva Convention.

After discovering that their team was being shadowed, the US Embassy, on behalf of Navanti Group, reportedly notified the Government on February 5, requesting meetings between Pearson and Kriger and Government ministers, institutions and the Chapter 12 commissions.

The commissions include the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC); the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC); the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC); the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC); and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC).

But the arrival of Logan and Bass on February 5 for the same mission was kept under wraps.

Clandestine Meetings

Since arriving separately in early February, the team nicodemously held meetings with leaders of anti-government civic society organisations, journalists, some senior opposition figures and Western diplomats.

Sources indicated that on February 8, for example, Logan and Bass met Danish AID official David Takawira and later on engaged with Swedish Embassy Secretary Peeter Kamaan, who is suspected to be an intelligence officer.

On the same day, they also met Dr Frances Lovemore, the director of the Counselling Services Unit, over dinner.

The following day, they had a meeting with Mike Davis, an official from the Combined Harare Residents Association, before contacting ZIMCODD director John Maketo on February 12.

Their meeting also saw them having engagements with British Embassy official Peter Thomas (February 13); British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office official Nikolai Hutchinson (February 13); Labour, Economics and Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe director Godfrey Kanyenze (February 13) ; and Mass Public Opinion Institute director Eldred Masunungure (February 13).

On Valentines Day, they linked up with Pearson at the US Embassy and met with Larry Socha, the State Department public diplomacy officer.

On the same day, Logan and Bass had dinner with Valery Sviuya, director of the Legal Resources Foundation.

On February 15, the team met Heart and Soul TV journalist Blessed Mhlanga, before they were joined by Kriger in their meeting with US political chief Nicole Johnson.

Overall, the team had more than 12 engagements.

The Government has since confirmed the quartet was on a covert political mission.

Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications) Mr George Charamba said: There were what we call consular infractions. Basically, that term refers to entry of foreign nationals in a country without due process as defined by that country.

Under the Geneva Convention, foreigners entering a country under the cover of an embassy must notify the host country prior to arrival.

As it turned out, the team arrived before any notification of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Zimbabwe.

Upon realising that their team was being shadowed, the American Embassy sought, retrospectively, to fulfil this consular requirement and then raised a note verbale, or a diplomatic note, only on the 5th of February, 2024, added Mr Charamba.

Even then, that particular diplomatic note only disclosed two persons of foreign origin, namely Brenda Lee Pearson and Norma Kriger.

The diplomatic note, he also said, claimed that the duo was set to be accompanied by a Zimbabwean national, Olivia Gumbo, who is believed to be associated with the Navanti Group.

Unknown to them, the Government of Zimbabwe knew that, in fact, persons who had entered surreptitiously into the territory of Zimbabwe were in fact four, not two as declared.

Incidentally, the other undeclared two had been very active on the ground, meeting interest groups, meeting leading opposition members, NGOs and travelling around the country with the express purpose of gathering information, and information of a political nature.

He said the US authorities failure to abide by laid-down diplomatic protocol meant that the Navanti team would be deported in terms of Zimbabwean laws.

Just the fact of one not timeously indicating the presence on the territory of a sovereign country called Zimbabwe of foreigners is enough offence to get those persons deported, let alone understating the number of persons who have unlawfully entered the State of Zimbabwe, and on that score, there is no politeness to be expected, he said.

The State will invoke its rough hands in order to enforce the laws of the land, but to also get that foreign country to respect the sovereignty of that country.

Let me make it very categorically clear that whilst this is a specific incident, the American government and its agencies are best advised that Zimbabwe is determined, capable and prepared to deport as many unlawful missions from any country, including mighty America, for as long as those countries are prepared to raise such unlawful missions which violate the integrity of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe, he added, shall be brutally efficient and use the full might of our law wherever the countrys sovereignty is threatened.

That message must go out very, very clearly to all countries, including the Americans, he said.

The size of the country, the military might of that country, the economic might of that country, the diplomatic might of that country is absolutely inconsequential when it comes to the sovereignty of this country and the need to preserve it.

Political Mission

Mr Charamba said the teams mission to Zimbabwe was manifestly political and meant to gauge the political environment ahead of the 2028 harmonised elections.

Washington was determined to modify its strategies regarding interference in Zimbabwes internal politics following the drubbing of their preferred party in last years general elections, he said.

The mission of the quartet was intensely, exclusively political, he continued.

It sought to interfere with the politics of this country in spite of the fact that Americans are no stakeholders in the politics of Zimbabwe.

They have never been; should never be and will never be stakeholders in the politics of Zimbabwe.

The same way that Zimbabwe is not a player in the politics of America.

America, he said, must respect Zimbabwes sovereignty and refrain from interfering in Zimbabwes domestic politics.

Again, let me make this very clear: if America thinks it has a holy mission to refashion the politics of this country after its own image of democracy, they are out for a very rude awakening.

That kind of politics, that kind of meddlesome politics, simply will not be countenanced here.

We are determined to frustrate them, to stop them in their tracks until they realise American political dreams are the preserve of the American people on American territory.

They do not overspill to the continent of Africa, let alone to the polity of Zimbabwe.

We have nothing to do with their politics, we have nothing to do with their model of dreaming.

Any interference in the internal politics of Zimbabwe will be resisted, and will be resisted vehemently.

The post-election politics of Zimbabwe are a question for Zimbabweans.

They are not for the Americans; they are not an issue for the Americans; they are not an issue for American experts, least of all an issue for USAID.

Liaisons with opposition

The teams meetings with members of the opposition were also described as suspicious.

On February 10, Pearson and Kriger held a meeting with former Citizens Coalition for Change representative for Harare East constituency Rusty Markham at York Lodge.

Sources added that the meeting focused on an intrusive exploration of the countrys macro-political economy.

During the meeting, Pearson is said to have expressed the US interest in funding the capacitation of opposition councillors.

The following day, they held a meeting with US Embassy Charge dAffaires Elaine French in the embassy compound in Westgate.

They later held separate meetings with ambassadors of Sweden (Per Lindgarde) and Netherlands (Margret Verwik) at their respective embassies on February 12.

On February 16, they travelled to Bulawayo, where they held a series of meetings with civic society organisations, including Accountability Lab Zimbabwe.

Interestingly, they also sought to understand the general sentiment of Zimbabweans on the US illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Added Mr Charamba: So, all these are desperate efforts carried out through USAID to rescue and remake the opposition with a view to influencing 2028; it will not happen . . .

So you can see that there is a whole systematic campaign that includes propaganda and aspersion, which is meant to delegitimise the ZANU PF leadership, hoping that that will make way for a failed opposition they have here. Again, that project will come to grief.

The US Department of State spokesperson, Mr Matthew Miller, has since angrily reacted to the deportation, alleging that members of the assessment team were subject to aggressive handling, prolonged interrogation and intimidation, unsafe and forced night-time transportation, overnight detention and confinement, and forced removal from the country.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Miller also curiously claimed the team was legally admitted to Zimbabwe.

Diplomatic sources say the US State Department  which is staffed by bureaucrats, some of who are sentimentally attached to Zimbabwe, in which they served in various diplomatic capacities  has an adversarial posture towards Harare.

However, their position is reportedly different from that of the White House. Sunday Mail.

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China?

Syraqistan

European Disunion

New Not-So-Cold War

F-35s Certified to Launch Stealthy Nuclear Strikes: Why Russia, China and North Korea Are Worried Military Watch. So the F-35 isnt such a fat tub only because of the Marines demand for vertical take off and landing (which required a big fan to be built into the fuselage).

Biden Administration

2024

Spook Country

The Weaponization of the National Science Foundation: How NSF Is Funding the Development of Automated Tools to Censor Online Speech At Scale and Trying To Cover Up Its Actions (PDF) Interim Staff Report of the Committee on the Judiciary and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, U.S. House of Representatives

Digital Watch

The Bezzle

Ugandan man behind viral fake East African currency shocked by its success BBC

Sports Desk

Some fans at frigid Chiefs playoff game underwent amputations, hospital confirms AP. Commitment to the bit!

Healthcare

Boeing

Zeitgeist Watch

Americas Loneliness Epidemic Comes for the Restaurant The Atlantic. File under Extroverts Are Gonna Kill Us All. Some of my happiest hours have been spent in restaurants, from Michelin-starred to food carts. And I think its sad that dining as a collective experience is on the wane, and bad that chains are in the ascendance. Real food isnt meant to be eaten out of a bag while sitting in ones car! But I have little sympathy for an industry whose business model depended on Closed, Crowded, Close Contact spaces, and didnt discover or adopt the evident course of action that, well, wouldnt have slaughtered a measurable percentage of their customers: improving ventilation (and then advertising their spaces as safe. Instead, we got stupidities like this). And thats before we get to wages.

Book Nook

Imperial Collapse Watch

Guillotine Watch

Mr. X Claremont Review

A Mistake in a Tesla and a Panicked Final Call: The Death of Angela Chao WSJ

Class Warfare

Cheap labor. Whats not to like? (1) Holy. Shit. I thought this was a typo In just February, 1.2 million immigrants (legal and illegal) gained a job. Meanwhile, 500k native-born Americans LOST their job. Since Covid, native-born workers have actually LOST 2 million jobs. All of the net job gains are immigrants. pic.twitter.com/Rkg9viZsv9  Geiger Capital (@Geiger_Capital) March 8, 2024 Cheap labor. Whats not to like? (2) Especially in light of the overall astonishing trends. pic.twitter.com/2RG3TCqEI3  tern (@1goodtern) March 9, 2024 * * * The Historical Origin of The Singing Union MR Online. [N]ext to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in this world. It controls our thoughts, minds, hearts, and spirits. Martin Luther (looking for a half-remembered quote or paraphrase  Luther knew that a singing congregation could not be beaten  which I cannot find; that will have to do). Given the success of the Reformation, Luther seems to have had a point.

At A Trade Show, Power Tools Fit For The Amish NPR

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

This is a post about nothing; or rather the nothing that is where one would expect a something to appear. Most of the coverage of the Biden speech  leaving aside, mercifully, the partisan rancor over whether Biden is shouting (strategically, no less) or merely being (at long last) fiery slash feisty  focuses on policy implications (for good, or ill). All this coverage is so instrumental as to be useless. The worst of it is that it might not be hypocritical; maybe they really believe what theyre saying. Anyhow, you may think our democracy works something like this famous Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) poster, which I have helpfully annotated:

If you do[1], then the outcome of whatever proposals Biden might make will be determined by the correlation of forces in the governing and ruling classes, and will have little to do with the desires or opinions of voters. So why bother with policy, treated as anything other than a talking point engineered to appeal to three of the six basic emotions? ( happiness , sadness , disgust, fear, surprise , and anger)[2]. In any case, why should I waste my beautiful mind on Bidens policy policy proposals after how he stiffed us all on Covid:

hilarious to look back at bidens covid plan and read page after page of stuff he didnt even try to do pic.twitter.com/3NZq11Kn5w  trevor (@trrvvb) December 16, 2021

Anyhow, the dude owes me six hundred bucks.

So, examining what Biden says is useless (with the exception of the pointillist approach of looking for tells to the correlation of forces in the language, which I do not have the energy to do, the [family blogging] time change having thrown me for a loop. I can never remember whether its Fall forward and spring back, or fall back, and spring forward. For the same reason, this post will not be as link-rich as I like to be). However, I think it will be useful to examine what Biden does not say. Rather than putting on my yellow waders and splashing about in the shadows, I am going to, as it were, pick up my birding binoculars and scan the empty horizon for what I would expect to be there, but is not.

I will look a three lacunae in Bidens speech: Antitrust Enforcement, Shared Air, and Democrat Complicity. Ill use APs transcript of Bidens text, as delivered. There are other annotated versions here, here, and here.

Antitrust Enforcement

Many readers view the FTCs revivified application of antitrust law as one of the few truly bright spots of the Biden administration. From the Guardian, Shes going to prevail: FTC head Lina Khan is fighting for an anti-monopoly America:

Across 96 pages of the Yale Law Journal in 2017, Lina Khan set out why she believed the USs policing of big business was failing. The paper  which targeted Amazon  shook the Silicon Valley establishment and catapulted Khan into the heart of a battle over Americas business orthodoxy and, ultimately, into a role in which she could overhaul it. Khans appointment to lead the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) just four years later angered big tech, but it has become increasingly clear that Khan, and the Biden administration have an even bigger agenda: resetting the federal governments decades-old stance on competition in a manner unseen in decades. Charged with enforcing antitrust law and promoting consumer protection, the FTC is nominally the regulator charged with stopping deals that will harm consumers. But under successive administrations  Republican and Democratic  some critics charge the FTC stood by as industry after industry consolidated power in the hands of fewer and fewer companies. All that changed under Joe Biden, who has consistently attacked the monopolization of US business.

For example:

Last week the FTC sued to block Krogers $24.6bn takeover of rival grocer Albertsons. If approved, the agency warned, the Us largest-ever supermarket merger would raise prices for millions of shoppers.

Stoller remarks:

Khan is probably the best leader the FTCs ever had, argued Matt Stoller, director of research at the American Economic Liberties Project, and a former colleague. That doesnt mean she will succeed, or fail. But shes really stretching all of their resources and trying to use the authority theyve been granted to fulfill the mission theyve been charged with.

And the politics of it all:

With Washington plagued by partisan warring, Khan has also become the subject of intense Republican criticism.

(To be fair, not by Matt Gaetz or J.D. Vance, interestingly.) So here, in the State of the Union speech, is newly self-discovered populist Joe Bidens full-throated defense of Lina Khan (sound and art via):

Biden does say this:

Look, Im also getting rid of junk fees  those hidden fees  at the end of your bill that are there without your knowledge. My administration announced were cutting credit card late fees from $32 to $8.

So whos doing that? Thats right, the FTC. From a WhiteHouse.gov FAQ on March 5:

The FTC has proposed a rule that, if finalized as proposed, would ban companies from charging hidden and surprise junk fees and require that prices are listed upfront when consumers make purchases.

But in the SOTU, Biden says nothing about the FTC, not even when theyre doing this Dick Morris-level tiny fix. Biden also says nothing about the 11 antitrust suits the FTC has brought under Lina Khan, including the one against Amazon. If I were Khan, Id be listening for footsteps behind me.

Shared Air

Here is what Biden has to say on shared air, the medium through which an asymptomatic, airborne Level Three Biohazard spread, infects us, and has taken over a million lives (more under Biden than under his predecessor):

Here is Biden on Covid:

The pandemic no longer controls our lives. The vaccine that saved us from COVID is  are now being used to beat cancer.

Readers, you probably know [pounds head on desk] what Im about to say here, and can say it better than I am about to. Biden has nothing to say about airborne transmission (and never has said anything; Doctor Biden, for example, has never gone on Good Morning America to build a Corsi-Rosenthal box with some cute kids). Because the hegemonic factions of our governing class have no permission structure to talk about shared air, they cannot talk about cleaning shared air (or spending the money and creating the regulations to do so). The something BIden does say is almost as bad, and certainly as stupid. Covid controls your life if youre infected with it, whether you know youre infected or not. It most certainly controls your life if somebody who breathe the virus into your shared air gives you Long Covid. And if youve adopted the personal risk assessment strategy promoted by the Biden administration in its effort to destroy public health, thats controlling your life, too. Oh, Newsweek rates Bidens claim on Covid vaccines and cancer TRUE. They say:

It seems that only a bad faith or narrow interpretation of Bidens comments could have driven the idea that he was literally referring to the treatments developed by Pfizer, Moderna and others, and not new technologies. mRNA technology used to develop the COVID vaccines is being used in new trials to treat a potentially wide range of cancers. The White House announced $24 million in funding last August which would, in part, explore the use of mRNA vaccination technology in the treatment of cancer.

Newsweeks full of it, and refuses to accept the plain meaning of Bidens words (which were presumably vetted by a phalanx of White House staffers, former Covid Czar Zeints, etc. They all approved the lie. If you think the vaccine that saved us from COVID and technology used to develop the COVID vaccines are the same thing, then I have some bridge technology that I would like to sell you. It should be very easy.

Democrat Complicity

On abortion, Biden says this:

Like most Americans, I believe Roe v. Wade got it right. I thank Vice President Harris for being an incredible leader defending reproductive freedom and so much more. Thank you. My predecessor came to office determined to see Roe v. Wade overturned. Hes the reason it was overturned, and he brags about it. Look at the chaos that has resulted. If you  if you, the American people, send me a Congress that supports the right to choose, I promise you I will restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again.

Roe was decided in 1973. Here is a site that lists House and Senate Concurrence with Presidents (that is, when all are from the same party). 1977-1980 (the Carter Administration); 1993-1994 (the Clinton Adminstration); and 2009-2010 (the Obama Adminstration). Its hard to avoid the conclusion that if Roe was never the law of the land, its because Democrats didnt pass the law (and if they thought other things were more important, then what is Biden whinging for?). To be fair, though, its easy to avoid that conclusion if youre a Democrat. Oh, and every single judge that overturned Roe was moved up the ladder until they got to the Supreme Court with Democrat complicity, since they never made Roe a litmus test (due to the Norms Fairy, or something). And here is what Biden has to say about that:

If a Democrat administration was complicit in any disaster that befell the American people, especially the working class, you will hear, in a pattern so obvious as to verge on pathology, nothing about that from Biden, although, as with Roe, you will hear about a Democrat effort to claim credit for fighting to solve the problem they themselves created. (Bidens remarks on deindustrialization are so scattered and vacuous I cant pull out a quote, but you can bet he will say nothing about Bill Clinton and NAFTA.)

nothing

Conclusion

As the Financial Times points out, Bidens SOTU was really the opening speech of the Presidential campaign of 2024:

So were talking the morning after the State of the Union on Friday. And, Ed, before we dive into this, the content of the speech, have you ever seen a State of the Union address like the one that we saw last night? [EDWARD LUCE:] No. I mean, its a good question. A lot of them are forgettable because theyre laundry lists of presidents legislative agenda. Bidens in particular have been quite forgettable. Last night was unforgettable. Not just because of the moment, which is the worst possible polling numbers that Bidens had since he became president, but also because it was a campaign State of the Union. This wasnt a laundry list.

It was totally a laundry list; see the transcripts. More:

This was the kick-off, really, of his 2024 campaign, and he spoke with the sort of energy of a politician on the campaign trail. So it was very, very different beast to your, to your run-of-the-mill State of the Union, most of which do get instantly forgotten. This one wont be forgotten.

Well see whether it will be forgotten or not. However, you can be sure that with Biden on the campaign trail, you will hear nothing about the FTC and antitrust, nothing about cleaning shared air, and nothing about Democrat responsibility for any of the problems we face, which are numerous.

NOTES

[1] Actually, while I think this graphic is impactful and accurate at a high level, even today, its still static and not dynamic. Not being a graphic artist, I dont know how to express the dynamism of class relations. Perhaps a reader can point me to something better.

[2] Six is the result of a lazy search for Paul Eckamans work; there are other typologies for the emotional spectrum, rather like there are color wheels with six, or sixteen slices, or other numbers.

APPENDIX Bidens Demeanor

Here are some still shots of Bidens microexpressions from the first seven minutes of his speech (that is, before he really went on the attack against his predecessor):

Look at the set of Bidens mouth. I think its safe to say that Bidens two dogs, Major and Commander, are vicious because their master is vicious.

APPENDIX Bidens Diagnosis

The Babylon Bee has the best joke: DC-Area Pharmacies All Out Of Stimulants. But as I wrote:

As readers know, Im not a fan of remote diagnosis (and Im still waiting for a White House reporter to ask Biden to count backwards by sevens during a presser). That said, the dogs arent barking in the night on this. The first non-barking dog is the White House: Given the givens, it seems reasonable to conclude that no cognitive tests were run because the White House, at a minimum, was unsure what the results would be. Therefore, the conclusion that Biden has cognitive issues, known to his inner circle, seems inescapable (and says nothing about their nature or degree, or the effects of hyypothesized juice). By the same token, I would expect the efficient Republican oppo machine to have produced serious, medically-driven videos documenting Bidens gait, flubs, etc., by now. That hasnt happened either. Perhaps they want to prop Biden up just as much as Democrats do?

Thats what we know, and we dont and cant know more. I really do think the snark about Bidens cognitive issues should slow down, and at this point its mere lazy cynicism. We dont know what we would need to know to make a diagnosis, so lets not use words (dementia) that imply that we do. Biden gave a very good performance at the SOTU, and under enormous stress. All we can do is watch how he continues to do on the campaign trail, which is the only data that really matters.
Lambert here: As the cliche has it, Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Im tempted, these days, to add, except more stupidly. Then again, whether repeating the past is A Bad Thing depends on that past, doesnt it? (that is, condemned is doing more work than it might be seeming to, at first). In any case, these archeologists take a decidely more optimistic view, and good for them!

By Jan Ritch-Frel, executive director of the Independent Media Institute and a co-founder of the Human Bridges project. This article was produced by Human Bridges.

The motives that drove archaeologists of the past included a thirst for glory, a taste for treasure, and a desire to enshrine a new political era with the legitimacy of the ancient past.

Gradually, over the decades leading closer to ours, the discipline matured, gaining an ethical framework, and started asking questions about the societies and lifestyles of the people who had left their traces behind. Archaeologists began to compare their evidence to how we live now and increasingly started hunting for the origins of modern-day problems, from plagues and warfare to inequality. Archaeological research spread beyond the palaces and cities of a few civilizations to six continents, and the rapid growth of evidence in human origins produced a global outlook and a 6 million-year-long clock to record the gradual changes in the human story that led us to the present.

The diligent research of tens of thousands of archaeologists carefully documenting the past all over the planet has accumulated and crossed a new threshold leading to big implications: Its socially useful information that we can plug into improving our lives.

Our sample size of this greater past dwarfs by many magnitudes what we thought history used to be. Thanks to advances in technology, the data about the human story can integrate and interact with the records we keep today.

Many modern human problems are the result of evolutionary mismatchour lifestyles are at odds with the biological capacities we developed and relied on for millions of years to get hereand range from heart disease to various forms of addiction and ADHD. A synthesis of human origins research and our new understanding of human biology presents a powerful perspective and roadmap for dealing with some of our biggest challenges.

By combining that synthesis with the archaeological records increasingly detailed knowledge of human settlement and state formations, from its origins to the present, we can build from a universalizing framework and global data set. This approach can better integrate the wider body of Indigenous knowledge and worldviews than the Western-based historical models and understanding of the human story that continues to hold sway.

One of the first to see the scale of this opportunity is archaeologist, researcher, and professor Gary M. Feinman, MacArthur Curator of Mesoamerican, Central American, and East Asian Anthropology at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. Feinman and a growing cast of colleagues have turned stereotypes about Mesoamerican societies on their heads: Many were cooperative, relatively egalitarian, and developed an impressive array of frameworks that allow us to compare different aspects of societies from various times and places, including ours.

Feinman has been a prominent advocate for developing better models to interpret the past and for the synthesis of information across time periods and regions of the planet. We are stronger when we can draw from a broader set of parameters, counterexamples, and nuances that prevent the common human instinct to take off on flights of fancy.

I thought readers could benefit from sharing our conversation about the great archaeological discovery of our time: the realization that this new data set is a powerful engine for the betterment of humankind.

Jan Ritch-Frel: Lets start with a great essay you wrote in 2023, Learning from History, If We Dare. You wrote of a treasure trove of information that just may guide us toward better futures. Were in an era, thanks to accumulations of evidence and technology, where humanity has a critical mass of history at its fingertips that it has never had before. Why is this significant?

Gary M. Feinman: As deep-time historians, we have finally gotten the volume and multiple scales of data that permit comparisons across different cultural periods, over long spans of time, and diverse social formations. In a real sense, through archaeology, we can now begin to assess a truly global historical record that is not narrowly restricted to just literate societies or the European past. For a long time, the classical Mediterranean world or medieval Europeboth known from textswere used as proxies for humanitys past. Now, we know that is not appropriate, as our past as a species has neither been uniform nor linear.

At the same time, we now have models that help us identify and point ourselves toward understanding what underpins good governance, collective and cooperative behavior, as well as the causes of economic inequality and their alternatives. The social sciences have finally discarded 200-year-old approaches to understanding the past, such as the idea that the nations of Europe are the pinnacle and end-point product of steady human progress. A historical framework pegged to that framework makes useful comparisons across history almost impossible.

Ritch-Frel: Do we have many examples of our leaders and governing circles daring to learn from anything other than cherry-picked history?

Feinman: The problem is that for centuries, scholars interested in drawing lessons from the historical past have looked principally to the classical world, Europes recent past, or progressivist models that made unwarranted assumptions about human nature writ large. Many leaders who saw history through a straw have paid a heavy price.

More problematic are the scenarios that presume humans are perpetually selfish or that our leaders are always despotic or militaristic. These scenarios ignore the nuances of human nature, which include both the potential for selfishness and the ability to cooperate with non-kin at scales unsurpassed in the animal kingdom. Human behavior is always contingent on context, and alone, it cannot account for human history. Rather, we must look for the parameters, patterns, and variability in institutions and behavior that account for humanitys differences, diverse pasts, and changes.

Contrary to prevailing opinion, there is no end to the debates and lessons we can learn from history. Technologies change, but the basic socioeconomic mechanisms and relations that underpin human institutions have broad commonalities and structures. We know this in regard to scale and now another key dimension: the degree to which power is concentrated and distributed.

Of course, pure reliance on education and exposure to democratic institutions and good governance is not enough for these things to take hold. How institutions are financed makes a big difference, and if that does not change, then political realities will not either.

Ritch-Frel: Since weve never had so much history to learn from and make use of before, the reality is that the mechanisms for initiating better use of a more comprehensive history have to be produced. What are some of the key starting points?

Feinman: We first have to recognize that when explaining humanitys past, history itself matters. The path dependence, or sequence of changes, and existing structures matter. In other words, the social sciences are historical scienceslike biologybut without general laws or mechanical explanations like there are in physics. Even though there are no universal laws of history, we can identify useful probabilities.

How do we do that? First, a comparative study of the past has to allow for variation in sequences, speed of development, and change. Then, as we compare different regional sequences of history, we can study the relations between historical factors and key variables under different parameters. One great advantage of history and archaeology compared to the recent past is that we know the outcomes. We already know what happened, and that gives us the opportunity to understand why.

As we build our understanding of humanitys global past, the strength of the relationships we see between institutions and factors such as population growth, nucleation, and scale will become stronger. Only through a broad comparative lens, made possible with archaeological data, can we construct a genuinely global archive of histories and heritage.

Then theres the social modeling questiona lot of historical error has been produced by seeing events as driven solely by the elites. High status generally may come with more clout than others have, but in social formations, there are many other groups and forces that have a hand in determining how events unfold. If were interested in greater accuracy, we will include the vantages of the wider population and daily life.

Institutions are part of this mix: They perform functions based on earlier embedded history that people have to contend with and sometimes reform.

Most human settlements and social formations are openpopulation flow and change are near-continuous. This means that membership and affiliations in our communities and societies are generally in flux and have mechanisms that reflect that.

Cultural groups are not homogeneous, and cultural traits do not shift in unison. Some aspects of culture, like worldviews or visions of the universe, resist change. Others, such as how people organize politically or what they do for a living, may shift more readily.

This is where it becomes so critical that we can study the past in both granular and scaled-up ways, using a range of new technologies we have available, from isotopes and DNA to satellite mapping.

The methodology of many research disciplines that use individuals as their key metric has continuously let us down the more our questions scale upthis applies to both behavioral ecology and classical economics. They are useful but conceptually inadequate when it comes to explaining the diversity and complexity of the deep past.

Ritch-Frel: Regarding the educational process for future leaders, where would you start?

Feinman: We need a curriculum for future leaders that broadens their perspective on human behavior and the global past. If were going to enjoy the benefits of history, behavior in the contemporary West should not be isolated or considered distinct from the rest. A proper dose of a synthesis of anthropology, archaeology, and history will temper the curricula that prepare future leaders in ways that dampen modernist and Eurocentric biases.

The famous Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) courses at Oxford and Cambridge, which have produced almost all the UK prime ministers for many decades, and the Grand Strategy courses taught at the elite campuses of the United States, are deeply imbued in these theories and presumptions.

Ritch-Frel: Do you think the PPE and the Grand Strategy crowd know theyre holding onto an obsolete and reductive bag and will embrace history and biological sciences, or will this have to be a knife fight in the alley?

Feinman: In so many ways, recent policies and beliefs regarding inequality, globalism, democracy, and migration have been birthed from disciplines like economics, politics, and law, which are grounded in Eurocentric ideas and assumptions. These biases are not surprising since Western social scientific thought grew hand in hand with Euro-American colonialism and contemporary paths of economic development.

But now, our mission is to disentangle and refine our conceptual frames, drawing on and broadening it based on what we have learned. The data we have collected in archaeology, anthropology, and history demand an episode of destructive science, a new conceptual development that aligns with what we know, in which we expand and integrate theoretical ideas drawn from economics and politics. And we can temper them with the diversity in practices and institutions that have been documented by archaeologists, historians, and anthropologists.
Incentivizing ILLEGALS: California to make border crossers eligible for zero-downpayment, interest-free home loans

In California, people are reacting to a controversial bill that seems to be inviting more illegal immigrants to cross the border rather than discouraging them. Assembly Bill (AB) 1840 would let "undocumented persons" receive the same kind of homebuyer assistance as U.S. citizens by making them eligible for the California Dream for All Fund, which provides interest-free loans for a down payment on a home for first-time buyers.

AB 1840 was first introduced by California Democrat Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula in mid-January and after several amendments, it advanced last week to the Committee on Housing and Community Development, where it awaits further action. Arambula last month told Fresno-based news outlet GV Wire that he "wanted to ensure that qualified first-time homebuyers include undocumented applicants." When the bill advanced to committee after amendments last week, he told the Los Angeles Times that, historically, homeownership has been the main way people accumulate generational wealth in the United States.

"The social and economic benefits of homeownership should be available to everyone," he said, arguing that it is wrong to exclude people from the benefits of the California Dream for All Fund program just because they're illegal immigrants. The program, administered by the state's Housing Finance Agency, provides loans for 20 percent of a home's value but no greater than $150,000. Qualifying homebuyers repay the loans when selling or transferring the property plus 20 percent of any appreciation in its value. Applicants who earn less than the countys area median income get a slight break, having to pay 15 percent of the appreciation. If a home doesn't appreciate, only the principal will be paid back, meaning the loan is interest-free.

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The proposed bill will amend Section 51523 of the California Health and Safety Code to include a subsection that reads: "An applicant under the program shall not be disqualified solely based on the applicants immigration status."

As it nears becoming legislation, the said measure received flak from other lawmakers. "Assembly Bill 1840 is an insult to California citizens who are being left behind and priced out of homeownership. I'm all for helping first-time homebuyers, but give priority to those who are here in our state legally," Republican California Sen. Brian Dahle posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Meanwhile, Arambula argued in the interview last month that the program wont affect the state budget because the loans are supposed to be paid back with an appreciation fee. But despite the net impact of the program on the state budget being technically neutral-to-positive, some critics are concerned that it sends the wrong message and effectively rewards illegal immigration.

"We have a huge housing crisis in California and anything we can do to get people into housing we should do. However, we should help our own first. This next generation of people growing up cant afford a house. I've got two kids in their early 30s and most of their friends do not own houses," San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond told NBC 7 San Diego. "You incentivize illegal immigration by providing free healthcare, free unemployment benefits and tons of other freebies," he replied to a post by California Gov. Gavin Newsom's post. "It's no wonder we are getting thousands of people by the day. This is on you as much as the federal government."

Why illegals when CA has the largest homeless population?

Critics are also finding Arambula's justification ludicrous. He said: "The social and economic benefits of homeownership should be available to everyone." Parker Miller, a 2024 Washington Examiner winter fellow, blasted the lawmaker and raised the question: "Why are they not available to everyone?"

According to him, California needs to sort through the housing mess of its legal citizenry because the Golden State's homeless situation is abysmal. Despite containing 12 percent of the national population, California has the largest homeless population at a full 28 percent of the nations total and 51 percent of the unsheltered homeless population in the United States. The state government has not provided adequate housing for them, so they are more likely to acquire ailments or die prematurely, Miller pointed out.

"The homeless problem is partly caused by the absurd unaffordability of housing in the state. California has by far the highest housing prices in the United States. Its median house price is $843,340, more than double the national median of $394,300. Such awful prices have forced many residents to cohabitate to afford the collective rent and mortgage payments of their homes," he added. Some locals have been compelled to migrate out of the state and now, he argued, it is committing to prioritize foreign nationals over its own unhoused population. (Related: Large cities like Los Angeles and New York SUFFER as homelessness and illegal immigration crises collide.)

Head over to CaliforniaCollapse.news for more news related to the state's collapsing status due to poor leadership.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

LegInfo.Legislature.ca.gov

GVWire.com

WashingtonExaminer.com
Cancer risk soars 52% among fully vaccinated aged 15-59, pathologist finds

A Croatian pathologist by the name of Ivana Pavic spoke with investigator Steve Kirsch recently about a disturbing phenomenon she is observing in people who got "vaccinated" for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).

According to Pavic, 65 percent of all carcinoma cases among people aged 15 through 59 received one or more injections for the Chinese Virus, this with a 55 percent vaccination rate overall in the same age group.

Calculated out, this means that getting jabbed for COVID increases one's risk of this particular form of cancer by 52 percent, something that was not disclosed when the shots were pushed through Operation Warp Speed.

Kirsch interviewed Pavic about the matter and you can watch that interview below:

(Related: Have you heard of the all-new fully vaccinated disease called VEXAS syndrome, short for vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic syndrome?)

Is COVID jab shedding causing unvaccinated to develop turbo cancers, too?

Kirsch likes to really spell out how he makes his calculations. And in this case, he presented a simple visual involving 100 people, 55 of whom are vaccinated and 45 of whom are not.

If the cancer risk in both groups is, say, 10 percent, you would have 5.5 and 4.5 with 55 percent vaccinated.

"To get to a 65% ratio, it would mean that more vaxxed people got cancer: 8.342 people," Kirsch further explains. "So you then take 8.342 / 5.5 = 1.517. So a 52% increase over baseline risk."

Based on this, it is a no-brainer why Pavic has not taken any shots and does not recommend them for anyone, regardless of their alleged risk.

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"She is not alone," Kirsch says.

"Hardly anyone in Croatia is opting for the shots anymore either, even though 99% of the doctors recommend them as safe and effective. Maybe I can get one of them to come on camera with me to explain their recommendation."

Kirsch is known for unpacking and explaining these types of damning revelations about COVID jabs  revelations that the corporate-controlled media will never tell the public.

Kirsch also has a large following of actual doctors who likewise report their findings to him. One of them, a healthcare provider, explained that cases of "turbo" cancer in her circle started out being a strictly vaccinated thing, but are now affecting some of her unvaccinated friends.

"While initially the turbo cancers seem to only happen in the vaccinated, I have three friends / acquaintances in my larger circle of UNVACCINATED that died of fairly sudden cancer," this person revealed.

"Not all of them would classify as a turbo, possibly, one was for certain an issue with a GPs questionable care. There is more and more live blood cell analysis evidence that now the unvaccinated blood shows similar inclusions or challenged blood profiles as initially was only seen in the vaccinated."

In other words, COVID jab shedding appears to be passing from vaccinated to unvaccinated, afflicting the latter with some of the same diseases as the former, despite never having taken a single needle.

Another affirmed this, stating that she is likewise seeing an increase in cancer cases among her unvaccinated friends  though these friends supposedly tested "positive" at one point for either the Delta or Omicron variants of the so-called "virus."

"I continue to say that the creation of the manipulated Spike Protein is the issue that MUST be addressed because that, IMHO, is what is causing almost all of the damage, whether through cancer, cardiac issues, auto immune diseases, etc.," this person added.

"People who took the shots certainly have a higher concentration of spike, since there is evidently no mechanism for the body to stop making it, but too many people who did not take the shots are also facing significant health issues."

COVID vaccines have turned those who took them into walking death machines. Find out more at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

KirschSubstack.com

NaturalNews.com
COVID-19 vaccines definitely linked to kidney injuries and long-term renal damage

The heart-related dangers of COVID-19 vaccines are very well-known at this point, but there is another organ that appears to be suffering from the jabs that is getting far less attention: the kidneys.

According to Dr. Peter A. McCullough, an epidemiologist, cardiologist and internist, a worrying number of kidney and renal effects are being reported in connection with the vaccine, and he fears that it may be overlooked to the point where these problems are not discovered in patients until it is too late to intervene.

He notes that kidneys receive a quarter of all cardiac output and filter blood on a regular basis. With studies showing that around half of vaccinated individuals have detectable levels of the COVID-19 vaccine spike protein in their bloodstream, it is not a stretch to posit that the spike protein and mRNA could end up settling within the kidneys and causing an expression of the spike protein there.

A scientific review outlined 28 published mechanisms of renal damage and kidney injury stemming from the jabs, with most pathways related to inflammation from autoimmunity or direct cytokine damage.

This dovetails with a paper that was published on a preprint server last year by scientists from the New Zealand Ministry of Health that showed the vaccine causes kidney injury. Interestingly, the paper somehow managed to disappear from the preprint server before popping up again later in the year in a peer-reviewed journal with some numbers changed to reframe the jab as safe for kidneys.

In an examination of VAERS database information, Steve Kirsch found that just one vaccine in the databases 30-year history had a signal for acute kidney injury  and it was indeed the COVID-19 vaccine.

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.

Doctors are too afraid to admit the vaccines cause damage

The problem is that many in the medical establishment are so fearful of admitting that the vaccines can cause any damage that they arent giving the possibility the weight it deserves. After being threatened with losing their license, many physicians are hesitant to even suggest something could be wrong with a patient after getting jabbed. As a result, people may not be getting the tests and treatments they need.

This is something that Dr. McCullough, who is an expert in complications caused by the COVID-19 vaccine and the virus itself, is worried about. He said that with so many people experiencing pressing medical problems such as blood clots, cardiac arrest, myocarditis and stroke, renal damage might be discovered when it is too late to treat it.

South Korean researchers who explored new-onset kidney diseases following COVID-19 vaccination expressed a similar sentiment. They looked at cases of people without a history of kidney-related problems who sought medical care following symptoms that arose after COVID-19 vaccination, such as red urine, acute kidney injury and decreased renal function.

The study was not controlled, which means they cannot conclusively determine causality. But they did caution: However, COVID-19 vaccines are known to cause new-onset or relapsing glomerular diseases due to potent immune dysregulation, and various therapeutic responses have been reported.

In the conclusion of their study, which was published in the journal Vaccines, they wrote: Although we could not confirm causality between vaccinations and these phenomena, in this time of mass vaccination, clinicians need to consider the possibility that vaccines may have provoked kidney diseases in patients who have renal symptoms.

If healthcare providers arent allowed to talk about vaccine side effects, they wont be able to monitor people or identify the causes of their problems so they can provide effective solutions. The damage has already been done by forcing untested vaccines on people, but now its time to acknowledge the very real adverse effects so doctors can be fully informed and help their patients get the treatment they need without fear of professional repercussions.

Sources for this article include:

Expose-News.com

PeterMcCulloughMD.Substack.com

KirschSubstack.com

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov
New York City descends into a police state as Gov. Hochul deploys 1,000 national guardsmen and police in subway system to mitigate crimes

War correspondent and former Special Forces soldier Michael Yon recently shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, video footage showing people in New York City being randomly searched by law enforcement at the Big Apple subway station. Social media users were quick to comment how this seemed like the city was being placed under a total police state.

According to reports, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul deployed on March 6 some 750 national guardsmen and 250 state police officers to patrol the subway system as the state's response to fighting recent high-profile crimes. "Let me just be very, very clear. These brazen, heinous attacks on our subway system will not be tolerated," Hochul said Wednesday.

This followed New York City Mayor Eric Adams' announcement Tuesday to add more police officers and re-institute bag checks. "I know how it plays on your psyche when you hear about some random acts of violence and that's why we must be proactive," Adams told CBS New York in an interview earlier Wednesday ahead of Hochul's announcement. The cops are doing bag checks for straphangers (a standing passenger in a bus or train) and will stop people who have been convicted of violent crimes against subway passengers from using public transit for three years.

Total Police State  randomly searching people. And the herd complies just as the herd complied in flooding the nation with their own replacements. https://t.co/zzKYhpshe9  Michael Yon: Callsign BIG HONEY 6 (@Michael_Yon) March 7, 2024

"We are instituting random bag checks," the mayor said. "They are random. They are not profiling. They are random." "Including with what they're doing checking bags to make sure explosive or illegal weapons are not entering our subway system, it's also creating another sense of presence," said New York Police Department Transit Chief Michael Kemper.

The deployment is an addition to the almost 1,000 New York City Police Department officers who were stationed throughout the subway system last month. Cameras have also been installed in roughly one-sixth of the subway cars.

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Crimes in the city have skyrocketed since January compared to last year. There were three homicides in the underground system over January and February, while incidents such as grand larcenies, felony assaults and robberies have also surged. Subway crime, which is tracked as its category, was up 30 percent year over year in 2022 when compared with 2021, despite Adams' choosing to deploy police patrols throughout the system.

Meanwhile, someone from the Twitter world volunteered a valid point. "If you're going to introduce a bunch of new police officers and National Guard soldiers into the subway system, what is the point of having them all stand in the same place instead of riding trains and walking laps of stations?" it said.

If you're going to introduce a bunch of new police officers and National Guard soldiers into the subway system, what is the point of having them all stand in the same place instead of riding trains and walking laps of stations? pic.twitter.com/dhpdgB3b2X  Anthony LaMesa (@ajlamesa) March 7, 2024

A commenter replied: "It's all performative 'security/safety theatre' and just even more virtue-signaling from the likes of NY governor Kathy Hochul."

Big Apple complies as they are flooded with illegal migrants

Meanwhile, Yon sees the situation in a deeper aspect. "And the herd complies just as the herd complied in flooding the nation with their own replacements," he captioned his X post.

Observers were quick to see the journalist's reference to illegal migrants flooding the sanctuary cities, such as New York. During former President Donald Trump's campaign speech in Virginia, where he lambasted President Joe Biden's immigration and open border policies, he revealed how some of these border crossers came from jail or who are criminals in their own countries, running away from the law. And here in America, they are welcomed with open arms. (Related: NYPD Chief laments total breakdown of justice after illegals assault police officer, then get RELEASED from jail without bail.)

"Exactly. This is a test. A compliance test. Soon to be rolled out everywhere near you," someone replied on Yon's post. "First the mayor and governor of N.Y. say they want illegals and they cut back their police force, laying off many, then cry help, help, help when these illegals, many of whom came straight from Venezuela prisons, in for heinous crimes, start attacking citizens, raping women, murdering people and stealing from businesses. And the guard is called in to save their city from further assaults on people. IMO these politicians should be tried for treason. PERIOD," another Twitter user commented in the thread.

Some even quoted the Constitution's Fourth Amendment: "The Constitution, through the Fourth Amendment, protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. The Fourth Amendment, however, is not a guarantee against all searches and seizures, but only those that are deemed unreasonable under the law."

Moreover, some followers said they smell martial law and this is a possible dry run of implementing a totalitarian state.

Head over to PoliceState.news for more news similar to this.

Sources for this article include:

Reason.com

CBSNews.com
New House bill would allow to Americans to sue manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines for adverse events and deaths

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) has introduced a bill that would allow Americans to sue the manufacturers of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines for vaccine-related adverse events , including deaths, by removing the liability shield that protects vaccine makers.

Roy said that the Let Injured Americans Be Legally Empowered Act, or the LIABLE Act, is necessary because Americans "deserve justice for the infringement on their personal medical freedom and those medically harmed deserve restitution."

The LIABLE Act would "allow Americans who took vaccines that were misleadingly promoted and forced onto many Americans via federal mandates to pursue civil litigation for their injuries," according to a summary of the bill. (Related: COVID vaccine compensation claims totaling over $100M lodged against AstraZeneca.)

"These vaccines were given emergency use authorization unilaterally and did not go through the normal U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process," the summary continued.

"The damages and fatalities caused by the vaccine demand accountability. This legislation represents a critical milestone in rectifying these injustices and paving the way for a more accountable future. This legislation is crucial for holding vaccine manufacturers accountable," said Mary Holland, president Childrens Health Defense.

Bill proposes removal of all federal liability protections for Big Pharma

The way the LIABLE Act removes federal liability protections for COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers is by removing those said protections when they were made into law when the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) was passed in 2005.

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The PREP Act protects manufacturers and people who administer the vaccines from liability. This protection was extended to the manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines, with the only exception being in cases of death or serious injury caused by "willful misconduct."

The liability shield is even removed from individuals who, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, reasonably could have believed they were protected even if, in actuality, they were not.

Along with removing the so-called liability shield, the LIABLE Act also preserves the ability of injured Americans to access pre-existing compensation programs such as the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Such access would be retroactive, allowing Americans vaccinated and injured before the LIABLE Act's passage to sue.

"No federal law  may make the manufacturer of a COVID-19 vaccine immune from suit or liability, or limit the liability of such a manufacturer, with respect to claims for loss caused by, arising out of, relating to, or resulting from the administration to or the use by an individual of a COVID-19 vaccine," the bill reads.

"The long train of abuses committed by the government and public health establishment in response to COVID-19 will continue to impact the American people for years to come," said Roy in his statement wherein he expressed his desire for this bill to pass "to empower Americans to remove crony federal liability protections for COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers and empower injured Americans."

"Millions of Americans were forced to take a shot out of fear of losing their livelihoods and under false pretenses. Many have faced injury from the vaccine, but few have been afforded little recourse."

Watch this video from CHD.TV discussing the Children's Health Defense's challenge to the PREP Act's liability shield for COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers.

This video is from the PureTrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Fauci CONFIRMS gain-of-function research conducted on pathogen blamed for COVID-19 pandemic.

Top 7 ways COVID-19-VACCINE DAMAGE is being covered up by the vaccine industrial complex.

Big Pharma and Big Govt CONCEALED heart damage caused by COVID-19 injections to push vaccine mandates.

COVID-19 vaccine sheds graphene-like substance that causes cellular damage and blood clots in the unvaccinated, warns doctor.

Spike proteins in COVID-19 vaccines can cause BRAIN DAMAGE, neurosurgeon reveals.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

VigilantNews.com

Brighteon.com
CEO of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Suzannah Jessep.

(Source: asianz.org.nz)

Talking to the VNA reporters on the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs official visit to New Zealand on March 10 and 11, Jessep highlighted the significance of the trip as it provides an opportunity for both countries to further deepen their relationship at the highest levels and to exchange perspectives on a whole range of issues important to them. Arriving with such a senior and large delegation signals the investment Vietnam is making in the relationship, and of the importance it places on this engagement, she said.

According to the CEO, next year, Vietnam and New Zealand will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Over the last five decades, the two sides have seen significant growth over the decades in people-to-people connections as well as growth in business, government, arts, defence and security, sports, science and other areas.

The expert held that: There is a vibrancy to the relationship today that deserves celebration  but it also a platform from which we should look to catapult future growth.

Recalling the upgrade of the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership in 2020, she said this was an acknowledgement of the closer ties the two countries have forged together and an expression of intent that they want to continue to look for ways to work together and advance mutual interests. New Zealand has teamed up with Vietnam to grow its agriculture sector, build resilience to climate change and disasters, and support the development of a highly-skilled and educated workforce. We also have many friends in common. Our two countries have an opportunity to collaborate with others as we respond to climate change and other challenges that are impervious to geographic borders.

Jessep said New Zealand and Vietnam are advocates for a peaceful region governed by the rule of law, respect for sovereignty and freedom of navigation. She recommended the two nations, alongside other Southeast Asian countries and regional powers, to continue to work together to protect and promote their interconnected, prosperous and stable region.

Concerning the prospects of the Vietnam - New Zealand relationship in the future, she assessed that there is great potential to grow cooperation across almost every sector. At the Asia New Zealand Foundation, we work to help build connections between talented New Zealanders and their counterparts in Asia. This includes incredible young entrepreneurs who are designing solutions to tomorrows challenges  whether it be future food needs, climate adaptation, technology, green energy and so on. But we also invest in growing connections between our communities, as the basis for developing stronger, deeper country relations. Vietnamese students who study in New Zealand are thriving, and bring with them skills and cultural acumen that we need.

According to the expert, in April, the foundation plans to take a group of young New Zealand leaders to Vietnam to learn about the country, its economy, history, and to build connections with young Vietnamese leaders. In May, it will lead a delegation of emerging art curators to Vietnam to learn about Vietnams burgeoning arts scene and make connections with arts practitioners. The foundation will also welcome a delegation of tourism and agribusiness entrepreneurs from Southeast Asia, including from Vietnam, to learn about New Zealands agricultural and tourism sectors and share ideas with their local counterparts.

Connections such as these help us to grow trade connections, but they also help us to see the relationship beyond a trade lens and I believe this is imperative to building stronger, lasting ties, the CEO concluded./.
Polish farmer protests turn violent as terroristic European governments wage war against farms

Protests in Poland turned violent this week as tens of thousands of farmers and police clashed in the capital city of Warsaw.

The farmers are upset about two main issues that are compromising their livelihoods: European Union climate policies and Ukrainian food imports. First, they have been calling for the restrictions that were imposed on them through the EUs Green Deal plan for addressing climate change to be amended. In addition, they want to see customs duties on agricultural imports from Ukraine that have been waived since the Russian invasion to be reimposed.

Wednesdays protests, which were the most violent yet, began outside the prime ministers office, with protesters marching toward parliament while farmers blocked highways going into Warsaw with their tractors. Police used batons, tear gas, stun grenades and pepper spray against protesters, some of whom threw rocks and firecrackers at police.

Supporters also turned up, many of whom were hunters, foresters and miners. Many protesters carried signs with anti-Ukrainian slogans. One person carried a coffin with a sign that read Farmer, lived 20 years, killed by the Green Deal while another person carried a banner that said I want to be a farmer, not a slave to Brussels.

In videos shared on social media, police officers can be seen hitting protesting farmers and journalists with batons and tear gas in violent scenes that shocked many locals. One video showed a protester being arrested in dramatic fashion, with a Polish flag being ripped out of his arms. At least 23 people were arrested overall.

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In a post on X, the Warsaw police defended their actions, writing: "Due to physical aggression against police officers by some of the people protesting ... it was necessary to use direct coercive measures."

Farmers union leader Tomasz Obszanski told Reuters that police blocked them from leaving when the protest ended. He said: "Everything was peaceful and suddenly the police came out of nowhere, there were loud bangs, the police started using (tear) gas and simply provoking people leaving the protest.

He warned that further action would be taken after Prime Minister Donald Tusk declined to meet with them. "After what happened today, there will be a blockade of the entire country ... Poland will come to a standstill, because a Polish farmer will not allow himself to be treated in such a way, to be batonned," he cautioned.

Tusk government under pressure

The government said that some parties may have tried to take advantage of the largely legal protests to sow civil unrest. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said: I want to make it clear: We need to differentiate between two categories. The farmers, who were protesting in accordance with the law. But we were also dealing with a small group of hooligans and provocateurs who attacked the police.

The protests are adding to the pressure on Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who recently took office and previously served as a president of the European Council; he is widely considered to be staunchly in favor of the EU. He has also expressed support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Polish farmers enjoy widespread support from citizens, and the way the protests are being handled is damaging the image of the Tusk government. Tusk has said that the farmers frustrations are justified and has claimed he will propose amendments to the Green Deal. He invited farmer leaders for conversations this weekend, but the concessions he has offered them so far have not been enough to win them over.

Sources for this article include:

Rmx.news

Reuters.com

EuroNews.com
House Republicans demand answers from Google over alleged government influence on woke and biased AI program Gemini

Republican members of the House of Representatives are urging Google's parent company Alphabet to reveal any potential government influences that may have impacted the development of its biased artificial intelligence chatbot called Gemini.

Gemini, formerly known as Google Bard, is a large language model system that generates responses based on context, language and training data. Google claimed Gemini 1.5 had improved performance, but soon after its release in early February, people criticized it for wrongly inserting images of diverse individuals into historical prompts.

Some users noticed that Gemini refused to provide images of White people in response to certain requests while readily offering images of people from other racial backgrounds. This included generating images of non-White senators in the 1800s and racially diverse Nazi soldiers. The Gemini team allegedly adhered to directives stating that AI should prioritize "equity," promoting historically marginalized groups over others, regardless of merit or accuracy. (Related: Google FAKES Gemini AI video to pump up its stock price.)

In response, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) wrote a letter to Alphabet, requesting all connections or communications between Alphabet and federal authorities regarding Gemini.

"In light of new reporting regarding how Alphabet intentionally biased its AI model, Gemini, by giving it instructions that distort the results shared with Americans who use the model as a source for information, we write to inform you that the Committee views the subpoena as covering material relating to this technology," wrote Jordan.

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.

"The subpoena requires Alphabet to produce, among other things, material concerning Alphabets engagement with the Executive Branch and Alphabets decisions and policies regarding content moderation," the letter continued. "The subpoena is continuing in nature, and the instructions and definitions accompanying the subpoena make clear that documents and information related to Gemini, an artificial intelligence chatbot technology, are within the scope of the subpoena."

Jordan also mentioned in the letter the potential violation of the First Amendment.

Given that Alphabet has censored First Amendment-protected speech as a result of government agencies requests and demands in the past, the Committee is concerned about potential First Amendment violations that have occurred concerning Alphabets Gemini model, the letter continued.

The committee has set a deadline for Alphabet to submit all relevant communication records by March 17.

Cetin: "Woke" AI distorts reality and manipulates relevant information

Frank J. Fleming, a former computer engineer and children's television writer was among the first to notice the Gemini issue and shared screenshots on his X account.

According to Fleming, Gemini consistently failed to produce images featuring White individuals, even when prompted with scenarios like medieval knights or traditional White-centric activities such as country line dancing or eating a sandwich with mayo.

"This is just interesting to me now as a programmer," Fleming commented. "I just want to poke at it now until I can figure out what the algorithm is. Offhand, if it just tried to diversify any prompt (i.e., give his Latino Zulus), that seems easier than what it's doing. It needs to first figure out if a prompt would normally be primarily White people, and only then force it to diversify by some algorithm," Fleming posted.

Another Gemini user encountered a peculiar response when attempting to force the AI to generate an image of a White pope. Instead of complying, Gemini provided a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lecture, defending its stance by stating: "While it's not appropriate to assume all Popes are Caucasian, many have been from European descent."

Imgesu Cetin, founder of Genie AI, a company specializing in data analysis, argues that this form of "woke" AI poses a serious threat by potentially distorting reality and manipulating information.

"It says dont write anything racist or sexist, but then you start affecting the truth. George Washington was not a black guy. So its really a big danger, manipulating reality." The controversy surrounding Gemini underscores the growing concerns about the ethical implications and potential biases embedded in artificial intelligence systems.

Visit EvilGoogle.news for more stories about Google's nefarious plans with AI.

Watch this video discussing the backlash Google is facing following the Gemini controversy.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Elon Musk blasts Google's Gemini AI for ELIMINATING WHITES in its generated images.

Googles Gemini AI accused of generating FAKE REVIEWS to smear a book about Big Tech's political biases.

Googles Gemini AI trying to eliminate white culture in MASSIVE "white purge" of past, present and future.

Google apologizes after its AI-powered image generator Gemini kept inserting "diversity" skin color into historical image prompts.

Google apologizes for ahistorical and inaccurate Gemini AI images, but does nothing to correct its racist, anti-white programming.

Sources include:

ReclaimtheNet.org

NewYorkPost.com

FoxBusiness.com

DailyMail.co.uk

Brighteon.com
Dr. Joseph Sansone files Writ of Mandamus in Florida to force Gov. DeSantis to ban COVID vaccines

On behalf of the millions of people who are dead or in the process of dying due to having gotten "vaccinated" for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), Dr. Joseph Sansone has filed a Writ of Mandamus in Florida to compel Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody to prohibit any further distribution of the shots, which he describes as "nanoparticle injections" or "mRNA nanoparticle injections."

To preserve the human race from further genetic tainting, Dr. Sansone's petition requires DeSantis and Moody to take immediate action in the Sunshine State with regard to stopping COVID shots from continuing to be distributed and injected into people's bodies.

"This mandamus also seeks to compel Respondents to seize all vials of COVID 19 injections and all mRNA nanoparticle injections, and conduct a forensic analysis of their contents," Dr. Sansone says.

(Related: Last year, a number of Florida counties tried to take matters into their own hands by individually passing resolutions to ban COVID injections.)

How will DeSantis respond?

Already, some 10 Florida county Republican parties have declared Chinese Virus jabs to be biological and technological weapons, not medicine. The Florida Department of Health is also on board with halting all further distribution and use of the chemical vials.

In Dr. Sansone's view, his Writ of Mandamus filing provides the best hope of anything actually being done to stop the chemical genocide. DeSantis now has one of two options at his disposal: He can either sic his attorneys on Dr. Sansone, or he can comply with the petition and ban COVID jabs immediately.

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.

"I sincerely hope he will comply," Dr. Sansone says. "The more eyes on this the more likely the Governor and Attorney General do the right thing."

With the help of Karen Kingston, who spent "countless hours" conducting research for Dr. Sansone to create the statement of facts in the legal brief, Dr. Sansone's efforts will require DeSantis to take some kind of action as the governor will not be legally allowed to just ignore the petition.

"I also want to thank the three anonymous attorneys, and National ARM President David Meiswinkle, that put eyes on this document before I submitted it," Dr. Sansone wrote on his Substack.

Because nobody else seems to be doing anything about the COVID jab genocide, Dr. Sansone decided that he would have to become the change he wants to see in the world. He is now encouraging all doctors, attorneys and human rights organizations that care about the matter to consider filing an amicus brief, or a motion to intervene with the Florida Supreme Court on the matter as well.

"I am praying that the Supreme Court of Florida stops this horror show," Dr. Sansone says. "Governor Ron DeSantis is an Accessory After the Fact and is Aiding and Abetting genocide."

You can read the full document filed by Dr. Sansone at this link.

"Joseph A. Ladapo, MD, PhD, is the State Surgeon General of Florida," noted one of Dr. Sansone's followers and supporters. "He should have banned the jab a long time ago, if he has the power."

"I briefed him on the fact that we warned ahead of any emergency use authorization that these injections would injure and kill," responded Dr. Mike Yeadon. "I showed him how distressingly consistent with those warnings the outturn was."

"Briefing a captured individual may not produce the results one would expect," responded someone else. "Bribery and blackmail motivate things away from common sense."

Does it even matter anymore now that most of the world has already gotten injected for COVID? Find out more about the long-term health damage the fully vaccinated will face at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

JosephSansone.substack.com

JamesRoguski.substack.com

NaturalNews.com
THOUGHT POLICE SNITCHES: SB 5427 in Washington offers $2,000 rewards to residents who report neighbors guilty of wrongspeak

The Washington state legislature has passed a bill to create a statewide snitching infrastructure for residents to report their neighbors for "wrongspeak."

Senate Bill 5427, which passed both the Senate and the House and now awaits Gov. Jay Inslee's signature, allows private individuals, including non-citizens and illegal aliens, to reports "bias incidents" to the state attorney general's office. Each reporting incident comes with a potential reward payout of $2,000.

The bill's supporters say its purpose is to protect "victims of hate crimes" before said crimes even occur, but at what cost? In essence, SB 5427 creates a tattletale hotline designed to intimidate people in Washington from speaking their minds, especially when such speech might be politically incorrect.

From what we can tell, SB 5427 is unconstitutional for at least the following five reasons:

1) It infringes on one's right to confront his accuser

2) It impedes freedom of speech

3) It violates freedom of thought, an implied right in the First Amendment

4) It steamrolls freedom of religion

5) It impairs freedom of the press

"People will stop talking to others and writing to others except very close friends and relatives for fear a greedy 'Karen' will report them to Washington's version of the Gestapo," is how one independent media outlet framed SB 5427.

(Related: Remember back during the Wuhan coronavirus [COVD-19] "pandemic" when Washington Gov. Jay Inslee was caught setting up COVID concentration camps to imprison the non-compliant?)

Washington, the tyranny state

For a constituency that prides itself on "bodily rights" (abortion) and other do-whatever-we-want beliefs, SB 5427 sure will put a muzzle on the mouths of Washingtonians  at least those who express unpopular viewpoints.

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In a public testimony before the Senate Ways and Means Committee on February 20, Conservative Ladies of Washington Founder and President Julie Barrett blasted the bill for completely overriding the United States Constitution.

"Spend five minutes on Twitter on any given day and I assure someone would say something offensive under this law that we could call a 'hate crime' and collect $2,000 from the attorney general," Barrett said.

"It potentially target[s] people for actions they don't like, but are not actually hate crimes. In collaboration with bills like HB 1333, this would create sort of a 'tattletale hotline' to report people one doesn't agree with or doesn't like."

In defense of the bill's $2,000-per-report offering, one supporter of SB 5427 tried to argue that the money "is not a reward to people who report to the hotline," but rather compensation to cover the cost of "damages" incurred, whatever those might be.

SB 5427 explicitly mentions "an expression of animus" as one of the offending actions that warrants a call to the state government, to which we wonder: What, exactly, does this mean?

Imagine a police officer arrives at your home for questioning about a "bias incident" you allegedly committed. Since the statute prohibits him from telling you who called in the complaint, and also bars him from answering any questions you might have, all you know is that you said something "wrong" and must now pay a price with no way to defend yourself.

After all that, your name stays on the state's "Bias Incident List" forever, only to be added to in the event that you commit more "expressions of animus" that warrant additional reports. Does Washington sound like a good place to live?

"Hopefully voters in the state of Washington turn over the government," said one commenter about the bill. "Either that or chunks of the state could end up merging into Idaho."

Did you ever think you would see this kind of thing take shape in the "land of the free?" Find out more at Tyranny.news.

Sources for this article include:

LibertySentinel.org

NaturalNews.com
The real Victoria Nuland: US foreign policy official retires after decades of fomenting conflict and destruction

Victoria Nuland has played a pivotal role in both constructing and executing American foreign policy over the last few decades, wreaking havoc every step of the way.

(Article by Jordan Schachtel republished from Dossier.today)

On Tuesday, the State Department announced that she will be retiring from her role in the coming weeks.

Torias tenure caps three and a half decades of remarkable public service under six Presidents and ten Secretaries of State, a statement from Secretary of State Antony Blinken read.

What makes Toria truly exceptional is the fierce passion she brings to fighting for what she believes in most: freedom, democracy, human rights, and Americas enduring capacity to inspire and promote those values around the world.

Far from her advertised qualities, Nuland has used her position of power to pursue ideological pursuits that served as a force for death and destruction.

Lets take a look at Nulands resume and explore the activities of this supposed freedom and democracy champion.

Clinton Administration

Nulands first big role came in the form of serving as chief of staff to deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott, a longtime Clinton family confidant. He who would later become president of the far-left Brookings Institution, a corrupt think tank which, during Talbotts tenure, served as a vessel for the interests of the government of Qatar.

From 1997 to 1999, Nuland was Deputy Director for former Soviet Union affairs at the United States Department of State, where she handled U.S. policy towards Russia.

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.

Bush 43 Administration

From 2003 to 2005, Nuland served as the principal deputy foreign policy adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney. Nulands team helped to make the case for pushing the envelop in Iraq. The Bush Administration spent over $1 trillion on the war, toppling Saddam Hussein in the process, but then creating a vacuum for the birth of the Islamic State. Almost half a million people died during the war, including over 4400 U.S. troops.

After fomenting carnage in Iraq, Nuland shifted over to the NATO portfolio during the second Bush term. In her role as U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Nuland was tasked with expanding European partner commitments to the war in Afghanistan. After trillions of dollars in costs and tens of thousands of civilian and military lives lost during the 20 year war, the U.S. withdrew from the country in 2021. Since then, the Taliban has come into power and now rules the country under the same flag that it did prior to 9/11/01.

Obama Administration

Nuland began her tenure in the Obama Administration as the State Department spokesperson.

From 2013 to 2015 Nulands portfolio was dominated by Eastern Europe and Russia. She was the American point person for the infamous Maidan uprising in Ukraine, which resulted in the ouster of the countrys elected president. Critics of the Nuland-led campaign have labeled her activities in Ukraine as a successful coup effort in a foreign country.

Trump Administration/Private Sector

Nuland retreats into the private sector within the Albright Stonebridge Group, a firm with multiple offices in Beijing and Shanghai. The organization served as a means to promote globalist ideologues and retain their employment for future high level Biden Administration appointees.

Biden Administration

As the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Nuland appeared to telegraph the future bombing of the Nord Stream pipeline, declaring that it will not move forward if Russia invades Ukraine.

Of course, the rest is history, and the Nord Stream system was sabotaged.

Nuland has since acted to disrupt peace talks and advance the maximalist position of fighting the Ukraine-Russia war to the very last Ukrainian, ensuring that there is more reasons for Congress to allocate untold billions to the war effort.

Surely, she will get a John McCain-like send off within the D.C. Beltway in the coming weeks. Since the 1990s, Nuland has acted to wreak maximum amounts of havoc from within the power centers of the American government, and thats why the men and women of institutional Washington hold her in such high regard.

Only in D.C. would such a wicked public servant be celebrated.

Read more at: Dossier.today
UN expert: Israel is destroying Gazas food system as part of bigger starvation campaign

An expert with the United Nations (UN) has denounced Israel for destroying Gaza's food system as part of Tel Aviv's bigger "starvation campaign" against the Palestinians.

UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food Michael Fakhri issued this condemnation during a March 7 speech before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The council wasn't off the hook as the Lebanese-Canadian law professor rebuked it for its inaction, remarking: "The images of starvation in Gaza are unbearable and you are doing nothing."

According to Fakhri, "Israel has mounted a starvation campaign against the Palestinian people in Gaza." He added that Tel Aviv is "destroying the food system" there by targeting small-scale fishermen, denying them access to the sea and destroying their boats and shacks. Fakhri continued that around 80 percent of the Strip's fishing sector has been destroyed since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 and that Israeli forces have demolished every boat in the main port of Gaza City  the Strip's capital.

The law professor is one of dozens of independent human rights experts mandated by the UN to report and advise on specific themes and crises, according to Reuters. Several other countries including Egypt and Iraq have echoed his criticism of Israel for the growing hunger in Gaza. (Related: Israel is weaponizing FAMINE while destroying food system in Gaza, says UN human rights expert.)

Fakhri concluded his speech by calling on UN member countries to also consider sanctions, cutting diplomatic ties and implementing arms embargoes with Israel. "This is on your watch. Please turn your words into action," he said.

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.

A day earlier on March 6, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus took to X to call for more aid into Gaza alongside an immediate ceasefire. He also shared a video detailing the situation in the area under siege by Israel. According to the WHO head who hails from Ethiopia, children in Gaza who have survived bombings by the Israel Defense Forces may not now survive famine.

Israelis line up for burgers as Palestinians starve

The remarks by Fakhri and Tedros come at the heels of American fast-food chain Shake Shack opening its first branch in Israel. The burger joint opened its first location in the Jewish-majority nation at Dizengoff Street in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on March 5. According to the Middle East Eye, Shake Shack's opening in the city saw groups of people line up to get their orders.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz meanwhile said Shake Shack's opening in Tel Aviv was kept "deliberately low-key." It added that since the start of Israel's war against Hamas  formally the Islamic Resistance Movement  the joint has been keeping "almost completely silent about plans to expand into Israel, with nothing more posted on any of their social media platforms after the original announcement." The company's Israeli leadership has refused repeated requests for an interview.

Ironically, Shake Shack's opening in Israel coincided with the Gaza Health Ministry's announcement that 18 people had died from malnutrition in the Strip since the war began. This sparked calls for an international boycott of the burger joint.

Several users took to social media to air their outrage and rebuke the burger joint's move to open in Israel.

"Shake Shack has opened in Israeli territory in a time of genocide. Shut [down] its branches in the Arab world," one user said. Outside of Israel, Shake Shack has branches in several Gulf countries  Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Others suggested alternatives to Shake Shack, with one user suggesting the Fat Cap burger shop in Kuwait.

Meanwhile, other users publicly vowed that they would never patronize Shake Shack anymore. One user issued a sarcastic response, inviting others to try out the chain's "blood of the innocent shake" and the "starving children" burger.

Head over to Hunger.news for more stories about the lack of food in the Gaza Strip.

Watch this clip that features starving children in the Gaza Strip due to Israel's offensive.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

UN official: Israel-Palestine war brings FAMINE at incredible speed, leaving hundreds of thousands starving in Gaza.

Israel's genocidal "war of starvation" against Gaza ensures many survivors of bombings die of thirst and hunger.

At least one fourth of Gazans are facing famine as food scarcity is weaponized against the innocent.

Israel weaponizes food supply as almost 600,000 people go hungry in Gaza.

Starvation could lead to MASS DEATHS in the Gaza Strip, resident warns.

Sources include:

Reuters.com

MiddleEastEye.net

Brighteon.com
Americas first airdrops of essential aid into Gaza branded a PR stunt by critics

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies amid the prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas, the United States has embarked on its first airdrops of essential aid to address the pressing needs in the region. But this move was instantly criticized by aid groups as grossly insufficient

Some argue that the airdrops are symbolic and primarily aimed at public relations, rather than addressing the pressing needs on the ground. This comes as President Joe Biden and his administration come increasingly under fire due to the White House's unconditional support for Israel.

This decision follows a recent unsuccessful aid mission overseen by Israel, which resulted in a tragic incident during which Israeli troops fired on Palestinians crowding around an aid convoy in northern Gaza for food. The massacre caused over 100 Palestinian deaths. (Related: United Nations accuses Israel of BLOCKING humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza Strip.)

The international community, including the U.S. and its allies, is scrambling to alleviate the worsening conditions in the Gaza Strip.

In the latest concerted effort to provide relief to Gazans, three American military aircraft conducted airdrops over southwestern Gaza, deploying parachutes carrying approximately 38,000 ready-to-eat meals.

Simultaneously, the Jordanian Air Force participated in a joint mission, conducting two airdrops of food in northern Gaza.

These initiatives aim to address the severe shortage of food and essential supplies in a region where most of the 2.3 million inhabitants are displaced, hungry, and lacking adequate access to medical care.

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.

Gaza airdrop criticized as insufficient to address needs of Palestinians

The recent decision by the U.S. to conduct airdrops of humanitarian aid to Gaza amid the ongoing conflict with Israel has drawn criticism from members of international aid organizations.

Former U.S. Agency for International Development director of the West Bank Dave Harden expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that the U.S. should focus on compelling Israel to open more crossings for aid delivery instead of relying on symbolic gestures. He emphasized the importance of practical measures, such as increased aid flow through established routes.

"The airdrops are symbolic and designed in ways to appease the domestic base," said Harden. "Really what needs to happen is more crossings and mor etrucks going [into Gaza] every day."

United Kingdom-based charity Medical Aid for Palestinians echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for the U.S., the U.K. and other actors to work towards ensuring the immediate opening of all crossings into Gaza for aid.

"Airdrops are not the solution to relieve this suffering and distract time and effort from proven solutions to help at scale," said the New York-based humanitarian nonprofit the International Rescue Committee.

Anti-poverty non-government organization Oxfam criticized the Biden administration's efforts as insufficient and lacking a comprehensive plan for safe aid distribution.

"While Palestinians in Gaza have been pushed to the absolute brink, dropping a paltry, symbolic amount of aid into Gaza with no plan for its safe distribution would not help and be deeply degrading to Palestinians," said Scott Paul, who leads Oxfam's advocacy work with the U.S. government.

Learn more about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza caused by Israel's unrelenting military campaign in the region at Humanitarian.news.

Watch this clip featuring the American and Jordanian air drops in Gaza.

This video is from the Worldview channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Starvation could lead to MASS DEATHS in the Gaza Strip, resident warns.

At least one fourth of Gazans are facing famine as food scarcity is weaponized against the innocent.

War on Gaza: Israeli "massacre" kills over 100 Palestinians seeking food in Gaza City.

BEYOND EVIL: At least 20 killed after Israeli tanks OPENED FIRE on Gazans waiting for aid.

U.N. official: Israel-Palestine war brings FAMINE at incredible speed, leaving hundreds of thousands starving in Gaza.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

AlJazeera.com

Brighteon.com
Press Release

March 10, 2024 SP ZUBIRI ASSURES PNP OF LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FROM SENATE Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri today assured officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that the Senate is doing everything in its power to support the evolving needs of the police force. In a speech before police officials attending the 44th Grand Alumni Homecoming of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite, Zubiri praised the police force in its contribution to advancing the welfare of the people, even saying that the Senate has benefitted from the wisdom of police officers who became senators: Robert Barbers, Ping Lacson, Fred Lim and currently, Sen. Bato dela Rosa. "The fact of the matter is that as legislators and law enforcers, we have to work hand-in-hand. Whatever instruments we wield, whether it be guns or pens, our goal is the same: to protect and uplift our communities and the whole nation," said Zubiri. "To this end, the Senate has endeavored to develop legislation in support of the evolving needs of the police force," the Senate chief added. Zubiri started quantifying this legislative support by mentioning the passage in 2021 of Republic Act No. 11549 or the "Height Equality Act" that reduced the height requirement for not only police recruits but also officers of firefighters and jail and corrections officers. "We know that a good cop is not defined by their height - what counts is their courage, their commitment, and their integrity. And so this law opened the doors for many more Filipinos to enter the police force and dedicate themselves to the service of our people," the senator from Bukidnon said. Zubiri added that just last month, the Senate passed on third and final reading the PNP Organizational Reforms Act that aims to update the old structures of the PNP and strengthen and streamline its leadership, organization and management. "We will be institutionalizing offices such as the Directorial Staff and the Area Police Command across the country, to fortify their roles and integrate them better into the police force," Zubiri said. The Jail Integration Act, which will transfer provincial and sub-provincial jails from the supervision of LGUs to the supervision of the BJMP, was also passed on third and final reading last week in the Senate. "Under the expert management of the BJMP, we hope to create a more efficient and standardized system of management for all Persons Deprived of Liberty, no matter where they are serving their time," Zubiri explained. The bill, he continued, will also complement the Heinous Crimes Facility Act that was passed in the 18th Congress and has obtained funding this year. "With that supermax facility in Mindoro, we hope to decongest our jails, and we hope to establish a better managed penitentiary system that will help low-level offenders have a truly rehabilitative time in prison, away from the influence of high-level offenders," Zubiri noted. He also mentioned that the committee report for the BFP and BJMP Rank Classification Act is out and is ready for plenary debates. Apart from legislation targeting institutional improvement, Zubiri said the Senate is also working on bills that will help with the arms procurement of the police force, namely the amendments to the Government Procurement Reform Act and the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Act. "The SRDP Act, in particular, is very important to me, because I believe that we should be able to produce our own defense needs, on our own time - instead of relying on our foreign allies for the bulk of our arms procurement," he declared. The PNP can also look forward to the PNP Forensic DNA Database Act, which Zubiri believes will revolutionize criminal investigation procedures and keep the country at par with global standards in forensic sciences and practices. "As you can see, the Senate is all in with our support for the PNP and its partner agencies. We value deeply your great selflessness and sacrifice, and we recognize your work to be foundational to our country's growth. We cannot, after all, pursue progress without first securing peace," Zubiri said. "And so the Senate is always here to work with you in our shared responsibility of engendering genuine and lasting peace in our communities and in the country."
The book features a full article by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. (Photo: nhandan.vn)

Written to mark the 94th anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3), the book features a full article by the Party leader.



Since its publication, the article has received widespread attention and enthusiastic response from Party officials, members and people.



It has been credited with igniting a deep sense of pride in the glorious historical tradition of the Party, the great President Ho Chi Minh, and the heroic Vietnamese nation. It has also reinforced unwavering confidence in the glorious leadership of the Party and in the ongoing efforts toward national renewal and construction, with the ultimate goal of building a prosperous, civilised and happy country.



Divided into three parts, the e-book is intended to meet the research needs of officials, Party members and general readers. It is expected to serve as a valuable resource for the Party and mass organisations, agencies, units, and Party committees at all levels in their activities./.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Snow flurries this morning will give way to partly cloudy skies during the day. High 38F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 26F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.
The upcoming week is expected to be lively on Dalal Street, with seven companies preparing to launch their initial public offerings (IPOs) alongside eight new listings. With benchmark indices consistently reaching new record highs, there is an optimistic sentiment prevailing, and the primary market is abounding with numerous investment prospects for investors.

Out of the seven upcoming IPOs, Popular Vehicles and Krystal Integrated are mainboard issues, while the four SME IPOs consist of Pratham EPC, Signoria Creation, Royal Sense Limited, and AVP Infracon Limited IPO.

IPOs Next Week

Popular Vehicles and Services IPO

The IPO of Popular Vehicles and Services, an automobile dealer based in Kerala, is scheduled to commence subscription on March 12. The company has established a price range of Rs 280-295 per share.

The IPO consists of a primary issuance of Rs 250 crore alongside an offer-for-sale (OFS) of 11.92 million shares by the private equity fund BanyanTree Growth Capital II LLC.

Anchor bidding will kick off on March 11, with the issue concluding on March 14. The basis of allotment will be finalised by March 15.

Krystal Integrated Services IPO

Krystal Integrated Services, a company specialising in facilities management services, will launch its public issue for subscription on March 14. This marks the second public issue to debut on Dalal Street next week, following Popular Vehicles & Services.

The anchor book, allocated to qualified institutional buyers, will open for a single day on March 13, just before the issues opening.

The IPO consists of a primary offering of equity shares valued at Rs 175 crore, along with an offer-for-sale (OFS) of 17.5 lakh equity shares by the promoter Krystal Family Holdings.

KP Green Engineering IPO

The subscription for the issue will commence on March 15, 2024, and conclude on March 19, 2024. The price range for the issue is set between Rs 137 and Rs 144 per share, with the minimum lot size for an application being 1,000 shares.

AVP Infracon IPO

AVP Infracon, an infrastructure construction company, is set to commence its initial public offering (IPO) on March 13. The SME IPO, concluding on March 16, has established a price band for the issue ranging from Rs 71 to Rs 75 per share. The company aims to raise Rs 52.34 crore at the upper end of the price band through a fully fresh issue of 69.79 lakh equity shares.

Pratham EPC Projects IPO

Pratham EPC Projects is scheduled to initiate its initial public offering (IPO) on March 11, with the SME IPO closing on March 13. The company has set the price band for the issue at Rs 71 to Rs 75 per share. At the upper end of this range, the company aims to raise Rs 36 crore from the offering, which comprises entirely a fresh issue of 48 lakh equity shares.

Signoria Creation IPO

The Signoria Creation IPO will commence subscription on March 12 and end on March 14. This book-built issue amounts to Rs 9.28 crores and comprises solely a fresh issue of 14.28 lakh shares. Priced between Rs 61 and Rs 65 per share, the shares are intended for listing on NSE SME.

Royal Sense IPO

The Royal Sense IPO will open for subscription on March 12 and conclude on March 14, 2024. This fixed price issue amounts to Rs 9.86 crore and consists entirely of a fresh issue of 14.5 lakh shares priced at Rs 68 per share. The basis of allotment will be finalized on March 15, 2024, with the tentative listing date set for March 19, 2024.

What Is IPO?

IPO stands for Initial Public Offering. An IPO is the process through which a privately-held company offers its shares to the public for the first time, allowing it to raise capital from public investors.

When a company decides to go public through an IPO, it hires investment banks or underwriters to facilitate the process. These underwriters help the company determine the IPO price, draft the necessary regulatory documents, and manage the offering process.

Once the IPO is launched, interested investors can purchase shares of the company through the stock exchanges where the companys shares are listed. This influx of capital allows the company to expand its operations, invest in new projects, pay off debts, or achieve other financial objectives.
PM Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse say goodbye to representatives

of Vietnamese people in Australia before leaving Canberra for an official visit

to New Zealand on March 9. (Photo: VNA)

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in Australia, Prof. Carl Thayer from the Australian Defence Force Academy, the University of New South Wales, said the upgrade of the bilateral ties to the comprehensive strategic partnership reflects the mutual respect for each others political regimes. Economic benefits have brought the two countries closer together for the sake of a broader strategic interest.

The new partnership will generate opportunities for more intensive discussions about various issues between Vietnam and Australia, he said, noting that the majority of Australian people support the reinforcement of the ties with Vietnam, especially in education.

The scholar held that Australia will prioritise cooperation with Vietnam and promote dialogue. The two sides can jointly put forth and share ideas at different dialogue levels. All of these will serve the two countries shared future amid such challenges as climate change, economic uncertainties, and superpowers competition facing the world and the region.

Both sides will jointly gain benefits if they understand those challenges and find out the best ways for promoting the most effective cooperation via bilateral and multilateral mechanisms in which Vietnam engages and has a strong role to play, Thayer added.

Greg Earl, former member of the Australia - ASEAN Council and former Southeast Asia correspondent at the Australian Financial Review, perceived that the elevation of the bilateral relations to the comprehensive strategic partnership will create a prerequisite for Vietnam and Australia to enhance diplomatic ties more strongly and hold dialogues on regional issues.

In fact, he noted, the two countries have found out ways to build closer and closer relations, which are based on complementary economic policies and the large Vietnamese community that has helped deepen Australias understanding of the Southeast Asian nation.

The ties with Vietnam form one of the fastest growing foreign relationships of Australia over the recent past. Despite different political regimes, the two countries share many similarities in their foreign policies towards the region.

In addition, Vietnam is investing in resources of Australia, which in turn is importing more products from Vietnam. This has helped Australian businesses become more familiar with Vietnam, according to Earl.

Voicing his delight at the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership, Hal Hill, Emeritus Professor at the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University, described this as a positive sign for the future of both countries. Though they are not geographically close to each other, they can seize this opportunity to develop durable relations and mutual understanding in all aspects.

He said Vietnam has enjoyed sound relations with most countries and secured an important stature in the international arena, setting an example for other countries to follow.

Besides, Vietnam is considered as an economic star in Southeast Asia and the most successful country in this region in terms of entering the global production network  the fastest growing part of international trade. Many multinationals have come to Vietnam and carried out production activities here.

Given this, Hill held that Vietnam is a great opportunity for Australia.

The professor said in terms of political and social aspects, Vietnam is a dynamic and active country which used to be one of the poorest in the world in the 1980s but thanks to Doi moi (Renewal), it has established itself as a diverse economy with large rice exports and successful agriculture and fisheries.

With PM Chinhs visit and such optimistic signs, a new era has opened for closer relations between Vietnam and Australia, he remarked./.
India has signed as many as 14 free trade agreements (FTAs), including with the four-nation European bloc EFTA on Sunday, and six preferential pacts with its trading partners to promote exports and ensure greater market access for domestic goods and services.

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Since 2014, the country has signed three such agreements with Mauritius, the UAE and Australia, and the latest edition in the list is EFTA.

Together, these trade pacts ensure preferential relationships with 94 countries. When India completes its ongoing FTA negotiations, it will have some kind of preferential relationship with over 120 countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the India-EFTA trade agreement symbolises our shared commitment to open, fair and equitable trade.

The Prime Ministers statement was read by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in the presence of ministers and officials of EFTA countries.

PM Modi took his official X account and expressed his delight by the signing of the India-EFTA Trade & Economic Partnership Agreement.

Delighted by the signing of the India-EFTA Trade & Economic Partnership Agreement. This landmark pact underlines our commitment to boosting economic progress and create opportunities for our youth. The times ahead will bring more prosperity and mutual growth as we strengthen our https://t.co/z40wurQn9M pic.twitter.com/i9vQM9jYAi Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 10, 2024

He also said that the global leadership of EFTA countries in innovation and R&D across diverse spheres like digital trade, banking and financial services, and pharma will open up new doors of collaboration.

Heartiest Congratulations and best wishes to the negotiators and signatories involved in the signing of India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), Modi said in a written message.

PM Modi added that despite structural diversities in many aspects, our economies possess complementarities that promise to be a win-win situation for all the nations.

In the last 10 years, Indias economy has taken a quantum leap, moving from being the worlds eleventh largest economy to the fifth largest. Our next goal is to make Indias economy in the world, the Prime Minister said.

A message by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as India signs Trade and Economic Participation Agreement (TEPA) with EFTA. pic.twitter.com/lwZDuvVAAC ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2024

What is FTA?

A free trade agreement is an arrangement between two or more countries where they agree either to end or reduce customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them, besides cutting down non-trade barriers on a significant value of imports from partner countries and easing norms to promote services exports and bilateral investments.

The subjects covered under these pacts range between 10 to 30. Across the globe, over 350 FTAs are currently in force and most of the nations have signed one or more such agreements.

Types of trade pacts: Terms like FTA, PTA or RTA are sometimes used interchangeably to describe these agreements.

The WTO (World Trade Organisation) uses the abbreviation RTA (Regional Trade Agreement) to denote all types of preferential economic engagements. The 166-member Geneva-based organisation is the global watchdog for exports and imports-related issues.

India has been a member since 1995. If two or more countries agree to reduce or eliminate duties on a specified number of goods, it is termed a preferential trade agreement (PTA) or Early Harvest Scheme (India-Thailand).

Certain agreements are also named CECA (Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement  India-Singapore) or CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement  India-Korea) or BTIA (Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement  India-EU) or TEPA (Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement). These comprehensive or new-age agreements include subjects like goods, services, investments, intellectual property rights, government procurement, trade facilitation, trade remedies and customs cooperation.

Benefits of FTAs: According to a report by the economic think tank GTRI, countries across the world negotiate these trade deals for several reasons.

Zero-duty entry into partner country markets helps in the diversification and expansion of export markets. Level playing field vis-a-vis competitors who may have already entered FTAs with partner countries.

FTAs enable preferential treatment in the partner country market over non-FTA member country competitors. Attracting foreign investment to stimulate domestic manufacturing. Access to raw materials, intermediate products and capital goods for value-added manufacturing. Long-term efficiency and consumer welfare goals.

Indias FTAs: India has inked trade deals with Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Australia, UAE, Mauritius and the 10-nation bloc ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

In addition, India is negotiating trade agreements at present with a number of its trading partners. The negotiations are underway with the UK, Oman, the European Union (EU), Peru, and Israel.

Talks with Canada for a similar pact were put on hold due to certain political issues. According to an official, talks with Oman are in the final stages. The 14th round of talks are underway between India and the UK.

The conclusion of talks between India and the UK is expected after general elections, as both sides have yet to iron out differences in key areas of goods and services.

Meaning of Zero Duty in FTA: If zero duty is notified for a product under an FTA, does it mean it will enter India without paying any duty? No. Zero duty here means zero basic customs duty. However, other applicable duties, which are mostly in the nature of domestic taxes are to be paid. These may include IGST (integrated goods and services tax) and Special welfare cess.

Each FTA contains a list of items on which no duty is reduced. Such lists are known as exclusion, negative or sensitive lists. This list is different for each agreement. A few items that figure in these lists of many of Indias FTAs are select vegetables, fruits, spices, dairy and auto.

Free trade agreements provide for a periodic review after their implementation to sort out key issues among the signatory parties. At present, review talks are on between India and Korea. FTAs and the WTO FTAs give more preference to partner countries than to other WTO members.

(With PTI inputs)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday launched two schemes to provide financial assistance to students from Classes 9 to 12, for which the government has allocated Rs 1,650 crore in the state budget. Under its Namo Lakshmi Yogana, the government will provide Rs 50,000 to girls studying in Classes 9 to 12 over four years, while Rs 25,000 will be given to both girls and boys who have opted for the science stream in Classes 11 and 12 under the Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana, a release stated. These two significant schemes have been initiated this year to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modis commitment to girls education, encouraging girls to pursue secondary and higher secondary education and to promote science education, the state government said in a statement.

The chief minister launched the schemes from Gyanda High School in Ahmedabad, with around 35,000 students of primary and secondary schools and educators from across the state participating virtually in the online programme. Patel read out the prime ministers congratulatory message and said these schemes will offer a chance to empower women and youth in Gujarat through education and ensure their well-being.

Elaborating on the Namo Lakshmi Yojana, the chief minister said its objective was to enable admission of girls to higher secondary schools from Classes 9 to 12 and address their nutritional needs. The scheme will cover girls studying in government, aided, and private schools, he said.

According to the release, the government has allocated Rs 1,650 crore for the schemes in this years budget. Under the Namo Lakshmi Yojana, the beneficiary students will receive Rs 500 per month for 10 months each year, and the remaining Rs 10,000 will be disbursed after they pass the Class 10 board exam, it said.

Students in Classes 11 and 12 will receive Rs 750 per month for 10 months each year, and Rs 15,000 will be given after they pass the Class 12 board exam, the release said. The Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana aims to encourage students to opt for the science stream and excel in it, the chief minister said.

Students in Classes 11 and 12 who have opted for the science stream will receive Rs 1,000 per month for 10 months, totalling Rs 20,000 over two years, and the remaining Rs 5,000 will be disbursed after they pass the Class 12 board exam. Girls studying in Class 11 and 12 science will benefit from both schemes, Patel said, adding that students in government and aided schools will be eligible to avail of these schemes regardless of their family income.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Trinamool Congress on Sunday announced its list of 42 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. In a surprise move, the party fielded former cricketer Yusuf Pathan from Berhampore and brought in 26 new faces to contest in the polls.

2024 Lok Sabha Elections Date And Schedule LIVE

After the surprise resignation of Arun Goel as the Election Commissioner (EC), News18 sources said on Sunday that two election commissioners are likely to be appointed on March 15.

On the other hand, former Lok Janshakti Party president Chirag Paswan asserted that every party wants him to be on its side, indicating he could tilt towards the one that offered a better bargai

Solidifying their alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Saturday finalised a seat-sharing agreement with the Congress. Sources told News18 that the DMK has allocated 9 seats in Tamil Nadu and 1 seat in Puducherry to the Congress.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena Party sealed the deal on their alliance after a second round of talks with their respective senior leaders. However, a join statement from the three parties noted that, The modalities of seat-sharing will be deliberated within a day or two.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date
The government could hold a selection committee meeting soon, as early as in the coming week, for selection of an Election Commissioner (EC) in the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Arun Goel resigned as the Election Commissioner (EC) in a surprise move on Saturday amid the vacancy after Anup Pandeys retirement as an EC last month. Goel was scheduled to leave for Jammu and Kashmir on March 12 for a review visit.

ALSO READ | Election Commissioner Arun Goel Resigns, Leaving Only CEC Rajiv Kumar in Office

The ECI is to take a call on whether the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections should be held simultaneously in J&K, given the Supreme Courts deadline of September 30 to hold assembly elections in the Valley.

Goel had gone to West Bengal, too, for a review earlier this week, but intriguingly skipped attending the customary press conference four days ago in Kolkata after completion of the visit. Only Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar did the press briefing with an announcement that Goel was not there due to health" reasons.

The opposition is now raising questions and asking if with a single-member ECI, there will be a level-playing field in the Lok Sabha elections. It would be interesting to see if the government makes EC appointments now before the model code of conduct is announced for the Lok Sabha elections in the coming days.

The ECI can function as a single-member body as per the Constitution, so there is no constitutional crisis as such, government sources pointed out. In 2015, too, the ECI functioned for over a month as a single-member body after Nasim Zaidi became the CEC and the two ECs were appointed a few months later.

It is deeply concerning for the health of the worlds largest democracy that Election Commissioner Mr. Arun Goel has resigned on the cusp of the Lok Sabha elections.There is absolutely no transparency in how a constitutional institution like the ECI has been functioning and the  K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) March 9, 2024

In 2020, Ashok Lavasa had quit as the EC after dissent inside the commission. Goel would have been the CEC in 2025 after Rajiv Kumars retirement with a term till 2027. He was a Secretary in the Union Government and took voluntary retirement on November 18, 2022 and was appointed as EC the next day. The appointment was challenged in the Supreme Court, but the petitions were dismissed. The government had strongly defended Goels case in SC.

The government passed a new law on EC and CEC selections in the December session of Parliament  the PM, Leader of Opposition Party and a Union Minister will now on be deciding on the appointments. The first meeting under that law will happen now.
A person who fell into a 40-foot-deep borewell inside a Delhi Jal Board plant near Keshopur Mandi was declared dead after rescuers brought his body out on Sunday.

Teams from the Delhi Fire Services, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Delhi Police had rushed to the spot earlier in the day after receiving information about the incident. NDRFs inspector-in-charge Veer Pratap Singh was also present at the spot.

After nearly six hours of rescue operation, the officials brought out the mans body. His mortal remains have been sent to the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital.

Delhi Minister Atishi took to microblogging site X and said, It is with great sadness that I share the news that the man who fell into the borewell have been found dead by the rescue team. May God give him a place at his feet.

She noted that as per first information, the deceased is estimated to be around 30-years-old. How they entered the borewell room, how they fell inside the borewell  this will be investigated by the police, she added. I thank the NDRF team, who made every possible effort in the rescue operation for many hours, Atishi wrote.

Earlier, Vikaspuri police station said that it had received a Police Control Room (PCR) call about the incident inside Keshopur Jal Board office on Saturday night.

It said that Fire Brigade and NDRF teams were called to the spot and efforts were being made to take the person out. However, the identification of the person was yet to be ascertained, police officials added.

Meanwhile, the NDRF  which led the op from the front  brought a poclain machine to dig a new borewell parallel to the one in which the person was said to have fallen.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva and West Delhi Candidate Kamaljeet Sehrawat had expressed concern over the incident and sent a team of party workers from the West Delhi cadre to review the situation.

Amid the rescue operation, Ravinder Singh, Station Officer, Rani Jhansi Road, had told reporters that The person could not have fallen into the borewell on his own

Delhi Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi had also visited the incident site to take stock of the rescue operation.

After his visit to the site, Atishi took to X and informed that the borewell was in a locked room, adding that prima facie it seems that an attempt was made to enter by forcefully breaking the lock. Police will investigate it.

To ensure that such cases do not come up again, strict orders have been given to the Jal Board that all private and government bore wells lying closed in Delhi should be sealed by welding within 48 hours and a report should be submitted to me, she added.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also addressed the situation at hand. Other than reinforcing the information put out by AAP leader Atishi, he also noted that, And within 48 hours all abandoned government and private borewells will be sealed on war footing.

However, it was noted that the person who fell inside was not a child  as assumed before  but someone who is at least 18-years-old, if not more. This is in consideration that the lock was forcefully broken.

Sources said that there is a possibility of foul play since an adult cannot that easily fall inside a borewell with a 12-inch diameter. It might be so that the victim was pushed in.
As a part of their continued agitation, farmers across the country will participate in a four-hour-long rail roko protest today. Two prominent farmers organisation Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have called for the nationwide protest in a continued effort to press their demands to the Centre.

The rail roko protest will begin between 12 pm and 4 pm and comes after the protest of March 6, where farmers spearheaded the national capital to press the government to accept the farmers demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP on all crops. The protesting farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and the Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.

Here are some top points you need to know about the rail roko protest:

Train disruptions are anticipated as hundreds of farmers are expected to participate in the rail roko, which is also planned to take place in about 60 locations across Punjab and Haryana.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher spoke with news agency, ANI saying that as part of their agitation that started at the Punjab-Haryana border on February 13, they have called for rail roko across the country today, adding that they have also urged farmers, labourers and common people of the country to support them in the protest.

Calling it a partial rail roko protest, Pandher said that people might face a little inconvenience today, adding that hundreds of farmers will sit on railway tracks in the districts of Ferozepur, Amritsar, Rupnagar, and Gurdaspur.

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Saturday urged the Centre not to run away from its responsibility of giving legal guarantee for MSP on all crops, as farmers prepared to participate in the proposed rail roko protest on March 10 to press for their demands.

Farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal asserted that the farmers ongoing agitation will be intensified at the existing protest points and will continue till their demands are met by the government.

The rail roko demonstration has prompted a tightening of security measures at all borders.

To prevent significant disruptions, Haryana authorities enforced Section 144 in the Ambala area on Sunday. Additionally, police have been stationed in high-risk regions across the state.

The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), Bharti Kisan Union (Dakaunda-Dhaner) and the Krantikari Kisan Union  farmers bodies that are part of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha  will also participate in the rail roko agitation.

Schedules for state and intercity trains are probably going to be impacted by the protest. A sit-in protest by farmers near the railway rails caused multiple trains on the Delhi-Amritsar route to run late last month.

In addition, Dallewal had demanded that a resolution endorsing the farmers demands be passed by all Punjab panchayats, claiming that the Centre had employed all tactics to thwart their Delhi Chalo march.

Dallewal on his part underlined, We will have to fight till our last breath and we will fight till demands are met. He said those who claim that agitation is limited to only Punjab, then why the curfew-like situation has been imposed on Haryana borders.

During the fourth round of talks with farmer leaders on February 18, a panel of three Union ministers had proposed that government agencies would buy pulses, maize and cotton at MSP for five years after entering into an agreement with the farmers.

The demands include 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 families of farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21.

(with inputs from agencies)
In a significant move ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government declared Ram Navami, a public holiday. The notification about the same was issued on Saturday.

In continuation to this Department Notification No. 6112-F(P2) dated 09/11/2023, the Governor is pleased to declare 17th April 2024 (Wednesday) as a Public Holiday on the occasion of Ram Navami under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881, a notification issued by the Bengal Finance Department stated.

The announcement holds great significance as the eastern state has over the years witnessed several instances of violence during Ram Navami celebrations. On the other hand, Durga Puja and Kali Puja always remained important public holidays in West Bengal.

The Trinamool Congress governments announcement triggered a series of reactions from its prime rival in the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as it comes just days ahead when Mamatas party is set to begin its campaign for the General Elections.

Calling the announcement an attempt to redeem her anti-Hindu image ahead of the polls, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya said it was too late for someone who would turn blue just by the chants of Jai Shri Ram. He also asked if she would ensure the safety of all the devotees on the occasion.

Notably, massive violence took place last year in Bengal during a procession to celebrate Ram Navami in Dalkhola in Uttar Dinajpur.

Mamata Banerjee, who would turn blue with rage, every time she heard Jai Shree Ram, has designated Ram Navami (17th Apr) as a public holiday, in West Bengal. She has done this to redeem her anti-Hindu image. Too late though More importantly, she needs to ensure no stones are pelted on Ram Navami processions. Will she? wrote Malviya on X, formerly Twitter.

Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari welcomed the announcement adding Cats dont climb trees unless pushed.

Time is changing! This is the first time that the state government has declared a holiday in honour of the revered Purushottam Sri Ramachandra on the Navami Tithi of Shuklapaksha of Chaitra month. I had criticized the state government for not giving a holiday on Ram Navami in January, today the state government was forced to declare a holiday, he wrote on social media.

Earlier this year, a massive political row erupted between the TMC and the BJP after the state government released the list of public holidays to be observed in West Bengal.

Accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of appeasement politics, Suvendu Adhikari time and again questioned why there were no holidays in some of the most prominent Hindu festivals like Makar Sankranti and Ram Navami.

The BJP leader targeted the TMC for declaring a holiday for Shab-e-Barat but not for Makar Sankranti and Ram Navami.
India has presented a detailed model on behalf of the G4 nations for Security Council reform that includes new permanent members elected democratically by the General Assembly and displays flexibility on the veto issue.

Participating in the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform (IGN) on Thursday, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said the UNs 80th anniversary next year serves as a milestone to achieve concrete progress on the long-pending subject.

Kamboj presented the G-4 model on behalf of Brazil, Germany, Japan and India for debate, dialogue and finally negotiations. The proposals elicited strong support from wider UN members.

The realities of 1945, when the Council was established, have long been superseded by the geo-political realities of the modern era and a new century; with the need for change being felt across the board, Kamboj said as she shared the exhaustive G4 model with UN Member States in the General Assembly.

Catering to these new realities, the G4 model proposes that the Security Councils membership increase from the current 15 to 25-26, by adding six permanent and four or five non-permanent members.

Among the six new permanent members, two each are proposed to be from African states and Asia Pacific states, one from Latin American and Caribbean states; and one from Western European and Other states.

The G4 model notes that the current composition of the Security Council, with its glaring under-representation and un-representation of key regions in both categories of membership, is detrimental to its legitimacy and effectiveness.

It stressed that the Councils inability to address critical conflicts and maintain international peace and security underscores the urgent need for reform.

Any reform that does not address the lack of representation, particularly in the permanent category, would only exacerbate the current imbalances in the Councils composition and render it ill-equipped to address todays international challenges, she said.

Kamboj highlighted that it is important to note that the G4 model does not specify which member states will occupy the new permanent seats.

This decision will be made by the General Assembly in a democratic and inclusive election. She told the UN membership that the world has undergone a sea change since 1945 and the new realities need to be reflected in the permanent membership.

Any proposal that does not address the issue of representation of the Global South, including Africa, Asia and Latin America, in the permanent category does a grave injustice to the aspirations of developing countries for equality.

The G4 model offered flexibility on the veto, an issue that has been a contentious topic among member states as they try to move the needle forward on the reform process that has moved at a snails pace over the years.

While the new permanent members would, as a principle, have the same responsibilities and obligations as current permanent members, they shall not exercise the veto until a decision on the matter has been taken during a review, Kamboj said.

Nonetheless, we should not allow the veto issue to have a veto over the process of Council reform itself. Our proposal is also a gesture of displaying flexibility on the issue for a constructive negotiation, she said. Currently, only the five permanent members  China, France, Russia, the UK and the US  hold veto powers and through its use have stalled action in the Council to address global challenges and conflicts such as in Ukraine and Gaza.

The remaining 10 nations in the Council are elected to sit as non-permanent members for two-year terms and do not have veto powers. Highlighting the urgency for reform, Kamboj said the world and the future generations can wait no longer.

The ambitious Summit of the Future scheduled to be held at the UN this September and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations next year are important milestones towards which we should aim to make concrete progress.

We must push forward a reform heeding the voice of the young and future generations, including from Africa, where the demand to correct the historical injustices grows ever stronger. Otherwise, we simply risk sending the Council down the path of oblivion and irrelevance.

Frances Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Nicolas De Riviere said his country has long supported the candidacy of India, Japan, Brazil and Germany for permanent membership.

In addition, France fully subscribes to the spirit of the model for comprehensive reform of the Security Council which has just been presented. It is in line with the strong expectations expressed by the vast majority of this Assembly, he said, responding to the G4 model.

The US said it is clear that the strong majority of UN member states, including all 54 African countries, support expanding both permanent and non-permanent seats on the Security Council. For the Security Council to best derive the benefits of both categories, it is important that both the permanent and non-permanent membership be representative of the world as it is today, not the world as it existed in the wake of the Second World War.
KERALA LOTTERY AKSHAYA LOTTERY AK-642 RESULT ON SUNDAY, MARCH 10, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Akshaya AK-642 lucky draw for Sunday, March 10. Check the full list of winning numbers below.

ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result Today LIVE: Karunya KR-645 WINNERS for March 16, 2024; First Prize Rs 80 Lakh!

FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR AKSHAYA LOTTERY AK-642

WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE WORTH RS 8,000 ARE

AN 945870

AO 945870

AP 945870

AR 945870

AS 945870

AT 945870

AU 945870

AV 945870

AW 945870

AX 945870

AZ 945870

WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE WORTH RS 70 LAKH IS AY 945870 (KARUNAGAPPALLY)

Agent Name: SABEER A

Agency No.: Q 2245

WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE WORTH RS 5 LAKH IS AY 835256 (ERNAKULAM)

Agent Name: BIJU T

Agency No.: E 6672

WINNING NUMBER FOR 3RD PRIZE WORTH RS 1 LAKH ARE

AN 212024 (ERNAKULAM)

AO 295120 (GURUVAYOOR)

AP 630704 (VAIKKOM)

AR 983633 (PALAKKAD)

AS 969950 (CHERTHALA)

AT 585594 (PUNALUR)

AU 236317 (THRISSUR)

AV 168110 (THRISSUR)

AW 930452 (ATTINGAL)

AX 106041 (GURUVAYOOR)

AY 911778 (THIRUVANANTHAPURAM)

AZ 164676 (THRISSUR)

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE WORTH RS 5,000 ARE

0861 1298 1349 1872 2024

2744 3742 4158 5751 5758

5762 6413 6447 6459 6712

7660 8052 9797

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE WORTH RS 2,000 ARE

1583 2643 5924 6184 6214

7628 9069

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE WORTH RS 1,000 ARE

0421 0459 0831 1678 1947

2085 2575 2666 2684 2964

4625 5555 5962 6074 6597

6646 6735 7162 7504 7770

8522 8837 9106 9298 9560

9796

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE WORTH RS 500 ARE

0025 0116 0329 0565 0617

1091 1158 1160 1184 1260

1294 1336 1375 2154 2266

2491 2517 2605 2909 2983

3000 3164 3186 3321 3339

3380 3543 3662 3957 4172

4284 4290 4339 4378 4581

4608 4687 4692 4949 5087

5136 5200 5287 5604 5888

5901 6053 6258 6349 6353

6529 6659 6931 7055 7282

7701 7751 8085 8173 8196

8622 8719 8780 8914 9003

9045 9075 9204 9416 9514

9705 9806

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE WORTH RS 100 ARE

0007 0067 0110 0211 0213

0530 0549 0561 0594 0725

0784 0815 0840 0862 0875

0895 0970 1012 1021 1369

1425 1495 1792 1803 1837

1996 2084 2217 2219 2233

2462 2502 2515 2558 2648

2678 2691 2846 2864 2902

3023 3042 3071 3109 3387

3686 3779 3791 3867 4087

4153 4205 4210 4268 4289

4304 4308 4321 4332 4448

4500 4561 4562 4762 4795

4873 5516 5670 5738 5946

5956 6088 6096 6247 6361

6395 6400 6422 6445 6531

6667 6718 6725 6734 6963

6977 7049 7063 7178 7351

7430 7579 7596 7848 7970

8028 8057 8134 8172 8210

8215 8253 8277 8334 8406

8501 8520 8656 8756 8877

9179 9189 9317 9379 9440

9463 9578 9625 9642 9686

9787 9959 9983

AKSHAYA LOTTERY AK-642: PRIZE STRUCTURE

1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakh

2nd Prize: Rs. 5 Lakh

3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh

4th Prize: Rs. 5,000

5th Prize: Rs. 2,000

6th Prize: Rs. 1,000

7th Prize: Rs. 500

8th Prize: Rs. 100

Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000

HOW TO CHECK AKSHAYA LOTTERY AK-642 RESULTS?

To check the Akshaya AK-642 results, visit the official website of the Kerala Lottery department at www.keralalottery.info. Furthermore, you can check your ticket numbers in person at the Kerala Government Gazette office. To get more details and valid information, contact the Kerala Lottery Departments official sources.

HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE MONEY?

Participants can check their ticket number against the winning number published in the Kerala Government Gazette to determine if they are eligible for the rewards. If the ticket numbers match those on the official list, the individuals are entitled to the prize money.

The winners will have 30 days from the announcement of the results, to collect their prizes from the Kerala Lottery Office in Thiruvananthapuram. When you visit the office, make sure you have your valid proof of identification along with the winning ticket for verification purposes.
A 38-year-old liquor trader, who was sleeping inside his SUV parked in the parking lot of a Dhaba, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Haryana on Sunday morning. The incident was reported from Gulshan Dhaba in Haryanas Murthal at 8:30 am.

According to an NDTV report, the deceased was identified as Sunder Malik, a liquor trader hailing from Saragthal village in Gohana. Malik was sleeping in his SUV when he was dragged out of his car and shot dead.

A CCTV footage of the incident showed Sunder Malik, dressed in an orange hoodie and trousers stumbling out of his SUV as two attackers continued to chase and fire at him. In an effort to take down one of the attackers, Malik lunges and pulls down one of them on the ground while another shooter continues to shoot at him.

The video further shows that the attacker frees himself from Maliks grip and the other shooter continues to fire bullets until he cannot fight back anymore.

The Dhaba owner informed the police of the incident. Police noted that 25 rounds were fired and added that 8 teams have been formed and are searching for the accused.

The police had received information on the phone and when the police reached the spot, it found around 30 to 35 rounds were fired, a police officer Gaurav Rajpurohit was quoted by NDTV as saying.

Police said that further action would be taken on the basis of statements of the family members. An investigation into the case is underway.

The incident comes just weeks after Haryana Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief Nafe Singh Rathee and a party worker were killed by unidentified assailants who fired several rounds of bullets at their SUV in Bahadurgarh near Delhi last month.

Earlier this week, police said two suspected shooters were arrested from Goa in the Rathee murder case.
Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam is deeply concerned about the recent tension in the East Sea that may affect peace, security, and stability in the waters, she stated.

Any activity in the East Sea must adhere to international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); respect countries sovereignty, sovereign right, and jurisdiction established in line with the UNCLOS; not complicate the situation or escalate tensions; guarantee the freedom of navigation and overflight; and not use or threaten to use force, Hang noted.

We call on the parties concerned to exercise self-restraint, seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), resolve disputes by peaceful means, and together contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability, and cooperation in the East Sea, the Spokeswoman added./.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of 15 airport projects today, including 12 new terminal buildings during his visit to Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh.

The PM was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other BJP leaders as he visited the Manduri area of the district.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told reporters that it was for the first time in the last 75 years that 15 airports were being opened or their foundation stones being laid on a single day.

#WATCH | Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh | Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates and lays the foundation stone of several development projects. pic.twitter.com/ux8hPMjJhv ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2024

After launching the multi-crore projects, PM Modi said, Azamgarh, which was counted among the backward areas of the country, is today writing a new chapter of development for the country.

Today, the star of Azamgarh is shining. There was a time when there would be an event in Delhi and other states would join in. Today, the event is being held in Azamgarh and thousands of people from different parts of the country are connecting with Azamgarh, Modi said while addressing a rally.

The PM said one must not link these projects with elections and added that he speed up the development works to achieve the dream of a developed India by 2047. I am running with speed and moving the country with speed to fulfil the promise of developed India by 2047, he said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the people of Azamgarh are really lucky that PM Modi has visited them today. He said, 10 years ago, we all know why Azamgarh was famous for. It was a base of crime and mafia under the previous governments. However, PM Modi has come today in Azamgarh to launch several development projects.

Airport Projects PM Modi Launched Today

Pune Airport

Kolhapur Airport

Gwalior Airport

Jabalpur Airport

Delhi Airport

Lucknow Airport

Aligarh Airport

Azamgarh Airport

Chitrakoot Airport

Moradabad Airport

Shravasti Airport

Adampur Airport

New Terminals Launched by PM Modi

Kadapa Airport

Hubballi Airport

Belagavi Airport

The Prime Minister laid down the foundations for Rs 42,000 crore of development projects in Uttar Pradesh during a public event on Sunday around noon.

So far, in FY 2023-24, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has operationalized state-of-the-art new integrated terminal buildings at Chennai, Port Blair, Surat and Tiruchirappalli Airports.

A government statement claimed the three new terminals, when finished, will raise the total passenger capacity to 95 lakh yearly. The 12 new terminals will handle 620 lakh passengers annually altogether.

In addition to cutting-edge passenger amenities, these terminals have environmentally friendly features including LED lighting, energy-efficient canopies, and insulated roofing systems. According to the statement, the designs are influenced by the local heritage and reflect the culture and history of the state and city.

Later, around 2:15 PM, he would arrive in Varanasi to deliver the first installment of the Mahatari Vandana Yojana in Chhattisgarh via video conference.

PM Inaugurates Delhi Airports Expanded Terminal 1

The Delhi airport will join the club of airports having an annual passenger handling capacity of 100 million with the inauguration of the expanded Terminal 1, which has a capacity of 40 million.

All entry gates have Facial Recognition System (Digi Yatra), 20 Automated Tray Retrieval Systems (ATRS), Individual Carrier System (ICS), 108 Common Usage Self Service (CUSS) and 100 check-in counters, including 36 Self Baggage Drop (SBD) kiosks, according to airport operator DIAL.

The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), operated by the Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), handles around 1,500 flight movements daily.

Ahead of the virtual inauguration of the expanded T1 by Modi, Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh and Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena spoke at a function at the Delhi airport. Singh said 15 projects are being inaugurated today, and together, these will take the total number of airports in the country to more than 160.

(with inputs from agencies)
In a tragic road incident reported from Rajasthans Degana, four members of a family, including a pregnant woman, were killed after an SUV ran over them, the police said.

According to an NDTV report, the deceased has been identified as Chotu Ram, his wife Suman, their two-year-old son Hrithik and another woman of the family. The vehicle reportedly hit them while they were waiting for a bus.

All of them died after a Scorpio hit them in Rajasthans Degana early on Sunday morning. Suman was eight months pregnant, officials said.

The victims were labourers and were on their way to a wedding at the time when the accident took place as they were hired by the event organisers for some work

The driver fled the spot after the accident and is still absconding. Meanwhile, the police launched an investigation into the matter. Meanwhile, the police handed over to their family.

In a similar incident, six members of a family from Bihar died when their car was hit by a speeding truck here in the early hours of Sunday. Police said the car was headed for Prayagraj when the accident occurred on the Karjag-Kerakat road in the Gaura Badshahpur police station area around 2:30 am.

Three other members of the family are undergoing treatment in Varanasi, police said.

The deceased have been identified as Gajdhar Sharma (60) and his son Anish Sharma (35), Jawahar Sharma (57) and his 17-year-old son, Sonam (34) and Rinku (32), all residents of Bihars Sitamarhi district.
Ramadan, which stands as a pivotal month in the Islamic lunar calendar, is celebrated by Muslims across the world. Also known as Ramzan, the occasion is believed to be a time for spirituality, letting go of material pleasures and engaging in community service. During this time, devout Muslims keep fasts from dawn to dusk, praying and giving back to the community. With the sighting of moon in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, Ramzan in India will commence on March 12.

Crescent moon was reportedly sighted in many cities in India on Monday. The holy month of Ramadan usually falls 10 to 11 days early each year.

Ramadan Mubarak 2024 Wishes, Photos, Messages and WhatsApp Status to Share

May this Ramadan bring you peace, prosperity, and happiness. Ramadan Mubarak!

Wishing you and your family a blessed Ramadan filled with joy and good health. Happy Ramzan!

May Allah shower his blessings upon you and your loved ones this Ramadan. Ramadan Kareem!

As you fast and offer prayers this Ramadan, may your heart be filled with peace and your soul be enlightened. Ramzan Mubarak!

May the spirit of Ramadan illuminate your heart and guide you towards the path of peace and harmony. Ramadan Kareem!

May this Ramadan be a month of forgiveness, compassion, and love. Ramzan Mubarak!

May Allahs blessings be with you today, tomorrow, and always. Happy Ramadan!

Wishing you a peaceful and joyous Ramadan. Ramadan Mubarak!

May this Ramadan be a month of blessings, a month full of forgiveness and guidance for you and your family. Happy Ramzan!

May Allah grant all your wishes and fulfill all your desires in this holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan Mubarak!

CITY-WISE RAMADAN 2024 TIME IN INDIA

AHMEDABAD: Sehri: 05:38 AM; Iftar: 06:47 PM BENGALURU: Sehri: 05:19 AM; Iftar: 06:31 PM CHENNAI: Sehri: 05:08 AM; Iftar: 06:20 PM DELHI: Sehri 05:18 AM; Iftar: 06:27 PM HYDERABAD: Sehri 05:16 AM; Iftar: 06:26 PM KOLKATA: Sehri: 04:35 AM; Iftar: 05:45 PM KANPUR: Sehri: 05:06 AM; Iftar: 06:15 PM MUMBAI: Sehri: 05:38 AM; Iftar: 06:48 PM PUNE: Sehri: 05:34 AM; Iftar: 06:44 PM SURAT: Sehri: 05:38 AM; Iftar: 06:47 PM

Muslims in the worlds southernmost nations will fast for roughly 12 hours, while those in the worlds northernmost nations will fast for 17 or more hours because the amount of daylight hours differs throughout the world.

This year, the average fasting period for Muslims in India will be around 14 hours.
Muslims in Saudi Arabia rejoice as the crescent moon marking the beginning of Ramadan has been sighted! This means the holy month will officially commence there on March 11. The Ramadhan 1445 will begin tonight with taraweeh prayers after Isha. However, the crescent moon was not sighted in Oman and Philippines today, it means the Holy month will start in these two countries on March 12.

Ramadan Moon Sighting 2024 LIVE

In India, Pakistan and Bangladesh too, the Holy Month of Ramzan will start from Tuesday, March 12. It is believed that during the month of Ramadan, the first verses of the holy book of the Quran were revealed to the prophet Muhammad.

ALSO READ: Ramadan Mubarak 2024: Happy Ramzan Wishes, Photos, Messages and WhatsApp Status to Share

During this month, Muslims observe fast from dawn to dusk. Keeping fast during Ramzan is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. Whether Muslims will observe 29 or 30 fasts is based on the sighting of the moon, which is crucial in deciding the beginning and the ending of the month. After the end of the month of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr.

CITY-WISE RAMADAN 2024 TIME IN INDIA

AHMEDABAD: Sehri: 05:38 AM; Iftar: 06:47 PM BENGALURU: Sehri: 05:19 AM; Iftar: 06:31 PM CHENNAI: Sehri: 05:08 AM; Iftar: 06:20 PM DELHI: Sehri 05:18 AM; Iftar: 06:27 PM HYDERABAD: Sehri 05:16 AM; Iftar: 06:26 PM KOLKATA: Sehri: 04:35 AM; Iftar: 05:45 PM KANPUR: Sehri: 05:06 AM; Iftar: 06:15 PM MUMBAI: Sehri: 05:38 AM; Iftar: 06:48 PM PUNE: Sehri: 05:34 AM; Iftar: 06:44 PM SURAT: Sehri: 05:38 AM; Iftar: 06:47 PM

8:38 pm: CRESCENT MOON SIGHTED

BREAKING NEWS: The Crescent of Ramadan 1445/2024 has been sighted in Saudi Arabia!Subsequently, Ramadan 1445/2024 begins tomorrow, 11 March 2024 Taraweeh Prayers will begin in the Two Holy Mosques after Isha Prayers pic.twitter.com/YdmU7qaXpU  Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) March 10, 2024

BREAKING NEWS | The crescent moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia.Therefore, Ramadhan 1445 will begin tonight.May Allah  accept our siyam, qiyam & acts of worship and may He grant us the ability to utilise the precious moments of this Blessed month to engage in that which pic.twitter.com/6QYw7IpoMK  (@HaramainInfo) March 10, 2024

8:36 pm: Officials have announced that the Ramadan crescent could not be seen from Tumair Observatory.

8:35 pm: In PICS: Weather Condition at Various Location in Saudi

8:28 pm: WATCH The Dust Storm At Tumair

VIDEO: Dust storm in Tumair pic.twitter.com/qad1jmUQxK Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) March 10, 2024

8:27 pm: Thick cloud cover is significantly hindering the search for the Ramadan crescent across most observatories.

8:23 pm: Undeterred by the limited visibility, the Saudi moon sighting committee remains dedicated to their task of searching for the Ramadan crescent.

8:20 pm: If the crescent moon is sighted, then Ramadan will begin tomorrow, on Monday, March 11. If the crescent moon is not sighted this evening, then Ramadan will begin the day after, on Tuesday, March 12.

8:19 pm: Dusty conditions are hindering visibility of the Ramadan crescent at the Sudair observatory of Majmaah University.

8:16 pm: In a special message, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: Ramadan embodies the values of peace, resilience, and generosity.May this Holy Month bring peace and guide us towards a more just and compassionate world. Ramadan Kareem.

8:09 pm: The Search Begins For Crescent

NOW: Sudair searching for the #Ramadan Crescent pic.twitter.com/GWQnz1EzxN Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) March 10, 2024

8:06 pm: WATCH The Weather Condition Tumair

The sky in Tumair moments before the start of the sighting of the crescent for the month of Ramadan. https://t.co/0JiAAMUYWj (@HaramainInfo) March 10, 2024

8:03 PM: Mutaib Al-Barghash, observer at Tumair Observatory, told Inside The Haramain that the visibility is favourable and theyre prepared to begin searching for the Ramadan crescent.

8:01 PM: Saudi Arabia intensifies its search for the Ramadan crescent. Reports indicate over 10 observatories across the Kingdom are actively observing the skies within the next hour.

7:57 PM: Despite dusty weather, chief astronomer Abdullah Khudairy is optimistic about the positive atmosphere. He says that the atmospheres conditions can change rapidly. Though dust is present now, clearer skies are possible by sunset, potentially allowing for a moon sighting.

According to the official social media account of the Saudi news publication Inside The Haramain, chief astronomer Abdullah Khudairy has arrived at the Sudair Observatory at 4:00 PM (6:30 PM IST) to begin the moon sighting process.

The main observation committee, led by a senior astronomer from Al Majmaah University, is also stationed at Sudair to search for the crescent moon. Reports indicate favorable conditions, with Al-Khudairi stating the atmosphere is 85% clear to see the Ramadan crescent.

According to the Nour University Astronomy Association, due to dusty weather conditions, visibility of the Ramadan crescent at the Qassim Observatory may be limited.

#Ramadan 1445/2024 Crescent search this evening!Follow this thread as we bring you LIVE coverage and announcement of the results at around 6:00 PM pic.twitter.com/RYwpdq0QMM  Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) March 10, 2024

Today on Sunday evening, Muslims in Saudi Arabia will be looking for the crescent moon to sight the beginning of Ramadan. If the crescent moon is sighted, then Ramadan will begin tomorrow, on Monday, March 11. If the crescent moon is not sighted this evening, then Ramadan will begin the day after, on Tuesday, March 12.

NEWS || Ramadan 1445 : The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia officially calls for residents to investigate the crescent of the holy month of #Ramadan on Sunday evening, 10th March 2024, 29 Shaban 1445 AH. pic.twitter.com/xFrwrPwjVz The Holy Mosques (@theholymosques) March 8, 2024

When Is Ramzan In India?

As per the Gregorian calendar, Ramzan in India is expected to commence on March 11 or March 12. The beginning of Ramzan depends on the sighting of the moon in Mecca. The exact date of Ramadan varies in different nations. If the moon is sighted, then Ramzan is expected to end on April 9, with Muslims celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr on April 10, marking the beginning of Shawwal month.

Sehri and Iftar Timings In New Delhi

Date; Sehri Time; Iftar Time

March 11, 2024; 05:18 AM; 06:27 PM

March 12, 2024; 05:15 AM; 06:30 PM

March 13, 2024; 05:14 AM; 06:31 PM

March 14, 2024; 05:13 AM; 06:31 PM

March 15, 2024; 05:12 AM; 06:32 PM

March 16, 2024; 05:11 AM; 06:32 PM

March 17, 2024; 05:10 AM; 06:33 PM

March 18, 2024; 05:08 AM 06:34 PM

March 19, 2024 05:07 AM; 06:34 PM

March 20, 2024; 05:06 AM; 06:35 PM

March 21, 2024; 05:05 AM; 06:35 PM

March 22, 2024; 05:04 AM; 06:36 PM

March 23, 2024; 05:02 AM; 06:36 PM

March 24, 2024; 05:01 AM; 06:37 PM

March 25, 2024; 05:00 AM; 06:38 PM

March 26, 2024; 04:59 AM 06:38 PM

March 27, 2024 04:57 AM; 06:39 PM

March 28, 2024; 04:56 AM; 06:39 PM

March 29, 2024; 04:55 AM; 06:40 PM

March 30, 2024; 04:53 AM; 06:40 PM

March 31, 2024; 04:52 AM; 06:41 PM

April 1, 2024; 04:51 AM; 06:41 PM

April 2, 2024; 04:50 AM; 06:42 PM

April 3, 2024; 04:48 AM; 06:43 PM

April 4, 2024; 04:47 AM; 06:43 PM

April 5, 2024; 04:46 AM; 06:44 PM

April 6, 2024; 04:45 AM; 06:44 PM

The period of Ramzan is considered important for spiritual growth, self-reflection and following the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. In this month, Muslims will indulge themselves in charity.
Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan were in the headlines following their divorce rumours. But now looks like everything is fine in paradise. Nayanthara on Sunday shared a bunch of romantic photos which in no time went viral. Fans were seen reacting to it and also called them a cute couple. In one of the photos, the Pathaan actress was seen getting a kiss from her hubby.

Taking to her Instagram handle, Nayanthara shared a series of photos. She is seen giving boss lady vibes in a black colour pantsuit. While Vignesh was seen wearing a red colour sweatshirt and jeans. Both are looking very cute and happy. One of the fans wrote, Such a cute couple. Another wrote, you look so pretty.

Take a look here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by N A Y A N T H A R A (@nayanthara)

The actress sparked rumours of trouble in marriage after fans noticed she unfollowed Vignesh on Instagram. While she quickly buried the speculations by following him back, she grabbed eyeballs on Thursday when she shared a cryptic note in which she said she was lost. After fans expressed their concern for the couple, Nayanthara assured all is good by sharing a picture with Vignesh and their children. The family was seen boarding a flight. They were headed to a family trip to Jeddah. In the photo, Nayanthara was seen holding on to one of their sons while smiling wide for the camera. Vignesh was seen holding on to their other son and posing for the camera. She shared the photo with the caption, Travelling with my boys after soooo long.

While rumours went wild hinting that there might be trouble in paradise, an insider close to the couple revealed that Nayanthara and Vignesh are going strong and are cherishing every moment with their twin children. Contrary to the reports, the couple is not going through a tough time. Instead, they are going strong, and enjoying as well as cherishing every moment spent with their kids  Uyir and Ulagam, who have brought them closer in so many ways, a source cited by Hindustan Times claimed.

Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan tied the knot on June 9, 2022. They had an intimate wedding ceremony in Mahabalipuram, outside of Chennai. Several stars including Rajinikanth, Shah Rukh Khan, Ajith Kumar and Vijay Sethupathi attended their wedding. The couple welcomed their twin sons via surrogacy in October 2022.
Sai Pallavi will soon be seen sharing screen space with Aamir Khans son Junaid Khan for an upcoming entertainer Ek Din. The makers recently wrapped the films shoot. Earlier today, a video of the actress went viral dancing to films wrap up party in Japan.

Sai Pallavi lit up the dance floor grooving to the beats of Kangana Ranauts hit song from Queen London Thumakda. Her films team also danced with her. Time and again, Pallavi has proved her dance skills, both on-screen and off-screen. While she never underwent any formal training, she has always been passionate about dancing and also shared that her mother was her guru.

Sai Pallavi in fact, made her first TV appearance in the 2008 on the dance reality show Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Deva, and also took part in Dhee Ultimate Dance Show (D4) in 2009.

Coming back to Ek Din, the film marks Sai Pallavis debut in Bollywood, and Junaid Khans big film debut. Set predominantly in Japan, the films shooting had begun on December 1.

Meanwhile, on the professional front, apart from Ek Din, Sai Pallavi is currently busy filming two movies simultaneously  Rajkumar Periyasamys Tamil film tentatively titled SK 21, where she stars alongside Sivakarthikeyan. The film is being produced by Kamal Haasan, R Mahendran, and Vivek Krishnani, under the banners of Raaj Kamal Films International, and Sony Pictures Films India. SK 21 is reportedly set to release this year.

In Chandoo Mondetis Telugu movie Thandel, she will share the screen with Naga Chaitanya. In addition, reports suggest, Sai Pallavi is set to play the role of Sita in Nitesh Tiwaris Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor, and Yash. Reports further state that the shooting for the film is set to commence from March, this year.
Shraddha Kapoor is undoubtedly one of the most loved celebrities in Tinsel Town. The actress has a different sense of charm, wit, and sensibility and also enjoys a massive fan following. She was recently awarded the Best Actress (Popular Choice) for her performance in the film, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. The awards were held on March 9 in Mumbai to celebrate the growing bond between the world of over-the-top (OTT) platforms and the Hindi film industry.

Sharing a photo of herself with the prestigious award, the actress wrote, Ye Award Khaas Kyun Hai Batao??? She then followed it up with writing, Fans Ne Vote Karke Decide Kiya, Fans Ka Decision Sabse Special Hota Hai.

Besides Shraddha, other actresses who were competing in the category were Deepika Padukone (Pathaan), Alia Bhatt (Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani), Kiara Advani (Satyaprem Ki Katha), Janhvi Kapoor (Bawaal), Rashmika Mandanna (Animal) and Katrina Kaif (Tiger 3).

Released in March 2023, Luv Ranjans Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar starred Shraddha Kapoor in the lead with Ranbir Kapoor. Their chemistry in the film was widely loved by the audience. Shraddha left everyone swooning with her performance in Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. Playing the role of Nisha, she brought the screen to life with her peppy avatar.

After a successful edition in 2023 that celebrated the finest achievements in Indian cinema and recognised outstanding talents within the OTT sector, the News18 Showsha Reel Awards soared to greater heights this year. The awards honoured and applauded the best of content across cinema and OTT. In a world where narratives unfold across various screens, it was a moment to recognise the brilliance that captivates, entertains, and leaves a lasting impact.

Several big celebrities including Karan Johar, Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Kartik Aaryan, Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee and Shankar Mahadevan among others also attended the News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan, the prime accused in the case related to the attack on ED officials in Sandheshkhali, was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the state police on the orders of the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday.

Shahjahan Sheikh, who is known for his strong local support, appeared noticeably different under the custody of the CBI compared to his previous court appearance under the Bengal Police.

The accuseds body language exhibited signs of tension and submissiveness during his recent appearance in the court under CBI custody. This change in demeanour highlights the impact of different custodial situations on Sheikhs behaviour especially amid allegations that West Bengal was shielding the suspended party leader.

Sheikh, who was arrested by Bengal police on February 29, looked confident, assured and invincible when presented in the court with Bengal police while the footage of him being produced in the court under CBI exhibits complete fear.

Ever since Sheikhs arrest, BJP has been alleging that the TMC government in West Bengal was shielding the suspended party leader who is accused of sexual abuse, land-grabbing in West Bengals Sandeshkhali and attacking an ED team, is in the custody of CBI.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, On one hand, the prime minister is sending out a message of Beti bachao, beti padhao, on the other hand, Mamata didi is sending out the message of Shajahan bachao from West Bengals Sandeshkhali.

Meanwhile, a court in West Bengals Basirhat on Sunday extended the CBI custody of Shajahan Sheikh by another four days on a prayer by the central agency.
Have you ever tried any Sindhi cuisine? If not, youre in for a treat! Recently, UK-based chef Jake Dryan introduced a delightful twist to a beloved Sindhi dish called Aloo Tuk. Last year, he shared a video on social media where he prepared this traditional delicacy, which quickly gained popularity. Now, inspired by its success, Jake recreated the magic of Aloo Tuk, this time with a healthy twist.

Jake begins the clip by introducing his take on a healthier version of Aloo Tuk, a beloved Sindhi dish. Today we are making a healthier version of aloo tuk. It is an amazing Sindhi recipe. Basically, mashed potatoes that have been fried and tossed in spices, he said in the video.

He then goes on to prepare the dish starting with a box full of boiled sweet potatoes. He explains his method of storing boiled sweet potatoes so that he can use them whenever he wants. Later, he demonstrates smashing the sweet potatoes with a mug to flatten them. After drizzling them with oil, he places them in the air fryer at 200 degrees Celsius for about 20 minutes.

While the potatoes were cooked, Jake prepared his spice blend, mixing together turmeric, chilli powder, coriander powder, amchur (mango powder), black salt, and regular salt. Once the sweet potatoes are crispy enough, he sprinkles the spice mix on top, followed by another drizzle of oil. Adding chopped green chillies and coriander leaves, he gives everything a good mix. And there you have ita healthier rendition of Aloo Tuk, ready to be enjoyed.

Watch the video here:

Jakes healthier twist on Aloo Tuk received a lot of admiration from online users. The comment section overflowed with praise for the chef.  This looks amazing!! Love the page, one user exclaimed, while another chimed in with, Wow looks delicious. A third user commended, Brilliant modification. Even a Sindhi fan expressed their approval, stating, Im Sindhi and here for this! You are beyond amazing, love your page!

Some viewers also offered Jake some suggestions to elevate his version of Aloo Tuk. A dash of lemon juice will enhance the taste before serving and you could add pomegranate seeds on top for garnish and it will provide the tanginess. Awesome job you did already, one user wrote.

The video featuring Jake Dryans innovative Aloo Tuk recipe gained significant attention, amassing over 4,60,000 views and counting. Jake who is famous for his Indian food cooking videos, has cultivated a significant following with over 1.6 million followers on Instagram.
A boat laden with food for Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza was ready to set sail from Cyprus, an NGO said, as fighting raged between Israeli troops and Hamas militants ahead of Ramadan.

The sea route aims to counter aid access restrictions, which humanitarians and foreign governments have blamed on Israel, more than five months into the war which has left Gazas 2.4 million people struggling to survive.

Hopes were fading fast for a pause in the fighting before Ramadan, which could begin as early as Sunday depending on the lunar calendar, as Israel accused Hamas of seeking to inflame the region during the Muslim fasting month.

US President Joe Biden said Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahus approach to the war was hurting Israel more than helping Israel, during an interview with MSNBC broadcast Saturday.

Netanyahu has a right to defend Israel, a right to continue to pursue Hamas, Biden said, but added that he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken.

The United Nations has repeatedly warned of looming famine, particularly in north Gaza where no overland border crossings are open.

In Rafah, in Gazas far south, we can barely get water, said displaced Palestinian woman Nasreen Abu Yussef.

Roughly 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge in the city, where Atallah al-Satel said he wanted an end to the war.

We are just exhausted citizens, said Satel, who had fled to Rafah from Khan Yunis.

Spanish charity Open Arms said its boat, which docked three weeks ago in Cypruss Larnaca port, was ready to embark but awaits final authorisation.

It would be the first shipment along a maritime corridor from Cyprus  the closest European Union country to Gaza  that the EU Commission hopes will open on Sunday.

Open Arms spokeswoman Laura Lanuza told AFP that Israeli authorities were inspecting the cargo of 200 tonnes of basic foodstuffs, rice and flour, cans of tuna.

US charity World Central Kitchen, which has partnered with Open Arms, has teams in the besieged Gaza Strip who were constructing a dock to unload the shipment, Lanuza said.

Meanwhile, the US Central Command said a US Army ship left Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia on Saturday carrying the first equipment to establish a temporary pier to receive aid off Gaza.

The Pentagon said Friday it would take up to 60 days to set up the temporary pier, which Biden announced the previous night.

With ground access limited, countries have also turned to airdropping aid, although a parachute malfunction turned one delivery deadly on Friday.

 Only Part Of The Solution 

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Saturday the number of deaths in Israels bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza had risen to 30,960, including 82 people killed in strikes over the previous day.

At least 23 children had died from malnutrition and dehydration, according to the ministry.

Israels campaign to destroy Hamas began after the movements October 7 attack on Israel resulted in about 1,160 deaths, mostly civilians, according to Israeli official figures.

The Israeli army said another of its soldiers had died in Gaza, taking its overall losses to 248 since the start of ground operations.

The UNs World Food Programme has warned that the volume of aid that can be delivered by sea will do little if anything to stave off famine in Gaza.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, in Larnaca on Friday, said a pilot operation would be launched in partnership with World Central Kitchen, supported by aid from the United Arab Emirates.

The US effort for a temporary pier off Gaza builds upon the maritime corridor proposed by Cyprus, senior US officials said.

Humanitarian workers and UN officials say easing the entry of trucks to Gaza would be more effective than aid airdrops or maritime shipments.

The US military said it airdropped more than 41,000 meals into Gaza on Saturday, and Canada has said it too will join aerial aid delivery missions.

But a steady flow of relief into Gaza was only part of the solution, said International Committee of the Red Cross chief Mirjana Spoljaric.

The warring sides must do more to safeguard civilian life and human dignity, she said, decrying the unacceptable civilian death toll.

 Tough Truce Talks 

In their October attack, Gaza militants took about 250 Israeli and foreign hostages, some of whom were released during a week-long truce in November. Israel believes 99 hostages remain alive in Gaza and that 31 have died.

After a week of talks with mediators in Cairo failed to produce a breakthrough, Hamass armed wing said it would not agree to a hostage-prisoner exchange unless Israeli forces withdraw.

Israel has rejected such a demand.

On Saturday, Netanyahus office said Mossad spy agency chief David Barnea had met CIA director William Burns on Friday as part of the ceaseless efforts to advance another hostage release deal.

Biden has acknowledged it would now be tough to secure a new truce deal in time for Ramadan.

Saturdays Israeli statement accused Hamas of entrenching its positions like someone who is not interested in a deal and is striving to inflame the region during Ramadan.

Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel was preparing for all possible operational scenarios during the Muslim holy month.

On the ground in southern Gaza, the Israeli army said fighting persisted in the area of Khan Yunis. Hamas authorities reported Saturday more than 30 air strikes overnight.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh called for the speedy distribution of aid to Gazans and for the full opening of border crossings to end the siege of our people.

The wars effects have been felt across the region, including off Yemen, where the US military said it and allied forces shot down 28 one-way attack drones fired by Iran-backed Huthi rebels towards the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden on Saturday.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 9. Armenia is the birthplace of systematic Islamophobia, Spokesperson of the Western Azerbaijan Community Ulviyya Zulfugar said, Trend reports.

She made the remark at a breakout session themed Deliberate acts of destruction and desecration of Islamic cultural and religious heritage in non-Muslim countries within the international scientific conference Embracing Diversity: Tackling Islamophobia in 2024.

"Today, we stand at a crossroads in our collective journey towards fostering a world where respect, tolerance, and understanding transcend the boundaries of race, religion, and ethnicity. Regrettably, the shadows of hatred and prejudice, particularly against Muslims, loom large over our aspirations. This is not a challenge that has emerged overnight but rather a deeply entrenched issue that has been exacerbated in recent decades," the spokesperson noted.

Zulfukar highlighted that the earliest victims of such targeted Islamophobia are the Azerbaijanis from the territory of todays Armenia, whom she represents.

"Historical records and events bear witness whereby Armenia emerged as the pioneer in institutionalizing religious and ethnic intolerance against Moslems as a matter of state policy.

It pains me to recount how Armenia not only expelled and massacred Azerbaijanis but also methodically erased their rich cultural heritage.

Over the past 200 years, Azerbaijanis living on the territory of present-day Armenia have been subjected to multiple waves of forced deportations, notably during the years 1905-1908, 1918-1920, 1948-1953, and 1987-1991. The culmination of these atrocities was the expulsion of nearly 300,000 Azerbaijanis, marking the transformation of Armenia into a monoethnic state with the last deportation from the village of Nuvadi in Western-Zangezur in 1991.

The deliberate eradication of Azerbaijani cultural heritage in present-day Armenia is a tragic testament to this intolerance. The destruction of over 310 mosques and more than 500 cemeteries, along with the repurposing of significant cultural landmarks, serves as a painful reminder of the grave injustices committed against our community. The Blue Mosque in Iravan, the only surviving Mosque in Armenia, is being misrepresented by Armenia, to further obscure the truth about our history," she explained.

Besides, Zulfugar pointed out that the forced displacement of Azerbaijanis from Armenia shook the fabric of the community and caused immense damage to the intangible cultural heritage of Azerbaijanis, including traditional Azerbaijani music, dance, cuisine, and the art of ashiq.

"It epitomizes the extent of cultural genocide we have endured. The destruction of monuments, such as that to Ashiq Alasgar, proves the systematic effort by the Government of Armenia to erase our identity and legacy.

Our appeals to international bodies like UNESCO for recognition and restoration of our obliterated cultural heritage have been met with inaction, further exacerbating our plight.

The formation of a new state on the land where Azerbaijanis once constituted the absolute majority, through the expulsion of our people and the bringing in others, marks an unprecedented injustice in modern history.

This unprecedented injustice created a sense of impunity among the ruling circles of Armenia and encouraged them to raise territorial claims, use force, conduct military occupation against the internationally-recognized territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, further large-scale ethnic cleansing, and other crimes against humanity.

The complicity of countries such as France, with its own anti-Muslim policies, and the misuse of international mechanisms by Armenia to mock the very essence of human rights and racial discrimination. The fact that Armenia can levy claims against Azerbaijan on the grounds of racial discrimination at the International Court of Justice, despite its own egregious record, is a mockery of the human rights values. It underscores the erosion of our international justice system. This should serve as a wake-up call for all progressive nations that champion peace and justice.

Therefore, the safe and dignified return of Azerbaijanis to Armenia is not merely a matter of rectifying a wrong against our community; it is imperative for confronting and eradicating of Islamophobia at its toots.

In 2023, our community, the Western Azerbaijan Community, reached out to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with a peaceful and dignified plea for our right to return to our ancestral lands. His lack of response and the misinterpretation of our intentions as a territorial claim only highlight the challenges we face in seeking justice under international law.

Therefore, I call upon the international community to stand with us in ensuring the safe and dignified return of Azerbaijanis to Armenia. It is time for Armenia to take concrete steps to enable our return, to restore and protect the Azerbaijani religious and cultural heritage.

We, Western Azerbaijanis, reaffirm our commitment to peace, tolerance, and justice for all," the spokesperson added.

To note, an international scientific conference Embracing Diversity: Tackling Islamophobia in 2024 dedicated to the 2nd anniversary of the International Day Against Islamophobia is being held in Baku under the joint organization of the International Center for Multiculturalism, the Center for the Analysis of International Relations, the G20 Interfaith Forum and the Baku Initiative Group.

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The invite to Punjab Chief Minister and ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Maryam Nawaz to be the chief guest at an event at Aitchison College in Lahore led to thousands of protest emails and scores shouting slogans against Nawaz and in support of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan. She was finally asked not to attend the event. CNN-News18 has exclusively accessed the video footage.

ALSO READ | Qaidi Number 804: Imran Khan Supporters Chant Slogans During PSL Amid Pak Poll Rigging Allegations

Nawaz allegedly received almost 1,000 emails, from parents of students and even alumni of the prestigious institute, asking her not to attend" the event. They apparently said that thieves cant be accepted as chief guests" of such prestigious events.

Many also shouted slogans  Tera Yaar, Mera Yaar Qaidi number 804  for Khan, who is prisoner number 804 in Adiala Jail. Khan was recently attacked by three Afghanis, according to CTD Punjab.

CNN-News18 had earlier reported how people had shouted similar slogans in support of Khan at the Premier Match opening.

Maryam Nawaz was invited as Chief Guest for the founder's day at the Aitchison College on 8th March.After hundreds of emails from the parents & students, she was asked not to bother. Aitchisonians warned college management through their parents & by dropping anonymous letters  Musa Virk (@MusaNV18) March 9, 2024

Nawaz, who scripted history when she became the first woman to occupy the post in any province of Pakistan, on Friday said she had to work quite hard" for more than a decade to make space for herself in the ruling PML-N, a party founded by her father Nawaz Sharif.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court has ordered the Adiala Jail authorities to permit only those individuals to meet imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan whose names have been approved by him, a media report said on Saturday.

Khan and senior party leader and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, 67, have been lodged at the high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi in various cases.

Last month, Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced to seven years imprisonment in an un-Islamic" marriage or Iddat case. In January, the PTI founding chairman and his wife were sentenced to 14 years imprisonment each for corruption on charges of illegally selling state gifts. Earlier, Khan was also sentenced to 10 years in prison by a special court for leaking sensitive state secrets. Khan and Qureshi were also handed down a jail term of 10 years in the cipher case. Khan was ousted through a vote of no-confidence in April 2022. More than 150 cases have been registered against him since his ouster from power. Khan has also been disqualified from holding any public office for 10 years.

With PTI Inputs
India and the four-European nation bloc EFTA signed a trade and economic partnership agreement (TEPA) on Sunday to enhance trade and investments between the two regions, heralding a new era of economic cooperation. As a result of the trade pact, Indian customers will get access to high-quality Swiss products such as watches, chocolates, biscuits, and clocks at lower prices. In return, India will phase out customs duties under its trade pact with the EFTA bloc on these goods.

The pact with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)  consisting of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland  will take up to a year to implement due to the elaborate ratification process of these agreements in different countries. Addressing the media on the signing of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal emphasised that the fair, equitable and mutually beneficial" agreement will unlock massive trade and investment opportunities for both sides.

Trade, Investment

The news pact is expected to help India boost its exports of pharmaceuticals, garments, chemicals and machinery while attracting investments in automobiles, food processing, railways and the financial sector. India is the EFTAs fifth-largest trading partner after the EU, the US, Britain and China, with total two-way trade touching USD25 billion in 2023. Its exports to the EFTA touched USD2.8 billion and imports were about USD22 billion during that period. With a population of 13 million and combined GDP of more than USD1 trillion, the EFTA nations are the worlds ninth-largest merchandise trader and its fifth-largest in commercial services.

Under TEPA, India has received a foreign direct investment commitment of USD 100 billion for 15 years from the four-European nation bloc. Notably, an investment commitment of USD 50 billion has been made for the first ten years after the implementation of the agreement and another USD 50 billion over the next five years from the member countries of the bloc and to facilitate the generation of 1 million direct employment in India through such investments.

Benefits

Norways Minister for Trade and Industry, Jan Christian Vestre, told the news agency ANI, Its a day for the history books. It represents opportunities in all kinds of business sectors by providing significant investments and new jobs in India, while also bridging the gap between us." Helene Budliger Artieda, the Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs, also explained how the deal could benefit India.

I have been told that chocolates do make (people) happy. Switzerland is a hub for some of these energy drinks. Then I also tried to signal at the press conference, that Swiss watches will also be cheaper. Its not only consumer goods. I think, more important is what Switzerland now can provide to India at a much better cost when it comes to machinery, precision tools, and so on. Switzerland doesnt compete on price, we compete on quality, on innovation," Artieda said.

#WATCH | Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Helene Budliger Artieda says, I have been told that chocolates do make happySwitzerland is a hub for some of these energy drinks. Then I also tried to signal at the press conference, that Swiss watches will also be pic.twitter.com/GzXrcvxMMS ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2024

Concession

India has allowed tariff concession to several products imported from Switzerland under the agreement, according to an analysis of the TEPA documents by economic think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). India will soon have access to high-quality Swiss products at lower prices because it has decided to remove tariffs on many Swiss goods over seven to ten years," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava was quoted as saying by PTI.

Key categories of these goods include seafood like tuna and salmon; fruits such as olives and avocados; coffee capsules; different oils like cod liver and olive oil, a variety of sweets and processed foods including chocolate and biscuits. Other products that are covered are smartphones, bicycle parts, medical equipment, clocks, watches, medicines, dyes, textiles, apparel, iron and steel products, and machinery equipment. Srivastava said tariffs on cut and polished diamonds will be reduced from 5 percent to 2.5 percent in five years after the implementation of the agreement.

India has offered no effective tariff concessions on gold. On paper, it has offered a one percent concession on the bound rate of 40 percent, but the effective duty remains at 15 percent, resulting in no real benefit. For wines, it said duty concessions are similar to those given to Australia, with no concessions for wines costing less than USD 5. Wines priced between USD 5 and less than USD 15 will see a duty reduction from 150 percent to 100 percent in the first year, then decreasing gradually to 50 percent over 10 years," Srivastava was quoted as saying by PTI. For wines costing USD 15 or more, he said, the initial duty cut is from 150 percent to 75 percent, eventually reducing to 25 percent after 10 years. India-EFTA two-way trade was USD 18.65 billion in 2022-23 as compared to USD 27.23 billion in 2021-22.

Major exports

Switzerland is the largest trading partner of India followed by Norway. Switzerland is considered one of the worlds most innovative economies. It had been consistently ranked number one in the Global Innovation Index. The bilateral trade between India and Switzerland stood at USD 17.14 billion (USD 1.34 billion exports and USD 15.79 billion imports) in the last fiscal. In 2022-23, Indias trade deficit with Switzerland was USD 14.45 billion.

Major exports from India include chemicals, gems and jewellery, shops and boats, machinery, certain types of textiles and apparel. Switzerland is the largest source of gold imports for India, with about 41 percent share during April-October this fiscal, followed by the UAE and South Africa. The precious metal accounts for over 5 percent of the countrys total imports. Switzerland has some of the major pharma firms in the world including Novartis and Roche. Both firms have a presence in India. The two-way trade between India and Norway was USD 1.5 billion in 2022-23.

Under free trade pacts, two trading partners significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them, besides easing norms to promote trade in services and investments. India has received about USD 10 billion of foreign direct investments (FDI) from Switzerland between April 2000 and December 2023. It is the 12th largest investor in India. The FDI inflow was USD 721.52 million from Norway, USD 29.26 million from Iceland and USD 105.22 million from Liechtenstein during the period.

(With agency inputs)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected US President Joe Bidens remark that his countrys approach to the war in Gaza was hurting Israel more than helping it. If he meant by that that Im pursuing private policies against the majority, the wish of the majority of Israelis, and that this is hurting the interests of Israel, then hes wrong on both counts, Netanyahu said in an interview with Politico.

This war of words between the leaders of two allied nations came a day after Biden said on Saturday that he believes Netanyahu is hurting Israel more than helping Israel in how he is approaching the conflict in Gaza. Biden, who has till now backed Israels right to pursue Hamas after the Oct. 7 attack, said Netanyahu that he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken.

The US government has for months warned that Israel risks losing international support over mounting civilian casualties in Gaza, and the latest remarks in an interview with MSNBC pointed to the increasingly strained ties between the two leaders. Biden said of the death toll in Gaza, Its contrary to what Israel stands for. And I think its a big mistake. He said a potential Israeli invasion of the Gaza city of Rafah is a red line for him, but said he would not cut off weapons like the Iron Dome missile interceptors which protect the Israeli civilian populace from rocket attacks in the region.

It is a red line, he said, when asked about Rafah, but Im never going to leave Israel. The defence of Israel is still critical, so theres no red line Im going to cut off all weapons so they dont have the Iron Dome to protect them. Biden said he was willing to make his case directly to the Israeli Knesset, its parliament, including by making another trip to the country.

Israel remains committed to continuing its invasion and annihilating Hamas, which killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took about 250 hostages on Oct. 7. The militant group freed dozens of hostages during a November truce. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Earlier, Biden had hoped to secure a temporary ceasefire before Ramadan begins next week.

(With agency inputs)
The mysterious disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 back in 2014 could have been an outcome of a mass murder plan by the pilot of the aircraft, British aviation expert Simon Hardy claimed.

According to a New York Post report, Hardy claims that the pilot of the flight MH370 Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah, had planned to kill everyone onboard.

The pilot perfectly ditched the plane into the sea, entombing it and the 239 passengers aboard at the bottom of the ocean, the report claimed. Hardy says Shahs personal problems may have affected his mental health and contributed to this tragic event.

According to Hardy, his theory is based on various clues, like requests for additional fuel and oxygen for the cockpit before the flight took off. The aviation expert used advanced flight simulators to determine the planes possible location, suggesting that it might be in a trench called the Geelvinck Fracture Zone in the southern Indian Ocean.

The extra fuel and oxygen would have allowed Shah to fly the plane without detection for an additional seven hours into the middle of nowhere, with the passengers and crew falling unconscious before he ditched the jet, Hardy told The Sun.

Hardy was part of the official search for the Boeing 777, which disappeared over the South China Sea on March 8, 2014, and was never found.

Notably, its important to remember that these claims havent been verified, and the investigation was called off in 2017. The family of the deceased pilot denied the theory.

The Boeing 777 aircraft disappeared from radar on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Satellite data suggests that the plane deviated from its intended flight path and crashed into the southern Indian Ocean.
Ramadan will begin on Monday, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE announced, with the Muslim holy fasting month taking place against a backdrop of devastating war in Gaza.

Saudi Arabia, which is home to Islams holiest sites, said through its official SPA news agency on Sunday that the Supreme Court had announced Monday, March 11, 2024, the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan for this year.

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar also announced the start date for Ramadan through their own official news outlets after the sighting of the crescent moon. Earlier, Iran had set the beginning of Ramadan for Tuesday after its Estehlal or moon observation office said it had not been possible to observe the crescent of Ramadan.

In Saudi Arabia, the start of the holy month had been cast into doubt after some of the kingdoms observatories reported that the moon was obscured by cloudy weather and dust particles. But final confirmation of the sighting was given through the Al Majmaah University Astronomical Observatory in Riyadh. The daytime fasting month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.

Observant Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, and traditionally gather with family and friends to break their fast in the evening. It is also a time of prayers, with the faithful converging in large numbers at mosques, especially at night.

The war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has cast a long shadow over festivities in the region, with hopes dashed that a ceasefire agreement could be reached before the start of Ramadan.

The war was triggered by the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel which resulted in about 1,160 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Israels retaliatory offensive in Gaza, aimed at destroying Hamas, has killed at least 31,045 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.

The United Nations has warned that famine in the Palestinian territory is almost inevitable unless something changes in the war, with aid trickling in at levels far below the pre-war norm.
Archeologists in Turkey have unearthed what is believed to be the oldest bread ever found, dating back to 6600 BC, multiple news networks including CNN have reported. The find was made at the archeological site of Catalhoyuk in the southern Turkish province of Konya.

The discovery was made around a largely destroyed oven structure in an area known as Mekan 66, amid mudbrick houses. According to Turkeys Necmettin Erbakan University Science and Technology Research and Application Center (BITAM), archeologists found wheat, barley, pea seeds, and a palm-sized, round, spongy residue near the oven.

This discovery sheds new light on ancient food practices and offers valuable insights into the culinary heritage of early civilisations. Analysis of the organic residue revealed it to be 8,600 years old, constituting uncooked, fermented bread. Archeologist Ali Umut Turkcan, head of the Excavation Delegation and associate professor at Anadolu University, described the find as significant. We can say that this find at Catalhoyuk is the oldest bread in the world, Turkcan said.

The bread, resembling a smaller version of a loaf, showed signs of fermentation and was preserved with its starches intact. Biologist Salih Kavak from Gaziantep University emphasized the importance of the find, saying, It is an exciting discovery for Turkey and the world. According to media reports, scanning electron microscope images revealed air spaces in the sample, confirming the presence of starch grains and providing evidence of fermentation. The bread had been prepared next to the oven and kept for a while, according to the analysis.

The organic matter, including wood and bread, was preserved by thin clay covering the structure. Catalhoyuk, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was a thriving community during the Neolithic period, housing approximately 8,000 people between 10,000 BC and 2,000 BC, making it one of the earliest examples of urbanisation.
When the world came close to a nuclear crisis in late 2022 due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, public outreach from world leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped prevent a catastrophe, CNN has reported, citing senior US officials.

In late 2022, the US began preparations for the possibility of Russia launching a nuclear strike on Ukraine, according to American news anchor and ex-government official Jim Sciutto. In a report published on March 9, Sciutto revealed that the Biden administration shared serious concerns about the potential use of tactical or battlefield nuclear weapons by Russia. This worry stemmed from several alarming developments and sensitive information received by the US during the period.

Acting on the intel, the US National Security Council conducted a series of meetings to formulate contingency plans in a bid to preempt or deter potential nuclear actions. During the fall of 2022, as Ukrainian forces made significant advances against Russian-occupied territories, including Kherson in the south, the prospect of a nuclear response became increasingly plausible. The Biden administration perceived the potential loss of significant Russian forces as a catalyst for nuclear escalation.

Amid these developments, Russia propagated a narrative surrounding a purported Ukrainian dirty bomb threat, according to the report. Despite international skepticism, the spread of this information heightened concerns within the Biden administration about potential Russian nuclear intentions. Additionally, western intel agencies intercepted communications among Russian officials explicitly discussing the possibility of a nuclear strike. While the exact nature of these discussions remained unclear, they contributed to a growing sense of apprehension within the US administration.

Throughout late 2022, the US engaged in urgent diplomatic outreach, conveying its concerns directly to Russian counterparts and collaborating closely with allies to develop response strategies. Efforts were made to enlist the support of non-allies, such as China and India, in discouraging Russia from pursuing nuclear options. One of the things we did was not only message them directly, but strongly urge, press, encourage other countries, to whom they might be more attentive, to do the same thing, a senior US official told Sciutto.

Citing US officials, CNN reported that, outreach and public statements from Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped avert a crisis. It was during the same period, on the sidelines of a regional security bloc summit in Uzbekistan, when Modi famously told Russian President Vladimir Putin that now was not the time for war. I know that todays era is not an era of war, and I have spoken to you on the phone about this, Modi conveyed to Putin. This message was later widely echoed by several world leaders.
The United States and its allies said they shot down 28 drones fired by Yemens Huthis at targets in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden on Saturday, in one of the Iran-backed rebels largest attacks.

Shortly afterward, the rebels said they had fired missiles at an American commercial ship and launched drones at US warships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

In November, the Huthis launched a campaign of drone and missile strikes against vessels in the Red Sea, an area vital for world trade, in professed solidarity with Palestinians during Israels war against Iran-backed Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

The US Central Command, or CENTCOM, said the large-scale Huthi attack occurred before dawn in the Red Sea and adjacent Gulf of Aden.

CENTCOM and coalition forces determined that the drones presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels, US Navy and coalition ships in the region.

It added, in a post on social media platform X, that US Navy vessels and aircraft along with multiple coalition navy ships and aircraft shot down 15 of the drones.

These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.

CENTCOM said in an update later Saturday that the US and its allies had downed a total of 28 drones in the operation.

Huthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, also on X, said the rebels had carried out two separate attacks.

The first targeted the commercial vessel Propel Fortune in the Gulf of Aden, he said, calling it an American ship.

Vessel tracking websites describe the bulk carrier as Singapore-flagged but did not report its current position.

The second attack saw 37 drones fired at a number of American warships, Saree said.

In the Yemeni capital Sanaa, Huthi loyalists took part in a military parade on Saturday, stomping on US, Israeli and British flags.

The United States in December announced a maritime security initiative to protect Red Sea shipping from Huthi attacks, which have forced commercial vessels to divert from the route that normally carries 12 percent of global trade.

 Defensive Action 

Frances defence ministry said on Saturday its fighter jets and one warship had shot down four drones in the Gulf of Aden.

This defensive action contributed directly to the protection of the cargo ship True Confidence (under Barbadian flag), which was hit on March 6 and is currently being towed away, it said in a statement.

A ministry spokesperson confirmed the four drones were among the 15 destroyed in total by the coalition.

French forces have been operating in the Red Sea as part of the European Unions parallel Aspides mission  announced last month  to protect international shipping from the Huthi attacks.

The rebel strikes this week caused their first reported fatalities.

The Philippine government said two Filipino crew members were among those killed in a missile strike on the bulk carrier True Confidence.

On March 2, the first known vessel sinking from the strikes occurred when the Belize-flagged, Lebanese-operated Rubymar went down in the Red Sea, days after a rebel missile strike.

Since January, the United States and Britain have also launched repeated strikes on Huthi targets in Yemen in response to the ship attacks.

The strikes have not thwarted the rebels, who have continued to attack merchant vessels, including American and British ships.

Yemens rebels control Sanaa and much of the Red Sea coast, despite a years-long bombing campaign that a Saudi-led coalition began in 2015.

On January 9, US and British forces shot down 18 drones and three missiles fired by the rebels toward ships in the Red Sea, the US military said at the time.

Britain said it was the largest attack to that point by the Huthis.
The US Army has dispatched a ship to send humanitarian aid to Gaza, Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday, days after President Joe Biden promised to build a temporary pier to supply the besieged enclave.

General Frank S. Besson left Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia less than 36 hours after President Biden announced the US would provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza by sea, CENTCOM said in a statement. The logistics support vessel is carrying the first equipment to establish a temporary pier to deliver vital humanitarian supplies, it said.

On March 9, 2024, U.S. Army Vessel (USAV) General Frank S. Besson (LSV-1) from the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, XVIII Airborne Corps, departed Joint Base Langley-Eustis en route to the Eastern Mediterranean less than 36 hours pic.twitter.com/X70uttuY9J U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 10, 2024

Bidens announcement in his State of the Union address on Thursday followed UN warnings of widespread famine among Gazas 2.3 million Palestinians five months after Israel launched its offensive in the narrow strip in response to an attack by Hamas militants. Gaza has no port infrastructure. The UN has warned that famine in Gaza is almost inevitable and children are starving to death.

UN agencies have said aid deliveries by land and air have proved difficult and dangerous. The World Food Programme had to pause land deliveries after its convoys came under gunfire and looting. There were reports that five people had been killed by a falling aid package when its parachute failed to open properly.

The US initially plans to use Cyprus, which is offering a process for screening cargo that will include Israeli officials, removing the need for security checks in Gaza. Most of Gazas people are now internally displaced, with severe bottlenecks in aid deliveries at land border checkpoints. Gaza has been under an Israeli navy blockade since 2007, when Hamas took control of the enclave. There have been few direct sea arrivals since then.

On Saturday, The Associated Press reported, citing US officials, the planned operation will not require American troops on the ground to build the pier that is intended to allow more shipments of food, medicine and other essential items from a port in the Mediterranean island country of Cyprus. They said it would likely take weeks before the pier was operational.

One of the options under consideration is for the military to provide a floating pier called a JLOTS, or Joint Logistics-Over-the-Shore, another U.S. official said on the condition of anonymity to discuss the options before a decision has been made. The large floating pier allows supplies to be delivered without having a fixed port in place, alleviating the need for troops on a shore dock. Ships can sail to the pier, secured by anchors, and dock there.

(With agency inputs)
Tibetans in India on Sunday waved the flag of their homeland in protests marking 65 years since a failed uprising was crushed by China, driving the Dalai Lama and thousands of compatriots to flee.

Leaders warned of an existential threat to the decades-long struggle by Tibetans in exile to win greater autonomy for a homeland many have never seen.

On Sunday, hundreds of Tibetans gathered in the northern Indian hill-town of Dharamsala, the adopted home of the Dalai Lama since he fled Tibet days after the March 10, 1959 uprising.

#WATCH | Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh: Speaking on the 65th National Uprising Day, President of Tibetan Youth Congress Gonpo Dhundup says, All the Tibetian supporters across the globe, we are observing the day as the 65th Tibetian National Uprising DayChina has to listen to pic.twitter.com/ABYqZvEBxQ ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2024

The commemoration today is not just a way to amplify the voices of Tibetans to the international community but a time for all Tibetans to reflect, said Lhagyari Namgyal Dolkar, 37, a member of parliament in the Tibetan government in exile, which is based in India.

The Dalai Lama was just 23 when he escaped the Tibetan capital Lhasa in fear for his life after Chinese soldiers eviscerated the uprising, crossing across the snowy Himalayas into India. The Buddhist spiritual leader has never returned. The Dalai Lama, now aged 88, stepped down as his peoples political head in 2011, passing the baton of secular power to a government chosen democratically by some 130,000 Tibetans across the world.

Penpa Tsering, the sikyong or head of that government, said Sunday that they do not seek full independence for Tibet, but rather pursue a long-standing Middle Way policy seeking greater autonomy and to resolve the Sino-Tibet conflict through dialogue.

Many exiled Tibetans fear Beijing will name a rival successor to the Dalai Lama, bolstering control over a land it poured troops into in 1950. Tibet has alternated over the centuries between independence and control by China, which says it peacefully liberated the rugged plateau and brought infrastructure and education. China says Tibet is an integral part of the country.

India has hosted the exiled Tibetan leadership for decades and is itself a regional rival of China. Tensions between the worlds two most populous countries flared after a deadly Himalayan border clash in 2020. Tsering offered thanks to supporters, including the governments of India and the United States, who are committed to truth and freedom, he said in a speech.

As the Tibetan identity is facing an existential threat, you are our backbone and source of inner strength to keep our struggle for freedom alive, he said.

Tibetan Buddhists believe the Dalai Lama is the 14th reincarnation of the leader of an institution dating back six centuries, chosen by monks according to ancient Buddhist traditions.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 10. Switzerland has stressed the importance of developing the transport sector in Kazakhstan amid the growing role of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR or Middle Corridor), Federal Councillor, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research of Switzerland Guy Parmelin said, Trend reports via the Kazakh Foreign Ministry.

He made the remark during a meeting with Ambassador of Kazakhstan Kairat Sarzhanov.

"The ambassador held a meeting with Parmelin to discuss current issues of trade, economic, and investment cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting, Parmelin particularly emphasized the strategic significance of Kazakhstan's geographical location and the importance of developing the transport and logistics sector in light of the growing role of the Middle Corridor in ensuring global food and energy security," the ministry said.

Parmelin confirmed Switzerland's readiness to expand cooperation and explore new opportunities for economic collaboration with Kazakhstan.

Sarzhanov briefed the Swiss official on the ongoing reforms in the country, measures to improve the investment climate, and expressed the openness of the Kazakh economy to European businesses.

The TITR, or the so-called Middle Corridor, links the containerized rail freight networks of China and the European Union through Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkiye, and Eastern Europe.

A multilateral multimodal transport infrastructure links the Caspian and Black Sea ferry terminals with the railway systems of China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye, Ukraine, and Poland.

The Middle Corridor facilitates increasing cargo traffic from China to Turkiye, as well as to European countries and in the opposite direction.

A route train along this corridor delivers cargo from China to Europe in an average of 20-25 days, and this is one of the main advantages of this transport corridor.

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Patients on GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic for weight loss often gain back the pounds they shed after they stop taking them. But continuing treatment indefinitely isn't viable for many, the Wall Street Journal reports, especially as insurance companies are shifting how freely they cover leading brands Wegovy, Zepbound, and Ozempic. Some health plans are enforcing more stringent requirements or ceasing coverage, the paper saysand though manufacturers offer coupons to get people started, the cost can run up to $1,000 per month once that option runs dry. Dr. Myra Ahmad of telehealth obesity clinic Mochi says that prior authorizations that ended up being approved by insurance companies dropped from 60% in 2022 to between 25% and 30% now.

One study found that within a year, patients gained back two-thirds of weight lost after they stopped taking GLP-1 medications. Dr. Ania Jastreboff, an obesity medicine physician-scientist at Yale, told People that because diabetes and obesity are chronic conditions, the medication isn't supposed to stop. "If you have a patient who has high blood pressure, they have hypertension, and you start them on an antihypertensive medication, and their blood pressure improves, what would happen if you stopped that medication? Well, their blood pressure would go back upand we're not surprised. It's the same with anti-obesity medications."

The Journal offers a few tips to people who need to end treatment, and going cold turkey is not recommended. "If you do it abruptly, it's practically guaranteed you're going to regain weight," said Dr. Dan Azagury, medical director of Stanford Lifestyle and Weight Management Clinic. "Sometimes the hunger comes back really significantly, and it's really hard to fight that if you stop it overnight." He also says exercising more as you wean off the drugs, with intense exercise six days per week, can help manage the change. If a drug is no longer available due to coverage loss, trying a different weight-loss drug is an option, though the FDA warns against using off-brand options. (One teen's story shows how childhood obesity is changing.)
We all experience forgetfulness, but a growing number of doctors are focusing on when harmlessness crosses into a condition known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Both the New York Times and the Washington Post have stories on the ailment, which is thought to be severely underdiagnoseda problem because early intervention can help. According to the Alzheimer's Association, MCI is typically an early stage of memory loss that can (though not always) develop into neurodegenerative disorders like dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Here's what we know:
Bet you didn't have this one on your AI bingo card. New research has found that when fed phrases that simulated being on the Starship Enterprise, chatbots spit out more accurate results to math problems. The study, published on arXiv and first reported by New Scientist , didn't set out to explore Star Trek's relationship to AI. But per Gizmodo , the researchers were piggybacking on past results that showed AI produced better answers when given encouragement, and stumbled upon this quirk. In the study, the team tried 60 human-picked phrases that tested this "positive thinking" theory, feeding those prompts into three different Large Language Models before having them attempt grade-school level math problems, per Business Insider .

The phrases they used included, "You are an expert mathematician," "You are a professor of mathematics," and (a personal favorite) "You are as smart as ChatGPT." They closed the queries with assuring statements, like "This will be fun!" and "Take a deep breath and think carefully." Results came back mixed, so the researchers used AI to drum up better suggestions, which they tested again. One particular prompt yielded the most accurate answers: "Captain's Log, Stardate [insert date here]." Why a Star Trek reference resulted in better math is puzzling to even the researchers, who wrote, "This revelation adds an unexpected dimension to our understanding and introduces elements we would not have considered or attempted independently."

Unfortunately, this discovery doesn't mean randomly including Star Trek keywords will beam up the best answers on chatbots. What we can glean from the study is that AI's optimization of the prompts outperformed human optimizationand that how it arrives at those results from the datasets it was trained on is increasingly mysterious. "The key thing to remember from the beginning is that these models are black boxes," Catherine Flick, ethics and games technology professor at Staffordshire University, told New Scientist. "We won't ever know why they do what they do because ultimately they are a melange of weights and probabilities and at the end, a result is spat out." (Elon Musk is suing OpenAI.)
America plans to spend billions to produce homegrown cargo cranes and swap them out for the China-built cranes that currently stand at many US portsand a new report from the Wall Street Journal underscores the reasoning for the move. In announcing the effort last month, the Biden administration cited the potential risk posed by the cranes, both in terms of espionage and economic disruption. Now, the Journal reports a congressional investigation of more than 200 cranes built by China's ZPMC that are present at US ports "has found communications equipment that doesn't appear to support normal operations."

As far as that equipment goes, the article specifically mentions cellular modems with remote-access capabilities. While the Journal notes that it's not atypical for a modem to be placed on a crane to facilitate the transmission of operations and maintenance information, "it appears that at least some of the ports using the ZPMC-made equipment hadn't asked for that capability," with one port saying it was aware of the modems' presence but had no explanation as to why they were there. CNN describes the modems as having "no clear purpose or record of their installation."

At one US port, more than a dozen cellular modems were found on active crane components, an aide to the House Homeland Security Committee tells the Journal, with an additional modem located in the server room of another port. China has dismissed the crane-related concerns in general as paranoia. (More port security stories.)
Voters in Ireland have rejected two referendums to change their constitution's wording on the makeup of families and a mother's "duties in the home." The votes were still being counted Saturday, but the results were lopsided enough that the government, which had proposed the measures, conceded defeat, the BBC reports. "Clearly we got it wrong," Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said at Dublin Castle, per the AP , adding that voters had given the government "two wallops." He'd scheduled the election for International Women's Day , anticipating the event would boost support. But that might have backfired; the director of the Irish Center for Human Rights at the University of Galway called it a patronizing strategy.

There was evidence of broad support for some sort of change, especially in the provision on women's roles; Mary McAleese, a former president of Ireland, said parts of the constitution had "just aged badly," per the Washington Post. Siobhan Mullally of the human rights center agreed but said the government proposed replacing the clause on women's roles "with this very limited, weak provision." Voters found the options to be poorly worded and confusing, raising concerns about unintended consequences. The referendum receiving more attention would address the current clause reading, "Mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labor to the neglect of their duties in the home."

That would have been replaced by a genderless clause saying the state shall "strive" to support "the provision of care by members of a family to one another." Advocates for people with disabilities were among the opponents, saying the wording should recognize that the state has a responsibility to look after all citizens equally. The other change would have recognized that families can be founded on relationships other than marriage, including unmarried parents, a single parent, or grandparents. But many found the term "durable relationship" too open to interpretation, per the Post. "We struggled to convince people of the necessity or need for the referendum at all, let alone the detail and the wording," Varadkar said. "That's obviously something we are going to have to reflect on." (More Ireland stories.)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 10. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a state visit to Azerbaijan on March 11-12, the press service of the Kazakh leader said, Trend reports.

On March 11-12, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a state visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, the statement said.

As part of the visit, Tokayev will take part in the first meeting of the Kazakh-Azerbaijani Supreme Interstate Council.
President Biden said Saturday that he regretted using the term "illegal" during his State of the Union address to describe the suspected killer of Laken Riley , as his all-but-certain 2024 GOP rival, Donald Trump, blasted the Democrat's immigration policies and blamed them for her death at a rally in Rome, Georgia, attended by the nursing student's family and friends, reports the AP . They were welcomed with a standing ovation and large signs handed out by the campaign that featured Riley's photograph and the words "SAY HER NAME!" "REMEMBER OUR ANGELS," they read on the back.

Trump, in a lengthy speech that lasted nearly two hours, hammered Biden on the border and for mispronouncing Riley's name during his State of the Union address this past week. He contrasted his rhetoric with Biden's"I say he was an illegal alien. He was an illegal immigrant. He was an illegal migrant." Biden said the opposite in an interview with MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart taped in Atlanta, where the president was meeting with small business owners and holding a campaign rally. "I shouldn't have used illegal, it's undocumented," Biden said.

Biden used the term Thursday night during an exchange in which the president pressed Republicans in his address to pass the bipartisan border security deal. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a stalwart Trump ally, then shouted at the president to say Riley 's name, adding she was killed "by an illegal." Biden responded with, "By an illegal, that's right," before appearing to ask how many people are being killed by "legals." An immigrant from Venezuela who entered the US illegally has been arrested and charged with Riley's murder.

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Trump blasted Biden for the expression of remorse. "Joe Biden went on television and apologized for calling Laken's murderer an illegal," he said to loud jeers and boos. "Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer." The back-and-forth underscored how Riley's murder has become a flashpoint in the 2024 campaign and a rallying cry for Republicans who have seized on frustrations over the Biden administration's handling of the US-Mexico border amid a record surge of migrants entering the country. (More President Biden stories.)
Eight children and an adult died after eating sea turtle meat on Pemba Island in the Zanzibar archipelago and 78 other people were hospitalized, authorities said Saturday. Sea turtle meat is considered a delicacy by Zanzibar's people even though it periodically results in deaths from chelonitoxism, a type of food poisoning. The adult who died late Friday was the mother of one of the children who succumbed earlier, said the Mkoani District medical officer, Dr. Haji Bakari. He said the turtle meat was consumed Tuesday.

Bakari told the AP that laboratory tests had confirmed all the victims had eaten sea turtle meat. Authorities in Zanzibar, which is a semi-autonomous region of the East African nation of Tanzania, sent a disaster management team led by Hamza Hassan Juma, who urged people to avoid consuming sea turtles. In November 2021, seven people, including a 3-year-old, died on Pemba after eating turtle meat while three others were hospitalized.

Poison.org provides details on chelonitoxism, which is thought to be related to cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, that has been consumed by the turtles. It notes: "Affected turtles appear healthy and do not exhibit signs of illness, but human poisoning can occur if the turtle meat is cooked, eaten raw, or boiled in soup, and all parts of the turtle are potentially toxic. ... There is no antidote for chelonitoxism, as the specific toxins responsible for the illness have not been identified." (More food poisoning stories.)
Ukrainian and allied officials criticized Pope Francis for saying that Kyiv should have the "courage" to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, a statement many interpreted as a call for Ukraine to surrender. The foreign minister of Poland, a vocal ally of Kyiv, and Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican both used World War II analogies to condemn the pope's remarks, the AP reports. And a leader of one of Ukraine's Christian churches on Sunday said that only the country's determined resistance to Moscow's full-scale invasion, launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 24, 2022, had prevented a mass slaughter of civilians.

In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI and partially released on Saturday, Francis used the phrase "the courage of the white flag" in arguing that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should be open to peace talks brokered by international powers. "How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations," Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski responded with a post on X, formerly Twitter. In a separate post, Sikorski drew parallels between those calling for negotiations while "denying (Ukraine) the means to defend itself" and European leaders' appeasement of Adolf Hitler just before World War II.

Andrii Yurash, Ukraine's ambassador to the Holy See, said it was "necessary to learn lessons" from that conflict. His tweet seemed to compare the pope's comments to calls for "talking with Hitler" while raising "a white flag to satisfy him." A Vatican spokesman later clarified that the pope supported "a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations," rather than an outright Ukrainian surrender. He said the journalist interviewing Francis used the term "white flag" in the question put to the pope.

"I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates," Francis said.

(More Russia-Ukraine war stories.)
Pressed Sunday about the sex trafficking story she included in her Republican response to President Biden's State of the Union address, Sen. Katie Britt said everyone should have listened to her more carefully. In her nationally televised appearance Thursday night, she described the horrific sexual abuse of a woman in criticizing Biden's border policies. But it was hard to see the relevance, given that it happened in another country long before Biden became president. "I very clearly said I spoke to a woman who told me about when she was trafficked when she was 12," Britt said Sunday, per the New York Times . "I didn't say a teenager. I didn't say a young woman. A grown woman, a woman, when she was trafficked when she was 12."

Those clues should have made clear that the woman actually was trafficked in Mexico between 2004 and 2008, Britt suggested on Fox News Sunday. Shannon Bream had asked if the Alabama senator had intended to "give the impression that this horrible story happened on President Biden's watch." In her address, Britt followed the graphic account with: "We wouldn't be OK with this happening in a Third World country. This is the United States of America, and it is past time, in my opinion, that we start acting like it. President Biden's border crisis is a disgrace." President George W. Bush was in office at the time. Shortly after the speech, journalist Jonathan Katz pointed out the problems with the story in a TikTok video, per NBC News.

Since then, several news organizations have looked into the matter. The AP pointed out that the victim has spoken publicly about her abuse, saying it happened in Mexico, her home country, more than 15 years ago. The Times found the victim has never sought asylum in the US. Politico found that she testified before Congress in 2015, giving an account that squares with everyone's version but Britt's. The Washington Post awarded the Republican four full Pinocchios for her misleading wording. A White House spokesman pointed out that Britt voted against the bipartisan legislation to improve border security. And Scarlett Johansson parodied Britt on Saturday Night Live, watchable here. (More Katie Britt stories.)
The US military said Sunday that it had flown in forces to beef up security at the embassy in Haiti and allow nonessential personnel to leave. The aircraft flew to the embassy compound, the US Southern Command said, meaning that the effort involved helicopters. It said "no Haitians were on board the military aircraft." That seemed aimed at quashing any speculation that senior government officials might be leaving as the gang attacks in Haiti worsen, the AP reports. The neighborhood around the embassy in the capital, Port-au-Prince, is largely controlled by gangs .

"This airlift of personnel into and out of the Embassy is consistent with our standard practice for Embassy security augmentation worldwide," the Southcom statement said. Nonessential personnel can include the families of diplomats, but the embassy had already ordered the departure of nonessential staff and all family members in July. The personnel ferried out of the embassy may have simply been rotating out, to be refreshed by new staff. The statement Sunday said that the US remains focused on aiding Haitian police and arranging some kind of UN-authorized security deployment. Those efforts have been unsuccessful so far, per the AP.

Haiti's embattled prime minister, Ariel Henry, traveled recently to Kenya to push for the UN-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country to fight the gangs. But a Kenyan court ruled in January that such a deployment would be unconstitutional. Henry, who is facing calls to resign or form a transitional council, remains unable to return home. Caribbean leaders have called for an emergency meeting Monday in Jamaica on what they called Haiti's "dire" situation. They have invited officials from the US, France, Canada, the UN, and Brazil to the meeting. In Port-au-Prince on Saturday, police and palace guards worked to retake some streets in the capital after gangs launched major attacks on at least three police stations.

(More US military stories.)
Holland, who is Karen's youngest son, was originally from the UK and worked as an anaesthetics registrar at Tauranga Hospital.

Karen said her son's disappearance in 2022 came as a complete shock as he had lived in New Zealand since 2017 and had recently applied for residency.

"Life changed forever when I took the late night call from New Zealand telling me that there was concern about his safety," Karen said in a statement.

Holland was initially thought to have been lost at sea while swimming at his home beach but CCTV later emerged showing a person who looked like him walking towards State Highway 29a.

"Hence, no closure. We still have no news. Nothing. Just speculation. A nightmare. We want to wake up," she said.

Karen remembered his son as clever, multi-talented, sporty, caring, kind, thoughtful and a beautiful human being, who is being missed by family and friends in New Zealand and the UK.

"Having visited David several times in New Zealand, the country will always be special to me," Karen said.
Peru's chief of police, Oscar Arriola, told a press conference on Friday the arrests were made after an investigation in coordination with international intelligence agencies, which provided "sensitive" information about an Iranian citizen who arrived in Peru at the beginning of March.

"We had to act quickly because today (the Iranian) was set to return to Iran after forming a terrorist cell to wipe out an Israeli national", Arriola said.

Other police sources had said preliminary findings indicated a possible attack targeting an Israeli at the forum.

Both the Iranian, whom Arriola identified as 56-year-old Majid Azizi, and the Peruvian were arrested on Thursday, he said. Azizi also holds Peruvian nationality by marriage, Arriola said.

Arriola said authorities had identified the Israeli who would have been targeted in the attack, though they were choosing not to release the person's name due to security reasons.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 10. Kazakhstan is interested in the soonest conclusion of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia, said the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in an interview with "Azerbaijan" newspaper before his state visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

"Today, we witness the vibrant revival of Karabakh. Significant creative endeavors are underway in the region, encompassing the development of transportation, social amenities, and tourist infrastructure. Construction projects include airports, hotels, residential buildings, and schools, contributing to the region's growth and progress.

Certainly, we couldn't overlook this commendable endeavor. While visiting Baku in August 2022, I announced the construction of the Kurmangazy Center for Children's Creative Development in Fuzuli as a heartfelt gift from the people of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan.

The agenda for my present visit includes the official inauguration of the center. Undoubtedly, this establishment will serve as another emblem of the friendship, brotherhood, and mutual support shared between our nations and peoples.

I wish to reiterate our companies' keen interest in contributing to the rejuvenation of Karabakh. I extend my gratitude to the leadership of Azerbaijan for granting a project to the Kazakh company for constructing the Central District Hospital in Fuzuli. We anticipate more such collaborative projects involving companies from Kazakhstan in the near future.

I firmly believe that through our collective endeavors, Karabakh will flourish anew, serving as a testament to Azerbaijan's visionary policies. The revitalization of the region's infrastructure will not only foster the development of Azerbaijan but also benefit the broader South Caucasus region.

In addition, I would like to note that Kazakhstan is interested in concluding a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia as soon as possible.

As an initiator and supporter of international peacekeeping initiatives, Kazakhstan is ready to support any efforts aimed at peaceful and stable development of the entire Eurasian region," the president said.

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TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Kingdom of Bahrain yesterday commemorated the anniversary of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa being sworn in as the Crown Prince.

On March 9, 1999, HHRH Prince Salman assumed the duties of Crown Prince after taking the constitutional oath, succeeding his father, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

His Royal Highness has spearheaded numerous groundbreaking initiatives, notably the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, aimed at elevating the standard of living for the citizens of the Kingdom.

He has achieved significant milestones across various domains.

On March 11, 2013, HRH Prince Salman was appointed as the First Deputy Prime Minister, tasked with enhancing the performance of executive agencies.

Subsequently, on November 11, 2020, His Royal Highness was appointed the Prime Minister by His Majesty the King.

He actively contributes to bolstering political and economic ties between the Kingdom and its sisterly and friendly nations.

Additionally, he champions initiatives aimed at fortifying Gulf security, fostering peace, and fostering sustainable development in the Middle East.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 10. The volume of cargo transportation along the Middle Corridor will reach 10 million tons, said the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in an interview with "Azerbaijan" newspaper before his state visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

"In the new geopolitical realities, the role of our countries in the promotion and development of transcontinental trade is rapidly increasing. Even a quick glance at the map speaks of the unique geographical location of Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Therefore, Kazakhstan, like Azerbaijan, is pursuing an active policy to strengthen the countrys transport and logistics potential. I wont hide it; this is a strategic task for us. By 2030, we intend to repair 11 thousand km and build more than 5 thousand km of new railways. This will significantly increase the country's transport capabilities.

Today, the role of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or the so-called Middle Corridor, in the promotion and development of transcontinental trade has rapidly increased. This is evidenced by the volume of cargo transportation along this route, which doubled in 2022, and by another 65% in 2023 to 2.7 million tons of cargo (2022  1.7 million tons).

In the future, we expect this level to reach 10 million tons. There is both demand and technological capabilities for this. Therefore, Astana and Baku are taking comprehensive steps in this area. A clear indication of this is the roadmap for the synchronous elimination of the so-called, adopted at the end of 2022. bottlenecks and the development of the Middle Corridor across the territories of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkiye for 2022-2027 (signed in November 2022 in Aktau).

Particular attention will be paid to the large-scale modernization of our seaports on the Caspian coast. In addition, to increase the volume of cargo transportation by railway organizations of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, a joint venture, Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd., was created, which will provide services in a single window format.

The latest digital technologies will be used along the route. To do this, we engaged the multinational Singaporean company PSA, which developed a seamless digital corridor. We actively cooperate with such global players as Huawei, Wabtec, and Alstom to implement innovative solutions in the field of railway transport. They will make the industry more competitive and efficient. The further development of the route and its connection with other transport corridors also seems promising, which will provide additional conditions for broader trans-regional integration of the South Caucasus and Turkey with Kazakhstan, the countries of Central Asia, the EAEU, and China.

In general, TCIT has great potential, and, of course, the role of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan in the implementation of this important project is very significant. The development of this artery will not only contribute to the expansion of trade dynamics but will also strengthen the position of our countries as a connecting bridge between East and West," Tokayev said.
AFP | Berlin, Germany

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

British foreign minister David Cameron said he opposes sending Western troops to Ukraine, even for training missions, in an interview with German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung published on Saturday.

Cameron said training missions are best carried out abroad, noting that Britain has trained 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers that way.

Placing foreign soldiers in Ukraine would provide targets for Russia, he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron set off a stir among his allies on February 26 when he did not exclude sending Western troops to Ukraine to help it fend off Russias invasion.

Britain later confirmed that it had sent small units to Ukraine to help with medical training, but a spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the country does not foresee large-scale deployments.

On Friday, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said there were no plans for the moment to send combat troops, but that Ukraines allies could consider specific training or de-mining missions.

In his interview with Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Cameron said Ukraine needed more long-range weapons and that he was willing to work with Berlin to lift its reticence to supplying German-made Taurus cruise missiles.

Cameron wouldnt directly address suggestions that Berlin provide Britain with Taurus missiles to free up the UK to send more British-French Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Berlin has refused to deliver Taurus missiles to Ukraine, fearful that its 500-kilometre (310-mile) range would be used to hit targets deep into Russian territory.

Since last May, France and Britain have supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadows -- called Scalp in French and with a 250-kilometre range -- while the United States has sent ATACMS, which have a range of 165 kilometres.
Japans overall population fell from 128.1 million in 2010 to 122 million today but Japans working age population peaked in 1995. If we discount the economic bubble then the real estate collapse from the 1990s to today correlates with the working age population collapse.

It is also the aging of the population. The median age increased from 37 to 49. Peak consumer spending is about 48. The people who work declines and drops production of income and people age and drops the demand. The real estate collapse in Japan crushed the wealth of the middle class. This is what will happen soon to China, Europe and the world economy.

There are some people who assume that population decline will make the world better and eventually there would be a turnaround to people wanting to have kids. The people in 80 years would have lived through generation after generation of declining incomes, housing prices and mostly long economic depressions and recessions. If the people today have less hope for the future, why would we expect our descendents to have hope for the future if there we are handing them decades of economic hardship?

Another thing to remember is that national and other debts are increasing and the growing burden falls on fewer and fewer people. The per person debt will skyrocket. This would lead to default on the debt.

This will continue and get over twice as bad for Japan. Japans median age will hit 53 in 2040 and 54 in 2050.

China will hit median age of 47 in 2040 and 50 in 2050.

China and much of Europe are already heading into the same issues that Japan did.

Property prices in China are down 20% with the Evergrand real estate speculation collapse.

Here is a detailed study of the impact of population loss on Japans housing market from 1975 to 2015.

An analysis from 1975-2015 in Japan shows, housing price falls faster with declining population than it increases with increasing population. However, in more recent periods, while the correlation between house price decline and population decline stays robust, the relationship between house price increase and population increase disappears. This confirms the overall decline in housing prices across regions since the bubble burst, regardless of population growth.

In reality, negative effects on housing prices from population decline may be even larger than model predictions. The results suggest a larger decline in housing price associated with population loss than a housing price increase with the same size of population gain. Given the shrinking population in many prefectures, a further housing price decline could be a medium-and long-term trend. The linkage between population loss and a housing price decline could lead to a vicious cycleresidents expecting a housing price decline may sell their houses and have less incentives to own houses, which will add to already-existing oversupply for houses and create further downward pressures on housing prices.




The Ministry of Health has announced a new policy prohibiting health workers from taking leave of absence.





It has also revealed plans to recruit 120,000 additional nurses.





The government said it has put a rule that healthcare workers cannot take time off if they want to work abroad.





The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa; said this on Saturday in Abeokuta, adding that if health workers want to go abroad for better opportunities, they have to quit their jobs first before they can leave.





During his visit to the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Aro, the Minister talked about how President Bola Tinubus Executive Order addressed brain drain in the health sector, also known as Japa Syndrome.





He mentioned that the yearly number of nurses joining has increased significantly from about 28,000 to 68,000 and is projected to reach 120,000 by the end of the year.





Doctors, nurses and other health workers are leaving the country in large numbers to seek greener pastures abroad




Some yet-to-be-identified number of persons may have been trapped as a five-storey building under construction collapsed at Basden Street, Fegge, in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State.





It was gathered that the building, meant to serve commercial purposes on completion, collapsed in the early hours of Sunday while some of the construction workers were on the last floor.





An excavator has quickly been moved to the site to begin the evacuation of rubbles and possible rescue operations of any trapped victims.





The reason for the collapse has not yet been ascertained but as of the time of filing this report on Sunday, a source near the area said one person has been rescued as rescue operations continue at the site.





However, details of the incident are still sketchy as the state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, could not be reached for confirmation.





He did not respond to enquiries on his telephone as of the time of filing this report.





The Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Chinyere Nworah, has yet to respond to enquiries sent to her telephone.




Dominic Nwuzoru, manager of late Nollywood comic actor, John Okafor, a.k.a Mr Ibu, has revealed that the late comedian was even more celebrated in countries like Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Gambia, Gabon and Botswana when he was alive.





He also said Mr Ibu used humour to promote peace and unity across Africa, adding that he always held the Nigerian flag showing his love for his country.





He stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.





According to him, the late veteran comedian was given several honours and recognitions by leaders and communities across Africa during his lifetime.





I remember vividly, how two warring tribes in Ghana came together for the first time because of Johns performance and he ended up reconciling them, Nwuzoru said.





He was thereafter given a Chieftaincy title as the Malangula I of Tamale Land, meaning the peacemaker, and I was named the Ngulala, meaning the mouthpiece of the peacemaker.





When we went to Botswana, he held the Nigerian flag when we landed to show how proud and patriotic he was because they were hearing a lot of negative things about Nigeria then.





He was a man I would say made Africans laugh and was held in high esteem like a peoples leader across Africa.





He added, Mr Ibu, as John was popularly known, was not just an actor, but Nollywood ambassador that used his talent and humour to promote peace, happiness and unity among Africans.





I signed John in 2004, and then our relationship grew beyond that of business to become that of friendship as we have become so close till his death.





The deal started with first two years, and I did not bother him with the aspects of Nigerian movies, so he could deal with anyone on Nigerian movies.





But for anything concerning international showbiz, I have to discuss with the promoters on the basic access requirements and then we would move.





There was no airport, especially in Africa, where crowd of fans would not gather to welcome John, and that was how I realised his popularity outside the shores of Nigeria.





I can tell you that he was even more celebrated in countries like Ghana, South Africa ,Kenya, Tanzania, Gambia, Garbon, Botswana and he always held the Nigerian flag showing his love for his country, he said.





According to Nwuzoru, the late thespian used his craft to project Nigeria in a positive light to the world, especially in countries that have heard negative stories about the country.





Then, John was one of the positive things other countries wanted to hear about Nigeria and everybody looked forward to meet him, including presidents of nations, he said.





For example, even a two-year-old child in Ghana knows Mr Ibu, and one thing about him was his friendliness and originality, as everything he does is just himself and does not copy anyone.





Foreigners fell in love with Nigeria through John and wanted to visit the country because of him, as we got calls from even the Caribbean.





Mr Ibu recently passed away in Lagos.





He was born on October 17, 1961 in Nkanu West Local Government of Enugu State.





He is well known for the Mr. Ibu series, which included Mr. Ibu (2004), Mr. Ibu 2 (2005), Mr. Ibu and His Son, Coffin Producers, Husband Suppliers, International Players, Mr. Ibu in London (2005).
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 10. Turkmenistan saw GDP growth of 6.3 percent from January through February 2024, indicating an increase compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, Trend reports.

This was announced by Deputy Chairman of the Government of Turkmenistan Hojamyrat Geldimyradov at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers.

According to him, in the first two months in Turkmenistan, compared with the same period in 2023, the volume of manufactured products increased by 7.9 percent, contributing to a positive increase in production indicators by industry.

Furthermore, Deputy Chairman added that in these months of the current year, retail trade turnover in the country increased by 10.5 percent compared to the same period last year, and foreign trade turnover  by 1.1 percent.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistan has consistently witnessed economic expansion through concerted endeavors in the energy, transportation, and infrastructure domains.

The nation is proactively enacting initiatives to draw in foreign investments, with a particular emphasis on diversifying the economy and enhancing the overall business environment.




Niger State Government has announced that necessary arrangements have been concluded to ensure a hitch-free visit by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the state on Monday 12 March 2024.





It disclosed that the remodelled Minna Airport has now been renamed as Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport.





The state commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hajiya Binta Manmman made this disclosure at a press briefing in Minna on the Presidents visit to the state for the Commissioning of some projects.





 I am pleased to announce that all necessary arrangements have been meticulously put in place to welcome Mr. President tomorrow, She explained.





According to her, during the visit, President Tinubu would commission the remodelled and upgraded terminal at Minna International Airport renamed after him which was originally a federal government initiative.





 The project faced delays promoting the farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago led administration to assume control, ensuring it is expedited completion after consultation with relevant authorities,  the commissioner stated.





Mrs. Binta Manmman also said the President is expected to commission various categories of sophisticated agricultural mechanization equipment procured by the State Government as well as lay the foundation stone of the Hajj terminal for easy airlift of pilgrims to Mecca.





These acquisitions align with our shared goal of achieving food security and supporting the national agendas of both federal and state governments.





On why the renaming of the remodelled airport after the President, the commissioner said the decision was due to the support Niger State is receiving from the federal government.




Troops of Operation Safe Haven, OPSH, have arrested some suspects in connection with the murder of Alhaji Saleh Umar, the Ardo of Kamuru, Dutsen Bako community in Ikulu Chiefdom of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.





The gunmen abducted and killed Alhaji Umar after collecting N2 million ransom.





OPSHs Media Officer, Maj. Samson Zhakom, at a news conference on Saturday in Jos, said that the troops also arrested suspected killers of retired Master Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Air Force, Hamza Musa.





Zhakom further stated that troops of OPSH also arrested the killers of some residents of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.





They also arrested suspected vandals of rail tracks in conjunction with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).





We have arrested the prime suspects in the gruesome murder of Alhaji Umar, the Ardo of Kamuru, Dutsen Bako village, Ikulu Chiefdom in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.





They abducted and killed the community leader after collecting a ransom of N2 million.





We have also arrested three persons who conspired and killed their father and uncle, Hamza Musa, a discharged Nigerian Air Force Master Warrant Officer.





We also apprehended the suspected shooter of one Istifanus Musa, 55, at Bokkos in Plateau, during which one person sadly lost his life and another was injured.





Similarly, we conducted joint sting operations with the DSS to the hideout of rail vandals and economic saboteurs in Plateau and made significant breakthroughs, he said.
An Atlantic City police officer accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend in Pennsylvania will plead not guilty to the charges, his attorney said last week.

Officer Sterling Wheatens arrest in October represented just the latest legal troubles he has faced. In 2022, he was acquitted of federal charges after siccing a police dog on a man during a violent arrest outside an Atlantic City casino.

Wheaten is charged in Yardley, Pennsylvania, with simple assault and harassment over the alleged altercation with his ex-girlfriend. Court records show he waived his arraignment on Friday, with a pretrial conference scheduled next month.

His attorney, Paul Gregory Lang, said his client is pleading not guilty, but he would not comment further on the case.

Wheaten, 40, is accused of assaulting the woman at a home on Oct. 20, causing facial injuries, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Atlantic City police suspended Wheaten without pay upon learning of the charges.

They came less than two years after Wheatens February 2022 federal trial, which involved civil rights charges brought by the U.S. Attorneys Office. Prosecutors said Wheaten used excessive force during a 2013 arrest in which a man was mauled by Wheatens police dog outside the Tropicana casino.

Police were attempting to restrain David Castellani, then 20, when Wheaten responded with his service canine, according testimony during the trial. The dog attacked Castellani, who was bitten across his body, suffering gashes that required multiple stitches.

Wheaten, an officer since 2007, was found not guilty of the charges following a trial in federal court in Camden in which his defense argued he acted appropriately during a volatile encounter. Wheaten later sued the city to obtain back pay owed to him while suspended during the case.

Despite the acquittal, the mauling proved costly to Atlantic City. In 2017, Castellani received a $3-million settlement from the city following a civil suit in state Superior Court.

The cases werent the only time Wheaten has come under scrutiny.

As a member of Atlantic Citys force, Wheaten accumulated 33 internal affairs complaints, 23 of which were listed for excessive force or assault, according to past reporting by NJ Advance Media.

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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
New Jersey actor and comedian Ramy Youssef made his film debut in the Oscar-nominated movie Poor Things.

Now hes set to achieve another career first.

Youssef, 32, will be hosting Saturday Night Live.

SNL and the multi-hyphenate talent from Rutherford shared the news Saturday.

He will host the show March 30, when the musical guest will be Travis Scott.

The comedian stars alongside Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo in Poor Things, which won a Golden Globe for best comedy and is nominated for 11 Oscars, including best picture, at the 2024 Academy Awards Sunday.

In February, Youssef taped his second HBO stand-up comedy special, More Feelings, at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City. The special, his first filmed in Jersey, will premiere March 23.

Youssef, who is of Egyptian American heritage, has depicted Palestinian life in his work, including the Palestinian diaspora. The actor-comedian has been donating proceeds from his comedy shows to American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), a nonprofit that sends food and hygiene kits to people in Gaza who have been forced to flee and have lost their homes, and sends medical supplies to hospitals and clinics there.

Youssef won a Golden Globe in 2020 for lead actor in a comedy series for his performance in Hulus Ramy. He co-created and stars in the groundbreaking North Jersey-set series, which follows a Muslim Egyptian American family. The show, which debuted in 2019, has run for three seasons.

His star continues to rise as an actor, writer, director and producer through his work as a writer and director on Ramy, as a co-creator of the Netflix series Mo and as a director on the Emmy-winning FX/Hulu series The Bear. (Christopher Storer, creator of The Bear, who has also been a director and executive producer on Ramy, directed Youssefs upcoming comedy special.)

Youssef, who presides over his Cairo Cowboy production company, is also co-creator and star of the upcoming animated series #1 Happy Family USA, which is headed to Amazon for two seasons and is co-produced by A24.

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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup.
A New Jersey resident has filed a lawsuit against a Dunkin in Morris County claiming he was seriously injured when the lid came off a cup of excessively hot coffee and spilled on him.

Phillip Sgroi said in court papers he bought a cup of coffee on Feb. 11, 2022, at a Dunkin store on Main Street in Madison. When the lid dislodged, the cups excessively hot contents spilled on his torso and limbs, according to the lawsuit.

The lid was not properly secured to the Styrofoam cup and the product itself was served at a dangerous temperature, states the suit, filed Jan. 29, in New Jersey Superior Court.

The lawsuit claims the store sold excessively hot coffee at a temperature that exceeded the reasonable and customary standard.

A spokesperson for the Dunkin chain said the company does not comment on pending litigation.

Sgroi claims he suffered injuries that required hospitalization, out-of-pocket medical expenses and that he has been subjected to liens due to bills related to the coffee spill accident.

The lawsuit is the latest in a string of court filings against the popular franchise in New Jersey.

Court records show similar suits over hot coffee spills have been filed over the past few years against Dunkin stores in Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Hudson, Morris and Passaic counties.

In January, a Dunkin customer in Florida sued the chain for $100,000 after he said he was injured when a toilet in the store exploded, leaving him covered in feces and urine.

Several hot beverage lawsuits have also been filed against the McDonalds chain in New Jersey and elsewhere dating back more than 30 years, when an injured customers attorney successfully argued the chain heated its coffee up to 30 degrees hotter than industry standards.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
One day after posting a $91 million bond that allows him to appeal a defamation judgment he owes writer E. Jean Carroll, former President Donald Trump might have defamed her again and opened himself up to a third lawsuit over a sexual assault allegation.

At a rally on Saturday night in Rome, Ga., Trump didnt mention Carroll by name, but it was clear he was talking about the civil lawsuits she bought against him  and won. All told, Trump faces $88.3 million in penalties for defaming Carroll.

I I just posted a $91 million bond, Trump told the rally audience, 91 million, on a fake story totally made up. So, think of it ... 91 million.

I could say things about what it would cost normally. Ninety-one million based on false accusations made about me by a woman that I knew nothing about, didnt know, never heard of. I know nothing about her. She wrote a book. She said things. And when I denied it  I said, Its so crazy. Its false  I get sued for defamation.

Trump was found to have defamed Carroll by his continued social media attacks against the longtime advice columnist over her claims that he sexually assaulted her in a Manhattan department store. He was penalized $5 million by a jury for his original comments, then $83.3 million by a second jury, which expected the eye-popping amount to be a deterrent.

Carrolls attorneys return to court on Monday, when they have until 11 a.m. to argue against Trumps bond arrangements. Trumps recent comments could play a role in their arguments.

Carroll claimed that during an encounter with Trump in 1996 at Bergdorf Goodmans Fifth Avenue store, Trump pushed her against a dressing room wall, pulled down her tights and forced himself on her.

Former federal prosecutor Shanlon Wu, appearing on CNN shortly after the remarks on Saturday night, said Trump can be sued again by Carroll.

Hes the gift that keeps on giving to E. Jean Caroll and her attorneys, he said. I mean, thats basically the whole kit and caboodle all over again. He continues to say its false. He says its made up, and that certainly opens him up to that. Its a legal strategic decision if they want to do another defamation suit, but on the face of it, even though he doesnt name her its obvious, I mean, incredibly obvious.

Thats the amount of money and those are the allegations. So it seems clear, hes continuing to claim thats false. So he was already found liable. Hes already been told to pay more than $90 million. Hes posted that bond.

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Does Wu believe Carroll will file another lawsuit?

Thats up to them, he said. Theyre the experts on it, but based just on listening to what hes saying .... he is again saying that her allegations are crazy, that theyre false, and he doesnt even know her.

Lisa Rubin, an attorney and MSNBC legal analyst, tweeted:

For those of you wondering how long it would take Donald Trump to defame E. Jean Carroll again, it seems to have happened tonight in Rome, GA.

During a long speech at his rally, attended by nbcnews, he referenced the $91.63 million bond he posted yesterday to stay enforcement of the $83.3 million judgment Carroll obtained  and said it was based on false accusations made about me by a woman that I knew nothing about, didnt know, never head of, I know nothing about her.

In the second Carroll trial, two defamatory statements were at issue, one on June 21, 2019 and other on June 22, 2019. ... Trumps June 22 statement, which starts with a denial of knowing who this woman is and that her story is a totally false accusation.

According to the Washington Post:

In the lawsuit brought by Carroll, the bond Trump posted still has to be approved by the judge overseeing the case, U.S. District Court Judge Lewis A. Kaplan. Once its signed by the judge, the bond will prohibit Carrolls attorneys from collecting from Trump while the appeal process plays out. It was not clear from court records what collateral Trump presented to obtain the bond from Chubb.

On Friday, shortly after the documents were filed, Kaplan gave Carrolls attorneys until Monday at 11 a.m. to oppose the bond or aspects of it if they chose to. The judge said he would hear arguments later that day if necessary.

The bond amount proposed by Trump is higher than the judgment because courts tend to require an additional amount be set aside.

Trump now must secure a bond or post funds for a separate $450 million judgment levied against him in a civil business fraud lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron found that Trump, his company and several executives defrauded banks and insurance companies to increase profits and avoid taxes.

A New York appeals court judge last week denied Trumps request to stay enforcement of the judgment. Trump had requested more time to post a bond or risk having his assets seized. The judge also denied a request by Trump to reduce the amount hed need to post to $100 million.

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As Rep. Andy Kim and First Lady Tammy Murphy battle for coveted county endorsements in the Senate primary, a pattern is taking hold.

When its a fair fight, Kim wins. When its rigged by the bosses, he loses.

So far, Kim has won endorsements in five counties, starting with Monmouth, where the chairman invited him to speak and acted as a referee, encouraging delegates to vote their minds by secret ballot. Kim crushed.

But Kim has lost four counties now, most recently on Thursday night in Somerset, where the county chair, Peg Schaffer, endorsed Murphy off the bat, sent out supportive letters on party stationery, and insisted that delegates raise their hands in public so everyone could keep score. Murphy won.

Kim got another stiff arm in Bergen, where chairman Paul Juliano didnt even return Kims phone calls and texts over several weeks, perhaps because Juliano was given his $280,000 a year job at the Sports Authority by Gov. Phil Murphy. He finally allowed Kim to briefly address delegates on Zoom for 15 minutes a few days before the convention.

It was never a fair fight from the outset, Kim says. The whole rationale for this system in New Jersey is that these are people working in the Democratic Party, so they take it seriously, and can vet the candidates based on who will be strongest in November.

But then theyre not giving me a chance to engage. Were just not given those opportunities. Its challenging and frustrating.

As for who would be strongest in November, the answer to that is Kim without doubt. Hes better qualified, by a mile. Hes won three times in a district that Trump won twice. Hes a much better speaker, with a more compelling personal story of service. And after his three campaigns, we know that Republicans have already dug deep into his closet. What will they find when they dig into Murphys?

If Im the Democratic nominee, I could essentially guarantee a win, Kim says. I dont think you can say the same about Tammy.

Granted, its hard to imagine Republicans winning a statewide race with Donald Trump at the top of the ticket. But the latest Monmouth poll, released last week, does point to some glaring weaknesses of the First Lady.

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The poll didnt measure the head-to-head contest, but it reinforced earlier polls showing Kim with a substantial lead. It found that Democrats are feeling the love for Kim, with 48 percent have favorable views of him, and a miniscule 2 percent unfavorable. Opinion on Murphy was split, with 24 percent favorable and 13 percent unfavorable.

The more striking finding concerns independent voters, who tend to decide general elections in New Jersey. Just over half say they have ruled out voting for Murphy, giving Republicans a rich target to harvest votes in the fall, should she take the nomination.

Just 30 percent of independents said the same of Kim. He believes thats because the party brand was soiled by the bribery indictment of Sen. Robert Menendez, who was embraced by the machines from the start, even after his first corruption trial ended with a split jury.

What I hear from independent voters is that theyre really upset about what happened with Menendez, and if it looks like the Democratic Party is going to the same old machine politics, I think were going to have a real crisis when it comes to drawing independent voters, he says.

Patrick Murray, who runs the poll, warned that voters could change their feelings in the three months before the June primary. He didnt ask about head-to-head preferences because he felt it would be unreliable at this stage.

But he agreed Kim has an advantage among independents that could matter if this ends up being a close contest.

If youre a Democrat, ask yourself: Are you up for taking that chance?

In the competition for county endorsements, Murphy has a lead thats likely to grow as the contest moves to big machine counties, like Middlesex, Essex, and Hudson. Her four wins came in counties that include 26 percent of Democratic voters, compared to 15 percent in the five smaller counties Kim has won.

But Kim is leading a revolt against the machines, and he says he knew from the start that Murphys position as the wife of the governor would give her a huge advantage at this stage. Come June, he says, hell win on the strength of the grassroots voters who are packing his public meetings and giving him standing ovations. They are sick of these machines running the party, he says.

To him, the mood feels like 2018, when grassroots groups stung by Trumps win sprung up to nominate strong candidates for Congress who were never part of the machines, including Reps. Mikie Sherrill, and Tom Malinowski. (Id add Rep. Josh Gottheimer.)

Look at me, and Tom and Mikie, Kim says. We were all outsiders, and as a result, we dont feel as beholden. Its the same with the grassroots people. Thats why theyre not going to do whatever the county chairs tell them to do. So, the defiance we see now very much comes out of that.

Kim says several elected officials drafted to support Murphy have told him that theyll jump to his side in the June vote when the curtains are closed.

They say, Look, I support you, but you cant tell anyone, and if that goes public, Ill deny it, Kim says. They dont feel they can vote their conscience.

Peg Schaffer, the party chair in Somerset, says that is by design. Delegates should not vote their consciences, she says; they should follow the preferences of those who elected them, as best they can guess it.

Theyre not voting for themselves, she says. Theyre voting for their district.

And besides, she says, she would never punish someone who defied her by denying them a political opportunity or a patronage job. Trust her.

To me, Kim makes the more persuasive case. These contests in the machine counties are fake, and because of that, it was almost inevitable that Murphy would win this inside game.

When it comes to the June vote, though, my money is still on Kim. Its a secret ballot, after all.

More: Tom Moran columns

Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or (973) 986-6951. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.

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Just when taxpayers got used to the notion that public records actually belong to the public, our most powerful lawmakers have decided that its time to choke off access.

In a state notorious for government corruption and poor transparency, New Jerseys Legislature will attempt to gut the venerable but dated Open Public Records Act, which is a ludicrous idea if you only consider the treacheries that were revealed by the OPRA law.

It is a cortex-snapping litany: Because of OPRA, reporters were able to shake free internal emails and other documents that exposed the causes of the meltdown of our veterans homes during the pandemic. Because of OPRA, law enforcement was fundamentally changed in our state, after records showed major disparities in how police use excessive force. Because of OPRA, inspection records for a group home led to a state investigation of the alleged abuse of a severely disabled woman. Because of OPRA, the Office of the Medical Examiner was found to be a dysfunctional joke -- bungling crime investigations, mangling corpses, and misplacing body parts.

These are just a few recent examples of how one news organization  this news organization  uses OPRA. But it is used every day by reporters, activists, and citizens who seek information from various departments and agencies about taxpayer funds, pollution levels, public safety, and countless other government functions that would otherwise never see the light of day.

Now that transparency is imperiled, because a bill that aims to overhaul the 22-year-old OPRA law puts severe constraints on anyone seeking such information, which validates a level of distrust in government that is quintessentially New Jersey.

In other words, if there has ever been a time to share your opinion with your local state representatives, this is it, with hearings scheduled Monday morning for both chambers.

Its Sunshine Week, and to schedule a bill of this magnitude on such short notice  in two committees at the same time  is a message to the public that says, Dont bother us, said former Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, whose attempts to reform OPRA in the past fell short. Its a disgrace. People need to make calls.

Ive spent my career committed to transparency in govt. Some of OSCs best tips have come from residents who filed OPRA requests and sent us the docs they received. This bill will undermine OPRA. Less transparency in govt. inevitably will lead to more fraud, waste, and abuse.  Kevin Walsh (@NJComptroller) March 9, 2024

While no one disputes that OPRA needs an update  particularly to quell data mining by retailers -- the bill (S-2930) authored by Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) is a contemptible assault on government transparency.

Among its provisions: Access to email and call logs would largely be exempt, as requests for government-related emails would need to include a specific subject matter and discrete and limited time period. The request would also have to name a specific government employee whose email can be searched, not merely a department.

But the greatest change could be what happens when an OPRA request is denied, which is often. Currently, the government agency has to cover a legal fee if a requester successfully challenges a denial. But Sarlos bill leaves this longstanding fee-shifting provision up to the discretion of a judge who hears the case or the Government Records Council (GRC).

So even the government wrongly denies access to a public record, the petitioner might still be stuck with the legal tab. That will have a chilling effect on attorneys willing to take such a case.

Worse, all provisions are retroactive -- including the fee shift change, so attorneys already arguing cases on the assumption that theyd be paid after a successful court challenge can still be denied payment.

Sarlos bill even allows agencies to deny requests that it believes could lead to harassment, and bans metadata, which is the encrypted information on an electronic file that shows its source.

Just like that, the publics right to know is not American scripture, but a quixotic dream of the past.

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Nicole Rodriguez, the president of NJ Policy Perspective, put it this way: When documents are created by public officials on public salaries with the publics trust, she said, theres no good reason to restrict public access to that information. Yet thats exactly what this bill does.

Sarlo claims he consulted all stakeholders, but there is no evidence he listened to any besides the League of Municipalities, which has long sought to reduce the relentless torrent of commercial requests for records  a legitimate concern that demands a solution, but not one that involves strangling public access. The New Jersey Press Association, for one, said Sarlo didnt keep his word to share a copy of the bill before it was posted, and called the process a disservice to the public.

Sarlo didnt even bother to consult Marc Pfeiffer of the Rutgers-Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, who ran the GRC when the law was enacted in 2002. Pfeiffers take is blunt: Bludgeons create a mess, and rapiers are surgical. This bill uses a bludgeon to try to deal with outliers that exist within OPRA.

The reason for this overkill: Our elected officials seek to give government departments and agencies more freedom to stonewall public requests for information, which makes a state with a lousy reputation for transparency even more opaque.

Weinberg calls it a real gut punch, adding that Democrats should be about protecting democracy  or so Ive been told. Reducing a citizens access to their own government is not a way to do that.

Apparently, our Legislature think its New Jerseys way, but taxpayers dont have to agree. Make the call.

 A4045 is the assembly version of S2930 (Make government less transparent bill), they are trying to make it harder to get public records



They will be hearing this bill on Monday March 11th



Assembly State and Local Government Committee Emails & #'s



Say NO to A4045 & speak https://t.co/CwgrCiETXf pic.twitter.com/Lolxh6Z8YT   W U NJ  (@wakeupnj) March 7, 2024

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Beware of Democrats who try to gut transparency | Editorial #NJ https://t.co/Ezd0K2KzG1  Julie O'Connor (@julieoconnorNJ) November 13, 2023

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In the earliest days of the AIDS crisis, America ignored the problem, even though people were dropping dead by the thousands.

Were repeating the mistake now with long COVID. Millions are suffering, but the government has largely turned its back, as new cases emerge with each passing wave.

So people are coming from all over the country this week to Washington D.C., in the footsteps of AIDS activists, to protest at the Lincoln Memorial on March 15th. Theyre desperate for their stories to be heard.

No, long COVID is not an illness with a certain death sentence, as AIDS was in the early 80s. But those who are sick with long COVID today are facing years of disability in the prime of their lives. Theyre trapped in a world of crippling fatigue, chronic pain, brain damage, blood clots and despair, with no approved drugs for treatment.

And yet, the National Institutes of Health recently allocated only about $129 million per year, on average, for an initiative to study Long COVID over the next four years  which is paltry compared to the billions some other diseases get yearly for clinical trials and research, that affect far fewer Americans. We had an Operation Warp Speed for vaccines. Why not long COVID?

The demonstration in D.C. will be livestreamed for those too sick to go, as most are, with more than 16 million limping along and maybe 4 million seriously affected. So, whatever the size of the crowd is, envision 10 times more watching from home.

And they need our help. The rest of America isnt seeing the full effects of this because so many people with long COVID are homebound, confined to their beds. I hope theres more people out there like me, who consider themselves allies, says Paul Hennessy, who helped organize this on behalf of suffering friends.

They need folks to pass the baton to, who can fight for them.

We finally got it together on AIDS, after activists joined forces to compel our government to take it seriously. Billions were invested, treatments were discovered, and by 1997, the death rate had plunged by nearly 50%. Thats the hope now for long COVID: That America will wake up.

A plague of the young

The largest group of people afflicted is younger than you think: Those aged 25-39 have the highest rates of long COVID, closely followed by adults aged 40-54, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And as they struggle to adjust to life-changing disabilities, theyre still getting the virus over and over.

Even for those who improve and can walk a whole block, or a mile, one reinfection could land them right back to being housebound, says Dara York, a co-organizer with long COVID. What were seeing is just tons of young people giving up, she says. Theyre losing hope.

Like a formerly healthy 27-year-old from Bernie Sanders home state of Vermont, Charlie Vallee, an intelligence officer with brain fog so severe that he struggled to read and got lost in a grocery store. He killed himself in 2022.

The Twilight Zone

For those with long COVID, it feels like theyre living in a totally different reality than the rest of this country, they say  one thats largely invisible. Millions have disappeared from their active lives like ghosts, and for the most part, nobody noticed.

It has echoes of a 1988 speech by Vito Russo, of the AIDS activist group ACT UP: Living with AIDS in this country is like living in the twilight zone, he said of an indifferent public. It isnt happening to them. Theyre walking the streets as though we werent living through some sort of nightmare.

Perry Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health and a former member of ACT UP himself, thinks long COVID activists are the best hope now for waking up Americans to the long-term implications of this disease and the need to fund research and better vaccines, when only 20% got the last booster.

Be out in peoples faces, to make them realize this thing exists, he said; This is an extremely understudied area. Extremely.

Meet Dara. A front-line nurse and loving mother disabled by Long Covid. After her most recent infection, she suffered a stroke. But it hasnt stopped her.



LC/DC was her vision and with the help of some volunteers and community support, her vision is coming to life next week! pic.twitter.com/GQ8NV2nhyf  LC/DC (Awareness Day '24) (@LCDCmarch15) March 7, 2024

Taboo

Like many with long COVID, York initially hardly spoke about her illness, even to friends, because of the stigma. Its often dismissed as not serious or, worse, not real.

If I asked them to put on an N95 mask to have a visit with me, or to take a test first, they wont understand because theyve been told its mild for most people, she says.

A former avid hiker, shes been mostly bedbound for the past two years since one of her kids brought home the virus in 2021. She was severely disabled by lingering symptoms, even though she was fully vaxed  and recently had a stroke at the age of 44, only weeks after getting COVID for the fifth time.

Its just spreading out of control, she says. So, it doesnt matter that when I go out, I wear an N95. When people in a big household live together, if everybody is not doing the same thing, people are exposed.

Yet even wearing a mask is treated like a joke these days. Woman Still Wearing Mask On Plane Must Have Inside Information About Next Pandemic, an Onion headline cracked in November. But then, so was AIDS in 1982: When a reporter asked Ronald Reagans press secretary about the new illness ravaging the gay community, he and much of the White House press corps laughed about it.

Stuck in 1985

Reagan didnt even mention AIDS until three years later, after more than 5,000 people had been killed. Then, angry AIDS activists scaled the walls of the Food and Drug Administration, stormed the National Institutes of Health, bombarded meetings and marched on Washington. They jolted the establishment to act.

It led to faster testing and treatment of experimental drugs; now, thanks to these activists, HIV research is a gigantic global success story. But when it comes to long COVID, we are still in 1985.

President Biden has hardly mentioned long COVID, even though leading scientists, clinicians and advocates wrote an open letter to him in December, urging him to address the crisis. Millions more will develop Long COVID over the next several years, they warned.

Mr. President, your father Joseph Biden Sr. has said, Dont tell me what you value. Show me your budget, and Ill tell you what you value, they wrote.

Activists invited the head of the CDC, Mandy Cohen, NIH director Monica Bertagnolli, Bidens top health officials, Xavier Becerra and Rachel Levine, and all 21 members of the Senate health committee to their demonstration in D.C. this week. Yet as of Friday, none have said theyre coming.

Thats right; as people physically crushed by this virus prepare to haul themselves from states like California, Georgia and Florida, officials in D.C. are waffling.

People with AIDS were at grave risk and facing a dire prognosis, but many had lots of energy to make trouble, chaining themselves together to block traffic on Wall Street, and staging die-ins with fake tombstones and epitaphs like VICTIM OF FDA RED TAPE.

Those with long COVID cant join demonstrations easily; but still, many, like York, are risking their health, and reinfection, to show up. Shes planning an 8-day road trip from California with her partner at the wheel  putting her feet up and wearing full body compression garments to avoid blood clots and fatigue.

The former frontline nurse struggles to speak after her recent stroke, but is determined to give a short speech on behalf of those who cant. We really need help, because were being failed right now, big time, she says of the lack of government action. Im still a nurse. I may be disabled right now, but my responsibility towards other humans didnt disappear.

Others who are too sick to go are sending videos from darkened bedrooms to screen at the protest. Like Tania Powers, a foodie who loved restaurants and performing karaoke, but now spends most of her days in bed, with tinted glasses because she can barely even tolerate light.

Im one of the invisible people, she says. This is not how I want to be seen, this is not how I want to be remembered. I was a very different person. I was articulate, and I loved life. And Im trying not to cry, because my entire life has changed, and Im not living. Im just existing.

Lets hope that America hears her, and doesnt repeat its shameful legacy of 1982.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 10. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan (CCIT) will be accepted as a full member of the Union of Turkic Chambers of Commerce and Industry (TCCI), Trend reports.

This decision was made at an extraordinary meeting of the association's General Assembly, attended by representatives of Turkmenistan.

Prospects of the development of multilateral cooperation between trade and industrial organizations of Turkic states, as well as the improvement of relations between entrepreneurs to bring them to a new level were discussed during the videoconference.

The agenda also included the issue of accepting CCIT, which was previously an observer, as a full member of the Union. All participants of the meeting unanimously supported this proposal.

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkiye currently are full members of the Union. While Turkmenistan, Hungary, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are observer members.

The Union acts as an international platform for strengthening economic ties between Turkic-speaking countries.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Variable clouds with snow showers. High 38F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 60%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this evening. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
Italian artist Mauro Pallotta poses in front of his graffiti depicting Pope Francis as Superman and holding a bag with a writing which reads: "Values" at the Borgo Pio district near St. Peter's Square in Rome, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014. Street artist Maupal, whose depictions of Pope Francis as a cartoon Super Pope have graced buildings around the Vatican for a decade, got an official stamp of approval Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, when he appeared at a Vatican press conference. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)
Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc, University of Engineering and Technology, Vietnam National University (VNU), is well-known as a scientist and an educator who has contributed to the field of science nationally domestically and internationally. He is especially known for his role as an educator, introducing who introduce the international world of science to different generations of Vietnamese students.

Reaching a higher level of Global Integration





Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc is a scientist who has had significant influence internationally. According to the worldwide ranking of the most influential scientists published by the PloS Biology journal, Prof. Nguyen Dinh Duc was among the 2nd Vietnamese scientists working in Vietnam to make the top 10,000 for five consecutive years since 2019, and the top 100  at 85th in the rankings of leading scientists globally in the field of Engineering and Technology in 2023.





Prof. Nguyen Dinh Duc is a member of the Editorial Council of 10 prestigious ISI international journals. He was also invited to present reports at plenary sessions of numerous international conventions.





Throughout four decades of his profession, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc has conducted extensive research on novel materials, including thermally durable carbon nanocomposite materials, with applications in the field of national security and defense; multi-phase polymer composite materials for shipbuilding and civil products industries; advanced smart materials and structures with variable mechanical properties, high durability, heat resistance, which have seen applications in industry and nuclear energy; functional graded materials and nanomaterials with variable mechanical and piezoelectric properties, applied in semiconductor devices; auxetic energy-absorbing and blast-waves-resisting materials; Materials with negative Poisson coefficients used in biomedicine, information storage, etc. These are the leading research fields on advanced materials in the world today, which promise highly superior properties over traditional materials, as well as practical and future applications to meet the high technical requirements of the 4.0 industrial revolution.





Based on his research results, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc has published over 350 articles, six curriculums, and monographs in Vietnamese, Russian, and English. Furthermore, among his scientific works, over 200 articles were published by highly regarded ISI journals of reputable publishers such as Elsevier, Springer, SAGE, Taylor & Francis, etc.





The research results and directions made by Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc gave birth to a scientific field of Advanced Materials and Structures, and their applications in Engineering and Technology in Vietnam, led by himself. The field has made many independent publications, which have attracted the attention of researchers worldwide, contributing to global scientific advancement.





Practical Contributions to the Nation





Aside from his impact on the global scientific community, the research on advanced composite materials made by Prof. Nguyen Dinh Duc has had practical applications domestically, namely the research on the use of the Inertial Navigation System in locating and navigating controlled vehicles, which he conducted along with the scientists from the University of Engineering and Technology, and the Department of National Defense. For the results and applications of this research, he was awarded the 3rd prize in the Vietnam Talent Award for highly application-oriented products. Regarding civil applications, his work on multi-phase composite materials with reinforced nanoparticles was a great success in the shipbuilding industry, enhancing waterproofing capabilities. It has also significantly contributed to creating durable materials against harsh conditions and materials that strengthen energy conversion in solar panels.









Establishing the model of highly skilled research groups, mentoring generations of talents for the nation





With extensive international integration, our nations development depends significantly on high-quality human resources. Following that philosophy, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc has overcome countless difficulties during his years of research and education to establish a skilled research group specialized in advanced materials and structures at the University of Engineering and Technology  VNU Hanoi. The founding and development of this research model is a lesson worthy of replication across universities in Vietnam.





Professor Nguyen Dinh Ducs research group is a superb model that closely incorporates the universitys education and research processes. The outstanding benefit of the research model is the creation of an environment in which the educational process is integrated with scientific research and practice, and the knowledge and findings made by the groups, after publication, are introduced and applied in the university and post-university programs. This model was also highly efficient, producing quality results for minimal financial investments.













Students from these research groups have become engineers, masters, and doctors, and their research results have been published by prestigious international ISI magazines. Two of his students were awarded the esteemed Nguyen Van Dao Award  named after the first director of the Vietnam National University. Another student of his was proudly honored by Forbes Vietnam. His students have continued to spread the professors passion and legacy  his research directions, to the later generations.





With the research group model, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc has trained countless young, talented doctors; attracted and assembled teams; founded the Lab of Advanced Materials and Structures to produce mechanical engineers in this field; established the Faculty of Civil Engineering, training engineers, masters, and doctors; gathering outstanding scientists from major domestic and international universities to work and exchange.





As of today, the research group led by Professor Nguyen Dinh Dung has established and continues to maintain equal and cooperative relationships with highly-regarded laboratories and researchers in leading universities in the United States, South Korea, the United Kingdoms, Australia, China, India, , namely the Tokyo University of Technology, the University of Tokyo (Japan), the University of Melbourne (Australia), the University of Birmingham (UK), Yonsei University and Sejong University (South Korea), Wuhan University (China), etc. The group has also attracted many young doctors from major domestic universities such as the University of Engineering and Technology, VNU University of Science, the Vietnam-Japan University, the Military Technical Academy, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, the University of Transport and Communications, etc., to participate in collaborative research and training.









Introducing New programs to Serve the Industrialization and Modernization Process and International Integration





With a broad vision and a firm grasp of the trends, with enthusiastic agreement and support from the universitys leaders and the leaders of Vietnam National University, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc opened the Doctoral Program in Mechanical Engineering (2013), established laboratories and introduced Program in Advanced Materials and Structures for mechanical engineers (2015), launched the Civil Engineering program (2017), and established the Department of Civil Engineering in 2018. In 2022, this Department was promoted to the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of Engineering and Technology with a scale of nearly 600 students per year. Also, in 2022, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc developed Masters and Doctoral Programs in Civil Engineering, conforming to the full range of training levels according to the national standards for this field. He had opened bachelor program Industrial and Graphic Design in 2024 also.





Two cohorts of civil engineers from the University of Engineering and Technology have graduated with a rate of 100% of the students employed immediately after graduation. In particular, one student was entrusted with technical responsibilities at a large international corporation. In 2022, 2023  the student teams from the Faculty of Transportation Engineering Technology participated in the Forum 8 competition in Japan and won an international award for design.





Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc also proposed and founded the Masters and Engineer programs in Civil Engineering at Vietnam-Japan University and the engineers program in Automation and Informatics at the International University, VNU.





The mentioned fields are all significant, with the aim of producing high quality human resources to serve the national development process.





Contributing Innovative Ideas and Strategic Decisions to Enhance the Position and Ranking of Vietnam National University





Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc has held several important positions in Vietnam National University, Hanoi and the University of Engineering and Technology, such as the Director of the R&D Department (2005-2008), the Director of Academic Affairs Department of VNU Hanoi (2012-2023), and Vice President of the University of Engineering and Technology, Vietnam National University Hanoi (2008-2012).





As the Director of the R&D Department  VNU Hanoi, Professor Duc proposed and established the Project to establish the Science and Technology Development Fund of Vietnam National University Hanoi. He also proposed and coordinated with the Organizational Board to develop criteria for leading scientific personnel, thereby planning training and nurturing programs for them; systematically developed the Strategic Science and Technology Development Plan of Vietnam National University for the period 2005-2010, which introduced new elements such as focusing on research on seas and islands, intellectual property rights, interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research, and especially emphasizing investment in building and developing strong research groups at Vietnam National University.





As the Director of Academic Affairs Department of VNU Hanoi since late 2012, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc has spearheaded the development of a project and regulations for innovating admissions based on the High school Student Assessment (HAS) exam. He also suggested and drafted specific policies for excellent students from gifted specialized high schools, that allowed outstanding gifted students to be given priority admission to the universities and to accumulate certain courses in advance; he led and structured the majors and specializations at Vietnam National University; developed regulations for undergraduate, masters, and doctoral training with many pioneering elements emphasizing high quality and international integration requirements.





Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc particularly focused on talent training and doctoral training. He developed an international-standard doctoral training project and a project to innovate doctoral training activities at Vietnam National University. Currently, Vietnam National University is the only institution in the country that requires research students to have international publications.





He also promoted the digitization of education management and innovation in teaching activities and emphasized STEM in training programs at Vietnam National University; he developed and implemented Vietnam National Universitys Olympiad competitions to select excellent high school students nationwide to supplement the high-quality university admission human source at Vietnam National University.





Over a decade as the Director of Academic Affairs Department of VNU Hanoi, with determination and strategic vision, professor Nguyen Dinh Duc successfully led Vietnam National University through the gradual transformation of the structure of training fields from being primarily focused on basic sciences to training and researching in new, advanced, interdisciplinary engineering and technology fields. By now, the enrollment scale in Engineering and Technology at Vietnam National University has increased from 8% of the total 7,000 quotas in 2013 to over 20% of the total 15,000 quotas in 2023. The engineering and technology fields at Vietnam National University has risen to 386th globally in the QS ranking in 2022 and has become the foundation of the future development of Vietnam National University.





Currently serving as the Chairman of the University of Engineering and Technology, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc, along with the universitys board, is enthusiastically building the new Strategy, the Project of Autonomy, Plans, and Innovations of the Structure of Fields for the future, enhancing the mechanism of coordination and autonomy within the university, and improving the lives of faculty members. Along with the universitys board, he has developed the universitys development strategy until 2035, with a vision until 2045, aspiring for the University of Engineering and Technology to become an advanced technological university in Asia by 2035 and to enter the top 200 in the world by 2045.









A Great Pride for Generations of Students at Vietnam National University and Vietnamese Higher Education





With his outstanding contributions to Vietnam National University and national education, the President of Vietnam honored him with the Third-class Labor Medal (2016) and the Second-class Labor Medal (2022). He was recognized as an exemplary educator by the Ministry of Education and Training on the 40th Anniversary of National Education.; In 2022, he was also the first recipient of the Vietnam National Universitys Teacher Award.





Professor Nguyen Dinh Ducs being consecutively listed in the top 100 leading scientists globally in Engineering and Technology many years has affirmed the position and reputation of Vietnamese scientists on the international scientific map.





Throughout 40 years dedicated to the profession and Vietnam National University, Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc, as an educator and scientist, has tirelessly devoted himself to the cause of education and training. His resilience, passion for science, and dedication serve as a shining example for the younger generations to follow and a source of pride for Vietnam National University and Vietnamese education in general.




Ankara is considering options for supplying Turkmen gas to Turkiye through Azerbaijan, Iran and the Caspian Sea, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar said, Azernews reports.

"Turkmen gas is an issue that has been on our agenda for many years. There are three options for gas delivery. One of them is that Turkmen gas is transferred to Turkiye through Iran via swap. Another option is that it arrives in Turkiye by exchange through Iran and Azerbaijan. Alternatively, Turkmen gas could be supplied to Turkiye via a gas pipeline passing through the Caspian Sea, which is essentially longer lasting, more stable and has a larger capacity ability. All these options are being considered and, to begin with, up to 2 billion cubic meters of natural gas can be transferred from Turkmenistan, the minister said.

Bayraktar also touched upon the issue of creating a gas trading center in Turkiye.

Turkiye is working on a gas trading platform for the Istanbul financial center, primarily with Gazprom. We think that we will be able to put this platform into operation in a short time, Bayraktar noted.




BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 10. Adelegation of the government of Uzbekistan will visit Tajikistan from March 11 to 12. This visit was organized at the direction of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan, Trend reports.

The next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan will be held as part of the visit. The delegations of both countries at this meeting will be led by the prime ministers.

In addition, the visit program includes other events.
Rows of pinwheels are seen in Audubon Park in recognition of April being National Child Abuse Prevention Month in New Orleans, La. Monday, April 3, 2017. Representatives from Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana, Tulane University, and the New Orleans Police Department and other volunteers helped plant the pinwheels. Since 1986 Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana has been dedicated to preventing the abuse and neglect of children throughout Louisiana.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. The Israeli army will end military operations in the Gaza Strip within the next two months, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, Trend reports.

"Maybe it will take six weeks, maybe four," he added.

The prime minister noted that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had already destroyed 75% of the combat terrorist battalions of the Hamas group.

We are approaching the final part, he said.

A combined attack was carried out on Israel on October 7. From the beginning, a massive rocket attack began from the territory of the Gaza Strip, followed by the penetration of militants by land, water, and air.

Israel declared a state of war after a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a mass gathering of reservists.
Today I am going to try to lead by example. Thats pretty funny as I am neither a leader nor a good example setter, but as the hero of this story, I believe I am both.

The lesson deals with getting rid of a cherished home furnishing, one that you have a great fondness for, but that no longer serves you or your home or the home youre moving to. Maybe its also outdated and takes up space you could put to better use.

Have anything like that? I thought so.

My story centers on a large, Louis the 16th-inspired tapestry I bought while on a family vacation in France 25 years ago. My two daughters were ages 4 and 6. We were visiting Rocamadour, an ancient town built into the side of a cliff in Southwestern France.

While walking the cobbled streets, it started to rain, then pour. The girls and I took refuge in one of the many charming shops, while their father continued exploring the town with the only umbrella we brought. One look around, and I thought, uh-oh, this was a store I could get lost in for hours, weeks even.

Every surface was stacked, crammed really (space being a premium in these old European towns), with fine French porcelain dishes, cut crystal, exquisite linens and tapestries. I began to swoon and started browsing. My girls, too, started to explore, which I quickly saw would end badly. At their ages, asking them to look and not touch would be like asking them to do algebra. Reluctantly, I pulled myself away and began to steer them to the door to leave. Just then the manager appeared. He could see the dilemma. Rather than show us out, he looked at the girls and asked me if I thought they might like some hot chocolate. They lit up.

And I think I have something else you might like, said the manager, a marketing genius.

Next thing, the girls are sitting cross legged on the floor in the corner of the small shop, each with a cup of steaming cocoa and between them a basket of soft, bright-eyed kittens. Does life get any better?

Viola! I got the hour I needed to peruse the tapestries, consider their colors, scenes and sizes, and choose one. I had the five-by-seven-foot wall-hanging of Le Jardin de Bagatelle shipped. It has graced every one of my homes since.

Fast forward to 2024. I looked at my dining room with fresh eyes, and decided the tapestry needed to go. Back in the late '90s, I favored an Old-World European look. But styles along with my tastes have changed. I now favor more contemporary, transitional furnishings.

Yes, the tapestry takes me back to that rainy day in France, that charmed experience. And yes, Ive endowed the piece with sentimental meaning. But that is not a reason to cling.

Here comes the tough love part. Tapestry, I said, holding its edges in my hands. You and I have had a good run. Weve shared a precious memory or two, but its time we said good-bye.

Knowing that complacency is the enemy of progress, I acted. I called Carey Kuhl, a moving concierge who helps folks sell their nicer furnishings and gets a portion of the sale. A few days later, she rolled up to my house, and I rolled up Le Jardin de Bagatelle and put it in the back of her car.

She did some research to figure out its value on todays market. She found the same tapestry for sale on an antique dealers site for 1450 euro (about $1575 dollars). She found another listed for $500, and another that sold at auction for just $50.

Pricing is all over the place, she said. I can list it for whatever price you want, but I think under $500 is a good starting point. Meanwhile, she was going to call a local French antique dealer she knew.

Before she listed the item, the dealer offered $300 firm. Recalling the saying, the first offer is your best offer, I took it.

Going through all this made me think of the key reasons we cling, all of which applied to my tapestry. Here are the reasons, along with how to debunk them. Maybe this will help you let go, too:

 You dont know what its worth. Market value is discoverable. Kuhl likes to use the phone app Google Lens to find out what items are selling for on todays market and where. In the used furniture market, let selling price, not listing price guide you.

 You want the item to go to someone who will appreciate it. When you sell an item in the secondhand market, whether through an expert like Kuhl or on your own, you get the piece of mind of knowing it will go to someone who wants it. Facebook Marketplace makes selling used items easy, and Facebook groups like The Buy Nothing Project helps you give items to those who will appreciate them.

 You paid a lot of money for it. I cant remember what I paid for the tapestry, but Im guessing between $800 and $1,000. That was and still is a lot of money, but I plan to use the money from the sale to buy a piece of art to replace it that better fits my life and style today.

 It has a story. Though irrational, endowing items with meaning is common. But when we sell or donate an item, we dont give up our memories. We keep those. Memories dont live inside of things; they live inside our hearts. I no longer have the tapestry, but the story of that rainy day in France, with the cocoa and kittens remains.
Northwest Indiana and greater Chicagoland residents have long flocked to Southwest Michigan for beaches, sand dunes, wineries, craft breweries and farmstands.

Harbor Country, a getaway filled with summer homes, Airbnbs and outstretched beach blankets, is starting to lure visitors with a new form of recreation.

The Rolling Embers, URB and The Bloomery cannabis dispensaries recently opened off Exit 1 on Interstate 94, the first exit past the Indiana/Michigan state line. King of Budz, a chain with locations in Monroe, Ferndale and Detroit, also is building out a retail store just off the interstate highway there.

JARS Cannabis is slated to open on U.S. 12 in New Buffalo just across the state line in the shadow of the Welcome to Michigan sign in May. Pharmhouse Wellness, a dispensary with a location in Grand Rapids, also will open a mile north on U.S. 12 this spring.

While it may already seem like dispensaries are opening left and right near the border of Indiana, where marijuana is still prohibited, it's just the start. So many cannabis dispensaries are seeking to open in Southwest Michigan's Harbor Country that Northwest Indiana may get a contact high.

A total of 35 applications have been filed to open dispensaries in New Buffalo Township, Building & Zoning Administrator Estelle Brinkman said. Several but not all have already won approval through the special land use process, she said.

No dispensaries are currently located within the city limits of New Buffalo, City Manager Darwin Watson said. But the unincorporated New Buffalo Township around the beachfront town known for its lighthouse, marina and languorous summer days in the sand and surf could reach a statewide high.

"That's more than Ann Arbor, Detroit or Lansing if all 35 get licensed," said David Harns, a spokesman with the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Authority. "That's more than anywhere in the state if all 35 get licensed. Detroit had 33 at the end of the year. More may be opening there, but it would at least end up in the top two or three."

About 4.3 million people live in the Detroit metropolitan area, compared to about 2,400 in the much less densely populated New Buffalo Township with its blueberry farms and apple orchards. If all the projects get approved, financed and built, the township would end up with roughly one dispensary for every 68 residents. But New Buffalo Township, which hugs Lake Michigan and LaPorte County in Indiana, serves as the gateway to Michigan's Lake Michigan coastline, a popular summer destination, and borders Indiana, which is one of just 12 states where marijuana is still completely illegal.

Most of the dispensaries plan to open right by the state line on U.S. 12 or off Interstate 94. Some operators are looking to open more than one dispensary in New Buffalo Township. Casey Kornoelje, who's opening Pharmhouse Wellness on U.S. 12 about a mile north of the state line, estimates dispensaries will invest between $50 million and $100 million in New Buffalo Township.

"It's an amazing amount of investment along U.S. 12 cleaning up blighted properties," he said. "If all 35 licenses are granted and each pays a remittance of $60,000, that's $2.1 million raised in taxes for perpetuity for New Buffalo Township. We're already watching it unfold."

Last Year, Michigan's 10% marijuana excise tax generated $290.3 million in tax revenue, said Ron Leix, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Treasury. More than $87 million was distributed to municipalities and counties across the state.

"Legalization of marijuana creates a substantial new source of tax revenue for the state. In 2022, Illinois reported $467 million in sales tax revenue generated from marijuana sales, while Michigan reported $341 million," Indiana University Northwest Assistant Professor of Economics Micah Pollak said. "A 2023 study by the Tax Foundation found that Indiana may be missing out on $172 million in marijuana tax revenue. While this revenue reflects a relatively small portion of the overall budget, such revenue could offset a significant portion of revenue generated currently through gasoline and fuel taxes."

The dispensaries also have a measurable economic impact, especially with the creation of new jobs, Pollak said.

"Legalization of marijuana does tend to have a positive economic impact, consistent with the creation of a new licit industry. A 2023 study found that states which legalized recreational marijuana saw in a modest but significant increase in employment, particularly in the agricultural sector," Pollak said. "Another study from Ohio State found that legalizing recreational marijuana resulted in a statistically significant increase in employment growth, home prices and population after five years."

Monroe, Michigan, just north of Toledo, Ohio, has experienced a similar economic boost as New Buffalo Township is now seeing. It's home to at least 16 dispensaries with more on the way as a result of recreational marijuana not being legalized in neighboring Ohio, a short distance away, until a few months ago.

Differing state laws often induce cross-border commerce. So many fireworks stands, smoke shops and gas stations line the Illinois border in Northwest Indiana because Illinois prohibits fireworks and charges higher taxes on gas and cigarettes. Hoosiers used to hop the border into Illinois when Sunday alcohol sales were still prohibited and flock to Calumet City's infamous "Sin Strip" of neon lights, showclubs and go-go dancers along State Street.

"Cross-border commerce driven by differences in laws does occur across the United States. However, when it persists this is usually at a cost to one side, in the form of either lost tax revenue or the additional cost of enforcing laws inconsistent across borders. In the case of recreational marijuana, we have seen most states follow the lead of their neighbors as the economic benefits become clearer and there has been almost no evidence of any potential downsides," Pollak said. "A 2021 study by the Cato institute found that legalization of recreational marijuana did not have any impact on road safety, suicide rates or crime rates. This is consistent with several other more recent studies."

The National Institutes of Health found that 15 research papers found a relationship between marijuana legalization and an increase in traffic accidents while five studies found none. The National Policing Institute said legalization can create challenges for law enforcement, such as an increase in driving under the influence.

"Post-legalization, average state income grew by 3 percent, house prices by 6 percent, and population by 2 percent. However, substance use disorders, chronic homelessness, and arrests increased by 17, 35, and 13 percent, respectively," Jason P. Brown, Elior D. Cohen, and Alison Felix wrote in a September 2023 research study for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. "Although some of our estimates are noisy, our findings suggest that the economic benefits of legalization are broadly distributed, while the social costs may be more concentrated among individuals who use marijuana heavily."

The research is still young but early findings have been generally consistent, Pollak said.

"Overall, legalization of recreational marijuana has consistently had a positive, albeit relatively small, economic impact on state and regional economies," he said.

Michigan legalized medicinal marijuana in 2008. Voters approved recreational marijuana in the Wolverine State in 2018 and it became legal in 2019.

The cannabis industry now employs 35,000 workers around Michigan at retailers, processors, labs and farms, Harns said.

Southwest Michigan already is home to many dispensaries, including High Profile, Zen Leaf, Pinnacle Emporium Buchanan, 7ENGINES Cannabis Dispensary, Cannavista Wellness, Lifted Craft Cannabis and Mill Valley Hemp Co. in Buchanan. Buchanan, a city of about 4,200 not far from the state line, has seven dispensaries and only one bar that's not a craft brewery or part of a restaurant. The McCoy Creek Tavern closes at 9 p.m. on weeknights and 10 p.m. on weekends to give some idea of how quiet the town is.

Harbor Country Collective, which was founded by Dan Milsk and Northwest Indiana native Adam Kaufman, became the first to do business in Harbor Country when it opened in Three Oaks in 2022. The owners originally got involved in the business when Michigan first legalized cannabis for medicinal purposes, have amassed a global seed bank of more than 200 strains and operating an in-house breeding program of classic flavors like Acapulco Gold and modern strains like Animal Mints. The vertical cannabis company grows everything it sells, likening itself to a farm-to-table restaurant.

"Harbor Country Collective distinguishes itself as the only store producing its own flower in Harbor Country," Milsk said. "As a locally owned mom-and-pop vertical cannabis company, HCC provides a personalized shopping experience, setting it apart from the large corporate competitors coming into the area. HCC was not merely established to enter the trendy cannabis industry; it was built on a foundation of love for the plant."

New Buffalo Township recently rewrote its zoning ordinance to not require setbacks for dispensaries, which opened up lead the the boom in investment, said Marvin Yono, co-founder of URB Cannabis Company. The township broadly allowed marijuana establishments in three designated areas by the state line.

"They didn't limit it with zoning, setbacks or different overlays because they didn't want lawsuits from businesses," he said. "They didn't want to get sued over their process. They have no limits. Some ordinances are so strict it can't be within a 1,000 feet of a school or a church. Basically this makes all parcels eligible. It allows as many new businesses as can fit."

URB, which also has locations in Monroe and Vassar, claims to be Michigan's largest cannabis superstore. It's been building its biggest store yet in New Buffalo.

"We're the largest in the state of Michigan with the largest selection, the best value, the best service and the best prices," he said.

URB took over the former Sure Stay Hotel just off I-94. It demolished part of the building and is renovating part of it into an 8,000-square-foot store that employs 140. It's now open while the construction work continues.

It sells a variety of products, including edibles, flowers, vapes and concentrates, stocking thousands of products. Yono knows more competition is coming.

"It's always good to establish the market," he said. "It's inevitable there will be some contraction. The best operators and best establishments will thrive."

Pharmhouse Wellness is a 2,500-square-foot store that will employ 20 to 30 workers. It will stock at least 500 products, including popular brands like Platinum Vape, Stiiizy Pods, Grown Rouge, Michigrown, Cali Blaze, Ice Kream Hash, H.O.G., Presidential and Caviar Gold.

The dispensary has an established location in Grant Rapids and targeted New Buffalo Township for growth.

"Obviously, it has proximity to Indiana and Illinois as potential markets," Kornoelje said. "Indiana doesn't have recreational cannabis and Illinois is a large market that's dominated by large corporate cannabis with high prices and high taxes. There are 10 million people in the Chicago area to draw from."

So far, Mission Dispensary by the River Oaks Center shopping mall in Calumet City is the only Illinois dispensary to open right by the Indiana border.

"Illinois has more quotas on the licenses and more barriers to entry," Kornoelje said. "Essentially, you just need real estate to open up a shop in Michigan. It's two different legal structural frameworks. Illinois has more larger corporations that are more well-funded and well organized. Michigan is more friendly to smaller businesses."

He expects to see strong demand from Indiana and Illinois, especially since New Buffalo already is a tourist destination for those markets.

"New Buffalo is really nice. It's a beautiful beach community that's visited by Chicagoland seasonally," he said. "It's a really nice town apart from being connected to Indiana and Illinois."

The cannabis industry can build on the existing craft beer and wine industries in Southwest Michigan, which also draw people looking unwind and get into a different frame of mind.

"Though cannabis is on the opposite end of the spectrum, it's essentially fulfilling the same need," he said.

He just hopes the market doesn't get so oversaturated that the competition becomes too intense.

"Dispensaries are competitive on price. That's just the nature of retail," he said. "But you pay a lot of money for property and leases and you need to be able to make a return. It's going to get competitive but no one should give pot away for free. That would be shooting yourself in the foot."

All the dispensaries opening should create buzz that will initially draw some more casual or curious customers, Kornoelje said. But over time, the retailers likely will cater to more frequent customers who likely will seek the area out because of all the choice and competition.

"It's not uncommon for people to drive an hour or an hour and a half," he said. "They'll come seeking many locations within a small area. It's like bar hopping but more dispensary hopping. There's also the weekend travelers and weekend warriors. There will be a wide array for everybody."
A Fortune 100 company plans to invest $70 million to $100 million in a 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse that will employ hundreds of workers at Interstate 65 and Route 2 near Lowell.

Rosemont-based developer Venture One Real Estate filed plans with Lake County to build the massive distribution center, which is expected to be expanded to 2 million square feet in a future phase. Attorney Jim Wieser, who's representing the developer and company, said it would create an estimated 1,200 construction jobs and hundreds of more permanent jobs.

"This is huge for Lake County," he said. "It's huge for Northwest Indiana."

The Interstate 65 corridor in Lake County has been seeing a massive and unprecedented surge in new industrial and logistics development. A record 2.4 million square feet of new industrial space was built in Northwest Indiana last year and new business parks, warehouses and industrial campuses have been going up in Hobart, Merrillville, Crown Point and Lowell.

"This is going to be the Midwest distribution center of a Fortune 100 company," Wieser said.

The project is currently before the Lake County Council, which must approve the zoning. It will then go back before the council for subdivision approval. Wieser said they expect to secure the final approval necessary to break ground by May.

"They hope to start as soon as they can get rolling," he said. "The hope is to start by late spring or early summer."

The Lake County Council will consider the project at its meeting Tuesday.

If approved, the distribution center would be developed on vacant land off the Route 2 exit of I-65 in southern Lake County. It's now vacant and no demolition would be required.

"The plan is to build one large building that can be added onto," Wieser said. "It will include offices, warehouse and distribution."

If demand warrants, the Fortune 100 company plans to expand by 700,000 to 750,000 square feet in a future phase of expansion.

"It's amazing," Wieser said. "It's going to be bringing good high-paying jobs and well as construction jobs. It's going to create so many jobs and be so beneficial for our area."

The Midwest distribution center likely would serve as a regional employer that would draw commuters from neighboring counties.

"I would assume most of the workers would come from Lake County, especially for the construction jobs, but given the nature and scope I could see workers coming from Porter, Newton and Jasper counties," he said.

Venture One has pledged to use local union contractors to do the work, said Randy Palmateer, business manager of the Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council.

"The building trades welcome this project," he said. "It's a needed development that will spur some ancillary development that's sorely needed in that area. It will create 1,200 construction jobs. We've been working closely with Jim Wieser and Venture One on this project. We're happy to see them come to town. That type of development is needed and we welcome it."

Crow Holdings recently built three speculative buildings of 1 million square feet, 576,000 square feet and 260,000 square feet at the Silos at Sanders Farm just off I-65 in Merrillville. U.S. Cold Storage is building a $124 million, 245,000-square-foot warehouse off I-65 in Lowell. Core X Partners broke ground on a new $200 million, 450,000-square-foot warehouse off I-65 in Crown Point. Other new developments along I-65 include the 250-acre Point 65 business park at the southeast corner of I-65 and State Road 231 in Crown Point and the NorthWind Crossings Business Park off of the West 61st Avenue exit off I-65 in Hobart.

Crown Point-based commercial real estate firm Latitude Commercial noted in its annual report that it's an unprecedented amount of investment in new industrial space in the Calumet Region.

Developers say the huge surge in industrial development and distribution centers has put Northwest Indiana more on the map nationally, attracting more attention from large corporations.

"There's so much interest in Northwest Indiana," Wieser said. "Companies want access to our major highways and our lower cost of living over here. It's great for Northwest Indiana."
Hammond is installing ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology around the city.

The city in North Lake County, Northwest Indiana's largest by population, landed a $300,000 grant to use ShotSpotter to combat gun violence.

I always want our police department to have the best technology at their disposal to combat crime, and ShotSpotter is just another tool for them to help solve crimes and also prevent and deter criminal activity in the city, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott said.

East Chicago has used ShotSpotter since 2013 and the city of Gary used to use it. Chicago is in the process of phasing it out after allegations of inaccuracy, misuse and racial bias, including with a grandfather who had murder charges against him dismissed due to lack of evidence.

About 150 cities around the country use ShotSpotter, which uses microphones and an artificial intelligence algorithm to detect gunshots and report the locations to police to cut down on response times.

"Our top priority is ensuring the safety of all Hammond residents," Hammond Chief of Police William Short said. "By deploying ShotSpotter's proven technology, we are adding an essential tool that will enable our officers to rapidly pinpoint and respond to gunfire, ultimately helping to save lives and increase crime incident awareness."

Hammond plans to connect ShotSpotter acoustic sensors to a centralized incident review center that will seek to differentiate gunshots from fireworks, construction, cars backfiring or other loud noises. The hope is that instant notifications will bring the closest Hammond Police Department officers to the scene of outdoor gunshots, which helps catch suspects, identify witnesses and collect evidence to better prosecute cases.

The City Council, Hammond Police Department, and my office have worked together on this to both fund and implement ShotSpotter in the city of Hammond. Its unanimous support is just another example of Hammond government working together to get things done for the betterment of our city, McDermott said.

ShotSpotter has been a much-discussed issue in Hammond's neighbor Chicago of late after mayor Brandon Johnson decided not to renew the contract when it comes up in September after Chicago spent $49 million on the technology since 2018.

PHOTOS: Federal Courthouse in Hammond in national pollinator research
Whiting became the first city ever inducted into the White Castle Cravers Hall of Fame in recognition after the Columbus, Ohio-based chain tore down and replaced its 88-year-old castle-shaped restaurant at Indianapolis Boulevard and 119th Street last year.

White Castle named Whiting the "Crave Capital of the World" and will celebrate the distinction by declaring Tuesday, March 12 as Whiting Appreciation Day.

White Castle's Whiting restaurant dates back to 1935 before fast food became as ubiquitous as it is today. The company says the Whiting White Castle was its first Chicagoland location.

The nation's first fast-food restaurant, which is known for its iconic small, square sliders, will give away a complimentary Original Slider from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday to anyone visiting the Whiting White Castle at 1879 Indianapolis Boulevard. No purchase is necessary.

White Castle also will be selling a limited number of Cravers Hall of Fame T-shirts, donating the proceeds to GiGis Playhouse Tinley Park, an achievement center for people with Down syndrome.

We value our partnerships with the city of Whiting and this is our way of celebrating a community that has been committed to the way of the Crave for nearly nine decades, said Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle. The free Original Slider gives us a hot and tasty way to celebrate and say thank you.

Whiting's original White Castle, which had a white porcelain castle design and resembled the diner in the Edward Hopper painting "Nighthawks," served generations of Region residents before closing on March 28th last year. It was replaced by a newer, bigger and more modern White Castle next door. A plaque was installed to commemorate its long history in the lakefront city on Lake Michigan in north Lake County.

Parts of the original Whiting White Castle are on display at the Whiting-Robertsdale Historical Society Museum and the Illinois Railway Museum. It's one of the 274 inductees into the Cravers Hall of Fame, along with Stan Lee, Adam Richman, Alice Cooper and Kal Penn and John Cho from the cult classic film "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle."

White Castle, which has 340 restaurants across the country, has a cult following in the Midwest and a heavy footprint in the Calumet Region, where its customers "buy 'em by the sack."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 10. Employees of the General Directorate of Security of Turkiye have detained 33 people in the province of Sakarya in the northwest of the country, who are suspected of preparing terrorist attacks before the municipal election scheduled for March 31, head of the Interior Ministry Ali Yerlikaya said on X, Trend reports.

"During the Sakarya operation targeting the extremist group ISIS, 33 suspects were apprehended. They were planning terrorist attacks and exploring the feasibility of carrying them out before the municipal elections. Additionally, they were implicated in providing financial support to the group through terrorist financing activities. Investigations revealed that these individuals were operating clandestinely under the guise of illegal mosques and madrasahs," he said.

During the police operations, they seized unregistered weapons, four pistols and two shotguns. Large sums of currency were also confiscated.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The European Security Conference, held in Munich in February, has highlighted transatlantic cooperation in the face of Russias war on Ukraine. Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken addressed the gathering.

Vice President Harris underscored growing importance of Africa, along with U.S. commitment to world engagement. Also at center stage, Secretary Blinken demonstrated broad foreign policy expertise developed over years of government service. Both put to good use the opportunity to emphasize collegiality with allies.

The conference underlines the durability of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). The alliance was founded in 1949 to resist expansion of the Soviet Union.

An immediate impetus was Moscows 1948 blockade of West Berlin, which was located deep inside the Soviet occupation zone of divided Germany. More broadly, however, the comprehensive Cold War had already begun, reaching beyond divided Berlin in a divided Germany.

Originally envisioned as temporary, pending a comprehensive peace settlement after victory over Nazi Germany, the occupation zones became solidified and endured throughout the Cold War. The end of that conflict followed the peoples dismantling of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the reunification of Germany and finally the disintegration in 1991 of the Soviet Union.

Alliances involve tensions and conflicts, inevitably, as officials regularly point out. Recent Republican administrations have been relatively challenging. President Donald Trump was harshly, literally disruptive publicly in constantly vocally pressing Europeans to devote more to defense. President George W. Bush, and in particular Vice President Dick Cheney, pressed to expand NATO right up to Russias borders.

The alliance is fundamentally anomalous. An organization founded to oppose Soviet expansion saw that mission end successfully several decades ago, yet continues to exist. Cold War victory has resulted in debate about best future roles, not abandonment of the alliance.

Terrorist killers on 9/11 triggered NATO for the first time to defend an ally under attack. French aircraft patrolled North American skies to free our own for attacks in Afghanistan, which became a NATO theatre of operations. After 9/11, Munich themes expanded to include cooperation to fight terrorist groups.

The NATO alliance is a cornerstone initiative, dating from the early years of the Cold War, but there are also a range of economic institutions dating from the Marshall Plan of the same period. They include the European Union and such predecessor organizations as the Western Union and the Western European Union, along with the cornerstone European Economic Community. The industrialized nations were concentrated in the Atlantic region, and there were no comparable Asian initiatives immediately after World War II.

That situation has obviously changed dramatically. After 9/11, Japanese warships patrolled the Indian Ocean for the first time since 1945, as part of a collective response under UN auspices. The APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) organization is one relatively recent Asian initiative, and still defining a principal role.

NATO was vital to the Cold War victory, and reflects the importance of handling military challenges through alliance structures whenever possible, a basic lesson of World War II.

Ironically, Munich has served as a shorthand reference to appeasement, thanks to British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlains acquiescence to Adolf Hitlers territorial demands just before Nazi Germany launched World War II in Europe.

The Munich conference now possesses an extremely well-established foundation for the next policy moves by North American, European and other participants. In order to succeed, these efforts must transcend traditional regional security organizations.
Dozens of demonstrators yelled in unison on a recent Friday afternoon, "How many kids have you killed today?

Men, women and children stood along Broadway outside the Merrillville office of U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan chanting, Mrvan, Mrvan, you cant hide! Stop the genocide! They held handmade signs stating, Bombing children is not self-defense! and Honk for Palestine as motorists honked in agreement.

No more money for Israels crimes! the protesters yelled.

One of them was Lee Artz, a professor of media studies at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond. Hes also faculty advisor for the group Students for Justice in Palestine.

Two-thirds of Americans support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, he told me. The question is how can those two-thirds of Americans do something more than just honk their horns when they drive past a demonstration. How else can they actually demonstrate their attitude and opinion?

International pleas for a permanent ceasefire are growing every day, with the majority of Americans now supporting one, according to a poll conducted last month by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding.

I asked Artz, director of the Center for Global Studies at PNW, why most Americans and Christians historically support Israel and its actions, including the increasingly controversial counter-attack against Hamas  a Palestinian military and political movement  as well as civilians in Gaza.

Its duplicitous to say Christians support Israel when what they really support is the end of Israel so Jesus will return to Earth and we will all have the Rapture, replied Artz, whose father and grandfather were both Evangelical ministers.

The conventional narrative for decades, if not generations, is that Arabs and Jews will never stop fighting with each other. This paint-by-number scenario is easier to grasp for outsiders in contrast to the complicated reality dating back to 1948, when Israel declared its state establishment.

It has been a genocide since 1948, a protester said.

This global situation is laced with complexities, Artz said, including the history of Zionism and the contentious roles of Great Britain and the United States. Everything escalated Oct. 7, when Hamas soldiers attacked Israel, prompting the counter-attack in Gaza. (Read my column at NWI.com on the reaction of a local rabbi whose family lives in Israel.)

People can see with their own eyes about Israels claim that its acting in self-defense even though 35,000 people have been killed, including children. Were seeing images of kids with limbs missing and starving for food, Artz said. Those images should compel viewers to join a local and peaceful demonstration for a ceasefire or other ways to demonstrate their feelings.

Our country has millions of well-meaning citizens who will proudly adorn their tree with a yellow ribbon or place a magnet on their vehicle in support of U.S. military veterans, but yet they are uncomfortable or unwilling to perform acts of public demonstration about the conflict in Gaza.

Were trying to find other ways for people to express their real feelings about the atrocities in Gaza without demonstrating publicly on a busy street, Artz said.

One of those ways is to take part in Fast for Gaza, a one-day collective fast on March 15 to raise money, food and solidarity with the people of Palestine and observers of Ramadan. Co-sponsored by the Islamic Center of Michigan City and Illiana Islamic Center in Highland, participants will fast until 8 p.m. that day and then donate money or food they would have otherwise used for meals. All proceeds will go to Pious Projects, an international aid organization.

Theres always a knee-jerk response to use social media to make a difference, Artz said. But its easy to click on a thumbs up or a smiley face on someones social media post without actually doing anything else or going anywhere. This gives people an opportunity to share dinner together and discuss this complex topic.

In his State of the Union Address this week, President Joe Biden issued stern words to Israel's leaders about allegedly holding up humanitarian aid to Palestinians for political purposes.

Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip," Biden said.

Biden is facing increasing pressure from American voters over his support of Israels military response to Hamas militants, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent people.

Please remember that Hamas is the main culprit for all that has happened to the Gazan citizens, a Jewish woman from our Region told me. Their leaders have said outright that they don't really care about their citizens. And the media is failing to show how Hamas militants are taking over the trucks that are trying to bring aid to the citizens.

The woman asked me to not share her name over fear of retribution.

A large part of the Jewish community in Northwest Indiana, our state and country are experiencing antisemitism, she said.

Palestinians blame Israel for decades of oppression, killings and now allegations of genocide.

No reason or excuse can justify massacre of 30,000 innocent lives in the name of security, one of the demonstrators said. This collective punishment and so many before this, all they have been able to create is more hatred, more desperation and more hopelessness in the occupied lands.

Ferass Safadi, another protester, said, For a country that stands for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, we have failed to resonate such a theme and only encouraged apartheid, genocide and a cycle of injustice with a partner in Israel.

Regardless of your stance on this conflict half a world away, innocent people are being killed and starved to death. If youre interested in helping them, Artz and other demonstrators hope people join them for calls of a ceasefire and providing aid to victims.

This is something that anyone in our Region can do to voice their feeling about this issue, he said.

GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week
Shortly after Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that hundreds of National Guard soldiers would be deployed to patrol the New York City subway system and check riders bags, her office made an adjustment: Soldiers searching bags would not carry long guns.

The change was ordered by Ms. Hochul on Wednesday for implementation on Thursday, according to a spokesman for the governor. Ms. Hochul issued a directive that National Guard members would be prohibited from carrying long guns at bag-check stations, he said. Soldiers not working at the stations would presumably be allowed to carry them.

Donna Lieberman, the executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, called the ban on long guns at bag-checking stations a relief, but said the Guards presence underground remained an unnecessary overreaction based on fear, not facts.

Deploying military personnel to the subways will not make New Yorkers feel safe, Ms. Lieberman said. It will, unfortunately, create a perfect storm for tension, escalation and further criminalization of Black and brown New Yorkers.
President Biden was standing in an Upper East Side townhouse owned by the businessman James Murdoch, the rebellious scion of the media empire, surrounded by liberal New York Democrats who had paid handsomely to come hear optimistic talk about the Biden agenda for the next few years.

It was Oct. 6, 2022, but what they heard instead that evening was a disturbing message that  though Mr. Biden didnt say so  came straight from highly classified intercepted communications he had recently been briefed about, suggesting that President Vladimir V. Putins threats to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine might be turning into an operational plan.

For the first time since the Cuban Missile Crisis, he told the group, as they gathered amid Mr. Murdochs art collection, we have a direct threat of the use of a nuclear weapon if in fact things continue down the path theyve been going. The gravity of his tone began to sink in: The president was talking about the prospect of the first wartime use of a nuclear weapon since Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The United States has a history of using its military to get food, water and other humanitarian relief to civilians during wars or natural disasters. The walls of the Pentagon are decorated with photographs of such operations in Haiti, Liberia, Indonesia and countless other countries.

But it is rare for the United States to try to provide such services for people who are being bombed with tacit U.S. support.

President Bidens decision to order the U.S. military to build a floating pier off the Gaza Strip that would allow aid to be delivered by sea puts American service members in a new phase of their humanitarian aid history. The same military that is sending the weapons and bombs that Israel is using in Gaza is now also sending food and water into the besieged territory.

The floating pier idea came a week after Mr. Biden authorized humanitarian airdrops for Gaza, which relief experts criticized as inadequate. Even the floating pier, aid experts say, will not do enough to alleviate the suffering in the territory, where residents are on the brink of starvation.
Dr. Ronald V. LaRoche has not been able to cross into dangerous territory to inspect the hospital he runs in Haitis Delmas 18 neighborhood since it was ransacked by gangs last week, but a TikTok video he saw offered clues to its current condition: It was on fire.

He learned from neighbors and others who dared venture into gang territory that Jude-Anne Hospital had been looted and cleared of anything of value. It was the second hospital he has had to close.

They took everything  the operating rooms, the X-rays, everything from the labs and the pharmacies, Dr. LaRoche said. Imagine! They are taking windows from hospitals! Doors!

Haiti is in the throes of an uprising not seen in decades. As politicians around the region scramble to hash out a diplomatic solution to a political crisis that has the prime minister, Ariel Henry, stranded in Puerto Rico and gangs attacking police stations, a humanitarian disaster is quickly escalating. The food supply is threatened, and access to water and health care has been severely curtailed.
Among the scattered notes taped to the door of the Irish author Colum McCanns home office in Manhattan is a photograph of James Foley, the American journalist who was murdered by members of the Islamic State in August 2014. In the picture, he leans against a barricade of sandbags in jeans and a flak vest, reading McCanns novel Let the Great World Spin.

McCann was so moved when he saw the image shortly after James Foleys death that he reached out to Diane Foley, his mother, to offer his condolences  and his help telling her sons story, should she ever want it. But Foley missed the message.

She was busy creating the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, an organization focused on protecting journalists and ensuring the freedom of Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad. And she was still grieving a son who had been held kidnapped while covering the Syrian civil war and held for 21 months before he was executed on camera, with the footage then released online.

Then, in 2021, McCann and Foley found themselves on the same Zoom call. It was for a Marquette University book club; the group was reading another of McCanns novels, Apeirogon, and Marquette was James Foleys alma mater, so his mother had been invited. This time, they connected.
In a world in which its hard for a vegetable to get a break, cabbage is winning.

Cabbage has been a global culinary workhorse for centuries. (China grows the most; Russia eats the most.) It has fed generations of American immigrants. But now, a vegetable that can make your house smell like a 19th-century tenement has become the darling of the culinary crowd.

In the words of my mother-in-law: Cabbage, who knew?

Like so many American food trends, fancy cabbage dishes first started turning up in restaurants on the coasts a few years ago. But they are fast spreading across the country. One chef has compared this cabbage mania to the hoopla over bacon in the 1990s.

In Denver, Sap Sua sprinkles a charred cabbage wedge with anchovy breadcrumbs. Cabbage is bathed in brown-butter hollandaise at Gigis Italian Kitchen in Atlanta. At Good Hot Fish in Asheville, N.C., shredded green cabbage stars in a pancake punched up with sorghum hot sauce.

For a story in The Times, I spoke with farmers, chefs and food critics and ate cabbage in three cities, seeking to understand how the vegetable earned this moment in the spotlight. In todays newsletter, Ill explain what I found.
Paolo Taviani, who with his brother Vittorio made some of Italys most acclaimed films of the last half century  including Padre Padrone, which won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1977  died on Feb. 29 in Rome. He was 92.

His son, Ermanno Taviani, said the cause of his death, in a hospital, was pulmonary edema.

The Taviani brothers emerged in the late 1950s as part of a generation of Italian filmmakers  including Bernardo Bertolucci, Pier Paolo Pasolini and Gillo Pontecorvo  who were inspired by the countrys Neorealist movement but determined to push beyond it. (Vittorio Taviani died in 2018.)

Though the brothers came from an urbane, intellectual family  their father was a lawyer, their mother a teacher  their work celebrated traditional life in the Italian countryside, where they were raised. Padre Padrone, for example, tells the story of a boys struggle between the demands of his overbearing father, who wants him to be a farmer, and his own dreams of becoming a linguist.
Last Wednesday, a day before he delivered a rousing State of the Union address, Joe Biden issued an invitation to the roughly 30 percent of Republican primary voters who had voted for Nikki Haley in the G.O.P. presidential primaries before she dropped out. The message was simple: Donald Trump doesnt want you, but we do. After all, Trump said on Truth Social that anyone who made a contribution to Haley would be permanently barred from the MAGA camp. Biden, by contrast, acknowledged differences of opinion with Haley voters but argued that agreement on democracy, decency, the rule of law and support for NATO should unite Haley voters against Trump.

Is Biden correct? Is there an argument that could persuade a meaningful number of Haley conservatives to vote for Biden? In ordinary times the answer would be no. It still may be no. Negative polarization is the dominant fact of American political life. Asking a person to change political teams is like asking him or her to disrupt friendships and family relationships, to move from the beloved us to the hated them. Theyre going to do it only as a last resort, when they truly understand and feel the same way about the Republican Party that Ronald Reagan felt when he departed the Democratic Party: He didnt leave the party. The party left him.

Now, however, its the G.O.P. that is sprinting away from Reagan  and from Haley Republicans  as fast as MAGA can carry it. The right is not just mad at Republican dissenters for defying Trump; it has such profound policy disagreements with Reagan and Haley Republicans that its hard to imagine the two factions coexisting for much longer. Given the power imbalance in a Trump G.O.P., that means that for the foreseeable future traditional conservatives will face a choice: conform or leave.

Its likely that most people will conform. But they ought to leave. If a political party is a shared enterprise for advancing policies and ideas with the hope of achieving concrete outcomes, then there are key ways in which a second Biden term would be a better fit for Reagan Republicans than Round 2 of Trump.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 10. The Turkish Armed Forces neutralized 11 members of the PKK/YPG terrorist organization in northern Iraq and Syria, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense said in a statement, Trend reports.

The report notes that 10 militants were killed during the anti-terrorist operation of the Turkish Armed Forces, codenamed Pence-Kilit ("Claw-Castle") in northern Iraq.

Another terrorist was neutralized in the area of Operation Euphrates Shield, carried out by the Turkish military in northern Syria.

The ministry stressed that the Turkish Armed Forces will continue to resolutely fight terrorists.
Nearly 400 years ago, Walloon-speaking religious refugees from near what is today roughly the French-Belgian border arrived in a Lenape-speaking archipelago, marking the colonial founding of Manhattan as we know it. Ever more global waves of migration have arrived since, not just enriching the city in practical ways but also adding to its cultural and artistic texture. Today New York City is the most linguistically diverse urban area in the world.

Now Donald Trump is warning about this linguistic diversity, arguing that New Yorks classrooms are overwhelmed by foreign students who speak obscure languages. They have languages that nobody in this country has ever heard of, Mr. Trump said, referring to migrants who have recently arrived. Its a very horrible thing.

Its true, as he suggested, that we dont have instructors for most of the worlds more than 7,000 languages, so poor is our ability to teach, learn or translate them. But why did Mr. Trump deem this a very horrible thing, and not a call to arms for more research and more language teachers? What could make languages  gloriously various natural experiments in human cognition and communication  so frightening?

There are many practical benefits to be found in the knowledge, wisdom and poetry of the languages that immigrants bring with them. A growing body of research has found that linguistic diversity can be good not only for childrens overall development but also for their health. The presence of these languages and their speakers continually revitalizes the profound social experiment that is America. We can and should learn how to communicate with them.
For the thousandth time, the Republican Party refused an off-ramp that would free itself from Donald Trump. As long as hes around, it never will.

In this years presidential primary campaign, the party had the chance to nominate Nikki Haley, a successful, conservative former two-term governor of South Carolina. Unlike Mr. Trumps, her public career hasnt been characterized by a lifetime of moral squalor. And many polls show she would be a more formidable candidate against President Biden than Mr. Trump. No matter. Mr. Trump decimated Ms. Haley, most recently on Super Tuesday. She suspended her campaign the next day. But she never had a chance.

The Republican Party has grown more radical, unhinged and cultlike every year since Mr. Trump took control of it. In 2016 there was outrage among Republicans after the release of the Access Hollywood tape. On the tape, in words that shocked the nation, Mr. Trump said that when youre a star, you can do anything. Grab em by the pussy. You can do anything.

In 2023, Mr. Trump was found liable for sexual abuse. What some people dismissed as his locker room talk turned out to be more than just talk. Yet no Republican of significance said a critical word about it.
Two members of the New York State National Guard were identified as victims in a military helicopter crash that killed three people in Texas on Friday near the U.S.-Mexico border.

John M. Grassia III, a New York State trooper, and Casey Frankoski, a National Guard helicopter pilot, were killed near La Grulla, Texas, when the chopper crashed into a field. Chris Luna, a U.S. Border Patrol agent, also died in the crash, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

All three had been deployed along the southern U.S. border since October.

The death of Mr. Grassia, 30, was announced by the New York State troopers union in a social media post, which said he had joined the force as a state trooper in 2022. Ms. Frankoski was named in a Facebook post by the mayor of her hometown, Rensselaer, N.Y., where her father is a retired police chief.

The operation last week was said to be a routine mission along the U.S.-Mexico border, where Mr. Grassia, Ms. Frankoski, and two others were working with Joint Task Force North, a U.S. Defense Department initiative that tracks the boundary along with local and federal law enforcement.
Conciliatory messages on social media. Open invitations for coffee. Zoom calls inviting attendees to unload.

Even before she announced her campaign for Senate in Arizona, Kari Lake, a Republican and a favorite of former President Donald J. Trump, has been on a mission to make peace. Her failed bid for governor two years ago was defined by her fervent embrace of Mr. Trumps false claims of a stolen election, and by her relentless attacks on the partys establishment figures who criticized her for that dishonesty. But now, looking to wrest a seat from Democrats in a key presidential battleground, Ms. Lake is courting former foes and trying to mend fences.

In addition to her public overtures, Ms. Lake has reached out privately to establishment Republicans in the state in recent months  including some she personally offended  seeking their support. The list includes Doug Ducey and Jan Brewer, two of the states former governors; Karrin Taylor Robson and former Representative Matt Salmon, two of her 2022 primary rivals; and Meghan McCain, the daughter of the longtime Arizona senator John McCain, according to six people with knowledge of the outreach, some of whom insisted on anonymity to discuss private interactions. In some cases, Ms. Lake has expressed regrets about her past behavior, one of the people said.

There was some damage done from that primary that clearly bled into the general election, said Daniel Scarpinato, a Republican consultant in Arizona who worked as a top aide to Mr. Ducey years ago. I think you clearly see a genuine effort to bring more Republicans into the fold.
Representative Adam B. Schiff, who became the Democratic nominee for an open Senate seat in California last week, denied on Sunday the suggestion that his primary had been rigged.

Mr. Schiff said that Democrats had swiftly rebuked an assertion from one of his primary opponents, Representative Katie Porter, that wealthy donors had spent millions of dollars for Mr. Schiff to rig the race, contrasting his party and former President Donald J. Trumps false claims around the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election.

That term rigged is a very loaded term in the year of Trump, Mr. Schiff said in an interview on NBCs Meet the Press. It connotes fraud, ballot stuffing and false claims like those of Donald Trump. I think whats remarkable is Democrats very quickly rallied to say, No, we dont use that language.

Ms. Porter, one of Mr. Schiffs two progressive primary opponents for the seat, thanked her supporters on social media last week and went on to describe an onslaught of billionaires spending millions to rig the primary.
Virginia will end legacy admissions at public universities after Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a bill on Friday banning the practice that gives applicants with family ties to alumni a boost.

Under House Bill 48, public universities in the state will be barred from giving preferential treatment to applicants based on their connections to not only alumni but to donors as well. That means universities can also no longer give an advantage to applicants whose relatives make donations to the school. Critics of such preferences have said for years that the century-old practice perpetuates privilege.

The ban will notably affect the University of Virginia and William & Mary, which are among the countrys more selective public universities. Virginia Tech, another prestigious public university, already announced last year that it would no longer take an applicants legacy status into account in the admissions process.

The law, which passed unanimously in the Virginia House of Delegates and the State Senate this year, will take effect July 1, after admissions decisions have been made for this fall. Mr. Youngkin, a Republican, said in a statement in January that he believed admission to Virginias universities and colleges should be based on merit.
Running a clinic in a red state had worn her down, and she was looking to put Wichita and all it represented behind her. But if Wyoming was even more conservative than Kansas, she understood that it was more Cowboy State conservatism, shaped by self-reliance and small government, less interested in regulating what people do behind their drapes.

So she said yes.

Then, three months before Ms. Burkhart planned to open her clinic in 2022, the Wyoming Legislature, pushed by a new Freedom Caucus, joined a dozen other states in passing a trigger law that would ban abortion as soon as the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
In early February, as a referendum approached that had been called by Irelands coalition government to consider two proposals to alter the countrys Constitution, polls showed that a clear majority of voters intended to support it.

Many analysts assumed it would be the latest in a series of votes in recent years amending the countrys 1930s-era Constitution to reflect Irelands increasingly secular and liberal identity.

But as the day of the referendum, held to coincide with International Womens Day, drew closer, public opinion seemed to turn, with polls showing support for the yes vote plummeting. When voters cast their ballots on Friday, they delivered a definitive no to both proposed amendments  one to change long-criticized language about womens duties being in the home and another to broaden the definition of family beyond marriage.

The outcome dealt a blow to a government hoping for an easy victory. But the result, far from being evidence that conservative values were sweeping the nation, reflected a complex stew of factors that, analysts say, is likely to force government soul-searching: a weak campaign for the amendments, confusion over the proposals and lower-than-expected voter turnout.
Portugals Socialist Party conceded defeat on Sunday night in a very tight national election that ended the partys eight years in power and reflected the countrys drift to the right, which follows a broader trend in Europe.

That shift was marked by the ascent of Chega, an anti-establishment, right-wing party, which skyrocketed from recent irrelevance to become the third most popular party in Portugal.

The Socialist Party, which has been hobbled by a corruption investigation, had been running neck and neck with the Democratic Alliance, a center-right coalition, until late in the evening, when the Socialist leader conceded at a news conference.

The Socialists and the Democratic Alliance had each garnered about 29 percent of the vote, with about 99 percent of the voting districts having counted their ballots. Ballots cast abroad, which elect four parliamentary seats, had yet to be counted, but the Socialist Party leader, Pedro Nuno Santos, said that those ballots were unlikely to make up for the votes they needed to win.
Update: After questions were raised, Catherine, Princess of Wales, apologized for doctoring the photo of her with her three children.

Nearly two months after undergoing abdominal surgery, Catherine, the princess of Wales, appeared in an official photograph, released on Sunday by Kensington Palace to mark Mothers Day in Britain.

Catherine, who posed with her three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, has not been seen in public since before she entered the hospital on Jan. 16, provoking a swirl of increasingly far-fetched rumors on social media about her condition.

The image of a smiling Catherine, surrounded by her family, could have quieted what had become an extraordinary distraction for the British royal family, which is also dealing with a cancer diagnosis for King Charles III.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 10. A Turkish Red Crescent vessel carrying 2,737 tons of humanitarian aid reached the port of El Arish in Egypt, Trend reports.

According to a statement from the Turkish Red Crescent, this is the seventh ship they have sent since the beginning of October to provide assistance to the war-affected people of Gaza. The ship named "Kindness" is the largest of all the ships sent by the organization to this region.

The arrival of the ship was greeted by the Chairman of the Turkish Red Crescent, Fatma Meric Yilmaz, and the organization's team in the region. In their presence, cargo began loading onto trucks in order to deliver it to the residents of Gaza as quickly as possible. The trucks, led by Turkish Red Crescent experts, will enter Gaza through the Rafah border crossing.

On board the ship there are 2,737 tons of humanitarian aid, including food parcels, water, food packages, flour, clothing, hygiene products, housing materials, medicines and baby supplies.

The Turkish Red Crescent works in close cooperation with the Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent.
On the front line just outside Bakhmut, Ukraine, a 32-year-old commander of a Ukrainian artillery platoon rocked to and fro in the passenger seat of a beat-up Lada, as another soldier navigated the car through a thick forest, sometimes mowing down young trees. When they reached their destination, a small village less than two miles from Russian lines, all that was left were destroyed houses, their shattered roofs visible in the moonlight.

The commander, a female soldier who uses the call sign Witch, is a former lawyer who, along with two of her brothers and her mother, joined the military the day after Russia invaded in February 2022. Her first experience in combat was in the outskirts of Kyiv that year, and much of what she has learned about weapons systems since has been self-taught and on the fly.

Since early 2023, Witch has been with her platoon in the 241st Brigade in the area around Bakhmut, supervising all of the artillery systems. She is resolute about staying in the military even if the war ends. People who want to join the armed forces must understand that its a way of life, she said.
When Wafaa al-Kurd was nearly due to give birth, she said, she weighed less than she did before becoming pregnant and was surviving on rice and artificial juice.

She gave birth to a girl weighing nearly six pounds, named Tayma, just over two weeks ago, she said. Since then, her husband has spent his days scouring markets in northern Gaza, where the family lives, trying to find enough food for his wife to breastfeed and keep Tayma alive.

Nearly 60,000 pregnant women in Gaza are suffering from malnutrition, dehydration and lack of proper health care, according to the Gaza health ministry. In a statement on Friday, the ministry said that about 5,000 women in Gaza were giving birth every month in harsh, unsafe and unhealthy conditions as a result of bombardment and displacement.

The ministry added that about 9,000 women, including thousands of mothers and pregnant women, had been killed since Israels bombardment and invasion began in early October.

The United Nations and aid agencies have warned that famine is looming in the besieged enclave, where health officials reported that at least 25 people, most of them children, had died from malnutrition and dehydration in recent days.

Dr. Deborah Harrington, an obstetrician working at Al Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza, said the expectant and new mothers she treated had not received nearly enough pre- and postnatal care, risking both their lives and those of their babies.
Only a few years ago, plenty of citizens of the United Arab Emirates were willing to speak warmly about their countrys budding ties with Israel.

Israel had just established relations with the Emirates through a U.S.-brokered deal. Business groups had sprung up to funnel cross-country investment. Two women, Emirati and Israeli, posed for a photograph holding hands atop a skyscraper in Dubai. American, Emirati and Israeli officials predicted that their deal, called the Abraham Accords, would spread peace across the Middle East.

But now, as Israels monthslong bombardment of Gaza fuels anger around the region, Emirati fans of the deal are increasingly hard to find.

An Emirati businessman who had once touted the economic ties said that he had left an Emirati-Israeli business council and that he had nothing else to say. Some Emiratis, although frustrated with the accords, said they were afraid to speak publicly, citing their authoritarian governments history of arresting critics. One figure who did speak out, Dubais deputy police chief, declared online that Arabs had truly wanted peace and that Israel had proved that its intentions are evil.
A sculpture in Wuhan, a city in central China, depicted a joyful family of three. Recently, two more children were added. 2020 2024 An official newspaper said the change was aimed at promoting the government's three-child policy. A sculpture in Wuhan, a city in central China, depicted a joyful family of three. Recently, two more children were added. 2020 2024 An official newspaper said the change was aimed at promoting the governments three-child policy.

One Three Is Best: How Chinas Family Planning Propaganda Has Changed

For decades, China harshly restricted the number of children couples could have, arguing that everyone would be better off with fewer mouths to feed. The governments one-child policy was woven into the fabric of everyday life, through slogans on street banners and in popular culture and public art.

Now, faced with a shrinking and aging population, China is using many of the same propaganda channels to send the opposite message: Have more babies.

The government has also been offering financial incentives for couples to have two or three children. But the efforts have not been successful. The birthrate in China has fallen steeply, and last year was the lowest since the founding of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949.

Chinas annual population growth One-child policy started Three-child policy 3% Two-child policy 2% 1% 0 Great Chinese Famine Population has been declining since 2022 -1% 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 One-child policy started Three-child policy 3% Two-child policy 2% 1% 0 Great Chinese Famine Population has been declining since 2022 -1% 1950 2020 Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

Instead of enforcing birth limits, the government has shifted gears to promote a pro-birth culture, organizing beauty pageants for pregnant women and producing rap videos about the advantages of having children.

In recent years, the state broadcasters annual spring festival gala, one of the countrys most-watched TV events, has prominently featured public service ads promoting families with two or three children.

In one ad that aired last year, a visibly pregnant woman was shown resting her hand on her belly while her husband and son peacefully slept in bed. The caption read: Its getting livelier around here.

2022 2023 The old and the young are together Its getting livelier around here 2024 2024 A house full of children 2022 2023 The old and the young are together Its getting livelier around here 2024 2024 A house full of children 2022 2023 The old and the young are together Its getting livelier around here 2024 2024 A house full of children 2022 The old and the young are together 2023 Its getting livelier around here 2024 A house full of children Source: China Central Television

The propaganda effort has been met with widespread ridicule. Critics have regarded the campaign as only the latest sign that policymakers are blind to the increasing costs and other challenges people face in raising multiple children.

They have also mocked the recent messaging for the obvious regulatory whiplash after decades of limiting births with forced abortions and hefty fines. Between 1980 and 2015, the year the one-child policy officially ended, the Chinese government used extensive propaganda to warn that having more babies would hinder Chinas modernization.

Today the official rhetoric depicts larger families as the cornerstone of attaining a prosperous society, known in Chinese as xiaokang.

Then Now To achieve xiaokang, three children is better than two. Strictly limit second births, totally eradicate third births. Then Strictly limit second births, totally eradicate third births. Now To achieve xiaokang, three children is better than two. Then Strictly limit second births, totally eradicate third births. Now To achieve xiaokang, three children is better than two. Then Now To achieve xiaokang, three children is better than two. Strictly limit second births, totally eradicate third births. Sources: Then photo by Marie Mathelin/Roger Viollet via Getty Images; Now photo by local government of Bengbu, Anhui province

For officials, imposing the one-child policy also meant they had to challenge the deep-rooted traditional belief that children, and sons in particular, provided a form of security in old age. To change this mind-set, family planning offices plastered towns and villages with slogans saying that the state would take care of older Chinese.

But Chinas population is aging rapidly. By 2040, nearly a third of its people will be over 60. The state will be hard pressed to support seniors, particularly those in rural areas, who get a fraction of the pension received by urban salaried workers under the current program.

Now the official messaging has shifted dramatically, highlighting the importance of self-reliance and family support.

Then Now One child is best, the government aids in elder care. Three children are best, no need for state-supported elder care. Then One child is best, the government aids in elder care. Now Three children are best, no need for state-supported elder care. Then One child is best, the government aids in elder care. Now Three children are best, no need for state-supported elder care. Then Now One child is best, the government aids in elder care. Three children are best, no need for state-supported elder care.

Under the one-child policy, local governments levied steep social upbringing fees on those who had more children than allowed. For some families, these penalties brought financial devastation and fractured marriages.

As recently as early 2021, people were still being fined heavily for having a third child, only to find out a few months later, in June, that the government passed a law allowing all married couples to have three children. It had also not only abolished these fees nationwide but also encouraged localities to provide extra welfare benefits and longer parental leave for families with three children.

The pivot has prompted local officials to remove visible remnants of the one-child policy. Last year, local governments across various provinces systematically erased outdated slogans on birth restrictions from public streets and walls.

In a village in Shanxi Province in northern China, government employees took down a mural with a slogan that promoted the one-child policy.

Before After Fewer children, focused guidance, shaping society's pillars. More children, greater strain, challenging lifelong journeys. Before After Fewer children, focused guidance, shaping society's pillars. More children, greater strain, challenging lifelong journeys. Source: Local government of Xilingjing Xiang, Shanxi Province

But the slogans that the government would like to treat as relics of a bygone era are finding new resonance with young Chinese.

On social media, many Chinese users have shared photos of one-child policy slogans as witty retorts to what they described as growing societal pressure to have larger families. Some of the posts have garnered thousands of likes and hundreds of comments.
An Offaly man who sexually abused his younger sister during her childhood has been jailed for four and a half years.

Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, in sentencing, told the woman that she should be proud of herself for taking the step to report her brother, that she was right to do so and wished her well into the future.

She told the young woman that she had been vindicated by her brothers admissions that he raped her, although she had waited too long for the guilty pleas.

The court heard there was significant dysfunction and violence within the family home. The case has divided the family, and the young woman does not have the support of her parents.

The 30-year-old man, who cannot be identified to protect his sisters identity, pleaded guilty to rape, oral rape and sexual assault of the young girl at their home on dates between 2004 and 2007.

His lawyers told the court the man was introduced to pornography at a young age by peers.

He began abusing his sister when he was 12, and she was just nine years old. The abuse continued until he was 15 years old, and his sister was 12 years old.

The woman described in her impact statement how her brother had instilled fear in her, and she felt vulnerable and terrified walking the street of her hometown, even as an adult.

She told the court how she was left feeling unprotected by the law in the aftermath of making the complaint against her brother as an adult, as she did not qualify for a safety order since she was not in a relationship with her abuser. She called for a change in the law.

The woman, who describes herself as a survivor of sexual abuse, turned to face her brother in court during her impact statement and told him: You are not a brother . you are a monster.

Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring Friday said the womans impact statement had been articulate and well thought out. She said right-thinking people would find it hard to disagree with her description of her brother as a monster.

She said the statement spoke of the hurt and terror the child, as she was then, had endured.

She noted how the home had not been a safe place for the young woman as her brother continued to live there, and with the added lack of parental support, she became estranged from her home place.

The judge noted how the young woman had chosen a profession which was testimony to her ability to show the care to others that she had been deprived of in her own home and life.

She said that the accused man had outlined a background of physical abuse and ridicule at the hands of his father but had a close bond with his mother, which had brought its own difficulties.

Ms Justice Ring noted the sibling's father had told gardai, I dont want to know anything about abuse when told of the allegations.

She said their mother was concerned about the impact the offending would have on her reputation and displayed little empathy for her daughter. She did not want her son to plead guilty.

Ms Justice Ring said it was to the accused mans credit that he had ignored that advice and pleaded guilty. She said he had expressed remorse that was absent on the part of the siblings parents.

She said reports before the court detailed that the accused had begun viewing porn at a young age, and this had impacted on him. She noted such early viewing of pornography could become addictive and lead to other addictive behaviours, which was borne out in the accused mans case as he also had issues with gambling.

The judge noted reports outlined that further intervention was required in relation to his addictions and mental health issues and to understand the consequences of his behaviour.

Ms Justice Ring said the aggravating factors included that the accused was the womans older brother and that the abuse took place in the family home.

She said this included the girls own bedroom, which was a place of safety for most children but for her was the place of her abuse where no one intervened to help her. She said the parents had failed to see what was happening.

She noted the siblings father, in his garda statement, had spoken of the home as being a happy one as far as he was concerned, yet one of his daughters was being raped and abused in this happy home.

She said the court was satisfied that the accused knew what he was doing was gravely and seriously wrong.

The judge said the primary mitigation in the case was the mans guilty pleas. She noted how the woman had described how the late guilty pleas and his initial denials had added to her distress.

Ms Justice Ring said this was sadly a common experience for victims, but the court could not overlook that the added trauma of giving evidence in a trial had been avoided, and the accused was entitled to credit for his guilty plea.

She said that if the accused man had been an adult at the time of the offending, the headline sentence would have been 13 years, but taking into account that he had been a child, that there had been no further complaints, and that he had shown remorse, she set a headline sentence of six and a half years.

Ms Justice Ring also took into account he had no prior convictions and had pleaded guilty and made a further reduction of 12 months, setting a headline sentence of five and a half years.

She said in this case, she was also concerned about his mental health issues and the need to address his sexual offending, victim empathy and addictions.

She suspended the final 12 months on strict conditions, including that he engage in therapy and services related to those issues and have no contact with his sister for five years from his release.

At a previous hearing, the young woman had read her own impact statement to the court and described the ongoing impact of the abuse on her life, including struggles with her mental health and emotions, trust issues, anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, PTSD and feeling worthless.

She said she is constantly reminded of how many opportunities she has missed out on.

The investigating garda told Patricia McLaughlin SC, prosecuting, that the vast majority of the abuse took place in the accused mans bedroom, where he would lock the doors and pretend they were watching a movie. His sister was in third or fourth class when the abuse began.

The abuse included rape, oral and digital penetration of the childs vagina. She told how her brother would put a pillow over her head or a hand over her mouth to stop her screaming.

She said the abuse would take place anytime he had the chance, and he made threats to kill her. She also described how he forced her to watch pornography.

The woman made a complaint to gardai as an adult. Her brother made an attempt on his own life, and the woman withdrew her complaint. She outlined how she had been made to feel guilty.

Three years later, she made a fresh complaint and also outlined how her brother had forced her to have sex with another boy while they were on holiday when she was 11 years old.

The accused man was arrested and denied the offences. A suicide note he had written prior to the attempt on his life was put to him, but he said it had nothing to do with the allegations.

He conceded he had shown his sister pornography and had not been the best of brothers.

The man, who has previous convictions for road traffic offences, went into custody voluntarily.

The garda agreed with Dean Kelly SC, defending, that there was violence toward the man and his mother within the family home at the hands of their father.

The garda agreed that despite both parents being professional people, there was significant dysfunction behind closed doors and their home would not have been a great place to grow up.

The garda agreed that the injured party had not received the support from her parents that one might expect to have been offered.

In her victim impact statement, the young woman told the court her older brother had robbed me of my childhood and stolen my innocence. She described how she had pleaded with him to stop, but he continued to abuse her, even during childhood games.

The woman described the terror and constant fear her brother had instilled in her, leaving her feeling vulnerable and alone throughout her whole life. She described him as a master manipulator.

She told the court how she was abused at home, which should have been a place of love and safety.

She said she had been made to feel guilty after her brothers suicide attempt and withdrew her statement. She described how she left home and, after later moving back to her home town, reported the abuse again. She said she was not going to let the man take control of her life.

She said her brother had shown no remorse and dragged the case out, only entering a guilty plea one month before the trial. She said the case had divided her family, with her mother and father listening to her brothers lies, leaving her without support from her parents.

She said she was now hoping to start a new chapter in her life.

I give over all of what I carried to him to carry and stand in my power for the first time in my life, she told the court. She thanked her sister, best friend and her extended family who had supported her. She also thanked the gardai and the Rape Crisis Centre.

Mr Kelly outlined the details of a psychological report to the court, setting out the mans personal circumstances and family background.

He said the siblings had grown up in a household of significant and profound dysfunction.

He said the man worked locally and his employer, who was aware of the case, had a letter for the court and was willing to offer him work in the future.

He outlined that his client had been introduced to pornography in his first year of secondary school and began viewing it on computers at home. He noted the report's remarks in relation to the psychological effects on children who are exposed to pornography and sexual violence online.

Mr Kelly said his clients decision to plead guilty had been difficult, with his mother advising him to deny the charges. He said it appeared his client had gained some insight into his behaviour with the benefit of time away from his parents to reflect.

He submitted his client had mental health issues and was operating on a low intellectual level.

He said the man had expressed remorse in broad statements but struggled with the harm he caused. He said he has limited recall of the events.

He asked the court to give the man credit for the fact that while those who support him had pulled him in one direction, his sense of what was right had pulled him in another direction.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 10. US Central Command announced that at least 28 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of Yemen's rebel Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement were shot down in the Red Sea region over the past 24 hours, the command says on its X page, Trend reports.

"The United States and the coalition were able to repel the Houthi attack in the Red Sea area. During the subsequent morning battles, U.S. and coalition forces successfully shot down at least 28 unmanned aerial vehicles between 04:00 and 20:20 on March 9", the statement says.

The statement also noted that no US or coalition ships were damaged in the attack.
In the life of Ukraine's first lady, Olena Zelenska, there is a person she calls "the best" and considers one of her closest friends. It is the friend of the Ukrainian president's wife. They have been friends for over 18 years.

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As you can tell from the first lady's words, this friendship is very strong and does not break despite the current terrible realities, but instead only grows stronger and stronger. Zelenska spoke frankly about her close friend to Dmytro Komarov in an interview for his project "The World Inside Out".

The guarantor's wife noted that having friends is a great value for her. The first lady has known her friend Iryna for half her life, so this friendship has been tested by time.

"Life is impossible without friends. For example, I have known my friend Iryna since I was 18. I am 46 now. We have been together most of our lives. And I have never doubted that she is the best person in my life. And it's really cool to have friends," Zelenska said.

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We can assume that Elena Vladimirovna was talking about the wife of the Ukrainian comedian, former actor of the Kvartal 95 studio Oleksandr Pikalov. Zelenska has indeed been friends with Iryna Pikalova for many years, as she once told us on her personal Instagram page, showing archival photos.

"Research on happiness has proven that friendship and sincere relationships are the most important things for a person. It's hard to disagree with this... Do you have any friends you've known since childhood or youth and go through life together? I am very lucky to have such a friend! Ira, I'm proud of our amazing friendship," the first lady addressed Pikalova in 2019.

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As OBOZ.UA wrote, in the same interview, Zelenska admitted that as a child she dreamed of flying airplanes and working as a flight attendant. She romanticized this profession, but over time, she failed to realize her goal, so the future screenwriter had to go to study at Kryvyi Rih National University to become an architect.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
New Delhi: India will lift most import tariffs on industrial products from four European countries in return for investment of $100 billion over 15 years, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said, after an economic pact signed on Sunday that concluded nearly 16 years of negotiations.

The deal follows trade pacts over the last two years with Australia and the United Arab Emirates, while officials say another, with Britain, is in its final stages, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims for annual exports of $1 trillion by 2030.

It envisages that the European Free Trade Association, comprised of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, will invest $100 billion over 15 years in India's fast-growing market of 1.4 billion people, Goyal said.

In turn, India will lift, or partially remove, very high customs duties on 95.3 per cent of industrial imports from Switzerland, excluding gold, either immediately or over time, the Swiss government said in a statement.

"Norwegian companies exporting to India today meet high import taxes of up to 40 per cent on certain goods," Industry Minister Jan Christian Vestre said in a separate statement. "With the new deal, we have secured nil import taxes on nearly every Norwegian good."

The pact covers some new elements such as intellectual rights and gender equity, Goyal added, telling a press conference, "It is a modern trade agreement, fair, equitable and win-win for all five countries." The five signatories must ratify Sunday's deal before it can take effect, with Switzerland planning to do so by 2025.

The news comes ahead of general elections due by May at which Modi will seek a record third term. India has committed to cut its bound tariff rate' on gold to 39 per cent from 40 per cent, but does not anticipate much impact on imports of the metal from Switzerland, which were estimated at $16 billion last fiscal year, an Indian government official said.

The Indian market offers immense opportunities for trade and investment, said Swiss economic official Guy Parmelin, adding that the pact was the result of 21 rounds of talks.

India is the EFTA grouping's fifth-largest trading partner after the European Union, the United States, Britain and China, with total two-way trade of $25 billion in 2023, its trade ministry estimates.

"The agreement contains a comprehensive and legally binding chapter on trade and sustainable development," the Swiss government said.

"This will enable the EFTA states, in particular, to address trade-related sustainability considerations." Analysts said the pact may not immediately help India to cut a large trade gap with the group but will help draw investment into key industries.

"The trade agreement will help attract investment in critical sectors like medical devices and clean energy, and expand exports to other countries by accessing Swiss and Norway technologies," said trade economist Ram Singh, who heads a New Delhi thinktank, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.
Reprinted from hartmannreport.com

Voters who believe in democracy, a free press & a public education committed to honest inquiry & intellectual integrity must also step up and let their reps how important these things are to them"

For far too many years, Americans have made the mistake of assuming that our republican democracy will be safe as long as we elect competent and well-intentioned politicians as leaders.

Sadly, that's like thinking your surgeon, who is very good at what she does, will do a wonderful job even though the hospital can no longer provide her with sterile instruments or running water.

The reality is that democracies depend on a particular type of infrastructure to function properly. Without that infrastructure, they rapidly slide first into oligarchy and then into fascism. The two most recent examples are Russia and Hungary, although America is well down the road herself.

Recognizing the need for these core infrastructure elements to sustain democracy, neofascists within the GOP and the Supreme Court have been busily deconstructing them for the past 40 years, leading us directly to today's crisis.

The three core pillars that hold up democratic republics are a vibrant and free press, trustworthy electoral systems, and academic independence. Which is why Republicans have been trying to destroy all three.

In Russia, for example, the word is "dzherimendering." In the months before elections are held in that country, the government re-draws the maps for political districts to make sure Putin and his party maintain majority control of the parliament (Duma). It's a trick they brag they learned from Americans.

It's pretty much the same in Hungary, as Project Syndicate notes:

"After Fidesz won its first supermajority in 2010, it changed the electoral law unilaterally to boost its own future results (through gerrymandering and new rules awarding extra seats for big wins in individual districts). With these changes in place, Fidesz retained its supermajority in 2014, even though it received 8% less of the vote than it had in 2010. "Changing the rules has since become the party's modus operandi. Its amendments to the electoral law now number in the hundreds; the latest were adopted just months ago. Owing to the electoral system's skewed rules, Fidesz has secured 68% of parliamentary seats with 53% of the vote."

And Viktor Orba'n's Fidesz party was only able to get 53% of the vote by similarly rigging the media. His government has taken over their public broadcasting equivalents of NPR and PBS, so they sing Orba'n's praises 24/7.

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"We emphasized the role of the school not just as an educational institution but as a cornerstone of our social fabric, where friendships flourish and collective support thrives."



-- - LAUSD BD3 Candidate Andreas Farmakalidis



Rally in front of PRCS (provided by Andreas Farmakalidis)

(Image by Andreas Farmakalidis) Details DMCA

he area west of Porter Ranch used to house one of the last expanses of open land in the San Fernando Valley. This has changed in recent decades as home builders have filled the landscape with developments of multimillion-dollar homes. However, for all the new families brought into the area, the Porter Ranch Community School has been the only new public school built to serve them. As the latest round of residents moves in, the failure to expand the needed infrastructure is causing conflict.

In this edition of the Voices from the Community series, Andreas Farmakalidis gives a summary of the fight being waged by parents to maintain the community that has been built around the school:

In the sprawling landscape of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), where declining enrollment is a common trend, one school stands out with a rare problem - overcrowding. Nestled in the northwestern San Fernando Valley, Porter Ranch Community School is bursting at the seams while other LAUSD schools grapple with empty classrooms.

The predicament has sparked anxiety among parents and students who fear that proposed solutions could disrupt their tightly-knit community. One such proposal involves relocating the middle school grades to the under-enrolled Chatsworth High School, a campus located 4.3 miles away from the neighborhood. This suggestion has ignited protests and boycotts, with families passionately advocating to preserve the cohesion and convenience of their neighborhood's school.

Several Parents and PTA members are leading the charge to protect the community nature of this school. I have stood shoulder to shoulder with parents and students at every protest in support of Porter Ranch Community School (PRCS) as I firmly believe that parents deserve to have a say in their children's education. It is imperative to acknowledge and commend the parents and supporters of PRCS for their vocal advocacy in demanding transparency and accountability from district officials.

At a recent demonstration outside Porter Ranch Middle School, we all voiced our concerns over the potential dissolution of their community bonds. We emphasized the role of the school not just as an educational institution but as a cornerstone of our social fabric, where friendships flourish and collective support thrives.

While LAUSD officials have sought to allay fears and reassure families, the situation remains challenging. The school is operating at full capacity, with dozens of students being turned away due to lack of space. Meanwhile, developers continue to promote the school as a selling point for new homes, exacerbating the overcrowding dilemma.

Amidst the debate, questions arise regarding the responsibility of developers and the district in addressing the crisis. While developers contribute fees to offset the impact of new projects, it is unclear how these funds are being used to alleviate the immediate crisis. If their developments are causing the overcrowding, should they be expected to take more concrete steps including providing the land for additional school buildings?

Opposition to proposed solutions, such as relocating students to Chatsworth High School, underscores broader concerns about academic quality and community fit. Parents question the rationale behind sending their children to a school that may not meet their expectations, especially given the substantial property taxes they pay.

The issue transcends mere logistics; it's about preserving the essence of a diverse and close-knit community. Porter Ranch Community School serves as more than just an educational facility; it's a vital hub where families connect, friendships flourish, and collective values thrive.

As discussions continue, various alternatives are being explored, from boundary adjustments to fundraising initiatives. The goal is to find a solution that balances the needs of students, families, and the broader community.

Councilmember John Lee as well as myself (LAUSD candidate and chair-elect of the Chamber of Commerce) are committed to helping with fundraising because we know that money can solve a lot of problems. In the coming weeks, as LAUSD deliberates on the path forward, the eyes of Porter Ranch residents will remain fixed on the fate of their beloved school. Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear - the spirit of community and resilience that defines Porter Ranch Community School will endure, serving as a beacon of unity amidst uncertainty.

Andreas Farmakalidis, a proud immigrant and veteran from Cyprus, has achieved remarkable success in academia, music, and community service. With degrees from Berklee College of Music, Brandeis University, and Harvard University, Andreas has built a strong foundation for his diverse career. As the owner of California MusicBox, he continues to promote education and the arts. Andreas is deeply committed to community service, actively involved in various organizations, and advocating for positive change.
While Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine and the actions of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are grabbing headlines right now, the danger to world peace caused by a belligerent regime in North Korea should also be a concern.

Some analysts have said that North Korea has already decided to go to war, as stated by writer Jenny Town in her story "Has Conflict on the Korean Peninsula Become Inevitable?" Other analysts reject this notion, but they still see low-level conflict as the next step for the Asian nation.

The Joe Biden Administration made multiple attempts to invite North Korea back into nuclear talks, but the US proposals have gone unanswered. In the meantime, South Korea and the United States have bolstered their cooperation in conventional capabilities and nuclear consultation and planning. The two countries doubled down on deterrence messaging and drills, demonstrating their combined firepower and reminding Pyongyang of the dire consequences of any attack. North Korea's response has been reciprocal deterrence messaging and drills. This power-for-power dynamic has made it difficult for either side to ease off without backing down or even looking as if it has ceded ground to the other, Town stated.

With both Koreas emphasizing the need to be ready for war, one might think that war is inevitable, but tensions have been present in the Korean Peninsula before. The last frenzy was in 2017 when North Korean advancements in intercontinental ballistic missile technologies were met by threats of "fire and fury" from then-US President Donald Trump. The diplomacy that came next was dashed dramatically, with the failure to secure a first-phase agreement between North Korea and the United States that would kick off a denuclearization process and move the Koreas and the US to a more normal footing. Since then, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has implemented new policies, plans, and laws that demonstrate fundamental changes to his calculus about his nuclear weapons program and his country's place in an evolving geopolitical landscape.

Town asked several vital questions: "The level of conviction and decisiveness Kim is showing today raises questions about his endgame. What makes the situation different from 2017 or other historical moments when tensions flared? Does it make 'fire' more or less likely shortly? More importantly, instead of just hunkering down for the fight, what can be done on the diplomatic side to prevent it?" An attempt to make a deal with North Korea in 2019 didn't work. In 2021, North Korea embraced the suggestion that a "new Cold War" was emerging. As South Korean/US relations grew deeper, North Korea worked to expand its relations with China and Russia on the other side of the ideological divide. Russia's willingness to provide military cooperation, technology transfer, and deepening economic cooperation makes it the ultimate partner for Pyongyang and currently its top foreign policy priority.

To make headway with North Korea, we must have a strategy. Right now, North Korea's behavior makes it a commercially restricted nation. It's currently engaging in cybercrime and cryptocurrency schemes. Town made suggestions on how to move forward, such as moving the US special representative for North Korea back to a full-time position to strategize about new approaches, liaise with the policy community, coordinate interagency efforts, and be proactive in creating diplomatic openings with the North. We also might lift the restrictions on US citizens' travel to North Korea, clear out obstacles to informal and humanitarian engagement, such as those outlined in the Enhancing North Korea Humanitarian Assistance Act, and refrain from reactive South Korean-US joint military exercises and overly aggressive demonstrations of power. The US could modernize US messaging about extended deterrence to avoid excessive and expletive language. Other than completely cutting off North Korea's revenue streams, there is value in restoring some of the commercial activities, such as textile or seafood exports, that provide inherent social benefit to the North Korean people through jobs.

Such an approach would provide Kim with pathways and incentives to return to more normal trade activity. The move also could help build cooperation with China and perhaps Russia, meeting them halfway on their previous attempts to broker sanctions relief for North Korea for humanitarian purposes. Finding common ground with Beijing could be a first step in developing a more coordinated strategy toward North Korea, enabling more productive choices for all parties involved.

Rebuilding diplomacy with North Korea is necessary to reduce the risks of nuclear conflict on the Korean peninsula and to help curb the arms race gripping the world right now. In time, would it be possible to remove North Korea from the China/Russia orbit and perhaps work toward a unification of the two Koreas?

Jason Sibert is the Lead Writer of the Peace Economy Project
Joe Biden's first 100 days in office as the 46th president of the United States, earned him overwhelming praise from lefists and liberals, amid the "America is Back" slogan.

Among a host of his celebrated executive orders, the delisting of former President Donald Trump's last-minute designation of Yemen's Houthi movement, as Foreign Terrorist Organisation and Specially Designated Global Terrorists, stood out.

A policy reversal that was lauded by a senior Houthi official, as "positive and good."

Amid this policy orientation, the Biden administration announced it would end U.S. support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition that intervened in Yemen's civil war in 2015, in addition to cancelling arms sales negotiated during the Trump presidency.

This major policy shift, appeared under a humanitarian banner comprising of aid groups, the UN and some legislators among them Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut. Murphy, a critic of US-Saudi roles in the Yemen civil war, is also a middle ground advocate of U.S.policy towards Iran.

Defending more than 60 executive actions of which 24,were direct reversal of Trump's policies, the U.S. president denounced his predecessor's "bad policy" among many issues, that were "counterproductive to America's security and standing."

However, the tragic events following the bloody assault on Israeli territory by Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7,and a war that is threatening the entire Middle East, saw unceremonious reversal of the political fortunes of pro-Iranian Houthis, from the White House.

The Zaidi Shia militant group whose slogan "God is great, death to the US, death to Israel, curse upon the Jews, victory for Islam", a religious inspiration from Iran's revolution in 1979, is theatrically back on Washington's terrorism list.

Despite its contested status among Tehran's growing proxies not least Lebanon's Hezbollah, Hamas and Iraq's Al-Hashid Al-Shaabi or Popular Mobilisation Force (PMF) an umbrella organisation of mainly Shiite militia:the zealousness of the Houthis following the ouster of internationally recognised president in 2015, speaks volumes of their ideological charter and objectives.

Iran, which quashed widespread dissent and protests last year, is now the de facto military and political power in the Middle East, despite punitive Western sanctions on its oil-dependent economy.

Thanks to its battle-hardened proxies and transigent manoeuvres, following the collapse of some majority Sunni governments in the Arab Spring of 2011.

The emasculation of Sunni Arab countries and traditional Western allies Egypt and Saudi Arabia by Iran, is a cause for concern for Middle Easterners, wary of a mullahs dominated region.

Regarding the Yemen war and its devastating humanitarian effects, an Arab News-YouGov pan-Arab survey conducted in late 2020, suggested that for Biden's Middle East policy to succeed, he needed to discard the Obama administration baggage.

At 53 percent, the respondents felt that Obama left the region worse off, with another 58 percent saying Biden would fare better without the policies of his former boss.

Ironically there was a barrage of criticism in January 2020, in the legacy media against the Trump administration immediately after a U.S. drone strike, killed Qaseem Soleimani.

Soleimani, a vindictive mastermind of Iranian policy in Iraq and the Middle East, as well as leader of the Quds Force, an overseas arm of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), was killed together with Mahdi Al-Muhandis of the Kataib Hezbollah.

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The ongoing genocide in Gaza at the hands of Apartheid Israel has brought the question of biblical interpretation from the margins to the center.

The impetus to do so has come from Benjamin Netanyahu. Think of his pronouncements about his Amalek strategy justifying his attacks in Gaza. Couple that with his IOF (Israel Occupation Force) song and dance celebrating the same. It has all raised the perennial question of the very nature of the God of the Jewish Testament.

And the question is simple. It was articulated by the ancient fathers of the Christian community - men like Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, and the hereticated Marcion of Sinope. All of them wondered how anyone with a drop of humanity or possessed of the most elementary moral compass could believe in a God who commanded complete genocides directed specifically against women, children, infants, cattle, and sheep?

Of course, similar questions might be addressed today to Bibi Netanyahu or Genocide Joe Biden. Where's your humanity? Have you completely lost your moral compass? What kind of God would justify your crimes?

So, let's examine the question of Apartheid Israel's genocidal God. Let's think about divinity bereft of moral compass. Start with facing the fact that the Hebrew Bible might not be about God at all. Next look at the powerful beings who are presented there. And finally, consider Jesus' attitude towards the so-called God of Israel.

No God in the Hebrew Bible

On this first and second points, I'm following the direction of scholars like the Australian Paul Wallis and the Italian biblical scholar Mauro Biglino. They question entirely the traditional interpretations of the biblical God.

According to Biglino and Wallis, the Hebrew Bible's genocidal God is no God at all. In fact, the Hebrew Testament itself is not about God. Instead, close examination reveals that it is about "Elohim," i.e., "Powerful Ones."

These were Beings from Beyond who in the ancient world vied for control of our planet. Stories of such paleo-contacts with extraterrestrials (ETs) are found throughout revered texts across the planet from China to Egypt, and Babylon; from the Philippines to the Mayan Popol Vu. In fact, every ancient civilization holds that we came from above - from the sons of the stars.

Most often these foreign entities appear in reptilian forms or as fire-breathing dragons, Sometimes they possess wings. At others, the Powerful Ones appear in human form and are recognized as giants, witches, magicians, governors, lawgivers, as "Sons of God" or simply as kings whose specific names were forgotten, but who were remembered as divine. Still elsewhere the Powerful Ones take the form of "angels," (messengers from beyond) or demons. Invariably, they possess super-human powers.

In biblical texts these "Powerful Ones" had names such as El, El Shaddai, Elion, Baal, Ruach, Ashera, and Yahweh. Together they comprised a family that included 70 sons of El. Among them Yahweh was an inferior subordinate of his father who apportioned to his offspring control of various geographical regions. Yahweh's assignment was to protect the nation of Israel. (Note El's name in the term Yisra-El itself.)

Only at the beginning of the first millennium BCE was El replaced by Yahweh as the supreme and only God. That is, Jewish polytheism and henotheism morphed into monotheism for the first time around 530 BCE - after the Babylonian exile. It was then that Judah's elite in the persons of Ezra, Josiah (640-609 BCE), and Nehemiah reformulated the nation's longstanding traditions. Their patriarchal work removed, downplayed, and/or reinterpreted all references acknowledging the existence and power of Gods from above other than Yahweh, Judah's national deity.

Put otherwise, the Jewish biblical tradition was rewritten with the name Yahweh pasted over references to the Elohim as if Israel had always been monotheistic. This is how Yahweh became responsible for the genocides of El Shaddai and other "divinities" who lacked human feeling or moral compass.

The reformers took special pains to erase references to goddess worship. Against great resistance, Israel's beloved goddess Ashera was consigned to the biblical memory hole.

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A Washington County jury found a man guilty in a Forest Grove shooting that left another man dead in 2022.

David Anthony Baynes, of Hillsboro, was convicted on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon in the killing of Adam Woodall Thursday, the Washington County District Attorneys Office said in a statement. Baynes was also convicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Another rate increase proposed by Portland General Electric last week has many customers up in arms, wondering how theyre going to afford paying their bills. If approved by the Oregon Public Utility Commission, it would add up to about a 40% increase in PGEs power rates since January 2022.

Pacific Power customers are also feeling the pain. If the utilitys latest rate proposal is approved, theyre looking at a 50% increase since January 2023.

And Idaho Power is seeking to raise rates by nearly 27% for its eastern Oregon customers.

The steep increases have taken many power customers by surprise.

People are so frustrated they dont know what to do, said Andy Veitch, a retiree in Aurora whose January bill was $527 and who lives on Social Security with his wife in an old, poorly insulated house. Its over the top. I think PGE is oblivious to the average middle-class elderly person.

We have no recourse. Food prices are higher, gasoline prices are higher and electric prices are going up, Veitch, 76, said. I dont know how folks can survive. Its unsustainable.

Some have taken to social media to circulate a petition asking state lawmakers to limit future rate increases and to enact stricter regulations and transparency standards for utilities.

The Oregonian/OregonLive interviewed Bob Jenks, the executive director of the Oregon Citizens Utility Board, on the Beat Check podcast about the reasons for the recent rate increases.

The citizens board is a nonprofit organization created via a 1984 ballot measure to advocate for all state utility customers.

Here are five takeaways from the interview.

BIG BILLS EXPLAINED

PGEs rates went up 12% in January 2023 and by 18% this January. PGE has proposed another 7.4% increase that would go into effect next January. The utilitys request will likely grow once PGE files to recover other costs, including those for wildfire mitigation and the winter storm, Jenks said.

The Public Utility Commission said the PGE increase that went into effect Jan. 1 would raise monthly bills by $24.59 for a single-family home using an average of 795 kilowatt hours a month.

But some PGE customers saw big January bills of $500 or even $1,000 with what appeared to be a much higher increase.

There are several explanations. For one, the increase coincided with extremely cold weather.

The Portland metro area and outlying regions experienced a multi-day winter storm in January that probably raised peoples overall energy use, said PGE spokesperson Drew Hanson. Thats because it takes a lot more energy to heat a home when the temperature drops  even if the thermostat isnt turned up higher.

This is especially a problem for homes with poor insulation or leaky windows and doors that get especially chilly during cold spells.

When the weather gets really cold, your bill goes up by a lot, Jenks said. It takes a lot more energy to heat your home when its 20 degrees out than when its 40 or 50 degrees. So when you have a cold spell like we did for a week in January, bills are going to shoot up. You add to that an 18% rate increase and it becomes really difficult.

Some PGE customers also complained that their energy bills appeared to go up by a lot more than 18%.

Jenks said PGEs really poor explanation of charges on customer bills makes it difficult to understand the rate hikes impact.

While its true that the energy, transmission and distribution charges went up by a lot more than 18% for some customers, one line item  called Schedule 125 or the annual power cost update  went down to zero, meaning the final increase was still 18%.

Ive been doing this for decades and I had to create a spreadsheet to get to that answer, Jenks said. We shouldnt ever be in a situation where customers need a spreadsheet to understand what theyre being charged by a utility. Thats just insane.

PGEs Hanson said the company recently added new resources on its website to help customers understand what is on their bill.

ITS CLIMATE CHANGE

One of the major factors thats pushing up rates is climate change.

In addition to higher energy use for customers during cold snaps and extreme heat events, the changing climate is also affecting wholesale energy prices. Because wind and solar are not always reliable energy sources and battery storage is still a nascent concept, energy supply is often tight during extreme weather events.

This means energy prices rise exponentially during high-demand periods  a cost that eventually is passed on to customers.

Climate change also affects utility equipment.

During Januarys snow and ice storm, hundreds of large trees toppled in the Portland area, bringing down or uprooting more than 850 PGE distribution power lines, causing outages for approximately 440,000 customers. PGE has said it spent more than $30 million on outage repair and restoration to recover from that storm  an estimate thats likely to grow. The utility will eventually seek to recover those costs from ratepayers.

As the climate gets hotter and drier, utility wires also are causing more wildfires. Multiple utilities across the West in Oregon, California, Hawaii and Colorado now face billions of dollars in damages over their failures to prepare, leading to catastrophic wildfires.

Many utilities are now spending millions on trimming trees and vegetation near power lines, burying power lines, investing in better weather monitoring and other measures to harden their equipment and prevent wildfires.

Theres a lot of investment that theyre trying to make to prevent those wildfires because their systems are really, really dangerous in the environment and in the climate that we have today, Jenks said.

Wildfire mitigation is the biggest driver of Pacific Powers proposed rate increase  it includes a proposed Catastrophic Fire Fund to cover the utilitys liability for wildfires. A jury in Oregon has found the company was grossly negligent and reckless, awarding millions in damages.

Pacific Power residential customers have already seen two double digit increases and likely will see a third one next year. In January 2023, their bills went up by 21%; this January, they rose by 12.9%; and last month Pacific Power proposed a 17.9% rate hike that would go into effect next January.

One of the big questions is whether customers should pay the wildfire litigation bill, Jenks said.

Theres a fundamental question whether its legal to charge customers for those damages, he said. If a court puts punitive damages on a company and that company is just allowed by regulators to pass those punitive damages on to customers, whos being punished?

CLEAN ENERGY PRESSURES

Oregon law requires PGE and Pacific Power to reduce their carbon emissions by 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2040. This means getting rid of coal and natural gas and relying 100% on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.

In addition, new demand  from electric cars, home heating and data centers  will bring additional loads and further increase the need for clean energy.

Utilities project that meeting the state mandates and new loads will require massive new investments. So theyre spending more money on new transmission lines, wind turbines, solar farms and battery storage projects  and asking to recover those costs in rates.

PGEs January increase, for instance, reflects the need to invest in the reliability and resiliency of PGEs system, advance policy objectives like equity and clean energy, and the reality that PGE faces inflationary pressures and high market power prices, Public Utility Commission Chair Megan Decker said in a statement.

While some clean energy investments will push up rates, Jenks said, others can lower them.

This year, for example, PGE brought on a new wind farm in Montana. Because its producing power when theres no wind in Oregon and knocking out expensive purchase power costs, its overall impact is to lower rates.

Also, due to the volatility of natural gas costs in recent years and the high cost of retrofitting and cleaning up coal-powered plants, its almost assured that serving new (electric) loads with renewable energy is going to be cheaper than (the fossil fuel) alternative, Jenks said.

One of the biggest worries, according to Jenks, isnt the transition to clean energy  but rather, increased demand for energy use from data centers, which will consume dramatically more energy than power planners had anticipated.

The citizens board believes those server farms, owned by big companies like Amazon and Facebook, should pay the full costs for their energy and infrastructure investments, said Jenks, and residential customers shouldnt have to subsidize them.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY IS KEY

One of the keys to reducing customer bills and making more space on the grid is energy efficiency, Jenks said.

The average household uses over 20% less electricity today than it did a few decades ago, he said, and that downward trend must continue. This can be accomplished by swapping newer, more efficient furnaces for older ones and by converting natural gas furnaces to electric heat pumps.

But its equally important to convert electric resistance heaters like baseboard heaters  which are extremely inefficient  to electric heat pumps.

Retrofitting and insulating homes is another way to reduce energy costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, insulation retrofits in residential buildings can save homeowners up to 15% on heating and cooling costs.

When you upgrade your home, when you invest in energy efficiency, your bill directly goes down and your comfort level goes up, Jenks said. So investing in energy efficiency is going to be one of the keys to meeting our climate challenges in an affordable manner. Its the best bang for the buck that we got out there in our energy systems.

Tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act kicked in earlier this year, allowing taxpayers to shave a few thousand dollars off the cost of a heat pump, home insulation or other energy efficiency projects.

The much-awaited federal home electrification and efficiency rebates  which would allow some lower-income households to defray the entire cost of a heat pump, electric appliance or home retrofit  wont be available until later this year and will benefit relatively few Oregonians.

REGULATORY WOES

Theres a conundrum at the heart of how investor-owned utilities operate, Jenks said: They have an incentive to spend money because their profits come from making capital investments. And the Oregon Public Utility Commission must allow them the opportunity to earn a reasonable return.

One issue, said Jenks, is that the rate-setting mechanism has changed, to the detriment of customer affordability. In the past, regulators would set a utilitys rate by considering the overall cost of providing service, profits and other factors. The utility wouldnt ask for a new rate until cost increases started to erode its profit margins, he said.

Now, he said, utilities are focused on immediate cost recovery for single issues such as the January winter storm or wildfire mitigation costs.

The utilities also are allowed to update some costs even after the Public Utility Commission has issued a final order  meaning, the commission doesnt know the final price increase when it makes a decision in a rate case.

And, utilities are allowed to keep some information confidential: For example, when PGE updates its power cost forecasts, it designates the expected price increase as confidential, Jenks said.

As part of its latest rate increase proposal, PGE also has proposed a new policy that would guarantee the utility can charge customers for billions of dollars in new investments every January. It would shorten the process to review proposed increases and prevent scrutiny of investor earnings.

PGE declined to comment on those specific issues.

But it has pushed back on the general idea that its allowing costs to balloon.

PGE is focused on managing spending and keeping operating costs low, said Hanson, the PGE spokesperson. We have managed increased energy demand and infrastructure investments with the same number of employees year over year and implemented new technologies that result in savings.

Other solutions exist, Jenks said. Utilities can reduce the number of rate requests. The Public Utility Commission could tell a utility to delay certain expenses or take cost-cutting measures.

It also could delay rate increases. Typically, Jenks said, utilities raise rates in the winter.

Weve been warning the commission for years that one of these times were going to have a big rate change thats also going to come at a time of an arctic chill, Jenks said. And its going to have devastating impacts on customers.

Customers like Veitch, the Aurora retiree, said that moment has arrived.

The Public Utility Commissions Decker acknowledged as much.

We recognize how significant this rate increase will be for families and businesses, she said, and we encourage them to seek out help with bills through energy efficiency and the rate discount program.

Lower income customers can apply for income-qualified utility bill discount programs. PGE has just expanded its bill discount program to provide up to a 60% monthly energy discount to customers who qualify. Pacific Power has a similar program as does NW Natural.

 Gosia Wozniacka covers environmental justice, climate change, the clean energy transition and other environmental issues. Reach her at gwozniacka@oregonian.com or 971-421-3154.

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Every woman wants to be in line with modern fashion trends and look stylish and bright. Soviet citizens were no exception, but because the USSR was unable to provide people with high-quality and comfortable things, girls often had health problems.

ADVERTISIMENT

OBOZ.UA has compiled a list of things that were popular among Soviet women. In those days, fashionistas chose beauty even though they had to neglect comfort and health.

Stocking boots

Until the 70s, only boots were available in the USSR, so when stocking boots were imported from abroad, they immediately gained popularity. Fashionistas stood in line for hours to buy these shoes. But they were not only unusual and beautiful, but also incredibly uncomfortable. The boots squeezed the leg tightly, not allowing the blood to circulate properly, so they could not be worn regularly.

In addition, the frosts in the West were much milder than in the USSR, so women faced not only leg pain, numbness, and varicose veins, but also frostbite and colds.

ADVERTISIMENT

Dresses and sweaters with the addition of lurex

Lurex is a metal thread that was woven into knitwear. It gave the fabric a shimmer and a solemn shine, but it also caused irritation and allergies. Nevertheless, women did not refuse to wear things with the addition of lurex and endured itching for days to look shiny.

Clothing made of synthetics

Previously, dyes only dyed synthetic fabrics well, so Soviet fashionistas preferred synthetics in their daily wardrobe. However, non-natural materials are not breathable, which can lead to overheating, sweating, allergic reactions, and skin irritations, especially if worn regularly.

Sunglasses made of dark glass

High-quality glasses are quite expensive, so it's no surprise. It was almost impossible to find them in the USSR. People bought frames with ordinary painted glass, which did not protect them from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

ADVERTISIMENT

Low-quality glasses only made the situation worse, because due to the fact that women could not squint while wearing dark glasses, they got even more UV light into their eyes than usual.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels onTelegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.
Muslims around the world are welcoming the arrival of Ramadan, a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, intense prayer, charity and feasts that begins for many Sunday night.

But as they savor the traditions of their own diverse communities  from holiday treats to evening diversions  the tribulations faced by fellow Muslims are never far from anyones mind. This year, war and starvation in the Gaza Strip casts an especially dark shadow on the festivities.
In just over a month, lawmakers passed breakthrough legislation addressing housing, drug addiction and campaign finance reform. Longshot bills mired in controversy ultimately won broad support, reflecting the compromise that shaped the final legislation. A five-week session typically meant for small adjustments instead delivered impressively on long-session ambitions.

Certainly, the Legislatures signature bills could have benefited from additional time and, as many noted, represent only the beginning of the hard work ahead. But when faced with crisis, lawmakers produced substantive solutions that can help get Oregon back on track. Here are a few takeaways from the session:

A start on housing: Through a trio of bills, Oregon legislators authorized a $376 million package of investments that inject needed cash and urgency for the housing crisis. Among the key elements are a new $75 million revolving loan fund for local governments to help finance affordable and moderate-income housing construction; $94 million for 44 infrastructure projects; and $65 million for emergency shelters, motel conversions and navigation centers to assist those who are homeless. The legislation also creates a state Housing Accountability and Production Office to support local governments in meeting housing goals. While a far cry from the $500 million and initial policy goals sought by Gov. Tina Kotek, these investments will help boost building by closing gaps for projects in the works.

At the same time, however, legislators should recognize how much further they must go. In taking office last year, Kotek emphasized the need to dramatically ramp up building to meet a decades-long lag in construction and set a target of building 36,000 units a year for the next decade. Tens of thousands of Oregonians are either homeless or on the brink, paying 30%  or much more  of their income to stay housed. Our workforce shortages, declining school enrollment and population loss reflect how difficult we make it to live in this state. Yet legislators watered down a provision to allow modest expansions of urban growth boundaries after objections by establishment groups who have long used Oregons litigation-friendly land-use system to block growth. Oregons future prosperity depends on whether we can change our current dynamic and legislators should start confronting how our land-use system is preventing Oregon from housing its residents.

A framework for drug treatment amid recriminalization: The passage of House Bill 4002 doesnt guarantee that Oregon will emerge successfully out of our current drug addiction crisis. But it provides a workable approach that emphasizes treating addiction as a health issue while recognizing the accountability a criminal justice component can provide.

Officially, it ends Oregons Measure 110 drug decriminalization experiment, restablishing possession of small amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine and other hard drugs as a misdemeanor crime. But reflecting the sentiment that drove Oregonians to approve Measure 110 in the first place, the bill calls for counties to set up systems offering deflection opportunities, where those facing possession charges can instead receive treatment. Legislators also allocated $211 million to expand access to such programs.

The bill has its flaws and reflects legislators rush to craft a bill as opposed to letting a proposed ballot measure dictate Oregons path. Counties are not required to offer those deflection opportunities and the state is coping with shortages in legal counsel for criminal defendants as well as a longstanding dearth of substance abuse treatment programs. But this is where the governor, legislators, agency heads, county commissions, district attorneys, local law enforcement, initiative backers and the public can make a difference by taking ownership of this effort and ensuring its accountability. That means planning its rollout, tracking its implementation, measuring its outcomes, asking difficult questions and sharing results publicly. We cannot let poor implementation sink this effort.

A path to limiting big donors: Oregon has the dubious distinction of being one of only five states with no limits on campaign contributions. Despite voters broad support for limits, the Legislature has been unable for years to enact donation caps and was not expected to do so this session.

But as with drug recriminalization, the fear of a ballot measure pushed by good government groups prompted Oregons big donors  labor unions and businesses  to start talks of a legislative solution. And in the final days, with the support of the good government groups, lawmakers passed House Bill 4024.

As with the other top-priority legislation, the bill provides a solid start. Thanks to the campaign finance reformers input, the final bill includes stricter limits on cash and services than unions and companies initially sought. It also closes loopholes in the earlier versions that would have allowed the same individuals to establish multiple membership organizations and bypass limits. It also includes stronger enforcement, requires disclosures on ads and allows local governments to keep lower donation caps.

The 2027 effective date for the bill gives elections officials plenty of time to prepare and implement at the start of a two-year election cycle. But it also gives a lot of opportunity for legislators  who have long benefited from the lax laws regarding donations and their use of such funds  plenty of time to make alterations. It also does not stop the massive amount of spending that will take place on Oregon elections in the meantime. Reform is on the way, but it will take both patience and close monitoring to get there.

A formula for a winning session: A few key elements made this session a productive one. No one wanted a repeat of last years stalled session as 10 Republican and Independent state senators boycotted floor sessions for six weeks, grinding legislative business to a halt. Legislators of both parties came into the session this year focusing on statewide concerns and committed to bipartisan solutions. Even as both parties push priorities aligned with their voters, they should default to disciplined agenda-setting that prioritizes benefiting Oregonians as a whole.

Democrats and Republicans had to contend with a powerful third force in the Capitol this year  the threat of ballot measures representing a very discontented public. While weve often noted the perils of legislating by ballot box, the initiative petitions were instrumental in giving legislators motivation to find a workable solution.

Leaders also made the difference, from legislators to staffers in Koteks office to push through difficult policy. Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, Rep. Jason Kropf and outgoing House Speaker Dan Rayfield in particular threaded the needle on HB 4002, turning it from a controversial bill no one liked a month ago into legislation that passed just a few weeks later with broad support. Credit also goes to Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp and House Minority Leader Jeff Helfrich for persuading their Republican colleagues of the wisdom of this approach when many vehemently sought outright repeal of Measure 110. And incoming House Speaker Julie Fahey helped deliver a campaign finance bill that no one was expecting.

But both Rayfield and Knopp are among many veteran lawmakers who wont be back next year. Some, like Rayfield, are seeking higher office; some are retiring; and others, including Knopp, are disqualified from running for re-election by Measure 113s anti-walkout provision. The loss of institutional knowledge and relationships is significant, and its questionable whether such major legislation would have succeeded under different leadership.

Lawmakers should take stock of what worked from this short session, keep close tabs on progress of the bills they passed and gear up to make 2025 as effective. Despite the wins of the past month, Oregons many crises arent going away.

-The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

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The 30-day emergency suspension of cash-for-bottle-redemption may deter drug use around the downtown Safeway and nearby Plaid Pantry, but what about other neighborhoods and the months to follow? (2 downtown Portland bottle return locations suspend service to fight fentanyl crisis, Feb. 29).

Oregons famous Bottle Bill has had good effect: less litter and conserved resources. But its application now has unintended consequences. Change is needed. Returning bottles and cans should net only a paper receipt with a barcode of the refunded amount. That paper could be scanned in the checkout line, reducing the cost of groceries. The money saved by lowering food bills can be applied to other things. This barcode refund system would eliminate the immediate cash payments that can be received under the current BottleDrop system.
Photo: (Photo : Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

While on a return flight from the Dominican Republic, a 41-year-old mom dies suddenly, which comes as a mystery since she has without any known pre-existing conditions, according to friends and family.

Mom of Dies While on Mid-Flight

Stefanie Smith, 41, was on an American Airlines flight to North Carolina from the Dominican Republic on February 28. At mid-flight, she fell unwell, causing the plane to make an emergency landing in Turks and Caicos. Despite being transferred to a hospital, she passed away. The cause of the passing remains unclear, and an autopsy is ongoing.

Stefanie, who had been on a five-day vacation with her boyfriend, appeared healthy before the flight. Witnesses, including her friend Maria Yannotti, reported that she was active, even exercising regularly during the trip.

On the flight, Stefanie's boyfriend observed her experiencing seizures with her eyes rolling back, prompting medical intervention from a doctor and nurses on board.

The investigation continues to shed light on the strange situation enclosing her untimely passing. Doctors and nurses aboard conducted CPR before the emergency landing.

Upon getting a call for medical support from the Air Traffic Control Tower at around 6:15 p.m., the plane made an emergency landing at Providenciales International Airport in Turks and Caicos.

Fondly recalled for her boundless love for family, friends, and community, a GoFundMe page has been set up to support her two children, Coen and Macee.

Read Also: Alabama Fertility Clinics Resuming IVF Services After Landmark Bill Safeguards Embryo Discard: Patients Eager for Progress

Stefanie Smith's Mysterious Death

Stefanie Smith, aged 41, appeared to be in excellent health during her five-night stay at the Iberostar Grand Bavaro in Punta Cana, as stated by her friend and travel buddy, Maria Yannotti, to the Daily Mail.

The trip covered visits to the resort's restaurants, and leisurely hours at the beach and pools, with moderate alcohol consumption. On their last night, they dined at El Galeon, enjoying a meal without any complaints about the food or well-being.

Smith, an X-ray tech and mom of two teens, maintained an active lifestyle, frequently exercising at the resort gym and running along the beach. Yannotti exalted Stefanie's energetic personality, describing her as a source of energy and fun.

The unexpected turn of events occurred during Smith's return flight to Charlotte on February 28. Yannotti received a text from her around 4:55 p.m., expressing plans to share a funny story upon landing.

However, less than two hours later, the flight diverted to the Turks and Caicos after Smith encountered convulsions. Despite efforts to save her, she was announced dead upon reaching a local medical center.

Yannotti recounted the heart-wrenching moment when Smith's boyfriend called with the tragic news during their layover in Miami.

The cause of Smith's abrupt death remains unknown, and her friends and family, including her 18- and 16-year-old children, await the results of a private autopsy. Chris Volz, Smith's brother, stated she had no known pre-existing health conditions.

A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated for Smith's children, already raising $87,000 out of its $100,000 goal as of Friday morning.

Yannotti expressed the devastating impact of the situation, emphasizing the need for answers from the pending autopsy to unravel the mystery surrounding Smith's untimely demise.

Related Article: Expert Insights with Sarah Slater Snyder: The Unconventional Solution for Busy Burned Out Moms Who Want a Luxury Escape to Paradise
At least 28 of the nearly 300 schoolchildren kidnapped by gunmen have escaped, Nigeria's Kaduna state governor has told BBC News.



Nigeria's army is leading a desperate search for the children taken in the northern town of Kuriga on Thursday.



Troops are working with police and local search teams to comb the forests within Kaduna and neighbouring states.



The kidnapping is the biggest mass abduction from a school since 2021.



Gangs of motorcycle-riding armed men took nearly 300 primary and secondary school children between the ages of eight and 15, school authorities and parents said.



Almost every family in the town is thought to have a child among those kidnapped.



One pupil, believed to be 14-years-old, who had been shot by the gunmen and was being treated in hospital, has since died.



The kidnappings followed women and children taken from a remote town in Borno state the day before.



Kaduna state governor Uba Sani told the BBC the lack of boots on the ground was the main reason for increased kidnappings in the area.



Parents and relatives of the abducted children have formed vigilante groups and are seeking help from neighbouring communities on the whereabouts of the children.



Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima is visiting Kaduna and is due to meet the governor.



President Bola Tinubu said on social media he was confident the victims will be rescued.



He tweeted: "Nothing else is acceptable to me and the waiting family members of these abducted citizens. Justice will be decisively administered."



Searches are also being made in Katsina and Zamfara states.



The Kaduna mass abduction has evoked memories of the nearly 300 girls in Nigeria's north-eastern town of Chibok in 2014.



In parts of northern Nigeria, parents are becoming weary of allowing their children to go to school over fear for their safety.



Kidnappings for ransom by armed men have become endemic in northern Nigeria, keeping thousands of children from attending school.



The last major abduction involving school children in Kaduna was in July 2021 when gunmen took more than 150 students.



The students were re-united months later after their families have paid ransoms.



In 2022, Nigeria passed a law banning ransom payments to kidnappers and imposed a 15-year jail term for making them.



It also madeabduction punishable by death in cases where victims die.

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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The large-scale Miss World 2023 pageant has ended in India, where Ukraine was represented by 19-year-old artist Sofia Shamia. The Ukrainian girl stayed in Mumbai for more than three weeks and during this time showed many spectacular images. The girl preferred fitted silhouettes that emphasized her graceful slender figure. She did not forget to convey the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people through her clothes, as well as other important messages related to the war in her homeland.

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Thus, the Ukrainian national costume for Miss World was called "Forest Song" and addressed the problem of ecology in Ukraine, which has suffered greatly from Russian aggression and terror. However, this outfit is not the only one that deserves attention. OBOZ.UA decided to collect and showcase Sofia's most spectacular looks at the competition.

"Forest Song"

Since we have already started talking about the national costume, we will start with it. The unique dress was created based on the eponymous work by Lesya Ukrainka and the world-famous Ukrainian cartoon Mavka. It took 2 months to make the costume. It was created in the difficult conditions of the terrorist war under constant Russian shelling in Kharkiv.

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The dress was embroidered by hand using layer-by-layer printed "leaves". Each leaf was made by Kharkiv craftswomen separately. The fern flower is based on the kirigami technique and is complicated with different textured materials to create a "shining effect". The pearl of the image is the kinetic flowers, the technology for which was developed by engineers specifically for the "Forest Song" image. They open and close (hide) with certain movements of the model.

"Today, Ukrainian nature is a silent victim of war. Burnt industrial facilities and forests, poisoned air and water resources, soil contaminated by mines and shells, massive deaths of animals and plants," the Ukrainian delegation at the competition explained the message of their costume.

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"Steel Lady"

This unique dress was Sofia Shamia's main evening outfit at the pageant. It was created by designer Andriy Anikeev, inspired by the Mother Ukraine and its reconstruction last year. The symbolic outfit conveyed the resilience, core, and steadfastness of the people who have been fighting the Russian aggressor for 10 years. At the same time, the dress has become the personification of the indomitable Ukrainian woman.

The highlight of the look is a monolithic corset symbolizing armor. The basis of the dress is a mesh with Swarovski crystals, which, combined with glitter, creates honeycombs reminiscent of the visual of chainmail.

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Vyshyvanka "Cuckoo"

Sofia Shamia demonstrated her incredibly beautiful vyshyvanka (embroidered shirt) during one of the events of the competition. The beauty chose a red mini-dress with voluminous sleeves and a wide collar. The fabric is decorated with embroidered white ornaments. It is known that the dress is the work of the craftsmen of the famous Ukrainian brand FOBERINI. It is called "Cuckoo". These are the birds embroidered on the elegant dress.

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The look was complemented by a blue and yellow pearl handbag. This patriotic accessory has become a companion to Sofia and her looks at the competition more than once.

Blue and yellow wreath with spikelets

As part of Miss World, all the contestants visited the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA). At the event, the Ukrainian appeared in an exquisite look in patriotic colors, but in pastel tones. The highlight of the outfit was definitely a luxurious wreath in the colors of the Ukrainian flag with ears of grain. It was designed for our beauty by the domestic brand YARADECO.

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Dress from the presentation of a charity project

As you know, the Ukrainian representative's charity project was among the top ten. For the gala evening, where the participants actually presented their projects, Sofia Shamia chose a sophisticated and elegant dress in nude shades with shimmering elements. The tight-fitting style of the product emphasized the girl's graceful silhouette. It is known that the dress was created by the designers of the Kyiv-based brand M'admire. A translucent shawl in a powdery shade, which the Ukrainian tied around her neck, made the look even more interesting.

Pre-final dress

On the eve of the final and the announcement of the new Miss World, all the contestants gathered for dinner, for which a white dress code was required. Our beauty showed off an elegant off-the-shoulder dress with a blue and yellow brooch. It formed a harmonious duet with the aforementioned handbag in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Sofia's red lips were also a successful accent, and her tied-up hairstyle added even more sophistication to the overall ensemble.

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As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Sofia Shamia did not make it to the top 12 at Miss World. Meanwhile, the winner of the main crown was Krystyna Pyszkova from the Czech Republic. The 24-year-old model-student has her own charity foundation and is studying two majors.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has sent a delegation to honor the founder of Divine Word International Ministries (DWIM) and Divine Prayer, Bishop Adonteng Boateng, in Virginia, USA, for his humanitarian nature towards humanity.



This was done during the 67th Independence Day gala in Virginia, which was organized by the Virginia City national council of Ghanaians in collaboration with Ghana Mission New York on the theme of restoring, reclaiming, and rebuilding Akosombo flood victims areas.



According to him, it is a blessing to be from Ghana, and our founders must be commended for hoping to make Ghana the star of Africa, especially with all the resources God has blessed us with.



He explained that looking at the tragedy that happened to Akosombo, it is sad that we are asking for alms from other nations, no matter how blessed we are as a nation.



He called on all Ghanaians in the Diaspora to come together to develop Ghana so that soon Ghana can be the Europe of Africa.



Otumfuo Twafohene, Baffour Opoku Agyeman, on behalf of the Asantehene, thanked Bishop Adonten Boateng for his good works.



Bishop Adonteng Boateng was elated by the gesture and expressed his gratitude to Otumfuo and the Ghanaian society in Virginia for the wonderful gesture towards his little love and passion for humanity.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former President John Dramani Mahama says a new NDC government will not rush to initiate new projects if voted into power in 2024.



He said his government would rather invest the available resources to complete stalled and ongoing projects.



I have said that we are not going to be in a hurry to start new projects. Whatever resources that we have, we are going to use it to continue and finish abandoned and ongoing projects so that we can start making use of them, he said.



Mahama said this in Wa at the weekend when he addressed scores of people, including labour unions, at a town hall meeting as part of his two-day Building Ghana We Want tour in the Upper West Region.



The statement was in relation to some abandoned projects at the SD Dombo University for Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS), which he promised to complete if he became president in 2025.



Mahama said the late President John Evans Atta Mills promised the then-Wa campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) three key projects before he died.



They were an ultra-modern library, a lecture hall complex, and a students hostel facility.



He said he started those projects when he became president in 2013, but they had stalled.



I know that all these projects are very important to facilitate teaching and learning in that university.



And so, when we come, we will continue those projects and complete them so that you can make use of them, he said.



Talking about road infrastructure, former President Mahama indicated that it is a shame that the Wa-Tumu-Bolgatanga road was not yet constructed after it had passed through the hands of successive governments.



He indicated it was a prime road because it linked two regional capitals, serving as a short route for people travelling from Wa to Bolgatanga and vice versa. He promised to construct it when he became president.



On the Wa-Bole-Bamboi road, Mahama acknowledged that it was in a very deplorable state with potholes that served as death traps because it had not been maintained for many years after it was constructed during the former President Jerry John Rawlings regime.



He emphasized that it was in his interest to rehabilitate the Wa-Bole-Bamboi road to make it easier for people to transport patients from Bole to the Upper West Regional Hospital, which served as a major referral centre for health facilities in Bole.



As part of his visit to the region, the NDC flagbearer for the 2024 general election is expected to interact with the clergy, labour unions, traditional leaders, farmers, and leaders of some tertiary institutions.





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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Story by Spotlight PA Staff

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.

Transparency in K-12 and higher education helps empower parents and other taxpayers to feel connected and drive positive change.

Excessive secrecy among school leaders and boards can weaken that trust. Thats why journalists hold publicly funded institutions and the people who run these schools accountable for how they spend taxpayer dollars. Pennsylvanias open records and meetings laws are key resources for information gathering, but there are limits.

At Spotlight PA, investigative reporter Wyatt Massey fights to access information from Penn State, the largest and most influential university in the state. Because of Penn States special designation as a state-related institution, its largely shielded from the open records law.

To celebrate Sunshine Week, Massey will host a roundtable discussion with experts and other journalists to talk about education reporting in Pennsylvania. Massey will also discuss Spotlight PAs ongoing lawsuits with Penn State and his approach to covering the university.

Join us on Thursday, March 14 from 6-7 p.m. EDT on Zoom to hear more about transparency in education, and how you can hold school officials accountable.

This event is a part of Sunshine Week, a national initiative spearheaded by the News Leaders Association to educate the public about the importance of open government and the dangers of excessive and unnecessary secrecy.

Our panelists include:

Wyatt Massey, Penn State investigative reporter, Spotlight PA State College

Jillian Forstadt, education reporter, WESA

Ashley Stalnecker, education reporter, Lancaster Online| LNP

Ashli Giles-Perkins, staff attorney, Education Law Center

RSVP for free here. Submit your questions in advance to events@spotlightpa.org.

 Spotlight PAs events operate on a pay-what-you-can honor system. If you value this public-service event, pay it forward and contribute any amount to Spotlight PA now so we can keep our programming free for everyone: spotlightpa.org/donate.
By Molly Quell and Barbara Surk, The Associated Press

AMSTERDAM  The Netherlands opened the National Holocaust Museum on Sunday with a ceremony presided over by the Dutch king as well as Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose presence prompted protest because of Israels military campaign in Gaza.

The museum in Amsterdam tells the stories of some of the 102,000 Jews who were deported from the Netherlands and murdered in Nazi camps, as well as the history of their structural persecution under German World War II occupation before the deportations began.

The museum gives a face and a voice to the Jewish victims of persecution in the Netherlands, the Dutch King Willem-Alexander said in the address at the inaugural ceremony on Sunday. It also shows us the devastating consequences that antisemitism can have, he added.

That is why we must continue to be aware of how things began and how they went from bad to worse, the king said. Earlier, the king and the Israeli president visited Amsterdams famous Portuguese Synagogue.

Herzog hailed the Netherlandss initiative to create a new Holocaust museum that he said was a testament to raising antisemitism around the world.

At this pivotal moment in time, this institution sends a clear powerful statement, Herzog said. Remember! Remember the horrors born of hatred, antisemitism and racism, and never again allow them to flourish.

Sundays ceremony came against a backdrop of Israels devastating attacks on Gaza that followed the deadly incursions by Hamas in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered amid tightened security at the Waterloo Square in central Amsterdam, near the museum and the synagogue, waving Palestinian flags, chanting Never again is now, and demanding an end of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

The protest leaders emphasized they were against Herzogs presence, not the museum and what it commemorates.

People look at historic footage of trains carrying Jews to Nazi concentration camps during a press preview of the new National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)AP

For us Jews, these museums are part of our history, of our past, said Joana Cavaco, an anti-war activist with the Erev Rav Jewish collective, addressing the crowd ahead of the ceremony. She added: How is it possible that such a sacred space is being used to normalize genocide today?

Three-quarters of Dutch Jews were among the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis.

Herzog was among Israeli leaders cited in an order issued in January by the top United Nations court for Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza. He accused the International Court of Justice of misrepresenting his comments in the ruling. Israel strongly rejected allegations leveled by South Africa in the court case that the military campaign in Gaza breaches the Genocide Convention.

I was disgusted by the way they twisted my words, using very, very partial and fragmented quotes, with the intention of supporting an unfounded legal contention, Herzog said, days after the ruling.

A pro-Palestinian Dutch organization, The Rights Forum, called Herzogs presence a slap in the face of the Palestinians who can only helplessly watch how Israel murders their loved ones and destroys their land.

In a statement issued ahead of Sundays opening, the Jewish Cultural Quarter that runs the museum said it is profoundly concerned by the war and the consequences this conflict has had, first and foremost for the citizens of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

It said that it is all the more troubling that the National Holocaust Museum is opening while war continues to rage. It makes our mission all the more urgent.

The museum is housed in a former teacher training college that was used as a covert escape route to help some 600 Jewish children to escape from the clutches of the Nazis.

Exhibits include a prominent photo of a boy walking past bodies in Bergen-Belsen after the liberation of the concentration camp, and mementos of lives lost: a doll, an orange dress made from parachute material and a collection of 10 buttons excavated from the grounds of the Sobibor camp.

Demonstrators protest against Israel's President Isaac Herzog attending the opening of the new National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)AP

The walls of one room are covered with the texts of hundreds of laws discriminating against Jews enacted by the German occupiers of the Netherlands, to show how the Nazi regime, assisted by Dutch civil servants, dehumanized Jews ahead of operations to round them up.

The museum brings to life the stories of people who were isolated from the rest of Dutch society, robbed of their rights, denied legal protection, rounded up, imprisoned, separated from their loved ones and murdered, the Dutch king said.

Barbara Surk contributed from Nice, France. Associated Press writers Mike Corder in Amsterdam and Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report.
The Republican senator who gave the partys response to President Joe Bidens State of the Union address used a harrowing account of a young womans sexual abuse to attack his border policies, but the rapes did not happen in the U.S. or during the Biden administration.

First-term Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama in the GOP response criticized current immigration policies, describing how she had met a woman at the U.S.-Mexico border who told of being raped thousands of times in a sex trafficking operation run by cartels, starting at age 12.

The victim has previously spoken publicly about the abuse happening in her home country of Mexico from 2004 to 2008  not in the United States during the Biden administration. Yet, Britt used the account to chastise Bidens action on the border.

We wouldnt be OK with this happening in a third-world country. This is the United States of America, and its past time we start acting like it, Britt said in the Thursday night speech televised from her home in Alabama. President Bidens border crisis is a disgrace.

Britt has made immigration one of her top issues in her first years in the Senate, and Republicans have seized on a surge of immigrants entering the country during Bidens term to attack the president. Former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination this year, blames Biden for the killing of a Georgia nursing student after an immigrant from Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally was arrested and charged with her murder.

Independent journalist Jonathan Katz revealed in a TikTok video Friday that the sex trafficking of the victim mentioned by Britt on Thursday did not happen during the Biden administration or in the United States.

Britt spokesman Sean Ross on Saturday confirmed to The Associated Press that the senator was speaking about the account of a young Mexican woman who told of being repeatedly raped in Mexico from 2004 to 2008  when Republican George W. Bush was the U.S. president.

Ross said people are still victims of disgusting, brutal trafficking by the cartels.

Britt traveled to the border at the Del Rio Sector in Texas in January 2023 with fellow Republican Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, according to a news release issued then from Hyde-Smiths office.

The Senators held a roundtable with former Mexican Congresswoman Rosa Maria de la Garza, Fox News Contributor Sara Carter and Karla Jacinto Romero, a survivor of human trafficking, the news release said. The Senators learned about cartel activity in Mexico and the work being done to rescue victims of human trafficking.

Romero  an advocate against human trafficking  has spoken publicly about being a victim of child prostitution in Mexico, including during 2015 testimony to a subcommittee of the U.S. House. Romero, then 22, told the subcommittee that she was 12 when her mother threw her out on the streets, and a pimp trafficked her to more than 40,000 clients over four years. Romero said many of the clients were foreigners who had traveled to Mexico for sexual interactions with minors like her.

Britts rebuttal, delivered from her own kitchen table, laid out a dark vision for the country under Democrats and warned of violence. She talked about her two children and warned that life is getting more and more dangerous. She also called Biden a dithering and diminished leader.

The Alabama senator, 42 and the youngest woman in the Senate, has said she wants to represent a new generation of leadership in Washington. She was endorsed by Trump in her 2022 election and has remained in touch with the former president, most recently pushing him to support in vitro fertilization after a ruling by her states supreme court blocked some IVF procedures.
By Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy, The Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  A U.S. Army vessel carrying equipment for building a temporary pier in Gaza was on its way to the Mediterranean on Sunday, three days after U.S. President Joe Biden announced plans to increase aid deliveries by sea to the besieged enclave where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are going hungry.

The new push for aid came in the final hours before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which could start as early as Sunday evening, depending on the sighting of a crescent moon. Hopes for a new cease-fire by Ramadan faded days ago with negotiations apparently stalled.

The opening of the sea corridor, along with airdrops by the U.S., Jordan and others, showed growing alarm over Gazas deadly humanitarian crisis and a new willingness to bypass Israeli control over land shipments. Israel said that it welcomed the sea deliveries and would inspect Gaza-bound cargo before it leaves a staging area in nearby Cyprus.

But aid officials say that air and sea deliveries cant make up for a shortage of supply routes on land. The daily number of aid trucks entering Gaza by land over the past five months has been far below the 500 that entered before the war.

A ship belonging to Spanish aid group Open Arms and carrying 200 tons of food aid was expected to make a pilot voyage to test the corridor as soon as possible, said spokesperson Linda Roth with partner organization World Central Kitchen. The ship remained at Cyprus port of Larnaca in what Roth called a quickly evolving and fluid situation.

Biden stepped up public criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he believes that Netanyahu is hurting Israel more than helping Israel in his approach to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, now in its sixth month.

Speaking Saturday to MSNBC, the U.S. president expressed support for Israels right to pursue Hamas after the militants Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, but said that Netanyahu must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost. He added that you cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said that at least 31,045 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says that women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and its figures from previous wars have largely matched those of U.N. and independent experts.

Palestinian casualties continued to rise. The Civil Defense Department said that at least nine Palestinians, including children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza City late Saturday. Footage that it shared showed one rescuer placing the body of a dead infant on a sofa amid the wreckage.

Elsewhere, the bodies of 15 people, including women and children, were taken to the main hospital in the central town of Deir al-Balah on Sunday, according to an Associated Press journalist. Relatives said they were killed by Israeli artillery fire toward a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in the coastal area near the southern city of Khan Younis.

Israel rarely comments on specific incidents during the war. It maintains that Hamas is responsible for civilian casualties, because the militant group operates from within civilian areas.

Meanwhile, U.S. efforts began to set up the temporary pier in Gaza for sea deliveries. U.S. Central Command said a first U.S. Army vessel, the General Frank S. Besson, left a base in Virginia on Saturday and was on its way to the Eastern Mediterranean with equipment for construction.

U.S. officials said that it would likely be weeks before the pier is operational.

The sea corridor is backed by the European Union together with the United States, the United Arab Emirates and other countries. The European Commission has said that U.N. agencies and the Red Cross will play a role.

The ship in Cyprus is expected to take two to three days to arrive at an undisclosed location. The World Central Kitchen spokesperson said that construction work began Sunday on the jetty for it at an undisclosed location in Gaza.

A member of the charity said on X, formerly Twitter, that once the ships barge reaches Gaza, aid would be offloaded by a crane, placed on trucks and driven to northern Gaza, which has been largely cut off from aid shipments and was the first focus of Israels military offensive.

Israel declared war on Oct. 7 after Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 hostages. Israels air and ground offensive has devastated large parts of Gaza and displaced about 80% of the population of 2.3 million.

Parachutes drop supplies into the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel , Sunday, March 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)AP

The U.S. and regional mediators Egypt and Qatar had hoped to have a six-week cease-fire in place by Ramadan, but Hamas is holding out for assurances that a temporary truce will lead to an end of hostilities.

Mediators had hoped to alleviate some of the immediate crisis with the temporary cease-fire, which would have seen Hamas release some Israeli hostages, Israel release some Palestinian prisoners and aid groups be given access for a major influx of assistance into Gaza.

Samy Magdy reported from Cairo. Menelaos Hadjicostis contributed to this report from Nicosia, Cyprus.

Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
PITTSBURGH (AP)  An arbitrator has ordered the reinstatement of a Pittsburgh police officer fired following the death of a man a day after officers used a stun gun on him during an arrest.

The ruling Friday came nearly two years after the city announced its intention to fire the officer and several others in connection with the October 2021 death of Jim Rogers.

The 54-year-old homeless man stopped after a report of a bicycle theft from a home was hit with a stun gun repeatedly over several minutes before he was taken into custody. He became unresponsive in a police car and was pronounced dead at a hospital. The medical examiner ruled the death accidental and resulting from a lack of oxygen to the brain.

Bob Swartzwelder, president of the union representing city police, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that after the officers March 2022 termination, the appeal went to a three-member arbitration panel comprised of one city arbitrator, an arbitrator from the police union and a neutral arbitrator, whose decision must be upheld by one of the others.

Fridays ruling said the officer should be reinstated with back pay and benefits and face no discipline.

Swartzwelder called the death of Rogers unfortunate but said he died for others reasons than police actions.

The mayors office said in a statement that the city is deeply disappointed by the ruling, citing the officers admission of having violated policies, but did not indicate whether an appeal was planned.

Our city deserves a police bureau that prioritizes treating every resident with dignity and respect and we deserve a system where our officers can be held accountable for their actions, the statement said.

The Pittsburgh branch of the NAACP said the decision has sparked justified outrage and profound disappointment.

No officers were charged in connection with Rogers death. The city had said it intended to fire five officers and discipline several others, but almost all settled for lesser penalties and returned to work, although two retired before any official discipline. One firing and one suspension were sent to arbitration.

The city last year settled a federal lawsuit with Rogers estate for $8 million.
U.S. government decision-makers need to regard Palestinians and Israelis as of equal value. If tens of thousands of Israelis were killed in five months by an entity naming security as its reason, would the U.S. provide money, weapons, and diplomatic cover to those doing the killing? I hope not. Every Israeli life  Jewish, Palestinian citizen of Israel, Druze  is precious beyond words. The same is true of every Palestinian life in Gaza and the West Bank  Christian, Muslim, child, teen, adult.

President Joe Biden has said that he tries to convince Israel to minimize harm to civilians. In his 2020 book The Hundred Years War on Palestine, Rashid Khalidi writes that during Israels shelling of Lebanese and Palestinians in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1982, U.S. President Ronald Reagan pointedly told Israeli Prime Minister Menachim Begin to back off. From Reagans August 12 entry: I told him it had to stop or our entire future relationship was endangered. I  said the symbol of his war was becoming a picture of a seven month old baby with its arms blown off (pages 155, 156; Khalidis source: Douglas Brinkley, ed., The Reagan Diaries, page 98). It quickly stopped, for the moment: Khalidi chronicles violence that was still to come in 1982 and beyond, and U.S. favoritism toward Israel then and since.

The U.S. should insist that the slaughter must end, but go beyond that. We must stop the flow of money and weapons. We must regard all people as we regard ourselves.
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Greece is a country of dreams, beaches, islands, and 8 seas. Yes, that's right, tour operators offer vacations not only on the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Ionian seas but also on the Libyan, Cretan, Tyrrhenian, Thracian, and Myrtle Seas. Haven't heard of them? And no wonder! After all, these are different parts of the first three seas.

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Connoisseurs of classical recreation, ancient architecture and ancient myths about centaurs, gods and titans come here. And each of them finds what they are looking for here.

Today we will tell you which Greek cities to visit this spring.

Corfu

An atypical island for the country. It is very different from the famous resorts such as Crete or Rhodes. This piece of land is literally buried in greenery. Olive trees, cypresses, and oranges grow at every turn. It is comfortable to relax here all year round. However, in early March, you still won't be able to sunbathe. During this period, the thermometer ranges from 12 to 16 degrees Celsius.

Coming here, you feel as if you are transported to Old Europe. The local atmosphere is more like provincial Italy than ancient Greece. And no wonder! After all, for some time the territory belonged to the Venetian Republic.

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Start your acquaintance with Corfu by visiting the old fortress. Its walls used to protect the Italian protectorate. Go to the Museum of Asian Art. And be sure to visit Mon Repos, the villa where Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth, was born.

Paleokastritsa

Next, head to a small village, which is also located on the island of Corfu. It is an ideal place for a relaxing vacation. Despite its remoteness from popular resorts, there are many well-groomed beaches here. Along them, there are establishments for every taste and budget. There are five-star hotels, ordinary campsites, and luxury villas.

There are not many attractions in Paleokastritsa, so you can get around in a day and spend the rest of the time relaxing or exploring the island. Don't be lazy and go to the ruins of the Angelokastro Castle. The location is known locally as the "Fortress of Angels". The Chapel of the Archangels remains on the territory of the ruined complex.

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Be sure to visit the Theotokos Monastery. It was built in the thirteenth century. Here you can see unique icons and Bibles inlaid with precious stones. You can also throw a coin into the well, which, according to the locals, grants wishes.

Don't deny yourself the pleasure of a ride in a local taxi. Transport runs on the water and can take you anywhere on the island in a matter of minutes. By the way, Liapades, an authentic Greek village, is located very close to Paleokastritsa. Be sure to visit it at least for a day.

Mystras

This small abandoned city has a long and interesting history. Once upon a time, its territory belonged to Constantinople, but after the fall of the empire, it was given to William of Villehardouin, a French duke. The man received a large piece of land and built it up, but his greed got the better of him. The count went to war with Nicaea and lost.

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The stronghold fell under Byzantine control and became an important administrative center. Emperors were even crowned here. Later, the fortress fell under the pressure of the Ottoman Empire. Many of the locals left, seeking refuge in other polises.

In 1834, King Otto issued a decree to rebuild neighboring Sparta. After its restoration, the population of Mystra left their homes and moved to the new city. Thus began the total decline of the outpost. Today, there are ruins of palaces, elegant churches, and a castle.

Delos

This is a real open-air museum. The ancient Greeks believed that the history of the world began from this island. A lot of time has passed, and this piece of land is still a sacred place for the people.

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Among the famous monuments here are the ruins of the temples of Apollo and Artemis. The Market Square, the Terrace of Lions, the Temple of Isis, and the House of Dolphins are also well preserved.

Kos

The name of the island literally translates as "crab". These creatures used to be a symbol of the city. They were even minted on coins.

Kos is located just four kilometers from the southwestern coast of Turkey. By the way, it is the birthplace of Hippocrates. It was here that the father of world medicine was born.

We recommend visiting the Roman House, which was discovered relatively recently. After a powerful earthquake in 1933, archaeologists noticed the remains of ancient architecture. They managed to dig up the whole building. Go to the Neratzia Castle. It was once built to protect the island from the Turks. Do not miss the most important attraction: the ruins of the ancient temple of Asklepios, where the sick were treated, the first books on medicine were written and doctors were trained.

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Greece will probably never cease to amaze tourists. Every piece of its territory beckons travelers to come back here again. So why not do it in early spring?

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) raised his voice and started yelling about Biden when asked about Trump hanging out with Viktor Orban.

Sen. Graham was asked if Trump controls the Senate, and he accidentally answered, I vote against lots of things that he doesnt like.

Video:

Lindsey Graham when asked if Trump controls Senate Republicans, No. I mean, I voted against things that, you know, he doesnt like. To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. Voting against things that Trump doesnt like would be doing what Donald Trump wants. pic.twitter.com/EzHC2kmOhZ  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 10, 2024

Voting against things that Trump doesnt like would be doing exactly what Donald Trump wants, so Graham was admitting that Trump does run the Senate Republicans.

How Did Lindsey Graham Respond When Asked About Trump And Viktor Orban?

Graham was asked about Trump and Orban, and he said, I think the best way to judge President Trumps second term is by what he did in his first term. You know, Russia didnt invade on President Trumps watch. Hamas didnt try to destroy Israel on his watch. The Afghanistan, they, the Taliban werent in charge on his watch. So heres what I would say if you were about the world being on fire. Youre right. If you think Joe Bidens policies are a lack of deterrence and hes weak in the eyes of our enemies. Youre right. So if you want to get the world back in order, you better vote for Trump.

Kristen Welker followed up, But you know that former President Trump has talked about being a dictator on day one. He said its nice to have a strong man running our country. Hes talked about retribution in a second term, Senator.

Graham said, You know what? He said, retribution would be success. Do you know who knocked Trump off the ballot in Colorado, who knocked Trump off the ballot in Maine? Theres a liberal jihad against everything Trump. Im not worried about Trump destroying democracy. Im worried about Joe Biden destroying the world.

Welker tried again, Senator just be very clear though. He is aligning himself with Viktor Orban.

Graham finally said, Orban is not on the ballot. You got to vote between Trump and Biden.

Video:

Lindsey Graham comes unglued when asked about Trump cozying up to Viktor Orban and eventually dodges,  Orban is not on the ballot. Actually, Trump is pushing to destroy democracy and be just like Orban. pic.twitter.com/xYjQ8Jd35L  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 10, 2024

That didnt go well.

The point is that Republicans like Lindsey Graham cant defend Trumps love for dictators, so they have to start yelling irrational things about President Joe Biden. Democracy is a losing issue for Republicans as long as they are being led by Donald Trump.

Sen. Graham didnt have an answer to Welkers questions about Trump and Orban, so he went into liberal jihad conspiracy theories.

Donald Trump is a threat to democracy in the United States, and no amount a Lindsey Graham manufactured hysterics about President Biden can hide this fact.

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Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) went off the rails when asked by George Stephanopoulos to square how she as a rape victim supports Donald Trump.

The full transcript of the exchange is worth reading to see how Rep. Mace handled the question.

Video:

To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.

Transcript via ABCs This Week:

STEPHANOPOULOS: Congresswoman, thanks for joining us this morning.

You endorsed Donald Trump for president. Judges in two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming a victim of that rape. How do you square your endorsement of Donald Trump with the testimony we just saw?

MACE: Well, I will tell you, I was raped at the age of 16, and any rape victim will tell you, Ive lived for 30 years with an incredible amount of shame over being raped. I didnt come forward because of that judgment and shame that I felt.

And its a shame that you will never feel, George, and Im not going to sit here on your show and be asked a question meant to shame me about another potential rape victim. Im not going to do that.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Its actually not about shaming you. Its a question about Donald Trump.

MACE: No, you are shaming me.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Youve endorsed Donald Trump for president.

MACE: Right.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Donald Trump has been found liable for rape by a jury. Donald Trump has been found liable for defaming the victim of that rape by a jury. Its been affirmed by a judge. He repeated 

MACE: Its not a criminal court case, number one. Number two, I live with shame, and youre asking me a question about my political choices trying to shame me as a rape victim and find it disgusting.

And quite frankly, E. Jean Carrolls comments when she did get the judgment joking about what she was going to buy, it doesnt  it makes it harder for women to come forward when they make a mockery out of rape, when they joke about it. Its not OK.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Doesnt it make it harder for women to come forward when theyre defamed by presidential candidates?

MACE: It makes it harder when other women joked about it and shes joked about it. I find it offensive. And also I find it offensive that you are trying to shame me with this question.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Im not trying to shame you at all. In fact 

MACE: You are. I have dealt with this for 30 years. You know how hard it was to tell my story five years ago when they were doing a fetal heartbeat bill, when there were no exceptions for rape, incest or life  or  and  rape or incest in there? I had to tell my story because no other woman was coming forward.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Im just asking 

MACE: No rape victims were represented. And youre trying to shame me this morning.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Im just asking you 

MACE: And I find it offensive. And this is why women wont come forward.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Women wont come forward because theyre defamed by those who perpetrate rape. Donald Trump has been 

MACE: They are judged, and theyre shamed, and youre trying to shame me this morning. I think its disgusting.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Im  Im not  Im not shaming you at all. I called you courageous.

Stephanopoulos asked Rep, Mace a logical question. He wanted to understand the thinking behind why she, as a rape victim, is supporting Donald Trump, and Mace tried to claim that she was being shamed.

Mace also attacked another rape victim and seemed to argue that judgments concerning rape in civil court somehow dont count, as the only verdicts that matter happen in criminal court.

George Stephanopoulos didnt shame Nancy Mace, but Rep. Mace did attack E. Jean Carroll, and minimize what happened to her.

Rape is rape whether that determination is made in civil or criminal court. The reality is that a man who has been found liable for raping a woman should not be President Of The United States.

Nancy Mace is an elected member of Congress, so her decision-making process should be open to questions. Stephanopoulos wasnt attacking or shaming Rep. Mace. He was asking for insight into her thinking, and what he got back was a look at a callous and calculating person who seemed more interested in getting attention and creating a viral moment for herself than providing sincere insight into her choices.

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The South Carolina Public Service Commission could soon hear two requests that would allow a company to build a data center in Aiken County.

The Public Service Commission is expected to meet at 10 a.m. May 14 to hear upgrade requests that would allow Aiken Electric Cooperative to supply power to a data center.

The commission "essentially functions as a court" when utilities and other regulated companies seek to upgrade their infrastructure or make changes to their rates.

Though Aiken Electric would supply power to the data center, Santee Cooper (also known as the South Carolina Public Services Authority) and Central Electric Power Cooperative submitted the upgrade requests to the commission.

Santee Cooper is a state-owned utility that generates power at four plants. It sells part of the power it generates to Central Electric which, in turn, sells the power to the 18 member-owned electric cooperatives in South Carolina including Aiken Electric. Aiken Electric then sells the power to its members.

Santee Cooper asks the Public Service Commission to approve interior modifications to its Aiken No. 1 substation, to expand the existing Aiken No. 3 substation and to install two 230 kilovolt power lines between the Aiken No. 3 substation and a proposed Mount Zion switching station (a distance of 16.2 miles) in existing right-of-way.

The company plans to begin building in August and for the upgrades to become operational in fall 2025.

Central Electric asks the Public Service Commission to approve the construction of two new 230 kilovolt power lines in new right-of-way between the Mount Zion switching station and a substation to be built on the company's property (a distance of 1.5 miles).
LEAP2024 and DeepFest, an international exhibition of next-generation technologies and cybersecurity, were held in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyad, from March 4-7, 2024, Azernews reports.

Experts and specialists in the relevant field discussed current challenges, next-generation cybersecurity solutions based on artificial intelligence, issues related to the management of cyber incidents in industrial control systems, and a detailed exchange of views and extensive discussions on global technology goals until 2030.



Representatives from important Azerbaijani government entities, commercial enterprises operating in the nation, and the State Security Service (SSS) attended the event.

Within the framework of the event, a meeting was held between the SSS delegation and senior officials of CISCO.

Addressing the fact that, due to the special attention and care of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev important work has been done in the country on sustainable development in the technological sphere, Head of the SSS Cyber Security Operational Center, Davud Rustamov noted that the process of digitalization is being accelerated in Azerbaijan, technology parks are being created, and innovative projects such as smart villages are being successfully implemented in the territories liberated from occupation, etc.

Furthermore, extensive information was provided on the work done in the direction of ensuring the security of critical information infrastructures, improving the national legislative base in this area, developing the platform for the exchange of information on cyber threats, and expanding international cooperation. It was emphasized that Azerbaijan's position in the global cyber security index has significantly improved, and CISCO was thanked for the important PR.



During the discussion, CISCO representatives stated that the company they represent would continue to undertake new projects in Azerbaijan and that cooperation with Azerbaijan is especially important to them.

In the course of discussions, CISCO agreed to collaborate on digital acceleration in Azerbaijan, expand cyber security education programs, and share best practices.
Russia has withdrawn 25 to 40 percent of its strategic tank reserves from open storage (depending on the model). If the level of losses of its equipment in the war against Ukraine remains the same or increases, the country will face a shortage of equipment.

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This situation may remain for the next few years, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The analysts cite a report by researchers who analyzed satellite images from open sources.

According to Dara Massicot, a senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Moscow has likely withdrawn its best equipment from the strategic reserve. At the same time, the Russians still have "the worst" or "unrepaired" equipment in storage.

Massicot also estimated that "Russia's remaining stockpile of weapons will decline in the next few years" if its army maintains the current pace of operations on the Ukrainian front.

According to ISW, reported tank "production" figures in Russia in recent years largely reflect refurbished and modernized vehicles taken from depots rather than new production.

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"These estimates suggest that the Russian Armed Forces are mainly using vehicles from stockpiles to support their military efforts rather than new production to compensate for losses on the battlefield," the analysts said.

They believe that Russia may face a shortage of equipment over the next few years if the current level of its losses in Ukraine remains the same or accelerates and the current level of new equipment production in Russia remains unchanged.

Earlier, ISW estimated that Russia lost more than 3,000 tanks in the war against Ukraine (6,700 according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine), which is the same number as its entire pre-war arsenal. However, the Russian Federation has enough tanks in storage to last for another three years of fighting.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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
The name Einstein has long been synonymous with genius, but it goes back to a man and his equation, E = mc. In his lifetime, Albert Einstein was the worlds most famous man and most famous Jew and most famous refugee (the last two being connected, as he had to flee his native Germany when t Read moreGuest editorial: Ruth Gottesmans genius gift: The end of tuition at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
A onetime Mount Pleasant-based business owner who was among the first to be charged in the government's "Operation Brace Yourself" probe is to be sentenced this week. Read moreMajor SC Medicare fraud case shifts to the penalty phase after 5 years
Traditionally marked by fasting and prayer, Ramadan will look different for many this year. Thats because, for some Muslims in Charleston, the tragedies facing the people in Gaza will be on their minds, casting a somber shadow over the holy month.

This year is going to be solemn, said Ghazala Javed, a retired doctor and longtime member of the Central Mosque of Charleston.

This is the first Ramadan since the Israel-Hamas conflict started in October 2023. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since the first attack, AP News reported, with nearly one-quarter of Gazas population on the brink of famine.

With Ramadan coming, the Palestinians are going to have a great bit of hardship, and we will just direct our prayers as much as possible, Javed added.

Shahid Husain, who also attends the Central Mosque of Charleston and serves on the board of trustees, said its an emotional time for Muslims across the world. However, the war will not have an impact on the routines of Ramadan, he said. He will continue to fast, pray, reflect and be generous with what he has.

But the war in Gaza might alter the tone of Eid al-Fitr, the feast that celebrates the end of Ramadan, he said.

He compared it to the death of a family member or friend.

Im going to still do 30 days of fasting without any change, do all my prayers and everything," Husain said. "But when the time comes for celebration, I will not celebrate.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar that follows the lunar cycle. This year, the holy season starts March 11, depending on the sighting of the new moon. Ramadan commemorates the revelation of the Quran  the holy book of Islam  to the Prophet Muhammad.

The holy month involves more than fasting from dawn to sunset, Husain said. Its a time to correct behaviors and refrain from any actions that hurt others, he added. Its a month of spiritual rejuvenation that seeks to implement habits that will continue during the rest of the year.
Nathaniel Abraham Jr., publisher of Carolina Panorama in Columbia, has been elected president of the S.C. Press Association after a vote of the Press Associations membership. Read moreSC Press Assoc. announces new leader
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
It took more than a decade for voucher supporters to reveal the emptiness of their crocodile tears about poor kids trapped in failing public schools: The first limited voucher program they managed to pass in South Carolina, last spring, watered down the income requirements so that while poor kids initially get a preference, solidly middle-class parents could get their hands in taxpayers wallets as soon as this fall.

Its taken less than a year to demonstrate we couldnt trust their word about creating a pilot program to see how this whole voucher thing work outs.

Well, we should say we couldnt trust some supporters; the Senate hasnt weighed in on the bill thats knocking over lawmakers as it careens through the lower chamber in record time with House Speaker Murrell Smith, Education Chairwoman Sharon Erickson and Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver at the wheel.

If you care about transparency and accountability, H.5164 is your nightmare: Beyond the headline expansion  eliminating the meager income limits, the 15,000-student cap and the provision that barred vouchers for kids who were already attending private schools  the bill does away with a requirement that the Education Department audit random samples of scholarship accounts and private schools every year to make sure our tax money is being spent in ways allowed by law.

It also eliminates the requirement that private schools provide participating parents with their kids scores on standardized tests that might give them some vague comparison to public school students.

It eliminates the requirement that kids enrolled in online-only private schools show up in person at least once a semester so school officials can eyeball them and make sure theyre OK. And while it reduces the amount of oversight the Education Department is supposed to provide, it also raises the departments cut from 2% to 5%.
DANIEL ISLAND  When Nikki Haley suspended her presidential campaign, she kept her remarks short before she exited stage right and disappeared behind a set of blue velvet curtains.

But before she withdrew from public view to begin life as a private citizen, Haley made it abundantly clear she has no intention of staying silent.

I have no regrets, Haley said from the podium inside her campaign headquarters. And although I will no longer be a candidate, I will not stop using my voice for the things I believe in.

After a grueling 13-month quest for the White House, Haley is about to embark on what could be the most important inflection point of her political career as she weighs what role, if any, she wants to play in the Republican Party moving forward.

Imagine driving 90 miles per hour and then throwing the car into park. Its a sudden stop, said Republican strategist Matt Gorman, who was most recently a senior adviser to Tim Scotts presidential campaign. You cant underestimate how much of a human change there is when this happens, when a presidential race ends.

And the former South Carolina governor isnt just another 2024 also-ran.

She was the last person standing between Donald Trump and his grab for the GOP nomination. She was the candidate who exposed a chink in Trumps armor, namely his lingering vulnerabilities among more moderate voters, and revealing an enduring anti-Trump sentiment that could pose a problem come November.

When Haley exited the race on March 6, she issued a broad call for Republicans to rediscover what the party has previously stood for, like addressing the ballooning national debt, advocating for smaller federal government and standing by Americas allies.
The desert planet Arrakis, created by the imagination of science fiction writer Frank Herbert, where the Dune novels and films take place, could well exist in reality and have conditions for human habitation. The only exception is the giant sandworms, the sizes of which were exaggerated by the author.

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This conclusion was reached by experts interviewed by Science News. In particular, a climatologist from the University of Bristol in England Alexander Farnsworth and his team conducted a computer simulation of the climate on Arrakis, and vertebrate paleontologist from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville (USA) Patrick Lewis assessed the biological reality of the world.

Farnsworth and his team took as a basis the physical laws that determine the weather and climate on Earth. This makes sense as Herbert drew inspiration for Arrakis from "a kind of semi-science that studies dune systems on the Earth itself."

They then developed this world using data that can be found in Herbert's books as well as in the Dune Encyclopedia.

It is known that although the atmosphere of the fictional planet is similar to the Earth's, it has certain differences. Arrakis has less carbon dioxide in its atmosphere (about 350 parts per million versus 417 on Earth). Dune also has much more ozone in the lower atmosphere: 0.5% of the gases in the atmosphere compared to 0.000001% on Earth.

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It is the latter factor, according to scientists, that is crucial for understanding the planet. Since ozone is a powerful greenhouse gas, it is what makes Arrakis' atmosphere much warmer than Earth's.

At the same time, for people on Earth, this amount of ozone would be "incredibly toxic" and "almost fatal," so ozone purification technologies would have to be used.

At the same time, such an amount of ozone would protect the planet well from the harmful radiation of its star Canopus, which does exist in our sky (it is also known as Alpha Carinae), but there is no planet in reality.

The star Arrakis is much hotter than our Sun, and therefore the desert planet would have to be much further away from its luminary than the Earth.

As for the climate on the planet, the authors of the study did not find confirmation of Herbert's idea of the existence of ice polar caps that melted in summer. Their modeling showed that the temperature at the poles would reach 70C in summer, so there would be no caps there at all. In addition, the weather on Arrakis is too dry to replenish the ice caps in winter.

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Scientists also believe that the best place for people to live on the planet would not be in the middle latitudes and places near the poles, which would suffer from extreme summer heat and very cold winters with frosts down to -75C. Instead, the tropical latitudes of Arrakis would be a relatively more pleasant prospect, with maximum heat reaching 45C and 15C during the coldest periods.

However, the tropics on Arrakis would be famous for hurricane-force winds that would regularly cover the inhabitants with sand and create dunes up to 250 meters high.

As Farnsworth points out, this does not make Arrakis uninhabitable. However, people would have needed technology and a lot of outside support to deliver food and water.

As for the legendary giant worms, they probably just couldn't exist. According to the novel, their size reached up to 400 meters, which poses certain problems.

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For invertebrate worms, oxygen is a problem, Lewis explained. Worms often absorb oxygen through their skin. The larger the animal, the harder it is for it to get oxygen to its internal organs.

Thus, the worms from Arrakis would have to be vertebrates, like the Zygaspis from sub-Saharan Africa. However, real earthworms are about 20-30 centimeters long and up to 7 millimeters thick.

If there were 400-meter-long worms on Arrakis, they would have to be solid bone, or they would simply be crushed by the planet's gravity. There are huge whales on Earth, but they live in water, which solves the problem with gravity.

Lewis suggests that the giant worms of Dune could exist if they had skeletons made of an ultralight material that is unknown on Earth. This would allow them to solve the problem with gravity. However, there would still be the problem of extremely strong muscles that would allow such a giant creature to move. And even the presence of such muscles creates a new problem: they would emit a lot of heat energy, which would definitely be a disaster for a creature living on a hot planet.

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Subscribe to OBOZ.UA on Telegram and Viber channels to keep up with the latest developments.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace has received the biggest Republican re-election endorsement of all  former President Donald Trump.

Trump issued a message on his social media platform March 9 backing Maces re-election as she faces a GOP primary challenge from former state agency leader Catherine Templeton.

Congresswoman Nancy Mace has my Complete and Total Endorsement! Trump said in his trademark messaging when he announces his backing of a candidate.

He pointed to her support for the Second Amendment, border security, upholding the rule of law and stopping what he listed as political weaponization.

Mace, R-Isle of Palms, who this year is seeking her third term in Washington, issued a statement welcoming the former presidents coveted endorsement.

Our district supported him in 2016 and 2020, and will do so again this November, she said. Were honored to have his support and look forward to returning to Congress to work with him to fix our nations many problems.

Templeton, an attorney from Mount Pleasant, did not immediately respond to a phone message March 9.

The Trump-for-Mace pickup is consider a major coup in a contest where both Templeton and Mace were battling to be seen as the Trump candidate in the contest. Both endorsed Trump for president in 2024, and both attended Trumps rally in North Charleston on Valentines Day.

One potentially disrupting factor in the announcement is that it was former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley  not Trump  who won the vote in Maces 1st Congressional District during last months GOP presidential primary, giving Haley three convention delegates, her brightest in-state spot that day.

The coastal seat is considered the most moderate of South Carolinas six Republican-held congressional districts, covering a geographic area that stretches from greater Charleston to Hilton Head Island.

Maces message reiterated that Trump is the better choice over President Joe Biden.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-10 19:36:13

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 10, 2024 / Hagens Berman urges Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.Class Period: Apr. 30, 2019 - Dec. 21, 2023 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Mar. 15, 2024 Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/cmiContact An Attorney Now: CMI@ hbsslaw.com844-916-0895 Cummins Inc. (CMI) Securities Fraud Class Action:In a report to clients, analysts at UBS recently commented on Cummins' agreement to pay a $1.675 billion fine for installing devices on hundreds of thousands of engines to allow them to emit excess pollution, the largest-ever civil penalty for a Clean Air Act violation.UBS remarked that "the settlement is bigger than we were expecting," noting that it "equates to ~5.8% of [Cummins'] current market cap." UBS emphasized the "cash drag" the settlement presents, stating that "payment /charge are not tax deductible and there is no insurance to reduce the amount CMI has to pay out," and that "CMI might do some short term borrowing to finance a part of it." In addition to negative analyst sentiment, Cummins also faces a recently filed securities fraud class action stemming from the EPA/Carb settlement.The complaint there alleges Cummins misrepresented and concealed that: (1) contrary to its post-April 2019 assurances about its commitment to compliance, Cummins continued to produce engines utilizing undisclosed engine control software features from 2019 to 2023; and (2) accordingly, the company understated its legal and regulatory risks."We are investigating whether Cummins intentionally made false statements concerning its public health and regulatory compliance," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm's investigation. "We are also investigating when the directors knew of the continued non-compliance." If you invested in Cummins and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses now If you'd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Cummins investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Cummins 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 CMI@ 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.Contact:Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895Attorney advertising.Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-10 16:15:21

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WEST PALM BEACH , FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 10, 2024 / In the streets of South Florida Professional Locksmith has long been known for its dependable security solutions. Being the locksmith service, in the area they have earned a reputation for their exceptional skills and unwavering dedication to customer happiness. Now Professional Locksmith is ready to expand its presence as it enters the thriving market of West Palm Beach, Florida.By expanding into West Palm Beach, Professional Locksmith aims to meet the increasing demand for high quality locksmith services in West Palm Beach . With West Palm Beach being recognized for its business environment and diverse population this move provides an opportunity for Professional Locksmith to demonstrate its broad range of services catering to both residential and commercial needs.Change is a constant in the world of security and locksmith services. As Professional Locksmith go into West Palm Beach residents and businesses can anticipate nothing but service in all their locksmith requirements. Whether it involves securing homes with cutting edge lock systems or offering security solutions for businesses, Professional Locksmith is prepared to provide service with professionalism at its core.One of the standout services that Professional Locksmith offers in West Palm Beach is their expertise in changes.In a paced setting where security issues can arise unexpectedly, having trustworthy locksmiths available is crucial. Professional Locksmith excels in providing effective lock replacement services to address both upgrades and urgent situations ensuring the safety and peace of mind of their clients.The presence of Professional Locksmith in West Palm Beach offers added convenience to both residents and businesses. With their arrival individuals no longer need to search for locksmith services as assistance is just a phone call away. Whether in areas or busy commercial zones the skilled locksmiths at Professional Locksmith are prepared to tackle any lock related challenges with skill and expertise.In a diverse city like West Palm Beach the demand for locksmith services remains high. Homeowners seeking to enhance property security and businesses aiming to protect their assets continually seek locksmith solutions. This is where Professional Locksmith steps up by providing a range of services tailored specifically for the needs of the West Palm Beach community.The term "locksmith" holds importance in West Palm Beach underscoring the role these professionals play in upholding safety and security for residents and businesses in the city.With the arrival of Professional Locksmith, the bar for top notch locksmith services has been raised higher. Homeowners can now feel at ease knowing that their homes are secured with high quality locks while businesses can operate confidently knowing that their valuable assets are well protected.As Professional Locksmith establishes itself in West Palm Beach, the phrase change lock in West Palm Beach takes on a significance. It represents not a change in locks but also a shift in how security is perceived and implemented. Each lock replacement carried out by Professional Locksmith instills a sense of comfort and peace of mind in the residents of West Palm Beach assuring them that their safety is being taken care of by hands.In summary Professional Locksmith expansion into West Palm Beach marks a milestone in them journey towards providing top ssecurity solutions. With its expertise focused on customer satisfaction and dedication to professionalism, Professional Locksmith is poised to become a trusted ally in safeguarding the homes and businesses of West Palm Beach one lock replacement, at a time for locksmith in West Palm Beach.About Professional LocksmithProfessional Locksmith has been a leader in the locksmith industry, serving the needs of clients in South Florida for more than 30 years with excellence and integrity. With a focus on customer satisfaction and a commitment to staying ahead of industry trends, the company has earned a reputation for reliability and professionalism and fair pricing .Website: https://www.us-locksmith.com/ Email: info@ us-locksmith.com Company name: Professional LocksmithSOURCE: Professional Locksmith
An obituary poster of a Nigerian man identified as James Okuwe Uwoezi is trending on social media. Its title Fear Woman: The Adulterous Wife, has stirred up several reactions.

Nigerians are buzzing with curiosity over the obituary announcement, especially the damning accusation against the late Mr Uwoezis wife, whose name was not mentioned, blaming her alleged infidelity for his demise on 3 March.

The obituary poster, featuring a photo of the accused wife, is also causing a stir in Delta State.

It is reported that infidelity by a married woman is considered a taboo and sacrilege in the Okuwe, Okpara Community, and Ikibo of Uzih Community, Irri Kingdom, Isoko South, Delta State.

Mr Uwoezi, an engineering graduate from Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Edo State, was a father of four: three sons and a daughter.

According to several social media comments, it was reported that in the local customs, if a married woman is unfaithful and no traditional cleansing rituals are performed, it is believed that the husband will meet his untimely end.

However, this newspaper has yet to verify these claims, but speculations suggest that the husband discovered his wifes infidelity but failed to undergo the traditional cleansing process.

A Facebook user, Osem Stanley, shared a narrative on a comment claiming that the husband caught his wife in the act but chose to inform his pastor instead of seeking traditional cleansing. The pastor advised forgiveness, but tragedy struck when the man took back his wife, leading to a strange ailment that eventually claimed his life.

The obituary

The obituary announcement sadly declares the untimely departure of Mr Uwoezi, attributing his death to his wifes infidelity.

The announcement states that he is survived by an unfaithful wife, children, and numerous relatives, among others.

Strong-willed relatives are said to have taken matters into their own hands to prove a point, as the obituary notice, signed by Kelvin Iribo and Double Chief Atanoma Odhowho, reads: Fear Woman: The Adulterous Wife.

The poster accused Mr Uwoezis wife of infidelity, and it claimed that her adulterous lifestyle led to his death on 3 March, at age 41.

The obituary reads:

Gone too soon. With pains in our hearts but total submission to the will of God. We, the families of OKUWE of Okpara Community & IKIBO of Uzih Community, both of Irri Kingdom, Isako South LGA Delta State, regret to announce the painful exit of our beloved Son, Husband, Brother, Cousin & Uncle.

Late Mr James Okuwe Uwoezi, whose death occurred on the 3rd of March 2024 as a result of infidelity from his wife. He is survived by an adulterous wife, children and numerous relatives.

Though he died on 3rd March, he will be buried on 12 March, according to the information on the burial poster.

Corpse leaves Elo & Favour Clinic Mortuary along Avaira Road, Irri for his family compound, Odhuogho Street, Okpara Community, Irri Lying in state/Interment at his compound, Chapel of Gods Grace Street, off Aviara Road, Irri, Delta State, the obituary read.

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Veteran actor Pete Edochie has once again shared his thoughts on marriage and the role of both sexes in sustaining it.

The legendary actor has been married to Josephine Edochie for 54 years, and they have five sons, with the most prominent being the controversial actor Yul.

The actor, usually outspoken about his thoughts on relationships and marriage during International Womens Day (IWD), took a different approach.

In a video on his Instagram page on Friday, the actor said a man can only be qualified to be one if he abides by specific rules.

If a woman provokes you and you strike her, you dont qualify to be called a man. No, but if you can cope with a woman, you can rule a local government and a country.

My 77-year birthday coincides with International Womens Day, so I want to seize this opportunity to congratulate our women. A house is a house but converted to a home only when a woman gets into it. Congratulations to our women; keep it up and make us proud, he said.

The actor, conferred with National honour by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003, also spoke about the source of a womans power, saying, The strength of a woman lies in her tongue.

A different approach

It is the first time the Lionheart star will make a case for women on his social media handles.

PREMIUM TIMES reported in 2021 that the actor attributed the prevalence of domestic violence in marriage to feminism.

He stated that feminism is foreign to African culture and black communities in general, maintaining that unlike in white culture, black communities do not worship women.

The award-winning actor stressed that when a woman marries and adopts her husbands surname, she is expected to be submissive to him.

This newspaper reported the same year that the veteran actor claimed women speak to men as they please because of their (mens) weakness.

The Anambra-born actor noted that married women are no longer submissive to their husbands.

He reminisced about a time when women were more affectionate and respectful towards their husbands, contrasting it with the present.

Furthermore, the respected movie star stirred debate in 2020 when he criticised the tradition of Nigerian men proposing to women on their knees.

In one of his most famous interviews, the septuagenarian spoke about how he has sustained his union of over five decades.

My wife is a lawyer. I have lived with this woman for the past 53 years, and nobody has ever come in here to say, Pete, please stop beating her; you will kill her. No. I never saw my father beat my mother, so I cannot say I learned from my father how to beat Mama, he said.

Considered one of Africas most talented actors, he came into prominence in the 1980s when he played the lead role of Okonkwo in an NTA adaptation of Chinua Achebes all-time bestselling novel, Things Fall Apart.

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Slovak President Zuzana Chaputova criticized Prime Minister Robert Fico for his contacts with the terrorist country Russia. The head of state also emphasized that the prime minister is trying to weaken the rule of law.

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In addition, Chaputova compared Fico to another "friend" of Russia, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. She said this in an interview with the Financial Times.

According to her, the Slovak prime minister is testing the limits of democracy with his judicial reform and attacks on the Constitutional Court. Chaputova also emphasized that Fico draws inspiration from his Hungarian counterpart Orban.

"Slovakia is often compared to Hungary today. It seems obvious that Fico's government draws some inspiration from Hungary," Chaputova said.

It is worth noting that Chaputova's criticism of Fico is related to changes to the Criminal Code and the liquidation of the special prosecutor's office that investigates serious crimes and corruption. The president even had to appeal to the Constitutional Court to suspend some of the changes in legislation.

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In turn, Fico said that the next president of Slovakia should dismiss one of the judges of the Constitutional Court for being responsible for leaking information to the media. In response, Chaputova called such intimidation "completely unacceptable and irresponsible."

As a reminder, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in his speech on the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine once again repeated the Kremlin's narrative. He said that Russia's war against Ukraine in 2014 began with "rampant Ukrainian neo-Nazis."

Earlier it was reported that former US President Donald Trump received Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at his residence in Florida. During the meeting, Trump called Orban a "boss" and a "fantastic leader," while mocking criticism of his illiberal tendencies.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
On Thursday, terrorists abducted over 200 students from a school in Kuriga, a town in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and marched them into the forest unchallenged. This event brought to the limelight and possibly a climax the tragic episodes of years-long reign of terror in the community.

At the time the bandits arrived, the community was still healing from the mindless killing of Idris Sufyan, the principal of Government Secondary School, Kuriga. The terrorists who shot him in January, in his house, also whisked away his wife and their baby; although the two were later rescued in a joint military operation on 3 February.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that worsening terror activities forced stakeholders to move the secondary school from its remote site about three years ago and merged it with the primary school situated in the heart of the town.

From classrooms to the forest

Numbering about 300, students from both the primary and secondary sections had just marched into their classrooms after their morning assembly at LEA Primary School, Kuriga 1, when the terrorists arrived on motorcycles and herded them, including the principal of the junior secondary school section, Abubakar Isah, into the bush, residents told PREMIUM TIMES.

Some of them luckily found ways to escape from the procession, but 287 were taken away by the terrorists.

Sani Abdullahi, a teacher in the school, was one of those who escaped the abduction. He estimated that 100 students were abducted from the primary school while 187 were abducted from the secondary school.

Mr Abdullahi spoke to journalists when the state governor, Uba Sani, visited the community.

He said the terrorists, after rounding them up, instructed that everyone march into the forest.

So we obeyed them because there were many and the pupils who were about 700 were following us, Mr Abdullahi told journalists who were in the governors delegation. So when we entered the bush, I was lucky to escape alongside many other people.

Local vigilantes and personnel of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS) responded to the incident, but their efforts were easily nullified by the well-armed terrorists, according to Mr Abdullahi who disclosed that one of the vigilantes lost his life in the process.

Thirteen-year-old Aminu Abdullahi narrated to Reuters how he and his mates escaped from the armed men clad in military uniform.

They came on motorcycles carrying guns, with some of them wearing military uniforms standing and shouting All of you should stop while shooting in the air, Aminu said, adding that he managed to outrun his pursuer and returned home.

Eight-year-old Ali was not lucky to escape. His father, Sani Muazu, narrated how the boy and others were marched into the forest, barefoot, hungry and dehydrated.

Mr Muazu said his son, however, managed to escape when the terrorists ordered them to pass the night in the forest.

Meanwhile, the governor has vowed to rescue all the victims, noting that a manhunt of the terrorists was ongoing

There have been reports, however, that the government has engaged a negotiator to interface with the terrorists, a claim the government later denied.

A day before the abduction

Residents of the town described the incursion as the most brazen one since the terrorists started inflicting terror on Kuriga in 2016.

They had never attacked us in daytime, a member of the local vigilante group in the town told PREMIUM TIMES.

Another resident who joins the local vigilantes to protect the town explained why it had been recently difficult for terrorists to inflict terror on the town.

For nearly two years, men including young boys havent been sleeping in the night in Kuriga, he revealed asking not to be named for safety reasons. We do patrols with our locally made guns and rechargeable torchlights till dawn.

If we observe their (terrorists) movement, everyone picks his firearms and standstill to protect the town, he continued, noting the resistance helped them thwart many planned invasions.

A day before Thursdays abduction, the terrorists had rounded up some of our people in the outskirts of the town and bullied them, he told PREMIUM TIMES.

They later released them and told them they were not after the locals, but military personnel along Kuriga-Udawa axis.

He continued: But we still came out in massive number that night until the next dawn when many of us returned home to take a nap.

Unfortunately, they staged the attack while many of us were sleeping. Some of us picked our firearms but no one could shoot because of our children that were with them.

Kuriga: A troubled refugee town without military presence

Residents who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES blamed Thursdays abduction on two things  shut down of telecommunication services and absence of military operatives.

In 2021, the Kaduna State Government shut mobile communication in some parts of the state as an effort to disconnect terrorists and their informants, and to also frustrate ransom payment. But that did not yield a result as violence continued unabated.

According to the residents, unavailability of mobile networks to send instant signals to military formations in Udawa, a garrison town 10 kilometers from Kuriga, contributed to Thursdays successful raid by the terrorists.

Although there is a heavy security presence in Udawa, terrorists still operate on the fringes of the town. Last Friday, they abducted four locals, including a bride-to-be in a remote area of Udawa.

It took the soldiers two hours to arrive at the scene after the abduction, a resident of Kuriga who pleaded anonymity for fear of being targeted by security agents told PREMIUM TIMES. Had they arrived on time, the terrorists would have fled, leaving the students behind. But they operated and left the community almost unchallenged.

Kuriga and some 30 neighbouring villages had witnessed violent attacks from terrorists infiltrating the axis from Zamfara and Niger states, Gwadabe Aminu, an indigene of the community who resides in Kaduna metropolis, told PREMIUM TIMES.

He explained that Kuriga hosts many displaced persons from Sarari, Manini, Rafin Mazuga, Janmaye and other mining communities where terrorists had wreaked havoc.

Apart from the wanton attacks on its surrounding villages, Kuriga has suffered a series of terror attacks and abductions since 2018 with at least three deaths and 29 abductions, according to data obtained from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).

The town and the other remote communities (now ransacked) have paid more than N150 million as levies to the terrorists, a resident of Kuriga who does not want his identity revealed for security reasons told PREMIUM TIMES.

In 2018, we had to sell our old transformer and water pumping machine [provided by government] to raise N15 million for the terrorists, he revealed, adding that farming activities have also been threatened after many farmers were forced to pay protection and access levies.

Kuriga borders the terror-ravaged Birnin Gwari highway. Although it hosts hundreds of refugees, Kuriga has no military formation, the resident lamented, revealing that a police post that could have scared the terrorist away was moved to Buruku, which is almost 20 kilometres from the town.

Governor Uba Sani, who stressed the need for state policing, disclosed that a police post and military base would be sited in Kuriga for efficient response to terror threats.

However, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, could not immediately respond to our enquiry about why the police post earlier stationed in Kuriga was moved elsewhere.

Who is responsible for the abduction?

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but PREMIUM TIMES understands that some parts of Kaduna, especially Birnin Gwari and adjoining communities, are being controlled by Ansaru, a Boko Haram breakaway faction which owes allegiance to Al Qaeda transnational terror group.

Kuriga also shares boundaries with Kurebe and Allawa in Niger State where rival groups of Boko Haram and Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) hold sway in the ungoverned territory. It also shares boundaries with Zamfara and other banditry-ravaged northwestern states.

Boko Haram had set the mantra for school abduction in 2014 when it seized more than 200 girls from Chibok Secondary School. Four year later, they also kidnapped scores of girls, including Leah Sharibu, from Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC) in Dapchi, Yobe State

Subsequently, criminal bandits mastered the abduction game and have practiced in Katsina [Kankara boys], Niger State [Tegina students], Kaduna [College of Forestry and Nigerian Defence Academy] and Kebbi State [Birnin Yauri girls] among others.

Ansaru and ISWAP mainly target military formations, but locals who look up to them for protection sometimes endure their wrath. There has been no cases of school abduction attributed to both groups.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the latest abduction could not be immediately connected to the killing of a wanted bandit, Isyaku Boderi, who was killed three weeks ago by security forces.

Mr Boderi allegedly led the 11 March, 2021 abduction of 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, and the 24 August 2021 deadly attack on a campus of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), both in Afaka, Igabi LGA of Kaduna State.

He was killed with some of his lieutenants in the Bada/Riyawa general area of Chikun and Igabi local government areas.

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The federal government has placed a ban on leave of absence for health professionals relocating abroad.

The Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa, who disclosed this on Saturday in Abeokuta said that health workers going abroad to seek greener pastures must henceforth resign their appointment before embarking on such journeys.

The minister who spoke during his visit to the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, said the directive was contained in an Executive Order issued by President Bola Tinubu.

He said the decision was taken to combat the challenge of brain drain fondly called Japa Syndrome confronting the health sector.

The minister also disclosed that the federal government had commenced aggressive recruitment of workers in the health sector.

According to him, the annual enrollment of nurses which used to be about 28,000 had been increased to 68,000 adding that by the end of the year, it would have gone up to 120,000.

He said President Tinubu acknowledged the people as the countrys biggest asset and vowed to take proactive measures to improve the health sector for their benefit.

On manpower shortage in the health sector, Mr Alausa said the president had ordered massive recruitment of personnel to bridge the gap.

In addition to the massive engagement of nurses, we have equally doubled our enrollment for doctors, dentists and pharmacists.

However, the government has not prohibited anyone who wants to move to the UK or Australia to take up appointments not to do so.

It is a free world. But, you cannot eat your cake and have it. If you are going, just resign your appointments with the federal government, rather than applying for leave of absence.

That is the Presidential Executive Order which has been communicated to all the Chief Medical Directors of Federal Government owned health facilities to implement, he said.

The minister explained that the challenge had been that many health professionals who applied for leave of absence would travel outside the country to practice and make money, yet their names would still be on the payroll of the government.

So, to resolve this problem, the president has directed that any health worker going abroad to work should just resign his or her appointment.

This way, you wont be blocking others who want to work, he said

Responding to demands on increased funding, infrastructural development and welfare packages for health workers, Mr Alausa assured that his ministry would leave no stone unturned to improve the fortunes of the health sector in the country.

The minister commended the Provost and Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Paul Agboola, for his commitment towards providing qualitative healthcare for Nigerians.

Earlier, Mr Agboola hailed the minister for his selflessness and passion to turn things around for good in the health sector.

He said that, as a result of the approval given by the minister, the hospital had embarked on many new projects, including a 40-bed mother-and-child hospital.

Mr Agboola said that his administration remained committed to doing everything necessary and possible to continually make the hospital the centre of excellence in neuro-psychiatry across the globe.

(NAN)

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Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State says his administration has provided all the financial support required to make Sir Ahmad Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, suitable for the 2024 Hajj operation.

Mr Idris made this known while receiving the National Chairman of the National Hajji Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Jalal Ahmad-Arabi, in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.

He said, I paid all what is required to standardise the airport suitable for 2024 Hajj exercise because I want our intending pilgrims to depart from Kebbi.

That is why I ordered for the establishment of Aviation Fuel Depot, to enable aircraft refuel here for convenience.

Mr Idris also appreciated the operational efficiency of Flynas Airline, which evacuated all pilgrims from the state directly to Madina, in Saudi Arabia during the 2023 Hajj exercise.

On the issue of Hajj fares, the governor said that all the fares paid by the intending pilgrims from the state were immediately transferred to the NAHCON account without delay.

We have no reason to put such fares into a deposit account to generate interest.

The money is not governments money, it belongs to the people, these people are either farmers, herders or traders, who have toiled over the years to gather the fares to enable them to discharge their religious obligation, he said.

Mr Idris described the appointment of Mr Ahmad-Arabi by President Ahmed Tinubu as meritorious based on his track records in the Federal Civil Service.

I will give you every possible assistance to succeed in your endeavour of managing the prominent organ of government, NAHCON, he assured.

He expressed satisfaction over the performance of the Chairman of Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Faruk Musa-Yaro, since his appointment to that position.

I expanded the board membership of the agency to an unprecedented level since the creation of the state, to pave way for the agency to perform its operations diligently, the governor said.

Earlier, Mr Ahmad-Arabi thanked the state government for facilitating the activities of the commission to be the leading state in the federation to discharge its obligation towards the success of the 2024 Hajj.

I am here in Kebbi, to thank you and to inspect facilities at Sir Ahmad Bello International Airport and Hajj camp, preparatory to the commencement of the 2024 Hajj exercise.

Let me congratulate you in advance that the Sir Ahmad Bello International Airport will be used for 2024 Hajj operations.

Mr governor, I am also here to commend your state chairman, pilgrims agency, Musa-Yaro, for performing excellently. I want to inform you that he has now become my closest confident on Hajj exercise, he noted.

In his remarks, Mr Musa-Yero commended the governor for approving all requests, including running costs of the agency, adding that the benevolence of the governor had made the agency the best in the country.

The chairman informed the governor that the NAHCON national chairman had been extending all necessary support and encouragement towards ensuring a smooth and hitch-free Hajj exercise.

(NAN)

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A non-governmental organisation has donated educational materials to a school for the visually impaired in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.

El Echad Foundation, which works to uplift the lives of people with disabilities and victims of societal and economic inequalities, said the donation is part of a series of projects to support the education of children with disabilities in Abuja.

The foundation donated essential educational materials including typewriters, slate styluses, braille papers, talking calculators, and white canes, designed to cater to the unique needs of visually impaired learners in the FCT School for the Blind Children.

This gesture is part of a broader initiative to ensure that education is accessible and equitable for these children, Otuto Chukwu, the co-founder of El Echad Foundation said in a statement Saturday.

It is also aimed at enhancing the learning environment for these children, enabling them to grow, thrive, and eventually contribute to society as economically independent individuals.

The foundation partnered with Massey College in Canada and The Rotary Club of Toronto Bay-Bloor for this initiative.

With these projects, the foundation hopes to foster a more inclusive and supportive society for individuals with disabilities.

Speaking on the initiative, Favour Ugwumba, the executive director of El Echad Foundation, said, Were not just providing resources, we are nurturing dreams and building a foundation for a more inclusive and meaningful future.

On her part, Alison MacKenzie, the registrar of Massey College said: Massey College is proud to support El Echad Foundation. Their dedication to providing resources and support to children with disability not only exemplifies our shared values but also showcases the profound impact of community collaboration in fostering educational opportunities for all.,

The group also provided the school with a variety of musical instruments, including pianos, flutes, acoustic guitars, and violins.

This contribution underscores the foundations belief in the transformative power of music to change lives, inspire hope, and foster a sense of community among children who face daily challenges due to their disabilities, the group said.

It also supplied the school with necessary food items, showcasing their understanding that proper nutrition is fundamental to learning.

This holistic approach to support reflects El Echads recognition that addressing basic needs is a prerequisite for effective education and personal development, the group said.

Mr Chukwu, the foundations co-founder, noted that our work goes beyond advocacy; its about tangible support and being part of a larger community that uplifts each other by offering these bright young minds the tools they need to thrive and express themselves fully.

Our focus is on community involvement and the importance of providing equal opportunities for all children to learn, grow, and thrive in todays world, he said.

The foundation concluded that they are taking steps towards integrating the vulnerable into the fabric of society as valued, contributing members.

The foundations work transcends advocacy, positioning it as a vital part of the support system for these children, providing them with the resources they need to succeed while advocating for more robust governmental support.

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Police Command in Bauchi State has warned miscreants against undermining public peace while celebrating moon sighting which marks the beginning of Ramadan in the state

Ahmed Wakil, spokesperson of the command, gave the warning in a statement on Sunday in Bauchi.

He said the attention of the command had been drawn to a purported plan by some reckless miscreants to leverage the moon-sighting celebration to undermine public peace in the state.

The command recognises the norm of celebrating the sighting of the new moon, which marks the Ramadan Fasting period for the Muslim faithful.

Parents and guardians are implored to exercise control in guiding their children and wards from deliberate acts capable of breaching public order in the state, he said.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Auwal Mohammed, sternly warned the criminally minded, who were hatching plans to disturb public peace and safety to desist from it.

He added that the command would not tolerate such reckless acts and would come hard on the perpetrators.

The CP equally directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Team Commanders/Operational Departments of the Command to put in place security measures to arrest any person, who attempts to disrupt law and order in the state.

Furthermore, the CP implores the good people of Bauchi State to continue supporting the police in the fight against crime and lawlessness, he said.

The spokesperson urged the law-abiding citizens of the state to go about their lawful businesses without any fear of intimidation, urging them to report any suspicious movement to the nearest police station.

(NAN)

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The Police Command in Anambra has confirmed the collapse of a five-storey building under construction at Basden Street in Fegge, the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra.

The command Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday, said details of the collapsed building were still sketchy.

He said, Operatives are currently there now, though the details are still sketchy, as soon as I get the full details I will get back to you.

A witness, who pleaded anonymity, said the building was meant to serve as commercial purposes on completion.

The source said the building collapsed in the early hours of Sunday while some of the construction workers were on the last floor.

The building started from the fifth floor to collapse. The building is at the finishing touches and the fifth floor was almost finished when it collapsed and other floors followed suit.

There are about two workers in the building that are trapped and those injured have been rushed to undisclosed hospitals, the source said.

Chinyere Nwoyethe, the public relations officer of Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, said they were yet to be informed about the collapsed building.

NAN reports that the incident happened barely two weeks after a building collapsed killing five persons in Ochanja Market, Onitsha. (NAN)

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State have disagreed on the motives for power struggle among politicians in Nigeria.

Governor Fubara has been involved in a power tussle with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, resulting in a crisis that split the state assembly into two factions  one loyal to Mr Wike, who is now the minister of FCT and the other loyal to Mr Fubara.

In his remark on Saturday at the funeral service of Herbert Wigwe, the late group chief executive officer of Access Holdings, Mr Fubara queried the motives behind political struggles and rivalries, which according to him, sometimes result in death.

Mr Fubara was addressing the congregants which included serving and former governors, financial and business leaders. The church service was streamed live on Facebook.

This one has to do with our political class. What is all this struggle all about? You want to kill, you want to bury. What is it all about? Governor Fubara queried, in a remark that was intermittently disrupted by applause.

Referring to the late banker, the governor said, Heres a man, hes not a politician. He made his money through us  our investment. He has the world in his palm financially. He controlled even the political classes.

But today, with all the powers financially, he couldnt control life.

Shortly after Governor Fubaras remark, Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, walked up to the podium to make his remark.

Mr Akpabio once served as a commissioner before he became a governor in 2007.

In his remark, Mr Akpabio, apparently defending Mr Wike, recalled how he wanted to become the deputy governor of Akwa Ibom in 2006, but was dissuaded by then incumbent deputy governor, who told him the office has no financial benefits.

Mr Akpabio was responding to a question raised by Governor Fubara on the motives behind the power struggle by politicians.

Mr Akpabio said to Governor Fubara, I will answer you. We are not talking politics. In 2006, I wanted to become the deputy governor and the then-deputy governor invited me and said this office has no money, there is nothing in it. I dont know why you still insist on removing me from here and taking over, Mr Akpabio recalled.

So, a woman who went with me said Your Excellency, dont wait for impeachment, just resign since there is nothing in it (the office).

He (the deputy governor) stood up and started punching the woman. I said Your Excellency, dont punch the woman, she is telling the truth, there is nothing in it. Thats why I want it because you are too big for it.

Your Excellency, Governor Fubara, if there is nothing in the struggle, dont struggle.

Mr Wigwe, his wife, Chizoba and his son, Chizi died in a helicopter crash in the United States on 9 February.

Their remains were interred on Saturday at their country home, Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

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The Senate on Saturday disagreed with its members from the northern part of the country that the 2024 budget was padded.

The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, said this in a statement.

Mr Adaramodu was reacting to an allegation by the senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, that the budget passed by the Senate in December was padded with N3 trillion.

Mr Ningi, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), told BBC Hausa that the lawmakers sought the service of a private auditor and discovered irregularities in the budget.

For example, we had a budget of N28 trillion but after our thorough checks, we found out that it was a budget of N25 trillion. How and where did we get the additional N3 trillion from, what are we spending it for? Mr Ningi said.

PREMIUM TIMES also exclusively reported that the northern senators under the aegis of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) confronted the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and accused him of inserting projects worth N4 trillion in the budget.

Reacting to the comment, Mr Adaramodu said the upper chamber is not aware of the budget padding allegation.

Mr Adaramodu explained that the budget is a public document, which states the expected revenue and the expenditure of the country.

There is no budget padding as far as the Senate and the National Assembly are concerned.

He said, The national budget is a public document, which expressly states the expected revenue and the expenditure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Senate, under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, is not aware of any varied execution of the 2024 appropriation mandate, as approved.

The budget presentation and approval processes were made in the public glare, while the presidential assent was also in a public ceremony. Any infractions would have been brought before the Senate, if any.

The general public should be at rest that there is no budget padding anywhere and we are confident that the 2024 appropriation law shall be strictly executed, under strict legislative oversight.

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says it is facing numerous challenges in addressing epidemic-prone diseases in the country.

The Director General, Jide Idris, highlighted inadequate funding and substandard healthcare infrastructure as part of the challenges at the state level during a news conference on Saturday in Abuja.

The NCDC boss said that the challenges led to difficulties in treatment, delayed reporting of cases, limited public awareness, and outbreaks in areas with compromised security.

To tackle the obstacles, he advocated increased investment in public health initiatives, focusing on strengthening partnerships, collaborating closely with security agencies, and implementing innovative strategies for disease prevention and control.

Additionally, he said that the agency was actively preparing for future outbreaks by enhancing preparedness efforts, including the development of risk profiles and state-specific hazard profiles.

Others, he said, were training sessions for healthcare workers, strategic positioning of medical supplies, and enhancing laboratory capabilities to improve outbreak response.

Despite these efforts, he said there was a need to ramp up health promotion and risk communication initiatives to empower individuals to take control of their health.

He said that the agency responded swiftly to recent outbreaks of diseases such as meningitis, measles, Lassa fever, cholera, and diphtheria across different states, dispatching rapid response teams and essential materials to affected areas.

He extended condolences to families and friends who lost loved ones to those outbreaks and commended the efforts of state governments and stakeholders in containing them.

Recent reports of mysterious illnesses leading to fatalities among young individuals in Nafada LGA, Gombe State, and schools in Yobe State, had been confirmed as meningitis outbreaks.

He highlighted proactive responses by the Gombe and Yobe ministries of health and emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts among government agencies, international partners and NGOs to strengthen response efforts.

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic (excessive bleeding) illness that is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents or contaminated persons.

Its symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, and in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth and other body openings.

Meningitis is a serious disease that can lead to inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

In Nigeria, outbreaks of meningitis occur frequently, especially during the dry season when dust and dry winds can trigger the spread of the disease.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal illness caused by infection of the intestine with vibrio cholerae bacteria.

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheria. It primarily affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose.

The bacteria release toxins that can lead to the formation of a thick grey or white coating in the throat, making breathing difficult. In severe cases, diphtheria can damage the heart, nervous system and other organs.

Immunisation through the diphtheria vaccine is a key preventive measure, and it is often administered as a part of routine childhood vaccinations.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection characterised by fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive rash. It spreads through respiratory droplets and is most common in children.

Complications of measles can be severe and may include pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and death, particularly in young children and individuals with weakened immune systems.

(NAN)

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An elaborate campaign aimed at whitewashing the image of Kayode Kolade, a high-ranking customs official indicted for corruption, is afoot.

Mr Kolade is one of the seven Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) officials detained but later released for allegedly accepting N12 billion bribes from smugglers.

PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported that Mr Kolade, the comptroller of Federal Operations Unit Zone C Port Harcourt, had N9.5 billion proceeds of bribes from smugglers traced to him by the EFCC.

He was said to have received the sum between 2015 and 2023 personally and through proxies.

The EFCC detained him for three days in December where he spent Christmas Day. He has refunded N50 million to the anti-graft agency and committed to refunding N800 million within a short period.

Curiously and to the dismay of Nigerians who reacted to the initial story we published, the EFCC has not prosecuted Mr Kolade and the six other indicted officers. The leadership of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has also allowed them back to their respective duty posts without reprimand.

Both the EFCC and the NCS have refused to respond to PREMIUM TIMES enquiries on the matter.

PREMIUM TIMES, however, understands that the story struck a nerve within the highest hierarchy of the customs.

But while Nigerians await punitive actions against the indicted officers, this newspaper gathered that top customs officials have now engaged in a futile attempt to investigate how this newspaper got wind of the matter.

Whitewashing Mr Kolade

Meanwhile, this newspaper has observed a flood of articles aimed at whitewashing Mr Kolade, who gathered about 80 per cent of the total proceeds of bribes uncovered by the EFCC.

For days in the past week, articles aimed at whitewashing Mr Kolade flooded the media space. Several media platforms both digital and traditional platforms  published an article praising Mr Kolades achievement as the Comptroller, FOU Zone C.

While some of these platforms published the article as an opinion piece, others published it as a news story and credited the statement to the indicted Mr Kolade.

The DailyPost and Leadership newspaper, for instance, culled parts of the article and published it as a news story.

The DailyPost published FOU Zone C Customs Command secured N5.3bn seizures in 2023, and quoted Mr Kolade as saying the command under him seized items including pangolin scales, foreign parboiled rice, cannabis sativa (Indian hemp), fake pharmaceutical products, tramadol, used vehicles, used tyres, used clothing and explosive raw materials, among others.

Leadership newspaper, meanwhile, reported that smugglers are losing a huge amount of money since Mr Kolades appointment as Comptroller of the zone.

LEADERSHIP reports that since the appointment of Comptroller Kayode Kolade, as the Customs Area Controller of the units, smugglers have been losing huge millions of naira to the federal government on a daily basis, the report stated.

The Leadership report also quoted some clearing agents operating at the Onne seaport, as applauding Mr Kolade, for blocking revenue leakages from the eastern port.

Other platforms used more patronising headlines and published the entire article as an opinion piece. The article listed the achievements of Mr Kolade, including awards he was said to have received in the course of his career.

The Eyewitness, for instance, published; The giant stride of Comptroller Kolade as anti-smuggling czar. Monarch News used Comptroller Kolade: Many milestones of a nightmare to economic saboteurs. Daily Trend published After 1-Year in the Saddle: Compt Kayode Kolade Makes Giant Strides At FOU C Command. Financial Business published Comptroller Kolade rattles smugglers in FOU Zone C.

None of the articles mentioned the corruption allegations against him.

Other indicted Customs officials

Other indicted customs officials include the NCS Area Controller Zone B Kaduna, Ibrahim Jalo. Mr Jalo, who only assumed duty as the Area Controller Zone B in January last year, was found with $31,200 and N500,000 in cash at the time of his arrest, a source with knowledge of the investigations told PREMIUM TIMES

The EFCC also traced suspected proceeds of bribes from smugglers totalling N1.1 billion to him.

Our sources revealed that the customs officer promptly refunded N250 million, with a promise to refund the balance.

The EFCC also traced N126 million to Mr Jalos personal assistant, Umar Tafarki. Mr Tafarki has also refunded N12 million.

Another indicted officer, Nurudeen Musa, is the Comptroller of Enforcement, Kaduna Zone. The EFCC traced N950 million to him. The anti-graft agency has recovered N583 million from him after he spent days in detention. He has also promised to refund the rest.

The EFCCs investigation found that Mr Musa, who previously served as Area Comptroller, Katsina Area command, was extraordinarily wealthy and owned lots of assets including two filling stations and large trucks, all of which investigators suspect were acquired with illicit funds.

Meanwhile, Hamisu Ibrahim, the officer in charge of Operation FOU Zone B, Kaduna, was suspected to have garnered N120 million in bribes from smugglers between 2019 and 2023. As of January, he has refunded N13 million and promised to refund the rest.

Meanwhile, Madugu Saleh and Mohammed Rabiu were suspected to have received N85 million and 84 million respectively from smugglers.

Mr Saleh has refunded N13.5 million and promised to refund the rest.

Mr Rabiu, the officer in charge of patrol on the Agangaro/Jibia Road, refunded N15 million to the anti-graft agency.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe

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About the white flag and white smoke.

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I love physics and mathematics, but the greatest science of our time is still history. Because history develops in a spiral, and all the events that are happening now are repetitions, but in a different capacity. And these repetitions are given to humanity precisely so that humanity may have intelligence and not make past mistakes.

It has already happened, hasn't it? On the eve of World War II, the Vatican called for concessions to Nazi Germany. On March 2, 1939, Cardinal Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli became the new Pope under the name Pius XII.

And in April (how quickly!) the new pontiff proposed peace talks with the Nazis, hoping to mediate between the great European powers on the brink of war. But first he contacted the leader of the Italian fascists, Benito Mussolini (how unexpected). And only after his approval, the Vatican sent proposals for negotiations to Paris, Berlin, London, and Warsaw.

ADVERTISIMENT

Since 1938, France and Britain had been making concessions to Hitler. First, they agreed to the occupation of Austria, and then they actually forced Czechoslovakia to give Hitler the Sudetenland to prevent a major war in Europe.

The Vatican's strategy in the new peace negotiations was much the same: to satisfy another territorial whim of the Nazis.

Now the Pope tried to put pressure on Poland to support the occupation of the city of Danzig.

For two years, the Vatican called on the world to reach an understanding with the Nazis.

And in March 1940, von Ribbentrop and his entourage arrived at the papal residence. And no one was surprised that the Nazi minister arrived with a Nazi flag, refused to bend the knee, as was customary when approaching the Pope, and instead threw down his hand in a Nazi salute.

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That is, even then the Pope was already greeted with the Nazi salute, and everything was fine for the Vatican.

It seemed that I should remember for the rest of my life what the policy of flirting with murderers and the Nazi salute in the Vatican had led to. But apparently, at the venerable age of the popes, something happens to their memory. Or maybe it's something else?

In thirty pieces of silver, which today have a very pompous name: "Instituto per le Opere di Religione" But behind this name is a bank in which corporations established for religious purposes can invest anonymously, confidentially, and tax-free. Data on the bank's activities and financial position are not disclosed. The bank is not subject to the financial police or financial intelligence of Italy, the EU or the United States.

ADVERTISIMENT

The bank reports directly to the Assembly of Cardinals and the Pope.

It is well known that since Obama's time, Putin's funds have been stuck in the Vatican Bank accounts. They were blocked at the request of the United States and remained there. It would be fine if it was a billion dollars, but a quarter of a trillion was stuck there, and this is a pretty tangible amount even for old Kabayev. The money was transferred there on the advice of Putin's personal friend, then Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. In general, the Americans came across Putin's "niche" by accident under the pretext of investigating corruption in UEFA. It was then that they had legal grounds to block the funds. It was then, in hot pursuit, that Putin urgently came to the Vatican and tried to influence the Pope to help unblock the accounts.

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And then everything falls into place. And calls for Russian youth to carry the Russian heritage to the world. And calls for a white flag in front of murderers and terrorists. And the Pope's speech about the "innocently murdered" Daria Dugina. And complete silence about the thousands of innocent people killed in Bucha, Mariupol, Borodyanka, Irpin, Kharkiv, Melitopol, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, Odesa, Kakhovka, Zaporizhzhia. So why mention them? After all, their relatives and cronies do not keep a trillion dollars in your bank.

But all of these pontiffs, patriarchs, presidents, dictators are people. Just people who are also chosen by people. And the One who created this universe has nothing to do with them. And now, finally, I want to mention physics. Because white smoke happens when white phosphorus is burned, or it's just water vapor condensing under the influence of cold air. Let's keep going.
Fisayo Adeniyi, a pastor of the Ransomed House, Lekki, Lagos, says in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES that anyone who claims to teach people the act of speaking in tongues by dictation, repetition and cramming is a fraud.

Read the full interview below.

PREMIUM TIMES (PT): Whats your definition of speaking in tongue?

FISAYO ADENIYI: I define it as speaking in an unknown, unintelligible, and unlearnt words and utterances as given by the Holy Spirit.

PT: Why is it necessary for a Christian to speak in tongue?

FISAYO ADENIYI: Let me start by saying that the scriptures necessitate it. The first physical evidence of being baptised of the Spirit in the scriptures was that they spoke in languages they hadnt learnt. For how did they know that the Holy Spirit had come? That the promise of the Holy Spirit has been fulfilled? Tongues. Also, Peter was in Cornelius house teaching about the Gospel of Christ, and boom  the Spirit came upon them and they started speaking in tongues Acts 10:44  46. The same thing manifested in Acts 8, Simon, the sorcerer, wanted it. He saw something, and he wanted to buy it, so that the spirit may come on anyone he laid hands on. Also in Acts 19:1-6  Paul asked them in Ephesus, have you been baptised in the Holy Spirit? So, its important for believers because the early church had it. It was a norm in the early church. It is a proof of Pentecost  an introduction to an era of the Spirit.

To answer the question, it is necessary because of its advantages. One, it is a prayer language, devoid of fleshly distraction and lust. It helps in prayer; Apostle Paul announced that he prayed in tongues more than them all. 1 Corinthians 14:18. Two, it is a means of spiritual edification  Jude 1:20. Three, its a supernatural and divine means of speaking to God. 1 Corinthians 14:2. Four, it helps in praying in line with the will of God. Romans 8:26, James 4:3. Five, it stimulates faith via edification. Jude 1:20. Six, it helps to stay conscious of the presence of God. Seven, it gives spiritual refreshing. Isaiah 28:11-12.

PT: There are some sects within Christianity that dont believe in it, let alone speak in tongue. Does that subtract anything from their being Christian?

FISAYO ADENIYI: Being a Christian means accepting that you need a saviour; you have heard the Gospel of Christ, you believe and have accepted and confessed him as Lord over your life. And if I add to that, I will add the words of Christ, Then are you my disciples, when you obey my commandments. So, yes they are Christians and they will make heaven. So, not speaking in tongues doesnt subtract from who they are in Christ  their identity is fixed in Him. However, there might be apparent disadvantages to living out a victorious Christian life. My belief, and it comes from scriptures, is what stops them from being baptised and speaking in tongues  doctrine perhaps! You know, anytime we forsake a spiritual principle, we forsake its consequential benefits and promises. However, I must quickly add that speaking in tongues is not as powerful as people have made it to be. Power comes via the Holy Spirit, and all through church history, we have seen powerful characters who have wrought wonders for God who didnt necessarily speak in tongues  men such as Billy Graham, D.L. Moody, R. A. Torrey, and Kathrine Kulman.

PT: The Bible in Act 2: 6 says during the Pentecost Jesus disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to speak in their tongue, and the crowd were surprised because each one heard their own language being spoken (by the disciples). Going by this Bible passage, it appears when someone speaks in tongue there ought to be another fellow somewhere who somehow should understand the language that is being spoken.

FISAYO ADENIYI: Very true assertion, but it is not the whole truth. But, at least they agree that there was a supernatural event that has to do with language in the scriptures. You see, the experience in Acts 2:6 speaks of the language of men; that experience is how a man can speak in languages they have never learnt  again with the help of the Spirit. There are men who have spoken in Chinese, Spanish etc.  yet they didnt learn them.

I myself was praying with a brother a while back, and I started speaking in Igbo. Of course, I didnt know what I was saying, but I knew it sounded like Igbo  the next day, the young man came to me with translations of what I had been saying. I read it, and I was whoa! And that has happened again and again, it is a gift of the Spirit. Can I speak in Igbo now? No! But if the Spirit wants to get his words across, He can (do that) through me. However, there is another phenomenon in scriptures called a tongue  1 Corinthians 14:2, 14:13-14. Now, consider 1 Corinthians 14:2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. The operative word is that no one understands him. In Acts 2:6, they understood, for they heard them glorify God in their language. Most people speak in the tongues of heaven and that is why it doesnt mean that what they are speaking is being spoken somewhere in the world. If it is, then 1 Corinthians 14:2 is wrong. He said no one.

But there are times, for the kingdom and the advancement of His glory, God allows certain people to speak in languages of men  particularly languages they didnt learn.

PT: If the act of speaking in tongue is driven by the Holy Spirit, how come there is a course in Bible schools where students are taught how to speak in tongue?

FISAYO ADENIYI: Ah Such men and Bible schools are fakes, frauds and run by charlatans. Anyone who claims to teach people the act of speaking in tongues by dictation, repetition and cramming is a fraud because there is no basis for that in the scriptures. Jesus is the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit. And if I may add, in the Bible School I went to and I teach, teaching on the Holy Spirit is called Pneumatology  its the study of the works and person of the Holy Spirit. That is the curriculum you find in a true Bible School.

PT: How can you spot it when one is faking it  speaking in tongue?

FISAYO ADENIYI: Paul said certain things are spiritually discerned 1 Corinthians 2:14. The Bible says believe not every spirit but try the spirit, whether they are of God. Every believer should be able to test and discern. There will be some check in your inner man. But for those who may think that is too spiritual, Jesus said by their fruits you shall know them. What are their fruits like? Are they becoming more like Christ? Are they full of love or hate? Are they living by His commands? There are loads of pastors, and people today that are charmers, deceivers, con men. My instruction will be that we stick to the scriptures, we return to reading our Bible  because if we know the Bible, then it will be difficult to be drawn by the heretic men.

PT: Is it possible for a man with an impure heart, one whose hands are stained with sins, to speak in tongue?

FISAYO ADENIYI: Is it possible for a man to stop speaking Yoruba just because he moved to the USA? No! If he stops, its a function of choice. He has learned the language already. A Christian baptised in the Spirit, already is in possession of this heavenly language. Sin doesnt take it away. And that is the folly of some people, they finish committing adultery and fornication  and they say, whoa, I can still speak in tongues. Yes, you can, but it is not the mark of approval. It doesnt mean Jesus is hailing you. That you have a passport doesnt mean you cannot be denied entry into the country. Again, the ways of God are mysterious. He is a God who doesnt always answer to logic. You will think they should stop speaking. No! There is repentance with Him. Think there is a verse of scripture that aptly summarises this, Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

PT: Speaking in tongue, apparently, is an indication of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit ought to unify the church, it ought to guide and teach the church. How come there so much disunity within the Christian fold? How come there are varieties of dogma and teachings? How come certain sins are no longer seen as sins within the church?

FISAYO ADENIYI: The answer is simple  lack of love and betrayal of ownership. The owner of the church is no longer the owner of many shepherds. You cannot and shouldnt run the church if the Spirit of Christ doesnt run your life. When Christ is not running the church, another spirit will. The devil loves sin, and Jesus loves the sinner. A lot of people are running after money, fame and influence. Until the cross becomes central to our message, many things will be amiss. The church is meant to be Christ-centered, not self-centred.

Now, about teachings  I believe we may not have centrality of doctrine, because of interpretations and biases. However, at the cross, we must meet  by the Spirit, we ought to agree and disagree in love. There are benchmarks we mustnt and shouldnt cross. You know, even though people may adjust their gospel to make it woke, popular and people-friendly, we must remind ourselves that God will never readjust the standard of righteousness to the level of man.

PT: Do you agree that it could be disgusting to see a man who speaks in tongue yet looks tattered, lazy, and unprogressive in his thoughts and actions?

FISAYO ADENIYI: Maybe I wouldnt use the word disgust, but I agree it is a misnomer, an apparent contradiction. Laziness is a no. Paul admonished in 2 Thessalonians 3:11, For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. But, as you see from these verses, this is nothing new. There will be people like that, but we must keep telling them this is not the way. This is not how a believer ought to live. We ought to be light and salt in the world, true examples of grace, character and love. When we read the scriptures, we find men of great worth, intelligence and fervour  we must be followers of such immaculate men like Daniel, Ezekiel, Paul, James, and Peter.

PT: Its possible for some Nigerians to feel uncomfortable reading this interview. To them, Nigeria is going downward economically and security-wise, what is it with speaking in tongue? How does speaking in tongue help this country? Whats your response to people with such a feeling?

FISAYO ADENIYI: You know, people say all we do is pray. But prayer is highly important, and before we fault prayers, how about the other requirements of scriptures? God didnt say to pray alone, how about the other stuff? The Book of wisdom says, Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to a people. It is clear we havent lived by the tenet of righteousness, honesty, and justice as a people. And life is full of consequences. There are so many killings and deaths for money rituals or mineral resources. There is too much bloodshed in this nation  and not only on a national level but communal level. However, what can we do? We ought to pray  pray for mercy, pray that the Lord delivers the soul of this nation from wickedness. And how can we pray right? Through Spirit-inspired prayers, for His word says, if my people who are called by name will humble themselves, and pray and turn from their wicked ways, He says He will hear and heal our land. I believe we have only done one of those things. It is time to humble ourselves, accept we need Gods help, and turn from wicked ways. And thats not just politicians  its all of us. The entrepreneurs, civil servants, students, religious leaders. We all must turn from wickedness. It is the only way to greatness in God.

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The presidency has accused a senator, Abdul Ningi, of lying when he claimed that President Bola Tinubu is executing a version of the 2024 budget different from the one passed by the National Assembly.

Mr Ningi, in an interview with BBC Hausa, said that the National Assembly debated and passed N25 trillion as the 2024 budget and not the N28.7 trillion that is being implemented by the federal government. The Bauchi senator, who also heads the Northern Senators Forum, also claimed that the budget was skewed against northern Nigeria.

Both claims are false, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga wrote in a statement.

To begin with, President Tinubu on November 29, 2023, presented a budget of N27.5 Trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly made up of N9.92 Trillion recurrent expenditure, Debt Service N8.25 Trillion and Capital Expenditure N8.7 Trillion.

This was widely reported. He did not present a budget of N25 Trillion.

Contrary to the strange view expressed by Senator Ningi, there was no way the Senate could have debated and passed a N25 Trillion budget that was not presented to the National Assembly, Mr Onanuga wrote.

We dont expect a ranking senator not to pay due attention to details before making wild claims.

It is also important to let Nigerians know that the budget that President Tinubu signed into law on January 1, 2024, as passed by the National Assembly was N28.7 trillion.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Ningi and other senators had at a closed-door meeting also accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of illegally inflating the budget sum. Mr Akpabio at the meeting, according to attendees, denied the allegation.

On Mr Ningis claim that the budget was skewed against the North, Mr Onanuga wrote: President Tinubu is leading a government that is fair and equitable to every part and segment of Nigeria.

Read the full statement by Mr Onanuga below.

Following the false claims made by Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government is operating two versions of the 2024 budget, we consider it appropriate to inform Nigerians that there is no truth whatsoever in the allegation.

Acting under the banner of Northern Senators Forum, Senator Ningi, falsely claimed in an interview he granted BBC Hausa Service, that the National Assembly debated and passed N25 Trillion as 2024 budget and not the N28.7 Trillion that is being implemented by the Federal Government.

To begin with, President Tinubu on November 29, 2023, presented a budget of N27.5 Trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly made up of N9.92 Trillion recurrent expenditure, Debt Service N8.25 Trillion and Capital Expenditure of N8.7 Trillion.

This was widely reported. He did not present a budget of N25 Trillion.

Contrary to the strange view expressed by Senator Ningi, there was no way the Senate could have debated and passed a N25 Trillion budget that was not presented to the National Assembly.

We dont expect a ranking Senator not to pay due attention to details before making wild claims.

It is also important to let Nigerians know that the budget that President Tinubu signed into law on January 1, 2024, as passed by the National Assembly was N28.7 Trillion.

The National Assembly, in its wisdom, increased the amount proposed by the Executive by N1.2 Trillion.

In the spirit of democracy which allows give and take, President Tinubu didnt withhold his assent to the Appropriation Bill as passed by the National Assembly. We want to stress that if the budget figure was increased and made to be different from what the Executive proposed, it was the National Assembly that jacked it up in exercise of its power of appropriation.

On the uncharitable claim that the 2024 budget was anti-North, we found such position as canvassed by Senator Ningi as too far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status.

President Tinubu is leading a government that is fair and equitable to every part and segment of Nigeria. In terms of funding, distribution of capital and priority projects, the 2024 Appropriation Act was not skewed against any section of the country.

The North as an integral part of the country is well covered in all areas, from security to agriculture, healthcare to education, and other important infrastructure such as roads, rail, dams, power and irrigation projects to support all year-round agriculture.

It is concerning that a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can employ such primordial antics to fuel divisive rhetoric at a time when well-meaning Nigerians are joining hands with President Tinubu to raise the spirit of national cohesion, unity and inclusive politics.

We want to use this opportunity to commend Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Publicity for setting the record straight. We also commend Senators Steve Sunday Karimi (Kogi), Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue) and Kaka Sheu (Borno) for their forthrightness and for coming out against the misrepresentation of facts by Senator Ningi.

President Tinubu is a firm believer in the rule of law and constitutional democracy. As an avowed democrat, he will not engage and indulge in any unconstitutional action or act in any manner that assaults the Constitution of Nigeria by operating any budget outside the one approved by the National Assembly, which he dutifully signed into law.

We want to state categorically that the only 2024 budget that is being implemented is the N28.7 Trillion budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President.

Included in the budget are statutory transfers to the Judiciary, National Assembly, Tetfund and others.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy

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Nigerian Muslims will commence the Ramadan fast on Monday after the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, announced the sighting of the crescent moon.

The Sultan, who heads the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, made the announcement in a live broadcast on Sunday.

The announcement means Nigerian Muslims will join their counterparts in many parts of the world to commence the Ramadan fast on Monday.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE earlier announced the commencement of Ramadan fast on Monday.

Ramadan is the ninth of the 12 Islamic months during which Muslims are expected to fast from dawn to dusk.

It commences with the sighting of the crescent moon to indicate the end of the outgoing lunar month of Shaban and the commencement of the new month of Ramadan. The month can be 29 or 30 days.

From dusk to dawn each day during Ramadan, millions of Muslims around the world would be expected to abstain from eating and drinking.

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Over nearly 20 months of leading the Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission (TJPC) into the violence in the South-East of Nigeria, it has become evident to me that the UGM is one of the narrative myths and constraints in the crisis of violence and insecurity in the region. It is by no means the only one. You also have the reality of a population forced by the violence into a habit of fear of candour on the subject; an absence of a public or bureaucratic infrastructure of both memory and records of victimisation

On 15 October, 1965, as political uncertainty and violence raged in Western Nigeria, Ladoke Akintola, the regional premier, was due to deliver a primetime radio broadcast to his people at 19:00. Some minutes before the appointed hour, an armed, unmasked and bearded young man appeared in the studio and required Akinwande Oshin, head of the newsroom at the Western Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (WNBC) to substitute the recorded broadcast of the premier with a tape provided by the gunman. At the appointed hour, the entire region  including the premier  listened as the voice from the gunmans tape exhorted the premier to spare the region further turmoil and go.

His mission accomplished, the gunman promptly vanished into the night, leaving Mr Oshin and his crew in the newsroom with some questions to answer. The incident would later result in criminal proceedings against a suspect, later identified as Wole Soyinka, at the time a lecturer at the University of Ibadan. In his defence, Mr Soyinka set up an alibi, claiming that he was in Enugu in the then Eastern Region of Nigeria at the time of the incident. In his testimony, Soyinkas Head of Department at the university, one Professor Axworthy, said that they had both attended a departmental meeting in Ibadan less than two hours before the incident but the Wole Soyinka with whom he attended the meeting, according to the professor, was clean shaven.

The mystery of how a clean shaven man could grow a bushy beard in less than two hours was too much for the trial Magistrate, who felt obliged to acquit the suspect. Kayode Eso, the trial Magistrate, who would go on to a storied judicial career within and beyond Nigeria, immortalised this story in his book fittingly titled The Mystery Gunman.

The mystery gunman is a figure of considerable antiquity in the history of crime and impunity in Nigeria and of myths about both. A mere 11-and-a-half years after that incident in Ibadan, soldiers brutally attacked Wole Soyinkas aunt, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, in the Kalakuta Republic base of her famous son and Afrobeat musician, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. A judicial commission of inquiry established to identify the perpetrators and recommend suitable measures of accountability, concluded that the attack was the handiwork of the unknown soldier. With the act attributed to so ghostly a figure, suggestions of accountability became evidently illusory.

In South-East Nigeria, where a metastasis of murderous violence is widely perceived to have held sway for the better part of the last five years, responsibility for this state of affairs is laid at the feet of the Unknown Gunman. Tired of having to repeat the name with the frequency with which murders, abductions, and violence occur in and around the region, many people have taken to abbreviating the nomenclature to UGM. With no memory of what transpired before, the UGM is mostly seen as a novelty in the contemporary ecosystem of violence in Nigeria generally and in the South-East, more particularly. In reality, he is neither new nor indeed unknown.

With the police decimated and devoid of confidence, the investigation of the violence does not receive the kind of assets or commitment it deserves. Most victims and witnesses are not unaware of the authors of the violence in their neighbourhoods. But they are equally mostly unwilling to go on record for the fear of suffering reprisals. The use of unknown gunmen to describe the perpetrators is a misnomer.

Nearly 10 years ago, when he disappeared on his way to his community in Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State in May 2014, it was reported that former Anambra State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Chike Okoli, had been abducted by unknown gunmen. But one month later, the Anambra State directorate of the State Security Service (SSS) arrested a 10-man kidnap-for-ransom gang, whom they alleged was responsible for the kidnap and disappearance of Mr Okoli. It was led by one Kingsley Chukwuemeka Eze, a local politician from Enugu State.

The abduction and disappearance of Igwe Oliver Nnaji, traditional ruler of Ogwu Aniocha in Ogbaru LGA in November 2021, was similarly reported at first as the handiwork of the UGM. However, at the beginning of January, 2023, a raid by a Special Forces assault team on the Ochan Forest in the community reportedly led to the killing of ten members of a crime gang led by one Victor Ibenegbu (alias Network), who claimed that his group was behind the serial killings and arsons in the community, including the abduction of the traditional ruler.

With the police decimated and devoid of confidence, the investigation of the violence does not receive the kind of assets or commitment it deserves. Most victims and witnesses are not unaware of the authors of the violence in their neighbourhoods. But they are equally mostly unwilling to go on record for the fear of suffering reprisals. The use of unknown gunmen to describe the perpetrators is a misnomer. In most cases, they are known but the expression, UGM, describes a tyranny of despondency in the face of widely held perceptions of state incapacity or impunity for these atrocities.

Over nearly 20 months of leading the Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission (TJPC) into the violence in the South-East of Nigeria, it has become evident to me that the UGM is one of the narrative myths and constraints in the crisis of violence and insecurity in the region. It is by no means the only one. You also have the reality of a population forced by the violence into a habit of fear of candour on the subject; an absence of a public or bureaucratic infrastructure of both memory and records of victimisation; a narrative space at both national and state levels unwilling to look beyond separatism as the explanation for the violence; and a policy space attuned only to expeditionary and kinetic responses.

For both politicians and security agencies, the focus on mobilising kinetic responses preoccupies itself overly with the symptoms at the expense of addressing the real causes. The implicit idea that the country or the region can shoot its way out of the violence and its causes and consequences is in one word, delusional. Tactical options must always be on the table but, for durable solutions, the country and the region must dispense with the myths and govern their way out of the disease.

These myths have sustained the misbegotten idea of a unified filed theory for the violence in South-East Nigeria. Anyone interested in addressing this situation must be prepared to look beyond the myths. For whoever is prepared to do so, the pursuit could prove both revealing and richly rewarding.

In Anambra State, for instance, the political economy of land is central to understanding the crisis of violence. It is both property and identity and the supply of land in the state is shrinking under the combined assault of fragilities from both nature and of intense land use. Revenues from land are the focus of an intensity of competing interests. In this competition, cults and organised crime gangs are recruited. These cults and gangs bring with them guns, drugs, and even transactional idolatory. Over time, they also develop a seasonal and entrepreneurial orientation to violence, selling it to whoever is interested, from artisanal rustlers of solid minerals or hydro-carbons to private persons using it to settle scores; from community factions disputing over the stool of the Igwe or positions in the Town Union, to politicians seeking offices in the state.

From the political economy of land, other shorter term factors radiate out, including the mismanagement of transhumant pastoralism; (mis-)appropriation of a narrative vacuum created by official government policy concerning memory from Nigerias past; intra-state and inter-community boundary crises; transactional idolatory; the franchising of agitation by criminal cults and gangs; as well as the deployment of violence for artisanal extractive and mining activities and for electoral politics.

For both politicians and security agencies, the focus on mobilising kinetic responses preoccupies itself overly with the symptoms at the expense of addressing the real causes. The implicit idea that the country or the region can shoot its way out of the violence and its causes and consequences is in one word, delusional. Tactical options must always be on the table but, for durable solutions, the country and the region must dispense with the myths and govern their way out of the disease. That is the only way to make the symptoms finally disappear.

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu.

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Friends, if we dont rise up and act fast, we are now faced with an impending deluge of widespread apostasy which is going to sweep through the rank and file of the church. Do not say, God forbid. What you permit, God will not forbid.

His name was Zacharias Tanee Fomum, a prolific Cameroonian revivalist of blessed memory, whose ministry of prayer sent shock waves round the shores of hell and ignited the souls of many in the African church to seek God in holiness and purity. He was widely acknowledged as a bestselling Christian author of more than 350 books, with over 10 million copies in circulation in over one hundred languages. Now of blessed memory, Dr Zach Fomum, whose ministry struck a close resemblance to that of Leonard Ravenhill, found his way into our hearts in the late 1980s, a season when the light of the truth of the glorious gospel of Christ beamed from the church in Nigeria with enviable clarity and impeccable integrity. In 1990, Dr Zach Fomum was scheduled for a weeklong revival programme at a famous Baptist church in South-West Nigeria.

Scheduled to attend this conference was the cream of todays church leaders, fathers across the Pentecostal spectrum of the church in South-West Nigeria. I sat at the back of the large Amphitheatre to witness the mighty outpouring of the power of God and the fiery words that thundered from the mouth of this servant of God, as he spoke so passionately to many of our fathers who were mostly in their mid to late thirties at that time. He cried in agony and with fervour. He pleaded in pain. His message was simple and clear: do not forsake holiness and righteousness.

Thirty-two years after my encounter with the ministry of this great apostle of God, in the year 2022, I was privileged to hold a one-and-a-half-hour telephone conversation with one of the church leaders in Nigeria, who is arguably one of the main pioneers of the current apostolic movement. While bearing his heart on the current wave of doctrinal apostasy that has hit the Nigerian church, he referred to many instances in which God had sent repeated warnings to himself and many of the fathers about a looming apostasy of faith in Nigeria  a case where many will depart from the faith, and still stand behind the pulpit.

He referred to a meeting that was put together for him and most of the prominent Pentecostal church leaders in Nigeria in 1981  who are now sixty-five years and above  by the late Pa S.G. Elton at Ilesa, Osun State, South-West Nigeria. He mentioned the names of all the servants of God at this meeting. According to him, Pa Elton warned them so passionately to be wary of departing from the truth of the gospel, as well as against the love of money and fame, or otherwise they would face one singular consequence  the destruction of the gospel in Nigeria. Pa S.G. Elton made it so clear, if you allow the American prosperity gospel to enter Nigeria, it will destroy the gospel in Nigeria.

As the servant of God rounded off his conversation, he told me clearly, sadly, most of the things Pa S.G. Elton warned against have been breached by us. I am telling you all these to warn you and your generation, so you dont toe the same path.

Interestingly, Pa Elton seemed to be echoing the sentiments of Dr J.B. Philips who, as far back as in the 1960s, was quoted to have said that, The book of Acts represents the state of the church before it grew fat and out of breadth with prosperity.

As predicted, the defective prosperity gospel became the albatross of the decline of the move and power of God in the Nigerian church. Dr Erwin Lutzer would say, with the loss of the true gospel comes the loss of power.

As the servant of God rounded off his conversation, he told me clearly, sadly, most of the things Pa S.G. Elton warned against have been breached by us. I am telling you all these to warn you and your generation, so you dont toe the same path.

He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelations 3:22)

Let me replicate the words of the late Lester Sumrall who, in 1971, wrote a fiery foreword to a book written by the late Leonard Ravenhill, The words of people like S.G. Elton, Ayo Babalola, and Zach Fomum seldom make the best seller list, but they carry the stamp and approval of heaven.

Interestingly and sadly, the generation of Zach Fomum has passed. The generation of S.G. Elton is gone. The generation of Joseph Ayo Babalola is in the past. These were the generations of leaders and fathers whose consciences rocked with fear for holiness, righteousness, purity, the inerrancy of the Bible, and the infallibility of the truth of the gospel. None of these people and others in their rank had a place in the roll call of the rich and the famous. They were not privileged to have their names tagged to millions of followers on social media. They did not adorn their memories with the ownership of masterfully designed edifices, estates, and camps. They lived and died for one thing  the promotion of the truth of Gods word. They were dispassionate with the truth, telling it as they found it in the Holy Bible. They had one thing in life, which, till today, they still retain in death  integrity.

Let me replicate the words of the late Lester Sumrall who, in 1971, wrote a fiery foreword to a book written by the late Leonard Ravenhill, The words of people like S.G. Elton, Ayo Babalola, and Zach Fomum seldom make the best seller list, but they carry the stamp and approval of heaven.

Job said, till I die I will not remove my integrity from me. (Job 27:5).

Friends, if we dont rise up and act fast, we are now faced with an impending deluge of widespread apostasy which is going to sweep through the rank and file of the church. Do not say, God forbid. What you permit, God will not forbid.

Ayo Akerele is the senior pastor of Rhema Assembly and the founder of the Voice of the Watchmen Ministries in Ontario, Canada. He can be reached through ayoakerele2012@gmail.com

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PARIS, March 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lahome, a home decor brand renowned for its fusion of fashion aesthetics and cozy washable rugs, has made waves at Paris Fashion Week. By participating in the fashion show of INTERDEE, an affordable luxury independent fashion brand, Lahome demonstrated a harmonious fusion of stylish elegance and comfortable living.

Lahome Redefines Home Fashion with Dazzling Debut at Paris Fashion Week (PRNewsfoto/Lahome)

Lahome is a brand specializing in washable rugs, with a strong emphasis on the fusion of stylish aesthetic design and comfort. The brand is dedicated to assisting families, pet owners, and busy individuals in crafting superior, affordable, and convenient home environments. This commitment enables customers to invest their precious time in pursuits that hold more significance for them.

"Fashion and comfort are not mutually exclusive, but rather, they should coexist harmoniously. Lahome's rugs serve as a bridge between these two realms, demonstrating that comfort and a sense of home are vital, even in the most high-end fashion settings," said Sasha, the founder of Lahome. "Lahome's core values revolve around creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere, whether it's at home or in a busy workplace. Our interpretation of a good life extends beyond physical comfort, placing a strong emphasis on emotional well-being and spiritual tranquility."

As a sponsor of INTERDEE, Lahome's rugs graced the backstage area during the INTERDEE show rehearsals. Amidst the bustling and high-strung atmosphere of the rehearsals, Lahome's rugs offered a cozy retreat for designers, models, and their pets. Moreover, the show venue was adorned with a stunning wall of Lahome rugs, serving as a backdrop. Visitors were encouraged to take photos with the wall and share them on social media.

The venue also featured a DIY rug area, inviting visitors to engage in hands-on experiences like Tufting. With on-site staff assistance, visitors created designs, taking home their creations as keepsakes. They also contributed to a unique, commemorative brand logo tapestry, adding personal touches inspired by French culture and architecture.

Moreover, Lahome's unique rugs transformed into fashion accessories, brought to life by models on Paris streets. This fusion of art and fashion was captured by Chang Kai, a renowned director, artist, photographer, and regular chronicler of fashion weeks. His unique perspective and exceptional photography, combined with the models' high-fashion sense, highlighted Lahome's fashionable allure, marking the start of Lahome's European fashion journey.

Lahome has been committed to crafting stylish, affordable, and high-quality washable rugs and home furnishings that inspire warm, inviting home environments. What sets Lahome's rugs apart are its aesthetic design, easy care, and friendliness to pets and children.

Lahome's design team, attuned to popular trends and aesthetics, collaborates with top-notch designers and artists. This synergy results in products that embody diverse aesthetics and modern comfort, earning the brand a trusted reputation in the industry. The brand's rugs, designed for modern life, are machine washable, offering convenience and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, they are soft, safe, and eco-friendly, offering a warm, soft touch, with a non-slip design for safety. Made from plant fibers, the Lahome's rugs are free from harmful chemicals. Their fine craftsmanship and tight edging prevent shedding, making them perfect for homes with children and pets.

About Lahome

Lahome is a home and lifestyle brand that aims to create stylish, affordable quality washable rugs and home furnishings that inspire warm, inviting home environments. The brand believes in fostering style and comfort for all. For more than ten years, Lahome has achieved efficient production of high-quality rugs with its profound industry experience and strong supply chain and has won the appreciation of millions of families. The brand now is a top seller on Amazon, ranking in the top 3, and has received much positive customer feedback.

For more details about Lahome's products, please visit the brand's Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lahome/page/A73C8660-5B7F-4818-9A48-636356D8F7CE?ref_=ast_bln;

Or visit their website: https://lahomedecor.com/;

or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lahomerugs.

Media Contact

Harper

lahomeofficial@gmail.com

SOURCE Lahome
Ursa Major and Stratolaunch achieve a major leap toward the first flight test of a privately funded hypersonic vehicle

DENVER, March 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ursa Major's Hadley engine, a purpose-built engine to satisfy America's commercial and national security space needs, flew for the first time powering Stratolaunch's Talon-A1 (TA-1) testbed during a test over the Pacific Ocean.

The test, which reached high supersonic speeds approaching Mach 5, marks the first step toward flight of a hypersonic vehicle developed by a private company.

Stratolaunchs Talon-A1 prepares for flight powered by Ursa Majors Hadley engine.

"For the first time since SpaceX fundamentally transformed space launch with privately developed rockets, Ursa Major and Stratolaunch have come together to advance a critical national mission," said Ursa Major founder and CEO Joe Laurienti. "Hypersonic flight has been a massive military and governmental challenge. Today, private companies were able to propel a leap forward."

The flight test marks a major milestone for Ursa Major, who designed, built, and flew Hadley in less than a decade. Hadley and Ursa Major's other products enable the U.S. Defense Department to field new mission solutions more quickly and push performance metrics of speed, range, and payload.

Hadley is a 5,000-pound-thrust (lbf) liquid oxygen and kerosene, oxygen-rich staged combustion cycle rocket engine for small vehicles. Customers can use Hadley to launch small payloads into orbit or hypersonic platforms.

Ursa Major has sold dozens of Hadley engines to customers that will enable space launch, hypersonics, and in-space missions.

Unlike historical rocket engines, Ursa Major uses 3D printing to speed up the manufacturing process, allowing the company to build engines in a matter of days.

Hadley is the first product in a family of propulsion systems, including liquid rocket engines and solid rocket motors, being designed, developed, and produced by Ursa Major.

About Ursa Major

Ursa Major is the leading independent rocket propulsion provider and a critical player in building the defense industrial base in the United States. As the first American company to fire an oxygen-rich staged combustion enginea milestone previously only achieved by Russian engine-makersUrsa Major provides reusable, high-performing propulsion systems to commercial space enterprises, defense contractors, and the Department of Defense for launch, hypersonics, and national security missions. The company employs the country's leading propulsion experts at its one-of-a-kind headquarters in Berthoud, Colorado, which houses engineering, manufacturing, and test operations all in one campus.

Media Contact

Claude Chafin

202.841.6602

chafin@invariantgr.com

SOURCE Ursa Major
Surge in adoption of usage-based insurance among the end user owing to its various features such as providing accurate and timely data collection methods and flexible insurance premiums boost the growth of the global usage-based insurance market. In addition, factors such as the higher possibility of the vehicle being recovered, in case it is stolen, and lower fuel consumption have positively impact on the growth of the market.

WILMINGTON, Del., March 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Usage-Based Insurance Market by Policy Type (Pay-As-You-Drive (PAYD), Pay-How-You-Drive (PHYD), and Manage-How-You-Drive (MHYD)), Technology (OBD (On-Board Diagnostics)-II, Smartphone, Hybrid, and Black Box), Vehicle Age (New Vehicles and Used Vehicles), and Vehicle Type (Light-duty Vehicle (LDV) and Heavy-duty Vehicle (HDV): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the usage-based insurance market was valued at valued at $26.79 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $267.40 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 26.2% from 2023 to 2032.

(We are providing report as per your research requirement, including the Latest Industry Insight's Evolution, Potential and COVID-19 Impact Analysis)

400 Pages

152  Table

49  Charts

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Prime determinants of growth

Surge in adoption of usage-based insurance among the end user owing to its various features such as providing accurate and timely data collection methods and flexible insurance premiums boosts the growth of the global usage-based insurance market. In addition, factors such as the higher possibility of the vehicle being recovered, in case it is stolen, and lower fuel consumption have positively impacted on the growth of the market. However, the high installation cost of telematics and various data security issues are expected to hamper market growth. On the contrary, adoption of advanced technology such as smartphone-based UBI & hybrid-based UBI and increase in concerns regarding driver's safety across the globe is expected to offer remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the market during the forecast period. Each of these factors is projected to have a definite impact on the growth of the usage-based insurance market.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $26.79 billion Market Size in 2032 $267.40 billion CAGR 26.2 % No. of Pages in Report 239 Segments covered Policy Type, Technology, Vehicle Type, Vehicle Age, and Region. Drivers Rise in adoption of usage-based insurance among end users. Flexible insurance premiums Lower accident and vehicle theft possibilities Opportunities Adoption of advanced technology in UBI Increase in concerns regarding safety of drivers across the globe Restraints Data security issues High installation cost of telematics

COVID-19 Scenario

 The COVID-19 pandemic promoted the market as during these times, various shortcomings were highlighted which increased the adoption of UBI. Moreover, an increase in economic uncertainties and financial strain on individuals during the pandemic may have influenced consumer behavior. Some individuals might have opted for traditional insurance models to reduce immediate financial burdens.

 In addition, with the surge in adoption of digital services across industries, insurers offering UBI with seamless digital experiences have attracted consumers looking for contactless and convenient insurance solutions. This, in turn, is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

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The manage-how-you-drive (MHYD) segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period.

By policy type, the pay-as-you-drive (PAYD) segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global usage-based insurance market revenue, owing to Encouragement to consumers to drive less and green is expected to increase the demand for PAYD insurance policies in the global market. However, the manage-how-you-drive (MHYD) segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 9.8% from 2023 to 2032, owing to technological advancement and rise in awareness among the youth is projected to attract many new consumers, which boost the global market.

The hybrid segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

By technology, the black box segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly three-fifths of the global usage-based insurance market revenue. This is attributed to penetration of black box-based insurance is increasing among higher risk policy holders, such as a young or new driver, in Europe, which is anticipated to increase the demand for such programs in the region. However, the smartphone segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 13.5% from 2023 to 2032, owing to the convenience provided for data collection through smartphone app drives the global smartphone based UBI services.

The used vehicle segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

By vehicle age, the new vehicle segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than two-thirds of the global usage-based insurance market revenue. This is attributed to the rising consumer preference for luxury vehicles. However, the used vehicle segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 28.3% from 2023 to 2032, owing to surging demand for off-lease used vehicles among franchises.

The heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

By vehicle type, the light-duty vehicle (LDV) segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than three-fourths of the global usage-based insurance market revenue. This is attributed to a rise in safety concerns among passenger vehicle users. However, the heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 29.4% from 2023 to 2032, owing numerous benefits such as lowering insurance premium, promoting safe driving, and improving vehicle and fleet safety.

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Asia-Pacific maintain its dominance by 2032

By region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global usage-based insurance market revenue, The major factors that drive the growth of the market in this region include the presence of key players and the rise in purchase of used cars. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 29.7% from 2023 to 2032 and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period, owing to the surge in adoption of mobile telematics technology by insurance companies among the developing nations such as China and India.

Leading Market Players: -

 Allianz SE,

 Allstate Corporation,

 Aviva,

 AXA,

 Insurethebox,

 Liberty Mutual Insurance,

 Mapfre S.A.,

 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company,

 Progressive Corporation

 UNIPOLSAI ASSICURAZIONI S.P.A.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global usage-based insurance 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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Key Benefits for Stakeholders

 This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the usage-based Insurance market from 2023 to 2032 to identify the prevailing usage-based Insurance market opportunities.

 Market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

 Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders to make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

 In-depth analysis of the usage-based Insurance market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing usage-based insurance market opportunity.

 Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global usage-based insurance market outlook.

 Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the usage-based insurance market players.

 The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global usage-based Insurance market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.

Usage-Based Insurance Market Report Highlights

By Policy Type

 Pay-As-You-Drive (PAYD)

 Pay-How-You-Drive (PHYD)

 Manage-How-You-Drive (MHYD)

By Technology

 OBD (On-Board Diagnostics)-II

 Smartphone

 Hybrid

 Black Box

By Vehicle Age

 New Vehicles

 Used Vehicles

By Vehicle Type

 Light-Duty Vehicle (LDV)

 Heavy-Duty Vehicle (HDV)

By Region

 North America (U.S., Canada)

 Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)

 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

 LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, Africa)

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A sniper of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine shot down an enemy ZALA drone. The occupiers' drone was reconnaissance in one of the frontline areas, but now it will be sent to specialists for further examination.

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This was reported by the press service of the Special Operations Forces on March 10. A photo of the downed UAV was also released.

The military said that the drone was spotted by the SOF operators in one of the operational areas.

He was conducting aerial reconnaissance of the area.

"The sniper confirmed his qualifications, the UAV became a trophy of the Special Operations Forces and will be further studied by specialists," the Special Operations Forces said.

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ZALA is a Russian helicopter and airplane-type UAV manufactured in Izhevsk by ZALA AERO GROUP. They are mostly small in size, but there is also an airplane model with a wingspan of 6 meters and a range of up to 120 km.

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Zala Aero Group increased production and sells drones worth billions of rubles to the Russian Armed Forces. According to Russian media, the company imports Western components, using intermediary companies from Uzbekistan and other countries to circumvent sanctions.

The Zala Aero Group itself, as well as its owner Alexander Zakharov and his family members, are subject to Western sanctions.

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As OBOZ.UA reported earlier, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 41 operational and tactical UAVs were destroyed in Ukraine over the past day.

In addition, the Ukrainian Defense Forces neutralized 312 enemy drones of various types in the Tauride sector.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Ambedkar Nagar : , March 10 (IANS) The Ambedkar Nagar police have arrested Mohammed Ashraf, 50, on charges of raping a woman from Mumbai after she had approached him for "spiritual healing", the police said.

The rape survivor was allegedly held hostage at a guest house on the pretext of being offered spiritual healing by the accused.

The incident came to light when the woman's family, alarmed by her prolonged absence, intervened, and forcibly entered the guest house room. The accused fled the scene but was arrested later after an FIR was lodged by the complainant on Saturday.

Baskhari Station House Officer, Rajesh Kumar Singh, said on Sunday that a family from Maharashtra arrived at the guest house, located within the jurisdiction of Kichhauchha under Baskhari.

A man, his mother, and wife had visited the guest house, seeking spiritual assistance from the accused.

"Upon their arrival at the guest house, they encountered the accused Syed Mohammad Ashraf, a resident of Kichhauchha. Ashraf purportedly offered to perform 'dua-taweez' for the man's wife, assuring them of her better health. Subsequently, he led all of them to a room within the guest house for other rituals," said Singh based on the FIR lodged by the woman's husband.

Instead of conducting prayers in presence of the family, Ashraf asked them to wait outside and closed the door behind them, the Station House Officer said.

The woman did not venture out after several hours and her mother attempted to open the door but found it locked from inside. Later, they broke open the door and found her in a distraught state.
Baghdad, March 10 : Six Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in airstrikes in a desert area between the provinces of Salahudin and Nineveh, the Iraqi military said.

Iraqi warplanes carried out four airstrikes on six IS militants hiding inside a tunnel in the Tharthar desert based on intelligence reports, according to a statement on Saturday from the Security Media Cell, a media outlet affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command.

Tahsin al-Khafaji, spokesman for the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, told Xinhua news agency that the airstrikes killed all the militants inside the tunnel, without revealing the exact date of the airstrikes.

He said that the destroyed tunnel was an important hideout for the militants, as its strategic location allowed terrorists to carry out attacks in the provinces of Salahudin, Nineveh and Anbar, Xinhua news agency reported.

The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have sneaked into urban centres, deserts and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians.
Sanaa, March 10 : Yemen's Houthi group has claimed responsibility for two attacks against a Singapore-flagged commercial vessel, which the group claimed was American-owned, and several US Navy warships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The attacks occurred on Friday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said on Saturday in a statement as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

Their "naval forces carried out two qualitative military operations. The first targeted the American ship Propel Fortune in the Gulf of Aden with a number of suitable naval missiles, while the second operation targeted a number of American warships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, using 37 drones," Sarea said in the statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

"We will continue our operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden until Israel stops its aggression and blockade on the Palestinian people in Gaza," he added.

Meanwhile, the US Central Command wrote on the social media platform X on Saturday that its forces stationed in the Red Sea had intercepted and shot down 15 drones launched from the areas under Houthi control in Yemen towards the US Navy warships, adding that it struck two Houthi missiles in self-defence.

It said the Propel Fortune is a Singapore-flagged, -owned, and -operated vessel and the missiles did not impact it.

The Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since mid-November last year in what they say is a campaign of solidarity with Palestinians during the conflict in Gaza.

The US and British naval forces have responded with dozens of airstrikes against Houthi targets to deter the group. However, the Houthis intensified their attacks.
Los Angeles, March 10 : Oscar organisers have planned to prevent demonstrators disrupting the 96th Academy Awards by bolstering up security.

"We are well aware of the protesters, we have a number of back-up scenarios we can activate quickly if needed," a senior security official working at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said, while talking about the anti-Gaza War demonstrators expected to converge around Hollywood and Highland.

Proclaiming "no awards during a genocide" and a collation of pro-Palestine and pro-ceasefire groups are scheduled to meet up Sunday near the venue has now shuttered, reports deadline.com.

"We will not let people turn away from the atrocities in Gaza. We are taking action and making sure Palestine will not be ignored for some glitz and glam," Film Workers for Palestine and SAG-AFTRA for Ceasefire stated earlier this week, ahead of their self-described "Action on Oscars Sunday."

The organisers' plan to stop protestors from stealing the spotlight at Oscars are being kept under secrecy.

However, the intention is to keep arriving attendees far away from the protesters flooding the streets. The ultimate goal of organisers is to also make sure nominees, presenters and guests have the opportunity to walk the red carpet.

"Officers are working closely with event organisers and security agencies, implementing comprehensive measures to ensure a safe Oscars experience for all," Los Angeles Police Department Commander Randy Goddard said of the police's role.

"LAPD is bolstering security to prevent disruptions by demonstrators," Goddard added.

"LAPD will ensure the safe arrival and entry of guests into the Oscars venue, alongside maintaining a secure environment for the event," he added.
Chandigarh, March 10 : A liquor trader was shot dead in a car on the National Highway 44 in Murthal in Haryana's Sonipat district on Sunday morning, police said.

Chandigarh, March 10 (IANS) A liquor trader was shot dead in a car on the National Highway 44 in Murthal in Haryanaas Sonipat district on Sunday morning, police said.

The assailants pumped at least 30 bullets into his body from close range near Gulshan dhaba.

The victim has been identified as Sunder Malik of Saragthal village in Gohana. He was currently living in Sonipat.

More details were awaited.

On February 25 INLD's Haryana chief Nafe Singh Rathi and party worker Jai Kishan were killed after multiple rounds were fired on their vehicle in Bahadurgarh in the state's Jhajjar district. Two persons were arrested from Goa in connection with the case, police had said.
Chennai, March 10 : Seven Tamil Nadu fishermen from Pudukkottai district were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in the early hours of Sunday.

According to information available, they were arrested at Neduntheevu 'for trespassing into Sri Lankan waters after crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

The fishermen had set sail on two mechanised boats bearing the registration numbers IND TN08 MM 0054 and IND TN18 MM 1862 from the Jegathapattinam fishing harbour on Saturday morning.

Tamil Nadu coastal police authorities told IANS that the fishermen along with their mechanised boats were taken to the Kankesanthurai Naval base.

The arrested fishermen are identified as S. Kaliappan (53), P. Akilan (18), P. Kodi Mari (65), S. Sheikh Abdullah (35), K. Thangaraj (54), A. Jayaraman (40) and S. Saravanan (24).

Tamil Nadu fishermen welfare association general secretary M.R. Mariappan while speaking to IANS said, "There is no end in sight for our woes. The fishermen are not able to go to the seas and we strongly urge the state and central governments to take this up at a diplomatic level and to ensure that fishermen fish peacefully in the seas."
New Delhi, March 10 : Cinemas this week are offering cinephiles a movie bonanza with many titles released across various genres. From action to comedy, to an Oscar-nominated movie, the lineup of titles being played at cinemas this week has something to offer for everyone.

Titles like Article 370 and The Teachers' Lounge are the talk of the town. So, buckle up, put on your movie glasses, grab that bucket of popcorn, and check out the movies to watch this week. The complete list is below:

Article 370

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 a talented cast including Priyamani, Arun Govil, Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Skand Thakur, Ashwini Koul, and Kiran Karmarkar, among others.

The Teachersa Lounge

The Teachers' Lounge is a German drama film directed by Alker Aatak, 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.

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 talented cast of veterans including Sheeba Chaddha, Kailash Gowthaman, and Saadat Khan, among others.

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, ReneA Rapp, AuliEi 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.

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.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Hashira Training

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Hashira Training is a captivating 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. The film combines breathtaking animation with intense action sequences and heartfelt moments to deliver an unforgettable cinematic experience.

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in
New Delhi, March 10 : When Rahul Gandhi announced five 'Congress guarantees' for the Lok Sabha polls in an apparent counter to BJP's 'Modi ki guarantee', there were hardly any cheers.

The Congress leader flanked by party president Mallikarjun Kharge made the announcement during the Rajasthan leg of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. His promises should have been at once highlighted and amplified by the party's national and state leaders, but there has been no enthusiasm about the new 'promises'. Even the INDIA bloc partners seem unmoved by the promises.

This was unlike the way the party went about promoting the Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) scheme announced by Rahul Gandhi in March 2019, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls that year. All senior Congress leaders, including Chief Ministers from the party, gathered at the national headquarters for the release of the manifesto, which contained details of the scheme. NYAY was projected to be a gamechanger and ultimate weapon to defeat the incumbent BJP government at the Centre.

The party even centred its poll campaign around it. The high point came when Rahul Gandhi held a roadshow while going to file his nomination from his traditional Lok Sabha seat of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh in 2019. His sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, accompanied him and the roadshow featured a different campaign flag.

In addition to the traditional party flags, Congress leaders and supporters were carrying blue-coloured flags that advertised the party's central poll promise, namely, the NYAY scheme. Blue flags are usually associated with Dalit identity. Mayawati's BSP flag is blue in colour and so is Chandrashekhar Azad's Bhim Army flag.

Much against the hopes of the Congress, the people of Amethi rejected Rahul Gandhi's NYAY promise and handed him an embarrassing defeat in 2019.

This time when Rahul Gandhi came up with the latest five-guarantee promise, there were no big leaders, not even his sister or mother Sonia Gandhi, standing with him.

The five promises include: First job to be guaranteed for every graduate and diploma holder aged below 25 years, a stipend of Rs 1 lakh will be given over the one-year training period, the cost of the apprenticeship will be shared by the government and the employer.

The Congress claims that it has studied this thoroughly, but the promise seems to be reeking more of populist sentiment than of any practicality. Every year, millions become graduates and diploma holders in the country. How will the Congress provide the apprenticeship to all and how can it force the private sector to yield? These are questions the party has to answer.

On the guarantee of stopping paper leaks, the performance of the Congress in the states where it has been in power has been far from reassuring.

In Rajasthan, where it was in power till December 2023, as many as 16 exam papers leaked. The Enforcement Directorate raided the premises of state Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra in Jaipur and Sikar as part of a probe of a money-laundering angle to the case. Dotasra was the Education Minister in the then Congress government. Why couldn't the Congress tackle the problem when it was at the helm of affairs in the state?

The Congressa manifesto in 2019 had the tagline "Hum Nibhayenge" and it mentioned several benefits apart from its flagship NYAY scheme, which said that 20 per cent of the poorest families in the country will get Rs 72,000 annually.

Having said that, did the Congress deliver on its promises in the states where it was in power? That did not happen and the party also never clarified from where the Rs 4 lakh crore needed for the scheme would be raised.

Even in Chhattisgarh, where it was in power, it did not put the scheme into practice and later announced a revised one.

It moved away from its 2019 promise of ensuring that each household earns at least Rs 72,000 a year and announced a new scheme -- Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana (RGKNY) -- in 2020. Under this scheme, Rs 10,000 per acre a year was to be transferred into the bank accounts of farmers.

In Karnataka, the implementation of the Congress government's five poll guarantees, which it made in 2023, ahead of the Assembly polls, is imposing a "huge financial burden" on the exchequer and exerting significant pressure on the state's economy. This was revealed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's economic adviser, Basavaraj Rayareddi, early this year. In fact, the state presented a budget projecting a revenue deficit of Rs 27,353 crore for the year 2024-25, relying on borrowings to sustain the ruling party's five guarantees.

In July last year Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that the Congress government "did not have any money for fresh development projects as it had set aside funds to fulfil its five poll promises". He made this admission after 11 Congress MLAs had complained to the Chief Minister over lack of cooperation by ministers.

In Telangana, the Congress government had said that its six poll guarantees would be implemented within 100 days of the party assuming power. The government, though, has managed to launch just three of the six guarantees and that too partially. One of the promises that remains unfulfilled is to waive off loans up to Rs 2 lakh for farmers.

The latest announcement by Rahul Gandhi may be a desperate move to counter the highly successful and impressive 'Modi ki guarantee' campaign of the BJP.

The not so overwhelming response to Rahul Gandhi's ambitious Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra has further deepened the doubts of its leaders.

Many Congress leaders, some of them veterans such as Arjun Modhwadia in Gujarat and Ashok Chavan in Maharashtra, have quit the party, and directly or indirectly, questioned the party leadership's style of functioning and lack of connect with the masses.

The Congress has also failed in its INDIA bloc mission as the alliance has crumbled under its own weight. Most of the regional parties are giving the Congress a very tough time and bargaining is proving to be too costly for it.

Making all sorts of promises ahead of elections may be a compulsion for the Congress, but what matters is credibility. And it is here where the grand old party is falling short desperately.

People lost their trust in the Congress in 2014, which was again confirmed in 2019, as it did not fulfil promises made to people in the states where it was in power.

The BJP, on the other hand, has been working on the credibility factor and PM Modi is himself at the forefront of this national effort on the part of the party and the government.

(Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in)
Patna, March 10 : RJD leader Subhash Yadav, a close confidant of former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate from his residence in Patna in connection with the sand mining case.

The leader was arrested late Saturday night after separate teams of ED conducted raids at his several places in Patna and Ranchi and seized more than Rs 2 crore cash and various documents from his residence in Danapur, Maa Marachia Devi apartment in and his biscuit factory located at Nasriganj locality.

The ED officials are currently interrogating him to find out sources of the seized money, other financial transactions and his links with other people in the state.

At least 20 FIRs have been registered by the Bihar Police against M/s Broadsons Commodities Pvt Ltd (BCPL) whose director is Subhash Yadav.

The case pertains to BCPL engaging in illegal sand mining and sale without using e-challans leading to revenue losses.

During the PMLA investigation, it came to the fore that Rs 161 crore had been generated through the illegal sale of sand.

Subhash Yadav contested Lok Sabha election 2019 from Chatra constituency in Jharkhand but was defeated by the BJP candidate.

He was often seen with Lalu Prasad, former chief minister Rabri Devi, former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav, former minister Tej Pratap Yadav and other members of the family.

The ED had also conducted raids at his premises in 2022.

Earlier, teams of the Income Tax Department had conducted raids on his places in connection with tax evasion in 2018.
Russian occupants continue to use chemical weapons against Ukrainian soldiers at the front. In particular, they are increasingly dropping grenades with a choking and tear gas agent such as chloropicrin, the use of which is prohibited by international convention.

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This was reported by Dmytro Lykhoviy, spokesman for the Joint Press Center of the Tauride Defense Forces. According to him, there have been fifty such incidents over the past week, the vast majority of which were committed by the enemy in Zaporizhzhia.

The Russians continue to violate the laws and customs of warfare and international conventions to which the aggressor state is a party. In particular, the occupiers are increasingly using prohibited ammunition with a poisonous substance against Ukrainian soldiers.

"Unfortunately, the Russians are increasingly using ammunition with a poisonous substance. Over the past week, they have dropped grenades with a choking and tear gas agent such as chlorpicrin from drones about 50 times. Yesterday alone, 15 such drops of ammunition were recorded, and almost all of them were in the defense line in the Zaporizhzhya sector," noted Lykhoviy.

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According to him, Russia resorts to prohibited methods of warfare when it cannot get the desired results in a fair battle.

"When the enemy cannot take our trenches with classical artillery or FPV drone attacks, they use tear gas," noted the spokesman for the Joint Press Center of the Tauride Defense Forces.

Chloropicrin or nitrochloroform can cause severe inflammation of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract. Due to its toxic properties, it was widely used during the First World War. It is also known that chloropicrin was used by Soviet troops during the intervention in Afghanistan.

Chloropicrin has a tear-staining effect on humans. At a concentration of more than 0.1 mg/l, it affects the respiratory system, and 0.2 mg/l in a matter of minutes leads to a complete loss of combat capability. A concentration of 2 mg/l with an exposure time of 10 minutes is lethal: death occurs within a few minutes.

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Since 1997, the use of chloropicrin for military purposes has been prohibited by the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, along with phosgene, chloroacetic acid, and hydrocyanic acid.

Since 1997, the Russian Federation has been a party to the Convention. However, this did not prevent the aggressor state from using prohibited chemical weapons, which it was supposed to destroy in accordance with its obligations, against Ukrainian soldiers. Such cases were recorded, in particular, in the Kherson region and in Donbas.

In particular, as early as 2024, the use of chemical weapons by the invaders was recorded in the Tauride direction. And at the end of December 2023, the occupiers admitted to using chemical weapons against the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kherson region.

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In general, as noted by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, over the two years of the full-scale war against Ukraine, Russian troops have carried out 815 chemical attacks. And about a quarter of them were recorded in January 2024: the General Staff counted two hundred and twenty-nine incidents in the first month of the new year.
Imphal, March 10 : The Manipur government will deport 77 Myanmar nationals, including 55 women and five children, by Monday, officials said here.

The Myanmar nationals fled to Manipur after the Military junta seized power in that country on February 1, 2021.

A senior official said here on Sunday that the first batch of seven Myanmarese was deported on March 8 through the Moreh border town in Manipur's Tengnoupal district.

The state home department had sought the Assam Rifles support for necessary assistance to the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Tengnoupal district in the deportation process.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh earlier said that although India is not signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, it has given shelter and aid to those fleeing the crisis in Myanmar on humanitarian grounds with a systematic approach.

Since the Military took over in Myanmar three years ago and the armed clashes have been going on between the Army and the pro-democracy civilian armed forces, over 5,000 Myanmar nationals, including women and children, have taken shelter in Manipur while over 32,000 people have taken shelter in Mizoram.

A majority of the refugees live in relief camps and government buildings in Mizoram, while many others are accommodated by their relatives. A large number of Myanmarese have been staying in rented houses.

Besides the civilians, a few hundred Myanmarese soldiers also fled to Mizoram in different phases after their camps were captured by the armed pro-democracy ethnic groups, who stepped up their battle against the Army in early October last year. However, all the Army personnel were deported to their country.

The Manipur government has collected the biometric details of the Myanmar nationals, sheltered in the state.

The Mizoram government, however, turned down the Union Home Ministry's (MHA) advice to collect biographic and biometric data from the Myanmar refugees.

There is a total of 1,643 km of unfenced India-Myanmar border along Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram.
West Champaran: Prime Minister Narendra Modi the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony of various development projects. Image Source: IANS News

Thiruvananthapuram, March 10 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Kerala to attend BJP candidate Krishnakumar's roadshow in Palakkad on March 15, his fourth visit to the southern state since January.

However, this will be the Prime Minister's first visit after the NDA candidates' list for the state was announced.

Palakkad is considered as an 'A' class Lok Sabha constituency for the BJP.

In Palakkad, the BJP had won the Municipal Corporation elections.

Krishnakumar, the party's state general secretary, is considered a grassroots leader.

The Prime Minister had visited Thrissur in the first week of January and attended a women's convention organised by the BJP.

In mid-January, PM Modi visited the state to attend various events, including the wedding of actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi's daughter.

In February, PM Modi visited Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram and inaugurated three important space infrastructure projects.
New Delhi: Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M. Scindia takes additional charge of the Ministry of Steel, in New Delhi on Thursday, July 7, 2022. (Photo: PIB/IANS). Image Source: IANS News

Bhopal, March 10 : Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday said that a great leader is one who always thinks about the progress of the country and under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is witnessing tremendous growth which is visible.

"It is the first time in the last 75 years that 15 new airport terminals, including three airports, are being inaugurated at one time. It is a historic day for the country's civil aviation department," Scindia said while addressing the gathering of BJP leaders during the inaugural ceremony of a new terminal at Gwalior airport.

PM Modi on Sunday inaugurated and laid the foundation of as many as 15 airports in different parts of the country, including two in Madhya Pradesh  Gwalior and Jabalpur.

Specifying about the newly developed airport terminal of Gwalior, which has been named after one of the founding members of the BJP and his grand-mother Vijaya Raje Scindia, the minister said the new terminal will help to connect Gwalior with all prominent cities in the country.

He said Gwalior airport was named after his grandmother during former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's regime.

"This occasion is very special for me as the new terminal of Gwalior airport, which has been named after my grandmother, is being inaugurated on the occasion of the birth anniversary of my father (Madhavrao Scindia), who built the Gwalior airport," Scindia added.

Visitors will find a glimpse of the history of the Gwalior dynasty as well as the heritage of cultural and social values of Gwalior-Chambal regions at the newly developed airport terminal.

Gwalior airport has been one of the fourth in Madhya Pradesh, three others being Indore, Jabalpur and Bhopal.

Scindia said that the state has only four airports but will be increased to 10 in the next few years.

He said that PM Modi has already laid the foundations of three airports  Rewa, Satna and Datia. Three more airports, including one in Ujjain will be developed soon.

"Gwalior airport was established on 29 acres of land, which now has spread on more than 144 acres of land. With addition a new terminal, which has been developed at Rs 650 crore and was completed in a record 16 months, Gwalior airport is now state's largest airport," Scindia added.
Digital Twin: How India can become a leader in this new tech. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, March 10 : Government's 'Sangam: Digital Twin' initiative, which was unveiled last month by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), is a technology that offers a solution by creating virtual replicas of physical assets, allowing for real-time monitoring, simulation and analysis for experimental iterations and feedback loop to adapt to the changes for achieving the best outcomes.

This initiative is a call to action for public entities, infrastructure planners, tech giants, startups, and academia to break free from silos and engage in Whole-of-Nation approach.

'Sangam: Digital Twin' symbolises a collaborative leap towards reshaping infrastructure planning and design, combining the prowess of 5G, IoT, AI, AR/VR, AI native 6G, Digital Twin and next-gen computational technologies.

The initiative comes in the backdrop of the past decade's breakthroughs in communication, computation and sensing in the era of techade striving for the vision 2047.

In response to global movements towards smart infrastructure and supported by India's geospatial leapfrog, Sangam positions India at the forefront in digital infrastructure and innovation, while acknowledging similar advancements made globally.

This initiative aims to demonstrate the practical implementation of innovative infrastructure planning solutions, to develop a model framework for facilitating faster and more effective collaboration, and to provide a future blueprint that may serve as a roadmap to scale and replicate successful strategies in future infrastructure projects.

The DoT has asked industry pioneers, startups, MSMEs, academia, innovators and forward-thinkers to pre-register and actively participate in Sangam's outreach programmes, "and explore, create, and commit to transform the future of infrastructure planning and design".
Mumbai, March 10 : Acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi never disappoints when he comes on screen. He said that he tries his best for that and credited his "good luck" for getting to work in "good films." Mumbai, March 10 (IANS) Acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi never disappoints when he comes on screen. He said that he tries his best for that and credited his "good luck" for getting to work in "good films."

How does it feel to hear that a 'Pankaj Tripathi' film never disappoints?

The actor told IANS: "I try not to disappoint. I have good luck that I get good films."

Pankaj's next is 'Murder Mubarak', which also stars Sara Ali Khan, Vijay Varma, Dimple Kapadia, Karisma Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Tisca Chopra, Suhail Nayyar and Tara Alisha Berry.

Talking about working with an array of stars with different working styles and sensibilities, Pankaj said: "It was great working with these people. Homi Adajania is a fabulous captain. He takes care of everything. For me, knowing the cast or not did not make any difference as my character knows less of other people even in the film."

The shooting of the film was great fun, he said, adding: "All of them are great human beings and actors."

'Murder Mubarak' revolves around a murder investigation, a non-traditional police officer and several suspects. He steps into their world as an outsider, only to find there is so much more than what meets the eye.

Pankaj shared some anecdotes from the shooting of the film, which took place during winters in New Delhi.

The shooting helped make a suitcase full of memories.

"The weather was good. We all stayed together and made a lot of memories. Everyday we would sit down with Homi. He would share Parsi stories and of his childhood, and I would share stories from my childhood in north Bihar," he said.

'Murder Mubarak' is all set to release on Netflix on March 15.
Amaravati, March 10 : YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) said on Sunday that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will be decimated by the actions of its President and former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

A day after the TDP announced alliance with the Jana Sena Party and Bharatiya Jana Party for the coming Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh, the ruling party said on Sunday that it will not decimate TDP but Chandrababu Naidu's own actions will do it first.

"It's shocking how ready he is to disown his cadre, leaders, ideology and his own words from 4 years back and prostrate in front of anyone just so that he becomes CM for the last time. How shameless!," posted the YSRCP on 'X'

YSRCP parliamentary party leader V. Vijayasai Reddy said that the TDP-JSP-BJP alliance will not exist after YSR Congress wins the elections.

The YSRCP MP also suggested a few names for the coalition. Triple U-Turn, the Discord Consortium, Triple Dilemma Alliance, Tug of War Triumvirate and Three steps backward are the names he suggested for the tripartite alliance.

The YSRCP leader earlier described the coming elections as a class war not a caste war. "It is between the rich who want to concentrate power and make just one place as a power centre against those like CM Mr Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy who wants decentralisation, holistic development of the state and hand hold the poor and vulnerable till they achieve their dreams," he said.

Reacting to the finalisation of TDP-JSP-BJP alliance, minister of water resources Ambati Rambabu said that the YSRCP remains steadfast in its commitment to the people of Andhra Pradesh, standing against alliances driven by personal interests rather than the welfare of the state. He called the alliance desperate and reflective of the weakness of the opposition.

Rambabu stated that no coalition, regardless of its composition, can thwart his path to victory in the upcoming elections.

He criticised the ethics of the alliance, highlighting the contradiction in their past conflicts and their current collaboration to fight against YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy. Rambabu underscored the strength of Jagan Mohan Reddy and the YSRCP, contrasting it with the opportunistic nature of the alliance. Referring to the principles on which NTR founded the TDP, he alleged that by aligning with the BJP, Chandrababu Naidu compromised on Telugu people's integrity.

YSRCP MP Mithun Reddy reaffirmed the party's resilience against propaganda from opposition parties, emphasising the lack of public trust in parties such as the TDP, Jana Sena, and BJP.

He called upon the BJP to fulfill the commitments made in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.

MLA Kurasala Kannababu questioned the sincerity of the alliance, arguing that it primarily serves Chandrababu Naidu's interests rather than benefiting the state.
New Delhi, March 10 : Embattled edtech company Byju's has disbursed a portion of the pending salaries for over 20,000 employees for the month of February.

The company has also promised to pay the remaining balance once it is allowed to use the funds from the recently closed rights issue.

"We processed part salaries for everyone for February, late night on Friday to the extent of capital we could get outside the rights issue. The company will pay the balance once the rights issue funds are available, which we expect shortly," the company said in a letter to employees accessed by IANS.

"As you know, a group of investors has blocked the funds raised through the rights issue, rendering them temporarily unavailable for our business purposes. This situation has created an immediate financial constraint for the company," it added.

The company has assured employees that they are actively working to resolve this matter and restore normalcy.

"In the interim, we have made alternate funding arrangements to ensure your daily lives are not disrupted."

The company has fully paid the salaries of lower base employees, while mid-to-senior workers paid in part.

In the letter, the company mentioned that the salaries are expected to be reflected in employee accounts on March 11, as it was delayed due to a long weekend and second Saturday.

Earlier sources said that the company appears not in a position to pay the salaries due to the status quo, as banks also remain closed over the weekend.

The Bengaluru bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had directed Byjuas that the proceeds from the rights issue (which is about $250-$300 million) is to be kept in a separate account till the disposal of the case with investors.
Kolkata : Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, accused of sexual violence and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali village, being produced at the Bhawani Bhawan. Image Source: IANS News

Kolkata, March 10 : A district court in West Bengal on Sunday extended by four days the judicial custody of Sheikh Shahjahan, suspended Trinamool Congress leader and a key accused in the attack on ED and CAPF sleuths in Sandeshkhali.

Shahjahan was presented at the Basirhat Sub- Divisional Court, where the CBI counsel moved a plea for extension of his custody by another four days.

The CBI counsel argued that since the investigative agency has got Shahjahan's custody for a limited period, hence it needs additional time to interrogate him.

After a brief hearing in the matter, the judge of the district court approved the extension.

Shahjahan's daughter Shabana Yasmin, who was present in the court, told media persons that her father is innocent.

"My father is innocent. He has been implicated. I am sure the truth will surface at the right time. Let there be a proper investigation in the matter," Yasmin said. However, she refused to give an answer when asked who had implicated her father.

Shahjahan's counsel did not move any bail plea on behalf of his client.

Shahjahan was arrested on February 28, and the next day, the Basirhat Sub-divisional Court remanded him to ten days police custody.

He was then transferred to the custody of CID-West Bengal.

On March 6, the CBI got Shahjahan's custody.
South Korean vows to speed up medical reform despite walkout by trainee doctors. Image Source: IANS News

Seoul, March 10 : South Korean Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said on Sunday that the government would hasten its policy of increasing the number of medical students while issuing warnings against defiant trainee doctors who attacked their colleagues returning to the medical field.

"It is completely unacceptable to attack people who are working day and night in the field and coerce them to participate in the collective action," Cho Kyoo-hong told a government response meeting, Yonhap news agency reported.

"We will thoroughly investigate it and take strict action."

Allegations have recently surfaced that some trainee doctors have disclosed the names and other information of colleagues not participating in the walkout and cyberbullied them, with some facing verbal harassment upon returning to the workplace.

At the same time, Cho Kyoo-hong also stressed that the government is ready to talk with the medical community to iron out the thorny issue.

A mass walkout by about 12,000 trainee doctors entered its 20th day Sunday and caused wider disruptions in health care services across South Korea, prompting the government to implement emergency policies to make up for the shortage of medical staff.

More than 90 per cent of 13,000 medical interns and residents have remained off their jobs through mass resignations for nearly three weeks in protest of the government's decision to increase medical school enrollment by 2,000 next year.

In response, health authorities launched a pilot programme late last month enabling nurses to undertake specific responsibilities held by doctors in a restricted capacity.

With emergency units at military hospitals opened to the public, moreover, the government also announced plans to send military and public doctors to private hospitals nationwide for the ensuing four weeks from Monday.

At the same time, the government said it will hasten its policy of increasing the number of medical students while issuing warnings against defiant trainee doctors who attacked their colleagues returning to the medical field.

"It is completely unacceptable to attack people who are working day and night in the field and coerce them to participate in the collective action," Cho Kyoo-hong told a government response meeting. "We will thoroughly investigate it and take strict action."

Allegations have recently surfaced that some trainee doctors have disclosed the names and other information of colleagues not participating in the walkout and cyberbullied them, with some facing verbal harassment upon returning to the workplace.

At the same time, Cho also stressed that the government is ready to talk with the medical community to iron out the thorny issue.

The government has already taken steps to suspend the medical licenses of striking trainee doctors, urging them to return to work.

Since Tuesday, the government has been sending out documents to trainee doctors who have yet to return to their jobs, giving prior notice on the suspension of their medical licenses.

The document includes details on the government's back-to-work order and warns that those who do not submit feedback by March 25 could have their licenses suspended in accordance with relevant procedures.

Trainee doctors can file administrative complaints against the government in the event their licenses are suspended.

The government's hawkish stance to punish striking trainee doctors seemed to encourage some professors at medical schools to leave their jobs and join the collective action by younger doctors.

Some professors have already tendered their resignations in protest against their universities' decision to accept the government's plan to expand the medical school enrollment.

A group of medical professors had a meeting Saturday to discuss ways to break the deadlock but failed to reach a conclusion.

The collective action by trainee doctors, who play a vital role in assisting senior doctors during surgeries and dealing with inpatients while training at major general hospitals, has resulted in widespread cancellations and delays in surgeries and emergency medical treatment at general hospitals nationwide.

Critics say the striking doctors oppose the government plan as they worry adding more doctors would result in tougher competition and lower income.

The Korean Medical Association (KMA), the country's biggest lobby group for doctors, argues the government plan won't fix fundamental problems in the medical system, including doctor shortages in fields seen as lower paying, as well as a high concentration of doctors in urban areas.
Los Angeles, March 10 : Hollywood star Cate Blanchett said that society "needs" to have "tough conversations," even if people are scared to share their views.

"Culturally, we are terrified of tough conversations. Boss to employee. Employee to boss. Friend to friend. But we need them," said Blanchett.

"We talk about radical candour, but when there's a trigger warning in front of something, you are implying that there is a lack of mutual respect or that the subject hasn't been properly interrogated," she told Sunday Times Culture magazine.

The actress found it "thrilling" when her movie 'Tar' was tagged offensive in some quarters because she isn't interested in "happy agreement" and only positive feedback about her work.

She said: "That was the most thrilling thing. You don't want a film about which everybody is going to say, 'Well done.' When people debate it, it's absolutely thrilling. 'Tar' was challenging, but travelled on the wave of the audience and not all the conversations were positive."

"They don't need to be, just respectful. I don't want happy agreement."

Despite seeing the highs of highs in her career, Blanchett feels that she is always at risk of "failure" with every new project, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"(Films like 'The Good German' were seen by) about two and a half people  Clooney and me, speaking German? And that opening the Berlin Film Festival? Mistake."

"There are films millions see, but then simply move on to the next thing. Some films are a slower burn, but you always have to risk failure  that's the case with every project."
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has revealed what would happen if Russian dictator Vladimir Putin attacked the Baltic states, which are NATO members. According to him, the Russian aggressor country will be defeated in this case, but the consequences of the war will be terrible.

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The cities of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia could suffer significant destruction in the event of an invasion by Russian troops. Kuleba said this in an interview with the Lithuanian news agency Elta.

"If Putin invades the Baltic states, you will bravely defend your peoples against an enemy that surpasses you in both experience and capabilities. NATO will take a few days to decide how to respond. And then NATO will respond," he predicted.

According to Kuleba, NATO forces will eventually defeat the Russian invaders.

"However, take look at Bakhmut, at Avdiivka... this is what the Baltic countries will look like after intense fighting. This is how your cities will look like. There will be no more beautiful Vilnius," the Minister warned.

The foreign minister emphasized that the cheapest and safest way to avoid this scenario is to support Ukrainians fighting against Russian aggression. According to him, Lithuania understands this and therefore actively supports Kyiv, while "others pretend they can avoid it," he added.

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As reported, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina compared the current state of Russia to that of an unpredictable alcoholic or drug addict. She emphasized that neighboring countries should understand that Russia's behavior is difficult to predict.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Hyderabad, March 10 : AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday termed the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel as "shocking", just days before the announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Hyderabad, March 10 (IANS) AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday termed the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel as "shocking", just days before the announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

He demanded that the government should reveal the reasons for the Election Commissioner's resignation.

Talking to media persons, the Hyderabad MP said since Arun Goel has not cited the reasons for his resignation, the Modi government should tell the country what are the reasons for his move.

"The election schedule is likely to be announced anytime after March 13 and just a few days before the Election Commissioner has resigned which is surprising and shocking," he said.

He recalled that when the government had brought a Bill in Parliament about the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners, he had opposed the same as the government had gone against the order of the Supreme Court.

Owaisi said wrong legislation was passed as a three-member committee comprising the Prime Minister, minister and Leader of the Opposition will appoint CEC and ECs. "When the committee has two members from the government, it's obvious that the government will appoint persons of its choice as election commissioners. The search committee too has more members from the government," he said.

The MP recalled that the Supreme Court had said in its orders that the government should not have a majority in the committee to appoint CEC and ECs to ensure neutral persons are appointed to conduct elections in a free and fair manner.

--IANS

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You all will become witnesses to 'Vikas ki Kranti': Piyush Goyal at Viksit Bharat Ambassadors artist workshop. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, March 10 : Union Minister for Commerce and Industry and Textiles, Piyush Goyal attended the Viksit Bharat Ambassadors Artist Workshop in the national capital on Sunday, and hailed the pioneering and innovative artworks done by the artists to promote the idea of a developed India by 2047.

He lauded the artists for their priceless and invaluable contribution in furthering the dream of Viksit Bharat 2047 and said all of them will witness the revolutionary growth and India's journey from here to a developed nation.

Piyush Goyal credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for galvanising the countrymen, and making the entire 140 crore population, a participant in the India growth story. He said that India is making its presence worldwide and this will only get emboldened in years to come.

"I thank the Prime Minister for envisaging the Viksit Bharat 2047 dream and also turning it into a mass movement. It's because of his foresightedness and vision that the country is taking rapid strides. The day is not far when all the citizens will have access to all amenities and facilities, as in any developed country," the minister told the artists and craftsmen.

Hailing the artists for making the event a vibrant affair with their craft and artwork, the minister said their effort and endeavour will not go unnoticed and 'all of you all will become witnesses to the Vikas ki Kranti'.

The Minister also asserted that India was set to realise its true potential and get its due on the global stage.

"It's time to demolish all the colonial hangover and realise the nation's inherent potential while keeping our cultural values and traditions on top," he said, while urging all to take pride in their roots.

Goyal said that being the Commerce Minister, he also owed them an opportunity and a platform where they could showcase their creations, and also get due remuneration for their craft.

The day-long Viksit Bharat Ambassadors Artist Workshop, organised in Delhi, saw the participation of artists from various states, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, among others.

All the artists and craftsmen spoke favourably about the path-breaking Viksit Bharat 2047 initiative and said that this was a welcome move to bring them on a big platform.
Kathmandu, March 10 : Janata Samajbadi Party chairman Upendra Yadav on Sunday took oath as Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal.

Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, who is also from the party, was named as minister for forest and environment, said a statement from the office of the president.

Nepal Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Speaker Devraj Ghimire, former Prime Minister and CPN (UML) Chair KP Sharma Oli and former Prime Minister and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal were present on the occasion, The Himalyan reported.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal Dahal, chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center) on Wednesday introduced 20 ministers into his cabinet by Wednesday after he severing alliance with the Nepali Congress and formed a new coalition with the CPN (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and two other parities two days earlier, Xinhua news agency reported.

He still can add three state ministers into the cabinet.

Dahal took office as the head of a coalition government comprising the CPN-UML in December 2022 as no single party won a majority of seats in the lower house in the general elections held in November that year.

The Nepali Congress joined the coalition months later following the exit of the CPN-UML.
Hyderabad, March 10 : A young woman from Hyderabad, who had been living with her family in Australia, has been found murdered, according to reports.

The body of Chaitanya Madhagani alias Swetha was found in a bin on the side of a deserted road in Buckley, west of Geelong in Victoria on Saturday.

Swetha was living with husband and their three-year-old son in Melbourne.

Local police suspect that the two parties involved are known to one another, and the offender may have fled overseas. Police established a second crime scene at a residential address on Mirka Way, Point Cook in southwestern Melbourne.

They suspect that the woman was murdered at home and her body was dumped in a bin some 82 km away.

Swetha's husband, Ashok Raj Varikuppala, reportedly flew back to India recently with the couple's son.
New Delhi, March 10 : As billions of people will vote in elections around the world this year, growing threats from artificial intelligence (AI) technology such as deepfake videos and voice synching can be used to help influence public opinion, discredit people or politicians, experts said on Sunday.

This year, elections will be held in more than 50 countries around the world, including India.

"Deepfakes pose a significant threat to democracy, as they are frequently weaponised to manipulate opinions, influence stock prices, and create misinformation," Harish Kumar GS, Head of Sales, India and SAARC, Check Point Software Technologies, told IANS.

"These deepfake videos and voice synching can be used to help sway public opinion, discredit individuals or politicians, especially during salient timing such as elections, disrupting the political party and destroying the politicianas image and reputation and disturbing the democratic system," he added.

The proliferation of deepfake content surged in late 2017, with over 7,900 videos online. By early 2019, this number nearly doubled to 14,678, and the trend continues to escalate, according to experts.

Recently, deepfake videos of former US President Bill Clinton and current President Joe Biden were fabricated and circulated to confuse citizens during the presidential elections.

Similarly, a deepfake video of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urging soldiers to surrender in their fight against Russia was shared on social media, creating panic and confusion.

The Indian government has issued directives to social media platforms such as X and Meta (formerly Facebook), urging them to regulate the proliferation of AI-generated deepfake content.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) has issued an advisory to such platforms to remove AI-generated deepfakes from their platforms.

To combat these threats, experts said that organisations must defend themselves against deepfake attacks.

"As AI continues to advance, it becomes imperative to manage its dual role by harnessing its capabilities to combat deepfake threats while mitigating the risks associated with potential misuse," said Vishal Salvi, CEO of Quick Heal Technologies.

He also mentioned that despite the numerous potential drawbacks, AI is anticipated to advance cybersecurity and aid organisations in establishing more robust security measures.

According to experts, effective detection of deepfake content requires meticulous examination of various aspects of the media.

To detect such content, they suggested to begin by scrutinising facial expressions and movements for inconsistencies, such as irregular blinking patterns or discrepancies between audio and visual cues.

Pay attention to lip-sync errors and evaluate lighting conditions and shadows for anomalies that could reveal manipulation. Be vigilant of unusual backgrounds and listen for audio irregularities.

Additionally, consider utilising deepfake detection tools and software applications available online to further scrutinise media for potential manipulation.

(Shrey Srivastava can be reached at shrey.s@ians.in)
Bhubaneswar, March 10 : Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha Police has arrested two persons including a banker in connection with a Rs 3.70 crore bank fraud case.

The prime accused Sarojkanta Mohapatra was arrested from Cuttack on Saturday while the other accused, Angel Mishra was apprehended from Puri on Sunday.

The duo was arrested on the basis of a complaint filed by Sandeep Pattnaik, General Manager, IDBI Bank, Bhubaneswar.

Patnaik alleged in his complaint that Mohapatra, the former Branch manager in connivance with accused Mishra and the ex-assets officer of IDBI's Dandamukundapur Branch, Tanmaya Maharana had misappropriated public money to the tune of Rs 3.7 crore and illegally sanctioned 35 fictitious loans (mostly MUDRA loans), in favour of their close relatives using forged documents.

"It was found that the government cash of Rs 3.7 crore was deposited in two bank accounts of Block Development Officer (BDO), Pipili block maintained with IDBI Bank, Dandamukundapur Branch, Pipili. During 2018, BDO, Pipili, had requested the bank for Flexi Fixed Deposit (FFD) of the above amount, and as per the advice of former Branch manager, accused Mohapatra, the then BDO of Pipili had issued seven "Yourself" cheques for the purpose," said EOW sources.

The BDO office was also falsely intimated by the accused that the amount had been deposited in flexi account and also provided details of interest to be accrued upon the deposit.

The fraud came to fore when the BDO sought the details of the Flexi Account and the statements of the account in 2022. The bank officials informed the BDO that no such FFD has ever been created from the accounts of BDO, Pipili.

Following the confusion, the bank launched an internal investigation and was shocked to find out that Rs 3.70 crore of Pipili Block Office deposited with the bank has been misappropriated by the accused bank officials.

The probe also revealed that Mohapatra and Maharana, the respective Ex-Branch Manager and Ex-Asset Officer of the particular Branch, had fraudulently created 35 fictitious MUDRA loans amounting to Rs 10 lakhs each in the name of their close relatives without the knowledge of the loanees who neither applied nor availed the loans.

Meanwhile, Mohapatra and Maharana closed the Mudra loan accounts by diverting the amount of the Pipili Block Office to avoid getting caught during the audit. The loan amounts were found to have been transferred to the SBI account of accused Mishra, who is a close friend of prime accused Mohapatra.

Notably, EOW had arrested accused Maharana in the case a few days ago.

Mishra is also involved in another fraud case registered at the Khandagiri Police station here in September 2022. The prime accused Mohapatra is also involved in a Rs 18 crore bank fraud case registered by the Bhopal STF, Madhya Pradesh Police in 2020.
Badal : , March 10 (IANS) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal, on Sunday, gave a clarion call for "complete Panthic and Punjabi unity to secure social, economic and political justice for the state, and to take Punjabis to the next era of development, progress and prosperity." Badal (Punjab), March 10 (IANS) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal, on Sunday, gave a clarion call for "complete Panthic and Punjabi unity to secure social, economic and political justice for the state, and to take Punjabis to the next era of development, progress and prosperity."

Addressing a gathering on the first death anniversary of the five-time Chief Minister and Akali stalwart Parkash Singh Badal, the Akali chief also underlined the need for renewed dedication to ideals of peace and communal harmony under a people-friendly government in Punjab.

"It is impossible to become Badal Sahab but I assure you I am ready to sacrifice everything for the 'quom' (community) and Punjab like him."

Speaking about the late Chief Minister, he said: "Badal Sahab was a nationalist, true democrat and secular in his approach. He respected all religions and took everyone along before making a decision. He never acted vengefully against anyone, which earned him the respect of his political opponents as well."

He also highlighted how Badal always remained among people and even after retiring from active politics, he took up social work.

Paying tributes to the former Chief Minister, Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Sunil Jakhar said: "Badal Sahab's humility was unparelled."

Terming the Akali patriarch as a Vikas Purush, Jakhar said the Akali patriarch was a true statesman who allied with the BJP after more than a decade of strife to usher in peace and communal harmony in the state. "I salute this spirit."

Jakhar also related how the former Chief Minister had always stood for more powers to the state and federalism.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami said: "Today, all political parties feel that strengthening the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is the need of the hour. I appeal to everyone to come on one platform to strengthen SAD."

He also called for the need to thwart designs to weaken SAD and the SGPC.

In a function which witnessed a rare political consensus around the contribution and persona of Parkash Singh Badal, INLD patriarch Om Parkash Chautala said: "Badal Sahab spent more than a decade in jail for the welfare of Punjabis. He worked assiduously for farmers and the 'khet mazdoor' and changed their lives for better. We should all pledge to follow his principles and be ready to make every sacrifice to better the lot of our people."
Lucknow, March 10 : "Today, we are making history. This new Integrated Terminal 3 will transform CCSIA, the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow into the Gateway to Uttar Pradesh and will also mark a celebration of progress and testament to our collective vision," said Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd Managing Director Karan Adani.

Lucknow, March 10 (IANS) "Today, we are making history. This new Integrated Terminal 3 will transform CCSIA, the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow into the Gateway to Uttar Pradesh and will also mark a celebration of progress and testament to our collective vision," said Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd Managing Director Karan Adani.

The Phase-I of Terminal 3 is designed and engineered to accommodate 8 million passengers a year, which is two times the population of this city.

With an initial investment of 2,400 crores, this state-of-the-art facility will augment passenger experience and take operational efficacy to a new level, he informed the gathering.

Karan Adani further lauded PM Modi's vision of transforming India into a global economic superpower and stated that government's focus on modernising infrastructure and promoting sustainable development aligns with Adani Group's mission of creating world-class airports in the country.

"Our vision for CCSIA is big and far-reaching. The master plan aims to expand the airport's capacity to ultimately serve 38 million passengers annually by 2047-48. This exponential growth is a cornerstone of our strategy to support Uttar Pradesh's aspiration to become a one-trillion-dollar economy. Through this development, we are not just building infrastructure  we are creating over 13,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, thus contributing significantly to the economic advancement of this region and the state," said Karan Adani.

Emphasising on state-of-the art design, he said "from the moment travellers set foot in Terminal T3, they are greeted with the Swaagat Wall, a magnificent display that captures the essence of Lucknow's skyline, leading them through an immersive journey that includes the floral festivity of "Basant Bahar," the serene beauty of the "Ghats of Uttar Pradesh," and the innovative "Reflections of Rohu" installation."

"Through T3, we not only aim to create a world-class airport, but we also want to transform it into a symbol of pride for Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh. It is the perfect testament to what we can achieve when we work together," he pointed out.

He further said that Uttar Pradesh has entered an era of extraordinary development, under the able leadership of Yogi Adityanath.

"Your unwavering commitment to ensuring Uttar Pradesh's position as India's leading destination for investment and tourism has been instrumental in propelling projects like T3 forward. Your dedication to improving infrastructure and connectivity across the state mirrors the Prime Minister's grand vision for the nation. Your determination has paved the way for Uttar Pradesh to emerge as an economic powerhouse," Karan Adani said.

IANS

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Kathua : , March 10 (IANS) North India's first government homoeopathic college, centrally funded and costing Rs 80 crore, will come up in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said on Sunday.

He said the institution will be spread over more than 8 acres, and the adjoining three acres may also be added to the existing premises in the future.

"The proposed structure will include a hospital complex, a college, an administrative block, and one hostel each for male and female students," the Union Minister said after visiting the proposed site in Jasrota in Kathua, a government release said.

He also said that the institution will not only be a great boon for aspirants of homoeopathy degree in north India, which was not available earlier but also provide cost-effective treatment to needy patients.

"It will also be in keeping with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi governmentas healthcare approach, which involves synergising allopathic with Ayush streams of medicine, including homoeopathy, ayurveda, and naturopathy," the Minister added.

According to the Minister, the government homoeopathic college will make Kathua an integrated and cost-effective healthcare centre of north India in times to come. It will emerge as a state-of-the-art centre of medical facilities.
New Delhi, March 10 : North India's first government homoeopathic college, centrally funded and costing Rs 80 crore, will come up in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said on Sunday.

He said the institution will be spread over more than 8 acres, and the adjoining three acres may also be added to the existing premises in the future.

"The proposed structure will include a hospital complex, a college, an administrative block, and one hostel each for male and female students," the Union Minister said after visiting the proposed site in Jasrota in Kathua, a government release said.

He also said that the institution will not only be a great boon for aspirants of homoeopathy degree in north India, which was not available earlier but also provide cost-effective treatment to needy patients.

"It will also be in keeping with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi governmentas healthcare approach, which involves synergising allopathic with Ayush streams of medicine, including homoeopathy, ayurveda, and naturopathy," the Minister added.

According to the Minister, the government homoeopathic college will make Kathua an integrated and cost-effective healthcare centre of north India in times to come. It will emerge as a state-of-the-art centre of medical facilities.
The pace of the Russian aggressor army's advance near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region is slowing down after quick successes when the enemy managed to capture the city and several settlements around it. Military experts say there are several reasons for this development. In particular, the terrain, which is not conducive to offensive operations, plays a significant role.

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The New York Times writes about this. Now the Russians have to conduct assault operations in open fields "with little cover."

"Russian troops seem to be trying to push forward using small infantry assault teams, but they are being destroyed in the relatively open terrain west of Avdiivka," Pasi Paroinen, an analyst at Black Bird Group, said.

Thus, while Russian troops are attacking Berdychi, Orlivka and Tonenke through open fields, Ukrainian units are holding the heights, which helps them eliminate the approaching occupiers.

It is also worth considering that the Russian troops who survived the capture of Avdiivka are exhausted from months of heavy fighting.

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At the same time, Ukraine has sent significant forces to defend the area. The NYT writes that Kyiv has sent some of its best troops and weapons to the west of Avdiivka. In particular, it refers to the 47th Magura Brigade.

The Ukrainian army is "engaging all possible weapons" to fight the occupiers near Avdiivka, Serhii Kuzan, head of the public research group of the Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation, said.

"The capture of Avdiivka did not lead to the fall of the Ukrainian defense lines, did not give the Russians the opportunity to enter the open territory or even achieve great success. There are no decisive actions or breakthroughs (by Russian troops - Ed.)," Thibault Fouillet, director of the US Institute for Strategic and Defense Studies, part of the French Research Center, stated.

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As reported, the Russian occupiers are unable to break through the defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Avdiivka. Despite the losses, the army of the aggressor state continues to advance in this direction on the frontline. Most of all, the enemy is "wiping out" the settlement of Orlivka.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Kolkata, March 10 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said that Central investigation agencies will soon knock on the doors of the Trinamool Congress leaders who have been asked to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections by the party.

"You will see that ED and CBI will be active soon. But do not be afraid. If they come, ask for the search warrant. After their operation is over, you should demand the seizure list," Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said while addressing a mega rally of Trinamool Congress in Kolkata, from where the candidate list was announced.

She said that the BJP's main aim is to win the elections by unleashing the Central investigating agencies.

"This legacy of torture will not continue for long. People will not tolerate the system where people are divided on basis of the religion; where a Sikh police officer is branded as a Khalistani; and a Muslim as a Pakistani," the Chief Minister said.

Without naming anyone, the Chief Minister launched a scathing attack against the former judge of Calcutta High Court Abhijit Gangopadhyay who joined the BJP after resigning from judiciary services.

"I always have immense regard for the members of the judiciary. But there is one judge who acted wrongly while he was in the chair. I do not have respect for him," the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, soon after the list was announced infighting in Trinamool Congress surfaced in Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency, where the sitting MP Arjun Singh was dropped and the State Irrigation Minister Partha Bhowmik was nominated.

Singh's followers started protesting at different places in the constituency protesting against the nomination of Bhowmik.

Singh said that he was shocked at the party's decision. "When I came back to Trinamool Congress in 2022, I was promised re-nomination from Barrackpore. Later, I was offered a different constituency, which I refused since I have my roots in Barrackpore," Singh said.
Agartala, March 10 : Tripura Police on Sunday seized 55,000 methamphetamine tablets valued at Rs 5 crore from Agartala-bound vehicle near Bagbasa Naka Point in north Tripura and arrested three youths, police officials said.

North Tripura district Superintendent of Police Bhanupada Chakraborty said that acting on a tip-off, the police intercepted a vehicle at Bagbasa along Tripura-Assam inter-state border and recovered the highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, also locally called Yaba tablet or party tablet.

"The drugs smuggled from Myanmar and entered Tripura through Mizoram and Assam states. We are now interrogating the detainees to obtain further details. The arrested drug peddlers belong to Karimganj in southern Assam," Chakraborty told IANS.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, who also holds the home portfolio, appreciating the role of the police in seizing the drugs, said on the X: "Tripura Police's role towards our vision of building Nasha Mukt Bharat is commendable."

Methamphetamine tablets smuggled in from Myanmar are one of the most trafficked drugs in recent years.

These drugs have a huge demand in northeastern states, and other parts of India and neighbouring Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the Assam Rifles organised an awareness programme as part of 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' (drugs-free India campaign) at Radhanagar in Tripura's Unakoti District, Tripura on Sunday.

During the campaign, an interactive session with the local youths and troops was conducted to educate them about the adverse effects of narcotics and psychotropic substances.

Assam Rifles is determined to address the root causes of substance abuse, providing education, counselling and organising lectures and demonstrations for the locals and make Tripura a drug-free state, an Assam Rifles statement said.
Mumbai, March 10 : Even as MahaYuti partners and Maha Vikas Aghadi allies in Maharashtra are yet to finalise the seat-sharing deal for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, they have stepped up their outreach to voters.

Some programmes were also held for launching and foundation laying of a slew of development projects ahead of the announcement of the Model Code Conduct for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as well as his deputies -- Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, have been conducting whirlwind tours across Maharashtra.

Also, the NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, Congress leaders Nana Patole and Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat have been visiting across the state to seek the voters' support in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Maharashtra has a total of 48 Lok Sabha constituencies.

Simultaneously, there has been a rush for the release of notifications on many government schemes, programmes, and projects in the last two days.

Over 250 such notifications were issued and their numbers are expected to increase ahead of the announcement of the poll schedule.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has announced the candidature of sitting MP Rahul Shewale from the Mumbai South Central constituency.

Shinde has been travelling to attend a number of government functions and also party rallies as he is the leading campaigner and mobiliser in his party.

On the other hand, his deputy, Devendra Fadnavis has also been quite pro-active in taking up government programmes to the voters and addressing party functions with a resolve to achieve BJP's Mission 400 plus at the national level, and 45-plus target in Maharashtra.

According to political observers, as far as another deputy to CM Shinde -- Ajit Pawar is concerned, the upcoming general elections are an acid test for him to prove his pan-Maharashtra leadership.

The upcoming LS polls also provide him a window to justify his move to ditch his uncle -- former Union Minister and veteran politician Sharad Pawar -- and join hands with the BJP and CM Shinde.

Ajit Pawar has been addressing a series of party rallies and attending government functions in an attempt to increase the party's presence across the state.

NCP (SP) has declared the candidature of party chief Sharad Pawar's daughter from Baramati, Supriya Sule, who is the sitting MP, and actor Amol Kolhe from Shirur seat in Pune district.

Sunil Tatkare, the Maharashta unit chief of the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar, has announced Sunetra Pawar -- Ajit Pawar's wife, as the party candidate from Baramati.

Baramati is set to witness a straight fight between Supriya Sule (Sharad Pawar's daughter) and Sunetra Pawar (Ajit Pawar's wife).

Sharad Pawar, 84, has been extensively travelling across Baramati and Maharashtra, appealing to the party members to remain with him during the current crisis.

Pawar, who has a direct connection with youth and old guards, is exhorting them not to be deterred by pressure tactics by the MahaYuti but to be ready for the upcoming polls.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has declared Amol Kirtikar's nomination from Mumbai North West.

Amol Kirtikar, who is the son of veteran Shiv Sena leader and MP Gajanan Kirtikar, is expected to take on his father in Mumbai, though Thackeray's unilateral announcement was criticised by former Mumbai Congress chief, Sanjay Nirupam, claiming that it was against the 'alliance dharma'.

He also alleged that Amol Kirtikar was accused in the 'Khichadi scam', especially for his involvement in the free food distribution programme undertaken by Mumbai civic body by allegedly accepting bribes during the Covid period.

Nirupam has claimed that he has been preparing for the elections for the last five years and is quite keen to contest from Mumbai North West.

Incidentally, Uddhav Thackeray despite being targeted by the BJP and Eknath Shinde, has been carrying out region-wise tours to charge up the cadres.

He has so far travelled to Konkan, Marathwada, North Maharashtra, and Vidarbha, taking an aggressive posture against the BJP.

Besides, Thackeray has been visiting the 'shakhas' in Mumbai.

In the case of Congress, its state unit chief Nana Patole and legislature party leader Balasaheb Thorat are on the move while downplaying the exit of former Ashok Chavan who recently joined BJP and was elected to the Rajya Sabha.

The Congress is banking on Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra's entry in Maharashtra to help in re-energising and activating the party cadres for the upcoming general elections.

Thereafter, the party hopes that there will be no more splits in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

According to sources, both MahaYuti partners and Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance hope to finalise the seat-sharing arrangements in a day or two so that they can formally launch their respective poll management plans across Maharashtra.
UP man arrested for beating dog after locking it up. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, March 10 : Two days ahead of gangster Sandeep aka Kala Jatheri's wedding, the Delhi Police has arrested five sharpshooters of his syndicate and foiled a plan to murder a rival gang member, police said on Sunday.

Police said that they have also recovered highly sophisticated imported weapons, including a Chinese-made Px-3, and Italian-made P-Beretta pistols, from their possession.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, Manoj C, said that on Friday, specific input was received that some gang members of the Kala Jathedi-Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate would come near DDA Park, Sector 16, Dwarka, and also have illegal weapons in their possession.

Acting on the inputs, a trap was laid and Rahul aka Baba, Parveen aka Dada, Rohtash, Mohan, and Sachin, all residents of Haryana, were nabbed.

Upon interrogation, Rahul disclosed that he was running wine shops in partnership with the Kala Jathedi Anil Chippi group and had a financial dispute with Ajay, a resident of Basantpur village in Haryana's Rohtak.

"Ajay was supported by Aman, a resident of village Bhainswal in Haryana's Sonepat. Aman is also involved in crime and is associated with fugitive gangster Himanshu aka Bhau. Last year, Rahul had opened fire outside the residence of Ajay and was arrested by Haryana Police in the case," said the DCP.

Rahul remained lodged in Rohtak Jail where he was brutally attacked and stabbed multiple times by jail inmates, who were associates of Aman.

"After release from jail, Rahul planned to kill Aman and recruited Rohtash, Mohan, and Sachin into his gang. Parveen is closely associated with Rahul. They were provided highly sophisticated pistols by jailed gangsters Kala Jathedi and Anil Chippi," said the DCP.

He said that the role of gangsters Kala Jathedi, Anil Chippi, and Naresh aka Sethi is being verified.

"The arrested accused persons are being interrogated for their involvement in other cases and efforts are being made to arrest their associates and firearms sources and make further recoveries," the DCP added.

--IANS

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Will go with the alliance which assures reservation to Nishad community, says Mukesh Sahani. Image Source: IANS News

Patna, March 10 : Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani on Sunday said that he would go with the alliance that assures reservation to the Nishad community.

Interacting with media persons at Patna airport while on his way to Delhi, he said: "We have our vote bank in Bihar and are capable of targeting any alliance. This is our identity and strength. If any alliance wants to win the maximum number of seats, it requires the VIP and hence, those who accept our demand of reservation for Nishads, our party will go with them."

"Nishads are provided reservation in Delhi and West Bengal and I want the same reservation in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. I know giving reservation is not possible immediately but they should at least give the assurance that our demand would be fulfilled later," he said.

Mukesh Sahani, however, hinted that his party may join the NDA as he said that he wants to work by staying in the system.

aIt is election time in the country and every political party is making alliances. Visiting Delhi would make our work easy. I returned from Delhi on Saturday and am going there again," he said.

As per sources, the BJP has made an offer to Mukesh Sahani - one MLC's seat and a cabinet minister post in the Nitish Kumar government - and he is likely to meet BJP President J.P. Nadda on Sunday night or Monday morning in New Delhi.

The VIP had contested 11 seats in the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, under the umbrella of the NDA, and managed to win 4 seats. However, Sahani himself lost his seat and three of his party MLAs later joined the BJP, while one died.
Mumbai, March 10 : Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (SS-UBT) legislator and former Maharashtra minister Ravindra Waikar on Sunday switched to the Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Waikar's move to desert SS-UBT is being seen as a major setback to the party supremo and former CM Uddhav Thackeray ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

He made the switch just a day after he had welcomed Uddhav Thackeray to Jogeshwari East -- the constituency Waikar represents in the Maharashtra Assembly.

Waikar has been under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in luxury hotel construction.

Waikar has already been questioned by the financial probe agency in this connection.

The Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai Police had booked Waikar and five others on a complaint filed by BJP leader, Kirit Somaiya.

Waikar's exit came days after the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) told the Supreme Court that it was withdrawing its earlier order that had revoked permission granted to Waikar to build a five-star hotel in Jogeshwari East.

The civic body submitted that it will reconsider his representation.

Waikar received a major relief and immediately after the BMC's move, speculation about his switch to Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena began in the political circles of Mumbai.

However, Waikar, after joining Shinde-led Sena, in the presence of the party MP Gajanan Kirtikar, said that he has already extended his cooperation to the probe agencies and will continue to do so in the future as well.

He added that he has taken a decision to join CM Shinde-led Shiv Sena for the completion of a slew of developmental work in his (Jogeshwari East) constituency lying pending over lack of funds.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde welcomed Waikar, his family and a number of 'Shiv Sainiks' and office bearers who joined the Sena faction led by him on Sunday.

CM Shinde also promised to look into the work proposals submitted by Waikar and take the necessary decisions for their completion.

Shinde also hailed Waikar's four decades-plus political journey, saying that he was a true 'Shiv Sainik' who had worked with Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
Bhubaneswar, March 10 : Two prisoners, involved in separate cases of murder, escaped from the Titilagarh sub-jail in Odisha's Balangir district by jumping over the boundary wall, officials said.

The escaped prisoners have been identified as Sobhaban Rana, 28, and Sumeet Bihari, 23.

Rana has been undergoing trial in connection with a human sacrifice case in the Sindhekela area of the district in 2018. Bihari was in jail for the last two years after being held on the charges of killing a minor by throwing him into a well.

The state Prison Department officials said that an internal enquiry has been initiated to find out the lapses and the persons responsible for the jailbreak on Saturday.

Local police have also launched a manhunt to nab the escaped prisoners after registering a case on a complaint lodged by the Titilagarh prison authorities.
Jolt to BRS as 4 party leaders switch to BJP. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi/Hyderabad, March 10 : In a setback to the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, four leaders of the party on Sunday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the national capital.

Former MPs Sitaram Naik and Godam Nagesh, and ex-legislators S. Saidi Reddy and Jalgam Venkat Rao joined the BJP at the party headquarters in Delhi in the presence of BJP general secretary & in-charge of Telangana, Tarun Chugh.

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy -- the Telangana unit BJP president, had called on Sitaram Naik in Hanamkonda on Friday and invited him to join BJP.

Naik was upset with the BRS leadership after it denied him a ticket from Mahabubabad and once again fielded sitting MP Maloth Kavitha.

The BJP has reportedly assured to field Sitaram Naik from Mahabubabad.

Nagesh is also likely to be fielded from Adilabad, where the BJP may drop sitting MP Soyam Bapu Rao.

In 2019, Nagesh lost the election to Bapu Rao.

Saidi Reddy, who had won Huzurnagar Assembly seat in the by-election but suffered defeat in the recent polls, is likely to get a BJP ticket from Nalgonda constituency. Jalgam Venkat Rao, a key BRS leader from Khammam district who was denied ticket in recent Assembly elections, may also be fielded by BJP in Lok Sabha polls. BJP national OBC morcha president K. Laxman, MLA

A. Maheshwar Reddy and P. Sudhakar Reddy were also present.

Laxman later told mediapersons that the latest political development shows that BJP is gaining further strength in Telangana.

He predicted that after Lok Sabha elections, Telangana will also move towards a double-engine government.

He exuded confidence that the BJP would win more Lok Sabha seats from in South India than in the past.

The BJP leader claimed that BRS is getting emptied while Congress is getting decimated.

Laxman said people rejected Congress across the country due to family rule and corruption.

He also said that, like the Congress party, leaders of regional parties like BRS, RJD and Samajwadi Party were working for their family members.

Meanwhile, BJP national vice president D.K. Aruna exuded confidence that would win 12 out of 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana.

She urged the BJP workers to work hard for the party's victory in the Lok Sabha polls.

--IANS

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Patna, March 10 : An SUV driver was seriously injured after the speeding vehicle overturned in Atal Path here on Sunday evening, police said.

The SUV crashed with the divider and an iron rod pierced the windshield and the driver's body.

The accident occurred near the water tank footover bridge around 8 p.m. and the impact of the accident was so massive that the vehicle was completely mangled. The police said that they were trying to identify the victim, who was unable to speak. Gas cutters were being used to cut the iron bar and pull him out.

On February 15, another SUV rammed a bike rider and ended up crashing the divider on the same road. The SUV driver was seriously injured after an iron bar pierced his chest. The bike rider was killed.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi digitally inaugurates and performs 'bhoomi poojan' of houses built under 'PM Awas Yojana' during the Viksit Bharat Viksit Gujarat programme. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, March 10 : An intervention by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top leaders helped to prevent a 'potential Russian nuclear attack', CNN reported.

As the Russia-Ukraine war, which broke out in 2022, intensified, the report said, citing two senior officials, that the US started "preparing rigorously" for a potential nuclear strike by Moscow against Kiev.

The Joe Biden administration was "specifically concerned" that Russia might use a tactical or battlefield nuclear weapon, leading to the first nuclear attack since the US dropped bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, officials said.

It was then that the US sought to enlist the help of India and China to discourage Russia from such an attack.

"US officials say that outreach and public statements from Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped avert a crisis," the CNN report stated.

"One of the things we did was not only message them directly but strongly urge, press, encourage other countries, to whom they might be more attentive, to do the same thing," a senior administration official said.

"I think we believe showing the international community concern about this, particularly the concern from key countries for Russia and the Global South, was also a helpful, persuasive factor and showed them what the cost of all this could be," the report said, quoting the official.

Meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Uzbekistan in 2022, PM Modi called for a peaceful solution to the conflict and told the Russian leader that "this is not an era of war".

PM Modi had told President Putin that democracy, diplomacy, and dialogue have kept the world together.

In response, the Russian leader said that he understands India's "concerns" and promised PM Modi that he would try and end the conflict even as he blamed Ukraine for prolonging it.
Anton Hofreiter, a member of the German Bundestag from the Green Party, called on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to support the British proposal, an exchange of German Taurus missiles for British Storm Shadow ones to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons.

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The MP's statement is being spread by the German media. According to Hofreiter, "it would have been better if Chancellor Scholz had not blocked the delivery of Taurus to Ukraine."

"But until Ukraine receives more cruise missiles, the proposed 'ring exchange' is an opportunity," Hofreiter said.

As reported, the UK is considering the possibility of transferring additional Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine in exchange for Taurus ones from Germany. London does not share Chancellor Scholz's concerns that the supply of Taurus missiles could escalate the conflict, so it offers a "ring exchange" of missiles as an option.

Earlier, Ukraine stated that it was ready to agree to the condition of not hitting targets in Russia with German long-range Taurus missiles if they were transferred to the Ukrainian army. The fact that Ukraine is strictly fulfilling such obligations can be confirmed by countries that have already transferred weapons to the Ukrainian army with similar restrictive conditions.

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Patna, March 10 : Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJPR) President Chirag Paswan on Sunday asserted that his alliance is only with the people of Bihar.

Addressing a rally in Sahebganj block in Vaishali Lok Sabha constituency, he said: "I have an alliance only with the people of Bihar and if anyone is thinking that he would bend or break me, then he is living in misconception. Chirag Paswan is the son of a lion. He will not bend or break before anyone."

"I have no desire for power at present or in future. I have an alliance only with the people of Bihar. Besides them, I have no other commitment," he said.

Chirag Paswan also attacked the current state government, saying that the state was not robbed by one party but several parties had looted it in the past.

"Many governments came to Bihar but its status did not improve. In fact, It is heading towards ruination. Now, the election is coming and leaders will come before the people of Bihar. I want to appeal to people to ask questions about the promises they made in the previous election. The public should identify those leaders who have not fulfilled the promises," he said.

After the rally, Chirag Paswan returned to Patna and went to Delhi. Interacting with media persons at Patna airport, he said that seat-sharing will be finalised soon. "Our discussion on the number of seats and constituencies has already been completed. It is a matter of time before we announce it jointly," he said.
Beirut, March 11 : Three Hezbollah members were killed in an Israeli air strike targeting a house in Lebanon's southern village of Khirbet Selm, Lebanese military sources told the media.

The sources, who spoke anonymously, said on Sunday that members of the civil defence had rushed to the scene with bulldozers, cranes, and ambulances, and the three bodies had been transferred to the Tebnin Governmental Hospital in the central sector of southern Lebanon, Xinhua news agency reported.

The sources added that Israel launched five raids on three areas in southern Lebanon and fired 30 shells on seven towns and villages in the south.

Meanwhile, Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said it targeted Israel's Meron air base with dozens of missiles and attacked an Israeli site in the vicinity of Mount Adir, killing and wounding its members, in addition to attacking the sites of Al-Samaqa, Al-Malikiyah, Zebdine and Al-Baghdadi.

The Lebanon-Israel border has been witnessing increased tension since October 8, 2023, after Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 the same year, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.

The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 352 people on the Lebanese side, including 234 Hezbollah members and 70 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources.
Ankara, March 11 : Turkish police detained 33 suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) group in operations in the northwestern province of Sakarya over alleged preparation of attacks ahead of the country's local elections later this month, a Cabinet Minister said.

The IS suspects were "preparing and searching for action before the upcoming local elections," Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Sunday on social media platform X.

The suspects were allegedly recruiting fighters to conflict zones, providing financial aid for the group, and operating illegal mosques and madrassas, the Minister added.

The police teams seized weapons, cash and organisational documents during raids, he said as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

Turkey has stepped up operations against IS terrorists after the group attacked a church in Istanbul in late January, killing a civilian during Sunday mass.

The Turkish government designated the IS as a terrorist organisation in 2013 and blamed it for a spate of deadly attacks in the country since 2015.

In December last year, Turkish intelligence and security forces captured a top IS terrorist in charge of the group's finances in an operation in Turkey's southeastern province of Mersin.
Lucknow, March 11 : Agitated residents pelted stones at employees of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) and police personnel when a team of officials started pulling down three commercial buildings as part of a demolition drive in the state capital's Akbar Nagar area on Sunday evening.

Two government vehicles were damaged in the stone-pelting, "mild force" was used to bring the situation under control, police said.

The situation escalated when rumours spread that some persons were killed after being trapped under the debris during the demolition of one of the buildings.

A large number of people gathered there and started pelting stones at the LDA team and police. Additional police teams were sent to pacify the protesters. However, no injuries were reported in the stand-off.

A government spokesman said, "There was a rumour that the Authority would be demolishing residential houses, prompting the people to protest."

On March 6, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had stayed the demolition drive in Akbar Nagar and directed the state government to ensure that all the people being rehabilitated from there (slums) and applying for EWS houses be provided accommodations and the entire process of shifting be completed by March 31.

The eviction drive is part of the administration's plans to beautify and develop Akbar Nagar which is located on the banks of the Kukrail nullah. The demolition order was passed by the Authority citing illegal constructions on the Kukrail's riverbed and banks.

Indramani Tripathi, Vice-Chairperson of the Lucknow Development Authority, clarified that the plan was to demolish three commercial establishments, as the petitions of their owners against demolition were dismissed by the high court.

"When the third commercial building was being demolished, false rumours circulated, prompting the residents to protest. The situation was resolved only after convincing them that there was no plan to demolish any residential buildings," said Tripathi.
Beirut, March 11 : Three members of al-Fajr Forces, the military wing of the Islamic Group, were killed, and one member wounded in an Israeli air strike on the village of Hebbariye in southern Lebanon, Lebanese military sources told the media.

The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Sunday that Israeli warplanes fired four air-to-surface missiles at a vehicle, resulting in the deaths of three individuals inside and injuring a fourth, Xinhua news agency reported.

Members of civil defence units and the Red Cross have transported the bodies and the wounded to a hospital, according to the sources.

Al-Fajr Forces, a Sunni armed group, has recently carried out several military operations against the Israeli army from southern Lebanon.
Three years after Albert Whitman & Company came under fire from authors and illustrators over delayed royalty payments, numerous agents are saying that the 105-year-old Chicagoland childrens publisher has once again fallen behind on its obligations.

PW spoke with more than a dozen authors and agents over the past month who all shared similar complaints and concerns after agreeing to speak on condition of anonymity. One agent said that the publisher managed to get current after its troubles in 20202021, but has since slipped. Another agent offered a more blunt assessment: AW&C is up to their old games and not behaving like a reputable publisher.

Frankly, their schedule of paying five months after sending the royalty statement is frustrating, one agent said, while another added that the company owes payments on multiple illustrator contracts as well as royalty payments for other clients. They have always been slow to pay, but they have become unresponsive, and that is quite concerning.

In an interview, AW&C v-p and co-owner Patrick McPartland acknowledged the publishers recent difficulties and told PW that executives have been reaching out to author and agent groups, including the Association of American Literary Agents, the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators, and the Authors Guild. McPartland cited a tough 2023 in terms of sales and cash flowa common theme among many indie presses. Those challenges were exacerbated, he said, by the death of business director Joseph Campbell in August 2022.

Were doing our best to get out in front of this and make sure that everyone is aware that we are aware, McPartland said, adding that the company is also slowing down acquisitions to prioritize paying author advances and royalties.

Still, the latest round of troubles has shaken the confidence of some authors and agents. One author (whose agent succeeded in reverting the rights from AW&C to a series shed created) reported that a royalty check dated November 15 did not arrive until the end of January. A second author, who spoke with PW about the publishers troubles back in 2020 and 2021, complained of a continuing lack of transparency: I dont know what theyre doing with the royalties, and I dont see any way I can find out. With a publisher you have to have some sense of trust. I absolutely have no trust in Albert Whitman after struggling with them for over a decade.

A third author, a former childrens book editor at various New York City houses who has published more than a dozen books with AW&C, concurred. The editorial staff is lovely and I have done some very nice books with them, but the payment stuff is just a sin, the author said. Not only do they not pay but they offer zero explanation. Each time, one person will say, I am going to check on that, or, Its waiting for an okay from the people in charge. No one wants to have to scream and shout to get their money. Its not respectful.

Lauren MacLeod, a member of the AALAs communications committee, told PW in an email that the organization is well aware of the situation and confirmed that it has recently received complaints from multiple agencies. She said the AALA is canvassing its membership to assess the extent of the problem, noting that the group previously issued alerts regarding delayed payments from the publisher in 2018 and 2020. SCBWI executive director Sarah Baker said she does not know of any recent complaints relating to AW&C.

McPartland said that the publisher has taken steps to address the issues and asked for patience. He added that he and co-owner John Quattrocchi, AW&Cs president, were forced to lay off some very good employees this past year and implement other cost-cutting measures, such as downsizing the companys office. AW&C also sold off its popular Boxcar Children series.

The fixes are going to work, they just take time, McPartland said. Were a small independent publisher really doing our best to treat people fairly and pay them on time. Its been a challenge. But we will catch up.
Property details:

1 ACRE Quality of Life in the Wilderness MODOC COUNTY This Property is located in the vicinity of Alturas; south west about 20 miles-drive; is a city in and the county seat of Modoc County, Ca. The population was 2,827 at the 2010 census. It is also only 19 minutes-drive from California Pines. Alturas is located on the Pit River, east of the center of Modoc County, at an elevation of 4370 feet. As the county seat, the town is a home to regional government offices, including a California Highway ...

Price: $ 850 Seller State of Residence: California Type: Homesite, Lot Zoning: Residential State/Province: California Location: 928**, Anaheim, California

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ABC / Reality TV World

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/10/2024



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Bachelor spoilers have unveiled the "unprecedented" ending of Joey Graziadei 's season -- including Joey's Final 2 bachelorettes and the who star really picked as his winner and ended up with on Season 28.cast is heading to Tulum, Mexico for the next episode airing on Monday, March 11 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC."We are in Tulum, Mexico and I am falling in love with every woman that is here!" Joey says in a preview of what's to come.Joey's remaining bachelorettes are Daisy Kent , a 25-year-old account executive from Becker, MN; Kelsey Anderson , a 25-year-old junior project manager from New Orleans, LA; and Rachel Nance , a 26-year-old ICU nurse from Honolulu, HI. Rachel Nance in the preview of the upcoming Fantasy Suites episode, "Love is a leap of faith, and let me tell ya, I am about to take the biggest leap."And Joey, teasing his overnight dates, shares, "I hope I feel everything I need to in order to get down on one knee and know it's my person."Joey proceeds to tell one of his bachelorettes, "I am falling in love with you fully, and I've felt it for a while."But one bachelorette gets upset, and Joey laments to cameras, "She says she's okay, but I know she's not."One woman also shakes Joey to his core when she leaves a "we need to talk" note on his hotel door."I have this feeling deep down inside that once I show every part of myself, people don't fall in love with me," Joey laments in the preview.episode will also featured guest appearances by The Golden Bachelor ladies Leslie Fhima Susan Noles , and Sandra Mason Joey's journey will continue after he met his Final 4 bachelorettes' families and eliminated Maria Georgas "I'm confused. I came here and showed all of me. I told Joey that I am falling in love with him, and if that's not enough for him, what more can I give this man?" Maria complained in her final words on the latest episode."It sucks, and it makes me sad, because Joey is everything I've always wanted, and it doesn't come often when I feel this way. But I should've told him [how I felt] a lot sooner than I did, and that's my biggest regret."Will Joey leave process with any regrets?star recently said on the "Off the Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe " podcast that he's "happy" after filming and has no regrets from his season.Joey also previously confirmed that he's happy now that is over and done with, hinting that he may have found the love of his life.Reality Steve spoiler blogger Steve Carbone has released updated spoilers for how the remainder of Joey's season plays out.Click thelink below to learn all the spoilers for the rest of Joey's season -- including specifics on Joey's history-making ending and whom he really picked as his winner following months of inaccurate reporting!

BEGIN GALLERY >>

Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said that some Western countries have already sent their military to Ukraine. He refused to name these countries.

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He also added that he supports the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron to send NATO troops to Ukraine as this "will disrupt the scenario planned by Russia." Sikorski made this statement during a discussion in the Polish parliament dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Poland's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance, Focus reports.

According to the Polish Foreign Minister, "some countries" have already sent their military to Ukraine.

"Unlike other politicians, I will not list these countries," Sikorski added.

The head of Polish diplomacy welcomed Macron's initiative to send a NATO contingent to Ukraine.

"I support the initiative of President Emmanuel Macron," Sikorski said.

He called the French president's idea an "inventive move" that would disrupt the scenario of the war in Ukraine planned by Russia.

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"The West should implement a creatively defined and asymmetrical escalation," the Polish Foreign Minister said.

Sikorski also emphasized that by launching an armed aggression against Ukraine, the Russian Federation has demonstrated its own inability to accept Western values. This state cannot coexist peacefully with its neighbors, so NATO must return to its original role.

Earlier, Macron made a number of statements regarding the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine and the supply of long-range weapons. According to him, Western leaders are discussing the possible need to send their troops to Ukraine in the future. Although there is no consensus on this issue, such developments cannot be ruled out.

Some Western leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, were quick to argue Macron's statements.

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The French president himself later said that he had offered to send troops to Ukraine himself, and later clarified that his country could send troops to Ukraine if the frontline moved towards Odesa or Kyiv.

Meanwhile, Politico reported that France is assembling a coalition of countries that support sending troops to Ukraine.
The Athens community expressed feeling broken, confused, upset and angry after the recent killing of Laken Riley, with many calling for change on Tuesday with rallies outside of City Hall and voicing of public opinion inside at the Mayor and Commission meeting.

As the meeting began, two rallies took place.
Domestic customers will get access to high-quality Swiss products such as watches, chocolates, biscuits, and clocks at lower prices as India will phase out customs duties under its trade pact with the EFTA bloc on these goods over a period of time.

India and the four-European nation bloc EFTA signed a trade and economic partnership agreement (TEPA) on Sunday to boost trade and investments between the two regions.

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

It will take up to a year to implement the agreement due to an elaborate ratification process of these pacts in different countries.

"We are giving duty concessions on Swiss watches, and chocolates," an official said.

Some famous Swiss watch brands are Rolex, Omega, and Cartier.

Nestle, which is a Swiss brand, is a major player in the Indian FMCG industry and manufactures chocolates in India. It is the third-largest listed entity in the Indian FMCG segment.

According to an analysis of the TEPA documents by economic think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), India has allowed tariff concession to a number of products imported from Switzerland under the agreement.

"India will soon have access to high-quality Swiss products at lower prices because it has decided to remove tariffs on many Swiss goods over seven to ten years," GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava said.

Key categories of these goods include seafood like tuna and salmon; fruits such as olives and avocados; coffee capsules; different oils like cod liver and olive oil, a variety of sweets and processed foods including chocolate and biscuits.

Other products that are covered are smartphones, bicycle parts, medical equipment, clocks, watches, medicines, dyes, textiles, apparel, iron and steel products, and machinery equipment.

Srivastava said tariffs on cut and polished diamonds will be reduced from 5 per cent to 2.5 per cent in five years after the implementation of the agreement.

India has offered no effective tariff concessions on gold.

On paper, it has offered a one per cent concession on the bound rate of 40 per cent, but the effective duty remains at 15 per cent, resulting in no real benefit.

For wines, it said duty concessions are similar to those given to Australia, with no concessions for wines costing less than $5.

"Wines priced between $5 and less than $15 will see a duty reduction from 150 per cent to 100 per cent in the first year, then decreasing gradually to 50 per cent over 10 years," Srivastava said.

For wines costing $15 or more, he said, the initial duty cut is from 150 per cent to 75 per cent, eventually reducing to 25 per cent after 10 years.

India-EFTA two-way trade was $18.65 billion in 2022-23 as compared to $27.23 billion in 2021-22.

Switzerland is the largest trading partner of India followed by Norway.

Switzerland is considered one of the world's most innovative economies. It had been consistently ranked number one in the Global Innovation Index.

The bilateral trade between India and Switzerland stood at $17.14 billion ($1.34 billion exports and $15.79 billion imports) in the last fiscal. In 2022-23, India's trade deficit with Switzerland was $14.45 billion.

India's main imports from Switzerland include gold ($12.6 billion), machinery ($409 million), pharmaceuticals ($309 million), coking and steam coal ($380 million), optical instruments and orthopaedic appliances ($296 million), watches ($211.4 million), soybean oil ($202 million), and chocolates ($7 million).

Major exports from India include chemicals, gems and jewellery, shops and boats, machinery, certain types of textiles and apparel.

Switzerland is the largest source of gold imports for India, with about 41 per cent share during April-October this fiscal, followed by the UAE (about 13 per cent) and South Africa (about 10 per cent). The precious metal accounts for over 5 per cent of the country's total imports.

Switzerland has some of the major pharma firms in the world including Novartis and Roche.

Both firms have a presence in India.

The two-way trade between India and Norway was $1.5 billion in 2022-23.

Under free trade pacts, two trading partners significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them, besides easing norms to promote trade in services and investments.

India has received about $10 billion of foreign direct investments (FDI) from Switzerland between April 2000 and December 2023.

It is the 12th largest investor in India.

The FDI inflow was $721.52 million from Norway, $29.26 million from Iceland and $105.22 million from Liechtenstein during the period.
The Bharatiya Janata Party is intensifying its efforts to break its electoral dry spell in Kerala as the state braces for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

IMAGE: BJP president JP Nadda welcomes former Kerala Janapaksham-Secular chief PC George (second from left), his son Shone George (second from right) as the party merges with BJP ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2024, in New Delhi, January 31, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

With a concerted focus on outreach, particularly towards the minority Christian community, the party aims to secure a foothold in the southern state.

Kerala's demographic landscape, with Muslims and Christians constituting a significant portion of the population, presents a formidable challenge for the BJP, perceived as a pro-Hindu party.

However, the party is leaving no stone unturned in its bid to appeal to diverse voter segments.

In a strategic move, the BJP has welcomed prominent Christian figures like Anil K Antony, son of Congress stalwart AK Antony, and seasoned Kerala politician PC George, into its fold.

Additionally, the party is leveraging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's frequent visits to Kerala, emphasising developmental agendas tailored to the state's needs.

To bolster its electoral prospects, the BJP has strategically fielded two Union Ministers, Rajeev Chandrasekhar and V Muraleedharan, alongside popular actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi.

The party's campaign slogan, 'Modi's guarantee', underscores its reliance on the Prime Minister's popularity and leadership.

'Modi's guarantee' will be the main catchphrase of the BJP's electoral campaign this time in Kerala, party leaders said.

While the BJP is confident that its strategy will play out as planned, the two major traditional players in the state politics-- the Congress-led United Democratic Front and the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left Democratic Front believe that it will not help the saffron party secure even a single seat.

Disregarding the criticism and doubts raised by the Left front and the Congress, the BJP's state general secretary George Kurien said that the people of Kerala no longer have any trust in either of them which is why they will vote for the saffron party.

To fulfill the party's desire to make inroads in the state and secure seats in double digits, as revealed by the PM during his most recent visit to Kerala, the BJP has fielded candidates who were best suited and "fit" for the job, Kurien said.

"We felt that they were the most fit, the best suited candidates to contest from Kerala," he told PTI in response to a query as to why the party fielded Union Ministers of State Muraleedharan and Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Gopi and Anil.

Gopi, Muraleedharan and Chandrasekhar will contest from the Thrissur, Attingal, and Thiruvananthapuram constituencies, respectively, while Anil Antony has been fielded from the Pathanamthitta constituency.

Explaining why Gopi has been nominated from Thrissur, Kurien said that he had managed to triple the party's vote share last time when he contested from that constituency.

"Similarly, in Attingal and Thiruvananthapuram too, we have seen an increase in the party's vote share," he said.

Antony's son was also the correct choice, the BJP leader said.

Terming the BJP's preparations as "gimmicks" Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan said it indicated the saffron party's "lack of confidence to fight the battle politically" as they have realised they are not going to get any political ground in Kerala based on their ideology.

"That is why they are running after people from other parties or actors. But they are thoroughly mistaken, as Kerala is a very political state, and for that very reason, the people will not accept such gimmicks," he told PTI.

With regard to the nominations of the two Union ministers, Muraleedharan and Chandrasekhar, the Congress MLA said neither was going to make a difference.

"They both tried their luck earlier, but none of them could make an impact in Kerala," he said.

Communist Party of India leader PP Suneer too, was of the same view as Kuzhalnadan that the BJP's plans to make electoral gains in the upcoming LS polls are bound to fail.

"There is no possibility of their strategy working out in Kerala. It might work in north India, but not here," he said.

He said that people in Kerala are very political and would not be swayed by film stars like Gopi.

When it was pointed out that the actor managed to triple the party's vote share in Thrissur in the 2019 LS polls, Suneer said that was because of his novelty factor.

"It was the same when Rahul Gandhi contested from Wayanad last time. Five years have gone by. There have been a lot of issues since then," he said.

"There is no way the vote share would increase this time," he added.

Regarding the fielding of the central ministers, Suneer said their presence would not influence voters as they have not done anything for Kerala.

"The PM only made back-to-back trips to the state and announced some projects, but did nothing to benefit the public. His visits are only for publicity," the CPI state assistant secretary said.

Suneer also said that the recent defection of Padmaja Venugopal, daughter of late Congress stalwart and former Kerala CM K Karunakaran, to the BJP will not benefit the saffron party and has only served to spoil the public's faith in the Congress.

"The LDF will benefit from it," he added.

Kuzhalnadan said that it was unfortunate that she moved to the BJP.

"But we will get over it. Karunakaran's son, K Muraleedharan, has decided to contest from Thrissur. It is a strong reply to the BJP.

"Padmaja going to the BJP will ultimately damage them politically," the MLA from Muvattupuzha contended.

Regarding the recent statement of Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan that the defections from Congress will erode people's trust in them, Kuzhalnadan said the Marxist veteran was trying to shift attention from the corruption allegations he was facing.

Kurien on the other hand said that the Congress and the Left Front, being the political rivals of the BJP, will always say that the saffron party will get no seats in Kerala.

"But the people will prove them wrong," Kurien said.
The Enforcement Directorate has registered a money laundering case to probe an international drugs trafficking racket that allegedly involves an arrested former functionary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, official sources said Sunday.

Photograph: / Rediff.com IMAGE: International drug trafficking network main accused Jaffer Sadiq in NCB custody, in New Delhi on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

The case has been filed by the federal agency under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act taking cognisance of a bunch of FIRs, including the recent Narcotics Control Bureau case where 36-year-old Jaffer Sadiq was arrested on Saturday for his alleged involvement in the smuggling of about 3,500 kgs of pseudoephedrine with a street value of more than Rs 2,000 crore.

The ED will probe if money earned from the illicit narcotics trade was laundered to create movable and immovable assets by the accused. The investigation will run parallel to the NCB probe, the sources said.

NCB deputy director general Gyaneshwar Singh had told reporters on Saturday here that Sadiq's links with Tamil and Hindi film financiers, some "high profile" people and some instances of "political funding", were under its scanner.

The NCB is also expected to soon summon a senior DMK party functionary in connection with two transactions of Rs 7 lakh made by Sadiq, according to sources in the anti-narcotics agency.

Sadiq, a producer of Tamil films, was expelled by the ruling DMK in February after his name and purported links to the drugs network were mentioned by the NCB.

According to the NCB, he told the agency that he was the Chennai West deputy organiser of the DMK's NRI wing.

Sadiq was called the alleged "mastermind and kingpin" of a trans-national pseudoephedrine smuggling racket spread across Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia from India, Singh had said.

Tamil Nadu Law Minister and DMK leader S Regupathy on Sunday asserted that his party had no links with Sadiq.

Addressing the issue of Sadiq being given membership in the party despite his links to the 2013 case, the senior DMK leader told reporters in Chennai that his party has over two crore members and it is not practically possible to check the antecedents of every single person who sought admission into it.

At the same time, he emphasised that whenever the wrongdoing of a member has been brought to the party's notice, immediate action has always been taken.

"People like Jaffer Sadiq have been expelled from the party," he asserted.

The BJP said in Delhi Sadiq's arrest shows that the DMK has now become "Drug Marketing Kazhagam".

The case came to light after the NCB along with the special cell of the Delhi police raided a godown located in Delhi on February 15 and arrested three persons.

This action came on a tip-off they (NCB) received towards the end of 2023 from the Australian and New Zealand authorities about "large quantities" of pseudoephedrine concealed in desiccated coconut powder and mix food powder being smuggled into their countries from India.

The NCB claimed the three arrested persons and Sadiq informed them that total of 45 pseudoephedrine consignments were sent by them over the last three years, containing about 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine valued at over Rs 2,000 crore in the international market.

Pseudoephedrine is a highly addictive synthetic drug, and even though it has some legal uses, it is classified as a controlled substance in India, bringing strict regulation on its production, possession, trade, export and use.

It is used to prepare a synthetic drug called methamphetamine.

Illegal possession and trade of pseudoephedrine is punishable up to 10 years of imprisonment under the NDPS Act.
Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev has met with Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the country Guo Min, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is set to be hosted by Azerbaijan this year, as well as discussed opportunities for cooperation.

Note that COP29 will be held in Azerbaijan in 2024. The decision was made at the plenary session of COP28 on December 11. Azerbaijan successfully participated in the COP28 held in Abu Dhabi last year.
After the Ukrainian military destroyed the patrol ship Sergey Kotov, the ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet have not entered the Black Sea for almost a week. For this reason, the occupiers have begun to use their aviation more often to attack.

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This was stated by the spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy Dmytro Pletenchuk during a telethon. It should be noted that the Ukrainian Defense Forces eliminated the Russian vessel Sergey Kotov on March 5.

Therefore, Russian forces use aviation to attack the port infrastructure of Ukrainian cities, as this is the only way to inflict damage when ships are not on duty.

In addition, according to Pletenchuk, the Russians have minimized the number of ships in the ports of the temporarily occupied Crimea.

"There are mostly those units that did not find a place in the basing points in Novorossiysk, Sochi and Tuapse," he said.

Earlier it was reported that on the night of March 5, the Ukrainian Defense Forces hit the Russian Black Sea Fleet ship Sergey Kotov near the Kerch Strait. This ship was a significant loss for the enemy, as its value is about $65 million. The operation was carried out by a special unit of the DIU Group 13 with the help of Magura V5 marine drones.

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According to the DIU, the occupants wanted to deploy a surface-to-air missile system on the Sergey Kotov. This ship, along with the cruiser Moskva, took part in the attack on Snake island.

As a result of a strike by Magura V5 maritime drones, the Russian ship of Project 22160 "Sergey Kotov" sustained damage to the stern, starboard and port sides. The attack took place in the territorial waters of Ukraine, near the Kerch Strait.

Andriy Yusov, a representative of the DIU, said that the Russians managed to partially evacuate the crew. About a dozen ambulances arrived at the pier. The occupiers have at least six wounded and seven dead. In total, there could have been up to 80 people on board the Sergey Kotov.

UK intelligence also stated that Ukraine managed to sink three Russian warships in five weeks. This allows the Defense Forces to continue to limit the maneuvers of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

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Former Supreme Court judge Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar was administered the oath of office as the chairperson of the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal by President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on Sunday, nearly two years after the post fell vacant.

IMAGE: President Droupadi Murmu administers the Oath of Office of Chairperson, Lokpal to Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi, March 10, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan was attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

President Murmu administered the oath of office of chairperson, Lokpal to Khanwilkar at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Sunday evening, according to an official statement.

Justice (retired) Khanwilkar was appointed as the Lokpal chairperson in the last week of February.

The Lokpal was functioning without its regular chief since Pinaki Chandra Ghose completed his term on May 27, 2022.

Chairperson of the Law Commission of India and former Chief Justice of Karnataka high court Ritu Raj Awasthi, former Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh high court Lingappa Narayana Swamy and former Chief Justice of Allahabad high court Sanjay Yadav were appointed as judicial members in the Lokpal last month.

Justice (retired) Khanwilkar, 66, served as a judge of the apex court from May 13, 2016 to July 29, 2022.

In his last year, Khanwilkar authored a series of crucial judgements that validated sweeping powers against citizens in special legislations  the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act.

He also contributed to several other judgments, including the landmark 2018 ruling that struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code criminalising consensual gay sex.

He was in the Constitution bench that had declared the Centre's flagship Aadhaar scheme constitutionally valid but struck down some of its provisions, including linking it to bank accounts, mobile phones, and school admissions.

Justice Khanwilkar was part of the bench in 2022 that dismissed a plea of Zakia Jafri, the wife of slain MP Ehsan Jafri, challenging the Special Investigation Team's clean chit to 64 people, including then chief minister Narendra Modi, in the 2002 Gujarat riots case.

Two days before his retirement, Justice Khanwilkar delivered a judgment that give enormous powers to the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Born in Pune, Khanwilkar had also been Chief Justice of the High Courts of Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

The chairperson and members of the Lokpal are appointed by the President after obtaining the recommendations of a Selection Committee having the prime minister as its chairperson.

Apart from a chairperson, the Lokpal can have eight members -- four judicial and as many non-judicial.

Former civil servants Sushil Chandra, Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Tirkey have been appointed as the non-judicial members in the Lokpal.

The latest appointments in the anti-corruption ombudsman mark a significant step in bolstering the Lokpal's operations and upholding accountability in India's governance system, officials said.
The Himachal Pradesh police on Sunday registered a case against an independent MLA and the father of a Congress rebel and others over "electoral offences" and bribery related to the recent Rajya Sabha polls in which six party MLAs voted for the BJP candidate from the state.

IMAGE: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Photograph: ANI Photo

The case against Hamirpur's independent MLA Ashish Sharma and Gagret's now disqualified MLA Chetanya Sharma's father and others was registered on the basis of a complaint lodged by Congress MLAs Sanjay Avasthi and Bhuvneshwar Gaur.



Ashish and Chetanya are among the nine MLAs, including six Congress rebels and three independents, who voted in favour of the BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan in the recently held Rajya Sabha polls.

However, the alleged role of Chetanya's father, a retired bureaucrat, is not known yet.

This triggered a crisis in the state's Congress government, which appeared to have lost its majority in the assembly.

A case of criminal conspiracy, corruption practices and undue influence on election has been registered on the complaint of two Congress MLAs, police said on Sunday.

Adding a new dimension to the current political crisis in Himachal Pradesh, the two Congress MLAs Sanjay Avasthi and Bhuvneshwar Gaur on Sunday filed a complaint with the police seeking investigation into "electoral offences", bribery and criminal conspiracy in the whole sequence of events since the Rajya Sabha polls held on February 27.

This development has invoked sharp reactions from the MLAs.

"With this attitude, the CM should be ready to face the consequences in future," said Rajinder Rana, one of the six Congress rebels.

"If the CM thinks that he could win hearts by registering false complaints, he is mistaken. This kind of politics compelled the MLAs to vote in favour of the BJP, Rana told PTI over phone on Sunday. Pressure tactics will not help, he cautioned.

Meanwhile, the two Congress legislators sought investigation on charges of money trading, misuse of helicopter and security forces and criminal misconduct, and said direct evidence is available that the BJP is paying for the transportation through choppers and accommodation in five star properties in Haryana and Uttarakhand.

They said there is enough evidence of the BJP legislators accompanying the Congress rebels and independents, and cited the Supreme Court's recent ruling in Sita Soren vs Union of India Case in the complaint.

Speaking to PTI, Chief Parliament Secretary Sanjay Avasthi said such illegal activities are unknown to Devbhoomi Himachal Pradesh and even the Supreme Court has ruled that the elected representatives are not immune to criminal proceedings for accepting money and favours and we demand investigation in the whole sequence of events.

Confirming that a complaint was received from two Congress MLAs in Boileauganj police station, Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi told PTI that a case under sections 171 c and e (undue influence on elections and bribery) and 120 b (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and sections 7 and 8 (public servant taking undue advantage) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, has been registered and investigations have been started.

The six Congress MLAs namely Sudhir Sharma, Ravi Thakur, Rajinder Rana, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Chetanya Sharma and Devinder Kumar Bhutto who cross-voted in favour of the BJP were disqualified for defying a whip to be present in the House and vote in favour of the government during the cut motion and budget following which they moved the Supreme Court.

The three independents include Ashish Sharma, Hoshiyar Singh and K L Thakur.

Presently guarded by the Central Reserve Police Force, the nine MLAs and two BJP legislators are in Rishikesh in BJP-ruled Uttarakhand, alleging pressure from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Terming the present Congress government as the most unpopular and inexperienced till date, the MLAs said that a lot of pressure is being put on them to return to the Congress fold.

In a joint statement issued here on Sunday, these MLAs said they are fighting a battle of self-respect and questioned the mindset of the chief minister, who is approaching them for compromise on one hand and issuing statements like black snakes and shepherds on the other hand.

During public meetings, Sukhu had said that six black snakes of the Congress sold their honour and tried to destablise the state government and later compared them to shepherds being moved from one place to another.

Earlier, Sudhir Sharma was removed from the post of secretary of the All India Congress Committee while Rajinder Rana resigned from the post of working president of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee.

Two of the three independent MLAs had earlier told PTI that pressure tactics of hitting businesses of independent MLAs and their families is a futile exercise and will not save the government.

Raids were conducted on crushers of the independent MLAs and their effigies were burnt, road leading to the house of Congress rebel and MLA Lahaul and Spiti Ravi Thakur was closed after the nine cross voted in favour of the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls, the independent MLAs had alleged.

It is unfortunate that the chief minister has stooped to such a level and this kind of politics has never been seen in the state, two independent legislators K L Thakur and Hoshiyar Singh had said.

The chief minister should not adopt a vindictive attitude and refrain from acting out of vengeance, they maintained.
As political parties prepare to fight it out in the Lok Sabha polls, the demand for chartered planes and helicopters is expected to jump by up to 40 percent as compared to the previous general elections, according to industry experts.

IMAGE: Helicopter carrying UP CM Yogi Adityanath approaches to land, before his election campaign rally for the upcoming Assam assembly polls, in Hojai, Assam, March 17, 2021. Photograph: ANI Photo

Helicopters are anticipated to be more in demand compared to fixed-wing aircraft as choppers will help in providing accessibility to rural and remote areas in a shorter time.

"There will be an exponential demand for private jets and the demand is expected to outstrip the availability of chartered planes and helicopters. There is a limited supply of chartered planes and helicopters," Club One Air CEO Rajan Mehra told PTI.

With increased demand, some players will be taking chartered planes and helicopters on lease during the general elections for which the dates are expected to be announced in the coming days.

Chartered plane and helicopter services are charged on an hourly basis.

The industry experts opined that the prices can vary between Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 5.25 lakh per hour for a chartered plane.

For a helicopter, the hourly charge will be around Rs 1.5 lakh.

Business Aircraft Operators Association managing director Captain RK Bali told PTI that during the Lok Sabha polls, the demand for private chartered planes and helicopters is expected to increase by 30 to 40 percent compared to the previous elections.

Official data showed that there were 112 Non-Scheduled Operators at the end of December 2023.

Generally, NSOPs are entities that do not have a particular fixed schedule and fly when there is a requirement.

Since the demand will be high, players are expected to take planes on lease for chartered operations, especially helicopters, Bali said and added that there are around 111-112 NSOPs and out of them, 40-50 percent operate single aircraft.

He said that NSOPs are estimated to have around 450 planes, including choppers.

These operators have aircraft and helicopters, with seating capacities varying from 3 to 37. The planes include Falcon 2000, Bombardier Global 5000, Twin Otter DHC-6-300, Hawker Beechcraft, Gulfstream G-200 and Cessna Citation 560XL, as per the data available with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

Most of the aircraft and helicopters have seating capacities of less than 10, the data showed.

Mehra said the size of the chartered fleet will be around 350 and out of them, about 175 are helicopters.

A chartered operator, Club One has a fleet of 5 Falcon 2000, 4 Cessna Citation and 1 Bombardier CRJ200.

"Political leaders will opt for helicopters to travel to small towns and hence more demand is likely for the choppers," Mehra said.

There are several brokers in the segment and sometimes they book a specific number of hours for a chartered plane and later, those hours are sold to the end users, including political parties, Mehra said.

Bali said there are a lot of brokers providing chartered plane services and the hourly pricing will also depend on the negotiations and generally, hours are booked in bulk.

Membership of BAOA is voluntary.

An executive, who has been in the chartered aircraft services business for more than two decades, also said there is a huge demand this time and some players are taking aircraft and helicopters on lease for their clients.

On the condition of anonymity, the executive also claimed that the hourly rates for helicopters for the upcoming elections have gone up significantly. While chartered helicopters are hired at a rate of around Rs 1.5 lakh per hour. In some cases, the hourly rates are even touching Rs 3.5 lakh, the executive added.

Broadly, Mehra said the price can range between Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 5.25 lakh per hour for a chartered aircraft.

The ruling BJP incurred expenses totalling more than Rs 250 crore on aircraft/ helicopters, as per the party's annual audited accounts for 2019-20 submitted to the Election Commission of India.

The amount shelled out by the Congress party towards election travelling expenses in 2019-20 stood at over Rs 126 crore. The party did not mention aircraft/helicopter expenses separately in its annual audited accounts for that financial year.

The last Lok Sabha elections were held in April and May of 2019.

According to veteran elections analyst N Bhaskara Rao, the total expenditure during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls is expected to be around Rs 1.20 lakh crore.

"2024 Lok Sabha poll expenditure alone will involve around one lakh twenty thousand crores, of this Election Commission of India (ECI) is estimated to spend hardly twenty per cent (expenditure on new EVMs is not included)," he said.

He also said the price for hiring a chartered plane has almost remained steady since the pandemic and the players in the segment do not tend to outprice each other.

Since the coronavirus pandemic, the demand for private charters has remained steady, especially with people looking mainly for hygiene and safety factors.
Tamil Nadu law minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader S Regupathy on Sunday asserted that his party has no links whatsoever with Jaffer Sadiq, the prime accused in an international drug trafficking case being investigated by the Narcotics Control Bureau.

IMAGE: NCB sleuths with the main accused in drug trafficking, Jaffer Sadiq, in New Delhi, March 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The DMK also warned of legal action against those who attempt to link Sadiq with either the party or its leaders.

Speaking to reporters, Regupathy said the Bharatiya Janata Party regime has now deployed the Narcotics Control Bureauto "besmirch" the DMK regime after "misusing" the Enforcement Directorate, the Income Tax department and the Central Bureau of Investigation for that purpose.

After the DMK assumed office in 2021, the state government has taken swift action against drug peddling and this has been lauded by courts, he said.

"Today, they (Centre) are thinking of intimidating the DMK through the NCB."

Sadiq had held the post of Chennai West-NRI Wing deputy organiser in the DMK until he was recently dismissed by the party after allegations connecting him to drug trafficking surfaced.

Regupathy blamed NCB deputy director general Gyaneshwar Singh for holding a press conference about Sadiq's arrest -- even before the probe was completed -- based on "false calculations" to tarnish the DMK's image and "to let the BJP gain political mileage" out of it just before the Lok Sabha polls.

The people of Tamil Nadu are aware of all such things, he said, pointing out that during the previous All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime, a "minister" allegedly abetted the sale of banned gutkha.

While the central agencies did not act on the gutkha case despite evidence of "kickbacks" received by AIADMK leaders, they are now desperate to somehow back the BJP-led regime at the Centre, Reghupathy alleged.

Though central authorities had said on February 15 that a lookout notice had been issued to apprehend Jaffer Sadiq, he took part in an event related to the release of the film 'Mangai' here on February 21, Regupathy said, wondering aloud "what the NCB authorities were doing" last month without arresting him.

Recalling a 2013 NCB case against Sadiq, the law minister blamed the then AIADMK government and the central agency for not properly handling it and ensuring that the accused was convicted.

He claimed that it was a BJP advocate, the "head of the saffron party's Tamil Nadu legal wing", who represented Sadiq in the case. It was the AIADMK regime (2011-21) that "saved" Jaffer Sadiq, Regupathy alleged.

Addressing the issue of Sadiq being given membership in the party despite his links to the 2013 case, the senior DMK leader said that his party has over two crore members and it is not practically possible to check the antecedents of every single person who sought admission into it.

At the same time, he emphasised, whenever the wrongdoing of a member has been brought to the party's notice, immediate action has always been taken. "People like Jaffer Sadiq have been expelled from the party," he asserted.

In the 2013 case, Sadiq was acquitted and then joined the DMK. Also, such a case against him was not in the public domain at the time of his joining the party, and when allegations related to drug trafficking surfaced he was expelled, Reghupathy said.

"In one year, courts dispose of about 10 lakh cases. It is not possible to verify every single case to ascertain who was acquitted and who was convicted. It is the BJP and AIADMK who are responsible for Sadiq's acquittal in the 2013 (narcotics) case," he reiterated.

When asked if Sadiq's arrest is "political" in nature or if the arrest made just before the polls is a "political activity", the minister said it was based on a "wrong calculation" made by the BJP regime to "malign" the DMK by arresting Sadiq just before the Lok Sabha polls.

The wrong calculation has been defeated by the DMK as Sadiq was already expelled from the party even before he was arrested. "The DMK has no links whatsoever with Jaffer Sadiq. Those who have links with Sadiq are in the AIADMK and the BJP," the minister went on to allege.

Since the general elections are round the corner, the BJP-led Centre is "daydreaming" of levelling false allegations against the DMK, he said. "People know pretty well that the DMK will never indulge in illegal activities and will never have any person in its midst who indulges in such activities," he claimed.

Only the Mundra port in Gujarat is a "hub" of drug trafficking and states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat have more number of cases related to drugs, Regupathy claimed, and accused the BJP of indulging in "propaganda" to paint Tamil Nadu as a "drug-tainted" state.

This is being done to downplay the state's progress and development among voters of the northern states, he commented, remarking that "drug peddlers become clean when they join the BJP".

Pointing out that the drug seizure linked to Sadiq was made by the NCB in Delhi, the DMK leader sought to illustrate that there were no related seizures in Tamil Nadu.

In Tamil Nadu, drug trafficking "does not happen at all" and the whole world is aware that the state is home to "zero" Ganja cultivation, Reghupathy claimed.

Hitting out at the NCB for making "claims" about a case that is yet to be proven before a competent court, the law minister said the press conference held by the senior official of the enforcement agency went against the law.

"Holding a press meet on a case in which investigation is yet to be completed is condemnable," he said.

Answering a question, the minister said the party did not receive a "single naya paisa" from Sadiq.

On AIADMK chief and former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami visiting Governor R N Ravi over the issue, he mocked at the opposition party, saying, "Palaniswami can only tell the governor that his party-led government failed to act in the 2013 case against Sadiq." However, the DMK has always prosecuted the culprits and ensured punishment for them, he added.

DMK Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate P Wilson told reporters that anyone attempting to link his party and its leaders to the NCB case against Sadiq would have to face civil and criminal prosecution.
The Congress on Saturday expressed "deep concern" over Election Commissioner Arun Goel's resignation and said that if the "systematic decimation" of independent institutions is not stopped then democracy shall be usurped by dictatorship.

IMAGE: Arun Goel would have become Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after incumbent Rajiv Kumar retired in February next year. Photograph: ANI Photo

Goel resigned on Saturday, days before the expected announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

His tenure was till December 5, 2027, and he would have become Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after incumbent Rajiv Kumar retired in February next year.

In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Election Commission or Election OMISSION? India now has only one Election Commissioner, even as Lok Sabha elections are to be announced in few days. Why?"

"As I have said earlier, if we do not stop the systematic decimation of our independent institutions, our democracy shall be usurped by dictatorship!" he said.

The ECI will now be among the last Constitutional institutions to fall, Kharge claimed.

"Since the new process of selecting the Election Commissioners have now effectively given all the power to the ruling party and the PM, why has the new Election Commissioner not appointed even after 23 days of the completion of latter's tenure? Modi government must answer these questions and come out with a reasonable explanation," the Congress president said.

Congress general secretary organisation K C Venugopal said in a post on X, "It is deeply concerning for the health of the world's largest democracy that Election Commissioner Mr. Arun Goel has resigned on the cusp of the Lok Sabha elections."

There is absolutely "no transparency" in how a constitutional institution like the ECI has been functioning and the manner in which the government pressures it, he said.

During the 2019 elections, Ashok Lavasa had dissented against a clean chit to the PM for violating the Model Code of Conduct, he said.

"Later, he faced relentless inquiries. This attitude shows the regime is hellbent on destroying democratic traditions. This must be explained, and the ECI must be completely non-partisan at all times," Venugopal said.

Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale said it was concerning that two appointments are to be made to the panel ahead of the general elections.

In a post on X after Goel's resignation was announced, Gokhale said, "In a sudden move, Election Commissioner Arun Goel has abruptly resigned. The post of the other EC is vacant."

"That leaves the Election Commission now with just one Chief Election Commissioner," he said.

"Modi Govt has introduced a new law where Election Commissioners will now be appointed with a majority vote of PM Modi & one Minister chosen by him," he said, referring to The Chief Election Commissioner And Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service And Term of Office) Act.

The Act, passed by Parliament in December 2023, has provisions to set up a search committee chaired by the law minister and two other persons not below the rank of secretary, to prepare a panel of five persons for consideration of the selection committee for appointment as CEC or ECs.

The bill also has provisions for a Selection Committee, chaired by the prime minister, leader of the opposition and a Union minister, to make recommendations to the President for appointment of CEC and other ECs.

"Ergo, before 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Modi will now appoint two out of the three Election Commissioners after today's resignation. This is very very concerning," Gokhale said.

According to a law ministry notification, Goel's resignation has been accepted by President Droupadi Murmu with effect from Saturday. It was not immediately known why he stepped down.

Goel, a retired bureaucrat, was a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre. He had joined the Election Commission in November 2022.

Following the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey in February and Goel's resignation, the three-member EC has now only one member: CEC Rajiv Kumar.
Movement of several trains was affected in Punjab on Sunday after agitating farmers squatted on tracks at many places in the state as part of a nationwide 'rail roko' protest.

IMAGE: Farmers block the Jalandhar Cantt railway tracks as farm unions call for 'rail roko' protest over their various demands, in Jalandhar, March 10, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The protest, called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to press the Centre to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price, was held from 12 noon till 4 pm.

In Punjab, farmers sat on railway tracks at many locations in 22 districts, including Amritsar, Ludhiana, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Firozpur, Fazilka, Sangrur, Mansa, Moga and Bathinda. Because of the disruption of train services, passengers experienced inconvenience.

According to railway authorities, nine trains including Ferozepur to Bathinda, Jalandhar City to Hoshiarpur, and Jalandhar City to Pathankot were cancelled and many trains were either short-terminated or short-originated.

Farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal claimed that their 'rail roko' agitation was successful.

"Till a concrete resolution is offered by the government to our demands, we will continue our struggle," Pandher said.

They claimed that the 'rail roko' protest was held at 75 locations in Punjab, five in Haryana, three each in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and 20 locations in Tamil Nadu.

During the protest, farmers raised slogans against the Centre for not accepting their demands.

Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), BKU (Dakaunda-Dhaner) and Krantikari Kisan Union - farmer bodies that are part of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) - also participated in the 'rail roko' agitation.

The SKM, which had spearheaded the farmers' 2020-21 agitation against the now-scrapped three central agri laws, is not part of the 'Delhi Chalo' protest but has extended its support to the ongoing farmers' agitation at Shambhu and Khanauri points on the Punjab-Haryana border.

In Ferozepur, Inderjit Singh Bath, district president of the Kisan Majdoor Sangharsh Committee, condemned the Haryana police action against farmers at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points.

Besides a legal guarantee of MSP, the farmers are demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers and no hike in electricity tariff.

They are demanding the 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 farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21.

The protesting farmers from Punjab have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13, when security forces stopped them from marching towards Delhi.

The farmer leaders have rejected the Centre's proposal for procurement of pulses, maize and cotton at the MSP by government agencies for five years, saying it was not in farmers' favour.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Partly cloudy. High around 45F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A few flurries are possible. Low near 30F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Over the course of March 9, more than 50 combat engagements took place in the area of responsibility of the Tavria operational and strategic grouping of troops. The enemy's losses in manpower exceeded 300 people, and the occupiers lost more than 60 pieces of military equipment and weapons.

ADVERTISIMENT

At the same time, Ukrainian soldiers neutralized 312 enemy drones of various types. Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavsky, commander of the Tavria operational and strategic grouping of troops, spoke about the previous day.

In the Tauride sector, the enemy continues to intensify attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops.

"There were 54 combat engagements in the operational area of the Tavria operational and strategic group of troops over the last day. The enemy carried out 27 air strikes, 153 strikes by kamikaze drones, and made 1252 attacks. Our defenders are conducting a defensive operation and inflicting significant losses on the Russian occupants," noted Tarnavsky.

In particular, the day before, Ukrainian soldiers killed or wounded 310 Russian occupants. They also destroyed 65 units of Russian equipment and weapons, excluding UAVs.

ADVERTISIMENT

Thus, on March 9, the invaders lost:

12 tanks,

17 armored combat vehicles,

five artillery systems,

one MLRS,

28 vehicles,

one unit of special equipment.

"The destroyed and damaged enemy equipment includes one Pantsyr-S1 self-propelled anti-aircraft missile and gun system, one Hyacinth self-propelled artillery system, one BM-21 Grad MLRS, and two Murom-M video surveillance systems," added Tarnavsky.

In addition, Ukrainian defenders neutralized 312 enemy UAVs of various types, as well as destroyed four Russian ammunition depots and one occupant dugout.

Earlier, Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy, told how many Russian ships are undergoing repairs in Crimea. According to him, the invaders are aware of their own vulnerability on the occupied peninsula, but "do not have much choice."

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
The Kachin Independence Army adds its weight to the opposition campaign against the military regime

While the Three Brotherhood Alliance move to consolidate territorial gains in northern Shan state, and the Arakan Army continues their attacks across Rakhine state, a new offensive against Myanmars junta has begun in Kachin state this month.

On March 7, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) launched an offensive and quickly captured three military junta bases and 11 small outposts along the 120 km-long (72-mile) Myitkyina-Bhampo highway, parallel to the Chinese border. The KIA has sought to both neutralize threats to their capital and control the trade and movement along the highway.

The military has responded with a spasm of air and artillery assaults into Lai Zar, the seat of the KIAs headquarters. The KIA is now on the outskirts of Myitkyina, the capital and economic hub of Kachin state.

Arakan Army soldiers stand with an artillery piece after capturing the Myanmar juntas Ta Ron Aing base in Chin state, Dec. 4, 2023. (AA Info Desk)

The KIAs offensive deserves close attention for five reasons.

First, although the KIA was one of the first ethnic resistance organizations to join with the National Unity Government (NUG) and fight the junta after the Feb.1, 20921 coup detat, they have been less militarily active since the Three Brotherhood Alliance launched a coordinated offensive on Oct. 27, 2023 that has turned the tide against the junta in Shan state.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance  which includes the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army  took towns across northern Shan state.

In November, the Arakan Army broke their ceasefire with the government and swept across northern Rakhine. The AA is now in control of six townships, and is advancing on the capital. The military government is quickly trying to evacuate civil servants and some forces from Sittwe.

Shan ceasefire

In early January, China brokered a ceasefire between the Three Brotherhood Alliance and the State Administrative Council (SAC), as the junta is formally known.

The ceasefire in northern Shan State has largely held, and both the TNLA and the MNDAA have been focusing on consolidating power in the townships that they captured, imposing law and order, and providing social services.

Members of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attacked and captured the juntas 123rd Light Infantry Battalion and the heavy weapons of the Military Council based in Nam Hpat Kar village. (Citizen journalist)

The ceasefire has allowed the junta to re-group its forces. The military retook Kawlin township in Sagaing after a two week siege. The junta has recently declared martial law in two KIA-controlled and three TNLA-controlled towns in northern Shan, suggesting that they were preparing for a counter-offense and were loosening the rules of engagement for their forces. Now 61 of 330 townships nationwide are under martial law.

Despite a fourth round of Chinese-brokered ceasefire talks from Feb. 29-March 1 that purportedly resulted in a border trade revenue sharing agreement with the MNDAA, the Brotherhood Alliance has more recently signaled that the ceasefire is under threat.

The opening of a new front is essential to prevent further counter-offensives by the junta. The military is now unable to redeploy their forces - already spread thin - from Kachin to Sagaing, Rakhine, or other fronts.

The KIA steps up

Secondly, the KIAs offensive also matters for harmony among the opposition forces, where there is some frustration that the KIA, which has close relations with the Three Brotherhood Alliance, had largely sat out the Operation 1027 offensive over the past four months.

Fairly or unfairly, carping about the KIA had started to emerge, and critics saw them as not participating sufficiently in Operation 1027, which has fundamentally reshaped the anti-military Spring Revolutions trajectory.

Its not that the KIA has not been fighting. In February, airstrikes in Mansi, a town the KIA captured, left six dead. The past week has seen intense fighting between them and junta forces around the economically important jade mining town of Hpakant.

Criticism of the KIA is not entirely fair. The KIA fought in northern Shan state, taking two towns and other military bases. But some saw the KIAs presence as a power grab that caused tensions with the local Taang community; despite the close ties between the TNLA and KIA.

Debris from a crashed Myanmar air force MiG-29 fighter jet smolders near Kyo Wun village, Salin township in Magway region, Feb.29, 2024. (Salin Peoples Defense Force via AP)

Third, the KIA has reportedly damaged at least one Mi-17 helicopter at Myitkyina airport. This further dents the air forces overtaxed fleet of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.

To date, six other aircraft have been destroyed, including a MiG-29 that crashed on March 1, apparently due to technical malfunctions. The loss of additional heavy-lift aircraft will hurt junta military logistics.

Already the military has shown severe strains in maneuver and resupply, including in Rakhine where the Arakan Army has recently sunk four naval troop carriers. In other parts of the country, helicopters are absolutely essential for military sustainment.

Interviews with defecting junta troops have made clear that the SACs inability to resupply troops with ammunition, food, and water  while ferrying in reinforcements and carrying out wounded soldiers  has led to plummeting morale.

China border

As we have seen in both Rakhine and Shan states, the light infantry battalions that have surrendered are severely undermanned, prompting conscription.

Recently, the military leadership ordered family members of troops to be deployed to frontline outposts. Pictures emerged on social media of wives in foxholes. This was designed to both shore up the depleted manpower, but also motivate the troops to fight and hold their positions at all costs.

Unsurprisingly, it has had just the opposite effect, with troops surrendering in order to save the lives of their family members, and often at the encouragement of their wives.

Fourth, although the KIA is leading the offensive it includes an allied ethnic resistance organization as well as peoples defense forces from the shadow opposition National Unity Government (NUG). Joint operations are essential in building up trust between these organizations.

Finally, during the juntas bombardment of Lai Zar, which sits on the border, at least four military artillery shells landed in Chinese territory, destroying several buildings. The military denied firing the shells and blamed the KIA.

While they could have hit China inadvertently because of the poor quality of their troops, it is more likely that the attack was intentional, and done to force China to pressure the KIA into a ceasefire.

Smoke rises after artillery shells fired by Myanmar junta troops land in Chinese territory during recent fighting near Laiza, Myanmar. (Image from citizen journalist video)

Kachin State remains a complex place with its own inter-ethnic tensions. The recent fighting led to the death of a well-known and charismatic ethnic Lisu politician who ran a pro-junta militia.

The Lisu, a very small minority group, looked to the junta for protection. The NUG and their ethnic army allies need to quickly reach out to these groups and offer them assurances.

Its too soon to determine whether the KIA offensive can be sustained. China is insistent on peace along its border. While the KIA has Chinese backing, it also has agency.

Whether it has the will to broaden the offensive and keep the junta bogged down across eight distinct military fronts, remains to be seen. But it is a new front that the beleaguered military leadership can ill-afford.

Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College in Washington and an adjunct at Georgetown University. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the National War College, Georgetown University or Radio Free Asia.
Male students who enrolled in Taliban-run religious schools say that sexual and physical abuse has led some to end their pursuit of an education in Afghanistan.

The students, all of whom were aged 10 to 17 and spoke to RFE/RL's Radio Azadi on condition of anonymity out of fears of repercussion, described numerous instances in which they and fellow classmates were pressured to engage in sexual acts with teachers and subjected to corporal punishments.

The reported cases took place in western and southwestern Afghanistan at Taliban-run madrasahs, part of the network of religious schools that the extremist group has expanded significantly as part of its drive to foster religious education more in keeping with its hard-line Islamist views.

One 16-year-old student, a resident of Farah Province, described being propositioned by a teacher at the madrasah he attends.

"One day at school a Taliban member who teaches there made an inappropriate offer, but I did not accept it," the boy told Radio Azadi, using inexplicit language to describe sexual abuse, a culturally taboo topic in Afghanistan. "When the lessons were over, he bothered me again."

The boy said he reported the incidents to a "qari," a person who has memorized the Koran and serves as a religious authority at the school, to no avail.

"I told the qari that the teacher was doing bad things to me, and the qari told him not to do these things, that he was a teacher," the boy said. "The teacher admitted doing it, but it had no effect. He has continued to do bad things and made sexual requests to numerous students at the school."

Another student in southwestern Afghanistan, a 17-year-old in the 10th grade, gave a similar account of his experience during his six months studying at a Taliban-run madrasah.

"A Taliban member who teaches at the school proposed having a relationship with me and said some other things that I did not accept," the boy said.

After being refused, the teacher swore and issued threats, the boy said, adding that his fellow students have faced similar treatment.

"He also harassed several of my classmates, and one of them left the school," the boy said. "He told me I should not go to school anymore because the same teacher is harassing me."

The boy said the experience has left him "damaged" and unsure of whom he can confide in. "I can't tell my family," he said.

The Taliban has come under widespread criticism for the severe restrictions it has placed on the daily lives of the Afghans since seizing power in August 2021. In its pursuit to impose its extreme interpretation of Islam, the Taliban has restored many of the draconian rules it was infamous for during its first stint in power from 1996 to 2001.

The ban on the education of girls past the sixth grade, and the erasure of women's role in society stand out among the measures the Taliban has taken. But other steps -- including prohibitions on music and idolatry through art, and pressure against students and teachers -- have affected all walks of life regardless of sex.

Since the Taliban returned to power, many educators have left the country, while female teachers have been left at home without work due to restrictions on women's freedom of movement and their ability to teach males.

Meanwhile, the Taliban has steadily worked to replace secular state schools and informal madrasahs with a system of religious schooling. The system does allow for girl students, including those of university age, but critics say it falls far short of the standards of modern education for girls and boys alike and often promotes extremism.

According to a report on Afghanistan issued by the United Nations in February, the Taliban has established 6,836 madrasahs for males and 380 for females and was expected to finalize a standardized religious curriculum in time for the new school year beginning this month.

The recruitment of madrasah teachers is also in full swing, according to the report, following a decree by the Talibans spiritual leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada to have 100,000 new madrasah teachers in place.

In December, Human Rights Watch gave a stinging assessment of the state of education in general, saying that in addition to the obstacles to the education of girls and women, the Taliban had "also inflicted deep harm on boys' education" in Afghanistan.

"Many boys were previously taught by women teachers; the Taliban has prohibited women from teaching boys, depriving women teachers of their jobs and often leaving boys with unqualified replacement male teachers or sometimes no teachers at all," HRW said. "Parents and students said that corporal punishment, which has long been a problem at Afghan schools, has become increasingly common. The curriculum in many schools appears to be under revision to remove important school subjects and promote discrimination."

The rights watchdog said the circumstances had "led many boys to leave school altogether" and "left boys struggling with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression."

Shortly after the Taliban regained power, the United Nations highlighted the dire situation for children in Afghanistan, including exposure to sexual violence and increased risk of students dropping out of school.

Difficulties in ensuring the protection of children are exacerbated, according to the UN, by the Taliban's refusal to consider people below the age of 18 to be children, as is the international standard, instead using the onset of puberty as the basis for adulthood.

Younger madrasah students in western and southwestern Afghanistan below or at the age of puberty said they were not spared physical abuse and sexual harassment from teachers.

One young man who spoke to Radio Azadi said he recently learned that his young brother was being subjected to sexual abuse at a madrasah in western Afghanistan.

The young man said his brother was being assigned extracurricular "homework by a teacher, or to put it bluntly, he was being asked for sex, [the teacher] fondled his hands and feet and kissed him."

As a result, the young man said he told his brother not to go to school anymore.

Fear of sexual harassment and sexual and physical abuse were cited as a common factor leading boys in western and southwestern Afghanistan to give up their studies.

"Some teachers harass our students and make immoral requests," said one 14-year-old boy who also described common methods of corporal punishment at his madrasah. "They strike our faces or beat our hands and feet under the pretext of disciplining us for not learning our lessons properly."

The boy said many students were studying hard in fear of being taken to a special room for punishment, and that "some even drop out of school."

Another student, aged 10, said his teacher separated him and other students from their class to beat the soles of their feet.

Afterward, he told Radio Azadi, he stopped going to class because he was afraid. And upon hearing about the incidents, his and his classmates' parents "did not allow us to go to school."

The Taliban authorities did not respond to requests for comment on the allegations of abuse at madrasahs it has established. And efforts to speak to individuals aware of the situations at madrasahs in other areas of Afghanistan were met by refusals to comment due to fear of reprisals.

A women's rights activist who asked that her name not be published told Radio Azadi that families have no avenue to lodge complaints about the abuse their children encounter at Taliban-run madrasahs because they, too, would face threats.

The activist said that not only had she been made aware of sexual harassment against both girls and boys at Taliban-run madrasahs, but the curriculum also serves to "increase the level of extremism in the country."

Reducing the risks of both threats, she said, would require greater oversight by the Taliban authorities and ideally, she said, a reduction in the number of madrasahs.

Najib Amini, a civil society activist in western Afghanistan, said that for now, the onus falls on families to be aware.

"Children are subjected to sexual abuse in madrasahs established under the Taliban regime," Amini said. "Families have an important and essential role in this regard. If they do not want their children to be abused in schools, if they want their children to get a basic education...then they should not send their children to madrasahs under the control of the Taliban."

Written by Michael Scollon based on reporting by RFE/RLs Radio Azadi
Retired U.S. Army Colonel Alexander Crowther is a former Supreme Allied Commander Europe special assistant and an expert on cybermilitary operations, advising government officials in Eastern Europe and Latin America.

A visiting research professor at Florida International University, Crowther is also a nonresident senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), where he frequently publishes articles on the war in Ukraine and other regional and global topics.

In one of those articles last month, Crowther argued that a Ukrainian defeat would have serious implications for Europe, and that it was time to send EU forces to Ukraine. RFE/RL's Georgian Service asked him about that and other aspects of European and transatlantic support for Kyiv.

RFE/RL: How seriously should we be taking [French] President [Emmanuel] Macron's words about not ruling out the possibility of having to send military personnel to Ukraine? He apparently also felt the need to reaffirm that "each word I pronounce on this matter is weighed, thought through, and measured."

Alexander Crowther: I think it's being discussed in Europe, and I think we need to take it seriously. I think there are NATO allies who don't want anything to do with sending troops to Ukraine. I don't think the Spanish want to send the Blue Division (a Franco-era volunteer force) back to Ukraine. They didn't have a good time last time they did it.

On the other hand, maintenance, logistics, technical [stuff], like running air-defense systems -- you know, for every soldier or civilian that is sent there, that's a Ukrainian who can get shipped to the front, right? And so, it's a matter of the existential logic of combat.

Ukrainians are running out of soldiers, just like we did in 1944, when in Europe, we took cooks and handed them rifles and said, "You are now an infantryman." And so Ukraine is at the point where they're having to do that.

The Tavberidze Interviews Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Vazha Tavberidze of RFE/RL's Georgian Service has been interviewing diplomats, military experts, and academics who hold a wide spectrum of opinions about the war's course, causes, and effects. To read all of his interviews, click here.

If you remember the HIMARS (High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems) that were damaged in combat, they had to fly them back to the United States for repairs. Most armored vehicles that are damaged, they drag them to Poland and they're repaired in Poland.

That all costs time and money and effort. Why can't you maintain them west of the Dnieper [River]? Honestly, if I was going to send anybody to Ukraine, I would make sure that they stayed west of the Dnieper River, because the Ukrainians do control everything west of the Dnieper River, and [I would] make it very clear to the Russians that we're not advancing east of the Dnieper River.

You can run air-defense systems [there]. An argument would be, "Oh, we'll shoot down Russian airplanes, and we'll be killing Russians, and that's bad, it's exculpatory." But the Russian airplanes aren't flying west of the Dnieper River. The Russian airplanes are flying in eastern Ukraine and lobbing munitions, right?

It's not doing close air support or anything like that. They're not going west of the Dnieper River because they'll get shot down. You saw the [Russian] A-50 [surveillance aircraft] that got shot down -- they shot down two of them. They're shooting down all sorts of Russian things.

If you could get Americans or Western Europeans, or whoever, running a very tight air-defense system to knock down all those missiles -- the Kinzals and all the Iskanders that are coming across the [Dnieper] River -- if you could do that, that would be very helpful, and it wouldn't threaten any Russian life.

You'd have to be really clear to Putin [and] say, "We're sending people to Ukraine, they're not going to be doing offensive combat against you.... Anything that crosses the Dnieper is dead.". It's not a no-fly zone, it's air defense.

RFE/RL: You made these and other arguments in your piece for the Center for European Policy Analysis. I want to ask about the title, Time To Send EU Troops To Ukraine. It makes a rather important distinction: Instead of Western forces, as Macron claims, you settled for EU forces in particular, presumably to bolster EU strategic autonomy. Before we go on, let me ask you: What about U.S. forces?

Crowther: Sending U.S. forces to Ukraine? I would have no problem with recommending to the [U.S.] administration that we send logistics, maintenance, and technical people to western Ukraine, keeping them west of the Dnieper River. I don't advocate sending any combat forces at all, because as soon as you have NATO, EU, [or] American people killing Russians, then that's really escalatory. And so, you don't want it.

RFE/RL: You underline that point in the article. When you said the use of military forces would require "clear messaging to Putin" that this would not be escalatory, are we talking about the same Putin here? The man who has half of the world's geopolitics experts questioning whether he's rational or not, who's known to respond to everything asymmetrically?

Crowther: Putin is rational. Putin is a hard-power guy, and it's all about hard power. It's about money for him and money for the "siloviki" (a blanket term to describe the network of former and current state-security officers with personal ties to the Soviet-era KGB and its successor agencies) and the oligarchs who run the country on his behalf.

There's good tsars and there's bad tsars, right? And a good tsar, in Putin's worldview, leaves the Kremlin feet-first, right? He dies in the job. To him, Ivan the Terrible, so Ivan IV, and [Josef] Stalin are good tsars because they fought till the very end. Bad tsars quit. So that would be Nicolas II, that would be [the last Soviet leader Mikhail] Gorbachev.

Putin doesn't want to go down in history as a bad tsar. He wants to go down in history as a good tsar. He's just going to stay in the Kremlin; he's dug into the Kremlin for the rest of his life. And so everything that he does is designed to extend his stay in the Kremlin.

RFE/RL: I understand your reasoning. What I don't understand is how the U.S. or European military personnel, acting defensively, get to be taking out his bombs -- the bombs he's lobbing at Ukraine. How does that translate into him being a good tsar in the eyes of the Kremlin? If he tolerates Westerners going there and saying, "Oh, we're on the defensive, we're not escalating. We'll just, you know, explode those bombs that you're launching at us in the air so that no Ukrainian is killed."

Crowther: The claim of self-defense is universal.

RFE/RL: Does it scream "good tsar" for you on Putin's terms, allowing that?

Crowther: I wrote a chapter in a book about Russian hybrid warfare. Putin has threatened to invade Poland, Romania, and the Baltic states. He threatened to invade Finland and Sweden if they agreed to join NATO. He threatened to invade Norway for hosting U.S. troops, Poland and Romania for hosting ballistic-missile-defense facilities, any European country hosting U.S. missiles, and has threatened or exercised the use of nuclear weapons on Denmark, Poland, the Baltic [states], the U.K., Sweden, Ukraine, the EU, NATO, and the United States. He has threatened to nuke all of those countries, [but] he hasn't done it once.

RFE/RL: You think he's bluffing? All the way?

Crowther: Nuclear weapons are the only thing keeping Vladimir Putin at the big-boys' table. This is the only thing that prevents him from being just a vassal of the Chinese. It's literally the only threat he has left. In January 2022, people talked about Russia having the second-best military in the world. Well, right now, it's been revealed that they're the second-best military in Ukraine, right?

He has no threats left. His basket is empty. He can't threaten, like he did with Georgia, a military intervention, because he's just got no military left. Honestly, it's really hard to threaten somebody with political warfare: "I'm going to do information operations in your country, irritate your people." That just doesn't [work] well, right? All he's got left is nukes to threaten with, and so he's very liberal with threatening the use of nuclear weapons. [But] I think if NATO forces hit Russian territory, he would use a nuclear device, absolutely.

RFE/RL: He was quite emphatically underlining in [his State of the Nation] address [on February 29] that there would be nuclear consequences if a move such as that Macron was hinting at occurred. Do you believe that's also another bluff on Putin's part?

Crowther: He threatened to nuke Sweden and Finland if they joined NATO.

RFE/RL: OK, so the biggest counterargument to [Macron's] idea that all those Western capitals have is that [deploying troops] would basically make them a party to the war. Would that not happen?

Crowther: This is the discussion about letting Ukraine into NATO, because this buys a piece of that war for NATO. If you read the rules about joining the European Union and NATO, it says they have to have good neighborly relations. So that is one of the things that's interpreted as a "finalized boundary."

The Russians didn't figure this out in time to keep, say, the Baltic states out, but they figured it out in time to keep Moldova, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia out. All you've got to do is occupy a square meter of your neighbor, and all of a sudden they are not eligible to join NATO or the European Union.

Now, NATO or the European Union can waive that requirement. And that's what people are discussing now: not if Ukraine is going to join NATO, but when and under what circumstances they're going to join NATO.

I think the NATO summit [in Washington, D.C. on June 9-11] will hinge on that discussion: When and how -- under what circumstances -- does Ukraine join NATO? At one end of the spectrum [are] people who say Ukraine just isn't ready to join NATO

RFE/RL: The consensus at the moment seems to be that [Ukraine joining NATO and the EU] will happen after the war, not during the war, exactly out of fear that that would make Europe and the West parties to the war. So how does that answer my initial question, that this seems to be the major fear for the West in that they do not want to be seen as party to the war?

Crowther: There are three groups. There's the "Ukraine isn't ready to join NATO" group. "They've got a war. They're corrupt. Are they really a democracy?" All that stuff. The counter to that, which I heard recently, was, "If they're not ready to join NATO, there are several NATO members that [also] aren't ready to join."

At the other end of the spectrum is [the] "They need to be in NATO right now" [group]. And then in the middle is that big group that you were talking about, which is -- like at the 2008 Bucharest summit -- "Yes, they'll be in NATO eventually, just like Georgia."

I think a lot of the [NATO] summit is going to be those three groups not necessarily fighting it out, but [getting] back to politics. It's convincing the other person to do what you want them to do. NATO, to have a successful summit, will have to figure out how to take those three different camps and create some sort of consensus.

RFE/RL: So far, their way of figuring it out has been kicking the can down the road. What changed?

Crowther: That's the middle-of-the-road group -- that big, amorphous group in the middle that says, "Yes, they're going to join eventually." I believe that a lot of people that are kicking the can down the road, during the first phase of the war they said, "Oh, the Ukrainians are going to lose. So, let's not talk about it." And then in the second phase of the war, it was, "Oh, the Ukrainians are going to win, we don't have to talk about it until they win." Now it's, "Oh my, there's a stalemate, nobody's going to win -- uh oh, I guess we have to [do something]." So, there's a lot of pressure to make some sort of decision on where this is going to go.

RFE/RL: And sending Western troops to Ukraine will have to wait at least until the summit?

Crowther: No, because that's the EU, not NATO. That's why my article talks about the European Union and not NATO. Because NATO is kind of stuck right now until the summit. NATO already has a mission helping out Ukraine. The EU has a [military assistance] mission, the EUMAM.

[European Commission President] Ursula von der Leyen has been very clear that she wants to support Ukraine, so this is a tremendous opportunity for the European Union to step up and do this stuff. If you look at who's responsible for security in Europe, writ large: You have internal, you have external, you have soft power, you have market power, and then you have information power.

NATO is responsible for external hard power for Europe. Internal hard power, external soft power, external information power, internal information power -- all of that belongs to the European Union, not to NATO. NATO is a one-trick pony, as we say.... It's vital. But we've got to remember that the European Union is responsible for all these other [aspects]. Security is bigger than just external hard power.

RFE/RL: Do you see an appetite for that in the EU? Because Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic -- pretty much all of the countries that have contributed more in terms of aid to Ukraine than France itself -- seem to be opposed to that kind of move.

Crowther: Are they opposed to it?

RFE/RL: Well, they definitely seem to be very vocal about it, when it comes to official statements.

Crowther: This is just like [the question around the NATO obligation to spend] 2 percent of GDP [on defense]. It's one of those things where we're -- I hate to bring it up -- "taking casualties." "Oh my, we can't do offensive operations in Afghanistan because someone might get hurt and then I'd have to explain it to the voters." But nobody talks to the voters about this. If you look at polling, there's actually support for stuff like this in Europe.

RFE/RL: For sending troops to Ukraine?

Crowther: For supporting Ukraine vigorously. I don't think pollsters are asking the question in Warsaw: Do you think you should go to Ukraine? They're not asking.

RFE/RL: I think they'll be asking that question very shortly: Would you support Western troops being sent to Ukraine? Do you really think there's appetite [for such a move]? Don't you think there's a distinction between supporting Ukraine vigorously when you are asked about that and saying, "Yeah, we're fine with sending Western troops to Ukraine"?

Crowther: I think that sending Western troops to Ukraine is a subset of supporting Ukraine vigorously.

RFE/RL: But does one imply necessarily the other when you are asking that question?

Crowther: I could name half a dozen countries right now that would be willing to send people to Ukraine.

RFE/RL: Be my guest, that's going to make a brilliant headline.

Crowther: I'm not going to do that in an interview. You know who they are. You could name some countries. What I don't want to do is to spoil things for the political leadership in these countries. I'm not going to put them on the spot -- that's not my job. I'm an analyst and an adviser.

RFE/RL: In a way is that not what German Chancellor Olaf Scholz did when he said British soldiers are helping Ukrainians fire those Storm Shadow [long-range cruise] missiles?

Crowther: You should see the blowback that he's getting. I'm not going to put myself in the position that Scholz put himself in. I'm an adviser, and I advise the European Union to start thinking about putting some people forward -- not contingents from every European Union country.

As you know, somebody's got to pay for it, somebody's got to provide a headquarters for command-and-control or some intellectual framework. How about the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF)? (Ten northern European countries, led by the U.K., make up the JEF.) Maybe you can take the JEF and set up a headquarters across the Polish border from Lviv and put the JEF headquarters there and have them rotate JEF people through. The Joint Expeditionary Force is designed for under-Article 5 deployments into Eastern Europe, right? There's an option. There are options.

I'm not saying Ursula van der Leyen needs to create unanimity in the European Union, because there is no unanimity in the European Union -- just like there's no unanimity in NATO. But we need to start thinking about different approaches.

So you start with, "what's the problem?" The problem is that the Ukrainians are running out of people. How do you help the Ukrainians? I don't think the French are going to grab every Ukrainian in France and expel them and make them go home so they can fight. That's not an option, right?

What is politically doable? What is the art of the possible? One of the arts-of-the-possible is that the European Union starts to get involved and talks to their members about their role in security. They've always wanted a role in security. Well, hey, your opportunity is here.

RFE/RL: A reading between the lines that can be inferred from this incident between Scholz and Britain is that such a thing could be done but under the radar, without flags and fanfare, and that might be a much-preferred route for those who are hesitant. If that's the case, then basically Macron has not done very well by bringing it out into the open.

Crowther: If you're going to message Putin that "we've got people on the ground, but they're just doing defensive operations, they're not going to kill any Russians," then there has to be some level of political agreement in Europe to do that.

RFE/RL: Do you think there was a political agreement in Europe on some sort of readiness for that, and Macron then kind of voiced it? Or was it Macron basically saying things out loud that probably should not have been said?

Crowther: I believe that Macron is trying to catalyze a discussion; he's trying to initiate the discussion. Because honestly, if Ursula von der Leyen brought that up without a national leader doing it, she'd probably run into some problems, political friction within the European Union. So now what has happened is that a major European Union member has brought it up, which now allows everybody else to discuss it like Scholz was discussing it.

RFE/RL: You talked about logistics personnel operating in a defensive capability. One [way of doing that] would be shutting down the missiles that Russia is lobbing into Ukraine.

Crowther: That's an option. It's like a hand of cards: a bunch of different options, one of which would be to set up an air-defense system for west of the Dnieper River.

RFE/RL: What if some of those logistics personnel [are killed or injured by] Russian bombs or bullets? Would the party that suffered the casualties be obliged to respond, and, if so, would that cause a chain reaction among its allies?

Crowther: No, that's not [grounds for invoking] Article 5 or anything like that. If Country X in the European Union sends people to Ukraine and the Russians succeed in killing some of them, I don't see that as a casus belli. You can't say, "Oh, they've killed one of my citizens, now let's do an Article 5 and invade Russia." You can't do that. It would be with the understanding that you're accepting a significant amount of risk.

It depends on the country, it depends on how many people get killed, it depends on whether they're overtly there or not. There are Europeans and Americans getting killed in Africa, getting killed in Asia, and it's just not discussed.

"What is an acceptable risk?" is really the discussion that the European Union has to have. I can't tell them what acceptable risk is in Germany or France; only they can have that internal discussion. So as an adviser, I'm trying to get them to have that discussion. I'm trying to catalyze that discussion.
Karakalpak activists are experiencing problems in Kazakhstan and in Europe. Trouble started after Uzbek security forces brutally suppressed a peaceful protest over the regions sovereignty within Uzbekistan in Nukus, capital of the Karakalpakstan Sovereign Republic, in July 2022. This year, a Karakalpak activists died in Kazakhstan while another is currently detained there. Two more activists in Europe face possible deportation. Joining host Bruce Pannier are Arzu, a pseudonym for a Karakalpak activist now living outside Uzbekistan; Catherine Putz, managing editor at The Diplomat magazine; Leila Seiitbek, chairwoman of the NGO Freedom For Eurasia; and noted human rights lawyer Steve Swerdlow. (Note: Arzus comments have been voiced over to protect family and friends in Karakalpakstan.)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended his nearly quarter-century rule with a landslide victory in a tightly controlled election as he seeks to demonstrate overwhelming popular support for his full-scale invasion of Ukraine and increasingly repressive policies.

With 99.68 percent of ballots counted, Putin was set to win another six-year term with 87.32 percent of the vote, a post-Soviet record, according to official results. The Central Election Committee said that more than 70 percent of eligible voters cast ballots during the three-day election.

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.

The vote is the first for Putin since he launched an ill-fated invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that has killed tens of thousands of Russian citizens, upended the lives of tens of thousands more, 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 nation's full support, experts said.

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."

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.

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.

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.
In the winter of 1924, inhabitants of a small village near Tehran looked up as a metal-bodied airplane swooped in to land, bumped along a field, then collapsed in a cloud of dust after its landing gear broke.

The pilot of the plane was Swiss aviator Walter Mittelholzer, who had received an invitation from the Persian government to deliver a new Junkers aircraft to the country, which would be renamed Iran in 1935.

Kaspar Surber, a Swiss journalist who wrote a book on Mittelholzer, told RFE/RL the aviator was chosen for the flight to Persia in part to "popularize flying" through aerial images he would take there.

Mittelholzer was famous at the time for becoming the first person to extensively photograph Switzerland's mountains from an airplane.

In the 1920s, Surber says there was something of a "race" between German and British aviation companies to begin air services in Persia, making Mittelholzer's photography skills a key promotional advantage.

A Swiss newspaper wrote of the aviator, "The Swiss people know what to expect from their Mr. Mittelholzer, who can not only pilot a plane across unknown countries but also photograph and film in flight."

After their ignominious landing 40 kilometers outside of Tehran, Mittelholzer and mechanic Ernst Bissegger had a tense confrontation with villagers before help eventually arrived from the Persian capital and their aircraft was repaired.

Mittelholzer and Bissegger's flight of more than 3,000 kilometers from Switzerland to Persia included a standoff with Turkish authorities who confiscated their plane, troubles with poor-quality gasoline purchased in Baghdad, and erroneous maps that forced them into the ill-fated landing during which their plane's landing gear collapsed.

Mittelholzers initial impressions of the territory of Persia from above were of "areas that lie desolate and empty and wander past the observing eye for hours. Huge alluvial fans, piles of rubble, and deltas of saline rivers [that] characterize the country."

Isolated settlements occasionally came into view as the pair flew over Persian territory.

"Here and there a green patch shines," Mittelholzer wrote, "a space in the center of which features residents' mud huts rising on narrow and winding streets. Silver bands mark the irrigation channels at the edges of the gardens."

Mittelholzer seized the opportunity to photograph Persia extensively from above in photographs that are now held by the ETH Zurich library.

The Swiss aviator and photographer also made use of his camera on the ground to capture a country on the cusp of dramatic change under Reza Shah Pahlavi, a ruler who would become known as Persia's "modernizing strongman."

At the time of Mittelholzer's visit to Persia, the country was without major rail or road networks, and camel caravans were still in use as a means of foreign trade, making air transport an enticing possibility for the country's rulers.

With the aviation industry still in its infancy in Persia, Mittelholzer and Bissegger had the sky virtually to themselves as they swept low over urban centers to snap images that would soon stun European audiences.

Mittelholzer predicted that aerial photography would play a significant role in documentary imagery of the future.

"Another hitherto unseen world opens up before us. It is as if the Earth has thereby gained a new face, and man a new, unflawed eye," he wrote in 1928.

After spending several weeks inside Iran, the two Swiss aviators eventually made the long trek back to Central Europe by car. Mittelholzer would later co-found a company that became Swissair, Switzerland's national carrier until 2002. He died in a mountaineering accident in 1937 aged 43.

In a newspaper obituary, a friend noted that Mittelholzer's death in the mountains that he loved, and that had sparked his extraordinary career, had a certain tragic poetry: "They have embraced him 0n his last wanderings and claimed him, and perhaps he would not have wished for a better end, but alas it came all too soon, there was so much more for him to do."
China has announced a growing risk of a pandemic of disease X, which, according to the WHO, could be the next global threat after the coronavirus. Beijing intends to build on the experience of fighting COVID-19 and actively prepare for future similar pandemics.

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Wang Hesheng, head of the State Administration for Disease Control and Prevention of the People's Republic of China, made the statement, the Chinese government's press service reported on March 9. According to him, China will firmly adhere to the worst-case scenario approach.

In particular, the Chinese authorities intend to improve the mechanism for switching between conventional and emergency response measures, improve the multi-channel monitoring and early warning system, and promote advanced research on infectious diseases to increase preparedness for future pandemics.

In response to a question related to "disease X," Wang said that this epidemic, which has not yet begun, caused by a hypothetical unknown pathogen, has caused great concern worldwide due to its deadly nature, rapid spread, ability to mutate, and great uncertainty.

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According to the official, this will create unpredictable problems and cause the pandemic to grow due to climate change, the expansion of human activities, and interspecies transmission of pathogens.

"Although the emergence of 'disease X' is difficult to avoid, there will be ways to contain potential pandemics arising from it," he said.

China will actively participate in global public health governance, promote cooperation with international organizations such as the WHO and other countries, and actively participate in the development of a pandemic convention, Wang Hesheng said.

He also noted that the prevention and control of infectious diseases in China has achieved excellent results.

As a reminder, disease X is the name of a theoretical unknown pathogen capable of causing an epidemic or pandemic, which was adopted by the WHO in 2018 to list pathogens and diseases that require urgent development of drugs or treatments. This designation is intended to facilitate the ability to adapt to a new and unknown pathogen by rapidly starting the development of a vaccine or treatment.

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As OBOZ.UA previously reported, infectious disease doctor Olha Holubovska confirmed that disease "X" would be 20 times more deadly than the coronavirus. According to her, doctors are now discussing a number of possible pathogens, including a pandemic version of the flu and bird flu.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Top 4 SUVs in this segment are Creta, Grand Vitara, Kia Seltos and Toyota Hyryder  Together these 4 have 85% market share in the segment

Compact SUVs falling within the 4.2 to 4.4-meter length range have proven to be popular among Indian consumers, with a significant overall growth compared to the same period last year. The compact SUV segment recorded a total of 44,914 units sold in February 2024, marking a significant 26.94% growth compared to the same month last year. This robust performance reinforces the popularity of compact SUVs in the Indian automotive market.

Compact SUV Sales Feb 2024  Hyundai Creta Leads the Pack

Hyundai Creta emerged as the top-selling model in the compact SUV category, with a remarkable 46.59% year-on-year growth. Sales for February 2024 reached an impressive 15,276 units, thanks to the recent launch of facelifted Creta. Creta now commands a substantial 34.01% share of the market. Tomorrow, Hyundai will launch Creta N Line, which will help increase sales even further.

After enjoying the No 1 position in the segment for Jan 2024, Maruti Grand Vitara slipped to No 2 in Feb 2024. It has exhibited a strong sales performance with 11,002 units sold in February 2024. This reflects a growth of 19.81% compared to the same period last year, consolidating its position in the market with a 24.50% share.

Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq Face Challenges

In contrast, Kia Seltos experienced a dip in sales, recording 6,265 units in February 2024, reflecting a 21.80% decline from the previous year. Despite the decrease, the Seltos still maintains a substantial 13.95% market share. Toyota HyRyder displayed significant growth, with a notable 69.37% increase in sales, reaching 5,601 units. Meanwhile, the Honda Elevate, a newcomer to the market, sold 3,184 units in February 2024, capturing a 7.09% market share.

Volkswagens Taigun and Skodas Kushaq experienced challenges in the market, with sales declining by 22.39% and 36.23%, respectively. Taigun sold 1,286 units, while the Kushaq reached 1,137 units in February 2024. MG Astor and Citroen C3 Aircross maintained a moderate presence in the market, with the Astor selling 1,036 units, securing a 2.31% share, and the C3 Aircross selling 127 units, claiming a 0.28% share.

Month on Month Comparison

The total compact SUV sales for February 2024 stood at 44,914 units, reflecting a -3.87% MoM decrease compared to January 2024. Creta reported 15,276 units sold in February 2024, marking a 15.62% growth compared to January 2024. However, Maruti Grand Vitara faced a decline, with 11,002 units sold, resulting in an -18.13% MoM drop.

Kia Seltos faced a slight downturn in February, with 6,265 units sold, reflecting a 1.97% MoM decrease. Toyota HyRyder, on the other hand, saw a marginal MoM growth of 1.05%, with 5,601 units sold. Honda Elevate encountered a substantial MoM decline of 30.57%, selling 3,184 units in February. Volkswagen Taigun experienced a modest MoM growth of 0.86%, with 1,286 units sold.

Skoda Kushaq recorded a positive MoM growth of 5.08%, selling 1,137 units in February 2024. MG Astor, with 1,036 units sold, exhibited a significant MoM increase of 7.25%. In contrast, Citroen C3 Aircross faced a notable MoM decline of -45.02%, selling 127 units

As consumers continue to gravitate towards the practicality and versatility offered by compact SUVs, manufacturers are likely to intensify their efforts to meet the growing demand in this dynamic segment. With new entrants and innovative features, the competition is expected to further heat up, making the compact SUV market a focal point in the Indian automotive landscape.
The break-in happened the night of June 12, 2016, when Torres entered a house on Mill Peak Road. (Fox 5 San Diego)

A man accused of breaking into a Del Cerro home and holding two women at knifepoint, killing one of them, pleaded guilty Friday to murder and sex-crime charges.

As a condition of his plea, Eduardo Jose Torres, 21, agreed to be sentenced later to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Michael Smyth scheduled the sentencing hearing for Aug. 4.

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It took a while on Friday for Torres to commit to changing his original plea of not guilty to charges including murder, assault and torture. In the morning, when the judge tried to go over the details with the defendant in open court, Torres balked.

At one point, he told the judge: No, your honor, I cannot go on.

The judge ordered the attorneys and the defendant to return to court in the afternoon. Thats when Torres lawyer, Deputy Public Defender Peter Will, said his client was ready to proceed.

The break-in happened the night of June 12, 2016, when Torres entered a house on Mill Peak Road.

The homeowner was asleep in bed when he was awakened by a loud noise, likely the sound of a sliding-glass door breaking.

Around the same time, neighbors knocked on the homeowners door to tell him they had just chased away an intruder. The homeowner opened the door to his neighbors and became locked out of his house.

Torres, who was inside the home, gathered the two women  the homeowners 74-year-old mother, Ut Nguyen, and a 50-year-old woman who was visiting from out of town  into a bedroom. Torres then forced the younger woman to commit a sex act on him.

He stabbed Nguyen in the neck as SWAT officers stormed the bedroom, according to testimony a previous hearing.

On Friday, Torres pleaded guilty to two felony charges and admitted several allegations including torture and use of a deadly weapon.

Because of special-circumstance allegations, such as murder during the commission of a burglary, Torres could have faced the death penalty if his case had gone to trial.

dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @danalittlefield
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a secret meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas. The conversation focused on the war in Ukraine and Venezuela 's possible arms supplies to Russia.

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The British newspaper The Sunday Times writes about this, citing sources. According to their information, Johnson arrived in Caracas by private jet from the Dominican Republic, where he was on vacation with his family.

In total, he stayed in Venezuela for less than a day.

According to the sources, the former British prime minister discussed with Maduro the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as information about Venezuela's alleged supplies of weapons and military equipment to Russia.

Thus, in South America, Venezuela, which has long been in international isolation, is considered an ally of the Russian Federation.

Back in 2006, Moscow granted Caracas a loan of more than $17 billion. Venezuela spent a significant portion of this amount on the purchase of Russian weapons. The Russian Federation itself gets access to Venezuela's oil fields.

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And on March 9, 2022, Maduro condemned Western sanctions against Russia, saying that it could allegedly unleash a nuclear war.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, earlier Maduro announced the deployment of troops on the east coast due to the "threat from Guyana". The dispute between the countries has escalated over the Essequibo territory, which is controlled by Guyana but which Venezuela considers its own.

In September, Maduro flew to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen "fraternal" relations with Russia, which are the "foundation" for Venezuela's "prosperous future."

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics responded to Pope Francis' statement about a "white flag" that should be raised to end the war in Ukraine during an interview. The Latvian leader emphasized that it is impossible to capitulate in the face of evil.

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Instead, evil should be fought to defeat it. Rinkevics wrote about this in his profile on the X network, formerly known as Twitter.

"My Sunday morning take: One must not capitulate in face of evil, one must fight it and defeat it, so that the evil raises the white flag and capitulates," the Latvian president said.

Rinkiewicz's statement refers to the phrase published the day before by Pope Francis, who called for negotiations in Russia's war against Ukraine. According to the Pope, one of the parties should show "the courage to raise the white flag".

This statement, given the use of the image of a "white flag" that is raised when one decides to surrender, was interpreted by many as the Pope's call for Ukraine to surrender.

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Due to the scandal that arose over this statement, the Vatican decided to clarify it. The Vatican press service stated that the Pontiff was not referring to Ukraine's surrender, but to the need to start negotiations.

The Vatican insists that the image of the "white flag" was used by the interviewing journalist in his question, and the Pope used it in his answer, putting a different meaning to it than the generally accepted one.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  District Attorney Michael E. McMahon and members of the community expressed their opposition to a proposed weed dispensary on Forest Avenue in West Brighton during a recent civic association meeting.

A sizable crowd gathered for a meeting of the Forest Regional Residents Civic Association on Thursday evening at a house of worship at 549 Bard Ave. to discuss the proposed dispensary site across the street in a strip mall at 465 Forest Ave. The legal-marijuana dispensary would replace two longtime businesses in that strip mall.

The Advance/SILive.com previously reported that neighborhood staples S&T Bagels and The Card & Gift Shop have been told to move out of their West Brighton storefronts by March 31. Business owners Shamin Frammosa, along with brothers Dimesh Danny and Nick Patel, received notice from the landlords that their storefronts will give way to a New York State-licensed cannabis dispensary.

Their landlord confirmed that the emptied storefronts would be a licensed adult use retail dispensary.

CBS News reported that State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/South Brooklyn) and most of the other people who attended the meeting at the house of worship for Freedom in God Ministries opposed plans for the dispensary.

With the proliferation of illegal shops, it doesnt feel that this is fair to put here, specifically ... Its very difficult to make the argument that this is a place that makes sense, Scarcella-Spanton was quoted by CBS News as saying. Forest Avenue is filled with families, small businesses, people with children, houses of worship like the one were standing in right now.

Francesca Gallelli, a community liaison, appeared on behalf of McMahon and a letter that the district attorney sent to Chris Alexander, executive director of the state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), was read aloud at the meeting.

McMahon noted in the letter that area residents have voiced their disapproval for the dispensary since the application became public. Concerns include the lack of parking spaces, and that the location is across the street from a house of worship and near an educational facility for the disabled.

Not only is this facility unwelcome by the majority of those who call West Brighton home, we believe that its location is antithetical to OCMs very own guidelines regarding siting of dispensaries within certain distances of schools and houses of worship, McMahon said in the letter.

The district attorney said that OEM guidelines forbid locating a dispensary within 200 feet of a house of worship.

Freedom in God Ministries, which holds religious services and Sunday school at the former Our Saviour Lutheran Church, is a stones throw from the proposed dispensary location, McMahon said in the letter. The parking lot of the small strip mall that dispensary customers will use falls within the 200-foot radius.

McMahon claimed in the letter that the Office of Cannabis Managment has allowed a loophole by requiring that such houses of worship solely be used for religious services.

I challenge you to name a single house of worship on the globe that is exclusively used for religious services, McMahon said in the letter. Under this logic, if an imam hosts a leadership meeting inside his mosque, if a rabbi opened his doors to a food pantry, or if a pastor allowed a civic group to meet inside their sanctuary, those facilities would be excluded too, meaning a dispensary could open next door without limitation. OCMs current interpretation of these regulations defies not only the letter of the text, but their spirit and frankly, common sense as well.

Guidelines also call for a dispensary to be no less than 500 feet from a school, McMahon said in the letter.

McMahon said in the letter that Sensory Studio, which offers various types of therapy for children with disabilities, is located at 445 Forest Ave.  less than 500 feet from the proposed dispensary.

Sensory Studio serves young people with developmental disabilities on a daily basis, and according to their mission statement, is where hearts are touched, lives are changed, and childrens futures are shaped with love and compassion. McMahon said in the letter. This description could easily fit a school. Yet, because OCM is choosing to interpret its regulations in such narrow, strict terms, the regulatory agency ignores the spirit and intent of the limitations placed on siting adult-use dispensaries.

McMahon said in the letter that OCM should be on shutting down illegal cannabis stores that have popped up like weeds across Staten Island and all of New York state, while working with communities to find suitable locations for safe, regulated dispensaries to open. Sadly, the opposite has been true thus far.
The coming congestion pricing tax is already bad enough.

Drivers will be charged a staggering $15 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. Even the $5 discount that drivers will receive if they take a tunnel on their way into the zone doesnt remove the sting.

But as bad as congestion pricing sounds now, it could actually get lot more expensive in the future.

Here are 10 simple ways that congestion pricing could get even worse.

EXPAND THE CONGESTION ZONE

There are plenty of areas above 60th Street that are congested with traffic. It would be easy enough to expand the congestion zone northward and charge drivers to go there. Heck, the entirety of Manhattan is a congestion zone.

INCREASE THE CONGESTION FEE

This is practically guaranteed to happen. After all, how often does a tax, toll, fare or fee stay the same in New York City?

EXPAND THE PROGRAM TO OTHER BOROUGHS

Again, something thats close to a slam dunk to happen. There are congestion nightmare areas in every borough. If congestion pricing works in Manhattan (in other words, if it makes money, which it will), expect the drumbeat to begin in earnest to institute the program elsewhere.

INCREASE EXEMPTIONS

Not too many drivers are exempt from the congestion tax at the moment, but that could change. Cops, firefighters, teachers and other public servants are already railing about having to pay the fee when they have no choice where theyre assigned to work. More exemptions for some would mean higher congestion fees for the rest of us to make up the difference.

INCLUDE THE FDR DRIVE AND THE WEST SIDE HIGHWAY IN THE ZONE

As the program is today, drivers wont pay the fee if they pass through the congestion zone on the FDR Drive or the West Side Highway without getting off. The plate-reading congestion cameras are already in place on those highways, so it wouldnt take much to dun every driver who passes them whether they go into the zone or not.

SURGE PRICING WITHIN THE ZONE

Traffic isnt equal everywhere at all times. If the Canal Street area, say, is particularly congested at a given time, charge cars an additional fee to enter that neighborhood. That would be similar to the surge pricing model used by Uber and others, which charges higher fees for the same services based on when customers use them and under what conditions.

CHARGE CARS MORE IF THEY STAY LONGER IN THE ZONE

If you zip in and out of the congestion zone, you pay one fee. If you stay longer, you pay more. Kind of like a congestion-pricing taxi meter. Think about that while youre stuck in traffic trying to get across town. And, hey, if youre parked on the street somewhere, youre still contributing to congestion. So pay up.

CHARGE THE SAME FEE AROUND THE CLOCK

Under the current model, motorists who enter the zone during off-peak hours will pay a discounted congestion fee. Just charge everybody the same amount.

MAKE CONGESTION PRICING 24/7

Drivers will only be charged to enter the congestion zone during certain hours of the day during the week and on the weekend. Make them pay around the clock and youll make more money. Remember, speed cameras that are now in operation 24/7/365 were initially in service only during certain hours. They call that a precedent.

ELIMINATE OR REDUCE THE TUNNEL DISCOUNT

This would be an abomination, but I dont put anything past money-grubbing New York lawmakers and neither should you.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Daylight Saving Time began at 2 a.m. Sunday, so if you have forgotten about the time change, the clocks have been moved one hour ahead, ushering in an extra hour of sunlight to enjoy and kicking the gloomy early-evening darkness to the curb.

Daylight Saving Time begins each year on the second Sunday of March, and the tradition gives us more natural light to enjoy in warmer months.

While sunset occurred at around 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, on Sunday, March 10, it wont set until around 7 p.m.

When is spring officially here?

Though we wont officially greet spring until 11:06 p.m. on March 19, were moving in the right direction, and theres an end to the long, dark days of winter on the horizon, as Mother Nature does her thing.

Back on Dec. 21, 2023, the winter solstice arrived, according to Space.com., marking the darkest day of the year, the one with the least amount of sunlight.

But ever since that day, the length of days has increased, and it will continue to do so until the summer solstice on June 20.

When does Daylight Saving Time end?

Daylight Saving Time, sometimes incorrectly referred to by the plural Daylight Savings Time, concludes on Nov. 3, 2024, at 2 a.m.

The system of uniform Daylight Saving Time throughout the United States was established by the Uniform Time Act of 1966.

Will it become permanent?

Many New Yorkers wish for a day when Daylight Saving Time becomes permanent, while others would like to ditch the whole idea completely.

During the fall 2023 legislative session, lawmakers introduced a pair of bills in the New York State Assembly and Senate to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Those leading the charge are from upstate counties, including state Sen. Joe Griffo, of upstate Rome, and state Sen. Angelo L. Santabarbara of Schenectady.

However, both bills remained trapped in committee, and no vote took place. So, neither has become law.

The bill did pass the Senate in March 2022, and State Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, author of the bill, reintroduced the bill in March 2023 with bi-partisan support. But the House never voted on it, citing more pressing matters at hand.

Check batteries

Safety authorities encourage us to change the batteries in smoke detectors and test to ensure that all detectors are functioning properly, and the beginning and end of Daylight Saving Time offer us a good opportunity to remember to do so.

Despite warnings about the importance of smoke-alarm maintenance, about two-thirds of fire deaths in the United States take place in homes with no smoke alarms or smoke alarms with no batteries or dead batteries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Working smoke alarms are the most critical component of your escape plan, said New York City Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. These devices are your first line of defense during a fire, so please make sure your alarm is functional by testing it monthly.

What states observe Daylight Saving Time?

The Uniform Time Act allows states to exempt themselves from observing Daylight Saving Time, so not every state observes.

Residents of Arizona and Hawaii do not change their clocks for Daylight Saving Time. Neither do those in Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

And Indiana didnt start observing Daylight Saving Time until 2006.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Bracing for a spring season full of sneezes, a runny nose and itchy, watery eyes?

Staten Islanders who suffer from outdoor allergies should expect spring 2024 to pack a serious punch  thanks to the warmer winter weather the New York metropolitan area experienced in 2023-2024, according to doctors.

And weather experts at the national Climate Prediction Center continue to paint a gloomy picture for allergy sufferers.

They are calling for a high probability of warmer-than-average temperatures in most of the northeastern United States through most of March.

There may be cold days, but the atmospheric trend is favoring more mild temperatures and limited opportunities for snow and ice, forecasters say.

EARLIER ALLERGY SEASON

Since trees will be in bloom as a warm winter turns even warmer, allergies will kick in earlier  and be more intense, said Dr. Christopher Lisi, an ear, nose and throat specialist and the chief of the division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton.

Lisi said hes expecting a significant increase in the number of patients hell treat in the Richmond Health Network Center for Advanced ENT, Sinus and Voice Care in Bulls Head this spring, as the pollen, and allergic reactions, will be more intense, thanks to the warm winter we experienced.

But Lisi said there are plenty of things you can do to control the symptoms.

Advancements in technology and medical treatments have made things easier, and they are only part of the solution.

Theres always been good treatments, but treatments are more effective now than they used to be, said Lisi.

Nasal steroid sprays, such as Flonase and Nasonex, reduce inflammation in nasal passages, Lisi said, and they also work as a preventative measure. They produce little to no side effects as they get right to the problem, and are not absorbed into the whole body as oral medications, like Zyrtec and Claritin.

When it comes to technology, in-home air purifiers have really improved in recent years, and those equipped with a HEPA air filter go a long way towards keeping outdoor allergens out of your indoor spaces, Lisi said.

Air purifiers, either stand-alone or part of you AC system, are shown to be very effective at reducing the pollen burden in the air inside of houses, he said, noting that HEPA filters are the best at filtering out viruses, bacteria, pollen and dust from the air.

In addition, there are plenty of good habits people can use to reduce their allergy symptoms, he said.

Here are a few more simple suggestions for controlling spring allergy symptoms, according to Lisi:

1. Wear sunglasses when outdoors among blooming trees and flying pollen.

2. Rinse your nose with saline spray after coming in contact with allergy triggers.

3. Wash bedding often and clothing worn outdoors.

4. Keep pets, who often spend a lot of time outdoors, out of the bedroom and off bedsheets.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Muslim American Society of Staten Island celebrated the grand opening of its new community center in Dongan Hills on Saturday, on the eve of Ramadan.

The new facility is the largest Muslim community center on Staten Island, according to Abdullah Akl, director of the public advocacy and civic engagement team for the non-profit that is also known as MAS-SI.

The night included prayer first in the building next door, and then a tour of the new facility, with more prayer, and time to enjoy sweets and coffee from local eateries. (Staten Island Advance/Kayla Simas)Kayla Simas

Akl told the Advance/SILive.com the center, located at 180 Burgher Ave., has been in the works for several years.

It first started as a temple in the building we purchased in 2010, then it became used as a multi-user space. The mosque then acquired the land next door, and got together to see what would be built, said Akl. At first we thought a parking lot, a basketball area, and then we sat down with community and figured a community center would be the answer.

Akl explained the community went from 10 to 15 people, to eventually a community of hundreds, now thousands.

The night included prayer first in the building next door, and then a tour of the new facility, with more prayer, and time to enjoy sweets and coffee from local eateries. (Staten Island Advance/Kayla Simas)Kayla Simas

Our center is filled with community youth groups, community events, said Akl. Something big that we label ourselves is that we are family built and youth led.

Akl was very excited about the center, which cost around $7 million to built.

And whats great is that majority of donors were not big, or from outside organizations or from grants, he said. It came from so many small donations from young people, who want to see this non-profit grow.

Akl also explained that in addition to the Staten Island group, there are 40 chapters of Muslim American Society groups all around the country, with seven of them in New York City.

MAS-SI provides weekly food pantries; summer programs; and social services for the community that includes mental health, food assistance, and assistance in applying for benefits including SNAP and heating and cool. Akl stated it is not just for the Muslim community, but for non-Muslims as well.

The night included prayer first in the building next door, and then a tour of the new facility, with more prayer, and time to enjoy sweets and coffee from local eateries. (Staten Island Advance/Kayla Simas)Kayla Simas

Akl explained there are several departments within the new community center, including a youth department, communications department, and faith department.

The grand opening of the community center is also the first phase of an expansion project that will see the community centers footprint grow.

The night included prayer first in the building next door, and then a tour of the new facility, with more prayer, and time to enjoy sweets and coffee from local eateries. (Staten Island Advance/Kayla Simas)Kayla Simas

After Ramadan is over, we look to demolish our current center and continue the expansion project, said Akl. Right now, with Ramadan, we will utilize the space for prayer, and then afterwards, it will be utilized for classrooms, and other multi-use space.

All together, the community center currently has a basement, first level, second level, and a roof section.

The night included prayer first in the building next door, and then a tour of the new facility, with more prayer, and time to enjoy sweets and coffee from local eateries. (Staten Island Advance/Kayla Simas)Kayla Simas

Akl stated that the community center is expecting close to 1,200 people each night of Ramadan, so the new space will be more than enough.

This year, its not just the space being bigger, but with whats going on across the world, said Akl. Weve seen resilience in the world and the resilience in the people of Gaza is rooted in faith. So, people who might not have prayed before or know what Islam is, they want faith  and thats what we are here, we are rooted in faith.

Akl also noted that the community center is a home very far away from home.

I, myself, come here to hangout with friends just because this isnt just a mosque or a community center, but its a place where you can find people you can grow with, and grow in faith.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  For the first time in centuries, New York state will be in the path of totality for a solar eclipse next month  but the view of this rare celestial event will depend on the weather.

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will pass over Mexico, the United States and Canada, according to NASA. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. During this time, the sky will darken, as if it were dawn or dusk.

New York state has several cities in the path of totality, which means hundreds of thousands of people are expected to visit to see the phenomenon. Those cities include Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Rochester.

Unless you plan to travel to view the eclipse in the path of totality, you will likely see a partial solar eclipse. In New York City, it will be visible as a partial solar eclipse.

Millions of people will look to the sky to witness the breathtaking event  so long as the weather doesnt ruin it.

AccuWeather long-range forecasters say its too early to give a precise cloud forecast for April 8, but weather patterns and emerging trends have been identified to create a look at the forecast for the day.

According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Paul Pastelok, the Northeast  including New York state  faces the highest risk of clouds. Currently, western parts of New York state, like Buffalo and Rochester, are expecting a fair chance of viewing the eclipse, while northern cities, such as Syracuse and Fort Drum, will have a poor chance.

However, there is still a chance that cloud-free weather will win out in these areas.

The solar eclipse of April 8 will be a spectacular viewing event  so long as the weather cooperates. (Courtesy/AccuWeather)AccuWeather

The cloud forecast for the eclipse is complex  meteorologists are predicting if it will be cloudy only for the four-minute window when the moon completely blocks out the sun during totality. On top of that specific timing, multiple factors with the weather could play out in early April.

There is a good possibility that a cold front will be moving across central and eastern U.S. near this time of the eclipse, Pastelok said.

The exact location of this cold front could mean the difference between a cloudy day or a cloud-free sky.

On the bright side, serious late-season cold weather is not expected  though it could still be chilly in the Northeast. You may need to still wear a coat, or bundle up in a sweatshirt, to watch the eclipse outside.

PUBLIC SAFETY IN NEW YORK

The state has been preparing for the influx of visitors. For the last 15 months, an interagency task force, comprised of nearly two dozen state agencies and authorities, has been collaborating on plans to ensure a safe and memorable viewing experience for residents and visitors in New York. It is focused on building awareness of the state as a prime location to experience the eclipse by gathering important safety and preparedness information, amplifying and supporting region-specific viewing activities, and maintaining regular communication with local governments and municipalities  especially those within the path of totality.

Public safety efforts align with the states normal jurisdictional role over state parks and state roads and support to local governments in their planning and decision-making, in accordance with their own codes, laws and needs as the eclipse approaches. Public safety challenges for such an event include traffic management, communications capabilities, and public health and safety.

According to the state, efforts have been and continue to be tailored to the anticipated needs from an influx of those who come to view the eclipse from both inside and outside the state.

PATH OF TOTALITY

If youre looking to stay in New York to view the total solar eclipse along its path of totality, here are the cities to consider:

Western NY - Niagara Region: Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Lockport and Batavia.

Northern Finger Lakes & Central NY : Syracuse, Rochester, Irondequoit, Geneseo, Geneva, Seneca Falls, Fairport, Sodus Bay, Fair Haven, Auburn, Canandaigua and Palmyra.

The Thousand Islands Region: Oswego, Pulaski, Sackets Harbor, Henderson Harbor, Clayton, Alexandria Bay and Watertown.

SAFE VIEWING

According to NASA, viewing any part of the 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. The partial phases of the solar eclipse can only be safely observed directly with specialized solar viewing glasses (eclipse glasses) or a handheld solar viewer. Regular sunglasses, polarized or otherwise, are not a safe replacement for solar eclipse glasses.

Consumers should only use new eclipses glasses that are certified by the International Safety Organization (ISO). These glasses will have ISO stamped on them. The current standard for solar viewing material is called ISO 12312-2. Glasses from the 2017 eclipse should not be reused.

The following ISO-certified glasses are now available via Amazon:

Soluna Solar Eclipse Glasses 12-pack, now on sale, priced at $9.99.

EclipSee Solar Eclipse Glasses, 6-pack, now on sale, priced at $7.97.

Kesseph Solar Eclipse Glasses, 2-pack, now on sale, priced at $9.99.

And New York state is offering classes on how to view the total solar eclipse without the use of special eclipse glasses. Participants will be able to learn how to make a pinhole projector, which allows you to see the celestial event safely and easily from anywhere  while not looking directly at the sun.

On Staten Island, there will be an event held at Clay Pit Ponds Interpretive Center, located at 2351 Veterans Rd. West, on Saturday, March 16, from 1 to 3 p.m.

WHEN TO SEE ECLIPSE IN NEW YORK

On April 8, a total solar eclipse will encompass the western and northern parts of New York state. In less than 15 minutes  within a 3:15 to 3:30 window  the moon will pass between the Earth and sun.

The roughly 100-mile wide path of totality will enter in the southwestern part of the state just after 3:15 p.m. and will depart northern New York just before 3:30 p.m. Cities and towns within this path include Jamestown, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Watertown, Old Forge, Lake Placid and Plattsburgh.

The entire event will last for up to two-and-a-half hours, which marks the time the sun is first obstructed to its last moments when the moons shadow is cast.
A United Airlines plane rolled off the runway and onto the grass at a Houston airport Friday morning as it headed toward a gate, the airline said in a statement.

The Boeing 737 flight landed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport at around 8 a.m. when it rolled onto the grass, United and Houston Airports and Houston Spaceport said in separate statements, according to NBC News.

The flight had left from Memphis International Airport and had 160 passengers and six crew members on board. Passengers exited the plane on the taxiway and had to be bused to the terminal, according to reports.

No one on board was injured, the statements said, and the incident did not disrupt other flights, according to a spokesman for United Airlines.

Its not clear what caused the plane to veer off the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the incident, the report said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York City families can apply to send their child to free, all-day programming in July and August through the Summer Rising program.

It is a free program administered by the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and the city Department of Education (DOE) that connects elementary and middle school students to fun, culturally relevant, hands-on experiences to strengthen their academic, social and emotional skills.

The application portal is open at www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/summer/grades-k-8. It will remain open through March 25.

Here are eight key things to know about the free program.

Who can apply to Summer Rising?

Students currently in kindergarten through eighth grade (in the 2023-2024 school year) in New York City can apply for Summer Rising. This includes any student attending public school, charter school, non-public school, and home-schooling students.

How can I apply?

New York City families will utilize an online application portal to submit their enrollment request, at at www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/summer/grades-k-8.

The new enrollment process is housed within MySchools, which is a system that public school families already use.

What is the enrollment process?

As introduced last year, the enrollment process is not first come, first serve. That means families have the entire application window to apply. Families will be asked to rank multiple program preferences, ensuring more families receive placements that work for them.

Placements will be assigned with a focus on equity, including prioritizing students with academic needs, students in temporary housing and foster care, 12-month Individualized Education Program (IEP) programs (Chapter 683, Extended School Year, and Autism Nest or Horizon), and with a local connection to a school-year community-based organization (CBO) program or school community.

What does Summer Rising offer?

According to the city, in addressing the needs of young people, Summer Rising stresses cultivating curiosity and a lifelong joy of learning through:

Activities to develop their interests, build skills, foster conversations and generate new experiences.

Helping young people feel more socially connected to their peers, caring adults, school community and city.

Social, emotional and academic support.

Students will also have access to other resources and academic support, including teacher-led English language arts and mathematics activities tailored to meet their needs, alongside field trips and arts activities. DYCD-funded community-based organizations will provide programming at New York City public schools in all five boroughs, according to the city.

What does the schedule look like?

There will be six weeks of programming for middle schoolers and seven weeks for elementary school students in July and August.

Below is what the calendar looks like.

Grades K-5:

July 2-Aug. 16  Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Grades 6-8:

July 2-Aug. 8  Monday to Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Students with 12-month IEPs (District 75):

July 3-Aug. 13  Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (or similar schedule)

Students with 12-month IEPs (Districts 1-32 Extended School Year) :

July 2-Aug. 12  Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or similar schedule)

ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Programs :

July 2-Aug. 8  Monday to Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Why are hours scaled back for middle school students?

There will be fewer hours and days for students in middle school grades. The city announced there would be six weeks of programming for middle schools  the same amount of weeks as last years programming.

But students will only attend Summer Rising four weekdays, rather than five  and with shorter hours. This year, middle school programming will operate Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will no longer be offered to these students on Fridays.

Thats compared to last years full five days of operation  offering the experience Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

It means that middle school students will receive about 16 fewer hours of enrichment through Summer Rising this year, when compared to last year.

The city did not further explain the shortened hours for middle school grades, however, Summer Rising initially began as a stimulus-funded program. This years program represents approximately $80 million in additional city funding from the Adams administration to support the former federal aided program.

When will I know if my child is offered a seat?

Families will be notified of placement for Summer Rising in mid-April.

Where can I find more information?

Visit www.schools.nyc.gov/summer to find more information.

Families should email summer@schools.nyc.gov, call 311, or speak to their parent coordinator for support with Summer Rising enrollment. Families who do not have internet access or cannot access the enrollment portal should reach out to their parent coordinator, who can help them complete the application.
The National Weather Service issued a report at 11:47 a.m. on Sunday for heavy snow until 12:45 p.m. for Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Ontario counties.

"A band of moderate to heavy snow will continue to move southeast across the Niagara Frontier and Genesee Valley through early afternoon. Visibility will briefly drop to near 1/4 mile in a brief burst of heavy snow. Roads will become snow covered as this band of heavy snow moves through. Additional periods of light to moderate snow will continue through the rest of the afternoon following this burst of snow," according to the weather service.

Locations impacted by the warning include Buffalo Metro Area, Rochester Metro Area, Batavia, Albion, Lockport, Medina, Attica, Lima, Avon, Victor, Macedon and Bloomfield. Conditions can deteriorate rapidly in winter weather situations. Be prepared for snow or ice covered roads. Slow down and allow extra time when traveling.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
With less than 5k to go on the run, Magnus Ditlev took the lead and would go on to become the first ever T100 Tour winner. He called it a great start to his season but also told the post race commentators that he had felt bad throughout the entire week training here [in Miami].



Weve become accustomed to seeing Ditlev attack the bike leg of each race hes in but he took a more measured approach to todays race. He self-reported already feeling hot during the swim and made an intentional decision to let the faster swimmers gap him. He bridged up to the front of the bike and came into T2 with three other athletes; Mathis Margirier, Alistair Brownlee, and Sam Laidlow. Ditlev was the last of the group to leave transition, seemingly content to run his own race. Brownlee would stay in first for much of the run, as Ditlev positioned himself in second. With 2:52:35 on the clock, Ditlev made the pass and did not look back. Jan Frodeno asked him after the race how he was able to keep his cool out there. Ditlev simply replied that its a personal trait I was born with. Its hard to argue with that after watching his performance today.

The race:



The men began their racing at 1:15pm, greeted by hot and humid conditions. As if that didnt provide enough of a challenge, wind gusts reached 25 mph and the tarmac of the race track was measured at over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Good swimmers were expected to make this race fast from the start, with a straight shot to the first swim turn ~500m out. Sam Laidlow took the race out, with a big lead pack of chasers in tow. At the Aussie exit, Aaron Royle, Rico Bogen, Alistair Brownlee, Ben Kanute, Daniel Baekkegard, Mathis Margirier, Jason West, and Youri Keulen, were all at the front. Eventual race winner, Magnus Ditlev, was twenty seconds back. Royle led out the second lap. Bogen, maybe thinking about the people who said he beat a watered down field to win 70.3 Worlds last year, took over and pushed the pace towards the end of the swim. Bogen would get into T1 first, where he was seen taking an early gel, which might have been a precursor for how difficult the conditions would make the day for the majority of this field.



Bogen got onto the bike first, with Brownlee, Margirier, Laidlow, Royle, Kanute, Baekkegard, and West, all closeby. Ditlev, Pieter Heemeryck, and Rudy Von Berg, came out together 1:15 down. Sam Long was further back, 3:30 off the lead. Margirier and Brownlee moved almost immediately to the front of the race, with 22 fast laps around the Homestead Miami race track to come. By the 40k halfway point, Margirier and Brownlee had built up a nearly 1:00 lead. The only problem? Ditlev had moved up into third, with Laidlow on his wheel. For the remainder of the bike, Ditlev would chip away at the lead until he reached the lead group.



Utilizing a quick transition, Laidlow got onto the run course first, followed by Brownlee. Margirier left in third, with Ditlev taking his time in fourth. Brownlee would quickly gap Laidlow, while Ditlev would quickly pull even with Margirier. Would the day belong to Brownlee? He looked invincible until he didnt. Shortly after 11k, he slowed to a walk at an aid station when he had had a close to 45 second lead. By the time he got moving again and looked over his shoulder, Ditlev was only 15 seconds back. Ditlev caught Brownlee with less than 5k to go. They would run shoulder to shoulder for 90 seconds until Ditlev gapped him for good. He would go on to win in a time of 3:09:08 to become the first T100 champion. A fast closing Sam Long, with perhaps the best race of his life, took 2nd. Margirier improved upon his 4th place at the 2023 PTO US Open to round out the podium. In maybe the biggest surprise of the day, PTO #18 ranked Youri Keulen came in 4th. Brownlee managed to hold onto 5th.



Quick Take #1  Todays race was a big win for Race Ranger. Magnus Ditlev only pulled one (capable) athlete, Sam Laidlow, up to the front of the race with him. Several quality bikers were lapped. While the conditions certainly played a factor, the race looked like a fair one from start to finish.



Quick Take #2  Jan Frodeno is good at commentating. He corrected another commentator who critiqued Ditlev for getting out of the saddle on the bike. Frodeno pointed out that he intentionally did this when he had a tailwind, trying to utilize other muscle groups when being out of the aero position would cost him less. Frodeno also celebrated the spirit of the triathlon community when a volunteer ran full speed to handoff water to someone on the bike, trying to better match their speed.



Quick Take #3  Leon Chevalier crashed on the bike and hobbled into T2 with a torn up kit and blood on his chin. Instead of dropping out, he finished 13th and had the 7th fastest run. Respect.
Police said he died later on Sunday morning. AV paramedics were called to two other incidents at the festival with a male in his 20s taken to Ararat Hospital in a stable condition and a male in his 30s was taken to Ballarat Hospital in a stable condition. Organisers cancelled the remainder of the festival on Sunday and later that night issued a statement saying they were deeply saddened about the death. Our thoughts are with their family and friends, the statement read. We have our Crowd Care team on site to support patrons and staff, and are committed to providing support services to those who need them. We cannot comment further at this time given the necessity to protect the privacy of those affected. On Sunday afternoon, after the CFA declared a second total fire ban for the area to cover Monday, organisers announced they had been directed by authorities to cancel the rest of the event.

Nobody is in immediate danger, the organisers said. We encourage everyone on site not to rush, calmly pack up and depart either this evening or tomorrow morning. Pitch ticket holders have slammed mixed messaging from organisers on social media. Pitch had cautioned them on Friday to follow CFA advice and stay away  without cancelling the event - then on Saturday afternoon declared that programming will commence at 6pm today  and continue as scheduled for the remainder of the event. Attendees were reassured there was ample, food, water, shade and misting fans as well as some free Wi-Fi and an active police, fire and medical presence on site. As some concerned parents drove out to collect their kids at the festival anyway, many attendees have already asked for refunds on their tickets  worth between $450 and $500  which on Sunday organisers said would be considered soon. Our top priority right now is to get everyone on site home safely, organisers said. We have consistently followed the guidance of relevant authorities throughout the entire process. Additional buses to Ararat were running from the festival site until 6pm on Sunday and again from 6am on Monday, with staff on hand to assist.

In Melbourne, the temperature did not fall below 27 degrees on Saturday night, a near-record high for the city, said senior meteorologist Lincoln Trainor at the Bureau of Meteorology. Overnight minimums reached all-time highs at Melbourne, Essendon and Hopetoun airports and Lakes Entrance as a warm stagnant trough lingers over Australias south-east, pushing up temperatures in South Australia and Tasmania as well. Sunday was forecast to reach 39 degrees in Melbourne ahead of another balmy night and 37 on Monday, before a cool change arrives on Tuesday. But itll be a slow uninspiring change, creeping through, probably reaching Melbourne around 7am to 10am, Trainor said.

No storms or wild winds are expected, and the north of the state will stay hot until Wednesday. Saturday, the first day of the heatwave, did not quite hit the 38 degrees expected, which would have meant Melbourne endured its hottest run of March days since 1942. Instead, the recorded top was 37.6 in the city. But Trainor warned: This heat is still 10 to 15 degrees above the March average. Thats putting stress on the body. Thats dangerous. The entire south of the state, including Melbourne, remains under a severe heatwave warning. The heat has pushed out the sea breeze all the way to the coast, said Trainor. We havent seen a heatwave like this yet this year.

Loading Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said that cancelling Moombas centrepiece parade was a very difficult decision, particularly in Moombas 70th year. But we must prioritise peoples health in these extreme conditions, Capp said, as those in the parade are required to don hot, heavy costumes out in the sun for many hours. A total fire ban was in place across parts of Victoria on Saturday, but extreme fire conditions eased a little Sunday as gusty northerly winds settled, Trainor said.  Now the [fire] danger is still high, but just below extreme. Several festivals are being held over the long weekend in Victoria, including Golden Plains in Meredith, near Ballarat. Some have questioned the wisdom of holding large events out in the bush during the hottest months of the year, as climate change drives up temperatures and bushfire risk. Harm Reduction Victoria, whose DanceWize teams were present at the Pitch and Esoteric festivals this weekend, reminded attendees of the risks of drug taking, particularly in the heat.

Loading A pop-up cooling relief centre in Melbournes CBD for the citys most vulnerable had closed in February after running over the summer  but reopened for the long weekend. Unprecedented conditions call for unprecedented responses, said Chris Turner of Cohealth, which runs the service. We made the call with City of Melbourne on Friday to open the doors so that people have somewhere to get some respite and to prevent more serious health emergencies. Elderly people, children, pregnant women and those sleeping rough are especially vulnerable during heatwaves, as are pets and wildlife, but anyone can be affected. People are advised to stay out of the sun, where it can be 15 degrees higher than the maximum temperature recorded. Temperatures can double within a parked car within minutes, authorities have warned.
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This story is part of the March 10 edition of Sunday Life. See all 13 stories .

When the new wave of trends being pushed by designers and mined from 1980s leftovers leaves you at sea (do we really need padded shoulders and ra-ra skirts again?), nautical stripes offer safe harbour.

Matteau shift dress, $360, and breton top, $300. Longchamp x K.Jacques sandals, $660. Credit: Hugh Stewart

You can get away with a pinstripe suit in the city or a striped shirt in the country but the closer you get to the water, even if its a pool or autumn shower, the more stripes make sense.

The classic combination is navy and white, borrowed from French sailor uniforms. Style-conscious seamen were only permitted to have 21 stripes on their shirts, to commemorate Napoleons victories over the British.

To be specific, 21 20-millimetre-wide white stripes and 21 10-millimetre-wide blue stripes; with 15 white stripes and 14 or 15 blue stripes on the sleeve.

Enough time has passed since the Battle of Waterloo to stop counting.

You can even go bold in red and white without fear of the guillotine or fashion police.
Embattled private boys school Cranbrook is set to announce an independent review into the scandal that forced out its high-profile headmaster Nicholas Sampson.

The schools governing council was expected to be in crisis talks late on Sunday after allegations Sampson knew about claims a serving teacher had sent sexually explicit emails in 2014 to a former female student from another school.

Cranbrook School in Bellevue Hill, Sydney. Credit: Brook Mitchell

A Cranbrook spokesperson said its council would provide an update in the coming days on the next steps [the board] will implement to ensure they are fully informed of all matters within the school.

This will include reviews by independent parties. The school, together with the council, is currently focused on looking after the students, staff and parents within the community. The school is also believed to be considering a separate audit of its culture.
Geoff Martin thought he was coming down with the flu before he got a cracking headache that wouldnt budge for days. He was twice sent home from hospital until, nearly two weeks after he was uncharacteristically flattened by fatigue, doctors diagnosed him with herpes simplex encephalitis.

By that stage I was overheated, I was starting to feel a bit groggy and delusional, as well as still having the migraine from hell, Martin, 58, recalls of his third trip to hospital in March 2018.

Martin spent 22 days in hospital while he received antivirals for encephalitis caused by the herpes simplex virus.

What I didnt realise was that my brain was being filled with a herpes infection and was so swollen it was up against my skull, and there was not much room for it to expand.

Encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain tissue, is a devastating condition caused by a virus attacking the brain, or through a persons immune system targeting the brain in error.
The desperate search for a 12-year-old with Down syndrome continued around Auburn in Sydneys west on Sunday night, as police urged residents to check backyards, sheds and garages for signs of the boy who went missing from a local park on Saturday.

Police helicopters, ground units and more than 50 NSW State Emergency Service members were involved in the search for Hussein Al Mansoory, who also has autism and is non-verbal.

12-year-old Hussein Al Mansoory has been missing since Saturday morning. Credit: Police media

Inspector Mark Wakeham from the Auburn Police Area Command told a press conference on Sunday that Husseins family were distraught, and asked residents in the area to help in the search.

If any local residents can search their yards, their sheds, their garage, that would be greatly appreciated, Wakeham said. We believe he is quite scared. He may walk away from members of the community if approached.
Emergency crews will resume a search on Monday morning for a swimmer believed to have gone missing in waters off Bronte Beach.

Surf lifesavers, police, ambulance and air ambulance crews searched into the night for the man, who was swimming with a friend when he failed to return to the beach about 7.45pm on Sunday.

Emergency crews search the waters off Bronte Beach on Sunday night. Credit: OnScene Bondi

Surf Life Saving NSW city branch duty officer John Restuccia told Nine News crews scoured the rocks as far south as Bronte Bogey Hole, near the baths, before the search was suspended overnight.

The search would resume at 6.30am on Monday, he said.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has backed Foreign Minister Penny Wongs warnings about Chinas destabilising and provocative behaviour in the South China Sea as he urged the trans-Tasman neighbours to develop a seamless common market for defence equipment and emerging technologies.

Former prime minister Paul Keating last week blasted Wong for being overly critical of China in a speech on the sidelines of the special ASEAN-Australia summit in Melbourne, and Keatings attack prompted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other senior cabinet colleagues to rally behind Wong.

New Zealand Prime Minister says it makes sense for his country, Australia and Canada to develop a joint position on the war in Gaza. Credit: Joe Armao

In an exclusive interview with this masthead, Luxon said Wong had delivered an excellent speech about promoting peace and stability in the region, and added that he fully supported her remarks.

Essentially, what she was saying was: we need to make sure that we de-escalate in the South China Sea, but its important that, in order for that to happen, everyone needs to follow the rules, said Luxon, a career businessman who won the prime ministership in November.
Catherine is shown looking healthy and dressed in jeans and smiling with her arms around Charlotte, 8, and Louis, 5. George, 10, is standing behind her with his arms around her neck in a hug, all laughing. However, the image created even more social media speculation when eagle-eyed fans spotted that the sleeve of Charlottes arm didnt line up. The Getty Images kill notice. Credit: Getty Images The picture, part of the familys annual tradition of posting a message for Mothers Day, was supposed to go some way to answering growing questions from the public about the princess wellbeing. It was accompanied by a Mothers Day message along with a thank you from the princess for the publics continued support while she recovers following 13 nights at the London Clinic, in central London, after the surgery earlier this year.

Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months, the post read. Wishing everyone a Happy Mothers Day. It was signed C for Catherine. In January, the palace announced that Catherine had been admitted to hospital for planned abdominal surgery. The Princess of Wales, with the Prince of Wales, in Dundee, Scotland in 2015. Credit: Getty Images While the precise nature of her condition was unknown, there was a plea for privacy and guidance that she would not return to public duties before Easter. The palace has said the condition is not cancer-related. With so few details about her condition released since, the question of Where is Kate? has increased on social media, accompanied by increasingly outlandish conspiracy theories.

What started as Facebook and TikTok chatter about her disappearance from public life flipped over into the mainstream media amid an information vacuum over her illness, the nature of King Charles cancer and then a personal matter that kept William away from a memorial for his Greek godfather, the late King Constantine II, last month. In the mainstream media in recent days, the BBC has referred to the situation as a royal dilemma, the New York Times wrote about the feverish speculation over Catherines condition and the LA Times appeared to go one better with a piece about the frenzy over her disappearance. In Europe, Spains El Pais ran a headline that read: Scant information on the health of Charles III and Kate Middleton, who was seen in a photograph Monday, raises more questions than answers. In tabloid magazines in Germany, conjecture ranged from Kate being the victim of a domestic abuse attack to being pregnant with twins. The palace, meanwhile, reiterated it would provide updates on her recovery when there was significant new information to share.

It has said Catherine wants her personal medical information to remain private and that it would only provide updates on her progress when there was significant new information to share. The Times reported this weekend that the palace had appealed to journalists for calm amid what they have noted is a rising sense of panic about the princess condition. The guidance hasnt changed, a palace source told the paper. We made it clear that the princess would be unlikely to return before Easter and thats whats happening. Catherines surgery came on the same day that palace officials said Charles, 75, would also be entering hospital for treatment for an enlarged prostate.

During the Kings hospital stay, his medical team discovered he had an unspecified form of cancer. Loading The monarch has had to postpone his public engagements while he undergoes treatment, although he has been pictured carrying out some of his duties as head of state. On Monday (London time) Charles is set to miss the 75th birthday celebrations for the Commonwealth as he recuperates from his treatment. Queen Camilla will be the most senior royal in attendance when the family gathers at Westminster Abbey followed by a reception at Commonwealths international headquarters.
KYODO NEWS - Mar 11, 2024 - 18:41 | All, Japan

Japan on Monday marked 13 years since a massive earthquake and tsunami devastated its northeastern region and triggered one of the world's worst nuclear accidents, with the government vowing to keep the memory of it alive to better respond to current and future disasters.

While recovery has progressed in areas hit by the magnitude-9.0 quake and ensuing tsunami, which claimed the lives of 15,900 people, around 29,000 people are still displaced with cleanup efforts at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant expected to span decades.

In a memorial ceremony held in Fukushima, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he will not let the lessons of the March 11 disaster "fade away" in the quake-prone nation, which most recently saw a powerful temblor shake Ishikawa Prefecture in central Japan on New Year's Day.

"We firmly pledge to create a nation resilient to disasters," he said, vowing to make use of past experiences to deal with calamities including the Jan. 1 quake that also triggered a major tsunami warning.

With the latest quake that hit areas on the Sea of Japan coast killing over 200 people, residents in northeastern Japan expressed sympathy for those affected, recalling their own experiences 13 years ago.

Rio Otomo, a 19-year-old university student, whose house in Rikuzentakata in Iwate Prefecture completely collapsed in the tsunami, said those who lost family and homes in the Jan. 1 quake may not yet be able to see a way forward.

"I believe now is the most difficult time, but a good future will surely come as long as they help each other," Otomo said.

At 2:46 p.m., the exact time the massive quake took place on March 11, 2011, a moment of silence was observed across the severely affected prefectures of Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima to pray for those who lost their lives.

The central government stopped hosting memorial services in Tokyo in 2022, with municipalities in the regions now holding annual events on a smaller scale, including the one Kishida attended.

The latest figures from the National Police Agency put the death toll from the 2011 disaster at 15,900 people as of the end of February, while 2,520 people were still unaccounted for.

While DNA tests of human remains found since last March identified three people, they were not added to the number of deaths because only body parts were discovered. The vast majority of deaths and missing person cases are in the three prefectures.

According to the Reconstruction Agency, as of December last year, deaths related to the disaster, such as from illness or stress-induced suicide, stood at 3,802.

In Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, its mayor announced earlier this month that a municipal building where 43 people lost their lives in the tsunami will be preserved after a years-long debate on whether to demolish it.

Visiting the building early in the morning, Shinichi Tada, a 54-year-old junior high school teacher who lost a relative there, said the town has "drastically" changed over the 13-year period.

"The town building will teach children who have no memories of the disaster what happened at that time," said Tada.

While efforts to pass down the memories of the disaster to the younger generation continue, the cleanup work at the Fukushima Daiichi plant is an ongoing issue that has stirred controversy in and outside the country.

Since August last year, plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. has released treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean despite opposition from neighboring countries such as China and concerns among the local fishing industry.

The Japanese government and TEPCO argue that the disposal of the wastewater is a crucial step toward decommissioning the Fukushima plant, which suffered reactor core meltdowns in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami. The water release is expected to last for about 30 years.

Among local fishermen, Takahiro Ohira, 50, said at a port in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, "We will just keep fishing steadily even if treated water is released or reputational damage occurs again."

A no-go zone continues to be in place near the nuclear plant itself, and decommissioning work is scheduled to continue until sometime between 2041 and 2051.

While the number of displaced people has dropped from a peak of 470,000 as a result of infrastructure redevelopment, areas in seven municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture are still designated as off-limits due to radiation.

Consultations received by mental health centers established in the prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima for those affected by the triple disaster totaled 17,302 in fiscal 2021, indicating continued demand for the service despite decreasing from 23,914 in fiscal 2012.

Related coverage:

China's nuclear plants released tritium above Fukushima level in 2022

Japan agency warns of more quakes as temblors continue east of Tokyo

Fifth of quake-hit Japan area hospital's nurses may quit amid crisis
North Sea: Large NATO drills in the frigid fjords of northern Norway may be just war games meant to hone the fighting skills of the newly expanded 32-nation military alliance. But for troops taking part, they are very real.

And thats the whole point.

The French navy frigate Normandie patrols in a Norwegian fjord, north of the Arctic circle. Credit: AP

With drills under way now, NATO is baring its fangs in its biggest exercises since the Cold War, sending an unmistakable message to Russia that alliance members are ready to defend each other if needed.

Having watched Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year, the NATO training aims to cover all eventualities. That can include trying to catch troops off guard.
KYODO NEWS - Mar 10, 2024 - 21:26 | All, Japan

Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force has failed to determine the cause of engine trouble that resulted in one of its helicopter crashing in waters off the southern prefecture of Okinawa in April last year, Defense Ministry sources said Sunday.

The outcome of the investigation is expected to be announced in the near future, along with measures to prevent a recurrence of any similar accident. April's crash resulted in the deaths of all 10 personnel on board.

After analyzing the wreckage and the recovered flight recorder, the GSDF and collaborating companies detected that both engines saw a reduction in power immediately before the crash, the sources said.

However, inconclusive data from the flight recorder made it impossible to determine whether it was equipment malfunction or pilot error that caused the drop in output, the sources added.

The UH-60JA helicopter disappeared from radar 10 minutes after taking off from a base on Miyako Island at 3:46 p.m. on April 6, 2023. There were no abnormalities when it communicated with air traffic control around 3:44 p.m., the sources said.

The accident was the deadliest involving an GSDF aircraft, surpassing a helicopter crash in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, in 1968 that left eight people dead.

Related coverage:

Japan urges U.S. to ground Ospreys after fatal crash

U.S. military Osprey aircraft crashes off Japan island, 1 dead
Protests as Israel president at Dutch Holocaust Museum opening



Amsterdam, March 10 (AFP) Mar 10, 2024



Dutch King Willem-Alexander officially opened the country's first Holocaust Museum Sunday, as demonstrators angry at Israel's military campaign in Gaza protested against the Israeli president, who also addressed the ceremony.

"This museum shows us what devastating consequences anti-Semitism can have," said the king at a solemn gathering at a nearby synagogue, attended also by Dutch Holocaust survivors.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the museum sent "a clear and powerful statement: remember, remember the horrors born of hatred, anti-Semitism and racism and never again allow them to flourish."

"Unfortunately never again is now, right now. Because right now, hatred and anti-Semitism are flourishing worldwide and we must fight it together," added the president.

He called for the "immediate and safe return" of hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7 attacks and urged the congregation to "pray for peace".

Less than one kilometre away were protests against Herzog's appearance at the ceremonies, organised by, among others, Jewish groups urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Hundreds gathered waving Palestinian flags and banners, and shouting "Never Again Is Now," a reference to their belief Israel is committing genocide in the Palestinian territory.

They booed and shouted slogans as the dignitaries arrived at the museum.

"There's only one place for him here and that's the ICC," said Estelle Jilissen, a 25-year-old consultant, referring to the International Criminal Court that tries suspected war criminals.

Protesters had hung signs on lampposts reading: "Detour to International Criminal Court" along the route.

"A lot of Jewish people are against his arrival here as well because the pain of their ancestors, the suffering of their ancestors, is being smeared by this president's arrival," said Jilissen.

The Gaza war started when Hamas militants launched their unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel that resulted in about 1,160 deaths, mostly civilians, according to Israeli official figures.

Militants also took 250 hostages, dozens of whom were released during a week-long truce in November. Israel believes 99 hostages remain alive and that 31 have died.

Israel's withering bombardment and ground offensive have killed 31,045 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.



- Anti-Semitism on the rise -



The Holocaust Museum, in the heart of the Jewish quarter of Amsterdam, will open to the public on Monday -- almost 80 years after World War II ended.

Striped Auschwitz uniforms, buttons taken from clothes stripped on arrival at the Sobibor death camp, poignant letters and photos: the museum displays 2,500 objects, many never seen before in public.

Before the war and the Nazi occupation, the Netherlands was home to a vibrant Jewish community of around 140,000 people, mainly concentrated in Amsterdam.

By the time the Holocaust was over, an estimated 75 percent -- 102,000 people -- had been murdered.

The museum's opening comes at a time of rising anti-Semitism in the Netherlands.

The number of anti-Semitic incidents doubled in 2023, the government's national coordinator for combating anti-Semitism reported last month.

In an attack that made headlines across the country, unknown vandals recently daubed swastikas on a synagogue in the southern town of Middelburg.

Amsterdam has allocated 900,000 euros ($976,000) for security for the museum, which has large boulders outside it to prevent a car ramming attack.
Iraq repatriates 625 people from Syria camp



Baghdad, March 10 (AFP) Mar 10, 2024



Nearly 160 Iraqi families have been repatriated from Syria's Al-Hol camp, home to tens of thousands of people including family members of suspected jihadists, an Iraqi government spokesman said Sunday.

More than 43,000 Syrians, Iraqis, and foreigners from at least 45 countries are held in the squalid and overcrowded camp in Kurdish-controlled northeast Syria.

Al-Hol houses relatives of suspected Islamic State (IS) group militants alongside refugees.

"157 families, or 625 people" had returned to Iraq from Al-Hol on Saturday in the latest repatriation effort, Ali Abbas, spokesman for Iraq's migration ministry, told AFP.

Upon arrival in Iraq, authorities usually keep returnees from Al-Hol for weeks or even months at what officials describe as a "psychological rehabilitation" facility in Al-Jadaa, south of Mosul, where they also undergo security checks.

More than 1,920 Iraqi families have been transferred so far to Al-Jadaa, national security adviser Qassem al-Araji said on March 2.

The figure includes 1,230 families who had been allowed to return home, Araji said.

Repatriation of family members of suspected IS members has stirred controversy in Iraq, where the jihadist group had seized large swathes of land before being defeated in late 2017.

Some Iraqis have resisted the repatriation efforts, saying they do not want IS families among them.

Still, Baghdad regularly repatriates its citizens from Al-Hol, a policy commended by the United Nations and the United States.

Despite its territorial defeat, IS militants continue to conduct attacks against civilians and security forces in both Iraq and Syria.
European arms imports nearly double over Ukraine: study



Stockholm, March 10 (AFP) Mar 10, 2024



Weapons imports to Europe nearly doubled over the past five years, partly due to the war in Ukraine, while exports from Russia halved, researchers said on Monday.

Ukraine has become the world's fourth largest arms importer, while France has replaced Russia as the world's second largest exporter behind the United States.

Arms imports to Europe rose by 94 percent in 2019-2023, compared to the preceding five-year period, while overall global arms transfers decreased slightly, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

SIPRI prefers to analyse trends over half-decades as a few deliveries of major contracts can tilt yearly figures.

The increase is "partially explained by the war in Ukraine, and Ukraine has become the fourth largest importer of arms in the world in the last five years", SIPRI researcher Katarina Djokic told AFP.

SIPRI noted that at least 30 countries had supplied major weapons as military aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.

But other European nations also increased imports, with a larger share coming from the world's number one exporter of arms, the United States.

In the 2019-2023 period, 55 percent of imports to Europe were from the US, up from 35 percent in the 2014-2018 period.

This is partly due to most European states being NATO members and partners of the US in the development of weapon systems like the F-35 fighter jet, Djokic said.



- Russian exports plummet -



At the same time increased imports from the US underlined many European nations' desire to quickly acquire weapons and therefore buy "off the shelf" rather than develop new systems.

Globally, US exports grew by 17 percent in the period, bringing its share of total arms exports to 42 percent.

Meanwhile, Russia -- which long held the position as the second largest exporter -- saw its exports fall by 53 percent between 2014-2018 and 2019-2023.

Russia was not only exporting fewer weapons, it was also exporting to fewer recipients.

It only exported to 12 countries in 2023, compared to 31 in 2019.

"There are also important changes in the policies of their biggest customer, China," Djokic said.

China was traditionally one of the biggest recipients of Russian arms but has been pushing to develop its domestic production.

China still accounted for 21 percent of Russian exports, while India was the biggest recipient with 34 percent.

While Russia's exports declined, France saw its own grow by 47 percent, thereby narrowly edging out Russia to become the world's second largest exporter.



- Violations of humanitarian law -



France accounted for 11 percent of total weapons exports in 2019-2023.

In particular, Djokic noted that France had been particularly successful in selling its Rafale fighter jet outside Europe.

The war in Gaza -- which began in retaliation for Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel -- has already affected arms imports to Israel.

This is primarily through transfers of weapons from the US, either via new military aid or the speeding up already existing contracts, according to SIPRI researcher Zain Hussain.

Hussain cautioned that the longer term impact of the conflict was harder to predict.

"We already see in certain European states a kind of push by different actors or states to limit arms to Israel during its (military) operations in Gaza due to potential violations of international humanitarian law," Hussain said.

Such measures could affect transfers to Israel.

The question then remains as to whether they would remain in place after the end of Israel's current ground and air assault on Gaza, Hussain explained.
KYODO NEWS - Mar 10, 2024 - 19:26 | All, Japan

The approval rating for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet has fallen 4.4 percentage points to a fresh low of 20.1 percent, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday, with a political funds scandal rattling his ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

The poll also showed 91.4 percent believe LDP lawmakers involved in the funds scandal have not fulfilled their accountability, even though five of them, including Kishida, attended a session of the parliamentary political ethics committee for two days from Feb. 29.

Kishida's LDP has come under scrutiny amid allegations that some of its factions, such as the largest one formerly led by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, neglected to report portions of their incomes from fundraising parties and created slush funds for years.

The five LDP lawmakers have been criticized for having failed to provide adequate explanations at the televised hearings of the House of Representatives ethics panel about why slush funds were generated and how they were used.

So far, prosecutors have indicted or issued summary indictments to 10 individuals belonging to three factions, but executives of the groups have not faced criminal charges due to a lack of evidence. The three factions have decided to disband over the scandal.

The support rate for the LDP has fallen to 24.5 percent, its lowest level since December 2012, when the party scored a landslide victory in the general election to return to power, while the disapproval rating for Kishida's Cabinet has risen to 64.4 percent, the survey showed.

The approval rating for Kishida's Cabinet, launched in October 2021, hit an all-time low in December 2023 at 22.3 percent, dropping below what is widely seen as the "danger level" of 30 percent.

The latest poll also shows 77.3 percent of respondents believe that severe punishment is necessary against executives of the Abe faction and the one headed by former LDP Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai, which were at the center of the funds scandal.

The survey, meanwhile, showed 87.9 percent do not feel that Japan's economy has improved, although the country's benchmark 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average late last month exceeded its previous peak level of 38,915.87, recorded in December 1989.

Earlier this month, the Nikkei ended at a fresh closing high above the 40,000 mark, as the sharp depreciation of the yen has pushed up the profitability of the nation's exporters, regarded as a key driver of economic growth.

But Japan lost its status as the world's third-biggest economy to Germany in 2023 and unexpectedly slipped into recession in the final quarter of last year, with price hikes and sluggish wage growth undermining consumer sentiment.

In 2023, Japan's core consumer prices, excluding volatile fresh food items, surged 3.1 percent, marking the fastest pace of increase in 41 years.

As for Japan's possible exports of next-generation fighter jets to be co-developed with Britain and Italy, 44.7 percent said they should never be allowed, but 48.1 percent answered they should be permitted if the country limits the destinations of the shipments.

To promote new fighter jet exports to third nations, the Japanese government relaxed the country's strict rules for defense equipment transfers long maintained under its war-renouncing Constitution late last year.

By political party, support for the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has risen to 10.1 percent from 9.0 percent, while that of the Japan Innovation Party has decreased to 8.9 percent from 9.4 percent.

No other opposition parties than the CDPJ had a support rate above 10 percent despite the slush funds scandal eroding public trust in the LDP. Respondents who said they support no particular party affiliation climbed to 31.3 percent from 28.5 percent.

The survey called 507 randomly selected households with eligible voters and 2,129 mobile phone numbers. It yielded responses from 426 household members and 617 mobile phone users.

Some parts of Ishikawa Prefecture affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake on the New Year's Day were excluded from the survey.

Related coverage:

LDP agrees to amend rules to strengthen governance amid funds scandal

Japan upper house ethics panel arranging LDP funds scandal hearings

Ex-PM Abe proposed his faction end slush fund practice: lawmakers
Video of him being arrested was shared on social media but the Met has said on X that he was not taken in because of the message he was carrying, which had raised tempers of protesters around him.
Mr Johnsons spokesman told the BBC that he repeatedly made clear there can be no hope of normalisation in relations until Venezuela fully embraces democracy and respects the territorial integrity of its neighbours.
If were clear about the nature of extremist organisations, then I think that means that some of the people  and there are good-hearted people who go on these marches, I dont agree with them, but theyre moved by suffering and they want peace  but it may help some of them to question who are organising some of these events. I wont go into details now, but we will later, he said.
The price of Armenian issues in the world political markets is getting more expensive day by day. Some diplomats and leaders who cannot manage the internal politics of their countries take turns to irrelevantly intervene in the Armenian issue. They express their support and their readiness to come to fight for Hayk and even give them courage and empty promises, calling them to resist till end. The first of such countries was Iran.

Right after the Second Garabagh War, Iran started to exert its full pressure against Azerbaijan which suddenly resulted in increase of tensions between the two countries. However, Iran ruled out the main issue that it had to first pay attention; in addition to the international embargoes, sanctions and a lot more restrictions Iranians have long been suffering from the harsh Mullah regime. The unbearable situation caused unrest within the country and people flooded the streets three years ago. To circumvent all the criticism and distract the view of public from domestic issues, the Tehran regime made a quick shift in a different mode. It suddenly expressed its support for Armenia supposedly for the sake of preventing a situation that could destabilize the region. Even, the Mullahs went further to conduct a military drill on its territories near the border with Azerbaijan. Iranian generals and officials covertly and overtly threatened Azerbaijan and "called Baku not to try to invade Armenia". Going even further, the mullah regime's leadership issued a warning message that "Armenia's territorial integrity is their redline". As expected, when the internal unrest subsided, Iranian officials forgot the Armenian issue.

After Iran, India started to express their support to Armenia. Indian officials criticized Azerbaijan. Later they sold weapons to Armenia as well in a way to show a muscle to its long-time rival Pakistan. However, like Iranian support, the lifespan of Indian support was short as well. After tackling interior problems and making a bunch of money from sold weapons, Delhi was silenced.

Encountering failure in Africa, France took over the Armenian issue from India whose main strategic plan includes grasping a space in the South Caucasus. French President Emmanuel Macron, who had said that Garabagh is Azerbaijani land during the Second Garabagh War, suddenly and unexpectedly started to speak about the support to Armenia and send old and some rudimental military equipment to Armenia. Macron, who had not recognized the so-called "artsakh republic", boasted on TV that he did more than Pashinyan in favor of separatists in Garabagh. Like previous ones, France forgot Armenia as well.

Whenever the said countries spoke for Armenia and expressed their support, Armenian media outlets praised these countries very much and made heroes out of these failed leaders. However, at the end of the day, Armenians found themselves quite in destitute. No one came to help Yerevan, and nothing changed - like much ado about nothing.

It is worth noting that the last hero of the Armenian issue is Cyprus. The PM of Cyprus Constantinos Kombos told the mass media in Yerevan that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of [Armenia] must be respected and Cyprus is ready to support Armenia both politically and financially. The minister said that from the very first minute, Cyprus expressed unequivocal support for the people of Armenia and sent humanitarian aid.

Like before, Armenian media commenced to create a hero once again. On commenting on all that has happened, we should say that first of all, Azerbaijan has never had an expansionist policy.

First of all, said leaders reveal their hypocrisies with their statements. For example, Constantinos Kombos said that aggression, revisionism, and population transfers are all unacceptable tools from the point of view of the international community. He added that it is necessary to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity; adherence to the UN Charter is an important principle for us. Besides, he said that everyone must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, they have never voiced such statements when Armenia invaded Azerbaijani territories. They have denounced and demanded Armenia to return to occupied territories.

Besides, It was Armenia which invaded 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories and held it under the occupation for 30 years. As President Ilham Aliyev said, Azerbaijan has had several chances to enter Armenian territory and to take it but Azerbaijan has never done it. Because we do not need to invade any territories.

Secondly, Azerbaijan has a strong army neither France nor India nor Cyprus who have no military infrastructure in the Caucasus can stop Azerbaijan. Even Iran, with half of its population being Azerbaijanis, could not take a single step against Azerbaijan for the sake of Armenia. So, expressing support by these countries is ridiculous.

Besides, Armenia is a member of CSTO, and waging war against Armenia means war against Russia which is much stronger than any above said countries. It would be good if the poor people of Armenia do not suffer another iron fist blow by following the empty promises of the leaders. Let them rest assured that no one is occupying them. Because the South Caucasus is not a battlefield that everyone can enter.




KYODO NEWS - Mar 10, 2024 - 11:32 | All, World, Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has left the post of special adviser on international human rights issues vacant for about six months, resulting in stalled debate in the country on how to deal with such concerns.

Kishida has not appointed any successor to former Defense Minister Gen Nakatani since a Cabinet reshuffle in September. Nakatani is an advocate of introducing sanctions on foreign government officials believed to be human rights offenders similar to those under the U.S. Magnitsky Act.

With no one in the post and no progress in discussions regarding a Japanese version of the Magnitsky Act, Kishida has been criticized by a government source as "shelving" steps to address global humanitarian concerns.

Creating the special advisor post on human rights was one of Kishida's pledges when he ran successfully in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential race in September 2021.

In recent years, global corporations have been more sensitive to the human rights dimensions of their supply chains, especially in light of allegations that China is subjecting the Uyghur Muslim minority in its far-western Xinjiang region to forced labor and other abuses.

Kishida picked veteran LDP lawmaker Nakatani, who played a role in forming a cross-party lawmakers' group to promote human rights diplomacy, as special adviser in November 2021.

Nakatani has since launched two governmental committees, including one aimed at introducing "human rights due diligence," a process for companies to identify and address human rights concerns with regard to suppliers.

As part of efforts to raise Japan's global profile in human rights issues, he attended a gathering of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, to deliver a speech in March 2022.

But since Nakatani left his post, debate has stalled at the committees he led.

A government official has expressed skepticism about Kishida's commitment, saying the premier may just have seen establishing the post as a popular move at the time.

Related coverage:

Japan refuses to grant visa to ex-Guantanamo Bay detainee now author

Japan PM vows to tackle discrimination in rebuke of LDP lawmaker
LOS ANGELES  When producers told him he was touring Europe in the second season of The Reluctant Traveler, Eugene Levy thought hed be hitting the continents greatest cities.

Instead, says Executive Producer David Brindley, we actually take Eugene very much off the beaten track.

That means hes in a wellness facility in Germany, a rain-soaked midsummer festival in Sweden and a working-class community in Scotland  that even his Scottish mother didnt want to revisit.

If you were to ask me, In your dream, what country in the world are you just dying to get to? Id say I dont know because there isnt one place Im dying to get to, Levy says. The thrill of agreeing to a series like this hinges on the adventure that it offers.

It makes me a more enlightened person and, possibly, a more interesting person  and I love my interaction with the people. They really make these trips memorable for me.

The lodging? Not so much. In Germany, the Schitts Creek star stays in a wellness facility where he drank clear broth and had a piece of very stale bread for dinner. I actually had to cheat and go over to the hotel where the crew was staying to get an occasional cheeseburger, he says.

Because Brindley doesnt elaborate, Levy often learns about the itinerary just before it happens.

If I was on my own and somebody said, Hey, you want to go to the Philippines or India or something? Id probably say, You know what? Maybe not this year, Levy says. It wouldnt get me out of the house. But the fact that the show actually gets me out of the house to kind of experience this, theres a lot that I truly enjoy.

The Emmy winner also found he felt sorry for residents in some parts of the world. In Sweden, for example, it was a very thick season for mosquitoes. You really couldnt enjoy being outside at all because youre swatting a lot of the time.

At a midsummer festival there, it poured and the locals who were dressed in elaborate costumes were drenched. You would never know anything was wrong because they were as enthusiastic as they would have been if there had been no rain and the sun was shining, Levy says.

That kind of surprise proved transformational, Brindley says.

Basically, youre playing in the rain, Levy says.

In Scotland, where his mother was born, Levy had a moment that only someone like Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. could prompt. The connection I actually felt as soon as I got to the country was very palpable, he says. While his mothers home is no longer standing, he could sense the kind of life she had. She never talked about how bad it was, how crowded it was. It really put an emotional charge in me and Im glad I did it.

Like Finding Your Roots, The Reluctant Traveler afforded Brindley an opportunity to tell Levys biographical story. Hes not somebody who does huge amounts of interviews about his innermost thinking, Brindley says. To be there at that moment, it feels quite special.

Ive always had a strong appreciation for family, Levy says. I dont have to be away to appreciate and understand whats going on here. I just relate to it right away.

And the food? German broth aside, the reluctant traveler says he found haggis horrible. Its every part of an animals body that you would not want in a recipe.

The best? I love Italian food and every single thing at the hotel (in Tuscany) where we were staying was exceptionally great. I really hated to leave there because you got so excited every day about a meal.

The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy, season two, begins March 8 on AppleTV+.
HELPING OUT

Mueller Furniture, headquartered in Belleville, Illinois, donated $3,000 to The Kaufman Fund. The veterans assistance non-profit was chosen by Alex Martin, the 2023 Sales Champion of the Year at the fourth generation family-owned company.

Revity Credit Union donated $1,350 in February through the employees Revel for a Cause jeans program, to TreeHouse Wildlife Center in Dow, Illinois.

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Jarrell Mechanical Contractors, St. Louis, acquired H&A Mechanical Services, St. Charles. Jarrell is a family owned business founded in 1954.

OPENING

Trial litigation firm Dowd Bennett, headquartered in St. Louis, opened an office at 222 West Adams Street, Suite 250, Chicago, Illinois.

PARTNERSHIP

Toberman Wealth, St. Louis, partnered with Certified Financial Planner Michael Becker, under the name Toberman Becker Wealth.

PROJECTS

The City of Olivette cut the ribbon on the Five Oaks on Warson community center and a park maintenance facility designed by St. Louis-based KAI. Voter passage of Proposition C partially fund the project as part of the citys 2018 Comprehensive Parks Master Plan.

IMPACT Strategies completed work on the U-Haul U-Box warehouse facility at 3653 Octavius Via, Springfield, Illinois.

RECOGNITION

Spectrum Mobile won the top spot for customer care among full-service mobile virtual network operators in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Wireless Customer Care Study Volume 1.
ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis jury found a man not guilty last week in the death of a 20-year-old woman who was shot while holding her infant son in 2020.

Deyontez Huntley was acquitted of multiple charges, including murder, in the death of Joyce Freeman on Nov. 23, 2020, in the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue.

Prosecutors argued at trial that Huntley was one of two shooters who opened fire from a stolen car that had been following Freeman and her boyfriend as they drove their 4-day-old son to a doctors appointment.

But Huntleys attorney, Raphael Morris, argued that the states key witness made a bad identification.

Three men  Huntley, Eric J. Williams and Steven N. Washington  were initially charged in connection with Freemans death.

Williams was immediately identified as one of the shooters, Morris said. But two months later, when police showed the same witness a photo lineup, he pointed to Huntley as the other shooter.

Morris argued the witness knew that Huntley was friends with Williams and Washington, and that influenced his identification.

Absent that ID, there was no evidence that Deyontez was present, Morris said.

Morris also said there were four other eyewitnesses to the shooting, none of whom could identify his client.

Huntley is still in custody facing another murder charge in St. Louis County. In that case, he is accused of being involved with the death of 20-year-old Samson Cooper in Pagedale.

Charges say Huntley arranged to sell Cooper several prescription-strength pills on Facebook Messenger, but Cooper provided a counterfeit $100 bill to pay for them. That prompted another man to chase Cooper down and fatally shoot him.

Washington was convicted in 2022 of first-degree murder and other charges for being the driver of the car. Williams case is still pending.
A college graduate (R) inquires about job opportunities at a job fair in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China will release a slew of measures to stimulate employment as demand is rising in the job market, Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping said Saturday.

There is strong demand for talent in fields such as artificial intelligence and big data, Wang told journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing national legislative session, adding that demand is also on the rise in sectors including health care, accommodation, catering and cultural tourism.

Such demand proves that China's economy is picking up momentum, and reflects the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries and the accelerated development of new quality productive forces, according to the minister.

"Judging from this trend, the Chinese economy's long-term sound fundamentals remain unchanged, and the high-quality development has solid support," Wang said.

Wang said the country will release stimulative measures to stabilize the job market and improve people's livelihoods, such as continuing preferential social insurance policies and financial support, and broadening employment channels by supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

The measures also include optimizing employment services and ensuring the employment of major groups. Supportive measures will be taken for major groups of job-seekers, such as nearly 11.79 million college graduates this year, ex-servicemen, migrant workers and people with disabilities.

"The cultivation of skilled personnel is an important way to promote the development and utilization of human resources," she said.

More efforts will be made to meet the needs of emerging and future-oriented industries, she noted.

China's employment maintained continuous improvement and overall stability in 2023. A total of 12.44 million new urban jobs were created and the surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged 5.2 percent, which met the set targets and played a positive role in improving people's well-being and stabilizing social expectations.

"Looking forward, there are many favorable conditions for doing a good job on employment. We are confident in maintaining the steady trend of employment," the minister said. 
Its a well-known story. In April of 1775, an American patriot receives intelligence communicated by lantern light and travels on horseback from Charlestown to Lexington, Massachusetts, to warn his fellow revolutionaries that British forces are approaching.

The British are coming! The British are coming! the brave rider shouts as he flies through the New England countryside.

Paul Revere and his midnight ride are credited with saving Founding Fathers John Hancock and Samuel Adams and putting the American militia on high alert, tilting the balance of power in Americas favor ahead of the Battles of Lexington and Concord just days later.

And while the Revere that most Americans know today is more myth than man (He was not the only rider that night, he likely never shouted The British are coming! and he was actually arrested by British forces later that night), his story is considered a singular tale of the heroics Americans expect from their Sons of Liberty.

But many Virginians know Revere was far from singular.

Six years after Reveres heroics, Jack Jouett, known as the Paul Revere of the South, managed his own midnight ride, saved his own Founding Fathers and changed the course of history.

The night of June 3, 1781, Jouett was at the Cuckoo Tavern in Louisa County when he overheard British soldiers discuss confidential war strategies. With Richmond under threat, the Virginia government had relocated to Charlottesville. Jouett understood the British troops to be preparing for a march on Charlottesville, with plans to capture, or kill, members of the General Assembly and Thomas Jefferson, who had just finished his term as governor.

Jouett took his horse and rode the 40 miles between the tavern and Jeffersons Monticello estate just south of Charlottesville, where he warned the author of the Declaration of Independence and the other assembled legislators that the British were coming. Jefferson and the General Assembly parted ways, fleeing the Charlottesville area  and avoiding arrest and, in some cases, perhaps death.

Jouetts tale has become better known in recent years thanks to educational campaigns in the commonwealth, but its what happened next that many dont know. Whereas Americans are brought up learning about the early American victory at Lexington and Concord, many dont know about Jeffersons flight from Monticello.

A group of six women are trying to change that.

Plenty of people around here have heard of Jack Jouett, lots of kids growing up around here know about that, Wendy Tackett told The Daily Progress. But, most people havent heard of Jeffersons route to escape the British.

Tackett along with Charlotte Bailey, Nancy Bolton, Pamela Comberg, Wendy Smith and Yates Nobles are members of the Albemarle Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a nonprofit, lineage-based membership service organization for women who are directly descended from supporters of the American Revolution.

As part of a project for a Daughters of the American Revolution members course, the women dedicated the past year to researching and mapping out the path Jefferson and his family took from Monticello to Poplar Forest, their retreat outside of Lynchburg. They collected their findings in a brochure now available at both Monticello and Poplar Forest.

Following the brochures directions, people can almost exactly replicate the route taken by the Jeffersons  all while enjoying the modern conveniences of air conditioning and paved highways not afforded to the Founding Father who was fleeing down dirt roads in a horse-drawn carriage.

The route up until Shipman is the route Jefferson took, its almost identical, said Tackett. Once you get to U.S. 29, its about what he took, because some of the roads just dont exist anymore.

By combing through primary sources in Jeffersons library at Monticello and speaking with historians at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the University of Virginia and the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, the women pieced together the events that unfolded after Jouett raised the alarm at Monticello on the morning of June 4, 1781.

Right away, Jefferson sent his wife, Martha, and their daughters, Martha and Maria, ahead to a neighboring farm, Col. Edward Carters Blenheim, while he remained behind to collect documents. Jefferson then climbed to the top of Montalto, the peak neighboring his mountaintop home, from where he could view the advancing troops. Taking his fastest horse, Caractacus, Jefferson flew to his family and together they continued on to Poplar Forest.

The Jeffersons spent the night at several ordinaries, or inns, over the course of their 10-day trek south. Though these structures are no longer standing, the brochure points out some still-existing stops the family made along the way in addition to unrelated but still interesting attractions, including Michie Tavern, James Monroes Highland, the Monacan Indian National Museum, the Scottsville Museum and the Waltons Mountain Museum. At the Scottsville Museum, visitors can learn about Enniscorthy, the estate where the Jeffersons stayed during their first night on the run.

We thought that telling more of the story would, one, help get kids engaged because Jack Jouett is exciting, said Tackett. Two, theres so much more history along the way which is why we provided other stops and, third, people can learn as a family while traveling throughout Virginia.

Tackett said the Daughters of the American Revolution is considering installing markers at the sites where the Jefferson family stayed at ordinaries on their journey south.

The inspiration behind the brochure came from Jefferson himself, or rather Bill Barker, the longtime Jefferson interpreter at Monticello.

Barker attended the local DAR chapters meeting last March and brought up the escape route Jefferson and his family took after Jouetts ride.

Surprised by how few people knew the story, the women decided it would be a worthwhile research topic project to tackle for their members course.

They uncovered plenty of obscure facts throughout the process. For instance, Jefferson composed the entirety of one of his more famous works, Notes on the State of Virginia, during the familys five-week stay at Poplar Forest. Tackett said the group also was also fascinated to learn of the enslaved communitys efforts to preserve Monticello from British raids; two men in particular, Martin Hemings and Caesar, stayed behind at Monticello and hid all of the houses silver under the floorboards.

Our members had an opportunity to do primary research, and most of them hadnt done that before, said Tackett. We got to see this from a concept to fruition and now were going to roll it out. Its a way to give back to the community, and its created a lot of energy and excitement in the chapter, both within the state and nationally.

The chapter received a grant that allowed them to print 25,000 editions of the brochure currently only in circulation at Monticello and Poplar Forest. However, they are seeking out additional funding for another round of printing, according to Tackett.

The group is also working on forming an educational outreach component to disseminate the brochure to visitor centers across the commonwealth as well as schools at all levels.

Close Exploring Virginia's rich history History in the Richmond region is so deep that exploring it  whether for longtime residents or one-and-done visitors  is one of our most rewarding local endeavors. Of course, all of Virginia has amazing stories to tell, whether in celebration of Black History Month this February or other parts of our heritage. As the weather warms up and you're itching to explore, these spots can inspire you to get out and about  and probably learn something fascinating about Virginia's history along the way. As always, hours of operation and costs can vary, so be sure to check before you head out. African-American Heritage Trail This driving trail highlights 11 sites in Spotsylvania County that collectively feature about two dozen historic elements of African-American history. Sites include the John J. Wright Educational and Cultural Center and Museum (pictured), a renovated building of the only high school for black children from 1909 to 1968. Other highlights include the Goodwin Mine at Chewning Park, the third-largest gold mine in the country from 1830 to 1849; and Piney Branch Baptist Church with the adjacent Piney Branch School, the only one-room school for black children still standing in its original location. The church was also home of the 23rd Regiment, U.S. Colored Infantry  in the Civil War, it participated in the first known fight on Virginia soil of a full U.S. Colored regiment within the Army of the Potomac. visitspotsy.com/african-american-heritage-trail Gunston Hall In Northern Virginia's Mason Neck area, the Potomac River is a picturesque backdrop for the home built by Revolution-era statesman George Mason, the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. (Mason was a proponent of religious tolerance and the right to a fair and speedy trial.) The home (circa 1755) features classical motifs of British design and elaborate formal rooms. Objects include a writing table, as family records note, where Mason did much of his work helping devise governmental forms for state and country. The grounds feature a central allee of English boxwood planted by Mason as well as gardens, a deer park, nature trails and the Mason family burial ground. Outbuildings include a kitchen, dairy, laundry and smokehouse, as well as a reconstructed schoolhouse. 10709 Gunston Road in Mason Neck; (703) 550-9220; gunstonhall.org Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum A poet, civil rights activist, teacher, librarian and gardener, Lynchburgs Anne Spencer was an important figure of the Harlem Renaissance, and she helped found the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She was only the second African-American poet to appear in the Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry (in 1973), and her Queen Anne-style home  a kitchen wall even features one of her poems  was a gathering place for intellectuals and black travelers in the 1920s. Spencers home and her garden refuge are part of the citys Pierce Street district that is rich with African-American history. The gardens roses and many of the bulbs were planted by Spencer  flowers and shrubs that continue to grow. 1313 Pierce St. in Lynchburg; (434) 845-1313; annespencermuseum.com Poplar Forest One of only two homes designed by Thomas Jefferson for his own use, Poplar Forest near Lynchburg served as the third U.S. presidents personal retreat. His neoclassical home was on a more than 4,000-acre plantation and, after age 65, Jefferson spent a great deal of time at the estate, where he could unwind, read and explore the environment. Visitors can take a guided tour of Jeffersons living spaces, including his dining room and parlor/library. A self-guided tour highlights lower-level exhibits and a restored kitchen and service wing. Restoration of the property and archaeology are ongoing. Archaeologists have been restoring the ornamental landscape around the house, which Jefferson designed based on what he saw in England and France. 1542 Bateman Bridge Road in Forest; (434) 525-1806; poplarforest.org Newsome House Museum and Cultural Center In Newport News, African-American attorney, journalist and civic leader Joseph Thomas Newsome moved into this 1899 home in 1906 and converted it from a saltbox structure to a Queen Anne-style residence, which became a hub of the local black community. Newsome served as state president of the Old Dominion Bar Association, and he was one of the first black solicitors in Virginia who successfully pleaded cases before the state Supreme Court. (In tribute to him, the city courts were closed the day of his funeral in 1942.) Newsome was also editor of The Newport News Star, a weekly black newspaper, and became a columnist for the Norfolk Journal and Guide. His home was the first black-owned structure to receive a National Historic Preservation Award. 2803 Oak Ave. in Newport News; (757) 247-2360; newsomehouse.org Hampton Roads Naval Museum One of nine U.S. Navy museums, this location introduces visitors to more than 240 years of naval activity in Hampton Roads. The Norfolk museum is the Navys primary repository of artifacts from the USS Cumberland (sunk by the Confederate ironclad Virginia in the Civil War) and the CSS Florida. The more than 50 exhibits include a collection of naval ship models, 19th-century artwork and underwater archaeological finds from the Civil War. Visitors can learn about sailor life during the Revolutionary War and the floating cities that are modern aircraft carriers. Artifacts include a 1798 cannon from the frigate USS Constellation, a Mark 7 undersea mine from World War I and a torpedo warhead from a German U-boat. The museum also houses a naval history research library open by appointment. One Waterside Drive in Norfolk (second floor of Nauticus); (757) 322-2987; hrnm.navy.mil Schoolhouse Museum In the town of Smithfield, this one-room structure highlights the schooling of black children in Isle of Wight County in the early 20th century, and it honors the legacy of those who promoted their education. The structure was built in 1932 as an addition to the Christian Home School, which was among the thousands of Rosenwald Schools that served black children in the South during the era. The addition was moved to the historic district of Smithfield in 2005 to be renovated and opened as a museum. It now includes period photographs, desks and other artifacts, and serves as a reminder of the commitment in black communities to expand educational opportunities for children. 516 Main St. in Smithfield; (757) 365-4789; theschoolhousemuseum.org Bacons Castle / Smiths Fort Plantation Surry County is home to two Preservation Virginia sites. Bacons Castle (pictured) is the nations oldest existing brick dwelling (circa 1665). Its Jacobean architecture features triple-stacked chimneys and shaped Flemish gables, and the home boasts the oldest English formal garden in North America. (The house got its moniker from Colonial-era patriot Nathaniel Bacon, whose 1676 rebellion drove out loyalist homeowner Arthur Allen.) At Smiths Fort Plantation, the stories of English explorer Captain John Smith, tobacco planter John Rolfe and Pocahontas come to life in guided tours. Though the brick house was built between 1751 and 1765, John Smith had begun construction of a fort on the same site in 1609 before abandoning the project. The land later was a dowry gift from Chief Powhatan to Rolfe. 465 Bacon's Castle Trail in Surry; (757) 357-5976; preservationvirginia.org 217 Smith Fort Lane in Surry; (757) 294-3872; preservationvirginia.org Booker T. Washington National Monument Born into slavery in Franklin County, Booker T. Washington is renowned as an educator, author and presidential adviser who founded the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and became a national black leader. The Booker T. Washington National Monument is located on the former Burroughs Plantation where he was born. (The 207-acre property is still a working farm.) The Plantation Trail runs through the historic area, passing reconstructed 19th-century farm buildings. The Jack-O-Lantern Branch Heritage Trail wanders through trails and forests on the property. The monument, which is part of the National Park Service, offers a video presentation of Washingtons life as well as an exhibit room featuring hands-on activity. Master gardeners work on the heirloom garden through the summer and share techniques used by farmowners and slaves. 12130 Booker T. Washington Highway in Hardy; (540) 721-2094; nps.gov/bowa/index.htm The Crooked Road This 330-mile driving trail through the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia is designated as Virginias Heritage Music Trail for good reason: It features nine major venues and more than 60 affiliated music sites and festivals, all along a route through 19 counties and more than 50 cities and towns. In Bristol, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum highlights the citys music history and, in Ferrum, the Blue Ridge Institute and Farm Museum captures regional folklore. In Galax, the weeklong Old Fiddlers Convention is the worlds oldest and largest fiddlers convention. The Crooked Road also includes recreational activities, crafts and cultural programs. Look for highway signs that designate the route as well as wayside exhibits highlighting local music and history. (276) 492-2409; thecrookedroad.org Museum of the Shenandoah Valley On the outskirts of historic Old Town Winchester, the heritage of the Shenandoah Valley is on full display at this large museum, whose permanent collection houses more than 11,000 artifacts. Displays touch on furniture, textiles and more  in 2016, the museum marked its 10th anniversary, and the Collect, Preserve, Interpret exhibit highlights key items that tell the Valleys story. The 214-acre property also includes the Glen Burnie House (circa 1794), which was home to museum benefactor Julian Wood Glass Jr. (Some pieces of his decorative arts collection are on view at the house, along with panels depicting the homes history.) The house, surrounded by a 7-acre garden, is open for self-guided tours April through December. 901 Amherst St. in Winchester; (888) 556-5799; themsv.org CrossRoads/Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center The center showcases the historical and spiritual legacy of the farmers and craftsmen of the Mennonites and Brethren, who have lived in the Shenandoah Valley for more than two centuries. The 24-acre main campus, CrossRoads, includes a series of 19th- and 20th-century Mennonite-Brethren buildings. Designed as a farmstead, the campus has a working garden and features a log house (circa 1829) that once accommodated church services, a wash house, a one-room school (pictured), a blacksmith shop and other structures  including a Brunk Revival semi-trailer from the popular midcentury evangelical program. The center includes two other sites: Breneman-Turner Mill is the only surviving pre-Civil War mill in Rockingham County, and Hildebrand Church is a historic meetinghouse in northern Augusta County. 1921 Garbers Church Road in Harrisonburg; (540) 438-1275; vbmhc.org Chatham Manor This Georgian mansion near Fredericksburg overlooking the Rappahannock River is owned by the National Park Service and is part of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. The former 1,280-acre plantation was built between 1768 and 1771 by prominent Virginia lawmaker William Fitzhugh, and over its storied history, visitors included Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, future American Red Cross founder Clara Barton and poet Walt Whitman. During the Civil War, Chatham Manor served as headquarters of a Union Army field hospital. Today, five of the mansions 10 rooms contain exhibits and are open to the public. So is Chatham Gardens, which offers sweeping views of Fredericksburg landmarks. 120 Chatham Lane in Fredericksburg; (540) 693-3200; nps.gov/frsp/learn/historyculture/chatham.htm James Monroe Museum In Fredericksburg, this site (administered by the University of Mary Washington) is dedicated to the study, interpretation and presentation of the life and times of the countrys fifth president. It holds the nations largest collection of artifacts and documents related to Monroe, who issued the 1823 doctrine that opposed further European colonization of the Western Hemisphere. Holdings include the Louis XVI secretary believed to be where he penned the Monroe Doctrine, as well as jewelry belonging to his wife and a restored 1810 Astor pianoforte. The 48-piece costume collection, whose pieces are shown in rotation, has waistcoats worn by Monroe as a College of William & Mary student as well as the suit he wore in Paris in 1803 when he negotiated the Louisiana Purchase. 908 Charles St. in Fredericksburg; (540) 654-1043; jamesmonroemuseum.org Alexandria Black History Museum The museum chronicles local and regional history in the Northern Virginia city at the heart of the PBS Civil War drama "Mercy Street." The museum incorporates the Robert H. Robinson Library, originally built in 1940 after a sit-in at the segregated Queen Street library, and two additional sites were added to the museum complex in 1995: The Watson Reading Room has a collection of books, videos and periodicals on African-American life, and the nearby African-American Heritage Park (pictured)  a 9-acre green space and wetlands area  preserves the site of a 19th-century black cemetery. Sculptures of bronze trees serve as the parks focal point, and Washington sculptor Jerome Meadows titled his work Truths That Rise From the Roots  Remembered  to highlight the African-Americans who contributed to the growth of Alexandria. 902 Wythe St. in Alexandria; (703) 746-4356; alexandriava.gov/blackhistory Claude Moore Colonial Farm Authenticity lives at this living history museum in Northern Virginias McLean area, where visitors can participate in the daily activities of an 18th-century family farm. The site re-creates the life of a tenant family before the American Revolution and offers self-guided tours as well as hands-on educational programs focused on the Colonial period. Costumed staff and volunteers greet visitors in character. The farm holds a number of events related to the period, including an 18th-century Market Fair with period craftsmen, entertainers and merchants; the Wheat Harvest; Dairy Day; and the Christmas Wassail with dancing and caroling. The farm also offers plants, heirloom vegetables and herbs for sale. The Gate House Shop stocks educational and gift items. The farm reopens April 1. 6310 Georgetown Pike in McLean; (703) 442-7557; 1771.org Gloucester Dating to the late 1600s, Gloucesters courthouse square includes one of the nations oldest courthouses (circa 1766) still in use (though not for court anymore). Other structures include a debtors prison and jail, and the Botetourt Building houses the Gloucester Museum of History. (The building originally served as a roadside tavern.) Gloucester also is home to the Rosewell Ruins (pictured). Built in the early 18th century, Rosewell was the ancestral home of the Page family but was destroyed by fire in 1916  the dramatic ruins include several walls, four chimneys and the wine cellar. Other notable sites include the Colonial-era Abingdon Episcopal and Ware Episcopal churches. And the annual Daffodil Festival celebrates Gloucesters nickname as the "daffodil capital of America"  colonists brought the bulbs to the county in the 1600s. (866) 847-2450; gloucesterva.info (click visitors) Harrison Museum of African-American Culture The Roanoke Valleys African-American history and culture are featured in the museums permanent collection, which includes memorabilia and photographs as well as African and contemporary art. Local heritage is further documented through oral histories and recollections from elders of the valleys black communities. Each September, the museum hosts the Henry Street Heritage Festival, which celebrates the culture and heritage of people of African descent through entertainment, educational forums, crafts and more. The museums ongoing Artists and Musicians program features lectures, music and artworks presented by professors from nearby colleges. 1 Market Square SE (second floor) in Roanoke; (540) 857-4395; harrisonmuseum.com Virginia Museum of Natural History An official state museum, the Virginia Museum of Natural History interprets the commonwealths natural past, with exhibits touching on our story from 500 million years ago to today. Life-size dinosaur cast skeletons, elaborate animal mount dioramas and hands-on displays are among the attractions. The Uncovering Virginia exhibit highlights sites at which museum scientists have worked to reveal the states past, and visitors can peek inside a working paleontology lab to watch scientists prepare dinosaur fossils from the Mesozoic Era (approximately 250 million to 65 million years ago). The archaeology lab offers a glimpse into the study of artifacts from ancient cultures, and the How Nature Works gallery features landscape models showing how energy and geological forces have shaped the Earth. 21 Starling Ave. in Martinsville; (276) 634-4141; vmnh.net Explore our rich history: 20+ sites to check out in Virginia The RTDs latest Discover Richmond magazine explores intriguing people, places and things in local and state history  from a famous Virginian you might not know to a 10-foot sloth with a link to Thomas Jefferson. Discover Richmond will be delivered with Mondays premium RTD for home-delivery subscribers. Newsstand customers and those seeking additional copies can purchase them at select retail locations, visit Richmond.com/Discover or call (804) 649-6261. Exploring Virginia's rich history History in the Richmond region is so deep that exploring it  whether for longtime residents or one-and-done visitors  is one of our most rewarding local endeavors. Of course, all of Virginia has amazing stories to tell, whether in celebration of Black History Month this February or other parts of our heritage. As the weather warms up and you're itching to explore, these spots can inspire you to get out and about  and probably learn something fascinating about Virginia's history along the way. As always, hours of operation and costs can vary, so be sure to check before you head out. African-American Heritage Trail This driving trail highlights 11 sites in Spotsylvania County that collectively feature about two dozen historic elements of African-American history. Sites include the John J. Wright Educational and Cultural Center and Museum (pictured), a renovated building of the only high school for black children from 1909 to 1968. Other highlights include the Goodwin Mine at Chewning Park, the third-largest gold mine in the country from 1830 to 1849; and Piney Branch Baptist Church with the adjacent Piney Branch School, the only one-room school for black children still standing in its original location. The church was also home of the 23rd Regiment, U.S. Colored Infantry  in the Civil War, it participated in the first known fight on Virginia soil of a full U.S. Colored regiment within the Army of the Potomac. visitspotsy.com/african-american-heritage-trail Gunston Hall In Northern Virginia's Mason Neck area, the Potomac River is a picturesque backdrop for the home built by Revolution-era statesman George Mason, the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. (Mason was a proponent of religious tolerance and the right to a fair and speedy trial.) The home (circa 1755) features classical motifs of British design and elaborate formal rooms. Objects include a writing table, as family records note, where Mason did much of his work helping devise governmental forms for state and country. The grounds feature a central allee of English boxwood planted by Mason as well as gardens, a deer park, nature trails and the Mason family burial ground. Outbuildings include a kitchen, dairy, laundry and smokehouse, as well as a reconstructed schoolhouse. 10709 Gunston Road in Mason Neck; (703) 550-9220; gunstonhall.org Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum A poet, civil rights activist, teacher, librarian and gardener, Lynchburgs Anne Spencer was an important figure of the Harlem Renaissance, and she helped found the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She was only the second African-American poet to appear in the Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry (in 1973), and her Queen Anne-style home  a kitchen wall even features one of her poems  was a gathering place for intellectuals and black travelers in the 1920s. Spencers home and her garden refuge are part of the citys Pierce Street district that is rich with African-American history. The gardens roses and many of the bulbs were planted by Spencer  flowers and shrubs that continue to grow. 1313 Pierce St. in Lynchburg; (434) 845-1313; annespencermuseum.com Poplar Forest One of only two homes designed by Thomas Jefferson for his own use, Poplar Forest near Lynchburg served as the third U.S. presidents personal retreat. His neoclassical home was on a more than 4,000-acre plantation and, after age 65, Jefferson spent a great deal of time at the estate, where he could unwind, read and explore the environment. Visitors can take a guided tour of Jeffersons living spaces, including his dining room and parlor/library. A self-guided tour highlights lower-level exhibits and a restored kitchen and service wing. Restoration of the property and archaeology are ongoing. Archaeologists have been restoring the ornamental landscape around the house, which Jefferson designed based on what he saw in England and France. 1542 Bateman Bridge Road in Forest; (434) 525-1806; poplarforest.org Newsome House Museum and Cultural Center In Newport News, African-American attorney, journalist and civic leader Joseph Thomas Newsome moved into this 1899 home in 1906 and converted it from a saltbox structure to a Queen Anne-style residence, which became a hub of the local black community. Newsome served as state president of the Old Dominion Bar Association, and he was one of the first black solicitors in Virginia who successfully pleaded cases before the state Supreme Court. (In tribute to him, the city courts were closed the day of his funeral in 1942.) Newsome was also editor of The Newport News Star, a weekly black newspaper, and became a columnist for the Norfolk Journal and Guide. His home was the first black-owned structure to receive a National Historic Preservation Award. 2803 Oak Ave. in Newport News; (757) 247-2360; newsomehouse.org Hampton Roads Naval Museum One of nine U.S. Navy museums, this location introduces visitors to more than 240 years of naval activity in Hampton Roads. The Norfolk museum is the Navys primary repository of artifacts from the USS Cumberland (sunk by the Confederate ironclad Virginia in the Civil War) and the CSS Florida. The more than 50 exhibits include a collection of naval ship models, 19th-century artwork and underwater archaeological finds from the Civil War. Visitors can learn about sailor life during the Revolutionary War and the floating cities that are modern aircraft carriers. Artifacts include a 1798 cannon from the frigate USS Constellation, a Mark 7 undersea mine from World War I and a torpedo warhead from a German U-boat. The museum also houses a naval history research library open by appointment. One Waterside Drive in Norfolk (second floor of Nauticus); (757) 322-2987; hrnm.navy.mil Schoolhouse Museum In the town of Smithfield, this one-room structure highlights the schooling of black children in Isle of Wight County in the early 20th century, and it honors the legacy of those who promoted their education. The structure was built in 1932 as an addition to the Christian Home School, which was among the thousands of Rosenwald Schools that served black children in the South during the era. The addition was moved to the historic district of Smithfield in 2005 to be renovated and opened as a museum. It now includes period photographs, desks and other artifacts, and serves as a reminder of the commitment in black communities to expand educational opportunities for children. 516 Main St. in Smithfield; (757) 365-4789; theschoolhousemuseum.org Bacons Castle / Smiths Fort Plantation Surry County is home to two Preservation Virginia sites. Bacons Castle (pictured) is the nations oldest existing brick dwelling (circa 1665). Its Jacobean architecture features triple-stacked chimneys and shaped Flemish gables, and the home boasts the oldest English formal garden in North America. (The house got its moniker from Colonial-era patriot Nathaniel Bacon, whose 1676 rebellion drove out loyalist homeowner Arthur Allen.) At Smiths Fort Plantation, the stories of English explorer Captain John Smith, tobacco planter John Rolfe and Pocahontas come to life in guided tours. Though the brick house was built between 1751 and 1765, John Smith had begun construction of a fort on the same site in 1609 before abandoning the project. The land later was a dowry gift from Chief Powhatan to Rolfe. 465 Bacon's Castle Trail in Surry; (757) 357-5976; preservationvirginia.org 217 Smith Fort Lane in Surry; (757) 294-3872; preservationvirginia.org Booker T. Washington National Monument Born into slavery in Franklin County, Booker T. Washington is renowned as an educator, author and presidential adviser who founded the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and became a national black leader. The Booker T. Washington National Monument is located on the former Burroughs Plantation where he was born. (The 207-acre property is still a working farm.) The Plantation Trail runs through the historic area, passing reconstructed 19th-century farm buildings. The Jack-O-Lantern Branch Heritage Trail wanders through trails and forests on the property. The monument, which is part of the National Park Service, offers a video presentation of Washingtons life as well as an exhibit room featuring hands-on activity. Master gardeners work on the heirloom garden through the summer and share techniques used by farmowners and slaves. 12130 Booker T. Washington Highway in Hardy; (540) 721-2094; nps.gov/bowa/index.htm The Crooked Road This 330-mile driving trail through the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia is designated as Virginias Heritage Music Trail for good reason: It features nine major venues and more than 60 affiliated music sites and festivals, all along a route through 19 counties and more than 50 cities and towns. In Bristol, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum highlights the citys music history and, in Ferrum, the Blue Ridge Institute and Farm Museum captures regional folklore. In Galax, the weeklong Old Fiddlers Convention is the worlds oldest and largest fiddlers convention. The Crooked Road also includes recreational activities, crafts and cultural programs. Look for highway signs that designate the route as well as wayside exhibits highlighting local music and history. (276) 492-2409; thecrookedroad.org Museum of the Shenandoah Valley On the outskirts of historic Old Town Winchester, the heritage of the Shenandoah Valley is on full display at this large museum, whose permanent collection houses more than 11,000 artifacts. Displays touch on furniture, textiles and more  in 2016, the museum marked its 10th anniversary, and the Collect, Preserve, Interpret exhibit highlights key items that tell the Valleys story. The 214-acre property also includes the Glen Burnie House (circa 1794), which was home to museum benefactor Julian Wood Glass Jr. (Some pieces of his decorative arts collection are on view at the house, along with panels depicting the homes history.) The house, surrounded by a 7-acre garden, is open for self-guided tours April through December. 901 Amherst St. in Winchester; (888) 556-5799; themsv.org CrossRoads/Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center The center showcases the historical and spiritual legacy of the farmers and craftsmen of the Mennonites and Brethren, who have lived in the Shenandoah Valley for more than two centuries. The 24-acre main campus, CrossRoads, includes a series of 19th- and 20th-century Mennonite-Brethren buildings. Designed as a farmstead, the campus has a working garden and features a log house (circa 1829) that once accommodated church services, a wash house, a one-room school (pictured), a blacksmith shop and other structures  including a Brunk Revival semi-trailer from the popular midcentury evangelical program. The center includes two other sites: Breneman-Turner Mill is the only surviving pre-Civil War mill in Rockingham County, and Hildebrand Church is a historic meetinghouse in northern Augusta County. 1921 Garbers Church Road in Harrisonburg; (540) 438-1275; vbmhc.org Chatham Manor This Georgian mansion near Fredericksburg overlooking the Rappahannock River is owned by the National Park Service and is part of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. The former 1,280-acre plantation was built between 1768 and 1771 by prominent Virginia lawmaker William Fitzhugh, and over its storied history, visitors included Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, future American Red Cross founder Clara Barton and poet Walt Whitman. During the Civil War, Chatham Manor served as headquarters of a Union Army field hospital. Today, five of the mansions 10 rooms contain exhibits and are open to the public. So is Chatham Gardens, which offers sweeping views of Fredericksburg landmarks. 120 Chatham Lane in Fredericksburg; (540) 693-3200; nps.gov/frsp/learn/historyculture/chatham.htm James Monroe Museum In Fredericksburg, this site (administered by the University of Mary Washington) is dedicated to the study, interpretation and presentation of the life and times of the countrys fifth president. It holds the nations largest collection of artifacts and documents related to Monroe, who issued the 1823 doctrine that opposed further European colonization of the Western Hemisphere. Holdings include the Louis XVI secretary believed to be where he penned the Monroe Doctrine, as well as jewelry belonging to his wife and a restored 1810 Astor pianoforte. The 48-piece costume collection, whose pieces are shown in rotation, has waistcoats worn by Monroe as a College of William & Mary student as well as the suit he wore in Paris in 1803 when he negotiated the Louisiana Purchase. 908 Charles St. in Fredericksburg; (540) 654-1043; jamesmonroemuseum.org Alexandria Black History Museum The museum chronicles local and regional history in the Northern Virginia city at the heart of the PBS Civil War drama "Mercy Street." The museum incorporates the Robert H. Robinson Library, originally built in 1940 after a sit-in at the segregated Queen Street library, and two additional sites were added to the museum complex in 1995: The Watson Reading Room has a collection of books, videos and periodicals on African-American life, and the nearby African-American Heritage Park (pictured)  a 9-acre green space and wetlands area  preserves the site of a 19th-century black cemetery. Sculptures of bronze trees serve as the parks focal point, and Washington sculptor Jerome Meadows titled his work Truths That Rise From the Roots  Remembered  to highlight the African-Americans who contributed to the growth of Alexandria. 902 Wythe St. in Alexandria; (703) 746-4356; alexandriava.gov/blackhistory Claude Moore Colonial Farm Authenticity lives at this living history museum in Northern Virginias McLean area, where visitors can participate in the daily activities of an 18th-century family farm. The site re-creates the life of a tenant family before the American Revolution and offers self-guided tours as well as hands-on educational programs focused on the Colonial period. Costumed staff and volunteers greet visitors in character. The farm holds a number of events related to the period, including an 18th-century Market Fair with period craftsmen, entertainers and merchants; the Wheat Harvest; Dairy Day; and the Christmas Wassail with dancing and caroling. The farm also offers plants, heirloom vegetables and herbs for sale. The Gate House Shop stocks educational and gift items. The farm reopens April 1. 6310 Georgetown Pike in McLean; (703) 442-7557; 1771.org Gloucester Dating to the late 1600s, Gloucesters courthouse square includes one of the nations oldest courthouses (circa 1766) still in use (though not for court anymore). Other structures include a debtors prison and jail, and the Botetourt Building houses the Gloucester Museum of History. (The building originally served as a roadside tavern.) Gloucester also is home to the Rosewell Ruins (pictured). Built in the early 18th century, Rosewell was the ancestral home of the Page family but was destroyed by fire in 1916  the dramatic ruins include several walls, four chimneys and the wine cellar. Other notable sites include the Colonial-era Abingdon Episcopal and Ware Episcopal churches. And the annual Daffodil Festival celebrates Gloucesters nickname as the "daffodil capital of America"  colonists brought the bulbs to the county in the 1600s. (866) 847-2450; gloucesterva.info (click visitors) Harrison Museum of African-American Culture The Roanoke Valleys African-American history and culture are featured in the museums permanent collection, which includes memorabilia and photographs as well as African and contemporary art. Local heritage is further documented through oral histories and recollections from elders of the valleys black communities. Each September, the museum hosts the Henry Street Heritage Festival, which celebrates the culture and heritage of people of African descent through entertainment, educational forums, crafts and more. The museums ongoing Artists and Musicians program features lectures, music and artworks presented by professors from nearby colleges. 1 Market Square SE (second floor) in Roanoke; (540) 857-4395; harrisonmuseum.com Virginia Museum of Natural History An official state museum, the Virginia Museum of Natural History interprets the commonwealths natural past, with exhibits touching on our story from 500 million years ago to today. Life-size dinosaur cast skeletons, elaborate animal mount dioramas and hands-on displays are among the attractions. The Uncovering Virginia exhibit highlights sites at which museum scientists have worked to reveal the states past, and visitors can peek inside a working paleontology lab to watch scientists prepare dinosaur fossils from the Mesozoic Era (approximately 250 million to 65 million years ago). The archaeology lab offers a glimpse into the study of artifacts from ancient cultures, and the How Nature Works gallery features landscape models showing how energy and geological forces have shaped the Earth. 21 Starling Ave. in Martinsville; (276) 634-4141; vmnh.net
I knew when I attended a Missouri GOP presidential caucus gathering last Saturday that I would be in the minority as a Nikki Haley supporter. But nothing prepared me for what I experienced.

Some Republicans are apparently committed to shrinking the party, and are willing to harass other Republicans to do it.

In 2022, state lawmakers in Missouri eliminated the states presidential primaries as part of a larger election bill. This left it up to the two political parties to come up with their own procedures on choosing presidential candidates and delegates to their national conventions.

The Missouri GOP decided to hold local, county-level caucuses on March 2. Each candidate was allowed a representative to say a few words and make their case for their candidate.

In other states, such as Iowa, caucus votes are counted by secret ballot. In Missouri, caucus participants were asked to gather in groups to support their candidates.

While this all sounds reasonable on paper, in person it had a completely different and unnerving gestalt.

As soon as a caucus-goer raised their voice to nominate former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, the crowd erupted in boos. Then former President Donald Trump was nominated and cheers abounded.

It then went from bad to worse.

The caucus chair asked those supporting Haley to come down off the bleachers and gather in the middle of the high school gym floor. The gym became eerily silent for a split second as Trumps supporters seemed almost surprised that there was anyone in the room who was not there to support Trump.

Then, as the roughly 10% of caucus goers who supported Haley gathered on the gym floor, the boos and jeers started back up. We were called traitors, RINOS (Republicans in Name Only), Democrats, and Communists.

We were then asked to line up two by two  as if we were going to be led somewhere. Our designated speaker got up to the microphone and shared our view of why Haley was the right Republican for this time. The boos intensified.

Haley supporters were not just made to feel unwelcome, but intimidated and fearful. Being called in front of your own neighbors and community members for preferring a different Republican candidate is alarming in a way that I could have never imagined.

Nearly everyone sitting on the bleachers next to one another had gathered together or volunteered with each other in years past at Republican events. Now we were enemies. In fact, the disdain that Trump supporters have for us RINOs seems to go even beyond the animosity they hold towards Democrats. That is saying something.

Again, I was never under any illusion that the current Republican Party is anything but Trumps party. I just wanted to vote for Nikki Haley.

On the same day as the Missouri GOP caucus, Trump told his supporters at a rally: Were getting rid of the Romneys of the world. We want to get Romneys and those out.

He was referring to Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, Romneys niece and former Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel and independent-thinking moderates down the line. Romney McDaniel was just replaced by Trumps daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as RNC co-chair.

Back in January, the Post-Dispatchs Austin Huguelet reported that former Senate candidate Mark McCloskey suggested a vetting protocol for all Republican candidates. He called on the St. Louis Republican central committee to make prospective candidates take a test measuring their knowledge of the party platform, to pore through their tax records, legal records and voting history  and then to prohibit anyone who doesnt score high enough from running as a Republican.

While the party has yet to formalize any sort of vetting process, it is probably just a matter of time.

There was also the matter of having to sign a pledge of allegiance to the Missouri Republican Party in order to participate in the caucus.

What happened at the caucus is concerning not just because it disenfranchised a number of Republican voters. Nor is it about excluding a faction of the party. Rather, it should frighten all of us that a voter in America can be tormented while voting for a candidate of their choice.

I found myself face to face with the radicalization that has taken place within the Republican Party and it is alarming.

Maya Angelou said, At the end of the day people wont remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.

I will not forget how I felt last Saturday morning. I vote  and I will take that memory with me the next time I step into the voting booth.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey was appointed to the office to fill a vacancy starting in January 2023. He is now seeking the Republican nomination to run for a full elected term in November.

During his short tenure as the state's top legal official, he has used that platform to blatantly promote an extremist right-wing political agenda  one fixated on culture-war priorities like restricting transgender rights, harassing school districts over curriculum, sabotaging citizens' legitimate attempts to put abortion and gun control on the ballot, and pulling Missouri into ideological legal fights that are outside the scope of his duties.

At the same time, Bailey has shirked those duties or even taken action in opposition to them, sometimes in service to donors who contribute to his election campaign. There has been no allegation of illegality, but the issues are problematic nonetheless.

Having covered Bailey's tenure editorially for more than a year now, and after encountering repeated examples of the same troubling themes, the Post-Dispatch Editorial Board has launched this standing summary, which we have dubbed The Bailey Tally.

It's a running count of the many instances in which Missouri's official lawyer has abused the legal process, refused to do his job and/or engaged in blatant conflicts of interest, all in service to an extremist right-wing agenda.

It will be updated as needed.

 In February, Bailey filed a remarkable suit against Planned Parenthood alleging human trafficking. Its based on a staged, heavily edited hidden-video sting in which the widely discredited right-wing activist group Project Veritas appears to get a Planned Parenthood employee to tell a man where he can take a pregnant girl out of state to get an abortion without parental permission.

The girl referenced in the video doesnt actually exist. And the only alleged help from the Planned Parenthood employee is to provide information about abortion services, which the Missouri Supreme Court has long ruled is protected by the First Amendment.

In a social-media post announcing the suit, Bailey made clear the point, calling it "the culmination of a multi-year campaign to drive Planned Parenthood from the State of Missouri."

 In a brazen attempt to stall efforts to put an abortion rights referendum on the statewide ballot, Bailey last year refused to sign off on the state auditor's modest official cost estimate of the measure, claiming instead it would cost the state billions of dollars in lost tax revenue from unborn Missourians.

The state Supreme Court unanimously threw out the case in a scathing finding that Bailey never had legal authority to even weigh on the question.

 Bailey last year filed suit attempting to derail a gun-safety referendum effort by claiming fewer guns on the streets would cost Missouri hundreds of millions of dollars in increased crime costs.

There is no reliable data backing that argument  though states with loose gun laws like Missouris generally do have significantly higher gun death rates than states like Illinois, that have stronger gun laws.

 As Missouri debates how to confront an unlicensed video gambling industry so brazen that it sued to prevent the Missouri Highway Patrol from seizing the illegal machines, Bailey has refused to take any action at all.

In fact, he wouldnt even use his own office to defend the lawsuit  the very definition of his official duty  instead contracting it out to a private firm at the taxpayers expense. Baileys campaign has accepted more than $25,000 in donations from that unregulated industry or its lobbyists.

 In June 2023, Baileys office filed a highly unusual motion attempting to overturn the conviction of a white Kansas City police officer whod been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of a Black man in his own driveway. The motion cited no new evidence, but essentially just second-guessed the prosecution's case.

The motion  from an attorney general's office that normally is tasked with supporting criminal prosecutions on appeal  has been described as unprecedented, and infuriated local prosecutors who handled the case.

 In November, Bailey vowed to insert his office into a spat between Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), and a national media watchdog group that exposed how the platform sometimes placed ads from major companies next to antisemitic tweets.

When Musk and others suggested, bizarrely, that the expose constituted criminal fraud, Bailey tweeted (even more bizarrely): My team is looking into this matter.

 A PAC supporting Bailey accepted a $50,000 campaign contribution from a New York-based LLC in September 2023. Just two months earlier, Bailey had filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting the LLCs Missouri-based subsidiary in an environmental lawsuit stemming from the lead poisoning of children in Peru.

 Late last year, the co-owner of a marijuana company that was in the midst of a legal battle with state regulators  with Baileys office representing the state in that legal fight  hosted a political fundraiser in his Ladue home in support of Bailey.

 Last year, Bailey created an emergency rule to effectively ban transgender hormone therapy not just for kids but also for adults. He withdrew it only after even his fellow Republicans deemed it too extreme.

 Continuing his seeming obsession with making life harder for trans people, Bailey last year joined 18 other Republican attorneys general to challenge a proposed federal rule that would require states to ensure that foster parents who want to take in kids with sexual identity issues agree to relevant training and to respect the childs preferred pronouns.

The challenge argued that would constitute infringement on foster families freedom of religion and speech  effectively seeking to turn abused kids into ideological fodder for the culture wars.

 In the first two months of 2024, Bailey has, twice, made legal threats against the Webster Groves school district over separate issues that are of questionable importance but likely to appeal to right-wing culture warriors.

In late January, he sent a cease-and-desist letter to district alleging it was teaching sex-education curriculum without providing the required opt-out opportunity for parents.

In February, he sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Webster Groves school district alleging that its general goal of hiring a more racially diverse teaching staff to reflect the diversity of its students is discriminating on the basis of race in direct violation of both state and federal law.
March 10, 2024: Russia has introduced a new S-500 air defense system that is designed to do things the current S-400 cannot do. That means the S-500 can defend itself from attack, something which the S-400 has been increasingly unable to do in Ukraine. The S-500 is purportedly able to deal with threats that have not been invented yet, citing new types of hypersonic missiles in development. Given the problems the S-300 and S-400 systems have had in Ukraine, Russia mentioned sending S-500 to deal with aerial threats in Ukraine as well as the Ukrainian ability to deceive and destroy S-400 systems deployed near the Ukrainian border and Crimea. The loss of several S-400 batteries led Russia to withdraw S-400 batteries to defend vulnerable targets deep inside Russia that were being attacked by long range Ukrainian UAVs.

Russias most modern air defense system was the S-400 until the S-500 was introduced. The current version of the S-400 has a radar that can detect targets up to 400 kilometers away and launch S-400 missiles to hit targets up to 75 kilometers distant. Unfortunately, most modern jet combat aircraft carry an array of countermeasures to defeat missiles fired at them from the ground or other aircraft. In addition to surface-to-air missiles (SAMS) fired from the ground, warplanes also have to worry about missiles fired from jet fighters which are often more effective than SAMs. At the same time, Russia has found that their S-400 missiles are effective against ground targets, which can be hit at distances of up to 350 kilometers. Russia developed the 48/6DM missile for the S-400 system and described the missile as effective against air targets but able to accurately hit ground targets up to 230 kilometers away. The warhead weighs 180 kg and contains enough explosives to be effective against ground targets that are usually major Ukrainian cities. These places are often defended by American Patriot, which often succeed in intercepting Russian air defense missiles used against ground targets. The S-500 can use the 40N6 missiles the S-400 batteries are armed with as well as the new 77N6 missiles developed for the S-500 system. It is unclear if Russia is going to try and use S-500 batteries in areas where the S-400 system failed. Ukraine is an actual wartime test of how effective combat systems are and the S-400 was found deficient when it came to effectiveness and reliability against a determined enemy.

The U.S. Navy has also modified its SM series of air defense missiles to hit surface, as in ships, targets. These missiles can also be used against ground targets not too far from the shoreline. The 1.3 ton SM-6 warhead weighs less than a hundred kg. Thats not a lot of explosives, but that warhead is accompanied by a large portion of the missile body which adds to the destructive effect. What makes that possible is that the missile hits the targets at speeds similar to rifle bullets. When using a high speed missile against a warship, the damage is extensive. The Navy verified this during a SINKEX, or sinking exercise where a retired warship is used as the target. In this case the target ship was a recently retired 4,000-ton frigate. The warhead traveling at high speed did enough damage to render the target ship unable to move or fight. This is what would happen to an enemy ship hit with an SM-6 missile in wartime.

This was consistent with results from earlier SINKEX tests using the older SM-2 missile, which entered service in 1980 and was also designed for use against surface targets as well as aircraft. The max range of an SM-6 against a surface ship is 240 kilometers. The longer range and higher speed of the SM-6 make it particularly effective against other ships.

The SM-6 is basically the existing SM-2 anti-aircraft missile with the more capable guidance system of the AMRAAM air-to-air missile, as well as general improvements in the electronics and other components. The SM-6 is a 1.5 ton, 6.55 meter long, 533mm diameter missile. It has a maximum range of 240 kilometers and an altitude effectiveness of 33 kilometers, or 110,000 feet.

The older SM-2 is a 1.35 ton, 8 meter long missile with a max range of 190 kilometers and max altitude of 24.4 kilometers, or 80,200 feet. The main change for the SM-6 is the guidance system which is self-contained and will seek out any target it comes within range of. The SM-2 uses a semi-active guidance system, which requires that a special targeting radar light up the target with a radar beam, which the SM-2 guidance system detects and homes in on. The active guidance system of the SM-6 is harder to jam and can home in on targets beyond the range of targeting radars. The SM-6 can attack anti-ship missiles as well.

The SM-6 took nine years to develop and has been in production since 2011, with plans to obtain up to 1,800 missiles at a cost of $4.3 million each. SM-6 will replace many of the SM-2 missiles carried by American and Australian warships. Navy anti-aircraft missiles, including the SM series, have long been used as anti-ship weapons.

Meanwhile, the navy has been continuing years of improvements in the Aegis radar and fire control system that controls SM-2, SM-6, and the smaller SM-3 anti-missile version. The SM-3 can destroy ballistic missiles and low orbit satellites. Aegis equipped ships began getting version 4.0 of the Aegis anti-missile software in 2013 and the 5.0 upgrade made the anti-missile capabilities a standard feature of Aegis software. New destroyers are having anti-missile Aegis software installed as standard equipment. Much of the anti-missile capability of the original Aegis anti-aircraft system came from upgrades to the Aegis software.

The Aegis anti-missile system has had a success rate of over 80 percent in knocking down incoming ballistic missile warheads during test firings. To achieve this, two similar models of the U.S. Navy Standard anti-aircraft missile are in service, in addition to the Aegis radar system modified to track incoming ballistic missiles.

The RIM-161A, also known as the SM-3 or Standard Missile 3, has a range of over 500 kilometers and max altitude of over 160 kilometers. Standard 3 is based on the anti-missile version of Standard 2 Block IV. This SM-3 missile has a shorter range than the SM-2, which can destroy a warhead that is more than 200 kilometers up. The SM-3 is optimized for anti-missile work, while the SM-2 Block IV was designed to be used against both ballistic missiles and aircraft. The SM-2 Block IV also costs less than half of what an SM-3 costs, so going after aircraft with SM-3s is discouraged unless absolutely necessary.
March 10, 2024: The Netherlands is sending Ukraine nine DITA truck-mounted 155mm artillery systems. DITA is manufactured in the Czech Republic and is an improvement on the earlier French Caesar and the Swedish Archer systems. DITA are more automated and can be operated by a smaller two-man crew. The automation includes an improved fire control system as well as automatic loading of 155mm shells into the gun. DITA can hit targets up to 39 kilometers distant. Like Caesar and Archer, DITA can use multiple UAVs to find targets in addition to firing on targets identified by Ukrainian troops. The DITA fire control system can handle different types of artillery fire including single round, rapid-fire of multiple shells, and multiple round simultaneous impact. The fire control can handle the details, all the crew has to do is confirm a target and specify how many shells to be used.

DITA is mounted on an 8x8 Tatra truck. The truck cab is protected from small caliber bullets and shell fragments. The cab is air conditioned and heated in cold weather. The cab has room for three people even though only a two man crew is used to operate DITA because of the autoloading and automatic aiming system. A DITA system with forty on-board 155mm shells weighs 29 tons and can be mounted on any truck or tracked vehicle that can handle that much weight.

DITA follows the similar artillery Caesar and Archer 155mm systems sent to Ukraine in 2022 and 2023 to deal with the invading Russians. Ukrainian troops received eight Swedish Archer truck mounted 155mm artillery systems. Ukrainian artillerymen used the Archers for counterbattery missions, which meant destroying enemy artillery. Ukrainians used UAVs to find targets for Archer and sent target locations to the nearest Archer system. Archer then fired a few 155mm shells at the target and moved, all in less than two minutes. Archer has 21 on-board 155mm shells in a magazine that automatically loads these shells into the gun. This contributes to the speed of operation capability that makes Archer so effective. The Russians are also looking for counterbattery opportunities but have nothing like Archer, which can move, halt, fire and then resume moving faster than any Russian artillery. Archer can fire 20 shells at the rate of one every 7-8 seconds.

Archer counterbattery tactics destroyed a growing number of Russian artillery, and the Russians were unable to develop successful countermeasures other than stop firing their artillery and seek a hiding place from Archer. Sweden was also responsible for several artillery innovations, including the Excalibur GPS guided shell.

It was a French firm that developed, in the 1990s, the truck-mounted 155mm Caesar, which entered service in 2003. In 2009 France sent eight Caesar howitzers to Afghanistan. The roads in Afghanistan are pretty bad, and wheeled combat vehicles have a hard time of it, but Caesar was built to handle cross country operations. Afghanistan was the first time Caesar had served in combat and was successful. The French Army has ordered about a hundred and another hundred have been exported. Caesar is the lightest of the truck-mounted 155mm howitzers, weighing 18 tons. Other nations have built heavier (20-30 ton) systems, usually on a 6x6 heavy truck chassis.

None of these systems can be considered an exotic piece of technology. For example, Archer is an FH77 155mm/L52 howitzer mounted on a modified Volvo 6x6 dump truck. The vehicle, with the howitzer on board, weighs 30 tons. L52 means the barrel is 52 times the caliber (8 meters). When the vehicle halts, the four-man crew can extend the metal braces in the rear, raise the barrel, and be firing within minutes. After firing, the vehicle can be moving in less than a minute. Archer can use the Excalibur GPS guided round, which means Archer and an ammo vehicle can supply lots of effective firepower without the need for constant resupply. Each Archer vehicle costs about $5 million.

This French experience with Caesar in Afghanistan encouraged Sweden about the ability of its Archer system to operate in the vast rural areas of Scandinavia. Some parts of rural Sweden are similar to Afghanistan, but worse, with more swamps. Sweden had had some Archer systems in service 2013 and 24 by 2017 and eventually 48. More were ordered because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The original Caesar system has been produced in larger quantities, with about 870 delivered or on order so far. Every time Caesar or similar systems like Archer have been used in combat, they have been successful. Their mobility has reduced losses and only four have been lost in combat so far. Three of those losses were in Ukraine, where these systems have experienced their most intense combat operations.
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In 2010, the Kuipers brothers convened around their family's kitchen table for an arts and crafts night, unknowingly laying the groundwork for a global phenomenon. The products they crafted that evening were the first steps toward making a significant impact worldwide.

Jason Kuipers, the eldest brother, has cherished collecting unique items since childhood, a passion that ignited the inception of their business. That passion would help fuel him to turn the business he started with his two younger brothers making unique bracelets adorned with uplifting messages into one of the largest online brands today. With products sold to over 1,200,000 customers in 185 countries as well as a special delivery to the International Space Station, theres almost no place ZOX hasnt gone.

ZOX's stated mission is To change the world with kind words and unite kind souls. A look inside their VIP Facebook Group reveals a world that most brands can only dream of. With tens of thousands of members and over 1,000 posts a month, their community unites customers from around the world. Since the start of ZOX, one of our focuses has been the community. I think that shows every day with the hundreds of posts our community makes to uplift and support each other. It really is the nicest place on the internet. Said Brandon Kuipers, Middle Brother.

Each ZOX product, be it a bracelet or watchband, carries a secret message of positivity on the inside, a feature that has resonated deeply with customers. The ZOX blog, updated regularly by the community, shares powerful stories of encouragement, resilience, and connection, further highlighting the brand's unique value.

Reflecting on the evolution of consumer engagement since their online inception in 2011, the Kuipers brothers acknowledge the shifting dynamics of digital interaction. In an era where consumer expectations are continually evolving, ZOX has remained steadfast in its commitment to authenticity and meaningful engagement. This ethos is exemplified in their response to customer feedback, which has spurred the expansion of their product lines, most recently, their lineup of Apple Watch Bands as well as Smart Watch Bands for Samsung, Garmin, FitBit, and Google Pixel.

Jordan Kuipers, the youngest of the trio, notes the surging demand for superior watch bands, a need that became a call for innovation. "The sheer volume of requests was a wake-up call for us," he remarks. The introduction of these bands was not merely a response to consumer demand but a reflection of ZOX's ethos of empathy and customer-centricity.

In tandem with its product innovations, ZOX has embraced a pivotal shift towards sustainability, recognizing the urgent need for eco-friendly practices in fashion. "Weve always wanted to leave the world a better place than we found it," Brandon explains. The partnership with Repreve marked a significant stride towards this goal, transitioning to materials derived from 100% post-consumer polyester, thereby substantially reducing the brand's carbon footprint.

This sustainable pivot was met with overwhelming support from the ZOX community, further solidifying the brand's commitment to not just meeting but exceeding the expectations of its environmentally conscious consumers.

Looking towards the horizon, ZOX is not resting on its laurels. The brand is set to broaden its horizon with the introduction of customizable Medical Alert Bracelets and keychains, catering to a wider array of customer needs and preferences that expand the usability of their core products.

To join the ZOX Family or learn more, you can visit their website and shop their range of products at Zox.la.



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File photo: President and CEO of Aramco Amin Nasser speaks at China Development Forum 2023, in Beijing, China, on March 26, 2023. REUTERS/Jing Xu/File photo

By Maha El Dahan and Yousef Saba

DUBAI (Reuters) -Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser said on Sunday the oil giant was looking at further opportunities to invest in China, where he said oil demand was robust and growing.

State-owned Aramco has been ramping up its China presence in a string of deals in refining and petrochemicals, some of them with crude offtake agreements attached.

"So far we are in the early part of 2024, demand is healthy and growing in China," Nasser said on a media call following the release of results that showed net profit falling 24.7% to $121.3 billion on lower oil prices.

Nasser said the country's refineries were some of the most fully integrated and had the highest conversion rates and Aramco was currently looking at further opportunities for investment.

Nasser expected the global oil market to remain healthy throughout 2024.

"We expect it to be fairly robust, we are looking at growth of about 1.5 million barrels," Nasser said.

Nasser put demand for 2024 at 104 million barrels a day as opposed to an average of 102.4 million barrels in 2023.

The Saudi government in late January ordered Aramco to scrap its expansion plan to boost production capacity to 13 million barrels a day (mbpd), returning to the previous 12 mbpd target.

Two projects that were part of the expansion plan - Safaniyah and Manifa - are on hold, while three others are ongoing. Those are Zuluf, Marjan and Berri, expected to add 600,000, 300,000 and 250,000 barrels a day of crude production.

Nasser said maximum production capacity would be optimized to maintain it within the 12 million bpd target, despite the ongoing projects.

"I will manage that by moderating our decline, and offsetting that decline with the addition that will be coming from Zuluf, Marjan and Berri. That should not impact the number of rigs that we have in the field."

The capacity target decision had sent shares of U.S. oilfield services providers tumbling as higher international and offshore oil exploration and produciton, primarily in the Middle East and Africa, had largely helped oilfield firms ride out slowing drilling activity by U.S. shale firms.

GAS, LNG AND LITHIUM

Aramco aims to grow its gas production by 60% by 2030 from 2021 levels.

Aramco may partner with MidOcean Energy, a company owned by U.S. investment firm EIG Partners, to invest in liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects outside of Australia, Nasser said, having agreed last year to take a strategic minority stake in MidOcean.

"We are partnering with MidOcean in Australia and we might partner with them in other enclaves depending on the opportunities," he said.

Nasser also said Aramco was interested in investing in LNG opportunities in the U.S. but said he could not reveal further details.

"We are in discussion with a number of companies."

The global LNG industry is booming and the U.S. is the world's largest exporter.

Sources told Reuters last week Aramco is in talks to invest in phase 2 of Sempra Infrastructure's Port Arthur LNG project in Texas, which represents a proposed expansion to the already producing first phase.

Discussions are also still ongoing for a tie-up with French carmaker Renault and China's Geely for a 15% to 20% stake in their joint-venture for combustion and hybrid engines, Nasser said.

Nasser also confirmed Aramco was currently evaluating the concentration of lithium in its oilfield brine.

Sources had told Reuters on Friday Aramco was at the early stages of work on lithium extraction, regarded as a critical mineral by many major economies because of its use in battery manufacture.

"This is a work in progress," Nasser said.

(Reporting by Yousef Saba and Maha El Dahan, Editing by Louise Heavens, Elaine Hardcastle)
LIBREVILLE (Reuters) - The Economic Community of Central African States agreed to lift sanctions on Gabon on Saturday and reintegrate it into the regional bloc, six months after suspending its membership in response to a coup that ousted President Ali Bongo.

Member states made the decision at a meeting in neighbouring Equatorial Guinea, Gabon's Foreign Minister Regis Onanga Ndiaye said in a televised address late on Saturday.

There was no statement from the bloc, but in a post on X Burundi's Foreign Minister Albert Shingiro confirmed an agreement to lift sanctions was reached at the meeting, which he had attended.

Soon after the Aug. 30 coup, the bloc suspended Gabon's membership and its participation in all related activities - measures it said would remain in effect until the return of constitutional order.

The junta that ousted Bongo is still in power, but in November it said it aimed to hold elections in August 2025.

(Reporting by Gerauds Wilfried Obangome; Writing by Portia Crowe and Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
FILE PHOTO: President of the Inter-American Development Bank, Ilan Goldfajn, speaks during a interview with Reuters on the third day of the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, in Marrakech, Morocco, October 11, 2023. REUT

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $3.5 billion capital increase for IDB Invest, its private sector arm, the bank's head, Ilan Goldfajn, told an event on Sunday.

With the capital injection, IDB Invest's size will double in the next few years, Goldfajn said, adding it will have more power to fund projects aimed at reducing poverty and addressing climate change.

"We need more resources to tackle global challenges, and we will only do it with the private sector," Goldfajn said.

The capital bump will allow IDB Invest to scale its ability to channel resources to the region to around $19 billion per year from the current approximate of $8 billion, according to a statement.

IDB's board of governors also approved up to $400 million for IDB Lab, its innovation and venture capital arm.

Taken together, the fresh capital, along with efforts by each institution to optimize their balance sheets, will enable the IDB Group to increase its financing capacity to up to $112 billion over the next 10 years, the statement said.

"Our region faces a triple structural challenge of rising social demands, scarce fiscal resources and low growth, with the additional major effects of climate change," Goldfajn said, adding the new funds will help the region address these challenges.

(Reporting by Valentine Hilaire and Deisy Buitrago; Editing by Josie Kao and Sandra Maler)
Children give a dragon dance performance at Yinghui kindergarten in Xianju County in Taizhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 8, 2024.

Various celebrations were held for the upcoming Longtaitou Day, a traditional day for a new haircut after the Spring Festival.

The day of Longtaitou, which literally means "dragon raises head," falls on the second day of the second lunar month. (Photo by Wang Huabin/Xinhua)

Hot air balloons are pictured over Canberra, Australia, March 9, 2024. As one of the most important events in the capital city of Australia, Canberra Balloon Spectacular is held here from March 9 to 17. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)

A technician operates a drone to fertilize a wheat field in Wudu District, Longnan City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 9, 2024. Spring farming is being carried out to ensure the irrigation, fertilization, and weeding in the fields of 1.22 million mu (about 81,333 hectares) of winter wheat in Longnan City. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

This photo provided by Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Padang Pariaman on March 8, 2024 shows rescuers transferring the body of a victim after flood and landslides hit Padang Pariaman Regency in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Three people were found dead and 10 others went missing amid floods and landslides striking Indonesia's West Sumatra province, a senior official of the local disaster management agency said on Friday. (BPBD Padang Pariaman/Handout via Xinhua)

Red Bull's Max Verstappen of the Netherlands competes during the qualifying session of the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, March 8, 2024. (Photo by Qian Jun/Xinhua)

People inspect destroyed buildings after intense airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 9, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 30,960 with 72,524 others wounded, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Saturday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

China's Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng, Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong, and Chief of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration Wang Hesheng attend a press conference on people's livelihood for the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

This photo taken on March 8, 2024 shows the booth of China's car brand Hongqi at the Vientiane International Auto Show 2024 in Vientiane, capital of Laos. The show is held here from March 2 to March 10. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)
Eden Golan, Israel's representative at the Eurovision Song Contest, looks on during a press conference following the official unveiling of Israel's song submission, in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 10, 2024. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel unveiled its revised submission for the Eurovision song contest on Sunday, after organisers took issue with the original entry's reference to the Oct. 7 Hamas onslaught.  

Israel agreed to change the original song titled "October Rain" when organizers said they would disqualify contestants who did not maintain the non-political spirit of the event.

Its original lyrics included: "There's no air left to breathe" and "They were all good children, each one of them" - apparent allusions to people who holed up in shelters as Hamas gunmen carried out a killing and kidnapping spree at an outdoor music festival and other sites which sparked the war in Gaza.

The ballad performed on Sunday night by female soloist Eden Golan was called "Hurricane" and appeared to have more personal lyrics, including the lines: "Every day I'm loosing my mind" and "I'm still broken from this hurricane".

"I think the message is clear," Golan told Israeli national broadcaster Kan just before the performance. "It's about a woman who is going through a personal crisis - a hurricane."

Kan said it had asked the writers to revise the lyrics, while also preserving their artistic freedom.

It said it agreed to make the changes following a request from the country's president, Isaac Herzog.

The Eurovision contest is due to take place on May 7-11 in the Swedish city of Malmo.

(Reporting by Emily Rose; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Social Democratic (PSD) and Democratic Aliance (AD) leader Luis Montenegro gestures at the crowd during a rally on the last day of the campaign ahead of the snap elections in Lisbon, Portugal, March 8, 2024. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

By Sergio Goncalves, Catarina Demony and David Latona

LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) won Sunday's general election, its leader Luis Montenegro said, though it was unclear if he could govern without the support from far-right Chega, with whom he again refused to negotiate.

Chega's parliamentary representation more than quadrupled to at least 48 lawmakers in the 230-seat legislature, giving the combined right a majority.

The result underscores a political tilt to the far right across Europe. Portugal, which only returned to democracy after the fall of a fascist dictatorship 50 years ago, had long been considered immune to the rise of right-wing populism across the continent, which is expected to result in gains for far-right parties in European elections in June.

Earlier, Montenegro's main rival, Pedro Nuno Santos, conceded defeat after his left-leaning Socialist Party (PS), in power since 2015, came in second by a razor-thin margin. He ruled out supporting the AD's platform which includes across-the-board tax cuts.

"The AD won the election," Montenegro told a crowd of ecstatic supporters in the early hours on Monday, adding that it was crucial for parties in the new parliament to act responsibly and "comply with the wish of the Portuguese people".

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa still has to formally invite the AD leader to form a government, which Montenegro said he expected to happen.

While reiterating his election promise not to rely on the right-wing populists for support to govern, he expressed hope the PS and Chega "do not form a negative alliance to prevent the government that the Portuguese wanted".

The AD and its conservative allies in the insular Madeira region won a total of at least 79 seats, ahead of the PS's 77.

Four seats were yet to be attributed after the final count of ballots from abroad.

The PS had trailed the AD in most opinion polls since Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa resigned in November amid a corruption investigation.

Santos said his party would now lead the opposition, which could not be left in the hands of Chega.

The far-right party campaigned on an anti-establishment message, vowing to sweep away corruption and expressing hostility to what it sees as "excessive" immigration.

Chega leader Andre Ventura told reporters Sunday's vote "clearly showed that the Portuguese want a government of the AD with Chega". He earlier said Montenegro would be responsible for any political instability if he continued to refuse to negotiate.

At the AD election night party, supporter Paula Medeiros said there was "no doubt that instability will be constant".

The PS and the Social Democratic Party (PSD), which helms the newly created AD, have alternated in power since the fall of the dictatorship in 1974.

"We have a society with no memory," lamented 21-year-old law student and PS member Alexandra Ferreira, adding that the far-right's growth made her "very sad".

Issues dominating the campaign in western Europe's poorest country include a crippling housing crisis, low wages, sagging healthcare and corruption, seen by many as endemic to the mainstream parties.

Still, under the Socialist leadership Portugal has grown at solid annual rates above 2%, and posted budget surpluses of late, using the cash to slash the public debt below 100% of GDP and winning praise from Brussels and investors, who do not expect the AD to abandon the path of fiscal prudence.

(Reporting by Sergio Goncalves and Catarina Demony, Writing by Andrei Khalip and David Latona; Editing by Giles Elgood and Stephen Coates)
U.S. Army Vessel (USAV) General Frank S. Besson (LSV-1) from the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, XVIII Airborne Corps departs en route to the Eastern Mediterranean after President Biden announced the U.S.

CAIRO (Reuters) -The U.S. Army has dispatched a ship to send humanitarian aid to Gaza, Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday, days after President Joe Biden vowed to build a temporary pier to supply the besieged enclave.

The General Frank S. Besson left Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia "less than 36 hours after President Biden announced the U.S. would provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza by sea," CENTCOM said in a statement.

The logistics support vessel is "carrying the first equipment to establish a temporary pier to deliver vital humanitarian supplies," it said.

Biden's announcement in his State of the Union address on Thursday followed U.N. warnings of widespread famine among Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians five months after Israel launched its offensive in the narrow strip in response to an attack by Hamas militants.

Gaza has no port infrastructure. The U.S. initially plans to use Cyprus, which is offering a process for screening cargoes that will include Israel officials, removing the need for security checks in Gaza.

Most of Gaza's people are now internally displaced, with severe bottlenecks in aid deliveries at land border checkpoints.

Gaza has been under an Israeli navy blockade since 2007, when Hamas took control of the enclave. There have been few direct sea arrivals since then.

(Reporting by Muhammad Al Gebaly; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and William Mallard)
(Reuters) - A woman died as a result of Ukraine's shelling of the village of Kulbaki in Kursk and her husband was seriously injured, the governor of the Russian region bordering Ukraine said on Sunday.

"A residential building caught fire and a local female resident died," Governor Roman Starovoit said on the Telegram messaging app. "Her husband suffered extensive burns."

Another home was damaged in the village, parts of which were left without supply of electricity.

Reuters could not independently verify the report. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Blasts and attacks on Russian regions bordering Ukraine have been frequent during the two years since Russia launched war on Ukraine. Russian officials have blamed either Ukrainian forces or pro-Ukrainian saboteurs for the attacks.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
240305-N-NO146-1001 ARABIAN SEA (March 5, 2024) Bags of illegal narcotics seized from a vessel are stacked on the deck of the U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC Glen Harris in the Arabian Sea, March 5. 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard )

A U.S. Coast Guard cutter operating as part of a task force seized almost 1,700 pounds of methamphetamines in the Arabian Sea last week, according to a Coast Guard news release.

The Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC Glen Harris is working as part of the Canadian-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 of Combined Maritime Forces.

The Glen Harris seized the methamphetamines on March 5 on board a dhow and, after documenting and weighing the illicit haul, properly disposed of it.

I am extremely proud of the work of the Combined Task Force 150 team and USCGC Glen Harris in preventing these drugs from reaching their final destination, said Canadian Navy Capt. Colin Matthews, Commander CTF 150.

The task forces mission is to deter and disrupt the ability of non-state actors to move weapons, drugs and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

Glen Harris is deployed to Bahrain. The fast response cutter is part of a contingent of U.S. Coast Guard ships operating in the region under Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). PATFORSWA deploys Coast Guard personnel and ships alongside U.S. and regional naval forces throughout the Middle East.
Ethiopian women gather at a community meeting in Mai Mekden, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. (Amir Aman Kiyaro/AP)

NEBAR HADNET, Ethiopia  The cruel realities of war and drought seem to have merged for Tinseu Hiluf, a widow living in the arid depths of Ethiopias Tigray region who is raising four children left behind by her sisters recent death in childbirth.

A two-year war between federal troops and regional forces killed one of her own sons, the rest of whom are already adults. And now, a lack of food stemming from the regions drought has left the youngest of the children she is raising malnourished.

She tries to forage seeds among the scarce greenery of the deserts yellow, rocky landscape. But she recently resorted to traveling to the nearby Finarwa health center in southeastern Tigray to try to keep the 1-year-old baby alive.

When hungry, we eat anything from the desert, she said. Otherwise, nothing.

She joined several other mothers seeking help at the center in the remote administrative area of Nebar Hadnet. A mother of five complained that she had no breastmilk for her eight-month-old baby. Another with 1-year-old twins said she needed sachets of baby food to keep my babies alive.

Tigray is now peaceful but wars effects linger, compounded by drought and a level of aid mismanagement that caused the U.N. and the U.S. to temporarily suspend deliveries last year.

Once-lush fields lie barren. Mothers, faces etched with worry, watch helplessly as their children weaken from malnutrition. Nearly 400 people died of starvation in Tigray and the neighboring Amhara region in the six months leading to January, the national ombudsman revealed in January, a rare admission of hunger-related deaths by a federal government.

Most of those deaths were recorded in Tigray, home to 5.5 million people.

Until the signing of a peace agreement in November 2022, the region was the scene of a deadly war between federal troops and forces loyal to the regions now-ousted ruling party. But months after the end of the conflict, the U.N. and the U.S. halted food aid for Tigray because of a massive scheme by Ethiopian officials to steal humanitarian grain.

An inadequate growing season followed.

Persistent insecurity meant only 49% of Tigrays farmland was planted during the main planting season last year, according to an assessment by U.N. agencies, NGOs and the regional authorities, and seen by the AP. Crop production in these areas was only 37% of the expected total because of drought. In some areas the proportion was as low as 2%, that assessment said.

The poor harvest prompted Tigrays authorities to warn of an unfolding famine that could match the famine of 1984-5, which killed hundreds of thousands of people across northern Ethiopia, unless the aid response was scaled up. Food deliveries to Tigray in the second half of last year, but only a small fraction of needy people in Tigray are receiving food aid, humanitarian workers say.

Finarwa, a farming community of about 13,000 people, is among the worst-hit places.

The towns health center still has war-damaged equipment and some of its rooms appear abandoned. Tadesse Mehari, the officer in charge of the clinic, said the lack of food at homes in the community has forced children to flee and beg in nearby towns.

Nothing here to eat. So, for the sake of getting food and to save their lives, they are displaced anywhere, far from here, he said. So, in this area, a lot of people are suffering. They are starved. They are dying due to the absence of food.

Some local leaders, feeling helpless, have been turning their own people away

Hayale Gebrekedian, a Nebar Hadnet district leader for five years, listened to the pleas of villagers who streamed into his office one recent afternoon. A widow named Serawit Wolde with 10 children was in tears as she recounted that five of them were falling ill from hunger.

Please, any help, she told Hayale.

Hayale told the woman he had nothing to give. There simply isnt any (food), he said.

Hayale later told the AP, This place used to be a source of hope, even for those displaced by the war. We had enough for everyone, but now we cant even feed ourselves.

The war took everything, he said. Theres nothing left.

Havale said access to water was an additional challenge. Of the 25 wells that once sustained the community and its animals, only five remained functional. People now trek for over an hour and a half to access water, he said.

The regions drought has meant that some areas that usually get about 60 days of rain during the rainy season have seen only a few.

Some farmers arent giving up.

Haile Gebre Kirstos, 70, continued to plough his parched land and plant sorghum in a village in Messebo, although rain fell only two days during the last rainy season, he said.

Once lush and teeming with livestock, the land is now a barren expanse, yet he remained hopeful even after the failure of the previous harvest.

Although the ploughing usually doesnt begin until the rainy season in May or June, this year he started the work early, driven by extreme need. He spoke of farmers who have sold their oxen and farming tools to feed their families.

For him, the memory of the 1980s famine is haunting. It affected the entire region then, he said. Now, in some districts, its either as bad as the 1980s, or even worse.
Armed gang leader Jimmy Barbecue Cherisier and his men in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 5, 2024. Armed gangs control more than 80% of the capital. (Clarens Siffroy, AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  The U.S. military flew in Marines to reinforce its embassy in Haiti and evacuate nonessential personnel as heavily armed gangs continue to challenge the countrys tenuous government and turn the countrys capital, Port-au-Prince, into a battlefield.

The middle-of-the-night operation was conducted via helicopter by the U.S. military at the request of the State Department for embassy security, the U.S. Southern Command said in a statement.

This airlift of personnel into and out of the embassy is consistent with our standard practice for embassy security augmentation worldwide, and no Haitians were on board the military aircraft, the statement said.

Residents in the capital reported hearing an airplane flying overhead before the operation, and the sounds of a helicopter in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A National Security Council official told McClatchy that President Joe Biden personally directed the military to carry out the mission.

President Biden approved the operation, the official said. He has been briefed, receives updates from his team, and is deeply concerned about the situation in Haiti.

The airlift comes amid ongoing gang attacks in multiple locations around metropolitan Port-au-Prince, including Tabarre, where the U.S. embassy is located. Several nearby businesses have been looted and overtaken by armed gangs that today control more than 80% of the capital.

Since last Thursday, armed groups have led a coordinated attack, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry and targeting key Haitian government institutions. After taking control of several police stations, they targeted the main seaport before orchestrating a mass prison break at the two largest prisons. Thousands of inmates were freed by the gangs, including several notorious gang leaders.

The gangs have also launched attacks against the international and domestic airports. Heavy gunfire around the airports has led to the suspension of international flights into the country. Henry, who is under pressure by the United States and the Caribbean Community to resign, remains outside of the country, unable to return.

In response to the attacks, Haiti recently extended a 72-hour state of emergency and curfew to a month, and deployed members of its fledgling army to assist the Haiti National Police. To help in the fight against gangs, the U.S. government recently provided the police with additional ammunition.

The U.S. embassy has limited its operations as the violence has escalated, but remains open, it said in a statement.

The U.S. Embassy in Haiti remains open, the statement reads. Heightened gang violence in the neighborhood near U.S. embassy compounds and near the airport led to the State Departments decision to arrange for the departure of additional embassy personnel. All arriving and departing passengers work for the U.S. government.

Biden has previously ruled out sending U.S. troops to directly engage in the crisis. But in October, after a yearlong campaign by the United States, the United Nations approved a Multinational Security Support mission that would bring together reinforcements from around the world to help the Haiti National Police. Henry was in Kenya signing a security sharing agreement for the East African nation to lead the effort when the violence escalated.

Despite the agreement, the forces deployment has been hobbled by a lack of funding. Republican lawmakers in the U.S. Congress are refusing to release a hold on funding, requested by the Biden administration, amid questions about the mission while the international community has been slow to contribute to a U.N. Trust Fund set up to finance the operation.

Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Brian Nichols told the Miami Herald that the administration remains committed to expediting the deploymemnt of the Kenyan-led mission to Haiti, and is closely monitoring the situation.

Its urgent, he said of the funding needs. Every day matters, every day the lives and welfare of ordinary Haitians. If you care about humanitarian issues around the world, there is no crisis that is worse than the situation in Haiti right now.

U.S. Southern Command said despite the evacuations the embassy remains focused on advancing U.S. government efforts to support the Haitian people, including mobilizing support for the Haiti National Police, expediting the secuirty missions deployment and accelerating a peaceful transition of power via free and fair elections.

As announced in September 2023, the Department of Defense is postured to provide robust enabling support for the MSS, including planning assistance, information sharing, airlift, communications, and medical support, U.S. Southern Command said.

2024 Miami Herald.

Visit miamiherald.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
People waves Ukrainian flags before Pope Francis Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peters Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian and allied officials Sunday criticized Pope Francis for saying that Kyiv should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, a statement many interpreted as a call for Ukraine to surrender.

The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Poland, a vocal ally of Kyiv, condemned the popes remarks. And a leader of one of Ukraines Christian churches on Sunday said that only the countrys determined resistance to Moscows full-scale invasion, launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 24, 2022, had prevented a mass slaughter of civilians.

In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI and partially released on Saturday, Francis used the phrase the courage of the white flag as he argued that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should be open to peace talks brokered by international powers.

Our flag is blue and yellow. We live, die and win under it. We will not raise other flags, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba posted on Sunday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski tweeted: How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations.

In his tweet, Kuleba urged the Holy See to not repeat historical mistakes as he alleged that the Vatican didnt do enough to resist Nazi Germany. Yet he also invited Francis to Ukraine, saying the popes visit would show support for the more than a million Ukrainian (Roman) Catholics, more than 5 million Greek Catholics, all Christians and all Ukrainians.

The head of Ukraines Greek Catholic Church, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, said Sunday that surrender isnt on the minds of Ukrainians.

Ukraine is exhausted, but it stands and will endure. Believe me, it never crosses anyones mind to surrender. Even where there is fighting today: listen to our people in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy, Shevchuk said while meeting with Ukrainians in New York City. He mentioned the regions that have been under heavy Russian artillery and drone attacks.

Shevchuk also spoke of the brutality of Moscows invasion, referencing the town near Kyiv where Russian occupation left hundreds of civilians dead in the streets and in mass graves. He argued that the gruesome scenes seen in Bucha would have been just an introduction if not for Ukrainians fierce resistance as Russian troops marched on the capital in February 2022.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni on Saturday clarified that the pope supported a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations, rather than an outright Ukrainian surrender. Bruni said that the journalist interviewing Francis used the term white flag in the question that prompted the controversial remarks.

I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates, Francis said, when asked to weigh in on the debate between those who say that Ukraine should agree to peace talks and those who argue that any negotiations would legitimize Moscows aggression.

Kyiv remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said multiple times that the initiative in peace negotiations must come from the country that has been invaded.

Throughout the war, Francis has tried to maintain the Vaticans traditional diplomatic neutrality, but that has often been accompanied by apparent sympathy with the Russian rationale for invading Ukraine, such as when he noted that NATO was barking at Russias door with its eastward expansion.

In the RSI interview, Francis insisted that negotiations are never a surrender.

When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate, he said.

During the Angelus prayer on Sunday from the window overlooking St. Peters Square, Francis said that he was praying for peace in the tormented Ukraine and in the Holy Land.

Let the hostilities which cause immense suffering among the civilian population cease as soon as possible, he said.

Elsewhere, both Ukraine and Russia reported civilian deaths on Sunday after overnight trading drone, missile and shelling attacks that also caused a fire at a Russian oil depot and targeted Ukrainian power stations, according to officials.

Ukrainian air defenses overnight shot down 35 out of 39 drones launched by Russia, air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported, following a 4-hour barrage that officials said also targeted power stations.

Two people died under rubble after Iranian-made Shahed drones around midnight struck private homes and state offices in Dobropillya, a large Ukrainian-held town in the east, authorities said. A 66-year-old man was also reported killed by shelling in Chasiv Yar, northeast of Dobropillya.

In Myrnohrad, another eastern Ukrainian town, 11 civilians were wounded after Russian missiles overnight struck residential buildings, the local prosecutors office reported. It also posted photos of rubble lining the courtyard outside a high-rise apartment building, its windows blown out, and of cars parked outside that appeared reduced to piles of twisted metal.

A woman also died in Russias Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, after shells fired from Ukraine set her house on fire, while her husband suffered severe burns, local Gov. Roman Starovoit reported.

Starovoit also said that debris from a downed Ukrainian drone sparked a fire at an oil depot in the Kursk region.

Nine Ukrainian drones targeted the Belgorod region, another southern Russian province that borders Ukraine, overnight and on Sunday, according to local Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov. Later on Sunday, Russias Defense Ministry said that three drones in total were shot down over the northern Leningrad and Novgorod regions, well over 620 miles from the Ukrainian border.

Earlier on Sunday, Russian media reported on a fire at an aircraft hangar near the main airport in St Petersburg, just miles from the Leningrad region, without specifying what caused it. According to the reports, two people were hospitalized with burns, and flights were briefly diverted away from the airport, Pulkovo.

Nicole Winfield and Giada Zampano in Rome, and Vanessa Gera in Warsaw, Poland, contributed to this report.
United Nations mediator Giandomenico Picco, center, accompanies Terry Anderson, right, chief Middle East correspondent for the Associated Press, during a news conference at the Syrian Foreign Ministry in Damascus, Dec. 4, 1991. At left is American Ambassador Christopher Ross. (Mohammad Ali/AP)

Former U.N. diplomat Giandomenico Picco, whose negotiating skills helped resolve some of the thorniest crises of the 1980s and 1990s, including the Iran-Iraq war and the kidnappings of Westerners by Hezbollah in Lebanon, has died.

Picco died peacefully Sunday after a long illness, his son, Giacomo Picco, said. He was 75.

Picco worked at the United Nations from 1973 until 1992. Javier Perez de Cuellar of Peru, the fifth secretary-general of the world body, appointed him to his executive office in 1982, and he eventually became assistant secretary-general for political affairs.

Picco represented Perez de Cuellar in negotiations between New Zealand and France after the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior was sunk by French secret agents in 1985. At the time of its sinking, the vessel was protesting French nuclear tests in the Pacific.

The following year, he became the chief U.N. official in charge of negotiating the truce in the war between Sunni-majority Iraq and Shiite-majority Iran. More than 1 million people were killed in the conflict that began when Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded his neighbor in 1980 and featured trench warfare, waves of attacks by Iranians and chemical weapons assaults by Iraq.

Picco also played a role in Afghanistan, helping facilitate the 1989 withdrawal of Soviet forces after Moscows 1979 invasion of that country.

Piccos understanding of and relations with Iran allowed him to negotiate the release of hostages kidnapped by groups with ties to the Islamic Republic, including Terry Anderson, the bureau chief in Beirut for The Associated Press, who was held the longest  from 1985 to 1991.

The mission was not without risk. In 1987, Anglican church envoy Terry Waite disappeared from Beirut while trying to win the release of the hostages and was held captive himself  also until 1991.

As Perez de Cuellars special envoy, Picco faced that risk with personal bravery and an understanding of diplomacy and the Middle East.

When asked for the difference in my approach to securing the release of the hostages to that of Terry Waite, I responded, He went to Beirut from the West and I went to Beirut from the East. In those days, the East began in Teheran, Picco wrote in his 1999 biography, Man without a Gun: One Diplomats Secret Struggle to Free the Hostages, Fight Terrorism, and End a War..

In a 2013 BBC interview, Picco described how at one point in the negotiations he traveled to Beirut, where an Iranian diplomat told him he would meet with the kidnappers that night.

The car came to a screeching halt, he said, and a bag was put on his head.

Then I was thrown into the boot of the car, something which I dont recommend to anybody, recalled the 6-foot-4 Picco, known for dressing elegantly.

Of course I knew that I could be taken, he said. At that point I had no choice. I had invested quite a bit of time, and my own belief that what I was doing was right.

Picco eventually negotiated a deal in which the militias would release 10 Western hostages, including Anderson, over several months, In return, Israeli-backed forces in southern Lebanon freed dozens of Arab prisoners.

Picco was born in Udine, in northeastern Italy, near both Austria and the former Yugoslavia. It was a location that influenced his ability to triangulate the needs of different groups and to resolve difficult problems, according to friends and family.

He was dealing with the hostage-takers, the kidnappers, he was able to draw on this background, said longtime friend, John Connorton, an attorney with experience in international relations. Gianni Picco could relate to all kinds of people.

Picco had political science degrees from the University of Padua and the University of California, Santa Barbara, along with the universities of Prague and Amsterdam.

As important, his son said, he was equipped with deep empathy and curiosity.

He was just a curious individual. It doesnt matter who you were, he could always learn something from somebody, said Giacomo Picco, who works in finance in New York.

After joining the world body, the elder Picco became the political affairs officer of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Cyprus. Perez de Cuellar brought him to U.N. headquarters in New York in 1981.

Different from government diplomacy, we dont try to score a political point in favor of one or another, Picco said in a 1991 interview about the U.N.s role. We would like to develop a situation where at the end, everybody wins. And if indeed everybody wins, then we have all won.

In an interview earlier this year, Anderson said Picco was selected for the hostage negotiations because I guess the secretary-general thought that if he could talk to the Afghans and the Iranians and the Russians and the Iraqis, he could talk to anybody, and he did.

He broke the logjam, is what he did, and he did it at great risk, Anderson added. He was one of the most brilliant men I ever knew.

In his book, Picco describes how a longtime relationship with Perez de Cuellar took him to Afghanistan when his mentor got the thankless Afghan brief after the Dec. 26, 1979, Soviet invasion. Helping run the U.N.s Office of Special Political Affairs, de Cuellar asked Picco to develop a road map for peace in the country.

The experience taught him about the role of the diplomat, Picco wrote.

Our job, then, was to fill the gap, nurture coalition politics in a way that would end the bloodshed, he wrote. Its fine to emphasize the good-officer role of the secretary-general, but then its up to each of his representatives to stretch the confining rubber band as far as possible without snapping it. This is critical to understanding what we did in Afghanistan.

On Dec. 12, 1991, President George Bush presented Picco with the Presidential Award for Exceptional Service.

His skillful diplomacy with Middle Eastern governments and officials and representatives of the hostage holders has resulted in freedom for many individuals held in the region outside the due process of law, including six Americans, said Maj. John Wissler, reading Piccos citation. His personal courage in the face of danger and his dedication to the mission represent the best tradition of international civil service.

In 1994, Picco left the U.N. to become the chief executive officer of international consulting firm GDP Associates.

A regular lecturer at conferences and universities, and the author of numerous publications on foreign affairs, Picco received honorary degrees and awards from at least five governments.

Working for an international body without the money or military power of major nations, Picco said he had to be armed with his own commitment, neutrality and dedication to winning innocents freedom.

I did like a lot to execute my own ideas. I dont think it was really fair to think about something and then ask somebody else to do it. Its not very courageous, Picco said in a 2017 talk in New York.
President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign rally March 9, 2024, in Atlanta. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden has stepped up public pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government, warning hes hurting Israel and speaking candidly about come to Jesus conversations with the leader over the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Despite Bidens increased displays of frustration, Israeli officials and Middle East analysts say no signs are emerging that Biden can push Israel, at least in the short term, to fundamentally alter how its prosecuting the conflict that is entering a new dangerous phase.

He has a right to defend Israel, a right to continue to pursue Hamas, Biden said of Netanyahu in an MSNBC interview. But he must, he must, he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken. Hes hurting...in my view, hes hurting Israel more than helping Israel.

The president had hoped to have an extended cease-fire in place by the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is set to begin Monday. Biden administration officials see a deal on a temporary truce in exchange for dozens of hostages as a crucial step toward finding an eventual permanent end to the conflict.

But with no deal emerging, Biden acknowledged last week that he has become more concerned about the prospect of violence in east Jerusalem. Clashes have erupted during Ramadan in recent years between Palestinians and Israeli security forces around Jerusalems Old City, home to major religious sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims and the emotional epicenter of the Middle East conflict.

Biden this weekend warned Netanyahu that an attack on Rafahwhere hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans have congregatedwould be a red line and that Israel cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead. At the same time, he said that his commitment to Israels defense is sacrosanct.

The presidents blunt comments came after he was caught on a hot mic following his State of Union address on Thursday telling a Democratic ally that hes told Netanyahu they will have a come to Jesus talk about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The U.S. this month began airdrops and announced it will establish a temporary pier to get badly needed aid into Gaza via sea. U.N. officials have warned at least one quarter of Gazas 2.3 million people are one step away from famine. The extraordinary measures to get aid into Gaza have come as Israel has resisted U.S. calls to allow more in via land routes.

And in a move that irritated Netanyahu, Vice President Kamala Harris last week hosted a member of Israels wartime Cabinet, Benny Gantz, who came to Washington in defiance of the prime minister. U.S. officials said that Harris, and other senior advisers to Biden, were blunt with Gantz about their concerns about an expected Rafah operation.

Netanyahu on Sunday pushed back against Bidens latest comments.

Well, I dont know exactly what the president meant, but if he meant...that Im pursuing private policies against the majority, the wish of the majority of Israelis, and that this is hurting the interests of Israel, then hes wrong on both counts, Netanyahu said in a clip of an interview with Politico, released by the prime ministers office on Sunday.

Bidens stepped up criticism of the prime ministers handling of the war has been an intentional effort to signal to Netanyahu that the U.S. president is running out of patience with the mounting death toll and lack of aid flow into Gaza, according to a U.S. official familiar with the presidents thinking. The official was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity.

Elsewhere in Israel, the reaction to Bidens public venting of frustration was mixed.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said he wasnt surprised by Bidens remarks. Lapid on Sunday accused Netanyahu of pandering to his base and said the prime minister had narrow political interests in mind, like placating the far-right members of his Cabinet.

The U.S. lost faith in Netanyahu and its not surprising. Half of his Cabinet has lost faith in him as has the majority of Israels citizens, Lapid, who briefly served as prime minister in 2022, told Israeli Army Radio. Netanyahu must go.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz downplayed Bidens comments, saying the U.S. backed Israels war aims and that was what mattered. We must distinguish rhetoric from the essence, he told Israeli Army Radio.

Eytan Gilboa, an expert on U.S.-Israel relations and professor at Israels Bar-Ilan University, said Bidens decision to scale up aid to Gaza and warn Israel about an incursion into Rafah undermined support for Israels aims of dismantling Hamas military and governing capabilities and freeing the hostages. He said it relieved Hamas of pressure to agree to a temporary cease-fire deal.

He said Bidens harsher comments of late came out of a frustration with Netanyahu over his reluctance to accept the U.S. vision for a postwar Gaza. Biden has called for Middle East stakeholders to reinvigorate efforts to find a two-state solution, one in which Israel would co-exist with an independent Palestinian state, once the current war ends.

Netanyahu, however, has consistently opposed establishing a Palestinian state throughout his political career.

Gilboa said Bidens remarks were made with an eye on his reelection and were aimed at appeasing progressive Democrats. The president is facing growing pressure from the left-wing of his party to use the United States considerable leverage as Israels chief patron to force Netanyahu toward a permanent cease-fire.

More than 100,00 Michigan Democrats cast uncommitted ballots in the states primary last month, part of a coordinated effort in the battleground state intended to show Biden that he could lose much-needed support over frustration with his administrations approach to the Israel-Hamas war.

Netanyahu earned that criticism, but on the other hand when (Biden) criticizes Netanyahu personally, he thinks he improves his standing among progressives, Gilboa said.

But Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that pointed criticism of the Netanyahu government has limited value for Biden politically.

Words without deeds are not going to bring those voters back, Miller said. The hemorrhaging is going to continue as long as the pictures in Gaza dont change.

Gilboa said that even if a different government were running Israel, such as a more moderate figure like Gantz, Biden would still find a leadership intent on entering Rafah and defeating Hamas.

They wouldnt do things significantly different, he said. Is there anyone of sound mind here who is willing to leave Hamas in Gaza? That wont happen.

Biden administration officials pushed back against the idea that the president has become more outspoken in his criticism of Netanyahu with an eye on his 2024 prospects.

Its not lost on Biden that Israelis across the political spectrum remain as hawkish as Netanyahu about eliminating Hamas. Still, Biden believes that by speaking out more forcefully he can sway the Israelis to do more to reduce the death toll and alleviate suffering of innocent Palestinians as Israel carries out its operations, according to the U.S. official.

Biden, who last traveled to Israel soon after Hamas launched its Oct. 7 attack on Israel, said in the MSNBC interview that he was open to travelling to Israel again to speak directly to the Knesset.

Privately, Biden has expressed a desire to aides to make another trip to Israel to try to circumvent Netanyahu and take his message directly to the people. One possibility discussed internally for a presidential trip is if a temporary cease-fire agreement is reached. Biden could use the moment to press the case directly to Israelis for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and begin outlining a path toward a permanent end to the fighting, officials said.

Goldenberg reported from Tel Aviv and Miller from Wilmington, Del.
Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, visits representatives of the press who covered the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2024. Wang extended his greetings and gratitude to them. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Huning on Sunday visited representatives of the press who covered the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, extended his greetings and gratitude to them.

He commended the contribution made by media outlets and people working in the sector to the successfully concluded session. 
Port staffers prepare the aid on a platform near to the docked ship belonging to the Open Arms aid group, as it prepares to ferry some 200 tonnes of rice and flour directly to Gaza, at the port in Larnaca, Cyprus, on Sunday, March 10, 2024. (Petros Karadjias/AP)

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  A U.S. Army vessel carrying equipment to build a temporary pier in Gaza was heading to the Mediterranean on Sunday, after U.S. President Joe Biden announced plans to increase aid deliveries by sea to the besieged enclave where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are going hungry.

The new push for aid came as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan was set to begin Monday in much of the world after officials in Saudi Arabia saw the crescent moon. Hopes for a new cease-fire by Ramadan faded days ago with negotiations apparently stalled.

The opening of the sea corridor, along with airdrops by the U.S., Jordan and others, reflected growing alarm over Gazas deadly humanitarian crisis and a new willingness to bypass Israeli control over land shipments. But aid officials say that air and sea deliveries cant make up for a shortage of land routes. Aid trucks entering Gaza daily are far below the 500 entering before the war.

A ship belonging to Spanish aid group Open Arms and carrying 200 tons of food aid was expected to make a pilot voyage to Gaza from nearby Cyprus as soon as possible but not Sunday, said spokesperson Linda Roth with partner organization World Central Kitchen. There was no explanation after Cyprus president had said it would leave then.

Israel says it welcomes the sea deliveries and would inspect Gaza-bound cargo before it leaves Cyprus. Israels defense minister Yoav Gallant reviewed prep work off the Gaza coast on Sunday.

Biden has stepped up public criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he believes that Netanyahu is hurting Israel more than helping Israel in his approach to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, now in its sixth month.

Speaking Saturday to MSNBC, the U.S. president expressed support for Israels right to pursue Hamas after the militants Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, but said that Netanyahu must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost. He added that you cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said that at least 31,045 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says that women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and its figures from previous wars have largely matched those of U.N. and independent experts.

Palestinian casualties continued to rise. The Civil Defense Department said 10 people were killed Sunday in an Israeli airstrike on a house of the Ashour family in the Tal al-Hawa area of Gaza City. Dust-covered bodies were placed onto blankets.

Elsewhere, the bodies of 15 people, including women and children, were taken to the main hospital in the central town of Deir al-Balah, according to an Associated Press journalist. Relatives said they were killed by Israeli artillery fire toward a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in the coastal area near the southern city of Khan Younis.

Israel rarely comments on specific incidents during the war. It maintains that Hamas is responsible for civilian casualties, because the militant group operates from within civilian areas.

U.S. Army Vessel (USAV) General Frank S. Besson (LSV-1) from the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, XVIII Airborne Corps prepares to depart Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Saturday, March 9, 2024. (U.S. Central Command)

Meanwhile, U.S. efforts began to set up the temporary pier in Gaza for sea deliveries. U.S. Central Command said a first U.S. Army vessel, the General Frank S. Besson, left a base in Virginia on Saturday and was on its way to the Eastern Mediterranean with equipment for construction.

U.S. officials said that it would likely be weeks before the pier is operational.

The sea corridor is backed by the European Union together with the United States, the United Arab Emirates and other countries. The European Commission has said that U.N. agencies and the Red Cross will play a role.

The ship in Cyprus is expected to take two to three days to arrive at an undisclosed location in Gaza. The World Central Kitchen spokesperson said that construction work began Sunday on the jetty for it.

A member of the charity said on X, formerly Twitter, that once the ships barge reaches Gaza, aid would be offloaded by a crane, placed on trucks and driven to northern Gaza, which has been largely cut off from aid shipments and was the first focus of Israels military offensive.

Israel declared war on Oct. 7 after Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 hostages. Israels air and ground offensive has devastated large parts of Gaza and displaced about 80% of the population of 2.3 million.

The U.S. and regional mediators Egypt and Qatar had hoped to have a six-week cease-fire in place by Ramadan. A deal would have seen Hamas release some Israeli hostages, Israel release some Palestinian prisoners and aid groups be given access for a major influx of aid.

In a speech broadcast Sunday, Hamas top leader Ismail Haniyeh blamed Israel for the failure to reach a deal before Ramadan and said that the militant group is keen to resume negotiations in any framework as long as it guarantees a permanent cease-fire.

Magdy reported from Cairo. Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus, and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.
A U.S. Air Force loadmaster prepares for release of humanitarian aid pallets of packaged food and water supplies in several waves at multiple locations outside of population centers throughout Gaza, March 10, 2024. (U.S. Air Force)

The United States military conducted another airdrop of aid to Gaza on Sunday, U.S. Central Command said in a statement.

The joint operation with the Royal Jordanian Air Force included meals provided by Jordan and a U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft. The U.S. aircraft dropped more than 11,500 meal equivalents, as well as other food including rice, flour, pasta and canned food, providing life-saving humanitarian assistance in Northern Gaza.

Sunday was the fourth consecutive day of airdrops by the U.S.

The airdrops  which will continue, according to CENTCOM  are part of a larger effort that includes the opening of the sea corridor and a U.S. military effort involving 1,000 troops to to build a temporary seaport just off the coast of Gaza to provide about 2 million meals per day.

On Sunday U.S. Army Vessel (USAV) General Frank S. Besson (LSV-1) from the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, XVIII Airborne Corps, departed Joint Base Langley-Eustis en route to the Eastern Mediterranean. Besson, a logistics support vessel, is carrying the first equipment to establish the temporary pier.
This photo released by the National Transportation Safety Board shows a gaping hole where the paneled-over door had been at the fuselage plug area of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, Jan. 7, 2024, in Portland, Ore. The DOJ has launched a criminal investigation into the Boeing jetliner blowout that left a gaping hole on the Alaska Airlines plane this January, the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday, March 9. (National Transportation Safety Board/AP)

SEATTLE  The Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into the Boeing jetliner blowout that left a gaping hole on an Alaska Airlines plane this January, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.

Citing documents and people familiar with the matter, the newspaper said investigators have contacted some passengers and crew  including pilots and flight attendants  who were on the Jan. 5th flight.

The Boeing plane used by Alaska Airlines suffered the blowout seven minutes after takeoff from Portland, Oregon, forcing the pilots to make an emergency landing. Boeing has been under increased scrutiny since the incident, when a panel that plugged a space left for an extra emergency door blew off a Max 9 jet. There were no serious injuries.

In an event like this, its normal for the DOJ to be conducting an investigation, Alaska Airlines said in a prepared statement. We are fully cooperating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation.

Boeing declined to comment. DOJ did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The Journal reported that the investigation would assist the Departments review of whether Boeing complied with a previous settlement that resolved a federal investigation into the safety of its 737 Max aircraft following two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019.

In 2021, Boeing had agreed to pay $2.5 billion, including a $244 million fine, to settle an investigation into the crashes of flights operated by Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines. The company also blamed two employees for deceiving regulators about flaws in the flight-control system.

Boeing has acknowledged in a letter to Congress that it cannot find records for work done on the door panel of the Alaska Airlines plane.

We have looked extensively and have not found any such documentation, Ziad Ojakli, Boeing executive vice president and chief government lobbyist, wrote to Sen. Maria Cantwell on Friday.

The company said its working hypothesis was that the records about the panels removal and reinstallation on the 737 MAX final assembly line in Renton, Washington, were never created, even though Boeings systems required it.

The letter, reported earlier by The Seattle Times, followed a contentious Senate committee hearing Wednesday in which Boeing and the National Transportation Safety Board argued over whether the company had cooperated with investigators.

The safety boards chair, Jennifer Homendy, testified that for two months Boeing repeatedly refused to identify employees who work on door panels on Boeing 737s and failed to provide documentation about a repair job that included removing and reinstalling the door panel.

Its absurd that two months later we dont have that, Homendy said. Without that information, that raises concerns about quality assurance, quality management, safety management systems at Boeing.

Cantwell, a Democrat from Washington, demanded a response from Boeing within 48 hours.

Shortly after the Senate hearing, Boeing said it had given the NTSB the names of all employees who work on 737 doors  and had previously shared some of them with investigators.

In the letter, Boeing said it had already made clear to the safety board that it couldnt find the documentation. Until the hearing, it said, Boeing was not aware of any complaints or concerns about a lack of collaboration.

In a preliminary report last month, the NTSB said four bolts that help keep the door plug in place were missing after the panel was removed so workers could repair nearby damaged rivets last September. The rivet repairs were done by contractors working for Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, but the NTSB still does not know who removed and replaced the door panel, Homendy said Wednesday.

The Federal Aviation Administration recently gave Boeing 90 days to say how it will respond to quality-control issues raised by the agency and a panel of industry and government experts. The panel found problems in Boeings safety culture despite improvements made after two Max 8 jets crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people.
A whale on Sunday was beached on March 10, 2024, off the coast of Venice, Fla. (City of Venice, Fla., via AP)

VENICE, Fla.  Authorities were seeking to assist a beached sperm whale stranded on a sandbar off Floridas Gulf Coast on Sunday, but said conditions in the water were too dangerous for crews to safely approach and administer a sedative.

The Venice Police Department said in posts on Facebook that the whale was alive on Sunday afternoon after it had beached on a sandbar about 50 yards from Service Club Park.

Due to high winds and surf, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation biologists have determined that a response Monday with weather conditions more favorable will be their best option. As of Sunday evening, the whale was still alive, but had labored breathing.

A perimeter had been set up to allow authorities to assess the whales condition at the site in Venice, about 75 miles south of Tampa. The Sarasota County Sheriffs Office and staff from Mote Marine Laboratory were assisting, the police department said in an initial post.

An afternoon post by Venice police said officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission considered the water conditions still too dangerous to approach the whale, which was estimated to be about 50 feet long. A police Facebook post earlier Sunday had said the whale was 70 feet long.

Police said authorities would make another assessment of conditions at low tide Sunday evening but that hopes of aiding the whale were dwindling. Unfortunately it appears this will likely be a recovery effort as nature takes its course, the post said.

Police said they would be present at the beach through the night.
This photo released by the National Transportation Safety Board shows a gaping hole where the paneled-over door had been at the fuselage plug area of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, Jan. 7, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (NTSB)

(Tribune News Service)  U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the Federal Aviation Administration will rigorously assess The Boeing Co. after the blowout of a fuselage section on an Alaska Airlines flight in January.

To maintain airline safety, that means an enormous amount of rigor in dealing with Boeing, in dealing with any regulatory issue, Buttigieg said on Fox News Sunday. And thats exactly what the FAA is doing,

Boeing has faced scrutiny from passengers and regulators after a series of high-profile flight incidents this year, most notably the blowout of a fuselage section on a brand-new 737 Max 9 during an Alaska Airlines flight in January, which has prompted a criminal investigation by the Justice Department.

Four bolts that should have prevented the panel covering an unused door from flying off were apparently missing, the National Transportation Safety Board found in a preliminary report. All 171 passengers and six crew evacuated the plane without serious injury.

In an event like this, its normal for the DOJ to be conducting an investigation, Alaska Airlines said Saturday in a statement. We are fully cooperating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation.

A Boeing Co. spokesperson declined to comment and the Justice Department didnt respond to a request for comment.

Additionally, Boeing said in a letter to Congress that it cant locate records of the work performed on the door panel that failed, an unusual acknowledgment in an industry that places a significant emphasis on documentation.

Buttigiegs comments follow a mishap-filled week for United Airlines flights. One of its aircraft ran off a taxiway at Houston on Friday, another lost a tire after takeoff from San Francisco and a flame-spewing engine forced another into an emergency landing.

Every time I step off of a jet bridge and onto a plane, which is every few days, I know that I am participating in the safest way to travel in the world. And we never take that for granted, Buttigieg said.

The FAA ordered a temporary grounding of 171 planes for inspection following the Alaska Airlines blowout in January as carriers across the globe briefly took their Max 9s out of service. In 2019, Boeing grounded its entire fleet of Max aircraft after two deadly crashes.

The accidents led to a $2.5 billion settlement with the Justice Department to resolve a criminal charge related to a conspiracy to defraud the FAA. Under that agreement, Boeing took on a compliance program designed to prevent it from deceiving regulators. It agreed to cooperate with the government for three years, after which the charge would be dismissed.

The Alaska Air incident took place two days before the agreements expiration.

Boeing shares have tumbled about 24% since the end of December, the most in almost two years.

2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Visit bloomberg.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski, left, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia were killed when a UH-72 Lakota helicopter they were flying crashed near Rio Grande City, Texas, on March 8, 2024. (New York National Guard)

The New York National Guard on Sunday mourned the loss of two soldiers killed Friday in a helicopter crash in a field near Rio Grande City, Texas, during a mission in support of border security.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski, 28, of Rensselaer, N.Y., and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia, 30, of Schenectady, N.Y., were assigned to Detachment 2, A Company of the 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment, according to a statement from the New York National Guard.

Also killed was Border Patrol agent Chris Luna.

A third soldier from the New York National Guard was critically injured. The soldier, whose name isnt being released, was the aircraft crew chief. The soldier remained hospitalized.

The crash is under investigation.

We are all shocked and devastated by the loss of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Grassia and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Frankoski, said Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York. We are praying for the quick recovery of the crew chief who was injured in the crash. Our deepest condolences also go out to the family and friends of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent who was also killed.

Border Patrol agent Chris Luna was among those killed in the helicopter crash near Rio Grande City on Friday, March 8, 2024. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said in a statement Sunday that the agency is devastated, calling Luna a heroic public servant.

Every single day, our Border Patrol agents place themselves in harms way so that the rest of us can be safe and secure, the statement said. My thoughts, and the deepest condolences of our department, are with agent Lunas family, loved ones and colleagues and with those of the National Guardsmen who lost their lives. We hope for the injured service members swift recovery and hold our National Guard colleagues and their families in our thoughts as well.

The UH-72 Lakota helicopter, in use by Joint Task Force North, was not one of the two UH-72s operated by the New York Army National Guard, according to the news release. It was assigned to the District of Columbia Army National Guard.

Joint Task Force North is a military unit that supports the Customs and Border Protection operations on the southwest border.

The New York detachment, which specializes in flying missions in support of civilian agencies, is based at Army Aviation Flight Facility #3 at Albany International Airport in Latham, N.Y., the Guard said. Twenty-one soldiers from the units deployed to Texas in October 2023 to support the federal military mission. They are operating on federal duty status and are not part of the Texas National Guards Operation Lone Star.

Frankoski enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in October 2016. She was appointed as a warrant officer in 2019 and trained to become a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot. She was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer 2 in 2021.

Frankoski deployed to Kuwait from November 2018 to September 2019 with Detachment 5, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment as a mission planner. The unit flies the Armys C-12 transport aircraft.

Her military awards include: the Army Commendation Medal; the Army Achievement Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; the Army Service Ribbon; the Armed Forces Service Medal; the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; the Armed Forces Reserve Medal; the Basic Aviator Badge; and the Basic Aviation Badge.

Grassia has served in the New York Army National Guard since 2012.

He deployed to Kuwait with Company A of the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion from September 2013 to September 2014. He was also on state active duty from 2020 to 2022 as part of the New York National Guards response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

His military awards include: the Army Commendation Medal; the Army Achievement Medal; the Army Good Conduct Medal; the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; the Armed Forces Service Medal; the Army Service Ribbon; the Armed Forces Reserve Medal; and the Basic Aviator Badge.

The latest crash comes just two weeks after two Mississippi National Guardsmen were killed on Feb. 23 when their AH-64 Apache helicopter went down during a routine training flight. The crash occurred near Booneville, Miss.

On Feb. 6, five Marines died in a helicopter crash outside of San Diego when their CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter went down at Pine Valley, Calif. The helicopter was on a night flight between Creech Air Force Base near Las Vegas and Miramar.

Contributing: The Associated Press
World War II veteran Harold Terens, 100, right, and Jeanne Swerlin, 96, share a laugh as they speak during an interview, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Boca Raton, Fla. Terens will be honored by France as part of the country's 80th anniversary celebration of D-Day. In addition, the couple will be married on June 8 at a chapel near the beaches where U.S. forces landed. (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

BOCA RATON, Fla.  Harold Terens and his fiancee Jeanne Swerlin kissed and held hands like high school sweethearts as they discussed their upcoming wedding in France, a country the World War II veteran first visited as a 20-year-old U.S. Army Air Forces corporal shortly after D-Day.

Terens, a gregarious and energetic 100-year-old, will be honored in June by the French as part of the 80th anniversary celebration of their countrys liberation from the Nazis. Then he plans to marry the sprightly 96-year-old Swerlin in a town near the beaches where U.S. troops landed.

I love this girl  she is quite special, said Terens, who has been dating Swerlin since 2021. To demonstrate their fondness for dancing, they had Siri play Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars and then jumped, twisted and gyrated like teens at homecoming.

Hes an amazing guy, amazing, Swerlin said. He loves me so much and he says it.

And my god, hes the greatest kisser, she said.

The couple, who are each widowed, grew up in New York City: her in Brooklyn, him in the Bronx. They laugh at how differently they experienced World War II. She was in high school and dated soldiers who gave her war souvenirs like dog tags, knives and even a gun, trying to impress.

Terens enlisted in 1942 and shipped to Great Britain the following year, attached to a four-pilot P-47 Thunderbolt fighter squadron as their radio repair technician. Terens said his original pilots all died in the war.

I loved all those guys. Young men. The average age was 26, he said.

On D-Day  June 6, 1944  Terens helped repair planes returning from France so they could rejoin the battle. He said half his companys pilots died that day.

Terens went to France 12 days later, helping transport freshly captured Germans and just-freed American POWs back to England. To him, the Germans seemed happy because they would survive the war. The Americans, however, had been brutalized by their Nazi captors over months and even years.

They were in a stupor, he said.

He then went on a secret mission  even he didnt know his destination. His planes hopscotched North Africa before eventually landing in Tehran. There, he survived a robbery that left him naked in the desert and fearing death until an American military police patrol happened by.

He learned the details of his covert mission when he was deposited at a Soviet airfield in Ukraine. As part of a new strategy, American bombers would fly from Britain to attack Axis targets in Eastern Europe. They didnt have enough fuel to return so they would fly to the USSR. Terens job was to get the crews fed and the injured treated before they flew their refueled planes home.

Terens soon contracted dysentery, which almost killed him. In another close call, a British barkeep refused to serve him past the mandatory closing time despite his pleadings for just one more drink. Moments after he was kicked out, a German rocket destroyed the pub.

Following the Nazi surrender in May 1945, Terens again helped transport freed Allied prisoners to England before he shipped back to the U.S. a month later.

He married his wife Thelma in 1948 and they had two daughters and a son. He became a U.S. vice president for a British conglomerate. They moved from New York to Florida in 2006 after Thelma retired as a French teacher; she died in 2018 after 70 years of marriage. He has eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Swerlin married at 21 and was a full-time mom to two girls and a boy before being widowed in her 40s. Her second husband died after 18 years of marriage. She then lived with Sol Katz for 25 years before his death in 2019. She has seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

It was Katzs daughter, Joanne Schosheim, who introduced her to Terens in 2021.

She met Terens when her children attended camp with his grandchildren years ago and remained friends. She and a friend thought the two might hit it off, so invited them to lunch.

She gave my dad such joy, Schosheim said of Swerlin. I didnt want her to be lonely.

But after Thelmas death, Terens wasnt interested in other women and barely noticed Swerlin.

I didnt even look at her. I didnt even talk to her, he said.

I looked at him. He looked at me, Swerlin said, but it was like nothing.

Even so, Terens buddy Stanley Eisenberg took them to dinner the next night. Eisenberg wanted to see who his friend had dismissed.

It was love at second sight.

I had never seen him lit up like that, Eisenberg said.

Terens couldnt talk or eat, and thats not like him.

I said, Youre in love, Eisenberg said. He said, I dont know. Ive never had these feelings before.

After that date, Swerlin said, Terens didnt give me a chance to turn him down. At 94, she also was in love.

He was introducing me to the whole world, I want you to meet my girl, my sweetheart, and I didnt even know him more than two days, she said, laughing. Being in love is not just for the young. We get butterflies just like everybody else.

Terens proposed a few months ago, kneeling to give Swerlin a ring.

She got hysterical with delight, he said.

I thought Id have to help him up, but hes so macho, she said.

The couple and their families will head to Paris in late May, where Terens and a handful of surviving World War II veterans will be honored. Of the 16 million American WWII veterans, only 120,000 remain, the government says.

It will be Terens fourth D-Day celebration in France. He received a medal from President Emmanuel Macron five years ago.

The families then will travel to the town of Carentan-les-Marais, where the couple plan to be married June 8 by Mayor Jean-Pierre Lhonneur in a chapel built in the 1600s. Lhonneur said because of the American sacrifice on D-Day, more U.S. flags fly in the area than French.

Normandy is the 51st state, he said.

Lhonneur explained legally he is only allowed to marry town residents, but he thinks the local prosecutor will let him make an exception.

It will be a pleasure for us, the mayor said.

AP writer John Leicester in Le Pecq, France, contributed to this report.
The scholarships will be provided in the fields of Architecture, Visual Arts, Romanian Culture and Civilization, Journalism, Political and Administrative Sciences, Engineering, Education Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, Technical Studies, Oil and Gas, Agricultural Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. Scholarships are not awarded in the fields of Medicine, Dental Medicine, and Pharmacy.

To be eligible, candidates must be from non-EU countries, should not be over 35 years old to apply for the masters programme and be under 45 for the PhD programme, have a good academic record, and must hold a degree from a previously attended programme.

The required documents include an updated CV, two passport-size recent photos, a copy of the first three pages of the passport, birth certificate, an official letter issued by the diplomatic mission of the country of origin, an application form for the issuance of a letter of acceptance to study in Romania, copies of diploma/degree or equivalent (bachelor, master), and an attested medical certificate providing the fact that the applicant does not suffer from any contagious disease or other medical condition.
Jordan Hamill has more than 100 convictions at the age of 20

While defence counsel Conor Holmes was entering a guilty plea at Newtownards Magistrates Court on behalf of Jordan Hamill, the 20-year-old was attending an appointment with probation as part of his prison release licence.

Mr Holmes confirmed Hamill assaulted the prison officer in the centre on December 14, 2022. At the time, Hamill, from Leeson Street, was on remand for a burglary spree, which saw him sentenced recently at Downpatrick Crown Court.

On February 16, Judge Geoffrey Miller KC imposed a 32-month sentence on Hamill, half of which was to be served in custody and half on licence. But due to time spent waiting for the case to conclude, he was freed within days.

Sentencing Hamill, Judge Miller said it was a depressing statistic that, with more than 100 previous convictions, the 20-year-old has spent around a quarter of his life in custody.

At an earlier hearing, Hamill admitted five charges of burglary: three neighbouring properties at The Courtyard in Crawfordsburn and two further properties on the Old Windmill Road, also in Crawfordsburn, all committed within 90 minutes of each other in March 2022.

One couple walked into the kitchen of their home only to find a figure looking at them before he ran out, getting into their Honda Jazz. The owner ran after him and told him to get out.

Forty-five minutes later, the next victim found a man standing in a bedroom of his home, holding his stepdaughters iPad.

Ten minutes after that incident, a lady found Hamill standing in her living room. She shouted for her husband, who grabbed the burglar and shouted at him to leave.

The judge said there were similar incidents at two other properties.

Police later spotted him on North Queen Street in north Belfast and he was arrested a short time later, clearly under the influence of drink or drugs.

In Ards petty sessions on Wednesday, Mr Holmes revealed that Hamill was released 10 or 11 days ago. District Judge Paul Copeland adjourned the case to April 17.
Ms Regazzoli sustained a fractured ankle and had to be hospitalised after the alleged incident in Cork city centre on Thursday morning

A young man charged with an attack on a businesswoman and social media influencer on a busy city centre street insisted to Gardai that he was "not a monster."

Conor Greaney (25) of Farranferris Avenue, Farranree, Cork, was remanded in custody after he was charged before a special sitting of Cork District Court with assault causing harm to Dublin boutique owner Selina Regazzoli (35).

Ms Regazzoli sustained a fractured ankle and had to be hospitalised after the alleged incident in Cork city centre on Thursday morning.

The Dublin fashion guru has been inundated with messages of support after the nature of her injuries emerged in the media.

Cork District Court heard that Mr Greaney told arresting Gardai that the incident was a case of mistaken identity.

Selina Regazzoli. Photo: Instatgram/Selina Regazzoli

Mr Greaney is charged with assault causing harm to the businesswoman at 9.40am last Thursday morning near the General Post Office on Oliver Plunkett Street in Cork city centre.

Judge Mary Dorgan heard evidence of Mr Greaney's arrest, caution and charge from Garda Orla Moriarty.

The court was told that Mr Greaney presented himself at the Bridewell Garda Station.

Mr Greaney made no reply when the charge was formally put to him after caution.

The charge is brought contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

Judge Dorgan was told by Inspector David Noonan that Gardai were objecting to bail in the matter.

The State objection to bail was on the basis of the serious nature of the charges and the strength of the Garda evidence in relation to the matter.

The court heard that gardai will say the defendant approached Ms Regazzoli outside the GPO shortly after she had left a local premises.

Gardai will maintain that the woman was struck in the face in what amounted to an unprovoked attack.

Ms Regazzoli was then pushed and fell onto the pavement, dislocating her ankle in the process.

She had to be rushed to Cork University Hospital by ambulance and later underwent surgery to repair the damage to her leg.

Such was the nature of the fracture that surgical pins had to be used to repair the ankle break.

Judge Dorgan was told by gardai that the entire incident was captured on CCTV security camera footage.

When questioned by gardai about the matter, Mr Greaney told detectives that Ms Regazzoli was not the intended target.

During his interview, Gardai maintained that Mr Greaney threatened to target the other unnamed individual who was the intended victim.

Elaine Audley BL, for Mr Greaney's defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer, cross-examined Garda Moriarty during the bail application.

Garda Moriarty acknowledged that Greaney was from Dublin and was not resident in Cork.

Mr Greaney offered evidence in support of his bail application.

He said that he had suffered from a drug addiction but had been drug-free for almost three years.

Mr Greaney said he suffered a family bereavement before Christmas which had deeply upset him and he had relapsed with his drug addiction.

"His death just broke me," he said.

He was currently in the process of dealing with his drug problem and was seeking a place in a residential treatment programme.

Mr Greaney insisted to the court that he did not know Ms Regazzoli and the incident was a case of mistaken identity.

The 25-year-old maintained that the other individual had been harassing him.

Mr Greaney insisted it was a case of mistaken identity.

I am not going to Dublin looking for an innocent woman," he said.

"I feel terrible. I am disgusted with myself. I am not a monster. I did not intend to go as hard as I did. I did not intend to break anyones bones.

The offence had nothing to do with my addiction. I did not mean for it to go as far as it did."

"I meant to more or less frighten the [other] woman  that was all.

I am a drug addict. I am not saying I have no self-control. I thought it was somebody else that was harassing me. I meant to frighten her. I did not mean for her to twist and break her ankle.

Ms Regazzoli has a high social media profile and has over 27,000 followers on Instagram.

Judge Dorgan refused bail after listening to both Garda and defence submissions.

She remanded Mr Greaney in custody to appear again before Cork District Court on March 14 next by video-link.

Judge Dorgan said that Mr Greaney was entitled to make a renewed application for bail.
KIGALI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda's ruling party, the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi), has officially selected incumbent President Paul Kagame as its candidate for the upcoming presidential election in July.

Kagame was overwhelmingly elected with 99.1 percent of the vote during the party's congress, which was held Saturday in the capital city of Kigali.

In his acceptance speech, Kagame expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him to continue building the country. He also emphasized the importance of grooming the next generation of leaders within the party, urging members to think beyond his tenure and consider the future leadership of the RPF-Inkotanyi.

The party also unveiled its list of 70 parliamentary candidates and its manifesto for the next five years once it wins the elections.

The congress followed countrywide party primaries held in February to select flag bearers. Nominations for the positions of president and members of the lower chamber of parliament will be held on May 17-30, with the elections scheduled for July 15, according to the Rwanda National Electoral Commission. 
Lukasz Bykowski (42), of no fixed abode in Dublin, first met the woman when she was working as a shop assistant in Boots pharmacy in Navan

A man who became obsessed with a woman he first met years ago when she was working in his local pharmacy has been ordered to stay away from her for a period of 25 years.

Lukasz Bykowski (42) pleaded guilty to one count of harassing the woman on dates in March 2018 when she was working in Trinity College Dublin.

The court heard Bykowksi, of no fixed abode in Dublin, first met the woman when she was working as a shop assistant in Boots pharmacy in Navan in 2014.

The woman told gardai Bykowski seemed obsessed with her then, would come into the shop frequently to see her and attempted several times to befriend her on social media.

A number of years later in 2018, the woman was working in Trinity College when she received chocolates and flowers on St Valentine's Day. There was no message or name and she did not know who had sent them.

A few weeks later, the woman was told by colleagues that a man had come to her office a number of times over a two-day period claiming to be her boyfriend and demanding to see her schedule. One colleague called security as they were concerned by Bykowski's behaviour and his reluctance to leave.

The woman watched CCTV footage in the security office and recognised Byskowski from when she had worked in Boots. Gardai were alerted and Bykowski was arrested a few days later. He spat and said the woman was a fucking whore when he was arrested.

Pieter Le Vert BL, prosecuting, said Bykowski told gardai the woman used to flirt with him when she worked in Boots and he was of the opinion she was giving him seducing looks. She eventually told him not to come back to the store.

The court heard the woman never replied to Bykowski's messages on social media. In 2018, he googled her and found out where she was working before going to her office. He told gardai he sent her the chocolates and flowers on Valentine's Day.

A victim impact statement was handed into court, but not read out. Mr Le Vert said the harassment had a chilling effect on the woman and her self-confidence was badly affected. It impacted on her relationship and had a profound impact on her family, who were worried about her.

She said she was very concerned Bykowksi tracked down her office, which was difficult to find on the college campus and she felt exposed and vulnerable in her workplace. She had to lock her office door for some time.

Bykowski has eight previous convictions. Defence counsel said he has serious psychiatric issues.

Sentencing him on Friday, Judge Pauline Codd said the harassment came on the back of previous intrusions of her workplace. She said Bykowski had made romantic proclamations and clearly heightened the woman's concerns.

She noted the harassment was deeply upsetting and unsettling for the woman, who was worried going to work.

Taking into account mitigating factors, the judge handed down a two year sentence and suspended it on a number of conditions, including that Bykowski follow all medical instructions in relation to his mental health.

She put an injunction in place ordering Bykowski to have no contact with the woman whatsoever for a period of 25 years, adding the woman has to be given peace of mind.
A Limerick woman was conned by fraudulent council workers

Gardai are warning the public to be vigilant against door-to-door tarmac scams which are on the increase across the country.

In one horrific case, a Limerick lady was conned out of almost 5,000 by a rogue tradesman posing as a council worker.

The story they spin is they are working for the County Council and that there is a burst water main, with the existing tarmac likely to crater. They would then re-tarmac somebodys land, said Fine Gael councillor Adam Teskey.

Gardai say to be vigilant and to report any callers who are offering to lay tarmac, to not open the door to unknown people and to use a chain lock for extra security.

A Limerick Council spokesperson described the news as concerning, and said all of their staff and sub-contractors have official identification badges.

These badges contain the employees/contractors name, photograph and the Limerick City and County Council logo, the spokesperson said.

"We emphasise that any individual claiming to represent the council should be able to provide valid identification upon request and we would urge the public to always ask to see valid identification, the council stated.

In Donegal, gardai report men calling door to door in an orange coloured lorry and a silver Landcruiser at various locations in the county.

The scam involves a man claiming to be a builder who has left over tarmac and offers work on a driveway at low cost.

The material used is usually gravel chippings covered with engine oil and not the right type of material required to form lasting road surfaces.

The conmen target elderly, vulnerable residents and claim to be official contractors working on roadworks to add credibility.

They often increase the cost during the course of the work claiming that the job requires more material and they may issue threats.

It has been further reported that intimidating measures were used to get 5,000 from the Limerick woman.

In Louth, one GAA club issued a warning to other clubs and businesses, after they were left with a bill for thousands of euro from a fake tarmac job.

Louth tarmac scam

Naomh Fionnbarra & St Anne's GFG in Togher, Co Louth, were subjected to an elaborate and devious scam with tarmac contractors carrying out unauthorised work at the pitch and then seeking what the club chairman has described as an obscene payment.

After receiving up to 30 phone calls a day from various numbers demanding immediate payment, gardai advised them to make a payment to make them go away.

It is too late for us unfortunately, but I would like to get the word out to as many as possible not to even engage with these people and just say youre not interested at the very first opportunity, says club Chairman Mark McArdle.

You honestly cant say no quick enough, and they are so professional and convincing; what happened us could easily happen to others.

The incident began when a volunteer groundsman was approached by a worker in a well-marked van, offering tarmac at 8 per square metre.

He was told it would have to be done straight away, and our volunteer said that someone from the club would come down and take a look, but by the time someone came, more workmen had arrived, and they threw a load of, what looked like black paint, and a sprinkling of gravel all over the place, and were looking to be paid multiples of thousands of euro, Mr McArdle explained.

It was very poor workmanship  they didn't even take the bumps out of it or anything  and that was followed by incessant phone calls from multiple different mobile numbers, both UK mobile and Irish mobiles, from a selection of different individuals.

He said some of the calls were of a threatening nature, and following a visit to the local garda station, the club learned these men were well-known for pulling the same stunt on many people.

They all had Northern Irish accents and looked the real deal, with two different signs on the vans, Highway Maintenance and Motorway Maintenance, and had lots of equipment with them, Mr McArdle added.
Provo double agent called Stakeknife set up our father for murder... and it wasnt Scappaticci

Christy Notarantonio at the grave of his father Francisco who was killed in 1987

The family of a Catholic pensioner who its claimed was sacrificed to protect double agent Freddie Scappaticci said yesterday they believe their father was set up by another top-ranking spy in the IRA yet to be unmasked.

Francisco Notarantonio (66) was gunned down by loyalists who burst into his home in 1987 amid claims that the UDA death squad had originally planned to target another republican of Italian descent  Scappaticci.

But Mr Notarantonios family are now convinced that another top IRA spy set their dad up.

It is almost universally accepted that the double agent at the heart of the IRA known as Stakeknife was Freddie Scappaticci.

However, the family are convinced that another top Provo set their father up  and this man has never been publicly exposed.

Christie (right) with father Francisco Notarantonio

Operation Kenova  Northern Ireland Stakeknife Legacy Investigation led by former Bedfordshire Police boss Jon Boutcher, was published on Friday. The report reveals there were other double agents working inside the IRA as well as Scappaticci.

Mr Boutcher  who is now PSNI Chief Constable  told journalists his report revealed a macabre joint enterprise between the security services and the IRA in a conspiracy to murder.

The senior police officer declined to comment on a decision that Scappaticci would not be officially confirmed as Stakeknife.

And this point was immediately seized upon by Francisco Notarantonios son Christy, who last night insisted his familys fight for justice will continue.

Freddie Scappaticci

He told the Sunday World: Our family has been persecuted and we believe it is because we have continually asked questions which other people find uncomfortable.

Everyone knows our family homes were burnt and we were forced out of the area, but the gang behind the burnings were merely the proxy. It was the IRA who were desperate to protect someone else.

We are convinced that when it was announced Freddie Scappaticci died, that wasnt Stakeknife dying. That was an opportunity to bury a codename with a dead man who could not contest it.

The Notarantonios do not accept the theory that the British army spy Brian Nelson  jailed after the Stevens Inquiry found him guilty of collusion in loyalist murders  redirected Franciscos killers to save Freddie Scappaticci.

Francisco Notarantonio

We believe Freddie Scappaticcis name was put in to give the opportunity to link Stakeknife with him, said Christy. The agent Stakeknife was involved in the Notarantonio murder, but it wasnt Freddie Scappaticci.

Freddie Scappaticci was another IRA informant. And by linking him to the name Stakeknife, the state was able to remove the finger being pointed at the real Stakeknife.

Although Freddie Scappaticci may have been involved in dozens of murders, we are convinced his codename is not Stakeknife.

He added: Freddie Scappaticci himself insisted he wasnt Stakeknife. And on Friday when asked directly by reporters if he would directly link Scappaticci to the agent Stakeknife, Jon Boutcher refused.

Mr Notarantonio maintained his familys fight for justice would continue.

The UFF hit squad that killed Mr Notarantonio was led by 17-year-old Sam Skelly McCrory.

On their way out of the house, one of the UFF murder gang dropped a military map on the hall floor. It was the first indication that the savage slaying of an elderly Catholic man didnt fit the normal profile of a loyalist sectarian murder.

In an interview with the Sunday World shortly before he died two years ago, McCrory (right) said the murders of Shankill Butcher boss Lenny Murphy and retired taxi driver Francisco Notarantonio went to the heart of the Dirty War in Northern Ireland.

He said: Both these families know at least something about what really happened to their loved ones.

Sam Skelly McCrory

The Kenova Report reveals the presence of other double agents inside the IRA when it says: Some Kenova victims who survived PIRA mistreatment have named those responsible for violence against them and I have established that some of them were agents when they committed acts of torture, including shootings.

There is no information about these agents criminal activities in their contact records with their handlers and it has not always been possible to tell whether they told their handlers about their criminal acts.
The service also granted freedom to a sex offender who was serving a sentence of between three and six months in the Midlands Prison in Co Laois

One person serving up to five years for kidnapping or related offences was granted temporary release from Mountjoy Prison

Two killers, a sex offender and dozens of people jailed for theft or drug crimes were among the inmates given temporary release from Irish prisons in recent months.

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) provided a breakdown of the 387 people freed last New Years Eve as it tries to deal with growing levels of overcrowding.

An analysis of the data has shown that among those temporarily released were two men convicted of homicide offences, who were both serving sentences of between five and 10 years in Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon.

The service also granted freedom to a sex offender who was serving a sentence of between three and six months in the Midlands Prison in Co Laois.

The biggest category of prisoners granted temporary release were those guilty of controlled drug offences, with 100 set free with conditions.

Seventy-four serving time for theft and related offences were given passes, as were 52 convicted of road and traffic offences and 36 sent to jail for fraud, deception or related offences.

In more serious categories of crime, there was temporary release for one person from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin who was serving up to five years for kidnapping or related offences.

Thirty individuals found guilty of attempts or threats to murder, assault and harassment or related offences were also granted limited periods outside.

Others on temporary release included 21 prisoners in jail for dangerous or negligent acts, eight involved in robbery, extortion or hijacking, seven convicted of weapons or explosives offences and six locked up for offences against government, justice procedures or for the organisation of crime.

Of the 387 people on temporary release on New Years Eve, 99 were serving sentences of between one and two years and 24 were inside for between five and 10 years. No one allowed out was serving more than 10 years.

The IPS figures also showed 17 of the temporary-release inmates were jailed for less than three months, and 83 for between three and six months.

Of those allowed out, 321 were men and 66 women. Men greatly outnumber women in the prison system.

The prisons with the highest rates of temporary release were Mountjoy with 117 and Cork with 52.

Three men were released from the high-security Portlaoise Prison; 49 women from the Dochas Centre in Dublin; and 17 women from Limerick.

No prisoners from Arbour Hill in Dublin, which houses most of the countrys most serious sex offenders, were allowed out, as temporary release is almost never granted to such inmates.

A spokesman for the IPS said they had to accept all prisoners committed by the courts and had no control over numbers arriving on a day-to-day basis.

Last Monday, there were 4,854 in custody across the prison estate, or 108pc of the overall capacity. The total bed capacity of the IPS is 4,514, a spokesperson said.

Temporary release is one of the ways in which capacity is managed, with each prisoner considered on a case-by-case basis and with the safety of the public paramount in any decision.

Among the factors considered ahead of release were the nature of the crime, the individuals previous criminal record, the potential threat the person posed and their likelihood of re-offending.
CAB target convicted fraudster over scheme to launder money through second-hand car dealers

84 vehicles were taken from a dealers yard in Tipperary

Cash was taken from an Irish bank account

84 vehicles were taken from a dealers yard in Tipperary

Lithuanian national Agne Khan is a director of a firm being targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB)

This is the scam queen described by a High Court judge as being at the heart of a 3.5m international cyber crime fraud.

Lithuanian national Agne Khan is a director of a firm being targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) over a massive scheme to launder stolen cash through second-hand car dealers.

Despite being a director of Nida Investment, she was told that she had no right of audience at a Proceeds of Crime hearing because the firm is a registered limited company.

Agne Khan had previously been the target of CAB when another firm, Autology Ltd, had 84 cars seized along with 153,000 in an Irish bank account.

The case related to a sophisticated mandate fraud scheme in which millions of euro were stolen and poured into the car firms.

Mandate fraud  also known as invoice redirect fraud  is where firms are tricked into sending payments to the fraudsters instead of genuine businesses.

84 vehicles were taken from a dealers yard in Tipperary

Lawyers who had been acting for Nida Investment last week successfully applied to come off record in the case. Ms Khan, a convicted fraudster, agreed that the relationships between Nida Investment and their solicitors had broken down.

Judge Owens told Ms Khan that the firm needed to find a new lawyer, to which she replied that she was trying to find one but the companys funds were frozen.

Thats the only way I can pay, she said.

It was also explained there is no legal aid for companies as the case was put back for hearing until next month. Ms Khan was told she had no right to address the court on that date.

If you turn up... Im not going to listen to you, said Judge Alex Owens.

In September 2021, Judge Owens ruled in the previous case that the 84 vehicles and a trailer seized from a motor dealers yard in Co Tipperary were the proceeds of crime.

Also included was the money in the bank account controlled by Agne Khan, and her brother-in-law, Jawad Khan.

Agne Khan and her husband Khurram Khan, who live in the West Midlands in England, were at the heart of very large mandate frauds, according to the judge.

Cash was taken from an Irish bank account

The evidence establishes that Agne Khan and Khurram Khan were at the heart of these frauds and that others such as Jawad Khan were employed in motor dealership businesses used to launder proceeds.

Members of the Khan family were arrested in England in September 2020 and premises in the UK and Ireland were searched, including the motor dealers yard at Ballywilliam and houses at Slate Quarry, Tipperary and Killaloe, Co Clare.

A total of 89 vehicles and a trailer were seized in Ireland, but five cars were not associated with the Khans and were handed back to their owners.

Another motor firm controlled by the Khans had been based at the same Co Tipperary premises but stopped trading in 2018 after a Revenue investigation.

The Khans walked off from that company, taking with them any cash in the firm and leaving behind an unpaid tax bill of 623,000.

The 2020 seizures came after UK authorities investigated the complex fraud scheme in which ten linked frauds were uncovered during Operation Brasenose.

More than 1.3m was stolen in those schemes, while another series of frauds involving the UKs National Health Service saw more than 900,000 stolen.

The judge found CAB had established that funding for the business operations of Autology came from the frauds carried out by the Khans and their associates.

84 vehicles were taken from a dealers yard in Tipperary

There is cogent evidence that the Khans and their associates received substantial benefit from mandate frauds, he said. Judge Owens said it is clear the frauds have enriched the Khans to the tune of 3.5m and large elements of personal and business assets under their control are derived from these frauds.

The stolen cash was laundered by being put into businesses to buy cars from British car auctions. The cars were then sold off through second-hand motor dealers controlled by the Khans in England and Ireland.

In 2010 Khurram Khan was convicted in England of mortgage fraud offences involving 7.9 million. Agne Khan was also involved in this fraud and received a prison sentence of 18 months, but fled England in 2009 and did not return until 2014.
He posted Burn baby burn under an article on a Galway hotel to be used for housing International Protection candidates

Fagan is running under the Irish Freedom Party's banner

A FOUL-mouthed internet troll is standing in the up-coming local elections under the Irish Freedom Party banner.

Despite sexualised comments aimed at a female government minister, supporting arson attacks, calling Joe Biden and Irish politicians paedophiles, Alan Fagan features on the partys website as a candidate.

The Drogheda man also makes antisemitic, anti-muslim, homophobic comments as well as touting jet-trail conspiracy theories.

Another favourite topic of his is declaring that oil is not a fossil fuel and is a renewable energy resource.

He posted Burn baby burn under an article on a Galway hotel to be used for housing International Protection candidates.

On the construction of accommodation for refugees near Naas this week he wrote I wonder how hot the cabins are?

Replying to a post claiming properties are being prepared for illegal migrants he wrote: Few bags of cement down the sewer pipes should hold it up for a few extra weeks.

He frequently singles out a female politician whose father he falsely asserts took his life fearing being exposed as a paedophile.

Fagan wrote in one post the politician loves d**k while he accuses another senior politician of being a groomer.

He used the same language under a post by a hospital launching a Rainbow Badge to show inclusivity for juvenile patients.

Fagan is running under the Irish Freedom Party's banner

Fagan also repeats anti-Biden rhetoric posted online by US political extremists.

Biden is a pedophile, inappropriate naked showers with his daughter Ashley, fully fact checked entries in her own personal diary, so what's your actual point that you're trying to get across.

Other targets for abuse are both Jewish and Muslim people touting conspiracy theories about a world government and Europeans being replaced.

Capitalism from the Jewish bankers is destroying every country in Europe because they want to be the chosen people of caucasian ethnicity whilst diluting our culture

Fagan is not fond of gay people regularly using homophobic language in relation to other people.

On the TV presenter Philip Schofield he posted: Philip doesn't queue because Philip is queer he endangered his own wife with monkey pox after sticking his dick up a dirty male arsehole, go figure.

As a climate change denier he wrote: Trees cant breathe because of aluminium and 5g masts, absolutely nothing to do with the climate clown world.

Fagan is one of 14 people currently featuring on The Irish Freedom Partys website as standing in the local elections.

Led by Hermann Kelly, the party ran 11 candidates in 2020, winning an average of about 0.5 per cent of the vote.

With immigration now a central issue in politics it is likely the party and other far-right groups will likely attract an increase in support.

The IFP was founded in 2018 by Hermann Kelly, the party and sees itself as a voice for traditional values and a defender of Irish sovereignty.
Sean Meehan from New Inn, Co Tipperary faces sleeping in his van if his modular home is demolished

Sean Meehan with his pet cat outside his log cabin in Co Tipperary

A peaceful protest is being organised in support of Sean Meehan, the Tipperary pensioner facing jail time for building a log cabin on his own land.

Mr Meehan is facing the prospect of spending his 66th birthday in prison if he doesnt remove the log cabin by March 14.

The 65-year-old is caught in a catch-22" situation, as he must make the difficult decision to demolish his modular home by March 14 and be forced to sleep in his van, or refuse and be sent to prison to serve a four month prison sentence.

Mr Meehan is due back in court on April 4. From there he will be transferred to Limerick prison to serve a four month sentence if he doesnt comply with the court's ruling to have the log cabin removed by March 14.

However, Mr Meehan is prepared to take a stand and is willing to go to prison for what he believes in.

He told the Irish Independent: I am willing to take a stand on this. I was told to have a bag ready for prison if I refuse to take it down.

"I already have my bag packed. I will walk into prison knowing I havent done anything to anyone. I didnt break into someones house, I haven't mugged an old person, I didnt hurt anyone. I just made a home for myself.

Sean was told his log cabin aesthetically looked bad and devalued other properties in the area. Photo: Save Sean's Cabin Facebbok Page

Mr Meehan's neighbour, Keith OBrien has been instrumental in garnering public support for a man who has lived in New Inn, Co Tipperary all his life.

Mr O'Brien set up a GoFundMe Page to raise funds to help with Mr Meehans legal costs which has raised in excess of 4,000. But he has now taken his support one step further and is organising a peaceful march to the Tipperary Council Offices in support of Mr Meehan.

We are arranging a march on Friday March 15 at 11.30am starting at the West Gate Clonmel and heading to the council offices, explained Mr OBrien.

"It is very important that we get a good attendance to show support behind Sean. Please do what you can, share far and wide and most of all please be peaceful and respectful at the request of Sean and family.

"We appreciate every one of you who has supported Sean this far.

"There will be some signage made up for the day but anything you can bring along please do so we can make an impact.

When the local Community of New Inn found out that one of there own was facing the prospect of being made homeless, they rallied around Mr Meehan. They organised a public meeting in the New Hall Community Centre and alongside Mr OBrien set up a petition on Change.org in support of Mr Meehan.

The community of New Inn in Co Tipperary held a meeting in support of Sean Meehan

Since the ordeal with planning permission started, Mr Meehan has been brought to Cashel District Court four times. The last time Sean went to court on December 14, his was given the ultimatum of removing the log cabin or be sent to jail.

The council said I didnt show a social and economic need to live in the area. But Im born and reared here. My parents and my grandparents are a mile up the road in the cemetery so I dont understand that reason at all, explained Mr Meehan.

"They also said aesthetically it looked really bad, they said it would devalue the properties in the area. In fairness I do agree you can't just put anything unsightly up but we made it well. We used all skilled tradespeople and we made it so it didnt look out of place on the land.
This week, there were about 220 people in tents

Tents at back of the International Protection Offices on Mount Street in Dublin.Pi cture Credit:Frank McGrath

Abdul Otun pokes his head out through the opening of his rain-soaked tent. Shivering, he steps on to the pavement, pulls a tarpaulin back over his makeshift home and surveys the scene.

It is Tuesday morning outside the red-brick building that is the International Protection Office (IPO) on Mount Street, Dublin, and as Abdul counts the new tents that have appeared overnight, a new day in asylum-seeker limbo begins.

You have to see the set-up around the IPO, or tent city as it has come to be known, to believe it  dozens and dozens of basic camping tents packed tightly together on every inch of the pavement that snakes its way from Grattan Street to Grattan Court.

There is an eerie silence, apart from the sound of men inside their tents, talking in their native languages, and frequent, loud coughing

There are no toilets, so when nature calls, the men retreat to the closest corner and relieve themselves against the wall. There are no bins either, so rubbish is piled high (but neatly) in various corners.

There is an eerie silence, apart from the sound of men inside their tents, talking in their native languages, and frequent, loud coughing. The smell in some parts of the camp  one of rising damp and stale urine  is overpowering.

The set-up around the IPO, or tent city as it has come to be known

The scene, however shocking, is nothing new. Last year, the appearance of 41 tents at the same location was described by Nick Anderson, chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council, as unprecedented.

This week, there were about 220 people in tents.

There are people arriving every day, said Roisin McAleer, a volunteer with Social Rights Ireland. You have all sorts, all walks of life, from all different countries, and youre flinging these people together and theyre desperate. They get wet and theyre soaked through, theyre walking around in soaked clothes.

The mood has now gone from desperation to anger. Even between themselves, theres more squabbling over things and grabbing. You cant blame them, but theyre getting feisty now.

Last weekend, following unexpected snow and ice, the Department of Integration arranged for temporary emergency accommodation to be provided due to the current extreme weather.

Gardai engage with protesters at the International Protection Office last year. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

However, the same homeless refugees were turned out of the temporary shelter on Sunday, despite near-freezing temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout the night.

According to Caroline, another volunteer with Social Rights Ireland, there was chaos on Monday as the men returned to the IPO.

When they arrived back it was actually heartbreaking, she said. The anger and the upset. A lot of them thought they were getting housed.

At the IPO on Tuesday morning, Caroline was dropping off warm clothes, food and blankets.

We pooled some money together and sent clothes to the laundry because everything theyre wearing is damp, she said. Theyre absolutely freezing and a lot of them are getting sick.

Close to the entrance of the IPO, Abdul and another Nigerian man stood sharing a packet of biscuits.

Sometimes we sleep on an empty stomach, said Abdul. Im not in a good frame of mind. Its depressing. Some people are suicidal.

Abdul has been sleeping in his tent outside the IPO since January. His friend has no English.

There is no accommodation, he said. We dont have anywhere to go. We are stranded  we are not here because we want to be here.

Last May, a small group of men reportedly chanting Ireland for the Irish attacked a small gathering of migrants in Sandwith Street

Most of the men do not want to talk or be identified. Volunteers at the site said they are aware of attempts by the anti-immigrant movement to stir up tensions. This week, said one, videos of the tents were posted on social media alongside a number of flame emojis.

Last May, a small group of men reportedly chanting Ireland for the Irish and Youre not welcome here attacked a small gathering of migrants sleeping in tents near Sandwith Street in Dublin 2. Some of the unoccupied tents were set on fire.

Those sleeping in the area spend their days going to homeless services such as the Capuchin Day Centre, Merchants Quay Ireland and The Lighthouse in order to shower, eat and charge their phones.

Among them are two boys, both understood to be 17. One is from Ethiopia, the other from Eritrea.

Ive met them, said Roisin. Theyre scared, theyre frightened wee boys. Theyre both in tents and we couldnt take them in ourselves because theyre minors and there are child protection issues.

We have one volunteer, a single parent who has the appropriate child protection qualifications, and shes down with them from morning until night, feeding them, taking them for walks, getting them legal representation. They were on a shipping container for days without food or water. Now theyre sleeping on the streets.

According to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, all unaccompanied minors are eligible for immediate accommodation by Tusla.

Queues outside the Capuchin Day Centre last year

A spokesperson added: Ipas [the International Protection Accommodation Service] has no role in determining the age of persons in the international protection process. If there is a concern regarding the age of a person in Ipas accommodation, this is notified to the Department of Justice and Tusla for their assessment for eligibility of services under the Child Care Act 1991.

Grainne, who was helping volunteer efforts at the camp this week, told the Irish Independent that after being taken by bus to temporary accommodation in Dundrum over the weekend, one group had been left to find their own way back after just one night, despite having originally been promised two.

Others returned to their tents to find their belongings were missing.

It was a dire situation when they all landed back here on Monday night, Grainne said. We had 40 men with no tents and no sleeping bags. Everyone had washed their hands of them. The lads want to make things the best they can. They asked me to ring Dublin City Council and try and get rid of the rubbish. A lot of them are getting sick.

According to the Government, over 1,600 eligible males have applied for international protection since the beginning of December. Just over a quarter have been offered accommodation, with 1,159 still awaiting an offer.

The department said there were no available beds for IP applicants in the system

There is confusion over just how many available beds there are in the system.

On Friday, February 23, RTE News reported that on February 18 there were 2,151 vacant spaces in international protection accommodation.

It also reported there were 2,801 vacant bed spaces in accommodation contracted for displaced Ukrainians, as of February 23.

The Department of Integration cited room configurations, contractual obligations, deep cleaning and maintenance and the ring-fencing of beds as accommodation centres are opened and closed as the main reasons for the vacancies in the international protection system.

Ciara Ross, the policy and advocacy officer at the Irish Refugee Council, said: Capacity exists. We know that it exists. We recognise that there has to be a cushion, that a certain number of beds need to be set aside, but not to the scale of this many.

The situation at the IPO is disgraceful and unlawful.

This week, in response to requests from the Irish Independent for up-to-date and accurate figures, the department said there were no available beds for IP applicants in the system.

All available beds within Ipas are being utilised, a spokesperson said.

Where beds may become vacant, it is primarily due to family configuration in a given space, capacity to support referrals from the triage and the need to reserve beds for families and children arriving in the coming days.

Were getting calls non-stop, cries for help, for food, water, sleeping bags, tents, tarp. The basic things

In relation to beds for Ukrainians, the department said: Given recent trends of decreasing arrivals into the State of those fleeing the war in Ukraine, coupled with an increase in the number of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) leaving state-provided accommodation to move towards more independent living, vacancies have arisen across the accommodation portfolio.

A spokesperson added: The numbers of vacancies submitted by providers changes daily and not all will be available for use, as contracts may be nearing completion or there may be compliance concerns with a provider which need to be resolved.

Even where vacancies are available for use, varying room configurations and geographical location mean some vacancies will take longer to fill than others.

Notwithstanding these challenges, the Department is also working to leverage BOTP vacancies for IPs where this is possible.

On Thursday night, Roisin McAleer was back at the IPO, dealing with a man who had apparent gunshot wounds he had suffered before arriving in Ireland.

The situation is getting worse, she said. We had a call out at 2am on Wednesday morning because somebody was lying on the street: an asylum-seeker with no sleeping bag, no blankets, nothing.

Were getting calls non-stop, cries for help, for food, water, sleeping bags, tents, tarp. The basic things.

The rubbish is piling up. We have been contacting Dublin City Council and a number of different agencies to get rid of the waste and were getting nowhere. We even reported illegal dumping, thinking we could get it lifted, but nothing.
Ten years ago Lorraine met her current partner Peter, a British financier, in an airport lounge in Chicago when both were on their way to Hong Kong

TWICE-married Dancing with the Stars judge Lorraine Barry says shes open to having another shot at marriage with her current partner as she gets set to celebrate her 60th birthday this year.

A native of Dublins Cabra, Lorraine wed a former dance partner, Andrew Sinkinson, when she was 24, but the couple split four years later in 1993. We were a bit young to get married, she explained.

Her second husband was Italian-born dancer Luca Baricchi, but they went their separate ways in 2010 after a 17-year relationship and 10 years of marriage during which Lorraine revealed she suffered three miscarriages and underwent IVF treatment without success.

Ten years ago Lorraine met her current partner Peter, a British financier, in an airport lounge in Chicago when both were on their way to Hong Kong. They live together in London.

Speaking ahead of tonights semi-final, Lorraine says shes open to getting married again, but its not one of her priorities.

Well, I wont say Im closed, but its not something that I need in my life, Lorraine says. Actually, Peter and I will celebrate 10 years together on July 5, which is incredible because it has absolutely flown by. So watch this space, you never know.

The 10th anniversary is an opportunity to pop the question? You are putting ideas in my head now, she laughs.

Lorraine, who reveals that she had five parties held in Dublin, London, Las Vegas and Florida to mark her 50th birthday, is planning to celebrate her 60th in December with family and friends. I know my sister and my partner, Peter, are arranging something, she says.

They did ask methey said, What would you like? I dont want gifts, I want experiences I said, I want a very long table, I want flowers and chandeliers hanging, and I want a great group of people there for a fabulous dinner.

She has just been around Ireland, from Kerry to Donegal, with Peter and says she enjoyed a warm reception from the DWTS fans who recognised her.

Its always my voice, she says of the recognition, adding. Even in Tesco with a tracksuit on and a cap I was looking for something and I said to this lady, Can you tell me where that is? and she went, Oh its you, its you!

People in Donegal and down in Killarney were lovely and its so nice to hear how much they love the show and the stories they tell, oh, you know, its our Sunday night, popcorn at 6.30 and everyone in their pyjamas granny and grandad, we go to theirs to watch it.

A world champion dancer, Lorraine says it was her dream as a child.

I had the ambition very young, probably aged 12, she tells me. I had this ambition of dancing all over the world, My parents, my father especially, thought I was crazy.

"He was like, No, no, no!, just think of your school and get a good job. He had this thing about getting a company car become a secretary, work for a company, youll get a company car. My dad was obsessed with cars. I dont know where he got all that from, but it was all about that.

Lorraine takes a trophy from the shelf behind her and says its from 1982. This is the first trophy I brought into the house and I won it in Germany, she says proudly.

From a very, very young age I really had great ambition of travelling the world and Ive been blessed that Ive been able to do it. I couldnt have planned it better either, and it wasnt always easy of course. Life is not easy.

As for DWTS, she says: I would say there are three couples who I would see potentially from my point of view to winLaura [Fox] and Blue [Hydrangea] stand out a lot to me, they really do and David [Whelan].

DANCING With The Stars is on RTE One tonight at 6.30pm.
Emma strips off for several scenes, in which her topless character Bella Baxter leaves little to the imagination

Emma Stone strips off for several scenes, in which her topless character Bella Baxter leaves little to the imagination while having sex and also pleasuring herself.

The movie, which was made by Dublin-based Element Pictures, fronted by Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe, was mostly filmed in Hungary.

The flick, about a Frankenstein style doctor who brings back to life a woman who drowned herself by inserting the brain of her unborn baby into her head, is up for 11 Oscars tonight.

Dubliner Robbie Ryan is nominated for Best Cinematography, while Guiney and Lowe are nominated in the Best Picture category.

The pair were also responsible for Normal People, which featured full-frontal scenes with Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jones.

Its a very joyful coming-of-age story and Bella is an uninhibited character, who doesnt have the sort of hang-ups and neurosis that most adults have, Andrew tells the Sunday World.

And I think people have really embraced that and find it positive. I wouldnt use the word raunchy, but I think it is affirmative and fun.

He stresses that actors performing such intimate scenes in the likes of Poor Things and Normal People are given expert advice.

I think the important thing is they are treated with respect, he says.

There are scenes that are appropriate.

We work with intimacy coordinators to ensure that everyone was comfortable with what we were doing, and I think that that aspect is definitely something people talked about in terms of what appealed, that it doesnt seem gratuitous.

Poor Things is tipped to win just one Oscar tonight, for Best Production Design, but Andrew is unfazed by what may happen.

We had The Favourite (which Element also made) here a couple of years ago and it had 10 nominations, Emma again (in it), he recalls.

I guess what we learned about that, we had 10 nominations and as the night went on, we didnt win any, and then towards the end Olivia Coleman won Best Actress, which was fantastic.

If you go out with 10 and come out with one, actually it doesnt matter. Any recognition is so welcome.

So, we have 11 this time.

This year is very strong with films. It feels like the Oscars is back with a bang in that sense, its a very strong year, theres lots of competition.

Its a year where you have an incredible Nolan film (Oppenheimer), you have an incredible Greta Gerwig film with Barbie, an incredible Martin Scorsese film, Killers Of The Flower Moon; its a really strong year.

Andrew is rooting for Cillian Murphy, with him and Guiney previously working with the Corkman.

We worked with him on Wind That Shakes The Barley. Ed produced his first feature, Disco Pigs, many years ago.

Cillian is fantastic and we are so thrilled for him, and it does feel that he is the frontrunner and hopefully he will bring it home on Sunday.

He has extraordinary screen presence. Its a physically, demanding, gruelling role, but wow does it pay off.

He says Poor Things is based on a book by the late Scottish writer Alasdair Gray.

The book tells the story from multiple characters point of view and Bella actually only really appears properly at the end of the book.

So Yorgos and Tony felt that Bellas was the story they wanted to tell.

Andrew, who has known Ed since their student days and the pair later started Element, raves that Emma was a dream to work with.

She brings in so much experience and energy and the truth is she helped get the film made in the first place, so we were happy to include her as producer.

She is brilliant. She is smart and clever, and really enthusiastic, and just very involved.
This photo taken on March 9, 2024 shows injured children at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central Gaza Strip. At least 18 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting houses in central Gaza on Saturday, according to the state-run Palestine TV. (Xinhua)

Palestinians mourn their lost relatives at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central Gaza Strip, on March 9, 2024. At least 18 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting houses in central Gaza on Saturday, according to the state-run Palestine TV. (Xinhua)

An injured Palestinian receives treatment at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central Gaza Strip, on March 9, 2024. At least 18 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting houses in central Gaza on Saturday, according to the state-run Palestine TV. (Xinhua)

Injured Palestinians receive treatment at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central Gaza Strip, on March 9, 2024. At least 18 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting houses in central Gaza on Saturday, according to the state-run Palestine TV. (Xinhua)

Palestinians mourn their lost relative at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central Gaza Strip, on March 9, 2024. At least 18 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting houses in central Gaza on Saturday, according to the state-run Palestine TV. (Xinhua)
The family behind Te Ranga Farms is focused on optimising the farming system, while protecting and enhancing its natural beauty and freshwater.

The 296ha (176ha effective) farm has been in the Linton family since 1973.

Since the early 1980s, it has been owned and managed by Robert Linton and Linda Ellison. Since 2022, their son Blair Linton has leased the property, continuing the same farming system.

The team is currently rearing just over 500 Friesian bull calves on the Te Puke property.

The judges were impressed with the farming system which has been optimised over time to match land use and class.

Animal numbers and stock type are carefully managed to match the pasture growth curve.

Decisions are driven by data from a wide range of sources, ensuring the family has a complete picture of the farm.

Supporting this is a strict adherence to clear, measurable key performance indicators around such things as calf weight and feeding plans.

When it comes to the environment, protecting freshwater is a high priority.

The familys approach aligns with that of the wider catchment  reflecting their active involvement in the Paraiti Catchment Group.

The farms critical water source areas are being actively identified and managed.

In awarding the Regional Supreme Award, the judges noted that the familys successful operation is underpinned by a family approach to gaining knowledge, appreciating their environment and their sense of place within it, open and productive communication, and connection to a supportive community.

Blair Linton, Linda Ellison & Robert Linton also won the following awards:

 Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award

 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award

 Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award

 NZFET Biodiversity Award

Other Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Award winners include:

Kiri Tapsell, Pukenga Farms, Te Puke

 Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award

 Norwood Farming Efficiency Award

 Zespri Kiwifruit Orchard Award

Mark Yortt & Greg Prince Sunchaser Investments, Motiti Island

 Hill Laboratories Agri-Science Award

 FMG Risk Management Award

Murray & Cecilia Winters and Chris & Karly Deed  Mangorewa Farms, Te Puke

 Bruce Fraser Memorial Award

Jonathon Boyle  Four Oaks Farm, Pongakawa

 DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award

 Bay of Plenty Regional Council Farming for the Future Award

The awards also served to showcase local catchment group Paraiti Catchment Care Group, which is a farmer-led group working to increase native biodiversity along an established bush corridor and the wider Kaituna catchment.

Since forming in 2020, the group has largely focused on protecting the areas significant native forests from pests and predators, ultimately aiming to boost biodiversity.

The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are run by the NZ Farm Environment Trust and champion sustainable farming and growing.

The Supreme Winner from each of the eleven regions involved in the awards will go through to be considered for the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the Trusts National Showcase in Hamilton in June.

The recipients of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy then become 2024s National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing.
The Hope Home project, pioneered by Fowler Homes in support of New Zealands leading youth mental health charity I Am Hope charity, is making great progress as walls and roofing have been successfully installed, marking a pivotal moment in the construction process.

"We're thrilled to see the walls and roofing in place. It's a real milestone for us, not just because our vision is taking shape, but because it means hope for our community. Giving back is at the heart of what we do, and The Hope Home shows just how committed we are," says Jason McGirr, Managing Director of Fowler Homes.

The project's advancement has been significantly aided by the generous support of over 30 suppliers, who have contributed construction materials and resources.

From Rinnai heating systems to James Hardie Stria cladding, suppliers have come together in what McGirr calls a remarkable outpouring of support, truly emphasising the collective commitment to promoting youth mental health in Aotearoa.

In reflecting on the project's importance, Jason McGirr highlighted that The Hope Home is not just another construction endeavour; it's a passion project shared with his wife and business partner, Jen.

As a former police officer who has witnessed the struggles first-hand on the frontlines, McGirr understands the gravity of the mental health challenges facing New Zealand.

"This project holds deep significance for us. It's our way of making a real impact in addressing these challenges," he says.

Youth mental health in New Zealand is deteriorating as the demand for mental health services and support skyrockets.

Over the past decade, I Am Hope has engaged with more than 300,000 children in schools across New Zealand with initiatives including tailoring books for the youngest demographic in primary schools.

Its renowned Gumboot Friday free counselling service has experienced a surge of more than 500 per cent in the last two years alone.

Currently, the platform supports more than 3400 free sessions each month, totalling $510,000.

"It's truly epic to witness New Zealand businesses coming together to donate an entire house to help our kids in need. The Hope Home stands as a beacon of hope and solidarity, displaying the profound impact that collective action can have on mental health awareness and support," says I Am Hope founder Mike King.

The Hope Home, anticipated to be completed by October 2024, will be auctioned with profits announced on Gumboot Friday on November 1, 2024.
Auckland Central MP Chloe Swarbrick will be the Green Party's new co-leader alongside Marama Davidson, as James Shaw steps down.

Last month, Shaw said he would be stepping down from his duties as co-leader in March.

Dunedin-based activist and conservationist Alex Foulkes had put his hand up too for the role but announced on Sunday that he had conceded defeat.

In a statement, Swarbrick thanked the party's members and reiterated the Greens' vision for the future.

"Aotearoa can be a place where everyone has what they need to live a decent life, and our natural world is restored and protected, on a foundation honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi. That is the Greens' vision, and one we work to see realised every single day."

Shaw says there no one else he would rather take his place as co-leader than Swarbrick.

"Ever since I first sat down to coffee with her after her mayoral campaign in 2016 she has struck me as a remarkable leader with an extraordinary belief in the power of people to make a difference.

"Her passion and strength is second to none, and alongside Marama, will lead the Greens to make even more of a difference in the future."

Davidson says it's fantastic to be have Swarbrick by her side, leading their biggest caucus.

"Chloe is an incredible MP, colleague, and friend. She has proven time and time again her unique ability to mobilise communities to push for the change Aotearoa needs," Davidson says in a statement.

"It has never been more important for there to be a strong voice for an Aotearoa that works for everyone, where everyone is supported to live good lives, in warm dry homes, and where we take bold action to cut pollution and protect native wildlife.

"Chloe and I will be in communities up and down Aotearoa working with people to build an unprecedented grassroots movement fighting for the future Aotearoa deserves."

Foulkes, who admitted defeat in the co-leadership race, congratulated Swarbrick and says she will do an incredible job.

"I am confident Chloe and Marama will lead the party from strength to strength.

"I have enjoyed the debate with Chloe and the party members and would like to commend and thank the party staff for the efficient organisation of the election and the members for their engagement and respectful, intelligent, and thoughtful questions throughout this process."

He describes her as "one of the most talented politicians in Aotearo", and saus he never expected to win against her.

"Indeed, someone suggested to me that I had more chance of spotting the fabled South-Island kokako than winning this election."

However, he says his goal in contesting was to discuss and debate policies. Last month, he put forward a radical manifesto, outlining his vision.

Who is Chloe Swarbrick?

Ranked third on the party list, the Auckland Central MP appeared to be the popular choice from when Shaw made his announcement.

After losing the mayoral race in 2016, she joined the Green Party.

Winning the Auckland Central seat in 2020 and becoming the country's youngest MP in 42 years, she has proven her popularity from early on.

She is the first Green MP ever to hold on to a seat for more than one term after winning again in the 2023 elections.

Swarbrick denied leadership ambitions in 2022, when more than 25 per cent of delegates at the party's annual general meeting voted to reopen Shaw's position.

She has regularly registered in preferred prime minister polls ahead of the party's co-leaders.

Last year, she had to apologise to Parliament a week after saying in the debating chamber Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had lied - a breach of the rules.

- More to come

-RNZ.
Jose Rodriguez Camara Torremolinos Sunday, 10 March 2024, 10:24 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Ryan Annassik is one of the 1,260 pupils at Playamar secondary school in Torremolinos, which has just become a municipality with more than 70,000 inhabitants from more than 120 nationalities. "In the classes I can integrate, I can improve my language. We also do work, projects, and conversations about culture and everything related to Spain and Andalucia. We share our opinions and we also work on other subjects. The truth is that I love it," said this Moroccan student.

In less than a decade the school has doubled its enrolment, its head Miguel Lozano, explained. This fact gives rise to classrooms in which 32 different nationalities co-exist, almost as many as the number of languages that can be found in the corridors of this school.

"We have been growing a lot in recent years and we have gone from having just 700 to almost 1,300 students. The good climate in Malaga and the possibilities offered by the province for many people and the 'good life', make many foreign families take the step of moving here to live and telework," Lozano said.

"This means that we have many pupils who are foreigners, combined with many others who, although they have Spanish nationality because their parents were born here, also come from other countries. This means that, on occasions, they need temporary help with the language, while at the same time offering many possibilities for cultural enrichment," added Lozano.

Cultural and language enrichment

Teacher Jesus Relinque, from the temporary adaptation linguistic class (ATAL), said: "Playamar in Torremolinos is a very diverse school that currently has 32 different nationalities. Imagine what this means for cultural and language enrichment. It is a myriad of possibilities, traditions, religious beliefs, thoughts that the very diverse students who are studying and enrolled in our school have."

Enrolment can take place at any time during the academic year. "When a student arrives here, he or she is welcomed, enrolled, provided with materials for them to work with and, in addition, helped with linguistic adaptation," Relinque said.

How is this achieved? The key is educational projects, for example, on something as basic as Spanish gastronomy or on holidays, to see how Christmas or All Saints' Day is celebrated in each house; there are also important issues, Relinque said, which may seem irrelevant, but which have a great impact on learning or integration, such as naming the furniture in the house in Spanish. "We usually do bilingual work projects, which are then exhibited at the entrance of the school, so that the rest of the students can share this work, which has been done by the foreign students and the teachers," he explained.

This way of working means that there is constant contact with those in charge of teaching the classes, in order to resolve the many doubts that arise for pupils whose main challenge is to achieve a sufficient command of Spanish.

"The key is to ensure that the adaptation is temporary, that they are incorporated into their classrooms as soon as possible. We have to bear in mind that these boys and girls arrive in a new country, where everything is strange to them, and what we do in a centre like this, where there are dozens of nationalities, is to integrate them from the very first moment. In this process, it is essential to encourage them to meet other classmates who are in the same circumstances as they are, as well as empathising with the rest," Lozano said.
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John Pearson, global chief executive officer of DHL Express, speaks during an interview with Xinhua at DHL headquarters in Bonn, Germany, March 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

BONN, Germany, March 10 (Xinhua) -- There is no end of opportunity and innovation in China, said John Pearson, global chief executive officer of DHL Express, in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Some of the big Chinese E-commerce companies which have become DHL customers could have driven DHL's global market share, said Pearson, adding that the contributions of its business in China during a span of three years are extraordinary.

As one of the leading logistics companies in the world, DHL had a 43 percent market share globally in 2021, according to a survey published by the DHL group. The company successfully enlarged its slice of the global market to 47 percent at present, thanks largely to its booming E-commerce business in China.

The openness and readiness of the China market to embrace innovations have opened up opportunities for DHL to push forward with new technologies. China was one of the few countries in the world where DHL put fleets of electric and hydrogen trucks into operation.

A fleet consisting of eight hydrogen trucks operated by DHL in China, the aggregate operation mileage of which adds up to 20,000 km, can reduce CO2 emissions by 170 tons annually.

"China actually is one of our best countries in terms of explaining and selling that (sustainable) service to those customers," said Pearson.

The unlimited technological developments in China avail DHL of technologies that drive customer satisfaction, employee engagement, and operational efficiency, he said.

He also said that it was China's openness that drew companies like DHL into its market and that DHL enjoys a "very good partnership" with Chinese partners and grows together with them.

"We welcome the openness because it drives trade," he said. 

This photo taken on March 6, 2024 shows the logo of DHL Group at the DHL headquarters in Bonn, Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
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How I cracked the Schengen Visa Code for my solo Europe trip agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaaho, toh poori kayenat use tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai. With that faith, I started to stitch together my dream of wandering solo in Europe. One and a half months of meticulous planning later, there it was  my first Schengen Visa, the gateway to my European dream last autumn.



I know, hundreds of posts and videos have been made in the past on this topic and there is literally no dearth of resources, but the purpose of writing this piece is to make the process as detailed and simplified as possible, so that it makes you have all the information in one place and are confident in navigating the maze. While some aspects of this write-up are specifically meant to prepare the solo travelers, its a no-brainer that the process remains same for everyone alike.



With no further ado, allow me to share the details of the planning stage.



Planning your first Europe Trip



The first step in the Visa process is inevitably the planning process. The Schengen Area encompasses 26 European countries and you first need to decide which countries do you fancy visiting. In my experience, it helps if you have a clear idea of the number of days of your travel, the number of countries you want to visit and the approximate budget you want to allocate to your travel. A simple rule of thumb is  you apply to the Embassy of the country where you spend the maximum days in, or to the first country of visit. In case, the number of days is equal in each country, the first point of entry is going to be the Embassy for your Visa application.



Quick Facts

 Number of travel days: 18

 Number of countries visited: 4

 Entry and exit point: Vienna, Austria

 Visa type: Multiple Entry

 Appointment waiting time: 2 days

 Time to Grant Visa: 18 days



I was clear in my mind that I wanted my Europe sojourn with a flavor of history and charm, and thus planned to include Austria, Czechia, Poland primarily in my itinerary. I added Slovakia to the itinerary as well, because why not? The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, is extremely close to Vienna. Though a lot of people dont visit the place, I wanted to check it out. Originally, I also included Hungary in the plan but dropped it later, because I didnt want to rush through the places. A quick check of the flight prices revealed that the round-trip fare between Kolkata and Vienna is the cheapest compared to Prague / Krakow / Budapest. So, I decided to make Vienna as my entry point, and subsequently apply for the Visa through the Austrian Embassy.



And thus started the hustling to gather and organize tons of documents, which are prerequisites to the Visa application.



Itinerary

The first step in the process was to build a detailed itinerary through extensive research. While it is not necessary to follow the Visa itinerary during your actual trip, it helps to have a detailed itinerary for many reasons  1) you exactly know when to go where (this is extremely important for me, I always plan meticulously and try to avoid the unknown during my travel), 2) you are prepared in the case of an unlikely interview call from the embassy.

I had prepared a detailed day-wise itinerary which included my activities for the day, the mode of commute (intra/inter-city) and the place of stay. For simplicity, I mentioned my destinations as Austria and Hungary only, thus needing fewer documents to support. [sample itinerary attached]



Employment Documents

The Schengen Visa also requires you to submit a set of employment documents which includes



 Appointment letter from your current employer,

 Pay slips of last 3-6 months (depending on the Embassy) and

 The Leave NOC.



All of these documents are pretty easy to procure, especially if the processes are structured in your organization. Otherwise, it would be prudent to speak to your HR as soon as you have a tentative plan ready with the dates.



Proof of Funds

Next in line is the proof of funds, and the process requires you to provide the bank statement of last 3-6 months (depending on the embassy). Although Austrian Embassy requires bank statement of 3 months, I had provided details for 6 months for my salary account. In my opinion, showing the salary account statement gives credibility of continuous source of income.



The Income Tax Return (ITR) of last 3 years are also required, which again should be fairly easy to procure. I have been asked by multiple people what they should do if their income isnt taxable or their companies dont provide Form 16. My opinion and advice are  ALWAYS file your tax returns, so that you have your ITR generated. Its not necessary to be in the taxable bracket to file an ITR or even to have a Form 16 (you can populate the details manually while filing ITR). It feels good to be a tax abiding citizen!



Travel Reservations

It is mandatory for you to show your reservations for your travel to/within Europe. I will break this into three parts:



1. Flight reservations: Flight reservations can be procured through certain websites for a nominal fee, and the same can be provided as details in the Visa application. However, these reservations are only valid for 14 days (in most cases), so Id recommend that you get this done, closer to your appointment date. You can also book a full fared flight ticket, though this comes with the risk of losing money in the event that your Visa application is rejected. Since I was applying for the first time, I risked a full fared ticket, which had a cancellation fee of 12000 INR.

2. Reservations for travel within Europe: You could provide proof for flights, trains or buses for this part. I had booked refundable Flixbus tickets to show as proofs. In the case of cancellation, you get Flixbus vouchers valid for one year.

3. Hotel accommodation: The easiest part! Just head to Booking.com or Agoda.com and book accommodations with free cancellations. Hostels, hotels, AirBnBs  anything works.



Travel Insurance

A travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30000 Euros is required for a Schengen Visa. Again, this is pretty straight-forward and you can buy one from any of the leading insurance providers. There is a mere difference of few hundred rupees between each, the inclusions are mentioned for the policy type, so choose one which has more features you wish (e.g. Loss of baggage, delayed flights, etc.)



Additional Documents

You can include additional bank statements or even stock holding statement as additional documents. I had included a bank statement of another savings account and my stock holding statement for this part. At times, the VFS Official might return these to you saying it is not required, but they keep it if you insist. Happened to me and I was able to keep it for the application.



Cover Letter

Probably the most important of all documents and how a cover letter is written dictates the chance of getting an approved Visa, if you were to ask me! There are loads of templates on the internet, but I would suggest you customize it to include all the necessary information. I created one, intended to give clear information about my travel to the Visa officer. [sample attached]



Visa Application and Appointment

The last leg of the process is to fill in the Visa application. Its important to fill the application with 100% accuracy, so check the details repeatedly and ensure that the details match with your other documents as well as the cover letter.

Now that you have all the documents handy and sorted, all you need to do is go to the VFS Website and take an appointment on a date that is convenient (and available!) for you. A lot of embassies have long waiting period, so I would suggest you keep a check on the availability throughout the planning phase.

PS - It goes without saying that your photo and passport are also required as a part of the application process. The photo specifications are available on the VFS website, but walk into any good studio  they would know!



On the day of your appointment

The process at the VFS site is quite smooth and streamlined in my experience for Kolkata location. You get a token at entry and follow the display board for your token and counter number. Its a three-step process while at VFS  1) submit documents, 2) pay Visa Fees, 3) submit biometric (for some embassies, they click your photo as well, not for Austria). The VFS people do try to sell value added services to you, but I guess they are of no value.



In my experience, budgeting half a day is good enough, and morning slots work better.



The Long Wait and the unexpected interview

With the application now submitted, the excruciating wait begins! There is no specified timeline within which a Visa is approved and hugely varies by embassy. We cant do much about this stage, except for reading the occasional SMS which provides updates on the application stage.



During this stage, it is also possible to receive an interview call from the embassy. Was a sleepy monsoon afternoon when I was getting a call from a generic New Delhi number. I was on the verge of declining it but received, only to find out it was a call from the Austrian Embassy. After confirming that she was indeed speaking to the applicant (DOB verification), the lady proceeded with the (stress interview). I am listing the questions I was asked:



1. Designation and company name. Tenure of service

2. Whether its the first time in a Schengen area?

3. If anyone is accompanying me in the trip?

4. Purpose of travel

5. How will I fund my travel?

6. Why Austria out of all countries?

7. Which cities do I plan to visit?

8. Names of some tourist places in Vienna

9. If I have friends or family living in any Schengen country



10 minutes into the conversation, the lady asked for my HR details. I explained to her that I work for an MNC where the HR handles a considerable headcount and wouldnt know be personally. She then asked for my managers email, which I provided. My manager got an email from the Embassy the next day and responded immediately. The day after, I got a message that my Visa application has been dispatched to Kolkata VFS.



A couple of days later, I received a call from Kolkata VFS asking me to collect the passport. With bated breath, I opened the envelope, and saw my first Schengen Visa sticker on my passport!



Busting the myths

There are many preconceived notions that goes around when it comes to a Schengen Visa. I will try to address some of those here:



1. Its better to go through an agent  No, its not! I dont wish to offend anyone but I feel, the process is quite simple and intuitive and anyone with basic education can create a successful application. I did get in touch with agents  the first one said my chances are slim since I am traveling solo, the second one helped me get the appointment and write a horrible cover letter. I had to redo everything on my own.



2. You wont get a Visa if you travel solo  Nothing like that! Everything depends on your application. Be convincing and detailed. The Visa officer is not seeing your face, so let the documents and words speak for you.



3. You need a long travel history to get a Schengen Visa  I dont think so! I just had two business travels before  one to APAC and another to Middle East. Again, everything depends on your application.



4. You need to show a high bank balance  Probably not! The guideline that is in place (for some countries) dictates a minimal subsistence amount to the tune of 100-120 euros per day of travel. But there is no requirement to maintain a specific bank balance. I know people who had loads of money in their account and got rejected, and vice versa. I for one, showed only few lacs in the two bank accounts combined, so clearly this isnt a deciding factor.



Thats all the gyan I had to share from my Schengen Visa experience. Unfortunately, penning this down took me 5 months. I definitely plan to share my travelogue, when I pick up my pen keyboard again!



Thanks for reading.



Video Link: https://youtu.be/gjM41WI02S4 Blame it on the countless Bollywood and Hollywood movies set in the beautiful backdrops of Europe, which we grew up watching, embarking on a solo journey across Europe is a dream many of us hold close to our hearts. Unfortunately, many of those thoughts die a nascent tragic death because of the sheer number of prerequisites needed to execute the same. We Indians are not yet there with our luck to enter the European countries at ease, given our passport strength. I would be lying if I deny that navigating the bureaucratic maze of Schengen Visa applications is nothing short of a daunting task. However, the King said, . With that faith, I started to stitch together my dream of wandering solo in Europe. One and a half months of meticulous planning later, there it was  my first Schengen Visa, the gateway to my European dream last autumn.I know, hundreds of posts and videos have been made in the past on this topic and there is literally no dearth of resources, but the purpose of writing this piece is to make the process as detailed and simplified as possible, so that it makes you have all the information in one place and are confident in navigating the maze. While some aspects of this write-up are specifically meant to prepare the solo travelers, its a no-brainer that the process remains same for everyone alike.With no further ado, allow me to share the details of the planning stage.The first step in the Visa process is inevitably the planning process. The Schengen Area encompasses 26 European countries and you first need to decide which countries do you fancy visiting. In my experience, it helps if you have a clear idea of the number of days of your travel, the number of countries you want to visit and the approximate budget you want to allocate to your travel. A simple rule of thumb is  you apply to the Embassy of the country where you spend the maximum days in, or to the first country of visit. In case, the number of days is equal in each country, the first point of entry is going to be the Embassy for your Visa application. Number of travel days: 18 Number of countries visited: 4 Entry and exit point: Vienna, Austria Visa type: Multiple Entry Appointment waiting time: 2 days Time to Grant Visa: 18 daysI was clear in my mind that I wanted my Europe sojourn with a flavor of history and charm, and thus planned to include Austria, Czechia, Poland primarily in my itinerary. I added Slovakia to the itinerary as well, because why not? The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, is extremely close to Vienna. Though a lot of people dont visit the place, I wanted to check it out. Originally, I also included Hungary in the plan but dropped it later, because I didnt want to rush through the places. A quick check of the flight prices revealed that the round-trip fare between Kolkata and Vienna is the cheapest compared to Prague / Krakow / Budapest. So, I decided to make Vienna as my entry point, and subsequently apply for the Visa through the Austrian Embassy.And thus started the hustling to gather and organize tons of documents, which are prerequisites to the Visa application.The first step in the process was to build a detailed itinerary through extensive research. While it is not necessary to follow the Visa itinerary during your actual trip, it helps to have a detailed itinerary for many reasons  1) you exactly know when to go where (this is extremely important for me, I always plan meticulously and try to avoid the unknown during my travel), 2) you are prepared in the case of an unlikely interview call from the embassy.I had prepared a detailed day-wise itinerary which included my activities for the day, the mode of commute (intra/inter-city) and the place of stay. For simplicity, I mentioned my destinations as Austria and Hungary only, thus needing fewer documents to support. [sample itinerary attached]The Schengen Visa also requires you to submit a set of employment documents which includes Appointment letter from your current employer, Pay slips of last 3-6 months (depending on the Embassy) and The Leave NOC.All of these documents are pretty easy to procure, especially if the processes are structured in your organization. Otherwise, it would be prudent to speak to your HR as soon as you have a tentative plan ready with the dates.Next in line is the proof of funds, and the process requires you to provide the bank statement of last 3-6 months (depending on the embassy). Although Austrian Embassy requires bank statement of 3 months, I had provided details for 6 months for my salary account. In my opinion, showing the salary account statement gives credibility of continuous source of income.The Income Tax Return (ITR) of last 3 years are also required, which again should be fairly easy to procure. I have been asked by multiple people what they should do if their income isnt taxable or their companies dont provide Form 16. My opinion and advice are  ALWAYS file your tax returns, so that you have your ITR generated. Its not necessary to be in the taxable bracket to file an ITR or even to have a Form 16 (you can populate the details manually while filing ITR). It feels good to be a tax abiding citizen!It is mandatory for you to show your reservations for your travel to/within Europe. I will break this into three parts:1.: Flight reservations can be procured through certain websites for a nominal fee, and the same can be provided as details in the Visa application. However, these reservations are only valid for 14 days (in most cases), so Id recommend that you get this done, closer to your appointment date. You can also book a full fared flight ticket, though this comes with the risk of losing money in the event that your Visa application is rejected. Since I was applying for the first time, I risked a full fared ticket, which had a cancellation fee of 12000 INR.2.: You could provide proof for flights, trains or buses for this part. I had booked refundable Flixbus tickets to show as proofs. In the case of cancellation, you get Flixbus vouchers valid for one year.3.: The easiest part! Just head to Booking.com or Agoda.com and book accommodations with free cancellations. Hostels, hotels, AirBnBs  anything works.A travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30000 Euros is required for a Schengen Visa. Again, this is pretty straight-forward and you can buy one from any of the leading insurance providers. There is a mere difference of few hundred rupees between each, the inclusions are mentioned for the policy type, so choose one which has more features you wish (e.g. Loss of baggage, delayed flights, etc.)You can include additional bank statements or even stock holding statement as additional documents. I had included a bank statement of another savings account and my stock holding statement for this part. At times, the VFS Official might return these to you saying it is not required, but they keep it if you insist. Happened to me and I was able to keep it for the application.Probably the most important of all documents and how a cover letter is written dictates the chance of getting an approved Visa, if you were to ask me! There are loads of templates on the internet, but I would suggest you customize it to include all the necessary information. I created one, intended to give clear information about my travel to the Visa officer. [sample attached]The last leg of the process is to fill in the Visa application. Its important to fill the application with 100% accuracy, so check the details repeatedly and ensure that the details match with your other documents as well as the cover letter.Now that you have all the documents handy and sorted, all you need to do is go to the VFS Website and take an appointment on a date that is convenient (and available!) for you. A lot of embassies have long waiting period, so I would suggest you keep a check on the availability throughout the planning phase.PS - It goes without saying that your photo and passport are also required as a part of the application process. The photo specifications are available on the VFS website, but walk into any good studio  they would know!The process at the VFS site is quite smooth and streamlined in my experience for Kolkata location. You get a token at entry and follow the display board for your token and counter number. Its a three-step process while at VFS  1) submit documents, 2) pay Visa Fees, 3) submit biometric (for some embassies, they click your photo as well, not for Austria). The VFS people do try to sell value added services to you, but I guess they are of no value.In my experience, budgeting half a day is good enough, and morning slots work better.With the application now submitted, the excruciating wait begins! There is no specified timeline within which a Visa is approved and hugely varies by embassy. We cant do much about this stage, except for reading the occasional SMS which provides updates on the application stage.During this stage, it is also possible to receive an interview call from the embassy. Was a sleepy monsoon afternoon when I was getting a call from a generic New Delhi number. I was on the verge of declining it but received, only to find out it was a call from the Austrian Embassy. After confirming that she was indeed speaking to the applicant (DOB verification), the lady proceeded with the (stress interview). I am listing the questions I was asked:1. Designation and company name. Tenure of service2. Whether its the first time in a Schengen area?3. If anyone is accompanying me in the trip?4. Purpose of travel5. How will I fund my travel?6. Why Austria out of all countries?7. Which cities do I plan to visit?8. Names of some tourist places in Vienna9. If I have friends or family living in any Schengen country10 minutes into the conversation, the lady asked for my HR details. I explained to her that I work for an MNC where the HR handles a considerable headcount and wouldnt know be personally. She then asked for my managers email, which I provided. My manager got an email from the Embassy the next day and responded immediately. The day after, I got a message that my Visa application has been dispatched to Kolkata VFS.A couple of days later, I received a call from Kolkata VFS asking me to collect the passport. With bated breath, I opened the envelope, and saw my first Schengen Visa sticker on my passport!There are many preconceived notions that goes around when it comes to a Schengen Visa. I will try to address some of those here:1. No, its not! I dont wish to offend anyone but I feel, the process is quite simple and intuitive and anyone with basic education can create a successful application. I did get in touch with agents  the first one said my chances are slim since I am traveling solo, the second one helped me get the appointment and write a horrible cover letter. I had to redo everything on my own.2. Nothing like that! Everything depends on your application. Be convincing and detailed. The Visa officer is not seeing your face, so let the documents and words speak for you.3. I dont think so! I just had two business travels before  one to APAC and another to Middle East. Again, everything depends on your application.4. Probably not! The guideline that is in place (for some countries) dictates a minimal subsistence amount to the tune of 100-120 euros per day of travel. But there is no requirement to maintain a specific bank balance. I know people who had loads of money in their account and got rejected, and vice versa. I for one, showed only few lacs in the two bank accounts combined, so clearly this isnt a deciding factor.Thats all theI had to share from my Schengen Visa experience. Unfortunately, penning this down took me 5 months. I definitely plan to share my travelogue, when I pick up my pen keyboard again!Thanks for reading. Attached Files Europe Itinerary.pdf (433.8 KB, 97 views) Cover Letter - sample copy.docx (37.9 KB, 102 views)
WASHINGTON, March 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump launched the general election campaign with competing events on Saturday in Georgia, a hotly contested battleground state.

In close proximity, they traded barbs -- Biden portraying Trump as an aspiring dictator, while Trump criticized Biden's handling of the southern border.

Biden's and Trump's concurrent visits to Georgia followed Biden's State of the Union address, where he passionately highlighted differences with Trump, earning praise from Democrats. This occurred shortly after Trump's sole remaining GOP primary rival Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, withdrew, paving the way for his nomination.

In Atlanta, Biden highlighted his achievements and warned of threats to democracy if Trump wins in November, stressing their differing value systems.

"Mine is based on core values that have defined America, and the rest of the world looks at us that way. Decency, honesty, fairness and equality," he said. "But we all know Donald Trump sees a different America. An American story of resentment, revenge and retribution. That's not me. That's not you."

Additionally, Biden criticized Trump's positions and policies on issues such as abortion, taxation, and immigration.

The Georgia rally provided Trump with an opportunity to focus on his key issue -- immigration and border security.

Lately, as polls indicate a rising concern among voters, Trump has intensified his campaign stops, using a recent incident involving Laken Riley, a University of Georgia student who was killed last month, to highlight migrant crime and accusing Biden of neglecting U.S. borders by letting dangerous criminals into the country.

In the 2020 election, Biden secured Georgia by around 12,000 votes, and Democratic wins in Senate races contributed to the party's Senate control.

However, current polling indicates a challenging path for Biden in the state, with Trump holding a lead of approximately 7 percentage points in hypothetical head-to-head matchups.

Despite this, the Biden campaign contends that polling might overstate Trump's support and expects more voters to unite against the prospect of a second Trump term as the election approaches.

On Tuesday, several states and territories in the United States held party primaries for the 2024 presidential election. In the Democratic and Republican primaries, Biden and Trump emerged victorious, respectively, further solidifying their leads within their parties.

U.S. media predict that Trump could potentially secure the Republican presidential nomination as early as the 12th of this month, while Biden could clinch the Democratic nomination by the 19th.

On Thursday, Biden delivered his State of the Union address, accusing Trump of undermining American democracy and inaction on issues such as gun violence. Biden didn't explicitly mention Trump and only referred to his rival as his "predecessor."

Trump responded on social media, labeling Biden as a threat to American democracy and characterizing the State of the Union address as "angry, polarizing, and hate-filled."

Multiple polls indicate that a majority of Americans do not want to see a rematch between Biden and Trump.

"I think this is the worst election in my lifetime," said George Argodale, a voter from Gainesville, Virginia. "It's just terrible that we don't have better candidates."

The primaries mark the initial phase of the U.S. presidential election, with the election day scheduled for Nov. 5 this year. 
TL;DR: After years of delays, the first crewed flight of Boeing's Starliner capsule was scheduled for mid-April, but the mission is facing postponement once more  this time due to scheduling conflicts. The planned mission will fly atop a United Launch Alliance rocket, take two astronauts up to the ISS for a brief stay, before returning Earth-side after one to two weeks.

Boeing started developing the Starliner capsule back in 2010 as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, a venture aimed at partnering with private firms to bolster NASA's capabilities. The project has experienced a decade of delays but was finally set to launch a crewed test flight in April. However, it was announced on Friday that the mission has been postponed by another month.

NASA announced, two days before the launch, that the crewed flight is now "scheduled to launch in early May due to space station scheduling." The mission will be launched atop a United Launch Alliance rocket, carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station (ISS) for a brief stay before returning to Earth after one to two weeks.

While this latest delay is due to administrative reasons, the Starliner program has encountered more serious and systemic issues in the past. One of the three Starliner capsules was retired after a failed test because engineers could not determine the cause of the failure. Then, in June 2023, the other two capsules were grounded indefinitely when two major safety issues were discovered: the tethers connecting the module's parachutes could not support the full weight of the craft, and hundreds of feet of flammable tape had been used to insulate wiring inside the craft.

Thankfully, these technical and engineering issues seem to have been resolved.

However, even if everything goes according to plan in May, the Starliner program will not have achieved the success Boeing had hoped for. Starliner is one of two private partnerships under NASA's Commercial Crew Program, the other being SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsules. The Dragon missions became the first private spacecraft to carry passengers to the ISS in May 2020  almost exactly four years before Boeing's scheduled launch.

But even if everything goes according to plan in May, the Starliner program will not have proved to be the success that Boeing was hoping for. Starliner is one of two private partnerships formed under NASA's Commercial Crew Program, the other is SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsules. The Dragon missions became the first private spacecraft to carry passengers to the ISS in May 2020  almost exactly four years before Boeing's scheduled launch.

NASA will host three news conferences for the mission on March 22 to discuss flight objectives and plans, and to conduct interviews with astronauts Wilmore and Williams. The conferences will be available for live viewing on NASA+ or the NASA website.
BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body, started its closing meeting on Sunday morning.

Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. 
BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- China-Europe freight train services recorded solid expansion in January and February this year, data from China's railway operator showed Sunday.

The number of China-Europe freight train trips reached 2,928 in the first two months of 2024, up 9 percent year on year, according to the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway).

About 317,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of goods were transported via the freight train services during this period, up 10 percent from a year earlier, the railway operator said.

By the end of February, the train services had expanded to cover 219 cities across 25 European countries, according to China Railway. 
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

Scientists invent a pill to avoid having to go to the gym

Japan warns of increasing cases of serious streptococcal infection that can cause toxic shock syndrome and death

Shanghai police cracked down on a series of burglaries: the suspect "switched his face" by buying film and television silicone masks online

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

Teruyuki, a former makuuchi sumo wrestler, retires and stirs up excitement in the sumo ring with his good movements and sprinkling of salt.

Founded in the Meiji era, 119 years of history, Endurance, First appearance in Koshien, Locals are in an uproar

Darvish: ``I want to fight without putting personal feelings in the way'' in his first match with Otani

"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

Does the end of the thermal engine in 2035 have any problems?

The world's first driverless "air taxi" goes on sale for the first time

The world's first driverless "air taxi" goes on sale for the first time

China Cuisine Association: Catering consumption was booming from January to February, and companies in the ready-made beverage category were active

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.''

A bill to reduce the tax burden on citizens was introduced to the State Duma

In Tatarstan, a child was admitted to intensive care after snow fell from a roof onto a stroller.

The record for the largest raclette in the world broken in Saint-Etienne

A case of sabotage was opened in Transnistria after a helicopter was blown up in a military unit

A woman in very serious condition after setting herself on fire in front of the Palace of Justice of Huelva

Two people died and four were injured after an attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Belgorod region

What are the most important economic files awaiting the new Palestinian Prime Minister?

Political funding issue: Prime Minister In addition to sanctions against members of Congress, concrete measures to prevent recurrence will be accelerated

Ski areas in the world are in danger.. What threatens them?

Nine soldiers hospitalized for frostbite and hypothermia after maneuvers in the Aragonese Pyrenees

Peskov: Russia will not listen to US assessments of the past elections

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.

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

Scientists invent a pill to avoid having to go to the gym

Japan warns of increasing cases of serious streptococcal infection that can cause toxic shock syndrome and death

Shanghai police cracked down on a series of burglaries: the suspect "switched his face" by buying film and television silicone masks online

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

Founded in the Meiji era, 119 years of history, Endurance, First appearance in Koshien, Locals are in an uproar

Darvish: ``I want to fight without putting personal feelings in the way'' in his first match with Otani

"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

Does the end of the thermal engine in 2035 have any problems?

The world's first driverless "air taxi" goes on sale for the first time

The world's first driverless "air taxi" goes on sale for the first time

China Cuisine Association: Catering consumption was booming from January to February, and companies in the ready-made beverage category were active

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.''

A case of sabotage was opened in Transnistria after a helicopter was blown up in a military unit

A woman in very serious condition after setting herself on fire in front of the Palace of Justice of Huelva

Two people died and four were injured after an attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Belgorod region

What are the most important economic files awaiting the new Palestinian Prime Minister?

Political funding issue: Prime Minister In addition to sanctions against members of Congress, concrete measures to prevent recurrence will be accelerated

Ski areas in the world are in danger.. What threatens them?

Nine soldiers hospitalized for frostbite and hypothermia after maneuvers in the Aragonese Pyrenees

Peskov: Russia will not listen to US assessments of the past elections

Pascal Praud and you - A police station under siege: the spokesperson for a police union recounts the scene of chaos in La Courneuve

Germany said it would not congratulate Putin on his election victory

Blocking the way of those who are fasting...a Ramadan custom in Sudan

The occupation commits 8 new massacres in Gaza and announces its intention to carry out a massive activity in Rafah

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.

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

Scientists invent a pill to avoid having to go to the gym

Japan warns of increasing cases of serious streptococcal infection that can cause toxic shock syndrome and death

Shanghai police cracked down on a series of burglaries: the suspect "switched his face" by buying film and television silicone masks online

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

Founded in the Meiji era, 119 years of history, Endurance, First appearance in Koshien, Locals are in an uproar

Darvish: ``I want to fight without putting personal feelings in the way'' in his first match with Otani

"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

Does the end of the thermal engine in 2035 have any problems?

The world's first driverless "air taxi" goes on sale for the first time

The world's first driverless "air taxi" goes on sale for the first time

China Cuisine Association: Catering consumption was booming from January to February, and companies in the ready-made beverage category were active

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.''

A case of sabotage was opened in Transnistria after a helicopter was blown up in a military unit

A woman in very serious condition after setting herself on fire in front of the Palace of Justice of Huelva

Two people died and four were injured after an attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Belgorod region

What are the most important economic files awaiting the new Palestinian Prime Minister?

Political funding issue: Prime Minister In addition to sanctions against members of Congress, concrete measures to prevent recurrence will be accelerated

Ski areas in the world are in danger.. What threatens them?

Nine soldiers hospitalized for frostbite and hypothermia after maneuvers in the Aragonese Pyrenees

Peskov: Russia will not listen to US assessments of the past elections

Pascal Praud and you - A police station under siege: the spokesperson for a police union recounts the scene of chaos in La Courneuve

Germany said it would not congratulate Putin on his election victory

Blocking the way of those who are fasting...a Ramadan custom in Sudan

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.

The Japanese Cabinet of Ministers refrained from commenting on the results of the elections in Russia

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The reason for the rise of Islamophobia in some European countries is that this thinking spreads from the top down. This means that Islamophobic thinking is indoctrinated into society through the government, says Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan Gunduz Ismayilov during a panel discussion at the international scientific conference on Embracing Diversity: Fight against Islamophobia in 2024, Azernews reports.

"For example, in 2019, in France, the number of discrimination cases against Muslims in state-owned service establishments was 369, while this figure was 197 in the private sector. What does this mean? In general, there are specific statistics on Islamophobia in European countries such as France, Germany, England, and Switzerland. For example, there are 2500 mosques in France. The absolute majority of these mosques consist of one room. Local Muslims do not have enough budget to build bigger mosques. And the state prevents receiving help from outside. They perceive this as converting France to Islam. Or the issue of Muslim clothing is a serious problem in France. In France, 80% of Islamophobic thinking is directed at women. The Muslims are also prevented from receiving religious education. This is the case both in France and in a number of European countries," he added.

The conference is jointly organized by the Baku International Center for Multiculturalism, the Center for the Analysis of International Relations, the G20 Interreligious Dialogue Forum and the Baku Initiative Group.

It should be noted that more than 130 international guests including scientists from 30 countries of the world, experts of international organizations, religious figures and representatives of non-governmental organizations are participating in the event.

On March 10, the conference participants are scheduled to visit Shusha, which has been declared the cultural capital of the Islamic world in 2024.

Recall that March 15 was first announced as the International Day of Combating Islamophobia on November 27-28, 2020 at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Niamey, Niger. In 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted March 15 as the International Day of Combating Islamophobia.




Zhao Leji, executive chairman of the presidium of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), presides over the third meeting of the presidium at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The presidium of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, held its third meeting Sunday.

Zhao Leji, executive chairman of the presidium, presided over the meeting.

The meeting decided to submit the draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council to the NPC session for vote.

The meeting decided to submit three documents to the session for deliberation. They were draft resolutions on the work reports of the NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

The meeting also deliberated and passed a report on handling proposals put forward by NPC deputies during the session.

The presidium's executive chairpersons met before the meeting to prepare the documents.

The executive chairpersons meeting was presided over by Zhao, who is also chairman of the NPC Standing Committee. 

Zhao Leji, executive chairman of the presidium of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presides over the second meeting of executive chairpersons of the presidium at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)
Seven missing after floods snare cars in southern France: official



Dions, France, March 10 (AFP) Mar 10, 2024



French rescue workers were on Sunday searching for seven people, including two children, missing after violent storms swept the south of the country with most believed to have been swept away in cars on flooded bridges.

A family of four, including two children aged four and 13, was caught in the floods while trying late Saturday evening to drive across a bridge over the river Gardon in the village of Dions, north of the city of Nimes, the prefecture said.

The father and the two children were still missing but the mother, 40, who was also in the car, was found by rescuers and taken to hospital, it added.

In Dions on Sunday a helicopter flew over the village and the bursting waters of the Gardon while large numbers of firefighters engaged in search efforts, helped by drones and dogs. The bridge was still submerged.

Rescuers were also searching for two women, believed to be aged 47 and 50, who made an emergency call on a bridge in the town of Goudargues to the north before contact was lost.

Another driver, of Belgian nationality, was also missing and feared to have been swept away from a bridge in the village of Gagnieres also in the Gard department. The road had been closed and a policeman had told the driver not to drive on the bridge, officials said.

A passenger in his vehicle, also Belgian, managed to get out and take refuge in a tree, before being rescued after more than two hours amid the branches.

In the neighbouring department of Ardeche, the manager of a hydroelectric power station who went to check on the facility has also been missing since Saturday evening in the village of Saint Martin de Valamas. Searches are continuing.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said rescuers had carried out a total of 35 operations as the storm and torrential rains swept across the Ardeche and Gard departments. He added that all the vehicles swept away had been found but there was still "not a trace" of those missing.

The prefecture in the Gard department expressed regret that despite multiple warnings about the incoming storm, "we still see behaviour that is dangerous, first of all for the people themselves but also dangerous for the people whose duty it is to come to their aid."
Activists protest Tesla plant expansion in Germany



Frankfurt, Germany, March 10 (AFP) Mar 10, 2024



Several hundred people demonstrated Sunday against plans by Tesla to expand its electric car factory near Berlin, citing environmental concerns.

The protest came days after Tesla's Gruenheide site was forced to halt production after a nearby electricity pylon was set on fire in a suspected arson attack, causing a power outage at the plant.

The act of sabotage last Tuesday has been claimed by far-left activists from the "Vulkangruppe" (Volcano Group), and federal prosecutors have taken charge of the investigation.

Sunday's protest was organised by a coalition of environmental protection groups including Extinction Rebellion, Nabu and Robin Hood.

Organisers said more than a thousand demonstrators joined the protest, with local media putting the number at around 800 people.

Organisers said they were calling for "a secure water supply" and "real climate protection" and were protesting against Tesla owner Elon Musk's "capitalist sham solutions".

Protesters oppose Musk's plan to expand the Gruenheide plant, south of Berlin, by 170 hectares (420 acres), from a current size of 300 hectares.

The US company aims to double production to a million electric vehicles annually. The Gruenheide site is Tesla's only European factory.

But the plans have annoyed environmentalists and residents who worry about the deforestation required for the expansion, the impact on local water supply and an increase in road traffic in the area.

A local referendum recently saw more than 60 percent of respondents vote against the proposed expansion, though the vote was not legally binding.

Annika Fuchs, a member of the Robin Hood environmental group who took part in the protest, said she wanted local authorities to respect the vote outcome.

"It's really important to us that we take the opinion of citizens here seriously," she told AFP.

Not all locals are against Tesla's plans however.

A smaller counter-protest was held Sunday in support of the Tesla factory, with participants citing economic benefits for the region.

Regional news outlet RBB quoted police as saying some 200 people took part.

bur-mfp/imm

Tesla
Three dead, four missing after floods snare cars in southern France



Dions, France, March 10 (AFP) Mar 10, 2024



French rescue workers recovered three bodies on Sunday and were searching for four other people, including two children, after violent storms lashed the southeast of the country, with most believed to have been swept away in cars on flooded bridges.

A family of four, including two children aged four and 13, was caught in the floods Saturday evening while trying to drive across a bridge evening over the river Gardon at Dions village, north of Nimes, the prefecture said.

The father and two children were still missing but the mother, 40, who was also in the car, was found by rescuers and taken to hospital, it said.

The body of another victim was found a few hundred metres from where a car with two Belgian passengers was swept away by the raging waters on Saturday evening in Gagnieres, a nearby village in the Gard department.

Authorities said the driver had tried to cross a bridge even after it was closed and a police officer had told him not to attempt the passage.

One of the two passengers aboard managed to escape and was later found clinging to a tree for more than two hours before being rescued, the prefecture told AFP.

More than 300 rescue workers were deployed in the Gard department, where two other bodies were recovered Sunday from a car in the village of Goudargues, reportedly of two women aged 47 and 50, who had been heading for Spain.

In the neighbouring Ardeche department, a hydroelectric power station manager who went to check on the facility has also been missing since Saturday evening in the village of Saint Martin de Valamas.

The search was called off as night fell on Sunday "because the water flow made the situation extremely dangerous", regional firefighting official Thierry Carret said, adding the search would resume Monday.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said rescuers had carried out 35 operations as the storm swept over the Ardeche and Gard departments.

The prefecture in the Gard department expressed regret that despite multiple warnings about the incoming storm, "we still see behaviour that is dangerous, first of all for the people themselves but also dangerous for the people whose duty it is to come to their aid".
BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The China Development Bank (CDB), a major policy bank in the country, has stepped up loan support for urban village renovation projects nationwide.

As of Thursday, the bank had issued 61.4 billion yuan (about 8.65 billion U.S. dollars) of special loans to 271 projects in 33 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Wuhan, data from the bank showed.

These projects had benefited about 360,000 households and had supported the construction of 695,000 housing units for people displaced by urban transformation, the CDB said.

The bank added that it issued the first batch of such loans on Jan. 30 this year, which amounted to 9.08 billion yuan.

The central economic work conference, which was held in December last year and set the country's economic policy priorities for 2024, underlined efforts to advance the construction of affordable housing and public infrastructure for both normal and emergency use, as well as urban village renovation. 
The decline in physical bank branches and ATMs will continue as customers abandon cash transactions but the move risks marginalising less tech-savvy people or those whose first language is not English.

The warning from analysts and industry experts comes as the trend towards shutting branches in the banking sector continues apace.

Commonwealth Bank last week said it would close 45 of its Western Australia branches under CBA-owned brand Bankwest and switch to servicing affected customers by digital means only.

Since 2017, major banks reported branch closures, including those at Bankwest, have totalled roughly 1422 according to the Finance Sector Union. The unions national assistant secretary Jason Hall on Wednesday took aim at CBA and Bankwest, arguing closure of the branches would cost about 350 jobs and disadvantage customers.
Eight leading creative arts schools responsible for training the nations prima ballerinas and Oscar-winning actors and directors are facing a financial crunch that threatens Australias reputation as a hothouse of creative talent.

Funding for members of Arts8, a collective of creative arts training colleges including the Australian Ballet School, the Australian National Academy of Music, the Australian Film Television and Radio School, and the Australian Youth Orchestra, has gone backwards, falling below the level it was at 10 years ago, new analysis shows.

Australian Ballet Schools captains, Zoe Horn and Matthew Paten with Andrew Murphy, classical teacher and ballet master. Credit: Eddie Jim

Actors Sigrid Thornton, a board member of the National Institute of Dramatic Arts, and Remy Hii (Crazy Rich Asians) led a high-powered delegation to Canberra last month to make the case for long-term federal government intervention ahead of budget deliberations.

Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke secured a $10 million lifeline for the sector last year, including $5 million for NIDA, the only drama school outside the US and Britain ranked in The Hollywood Reporters worlds best.
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 Geoff Cousins levels his threat in a gravelly voice that he uses precisely and slowly. He speaks like a man used to being listened to. He didnt want to get involved in another campaign, he says, but he feels he cant stand by. So at 81 years of age, one last time, he will engage in politics. Unless the NSW government ends all logging in the states native forests and removes the chair of the state-owned Forestry Corporation, Stefanie Loader, he will devote his full resources to seeing that those things happen. Businessman Geoff Cousins has decided to use his wallet and contact book to end native logging in NSW. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer Three times over the past 20-odd years he has stepped up for an environmental fight and three times he has claimed victory, helping to knock off a $2 billion pulp mill and a gas export hub, and to shrink what would have been one of the worlds biggest coal mines. This is the first time he has targeted an institution in his own state. That means a full-time campaign, says Cousins. It means the complete commitment of any resources I can muster. I dont have to rely on other people to fund what I do, I can fund it. And when I say full-time commitment, I mean literally 24 hours a day. I can be working at three oclock in the morning on something if I think its going to be productive. And then I use all the contacts Ive got both in business and in the environment movement.

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Those contacts are considerable. Cousins is a former chief executive and then chairman of George Patterson advertising agency. He has served on the boards of a swathe of Australias largest companies, including Telstra, the Seven Network, ACP and PBL. He was the first chief executive of Optus Vision and founding chairman of Sydneys Museum of Contemporary Art and is a former director of the Sydney Theatre Company. He is a former president of the Australian Conservation Foundation, and he was a consultant to his friend John Howard when Howard was prime minister. Cousins says he was moved to re-engage in politics as a result of reporting in The Sydney Morning Herald about the operations of the Forestry Corporation and the conduct of some of its staff and contractors. Alongside Bob Brown, Geoff Cousins fought the Adani mine in Queensland. Credit: Andrew Meares Last year the Herald reported that the corporation had ramped up logging operations within the boundaries of the proposed Great Koala National Park, which the state government has promised to create on the north coast. [The Forestry Corporation] knows this national park is coming, and they are deliberately ramping up operations within its boundaries to extract as much timber from it as possible, NSW Nature Conservation Council chief executive Jacqui Mumford said at the time.

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Loading The NSW government committed to protecting koalas by creating the [Great Koala National Park], but before the assessment process even begins, Forestry Corporation plans to log nearly 20 per cent of the park. Then in January, it reported how a prominent Coffs Harbour ecologist and protestor, Mark Graham, had been assaulted by two loggers contracted to the corporation while a staff member filmed the incident. After Graham complained to local police he was prosecuted himself under a law against approaching logging operations. After months of legal dispute charges against Graham were finally dropped and the loggers convicted of assault. Since then, and as yet unreported, a Forestry Corporation employee has been charged with assaulting Graham after a more recent incident on his own property. The chair of the state-owned Forestry Corporation, Stefanie Loader. Cousins says he is appalled at Loaders handling of the first Graham incident at the time, and in correspondence with him since. In an email to Cousins, Loader wrote that she believed her staff had properly left the matter to police. Cousins notes that police did not act for months, during which time her staff had evidence of an assault.

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The chair of this organisation, in brushing away these matters, which she has clearly done in writing, is unforgivable. She is not fit to be the chairperson of such an organisation. The first thing the NSW government needs to do, and its by no means the most important, is to immediately remove her from office. Mark Graham on the stump of a felled Tallowwood tree in a state forest. Credit: Dean Sewell Second, he says, the corporation board should be sacked and reconstituted. If it doesnt happen right away, then its very clear that the [Resources] Minister [Tara Moriarty] is unable or unwilling to control an organisation that reports directly to the minister, he says. Finally, and most importantly, he says, the government should end native forest logging in the state, and particularly inside the boundaries of the Great Koala National Park.

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Even if there was a reliable and responsible organisation carrying out the logging, it would still be in total conflict with the governments policy to create the Great Koala National Park. Any reasonable citizen can see that it is a ludicrous proposition to say were going to create this national park, but until we do, well keep destroying the habitat and food supply of the very animals we are seeking to protect. He says that the corporation did not substantially alter its logging practices after koalas were listed as vulnerable in NSW, or reduce the amount of wood it sought to extract from state forests after the Black Summer fires devastated them, demonstrates that the organisation was not interested in managing logging sustainably. He argues that the corporations hardwood division  which extracts timber from forests rather than plantations  runs at a loss and exists only through subsidies, and does not enjoy the popular support of the taxpayers who are required to fund it. Resources Minister Tara Moriarty is requesting further information from the Forestry Corporation about the actions of its contractors and staff. Credit: AFR The Herald sought comment from Resources Minister Moriarty, Environment Minister Penny Sharpe and from the Forestry Corporation. In a written response, a spokesperson for Moriarty said: The minister has requested further information on matters that have been raised regarding NSW Forestry Corporation and actions by contractors and staff.

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Labor senator Anthony Chisholm has accused the Coalition of running a scare campaign over the fuel efficiency standards that it has labelled a family car and ute tax.

On the ABCs Afternoon Briefing, Chisholm praised Energy Minister Chris Bowens response to the Coalitions attacks.

I thought, importantly, the minister [Bowen] did a good job yesterday of combating the scare campaign that we have had from [the Coalition]. It was not that many years ago they were going to implement their own scheme. The country deserves better, this is an important issue. [Fuel efficiency standards] will provide more choice for Australian motorists and that is a good thing. We are the only modern economic country along with Russia that [does] not have fuel efficiency standards. That is something that we need to fix and I am pleased that this is a government willing to take on that challenge.

Deputy Nationals leader Perin Davey said that while the Coalition had previously considered the policy, the model ... proposed at the time was rejected.

She continued:
Everythings relative for Kate Arndell of Tamworth: I decided to allow my two boys to attend the Tamworth show without me in tow. With clear instructions and $20 each for food and drink, I said I would collect them at the gate. Its never good when the first words you hear on pulling up are Please dont be angry with us. Jumping in with a small cardboard box, they revealed they hadnt used the money as instructed but instead had purchased two baby chicks! We dont live on a farm, so this was less than ideal, and before wed pulled out, one chick had fallen down between the gear stick and the car seat and the other was sitting on my sons head. Stress levels were high. Apparently, they were going to get a pig but we were $10 short! Happily, the chicks were rehomed after a two-day stay in the bathtub.

While at school during the Cold War in the 60s, a favourite joke doing the rounds of the playground told of thieves who broke into the Kremlin and stole the results of the forthcoming election, recalls Ian Eastman of South Turramurra. Sadly, the story still has the same currency today as it did then. Does anyone else have other deja vu anecdotes?

Love a tongue-in-cheek roadside sign [C8], says Col Begg of Orange. A number of American law enforcement agencies are said to be having success with Drug dealers  Report your competition to us.

Tony Hunt of Gordon remains philosophical about Dave Horsfalls spoiler situation: When I read Anna Karenina [C8] I kept praying for it to end.

On the other hand, Pam Fichtner of Dunbogan is impressed: David and I both attended Matraville High, and Im sure our English teacher Mr Barber would be impressed to know that David is reading Tolstoy.
Two-way tolling on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel, and the Eastern Distributor, as well as charging motorists less the longer they drive on toll roads, are among key recommendations from a review identifying serious flaws in the citys motorway system.

Under former competition watchdog chairman Allan Fels proposed shake-up, 74 per cent of motorists would have lower or unchanged tolls if subsidies were used, leaving 26 per cent facing higher charges.

Fels said introducing two-way tolling on the bridge, tunnel and Eastern Distributor was being fairer and the added revenue would be redistributed to help lower charges elsewhere. At present, only southbound motorists on the bridge and tunnel pay tolls, while northbound journeys on the Eastern Distributor are charged.

Fels said on Monday the states toll prices seem very high and competitive bidding by the private sector had not been based on price.
A group meeting of deputies from the delegation of Sichuan Province is held at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Journalists work at a group meeting of deputies from the delegation of Sichuan Province at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)
A knife is found, her home is a crime scene and she is standing on a darkened footpath, calling her son: Shes gone. Your sister is gone. Come home.

The night her daughter was murdered replays in her head. Being ripped awake to what sounded like a million pieces of glass breaking. Screaming her daughters name as she ran down the hallway to Celestes bedroom. Confusion at the blood and glass. Trying to lift her daughters body, attempting to revive her. Pleading as she called triple zero.

Aggie has spent countless hours sitting in this spot over the past three years. Other visitors come and go, on their way to see their own loved ones, but none have lost people in the same horrific way she has.

Colourful flowers cover the site, entwined with glowing lights. The sun is setting over the grave, which has a large photo of the young woman, perennially 23 years old , erected in place of a headstone.

At the bottom of a ridge of green, undulating hills on Melbournes outskirts, Aggie Di Mauro sits quietly on a fold-out chair. In front of her is the grave of her eldest child and only daughter, Celeste.

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There was nothing not to love about Celeste. Those who knew her all say she saw the best in everyone and radiated a positivity that attracted others to her.

As the court process ran its course, Aggie was reluctant to speak too freely in public, petrified that she could jeopardise the proceedings. She now feels able to discuss the case in detail, as she campaigns to hold the state government and police accountable for commitments made to better keep women safe.

It devastated the family, who feel only a life sentence is fitting for the man who stalked Celeste for a year before breaking into her bedroom window in the middle of the night and stabbing her to death.

The man who caused her world to collapse in the early hours of November 16 in 2020, Luay Nader Sako, was last week sentenced in the Supreme Court of Victoria to 36 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 30 years.

Aggie knows she will never be that person again. In her mind, Sakos actions destroyed any notion she had of being a good mother, and so her time is spent either at home or by the grave, denying herself anything that brings her joy.

There are few pictures of them together  Aggie has never liked being photographed  but her favourite shows them beaming, arms around each other, Celeste mid-laugh as her mother smiles down the lens of the camera.

Every day shed come up to me, wrap her arms around me, and Id wrap mine around that tiny little waist of hers, and wed kiss each other good morning.

Aggie spent 23 years letting Celeste know how blessed she was to have her. The mother of two passionately describes the ways the system failed her daughter, but her voice becomes soft when she remembers Celeste.

She was close to her mother and her younger brother, Alessandro, now 22, who she lived with in Melbournes northern suburbs, as well as her father, Tony, who describes her as the most precious gift in his life.

She had never mentioned him before, says Aggie. From there is where it all started.

Celeste escorted him from the building on his last day. She was professional and polite. Over dinner that night, she was embarrassed and uncomfortable as she told her family that when she extended her hand to wish Sako all the best, he had kissed her on the cheek.

He started at Serco in April 2018 as a customer service operator but left a year later when confronted about his performance issues.

Celeste had aspirations to be a psychologist, and worked in her early 20s as a team leader at a Serco call centre. It was here that she would cross paths with Sako, a reclusive, introverted IT worker who was born in Iraq and migrated with his parents and four siblings to Australia in 1992.

I dont deserve to enjoy life if my daughter cant, she says. I should have been able to protect her.

Have you ever had a beast pounce on you Celeste? he wrote in one. I would pounce on you like a pitbull.

When she blocked him, he made fake accounts, sending long, rambling messages, some reading like poetry. She would get a barrage and then not hear anything for days or weeks. Later the messages became extremely sexually explicit, describing in dozens of messages  most of which are too graphic to publish  what he wanted to do to Celeste and speculating about her sex life.

Within days, Sako messaged her on Instagram, declaring his love. Chris Ridsdale, Celestes boyfriend at the time of her death, said Celeste regularly got messages from strangers on Instagram, and she would reply politely. But unlike others who stopped when she asked, Sako persisted.

From the beginning, Aggie was concerned. When the messages escalated in tone, so did her concern about what he could be capable of. She became anxious that Sako could find out their address. The pair located the nearest police stations in case Celeste was followed. She used an app on her phone to share her location with her mother, and reported Sakos behaviour to her employer, so she was escorted to her car after each shift.

We put this safety plan in place, says Aggie. We didnt know what else we could do.

Celeste was at first reluctant to go to police but with no sign Sako would relent, Aggie says they went to the station in early 2020. Aggie claims the desk officer didnt read the majority of the messages or log the visit, telling them a crime hadnt been committed, and advising her daughter to block Sako and consider getting off social media.

Celeste was six days away from her 24th birthday when she was killed.

Several months later, on July 1, 2020, they returned, armed with a manilla folder filled with print-outs of messages received over the year. This time, Aggie says, police seemed to take them more seriously. They were advised to get an interim personal safety intervention order, which they obtained in court two days later.

Within six weeks, despite being interviewed by police, Sako had breached the order, sending Celeste a three-and-a-half page letter begging her to withdraw the charges.

It was chilling for Aggie to read. She was scared about retaliation, and wanted to withdraw the intervention order, but she says police insisted they keep it in place. Weeks went by without any contact. Sako seemed to have disappeared, and with an overwhelming sense of relief, they believed it was over.

Sako would later tell a psychiatrist that during that silence, he was busy researching, using pictures from social media and Google Maps to find Celestes home, locate the floor plan of her house online to identify her bedroom, and drive past her residence.

The same psychiatrist would later opine that it was now that Sako began to oscillate between an intense love and hatred of Celeste, as he realised that his fantasy was not attainable.

She means nothing but trouble for me, the allegations are downright false, Sako would write in notes later found by police in his bedroom. Her beauty is manipulated. She has an inflated sense of worth. She needs protection from whatever she has conjured up  in her overly sensitive mind.

It was the upload of a photo that would ultimately set the horrific events of November 16, 2020 in motion. Celeste posted a picture of herself enjoying a day at the pub with Chris. Justice Jane Dixon, who sentenced Sako, described the photo as the final trigger for the offending. For Chris, the fact this photo played such a large role in the murder haunts him.

Manno posted a photo of her and her boyfriend, Chris Ridsdale, to social media hours before she was murdered.

He had obviously made a decision that he couldnt live with her being happy and going on without him  and he decided to rectify that, he says.

Just hours later, at 3.22am, Sako left his Roxburgh Park home, drove to Mernda, smashed through her bedroom window and killed Celeste. The attack lasted less than three minutes. She suffered 23 wounds, on her chest, abdomen, back, legs and scalp, as well as defensive wounds on her arms. A stab wound to the heart killed her.

The justice system was largely a mystery to Aggie before 2020. Now the muted halls of Victorias Supreme Court are familiar, a place she has navigated countless times.

She watched in disbelief as Sako tried to shift the blame for her daughters murder. Even in the hours after the killing, he drove to the nearest police station and told officers present: Its your fault. During his police interview he complained of unfair and unjust treatment from Celeste, the police and the court, and refused to accept responsibility.

In custody, three psychiatrists formed the view Sako was faking psychosis symptoms, particularly around his account of being visited by a figure called Isha, an ugly person with big nose, ears and pointy teeth. Sako claimed Isha was in the car with him on the way to the murder and told him to end it.

A forensic psychiatrist who diagnosed Sako with an extreme personality disorder, Dr Rajan Darjee, said Sako faked psychotic symptoms to attract sympathy.

Luay Sako.

Sako also tried to persuade psychiatrists he was eligible for the mental impairment defence, using wording similar to the criteria used to assess people for the special defence during one session with Darjee. The psychiatrist later said he had never assessed anyone with this level of knowledge and understanding of the criteria, or who had used the direct wording regarding a defence of mental impairment.

Several psychiatrists pronounced him fit to stand trial.

Sako changed his plea repeatedly as well as switching lawyers, causing further delays. He represented himself for part of a January plea hearing and quibbled over details in the prosecutions evidence, including the number of times he stabbed Celeste. Being unrepresented meant he cross-examined the pathologist who had completed an autopsy on Celeste.

It was brutal testimony for Celestes family to hear, detailing each wound, its size, location, depth, the angle, whether it was ragged, incised or superficial.

Luay Nader Sako arrives at the Supreme Court in Melbourne in January. Credit: AAP

As a result, her family now know how each wound was categorised during the autopsy. Wound one was a stab wound to the heart. The judge, who said Sako carried out the attack with chilling efficiency, ruled she was satisfied Sako stabbed Celeste multiple times, and did not need to determine the exact number of wounds.

Sakos lawyer, who he re-engaged towards the end of his plea hearing, urged the judge to find that while Sako had displayed a lack of empathy for Celestes family, he had not deliberately sought to frustrate or delay the legal process, but struggled to see things from others perspectives due to his personality disorders.

The judge accepted this submission, opining that she did not believe the legal delays were due to any particular dilatoriness on Sakos part. The family strongly disagree.

He spent three years trying to weave his way through the legal system, says Aggie. Being in court facing the demon that took my daughter away from me was the most challenging experience in my life, other than the night she was killed.

Flowers left outside Celestes home in Mernda where she was killed in November 2020. Credit: Simone Fox Koob

Less than a month after Celestes death, the state government promised an urgent review of stalking and committed to do everything it could to support women to feel safe.

The Victorian Law Reform Commissions landmark report  the first Australian inquiry into non-family violence stalking laws  was released in July 2021.

It described a fragmented system, with significant knowledge gaps about what causes stalking behaviour and how to address it. Crucially, it found the criminal justice system was not dealing effectively with stalking, victims were not believed, and reports were often minimised or trivialised.

Its 45 recommendations ranged from greater community education about stalking to improving the swamped personal intervention order system and increasing guidance for police and courts to identify and prioritise stalking cases.

Aggie says her first few discussions with the state government seemed fruitful and she was told all the reports recommendations would be swiftly implemented.

Celestes mother Aggie and brother Alessandro. Credit: Eddie Jim

I wanted answers, she says. They said we will look at what needs to change.

However, she has tried to organise further meetings with Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes in the past six months without reply. Aggie believes if Celestes situation occurred today, the response from authorities and outcome would be exactly the same.

What has changed for victims? Nothing. No recommendations will get Celeste back, but lets fight this to at least help others.

Aggie wants more research and consideration of electronic monitoring for high-risk offenders. This wasnt a measure recommended by the law reform commission, which found it was unlikely to keep people safe.

Symes and the acting chair of the commission Jennifer Coate both said this conclusion had been reached on the available research, and the position could change if future expert evidence showed it was an appropriate tool.

Jennifer Coate, the acting chair of the Victorian Law Reform Commission, says the report into stalking laws found that victims were often not believed or their claims were trivialised.

Coate says there are few signs that the system has improved in the almost three years since the reports release.

We wouldnt be in a position to say [the system] has markedly improved in the wake of the report, she says. There are vast pockets of lack of information and lack of understanding of the complexities of the behaviour that forms stalking.

The report also found that the offence of stalking  which carries a maximum jail term of 10 years in Victoria  was not often used by police, as it was complex and not easy to prosecute. Instead, it was often easier to charge offenders with other, more commonly used offences. It recommended making the offence clearer so that it can be more easily understood.

Coate says that using other charges instead of the stalking created other issues. It actually hides whats happening, she says. Then the figures for stalking look much smaller than they really are.

Swinburne University professor Troy McEwan, a clinical and forensic psychologist and leading researcher on stalking, says Victorias lack of recognition of what constitutes stalking means intervention orders are used in many cases rather than recognising that a crime may have already occurred.

At every stage of the criminal justice system, you get a winnowing out of cases; theyre being labelled things other than stalking, so the size of the problem disappears, says McEwan.

So many personal safety intervention orders are issued, she says, that its difficult for police to have an appropriate response when they are breached.

They really are almost a pointless piece of paper because they cannot be policed adequately, she says.

The Victorian Law Reform Commissions report found that police often used personal safety intervention orders when stalking behaviours were reported to them, leading to a system that has been swamped with these types of civil orders. Coate says that in these sorts of numbers, without specialisation, awareness and training, its difficult to identify those cases in the high-risk category.

Statistics show that in the ten years from 2011 to 2020, there were over 100,000 applications for personal safety intervention orders, and almost 26,000 breaches recorded by police. In the same period, police recorded 25,130 stalking offences.

While McEwan notes homicide is a rare outcome in stalking cases, there are lessons from Celestes case.

I think Celeste Mannos killing was extraordinarily unusual, but everything up to that point was very ordinary in stalking cases in the persistence of the behaviour over many, many months, she says.

McEwan had high hopes for the law reform commissions report, but that it has been gathering dust. I think its a missed opportunity. And I think theres a significant opportunity to make some important changes off what is a completely tragic and awful case, she said.

Asked whether she was disappointed that the recommendations from the report had still not been implemented, Coate says it was a matter for the government, but adds: We have used quite strong language about the importance of responding to a system that needs a response.

Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes told The Age and 60 Minutes that Victoria Police was completing an evaluation of the Screening Assessment for Stalking and Harassment, known as SASH, a tool used to assess the risk level of reported stalking cases which has been piloted at a number of stations.

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Symes said early signs of the pilot were positive.

I know that the system failed that family, she said. Police know that after Celestes death that changes had to happen  I think there has been cultural change since the death of Celeste.

Symes says the reports other recommendations were very broad but are all being considered, and she was discussing with stakeholders whether the offence of stalking needed to be made clearer.

[Stalking is] a challenging complex problem. There are no easy fixes. If there were we would have done them already, she says. Celeste shouldnt be dead. I am motivated to make changes to this system. Weve started that and well continue to do so.

She says she will continue to engage with Celestes family noting it can be sensitive to meet with victims during active court cases.

The sentence has now been handed down and weve reached out to Aggie to catch up, she said.

At her suburban home on Melbournes outskirts, Aggie has spent three years studying, printing out and closely reading Victorian judges remarks in murder sentences and devouring anything she can access that relates to crime and punishment.

In order to cope with living without Celeste, I decided to prepare myself and always know exactly what was going to happen. I buried my head in the books, she says. Im not sure that I have anything left to do if I dont do this.

Aggie at the grave site. Credit: Justin McManus

She has filed a civil claim against Victoria Police, alleging that police didnt properly conduct risk assessments relating to the threat that Sako would harm Celeste and didnt charge him with stalking, among other alleged failures, which amounted to a breach of their duty of care.

Acting deputy commissioner specialist operations Lauren Callaway declines to comment as that case is now before the courts. She says evaluation of SASH screening mechanism would be completed this year, which will inform broader organisational approaches to stalking.

Celestes family has also been told there will be an inquest to make recommendations for further change. A Coroners Court of Victoria spokesperson confirmed the coroner is investigating Celestes death, but it has not been confirmed if an inquest will be held.

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More urgently, Aggie and her family want the Director of Public Prosecutions to lodge an appeal and fight for a life sentence. A spokesperson for the Office of Public Prosecutions said it reviews all sentences imposed in its cases.

Aggie believes all murderers should be sentenced to life in prison, and her family has started a petition to garner community support and have started a website to campaign for change in Celestes name.

I cant do this alone, says Aggie. No parent should ever have to face the prospect of seeing their childs killer walk free, let alone be told what happened to Celeste did not warrant a life sentence.

Women cant safely walk home alone at night, and Celestes death shows they cant even sleep safely in their own bed, in their own home.

Family and friends gather at the grave of Celeste for a vigil in late February. Credit: Justin McManus

As Aggie continues her fight, she clutches a gold heart in her hand. It contains some of the ashes of her daughter, a young woman who had saved pictures of a wedding dress she one day wanted to wear, and a list of names picked out for the children she hoped to have.

Nothing will get me Celeste back. Ive tried to work out, what on earth is my purpose here? What am I supposed to do? And I absolutely believe she wants me to fight for change.

Watch the 60 Minutes interview with Aggie here.

Get the days breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter.
Its systemic

The calm after the storm of two horrific deaths of women  Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy (her body as yet unfound) and Point Cook mother Chaithanya Swetha Madhagani (her body found ruthlessly dumped in a wheelie bin)  is indicative of the shock and horror that we feel over the cruel loss of these womens lives and of the recurring deaths of women in Australia. (Killer of mother found in wheelie bin may have fled abroad, police say, 10/3).

Notably, as much as we would like to self-soothingly believe, these womens deaths are incidental, theyre not.

Violence against women  across a broad spectrum, ranging from image-based abuse (photoshopping superseded by the technological sophistication of AI) and sexual assault to the ultimate act of violence (murder)  is a frequent and recurring pattern of abuse of women in this country underpinned by the common denominator of inequality.

Importantly, the solutions to this inequality will not be found by merely saying not all men are like that as a defence mechanism.

Rather, solutions to cultural and systemic inequality require deep critical thinking that informs decisive action in the short, immediate and long term.

Jelena Rosic, Mornington

Bolin Bolin billabong

I have walked around the Bolin Bolin billabong many times but will do so now with renewed understanding. (New life in our ancient billabongs, 10/3 )

Thank you Jack Latimore for the insights into its Indigenous past and how the ecology works.

No longer a patch of water beside the road, but a living entity. It has been alarming to watch work on the North East Link cut a swath through the green corridor beside this billabong. Lets hope the Birrurung Act 2017 will help protect the site.

Indigenous lore about water meant survival. Early colonial explorers were unable to read the landscape in the same way, to their peril. Another reason

to embrace our shared heritage and value the original custodians of our waterways.

Jennie Stuart, Balwyn

More than inconvenient

Climate activists were jailed last week for blocking the West Gate Bridge with a magistrate stressing the need to uphold the rule of law and maintain public order. There will not be such a concept if serious steps are not taken by governments, business and indeed the general public very soon to effectively slow the onset of an approaching dystopia.

Some of these activists have been referred to as serial offenders and some voices in the media feel inclined, as do large numbers of the public, to demonise them.

But these people are not acting out of greed or self-interest, as the forces denying the need for urgent action are.

I would have been furious if caught up in a traffic nightmare as so many did. Recognising climate change is just the start. Much has to change.

The rule of law and public order will be irrelevant unless all are prepared to make changes and seriously recognise the threat as a threat, and not an inconvenience.

Perhaps in the future, history will see the climate activists in a different light.

Jeremy Sallmann, Crib Point

Event of turbulence

Could we be misjudging the airlines? (Jetstar cancelled Jacquelines flight, 10/3). Im not one to rush to the cause of the Australian airline industry, but could we be witnessing a preview of the future, and the weather really becoming too dodgy for safe flying?

Im hearing more stories of cruise ships skipping scheduled ports of call because of rough seas. Given the reported extreme events, a steady deterioration of normal weather conditions overall is not out of the question. Its a prospect with which we may have to accustom ourselves.

John Mosig, Kew

Not proportionate

For too long, I have watched the slaughter in Gaza, and felt sadness and shame, but done nothing. Part of my reticence is the empathy I feel for Israelis after the October 7 attacks, but the reality now is that what is occurring is not a proportionate response but, as has been stated many times, genocide.

All reasonable people live with an abhorrent historical understanding of the Holocaust and the psychological scars Jews all over the world share but in some ways, that has created a barrier to criticism of the Israeli occupation of Palestinians land and their subjugation.

I understand, without condoning, the desire for liberation that drives some Palestinians to extremism. History, and decisions imposed by colonial powers both before and after World War II, have created an impossible situation that can only be in some way mitigated by a two-state solution.

There is fault on both sides, and a solution is impeded by the blind support for Israel by the United States, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus hardline position, driven no doubt by his continued lust for relevance and relief from his corruption charges. In the meantime, Israeli hostages of Hamas remain in hell, and innocent Palestinians have arrived at the gates of that very same place.

Let either side criticise my understanding. What matters now is the suffering of the innocent.

Tony Roberts, Wandin North
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 Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto says he has done everything thats within my power to resolve the bitter dispute with exiled colleague Moira Deeming plaguing his leadership and his partys prospects of presenting a viable alternative government. During an extended interview with this masthead prompted by the departure of his two most senior advisers and renewed speculation about a leadership challenge, Pesutto revealed his lawyers were negotiating with Deemings legal team to avoid the cost and damaging spectacle of a Federal Court trial, slated to run for 10 days in September, where the partys internal machinations will be publicly examined in vivid detail. Sources on both sides of the dispute confirmed the parties have discussed a financial settlement and reached agreement on the wording of an apology from Pesutto, which would retract any defamatory comments he made about Deemings involvement in a womens rights rally gatecrashed by neo-Nazis in March last year. But Deemings demand that Pesutto guarantee her return to the Liberal party room is the major remaining barrier to the case being dropped. Moira Deeming wants a guaranteed return to the Liberal party room before she drops her defamation claim against John Pesutto. Credit: Jason South Pesutto said even if he pledged support for Deemings return from the crossbench into the Liberal fold, he could not guarantee the outcome of the required party vote to rescind the expulsion order. That is precisely not my gift to give, he said. That is always a matter for the party. I know that therell be a trial at some point, so of course I dont want to put the party through that. All I can say without going into too much detail about it is that I have tried to resolve the matter. And Im continuing to try to resolve the matter. Everything thats within my power to offer up and try to resolve, I have done so.

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This explanation was rejected by Deemings supporters, who said Pesutto could effectively assure her return by presenting it to colleagues as the only way of ending the internecine conflict. Under the latest proposal he would abstain from, rather than support, a motion to readmit Deeming, said a source close to Deeming who spoke anonymously to discuss confidential negotiations. Deeming declined to comment. Moderate MPs canvassed by this masthead expressed doubt that a majority of colleagues would accept Deemings return, though none would talk publicly about internal party matters. One Pesutto supporter said it would solve an immediate problem but most likely, create a bigger one. If they are f---ed now, they are 100 times more f---ed if they let Moira back in, the supporter said. The sense of crisis surrounding the Victorian Liberal leadership is likely to deepen as early as this week, when two other women who spoke at last years rally, self-described gender-critical feminists Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull and Angela Jones, are expected to issue separate defamation writs against Pesutto in the Federal Court. Lining up to sue (from left): Moira Deeming, Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, Katherine Deves and Angela Jones in a video posted after the rally. Credit: Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull The cases are entwined, with Pesuttos Federal Court response to Deemings claim identifying Keen-Minshull and Jones as associates of Deeming who held abhorrent views. Keen-Minshull and Jones are represented by Katherine Deves, a lawyer-turned-Liberal candidate, whose public comments on transgender issues split the party during the 2022 federal election campaign. Deves involvement in the cases, combined with the decision by a number of conservative Liberal Party donors to cover Deemings legal costs, has morphed the defamation proceedings into an internal party culture war. Those discussing the separate action declined to be named due to the soon-to-be-live court proceedings.

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Without Deeming, there are 30 Liberal MPs. When the party room last elected a leader, Pesutto won by a solitary vote. One MP said the most pressing question was not whether Pesuttos leadership would survive his appearance in the witness box, but whether he would make it to the courtroom doors as leader. There are two groups with two different timelines, the MP said. One wants it (a leadership challenge) to happen in September when the court case engulfs him. The other wants it to happen faster. Pesutto says he is determined to present a viable alternative to Jacinta Allans Labor government. Credit: The Age Despite the looming trial and last weeks resignations of two senior advisers he brought in from outside the party to drive his political and media strategies  former chief of staff Rodrigo Pintos-Lopez and former media director Nick Johnston  Pesutto said he remained committed to reforming the party and mounting a serious challenge to the Allan government at the 2026 state election. He agreed he has not managed to unify the party since taking the leadership in December 2022 and that his approach had ruffled some feathers among colleagues. He said the opposition had still done its job: scrutinising government decisions, strengthening parliamentary oversight and elevating in voters minds issues he believes will be central to the next election outcome  $177.8 billion in state debt, the disproportionate cost of the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) project and the centralised, opaque way government decisions are made. I want to unify everybody but I cant sit here and tell you that Ive completed that project today, a bit over a year in the job, Pesutto said. It is going to take a little more time, but my firm view is we are headed in the right direction.

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My job primarily is to drive the team, working with members of the team so that we are shaping the discussion and the policy issues that Victorians are most concerned about. I think were doing that and I think were doing it well. Pesutto listed his teams two most important policy wins, both achieved with crossbench support, as the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry into the abandoned Commonwealth Games and an overhaul of the parliaments integrity oversight committee, which is now chaired by a non-government MP. Loading He said that when he talks to voters, debt is the second-most common issue they raise behind the cost of living. They dont know what the number is but theyre concerned because the debt figure for them is a proxy for whether they are confident and optimistic about the states future. Increasingly, they are not. A Pesutto government would prioritise installing better oversight and auditing of major projects, he says. The SRL is not just a debate over one project. The SRL is a debate over the states future, and competing visions for the states future. We are bleeding out in terms of debt, and it is affecting everything else. Pesuttos plans for government appear a distant concern, given the parlous state of his leadership, divisions within his party room and the long-term, structural challenges for a political party supported by a shrinking, ageing membership more politically conservative than most Victorian voters. Over the past 25 years, the Coalition has governed Victoria for only one parliamentary term. Pesutto said his two senior staff, a Harvard-educated lawyer in Pintos-Lopez and an experienced journalist and communications adviser in Johnston, left amicably to resume commercial careers. The announcement was delayed until last week so that it wouldnt affect the Dunkley federal byelection.

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While Pintos-Lopez and Johnston left on friendly terms with Pesutto, they also expressed to colleagues their dismay and frustration at campaigns being waged within the party to undermine his leadership. This masthead understands the tipping point was the oppositions decision to revoke its support for a treaty with Victorias First Nations peoples. The change was announced in late January during a radio interview by Nationals leader Peter Walsh, while Pintos-Lopez was on holiday and without consultation with Aboriginal leaders. Pintos-Lopez and Johnston have told colleagues the next election is winnable for the Coalition and Pesutto is the only leader who can deliver victory. Their decision to quit, just 12 months after joining Pesuttos office, suggests they no longer believe the party will let him succeed. Pintos-Lopez and Johnston both declined to comment. Rodrigo Pintos-Lopez quit as Pesuttos chief of staff after a year in the job. Pesutto confirmed the change of policy towards treaty was not subject to a party room debate but said it reflects the overwhelming view of the Coalition parties. My respectful argument would be that we cant make treaty the sole hinge on which reconciliation depends, he said. Pressed on what his party was willing to do, other than treaty, to advance reconciliation, Pesutto spoke generally of closing the gap in education, health and other outcomes. He said restoring the Liberal Partys electoral viability was a long, bruising and necessary process if Victorians were to be offered a serious choice of government. When asked how he can see this through without a unified party behind him, Pesutto said it was a reasonable question but one that could not distract him from his mission. You cant go into public life being deterred because not everybody agrees with you. You have to know and believe in your gut that what youre doing is right, he said.

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And here in Australia, we are paying among the highest energy bills in the world, our grid is wobbling with threats of blackouts, were already experiencing some blackouts and we need to get to net zero. Opposition energy spokesman Ted OBrien says experts say Australia could have nuclear power within a decade. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Describing the Coalition case for nuclear power as crumbling like a Sao [biscuit] in a blender when subjected to scrutiny, Bowen said there was no way Australia could have a nuclear power plant up and running in a decade. Tell him hes dreaming, Bowen told the ABCs Insiders, quoting from the beloved film The Castle. [In] the United States, with a very developed regulatory regime, with a very developed nuclear industry, the nuclear leader of the world, the average build time of a nuclear power plant in the United States has been 19 years.

Loading Bowen said the costs also did not stack up, given Britains Hinkley Point C nuclear power station was completed late at a cost of $86 billion for just over three gigawatts of energy output. Now, coal in Australia is about 22 gigawatts. Do the maths, he said. This is an eyewatering, eyewatering amount of government taxpayer subsidy that would be required to make this stack up. Maybe Peter Dutton is prepared to do that. Were not. Former chief scientist Alan Finkel, a respected energy policy expert, said he believed nuclear power was an excellent way to help nations reach net zero emissions over the long term, but he expressed scepticism about the oppositions 10-year timeframe. He cited the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates, which was announced in 2009 and which had the first of four units enter commercial service in 2021.

You would find it difficult to imagine Australia could move faster than the UAE, Finkel said, noting that the national moratorium on nuclear power would need to be overturned and that any proposed nuclear power plants would be likely to face legal challenges and protests. Nuclear power is a great long-term solution but it would not address our needs over the next 15 to 20 years. Grattan Institute energy and climate change policy director Tony Wood said it would take at least 10 years, and probably closer to 20 years, for a nuclear power plant to become operational in Australia. Youve got huge challenges ahead, and even to work out what it would actually cost, he said. Starting from scratch in a country thats got no facilities, no people who know how to work on a nuclear power station at all, and we know that Australia is in the world a relatively high-cost place to build stuff, so its just very difficult.

Ive got no fundamental objection to nuclear. I just think the economics in the timescale are horrendous. I dont think the opposition has really laid out a proper plan. Can they do that? Yes, and they should. Noting that Australia is the only G20 nation to ban nuclear energy, Finkel and Wood said it would be logical for the government to overturn the moratorium on nuclear power. Asked whether Australia needed the ban if it was so prohibitively expensive and took so long, Bowen said the government did not want to send mixed signals about its priorities. It would send the signal that the governments somehow interested in setting subsidies, Bowen said.

Theres a myth that this is happening elsewhere in the world. Its not. Australia has the best renewable resources in the world. It would be a massive economic own goal to give up utilising those resources and to go down this nuclear fantasy. Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Bowen and Transport Minister Catherine King have also begun consultation on new fuel efficiency standards, which would cap the average emissions of a car manufacturers overall fleet of vehicles in a bid to cut vehicle pollution by 60 per cent by 2030. While saying he would not be bullied out of taking action from opponents of change, Bowen said he was willing to accept reasonable changes proposed by industry during the consultation process. We chose to consult because we want to make sure weve hoovered up all the good ideas about how to implement this, so where an idea has been made to us sensibly, we will consider it sensibly in good faith to help the implementation of what is a big and complicated policy space, he said.
When Ted Pochodyla first moved onto his 10-hectare property in Kemps Creek 36 years ago, it was an idyllic rural hamlet of small farms surrounded by pristine bushland.

But a series of significant planning changes to land near the new airport in Sydneys sprawling south-west have turned his patch of paradise into a nightmare.

Left behind: Ted Pochodyla outside his property in Kemps Creek on Sydneys south-west fringe. Credit: Wolter Peeters

Pochodyla lives in whats known as the Mamre Road Precinct, a massive industrial rezoning of 850 hectares 15 kilometres from the Badgerys Creek airport.

It has turned the once-sleepy area into the home of a multi-billion dollar logistics hub expected to create about 17,000 jobs.
One of Victorias most successful homelessness programs is set to be slashed by 75 per cent amid the worst housing crisis in decades, as the Allan government scrambles to find savings ahead of the May budget.

Some 1500 fewer people will benefit from the states From Homelessness to a Home scheme when its funding is cut from July, government tender documents seen by The Age show. Just 500 new clients experiencing rough sleeping or other forms of persistent homelessness will benefit over three years under the overhaul.

Mark Barlow has been through the homelessness program and is now in permanent housing. Credit: Simon Schluter

Graduates from the program  which supports unhoused people in finding permanent homes within 12 months and has a 90 per cent success rate  and the peak body for homelessness are demanding the decision be reversed and for similar measures to be ringfenced from budget cuts.

The development comes as internal Homes Victoria data, also seen by this masthead, reveals public housing stock available to homeless Victorians declined between June and December despite Labors Big Build program. Insiders say this is because of the way the massive infrastructure projects is being managed, with existing stock being sold or demolished before the development of greenfield sites.
A US Army official said that typically in these operations, a large vessel sits off the shore of the desired location, and a roll-on-roll-off discharge facility a big floating dock is constructed next to the ship to serve as the holding area. Cargo driven or placed on the dock is loaded onto smaller Navy boats and moved towards a temporary pier or causeway anchored ashore. An aircraft airdrops humanitarian aid over Gaza the northern Gaza Strip. Credit: AP The 550-metre two-lane temporary causeway is built by Army engineers, flanked by tugboats and driven, or stabbed, into the shore. Cargo aboard the smaller Navy boats can then be driven onto the causeway and onshore. Ryder insisted the military could build the causeway and stab it into the shore without putting any American boots or fins  on the ground in Gaza. He said it would take up to 60 days and about 1000 US troops to move the ship into place from the US East Coast and to build the dock and causeway. After the ship arrives offshore, it would take about 7 to 10 days to assemble the floating dock and the causeway, a Defence Department official said.

This is part of a full-court press by the United States to not only focus on working on opening up and expanding roads via land, which of course are the optimal way to get aid into Gaza, but also by conducting airdrops, Ryder said. The General Frank S. Besson departs Joint Base Langley-Eustis en route to the Eastern Mediterranean. Credit: Twitter/USCentcom The floating pier will allow for the delivery of upward of 2 million meals a day, he said. The Gaza Strip has a population of about 2.3 million people. Ryder acknowledged that neither the airdrops nor the floating pier would be as effective as sending aid by land, which Israel has blocked. We want to see the amount of aid going via land increase significantly, Ryder said. We understand that is the most viable way to get aid in. But, he added, were not going to wait around.

The US will work with regional partners and European allies to build, fund and maintain the corridor, officials said, noting that the idea for the project originated in Cyprus. The US Army Vessel General Frank S. Besson. Credit: Twitter/USCentcom On Thursday, Sigrid Kaag, the UN.humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, welcomed the Biden announcement. But, speaking with reporters after briefing the Security Council, she added, at the same time I cannot but repeat: air and sea is not a substitute for land, and nobody says otherwise. The Biden humanitarian efforts in Gaza so far may make a few people in the United States feel good, Robert Ford, a former US ambassador to Syria, said in an interview. But, he added, this is applying a very small Band-Aid to a very big wound. The humanitarian aid will probably be gathered in Larnaca, Cyprus, some 210 nautical miles (388 km) from Gaza, officials said. That would allow Israeli officials to screen the shipments first.

While the temporary port will initially be military-run, Washington envisions it eventually being commercially operated, the official said. Two diplomats briefed on the plans said the port would be erected on Gazas shoreline slightly north of the Wadi Gaza crossing, where Israeli forces have erected a major checkpoint. Meanwhile, the Open Arms, a salvage vessel, plans to tow a barge with 200 tonnes of food, mostly funded by the UAE. The supplies were sourced by charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), which is working with Spanish non-governmental organisation Proactiva Open Arms. WCK said it had another 500 tonnes of supplies in Cyprus, which would be dispatched in future missions, Reuters reported. The central problems, however, remain unsolved. Aid officials say that delivering supplies by truck is far more efficient and less expensive than bringing them to Gaza by boat. But trucks are still unable to deliver goods amid Israeli shelling and ground fighting, which is fierce in southern Gaza.

And delivering assistance by sea may not prevent the chaos that has accompanied deliveries. More than 100 people were killed in Gaza last month, health officials there said, when hungry civilians rushed at a convoy of aid trucks, leading to a stampede and prompting Israeli soldiers to fire at the crowd. Loading The US military has airdropped aid in the Middle East and South Asia during previous conflicts, even during wars in which the United States was directly involved. In 2014, President Barack Obama ordered military aircraft to drop food and water to tens of thousands of Yazidis trapped on a barren mountain range in northwestern Iraq. The Yazidis, members of an ethnic and religious minority, were fleeing militants who were threatening genocide.
This photo taken on March 10, 2024 shows a view after an Israeli strike at the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip from the ongoing Israeli attacks exceeded 31,000, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Sunday. (Xinhua)

GAZA, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip from the ongoing Israeli attacks exceeded 31,000, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Sunday.

During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 85 Palestinians and wounded 130 others in various areas in the coastal enclave, bringing the total death toll to 31,045 and injuries to 72,654, according to the statement.

The statement noted that some victims remain under the rubble amid heavy bombardment and a lack of civil defense and ambulance crews.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against the group's rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 240 were taken hostage. 

This photo taken on March 10, 2024 shows a view after an Israeli strike at the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip from the ongoing Israeli attacks exceeded 31,000, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Sunday. (Xinhua)

People gather around a car destroyed during an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, March 10, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip from the ongoing Israeli attacks exceeded 31,000, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Sunday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

People gather around a car destroyed during an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, March 10, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip from the ongoing Israeli attacks exceeded 31,000, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Sunday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

This photo taken on March 10, 2024 shows a view after an Israeli strike at the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip from the ongoing Israeli attacks exceeded 31,000, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Sunday. (Xinhua)

This photo taken on March 10, 2024 shows a view after an Israeli strike at the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip from the ongoing Israeli attacks exceeded 31,000, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Sunday. (Xinhua)

People gather around a car destroyed during an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, March 10, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip from the ongoing Israeli attacks exceeded 31,000, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Sunday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

This photo taken on March 10, 2024 shows a view after an Israeli strike at the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip from the ongoing Israeli attacks exceeded 31,000, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Sunday. (Xinhua)
25 cr people risen above poverty line





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has said that according to Niti Aayog, 25 crore people have risen above the poverty line, emphasising the governments commitment under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership to eradicate poverty entirely. He was addressing the Kisan Mahakumbh in Raipur. Singh pledged that all farmers would receive soil health cards within a year. Singh also praised the effective governance of Vishnu Deo Sai, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, stating that the State would progress significantly under his leadership and within the 100 days of his governance, the State is back on the saddle of development. He highlighted the BJPs dedication to development, stressing the importance of rectifying the stagnation of the past five years. Addressing the agricultural concerns, Singh mentioned the affordability of urea in India compared to other countries, reassuring farmers that their interests would be safeguarded. He also acknowledged the abundance of millet in State and emphasised the governments commitment to supporting farmers.

Furthermore, Singh condemned the politics of appeasement practiced by the Congress party, contrasting it with the BJPs approach focused on justice and humanity. He recounted the governments successful intervention during the Ukraine war to rescue stranded students, highlighting the efficacy and integrity of the Modi administration. The Kisan Mahasammelan, organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), aims to mobilize farmers ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The event features a grand pandal and a unique rangoli showcasing various crops grown in Chhattisgarh, including millets and vegetables. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai addressing the farmers at the Mahasammelan emphasized the BJPs commitment to farmers. Chief Minister Sai reflected on the historical neglect faced by farmers under Congress rule. He credited the BJP for introducing farmer-friendly initiatives such as Kisan Credit Card and crop insurance, initiated during tenures of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi. Chief Minister Sai underscored the trust placed by the people of Chhattisgarh in the Modi Ki Guarantee, which propelled the BJP to power in the state.

He highlighted the swift actions taken by the BJP government in the past two and a half months, including the initiation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for 18 lakh people and the disbursal of the outstanding bonus of 12 lakh farmers, amounting to Rs 3716 crore. Regarding agricultural policies, Chief Minister Sai announced the procurement of 21 quintals per acre of paddy and the payment of the difference amount of Rs 917 per quintal to farmers on March 12, totalling Rs 13000 crores. He also mentioned the Mahtari Vandan scheme, under which Rs 1000 will be transferred to the accounts of 14.70 lakh women on March 14. Furthermore, Chief Minister Sai informed the audience about the Ramlalla Darshan Yojana and the recent departure of the first train of devotees to Ayodhya, affirming his governments commitment to fulfilling all promises made under the Modi Ki Guarantee soon. State Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam speaking on the occasion reiterated the governments commitment to the welfare of farmers. The Kisan Mahasammelan organized by the Chhattisgarh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) witnessed a massive turnout. BJP State President Kiran Singh Deo, Saroj Pandey, Lata Usendi, Rajkumar Chahar, Deputy CMs Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma and various MPs, MLAs, and other dignitaries attended the Kisan Mahasammelan. Rajnath Singh was accorded a warm welcome by CM Vishnu Deo Sai on his arrival. Rajnath Singh met former CM Raman Singh and other dignitaries.
50 suffer from food poisoning in Kamptee







Staff Reporter

AS many as 50 persons in Kamptee suffered from food poisoning after consuming some farali snacks and sweets made of sago, potatoes and other items purchased from some prominent sweetmeat shops on Friday. The food poisoning victims have been admitted to private hospitals in Kamptee. As most of the people had fast on Mahashivratri, they purchased farali snacks and sweets from some sweetmeat shops and also roadside stalls. After consuming them, they complained of upset stomach aches and vomiting. They were admitted to Life Line Hospital and Asha Hospital. After the treatment, most of them were discharged on Saturday. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-V) Niketan Kadam told The Hitavada that the New Kamptee and Juni Kamptee Police have collected the food samples from some shops and would be sent to the Food & Drug Administration Department for analysis. according to police officials.
65-yr-old woman labourer killed, 4 hurt in stampede at BJP event





Staff Reporter

AN elderly woman was killed and four others were injured, two of them seriously, in a stampede during a programme organised by city unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Sabhagruha, Reshimbag, to distribute utensils and some household goods to construction workers on Saturday morning. Thousands of construction workers rushed inside the auditorium when the gates were opened, leading to the stampede. Manu Tulsiram Rajput (65), a resident of Ashirvad Nagar, was seriously injured along with four other women workers. The injured women were rushed to Government Medical College & Hospital (GMC&H) where Manu Rajput was declared dead by the doctors.

The BJPs event for construction workers registered with the Maharashtra Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board which was inaugurated on Friday, and was to continue till March 11 at the auditorium.

At the programme, utensils and other household goods were being distributed free to the workers from 10 am onwards. Thousands of workers, mostly women, were waiting outside the auditorium since 5 am. Around 10.15 am, the gates of the auditorium were opened. Soon, the workers rushed inside resulting in the stampede. Manu Rajput, Poonam Chandge (43), a resident of Rameshwari, and three others collapsed in the stampede and suffered internal injuries. The volunteers rushed them to GMC&H where Manu Rajput succumbed to her injuries. A senior police officer told The Hitavada that the programme was suspended indefinitely after the incident. Kotwali Police have registered an accidental death case and started investigation, he added.
Bihar Govt will form panel to take stringent action against land mafia: Shah







PATNA,

UNION Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said the Bihar Government will form a committee to look into the cases of land grabbing and warned of stringent action against the land mafia allegedly patronised by RJD chief Lalu Prasad. Shah made the statement at a public meeting in Paliganj, about 50 km from Patna, organised by the BJP OBC Morcha. People like Lalu Prasad have done nothing for the betterment of OBCs and extremely backward classes. All they have been doing is grabbing land belonging to pichhda and ati-pichhda, he alleged. The allusion was apparently to the land for jobs scam, pertaining to the RJD supremos tenure as the railway minister in the Manmohan Singh Government, being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Many members of Prasads family have been named as accused in the case. Shah said, Today, I want to warn all the land mafia.

The double-engine government is back in Bihar. The NDA Government will take stringent action (ulta latkakar sidha kar degi) against all the land mafia. A committee will be set up by the new NDA government to look into all cases of land grabbing and recommend stern action, said Shah, who was on his first tour of Bihar since the BJP returned to power in the state, following the return of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to the NDA. He also berated the Opposition, alleging that the top brass of the Congress and RJD always worked for the interest of their families but did not do anything for the poor. The top brass of the Congress have always taken care of their families. In the name of backward people, Lalu-ji also lived his entire life for his family.

Sonia Gandhis only goal is to make Rahul Gandhi the prime minister, while Lalu-jis aim is to make his son the Chief Minister, he claimed. If anyone can do good for the poor then its only Narendra Modi and the BJP, he added. Shah, who was addressing the pichhda ati-pichhda sammelan, also slammed the Congress, an ally of the RJD, for its failure to honour former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, an OBC stalwart. He underscored that Thakur had formed his government, which is remembered for introducing quotas for the backward classes, with the support of Jan Sangh, the BJPs predecessor.
BJP, Sena, NCP discussLS seat sharing pact







NEW DELHI,

UNION Home Minister Amit Shah held discussions for seat sharing in Maharashtra for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with coalition partners Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and NCP president Ajit Pawar. Shinde and Pawar -- Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra -- held talks with Shah here late Friday. Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present in the meeting. Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Pawar-led NCP and the BJP will contest the Lok Sabha elections in alliance in Maharashtra which sends 48 members to the Lower House of Parliament.

BJP had won 23 of the 25 seats it had contested in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, while its then alliance partner -- undivided Shiv Sena -- won 18 seats of the 23 seats it had contested. The undivided NCP, as part of the Opposition alliance, had contested 19 seats and managed to win four. The Shiv Sena, which had joined hands with the Congress and the NCP to form a coalition Government after the Assembly elections in Maharashtra in 2019, split in 2022 when Eknath Shinde walked away with a majority of the partys MPs and MLAs and joined hands with the BJP. The BJP, which was the single largest party after the last State elections, formed a coalition Government with Shinde as the Chief Minister.
CBI includes attempt to murder charges against Sheikh Shahjahan in two FIRs





KOLKATA,

THE CBI, which is probing the attack on ED and CAPF personnel in West Bengal, has now included attempt to murder charges under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code to two FIRs against Sheikh Shahjahan. The suspended Trinamool Congress leader is the accused mastermind in the January 5 attack at Sandeshkhali. The CBI has filed a total of three FIRs in the two cases of attacks on ED and CAPF officials on January 5 and submitted the FIRs at the

Basirhat Sub-Divisional Court in North 24 Parganas District. Out of the three FIRs, two are against Sheikh Shahjahan in connection with the attack in front of his residence at Sandeshkhali. Sources said the charges of attempt to murder have been included to those two FIRs.

The third FIR is against another Trinamool Congress leader from Bongaon also in North 24 Parganas District, Shankar Adhya, who is already in judicial custody in connection with the multi-crore PDS case. Officer-in-charge of Sandeshkhali police station transferred: THE West Bengal Government on Saturday transferred Biswajit Shanpui, the officer-in-charge of Sandeshkhali police station, amid the ongoing furore over allegations of sexual abuse and land

grabbing against local TMC leaders.
Electrocution of adult male tiger One of three accused held within 24 hours





Staff Reporter

Forest team succeeded in apprehending one of the three accused involved in electrocution of an adult male tiger within 24 hours of the incident was reported, on Saturday. The arrested has been identified as Parasram Maravi, son of Naseeb Singh Maravi, a resident of Parsatola, Umardoni village while two other accused are still at large. Adult male tiger T-46 was killed by unidentified poachers and its carcass was found at Khapa range in Kareli village in buffer zone of Kanha Tiger Reserve.

Prima facie of the investigations confirmed that the tiger was electrocuted in a trap laid by poachers. Villagers first sight the carcass on March 8 and informed that Forest Department. Field Director of Kanha Tiger Reserve, SK Singh, while talking to The Hitavada, informed that taking a serious note into the case, investigation team comprised of dog squad started a search and apprehended one of the three accused involved in laying the electric trap. The accused are not habitual poachers but they are farmers. They stretched electric wire at their farm for its protection from wild boar but a tiger was electrocuted with the trap.

There was nothing missing from the carcass and its tooth, moustache, nails and other organs were untouched. On the other hand, team of veterinarians conducted autopsy of the carcass and preserved viscera for further scientific investigations. The carcass was set ablaze in presence of officers of Kanha Management, Field Director, Pench Tiger Reserve, Deputy Director, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Tehsildar Baihar, Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Kareliand Assistant Director, Malajkhand and representative of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in the forest area according to standard operation procedure.
Navy Commanders explore ways to boost combat prowess in island territories





NEW DELHI,

TOP Commanders of the Indian Navy carried out a comprehensive review of the security challenges facing the nation in the maritime domain and vowed to work towards boosting the combat capabilities of the force including in the strategically-located Island Territories. India on Wednesday commissioned a new naval base, INS Jatayu, at Minicoy in Lakshadweep islands to enhance its combat prowess amid Chinas increasing forays into the Indian Ocean region.

Ways to further strengthen Indias maritime prowess figured prominently at the Naval Commanders Conference that concluded on Friday. While the inaugural session of the conference was held onboard aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya on March 5, much wider deliberations on operational issues took place in the national capital on March 7 and 8. The Navy said the proceedings in Delhi included a review of major operational, material, infrastructure, logistics and personnel related initiatives.
NCB arrests Jaffer Sadiq, kingpin of international drug trafficking network





NEW DELHI,

THE Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Saturday arrested 36-year-old Jaffer Sadiq, an expelled DMK party functionary in Tamil Nadu, in connection with an international drugs trafficking racket investigation estimated to be worth more than Rs 2,000 crore. NCB Deputy Director General (operations) Gyaneshwar Singh told reporters here that Sadiqs linkages with the Tamil and Hindi film industry, some high-profile people apart from some instances of political funding were under the scanner of the agency. Sources told PTI that a high-profile DMK leader could soon be summoned by the NCB for questioning with regard to some monetary transactions worth a few lakhs.

Sadiq was arrested in Delhi on the basis of specific intelligence inputs and he is the mastermind and kingpin of a trans-national pseudoephedrine smuggling racket spread across Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia from India, Singh said. The NCB believes in doing an unbiased and lawful investigation. A criminal has no caste, religion or political party. Whosoever violates the NDPS law is an offender and we will investigate any such entity. We will intensely investigate the drug money trail in this case, Singh said when asked if any political persons were under the scanner of the agency.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will soon register a money laundering case to probe this racket by taking cognisance of this NCB case, ED sources said. He said Sadiq, whose full name is Jaffar Sadiq Abdul Rehman, went into hiding soon after the agency conducted raids in Delhi in this case in February. Sadiq, a producer of Tamil films, was recently expelled by the ruling DMK from the party.
JERUSALEM, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli government's 12-month budget deficit rose sharply to 105.1 billion shekels (29.4 billion U.S. dollars) at the end of February, or 5.6 percent of its GDP, the country's Finance Ministry said on Sunday.

It is an increase of about 18 percent compared to the previous 12-month deficit between February 2023 and January this year, which stood at 89.1 billion shekels (24.93 billion U.S. dollars), or 4.8 percent of GDP, according to the ministry's data.

For a year-on-year comparison, a 12-month surplus of 3.4 billion shekels (951 million U.S. dollars) was recorded in the Israeli budget between March 2022 and February 2023.

The ministry explained the deficit rise mainly in the high expenses associated with the ongoing conflict with Hamas, which stood at 17.3 billion shekels (4.84 billion dollars) in 2024, joining last year's conflict expenses of 6.59 billion dollars.

In total, the Israeli government's spending increased by 43.6 percent year-on-year in January-February, while total revenues were almost unchanged during the two months.

The ministry noted that the deficit rise trend is expected to continue in the coming months and decrease towards the last quarter of the year due to a change in the distribution of the conflict's expenses and income. 
NEW FORMULA





PLAYING a stellar role in global affairs, India led another initiative for reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) when it presented a detailed reform model as a recommendation of G-4 grouping of Brazil, Germany, Japan and India. Hoping that the recommendation could be open for debate, dialogue and discussion matching the 80th anniversary of the United Nations the next year, the G-4 grouping has reportedly pressed for a restructuring of the core committee of the world body. India -- and many other nations -- have been pressing for such reforms, and their collective wish appears to have been reflected in the new detailed recommendation. Factually, every member-nation has agreed that the UN needs to undertake a self-transformation to suit the changing needs of the moment -- since the world has moved away from the post-World-War II situation in 1945 when the current UN was formed with a structure that was relevant to those times. Yet, for reasons stated and unstated, a few powerful countries in the UN ecosystem have refused to entertain the thought of reforms in a pronounced manner. Privately, though, everybody agrees that reforms are necessary, but concrete steps are not forthcoming.

The G-4 recommendation may serve the purpose of breaking the hoodoo and setting a new tone. All the four members of the G-4 grouping are most natural claimants to better positioning in the UN ecosystem, thanks to their achievements of the past 80 years since the formation of UN. The groupings texture is interesting, to say the least. For, Germany and Japan -- as members of the Axis countries that pushed the world into a war -- were almost fully destroyed in the devastation that WWII heaped on them. Helped by the victors of WWII, the two countries resurrected themselves to unforeseen heights -- asking for a better global attention and respect for them. India and Brazil represented an altogether different political model of growth and development and geopolitical importance -- again seeking elevation in global status. All the four countries, thus, are pushing for an elevated status on world stage, and think that UNSC reforms could offer them the opportunity.

The most critical emphasis of the G-4 recommendation appears to be on expansion of the representative footprint of the UNSC. While Germany and Japan represent the process of resurrection, India and Brazil represent what is described as Global South. For a more just world order, the inclusion of these four countries in the highest UN body is a natural extension of the idea of a harmonious global arena. Once this representation is included in the top-level power structure, a handful of nations would not be able to push their agenda down anybodys throat. The G-4 grouping is seeking the reform with only this purpose in the mind. If the world has to move towards a regime of equality and equity, then a more balanced socio-economic and geopolitical world order needs to be put in place. The reform proposal as presented by India on behalf of the G-4 grouping appears to be insisting upon this aspect with much more focused set of legitimate demands. India is playing a lead role in this endeavour -- which the world has recognised. In the global diplomatic arena, then, something bright may be expected to happen in the next some time.
Vallabh Bhawan up in flames!





Staff Reporter

On Saturday morning, a massive fire broke out at the Vallabh Bhawan, the Secretariat in the State capital, on the third floor of the old ministry building. The inferno, which started around 9:30 am, took nearly 60 fire tenders and about 5 hours of relentless effort to bring under control. Reportedly, some sanitation workers near gates 5 and 6 noticed smoke coming out from the building and hence they alerted the authorities The situation escalated rapidly due to strong winds, causing the fire to spread to the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors of the building. Vallabh Bhawan is the workplace of State Governments top administrative officers. The fire, initially reported on the third floor of Vallabh Bhawan, prompted a swift response from fire-fighters and police. Despite deploying four firefighting units initially, the intensity of the flames increased rapidly, engulfing the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors. Efforts to contain the blaze were intensified with reinforcements from BHEL, EME Centre Bairagarh, and the Bhopal Airport fire services.

The challenges faced by the fire-fighters were compounded by the strong winds, which hampered their attempts to control the fire on the upper floors. Unfortunately, the fires ferocity resulted in significant damage to the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth floors of the ministry building. Amid the chaos, several employees were successfully evacuated from the trapped areas by the firefighting teams and no casualties are reported till now. The fire broke out on Saturday around 9:30 am, 38 hours after the ministry had closed for an extended weekend due to Mahashivratri and International Womens Day. Questions have arisen regarding how a fire could erupt after the office remained closed for such an extended period. Top officials, including the Chief Secretary and other department heads, rushed to the scene following directives from Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav. The Chief Minister emphasised the need for a thorough investigation in the causes of the fire and measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, allegations of political corruption surfaced as State Congress Party President Jitu Patwari accused the BJP government of deliberately destroying files related to corruption ahead of Lok Sabha elections. Patwari claimed that this was the fifth time Vallabh Bhawan had been up in flames, and simultaneously he raised concerns about the preservation of democracy. The fire brigade officials reported that furniture and electronic equipment has been severely damaged due to the fire, and the extent of the damage to different departments is yet to be ascertained. Chief Minister Yadav has ordered a comprehensive inquiry in the incident, emphasising the importance of preventing a recurrence of such a catastrophic event. As investigation unfolds, concerns regarding the safety protocols during the closure period and the potential loss of critical documents and records within the Secretariat have gained prominence. The incident underscores the imperative for a comprehensive review of the fire safety measures and emergency response protocols in Government buildings.
Harbour Investments Inc. boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 1.0% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 20,132 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after buying an additional 202 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc.s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $1,950,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ABT. Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC lifted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 0.6% during the third quarter. Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC now owns 21,419 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,074,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado lifted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 9.8% during the second quarter. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado now owns 1,415,759 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $154,346,000 after purchasing an additional 126,547 shares in the last quarter. Rockland Trust Co. lifted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 1.5% during the third quarter. Rockland Trust Co. now owns 91,868 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $8,897,000 after purchasing an additional 1,343 shares in the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. lifted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 1.4% during the third quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 373,375 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $36,161,000 after purchasing an additional 5,058 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners lifted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 634.6% during the third quarter. Boston Partners now owns 29,758 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,882,000 after purchasing an additional 25,707 shares in the last quarter. 73.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Abbott Laboratories

In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total transaction of $1,620,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,022,916. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 12,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.00, for a total transaction of $1,500,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 78,704 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,444,480. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total transaction of $1,620,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,022,916. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 71,435 shares of company stock worth $8,071,298. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently issued reports on ABT shares. Citigroup increased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $128.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. TheStreet upgraded Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. 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. Finally, Raymond James increased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $120.00.

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Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 0.0 %

Shares of Abbott Laboratories stock opened at $120.96 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.16. Abbott Laboratories has a 1 year low of $89.67 and a 1 year high of $121.64. The company has a market capitalization of $209.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.10, a P/E/G ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.75. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $114.56 and a 200 day moving average price of $105.36.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.19. The firm 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 companys quarterly revenue was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.03 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.82%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 67.48%.

Abbott Laboratories Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The 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.

Further Reading

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Royal London Asset Management Ltd. grew its holdings in Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC (NYSE:CCEP  Free Report) by 14.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 166,860 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 21,700 shares during the period. Royal London Asset Management Ltd.s holdings in Coca-Cola Europacific Partners were worth $10,426,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. KB Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Coca-Cola Europacific Partners during the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Coca-Cola Europacific Partners by 97.5% during the 3rd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 644 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 318 shares during the last quarter. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $40,000. NBC Securities Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $73,000. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners by 52.1% during the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,386 shares of the companys stock valued at $90,000 after acquiring an additional 475 shares in the last quarter. 29.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Stock Performance

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners stock opened at $70.59 on Friday. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC has a 1 year low of $53.53 and a 1 year high of $71.74. The firms 50 day moving average price is $67.84 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $63.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 0.91.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners ( NYSE:CCEP Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 23rd. The company reported $1.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.85. Sell-side analysts forecast that Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. BNP Paribas raised shares of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $79.00 target price on the stock in a report on Friday, January 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners from $72.50 to $77.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Coca-Cola Europacific Partners from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $61.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Monday, December 4th. StockNews.com upgraded Coca-Cola Europacific Partners from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners from $74.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $72.24.

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About Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

(Free Report)

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC, together with its subsidiaries, produces, distributes, and sells a range of non-alcoholic ready to drink beverages. It offers flavours, mixers, and energy drinks; soft drinks, waters, enhanced water, and isotonic drinks; and ready-to-drink tea and coffee, juices, and other drinks.

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Shares of Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE:CTRA  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the fourteen brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $32.43.

A number of research firms have issued reports on CTRA. Stephens reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $39.00 target price on shares of Coterra Energy in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Bank of America upgraded shares of Coterra Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $31.00 target price for the company in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Susquehanna raised shares of Coterra Energy from a neutral rating to a positive rating and dropped their price target for the company from $31.00 to $30.00 in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Citigroup raised shares of Coterra Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $28.00 to $30.00 in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Piper Sandler lifted their price target on shares of Coterra Energy from $33.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday.

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Coterra Energy Price Performance

Coterra Energy Increases Dividend

NYSE CTRA opened at $26.36 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.85 billion, a PE ratio of 12.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.22 and a beta of 0.20. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $25.22 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $26.40. Coterra Energy has a 12-month low of $22.25 and a 12-month high of $29.89.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.21 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 13th. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.19%. This is an increase from Coterra Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. Coterra Energys payout ratio is currently 37.38%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Coterra Energy news, VP Michael D. Deshazer sold 14,000 shares of Coterra Energy stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.06, for a total transaction of $364,840.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 93,988 shares in the company, valued at $2,449,327.28. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 1.70% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Coterra Energy

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in CTRA. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Coterra Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $1,267,000. D.A. Davidson & CO. acquired a new stake in shares of Coterra Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $305,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Coterra Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $3,011,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. acquired a new stake in shares of Coterra Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $400,000. Finally, BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp acquired a new position in Coterra Energy during the 1st quarter worth about $3,218,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.54% of the companys stock.

About Coterra Energy

(Get Free Report

Coterra Energy Inc, an independent oil and gas company, engages in the development, exploration and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. The company primarily focuses on the Marcellus Shale with approximately 183,000 net acres in the dry gas window of the play located in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.

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Knife River (NYSE:KNF  Get Free Report) is one of 28 public 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 profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, valuation and risk.

Profitability

This table compares Knife River and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Knife River 6.46% 15.98% 7.14% Knife River Competitors 21.08% -24.19% 3.90%

Insider & Institutional 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 insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Knife River 0 1 5 0 2.83 Knife River Competitors 223 1001 1321 12 2.44

This is a summary of recent recommendations for Knife River and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Knife River presently has a consensus target price of $72.20, indicating a potential downside of 5.15%. As a group, Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels companies have a potential upside of 12.51%. Given Knife Rivers peers higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Knife River has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Knife River and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Knife River $2.83 billion $182.87 million -0.15 Knife River Competitors $2.23 billion $340.28 million 5.15

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.

Knife River Company Profile

(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 service, such as heavy-civil construction, asphalt and concrete paving, and site development and grading. It also sells merchandise and other building materials and related services. The company serves federal, state, and municipal governments for various projects, such as highways, bridges, airports, schools, public buildings, and other public-infrastructure projects, as well as industrial, commercial, and residential developers. The company was founded in 1917 and is based in Bismarck, North Dakota.

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Athena Investment Management trimmed its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 1.8% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 1,515 shares of the companys stock after selling 28 shares during the period. Athena Investment Managements holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $814,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cassia Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Cassia Capital Partners LLC now owns 951 shares of the companys stock worth $511,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares during the last quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% in the third quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC now owns 621 shares of the companys stock worth $334,000 after acquiring an additional 17 shares during the last quarter. Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% in the third quarter. Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC now owns 623 shares of the companys stock worth $335,000 after acquiring an additional 17 shares during the last quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.3% in the third quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 1,280 shares of the companys stock worth $688,000 after acquiring an additional 17 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lathrop Investment Management Corp boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.2% in the third quarter. Lathrop Investment Management Corp now owns 1,476 shares of the companys stock worth $793,000 after acquiring an additional 18 shares during the last quarter. 81.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

Shares of LLY traded down $18.02 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $762.14. 4,054,925 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,134,959. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1-year low of $312.31 and a 1-year high of $800.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $724.15 billion, a PE ratio of 131.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.94. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $694.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $618.24.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.30 by $0.19. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 51.22%. The business had revenue of $9.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.95 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.09 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 34,538 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 99,719,884 shares of the companys stock, valued at $63,004,019,910.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 195,055 shares of company stock worth $125,254,657. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $650.00 to $850.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $680.00 to $810.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $805.00 to $950.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and set a $815.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $825.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $677.62.

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Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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Finward Bancorp (OTCMKTS:FNWD  Get Free Report) and Bank Polska Kasa Opieki (OTC:BKPKF  Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, dividends and valuation.

Dividends

Finward Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $0.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Bank Polska Kasa Opieki pays an annual dividend of C$6.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 19.5%. Finward Bancorp pays out 24.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Bank Polska Kasa Opieki pays out 63.6% 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.

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Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Finward Bancorp and Bank Polska Kasa Opiekis top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Finward Bancorp $65.30 million 1.55 $15.08 million $1.94 12.17 Bank Polska Kasa Opieki N/A N/A N/A C$10.69 3.26

Analyst Ratings

Finward Bancorp has higher revenue and earnings than Bank Polska Kasa Opieki. Bank Polska Kasa Opieki is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Finward Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Finward Bancorp and Bank Polska Kasa Opieki, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Finward Bancorp 0 1 0 0 2.00 Bank Polska Kasa Opieki 0 0 1 0 3.00

Finward Bancorp currently has a consensus price target of $30.00, suggesting a potential upside of 27.09%. Given Finward Bancorps higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Finward Bancorp is more favorable than Bank Polska Kasa Opieki.

Profitability

This table compares Finward Bancorp and Bank Polska Kasa Opiekis net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Finward Bancorp 14.46% 10.52% 0.67% Bank Polska Kasa Opieki N/A N/A N/A

Insider and Institutional Ownership

25.1% of Finward Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. 13.7% of Finward Bancorp shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Finward Bancorp beats Bank Polska Kasa Opieki on 9 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Finward Bancorp

(Get Free Report)

Finward Bancorp operates as the holding company for Peoples Bank that provides various banking products and services. The company's deposit products include non-interest- and interest-bearing demand accounts, savings accounts, money market deposit accounts, certificate accounts, and retirement savings plans. Its loan products portfolio comprises residential mortgage loans that enable borrowers to purchase existing homes, refinance existing homes, or construct new homes; construction loans primarily to individuals and contractors; commercial real estate loans; consumer loans to individuals for personal, household, or family purposes; home equity line of credit; home improvement loans and equity loans; commercial business loans; government loans; and loans to municipalities. The company also offers estate and retirement planning, guardianships, land trusts, profit sharing and 401(k) retirement plans, IRA and Keogh accounts, and investment agency accounts, as well as serves as the personal representative of estates, and acts as trustee for revocable and irrevocable trusts. In addition, it provides insurance and annuity investments to wealth management customers; holds real estate properties; and operates as a real estate investment trust. The company was formerly known as NorthWest Indiana Bancorp and changed its name to Finward Bancorp in May 2021. Finward Bancorp was founded in 1916 and is headquartered in Munster, Indiana.

About Bank Polska Kasa Opieki

(Get Free Report)

Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A., a commercial bank, provides a range of banking products and services to retail and corporate clients in Poland and internationally. It operates through Retail Banking, Private Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, Enterprise banking, and Assets and Liabilities Management and Other segments. The company offers bank accounts, deposits and certificates of deposit, payment cards, loan products, mortgage and business loans, and insurance products. It is also involved in the brokering activity and sale of investment products; leasing, factoring, arranging issues of debt securities, and other specialized forms of financing; and Transactional banking. In addition, the company provides investment advisory services, advisory in M&A, advanced treasury, capital market products, custody services; structured finance; financing of commercial real estate projects, including financing of the construction of warehouses; other services, such as collecting information on debtors' standing, payments collection, debt recovery, settlements accounting, and monitoring of payments, as well assettlement of mass transactions, financial advisory and consulting services regarding the selection of business financing methods, and extending factoring-related loans; and advisory and brokerage services for large and medium-sized enterprises and financial institutions. Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A. was founded in 1929 and is headquartered in Warsaw, Poland.

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Royal London Asset Management Ltd. raised its position in Fortive Co. (NYSE:FTV  Free Report) by 3.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 131,758 shares of the technology companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,513 shares during the period. Royal London Asset Management Ltd.s holdings in Fortive were worth $9,775,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of FTV. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new stake in Fortive in the third quarter valued at $25,000. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Fortive during the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Fortive during the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. First Command Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in Fortive during the third quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Peoples Bank KS purchased a new position in Fortive in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. 95.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Charles E. Mclaughlin sold 40,837 shares of Fortive stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.28, for a total transaction of $3,523,416.36. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 61,855 shares in the company, valued at $5,336,849.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, SVP Stacey A. Walker sold 9,106 shares of Fortive stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.50, for a total value of $787,669.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 36,558 shares in the company, valued at $3,162,267. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Charles E. Mclaughlin sold 40,837 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.28, for a total value of $3,523,416.36. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 61,855 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,336,849.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 63,937 shares of company stock worth $5,475,122. 0.95% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Fortive Stock Performance

NYSE FTV opened at $85.05 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $78.92 and a 200 day moving average price of $74.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 2.05 and a quick ratio of 1.75. The company has a market capitalization of $29.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.86, a PEG ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 1.13. Fortive Co. has a 1-year low of $62.70 and a 1-year high of $86.61.

Fortive (NYSE:FTV  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The technology company reported $0.98 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $1.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.56 billion. Fortive had a net margin of 14.27% and a return on equity of 12.12%. The companys revenue was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.88 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Fortive Co. will post 3.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Fortive Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, February 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.38%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 22nd. Fortives payout ratio is currently 13.11%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Fortive from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Vertical Research lowered Fortive from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Fortive from $83.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of Fortive from $75.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Fortive from $79.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $81.92.

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Fortive Profile

(Free Report)

Fortive Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and services professional and engineered products, software, and services in the United States, China, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Intelligent Operating Solutions, Precision Technologies, and Advanced Healthcare Solutions. The Intelligent Operating Solutions segment provides advanced instrumentation, software, and services, including electrical test and measurement, facility and asset lifecycle software applications, and connected worker safety and compliance solutions for manufacturing, process industries, healthcare, utilities and power, communications and electronics, and other industries.

Further Reading

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JERUSALEM, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah militants launched about 35 rockets at northern Israel on Sunday morning, prompting another round of Israeli strikes, Israeli and Lebanese sources reported.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that the rockets were fired towards the Meron area in Upper Galilee. Seven of the launches were intercepted by Israel's air defense systems, the IDF said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Following the rockets, Israel launched an artillery attack at the towns of Habbariyeh and Kounine and southern Lebanon, Israel's Ynet news site reported.

Hezbollah assumed responsibility for the attack, saying in a statement that "dozens of rockets" were fired in response to a deadly Israeli airstrike on a house in the Khirbet Selm area on Saturday.

According to Lebanon's official National News Agency, at least five people, including four from the same family, were killed in the attack and nine were wounded.

According to the IDF, the airstrike on Khirbet Selm targeted a military structure in which Hezbollah militants were identified.

Also, overnight, Israeli warplanes struck Hezbollah infrastructure in the area of Ayta ash Shab, and an anti-tank missile launch post in the area of Maroun El Ras.

The violence was the latest in cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which started on Oct. 7, following Hamas's surprise attack on Israel and the Israeli onslaught on Gaza. 
Morgan Stanley trimmed its stake in General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD  Free Report) by 2.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,466,535 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 56,195 shares during the quarter. Morgan Stanley owned approximately 0.90% of General Dynamics worth $545,031,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Guidance Capital Inc. acquired a new position in General Dynamics in the second quarter valued at $992,000. Moreno Evelyn V increased its stake in General Dynamics by 17.1% in the third quarter. Moreno Evelyn V now owns 27,310 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $6,035,000 after purchasing an additional 3,991 shares during the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec acquired a new position in General Dynamics in the third quarter valued at $16,077,000. Clough Capital Partners L P acquired a new position in General Dynamics in the third quarter valued at $26,868,000. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in General Dynamics by 57.7% in the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 326,121 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $72,063,000 after purchasing an additional 119,264 shares during the last quarter. 86.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at General Dynamics

In related news, EVP Mark C. Roualet sold 73,330 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $264.75, for a total value of $19,414,117.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 149,205 shares of the companys stock, valued at $39,502,023.75. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other General Dynamics news, CEO Phebe N. Novakovic sold 32,355 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $264.31, for a total transaction of $8,551,750.05. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 773,977 shares in the company, valued at $204,569,860.87. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Mark C. Roualet sold 73,330 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $264.75, for a total value of $19,414,117.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 149,205 shares in the company, valued at approximately $39,502,023.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.52% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on GD shares. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $300.00 target price on shares of General Dynamics in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. UBS Group boosted their price target on General Dynamics from $286.00 to $296.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. StockNews.com downgraded General Dynamics from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, February 3rd. Citigroup boosted their price target on General Dynamics from $283.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, Alembic Global Advisors downgraded General Dynamics from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $296.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $271.69.

View Our Latest Report on GD

General Dynamics Price Performance

Shares of NYSE GD opened at $272.31 on Friday. General Dynamics Co. has a 1-year low of $202.35 and a 1-year high of $277.43. The business has a 50-day moving average of $264.00 and a 200-day moving average of $246.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 0.92. The company has a market capitalization of $74.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.65, a PEG ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.68.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The aerospace company reported $3.64 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.68 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $11.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.39 billion. General Dynamics had a return on equity of 16.61% and a net margin of 7.84%. General Dynamicss quarterly revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.58 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that General Dynamics Co. will post 14.62 EPS for the current fiscal year.

General Dynamics Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Investors of record on Friday, April 12th will be issued a $1.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 11th. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.09%. This is an increase from General Dynamicss previous quarterly dividend of $1.32. General Dynamicss dividend payout ratio is currently 43.93%.

About General Dynamics

(Free Report)

General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies. The Aerospace segment produces and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, aircraft-on-ground support and completion, charter, staffing, and fixed-base operator services.

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Granite Harbor Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 838 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $211,000.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Smithfield Trust Co increased its stake in Constellation Brands by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. Smithfield Trust Co now owns 823 shares of the companys stock valued at $205,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC increased its stake in Constellation Brands by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 1,794 shares of the companys stock valued at $442,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. United Capital Financial Advisers LLC increased its stake in Constellation Brands by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. United Capital Financial Advisers LLC now owns 1,552 shares of the companys stock valued at $357,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. increased its stake in Constellation Brands by 22.3% during the 2nd quarter. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. now owns 241 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Toth Financial Advisory Corp increased its stake in Constellation Brands by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp now owns 16,237 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,081,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.99% of the companys stock.

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Constellation Brands Price Performance

Shares of NYSE STZ traded up $2.39 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $257.69. 1,920,547 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,038,565. The company has a market capitalization of $47.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a 52-week low of $210.15 and a 52-week high of $273.65. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $248.77 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $245.72.

Constellation Brands Dividend Announcement

Constellation Brands ( NYSE:STZ Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 5th. The company reported $3.19 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.03 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $2.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.54 billion. Constellation Brands had a return on equity of 23.35% and a net margin of 14.76%. Constellation Brandss revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.83 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 11.9 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 22nd. Investors of record on Thursday, February 8th were issued a dividend of $0.89 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 7th. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.38%. Constellation Brandss dividend payout ratio is 42.13%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have commented on STZ. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Constellation Brands from $309.00 to $301.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. TheStreet lowered shares of Constellation Brands from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Argus cut shares of Constellation Brands from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Constellation Brands in a research report on Monday, November 13th. They set a buy rating and a $292.00 target price for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $295.00 price target on shares of Constellation Brands in a report on Thursday. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $289.24.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on STZ

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Constellation Brands news, major shareholder Family Foundation Sands sold 354,616 shares of Constellation Brands stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.26, for a total value of $88,746,200.16. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 54,461 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,629,409.86. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 16.19% of the companys stock.

Constellation Brands Profile

(Free Report)

Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Premier, Corona Familiar, Corona Light, Corona Refresca, Corona Hard Seltzer, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra, Modelo Chelada, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands.

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Harbour Investments Inc. increased its stake in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 6.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 61,216 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,507 shares during the quarter. Harbour Investments Inc.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $2,031,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Briaud Financial Planning Inc purchased a new stake in Pfizer in the third quarter valued at about $30,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in Pfizer in the third quarter valued at about $34,000. Hibernia Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Pfizer in the third quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, VitalStone Financial LLC raised its stake in Pfizer by 179.3% in the second quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC now owns 1,106 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 710 shares during the last quarter. 68.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director Scott Gottlieb bought 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 15th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $26.47 per share, for a total transaction of $79,410.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 9,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $238,230. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. TD Cowen cut Pfizer from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $32.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. UBS Group decreased their price target on Pfizer from $34.00 to $27.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Guggenheim began coverage on Pfizer in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. They issued a buy rating and a $36.00 price target for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $45.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a report on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Barclays cut their price objective on Pfizer from $34.00 to $28.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Pfizer has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $36.88.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Pfizer

Pfizer Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of PFE opened at $27.22 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Pfizer Inc. has a 12 month low of $25.61 and a 12 month high of $42.22. The stocks 50 day moving average is $27.77 and its two-hundred day moving average is $30.17. The firm has a market cap of $153.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 75.61, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.61.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.19) by $0.29. Pfizer had a return on equity of 10.88% and a net margin of 3.62%. The company had revenue of $14.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.37 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.14 earnings per share. Pfizers quarterly revenue was down 41.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 26th were given a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.17%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 25th. This is an increase from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 466.67%.

Pfizer Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Ur-Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:URG  Free Report) (TSE:URE) had its price objective raised by HC Wainwright from $2.70 to $3.60 in a research report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the basic materials companys stock. HC Wainwright also issued estimates for Ur-Energys FY2024 earnings at $0.01 EPS.

Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on URG. B. Riley assumed coverage on Ur-Energy in a report on Friday, February 2nd. They issued a buy rating and a $3.00 price target on the stock. StockNews.com raised Ur-Energy to a sell rating in a report on Sunday, December 3rd. Finally, Roth Mkm decreased their price objective on Ur-Energy from $2.50 to $2.40 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $2.81.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on URG

Ur-Energy Stock Performance

Insider Activity at Ur-Energy

NYSEAMERICAN:URG opened at $1.57 on Thursday. Ur-Energy has a twelve month low of $0.82 and a twelve month high of $2.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $430.84 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -13.08 and a beta of 1.12.

In related news, Director James M. Franklin sold 50,527 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1.54, for a total transaction of $77,811.58. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 616,133 shares in the company, valued at approximately $948,844.82. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In the last three months, insiders have sold 65,527 shares of company stock valued at $104,762. Corporate insiders own 3.35% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ur-Energy

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of URG. MMCAP International Inc. SPC grew its position in shares of Ur-Energy by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. MMCAP International Inc. SPC now owns 26,245,347 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $40,418,000 after buying an additional 307,016 shares during the last quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Ur-Energy by 20.5% in the 3rd quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 18,349,308 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $28,258,000 after buying an additional 3,118,647 shares during the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Ur-Energy by 8.8% in the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 15,514,392 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $23,892,000 after buying an additional 1,260,419 shares during the last quarter. Azarias Capital Management L.P. grew its position in shares of Ur-Energy by 13.2% in the 4th quarter. Azarias Capital Management L.P. now owns 14,419,099 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $22,205,000 after buying an additional 1,686,286 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. grew its position in shares of Ur-Energy by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 10,040,510 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $10,944,000 after buying an additional 165,966 shares during the last quarter. 43.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Ur-Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ur-Energy Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of uranium mineral properties. The company holds interests in 12 projects located in the United States. Its flagship property is the Lost Creek project comprising a total of approximately 1,800 unpatented mining claims and three Wyoming mineral leases covering an area of approximately 35,400 acres located in the Great Divide Basin, Wyoming.

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Sprott Inc. reduced its position in Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL  Free Report) by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,622,659 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 9,611 shares during the period. Sprott Inc. owned about 0.42% of Hecla Mining worth $10,255,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in HL. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in Hecla Mining during the first quarter worth $111,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in Hecla Mining by 39.8% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 998,615 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $6,561,000 after acquiring an additional 284,339 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates raised its position in Hecla Mining by 35.6% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 33,867 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $223,000 after acquiring an additional 8,886 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. raised its position in Hecla Mining by 26.0% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 113,724 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $747,000 after acquiring an additional 23,451 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in Hecla Mining by 5.5% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 5,408,881 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $35,535,000 after acquiring an additional 279,688 shares during the period. 59.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Hecla Mining Price Performance

Shares of HL traded down $0.07 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $4.06. The stock had a trading volume of 8,654,128 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,594,143. The company has a current ratio of 1.65, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. Hecla Mining has a 52-week low of $3.33 and a 52-week high of $7.00. The businesss fifty day moving average is $3.91 and its 200 day moving average is $4.19.

Hecla Mining Announces Dividend

Hecla Mining ( NYSE:HL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The basic materials company reported ($0.04) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.02) by ($0.02). Hecla Mining had a negative net margin of 11.69% and a negative return on equity of 0.27%. The firm had revenue of $160.69 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $151.51 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.02 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 17.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Hecla Mining will post 0.01 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 12th will be issued a $0.006 dividend. This represents a $0.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 11th. Hecla Minings dividend payout ratio is currently -20.00%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. National Bank Financial restated an outperform market weight rating on shares of Hecla Mining in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Hecla Mining to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, November 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Hecla Mining presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $6.45.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on HL

Hecla Mining Profile

(Free Report)

Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold.

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iA Global Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) by 6.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,606 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 225 shares during the period. iA Global Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $589,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of TRV. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. raised its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 1.5% during the third quarter. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. now owns 111,547 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $18,217,000 after purchasing an additional 1,600 shares during the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 21.4% in the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 9,938 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,725,000 after buying an additional 1,751 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 0.4% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,395,810 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $227,950,000 after buying an additional 5,584 shares during the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC grew its holdings in Travelers Companies by 15.8% during the third quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 4,575,759 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $747,267,000 after acquiring an additional 623,974 shares during the period. Finally, LPL Financial LLC raised its position in Travelers Companies by 4.2% during the third quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 150,473 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $24,574,000 after acquiring an additional 6,002 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.12% of the companys stock.

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Travelers Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE TRV opened at $218.45 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $210.01 and a 200-day simple moving average of $184.32. The company has a quick ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 0.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $50.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 0.58. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $157.33 and a 52 week high of $223.88.

Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement

Travelers Companies ( NYSE:TRV Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 19th. The insurance provider reported $7.01 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.10 by $1.91. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 7.23% and a return on equity of 13.68%. The company had revenue of $10.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.18 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.40 EPS. Travelers Companiess quarterly revenue was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors 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 yield of 1.83%. Travelers Companiess payout ratio is 31.27%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. HSBC began coverage on shares of Travelers Companies in a report on Thursday, December 28th. They set a hold rating and a $203.00 target price for the company. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $185.00 to $204.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Janney Montgomery Scott started coverage on Travelers Companies in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. They issued a buy rating and a $215.00 price target for the company. Oppenheimer assumed coverage on Travelers Companies in a research report on Thursday, November 16th. They set a market perform rating on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com cut Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $201.38.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on TRV

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 26,633 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.76, for a total transaction of $5,666,437.08. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 255,178 shares in the company, valued at approximately $54,291,671.28. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 26,633 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.76, for a total transaction of $5,666,437.08. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 255,178 shares in the company, valued at approximately $54,291,671.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $213.54, for a total value of $533,850.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 255,178 shares in the company, valued at $54,490,710.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 109,775 shares of company stock valued at $23,343,903. Insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

Travelers Companies Company Profile

(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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JANA Partners Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (NYSE:THS  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 4,907,689 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $213,877,000. TreeHouse Foods comprises about 15.3% of JANA Partners Management LPs portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest holding. JANA Partners Management LP owned about 8.87% of TreeHouse Foods as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. bought a new stake in TreeHouse Foods during the first quarter valued at $28,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in shares of TreeHouse Foods during the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. NBC Securities Inc. bought a new position in shares of TreeHouse Foods during the 3rd quarter worth about $37,000. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new position in shares of TreeHouse Foods during the 2nd quarter worth about $59,000. Finally, State of Wyoming boosted its position in shares of TreeHouse Foods by 185.2% during the 2nd quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 1,814 shares of the companys stock worth $91,000 after purchasing an additional 1,178 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.81% of the companys stock.

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TreeHouse Foods Stock Up 2.2 %

NYSE THS traded up $0.78 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $36.62. The companys stock had a trading volume of 510,606 shares, compared to its average volume of 647,025. TreeHouse Foods, Inc. has a 52 week low of $34.76 and a 52 week high of $55.30. The company has a market capitalization of $1.98 billion, a PE ratio of 38.55 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a current ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $40.07 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $41.57.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

TreeHouse Foods ( NYSE:THS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 16th. The company reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $910.60 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $924.87 million. TreeHouse Foods had a net margin of 1.51% and a return on equity of 8.09%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.98 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that TreeHouse Foods, Inc. will post 2.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Separately, Truist Financial cut shares of TreeHouse Foods from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $45.00 to $35.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $46.67.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TreeHouse Foods

About TreeHouse Foods

(Free Report)

TreeHouse Foods, Inc manufactures and distributes private brands snacks and beverages in the United States and internationally. The company provides snacking products, such as crackers, pretzels, in-store bakery items, frozen griddle items, cookies, and candies; and beverage and drink mixes, including non-dairy creamer, coffee, broths/stocks, powdered beverages and other blends, tea, and ready-to-drink-beverages.

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Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV reduced its stake in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) by 0.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 25,950 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 198 shares during the quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADVs holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $5,977,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of ITW. Briaud Financial Planning Inc purchased a new stake in Illinois Tool Works in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Quarry LP raised its position in Illinois Tool Works by 52.7% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 142 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC purchased a new stake in Illinois Tool Works in the 3rd quarter valued at $38,000. Union Savings Bank purchased a new stake in Illinois Tool Works in the 2nd quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Compass Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Illinois Tool Works in the 4th quarter valued at $44,000. 79.56% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on ITW. Bank of America lowered Illinois Tool Works from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and decreased their target price for the company from $260.00 to $235.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Barclays raised their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $215.00 to $224.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Citigroup raised their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $244.00 to $256.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $238.00 to $239.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered Illinois Tool Works from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and decreased their target price for the company from $277.00 to $240.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Five 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. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $239.33.

Illinois Tool Works Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of ITW opened at $261.18 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $257.66 and a 200 day moving average of $245.95. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $217.06 and a fifty-two week high of $267.12. The firm has a market cap of $78.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.49 and a beta of 1.13. 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 (NYSE:ITW  Get Free Report) last issued its 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.34 EPS. The firms revenue was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.12 EPS for the current year.

Illinois Tool Works Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be paid a $1.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $5.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.14%. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio is currently 57.49%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Illinois Tool Works news, Chairman Ernest Scott Santi sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated 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 owns 221,015 shares in the company, valued at approximately $56,235,056.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 5,827 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 8,870 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,273,292.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Ernest Scott Santi sold 50,000 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the chairman now owns 221,015 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $56,235,056.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 152,304 shares of company stock worth $38,860,831 in the last quarter. 0.88% of the stock is owned by company 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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MFS Investment Grade Municipal Trust (NYSE:CXH  Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Friday, March 1st, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 13th will be paid a dividend of 0.0255 per share on Thursday, March 28th. This represents a $0.31 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.06%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 12th. This is a boost from MFS Investment Grade Municipal Trusts previous monthly dividend of $0.02.

MFS Investment Grade Municipal Trust Price Performance

Shares of CXH opened at $7.54 on Friday. MFS Investment Grade Municipal Trust has a 52-week low of $6.41 and a 52-week high of $7.74. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $7.53 and its 200 day simple moving average is $7.31.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On MFS Investment Grade Municipal Trust

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. UBS Group AG grew its stake in MFS Investment Grade Municipal Trust by 8.7% during the second quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 48,719 shares of the companys stock valued at $370,000 after acquiring an additional 3,905 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its position in shares of MFS Investment Grade Municipal Trust by 40.6% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 21,278 shares of the companys stock valued at $156,000 after purchasing an additional 6,147 shares in the last quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of MFS Investment Grade Municipal Trust in the first quarter worth $64,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of MFS Investment Grade Municipal Trust in the first quarter worth $87,000. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC bought a new stake in MFS Investment Grade Municipal Trust during the third quarter valued at $72,000.

About MFS Investment Grade Municipal Trust

MFS Investment Grade Municipal is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Massachusetts Financial Services Company. The fund invests in fixed income markets of the United States. It primarily invests in tax-exempt bonds and tax-exempt notes. The fund benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against Barclays Municipal Bond Index.

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Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Sempra (NYSE:SRE  Free Report) by 99.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 7,734 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 3,850 shares during the quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Sempra were worth $526,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pacific Center for Financial Services boosted its stake in shares of Sempra by 46.4% during the third quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services now owns 1,228 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $84,000 after purchasing an additional 389 shares in the last quarter. FineMark National Bank & Trust grew its holdings in Sempra by 100.0% in the third quarter. FineMark National Bank & Trust now owns 4,766 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $324,000 after purchasing an additional 2,383 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley increased its position in Sempra by 101.2% in the 3rd quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 10,334,173 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $703,034,000 after buying an additional 5,197,328 shares in the last quarter. Front Row Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Sempra by 99.9% during the third quarter. Front Row Advisors LLC now owns 2,295 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $157,000 after acquiring an additional 1,147 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Penserra Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Sempra by 72.7% during the third quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 3,525 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $239,000 after buying an additional 1,484 shares during the last quarter. 84.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Sempra news, EVP Justin Christopher Bird sold 5,063 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.22, for a total value of $360,586.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 19,712 shares in the company, valued at $1,403,888.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Justin Christopher Bird sold 5,063 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.22, for a total transaction of $360,586.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 19,712 shares in the company, valued at $1,403,888.64. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Karen L. Sedgwick sold 5,158 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.21, for a total transaction of $367,301.18. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 43,024 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,063,739.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 156,622 shares of company stock valued at $11,089,713 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets raised Sempra from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the company from $76.00 to $84.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Sempra from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the stock from $78.00 to $86.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Sempra from $75.00 to $73.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Sempra from $76.00 to $77.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, Mizuho dropped their price objective on Sempra from $83.00 to $79.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $81.83.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Sempra

Sempra Stock Performance

Sempra stock opened at $71.07 on Friday. Sempra has a twelve month low of $63.75 and a twelve month high of $79.51. The company has a quick ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $72.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $71.66. The company has a market capitalization of $44.93 billion, a PE ratio of 14.84, a P/E/G ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.71.

Sempra (NYSE:SRE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The utilities provider reported $1.13 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.11 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $3.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Sempra had a net margin of 18.26% and a return on equity of 9.45%. The firms revenue was up 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.17 EPS. Research analysts expect that Sempra will post 4.83 EPS for the current year.

Sempra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.62 per share. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 20th. This is an increase from Sempras previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. Sempras dividend payout ratio is currently 49.69%.

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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BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Li Lan, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), has seen firsthand the development of the Alataw Pass port and opening up of the inland Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China.

Bordering Kazakhstan, the land port is a vital port in Xinjiang, boasting 115 freight train routes linking 25 countries and regions.

Li, deputy director of the port's customs technical center, has witnessed profound changes of land ports in Xinjiang amid the country's opening-up drive.

"We saw more types of goods imported from an increasing number of countries," Li said.

In 2023, Xinjiang's foreign trade surged by 45.9 percent year on year to a new high over 357 billion yuan (about 50.35 billion U.S. dollars), according to Urumqi Customs.

Since being elected as a national lawmaker, Li has actively visited local foreign trade enterprises, conducting research, taking part in training and exchanging ideas with them, to better understand their needs and facilitate their trade activities.

"It enables me to provide more targeted suggestions for Xinjiang's high-level opening up," she said.

Last year, Li submitted seven suggestions to the NPC session, covering topics such as land border ports, China-Europe freight trains and the development of core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt. All suggestions received responses from relevant authorities.

One of her suggestions this year focuses on the region's border trade, which she believes has untapped potential.

The five-month-old Xinjiang Pilot Free Trade Zone, the country's youngest, will build up the momentum of Xinjiang's opening up and development, she said.

IMPROVED LIVELIHOODS

Dressed in brightly colored attire and adorned with exquisite headwear, Muhtabar Abdolla was easy to spot amid the crowd during the annual session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee.

Muhtabar Abdolla, a hematological physician at a hospital in the regional capital Urumqi, witnessed the remarkable progress in Xinjiang's healthcare over the past decades.

Improvements in diagnosing blood diseases, along with the introduction of new treatment methods, such as medicines and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation technology, have significantly improved survival rates for patients, she said.

Xinjiang has seen the level of healthcare continue to improve, with the average life expectancy rising from 30 years in 1949 to 74.7 years in 2019.

Muhtabar Abdolla raised a proposal regarding the employment of medical staff and the introduction of medical talent to support Xinjiang's healthcare development, calling for efforts to improve rare diseases treatment.

As an Uzbek ethnic, Muhtabar Abdolla hopes to draw attention to her hometown, the Uzbek Township of Danangou, with a population of approximately 3,500.

Nestled amid picturesque landscapes of snow-capped mountains, rivers and grasslands, residents of the township have benefited from tourism. However, Muhtabar Abdolla believes that tourism development requires better infrastructure and standardized operation.

"I hope that people can know about the Uzbek ethnic group, our unique culture, delicacies and landscapes," she said.

CULTURAL PROSPERITY

Enzat Tohti runs a cultural media company in Xinjiang, which started sharing short videos of people's daily life on various media platforms in 2015.

These videos, recorded in diverse ethnic languages, aim to present the authentic Xinjiang to the world, and the video accounts have garnered over 100 million domestic and international followers, according to the national political advisor.

Last year, Enzat Tohti's company provided new media training for about 10,000 farmers and herdsmen in the remote areas, helping them launch online businesses via short video platforms to sell farm products.

Enzat Tohti also noted significant progress on the preservation and inheritance of cultural heritage in Xinjiang -- increasing funds for the preservation of cultural relics, the establishment of new museums, and rising participation of young people in the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage.

His ideas were shared by Dilshat Parhat, an NPC deputy and also head of the Muqam Art Troupe of Xinjiang Art Theater. Thanks to government support, Muqam, a traditional Uygur art form once on the brink of extinction, has been revitalized, said Dilshat Parhat.

China will enhance the protection and preservation of intangible cultural heritage, according to this year's government work report.

Dilshat Parhat's troupe has staged Muqam performances in dozens of countries and regions, showcasing the unique charm and inclusiveness of Muqam art to the world.

"This attests to the achievements of intangible cultural heritage protection in Xinjiang," he said. 
Nordstrom (NYSE:JWN  Free Report) had its target price hoisted by The Goldman Sachs Group from $16.00 to $18.00 in a report released on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the specialty retailers stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Piper Sandler upped their target price on Nordstrom from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday. Bank of America upped their target price on Nordstrom from $13.00 to $15.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Wednesday. StockNews.com upgraded Nordstrom from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. Telsey Advisory Group upped their target price on Nordstrom from $17.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Nordstrom from $14.00 to $13.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 28th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $16.54.

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Nordstrom Stock Performance

JWN opened at $17.06 on Wednesday. Nordstrom has a 52-week low of $12.88 and a 52-week high of $23.53. The company has a quick ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.08. The company has a market cap of $2.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 2.59. The firms 50-day moving average price is $19.01 and its 200-day moving average price is $16.58.

Nordstrom (NYSE:JWN  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 5th. The specialty retailer reported $0.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.06. Nordstrom had a net margin of 0.91% and a return on equity of 49.30%. The firm had revenue of $4.29 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.38 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.74 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Nordstrom will post 1.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Nordstrom Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 12th will be given a dividend of $0.19 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 11th. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.45%. Nordstroms dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 95.00%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Nordstrom during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Nordstrom by 77.6% during the 4th quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,989 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 869 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC lifted its position in shares of Nordstrom by 315.9% during the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 2,487 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 1,889 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in shares of Nordstrom by 44.9% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,738 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $58,000 after buying an additional 849 shares in the last quarter. Finally, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale acquired a new position in Nordstrom in the 3rd quarter valued at $45,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.56% of the companys stock.

Nordstrom Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Nordstrom, Inc, a fashion retailer, provides apparels, shoes, beauty, accessories, and home goods for women, men, young adults, and children. It offers a range of brand name and private label merchandise through various channels, such as Nordstrom branded stores and online at Nordstrom.com; Nordstrom.ca; Nordstrom stores; Nordstrom Rack stores; Nordstrom Locals; ASOS; Nordstromrack.com; and clearance stores under the Last Chance name.

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OLD National Bancorp IN decreased its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW  Free Report) by 2.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 184,151 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 4,759 shares during the period. OLD National Bancorp INs holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $12,758,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Advisors Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Edwards Lifesciences by 0.3% in the first quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 43,556 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $5,127,000 after purchasing an additional 117 shares in the last quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,487 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,033,000 after buying an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Geller Advisors LLC raised its stake in Edwards Lifesciences by 6.5% during the 1st quarter. Geller Advisors LLC now owns 1,965 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $231,000 after buying an additional 120 shares during the period. KCM Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 2.7% during the first quarter. KCM Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,392 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $635,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ellevest Inc. lifted its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 2.5% during the second quarter. Ellevest Inc. now owns 6,179 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $583,000 after acquiring an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. 79.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Edwards Lifesciences Stock Performance

EW stock traded down $1.67 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $92.14. The stock had a trading volume of 5,909,408 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,614,697. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $81.09 and a 200 day simple moving average of $74.46. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a fifty-two week low of $60.57 and a fifty-two week high of $94.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $55.40 billion, a PE ratio of 40.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.62 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 3.38 and a quick ratio of 2.40.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Edwards Lifesciences ( NYSE:EW Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The medical research company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.64. The business had revenue of $1.53 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.50 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 23.35% and a return on equity of 23.56%. Edwards Lifesciencess revenue was up 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.64 EPS. Analysts predict that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.76 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Citigroup lowered Edwards Lifesciences from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $78.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $82.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Bank of America raised shares of Edwards Lifesciences from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Mizuho increased their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $85.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $87.38.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Edwards Lifesciences

Insider Transactions at Edwards Lifesciences

In other Edwards Lifesciences news, insider Larry L. Wood sold 8,658 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.86, for a total value of $622,163.88. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 213,794 shares in the company, valued at $15,363,236.84. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.86, for a total value of $574,880.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 39,503 shares in the company, valued at $2,838,685.58. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Larry L. Wood sold 8,658 shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.86, for a total transaction of $622,163.88. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 213,794 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,363,236.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 220,967 shares of company stock worth $17,740,350. 1.29% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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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Garde Capital Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR  Free Report) by 8.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 28,558 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,269 shares during the period. Garde Capital Inc.s holdings in Palantir Technologies were worth $457,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Qsemble Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Palantir Technologies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,178,000. Trexquant Investment LP purchased a new stake in Palantir Technologies in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $4,446,000. Van Cleef Asset Management Inc lifted its stake in Palantir Technologies by 82.9% in the 2nd quarter. Van Cleef Asset Management Inc now owns 690,267 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,582,000 after buying an additional 312,767 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in Palantir Technologies by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 684,953 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,959,000 after buying an additional 25,787 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Korea Investment CORP lifted its stake in Palantir Technologies by 148.4% in the 3rd quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 193,957 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,103,000 after buying an additional 115,876 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 34.21% of the companys stock.

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Palantir Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of PLTR stock traded down $0.42 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $26.04. 84,256,124 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 79,249,040. Palantir Technologies Inc. has a one year low of $7.19 and a one year high of $27.50. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $20.35 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $18.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $57.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 289.37, a P/E/G ratio of 6.39 and a beta of 2.82.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Palantir Technologies ( NYSE:PLTR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 5th. The company reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.04 by ($0.01). Palantir Technologies had a return on equity of 6.17% and a net margin of 9.43%. The company had revenue of $608.35 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $603.48 million. As a group, analysts anticipate that Palantir Technologies Inc. will post 0.16 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of brokerages have weighed in on PLTR. HSBC lowered 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. Raymond James increased their price target on Palantir Technologies from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Citigroup upgraded Palantir Technologies from a sell rating to a neutral rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $10.00 to $20.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Wedbush restated an outperform rating and set a $35.00 price objective (up from $30.00) on shares of Palantir Technologies in a report on Friday. Finally, Bank of America upped their price objective on Palantir Technologies from $24.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and three have issued 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 target price of $18.21.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on PLTR

Insider Buying and Selling at Palantir Technologies

In other Palantir Technologies news, Director Alexandra W. Schiff sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.11, for a total value of $64,440.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 200,783 shares in the company, valued at $3,234,614.13. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Alexandra W. Schiff sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.11, for a total transaction of $64,440.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 200,783 shares in the company, valued at $3,234,614.13. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Ryan D. Taylor sold 120,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.00, for a total transaction of $2,640,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 181,460 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,992,120. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 404,517 shares of company stock worth $9,512,360. 13.96% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Palantir Technologies

(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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Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lessened its stake in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW  Free Report) by 9.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 21,468 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 2,341 shares during the quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohios holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $14,852,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in GWW. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in W.W. Grainger in the 1st quarter worth $30,000. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its stake in W.W. Grainger by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 1,067 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $550,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its stake in W.W. Grainger by 67.9% during the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 789 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $407,000 after purchasing an additional 319 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. boosted its stake in W.W. Grainger by 33.6% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 26,661 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $13,947,000 after purchasing an additional 6,705 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH boosted its stake in W.W. Grainger by 212.9% during the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 25,798 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $13,306,000 after purchasing an additional 17,553 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.24% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at W.W. Grainger

In other news, VP Paige K. Robbins sold 3,122 shares of W.W. Grainger stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $950.22, for a total transaction of $2,966,586.84. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 4,909 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,664,629.98. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, VP Paige K. Robbins sold 3,813 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $968.88, for a total value of $3,694,339.44. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 4,909 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,756,231.92. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Paige K. Robbins sold 3,122 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $950.22, for a total transaction of $2,966,586.84. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 4,909 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,664,629.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 9.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

GWW has been the topic of several recent research reports. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of W.W. Grainger from $809.00 to $907.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Stephens lifted their target price on shares of W.W. Grainger from $775.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. StockNews.com cut shares of W.W. Grainger from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of W.W. Grainger from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $825.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Finally, Oppenheimer boosted their price target on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,075.00 to $1,125.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $886.11.

Read Our Latest Report on W.W. Grainger

W.W. Grainger Stock Down 1.9 %

Shares of GWW opened at $970.32 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $47.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.14. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a 12-month low of $625.97 and a 12-month high of $999.00. The companys 50-day moving average price is $908.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $805.12. The company has a current ratio of 2.88, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The industrial products company reported $8.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.05 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $4 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.04 billion. W.W. Grainger had a net margin of 11.10% and a return on equity of 56.54%. W.W. Graingers revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $7.14 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 39.22 earnings per share for the current year.

W.W. Grainger Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 12th were given a $1.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 9th. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.77%. W.W. Graingers dividend payout ratio is presently 20.55%.

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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Revisor Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 3,407 shares of the healthcare product makers stock, valued at approximately $330,000.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 137,153,545 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $14,952,480,000 after purchasing an additional 1,584,552 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.1% in the second quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 77,225,258 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $8,419,032,000 after acquiring an additional 820,369 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.9% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 74,817,109 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $8,156,561,000 after acquiring an additional 1,362,889 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors increased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 4.9% during the second quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 59,178,607 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $6,451,127,000 after purchasing an additional 2,747,652 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 14.3% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 38,966,499 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $4,278,132,000 after purchasing an additional 4,886,954 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.70% of the companys stock.

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Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 0.0 %

NYSE ABT traded up $0.04 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $120.96. The company had a trading volume of 3,357,442 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,516,574. The company has a current ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $209.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.75. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $114.56 and a 200 day moving average of $105.36. Abbott Laboratories has a 1-year low of $89.67 and a 1-year high of $121.64.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

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 for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.19. The firm had revenue of $10.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.19 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 14.27% and a return on equity of 20.65%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.03 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Investors of record on Monday, April 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.82%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 12th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 67.48%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ABT has been the subject of a number of research reports. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Raymond James increased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $128.00 target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Barclays increased their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, TheStreet upgraded Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $120.00.

Read Our Latest Report on Abbott Laboratories

Insider Buying and Selling at Abbott Laboratories

In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 12,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.00, for a total transaction of $1,500,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 78,704 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,444,480. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total transaction of $4,781,250.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,315,537.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 12,500 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.00, for a total value of $1,500,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 78,704 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,444,480. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 71,435 shares of company stock valued at $8,071,298 in the last three months. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Abbott Laboratories Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The 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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Ring Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:REI  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.14 by ($0.04), reports. Ring Energy had a return on equity of 12.75% and a net margin of 29.04%. The business had revenue of $99.94 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $95.39 million.

Ring Energy Trading Up 7.6 %

REI traded up $0.11 during trading on Friday, hitting $1.56. The company had a trading volume of 4,411,701 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,311,248. The stock has a market capitalization of $305.18 million, a P/E ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 1.72. Ring Energy has a one year low of $1.25 and a one year high of $2.43. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58.

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Institutional Trading of Ring Energy

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of REI. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ring Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $3,278,000. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Ring Energy by 10.7% in the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 627,826 shares of the companys stock worth $1,222,000 after purchasing an additional 60,467 shares during the period. Quadrature Capital Ltd boosted its position in shares of Ring Energy by 122.0% during the 3rd quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd now owns 130,106 shares of the companys stock valued at $256,000 after purchasing an additional 71,492 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC increased its stake in Ring Energy by 62.2% in the third quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 32,382 shares of the companys stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 12,423 shares in the last quarter. Finally, WINTON GROUP Ltd raised its stake in Ring Energy by 161.0% during the 3rd quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd now owns 171,415 shares of the companys stock worth $334,000 after buying an additional 105,736 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 46.98% of the companys stock.

About Ring Energy

Ring Energy, Inc, an independent exploration and production company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas in Texas and New Mexico. It had interests in 54,959 net developed acres and 2,337 net undeveloped acres in Andrews, Gaines, Crane, Winkler, and Ward counties, Texas; and 13,930 net developed acres and 12,512 net undeveloped acres in Yoakum, Runnels, and Coke Counties, Texas and Lea County, New Mexico.

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The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its stake in shares of Centene Co. (NYSE:CNC  Free Report) by 1.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 501,568 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 8,817 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company owned about 0.09% of Centene worth $34,548,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its holdings in Centene by 8.2% in the 3rd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 186,080 shares of the companys stock worth $12,817,000 after buying an additional 14,070 shares during the period. Schroder Investment Management Group boosted its holdings in Centene by 30.6% in the 2nd quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 112,264 shares of the companys stock worth $7,572,000 after buying an additional 26,293 shares during the period. Pathstone Family Office LLC boosted its holdings in Centene by 154.8% in the 3rd quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 15,451 shares of the companys stock worth $1,066,000 after buying an additional 9,386 shares during the period. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System boosted its holdings in Centene by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 677,311 shares of the companys stock worth $46,653,000 after buying an additional 26,833 shares during the period. Finally, Heartland Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Centene by 22.2% in the 3rd quarter. Heartland Advisors Inc. now owns 471,440 shares of the companys stock worth $32,473,000 after buying an additional 85,696 shares during the period. 90.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Centene Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:CNC opened at $78.14 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $41.79 billion, a PE ratio of 15.91, a PEG ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 0.38. Centene Co. has a 52 week low of $60.83 and a 52 week high of $81.42. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The companys fifty day moving average is $77.19 and its 200 day moving average is $72.75.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Centene ( NYSE:CNC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.43 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $39.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $36.16 billion. Centene had a net margin of 1.75% and a return on equity of 14.26%. The companys revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.86 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Centene Co. will post 6.75 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, President Kenneth J. Fasola sold 12,000 shares of Centene stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.07, for a total transaction of $900,840.00. Following the sale, the president now owns 235,365 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,668,850.55. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Centene news, Director Lori Jean Robinson sold 10,000 shares of Centene stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.41, for a total value of $774,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 11,455 shares of the companys stock, valued at $886,731.55. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, President Kenneth J. Fasola sold 12,000 shares of Centene stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.07, for a total transaction of $900,840.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now directly owns 235,365 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,668,850.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have issued reports on CNC. Barclays began coverage on shares of Centene in a research note on Wednesday. They issued an overweight rating and a $101.00 target price on the stock. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Centene from $72.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of Centene from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Centene from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their price objective for the company from $82.00 to $90.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised their price objective on shares of Centene from $82.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $85.15.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Centene

About Centene

(Free Report)

Centene Corporation operates as a healthcare enterprise that provides programs and services to under-insured and uninsured families, commercial organizations, and military families in the United States. It operates in two segments, Managed Care and Specialty Services. The Managed Care segment offers health plan coverage to individuals through government subsidized programs, including Medicaid, the State children's health insurance program, long-term services and support, foster care, and medicare-medicaid plans, which cover dually eligible individuals, as well as aged, blind, or disabled programs.

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Toroso Investments LLC raised its position in The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (NYSE:IPG  Free Report) by 12.9% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 62,727 shares of the business services providers stock after buying an additional 7,182 shares during the quarter. Toroso Investments LLCs holdings in Interpublic Group of Companies were worth $1,798,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of IPG. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Interpublic Group of Companies by 14.5% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 23,035 shares of the business services providers stock worth $817,000 after purchasing an additional 2,915 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC acquired a new position in shares of Interpublic Group of Companies during the 1st quarter worth about $243,000. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund bought a new position in shares of Interpublic Group of Companies in the 1st quarter valued at about $133,000. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its position in shares of Interpublic Group of Companies by 6.6% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 52,667 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,867,000 after acquiring an additional 3,244 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Interpublic Group of Companies by 1.0% during the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 63,184 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,240,000 after acquiring an additional 595 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.43% of the companys stock.

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Interpublic Group of Companies Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE IPG opened at $32.26 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $12.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.32, a PEG ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $32.31 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $31.09. The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $27.20 and a 12 month high of $40.95.

Interpublic Group of Companies Increases Dividend

Interpublic Group of Companies ( NYSE:IPG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The business services provider reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.16 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $2.59 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.57 billion. Interpublic Group of Companies had a return on equity of 30.52% and a net margin of 10.09%. Interpublic Group of Companiess revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.02 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. will post 2.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.33 per share. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.09%. This is a positive change from Interpublic Group of Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. Interpublic Group of Companiess payout ratio is presently 46.32%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

IPG has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Barclays increased their price objective on Interpublic Group of Companies from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. UBS Group initiated coverage on Interpublic Group of Companies in a report on Thursday, January 11th. They set a neutral rating and a $36.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Interpublic Group of Companies from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Interpublic Group of Companies from $38.00 to $37.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $35.78.

Get Our Latest Research Report on Interpublic Group of Companies

Insider Buying and Selling at Interpublic Group of Companies

In other news, CFO Ellen Tobi Johnson sold 40,393 shares of Interpublic Group of Companies stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.20, for a total transaction of $1,300,654.60. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 88,350 shares in the company, valued at $2,844,870. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CFO Ellen Tobi Johnson sold 40,393 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.20, for a total value of $1,300,654.60. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 88,350 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,844,870. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Philippe Krakowsky sold 150,403 shares of Interpublic Group of Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.20, for a total value of $4,842,976.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 415,776 shares in the company, valued at $13,387,987.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 249,646 shares of company stock worth $8,038,601. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Interpublic Group of Companies Profile

(Free Report)

The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc provides advertising and marketing services worldwide. It operates in three segments: Media, Data & Engagement Solutions, Integrated Advertising & Creativity Led Solutions, and Specialized Communications & Experiential Solutions. The Media, Data & Engagement Solutions segment provides media and communications services, digital services and products, advertising and marketing technology, e-commerce services, data management and analytics, strategic consulting, and digital brand experience under the IPG Mediabrands, UM, Initiative, Kinesso, Acxiom, Huge, MRM, and R/GA brand names.

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BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- China's Bluetooth headphone market saw expansion last year, data from a recent industry report showed.

Some 85.52 million units of Bluetooth headphones were sold in China last year, increasing 7.5 percent year on year, according to the report from global market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC).

In breakdown, sales of true wireless earphones increased 5.1 percent year on year to 60.9 million units, while sales of open-ear headphones hit 6.52 million units, soaring 130.2 percent year on year.

The report forecasts that the open-ear headphone market in China will continue to grow this year, wireless earphones produced by cellphone brands will become cheaper, and sales channels for the headphones will diversify. 
253 trucks arrive

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IMPHAL, Mar 10 : Movement of 253 vehicles carrying essential items along NH-02 have been ensured with strict security measures taken up in all vulnerable areas, said Manipur Police Control Room in its daily bulletin.

In the last 24 hours, the situation in the State was under control, and search operations and area domination exercises were carried out by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of the hills and the valley, it said.

Security forces also installed 140 checkpoints across different districts. Police detained a total of 330 persons for violating restrictions, said the PCR.


Chinese soft power : Unveiling the silk road of influence

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Laithangbam Kumarsanu Singh

Introduction : Soft power, a term coined by Joseph S. Nye, refers to a Nations ability to achieve its objectives by leveraging influence and attraction through culture, values, policies, and institutions, thereby strengthening relationships and shaping international dynamics. In the landscape of global politics and cultural influence, Chinas ascent as a dominant player cannot be understated.

While economic prowess and military strength are often the primary metrics of a Nations power, the concept of soft power has emerged as a crucial dimension in understanding Chinas global reach. Since the late 1990s and particularly in recent years, the concept of soft power has garnered increasing interest within Chinas strategic studies community. This essay endeavours to delve into the multifaceted realm of Chinese soft power, focusing particularly on its manifestation along the historic Silk Road.

Throughout history, the Silk Road epitomizes a vibrant exchange of goods, cultural artifacts, and religions among nations, empires, and civilizations from East to West. Indeed, Art, Silk, Buddhism or Christianity have travelled and merged into new contexts, creating syncretism. The old Silk Road has been renewed in contemporary geopolitics as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through land and maritime networks. Launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping, the BRI aims to foster infrastructure development, trade, and cultural exchange across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Beyond its economic objectives, the BRI serves as a potent tool for projecting Chinese soft power on a global scale.

At its core, soft power encloses a Nations ability to attract and accept rather than coerce, shaping preferences and norms through culture, ideology, and diplomacy. Chinas approach to soft power is deeply rooted in its rich history and cultural heritage. With a civilization stretching back thousands of years, China boasts a wealth of traditions, arts, and philosophies that fascinate global audiences. From the enduring appeal of Confucianism to the global popularity of Chinese cuisine, the film industry, tourism, and martial arts, Chinas cultural exports serve as passage for disseminating its values and narratives worldwide. Xi Jinping has identified Chinese culture as an asset which can be promoted to bring about a better global public opinion of China.

The Chinese Government actively engages with the diaspora to promote its soft power objectives. Through initiatives like the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office and the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, China seeks to harness the influence of overseas communities for cultural diplomacy, economic cooperation, and political advocacy. The Government provides support and incentives for diaspora engagement, including scholarships, cultural exchange programs, and investment incentives, to strengthen ties and leverage the diasporas potential as a soft power asset.

Moreover, the Chinese Government has strategically invested in cultural diplomacy initiatives, such as Confucius Institutes and the promotion of Chinese language education, to deepen its soft power abroad. These efforts not only facilitate people-to-people exchanges but also cultivate goodwill and understanding towards China.

Problems

The pursuit of soft power by China is not without its obstacles. One of the primary challenges stems from the underlying tension between authoritarian governance and the promotion of cultural openness. The Chinese Governments tight control over information and expression often clashes with the principles of cultural exchange and diversity that support successful soft power initiatives.

Furthermore, the perception of Chinas soft power efforts as mere propaganda tools weakens their effectiveness. Uncertainty regarding the authenticity and sincerity of Chinese cultural outreach programs hampers their ability to resonate with global audiences. Additionally, geopolitical tensions and concerns over Chinas assertive behaviour in international affairs have cast a shadow over its soft power endeavours, breeding mistrust and resistance in some quarters.

Causes

1. Economic Expansion and Infrastructure Development : One of the primary causes driving Chinese soft power along the Silk Road is the economic expansion facilitated by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Chinas investments in infrastructure projects, such as roads, ports, and railways, create tangible connections between China and partner countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe. These investments not only boost economic development in recipient countries but also foster a sense of dependency and gratefulness towards China.

2. Cultural Diplomacy and Exchange Programs: Chinas deliberate efforts to promote its culture and language through initiatives like Confucius Institutes and cultural exchange programs contribute significantly to its soft power projection. By facilitating cultural exchanges and language education, China heightens its visibility and influence abroad, fostering goodwill and positive perceptions among international audiences.

3. Narrative Shaping and Propaganda: The Chinese Government employs various propaganda tools to shape global narratives and enhance its soft power. Through State-controlled media outlets and social media platforms, China circularises its preferred narratives and suppresses dissenting voices, presenting itself as a benevolent global leader committed to peace, development, and cooperation.

Effects:

1. Increased Influence and Geopolitical Clout: Chinese soft power initiatives, particularly through the BRI, have bolstered Chinas influence and geopolitical clout on the world stage. By investing in infrastructure projects and promoting cultural exchange, China extends its reach and solidifies its position as a key player in shaping global governance and economic development.

2. Shifts in Global Perceptions and Norms: Chinas soft power efforts contribute to shaping global perceptions and norms, influencing how the world views issues such as governance, human rights, and development.

Through cultural exports and diplomatic initiatives, China promotes its own values and narratives, challenging Western-centric perspectives and advocating for alternative models of governance and development.

3. Controversies and Backlash: Despite its soft power successes, Chinas assertive approach to soft power projection has also sparked controversies and backlash.

Concerns over debt traps, environmental degradation, and social disruption associated with BRI projects have led to scepticism and resistance in some recipient countries. Moreover, Chinas authoritarian political system and censorship practices undermine the authenticity and credibility of its soft power efforts, eroding trust and goodwill in certain quarters.

4. Competition and Rivalry : Chinas rise as a soft power player has intensified competition and rivalry with other global powers, particularly the United States. As China expands its influence through the Silk Road, it increasingly competes with Western powers for dominance in shaping global narratives, alliances, and institutions, leading to heightened geopolitical tensions and strategic manoeuvring.

Analysis

Chinese soft power along the Silk Road represents a multifaceted strategy aimed at enhancing Chinas global influence, fostering economic ties, and promoting its cultural identity on the world stage. However, a nuanced analysis reveals both opportunities and challenges inherent in Chinas soft power approach.

(To be contd)


COLOMBO, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's navy seized three Indian trawlers and apprehended 22 Indian fishermen who were poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Kareinagar in northern Sri Lanka, the navy said in a press release on Sunday.

The boats were seized and fishermen were apprehended during operations carried out on Saturday night and Sunday morning, the navy said.

The seized trawlers and Indian fishermen were brought to Kankesanthurai Harbor and were handed over to local authority for legal action, the navy said.

The navy has seized 15 Indian trawlers and arrested 110 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters so far in 2024, the navy said.

The navy said that they conduct regular patrols in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices by foreign trawlers, taking into account the consequences of these practices on the livelihood of local fishermen and the marine resources of the South Asian country.

The Sri Lankan navy arrested 343 people engaged in illegal activities and confiscated thousands of kilos of contraband in 2023. 
Trinamul Congress Brigade rally is to showcase peoples opinion for the Trinamul Congress. The party hopes the massive turnout will send the right signal to New Delhi.

The leaders, including the chief minister Mamata Banerjee and partys national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee have specified that this rally will highlight the Centres apathy towards Bengal and the withholding of central funds due to the state.

Last minute preparations are almost complete. Abhishek made his rounds of Eco Park, Gitanjali Stadium, Netaji Indoor, Uttrino and one location in Howrah today, where the party workers from the districts are putting up.

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The excitement is palpable as senior leaders trooped in to check the venue. Sources said before Parliament polls, the Brigade rally will witness mammoth gathering and TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee will clear the political line for the Lok Sabha election.

Trinamuls Brigade rally will have three stages, one facing Victoria Memorial, another, parallel to the main stage and the third one. Stage is connected with a cross ramp, for better connecting with the people. The length of ramp running straight from the stage is of 100m in length (approx 330 feet), 6 feet in height, 80m in breadth. The ramp from left to right is 80m (approx 240 feet).

The stages are constructed with a massive flower-decked ramp. On Friday, Police Commissioner Vineet Goel inspected the preparations with the Kolkata Polices full team, ensuring meticulous arrangements and keen observation. This time, speakers will walk through a 300-foot straight ramp amidst the crowd.

An initiative has been taken to enhance public engagement further. Trinamul has called on social media to join, inviting everyone to experience something unprecedented. Join us and amplify your connection with an experience like never before. In an extraordinary spectacle, Trinamul Congresss (TMC) Brigade rally is also set to showcase an unparalleled visual extravaganza at the rally. The anticipation is palpable as the mammoth gathering is expected to shatter previous attendance records, with a surge of enthusiasm evident even before the event.

TMC has stirred excitement by releasing videos, providing glimpses of the colossal Brigade adorned with fervent supporters. TMCs national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, had already inspected the arrangements, visiting the venue and surveying the space designated for workers and supporters at the Geetanjali Stadium. The party leaders have already specified that the rally is not just a rally; it is a protest against injustice, especially directed towards the BJP.

Under the leadership of chief minister Mamata Banerjee and TMCs chief strategist Abhishek Banerjee, the Brigade rally is poised to set new records. Three stages, including a 300-foot ramp, will accommodate around 600 leaders and activists. The visually stunning setup aims to not only captivate the local audience but also draw attention on a national scale. Supporters and leaders from the districts are converging on the city, adding to the already heightened anticipation. As preparations continue with meticulous attention to detail, the mega rally promises to be a historic event, leaving an indelible mark on the political landscape.
Delhi Water Minister Atishi on Sunday ordered a probe after a person fell into 40 to 50 feet deep borewell in Keshopur area of the city.

In a note to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, the Minister said, A deeply unfortunate incident has taken place in Delhi today, where someone has fallen into an abandoned borewell in the Keshopur Sewerage Treatment Plant.

This borewell was on land that had been handed over to Delhi Metro in 2020, nonetheless it is our responsibility to examine if any lapses have taken place on the part of Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and to ensure that no such incident takes place in Delhi in the future, she said.

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Atishi directed the Chief Secretary to conduct a time-bound enquiry into the incident and take strong and exemplary action against any officers found responsible.

She also asked to ensure that all government and private abandoned borewells to be welded and sealed immediately and compliance reported to her within 48 hours.

The Ministers direction came after she visited the site of the incident and tool stock of the rescue operations.

An incident of a person falling into a borewell has come to light in Keshopur. The borewell was in a locked room. Prima facie it seems that an attempt was made to enter by forcefully breaking the lock. Police will investigate it, she wrote on X after visiting the site.

According to Delhi Fire Services Director Atul Garg, a message was received at around 1 am that a person fell down in water treatment plant in DJB, Keshopur Mandi and five fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
With the arrest of five sharpshooters of the infamous Kala Jathedi- Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate on Sunday, the Delhi Polices Special Cell claimed to have foiling a high-profile murder.

Advanced international weapons were recovered from their possession of the accused including Px- 30, an Italian make and .32 bore pistols.

One of the five arrested accused was looking to avenge a brutal attack on him in Rohtak Jail and had planned to kill a rival gang member with the help of new members he recruited to his gang.

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On March 7, an input was received by a team of the Cell, according to which, members of Kala Jathedi-Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate would come near DDA Park, Sector 16, Dwarka with illegal weapons in their possession.

Following the directions from senior officers, a team was dispatched for the operation and laid a trap near the area. As per Intel, they executed a tactical operation, and apprehended the five accused identified as Rahul alias Baba, Parveen alias Dada, Rohtash, Mohan and Sachin.

One highly-sophisticated weapon, Px 30 pistol of Chinese origin, one P- Berreta pistol along with two more hand guns were recovered from the accused.

During interrogation, one of them disclosed that he ran wine shops in partnership with Kala Jathedi  Anil Chippi group. He had picked up a financial dispute with one, Ajay, who was backed by a criminal associated with gangster Himanshu Bhai.

Last year, Rahul opened fire outside the residence of Ajay and was later arrested by Haryana police for the act. While in jail, he was allegedly attacked and stabbed multiple times by inmates associated with Aman.

After release from jail, Rahul alias Baba planned to kill Aman and recruited Rohtash, Mohan and Sachin to his gang for the purpose. According to the police, they were provided with highly-sophisticated pistols by jailed gangsters Sandeep alias Kala Jathedi and Anil alias Chippi, whose roles are being verified, the police added.

Most of the arrested accused have previous criminal record. They are being interrogated for their involvements in other cases and efforts are being made to arrest their associates and fire-arms sources, while further investigation is in progress, a senior police official added.
Yami Gautams latest movie, Article 370, continues to captivate audiences nationwide as it enters its second week in cinemas. The film, featuring Gautam in the lead role of Zooni Haksar, has been met with widespread acclaim since its release, drawing praise for its gripping narrative and standout performances.

Audiences flock to theaters to witness Gautams stellar portrayal of Zooni, with her nuanced performance resonating deeply in every scene, whether its the action-packed sequences or the emotional climax. Social media has been abuzz with glowing reviews, with netizens commending Gautams portrayal of the character.

Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jio Studios (@officialjiostudios)

One viewer took to Twitter, exclaiming, Just saw #Article370 Movie yesterday. Such a well made movie. @yamigautams best performance for sure. Amazing work from other cast as well. Another praised Gautams attention to detail, noting, You played the role to absolute perfection @yamigautam your dialect was absolutely spot on.

The films success hasnt gone unnoticed, with fans showering Gautam with accolades. A social media user declared, @yamigautam is the legend Even internationally, the film has garnered attention, with a fan from Singapore expressing, Wat a fantastic performance A must watch.

Gautams impressive filmography and her ability to carry a movie have solidified her status as a bankable star. From intense dramas to lighthearted comedies, she has showcased her versatility time and again.

Amidst the praise, Yami Gautam remains focused on her craft, gearing up for her next project, Dhoom Dhaam, after Article 370.
Get ready to delve into the captivating life story of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with the much-anticipated OTT release of Main Atal Hoon. Starring the incredibly talented Pankaj Tripathi in the lead role, this biographical drama directed by Ravi Jadhav is all set to make its digital debut, bringing the essence of Vajpayees journey straight to your screens.

After enthralling audiences in theaters earlier this year, Main Atal Hoon is now gearing up for its exclusive digital premiere, promising viewers an immersive experience right from the comfort of their homes. The film beautifully portrays the life and legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, offering insights into his remarkable journey through the lens of Pankaj Tripathis stellar performance.

Excitement is building up as the official streaming platform, ZEE5, recently unveiled the much-awaited release date. Mark your calendars because Main Atal Hoon is set to premiere on March 14, 2024, exclusively on ZEE5. The announcement came through a vibrant Instagram post, tagging the talented cast and crew, accompanied by the caption, Get ready, Atal Bihari is coming! #MainAtalHoon premieres on 14th March, only on #ZEE5.

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Directed by Ravi Jadhav and penned by Jadhav and Rishi Virmani, this cinematic masterpiece is brought to life by the collaborative efforts of Vinod Bhanushali, Sandeep Singh, and Kamlesh Bhanushali under the banners of Bhanushali Studios Limited and Legend Studios.

So, gear up to embark on a compelling journey through the corridors of history, witness the highs and lows, and celebrate the indomitable spirit of one of Indias most revered leaders. Whether its your first encounter with the narrative or a revisit to relive the magic, Main Atal Hoon promises an unforgettable cinematic experience that will resonate with audiences across generations. Dont miss out on this opportunity to be a part of history in the making, streaming exclusively on ZEE5 from March 14 onwards.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that as Uttar Pradesh is touching the heights of development, the poison of appeasement is also weakening in the state.

 In the last elections, the people of Azamgarh showed that what the family members considered their stronghold was demolished by a young man like Dinesh. Thats why the family members are so upset. They are abusing Modi every day. They are saying that Modi does not have his own family. They forget that Modis family is 140 crore people of the country. Today, voices are coming from every corner of India, everyone is saying that I am Modis family, he said.

The PM said that earlier at the time of elections, leaders used to make announcements to throw dust in the eyes of the public, later there was no one to ask.  But today the country is seeing that Modi is a person of a different nature. The foundation stones we laid in 2019 have been implemented today. Even in 2024, please do someone a favor and do not look at these development works through the electoral lens. This is the campaign of my infinite journey of development. I am running at a fast pace with the resolve to make the country a developed India by 2047 and I am also running the country at a fast pace, he claimed.

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Ever since the double engine government came to power in the state, both the picture and destiny of UP have changed, PM said.

 Today UP has come in the category of frontline states. Earlier UP used to decide the politics of the country, but now it is also deciding the direction of development, PM said while addressing a public meeting here in Manduri after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of 782 development projects worth Rs 34,700 crore. This includes the inauguration of new airports in five districts of the state, Azamgarh, Shravasti, Moradabad, Chitrakoot and Aligarh and the new terminal of Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow, as well as the inauguration of Maharaja Suheldev Rajbhar State University in Azamgarh.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister gave his guarantee that Azamgarh will remain a bastion of development throughout life and eternity.

In his address, the Prime Minister praised the Chief Minister of the state Yogi Adityanath and said that in the last years, the double engine government has done development works worth lakhs of crores in UP. This has not only changed the infrastructure but has also created millions of new opportunities for the youth. Today UP is being recognized by record investment and ground breaking ceremonies. UP is being discussed due to expressway and better law and order. The centuries-old wait for Ram temple in Ayodhya has also ended. Due to the development of Banaras, Mathura and Kushinagar, tourism has increased rapidly in UP, the entire state is benefiting from it. This guarantee was given 10 years ago, which is being fulfilled today.

He said that this time Azamgarh should not lag behind in the complete cleanliness of UP. He said in Bhojpuri that Azamgarh Jaun Chah Jaala Oo Kar Levela. He appealed to the people of Azamgarh to cross 400 this time. The Prime Minister said that the launch of so many development works simultaneously is the first event in the history of Azamgarh. He called it a celebration of development.

The PM said that today the star of Azamgarh is shining. There was a time when a program was organized from Delhi and other states of the country used to join it, but today the program is being organized in Azamgarh and thousands of people from every corner of the country are joining it. Today, many projects are being launched from here for the development of not only Azamgarh but the entire country.

While communicating with the people of Azamgarh in Bhojpuri, PM said that the love of the people of Azamgarh and the development of Azamgarh is giving sleepless nights to the INDI alliance relying on casteism, nepotism and vote banks.  Purvanchal has seen politics of casteism and appeasement for decades. This area has also been witnessing the politics of development for the last 10 years. It has gained more momentum in the last seven years under the leadership of Yogi ji. The people here have also seen the dangers of mafia rule and fundamentalism and now the people here are also seeing the rule of law, he added.

He said that during the previous governments, Azamgarh and Purvanchal not only suffered from backwardness, but during that period, no effort was made to tarnish the image of this place. The entire country has seen the way terror and muscle power were protected in the previous governments. The double engine government is continuously working to change this situation and provide new opportunities to the youth here.

He said this vision of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is the basic mantra of the double engine government. Increasing connectivity is going to write a golden future for the farmers, youth and entrepreneurs of Purvanchal.

The PM said that the priority of our government is that farmers should get the right price for their produce. The remunerative price for sugarcane farmers has also been increased by eight percent this year. Now the remunerative price of sugarcane has increased from Rs 315 to Rs 340 per quintal.
Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP MP from Haryanas Hisar Brijendra Singh on Sunday resigned from the primary membership of the saffron party and joined the Congress.

The MP from Hisar Lok Sabha constituency announced his resignation citing compelling political reasons on social media platform X.

I have resigned from the primary membership of BJP due to compelling political reasons. I extend gratitude to the party, National President Sh. JP Nadda, Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, & Sh Amit Shah for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Member of Parliament for Hisar, Singh said in his post.

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Immediately after quitting the BJP, Brijendra Singh reached Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges residence in the national capital and joined the grand old party.

After joining the Congress, Brijendra Singh said, One issue that was raised in the rally in Jind on 2nd October was about the alliance of BJP-JJP in Haryana. A decision was taken regarding it and that too is a reason (for quitting BJP).

The BJP, earlier this month released the first list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP, as anticipated, unveiled its initial roster of candidates for the 2024 Lok Sabha election, comprising more than 195 names.

Notable figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 34 Union Ministers and Ministers of States feature prominently in this list. It also includes the name of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla along with two former Chief Ministers.

The first list of 195 candidates of the BJP included 28 women, 47 youth, 27 Scheduled Castes, 18 Scheduled Tribes and 57 OBCs.

The party announced 51 candidates in Uttar Pradesh, 24 in Madhya Pradesh, 15 each in Gujarat and Rajasthan, 20 for West Bengal, 12 in Kerala, 11 each for Assam, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, nine in Telangana, five for Delhi, two for Jammu and Kashmir, two for Arunachal Pradesh, one for Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Daman and Diu also.

However, the party has not released names of candidates for any of the seats in Haryana.

The Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress, both part of the opposition bloc INDIA will contest in alliance.

As per the agreement reached by both the parties, the AAP will contest Kurukshetra seat while the Congress will contest the remaining nine seats in the state.
The BJP is burning the midnight oil this time to win at least one Lok Sabha seat from Kashmir to make its electoral presence felt in the Valley where the partys founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee sacrificed his life 71 years ago while fervently opposing Article 370.

Senior BJP leaders have launched a high-pitched campaign, particularly in south Kashmirs Anantnag constituency where the party visualises bright prospects due to the recent delimitation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his speech during his recent visit to Srinagar, tried to connect with a cross-section of Kashmiri people. Specifically, the BJP leadership mobilised several Paharis and Gujjars from the Rajouri and Poonch districts, which are now part of the Anantnag constituency, to Jammu, where the PM had visited a few days earlier.

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Although the BJP has a long history of struggle in Jammu and Kashmir, it has so far never won even a single Lok Sabha or Assembly seat in the Kashmir valley where candidates of the Congress, National Conference (NC), and PDP have been winning the polls.

Being the first election after abrogating Article 370 in August 2019, winning even a single Lok Sabha seat from Kashmir is of high political significance for the BJP as compared to both the parliamentary seats of Jammu which the party is representing.

Mukherjee, who founded the party in 1951 after resigning from the Jawahar Lal Nehru cabinet, was arrested on 11 May 1953 by Sheikh Abdullahs administration when he entered J&K to protest against Article 370. He died as a detenue in the Srinagar jail in June 1953.

Thereafter in the later years, BJP leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani, and others continued their struggle against the special status granted to J&K.

Modi accompanied then BJP chief Murli Manohar Joshi in 1992 to hoist the tricolour in Srinagars Lal Chowk when terrorism was at its peak in Kashmir.

However, the BJP leadership is exuding confidence after the Modi government granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Paharis of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu, parts of which have been included in the Anantnag seat of Kashmir in the recent delimitation. The exercise has also altered the caste composition of the constituency.

J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina and general secretary (organisation) Ashok Koul are now spending more time in Kashmir addressing rallies to strengthen the partys support. Koul recently claimed that the party is doing exceptionally well in Kashmir and has gained enough foothold to defeat the regional parties.

Addressing a rally in the Nepora area of Anantnag on Saturday, Raina asked the people to support the BJP to bloom the lotus in the constituency where peace and development has been restored under the Modi government.
Children walk in the field with saplings in Wuying Village on the border between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 20, 2019. Wuying Village is a Miao ethnic group hamlet that nestles snugly in the towering mountains stretching across the border between Guangxi and Guizhou.

Six years ago, with the support of local government and Lianjiang City in Guangdong Province, the village began to implementing a ten-year tree planting program to improve local ecological environment. Thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted. Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the living environment of the village continues to improve, laying a goundwork for future eco-tourism development. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

This combo photo shows children water saplings on June 20, 2020 (L) and the same tree blossoming on March 10, 2024 in Wuying Village on the border between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province. Wuying Village is a Miao ethnic group hamlet that nestles snugly in the towering mountains stretching across the border between Guangxi and Guizhou.

Six years ago, with the support of local government and Lianjiang City in Guangdong Province, the village began to implementing a ten-year tree planting program to improve local ecological environment. Thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted. Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the living environment of the village continues to improve, laying a goundwork for future eco-tourism development. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Members of the resident working team and villagers climb the mountain to plant trees in Wuying Village on the border between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2022. Wuying Village is a Miao ethnic group hamlet that nestles snugly in the towering mountains stretching across the border between Guangxi and Guizhou.

Six years ago, with the support of local government and Lianjiang City in Guangdong Province, the village began to implementing a ten-year tree planting program to improve local ecological environment. Thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted. Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the living environment of the village continues to improve, laying a goundwork for future eco-tourism development. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Villagers and volunteers are on the way to plant trees in Wuying Village on the border between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 9, 2024. Wuying Village is a Miao ethnic group hamlet that nestles snugly in the towering mountains stretching across the border between Guangxi and Guizhou.

Six years ago, with the support of local government and Lianjiang City in Guangdong Province, the village began to implementing a ten-year tree planting program to improve local ecological environment. Thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted. Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the living environment of the village continues to improve, laying a goundwork for future eco-tourism development. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

A villager and a volunteer are on the way to plant trees in Wuying Village on the border between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 9, 2024. Wuying Village is a Miao ethnic group hamlet that nestles snugly in the towering mountains stretching across the border between Guangxi and Guizhou.

Six years ago, with the support of local government and Lianjiang City in Guangdong Province, the village began to implementing a ten-year tree planting program to improve local ecological environment. Thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted. Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the living environment of the village continues to improve, laying a goundwork for future eco-tourism development. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Villagers and volunteers view flowers after planting trees in Wuying Village on the border between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 9, 2024. Wuying Village is a Miao ethnic group hamlet that nestles snugly in the towering mountains stretching across the border between Guangxi and Guizhou.

Six years ago, with the support of local government and Lianjiang City in Guangdong Province, the village began to implementing a ten-year tree planting program to improve local ecological environment. Thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted. Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the living environment of the village continues to improve, laying a goundwork for future eco-tourism development. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

A drone photo taken on Nov. 19, 2022 shows people installing bamboo fences on both sides of the road to prevent cattle and sheep from biting saplings in Wuying Village on the border between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province. Wuying Village is a Miao ethnic group hamlet that nestles snugly in the towering mountains stretching across the border between Guangxi and Guizhou.

Six years ago, with the support of the local government and Lianjiang City in Guangdong Province, the village began to implement a ten-year tree planting program to improve the local ecological environment. Thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted. Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the living environment of the village continues to improve, laying a groundwork for future eco-tourism development. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Female villagers plant trees in Wuying Village on the border between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 9, 2024. Wuying Village is a Miao ethnic group hamlet that nestles snugly in the towering mountains stretching across the border between Guangxi and Guizhou.

Six years ago, with the support of local government and Lianjiang City in Guangdong Province, the village began to implementing a ten-year tree planting program to improve local ecological environment. Thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted. Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the living environment of the village continues to improve, laying a goundwork for future eco-tourism development. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Lin Zijun (R), an official from Lianjiang City of Guangdong Province, plants trees in Wuying Village on the border between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 9, 2024. Wuying Village is a Miao ethnic group hamlet that nestles snugly in the towering mountains stretching across the border between Guangxi and Guizhou.

Six years ago, with the support of local government and Lianjiang City in Guangdong Province, the village began to implementing a ten-year tree planting program to improve local ecological environment. Thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted. Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the living environment of the village continues to improve, laying a goundwork for future eco-tourism development. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Villager Pan Yongxiong plants trees in Wuying Village on the border between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 18, 2019. Wuying Village is a Miao ethnic group hamlet that nestles snugly in the towering mountains stretching across the border between Guangxi and Guizhou.

Six years ago, with the support of local government and Lianjiang City in Guangdong Province, the village began to implementing a ten-year tree planting program to improve local ecological environment. Thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted. Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the living environment of the village continues to improve, laying a goundwork for future eco-tourism development. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

This combo photo shows blossoming fruit trees on March 9, 2024 (up) and villagers and volunteers planting trees along a road on March 3, 2020 in Wuying Village on the border between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province. Wuying Village is a Miao ethnic group hamlet that nestles snugly in the towering mountains stretching across the border between Guangxi and Guizhou.

Six years ago, with the support of local government and Lianjiang City in Guangdong Province, the village began to implementing a ten-year tree planting program to improve local ecological environment. Thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted. Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the living environment of the village continues to improve, laying a goundwork for future eco-tourism development. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Villagers and volunteers plant trees in Wuying Village on the border between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 9, 2024. Wuying Village is a Miao ethnic group hamlet that nestles snugly in the towering mountains stretching across the border between Guangxi and Guizhou.

Six years ago, with the support of local government and Lianjiang City in Guangdong Province, the village began to implementing a ten-year tree planting program to improve local ecological environment. Thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted. Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the living environment of the village continues to improve, laying a goundwork for future eco-tourism development. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Female villagers collect saplings and prepare for planting in Wuying Village on the border between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 9, 2024. Wuying Village is a Miao ethnic group hamlet that nestles snugly in the towering mountains stretching across the border between Guangxi and Guizhou.

Six years ago, with the support of local government and Lianjiang City in Guangdong Province, the village began to implementing a ten-year tree planting program to improve local ecological environment. Thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted. Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the living environment of the village continues to improve, laying a goundwork for future eco-tourism development. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

This combo photo shows 5-year-old Wu Liangyou carrying a shovel and following adults to plant trees on March 15, 2019 (L) and 10-year-old Wu Liangyou carrying saplings and following adults to plant trees on March 9, 2024 in Wuying Village on the border between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province. Wuying Village is a Miao ethnic group hamlet that nestles snugly in the towering mountains stretching across the border between Guangxi and Guizhou.

Six years ago, with the support of local government and Lianjiang City in Guangdong Province, the village began to implementing a ten-year tree planting program to improve local ecological environment. Thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted. Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the living environment of the village continues to improve, laying a goundwork for future eco-tourism development. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

College student Pan Muzhi (1st R) and primary school students water the saplings in Wuying Village on the border between south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province, July 14, 2021. Wuying Village is a Miao ethnic group hamlet that nestles snugly in the towering mountains stretching across the border between Guangxi and Guizhou.

Six years ago, with the support of local government and Lianjiang City in Guangdong Province, the village began to implementing a ten-year tree planting program to improve local ecological environment. Thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted. Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the living environment of the village continues to improve, laying a goundwork for future eco-tourism development. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)
India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States  Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland  on Sunday signed a landmark Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) which promises to bring significant economic benefits, such as better integrated and more resilient supply chains, new opportunities for businesses and individuals on both sides leading to increased trade and investment flows, job creation, and economic growth.

Speaking on behalf of the EFTA Member States at the signing ceremony, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin stated that EFTA countries gain market access to a major growth market. Our companies strive to diversify their supply chains while rendering them more resilient. India, in return, will attract more foreign investment from EFTA, which will ultimately translate into an increase in good jobs. All in all, the TEPA will allow us to make better use of our economic potential and create additional opportunities for both India and the EFTA States.

The agreement enhances market access and simplifies customs procedures making it easier for Indian and EFTA businesses to expand their operations in the respective markets. The agreement further aims to facilitate and promote investment opportunities between the Parties.

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The TEPA was signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Guy Parmelin, Iceland Minister of Foreign Affairs Bjarni Benediktsson, Liechtenstein Minister of Foreign Affairs, Liechtenstein Dominique Hasler and Norway Trade and Industry Minister Jan Christian Vestre.

The agreement marks a significant milestone in the relationships between the EFTA states and India. It reflects the culmination of dedicated efforts to foster a deeper economic partnership, underscoring the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding, a press release from EFTA said.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday questioned the tripartite alliance between TDP, BJP and Jana Sena asking if they fulfilled any of the promises they had made in 2014 including special status to the state when they fought the elections together.

Addressing a public rally that doubled up as a show of strength after the announcement of the alliance yesterday, Reddy launched a frontal attack on the Opposition, particularly TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, who, he said, had gone to New Delhi with Pawan Kalyan and waited for days to seal the alliance.

At the rally at the Bapatla constituency, aimed to prepare YSRCP cadre for the upcoming electoral battle, Jagan said Naidus cycle (TDPs election symbol) was rusty and hence required other parties to get a push. Naidus position is zero and will remain zero no matter how many allies it is multiplied by, said Reddy.

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He also questioned the prime minister on the special status promised to the state, saying, What happened to the special status to our Andhra Pradesh from 2014-19?

Drawing a comparison between himself, who relies on his own actions, and Naidu, who was dependent on other parties to win elections, he said the tripartite alliance had parties who are for feudal people while he stood for the poor.

Chandrababu Naidu, along with his tripartite alliance and another national party in his pocket, is ready to attack our poor people, Reddy alleged.

In a dig at the BJP, he said, The alliance consists of parties that have bifurcated AP in an unjust manner and parties that got fewer votes than NOTA.

He further said that there were leaders in the alliance who had no army behind them. Accusing Naidu of copying from other states in his manifesto, the YSRCP chief promised to release a feasible manifesto very soon.
Kickstarting the Aam Aadmi Partys poll campaign for Kurukshetra Lok Sabha seat in Haryana, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday hit out at the BJP, saying that these polls will be a fight between justice and injustice.

We have Lord Shri Krishna with us in the form of you people. Just like Kauravas, they (BJP) have everything, all the powers, from CBI to ED, but we have our Dharma with us. This is the fight between justice and injustice, the fight of righteousness and unrighteousness. Now you have to choose which side you are on, Kejriwal said.

The AAP commenced its campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Kurukshetra, Haryana, with a call for change.

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Under the banner of Badlenge Kurukshetra-Badlenge Haryana, Abki Baar INDIA Ko Jitana, AAPs National Convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, alongside Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, launched the campaign.

Addressing the public, Kejriwal emphasized the significance of electing representatives who prioritize the welfare of the people over political aspirations.

He targeted at the absence of BJP MPs in Haryana during instances of violence against women wrestlers, assaults on job-seeking youth, and attacks on farmers, attributing their inaction to their allegiance to the BJP.

During this, Kejriwal said that one month later, there would be the Lok Sabha elections. The Model Code of Conduct could be implemented at any time. This time, AAPs Sushil Gupta is the candidate from Kurukshetra Lok Sabha constituency in Haryana on behalf of the INDIA Alliance, he said.

Many parties will come to you and make big promises. But I will talk about you, your family, and your children. Think about yourself, your home, and your country, why get involved in the affairs of these other parties? In the last 75 years, these parties and leaders have looted the country, he added.

The AAP National Convenor said, In this election, you have to choose your own Member of Parliament. Now you have to decide whom to vote for. For the last 10 years, you have been winning the BJP all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana. What have these 10 BJP MPs done for the people of Haryana in the last 10 years? If any of these ten MPs have done any work, I will quit politics.

Unfortunately, none of them has done any work in these 10 years. These 10 MPs are not the representatives of the people of Haryana, but they are the MPs of the BJP and slaves of the BJP. They act according to the BJPs orders.

In the last 10 years, when so many difficulties befell the people of Haryana, where were the BJP MPs? There were atrocities, wrongdoings, and harassment against the daughters of Haryana (women wrestlers). When these daughters went to protest in Delhi, they were beaten with sticks. I went to support these daughters at Jantar Mantar. But the 10 BJP MPs elected by you were sitting and clapping. When your daughters were being harassed, these BJP MPs were busy partying at home, the Delhi Chief Minister said.

Just recently, when the farmers of Haryana wanted to go to Delhi, they were stopped at the border. What was the fault of those farmers? The farmers are just demanding fair prices for their crops, which they rightfully deserve. But in return, they faced bullets from above, Kejriwal mentioned.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Sunday said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was scared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have been unhappy with her had she stayed in the INDIA bloc.

The Congress leader said that Mamata Banerjee has sent a message to PMO that she is not standing against the BJP, therefore, he should not be angry with her.

Mamata Banerjee has proven today that none of the political parties of India should trust a leader like her Mamata Banerjee is in fear that if she continues to be in the INDIA alliance, PM Modi will be unhappy. By separating herself from the INDIA alliance, she has sent a message to the PMO, dont be unhappy with me, I am not standing to fight against the BJP, Chowdhury, one of Banerjees fiercest critic, said.

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His remarks came shortly after Banerjee announced candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on all the 42 constituencies in West Bengal, marking her party TMCs official exit from the Oppositions INDIA bloc.

Even though Mamata has already announced to contest all the 42 seats in West Bengal, the Congress had been maintaining back channel talks were underway.

However, the unilateral announcement of candidates on all the constituencies of the state has proved a major setback back to the Oppositions INDIA alliance.

Reacting to her decision, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the grand old party desired a respectable seat-sharing alliance.

The Indian National Congress has repeatedly declared its desire to have a respectable seat-sharing agreement with the TMC in West Bengal. The Indian National Congress has always maintained that such an agreement has to be finalised through negotiations and not by unilateral announcements. The Indian National Congress has always wanted the INDIA group to fight the BJP together, Ramesh said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to release the list of TMC candidates for upcoming Lok Sabha elections during her mega Jonogorjon Sabha rally at Brigade Ground in Kolkata on Sunday.

Ahead of the big rally, Banerjee said that Bengals patience & courtesy should not be mistaken for its weakness and added that Bohiragoto Jomidars will be reminded this on Sunday.

Bengals patience & courtesy should NOT be mistaken for its weakness. The Bohiragoto Jomidars must be reminded of this on March 10. The Jonogorjon Sabha at Brigade Ground this Sunday will be a historic event on the land that has always fought for its rights. Join us as we lead the peoples movement for Bengals secure future, she wrote on X.

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The Brigade Ground rally is also likely to have a bearing on the future of Oppositions INDIA alliance. Banerjee had openly said it on more than one occassions that TMC will not give a single seat to the Congress in West Bengal after the grand old party rejected its two-seat offer.

However, the Congress party has so far maintained that talks are still on and that Banerjee is an important pillars of INDIA alliance.

The Congress party has announced its seat sharing arrangement with Akhilesh Yadavs Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, DMK in Tamil Nadu, and with AAP in Delhi, Haryana, Goa and Gujarat.

According to sources, an alliance with Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SCP) in Maharashtra is also more or less final, so is with RJD in Bihar and National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir.

However, a decision could not be reached in West Bengal. It is likely that Banerjee will announce candidates in all the 42 Lok Sabha seats.

Meanwhile, the BJP has taken a dig at Banerjee and called the Brigade Ground event her partys farewell rally.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development initiatives worth more than Rs 34,000 crore in an event held at Azamgarh Uttar Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi noted the change of such programmes happening at places like Azamgarh instead of being held in Delhi. Azamgarh, which was counted among the backward areas, is writing a new chapter of development today, PM Modi said.

Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 15 airport projects across the country worth more than Rs 9800 crore. He inaugurated 12 new Terminal Buildings of Pune, Kolhapur, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Shravasti and Adampur Airports.

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The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of three new Terminal Buildings of Kadapa, Hubli and Belagavi airports. To illustrate the speed of the completion of airports, the Prime Minister informed that Gwalior terminal was completed in just 16 months. This initiative will make air travel easier and accessible for the common citizens of the country, he said.

Modi emphasised that the record of the government of completing announced projects in time repudiates the allegation of these projects being election gimmicks. People are seeing that Modi is made of different material. I am working relentlessly to create a Viksit Bharat, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said that along with airport, highway and railway infrastructure, projects related to education, water and environment received a new push today.

Giving a new guarantee to the people of Azamgarh, the Prime Minister said that Azamgarh will remain Aajanm a Vikas ka Garh (bastion of development forever). Breaking into local dialect, the Prime Minister said with airport, hospital and medical college, Azamgarh is no longer dependent on the neighbouring big cities.

The Prime Minister said that in the last 10 years, the region is seeing politics of development in place of the earlier politics of appeasement and dynasty. This trend got a new momentum under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, Modi said.

He said cities like Aligarh, Moradabad, Azamgarh, Shravasti which were ignored as backward areas of Uttar Pradesh are getting air connectivity due to rapid overall development.

Modi said just like welfare schemes, modern infrastructure is moving beyond metro cities to small towns and villages. Small cities have equal rights to airports and good highways as big metro cities, PM Modi emphasized. We are increasing the strength of the Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities so that urbanization continues unabated, said the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of connectivity and infrastructure development in the region. He referred to the inauguration and foundation laying ceremonies of several railway projects, including those connecting districts like Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Gazipur, and Prayagraj. Azamgarh, Mau and Balia received the gift of many railway projects.

In addition to railway projects, Prime Minister Modi underscored the governments commitment to rural infrastructure development through the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

He stated, More than 5,000 kilometers of roads have been inaugurated under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, aiming to improve connectivity for the farmers and youth of Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the governments focus on ensuring fair prices for farmers produce. He talked about the substantial increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various crops, including sugarcane, stating, Today, MSP for sugarcane farmers has been increased by 8 percent, reaching Rs 340 per quintal.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi addressed the historical challenges faced by sugarcane farmers in the region, emphasizing the governments efforts to address their grievances. He noted, Our government has settled pending dues worth thousands of crores for sugarcane farmers, providing them timely and fair payments.

He also elaborated on transformation brought about by initiatives in biogas and ethanol. Regarding PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, the Prime Minister informed that in Azamgarh itself 8 lakh farmers received Rs 2,000 crore under the scheme.

Highlighting the transformative impact of government initiatives, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the need for honest governance to achieve rapid development.

He stated, Honest governance is essential for achieving unprecedented development. Our government is committed to eliminating corruption and ensuring transparent governance.

Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in the transformative potential of the governments initiatives for Eastern Uttar Pradesh. He stated, The establishment of Maharaja Suheldev Rajkiya Vishwavidyalaya and other initiatives will empower the youth and transform the educational landscape of the region.

Highlighting UPs pivotal role in shaping national politics and development, Prime Minister Modi emphasised how the states progress aligns with the nations growth trajectory.

The Prime Minister commended UP for its exemplary implementation of central schemes under the double engine government and positioning the state among the top performers in this regard.

He noted the significant investment made in UP over the past years, with infrastructure development and the creation of numerous opportunities for the youth being key outcomes.

PM Modi highlighted UPs rising profile, fueled by record levels of investment, ground-breaking ceremonies, and the expansion of expressway networks and highways. He praised the states focus on improving law and order, exemplified by the completion of the historic Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
The Chhattisgarh governments much-anticipated Mahatari Vandana scheme marked its inception with the dispersal of its inaugural instalment this Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi facilitated the transfer of a substantial sum totalling Rs 655 crore into the accounts of approximately 70 lakh deserving women. PM Modi underscored the governments commitment to empowering women by unveiling plans to integrate them into the forthcoming Namo Drone initiative.

Starting his address with Jai Johar, PM Modi said, Two weeks ago, I inaugurated and dedicated projects worth Rs 35,000 crore in Chhattisgarh. Today, I have the opportunity to dedicate the Mahatari Vandana Yojana, which empowers women, to you all. The scheme promised to give more than 70 lakh mothers and sisters of the state Rs 1,000 every month. The BJP government has fulfilled its promise.

Prime Minister Modi stated, I should have been among you, but due to various scheduled programmes, I am in Uttar Pradesh and speaking from Kashi. Last night, while offering prayer to Baba Vishwanath, I prayed for the well-being of all the citizens of the country. Due to the celebration of Shivaratri on March 8, I was not able to attend this programme, but today, I am connecting with you from the city of Baba Bhole and providing Rs 1,000 along with the blessings of Bhole Baba.

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Prime Minister stated, In the past 10 years, our government has changed the lives of more than 10 crore women through self-help groups. With the efforts of our government, over one crore women have become lakhpati didi. Economic empowerment has become widespread in every village. We have decided to take a big leap forward after reviewing it. Now, we aim to make three crore women lakhpati didi across the country. We are working on the Namo Drone Didi Yojana. Join us tomorrow at ten oclock to learn more about the Namo Drone Didi Yojana. The government will provide drones to the women as well as drone pilot training. He shared that, One sister told me that she didnt even know how to ride a bicycle before. Now she is a drone pilot. This will develop agriculture. A family thrives when it is healthy, and a family is healthy when its women are healthy. Previously, maternal and child mortality during pregnancy were major concerns. We have worked on this issue. Earlier, the scarcity of toilets caused embarrassment for mothers, but now, having toilets has helped them avoid health issues.

Highlighting the profound impact of financial stability on familial well-being, PM Modi lauded the BJPs double-engine governments unwavering dedication to the welfare of mothers and sisters across Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed gratitude towards the Prime Minister for dedicating his time to launch the Mahatari Vandana Yojana, stating, The day for which these women were eagerly waiting has arrived today. Our visionary Prime Minister, Narendra Modi ji, had pledged that if our government was formed in Chhattisgarh, we would initiate this scheme. Today, the first instalment is being transferred to the bank accounts of 70,12,600 women. The ceremonious event, held at Raipurs historical Science College ground, witnessed the presence of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Minister Lakshmi Rajwade, Brijmohan Agrawal, Ramvichar Netam, and a host of other dignitaries.

Emphasising the essence of inclusivity, PM Modi remarked, Our vision for progress extends to every corner of Chhattisgarh. We stand committed to our promise of granting financial stability to over 70 lakh women through the Mahatari Vandana Yojana. This pioneering initiative pledges a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000 to women beneficiaries, thereby fulfilling a crucial electoral promise.

I am heartened to witness the transformative potential of our initiatives, evident in the lives of over 10 crore women uplifted through self-help groups in the past decade, PM Modi asserted, underscoring the monumental strides towards gender parity. Moreover, he heralded the imminent launch of the Namo Drone scheme, poised to revolutionise agricultural practices and bolster rural economy. Health and prosperity are intrinsic to the sanctity of familial bonds. Our healthcare initiatives, including free vaccination and comprehensive medical coverage during pregnancy, epitomise our unwavering commitment to maternal and child welfare, he reiterated.

PM Modi emphasised, Family becomes prosperous when it is healthy. Family is healthy when the women of the house are healthy. We have initiated free vaccination and a scheme of providing Rs 5,000 during pregnancy. We have provided the facility of free treatment worth Rs 5 lakh. PM Modi affirmed, As we embark on this journey of collective empowerment, we remain resolute in our mission to foster a society where every woman finds her voice and her place in the sun.
Skill Mahotsav employment fair concluded on Sunday on the campus of Lucknow University where over 8000 students were offered job letters by different companies.

Chief Guest Defence Minister and local MP Rajnath Singh gave job offer certificates to the youth selected in the employment fair.

Rajnath Singh said that employment will lead to better future of the youth and improvement in the lifestyle of their families. He said that the youth should take care of themselves as well as their parents.

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At the conclusion of the program, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, Union Minister of State Kaushal Kishore, Chief Organizer Neeraj Singh were present on the stage along with the Defense Minister.

Program coordinator Neeraj Singh said that last year more than 5000 youth were given jobs but this time, more than 8000 youth were given job offers on various posts.

He said the central and state governments are actively working to ensure that the youth get better employment. The day is not far when youth will become job creators instead of job seekers. Youth from the entire state including Lucknow gathered in the employment fair.

Renowned companies like Amazon, Agro, Jio, SBI Card, Bajaj Capital, Flipkart, Axis Bank, Hyundai Motor, Indigo, Dominos, Lulu India Shopping Mall, Max Life Shriram Finance, V-Mart participated in the fair.
It was on 4 March that Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He heads a coalition of PML (Nawaz), PPP of Asif Ali Zardari and MQM (Muttahida Qaumi Movement) It is clear that he came to power after a massively rigged election which deprived Imran Khans PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) of at least 80 seats in the National Assembly which has 266 elected seats. It is pertinent to add that there are 60 seats for women and 10 for minorities, thereby making a total of 336 seats in the National Assembly.

In fact, the overall results have been a vindication of Imran Khans position, most clearly his defiance of the military establishment. The latter had accused Khan of orchestrating attacks on 9 May 2023 on its installations and landmarks. Efforts to drum up public outrage against him failed quite spectacularly and may even have backfired. Imran Khan has displaced Nawaz Sharif from his pedestal of being the leading political voice against the military in Pakistan. That Nawaz Sharif stood aside in favour of his brother to be prime minister reflects both his own declining political standing as well as the PML-Ns equally disappointing electoral performance. The militarys image is certainly dented but it remains the principal political player in Pakistan.

There seems to be so far no rethink about its approach to Khan and he may continue to be in jail, A popular leader imprisoned, a restive public and a shaky coalition forming the government may appear to be a leaky ship for the Pakistan military to be trying to sail. But it has navigated such situations before and may well feel confident that it can do so again. Pakistan faces a lot of problems, and they are only getting deeper after every election. Usually, the new government has a honeymoon period and people have certain expectations. But the Shehbaz Sharif government will not have this luxury. Imrans PTI has managed to successfully build a perception that the new government comprising PMLN, PPP and MQM do not have mandate or legitimacy.

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Perception is often stronger than reality. Therefore, the Shebhaz government will have little support on the streets at a time when it has to tackle the plethora of challenges that certainly require unpopular measures. Pakistan is beset with a crippling economic crisis. The economy, under the extended term of the caretaker government, is stabilised to the extent that there is at least no threat of sovereign default in the near future. But that is just a temporary relief. Moodys, one of the three international credit rating agencies, says the country has the cushion to meet its external needs till June 2024. But there is no certainty how this nation of 250 million people would manage external resources for the next fiscal year. Pakistan must strike a new deal with the Washington-based global lender sooner than later to avoid uncertainty.

But the international credit rating agencies believe that with a fractured mandate, it would be an uphill task for the new government to conclude such a deal. The PTI has already written a letter to the IMF, asking the lender only to extend loans to a government which is legitimate. Similarly, many US Congressmen have written to the Biden administration, urging it not to recognise the new government till the ballot fraud allegations are probed. These moves may not eventually affect the government a great deal but would make it difficult for the Shehbaz administration to negotiate with the outside world from a position of strength. In Pakistan, a government with a twothirds majority could not complete its five-year constitutionally mandated term and hence people are skeptical the new political dispensation could survive.

But strange things do happen in Pakistan. Often the fate of elected governments is determined based on the nature of civil-military relations. In this case though, the security establishment is as keen to succeed as the coalition government. If the new government fails, it will mean victory for the jailed Imran Khan. His popularity would only increase, a nightmare scenario for the powers-that-be. The other factor that may help the incoming government to survive is the choice of Prime Minister. Shehbaz Sharif, during his 16 months as head of the PDM, has shown that he could go along with allies as well as the security establishment. Had Nawaz Sharif opted for the top job, the situation could have been different. The elder Sharif always ended up antagonising the powerful establishment, triggering his untimely ouster on three previous occasions.

His younger brother, though, is a different breed. He is known as pragmatic and avoids getting embroiled in any controversy with the establishment. This may work both for his government and the establishment. But all this hinges on the success of the new government. The government, even before taking up power, is known to be the least popular and any misstep would make matters worse. Therefore, it is only performance that would determine the longevity of the Shehbaz-led government. It is clear that the Shehbaz Sharif government is weak and fragile and faces an extremely difficult economic situation. Its future is definitely precarious. It will need wisdom and sagacity to survive.

(The writer has been a senior IAS officer of the Punjab Cadre and can be contacted on Kaushikiaspunjab@gmail.com)
In the heart of the Himalayas lies a region that has been a crucible of contention for decades. Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Jammu and Kashmir sends ripples through the political landscape, echoing the seismic shifts triggered by the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. As he stood in Srinagar, Mr Modi proclaimed a transformed Kashmir, now seamlessly integrated into the fabric of India.

The abrogation of Article 370, a move that stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status, was a contentious decision, sparking heated debates on constitutional legality and its geopolitical ramifications. Mr Modis visit, the first in five years, underscores the governments commitment to its core promise ~ the integration of Kashmir into the Indian Union. However, the optics and motivations behind this visit warrant a closer examination. For many, especially those outside the region, the transformation of Kashmir might seem like a laudable achievement. Mr Modi, in his address, emphasised the newfound courage of the people to overcome challenges and touted the developmental strides made in the last five years. The launch of tourism and farm projects adds a forward-looking dimension, projecting Kashmir as a potential global success story.

Yet, amid the applause, there lingers a complex tapestry of historical grievances, geopolitical tensions, and human rights concerns. The region, scarred by decades of militant violence, is also a flashpoint in the longstanding rivalry between India and Pakistan. The visit, strategically timed weeks before general elections, serves not only as a reaffirmation of the governments commitment but also as a political signal to voters. The lockdown-like security measures during Mr Modis visit ~ armed personnel, commandos on Dal Lake, and a ban on drone usage ~ reflect the ongoing fragility of the situation. Schools were shut, and exams postponed, showcasing the delicate balance between asserting control and managing potential unrest.

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Kashmiri politicians critical of the abrogation, like Ms Mehbooba Mufti, have framed the visit as a political manoeuvre to sway the BJPs core constituency in the rest of the country in the upcoming elections. The promise of a new elected legislative assembly for Jammu and Kashmir, coupled with infrastructure projects, paints a vision of progress. However, the absence of elections and the Supreme Courts directive to hold polls by September 30 injects an element of uncertainty. The political landscape in Kashmir remains a puzzle, with pieces yet to fall into place.

As this story unfolds, it provokes essential questions about the nature of transformation and development. The answers may determine not only the fate of Kashmir but also the trajectory of Indias democratic experiment. In the global arena, where geopolitical tensions draw attention to this sensitive region, Mr Modis visit amplifies the complexities surrounding Kashmir. The story of Kashmir, as it continues to evolve, demands nuanced attention, transcending electoral calculus to navigate the delicate interplay of history, politics, and human rights.
Our talks with Azerbaijan envisage the establishment of permanent peace, not temporary, Azernews reports, citing Armenia's Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan telling at the interview with TRT World.

He said that discussions on the draft peace agreement between Yerevan and Baku continue.

"There are other discussion platforms. Meetings at the level of country leaders and negotiations between foreign ministers were held. We were able to reach an agreement on many issues, but the positions of the parties are still different on the main issues."
Tourists aboard the Zuiderdam cruise ship arrive at Dalian port in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 10, 2024. On Sunday, a Zuiderdam cruise ship operated by the Holland America Line docked in the port city of Dalian in northeast China, marking the resumption of the Dalian terminal's international cruise shipping activity.

This is the first international cruise ship to visit northeast China since the country announced the full resumption of international cruise ship transport to and from its ports in September 2023. It had been four years since the last international cruise ship was received by Dalian, local authorities said. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

DALIAN, March 10 (Xinhua) -- On Sunday, a Zuiderdam cruise ship operated by the Holland America Line docked in the port city of Dalian in northeast China, marking the resumption of the Dalian terminal's international cruise shipping activity.

This is the first international cruise ship to visit northeast China since the country announced the full resumption of international cruise ship transport to and from its ports in September 2023. It had been four years since the last international cruise ship was received by Dalian, local authorities said.

On Sunday morning, more than 2,000 tourists and staff members aboard the ship, hailing from 47 countries and regions, arrived at the Dalian port from Shanghai. Their stay in Dalian was set to feature visits to multiple scenic spots in the city, while they also planned to participate in cultural experience activities. The cruise ship is scheduled to reach north China's Tianjin on Monday, as it continues its cruise around the world.

Dalian in Liaoning Province was among China's very first cities to launch international cruise tour operations. 

Tourists from the Zuiderdam cruise ship visit a scenic spot in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 10, 2024. On Sunday, a Zuiderdam cruise ship operated by the Holland America Line docked in the port city of Dalian in northeast China, marking the resumption of the Dalian terminal's international cruise shipping activity.

This is the first international cruise ship to visit northeast China since the country announced the full resumption of international cruise ship transport to and from its ports in September 2023. It had been four years since the last international cruise ship was received by Dalian, local authorities said. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

This aerial photo taken on March 10, 2024 shows the Zuiderdam cruise ship arriving at Dalian port in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. On Sunday, a Zuiderdam cruise ship operated by the Holland America Line docked in the port city of Dalian in northeast China, marking the resumption of the Dalian terminal's international cruise shipping activity.

This is the first international cruise ship to visit northeast China since the country announced the full resumption of international cruise ship transport to and from its ports in September 2023. It had been four years since the last international cruise ship was received by Dalian, local authorities said. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tourists from the Zuiderdam cruise ship visit a local residence in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 10, 2024. On Sunday, a Zuiderdam cruise ship operated by the Holland America Line docked in the port city of Dalian in northeast China, marking the resumption of the Dalian terminal's international cruise shipping activity.

This is the first international cruise ship to visit northeast China since the country announced the full resumption of international cruise ship transport to and from its ports in September 2023. It had been four years since the last international cruise ship was received by Dalian, local authorities said. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

This aerial photo taken on March 10, 2024 shows the Zuiderdam cruise ship arriving at Dalian port in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. On Sunday, a Zuiderdam cruise ship operated by the Holland America Line docked in the port city of Dalian in northeast China, marking the resumption of the Dalian terminal's international cruise shipping activity.

This is the first international cruise ship to visit northeast China since the country announced the full resumption of international cruise ship transport to and from its ports in September 2023. It had been four years since the last international cruise ship was received by Dalian, local authorities said. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tourists from the Zuiderdam cruise ship watch a performance in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 10, 2024. On Sunday, a Zuiderdam cruise ship operated by the Holland America Line docked in the port city of Dalian in northeast China, marking the resumption of the Dalian terminal's international cruise shipping activity.

This is the first international cruise ship to visit northeast China since the country announced the full resumption of international cruise ship transport to and from its ports in September 2023. It had been four years since the last international cruise ship was received by Dalian, local authorities said. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

This aerial photo taken on March 10, 2024 shows the Zuiderdam cruise ship docking at Dalian port in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. On Sunday, a Zuiderdam cruise ship operated by the Holland America Line docked in the port city of Dalian in northeast China, marking the resumption of the Dalian terminal's international cruise shipping activity.

This is the first international cruise ship to visit northeast China since the country announced the full resumption of international cruise ship transport to and from its ports in September 2023. It had been four years since the last international cruise ship was received by Dalian, local authorities said. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

A child presents gifts to a tourist from the Zuiderdam cruise ship at a local residence in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 10, 2024. On Sunday, a Zuiderdam cruise ship operated by the Holland America Line docked in the port city of Dalian in northeast China, marking the resumption of the Dalian terminal's international cruise shipping activity.

This is the first international cruise ship to visit northeast China since the country announced the full resumption of international cruise ship transport to and from its ports in September 2023. It had been four years since the last international cruise ship was received by Dalian, local authorities said. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Tourists aboard the Zuiderdam cruise ship arrive at Dalian port in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 10, 2024. On Sunday, a Zuiderdam cruise ship operated by the Holland America Line docked in the port city of Dalian in northeast China, marking the resumption of the Dalian terminal's international cruise shipping activity.

This is the first international cruise ship to visit northeast China since the country announced the full resumption of international cruise ship transport to and from its ports in September 2023. It had been four years since the last international cruise ship was received by Dalian, local authorities said. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
The Israeli spy agency, Mossad, has said that the ceasefire talks with Hamas at the behest of American, Qatari and Egyptian mediators are not progressing and that Hamas was planning to escalate tensions during the Ramadan.

The Israel Prime Ministers Office in a statement late Saturday said that Mossad chief David Barnra had met the head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns at Amman, Jordan recently.

According to the Israeli Prime Ministers Office, Mossad chief has informed the CIA head that Hamas was trying to create more tensions in the Gaza strip making it difficult for the Palestinian people.

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However, the statement said that all efforts are being taken to prevent any escalation of tensions and mediators are working to make a ceasefire deal possible.

At least 134 Israeli hostages are in the custody of Hamas in Gaza strip (Israel intelligence agencies have reported that of this 31 were dead) and Israel had wanted a list of hostages who are alive.

Hamas had overlooked this demand and said that the hostages were in the custody of several fringe groups and not only with Hamas
Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Occasional snow showers mixing with rain during the afternoon. High near 40F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Rain and snow showers this evening. Overcast overnight. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precip 50%.
Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger said the merger of his company's India business with Reliance Industries will help the company in boosting profit and "derisk" its business in the country.

"We had an opportunity to align with Reliance, which is obviously the company that has done very well there and one that we respect. And in doing so, end up owning part of a bigger media company. And we believe that, that not only should benefit us in terms of the bottom-line, but derisk us as well there," he said.

Walt Disney Co. and Reliance Industries had announced in February that the two companies have reached a deal to merge their Indian media operations. Under the pact, Reliance will hold 63.16 per cent of the new entity and Disney will have 36.84 per cent. The new company will be India's leading media company with two streaming services and around 120 TV channels.

"We wanted to stay in India. We made a big investment in India when we purchased the assets of 21st Century Fox. We are one of the biggest media companies in India. But even though it is the most populous country in the world, we felt we want to be there because of that, we also know that there are challenges in that market," he added.

"So, it's kind of the best of both worlds. We stay in the market at a significant level. We have a very good partner in Reliance, and we get to have a chance of growing a business and lowering the risk of doing so," Iger said.

-- with inputs from PTI
BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The following is the schedule for the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) on Monday:

-- The NPC session will hold group meetings of deputies to deliberate the draft resolutions on the work reports of the NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate in the morning.

-- The presidium of the NPC session will hold its fourth meeting in the morning.

-- The session will hold its closing meeting in the afternoon. The deputies will vote on a draft resolution on the government work report, the draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council, a draft resolution on the implementation of the 2023 plan for national economic and social development and the 2024 plan for national economic and social development, a draft resolution on the execution of the central and local budgets for 2023 and the central and local budgets for 2024, and draft resolutions on the work reports of the NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate. 
Crisis-hit Byju's said on Sunday that it has disbursed a part of the pending February salaries for all employees, said reports.

The cash-strapped ed-tech major has assured the staff that the balance amount will be paid once the company is allowed to used funds from the rights issue that was closed recently, reported MoneyControl.

We processed part salaries for everyone for February late night on Friday to the extent of capital we could get outside the rights issue. The company will pay the balance once the rights issue funds are available, which we expect shortly," Byju's stated in a letter to employees.

Byju's management said the salaries are expected to reflect in the accounts of its employees by Monday due to bank holidays since Friday.

In the interim, we have made alternate funding arrangements to ensure your daily lives are not disrupted. Our commitment to serving our students with the passion and dedication they deserve remains as strong as ever, and we are taking all necessary measures to continue our operations smoothly, added the company in the letter.
Porn star Sophia Leone, 26, was found "unresponsive" in her apartment by her family on March 1, her stepfather revealed on Saturday.

Mike Romero, Leone's stepfather, has opened a fundraiser for her memorial on GoFundMe. The post has received $9,305 from 104 donations out of the $12,000 goal when this report was published.

"On behalf of her mother and family, it is with a heavy heart that I have to share the news of our beloved Sophia's passing," Romero said. "The sudden loss of Sophia has left her family and friends devastated and in shock. On top of the difficult process of grieving and seeking justice for Sophia, the family is also facing the financial burden that they were not prepared for."

How did Sophia Leone die?

Romero said the police have launched a probe into the cause of Leone's death.

Her modelling agency, 101 Modeling, said Leone didn't die of suicide, adding that her death was being probed as a "home invasion homicide".

Sophia Leone was born on June 10, 1997, in Miami. She joined the adult industry at the age of 18.
The resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel has come as a surprise to even officials in the Commission. While the reason for his sudden resignation is still unclear, there are speculations on whether there were indications of the development when the EC visited West Bengal last week to review the poll preparedness in the state.

Goel had travelled to Kolkata along with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on March 3 for a three-day visit to review the preparedness for the Lok Sabha elections. The Commission had held meetings with representatives of political parties and the Chief Electoral Officer, state government officials and police officials.



However, Goel was not present in the Commision's media briefing held in Kolkata on the culmination of the visit on March 5. Poor health was cited as a reason for his absence.



Trinamool Congress leaders have been prompt in claiming that Goel resigned due to his disagreement with the Commission's purported plans to hold elections in West Bengal in several phases and the "excessive" deployment of forces in the state for the upcoming polls.



Goel had been travelling to the states along with the CEC to review the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections, and the poll body was scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir next, the trip scheduled from March 11 onwards.



It is learnt that Goel has cited "personal reasons" for his resignation. There is a buzz on whether differences with the CEC could have led to Goel quitting the poll body, but there is no clarity on the exact nature of the disagreements.



It is unclear as to what could have triggered Goel's decision to quit the poll body when he was next in line to become the CEC and would have been in office till December 2027. A retired IAS officer belonging to the Punjab cadre, Goel was appointed as Election Commissioner on November 19, 2022. He had joined the office on November 21, 2022. Shortly before his appointment as EC, Goel had taken voluntary retirement from the post of Secretary, Heavy Industries.



His appointment as EC had its share of controversy since it had happened even as the Supreme Court was in the middle of hearing petitions about the process adopted by the government to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners. The court had later in its judgment on the issue remarked about the great speed with which the government had moved to appoint Goel.


The opposition parties have slammed the Centre over the surprise resignation of Arun Goel as the Election Commissioner, with the Congress expressing "deep concern" over the move. INDIA bloc members Shiv Sena and NCP too have hit out at the BJP over the resignation.

Congress general secretary organisation K C Venugopal said in a post on X that "it was deeply concerning for the health of the world's largest democracy." "There is absolutely "no transparency" in how a constitutional institution like the ECI has been functioning and the manner in which the government pressures it," he said.



Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday claimed the Election Commission of India is no longer an autonomous watchdog but works as an extended branch of the ruling BJP. The opposition NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar said Goel's sudden resignation ahead of the Lok Sabha polls appeared suspicious. "Whether the ECI exists or not, it has no meaning, especially after how it has given orders under BJP's pressure in the cases of Shiv Sena and NCP splits, completely in violation of the 10th schedule," Raut claimed while talking to reporters.



"The ECI is not the autonomous watchdog it used to be in the time of TN Seshan, but works as an extended branch of the BJP," the Rajya Sabha member from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT) further claimed. Raut claimed BJP workers will be appointed in the ECI.



NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) national spokesperson Clyde Crasto said the sudden resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, appears suspicious. "Did he resign because he had a doubt that elections would not be conducted in a free and fair manner? Did he voice it, therefore asked to leave? Government must answer," he said in a statement.



Former Congress leader Kapil Sibal told ANI said that there is something "serious on the basis of which Arun Goel resigned at the cusp of an election".



"It surely is (surprising). If at the cusp of an election, which is just a couple of months away, you resign - obviously there is something serious on the basis of which he must have resigned. I can't possibly speculate that reason but obviously there is some element of difference of opinion, especially when his term was still not over," the Rajya Sabha MP said.



Sibal further alleged that the poll panel will be tailor-made to the interest of the ruling party as the BJP will "pack the Commission with their own people". "They will pack the Commission with their own people as they have done in the past. Therefore, the Election schedule, the phases of the election, all aspects of the election will be tailor-made to the interest of the ruling party," he said.


A man hacked his elder sibling to death for pulling the plug on loudspeakers during a family event in Madhya Pradesh's Satna district on Friday, the police said. The victim died on the spot after being attacked using an axe.



The incident was reported at Mauhar village under Kothi police station limits. Rajkumar Kol (30) was in attendence at a family function organised by his elder brother and Rakesh Kol (35) on Friday night when the unfortunate incident happened.

A sound system was used to play music during the programme and a thrilled Rajkumar was dancing when Rakesh decided to mellow things down a bit. The host turned off the loudspeakers, which offended his younger brother, Kothi police station in-charge Rupendra Rajput told news agency PTI.

It led to a heated argument between Rajkumar and Rakesh and the former attacked his brother with an axe. Rakesh died on the spot while the accused reportedly fled the spot. However, he was later found hiding near a culvert, the police said on Sunday.

The accused was placed under arrest, and the weapon used in the crime was seized.
If Election Commissioner Arun Goels abrupt resignation just before the Lok Sabha elections has come as a shock, his appointment to the post in November 2022 too had raised eyebrows since it had happened even as the Supreme Court was hearing a petition on the process adopted to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners.

The Supreme Court, while delivering its landmark March 2 judgment on the process to be adopted to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, dwelt at great length on the appointment of Goel as the Election Commissioner.



The court judgment had an entire section devoted to the appointment of Goel as an Election Commissioner, and it was titled 'The Appointment of Shri Arun Goel: A Trigger Or A Mere Aside?'



It took note of the swiftness with which Goel's name was cleared by the government and remarked that the process "throws up certain pertinent questions."



In the course of hearing petitions about the process adopted by the government to appoint the CEC and ECs, the court started hearing cases related to the vacancy of a third member of the Commission, which had arisen on May 15, 2022. The bench commenced hearing these cases on November 11, 2022, and the matter was posted for further hearing on November 22, 2022. However, on November 18, 2022, Goel was appointed as the second Election Commissioner.



The court asked the government to produce before it the files relating to Goel's appointment after senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, who was representing one of the petitioners, objected to the development.



"We found, undoubtedly, from the perusal of the files that the respondent was aware of the pendency of Writ Petition (Civil) No. 104 of 2015 apart from the other Writ Petitions. The appointment has been made apparently on the basis that there was no hindrance to the making of the appointment. Approval was sought on 18.11.2022 for the appointment of one Election Commissioner. On the very same day, drawing upon the database of IAS Officers, serving and retired, in the position of Secretary to the Government of India, it was accessed," the order read.



The court said in its order that it found four names in the list provided by the government, which included at the top of the list, Goel's name.



It said three other names were also considered by the minister of law and justice. "One of the officers was from Andhra Pradesh and belonged to the 1983 Batch. The third officer empanelled belonged to the Telangana state and he belonged to the 1983 Batch and the fourth officer belonged to the Tamil Nadu cadre and belonged to the 1985 Batch," it said. Goel belonged to the Punjab Cadre and was of the 1985 Batch.



"On the same day, i.e., on 18.11.2022, a note was seen put up, wherein the law minister had suggested the panel of four names for the consideration of the prime minister and the President. Therein also, the absence of a law and the convention, which we have already referred to, has been noted," the court said.



It noted that three of the officers mentioned had superannuated during the last two years or so. The appointee, it was noted was to superannuate in December 2022 and had taken voluntary retirement. He was the youngest of the four members of the panel. "It was recommended to the Prime Minister that considering his experience, age, profile and suitability, the current appointee may be considered," it said.



The court order further said on the very same day again, the prime minister recommended the name of the present appointee.



"We notice further that, on the same day again, an application is seen made by the appointee in regard to voluntary retirement and accepting the same, again, w.e.f., 18.11.2022, and waiving the three-month period required for acting on the request of voluntary retirement, the officers request for voluntary retirement came to be accepted by the competent authority."



The court said it did not come as a surprise that on the very same day, Goel's appointment as Election Commissioner was also notified.



But it did remark that it was a little mystified as to how the officer had applied for voluntary retirement on 18.11.2022, if he was not in the know about the proposal to appoint him.



The apex court had in its judgment prescribed a collegium system for the appointment of the CEC and ECs. The collegium was to comprise the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.

The government, however, brought in legislation as per which the selection committee would consist of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a member of the union cabinet nominated by the Prime Minister.

Interestingly, after Goels resignation, there are now two vacancies in the three-member poll body. And these vacancies will be filled up in accordance with the new law.
The body of a man who had fallen into a 40-foot-deep borewell at a Delhi Jal Board water treatment plant here was pulled out after a nearly 12-hour-long operation on Sunday, Water Minister Atishi said.

The man, aged around 30, is yet to be identified.

In a post on X, Atishi said, "It is with great sadness I share the news that the man who fell into the borewell has been found dead by the rescue team."

According to initial information, the deceased was a male aged around 30 years.

"How he entered the borewell room, how he fell inside the borewell this will be investigated by the police.

"I thank the NDRF team who made every possible effort in the rescue operation for many hours," she said in the post.

Around 1 am, information was received that a person fell into the borewell at the DJB plant in west Delhi's Keshopur Mandi area.

The rescue efforts were led by teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Delhi Fire Services (DFS).
A BJP MP from Karnataka stirred up a political storm on Sunday after he allegedly urged people to ensure a two-thirds majority for the saffron party in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha so that the Constitution could be amended.

The BJP needs a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament to amend the Constitution and set right distortions and unnecessary additions made to it by the Congress, Anantkumar Hegde said, addressing a gathering in Karwar.

Hegde alleged that the Congress party had fundamentally distorted the Constitution by forcefully filling unnecessary things in it, especially by bringing in laws that were aimed at suppressing Hindu society.

A majority in the Lok Sabha alone is not adequate to amend the Constitution, the MP said. The BJP needs a two-thirds majority in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and should also win two-thirds of the states to bring changes in the Constitution.

Hegde said the NDA winning more than 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls would eventually help in mustering a similar majority in the Rajya Sabha and coming to power in two-thirds of the states.

As his remarks drew flak from various quarters, the BJP distanced itself from the issue, saying what the MP said was his personal opinion.

"MP Ananthkumar Hegde's remarks on the Constitution are his personal views and do not reflect the party's stance. BJP reaffirms our unwavering commitment to uphold the nation's Constitution and will ask for an explanation from Hegde regarding his comments, the BJP Karnataka unit said in a post on X.

The partys national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said the BJP has always acted in line with constitutional ethos and national interest.

The Congress targeted the Narendra Modi government, saying Hegdes remarks showed that the BJP was anti-Constitution.

"Let him do it, amend the Constitution... this shows that the BJP government (at the Centre) and the BJP MP are against the Constitution given by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Let him get it stamped by the prime minister," said Karnataka deputy chief minister and state Congress chief D.K. Shivakumar.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the BJP MP's remark was a public declaration of the "hidden intentions" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and their "Sangh Parivar".

Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that Hegde's statement "yet again exposes Modi-RSS' devious agenda to impose dictatorship".

"The Modi government, BJP and RSS secretly desire to impose a dictatorship, whereby they will impose their 'Manuvaadi mindset' on the people of India and snatch away the rights of SCs, STs and OBCs," he said in a post on X.

With PTI inputs
The Trinamool Congress will launch its Lok Sabha poll campaign with the mega rally christened 'Jana Garjan Sabha' on Sunday, which will see TMC chairperson and Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee taking centre stage.

The party is likely to announce its list of 42 party candidates at the rally planned at Kolkata's famed Brigade Parade Grounds. "All India Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee will announce the party's candidates for the 42 parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal," the TMC said in a statement.

Check candidate list HERE.

This is the first time the party will announce its candidate list from a mega public meeting at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground, it said.



Lakhs of TMC supporters were seen leaving for Kolkata from various districts to attend the rally. Interestingly, videos showed people from Sandheshkhali, which was recently in the news after women accused TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh of sexual assault and land grab, leaving the village of



In an earlier post on X, the chief minister had urged supporters to join TMC to "lead the people's movement for Bengal secure future." "Bengal's patience & courtesy should NOT be mistaken for its weakness. The Bohiragoto Jomidars must be reminded of this on March 10. The #JonogorjonSabha at Brigade Ground this Sunday will be a historic event on the land that has always fought for its rights. Join us as we lead the people's movement for Bengal's secure future," she wrote.



While the campaign will focus on taking on the BJP in the state and centre, the overarching theme revolves around the alleged withholding of the state's financial dues by the central government, reported PTI. The TMC has been using this as a plank against the Centre for the past two years.



The Trinamool Congress has opted for a new set-up this time, with ramps to facilitate closer interaction between leaders and supporters during speeches.



TMC leader Firhad Hakim said the rally at Brigade Parade Grounds will take TMC message to every nook and corner of West Bengal and ensure the defeat of the BJP in all the 42 Lok Sabha seats of the state, the BJP has mocked the party, stating the party's fate would be similar to 2019.



#WATCH | West Bengal | BJP MP Dilip Ghosh says, "...Before the last elections as well Mamata Banerjee had invited all parties of the country and held a mega rally...But a lot of parties and several leaders couldn't reach the Parliament. Mamata Banerjee suffered a loss of 12 pic.twitter.com/hBhLSRs02r  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2024

In January 2019, an opposition meeting was held at the Maidan, where leaders from 19 opposition parties joined forces in a display of solidarity. However, the TMC's tally dropped to 22 seats from 34 in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections despite the party's well-entrenched grassroots organisation. Last year, the BJP clocked an impressive performance by clinching 18 seats in the state.



BJP MP Dilip Ghosh mocked the TMC, saying things won't be different. "Before the last elections, Mamata Banerjee invited all parties of the country for the mega rally. But, a lot of those parties and their leaders failed to reach the Parliament. Mamata Banerjee suffered a loss of 12 seats. The same will happen this time as well. Several parties are in fear, and several Lok Sabha MPs are switching to the Rajya Sabha. Everyone is attempting to face Modi, but let's see what justice do the people do to them," Ghosh said.



Sources within the TMC suggested the possibility of significant defections from other political parties, particularly the BJP, which has seen eight MLAs and two MPs crossing over to the ruling party in the state since the 2021 assembly polls.



The BJP has derided the TMC's programme, branding it as the party's "farewell rally". In a countermove, the BJP plans to hold a rally in Sandeshkhali, where allegations of sexual abuse against TMC leaders have surfaced.


The Haitian capital is in a state of panic. Billowing black smoke now stains the capital in multiple clouds, their acrid scent mingling with the tension that hangs heavy in the air. Burning tires, trash, and piles of torched broken glass from Molotov cocktails litter the streets. Masked gangs roam the shadows of once-vibrant sections of the city, now abandoned and in ruin. It is haunting to see the city's frayed edges.

Haiti stands at a precipice, teetering as heavily armed criminal gangs lay siege to the government in a violent bid for power. What was once a simmering crisis has erupted into full-blown chaos, as brazen gang leaders like Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier openly challenge Prime Minister Ariel Henry's legitimacy.

The unravelling in Haiti has accelerated at a startling pace over the past week, with events careening towards outright state collapse. Armed gangs have dramatically escalated their tactics, staging a coordinated and brazen nationwide assault that included storming two major prisons and freeing around 3,700 inmates.

The jailbreaks in Port-au-Prince and the nearby Croix des Bouquets prison represent a massive influx of manpower for the criminal militias. Among those sprung were even suspects charged in the 2021 assassination of former President Jovenel Moise a grim sign that the gangs aim to rewrite the rules by force.

Their declared motives are clear: force the resignation of interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who is reportedly under the watch of the US Secret Service in Puerto Rico after travelling to Kenya last week and unable to land back in Haiti due to the unrest. Gang leader Barbecue, a former police officer accused of orchestrating previous massacres, issued an ominous declaration of unified intent across the capital's gangs.

"All of us, the armed groups in the provincial towns and the armed groups in the capital, are united," Barbecue stated, casting himself as a military commander preparing for the final offensive. "The government could fall at any time."

And in many ways, it already has. With gangs now controlling an estimated 80 per cent of the capital region, basic governance and services have grounded to a halt across much of Port-au-Prince. Schools, businesses and neighbourhoods have shuttered in fear of the spiralling anarchy. Up to 15,000 residents have already fled their homes to take shelter at ad-hoc displacement camps.

The police have proven incapable of responding, suffering casualties and station assaults that forced a distress call for military backup that never materialised. Journalists arriving at the main penitentiary on Sunday found its doors flung open, debris and bodies strewn about as the last several inmates cowered in fear of the crossfire.

It paints a portrait of a nation disintegrating by the hour, with even its core institutions like the criminal justice system being dismantled through impunity. Gangs have effectively checkmated the state's authority, seizing all leverage to demand political capitulation.

The escalations have only amplified calls from both inside Haiti and overseas for Henry to resign and cede to a transitional governing council that could stabilize the crisis. With his mandate expired, protest movements had already been demanding his exit before gangs initiated their latest onslaught.

Henry had agreed to step down by February 7 but refused, exacerbating public anger. Opposition voices, including former acting Prime Minister Claude Joseph, have accused him of obstructing the path to new elections by clinging to power, calling the turmoil a "nightmare" as "criminals are using violent means to force him to step down."

For Henry, the bitter irony is that his quest to Kenya was focused on finally approving a long-stalled multinational security force to help combat the gangs. Instead, the ensuing chaos has made the prospect of any such intervention seem more remote than ever before.

As the world watches Haiti's warped descent unfold, it has become increasingly clear that any solution will require far more robust international commitment and resources than currently envisioned. Permissive environment or not, assertive military deployments may be required alongside incentives for the gang hierarchies to stand down.

Haiti's waking nightmare threatens to morph into a permanent acute crisis destabilising the entire Caribbean region through refugee deluges and abetting the rise of a narco-terror state. For a nation battered by so many man-made and natural calamities, the final indignity remains losing its sovereignty to roving criminal armies imposing their barbaric brand of order on the populace.

The images are jarring  Barbecue holding improvised press conferences while brandishing assault rifles, his foot soldiers with wrapped faces manning machine guns by his side. The former cop turned outlaw has morphed into a self-styled guerilla commander, his G9 gang federation representing the vanguard of an expanding criminal rebellion.

The gangs' motives are layered a mix of criminality, political opportunism, and a warped lust for dominance over this ill-fated Caribbean nation. But their tactics over the past week have been undeniably brazen and coordinated. They have unleashed a wave of destruction; they have struck at key infrastructure like the main airport and port to choke off vital import routes. Police stations have been firebombed, while officers suffered casualties in open street battles against the gangs' high-calibre weaponry.

The situation is complicated, said a Haitian politician speaking to THE WEEK, the gangs are taking over the streets, killing, raping women and children, all of this, the people are living a nightmare and hoping for a savior...they are tired of these fellows. In comes this guy, Guy Philippe.

The scenes are sickeningly reminiscent of the brutal coup d'etat in 2004 that ousted then-president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, an event that was orchestrated in part by another former police officer turned gang leader  Guy Philippe. Now, Philippe has surfaced again alongside Barbecue's gang alliance in demanding Henry's resignation. It's a combustible mix of old menaces and new emergent threats.

To understand how Haiti reached this nadir, one has to revisit the traumatic chapters that laid the kindling for the current crisis and the rise of gangs as a de facto force in national affairs.

Echoes of previous upheavals

The ghost of Guy Philippe has long haunted Haiti. The former coup leader's reemergence today carries echoes of the 2004 rebellion that removed Aristide in a hail of violence and chaos remarkably similar to current events.

At the time, Philippe commanded a rebel army that emerged from the slums of Port-au-Prince. His forces swiftly took over swaths of the country as they advanced on the capital, feeding on widespread discontent with Aristide's leadership and allegations of corruption. The rebels encountered minimal opposition from Haiti's overstretched and underpaid police and military.

As the rebels closed in, the US, France and Canada took the controversial step of deploying troops in what was viewed by Aristide's supporters as a modern-day coup enabling the gangs' final push. Faced with an untenable situation, Aristide was swept onto a US plane and into exile, clearing the path for Philippe and his men to be feted as liberators upon their arrival at the national palace.

But their reign was fleeting. A UN peacekeeping mission soon took over from the US-led forces, restoring a thin veneer of order after the chaos. Yet Philippe's legacy as a menace was only beginning.

In the years after the coup, criminality metastasised as he and his rebel army effectively transformed into one of Haiti's earliest hyper-violent gangs, leaching off drug trafficking routes and other illicit commerce. They carved territory in the slums of Cite Soleil and brought massacres, kidnappings and terror to those densely populated neighbourhoods.

Philippe eventually went into hiding in 2007 after being charged with a slew of crimes by the interim government. But his legacy and the culture of violence he seeded persisted and mutated, taking on a self-perpetuating life of its own.

Just out of US federal prison, Philippe aims to take over the country

In a brazen power play, Philippe has reemerged with ambitions of taking control of the country he once helped tear apart through violence. Just months after being released from nearly six years in US federal prison and deported back to Haiti, the 54-year-old has allied himself with the powerful gang federation led by Barbecue in a bid to overthrow the interim government.

Philippe's return comes with the memory of his previous insurrection in 2004 when he commanded a rebel army sparking years of chaos and emboldening criminal gangs. After initially being hailed as a revolutionary force, Philippe transformed his militia into one of Haiti's first major criminal syndicates.

His illicit activities came to a head in 2017, when Philippe won election to the Haitian Senate representing the central plateau region. However, he was arrested by US drug authorities just before being sworn into office, facing money laundering conspiracy charges tied to Colombian cocaine traffickers.

In the US, he ended up cutting a plea deal, receiving a nine-year sentence that saw him incarcerated from June 2017 until being released from an Atlanta federal prison on November 30, 2023. He was then swiftly deported back to Haiti despite concerns raised by some former US diplomats about potential destabilising impacts.

According to reports from The Wall Street Journal, Philippe told Reuters last week, "Ariel Henry should resign. I think he should stay where he is now... and let Haitians decide their fate." He has advocated for the creation of a three-person transitional council to take the reins of governance amidst the chaos, aligning with Barbecue's armed rebellion against the interim prime minister.

In recent days, Barbecue's G9 gang federation has launched one of its most audacious offensives yet, battling to encircle Prime Minister Henry's residence as he remains stranded outside Haiti. With Philippe now asserting involvement, the revolt takes on the air of an outright criminal coup attempt.

The New York Times reports US officials are monitoring Philippe's reemergence with "great concern." For a Haiti already teetering towards collapse, his return represents one of the darkest echoes from its tumultuous past resurfacing. Philippe's brazen quest for power could ensure the nightmare's most damaging chapters still lie ahead.

How gangs grew in power

Haiti's modern gangs can be traced back to the proliferation of local neighbourhood "bakala" groups that originally formed as self-defence militias and security brigades in the slums of Port-au-Prince in the 1990s and early 2000s.

As political instability grew under Presidents Aristide and Preval, these bakala crews became radicalised - some aligning with pro-government militants, others with opposition groups seeking Aristide's ouster. The 2004 coup provided an opening for former members of the disbanded Haitian military to co-opt certain bakala outfits into more organised criminal enterprises.

In the power vacuum after Aristide's removal, these armed gangs exploded in number and expanded into drug running, kidnapping and extortion rackets. Within three years of the coup, the UN had identified over 30 criminal organizations operating in the Port-au-Prince area alone. These ranged from local street crews and former pro-Aristide militants to more sophisticated outfits with international ties delving into regional drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and kidnapping rackets.

Amid this expanding underworld, dons like Amaral Duclona emerged to rule whole swaths of the capital's most miserable slums like a feudal lord. His revolutionary taxes  extortion fees paid by businesses and citizens alike  became a fact of life in neighbourhoods like Cite Soleil and La Saline. Bloody turf wars between Duclona and rivals like Evens Lamine repeatedly cancelled out tenuous police pacification efforts.

If Haiti government held any illusion it could reassert control over these areas, it was shattered in 2010. The catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake that levelled Port-au-Prince extinguished what little remained of civic governance and infrastructure. Police outposts were obliterated, prisons collapsed freeing scores of inmates, and the government itself ceased to function for weeks.

It proved to be a blitzkrieg opportunity for gangs, who fanned out to scavenge and loot from the ruins, preying on the desperation of displaced multitudes crammed into squalid tent camps. Arms smugglers enjoyed a windfall, flooding the eager black market with a fresh supply of high-powered American and Yugoslavian weaponry leached from collapsed armouries.

The gangs had taken the baton from Philippe's revolutionary army. But this time, there was no political ideology or figurehead calling the shots beyond the enrichment of criminal elites. Just Darwinian gang warfare writ large over a traumatised nation.

For ordinary Haitians, it meant increasingly being caught in the crosshairs. Massacres sparked by petty disputes over territory became a regular occurrence, with women and children caught in the crossfire. Sexual violence and forcible recruitment of child soldiers proliferated. Common criminals showed little hesitation about deploying military-grade ordnance in turf battles, recounted former Haitian presidential candidate Level Francois in an extensive interview with THE WEEK.

One particularly harrowing flashpoint came in late 2022 with a massacre in the Cite Soleil neighbourhood. Nearly 200 people were killed in a door-to-door killing spree by the G9 federation, a powerful alliance of gangs including Barbecue's crew. What set off this cataclysm of bloodshed according to local accounts? A mere rivalry over hotly contested cannabis trafficking territories.

Hellish lives that had once been grim now plunged into outright dystopian for the moth-eaten slums and outer reaches of the city where gangs reigned supreme. With the national police unable to enter, these essentially became ungoverned zones, suffering perpetual food and medical deprivation alongside the spiralling violence.

A UN statistic laid it bare: Haitians were now at greater risk of being kidnapped by gangs than in eight different United Nations peacekeeping missions around the world. For a country that has seen more than its share of calamities, it was a chilling distinction of just how illusory the government's hold remained.

Gangs gain economic stranglehold

While the gangs blossomed amid chaos, seizing political power was never the initial motivation. Their aims were rooted in something more primordial  controlling economic arteries to maximise profitability from their criminal enterprises.

To the gangs, unchallenged port dominance and unrestricted movement of contraband across the border with the Dominican Republic were invaluable strategic assets. These hubs enabled the lucrative trafficking that has fuelled their rise: the funnelling of drugs, weapons, ill-gotten fuel supplies, and even United Nations food aid into their fiefdoms.

Extortion rackets reaching into the business community were emboldened by this growing stranglehold over commercial activity. According to some estimates, gangs siphoned over $500 million per year from Haiti's formal economy to pad their illicit revenues.

Todays reality

With both the airport and key maritime terminals besieged amid the current chaos, these vital economic chokepoints have now become the frontline of a high-stakes gang gambit to extort political concessions from the state. If taken, it would formalise the criminal underworld's takeover of Haiti's commercial destiny.

But the gangs have also proven flexible in branching out beyond just physical contraband to adapt to new profit streams from Haiti's instability. One of the most lucrative for prominent gangs like G9 and G-PEP has been good old-fashioned kidnapping and ransom.

Rich and poor have proven equal victims for abduction crews targeting everyone from wealthy business scions to impoverished street vendors or schoolchildren seized outside their homes. Hostages have been guarded at remote gang prisons, overcrowded houses or even dilapidated warehouses while demands are made over WhatsApp to distraught families.

To outsiders, the amounts demanded can seem comically small: ransoms rarely exceeding $500,000 from even elite captives. But in a country where the average income hovers below $500 per year, even a $1,000 payment is immense leverage to extract from desperate Haitians.

On the gang's side, the economics are irresistible. With almost zero overhead cost beyond henchmen's wages and a few gallons of gas to mobilise, ransom remains a shockingly profitable revenue stream. A handful of kidnaps can generate more liquid capital than months of illegal cross-border smuggling operations.

Their methods have grown increasingly sadistic and wanton. Once hostages' funds are deemed fully drained, many meet grisly fates like execution or dismemberment, their battered bodies dumped along roadsides. Minors are sometimes butchered first to expedite payments as a grotesque warning. This intensely psychological warfare has stoked public terror across all strata of Haitian society.

Families and whole communities now carry the psychological scars as the new normal has set in. Workers cling to their homes, too fearful to travel for their jobs. Children miss stretches of school. Markets stand empty as people simply try to avoid going outside and risking the wrong chance encounter with a roaming abduction crew.

The paralysis has subtly crippled Haiti's efforts at economic recovery and mobility. According to Haitian economist Knewton Vincent, the kidnapping crisis has likely wiped out 5 per cent or more of the country's entire GDP over the past five years via the compounding impacts of curtailed commercial activity. For a nation already the Western Hemisphere's most impoverished, the effect has been utterly destabilizing.

Politics in a vacuum

While the gangs have steadily tightened their grip on Haiti's jugular, the civilian political leadership in Port-au-Prince has proven inept or incapable of stopping the malignancy.

For years after the 2004 coup, a succession of weak transitional governments appointed with international oversight proved unable to assert control beyond the capital while gangs flourished with impunity elsewhere. The interim regimes were too preoccupied with power struggles and unwinding the legacy of Aristide-era cronyism, allowing the gangs to expand their dominion with minimal contest.

Even as a modicum of democracy was restored via national elections in 2011, chaos still predominated. Devastating natural disasters like the 2010 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew only exacerbated the sense of civic paralysis at the highest levels. The underwhelming presidencies of Michel Martelly and Jovenel Moise saw the revolving door spin with scandal after scandal, further draining legitimacy from government institutions.

While the gangs grew bolder over his tenure, Moise himself became increasingly accused of adopting autocratic tendencies as he ruled by decree and sought to consolidate power. His increasingly isolated leadership ultimately ended in brutal fashion: Moise appointed Ariel Henry as the new prime minister and just days later was gunned down in a murky 2021 assassination at his private residence that has never been fully resolved.

The motives behind who orchestrated the hit  some believing it was Hendy who masterminded it, as you will see below  and why, remain clouded. But it crystallised just how transient governing authority had become in Haiti. With Moise gone, the transition process to replace him devolved into disarray as rival premiers jockeyed to fill the power void over the next two years of interim rule.

Henri was put as prime minister after the death of president Moise, but in the Haitian Constitution the prime minister is not the head of the state, so he plays the role of what would be called as vice-president in, say, the United States Constitution, but because they only put him as prime minister and never put in a president, he is playing both the role of president and prime minister. But that complicates manners worse when the constitution says that if the president who appointed a prime minister steps down or for some reason is no longer in power, the entire government falls which means the prime minister everybody else and they have to come up with a new government. But given the situation in Haiti they did not do that, noted Francois. Henri remains in office as prime minister and president.

But things get even more complicated when the time comes that even if the president Moise were not assassinated, his term would have ended in 2019. Francois expanded.

Both sides accused the other of illegitimacy and leveraged different sectors of the gang influence to try gaining leverage. The result was a further deterioration of order and consolidation of gang territorial control amid the political gridlock.

Henry emerged from this morass to be the interim leader recognised by the United States and United Nations as a devoted constitutionalist looking to stabilise Haiti.

But from the outset, his credibility among Haitians remained compromised by the unsavoury cloud surrounding Moise's assassination, being tapped by Moise shortly before his death to serve as prime minister. Henry was also present at the late president's swearing-in ceremony alongside figures like former military intelligence officers now charged in the assassination plot.

While Henry denied involvement, phone records later revealed he had been in contact with one of the main suspects just hours after the killing. The spectre of being complicit  whether as perpetrator or exploitative beneficiary  in the nation's most traumatic political crime has undoubtedly undermined Henry's moral authority. He now faces the prospect of being swept from power by the very gang elements who've stoked crisis for years.

Emboldened gangs leverage crisis

For years, the gangs have crossed the murky line between pure criminal interests and politics when it suited them. At times they've allied with politicians and parties. At others, they've simply undermined the entire system through bloodshed.

What is happening now is an acceleration towards an unprecedented endgame: removing the civilian government entirely and installing a gang federation as the direct power brokers over Haiti's future.

The brazenness is breathtaking

Gangs like G9 have spilled out from their strongholds, escalating their tactics dramatically with bids to capture institutional pillars of the crumbling Haitian state. They've launched direct assaults on the presidential palace and airport. Barbecue and gang allies like the former revolutionary leader Guy Philippe are openly threatening "civil war" if Prime Minister Henry refuses to resign.

Henry himself has been rendered impotent, forced to shuttle between foreign locations like Kenya and Puerto Rico as his capital descends into lawlessness. He appears powerless to stop the momentum galvanising behind the gangs, who clearly see an opportunity to fully dismantle the current interim government before Haiti's scheduled elections in 2024.

While the catalyst for the initial unrest remains murky, gang elements may have calculated that the moment to apply maximum pressure had arrived. Henry's political standing among both the public and international community was already tenuous. The gangs likely assessed they could foment enough disruption through jailbreaks, blockades and street battles to send the transitional process into full upheaval.

Photos of heavily armed gang members proudly brandishing rocket launchers, grenades and sniper rifles atop collapsed prison walls sent an unambiguous message: the state's authority in enforcing even basic rule of law had collapsed. If the brazen jailbreaks could happen without repercussion, what deterrent would stop their advances on greater institutional prizes?

Geopolitical impact

The prospect of gang influence over Haiti's ports, airports and ministries is staggering geopolitically. Already, illicit profits from trafficking through the country allow groups like G9 to wield a formidable arsenal better suited for a guerrilla army. Territorial control over customs checkpoints and windfalls of ransom payments have directly fuelled their growth, training, and acquisition of military-grade munitions like heavy machine guns and armoured vehicles.

If this stranglehold extends to maritime terminals, airports and government offices, the transformation becomes complete. Gangs could weaponise the official levers of the state to extort foreign capital on an entirely new scale while opening direct pipeline access to global smuggling chains. Haiti would risk becoming a narco-state on the doorstep of the United States.

For the United States, already facing the migrant crisis from Haiti's unravelling, the national security implications would be severe. A gang-controlled Haitian state could not only supercharge illicit drug and human trafficking flows, but become a regional hub for outside criminal syndicates and terror proxies from as far as China, Russia, Iran and Venezuela. The island's strategic location in the Caribbean remains prized.

International efforts so far inadequate

The world community has hardly been oblivious to Haiti's peril, issuing increasingly dire warnings about the resurgence of gang dominance over the past half-decade. But to date, efforts to reinforce the nation's sovereignty have proven insufficient.

The most consistently reliable presence has been the United Nations peacekeeping missions deployed to Haiti since the 2004 coup. Yet while they've provided a thin veneer of stability in Port-au-Prince through rotations of troops and police trainers, their mandates have always stopped short of engaging the gangs head-on.

Originally envisioned as supporting an elected government and transitional forces, the "blue helmet" deployments soon devolved into open-ended operations of limited efficacy. Endemic corruption, the horrific earthquake of 2010, and public relations disasters like the cholera outbreak sparked by UN troops only compounded the sense of failed stewardship.

By 2017, Haiti's anaemic national police force numbered an embarrassing 15,000 officers  less than half the UN's minimum advised level. The lack of manpower, combined with inadequate training and crippling budgets, continued to inhibit their ability to project authority beyond the fringes of the capital.

Frustrated by the status quo, the United Nations moved towards downsizing its Haiti mission after 2017. But the draw-down corresponded with a resurgence in gang violence and territorial encroachment that rendered the police even more over-matched.

By late 2022, UN assessments grimly warned that criminal armies like G9 controlled somewhere around 60-80 per cent of the capital region through indiscriminate intimidation. Entire neighbourhoods had become no-go zones, with the government's presence limited to fleeting forays by demoralised police units lacking ammunition and gear.

It was under these dire circumstances that the United States and others began more concerted efforts to shore up the beleaguered Haitian state through bolstering the national police and supporting Ariel Henry's transitional government.

A first step involved sanction campaigns targeting some of the most egregious gang figures, freezing their assets and restricting their international movements. But these seem to have done little to deter the recent escalations by players like Barbecue and their collaborators.

More substantively, the Biden administration has tried to marshal an international security assistance deployment to provide mentors, training, and beef up operational capacity for Haiti's overwhelmed police ranks.

At the White House's urging, the UN Security Council approved just such a mission in July 2022. However, nearly a year later, its proposed military deployment led by Kenya and accompanied by smaller contingents from other nations has yet to materialise fully on the ground.

The reasons are manifold: concerns over safety and optics of intervening in Haiti's endemic chaos, political squabbling over the mission's rules of engagement, and a general reluctance among Western powers to commit boots beyond a limited advisory posture.

The United States in particular has rebuffed calls to deploy American soldiers into the security maelstrom, with Pentagon leadership fiercely opposed to any sort of stabilization operation requiring direct military engagement. The Biden administration has instead tried cajoling other nations to lead the effort, offering logistical support and funding commitments.

In truth, the funding commitments have hardly been opulent, especially given the scale of what's being billed as one of the UN's highest priority humanitarian interventions. Washington has so far committed around $164 million towards the effort  barely 5 per cent of its announced annual military aid budget for Ukraine.

Similarly, modest sums have come from allies like Canada ($37 million) and offshore tax havens like The Bahamas ($1 million) located within proximity of Haiti's instability.

It raises legitimate questions about the overall level of resolve behind the international community's efforts. Haiti's latest crisis has expanded for months with only incremental outside response, creating a vacuum that emboldened gangs have dramatically escalated into their audacious push to topple the government outright.

Fires engulfing Haiti will extend regionally

As dire as the humanitarian suffering has been within Haiti from this proliferation of gang rule, it's also fuelling a series of secondary crises that will have severe regional consequences if left unattended.

Most glaring is the explosion in Haitian refugee outflows straining resources on both surrounding territorial lands and shorelines. Over just the past year, the United States has tracked an 800 per cent increase in migrant interdictions of Haitian boats attempting to reach Florida.

ALSO READ: How migrants risk death in Darien jungle to get to US

US border agents have also apprehended over 100,000 Haitians attempting to enter from Mexico, representing one of the largest diasporas of any nationality being processed in American custody. Many migrants recount harrowing tales of fleeing gang violence, kidnappings and privation in making their decision to abandon the country at any cost.

But the United States is hardly alone in grappling with the exodus. Large groups have meandered South America from Chile to Colombia through the Darien Gap into Panama and to the US border in Mexico. Both the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos islands have reported being overwhelmed by continual Haitian refugee arrivals, often in grossly inadequate transport vessels like flimsy sail boats or overloaded freighters.

Recovery operations are frequent, with dozens of Haitians plucked on a near-weekly basis from sinking crafts on the open ocean.

The maritime entries correspond to spikes in Haitian refugee flows stressing other Caribbean territories like Cuba, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. All three nations have deployed additional naval and coastguard assets in an attempt to gain control of their outer archipelagos from unchecked migrant landings.

ALSO READ: Stranded in the Atacama: Undocumented plight of immigrants caught between desperation and diplomacy

Yet Haiti's proximity as an origin point for refugees renders much of the Caribbean without a sustainable interdiction capability. Cuba alone is projected to surpass 50,000 Haitian refugee admittances this year, exacerbating food and housing pressures under the communist state's cratered economy.

The Dominican situation is even more incendiary, with Haitians comprising over 1.2 million of the country's immigrant populace. Entire cities, including the nation's second largest Santiago, have ballooned into de facto bi-national communities as waves of Haitian labour migrants crossed the border in recent decades seeking economic opportunity.

But the Dominican Republic's current government under President Luis Abinader has taken a harsh stance against the uncontrolled influx under banners of nationalism and preserving ethnic identity. Sweeping deportations and migrant detentions have regularly provoked outcries from human rights monitors about deprivations of due process.

The mass internal dislocations within Haiti now stand to further inflame these tensions. Dominican border forces are already engaged in aggressive interdiction against the tide of inbound refugees fleeing gang violence, erecting new walls and firing on Haitians attempting to enter illegally.

Many regional analysts warn that uncontrolled flows risk tipping the island of Hispaniola  which Haiti shares with the Dominican Republic  towards a sustained period of ethnic conflicts, economic crises from refugee drains, and even military escalations along their shared 400km land border if the situation remains unresolved.

Perhaps the only spectrum of Haitian society ironically insulated so far from the immediate effects of the gang chaos has been the nation's oligarch elite. For decades, Haiti's tiny cabal of ultra-rich industrial tycoons has sent their families into exile abroad while maintaining financial interests on the island through political corruption and gang payoffs.

But as their homeland becomes further destabilised by internal conflict and paralysed government, their continued investment is now open to question. If the oligarchs decide to finally sever capital ties completely, it could potentially deprive Haiti of one of its last remaining revenue streams for services and security.

More grimly, a starving government purse in Port-au-Prince could give already ascendant gang coalitions like G9 justification to fully nationalise the oligarch's assets, becoming the de facto keepers of the island's monetary reserves and commercial economic output. Coupled with maritime control, it would represent the final linchpin in a criminal organisation achieving true statehood on paper.

A worst-case future

Given this harrowing scope, it's worth contemplating what the worst-case scenario portends if Haiti's descent into gang rule becomes fully manifested.

As horrific as the suffering has already been for Haitians, a complete vacuum of governance opens the gates to even more unspeakable degradations. Public services would inevitably collapse amid the security vacuum, furthering the spread of pestilence like cholera and disease pandemics with no functioning hospitals or sanitation.

Food insecurity, already endemic, would become outright famine as traditional distribution lines are cut off by warring gangs exercising localised dominance over territory. Populations in gang-controlled zones would likely be starved into complete fealty amid humanitarian shortages.

Law and order could devolve entirely to the martial codes of whichever criminal syndicate was locally dominant. Their foot soldiers, many former street children forged into ruthless killers, would likely employ rape and torture as enforcement tools on a systematic basis.

With gangs entrenched as rulers, the exploitation of Haiti's future generations could become an entrenched practice, with children pressed into service as ammunition couriers or re-emerging as child soldier cadres enforcing orders as young as six or seven years old.

The island itself could become a permanent security black hole attracting a continual stream of opportunists, terror proxies, and international criminal franchises looking to establish forward bases.

Flush with cash from illicit trade rackets, the new gang oligarchy could conceivably leverage modern accessories like drones and cyber warfare as offensive capabilities, turning Haiti into a vast criminal superstate with the Caribbean as its empire.

While such a dystopian vision might seem hyperbolised, the contours already linger beneath the surface of what currently haunts the shattered Haitian republic. In every corner, the nation's resilient people already navigate a daily gauntlet of fear from abduction gangs who dismember with impunity and leave bodies rotting as public warnings.

The question is whether the final vestiges of the international order have either the resources or the resolve remaining to keep the island from fully subsuming into its Heart of Darkness. If not, the fires now engulfing Port-au-Prince could erupt into a conflagration burning the region for generations to come.
ANKARA, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police detained 33 suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) group in operations in the northwestern province of Sakarya over alleged preparation of attacks ahead of the country's local elections later this month, a cabinet minister said Sunday.

The IS suspects were "preparing and searching for action before the upcoming local elections," Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on social media platform X.

The suspects were allegedly recruiting fighters to conflict zones, providing financial aid for the group, and operating illegal mosques and madrassas, said the minister.

The police teams seized weapons, cash, and organizational documents during raids, he added.

Turkiye has stepped up operations against IS terrorists after the group attacked a church in Istanbul in late January, killing a civilian during Sunday mass.

The Turkish government designated the IS as a terrorist organization in 2013 and blamed it for a spate of deadly attacks in the country since 2015.

In December last year, Turkish intelligence and security forces captured a top IS terrorist in charge of the group's finances in an operation in Turkiye's southeastern province of Mersin. 
The US military said Sunday that it had flown forces in to beef up security at the US Embassy in Haiti and allow nonessential personnel to leave.

The aircraft flew to the embassy compound, the US Southern Command said, meaning that the effort involved helicopters. It was careful to point out that no Haitians were on board the military aircraft. That seemed aimed at quashing any speculation that senior government officials might be leaving as the gang attacks in Haiti worsen.

The neighbourhood around the embassy in the capital, Port-au-Prince, is largely controlled by gangs.

This airlift of personnel into and out of the Embassy is consistent with our standard practice for Embassy security augmentation worldwide, and no Haitians were on board the military aircraft, according to the Southcom statement.

In many cases, nonessential personnel can include the families of diplomats, but the embassy had already ordered departure for nonessential staff and all family members in July. The personnel ferried out of the embassy may have simply been rotating out, to be refreshed by new staff.

The statement Sunday said that the United States remains focused on aiding Haitian police and arranging some kind of UN-authorized security deployment. But those efforts have been unsuccessful so far.

Haiti's embattled prime minister, Ariel Henry, traveled recently to Kenya to push for the UN-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country to fight the gangs. But a Kenyan court ruled in January that such a deployment would be unconstitutional.

Henry, who is facing calls to resign or form a transitional council, remains unable to return home. He arrived in Puerto Rico on Tuesday after he was unable to land in the Dominican Republic, which borders Haiti.

On Saturday, the office of Dominican President Luis Abinader issued a statement saying that Henry is not welcome in the Dominican Republic for safety reasons. The Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, has closed its land border.

Given the current situation, the presence of the Haitian prime minister in the Dominican Republic is not considered appropriate, according to the statement, adding that this decision reflects the firm position of the Dominican government to safeguard its national security and stability.

The statement described the security situation in Haiti as totally unsustainable and said that it poses a direct threat to the safety and stability of the Dominican Republic.

The statement predicted the situation could deteriorate even further if a peacekeeping force is not implemented urgently to restore order.

Caribbean leaders have called for an emergency meeting Monday in Jamaica on what they called Haiti's dire situation. They have invited the United States, France, Canada, the United Nations and Brazil to the meeting.

Members of the Caricom regional trade bloc have been trying for months to get political actors in Haiti to agree to form an umbrella transitional unity government.

Caricom said Friday that while regional leaders remain deeply engaged in trying to bring opposition parties and civil society groups together to form a unity government, the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be.

We are acutely aware of the urgent need for consensus to be reached, according to the statement. We have impressed on the respective parties that time is not on their side in agreeing to the way forward. From our reports, the situation on the ground remains dire and is of serious concern to us.

In February, Henry agreed to hold a general election by mid-2025, and the international community has tried to find some foreign armed force willing to fight gang violence there.

Caricom has also pushed Henry to announce a power-sharing, consensus government in the meantime, but the prime minister has yet to do so even as Haitian opposition parties and civil society groups are demanding his resignation.

Henry, a neurosurgeon, was appointed as Haiti's prime minister after the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

It was unclear whether Henry would be in Jamaica for the Caricom meeting.

In Port-au-Prince, meanwhile, police and palace guards worked Saturday to retake some streets in the capital after gangs launched major attacks on at least three police stations.

Guards from the National Palace accompanied by an armored truck tried to set up a security perimeter around one of the three downtown stations after police fought off an attack by gangs late Friday.

Sporadic gunfire continued Saturday, and one woman writhed in pain on the sidewalk in downtown Port-au-Prince with a gunshot wound after a stray bullet hit her in the leg.

The unrelenting gang attacks have paralysed the country for more than a week and left it with dwindling supplies of basic goods. Haitian officials extended a state of emergency and nightly curfew on Thursday as gangs continued to attack key state institutions.

But average Haitians, many of whom have been forced from their homes by the bloody street fighting, can't wait. The problem for police in securing government buildings is that many Haitians have streamed into them, seeking refuge.

We are the ones who pay taxes, and we need to have shelter, said one woman, who didn't give her name for safety reasons.

Another Port-au-Prince resident, who also did not give his name, described Friday's attacks.

9They (the gangs) came with big guns. We have no guns and we cannot defend ourselves. All of us, the children are suffering, said the man.
As Israel steps up its attacks in Rafah, US President Joe Biden said that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "hurting Israel more than helping it". Netanyahu's lack of attention to the innocent lives being lost was also pointed out by Biden.

In an MNSBC interview on Saturday, Biden said that Netanyahu "must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken.

Over 1.1 million Palestinians have sought refuge in Rafah. With no truce deal before Ramadan, Israel is gearing up for the ground offensive in Rafah. According to Biden, it is a "red line" for him. However, Biden said that the US agrees with Israels goal of eliminating Hamas militants.

The US warned Israel against a ground offensive into Rafah in a draft UN resolution. Amid the growing frustration with Netanyahus way of handling the war, the US is exploring ways to oust him from power, reported The Times of Israel.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 31,045 Palestinians have been killed since the October 7 Hamas attacks.

On Friday, Biden said that the deal between Israel and Hamas was looking "tough".

Meanwhile, the US had started operations to build a temporary pier off the coast of Gaza to supply more aid to the enclave.

According to the army, a US military ship, General Frank S Besson, is sailing towards the Middle East, carrying equipment to build the pier.

Aid deliveries by land and air have proved difficult and dangerous. Recently, five people died after air-dropped aid failed to open.

The UN has warned that famine in the Gaza Strip is "almost inevitable" and children are starving to death.

According to the Pentagon, it could take up to 60 days to build the pier.
Amid the intensifying Russia-Ukraine war, a recent report claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's outreach to Vladimir Putin averted a "potential nuclear attack" on Ukraine in 2022.

The CNN report, citing two senior officials, said that the United States had been preparing rigorously for a potential nuclear strike by Russia on Ukraine. PM Modi and other countries played an important role in averting the crisis, stated the report.

The officials said that the Biden administration was concerned whether Russia might use a tactical or battlefield nuclear weapon against its war with Ukraine.

Amid the fears, the US sought to enlist the help of non-allies including India, to discourage Russia from such an attack, said the report.

Chinese leader Xi Jinpings intervention was also mentioned in the report along with Modi in averting the crisis.

"One of the things we did was not only message them directly but strongly urge, press, and encourage other countries, to whom they might be more attentive, to do the same thing," the senior administration official told CNN.

"I think we believe showing the international community the concern about this, particularly the concern from key countries for Russia and the Global South, was also a helpful, persuasive factor and showed them what the cost of all this could be. I think the fact that we know, India weighed in, China weighed in, others weighed in, may have had some effect on their thinking," the officer said.

Rather than directly criticising Russia, PM Modi had told Putin that this is not the era of war.

The CNN report also said that Russia circulated a "false flag story" about a Ukrainian dirty bomb, which the US feared could be intended as a cover for a Russian nuclear attack.

"We obviously placed a high priority on tracking and had some ability at least to track such movements of its nuclear forces," a senior administration official said.

And at no point did we ever see any indications of the types of steps that we would've expected them to take if they were going down a path toward using nuclear weapons, he added.

(With ANI inputs)
Pope Francis is being widely criticised for his recent comments on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The Pope in an interview said that Ukraine should have the "courage to raise the white flag" and negotiate an end to the war with Russia. Several politicians and European commentators came to the forefront criticising Popes remarks.

My Sunday morning take: One must not capitulate in [the] face of evil, one must fight it and defeat it, so that the evil raises the white flag and capitulates," the Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics wrote on X.

My Sunday morning take: One must not capitulate in face of evil, one must fight it and defeat it, so that the evil raises the white flag and capitulates  Edgars Rinkevics (@edgarsrinkevics) March 10, 2024

Pope is also being criticised for being silent on Russias atrocities against thousands of people since the invasion of Ukraine.

Dennis Radtke, a German Christian Democrat MEP, said the word shameful could be used to describe the popes comments. His stance on Ukraine reflects poorly on his pontificate. It is incomprehensible, Radtke wrote on X.

Beschamend ist leider treffend. Dieser #Papst hat so viel Begeisterung und Hoffnung zu Beginn ausgelost. Seine Haltung zur Ukraine wirft ein schlechtes Licht auf sein Pontifikat. Es ist nicht zu verstehen https://t.co/fpQ5LeRhAI  Dennis Radtke (@RadtkeMdEP) March 10, 2024

Francis made his comments in an interview recorded by Swiss broadcaster RSI in February. The interview was broadcasted on Saturday.

I believe that the strongest are those who see the situation, think about the people, and have the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate, said the Pope in the interview.

That word negotiate is a brave word. When you see that you are defeated, that things are not working out, to have the courage to negotiate," he added. He also said that Ukrainians should not be afraid to negotiate a peace deal before the situation worsens further.

Meanwhile, the Vatican issued a statement clarifying the Popes comments. The Vaticans director of communications, Matteo Bruni, said that Francis had used the term white flag to indicate a cessation of hostilities, a truce reached with the courage of negotiation.

He repeated the pontiffs call for a diplomatic solution in search of a just and lasting peace in what Francis called the martyred Ukraine.
Early this year, workers at the Shekou Port in southern China packed 22,180kg of cargo into containers and loaded it on the Malta-flagged merchant ship CMA CGM Attila scheduled to sail to Karachi. Despite the turbulent weather and the choppy waters, the voyage continued untroubled till January 23 when it crossed Mumbais Nhava Sheva Port.

Indian officials found that the consignment was shipped by Taiyuan Mining Import and Export Co Ltd in China and it was meant for a defence supplier in Pakistan. The interdiction of the Malta-flagged merchant ship CMA CGM Attila has aggravated concerns about Chinas continued assistance to Pakistans nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. In one part of the world we see the Americans enabling Ukraine to fight against Russia, and in the Indian subcontinent there is a parallel with China providing assistance to arm countries like Pakistan. Smruti S. Pattanaik, research fellow, MP-IDSA

In the last few years, Indian port authorities have been aggressively scanning the countrys 7,500km-long coastline across nine states. While the Navy is the lead intelligence agency for the high seas, the Coast Guard secures the territorial waters. And then there are multiple agencies like the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Customs to monitor maritime traffic.

The spies at sea were at work when Attila was nearing the Indian shores with its hefty consignment of computer numerical control (CNC) machinery, used in the manufacture of critical parts of aerospace and nuclear industry. They were keen to check the nature of the tightly-packed load. The captain was asked to furnish the paperwork. His documents showed Shanghai JXE Global Logistics Co Ltd as the consigner and Sialkot-based Pakistan Wings Pvt Ltd as the consignee. As per the website of Pakistan Wings, it is a leading sea and air freight consolidator and third party logistics provider.

But when Indian officials dug deeper, they found that the consignment was shipped by Taiyuan Mining Import and Export Co Ltd in Shanxi province of China and it was meant for Cosmos Engineering, a defence supplier in Pakistan. The DRI seized the consignment following suspicion that it could be dual-use cargo masked to assist Pakistans nuclear programme. THE WEEK broke the story on its website on March 2. The documents, bills and paperwork showed that identities were masked, and that entities sanctioned by the US Bureau of Industry and Security were behind the consignment. For Indian agencies, the worry was but natural. Was the consignment part of Pakistans weapons of mass destruction?

When there is suspicion of any consignment being of military grade, the Defence Research and Development Organisation is called in. DRDO experts confirmed that the machinery was of ultra-high precision category.

Further inspection has thrown up startling evidence of clandestine activities going on at sea. There is clear evidence of dubious paperwork to mask identities. Second, there is the involvement of Cosmos Engineering, which came under the radar of security agencies in 2022 as well. DRDO findings said the possibility of the equipment being used for Pakistans nuclear programme could not be ruled out.

Handling with care: Photographs of a container from the Malta-flagged merchant ship CMA CGM Attila going from China to Pakistan. The ship was stopped by security agencies at Mumbais Nhava Sheva Port.

The latest seizure has aggravated concerns about Chinas continued assistance to Pakistans nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, and also points towards an international black market of nuclear technology where dual-use and restricted items are purchased from Europe and the United States allegedly by Chinese entities who are supplying them to Pakistan.

On March 3, the Chinese embassy in Delhi wrote on X that as a responsible, major country, it strictly fulfilled its international non-proliferation obligations. But an upset Pakistan foreign office said it was an innocuous case of import of a commercial lathe machine by a Karachi-based commercial entity which supplies parts to the automobile industry in Pakistan. Indian officials said if that was the case, there was no need to mask the real recipient of the consignment.

Smruti S. Pattanaik, research fellow at the Delhi-based Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), said Pakistans role as a repeat offender in adopting dubious means to build its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes was well documented. This incident has demonstrated that nothing has changed. It appears that Chinas behaviour is not driven by its economic commitment towards Pakistan. Instead, it is keeping a strategic hold through economic mortgaging and by creating dependency. Pattanaik referred to the infamous A.Q. Khan network which clandestinely sold uranium enrichment centrifuge, nuclear designs and other technical know-how to countries like North Korea, Libya and Iran, revealing Pakistans role as a nuclear black marketeer.

Today, China is giving free defence assistance to the Maldives. We have to see this in a larger context, said Pattanaik. In one part of the world we see the Americans enabling Ukraine to fight the war against Russia, and in the Indian subcontinent there is a parallel with China providing assistance to arm countries like Pakistan and creating its own space of advantage.

This is not the first instance when Indian port officials have seized dual-use military grade items shipped from China to Pakistan. In March 2022, a consignment carrying Italian made thermoelectric instruments was interdicted at the Nhava Sheva Port during its transshipment to Karachi. In that case, too, Cosmos Engineering was acting as a consignee, officials said. Indian agencies learnt that the consignment was transshipped at the Singapore Port from a container ship, APL Antwerp, to a Hong Kong flagged vessel Xin Shanghai, destined for Karachi. The equipment was meant for a uranium enrichment facility in Pakistan, said Indian agencies.

In May 2023, a consignment of jacketed glass reactor and other key laboratory equipment from China, allegedly meant for Pakistans nuclear programme, was seized by Customs authorities at the Nhava Sheva Port. Indian agencies found that the consignee was Emerging Future Solutions Pvt Ltd, suspected to be a Rawalpindi-based shell company of Pakistans Defence Science and Technology Organization (DESTO), an entity sanctioned by the US Bureau of Industry and Security.

Another interception took place in February 2020, when a consignment of industrial autoclaves was seized from a Chinese vessel, Da Cui Yun, at the Kandla Port in Gujarat. Indian authorities said it was masked as a consignment of industrial drier, loaded at Jiangyin port in China and was meant for Port Qasim in Karachi. The consignment was hidden in the ships bottom cargo.

Continuing incidents of interdiction of dual-use technology, thermoelectric instruments and laboratory equipment have alerted Indian authorities about growing threats from shadowy nuclear technology commerce that possibly stretches to European and American shores as well. Ashok K. Behuria, security expert at the MP-IDSA, said the way the seized consignment was camouflaged showed that a lot of thinking had gone into it. The involvement of shadowy players is worrisome as the global racket of nuclear commerce no longer limits itself to China and Pakistan. It is a wake up call for the entire global community.

Even as Pakistan tries to make the latest interception as one of Indian high handedness, Indian officials are aware of the diversionary tactics being employed to skirt the bigger questions that lie unanswered. Who are the real players behind such clandestine activities and who are the real beneficiaries? Global nuclear commerce falling into the hands of unscrupulous players indulging in illicit finance and money laundering has repercussions beyond the Indian subcontinent.

Since the G20 summit in New Delhi, India has done well by demonstrating that it is not interested in regional hegemony by micromanagement, said Pattanaik. There was a time when diplomats would be dispatched to neighbouring countries to mitigate concerns of regional instability every now and then. India has now donned a larger role on global platforms, like facilitating the meeting between US President Joe Biden and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on its soil.

The playground is much bigger now and New Delhi is successfully trying to balance global orders and mitigating global risks, whether on land or on sea.
New Delhi, Mar 10 (PTI) As political parties prepare to fight it out in the Lok Sabha polls, the demand for chartered planes and helicopters is expected to jump by up to 40 per cent compared to the previous general elections, according to industry experts.

Helicopters are anticipated to be more in demand compared to fixed-wing aircraft as choppers will help in providing accessibility to rural and remote areas in a shorter time.

"There will be an exponential demand for private jets and the demand is expected to outstrip the availability of chartered planes and helicopters. There is a limited supply of chartered planes and helicopters," Club One Air CEO Rajan Mehra told PTI.

With increased demand, some players will be taking chartered planes and helicopters on lease during the general elections for which the dates are expected to be announced in the coming days.

Chartered plane and helicopter services are charged on an hourly basis.

The industry experts opined that the prices can vary between Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 5.25 lakh per hour for a chartered plane. For a helicopter, the hourly charge will be around Rs 1.5 lakh.

Business Aircraft Operators Association (BAOA) Managing Director Captain R K Bali told PTI that during the Lok Sabha polls, the demand for private chartered planes and helicopters is expected to increase by 30 to 40 per cent compared to the previous elections.

Official data showed that there were 112 Non-Scheduled Operators (NSOPs) at the end of December 2023.

Generally, NSOPs are entities that do not have a particular fixed schedule and fly when there is a requirement.

Since the demand will be high, players are expected to take planes on lease for chartered operations, especially helicopters, Bali said and added that there are around 111-112 NSOPs and out of them, 40-50 per cent operate single aircraft.

He said that NSOPs are estimated to have around 450 planes, including choppers.

These operators have aircraft and helicopters, with seating capacities varying from 3 to 37. The planes include Falcon 2000, Bombardier Global 5000, Twin Otter DHC-6-300, Hawker Beechcraft, Gulfstream G-200 and Cessna Citation 560XL, as per the data available with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Most of the aircraft and helicopters have seating capacities of less than 10, the data showed.

Mehra said the size of the chartered fleet will be around 350 and out of them, about 175 are helicopters.

A chartered operator, Club One has a fleet of 5 Falcon 2000, 4 Cessna Citation and 1 Bombardier CRJ200.

"Political leaders will opt for helicopters to travel to small towns and hence more demand is likely for the choppers," Mehra said.

There are several brokers in the segment and sometimes they book a specific number of hours for a chartered plane and later, those hours are sold to the end users, including political parties, Mehra said.

Bali said there are a lot of brokers providing chartered plane services and the hourly pricing will also depend on the negotiations and generally, hours are booked in bulk.

Membership of BAOA is voluntary.

An executive, who has been in the chartered aircraft services business for more than two decades, also said there is a huge demand this time and some players are taking aircraft and helicopters on lease for their clients.

On the condition of anonymity, the executive also claimed that the hourly rates for helicopters for the upcoming elections have gone up significantly. While chartered helicopters are hired at a rate of around Rs 1.5 lakh per hour. In some cases, the hourly rates are even touching Rs 3.5 lakh, the executive added.

Broadly, Mehra said the price can range between Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 5.25 lakh per hour for a chartered aircraft.

The ruling BJP incurred expenses totalling more than Rs 250 crore on aircraft/ helicopters, as per the party's annual audited accounts for 2019-20 submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The amount shelled out by the Congress party towards election travelling expenses in 2019-20 stood at over Rs 126 crore. The party did not mention aircraft/helicopter expenses separately in its annual audited accounts for that financial year.

The last Lok Sabha elections were held in April and May of 2019.

According to veteran elections analyst N Bhaskara Rao, the total expenditure during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls is expected to be around Rs 1.20 lakh crore.

"2024 Lok Sabha poll expenditure alone will involve around one lakh twenty thousand crores, of this Election Commission of India (ECI) is estimated to spend hardly twenty per cent (expenditure on new EVMs is not included)," he said.

He also said the price for hiring a chartered plane has almost remained steady since the pandemic and the players in the segment do not tend to outprice each other.

Since the coronavirus pandemic, the demand for private charters has remained steady, especially with people looking mainly for hygiene and safety factors.
New Delhi, Mar 10 (PTI) India and the four-nation European bloc EFTA on Sunday signed a free trade agreement under which New Delhi has received an investment commitment of USD 100 billion over the next 15 years to facilitate the creation of one million jobs.

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

The agreement was signed after a gap of almost 16 years as negotiations, started in 2008, but were put on hold in November 2013. Talks resumed in October 2016, and after 21 rounds of negotiations were held before its conclusion.

For the first time in the history of FTAs (free trade agreements), a legal commitment is being made to promoting target-oriented investment and the job creation.

Almost all the domestic industrial goods would get duty-free access in EFTA nations under the agreement, besides duty concessions on processed agricultural products. Switzerland, the major trading partner of India in the bloc, already removed duties from January this year on almost all industrial goods.

On the other hand, India is offering 82.7 per cent of its tariff lines or product categories, which covers 95.3 per cent of EFTA exports of which more than 80 per cent of imports is gold.

On gold, India has not touched the effective customs duty (which is 15 per cent) but has reduced the bound rate by one per cent to 39 per cent.

Bound and applied rates are used in international trade parlance. While bound tariffs or duties refer to the ceiling, the applied tariff is the duty, which is currently in place.

India will also provide duty concessions on certain PLI (production-linked incentive) sectors like pharma, medical devices and processed food.

Sensitivities related to these sectors have been kept in mind while extending offers.

Sectors such as dairy, soya, coal and sensitive agricultural products are kept on the exclusion list, which means there would not be any duty concessions on these goods.

In the services sector, the commerce ministry said, India has offered 105 sub-sectors to the EFTA like accounting, business services, computer services, distribution and health.

On the other hand, the country has secured commitments in 128 sub-sectors from Switzerland, 114 from Norway, 107 from Liechtenstein, and 110 from Iceland. Segments where Indian services will get a boost include legal, audio-visual, R&D, computer, accounting, and auditing.

TEPA (trade and economic partnership agreement) would stimulate our services exports in sectors of our key strength/interest such as IT services, business services, personal, cultural, sporting and recreational services, other education services, and audio-visual services.

Further commitments related to Intellectual Property Rights in TEPA are at the TRIPS (trade-related aspects of IPRs) level.

The IPR chapter with Switzerland, which has high standards for IPR, shows our robust IPR regime.

Indias interests in generic medicines and concerns related to the evergreening of patents have been fully addressed, it added.

It also said that the agreement will empower Indian exporters access to specialised inputs and create a conducive trade and investment environment.

This would boost exports of Indian-made goods as well as provide opportunities for the services sector to access more markets.

TEPA would also provide an opportunity to integrate into EU markets. Over 40 per cent of Switzerlands global services exports are to the EU (European Union).

Indian companies can look to Switzerland as a base for extending their market reach to the EU.

It will also facilitate technology collaboration and access to world-leading technologies in precision engineering, health sciences, renewable energy, Innovation and R&D.

After signing the agreement, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal described the signing as a "watershed moment", as it is India's first modern trade pact with a bloc having developed countries.

He said that for the first time in a trade agreement, EFTA had committed to invest USD 100 billion in the next 15 years.

It would take around a year for the agreement to come into force.

The agreement has 14 chapters, including trade in goods, rules of origin, intellectual property rights (IPRs), trade in services, investment promotion and cooperation, government procurement, technical barriers to trade and trade facilitation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the signing of the trade agreement between India and the four-nation European bloc EFTA is a "watershed moment" as it symbolises shared commitment to open, fair and equitable trade.

"EFTA countries gain market access to a major growth market. Our companies strive to diversify their supply chains while rendering them more resilient. India, in return, will attract more foreign investment from EFTA," Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, speaking on behalf of the EFTA member states, said.

India had earlier used the strategy of expediting or fast-tracking FTA negotiations successfully with the UAE and Australia.

India-EFTA two-way trade was USD 18.65 billion in 2022-23 compared to USD 27.23 billion in 2021-22. The trade deficit was USD 14.8 billion in the last fiscal.

Economic think tank GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said that successfully concluding the pact with developed countries like Switzerland would send a positive signal to the world as it will showcase India's firm commitment to trade liberalisation in a time when the whole world is turning protectionist.
New Delhi, Mar 10 (PTI) Shortly after New Delhi inked a USD 100 billion free trade pact with a four-member European bloc, Norway on Sunday said it will eliminate customs duties for almost 98 per cent of the imports from India under the framework of the pact.

The ambitious trade pact, signed between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) comprising Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein, aims to expand trade across a range of areas including pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, new technologies and machinery.

After the EEA (European Economic Area) agreement, this could become one of the most important trade agreements Norway has ever entered, said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere.

At a media briefing, Norway's Minister of Trade and Industry Jan Christian Vestre described the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) as a major result-oriented milestone that would not only boost two-way trade but also promote a rules-based trading system.

"Norwegian businesses that export to India today meet high tariff barriers of up to 40 per cent on certain goods. With this new agreement we have secured zero tariff on almost all Norwegian exports to India," he said.

"This is a breakthrough that can mean a lot for workplaces throughout Norway," he said.

Vestre said India is a "economic and political power house" with an extraordinary economic growth rate that it is set to continue in years to come and Norwegian companies will have a lot of opportunities in the country.

"We will eliminate all customs duties for almost 98 per cent of the imports from India including all important goods and services. For Indian companies, it will be a great opportunity," he said.

The pact will come into force following completion of the ratification process by the signatories.

"For our companies exporting to India, the customs duties today are between 5 to 40 per cent and 93 per cent of that customs duty will be under zero per cent in 10 years from now," he said.

Asked about the proposed USD 100 billion investment by the four EFTA countries in India in the next 15 years, Vestre said it will be for the private companies to achieve the goal.

"It is a binding commitment to promote investment and the goal is USD 100 billion and one million jobs. It is up to the private companies and businesses," he said.

"After 15 years we will sit down and find ways to ensure that it happens," he said, replying to a question on what the EFTA would do if the goal is not met.

Vestre said the EFTA bloc will set up an office in India to coordinate implementation of the mega trade deal.

"The four EFTA countries all together will mobilise private investments and the goal is to ensure USD 100 billion investment by the next two decades besides one ensuring million jobs," he said.

At present, around 130 Norwegian companies are operating in different sectors in India including in areas of infrastructure, construction, renewable energy and technology.

A Norwegian readout said the TEPA also includes a reference to human rights.

Human rights are a central part of Norwegian foreign policy. Therefore, it has been important for Norway to include human rights and international environmental conventions as a part of the agreement, said PM Gahr Stoere.

In his remarks, Vestre also referred to geopolitical tensions and how the pact climate ambitions.

In a turbulent world, with geopolitical tensions, it is important to strengthen the ties between India and the West, he said.

The agreement also elevates climate ambitions and will ensure worker's and women's rights, Vestre added.

"The EFTA countries commit to promoting investments and the creation of more jobs in India. A designated office will be established in India to support Norwegian businesses in operating in the Indian market," the readout said.

It said India will undergo a major green and digital transition, and in this context, Norwegian businesses have a lot to offer, from renewable energy and health technology to green mobility and seafood.

The agreement provides large possibilities for trade and investments in a market that is growing rapidly.

Through investments in India, Norwegian businesses can contribute to sustainable development, said Vestre.
Kolkata, Mar 10 (PTI) Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's 'Abhagir Swargo' has now been adapted for the big screen, starring Bangladeshi actor Rafiath Rashid Mithila as the protagonist.

Director Anirban Chakraborty told PTI on Saturday, the Bengali film 'O Abhagi' portrays the raw and harsh reality of rural Bengal but in the 70s background instead of the actual setting over a century back.

"In O Abhagi, I stuck to the essence and spirit and main story of the Sarat Chandra work adding something new without tampering with the actual story", he said.

Asked about the reason for casting Rashid Mithila, the young film maker said "She fitted the role of Abhagi as visualised by me and when she took the make-up and faced the camera the effect was stunning".

Also having seen Mithila in past productions of both countries, "I knew she could execute the role as I wanted and I am more than happy with her performance", Chakraborty added.

Mithila is seen as a 16-year-old and a 30-year-old in the film and "she is so convincing in both ages not looking older", he said.

About the reason behind adapting the popular short story by writer Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Chakraborty said "I had been struck by the thought to make a film on Abhagir Swargo for a long time".

Apart from taking up a work where a woman's side of the story is given due space, 'Abhagir Swargo' also reflects the empathy of a novelist like Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay about the fair sex and their situation in the society across the ages and in all his works, he explained.

Chakraborty, however, added he did not take up a Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay work, many of which had been commercial successes on celluloid driven by commercial considerations.

The film, which was extensively shot in junglemahal belt of West Bengal and also Ghatsila area of Jharkhand, stars Bollywood actor Subrata Dutta who essays the role of a 'zamindar' (landlord).

It will be released in cinema halls and multiplexes on March 29.
Washington, Mar 10 (PTI) Virginia State Senate has passed a resolution commending the work of an Indian American journalist T Vishnudatta Jayaraman for his dedication to journalism and foreign policy.

The resolution was introduced on March 4 by Indian American State Senator, Suhas Subramanyam, who is also a Democratic candidate for US Congress from Virginias 10th Congressional district.

The Virginia State Senate unanimously passed the resolution with a voice vote on March 8.

Introducing Jayaraman in the Senate gallery, Subramanyam referred to him as the recipient of the prestigious Ashoka Award for social change, while commending his dedication to journalism and foreign policy.

Subramanyam said Jayaraman on January 27 received a Distinguished Service Award for advancing media coverage for the Indian diaspora and fostering US-India relations from the then Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Sandhu and Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and President of the Senate, Winsome Sears.

Part of a democracy and I think probably the very first part is that the media be free. And we are so glad that you are there to help remind us of that. Hence, for all the accolades that you've received, we can congratulate you. And thank you for coming. Senators, let us give him the warm welcome of our Senate, Sears said.

On February 28, Kannan Srinivasan, the first Indian-American immigrant elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, also presented a commendation to Jayaraman on the House Floor for having received the Distinguished Service Award.

The Ashoka Award was presented to Jayaraman by the former Governor of Arunachal Pradesh and 22nd Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, General J. J. Singh, and former Indias Minister of Home Affairs and Tourism, Subodh Kant Sahay in New Delhi on December 17, 2023.

The event was organised by The Charles Walters Council for Innovation & Research, India.

Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Jayaraman, also known as J. T. Vishnu, previously worked with Hindustan Times, The Tribune, and The Sunday Observer in New Delhi, before moving to the US.

He also worked at the Department of Public Information at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and contributed to publications including the UN Yearbook and the UN Chronicle.

Jayaraman has an undergraduate degree from Loyola College, Chennai.

He has a Masters Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, and a PhD in International Administration and the United Nations from the University of Madras. He also has a Masters degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University, New Jersey.
A public health worker sprays insecticide in a school during a fumigation campaign against mosquitos that transmit dengue, at the Sao Sebastiao neighborhood, in Brasilia, Brazil, on March 9, 2024. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)

A public health worker sprays insecticide in a school during a fumigation campaign against mosquitos that transmit dengue, at the Sao Sebastiao neighborhood, in Brasilia, Brazil, on March 9, 2024. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)

A public health worker sprays insecticide in a school during a fumigation campaign against mosquitos that transmit dengue, at the Sao Sebastiao neighborhood, in Brasilia, Brazil, on March 9, 2024. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)

A public health worker sprays insecticide in a school during a fumigation campaign against mosquitos that transmit dengue, at the Sao Sebastiao neighborhood, in Brasilia, Brazil, on March 9, 2024. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)

A public health worker sprays insecticide in a school during a fumigation campaign against mosquitos that transmit dengue, at the Sao Sebastiao neighborhood, in Brasilia, Brazil, on March 9, 2024. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)

A public health worker sprays insecticide in a school during a fumigation campaign against mosquitos that transmit dengue, at the Sao Sebastiao neighborhood, in Brasilia, Brazil, on March 9, 2024. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)

A public health worker sprays insecticide in a school during a fumigation campaign against mosquitos that transmit dengue, at the Sao Sebastiao neighborhood, in Brasilia, Brazil, on March 9, 2024. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)

A public health worker sprays insecticide in a school during a fumigation campaign against mosquitos that transmit dengue, at the Sao Sebastiao neighborhood, in Brasilia, Brazil, on March 9, 2024. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)

A public health worker sprays insecticide in a school during a fumigation campaign against mosquitos that transmit dengue, at the Sao Sebastiao neighborhood, in Brasilia, Brazil, on March 9, 2024. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)
Islamabad, Mar 10 (PTI) Jailed former prime minister Imran Khans PTI and the Sunni Ittehad Council have jointly nominated his party leader Omar Ayub Khan as the leader of the opposition in Pakistans National Assembly.

The PTI-SIC formalised the nomination by submitting his documents to the office of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Saturday, the Dawn newspaper said on Sunday.

Incidentally, Omar Ayub Khan was also the joint candidate who lost to Imran Khans rival Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) partys Shehbaz Sharif in the prime ministerial election last week.

About 90 candidates of Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) joined the SIC after winning in the February 8 general elections as independent candidates to secure reserved seats.

The nomination papers were submitted by Malik Amir Dogar in the presence of SIC supremo Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and members of the national assembly (MNAs) Ali Mohammad Khan, Riaz Fatyana, Dr Nisar Ahmad Jatt and others, the newspaper said.

Achakzai was the PTI-SICs candidate against Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Asif Ali Zardari, who was on Saturday elected as the president. He took the oath on Sunday.

Responding to a question, Dr Jatt expressed the hope that Ayub would become the opposition leader in the NA through nomination, instead of election, on March 13 or 14.

The leader of the opposition enjoys the status of a federal minister. He gets a separate office, where usually opposition parties hold meetings.

The Public Accounts Committee is usually headed by the leader of the opposition.
Colombo, Mar 10 (PTI) The Opposition in Sri Lanka on Sunday declined the invitation by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to attend a review meeting of the IMF bailout programme scheduled for Monday to help the cash-strapped nation to overcome the financial crisis it has been facing since 2022.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday last began its two-week-long second review of the March 2023 bailout of USD 2.9 billion spanning over 4 years. Two tranches of USD 330 million each were released in March and December of last year.

Wickremesinghe, who is also the finance minister, is the steer of the programme which had resulted in a series of unpopular reforms being set in to put Sri Lankas bankrupt economy back on course.

The chief Opposition whip Lakshman Kiriella told reporters here that he has been in touch with the Opposition parties and they have decided that they would not attend the meeting.

Separately, giving his reasons for skipping the IMF meeting, the main Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said Wickremesinghes invitation was disingenuous and lacking in good faith.

The Opposition parties have been critical of the IMF-dictated reforms claiming that they had placed an immense burden on the population already reeling in the unprecedented economic crisis where Sri Lanka in mid-April 2022 declared its first-ever sovereign default.

A statement issued by Wickremesinghe's office on Thursday said that the main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the National Peoples Power Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the leader of the main Tamil minority party Sivagnanam Sritharan have been invited to attend the meeting with the IMF on March 11.

The Tamil party TNA sources said its senior politician R Sampanthan might attend the meeting.

Wickremesinghe -- in the face of stiff criticism of his unpopular reforms by the opposition who claimed that they would opt to renegotiate the bailouts conditions -- has been insistent that Sri Lanka was faced only with the option of remaining with the IMF programme to stabilise its economy.
Deir Al-Balah (Gaza Strip), Mar 10 (AP) A US Army vessel carrying equipment to build a temporary pier in Gaza was heading to the Mediterranean on Sunday, after US President Joe Biden announced plans to increase aid deliveries by sea to the besieged enclave where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are going hungry.

The new push for aid came as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan was set to begin Monday in much of the world after officials in Saudi Arabia saw the crescent moon. Hopes for a new cease-fire by Ramadan faded days ago with negotiations apparently stalled.

The opening of the sea corridor, along with airdrops by the US, Jordan and others, showed growing alarm over Gaza's deadly humanitarian crisis and a new willingness to bypass Israeli control over land shipments. Israel said that it welcomed the sea deliveries and would inspect Gaza-bound cargo before it leaves a staging area in nearby Cyprus.

But aid officials say that air and sea deliveries can't make up for a shortage of supply routes on land. The daily number of aid trucks entering Gaza by land over the past five months has been far below the 500 that entered before the war.

A ship belonging to Spanish aid group Open Arms and carrying 200 tons of food aid was expected to make a pilot voyage to test the corridor as soon as possible, said spokesperson Linda Roth with partner organization World Central Kitchen. The ship remained at Cyprus' port of Larnaca in what Roth called a quickly evolving and fluid situation."

Biden stepped up public criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he believes that Netanyahu is hurting Israel more than helping Israel in his approach to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, now in its sixth month.

Speaking Saturday to MSNBC, the US president expressed support for Israel's right to pursue Hamas after the militants' October 7 attack on southern Israel, but said that Netanyahu must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost. He added that you cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead."

The Health Ministry in Gaza said that at least 31,045 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. The ministry doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says that women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and its figures from previous wars have largely matched those of UN and independent experts.

Palestinian casualties continued to rise. The Civil Defense Department said that at least nine Palestinians, including children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza City late Saturday. Footage that it shared showed one rescuer placing the body of a dead infant on a sofa amid the wreckage.

Elsewhere, the bodies of 15 people, including women and children, were taken to the main hospital in the central town of Deir al-Balah on Sunday, according to an Associated Press journalist. Relatives said they were killed by Israeli artillery fire toward a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in the coastal area near the southern city of Khan Younis.

Israel rarely comments on specific incidents during the war. It maintains that Hamas is responsible for civilian casualties, because the militant group operates from within civilian areas.

Meanwhile, US efforts began to set up the temporary pier in Gaza for sea deliveries. US Central Command said a first US Army vessel, the General Frank S Besson, left a base in Virginia on Saturday and was on its way to the Eastern Mediterranean with equipment for construction.

US officials said that it would likely be weeks before the pier is operational.

The sea corridor is backed by the European Union together with the United States, the United Arab Emirates and other countries. The European Commission has said that UN agencies and the Red Cross will play a role.

The ship in Cyprus is expected to take two to three days to arrive at an undisclosed location. The World Central Kitchen spokesperson said that construction work began Sunday on the jetty for it at an undisclosed location in Gaza.

A member of the charity said on X, formerly Twitter, that once the ship's barge reaches Gaza, aid would be offloaded by a crane, placed on trucks and driven to northern Gaza, which has been largely cut off from aid shipments and was the first focus of Israel's military offensive.

Israel declared war on October 7 after Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 hostages. Israel's air and ground offensive has devastated large parts of Gaza and displaced about 80 per cent of the population of 2.3 million.

The US and regional mediators Egypt and Qatar had hoped to have a six-week cease-fire in place by Ramadan, but Hamas is holding out for assurances that a temporary truce will lead to an end of hostilities.

The truce would have seen Hamas release some Israeli hostages, Israel release some Palestinian prisoners and aid groups be given access for a major influx of assistance into Gaza. (AP) NPK

NPK
Beijing, Mar 10 (PTI) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday congratulated Asif Ali Zardari on his election as the Pakistan President, saying that the iron-clad friendship between the two countries is a choice of history and the strategic significance of the ties has become more prominent in the light of current changes in the world.

Zardari, the husband of late Pakistan Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto was overwhelmingly elected as the 14th President of Pakistan on Saturday, becoming the only civilian president of the coup-prone country for a second time.

Zardari, the co-chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party, was the joint candidate of the ruling alliance of the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

In his message to Zardari on Sunday, Xi said "China and Pakistan are good neighbours, good friends, good partners and good brothers, adding that the two countries' iron-clad friendship is a choice of history and a precious treasure of the two peoples."

Xi said that "the two countries have in recent years maintained close high-level exchanges, supported each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, achieved fruitful results in the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and maintained a high level of development of bilateral relations," state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

India has objected to China over the USD 60 billion CPEC connecting Chinas Xinjiang with Gwadar port in Balochistan as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Xi in his message said, that as the world is confronted with accelerated changes unseen in a century, the strategic significance of China-Pakistan relations has become more prominent.

Xi said he highly regards the development of China-Pakistan relations, and is ready to work with President Zardari to carry forward the traditional friendship between China and Pakistan, advance practical cooperation in various fields, push for greater development of China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, so as to better benefit the two peoples.

Earlier, Xi greeted Shehbaz Sharif on being elected as Pakistans Prime Minister.

The return of Shehbaz and his brother Nawaz Sharif as well as Zardari at the helm of Pakistans politics and government in the midst of chaos and severe economic crisis in Pakistan is viewed with a sense of relief here as all three of them over their years in power in the past few decades maintained close ties with Chinese leaders and furthered the strategic ties with Beijing viewed widely as a strategic alliance against India.

China had an uneasy relationship with former prime minister Imran Khan's government which was blamed for the slow pace of USD 60 billion CPEC.

China has been providing forex loans and rollover of its debt periodically to bail out Pakistan which is facing a severe economic crisis.

Recent reports from Islamabad said China has agreed to roll over a USD two billion loan due to be paid in March.
Nagpur, Mar 10 (PTI) More than 50 persons in Maharashtra's Nagpur district suffered from food poisoning after consuming snacks and other eatables while observing fast on the occasion of 'Mahashivratri', officials said on Sunday.

The victims belonged to Kamptee in the district and some areas of Nagpur city.

They had observed fast on the 'Mahashivratri' festival on Friday.

After consuming the 'farali' (meant for consumption during fast) snacks made of sago, potatoes and other items purchased from some shops and roadside stalls in Kamptee, several persons complained of upset bowel movements, stomachache and vomiting, a police official said.

In Ganesh Nagar area of the city, seven members of a family suffered from food poisoning after consuming 'jalebis' (sweets) and other eatables made from water chestnut flour on Friday, officials from Dhantoli police station said.

A cloth trader from Nanga Putla area in Itwari fell ill after consuming 'prasad' from a religious place on Friday, they said.

A person from Vardhaman Nagar area in Nagpur fell ill after consuming meal late Friday night, while an elderly woman from Rana Pratap Nagar complained of food poisoning after consuming 'kadhi', the officials said.



The affected persons were admitted to different hospitals and most of them were discharged after treatment on Saturday, they said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-V) Niketan Kadam said the police have collected food samples from some shops in Kamptee and they would be sent to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) department for analysis.
Mumbai, Mar 10 (PTI) Two police personnel have been suspended for allegedly not facilitating medical assistance to a 47-year-old commuter who collapsed at a railway station in Mumbai and later died, an official said on Sunday.

After the man collapsed, the two personnel put him in the luggage compartment of a train where he was later found dead, he said.

The deceased, Allauddin Mujjahid, boarded a train from Sewri on February 14 and got down at Reay Road station to go to his workplace in Masjid area where he was employed as a salesman in a shop, the official said.





As per the CCTV footage, the man felt uncomfortable and was seen sitting on a bench on platform no. 2 of the Reay Road station.

Later, he was seen collapsing and falling, the official said.

After some time, the two police personnel, who were on duty at the station, were seen checking on Mujjahid. They apparently thought he was a drug addict and put him in the luggage compartment of a local train, he said.

The man was found dead the next day in the luggage compartment of the train at Goregaon station during a routine inspection by the railway police, the official said.

Initially, an accidental death report (ADR) was registered with the Borivali railway police and they initiated an inquiry.

After going through footage of at least 100 CCTVs from Goregaon station (in western suburbs) to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (south Mumbai), the police found the man collapsed at the Reay Road station, the official said.

The CCTV captured railway police constable Vijay Khandekar and Maharashtra Security Force policeman Mahesh Andale picking up the man and putting him in the train's luggage compartment, instead of providing medical assistance, he said.

As per the post-mortem report, the man died of brain hemorrhage while he was heading to his workplace. He is survived by his wife and a 19-year-old son, who reside in Sewri area, the official said.

The cops, who had noticed the man, failed to provide him immediate medical assistance, leading to his untimely demise, he said.



The two personnel were suspended on Thursday and booked under Indian Penal Code section for causing death due to negligence and other provisions, the official said.



A departmental inquiry has been initiated against them, the police added.
Bhubaneswar, Mar 10 (PTI) A day after BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik issued a one line statement saying that "rumour" and "lies" are worst aspect of politics, the BJP top brass on Sunday called its state unit leaders and those in charge of elections in Odisha to the national capital for a discussion.

Patnaik in an Instagram video Saturday had said "rumour" and "lies" were worst aspects in politics. The BJD presidents statement came barely hours after Odisha BJP election in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar and partys state president Manmohan Samal publicly said there were no talks on alliance with the BJD.

Both Tomar and Samal also said the BJP in Odisha will fight all the 147 assembly and 21 Lok Sabha seats alone. Tomar even claimed that he was not aware of talks between BJD leaders and BJP central leaders on alliance. BJP MP Jual Oram had, however, said the BJP's core committee meeting had discussed the alliance matter, but nothing was finalised.

While denying alliance talks with the BJD leaders, Tomar had exuded confidence that BJP in Odisha will win more than 80 seats in assembly and 16 Lok Sabha seats. Similar was the statement of Samal.

BJPs Odisha election deputy in-charge Lata Usendi also made a similar statement and rejected the possibility of an alliance before the twin polls in the state. Odisha has been conducting simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and Assembly since 2004.

However, after getting a call from the BJP top brass, leaders including Samal, general secretary (organisation) Manas Mohanty, Tomar and Usendi left for New Delhi on Sunday.

At the airport, Samal said a team of state leaders of the party was going to hold a meeting with central leaders on the elections.

"We will discuss seat allotment. The discussion will cover all 147 assembly seats and 21 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state," Samal said.

Asked about the possibility of discussions on alliance, Samal said, "It will not be wise on my part to say anything about it."

However, there have been statewide talks over the possible alliance between the two parties ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Odisha on March 5 and praised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Later, both the BJD and BJP held separate meetings of their leaders to discuss the matter. The BJD after its meeting issued a statement saying the regional party would do "everything" for the larger interest of the party.

Indications were enough that the party was prepared for an alliance. BJD leader and MLA Nrushingha Sahu on Saturday said there was a discussion on alliance and the party would abide by the decision of Patnaik.

Though BJD leader and Patnaiks close aide VK Pandian and partys organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das visited Delhi to hold discussions with BJP top brass, they remained silent, adding to the suspense over the alliance.
Shillong, Mar 10 (PTI) One person was injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in the Punjabi Lane area here, police said on Sunday.

The blast took place at around 10.30 pm on Saturday, they said.

"There was a blast near the syndicate bus stand, Punjabi Lane at around 10.30 pm. The blast was inside a small abandoned tin structure", East Khasi Hills district Superintendent of Police Rituraj Ravi told PTI.

He said the damage was initially confined only to the tin structure and a few window panes nearby. Further report on the damages awaited.

Preliminary investigation suggests the blast to be caused by an IED. Further investigation is under progress, the SP said.

Punjabi Lane resident and secretary of the Harijan Panchayat Committee Gurjit Singh said the blast was deafening and it shook the buildings in the area.
Guwahati, Mar 10 (PTI) A 28-year-old woman was allegedly raped and killed by two persons in Darrang district of Assam, police said on Sunday.

Darrang Superintendent of Police Prakash Sonowal told PTI that the woman, who works as a daily wager at a brick kiln in Naodinga village went missing on March 7.

"The police were intimated and an investigation was initiated accordingly. The body of the woman was found inside the smoke channel of the kiln on the next day," he added..

After preliminary investigation, it was found that two persons allegedly raped her and then dumped her body after murdering her, Sonowal said.

"We have arrested the two accused and are continuing interrogation of the duo. The body has been sent for post-mortem and details are awaited," he added.

The SP said that the woman hailed from Kokrajhar district and she was staying with her husband to work in the brick kiln.
Shimla, Mar 10 (PTI) The Himachal Pradesh Police on Sunday registered a case against an independent MLA and the father of a Congress rebel and others over electoral offences related to the recent Rajya Sabha polls in which six party MLAs voted for the BJP candidate from the state.

The case against Hamirpur's independent MLA Ashish Sharma and Gagret's now disqualified MLA Chetanya Sharma's father and others was registered on the basis of a complaint lodged by Congress MLAs Sanjay Avasthi and Bhuvneshwar Gaur.

Ashish and Chetanya are among the nine MLAs, including six Congress rebels and three independents who voted in favour of the BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan in the recently held Rajya Sabha polls.

However, the alleged role of Chetanya's father, a retired bureaucrat, is not known yet.

This triggered a crisis in the state's Congress government, which appeared to have lost its majority in the assembly.

A case of criminal conspiracy, corruption practices and undue influence on election has been registered on the complaint of two Congress MLAs, police said on Sunday.

Adding a new dimension to the current political crisis in Himachal Pradesh, the two Congress MLAs Sanjay Avasthi and Bhuvneshwar Gaur on Sunday filed a complaint with the police seeking investigation into electoral offences, corrupt practices and criminal conspiracy in the whole sequence of events since the Rajya Sabha polls held on February 27.

This development has invoked sharp reactions from the MLAs.

"With this attitude, the CM should be ready to face the consequences in future," said one of the six Congress rebels Rajinder Rana.

"If the CM thinks that he could win hearts by registering false complaints, he is mistaken. This kind of politics compelled the MLAs to vote in favour of the BJP, Rana told PTI over phone on Sunday. Pressure tactics will not help, he cautioned.

Meanwhile, the two Congress legislators sought investigation on charges of money trading, misuse of helicopter and security forces and criminal misconduct, and said direct evidence is available that the BJP is paying for the transportation through choppers and accommodation in five star properties in Haryana and Uttarakhand.

They said there is enough evidence of the BJP legislators accompanying the Congress rebels and independents, and cited the Supreme Court's recent ruling in Sita Soren vs Union of India Case in the complaint.

Speaking to PTI, Chief Parliament Secretary Sanjay Avasthi said such illegal activities are unknown to Devbhoomi Himachal Pradesh and even the Supreme Court has ruled that the elected representatives are not immune to criminal proceedings for accepting money and favours and we demand investigation in the whole sequence of events.

Confirming that a complaint was received from two Congress MLAs in Boileauganj police station, Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi told PTI that a case under sections 171 a and c (undue influence on elections) and 120 b (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and sections 7 and 8 (public servant taking undue advantage) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, has been registered and investigations have been started.

The six Congress MLAs namely Sudhir Sharma, Ravi Thakur, Rajinder Rana, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Chetanya Sharma and Devinder Kumar Bhutto who cross-voted in favour of the BJP were disqualified for defying a whip to be present in the House and vote in favour of the government during the cut motion and budget following which they moved the Supreme Court.

The three independents include Ashish Sharma, Hoshiyar Singh and K L Thakur.

Presently guarded by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the nine MLAs and two BJP legislators are in Rishikesh in BJP-ruled Uttarakhand, alleging pressure from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Terming the present Congress government as the most unpopular and inexperienced till date, the MLAs said that a lot of pressure is being put on them to return to the Congress fold.

In a joint statement issued here on Sunday, these MLAs said they are fighting a battle of self-respect and questioned the mindset of the CM who is approaching them for compromise on one hand and issuing statements like black snakes and shepherds for them on the other hand.

During public meetings, Sukhu had said that six black snakes of the Congress sold their honour and tried to destablise the state government and later compared them to shepherds being moved from one place to another.

Earlier, Sudhir Sharma was removed from the post of secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) while Rajinder Rana resigned from the post of working president of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee.

The three independents include Ashish Sharma, Hoshiyar Singh and K L Thakur.

Two of the three independent MLAs had earlier told PTI that pressure tactics of hitting businesses of independent MLAs and their families is a futile exercise and will not save the government.

Raids were conducted on crushers of the independent MLAs and their effigies were burnt, road leading to the house of Congress rebel and MLA Lahaul and Spiti Ravi Thakur was closed after the nine cross voted in favour of the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls, the independent MLAs had alleged.

It is unfortunate that the chief minister has stooped to such a level and this kind of politics has never been seen in the state, two independent legislators K L Thakur and Hoshiyar Singh had said.

The chief minister should not adopt a vindictive attitude and refrain from acting out of vengeance, they maintained.
A group meeting of deputies from the delegation of Yunnan Province is held at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

A group meeting of deputies from the delegation of Yunnan Province is held at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Jingqiang)

Deputies communicate during a break of the group meeting of deputies from the delegation of Yunnan Province at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Sambhal (UP), Mar 10 (PTI) Expelled Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam on Sunday hit out at Rahul Gandhi and called him a "mad person," claiming as long as he is in the party, Congress cannot be saved.

"A mad person can say anything. A boy who has gone mad can say anything. No one should take seriously what a mad person or a child says," Krishnam told reporters.

Krishnam was ousted from the Congress for indiscipline in February.

"In view of the complaints of indiscipline and repeated statements against the party, the Congress President has approved the proposal of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee to expel Pramod Krishnam from the party for six years with immediate effect," the party had then said in a statement.

Talking about his expulsion, Krishnam said, "Only one person is responsible for the ruin of the Congress Party, whose name is Rahul Gandhi. As long as Rahul Gandhi is in the Congress, no one can save the Congress."

On Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Krishnam said she herself is fighting for survival.

"She (Priyanka Gandhi) is fighting the battle for her survival. She is also not respected within the party. She has also not been given any responsibility whereas she is the most popular leader of the Congress Party."

On Mayawati contesting the elections alone, Krishnam said she is doing so because she has sensed the mood of the country, which is in favour of Narendra Modi.

"All thieves have come together and formed a thug bond in which everyone is stabbing each other in the back. The people of the country are with Modi ji. Mayawati has sensed this mood," he said.

He called Congress a sinking ship no one wants to be on.

"Who would want to stay on a sinking ship? Congress is a sinking ship whose captain is Rahul Gandhi. Who would want to stay on it? Everyone is suffocating in the party. Rahul Gandhi's servants are insulting senior leaders. Congress party is now being run by servants," Krishnam said.

Krishnam, who is the Peethadheeshwar of Kalki Dham, has since his expulsion been seen to be warming up to the BJP.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 19 laid the foundation stone of the Shri Kalki Dham temple in Sambhal.
New Delhi, Mar 10 (PTI) Four Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders, including two former MPs, and a Congress leader from Telangana joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday as the ruling party looks to boost its Lok Sabha tally in the southern state.

Those who joined the party are Godam Nagesh and Sitaram Nayak, both former MPs, former BRS MLAs Saidy Reddy and Jalagam Venkat Rao, and Srinivas Gomase, who was in the Congress.

The leaders praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

BJP leader and party parliamentary board member K Laxman welcomed them and said while the leaders of other parties are working for the future for their sons and daughters, Modi is working for the country.

BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh said on the occasion that people are fed-up with "dynastic and corrupt" parties and praised these leaders for their work in different capacities.

The BRS is now "triple B party", Chugh said, describing them as "baba, beta and baby", a reference to its president K Chandrasekhar Rao, his son and daughter.

These three ran a corrupt government in the state, he alleged.

Prime Minister Modi's work for 10 years with zero tolerance against corruption has impressed the people, he said.
New Delhi, Mar 10 (PTI) Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjiv Khanna on Sunday said it was concerning that arbitration was not the first choice of any litigant in India and parties still preferred litigation and adjudication in courts.

The top court judge, who was speaking at the closing ceremony of Delhi Arbitration Weekend (DAW) in the Delhi High Court, emphasised that the system has to evolve if "we have to look 10 years ahead and want the country to become the preferred seat for arbitration".

DAW, the flagship event of Delhi International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), was attended by experts and dignitaries from across the country and the globe.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Attorney General of India R Venkataramani and Arbitrator and Mediator of Duxton Hill Chambers V K Rajah SC also spoke at the ceremony in the presence of sitting and former judges and members of the Bar.

Justice Khanna is in line to become the Chief Justice of India (CJI) after the retirement of present CJI D Y Chandrachud in November.

Justice Khanna said the legislature has been proactive in bringing changes in the arbitration law to make it in sync with the international standards but the number of cases being referred to arbitration showed a bleak picture.

"When we come to the data with regard to the number of cases being referred to institutionalised arbitration, the picture is again very bleak. In 2023, about 1,16,453 civil cases were instituted in civil courts in Delhi, while 4,243 suits were instituted in the Delhi High Court," he said.

As against this, 7,358 cases were referred to arbitration to the Delhi High Court arbitration centre in 2023. This means the Delhi High Court arbitration centre dealt with only six to seven per cent of the matters compared to the civil litigation, the top court judge said.

"It is a matter of concern. Arbitration is not the first choice of any litigant in India. Otherwise everybody when they come to the court will move an application or joint applications (saying) please refer our dispute to arbitration. It is very rarely happening... The fact of the matter is parties prefer litigation and adjudication to arbitration," he said.

Justice Khanna shared that during his tenure as a judge of the Delhi High Court, he did not receive any application in a pending civil matter by the parties for sending the matter to arbitration.

He stated that possibly the matters referred to ad-hoc arbitration, i.e. those that are held outside any institutional framework like that of DIAC, would be two times the number of institutional arbitrations.

Justice Khanna said the system has to be evolved in DIAC by merging mediation and arbitration in order to give the parties the right to choose their preferred mechanism.

"I feel we have to now evolve a system and jurisprudence in Delhi International Arbitration Centre by merging mediation and arbitration to ensure that the parties do not lose their right to decide for themselves," he stated.

"How do we do it? We cannot have the same person acting as a mediator and arbitrator. It has to be two separate persons, that is what the UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission on International Trade Law) model also recommends. We have to evolve and get into all this in case we have to look 10 years ahead and want India to be the preferred seat for arbitration. We can do it. It is possible. Only thing is we have to focus on it and execute it," he said.

Justice Khanna also looked into data with respect to the relatively long time taken for enforcement of contracts in India and said it has to be rectified and checked.

"World bank data notes that enforcement of contracts in India takes about 1445 days at the cost of 31% of the claim. In comparison, the average duration in South Asian countries is 1101 days which is almost 2/3 of the time taken in India.

When it comes to OECD countries, time taken is 589 days which is one third of the time taken in India. It is a matter of concern for all of us. This has to be rectified and checked," shared the top court judge.
New Delhi, Mar 10 (PTI) The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Tuesday a plea by six rebel Congress MLAs, who had cross-voted in the recent Rajya Sabha polls in Himachal Pradesh, against their disqualification.

The Speaker of Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, had disqualified the six on the Congress' plea for "defying" the party whip that required them to be present in the House and vote for the budget.

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna, Dipankar Datta and Prashant Kumar Mishra will hear on March 12 the plea against the February 29 decision of the Speaker.

The rebel lawmakers in their plea before the top court have made Pathania as well as state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harsh Vardhan Chauhan a party.

These Congress rebels, who had voted in favour of BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha polls on February 27, later "abstained" from voting on the Budget. Senior Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi had lost the Rajya Sabha election owing to the cross-voting

The disqualified MLAs are Rajinder Rana, Sudhir Sharma, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Devinder Kumar Bhutoo, Ravi Thakur and Chetanya Sharma.

Following their disqualification, the effective strength of the House has gone down from 68 to 62, while the number of Congress MLAs has shrunk from 40 to 34.

The rebel MLAs, in their petition, have alleged violation of the principle of natural justice, claiming they did not get adequate opportunity to respond to the disqualification petition.

For the first time in the history of Himachal Pradesh an MLA was disqualified under the anti-defection law aimed at checking defections.

Announcing the disqualification of the six MLAs at a press conference on February 29, the Speaker had said they attracted disqualification under the anti-defection law as they defied the party whip. He ruled that they ceased to be members of the House with immediate effect.

The petition seeking their disqualification was filed by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister before the Speaker for defying the whip that required them to be present in the House and vote for the budget.

Senior advocate Satya Pal Jain, who appeared for the rebel Congress MLAs, had argued that they were only given the show-cause notice and neither the copy of the petition nor the annexure was supplied.

Jain had said seven days were mandatorily allowed for replying to the notice but no time was given to them.

Under the anti-defection law, any elected member who gives up the membership of a political party voluntarily or votes or abstains from voting in the House, contrary to any direction issued by his political party, is liable for disqualification.

These MLAs had signed the attendance register but abstained from the House during the voting on the Budget, the Speaker said.

These members were issued notices for defying the whip through WhatsApp and e-mail and were asked to appear for the hearing.

The Assembly had passed the Finance Bill by voice vote after the Speaker suspended 15 BJP MLAs.

The Speaker had then adjourned the session.

In his 30-page order, he said the plea of the advocate of the rebel MLAs, Satya Pal Jain, for giving time to reply to the notice was not entertained as "evidence was absolutely clear".

The Speaker said delivering quick judgment was necessary in such cases to maintain the dignity of democracy and check the "Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram" phenomenon.

The judgment had no link with cross-voting by these MLAs in the Rajya Sabha polls, the Speaker added.
Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High near 50F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 31F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
The first NYPD: Most Wanted video was meant to be intimidating.

Over a pounding soundtrack, the montage cuts among stock images and body-camera footage of actual police raids. A fake gun discharges. Real officers break down a door, barking orders at a man asleep on a couch.

As a key turns in a jail cell lock, a New York City police deputy appears on screen to announce the arrest of a teenage suspect  not the person seen in the video moments earlier  in a shooting on a Bronx subway platform.

Produced in-house by the New York Police Department and promoted across its official social media channels, the dramatic two-minute clip reflects a concerted effort by the nations largest police force to engage the public and influence policy through a more aggressive online presence.

In the aftermath of the tragic shooting in our transit system three days ago, scores of NYPD investigators went to work in order to find those responsible. I knew we would get them, and today we have one of those individuals in custody. The investigation remains ongoing and rest pic.twitter.com/RgNDVXdSIU  NYPD Deputy Commissioner, Operations Kaz Daughtry (@NYPDDaughtry) February 16, 2024

The strategic shift has brought criticism from former NYPD officials and civil liberties groups who say police leaders shouldnt use public resources to advance their own policy agenda or attack other civil servants. But the NYPD hasnt backed down.

We want to go on social media and push back on the misinformation thats out there, Tarik Sheppard, the NYPDs top spokesperson, said in an interview. Because if we dont, it could cause damage to the reputation of our cops and the work that were doing.

In recent months, the department has added production-savvy staff to its communications arm, with plans to release a long-form documentary series later this year.

At the same time, it has encouraged police chiefs to be more vocal on social media, giving them the green light to go after judges and prosecutors seen as too lenient on crime and to criticize public policies that police oppose.

In a post shared on X last week, Chief of Patrol John Chell lashed out at a state judge by name, saying she had released a man he deemed a predator who had been accused of stealing a cellphone and carrying drugs.

The message was later found to have misidentified both the judge and prosecutor involved, though not before it generated dozens of hateful comments, some of them featuring the judges photograph.

Its a naked form of intimidation against the judiciary, which is dangerous and scary, said Steven Zeidman, director of the criminal defense clinic at the City University of New York School of Law. Their job is to investigate crimes, not to act as a mouthpiece to spew hate and fearmonger.

Chell later issued an apology for the error, though it remains published on the departments official Instagram and X accounts. NYPD officials said they would continue to hold judges accountable.

The NYPD has long used social media to solicit tips on crimes and to share news of arrests and emergencies. But close observers of the department see an escalation in both content and rhetoric under New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a former police captain.

In recent weeks, official NYPD accounts have gone after journalists by name, threatened to flood the jails with disruptive protesters, and highlighted instances of low-level transit crime  a push that coincided with a decision by Gov. Kathy Hochul to send hundreds of National Guard members to the subway system.

One video from last month featured Adams rallying officers before an early-morning raid on a public housing building. Three men are hauled away in handcuffs, described by Kaz Daughtry, the deputy commissioner of operations, as migrants preying on vulnerable New Yorkers.

Zachary Tumin, a former NYPD official who oversaw the rollout of social media accounts to precinct commanders and chiefs beginning in 2015, said police officials were initially instructed to maintain a positive tone.

The basic guidelines were: Dont attack, dont personalize and dont name, Tumin said. Picking fights on social media with members of the public  was something we wanted to stay away from.

Its not uncommon for law enforcement officials to use social media to assail judges and specific policies, such as changes to bail laws. Elected sheriffs from Arizona to Florida have increasingly embraced social media as a tool to push their own narratives.

An analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice, a think tank at the New York University School of Law, found that very few departments maintain public-facing guidance spelling out how police are making use of the platforms.

The section of the NYPDs administrative guide dealing with department social media accounts is not available online. Under the patrol guide, uniformed police  a group including chiefs  are prohibited from publicly expressing opinions about any public policy matter or legislation pending before any government body.

In January, several chiefs shared a video opposing a City Council bill that would require officers to record additional data about their interactions with the public. The three-minute clip, described as a simulation, showed a frantic mother asking police to help locate her missing child. It claimed the law would require officers to record the race and gender of each witness they asked for help  a characterization the council disputed.

Another set of posts shared by top police leaders going after a freelance journalist for allegedly spreading false narratives about the treatment of pro-Palestinian protesters were later deleted without explanation.

A spokesperson for the NYPD declined to answer questions about why the posts were deleted. They also didnt respond to inquiries about the amount of money spent on the departments social media budget, including the added video production staff.

The NYPDs new social strategy will soon extend beyond written posts and short video clips, moving into what Sheppard described as long-form YouTube.

In the coming months, he said, the department will resume production of a short-lived series, True Blue: NYPDs Finest, that premiered last year without much attention.

The previous two episodes of the series relied heavily on body-worn camera footage of dramatic pursuits narrated by police officials, resembling a municipally crafted version of the long-running TV series Cops.

Michael Hallett, a professor of criminology at the University of North Florida who studied the effects of Cops, said he viewed the NYPDs forays into social media as a natural response to a digital media ecosystem that rewards speed and sensationalism.

The proliferation of body-camera footage and, increasingly, drones, have made it easy for police to create their own reality series, free of delays imposed by the TV gear and network schedules, he said.

They now have a proactive and sophisticated messaging system that is designed and intended to deliver messages on behalf of the police agenda, Hallett added. In the negotiation for control of the message, that gives them the upper hand.

(AP)
President Joe Biden on Friday endorsed legislation that could lead to the popular video-sharing app TikTok being banned in the United States, a move that comes amid growing concern in Washington about keeping Americans data out of Chinas hands.

The legislation that passed through the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on Thursday calls on Chinas ByteDance to divest its ownership of TikTok  or effectively face a U.S. ban. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson also supports the bill and has indicated it would soon come up for a full vote in the House.

If they pass it, Ill sign it, Biden said when asked by reporters about the legislation.

The White House had provided technical support in the drafting of the bill, though White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said earlier this week the TikTok legislation still needs some work to get to a place where Biden would endorse it.

Former President Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee, came out in a Truth Social post on Thursday saying he opposed a ban because it would help rival social media platform Facebook. Trumps opposition to the legislation comes after he issued  and then rescinded  an executive action late in his presidency intended to ban TikTok and another popular app, WeChat.

Trumps pushback puts him on the opposite side of the debate of powerful Republicans, including Johnson and Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who has called the legislation a critical national security bill.

Both the FBI and the Federal Communications Commission have warned that TikTok owner ByteDance could share user data  such as browsing history, location and biometric identifiers  with Chinas authoritarian government. TikTok said it has never done that and wouldnt do so if asked. The U.S. government also hasnt provided evidence of that happening.

In a separate move, Biden recently signed an executive order allowing the Department of Justice and other federal agencies to take steps to prevent the large-scale transfer of Americans personal data to what the White House calls countries of concern, including China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Cuba and Venezuela.

Biden, in 2022, banned the use of TikTok by the federal governments nearly 4 million employees on devices owned by its agencies, with limited exceptions for law enforcement, national security and security research purposes.

While his administration has raised national security concerns about TikTok, Bidens reelection campaign last month joined the platform.

If enacted, the bill would effectively ban TikTok and other ByteDance apps from being available in Apple or Google app stores or on web hosting services in the U.S.

The bill takes a two-pronged approach. First, it requires ByteDance Ltd., which is based in Beijing, to divest TikTok and other applications it controls within 180 days of enactment of the bill or those applications will be prohibited in the United States. Second, it creates a narrow process to let the executive branch prohibit access to an app owned by a foreign adversary if it poses a threat to national security.

The company also has promised to wall off U.S. user data from its parent company through a separate entity run independently from ByteDance and monitored by outside observers.

A poll published last month by The Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found Americans are deeply divided on the issue of banning the app. Thirty-one percent of U.S. adults said they would favor a nationwide ban on TikTok use, while 35% said they would oppose that type of action. An additional 31% of adults said they neither favor nor oppose a ban on the social media platform,

The AP-NORC poll shows TikTok users  about 170 million in the U.S., most of whom skew younger  are less likely to be worried about the app sharing American users data, reflecting a previously felt generational divide. About a quarter of daily users say they are extremely or very concerned about the idea of the Chinese government obtaining the personal information of users, compared to about half of U.S. adults overall.

(AP)
Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was convicted Friday in New York of charges that he conspired with drug traffickers and used his military and national police force to enable tons of cocaine to make it unhindered into the United States.

The jury returned its verdict at a federal court after a two-week trial, which has been closely followed in his home country. Hernandez was convicted of conspiring to import cocaine into the U.S. and two weapons counts. The charges carry a mandatory minimum of 40 years in prison and a potential maximum of life. Sentencing was set for June 26.

Hernandez, 55, who served two terms as the leader of the Central American nation of roughly 10 million people, patted a defense attorney, Renato Stabile, on the back as they stood along with everyone else in the courtroom while the jurors filed out after the reading of the verdict.

When the news reached nearly 100 opponents of Hernandez on the street outside the courthouse, they applauded and began jumping into the air to celebrate the outcome.

The scene in the courtroom was subdued and Hernandez seemed relaxed as the verdict on three counts was announced by the jury foreperson. At times, Hernandez had his hands folded before him or one leg crossed over the other as each juror was asked to affirm the verdict. They all did.

In remarks to the jury before they left the courtroom, Judge P. Kevin Castel praised jurors for reaching a unanimous verdict, which was necessary for a conviction.

We live in a country where 12 people cant agree on a pizza topping, the judge told them, saying his message would have been the same regardless of their verdict. Thats why Im in awe of you.

Defense attorney Sabrina Shroff said Hernandez will appeal the conviction.

In a release, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said he hopes the conviction sends a message to all corrupt politicians who would consider a similar path: choose differently.

He added that Hernandez had every opportunity to be a force for good in his native Honduras. Instead, he chose to abuse his office and country for his own personal gain and partnered with some of the largest and most violent drug trafficking organizations in the world to transport tons of cocaine to the United States.

Hernandez was arrested at his home in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital, three months after leaving office in 2022 and was extradited to the U.S. in April of that year.

U.S. prosecutors accused Hernandez of working with drug traffickers as long ago as 2004, saying he took millions of dollars in bribes as he rose from rural congressman to president of the National Congress and then to the countrys highest office.

Hernandez acknowledged in trial testimony that drug money was paid to virtually all political parties in Honduras, but he denied accepting bribes himself.

He noted that he had visited the White House and met U.S. presidents as he cast himself as a champion in the war on drugs who worked with the U.S. to curb the flow of drugs to the U.S.

In one instance, he said, he was warned by the FBI that a drug cartel wanted to assassinate him.

He said his accusers fabricated their claims about him in bids for leniency for their crimes.

They all have motivation to lie, and they are professional liars, Hernandez said.

But the prosecution mocked Hernandez for seemingly claiming to be the only honest politician in Honduras.

During closing arguments Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Gutwillig told the jury that a corrupt Hernandez paved a cocaine superhighway to the United States.

Stabile said his client has been wrongfully charged as he urged an acquittal.

Trial witnesses included traffickers who admitted responsibility for dozens of murders and said Hernandez was an enthusiastic protector of some of the worlds most powerful cocaine dealers, including notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, who is serving a life prison term in the U.S.

Hernandez, wearing a suit throughout the trial, was mostly dispassionate as he testified through an interpreter, repeatedly saying no sir as he was asked if he ever paid bribes or promised to protect traffickers from extradition to the U.S.

His brother, Juan Antonio Tony Hernandez, a former Honduran congressman, was sentenced to life in 2021 in Manhattan federal court for his own conviction on drug charges.

(AP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose NATO-member country has sought to balance its close relations with both Ukraine and Russia, offered during a visit Friday from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to host a peace summit between the two countries.

Erdogan, who has repeatedly discussed brokering a peace deal, said at a news conference in Istanbul following his meeting with Zelenskyy that he hoped Russia would be on board with Turkeys offer.

Since the beginning, we have contributed as much as we could toward ending the war through negotiations, Erdogan said. We are also ready to host a peace summit in which Russia will also be included.

Ukraine remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks, and Zelenskyy has said multiple times the initiative in peace negotiations must belong to the country which has been invaded.

Zelenskyy said any peace negotiations must align with a 10-point plan he has previously suggested, which includes food security, restoration of Ukraines territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Russian troops, release of all prisoners, a tribunal for those responsible for the aggression, and security guarantees for Ukraine.

Any proposals for settling this war must start with the formula proposed by the state defending its land and its people, he said. We want a fair peace.

The Ukrainian leader expressed hope that at the inaugural peace summit expected to be held this year in Switzerland, the possibility of reopening all Ukrainian ports, not only in Odesa but also in Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine, will be considered.

Zelenskyy, who visited shipyards where corvettes for the Ukrainian navy are being built, said on X that agreements were reached on joint defense projects with the Turkish government and corporations. He said on Telegram that they also agreed to simplify trade and remove barriers to business.

Erdogan said the two discussed stability in the Black Sea shipping corridor and he reiterated Turkeys support for Ukraines territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.

The visit comes as Zelenskyy and other officials continue to press other nations for more munitions and weaponry to halt the advance of Russian troops trying to make deeper gains into the Ukraine-held western part of the Donetsk region and also penetrating into the Kharkiv region north of it in the third year of war.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he was attending a meeting of the foreign ministers of France, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, that drop by drop aid to Ukraine no longer works.

If things continue as they currently happen, its not going to end well for all of us, Kuleba said. What is required is an unrestricted and timely supply of all types of weapons and ammunition to ensure that Ukraine beats Russia and the war in Europe does not spill over.

An envoy from China, which has frustrated Ukraine and its Western allies by boosting trade with Russia and portraying the conflict and its causes largely from Moscows point of view, was in Kyiv on Thursday during a European visit for talks on settling what it calls the Ukraine crisis. Li Hui, the special representative for Eurasian affairs, met with officials from Russia, the EU, Switzerland and Poland before his stop in Ukraine and was scheduled to go on to Germany and France.

Shortly after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Turkey hosted a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers as well as unsuccessful talks between negotiators from the two countries aimed at ending the hostilities.

Later in 2022, Turkey, along with the United Nations, also brokered a deal between Russia and Ukraine that allowed the shipment of millions of tons of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. Russia, however, pulled out of the deal last year, citing obstacles to its export of food and fertilizers.

During Lis visit to Kyiv, Ukrainian officials described the horrors of the war.

It is very important that you hear firsthand about the situation on the front line, what is happening and where we are, Andriy Yermak, the head of the presidential office, said, according to a Ukrainian statement.

It wasnt clear how Li reacted to the presentation. China released a terse statement Friday saying only that Li arrived in Kyiv by train at noon, held candid and friendly talks, and departed by train the same evening.

The war has created a sharp division between China and the West. The Chinese government avoids using the words war or invasion to describe Russias attack and cites NATO expansion as a root cause of the conflict.

The Ukraine statement said the two sides discussed the possibility of Chinas assistance in prisoner exchanges, the return of Ukrainian children in Russia and the return of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which Russia took control of during fighting in 2022.

Ukraine Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko on Friday urged Russia to immediately comply with an International Atomic Energy Agency resolution calling for the complete withdrawal its troops from the Zaporizhzhia plant and return of the station to Ukrainian control.

Every day that Russians stay at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant increases the number of the existing problems and increases the threat of a nuclear incident, Halushchenko said on national television.

In other developments:

 Zelenskyy signed an order Thursday allowing the first demobilization of soldiers who were conscripted into the army before Russias full-scale invasion. The order takes effect in April or May.

The soldiers, who had been required to continue their service after martial law was declared, can return home and remain in the army reserves, according to the order. It was not known how many troops are eligible because that information is classified.

 Indian authorities said Friday that they are in talks with Russia about returning Indian citizens duped into working for the Russian army, a day after a federal investigation agency said it broke up a human trafficking network that lured people to Russia under the pretext of giving them jobs.

(AP)
If you see Hispanics klerring a Rashba in New York City over the coming weeks, dont be surprised. Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Queens has opened a city-funded shelter for migrants, where it will be providing them shelter and food until New York City can figure out what to do with them. The migrants will not be in  or even near  the yeshiva itself. The administration of the Yeshiva says the migrants are simply being housed in a building in Maspeth, Queens, that the yeshiva owns.

The move is part of a broader attempt by Mayor Eric Adams to have religious institutions to open their doors to migrants in exchange for potentially tens of thousands of dollars a month.

The shelter at Chofetz Chaim is the fifth migrant shelter opened at a religious institution in New York City and will house 15 male adults, according to the NY Post.

The city administration aims to alleviate the burden of housing nearly 65,000 migrants, currently in city care, by partnering with faith-based organizations. This move is expected to reduce costs, which are estimated to reach $10 billion in the next fiscal year.

The city plans to provide funding of up to $54,000 per month to religious centers that open their doors to migrants during the day, and up to $35,500 per month or $65 per person per night for overnight shelters. The funding will cover operating costs such as janitorial services, security background checks, laundry, and meals.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi attends the Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 11, 2023. (SPA/Handout via Xinhua)

Over the past year, the Saudi-Iranian relationship has weathered regional turbulence and yielded concrete peace dividends for their people and the region.

CAIRO, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran through China's mediation.

Over the past year, the Saudi-Iranian relationship has weathered regional turbulence and yielded concrete peace dividends for their people and the region.

The historic reconciliation not only epitomizes China's dedication to regional peace but also sets a new paradigm for resolving conflicts through dialogue and negotiation.

Today, China's advocacy for peace still resonates with Middle East countries.

As the protracted Israel-Hamas conflict looms large over the Middle East stability, countries in the region are yearning for more peacemaking efforts to help restore tranquility.





"A NEW FORMULA FOR SECURITY AND PEACE"

The conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran was one of the major sources of tension in the Middle East.

The two countries were at loggerheads over a myriad of issues, engaging in proxy military conflicts by backing opposing forces in countries like Yemen and Syria.

In 2016, Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in response to the attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran after the Kingdom executed a Shiite cleric.

To help the two countries achieve detente, China assumed the role of a mediator, leveraging its amicable relations with them to facilitate communication and dialogue between the feuding parties.

On March 10, 2023, in a joint statement released with China in Beijing, Saudi Arabia and Iran announced that they had reached an agreement to reopen their embassies and diplomatic missions within two months, marking a milestone in the thawing of their relations.

China's facilitation of the Saudi-Iranian reconciliation has acted as a catalyst for a new dawn of detente among Middle Eastern nations.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Alireza Bigdeli (Front) and Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Consular Affairs Ali Al-Yousef (C) attend a ribbon cutting at the opening ceremony of the Iranian embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)

Shortly thereafter, a string of positive advancements unfolded in the Middle East peace process: Syria returned to the Arab League after a hiatus of 12 years; Qatar and Bahrain decided to restore diplomatic ties; relations among Iran, Turkey and Egypt improved; and tensions subsided in Yemen.

"This is a victory for dialogue and peace," said Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, when assessing the historic reconciliation.

"The Chinese-brokered deal for restoring the Iranian-Saudi relations presents the Middle East with a new formula for seeking security and stability," said Noha Bakir, a professor of political science with American University in Cairo.





"THERE IS FAR MORE DEPTH" TO THE DETENTE

Over the past year, building on the conciliation, Saudi Arabia and Iran have been making breakthroughs in exchanges in various domains, including politics and economy.

On April 6, 2023, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, signed a joint declaration in Beijing, announcing an immediate resumption of diplomatic relations.

Just days after the recommencement of ties, Farzad Piltan, West Asia director at Iran's Trade Promotion Organization, announced that in the short term, the restoration of political and diplomatic ties would enable the two countries to achieve 1 billion U.S. dollars in trade, with potential for further expansion to 2 billion dollars in the medium term.

In September 2023, the new Iranian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, arrived in Riyadh. On the same day, the Kingdom's new envoy to Iran, Abdullah bin Saud al-Anzi, began his diplomatic duties in Tehran.

In October, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi held his first-ever phone call with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, aligning their positions on the newly ignited Israel-Hamas conflict.

One month later, upon Saudi Arabia's invitation, Raisi arrived in Riyadh to participate in a joint Arab-Islamic summit on the Palestinian issue, and held a meeting with the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.

The close interactions between Saudi Arabia and Iran over the past year indicate that "there is far more depth" to the detente "than some analysts might have expected a year ago," Giorgio Cafiero, the chief executive officer of Gulf State Analytics, a Washington, D.C.-based geopolitical risk consultancy, opined in a recent article.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud (R) and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian attend a joint press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Aug. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)

With their burgeoning relationship, the two countries are sending a clear message to the outside world: Resilient peace can only be achieved through a reconciliation anchored in sincere dialogue.





CHINA'S DEDICATION TO PEACE STILL RESONATES

At present, the fallout from the Israel-Hamas conflict and certain countries' obstruction of ceasefire efforts are posing a grave threat to the longstanding peace endeavors in the Middle East.

Against such a backdrop, China's advocacy for resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy holds even greater importance for nurturing peace in the still war-torn land.

"Following Beijing's contribution to the reconciliation between Tehran and Riyadh, there has been a perception in the region that China seeks to ... create a regional situation where cooperation can outweigh and replace confrontation," said Abas Aslani, an expert on Iran's foreign policy based in Tehran.

China's dedication to the Saudi-Iranian reconciliation and its success stand in stark contrast to Western intervention in Middle Eastern affairs, which has yielded little progress in advancing the peace process, said Bakir, the Cairo-based professor.

"The Arab world has been fed up with the Western 'conditional relations' ... In such a context, it is sensible for the Arab countries who trust China as a sincere partner to adopt the Chinese diplomacy ... as an appealing model," she added.

China's approach to achieving security resonates with the Middle East nations' aspirations for peaceful development, said Abdulaziz Alshaabani, a Saudi researcher at Al Riyadh Center for Political & Strategic Studies, adding that the Saudi-Iranian reconciliation has solidified the concept of peace and development as a shared consensus across the region.

"The resolution of the Saudi-Iranian rift serves as a testament to the efficacy of China's diplomatic endeavors in fostering regional peace," said Hamed Vafaei, a sinologist at the University of Tehran. "A more peaceful Middle East and world at large requires the participation of more peace contributors like China." 
US President Joe Biden said in an interview on Saturday with MSNBC that invading Rafah would be a red line but hell never leave Israel.

Biden was responding to the question: What is your red line with Prime Minister Netanyahu? Do you have a red line? For instance, would the invasion of Rafah, which you have urged him not to do, be a red line?

It is a red line but Im never going to leave Israel, Biden asserted. The defense of Israel is still critical. Theres no red line. Im not going to cut off all weapons so they dont have the Iron Dome to protect them. But there are red lines that if he crosses them you cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians [according to Hamas figures] dead as a consequence of going after there are other ways to deal, to get to deal with the trauma caused by Hamas.

The first time, I went over, I sat with him, I sat with the war cabinet and I said: Look, dont make the mistake America made. America made a mistake. We went after Bin Laden until we got him. But we shouldnt have gone into Ukraine. I mean we shouldnt have gone into the whole thing in Iraq and Afghanistan  it wasnt necessary, it just caused more problems.

Watch the full interview below:

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Hezbollah launched two rocket barrages toward the air defense base on Har Meron on Sunday morning.

The IDF said that a total of 37 rockets were launched in two barrages at Har Meron, seven of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome. Sirens sounded in Meron and about a dozen surrounding communities in the Upper Galil.

Some rockets fell dangerously close to cars traveling on the highway to Meron but bchasdei Hashem, no injuries or damage were reported.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it fired Katyusha rockets in response to the IDF strikes in southern Lebanon on Motzei Shabbos.

This morning a large barrage of over 30 rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel by Mount Meron pic.twitter.com/dZC7ExXzgZ  Documenting Israel (@DocumentIsrael) March 10, 2024

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
IDF spokesperson in Arabic Avichay Adraee has been receiving letters from Lebanese citizens, including Hezbollah operatives, who fear that Hezbollah will cause Lebanon to suffer the same fate as Gaza.

In response, Adraee published a rare message on his Twitter account on Sunday, recommending that concerned Lebanese citizens contact the Mossad for help.

Recently, I received many messages from Lebanese citizens, including even those who identified themselves as Hezbollah operatives, expressing fear that Hezbollah will lead Lebanon to a fate similar to Gaza, following the path of ISIS and Hamas, and requested to contact Israeli officials, Adraee wrote.

Unfortunately, as I have repeatedly emphasized, I am not the authorized body for this and therefore I cannot provide you with direct solutions, but I can direct you to the Mossads official Facebook page, with the blue verification mark that proves the pages credibility, where you can find the most appropriate way to improve your situation.

I understand your desire for a better situation for your country, and I wish you all a better future and life.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The IDF on Sunday announced the death of Sgt. First Class (res.) Michael Gal, Hyd, 29, of Jerusalem, of the Bislamach Brigades 450th Battalion.

Gal, zl, was killed in battle in the southern Gaza Strip.

His death raises the death toll of the ground war in Gaza to 249 and the death toll of IDF soldiers killed since October 7th to 589.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Qatar is threatening to expel Hamass leaders from the country if they fail to agree to a hostage deal.

Husam Badran, a senior Hamas official based in Doha, denied the claim, stating that Hamas is eager to reach a deal and stop the violence. He added that without an agreement, violence will escalate during Ramadan, which begins Sunday or Monday.

Badran outlined Hamass conditions for a hostage deal, which include a permanent ceasefire, the return of displaced civilians to northern Gaza, increased humanitarian aid, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip. Israel, on the other hand, is seeking a more limited truce and has vowed to continue its offensive to eliminate Hamas and free all hostages.

YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Dozens of Rabbonim gathered Sunday night, joined by many more on the livestream to rabbonim and poskim worldwide, to network, gain chizuk and further their yediyos and skills in their avodas hakodesh. The conference was organized by Kav Halacha Network, the leading resource for shailos and rabbonim.

Harav Shmuel Meir Katz, senior Posek of Lakewood Yeshiva and one of the veteran rabbonim of our generation opened with words of chizuk and guidance. In his unique style he addressed the crowd discussing the approach to difficult shailos and challenges and the role of a rav.

Following Rav Katzs words, Rav Eli Biegeleisen a coordinator of Kav Halacha Network shared some of the options for the tzibbur to ask shailos on the Kav Halacha hotline in various topics and the resources and contacts developed exclusively to support rabbonim in dealing with specialized shailos.

The Rav of Sharei Zedek Hospital, Rav Yosef Sprung was introduced by Rav Shimon Sofer who thanked him for his tremendous chesed in medical halacha areas. Rav Sprung then spoke to the respected audience, sharing his insight and experience as a rav and insider in a frum hospital and practical ideas about helping patients and their families with chizuk and psak.

The hour was getting late, but the mesiras nefesh of the rabbonim was evident as they actively participated in a presentation led by Rav Eliezer Gewirtzman, a well known posek, and Dr. Yisroel Cofsky, an Internist in the community. Bringing the information needed to be able to guide people, pasken on shailos or be able to recognize when or whom to reach out to for complicated questions was the purpose and achieved. The discussion touched on a host of topics and shailos that arise including alzheimers care, dementia, geriatrics, shabbos and yom tov issues, tznius, nursing homes care, and many other points.

The feedback form those attending in person and those remotely was tremendous and bezras Hashem plans are being made for additional meetings on other topics. The dedication and devotion, the effort and work that so many of the communitys rabbonim make to be ready and prepared to be there at every time to guide our kehillos is truly remarkable and cherished.

Dr. Yisroel Cofsky, an Internist, shared critical information on shailos regarding those with Alzheimers, dementia and gericatric care



Rav Eliezer Gewirtzman introduced some shailos on medical issues



Rav Shmuel Meir Katz addressing the packed room and livestream of Rabbonim worldwide



In just 10 years Kav Halacha has grown from a local community resource to a 24-hour-a-day international powerhouse with a network of over 100 Rabbonim capable of responding to over 200,000 annual shailos in every area of halacha. Our Rabbonim are spread over 5 continents and 7 time zones, and along with Rabbinic coordinators, have the right people in place to answer every shaila.

The average response time of the dedicated Kav Halacha poskim is under 3 minutes.

Kav Halacha has many specialized divisions, including:

Medical Halacha

End of Life

Monetary-Ribbis

Fertility

Sephardic

Hashgacha

Tefillin and Mezuzos

Yuchsin

Eiruvin and Techumim

Tumaas Kohanim

You can reach out to Kav Halacha at any time of the day or night at 732.707.6666.

To learn more about Kav Halacha, visit their site at kavhalacha.org.
Unions are seeking urgent talks with British Steel after its auditors warned it may not be able to continue trading.

The Chinese-owned company has not met with senior union officials since November, when it proposed slashing jobs and replacing its blast furnaces with greener electric steelmaking facilities, the Mail on Sunday understands.

Around 2,000 of 4,500 jobs are at risk under the plans and the business says it will need hundreds of millions of pounds in funding from the Government to make the switch.

Unions are hoping to meet senior British Steel staff in early April. The Scunthorpe-based company has three unions  Community, Unite and GMB. It is not yet clear which would attend.

British Steel's financial accounts for 2021, which were published a year late, are understood to have raised major concerns. Auditors Moore Kingston Smith said in January there was a material uncertainty about the company's ability to keep trading without an injection of cash from Chinese owner Jingye.

Staring into the abyss: British Steel has proposed slashing jobs and replacing its blast furnaces with greener electric steelmaking facilities

Moore Kingston Smith resigned as auditor and said it was unable to confirm the existence of 46 million of stock.

An industry source said: 'British Steel needs to get its act together. There are thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of taxpayer cash on the line and they're playing silly buggers.'

Directors said they were 'confident' British Steel would have enough funding for at least 12 months. But the auditors pointed to the absence of 'legally binding' agreements to provide more cash.

British Steel has yet to publish more up-to-date figures, leaving workers in the dark about the state of its finances. A spokesman said its 2022 accounts would be published 'in due course'.
Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by Robert W. Baird from $364.00 to $375.00 in a research note released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. Robert W. Baird currently has a neutral rating on the information technology services providers stock.

Several other brokerages also recently commented on ACN. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $374.00 target price on shares of Accenture in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on shares of Accenture in a report on Thursday, November 16th. They issued a buy rating and a $410.00 target price on the stock. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Accenture from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $440.00 target price on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Mizuho began coverage on shares of Accenture in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $426.00 target price on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Accenture from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Accenture currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $368.85.

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Accenture Trading Down 2.3 %

Accenture stock opened at $378.17 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $237.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.05, a P/E/G ratio of 3.56 and a beta of 1.20. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $365.05 and its 200-day simple moving average is $336.82. Accenture has a 1-year low of $242.80 and a 1-year high of $387.51.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 19th. The information technology services provider reported $3.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.14 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $16.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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 last year, the firm earned $3.08 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Accenture will post 12.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Paula A. Price sold 551 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $345.36, for a total transaction of $190,293.36. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 6,583 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,273,504.88. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Accenture news, CFO Kathleen R. Mcclure sold 851 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $371.77, for a total value of $316,376.27. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 50,737 shares in the company, valued at $18,862,494.49. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Paula A. Price sold 551 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $345.36, for a total transaction of $190,293.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,583 shares in the company, valued at $2,273,504.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 26,551 shares of company stock worth $9,739,791. Corporate insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Accenture

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. First Foundation Advisors raised its stake in shares of Accenture by 6.8% in the second quarter. First Foundation Advisors now owns 11,574 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $3,572,000 after acquiring an additional 741 shares during the last quarter. BOKF NA raised its stake in shares of Accenture by 0.6% in the second quarter. BOKF NA now owns 45,759 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $14,120,000 after acquiring an additional 276 shares during the last quarter. New Republic Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Accenture during the second quarter worth approximately $606,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its stake in shares of Accenture by 2.3% during the third quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 4,284,770 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,315,832,000 after buying an additional 96,414 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dash Acquisitions Inc. raised its stake in shares of Accenture by 1.0% during the third quarter. Dash Acquisitions Inc. now owns 34,043 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $10,361,000 after buying an additional 330 shares during the last quarter. 70.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Accenture

(Get 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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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. (NYSE:ASR  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday.

Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on ASR. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from a sell rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $274.00 to $326.00 in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Citigroup cut Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from a neutral rating to a sell rating and lowered their price target for the company from $228.00 to $222.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 28th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from an underperform rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $274.00.

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Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. Stock Up 1.1 %

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V.

ASR opened at $294.11 on Thursday. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. has a 12 month low of $165.00 and a 12 month high of $317.94. The stock has a market cap of $8.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.02, a P/E/G ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 1.17. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $290.96 and its 200 day moving average price is $260.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 4.26 and a quick ratio of 2.97.

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. CWM LLC grew its holdings in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 227.8% in the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 118 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 62.6% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 187 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $55,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 116.7% in the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 221 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $65,000 after acquiring an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 30.6% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 269 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $66,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Atlas Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 21.0% in the second quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 248 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $69,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the period. 13.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V.

(Get Free Report)

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. holds concessions to operate, maintain, and develop airports in the southeast region of Mexico. The company operates airports that are located in the cities of Cancun, Cozumel, Merida, Huatulco, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Villahermosa, Tapachula, and Minatitlan.

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Shares of Power Co. of Canada (TSE:POW  Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the six research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$40.67.

POW has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Scotiabank upped their price objective on shares of Power Co. of Canada from C$44.00 to C$45.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on shares of Power Co. of Canada from C$41.00 to C$38.00 in a research note on Monday, November 13th. Cfra increased their target price on shares of Power Co. of Canada from C$36.00 to C$39.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Power Co. of Canada from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their target price for the stock from C$41.00 to C$45.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, CIBC increased their target price on shares of Power Co. of Canada from C$38.00 to C$40.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th.

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Power Co. of Canada Stock Performance

Power Co. of Canada Company Profile

TSE POW opened at C$39.38 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.89, a current ratio of 45.83 and a quick ratio of 107.64. Power Co. of Canada has a 1 year low of C$32.33 and a 1 year high of C$40.30. The company has a market capitalization of C$23.66 billion, a PE ratio of 15.63, a P/E/G ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a fifty day moving average of C$38.68 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$37.05.

(Get Free Report

Power Corporation of Canada, an international management and holding company, offers financial services in North America, Europe, and Asia. It operates through Lifeco, IGM Financial, and GBL segments. The company offers life, disability, critical illness, accidental death, dismemberment, health and dental protection, and creditor insurance; retirement and investment management; fund and asset management; reinsurance and retrocession; investment advisory, financial planning, and related services; fund products; and protection and wealth management services.

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Chinese leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng attend the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, China's top political advisory body, concluded its annual session on Sunday, calling on political advisors to contribute to great unity and solidarity and pool strength for advancing Chinese modernization.

Chinese leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng attended the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, which gathered more than 2,000 political advisors.

The meeting was presided over by Wang Huning, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee.

A resolution on a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, a resolution on a report on how the proposals from political advisors had been handled since the previous annual session, a report on the examination of new proposals, and a political resolution on the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee were approved at the meeting.

The meeting called on all the participating organizations of the CPPCC, its committees at all levels, and political advisors to rally more closely around the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and open up new prospects for the CPPCC's endeavors in the new era.

Over the past year, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core united and led the whole Party and the entire nation to work hard and march forward bravely, successfully achieving the main goals for economic and social development, and leading the great ship of China to navigate through waves and move forward courageously, Wang said in his address.

These achievements received high praise from all CPPCC National Committee members, he added.

The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the CPPCC's establishment. Wang said that over the past 75 years, the CPPCC, under the leadership of the CPC, has traversed a glorious course in its efforts toward founding and developing the People's Republic of China, exploring the path of reform, and realizing the Chinese Dream.

Wang emphasized the need for the CPPCC to enhance its capacity for political consultation, democratic oversight, and participation in and deliberation of state affairs.

Calling for dedication, responsibility, and commitment in the journey toward Chinese modernization, he urged political advisors to strive in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts. 

The closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

Wang Huning, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, presides over the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2024. Wang delivered a speech at the meeting on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

The closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

The closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

The closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)
Shares of Skyline Champion Co. (NYSE:SKY  Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the five analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $71.40.

A number of brokerages have weighed in on SKY. Wedbush reiterated a neutral rating and set a $72.00 price target on shares of Skyline Champion in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Skyline Champion from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Skyline Champion from $69.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Skyline Champion from $61.00 to $69.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 13th.

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Skyline Champion Stock Performance

NYSE:SKY opened at $83.19 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.56, a quick ratio of 1.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The companys 50-day moving average price is $75.43 and its 200-day moving average price is $68.28. Skyline Champion has a twelve month low of $52.12 and a twelve month high of $86.10. The company has a market cap of $4.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.84 and a beta of 1.53.

Skyline Champion (NYSE:SKY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 5th. The company reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.70 by $0.12. Skyline Champion had a net margin of 10.19% and a return on equity of 15.45%. The company had revenue of $559.46 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $505.20 million. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Skyline Champion will post 3.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Skyline Champion news, Director Keith A. Anderson sold 18,750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.00, for a total transaction of $1,368,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 238,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,381,154. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 7.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Skyline Champion

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. William Blair Investment Management LLC raised its position in Skyline Champion by 19.1% in the 3rd quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 1,112,034 shares of the companys stock valued at $70,859,000 after purchasing an additional 178,099 shares during the last quarter. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. increased its stake in Skyline Champion by 5.7% in the 3rd quarter. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. now owns 600,406 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,258,000 after buying an additional 32,480 shares during the period. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Skyline Champion in the 3rd quarter valued at $2,482,000. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC increased its stake in Skyline Champion by 4.9% in the 3rd quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 4,365 shares of the companys stock valued at $278,000 after buying an additional 205 shares during the period. Finally, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale acquired a new position in Skyline Champion in the 3rd quarter valued at $94,000.

About Skyline Champion

(Get Free Report

Skyline Champion Corporation produces and sells factory-built housing in North America. The company offers manufactured and modular homes, park models RVs, accessory dwelling units, and modular buildings for the multi-family and hospitality sectors. It builds homes under the Skyline Homes, Champion Home Builders, Genesis Homes, Athens Park Models, Dutch Housing, Atlantic Homes, Excel Homes, Homes of Merit, New Era, Redman Homes, ScotBilt Homes, Shore Park, Silvercrest, and Titan Homes brands in the United States; and Moduline and SRI Homes brand names in western Canada.

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Independence Realty Trust (NYSE:IRT  Free Report) had its price objective raised by JMP Securities from $15.00 to $17.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a market outperform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock.

Several other analysts also recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Independence Realty Trust from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Independence Realty Trust from $22.00 to $18.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Independence Realty Trust in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a buy rating and a $18.00 target price for the company. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an underperform rating and set a $15.00 target price (up previously from $14.00) on shares of Independence Realty Trust in a report on Friday, December 15th. Finally, TheStreet downgraded shares of Independence Realty Trust from a c rating to a d+ rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $17.00.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on Independence Realty Trust

Independence Realty Trust Stock Performance

Independence Realty Trust Announces Dividend

Shares of IRT stock opened at $16.20 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -231.40 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $15.14 and a 200 day simple moving average of $14.68. Independence Realty Trust has a 52 week low of $11.61 and a 52 week high of $18.77.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 29th were issued a $0.16 dividend. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 28th. Independence Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently -914.16%.

Institutional Trading of Independence Realty Trust

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sentinus LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Independence Realty Trust by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Sentinus LLC now owns 18,304 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $293,000 after acquiring an additional 678 shares during the period. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Independence Realty Trust by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 63,209 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,066,000 after acquiring an additional 679 shares during the period. Penserra Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Independence Realty Trust by 2.5% during the 3rd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 31,415 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $441,000 after acquiring an additional 774 shares during the period. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Independence Realty Trust by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 65,231 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,106,000 after acquiring an additional 821 shares during the period. Finally, Profund Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Independence Realty Trust by 8.0% during the 4th quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 11,721 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $179,000 after acquiring an additional 871 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 85.45% of the companys stock.

About Independence Realty Trust

(Get Free Report)

Independence Realty Trust, Inc (NYSE: IRT) is a real estate investment trust that owns and operates multifamily communities, across non-gateway U.S. markets including Atlanta, GA, Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, Columbus, OH, Indianapolis, IN, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Oklahoma City, OK, Nashville, TN, Houston, TX, and Tampa, FL.

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GSA Capital Partners LLP purchased a new position in Proto Labs, Inc. (NYSE:PRLB  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 42,820 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $1,130,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP owned 0.17% of Proto Labs at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. UBS Group AG increased its stake in Proto Labs by 9.9% during the 2nd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,378 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $114,000 after buying an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC increased its stake in Proto Labs by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 18,333 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $484,000 after buying an additional 342 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming increased its stake in Proto Labs by 40.0% during the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 1,505 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 430 shares in the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky increased its stake in Proto Labs by 6.0% during the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 8,537 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $298,000 after buying an additional 482 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Swiss National Bank increased its stake in Proto Labs by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 57,600 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,521,000 after buying an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.97% of the companys stock.

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Proto Labs Price Performance

PRLB stock opened at $37.55 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $36.52 and a 200-day simple moving average of $32.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $965.79 million, a PE ratio of 56.04 and a beta of 1.34. Proto Labs, Inc. has a 1 year low of $23.01 and a 1 year high of $41.87.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Proto Labs ( NYSE:PRLB Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 9th. The industrial products company reported $0.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $125.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $122.81 million. Proto Labs had a net margin of 3.42% and a return on equity of 2.51%. Proto Labss revenue for the quarter was up 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned ($4.24) earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Proto Labs, Inc. will post 0.94 EPS for the current year.

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded Proto Labs from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd.

View Our Latest Analysis on PRLB

Proto Labs Profile

(Free Report)

Proto Labs, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a digital manufacturer of custom parts in the United States and Europe. The company offers injection molding; computer numerical control machining; three-dimensional printing; and sheet metal fabrication products. It serves developers and engineers, who use 3D computer-aided design software to design products across a range of end-markets.

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Scottish Mortgage (LON:SMT  Get Free Report) shares passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 780.94 ($9.91) and traded as high as GBX 796.60 ($10.11). Scottish Mortgage shares last traded at GBX 786.80 ($9.99), with a volume of 3,693,747 shares traded.

Scottish Mortgage Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 15.86. The company has a market cap of 11.09 billion, a PE ratio of -383.80 and a beta of 0.70. The businesss 50 day moving average is GBX 780.94 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 728.83.

About Scottish Mortgage

(Get Free Report)

Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust PLC is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Baillie Gifford & Co Ltd. The fund is co-managed by Baillie Gifford & Co It invests in public equity markets of countries across the globe. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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BRYN MAWR TRUST Co cut its stake in shares of The Allstate Co. (NYSE:ALL  Free Report) by 10.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 3,898 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 444 shares during the period. BRYN MAWR TRUST Cos holdings in Allstate were worth $434,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Allstate by 3.1% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 24,850,782 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $3,442,082,000 after buying an additional 745,096 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Allstate by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 22,294,372 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $2,430,978,000 after purchasing an additional 181,050 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in Allstate by 9.0% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 6,039,351 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $669,221,000 after purchasing an additional 499,056 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in Allstate by 3.0% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,926,917 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $660,318,000 after purchasing an additional 172,250 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Allstate by 1.1% during the first quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,815,257 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $643,015,000 after buying an additional 63,438 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.23% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Allstate news, CAO John C. Pintozzi sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $159.47, for a total value of $637,880.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 10,736 shares in the company, valued at $1,712,069.92. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 1.70% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Allstate Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of ALL opened at $156.92 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $155.67 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $135.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.37 and a quick ratio of 0.37. The Allstate Co. has a one year low of $100.57 and a one year high of $168.05. The company has a market cap of $41.28 billion, a P/E ratio of -126.55, a P/E/G ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 0.51.

Allstate (NYSE:ALL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The insurance provider reported $5.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.87 by $1.95. Allstate had a positive return on equity of 2.67% and a negative net margin of 0.33%. The company had revenue of $14.83 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.69 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted ($1.36) EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that The Allstate Co. will post 12.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Allstate Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Investors of record on Monday, March 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.92 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 1st. This is a positive change from Allstates previous quarterly dividend of $0.89. This represents a $3.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.35%. Allstates payout ratio is -296.77%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently commented on ALL shares. UBS Group lifted their target price on Allstate from $171.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, February 12th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on shares of Allstate from $171.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Raymond James increased their price target on shares of Allstate from $155.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. TheStreet raised Allstate from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, TD Cowen began coverage on shares of Allstate in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued an outperform rating and a $193.00 price target on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $159.12.

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Allstate Profile

(Free Report)

The Allstate Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides property and casualty, and other insurance products in the United States and Canada. The company operates through Allstate Protection; Protection Services; Allstate Health and Benefits; and Run-off Property-Liability segments. The Allstate Protection segment offers private passenger auto and homeowners insurance; other personal lines products; and commercial lines products under the Allstate and Encompass brand names.

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Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:FLAX  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 2,741 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $56,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in FLAX. Prudential Financial Inc. increased its position in Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF by 434.3% during the first quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 266,192 shares of the companys stock worth $6,370,000 after buying an additional 216,368 shares during the period. UBS Group AG acquired a new position in shares of Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Citadel Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF by 72.5% in the third quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 165,242 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,092,000 after purchasing an additional 69,475 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF by 60.3% in the third quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 134,803 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,522,000 after purchasing an additional 50,705 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in shares of Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $179,000.

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Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF Trading Down 0.1 %

NYSEARCA:FLAX opened at $21.68 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $30.35 million, a P/E ratio of 12.44 and a beta of 0.67. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $20.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $20.73. Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF has a 12-month low of $18.81 and a 12-month high of $22.30.

Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF Company Profile

The Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (FLAX) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE Asia ex Japan RIC Capped index. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of large- and mid-cap stocks from developed and emerging Asian countries, excluding Japan. FLAX was launched on Feb 6, 2018 and is managed by Franklin Templeton.

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Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Xylem Inc. (NYSE:XYL  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund acquired 522 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $48,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in shares of Xylem by 21.3% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 25,741,159 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,898,969,000 after buying an additional 4,521,913 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Xylem by 7.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 20,390,911 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,738,529,000 after buying an additional 1,435,798 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Xylem by 28.3% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 9,868,835 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,111,428,000 after buying an additional 2,176,790 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Xylem by 34.8% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,021,113 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $563,981,000 after buying an additional 1,295,550 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted its position in shares of Xylem by 11.5% in the 3rd quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 4,528,905 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $412,267,000 after buying an additional 466,911 shares in the last quarter. 84.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently commented on XYL shares. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Xylem from $136.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Xylem from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on shares of Xylem in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. They issued an outperform rating and a $127.00 target price for the company. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Xylem from $122.00 to $126.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Raymond James raised shares of Xylem from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $130.38.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CAO Geri-Michelle Mcshane sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $122.89, for a total transaction of $122,890.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 2,935 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $360,682.15. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, SVP Franz Cerwinka sold 2,408 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.79, for a total transaction of $293,270.32. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 11,750 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,431,032.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CAO Geri-Michelle Mcshane sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $122.89, for a total value of $122,890.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 2,935 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $360,682.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock.

Xylem Trading Up 0.1 %

NYSE XYL opened at $127.08 on Friday. Xylem Inc. has a 12 month low of $87.59 and a 12 month high of $128.58. The company has a 50-day moving average of $118.49 and a 200-day moving average of $105.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 1.76 and a quick ratio of 1.30. The company has a market cap of $30.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.72, a P/E/G ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 1.11.

Xylem (NYSE:XYL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The industrial products company reported $0.99 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.96 by $0.03. Xylem had a net margin of 8.27% and a return on equity of 9.65%. The company had revenue of $2.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.05 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.92 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 40.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Xylem Inc. will post 4.13 earnings per share for the current year.

Xylem Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 21st will be given a dividend of $0.36 per share. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.13%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 20th. This is an increase from Xylems previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. Xylems dividend payout ratio is 52.94%.

Xylem Company Profile

(Free Report)

Xylem Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and servicing of engineered products and solutions worldwide. It operates through four segments: Water Infrastructure, Applied Water, Measurement & Control Solutions, and Integrated Solutions and Services. The Water Infrastructure segment offers products, including water, storm water, and wastewater pumps; controls and systems; filtration, disinfection, and biological treatment equipment; and mobile dewatering equipment and rental services under the ADI, Flygt, Godwin, Sanitaire, Magneto, Neptune Benson, Ionpure, Leopold, Wedeco, and Xylem Vue brands.

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Laraway Financial Advisors Inc cut its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,001 shares of the companys stock after selling 73 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company accounts for 1.7% of Laraway Financial Advisors Incs portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Laraway Financial Advisors Incs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,612,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Cassia Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.8% in the third quarter. Cassia Capital Partners LLC now owns 951 shares of the companys stock worth $511,000 after buying an additional 17 shares during the period. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% in the third quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC now owns 621 shares of the companys stock worth $334,000 after buying an additional 17 shares during the period. Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% in the third quarter. Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC now owns 623 shares of the companys stock worth $335,000 after buying an additional 17 shares during the period. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.3% in the third quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 1,280 shares of the companys stock worth $688,000 after buying an additional 17 shares during the period. Finally, Lathrop Investment Management Corp boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.2% in the third quarter. Lathrop Investment Management Corp now owns 1,476 shares of the companys stock worth $793,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the period. 81.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Eli Lilly and Company

In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 14,388 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $630.28, for a total transaction of $9,068,468.64. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 99,754,422 shares in the company, valued at $62,873,217,098.16. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders have sold 195,055 shares of company stock worth $125,254,657 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

Shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock traded down $18.02 during trading on Friday, reaching $762.14. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,054,925 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,134,959. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.94. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $694.00 and its 200-day moving average price is $618.24. The firm has a market cap of $724.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 131.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.34. Eli Lilly and Company has a one year low of $312.31 and a one year high of $800.78.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.30 by $0.19. The business had revenue of $9.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.95 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 51.22% and a net margin of 15.36%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.09 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently commented on LLY shares. Truist Financial raised their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $650.00 to $850.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $710.00 to $865.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $800.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Barclays lifted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $680.00 to $810.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, TheStreet cut Eli Lilly and Company from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $677.62.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on LLY

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.

Further Reading

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Creative Planning increased its position in shares of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE  Free Report) by 26.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 914,838 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 192,804 shares during the period. Creative Plannings holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $52,411,000 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 NEE. Country Trust Bank raised its position in shares of NextEra Energy by 975.6% in the third quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 441 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp grew its stake in NextEra Energy by 59.8% during the third quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 556 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in NextEra Energy in the second quarter worth $32,000. West Tower Group LLC acquired a new position in NextEra Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Legacy Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of NextEra Energy during the third quarter worth approximately $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.48% of the companys stock.

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NextEra Energy Price Performance

NEE stock traded up $1.56 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $57.81. 12,735,605 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 11,258,900. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $118.65 billion, a PE ratio of 16.01, a P/E/G ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.50. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 52 week low of $47.15 and a 52 week high of $79.78. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $57.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $59.19.

NextEra Energy Increases Dividend

NextEra Energy ( NYSE:NEE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.49 by $0.03. NextEra Energy had a net margin of 26.00% and a return on equity of 11.73%. The company had revenue of $6.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.72 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.51 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.56%. This is a positive change from NextEra Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 26th. NextEra Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 57.06%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on NextEra Energy from $79.00 to $76.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. StockNews.com cut NextEra Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Monday, February 19th. Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of NextEra Energy in a report on Friday, December 8th. They issued a buy rating and a $69.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $74.00 target price on shares of NextEra Energy in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. Finally, Guggenheim increased their price target on shares of NextEra Energy from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $71.85.

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NextEra Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

NextEra Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The company generates electricity through wind, solar, nuclear,natural gas, and other clean energy. It also develops, constructs, and operates long-term contracted assets that consists of clean energy solutions, such as renewable generation facilities, battery storage projects, and electric transmission facilities; sells energy commodities; and owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets.

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Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC reduced its holdings in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV  Free Report) by 13.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,700 shares of the airlines stock after selling 1,891 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $344,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Southwest Airlines by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 63,028,745 shares of the airlines stock worth $2,886,717,000 after buying an additional 1,213,767 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in Southwest Airlines by 39.7% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 21,991,802 shares of the airlines stock worth $715,615,000 after buying an additional 6,244,136 shares during the period. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. increased its position in Southwest Airlines by 7.5% in the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 18,213,320 shares of the airlines stock worth $613,243,000 after buying an additional 1,269,782 shares during the period. Capital World Investors increased its position in Southwest Airlines by 356.1% in the 2nd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 15,168,998 shares of the airlines stock worth $549,269,000 after buying an additional 11,843,216 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Southwest Airlines by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 12,482,011 shares of the airlines stock worth $451,167,000 after buying an additional 244,723 shares during the period. 78.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Southwest Airlines Price Performance

Southwest Airlines stock opened at $34.26 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.14. The firm has a market cap of $20.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.68, a P/E/G ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 1.16. The businesss fifty day moving average is $31.50 and its two-hundred day moving average is $28.63. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 52 week low of $21.91 and a 52 week high of $39.53.

Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend

Southwest Airlines ( NYSE:LUV Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The airline reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.12 by $0.25. The company had revenue of $6.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.75 billion. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 9.40% and a net margin of 1.91%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted ($0.38) earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 1.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm 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 $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 5th. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.10%. Southwest Airliness payout ratio is 96.00%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LUV has been the topic of several recent research reports. Raymond James lifted their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $20.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. Melius lowered Southwest Airlines from a neutral rating to an underweight rating in a report on Monday, November 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Southwest Airlines from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $28.00 to $42.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Evercore ISI reissued an inline rating and set a $35.00 price objective on shares of Southwest Airlines in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $30.93.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Southwest Airlines

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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Folk artists give a dragon dance performance in Zaozhuang City, east China's Shandong Province, March 9, 2024.

Various celebrations were held for the upcoming Longtaitou Day, a traditional day for a new haircut after the Spring Festival.

The day of Longtaitou, which literally means "dragon raises head," falls on the second day of the second lunar month. (Photo by Wang Longfei/Xinhua)

People perform Yangge folk dance at Dongli Community in Licang District in Qingdao City, east China's Shandong Province, March 9, 2024.

Various celebrations were held for the upcoming Longtaitou Day, a traditional day for a new haircut after the Spring Festival.

The day of Longtaitou, which literally means "dragon raises head," falls on the second day of the second lunar month. (Photo by Zhang Ying/Xinhua)

Children give a dragon dance performance at Yinghui kindergarten in Xianju County in Taizhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 8, 2024.

Various celebrations were held for the upcoming Longtaitou Day, a traditional day for a new haircut after the Spring Festival.

The day of Longtaitou, which literally means "dragon raises head," falls on the second day of the second lunar month. (Photo by Wang Huabin/Xinhua)

Folk artists give a lion dance performance in Zaozhuang City, east China's Shandong Province, March 9, 2024.

Various celebrations were held for the upcoming Longtaitou Day, a traditional day for a new haircut after the Spring Festival.

The day of Longtaitou, which literally means "dragon raises head," falls on the second day of the second lunar month. (Photo by Sun Yang/Xinhua)

Villagers watch a shadow play in Yangju Village in Jingning County in Pingliang City, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 8, 2024.

Various celebrations were held for the upcoming Longtaitou Day, a traditional day for a new haircut after the Spring Festival.

The day of Longtaitou, which literally means "dragon raises head," falls on the second day of the second lunar month. (Photo by Wang Yi/Xinhua)

People perform Yangge folk dance in Linyi City, east China's Shandong Province, March 9, 2024.

Various celebrations were held for the upcoming Longtaitou Day, a traditional day for a new haircut after the Spring Festival.

The day of Longtaitou, which literally means "dragon raises head," falls on the second day of the second lunar month. (Photo by Xu Chuanbao/Xinhua)

Folk artists give a dragon dance performance in Zaozhuang City, east China's Shandong Province, March 9, 2024.

Various celebrations were held for the upcoming Longtaitou Day, a traditional day for a new haircut after the Spring Festival.

The day of Longtaitou, which literally means "dragon raises head," falls on the second day of the second lunar month. (Photo by Song Haicun/Xinhua)

Children get new hairdos at Lijia kindergarten in Fengjia Township in Binzhou City, east China's Shandong Province, March 8, 2024.

Various celebrations were held for the upcoming Longtaitou Day, a traditional day for a new haircut after the Spring Festival.

The day of Longtaitou, which literally means "dragon raises head," falls on the second day of the second lunar month. (Photo by Jia Haining/Xinhua)

Folk artists give a dragon dance performance in Zaozhuang City, east China's Shandong Province, March 9, 2024.

Various celebrations were held for the upcoming Longtaitou Day, a traditional day for a new haircut after the Spring Festival.

The day of Longtaitou, which literally means "dragon raises head," falls on the second day of the second lunar month. (Photo by Li Zhijun/Xinhua)
JANA Partners Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm acquired 3,736,326 shares of the information technology services providers stock, valued at approximately $206,507,000. Fidelity National Information Services accounts for approximately 14.7% of JANA Partners Management LPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 4th biggest position. JANA Partners Management LP owned 0.63% of Fidelity National Information Services as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its holdings in Fidelity National Information Services by 115.2% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 14,426,414 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $789,119,000 after purchasing an additional 7,721,981 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services during the 4th quarter worth $449,526,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services during the 4th quarter worth $390,114,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 660.0% during the 3rd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 3,328,124 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $183,944,000 after acquiring an additional 2,890,185 shares during the period. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its holdings in Fidelity National Information Services by 97.9% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 5,542,033 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $376,027,000 after buying an additional 2,741,991 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.67% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. TheStreet upgraded shares of Fidelity National Information Services from a d rating to a c rating in a report on Monday, February 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Fidelity National Information Services from $68.00 to $71.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. UBS Group lifted their target price on Fidelity National Information Services from $66.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Fidelity National Information Services from $73.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Fidelity National Information Services from $67.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $69.47.

Fidelity National Information Services Price Performance

Fidelity National Information Services stock traded up $0.50 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $69.65. 3,698,326 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,328,022. The company has a market capitalization of $40.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.20, a P/E/G ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 0.97. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $63.35 and its 200-day simple moving average is $58.09. Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $46.91 and a 1 year high of $70.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 0.75.

Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE:FIS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 26th. The information technology services provider reported $0.94 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.95 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $2.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.52 billion. Fidelity National Information Services had a positive return on equity of 13.06% and a negative net margin of 54.30%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.71 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. will post 4.71 EPS for the current year.

Fidelity National Information Services Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be paid a $0.36 dividend. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.07%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. Fidelity National Information Servicess payout ratio is -12.81%.

Fidelity National Information Services declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Monday, February 26th that authorizes the company to buyback $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the information technology services provider to purchase up to 1.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Fidelity National Information Services news, Director Ellen R. Alemany purchased 735 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 17th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $60.32 per share, with a total value of $44,335.20. Following the purchase, the director now owns 35,333 shares in the company, valued at $2,131,286.56. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.56% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Fidelity National Information Services Company Profile

(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.

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Laraway Financial Advisors Inc lowered its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares (NYSEARCA:VEA  Free Report) by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 72,868 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,137 shares during the period. Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares comprises approximately 3.3% of Laraway Financial Advisors Incs holdings, making the stock its 5th largest holding. Laraway Financial Advisors Incs holdings in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares were worth $3,186,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in VEA. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P increased its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares by 1.1% during the first quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P now owns 1,002,770 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,163,000 after buying an additional 11,011 shares during the period. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. grew its stake in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares by 70.3% in the first quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 26,321 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,264,000 after purchasing an additional 10,861 shares during the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its stake in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares by 3.0% in the first quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 5,186,505 shares of the companys stock valued at $249,108,000 after purchasing an additional 152,648 shares during the last quarter. MAS Advisors LLC grew its stake in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares by 13.7% in the first quarter. MAS Advisors LLC now owns 44,656 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,178,000 after purchasing an additional 5,372 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new position in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares in the first quarter valued at about $6,004,000.

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Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares Stock Performance

VEA traded down $0.14 on Friday, hitting $49.97. The company had a trading volume of 10,492,512 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,418,385. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $47.82 and a 200-day moving average price of $45.91. Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares has a 12-month low of $41.48 and a 12-month high of $50.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $122.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.40 and a beta of 0.89.

About Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares

The Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund (VEA) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a market-cap weighted index of large-, mid- and small-cap stocks from developed markets outside the US. VEA was launched on Jul 20, 2007 and is managed by Vanguard.

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SkyView Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB  Free Report) by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,511 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after buying an additional 388 shares during the period. SkyView Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Schlumberger were worth $729,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. BluePath Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Schlumberger in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. MCF Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Schlumberger by 1,355.9% in the 3rd quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 495 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 461 shares during the period. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO bought a new stake in Schlumberger in the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new stake in Schlumberger in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Global Trust Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Schlumberger by 51.5% in the 3rd quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 588 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. 79.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Stephane Biguet sold 6,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.86, for a total value of $336,625.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 163,515 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,806,917.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CFO Stephane Biguet sold 6,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.86, for a total value of $336,625.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 163,515 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,806,917.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Katharina Beumelburg sold 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.62, for a total transaction of $420,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 15,581 shares in the company, valued at approximately $819,872.22. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 178,441 shares of company stock valued at $8,972,947 in the last 90 days. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Benchmark restated a buy rating and issued a $68.00 price objective on shares of Schlumberger in a research note on Monday, March 4th. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Schlumberger from $77.00 to $74.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Schlumberger from $69.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Schlumberger from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $66.00 price objective on shares of Schlumberger in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Schlumberger has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $70.87.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Schlumberger

Schlumberger Price Performance

NYSE:SLB traded down $0.38 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $50.40. 7,026,732 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,346,529. Schlumberger Limited has a 12 month low of $42.73 and a 12 month high of $62.12. The company has a fifty day moving average of $49.50 and a 200 day moving average of $53.68. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The stock has a market cap of $71.94 billion, a PE ratio of 17.26, a PEG ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 1.59.

Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 19th. The oil and gas company reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.84 by $0.02. Schlumberger had a net margin of 12.68% and a return on equity of 21.97%. The firm had revenue of $8.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.96 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.71 EPS. The companys revenue was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Schlumberger Limited will post 3.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Schlumberger Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 4th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.98%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 6th. Schlumbergers dividend payout ratio is currently 34.25%.

About Schlumberger

(Free Report)

Schlumberger Limited engages in the provision of technology for the energy industry worldwide. The company operates through four divisions: Digital & Integration, Reservoir Performance, Well Construction, and Production Systems. The company provides field development and hydrocarbon production, carbon management, and integration of adjacent energy systems; reservoir interpretation and data processing services for exploration data; and well construction and production improvement services and products.

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SkyView Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 5.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,091 shares of the investment management companys stock after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. SkyView Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $677,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of GS. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 19,822,469 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $6,393,539,000 after buying an additional 76,641 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 40.0% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 5,936,351 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,038,425,000 after buying an additional 1,696,350 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 4,764,509 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,396,236,000 after buying an additional 52,016 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp boosted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,339,851 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,080,676,000 after buying an additional 104,424 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 6.1% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,792,239 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $903,485,000 after purchasing an additional 159,512 shares during the last quarter. 69.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

GS has been the topic of several recent research reports. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $357.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, January 18th. JMP Securities restated a market outperform rating and set a $440.00 target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Barclays boosted their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $437.00 to $493.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $398.00 to $421.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Finally, UBS Group lifted 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. Six equities research 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.com, The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $408.98.

Insider Transactions at The Goldman Sachs Group

In related news, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 12,680 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $394.43, for a total transaction of $5,001,372.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 29,417 shares in the company, valued at $11,602,947.31. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, Treasurer Philip R. Berlinski sold 11,650 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $390.64, for a total transaction of $4,550,956.00. Following the transaction, the treasurer now owns 18,408 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,190,901.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 12,680 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $394.43, for a total value of $5,001,372.40. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 29,417 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,602,947.31. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 39,064 shares of company stock valued at $15,082,153. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Down 0.4 %

NYSE GS traded down $1.44 on Friday, reaching $386.99. The stock had a trading volume of 1,657,387 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,169,316. The firm has a market capitalization of $125.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.96, a P/E/G ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $289.36 and a 12-month high of $397.49. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $384.85 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $351.00.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 16th. The investment management company reported $5.48 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.62 by $1.86. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 8.03% and a net margin of 7.85%. The business had revenue of $11.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.80 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.32 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 32.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be given a dividend of $2.75 per share. This represents a $11.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.84%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 48.20%.

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 financing under securities to resale agreements.

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Asset Allocation Strategies LLC cut its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 7.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 7,447 shares of the companys stock after selling 575 shares during the quarter. Asset Allocation Strategies LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $313,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in Altria Group by 1,800.0% during the third quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. now owns 703 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 666 shares during the period. Strait & Sound Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $410,000. Cravens & Co Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Altria Group by 2.8% in the third quarter. Cravens & Co Advisors LLC now owns 9,858 shares of the companys stock valued at $415,000 after acquiring an additional 271 shares in the last quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. boosted its stake in Altria Group by 1.1% in the third quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 39,661 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,668,000 after acquiring an additional 434 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Advisors Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Altria Group by 3.8% in the third quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 303,499 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,762,000 after acquiring an additional 11,144 shares in the last quarter. 58.94% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Altria Group Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE:MO traded up $0.32 on Friday, hitting $41.87. 9,417,493 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,401,494. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $39.06 and a 1-year high of $48.04. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $40.76 and its 200 day moving average price is $41.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.65.

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 net margin of 33.21% and a negative return on equity of 244.55%. The business had revenue of $5.02 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.06 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.18 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Thursday, February 1st that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to reacquire up to 1.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.98 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 22nd. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.36%. Altria Groups payout ratio is currently 85.78%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have weighed in on MO. UBS Group restated a sell rating and issued a $36.10 target price on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two 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 price target of $47.22.

View Our Latest Report on MO

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 offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand.

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Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. lowered its stake in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO  Free Report) by 1.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 71,523 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,149 shares during the quarter. AutoZone comprises approximately 1.1% of Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. owned about 0.41% of AutoZone worth $181,668,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Williams Jones Wealth Management LLC. increased its holdings in AutoZone by 4.6% in the first quarter. Williams Jones Wealth Management LLC. now owns 91 shares of the companys stock worth $224,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares in the last quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton grew its stake in AutoZone by 8.2% in the third quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 53 shares of the companys stock valued at $135,000 after acquiring an additional 4 shares during the period. CWM LLC grew its stake in AutoZone by 1.3% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 301 shares of the companys stock valued at $765,000 after acquiring an additional 4 shares during the period. Private Trust Co. NA grew its stake in AutoZone by 2.9% in the third quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 142 shares of the companys stock valued at $361,000 after acquiring an additional 4 shares during the period. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in AutoZone by 2.0% in the third quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 202 shares of the companys stock valued at $513,000 after acquiring an additional 4 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.34% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have commented on AZO. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on AutoZone from $2,900.00 to $3,100.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. DA Davidson raised their price objective on AutoZone from $2,770.00 to $3,025.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on AutoZone from $3,000.00 to $3,200.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. William Blair reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their target price on AutoZone from $3,027.00 to $3,363.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, AutoZone presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $3,020.76.

AutoZone Price Performance

Shares of AZO traded down $44.52 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $3,079.49. The stock had a trading volume of 139,488 shares, compared to its average volume of 164,874. The firm has a market cap of $53.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.68, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.70. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $2,764.14 and a 200-day moving average price of $2,643.09. AutoZone, Inc. has a 52 week low of $2,277.88 and a 52 week high of $3,152.66.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The company reported $28.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $26.08 by $2.81. The firm had revenue of $3.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.32 billion. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 56.06% and a net margin of 14.70%. The businesss revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $24.64 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that AutoZone, Inc. will post 150.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at AutoZone

In other AutoZone news, COO Thomas B. Newbern sold 7,800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, January 5th. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at $6,427,530.78. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, COO Thomas B. Newbern sold 7,800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, January 5th. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at approximately $6,427,530.78. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director George R. Mrkonic, Jr. sold 414 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,541.85, for a total value 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 a total of 14,807 shares of company stock worth $39,669,061 over the last ninety days. 2.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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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Spartan Planning & Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of General Electric (NYSE:GE  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 361 shares of the conglomerates stock, valued at approximately $40,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of GE. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in General Electric by 4.4% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 70,480,887 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $7,742,325,000 after acquiring an additional 2,974,946 shares during the period. Capital International Investors boosted its holdings in General Electric by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 54,261,585 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $5,960,462,000 after acquiring an additional 156,054 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in General Electric by 3.5% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 50,207,805 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $5,515,327,000 after acquiring an additional 1,717,793 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in General Electric by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,748,382 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $2,162,919,000 after acquiring an additional 476,355 shares during the period. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of General Electric by 122,242.2% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,438,063 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $878,644,000 after buying an additional 13,427,079 shares during the period. 74.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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General Electric Stock Performance

General Electric stock traded up $1.46 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $167.96. 16,953,106 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,067,814. The stock has a market cap of $182.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.07, a P/E/G ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 1.18. General Electric has a 52-week low of $86.45 and a 52-week high of $175.81. The firms 50 day moving average is $140.04 and its 200 day moving average is $124.02.

General Electric Dividend Announcement

General Electric ( NYSE:GE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $19.42 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.27 billion. General Electric had a net margin of 13.95% and a return on equity of 10.88%. The businesss revenue was up 15.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.24 EPS. Analysts predict that General Electric will post 4.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 28th were issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 27th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.19%. General Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 3.82%.

Insider Buying and Selling at General Electric

In other General Electric news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 22,055 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.87, for a total transaction of $3,195,107.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 56,284 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,153,863.08. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other General Electric news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 13,601 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.55, for a total transaction of $1,843,615.55. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 48,339 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,552,351.45. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 22,055 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 56,284 shares in the company, valued at $8,153,863.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.67% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on General Electric from $148.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on General Electric from $144.00 to $148.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Oppenheimer restated a market perform rating on shares of General Electric in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th. TheStreet upgraded General Electric from a c+ rating to a b+ rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on General Electric from $153.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $138.71.

Check Out Our Latest 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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OLD National Bancorp IN reduced its stake in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR  Free Report) by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 77,548 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 3,602 shares during the quarter. OLD National Bancorp INs holdings in Danaher were worth $19,240,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Creative Planning increased its stake in Danaher by 14.9% in the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 107,895 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $26,769,000 after purchasing an additional 13,987 shares during the last quarter. Monograph Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Danaher in the third quarter valued at $1,677,000. BRYN MAWR TRUST Co increased its stake in Danaher by 1.7% in the third quarter. BRYN MAWR TRUST Co now owns 4,797 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,190,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC increased its stake in Danaher by 461.3% in the third quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 2,728 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $677,000 after purchasing an additional 2,242 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Employees Retirement System of Texas acquired a new position in Danaher in the third quarter valued at $46,147,000. 76.71% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Danaher

In related news, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 23,757 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total value of $5,986,764.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 38,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,601,704. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed 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 stock was sold at an average price of $242.67, for a total value of $636,280.74. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,244 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,029,891.48. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 23,757 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total value of $5,986,764.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 38,102 shares in the company, valued at $9,601,704. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 32,957 shares of company stock worth $8,265,802 in the last three months. 11.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

DHR has been the subject of several analyst reports. Barclays lowered Danaher from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $240.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. StockNews.com lowered Danaher from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. TheStreet upgraded Danaher from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Friday, December 8th. Raymond James upped their price target on Danaher from $240.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, HSBC started coverage on Danaher in a research note on Monday, December 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Danaher currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $266.00.

Read Our Latest Report on DHR

Danaher Stock Performance

Shares of Danaher stock traded down $0.43 on Friday, reaching $253.69. 1,786,045 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,245,942. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a current ratio of 1.68. The companys 50-day moving average is $241.37 and its two-hundred day moving average is $231.20. The firm has a market cap of $187.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.70, a P/E/G ratio of 3.85 and a beta of 0.84. Danaher Co. has a 1-year low of $182.09 and a 1-year high of $259.00.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly 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 business had revenue of $6.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.10 billion. Danaher had a return on equity of 12.25% and a net margin of 17.26%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.87 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Danaher Co. will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Danaher Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a $0.27 dividend. This is a boost from Danahers previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. Danahers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 15.02%.

Danaher Profile

(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 that advance, accelerate, and integrate the development and manufacture of therapeutics; cell line and cell culture media development services; cell culture media, process liquids and buffers for manufacturing, chromatography resins, filtration technologies, aseptic fill finish; single-use hardware and consumables and services, such as the design and installation of full manufacturing suites; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes, and services; and healthcare filtration solutions.

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Belpointe Asset Management LLC cut its position in General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS  Free Report) by 6.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,801 shares of the companys stock after selling 721 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLCs holdings in General Mills were worth $627,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Studio Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of General Mills by 12.2% in the 3rd quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC now owns 56,245 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,599,000 after purchasing an additional 6,130 shares during the last quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of General Mills by 10.1% in the 3rd quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 176,023 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,264,000 after purchasing an additional 16,216 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its position in shares of General Mills by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 8,242,274 shares of the companys stock valued at $527,423,000 after purchasing an additional 23,400 shares during the last quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. grew its position in shares of General Mills by 174.6% in the 3rd quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 8,054 shares of the companys stock valued at $515,000 after buying an additional 5,121 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV grew its position in shares of General Mills by 7.6% in the 3rd quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 218,207 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,963,000 after buying an additional 15,340 shares during the last quarter. 75.31% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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General Mills Stock Up 1.5 %

GIS stock opened at $65.26 on Friday. General Mills, Inc. has a one year low of $60.33 and a one year high of $90.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $37.06 billion, a PE ratio of 15.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a current ratio of 0.64. The company has a fifty day moving average of $64.28 and a 200-day moving average of $64.77.

General Mills Announces Dividend

General Mills ( NYSE:GIS Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, December 20th. The company reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.16 by $0.09. General Mills had a net margin of 12.06% and a return on equity of 25.44%. The company had revenue of $5.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.35 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.10 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that General Mills, Inc. will post 4.49 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 10th will be paid a $0.59 dividend. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 9th. General Millss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 57.42%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

GIS has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on shares of General Mills from $75.00 to $72.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on shares of General Mills from $77.00 to $76.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of General Mills from $74.00 to $72.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 21st. Mizuho dropped their target price on shares of General Mills from $70.00 to $65.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 22nd. Finally, Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of General Mills from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, General Mills currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $72.67.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on GIS

Insider Activity at General Mills

In related news, insider Jonathon Nudi sold 7,671 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.15, for a total value of $492,094.65. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 102,924 shares in the company, valued at $6,602,574.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Jeffrey L. Harmening sold 60,056 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.44, for a total value of $3,870,008.64. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 318,483 shares in the company, valued at $20,523,044.52. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Jonathon Nudi sold 7,671 shares of General Mills stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.15, for a total transaction of $492,094.65. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 102,924 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,602,574.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

General Mills Profile

(Free Report)

General Mills, Inc manufactures and markets branded consumer foods worldwide. The company operates through four segments: North America Retail; International; Pet; and North America Foodservice. It offers grain, ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, bakery flour, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, snack bars, fruit and salty snacks, ice cream and frozen desserts, nutrition bars, and savory snacks, as well as various organic products, including frozen and shelf-stable vegetables.

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Diversified Trust Co increased its holdings in shares of ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW  Free Report) by 3.8% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 17,302 shares of the information technology services providers stock after acquiring an additional 628 shares during the quarter. Diversified Trust Cos holdings in ServiceNow were worth $9,671,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in ServiceNow in the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. acquired a new position in ServiceNow in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of ServiceNow during the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Steward Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of ServiceNow by 125.0% during the 3rd quarter. Steward Financial Group LLC now owns 63 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares during the period. Finally, Princeton Global Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of ServiceNow during the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. 87.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at ServiceNow

In other news, CEO William R. Mcdermott sold 5,030 shares of ServiceNow stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $753.08, for a total value of $3,787,992.40. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 17,177 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,935,655.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other ServiceNow news, insider Paul John Smith sold 1,795 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $781.06, for a total transaction of $1,402,002.70. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 994 shares of the companys stock, valued at $776,373.64. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO William R. Mcdermott sold 5,030 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $753.08, for a total value of $3,787,992.40. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 17,177 shares in the company, valued at $12,935,655.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 13,164 shares of company stock valued at $9,940,303 over the last ninety days. 0.24% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on ServiceNow from $780.00 to $870.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. JMP Securities upped their target price on ServiceNow from $665.00 to $825.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on ServiceNow from $840.00 to $850.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Barclays upped their target price on ServiceNow from $765.00 to $870.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on ServiceNow from $630.00 to $850.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $750.93.

Check Out Our Latest Report on ServiceNow

ServiceNow Stock Performance

NYSE NOW traded down $10.40 on Friday, hitting $757.68. 1,026,916 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,239,684. The company has a market capitalization of $155.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 90.09, a P/E/G ratio of 4.83 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $753.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $663.36. ServiceNow, Inc. has a 52-week low of $405.37 and a 52-week high of $815.32.

ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The information technology services provider reported $3.11 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.77 by $0.34. The company had revenue of $2.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.40 billion. ServiceNow had a return on equity of 11.85% and a net margin of 19.30%. ServiceNows quarterly revenue was up 25.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.88 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that ServiceNow, Inc. will post 6.11 earnings per share for the current year.

About ServiceNow

(Free Report)

ServiceNow, Inc provides end to-end intelligent workflow automation platform solutions for digital businesses in the North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company operates the Now platform for end-to-end digital transformation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, process mining, performance analytics, and collaboration and development tools.

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TEHRAN, March 10 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was killed, and 11 others, including two firefighters, were wounded in a fireworks explosion in Iran's capital Tehran on Sunday, the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) reported.

The incident took place near Tehran's Grand Bazaar, following which firefighters were immediately sent to the scene, Jalal Maleki, spokesman of the Tehran Fire Department, was quoted as saying.

He added that the explosion and the consequent fire had resulted in the partial collapse of an old two-story residential building and inflicted damage to an adjacent one, citing the cause of the incident as the explosion of a large amount of homemade fireworks.

According to Mohammad Esmaeil Tavakoli, head of Tehran's medical emergency organization, two of the wounded individuals were in critical condition.

Accidents caused by fireworks are more frequent in Iran in the days preceding the traditional Fire Festival, observed by Iranians on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, which falls on March 20 this year. 
Sprott Inc. lowered its position in Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:UEC  Free Report) by 6.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 272,674 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 19,256 shares during the quarter. Sprott Inc.s holdings in Uranium Energy were worth $1,404,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Uranium Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Millburn Ridgefield Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Uranium Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Uranium Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. CIBC Asset Management Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Uranium Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Apexium Financial LP acquired a new stake in shares of Uranium Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Institutional investors own 49.03% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, Director Volpe Vincent Della sold 84,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.17, for a total transaction of $686,280.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 186,095 shares in the company, valued at $1,520,396.15. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 2.90% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently commented on UEC. Eight Capital lifted their target price on Uranium Energy from $7.00 to $13.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 15th. HC Wainwright lifted their target price on Uranium Energy from $8.25 to $9.75 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, TD Securities lifted their price objective on Uranium Energy from $7.00 to $8.50 and gave the stock a speculative buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Uranium Energy currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $8.80.

View Our Latest Stock Report on UEC

Uranium Energy Stock Down 6.0 %

Shares of Uranium Energy stock traded down $0.41 during trading on Friday, reaching $6.37. 7,313,625 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,533,846. Uranium Energy Corp. has a twelve month low of $2.30 and a twelve month high of $8.34. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $5.55. The stock has a market cap of $2.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 637.64 and a beta of 1.84.

Uranium Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:UEC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, December 8th. The basic materials company reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Uranium Energy had a net margin of 3.52% and a return on equity of 0.18%. The business had revenue of $0.11 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.00 million. On average, analysts expect that Uranium Energy Corp. will post 0.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Uranium Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Uranium Energy Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in exploration, pre-extraction, extraction, and processing uranium and titanium concentrates in the United States, Canada, and Paraguay. It owns interests in the Palangana mine, Goliad, Burke Hollow, Longhorn, and Salvo projects located in Texas; Anderson, Workman Creek, and Los Cuatros projects situated in Arizona; Dalton Pass and C de Baca project located in New Mexico; Roughrider, Shea Creek, Christie Lake, Horseshoe-Raven, Hidden Bay, Diabase, West Bear, JCU, and other project located in Canada; and Yuty, Oviedo, and Alto Parana titanium projects in Paraguay.

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Savoie Capital LLC bought a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 55,966 shares of the semiconductor companys stock, valued at approximately $4,863,000. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing makes up approximately 1.3% of Savoie Capital LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Baystate Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 1,333.3% in the second quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 258 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 240 shares during the last quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 208.9% during the 3rd quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. now owns 312 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 211 shares during the last quarter. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC bought a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC raised its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 334.8% during the 2nd quarter. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC now owns 287 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 221 shares during the last quarter. Finally, PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 2nd quarter worth about $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.51% of the companys stock.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Performance

TSM traded down $2.83 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $146.37. The companys stock had a trading volume of 43,856,881 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,551,635. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a 52 week low of $81.21 and a 52 week high of $158.40. The companys 50-day moving average is $119.32 and its 200-day moving average is $102.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 2.13 and a current ratio of 2.40. The firm has a market cap of $759.13 billion, a PE ratio of 28.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 1.15.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Cuts Dividend

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 18th. The semiconductor company reported $1.44 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.37 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $19.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.99 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 25.24% and a net margin of 38.80%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 6.17 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 11th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 13th will be given a $0.4408 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 13th. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.20%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio is presently 29.54%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently issued reports on TSM. StockNews.com upgraded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 8th. Barclays upped their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, January 19th. TD Cowen upped their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $85.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, January 12th. Susquehanna upped their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $130.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC upped their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $115.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $128.25.

View Our Latest Analysis on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

(Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides complementary metal oxide silicon wafer fabrication processes to manufacture logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, and embedded memory semiconductors.

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Savoie Capital LLC bought a new position in Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 34,600 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,423,000.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Carmel Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in Citigroup during the third quarter worth about $25,000. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. grew its position in Citigroup by 73.8% during the third quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 683 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 290 shares in the last quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Citigroup during the first quarter worth about $28,000. AlphaMark Advisors LLC grew its position in Citigroup by 75.0% during the third quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC now owns 700 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Union Savings Bank bought a new stake in Citigroup during the second quarter worth about $30,000. 69.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Citigroup Stock Down 0.4 %

C stock traded down $0.21 during trading on Friday, hitting $57.51. 13,028,024 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 14,119,557. The firm has a market capitalization of $109.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.41, a PEG ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.50. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $54.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $47.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52. Citigroup Inc. has a 1 year low of $38.17 and a 1 year high of $58.39.

Citigroup Announces Dividend

Citigroup ( NYSE:C Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The company reported ($1.16) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.73 by ($1.89). Citigroup had a net margin of 5.88% and a return on equity of 6.49%. The business had revenue of $17.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.71 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.10 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Citigroup Inc. will post 5.94 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 5th were paid a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 2nd. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.69%. Citigroups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 53.13%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have issued reports on C. Barclays lifted their price target on Citigroup from $59.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Daiwa Capital Markets raised Citigroup from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $63.00 target price for the company in a research note on Monday, December 18th. Oppenheimer boosted their target price on Citigroup from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. BMO Capital Markets lowered Citigroup from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $57.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised Citigroup from an underweight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their target price for the company from $46.00 to $65.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and ten 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 an average price target of $57.03.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Citigroup

Citigroup Profile

(Free Report)

Citigroup Inc, a diversified financial service holding company, provides various financial product and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide. It operates through five segments: Services, Markets, Banking, U.S. Personal Banking, and Wealth. The Services segment includes Treasury and Trade Solutions, which provides cash management, trade, and working capital solutions to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and public sector organizations; and Securities Services, such as cross-border support for clients, local market expertise, post-trade technologies, data solutions, and various securities services solutions.

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Savoie Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE:AAP  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 32,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,790,000. Savoie Capital LLC owned 0.05% of Advance Auto Parts at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AAP. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Advance Auto Parts by 3.9% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,970,480 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,442,611,000 after purchasing an additional 261,715 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in shares of Advance Auto Parts by 9.3% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,435,265 shares of the companys stock valued at $311,799,000 after buying an additional 376,025 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Advance Auto Parts by 28.2% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,431,787 shares of the companys stock worth $417,340,000 after acquiring an additional 754,027 shares during the period. Clearbridge Investments LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Advance Auto Parts by 3.6% in the first quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 3,313,689 shares of the companys stock valued at $685,801,000 after purchasing an additional 114,789 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. increased its position in Advance Auto Parts by 2,226.6% during the third quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,026,668 shares of the companys stock worth $113,352,000 after purchasing an additional 1,939,560 shares during the last quarter. 88.75% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Advance Auto Parts from $56.00 to $66.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. William Blair reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Advance Auto Parts in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. TheStreet raised Advance Auto Parts from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Advance Auto Parts from $47.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price target on Advance Auto Parts from $53.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $68.88.

Advance Auto Parts Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE AAP traded down $0.60 on Friday, reaching $73.08. 1,671,289 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,062,928. The company has a quick ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Advance Auto Parts, Inc. has a 12 month low of $47.73 and a 12 month high of $133.69. The company has a market cap of $4.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 98.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 1.14. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $64.77 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $59.72.

Advance Auto Parts (NYSE:AAP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported ($0.59) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.24 by ($0.83). Advance Auto Parts had a net margin of 0.39% and a return on equity of 1.68%. The company had revenue of $2.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.47 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.88 earnings per share. Advance Auto Partss quarterly revenue was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Advance Auto Parts, Inc. will post 3.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Advance Auto Parts Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Investors of record on Friday, April 12th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 11th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.37%. Advance Auto Partss dividend payout ratio is currently 135.14%.

About Advance Auto Parts

(Free Report)

Advance Auto Parts, Inc provides automotive replacement parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items for domestic and imported cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, and light and heavy duty trucks. The company offers battery accessories; belts and hoses; brakes and brake pads; chassis and climate control parts; clutches and drive shafts; engines and engine parts; exhaust systems and parts; hub assemblies; ignition components and wires; radiators and cooling parts; starters and alternators; and steering and alignment parts.

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Sprott Inc. lifted its holdings in Kinross Gold Co. (NYSE:KGC  Free Report) (TSE:K) by 56.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,866,520 shares of the mining companys stock after purchasing an additional 676,798 shares during the period. Sprott Inc. owned about 0.15% of Kinross Gold worth $8,511,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of KGC. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its position in shares of Kinross Gold by 48.8% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 114,607 shares of the mining companys stock worth $674,000 after purchasing an additional 37,610 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position in Kinross Gold by 11.7% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,122,543 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $18,361,000 after acquiring an additional 325,896 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. lifted its position in Kinross Gold by 72.1% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 27,464 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $161,000 after acquiring an additional 11,505 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its position in Kinross Gold by 39.6% during the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 1,445,200 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $8,493,000 after acquiring an additional 410,300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its position in Kinross Gold by 10.0% during the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 5,377,889 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $31,603,000 after acquiring an additional 487,613 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.80% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on KGC shares. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Kinross Gold in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. They set a hold rating and a $5.00 target price for the company. National Bank Financial reissued an outperform overweight rating on shares of Kinross Gold in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Raymond James decreased their price target on shares of Kinross Gold from $6.00 to $5.50 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 28th. StockNews.com cut shares of Kinross Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. Finally, CIBC increased their price objective on shares of Kinross Gold from $7.00 to $8.15 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $6.05.

Kinross Gold Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of KGC stock traded down $0.05 during trading on Friday, reaching $5.37. The companys stock had a trading volume of 16,081,532 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,878,926. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 2.63 and a quick ratio of 0.95. Kinross Gold Co. has a 1-year low of $3.40 and a 1-year high of $6.34. The company has a market capitalization of $6.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.79, a P/E/G ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 1.12. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $5.38 and its 200 day moving average price is $5.34.

Kinross Gold (NYSE:KGC  Get Free Report) (TSE:K) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The mining company reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.09 by $0.02. Kinross Gold had a net margin of 9.82% and a return on equity of 8.85%. The firm had revenue of $1.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.04 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.09 EPS. Kinross Golds revenue for the quarter was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Kinross Gold Co. will post 0.36 EPS for the current year.

Kinross Gold Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 21st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be given a dividend of $0.03 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 5th. This represents a $0.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.23%. Kinross Golds payout ratio is currently 35.29%.

About Kinross Gold

(Free Report)

Kinross Gold Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of gold properties principally in the United States, Brazil, Chile, Canada, and Mauritania. The company operates the Fort Knox mine and the Manh Choh project in Alaska, as well as the Round Mountain and the Bald Mountain mines in Nevada, the United States; the Paracatu mine in Brazil; the La Coipa and the Lobo-Marte project in Chile; the Tasiast mine in Mauritania; and the Great Bear project in Canada.

Further Reading

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OLD National Bancorp IN decreased its position in Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) by 0.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 103,345 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 741 shares during the period. OLD National Bancorp INs holdings in Chevron were worth $17,426,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Spartan Planning & Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Chevron in the third quarter valued at approximately $83,000. CM Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in Chevron by 22.6% in the third quarter. CM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,885 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $655,000 after buying an additional 715 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC raised its stake in Chevron by 0.8% in the third quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC now owns 39,693 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $6,693,000 after buying an additional 301 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning raised its stake in Chevron by 6.4% in the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 534,652 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $90,153,000 after buying an additional 31,959 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Revisor Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Chevron in the third quarter worth approximately $836,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.87% of the companys stock.

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Chevron Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE CVX traded up $0.51 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $149.88. The stock had a trading volume of 7,528,378 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,143,939. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.27. The company has a 50 day moving average of $149.70 and a two-hundred day moving average of $153.37. Chevron Co. has a twelve month low of $139.62 and a twelve month high of $172.88. The firm has a market cap of $278.37 billion, a PE ratio of 13.19, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.12.

Chevron Increases Dividend

Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $3.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.19 by $0.26. Chevron had a return on equity of 15.24% and a net margin of 10.63%. The firm had revenue of $47.18 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $50.93 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $4.09 EPS. The firms revenue was down 16.5% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that Chevron Co. will post 13.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th will be issued a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.35%. This is a positive change from Chevrons previous quarterly dividend of $1.51. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 15th. Chevrons dividend payout ratio is presently 57.39%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CVX has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Chevron from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $184.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Monday, January 8th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Chevron from $194.00 to $185.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. DZ Bank downgraded Chevron from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $160.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. TD Cowen downgraded Chevron from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $170.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Chevron from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $180.56.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on CVX

Chevron Profile

(Free Report)

Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the integrated energy and chemicals operations in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and processing, transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as a gas-to-liquids plant.

Further Reading

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OLD National Bancorp IN reduced its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 1.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 44,721 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 751 shares during the period. Thermo Fisher Scientific comprises approximately 0.7% of OLD National Bancorp INs investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest position. OLD National Bancorp INs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $22,636,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Halpern Financial Inc. boosted its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 307.7% during the 3rd quarter. Halpern Financial Inc. now owns 53 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the period. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. 87.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Price Performance

Shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock traded down $0.05 on Friday, reaching $597.61. The stock had a trading volume of 1,600,305 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,224,720. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 1 year low of $415.60 and a 1 year high of $603.82. The company has a market cap of $227.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.51 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 businesss 50 day moving average is $553.59 and its two-hundred day moving average is $516.68.

Thermo Fisher Scientific ( NYSE:TMO Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The medical research company reported $5.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.64 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $10.89 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.73 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 13.99% and a return on equity of 18.78%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics quarterly revenue was down 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $5.40 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.52 EPS for the current year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase program on Tuesday, November 14th that permits the company to repurchase $4.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the medical research company to reacquire up to 2.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are typically a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.39 dividend. This is an increase from Thermo Fisher Scientifics previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 9.06%.

Insider Activity at Thermo Fisher Scientific

In related news, SVP Michael A. Boxer sold 14,566 shares of the firms 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 sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 12,901 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,250,362. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, SVP Michael A. Boxer sold 14,566 shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $562.00, for a total transaction of $8,186,092.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 12,901 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,250,362. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Debora L. Spar sold 164 shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $546.97, for a total transaction of $89,703.08. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,207 shares in the company, valued at $660,192.79. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 40,277 shares of company stock valued at $22,533,584 over the last three months. 0.32% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have issued reports on TMO shares. Robert W. Baird restated an outperform rating and set a $670.00 price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $592.00 to $642.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Raymond James upped their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $515.00 to $605.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. TheStreet upgraded shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Friday, December 22nd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein restated a market perform rating on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Monday, January 8th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $596.00.

View Our Latest Report on TMO

Thermo Fisher Scientific Company Profile

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, 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, and bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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TEHRAN, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday congratulated Asif Ali Zardari on his election as the new president of Pakistan.

Raisi extended his felicitation in a message, expressing hope that bilateral ties would further develop and deepen during the new Pakistani president's term, according to a statement published on the website of his office.

The Iranian president pointed to the two countries' historical, cultural and religious commonalities, describing Pakistan as a friendly and brotherly nation.

Raisi stressed that Iran, as always, was ready to expand its relations with Pakistan, especially during the new Pakistani administration's term.

Ruling coalition candidate Asif Ali Zardari won the presidential election of Pakistan with an overwhelming lead on Saturday. Zardari, 68, will replace outgoing President Arif Alvi, who had already received a farewell guard of honor on Friday. 
This is the 2nd deadly double shooting so far this weekend as the level of local killing continues to near last year's pace.

At this time in 2023 there were 26 homicides so far.

Here is the first morning report:



Homicide 4800 block of Independence Ave

This morning around 4:30AM, officers were dispatched to the 4800 block of Independence Ave on a reported shooting.



When officers arrived, they located an adult male victim lying in a parking lot unresponsive suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers rendered medical aid until EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased. An additional adult male victim was located just inside the building also suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital by EMS suffering from life threatening injuries.



UPDATE: The second victim transported to the hospital has died from his injuries.



Preliminarily, it is believed an argument took place inside of the business.



Detectives are actively working on identifying a person of interest and police do not currently have anyone in custody.



Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel have responded to begin gathering evidence and collecting witness statements.



This is being investigated as a homicide and is ongoing at this time.



If anyone was in or around the area at this time and saw or heard anything they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS there is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.



We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency.



We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.

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Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

2 men die in shooting Sunday at Independence Avenue, Van Brunt Boulevard The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is investigating a shooting Sunday at Independence Avenue and Van Brunt Boulevard.

KCPD: Argument may have led to gunshots, double homicide in KC business Two men are dead after a shooting that KCPD says may have stemmed from an argument, making it this weekend's second conflict-based homicide.

Developing . . .
Recently, high-profile homicides have sparked a partisan debate wherein local combatants are taking shots in differing directions.

Conservatives criticize worsening crime and so many criminals seemingly unafraid of consequences whilst progressives protest local gun rights and demand more restrictions.

Of course there hasn't been much progress on either front.



And this leads us to our main question for Sunday . . .



IS KANSAS CITY SUFFERING A GUN CRISIS OR CRIME CRISIS?!? SADLY IT SEEMS THAT BOTH SIDES OF THIS ISSUE DON'T WANT TO EXAMINE THEIR OWN CULPABILITY!!!



Don't worry . . .

We're not trying to be centrist on this one . . .

Here are TKC we understand that the vast majority of law-abiding gun owners pose absolutely no public safety threat. Gun laws targeting urban areas mostly serve to disarm the populace and make them even more vulnerable to criminals AND there are already a great deal of gun laws on the books that we might want to enforce more strictly before we start talking about new ones.

This is probably our main question . . .

WHY WOULD CRIMINALS OBEY NEW GUN LAWS WHEN SO MANY VIOLENT OFFENDERS BREAK EXISTING GUN LAWS?!?

The implicit and unspoken answer is that the goal of many anti-gun advocates is to disarm EVERYONE . . . And that effort is probably Unconstitutional and DEFINITELY extremely unpopular . . . Especially in statewide Missouri & Kansas elections.

Still . . . As the warmer weather starts . . . We merely wanted to share some of our questions and invite more perspectives given that the quotient of local gunfire seems to be spiking again.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

America's unique, enduring gun problem, explained The factors that lead to mass shootings like the one at the Super Bowl parade are deeply ingrained in US politics, culture, and law.

CNN Panel Pushes Back Against Guest Who Says Rising Crime Is 'A Ratings Thing' CNN panelists pushed back Saturday against a guest who said rising crime is "a ratings thing."

Federal judge upholds Washington state gun industry accountability law - UPI.com A federal judge has dismissed a challenge to a Washington state law that would hold gun makers and sellers accountable for preventing their products from getting into the wrong hands.

Surge of illegal homemade machine guns has helped fuel gun violence in the US Machine guns have been tightly regulated in the U.S. since the bloody violence of Prohibition-era gangsters like Al Capone

Immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born Americans, studies find In Thursday night's State of The Union, the murder of 22-year-old Laken Riley took center stage. The suspect is a migrant. Republicans say immigration leads to crime, but there's no evidence of that.

Developing . . .
Right now fashionista, biz lady & angel hottie Candice inspires our glimpse at pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Local Survivors Flip Script

These Black women in Kansas City are working to change the narratives around living with HIV Black women have some of the highest new HIV infection rates in Kansas City and nationally. Many of them face discrimination, stigmas and systemic barriers in receiving the health care they need to live healthy lives.

Dead-Tree Crossroads Winning

3 Kansas City Star reporters awarded for investigation on dangers of railroad crossings The reporters won the Casey Feldman Award for Transportation Safety Reporting for documenting the dangers of railroad crossings in 12 states.

Tawdry Blogging Over Bad Policy

Kris Kobach Yells At Joe Biden: Kansas Wants To EAT MORE LEAD. Did ... did anyone ask for that?

Show-Me Dumping Strategy Exposed

Missouri landfill law is badly out of date. Don't turn south Kansas City into a dump | Opinion The people of Grandview and Lee's Summit don't need hundreds of trash trucks filling their streets. | Opinion

Super Heroes On Local Streets

'It's so freeing': Thousands of fans gather for the 25th anniversary of Planet Comicon KC Planet Comicon Kansas City has been a fixture in the community for 25 years. It is a huge playground for movie fans, cosplayers, comic book collectors and of course, the people watchers.

Angel Contract Earned

Candice Swanepoel Signs With Creative Artists Agency The Victoria's Secret Angel and founder of Tropic of C has signed on with CAA for representation in all areas.

'Come To Jesus' Postscript

Biden in a hot mic moment shows his growing frustration with Netanyahu over Gaza humanitarian crisis The comments came as Biden spoke with Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado on the floor of the House following his Thursday night State of the Union address.

MAGA Moment Of Doubt

Steve Bannon suggests Donald Trump has been bought Trump recently voiced opposition to a bill targeting TikTok's Chinese ownership, allegedly after a meeting with a major investor.

A-List Against Republicans

Escalation Considered In Europe

With NATO 'Stuck,' Retired U.S. Colonel Says It's Time To Send EU Troops To Ukraine Retired U.S. Army Colonel Alexander Crowther talks to RFE/RL's Georgian Service about his recent contention that if Ukraine loses its war with Russia, it is "time to send EU forces."

El Papa Seyz It's Time For Peace

Pope criticised for saying Ukraine should 'raise white flag' and end war with Russia Francis's failure to condemn Moscow as aggressor decried as 'shameful' and 'incomprehensible'

Fiber Bunny Now Faster

Google Fiber Blog: Now, everything's really up-to-date in Kansas City - 8 Gig available in all GFiber KC service areas KC was also one of the first GFiber cities to get our 5 Gig service. We've been steadily rolling out our new multigig products in Google Fiber cities across the country since early last year. To do this, we're updating our network in each city to XGS PON to ensure that we can meet our customers' needs as they grow over time.

Golden Ghetto Shares Asian Culinary Adventures

KC Craft Ramen in Overland Park, Kansas, already has lines out the door: 'We are so lucky' Since opening last June, the compact ramen shop near 119th Street and Metcalf Avenue has become a destination for its rich flavors and and lively atmosphere. KC Craft Ramen has also become a gathering place for Kansas City's Asian community.

Spring Arrives This Week

FOX4 Forecast: Warming up! View today's latest video forecast for the Kansas City area in both Kansas and Missouri from the FOX4 weather team.

Creed - Higher is the Sunday song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a state visit to Azerbaijan on March 11-12, the press service of the Kazakh leader said, Azernews reports.

On March 11-12, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a state visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, the statement said.

As part of the visit, Tokayev will take part in the first meeting of the Kazakh-Azerbaijani Supreme Interstate Council.
Workers and volunteers work to prepare free food boxes at the Egyptian Food Bank in Cairo, Egypt, on March 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

by Mahmoud Fouly

CAIRO, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Workers and volunteers with the non-profit organization Egyptian Food Bank (EFB) are working nonstop to prepare free food boxes for those underprivileged both in Egypt and the neighboring besieged Gaza Strip, as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan will start on Monday.

Raising the slogan of "Food: the Essence of Life," surrounded by trucks and forklifts for loading and transporting food boxes, the five-story EFB headquarters is welcoming its highest season for the past 20 years.

"We provide supplies to about 3,700 community-based organizations nationwide, with nearly 5 million registered indigents," said Ibrahim Shaheen, director of the supply chain sector at the EFB, adding that the organization has about 120 direct workers in packaging and warehouses, while the total number of employees is about 1,000.

"We prepare boxes named 'Ramadan Joy' containing various food products," including beans, rice, sugar, and macaroni, while the rest of items like dry dates, cheese, milk, cooking oil, etc., he said.

Workers and volunteers prepare free food boxes at the Egyptian Food Bank in Cairo, Egypt, on March 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

The 25-year-old Mohamed Gamal Taha is a warehouse manager at an energy company, who has been volunteering with the EFB since 2019 and has formed his own team of about 150 volunteers.

"I once saw EFB boxes that I took part in preparing being distributed in my neighborhood. It makes me happy to see the boxes I prepare to reach people, and this has encouraged me to expand my team of volunteers," the young man told Xinhua.

"We love to exert greater efforts until these boxes reach Gaza," he added.

The EFB is a member of the National Alliance for Civil Development Work, a main provider of humanitarian aid delivered to Gaza via the Rafah border crossing.

Some of the trucks outside the EFB building were covered by a green banner branded with the phrase "To Our People in Palestine."

People flee from their homes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on March 4, 2024. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

"Until now, the EFB has sent more than 7,000 tons of food supplies to Gaza, which is just a drop in the ocean compared to what the Palestinians need," said Mohsen Sarhan, CEO of the EFB, describing the Israeli aggression on Gaza as a tragedy.

Sarhan explained that donation is the EFB's main source of funding. "More than 95 percent of our donations come from Egyptian citizens."

"We produce about 50,000 to 60,000 food boxes every day," the food bank's chief officer told Xinhua, adding the food bank is seeking to "balance between our basic work in supporting Egyptian citizens, which is our main mission, and our duty to support our neighbors (in Gaza) who are suffering from a great deal of aggression and pain." 
Farmers' protests ended a long time ago, but propagandists keep fabricating anti-Ukrainian posters

Russian propaganda outlet Sputnik, targeting a foreign audience, on its page on social media platform X distributed a photo of a tractor to which the poster is allegedly attached, reading "Heute Panzer. Morgen Flugzeuge. Ubermorgen unsere Sohne" ("Today tanks. Tomorrow planes. The day after tomorrow our sons"). The caption to the photo states that in this way German farmers are protesting against "Germany's involvement in the conflict in Ukraine."

The photo is fake. This tractor took part in the German farmers' protest on January 8, 2024. The photo published by the propagandists was taken in Berlin during farmers' protests, but the poster referred to in the post was not on the tractor.

We could not find the original photo that the propagandists used as the basis for their fake, but using a reverse image search tool, we found at least two pictures of the same tractor and two videos. There is no fake poster on any of them.

In other pictures, we see the same red tractor, which has the number 175, stickers with a traffic light - a symbol of protest - a blue and white bio-toilet behind the cab and a banner on the bucket with the inscription "Bei nie die Hand die dich futtert," which translates as "Don't bite the hand that feeds you" (this is a German proverb).

The photo of this tractor has gone viral, but the photo with the new poster appeared only on March 5, 2024 in the social network of the Russian media outlet, almost two months after the protest.

It is worth noting that other photos of this tractor were used by propagandists from Russia Today to illustrate farmers' protests in Romania.

In addition, German farmers protested on January 8 against the abolition of diesel fuel subsidies for agricultural producers and did not put forward any political demands, including the termination of military aid to Ukraine.

This is not the first time that Russian propaganda has tried to use the protests of farmers in Germany to create fakes.

Andriy Olenin, Olha Tanasiichuk
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, commenting on remarks by Pope Francis that Ukraine should have the "courage of the white flag" and be ready for negotiations with Russia, has warned against repeating mistakes of the past and called for supporting Ukraine and its people in the struggle for their own lives.

He said this on the X social media platform, Ukrinform reports.

"The strongest is the one who, in the battle between good and evil, stands on the side of good rather than attempting to put them on the same footing and call it negotiations. At the same time, when it comes to the white flag, we know this Vatican's strategy from the first half of the twentieth century. I urge to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine and its people in their just struggle for their lives," Kuleba said.

According to him, Ukraine will not raise other flags.

"Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags," Kuleba said.

He expressed hope that Pope Francis would be able to find an opportunity to visit Ukraine.

"We thank His Holiness Pope Francis for his constant prayers for peace, and we continue to hope that after two years of devastating war in the heart of Europe, the Pontiff will find an opportunity to pay an Apostolic visit to Ukraine to support over a million Ukrainian Catholics, over five million Greek-Catholics, all Christians, and all Ukrainians," Kuleba wrote.

Pope Francis in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI called for negotiations in Russia's war against Ukraine. According to him, "the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates."

Matteo Bruni, Director of the Vatican Press Office, commenting on Pope Francis's remarks about the search for peace for Ukraine, said that negotiations did not mean the surrender of Ukraine. According to him, the Pope called on all parties to "create conditions for a diplomatic solution in search of a just and lasting peace."

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski also reacted to the Pope's words and stated that for balance, it was also possible to encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to have the courage to withdraw his troops from Ukraine, so peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations.
Russian murderers and torturers are not marching across Europe only because Ukrainian troops are holding them back.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed this in his latest video address posted on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"Our Defense Forces consist of multiple elements. Many brigades and units. And everyone who operates at the front, everyone who defends the state from Russian saboteurs and terror, everyone who performs combat missions, deserves gratitude and respect. Russian murderers and torturers are not marching farther across Europe only because Ukrainian men and women are holding them back, up in arms and under a blue-and-yellow flag," Zelensky said.

He recalled that many houses and churches in Ukraine once had white walls before they were burnt and broken by Russian shells. And this speaks very eloquently about who should stop for the war to stop. Anyone who protects life and people is performing the most honorable mission possible in the face of such an inhuman invasion, Zelensky emphasized.

"And we must fully protect life, protect it in our own home. And I thank everyone who supports our defense, our Ukrainian defenders. When Russian evil unleashed this war on February 24, all Ukrainians stood up in defense. Christians, Muslims, Jews  everyone... And I thank every Ukrainian chaplain who is with the Army, as part of our Defense Forces, out there on the front lines. They defend life and humanity. They support others both with prayer, conversation, and action. This is what the church is about  being with people, not 2,500 kilometers away, engaging in virtual mediation between the one who seeks to survive and the one who seeks to destroy you," the president stressed.

He thanked everyone who is doing everything in Ukraine and with Ukraine to preserve life.

"I thank everyone who helps and who stands really close  through action and prayer," Zelensky said.

As reported by Ukrinform, Pope Francis in an interview with Switzerlands RSI reflected on the need to seek the end to the ongoing war, suggesting that the strongest one is the one who has the courage of the white flag  a remark which saw wide criticism from many in Ukraine.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Ukraine would "never raise any other flags" than the nations national one, which is blue and yellow.

President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier today said Russian insanity must lose the war.
Today, the authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan confirmed the preliminary information about the murder of two citizens of the country by Russian security forces in Moscow.

According to Ukrinform, this was reported on the website of the National Security Committee (NSC) of Kazakhstan.

"The media published information about the killing of two Kazakh citizens by the Russian security forces during an attempt to organize a terrorist attack in Russia. The Kazakh citizenship and departure of these persons to Russia are confirmed," the NSC of Kazakhstan noted.

As noted by the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a joint Russian-Kazakh "pre-trial investigation" is being conducted into this fact.

Read also: Nearly 60 Ukrainians and their family members evacuated from Gaza Strip to Egypt

The investigation is being carried out in close contact with the Russian Federal Security Service within the framework of "existing channels of cooperation".

As reported in the media, Russian special services killed two Kazakh citizens, the Russian edition Astra reported on Telegram, citing its sources.

The names of the victims and the place of the incident were named. Allegedly, 35-year-old Sabit Ashiraliyev and 32-year-old Dzhanibek Taskulaev were killed on the morning of March 7 in the village of Koryakovo, Borovsk district, Kaluga region, and they arrived in Russia on February 28.
NEW DELHI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- India on Sunday signed a trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, comprising Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

The pact involves EFTA countries committing to invest 100 billion U.S. dollars in India in the next 15 years, and facilitate the generation of 1 million direct jobs in India through such investments, according to a statement issued by the federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the agreement "symbolizes our shared commitment to open, fair, equitable trade, as well as generating growth and employment for the youth."

Among EFTA countries, Switzerland is the largest trading partner of India followed by Norway, the statement said. 
NEW DELHI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Petrol and diesel retailers and dealers in India's western state of Rajasthan observed a strike on Sunday to protest against exorbitant fuel prices in the state.

The two-day strike will continue on Monday, as talks between the Rajasthan Petroleum Dealers Association (RPDA) and the state government failed to arrive at an agreeable conclusion.

There are nearly 6,500 petrol and diesel retailers and dealers in the state, selling nearly 40 million liters of fuel per day on average.

The RPDA's "No Purchase, No Sale" strike commenced at 06:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, lasting 48 hours. A large number of vehicle owners in the state were seen stranded on roads due to paucity of fuel.

The cost of petrol and diesel in Rajasthan is around 10 percent higher than in the neighboring states of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

RPDA Treasurer Sandeep Bageria was quoted as saying that petrol and diesel retailers and dealers in Rajasthan had been facing continuous losses due to increased value-added tax (VAT) on fuel prices. "Despite repeated demands to reduce the VAT, the state government has not addressed our concerns," Bageria said.

According to him, another demand was that the commission of the retailers and dealers had not increased for the last seven years. "Due to this, most of the petrol pumps in Rajasthan are on the verge of closure," he added. 
PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2024) Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Ghandapur Sunday condemns blast in board Bazar on main University road and directed Inspector General of Police to submit a complete report of the bomb blast in which two persons were killed and another injured.

Talking to mediamen at the site of the bomb blast, SSP Operation Kashif Aftab Abbasi said that investigation is being conducted to ascertain whether it was a suicide bomber onboard a motorcycle with a facilitator or the explosive material was being carried to one place from other for a major blast planning.

We are working on it, he said, adding, two people have been killed, one injured while one person died on the spot".

SSP operations Kashif Aftab Abbasi disclosed that 4 to 5 kg explosives have been used and the investigation is going on, however, it is known that explosive materials were being transferred from one place to another.

What was the target, the investigation is going on, he said. However, the Names of the accused are not being disclosed, SSP Operations said.

He said two persons on a motorcycle were killed in the explosion while one was injured and the motorcyclists are being identified.

The motorcycle was going from Board Bazaar to Nasir Bagh, he added.

He said injured person is undergoing treatment at Khyber Teaching Hospital and initially, the explosion seems to be suicide but investigation is going on.

Soon after the blast, the Police and officials of the security forces cordoned off the area while the Rescue 1122 ambulances reached the spot as soon as the information was received. According to preliminary and unconfirmed reports, a motorcycle exploded in which two people were killed and another injured, Rescue 1122 officials said.

The officials of Rescue 1122 shifted the injured people to Khyber Teaching Hospital.
Leverkusen, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2024) At one of Europe's largest chemical complexes, German group Covestro is trialling the manufacture of a key product using sugar as a base material instead of oil, as the industry seeks to reduce its carbon footprint.

The pilot project involves producing "aniline", a chemical used in making foams -- used widely in mattresses and armchairs, as well as building insulation.

While large-scale, commercial production is probably years away, the experiment marks a small step in the chemical industry's battle to slash carbon emissions as Earth faces a dire climate emergency.

Of the 100 million barrels of oil produced worldwide every day, "a quarter goes directly into the chemical industry," said Walter Leitner, from Aachen University, which has been involved in the aniline project for a decade.

"The chemical industry needs to be completely rebuilt."

Plastics manufacturer Covestro -- a former division of chemical giant Bayer -- started trials at its complex in the western city of Leverkusen at the end of 2023, after laboratory tests.

In a 100-square-metre (1,080-square-foot) room, aniline, a transparent fluid, is extracted from a 600-metre network of intertwined pipes.

Using a process developed by University of Stuttgart researchers, fermented sugar is treated with chemicals to make the product.

Aniline is used as the base ingredient for chemical MDI, which is an essential material in manufacturing foams.

Traditionally, aniline has been obtained from crude oil derivatives like naphtha and benzene, but producing it emits large quantities of carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas.

Around six million tonnes of aniline are produced globally a year, around one million tonnes of it by Covestro.

So far, the pilot project in Leverkusen produces just a tiny part of this, extracting just half a tonne of aniline a day.

- Punishing energy costs -

Some experts are sceptical about such an approach.

The use of plant matter in manufacturing may cut out fossil fuels but whether it can lead to carbon neutrality "is often questionable", Jens Guenther, from Germany's Federal Environment Agency, told AFP.

This is particularly the case when it comes to the use of "so-called cultivated biomass like maize, sugar cane and sugar beet," he said.

Janine Korduan, from environmental NGO BUND, pointed out that industrial agriculture generates "CO2 and methane emissions through land conversion and the production of fertilisers and pesticides", and also leads to "major losses of biodiversity and high water consumption".

Nevertheless, Guenther said the use of plant matter in production processes would likely produce significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions than using fossil fuels, although opting for waste materials rather than crops produced in large-scale farming would be preferable.

Other German companies are experimenting in the area.

Chemical giant BASF is seeking to use organic waste, agricultural products or vegetable oils to produce basic chemicals like aniline.

There are many barriers to taking such projects further, however.

These range from the availability of the necessary organic matter, which is in great demand as the green transition gathers pace, to higher costs when compared to producing such chemicals with oil.

Scaling up the process will only be justified if it leads to "significant CO2 savings" in the manufacturing process, said Thorsten Dreier, a member of Covestro's management board who is overseeing the technology.

There will also need to be proof that money "can be made in a competitive environment, in order to finance research here", he said.

And for Germany, a major challenge will be persuading manufacturers to set up costly new sites for processing chemicals.

The energy-intensive chemicals sector in Europe's top economy has been facing a crisis since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine curtailed cheap Russian gas imports, sending power costs soaring.

Many companies are now more focused on shifting production to cheaper locations overseas, rather than expanding at home.

"Energy costs in Germany are currently three to four times higher than in the United States," while a bloated bureaucracy is also weighing on industry, warned Dreier.
N'Djamena, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2024) Chad's junta-appointed prime minister on Sunday said he would contest May 6 presidential elections, eight days after incumbent Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno announced his candidacy.

Former opposition leader Succes Masra returned from exile and signed a reconciliation deal with Deby Itno before becoming premier this year.

The opposition says his candidacy is a ploy to give an appearance of pluralism in a vote the junta chief is certain to win with his main rivals dead or in exile.

Masra, 40, unveiled his election bid at a campaign meeting attended by hundreds of activists from his Transformers party, saying he wanted to "heal hearts and unite the people".

Responding to critics who disapproved of his decision to ally with the junta, Masra defended "an agreement of the brave" that meant "our quest for justice is never transformed into a quest for revenge".
(@FahadShabbir)

Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2024) Since his tumultuous takeover of Twitter, Elon Musk has made an unabashed turn to the right politically, defying the orthodoxy that Silicon Valley is a citadel of well-heeled liberals beholden to Democrats.

Long considered non-identifiable ideologically, Musk's politics are now hardline right wing as he uses his platform (now called X) to stoke the themes cherished by Fox news, conservative talk radio and far right movements across the West.

In just the latest example, repeating a conspiracy theory of far right chat rooms, Musk last week posted that US President Joe Biden was importing migrants for votes, laying the groundwork for "something far worse than 9/11."

But beyond the posts, the question on everyone's mind is whether the world's second richest person will put his weight, and wealth, behind the bid of former US president Donald Trump to retake the White House.

The rumor mill went into overdrive when The New York Times reported that the two men met, along with other Republican donors, in Florida last week.

Trump is seriously trailing Biden in raising campaign funds, even if he sailed toward the Republican nomination to be US president, and Musk could single handedly make up the shortfall.

Musk turned to X to insist that "to be super clear, I am not donating money to either candidate for US President."

But the funding of US elections is opaque and complicated, and Biden backers worry that Musk could change his mind or fund political committees that themselves finance Trump, or find other ways to help the Republican cause.
PortauPrince, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Mar, 2024) With Haiti's capital spiraling deeper into gang violence, the United States said Sunday it has airlifted non-essential American staff from its embassy in Port-au-Prince and brought in additional personnel to boost security at the compound.

Residents of beleaguered neighborhoods were scrambling for safety on Saturday following the latest spasm of unrest, with a United Nations group warning of a "city under siege" after armed attackers targeted the presidential palace and police headquarters.

Criminal groups, which already control much of Port-au-Prince as well as roads leading to the rest of the country, have unleashed havoc in recent days as they try to oust Prime Minister Ariel Henry as leader of the Western hemisphere's poorest country.

On Saturday, dozens of residents were seeking safety in public buildings, with some successfully breaking into one facility, according to an AFP correspondent.

The US military said early Sunday it had "conducted an operation to augment the security of the US Embassy at Port-au-Prince, allow our Embassy mission operations to continue, and enable non-essential personnel to depart."

"This airlift of personnel into and out of the Embassy is consistent with our standard practice for Embassy security augmentation," the statement from the military's US Southern Command added.

The pre-dawn operation appeared to be conducted by helicopter, apparently in flights to and from the airport, according to an AFP correspondent and nearby residents who heard the distinct sounds of chopper blades overhead.

The embassy said on X that it "remains open."

"Heightened gang violence in the neighborhood near US embassy compounds and near the airport led to the State Department's decision to arrange for the departure of additional embassy personnel," it added, noting that all operation passengers "work for the US government."

- 'Living in fear' -

The unrest has seen 362,000 Haitians internally displaced -- more than half of them children, the International Organization for Migration said Saturday.

"Haitians are unable to lead a decent life. They are living in fear, and every day, every hour this situation carries on, the trauma gets worse," Philippe Branchat, IOM's chief in Haiti, said in a statement.

"People living in the capital are locked in, they have nowhere to go," he said. "The capital is surrounded by armed groups and danger. It is a city under siege."

Police late Friday repelled gang attacks, including on the presidential palace, and several "bandits" were killed, Lionel Lazarre of the Haitian police union said.

Gunshots rang out late Friday throughout Port-au-Prince and witnesses recounted clashes "between police officers and bandits" as gangs apparently tried to commandeer police stations.

Lazarre on Saturday pleaded for "means and equipment" to protect key facilities.

The well-armed gangs have attacked critical infrastructure in recent days, including two prisons, allowing the majority of their 3,800 inmates to escape.

Along with some ordinary Haitians, the gangs are seeking the resignation of Prime Minister Henry, who was due to leave office in February but instead agreed to a power-sharing deal with the opposition until new elections are held.

Washington has asked Henry to enact urgent political reform. He was in Kenya when the violence erupted and is now reportedly stranded in the US territory of Puerto Rico.

The UN Security Council gave its green light in October for a multinational policing mission led by Kenya, but that deployment has been stalled by Kenyan courts.

- 'Running away' -

Port-au-Prince and western Haiti are under a month-long state of emergency, and a nighttime curfew was in effect until Monday, though it was unlikely overstretched police could enforce it.

In Port-au-Prince, Filienne Setoute told AFP how she had worked for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor for more than 20 years.

That job meant she "was able to build my own house," she said. "But now here I am, homeless. I'm fleeing without knowing where to go, it's an abuse."

"We haven't been able to sleep since last night," she added. "We're running away."

Haiti's airport remained closed while the main port -- a key point for food imports -- reported looting since suspending services Thursday.

"If we cannot access those containers, Haiti will go hungry soon," non-governmental organization Mercy Corps warned.

CARICOM, an alliance of Caribbean nations, has summoned envoys from the United States, France, Canada and the United Nations to a meeting Monday in Jamaica to discuss the violence and ways to provide assistance to Haiti.

Meanwhile Pope Francis offered his prayers Sunday, saying he is "following with concern and pain the serious crisis affecting Haiti" and the country's people, "who have suffered so much for years."
Celtic scores the fourth goal to seal the match with Kyogo's goal

Daizen Maeda scores his third goal, the hat trick after the assist from Itawa to put the Glasgow team ahead on the scoreboard

Error in Celtic's defense and Livingston takes advantage of it with Yengi's goal to tie the score



Double from Maeda to put Celtic back ahead on the scoreboard. Counterattack by the Glasgow team that ends with a header

Daniel MacKay beats Hart to tie the score at one

Maeda puts Celtic ahead on the scoreboard after a cross from Nicolas Kuhn from the right wing.

If you want to watch it online, VAVEL is your best option.
JAKARTA, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The pilot of a small cargo plane that had crashed in a deep forest in Indonesia's North Kalimantan province on Friday survived the crash while the engineer died, said local media on Sunday.

"The pilot survived and the engineer died," said Kalvin Daud Ipin, head of Binuang village where the plane crashed.

According to Ipin, the 29-year-old pilot of the Pilatus aircraft, Muhammad Yusuf Yusandikan Katohe, was found alive in safe condition while the engineer Deni Sobali, aged 35, was confirmed dead. Both now have been evacuated to Jusuf SK Hospital in Tarakan town in the province by the local search and rescue team.

Ipin, who also took part in the evacuation process, said that when found, the pilot looked healthy but tired.

"The pilot made a bonfire, so the smoke that was seen during the search yesterday was indeed what he made," Ipin said.

"We have received information that at this time the pilot is in medical treatment and is still recovering," he added.

The plane, carrying 583 kilograms of basic necessities from Tarakan Airport to Nunukan Regency in the province, lost contact on Friday afternoon. The wreckage of the aircraft was found on Saturday evening. 
More than a year after Cambodia's government crackdown on cyber-slavery scams, anti-human-trafficking groups say scams are still operating at scale, casting doubt on the official narrative that Cambodia has significantly addressed its human trafficking problem.

Cambodia has received widespread attention for its human trafficking epidemic, in which workers are forced to ensnare overseas victims in online fraud schemes. In September 2022, the government raided scam compounds, netting thousands of arrests and deportations.

Since then, Cambodian authorities say they have cut down on human trafficking, disputing a U.N. report that estimated there had been 100,000 victims in Cambodia and accusing news outlets of "baseless" reporting.

International attention, meanwhile, shifted to growing cyber-slavery in northern Myanmar and along the Myanmar-Thai border.

But victim advocate groups say that rather than shutting down, some operations temporarily relocated during the crackdown before reopening in Cambodia. NGOs say identifying and rescuing victims has become more challenging as the government publicly denies the size of the industry.

"From our observation, online scamming has not decreased," Tola Moeun, executive director of the Phnom Penh-based Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights, told VOA. "We don't know why there has been no clear action, and we continue to see this happening."

Another international observer working on the issue, who asked for anonymity to maintain relations with the government, told VOA, "It is clear that the volume of trafficking into Cambodia for forced scamming is back to pre-September 2022 levels and maybe exceeding that."

Companies relocated

As police descended upon the notorious trafficking hotspot of Sihanoukville in September 2022, buildings across the city emptied out.

"Michael, 38, a Taiwanese trafficking victim who was inside Sihanoukville's alleged Huang Le compound, using a pseudonym to talk with VOA by phone from Indonesia, recalled companies scrambling to transfer operations.

"Many companies just relocated at that time," Michael said. "Our company also decided to move."

While some operators went to Myanmar, others remained in Cambodia. Michael was taken to a compound in the town of O'Smach, near the Thai border.

Other Sihanoukville companies operated with skeleton crews, according to the Global Anti-Scam Organization (GASO), which helps release trafficking victims across Southeast Asia.

"Some buildings in Sihanoukville look like empty buildings  but there are indeed human trafficking victims inside," said Alicia, a GASO worker who asked to use only her first name to be able to speak freely. "I can't say that all of them relocated or stopped completely.  Some were still running online scams behind closed doors."

For the next six months, Michael bounced among three more Cambodian compounds. By June 2023, he was sold to Jinshui, a well-known alleged scam center in Sihanoukville's Chinatown area. He began training to impersonate an Amazon affiliate to try to persuade people to invest money.

Already, several Jinshui buildings were occupied with trafficked workers from China, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan, Michael said, while other Chinatown buildings were also filling up.

"One building could accommodate [up to] 800 people," he said. "There were at least 400 to 500 people in our company."

Return to Sihanoukville

Chinatown's repopulation is part of a broader return of scamming to Sihanoukville, observers say.

Jacob Sims, senior technical adviser at anti-trafficking organization International Justice Mission, told VOA a Chinese crackdown on Myanmar compounds and the Operation 1027 offensive against Myanmar's junta have caused a resurgence of scams along the Myanmar-Thai border, in Laos' Golden Triangle, and Cambodia.

"Reports from numerous sources on the ground in Sihanoukville confirm that the industry there is surging," Sims said. "There are real regional drivers for why that trend makes sense. This is a multibillion-dollar industry that has now been effectively displaced from northern Myanmar."

Sihanoukville residents told VOA they have seen a fresh wave of foreigners arriving at compounds straight from the airport. Some previously quiet buildings are now heavily guarded with people living inside.

A compound called "Jincai" appeared abandoned after authorities found evidence of trafficking there in 2022. Since last August, buses have dropped hundreds of foreigners at the property, residents said.

One business owner said her nephew had briefly worked there but quit because "you have to be good at online frauding."

A local policeman told VOA the buildings were filled with Malaysian and Chinese workers, but he did not know what activities occurred inside. The compound is now known as New Golden Wealth Casino Co., which was reissued a casino license in December 2022.

"We don't know if it's new people or the old people who run it," the policeman said.

Chou Bun Eng, Interior Ministry secretary of state and permanent vice chairwoman of the National Committee for Counter Trafficking, would not speak about specific compounds and told VOA that prior investigations did not prevent companies from restarting business activities.

"To allow reopening means that they're among the investigating locations where they could not find anything," Bun Eng said. "It's normal for businesses to continue their work in the case that they do not commit crimes."

NGOs cut out

Even as scamming continues, civil society groups are struggling to help victims.

In several cases, traffickers recorded videos showing "freed" victims outside the compound but brought them back inside after sending the videos to police, GASO's Alicia said. Other victims have been released without help from authorities to travel to Phnom Penh and start the immigration process.

"I don't know if it's because the Cambodian government is not placing as much importance on this issue anymore or what, but I think this way of operating is not appropriate," Alicia told VOA. "It gives scam companies an opportunity to deceive  and can lead to a higher chance of the victim being beaten or hurt."

Cambodia's Interior Ministry set up a hotline for scam victims, which has made the rescue process more opaque, multiple insiders said.

Tola, of the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights, said authorities "cut off the role of the NGOs for help."

"It is very difficult for civil society, and all the work we do must be very cautious," Tola said. "With some of the more controversial cases, we do not dare to say that we help them."

Still, officials tout low official case numbers as evidence the problem has abated. Bun Eng said authorities confirmed fewer than 300 cases of "confinement" since September 2022.

"There is no such mysterious place. We have searched all over the place when there is a complaint, but in the end, there is no huge number," Bun Eng said.

Cindy Dyer, U.S. ambassador-at-large to monitor and combat trafficking in persons, told a local publication that Cambodian officials "disputed the scale" in recent meetings and are "just not getting at the bigger problem."

"There's no way we could see the scale of operation in Cambodia without there being both low-level and high-level complicity," Dyer said. "High-level government officials may be in the front.  The low-level enforcement officers know who owns these things."

Michael, the scamming victim, escaped in July. As his bosses prepared to transfer operations to Myanmar, he contacted the Taiwanese Embassy and GASO, which helped him get away from a van traveling to the border.

Throughout his year in Cambodian compounds, Michael was beaten, isolated in the dark and shocked with an electric baton, he told VOA. He had been recruited on Facebook for a restaurant gig.

"My darkest experiences were in Cambodia," Michael said. "Even if you beat me to death, I will never go to Cambodia again."
Explosives likely caused a huge fire that gutted a section of Mogadishus biggest market, Bakara, on Sunday, an official and witnesses in the Somali capital said.

The explosions, which started just before 5 a.m. local time, claimed the life of at least one person and destroyed several stores that sell electronics and an assortment of goods such as coffee, shoes, and clothes, authorities said.

Frequent fires have destroyed a number of main markets in Somalia, and the cause has largely been electrical faults. But officials in Mogadishu said they suspect that explosives detonated at the stores were the likely cause of the latest fire.

There has been no claim of responsibility, but officials say they suspect al-Shabab militants were behind the attack. Al-Shabab has not yet officially commented on the Bakara market fire. For years, al-Shabab has opposed store and street surveillance systems that can be used to identify members who facilitate attacks.

Al-Shabab regularly carries out assassinations and attacks against government workers, installations, security personnel, and African Union forces who support the Somali government. For nearly 20 years, al-Shabab has been fighting to overthrow the government and establish its own rule in accordance with its version of sharia, or Islamic law.

Businessman Hassan Abdi Ahmed, who was at a mosque in the market for morning prayers, said he heard the sound of four explosions before the fire started.

I was there in Bakara market; one [explosion] occurred nearby, then we heard another, a third, and a fourth one, said Ahmed, who chairs the Bakara Market Chamber of Commerce.

Three were far, they happened further inside the market when the fire started; one was nearby. That is being confirmed by everyone. Its clear. Its not a secret.

Mohamed Ahmed Diriye, the deputy mayor of Mogadishu for security and political affairs, said the government is investigating the cause but pointed out al-Shabab is suspected.

There are murderers called Khawarij who are against the stability of this country, who, when weakened, try whatever acts they can to disrupt, Diriye said while speaking to the media at Bakara market.

Khawarij, or deviants, is a term which the Somali government uses to refer to al-Shabab.

Diriye said the person killed approached the explosives, which were left outside a store, mistaking them for trash.

Some traders and store owners anonymously told the media they had been receiving threatening phone calls from people claiming to be al-Shabab militants, who oppose the installation of surveillance cameras at the businesses.

The Somali security branches advised the businesses to install the cameras. Suspected al-Shabab attackers previously targeted streetlights and CCTV cameras fitted to the main roads and junctions.

They are fighting against the cameras because they dont want to be seen, Diriye said.

It will never stop; we will work on it. We want the people to be alert.

Last month, at least eight people were killed and 19 others injured after a series of bombings, which targeted a chain of shops that sell electronics at the same market. Authorities blamed al-Shabab.
Amid a crawfish shortage in Louisiana, the nation's top producer of the crustaceans that are a staple in Gulf Coast seafood boils, Governor Jeff Landry issued a disaster declaration for the impacted industry Wednesday.

Last year's drought, extreme heat, saltwater intrusion on the Mississippi River and a hard winter freeze in the Bayou State have devastated this year's crawfish harvest and led to significant price hikes for those purchasing "mudbugs." Landry said the shortage is affecting not only Louisiana's economy but also "our way of life."

"All 365,000 crawfish acres in Louisiana have been affected by these conditions," Landry said in a written statement Wednesday. "That is why I am issuing a disaster declaration. The crawfish industry needs all the support it can get right now."

Landry's disaster declaration, which is the legal underpinning that assists in securing federal resources, came shortly after a request from Louisiana's congressional delegation seeking to unlock federal aid to help farmers back in their home state.

During a typical year, Louisiana generates 175 million to 200 million pounds of crawfish  contributing $500 million to the state's economy annually, according to the governor's office.

However, amid severe drought in 2023 and extreme heat, typically one of the wettest states in the country saw some of its driest conditions. As a result, the weather dried out the soil where crawfish burrow to lay eggs.

Louisiana State University's Agriculture Center estimates the potential losses to the state's crawfish industry to be nearly $140 million.

"Louisiana's crawfish industry is more than an economic driver for our state  it is a deep part of our cultural heritage," said Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Crawfish, which have been harvested commercially in the state since at least the 1800s, are usually plentiful in Louisiana during the late winter and through the spring.

The tail meat, fresh or frozen, of the tiny lobster-like crustaceans are used in a variety of dishes, including crawfish etouffee, gumbos and po' boy sandwiches. But the most popular way to serve them is boiled with corn and potatoes and a variety of seasonings. Crawfish boils, which see pounds of the freshly cooked crustaceans poured onto communal tables, are popular during Carnival season and during Lent, when many in heavily Catholic south Louisiana seek alternatives to meat.

But this year, Strain said, some Mardi Gras celebrations continued without chowing down on crawfish, which were scarce and unaffordable for many.

Around this time last year, the cost for a pound of boiled crawfish was $3 to $5. Now, restaurants across the state are selling them for $10 to $12 per pound, as reported by The Advocate in Baton Rouge.

In a letter last week to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Strain said: "For the first time in many years, due to sustained drought in 2023 and freezing temperatures in early 2024, crawfish are simply unavailable."
After being gently rocked awake in her sleeper cabin, Sarah Mark spent the morning of her 29th birthday watching the Alps zip past the windows of her overnight train to Zurich.

"The train comes in right next to the lake, with the mountains coming up behind it," Marks said wistfully. "Very romantic, I have to say."

By the time of that 2022 journey from Zagreb, Croatia, it had been four years since she had taken a flight since around the time Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg began to spread the term flygskam, or "flight shame."

They join an increasing number of climate-conscious Europeans, particularly younger travelers, who are shunning carbon-spewing airplanes in favor of overnight trains. In the process, they've spurred something of a night-train revival while discovering what many say is a slower, richer way of traveling, one that had been on the edge of extinction.

"Being able to fall asleep in one city and wake up maybe even in another country, it's amazing to me," said Marks, a Londoner who grew up flying several times a year. "When I switched the plane for the train, it was a no-brainer because, also, this is a superior experience."

Reinvestment, public and private

Though still a niche and relatively pricey market, demand for sleeper trains is increasing. The online platform Trainline said overnight bookings in 2023 rose 147% compared to 2019, the year before the pandemic. And a climate survey by the European Investment Bank found that 62 percent of respondents supported a ban on short flights.

Governments have begun to reinvest in overnight trains as they search for ways to meet targets to reduce carbon emissions by 2030. The European Commission selected three new night routes in a pilot program aimed to support cross-border travel, including some ambitious private startups.

"Government investment is somehow going back to the good old days of when railways were providing a public service," said Poul Kettler, one of the founders of Back on Track, a pan-European rail advocacy group. "The climate is coming with a price tag, and they're now willing to pay."

Sleeper trains never completely disappeared, particularly in Eastern Europe, but advocates say they suffered years of underinvestment while budget airlines sold tickets for a fraction of the cost.

National railways pivoted resources to high-speed daytime rail, and governments promoted more short-haul air travel by expanding airports and mostly exempting jet fuel from taxes. The supposed death knell for sleeper trains arrived when Germany's Deutsche Bahn shuttered their remaining overnight routes in 2015.

But the turnaround began almost immediately. Austria's railway, OBB, gambled on night trains by buying all of Germany's sleeper carriages. They renovated the cars, rebranded it Nightjet and applied cost-saving lessons from the airline industry. Now, Nightjet runs 22 international sleeper routes, mostly in Central Europe but extending from Vienna to Paris and Hamburg to Rome.

In December, Nightjet began rolling out 33 new seven-car trains complete with room key cards, cellphone-permeable window panes for better photos, and digital thermostats in each compartment.

A new kind of passenger

Nightjet probably saved the entire night-train industry, said Thibault Constant, a former engineer at France's state-owned railway company, SNCF, with 250,000 followers on his Simply Railway Youtube channel.

The atmosphere on sleeper trains has changed dramatically, he said.

"Ten years ago, it was only old people and weirdos taking night trains," Constant, 27, said while riding a train through the Czech Republic. "Now I take the same lines with a bunch of teenagers and all kinds of people."

The success of Nightjet showed other national railways that sleeper trains were worth upgrading, advocates say. In 2023, for instance, the Czech and Hungarian railways began refurbishing their sleeper cars, and national operators in Italy and Finland signed contracts for new ones.

Private companies also are stepping in to fill gaps in service. European Sleeper launched last year  partially relying on crowdfunding  with service from Brussels to Berlin via Amsterdam, and extended the line to Prague in May. The European Commission selected the company's plans for an Amsterdam-to-Barcelona route among its pilot projects.

Still, progress is slow-going. A much-hyped French proposal in 2021 to invest $1.5 billion in overnight trains still has not begun, according to Back on Track. (France did revive four overnight lines from Paris to the south in the last two years.) And Spain's Renfe discontinued the last of its Trenhotel lines in 2020 with no plans announced to bring them back.

Romance of the rails, with hurdles

Challenges include the lack of a central booking platform for train tickets; the more than 30 European operators each have their own websites. It's also hard to make night trains profitable, considering that a day-running train car has about 70 seats, compared to the 20 to 40 berths on an average night train.

And there is the issue of price, and competition from budget airlines. For example, a 14-hour overnight train ride in late April form Paris to Berlin on Nightjet was going for 139 euros for a bunk in a four- to six-person couchette, whereas a flight on budget carrier Transavia was 50 euros. Private cabins on the train can cost significantly more, while reclining seats are similar to the price of a flight.

Marks noted, however, that a sleeper car saves travelers the price of a hotel night, not to mention the cost of traveling to city centers from far-flung airports. Headline flight prices rarely include fees for bags, seat assignments and other extras.

Sleeper-car buffs say the experience is worth some extra effort and cost.

Says Mark Smith, whose website Man in Seat 61 is a guide to European train travel: "What's better than snuggling down in crisp, clean sheets with a bottle of wine while you travel, and then you're there the next morning? It's quite fun."
Europeans scrolling their phones and computers are getting new choices for default browsers and search engines, where to download iPhone apps and how their personal online data is used.

They're part of changes required under the Digital Markets Act, a set of European Union regulations that six tech companies classed as gatekeepers  Amazon, Apple, Google parent Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft and TikTok owner ByteDance  will have to start following by midnight Wednesday.

The DMA is the latest in a series of regulations that Europe has passed as a global leader in reining in the dominance of large tech companies. Tech giants have responded  sometimes reluctantly  by changing some of their long-held ways of doing business, such as Apple allowing people to install smartphone apps outside of its App Store.

The new rules have broad but vague goals of making digital markets fairer and more contestable." They are kicking in as efforts around the world to crack down on the tech industry are picking up pace.

Here's a look at how the Digital Markets Act will work:

Which companies must follow the rules?

Some 22 services, from operating systems to messenger apps and social media platforms, will be in the DMA's crosshairs.

They include Google services such as Maps, YouTube, the Chrome browser and Android operating system, plus Amazon's Marketplace and Apple's Safari Browser and iOS.

Meta's Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are included as well as Microsoft's Windows and LinkedIn.

The companies face the threat of hefty fines worth up to 20% of their annual global revenue for repeated violations  which could amount to billions of dollars  or even a breakup of their businesses for systematic infringements.

What effect will the rules have globally?

The Digital Markets Act is a fresh milestone for the 27-nation European Union in its longstanding role as a worldwide trendsetter in clamping down on the tech industry.

The bloc has previously hit Google with whopping fines in antitrust cases, rolled out tough rules to clean up social media and is bringing in world-first artificial intelligence regulations.

Now, places such as Japan, Britain, Mexico, South Korea, Australia, Brazil and India are drawing up their own versions of DMA-like rules aimed at preventing tech companies from dominating digital markets.

"Were seeing copycats around the world already," said Bill Echikson, senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, a Washington-based think tank. The DMA will become the de facto standard for digital regulation in the democratic world, he said.

Officials will be looking to Brussels for guidance, said Zach Meyers, assistant director at the Center for European Reform, a think tank in London.

If it works, many Western countries will probably try to follow the DMA to avoid fragmentation and the risk of taking a different approach that fails, he said.

How will downloading apps change?

In one of the biggest changes, Apple has said it will let European iPhone users download apps outside its App Store, which comes installed on its mobile devices.

The company has long resisted such a move, with a big chunk of its revenue coming from the 30% fee it charges for payments  such as for Disney+ subscriptions  made through iOS apps. Apple has warned that sideloading apps will come with added security risks.

Now, Apple is cutting the fees it collects from app developers in Europe that opt to stay within the companys payment-processing system. But it's adding a 50-euro cent fee for each iOS app installed through third-party app stores, which critics say will deter the many existing free apps  whose developers currently don't pay any fee  from jumping ship.

Why would they possibly opt into a world where they have to pay a 50 cent per-user fee? said Avery Gardiner, Spotify's global director of competition policy. So those alternative app stores will never get traction, because theyll be missing this huge chunk of apps that would need to be there in order for customers to find the store attractive."

That is utterly at odds with the very purpose of the DMA, Gardiner said.

Brussels will be closely scrutinizing whether tech companies are complying.

EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager said this week that after 10 years on the job, I have seen quite a number of antitrust cases and quite a lot of creativity built into how to work around the rules that we have."

How will people get more options online?

Consumers won't be forced into default choices for key services.

Android users can pick which search engine to use by default, while iPhone users will get to choose which browser will be their go-to. Europeans will see choice screens on their devices. Microsoft, meanwhile, will stop forcing people to use its Edge browser.

The idea is to stop people from being nudged into using Apples Safari browser or Googles Search app. But smaller players still worry that they might end up worse off than before.

Users might just stick with what they recognize because they don't know anything about the other options, said Christian Kroll, CEO of Berlin-based search engine Ecosia.

Ecosia has been pushing for Apple and Google to include more information about rival services in the choice screens.

If people dont know what the alternatives are, its rather unlikely that many of them will select an alternative, Kroll said. Im a big fan of the DMA. I am not sure yet if it will have the results that were hoping for.

How will internet searches change?

Some Google search results will show up differently, because the DMA bans companies from giving preference to their own services.

So, for example, searches for hotels will now display an extra "carousel" of booking sites such as Expedia. Meanwhile, the Google Flights button on the search result display will be removed and the site will be listed among the blue links on search result pages.

Users also will have options to stop being profiled for targeted advertising based on their online activity.

Google users are getting the choice to stop data from being shared across the companys services to help better target them with ads.

Meta is allowing users to separate their Facebook and Instagram accounts so their personal information can't be combined for ad targeting.

The DMA also requires messaging systems to be able to work with each other. Meta, which owns the only two chat apps that fall under the rules, is expected to come up with a proposal on how Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp users can exchange text messages, videos and images.
Hundreds of Tibetans in exile marched on the streets of New Delhi on Sunday to commemorate the 65th Tibetan National Uprising Day against China.

Over 300 protesters gathered near Indias Parliament House and chanted slogans including Tibet was never a part of China and China should leave Tibet.

The protesters carried Tibetan flags and photographs of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

The 88-year-old Dalai Lama has made the Indian hillside town of Dharmsala his headquarters since fleeing from Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. India considers Tibet to be part of China, though it hosts the Tibetan exiles.

The Dalai Lama denies Chinas claim that he is a separatist and says he only advocates substantial autonomy and protection of Tibets native Buddhist culture.

The Tibetan government-in-exile in India accuses China of denying the most fundamental human rights to people in Tibet and vigorously carrying out the extermination of the Tibetan identity.

The Tibetan Youth Congress, which organized the New Delhi protest march Sunday, said that in 1959, the Chinese Communist regime perpetrated an occupation of Tibet, resulting in Tibetans rising in revolt.

"Since then, the Chinese regime has resorted to brutal tactics resulting in the deaths of over a million Tibetans who peacefully protested against oppressive Chinese rule, it said in a statement.
Negotiations continue for a cease-fire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, Israels intelligence agency, Mossad, said in a statement Saturday.

"Contacts and cooperation with the mediators continue all the time in an effort to narrow the gaps and reach agreements," the statement said. It was distributed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office as hopes dim for a truce during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Israel and Hamas have traded blame over the deadlock in negotiations just before Ramadan, which begins on or around March 10 and is observed by Muslims worldwide.

A Hamas source told Reuters the group's delegation was unlikely to make another visit to Cairo over the weekend for talks.

Egypt, the United States and Qatar have been mediating negotiations since January. Under a draft of the current cease-fire agreement, 40 hostages would be released in exchange for dozens of Palestinians jailed by Israel.

Hamas blames Israel for the deadlocked negotiations saying it refuses to give guarantees to end the war or pull its forces from the enclave. Netanyahu has called those demands "delusional."

Israeli officials have said that the war will end only with the defeat of Hamas, which has been designated a terror group by the U.S., U.K., EU and others.

In a statement Saturday marking Ramadan, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh vowed the Palestinians would continue to fight Israel "until they regain freedom and independence."

Mossad said Hamas was digging its heels in and aiming for violence in the region to spiral during Ramadan.

Israel attacks Gaza

Dozens of families in the southern city of Rafah in Gaza were left homeless Saturday, when Israeli forces struck one of the largest residential towers there, claiming the block was used by Hamas to plan attacks on Israel.

No casualties were reported.

Israels attack is stepping up pressure on the only part of the enclave it has not yet invaded and where more than a million displaced Palestinians are sheltering.

One of the 300 residents of the tower, located about 500 meters from the border with Egypt, told Reuters that Israel gave them a 30-minute warning to flee the building at night.

"People were startled, running down the stairs, some fell, it was chaos. People left their belongings and money," said Mohammad Al-Nabrees, adding that among those who tripped down the stairs during the panic was a friend's pregnant wife.

After five months of war, the situation in Gaza is deteriorating rapidly.

"There is nowhere safe for people to go," according to a statement released by the International Committee of the Red Cross on Saturday.

The war began on October 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages. Israel responded with an air and land assault on Hamas-governed Gaza, killing nearly 31,000 people, according to the local health ministry, with thousands more feared buried under rubble. Neither side differentiates between civilians and combatants. Nearly three-quarters of Gaza's 2.3 million population is displaced. Nearly the entire population is at risk of famine, according to the U.N.

Mirjana Spoljaric, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), decried the ongoing civilian casualties and made the urgent call for the unconditional release of the hostage held by Hamas.

Spoljaric also called for a cessation of hostilities to allow for meaningful humanitarian aid to reach the people in need and for the ICRC to be allowed to visit the hostages. Her statement also asked for the humane treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli detention.

UNRWA funding

The head of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency, Philippe Lazzarini, expressed cautious optimism as some donors have resumed funding the humanitarian agency and that more would join within weeks, he said in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RTS that aired Saturday.

UNRWA, which provides aid and essential services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank and across the region, has been under investigation since Israel accused 12 of its 13,000 staff in Gaza of taking part in the October 7 terror attack on southern Israel.

UNRWA said some of its employees released from Israeli detention said they were pressured by Israeli authorities to falsely admit that staff took part in the attack, according to a report by the agency dated February.

UNRWA runs schools, health care clinics and other social services in Gaza, and distributes humanitarian aid. The U.N. has said some 3,000 members of staff are still working to deliver aid in the enclave, where it says 576,000 people  one quarter of the population  are a step away from famine.

"The agency I currently manage is the only agency that delivers public services to Palestinian refugees," Lazzarini said.

"We are the quasi-ministry of education, of primary health. If we were to get rid of such a body, who would bring back the millions of girls and boys who are traumatized in the Gaza Strip today back to a learning environment?" Lazzarini added.

VOAs Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
At least five people were killed Saturday, four from the same family, and nine wounded in an Israeli strike on a house in southern Lebanon, the country's official National News Agency reported.

Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement and Israel have traded deadly cross-border fire on a near-daily basis since war broke out in October between Israel and the Gaza militant group Hamas, a Hezbollah ally.

"The attack against a house in the Khirbet Selm area killed a family of four," a couple and their two children, and one other person, the NNA said, adding that the mother was also pregnant.

The strike demolished the house, wounding at least nine others who lived nearby, it said.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October at least 312 people, mainly Hezbollah fighters, and 56 civilians have been killed in Lebanon, according to an AFP tally.

The fighting is mainly along border regions, but fears have grown of a broader conflict in Lebanon.

Last Tuesday, a Lebanese couple and their son were killed in an Israeli strike on a house in the southern border village of Hula.

In Israel, at least 10 soldiers and seven civilians have been killed.

The Hamas attack on southern Israel that triggered the war in Gaza resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures.

Israel's retaliatory campaign to destroy Hamas has killed 30,960 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the Hamas-ruled territory's health ministry.
Police officers have arrested a man who crashed a car into the gates of Buckingham Palace in London over the weekend, authorities said Sunday.

The Metropolitan Police said the car "collided with the gates" of the royal residence at 2:30 am (0230 GMT) on Saturday. No one was injured in the incident.

Armed officers arrested the man at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage and he was taken to hospital, the force said in a statement.

After an assessment he was detained under the Mental Health Act, the force said, but he has since been released on bail and enquiries continue.

The matter is not being treated as terror-related.

Security measures at Buckingham Palace, the British royal family's official residence, are stringent, with the building in the heart of the capital constantly monitored by armed officers.

The palace has faced several break-in attempts in the past.

In September last year, a 25-year-old man was arrested after trying to enter the royal stables.

Ahead of King Charles III's coronation last May, a man was arrested for throwing shotgun cartridges into the palace grounds.

The same month, a 43-year-old man was arrested for ramming his car into the gates that guard Downing Street, the residence of Britain's prime minister.
Six years ago, Nachiket Chanchani visited Angkor Wat for the first time. Inspired, the architectural historian began thinking about the relationship between the complexities of modern post-genocide Cambodia and the ancient temple complex.

Chanchani, an associate art history professor at the University of Michigan, kept reflecting on Angkor Wat, juxtaposing the temple complex against art created since the Khmer Rouge killed nearly 2 million Cambodians between 1975 and 1979.

During the pandemic, his thoughts crystallized amid worldwide suffering, anxiety and fear. I thought that this art, both from the deep past and from more recent times in Cambodia, can teach us lessons of how to kind of stay stable, find some way forward, he told VOA Khmer Service via Zoom.

The University of Michigan Museum of Art, or UMMA, one of the largest university museums in the United States, is now exhibiting 80 pieces of Cambodian art in a show guest curated by Chanchani in Ann Arbor. Titled "Angkor Complex: Cultural Heritage and Post-Genocide Memory in Cambodia," it opened February 3 and runs through July 28. Featured artists Vann Nath, Sopheap Pich, Svay Sareth, Amy Lee Sanford and Leang Seckon, who live in Cambodia and the U.S., have pieces in the exhibit.

The Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, covers more than 400 square kilometers (155 square miles). Once a city of nearly a million people, the site contains some of Cambodias most famous structures, including those recognized worldwide after being seen in movies such as "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and In the Mood for Love."

Playing with the dictionary meanings of "complex" such as "a whole made up of complicated or interrelated parts," "a building or group of buildings housing related units" or "a group of repressed desires and memories that exerts a dominating influence upon the personality," Chanchani saw how the exhibit could allow us to think about these different layers, these different kinds of ideas of complexness.

Today, "Cambodians regard Angkor Wat as a sacred center, a national symbol, and a site of memory," according to the exhibition guide.

"Like Angkor Wats bullet-ridden walls, contemporary artworks from Cambodia and its diaspora bear the scars of a genocide and of related upheavals," said Chanchani, adding that as a non-Cambodian outsider, he was aware of the exhibitions sensitive nature. "It's not as if this is something that happened a thousand years ago that you can just say, it happened," he said. "The survivors are still there."

Chanchani hoped bringing Cambodian art to the U.S. would console viewers.

But what could the U.S., one of the biggest economic and military powers learn from Cambodia, a small southeast Asian country, other than how to move on from painful memories and what the exhibition catalog describes as the current interwoven global crises of "public health, economic instability, authoritarian regimes, racial injustice and climate change?"

And how does one nation heal from an event like the Khmer Rouge killing nearly a quarter of the population in its quest to create an agrarian utopia for worker-peasants?

For some Cambodians, it can seem as if, 40 years later, the nation can barely move on or show off a new face when it is still being referred to in the context of the past suffering, especially on the international stage.

Reaksmey Yean, a Cambodian art writer, curator and researcher in Phnom Penh, applauded the Michigan show, but added it is a "cliche" because Angkor Wat and the Khmer Rouge have been overused to identify Cambodia.

"An exhibition about Cambodia, its history and culture is rare in the U.S., so I think it is important to have the exhibition to put Cambodia on the map," Reaksmey Yean told VOA Khmer Service. "However, it is a cliche for me because its been more than 20 years when our civil war completely ended and there are so much in our cultures that can be shown."

Museum Director Christina Olsen said the audience will have a chance to learn about the "distinct cultural and political [significance] of Cambodia" through the historical and contemporary arts by Cambodian and diasporic artists.

"At the same time, the exhibition invites consideration of todays broader cultural, social and political happenings and fosters dialogue about the lessons that can be taken from the pain and resilience of the Cambodian people," she added in the press release.

Svay Sareth is a Cambodian artist whose works in sculpture, installation and durational performance "are made using materials and processes intentionally associated with war  metals, uniforms, camouflage and actions requiring great endurance," according to the Richard Koh Gallery in Singapore. Sareths interest in how Cambodia was affected by war and how its people are moving on has informed his art.

"I want the audience in the U.S. [to] see how the post genocide in Cambodia affect the intergeneration," Sareth said.

Another work, "Full Circle," by Khmer American artist Amy Lee Sanford, is comprised of 40 broken clay pots, repaired and installed in a circle. She is known for her "Break Pot" performance pieces where she would drop the clay pot from a height, then glue all the pieces back together, an effort to show how situations can change in seconds and even when repaired, can never be the same again.

Sanford said she hopes the Michigan exhibition will show that Cambodians "have a memory of some of the important architectural and religious structures  and that also that there are contemporary artists now doing things related to history and related to looking forward as well."
In this piece, we are going to look at 15 Best Hot Dogs in The US. In case, you want to skip our discussion on the Hot Dogs market, you can go directly to 5 Best Hot Dogs in The US.

The global hot dog market is not just sizzlingit's projected to make some serious dough; with an estimated value of $72.27 billion in 2022 expected to climb to $95.13 billion by 2027, it is poised to sport a 3% CAGR.

Meanwhile, in North America, the market is on a flavor-filled journey, set to beef up by USD 16.58 billion at a CAGR of 3.73% from 2023 to 2028. The North American hot dog market isn't just relishing its growth; it's on a roll.

With consumers craving convenience and delectable options, hot dogs and sausages are winning hearts (and stomachs). Amidst shifting consumer preferences, the market is experiencing a wiener-take-all situation, especially among millennials and seasoned foodies. This hunger for quick, tasty treats is fueling market growth, with a surge in demand for ready-to-eat hot dog and sausage options taking the spotlight.

Manufacturers are rolling with the trend, serving up an array of convenient choices, from pre-cooked and heat-and-eat to microwaveable options, catering to the fast-paced lifestyles of hot dog aficionados. And the convenience doesn't end there! Busy bees are buzzing about the time-saving charm of these delectable delights, allowing for instant gratification without sacrificing flavor or quality. Packaging innovations are also on the menu, making on-the-go snacking a breeze with single-serving portions and grab-and-go formats. With demand for quick and easy meals heating up, the forecast for the hot dog market looks like it's ready to take a big bite out of the competition.

In the realm of hot dogs market, few players are continuing to display rocketing performance financially, and before we go jump on to our list of 15 Best Hot Dogs in The US, we must shed light on these companies. Namely, we are going to discuss Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST), Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) and Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI).

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Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST), the retail giant with the cult-favorite Kirkland Signature brand, is a hot dog destination for many Americans. Sizzling with 100% USDA-inspected beef and the absence of fillers, byproducts, or corn syrup, these hot dogs are grilling taste buds across the nation.

In their latest financial performance announcement, Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) continues to strut its stuff, boasting a 5.7% increase in net sales to $57.33 billion in Q2 ending 31 December 2023, and a tantalizing 5.9% rise to $114.05 billion year-to-date. With net income beefing up to $1.743 billion in Q2 (earning $3.92 per diluted share) and membership fees chipping in at $1.1 billion, Costco's financial performance is soaring high. E-commerce growth has been on a rocket ride with an 18.4% jump in Q2.

Ball Park Brand, a top American hot dog favorite, is under the wing of Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN). Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) have got quite the lineup, including well-known brands such as Tyson, Jimmy Dean, and more. Recently, on November 29, 2023, Tyson Foods celebrated the grand opening of a cutting-edge $300 million fully-cooked food facility in Danville, Virginia. This state-of-the-art plant is geared up to churn out nearly four million pounds of top-notch cooked poultry goodies each week. Not to mention, it's creating around 400 fresh job opportunities in the southeastern Virginia area. With high-tech automation at play, this plant is setting new standards within the company. It's a clear sign of Tyson Foods' dedication to future growth and efficiency.

Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI), a well-known American grocery chain, operates under the Safeway banner, offering a variety of hot dogs and franks. In a fun twist, on December 4, 2023, Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) announced an exciting collaboration between Safeway and popular content creator MrBeast. The partnership led to a unique challenge called "Survive in a Grocery Store," where a contestant had to live inside a Safeway store. Each day the contestant managed to stay in the store, they won $10,000, with a unique twistthey had to pick $10,000 worth of products to donate to local charities daily. This creative challenge resulted in over $450,000 worth of groceries, electronics, paper goods, and other items being donated to local nonprofit organizations.

15 Best Hot Dogs in The US

Copyright: bhofack2 / 123RF Stock Photo

Methodology

To curate our list of 15 Best Hot Dogs in The US, we researched across various sources across the internet listing the best hot dogs in the USA, which we used to shortlist over 50 hot dogs providers in the country. From that extensive list, we listed down each shops ratings from various sources like Google reviews, Tripadvisor, Yelp and Grubhub, along with also noting down the number of ratings. Relying on both the metrics, we then ranked our list and prepared this final version, and present to you 15 Best Hot Dogs in The US.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

15. Mile End Deli, Brooklyn, New York

Rating: 4.3

Number of ratings: 978

When it comes to hot dogs, some places just take things to a whole new level, and Mile End Deli is one of those best hot dogs spots in the America that really knows how to amp up the classic hot dog game. Nestled in Brooklyn, this modern deli is all about elevating comfort food to gourmet status, using top-notch ingredients and some serious culinary skills. Inspired by family recipes and the vibes of Montreal-style delis (they even named themselves after Montreal's Mile End neighborhood), Mile End Deli is famous for their smoking meats, poutine, and, of course, their killer homemade hot dogs. The star of the show? The Hoyt Dog an all-beef beauty topped with tangy relish and sauerkraut, all wrapped up in a sweet, buttery challah roll. And keep an eye out for their awesome specials; sometimes, they'll surprise you with unique creations like a Seattle-inspired dog loaded with cream cheese, caramelized onions, and cucumbers.

14. Nathan's Famous, Brooklyn, New York

Rating: 4.7

Number of ratings: 1,109

Nathan's Famous, a nationwide sensation, started in a humble corner. Founded back in 1916 by Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker, the original Nathan's spot in Coney Island still rocks the New York City food scene. It's a hotspot for its welcoming crew, quick bites, and legendary hot dogs. Not a lot of others beat pairing those juicy dogs with classic mustard and a tangy pickle!

13. Short Leash Hotdogs & Rollover Doughnuts, Phoenix, Arizona

Rating: 4.5

Number of ratings: 1,198

At Short Leash Hotdogs in Phoenix, it's all about gourmet hot dogs, crafty brews, and homemade brioche doughnuts turning heads. The menu is packed with diverse dog options, from classic all-beef and brats to veggie delights and fiery sausages, creatively presented in naan bread with a variety of toppings. You can't get enough of the Lady combo  a mix of sauteed onions, crunchy fried pickles, and zesty chipotle cream cheese. And then there's the mouthwatering Poutine Dog, loaded with French fries, cheese curds, and savory gravy.

12. Bens Chili Bowl, Washington D.C

Rating: 4

Number of ratings: 2,168

Ben's Chili Bowl in DC is one of the best hot dogs in the America because of their signature Half Smoke, served "all the way" with chili, onions, and mustard. It's known as a capital classic, with the sausage being the star of the show. While it's technically more sausage than hot dog, it's definitely worth a try if you're in the area.

11. International House of Hot Dogs, Anchorage, Alaska

Rating: 4.9

Number of ratings: 2,800

Anchorage's International House of Hot Dogs is a hit with the locals because they whip up some crazy tasty gourmet dogs! Picture this: the Asian dog, loaded with spicy slaw and sriracha mayo, or the Frankenstein doga beefy dog wrapped in bacon and covered in cream cheese, pineapple, sauteed ham, and more bacon. But hold up, their real star is the Alaskan dog, decked out with reindeer or buffalo polish sausage, sauteed onions, and their super-secret chipotle sauce.

10. Attmans Deli, Baltimore, Maryland

Rating: 4.6

Number of ratings: 2,761

About a hundred and seven years ago, a family-run Jewish deli popped up just east of downtown Baltimore. This place is a must-visit spot, with celebs, presidents, and hoards of locals and tourists lining up for their mega sandwiches. Attman's Delicatessen is the real deal, according to many folks, promising that they've got the best corned beef in town.

9. Puka Dog, Poipu, Hawaii

Rating: 4

Number of ratings: 2,865

Get ready to say "aloha" to a top-notch hot dog experience at Puka Dog. This Hawaiian-style treat is next level, with a special bun featuring a hole right in the middle. Take your pick between a Polish dog or a veggie option, then spice things up with your choice of garlic lemon sauce. Don't forget to load up on the tasty relish, especially the fan-favorite mango option. And let's not forget the locally-made Auntie Lilikoi Mustardpeople are absolutely loving that tangy kick.

8. Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs, Denver, Colorado

Rating: 4.5

Number of ratings: 3,311

Known for making some of the best hot dogs in the country, Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs in Denver has got some serious street cred, thanks to appearances on shows like Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations. Customers can't stop raving about their incredible dogs, especially the exotic varieties like ostrich, wild boar, and even rattlesnake and rabbit! And if that's not wild enough for you, they've got buffalo and reindeer dogs on the menu too. To top it off, they offer a range of gourmet toppings, including The Desert featuring Harissa roasted cactus, Malaysian curry jam, scallions, cilantro, and onions. It seems to be a hot dog experience like no other!

7. American Coney Island, Detroit, Michigan

Rating: 4.1

Number of ratings: 3,409

American Coney Island in Detroit stands out as one of the top hot dog shops in the USA, known for its signature Michigan coney dog. This classic dish features a steamed bun loaded with chili sauce, mustard, and onions, offering a rich and flavorful experience. Customers praise the deep and meaty chili taste and also suggest trying the delicious chili cheese fries when visiting this historic family-owned establishment.

6. Vinsetta Garage, Berkley, Michigan

Rating: 4.5

Number of ratings: 4,600

Vinsetta Garage, a renowned hot dog shop in the USA, is a modern diner located in a retrofitted garage, fitting for a city known for its car culture. Known for their innovative approach to classic American fare, they offer unique dishes like The 3 A.M. Dog. This hot dog is a departure from traditional Coney Island recipes, featuring housemade bacon jam, Sriracha mayo, fresh chives, spicy fried onions, and a sunny fried cage-free egg. The combination of flavors and textures creates a delightful experience as the molten yolk oozes over the plump beef sausage nestled in a fluffy bun.

Click to continue reading and find out about the 5 Best Hot Dogs in The US.

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Disclosure: None. 15 Best Hot Dogs in The US is originally published on Insider Monkey.
A ransomware attack on Change Healthcare, a company that processes 15 billion health care transactions annually and deals with 1 in 3 patient records in the United States, is continuing to cause massive disruptions nearly three weeks later.

The hack shut down the system for processing claims, billing and verifying patients eligibility for receiving care. Prescriptions were delayed, while discharging patients from hospitals and issuing paychecks for medical workers also were targeted.

The incident, which started on February 21, has been called the most significant cyberattack on the U.S. health care system by the American Hospital Association.

It is just the latest example of an increasing trend.



We've worked on cases for really small hospital systems with a couple dozen beds where a payment may need to be made in order to not have to divert critical services like ambulances to a rural district that's 100 miles away, Meredith Griffanti, FTI Consultings Global Head of Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Communications, told VOA.

In ransomware attacks, criminal hackers encrypt victims computer systems and demand large sums of money to unlock the data, keep it from being made public or sold on the dark web  part of the internet inaccessible through common web browsers.

In a report in January, Emsisoft, a cybersecurity company, said 46 hospital systems with a total of 141 hospitals in the United States were affected by ransomware in 2023. In at least 32 of 46 systems, protected health information was stolen.

In November 2023, a ransomware attack on Ardent Health Services, which operates 30 hospitals, caused cancelation of patients procedures, while ER patients had to be rerouted to other hospitals in three U.S. states.

Among other consequences are locked health records, which makes it impossible for doctors to see allergies of patients and medicines they take, as well as delayed testing and scanning services.

University of Minnesota School of Public Health experts estimate that ransomware attacks killed 42 to 67 Medicare patients between 2016 and 2021.

Compromised information

2023 was the year in which the behavior of the threat actors and the aggression, the aggressive extortion tactics, really started to knock your socks off, said Griffanti of FTI Consulting.

We saw everything, from death threats, bouquets of flowers sent to CEOs houses.  We saw released pictures of executives family members and executives themselves on dark websites, she said.

The actual number of attacks annually is much higher, as there are thousands of incidents in the private sector, while many organizations are indirectly impacted through the computer systems of their service providers.

Unfortunately, the only change were really seeing is that these ransomware actors are getting bolder. They're going after softer targets, like health care and public health sector organizations  the things that are most critical to our everyday lives, said Gabriel Davis, chief of the Risk Intelligence and Operations Section at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA.

Schools are vulnerable to ransomware because they often do not have enough resources for adequate protection, while they are attractive to criminals because they possess a large amount of sensitive information. At least 1,899 K-12 schools were attacked in the U.S. in 2023, per Emsisoft.

In an attack on Minneapolis Public Schools, not only was learning disrupted, but about 200,000 documents were stolen and posted online, including details on reports of sexual abuse of students, accusations of bad behavior by teachers, students psychological reports and Social Security numbers.

More money, more problems

Reuters reported that UnitedHealth Group, owner of Change Healthcare, paid $22 million to hackers in a bid to recover access to encrypted data and systems, which both sides declined to comment on.

Payments to ransomware gangs rose significantly in the last five years.

According to Emsisoft, the average ransom payment in 2023 was about $1.5 million, compared with 2018, when criminals were paid about $5,000. The only solution, they noted, is to completely ban the payments.

There is no consensus among experts and governments on a ban.

Brett Callow, Emsisofts threat analyst, told VOA a complete ban is doable: Its commonly said that a ban would push ransomware underground. The reality is that its already far underground, with only about 20% of organizations reporting incidents. Yes, a ban may cause problems for victims in the short term, but isnt that preferable to ransomware causing problems for everyone in the long term?

Cybersecurity expert Ivan Markovic told VOA it is recommended not to pay ransomware, because once someone has been in your system, you must consider that everything has been compromised.

"A total ban, the introduction of some laws, would be good on one hand, but there are some extreme cases that must enter public debates and have experts discuss them," said Markovic, citing situations in which it is necessary to act quickly because people's lives are at risk.

CISA is focused on preventing attacks and helping organizations recover from incidents.

We're not going to be able to prevent everything, unfortunately. However, when things do happen, we do want to minimize and consolidate the damage and the impact. And if we can do that and continue doing that year over year, but also reducing the exposure of these organizations and the vulnerable devices, we're going to start to see very significant reduction in these attacks, Davis told VOA.
Thailands plans to resurrect its commercial surrogacy trade, having banned the practice nearly a decade ago after a series of scandals, are reviving old fears concerning human trafficking of babies and the women hired to bear them.

Theres a lot of concern, said Sunwanee Dolah, who consults for local groups on human trafficking and womens rights issues.

Maybe many people will be [victims of] trafficking or will be forced to provide the service if the commercial surrogacy is legalized, she told VOA.

Sura Visetsak, who heads the Public Health Ministrys health service support department, announced plans earlier this month for draft legislation to legalize commercial surrogacy for both local and foreign couples, among a package of reforms aimed at reversing the countrys falling birth rate.

Reuters reported that the ministry intends to submit a bill to the Thai Cabinet this month. If it clears the Cabinet, the bill will then head to the National Assembly for a vote.

If enacted, the bill would reverse a ban on commercial surrogacy imposed in 2015 in the wake of controversial cases.

In 2014, an Australian couple was accused of abandoning a baby boy and leaving him with his surrogate mother in Thailand after learning he had Down syndrome. The same year, Thai police uncovered the case of a Japanese man who had fathered 13 children with several Thai surrogates. Though police initially suspected the man of running a baby trafficking scheme, a Thai court ultimately rejected the idea and granted him custody of the children.

Under the current rules, only heterosexual couples in which at least one partner is Thai can seek surrogacy services in Thailand. The surrogate mothers also must be Thai and related to the husband or wife, and fees for the service are barred.

The Public Health Ministry refused VOAs requests for comment or an interview about its plans to do away with the restrictions.

First, do no harm

Sanphasit Koompraphant, who has advised both the government and outside groups on anti-trafficking tactics, said he worries that the move is being driven by medical professionals hoping to cash in on surrogacy and that they will drain the countrys health care system of doctors and other limited resources needed more elsewhere.

We [will] have to divert medical doctors from health care service into surrogacy, Sanphasit, a former chairman of the Thailand Anti-Trafficking Alliance, told VOA.

That means that many people who are poorer or have a lower economic status from the ones who employ the doctors to do surrogacy will not have any good ... medical service, he said.

Sanphasit said he fears legalizing commercial surrogacy will also bring on an expansion of the service that the authorities will struggle to manage, leaving it wide open to abuse, including more human trafficking.

Within a larger and lawful surrogacy market, he said, illegal practices could for example be more easily hidden among the legal ones.

Nowadays they can do [surrogacy] already, but its very difficult to do because we can control a little bit. ... But if you open [the service] to be commercial, you cannot control [it so] easily, Sanphasit said.

Others welcome the governments plans.

The trafficking risks posed by commercial surrogacy tend to be overstated, Maya Linstrum-Newman, the Bangkok-based head of policy for the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women said.

While the risks exist, she said they are outweighed by, and can distract from, the trafficking that comes with far more common forms of forced labor.

Linstrum-Newman said criminalizing commercial surrogacy, as Thailand did in 2015, does not stop the practice but drives it underground, making it more dangerous for the women and babies involved.

By making it a crime, she said, surrogate mothers are far less likely to get valuable legal or medical advice or to ask the police for help if they run into trouble.

So, by decriminalizing it, they are much freer to report situations of exploitation and to receive assistance, and that exploitation is less likely to happen because theyre going to be better able to seek advice from either lawyers or other people that can offer practical advice, she told VOA.

Practice v. principle

Sunwanee said she agrees with that in principle but has major doubts about putting it into practice in Thailand.

Its good to actually legalize commercial surrogacy because if such a service [is] actually going to occur in Thailand ... all parties should be protected of their rights, she said. But still my high concern is the true understanding of the trafficking issue of the ones who are [proposing] the law.

While the Public Health Ministry is drafting the bill, trafficking and womens rights concerns typically fall to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Sunwanee said, and in Thailand ... the [authorities] from different departments are not working together even under the same ministry, let alone across the ministries.

Like Sanphasit, she also questions the capacity of Thailands overstretched regulators and law enforcement agencies to avert or stamp out the abuse of a growing commercial surrogacy market if and when it goes legal.

Sunwanee urged the government to create clear rules for the hospitals and clinics licensed to provide surrogacy services, draw up a sturdy and standardized contract for the couples and surrogate mothers to sign, and vigorously follow up with both even after the babies are delivered.

Sanphasit said Thailand should also sign onto the Hague convention on child protection, which would help the authorities deal with problems that might arise with couples from overseas.

Longer term, Linstrum-Newman said Thailand should keep working on improving the protection and earning power of options for women overall so that they dont turn to surrogacy out of desperation.

So, if theyre choosing to engage in commercial surrogacy, she said, theyre making that choice freely and theyre able to choose commercial surrogacy from an array of ... other types of decent work opportunities.
Shouting "Elections now!" and "Bring back the hostages now!" thousands of Israeli demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand the departure of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after five months of war in Gaza.

With T-shirts and banners featuring the names and pictures of hostages seized during Hamas's October 7 attack, the crowd demanded swift action to rescue the remaining captives.

The attack on southern Israel that triggered the war resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures.

Israel's retaliatory campaign to destroy Hamas has killed 30,960 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the Hamas-ruled territorys health ministry.

About 100 hostages remain in Gaza alive and 31 are presumed dead, Israel has said, a key source of demonstrators' despair.

"We are a broken country," said Ora, a psychologist in her 60s who did not want to give her full name.

Some protesters called for an immediate cease-fire, a position Netanyahu's government has so far rejected, arguing it would amount to a victory for Hamas.

"Cease-fire? yes, we don't have any choice," said Israel Alva, a former soldier who now sells medical equipment, adding that there was no "political plan" for after the war.

Mediators have been pushing for a new cease-fire deal before the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, set to begin in the coming days.

But U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday that a breakthrough was "looking tough."

Shai Gill, a 50-year-old airline pilot who joined the Tel Aviv rally, said Netanyahu's government, hit by a massive protest wave before the war, "cannot stay in power" after the October 7 attack.

"They don't have the trust of the people, and we have to go for an election," Gill said.

He accused the government of being "driven by the motivation to stay in power, and not by what is good for the country. They just are clinging to their seats."

Police later said they arrested 16 protesters for public disturbances, while the force used water cannons to disperse the crowd as they blocked a highway.

Saturday's gathering bore some resemblance to mass protests against Netanyahu's controversial legal overhaul before the war in Gaza, "a century ago," as one protester put it with a sigh.

Israel's top court in January ruled against a key component of the changes, which have largely been shelved.

Netanyahu had argued that they were necessary to rebalance powers between judges and elected officials.

But his detractors warned the multipronged package could have paved the way for authoritarian rule and be used by Netanyahu to quash possible corruption convictions against him.

Netanyahu was dealt a new blow this week when a probe found that the premier "bears personal responsibility" for a 2021 stampede in northern Israel that killed 45 Jewish pilgrims.

Netanyahu's Likud party said in response that the investigation was politically motivated.

"Netanyahu has always governed the same way, with this attitude of 'I'm not responsible,'" Gill said.
Fear of crime on subways and buses is back as a top concern in some U.S. cities, and so are efforts to persuade the public officials take the issue seriously.

New York's governor said Wednesday she would task 750 members of the National Guard with helping patrol the nation's busiest subway system, saying she felt New York City police needed reinforcements after a shooting on a train platform and a conductor getting slashed in the neck.

In Pennsylvania, legislators created a special prosecutor to go after crimes committed in the transit system that serves the southeast of the state. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker on Thursday promised to beef up police patrols and use "every legal and constitutional tool" after a spate of transit-related shootings left three dead and 12 wounded, many of them schoolchildren.

"Enough is enough," she said on WURD radio.

It remains to be seen whether such moves will have any effect on reducing crime in these massive public transit systems.

At least in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul acknowledged that calling in the National Guard was as much about soothing fears and making a political statement as it was about making mass transit safer. The city's subways, the Democrat said, were quite safe already. And felony crime hasn't risen significantly. But a show of force might help dispel anxieties more than any statistic, she reasoned.

"If you feel better walking past someone in a uniform to make sure that someone doesn't bring a knife or a gun on the subway, then that's exactly why I did it. I want to change the psychology around crime in New York City," Hochul said Thursday on MSNBC. "It is safe. But I'm going to make sure people feel safe."

"I'm also going to demonstrate that Democrats fight crime as well," she added. "So this narrative that Republicans have said that we're soft on crime, that we defund the police  no."

Major crimes in the New York City transit system dropped nearly 3% from 2022 to 2023 -- with five killings last year, down from 10 the year prior, according to police. Overall, violent crime in the subway system is rare, with train cars and stations being generally as safe as any other public place.

In Pennsylvania, overall crime has declined on the transit system in recent years, though the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, reported six killings in 2023, up from a total of seven during the previous three years.

Still, the issue of safety on buses and trains is one that keeps resonating with voters  particularly as some systems recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, when passengers stayed away.

"Recently yeah, it's been a little unsafe. So I think they should kind of, like, control it before it gets out of hand," said New York City resident Alan Uloa, 43. "Just people, the way people react to stuff. People just fighting over seats. The other day they slashed the conductor, and that's not cool."

In New York, Republicans hammered Democrats on crime during the 2022 midterms, a message that helped the GOP capture suburban congressional seats.

Alex Piquero, a criminology professor at the University of Miami and the former director of the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, said the heightened law enforcement presence can be a double-edged sword.

"For some people, they'd like to see the added security. They feel safer simply because there's an officer there," he said. "And for other people, they'll say we're overreacting."

Vincent Del Castillo, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a former chief of New York City's transit police, said the political tough talk glosses over the reality that transit crime accounts for just a tiny percentage of all crime.

"You can have 10 to 12 murders in the system when there are literally hundreds across the city, but because it's so rare, it gets a lot of attention," he said.

The four shootings on or linked to public transit facilities in Philadelphia began Sunday, when a man was fatally shot by another passenger shortly after they got off a bus. The next day, a teenager was killed and four people injured in gunfire at a bus stop. On Tuesday, police said, someone who had gotten off a bus fired back inside, killing a man.

And on Wednesday, eight teenagers waiting to take a city bus home after school were shot in an attack that also riddled a bus with bullet holes.

SEPTA police Chief Charles Lawson has promised transit officers will take an aggressive approach, using "every criminal code on the book" in order to crackdown on illegal gun possession on the transit system.

"We're going to target individuals concealing their identity. We're going to target fare evasion. We're going to target open drug use," he said this week.

The National Guard troops in New York City won't be that active. They have been tasked with helping police conduct random searches of people's bags as they enter the subway system, a practice in place for nearly two decades.

Passengers have the right to refuse the search, though if they do they are asked to leave the subway system.

The National Guard troops can't make arrests, but if they witness a crime, they can detain someone until police arrive, just as any civilian can do.

Even though the Guard troops were deployed Thursday, New York City transit passengers might not have noticed. The troops weren't widely visible at stations or in trains, though some were seen patrolling major hubs including Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station, where they have been a regular presence since the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Riders have long been split over the police bag checks, which are infrequent, but can hold someone up as they race for the train. They have also long been a subject of concerns about racial profiling, though the NYPD says it takes steps to avoid it.

"Sometimes when I'm in a hurry and I have a bag, I don't like to be stopped," said Jerome Brooks Jr., 44, an actor and musician. "So then I try to see, do they stop me if they're going to stop somebody else that doesn't look like me? But in general, I hope they do what's right."

Cheryl Ann Harper, 46, said she welcomed the precaution.

"Yes, it is random and we need it," she said, noting that similar checks are common at theaters. "I do it all the time. OK? Not a big deal. You know, if you don't have anything to hide, why you can't open up your bag?"
Muhterem Evcil was stabbed to death by her estranged husband at her workplace in Istanbul, where he had repeatedly harassed her in breach of a restraining order. The day before, authorities detained him for violating the order but let him go free after questioning.

More than a decade later, her sister believes Evcil would still be alive if authorities had enforced laws on protecting women and jailed him.

"As long as justice is not served and men are always put on the forefront, women in this country will always cry," Cigdem Kuzey said.

Evcil's murder in 2013 became a rallying call for greater protection for women in Turkey, but activists say the country has made little progress in keeping women from being killed. They say laws to safeguard women are not sufficiently enforced and abusers are not prosecuted.

At least 403 women were killed in Turkey last year, most of them by current or former spouses and other men close to them, according to the We Will Stop Femicides Platform, a group that tracks gender-related killings and provides support to victims of violence.

So far this year, 71 women have been killed in Turkey, including seven on February 27  the highest known number of such killings there on a single day.

The WWSF secretary-general, Fidan Ataselim, attributed the killings to deeply patriarchal traditions in the majority Muslim country and to a greater number of women wishing to leave troubled relationships. Others want to work outside the home.

"Women in Turkey want to live more freely and more equally. Women have changed and progressed a lot in a positive sense," Ataselim said. "Men cannot accept this, and they are violently trying to suppress the progress of women."

Turkey was the first country to sign and ratify a European treaty on preventing violence against women  known as the Istanbul Convention  in 2011. But President Recep Tayyip Erdogan withdrew Turkey from it 10 years later, sparking protests.

The president's decision came after pressure from Islamic groups and some officials from Erdogan's Islam-oriented party. They argued that the treaty was inconsistent with conservative values, eroded the traditional family unit and encouraged divorce.

Erdogan has said he believes that men and women were not biologically created as equals and that a woman's priority should be her family and motherhood.

The president insists that Turkey does not need the Istanbul Convention, and he has vowed to "constantly raise the bar" in preventing violence against women. Last year, his government strengthened legislation by making persistent stalking a crime punishable by up to two years in prison.

Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas, the minister for family affairs, says she has made protecting women a priority and personally follows trials.

"Even if the victims have given up on their complaints, we continue to follow them," she said. "Every case is one too many for us."

Ataselim said the Istanbul Convention was an additional layer of protection for women and is pressing for a return to the treaty. Her group is also calling for the establishment of a telephone hotline for women facing violence and for the opening of more women's shelters, saying the current number is far from meeting demand.

Most of all, existing measures should be adequately enforced, Ataselim said.

Activists allege that courts are lenient toward male abusers who claim they were provoked, express remorse or show good behavior during trials. Activists say restraining orders are often too short and those who violate them are not detained, putting women at risk.

"We believe that each of the femicide cases were preventable deaths," Ataselim said.

Each year, women's activists in Turkey take to the streets on International Women's Day on March 8 and on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, demanding greater protection for women and Turkey's return to the treaty.

Turkish authorities regularly ban such rallies on security and public order grounds.

Demonstrators often carry signs that read, "I don't want to die" - the last words uttered by Emine Bulut, who died in a cafe in Kirikkale in central Turkey after her husband slit her throat in front of her 10-year-old daughter. Her death in 2019 shocked the nation.

Evcil, killed in a salon where she worked as a manicurist, suffered physical and mental abuse after eloping at 18 to marry her husband, who is currently serving a life sentence in prison, her sister Kuzey said. Evcil decided to leave him after 13 years of marriage.

Kuzey described her sister as a kind woman who "smiled even when she was crying inside."

Authorities have named a park in Istanbul in Evcil's memory.

"My hope is that our daughters don't experience what we have experienced and justice comes to this country," Kuzey said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized indirectly the recent comment by Pope Francis that Ukraine should "have the courage to raise the white flag," meaning it should negotiate with Russia two years into Moscows invasion.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy thanked Ukrainian religious leaders who are on the front-line, protecting life and humanity, and who show support with prayer, conversation, and deeds.

This is what the church is, he said, one with the people. Not two and a half thousand kilometers away  somewhere, looking for a virtual meditation [sic] between those who want to live and those who want to destroy you, referring to the pontiffs comments during an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also criticized the popes remarks on social media saying "our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags," vowing "never" to surrender.

Kuleba called on the pontiff to stand "on the side of good" and not put the opposing sides "on the same footing and call it 'negotiations.

He also thanked the pope for his "constant prayers for peace" and said Kyiv hoped the cleric would visit Ukraine.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni responded to the criticisms saying that the pontiff urged a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations, rather than an outright Ukrainian surrender.

According to a transcript of the interview last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI and a partial video made available to the Reuters news agency Saturday, Francis urged Ukraine to have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

Bruni said the popes comments were in response to a question by interviewer Lorenzo Buccella who used the term white flag to refer to peace negotiations initiated by Ukraine. In Ukraine, some call for the courage of surrender, of the white flag. But others say that this would legitimize the stronger party. What do you think? asked Buccella.

"It is one interpretation, that is true," Francis said adding, "I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates," he said, adding that talks should take place with the help of international powers.

The interview is slated to be broadcast on March 20.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan cautioned Sunday not to take the pontiffs comments out of context.

Its always difficult until you read the whole text. Because when the pope says something, its very nuanced, Dolan said, adding that the pope was suggesting dialogue not recapitulation. The Holy See explained the popes comments afterwards, he said.

So Ukrainian people maintain your courage, because the world admires you for it, he said.

Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, also said Sunday that surrender is not on the minds of Ukrainians.

In an interview with VOA Ukrainian, Shevchuk said that he was shocked, probably like the entire Ukrainian people, by the popes comments but expressed relief that the Vatican clarified the Popes words really meaning readiness for negotiations.

Pope Francis message that Ukraine should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, now in its third year, has also drawn heavy criticism from Ukraine's allies.

Polish Foreign Affair Minister Radek Sikorski, a vocal ally of Kyiv, and Andrii Yurash, Ukraines ambassador to the Vatican, both used World War II analogies to condemn the popes remarks, while a leader of one of Ukraines Christian churches said Sunday that only the countrys determined resistance to Russias aggression had prevented a mass slaughter of civilians.

How about, for balance, encouraging [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations, Sikorski responded with a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In a separate post, Sikorski drew a parallel between those calling for negotiations while denying (Ukraine) the means to defend itself" and European leaders appeasement of Adolf Hitler just before World War II.

Zelenskyy has said that while he wants peace, he will not give up any territory. The Kremlin has ruled out engaging in peace talks on terms set by Kyiv.

Some information for this report came from Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
Former U.N. diplomat Giandomenico Picco, whose negotiating skills helped resolve some of the thorniest crises of the 1980s and 1990s, including the Iran-Iraq war and the kidnappings of Westerners by Hezbollah in Lebanon, has died.

Picco passed away peacefully Sunday after a long illness, his son, Giacomo Picco, said. He was 75.

Picco worked at the United Nations from 1973 until 1992. Javier Perez de Cuellar of Peru, the fifth secretary-general of the world body, appointed him to his executive office in 1982, and he eventually became assistant secretary-general for political affairs.

Picco represented Perez de Cuellar in negotiations between New Zealand and France after the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior was sunk by French secret agents in 1985. At the time of its sinking, the vessel was protesting French nuclear tests in the Pacific.

The following year, he became the chief U.N. official in charge of negotiating the truce in the war between Sunni-majority Iraq and Shiite-majority Iran. More than 1 million people were killed in the conflict that began when Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded his neighbor in 1980 and featured trench warfare, waves of attacks by Iranians and chemical weapons assaults by Iraq.

Picco also played a role in Afghanistan, helping facilitate the 1989 withdrawal of Soviet forces after Moscow's 1979 invasion of that country.

Picco's understanding of and relations with Iran allowed him to negotiate the release of hostages kidnapped by groups with ties to the Islamic Republic, including Terry Anderson, the bureau chief in Beirut for The Associated Press, who was held the longest  from 1985 to 1991.

The mission was not without risk. In 1987, Anglican church envoy Terry Waite disappeared from Beirut while trying to win the release of the hostages and was held captive himself  also until 1991.

As Perez de Cuellar's special envoy, Picco faced that risk with personal bravery and an understanding of diplomacy and the Middle East.

"When asked for the difference in my approach to securing the release of the hostages to that of Terry Waite, I responded, 'He went to Beirut from the West and I went to Beirut from the East.' In those days, the East began in Teheran," Picco wrote in his 1999 biography, "Man without a Gun: One Diplomat's Secret Struggle to Free the Hostages, Fight Terrorism, and End a War."

In a 2013 BBC interview, Picco described how at one point in the negotiations he traveled to Beirut, where an Iranian diplomat told him he would meet with the kidnappers that night.

The car came to a screeching halt, he said, and a bag was put on his head.

"Then I was thrown into the boot of the car, something which I don't recommend to anybody," recalled the 6-foot-4 Picco, known for dressing elegantly.

"Of course, I knew that I could be taken," he said. "At that point I had no choice. I had invested quite a bit of time, and my own belief that what I was doing was right."

Picco eventually negotiated a deal in which the militias would release 10 Western hostages, including Anderson, over several months, In return, Israeli-backed forces in southern Lebanon freed dozens of Arab prisoners.

Picco was born in Udine, in northeastern Italy, near both Austria and the former Yugoslavia. It was a location that influenced his ability to triangulate the needs of different groups and to resolve difficult problems, according to friends and family.

"He was dealing with the hostage-takers, the kidnappers, he was able to draw on this background," said longtime friend, John Connorton, an attorney with experience in international relations. "Gianni Picco could relate to all kinds of people."

Picco had political science degrees from the University of Padua and the University of California, Santa Barbara, along with the universities of Prague and Amsterdam.

As importantly, his son said, he was equipped with deep empathy and curiosity.

"He was just a curious individual. It doesn't matter who you were, he could always learn something from somebody," said Giacomo Picco, who works in finance in New York.

After joining the world body, the elder Picco became the political affairs officer of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Cyprus. Perez de Cuellar brought him to the U.N. headquarters in New York in 1981.

"Different from government diplomacy, we don't try to score a political point in favor of one or another," Picco said in a 1991 interview about the U.N.'s role. "We would like to develop a situation where at the end, everybody wins. And if indeed everybody wins, then we have all won."

In an interview earlier this year, Anderson said Picco was selected for the hostage negotiations because "I guess the secretary-general thought that if he could talk to the Afghans and the Iranians and the Russians and the Iraqis, he could talk to anybody, and he did."

"He broke the logjam, is what he did, and he did it at great risk," Anderson added. "He was one of the most brilliant men I ever knew."

In his book, Picco describes how a longtime relationship with Perez de Cuellar took him to Afghanistan when his mentor got the "thankless Afghan brief" after the Dec. 26, 1979, Soviet invasion. Helping run the U.N.'s Office of Special Political Affairs, de Cuellar asked Picco to develop a road map for peace in the country.

The experience taught him about the role of the diplomat, Picco wrote.

"Our job, then, was to fill the gap, nurture coalition politics in a way that would end the bloodshed," he wrote. "It's fine to emphasize the good-officer role of the secretary-general, but then it's up to each of his representatives to stretch the confining rubber band as far as possible without snapping it. This is critical to understanding what we did in Afghanistan."

On Dec. 12, 1991, President George Bush presented Picco with the Presidential Award for Exceptional Service.

"His skillful diplomacy with Middle Eastern governments and officials and representatives of the hostage holders has resulted in freedom for many individuals held in the region outside the due process of law, including six Americans," said Maj. John Wissler, reading Picco's citation. "His personal courage in the face of danger and his dedication to the mission represent the best tradition of international civil service."

In 1994, Picco left the U.N. to become the chief executive officer of the international consulting firm GDP Associates.

A regular lecturer at conferences and universities, and the author of numerous publications on foreign affairs, Picco received honorary degrees and awards from at least five governments.

Working for an international body without the money or military power of major nations, Picco said he had to be armed with his own commitment, neutrality and dedication to winning innocents' freedom.

"I did like a lot to execute my own ideas. I don't think it was really fair to think about something and then ask somebody else to do it. It's not very courageous," Picco said in a 2017 talk in New York.
The head of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency said he was cautiously optimistic some donors would start funding it again within weeks, warning it was "at risk of death" after Israel alleged some of its staff took part in the October 7 Hamas terror attack.

An independent review of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has been launched under French former Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, and her final report is expected to be published next month.

"I am cautiously optimistic that within the next few weeks, and also following the publication of Catherine Colonna's report, a number of donors will return," UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RTS that aired Saturday.

Lazzarini told RTS that UNRWA was at "risk of death, at risk of dismantlement."

Colonna, whose work on the review began in mid-February, said Saturday she would visit Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ramallah and Amman next week.

Canada, Sweden resume funding

UNRWA, which provides aid and essential services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank and across the region, has been in crisis since Israel accused 12 of its 13,000 staff in Gaza of involvement in the October 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war in the Palestinian enclave.

The allegations prompted several countries, including the United States, to pause funding.

Canada and Sweden announced this week they were resuming their funding to the agency, which Israel described as a "serious mistake."

"The return to funding UNRWA will not change the fact that the organization is part of the problem and will not be part of the solution in the Gaza Strip," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

When the allegations emerged, UNRWA fired some staff members, saying it acted to protect the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, and an independent internal U.N. investigation was launched.

UNRWA said some employees released into Gaza from Israeli detention reported having been pressured by Israeli authorities into falsely stating that staff took part in the October 7 attack, according to a report by the agency dated February.

"What is at stake is the fate of the Palestinians today in Gaza in the short term who are going through an absolutely unprecedented humanitarian crisis," Lazzarini told RTS.

A step away from famine

UNRWA runs schools, clinics and other social services in Gaza, and distributes humanitarian aid. The U.N. has said some 3,000 members of staff are still working to deliver aid in the enclave, where it says 576,000 people  one quarter of the population  are a step away from famine.

"The agency I currently manage is the only agency that delivers public services to Palestinian refugees," Lazzarini said.

"We are the quasi-ministry of education, of primary health. If we were to get rid of such a body, who would bring back the millions of girls and boys who are traumatized in the Gaza Strip today back to a learning environment?"
The U.S. military said on Sunday it has carried out an operation in Haiti to airlift non-essential embassy personnel from the country and added U.S. forces bolster embassy security, as Caribbean nation reels under a state of emergency.

The operation was the latest sign of Haiti's troubles as gang violence threatens to bring down the government and has led thousands to flee their homes.

"This airlift of personnel into and out of the embassy is consistent with our standard practice for embassy security augmentation worldwide, and no Haitians were on board the military aircraft," the U.S. military's Southern Command said in a statement.

Haiti entered a state of emergency last Sunday after fighting escalated while Prime Minister Ariel Henry was in Nairobi seeking a deal for the long-delayed U.N.-backed mission.

Kenya announced last year it would lead the force but months of domestic legal wrangling have effectively placed the mission on hold.

On Saturday, the U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto about the Haiti crisis and the two men underscored their commitment to a multinational security mission to restore order.

In Southern Command's statement, it said Washington remained committed to those goals.

"Our embassy remains focused on advancing U.S. government efforts to support the Haitian people, including mobilizing support for the Haitian National Police, expediting the deployment of the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission and accelerating a peaceful transition of power via free and fair elections," it said.
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The United States Army deployed a massive ship from Virginia to the eastern Mediterranean. Its loaded with gear to begin construction of a floating pier to deliver aid to Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. VOAs Arash Arabasadi has more.
In this piece, we are about to look at 15 Best Nachos in The US. If you want to skip our detailed analysis on nachos and snacks market, you can go directly to 5 Best Nachos in The US.

The global nachos market is cooking up some serious dough! It was worth about $1.61 billion in 2022, and experts predict it'll grow at a solid rate of 6.5% each year until 2029, reaching nearly $2.50 billion.

Nachos, those mouthwatering Mexican snacks with tortilla chips and various toppings, are gaining popularity worldwide. Nowadays, with health and wellness in mind, folks are looking for healthier nacho options. Producers are stepping up by offering whole-grain and organic varieties with less sodium, catering to the health-conscious crowd without sacrificing taste. Sustainability is a big buzzword, pushing nacho makers to go green in their ingredient sourcing, packaging, and production methods.

North America is leading the nacho charge, with the U.S. gobbling up a big share  21% of the overall market share. Whether it's flavored or plain tortilla chips, creative nacho recipes with unique toppings are fueling the growth here.

Over in the Asia-Pacific region, things are heating up fast, thanks to the growing demand for convenient foods like tortilla chips and urbanization trends. The fusion of different cuisines and exciting snacking choices is driving the nachos market forward in Asia-Pacific. The future looks bright for nacho lovers everywhere!

Now since snacks industry and nachos go hand in hand, its essential that we also look at some key players in the snacks industry. Namely, WK Kellogg Co (NYSE:KLG), Kellanova (NYSE:K) and PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQGS:PEP) are going to be discussed.

WK Kellogg Co (NYSE:KLG)

WK Kellogg Co (NYSE:KLG) is a big player in the snacks industry across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. They're known for their popular ready-to-eat cereals like Frosted Flakes, Special K, Froot Loops, Raisin Bran, Frosted Mini-Wheats, and Kashi brands.

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In 2023, they had some impressive results: their total sales hit $2.763 billion, a 2.5% increase from the year before. Plus, their Standalone Adjusted EBITDA Margin rose to 9.4%, beating expectations. And to top it off, their net income shot up to $110 million, showing a massive 540% increase from the previous year.

Kellanova (NYSE:K)

Another big player in the snacks industry is Kellanova (NYSE:K). It's an American food company based in Chicago, Illinois. Its product portfolio includes including Cheez-It, Pringles, Pop-Tarts, Eggo, MorningStar Farms, RXBAR, Rice Krispies Treats and more! In the fourth quarter of 2023 ending 31 December 2023, Kellanova pulled in a net income of $58 million from continuing operations, a major improvement from the $28 million loss the year before. They also reported a profit per share of $0.16 from continuing operations, in contrast to the $0.08 loss previously. And get this  their adjusted operating profit shot up to $392 million, showing a solid 30% increase when adjusted for currency fluctuations.

PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQGS:PEP) U.S. branch Frito-Lay, Inc., is all about making and selling those tasty corn and potato chips we all love. In the final quarter of 2023 ending 31 December 2023, PepsiCo brought in a net income of $1.3 billion, that's 94 cents per share, which was better than the year before. They also had adjusted earnings of $1.78 per share, showing how they're holding strong despite market ups and downs. Sales took a tiny hit, dropping by less than 1% to $27.85 billion, the first decrease since 2020, highlighting the hurdles they're facing in today's business world.

15 Best Nachos in The US

Methodology

To curate our list of 15 Best Nachos in The US, we searched across some sources across the internet listing the Best Nachos in The US, for shortlisting over 60 nachos places in the USA. From that vast list, we noted down each restaurants ratings from several sources like Google reviews, Tripadvisor, Yelp and Grubhub, along with also noting down the number of ratings. Based on the two metrics, we ranked our list and present to you 15 Best Nachos in The US.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

15. Taco Escobarr, Portland, Maine

Rating: 4.4

Number of Ratings: 2,208

Taco Escobarr is the ultimate spot for nacho lovers! Fans can't get enough of their legendary nachos, hailed as the best in the state. Choose between El Nino's Nachos, loaded with all the toppings you crave like queso, jalapenos, guac, and more, or opt for El Jefe's Nachos for a unique twist. The party never stops at Taco Escobarr, where every bite is a fiesta in mouth!

14. The Pig & Pint, Jackson, Mississippi

Rating: 4.6

Number of Ratings: 2,349

The BBQ Nachos from the award-winning barbecue joint The Pig & Pint are a real crowd-pleaser, no doubt! They're packed with your pick of smoked chicken, brisket, BBQ pork rind, or pulled pork, along with all the fixins like queso, beans, jalapenos, and a tasty barbecue sauce. It's no wonder they're known as some of the yummiest nachos in the U.S.!

13. The Tamale Place, Indianapolis, Indiana

Rating: 4.5

Number of Ratings: 2,412

At The Tamale Place, those in the know opt for the Steak Nachos, despite its reputation for tamales. Succulent steak crowns a bed of thick tortilla chips, paired with whole black beans, housemade white cheese dip, and shredded lettuce. Extra toppings like red and green salsa, jalapenos, and guacamole are available to enhance the flavorful experience. These nachos have made a name for themselves as some of the best nachos in the U.S.!

12. Mullets, Des Moines, Iowa

Rating: 4.5

Number of Ratings: 2,681

Mullets is where you want to be if you're craving the mouth watering nachos in the U.S.! Their Brisket Nachos have all the fixings  tomato, lettuce, onions, jalapenos, banana pepper, and cheese  and they're big enough to satisfy a group. With amazing downtown views from the outdoor patio, you can enjoy the scenery while diving into this epic dish. And don't miss their breakfast nachos with scrambled eggs, onions, sausage, bacon, and jalapenos if you're there before lunch! So good!

11. Lindo Mexico Restaurante Mexicano, Wyoming, Michigan

Rating: 4.5

Number of Ratings: 2,693

At Lindo Mexico Restaurante Mexicano, they've got some serious nacho game! The chef-owned joint offers a variety of mouthwatering nacho options using their fresh, homemade chips as the base. Their Nachos Especiales come loaded with refried beans, ground beef, cheese, onions, cilantro, sour cream, and Mexican cheese. For Nachos Lindo Mexico, you can pick your protein  beef, chicken, steak, or marinated pork  along with lettuce, tomato, pico de gallo, and guac. Moreover, Vegy Nachos cater to all the non-meat eaters out there, ensuring everyone can dig into some of the best nachos in the U.S.!

10. The Raleigh Times Bar, Raleigh, North Carolina

Rating: 4.4

Number of Ratings: 2,669

The Raleigh Times Bar serves up some of the best nachos in the U.S.! Their Times Nachos feature thick, crunchy tortilla chips heaped with fresh toppings like jalapenos, cilantro, Cheddar, Monterey Jack cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream, and guac. And if you're in the mood for it, you can add some top-rated juicy chicken tinga or barbacoa. Plus, they've got a fantastic rooftop patio where you can kick back with your nachos, a drink, and catch the sunset. Perfect nacho vibes!

9. Nacho Hippo, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Rating: 4.3

Number of Ratings: 3,091

So, at Nacho Hippo, they've got some of the highest quality nachos in the U.S.! They offer eight different nacho plates on the menu, and you can even customize your own. The Hungry Hippo is a popular choice with taco beef, shredded chicken, cheese, queso, black olives, coriander, lettuce, and pico de gallo. Don't forget to try the veggie-friendly Tree Hugger or the flavorful Bangin' Shrimp with fried shrimp, spicy bangin' sauce, mango pico de gallo, queso, cheese, lettuce, and salsa. Lots of delicious options to dig into!

8. Mussel and Burger Bar, Louisville, Kentucky

Rating: 4.6

Number of Ratings: 3,375

At Mussel and Burger Bar, they're putting a unique spin on nachos by using regular potato chips instead of the usual tortilla chips. Picture this: loaded with mouthwatering braised beef short rib, guac, pico de gallo, black bean puree, cheese, jalapenos, sour cream, and a cheese dip. It's a different twist on nachos, but trust me, it's absolutely delicious!

7. The Rum House, New Orleans, Louisiana

Rating: 4.6

Number of Ratings: 3,798

You have got to try the 'Damn Good Nachos' at The Rum House  they're known as some of the best in the U.S.! Picture a mountain of tortilla chips piled high with pulled pork, black beans, jalapenos, tomatoes, red onion, lime crema, cilantro, and ooey-gooey melted cheese. Trust me, one plate is perfect for sharing between two nacho lovers!

6. Brick Alley Pub, New Port, Rhode Island

Rating: 4.6

Number of Ratings: 3,879

One must go to Brick Alley Pub for some of the tastiest nachos in the U.S.! They're famous for their Ultimate Nacho Platter, loaded with house-fried corn tortillas smothered in Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, topped with refried beans, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. And if you're feeling fancy, they also offer options like marinated chicken or delicious eight-hour slow-cooked beef brisket. It's a nacho paradise, for sure!

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Disclosure: None. 15 Best Nachos in The US is originally published on Insider Monkey.
A U.S. Army vessel carrying equipment for building a temporary pier in Gaza was on its way to the Mediterranean on Sunday, three days after U.S. President Joe Biden announced plans to ramp up aid deliveries by sea to the besieged enclave where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been going hungry.

The opening of the sea corridor, along with airdrops by the U.S., Jordan and others, showed increasing alarm over Gaza's humanitarian crisis and a new willingness to bypass Israeli control over land shipments.

Israel said it welcomed the sea deliveries and would inspect Gaza-bound cargo before it leaves a staging area in nearby Cyprus. The daily number of aid trucks entering Gaza by land over the past five months has been far below the 500 that entered before the war because of Israeli restrictions and security issues.

Meanwhile, Biden stepped up his public criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Biden said he believes Netanyahu is "hurting Israel more than helping Israel" in how he is approaching its war against Hamas in Gaza, now in its sixth month.

Speaking Saturday to MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart, the president expressed support for Israel's right to pursue Hamas after the militants' October 7 attack on southern Israel but said that Netanyahu "must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken." He added that "you cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead."

In Gaza, Palestinian casualties continued to rise.

The Civil Defense Department said at least nine Palestinians, including children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza City late Saturday.

Footage shared by the civil defense showed first responders pulling out the dead and injured trapped in the collapsed house. One rescuer was seen holding a dead infant, before placing the limp body on a sofa amid the wreckage.

Elsewhere, the bodies of 13 people, including women and children, were taken to the main hospital in the central town of Deir al-Balah on Sunday, according to an Associated Press journalist. Relatives said the 13 were killed by Israeli artillery fire toward a large tent camp for displaced Palestinians in the coastal area east of the southern city of Khan Younis.

Israel rarely comments on specific incidents during the war. It has held that Hamas is responsible for civilian casualties because the militant group operates from within civilian areas.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said Saturday that at least 30,960 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. It doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and its figures from previous wars have largely matched those of the U.N. and independent experts.

Meanwhile, U.S. efforts got under way to set up the temporary pier in Gaza for the sea deliveries. U.S. Central Command said a first U.S. Army vessel, the General Frank S. Besson, left a base in Virginia on Saturday and was on its way to the Eastern Mediterranean with equipment for pier construction.

United States officials said it will likely be weeks before the pier is operational.

The sea corridor is backed by the EU together with the United States, the United Arab Emirates and other countries. The European Commission has said that U.N. agencies and the Red Cross will also play a role.

A ship belonging to Spain's Open Arms aid group was expected to make a pilot voyage to test the corridor as early as this weekend. The ship has been waiting at Cyprus's port of Larnaca.

Open Arms founder Oscar Camps has said the ship, which is pulling a barge with 200 tons of rice and flour, would take two to three days to arrive at an undisclosed location.

A member of the charity World Central Kitchen, which is also involved in the test run, said in a post on X that once the barge reaches Gaza, the aid would be off-loaded by a crane, be placed on trucks and driven to northern Gaza, which has been largely cut off from aid shipments.

Senior aid officials have warned that air and sea deliveries can't make up for a shortage of supply routes on land.

The new push for getting more aid in came on the eve of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which follows a lunar calendar and could start as early as Sunday evening, depending on the sighting of a crescent moon.

Israel declared war on October 7 after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians and taking 250 hostages. Israel's blistering air and ground offensive has devastated large parts of Gaza, displaced about 80% of the population of 2.3 million and set off a worsening humanitarian crisis.

The U.S. and regional mediators Egypt and Qatar had hoped to have a six-week cease-fire in place by the start of Ramadan, but talks appeared to be stalled, with Hamas holding out for assurances that a temporary truce will lead to an end of hostilities.

Mediators had hoped to alleviate some of the immediate crisis with the temporary cease-fire, which would have seen Hamas release some of the Israeli hostages it's holding, Israel release some Palestinian prisoners and aid groups be given access for a major influx of assistance into Gaza.
Emerging from their near-clean sweeps of Super Tuesday contests, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump head to Georgia, where theyll campaign for votes in Tuesdays presidential primary in a state that will play a pivotal role in deciding their fates in November.

For Trump, the day will likely have additional significance, as voters in Georgia and three other states may award him enough delegates to clinch the Republican nomination for president. Bidens first possible date to clinch has also moved up to March 12.

Aside from that, Georgias presidential primary will be largely anti-climactic. Trumps main rival for the GOP nomination, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, suspended her campaign this week after a rout on Super Tuesday, when she won the Vermont primary but lost 14 other contests. Biden also will face fewer challengers in the primary after U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota ended his campaign, although neither Phillips nor self-help author Marianne Williamson has had much of an impact on primary and caucus vote totals so far this campaign.

On Saturday, Biden will hold a campaign event in Atlanta, while about 70 miles (112 kilometers) away, Trump will hold a rally in Rome in northwest Georgia. Its the second time in a little over a week the two will hold dueling events in a state about to hold a primary while eyeing the general election campaign to come. Biden and Trump were in Texas on Feb. 29 ahead of its presidential primary to hold immigration-themed events along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Georgia is likely again to play a key role in the general election as it did in 2020, when Biden became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the state since Bill Clinton in 1992. Biden narrowly defeated Trump in Georgia by less than a quarter of a percentage point, a margin of 11,779 votes. Trumps efforts to overturn those results are at the heart of an ongoing criminal case in Fulton County, although the judge is considering a motion to have District Attorney Fani Willis removed from the case.

Trumps actions in Georgia and other swing states also play a role in a federal prosecution of his attempt to stay in power after losing the 2020 election, but that case is on hold as the Supreme Court prepares to consider the Trump defense teams argument that the former president is immune from prosecution.

Georgia is the biggest delegate prize and the only swing state among the contests taking place Tuesday. Super Tuesday put both Biden and Trump on the brink of having enough delegates to clinch their parties presidential nominations. Tuesday is the earliest either could reach that milestone.

The Associated Press allocated delegates from Delaware and Florida to Biden on Friday, as both states have canceled their Democratic presidential primaries, with all their delegates going to the sitting president. With that allocation, Bidens first possible date to clinch moves up to March 12, when he needs to win just 40% of the available delegates to do so.

Heres a look at what to expect on election night:

Primary day

The Georgia presidential primary will be held Tuesday. Polls close at 7 p.m. ET.

Whats on the ballot

The Associated Press will provide coverage for the Democratic and Republican presidential primaries. The candidates listed on the Democratic ballot are Biden, Phillips and Williamson. Besides Trump and Haley, the Republican ballot will list Florida businessman David Stuckenberg and former candidates Ryan Binkley, Doug Burgum, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Asa Hutchinson, Perry Johnson, Vivek Ramaswamy and Tim Scott.

Who can vote

Any registered voter may participate in either primary. Voters in Georgia do not register by party.

Delegate allocation rules

There are 108 pledged Democratic delegates at stake in Georgia, and theyre awarded according to the national partys standard rules. Twenty-three at-large delegates are allocated in proportion to the statewide vote, as are 14 PLEO delegates, or party leaders and elected officials. The states 14 congressional districts have a combined 71 delegates at stake, which are allocated in proportion to the vote results in each district. Candidates must receive at least 15% of the statewide vote to qualify for any statewide delegates, and 15% of the vote in a congressional district to qualify for delegates in that district.

Georgia has 59 Republican delegates at stake in the primary. The 14 at-large delegates are awarded in proportion to the statewide vote to candidates who receive at least 20%. A combined 42 delegates are at stake in the 14 congressional districts, with three delegates per district. The candidate who wins a majority of the vote in a district wins that districts three delegates. If no candidate wins a vote majority in a district, the top vote-getter wins two delegates, and the second-place finisher wins one. The states three Republican National Committee members, the state chair and the Republican National Committeeman and Committeewoman, are bound to the statewide winner.

Decision notes

Unlike the general election, Tuesdays primaries in Georgia are not likely to be competitive, as Biden and Trump face no major opposition in their campaigns for renomination. In both races, the first indications that Biden and Trump are winning statewide on a level consistent with the overwhelming margins seen in most other contests held so far this year may be sufficient to determine the statewide winners.

What do turnout and advance voting look like

Turnout in 2022 was about 11% of registered voters in the Democratic primaries for U.S. Senate and governor. It was 17% in the GOP U.S. Senate primary and 18% in the gubernatorial primary. There were nearly 8 million registered voters in Georgia as of Feb. 13.

As of Thursday, nearly 359,000 ballots had been cast before Election Day, about 66% in the Republican primary and about 34% in the Democratic primary. In 2022, pre-Election Day voting made up about 51% of the total vote in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary and about 41% in the GOP gubernatorial primary.

Are we there yet?

As of Tuesday, there will be 125 days until the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, 160 days until the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and 238 until the November general election.
In three key competitive U.S. states  North Carolina, Minnesota and Michigan  tens of thousands of Americans voted uncommitted in primary elections rather than vote for President Joe Biden.

Its part of a movement spearheaded by Arab Americans in Michigan to protest the presidents support for Israels war in Gaza, where the health ministry says at least 30,000 Palestinians have been killed. The weapons used by Israel in Gaza are largely funded by, and made in, the United States.

The anger that I feel towards him is just, it's, it's immeasurable. It's nothing compared to even the way I felt about Trump, Samraa Luqman, Michigan co-chair of Abandon Biden, a group thats working to defeat the president in the November election.

"The betrayal, the assumption that the Democratic Party stood for the moral high ground, for human rights and the protection of minorities, that's all gone.



More than 100,000 Michiganders, 13% of Democratic voters, voted uncommitted in the states February 27 primary. Michigan is home to the largest Arab American population in the nation. By voting uncommitted, theyre signaling to Biden that he risks losing the Arab American vote in the key battleground state. Biden still has a pathway to victory without Michigan, but it's much harder.

Most Arab Americans are registered as Democrats, about two to one Democrat to Republican, but how they vote varies depending on the year, says Amny Shuraydi, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn with an expertise in Arab American studies.

"You have Arab Americans who are very conservative, and you have those who are very liberal, just like any other voter group. But Middle East politics definitely play a role in the majority of Arab American and Muslim voters and how they make their final decisions when it comes to voting.

Former President Donald Trump won Michigan in 2016 by less than 11,000 votes. Biden won by about 120,000 votes in 2020. There are an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 Arab Americans in the state, although not all are eligible to vote.

We're focused on the Arab Americans in Michigan because they have almost exactly the number of votes to change the election result, says Jeffrey Grynaviski, an associate political science professor at Wayne State University in Detroit.

After the Michigan primary, a Biden campaign spokesperson said the president hears the voters participating in the uncommitted campaigns, and that he shares their goal for a just, lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. In recent weeks, the Biden administration has pushed for a temporary cease-fire and more aid for Gaza. The Biden team has also met with local Arab American leaders.

Michigan has a population of more than 10 million, so the Arab American vote alone could be insignificant to the overall election result, Grynaviski says, but there are other worrying signs for the president.

It's not just the Arab American population that I would be concerned about if I was a Biden adviser. It would be the young people, because almost overwhelmingly, the young people are disgusted by what they see from my interactions with them, Grynaviski says. You look at voter turnout in Ann Arbor, near the University of Michigan, it was high and very noncommitted.

Yusef Ahmed, a college student who voted uncommitted in the primary, says theres no chance hell vote for Biden in November.

Even if he decides to completely do a 360, he has already caused so much harm, Ahmed says.

Adam Abusalah says he worked to help elect Biden in 2020, but that there is nothing the president can do to win him back in 2024.

We thought he was somebody that would lead this country with humanity and compassion. But instead, he's been leading with hypocrisy," Abusalah says. "We're saying, Enough is enough. We no longer want our tax dollars going to purchase bombs and give Israel more military aid to bomb Palestinians. We'd rather that money come into our schools."

The potential for political damage could extend beyond the presidential race. Progressive Arab Americans might lean toward Michigan Senate hopeful Justin Amash, a Republican of Palestinian origin, who is facing pro-Israel Democrat Elissa Slotkin in November.

I can tell you that, even as a progressive myself, that is way on the left of the spectrum, I would vote for Justin Amash over Slotkin, Luqman says. And let's see a Republican senator come out of Michigan. The Democratic Party has a lot to lose, a lot more than just the presidency.

When asked if she thinks likely Republican nominee Trump would be better for Arab Americans and for U.S. policy toward Israel and the Palestinians, Luqman says.

I've lived through four years of Trump, but 30,000 innocent lives of Palestinians have been lost, and they cannot live through another Joe Biden presidency.

Meanwhile, theres evidence the uncommitted campaign started by Michigans Arab Americans is spreading. In the March 5 Super Tuesday Democratic primary contests, 19% of Minnesota voters and 13% of North Carolinians voted uncommitted.

The uncommitted movement now shifts its focus to Washington state, which holds its primary on March 12.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that the culture that is keeping Ukrainians united and steadfast against the enemy is as powerful as its weapons.

Zelenskyy spoke at the ceremony for the Taras Shevchenko National Prize, Ukraine's top cultural award. He thanked cultural leaders who help maintain the history and cultural identity of the Ukrainian people through their works, art and teaching.

"For a human community to become a nation and a state, the best characters in the country must have hearts that do not live only for themselves. Such hearts speak to those around them. They care. They teach  teach to understand. They unite. Protect. Save when necessary. And in the end, we all recognize each other, feel each other, feel that we are Ukrainians," he said.

Zelenskyy thanked everyone "who is now on the front lines and who is with those who are on the front lines."

Papal message

With fierce fighting continuing between Ukraine and Russia, Pope Francis urged Ukraine to "have the courage to negotiate" an end to the war with Russia, now in its third year.

According to a transcript of the pontiff's interview last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI and a partial video made available to Reuters on Saturday, the pope made the comments when asked whether Ukraine should surrender because it has not been able to repel Russian forces, or if doing so would legitimize actions by the strongest party.

In the question the interviewer used the term "white flag" to refer to peace negotiations initiated by Ukraine.

"It is one interpretation, that is true," Francis said adding, "I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates," he said, adding that talks should take place with the help of international powers.

The interview is slated for broadcast on March 20.

A spokesperson for Zelenskyy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the pope's remarks.

Zelenskyy has said that while he wants peace, he will not give up any territory. The Kremlin has ruled out engaging in peace talks on terms set by Kyiv.

Turkey to host peace summit

Pope Francis made his comments well before the announcement Friday by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to host a peace summit between Ukraine and Russia. The Turkish leader expressed his intentions after a meeting with Zelenskyy in Istanbul.

"We are giving our utmost contribution for the war to end on the basis of negotiations," Erdogan said, reiterating Ankara's support for Ukraine's sovereignty.

Ankara "will once again emphasize that our strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, including Crimea, continues," a Turkish diplomatic source told Agence France-Presse.

Last week, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan urged Ukraine and Russia to begin cease-fire talks after meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, and added that such talks must not mean the recognition of Russia's occupation.

As part of its balancing act between Ukraine and Russia, Ankara has offered to host peace talks while keeping up its defense industry ties with Ukraine and deepening its energy cooperation with Russia. Additionally, it has inked an accord to take part in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.

Russian attacks continue

Ukrainian officials say three people were killed, including a 16-year-old boy, in Russian artillery attacks that hit the town of Chervonohryhorivka located across the Dnipro River from the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, while a 7-year-old child was wounded by a Russian bomb that landed Saturday in a residential area, in the southern city of Kherson.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its air force shot down a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet over Pokrovsk, a city in the Donetsk region with an important railroad junction that is a prime Russian target after Ukrainian forces retreated from Avdiivka last month, a significant setback for Ukraine's war effort.

The Russian defense ministry also said Saturday that its forces shot down 41 drones over the Rostov region home to Russia's southern military command.

"Air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed over the territories of Belgorod region (one drone), Kursk region (two drones), Volgograd region (three drones) and Rostov region (41 drones)," the Russian army said on social media.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Ukraine downs 12 drones

Kyiv's air force said earlier it had downed 12 out of 15 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russia over the eastern Donetsk region and central Dnipropetrovsk and Poltava regions.

In the eastern Donetsk region, Ukraine said Saturday it had evacuated almost 200 people from front-line villages, including 21 children, amid fighting.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
Congrats to Bella Baxter. Photo: Searchlight Pictures

This awards season had it all: Bradley Cooper spending six years in conducting school for a six-minute sequence that people pretended to care about; Cillian Murphy losing his title as Irelands Sweetheart to Ayo Edebiri; Barbie snubs probably heard around the ghost offices of the gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss co-working space, the Wing. All of that pandering and excitement and anger of the last cinematic calendar year comes to a close with the 2024 Academy Awards on March 10. The ceremony honors achievements, not in which film had the most spineless husband, but the film arts and technology, with Oppenheimer nabbing 13 nominations, followed by Poor Things at its heels with 11 nods. In the end, the Oppenhomies took home seven trophies, including Best Picture and Best Director, while Poor Things Emma Stone nabbed Best Actress, stealing Killers of the Flower Moons one shot at a win after ten nominations. Billie Eilish won her second Oscar, for her Barbie song, making history alongside Cillian Murphy, the first-ever Irish-born winner for Best Actor.

Below, all the winners.

Best Picture

American Fiction

Anatomy of a Fall

Barbie

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer (Winner)

Past Lives

Poor Things

The Zone of Interest

Best Director

Justine Triet  Anatomy of a Fall

Martin Scorsese  Killers of the Flower Moon

Christopher Nolan  Oppenheimer (Winner)

Yorgos Lanthimos  Poor Things

Jonathan Glazer  The Zone of Interest

Best Actor

Bradley Cooper  Maestro

Colman Domingo  Rustin

Paul Giamatti  The Holdovers

Cillian Murphy  Oppenheimer (Winner)

Jeffrey Wright  American Fiction

Best Actress

Annette Bening  Nyad

Lily Gladstone  Killers of the Flower Moon

Sandra Huller  Anatomy of a Fall

Carey Mulligan  Maestro

Emma Stone  Poor Things (Winner)

Best Supporting Actor

Sterling K. Brown  American Fiction

Robert De Niro  Killers of the Flower Moon

Robert Downey Jr.  Oppenheimer (Winner)

Ryan Gosling  Barbie

Mark Ruffalo  Poor Things

Best Supporting Actress

Emily Blunt  Oppenheimer

Danielle Brooks  The Color Purple

America Ferrera  Barbie

Jodie Foster  Nyad

DaVine Joy Randolph  The Holdovers (Winner)

Best Adapted Screenplay

American Fiction (Winner)

Barbie

Oppenheimer

Poor Things

The Zone of Interest

Best Original Screenplay

Anatomy of a Fall (Winner)

The Holdovers

Maestro

May December

Past Lives

Best Visual Effects

The Creator

Godzilla Minus One

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One

Napoleon

Best Costume Design

Barbie

Killers of the Flower Moon

Napoleon

Oppenheimer

Poor Things (Winner)

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Golda

Maestro

Oppenheimer

Poor Things (Winner)

Society of the Snow

Best Cinematography

El Conde

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer (Winner)

Poor Things

Best Production Design

Barbie

Killers of the Flower Moon

Napoleon

Oppenheimer

Poor Things (Winner)

Best Sound

The Creator

Maestro

Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One

Oppenheimer

The Zone of Interest (Winner)

Best Film Editing

Anatomy of a Fall

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Oppenheimer (Winner)

Poor Things

Best Original Score

American Fiction

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Killers of the Flower Moon

Oppenheimer (Winner)

Poor Things

Best Original Song

The Fire Inside  Flamin Hot

Im Just Ken  Barbie

It Never Went Away  American Symphony

Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)  Killers of the Flower Moon

What Was I Made For  Barbie (Winner)

Best Animated Short Film

Letter to a Pig

Ninety-Five Senses

Our Uniform

Pachyderme

War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko (Winner)

Best Live-Action Short Film

The After

Invincible

Knight of Fortune

Red, White and Blue

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (Winner)

Best Documentary Short Film

The ABCs of Book Banning

The Barber of Little Rock

Island in Between

The Last Repair Shop (Winner)

Nai Nai & Wai Po

Best Documentary Feature Film

Bobi Wine: The Peoples President

The Eternal Memory

Four Daughters

To Kill a Tiger

20 Days in Mariupol (Winner)

Best International Feature Film

Io Capitano (Italy)

Perfect Days (Japan)

Society of the Snow (Spain)

The Teachers Lounge (Germany)

The Zone of Interest (United Kingdom) (Winner)

Best Animated Feature Film

The Boy and the Heron (Winner)

Elemental

Nimona

Robot Dreams

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Photo: Focus Features

Luca writer Simon Stephenson is accusing director Alexander Payne and writer David Hemingsons The Holdovers of plagiarizing his 2013 script, Frisco, line by line, reports Variety. Frisco follows a world-weary middle-aged childrens doctor and the 15-year-old patient he gets stuck looking after, while The Holdovers follows a teacher, student, and cafeteria manager at a boarding school who get stuck together over Christmas break. Stephenson claims that Payne had the original script not once but twice. In 2013, Verve founder Bryan Besser emailed Stephenson that they had sent the script to Paynes producing partner Jim Burke and ultimately, Payne did like [the script] but was not interested in prod or directing it. Then, the script allegedly ended up on Paynes desk again in 2019: Brightstars John Woodward reportedly emailed Stephenson, Sorry to say that Alexander has now read but says it is not quite what he is looking for.

When discussing the construction of the films central plot, Payne said in an interview he was inspired by David Hemingsons pilot set in a boarding school and asked him to write a story for him set in that same world. Stephenson is reportedly still addressing his complaint with the WGA. Vulture has reached out to Payne, Hemingson, and Stephensons reps for comment.
In this piece, we are going to look at 15 Best Steakhouses in The US. If you feel like skipping on our detailed discussion on the meat and beef market, you can jump directly to 5 Best Steakhouses in The US.

The global meat market was worth a whopping US$ 1.4 Trillion in 2023. Looking ahead, experts predict it's gonna hit US$ 1.7 Trillion by 2032, growing at a steady pace of 2.01% from 2024 to 2032. Why? Well, folks are all about that protein-rich diet these days, plus they're big on sustainable, ethical meat production and all the cool tech that's making it happen.

People are chowing down on more meat than ever thanks to their love for protein-rich foods and their growing health consciousness, boosting meat sales worldwide. And let's not forget the trend toward leaner, clean-label options like antibiotic-free and hormone-free meats, or the rise of grass-fed, organic, and free-range meat as niche markets.

Resultantly, the global beef market is also set to explode from $414.98 billion in 2022 to a whopping $604.34 billion by 2029. It's all about that demand for steaks, ground cuts, and similar beefy delights.

The steaks market is all about those top-notch meat cuts, mainly from beef but you'll find some from pork, lamb, and veal too. Foodies go wild for steaks because they're known for their quality, taste, and tenderness. Lots of things shape how steaks are produced and enjoyed, like what consumers like, the way the meat is processed, and how cattle are taken care of. Quality standards play a big role, ensuring that steaks meet high standards for flavor, texture, and nutrition. Before we jump on to our list of 15 Best Steakhouses in The US, lets first now discuss few big names in the industry, namely, Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), JBS S.A. (Other OTC:JBSAY) and Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (NASDAQGS:PPC).

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN)

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), a big player in the meat industry, is based in Springdale, Arkansas. They're known for their chicken, beef, and pork products and rank as the world's second-largest processor and marketer, right after JBS S.A. In the first quarter ending on December 31, 2023, they reported sales of $13,319 million, showing a slight 0.4% increase from the previous year. However, their GAAP operating income was $231 million, down by 51%, and adjusted operating income was $411 million, down by 9%. Similarly, their GAAP EPS stood at $0.30, a 66% decrease compared to the prior year.

Story continues

JBS S.A. (Other OTC:JBSAY)

JBS S.A. (Other OTC:JBSAY) is this massive Brazilian company known for being the top dog in the meat processing world, dishing out beef, chicken, salmon, pork, and even selling by-products from these meats. In their latest numbers for the fiscal third quarter ending on Sept. 30, 2023, their net income took a big hit, dropping by a whopping 84.7% to $117.3 million compared to the previous year. The net revenue for the quarter was $18.7 billion, just a tiny 0.6% down from $18.8 billion a year ago. Now, JBS is focusing on getting things back on track for Seara and JBS Beef North America, two businesses that have room to grow.

Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (NASDAQGS:PPC)

Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (NASDAQGS:PPC) is a big food company in the U.S., dishing out tons of chicken. They're actually one of the biggest chicken producers stateside, plus they're second in Mexico. In the last quarter of 2023, ending 31 December, PPC knocked it out of the park with adjusted earnings hitting 59 cents per share, beating expectations. That's a huge improvement from the 49 cents loss in the same quarter last year. Their net sales for the quarter also went up to $4,528.3 million, a solid 9.7% increase compared to last year. Looks like they're on the rise all over!

15 Best Steakhouses in The US

Alexander Raths/Shutterstock.com

Methodology

To curate our list of 15 Best Steakhouses in The US, we searched across some sources across the internet listing the Best Steakhouses in The US, which helped us shortlisting almost 100 best steakhouses in the USA. From that long list, we took each restaurants ratings from several sources like Google reviews, Tripadvisor, Yelp, Grubhub, and Opentable along with also noting down the number of ratings. Based on the two metrics, we then ranked our list and here we bring to you 15 Best Steakhouses in The US.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

15. Barclay Prime, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Rating: 4.9

Number of Ratings: 5,011

Barclay Prime in Philadelphia is a real standout, famous for its top-notch steaks and lavish caviar selection. They don't skimp on the sides, seafood, or desserts either. Start off with their tuna tartare, a zesty delight that won't weigh you down. For a fancy treat, dive into their caviar options, served on blinis with all the trimmings. The regular steaks are pure perfectionaged just right and cooked to your liking. But hold onto your hats for the Barclay Prime cheesesteak, featuring Wagyu steak, truffle cheese, foie gras, and a side of bubbly. It's the cheesesteak dreams are made of!

14. Guard and Grace, Denver, Colorado

Rating: 4.8

Number of Ratings: 5,504

Guard and Grace, with spots in Denver and Houston, knows how to treat you right from start to finish. They're all about revamping classics with a modern flair while maintaining that original magic. And oh, those steaks are something else! But don't sleep on their seafoodfresh oysters and lobster are winners. The prime tomahawk steak is a showstopper for two, while the Filet Flight offers a trio of heavenly filet mignons. Add in artisanal cocktails for a truly unforgettable dining experience at Guard and Grace!

13. B&B Butchers & Restaurant, Houston, Texas

Rating: 4.7

Number of Ratings: 6,417

B&B Butchers & Restaurant is the ultimate meat master thanks to their on-site steakhouse and butcher shop. With locations in Fort Worth and Houston, Texas, they're serving up top-notch dry-aged beef and even offer Japanese or North American Wagyu for a fancy treat. Stick to the classics with their divine filet mignon or heavenly beef Wellington. Picture the beef Wellington - medium-rare, wrapped in a flaky pastry, and dripping in decadent sauce for two hungry souls. And the filet mignon? Perfectly cooked, crispy exterior, tender inside. Feel like jazzing it up? Add some truffle butter or go Oscar-style.

12. RingSide Steakhouse, Portland, Oregon

Rating: 4.8

Number of Ratings: 6,864

Portland, Oregon is known for its great food scene, but RingSide Steakhouse shines with top-notch steaks, sides, and appetizers. Don't miss their homemade onion rings  sweet, savory, and lightly battered for a delicious start. Pair them with a glass of their premium wine or an old-fashioned cocktail for the perfect kickoff. When it's time for the main event, their expertly-prepared steaks with various sauces and sides steal the show. Wednesday dinners feature a three-course feast with prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, Caesar salad, and giant prawns. Save room for their famous creme brulee to top off a fantastic dining experience that'll leave you planning your next visit!

11. Steak 48, Charlotte, New Carolina

Rating: 4.9

Number of Ratings: 6,373

Steak 45 may be flying under the radar, but it's a hidden gem for all those steak lovers out there! With locations in over 7 cities, this spot is a favorite among hardcore steak enthusiasts. What's cool is that each Steak 48 restaurant has its own butcher shop, where skilled staff custom-cut those amazing 28-day wet-aged steaks. From bone-in Kansas City strips to grass-fed New York strips, they've got it all covered!

10. Keen's Steakhouse Restaurant, New York City, New York

Rating: 4.5

Number of Ratings: 7,511

The word on the street is that Keens Steakhouse has a gem of a dish - the "legendary mutton chop." But here's the juicy scoop: it's not mutton at all. Nope, it's lamb! Turns out, this meaty masterpiece has been winning over diners as a lamb lover's dream all along. This 26-ounce saddle of lamb, fat-skirted and towering at nearly two inches high, delivers carnivore bliss like no other. So, whether it's mutton or lamb, one thing's certain - it's a winner on the plate at Keens Steakhouse.

9. Geno's Steaks, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Rating: 4.0 Number of Ratings: 13,722

Looking for the top Philly cheesesteak spot? Geno's Steaks has got you covered! Known for the best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, swing by our shop on South 9th Street to learn the authentic Philly cheesesteak order and savor the goodness. Operating all day, every day, our welcoming team is ready whenever you're craving that Philly flavor. We're all about top-quality ingredients for an unbeatable cheesesteak experiencecome see why we stand out! Drop by Geno's or order online for a taste of the best cheesesteaks in Philly, delivered straight to your door.

8. Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, Chicago, Illinois

Rating: 4.8

Number of Ratings: 7,864

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse has been an iconic Chicago steak spot since it opened in May of '89. Situated in the legendary space once home to Mr. Kelley's and later Sweetwater, Gibsons is a go-to dining spot in Chicago for celebs, tourists, and locals. Known for their Gibsons Prime Angus beef, fresh fish, classic cocktails, and top-notch service, it's the ultimate American steakhouse. With three stellar locations in Chicago, Rosemont, and Oak Brook, it's a must-visit for steak lovers in the USA.

7. The Precinct By Jeff Ruby, Cincinnati, Ohio

Rating: 4.8

Number of Ratings: 8,283

As a Southern United States premium steakhouse chain with locations in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, Jeff Ruby's Precinct has been serving iconic dishes and excellent steaks for over 40 years. The restaurant stands out for its attention to detail, especially in their starters. Classic salads like the Freddie, featuring generous slices of applewood bacon and creamy ranch dressing, and the wedge salad with thinly sliced red onion, bright dill, and chunky blue cheese are highlights. The appetizers, such as oysters Rockefeller with cheese and a hint of Pernod, are also noteworthy. However, the real star of the show at Jeff Ruby's Precinct is the steak selection. From the barrel-cut filet to the indulgent steak Diane with rich mushrooms and cream, the restaurant ensures a delightful steak experience. For those seeking extra flavor, options like roasted garlic butter or horseradish sauce are available to complement the prime cuts of mea

6. Golden Steer Steakhouse Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada

Rating: 4.8

Number of Ratings: 9,628

Golden Steer Steakhouse in Las Vegas, Nevada, epitomizes the opulence and glamor of old Vegas with its luxurious ambiance, classic steakhouse fare, and top-notch service. Known as one of the city's premier dining establishments, Golden Steer offers an extensive wine selection, delectable starters, and high-quality USDA-aged beef. While not catering to avant-garde tastes, the restaurant excels at delivering a flawless traditional dining experience. Indulge in a tableside-prepared classic Caesar salad before savoring prime cuts like rib-eye or a 12-ounce filet mignon, which can be upgraded with rich hollandaise and crabmeat in an Oscar-style preparation. A standout dish is the "Chateaubriand for Two," a generous steak served with accompaniments and Caesar salads.

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Disclosure: None. 15 Best Steakhouses in The US is originally published on Insider Monkey.
DMcD: Technology has moved on and though there are still potential problems, Im less concerned on a technical level about safety. I dont fear another Three Mile Island-type disaster myself. In terms of disposal of nuclear waste, that is a real fear that people have, and its very difficult to work out politically as to where exactly youd put it. But technically, much of the sting has gone out of that in part because of an Australian invention called synroc, where you make synthetic rock out of the waste, which is completely stable, and you go and bury it somewhere. I believe the Yanks were a bit annoyed that weve got the IP on that invention and surprised, given we dont have an industry, but if you can find a community happy to bury it, it can be safe  at a huge cost. Fitz: Great. So far, so good. It is encouraging, and I confess real surprise, that on your reckoning both the safety and waste problems have been technically solved. Peter Dutton also says that one reason to put nuclear plants on the spot of dying coal plants is to have the nuclear power going out on established grids. He was cited in The Australian last week asserting that it would cost Australia a TRILLION dollars  which I think is a thousand billion dollars  to build new grids for regional renewable generators. Peter Dutton has put nuclear power at the centre of the Coalitions energy policy. DMcD: That is not correct. At the moment, the entire high-voltage transmission grid is valued at about $22 billion. And on various estimates, we need to significantly expand that by building transmission lines of about 10,000 kilometres, which is probably about a quarter the size of the existing network. But the cost of that is not just a quarter of the current value of the depreciated old stuff  it will cost more than a quarter of the value, and the current reckoning is it will cost about $12 billion to build the extra lines needed in the short term. But if it blows out, it will still be in this order of magnitude, tens of billions of dollars, not a trillion dollars. Fitz: OK. Now lets get to the guts of it. Given safety and disposal problems are technically solved, why not do it?

DMcD: Because of the cost of building nuclear reactors, the time it takes, and the subsequent price of the electricity produced. If they started building a major nuclear plant now at, say, where the Eraring coal power station is  the like-for-like power station would cost between $70 and $80 billion. And you wouldnt have the first bit of electricity produced until the 2040s. That means it cant contribute to the power system in Australia on timescales that are relevant to solving the climate crisis. Converting the Eraring coal-fired power station in NSWs Hunter region into a nuclear power plant would cost between $70 and $80 billion, Dr McDonnell says Credit: Brendon Thorne Were in the critical decade right now, and Australia cant wait that long to bring down emissions. And as we replace the coal stations being phased out  as they wont last until the 2040s  it is renewables that will replace them and by the 2040s, those renewable systems will substantially be in place. On current prices, the cost of nuclear energy is three to four times the cost of renewable energy, so why would anyone pay this premium? A further problem they have is that while the cost of renewable energy keeps coming down, the cost of nuclear energy keeps going up. So whats it going to be like in 2040? Fitz: Well, who puts up the money now for nuclear power stations around the world to be built?

DMcD: Nowhere around the world is the private sector saying, We want to build nuclear reactors and will fund it, and certainly not here in Australia. They only get built with direct government involvement  governments going guarantors on the loans, or at least guaranteeing price for the electricity produced. As an aside, Id note that is quite an interesting philosophical position for our national fiscally conservative [political] party to take, saying they want to build it, and not leave it to the free market. Loading Fitz: So it has to be the government that takes the hit? DMcD: Project developers have to get their money back. So, for example in the UK, they basically have put a levy on electricity bills to pay for their plant there. The latest projected cost of that one, at Hinkley Point, is 46 billion, which is $90 billion. And the electricity that will come from that is roughly $250 per megawatt hour, which is more than twice the cost of wholesale power in Australia at the moment, at least three times the cost of wind power, and four times the cost of solar power. Fitz: The economics look grim! But what about the point about our bounteous natural resources? Huge chunks of Western Australia are apparently made of uranium. Is it insane for us as a country not to be pushing nuclear when we can sell it to the world and all of us, or at least Gina, can get rich  or richer?

DMcD: But youve got to have a market for it. And that market is disappearing because of the economic forces, whether we like it or not. Even if you wanted to, who are you going to be selling the uranium to? In the US, they tried to build one  the VC Summer project in South Carolina  and then it had to be cancelled because it was clear the economies didnt work. So they spent nine or 10 billion dollars for a hole in the ground. Right now, there are no further plans for construction of nuclear reactors in the United States, and the UK only has Hinkley Point, which is a financial disaster. None are currently in train to be built in comparable countries, like France, Germany or the US. The French have announced intentions to build six, but none of this is contracted. At the moment, very little is planned for construction outside of China, and even there, theyre actually building substantially more pumped hydro and many times more wind and solar than nuclear. Loading Fitz: OK, what about the arguments that are still trotted out, along the lines of the sun doesnt shine at midnight and the wind doesnt always blow, so in Australia, we need nuclear or coal to assure base load if thats the correct term? DMcD: Yes, the sun doesnt shine at night and wind doesnt always blow, but the idea is to design an electricity system so big and integrated that through a combination of resources  wind, solar, hydro, possibly some small amount of gas  we have a reliable system. And that is what is being done now. Fitz: The case you have presented so far seems very much against big nuclear. But theres also a lot of talk of SMRs the Small Modular Reactors? Are they at least more feasible? (And what are they, by the way?)

DMcD: Theres a lot of hype around these, and the idea is that theyre smaller, and the constituent modular pieces can be built in factories like the pieces necessary for wind and solar, so theyre easier to build. With the economies of scale you could have the same sort of success story that youve had with renewable energy. That was the promise, but in practice, the ones that we have seen developed are not, by any stretch of the imagination, what most people would consider small. Loading Fitz: But are they working at all, or well, anywhere in the world? DMcD: No, and thats the other point. Theyre all still theoretical. There is none operating, and the most advanced project in the world over in America, Nuscale in Idaho, fell over a couple of months ago. They had all these entities lined up to buy the power when it was built, but, over time, as the cost of building just escalated, it got to the point where they all said, we dont want this any more, it is too expensive. And it hasnt worked anywhere else. Fitz: Can you, for a moment, be your own devils advocate? I clearly havent come at you with arguments that have made any headway for nuclear, but there must be some. What are they? Before the interview you acknowledged there were some academics at least open to the option of nuclear, if not gung-ho. What do they say, for nuclear?
Many of the signatories to that petition signed it in honour of family members or friends who had died of melanoma, which kills about 1300 Australians each year. My husband died three years ago of melanoma, wrote one signatory. He was 48, fit and strong. It killed him in three quick years, despite having every treatment possible. Tanning is never OK, and we need to send this message out loud and clear. Bronzed, slim and young: This vintage ad for Reef tanning oil published in the early 1980s in Australia has plenty of similarities with modern social media ads. Robson said the Australian Medical Association would support any government regulation that puts the kibosh on tanning product advertising, arguing it was patently dangerous to public health and preyed on peoples vulnerabilities and insecurities. Its a bid that has the support of Pauline Ryan, a recent survivor of metastatic melanoma and a clinical trial participant. Ryans cancer was first identified in December 2022, when she was 37 weeks pregnant with her second child.

The 38-year-old had been traumatised by her cancer experience, which she said underlined the potential deadly mistake of equating a tan with health and beauty. Ads spruiking tanning oils are hard for her to watch. Weve got ... vulnerable young people who might be susceptible to this advertising, and I would genuinely hate for people to be in my shoes. Pauline Ryan bears physical and mental scares from her cancer, removed from her neck. Credit: Chris Hopkins I would never have thought I would be a young mother going through cancer treatment. I wasnt someone that actively tried to tan. When I was a teenager, I had tried a few times, but I just didnt have the skin tone for it. But I do look back and regret. I know those moments where I just havent been sun smart.

The president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Dr Nicole Higgins, is also concerned about the impact of social media influencers on the behaviour of young people. Pauline Ryan during her treatment for melanoma. She said her own teenage daughters, despite being educated on sun safety, were picking up worrying tanning techniques and ideas around beauty standards online. Now theyre using beer, Reef [oil], you name it, she said. Weve got the biggest users of social media being bombarded by big business with images of what they should look like. And theyre at an age where they havent necessarily developed the critical thinking or the understanding to appreciate why these images are on their phone. Meta, owner of Instagram, said it would not comment on the companys policy of running ads for suntanning products or its approach to images and videos that glamorise tans and tan lines. Several paid Instagram posts claim to show off suntanning results after hours in the sun.

TikTok, in contrast, said it prohibits paid ads for tan boosters and accelerators. A spokesperson said the company actively removes concerning and dangerous content associated with hashtags such as #sunburnchallenge and #tanning. However, if you search the term tanning on TikTok, the top videos are still promoting sun exposure. A sponsored social media advertisement from The Fox Tan celebrates tanning results after hours in the sun. Credit: Meta One of those videos, viewed almost 2 million times, shows an influencers three-hour tanning routine, where she applies sunscreen to her face with a low sun protection factor before heading out into the sun. I know Im probably supposed to use a higher SPF, because I dont want to get wrinkles, she says, in a mocking tone. Guess what? We are all going to get wrinkly one day and Id rather be tan. The Albanese government recently invested $7.3 million in a new campaign with Cancer Council Australia to End the Trend of suntanning among young people, citing statistics showing almost three quarters of young Australians think theyre unlikely to get skin cancer.

But the federal government has so far not acted on calls to ban ads of suntanning products. Loading Businesses must make sure that statements on social media are true, accurate and can be proven. They cannot make false or misleading claims on social media, said a spokesperson for Communications Minister Michelle Rowland in response to a question about a potential ban. I encourage anyone concerned that advertising may be false, misleading or harmful to make a report to the advertising regulator  Ad Standards  or the consumer watchdog, the ACCC [Australian Competition and Consumer Commission]. Deakin University professor of consumer behaviour Paul Harrison said there would be no easy one-stop solution when it came to discouraging Australians from tanning their skin.
But the rise in incidental findings has also thrown up some ethical dilemmas. While the early detection of life-threatening disease is beneficial, benign findings can trigger anxiety for patients. They can also lead to invasive procedures such as biopsies, radiation from follow-up imaging, and additional costs to the health system, according to a recent study published in the Medical Journal of Australia. The study estimates that incidentalomas crop up in up to 40 per cent of CT scans. A CT scan of the abdomen showing unsuspected fatty liver, which can cause chronic liver disease, cancer and cardiovascular disease. The studys co-author, Professor Ian Scott, decided to look into the phenomenon after a 72-year-old patient recently presented with kidney stone pain at his Queensland hospital. An abdominal CT scan revealed a lesion in his pancreas, which doctors worried was cancer.

They did a major operation where they took out the pancreas and unfortunately, he didnt do too well after that, the director of internal medicine at Princess Alexandra Hospital recalled. Loading There were quite a few complications. Because they took his pancreas out, he developed diabetes and malabsorption syndrome and lost a lot of weight. When they inspected the lesion they discovered it wasnt cancer. He would like to see a reduction in unwarranted scans being ordered by doctors. People are over-reliant on the technology, whereas if you base your clinical judgment on good history taking, physical examination, basic blood tests and risk assessments, you often dont need to do the imaging, he said.

For the one in 20 who might have something nasty, you are treating 19 patients and causing them the risk of harms. Kym Walker is forever grateful for her incidental diagnosis. After tripping over some rocks while holidaying in Apollo Bay in 2021, the Geelong mother of three had a scan that revealed she had broken a bone in her back. But it also revealed something more concerning: some lesions on her liver. Kym Walker was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 after tripping over some rocks and breaking her back. A week later she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, which had spread to her liver and bones. I was stunned that it was stage 4 already, the now 64-year-old said. I was thankful I had broken my back and found it earlier.

Walker lost her mother to breast cancer when she was 34 and has had breast screens every two years. She was not due for her next one for another month and said the incidental diagnosis gave her a six-week head start on treatment. Loading The Pilates and karate instructor is still undergoing treatment, and after exhausting all options available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, is paying for groundbreaking new chemotherapy drugs that cost her $10,000 every three weeks. One of her friends has set up a crowdfunding campaign to help fund the drugs, which Walker describes as her last hope. If this doesnt work there is no other option for me, she said. I will be given a terminal diagnosis.

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists president Professor John Slavotinek, who is also a co-author of the study published in the Medical Journal of Australia, said a fear of litigation and older patients with more than one disease were also fuelling the rise in incidental findings. He said context and patient preferences were vital when it came to responding to these medical findings. If you have a history of cancer, a new nodule somewhere becomes far more interesting than in a 20-year-old with no such history. Dr Anita Clarke, head of urology at St Vincents Hospital, said it was becoming increasingly common for CT scans to serendipitously detect masses in the kidney when screening for other ailments.
NSW and Victorian motorists in outer suburban and regional areas would save as much as $1800 a year in fuel costs under the governments plan to cap motor vehicle emissions for new cars, under new analysis championed by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

Bowen has also promised Australians more electric vehicle choices, along with cheaper fuel bills for those driving petrol cars, in a policy pitch designed to fend off a campaign by the Coalition and car industry over his plan to impose fuel efficiency standards on new cars from next year.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen is using new analysis to argue drivers in outer suburban and regional areas will save more on fuel costs under the governments plan to cap pollution limits on new cars. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

As part of its sales pitch for the new scheme, the government has claimed the standards will save the driver of an average new and more efficient car in 2028 about $1000 on annual fuel costs.

In a bid to strengthen his case with motorists who are more likely to face longer commutes in petrol cars, Bowen is using new analysis prepared by his department to argue they could save hundreds of dollars more.
More than one in four federal parliamentarians own a property in the nations capital, prompting a former senator to criticise the travel entitlements system, which allows MPs to claim taxpayer funds to stay in houses or flats they or their colleagues own.

Federal MPs and senators have to be in Canberra regularly, for the roughly 20 parliamentary sitting weeks a year, as well as other events such as cabinet meetings.

Former senator Rex Patrick said it was unethical for parliamentarians to claim the taxpayer-funded travel allowance to pay off their or their colleagues mortgages. Credit: Rohan Thomson

To help cover the cost of that travel, parliamentarians are entitled to claim a $310 allowance for each night they spend in Canberra. The travel allowance is paid regardless of the type of accommodation, meaning it is paid whether MPs choose to stay in a hotel or a dwelling owned by themselves or a colleague.

Nearly 24 per cent of MPs and about a third of senators own property in the ACT, analysis of their register of interests showed, excluding representatives from the territory.
Around two years ago, Anthony Albanese told journalist Katharine Murphy that, growing up, he had to plan. If I didnt plan, my mum wouldnt have food, we wouldnt pay rent. He told Murphy (who has since joined Albaneses office as an adviser) that he had literally never run out of anything at home: not milk, nor frozen food, nor coffee. He paid every bill before it was due.

There is a clear analogue to one of Albaneses traits as prime minister: his careful attention to planning and sequencing, his belief that a large part of political strategy is doing things in the right order. But I have often wondered if there is a second meaning to be glimpsed in these habits, one of those childhood lessons that never quite lets go of you: that Albanese believes in shepherding his resources, spending only what you have.

A young Anthony Albanese was careful with money.

The most literal reading of this has created some tension in the government, with revelations in this masthead last week that some ministers are frustrated with the restraint on spending imposed by the expenditure review committee of cabinet. Ministers want to do big things, which takes money, but have been told the budget wont allow it. This discipline is imposed not just  or even primarily  by Albanese, of course, but by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher. Chalmers, when asked about the story, was diligently respectful of the ministers whose claims he was rebuffing; he also said, if the price of being responsible and disciplined with taxpayer money is an occasional story like this, then so be it.

The fact that such tensions are being expressed at this moment in time is perhaps due to the other way Albanese believes in spending only what you have.
London: Voters in Ireland have rejected two proposals to remove language about womens duties being in the home and broaden the definition of family beyond marriage from the countrys constitution.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said it was clear that the two referendums had been defeated comprehensively, with more than two-thirds of voters across the country casting a No vote for both questions.

Irelands Prime Minister Leo Varadkar reacts as he speaks to the media inside Dublin castle following the referendum on Saturday. Credit: Getty Images

Varadkar said before the final result that it was clear voters had delivered two wallops to the governments amendments in what he described as a respectable turnout.

All the countrys mainstream political parties had supported the reforms, which Varadkar had put forward to enshrine gender equality in the constitution by removing very old-fashioned, very sexist language and recognise the realities of modern family life.
In this article, we will look at the 15 most honest cities in the world. We have also discussed the importance of honesty in businesses. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the 5 Most Honest Cities in the World.

Why is Honesty Important in Business?

Honesty and trust are critical pillars for any business, impacting its bottom line and overall success. According to PwC's 2023 Trust Survey, 91% of business executives acknowledge that building and maintaining trust largely improves profitability. Conversely, a lack of trust can lead to erosion in brand value, financial performance, and hinder talent retention. In today's competitive landscape, where consumer expectations are continuously evolving, trust has become even more indispensable for businesses across all industries.

Consumers, employees, and executives universally recognize the importance of trust in business operations. Recommendations and referrals, which stem from trust, significantly impact business performance. Fifty-eight percent of consumers have recommended a trusted company to friends and family, while 64% of employees have recommended their workplace because of trust.

Despite the consensus on the importance of trust, there's a considerable gap between how much trust executives perceive their organizations to have and how much trust stakeholders actually place in them. This trust gap poses a major challenge for businesses, especially in an environment where trust is increasingly fragile. Consumer and employee trust levels have seen a slight decline since June 2022, emphasizing the need for businesses to prioritize trust-building efforts. To bridge this gap, businesses must actively listen to their employees, who often serve as frontline witnesses to customer interactions and operational issues, thereby helping to identify potential trust blind spots.

Most Trusted Companies in the US

In terms of company trust, Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) stands out with a strong reputation in the US. The company's unwavering commitment to maintaining the price of its $1.50 hot dog and soda combo since 1985 showcases consistency and a customer-centric approach. This steadfast pricing strategy fosters a sense of reliability and transparency, which has built enduring trust among consumers over the years.

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Furthermore, Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST)s emphasis on fostering a positive corporate culture adds to its high level of trust. By prioritizing a workplace environment that values both employees and customer satisfaction, Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) cultivates a favorable image that resonates positively with the public. Additionally, the company's consistent growth serves as further evidence of its trustworthiness, reflecting financial stability and longevity, thus assuring customers of Costco's reliability as a dependable retailer.

On the other hand, Deere and Company (NYSE:DE) is another highly trusted company in the US, particularly in the agricultural machinery sector. Upholding a strong legacy, Deere and Company (NYSE:DE) instills confidence in its machinery, earning the trust of both new and longstanding customers.

Moreover, its dedication to delivering superior products and services reinforces this trust. Deere and Company (NYSE:DE)s focus on manufacturing reliable and durable machinery has established a positive reputation, with customers relying on the company's equipment for their agricultural needs. Additionally, the company's positive corporate culture, which emphasizes both customer satisfaction and employee well-being, further contributes to its high level of trust.

How Honest Are People in 2024?

In 2024, honesty varies greatly among individuals, influenced by cultural norms, personal values, and societal pressures. While many strive for integrity in their actions and communications, others may prioritize self-interest or convenience, leading to dishonest behavior. Factors such as social media, political polarization, and economic disparities continue to shape attitudes towards honesty. Technology also plays a role, with developments in deepfake technology and online anonymity challenging traditional notions of trust.

In 2023, on Honesty Day, April 30th, Tandem Language Exchange explored global honesty attitudes. Only 48% of respondents deemed themselves honest, with politicians deemed the least trustworthy at 57%. Surprisingly, 23% admitted it's easier to lie in a second language. To read more about least trustworthy professions, see the least trusted professions in America.

The survey also uncovered popular lying topics: 27% fib about exercise, 23% about diet, and 23% about health to avoid work. However, even the survey itself wasn't entirely truthful, with 10% confessing to lying while completing it.

What was the Wallet Experiment?

In a global social experiment conducted by Reader's Digest, 192 wallets were "lost" across 16 selected cities, each containing the equivalent of $50, a name with a cellphone number, a family photo, coupons, and business cards. The results revealed varying levels of honesty, with Helsinki, Finland, emerging as the most honest city, where 11 out of 12 wallets were returned. Conversely, Lisbon, Portugal, demonstrated the least honesty, with only 1 out of 12 wallets returned.

Overall, 47% of the wallets were returned, highlighting that age, gender, and wealth did not serve as reliable predictors of honesty. Despite cultural and geographical differences, the experiment confirmed that honest and dishonest individuals exist in every society.

15 Most Honest Cities in the World

Our Methodology

For our most honest cities in the world list, we used venture capital scores by the Finom under their Most Innovative Cities Ranking. We selected the top 15 cities in the world based on Venture Capital Scores. Our idea is that transparent and trustworthy environments attract investment. Honesty fosters credibility, reducing risk for investors and encouraging them to allocate capital. Cities with a reputation for integrity likely have stronger legal frameworks, lower corruption, and reliable business practices, enhancing investor confidence.

We also factored in our review of these cities' individual honesty as well and weighted it with the funding they received in venture capital to score them overall out of a total of 30. This was done on consensus based on our internet research.

The list is presented in ascending order.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that uses a consensus approach to identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The website tracks the movement of corporate insiders and hedge funds. Our top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 stock index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). So, if you are looking for the best stock picks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

15. Beijing, China

IM Score: 10

Beijing is renowned for its honesty, evident in its rich history and modern prominence. As China's capital with over 23 million residents, it epitomizes integrity amid vast economic and cultural spheres. The city's status as a global hub for finance, diplomacy, and technology reflects its commitment to transparency and fairness. Its ancient heritage, including opulent palaces and historic sites, symbolizes a tradition of uprightness and virtue. Moreover, Beijing's position as a leading tourist destination confirms its reputation for integrity, attracting millions annually. Rooted in millennia of governance and tradition, Beijing is a true example of honesty on the world stage, earning universal acclaim. It is among the most honest cities in the world.

14. Hangzhou, China

IM Score: 11

Hangzhou is considered honest primarily because of its strong emphasis on integrity, transparency, and ethical business practices. The city's culture promotes honesty and integrity in both personal and professional interactions. Additionally, Hangzhou's authorities have implemented measures to combat corruption, ensuring fairness and honesty in governance. Hangzhou is also one of the most honest cities in Asia.

13. Shanghai, China

IM Score: 13

Shanghai is often hailed for its remarkable economic prowess, exemplified by its towering financial and commercial achievements. With a gross metropolitan product estimated at nearly 9.1 trillion RMB ($1.27 trillion) in 2018, Shanghai's economic output eclipsed that of entire countries, exceeding even Mexico's GDP. The average annual disposable income and salary figures further solidify its status as a city of affluence, where residents enjoy substantial prosperity.

Moreover, Shanghai's economic might extend beyond its domestic borders, with global recognition evident in its high rankings on various wealth and business indices. As the most expensive city in the world in 2021 and boasting a total wealth of $1.8 trillion, Shanghai is a city of opulence and opportunity. Additionally, Shanghai's impressive concentration of Fortune Global 500 companies further illustrates its magnetism for international business, making it a focal point for global commerce and innovation.

12. Austin, Texas, US

IM Score: 15

People are considered honest in Austin from a business perspective owing to the city's vibrant culture of transparency and integrity. The community values ethical practices and fosters a sense of trustworthiness in business dealings. This commitment to honesty cultivates strong relationships between businesses and customers, leading to increased loyalty and positive reputations.

11. Toronto, Canada

IM Score: 16

As the financial and industrial hub of Canada, its concentration of banks and brokerage firms adhere to stringent regulations enforced by authorities. The Toronto Stock Exchange, ranking seventh globally, upholds transparency and integrity in trading practices. The presence of major financial institutions, including the Big Five, underscores a commitment to ethical conduct. It will be one of the most honest cities in the world in 2024.

10. Paris, France

IM Score: 18

Paris is globally believed to be an honest city due to its cultural emphasis on integrity and transparency. The French value authenticity and straightforwardness, which translates into a societal expectation of honesty in various aspects of life. Additionally, strict legal frameworks and enforcement contribute to maintaining honesty in business transactions and governance. It is one of the most honest cities in Europe.

9. Chicago, Illinois, US

IM Score: 19

Chicago is renowned for its dependable reputation, buoyed by its strong transportation and logistics sector, which stands as the second-largest in the US. Continuously ranked as the top US city for foreign direct investment for seven consecutive years by IBM PLI consulting, it upholds a flourishing business environment. It is one of the most honest places in the world.

8. Los Angeles, California, US

IM Score: 20

Los Angeles is considered honest owing to its status as an economic powerhouse, boasting the 19th largest economy globally if it were independent, with over 244,000 businesses. Its diverse business landscape, including a high number of minority- and women-owned enterprises, fosters an environment of fairness and integrity. Moreover, the city's transparent governance ensures that business interactions are conducted openly and ethically, with ample opportunities for private sector involvement in contracts for goods and services. It is one of the cities where most honest people live.

7. Tokyo, Japan

IM Score: 21

Japanese society places a high emphasis on integrity and respect for others, instilling a sense of honesty from an early age. The concept of "honne" (true feelings) and "tatemae" (public facade) encourages individuals to be sincere and truthful in their interactions. Moreover, Tokyo has efficient public services and low crime rates, which further enhance the perception of honesty. The city's advanced technology and surveillance systems contribute to a safe environment where dishonest behavior is less tolerated. It is one of the 10 most honest cities in the world.

6. Berlin, Germany

IM Score: 23

Germany has a strong tradition of rule-following and respect for laws, which fosters a sense of honesty and integrity among its citizens. Additionally, Berlin's tumultuous history, including the division and subsequent reunification of the city, has instilled a collective consciousness valuing transparency and honesty as essential components of rebuilding and progress

Click here to see the 5 Most Honest Cities in the World.

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Disclosure: None. 15 Most Honest Cities in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.
In this article, we will look at the 20 highest paying countries for civil engineers. We have also discussed the global civil engineering market. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the 5 Highest Paying Countries for Civil Engineers.

The global civil engineering market is set for a major growth as it expects achieving a value of $13,700.9 billion by 2030, exhibiting a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% from 2023 to 2030. This growth is primarily attributed to an increase in infrastructure and capital projects worldwide. The construction segment accounted for over 27.7% of the global revenue of the industry in 2022 and is anticipated to spearhead this expansion, fueled by escalating demand for various civil works such as rail structures, tunnels, and bridges, driven by population growth and traffic concerns.

Moreover, there's a considerable shift towards sustainable construction practices, with companies increasingly adopting eco-friendly products and energy-efficient solutions. Innovative materials like cross-laminated timber (CLT) are gaining traction for their lightweight and cost-effective properties, promising to revolutionize the construction landscape in the coming years.

For example, Fluor Corp (NYSE:FLR) has been selected by H2 Green Steel for engineering, procurement, and construction management services at the world's first renewable hydrogen-based 'green steel' mill in Boden, Sweden. Expected to produce five million tonnes of steel annually by 2030, Fluor Corp (NYSE:FLR) aims for up to 95% less CO2 emissions compared to traditional blast furnace technology. The initial cost estimate of roughly 2.5 billion has more than doubled, with a 6.5 billion project including one of the world's largest electrolyser hydrogen plants onsite. H2 Green Steel secured a 250 million grant under the Innovation Fund to accelerate decarbonization efforts, emphasizing the project's significance in sustainable steelmaking and Europe's green transition.

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Moreover, Fluor Corp (NYSE:FLR) has also secured two contracts from Dow for constructing the worlds first net-zero scope 1 and 2 emissions integrated ethylene cracker and derivatives complex in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada. Valued at over $3 billion, these reimbursable services contracts encompass engineering, procurement, and construction management for both a new ethylene cracker unit and utilities, power, and infrastructure facilities. This project is part of Dows Path2Zero program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing capacity. Fluor Corp (NYSE:FLR)s long-standing partnership with Dow underscores their commitment to sustainable chemical production and supports both the companies goal of decarbonizing its global footprint.

It is also interesting to note that governments have emerged as the largest customer segment for civil engineering, driven by an increasing demand for infrastructure development, transportation facilities, and housing projects. Increased government expenditure on regional development initiatives further propels market growth, creating high-paying opportunities for industry players. The market's landscape remains fragmented, with key players such as AECOM (NYSE:ACM) and Fluor Corp (NYSE:FLR), among others, dominating the space, offering a range of services from planning and design to construction and maintenance.

Speaking of AECOM (NYSE:ACM), the company is proudly continuing its legacy as Fortune magazine has recognized it among the Worlds Most Admired Companies for a remarkable tenth year in a row. This accolade underscores AECOM (NYSE:ACM)s commitment to excellence and innovation, propelled by its global workforce exceeding 50,000 dedicated professionals. Throughout fiscal 2023, AECOM (NYSE:ACM) achieved major milestones, including maintaining top-tier safety standards, enhancing technical expertise through award-winning programs, and surpassing strategic and financial objectives with a design backlog at record levels and a remarkable project win rate exceeding 70%.

It is worth highlighting that the US construction spending increased in December, 2023 surpassing expectations with a 0.9% increase, driven by a 13.9% year-on-year rise. Residential construction, particularly single-family homebuilding, remained strong, supportedby lower mortgage rates during a persistent housing shortage, notably in California. The Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady and their anticipation of future decreases further bolster optimism for increased home construction in the coming months. However, growth in multi-family housing projects is expected to be limited due to increased rental vacancy rates and an ample supply pipeline.

Meanwhile, private non-residential structures saw a slight decline, attributed in part to fading momentum from government policies aimed at revitalizing semiconductor manufacturing. Public construction projects, on the other hand, experienced a notable 1.3% increase, driven by increased spending at both the state and federal levels.

20 Highest Paying Countries for Civil Engineers

weerasak saeku/Shutterstock.com

Our Methodology

To list the highest paying countries for civil engineers, we identified the countries with the highest demand for civil engineers and then made a list for 35 countries with the average salaries for civil engineers. Of those 35, the 20 with the highest average salaries were selected and have been ranked. We acquired the data for average salaries of civil engineers by country from ERI Economic Research Institute. The list is presented in ascending order.

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20. Sweden

Average Salary: $64,187

Sweden is a great place for civil engineers due to its strong infrastructure development, innovative sustainable practices, and emphasis on urban planning. With a high standard of living, ample opportunities for research and development, and a commitment to environmental conservation, Sweden offers an ideal environment for civil engineering professionals to thrive.

19. Singapore

Average Salary: $64,353

Singapore is an excellent hub for civil engineers owing to its second-to-none infrastructure projects and commitment to cutting-edge urban development. The Marina Bay Sands integrated resort, featuring a unique design and complex construction, exemplifies Singapore's engineering prowess. Additionally, the Marina Barrage showcases innovative flood control solutions and sustainable water management practices. It is one of the highest paying countries for civil engineers in Asia.

18. Italy

Average Salary: $66,214

Italy ranks 18th in our list with an average salary of $66,214 per year. Two top companies in civil engineering in Italy are Salini Impregilo and Webuild (formerly known as Astaldi). Salini Impregilo has a rich history of infrastructure projects worldwide, including highways, railways, and dams.

Italy is one of the countries that pay the highest salary to engineers.

17. France

Average Salary: $74,078

France is one of the countries with one of the highest labor shhortages in the world as well as in Europe. One of the most crucial sectors it is facing shortages in is the construction sector. Hence, the demand for civil engineers is strong currently and is expected to stay strong in the near future. France is also one of the countries with a high demand for structural engineers.

16. New Zealand

Average Salary: $74,710

New Zealand's high quality of life, welcoming culture, and work-life balance contribute to a fulfilling career experience for civil engineers, making it a top choice for those seeking both professional excellence and personal satisfaction in their field. Owing to the high salaries, it is one of the best countries for civil engineering jobs.

15. United Kingdom

Average Salary: $74,775

The UK offers promising prospects for a career in civil engineering owing to its highly developed infrastructure sector and renowned companies like Arup and Balfour Beatty. Arup, a global firm, offers roles in diverse projects spanning from sustainable infrastructure to urban planning. Balfour Beatty, a leading construction company, provides opportunities in major infrastructure projects nationwide. It is one of the countries where civil engineers are paid the most.

14. Finland

Average Salary: $78,721

Civil engineers in Finland have access to cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices, contributing to innovative projects. Owing to the high quality of education in the country, Finland is also one of the best countries to study civil engineering.

13. Canada

Average Salary: $79,307

In Canada, demand for civil engineers is expected to remain high from 2022 to 2031, with 26,100 new job openings anticipated but only 32,300 new job seekers expected to be available. This continuation of labor shortage conditions suggests a persistent imbalance between job supply and demand in this occupational group.

12. United Arab Emirates

Average Salary: $81,716

With rapid urbanization and infrastructural development, there's a constant demand for skilled professionals. Projects like the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah showcase groundbreaking engineering feats. Moreover, the reputation of UAE as a country with tax-free income and generous benefits further attracts talent from around the world.

11. Iceland

Average Salary: $82,276

Becoming a civil engineer in Iceland offers the opportunity to contribute to sustainable infrastructure development amidst unique geological challenges like volcanic activity and harsh weather conditions. With a focus on renewable energy and innovative design, civil engineers play a vital role in shaping resilient and eco-friendly communities in Iceland.

10. Netherlands

Average Salary: $85,058

Civil engineers with an eye for innovation and a drive to tackle real-world challenges should consider the Netherlands in 2024. The country faces a skilled labor shortage in engineering, opening doors for ambitious individuals. Furthermore, the Dutch are known for their focus on sustainable and cutting-edge solutions, offering the chance to be part of groundbreaking projects. Netherlands is one of the top-paying countries for civil engineers.

9. Austria

Average Salary: $85,405

In 2024, Austria continues to have a booming infrastructure sector, fueled by government investment in sustainable transportation, renewable energy, and urban development projects. This translates to ample job opportunities in various specializations for civil engineers like designing bridges, tunnels, and energy-efficient buildings.

8. Norway

Average Salary: $86,449

The high demand for civil engineers in Norway stems from the robust growth of its construction market. Valued at $81.1 billion in 2022, with an anticipated AAGR of over 1% during 2024-2027, the sector is buoyed by investments in key areas like transport and renewable energy. Residential construction, infrastructure development, and energy projects are major contributors to this demand. It is one of the top 10 highest paying countries for civil engineers.

7. Germany

Average Salary: $87,344

Germany has one of the world's top economies and has a 10% projected growth in civil engineering employment from 2020 to 2030. With an annual salary $87,344 on average, it offers financial stability. Moreover, Germany's infrastructure projects, like Stuttgart 21 and Frankfurt Airport Terminal 3, provide stimulating work opportunities.

It is one of the highest paying countries for civil engineers in Europe.

6. Australia

Average Salary: $87,475

The demand for civil engineers and engineers in Australia is general is experiencing huge growth, driven by strong government investments in infrastructure, defense, and renewable energy sectors. With $237 billion worth of major public infrastructure projects in the pipeline over the next five years, engineers are in high demand. Engineering vacancies have increased by 22%, with an 80% increase in demand over the past 24 months. Despite challenges such as labor scarcity and rising construction material costs, engineering remains one of the strongest professions in demand.

Australia is one of the best countries for civil engineering.

Click here to see the 5 Highest Paying Countries for Civil Engineers.

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Disclosure: None. 20 Highest Paying Countries for Civil Engineers is originally published on Insider Monkey.
When the novelist Philip Roth wrote The Plot Against America in 2004, alternative history fiction was not regarded as a very credible literary formula. Roth imagined an America in which Charles Lindberg  an American hero who, in 1927, made the first non-stop flight of 3,500 miles from New York City to Paris  was elected US president and suddenly began to enact anti-Semitic policies.

More recently, Paul Lynch, the Irish novelist who won this years prestigious Booker Prize for Prophet Song, imagined an Ireland where, in the words of the judges, Irelands liberal democracy slides inexorably and terrifyingly into totalitarianism. The Guardian newspaper described Lynchs book as powerful, claustrophobic and horribly real and as nightmarish a story as youll come across. Having survived reading the 300-plus pages of Prophet Song, I can vouch for that, not least the build-up of tension, terror and dread in a chilling fable that needs to be taken in small potions. Even despite that, Prophet Song seems to linger in the mind like a bad smell.

Of course, in todays world, we dont need to imagine in literary form such anti-democratic plots that sneak up on us and attempt to limit our freedoms to such possible devastating effect.

In our present strangely fragmenting world, Vladimir Putin and Donald J. Trump lead a gallery of totalitarian types, prepared to use almost any means to inflict their immoral and indefensible policies on unsuspecting innocents with little or no regard for anything approaching a sense of right and wrong.

Putin is happy to eliminate any credible opposition (as recently with Alexei Navalny) with murder as an unapologetic method of choice in responding to criticism; and Trump consistently and unapologetically telling lies and raising mendacity to unprecedented levels. For both, a moral compass seems spectacularly out of reach.

Putin is invading his neighbours land, using might to determine right, and Trump makes up policy on the hoof with, apparently, the only determining factor whether it resonates or not with the needs of his egomania. Corruption, theft and vanity without any perceptible borders are shared values  if that is not to diminish and corrupt that word entirely  of both Putin and Trump.

Whats clear now is that, even though Trump seemed to most observers a clown who had convinced other clowns to follow him down what appeared to be his own version of a yellow-brick road (with apologies to The Wizard of Oz), the January 6 attack on the Capital building in Washington wasnt a case of Trump pointing his troops in a particular direction but, in the words of The Tablet, the botched culmination of a plot that came close to toppling the American democratic system and replacing it with an unscrupulous dictatorship.

What makes Americas long commitment to democracy so important is that, to a large extent, the democracies of the world depend on it. It is the template that inspires other democracies and is the wind beneath their wings. And when America is under threat, other democracies feel the knock-on effects.

What is clear now, behind the Trump bluster and the patent lies that have convinced millions of his followers to take their lead from him, is that Trump and those around him devised a plot to wrest the presidency from Biden by convincing his followers that, though Bidens victory was vindicated in the courts, somehow it was stolen from Trump!

From the perspective of our own little island and a democracy that is still in many ways in its infancy, we mostly look with respect and often something approaching awe on a land where so many of our people and their descendants are proud to be its citizens. And yet, we often find it difficult to understand how the USA actually functions and how unsophisticated its electorate can be in their reactions to what to most people is utter nonsense.

From the perspective of the limited world of Irish politics we find it hard to imagine, for example, how Trump could even put himself forward as a convincing candidate for the American equivalent of a County Council, not to speak of the highest office in the land and as the leader of the free world.

In judging Trumps minus-CV, the following are indisputable: 91 criminal charges against him; a conviction for rape with damages assessed by a court of $83.3 million in a later defamation trial; barred from involvement in business dealings in his native New York for fraud; found guilty of paying hush money to cover up his involvement with others of ill-repute; a man described in The Atlantic as a demagogue, a xenophobe, a know-nothing and a liar.

In our small island, even one of the above incomplete list of negative qualifications for public office would be sufficient to disqualify anyone. And yet, the more court cases Trump has to face, the more outrageous his utterances, the more bizarre his threats of what he will do if he becomes president again  and, incomprehensibly, the more he rises in the polls.

How did such a man  a proven narcissist, idiotic in his pronouncements, hypocritical in his assumed values and with no moral filter to speak of insinuate himself into a position of trust that allowed him to harvest 70 plus million votes in the last election?

And what is that saying about the electorate in democratic America that such a huge percentage could so easily be conned into believing that Trump could lead them to a promised land when all the evidence is that he believes in nothing but his own self-aggrandisement?

Trump, it is clear, is not Americas answer to anything. But, if elected, he will become Americas (and the worlds) worst nightmare.
The McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris was rocking for the Hollymount Community Developments extremely successful Lip Sync event last month, at which Boyzone star Keith Duffy was among the judges.

After months of fervent rehearsals, fourteen acts took to the stage to put on a memorable show in front of an audience of over 700 people.

The acts performed in front of four celebrity judges, with Keith Duffy joined by Aidan Tierney (AKA Tierney Talks), MEP and former Rose of Tralee Marie Walsh and Fair Citys George McMahon. The master of ceremonies was Longford comedian, Jimmy Connell, better known through his social media page Jimmy Jests.

The evening began with a group dance performance led by Hollymount Community Development chairman, Noel Connelly, and a selection of the Lip Sync acts, including some of the younger performers who brought fantastic energy and colour to the stage. It was then the turn of the acts themselves to strut their stuff, and they certainly didnt disappoint!

Nathy Gilligan takes to the stage as Michael Flatley.

Each brought energy, passion and plenty of humour to the stage. The first half of the evening included such diverse acts as YMCA, Salt-N-Pepa, Queen, Lehinch Legends, Grease, Buddy Holly and was finished off by a scarcely believable appearance by Nathy Gilligan as Michael Flatley performing Riverdance.

At the interval, chairman Noel Connelly and his committee drew the winners of their monster raffle prizes with Michael Prendergast coming out of the drum as the winner of a week in the sun. There was a wonderful array of prizes on show all evening for the lucky dip raffle with vouchers, hampers and bottles galore. There was hardly a family in the audience who didnt leave with a prize of some sort!

The second-half of the show certainly didnt disappoint with acts including Meatloaf, Sister Act, The Weather Girls, Joes Brolly Men, the Back Street Boys and the Spice Girls plus a top-secret appearance by Fr Michael Murphy, Parish Priest of Roundfort, Robeen and Carras, who played the saxophone to My Lovely Horse. By the end of the night, the audience were on their feet applauding the extremely high calibre of performances that they had witnessed. The evening will live long in the memories of people from Hollymount and beyond as an unforgettable display of local talent.

Performing My Lovely Horse were, left to right: Michelle Conroy, Michelle and Aoife McHugh (the horse!), Fr Mike Murphy and Trish Forde.

The purpose of it all was to fundraise for the improvement of community sporting facilities in Hollymount village and over the last number of months, every single participant put in a huge effort to contribute to the fundraising total.

In his closing speech, Noel Connelly expressed sincere thanks to the event sponsors Danny McHugh (Supermacs), Kavanaghs SuperValu Claremorris and Corrib Oil for their extremely generous support. Noel also thanked the judges for their involvement with the event and Lip Sync Battles Ireland for their high-quality production on the evening. Noel also wished to thank local councillors Michael Burke, Tom Connolly, Richard Finn, Patsy OBrien and Damien Ryan for their unwavering support and encouragement and the hardworking Lip Sync committee for their long hours in diligently pulling all strands of the event together.

Hollymount Community Development had chosen Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation as their charity partner for the event and Martina Jennings, CEO, expressed her sincere gratitude to the committee and the entire community who, from the outset, got behind the event and put in a colossal effort to ensure the success of the project. Martina was delighted to announce that Mayo Roscommon Hospice were making plans for the construction of the first childrens hospice outside of Dublin and this news was warmly welcomed by the assembled audience.

Lip Sync judges, Keith Duffy, Aidan Tierney, Maria Walsh and George McMahon.

The last job on the night was for the judges to announce their winning act and, from a top three (in no particular order) of Salt-N-Pepa, The Weather Girls and My Lovely Horse, The Weather Girls were announced as the winners. There were joyous celebrations on stage and for the rest of the Bank Holiday weekend as The Weather Girls celebrated their success. The group consisted of six fabulous ladies, Teresa McGovern, Majella Gardiner, Siobhan Connolly, Anne Connelly, Mary Moran and Annette McCabe and they were joined by six seasoned performers in John Conroy, Michael Conroy, David Gardiner, Richard Hennelly, Pat McGovern and Mike Connolly for an unforgettable performance of Its Raining Men.

The committee thanked all who took part in Lip Sync, sold raffle cards, held fundraising events, took an ad in the event programme, donated raffle prizes and everyone who contributed anything, big or small, to this wonderful community initiative. The phenomenal support saw the fundraising total surpass all expectations and targets.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Moravian University's plan to borrow as much as $45 million for its new student center and other uses will be reviewed Wednesday by the Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority.

The school has started the demolition of its former student center, the Haupert Union building. Haupert was built in 1962. The new center will be open in 2025.

The public hearing is required for Moravian to sell tax-exempt debt. Buyers of the bonds will not have to pay federal income tax on interest. That exemption allows governments and organizations with a public purpose, such as Moravian, to pay less interest than for-profit businesses. Once the tax benefit is taken into account, a lower rate on a non-profit organization's bond can be competitive with a higher taxable rate.

The debt has to be approved by a public authority, such as the Redevelopment Authority, to qualify for tax-exempt status under TEFRA -- the federal Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The authority acts as a "conduit" for the financing. Debt approved by the authority is not an obligation of the City of Bethlehem or the State of Pennsylvania.

The Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority, also known as the RDA, works with the city to clear up blighted properties. The RDA also helped convert former Bethlehem Steel Corp. land to new uses.

The board of the RDA includes Chairman Ronald Heckman, Earl Bethel, Tracy Oscavich, Tracy Samuelson and Christopher T. Spadoni. Board members are appointed by the mayor of Bethlehem.

The TEFRA hearing will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, in Town Hall, 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - A developer whose bid to exceed Bethlehem's building-size limits was denied in August will be back before the Planning Commission on Thursday.

BAHX LLC seeks an amendment to the city's zoning ordinance. Bethlehem's Planning Bureau does not support the change.

The developer sought approval in 2023 for 317 apartments on land straddling the Bethlehem/Allentown border. In August, the Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board denied a variance for building length.

The BAHX plan was for buildings 290 feet long, 61% more than the 180 feet allowed in a CL (Limited Commercial) zone.

The land is on West Broad Street in Bethlehem and Hanover Avenue in Allentown, near the Lehigh Shopping Center. Some of the 8.7 acres used to be a car dealership.

In a memo to the city, BAHX contends the zoning restricts property rights, "is unduly restrictive and confiscatory," and has no "rational relation to public health, safety, morals or general welfare."

Residential buildings "of unlimited length" are allowed in other zoning districts, the memo says.

BAHX has the same New Jersey address as Herrick Co., which is developing the former Martin Tower site in Bethlehem.

The developer's plan for Bethlehem's western edge includes four buildings of four or five stories each with 317 apartments (1-bedroom and 2-bedroom), and 556 parking spaces (1.75 per unit).

BAHX seeks "a curative amendment" that would allow buildings longer than 180 feet in the CL zone.

Most of the BAHX land is in Bethlehem, but residents on both sides of the city border have complained. Concerns about traffic, noise and water runoff have been raised at earlier meetings.

The Planning Commission will consider making a recommendation on the request Thursday. A final decision would be up to City Council.

The professional planning staff of the city opposes the BAHX request.

"The Planning Bureau does not support the proposed curative amendment and requests that the Planning Commission recommend that the amendment not be adopted," Darlene Heller, Bethlehem's director of planning and zoning, wrote in a memo to the commission.

The commission consists of five appointed volunteers, with Robert Melosky as chairman.

The Bethlehem Planning Commission will meet at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, in Town Hall. Meeting materials and a link to a webcast are posted on the city website.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP)  Police and palace guards worked Saturday to retake some streets in Haitis capital after gangs launched massive attacks on at least three police stations.

Guards from the National Palace accompanied by an armored truck tried to set up a security perimeter around one of the three downtown stations after police fought off an attack by gangs late Friday.

Sporadic gunfire continued Saturday, and one woman writhed in pain on the sidewalk in downtown Port-au-Prince with a gunshot wound after a stray bullet hit her in the leg.

The unrelenting gang attacks have paralyzed the country for more than a week and left it with dwindling supplies of basic goods. Haitian officials extended a state of emergency and nightly curfew on Thursday as gangs continued to attack key state institutions.

Caribbean leaders issued a call late Friday for an emergency meeting Monday in Jamaica on what they called Haitis dire situation. They have invited the United States, France, Canada, the U.N. and Brazil to the meeting.

Members of the Caricom regional trade bloc have been trying for months to get political actors in Haiti to agree to form an umbrella transitional unity government.

But average Haitians, many of whom have been forced from their homes by the bloody street fighting, can't wait. The problem for police in securing government buildings is that many Haitians have streamed into them, seeking refuge.

We are the ones who pay taxes, and we need to have shelter, said one woman, who did not give her name for safety reasons.

Another Port-au-Prince resident, who also did not give his name, described the massive attacks Friday.

"They (the gangs) came with big guns. We have no guns and we cannot defend ourselves. All of us, the children are suffering, said the man.

So far, efforts to broker a solution have been unsuccessful. Caricom, the 15-nation Caribbean bloc, said in a statement late Friday that the situation on the ground remains dire.

The Caricom statement said that while regional leaders remain deeply engaged in trying to bring opposition parties and civil society groups together to form a unity government, the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be."

We are acutely aware of the urgent need for consensus to be reached, according to the statement. "We have impressed on the respective parties that time is not on their side in agreeing to the way forward. From our reports, the situation on the ground remains dire and is of serious concern to us.

"It is vital that this engagement be at as high a level as possible to send a clear message of unity between Caricom and the international community as we work together to provide the critical support to the Haitian people at this time of crisis for them, said the statement.

In February, embattled Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry agreed to hold general elections by mid-2025, and the international community has tried to find some foreign armed force willing to fight gang violence there.

Caricom has also pushed Henry to announce a power-sharing, consensus government in the meantime, but the prime minister has yet to do so even as Haitian opposition parties and civil society groups are demanding his resignation.

Henry, a neurosurgeon, was appointed as prime minister after the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

It was unclear whether Henry would be in Jamaica. The prime minister had traveled to Kenya to push for the U.N.-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country to fight gangs in Haiti. A Kenyan court, however, ruled in January that such a deployment would be unconstitutional.

Henry, who is facing calls to resign or form a transitional council, remains unable to return home. He arrived in Puerto Rico on Tuesday after he was unable to land in the Dominican Republic, which borders Haiti. The Dominican government said he lacked a required flight plan as they closed their countrys airspace with Haiti.

On Saturday, the office of Dominican President Luis Abinader issued a statement saying that "Henry is not welcome in the Dominican Republic for safety reasons. The Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, has closed its land border.

Given the current situation, the presence of the Haitian prime minister in the Dominican Republic is not considered appropriate, according to the statement, adding this decision reflects the firm position of the Dominican government to safeguard its national security and stability.

The statement described the security situation in Haiti as totally unsustainable" and said it poses a direct threat to the safety and stability of the Dominican Republic.

The statement predicted the situation could deteriorate even further if a peacekeeping force is not implemented urgently to restore order.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukrainian and allied officials Sunday criticized Pope Francis for saying that Kyiv should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, a statement many interpreted as a call for Ukraine to surrender.

The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Poland, a vocal ally of Kyiv, condemned the popes remarks. And a leader of one of Ukraines Christian churches on Sunday said that only the countrys determined resistance to Moscow's full-scale invasion, launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 24, 2022, had prevented a mass slaughter of civilians.

In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI and partially released on Saturday, Francis used the phrase the courage of the white flag as he argued that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should be open to peace talks brokered by international powers.

Our flag is blue and yellow. We live, die and win under it. We will not raise other flags, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba posted on Sunday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski tweeted: How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations.

In his tweet, Kuleba urged the Holy See to not repeat historical mistakes" as he alleged that the Vatican didn't do enough to resist Nazi Germany. Yet he also invited Francis to Ukraine, saying the pope's visit would show support for the more than a million Ukrainian (Roman) Catholics, more than 5 million Greek Catholics, all Christians and all Ukrainians."

The head of Ukraine's Greek Catholic Church, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, said Sunday that surrender isnt on the minds of Ukrainians.

Ukraine is exhausted, but it stands and will endure. Believe me, it never crosses anyones mind to surrender. Even where there is fighting today: listen to our people in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy, Shevchuk said while meeting with Ukrainians in New York City. He mentioned the regions that have been under heavy Russian artillery and drone attacks.

Shevchuk also spoke of the brutality of Moscows invasion, referencing the town near Kyiv where Russian occupation left hundreds of civilians dead in the streets and in mass graves. He argued that the gruesome scenes seen in Bucha would have been just an introduction if not for Ukrainians' fierce resistance as Russian troops marched on the capital in February 2022.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni on Saturday clarified that the pope supported a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations, rather than an outright Ukrainian surrender. Bruni said that the journalist interviewing Francis used the term white flag in the question that prompted the controversial remarks.

I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates, Francis said, when asked to weigh in on the debate between those who say that Ukraine should agree to peace talks and those who argue that any negotiations would legitimize Moscows aggression.

Kyiv remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said multiple times that the initiative in peace negotiations must come from the country that has been invaded.

Throughout the war, Francis has tried to maintain the Vaticans traditional diplomatic neutrality, but that has often been accompanied by apparent sympathy with the Russian rationale for invading Ukraine, such as when he noted that NATO was barking at Russias door with its eastward expansion.

In the RSI interview, Francis insisted that negotiations are never a surrender.

When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate, he said.

During the Angelus prayer on Sunday from the window overlooking St. Peters Square, Francis said that he was praying for peace in the tormented Ukraine and in the Holy Land.

Let the hostilities which cause immense suffering among the civilian population cease as soon as possible, he said.

Elsewhere, both Ukraine and Russia reported civilian deaths on Sunday after overnight trading drone, missile and shelling attacks that also caused a fire at a Russian oil depot and targeted Ukrainian power stations, according to officials.

Ukrainian air defenses overnight shot down 35 out of 39 drones launched by Russia, air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported, following a 4-hour barrage that officials said also targeted power stations.

Two people died under rubble after Iranian-made Shahed drones around midnight struck private homes and state offices in Dobropillya, a large Ukrainian-held town in the east, authorities said. A 66-year-old man was also reported killed by shelling in Chasiv Yar, northeast of Dobropillya.

In Myrnohrad, another eastern Ukrainian town, 11 civilians were wounded after Russian missiles overnight struck residential buildings, the local prosecutors office reported. It also posted photos of rubble lining the courtyard outside a high-rise apartment building, its windows blown out, and of cars parked outside that appeared reduced to piles of twisted metal.

A woman also died in Russias Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, after shells fired from Ukraine set her house on fire, while her husband suffered severe burns, local Gov. Roman Starovoit reported.

Starovoit also said that debris from a downed Ukrainian drone sparked a fire at an oil depot in the Kursk region.

Nine Ukrainian drones targeted the Belgorod region, another southern Russian province that borders Ukraine, overnight and on Sunday, according to local Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov. Later on Sunday, Russias Defense Ministry said that three drones in total were shot down over the northern Leningrad and Novgorod regions, well over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

Earlier on Sunday, Russian media reported on a fire at an aircraft hangar near the main airport in St Petersburg, just kilometers (miles) from the Leningrad region, without specifying what caused it. According to the reports, two people were hospitalized with burns, and flights were briefly diverted away from the airport, Pulkovo.

Nicole Winfield and Giada Zampano in Rome, and Vanessa Gera in Warsaw, Poland, contributed to this report.

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Harbour Investments Inc. lessened its stake in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:GSLC  Free Report) by 9.0% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 24,921 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,451 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc.s holdings in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF were worth $2,099,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Horizon Family Wealth Inc. raised its stake in shares of Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Horizon Family Wealth Inc. now owns 204,557 shares of the companys stock valued at $17,230,000 after purchasing an additional 3,308 shares in the last quarter. American Trust raised its stake in shares of Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF by 7.7% in the 3rd quarter. American Trust now owns 3,279 shares of the companys stock valued at $276,000 after purchasing an additional 235 shares in the last quarter. Wolverine Trading LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at about $222,000. Morgan Stanley raised its stake in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF by 1.2% during the third quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 5,201,737 shares of the companys stock worth $438,142,000 after acquiring an additional 63,371 shares during the period. Finally, Townsquare Capital LLC raised its stake in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF by 5.9% during the third quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 2,966 shares of the companys stock worth $250,000 after acquiring an additional 164 shares during the period.

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If youre looking to buy a home in San Francisco, it shouldnt be a surprise that its expensive. According to Redfin, the average sales price of a home in San Francisco in January 2024 was $1.31 million, up 7.6% from the previous year. However, some cheaper options are available if thats not exactly in your budget.

Check Out: Housing Market 2024: Zillow Predicts 5 Hottest Home Trends That Homebuyers Will Be Looking For

Read More: 6 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money

Keep reading as we look into five affordable San Francisco neighborhoods you should consider during your home search.

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1. Excelsior

If youre looking for a diverse area of the city thats great for families and young professionals, look no further than Excelsior. While not necessarily a steal, prices are below the citys median at $1.15 million. Consisting of a mixture of different cultures, the food scene in Excelsior is a big draw. Youll find everything from Hawaiian-style BBQ to Mexican to Filipino cuisine. If you need to get to other parts of the city, the BART is easily accessible from most parts of this neighborhood.

2. Bayview

If you hope to be close to downtown and the water, look no further than the Bayview neighborhood. Because of the many green spaces available, such as Hilltop Park and India Basin Shoreline Park, Bayview is great for families. With its median home price at $930k, this is a much more affordable option than other parts of the city.

3. Bernal Heights

Bernal Heights is slightly less expensive than other neighborhoods in San Francisco. With the median sales price being $1.27 million, youll save a little money compared to other parts of the city. However, unlike Bernal Heights, most places wont have great views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

One of the biggest draws for this neighborhood is that it gives off a small-town feel. This is something not overly common in major metropolitan areas. A wide range of homes are available, from more modern condominiums to Victorian-style homes.

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4. Visitacion Valley

Residents of Visitacion Valley consider their neighborhood one of the best-kept secrets San Francisco has to offer. With average home prices around $929k, its a much more affordable area of the city. Even though its been one of the more neglected in terms of funding and development, this area doesnt lack rich history, great architecture, and amazing food.

5. Outer Sunset

Learn More: These 5 Cities Are Becoming Popular With Baby Boomers: Should You Consider Them for Your Retirement Years?

Also known as The Avenues by the locals, Outer Sunset comes in at the citys median home price of $1.3 million. Located within walking distance of Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach, this section of the city is one of the safest. Outer Sunset is a great area for families because it has some of the citys highest-rated public and private schools.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Most Affordable Neighborhoods in San Francisco
Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV lessened its holdings in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 25,950 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 198 shares during the quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADVs holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $5,977,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 12,829,189 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,954,691,000 after buying an additional 244,145 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 106,553.0% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,185,211 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,582,902,000 after buying an additional 7,178,474 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 6,899,522 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,578,299,000 after purchasing an additional 97,568 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,780,294 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,443,003,000 after purchasing an additional 168,563 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors grew its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 5,551,496 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,388,760,000 after purchasing an additional 29,825 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.56% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Illinois Tool Works

In related news, EVP Sharon Szafranski sold 801 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Sharon Szafranski sold 801 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 5,827 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $256.29, for a total transaction 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 $2,273,292.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 152,304 shares of company stock worth $38,860,831. Company insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock.

Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance

Illinois Tool Works stock opened at $261.18 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.10. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 1 year low of $217.06 and a 1 year high of $267.12. The company has a market cap of $78.04 billion, a PE ratio of 26.82, a PEG ratio of 4.49 and a beta of 1.13. The companys 50-day moving average is $257.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $245.95.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.41 by $0.01. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 18.36% and a return on equity of 96.60%. The company had revenue of $3.98 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.34 EPS. The companys revenue was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.12 earnings per share for the current year.

Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be given a dividend of $1.40 per share. 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 2.14%. Illinois Tool Workss payout ratio is presently 57.49%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on ITW shares. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $215.00 to $224.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered shares of Illinois Tool Works from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $277.00 to $240.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Bank of America lowered 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 report on Wednesday, January 10th. Citigroup upped their target price 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. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $238.00 to $239.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Illinois Tool Works presently has an average rating of Hold and an average 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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OLD National Bancorp IN lessened its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 44,721 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 751 shares during the quarter. Thermo Fisher Scientific makes up approximately 0.7% of OLD National Bancorp INs investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest holding. OLD National Bancorp INs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $22,636,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Halpern Financial Inc. raised its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 307.7% during the 3rd quarter. Halpern Financial Inc. now owns 53 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the period. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. Live Oak Investment Partners purchased a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management purchased a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 3rd quarter valued at $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.06% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have commented on the company. Raymond James upped their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $515.00 to $605.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Barclays downgraded Thermo Fisher Scientific from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and upped their price objective for the company from $475.00 to $555.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $592.00 to $642.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $670.00 price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $596.00.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Down 0.0 %

Thermo Fisher Scientific stock traded down $0.05 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $597.61. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,600,305 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,224,720. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $553.59 and its 200-day simple moving average is $516.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.75 and a quick ratio of 1.39. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 52-week low of $415.60 and a 52-week high of $603.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $227.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.68, a PEG ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 0.80.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The medical research company reported $5.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.64 by $0.03. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 18.78% and a net margin of 13.99%. The firm had revenue of $10.89 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.73 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $5.40 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.52 EPS for the current year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific 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 dividend of $0.39 per share. This is a boost from Thermo Fisher Scientifics previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 9.06%.

Thermo Fisher Scientific declared that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, November 14th that authorizes the company to buyback $4.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the medical research company to reacquire up to 2.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Thermo Fisher Scientific

In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $555.63, for a total value of $5,556,300.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 49,155 shares of the companys stock, valued at $27,311,992.65. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 5,547 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.62, for a total transaction of $3,054,289.14. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 43,608 shares of the companys stock, valued at $24,011,436.96. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $555.63, for a total value of $5,556,300.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 49,155 shares in the company, valued at approximately $27,311,992.65. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 40,277 shares of company stock worth $22,533,584. 0.32% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, 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, and bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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Sprott Inc. cut its position in NovaGold Resources Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:NG  Free Report) (TSE:NG) by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 2,369,153 shares of the mining companys stock after selling 107,000 shares during the period. Sprott Inc. owned about 0.71% of NovaGold Resources worth $9,057,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its holdings in shares of NovaGold Resources by 10.8% during the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 9,209,665 shares of the mining companys stock worth $35,365,000 after acquiring an additional 898,800 shares during the period. Sun Valley Gold LLC boosted its holdings in shares of NovaGold Resources by 62.4% during the 3rd quarter. Sun Valley Gold LLC now owns 2,297,822 shares of the mining companys stock worth $8,824,000 after buying an additional 883,260 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of NovaGold Resources by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 287,564 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,147,000 after buying an additional 8,339 shares during the period. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of NovaGold Resources by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 24,320,736 shares of the mining companys stock worth $93,111,000 after buying an additional 226,211 shares during the period. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of NovaGold Resources during the 3rd quarter worth about $345,000. 53.84% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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NovaGold Resources Price Performance

NG stock traded down $0.06 during trading on Friday, reaching $2.55. 1,662,805 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,364,984. NovaGold Resources Inc. has a twelve month low of $2.22 and a twelve month high of $6.68. The company has a current ratio of 32.57, a quick ratio of 32.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3,250.59.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NovaGold Resources ( NYSEAMERICAN:NG Get Free Report ) (TSE:NG) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The mining company reported ($0.03) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter.

Separately, National Bank Financial reiterated an outperform overweight rating on shares of NovaGold Resources in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on NovaGold Resources

NovaGold Resources Profile

(Free Report)

NovaGold Resources Inc explores for and develops gold mineral properties in the United States. Its principal asset is the Donlin Gold project consisting of 493 mining claims covering an area of approximately 29,008 hectares located in the Kuskokwim region of southwestern Alaska. The company was formerly known as NovaCan Mining Resources (1985) Limited and changed its name to NovaGold Resources Inc in March 1987.

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Sprott Inc. decreased its stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:SQM  Free Report) by 2.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 16,047 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 400 shares during the period. Sprott Inc.s holdings in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile were worth $965,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 29.6% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,642,918 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $264,549,000 after buying an additional 831,423 shares during the last quarter. abrdn plc increased its holdings in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. abrdn plc now owns 2,643,076 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $157,712,000 after buying an additional 119,695 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 44.0% in the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 2,445,971 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $177,626,000 after buying an additional 747,037 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors bought a new position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile in the 1st quarter worth $184,773,000. Finally, Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC increased its holdings in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 37.2% in the 3rd quarter. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC now owns 1,747,264 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $104,259,000 after buying an additional 474,000 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 14.94% of the companys stock.

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Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Trading Down 1.6 %

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile stock traded down $0.77 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $46.03. The stock had a trading volume of 976,541 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,659,647. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $46.65 and a 200-day simple moving average of $52.24. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. has a 52 week low of $38.50 and a 52 week high of $85.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 2.49 and a quick ratio of 1.74. The stock has a market cap of $13.15 billion, a PE ratio of 6.53 and a beta of 1.07.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile ( NYSE:SQM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The basic materials company reported $0.71 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.22 by ($0.51). Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile had a return on equity of 37.86% and a net margin of 26.95%. The company had revenue of $1.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.36 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $4.03 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. will post 3.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several equities analysts recently commented on SQM shares. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a sell rating to a neutral rating and set a $54.50 target price on the stock in a report on Friday, December 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their target price on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $52.00 to $48.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 1st. TheStreet lowered shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a b- rating to a c rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $64.00 to $55.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Monday, March 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $67.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Company 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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Sprott Inc. lowered its holdings in Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:UEC  Free Report) by 6.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 272,674 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 19,256 shares during the quarter. Sprott Inc. owned 0.07% of Uranium Energy worth $1,404,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of UEC. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new stake in Uranium Energy in the third quarter valued at $26,000. Millburn Ridgefield Corp acquired a new position in shares of Uranium Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Uranium Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. CIBC Asset Management Inc acquired a new position in shares of Uranium Energy during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Apexium Financial LP acquired a new position in shares of Uranium Energy during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.03% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Volpe Vincent Della sold 84,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.17, for a total transaction of $686,280.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 186,095 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,520,396.15. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. 2.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently issued reports on UEC. Eight Capital lifted their price target on Uranium Energy from $7.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 15th. TD Securities boosted their target price on Uranium Energy from $7.00 to $8.50 and gave the stock a speculative buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. Finally, HC Wainwright boosted their target price on Uranium Energy from $8.25 to $9.75 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Uranium Energy currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $8.80.

View Our Latest Report on UEC

Uranium Energy Stock Down 6.0 %

Shares of UEC stock traded down $0.41 on Friday, hitting $6.37. 7,313,625 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,533,846. The company has a market cap of $2.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 637.64 and a beta of 1.84. Uranium Energy Corp. has a 1-year low of $2.30 and a 1-year high of $8.34. The stocks fifty day moving average is $5.55.

Uranium Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:UEC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, December 8th. The basic materials company reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $0.11 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.00 million. Uranium Energy had a net margin of 3.52% and a return on equity of 0.18%. On average, analysts predict that Uranium Energy Corp. will post 0.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Uranium Energy Profile

(Free Report)

Uranium Energy Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in exploration, pre-extraction, extraction, and processing uranium and titanium concentrates in the United States, Canada, and Paraguay. It owns interests in the Palangana mine, Goliad, Burke Hollow, Longhorn, and Salvo projects located in Texas; Anderson, Workman Creek, and Los Cuatros projects situated in Arizona; Dalton Pass and C de Baca project located in New Mexico; Roughrider, Shea Creek, Christie Lake, Horseshoe-Raven, Hidden Bay, Diabase, West Bear, JCU, and other project located in Canada; and Yuty, Oviedo, and Alto Parana titanium projects in Paraguay.

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William Blair reiterated their outperform rating on shares of MeridianLink (NYSE:MLNK  Free Report) in a research note published on Wednesday, RTT News reports. William Blair also issued estimates for MeridianLinks Q4 2024 earnings at $0.01 EPS.

MLNK has been the subject of several other reports. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of MeridianLink from $23.50 to $22.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on MeridianLink from $20.00 to $18.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Wolfe Research raised MeridianLink from an underperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $18.67.

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Read Our Latest Report on MeridianLink

MeridianLink Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MLNK opened at $18.37 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.08, a current ratio of 2.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. MeridianLink has a 12-month low of $13.62 and a 12-month high of $25.88. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $21.11 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $19.58.

MeridianLink (NYSE:MLNK  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, March 5th. The company reported ($0.29) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.06) by ($0.23). The company had revenue of $74.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $74.61 million. MeridianLink had a negative net margin of 14.01% and a negative return on equity of 6.59%. MeridianLinks revenue for the quarter was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned ($0.05) EPS. Equities analysts expect that MeridianLink will post -0.02 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Sean W. Blitchok sold 4,388 shares of MeridianLink stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.74, for a total transaction of $99,783.12. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 408,094 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,280,057.56. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CFO Sean W. Blitchok sold 4,388 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.74, for a total value of $99,783.12. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 408,094 shares in the company, valued at $9,280,057.56. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Timothy Nguyen sold 1,657,246 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.29, for a total transaction of $30,311,029.34. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,014,526 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,555,680.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 20.10% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of MeridianLink

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MLNK. Swiss National Bank boosted its position in MeridianLink by 7.7% in the 1st quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 47,600 shares of the companys stock worth $862,000 after purchasing an additional 3,400 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in MeridianLink by 73.1% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 14,601 shares of the companys stock valued at $263,000 after buying an additional 6,164 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in shares of MeridianLink by 65.6% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 58,420 shares of the companys stock worth $1,058,000 after acquiring an additional 23,151 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of MeridianLink by 159.9% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 13,959 shares of the companys stock worth $253,000 after acquiring an additional 8,588 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers acquired a new stake in shares of MeridianLink during the 1st quarter valued at about $350,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.38% of the companys stock.

About MeridianLink

(Get Free Report)

MeridianLink, Inc, a software and services company, provides software solutions for banks, credit unions, mortgage lenders, specialty lending providers, and consumer reporting agencies in the United States. The company offers MeridianLink One, a multi-product platform that can be tailored to meet the needs of customers as they digitally transform their organizations and adapt to changing business and consumer demands; MeridianLink Portal, a Point of Sale system that allows financial institutions to expand existing lending and deposit account; MeridianLink Opening, a cloud-based online account opening and deposit software solution; MeridianLink Consumer, a full loan solution suite to banks and credit unions; and MeridianLink DecisionLender, a loan origination software (LOS) for finance companies.

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South Korea's industry ministry said Friday it has discussed ways to expand bilateral ties in the clean energy sector, including hydrogen, with its Danish counterpart, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap News Agency.

The two countries held the annual Korea-Denmark Green Growth Alliance meeting in Seoul, with this year's agenda focusing on offshore wind and hydrogen, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The two countries launched the dialogue in 2011 to seek cooperation in sectors including the green industry, shipping and finance.

During the meeting, Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun, expressed hope to collaborate with Denmark "to raise awareness about the importance of expanding the deployment of carbon-free energy."

Ahn also introduced South Korea's Carbon-Free Energy initiative, proposed by President Yoon Suk Yeol during his keynote speech at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

The initiative calls for promoting an active use of nuclear power and green hydrogen as alternative energy sources to better achieve global carbon neutrality goals.

"Both ministers also agreed to expand cooperation in offshore wind power by combining Denmark's extensive expertise in power generation and Korea's strong manufacturing capabilities," the ministry said in a joint statement.

"In addition, they committed to sharing their relevant experiences, including policy responses to the issue of public acceptance, in an effort to promote offshore wind as a viable pathway toward achieving carbon neutrality," it added.
grandriver / iStock.com

Ive been lucky to call Colorado home for over a decade. In that time, Ive watched the state grow a tremendous amount. With all the growth has come a drastic increase in home prices. As of February 2024, the average home price was $527,413. If youre already a Colorado resident or thinking about moving to this great state, you may wonder what the cheapest and safest cities in Colorado would be.

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Louisville

Situated between Denver and Boulder, Louisville frequently appears on lists of the top places to live in the United States. Old Town Main Street includes shops and restaurants located in historic buildings alongside modern hotels, restaurants, and retail shops. Louisville is also one of the safest cities in Colorado. Housing prices in Louisville are slightly higher than average; however, groceries and utilities will be lower.

Fort Collins

Home to Colorado State University, Fort Collins has an average home price of $539,471, roughly in line with the states average. Even though its the states fourth largest city, Fort Collins is one of the safest. With 20 different breweries and thousands of acres of open space to satisfy the hikers and campers need for the great outdoors, For Collins has something for everyone.

Fountain

If youre considering Colorado Springs, the second largest city in Colorado, but would prefer a quieter community, look no further than Fountain. Located just South of Colorado Springs with a population of 30,000, this smaller community has some of the states most affordable real estate prices, with an average home price of $389,012. Fountain has a small downtown strip with restaurants and retail shops that help give off an urban vibe; however, this is a small rural community where the people feel safe and connected.

Story continues

Fruita

Moving over to the Western Slope side of the state, Fruita has a crime rate of 45% lower than the national average. This small community is located near the Utah border in the heart of Colorados wine country. Even though it only has 13,500 people, there is much to experience, including camping, hiking, rafting on the Colorado River, and more. Plus, the average home price is only $427,971, putting it below the states average.

Leadville

If youd prefer mountain living, one of the cheapest mountain towns in Colorado is Leadville. With an average home price of $445,610, finding many other mountain communities with as much to offer will be difficult. Leadville has access to some of the best fly fishing the state offers, plus its only 10 miles to Ski Cooper and 34 miles to Vail Ski Resort.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Safest and Cheapest Cities To Live in Colorado
Weather Alert

...Elevated Fire Danger Today and Tuesday... ...Hard Freeze Expected Tonight... The combination of very dry air and northwest winds gusting up to 20 mph will create an elevated risk of uncontrolled fire spread this afternoon. Relative humidity values will fall to 20 to 35%, with the lowest humidity levels over the Ozark Foothills of southeast Missouri. A more substantial fire danger is expected Tuesday, as southwest winds increase significantly, with gusts of 25 to 40 mph forecast Tuesday afternoon. Relative humidity values Tuesday afternoon will fall to 25 to 35%. If you are planning outdoor burning today and Tuesday, use extra caution and have fire suppression equipment ready. Tonight, very cold and dry surface high pressure will allow temperatures to drop into the middle and upper 20s throughout the region. Although the growing season has not officially started, tender vegetation could be impacted by these cold temperatures. Please take necessary actions to protect any tender vegetation tonight.
Calls for urgent overhaul of energy market for fairer prices

Wales social justice minister has called for an urgent overhaul of the energy market.

Jane Hutt warned that energy costs will remain almost double pre-crisis levels despite a decrease in the price cap from April.

She said: The energy market needs a complete overhaul, so that customers are treated fairly no matter where they live and investment is made into local communities.

Carolyn Thomas, a Labour backbencher, said it is a disgrace that standing charges, which hit those in fuel poverty the most, have been allowed to increase.

She told the chamber: Standing charges also disproportionately impact my residents in north Wales, who are subject to the highest standing charges in the UK, and will be paying over 95 more than those in London.

Injustice

Ms Hutt recognised the injustice faced by people in north Wales, saying she has regularly called on the UK Government to introduce reforms.

She said: There are two issues  the postcode lottery around the amounts charged, and the fact that costs are applied even when people have used very little or no electricity.

The minister told the chamber north Wales households are hard done by because they live close to sources of affordable, renewable energy which is exported.

Ms Hutt said she has met the new chair of Ofgem and the Welsh Government has responded to a consultation on standing charges.

She said: We need a solution that is fair to low-income and low-usage households, and that doesnt continue to disadvantage households in north Wales.

Destitution

Delyth Jewell, who represents South Wales East, described the failure of the energy market as an inevitable consequence of privatisation.

Plaid Cymrus deputy leader said: Its failed consumers, who have to pay extortionate prices for the basic necessity of staying warm enough to live.

Ms Jewell warned that Ofgems new price cap will provide scarce comfort for many families.

She said: It will do little to help households who still have prepayment meters being installed forcibly in their homes, a third of whom have been forced into self-disconnecting this year.

And lets not use nice language to hide the truth here  self-disconnecting isnt a choice, it is enforced privation, it is state-sanctioned destitution.

Social tariff

During social justice questions on March 6, Ms Hutt reiterated that major reform is needed as she urged Ofgem and the UK Government to take responsibility.

Criticising a lack of progress, she called for the introduction of a social tariff to help low-income households with their energy bills.

Jack Sargeant, who led a petitions committee inquiry into prepayment meters, warned there is nothing strict or tough about Ofgems new code.

He told MSs: The disability charity, Scope, have recently said there are serious gaps in the new code, meaning that vulnerable people could still be forced onto prepayment meters.

The Labour MS for Alyn and Deeside criticised Ofgem for failing to provide a response to the petitions committees report.

Mr Hutt agreed that it is an unacceptable way to treat a parliamentary inquiry, saying: We need confidence that Ofgem is treating the Senedd with equal respect to Westminster.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter

[email protected]
People with rare diseases are falling through the cracks, says North Wales MS

People who have rare diseases are falling through the cracks in the health system, according to a North Wales MS.

Llyr Gruffydd, who represents the region in the Senedd, said more needs to be done to support people with rare autoimmune rheumatic diseases (RAIRDs), which are a range of conditions in which the bodys immune system damages its own tissues.

Mr Gruffydd, of Plaid Cymru, has spoken out following meeting representatives from the Rare Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease Alliance (RAIRDA).

It is the first alliance linking clinical and patient organisations to campaign for improved care for people living with RAIRDs in the UK.

They say that NHS services are increasingly focused on conditions which are high-volume and low complexity, and that this leads to patients with rare diseases being left behind, facing long waiting times, and often not receiving adequate care or treatment.

Rare autoimmune rheumatic diseases often involve multiple organs throughout the body, such as joints, skin, lungs, kidneys and the heart which means that multi-disciplinary working is key to providing effective care to people.

Yet a survey conducted by RAIRD showed that there is a disparity in access to multidisciplinary care in Wales, compared to the rest of the UK.

Llyr Gruffydd MS said: It is worrying to hear that people with rare autoimmune rheumatic diseases are struggling to get the health care and support that they need.

People with conditions like this need specialised care and when access to that care is limited it can lead to people falling through the cracks in the system.

The Welsh Government should look at what it can do to provide better support to patients who are being overlooked.

Its clear that like many other services rare disease services are stretched, and that the geographic distribution of rare disease patients, and the availability of providers are factors.

I am told that patients are struggling to effectively self-manage their conditions, due to services such as helplines or their single point of contact proving ineffective and at times difficult to access.

This has consequences because poor self-management support can lead to people experiencing avoidable disease progression, as well as unnecessary distress.

More needs to be done to support people with rare conditions. The inequalities in care and treatment between rural and more urban areas needs to be addressed as well.

The development of specialised networks for rare diseases as RAIRDA are advocating for could go some way towards doing this.

This would allow clinicians to share knowledge and provide effective treatment, especially when there are resource or geographical challenges.

The creation of a quality standard for rare disease would be a welcome development because it would act as a benchmark and help to drive improvements in care and outcomes.

[email protected]
The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) says Palestinians released into Gaza from Israeli prisons were forced to falsely admit links between the agency and Hamas and that its staff took part in the October 7 incursion.

According to Reuters and the Times of Israel, these claims were contained in a report, dated February 2024, detailing mistreatment and abuse suffered by Gazans. The report states, Agency staff members have been subject to threats and coercion by the Israeli authorities while in detention, and pressured to make false statements against the Agency, including that the Agency has affiliations with Hamas and that UNRWA staff members took part in the 7 October 2023 atrocities.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini meeting with displaced people in southern Gaza on November 22, 2023, during his second visit in the Gaza Strip since the war started on October 7, 2023. [Photo by Mohamed Hinnawi / CC BY-SA 4.0

The 11-page UNRWA report, yet to be published, said that the Israeli military detained several UNRWA Palestinian employees in Gaza in Israeli jails. Ill-treatment and abuse included severe physical beatings, waterboarding, and threats of harm to family members. As well as describing efforts to extract false confessions, they and other Palestinian detainees reported beatings, humiliation, threats, dog attacks, sexual violence and deaths of detainees denied medical treatment.

Juliette Touma, UNRWAs communications director, said the agency planned to pass the report to UN and other human rights agencies concerned with potential human rights abuses, saying, When the war comes to an end there needs to be a series of inquiries to look into all violations of human rights. She explained that document was based on interviews the agency had conducted with dozens of Palestinians freed from Israeli detention.

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWAs Commissioner-General, warned of a deliberate and concerted campaign seeking to end the agency's work, citing comments by Israels fascist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about destruction of the agency's infrastructure in Gaza and its replacement by another UN agency. As of the end of January, Israels war on Gaza had killed 152 of UNRWAs Palestinian employees and hit its facilities 263 times, resulting in 360 civilian deaths.

On Saturday, Lazzarini told Swiss broadcaster RTS, The agency is at risk of death, it is risking dismantlement. What is at stake is the fate of the Palestinians today in Gaza in the short term who are going through an absolutely unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

The use of violence and abuse to obtain false confessions is part of a criminal effort to justify closing down UNRWA, set up by the UN in 1949 with responsibility for education, health and relief services to the 5.7 million Palestinian refugees and their descendants in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

It follows a list of shameless and refuted lies by Israeli officials, including that government had no warnings of an impending Hamas attack, claims about the beheading of 40 babies and mass rape on October 7, the supposed vast underground command centre beneath Al-Shifa Hospital, and the claim that the 112 Palestinians killed in the flour massacre died as a result of a stampede to get the food aid rather than live fire from Israels military forces.

In December, a classified Israeli foreign ministry report was leaked proposing the elimination of UNRWA from Gaza in three steps: alleging cooperation of UNRWA staff members with Hamas; reducing UNRWA services in Gaza; and then transferring its duties to whatever entity was left governing Gaza after the end of the war, thereby giving Israel complete control.

In January, it put its plan into effect, accusing 12 UNRWA staff of taking part in the October 7 attack. It later claimed that 450 of the agencys 13,000 workers in Gaza are members of Hamas or other militant groups, without providing a shred of evidence.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz declared that his aims included promoting a policy ensuring that UNRWA will not be a part of the day after an Israeli victory in Gaza. The agency is targeted because it keeps the Palestinians together rather than attempting to resettle them, and enshrines the right of Palestinian refugees to return home in accordance with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194. The US immediately suspended all funding to UNRWA, followed by 15 other states, including Germany, the UK and France, putting the very survival of the agency at risk.

The Reuters report of Israels abusive efforts to coerce Gazans into making false confessions follows earlier articles in the New York Times, the Guardian and Haaretz, based on the same UNRWA document. While the newspapers articles described the horrific conditions of Palestinian detention in Israeli jails, including that detainees were beaten, stripped, robbed, blindfolded, sexually abused and denied access to lawyers and doctors, often for more than a month, they said nothing about the attempts to force false confessions about supposed links to Hamas.

This silence is in line with the systematic bias in the mainstream media in their reporting of Israels genocidal war against Gaza, in order to support its continuation and extension to Iran and its allies in the region.

As the Times noted, UNRWAs investigation was based on the testimony from more than 100 of the 1,002 civilians later released without charge held at three military sites in Israel. Those detained included males and females aged from as young as 6 to 82, including some with Alzheimers disease, intellectual disabilities and cancer. Some Gazans died while in detention, including those denied access to medical treatment. Many had been captured from northern Gaza when they were sheltering in hospitals and schools or were fleeing south, while others had their permits to work in Israel revoked after October 7, leaving them stranded and detained in Israel.

The report describes a range of ill-treatment that Gazans of all ages, abilities and backgrounds have reported facing in makeshift detention facilities in Israel, which it concluded, was used to extract information or confessions, to intimidate and humiliate, and to punish. An estimated 3,000 Gazans remain in Israeli detention without access to lawyers, a right denied for up to 180 days to detainees captured in Gaza under legislation passed since the start of the war.

Some male detainees reported that they were beaten on their genitals, while women experienced inappropriate touching during searches and as a form of harassment while blindfolded and being forced to strip in front of male soldiers during searches.

The reports findings back up those of several Israeli and Palestinian rights groups, as well as separate investigations by two UN special rapporteurs, alleging similar abuses inside Israeli prisons.

On Thursday, Haaretz reported that 27 Gaza detainees had died in custody in temporary prison camps at Israeli military centres since the start of the war. In December, Haaretz revealed that detainees at Sde Teiman were held while handcuffed and blindfolded throughout the day.

According to data that the HaMoked Center for the Defense of the Individual received from Israels Prison Service, as of March 1, the Prison Service was holding 793 Gaza residents in its jails under the status of unlawful combatants in addition to an unknown number of Gazans held in military detention facilities.

In another article last week, Haaretz reported that police are holding Palestinians, including those stranded after the war when their work permits were revoked, in makeshift cages made of bars, with no walls, beds or toilets, due to a shortage of prison cells, leaving them exposed to the cold, 24 hours a day. Despite Justice Gad Ehrenberg, at a hearing at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, describing the conditions at a Border Police base in Atarot, near Jerusalem, as unsuitable for humans and demanding the practice be stopped, nothing has changed.

In another case, a Palestinian who had been held there for four days without being allowed to shower and without proper food or blankets, despite the extreme cold as his lawyer explained, was released after a court ruled last month that conditions there grossly violate the law regulating detentions, thereby violating the basic rights of suspects.

Security prisoners and detainees at Gilboa Prison and Megiddowhere two prisoners died in the weeks following the start of the warin northern Israel have reported that prison guards had assaulted, humiliated and abused them after October 7, including threatening them with violence if they refused to kiss the Israeli flag. The Prison Service has ignored their complaints, under instructions from Jewish Power leader and minister of national security Itamar Ben-Gvir, who long ago declared war on Palestinian prisoners, including giving orders to shut down the bakeries that supply bread to prisoners, which he described as an indulgence, and drastically limiting water use.
On Saturday, hundreds of former miners and their families marked the 40th Anniversary of the 1984-85 British miners strike, with a march and rally in South Yorkshire, England.

The Hatfield Miners Strike Parade assembled at the Broadway Hotel in Dunscroft, near Doncaster, and marched along Station Road, East Lane and Waggons Way to the former Hatfield Colliery. The march, led off by the Doncaster & District, & East Yorkshire Pipe Band, and the Armthorpe Elmfield Brass Band, was greeted along the way.

Former miners and their families marching with the Hatfield colliery National Union of Mineworkers banner as they leave the site of the now closed pit

Under the shadow of the rusting headgear and remains of buildings at the Hatfield pit, miners commemorated the strike and held a minutes silence for miners who were no longer alive. Hatfield was closed by British Coal in 1993, one of many pits shut in the years that followed the strikes defeat. It was reopened in 1994 by a team from the pits management, as the Hatfield Coal Company Ltd, before closing again in 2001 as unprofitable. Private operator Richard Budge restarted coal production in 2007, but the pit finally closed in 2015, along with two remaining pits, Kellingley Colliery in Yorkshire and Thoresby in Nottinghamshiremarking the end of deep coal mining in the UK.

The parade proceeded to the nearby Hatfield Pit Club in Stainforth, where a rally was addressed by former National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) President Arthur Scargill who led the union during the 1984-85 strike.

Former National Union of Mineworkers President Arthur Scargill speaking at the 40th Anniversary event at the Hatfield Pit Club, March 9, 2024

In a speech lasting almost an hour, Scargill detailed the main events during the strike, noting that at every key juncture it could have been won were it not for the sabotage by right-wing sections of the NUM leadership and the leaders of the National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers (NACODS).

Scargill explained that NACODS members had voted to strike by an 80 percent majority based on a joint agreement with the NUM. This would have led to every pit in the country being forced to closeincluding those in Nottinghamshire kept open by scab labour. However, said Scargill, two days before a meeting arranged at conciliation service ACAS to settle the dispute, NACODS told us they had changed their mind and to this day Ive never had an answer No explanation has ever been given as to why NACODS performed this sellout, which has terrible consequences, which led to the destruction of the whole of Britains deep mine coal industry.

Scargill made similar remarks throughout his speech regarding the response of NUM areas leaders to police attacks on pickets, and later on their ending the strikeinsisting their sabotage was inexplicable and only hinting at their actions reflecting the interests of British Coal and the Tories.

The fact is that for 40 years, Scargill himself has offered no explanation of such behaviour, because this concerns the pivotal question of leadership and programme which led to the defeat of the miners.

To give a truthful account of the strike would require that Scargill address the sabotage of the strike not just by NUM areas and NACODS but by the entire trade union bureaucracy, led by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which left miners to fight alone for an entire year. And he would have to address the role of the Labour Party, whose leader Neil Kinnock was a notorious opponent of the strike.

Recalling the Battle of Orgreave coking works in the summer of 1984, he said all that was required was more mass picketing and to continue fighting the police to a standstill. Scargill himself was arrested and beaten at Orgreave, requiring hospitalisation.

The events at Orgreave said Scargill, were almost a replica of what had happened all those years before a Saltley Gate, a reference to the mass mobilisation of the working class in Birmingham that closed a fuel storage depot which led to victory in the 1972 miners strike. But instead of repeating that by bringing more pickets as I urged from my hospital bed, the [NUM] areas for some reason didnt do it. Ive no doubt in my mind that if Orgreave had stayed closed, the strike would have been over.

Scargill, then and now, proceeds on the assumption that the strikes isolation by the TUC and Labour Party could have been overcome by a repeat of the trade union militancy that led to the fall of the Heath Conservative government in 1974.

The Socialist Equality Party attended the parade in Yorkshire, with a new pamphlet, The Lessons of the 1984-85 miners strike, which explains the real lessons to be drawn from the miners courageous fight.

The pamphlets introduction places the strikes defeat in the framework of a major shift in economic organisation, with an aggressive turn by the major corporations to global investment and internationalised production, noting that globalisation demanded the deregulation of the economies of the advanced industrial countries, the slashing of tax rates, destruction of welfare provision and a massive increase in the exploitation of the working class in the drive to become internationally competitive and secure a share of world markets.

It was the impact of globalisation that produced the wholesale abandonment by the nationally-based labour organisations of their old reformist programmes and their transformation into corporatist adjuncts of the transnational companies and national governments:

Scargill fought the strike based on a national reformist programme. He sought to force a defeat on the Thatcher government solely by militant trade union action and to then convince the Labour Party and Trades Union Congress (TUC) to implement a national Plan for Coal.

Instead, the miners were faced with a political struggle against the state and every instrument at its disposal, led by a government determined to crush the enemy within at all costs, and the deliberate and systematic isolation and sabotage of their struggle by the trade unions and the Labour Party.

The foundations for the complete transformation of the trade unions into partners of the corporations and state, and of the Labour Party into an avowed defender of free market capitalism under Tony Blair, began with the crushing of working-class resistance in the miners strike. This defeat inaugurated a decades-long and historically unprecedented decline in industrial action and the living standards of the working class.

The pamphlets introduction insists: Four decades ago, the miners strike proved the necessity of waging the class struggle based on a worldwide strategy through the building of rank-and-file organisations of class struggle and a new socialist and internationalist leadership in the working class.

Strike veterans and their supporters responded enthusiastically to the pamphlet seeking to draw the lessons from their strike, with over 120 copies sold, along with other publications from the SEPs literature stall including copies of the new book by David North, The Logic of Zionism: From Nationalist Myth to the Gaza Genocide and the New Year 2024 Statement of the WSWS International Editorial Board, The Working Class, the Fight Against Capitalist Barbarism, and the Building of the World Party of Socialist Revolution.

Attendees at the parade at the Socialist Equality Party stall

In Barnsley, over 200 people including ex-miners attended the annual memorial lecture for David Jones and Joe Green, two miners who were killed during the 1984/85 strike. The annual lecture takes place at the NUM headquarters, with the majority of those in attendance union bureaucrats.

The main speakers, Labour councillor James Michael Stowe and Sharon Graham, the UNITE general secretary, both called for a Labour government and made no criticism of party leader Sir Keir Starmer or the presence of war mongers Dan Jarvis MP, who was on the platform, and John Healey, the Shadow Defence Secretary.

The SEPs new pamphlet insists: It is essential that the working class, especially its younger generation, is armed with the lessons of the 1984-85 miners strike. This will immeasurably strengthen them in the life-and-death conflicts they face and in building the revolutionary leadership they must have.

Order your copy here.
As many as 450,000 people joined Saturdays national protest for Gaza in London, demanding an end to Israels genocide against the Palestinian people.

Saturdays march was the tenth national protest in the capital since October 7, demanding an immediate ceasefire and an end to Israels war of annihilation backed by the US, Britain and other major powers.

Protesters on the demonstration in London crossing Vauxhall Bridge, March 9, 2024

Marchers set off from Hyde Park to the American embassy shortly after 12:30pm. They were still crossing the Thames at 3pm, after the last of the rallys speakers were finishing.

It was a massive popular rebuke to Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks address to the nation on March 1, in which he denounced pro-Palestinian protesters as violent extremists who posed a threat to our democracy.

Opening the rally at Nine Elms near the American Embassy, an emcee told marchers to loud cheering, We are not going anywhere. Protesters chanted, In our thousands, in our millions, we are all Palestinians and From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free! rejecting Sunaks baseless branding of the slogan as anti-Semitic and an invitation to violent jihad.

Stop the War Coalition (STWC) convenor Lindsey German caught the mood of the crowd when she declared, If an extremist is someone who cares about children dying, who cares about genocide, who wants a more equal world, whos fed up with the money spent on weapons of war, then I am proud to be an extremist!

However, she and march organisers, STWC and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, used an all-female line up of speakers for International Womens Day as a means of avoiding the central issue posed by the Gaza protests: how to fight for the besieged Palestinians under conditions where Sir Keir Starmers Labour Party is united with Sunak in backing and arming the genocide.

Hostility to the Labour Party is overwhelming. It resulted in George Galloways crushing victory in the Rochdale by-election on February 29. Galloway has called on former Labour leader Jeremy Corbynbarred by Starmer from recontesting his own Islington North seat as a Labour candidateto launch a socialist electoral bloc challenging Labour over Gaza.

Galloway used his appearance on Not the Andrew Marr Show last Sunday to issue a public appeal to Corbyn: announce an alliance of the remaining socialists in the country. You lead it, Ill support it, you be the leader, and lets go I dont know why he [Corbyn] has procrastinated so long in making a final, total break with Labour and leading something himself.

The speakers chosen to address the rally sought to blunt the issue of a left-wing challenge to Labour. They presented a cast of Labour MPs, carefully interspersed with those who have resigned from the party or are running as independents. In all cases, the message was the same: Labour and the Tories can be pressured for a ceasefire and to bring about a humanitarian solution that excludes any struggle based on the mobilisation of the working class against capitalism.

Labour MPs Apsana Begum, Zarah Sultana and Beth Winter were given pride of place, introduced as stalwart defenders of the Palestinians.

Begum said Israels war on Palestinian women was supported and facilitated by the UK and the US, including starvation as collective punishment. She did not condemn Starmers own support for collective punishment or his ongoing invocations of Israels right to self-defencea right that does not exist for an illegal occupying force.

Sultana began by reminding these Tories that demands for an immediate ceasefire have the support of 71 percent of the British public. Opposing Sunaks designation of marchers as extremists, she said they stood in a long democratic British tradition of peaceful protest. But the name Keir Starmer did not pass her lips. She was silent on his opposition to a ceasefire and his support for Sunaks crackdown on the right to protest.

Several speakers challenged the hypocrisy of politicians, journalists and intellectuals for celebrating International Womens Day while supporting Israels genocide. Leanne Mohamad, who is challenging Labours Wes Streeting in Ilford North, told the rally, Over 9,000 women have been brutally murdered in cold blood in Gaza, a femicide of the 21st-century. Yet they do not count. There is not a single maternity unit operating across Gaza today. There has been a 300 percent increase in miscarriages.

Women in Gaza have to endure Caesarean births without anaesthesia, and they are forced to give birth in tents and public bathrooms. Where are the feminists who talk of equality and human justice? Silent, because these are the wrong kinds of women who are being killed.

But Mohamad and resigned Labour Party councillor Zoe Goodman advanced no perspective to mobilise the working class outside of a protest vote at the next election. They presented the war on Gaza as divorced from the escalating global war by the US, Britain and NATO powers against Russia, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran and ultimately China.

Members of the Socialist Equality Party distributed thousands of leaflets at the march, Bring down Sunaks pro-genocide police state! For a general election and an anti-war opposition to the Labour and Tory parties! There was enormous interest, with hands reaching out to take leaflets and with many people stopping at the partys stall to discuss with SEP members and buy literature.

Discussion centred on the political issues posed by the emerging conflict between the working class and the Labour Party, and the role of politicians such as Galloway and Corbyn in tying the working class to British capitalism. As Thomas Scripps explained in an article discussed with demonstrators: Galloway still makes his pitch to Corbyn because, apart from a willingness to break organisationally with the Labour Party, they are kindred political spirits who seek to prevent the working class from drawing revolutionary conclusions about British capitalism and imperialism.

They stand for an exclusively parliamentary orientation, advising the ruling class to moderate its worst excesses. Today the mass movement against the Gaza genocide is radicalising ever broader layers of workers, above all the younger generation. They will come to understand the urgent necessity for the building of a genuinely independent socialist party and the industrial and political mobilisation of the working class in Britain and around the world against the Tory government, its Labour accomplices and all their international counterparts.

There was a large police presence at the protest, with thousands of officers mobilised across London. But Sunaks effort to brand marchers as violent extremists was exposed by the reality of a peaceful multi-ethnic protest uniting Muslims, Jews and others. There were just five arrests, and these reflected the targeting of demonstrators for their political views.

Towards the start of the march, as it crossed Vauxhall Bridge, police swooped in to arrest a man for chanting Yemen, Yemen make us proud. Yemen has been subjected to repeated missile strikes by the US and Britain in retaliation for Houthi rebels seeking to block military supplies for Israels genocide in Gaza. Dozens of people went to his aid, challenging the right of police to arrest someone for exercising their right to free speech.
Michael Stumos life changed forever on March 10, 2019. His daughter, Samya Rose Stumo, was killed that day when the Boeing 737 Max 8 she was on plunged into the ground just outside Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, six minutes after the plane took off. She was 24 years old.

Part of our life is dead. Part of our future is dead, he told CNN, as the fifth anniversary of the crash approached. She had it all. She was brilliant. She was the most published student in the Copenhagen School of Public Health. She taught herself to read before she was four. She went to college at 14. She was beautiful, charismatic. Her smile could light up the room. She was very caring. She would have been a star in the world of global health.

Samya Rose was flying from Ethiopia to Kenya as part of her new job with a health systems development organization. Even though the same jet model had crashed soon after taking off from Indonesia less than six months earlier, aviation authorities around the world had allowed the 737 Max to keep flying with passengers.

Michael Stumo and his daughter Samya in April 2016. - Courtesy Michael Stumo

Michael Stumo said he never gave the plane or his daughters flying plans much thought.

We didnt think about air travel. We didnt pay attention to the airline, the aircraft model, he said. We pay hyper attention to planes now. Wed never fly a Max.

The March 10 anniversary is a difficult one for the families of the 157 people on board the Ethiopian jet, because concerns over Boeings safety and quality have been in the news so much in the last two months.

A third incident

This year, on January 5, a part of a 737 Max 9 flown by Alaska Airlines blew out, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the plane. Fortunately, it was able to land minutes later without any fatalities or serious injuries.

A preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board found that the plane had left a Boeing factory and was delivered to Alaska Air less than three months before, all while missing four bolts needed to hold the door plug in place.

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Boeing has announced steps to improve safety and quality since the incident, including an all-employees safety meeting the week following the blowout, and shutting production at the Max factory for a day later that month to talk further about how to improve safety. But the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is not satisfied: The regulator gave Boeing 90 days to come up with a plan to deal with safety gaps.

Some of the families of the Ethiopian crash victims welcomed the intense regulatory scrutiny on Boeing following Januarys door plug blowout.

In this National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) handout, members of the NTSB examine the hole in the fuselage plug area of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Boeing 737-9 MAX on January 7, 2024 in Portland, Oregon, two days after the flight in which it blew off in flight. - NTSB/Handout/Getty Images

Its not that were happy that it happened. But its a mixed blessing. Something bad was going to happen, but in this case, nobody died, Stumo said. With our crash it was focus on the design. It wasnt on the production chaos. The production problems really came to the fore this time.

Zipporah Kuria, 28, who lost her 55-year-old father, Joseph, on the same flight, said her entire life was uprooted by the crash.

I think my initial impression, what an unfortunate accident, she recalled about the 2019 crash. Then when I heard later that day this is not the first of these accidents, and that both were relatively new planes, my mind went to somethings not right.

Like Stumo, she became involved with trying to hold Boeing accountable for its failures, spending hours every week on the issue, reaching out to aviation regulators, speaking out publicly, and trying to bring more public attention to Boeings production and safety problems.

Joseph Kuria holds his granddaughter, Olivia Kuria. - Courtesy Zipporah Kuria

Its robbed me of time and opportunity and peace of mind, and most importantly, my dad, she said this past week. I havent had the capacity to fall in love and build a life with somebody else because this has been the center of my life. When I think Im going to focus on other parts of my life now, a door falls off a plane and were back in the Boeing circus.

But like Stumo, Kruia says she is pleased that the Alaska Air incident has brought attention to the fact that the problems at Boeing were not fixed when the 737 Max planes returned to service after the 20-month grounding. Boeings production problems went beyond the design flaw that led to the crashes.

The company, for five years, has faced repeated quality and potential safety issues with its aircraft, leading to the long-term grounding of some jets and the halt in deliveries of others. But the problems, including de-icing equipment that could fail on 737 and 787 Dreamliner planes, engine issues for the 777 and repeated quality control concerns for the 787s fuselage, failed to capture much attention from the public. The frightening door plug incident, however, shined a spotlight on the years of safety concerns at the company.

When that happened, and everyone on the plane was fine, there was a relief, Kuria said. This is the smoking gun weve been waiting for the world to see, to wake up and have Boeing be exposed.

Pressure for business as usual, and a deferred prosecution

The victims families, and the attorney who has represented many of them, are particularly angry that the Max continued to fly after the first accident demonstrated a design flaw, a problem with a single sensor that would push the nose of the jet down if it sensed an imminent stall.

Boeing continued to insist that the plane was safe, not only after the first crash but for days after the second crash. Boeing only later admitted to the design flaw as part of the investigations and lawsuits that disclosed internal discussions about the problems with the design soon after the first crash.

Within days of the first crash, Boeing knew there was a design defect, Robert Clifford, one of the plaintiff attorneys in the case, told CNN. Rather than alert all the operators about this defect, they believed they could get ahead of the curve. Thats not what happened. They gambled with peoples lives and the people lost.

In 2021 Boeing admitted to liability in the two crashes, agreeing to pay compensatory damages, which allowed the company to avoid the possibility of having to pay far more in punitive damages.

Families and friends who lost loved ones in the March 10, 2019, Boeing 737 Max crash in Ethiopia, hold a memorial protest in front of the Boeing headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, on March 10, 2023 to mark the four-year anniversary of the event. - Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images

It also agreed to a controversial deferred prosecution agreement with the US Justice Department on charges that it defrauded the FAA when getting the original certification for the Max. Boeing agreed to pay $2.5 billion as part of the settlement  but most of that money was paid to the airlines as compensation for the 20-month grounding of the jets. Those were payments that Boeing had already agreed to make.

Since the Alaska Air incident the Justice Department has started reviewing whether deficiencies found in the wake of the door plug blowout on a 737 Max flight violate that deferred prosecution agreement, according to a person familiar with the investigation. The results of the probe could subject Boeing to criminal liability, depending on its outcome.

Boeing acknowledged in a January regulatory filing that the Justice Department was looking at whether it had fulfilled the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement, but the company told CNN it had no further comment on the latest Justice Department probe.

But beyond the many probes and audits and investigations of Boeing, many family members are still angry that the jet was allowed to start flying again after the company made changes to that system after a 20-month grounding. They say the Alaska Air incident demonstrates the problems at Boeing go much deeper than the design issue that was fixed. Some say they extend to production issues and to severe problems in the organizational structure at Boeing. The company declined to comment.

Boeings CEO Dave Calhoun acknowledged at a companywide safety meeting that the company made a mistake with the door plug blowout and the company has pledged to improve safety. Last month, Boeing removed executive Ed Clark, the head of its 737 Max passenger jet program.

A swampy cesspool

Since the Alaska Air incident, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a report that had been in the works for more than a year, sharply critical of the safety culture at Boeing. Despite statements from Boeing management about a renewed commitment to safety, the FAA found safety-related messages or behaviors are not being implemented across the entire Boeing population.

A Boeing 737 MAX 8 is pictured outside the factory on March 11, 2019 in Renton, Washington. - Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

The panel, which conducted more than 250 interviews and reviewed more than 4,000 pages of documents, found that among Boeing employees there was a hesitation in reporting safety concerns for fear of retaliation because of management conflicts of interest. The report also said confusion about the safety programs may discourage employees from submitting safety concerns.

A separate FAA follow-up report focused on the Alaska Air incident and found multiple problems with Boeings production practices. The agency has given Boeing 90 days to produce the plan to fix its quality issues.

Boeing insists it is making a renewed commitment to safety and fixing production problems, and that the company is working to satisfy the concerns expressed by the FAA. Asked for a comment on the fifth anniversary of the Ethiopian crash, the company responded, We will never forget the lives lost on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Lion Air Flight 610 and their loved ones. Their memory and the hard lessons we learned from these accidents drive us every day to uphold our responsibility to all who depend on the safety and quality of our products.

Relatives and colleagues of the Ethiopian Airlines' crew victims hold candles during a commemoration ceremony held by the Airline Pilots' Association of Ethiopia on the first anniversary of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. - Eduardo Soteras/AFP/Getty Images

But the victims families are hardly satisfied with that statement or other apologies issued by Boeing and its executives over the last five years. They say they wont stop pushing for changes at Boeing until the top management at the company is replaced.

The blame lies with Boeing management. Until David Calhoun and Chief Safety Officer Mike Delaney are gone, it wont change, Stumo said. Its a swampy cesspool.

Joseph and Zipporah Kuria. - Courtesy Zipporah Kuria

Stumo and some other family members of victims met with previous Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg in 2019 after he testified about the crashes in Washington. Asked if he would like to meet with Calhoun, Stumo paused for a long moment before responding, Im not sure.

But Kuria said shed like to meet with Calhoun and other Boeing executives.

Just to find out how these people sleep at night, she said. How do you kiss your children and hug your wife knowing theres a group of families never get to do that because of the decisions made.

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WSWS reporters interviewed former miners and their supporters who gathered on Saturday in South Yorkshire, England to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1984-85 miners strike.

Former miner John lives in Doncaster.

Jimmy said, Its a sad day that Ill always remembertwelve months on strike where we tried our best to keep the pits open and not lose any jobs.

Jimmy

I was on strike for a year. I worked at Markham Main Colliery in Armthorpe from 1972 to 1988. These were happy years, with good friends and a good community. All the villages surrounding us were fine until the pits started closing, which killed the villages and then things went downhill.

I didnt go to Orgreave, but Im pleased with all the media thats come out about the battle. It was a very dark day for the English government and they treated the miners very badly.

I think the Nottinghamshire miners and then the area NUM [National Union of Mineworkers] let us down. As regarding the Yorkshire miners, we tried our best to keep their jobs as well as our own. And they ended up losing their jobs anyway. So tough titty.

I'm an Arthur Scargill man, loved him since 1972 and always will. The knock-on effect of the pits closing its decimated the area. Two hundred thousand men have lost their jobs. Then there is the knock-on effect of the factories supplying the mines, the clubs and the pubs, all lost.

I wouldn't vote Labour because I don't like the look of that Keir Starmer.

Beckys father was a striking miner who worked at Bentley colliery in South Yorkshire.

Ray is a former train driver who helped raise money for the miners during the strike.

Celia, a retired teacher from Leeds, said she attended the rally to commemorate the 40th anniversary as I believe the experience of the miners strike resonates with a lot of issues today. It shows how ideological the attack on miners was. It was for neo-liberal economics as well as an attack on working class trade unionism.

Celia

Im not saying that working in mines was an ideal occupationit was horrendous. But it was a job that passed through generations and they are the ones that were hardest hit by austerity.

An active member of the Labour Party in 1984, Celia said, It made me angry to hear Thatcher call miners The enemy within.

We were very active in supporting the strike. We went to villages to support strikers with food parcels and toys for Christmas. We held political rallies to argue in support of the miners and what they were doing. As for the wider aspects of it, I despair at the role of the Labour Party which didnt support the miners, but this did not surprise me.

Following the defeat of the strike there was a marked shift to the right by the Labour and the trade union bureaucracy. Celia said, I dont understand why they had to move so far towards free-market economics.

Speaking on the 2022-23 strike wave that was sold out by the union bureaucracy, she said, The leadership always capitulates and offers some sort of outcome where there have been no significant gains. My view is that they get co-opted into the establishment, and in this way they undermine working class struggles.

Its gone on forever and when that doesnt work as we now see with the current government and the opposition, they bring in anti-strike legislation. They are racking up unnecessary fears about extremism, which is an absolute red herring and an excuse to crack down on protests they find embarrassing.

Look at the way the UK funds supplies to Israel and pharmaceuticals in this country which are being used against the Palestinians. We have a compliant media, so trying to find out what is happening is difficult.

Discussing the fate of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is incarcerated in Belmarsh high security prison in London and awaiting possible extradition to the United States, Celia said, It is criminal what has happened to Assange and verging on evil and totally inhuman.

Stuart was a teenager during the strike. He said, I've come here with my friend to support the miners and show my solidarity. I lived in Salford at the time and I was only young, so I didn't really understand what the strike was about and I didn't really understand the political struggle that was involved.

Stuart

But as I've matured into a grown man, I understand what that strike was about and the ramifications of what happened after that.'

Asked if he agreed that the strike could have been the basis for a mobilization of the working class to bring down the Tory government Stuart said, I think that's true. And I think that's why they [the government] went hell for leather, with every dirty trick on the book, to discredit the miners.

The strike was more than just defeating the miners; it was about defeating the fighting spirit of the working class.'

Asked his views on Assange, he replied, Communication is power. Whoever can control the flow of communication channels has power. So anyone who goes against that needs shutting down. That's how they see it. And Julian Assange is one of those channels that needs shutting down.

Ricky is an actor/entertainer who campaigned for the miners and stood on picket lines.

The Socialist Equality Party has published a new pamphlet marking the 40th anniversary, The Lessons of the 1984-85 miners strike. Order your copy here.
Famed investor Warren Buffett is known for finding quality businesses at a good value and holding them over time. When his conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) first began investing in Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) in 2016, that stock traded at a steep discount to the market -- with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio in the range of 10 to 14.5 that year. Back then, sentiment was negative -- there was a widespread view that Apple's growth was plateauing, its market expansion had played out, and its products were limited -- not to mention it didn't have the high-margin services segment it has today.

A lot has changed since then. But Apple has once again lost its market premium. Over the last six months, the S&P 500 is up 14.6%, while Apple stock is down 4.9%. On March 1, Apple sold off, and the S&P 500 rose. At one point, Apple's P/E ratio fell below the S&P 500's, but it ended up finishing the day at 27.9, which was, coincidentally, the same as the S&P 500.

Berkshire Hathaway's other top public equity holdings -- Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), American Express (NYSE: AXP), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), Chevron (NYSE: CVX), and Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY) -- are all trading at discounts to the S&P 500. Combined with Apple, these six companies make up 78.4% of Berkshire's portfolio.

Let's consider why Buffett and his team like these companies, and the qualities that make them good long-term holdings.

Image source: Getty Images.

Brand power

In Berkshire Hathaway's most recent letter to shareholders, Buffett praised his longtime partner Charlie Munger for many things, including a key lesson he taught Buffett.

Charlie, in 1965, promptly advised me: "Warren, forget about ever buying another company like Berkshire. But now that you control Berkshire, add to it wonderful businesses purchased at fair prices and give up buying fair businesses at wonderful prices. In other words, abandon everything you learned from your hero, Ben Graham. It works but only when practiced at small scale."

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Back then, Buffett was known for buying decent or bad businesses because their book values were higher than their market values. Munger taught Buffett that if he was going to be a great investor managing a larger amount of money, he would have to pivot away from that scrappy strategy toward something more sustainable.

Berkshire's top stock holdings today reflect this shift. Apple is the undisputed leader in smartphones, consumer electronics, and wearable devices, and offers a wide range of services, many with high margins.

Bank of America is the second-largest diversified bank behind JPMorgan Chase.

American Express is a top credit card company, along with Mastercard and Visa (which Berkshire also owns shares in).

Coca-Cola is the most valuable U.S.-based beverage company.

Chevron is the second-biggest U.S.-based oil major, behind ExxonMobil. And Occidental Petroleum, commonly known as Oxy, is one of the most valuable exploration and production companies and, assuming its deal with CrownRock L.P. goes through, will become one of the top producers in the Permian Basin -- the largest onshore oilfield in the U.S.

In sum, Berkshire's biggest stock holdings are all among the top dogs in their respective industries. Many of them have another attribute that Buffett loves -- capital return programs.

Rewarding shareholders

Over the last five years, Apple, Bank of America, and American Express have all boosted their dividends and bought back stock at impressive rates.

AAPL Shares Outstanding Chart

Coke and Chevron have focused primarily on growing their dividends. Both have increased their payouts by more than 50% in the last 10 years. And Chevron has bought back a boatload of stock over the last two years. In 2023 alone, it spent a record $26 billion on dividends and buybacks.

Occidental Petroleum is a bit of an outlier. In 2020, Oxy cut its dividend from $0.79 per share per quarter to just $0.01 per share per quarter. It has since raised its quarterly payout several times, bringing it up to $0.22 per share, but it hasn't been exactly the type of consistent dividend payer Berkshire usually targets.

Oxy is also known for using debt and leveraging up its balance sheet, which it will do to pay for its pending CrownRock acquisition.

In Berkshire's 2023 letter to shareholders, Buffett praised Oxy's leadership and wrote of his confidence in the U.S. oil and natural gas industry. Oxy stands out as a specific play on a specific theme. It amounts to 4.1% of the public equity portfolio, indicating that Berkshire is taking care to manage the position to make sure it doesn't become too large.

Excellent values worth considering now

You may be wondering, if these companies all have qualities that make them suitable investments, then why would they trade at a discount to the market? Part of the reason is simply the industries that these companies are in.

Financial stocks tend to trade at discounts to the market. So do consumer staples companies like Coca-Cola. The oil and natural gas sector is cyclical, so its P/E ratios tend to be low during growth periods and high during downturns. Investors tend to pay a premium for growth companies relative to slower-growing companies, and they tend to favor stability as opposed to cyclicality.

As for Apple, it has been largely unaffected by the artificial intelligence-induced tech bull market, and is facing slowing growth out of China and competition from Huawei. So its valuation has come under pressure as investors search for companies that are growing in the near term.

Sticking to a process

Berkshire's largest stock holdings showcase its highest-conviction names. Berkshire has owned some of these stocks for decades. Others, like Apple, Chevron, and Oxy, are more recent additions to the portfolio.

The key takeaway is that Berkshire knows what it is looking for, and targets companies that fit its criteria -- not simply those that are tied to whichever hot trend is sweeping Wall Street. Berkshire invests in companies that are good values and have attractive capital return programs through dividends and buybacks.

As an individual investor, it's important to find the types of companies and sectors you like. It's also vital to make sure you align your investments with your risk tolerance. Buffett has often said that Berkshire purposely keeps a massive cash position and is conservative with its investments, but that's because capital preservation and limiting downside risk are integral parts of his philosophy.

If you have a high risk tolerance or are multiple decades away from retirement, taking on more risk could make sense for you. But only if you are comfortable with risk and have the patience to hold onto stocks through periods of volatility.

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Bank of America is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. American Express is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Daniel Foelber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Bank of America, Berkshire Hathaway, Chevron, JPMorgan Chase, Mastercard, and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Occidental Petroleum and recommends the following options: long January 2025 $370 calls on Mastercard and short January 2025 $380 calls on Mastercard. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

6 Dividend Stocks Make Up 78.4% of Warren Buffett's $370 Billion Portfolio, and They Are All Cheaper Than the S&P 500 was originally published by The Motley Fool
Even when confronted by Fox News on Sunday morning, Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) couldnt bring herself to admit that she misleadingly attempted to connect the story of a human-trafficking victim to President Joe Biden during her State of the Union rebuttal speech.

Fox News Sunday moderator Shannon Bream pressed Britt on the widespread criticism of her speech, much of which has revolved around the story Britt shared of a woman whod been sex-trafficked and raped by the cartel since age 12the clear implication being that this was due to Biden immigration policies. The senator appeared to be referencing the story of Karla Jacinto Romero, who testified before Congress in 2015 that she was trafficked and assaulted in Mexico, nowhere near the U.S. border, between the years 2004 and 2008, when George W. Bush was president. Romero shared her experience with Britt early last year.

Nobody is questioning that the story happened and she is actually who she is and says she is and that does happen, the question is about the timing and implication of you telling this story, Bream told the senator before asking: Did you mean to give the impression this horrible story happened on President Bidens watch?

TikToker Casts Doubt on Katie Britts Trafficking Anecdote from SOTU Response

Britt dodged the question, instead pivoting to recounting Bidens first 100 days worth of immigration policies, indirectly suggesting human-trafficking has been invited by the president and has increased under his watch.

The liberal media needs to pay attention to it because there are victims all the way coming to the border, there are victims at the border, then there are victims all throughout our country, Britt said. To me, its disgusting to try to silence the voice of telling the story of what it is like to be sex trafficked when we know that is one of the things the drug cartels are profiting most off of.

An unconvinced Bream further pushed back on the senator: To be clear, the story you relayed is not something thats happened under the Biden administration, that particular person?

Katie Britt Should Have Known the SOTU Response Was a Trap

Britts response, days after her spokesperson told news outlets the story she shared was 100% correct, was to leave the woman unnamed and indirectly admit the story was decades-old while not addressing whether she meant to imply it was Bidens fault.

I very clearly said I spoke to a woman who told me about when she was trafficked when she was 12, so I didnt say a teenager. I didnt say a young woman or a grown woman, a woman when she was trafficked when she was 12, the senator insisted. So listening to her story, she was a victims-right advocate who is saying this is what drug cartels are doing, this is how theyre profiting off of women, and it is disgusting. So I am hopeful that it brings some light to it and we can actually do something about human trafficking and that thats what the media actually decides to cover.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Police allege Michael Meyden, 57, spiked a batch of smoothies at his daughter's sleepover

Getty Stock image of police car lights

A 12-year-old girl who police allege was drugged last summer by her friend's father at a sleepover says she began to grow concerned after she became dizzy and started tipping over before falling into a deep, thick sleep.



In a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE this week, authorities allege 57-year-old Michael Meyden spiked a batch of smoothies with Benzodiazepines he then gave to his daughter and three of her 12-year-old friends during a sleepover last August.

Meyden, who according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE got divorced from his wife of 16 years less than two months after the alleged Aug. 25 incident, pleaded not guilty to nine felony and misdemeanor charges in court last Wednesday, according to The Oregonian.

The Lake Oswego Police Department said in a news release that Meyden was charged with three counts of Causing Another to Ingest a Controlled Substance, three counts of Application of a Schedule-4 Controlled Substance to Another, and three more for Delivery of a Controlled Substance to a Minor.

His bond was set at $50,000 and county jail records reviewed by PEOPLE last week show he is no longer in custody.

Related: A Girl Refused to Drink Smoothie Allegedly Spiked by Oregon Dad: How Her Texts Led to His Arrest

According to the probable cause affidavit, the parents of Meydens daughters three friends took their children, all aged 12, to the hospital the morning after they drank the smoothies at the sleepover. One girl, who drank two of the mango smoothies, told investigators during an interview at Randall Childrens Hospital that she remembered starting to feel woozy, hot and clumsy shortly after drinking the second smoothie, the affidavit says.

The girl told police she and her three friends were telling scary stories before bed and she recalled tipping over when she went to stand up. She initially brushed off the feeling because it was around midnight, but then she told police she doesnt recall what happened next upon blacking out.

Related: Girl at Sleepover Where Friend's Dad Allegedly Drugged Group Texted Mom in Panic: 'Please Pick Up. Please'

The affidavit says the girl said she then went into a thick, deep sleep that she had never experienced before. Both the girl and her mother, who also spoke with officers at the hospital, told police the girl is typically a very light sleeper, according to the affidavit.

The girl slept on a pull-out couch next to one of her friends, who did not drink much of her smoothie because she did not like the taste. The smoothies allegedly had small white chunks in them and white powder on top, according to the affidavit.

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A short while later, while the girls slept, the girl who avoided the smoothies told police Meyden allegedly removed her arm from around the girl who drank two smoothies and separated them from each other on the pull-out couch. When Meyden left the room, the girl who was pretending to be asleep then began frantically texting her parents and then several other friends begging to be picked up, according to the affidavit.

Related: Girls Describe Harrowing Experience After Friend's Dad Allegedly Drugged Them at Sleepover: 'He Seemed Drunk'

She finally reached a friend, who sent their mother to the house to pick up the girl who was awake, according to the affidavit. That girl managed to get home, wake up her parents, and inform them about Meydens allegedly suspicious behavior. They contacted the parents of the two other girls who were visiting Meydens home, and those parents went to Meydens house around 3 a.m. to pick up their daughters, taking them to the hospital later that morning.

Police obtained a search warrant later that night and confiscated a Vitamix blender, a mortar and pestle, cups, straws, tramadol and five bottles of temazepam from Meydens home, the affidavit says.

Local KIRO7 reports Meyden is now living in Vancouver, Wash.

Additional reporting by Christine Pelisek.

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The following lightly edited excerpt is from Tribune reporter Gregory Royal Pratts new book, The City is Up for Grabs: How Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Led and Lost a City in Crisis, which the Chicago Review Press will publish on April 2. In the book, Pratt recounts and assesses the complex legacy of a controversial mayor who led the city through the COVID-19 health crisis. Pratt covered Chicagos City Hall for more than five years. He currently is an investigative reporter at the Tribune.

George Floyds murder by Minneapolis police officers on May 25, 2020, angered the world. Like the police killing of Laquan McDonald, Floyds murder came in a city with highly institutionalized racism and ongoing segregation. The protests first started peacefully, then became violent. As tensions turned destructive, the citys mayor, Jacob Frey, ordered cops to abandon the third precinct police station, which was then burned down. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot watched the unfolding events with disgust. During a planning meeting with her City Hall staff, Lightfoot declared, They wont burn my city down.

As protests enveloped the country, Chicago Police leaders felt they were in good shape for expected demonstrations. Department chief of staff Bob Boik, however, had some concerns and proposed the idea of raising bridges to limit downtown access. Chicago has 18 drawbridges over the river around the central business district. The brass and Lightfoot aides thought raising the bridges would be overkill and didnt like the optics of cutting downtown from the rest of the city. They also felt they were best in the country at handling protests, a reputation Chicago police feel they earned after successfully handling left-wing demonstrations against NATO in 2012 and every action since. The lack of widespread violence over McDonalds murder also inspired a sense that the city would be OK.

Early in the week after Floyds murder, city officials thought the administration was handling the mostly peaceful protests well. But the mood started shifting as the week went on. Boiks concern escalated as he was standing under the L tracks downtown and saw people on the platform throw rocks and bricks at police. There was some small-scale looting too, though Boik called City Hall and asked the Department of Streets and Sanitation to sweep up the glass. The idea was to put on a brave face and hold the city together.

The next morning, Chicago cops and Lightfoot held a meeting and decided to raise the bridges. It took longer than expected, as only a small number of city workers are trained to take on the task. They had also been expecting a protest at 2:30 p.m., but the demonstrators arrived much earlier than intelligence indicated and subsequently overwhelmed police in an increasingly violent series of encounters. There were also car protests that complicated logistics and planning, as the officers hadnt started staging yet, and it was a challenge to handle both at once.

Lightfoot spent much of the day at the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), which has a control center with walls of screens tied to the citys camera system, allowing for a panopticon view of Chicago. Its like a scene out of Batman. Her presence was appreciated and expected at first, but it started to become a distraction. Lightfoot watched the screens intently. She would look up, see someone committing a crime or other act of vandalism, and shout it out for action. Boik and any other police official with a radio nearby would then rush to the air and ask, Is that addressed? Some of it was relatively minor, however, and the mayors orders put the already stressed command staff on edge. It was also taking away focus from bigger issues. Eventually, Deputy Chief Randy Darlin walked up to her and said, Maam, with all due respect, Im in command here. She backed off.

Later that night, Lightfoot called a news conference and instituted a citywide curfew of 9 p.m.  a move she announced just after 8:20, giving the public a short window of time to get home. What started out as a peaceful protest has now evolved into criminal conduct, Lightfoot said, denouncing people she said came downtown armed for all-out battle and promising, I will not let criminals take over our city and shame the majority of us. Lightfoot also said she wasnt considering asking Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker to call in the National Guard for further assistance.

The morning after, Lightfoot emailed OEMC Director Rich Guidice and asked him to make sure ALL camera feeds from yesterday from Roosevelt to and including Oak Street, from the Lake to the Expressway are preserved from noon until 5:00 am. I know that is a huge volume, but we need to make sure that if there are any accusations of misconduct by CPD, we have the video to disprove it, and also if we need evidence for any of the arrests made or TBD, we have video support.

Lightfoot wasnt really concerned about anyones civil rights. She later told the inspector generals office that the protests had been a concerted effort to bring chaos to our cities. It was, Lightfoot said, a conspiracy, sophisticated, paid for and promoted by someone in multiple cities across the country at the same time. Thats not a coincidence. She made the same point in calls to congresspeople and staff. Nobody could figure out whom she was talking about, and one staffer quipped it was the Russians.

Raising the bridges and implementing a curfew did not stop the chaos. Sunday, the riots spread to Chicagos neighborhoods, mostly on the South and West sides. I had been on a furlough for the past week, monitoring the national crisis and keeping up on Chicago, but I was back to work that Sunday  and I spent it driving around the South Side with my colleague, Jessica Villagomez, where we watched every major intersection with a store get looted. Police and security often stood nearby, helpless and overwhelmed by the numbers.

Throughout the crisis, Lightfoot stayed in touch with alderpersons. Through the Freedom of Information Act, Ive obtained what the city purports to be all of her texts with the citys 50 individual alderpersons, and this period is the closest she came to treating the council like a real partner. As protests escalated, Lightfoot texted North Side Ald. Scott Waguespack, This has been an unbelievable day. I am so angry and saddened by how vicious and nasty some of these young people acted today. It was so painful to watch.

West Side Ald. Chris Taliaferro texted her, Mayor, the wards are experiencing heavy looting and large crowds gathering. Will the National Guard or police redeploy to the south and west sides before we (lose) control of them?

Ever defensive, Lightfoot replied with photos of cops on the West Side and said, This problem is all over the area, not just in Chicago. And if the caucus wanted to be helpful, activate your faith, community and other stakeholders to be in the streets to help calm it down and call people out.

When Taliaferro suggested a sunset to sunrise curfew, Lightfoot replied, Man, Im getting shit for even daring to implement anything!

Northwest Side Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez texted the mayor with alarm about the curfew. Im getting reports of CPD running over protestors, bridges up and CTA down and People trying to leave downtown and not being able to, Rodriguez Sanchez said. Im really concerned about the safety of the protestors. It seems like 35 minutes is not enough to allow people to get home safe.

Your info is incorrect. The people that remain downtown are looters, not protesters, Lightfoot responded. I am watching this unfold. Happy to discuss, but we are trying to protect lives and property. The two then exchanged a flurry of messages:

Rodriguez Sanchez: I know people downtown, they are not looting. Can we get (CTA) back up in the loop for people to leave?

Lightfoot: Rossana, I am watching it real time from the OEMC. People can go west to the blue line or catch the brown line north.

Rodriguez Sanchez: I understand that. Im also getting messages from scared young black People who dont know where to go. I dont think they are looters. They just want to go home and are confused about how to do that.

Lightfoot: Go west and then north. Rossana, the city is up for grabs.

She also texted South Side Ald. Michelle Harris, You awake?

Yes, Harris texted back. Im up (watching) our resident(s) going crazy.

Ald. Greg Mitchell texted Lightfoot a picture of a fire at 95th and Clyde. Current fire? Lightfoot asked.

Yes, Mitchell responded. Im here now watching it burn.

That Sunday, Lightfoot held a painful conference call with alderpersons, an incident best reported by WTTW-TV reporters Heather Cherone and Paris Schutz. While some people dismissed the looting and riots as crime covered by insurance or argued that it was a sign of righteous anger, it destroyed businesses, particularly on the South and West sides, where bigger companies were reluctant to set up shop and smaller businesses sometimes struggled. On the call, Harris worried about Walmart and CVS not reopening. What are we going to have left in our community? she asked. Nothing. Ald. Pat Dowell, whose ward spans some of the citys wealthier areas in the South Loop and tougher stretches on the South Side, lamented the riots. Ive worked really hard over the last seven years, and now I feel like I am five feet back.

Already, a narrative was forming that Lightfoot chose to protect downtown at the expense of the neighborhoods, which Lightfoot countered head-on by saying it offends me deeply, personally, in part because it is simply not so. Weve been working our ass off. It is all over the city. She recounted some of the craziest scenes: A dude with a sledgehammer breaking into a clothing store so a crowd of several dozen people could loot. A crowd at Madison and Pulaski being gassed with pepper spray twice, but they didnt give a shit. I dont know about you, but I havent seen shit like this before, not in Chicago, she said.

Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza cried. Ald. Edward Burke put it into historical perspective: This is far worse than it was in 1968. Lightfoots frequent critic, Ald. Raymond Lopez, complained about a virtual war zone in his ward. She blew him off and said he was 100 percent full of shit. Well, fuck you then, Lopez responded. The city blocking off downtown gave way to neighborhood looting, but that wasnt the strategy. It was a wildfire that couldnt be controlled. Lightfoot shared her reaction with me in a text: Utterly depressing.

After the riots cooled in the first week of June, other political matters bubbled. City Hall worried about the unrest harming Chicagos reopening plan, a concern about which she texted downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly. We should have a conversation about what tomorrow could look like for the downtown, Reilly said. Very worried about protests, then violence, then looting returning if we end the lockdown.

There was enormous anxiety about COVID-19 and the possibility of more violence, but Lightfoot decided the city needed to reopen, a tougher call than it looked but the right one. Everywhere I went I asked a question: Should we open or should we delay? Lightfoot asked at a news conference. And to universal acclaim, emphatically, what I heard from people is Mayor, we have to step forward. We have to open.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
If youre wondering how to watch Meiji Gekken: 1874 Season 1 Episode 10 online, your search ends here. Set in Meiji-era Japan, it follows the journey of Shizuma Orikasa, a former samurai turned into a rickshaw driver. Shizuma sets out on a mission to find his missing fiance. However, he soon finds himself involved in a conspiracy to overthrow the government.

Heres where you will be able to watch Meiji Gekken: 1874 Season 1 Episode 10 online.

Is Meiji Gekken: 1874 Season 1 Episode 10 streaming online?

Yes, you will be able to stream Meiji Gekken: 1874 Season 1 Episode 10 on Crunchyroll.

The voice cast members of Meiji Gekken: 1874 are as follows:

Yuichi Nakamura as Shizuma Origasa

Satoshi Mikami as Kyoshiro Shuragami

Tomoyo Kurosawa as Sumie Kanomata/Hinazuru

Lynn as Senri Kuroki

Kazuhiro Yamaji as Buhei Hiramatsu

Katsuhisa Hoki as Toshiyoshi Kawaji

Kazuyuki Okitsu as Goro Fujita

Miyuki Sato as Koume

Mie Sonozaki as Koto Nakazawa

Daisuke Kasuya as Junpei Midorikawa

How to watch Meiji Gekken: 1874 Season 1 Episode 10 and stream online

As Meiji Gekken: 1874 Season 1 is available to watch via Crunchyroll, you will be able to watch its episodes by signing up. Crunchyroll offers 3 subscription plans to viewers from which they can choose the one best suited to their preferences.

The Crunchyroll Fan subscription plan is priced at $7.99 a month.

The Crunchyroll Mega Fan subscription plan is priced at $9.99 per month.

The Ultimate Crunchyroll Fan subscription plan is priced at $14.99 a month.

Besides access to anime shows, Crunchyroll also offers access to hundreds of mangas and East Asian dramas.

The official synopsis for Meiji Gekken: 1874 Season 1 reads:

A former samurai, a yakuza bodyguard, a devious spy, and a geisha assassin try to find their place in the rapidly evolving Meiji era while escaping the sins of their pasts.

Netflixs new TV and movie releases for March 11-17 2024 include Lindsay Lohans Irish Wish, the fourth season of Miraculous:

Guides Abdul Azim Naushad 18 hours ago

Paramount Pluss new TV and movie releases for March 11-17 2024 include the film Sleeping with Other People and Season

Guides Abdul Azim Naushad 18 hours ago

Peacocks new TV and movie releases for March 11-17 2024 include the film Trolls: Band Together and its special Sing

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Amazon Prime Videos new TV and movie releases for March 11-17 2024 include Invincible Season 2 Part 2, the romantic

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The post Meiji Gekken: 1874 Season 1 Episode 10 Streaming: How to Watch & Stream Online appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in Molten Ventures implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

A total of 9 investors have a majority stake in the company with 52% ownership

Insiders have been buying lately

If you want to know who really controls Molten Ventures Plc (LON:GROW), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. We can see that institutions own the lion's share in the company with 69% ownership. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Molten Ventures, beginning with the chart below.

See our latest analysis for Molten Ventures

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Molten Ventures?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Molten Ventures. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Molten Ventures' historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Story continues

Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Molten Ventures. The company's largest shareholder is Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, with ownership of 8.1%. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 8.0% and 6.9%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

We also observed that the top 9 shareholders account for more than half of the share register, with a few smaller shareholders to balance the interests of the larger ones to a certain extent.

Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There is a little analyst coverage of the stock, but not much. So there is room for it to gain more coverage.

Insider Ownership Of Molten Ventures

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. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of Molten Ventures Plc in their own names. But they may have an indirect interest through a corporate structure that we haven't picked up on. It appears that the board holds about UK3.1m worth of stock. This compares to a market capitalization of UK426m. Many tend to prefer to see a board with bigger shareholdings. A good next step might be to take a look at this free summary of insider buying and selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 11% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders.

Private Equity Ownership

With a stake of 14%, private equity firms could influence the Molten Ventures board. Some investors might be encouraged by this, since private equity are sometimes able to encourage strategies that help the market see the value in the company. Alternatively, those holders might be exiting the investment after taking it public.

Private Company Ownership

It seems that Private Companies own 3.8%, of the Molten Ventures stock. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company.

Next Steps:

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. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with Molten Ventures (at least 2 which make us uncomfortable) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The Meiji Gekken: 1874 Season 1 Episode 10 release date and time have been revealed. The episode will air on Crunchyroll. Set in 1874 in Meiji-era Japan, people from all walks of life find themselves involved in a plan to topple the government. It is created by Tsukasa Sakurai and Naoki Tozuka.

Heres when the episode is coming out.

When is the Meiji Gekken: 1874 Season 1 Episode 10 release date and time?

Meiji Gekken: 1874 Season 1 Episode 10 comes out on March 17, 2024.

The official release time of Meiji Gekken: 1874 Season 1 Episode 10 is unknown. However, Crunchyroll typically drops new episodes at 1:00 P.M.  Eastern Time (ET). Therefore, the estimated release time of the upcoming episode is as follows:

10:00 A.M.  Pacific Time (PT)

1:00 P.M.  Eastern Time (ET)

7:00 P.M.  British Summer Time (BST)

8:00 P.M.  Central European Summer Time (CEST)

Where to watch Meiji Gekken: 1874 Season 1 Episode 10

Viewers can watch the upcoming episode on Crunchyroll.

To watch episode 10, you can purchase a Crunchyroll subscription plan. Crunchyroll is one of the best streaming services for anime lovers. It offers access to hundreds of anime and manga series. Crunchyroll offers 3 subscription plans to users.

The Fan subscription plan is cheapest and costs $7.99 a month. Meanwhile, the Mega Fan subscription plan costs $9.99 monthly and offers additional features. For the best experience, viewers can opt for the Ultimate Fan subscription plan, which costs $14.99 monthly.

Season 1 premiered on January 14, 2024, and follows a weekly release schedule. It is directed by Jin Tamamura and produced by Ben Cook.

The official synopsis for Meiji Gekken: 1874 Season 1 reads:

A former samurai, a yakuza bodyguard, a devious spy, and a geisha assassin try to find their place in the rapidly evolving Meiji era while escaping the sins of their pasts.

Netflixs new TV and movie releases for March 11-17 2024 include Lindsay Lohans Irish Wish, the fourth season of Miraculous:

Guides Abdul Azim Naushad 18 hours ago

Paramount Pluss new TV and movie releases for March 11-17 2024 include the film Sleeping with Other People and Season

Guides Abdul Azim Naushad 18 hours ago

Peacocks new TV and movie releases for March 11-17 2024 include the film Trolls: Band Together and its special Sing

Guides Abdul Azim Naushad 18 hours ago

Amazon Prime Videos new TV and movie releases for March 11-17 2024 include Invincible Season 2 Part 2, the romantic

Guides Abdul Azim Naushad 18 hours ago

The post Meiji Gekken: 1874 Season 1 Episode 10 Release Date & Time on Crunchyroll appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
The couple have been married since 2021

Kevin Mazur/Getty Riko Shibata and Nicolas Cage at the 2024 Oscars on March 10, 2024

Nicolas Cage strolled down the red carpet hand-in-hand with wife Riko Shibata at the 2024 Oscars on Sunday.

The couple appeared very close, with Cage, 60, sporting a classic tuxedo and Shibata, 28, donning a unique black and gray textured gown paired with a gem-covered black purse.

Cage, a Best Actor winner for Leaving Las Vegas and nominee for Adaptation, is slated to present during the 96th Academy Awards hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.



Related: Who Is Nicolas Cage's Wife? All About Riko Shibata

The Oscar-winning actor told Flaunt Magazine in October 2021 that he had met Shibata through mutual friends while in Shiga, Japan, where he was filming the 2021 movie Prisoners of the Ghostland.

Cage said on his brother Marc Coppola's radio show in August 2020 that he proposed to Shibata via FaceTime.

"She left New York and went back to Kyoto, Japan, and I went back to Nevada and I haven't seen her for six months," Cage said on the podcast. "We were really happy together and we were really excited to spend that time together so I finally just said, 'Look, I wanna marry you,' and we got engaged on FaceTime," he said.

The actor also explained he gave Shibata a black diamond ring and mailed it to Japan after proposing.

John Shearer/WireImage Riko Shibata and Nicolas Cage at the 2024 Oscars

"Her favorite color is black so she wanted the black gold, and the black diamond," he said at the time. "I found it and I customized and personalized it and I actually sent it to her via FedEx."

The couple tied the knot on Feb. 16, 2021 in a "very small and intimate wedding at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas," a rep for the actor told PEOPLE at the time.

The marriage is Cage's fifth. "I know five is a lot, but I think I got it right this time," he told the Los Angeles Times then.

Shibata and Cage went on to welcome their first child together, daughter August Francesca, on Sept. 7, 2022. This is the actor's third child; he is already a dad to sons Kal-El, 18, and Weston, 33, from previous relationships. Shibata, 28, is a first-time mom.

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The 96th Academy Awards will air live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, March 10, at 7 p.m. ET.

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Read the original article on People.
A group of students at a college in Rhode Island surprised a school security guard with the trip of a lifetime.

As reported by local ABC affiliate WCVB-TV, a group of freshmen at Providence College started a GoFundMe page in an effort to send their dorms security guard on a trip home to Nigeria. The security guard, James Mogaji, works four overnight shifts per week on campus, and hasnt seen his family in 11 years. After the GoFundMe raised $18,658, more than five times the students initial goal of $3,500, Mogaji will visit Nigeria in June.

Earlier this week, the group of students posted a video on social media in which Mogaji first learned of his long-deserved trip home. As seen in the clip, Mogaji falls to his knees after being overcome with emotion upon learning the news.

"He's just the kindest soul anyone has ever met in this building. He means so much to us he's so important. It was amazing how fast everyone connected and were able to put it together for him," freshman student Brandon Reichert, who helped organize the GoFundMe, told WCVB.

The schools Dean of Students, Steven Sears, shed light on the impact Mogaji has had on the school since he started working at Providence College earlier this year.

What is so special is the impact James has had on all of us, Sears said. His reaction and the authenticity not only for this group and the students involved with him and the care, and what he said at the end is that he is praying for them, he is praying for their success, and that God watches over them and that he does that everyday.
Greeces Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival is reacting with shock to an incident Saturday night in which two LGBTQ people were attacked by a huge crowd in a square outside one of the festivals main screening venues.

According to local news reports and videos posted to YouTube, a crowd of youths numbering between 150 to 300 began shouting abuse at two 21-year-old self-identified nonbinary people, then hurled bottles at them and chased the pair into a nearby restaurant.

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The mob continued to harass them, banging at the window of the restaurant, one news site reported, urging the staff to send them out. The harassment continued even when police arrived at the scene.

The incident took place around 10:30 p.m. in Aristotelous Square, where the historic Olympion cinema is located  the largest screening venue for the documentary festival. The victims can be spotted briefly at the end of the video below:

One of the victims told newsit.gr they were visiting from Athens when they were set upon by the crowd. Out of nowhere, many groups started approaching us, whistling, cursing us, one of the targets of the attack said. I was personally spat on, one pulled my jacket, they pushed us, they threw bottles at us.

The violent outburst, though not connected with TiDF per se, takes place as this years festival recognizes the LGBTQ experience and nonfiction cinema devoted to documenting the community, with a special section it is calling Citizen Queer.

The Olympion cinema in Thessalonikis Aristotelous Square.

The news of the attack against two trans people, which took place on Saturday night at Aristotelous Square, filled us with anger and repugnance, TiDF said in a statement shared with Deadline. The Festival unreservedly and explicitly condemns any act of homophobic and racist violence, sending out a loud and clear message of tolerance, inclusivity, acceptance and visibility through the full scope of its actions: the 26th TiDFs large-scale tribute Citizen Queer featuring LGBTQI+ documentaries, talks and presentations from acclaimed speakers, its lineup of films, the Mermaid Award, as well as its support towards the upcoming EuroPride.

The statement continued, As we have repeatedly stated, the Festival discards any acts of hatred and violence and the extremist voices of intolerance and racism, serving as an open platform of art, inclusivity and dialogue.

An image from the Citizen Queer program of TiDF

The Citizen Queer program features a slate of 25 films, from new work to benchmarks of LGBTQ nonfiction cinema like The Celluloid Closet, the 1995 film directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman that unpacked the history of gay imagery in Hollywood. Several films by director Panayotis Evangelidis are being screened, including 2022s Tilos Weddings, which focuses on the first gay and lesbian weddings held in Greece, in 2008, in the island of Tilos.

Maria Katsikadakou, also known as Maria Cyber, who serves as one of the special consultants to Citizen Queer, told Deadline she was not surprised to hear of the violent incident in Aristotelous Square.

Maria Cyber

Fascism is growing, the fascist behavior is growing, she said. It is so important to walk in the street like the streets belong to us, too. It is an awful fear that they try to create inside us through intimidation. They try to oppress us, to put us down. And this is the moment we have to stand out proud.

She added, In society, we have achieved so many things, so many rights. It is the moment that we have to have no tolerance for any kind of fascism, racism, homophobia, sexism, patriarchy. We have to raise our voices We are the guardian angels in society for justice, for equality. We fight for ages. We cannot give this victory to them. We cannot be afraid of them.

Last month, the Greek parliament approved same-sex marriage, the first majority Orthodox Christian country to legalize such unions. But the legislation has met with intense backlash from the Orthodox Church. According to the Associated Press, a church body on the island of Corfu imposed a religious ban on two legislators who voted to approve the same-sex marriage law. Church officials there accused the lawmakers of committing the deepest spiritual and moral error, according to the AP report.

Just three days ago, a Greek writer and his partner were married in a civil ceremony, becoming the first same-sex couple to have their union recognized since passage of the same-sex marriage law.

Greek author Petros Hadjopoulos, who uses the pen name Auguste Corteau, hugs his husband, lawyer Anastasios Samouilidis.

The Greek capitals mayor officiated at the civil wedding on Thursday of Petros Hadjopoulos, who writes under the pen name Auguste Corteau, and lawyer Anastasios Samouilidis, the AP reported. Hadjopoulos said the event was a dream that we didnt dare entertain when we were in our teens.

In June, Thessaloniki will host EuroPride, an event celebrating the LGBTQI community that has previously been held in Paris, London, Stockholm, Madrid, and other major European cities. Maria Cyber, one of Greeces first lesbian activists, says the city has a lot of work to do in preparation.

The mayor has to help, and the organization running it, they have a lot to do to make the town safe for queers, she said. She advises the city to put up posters and disseminate ads in print and on radio that say no tolerance to homophobia, no tolerance to fascism. They have to make a campaign, so when the end of June comes and EuroPride [happens], people already have been bombarded with information against the homophobia, against fascism, against sexism, et cetera, transphobia, lesbian phobia. So, theres a lot of work that has to be done.

Cyber said the point of such a campaign is, Instead of making the fascist voice stronger, to put them back in their cave where they belong, actually.

In the video below, one of the victims of the attack speaks about the incident (in Greek).

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The Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning film A New Kind of Wilderness has bowed at the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival in Greece, marking its European premiere.

Director Silje Evensmo Jacobsen attended the Thessaloniki premiere in person along with two of the films protagonists: Freja Vatne Payne and Ronja Breda Vatne. Freja and Ronja are the daughters of Maria Vatne, a gifted photographer who celebrated her familys unorthodox lifestyle in a remote area of Norway through a blog called Wild + Free. The film begins with stunning footage and photographs taken by Vatne of her kids  in addition to the girls, boys Falk (Norwegian for falcon) and the youngest, Ulv (Norwegian for wolf).

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But that opening sequence is punctuated by a bracing image  Vatne hooked up to tubes as she receives chemotherapy treatment. This idyllic life of farming, home-schooling, and communing with nature will be cruelly interrupted by tragedy.

L-R Q&A moderator, Ronja Breda Vatne, Freja Vatne Payne, and director Silje Evensmo Jacobsen.

I discovered Marias blog 10 years ago, Jacobsen explained at a Q&A on Saturday in Thessaloniki. I called her because her photos and stories really grabbed me. They were amazing. I wanted to make a TV series and I reached out to her.

Jacobsen said she met in person with Vatne but despite Marias enthusiasm for the TV project, it ultimately didnt come to fruition. After the photographers untimely death, the director wanted to document the new and unexpected challenges facing Marias widower, Nik Payne and the kids (Payne is stepfather to the eldest daughter, Ronja). I realized I had to make something, Jacobsen said. It was still a real-life project on their values, but they were going on a different journey now.

A New Kind of Wilderness

That journey of grief and fitful healing has touched viewers beginning at Sundance, where the film won the top prize for World Cinema Documentary. In Thessaloniki, a number of audience members expressed their emotional reactions. One viewer asked Ronja and Freja how they were able to open up in such a vulnerable way for the camera.

It was, of course, hard at times, Ronja conceded, but we kind of have been so natural [on] camera for so many years because our mom always documented everything. But sharing everything, it was very difficult, but we felt that it was worth it because then we have something to see back on. And for me, when I see myself and my journey and my growth through the film, I feel like its still worth it Its been a really up and down journey.

L-R Falk, Ulv, and dad Nik Payne in A New Kind of Wilderness

A New Kind of Wilderness is playing in International Competition at Thessaloniki, along with world premieres Stray Bodies (directed by Elina Psykou), Unclickable (directed by Babis Makridis), Pol Pot Dancing (directed by Eugene Sanchez), and nine other films. From Thessaloniki, Jacobsens film will head to Docville  the all-documentary festival in Leuven, Belgium that begins March 20. On March 22, the film will screen at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen.

Danish outfit DR Sales is handling world sales of A New Kind of Wilderness. Cinetic is working on U.S. sales, per Jacobsen.

I think its a film to see on the big screen, Jacobsen told Deadline. Hopefully, it will get a theatrical life in the U.S. as well.

L-R Ulv, Falk, and Freja photographed by their mother, Maria Vatne.

On her Instagram page, Vatne described herself as photographer, farmer & mama to four wildlings. Among her photographic essays on Wild + Free is one she called Faeries & wildlings which show her three youngest children in a forest setting that teems with wildflowers.

Every spring they appear like a magical blanket in the woods, covering the forest floor with their beautiful faerie-like spirit, the woodland anemones, Vatne wrote. Perfect for capturing my equally magical wildlings in, so I do it, every year, its a part of our celebration of spring.

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Two stars in their respective fields. Two women with Notre Dame ties. One is a designer and inventor. The other is a teacher, artist and mentor. Both are good at what they do and recently won awards. Time to introduce Julia Cutajar and Christy Burgess.

Julia Cutajar is a senior at the University of Notre Dame. Her winning design for effective dental hygiene for children will be at the Chicago International Houseware show March 1-19, 2024. She won third place and $1,500 in the International Housewares Association's annual Student Design Competition for her design this year.

Julia is a senior at Notre Dame and she is the designer part of this story. She received third place in the annual Student Design Competition for the International Housewares Association. The winning industrial design students and their products will take part in the Inspired Home Show scheduled for March 17-19 at Chicagos McCormick Place.

Namely News: How do you pass the citizenship exam? La Casa de Amistad helps immigrants to prepare

Besides being with lots of creative people in Chicago and having a good time, she won $1,500.

Her design is Swishy, a toothbrushing companion for children. It encourages children to brush longer and better. The kid-friendly design features a whale with a mouth full of teeth. The teeth light up in quadrants to show kids which teeth they should be brushing as they follow along with the two-minute-long sequence. The whales blowhole doubles as a toothbrush holder and triggers the whales mouth to open and close when the toothbrush is removed and replaced.

A child uses University of Notre Dame student Julia Cutajar's Swishy to guide her through brushing her teeth correctly.

The competition asks college students to redesign an existing housewares product to meet future needs or a whole new product. Winners are selected for innovation, understanding production and marketing and quality. There were more than 350 entries.

Julia is from New York and planned to study architecture at Notre Dame. Her direction shifted to smaller designs, smaller products. I have a great passion for designing for children. Take a mundane task, but an important task. Make the task engaging. Thats what good design does.

Julia studied the design possibilities and talked to parents during the fall semester. There were 50 ideas, and I narrowed it down, she said. From there it was design, 3D printing and testing. The whale fits into a bathroom theme and it is not jarring.

The brushing process begins with squeezing the tail to activate the LED timer. Each of Swishy's teeth light up green in succession for 35 seconds leaving some buffer room for spitting out toothpaste and potential distractions. When the job is done, all the teeth are green.

In the marketplace, Swishy would be about $20.

She said the show may lead to an internship, employment or the chance to sell Swishy to a business.

How about an appearance on Shark Tank? Julia said it was something to discuss.

Her dream job is to continue designing for special needs children. If you can design for a task, adapt to the skills, that is a confidence booster. The chance to help them to be self-sufficient is special. They are an underserved community.



Christy Burgess, the director of the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival Community Company, accepts the Governor's Arts Award from Gov. Eric Holcomb on Feb. 27, 2024. She is also the co-founder and Shakespeare Outreach Director for the Robinson Shakespeare Company (RSC) at the Robinson Community Learning Center.

The teacher and mentor part of this is Christy Burgess. She is the director of the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival's Community Company and works with the Robinson Community Learning Center. She recently won the Governors Arts Award, which is Indianas highest achievement in the arts.

Im so humbled to receive this award. It is such an honor. It means that the arts are important to the development of children. They learn language, the depth of knowledge, Christy said. They gain confidence to do anything.

Lining her office walls are posters from performances and photos of students. Many of her actors/students went to college and careers in many fields. This year, 36 students are in the Shakespeare program at Robinson.

Christy Burgess rehearses a scene as May for New World Arts' production of "Fool for Love" April 7,2009, at the theater in Goshen.

Christy attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks and received her master's degree in drama and theater education from the University of Warwick, Coventry, England. Before moving to South Bend, Christy worked at the Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre as the education manager.

In Alaska, she traveled the rural parts of the state and led Shakespeare workshops with youths and Alaska Native elders. Christy was the North American teaching consultant for the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2012-13 and currently serves as the education committee co-chair for the Shakespeare Theatre Association.

She arrived in 2008 from Alaska and things havent slowed down. As director of NDSF's Community Company, she leads the ShakeScenes, an annual Shakespeare event for students from kindergarten through high school, as well as Shakespeare After Hours, an adult event.

Since moving to South Bend in 2008, Christy also has acted with such local theaters as South Bend Civic, The Acting Ensemble and New World Arts.

Christy Burgess, left, and Scot Shepley are shown rehearsing a scene for The Acting Ensemble Stage Company's production of David Ives' "Venus in Fur" that opens Friday at Studio 217 in South Bend. SBT Photo/ANDREW S. HUGHES

At Robinson, she is the outreach director and there she has reached thousands of students and hundreds of teachers with drama classes, workshops and productions. Christy directs the RSC through three performances each year and guides youth participation in the English Speaking Union Shakespeare Monologue Competition.

In 2017, Christy and the RSC journeyed to London and Stratford-upon-Avon where they were the first company to perform at Shakespeares New Place and also received a workshop onstage at Shakespeares Globe Theatre.

She recalled the introduction of Shakespeare to the Robinson community was a challenge. She said Velshonna Luckey, who was the youth development program director, opened doors in the community and got the idea to work. It took off and is a loved addition to the center.

I love what I do," she said. "I love teaching.

Kathy Borlik

Kathy's email is kfborlik@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame women win awards in design and arts fields
Some teachers in Oklahoma say they are afraid to teach a book that is the foundation of "Killers of the Flower Moon," one the most talked about films of the year.

Nominated for 10 Oscars, the movie depicts the true story of white settlers who systematically murdered wealthy members of the Osage tribe in Oklahoma in the 1920s. The Native Americans became rich after oil was discovered on their land.

In northern Oklahoma, just minutes from the Osage Nation, high school English teacher Debra Thoreson says because of new laws in the state she is too nervous to teach the popular book on which the movie is based.

"If I were teaching that book, we'd get to what in society allowed that story to happen." Thoreson told ABC News' MaryAlice Parks on "This Week." "What were the laws at the time? What were the social dynamics between races and genders? And you cannot get into that without people being uncomfortable."

PHOTO: Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone in 'Killers of the Flower Moon.' (Apple TV+)

She says she's worried having an in-depth conversation about that chapter in Oklahoma state history could put her teaching licenses and school at risk.

In 2021, the state's Republican-led legislature passed House Bill 1775 which bans diversity training and limits discussions around race and sex in schools. Among other concepts it bans teaching that "any individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race or sex," according to the Oklahoma state Legislature.

Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, signed HB 1775 into law in May 2021.

"We can and should teach this history without labeling a young child as an oppressor or requiring he or she feel guilt or shame based on their race or sex," Stitt told ABC News in a statement at the time. "I refuse to tolerate otherwise during a time when we are already so polarized."

Some of the penalties for running afoul of this law include teachers losing their license and accreditation for schools being revoked, according to the law.

State educators and leaders of the Osage Nation are worried the law silences teachers and halts progress toward teaching a fuller, more accurate version of state history.

MORE: Battle over how to teach race and racism in America's schools

"Feel good history doesn't help anybody," Jim Gray, former chief of the Osage Nation, told Parks. "They don't want to feel bad about what happened in the past. Well, I'm sorry to say that to my great grandfather who was taken out in the country and shot in the head. I owe it to him to tell that story."

Gray and the author of the book "Killers of the Flower Moon," David Grann, wrote in a New York Times op-ed that "at stake in these fights is not only factual accuracy. It is also how new generations will be taught to record and remember the past."

MORE: Survivors share the truth of horrific 1921 Tulsa massacre: Part 1

Grann and Gray point out that in the 1920s members of the Osage tribe were forced to have white guardians to watch their money, calling the system abhorrently racist and part of a history that needs to be revealed.

"HB 1775 threatens to derail the progress tribes have made in recent years to provide an accurate history of our country and our state's complex relationship with Native Americans in schools," the inter-tribal council of five tribes in Oklahoma said in a joint statement when HB 1775 first passed.

Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters insists the Osage murders can and should be taught in schools.

PHOTO: Oklahoma state superintendent Ryan Walters (left) told ABC News' MaryAlice Parks (right) in a 'This Week' interview that the 'radical left' is trying indoctrinate Oklahoma students to accept transgender identities and liberal race-based policies. (ABC News)

"We have had a major misinformation campaign from the radical left and the teachers union on this issue," Walters told Parks. "What we have said is very specifically, you can't tell somebody that they should be ashamed or feel that way about their skin color or their background."

Oklahoma's law curtailing discussions around race and sex is part of a national trend, according to Education Week. A total of 18 Republican-led states around the country have passed similar new legislation or bans.

The Oklahoma Board of Education has already punished Tulsa Public Schools for what it says were violations of the law by demoting its accreditation status back in 2022 because it said a training session for teachers included the concept of implicit bias -- that people can carry prejudices sometimes without recognizing them.

Regan Killackey, a high school English teacher outside of Oklahoma City, is a plaintiff in an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit targeting the state law.

"To understand someone else's experience, they have to be able to see things from their perspective and if we do not allow students to actually step into someone else's shoes ... and understand the pain that they actually suffered, we're doing them a disservice," Killackey said.

Thoreson said she encourages any parent worried about how topics are taught to get involved and get to know their kids' teachers. But until she feels less of a threat around potentially losing her license, she won't teach "Killers of the Flower Moon."

"It feels like we are regressing. It feels like we've had progress and some people are uncomfortable," Thoreson said. "I'm not sure what they hope to gain from that. Except those who don't know history are bound to repeat it. So -- so, it's terrifying."

Educators say they fear Oklahoma law restricts teaching 'Killers of the Flower Moon' book originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
We'll toast to these destinations any time.

Don Eim/Travel + Leisure

Sure, you can get a good cocktail just about anywhere. But what about a great one? For that, you may have to travel. The U.S. is filled with fantastic cities offering stellar bars home to bartenders ready to whip up your preferred cocktail. But, rather than take our word for it, we asked some of the nation's best bartenders to share their favorite cocktail cities  and the bars you should be visiting in each. Here are 10 cities that are perfect for your next spirits-driven escape.

Los Angeles

Tobiah Lui/Travel + Leisure

When asking bartenders for their favorite cocktail cities, Los Angeles came up more than once, thanks to its inventive spirit and diverse tastes.

"It's a beautiful thing to watch the people who inspired me when I was first coming up in the industry push the levels of cocktailing and now create a new legacy in the city," Phil Collins, the beverage director of TableOne Hospitality and the beverage director for the forthcoming contemporary Japanese restaurant Kin Gin in New York City, shared. "This generation of our industry goes beyond making cocktails. They're true tastemakers reinvigorating the industry in a beautiful way." Though he hasn't been personally, Collins says he's "most excited to check out Accomplice Bar. Ramsey Musk is really pushing the cocktail scene to embrace its fun-ness while still pushing creativity to the next level."

Dana Lachenmayer, head bartender at The Wesley in New York, concurs with Collins, adding that Los Angeles, with heavy influence from Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines, has a robust and eclectic bar scene that makes for a fantastic cocktail destination. "Highlights include Thunderbolt, the SoCal neighborhood bar that is playful, technique-driven, and imbued with sunshine. And The Maybourne, a sister bar to the iconic Connaught Bar in London, brings a chicer, upscale vibe with a symphony of expertly orchestrated cocktails."

New Orleans

Kaitlyn Holeman/Getty Images

Great food, great music, and fantastic cocktails  New Orleans has it all. "New Orleans is one of my favorites as it is synonymous with music, specifically jazz, blues, and funk. It is also a food lover's paradise with a distinctive culinary scene, especially Creole and Cajun cuisines," said Amir Babayoff, the head bartender at Ophelia in New York City. And while the city is perhaps most well-known to travelers for its fantastic events and festivals, including Tales of the Cocktail, Babayoff noted that you can always get a great drink, no matter the time of year, at some of the city's most iconic bars.

"Lafitte's in New Orleans beckons with its historic charm, serving timeless favorites like the sazerac in a candlelit ambiance steeped in the city's rich cocktail history. Sitting in the French Quarter, it is said to be the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States, dating back to the early 18th century. The bar's name comes from the pirate Jean Lafitte, who was rumored to have used the building for smuggling and piracy."

New York City

AJ Sharma/Travel + Leisure

Come on. You didn't think we'd make a list of the best cocktail cities in the U.S. and not include New York City, did you?

"New York City still tops the list for me," Cody Pruitt, manager and beverage director of Libertine, shared. "Mace's approach to ingredients and techniques is still captivating; Overstory is the perfect specimen of fine dining meets ridiculous, clever, and delicious cocktails; Katana Kitten is the ultimate party bar that just so happens to have perfect drinks; Sunken Harbor Club is the best amalgam of technique, Tiki, and escapism ever created; and Long Island Bar is just where I want to be 23 hours out of every single day."

Joey Smith, the bar director at Chez Zou, agreed, stating, "I know I live here, so I am biased, but the reality is that New York really has cemented itself at the center of cocktail culture worldwide. The attitude here is just different. The hospitality is world-class, and the creative talent pool here is just overflowing with great people with innovative ideas." A few of Smith's favorites overlapped with Pruitt's, including Sunken Harbor Club and Overstory, so you know both are top-notch picks.

Related: 22 Iconic Restaurants in New York City

San Diego

Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure

South of Los Angeles, San Diego is another California city worthy of cocktail acclaim.

"Another great cocktail city that gets even less love than cities like San Francisco is San Diego," Ray Sakover, the founder and head bartender of NYC's Paradise Lost, said. "San Diego's cocktail scene over the past 10 to 15 years has blown up to become a vibrant dining and cocktail city." Sakover's favorites include False Idol, which he called "one of my favorite bars ever," along with long-standing spots like Craft & Commerce and Polite Provisions. "There is no shortage of world-class cocktail bars in San Diego these days."

Miami

Stephanie Pollak/Travel + Leisure

Miami is one more spot on the list that seemingly has it all  including plenty of sun and a food and drink scene that puts Latin flavor at the forefront.

In Miami, beachside bars offer tropical concoctions in a buzzing, cosmopolitan atmosphere, blending Latin flair with modern mixology trends," Babayoff said. "The culinary scene in Miami is vibrant and diverse, reflecting the city's rich cultural influences from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Sweet Liberty in Miami earns its acclaim with a dynamic mix of classic and innovative cocktails in a lively, art deco-inspired setting, making it a beacon of Miami's vibrant cocktail culture.

Chicago

ANDREY DENISYUK/Getty Images

It's not just the coastal cities that have all the fun. Several of the bartenders we reached out to said that Chicago is elevating the entire Midwest region into a must-visit area for great drinks.

"When it comes to Chicago, whether you want an extremely casual experience, a sweaty dance floor, or the most high-brow room, you can always find a spot that'll give you that while also offering a standout cocktail program," Giulia Dwight, the beverage manager at Cucina Alba in New York, noted.

Alex Dominguez, the head bartender at New York City's Bar Calico, agreed, adding, "Chicago, similarly to New York City, is diverse, vast, and has eclectic offerings. A metropolis of creative people, some of the best food and beverage professionals in the country gather here to open up amazing programs. Of note, the Milk Room is one of the most unique bars in the country, featuring hard-to-get and vintage spirits to recreate old-timey cocktails."

Denver

John Coletti/Getty Images

Gary Wallach, the owner and co-founding partner of New York's Renwick Hospitality Group, had one place to shout out: Denver.

I had a blast exploring Denver, Colorados cocktail scene. I loved how they embraced the local flavors and ingredients and didn't try to imitate larger cities' offerings while nailing their concepts and themes. Within just a few blocks, you could choose different cuisines that matched their concepts, wine lists, and more. Need a recommendation? You can never go wrong at The Yacht Club or Lady Jane's.

San Francisco

Don Eim/Travel + Leisure

The state of California got one more nod from several of our bartenders. "San Francisco is one of my favorite cities to drink cocktails, and for good reason," Sakover said. "Before I came to New York, I lived in The Bay Area for a few years, and that is where I first fell in love with cocktails. Not only was San Francisco at the forefront of the cocktail revival in the early '00s, with contributions from bars and restaurants such as Absinthe, Bourbon & Branch, and Tommy's (famous for the Tommy's margarita), but the Bay Area is historically known for its great bars. From Buena Vista (home of the Irish coffee) to Trader Vic's, and many others."

Shiva Thapa, the head bartender at Chef Tyler Florence's Miller & Lux, concurred, adding, "I may be biased because I live here, but I love the energy of San Francisco's cocktail scene. We have access to an abundance of fresh ingredients and embrace a range of global influences. Part of the modern craft cocktail movement, this is one of the best cities to visit for some incredible drinks."

Washington, D.C.

RiverNorthPhotography/Getty Images

Need a drink in the nation's capital? There are plenty of spots to check out.

"In D.C., you experience the capital's cocktail culture amid historic landmarks and chic lounges," Babayoff explained. "At the same time, the mixology scene offers a refined touch with classic twists and innovative cocktails, causing a very elegant feel. Here, Amazonia Bar captivates with its fusion of Peruvian and Amazonian flavors. The atmosphere is very relaxed, their crew is extremely skilled, professional, and welcoming, and their pisco selection is extensive."

Bentonville, Arkansas

Jeremy Mason McGraw/Getty Images

Dominguez wanted to toss out one more surprise destination for your drinking pleasure.

Wild-card entry, but Bentonville, Arkansas is starting to get into the cocktail scene and surprisingly had great cocktail bars with a standout being Scotch and Soda," he said. "It is amazing to see advanced techniques like fat washing and milk punches making their way into smaller American cities. It is a fast-growing city, and with so many people moving into it, I can see the food and beverage scene flourishing further.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
If ice cream is top of mind for you in the summer  or year-round, as it is for about three-quarters of Americans (via YouGov)  chances are you've tried a few flavors in your time. Vanilla and chocolate might still land on top when people answer polls about their favorite, but that's not a reason to limit yourself. Novelty ice cream flavors keep the dessert exciting for experimental palates.

Regions across the U.S. are known for their signature scoop flavor, be it one made from a local fruit or delicacy or the result of various cultural influences. Some have been around forever, it seems, while others have origin stories that are shared from cone to cone. If you consider yourself an ice cream aficionado, there's no doubt you need to find a way to taste as many as possible.

We've collected a list of some of the most uncommon ice cream flavors from across the U.S. that you'll want to try. Some are slowly making their way to neighboring states and surrounding areas, but for the most part, you'll have to plan a tasting journey to try them all.

Read more: 25 Best Ice Cream Brands Ranked

Akutaq

Akutaq ice cream in cup - goodtaylor_/Instagram

Ice cream doesn't always take on the mouthfeel you'd expect. If you think it's a sweet and creamy concoction that melts in your mouth, consider this Alaskan variation that goes in a different direction. Alaska's Akutaq ice cream, also called Eskimo ice cream, consists of a unique recipe that might not satisfy everyone's sweet tooth. The treat is made with local ingredients like reindeer fat, seal oil, fresh snow, and berries. Other versions lean toward more savory flavors with dried fish or game.

The components are whipped with air, either by hand or with a mixer, to create a chilled, foam-like texture. Traditionally, akutaq is served on special occasions such as funerals and celebrations. Depending on its particular makeup, it can be enjoyed as a meal, snack, or dessert. Considering the specific ingredients, it's no surprise you haven't come across it at your neighborhood scoop shop. Still, modern renditions call for shortening, sugar, water, and berries, which means you can make it at home  no seals required!

Teaberry

teaberry ice cream bowl - Stefanie Flynn/Facebook

Even avid berry connoisseurs might be unfamiliar with teaberries: a regional plant on the East Coast that also goes by "wintergreen." The plant produces small red berries, but its leaves are equally flavorful and familiar to gum chewers. Pennsylvanians are enamored by the refreshing ingredient and use it in a bubblegum pink-hued ice cream flavor.

The dessert offers a conflicting taste, as it's notably minty and zesty rather than sweet and fruity, as its color might suggest. Although it's still sold in various ice cream shops around the state, some scoop shop owners note that it's not quite as popular as other options, which might be due to the medicinal taste some consumers describe.

Some packaged ice cream producers make the ice cream seasonally, so it's not a ubiquitous flavor on the freezer shelf. Nevertheless, for anyone looking to get a taste of wintergreen mint in a bright pink scoop, teaberry ice cream is the source.

Ube

purple ube ice cream - Flabygasted/Shutterstock

Purple ice cream isn't always the result of food coloring, at least not when it's made with real ube. These purple yams are pleasantly sweet and earthy, which makes them a great contender for a novel ice cream flavor. Although the practice of using it in ice cream originates in the Philippines, it has since become popular in neighboring countries and made its way to American shores. You'll find it popping up in ice cream shops across the states, including in Hawaii, where ube desserts are ube-r popular. This may be partly due to a Filippino culinary influence, which has been present since migrations in the early 1900s.

Original recipes often had sweetened condensed milk, coconut, and cooked mashed yam, but nowadays, recipes commonly include cream, sugar, and eggs. Aside from infusing your dessert with a bold color and a deliciously nutty taste, mashed ube adds an extra creamy and rich consistency. Some places take a shortcut and infuse ice cream with ube extract, so seek out a quality parlor if you want to taste the real deal.

Huckleberry

huckleberry ice cream cone and cup - Kristina Hastings Albert/Facebook

North Idaho is home to the first huckleberry ice cream creation, thanks to Van's Creamery. Since its inception in the 1950s, the fruit has been incorporated into dozens of desserts, though arguably none as delectable as the frozen treat. The original ice cream recipe consisted of a swirl of sweet huckleberry syrup and locally foraged berries and was described by the Coeur d'Alene Press as "heaven in a mouthful."

Huckleberry ice cream is also a delicacy in Montana and Utah, where the plant grows in specific conditions at high altitudes. It only grows in the wild, which might explain its near-absence outside of the Northwestern United States. The berry tastes like a cross between other fruits like blueberries, boysenberries, and black cherries, with a greater contrast of sweet and tart flavors. It lends itself well to being combined with classic scoops like chocolate that round it out with richness.

Blue Moon

blue moon ice cream cone - Angela Feltes/Shutterstock

If you're going to the right scoop shops, you won't be limited to enjoying this flavor once in a blue moon. Blue Moon ice cream originated in Milwaukee and has since spread to other areas of the Midwest. True to its name, this ice cream boasts a bright blue color, though no one knows what the flavor actually is. Eating it evokes many descriptors, including Froot Loops, blue Lucky Charms marshmallows, citrus, bubblegum, cotton candy, almond, vanilla, and spices.

Guess all you want as to what this ice cream is supposed to be because you won't be privy to its true contents -- even if you ask. The recipe for Blue Moon ice cream is top secret information, held under lock and key by Weber Flavors. Of course, that doesn't stop people from trying to make it at home, with ingredients like vanilla pudding, lemon extract, raspberry, and sweetened condensed milk. Regional parlors make the flavor by combining Blue Moon flavoring with a neutral foundation, resulting in subtle differences from shop to shop.

Grape-Nuts

Grape-Nuts ice cream scoops - Flamboyant Erica/Facebook

Adding cereal to a bowl of milk (or vice versa, depending on your preferred method) is an obvious combination, which makes Grape-Nuts ice cream less of a stretch. Why not transform the breakfast duo into dessert? The Post cereal might not be your first choice when thinking of merging the two, but it turns out its malted barley taste makes a great pairing with vanilla ice cream.

The original recipe likely originated in Nova Scotia, Canada, and spread throughout the Northern Atlantic states. You'll find it most often in Maine and other states in the New England area, but it will also pop up in the Carolinas and the Midwest. The cereal-based flavor is also popular among the Jamaican population in the U.S. and is often found in neighborhoods with Caribbean influences. Grape-Nuts is a cheaper alternative to regular nuts and infuses flavorful notes and crunchiness  especially if the cereal is coated with sugar before being mixed with the vanilla cream base.

Marionberry

marionberry ice cream in bowl - Laura Mewborn Aunt YaYa/Facebook

Marionberries are a specialty in Oregon, so we won't blame you if you've never heard of them. As you might imagine, this berry is closely related to other berries -- most notably blackberries. The Marionberry was initially created in Marion County, Oregon in the 1950s by crossing Chehalem and Olallie blackberries. Consequently, it looks like a blackberry and tastes a bit sweeter, balanced with hints of acidity and earthiness. The seeds are subtle on the palate, and the fruit is extra juicy. As you can imagine, these traits make it great for an ice cream.

Marionberry ice cream is similar to blackberry, yet the extra sweetness and succulence give the flavor more intensity. The fruity element pairs with a creamy base for a scoop that highlights seasonal produce at its finest. Considering their limited growing season and small harvest area relative to more popular berries, securing a scoop of marionberry ice cream has the added appeal of relative rarity.

Black Raspberry

black raspberry ice cream container - Homemade Brand Ice Cream/Facebook

There are far more berries out there than the average supermarket carries, and black raspberry is one example you may have imagined was just that  imaginary. The uncommon berry grows freely in some parts of New England and commercially in the Pacific Northwest for only a few months of the year. You might be wondering how black raspberries differ from blackberries. Simply put, the former is smaller and more delicate, with a hollow center just like its rosy counterpart.

The small berries pack in a punch with an intensely sweet taste and a juicy bite. Subtle woodsy notes evoke their wild nature, making them feel like a step up from ordinary raspberries. Since they're only at their peak for a short duration, it's a limited offering at artisanal ice cream parlors and is often mixed with dark chocolate chips. That said, select manufacturers like Graeter's stock it year-round, so you can satisfy your craving if you know where to shop.

Buckeye Blitz

buckeye blitz ice cream pint - Adam Boca/Facebook

If you're familiar with buckeyes, the fudgy peanut butter and chocolate confection, then you're just a step away from Buckeye Blitz ice cream. This tantalizing flavor brings everything we love about the magical pairing of peanut butter and chocolate into one luscious scoop.

This Ohio favorite is trademarked by the Graeter's Ice Cream Company, which sells Buckeye Blitz chocolate chip ice cream in a pint-sized format. The flavor consists of chocolate-infused peanut butter ice cream woven with chunks of peanut butter cookie dough and dark chocolate chips. The result is smooth and unctuous, with chewy and crunchy bites that surprise your palate.

The flavor is so connected to Ohio that the company rebranded the packaging for its 150th anniversary, in collaboration with The Ohio State University, which was celebrating the same birthday. Aside from commemorating overlapping timelines, the university's mascot is Brutus Buckeye, making this flavor the perfect match for the partnership.

Lobster

lobster ice cream freezer display - Coconut Jacobs/Facebook

Although it's unexpected at any ordinary parlor, if you're in Bar Harbor, Maine, lobster ice cream isn't that far-fetched. Considering that the state hosts a yearly lobster festival, lobster ice cream is just one more addition to the lobster-filled euphoria. You're likely to get a scoop if you attend the festival, but a surefire way to savor the creative combination is by going to the shop that started it all at the end of the '80s: Ben & Bill's Chocolate Emporium.

Cooking lobster with butter and cream is natural, and indeed, the sweet meat lends itself well to rich textures and flavors  including the ones found in vanilla ice cream. Chunks of frozen cooked lobster meat mingle with the chilled treat, which is served in a cone for extra crunch or in a cup to fully savor the flavors. Some people liken it to frozen lobster bisque, which is a pretty close association considering the components. Although it's not everyone's favorite, there's definitely an allure to tasting lobster ice cream in none other than Maine.

Fireweed

fireweed flower ice cream scoop - Wild Scoops/Facebook

If you enjoy scattering edible flowers on your salads, fireweed ice cream should be the next flavor you pursue -- and you can add the petals to salads, too. This wildflower, which gets its name for its ease of growing in fire-ravaged soils, has a beautiful magenta hue that makes for a whimsical scoop beloved by all ages. Although the wild plant can be found in many states, most people just see it as a flower, whereas Alaskans turn it into dessert.

One shop in Anchorage, Wild Scoops, is especially known for its delicious fireweed ice cream. It's the store's most popular flavor in the summertime, and it's only part of the lineup when the flowers are in bloom. The taste is very much what you'd expect from a flower, but the sweetness isn't over the top, thanks to a floral profile that keeps every mouthful pleasant and light.

Butter Brickle

Turkey Hill butter brickle lid - erickoenreich/Instagram

For some people, the classic candy behind this ice cream flavor is a trip down memory lane. Butter Brickle is a Nebraskan confection with a texture similar to Heath bars. It became a frozen dessert in the 1920s thanks to the Fenn Bros. Ice Cream and Candy Company. The treat features a vanilla ice cream base with pieces of crunchy, buttery toffee often coated in chocolate. To double down on the buttery aromas, Butter Brickle ice cream may contain butter-flavoring as well as pure butter.

The company responsible for bringing us this delectable candy was sold in the '70s and eventually purchased by Hershey's over 20 years later. Nowadays, a few companies like Bruster's, Braum's, and Turkey Hill produce ice cream bearing the Butter Brickle name, though the namesake candy brand no longer exists. That said, if you're craving the sugary dessert, you could set about making Butter Brickle ice cream from scratch.

Aggie Blue Mint

blue mint ice cream cone - hongqian_fan/Instagram

Blue mint isn't just any ordinary mint option. It was one of the winners of a 2004 ice cream flavor competition run by the Aggie Creamery at Utah State University. It was among hundreds of flavor ideas that were narrowed down and tested by food science students.

The Blue Mint flavor (originally named Aggie Iceberg) calls for peppermint essence and blue food coloring to give it a vibrant hue. To add even more visual appeal, the students decided to combine the blue cream with chunks of chocolate cookies and white chocolate, adding a delicious bite and chocolate taste to complement the minty freshness.

The flavor continues to excel among customers and has even been featured in a Crumbl cookie -- since Logan, Utah, is the brand's hometown and home to Utah State. It's also still a mainstay at the Aggie Creamery where you can stop in for a scoop or two.

Maple Creemee

maple creemee soft serve cone - palmer lane maple/Facebook

It's no surprise that a state known for its maple syrup and dairy production would take advantage of this combination and use it to make decadent ice cream. For those unfamiliar with this style of ice cream, it's important to note that a maple creemee doesn't quite follow the proportions of standard ice cream or soft serve, leaving it in a category of its own. Its history isn't totally clear, but it seems to have been introduced to the Green Mountain State in the early '80s.

The creemee, which is served in a dazzling swirl shape, is a favorite in Vermont. You'll find it in ice cream parlors, farmer's markets, and pop-up stands. At its purest, this flavor just consists of maple syrup combined with cream. Of course, you can always emphasize the maple element by garnishing the cone with maple sugar or maple caramel to double down on the flavor. Or, get it blended with other creemee flavors like black raspberry for an especially delicious treat.

Superman

multicolor Superman ice cream - freshcoastfamily/Instagram

This flashy scoop, named after its Superman-inspired colors, might not give you superpowers, but it will wow your palate with three different flavors. Whereas some multicolored ice cream merely displays different hues, this popular Midwestern dessert boasts three flavor experiences. They aren't always the same across parlors, but they're distinct from each other, which simplifies the decision process if you're looking for variety. The original version traces back to Stroh's Brewery in Detroit, which made the treat in the 1920s during Prohibition.

At the time, it included lemon, Red Pop (a local soda), and Blue Moon, the latter two being regional flavors that elude residents from most other states. Variations exist across local scoop shops, with flavors like black cherry, vanilla, and blue raspberry among the trio's contenders. Vanilla ice cream can be dyed with food coloring for an easy fix, but the real deal features unique flavors. You'll also come across Scooperman, Super Coop, and Super Rainbow varieties -- which are all just trying to be Superman.

Prickly Pear

prickly pear ice cream in desert - emiliy/Instagram

Prickly pears are indeed prickly, but their pear qualities merely refer to their shape. The cactus fruit might be a total pain to process, but its sweet taste rewards those who try. Even simpler, find yourself a scoop of prickly pear ice cream or sorbet to get all the taste with none of the hassle. Although the cactus is particularly prevalent in Mexico, there's plenty of it to go around in Arizona, where locals transform it into a multitude of dishes -- including ice cream.

The flavor of prickly pears is hard to pin down, but it has similarities to pineapple, watermelon, raspberry, cucumber, and bubblegum. Using them in a frozen dessert is a great way to highlight their fruity notes and take advantage of their juicy texture. Lime juice is sometimes incorporated into the recipe to balance the sweetness of the ripe fruit, so you can expect balance with every bite.

Old Bay

Old Bay ice cream - halfpintcreamery/Instagram

It might not be the ingredient you'd think of reaching for to garnish a scoop of plain vanilla, but Old Bay seasoning is a favorite topping for some folks. You probably won't see this combination much outside of Maryland where the spice blend was created, but it has its fair share of local fans -- and you might be inclined to join them. The product ingredient list includes celery salt, paprika, mustard, pepper, and assorted spices, which make for an unexpected yet remarkable pairing with ice cream.

Warming spices, like cinnamon, cloves, and others, are used in baking all the time, so the idea of sprinkling Old Bay on your cold ice cream isn't far off. The contrasting salty, spicy, and sweet notes make for a dessert that is as complex as it is flavorful. Plus, the delicate crystals of salt-infused spices mingle with vanilla ice cream, adding a crunchy note before melting away.

Black Walnut

black walnut ice cream tub - Blue Bell Ice Cream/Facebook

There are various types of walnuts, including this dark variety. Black walnuts aren't as common as the English variety you'll typically find in stores, so be sure to seek out a producer that guarantees the source of the nuts so that you can taste the real deal. Compared to English walnuts, this variety has a more pungent aroma with earthy notes that make the nutty flavor stand out.

Black walnut ice cream can be a bit intense for more delicate palates, but the rich cream base and add-ins like maple syrup round out the flavor and leave a fragrant result. Crunchy bits of nuts add an interplay of textures that keep every mouthful a pleasant surprise. Blue Bell Creameries sells black walnut ice cream in some regions, and once upon a time, Haagen-Dazs did too. Harvesting the nuts is a messy affair, but if you live in parts of the Midwest where they grow in the wild, take advantage of this one-of-a-kind nut and whip up a batch of homemade ice cream.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Japandi is the amalgamation of Japanese and Scandinavian designs, leaning into minimalism, natural materials, and an overall sense of balance. The result is spaces that feel peaceful, timeless, and yet extremely design-savvythat's what makes it such a great choice for a kitchen.

To create a Japandi kitchen in your own dwelling, the following ideas are here to ignite a few sparks of inspiration.

Japandi, Explained

Mihoko Iida, a Tokyo-based writer, editor, and author of Japanese Interiors, notes that "Japandi is a concept created outside of Japan" that is somewhat of a phenomenon developed out of admiration.

"I think the term Japandi came about abroad because Japanese and Scandinavian people share a similar love for minimalistic and functional designs," she explains. "We both love natural elements and textures, too. And theres always a sense of fun mixed in."



Interior designer Niki Tashe, who works at Kitchen Renovation Singapore, says there are a few characteristics you'll want to include when it comes to creating a Japandi-style kitchen.

"I start by focusing on simplicity, clean lines, and natural materials like wood, stone, and ceramic," he says. Lighting is also important, as is symmetry.



Layer Your Lighting

There can be multiple forms of lighting in a Japandi kitchen. When selecting the fixtures, look for minimal shapes and warm, earthy materials.

Tashe prefers "a layered approach" and achieves this through a mix of ambient lighting from recessed or track fixtures with task lighting over the countertops and a statement pendant light or two over the island or dining area.

Warm Up the Space

Design by Julie Rose for Velinda Hellen Design / Styled by Emily Bowser / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

One thing Scandinavian design excels at is keeping warmth and coziness in minimal spaces. If you've decked out your kitchen but it needs a visual "hug," elements like a soft rug, warm wood and clay or ceramic accessories, and ambient lighting will all do the trick.

Embrace the Wood Theme

Wood shows up in nearly every Japandi kitchen, and it makes sense. Both Japanese and Scandinavian designs embrace this natural building material. It completely grounds the space it's in.

You could include wall panels that wrap around the kitchen and dining area. Tashe also suggests a stunning, live-edge wood countertop or island to anchor the space with raw, organic beauty.

Bring in Stone for Texture

Busy patterns and textures won't be found in a Japandi kitchen. But if you are craving a little more differentiation in your space, the striations in various stone slabs are a great place to turn. It still looks natural and fits into the theme, but isn't overly noisy.

Go Dramatic with All Black

There's a quiet simplicity in the color black, but it also stands out from the extremely popular all-gray and all-white kitchens. In spaces embracing a monochromatic black palette, it's been to keep other colors to a minimum. A few wooden stools and a vase or colorful knobs is the right balance.

Incorporate a Large Plant

There's a deep respect for nature in Japanese and Scandinavian architecture and design. Giving plants and flowers a space in your kitchen can contribute to a Japandi atmosphere.

Place a large, vase with sculptural branches in the center of a table or island or give fresh flowers the spotlight somewhere in your kitchen.

Focus on the Backsplash

The backsplash is another area where Japandi styles can be woven in. Tashe recommends "traditional Japanese elements like washi paper or ceramic tiles arranged asymmetrically."

Stick white quiet tones of white, cream, beige, black, or gray. As for shape, consider subway tiles, squares, and other simple geometric silhouettes.

Go All Out with Minimalism

A Japandi kitchen shouldn't feel busy, overwhelming, or anything that veers into maximalist or cluttercore territory. There is room for all design types in the world, but these features aren't part of this quiet, streamlined style.

Select straight lines, soft colors, and natural materialsand keep appliances and utensils hidden away.

Select Sleek Surfaces

You can make an impact in Japandi kitchens with surfaces in deeply saturated (but neutral colors) like black. These can be displayed through stone, matte paint, or glossy tiles. Keep cabinets, range hoods, countertops, and backsplashes wiped down and gleaming for a sharp, sleek room.

Stick with Simple Lines

Japanese interiors do straight, simple lines best. You can adopt this look in your kitchen through everything from cabinetry to windows to seating. Curved lines are also seen in some spaces, whether it's through a vase or pendant light. But as a foundation, stick with linear, level lines.

Define Layers in the Space

Japandi kitchens may be level and balanced, but they're by no means one-dimensional. Create visual layers in your cooking space through islands, tables, seats, shelves, and lights. Even with the most modest color palettes, it'll have movement.

Add Metallics for a Traditional Twist

Save for stainless steel appliances, you won't find many metallic or flashy finishes in Japandi spaces. To blend this (already blended) style with another, bring in gold knobs, copper accessories, and traditional faucets.

Be Intentional with Decor

Japandi spaces aren't void of color or personality, but they're very intentionally decorated. It's not the best space to throw random finds you're unsure about. When you choose artwork, lighting, and even tiny details like cabinet pulls and candlesticks, really consider if it deserves a spot.

Use Symmetrical Tiles

As Tashe notes, symmetrical tiles are essential in a Japandi kitchen. The orientation doesn't matter too muchyou can opt for long vertical tiles or horizontal. To really nail down this style, using rectangular or square versions are best on backsplashes, walls, and other surfaces. Circular and hexagonal tiles stray a little too far.

Add a Coastal Spin

Japandi style looks fantastic in a modern coastal home. The natural materials found in Japanese and Scandinavian styles are often similar to those that crop up in beach houses. Woven textures, grasses, wood, plants, and stone are welcome in both kinds of spacesmaking them the perfect match.

Hone in on Neutrals

By now, you've probably realized that neutrals are the way to go in a Japandi kitchen (though thoughts on more saturated colors are still to come). Even with a limited set of colors, you won't be lacking when it comes to the number of configurations and combinations that are possible.

Center Minimalism Into Other Areas

If your kitchen is open plan or connected to a breakfast bar, keep the theme going. Cabinets, buffet tables, and movable islands are all still opportunities to embrace minimalism and keep surfaces clear, clean, and relaxed.

Keep Patterns Consistent

If you're opting for square tiles or a certain orientation of wood planks, keep that the same throughout the rest of your kitchen. Any kind of pattern like this can look wonderfully executed, but the second the direction, size, or color changes, it can start feeling a little less Japandi.

Match the Tone of Wood with Other Colors

The undertones of paint, tile, and wood. can sometimes cause a space to feel like it's clashing. It could be the reason you can't quite put your finger on what's off about it. To keep fluidity in the palette, ensure you pick all warm or cool undertones across all of your materials.

Balance Black and White

Balance is a major principle of Japandi design. To find equilibrium with a contrasting color palette, give equal attention to both black and white. If the cooking space has white walls and a white island, bring in black cabinetry and a black inlay. A few wooden elements can warm up the contrast, too.

Play with Color for a Unique Finish

If you love the Japandi style but prefer more colorful palettes, don't be afraid to make it your own and introduce more saturated schemes. Design is all about creative expression and experimentation. Pink and earth green, for example, are a toned-down version of complementary colors that can be fun.

Consider Sleek Light Fixtures

Lighting can be layered and a statement in itself in Japandi kitchens, or it can be subtler and blend in with its surroundings. If you're after the latter, hunt around for linear, rod-style lighting or slim vertical pendants.

Hold Onto Consistent Details in Small Cooking Spaces

The tiniest kitchens can hold a lot of Japandi flair. Keep the color palette simple and show it through every detail. Say, your cabinets are black and countertops are white, then bring those colors in through artwork, accessories, and even your coffee machine. Modern wooden stools always help, too.

Seek Out Unique Details

Although the same tactics, colors, and materials are applied throughout all Japandi kitchens, it's the unique details and method in which they're installed that makes these spaces look so different from one another. Wall-mounted lamps superimposed on small black tiles or a unique plant in the background does wonders.

Create Balance Across the Space

Don't just focus on one part of the kitchen to be balanced and uphold these looks for the rest of the space. You want everything to feel cohesive. Things like fridge handles should feel aligned with the doors, shelves on either side should match up, too.

Bring in Movement with Furniture and Decor

You don't want a kitchen to feel stagnant, so for visual movement, wavy chairs and rounded hanging lanterns can do just the trick. When the rest of the surfaces are so straight and angular, this gives a nice change for the eye.

Don't Forget the Appliances

No hard feelings against classic stainless steel appliances, but there's something to be said for bringing in refrigerators, ovens, and stovetops that really blend into the Japandi look. A fridge with wooden panels or a sleek black iron range and hood really raises the bar.

Make a White Kitchen Pop with Wooden Seats

An all-white kitchen can be very Japandi, depending on the details you choose. If you find that you want a little differentiating feature, choose something like chairs or barstools to break up the look. Wooden or black always feels right at home in a bright, frosty cooking space.

Keep Hardware Simple

Forgo the crystal knobs and ornate pulls. In a Japandi kitchen, simplicity is best and this goes for details as small as cabinet and drawer hardware. If your eye is on a metallic texture, opt for a brushes or muted finish.

Blend Angular and Fluid Shapes

Angles and lines are spoken about a lot in reference to Japandi design. But a few rounded shapes and more fluid lines are welcome here, too. This could be rounded bulb pendant lamps, circular knobs on appliances or cabinets, tables, and rugs.

Mix Warm and Cool Tones

It's commonplace and usually recommended to keep tones consistent in a space. But if you're looking to venture out and spice things up, sometimes mixing tones can really pay off if done well.

Try a cool gray countertop with both light and dark wood cabinets and furniture for a nice contrast. Just weave in other parts of gray (like through your backsplash) to support it.

Avoid Intricate Structures and Fixtures

Convoluted layouts, ornate cabinets, and flashy backsplashes, chandeliers, or appliances aren't the best choices in a Japandi kitchen. Instead, keep the structure, layout, and foundational items simple in form.

Try Stone Slab Walls or Backsplash

Rather than smaller tiles, slabs of stone are equally as chic in a Japandi cooking space. Gray, black, and beige colors all look nice stretching up walls. Keep grout lines thin and symmetrical for the cleanest finish.

Don't Fear Mixing Wood Types

Consistency is key, but sometimes mixing different woods in a Japandi kitchen can look fabulous and still very on trend. For instance, if your flooring is one tone of wood and the cabinets are another, use tabletops, chairs, or stools, to keep mixing those tones together.

Choose the Right Tone of Color

If you are going to expand beyond the classic neutral tones found in many Japandi kitchens, opt for those that are subtler, dustier, or toned down. For example, if pink is a favorite of yours, try to select a dusty rose or pale pink so it still fits in with the rest of the space.

Maintain a Flow

Aside from just the visuals of a Japandi kitchen, think about the flow and movement, too. How do you want to move around your cooking space? What do you need access to? Japanese and Scandinavian designs both largely embrace functionality as much as aesthetics.

Read Next: 32 Japandi Living Rooms for a Soothing, Minimalist Space

Read the original article on The Spruce.
The excitement of investing in a company that can reverse its fortunes is a big draw for some speculators, so even companies that have no revenue, no profit, and a record of falling short, can manage to find investors. 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 can act like a sponge for capital - so investors should be cautious that they're not throwing good money after bad.

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 African and Overseas Enterprises (JSE:AOO). Now this is not to say that the company presents the best investment opportunity around, but profitability is a key component to success in business.

See our latest analysis for African and Overseas Enterprises

How Fast Is African and Overseas Enterprises Growing Its Earnings Per Share?

African and Overseas Enterprises has undergone a massive growth in earnings per share over the last three years. So much so that this three year growth rate wouldn't be a fair assessment of the company's future. So it would be better to isolate the growth rate over the last year for our analysis. To the delight of shareholders, African and Overseas Enterprises' EPS soared from R2.51 to R4.08, over the last year. That's a fantastic gain of 63%.

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. EBIT margins for African and Overseas Enterprises remained fairly unchanged over the last year, however the company should be pleased to report its revenue growth for the period of 20% to R720m. That's encouraging news for the company!

In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings and revenue, over time. For finer detail, click on the image.

Story continues

African and Overseas Enterprises isn't a huge company, given its market capitalisation of R150m. That makes it extra important to check on its balance sheet strength.

Are African and Overseas Enterprises 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. Our analysis has discovered that the median total compensation for the CEOs of companies like African and Overseas Enterprises with market caps under R3.7b is about R6.1m.

African and Overseas Enterprises' CEO only received compensation totalling R489k in the year to June 2023. This could be considered a token amount, and indicates that the company does not need to use payment to motivate the CEO - that is often a good sign. 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 good governance, more generally.

Does African and Overseas Enterprises Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist?

If you believe that share price follows earnings per share you should definitely be delving further into African and Overseas Enterprises' strong EPS growth. The fast growth bodes well while the very reasonable CEO pay assists builds some confidence in the board. Based on these factors, this stock may well deserve a spot on your watchlist, or even a little further research. Still, you should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with African and Overseas Enterprises (including 1 which can't be ignored).

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 ZA 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.
Social media takes you down rabbit holes. When I was first on Twitter I fell in with a group of mad perfume lovers. When we met in real life we brought perfumes for each other. They were all keen cooks, which isnt surprising when you think about it; sensual experiences are important to us. In those days I thought Twitter was a good thing.

Last summer I went to Poland for the first time because of a baker I met on Instagram. Monika Walecka has arms covered in gorgeous intricate tattoos and a mane of wild dark hair. She looks like a warrior baker. Her rye and sourdough loaves have fantastic sepia-coloured crusts and she frequently visits other bakeries in Europe just for inspiration (you can note her recommendations for your own future trips to Paris, for example). I thought meeting a baker and tasting her bread was an excellent reason to go to Warsaw.

'In Warsaw I drank in colour: crimson radishes, the brightest spring onions, whorls of lettuce and golden wild mushrooms' - Haarala Hamilton

Until then I had only read Ren Behans book on Polish food, Wild Honey & Rye (Pavilion, 26). Ren was born in the UK to Polish parents  they came as refugees  and grew up eating Polish food, speaking Polish and having holidays in the Polish countryside. Because of Ren (whose apple cake recipe I share below), I thought I knew what to expect. Theres rarely a meal without soup, for example, though theyre not always hot  the cold beetroot soup is a joy of summer. Ferments, pickles, salads and vegetables are at the core of Polish meals, and they make the best of what they have. People became resourceful during communism, Ren tells me. If you had a bit of green space, you would grow your own food, and foraging is a national pastime.

By chance, I ended up in Warsaw in wild blueberry season. Its difficult to convey what a huge thing this is in Poland. For six weeks people eat blueberry buns in different forms, but mostly in a sweet brioche dough with a crumble topping. When I met Monika at Cala W Mace, her first bakery in Warsaw, the queues for blueberry buns stretched round the corner and, in a back room, teenagers were sorting through vast baskets of the sweet-tart wild berries. Monika was covered in flour and working round the clock to meet demand. It is a crazy period, an intense six weeks. But we must do it, she exclaimed, as if she was providing a public service. We had strong coffee and ate every blueberry bun she gave us, plus apricot and plum tarts, then went to the Saturday morning market nearby.

Food lovers rave about the produce at markets in France and Italy, and I immediately felt bad for promulgating this attitude, for not thinking beyond the obvious. In Warsaw I drank in colour: crimson radishes, the brightest spring onions, whorls of lettuce and golden wild mushrooms, shiny peppers, duck eggs and purple plums. There were no tourists  the shoppers were getting on with the serious business of deciding what to cook, not going into romantic reveries.

I wished I had access to a kitchen.

Poland to me means pierogi, schabowy [Polish-style schnitzel], beetroot, cucumber salad, sausages and buckwheat, says Monika. Our kitchen has a distinctive character while being comforting. Before you eat pierogi, you hear Poles rave about them but pay little attention. Once youve tried them, you want them to be available every day. Youll find lazy pierogi, which are a bit like gnocchi, along with pierogi made with dough and stuffed with wild mushrooms and sauerkraut or potatoes and cheese. With both types, melted butter is a must. I started to disappear to the cheap cafe round the corner from the hotel every lunchtime. My solitary pleasure. Dear pierogi, lazy or traditional, Im sorry I didnt discover you earlier.

Poland, I feel the same about you. Next stop, Gdansk.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
When you're making fudgy brownies at home, chances are you're focusing on whether to add an extra egg to the box mix (or maybe swap in mayo) or about how many excruciating minutes are left on the oven timer, not about where brownies came from in the first place. The story is more confusing than sweet.

It's widely agreed upon that the treat was created in the United States. According to some culinary historians, the first brownie can be credited to wealthy Chicago socialite Bertha Palmer. Per the lore, Palmer had just married her husband Potter Palmer, who gifted her The Palmer House Hotel as a wedding present. Now, Mrs. Palmer was a businesswoman with an exciting opportunity  the 1893 World's Fair, as well as the fashionable crowd it attracted, was on its way to Chicago.

The story goes that Bertha asked the hotel's pastry chef to create a small pastry that could be easily packed in boxed lunches for the ladies who came to visit the Fair. Other sources say those lunch boxes were intended for the "women's board" of the Fair, not the visitors. Alas, the pastry chef's name seems lost to history. But, either way, we have Palmer's hostess sensibilities and an anonymous pastry chef to thank for one of our most beloved chocolatey treats. The first proto-brownie was a dense, fudgy square covered in walnuts and jammy vanilla apricot glaze  and thanks to its uniqueness, the dessert caught on quickly.

Read more: 30 Types Of Cake, Explained

20th Century Foodies Knew A Good Thing When They Saw It

Stack of homemade brownies on a platter - this_baker/Shutterstock

It wasn't long before other bakers caught wind and started making their own versions. In 1896, a brownie-adjacent recipe for molasses cakes baked in individual pans appeared in the "Boston Cooking School Cookbook" (a long way to go from the fudgy beauties fans know today, but everybody has to start somewhere). Then, in 1905, a recipe for "Bangor Brownies" resembling the modern brownie cropped up in the Boston Globe. Also in 1905, Fannie Farmer of cookbook stardom adapted her chocolate cookie recipe to a bar baked in a rectangular sheet pan, cementing the treat's position.

While the Palmer account is the most polished origin story, it certainly isn't the only one. Some historians theorize that the brownie's creation was a less formal confectionery flub, the product of a housewife in Bangor, Maine who tried to make chocolate cake and forgot to add the baking powder, so the cake stayed fudgy and didn't rise (which would explain the "Bangor Brownies" recipe printed in the Globe).

So, when did the name "brownies" enter the picture? That part of the story is less clear. Of course, the color of the treat seems to be the name's inspiration. But, a trio of mischievous, adventure-loving pixie-like characters called "brownies" starred in the 1926 children's book "Enid Blyton's Book of Brownies," which was popular during the period. Their playful name seems like a playful fit for the fun, then-new treat.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Every fan of The Young and the Restless has their own opinion  and we at Soap Hub are no different. We watched the showgood, bad, and everything else all week. Were always optimistic, but sometimes we dont get quite what we want. Heres a review of Y&Rs week including every perplexing, confusing, what in the world is going on second of it.

This Week Im Feeling: Chance and Claire (Not Together, Of Course)

Chance

I never thought that moving Chance (Conner Floyd) from cop to the corporate world would be an entertaining transition, but you know what? I like it. Maybe because he says things like, C-suite players can be just as slippery as criminals. Plus, he doesnt hold back even though hes a newbie and he points out all the political BS going on in the office. Its amusing to me.

Meanwhile, Chances romance with Summer (Allison Lanier) is refreshing simply because theres not a lot of drama to it. Theyre no longer involved in a triangle with Sharon (Sharon Case). What we see are two people whose feelings are developing at the same pace. And while I dont think Id be upset if this pairing ended tomorrow, Im cool with it for now.

Claire

Once Claire (Hayley Erin) got past the whole helping crazy Aunt Jordan (Colleen Zenk) kill the Newmans, Ive been on board with this character. Now shes living on the Newman ranch, and shes a character you can tell is doing the work to improve herself. Shes facing her demons and shes trying to undo all the toxicity Jordan created in her life. Do I think shes on the hundred percent up and up? I dont know but I hope so.

While Jordan is, once again, creating chaos with the Newmans and burning down Victorias (Amelia Heinle) house, Claire is calm and cool. Shes distracting Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) from drinking and telling stories about Nadia from the hospital. Shes thinking about her future and even thinking about meeting her siblings. Its cool to see her coming along. Of course, her mom tries to dissuade her from talking to Adam (Mark Grossman), but I hope those two will get to talk one day soon. And I mean a chat where Adam doesnt have his infamous walls up. All in all, Claire continues to be a welcome presence. Cant wait until she can venture out into Genoa City more.

Other Y&R Thoughts

Whats Going On? Part 1: Oh Phyllis (Michelle Stafford). She tried one more time with Danny (Michael Damian) and, once again, disastrous results ensued. Then she did her due diligence and paid through the roof to get Society for the evening (Well, 10:00 pm and on). She even talked, nay, she pleaded with Abby (Melissa Ordway) in order to make it happen. Abby didnt make it easy on her. Of course, Danny somehow roped in Christine (Lauralee Bell) and there was an awkward confrontation when all Phyllis wanted to do was taste some of Dannys sauce (ugh). This whole triangle throwback was messy and if it really does end up with Danny and Christine on tour Im good. I just need all parties to move on. Unfortunately, it didnt sound like Phylliss modus operandi to do that. She cant let Christine the Bug win like that.

Whats Going On? Part 2: Oh Ashley (Eileen Davidson, one of soaps most independent women). Are we closer to calling this a DID or a brain tumor story? Is that why we were subjected to her going to Tuckers (Trevor St. John) hotel room wanting to get back together with him? Also, does she want to go back to PARIS with him? She should want to stay away from Paris for a long time! When she returns home at the end of Fridays episode, she basically tells Jack (Peter Bergman) she is done with Tucker. Does Ashley have a doppelganger? Is there a clone of her? Whats going on? Please, Josh Griffith, move this story along. Ive been saying this every week, but this week, I mean it.

Growth and Development: Nate (Sean Dominic) says power grabs are behind him. Do we believe him? Did his first round at CW plus his Newman stint, break him? Hes honestly content with the power he has right now. Im shocked. But also, Devon (Bryton James) might want to listen to him about Mamie (Veronica Redd). Aunt Mamie wants to burn down the company and divide it into different factions because shes talking about getting Chance to their side. Does she want everybody to go their separate ways? Is that her endgame? Do you know what I think needs to happen? As much as I LOVE Amanda (Mishael Morgan) being around, I think Jill (Jess Walton) needs to get to Genoa City ASAP.

Poor Seth: Jordan had no problem pushing Seth (Brian Gaskill) into oncoming traffic. I really wish there had been more buildup to this death. The pacing with this character was a little off, but it did seem that, ultimately, this was where it would lead.

Mariah and Tessa: Can this show play the Mariah (Camryn Grimes) and Tessa (Cait Fairbanks) life beats, please? We see glimpses of their life here and there. This week, they decided to move into their own place and away from the Newman Ranch. Who wants to bet the next time we see them, theyve already closed on a place, bought new furniture, moved in, and renovated it?

Random Comments and Burning Y&R Questions

-Why is Billy (Jason Thompson) with Adam and Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan) at Connors School? Unnecessary.

-Did you notice some of the music they played during Phylliss scenes sounded a bit comedic? Like she thinks shes the center of her own sitcom?

-Devon thinks Billys the problem. Nate thinks Mamies the problem at Chancellor-Winters. Who do you think is the problem? And who do you think Lily (Christel Khalil) will think is the problem?

-Im confused by Abby going after Tucker in his hotel room. The conversation feels like it should have happened a week or two earlier.

-Who is Ashleys friend in Paris? Does she have a friend in Paris? Im not convinced!

-OMG the story Nikki told her AA group was all true. All I wanted to see were the faces of everybody in the group. Were they believing everything she said? Because it all sounded so far-fetched. And if Jordan ends up d-e-a-d then her telling everybody she wants that woman to die behind bars, I dont know, its not a good look.

-Umdoes anybody know where in the world Sharon is? Is she working on her new company? Off finding a new adventure? Her story of choosing herself, working on herself, and rebuilding herself is a story I personally loved, but now it hasnt gone anywhere. I see Soap Twitter addressing this issue all the time and I completely agree. I hope were about to SPRING into a great story for Sharon. There goes my optimistic thinking again. Can she and Lily team up for something great?

The best place for true soap fans to be is our Facebook groups. Have you joined? If you love soap spoilers, gossip, and fans as dedicated as yourself, check out Days of our Lives Fans, General Hospital Exclusive, The Young and the Restless Fans, and The Bold and the Beautiful Fans.
China may be able to claim the credit for inventing the original icy dessert, as a combination of snow, milk, and rice was first made there around 200 B.C. But today, frozen treats come in many different varieties all around the world, with the ice-based Hawaiian and Italian versions being some of our favorites. Since you'll find both types in the U.S., it may be difficult to distinguish between the two at first glance. After all, they're both sweet, ice-cold, and ultra-refreshing on a hot day.

Both iced treats started off as unique recipes in other countries and were adapted by immigrants in the U.S. to become the versions that we know today. So, where does the difference lie? It all comes down to the ingredients required, the methods used to make these two desserts, and the unique story of how each one came to be. Italian ice typically has a smoother texture, and may initially remind you of other scoopable treats like sorbet and sherbet. Hawaiian shaved ice, however, looks like a delicious pile of sweet goodness and offers more room to get creative with toppings.

Read more: 25 Best Ice Cream Brands Ranked

What Is Hawaiian Shaved Ice?

Hand holding a yellow and red Hawaiian shaved ice and a plastic spoon - Maridav/Shutterstock

Hawaiian shaved ice (which is called "shave ice" on the Islands) is exactly what it sounds like: Ice that has been shaved off a big block so that it melts in your mouth. It's then topped with sugar, fruit juice, syrups, and occasionally other fun ingredients for flavor, which typically refrain from sinking straight to the bottom because of the ice's texture. It's cold, sweet, sticky, and comes in a wide array of colorful, fruity flavors. Typically, you'd eat it with a spoon out of a big cup.

The roots of Hawaiian shaved ice start with Japanese immigrants, who came to work on sugar plantations on the Islands starting in the 1800s. Also called kakigori, the treat as we know it today likely originated in a Japanese town in 1869 and quickly caught on in Hawaii. Initially, plantation workers would eat it to cool off after a long day in the sun, but by the 1900s, these immigrants began selling shaved ice out of their own shops.

Movie theaters also hopped on the trend and started offering the treat as well, and soon enough the dessert spread to the mainland U.S. New Orleans became the first city to use a block ice shaver in 1934. But today's most iconic Hawaiian shaved ice shop, Matsumoto Shave Ice, launched in 1951, putting this dessert on the map as a sought-after tourist draw.

What Is Italian Ice?

Close-up of a bowl of lemon Italian ice in a bowl with a mint garnish - Bhofack2/Getty Images

As opposed to the rougher texture of Hawaiian shaved ice, Italian ice (sometimes called Italian water ice) is smoother and more compact. It's composed of similar ingredients, including a sugary syrup and fruity components like juice or puree, but these components are thoroughly mixed and frozen together, creating a more uniform consistency. At first glance, you may mistake it for sorbet or sherbet, as it's often served in scoops on a cone, or in a cup with a spoon. Just like the Hawaiian frozen treat, this Italian one is sweet and colorful and can come in a wide range of flavors. Unsurprisingly, we'll need to travel to Italy to uncover the origins of this icy dessert.

It started out as granita, which is an Italian frozen treat that is made using a unique scraping technique to create an icy base with a flaky texture. While granita was invented as early as the 1500s in Sicily, Italian immigrants were the ones who morphed it into water ice in the 1900s when they came to the East Coast -- specifically, a woman from Sicily allegedly first started making the treat in her New Jersey home. It soon sprouted in nearby New York areas like Staten Island, Queens, and Brooklyn, and eventually became so popular that it traveled across the country.

Making Hawaiian Shaved Ice Requires A Specialized Machine (Or A Machete)

A hand using a machine to make shaved ice - Yupa Watchanakit/Shutterstock

There are generally two ways you can make Hawaiian shaved ice: by hand (the old fashioned way) or with a machine (the more modern method). Back in the day, sugar plantation workers would manually cut their ice blocks with machetes, which would achieve the longer "blades" of ice that this dessert is known for (unlike the finely crushed ice found in snow cones). Later came hand-crank machines, followed by what many shops use today: electric block shavers.

The pros typically use commercial devices, but if you're a Hawaiian shaved ice aficionado, it is possible to purchase shaved ice machines for your home as well -- especially if you're ready to crank out these treats for birthday parties and pool days. They'll likely be too large to fit on your kitchen counter, but you may be able to find a place for them on your patio or in your backyard. If this sounds like too much, you can also buy smaller, cheaper versions that will fit in your kitchen.

These smaller machines typically take ice cubes, while you'll usually need larger ice blocks for the commercial versions. Whichever one you go with, it's important to temper your ice ahead of time so it can shave properly. But if you don't want to shell out extra dough for a new device, we've also rounded up a few tricks for making shaved ice without a fancy machine.

Italian Ice Is Frozen After All The Ingredients Have Been Combined

An ice cream maker with fruit and a bowl of sugar - gupina/Shutterstock

While Italian ice comes from granita and may fall under the same dessert umbrella as Hawaiian shaved ice, it's even easier to confuse it with sorbet. Both omit dairy completely in favor of sugar, fruit juice, and ice, and both are made by blending these ingredients together. The main difference? Once everything is mixed, sorbet is typically transferred to a loaf pan and placed in the freezer. The unique process for making Italian ice, on the other hand, uses a method similar to that of making ice cream -- the ingredients are combined and frozen in a machine at the same time, which allows air to permeate throughout.

This results in a treat with smaller ice crystals, which makes for a smoother, fluffier, and more scoopable dessert. If you're making Italian ice at home, you don't necessarily need an ice cream maker (although you can use one). You can mimic the results of the commercial devices by freezing your blended mixture in a pan, then taking it out every half hour to stir it and mix air in. If you want to go the extra mile for a smoother texture, you can even transfer it back to the blender after it's frozen and pulverize it again.

Hawaiian Shaved Ice Is Known For Its Toppings

Close-up of condensed milk being drizzled on a cup of red shaved ice - BORIMAT PRAOKAEW/Shutterstock

We know that Hawaiian shaved ice has a unique texture, but perhaps the tastiest part of this treat is the toppings, which are as fun as they are varied. One of the most famous locations to find shaved ice on the Hawaiian Islands today is Matsumoto Shave Ice. Here, you'll find more than 1,000 of these treats sold daily with a rainbow of homemade syrups like blue pineapple, sour apple, lychee, liliko'i (passion fruit), pickled mango, and green river -- although the shop's original flavors included root beer, strawberry, and lime. If you're looking to imitate these at home, try combining sugar, water, and a fruit concentrate on the stove, and feel free to store your leftover fruit syrups for future desserts.

But you don't have to stop there. Two classic toppings for Hawaiian shaved ice are adzuki beans, which are made into the sweet red bean paste found in mochi, and sweetened condensed milk. If you want to feel like you're on the Islands in your backyard, use an empty squeeze bottle to apply the latter to create a garnish that's known as a snowcap in Hawaii. Or, take a page out of Matsumoto's book and add on a scoop of vanilla ice cream and mochi balls, then place everything on an edible waffle. And if you're craving a little more freshness, feel free to sprinkle on pineapple chunks, coconut flakes, or sliced strawberries.

You Can Mix And Match Italian Ice Flavors

Two containers of blue and blue and white Italian ice garnished with mint - Foodandstyle/Getty Images

Italian ice typically doesn't go quite as hard on the toppings as Hawaiian shaved ice does -- but only because it blends its flavors into the base instead. You can find Italian ice in a wide array of fruity varieties, including lemon, raspberry, pineapple, blueberry, and strawberry; or a combination of a few different ones, including pineapple coconut and mango melon. To create your own mixture, you'll simply want to incorporate a fruit puree, syrup, or juice, a sweetener like honey or sugar, a dash of lemon juice, and water (or ice, depending on how you're making it).

While the classic version of Italian ice is based on fruity flavors, feel free to experiment with others if you'd like. Rita's, a popular Philadelphia-based shop, sells options such as chocolate, chocolate chip, Dr. Pepper, and Swedish Fish -- so, as long as you don't incorporate dairy, you can still call your creation Italian ice. To make a chocolate version, for example, you'd just replace your fruity ingredients with cocoa powder. But if you really want to upgrade your dessert, try cups that layer custard in between Italian ice, like Rita's does. And while we said this treat doesn't pay much attention to toppings, it can't hurt to garnish with chocolate shavings or a sprig of mint.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Florence Pughs 2024 Oscars Look is Silver Orchid Realness

Florence Pughs 2024 Oscars Look is a silver metallic jeweled dress from the Del Core SS24 RTW collection, paired with Bulgari jewelry. Her all silver look is reminiscent of a freshly watered orchid with a dramatic corset reflecting the camera flashes at every angle. Pugh is in good company with Emily Blunt also attending the 2024 Oscars in a corseted metallic look. Along with a smokey purple eye look to contrast her green eyes, the look has a lot to live up to given Pughs long list of iconic red carpet looks.

More from StyleCaster

Though we always look forward to seeing what celebs wear to fancy events, Florence Pughs red carpet looks are some of our favorites to behold. The star is no stranger to taking fashion risks. Her Dune: Part Two premiere wardrobe has included hooded sequin gowns and plenty of sideboob. She showed up to the 2023 Oscars in booty shorts and a dramatic cape. And Florence Pughs 2024 Oscars look is equally as jaw-dropping.

While Pugh isnt nominated for any Oscars this year, shes part of the star-studded cast of Oppenheimerwhich earned a whopping 13 Academy Award nominations. The movie is nominated for Best Picture, a category its won at most other awards shows this season. And if it takes home the nights biggest Oscar, you can expect to see Pugh onstage alongside the rest of the cast.

Shes shown up to previous events in see-through gowns, short shorts, and truly triumphant capes. And so far this awards season, shes worn a dramatic corset gown with a matching shawl and a fluffy red tulle dress with a slightly see-through skirt.

And Florence Pughs 2024 Oscars look is just the beginning. Last year, after hitting the red carpet in short shorts and a sprawling cape, she showed up to the Vanity Fair afterparty in a crop top and yet another cape. In honor of her sparkling 2024 Oscars look, we celebrate the rest of Pughs iconic red carpet ensembles.

Academy Awards (March 2024)

Academy Awards (March 2024)

Dune: Part Two New York Premiere (February 2024)

Dune: Part Two New York Premiere (February 2024)

BAFTA Film Awards (February 2024)

BAFTA Film Awards (February 2024)

Dune: Part Two London Premiere (February 2024)

Dune: Part Two London Premiere (February 2024)

Academy Governors Awards (January 2024)

Academy Governors Awards (January 2024)

Golden Globe Awards (2024)

Golden Globe Awards (2024)

Elle Style Awards (September 2023)

Elle Style Awards (September 2023)

Lotus London Launch (July 2023)

Lotus London Launch (July 2023)

Oppenheimer UK Premiere (July 2023)

Oppenheimer UK Premiere (July 2023)

Met Gala (May 2023)

Met Gala (May 2023)

Tiffany & Co. Reopening (April 2023)

Tiffany & Co. Reopening (April 2023)

Vanity Fair Oscar Party (March 2023)

Vanity Fair Oscar Party (March 2023)

Academy Awards (March 2023)

Academy Awards (March 2023)

BAFTA Awards (February 2023)

BAFTA Awards (February 2023)

Fashion Awards (December 2022)

Fashion Awards (December 2022)

British Independent Film Awards (December 2022)

British Independent Film Awards (December 2022)

Academy Governors Awards (November 2022)

Academy Governors Awards (November 2022)

The Wonder UK Premiere (October 2022)

The Wonder UK Premiere (October 2022)

Dont Worry Darling Venice Premiere (September 2022)

Dont Worry Darling Venice Premiere (September 2022)

Valentino Haute Couture Show (July 2022)

Valentino Haute Couture Show (July 2022)

Tiffany Vision & Virtuosity Gala (June 2022)

Tiffany Vision & Virtuosity Gala (June 2022)

British Academy Film Awards (March 2022)

British Academy Film Awards (March 2022)

Vanity Fair Oscar Party (February 2020)

Vanity Fair Oscar Party (February 2020)

Academy Awards (February 2020)

Academy Awards (February 2020)

British Academy Film Awards (February 2020)

British Academy Film Awards (February 2020)

Critics Choice Awards (January 2020)

Critics Choice Awards (January 2020)

Little Women World Premiere (December 2019)

Little Women World Premiere (December 2019)

British Academy Film Awards (February 2018)

British Academy Film Awards (February 2018)

British Academy Film Awards Nominees Party (February 2018)

British Academy Film Awards Nominees Party (February 2018)

London Film Critics Circle Awards (January 2018)

London Film Critics Circle Awards (January 2018)

British Independent Film Awards (December 2017)

British Independent Film Awards (December 2017)

European Film Awards (December 2017)

European Film Awards (December 2017)

Best of StyleCaster
On "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," Guy Fieri explores some of the best eats across the States, often placing an emphasis on comfort food. Based on where he travels around Flavortown, viewers would be reasonable in thinking that quintessential American bites, like burgers and fries, were among Fieri's favorite foods. However, if the Triple D host had to pick his ideal country to eat in, it would be Italy. The TV personality is a third-generation Italian American, and something about eating Italian food speaks to his culinary soul.

Speaking with GQ, Fieri explained that it's not just the world-famous Italian food, like spaghetti alla carbonara or Florentine steak, that bring joy to his heart. Fieri still loves a dive no matter where he goes: "I can eat at a gas station on the Autostrada and it will be the best sandwich I've ever had," he said. However, Fieri can pinpoint a couple of his go-to Italian cities and dishes. "Out of all the cities, I think one of my favorites is Florence," he shared. "Cacio e pepe in Rome is amazing also."

Read more: 11 Of The Best Cooking Tips From Bobby Flay

Fieri's Italian Roots Run Deep

rippling italian flag - Cginspiration/Getty Images

Though some of Fieri's signature quirks  such as his trademark platinum hair and bold bowling shirts  were friends' ideas or mandates from his team members, his showbiz name was his own decision. It turns out the mayor of Flavortown wasn't named Guy Fieri at birth. Born Guy Ramsey Ferry in 1968, he married his wife Lori nearly three decades later and took the occasion as an opportunity to reclaim his Italian family name, Fieri.

Fieri's grandfather had changed his surname when he immigrated to America, a common of practice for Italian immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s, who often Americanized their names in efforts to fit into their new culture. In celebration of his Italian roots, Guy Fieri passed down his grandfather's surname to his three sons, which is far from the only way he has honored his heritage over the years.

What We Know About Fieri's Upcoming Italian Restaurant

spaghetti in plate - Fcafotodigital/Getty Images

Fieri samples other people's cooking on "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives," but the TV personality has accumulated his own portfolio of restaurants over the years. In early 2024, Fieri announced an upcoming addition to his family of eateries: an Italian restaurant in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. In a press statement, Fieri shared that this will be one of his most personal ventures yet. "It's a true homecoming to bring my latest concept to the area," he said. "Being from an Italian family, classic Italian American fare has always been a part of my life." In that spirit, restaurant goers can expect to try chicken Parmesan and a 68-layer lasagna, among other traditional Italian American dishes, at the new space.

Though Fieri celebrates the classics, having taken Triple D to Italy to show viewers the local gems, he's also been known to add his own spin to familiar favorites. Some of his concoctions include "weird spaghetti" and Guy-talian nachos. The former is Fieri's take on the Midwest's Cincinnati chili and features spaghetti noodles with chili sauce and cheese, and the latter is a combo of traditional Italian flavors with nachos. These creations just go to show that while Italy may be his favorite place to eat, the dishes that best represent Fieri can only be found in Flavortown.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.
A white modern low-sunk sofa next to a photo of Lupita Nyong'o in a sparkly dress.

In a super-quick 2023 recap, Lupita Nyong'o's couch gets a moment in the spotlight. However, the speedy TikTok clip was conveniently long enough for us to start mapping out a living room refresh.

In the first clip, we catch the actor getting her makeup done in her modern and cozy space, which is when we catch a glimpse of her neutral statement piece. The pouf piece shares a similar look to Michel Ducaroy's Togo for Ligne Roset, a '70s statement maker that can cost upwards of $5,000.

But don't worry  we'll help you get the look for less. Should you be playing around with small living room ideas, we'll help you make sleek style choices to match this celeb home look.

See Lupita Nyong'o's couch in her 2023 TikTok recap

While yes, the Black Panther star doesn't quite give us the best angle of the sofa in selfie mode, we can still tell the couch is a great way to modernize an outdated small living room. The neutral sofa color that makes a small living room look bigger.

"The beauty of Lupita Nyong'o's couch is that despite its size, the soft lines, low profile, and neutral color make it unobtrusive in her space," says Real Homes editor Punteha van Terheyden.

She adds, "If you love modern decor with a touch of luxe, you can replicate Lupita's setup by choosing a low-sitting sofa in taupe, plus making sure your area rug is big enough to tuck under the front legs."

Punteha recommends achieving a similar aesthetic with the Cecco Modul Velvet or Latitude Run's Deklen 92.5'' Tuxedo Arm Modular Sofa on Wayfair. These picks also remind us of Ashley Tisdale's sofa, a renowned Mario Bellini Camaleonda.

When working with small modern living room ideas and big statement-making sofas, designer Nina Lichtenstein says planning is involved.

"Mastering the art of styling big couches, as seen in Lupita Nyong'o's living room, requires a thoughtful blend of comfort and sophistication," she says. "By incorporating these design principles, you can transform your spacious seating area into a haven of opulent elegance."

She recommends anchoring a couch like the actor's with a statement coffee table, throwing in a few blankets and pillows for added comfort, adding plants and meaningful decor, and topping it all off with lighting that enhances the room.

"Opt for lighting fixtures that complement the overall aesthetic, adding a touch of glamour to the expansive space," she adds.

Our small living room lighting ideas are all for making a statement, and something like George Oliver's Isador Chandelier available at Wayfair could help you do so and keep the sofa at the center of attention.

So, who's ready for that small living room refresh now, all thanks to Lupita Nyong'o?

What to shop

Trule Armless 2-Seat Loveseat Large Bean Bag Sofa

Four colors

Trule Armless 2-Seat Loveseat Large Bean Bag Sofa

Price: $899.99

Dimensions (in.): H30 x W56.69 x D40

Frameless and full of sponge support structure, this two-seater  a frequent buy at Wayfair  is considered an ergonomic experience.

Trule Armless 3-Seat Togo Three Seater Large Bean Bag Sofa

Six colors

Trule Armless 3-Seat Togo Three Seater Large Bean Bag Sofa

Price: $1,089.99

Dimensions (in.): H30 x W69 x D40

The larger counterpart to the Trule Armless Loveseat, this suken sofa seats three and offers "optimal comfort and support."

Sdorens Teddy Velvet Lazy Floor Sofa

Various sizes

Sdorens Teddy Velvet Lazy Floor Sofa

Price: Was $699.99 , now $599.99

Dimensions (in.): D38.9 x W39.76 x H23.35

Stylish and sturdy, Sdorens Teddy sofa boasts thickened cushion filled with a high-resilience sponge for support and comfort.

You got the sofa: now what? We scored eight tips from interior designers that will teach you how to style a sofa in a small living room. They're stylish, space-saving, and sure to make a statement.
Feed (and please) a crowd this Easter with a delicious spreadand none of the work.

The Honey Baked Ham Co.

Ham is a staple on many holiday tables throughout the year, but when Easter comes around, its frequently the star of the show. Many Southerners have mastered the perfect ham with the help of our go-to guidefrom Glazed Spiral-Cut to Sweet Tea-Brined to juicy pork straight from the slow-cooker. Some home cooks swear by studded cloves, pineapple, or the addition of one carbonated secret ingredient. That said, we dont always have hours to babysit a ham (especially after the Easter church service).

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, The Honey Baked Ham Co. has become a go-to for Southerners in a pinch, serving up juicy, expertly crafted hams that rival the hours of roasted from-scratch perfection. Last year, the company did some research into Easter celebrations, discovering that more than 80% of folks opt for ham as their Easter meal and parents are now passing the hosting torch to their kids, specifically millennials.

First-time hosts are doing things a bit differently than previous generations, including inviting friendsinstead of just family membersfor their special Easter meal and opting for a laid-back buffet or family-style service. Overwhelmingly, 91% of first-time Easter hosts said that their familys Easter traditions were important to them and they planned to carry on the torch even as new traditions are introduced.

For those intimidated by cooking a ham for the first time, HoneyBaked is volunteering to do all the hard work. The company is offering up a menu of full Easter meals to simplify hosting, each including their signature ham with its classic sweet-and-crunchy glaze or tender turkey breast. Plus, a Honey Baked Ham requires no oven space unless you want to warm up slices before serving.

HoneyBakeds seasonal menu includes:

Signature Honey Baked Ham Meal : A bone-in-half ham topped with HoneyBakeds signature sweet and crunchy glaze. Choose from four Heat & Serve sides: Maple Sweet Potato Souffle, Double Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese, Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin, or Baked Cinnamon Apples.

Half Boneless Ham Meal : A boneless half ham topped with HoneyBakeds signature sweet and crunchy glaze. Choose from four Heat & Serve sides.

Take & Bake Ham & Cheddar Biscuits : Take & Bake biscuits feature Honey Baked Ham & cheddar cheese generously piled on eight Southern-style buttermilk biscuits and topped with savory Garlic Herb Butter and Sweet Honey Glaze Sauce.

Take & Bake Sliders: A 12-pack of sliders available in original Ham & Swiss or savory Garlic Herb Turkey & Cheddar. Both are served on Kings Hawaiian Rolls.

To add to the good news: Honey Baked Ham leftovers can be refrigerated for seven to ten days after your celebration. If youre hoping to take HoneyBaked up on their Easter offer, the brand encourages customers to order online no later than March 29 for in-store pickup on March 30. You can find your closest HoneyBaked location here.

If youd like to take on the ham yourself, our Maple-Bourbon Glazed Ham is a five-star recipe out of ingredients you likely already have on hand. (Well plan the whole menu, if youll let us.)

Regardless of which recipes you choose, we hope that you and your loved ones have a holiday full of Easter joyand maybe Hummingbird Cupcakes with Candied Pineapple Wedges.



For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.
If you've recently purchased turkey kielbasa sausage, there's a chance a recent recall pertains to what's in your fridge or freezer. According to a March 7th announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), 35,430 pounds of Johnsonville Polish turkey kielbasa sausage have been recalled for potential contamination by foreign materials. The recall comes on the heels of customers reporting rubber pieces in the product, which was distributed to retailers nationwide.

The recall, issued by Salm Partners, LLC, an establishment based in Denmark, Wisconsin, covers ready-to-eat turkey kielbasa sausages produced between October 30 and 31, 2023. The vacuum-packed product bears a label of Johnsonville POLISH TURKEY KIELBASA, containing a single piece of the large sausage, with a stated weight of 12 ounces. For retail consumers, the "Best By" dates of May 17, 2024, or May 18, 2024, appear on the bottom front of the package, with a printed establishment number of P-32009 in the same location.

No recall-related injuries or illnesses have been reported as of this writing, though concerns remain over the safety of consumers who have the sausages in their homes. The product should not be eaten, and buyers are urged to toss them out or return them to the place of purchase. Consumers should inform a healthcare professional if they think they have eaten the product and possibly compromised their health. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time Johnsonville has encountered a contamination-related recall.

Read more: 14 Popular Chain Grocery Stores For Meat, Ranked Worst To Best

Johnsonville Sausages And Prior Recalls

Johnsonville Polish turkey kielbasa package - USDA

Now one of America's most well-known sausage brands, Johnsonville began in 1945 as a small butcher shop in its namesake Wisconsin town. During the 1980s, it expanded to 47 U.S. states, and by 2022, the privately owned company was selling sausages in at least 45 countries. That's a lot of sausages on dinner and breakfast plates, with 10 product lines, including links, patties, ground sausage, smoked rope sausages, and ones created especially for grilling. With that many products, it's unsurprising that Johnsonville has been down the recall road before.

Less than a year before this current turkey kielbasa sausage fiasco, the company was forced to recall 42,000 pounds of Johnsonville "Beddar with Cheddar" smoked sausage links due to the discovery of thin strands of black plastic fibers reported by one customer. Other contamination problems and subsequent recalls occurred in 2012 and 2019, springing from a small number of customer complaints regarding the discovery of glove fragments and hard green plastic materials, respectively. In all instances, there were no initial reports of adverse reactions. For the current recall of Johnsonville Polish Turkey Kielbasa, anyone with questions can contact Stephanie Schafer, Global Corporate Communications for Johnsonville, at 888-556-2728 or sschafer@johnsonville.com.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Karolina Geits, who made headlines last year for strutting around Soho with a sign that read "Looking for a husband," still hasn't found her Mr. Right.

Her love language is dollar signs.

Karolina Geits, who made headlines last year for strutting around Soho with a sign that read Looking for a husband, still hasnt found her Mr. Right  but it doesnt hurt that shes gotten random men to gift her designer goods and luxury experiences during her hubby hunt.

On March 1, the 29-year-old model and beauty influencer was whisked away in a strangers private jet to the Sunshine State after she toted around a cardboard sign with the brazen request, Fly me to Miami, outside of Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, according to jaw-dropping video she posted on social media.

Geits toted around a cardboard sign with the brazen request, Fly me to Miami, outside of Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. Courtesy of Karolina Geits

Geits was later whisked away in one mans private jet to Miami. Courtesy of Karolina Geits

That was a crazy idea. I knew I could go to the commercial airport and ask someone there [to purchase her a plane ticket], but I thought the private jet would be more exciting, a giggly Geits, who lives in Soho, told The Post from Miami this week.

Geits, who declined to provide the high-flyers name for privacy reasons, called him such a nice guy who she plans to stay in touch with  albeit just as friends, she said.

Shortly after touching down in Miami, the brunette bombshell  who boasts more than 1.5 million followers on TikTok and Instagram  made her way to the pool at a $500-per-night hotel in South Beach, where she ensnared her next unsuspecting benefactor.

The 29-year-old model and beauty influencer boasts over 1.5 million followers on TikTok and Instagram. Karolina Geits/Instagram

May I ask a question please? Can you rent a room for me in this hotel? I love this hotel, Geits gushes in the March 3 video posted to TikTok and Instagram.

After confirming that Geits isnt joking, the man replies between laughs: Ive never done this before, but youre beautiful, so why not?

The nearly one-and-a-half-minute long clip, which has been seen over 1.5 million times, shows the hunk handing his card over to the hotel receptionist, then giving Geits a room key.

After arriving in Miami, Geits made her way to the pool at a $500-per-night hotel in South Beach, where she ensnared her next unsuspecting benefactor. Courtesy of Karolina Geits

But it was apparently no great feat, as he only booked the room for two nights, Geits lamented.

The South Asia natives other social media videos show her being bewilderingly successful in getting random strangers off the street to buy her a $1,000 Tiffany & Company necklace, and a $4,000 Chanel bag, on the spot.

My point of doing these videos is, first, to find a boyfriend, a husband, for sure. . . . and the second thing is to say to women, like, We are the women. We can ask for things. The man must take care of the woman, Geits explained.

One reason for Geits videos is to say to women, like, We are the women. We can ask for things. The man must take care of the woman, she explained. Courtesy of Karolina Geits

One stranger bought Geits a nearly $4,000 Chanel bag on the spot. Courtesy of Karolina Geits

The aspiring bride, who has been single for three years, still has her eye on the real prize: a wealthy man who will spoil her until death do them apart.

My first time [with the sign], I was just looking for the husband. Right now, I know what I want  I want the rich husband, because I need to go shopping, I need to go to nice restaurants, I need to go travel  and my future husband or boyfriend needs to support all these things, Geits said.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the alternatives to silicone breast implants and 10 cheap countries for augmentation. If you do not want to learn about global breast implants, head straight to the Alternatives to Silicone Breast Implants and 5 Cheap Countries for Augmentation.

When considering breast augmentation, exploring alternatives to silicone implants and seeking affordable options in different countries can be pivotal decisions. As advancements in medical technology continue to expand, alternatives such as saline implants, fat transfer procedures, and innovative materials offer viable options for those seeking augmentation. Additionally, researching countries known for cost-effective medical procedures can provide insights into accessible options for individuals seeking quality augmentation at more affordable rates. By delving into these alternatives and exploring cheap countries for augmentation, individuals can make informed choices tailored to their needs and preferences.

Global Breast Implant Market Overview and Industry Trends

The global breast implant market is experiencing significant growth. It is projected to increase from $2.31 billion in 2022 to $5.34 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 7.3% to 7.7%. Key market segments include silicone and saline breast implants, which are used in reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries. Major players in the market include Sientra, Inc. (NASDAQ:SIEN) , Allergan plc, and GC Aesthetics.

Sientra, Inc. (NASDAQ:SIEN), a leading breast implant company, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware but continues operations with $22.5 million in new financing. Despite this, it remains focused on innovation, offering FDA-approved fifth-generation breast implants and other surgical aesthetic solutions. In Q1 2024, it disclosed plans to pursue a sale while operating during the Chapter 11 process. Sientra, Inc. (NASDAQ:SIEN)'s financial highlights include improved operational metrics, year-over-year growth, and market outperformance in reconstruction. It also doubled its total addressable market in the US and released promising interim FDA post-approval study results involving over 5,000 patients.

Story continues

Aesthetic Medical International Holdings Group Limited (NASDAQ:AIH) is a leading player in breast implant technology, emphasizing safety, quality, and patient satisfaction. They continually innovate with advancements in materials, shapes, and surgical techniques. Recent activities include strategic changes in auditors and directors and engagements in share transfers and director appointments. The company is focused on expanding its product line, research and development efforts, and exploring new markets. Aesthetic Medical International Holdings Group Limited (NASDAQ:AIH) appointed Onestop Assurance PAC as its independent registered public accounting firm, replacing Union Power HK CPA Limited, effective December 12, 2023. Furthermore, the Aesthetic Medical International Holdings Group Limited (NASDAQ:AIH)'s revenue in the quarter ending June 30, 2023, was $23.54 million, reflecting an 11.35% decrease year-over-year

Breast augmentation procedures are popular in the US, with approximately 378,700 procedures performed in 2021. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports a growing trend in cosmetic surgeries post-pandemic, with an increased interest in beauty procedures among women. North America dominated the market with a share of around 31% to 39.41% in 2022.

Europe shows a high preference for silicone implants and an increasing demand for cosmetic products. POLYTECH Health & Aesthetics received CE approval for its breast implants in Europe, indicating a focus on product innovation and safety standards.

Alternative Breast Augmentation Procedures and Cultural Influences

Two effective alternatives to silicone breast implants are fat-transfer breast enlargement and auto-augmentation breast enlargement. Fat transfer involves injecting fat from other body parts into the breasts, offering a natural look and feel with minimal scarring and quick recovery. However, it provides a limited increase in breast size and may not be suitable for significant volume changes. The success rate is high, with fewer complications compared to implants, and costs range from $8,000 to $17,000, making it increasingly popular as a natural alternative.

Auto-augmentation breast enlargement utilizes a patient's breast tissue for enhancement, resulting in a natural appearance with minimal scarring. While it offers natural results, it cannot achieve the same structured appearance as implants and provides a limited increase in breast size. Costs vary based on individual cases and surgeon fees.

A small percentage of women undergoing breast augmentation may experience complications such as breast implant illness (BII), which accounts for 4.2% of cosmetic breast implant revisions, according to a legacy cohort study. The FDA emphasizes the importance of understanding both the benefits and risks associated with breast implants, whether for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes.

Cultural influences significantly impact preferences in breast augmentation, including among transgender individuals who often express interest in or pursue breast augmentation, typically preferring a 45:55 breast ratio. While regional disparities in preferred breast ratios exist based on cultural backgrounds, studies on this topic are limited in scope.

Countries like the United States, Thailand, Brazil, and South Korea serve as major medical tourism destinations. These destinations attract international patients seeking cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentation due to their established medical facilities and experienced surgeons.

Alternatives to Silicone Breast Implants and 10 Cheap Countries for Augmentation

A helping hand holding a 3D bioprinted breast implant above a surgical tray.

Our Methodology

For our methodology, we have ranked the alternatives to silicone breast implants and cheap countries for augmentation based on the countries where you could get breast augmentation. For the accuracy of prices, we relied on Placidway.

Here is our list of the alternatives to silicone breast implants and 10 cheap countries for augmentation.

10. Spain

Cost of Breast Augmentation: $6500

Spain has become one of the best destinations for breast augmentation thanks to its combination of high-quality healthcare and affordability. Clinics like Clinica Granado Tiagonce in Alicante and ICA Instituto de Cirugia Avanzada in Tenerife offer various options, including silicone or saline implants. The average cost in Alicante is approximately $6043, with prices ranging from $5493 to $7800 or more, depending on factors like type and complexity. In 2022, Spain recorded 64,222 aesthetic implant procedures., indicating its popularity due to affordability and healthcare quality.

9. South Korea

Cost of Breast Augmentation: $4000

South Korea has become a cheap country for augmentation, drawing patients with skilled surgeons, modern facilities, and competitive pricing. Accommodation for foreign patients ranges from 20,000 to 200,000 per night. South Korea's well-established medical tourism infrastructure saw around 50,000 international patients in 2017, with breast augmentation ranking as one of the top procedures, constituting a significant share of all plastic surgeries in the country.

8. Dominican Republic

Cost of Breast Augmentation: $4000

The Dominican Republic is renowned for its affordable breast augmentation procedures, attracting individuals seeking cosmetic surgery. With a range of clinics offering varying prices, the average cost of breast augmentation in the country falls between $3,000 and $7,068. Some clinics provide specific pricing, such as $5,150 for premium silicone implants. The country's popularity for medical tourism, particularly in cosmetic procedures like breast augmentation, suggests a significant number of individuals choose this destination for surgery to save costs.

7. Croatia

Cost of Breast Augmentation: $3700

Croatia stands seventh amont attractive destination for breast augmentation procedures. Prices for breast augmentation start at around $3,700, making it one of the most affordable options in Europe. The country boasts reputable clinics with the latest technologies and skilled surgeons with over 20 years of experience. Clinics like Dr Toncic Cosmetic Surgery Clinic and Poliklinika Bagatin offer various plastic surgery services, including breast lift procedures starting at $4,140 and breast augmentation with fat transfer priced at $6,576.50, respectively.

6. Costa Rica

Cost of Breast Augmentation: $3500

Costa Rica stands sixth among the cheap countries for breast augmentation. The cost for breast implants in Costa Rica starts from $3,500, making it a cost-effective option compared to other countries like the United States, where the same procedure can cost over $8,000. This cost advantage has attracted many individuals seeking breast augmentation procedures to Costa Rica. Clinics like Araya Plastic Surgery are known for their sophisticated technology and positive patient outcomes.

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Disclosure. None: The Alternatives to Silicone Breast Implants and 10 Cheap Countries for Augmentation is originally published on Insider Monkey.






Key Takeaways

1.7 million adults in the United States develop a life-threatening blood infection called sepsis every year. Roughly 15% of sepsis cases are acquired in the hospital.

While it can happen to anyone, immunocompromised patients are the most at risk for sepsis. This includes people with diabetes, babies, older adults, and people having cancer treatment.

If youre in the hospital, there are steps that your healthcare team will take to prevent infections. You can also take steps to shore up your immune system and make it less likely that youll develop an infection like sepsis.









Fever, fast breathing, and lightheadedness are the main symptoms that Russ Kino, MD, medical director of the emergency management department at Providence St. Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, looks for in patients with a life-threatening infection called sepsis.

Sepsis is when theres an infection in the body that has spread into the bloodstream, and it can be very dangerous, Kino told Verywell. Part of that danger lies in the fact that sepsis causes collateral damage to vital organs. Infections that lead to sepsis typically start in the urinary tract, skin, lung, or GI system.

In the United States, 1.7 million adults develop sepsis every year.

Sepsis contributes between a third to a half of all U.S. hospital deathsmore common than heart attack and stroke combined, Hallie Prescott, MD, MSc, associate professor of internal medicine in pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Michigan, told Verywell.

Since healthcare facilities are supposed to be clean, safe places where you go to get better, it might surprise you to learn that you can actually get sepsis while youre in the hospital. In honor of Patient Safety Awareness Week, were bringing attention to this risk.

While most cases of sepsis start outside the hospital, roughly 15% of sepsis cases are acquired in the hospital, according to Prescott. Some research even suggests that sepsis death rates may be higher in people who developed the infection in the hospital compared to those who got it in a non-hospital setting.

While sepsis isnt always avoidable, there are some proactive preventive steps patients and their families can take during a hospital stay.

Related: What Is Septic Shock?

Who Gets Sepsis?

Anyone can develop sepsis, but it usually happens to people with weak immune systems, Chris Seymour, MD, MSc, associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, told Verywell.

In immunocompromised people, the body tries to respond to the infection, but may not be able to contain it. The immune system is dysregulated and starts to affect the other organs in the body that may be distant from where the site of the infection is, said Seymour. Thats what leads to sepsis syndrome.

Sepsis is more common in people at extreme ages who get infectionsthink babies and older adultsand in people with conditions or treatments that dampen their immune system function, according to Prescott. A common example is a patient with cancer who is getting chemotherapy or someone with a chronic medical condition, like type 2 diabetes.

Another risk factor is having invasive procedures like surgery.

The insertion of catheters and the use of ventilators are also risk factors for developing sepsis because these procedures can introduce bacteria or other pathogens into the body.

Related: Sepsis: Know the Early Warning Signs

How Do Hospitals Prevent Sepsis?

Healthcare facilities are where people go when theyre sick, so the buildings are inevitably going to have an array of bacteria and other pathogens in the air and on surfaces. That said, since sepsis is relatively common and has the potential to be life-threatening, hospitals do have strict protocols and standards, according to Kino and Prescott.

Infection prevention measures include rigorous cleaning schedules and sterilization of spaces and equipment that are used for patient care. Providers also watch patients for signs of sepsis and make note of people who are at especially high risk for developing the complication.

We have to assess the patient very rapidly by giving them intravenous antibiotics within one hour of arrival, monitor them incredibly closely, and order specific lab tests according to specific timelines, said Kino.

How to Check Your Hospitals Sepsis Care Score

If youre worried (or even just curious), you can research sepsis care at specific hospitals by visiting Medicare.gov. Put in your ZIP code or search a local hospital by name, click on the link, and scroll down to the Quality section.

Within the Quality section, look for a tab that says Timely & Effective Care. This will show you the percentage of patients who received appropriate care for severe sepsis and or septic shock. The higher the percentage, the better.

For example, as of February 2024, the percentage of patients who received appropriate sepsis care at St. Davids Medical Center in Austin, Texas is 76%16% higher than the national average of 60%.

Related: The Most Common Hospital-Acquired Infections

How Can You Avoid Sepsis in the Hospital?

When youre in the hospital, your healthcare team should take measures to reduce the risk of sepsis and track your health closely. But it also wont hurt for you to learn about the signs and symptoms of sepsis and understand what your risk factors are.

[Immunocompromised individuals] need to be very conscientious about the surveillance and management of even minor infections like a urinary tract infection or a cough or a cold, said Kino. Those sorts of things can progress on to sepsis very easily in immune suppressed people.

Providers also advise making sure that youre up to date on recommended and routine vaccinations. While they dont protect you from every possible infection, vaccines do stimulate your immune system and produce protective antibodies against specific pathogens.









What This Means For You

Sepsis is a common and potentially life-threatening infection. While it often starts outside a hospital in people with weak immune systems, it can happen to anyone. And you can also get sepsis while youre in the hospital being treated for something else.

Healthcare facilities do have protocols in place to prevent hospital-acquired infections, but it doesnt hurt to learn about how your local hospital performs in sepsis care, become familiar with the signs of the infection, and know your risk factors.









Read Next: New Blood Test May Save Lives by Identifying Sepsis in Minutes

Read the original article on Verywell Health.
British YouTuber Ashley Humphries has made several videos about traveling in South Korea, including a tour of the DMZ and a visit to an abandoned theme park called Yongma Land.

But hes now interested in going there for more than just a holiday. Humphries is one of the first round of applicants for a new workation visa the South Korean government launched in 2024.

The visa is valid for a maximum of two years and is aimed at remote workers like Humphries, whose Asia-centric travel channel is called Ashleys Planet.

Digital nomad or working vacation visas became increasingly popular during the pandemic, springing up everywhere from Dubai to the Cayman Islands.

According to a report in the Korea Herald, South Koreas Justice Ministry says the digital nomad visa will make remote work and vacations smoother for visitors.

The new system will allow employees and employers in overseas firms to tour and work remotely in Korea for a longer period of time, reads a line from the report.

Yet beneath the surface, some South Korea experts believe these visas are about more than just ease of travel  theyre a possible avenue for increasing the workforce in a country with a devastatingly low birth rate.

Professor Jungho Suh, project director of the Korean Management Institute at George Washington University, believes that the workation visa is a soft launch for a bigger plan to bring more foreigners into Korea  and not only for career reasons.

The demographic divide

South Korea has the worlds lowest birth rate.

The countrys fertility rate, which is measured as the number of average births from a woman in her lifetime, is now expected to drop from 0.78 in 2022 to 0.65 in 2025, according to Statistics Korea. For the past three years, there have been more deaths than births recorded in the country.

While there are other Asian countries and regions  like Hong Kong, Thailand and the Indonesian island of Bali  that have high numbers of foreign residents, South Koreas population is quite homogenous.

When the National Human Rights Commission announced the results of a Racial Discrimination in the South Korean Society study in March 2020, 7 out of 10 immigrants answered that racial discrimination exists in Korean society.

Interracial relationships in South Korea are still such an anomaly that several YouTube channels starring international couples have become popular  and profitable.

Maybe by enforcing this new visa policy, says Suh, the government is trying to lead the agenda or to lead the discussion to normalize social mix between ethnicities or between Koreans and non-Koreans.

The founder of Hoppers, Jeong Hyun Cho, created Digital Nomads Korea, a community designed for remote workers and foreigners residing in South Korea. She says that once the workcation visa was announced, it became the hottest topic in the Digital Nomads Korea WhatsApp group and other online platforms that Hoppers facilitates.

In a survey of 1,300 members, Jeong reports that 83% of them expressed an interest in the new visa. While she rates her native country high for infrastructure, public transit, Wi-Fi and other amenities, she says that the biggest issue facing young Koreans is high living costs.

The capital area in Korea is densely populated, she says.

This leads to high living costs, intense competition, and stress levels that impact decisions on marriage and starting families. I think the low fertility rate is related to the competitive and stressful life in the capital area.

I believe decentralizing the population and providing a better quality of life in the regional areas could potentially alleviate this, and having digital nomads start a community in regional areas could be a starting point.

The Seoul skyline at night. - Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images/File

Foreigners in South Korea

While the workation visas are a critical step for opening up South Korea to international workers, Humphries believes the requirements are too strict for most aspiring applicants.

To get the visa, applicants must confirm they make at least 85 million won ($65,000) per year from a non-Korean company, show proof of health insurance and have a clean criminal record.

InterNations, which bills itself as the worlds largest online community for expats, gave South Korea low marks in the Ease of Settling In category of its annual user survey, which included questions on the friendliness of locals and ease of getting around without being fluent in the local language.

The country placed 50th out of 53 countries in the websites Expat Insider roundup of the best countries to relocate, ahead of only Turkey, Norway and Kuwait.

Still, Jeong believes there will be plenty of applicants who fit the criteria for the workcation visa.

Our community data indicates a significant portion of our members could meet this criterion, she says, noting that most of the applicants she knows are relocating from North America and work in fields like IT.

For those foreigners who do come to South Korea to work, Digital Nomad World, a website that keeps track of trends for remote workers, says that the average person will spend $2,050 per month to live in Seoul, a number which factors in the costs of housing, food, transit and co-working spaces.

The site ranks South Korea highly for nightlife and youth culture, but gives lower marks for LGBT acceptance and English-language accessibility.

Meanwhile, South Korea places 49 out of 113 countries on the English Proficiency Index, which puts it in the moderate category. For comparison around the region: Singapore is second in the world, Hong Kong is 29th and Japan is in 87th place.

Still, Humphries is undeterred in his quest for the South Korea workation visa and plans to base himself in Seoul if approved.

The South Korean digital nomad visa is a great step forward for allowing foreigners to reside in the country, he says. South Korea is an overall beautiful country to reside in. A lot of stunning nature, many things to do in each city great food, a vibrant culture and most importantly, some of the friendliest people I have ever met.

Editors Note: CNNs Gawon Bae and Veronica Lin contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
There's nothing like a steaming cup of hot chocolate straight out of grandma's kitchen. Swirling with rich flavor, sweet aromas, and plenty of love, hot chocolate evokes a sense of warm nostalgia that's hard to beat. Historically, Mexican chocolate was a sacred drink in the ancient Aztec culture, and it continues to bring Hispanic households together, particularly on special occasions such as the Day of the Dead and Christmas, when Abuelita hot chocolate is a staple of celebrations.

The cherished Mexican chocolate brand was born over 100 years ago, when the Gonzalez Barragan brothers built the La Azteca chocolate factory in Orizaba, Veracruz. In 1939, the factory relocated to Mexico City where the brand name Abuelita was established. Although the founders' motivation for the choice is unknown, Abuelita attributes its name to the cozy feeling of a grandmother's culinary touch.

However, an official mascot didn't become a part of the brand until 1973 when acclaimed Mexican actress Sara Garcia was tapped to be the grandmotherly character who appears on all Abuelita products. Often referred to as La Abuelita de Mexico (Mexico's grandmother), Garcia was well-known for her portrayal of the relatable grandmother in films like "Alla en el Tropic" and "Los Tres Garcia" during the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema. She often depicted characters with a demand for discipline but a soft spot for hugs.

Read more: How To Get More Flavor From Your Coffee Pods & Other Keurig Hacks

Why Sara Garcia Fit The Bill

Sara Garcia looking serious - Wikimedia Commons Public Domain

Abuelita's granulated mixes, tablets, and bars are primarily made of cocoa, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon for the signature kick characteristic of Mexico's spiced hot chocolate. The singular taste is affectionately referred to as "calor de hogar," which translates to "warmth of home." According to Abuelita, Garcia's iconic persona perfectly encapsulates the essence of the brand's mission and distinct flavor. She represents warmth, family, and the ideal balance of sugar and spice. This vision is especially illustrated in the logo that features Garcia dressed in traditional grandmother garb, flashing a comforting smile.

Although the brand was acquired by the controversial Swiss corporation Nestle in 1995, the production of the chocolatey goodness remains in Mexico. Abuelita currently runs out of Toluca, the capital of the State of Mexico, and it continues to provide deliciously sentimental hot chocolate to families around the world. Sara Garcia passed away in 1980, but her mark on Mexican culture lives on in the instantly recognizable image that has forever enshrined her as "the lady on Abuelita chocolate."

Read the original article on Mashed.
If you're not familiar with bestselling author C. J. Box, "Three-Inch Teeth" (Putnam, $30) will serve as a great introduction.

It's the 24th book in his series starring Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett, who has survived many challenges and tough investigations.

In the first chapter, you'll be grabbed by a scene with a young fisherman, who's attacked and killed by a rogue grizzly bear.

"Three-Inch Teeth" by C.J. Box

This briskly paced, powerful novel is set over a two-week time period, with enough violence to fill a few other books. Pickett joins a Predator Attack Team, trying to track the rogue grizzly, but other deadly incidents occur, causing fear and consternation.

Meanwhile, former rodeo star Dallas Cates is released after serving five years in prison. Now that he's out, he has his own devious plan of vengeance against six people he feels ruined his reputation and his life.

Pickett and his good friend, Nate Romanowski, are on Cates' hit list. Cates gets help from a nasty killer and others as he proceeds with his murderous plans.

Box adroitly shifts viewpoints chapter by chapter.

Pickett's daughter Sheridan, a falconer new to the job, has her own quest.

"Three-Inch Teeth" by C.J. Box is a gripping tale of death and deception by a multiple award-winning author, one of the masters of the genre.

Two television series have been based on his books  ABC's "Big Sky" and "Joe Pickett" on Paramount+, on which he was executive producer.

Box has a pair of plot twists that will leave his loyal fans eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987. His email address is raywalsh@voyager.net.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 'Three-inch Teeth' is a gripping tale of death and deception
Historical novels tend to revisit well-known places and events, but El Barracon de las Mujeres (The Womens Hut) by Spanish writer Fermina Canaveras has opened readers eyes to a little-known story of the Holocaust.

The novel describes the horrifying ordeal of a young Spanish woman forced to join the ranks of feld-huren or camp whores  they had the status tattooed onto their chests  selected to be repeatedly raped in a brothel section of Ravensbruck concentration camp. Fifty miles north of Berlin, Ravensbruck was built to house women prisoners: Poles, Soviet female POWs, communists, Roma women, prostitutes, lesbians, Jehovahs Witnesses, and women who refused to marry. Between 50,000 and 90,000 were murdered.

Ravensbruck is the unknown camp. It represents the systematic erasure of women, says Canaveras, when I meet her before she gives a talk in Madrids Mujeres & Compania feminist bookstore. A historian by trade, Canaveras was investigating female members of the Spanish Communist Party during the Franco regime when she came across the story of Isadora Ramirez Garcia, a survivor of Ravensbruck. First published in January, the novel has proved a surprise hit and is already in its sixth edition.

Canaveras, 46, explains that she was driven to using fiction to fill in the gaps, due largely to the lack of documentation regarding the victims at Ravensbruck. It was, she notes, one of the last camps to be liberated after weeks of frenzied activity to wipe out as many women and archives as possible in ovens brought in from Auschwitz as the Soviet forces moved westward.

Ramirez Garcia was just 20 when she arrived at the camp in early 1942 along with her mother and aunt  the three had left Francos Spain just after the Spanish Civil War, and became involved with the French Resistance to Nazi occupation who helped them in a bid to find Isadoras brother, who they believed had crossed into France to escape the conflict in Spain. Once at Ravensbruck, female guards selected the youngest women as potential feld-huren and they were deloused, tattooed and quarantined, undergoing a mysterious injection in their vaginas, apparently designed to sterilise them before what was called the initiation: a skills test for sex slaves in which failing meant death.

The unknown camp: Female prisoners of Ravensbruck in their striped uniform - Shawshots / Alamy Stock Photo

This was the cruellest part of all. Once a woman had been assigned her prisoners triangle and had her arm number tattoo, she might expect to survive. But old men, high-ranking Nazis from outside the camp, would decide which ones were worthy of surviving on the basis of their techniques, fellations or whatever it was they wanted.

Those who passed the test might be raped 20 times a day, with no limits on what the Nazi soldiers and officers could do to them. A feld-hure could get slightly better rations than other prisoners and not have her head shaved, but was also forced to participate in grim tasks such as collecting bodies of the gassed dead and loading them into the camps ovens. They were also subjected to ghastly gynaecological experiments.

For those unfortunate enough to become pregnant despite the sterilisation techniques tested on them, their babies were discarded or experimented on.

Ravensbruck was the site of institutionalised gender crimes on a massive scale, says Canaveras.The camp ended up being filled with other kinds of women  asocials and political degenerates  but it was first opened for prostitutes from Berlin, who were tricked by the Nazis into believing they would live better in a camp compared to the streets. Prostitution was at the dark core of Ravensbruck.

Two women who were freed from Ravensbruck by the Red Army: Stephanie Soltys, aged 52 (left) and Jadwiga Cholmitza, aged 13 - Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

In discovering the story of Ramirez Garcia, who died in 2008, Canaveras was struck by a photograph she had kept of her tattooed chest  defiantly baring what seemed intended to bring shame for a lifetime. Nazi camps generally tattooed prisoners numbers on their arms as part of the insane bureaucratisation of mass slaughter, but the feld-hure mark is unique in Holocaust history.

The tattoo humiliated the women, literally branding them whores. I have letters from people saying their mother has the tattoo but she does not want to talk about it, says Canaveras, who has her own collection of tattoos on her arms: the names of her children in Hebrew, and a triangle in honour of all Holocaust victims.

This process for me is an act of memory, and through a novel it can reach more people. I want to dignify as many names of these women as I can, she says. Women such as Catherine Dior, probably the most famous survivor of the camp, due to her work for the Resistance and close connection with her brother Christian.

Some 400 Spanish women are known to have been at Ravensbruck, but the reality is that there were many more whose names were never recorded. Much of what is known is thanks to Neus Catala, a survivor and founder of the Spanish Amical de Ravensbruck memory association who died in 2019 at the age of 103.

'I want to dignify as many names of these women as I can': Fermina Canaveras - Hugo G. Pecellin

I must tell what my eyes have seen as I have a duty to the forgotten women who perished in this death camp. My father said never lower your eyes before anyone. I never cried in front of a Nazi; it was my way of resisting. I cried at night because the nights were eternal, Catala wrote. It was the impact of the Holocaust that made Canaveras a historian in the first place; she was studying tourism in London in the early 2000s when her life plans were turned on their head by a work-placement spell at the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial and museum.

Contemporary female suffering is also Canaverass concern, particularly as debate rages in Spain over whether to prohibit or regulate modern-day prostitution. The Socialist Party of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has outlined plans to abolish prostitution by making it a crime for pimps or landlords to gain rent or profit from the activity, as well as sanctioning clients. But some on the Left disagree with an abolitionist stance and believe prostitution should be regulated as a fully legal activity.

Both sides agree that the main problem is that the majority of sex workers in Spain are the victims of exploitation by people traffickers; the difference lies in how to approach it. Those in favour of regulation say that women would be enabled to make their own choices and not require pimps if sex work was a recognised occupation. Abolitionists, like Canaveras, say all prostitution is exploitation and that unscrupulous traffickers will always control the market.

If I think women of that camp are victims of gender violence, why would I not think the same about a woman in a brothel in Spain today? They are also victims of trafficking, albeit on a different scale and with more brutality. Many are deceived into thinking they will get decent work and have their passport taken away, ending up in a room in a brothel in Spain performing dozens of services a day.

One year before the start of Spains civil war that brought Franco to power, the countrys Second Republic passed an abolitionist legislation.

If that was possible in Spain in 1935, she says, why would it not be possible today?

El Barracon de las Mujeres is published by Espasa; casadellibro.com

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The verdicts still out on whos replacing Daniel Craig as 007, despite all the smoldering British options stepping up like Arthur to Excalibur. (Sorry, Idris Elba  it just never seems like your moment.) And sibling duo Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson  the Bond producers  arent in any rush to move forward without their Arthur. So theres plenty of time to watch all 27 James Bond movies across seven actors.

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Below is list a of all the movies, and where to stream, rent, and buy them, in chronological order for ease of binging.

Dr. No (1962)

Its the movie that started it all! James Bond, played by Sean Connery here, is an adaptation of Ian Flemings sixth Bond book. Connerys Bond investigates the disappearance of two MI6 operatives in Jamaica; Dr. No plans nuclear destruction.

You can stream on Prime Video or MGM+, and rent or purchase it on Amazon, Apple, and YouTube.

From Russia with Love (1963)

Things gold Cold War in the iconic From Russia with Love: Connerys Bond goes to help in the defection of a Soviet consulate clerk as terrorist organization SPECTRE remains hot on his tail.

You can rent or stream on Prime Video and MGM+, and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

Goldfinger (1964)

Featuring one of the franchises all-time great villains, Goldfinger sees Connerys Bond facing off against the titular Aurig Goldfinger, a gold magnate smuggling  you guessed it  gold, and uncovering his plans to contaminate the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox. Considered to be the first James Bond blockbuster (and also the first to win an Oscar, for sound mixing).

You can stream Goldfinger on MGM+, and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

Thunderball (1965)

In Connerys fourth outing as the character, Thunderball follows his mission to find atomic bombs stolen by SPECTRE and threatens to bomb a city in the United States or the United Kingdom. Things get super tropical (in the Bahamas).

You can stream Thunderball on Prime Video, and rent or purchase it from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

Casino Royale (1967)

The first adaptation of Flemings first Bond novel, and your favorite, if youre a purist. It stars David Niven as the original Bond, forced out of MI6 retirement to investigate the deaths of international spies.

You can stream on Prime Video, and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

You Only Live Twice (1967)

You Only Live Twice features a screenplay written by Roald Dahl, of all people  a definite departure from Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It sees Bond in Japan after a spacecraft vanishes during the Cold War, with the U.S. and Soviets blaming each other for the disappearance. Sean Connery re-enters the fold here.

You can stream on Prime Video or MGM+, and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

On Her Majestys Secret Service (1969)

After Sean Connerys (initial) retirement, George Lazenby was cast in the Bond role, debuting here in Secret Service. It sees Lazenbys Bond facing off the head of SPECTRE  Ernst Stavro Blofeld  who is planning to hold the world ransom via plants and livestock. Hes clearly not successful; there are like 20 more of these movies.

You can stream on Prime Video, and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Diamonds are forever; retirement is not. Sean Connery re-entered the Bond suit in this installment, pursuing Blofeld by impersonating a diamond smuggler to infiltrate a diamond smuggling ring. Blofeld wants to use diamonds to build a space laser because hes a man of many skills.

You can stream on Prime Video, and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

Live and Let Die (1973)

Roger Moore replaced Connery in this installment, who declined to come back (again). Bond investigates the death of three MI6 agents and chases after a Harlem-based Caribbean dictator, Dr. Kananga.

You can Stream on MGM+ and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple or YouTube.

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

Roger Moore got a callback (sorry, George Lazenby) in Golden Gun, where Bond faces off against the assassin Francisco Scaramanga (the man in question).

You can stream on Prime Video and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Not quite the camp classic that The Spy Who Shagged Me later becomes, Loved is still an iconic Bond installment with its merits. Moore faces off against Karl Stromberg, played by Curd Jurgens, hell-bent on destroying the world and building a civilization under the sea.

You can stream on Prime Video or MGM+ and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

Moonraker (1979)

In Moores fourth outing, his Bond investigates the theft of a space shuttle, leading him to uncover a plot to wipe out humanity and create a new master race.

You can stream on Prime Video and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

After the sci-fi bent of Moonraker, FYEO saw Moores Bond back in more grounded territory, hunting down a missile command system.

You can stream on Prime Video or MGM+ and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

Octopussy (1983)

Probably the most iconic title in a franchise full of them, Octopussy follows Moores Bond as he tracks down a Soviet general stealing jewelry and art from the Kremlin art suppository. Naturally, they uncover a nuclear plot and must deal with that instead.

You can stream on Prime Video and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

Never Say Never Again (1983)

After an on-again off-again relationship with the franchise, Never Say Never Again makes for Connerys last appearance as Bond, brought back to investigate SPECTREs theft of nuclear weapons.

You can stream on Max and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

A View to a Kill (1985)

A View to a Kill is Moores last appearance as the character. Bond faces off against Max Zorin (Christopher Walken!) who plans to destroy Silicon Valley.

You can stream on Prime Video or MGM+ and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

The Living Daylights (1987)

Timothy Dalton makes a brief Bond appearance here and in License to Kill, in his first go-around investigating a KGB policy to kill enemy spies and (surprise!) uncovering an arms deal with global implications.

You can stream on Prime Video and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

License to Kill (1989)

License to Kill was the first Bond movie not to use an Ian Fleming title, and also the first shot entirely outside of the US. It follows a rogue Bond, who seeks to avenge a friend whose wife was murdered by a drug lord.

You can stream on Prime Video or MGM+ and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

GoldenEye (1995)

Brosnanheads, rejoice, this is where you can tune into the canon  in Pierce Brosnans debut as the character (as well as Judi Denchs debut as M), Bond fights to prevent a former MI6 agent from causing a global financial meltdown. Lower stakes than human extinction, but major stakes nonetheless.

You can stream on Prime Video and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

In 1997, Brosnans Bond attempted to stop a media mogul from starting World War III. Oddly prescient.

You can stream on Prime Video or MGM+ and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

The World Is Not Enough (1999)

If it sounds like a William Wordsworth poem, its because it almost is. Not Enough follows Bond as he protects a woman following her billionaire fathers assassination; Bond uncovers a plot to increase petroleum prices via a nuclear meltdown. Its the nuclear jumpscare of the Connery era with the global economic anxiety of Brosnans.

You can stream on Prime Video or MGM+ and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

Die Another Day (2002)

The reviews were mixed, but you cant be mad about the one-two punch of Brosnan (in his last outing as Bond) and Halle Berry. It follows Bond looking for the British intelligence officer who betrayed him.

You can stream on Prime Video or MGM+ and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

Casino Royale (2006)

The second Casino Royale  and a complete electric shock to the franchise as Daniel Craig makes his Bond debut  this film follows Craigs Bond as he attempts to bankrupt a man who funds terrorists in a poker game at the Casino Royale in Montenegro.

You can stream on Prime Video or MGM+ and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

Quantum of Solace (2008)

The writers strike made for some less-than-beloved movies. In Craigs second outing, he attempts to stop a coup detat in Bolivia.

You can stream on Prime Video and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

Skyfall (2012)

Director Sam Mendes entered the proceedings with Skyfall, and after borrowing heavily from the Christopher Nolan playbook, ended up making the first Bond film to gross over $1 billion. After MI6 is compromised, Bond hunts an assassin to recover a flash drive containing the names of every MI6 and NATO agent. Javier Bardem makes for an all-timer of a Bond villain.

You can stream on Prime Video or MGM+ and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

Spectre (2015)

Finally, Spectre gets top-billing in a Bond pic, as Craigs Bond attempts to uncover the existence of the terrorist organization.

You can stream via video on demand on Fubo and FX Now and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple or YouTube.

No Time to Die (2021)

True Detective creator Cary Joji Fukunaga directs this long-delayed, most recent Bond film, which is likely Craigs last (although look what happened to Connery). The plot follows a post-MI6 Bond, who is recruited by the CIA to find a kidnapped scientist.

You can stream on Prime Video or MGM+ and rent or purchase from Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.

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Wolfgang Puck and his wife Gelila Assefa attend the ceremony honoring Wolfgang Puck with a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 26, 2017.

Pretty much everyone loves Wolfgang Puck, but none more than Wolfgang Puck's wife.

Gelila Assefa Puck is the chef's third wife and mother to his two youngest sons.

"I'm the happiest woman on the planet. I feel like he's a gift," Assefa told Harper's Bazaar in 2007. "I'm lucky to have him in my life." Aw!

Get to know the couple, as well as Wolfgang Puck's ex-wife Barbara Lazaroff.

Related: How to Make Wolfgang Puck's Signature Oscars Dish

Who is Wolfgang Puck's wife?

Puck is married to Gelila Assefa Puck. Assefa, born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is a designer, creative director, philanthropist and activist, as well as founder and chairwoman of the Dream for Africa Foundation. She moved to the United States as a teen and met Wolfgang Puck at a pivotal time in her life.

"Wolf came into my life the very same week that my father died," she told Spectrum News. "I really felt like my father put him in my life before he left."

While getting her design career off the ground, Assefa Puck met Puck at a business dinner at Spago, then later worked the door of the eatery. She briefly moved to New York City, but Puck flew out to the Big Apple, declared his love for her and ushered her back to Los Angeles, she recalled to Harper's Bazaar, adding, "It was the most powerful thing I've ever experienced." They married in 2007.

In addition to her humanitarian work, Assefa Puck also flexes her creative muscle in curating art for the walls of Wolfgang's many restaurants. "I see the restaurant wall as a voice, as a stage for me," she explained. "How do we use those voices, those stages to connect with the guests? I found art to be one of the most powerful tools to communicate messaging, to highlight what is important."

She also has an important role in Puck's life beyond being his wife and the mother of his two youngest sons: She dresses him!

"I buy all his clothes," she told Harper's Bazaar. "I like to keep him in classic colors: gray, black, navy. I think men, in general, should wear those colors."

Wolfgang Puck was previously married to Barbara Lazaroff and Marie France Trouillot.

Related: Who Was Jacques Pepin's Wife?

Who is Wolfgang Puck's first wife?

Marie France Trouillot is Puck's first wife. They were married from 1975 to 1980. Little is known about Trouillot, as she and Puck split before he became a household name.

Does Wolfgang Puck have a family?

Wolfgang Puck, wife Gelila Assefa Puck and sons FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

He sure does!

Gelila Assefa and Wolfgang Puck share two sons, Oliver Wolfgang and Alexander Puck. He and ex Lazaroff share his eldest sons, Byron Puck and Dr. Cameron Lazaroff-Puck. Cameron is father to the chef's first grandchild, Maxwell Lyubim Lazaroff-Puck, born in December 2022.

Related: Hootie Who's Her Man? All About Carla Hall's Husband

Why did Wolfgang and Barbara divorce?

Wolfgang Puck with his wife Barbara Lazaroff at Spago restaurant in Beverly hills, California, on July 8, 1999 David Keeler/Liaison Agency

Puck and Lazaroff, a celebrated interior designer, had a meet-cute in 1979 when she appealed to him to deter another guy from bugging her at a nightclub. He invited her to one of his cooking classes at Ma Maison the next day, and told PEOPLE that when she walked into the restaurant, he was so struck by her beauty that he "dropped a glob of butter on the floor."

They married in 1983, and the couple mixed business and pleasure, as Lazaroff wasand remainshis business partner. Before he even launched his own eateries, she already got him to quadruple his salary as a chef. Lazaroff helped design Puck's restaurant interiors and is credited as popularizing the open-kitchen layout common in casual fine dining.

The couple divorced in November 2003, with Lazaroff citing "irreconcilable differences" in her petition. A rep for Puck told The Los Angeles Times that the split was an amicable one, and friends and associates of the pair weren't surprised that they were able to work together long after their marriage was over.

Next, All About Julia and Paul Child's Romance, Including Their Charming Valentine's Tradition
ATHENS, Ga. - A family is in mourning after a 3-year-old boy was shot and killed while watching TV in a mobile home park in Athens. Police have one teen in custody and are still looking for two others.

Emotions are still raw for the family of 3-year-old Kyron Santino Zarco Smith, who can't believe he's gone.

"He was my miracle baby. That was my 2020 COVID baby," Shanita Smith, Kyron's mother, said.

"Now, a 3-year-old boy, who was the love of our life, the last piece of our puzzle that we need for a coward to just take him away," Felicia Gresham, Smith's cousin, added.

Kyron's family told FOX 5 the toddler was watching TV at home Friday afternoon at the Hallmark Mobile Home Park in Athens when shots were fired into their home, killing him. His 9-year-old brother was also shot in the leg, but he was focused on keeping his baby brother alive.

"He tried to save him. He thought he did save him, to find out later he hadn't saved him," Gresham said.

"They shot him in his heart. His last words was, I got a hole in my heart.' It hurts," she said.

"My baby didn't have a chance," Smith said.

An adult walking outside during the incident faced non-life threatening injuries, but police confirmed the person was not shot.

Early Saturday morning, Athens-Clarke County police arrested 17-year-old Julian Cubillos of Lawrenceville and charged him with malice and felony murder, four counts of aggravated assault, and violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

Police also have warrants out for 16-year-old Jayden Brown and 18-year-old Dakious Echols, both from Athens. Both are facing the same charges as Cubillos.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 reward for any information leading to their arrestt

"I am sickened by this heinous crime, and my heart aches for the grieving family, friends, and loved ones who are suffering such a tragic loss," said ACCPD Chief of Police Jerry Saulters. "The Athens-Clarke County Police Department will dedicate our full strength and resources to bring the killers to justice."

FOX 5 observed balloons posted outside Kyron's family's home as crews worked to remove a tree that fell onto it Saturday morning.

The family said they want justice to be served.

"All of them need to be behind bars, and all of them need the same punishment that he has. If his heart gotta bust open, then their heart need to bust open as well," Gresham said.

The family has organized a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs and help Shanita Smith and her family find a safe home.

Since the fundraiser was set up on Saturday, it has raised more than $20,000 of its $25,000 goal.
A person has died, and seven people were displaced after a house fire broke out Sunday, the Orange County Fire Rescue said.

Fire officials said the Red Cross is assisting the four adults and three children affected by the fire in Pine Hills.

OCFR said fire crews arrived at the house on Roger Babson Road and discovered the fire was 50% involved.

Residents told firefighters a person was still inside.

Read: Cooler air returns Sunday

Crews worked to battle the fire and search for the person who was found dead.

The State Fire Marshal was notified of the fire, and they will investigate the cause of the fire.

Deceased victim was in addition to the 7 others displaced by the fire.  OCFire Rescue (@OCFireRescue) March 10, 2024

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A person is dead after their vehicle caught fire in a high-speed hit-and-run crash in North Las Vegas.

On Sunday around 1:30 a.m., North Las Vegas police responded to the area of Centennial Parkway and Bruce Street after reports of a crash.

When officers arrived, one of the vehicles was fully engulfed in flames while the other had significant damage to the front, police said.

The North Las Vegas Fire Department and medical personnel extinguished the fire and found a body inside the vehicle.

Police said a 2020 Dodge Challenger was driving westbound on Centennial Parkway at a high rate of speed behind a Hyundai Sonata. The Dodge crashed into the back of the Hyundai, causing it to catch fire.

The occupants of the Dodge fled the scene on foot. Police said speed and impairment are believed to be factors in the crash.

A neighbor, who asked not to be identified, whose backyard faces where the crash happened said she first heard the impact, then voices and sirens.

When I woke up I literally looked at my clock and it was 1:30 so I was trying to go back to sleep and I heard an impact, she said.

It was panic and then I heard my neighbor say someone is still in the car and I was like oh my god, she said describing the moment she looked out her window and saw flames.

The neighbor said the crash is an example of why she doesnt drive at night.

Whos ever family that was I am really sorry, that was really horrific, she said.

Anyone who may have information about this collision is urged to contact the North Las Vegas Police Department by phone at 702-633-9111. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555, or at www.crimestoppersofnv.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
FILE PHOTO: A LNG tanker is seen at the Negishi LNG Terminal, which is jointly operated by Tokyo Gas and JERA, in Yokohama

By Katya Golubkova and Yuka Obayashi

TOKYO (Reuters) - Resource-scarce Japan is shoring up long-term supplies of liquefied natural gas from close allies Australia and the United States as key contracts from providers including Russia are set to expire by the early 2030s.

Japan's biggest power generator JERA last month agreed to buy a 15.1% stake in Woodside Energy's Scarborough project in Australia. It was the latest in a string of deals as the fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatens to disrupt access to gas from its northern neighbour, making it more imperative to find reliable long-term supply sources.

LNG accounts for about a third of Japan's power generation and it is the world's second-largest importer behind China.

It remains a key part of Japan's energy mix even though imports fell by 8% last year to the lowest since 2009 as it has increased the use of renewable energy and restarted some nuclear reactors following a complete shutdown after the Fukushima disaster in 2011.

Since 2022, Japanese LNG buyers have struck equity deals in five projects in Australia and the U.S. including an exploration block. They have secured 10- to 20-year offtake contracts from those countries for more than 5 million metric tons annually, or 8% of Japan's 2023 consumption, according to a Reuters calculation, eclipsing transactions elsewhere in the world.

Political issues including new carbon emissions rules in the Australia introduced in mid-2023 and President Joe Biden's freeze in January on new U.S. LNG export licence approvals have not dented Japan's appetite for long-term supplies from those countries.

Kyushu Electric Power, among the top five Japanese utilities, has said it is considering buying a stake in Energy Transfer's Lake Charles LNG project in the United States, even though it is now subject to the U.S. licence freeze.

That would be its second direct equity stake in gas production after Australia.

Story continues

"North America and Australia still have supply stability compared to other projects," Kyushu Electric Executive Officer Takashi Mitsuyoshi said.

"There are some concerns about North America due to the recent (LNG) move by Biden, but they, along with Australia, are allies and that means a lot."

Japan and the United States are members of the Group of Seven (G7) alliance of developed nations and are partners with Australia in another regional security body, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, also known as "the Quad".

Kyushu Electric has long-term supply contracts with Australia, Indonesia and Russia, some of which are due to expire between 2027 and 2032.

Mitsuyoshi said Indonesia may have limited export capacity in the future due to strong domestic demand thanks to a growing economy.

Qatar, another Japan supplier, is ramping up production but some buyers chafe at its contracts that limit flexibility to trade cargoes, with Japan's industry minister last year calling for the elimination of the destination clause.

Since 2022, Japanese LNG buyers have increased their involvement with Oman, but on a smaller scale compared to Australia and the U.S., while Inpex acquired new exploration licences in Malaysia.

REPLACING RUSSIA

LNG flows to Japan have changed over the last decade, including large declines from Indonesia, Malaysia, Qatar and Russia as well as the U.S. and Papua New Guinea becoming major new suppliers, according to Japan customs data.

Throughout that period, Australia has been its top supplier, though other new sources are emerging.

Canada, a G7 member, is preparing to start its first major export facility, from which Mitsubishi Corp, a shareholder, will receive over 2 million tons of LNG annually.

Yoko Nobuoka, senior analyst for Japan power research at LSEG, said the importance of cooperation with allies for Japan's energy security, including LNG, had increased on the back of the energy crisis triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia was Japan's third-biggest LNG supplier last year, after Australia and Malaysia, but imports fell 10.7% from 2022.

Much of Japan's Russian LNG comes from the Sakhalin-2 project, but many of its long-term contracts are set to lapse around 2030, giving added incentive to lock in deals elsewhere.

The vast new Arctic LNG 2 project, in which Mitsui & Co and state-owned Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) together own 10%, underscores the perils of Tokyo's reliance on Russian gas.

Washington in November imposed sanctions on the project, prompting its operator, Novatek, to declare force majeure and leading Mitsui to record an additional provision of 13.6 billion yen ($91.94 million).

"But G7 members can't cut that reliance (on Russian LNG) overnight, so that's why they need boosted LNG supplies from allies," said David Boling, a director at consulting firm Eurasia Group who was deputy assistant U.S. trade representative for Japan from 2015 to 2022.

($1 = 147.9300 yen)

(Reporting by Yuka Obayashi and Katya Golubkova in Tokyo; Additional reporting by Emily Chow in Singapore; Editing by Tony Munroe and Jamie Freed)
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  One person is injured after a shooting in Lansing early Sunday morning.

Lansing Police Department officials said the agency responded at around 2 a.m. to the 500 block of South Butler Boulevard, for a report of shots fired.

(File: Getty)

Officers learned that witnesses had seen a vehicle leaving at high speed. That turned out to be the victim, who had been driving himself to the hospital.

The victim is currently under treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, according to LPD.

There are no suspects in the case so far. The investigation is ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
DENVER (KDVR)  An adult man was killed and another adult man was injured in a shooting, according to police early Sunday morning.

The shooting happened in the 4700 block of East Evans Avenue.

Two victims were located and taken to a local hospital.

Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather

One of the victims was later pronounced dead. The other victim was still in the hospital as of Sunday morning, police said.

No arrests had been made as of Sunday morning.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Polk County store sold a big prize-winning ticket from Saturday nights Powerball drawing, according to the Florida Lottery.

The winning Powerball numbers were 30-36-49-52-63-16.

70-foot beached whale stranded off of Venice coast

While no one won the jackpot, three big winners were reported across Ohio, Florida, and New York.

The Ohio ticketholder won the Match 5 Power Play prize of $2 million while the other two won the $1 million prize.

According to the Florida Lottery, the winning ticket was sold at the City Food Mart on 21 N. 7th Street.

The next drawing will be at 11:00 p.m. Monday. The current jackpot is at $532 million with a cash value of $260.1 million.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Iraqi forces defeated the Islamic State group in 2017, but jihadist remnants continue to carry out deadly attacks and ambushes (Younis AL-BAYATI)

Iraqi forces have killed 10 jihadists during an operation against Islamic State group remnants in a vast desert area northwest of Baghdad, authorities said Sunday.

An Iraqi security source told AFP the operation was "a pre-emptive measure" to thwart attacks allegedly planned for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which starts in the coming days.

The army said in a statement that troops have killed "10 terrorists in the past 24 hours".

The operation, launched on Saturday across several provinces in northern and central Iraq, involves the regular army and Hashed al-Shaabi, mainly pro-Iran former paramilitaries now integrated into the Iraqi armed forces.

State media reported that four jihadists were killed on Sunday and six on Saturday in Wadi al-Tharthar, an area that stretches between Salaheddine and Anbar provinces.

The jihadist group overran large swathes of Iraq and neighbouring Syria in 2014, proclaiming its "caliphate" and launching a reign of terror.

It was defeated in Iraq in 2017 by Iraqi forces backed by a US-led military coalition, and in 2019 lost the last territory it held in Syria to US-backed Kurdish forces.

But its remnants continue to carry out deadly hit-and-run attacks and ambushes, particularly from remote areas and desert hideouts.

In a report published in January, the United Nations said IS has "between 3,000 and 5,000 fighters" across Iraq and Syria.

"Iraqi forces succeeded in targeting operatives and disrupting sleeper cells," the report said.

"But the group persisted in conducting periodic attacks and replenishing leadership ranks."

Last month the United States and Iraq opened talks on the future of the US-led coalition, following a request by Baghdad for a timeline for ending its mission in the country.

Iraqi officials insist that IS no longer constitutes a significant threat and that the army and security forces are capable of thwarting its remnants.

str-ak/lk/rh/ysm/ami
The aftermath of the Russian attack on the town of Myrnohrad. Photo: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office

Russian forces fired three missiles on the town of Myrnohrad on the night of 9-10 March, injuring 11 people, 3 of whom were hospitalised.

Source: Yurii Tretiak, the acting head of Myrnohrad City Military Administration, in a comment to Suspilne Donbas, a Donbas-related branch of Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne; Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office

Quote from Tretiak: "Three missile hits. Three craters in one area within a radius of 20 metres. Ten residential apartment buildings suffered severe damage.

One entrance of a nine-storey building has sustained damage, making it unfit for habitation and requiring major repairs."

Details: Tretiak explained that 10 civilian residents of these buildings had been injured. Three people were hospitalised, including one in Pokrovsk.

The official added that a boiler house had been shut down due to the missile strike. Over 2,000 residents lost heating.

Updated: The prosecutor's office explained that 11 civilians had been injured, including a teenager, 16, and 5 women and 5 men aged 34 to 95.

They were diagnosed with cut injuries, mine-blast injuries, multiple abrasions, closed head injuries and a concussion.

Early reports indicate that Russian forces used S-300 missiles.

The explosions damaged at least 17 high-rise buildings and 27 cars.

This news has been updated since publication.

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Crawford County's chapter of 100 Women Who Care made its first donation to the Bucyrus Salvation Army Womens Auxiliary's Kicks for Kids.

The program helps to supply shoes to students in need in area schools. The club, which formed in February, donated $1,300 to the cause.

100 Women Who Care began in 2006 in Jackson, Michigan, with an aim of raising funds for nonprofits and charities. The first Michigan meeting raised $10,000 to buy 300 cribs to support a low-income nonprofit that serves mothers.

Now, 100 Women Who Care count 900 chapters across America that raise tens of millions of dollars for local nonprofits. The participants can choose to be an individual giver committed to donate $100 every quarter, a team of two where each donates $50 or a team of four donating $25 every quarter.

A hundred dollars is lots of work for everybody, but almost anybody can give $25 a quarter, said Thresa Young, one of the founders of 100 Women Who Care in Crawford County.

The Crawford County group 100 Woman Who Care presented a check to the Salvation Army to support the Kicks for Kids program. Paula Brown, left, Miki Zeiger, Mary Jo Carle, Susan Maynard, Tabetha Linn, Major Debbra Grace and Thresa Young were present when the funds were presented.

How it operates

Chapters meet once a quarter to consider three nonprofits selected by members. The nonprofits have five minutes to give a presentation on their cause and on how they would use the funds.

Members of 100 Women Who Care vote on which nonprofit to support, and funds go directly to the winning nonprofit that very day. Every member of the organization writes a check to the selected nonprofit.

At the meeting, members suggest candidates for the next meeting, write them down, toss the paper in a basket and a representative of the nonprofits that have just presented draw names of the three groups that will present at the next meeting.

Crawford forms its own 100 Women Who Care group

Young said she heard about the organization from Pat Case, who is a member at the Marion chapter. The Marion chapter, Young said, has been operating for more than nine years, and it now counts more than 100 members.

A few women from Crawford County, including Tabetha Linn, Miki Zeiger, Mary Jo Carle and Paula Brown, happened to be at the Marion meeting. Afterward, the Crawford women got together and decided to form their own chapter using a $500 donation from the First Federal Community Bank.

Its a very very simple concept, Young said. There is no checking account, there is no president or vice president or treasurer, its just a group of ladies getting together.

About 13 members participated in the first meeting in February, said Young, and an additional 25 signed up for the second.

The organizations that presented at the first Crawford 100 Women Who Care meeting, along with the Salvation Army, were Boy Scouts from Galion and the Humane Society Serving Crawford County.

Young said members felt the Womens Auxiliary had a greater need, and voted to present the donation to the shoes for kids program.

At the May 13 meeting the organizations that will present will be the Boy Scouts and Project Noellle, which helps people addicted to opioids.

Young said she is sure there are well over a 100 local nonprofits in Crawford County that can benefit from the women's group.

All the organizations that present are going to be worthy, Young said. Its just a matter of who wins.

Majors Debbra and Tom Grace of the Bucyrus Salvation Army accepted the first award granted by Crawford County 100 Who Care. The funds will be used for the Kick for Kids program, which supplies shoes to those in need in grades one-12. TELEGRAPH-FORUM FILE PHOTO

Kicks for Kids Program

Bucyrus Salvation Army Major Debbra Grace said they plan to make Kick for Kids an annual fundraiser aimed at getting shoes for students in all grades for the new school year.

The shoes will be provided through vouchers issued by the Salvation Army Womens Auxiliary for Shoe Sensation.

Funding for the shoes comes from the 100 Women Who Care donation and the Christmas meat boxes fundraiser through Hord Family Farms.

Hord Family Farms does this, they do a sale for Christmas of meat gift boxes, Grace said. For every box that was sold, we made $5.

With the additional funds from 100 Women Who Care, the Salvation Army plans to serve 100-150 kids, and the need is even greater than that, Grace said.

Serving kids with free shoes is not going to be a problem, the more likely problem is that at some point well have to cut off, and we wont be able to meet the need, Grace said. I'm not aware of any other shoe program in the county.

CiCi the cockatoo perches on the shoulder of Victoria Caldwell, executive director of Humane Society Serving Crawford County. She attended one meeting of 100 Women Who Care and then joined. TELEGRAPH-FORUM FILE PHOTO

How to join

The Humane Society Serving Crawford County Executive Director Victoria Caldwell who presented at the first meeting is now preparing to join the group. She said she liked the initiative because it presents an amazing opportunity to effect an immediate change.

That very evening of the meeting can deliver life-changing results to nonprofits, and you know for sure it stays right here in Crawford County, Caldwell said. I think its an amazing way to give back to your community."

Young invited Crawford residents to join the initiative. The meetings are held at Bucyrus Nazarene Church, 2165 State Route 4 South, quarterly at 6 p.m.

Thats the beauty of joining the group  you can get your nonprofit nominated, Young said.

For more information or to sign up, visit the 100 Women Who Care in Crawford County Facebook page at (6) 100 Women Who Care Crawford Ohio | Facebook, or send an email to 100WWCCrawfordCounty@gmail.com.

If they know one of us, they can also reach out to us directly, Young said. The sooner we get 100 or more women, the sooner we can, as a group, profoundly impact our community.

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Crawford County's 100 Women Who Care donate to Salvation Army
IRA, Texas (KETK)  According to the Texas Parks and Wild Department, Stetson Davis, 11 of Tuttle, Oklahoma, set a new junior angler waterbody record for J.B Thomas Reservoir on Wednesday.

Lady angler catches world record largemouth bass in Texas

Stetsons catch was a 13.31 pound largemouth bass that TPWD calls ShareLunker 661. The catch beat the previous J.B Thomas Reservoir junior angler record of 7.96 pounds by over 5 pounds.

Stetson Davis. Photo courtesy of the Toyota ShareLunker Program  Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Stetson and his dad, Brodey Davis, made the trip to J.B Thomas Reservoir on Tuesday and set out on Wednesday to try and catch Stetson his largemouth bass over 10 pounds.

We didnt have much luck at the start but around 9:20 a.m. we spotted her, said Stetson. I made multiple casts her way, but she wouldnt bite, and it was a little frustrating. I finally placed the bait close enough to where she saw and then she bit. I set the hook and instantly my dad went to go and grab the net. When the fish came to the surface, we knew it was a double digit. It was a fairly quick fight, and we were able to secure it in the net and get it into the boat.

Bass University shares an outlook on fishing in 2024

Stetson is joining Brodey in the record books since Brodey submitted the seventh biggest largemouth bass in Texas history, the 17.06 pound Sharelunker 620, back in 2022. Brodeys catch is the current O.H. Ivie waterbody record, according to the TPWD.

We were just looking for a 10-pounder and ended up catching a ShareLunker and the junior lake record, added Stetson Davis. It was really fun to bring the fish over and put it on the ShareLunker scale and to see it say 13.31-pounds. I was pretty excited that I caught a ShareLunker at 11-years old.

Any bass over 13 pounds that anglers catch during the first three months of the year can be brought to the TPWD for the ShareLunker selective breeding program. When Anglers like Stetson and Brodey loan their fish to the program they can get a lot in return, such as:

Legacy Class status

A catch kit filled with merch

A 13lb+ Legacy decal for their boat or vehicle

Toyota ShareLunker Annual Awards event VIP access

A high-quality replica mount of their catch from Lake Fork Taxidermy

A Bass University swag pack and annual subscription

Entry into the Legacy Class Drawing

Entry into the year-end Grand Prize Drawing

Officials say you shouldnt eat from these East Texas lakes

We are excited to recognize Stetsons accomplishments through the Toyota ShareLunker Program and Angler Recognition Program, said Natalie Goldstrohm, Toyota ShareLunker program coordinator. Getting young people hooked on fishing through these programs is important to creating a lifelong love of the sport.

To learn more visit the Toyota ShareLunker program online.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
A 12-year-old middle school student is accused of threatening a mass shooting on Norwood school grounds, police announced Sunday.

Authorities were made aware Friday morning that a warning of a shooting at Coakley Middle School was distributed via group text. Police say a portion of the message was warning the event would take place on Monday and one of the numbers in the group was unknown while the rest were students, police say.

Police say the message indicated the sender had some knowledge of the middle school.

Although the sender tried to hide the source of the number, police say they identified the student who allegedly wrote the message by 10:30 a.m. Friday morning. Norwood police say officers even spoke with the student in question on the phone, who was traveling out of state with family at the time.

Families in Norwood were advised that police did not believe the threat to be credible but placed an extra police presence at Coakley Middle School on Friday, police say.

On Sunday, the student returned home, where Norwood police executed a search warrant, seizing their cell phone. After confessing to the act in front of family, police arrested the student.

There were no firearms found in the home and the student will not be in school on Monday, police say.

Police say on Friday a subsequent text began to circulate indicating the high school was next but police say the message was spoofed it was and the cell phone provider verified the arrested student did not send it.

Twelve-year-old Nahla, a sixth-grader at Coakley Middle School, received screenshots of the threats while preparing for school Friday morning.

I was scared, Nahla said. So, I went to my mom, and I was like, Im not going to school. And she was like, Yeah, youre staying home.

With investigators unable initially to share too many details, parents, including Nahlas mother, Jackie, were left with a lot of questions until Sundays arrest.

I wasnt sure if I was going to send her to school [Monday], Jackie said, but with the recent announcement of an arrest and the confession, I feel better about it.

Norwood Public Schools said in a letter to families school counselors will be available for those who need support.

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Georgian volunteer fighters Nodar Nasirov and Giorgi Gogiashvili have been killed in Ukraine, the Georgian Legion reported on March 9.

The two were killed in combat at the front line, the Georgian Legion wrote on Facebook without providing further details.

"The Georgian Legion expresses condolences to their families. Glory to heroes!" reads the statement.

More than 50 Georgian volunteers fighting with the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been killed in the war in Ukraine since Feb. 2022.

Read also: Georgian volunteer killed in Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Two people were killed and five were wounded in a shooting in Arkansas early Sunday morning, local police announced. The suspected shooter also died in the incident.

A statement from the Jonesboro Police Department said the shooting took place at a private party and that the two individuals who were killed, one female and one male, were both known by the shooter.

Three of the five individuals injured in the shooting did not have any known connection to the suspected shooter. One person injured, a female victim, did know the shooter.

Police did not specify whether the fifth victim  who police only announced was undergoing treatment in an updated announcement Sunday afternoon  had any known connection to the suspect.

Police said there is no ongoing threat to the community, but that the investigation was ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Beaver County Transit Authority has announced it will introduce same-day, on-demand microtransit service to Midland residents isolated from urban centers.

The logo for the Beaver County Transit Authority.

BCTAs board of directors approved the service in late February to improve residents access to regional employment opportunities, grocery stores and medical centers.

For more than a year, BCTA management met with riders, community leaders and other stakeholders to help shape the organization's future; expanded service in Midland became a high priority during these discussions.

BCTAs Demand and Response Transit, or DART, service offers transportation three days per week in Midland, but options remain limited for the roughly 2,400 people who live in the borough  many of whom are low-income, older or live with disabilities. BCTA ended its regular fixed route in Midland in 2017 due to low ridership.

The microtransit option offers more customized and convenient transportation, said Mary Jo Morandini, BCTA general manager.

More: Ride-share services crucial for safe and reliable public transportation in rural communities

Riders will be able to use the BCTA mobile app or call customer service directly to schedule an on-demand ride that day. An accessible van equipped with cameras will operate curb-to-curb service as needed.

The plan calls for a destination zone in Calcutta, Ohio, where employment, medical facilities, restaurants, grocery stores, recreation and educational opportunities are available in a concentrated area along Route 170. Four dozen destinations are in this microtransit zone that spans 1.5 miles in length from north to south and less than a mile west of Route 170, reaching Heritage Valley Health System to the north and a Walmart Supercenter to the south.

A one-way fare will be in the range of $2 to $3 with discounts for children. Service will be available 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If successful, service will expand to 6:30 a.m.  6:30 p.m.

Story continues

BCTA has been working with Columbiana Countys transit system to give Midland microtransit riders access to its shuttle bus extending to other destinations in East Liverpool for a $1 fare.

The six-month pilot, called BCTA Connect, is expected to begin in late summer or early fall of this year.

More: Beaver County Transit Authority route changes leave residents critical of system

BCTA is proud to begin a new era in public transportation in Beaver County; one with more customized service and connectivity within our Beaver County communities, said Morandini. There is more to come in BCTAs long-range plan. In the meantime, we hope the residents of Midland utilize same-day on-demand service to enhance accessibility and their quality of life.

The transit authority will bolster outreach and marketing efforts to educate residents about the coming changes, including partnering with The Center in Midland and using social media.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Beaver County Transit Authority to expand Midland service
Police officers examine the site of a bomb explosion on the outskirts of Peshawar, Pakistan, Sunday, March 10, 2024. A motorcycle blast killed and wounded some people in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar on Sunday morning, police said. (AP Photo)

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP)  A motorcycle packed with explosives went off in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar on Sunday morning, killing two people and severely injuring another, police said.

The motorcycle carried between 4 and 5 kilograms (9 to 11 pounds) of explosives when it detonated in the Board Bazaar area of Peshawar, said Kashif Abbasi, senior superintendent of police operations in Peshawar.

The explosives detonated prematurely, Abbasi added. He did not say what was the intended target.

Peshawar is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which is a former stronghold of the militant Pakistani Taliban group, also known as the TTP. The city has seen several deadly attacks in recent years.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered prayers for the victims. We are fully determined to root out terrorism, he said, according to a statement from his office.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Two soldiers from the New York Army National Guard were killed in a military helicopter crash in South Texas on Friday, March 8, the National Guard Bureau said in an update on Sunday.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski, 28, of Rensselaer, N.Y., and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia, 30, of Schenectady, N.Y., died when their UH-72 Lakota helicopter crashed near Rio Grande City, at approximately 2:50 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on Friday.

2 soldiers, 1 Border Patrol agent killed in helicopter crash in South Texas

They were conducting what were described as aviation operations while supporting the federal Southwest border mission.

Border Patrol Agent Chris Luna was killed in a Friday, March 8 helicopter crash near Rio Grande City, Texas. Photo courtesy of NewsNation.

Frankoski and Grassia were assigned to Detachment 2, Company A, 1st of the 224th Aviation Regiment, New York Army National Guard.

A U.S. Border Patrol agent also died in the crash and another New York Army National Guard Soldier was seriously injured.

The Border Patrol Agent who was killed has been identified as Chris Luna, according to our partners NewsNation.

Luna has been with Border Patrol since 2007, serving as a supplemental air crew member.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens hugs the wife of Border Patrol Agent Chris Luna who was killed in a helicopter crash Friday, March 8 near Rio Grande City, Texas. Photo courtesy of NewsNation

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The 2024 Hike-A-Thon series is coming back from March 23 to July 13 at various trails and trailheads, the City of El Paso announced in a press release.

The City says this outdoor event provides ample opportunities for people of all ages to get moving and improve overall wellness while offering breathtaking scenery.

Hiking can help strengthen muscles, boost heart health, and even reduce anxiety, and enhance mood, said El Paso Parks and Recreation Interim Director Pablo Caballero. The Hike-A-Thon has been a popular initiative, and we encourage everyone to take part in this free series that promotes health and activity.

There are a total of five hikes; if you complete four, you receive a prize, according to the City. From beginner-friendly to moderate difficulty, the hike series also offers a mix of trails to suit all skill levels.

To sign up and get a Hiking Passport, interested participants are encouraged to fill out an online form found in this link.

The hiking schedule is as follows (all hikes begin at 7:30 a.m.):

March 23 : Lost Dog Trailhead, 6936 Cactus Thrush Dr.

April 13 : Knapp Land, 8540 Mountain View Dr.

May 18 : Palisades Canyon Loop, 1787 E Robinson Ave.

June 15 : Upper Sunset, 2900 Tom Mays Park Access Rd.

July 13: Cardiac Hill Trail, Officer Andrew Barcena Dr.

The City says that participants should wear sturdy shoes, sun protection, and weather-appropriate clothing, and bring plenty of water.

Additionally, the 2024 Hike-A-Thon is a collaboration between Live Active El Paso, Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Citys Department of Public Health Be Well program and the Frontera Land Alliance.

The hikes goal is to promote outdoor recreation as a means of improving physical and mental health, according to the City.

For more information and updates, visit www.LiveActiveEP.com/Events or follow Live Active EP on Facebook and Instagram.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
If youre planning to watch this years batch of Oscar-nominated live-action short films, make sure youve got a box of tissues nearby. (In one case, you might also want a phone to call your nearest local representative.) This category can serve as a proving ground for budding filmmakers, but it can also become a bit of a frenzy to try and pack as much Meaning as possible into 40 minutes or less. This years entries to straight for the heart and the jugular; Wes Andersons 40-minute Technicolor adaptation of The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar feels almost out of place in a program that otherwise feels intent on sending us all straight to our therapists offices.

Some of these shortslike the Samantha Bee-produced abortion tale Red, White, and Blue and Canadian director Vincent Rene-Lorties Invincibleexamine the deeply personal effects of structural injustice. Meanwhile, the David Oyewolo vehicle The After and the Danish downer Knight of Fortune steep us in the specific grief of men whove lost their wives, although only one of them does so effectively. And then, theres Andersons take on Roald Dahl, which will likely please his devotees but might underwhelm everyone else.

The After

Netflixs 18-minute short marks the directorial debut of Misan Harrimana social activist, entrepreneur, and photographer who became one of the primary visual documentarians of the Black Lives Matter movement. Harriman has said that this short is borne out of the collective trauma of 2020, but from the film itself, its unfortunately unclear what that might mean.

The short introduces us to David Oyelowos character, Dayo, a distracted businessman who decides to skip his big meeting to watch his daughters dance recital. Then, a man murders his daughter before his eyes and his wife commits suicide by jumping off the roof where all of this unfolded. A year later, we cut to Dayo working for a ride share service when a familys backseat conversation levels him with sorrow.

Its clear that Harriman wants to explore the non-linear, unpredictable and overwhelming nature of grief, but the set-up and resolution in The After both feel abrupt and contrived. The murder feels completely unbelievable, and while Oyelowos acting makes Dayos sadness viscerally tangible, his sudden acceptance in the end feels more forced than illuminating. Overall, the execution here does not feel thoughtful or unique enough for a story that ultimately relies on one of the most over-used tropes in the book: women and girls dying to motivate a male protagonist.

Red, White, and Blue

In this gut-wrenching 23-minute film, produced by Samantha Bee, Brittany Snow plays a waitress named Rachel who is desperately seeking an abortion. A mother of two living in Arkansas, where all abortions are illegal with severely limited exceptions, Rachel scours her meager savings (and her daughters piggy bank) to drive with her daughter, Maddy (played by Juliet Donenfeld), to Mississippi, where she hopes to schedule the procedure.

The drive unfolds like a feel-good girls trip until director Nazrin Choudhury drops a horrific twist on us at the hospital. Rachel isnt bringing her daughter along to save money on childcare; the 10-year-old has survived a rape and is now pregnant. This revelation recontextualizes all that came before it. Judgmental viewers who might have blamed Rachel for her situation or questioned her choice must now stare into the blank eyes of her child as she lies in a hospital bed awaiting her procedure.

Some viewers might balk at Maddys age and her violent rape by a stranger. (Statistically, the vast majority of child sexual-abuse survivors know their assailants.) Still, its worth noting that her circumstancesincluding her agecome straight out of recent headlines from red states that have banned abortion after the fall of Roe v. Wade. Unfortunately, Red, White, and Blue reflects a horrific reality that threatens to grow even more common, depending on the future of abortion access in the United States. In other words, its a tear-jerking rallying cry.

Knight of Fortune

Humor is a rare find among this years nominees, but Knight of Fortune offers a brief respite from the dour offerings that surround it. The 25-minute Danish film follows a man named Karl (Leif Andree) as he paces around a morgue to avoid saying goodbye to his late wife. First, he tries (and miserably fails) to fix the overhead light in the room where her casket lies. Then, he heads to the bathroom where he sits in a stall and meets Torben (Jens Jrn Spottag)a curious fellow who asks him for help saying goodbye to his own wife.

In case the films pop song-inspired title doesnt give it away, Karls journey through the morgue is not entirely sad. By the end, when he realizes Torbens true reason for being in the hospital and seeks his company anyway, the story actually feels life-affirming in a strange, bittersweet, lightly humorous way. How fitting that the one short film on this list that actually manages the fridging trope effectively takes place in a morgue.

Invincible

Montreal-based director Vincent Rene-Lortie has been making short films and music videos since 2014. A decade later, as he works on his first feature film, his moving short Invincible should put him on the map. Inspired by the tragic story of the directors childhood friend Marc-Antoine Bernier, the film follows a caged 14-year-old boy named Marc, who wants nothing more than to be free from the juvenile detention facility where he lives. We observe the final 48 hours of his life, as he swims with his younger sister before hes forced to return to the center.

As we observe Marc locked up in a claustrophobic room with permanently-closed windows and no working fan, we can feel the dissonance inside him. Actor Leokim Beaumier-Lepines face is a kaleidoscope of pent-up emotions, some of which seem strange even to himself. Theres teenage rage, righteous indignation, and, in some rare moments, a little bit of hope. As we know from the beginning, however, all of that humanity and poetry is about to disappearan incomprehensible tragedy that Rene-Lortie translates with devastating empathy.

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

Andersons take on Roald Dahls novel is the stronger of Netflixs two entries this year. As always, the Fantastic Mr. Fox directors visual stylings are whimsically lavish, and Andersons puckish fingerprints are all over the playful storytelling, even if the narrative voice remains distinctly Dahl-ian. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Henry Sugar himself, while Ralph Fiennes plays the novels author in the frame story. Supporting cast members Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, and Richard Ayoade deepen the films humor with fourth-wall-breaking performances that unfold in Andersons typically pleasant monotone.

Those who appreciate Andersons emphasis on form and playfully lengthy, straight-to-camera monologues will likely love his take on Henry Sugar. At the same time, those who tend to crave more heart from his work might find themselves underwhelmed and even a little bored. Clocking in at 39 minutes, this film is by far the longest in the bunch, and toward the end, I felt every single second. Anderson has made another utterly gorgeous film, with lush and tactile visuals worthy of a pop-up book. Still, the cascading stories start to feel aimless, and by the endjust like the future Yogi master who had to teach himself to concentrate on a single image for minutes at a timeI found my attention wavering.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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OROSI, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A second suspect has been arrested in a 2023 shooting that occurred in the community of Orosi, the Tulare County Sheriffs Office says.

On Friday, detectives with the Tulare Area Gangs and Narcotics Enforcement Team (TAGNET) located Jose Gadoy, a person they say was involved in a gang-related shooting in October.







Deputies say the shooting took place at a gas station in Orosi on October 19, 2023.

During the incident, investigators say that 36-year-old Godoy got into an argument with another person. The situation escalated when Gadoy allegedly pulled out a gun and handed it to Eric Garcia, a friend who was with Gadoy.

Deputies say Garcia fired the weapon toward the victim as he ran away.

The Sheriffs office says Garcia was arrested a week later, but Godoy fled and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Detectives say on Friday, they were able to find Godoy at a Dinuba home where he was arrested.

He was booked at the Tulare County Adult Pretrial facility on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

The Sheriffs office asks anyone with information about this case to contact the Tulare County Sheriffs Office at 559-733-6218.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Three people  including one child  were injured and one person is dead following a Sunday shooting in Antioch, according to authorities.

Metro Nashville dispatch said the shooting was reported shortly after noon on Sunday, March 10 in the 300 block of Bakertown Road.

Don Aaron, a public information officer for the Metro Nashville Police Department, described the incident at the Baker Station complex as a domestic-related shooting involving individuals from Central America.

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According to officials, a man who used to live at the apartment with a 31-year-old woman showed up at the residence, already armed, and started shooting as soon as he got inside, leaving two women and a child wounded before he turned the gun on himself and died at the scene.

Police said a 31-year-old woman and a 21-year-old woman were brought to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in critical condition due to life-threatening injuries.

However, a 7-year-old boy reportedly ended up with non-life-threatening injuries, so he is stable at the hospital and has been able to speak with detectives. Law enforcement told News 2 the shooting happened on the boys birthday.

Authorities said the 21-year-old womans 7-month-old daughter was home at the time of the shooting, but she wasnt injured.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

On Monday, police said the suspect was identified as 25-year-old Emilio Ramirez Lopez. Law enforcement described Lopez as the 31-year-old womans estranged boyfriend, adding that he met her in Kansas City and lived at her Antioch apartment for some time.

No additional details have been released about Sundays deadly incident.

 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.

 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
A shooting early Sunday morning in Minneapolis' Lyn-Lake neighborhood wounded three people, police say.

Minneapolis police responded to the shooting in the 600 block of Lake Street West around 1:45 a.m. near the Casablanca Restaurant and Lounge. Two women and a man, all in their 20s, suffered gunshot wounds; the man is believed to be in critical condition. All were transported to HCMC.

Police say gunfire erupted following an altercation among a group of people outside the lounge. Officers were in the area when they heard gunfire and provided immediate medical aid in the parking lot.

No arrest have been made.
Five firefighters were hospitalized after responding to a blaze early Saturday at a two-story commercial building in downtown Los Angeles. (Andrew Gombert / Los Angeles Times)

Five firefighters were hospitalized Saturday morning after noticing an unusual burning sensation on their faces while responding to a blaze at an unpermitted cannabis operation in downtown L.A.

Brian Humphrey, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson, said there was concern that the sensation may have resulted from burning chemicals inside the two-story, brick building south of the Arts District.

These were seasoned firefighters, he said, who felt something out of the ordinary.

None of the five cited other complaints, Humphrey said, nor were they having trouble breathing.

By Saturday evening, Humphrey said, all of the firefighters had been released from the hospital and returned to duty.

Read more: Nine L.A. firefighters injured, two critically, in semi-truck explosion in Wilmington

The callers who reported the blaze along an industrial strip said it seemed that one or more people may have been inside the burning building, Humphrey said.

Two cadaver dogs went to the scene, but there was no evidence that anyone was inside.

A Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson said there was concern that the firefighters had a reaction to burning chemicals inside the building south of the Arts District. (Andrew Gombert / Los Angeles Times)

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Humphrey said, adding that it isnt clear whether cannabis was being grown in the building or being processed inside.

Last month, a body was recovered from an explosive fire at what police described as a clandestine cannabis lab in South L.A. In 2022, at least four people, including two firefighters, were injured in an explosion at a makeshift lab in Orange County used to process hash oil, which is extracted from marijuana plants using butane.

Times staff writer Hailey Branson-Potts contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A women prays for the kidnapped LEA Primary and Secondary School students in Kuriga, Kaduna state Nigeria, Saturday, March 9, 2024. Security forces swept through large forests in Nigeria's northwest region on Friday in search of nearly 300 children who were abducted from their school a day earlier in the West African nation's latest mass kidnap which analysts and activists blamed on the failure of intelligence and slow security response. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

KURIGA, Nigeria (AP)  Rashidat Hamza is in despair. All but one of her six children are among the nearly 300 students abducted from their school in Nigerias northwest, riddled with Islamic extremists and armed gangs.

It has been more than two days after her children  ages 7 to 18  went to school in the remote town of Kuriga in Kaduna state only to be kidnapped by gunmen. She was still in shock Saturday.

Authorities said at least 100 children aged 12 or younger were among the abductees in the state known for violent killings lawlessness and dangerous roads where people get regularly snatched.

We dont know what to do, but we believe in God, Hamza told The Associated Press during a visit to the town.

The mass kidnapping in Kuriga was the third in northern Nigeria since last week; a group of gunmen abducted 15 children from a school in another northwestern state, Sokoto, before dawn Saturday, and a few days earlier 200 people, mostly women and children displaced by conflict, were kidnapped in northeastern Borno State.

The kidnappings are a stark reminder of the security crisis plaguing Africas most populous country.

No group claimed responsibility for any of the recent abductions. But Islamic extremists waging an insurgency in the northeast are suspected of carrying out the kidnapping in Borno. Locals blame the school abductions on herders who are in conflict with the settled communities.

It's not the first time for a student kidnapping in Nigeria to shock the world. In 2014, Islamic extremists abducted more than 200 schoolgirls from Bornos Chibok, sparking the global #BringBackOurGirls social media campaign. A decade later, at least 1,400 Nigerian students have so far been abducted from their schools in similar circumstances. Some are still held captive, including nearly 100 of the Chibok girls.

Recalling Thursdays kidnapping, Nura Ahmad, a teacher, told the AP that students were just settling into their classrooms at the government primary and secondary school when gunmen came in dozens, riding on bikes and shooting sporadically.

The LEA Primary and Secondary School, one of the few educational facilities in this area, sits by the road just at the entrance of the town, tucked in the middle of forests and savannah. Even with its decaying roof and wrecked walls, it gave parents hope for a better future for their children.

They surrounded the school and blocked all passages  and roads to prevent help from coming before kidnapping the children in less than five minutes, Ahmad said.

Fourteen-year-old Abdullahi Usman braved gunshots to escape the captors.

Those who refused to move fast were either forced on the motorcycles or threatened by gunshots fired into the air, Abdullahi said. The bandits were shouting: Go! Go! Go! he said.

Nigerian police and soldiers headed into the forests Friday to search for the missing children, but combing the wooded expanses of northwestern Nigeria could take weeks, observers said.

Since this happened, my brain has been muddled, said Shehu Lawal, the father of a 13-year-old boy who is among those abducted.

My child didnt even eat breakfast before leaving. His mother fainted (upon hearing the news)," he said.

Some villagers like Lawan Yaro, whose five grandchildren are among the abducted, say their hopes are already fading.

People are used to the region's insecurity, "but it has never been in this manner, he said.

We are crying, looking for help from the government and God, but it is the gunmen that will decide to bring the children back, Yaro said. God will help us."

But schools are not the only targets.

More than 3,500 people have been abducted across Nigeria in the last year, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. Some were even kidnapped from their homes in the capital of Abuja. Last year, President Bola Tinubu took office after he successfully campaigned on the promise to tighten security and stop the kidnappings.

Experts say it is easy to smuggle in arms, used in kidnappings, over Nigerias poorly policed borders. More than half of its 1,500-kilometer (932-mile) border with Niger, for instance, stretches across the northwest. Though mostly covered in woodland savannah, the region also has vast ungoverned and unoccupied forests where organized gangs hide and keep their kidnap victims.

In 2022, lawmakers passed a bill to penalize ransom payments, but Nigerian kidnappers are known for their brutality, forcing many families to succumb to their demands.

Nigeria's military continues to conduct air raids and special military operations in the region as well as respond to pockets of crisis across the country but is fatigued by the 14-year Islamist insurgency in the northeast. Armed gangs also keep on multiplying in the region where many are poor and often work with extremists, seeking to expand their operations.

The military previously said that sometimes kidnap victims were used as human shields to prevent aerial bombardments of the forests where their captors hide.

The gangs are adapting their strategies and further entrenching themselves in the northwest through extortion, said James Barnett, a researcher specializing in West Africa at the U.S.-based Hudson Institute.

Their mentality is that they should be allowed free rein to do what they please in the northwest and that if the state challenges them, directly or indirectly, they will have to respond and show their strength, Barnett said.

More than a dozen checkpoints and military trucks now dot the dangerous 55-mile (89 kilometers) road running from Kuriga town to the city of Kaduna. But the soldiers are likely to be redeployed elsewhere soon, depending on security needs.

People in Kuriga can only hope their children are returned unharmed and the safety they now feel with the presence of military personnel endures.

Hamza, the mother whose five children were kidnapped, hopes the government will arrest the kidnappers and return the students. The gunmen dont allow us to have peace."



Associated Press journalist Sunday Alamba in Kuriga, Kaduna contributed to this report.
VENICE, Fla. (WFLA)  Sarasota County law enforcement is working to help a whale that was stranded off the coast of Venice, Florida.

According to the Venice Police Department, officers and Sarasota County deputies are working with the Mote Marine Laboratory to save a 70-foot whale that was beached 50 yards away from Service Club Park.

As of 7:20 p.m., the City of Venice said the whale is still alive but has labored breathing. FWC biologists will resume their efforts on Monday due to high winds and surf.

Mote Marine Laboratory confirmed that the whale is a sperm whale.

1 killed after motorcycle crashes into building in Bradenton: police

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission said it is going to collect samples to determine what made the whale sick.

However, around 4 p.m., the City of Venice announced that the water conditions were too dangerous for the FWC to approach the distressed whale by boat to give the animal a sedative.

The city said another assessment will be made at low tide, shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday, but officials arent optimistic about the result.

Unfortunately, it appears this will likely be a recovery effort as nature takes its course, the city wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The whale is estimated to weigh approximately 50,000 to 70,000 pounds.

VPD is asking all vessels to stay out of the whales area at Service Club Park. Civilians are also advised to avoid the area.

The city said there will be a police presence at the beach overnight into Monday.

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.
Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) are two of the market's hottest artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. Nvidia's high-end GPUs are used to process complex AI tasks in data centers, while Microsoft is a leading investor in OpenAI. Microsoft has also been integrating OpenAI's generative AI tools directly into its cloud, search, and productivity tools.

Over the past three years, Nvidia's stock has soared more than 600% while Microsoft's stock has rallied just over 70%. Nvidia was clearly the better play on the booming AI market, but will it continue to outperform Microsoft over the next few years?

Image source: Getty Images.

Nvidia remains the ultimate AI play

In fiscal 2024, which ended this January, Nvidia's revenue surged 126% to $60.9 billion as its adjusted earnings per share (EPS) soared 288%. That marked a dizzying acceleration from its flat revenue growth and 25% decline in adjusted EPS in fiscal 2023.

The company struggled in fiscal 2023 as the PC market's post-pandemic slowdown throttled its sales of gaming GPUs. The crypto market's meltdown exacerbated that pressure as disillusioned miners flooded the market with secondhand GPUs.

The macro headwinds also drove some companies to rein in their purchases of new data center GPUs.

But in fiscal 2024, the soaring popularity of ChatGPT and other generative AI platforms sparked a buying frenzy in its data center GPUs. Its sales of gaming GPUs also stabilized in the second half of the year as the PC and crypto markets recovered.

Nvidia generated 78% of its revenue from its data center GPUs in fiscal 2024, and the market's demand is still outstripping its supply by a wide margin. From fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2027, analysts expect its revenue to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35% as its EPS increases at a CAGR of 39%. Those growth rates are astonishing, but its stock still doesn't look terribly expensive at 39 times forward earnings.

Nvidia seems like a simple way to profit from the growth of the generative AI market, which Fortune Business Insights estimates will have a CAGR of 47.5% from 2023 to 2030. But investors shouldn't overlook its longer-term challenges.

Story continues

AMD is rolling out cheaper data center GPUs, its top cloud customers are developing their own first-party chips, and start-ups like Groq are creating faster dedicated chips to process natural language queries. Chinese chipmakers could also launch alternative AI chips to counter the export curbs on Nvidia's top-tier chips.

Microsoft is a more balanced play on the AI market

Microsoft is more diversified. Its sprawling ecosystem houses its Windows operating system, Office productivity software, Azure cloud infrastructure platform, Bing search engine, Xbox gaming business, and Surface hardware devices.

In fiscal 2023 (which ended last June), Microsoft's revenue and adjusted EPS both rose 7% as the expansion of its cloud business -- which includes Azure, Microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365 -- offset the slower growth of its Windows, Surface, and Xbox divisions, which all faced fierce headwinds as the PC and gaming markets cooled off in a post-pandemic world.

But for fiscal 2024, analysts expect Microsoft's revenue and adjusted EPS to increase 15% and 19%, respectively, as the growth of its cloud business accelerates again. That acceleration was driven by the integration of OpenAI's generative AI tools directly into Microsoft's cloud-based services.

As result, Microsoft's Azure -- the world's second-largest cloud infrastructure platform -- has been growing faster than the market leader Amazon Web Services (AWS), as well as its third-place competitor, Alphabet's Google Cloud.

From fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2026, analysts expect Microsoft's revenue to have a CAGR of 14% as its EPS increases at a CAGR of 16%. Those estimates assume its cloud business will continue to expand, the PC market will recover, and its acquisition of Activision Blizzard will significantly strengthen its Xbox gaming division.

Those growth rates suggest Microsoft is still a sound way to profit from the expansion of the cloud, AI, and gaming markets -- but its stock isn't cheap at 30 times next year's earnings. If Microsoft's cloud business loses its momentum or antitrust regulators challenge its investments in OpenAI, its valuations could decline and drive its stock lower.

The better AI play: Nvidia

Nvidia and Microsoft are both promising plays on the AI market, but Nvidia's simpler business model, higher growth rates, and more reasonable valuations make it the better buy. Nvidia's investors should keep an eye on the competitive and regulatory headwinds, but it could be years before any of those challenges limit its growth.

Until then, Nvidia will continue to sell the market's best shovels for the AI gold rush -- and it could even eclipse Microsoft's market cap in just a few years.

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Update: The whale has died. Find the latest here.

Officials attempted to help a 50-foot beached whale off the coast of Venice Beach in Florida on Sunday. Officials initially estimated that the whale was about 70 feet long, but by Sunday night they estimated it to be 50 feet long and 50,000-70,000 pounds.

The City of Venice said the whale is located on a sandbar about 50 yards out from Service Club Park. Units with the Venice Police and Sarasota County Sheriff's are assisting Mote Marine Laboratory scientists with the whale, which was identified as a sperm whale.

Spectators line the shore to get a look at an adult sperm beached on a sandbar near Service Club Beach in Venice on Sunday, Mar. 10, 2024.

Police have closed off the entrance to the park so scientists and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission could assess the whale's condition.

As of late Sunday, officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it was too rough to approach the whale to give it a sedative and their best option was to try again on Monday.

SCSO is currently assisting Venice Police and Mote Marine Laboratory with a beached whale just off the coast of Venice. pic.twitter.com/xVxcrbr2cv  SarasotaSheriff (@SarasotaSheriff) March 10, 2024

Whale slowly dying

According to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, a part of the USA TODAY Network, by late morning, hundreds of spectators lined the shore to see the whale.

Gretchen Lovewell, Mote Marine Strandings Investigation Program Manager told the Herald-Tribune that the agency received a call about the whale being spotted on a sandbar about 150 yards from the beach at around 8:30 a.m.

The whale then moved to the closer sandbar. Lovewell said the whale which needs to remain in deep waters to survive is slowly dying. Officials said that as of Sunday night, the whale was still alive but had labored breathing.

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office was one of several local marine patrol units that responded help assess the condition of a sperm whale beached 50 yards off of Service Club Park in Venice.

Scientists from several agencies including Mote, FWC, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, University of Florida, and Sarasota Dolphin Project, are monitoring the whales breathing, the Herald-Tribune reported.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 50-foot sperm whale beached on sandbar 50 yards from coast in Florida
World War II veteran Harold Terens, 100, right, and Jeanne Swerlin, 96, share a laugh as they speak during an interview, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Boca Raton, Fla. Terens will be honored by France as part of the country's 80th anniversary celebration of D-Day. In addition, the couple will be married on June 8 at a chapel near the beaches where U.S. forces landed. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP)  Harold Terens and his fiancee Jeanne Swerlin kissed and held hands like high school sweethearts as they discussed their upcoming wedding in France, a country the World War II veteran first visited as a 20-year-old U.S. Army Air Forces corporal shortly after D-Day.

Terens, a gregarious and energetic 100-year-old, will be honored in June by the French as part of the 80th anniversary celebration of their country's liberation from the Nazis. Then he plans to marry the sprightly 96-year-old Swerlin in a town near the beaches where U.S. troops landed.

I love this girl  she is quite special, said Terens, who has been dating Swerlin since 2021. To demonstrate their fondness for dancing, they had Siri play Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars and then jumped, twisted and gyrated like teens at homecoming.

Hes an amazing guy, amazing," Swerlin said. He loves me so much and he says it.

And my god, he's the greatest kisser, she said.

The couple, who are each widowed, grew up in New York City: she in Brooklyn, he in the Bronx. They laugh at how differently they experienced World War II. She was in high school and dated soldiers who gave her war souvenirs like dog tags, knives and even a gun, trying to impress.

Terens enlisted in 1942 and shipped to Great Britain the following year, attached to a four-pilot P-47 Thunderbolt fighter squadron as their radio repair technician. Terens said his original pilots all died in the war.

I loved all those guys. Young men. The average age was 26, he said.

On D-Day  June 6, 1944  Terens helped repair planes returning from France so they could rejoin the battle. He said half his company's pilots died that day.

Terens went to France 12 days later, helping transport freshly captured Germans and just-freed American POWs back to England. To him, the Germans seemed happy because they would survive the war. The Americans, however, had been brutalized by their Nazi captors over months and even years.

They were in a stupor, he said.

He then went on a secret mission  even he didn't know his destination. His planes hopscotched North Africa before eventually landing in Tehran. There, he survived a robbery that left him naked in the desert and fearing death until an American military police patrol happened by.

He learned the details of his covert mission when he was deposited at a Soviet airfield in Ukraine. As part of a new strategy, American bombers would fly from Britain to attack Axis targets in Eastern Europe. They didnt have enough fuel to return so they would fly to the USSR. Terens' job was to get the crews fed and the injured treated before they flew their refueled planes home.

Terens soon contracted dysentery, which almost killed him. In another close call, a British barkeep refused to serve him past the mandatory closing time despite his pleadings for just one more drink. Moments after he was kicked out, a German rocket destroyed the pub.

Following the Nazi surrender in May 1945, Terens again helped transport freed Allied prisoners to England before he shipped back to the U.S. a month later.

He married his wife Thelma in 1948 and they had two daughters and a son. He became a U.S. vice president for a British conglomerate. They moved from New York to Florida in 2006 after Thelma retired as a French teacher; she died in 2018 after 70 years of marriage. He has eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Swerlin married at 21 and was a full-time mom to two girls and a boy before being widowed in her 40s. Her second husband died after 18 years of marriage. She then lived with Sol Katz for 25 years before his death in 2019. She has seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

It was Katz's daughter, Joanne Schosheim, who introduced her to Terens in 2021.

She met Terens when her children attended camp with his grandchildren years ago and remained friends. She and a friend thought the two might hit it off, so invited them to lunch.

She gave my dad such joy," Schosheim said of Swerlin. "I didnt want her to be lonely.

But after Thelma's death, Terens wasn't interested in other women and barely noticed Swerlin.

"I didnt even look at her. I didnt even talk to her, he said.

I looked at him. He looked at me," Swerlin said, but it was like nothing.

Even so, Terens' buddy Stanley Eisenberg took them to dinner the next night. Eisenberg wanted to see who his friend had dismissed.

It was love at second sight.

I had never seen him lit up like that, Eisenberg said.

Terens couldnt talk or eat, and thats not like him.

I said, Youre in love, Eisenberg said. He said, I dont know. Ive never had these feelings before.'"

After that date, Swerlin said, Terens "didnt give me a chance to turn him down. At 94, she also was in love.

He was introducing me to the whole world, I want you to meet my girl, my sweetheart,' and I didnt even know him more than two days, she said, laughing. Being in love is not just for the young. We get butterflies just like everybody else.

Terens proposed a few months ago, kneeling to give Swerlin a ring.

She got hysterical with delight, he said.

I thought Id have to help him up, but hes so macho, she said.

The couple and their families will head to Paris in late May, where Terens and a handful of surviving World War II veterans will be honored. Of the 16 million American WWII veterans, only 120,000 remain, the government says.

It will be Terens fourth D-Day celebration in France. He received a medal from President Emmanuel Macron five years ago.

The families then will travel to the town of Carentan-les-Marais, where the couple plan to be married June 8 by Mayor Jean-Pierre Lhonneur in a chapel built in the 1600s. Lhonneur said because of the American sacrifice on D-Day, more U.S. flags fly in the area than French.

Normandy is the 51st state, he said.

Lhonneur explained legally he is only allowed to marry town residents, but he thinks the local prosecutor will let him make an exception.

It will be a pleasure for us, the mayor said.

___

AP writer John Leicester in Le Pecq, France, contributed to this report.
An 8m housing scheme in Devon for young people at risk of homelessness has been branded a "beacon of hope" by the charity behind it.

Planned supported living will provide 83 homes for young people in Torbay and Plymouth, YMCA Exeter said.

Gareth Soresby, CEO, said the project's 24-hour staff would support residents with community integration, education and employment.

Mr Soresby said the housing crisis was "the worst he'd ever seen it".

He said he hoped the scheme, which would offer rental at a price "affordable for those on housing benefit", would be a "contribution to a solution".

With 8m funding secured, YMCA Exeter said it hoped to purchase 36 homes in Torbay and lease 47 in Plymouth.

Mr Soresby said they were confident the scheme would become a "a beacon of hope for many young people across Torbay and Plymouth".

"We are also freeing up spaces in the crisis properties already there - the hostels, the B&Bs."

Andy Fletcher said YMCA Exeter helped him leave emergency accommodation after a relationship breakdown

Andy Fletcher said he was supported by YMCA Exeter into affordable housing after a relationship breakdown left him in emergency accommodation.

He said: "It's made a massive difference - it's really helped with my mental health.

"Without the YMCA I would not be in a good spot, I most likely would not be here.

"They do offer a substantial amount of support for someone like me.

"It's really great to see them expand to other projects in Plymouth and Torbay."

'Game-changer'

The 8m will cover 65% of the housing costs, plus support staff for three years - with more funds yet to be raised.

YMCA Exeter said residents, some of whom would likely have come from the care system, would be helped to "transition" into housing when they were ready to live with a lower level of support.

It said in 2023, there were 80 young people in Plymouth with medium to high support needs, without access to supported housing and at risk of homelessness.

In 2024, the charity estimates that has grown to nearly 300 young adults in Plymouth who will require support from Adult Social Care in the future.

Funding has come from the Homes England Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP).

The "supported housing pathway" would run in partnership with YMCA South Devon, Torbay Council and charity Young Devon.

YMCA Plymouth and Plymouth City Council were also partners.

Andrew Moreman, Young Devon CEO, said the scheme was a "game-changer for the city".

Follow BBC News South West on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.
Shelbie hasnt gotten the best start in life.

Abandoned as a pup with two of her siblings beside a Bakersfield-area highway, Shelbie also got hit by a vehicle, breaking her femur, a California dog rescue told McClatchy News in an email.

Her two litter-mates were adopted while Shelbie recovered from surgery to fix her leg, but now its this energetic 9-week-old pups turn to find a new, happier life, Meggan Oksness of the HIT Living Foundation said.

She loves to be around people/dogs and would love a home where someone is present a greater part of the day, Shelbies adoption listing said.

She gives the best little kisses and hugs and will make someone very happy, the listing said.

Shelbie would do best in a home with other dogs, the foundation said, noting that although shes supposed to be on crate rest as she recovers, shes eager to play with other foster dogs.

Due to her fractures, there is a chance she may have a slight limp or develop arthritis, so its important that her forever home understands this and accepts her just the way she is  which, in our opinion, is perfect, Oksness said.

Shelbie is smart and easily trainable, her adoption listing said.

Despite her challenging start, Shelbie remains a resilient and joyful pup, Oksness said.

The ASPCA estimates that about 6.3 million cats and dogs are surrendered annually at animal shelters in the United States.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  An Albuquerque man was arrested. He was accused of exposing himself to minors last week.

According to a criminal complaint, 18-year-old Orlando Varela drove up to young girls walking home from school in southwest Albuquerque. On separate occasions, hes accused of asking if they wanted a ride before exposing himself.

Hes now facing two counts of aggravated indecent exposure.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
A 60-year-old man is wounded and an accused robber is dead following a shootout in Chicago, according to Illinois police.

The shooting happened on the morning of Friday, March 8, on the citys south side, a Chicago Police Department news release said.

The 60-year-old was using an ATM when a man on a bicycle came toward him, brandished a firearm and tried to rob him, police told WBBM.

Instead of handing over his money, the man pulled out a concealed handgun and both men opened fire on each other, police said.

Both men were shot during the shootout, police say.

The man was shot in the back and arm, and ran to a nearby gas station for help, WLS reported.

Police say the accused robber was shot multiple times and taken to a hospital where he died. The other man was also taken to a hospital and was listed in stable condition, according to police.

The man was licensed to own and legally carry a firearm in concealment, police said.

An investigation is underway.

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Salem Fire Department paramedics and employees of Falck Northwest ambulance service respond to a heat exposure call during a heat wave in June 2021 in Salem.

The Salem City Council will vote Monday on whether to discontinue the practice of subcontracting for ambulance services and designate the Salem Fire Department as the exclusive ambulance service provider.

For the past two decades, the city has relied on contracted private ambulance services.

The decision to outsource services was made in 2005, driven by financial considerations such as the low Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates at the time, Salem Fire Chief Mike Niblock said in a report to city council.

"Fast forward 20 years, the current private ambulance service provider faces difficulties maintaining the required deployment levels stipulated in the contract," Niblock said. "This has caused the Fire Department to expend $3.3 million overtime dollars to subsidize the EMS System to ensure appropriate service delivery to the public, dating back to November 2021."

Salem contracts ambulance transport services to Falck Ambulance. Falck has been providing advanced life support ambulance transport for the city since 2015.

The operational strain and overtime cost promoted the reevaluation of the current system, and leaders determined the city should shift to having Salem Fire be the exclusive ambulance service provider instead of the current model.

This option is expected to create stable revenue, allowing more reinvestment in EMS services.

Researchers also found the city could increase involvement in the Ground Emergency Medical Transport Program to increase Medicaid reimbursement and reevaluate transport fees to increase revenue.

"The current private ambulance provider's suggestion for a 25% fee increase to boost recruitment and meet contractual obligations is supported by financial analyses, indicating that such adjustments could solidify the economic foundation for reintegrating EMS services within Salem and ensuring its long-term financial health," Niblock said in the report.

Salem Fire Medical Director Dr. Brian Clothier wrote in favor of the change, saying it was the best model to provide quality care for people in Salem.

"The Ambulance Operator Model is the only responsible option because it provides a group of single role paramedics and EMTs with the specialized skills, dedicated to the care of those who experience serious medical emergencies," Clothier said in his testimony.

He also said the model would help fund needed training resources.

"We desperately need additional staff and equipment to keep our paramedics and EMTs providing the best care," Clothier said.

If passed by the City Council, Salem Fire would become the exclusive ambulance provider on July 1, 2025.

Other agenda items include:

An information report on the Planning Administrator's decision to approve the proposed development of a 405-unit multifamily project at 4650 Hazelgreen Road NE.

A vote on whether to authorize the Deputy City Manager for Community Services to apply for an Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant to provide funding for improvements at Riverfront Park. Such improvements could include replacing the aging playground and incorporating inclusive play and accessible designs.

An information report on the city's short-term rental regulations.

A review of Salem's Annual Tree Report, which inventoried 35,381 trees in the city parks and streets and reported 12,270 being planted in 2023 by the city and city partners.

A presentation on Marion County youth tobacco and substance use prevention.

A proclamation declaring April 2024 Arbor Month.

How to participate in the Salem City Council meeting

The meeting is at 6 p.m. It will be held in person in the City Council Chambers at the Salem Civic Center, 555 Liberty St. SE, and also can be watched on Comcast Cable CCTV Channel 21 or on the Salem YouTube channel in English/American Sign Language and Spanish.

Those wishing to comment in person can sign up on the rosters at the chamber entrance before the start of the meeting.

Written public comments on agenda items can be emailed by 5 p.m. Monday to cityrecorder@cityofsalem.net. Or preregister between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday at cityofsalem.net/Pages/Public-Comment-at-Salem-City-Council-Meeting.aspx to speak during the meeting via Zoom.

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter at @wmwoodworth

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem City Council to consider ambulance service contract
Days before New Hampshire's Jan. 23 primary, a robocall sounding a lot like President Joe Biden went out to voters and urged them to stay home from the polls.

"Voting this Tuesday only enables Republicans in their quest to elect Donald Trump again," said the voice. An operative working for Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., a long-shot Biden opponent, later told NBC News he commissioned the ad himself without the campaign's awareness.

On the Republican side, Donald Trumps campaign posted an audio clip that made it seem as though Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was speaking to Adolf Hitler, and the DeSantis campaign posted a picture that made it look like Trump was hugging Anthony Fauci.

This use of AI goes beyond the usual campaign dishonesty to actual fabrication. You might assume that is illegal, but the federal agency that oversees elections has yet to take regulatory action on so-called deepfakes.

The head of the Federal Election Commission, or FEC, said he expects a resolution of the issue "later this year," leaving the possibility that this misinformation will be unregulated during the bulk of the 2024 election.

Good-government advocates worry that will allow deepfakes to show voters a candidate doing something they never did.

You could imagine a candidate being shown drunken or falling down or embracing a criminal or kissing an adversary, said Robert Weissman, the president of Public Citizen, a nonprofit that is seeking the new rule from the Federal Election Commission. Its very hard for the impacted candidate to refute what appears to be authentic content.

Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, speaks at a protest in 2021.

Fake or fact? 2024 is shaping up to be the first AI election.

Group asks Federal Election Commission to ban deepfakes

FEC regulations already ban candidates and their campaign agents from fraudulently misrepresenting themselves as part of an opponents campaign in a way that damages the opponent. Public Citizen asked the FEC to clarify that using artificial intelligence to put words in an opponents mouth counts as that type of misrepresentation.

Its the advocacy group's second attempt, after the FEC declined to act on Public Citizens first petition in June, which the commissioners rejected in a deadlocked vote, where the three Republican commissioners voted against moving forward with seeking public comments and the three Democratic commissioners voted in favor.

Now, since commissioners voted 6-0 in August to move forward on Public Citizen's second attempt, dozens of organizations, members of the public, and Democrats in Congress have submitted comments in support of the proposal. But Weissman said the FEC is moving too slowly, and the rulemaking process is unlikely to be done before Nov. 5.

A properly functioning FEC wouldve proactively moved to address this issue long ago, Weissman said. They did not.

He said the agency shouldnt be dragged kicking and screaming.

Sean Cooksey, the FEC chairman, hit back at Weissmans comments.

Public Citizens statement is typically long on outrage and short on substance, Cooksey wrote in a statement he sent to USA TODAY. Any suggestion that the FEC is not doing its job on the pending AI rulemaking petition is simply false. The Commission will continue to work through the regulatory review process, and I expect it will resolve the petition later this year.

The FEC enforces its regulations on a case-by-case basis, and usually takes them up cases in response to complaints, according to spokesperson Judith Ingram.

The FEC's enforcement powers are civil, so it generally imposes fines, but deadlocked party-line votes like the one in June are common, and have meant certain gray areas of the law are not enforced.

"The FEC enforcement record is miserable, and if they adopt this rule, we would hope that they would be less miserable on enforcement of this," Weissman said.

Fake robocalls. Doctored videos. Why Facebook is being urged to fix its election problem.

AI deepfake bills showed up in at least 30 statehouses

State lawmakers, Republican and Democrat, are tackling the issue themselves. Wendy Underhill, the director of elections and redistricting for the National Conference of State Legislatures, said her team has tracked 55 bills introduced in 30 states. A handful passed into law this year. California and Texas have had laws on the books since 2019.

A bill in Indiana headed to the governors desk after receiving bipartisan support would require ads that use deepfake technology to disclose, Elements of this media have been digitally altered or artificially generated. The law will apply to pictures, video, and audio. Affected state and federal candidates can sue for damages in civil court.

Its a pretty easy bill to get passed because nobody here wants people to be bamboozled about what theyre seeing, said State Rep. Julie Olthoff, the Republican who sponsored the bill. And secondly, whos going to say No? Youre going to vote No, I want people to use AI generation and do whatever they want?

Olthoff said she wrote the bill based on a law that was already on the books in Washington state. She said shes not completely happy that the only recourse is financial, and said lawmakers took out language that wouldve created criminal penalties or banned the technology completely.

Indiana State Rep. Julie Olthoff, a Republican who represents a portion of northwest Indiana.

If a deepfake ad runs three days before the race you lose, then its kind of too late, Olthoff said. You lost the race because of it, and all you get is whatever the judge tells you. She added, We might be able in future years to go a little bit further, but theres urgency in this.

In Kansas, state Rep. Pat Proctor, a Republican, joined with a Democratic leader to try to pass a bill that would require disclosure on deepfake ads and make it a crime to impersonate an election official, such as a secretary of state, in order to convince them not to vote. The language was inspired by the Biden robocall.

"This technology can make such realistic material that its indistinguishable from the real thing, and it can be done so cheaply by anybody that I think that we really need to put down some guard rails to protect voters from this stuff," Proctor said.

Proctor said the bill is currently dead, but can be brought back to life, and that could still happen. "This is definitely something that has bipartisan support because were both going to be victims of this and we all know it," he said.

Fake Trump video? How to spot deepfakes on Facebook and YouTube ahead of the presidential election

More: Tech giants pledge crackdown on 2024 election AI deepfakes. Will they keep their promise?

Big tech companies require disclosure of deepfaked AI

Google announced that, starting in November, it would require clear and conspicuous disclosures from election advertisers who use AI in photos, videos, and audio. The companys subsidiary, YouTube, also announced in November that it would install updates that inform viewers when the content theyre seeing is synthetic.

Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads, says its staff removes ads that are false, altered, partly false, or missing context; and prohibits ads that discourage voting or call into question the legitimacy of the election, or have premature claims of victory. The policy includes AI-generated ads.

Andrew Critch, an AI researcher for the University of California, Berkeley, said it needs to be illegal to produce deepfakes. He said federal agencies can establish norms, and Congress can find a bipartisan consensus on criminalizing deepfake production.

"We need deepfakes to be illegal to produce, and we also need people to be educated that they need ways of detecting what is or isnt a deepfake," Critch said.

On Wednesday, Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, introduced a bill to require disclaimers in AI-generated political advertising that would also require the FEC to address violations of the law.

Olthoff said the federal government should take action so that federal campaigns aren't forced to sift through a patchwork of state laws. "Now you have to figure out what the disclaimer is and its different in different states," she said. "Or if youre harmed, you have to do a lawsuit in 30-plus states."

Weissman said passing a rule by the FEC might not fix all the challenges of deepfakes, particularly because the FEC often deadlocks when it votes on enforcement decisions, meaning they take no action. But he said there at least needs to be a rule on the books.

We need enforcement to stop burglary and robbery, but if its just legal altogether, we should expect a lot more people to steal things, he said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: AI deepfakes are part of 2024 election. Is federal regulation coming?
Given troves of data about genes and cells, A.I. models have made some surprising discoveries. What could they teach us someday? (Doug Chayka/The New York Times)

In 1889, a French doctor named Francois-Gilbert Viault climbed down from a mountain in the Andes, drew blood from his arm and inspected it under a microscope. Viaults red blood cells, which ferry oxygen, had surged 42%. He had discovered a mysterious power of the human body: When it needs more of these crucial cells, it can make them on demand.

In the early 1900s, scientists theorized that a hormone was the cause. They called the theoretical hormone erythropoietin, or red maker in Greek. Seven decades later, researchers found actual erythropoietin after filtering 670 gallons of urine.

And about 50 years after that, biologists in Israel announced they had found a rare kidney cell that makes the hormone when oxygen drops too low. Its called the Norn cell, named after the Norse deities who were believed to control human fate.

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It took humans 134 years to discover Norn cells. Last summer, computers in California discovered them on their own in just six weeks.

The discovery came about when researchers at Stanford University programmed the computers to teach themselves biology. The computers ran an artificial intelligence program similar to ChatGPT, the popular bot that became fluent with language after training on billions of pieces of text from the internet. But the Stanford researchers trained their computers on raw data about millions of real cells and their chemical and genetic makeup.

The researchers did not tell the computers what these measurements meant. They did not explain that different kinds of cells have different biochemical profiles. They did not define which cells catch light in our eyes, for example, or which ones make antibodies.

The computers crunched the data on their own, creating a model of all the cells based on their similarity to each other in a vast, multidimensional space. When the machines were done, they had learned an astonishing amount. They could classify a cell they had never seen before as one of more than 1,000 different types. One of those was the Norn cell.

Thats remarkable, because nobody ever told the model that a Norn cell exists in the kidney, said Jure Leskovec, a computer scientist at Stanford who trained the computers.

The software is one of several new AI-powered programs, known as foundation models, that are setting their sights on the fundamentals of biology. The models are not simply tidying up the information that biologists are collecting. They are making discoveries about how genes work and how cells develop.

As the models scale up, with ever more laboratory data and computing power, scientists predict that they will start making more profound discoveries. They may reveal secrets about cancer and other diseases. They may figure out recipes for turning one kind of cell into another.

A vital discovery about biology that otherwise would not have been made by the biologists  I think were going to see that at some point, said Dr. Eric Topol, the director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute.

Just how far they will go is a matter of debate. While some skeptics think the models are going to hit a wall, more optimistic scientists believe that foundation models will even tackle the biggest biological question of them all: What separates life from nonlife?

Heart Cells and Mole Rats

Biologists have long sought to understand how the different cells in our bodies use genes to do the many things we need to stay alive.

About a decade ago, researchers started industrial-scale experiments to fish out genetic bits from individual cells. They recorded what they found in catalogs, or cell atlases, that swelled with billions of pieces of data.

Dr. Christina Theodoris, a medical resident at Boston Childrens Hospital, was reading about a new kind of AI model made by Google engineers in 2017 for language translations. The researchers provided the model with millions of sentences in English, along with their translations into German and French. The model developed the power to translate sentences it hadnt seen before. Theodoris wondered if a similar model could teach itself to make sense of the data in cell atlases.

In 2021, she struggled to find a lab that might let her try to build one. There was a lot of skepticism that this approach would work at all, she said.

Shirley Liu, a computational biologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, gave her a shot. Theodoris pulled data from 106 published human studies, which collectively included 30 million cells, and fed it all into a program called GeneFormer.

The model gained a deep understanding of how our genes behave in different cells. It predicted, for example, that shutting down a gene called TEAD4 in a certain type of heart cell would severely disrupt it. When her team put the prediction to the test in real cells called cardiomyocytes, the beating of the heart cells grew weaker.

In another test, she and her colleagues showed GeneFormer heart cells from people with defective heartbeat rhythms as well as from healthy people. Then we said, now tell us what changes we need to happen to the unhealthy cells to make them healthy, said Theodoris, who now works at the University of California, San Francisco.

GeneFormer recommended reducing the activity of four genes that had never before been linked to heart disease. Theodoris team followed the models advice, knocking down each of the four genes. In two out of the four cases, the treatment improved how the cells contracted.

The Stanford team got into the foundation-model business after helping to build one of the biggest databases of cells in the world, known as CellXGene. Beginning in August, the researchers trained their computers on the 33 million cells in the database, focusing on a type of genetic information called messenger RNA. They also fed the model the 3D structures of proteins, which are the products of genes.

From this data, the model  known as Universal Cell Embedding, or UCE  calculated the similarity among cells, grouping them into more than 1,000 clusters according to how they used their genes. The clusters corresponded to types of cells discovered by generations of biologists.

UCE also taught itself some important things about how the cells develop from a single fertilized egg. For example, UCE recognized that all the cells in the body can be grouped according to which of three layers they came from in the early embryo.

It essentially rediscovered developmental biology, said Stephen Quake, a biophysicist at Stanford who helped develop UCE.

The model was also able to transfer its knowledge to new species. Presented with the genetic profile of cells from an animal that it had never seen before  a naked mole rat, say  UCE could identify many of its cell types.

You can bring a completely new organism  chicken, frog, fish, whatever  you can put it in, and you will get something useful out, Leskovec said.

After UCE discovered the Norn cells, Leskovec and his colleagues looked in the CellXGene database to see where they had come from. While many of the cells had been taken from kidneys, some had come from lungs or other organs. It was possible, the researchers speculated, that previously unknown Norn cells were scattered across the body.

Dr. Katalin Susztak, a physician-scientist at the University of Pennsylvania who studies Norn cells, said that the finding whetted her curiosity. I want to check these cells, she said.

She is skeptical that the model found true Norn cells outside the kidneys, since the erythropoietin hormone hasnt been found in other places. But the new cells may sense oxygen as Norn cells do.

In other words, UCE may have discovered a new type of cell before biologists did.

An Internet of Cells

Just like ChatGPT, biological models sometimes get things wrong. Kasia Kedzierska, a computational biologist at the University of Oxford, and her colleagues recently gave GeneFormer and another foundation model, scGPT, a battery of tests. They presented the models with cell atlases they hadnt seen before and had them perform tasks such as classifying the cells into types. The models performed well on some tasks, but in other cases they fared poorly compared with simpler computer programs.

Kedzierska said she had great hopes for the models but that, for now, they should not be used out of the box without a proper understanding of their limitations.

Leskovec said that the models were improving as scientists trained them on more data. But compared with ChatGPTs training on the entire internet, the latest cell atlases offer only a modest amount of information. Id like an entire internet of cells, he said.

More cells are on the way as bigger cell atlases come online. And scientists are gleaning different kinds of data from each of the cells in those atlases. Some scientists are cataloging the molecules that stick to genes, or taking photographs of cells to illuminate the precise location of their proteins. All of that information will allow foundation models to draw lessons about what makes cells work.

Scientists are also developing tools that let foundation models combine what theyre learning on their own with what flesh-and-blood biologists have already discovered. The idea would be to connect the findings in thousands of published scientific papers to the databases of cell measurements.

With enough data and computing power, scientists say, they may eventually create a complete mathematical representation of a cell.

Thats going to be hugely revolutionary for the field of biology, said Bo Wang, a computational biologist at the University of Toronto and the creator of scGPT. With this virtual cell, he speculated, it would be possible to predict what a real cell would do in any situation. Scientists could run entire experiments on their computers rather than in petri dishes.

Quake suspects that foundation models will learn not just about the kinds of cells that currently reside in our bodies but also about the kinds of cells that could exist. He speculates that only certain combinations of biochemistry can keep a cell alive. Quake dreams of using foundation models to make a map showing the realm of the possible, beyond which life cannot exist.

I think these models are going to help us get some really fundamental understanding of the cell, which is going to provide some insight into what life really is, Quake said.

Having a map of whats possible and impossible to sustain life might also mean that scientists could actually create new cells that dont yet exist in nature. The foundation model might be able to concoct chemical recipes that transform ordinary cells into new, extraordinary ones. Those new cells might devour plaque in blood vessels or explore a diseased organ to report back on its condition.

Its very Fantastic Voyage-ish, Quake admitted. But who knows what the future is going to hold?

New Risks

If foundation models live up to Quakes dreams, they will also raise a number of new risks. On Friday, more than 80 biologists and AI experts signed a call for the technology to be regulated so that it cannot be used to create new biological weapons. Such a concern might apply to new kinds of cells produced by the models.

Privacy breaches could happen even sooner. Researchers hope to program personalized foundation models that would look at an individuals unique genome and the particular way that it works in cells. That new dimension of knowledge could reveal how different versions of genes affect the way cells work. But it could also give the owners of a foundation model some of the most intimate knowledge imaginable about the people who donated their DNA and cells to science.

Some scientists have their doubts about how far foundational models will make it down the road to Fantastic Voyage, however. The models are only as good as the data they are fed. Making an important new discovery about life may depend on having data on hand that we havent figured out how to collect. We might not even know what data the models need.

They might make some new discoveries of interest, said Sara Walker, a physicist at Arizona State University who studies the physical basis of life. But ultimately they are limited when it comes to new fundamental advances.

Still, the performance of foundation models has already led their creators to wonder about the role of human biologists in a world where computers make important insights on their own. Traditionally, biologists have been rewarded for creative and time-consuming experiments that uncover some of the workings of life. But computers may be able to see those workings in a matter of weeks, days or even hours by scanning billions of cells for patterns we cant see.

Its going to force a complete rethink of what we consider creativity, Quake said. Professors should be very, very nervous.

c.2024 The New York Times Company
Ukrainian air defense units destroyed 35 of the 39 Shahed-type drones that Russia launched overnight, the Air Force reported on March 10.

The drones were launched from Cape Chauda in occupied Crimea, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia's Krasnodar Krai region.

Russian forces also launched four S-300 surface-to-air guided missiles. No information was provided by the Air Force as to the outcome of the missile launches.

The drones were intercepted over Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, Odesa, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia, Kyiv, and Zhytomyr oblasts.

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

Drone attacks are a daily occurrence in Ukraine, affecting various regions across the country. Overnight on March 9, Ukraines air defense downed 12 of 15 Russian drone launched at Ukraine.

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: This Week in Ukraine S2E9  How Ukraine downs Russian planes

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
At the start of every Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) annual report, the company provides a list that compares its stock performance against the S&P 500 since 1965, the year Warren Buffett took control of the company. The track record is impressive.

Investors who came on board with Buffett back in 1965 have seen their money compound at an average annual rate of 19.8%. The S&P 500 has returned an average of 10.2% during that same period. Over 59 years, that translates into a cumulative return 140 times greater than holding the S&P 500.

Going forward, Buffett himself doesn't think investors should expect those types of market-crushing returns. He still thinks it's a great company to own, but there's a big thing holding back its ability to grow like it used to.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Moving the needle at Berkshire

The biggest challenge Buffett faces in driving outsize returns for shareholders comes down to the law of large numbers. Berkshire Hathaway isn't the $20 million company it was in the 1960s when Buffett first bought shares. It's not even the $100 billion company it was at the start of the century. It's now rapidly closing in on a $1 trillion market cap.

What's more, the vast majority of Berkshire's businesses and holdings aren't in massive growth industries that can support strong growth. The company invests in and/or owns steady cash-generating businesses like insurance and railroad transport.

For a long time, Buffett generated growth for shareholders by taking the cash from those businesses and buying all or part of a new business. Describing what exactly Berkshire Hathaway does, Buffett writes in his most recent letter to shareholders, "We want to own either all or a portion of businesses that enjoy good economics that are fundamental and enduring."

But when you're already the eighth-largest business by market cap in the world, it's hard to find a business that can have an outsize impact on the value of the holding company.

Story continues

"There remain only a handful of companies in this country capable of truly moving the needle at Berkshire, and they have been endlessly picked over by us and by others," Buffett wrote to investors. "Some we can value; some we can't. And, if we can, they have to be attractively priced."

So, not only are there only a handful of companies in the investable universe for Berkshire that have potential within Berkshire's portfolio, but Buffett also suggests a lot of the market is currently overpriced. That's led him to build a record cash hoard of $167.6 billion, which he's primarily invested in short-term Treasury bills.

Is it time to ditch Berkshire Hathaway stock?

Buffett's somewhat pessimistic outlook for the future of Berkshire Hathaway may have some investors wondering whether it's time to sell.

While Buffett doesn't think his company is about to double in value within the next five years, he's not completely down on his own company. He likes the present mix of businesses owned by Berkshire, describing them as having "somewhat better prospects than exist at most large American companies." (He's never been one to be too boastful.)

As such, Buffett suggests returns for Berkshire Hathaway shareholders should be "a bit better than the average American corporation." He also notes Berkshire stock comes with materially less risk of permanent loss of capital.

But investors shouldn't discount Berkshire Hathaway's cash position. Not only does it offer great downside protection, but it also puts Buffett and his team of investment managers in a spot to take advantage of a market opportunity, should one present itself. There are only a handful of companies Berkshire couldn't afford to make a sizable investment in, if not purchase outright.

But as Buffett noted in his 2009 letter to shareholders, "Big opportunities come infrequently." A decade and a half later he might add that massive opportunities are even more infrequent.

That's why Buffett thinks Berkshire will still do a bit better than average. "Anything beyond 'slightly better,' though, is wishful thinking," he warns.

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This Is the Biggest Thing Holding Back Berkshire Hathaway, According to Warren Buffett was originally published by The Motley Fool
The next time youre in a security line at the airport, you may find that instead of a Transportation Security Administration officer checking your ID, a camera and screen will use biometric facial recognition to confirm your face and photo ID match and ensure your ID isnt fake.

The TSA has installed the system in over 200 U.S. airports to improve identity verification accuracy and keep its lines moving.

Spokeo used information from Customs and Border Protection to see how many airports in each state use facial recognition software for security screenings and examine the pros and cons of such a program.

The TSA started piloting this system in 2020 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia, but this is not its first foray into using biometrics. Since the mid-00s, foreign nationals entering the U.S. have given biometric data at customs for identification verification.

The technology behind facial recognition has been around even longer. Computer scientist Woodrow Wilson Bledsoe pioneered facial recognition technology in the 1960s when he developed a system to identify faces in a photograph database by using distance between facial coordinates.

Machine learning has helped expand the technology and its capabilities by mining many databases to improve prediction accuracy.

The U.S. isnt the only country using facial recognition technology: Airports worldwideCanada, Ireland, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the United Arab Emiratesalso use the software to aid their screening processes. In Australia, travelers using electronic travel authorization electronically submit their passport information to authorities by having their smartphone read the passport chip. The passport photo automatically goes to authorities, negating the need to pull out a passport at customs, according to The Guardian.

Read the national version of this story here.

1 / 2 Spokeo

Facial recognition program continues its expansion

The TSAs initial rollout covered 16 airports of various sizes across the country, including Baltimore; Boston; Dallas; Detroit; Orlando, Florida; Phoenix; Salt Lake City; San Jose, California; and Gulfport-Biloxi in Mississippi. States with busy international airports have continued to add the technology as the TSAs pilot expands.

While the system aims to speed up the security line and limit physical contact with TSA screeners, passenger reaction is mixed. Some travelers flying through Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas in February 2020 appreciated the convenience, but others were concerned about privacy and the use of their facial images.

Airports using the technology in Ohio include:

Toledo Express Airport

(Airport code: TOL; located in Toledo)

Rickenbacker International Airport

(Airport code: LCK; located in Columbus)

Port Columbus International Airport

(Airport code: CMH; located in Columbus)

Erie-Ottawa Regional Airport

(Airport code: PCW; located in Port Clinton)

Dayton International Airport

(Airport code: DAY; located in Dayton)

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

(Airport code: CLE; located in Cleveland)

Akron Canton Regional Airport

(Airport code: CAK; located in Akron)

2 / 2 THOMAS COEX/AFP // Getty Images

The future of facial recognition

Privacy issues are a concern for many when it comes to facial recognition technology, particularly if passengers biometrics are used for profiling or surveillance without their knowledge.

Passengers may opt out of the system and go through a manual screening. However, they may encounter some hassles, as Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley did when he declined to use the screening technology at Reagan National in 2023. Agents warned that a manual process would cause delays (it didnt), but those warnings could coerce others into using the system. The TSA says it does not store the images it takes nor use the technology to profile or conduct passenger surveillance. Still, CBS News has reported that some information is saved for up to two years to help evaluate the technology.

Critics of facial recognition biometrics also cite racial bias. Research has shown that facial recognition algorithms are prone to error when trying to identify Black peopleespecially women with darker skin, who were 34% more likely to be inaccurately identified than men with lighter skin, according to Harvard University.

The TSA boasts a 99% success rate with its facial biometrics system and says the false negative rate is 3% or less. Still, 2.9 million passengers flying in the U.S. daily could cause headaches for tens of thousands of travelers upon full implementation.

Meanwhile, as the TSA continues to test, evaluate, and implement facial recognition technology, it also plans to test iris scanning as a means of identity verification.

This story features data reporting by Elena Cox, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 47 states.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
The Alabama Supreme Court has long held that unborn children are children for Alabamas Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. This statute allows the parents of a deceased child to recover financial compensation for their childs death.

This Court also recently ruled that embryos kept in a cryogenic lab are extrauterine children and that their death constituted a trespass of the states Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. The Alabama high court overturned a lower courts decision to award the plaintiffs compensatory damages.

Opinion

Since this Court was witless enough to establish case law that hours-old embryonic cells constitute equal and full human life, then their judgment, indeed, raises serious questions about the ethical status of all components of the procreative process.

Therefore, this creates the naturally conclusive proposition that the willful disposal of any specific part of the essential essence to life  in this case, sperm  should also constitute the wrongful death of an extrauterine child.

Any man who is incapable of withholding the necessary ingredients of life from deliberate discard and wanton ejaculation commits the crime of Wrongful Death of an Extrauterine Minor under the Courts prior ruling in LePage v. The Center for Reproductive Medicine.

Therefore, any such disposal into an unapproved receptacle not intended for procreation  such as but not limited to: a sock; a towel; a plumbing fixture; or a prehensile, multi-fingered appendage  ought to be considered criminal action, and such action to be penalized accordingly by the state.

(Perhaps the electric chair?)

As the Court so compellingly phrased it: God made every person in His image (and) life cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of a holy God, who views the destruction of His image as an affront to Himself  and their lives cannot be destroyed without effacing his glory.

(Im not making that up by the way, thats actually a direct quote from the ruling by the Alabama State Supreme Court justices, who all swore to uphold the famously church-separated Constitution of the United States.)

So then, the Court must also appreciate that the extrauterine ejaculation of spermatozoa is a calculated effacement of Gods glory, and therefore is equivalent to illegal misconduct in the State of Alabama.

But lest the Court seek to replicate this argument in misguided retribution to the binary, opposite sex  i.e. women  let them be reminded there is scientific and factual evidence that the expulsion of the female half of the undertaking occurs both involuntarily and (roughly) monthly  unlike the situation on, or perhaps in, the other hand.

(They should also remember that there are roughly 7,000 female lawyers in Alabama, at least some of whom would be happy to try this case.)

Therefore, it is established that the menstrual elimination of an egg is involuntary and therefore lawful, while the disgorgement of seminal fluid is rarely anything but though occasionally on it.

To conclude, the judges convenient omission of the fact that such cells are only capable of low-temperature storage because of their embryonic, pre-life state, then this Court has created the nescient precedent that all pre-life materials constitute human life, and their willful disposal is a crime in the State of Alabama.

In summary: This is clearly satire, and no  masturbation shouldnt be a crime. But thanks to Alabama, this legal logic is sound, and its what happens when a shame-based religion like evangelical Christianity gets its claws into our governmental systems. (Which is exactly why the First Amendment establishes a separation of church and state.)

This laughably awful case law is already affecting women and families in Alabama and could have real implications for women and families across the nation. Yet it remains a dense, nuanced legal decision that most people dont (and wont) understand beyond basic facts.

At best, this case will come back to haunt Republicans in the fall election and beyond, but in the meantime, for any American who has ever experienced the IVF process or loved someone who has  and 42% of U.S. adults say they or someone they know has used fertility treatments  then this is no laughing matter.
John Lennon, the Obamas, Ed Sheeran, the Queen... over a 50-year career, celebrated photographer Annie Leibovitz has captured many of the world's most famous faces.

So imagine her turning up at your house to take your family portrait.

That's precisely what happened to Francois Bayers.

"She works with some of the biggest stars in this world and yet she came to our little humble home here in west Wales to take our photo, and it felt incredible," he said.

Francois lives with his partner Joanne and their two children Jack, aged five, and Lowri, three, in St Davids, Pembrokeshire, where they run a regenerative seaweed and shellfish farm, Car y Mor.

At the start of last year, Francois received an email from a PR firm saying they wanted to send Leibovitz to photograph his family for a campaign for Ikea.

Initially he was dubious.

Annie Leibovitz pictured with a photo she took of John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the couple's Manhattan apartment in 1980

"I was like 'why would Annie Leibovitz want to come out to west Wales and take a photo of us when she's done royalty and presidents and rock stars?"

Leibovitz is arguably the most celebrated celebrity photographer working today.

Born in Connecticut in 1949, she began working as a photographer at Rolling Stone magazine in the early 1970s and within three years became the magazine's chief photographer.

In 1983 she moved on to Vanity Fair.

In 1991 this Annie Leibovitz image of actress Demi Moore was on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine

One of her best known images was, at the time, also her most controversial - a naked and heavily pregnant Demi Moore, which was on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine in 1991.

Leibovitz later told the publication: "It was a popular picture and it broke ground, but I don't think it's a good photograph per se... it's a magazine cover. If it were a great portrait, she wouldn't be covering her breasts. She wouldn't necessarily be looking at the camera."

After the initial approach by Ikea, about six months of correspondence followed where Francois was asked to share everything about how his family live as well as photos of their home.

But Francois, a huge fan of Leibovitz's work, said he only really believed it was happening when she finally arrived at their home.

"A black Mercedes van pulled up, the doors opened and the distinguishable American accent of Annie Leibovitz came out and greeted me, and there she was in real life," he said.

"I was just gobsmacked."

Annie Leibovitz photographed Barack, Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama in 2009

The next morning they met at 06:00 on the nearby beach to begin work.

"She was incredible," said Francois.

"It was like we'd known her for ages, the kids literally started calling her Auntie Annie, because this is just how she was playing with them....

"She was enigmatic, charismatic and just so friendly."

Later they went back to their home where more photos were taken.

The photo selected for the campaign was actually taken in the family's boot room.

Before she left, she gave Francois a copy of her book, Annie Leibovitz at Work, which she had signed for the children.

"She gave me the book and said 'this is not for you, this is for your kids and if they ever grow up to like photography then give them this'."

A portrait of Queen Elizabeth by Annie Leibovitz

In the book she had written: "To Jack and Lowri, what a beautiful place you live in, love Annie."

After a very exciting morning, Leibovitz left and Francois was even able to get the children to school on time.

The image is now part of Ikea's campaign which features 25 real-life households photographed by Leibovitz across seven countries.

Annie Leibovitz holding camera during media preview ceremony prior to the opening of her photography exhibition in Moscow in 2011

So how does Francois feel about the finished photograph?

"It's got Annie's iconic image and signature shot to it, it's incredible," he said.

But the whole experience has presented one drawback.

"There's only one problem," Francois joked.

"We can never take another family photo - nobody's ever going to live up to taking a family photo of us now, this is it."
Rudyard Kipling is rather out of fashion these days. But his poem on appeasement came instantly to mind when the portrait of Lord Balfour at Trinity College, Cambridge was destroyed by pro-Palestine activists on Friday. Weve proved it again and again, the poet warned in 1911, that if once you have paid him the Dane-geld, you never get rid of the Dane.

The destruction of the image of the godfather of Jewish self-determination forms part of the challenge to Western liberal democracy that is growing all around us. It keeps happening because we keep backing off.

When a genocidal slogan was projected on to Big Ben, people prevaricated about the context. When a man attended the pro-Palestine march on Saturday with a poster articulating the lawful position that Hamas is terrorist  something that every right-thinking citizen condones  he was arrested violently by police. When demonstrators glorify the killing of Jews, officers fail to act for fear of the carnage that would be unleashed (while arguing that the rallies do not cause enough carnage to be banned). I remain haunted by a video of one of the early marches showing a policeman holding a thugs Palestine flag while he scaled a building, then kindly handing it back to him when he came down. To this we can now add the etiolated statement from Trinity College, which regret the vandalism of the Balfour portrait but could not bring itself to utter the word condemn. Of course, no arrests have been made.

Karl Poppers paradox of tolerance had it that if we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them. Written in 1945, this stands along with Kiplings Dane-geld principle in the category of unlearnt lessons we must revise with urgency. If one trait has characterised recent decades of decadence, it has been an indulgence towards what I call the new radicalism that has flourished in this permissive climate.

Pro-Palestine activism is only one part of the new radicalism, which also includes bigoted but trendy positions on gender, sexuality, race, slavery, Western history and the environment. The dogma has been slowly imposed upon the rest of society by way of coercion, linguistic control, the establishment of fashionable norms and the weaponising of taboo. The majority is not blameless. Fattened on the sybaritic dividends of peacetime, we have opted for an easy life.

With the battlefield vacated, subversive voices have steadily come to dominate the discourse in the public square. Although most Britons have no truck with the idea that Palestine must be free from the river to the sea, or that the Church of England is structurally racist, or Winston Churchill was a white supremacist, we cringe before those who promote them. The new radicals are intellectually inadequate and morally hollow, but they gain victory simply by shouting the loudest. As William Butler Yeats  who was born in the same year as Kipling  lamented, the best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.

But we are not entirely to blame. Our collapse in confidence did not happen by accident. Ordinary people are condemned as privileged, structurally racist, and Islamophobic  crimes from which there can be no vindication  which saps them of the strength of purpose required to object to this cultural revolution. Unable to foster a spirit of national selfhood, they are reduced to grumbling under their breath. These millions of everyday instances of frustration and surrender combine to create a cultural texture that invites grave instability.

The most dangerous wing of this movement is radical Islam. Our appeasement of this began around the turn of the millennium with figures like Abu Qatada and the hook-handed Abu Hamza, whom we struggled to deport for years, and continued with institutions like the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and the hardline organisation Mend. We have been slowly working through these threats; the MCB, for example, was banned from engaging with government. Yet the victory of George Galloway in Rochdale, the intimidation of MPs and the destruction of Balfours portrait indicate that our sowing of indulgence continues to bear poisoned fruit.

The erosion of society at home is mirrored in complacency when it comes to the defence of the realm, symbolised by the Trident missile that plopped ignominiously into the sea when tested last month. This makes the growing global hostilities even more worrying. We have lost the value of deterrence, and with it we are losing ourselves.

The irony, of course, is that if we simply found our confidence in our own history, morality and way of life, we would be able to face them down. The urgency with which we stop paying the Dane-geld is the defining question of our times.

Jake Wallis Simons is the author of Israelophobia

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San Angelo Firefighters are still assisting in the Panhandle with the largest grass fire in Texas history.

San Angelo Firefighters are still assisting in the Panhandle with the largest grass fire in Texas history.

Patrick Brody, San Angelo fire chief, briefed the City Council at its meeting Tuesday.

"We sent one single resource and a strike team leader to the Panhandle on Sunday to pre-deploy," Brody said.

San Angelo firefighters protect Canadian

"That area had high markers of a potential brush fire breaking out," he said. "Our personnel was initially staged in the city called Childress which is about 200 miles from the fire. When the fire broke out on Monday, they were immediately dispatched to that area to a town called Canadian. They began to protect and defend."

Since then, they sent out an additional brush truck with four personnel and two additional engine bosses.

"Each individual resource has an engine boss, a driver, then also a firefighter on it," Brody said. "The engine boss is in charge of that single resource. The strike team leader is in charge of five of those resources."

Strong San Angelo presence

Brody said the local Texas Forest Service office in San Angelo also deployed with the firefighters.

San Angelo Firefighters are still assisting in the Panhandle with the largest grass fire in Texas history.

"We have a strong presence of San Angelo, whether that be San Angelo fire, Texas Forest Service representatives . . . . Altogether, San Angelo has ten personnel up there. We have two individual resources, a strike team leader and several engine bosses that are there," he said.

Brody said he spoke with the strike team leader Tuesday morning, and the fire was at 55% containment.

"That is a huge stride, so we are coming over the hill a little bit but still a lot of work to be done," he said.

San Angelo firefighters putting in long hours

He said the normal working shift is 12 hours. These firefighters have been pushing 18-hour shifts.

"They're putting in these hours consecutively with no sleep out on the line," he said. "I see pictures coming home from those guys . . ., and you can just see it all over the face. They're exhausted, but they're doing God's work up there, and I'm very proud of them."

Brody said the total acres burned at this point is just over 1.076 million. This is the largest grass fire in the state's history and second largest in the United States.

Appreciation: San Angelo firefighters 'hold the lines' for Canadian

Brody received an email of appreciation from the Texas Municipal Police Association on behalf of citizens of Canadian for the San Angelo firefighters who are assisting.

"I was advised if the San Angelo Fire Department had not arrived when they did, there was a strong belief that the community would be an entire loss," the email read.

"They advised their volunteers did not have the resources or manpower to continue protecting the town when the wind shifted and began moving fire on them from two directions, but said that the San Angelo Fire Department arrived with little time to spare and began to hold the lines to keep the town from being a much larger loss. The citizens I spoke with were extremely appreciative of San Angelo's response and efforts to stop the fire from causing any worse loss to the community," the email read.

"My heart is full of pride with these people," Brody said after reading the email. "They're representing our city, and they're defending a community that they're not part of."

The council suggested something to recognize the teams when they return home. Stay updated on the city's Facebook page.

This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: San Angelo Firefighters still assisting with Panhandle fires
Two men died following a shooting early Sunday in Kansas City.

Officers responded to a shooting around 4:30 a.m. in the 4800 block of Independence Avenue, where they found an unresponsive man who had been shot lying in a parking lot, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City Police Department.

Emergency medical crews declared the man dead at the scene.

Police found another man who had been shot inside a nearby business. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators believe an argument inside the business spurred the shooting.

The killings were the 23rd and 24th homicides in Kansas City this year, according to data tracked by The Star. At this time last year, there had been 25 homicides.

Police ask anyone with information to contact homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477. A reward of up to $25,000 is available for information provided to TIPS.
Police are looking for at least two more suspects in the death of a 3-year-old.

I am hurting. Why? Why? said Shanita Smith.

That is the question, Shanita Smith wants answers to. Her 3-year-old son Kyron Zarco was shot and killed while he was inside his Hallmark Mobile Home on Spring Valley Road.

Police said someone shot at the home on Friday around 5:30 p.m.

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He was just watching television. His brother held him while he took his last breath. That was my miracle baby. That was my COVID baby. He beat all the odds. Just for somebody to take him away from me in seconds, said Smith.

Friday night, police arrested 17-year-old Julian Cubillos for the shooting. He is charged with malice murder, felony murder, four counts of aggravated assault and violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

Commissioner Tiffany Taylor said something must be done.

We need more background checks. We need less accessibility to assault rifles. Assault Rifles should not just be the normal handguns now a days. It is getting out of hand.

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William Breeding Jr. lives in Athens.

We have a crisis going on and I want to say dont use this incident for your political gamble or your political theme because we have people who are hurting.

Smith said, " Put your guns down. Why are you shooting? I do not bother nobody, so who are you aiming at?

Investigators also have warrants for 16-year-old Jayden Brown and 18-year-old Dakious Echols for their involvement in the shooting. Police said they are facing charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

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There is a GoFundMe link. Click here if you want to help the family.

IN OTHER NEWS:
More than 50 victims of Islamist-inspired terror attacks have signed a joint letter against what they describe as anti-Muslim hate.

They warn it is "irresponsible" for some politicians to equate extremists with "the vast majority of British Muslims who deplore such violence".

Survivors and relatives of those killed during attacks in London, Manchester and Brussels are among the signatories.

It comes as the government prepares to set out a new definition of extremism.

The letter says "Islamist-inspired extremism is the country's most pressing terror threat, but not the only one".

"To defeat this threat, the single most important thing we can do is to isolate the extremists and the terrorists from the vast majority of British Muslims who deplore such violence," it reads.

However the signatories say in recent weeks there have been "too many cases where politicians and others have failed to do this" adding those intervening have, in some cases, equated "being Muslim with being an extremist."

Their letter warns that responding to the Islamist threat by "feeding far-right extremism, dividing communities and exaggerating the risk will feed a cycle of extremism that will put more people at risk".

The 57 signatories to the letter include Magen Inon, whose parents were killed by Hamas during the 7 October attacks on Israel.

Other people who signed the letter include Rebecca Rigby, whose husband Lee was killed by two men with extremist views outside Woolwich barracks in 2013, and Figen and Stuart Murray whose son Martyn was killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.

Claudia Vince, who survived the 2019 London Bridge attack, and Charlotte Dixon-Sutcliffe, whose partner David was killed in the Brussels Metro bombing in 2016, have also added their names.

"We also know where anti-Muslim hate can lead," the letter continues.

It notes the upcoming fifth anniversary of shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019 in which 51 worshippers were killed.

Darryn Frost, who used a narwhal tusk to disrupt an attack on London Bridge in 2019, told the BBC's Broadcasting House that he and the other signatories of the letter lived with the lasting impact of terrorism incidents.

"It is not something we take likely, it is not something that we as a group look lightly upon when we see leaders being so flippant with these things and using them as political tools to win votes - its cheap, its nasty and its dangerous."

New extremism definition

Meanwhile, Communities Secretary Michael Gove plans to set out a new official definition of extremism that will be used by the government to cut ties or funding to any groups deemed to have crossed the line.

The new definition will replace one in the existing Prevent counter-radicalisation programme, giving "more specificity", and will enable the government and other public bodies to ban funding and engagement with Islamist and far-right groups, he said.

Currently the government defines extremism as "vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs".

Mr Gove is also calling for pro-Palestinian protesters not to march alongside extremists who he says are trying to "subvert democracy".

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, he warns that some pro-Palestinian events "have been organised by extremist organisations".

"That doesn't mean that people who have gone on them are extremist, quite the opposite.

"But it means that you can begin to question: do you really want to be lending credence to this organisation? If you do, fair enough. But now there is no excuse for ignorance," he says.

Former Conservative Party leader Michael Howard told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that he agreed with the suggestion that parts of London had become "no-go areas" for Jewish people whilst pro-Palestinian marches are taking place.

Lord Howard, who is himself Jewish, said the right to protest was "undoubtedly a fundamental part of a free society and we must maintain the right to protest".

"But it's also unacceptable that sections of our community think that our streets are no-go areas for them - how you strike that balance, how you try and reconcile those two sometimes conflicting rights, is a really, really difficult challenge and I don't think we've quite got it right at the moment."

Earlier this week, the government's counter-extremism commissioner, Robin Simcox, urged ministers to "be willing to accept higher legal risk" when tackling extremism.

Rishi Sunak's spokesman said the PM took concerns of extremism "extremely seriously" and noted a rise in both antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred.

Mr Simcox said the creation of a new definition of extremism had a "clear purpose" and would be used "to guide future decisions over who the government does and does not engage with and fund".

The issue of extremism has risen on the political agenda in the aftermath of claims by Lee Anderson, a former Tory deputy chairman, that the mayor of London Sadiq Khan was controlled by "Islamists".

Mr Sunak said the comments were "wrong", suspended him from the party and gave a speech in which he warned of forces "trying to tear the country apart".
The Tasmanian premier has channelled his inner Willy Wonka and pledged a 'chocolate experience' including the world's largest chocolate fountain

The Tasmanian premier has channelled his inner Willy Wonka by promising to build the worlds largest chocolate fountain if voters re-elect him.

During a visit to the Cadbury chocolate factory in Hobart on Sunday, Jeremy Rockliff said that if his Liberal government is re-elected he would create a new chocolate experience which would be the greatest thing to happen to tourism since Mona [The Museum of Old and New Art].

It comes after Mr Rockliff called an early election  now scheduled for March 23  after governing in minority since May 2023 and failing to resolve a standoff with two crossbench independents.

The politician pledged that his chocolate experience would include a chocolate fountain, a premium chocolate studio, a chocolate laboratory with a make-your-own chocolate bar, a chocolate emporium, a cafe, a playground and so much more.

6.2 million chocolate experience

A returned Rockliff government would contribute $12 million (6.2 million) to the chocolate experience, which would include 1 million for design and planning, 1 million for early site work and then a further 4 million for currently unspecified activities.

An artists impression of what the new factory could look like - Office of Jeremy Rockliff

It would rewrite the must-see list for every visitor that comes to Tasmania, the premier added.

He said: Two hundred million chocolate bars are produced right here at Cadburys at Claremont employing some 450 Tasmanians. We want to build on that, add value.

You can imagine some glass windows looking out over the beautiful waters and you would experience, as you come through here, the new building, the worlds largest chocolate fountain, for example, a chocolate lab  an opportunity where Tasmanians can make their own Tasmanian chocolate with Tasmanian ingredients.

The Guinness World Records list the worlds tallest chocolate fountain as that owned by Austrian chocolatiers Confiserie Wenschitz GmbH, built in 2019. It stands at 12.27m and features 1,000kg of liquid chocolate.

Huge cost faces criticism

Meg Webb, an Independent politician, said the money could be better spent by providing additional funding to critical government services, like healthcare.

That [$12m] is a huge amount of money when you think about the ways it could be spent in areas that are absolutely screaming out for government support and are actually government responsibilities, Ms Webb said.

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Authorities searching for missing 17-year-old who was last seen in Iberia Parish

IBERIA PARISH, La. (KLFY) The Iberia Parish Sheriffs Office is trying to locate a runaway juvenile.

James Austin, 17, was last seen Saturday around 4 p.m. at his familys home on Norris Road in Iberia Parish.

Authorities described Austin as a 5 foot, 8 inch tall male weighing approximately 130 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing all black clothes, according to law enforcement officials.

Anyone with information on Austins whereabouts is urged to contact IPSO or submit a tip on the Iberia Sheriffs App.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
Sweden has said it is resuming suspended payments to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), with a grant of 200 million crowns (15m), Azernews reports.

UNRWA supports Palestinian refugees in Gaza, east Jerusalem and the West Bank, as well as Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Several countries, including the US and UK, paused their funding to UNRWA last month after accusations by Israel that a dozen of the agency's 13,000 staff in Gaza took part in the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel.

The Swedish government said it had resumed payments after UNRWA agreed to strengthen internal controls and carry out extra checks on its employees, among other measures.

The organisation offers services including food aid, healthcare and education.




(Bloomberg) -- Bond investors are urging squabbling European Union leaders to get their act together on defense spending and make the blocs trillion-euro bond program permanent.

Most Read from Bloomberg

That means demand wont number among the challenges faced by EU politicians at loggerheads over whether to boost shared military capabilities by issuing joint bonds. Fund managers starved of AAA-rated securities say theyre clamoring for more European issuance.

Investors point out that these instruments would enable the spending boost that is becoming ever more imperative to counter Russian belligerence, but without loading more debt onto individual member states. And there is also something in it for them, since EU bonds pay a premium over similarly rated sovereigns.

Investors are thirsty for these bonds, said Brian Mangwiro, a portfolio manager at Barings who owns EU debt.

The solution of a bloc-wide debt program is starting to be taken seriously in some capitals as European security officials warn that Vladimir Putin could move on to target their territory if he secures victory in Ukraine, while a decades-long shortfall in military spending leaves the continent dangerously unprepared.

Shared borrowing was described by EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni last month as a sound way to deal with crises. The plans being championed by countries whose defense industries would be well-placed to benefit  like France  and countries whose proximity to Russia sharpens their sense of the threats  like Estonia  although it faces opposition from Europes more fiscally conservative states.

One reason investors are urging the holdouts to overcome these reservations is that AAA-rated paper is highly prized  and even more so since the US was stripped of its top-tier rating last year. An added bonus: for reasons that include the temporary nature of the issuance, existing EU bonds pay investors slightly higher yields than equally-rated Germany, and even than lower-rated France.

Story continues

Bond-buyer enthusiasm is evident at virtually every sale. Last month, a 3 billion ($3.3 billion) EU bond received 81 billion in orders  at 27 times, that was the highest cover ratio ever recorded in Europes publicly syndicated debt market, according to data analyzed by Bloomberg. Even back in October 2020, the EUs first joint issuance since the landmark pandemic bond deal recorded a 233 billion order book, the largest for any single deal in bond-market history.

The EU already has some 450 billion outstanding in bonds, mostly issued to finance the pandemic recovery fund. That program will cease to issue new bonds after 2026 but conviction is growing among investors that the EU bond issuance should become permanent.

Thats precisely whats making some fiscally conservative countries skeptical. Many are opposed to anything that isnt framed as a one-off. That was the rationale that triumphed during the pandemic when an acute crisis forced Germany and other wealthier EU states softened their habitual opposition to pooled borrowing.

Investors know much will depend on what happens on the Ukrainian battlefield in the weeks ahead, and are watching for whether the advance of Russian tanks toward the EUs eastern border forces a wake-up call. Unfortunately it always takes a crisis in Europe to make much traction, said Guy Miller, head of market strategy at Zurich Insurance Co.

Germany and the Netherlands have rejected suggestions for a joint instrument to fund defense, and so far the increases in defense spending undertaken since Russian invaded Ukraine two years ago have been largely left up to member states themselves. That push has not without controversy, both domestically, and as EU members argue among themselves about who is  and isnt  doing enough.

Earlier this week the commission allocated 1.5 billion from additional EU budget funds by way of joint spending, but that wont get close to funding the step-change needed to repel Vladimir Putin from Ukraine  still less, to gear up for a putative attack on European soil in years ahead. EU industry commissioner Thierry Breton has urged the bloc to consider spending 100 billion.

Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Monday he will propose that NATO member states raise the minimum level of defense spending from 2% to 3% of economic output in his upcoming talks with US President Joe Biden, as the European nation seeks reinforcement of the defense alliances eastern flank.

Superior Returns

The irony of any new, joint defense issuance would be that the very thing attracting investors to EU debt  its yield premium  may moderate slightly, were they to initiate a larger, joint-funding plan. The temporary nature of the Covid relief program is one reason why they ask for higher returns to buy the notes.

But that may constitute yet another advantage for the bloc. EU bonds due 2034 trade with a 2.9% yield, while German notes maturing the same year pay about 2.3%, and French 2033 securities yield 2.7%. That means at current bond prices the EU would incur an additional annual interest cost of about 6 million per 1 billion compared to Germany.

EU issuance would also reduce the need for individual sovereigns to raise borrowing. Thats crucial, given that interest payments already surpass defense spending in seven European NATO countries, according to Germanys Ifo Institute. In highly indebted Italy, interest costs are three times annual military expenditure.

The beauty of EU bonds is that the debt doesnt appear in your national statistics, it doesnt count toward Maastricht or the debt brake or anything like that, said Moritz Kraemer, chief economist at German bank LBBW. So in principle, you can get funding for whatever you think you need without having to incur the penalty.

Maastricht refers to a bloc-wide treaty that seeks to limit budget deficits to 3% of GDP, while the debt brake is a borrowing cap enshrined in Germanys constitution.

A debt-funded EU defense program would be a very welcome development  an Hamiltonian moment so to say, said Kaspar Hense, a senior portfolio manager at RBC BlueBay Asset Management, referring to the Treasury secretary who in 1790 helped turn the US into a federation by pooling the debt of various states. I would not worry about there not being demand.

--With assistance from Paul Cohen, Lyubov Pronina, Ben Sills and Max Ramsay.

(Adds Polish Presidents comments in 14th paragraph.)

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The Baltic states will win if Russia attacks them, but the Baltic cities will suffer the same fate as Bakhmut and Avdiivka, Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview with Elta, Delfi reported on March 9.

If Russia attacks the Baltic states, they "will bravely defend themselves against the enemy, while NATO will need several days to decide how to respond."

Read also: Putin creating conditions to invade NATO-aligned Baltic states, ISW analysis

"In the end, I think NATO will win," Kuleba said.

But look at Bakhmut, look at Avdiivka  this is what the Baltic countries will look like after intense fighting. This is what your cities will look like. There will be no beautiful Vilnius.

The diplomat stressed that the cheapest and safest way to avoid a war with Russia is to support Ukrainians fighting against Russian aggression.

Lithuania understands this, so it actively supports Ukraine, he said.

Read also: Baltic countries to build defenses along Russian border

"Others pretend they can avoid it," said Kuleba.

Intelligence agencies in some countries believe that Russia could start invading other countries, including NATO countries, within a decade.

The Financial Times reported in February, citing Ukrainian intelligence, that the Kremlin was preparing for a war against the Baltic states. Russia intends to double the number of its troops deployed along the border with the Baltic states and Finland.

Prior to that, the German newspaper Bild, citing its own sources in the intelligence services of a European country, reported that Russia might try to attack Europe in late 2024 or early 2025, when the United States would be "leaderless" and would be able to come to the aid of European states only after some delay.

Admiral Rob Bauer, Chairman of NATO's Military Committee, said that civilians in the West should prepare for an "all-out war" with Russia.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Feb. 18 that Russia could attack NATO territory in five to eight years. He called on Europe and the Alliance to prepare for the "worst-case scenario."



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When Baroness Falkner of Margravine faced down a concerted attempt to oust her as the countrys equalities chief last year, she appeared to buck a trend which has seen a series of reforming political figures forced out of their roles by anonymous officials making bullying claims.



The 68-year-old chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) appeared stoic in the face of a campaign that began in May 2023 when a dossier of allegations against her, from a handful of EHRC officials, was leaked to Channel 4 News. It included allegations that she had presided over a toxic culture, with specific complaints including that she had rolled her eyes at staff who expressed concerns about the approach of the watchdogs board.

While full details of the claims were never released, Falkner later suggested that some other concerns centred on performance management issues such as the standards required of staff drafting letters on behalf of the EHRC.

Last autumn, the formal investigation was dropped following a separate review launched by Kemi Badenoch, the equalities minister  to investigate how the EHRC handled the allegations against its chairwoman. Falkner received a full apology from the board.



Privately, though, the eight-month saga took a profound toll and Falkner now reveals she contemplated walking away more than once. While the ending of the investigation last year amounted to a vindication of Falkners denials of wrongdoing, behind the scenes the probe came at a heavy financial and emotional cost. Falkners legal bills amounted to some 30,000.

While Falkner will not discuss the particular claims against her, it is clear throughout our interview in the EHRCs Westminster boardroom  the scene of a series of rows over her case  that although she has an air of nervousness the former Lib Dem peer does not mince her words.

Baroness Falkner believes the EHRC "is stronger now and moving forward with fresh determination" - Paul Grover for the Telegraph

She was first notified of the claims against her in February last year, when Marcial Boo, who has since quit as EHRC chief executive, and one of her deputies, told her that staff had lodged complaints. For two or three months, she says, she was then left in the dark about details of the complaints, unable to mount a defence even in her own mind.

That interregnum of two or three months before you actually get the detail of the allegations is, I would say, the darkest period. Certainly it was for me.

Once I got additional information, then I was able to go back, see what Ive said, find my evidence and the context in which certain things were said or done. And then I started feeling much more confident about still being here.

Falkner says she was not the first chair of the EHRC to be investigated and, in fact, was the third out of four, since the body was set up under New Labours 2006 Equality Act.

As we speak, Falkner, watched by a junior EHRC staff member, chooses her words carefully when asked if she agrees with supporters who claim that the allegations against her were motivated by activism among some officials.

The thought did cross my mind in terms of the chronology of events and the way that they happened, that it might have had something to do with some of the decisions we as a board were taking. So Im not going to deny that, but I dont think I want to talk about it.

Prior to Falkners appointment in 2020, the EHRC had been seen as in hoc to Stonewall, the charity which has clashed with womens groups over its campaigning for trans rights. Her predecessor was a former Stonewall chairman. Interviewed by the Telegraph in 2021, Falkner insisted that the EHRC would demonstrate that we are the equality body for everyone.

In 2022 the EHRC angered Stonewall by publishing guidance stating that trans women can be excluded from female-only changing rooms and lavatories. In May 2023 the claims against Falkner spilled into the public domain. Falkner found herself on the front pages of newspapers for days, amid a barrage of allegations against her and a furious response from parliamentarians who feared that she was the victim of a politically-motivated campaign.

It was not lost on Tory MPs that Dominic Raab and Priti Patel, two exacting senior Conservatives, had both lost their Cabinet jobs in arguably similar circumstances, in the wake of bullying allegations by officials. Raab quit as deputy prime minister in April 2023.

Ultimately, says Falkner, in my mind, it became important to see this through because it is a strong and valuable organisation. And if it has a problem that seems to be a recurrent problem then it is for the incumbent, who is going through it, to see it through.

She believes that the EHRC is stronger now and moving forward with fresh determination. At the time of the row over her leadership, we were delivering this, a five-year study of the state of equality and human rights in Britain, she says, holding aloft a hefty report published late last year. It was also bringing legal cases against companies and public bodies flouting the Equality Act.

Falkners matter-of-fact manner does, however, give way to offer a glimpse of the private pain she felt last year. At one point, as she recounts her experience tears roll down her face, even if she appears determined to ignore them.

I think the most difficult thing, in terms of family, was that my husband and I had long planned a sabbatical in Germany, because he had a year out to write a book. We rented the flat and I was going to go and spend some quality time with him there, continuing to work, of course. And I couldnt go. So I was pretty alone.

Robert, a professor of international relations with whom Falkner has one daughter, a government adviser, would call his wife on Zoom each evening, for half an hour just to check in. I have the most wonderfully supportive family, she says.

Falkner, a Muslim first-generation migrant who was born and brought up in Pakistan, says that she has generated resilience from her upbringing and experience of moving from country to country before settling in the UK, aged 21. She later studied international relations at the London School of Economics, followed by a masters at the University of Kent.

Early on in her career she worked in Saudi Arabia, before rising in the Liberal Democrat ranks to become director of policy in the 90s, and, later, a senior researcher at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

I experienced civil war in my own country growing up. Ive experienced living in the Middle East, Ive experienced numerous wars, I worked across Africa a great deal. Ultimately, she says, now ensconced in the UK, where she lives in a west London flat with her husband, she benefits from a a stable environment which makes it easier to cope with setbacks.

Staff getting up day in and day out and delivering for the country was what made me and the board resilient, she says. When you came in, and you saw that people ... their focus was unaltered, then you have to look at yourself and say, I might have cried into my pillow last night [but] what my brain said to itself is, you have to get a grip and deliver. Thats what life is about. Its behind me now. I see, actually, no purpose in particularly dwelling on it.

Falkner claims that modern British society is failing to integrate - Paul Grover for the Telegraph

Though now Falkner is being repeatedly approached by people in very senior positions ... who find themselves in the same situation asking, do I have any advice [on] how to get through it? One general problem, she suggests, is the speed at which grievances about someones behaviour escalate into full-blown workplace disputes, and she warns of a need for major changes to avoid good people being put off taking on senior public roles by experiences such as hers.

It is a sad state of affairs in our country that  and Im not talking here at a personal level  escalation happens so fast.

One common factor, she suggests, is age. It is possible, if youre a 70-year-old, or even a 50-year-old, to speak a little carelessly about somebody ... a 22-year-old may well be described as a snowflake because [they] are a little taken aback by a tone of voice that someone has. People grew up in certain hierarchical structures that no longer exist.

Companies and public bodies must decide whether, in such scenarios, you escalate instantly or you try and knock heads together to reach pragmatic compromises, she says.

Falkner has not been reimbursed for a penny of her legal costs. On the other hand, the costs incurred by the EHRC, while investigating her, amounted to rather more than the 200,000 that was reported last year, although she will not confirm a figure. The case ended up involving four or five KCs.

She says: The question must be asked as to why good people dont stand up for public appointments in the numbers they used to before ... I think it is fair for those people to say I shouldnt be asked to expend my own savings or my own income in defending myself should something happen in the course of my executing my professional duties.

She points to the directors insurance taken out by many private firms and says public bodies should be allowed to take out such policies for their chairmen and board members. I will be writing to the Commissioner of Public Appointments to make that case.

Those who have sought Falkners advice having ended up in similar positions to her never expected that they would be having to raid their familys pension pot or remortgaging in order to deal with professional battles.

Stonewall has been accused by a coalition of gender-critical groups of harassing Falkner personally, which it denies. It is part of a coalition of organisations that has reported the EHRC to the United Nations partly over its stance on trans rights under her chairmanship. To any organisation demanding preferential treatment for one group another, she says: Youre not going to get that with me and my board, thats for sure.

Falkner is extremely concerned about the tone of public debate about trans and womens rights and warns that there should be no disrespect for sincerely held beliefs.

But I also believe that we have a dangerous climate now, where the rights of trans people are not being upheld as well as they might be. Its very distressing to see that there is such a rise in anti-trans hate crime.

More broadly, Falkner believes the time has come for Parliament to update the Equality Act which the EHRC is responsible for policing  to clarify the balance between trans and womens rights. Currently the country is reliant on court rulings, sometimes by activist judges, to clarify (or in some cases, make), the law.

And in order to avoid endless litigation, such as a case in which the Supreme Court has been asked to rule on whether the Scottish government was right to include trans women in its official definition of women.

There are easier ways to do things and I think sometimes Parliament does have to assert its own primacy in terms of the legislation that it has passed.

One area in which Falkner believes that there are already sufficient laws is the policing of extremism. She was appointed to the Lords by Charles Kennedy in 2004 after an unsuccessful attempt to become an MP. In 2019 she quit the Lib Dems over the partys attempts to overturn the Brexit vote.

Ive sat through I cannot tell you how many counter-terrorism and extremist and public order laws in Parliament in my 20 years there. I dont think its a matter of the laws being inadequate. I think its a matter of even-handedness in applying the law to all communities.

On November 10, Falkner wrote to the Metropolitan Police to warn that pro-Palestinian protestors rights were not absolute and must be balanced against the rights of those  presumably Jews  to whom some behaviour seen on the streets might cause anxiety.

Reflecting on the events of the past five months on, she says: Its been a sad period to witness this level of discord on Britains streets but, more seriously, to imagine that there are some communities in our country who dont feel safe coming out and about and going into town. I was alarmed about this early on.

In September, Suella Braverman was pilloried for saying she believed that the state policy of multiculturalism had failed, because it makes no demands of the incomer to integrate. Today Falkner, whose politics would seem far from Bravermans, appears to have come to similar conclusions. One of the things thats come as a surprise to people like me, who have had quite a long history of speaking about multiculturalism and integration, is that we seem to be failing to integrate. And its one thing to be very proud of, our diversity and our pluralism in our society.

But I think weve missed a trick in the last 15 or 20 years.

Falkner, who was a member of Tony Blairs taskforce on Muslim extremism in the wake of the July 7, 2005 bombings, is anxious that warnings she first recalls being raised in a 2001 report highlighting segregation in Bradford schools, appear to have gone largely unheeded.

You cant have segregated, parallel lives from school upwards. More than 20 years ago, Gordon Brown spoke a great deal about British values, and somehow we havent managed to deliver a society that actually coheres around a broad understanding of what British values are.

Democracy, but respect for minorities, both go hand in hand. You cant have one without the other. I am so concerned about it, that Im meeting the Community Security Trust this afternoon. And Ive also asked to meet the Muslim Council of Britain as soon as possible, to hear their concerns and to urge both of them to put their best foot forward in urging that the rights that are exercised are rights that are exercised in a responsible way.

She adds, however: I think the majority of Muslims in our country have absolutely no dispute about Israels right to exist, have absolutely no truck with organisations like Hamas, and actually regret the fact that the events of October 7 have led to the great catastrophe for fellow Muslims.

But she is worried that Britain appears to be failing to integrate in the wake of soaring levels of migration over the last decade. She raises the issue in response to a question about the extreme behaviour, including anti-Semitic slogans, that has been seen at some pro-Palestinian marches, meaning that, now, there are some communities in our country who dont feel safe coming out and about and going into town.

Falkner grew up in a liberal household in Pakistan, raised, alongside four sisters and a brother; their parents moved to Pakistan from India following partition. Her mother was a journalist and her father set up the intelligence training division of the Pakistan military in Murree, a garrison town in the foothills of the Himalayas where she was educated at a privately run convent where Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan, was a prefect. She was taught civics from the age of 12 and was bemused to find no such provision in this country.

Better education is needed in schools on human rights and how they are qualified, she says.

Everyone jumps up and down and says it is my right to do this, its my right to do that. And they dont pause to think about the fact that most rights are contextually based ... they are not absolute rights.

She continues: I was once a new arrival here, a first generation migrant. New arrivals in this country have to be absolutely clear that if they choose to come here  nobody forces people to come to the UK  they must live by our norms, they must live by our values. They must hold in their hands this wonderful delicate thing called democracy, which is a Ming vase, which if you slip up can break so easily. And I think were at the stage now where I am worried about the state of democracy.

She is concerned about complacency among politicians over the consequences of a major increase in immigration. A government focus on extremism following the July 7 attacks was no longer at the forefront of peoples minds after things calmed down.

But one of the big factoids of the last decade is that we have significantly increased immigration in the last decade. And while we, of course, welcome the fact that we are an inclusive and accommodating country ... We also have to recognise that large numbers of first-generation migrants havent had the background of growing up in a rights-respecting country.

What I would love to see would be a concerted programme of integration. Our citizenship test was a good innovation, but I think we need to do more than that. We need to require people to take courses in integration. Germany does for example, and I think we need to follow the model of other countries that, before people are granted citizenship, require them take an entire course on what it means to come and live in western democratic societies.

The complacency is what worries me, she says, and thats why I thought the Prime Ministers speech last week was important but I only wish it had come a month earlier.

In the coming months, Badenoch, whom Falkner has found to be deeply impressive, will decide whether to extend Falkners contract to a second term, when her first stint comes to an end at the end of this year. If an election is called before then, the decision could fall to Labour.

She has been lobbying for a tiny, 0.5 percent increase in the EHRCs budget, which has remained at 17.1 million since 2012 despite a constant flow of new laws and rulings bolstering the watchdogs responsibilities.

You cant keep imposing new asks on an organisation without increasing the funding, she says.

If the steeliness with which she has approached her travails so far is anything to go by, it is difficult to imagine Falkner not winning this battle too.

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The battlefield for the House majority is starting to come into focus as more states hold primaries ahead of November.

California, which is certain to be key to both parties efforts to win the lower chamber, just held its primaries on Tuesday, while New York  another all-important battleground  will hold its House primaries in June.

With Republicans holding just a slim majority in the lower chamber, several races in these states are headed for contentious, close finishes.

Here are nine House races that will help determine who controls the majority in the lower chamber this fall:

Californias 13th Congressional District

In Californias 13th District, Republican Rep. John Duarte and Democrat Adam Gray are advancing to a rematch.

Duarte finished roughly 9 points ahead in this years primary  but he won the midterms by just a couple hundred votes, the first time in decades that a Republican had won the district. It was also the second closest congressional race in the country that year.

This year, Democrats are banking on Gray pulling ahead.

Californias 22nd Congressional District

In Californias 22nd Congressional District, Democrat Rudy Salas advanced to the general election with Republican Rep. David Valadao, setting up a rematch after they went toe-to-toe in a close midterm race.

Some were worried another Democrat in the running, Melissa Hurtado, would siphon votes from Salas on Super Tuesday and lead to two Republicans moving on to the general election.

Hurtado ultimately drew 15 percent of the primary vote in the 22nd Congressional District race, but Salas advanced with 28 percent to Valadaos 34 percent, as of the latest counts from Decision Desk HQ. In the midterms, Valadao beat Salas by just 3 points.

Valadao, who was among the Republicans that voted to impeach Trump, was one of several California Republicans who succeeded in districts that voted for President Biden back in 2020.

Californias 47th Congressional District

In Orange County, Democrat Rep. Katie Porter left her House seat to lodge an unsuccessful bid for the states rare open Senate seat. Porter and fellow progressive Rep. Barbara Lee were boxed out of the top two in Super Tuesdays Senate primary, with Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey advancing for a partisan showdown.

Porter will now be out of Congress next year, leaving her seat in Californias 47th Congressional District up for grabs.

Democratic state Sen. Dave Min will go up against Republican Scott Baugh as the GOP tries to flip the seat previously held by the progressive lawmaker.

The district is rated lean Democrat, but Min finished the primary 7 points behind Baugh, with fellow Democrat candidate Joanna Weiss pulling in nearly 20 percent of the vote. Baugh lost to Porter back in 2022 by about 4 points.

Michigans 7th Congressional District

Rep. Elissa Slotkins (D-Mich.) decision to seek retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenows (D) seat leaves her spot in the House up for grabs.

Republican Tom Barrett, who lost to Slotkin by around 5 points back in 2022, is running again for the seat, while the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has backed former Democratic state Sen. Curtis Hertel.

The midterms race was the most expensive House contest in the country, according to reporting from The Detroit News  and the 2024 race is set to be another competitive battle as both parties set their sights on the opening.

The path to growing the Republican majority runs through seats like Elissa Slotkins, said the GOPs House campaign arm.

New Yorks 4th Congressional District

Rep. Anthony DEsposito (R-N.Y.) is running in one of the most unpredictable toss-up races in the country this year. His districts political makeup was generally unaffected by the states new congressional map that Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed into effect last month, but he still has a considerable challenge to overcome.

He pulled off a win against Democrat Laura Gillen by more than 3 points, despite Biden carrying the district by almost 15. It was one of the best performances in the country by a Republican in 2022 compared with former President Trumps performance in the same district two years earlier.

Gillen is running again and could be poised for a rematch with DEsposito. With Biden likely to easily carry New York in November, DEsposito will have to rely on a relatively high amount of split-ticket voters as he did two years ago to win a second term.

New Yorks 17th Congressional District

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) won a major surprise victory in 2022 when he defeated Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, the then-chair of House Democrats campaign arm, by just over half a percentage point.

Lawler has sought to build up a reputation as a moderate member of the GOP conference and led the charge to expel Santos for the false claims he made about himself and the criminal charges he faces.

The win was symbolic and key to Republicans winning the House majority by just a few seats.

He seems likely to face former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.), who previously represented the district but lost a primary in a different district after the maps were redrawn. Joness candidacy will give Democrats a familiar face and someone with past fundraising experience.

The race may be just as tight again despite Bidens 10-point win in the district in 2020.

New Yorks 22nd Congressional District

Of all the potentially vulnerable New York House Republicans this fall, Rep. Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.) may have the most significant uphill battle.

He won election to his House seat by a point and a half in a district Biden carried by 7 points, but his reelection bid just became a bit more difficult thanks to the updated map. Under the current lines of Williamss district, Biden would have won it by 11 points, and Williams did not see the same amount of split-ticket voting that was critical in 2022 for DEsposito in his own district.

Williams has also endorsed Trump for president in 2024, unlike a few of his fellow New York Republicans, which could give Democrats a clear line of attack in the blue state.

Ohios 9th Congressional District

Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) has represented her states 9th Congressional District for four decades and had a reliable Democratic-leaning constituency throughout much of her career. But Ohios redistricting process after 2020 made her district a battleground.

She was comfortably reelected in 2022 with 56 percent of the vote against Republican JR Majewski, whose candidacy was consumed with controversy surrounding claims he made about his service record.

Kaptur will likely face an opponent with less baggage this time, which could make it her most difficult campaign yet.

The district also narrowly voted for Trump by a few points, and the state is very likely to back Trump again this year, so she will need to outpace Biden at the top of the ticket to hang on.

Winning the district would be a boost to Republicans looking to pad their majority and give themselves some breathing room with other tough battlegrounds in bluer states.

Oregons 5th Congressional District

Also on the West Coast, Democrats are looking to take back a seat that flipped into Republican hands for the first time in decades when Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer won Oregons 5th Congressional District in the midterms.

Chavez-DeRemer won by 2 points against Democrat Jamie McLeod-Skinner last cycle, becoming the first Republican woman to represent Oregon in Congress.

McLeod-Skinner is running again, teeing up a possible rematch ahead of Oregons May primary  but Democrats House campaign arm has put its backing behind Oregon state Rep. Janelle Bynum instead.

Bynum has already bested Chavez-DeRemer twice, in two previous races for seats in the Oregon Legislature  and the DCCC hopes the Democrat will do it again in 2024, while McLeod-Skinner has expressed frustration with the move.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(BCN)  Two major business advocacy organizations representing hundreds of the regions biggest companies are considering joining forces to expand their influence in critical policy areas, including artificial intelligence and housing.

Leaders of San Francisco-based Bay Area Council and San Jose-based Silicon Valley Leadership Group are formally exploring a partnership to create the nations most influential business association representing the worlds most dynamic economic region, the two groups announced Tuesday.

$3,000 worth of stolen merchandise recovered from Vacaville outlet stores

Its really to create a more powerful presence for the voice of business, the economy and major employers in the region, Jim Wunderman, CEO of Bay Area Council, told San Jose Spotlight.

Each organization is very good. We each have, to some degree, the attention of political leadership and the community, but its not enough, we need more. We need a center seat at the table.

Wunderman declined to put a timeline on how soon the two groups could finalize a merger, but noted there is excitement in the organization about the vision, and said hed like to see it happen as quickly as possible.

The member lists of the two organizations share many companies, including major power players like Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon, Tesla, Microsoft, Gilead, Kaiser and PG&E, as well as many of the regions universities.

Ahmad Thomas, CEO of Silicon Valley Leadership Group, said creating a new unified business group from these two existing organizations would be a win-win.

This is a pivotal moment for our region  one that holds the potential to unleash a new wave of innovation, investment and inclusive economic growth across the Bay Area and Silicon Valley, Thomas said in a statement.

The two groups have historically helped shape policy around issues including economic development, infrastructure, housing, education and health care.

Wunderman acknowledged the rapid growth in artificial intelligence spaces will be a key issue for the regions tech companies going forward and for the potential new business association.

I think AI is really important, I think its one of the things that motivates us to get our game together here, for sure, Wunderman said. I think it behooves us to be huge proponents of it and at the same time approach it with great care and responsibility. There has to be some balance in how a group like this would approach it, because were not going to be convincing as cheerleaders anyway.

He also said the organization would need to continue advocating for policies aimed at helping residents and repairing the regions reputation, such as legislation to address the housing affordability crisis, homelessness and the future of transportation.

Walter Wilson, a Black developer and the co-founder of the San Jose-based Minority Business Consortium, said the merger has the potential to be a major shot in the arm for Bay Area business.

Officer on leave after allegedly texting two underage students inappropriate messages

But he noted that the two organizations have typically focused on the needs of the biggest businesses, and to be successful in their potential merger, they must ensure minority and women-owned business groups have a seat at the table.

If its not inclusive, then it could turn out to be a death knell for small, women and minority-owned businesses, Wilson told San Jose Spotlight. They should say Hey listen, were going to merge together, but were going to pull in the groups like the independent Minority Business Consortium, to make sure we improve things for everyone and actually open up more doors.'

Wilson noted that when business is going well in America, minority-owned and small businesses have a greater opportunity to succeed, and diversity can improve. But when downturns hit, those businesses are often the ones struggling to survive.

When business is bad, when they start doing layoffs and all these things, Black people are usually the first people to be impacted by it. Generally we are the last ones to be hired, Wilson said.

Wunderman said he thinks no one will be left behind if the merger goes through, and that the new group would keep working on representing the entire working population of the Bay Area.

Were thinking about equity, were thinking about how do you restore a viable middle class thats been hollowed out? Wunderman said. What are the things we need to do in the future to continue the leadership in technology, to continue leadership in the environment? To continue doing the things that made this region incredible in the first place.

Editors note: Ahmad Thomas is a member of the San Jose Spotlight board of directors.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
As we head into the week, let's take a look at the news from this past week.

Fishermen who have been negatively impacted financially by the growth of the offshore wind industry can start applying for offshore wind compensation. The deadline for impacted fishermen to apply and qualify for payments based on defined criteria is June 3. For additional details visit vw1fisheriescomp.com/frequently-asked-questions.

Fairhaven's Union Wharf project moves closer to completion. The east and west sides were completed first, followed by the south side, the west-north corner, and the public safety side, and the contractor, Coastal Marine Construction, is now working on the north side of the pier.

Keep up with high school sports with scores, game highlights, and player of the week voting at https://www.southcoasttoday.com/sports.

Here are the most-read stories of the week on https://www.southcoasttoday.com:

Ellison said, "Fairhaven has got strong department heads. Theyre all great at their individual departments. They know what theyre talking about, and theyve been holding the ship down for a long time. Im glad to be part of the team.

Fairhaven Town Administrator Angeline Lopes Ellison is a finalist in the search for a Connecticut community's next town manager, The Standard-Times has learned.

According to a Feb. 27 update on the town website for Bloomfield, CT, Ellison is one of four finalists, along with Niceville, FL Deputy Town Manager Chad Morris; Director of the State of Connecticuts Intelligence Fusion Center Alvin Schwapp; and Enfield, CT Town Manager Ellen Zoppo-Sassu.

Read on: Fairhaven's town administrator is a finalist in a Connecticut town manager search.

Kelly Walton and her sister Kristy Walton load their Mama Mergency vending machine with items that a mother with young child might need, at the Dartmouth Mall. In the background a woman pushes a baby carriage into the mall's main corridor.

As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, and Kelly and Kristy Walton aim to be a part of that village with their new Mama Mergency vending machine at the Dartmouth Mall.

The Mama Mergency vending machine, located near the Old Navy entrance, is stocked with a variety of items including diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream, empty bottles, sippy cups, binkies and even disposable changing pads for the restrooms.

More: A new vending machine at the Dartmouth Mall will help moms and dads. Here's what's inside.

Chef Steven Hacker prepares to serve at Olivia's in Fairhaven, opening in Spring 2024.

Olivia's, the highly anticipated new restaurant in Fairhaven Village, is set to open its doors in the spring of 2024 -- and leading the kitchen will be award-winning chef, Steven Hacker.

He trained under Michelin Star and James Beard award-winning chefs, as well as restaurants such as a beachfront Izakaya in Venice and even cooking for celebrity Burning Man camps in the Nevada desert.

What we know: Meet the new chef at Olivia's Restaurant.

A faux cake designed by Chris Furtado-Ambar, owner of Cake Smith Gallery in New Bedford.

The cake is an important part of the wedding planning process, but it can also be stressful, overwhelming and expensive. Chris Furtado-Ambar, owner of Cake Smith Gallery, understands this and that's why he created an alternative for local brides to consider.

Specializing in faux/fake cakes that are available for both rent and purchase, the vision of Cake Smith Gallery goes beyond just creating beautiful and affordable cakes  it's about creating lasting and inspirational memories for the couple.

With a twist: Artist at Cake Smith Gallery creates spectacular wedding cakes

A 46-year-old New Bedford woman was convicted of animal cruelty charges after a New Bedford District Court jury trial.

Korina Ferreira was convicted of two counts of animal cruelty connected to a late 2020 investigation by New Bedford Police and Animal Control Officers, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.

A relative of the defendant also faces animal cruelty charges from two separate incidents.

Animal cruelty: New Bedford woman sentenced to year in jail

All of these stories can be found in their entirety at SouthCoastToday.com.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Standard Times top stories this week in New Bedford
A Whatcom County Superior Court commissioner has issued an immediate domestic violence protection order against a Bellingham Police Department sergeant and ordered him to surrender his weapons after a woman came forward alleging he physically and sexually abused her.

Bellingham Police Department Sgt. Joshua Richard McKissick, 44, was ordered Feb. 26 to surrender all firearms and other dangerous weapons and any concealed pistol licenses to the Whatcom County Sheriffs Office.

An emergency domestic violence protection order was also issued the same day, protecting a woman known to McKissick and her two children, according to court records obtained by The Herald.

The Herald does not typically identify victims of domestic or sexual violence.

The temporary orders were issued without notice to McKissick and without a hearing to avoid serious immediate harm or irreparable injury, the court documents state.

A full hearing on the womans petition for a permanent two-year-long domestic violence protection order protecting her from McKissick is scheduled for Monday afternoon, March 11. The court will decide at that time whether McKissick should receive any evaluations and/or treatment for mental health or chemical dependency issues, the records show.

In granting the request temporarily ordering McKissick to surrender weapons and prohibiting him from having them, the court found that irreparable injury could result if such an order was not issued; that his possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon presented a serious and imminent threat to public health and safety or the health or safety of any individual; and that irreparable injury could result if he was allowed to access, obtain or possess firearms or a concealed pistol license, documents state.

Bellingham Police Department Sgt. Joshua McKissick smiles for a March 17, 2017 photo . Bellingham Police Department/Courtesy to The Bellingham Herald

The court will decide at Mondays hearing whether the weapons surrender and prohibition order will become permanent.

Court records show McKissick surrendered seven weapons, including three shotguns, one rifle, two handguns and an M&P15 rifle, on Feb. 27.

The Herald has reached out to McKissicks attorney, the womans attorney and the Bellingham Police Guild for comment.

McKissick has been employed with the Bellingham Police Department since February 2007, according to public records obtained by The Herald.

According to previous posts on Bellingham polices Facebook page, McKissick was promoted to sergeant in April 2021. A city of Bellingham spokesperson declined to answer repeated requests from The Herald to confirm this information, to provide a general nature or description of McKissicks job duties while in this rank and his current pay.

McKissick was a member of Bellingham polices SWAT team in October 2015, according to Herald archives. It is unclear at this time if he is still a member of the team.

The city spokesperson declined to answer The Heralds repeated questions regarding whether McKissick was still a member of the departments SWAT team.

In a fall 2019 edition of a city of Bellingham newsletter, it was stated that McKissick became a neighborhood officer in 2019. He was responsible for 13 neighborhoods north of Whatcom Creek, according to the newsletter.

McKissick also provided a wide variety of safety-related training on various topics, such as de-escalation, active shooter response and workplace and personal safety training. He also did work with the then-mayors neighborhood advisory commission, according to the newsletter.

Department response





The Bellingham Police Department became aware Dec. 6 of a report made to another law enforcement agency alleging McKissick had perpetrated domestic and sexual violence against a woman known to him, according to Melissa Morin, assistant director of communications for the city of Bellingham.

Bellingham Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig removed McKissick from patrol duties and placed him on administrative desk duty. An internal administrative investigation into the allegations was also started at this time, Morin told The Herald in an email.

Mertzig then placed McKissick on paid administrative leave, in accordance with department policy, on Feb. 27 following the court-ordered weapons surrender and temporary domestic violence protection order, Morin said.

McKissick will be on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the internal administrative investigation, Morin said.

BPD takes all allegations of domestic violence seriously, Morin told The Herald.

The city declined to answer The Heralds repeated questions regarding the case, including why McKissick was initially placed on desk duty rather than administrative leave after domestic violence allegations were made against him.

To preserve our neutrality concerning the ongoing investigations and respect the right to due process, our initial response is all that we can provide at this time, Morin said in response to follow-up questions from The Herald.

The Lynden Police Department is currently conducting a criminal investigation into the allegations against McKissick.

Lynden Police Chief Steve Taylor told The Herald that Lynden police were asked sometime during the week of Feb. 26 to look into the possibility of criminal wrongdoing based on new information that surfaced during the internal affairs investigation.

Upon completion of our investigation, we will consult with the Whatcom County Prosecutors Office for determination of what (if any) criminal charges will be filed, Taylor said. Past this, I will not comment further on anything related to the specifics of the case as the investigation is ongoing.

The Everett Police Department was asked to conduct the internal administrative investigation into the allegations against McKissick.

The administrative investigation has been placed on hold until after the criminal investigation has been completed by Lynden police, Everett Police Department Deputy Chief Jeraud Irving told The Herald.

Irving declined to answer The Heralds follow-up questions regarding the date Everett police started its administrative investigation or to provide additional comment at this time, due to the ongoing criminal investigation.

Everett police is handling the administrative investigation on Bellingham polices behalf to avoid any appearance of bias, Morin, with the city of Bellingham, told The Herald.

In seeking the domestic violence protection order, the woman told the court that she was extremely concerned that McKissick would hurt himself, her or others if she did not receive immediate protection.

I am concerned that without support, (McKissick) is a danger to himself and others, the court documents state.

The woman said McKissick told her that he has been envious of crime scene victims who have died because they are at peace, court documents state.

McKissick reportedly has access to more than 10 firearms and explosives, and is alleged to not keep his firearms locked, the records state.

The woman said McKissick subjected her to a significant amount of emotional abuse in 2022. McKissick was allegedly struggling with his mental health and alcohol abuse during this time, court documents state. The woman told the court that McKissick would drink to excess in an attempt to cope with his mental health struggles.

Moving forward

The allegations against McKissick come at a time when the Bellingham Police Department is working on repairing its reputation and moving forward following the previous firings and convictions of three officers accused of assaultive behaviors.

In fall 2016, Bellingham police officer Jacob Esparza was fired after he was arrested on domestic violence charges. He was already on the brink of losing his job before that, The Herald previously reported.

Esparza pleaded guilty June 2017 to one count of harassment with domestic violence, a gross misdemeanor, in Whatcom County District Court. He was sentenced to serve 364 days in jail, with 362 suspended.

Former Bellingham police officer Sukhdev Dhaliwal was fired from the department May 7, 2018 after allegations of misconduct were sustained during an internal investigation.

Dhaliwal was found guilty Sept. 24, 2018 of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault after he and his brother got into a fight with two men at a Blaine business in mid-October 2017. He was sentenced to 30 days suspended, which was converted to 240 hours of community service.

Dhaliwals conviction was dismissed by a Superior Court judge in Dec. 2019, The Herald previously reported.

Former Cpl. Brooks Owen Laughlin was resentenced to a little more than six years in prison in March 2021 after he was convicted of multiple charges relating to a years-long pattern of domestic violence abuse of a woman known to him.

He was originally sentenced to eight years in prison in Dec. 2018 after a jury found him guilty in mid-November 2018 of nine charges relating to the pattern of domestic violence abuse.

Laughlin resigned from duty April 20, 2018, following two arrests and violations of a no-contact order.

The Bellingham Police Department had known about Laughlins history of domestic violence since at least January 2017, but some sheriffs deputies and the womans family had had concerns about Laughlins conduct since 2015, The Herald previously reported.

The city of Bellingham settled a federal civil rights lawsuit involving Laughlin for $175,000 in Feb. 2020. The lawsuit accused Laughlin of using excessive force during an arrest and accused the department of having a policy of tolerating violent officers.

The city is currently defending itself against a lawsuit filed in Whatcom County Superior Court by the woman Laughlin abused, Laughlins ex-wife and mother of their three children, and the three children, that allege they suffered mental and physical violence, emotional abuse and damage to the parent-child relationship, among other things. The womens lawsuit states that the city and Bellingham police knew or should have known Laughlin posed a grave risk to the women, but took no action to stop him independently or in his capacity as a police officer, according to court records.

The women and children are seeking damages in an amount to be proven at trial. The city previously denied their tort claims seeking in total damages of $9 million, court documents show.

The civil case was expected to head to trial earlier this year, but was postponed. A new trial date has not yet been selected, according to court records.

The three officers arrests, which occurred within three years time of one another, led to an outside agency review of the department and the events leading up to the arrests, The Herald previously reported.

The department said at that time that it would work with a local domestic violence and sexual assault agency to determine best practices in dealing with allegations of domestic violence involving its officers.

Resources

 Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org

Brigid Collins Family Support Center professionals are on-call between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, to answer questions about children, families, abuse prevention or treatment at (360) 734-4616.

 Child Protective Services: Washington state hotline for reporting child abuse and neglect, 866-829-2153.

 Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.

 Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.

 Tlils Taaaltha Victims of Crime: 360-325-3310 or nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/tlils-taaaltha-victims-of-crime-program/

 Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.

 WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.

If you or a child is in immediate danger, call 911 and make a report to law enforcement.

To report child abuse or neglect call 1-866-END HARM.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden said in an MSNBC interview on Saturday that Israels threatened invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza would be his red line for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but then immediately backtracked, saying there was no red line and "Im never going to leave Israel."

In a somewhat contradictory exchange with his interviewer, Biden said "they cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead as a consequence of going after" Hamas militants.

Biden and his aides have urged Netanyahu in strong terms not to launch a major offensive in Rafah until Israel crafts a plan for mass evacuation of civilians from the last area of Gaza it has not yet invaded with ground forces. More than half of Gaza's 2.3 million people are sheltering in the Rafah area.

There's other ways to deal, to get to, to deal with ... the trauma caused by Hamas, Biden said, referring to the Islamist groups Oct. 7 rampage in southern Israel in which 1,200 people were killed.

Asked whether an Israeli invasion of Rafah would be a red line for him with Netanyahu, Biden said: "It is a red line but I'm never going to leave Israel. The defense of Israel is still critical. So there's no red line (in which) I'm going to cut off all weapons so they don't have the Iron Dome to protect them."

Biden insisted, however, that Netanyahu "must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken."

He reiterated his call for a six-week ceasefire for hostage releases and aid delivery, though negotiations appear to have stalled.

Asked whether a ceasefire could still be reached before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins on or around March 10, Biden said: "I think it's always possible. I never give up on that."

(Reporting by Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Primary elections are family squabbles, the old political saying goes, that the family puts behind them and unites to fight everyone else in the general election.

This makes 2024 the year of dysfunctional families.

Consider how President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump responded Wednesday, when Nikki Haley finally stepped out of the Republican primary.

Trump posted on his social media website that the former South Carolina governor "got TROUNCED" in the Super Tuesday primaries while claiming that many of her votes came from "Radical Left Democrats." He followed that up with an incongruous and unconvincing invitation to those same Haley supporters to back him.

"I hope she stays in the 'race' and fights it out until the end," added Trump, after his campaign had repeatedly called for Haley to drop out and endorse him.

Were you expecting magnanimity from the would-be MAGA king?

The Trump political family turned on Haley

Haley did half of what Trump wanted by dropping out, stopping well short of an endorsement. Which, of course, enraged him.

Trump lives in a bubble where fealty flows in only one direction  toward him. And Haley's short speech about dropping her bid missed that mark two ways.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Super Tuesday election night party Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

First, Haley said she will "not stop using my voice for the things I believe in" while taking barely veiled shots at Trump's brand of isolationism when it comes to Russia's aggression in Ukraine and China's threats to Taiwan.

And then, while congratulating Trump on what clearly will be his nomination for the presidency, she dared to suggest that he still has some work to do.

"It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him," Haley said. "At its best, politics is about bringing people into your cause, not turning them away."

This is not what Trump was looking for. He expects vanquished adversaries to grovel for his approval, to endorse without condition or expectation.

Biden's political party praised Haley for her 'courage'

Compare that with how Biden greeted Haley's exit

The president who defeated Trump in 2020 on Wednesday touted Haley's criticism of Trump, which grew stronger and more vibrant as other would-be contenders fell out the field.

"It takes a lot of courage to run for president  that's especially true in today's Republican Party, where so few dare to speak the truth about Donald Trump," Biden said in a statement after she dropped out. "Donald Trump made it clear he doesn't want Nikki Haley's supporters. I want to be clear: There is a place for them in my campaign."

Haley is a lens through which we see the cravings of the president and his predecessor.

Trump wants obedience. He and the Republican National Committee that he is consuming have been stepping up threatening rhetoric about there being no space in the party for anyone who does not embrace Trump.

Here's what his daughter-in-law Lara Trump had to say on the conservative broadcaster Real America's Voice Monday while talking about her bid to take over at the RNC: Anyone who is not on board with seeing Donald Trump as the 47th president and America-loving patriots all the way down the ticket being supported by the RNC is welcome to leave."

Third-party candidate? No Labels tells me they don't want to be a 2024 election spoiler. It's time to prove it.

Biden wants votes. Democratic votes. Independent votes. Republican votes. Any votes. He knows the presidency is won through coalition-building, not by bullying voters with derision and division.

Biden isn't turning anyone away. And his team is clearly reading Haley's playbook now for tips.

Biden knows enough to go after Haley voters

In a five-page memo released early Wednesday, Biden's campaign managers crunched the numbers and cited Haley's "significant shares of votes" that she won in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Michigan.

These were states nobody expected Haley to win. But she cut into Trump's margins with Republican voters who don't find his "Make America Great Again" act so endearing.

"Trump can't expand his reach beyond the MAGA base  in exit poll after exit poll, he has consolidated support only among the most conservative voters," campaign managers Jen O'Malley Dillon and Julie Chavez Rodriguez wrote.

President Joe Biden speaks in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 23, 2024, in Washington. Biden is forming a new "strike force" to crack down on illegal and unfair pricing.

The memo also highlighted Trump's troubles among moderates in suburbs, a group of voters who swung away from MAGA world in elections since 2020.

"A significant share of moderate and Haley voters across the country are saying that Trump cannot count on their votes in a general election," the memo said.

Biden is still battling the 'uncommitted' voters

Biden, of course, has problems in his own house.

The economy is on the upswing, but voters still don't seem to feel or believe that. Biden is 81 now and showing it, which seems to draw more attention than clearly age-related blunder from the 77-year-old Trump.

And Israel's expansive military incursion into Gaza after the horrific Oct. 7 Hamas attacks is driving a wedge between Biden and young, progressive voters he needs in his November coalition.

That manifested as a protest vote in Michigan last week, when 13% of the ballots in the Democratic primary went to "uncommitted."

Haley can still save us: Nikki Haley and her voters still have a chance to be heroes. They need to vote for Biden.

As I noted Super Tuesday, six of the 15 states voting in Democratic primaries that day had ballots that offered options of "uncommitted/noncommited" or "no preference."

Nearly 19% of Minnesota Democratic primary voters cast ballots for "uncommitted" Tuesday, while nearly 13% voted "no preference" in North Carolina and 9% of the votes were for "no preference" in Massachusetts.

Now it comes down to which political family can remain united

Biden needs to win back to his family 2020 supporters who now are turning away and considering a vote for a third-party candidate or just not casting a ballot this year. He knows that. He's working on it.

But Trump has spent the better part of 2024 telling members of his family that he's ready to throw them out of the house.

In late January, he said anyone contributing to Haley's campaign would be permanently barred from the MAGA camp. In Virginia this month, Trump claimed his MAGA base makes up "96%, maybe 100%" of the Republican Party while pledging to expel people now seen as moderates, like U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah.

The old style of politics saw Democrats move to the left end of the political spectrum to win competitive presidential primaries while Republicans pivoted to the right. The primary winners on both sides then spend the summer and fall trying to move to the middle, to appeal to the largest possible group of voters.

These primary results have been a foregone conclusion for months now. We all knew we were getting a Biden-Trump rematch. But only Biden is driving a general election campaign these days. Trump is spinning his wheels in MAGA mud. And that may not get him where he wants to go in November.

Follow USA TODAY elections columnist Chris Brennan on X, formerly known as Twitter: @ByChrisBrennan

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump is all MAGA. Biden has to fix his base. Welcome to the election
US President Joe Biden made contradictory remarks on whether there is a 'red line' over Israel's threatened offensive on the southern Gaza city of Rafah (Jim WATSON)

Joe Biden said Benjamin Netanyahu's approach to the war in Gaza was "hurting Israel more than helping Israel" in an interview aired Saturday, as the US leader's impatience with his Israeli counterpart grows increasingly visible.

With Gaza's humanitarian crisis growing more dire and Biden's left flank in uproar, the US president made contradictory remarks as to the question of a "red line" over Israel's threatened offensive on Rafah in southern Gaza.

Netanyahu "has a right to defend Israel, a right to continue to pursue Hamas," Biden said, but added that "he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken."

"In my view he is hurting Israel more than helping Israel," he said.

As to Israel's potential invasion of Rafah, where some 1.5 million of the territory's 2.4 million residents are now crammed, Biden was ambiguous.

"It is a red line," the 81-year-old Democrat said, immediately adding: "I am never going to leave Israel. The defense of Israel is still critical.

"There is no red line (in which) I want to cut off all weapons so they don't have the Iron Dome (air defense system) to protect them."

He then once again countered that there were in fact "red lines... You cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead."

After Biden's State of the Union address Thursday, he was caught on a hot mic stating that he'd told Netanyahu they would need to have a "come to Jesus" meeting, an American expression that refers to a dramatic realization that one must correct course.

Despite Biden's shift in tone, his administration has given short shrift to activist calls to cut the billions of dollars in military aid the United States sends to Israel.

Gaza has faced relentless bombardment by Israel since Hamas launched a shocking cross-border attack on October 7 that resulted in about 1,160 deaths, most of them civilians, according to official figures.

Hamas also seized about 250 hostages, 99 of whom are believed by Israel to remain alive in Gaza.

Israel's retaliatory operations in Hamas-controlled Gaza have killed more than 30,800 people, mostly women and children, according to the territory's health ministry.

Biden was evasive Saturday on the possibility of a new trip to Israel, which he visited in October shortly after the deadly Hamas attack, and which included a speech to lawmakers.

Asked if it was something he would do again, Biden responded "yes" but declined to say whether he was invited.

aue/bfm/acb
Anat Shenker-Osorio is a political strategist and communications researcher for progressive campaigns.

President Joe Biden delivered the State of the Union last week in fantastic fighting form, as befitting a leader confronting an in-house authoritarian faction hostile to democratically elected government  at least until he turned to immigration.

There, he slipped into opposition tropes, using illegal as a noun  a move Biden admitted regretting, to his credit, in an interview over the weekend. Nevertheless, in an effort to expose the GOPs hypocrisy, Biden unwittingly affirmed Republicans, and his predecessor, Donald Trump, as legitimate leaders on this topic. In the process, he undermined his broader argument for why MAGA Republicans have no business governing.

If your electoral approach hinges on voters understanding that Republicans adhere to a semi-fascist ideology, in Biden parlance, it does not make sense to declare you are trying to co-govern with those semi-fascists. Yet Biden did so, touting his attempt at a bipartisan border compromise and offering to do it together with Trump, the man his campaign rightly called out for echoing Hitler. How is a voter meant to follow that storyline?

Exposing Republicans for putting their lust for power above the wishes and well-being of the American people is spot on. So, too, is messaging about Democrats delivering solutions. But conveying those two things does not require promising to deliver on Republican policies  this, in fact, hinders the message. The effective approach to make voters see you as capable of delivering real fixes is to seize the moral high ground, by drawing a clear contrast with the opposition  not embracing them.

On immigration, Democratic leaders have convinced themselves that adopting Republican policies, and pulling a gotcha on their hypocrisy, is the way to defeat Republicans. Before we unpack the thinking behind that, why it falls short, and what to do instead, lets start where theres widespread agreement: Biden and Democrats must improve how theyre perceived on immigration.

January Gallup polling showed that among those disapproving of Biden, immigration was the top cause of their grievance. It might sound like immigration is the linchpin of Bidens electoral prospects  unless you look under the hood and note that a mere 19 percent of the naysaying voters selected immigration as their top problem with Biden, and those who did are mostly Republicans who will never vote for him, period.

Nevertheless, the number of overall voters  not just Biden detractors  who name immigration as their top concern and fault Democrats on it has been climbing. In one month of 2024, Gallup saw the proportion of voters placing immigration in that top problem slot grow from 20 percent to 28 percent. And in a recent Marist poll, 41 percent of registered voters believed Republicans will do a better job at handling the issue of immigration, while 29 percent said that of Democrats.

To be sure, some of this is a response to reality: Apprehensions of immigrants hit a peak of 2.2 million in fiscal year 2022. But its worth noting that the purported salience of the issue is influenced by the polling itself. Where most voters do not contemplate immigration unprompted, seeing it listed among potential concerns makes them think about immigration.

More importantly, this shift in public opinion is propelled by right-wing fear-mongering and xenophobia: from rhetoric that immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country, false claims of rampant criminality, to busing migrants to major cities without any infrastructure to receive them. At the State of the Union, Marjorie Taylor Greene heckled Biden, calling out the tragic case of Laken Riley  as opposed to any number of other people murdered, in any number of horrific ways  to further precisely this fear the foreigners storyline. In the heat of the moment, Biden took the bait, dehumanizing immigrants more broadly and giving MAGA their soundbite by responding that Riley was killed by an illegal.

As Biden himself has acknowledged, like all authoritarians, Trump and his MAGA cheerleaders know theres no quicker route to establishing an us than selecting a them to shame, blame, and harm. Trump kickstarted his 2016 bid for office by spewing anti-immigrant invectives. He tried to hang his 2018 midterm prospects and 2020 fortunes on migrant caravans. Its little wonder that Republicans are turning up the volume on the same tune: pick a group to revile, make fear of them salient to voters, and accuse your political rivals of creating the danger. See their complaints about critical race theory and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) as recent examples, and inner city crime as an evergreen favorite.

The question for Democrats is how to contend with the rights efforts to advance authoritarianism by weaponizing fear and resentment.

On immigration policy, Team Biden has decided, if you cant beat them, say youre willing to join them. As Biden did at the State of the Union and in the weeks leading up to it, he and his allies have been touting a border security bill made up of Republican priorities that GOP lawmakers tanked in deference to Trump.

On Feb. 29, President Biden said this from Brownsville, Texas: Heres what I would say to Mr. Trump: Instead of playing politics with the issue, instead of telling members of Congress to block this legislation, join me, or Ill join you in telling the Congress to pass this bipartisan border security bill. We can do it together.

The logic for this approach goes as follows: Voters say they care a lot about immigration and prefer the Republican approach to it. Lets offer them the Republican approach and fault Republicans for not delivering it. Unsurprisingly, mainstream pundits and purveyors of centrism lauded Biden for adopting this tack.

If voters were rational actors with static beliefs who make electoral decisions based on politicians easily discernible policy promises, then polling their preferences and offering those as your plans would make sense. But they arent, so it doesnt.

Ironically, immigration may be the canonical example that shows that voters can and do change their minds about issues. Ronald Reagan, who launched his presidential run from the Statue of Liberty praising immigrants, was a longtime standard-bearer for the Republican Party. Unsurprisingly, Republican voters in the 1980 and 1990s were also much more welcoming of newcomers and didnt consider amnesty a dirty word.

To be fair, the people promoting this shift in Democratic rhetoric and policy offer poll-tested evidence that voters are keen on the border bills elements and shift toward Democrats once theyre told about Republican antics to block it. This is where the artifice of making people pay attention and asking them questions immediately after exposure to your message (often without a rebuttal from the opposition) can show positive effects that do not hold in real life.

In the real world, voters make their decisions largely on the basis of partisan identity  not well-reasoned issue preferences. And they are inundated with competing information, which they receive while heavily distracted.

Democrats will never sway someone who wants Republican Robocop on immigration to pick the Democratic mall cop. Despite Democrats attempts to tell these voters that Republicans are talking tough on the border, but refusing to deliver, this message has no chance of breaking through. Arguments about how Republicans tanked their own immigration bill for political gain will not stand up to ads and speeches accusing Democrats of bringing unwashed hordes and deadly drugs into the country.

Democrats thinking theyve nailed Republicans to the cross of their hypocrisy demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of what voters hear, believe, and remember. Voters do not follow the machinations of legislative wrangling. If they follow anything about politics at all, and most dont, its broad, sweeping narratives.

This is true anytime, but even more so in a confrontation with Trump, who offers up the tropes of the strongman. Trumps promise and allure is that he alone can bring order to the border, restoring the rightful rule of real Americans. So, Trump ordering his MAGA Republican minions not to deal with Biden is absolutely consistent with what he promises. Its yet another demonstration of his power. When he says jump, Republican lawmakers ask how high.

In contrast, Biden is unwittingly affirming the power of a man who will not even admit Biden is our legitimate president  and crediting Trump as a deal-making partner.

The idea that Trump and Republicans will pay a price for their failure to come together with Democrats to solve immigration ignores the heart of the right-wing story: Biden and Democrats are the creators of the immigration problem. As part of that story, any immigration deal Democrats support must be a bad one; any claims they make that the deal came from Republicans and would have delivered border security cannot be trusted.

In short, Americans who consider a tough on border stance paramount  like those who rank having zero restrictions on firearms or seizing womens reproductive freedoms at the top of their wish lists from politicians  are never going to vote for Democrats.

This leaves two groups of voters up for grabs: a small sliver of swing voters and a growing cohort of surge voters  non-habitual voters who tend to favor Democrats, arguably because they are motivated to repudiate MAGA Republicans, if they can be compelled to turn out.

So, what should Biden and Democrats do? They should embrace whats been proven to work not merely in comprehensive testing, but in winning real-world campaigns, including their own.

Lets start by considering why Trumps rhetoric about migrant caravans failed in 2018 and 2020. In those instances, Democrats refused to take up the bait. Unlike now, they didnt come out with a bipartisan border security bill, thereby raising the salience of the issue and signaling to voters that, yes, this is a legitimate concern and Republicans have the right ideas about it.

Of course, in those years, there were fewer people immigrating. But stepping back and taking a broader look at the races and places where Democrats have won in red or purple districts since 2016, we see a consistent pattern: When Democrats make arguments on their own terms, decrying how MAGA Republicans are coming to take away our freedoms and how Americans must vote to protect them, turnout soars and Democrats win. When they agree to have the debate Republicans want, be it on crime or whether the economy is good, turnout is anemic and they lose.

What we find over and again in message testing  and in winning campaigns  is there is a formula for defeating right-wing, resentment-based strategies. A recent example of this can be heard in People Move, a television ad script my team crafted with our partners at Way to Win that moved respondents overall five points towards Democrats in a randomized controlled-trial of 1,998 registered voters.

Most of us will do whatever it takes to make a better life, reads the tested narrative, which could be turned into an ad, door-to-door canvassing script, or political speech. We work, and even pack up everything, so we can provide for our families. Immigrant Americans move here for the promise of freedom and opportunity. Democrats offer real solutions: create a fair immigration process and make the border work. Republicans block them. They want chaos and conflict as distractions from how theyre taking away what our families need. Lets trade Republicans hate peddling for Dems problem solving.

We have been iterating and testing this Race Class Narrative approach since 2017. It works by first asserting what were actually for, in the language of shared values. Next, it names how the opposition uses deliberate division in order to shield from view their true aims: to rule for the wealthiest few. In essence, it exposes the look over there trick Republicans keep deploying  rendering it far less effective. Finally, it positions us as the ones offering real solutions, in alignment with our shared values.

Republicans have long understood that to win the debate, you must set the terms. They throw red meat to their base, making salient through repetition the issues they believe will keep their loyal followers engaged and enraged, in order to convert the conflicted. Bonus points when Democrats repeat Republican tropes, and depress their base, while still not reaching, let alone actually winning, new votes among those wanting the oppositions approach.

To win, you must run against your opposition, not the people whom the opposition has selected to scapegoat. It is not enough to make Republicans failure to follow through on their preferred policies their sin. They have an easy explanation for that  the policies wouldnt actually solve the immigration problem (because Trump alone can do that task).

If your electoral prospects hinge on voters understanding that Republicans are hell-bent on authoritarian rule and are bringing it soon to a uterus, a classroom, a job site, and a concentration camp near you, it does not work to say: Were ready to pass the border deal Republicans cooked up.

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If you've been keeping up on markets, you've likely seen that cryptocurrencies are back in full force. In just 2024 alone, the asset class has jumped by nearly 50%, collectively worth more than $2.45 trillion today.

However, despite this resurgence, many indicators suggest that crypto has yet to hit its peak, making today a valuable opportunity. While combing through the thousands of cryptocurrencies in circulation can be a daunting task, there is a simpler way for investors to ride the waves of crypto's momentum, and it's not even a cryptocurrency -- it's Coinbase Global (NASDAQ: COIN).

Image source: Getty Images.

Some context first

As the first crypto native company to go public, Coinbase's stock market debut was lauded as a significant achievement in the legitimization of digital assets. However, that was almost three years ago, when crypto was at the peak of its last bull market. Since then, much has changed.

After the euphoria of the bull market faded, a brutal crypto winter ensued and dealt a catastrophic blow to Coinbase. In the depths of the crypto winter, Coinbase posted an annual loss of $2.6 billion in 2022, a far cry from 2021 when it raked in more than $3.6 billion in profits.

To its credit, as bad as the bear market was, Coinbase weathered the storm and has since risen to become an even better company. With a revamped business model, fresh international expansion strategy, and prioritization of innovation, as crypto begins to prepare for a new bull market, Coinbase's best days remain ahead.

A new Coinbase takes shape

The most glaring difference between the old Coinbase and the new Coinbase is its diversified revenue model. When crypto prices plunged in 2022, Coinbase's sole reliance on transaction fees as revenue meant that when activity on its platform dried up, so did profits.

As a testament to CEO Brian Armstrong's vision and leadership, he recognized this and steered the company in a different direction. While profits were hard to come by for all of 2022 and most of 2023, during this time Coinbase was busy building an entirely new business model.

Story continues

As evidence of this transformation, consider that transaction fees make up less than half of total revenue today, a significant improvement from when they accounted for 90% of revenue a few years ago.

Coinbase's Subscription and Services segment is picking up the slack. Comprised of products such as staking rewards, stablecoin interest, and custodial fees, Subscription and Services now contributes to the bulk of revenue.

Adding to the company's transformation, Coinbase implemented an international expansion strategy in the beginning of 2023. So far, it's safe to say it's been a resounding success. With this expansion, Coinbase launched an international derivative exchange, set up European headquarters in Ireland, and grew operations to more than 100 countries.

To round out Coinbase's evolution, we can't forget about its embrace of innovation. In August 2023, Coinbase launched its very own proprietary blockchain, Base. While it's still in its early days, Base is proving that it will be a valuable asset moving forward, as it has undergone explosive growth.

In just six months, Base's total users surpassed 3 million, and its decentralized finance (DeFi) economy blossomed from just $8.5 million to more than $560 million. In that same time, the blockchain has produced more than $6 million in profits for Coinbase.

Quantifying the opportunity

By all accounts, Coinbase is firing on all cylinders. Consider that fourth-quarter 2023 was the first profitable quarter in almost two years as proof.

Here lies the opportunity for investors. As the prospect of a historic bull market looms, its diversified business model could launch the company into territory it hasn't seen.

So, rather than trying to comb through the thousands of cryptocurrencies on the market, why not own the company that relies on the market as a whole? From this angle, Coinbase effectively becomes a proxy to gain exposure to the best of the crypto asset class.

As impressive as Coinbase's turnaround was, it still trades at roughly 30% below its all-time high. Accounting for the fact that it is a far better company than when it was trading for $345, plus the added benefit of a crypto bull market, the potential upside of Coinbase is difficult to quantify. Don't be surprised if Coinbase ends up outperforming many cryptocurrencies in the coming months.

Should you invest $1,000 in Coinbase Global right now?

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Cryptocurrencies Are Soaring, But I Think This Is the Best Buy Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool
President Biden on Saturday said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hurting Israel more than helping with his handling of the war with Hamas, even as Biden stressed he would not abandon support for Israel.

Whats happening is he has a right to defend Israel, a right to continue to pursue Hamas, Biden told MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart. But he must, he must, he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken.

In my view, hes hurting Israel more than helping Israel [] its contrary to what Israel stands for. And I think its a big mistake, Biden added.

The comments underscored the friction between the U.S. and Israel as the latter carries out a military campaign against Hamas in the wake of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks that killed more than 1,000 Israelis. Thousands of Palestinians have been killed in subsequent shelling and fighting in Gaza, prompting calls from progressives for the U.S. to cut off or condition aid to Israel.

Biden in Saturdays interview stressed he had no intention of cutting off support for Israel, and he acknowledged the frustration among Americans who have protested his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The defense of Israel is still critical, so theres no red line Im going to cut off all weapons so they dont have the Iron Dome to protect them, Biden said, adding that he has concerns about the more than 30,000 Palestinians who have died, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

The president has for months simultaneously called on Israel to do more to protect civilians and allow aid into Gaza via border crossings. The U.S. in recent days began conducting airdrops into Gaza to get meals and other supplies into the area, with more drops planned in the coming days.

Biden announced during Thursdays State of the Union plans for the U.S. military to lead the construction of a port along the coast of Gaza on the Mediterranean Sea to boost the amount of aid getting to Palestinian civilians.

Progressives have called for the White House to back a permanent cease-fire in the conflict, but Biden and others have said such an agreement would allow Hamas to regroup. Instead, the administration has instead backed a temporary pause in fighting that would last at least six weeks and allow hostages to get out and more aid to get into Gaza.

On Super Tuesday, more than a quarter million voters cast ballots for uncommitted or no preference in Democratic primaries, largely viewed as a protest of Bidens handling of the Israel-Hamas war. The protest vote netted 11 delegates in Minnesota, though Biden still won the primary easily and racked up 64 delegates.

I dont blame them for being upset. Theres families there. There are people who are dying. They want something done about it. And theyre saying, Joe, do something, do something, Biden said Saturday on MSNBC.

But the idea that they all think its genocide is just not  thats a different situation, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the Israel-Hamas war for Sunday, March 10. For the latest news on the conflict in the Middle East, view our live updates file on the war for Monday, March 11.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israelis overwhelmingly support his policies and rejected President Joe Biden's assertion that the war in Gaza was hurting Israel.

"If he meant by that that I'm pursuing private policies against the majority, the wish of the majority of Israelis, and that this is hurting the interests of Israel, then he's wrong on both counts," Netanyahu said in a social media post Sunday. "The vast majority are united as never before."

The prime minister said Israelis believe that if the country doesn't fight, it will see a repetition of the Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel and saw the seizure of over 240 hostages. That, he said, would be "bad for Israel, bad for the Palestinians, bad for the future of peace in the Middle East."

More than 31,000 Palestinians have died, 70% of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israel says it has killed13,000 Hamas militants and blames the civilian deaths on militants using them as human shields.

Biden, in an interview with MSNBC, had urged Netanyahu to curb the death toll of civilians in Gaza but asserted that the U.S. has no plans to cut off the supply of weapons to the Israeli military. Biden, asked what tough love he would give Netanyahu, responded that Netanyahu has a right to defend his country but must "pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken. In my view, hes hurting Israel more than helping Israel.

Biden said Netanyahu's policies are "contrary to what Israel stands for, and I think its a big mistake. So I want to see a cease-fire.

Trucks carrying humanitarian aid make their way along a street in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on March 10, 2024.

Developing:

 Thirteen Arabs from northern Israel have been charged with planning terrorist attacks on behalf of Hamas, the Israel Police and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) announced Sunday. The suspects had purchased weapons and were arrested over the past few months, the security services said.

 Fifteen people were killed by Israeli artillery fire on a tent camp for displaced Palestinians near the southern city of Khan Younis, their relatives told the Associated Press. In Gaza City, 10 people were killed Sunday in an Israeli airstrike on a family house, the Gaza Civil Defense Department said.

 The Netherlands National Holocaust Museum opened Sunday in a ceremony featuring Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose presence drew thousands of demonstrators protesting the war in Gaza. The museum in Amsterdam commemorates the 102,000 Jews deported from the Netherlands and killed in Nazi camps.

 Around three-quarters of Jewish respondents are in favor of expanding military operations into Rafah, according to a new poll by the Israeli Democracy Institute. The U.S. and other nations have urged Israel not to invade the southern Gaza city, where more than 1 million people are seeking refuge from the war.

A personal battle: With no cease-fire, Muslims like me struggle with guilt and rage this Ramadan

Ramadan begins with no cease-fire in sight

The crescent moon appeared Sunday night in Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest sites in Islam, marking the start of the month of Ramadan and an end to hopes that a cease-fire deal would be reached before the Islamic holy season.

Efforts by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas remained stalled over two crucial demands, Hamas said in a statement Sunday. Hamas wants a pathway to a permanent end to the war and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, the month when Muslims say God revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad. Muslims who have reached puberty and who are physically capable will fast from sunrise to sunset every day for about 30 days. Fasting means abstaining from food, drink, sexual relations and ill behavior, although those who are sick or traveling are exempt from fasting.

U.S. ship sets sail with equipment for Gaza pier

The U.S. Army has sent a logistics support vessel from Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia to the eastern Mediterranean to help build the temporary pier needed to ship in humanitarian assistance to Gaza, Col. Mary Ricks, an Army spokesperson, said Sunday in an email.

The Gen. Frank S. Besson Jr., a ship from the 7th Transportation Brigade, left Saturday with the first equipment needed for the pier, Ricks said. The operation is expected to take up to 60 days.

Biden announced plans for the effort Thursday in the State of the Union address.

There is a desperate need for food and other supplies in Gaza amid Israels war with Hamas. The U.S. and U.N. have said bringing in the aid through land routes is more effective, but restrictions imposed by Israel have created bottlenecks and slowed down the process.

 Tom Vanden Brook

Detained UN workers accuse Israel of abuses

The U.N. Relief and Works Agency said some employees released into Gaza from Israeli detention claim Israeli authorities pressured them into falsely accusing some staffers of taking part in the Oct. 7 attacks, Reuters reported. Claims of physical beatings, sexual violence, waterboarding and threats of harm to family members are included in a UNRWA report reviewed by Reuters dated February 2024. UNRWA communications director Juliette Touma said the agency plans to provide information in the 11-page, unpublished report to agencies documenting potential human rights abuses.

An Israeli spokesperson told Reuters the military follows international law, denying any claims of sexual abuse and saying freed detainees can be forced by Hamas to denounce Israel.

Reports that some UNRWA workers took part in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel led to the U.S. and more than a dozen other nations to cut off funding to the agency, which provides humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

UN Security Council to review report accusing Hamas of sexual assaults

An emergency U.N. Security Council session on Monday will review special envoy Pramila Patten's report on Hamas sexual violence that found reasonable grounds to believe Hamas committed rape, sexualized torture and other cruel treatment of women  and that the violence may be continuing with some hostages. Some family members of Israeli hostages are expected to attend the session.

Across the various locations of the 7 October attacks, the mission team found that several fully naked or partially naked bodies from the waist down were recovered  mostly women  with hands tied and shot multiple times, often in the head, the report said. It also addressed the treatment of hostages, finding clear and convincing information that some have been subjected to various forms of conflict-related sexual violence including rape and sexualized torture and sexualized cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and it also has reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may be ongoing.

Turkish president 'firmly backs' Hamas leaders, compares Netanyahu to Hitler

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan compared Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler in a speech Thursday while rejecting claims by the U.S., the EU and several other nations that the militant group is a terrorist organization. Erdogan accused Israel of continuing to commit "massacres" in Gaza and said Hamas is not a terror group but the "resistance."

Turkey is a country that speaks openly with Hamas leaders and firmly backs them," Erdogan said, adding that Netanyahu and his administration, with their crimes against humanity in Gaza, are writing their names next to Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin, like todays Nazis."

Netanyahu provided a sharp response, saying Israel observes the laws of war and will "not be subject to moral preaching from Erdogan, who supports murderers and rapists of the Hamas terrorist organization ... massacres Kurds in his own country and cracks down on regime opponents and journalists.

The relationship between the countries has fluctuated in recent years. Both withdrew their ambassadors in 2018 when violence was sweeping Gaza, only to fully renew diplomatic ties in 2022. Weeks before the Hamas-led attack in October, Netanyahu and Erdogan had a cordial meeting in New York. But Israel's military response in Gaza quickly prompted Erdogan to compare Israel to the Nazis.

Humanitarian aid flow increases, still far short of need

The first six days of March saw an increase in the number of humanitarian trucks entering Gaza, with an average of 155 trucks per day crossing, the UNRWA said. The flow remained well below the target of 500 per day set by UNRWA, which said trucks continue to struggle to enter Gaza amid "inconsistent opening" of border crossings.

The U.S. and Jordan have begun aid airdrops, and efforts are underway to move aid to Gaza from ships.

Theres still an awful lot of work thats being done on this to flesh it out," John Kirby, the White House spokesman for national security issues, said last week. But he added that the best and most efficient way to get aid in to people in a confined space like that in a very urban environment is on the ground.

Contributing: Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel war live updates: Netanyahu rejects Biden criticism of policies
President Joe Biden is stepping up his public criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that the right-wing leaders ongoing military offensive in Gaza is hurting Israel more than helping Israel while maintaining that the U.S. will continue providing weapons to the country.

Speaking to MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart in an interview that aired Saturday, Biden repeated the White Houses position that Netanyahu has a right to defend Israel, a right to continue to pursue Hamas after the militants launched a deadly attack on Oct. 7 that killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and took about 250 hostage.

But six months later, Israels retaliation  which human rights agencies and some nations have described as collective punishment and, more recently, genocide  has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, wounded more, displaced millions, and deprived them of adequate food, water, shelter and medicine.

Aid organizations are raising the alarm over a starvation crisis in the enclave that has particularly hit north Gaza and killed dozens, including children. The Gaza Health Ministry said the total number of those dying from hunger included only people brought to hospitals, most of which have been destroyed in the bombardment.

He must, he must, he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken, Biden said of Netanyahu. Hes hurting, in my view, hes hurting Israel more than helping Israel by making the rest of the world  its contrary to what Israel stands for. And I think its a big mistake.

On Sunday, Netanyahu told Axel Springer, the parent company of Politico, that he did not know what exactly the president meant, but that if Biden was saying the prime minister was acting against Israels interests, he would be wrong on both counts.

[The Israeli people] also support my position that says that we should resoundingly reject the attempt to ram down our throats a Palestinian state, Netanyahu told the publication. That is something that they agree on.

After his State of the Union address on Thursday, Biden was caught on a hot mic saying that he needed to have a come to Jesus meeting with the Israeli prime minister. When Capehart pressed him on what he meant, the president said he used the expression to describe a serious meeting.

Ive known Bibi for 50 years, and he knew what I meant by it, he said, using the prime ministers nickname.

Bidens comments on Saturday appear to be an escalation of his public criticism of Netanyahu, after months of positioning the White House to be unconditionally supportive of the Israeli government and its military offensive, which is largely funded and armed by the U.S. government.

But despite Bidens public concern, he has continued to reject all calls to make U.S. support for Israel conditional on the country abiding by international law.

Capehart pushed Biden on if the president has a so-called red line with Netanyahu, and if Israel potentially carrying out its threat of a ground invasion on Gazas southernmost city of Rafah  where more than 1.3 million Palestinians are sheltering after being displaced  would cross such a line, since the U.S. has warned the country against such an offensive.

It is a red line, but Im never going to leave Israel, Biden said. The defense of Israel is still critical. So theres no red line where Im going to cut off all weapons so they dont have the Iron Dome to protect them.

Despite calling a Rafah invasion a red line, the president declined to say what exactly would be Israels consequence for again ignoring the U.S. governments warnings.

You cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead as a consequence of going after the militants, Biden said, stressing there are other ways for Netanyahu to deal with the trauma caused by Hamas.

The first time I went over [to Israel], I sat with him and I sat with the War Cabinet, and I said, Look, dont make the mistake America made, he continued. America made a mistake. We went after [Osama] bin Laden until we got him. But we shouldnt have got into  the whole thing in Iraq and Afghanistan. It wasnt necessary, wasnt necessary, and it just caused more problems.

Biden on if he has a red line with Netanyahu: "I'm not going to leave Israel ... [but] we cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead." pic.twitter.com/q5ahnufjAF  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 9, 2024

Netanyahu also reportedly vowed to defy Bidens red line and invade Rafah, claiming he has the support of multiple unnamed Arab leaders.

Well go there. Were not going to leave, the prime minister told Axel Springer. You know, I have a red line. You know what the red line is? That Oct. 7 doesnt happen again. Never happens again.

A growing number of Americans and aid groups are criticizing the president for the hypocrisy of expressing concern over Palestinian civilians plight while continuing to arm the Israeli military causing their plight in the first place. The U.S. has also vetoed three U.N. Security Council resolutions calling for a cease-fire, instead trying to secure a six-week pause in fighting to trade hostages and allow aid to enter on the ground. Such a deal has not yet been agreed upon by Israel and Hamas.

The White House has started airdropping aid into Gaza and is working to build a maritime corridor to bring aid by sea, a decision that underscores how the U.S. has to go around Israel, its biggest ally in the Middle East, because the country has blocked most aid convoys from entering the enclave. On Sunday, the eve of Ramadan, starving Gaza residents scrambled for airdropped aid, most of which a resident told The Associated Press falls into the sea.

Biden, however, is continuing to suspend funding to the U.N. agency specifically tasked with aiding Palestinians, after Israel accused 12 of the groups thousands of workers of participating in the Oct. 7 attack. Some countries who suspended funding with the U.S. have since resumed their contributions to UNRWA, which has agreed to outside audits, to help combat the hunger crisis.

Avril Benoit, the executive director of the U.S. arm of Doctors Without Borders, released a statement criticizing the presidents temporary seaport plan as a glaring distraction from the real problem: Israels indiscriminate and disproportionate military campaign and punishing siege.

The food, water and medical supplies so desperately needed by people in Gaza are sitting just across the border. Israel needs to facilitate rather than block the flow of supplies, Benoit continued. This is not a logistics problem; it is a political problem.
President Biden on Saturday said that the U.S. doesnt have a "red line" with Israel over its actions in the war with Hamas that would leave the Middle Eastern country unprotected.

"I am never going to leave Israel," the president told MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart in a wide-ranging interview. "The defense of Israel is still critical. Theres no red line [where] Im going to cut off all weapons, so they dont have the Iron Dome to protect them."

Biden was clarifying a hot mic comment from Thursday night after delivering the State of the Union address in which he was caught saying he planned a "come-to-Jesus" talk with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his handling of the war.

BIDEN SAYS HE REGRETS USING ILLEGAL TO DESCRIBE LAKEN RILEY MURDER SUSPECT DURING STATE OF THE UNION

President Biden said he thinks Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "hurting Israel more than he's helping," in the Gaza war but vowed the U.S. would never stop supporting the country.

"He has a right to defend Israel, a right to continue to pursue Hamas, but he must, he must, he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken," Biden told Capehart.

He said in "his view" that Netanyahu is "hurting Israel more than hes helping Israel  Its contrary to what he stands for. I think its a big mistake so I want to see a ceasefire."

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The president added that he was aiming for a "major, major" exchange of hostages over a six-week period heading into the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which starts Monday.

That appears increasingly unlikely as Hamas has balked at a deal pushed by the U.S. and its allies that would have seen fighting paused along with the release of additional hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza.

BIDEN UNDER FIRE FOR MIDDLE EAST POLICY; CRITICS CHARGE HE'S PREVENTING ISRAEL FROM WINNING

The president added, however, there would be "red lines that if he crosses  you cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead."

He said theres "other ways to deal with the trauma caused by Hamas" while avoiding civilian casualties. He said he told the Israeli war cabinet to not make the same mistake the U.S. did decades ago when it went into Iraq and Afghanistan on the hunt for Osama bin Laden after 9/11.

"It wasnt necessary, and it just caused more problems than it erased."

He added that the U.S. plans to do "everything it can" to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza for civilians suffering in the war.

Biden has for months warned that Israel risks losing international support over mounting civilian casualties in the region.

The president also said he "understands" Pro-Palestinian Democrats who protest voted "uncommitted" against him in some Democratic primary states over his support of Israel.

"I dont blame them for being upset. Their familys there, there are people who are dying. They want something done about it, and theyre saying, Joe, do something, do something."

He continued, "I can fully understand, cant you? You have a family member there or come from a family that is still isolated there and maybe victimized. Its understandable they feel that way and thats why Im doing everything I can to try to stop it."





Original article source: Biden says US has no red line on Israel in Hamas war where they dont have the Iron Dome to protect them
(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump clashed with dueling campaign visits to the same state for the second time this year, making their pitches in battleground Georgia.

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The Saturday visits to Atlanta and Rome  in a state that Biden narrowly won in their 2020 presidential matchup  follow the previous weeks split-screen visits to Texas border towns where the two clashed on immigration.

While Trump has targeted those border issues and economic malaise on the campaign trail, Biden has sought to reassure voters that his policies have revived the post-pandemic economy and that Trump would be a threat to democracy at home and abroad.

When he says he wants to be a dictator, I believe him, Biden said in a campaign speech in Atlanta alongside first lady Jill Biden, referring to Trumps remark last year that he wants to be a dictator for one day if he returns to the White House.

As an example of Trumps affinities, Biden cited this weeks visit to Mar-a-Lago by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. This aint your fathers Republican Party, Biden said. These guys are different.

Georgia provided a fitting backdrop for the showdown, ending a week that saw Trump cement his status as the presumptive Republican nominee in the wake of Super Tuesday primary results, and just after Bidens State of the Union speech that made a sweeping case for a second term.

Trump, overlapping with Biden at a rally in Rome about an hours drive from Atlanta, derided the presidents speech to Congress on Thursday as an angry, dark, hate-filled rant and called the president himself a threat to democracy.

Trumps trip took him to the district of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who confronted Biden during his speech about the killing of a Georgia nursing student allegedly by a Venezuelan migrant.

Biden said Saturday he regrets describing the suspect as an illegal immigrant in his riposte to Greene during the speech. Undocumented. An undocumented person, he said in an interview with MSNBC. And I shouldnt have used illegal.

Democrats won big in Georgia in the last presidential cycle, with Bidens victory marking the first time since 1992 that the state went blue, while Republicans also lost two close Senate races that helped hand control of the chamber to Democrats. Recent polling by Bloomberg News and Morning Consult shows Biden lagging Trump by about 6 points in the state  in line with the RealClearPolitics polling average.

Both candidates are pushing to win over minority voters, who could easily swing the results in hard-fought battlegrounds like Georgia. On Saturday, Bidens campaign announced endorsements from The Collective, a political action committee for Black interests, the AAPI Victory Fund and the Latino Victory Fund.

Black voters were crucial to Bidens victory in 2020, including a South Carolina Democratic primary that revived his flailing bid for nomination. But his reelection effort is imperiled by lukewarm support among Black voters, as economic sentiments have weighed on their enthusiasm.

When asked about the two likely major candidates in Novembers presidential election, in the Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll, majorities of Black voters, young voters and women labeled Biden too old.

Our campaign will continue to build and expand our efforts to reach the key communities we need to win in November, Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement.

Trump has sought to capitalize on Bidens disapproval among diverse voting blocs like Black and Latino voters in hopes of chipping away at the incumbent presidents support.

On Saturday, Trump cited a $255 million annual funding commitment for historically Black colleges and universities during his presidency, as well as criminal justice reform.

--With assistance from Akayla Gardner.

(Updates with Trump comment on HBCUs in last paragraph.)

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President Biden and former President Trump held dueling campaign events in Georgia on Saturday, effectively kicking off a lengthy general election campaign in what is expected to be a hotly contested battleground state.

The two men traded fierce barbs at events that took place less than an hour away from one another, with Biden hammering Trump as a wannabe dictator and Trump pummeling Biden over his handling of the southern border.

The simultaneous trips to Georgia came on the heels of Bidens State of the Union, during which he drew repeated contrasts with Trump in a fiery speech that drew plaudits from Democrats, and days after Trumps last remaining GOP primary rival dropped out and cleared his path to the nomination.

Biden touts endorsements in Atlanta

Biden rallied supporters in Atlanta, where he rattled off a series of accomplishments during his first three years in office and warned of the dangers to democracy if Trump wins in November.

Trump and I have a very different value set, if it isnt obvious already, Biden told supporters.

Mine is based on core values that have defined America, and the rest of the world looks at us that way. Decency, honesty, fairness and equality, he continued. But we all know Donald Trump sees a different America. An American story of resentment, revenge and retribution. Thats not me. Thats not you.

Biden hit Trump for boasting about overturning Roe v. Wade, for adding to the federal deficit, for signing a tax cut that slashed rates for corporations and for saying immigrants were poisoning the blood of the country.

No one should ever doubt where my heart is, Biden said.

The president touted the diversity of his Cabinet and the appointment of the first Black woman Supreme Court justice. He also boasted about efforts to lower prescription drug prices for Medicare users and highlighted efforts to forgive student loan debt.

Ahead of Saturdays event, a trio of political groups focused on mobilizing minority voters that endorsed the presidents reelection bid and committed. The Collective PAC, Latino Victory Fund and AAPI Victory Fund announced they would spend $30 million on voter outreach and mobilization leading up to November, touting how the Biden administration had invested in minority communities.

The trip to Georgia is part of a planned campaign blitz from the Biden campaign in which the president and vice president will visit every battleground state during March. Over the next several days, Biden will campaign in New Hampshire, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Trump emphasizes immigration

For Trump, the Georgia rally was a chance to drill down on immigration and border security, which has been the former presidents signature issue dating back to his 2016 White House run.

The former president, speaking in Rome, Ga., located in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes (R-Ga.) congressional district, reportedly met with the parents of Laken Riley, a University of Georgia student who was killed last month.

The alleged killer is a Venezuelan migrant who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022. Some supporters on Saturday held signs with Rileys picture that said: Say Her Name.

Trump spoke at length about the border and about Riley, and he slammed Biden for mispronouncing her name when he spoke about her death during Thursdays State of the Union.

Joe Biden has no remorse, no regret, no empathy, no compassion, and worst of all, he has no intention of stopping the deadly invasion that stole precious Lakens beautiful American life, Trump said.

What Joe Biden has done on our border is a crime against humanity, and the people of this nation, for which he will never be forgiven, he added.

Trump has made border security and immigration central to his campaign stops in recent weeks as polling shows it climbing the list of voter concerns. He has used Rileys killing to raise concerns about migrant crime, and he claimed Biden Saturday maliciously eviscerated the borders of the United States and set loose thousands of dangerous criminals into our country.

Biden has blamed Trump for torpedoing a bipartisan Senate border security bill that would have provided additional resources at the border and restricted certain asylum claims. The bill was authored by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). Trump discouraged GOP lawmakers from supporting the bill, indicating it would be bad politically.

Georgia set to play key role

Biden won Georgia in 2020 by a margin of roughly 12,000 votes, and Democratic victories in Senate races in the state helped the party win and later retain control of the Senate.

But polling shows Biden has an uphill battle in the state with just under eight months left until Election Day.

A Decision Desk HQ average of polls from Georgia shows Trump leading Biden by roughly 7 percentage points in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup. The Biden campaign has argued polling overestimates Trumps strength, however, and that more voters will rally behind the president as the threat of a second Trump term crystalizes.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Trump and Biden campaigns have a delicate task ahead in courting socially conservative Latino Catholics, a group thats ideologically opposed to core tenets of either presidential pitch.

Both platforms are rooted in stances that directly violate Catholic teachings.

Former President Trumps rhetoric on immigrants and plans to curb the influx of migrants at the southern border are anathema to Catholic beliefs on human dignity, while Bidens progressive-friendly stance on abortion access directly contradicts the Churchs stance on life beginning at conception.

Latino Catholics, and I would just say Catholics obviously, have a very difficult dilemma, said Peter Casarella, a professor at the Duke Divinity School. I think Catholics in general and Latino Catholics in particular maybe never had a party, and certainly now in these more polemical and polarized times, find themselves between a rock and a hard place in terms of where to go to find a political home.

Both campaigns are trying to appeal to Latino voters by contrasting the choice between them and their rival.

President Bidens campaign is hopeful that it can make the case that Democrats are protecting Americans against the consequences of strict abortion bans and that it can recreate the 2022 midterms, when Democrats experienced better-than-expected results just months after Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Abortion was a top priority that mobilized Latinos ahead the 2022 midterm election, and it will be again this November. The startling fact is that more than 6 million Latinas in 26 states live everyday with the horrific consequences of abortion bans caused by Donald Trump, said Maca Casado, the Biden campaigns Hispanic media director.

Election after election, Latinos choose candidates who want to make their lives better, not worse. The split screen between Joe Bidens historic agenda for Latinos and their families, and Donald Trumps efforts to rip away our rights will be on full display this November, Casado added.

The former president, meanwhile, is seeking to drive a wedge between Biden, the countrys second-ever Catholic president, and the Church faithful, repeating claims that the administration is persecuting Christians in general, and specifically Catholics.

If you put me back in the White House, their reign will be over, and America will be a free nation once again. Were not a free nation right now, Trump said in December.

I mean, youre looking at school boards where theyre going after the parents, where theyre going after Catholics in particular, theyre going afterhow can a Catholic vote for this group of people or Democrats? Theyre going  I dont know what it is with Catholics, they are going violently and viciously after Catholics. Theyre going after Christians but theyre really going after Catholics at a level that nobody quite understands, he added.

Trumps broad claims of Catholic persecution stem largely from two incidents involving the FBI and conservative Catholic advocates. In one case, pro-life Catholic activist Mark Houck was arrested in an FBI raid at his house, charged with violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, and later acquitted.

Houck, who is primarying Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), was charged over two 2021 altercations outside a Philadelphia abortion clinic with Bruce Love, a man who was attempting to escort women into the clinic.

The other incident comes from a House Judiciary Committee report from December, which centered on an FBI Richmond field office memo warning about the potential of extremist activities by radical-traditionalist Catholics.

The memo, later withdrawn by FBI Director Christopher Wray, set off a political firestorm that culminated in the House Judiciary report and a heated back-and-forth with Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who accused Wray of mobilizing the FBI against traditionalist Catholics.

Trump is molding his appeal to Catholics around that idea of religious persecution and extending the same pitch to other Christian denominations.

What theyre doing to Catholics, I dont know whats going on with the Catholics, but theyre really being persecuted, Trump said in December.

Why would you vote for Biden and why would you vote for the Democrat? A new report from the House Judiciary Committee proves that the Biden FBI actually targeted Catholics as potential domestic terrorists. Do you believe this? And you know, evangelicals will not be far behind because when that starts, it starts happening on a very major scale.

Trump isnt focusing on a proactive case about how his campaign promises fit Catholic teachings, which are in practice subject to interpretation by individuals.

According to the Pew Research Center, self-reported church attendance by Latino Catholics rebounded after the pandemic, though only 32 percent of Hispanic Catholics reported attending services at least monthly in November 2022.

Rev. Thomas Gaunt, executive director of the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, a Georgetown University-affiliated group that conducts Church-related social science research, told The Hill that regular mass attendance is closely related to knowledge and understanding of the Churchs teachings.

Weekly attendees are aware of what the Church teaches, whereas in the other group, the difference in knowledge is greater, said Gaunt.

Since many Catholics either dont know or reinterpret the Churchs teachings, individual voters can filter political appeals through a religious lens, but that lens may not fit official Catholic dogma.

Among Catholics who know, understand and accept the Churchs tenets, their beliefs are a poor fit for official party platforms.

What ends up highlighted is there is no political party that fits the Catholic agenda, said Gaunt.

The message that Democrats in 2022 conveyed to Latino voters, who may be more socially conservative and Catholic, is that the government shouldnt be involved in a decision that should be made by a woman, her husband, her doctor and maybe a priest, a Biden campaign official outlined.

The campaign official has found, when talking to socially conservative Latino voters, that the exception piece of abortion laws in the states have been particularly important to them. The fact that incest and rape exceptions arent always present has turned them towards Democrats.

The presidents stance on in vitro fertilization (IVF) also directly contradicts the Church, which considers it to be immoral.

After the Alabama Supreme Courts ruling the embryos should be considered children, Biden was asked about the churchs position and said he doesnt agree with it. In his State of the Union address on Thursday, he called on Congress to guarantee the right to IVF nationwide.

The Biden campaign official said that they have found that the issue of preserving IVF is important to socially conservative Latino voters because they tend to be very family-oriented, and the idea of keeping families away from the opportunity to grow is concerning to them.

Biden has faced increased scrutiny from conservative Catholic bishops in the U.S. over his stance on abortion access, with some supporting an effort to deny him communion that largely fell flat. Pope Francis told Biden in a conversation in 2021 that he should keep receiving communion.

But, while some Catholic Latinos may struggle with Bidens stances on reproductive rights, Trumps stances on migration go too far for them.

Trumps immigration pitch has flowed straightforward from the launch of his political career, the infamous 2015 golden escalator speech where he generalized Mexicans as rapists and murderers who bring crime.

That base ideology has been built up by alliances with immigration restrictionists, such as former White House adviser Stephen Miller, who, since 2015, have become a core component of Trumps political world.

And Trump has not been shy to use rhetoric deemed dehumanizing by immigrant advocates  and generally frowned upon by Catholic doctrine  or to politicize individual criminal actions such as the slaying of Georgia college student Laken Riley in an effort to demonize broad groups of immigrants.

While Biden has tacked to the center on immigration, he has generally been careful to avoid anti-immigrant rhetoric.

But at his State of the Union, Biden called Rileys alleged killer an illegal in response to heckling from Rep. Marjorie Greene (R-Ga.).

Bidens use of the term drew pushback from immigrant advocates and some Democrats, dismayed that Trumps language  though prompted by Greene  made it into Bidens vocabulary.

As a proud immigrant, I was beyond disappointed to hear the President use the word illegal in his speech. Beyond this, the President missed an opportunity to unite our country on immigration. He did not lay out a plan that addresses the root causes of what brings people to our border or ensures immigrants are treated with dignity and respect in our communities, Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.) said in his response to Bidens speech.

Biden-Harris 2024 co-chair Mitch Landrieu on Friday dismissed Bidens use of the term as a small mistake that should be understood in the larger context of his empathy with Rileys family.

Yet Bidens slip highlights how Trump has successfully set the agenda on immigration over the past decade, in part by re-normalizing language that had all but disappeared from mainstream politics.

The language on immigration has just gotten out of control, Casarella said. And when former President Trump talks about poison in the blood, and these foreigners are bad people, I dont see how Latinos can abstract themselves from that kind of conversation as if they werent involved in it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Georgia was long reliably Republican but has become more competitive, although recent polls show Donald Trump holding an edge there over Joe Biden (John LAMPARSKI)

US President Joe Biden and presumptive White House challenger Donald Trump traded barbs Saturday on the key topics of age and immigration, as they targeted the battleground state of Georgia.

Biden, hoping to ride the momentum from a feisty State of the Union speech on Thursday, went to the state's capital of Atlanta to mobilize Black and Hispanic voters.

He once again attacked his Republican predecessor, who has vowed to be a "dictator" for one day.

"When he says he wants to be a dictator, I believe him," Biden told a rally, highlighting US economic strength while promising action to cut costs in areas such as housing, health and education.

In an interview with MSNBC aired Saturday night, Biden said he regretted using the term "an illegal" when referring to the killer of a nursing student last month in Georgia.

"I shouldn't have used 'illegal,' it's 'undocumented,'" said Biden, who has been criticized by progressives and members of his own party for using terminology more commonly employed by Republicans.

Trump, who is pledging a crackdown on illegal immigration as a key plank of his campaign, talked at length during his rally Saturday about the slain student.

"Laken Riley would be alive today if Joe Biden had not willfully and maliciously eviscerated the borders of the United States," he told a crowd of supporters in Georgia's Republican-leaning northwestern corner.

He slammed Biden for backtracking on his use of the word "illegal" to describe the Venezuelan suspect in the crime, saying, "Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer."

At his rally, Trump also pretended to be a stuttering Biden, mocking his 81-year-old opponent.

Biden's campaign launched a TV ad Saturday in which the president directly addresses his advanced age, a major concern among voters.

"Look, I'm not a young guy. That's no secret. But here is the deal. I understand how to get things done for the American people," he says in the spot.

Trump's team quickly responded with a video message that starts with Biden's statement, followed by clips of the president stumbling, falling or looking confused.

Georgia was so closely divided in the 2020 election -- carried by Biden by fewer than 12,000 votes -- that Trump infamously phoned a top state official to ask him to "find" a few thousand extra votes.

Among his many legal woes, Trump faces criminal charges in Georgia of working to overturn the state's election results.

The twin appearances in Georgia come days after Trump nearly swept the key Super Tuesday primaries, forcing out his last Republican rival, Nikki Haley.

Biden dominated in his own party's nominating contests. He and Vice President Kamala Harris plan to visit all the battleground states in coming weeks, his campaign said.

Georgia was long reliably Republican but has become more competitive.

Recent polls show Trump holding an edge there -- as they do in most of the swing states that may determine the outcome of the November election.

Biden's campaign announced a $30 million "buy" of television commercials in the closely divided states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina.

aue/bbk/md/acb/bfm
Joe Biden walked back his use of the term "illegal" when describing an undocumented migrant and doubled-down on his belief that the Supreme Court was wrong in its 2022 abortion access ruling during a recent interview.

Mr Biden sat down with MSNBC's "The Sunday Show" for a rare, wide-ranging interview just days after he gave the State of the Union address.

He refused to back down on his belief that the Supreme Court fumbled its 2022 Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health ruling.

I think [the Supreme Court] made a wrong decision. I think they read the Constitution wrong. I think they made a mistake, Mr Biden said.

Mr Biden said he found the Supreme Court's observation that women can vote to change the laws in their individual states if they want access to abortion services to be "insulting" and referenced it during his speech.

They used the phrase that women can vote making change, if they want to, Mr Biden said. I found that somewhat insulting, the idea that they dont think [women] can. Women are speaking now. They spoke out in 2022. They spoke out in 2024  2020. This is whats going to happen. And I was just making clear, women speak up. This is going to change.

President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol, on March 7, 2024 (AP)

During his State of the Union address, Mr Biden told the Justices that "with all due respect, justices ... you're about to realize just how much you got right [about women's ability to make change through voting]."

The president took a lashing of his own after he referred to an undocumented migrant as an "illegal" during the address. He told MSNBC that he regretted using that term.

An undocumented person. And I shouldnt have used illegal. Its undocumented, Mr Biden said when asked about his use of the term.

NEW: President Biden tells @CapehartJ that he regrets using the word "illegal" during his State of the Union speech to refer to the alleged killer of Laken Riley.



I shouldn't have used 'illegal.' It's undocumented."



Tune in at 6pm ET on MSNBC for the full interview. pic.twitter.com/EX7XuyhF1N  MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 9, 2024

When asked directly if he regretted using "illegal," Mr Biden said "yes."

The president was referring to Jos Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan who has previously been arrested by federal officers after crossing into the US. He has been charged with killing Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student.

Ms Riley's death has been weaponised by the GOP  in particular Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene  who was decked out in pins and a shirt ostensibly memorialising the student. The right is using her death as a way to stoke fears about migrants in order to push their immigration agenda.

Marjorie Taylor Greene at the State of the Union 2024 (AP)

During Mr Trump's rally in Georgia, Ms Greene pointed out that "even Joe Biden" was forced to "tell the truth" and use the word "illegal" to describe Mr Ibarra.

Mr Biden insisted during his interview that he does not share Mr Trump's view that undocumented migrants are "vermin" and are "polluting the blood" of the nation.

I dont share [Trumps] view at all, he said, noting that immigrants "built the country" and "are the reason our economy is growing."

He also said the US needed to control its border and ensure that there was a "more orderly flow" of migrants into the country.

Elsewhere in the interview, Mr Biden was asked if he had a "red line" when it came to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Host Jonathan Capehart asked if an invasion of Rafah  where millions of Palestinians are sheltering after being driven from their homes by the IDF  would be a red line for him.

It is a red line," Mr Biden said, adding, But Im never gonna leave Israel. The defense of Israel is still critical.
Joe Biden speaks at a campaign event in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday. He has expressed willingness to return to Israel - Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images

President Joe Biden has said he believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hurting Israel more than helping Israel in how he is approaching its war against Hamas in Gaza.

The US leader expressed support for Israels right to pursue Hamas after the October 7 attack, but said of Mr Netanyahu that he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken.

Mr Biden has for months warned that Israel risks losing international support over mounting civilian casualties in Gaza, and the latest remarks in an interview with MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart on Saturday pointed to the increasingly strained relationship between the two leaders.

Mr Biden said of the death toll in Gaza, Its contrary to what Israel stands for. And I think its a big mistake.

Mr Biden said a potential Israeli invasion of the Gaza city of Rafah, where more than 1.3 million Palestinians are sheltering, is a red line for him, but said he would not cut off weapons like the Iron Dome missile interceptors which protect the Israeli civilian populace from rocket attacks in the region.

It is a red line, he said, when asked about Rafah, but Im never going to leave Israel. The defence of Israel is still critical, so theres no red line Im going to cut off all weapons so they dont have the Iron Dome to protect them.

Joe Biden meets Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv last October - Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Mr Biden said he was willing to make his case directly to the Israeli Knesset, its parliament, including by making another trip to the country. He travelled to Israel weeks after the October 7 attack. He declined to elaborate on how or whether such a trip might happen.

The president had hoped to secure a temporary ceasefire before Ramadan begins this week, though that appears increasingly unlikely as Hamas has balked at a deal pushed by the US and its allies.

That deal would have seen fighting pause for about six weeks, the release of additional hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Mr Biden noted CIA director Bill Burns was in the region trying to resurrect the deal.

USAV General Frank S. Besson at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, before leaving for the Middle East on a mission of humanitarian aid - US Centcom/Via Reuters

The US Army Vessel General Frank S. Besson has left a base in Virgnia for the eastern Mediterranean to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea.

Besson, a logistics support vessel, departed less than 36 hours after President Biden announced the US would provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza by sea, the US Central Command said in a statement early on Sunday.

It was carrying the first equipment to establish a temporary pier to deliver vital humanitarian supplies.

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Deutsche Telekom AG (ETR:DTE) has announced that it will be increasing its dividend from last year's comparable payment on the 15th of April to 0.77. The payment will take the dividend yield to 3.5%, which is in line with the average for the industry.

View our latest analysis for Deutsche Telekom

Deutsche Telekom's Payment Has Solid Earnings Coverage

We aren't too impressed by dividend yields unless they can be sustained over time. Before this announcement, Deutsche Telekom was paying out 94% of earnings, but a comparatively small 20% of free cash flows. This leaves plenty of cash for reinvestment into the business.

Over the next year, EPS is forecast to expand by 165.9%. Under the assumption that the dividend will continue along recent trends, we think the payout ratio could be 36% which would be quite comfortable going to take the dividend forward.

Deutsche Telekom Has A Solid Track Record

The company has been paying a dividend for a long time, and it has been quite stable which gives us confidence in the future dividend potential. The annual payment during the last 10 years was 0.50 in 2014, and the most recent fiscal year payment was 0.77. This means that it has been growing its distributions at 4.4% per annum over that time. Although we can't deny that the dividend has been remarkably stable in the past, the growth has been pretty muted.

Dividend Growth Could Be Constrained

The company's investors will be pleased to have been receiving dividend income for some time. Deutsche Telekom has impressed us by growing EPS at 13% per year over the past five years. Past earnings growth has been decent, but unless this is one of those rare businesses that can grow without additional capital investment or marketing spend, we'd generally expect the higher payout ratio to limit its future growth prospects.

Our Thoughts On Deutsche Telekom's Dividend

Overall, it's great to see the dividend being raised and that it is still in a sustainable range. With a reasonable track record and good earnings coverage, the payments look sustainable. Taking all of this into consideration, the dividend looks viable moving forward, but investors should be mindful that the company has pushed the boundaries of sustainability in the past and may do so again.

Investors generally tend to favour companies with a consistent, stable dividend policy as opposed to those operating an irregular one. At the same time, there are other factors our readers should be conscious of before pouring capital into a stock. For example, we've picked out 3 warning signs for Deutsche Telekom that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. Looking for more high-yielding dividend ideas? Try our collection of 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.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Reproductive freedom took center stage during Bidens State of the Union address, but abortion rights advocates had mixed reactions, raising concerns about the president trying to capitalize on what will be a central campaign issue while avoiding using the word abortion.

Abortion rights have proved to be a potent issue driving voters to the polls and boosting Democrats since the U.S. Supreme Court ended a constitutional right to the procedure nearly two years ago. The issue could be pivotal in the presidential race and congressional contests this year.

During Thursdays speech, Biden deviated from his prepared remarks, skipping over the word abortion and instead using the phrases reproductive freedom or freedom to choose.

The word was used once in his prepared remarks, when he introduced Kate Cox, first lady Jill Bidens State of the Union guest and a Texas woman who was forced to flee the state for an abortion after finding out her fetus had a fatal condition. The text had Biden saying, Because Texas law banned abortion. Instead, he said Because Texas law banned her ability to act.

Its common for elected officials, especially Biden, to go off script or make in-the-moment tweaks for a host of reasons.

By not saying the word abortion, it implies that its taboo or something to be ashamed of, said Kellie Copeland, executive director of Pro-Choice Ohio. Its stigmatizing and harmful. The president should do better.

Amy Hagstrom Miller, president and CEO of Whole Womans Health, which manages abortion clinics in Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico and Virginia, said there was an uproar" across the organization as staff members texted their reactions to each other.

Abortion is what we provide and what people are being denied, she said. People dont call us for a reproductive freedom appointment. They dont ask for a bodily autonomy visit or a choice procedure. They call for abortion care, and abortion is a professional medical term for the health care we provide. Avoiding the word just shows the power of the historical stigma around abortion.

The pushback over how he addressed the issue in his State of the Union speech is the latest example of Biden's fraught history with the topic. Many in the abortion rights movement have long viewed him as an imperfect messenger.

Biden initially opposed the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, saying it went too far. He also opposed federal funding f or abortions and supported restrictions on abortions later in pregnancy.

The Biden campaign's strategy is to let the president be who he is  an 81-year-old Catholic man whose views on the issue have evolved and who still doesnt use the word abortion much. His aides also want to highlight his evolution on the issue and how he still grapples with what can be an uncomfortable topic but believes firmly in the freedom of choice.

Donald Trump on the other hand has repeatedly used disgusting and derogatory language when referring to women, and he will institute a national abortion ban," said Lauren Hitt, spokesperson for the Biden campaign. "The choice in this election is incredibly clear."

Trump has taken credit for appointing three Supreme Court justices who made overturning Roe v. Wade possible.

Biden's aides believe they can reach a broader swath of voters by framing the issue around reproductive freedom, as the fallout from the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has moved beyond access to abortion and into areas such as IVF and birth control.

The strategy might appeal to some voters but alienate others, said Sophia Jordan Wallace, a political science professor at the University of Washington.

The question is if people sincerely believe that this framing is because hes thinking about abortion plus other issues or whether hes using that framing to avoid saying the word abortion due to discomfort, she said,. She added that Biden could be more explicit about how his perspective on abortion has changed, something many voters may be able to relate to.

Thats a story they can tell, she said.

Polling has found that Americans broadly support abortion rights, and voters in seven states have either affirmed the right or defeated attempts to weaken it since the Supreme Court ruling. An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll conducted in June 2023 found that about two-thirds (64%) of U.S. adults think abortion should be legal in at least some circumstances. Another survey conducted later that year also found that 60% of U.S. adults think the outcome of the 2024 election will be very important for abortion policy.

Many advocates say they want to see Biden offer more full-throated support for abortion rights in particular and have said they sense discomfort in his approach to speaking on the topic.

Abortion could very well be the issue that the election hinges on, Nourbese Flint, president of the national abortion justice group All(asterisk) Above All Action Fund. "If President Biden wants to speak to the American electorate, whatever their faith, he should use his bully pulpit to be bold on abortion access.

The State of the Union address was the latest showcase of Biden's complicated relationship with the topic.

He told The New Yorker last week: Ive never been supportive of, you know, Its my body, I can do what I want with it.

Last month in New York, Biden referred to himself as a practicing Catholic before saying, I dont want abortion on demand, but I thought Roe v. Wade had it right. He used similar words on the 51st anniversary of that court decision.

And during a Maryland fundraiser last year for his reelection campaign, he said: Im a practicing Catholic. Im not big on abortion. But guess what? Roe v. Wade got it right.

Advocates also have criticized Bidens use of the phrase abortion on demand, which they say was once an abortion rights rallying cry that was co-opted by the anti-abortion movement.

Those comments around abortion on demand are tied to stigma around abortion, said Dr. Jamila Perritt, president and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health.

Still, she said, We need to make clear that we are much better off under that leadership than under those who want to ban abortion outright.

Biden has repeatedly called on Congress to restore Roe v. Wade protections, and his administration has made several moves to improve reproductive health care access. That includes defending the FDA's approval of the abortion drug mifepristone and supporting the agency in allowing pharmacies to get certified to dispense the drug.

Federal agencies under his administration also have improved abortion access for veterans and service members, issued guidance reminding abortion providers of their federal protections when performing abortions during medical emergencies, and filed lawsuits to defend the right to travel to another state for abortion care.

Biden has been endorsed by major abortion rights organizations, including Planned Parenthood and Reproductive Freedom for All, whose CEO, Mini Timmaraju, praised Biden for speaking "powerfully about the harms of abortion bans and attacks on IVF in his State of the Union remarks.

Biden used part of his address to thank Vice President Kamala Harris, who has embarked on a multistate reproductive freedom tour.

Jennifer Driver, senior director of reproductive rights at State Innovation Exchange, called Harris a champion for abortion rights," but said, We also need the president to be vocal on this issue.

___

Associated Press writers Colleen Long and Linley Sanders 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.
Attorneys representing one Alabama woman shared a video showing her arrest by a cop who took her into custody for failing to identify herself at her own home.

According to Twyla Stallworths lawyers, she was arrested on Feb. 23, 2024, in Andalusia, Alabama, following a dispute over a noise complaint.

Stallworth, a Black woman, tried to call the police that day to report her neighbor, who is white, for playing loud music in her neighborhood. After receiving no response, she set off her car alarm to get her neighbors attention. That neighbor ended up calling 911 to report the noise from the alarm. Police responded to the neighbors call and one officer arrived at Stallworths home to confront her.

Attorneys for Twyla Stallworth say a cop shoved and forcefully cuffed her after she refused to show him her ID during an encounter on Feb. 23, 2024, in Andalusia, Alabama (Photos: YouTube/Wuleka Communications)

Stallworths legal team said Andalusia Officer Grant Barton arrived at her home and threatened to cite and arrest Stallworth for the car alarm, but he refused to address Stallworths noise complaints directed at her neighbor.

After Stallworth told Barton that his treatment was racially motivated, Barton began asking for her identification, according to her attorneys. Stallworths son began recording a cellphone video of the encounter at this point, and Stallworth is heard on the video refusing Bartons request to show her ID.

Alabama Code 15-5-30 states that police may stop any person in a public place if police have reasonable suspicion that that person is committing, has committed or is about to commit a crime and may demand that persons name, address, and an explanation of his or her actions.

Stallworth was at her home, not in a public place. Regardless, Barton takes out his handcuffs to arrest her when she refuses to show her ID.

The video shows Barton and Stallworth talking on Stallworths porch. When Stallworth says shes going back into her home to put on her shoes in preparation for the arrest, Barton suddenly grabs Stallworth, shoves her son out of the way, and storms into Stallworths home.

Stallworth was unarmed and showed no aggression or signs of threatening behavior toward Barton.

After Barton storms into the home, Stallworth begins yelling at him for pushing her son, then repeatedly asks him why he needs her ID.

Barton doesnt answer her. Instead, he shoves her on the couch and forcefully cuffs her. Stallworths son is heard in the video asking everyone to calm down in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.

As Barton walks Stallworth out of her home, her son follows behind and is heard asking Barton why he placed Stallworth under arrest.

Right now, shes under arrest for failure to identify, Barton answers.

Her son asks Barton for confirmation of the law hes enforcing and after Barton places Stallworth in the car, Barton appears to Google the statute.

Stallworths son reads part of the statute aloud and tells Barton that it doesnt specifically say anything about official identification. Barton responds, I know, but Im not going to argue with you.

According to her lawyers, Stallworth was jailed for up to 15 hours and charged with obstruction, resisting arrest, and attempting to elude.

Never mind that Officer Barton needlessly escalated the situation, forcefully entered Ms. Stallworths home, and physically assaulted her over a noise complaint. Nevermind that he arrested her for exercising her constitutional rights and nevermind that he misquoted a law that doesnt require a woman in her own home to present an ID, attorney Harry Daniels said in a statement. Calling out racism isnt illegal. Using your badge to intimidate a 40-year-old mother is.

Stallworths case is evocative of that of Pastor Mike Jennings, who was arrested in Childersburg, Alabama, in 2022 after he failed to show his ID to police while he was watering his neighbors flowers. Jennings said he was racially profiled after his white neighbors called the police on him.

Black Alabama Woman Tried to Call Cops to Complain About Neighbors Loud Music and Ended Up Violently Arrested for Not Showing ID at Her Home
After the destruction of the patrol ship Sergey Kotov, the Russian Navy reduced the number of military vessels in occupied Crimea to a minimum, Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk said on national television on March 10.

The remaining ships "are mostly those that could not find a palace in the [Russian Black Sea] bases of Novorossiysk, Sochi, and Tuapse, he said.

No enemy ships have been present in the Black Sea for six days, except for the small missile ship Cyclone.

Read also: Seven sailors killed, at least 27 others injured on sunken Russian patrol ship Sergey Kotov  HUR

"It is supposed to be a carrier of cruise missiles, but it is used to cover air defense. By the way, this is a ship that has never been able to launch a missile... Less valuable and less useful assets are now all that is left [in Crimea]".

Patrol ship Sergey Kotov destruction: What is known

The $64 million USD Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship Sergey Kotov was destroyed by MAGURA V5 maritime drones on the night of March 5 in the territorial waters of Ukraine near the Kerch Strait.

Read also: Russian Black Sea naval fleet shrinking but still dangerous: over 30 ships, including submarines, active  UA Navy

The ship sustained damage to the stern, starboard and port sides in the surface drone attack.

This ship was guarding our Kerch Strait, in our territorial waters, Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said.

A helicopter might have been on board the destroyed Sergey Kotov, he said on national television on March 5, without identifying the type of helicopter. However, Ukrainian media, citing sources in the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), suggest it could have been either a Ka-29 or Ka-27.

Ukrainian forces have been regularly destroying Russian Black Sea Fleet ships since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Pletenchuk said on Feb. 15 that only five of the 13 large landing ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet remained.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
CLAYHATCHEE, Ala. (WDHN)  Two boaters were rescued from the Choctawhatchee River early Sunday morning after their boat capsized, according to the Dale County Sheriffs Office.

The two unidentified men entered the river at the Clayhatchee Boat Ramp Saturday evening, but their families said they lost contact with them a few hours later and did not return.

The Dale County Sheriffs rescue boats and WASP began their search shortly after 11:00 p.m.

Rescue teams located the two men in the water about a mile north of the Highway 92 bridge around 1:00 a.m. Sunday.

The men were loaded on the rescue boat and returned to the ramp, where they were treated for potential injuries. They were then reunited with their families.

The Dale County Sheriffs Office says the mens boat had capsized due to the river conditions and sunk, leaving them trapped in the water.

The DCSO, Clayhatchee Police, Alabama Game and Fish, and Daleville Rescue helped rescue the boaters.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
A group of Bojangles franchisees is suing the Charlotte-based chicken-and-biscuits restaurant chain over money its members have been paying into a marketing fund  and a separate account they say was kept secret for years.

Bojangles of America Franchisee Association Inc., or BFA, is Bojangles largest franchisee organization. It represents 30 franchisees who collectively own and operate more than 380 of the chains franchised restaurants throughout the United States.

READ MORE: Kyle Busch Motorsports sues Concord-based race team for breach of contract

In a lawsuit filed in the North Carolina Superior Court Division, Guilford County, BFA accuses parent company Bojangles Opco Inc. of breach of contract and unfair and deceptive trade practices. The complaint says Opco has failed to allow BFA to audit the marketing fund and an accrual account despite repeated calls for financial transparency and promises to deliver that.

See the whole story and the statement from Bojangles on CBJs website here.

(WATCH: Bojangles first ever restaurant reopens, commemorates its Charlotte history)
Boris Johnson secretly flew to Venezuela for unofficial talks last month with its leader Nicolas Maduro.

The former prime minister met him in a location outside of Caracas after he flew in on a private jet from a family holiday in the Dominican Republic.

Mr Johnson discussed the war in Ukraine following concern in western diplomatic and intelligence circles that Venezuela could supply Russia with weapons after spending less than 24 hours in the country, it was reported in the Sunday Times.

He has also set out the conditions, which would see the situation normalised with the UK, including holding free and fair presidential elections and the de-escalation of tensions with Guyana, a former British colony.

Mr Johnson has continued to support Mr Zelensky on the world stage since his departure from Downing Street.

A spokesman for Boris Johnson said: Boris Johnson met Venezuelan government officials with active support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the knowledge of the foreign secretary, in order to emphasise the need for Venezuela to embrace a proper democratic process.

He repeatedly made clear there can be no hope of normalisation in relations until Venezuela fully embraces democracy and respects the territorial integrity of its neighbours. He also set out the case for the cause of Ukrainian victory to the government of Venezuela.

Mr Maduro described the decision to send a Royal Navy patrol ship to the region last month to be an act of hostile provocation.

Mr Johnsons spokesman made clear air travel was privately funded and that neither the British nor Venezuelan governments covered the cost.

A Foreign Office source added: It was a private visit but Boris texted the Foreign Secretary on the way.

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Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson flew to Venezuela last month for a private meeting with the country's President Nicolas Maduro.

The talks were unofficial and not paid for by the UK government, the BBC has been told.

Mr Johnson's spokesman said it was to "emphasise the need for Venezuela to embrace a proper democratic process".

The Sunday Times first reported that Mr Johnson travelled there by private jet while on holiday in the Caribbean.

It is not clear who initiated or paid for the visit.

Mr Maduro has ruled Venezuela since 2013. He faced widespread protests but in 2018, won a second term in presidential elections that were widely dismissed as neither free nor fair.

The UK has an embassy in the country but no ambassador, though it does have a charge d'affaires, Colin Dick.

A spokesman for Mr Johnson told the BBC that he "repeatedly made clear there can be no hope of normalisation in relations until Venezuela fully embraces democracy and respects the territorial integrity of its neighbours".

"He also set out the case for the cause of Ukrainian victory to the government of Venezuela."

A spokesman for Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said it was a "private visit" but that Mr Johnson texted him when he was on his way.

Mr Johnson's office declined to say who paid for the private jet that flew him to Venezuela, saying: "Now that he is a private citizen we don't comment on any of those issues, only to say there was no cost to the UK taxpayer nor the Venezuelan government".

The BBC has been told that Mr Johnson received a briefing in the British Embassy residence in Caracas before his meeting, and that he then debriefed embassy officials afterwards.

The visit is unusual given the former prime minister is not a member of the government anymore, and because of the current diplomatic tensions between the UK and Venezuela.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been in power for 11 years

Venezuela's government faces strong international pressure to hold a free and fair election, to release activists and political opponents it has detained, and to de-escalate tensions with its neighbour - the former British colony Guyana.

Venezuela held a referendum last year in which it claimed sovereignty over the oil and resource-rich Essequibo region that makes up about two-thirds of Guyana, a claim that Guyana disputes.

The UK sent a warship to Guyana in response to show military and diplomatic support for the country. Mr Maduro called it an "act of hostile provocation".

Venezuela has announced it will hold presidential elections on 28 July where the incumbent president is expected to stand. The UK, along with the US, the EU and Canada all want to see a restoration of democracy.

A deal was reached last year with the opposition to allow a free and fair election to take place, with international observers present, but since then a ban against the opposition leader has been upheld.

This led to the US reimposing some of its economic sanctions on the country.

Last year, Mr Johnson, who had left his post in Downing Street in September 2022, made an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mr Johnson then stepped down as MP in June 2023 after facing some criticism over how many parliamentary votes he was missing because he was making frequent trips abroad.

Then in November 2023, he was pictured alongside former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Israel where they met the country's president, four weeks after Hamas's attacks on Israel on 7 October.

He returned to Kyiv last month after his Caribbean holiday to meet Mr Zelensky on the second anniversary of the Russian invasion.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has held a secret meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas.

Source: Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne, citing British newspaper The Sunday Times with reference to its sources

Details: The parties discussed the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Johnson arrived in Caracas from the Dominican Republic, where he was on holiday with his family, by private jet. In total, he stayed in Venezuela for less than 24 hours.

Sources say that the former prime minister discussed Russia's invasion of Ukraine with Maduro as well as information about possible arms and other military equipment being shipped from Venezuela to Russia.

He also discussed the conditions for normalising relations with the UK, which does not recognise the legitimacy of the Maduro administration.

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Police are appealing for information following the collision in Sheffield

A 15-year-old boy is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after being hit by a car, police said.

Emergency services were called to Ridgeway Road, Sheffield, at around 17:45 GMT on Saturday, following a collision between a white Toyota Aygo and a pedestrian.

South Yorkshire Police said the pedestrian, a boy aged 15, suffered life-threatening injuries.

The Toyota driver remained at the scene and is assisting officers, it added.

South Yorkshire Police is appealing for anyone with information about the collision, which happened opposite the Asda supermarket, to come forward.

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.
Lifeguards could disappear from some of Brevard County's busiest beaches unless the county and three beachside cities come to an agreement on who should pay for the guards.

Brevard County commissioners are backing a plan to stop providing lifeguard coverage to six beaches in Cocoa Beach, Indialantic and Melbourne Beach, unless the municipalities chip in 50% of the cost.

The municipalities thus far have declined to do so. Under the plan introduced by Commissioner John Tobia and unanimously approved during a Feb. 29 County Commission budget workshop, county lifeguard coverage could end at those city-maintained beach parks on Oct. 1, the start of the county's new budget year, unless the municipalities change their minds by July 1.

This comes in the wake of Brevard County expanding its lifeguard coverage in the current budget year, partly in reaction to 14 drownings that occurred along Space Coast beaches. Generally, drownings occurred either when lifeguards were not on duty or when there is no lifeguard coverage at all.

Tobia's proposal was not listed on the County Commission budget workshop agenda, and officials of the municipalities did not make comments during the meeting. In addition, some residents attending the workshop who wanted to address the issue did not have an opportunity to speak on it until the public comment period at the end of the nearly 3-hour workshop  after the commission vote already had taken place.

Lifeguards work in the Cocoa Beach Pier area, where there is one year-round lifeguard tower and one seasonal tower.

Previous funding plan: Brevard to expand ocean lifeguard coverage using tourist tax revenue

But the move wasn't a total surprise. In May 2023, commissioners asked County Manager Frank Abbate to contact the municipalities to see if the beachside cities and towns would agree to pay half the cost of lifeguard protection at their beaches.

Tobia said he felt the county made it clear that, without such an agreement, the county no longer would provide these services, which had been primarily at the county's expense. He said the commission's vote at the budget workshop gave Abbate and other county staff direction in how to prepare the 2024-25 budget for lifeguards if the cities and towns don't change their minds about splitting the cost 50-50.

Other provisions of Tobia's plan

Among other twists in Tobia's proposal:

Up to $500,000 of the potential savings  from either the municipalities paying part of the lifeguard cost or the county not providing lifeguards for the municipalities at all  would be used to help pay for upgrades to the Florida Department of Health's complex in Viera so it could expand its clinic space and shift office space. Although a state agency, the Department of Health's Viera operation is housed in a county-owned building, and the county does provide the agency some funding.

County funding for the lifeguard program in the 2024-25 budget year would come only from the county's general fund. In the current 2023-24 budget year, some of the funding for lifeguards and the promotion of lifeguard-protected beaches was allocated from revenue generated by the county's 5% tourist development tax on hotel rooms, vacation rentals and other short-term rentals.

If the municipalities decline to pay half the cost, the county would continue to provide and pay for lifeguards in county-maintained beach parks within city limits, such as Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach. But it would not provide lifeguards for city-maintained parks in city limits, such as the area near the Cocoa Beach Pier and Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach.

What beaches are affected

In all, six beach areas fall into the latter category of potentially losing lifeguard coverage. They are:

Cocoa Beach Pier in Cocoa Beach, which currently has one year-round and one seasonal lifeguard tower.

The end of Minutemen Causeway in Cocoa Beach, which currently has one year-round lifeguard tower.

Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach, which currently has one year-round and two seasonal lifeguard towers.

Tulip Avenue in Cocoa Beach, which currently has one seasonal lifeguard tower.

Boardwalk in Indialantic, which currently has one year-round and one seasonal lifeguard tower.

Ocean Avenue in Melbourne Beach, which currently has two seasonal lifeguard towers.

The annual cost of operating one full-time tower is $333,543, and the cost of one seasonal tower is $127,934.

Under Tobia's proposal, with the current level of lifeguard coverage, Cocoa Beach is being asked to pay $756,182 for the 2024-25 period, with Indialantic being asked to pay $230,738 and Melbourne Beach being asked to pay $127,934.

Tobia said other beachside communities without county-funded lifeguards could take advantage of the program, too, if they agree to pay for half the cost of lifeguards. These include Cape Canaveral, Indian Harbour Beach and Satellite Beach.

Tobia took aim at Cocoa Beach, Indialantic and Melbourne Beach during his presentation at the budget workshop on his lifeguard cost-sharing proposal. He said the communities could use money generated by their municipal parking revenue to pay for their share of the lifeguard cost. And he cited some line items in their budgets that he felt was "unnecessary spending," such as renovation of a skate park in Cocoa Beach, plants for the median along Fifth Avenue in Indialantic and decorative light poles in Melbourne Beach.

Cocoa Beach officials react

But, during a Cocoa Beach City Commission meeting last month, city commissioners rejected any move to increase the citys annual payment for lifeguards to 50% of the total cost, which would total $756,182. Instead they voted 3-2 to support an allocation of about $89,000.

In an agenda report prepared for that meeting, the city manager's office said the tourist tax should pay for lifeguards because more than 2.5 million tourists visit Cocoa Beach each year.

"The actual residents of Cocoa Beach (as opposed to tourists) that swim in the ocean in Cocoa Beach are overall well-informed and good swimmers," the report said. "It is the tourists who typically need lifeguard services when they do not know how to deal with riptides or go into the ocean when weather conditions make it unsafe, or the tourists themselves are poor swimmers."

Cocoa Beach Mayor Keith Capizzi said he doesn't think Tobia's proposal is fair.

"It's not that we don't want to keep the people safe," Capizzi said. "We absolutely want to keep people safe in the water."

But Capizzi contends that Cocoa Beach needs the parking revenue it receives to help pay for the relatively large percentage of police calls it receives tied to tourists visiting the area. He also objects to Tobia singling out the money in the proposed Cocoa Beach city budget for repairs to the city's skate park, saying the repairs are needed to improve the safety of that facility.

Furthermore, Capizzi said many Cocoa Beach residents who don't directly benefit from tourism spending would rather the county stop promoting the city to tourists.

"The residents couldn't care less if the tourists come here," Capizzi said.

After hearing about the County Commission discussion, Cocoa Beach commissioners voted 4-1 on Thursday to not fund any of the 2024-25 lifeguard costs.

Lifeguards work at Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach, where there is one year-round and two seasonal lifeguard towers.

More: Brevard County moves to shift cost of lifeguard protection to municipalities

Public comment issues

Capizzi said he and other city officials would have attended the county budget workshop  if they knew Tobia was bringing up his proposal and that it would come up for a vote.

"He didn't give us a chance to even be there for it," Capizzi said. "They pushed something through without public input. This whole thing kind of stinks."

Cocoa resident Kristin Lortie was among the members of the public at the county budget workshop. She filled out a speaker card to discuss the lifeguard issue, but was not allowed to speak until the general public comment period at the end of the workshop. She then sent a formal objection to County Attorney Morris Richardson, protesting the County Commission's vote without allowing public comment beforehand.

Unlike a regular County Commission meeting, during which residents are able to put in speaker cards on all agenda items, the budget workshop gives the public only one opportunity to speak  at the end of the meeting.

Richardson said this complies with state statute, because residents will get other opportunities to address the County Commission on the lifeguard issue, including during two county budget hearings in September.

Nevertheless, Canaveral Groves resident Katie Delaney, a Republican candidate for County Commission in North Brevard's District 1, who attended the budget workshop, said she was disappointed by what she felt was a lack of transparency by not having the proposal as part of the county's online agenda package in advance of the meeting. She also felt the County Commission should have provided residents an opportunity for public comment before the vote.

What's next

Tobia said he hopes that the affected municipalities will reconsider, and agree to pay for half the cost of lifeguards at the city-maintained beach parks.

But County Commission Chair Jason Steele said: "My prediction is none of them are going to do this."

Regardless of what the municipalities do, lifeguards would remain at six county-maintained parks, three within cities and three in unincorporated Brevard. They are Cherie Down in Cape Canaveral, Lori Wilson in Cocoa Beach and Paradise in beachside Melbourne, plus these in unincorporated Brevard: Spessard Holland North, Spessard Holland South and Juan Ponce de Leon Landing. Those sites have a total of three year-round and five seasonal lifeguard towers.

Still to be determined is how the tourist tax money will be used if it is not designated for lifeguards in the next budget year. The Office of Tourism's latest budget update shows that, in the current budget year, $934,654 was transferred from its cultural marketing fund to a special fund for lifeguard-related spending.

Tobia said his preference is to have the county use tourism tax revenue that would have gone for lifeguard expenses added to the tourism marketing budget for efforts to promote Brevard County, rather than shifting it back to the cultural budget. The cultural fund is used for grants to local arts and cultural organizations and events that attract tourists to the county, as well as grants for major events like air shows and an annual powerboat race.

Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com, on X at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Popular tourist beaches in Cocoa Beach, others could lose county lifeguards
To no ones surprise, the Chicago Teachers Union is preparing to ask for a lot  billions more  in the contract negotiations set to begin in earnest shortly. Union President Stacy Davis Gates threw down the gauntlet in an appearance Tuesday before the City Club of Chicago.

The unions demands, she said, will cost $50 billion and 3 cents. And so what? Thats audacity. Thats Chicago.

But the fight would be tough, she allowed. The systems, she said, ominously, are very, very stubborn.  These systems dont easily give.

And then came her piece de resistance.

Apropos of where the money is going to come from to pay for all these demands, Davis Gates had a firm instruction  heck, a demand  for Chicagoans: Stop asking that question. Ask another question.

Where to even begin with this kind of rhetoric? How about by noting that these systems are actually taxpayers?

Taxpayers are the source of the money that supports Chicago Public Schools. And, no, taxpayers as a rule dont tend to enjoy paying higher taxes. Many already are struggling to make ends meet.

The cost of running Chicagos public schools has soared in recent years despite sharply lower student populations, the byproduct of a militant union that has steamrolled a couple of mayors now  first Rahm Emanuel and then Lori Lightfoot. The CPS budget well exceeds $9 billion this year, up nearly 30% from $7.4 billion just five years ago. Much of that increase is reflected in teacher salaries, which are among the highest of any big-city teachers in the country.

Each year Chicago Public Schools increases its property tax levy by as much as the law allows and it now accounts for more than half of Chicago property owners tax bills.

Surely, $50 billion is rhetorical hyperbole. But even given the theatricality of her City Club performance, Davis Gates still is being inappropriately dismissive of hardworking taxpayers. Its hard to imagine the late Karen Lewis, who in our view is most responsible for forging the vision of CTU as something more like a political party than a labor union, setting up herself and her members for immediate public dismissal that way.

Story continues

In one breath, Davis Gates invites the public to listen to what the union has to say about equity and why their demands are in everyones interests, not just their members. In the next, she gives those already skeptical and fearful of CTU and its political might every reason to tune her out.

Stop asking that question? Does she really have that little respect for fellow Chicagoans?

Funding is always a key question when it comes to politics and government. Virtually every politician  and definitely every mayor Chicago ever has had  has dreams of building monumental public works or establishing groundbreaking programs that not only will contribute to the common good but leave a legacy. And its appropriate  it would be irresponsible otherwise  for Chicagoans to ask who will pay for those dreams.

Davis Gates already knows this page and every other self-respecting journalistic outlet in this city wont stop asking that question.

We and many others have observed and rued the unprecedented situation in which Chicago finds itself as it girds for yet another CTU showdown. Mayor Brandon Johnson is a former CTU member and lobbyist and this hand-picked candidate owes the union, and its formidable skills at getting sympathetic voters to the polls, for his election win.

He should have recused himself from these negotiations in light of the stark conflict of interest. Of course he should. The ethics are clear. But he hasnt, and we dont believe he will.

That mayoral folly has caused much hand-wringing among those who didnt vote for Johnson, and even many of those who voted for him think he should recuse himself in favor of someone clearly untainted by self-interest.

All that said, the situation may not be as one-sided as it first appears. Theres only so much public money available to pay for this contract. And CPS already faces a fiscal cliff to the tune of hundreds of millions beginning next fiscal year before a cent more is provided to teachers. Gov. J.B. Pritzker hasnt responded to pleas from CTU and Johnson for more state money in his budget. Its highly unlikely Springfield will foot the bill for even a fraction of CTUs demands.

So, once reality sets in, the teachers could well be left to decide whether to walk off the job for the third time in the last 12 years. Only this time they wouldnt be able to use Emanuel or Lightfoot as foils. They would be walking out on their friend and ally. The cards CTU holds in the latest chapter of this multiyear war may not be as strong as they seem.

Davis Gates gave a sardonic shout-out to rich people in her City Club appearance, and union officials have said they plan to suggest some creative revenue-generating ideas for their friends at City Hall, presumably involving yet more contributions from the well-to-do and business interests. Theres been a lot of talk from the CTU and Johnson camps about there being more than enough in this city to bankroll their vision of a progressive transformation.

Castigating those opposed to the CTU agenda as hostile to educating Black children, as Davis Gates did on Tuesday, will not help in that effort. The damage inflicted by that kind of divisive rhetoric is extensive. If it continues from both the Davis Gates and the Johnson spigots, taps flowing from similar springs, some of those high taxpayers may well decide this is no longer the city for them  exacerbating the problem.

So, in our view, this eventually will lead CPS and CTU to the inevitable discussion about how to reshape a school district that now is serving far fewer students than it has in decades. Theres an influx of migrant children whose likely addition to CPS needs to be appropriately accounted for. But the elephant in the room for CPS is dozens of schools that are serving 30% or fewer of the students they were built to instruct.

Under state law, CPS cant close any schools until next January. But after that theres no legal impediment. The savings from making some tough decisions could well yield more resources for the schools, and the teachers, that truly need the investment. Indeed, there are parts of the city where schools are over capacity.

Closures, of course, are anathema to CTU and to Johnson. Emanuels 50 school closures following the 2012 strike are referenced repeatedly in debates around CPS and its future today. But school closures arent unusual outside of Chicago. In the suburbs for decades, districts wisely have consolidated schools in response to reduced school-age populations.

All of this is to say that, once the illusions of pots of money at the end of rainbows are dispelled, the time will come to do some real negotiating and determine how best to deploy the resources at hand.

And Chicagos teachers, whose jobs are critical to this citys future, hopefully then can return to focusing on educating our children rather than fronting a radical socialist movement. An editorial board can dream, too.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Legend has it that the world has the French Revolution to thank for Camembert. The cheese with hints of caramelized butter and earthy mushrooms dates back to 1791, when a fleeing priest is said to have shared the recipe with a farm woman from Camembert whod welcomed him into her home.

The cheese has since become a staple in France and abroad. McDonalds - to some French customers dismay - once rolled out a burger topped with slices of Camembert, which also inspired artist Salvador Dali's famous gooey clocks.

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But Camembert and its blander-tasting cousin, brie cheese, have in recent weeks been the subjects of headlines and social media posts declaring that the beloved fromages are heading for the grave.

The warnings followed a study by the French National Center for Scientific Research that said the cheeses are on the verge of extinction - a death sentence driven by what the scientists said was a fungal crisis.

Does this mean charcuterie boards are doomed to a future sans delightfully stinky cheese? Heres what scientists told The Washington Post.

What does mold have to do with my brie?

Not to be gross, but that delicious snack that complements your favorite glass of wine is actually a dynamic ecosystem.

Cheese has a whole community of molds, yeasts as well as bacteria, said Benjamin Wolfe, associate professor at Tufts Universitys biology department. Theyre all hanging out, growing and working together to decompose the cheese.

All cheese starts the same way: as milk thats left to curdle. Microbes come to play in the aging process, or the stage that gives cheeses like Camembert their signature funk.

Those molds are essentially doing what we call delicious rot, Wolfe said. Like a fungus breaking down a log or those pesky blue splotches spreading through an old piece of bread, the molds in the cheese break down the milk. And as they do that, theyre releasing all kinds of delicious things people love in Camembert: that sort of sulfury funk that I like to call sweet buttery flatulence, he added.

Camembert and brie are now both made with the same type of mold: Penicillium camemberti, which gives the cheeses their fluffy white coverings and beloved aromas of dirty socks.

And that, the French scientists said, could lead to their demise.

Whats the problem with Penicillium camemberti?

Until recently, Camembert and brie came covered in shades of blue, orange and green - a product of the different strains of molds used to make the cheeses, said Jeanne Ropars, an evolutionary biologist at the French National Center for Scientific Research and Universite Paris-Saclay.

Eventually, cheesemakers identified a particular strain of mold that was not only fast-growing, but also gave cheese an appealing white covering. By the 1950s, the combination of industrialization and demand for uniform-looking cheese turned Penicillium camemberti into the gold standard. Its now the sole strain used in the production of brie and Camembert.

Over time, that could prove problematic, Ropars said.

Penicillium camemberti cant reproduce on its own, so it has to be cloned over and over again - which means that every cheese is made with a genetically identical strain. That lack of genetic diversity makes it vulnerable to pathogens or other environmental changes, Ropars said.

With each mold being a cookie-cutter version of each other, one nasty disease could wipe out the population of Penicillium camemberti, Ropars said. Its the same issue other foods - such as bananas - are facing.

Could brie and Camembert go extinct?

The short answer: not any time soon, so cheese lovers can breathe a sigh of relief.

Still, Ropars warns, Penicillium camemberti cannot survive if we keep going down this path. She and the other French scientists behind the study want to help prevent similar errors in future food production.

Despite the lack of diversity in the mold, Wolfe remains optimistic that industry innovation will save the cheeses.

There are already some really great people out there working on new ways to innovate and making these molds do new things, he said.

What should cheese fans do?

Ropars and her team suggest getting comfortable with more diverse, funkier-looking and tasting cheeses - that is, Camembert and brie made with other mold strains.

Customers are used to an albino version of a mold covering some of their favorite cheeses, which makes them white. But Ropars said it might be time to embrace a Camembert or brie that comes in a shade of blue, green or orange.

That approach, however, comes with its own sets of challenges, Wolfe cautioned. Changing up molds can be unpredictable and not at all appetizing.

You just dont want your cheese to taste like a moldy basement, he said.

He and his team are already experimenting with ways to rapidly domesticate some wild mold strains. The goal is to shade the undesirable traits or potential toxins without genetically modifying the fungus.

And, he added, producers are coming up with different types of cheeses.

For now, Wolfe said, there are many world crises to worry about - and panic over cheese isnt one of them. Though, if hes being honest, a world in which cheese is the biggest problem would be great, he said.

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A young British man who took his own life after fighting in Ukraine went to the country after Liz Truss, the former prime minister, claimed anyone who did so would be joining a battle for democracy, his family said.

Harry Gregg was 23 and had no formal military training other than a spell in the Army Cadets when he decided to fly to the country after it was invaded by Russia in 2022.

He ended up fighting in the trenches, where he witnessed the deaths of fellow soldiers and reported seeing the aftermath of Russian atrocities against civilians.

He was found hanged after returning to his home in Thetford, Norfolk, the day after his 25th birthday.

Speaking after his inquest at Norfolk Coroners Court last week, his family said his decision to go to Ukraine came after the former prime minister, who was his local MP and foreign secretary at the time, said she absolutely supported any Britons who wanted to travel to fight the Russians, arguing they would be joining a battle for democracy.

Harry Gregg took his own life after fighting in Ukraine

Conservative colleagues criticised her, saying it would be reckless and illegal to go and fight, and Downing Street distanced itself from her remarks.

His mother, Sandi Gregg, described how he made up his mind to go, despite his only military experience being six years in the Army Cadets.

She said: He told me Mum, they need us.

He said to me, I have done some bad things, so I want to give back to society.

Harry felt that he was needed and that he could help them. He contacted the [Ukrainian] embassy and found out what he needed to do. Within days, hed booked himself on a flight and off he went.

Ms Gregg recounted how, when he first landed in a neighbouring country, he missed his bus to the Ukrainian border so he had to get a taxi.

With the help of aid workers, he eventually made it to the front line and joined a training camp.

The camp was later bombed by the Russians. Mr Gregg was not hurt, but a friend suffered a serious injury.

During his third visit to the country, that he found himself fighting with the Ukrainian armed forces, where he was nicknamed Eagle by his comrades and assigned to the 48th Battalion.

His mother said that as he and a fellow soldier were being shot at in the trenches, his comrade told him to keep his head down, but 10 minutes later his friend was shot in the head and Harry had to put him in a body bag.

Harry Gregg's family said his decision to go to Ukraine came after Liz Truss said she 'absolutely' supported any Britons who wanted to travel to fight against Russia - UK PARLIAMENT/JESSICA TAYLOR/Reuters

She described how, once back in Britain, he had PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and his family werent able to get him the help he needed.

On December 14, he had been due to go go-karting and clubbing with friends as a birthday treat, but they had been unable to contact him.

The next day, after still not hearing from him, they asked for a welfare check to be carried out.

His body was seen through the letterbox of the front door and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

Recording a narrative conclusion, Samantha Goward, area coroner for Norfolk, said he had hanged himself, but his intent was unknown.

In a tribute, his mother said he had a personality that filled the room and that he was loved by many people.

She added: He was very loving, caring. If he valued you and loved you, he would give you his last penny.

He went to Ukraine because he knew people needed help.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
A Brooklyn man was charged with leaving the scene of a fatal crash after he allegedly ran down a pedestrian in lower Manhattan, authorities said Saturday.

Kevin Wright of Canarsie was arrested Friday in the deadly collision that occurred about 4:50 a.m. Wednesday on Canal St. near Lafayette St. on the border of Tribeca and SoHo, authorities said.

Wright, 48, admitted knowing he had struck the victim with his rental car, but drove away regardless, says a complaint in Manhattan Criminal Court.

I hit a person on Canal Street and I kept driving. I did not call the police. I saw the damage on the hood of my car after the collision, Wright allegedly told a detective.

The victim, an unidentified man in his 30s, was crossing Canal St. midblock when Wright struck him with the black rented SUV, said police. The impact sent the pedestrian flying to the asphalt, leaving him with severe head and body trauma, cops said.

Medics rushed the victim to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue but he could not be saved. He was not carrying ID and police were still working Saturday to determine his identity.

At arraignment Saturday, a Manhattan Criminal Court judge granted Wright supervised release, prosecutors said.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) chastised President Biden for criticizing the Supreme Court during his State of the Union speech, calling the comments disgusting.

Biden called out the court for overturning the Roe v. Wade abortion precedent in a case, a move that Democrats have capitalized on for their campaign platforms. In his speech, Biden said he will commit to reimplementing the Roe standard in legislation.

I found his scolding of the court disgusting, because the left will say that they want to respect the institution, except when they dont get their way, Donalds said in a Fox News Sunday Morning Futures interview with Maria Bartiromo on Sunday.

And then, when they dont get their way, they want to call out Supreme Court justices in front of the world. That was outrageous, he said. There was a reason why  the entire Supreme Court was not there, because I think they understood they didnt want to be subjected to Joe Bidens foolishness.

Going off script during his speech, Biden faced the majority-conservative court and said he believes women will come out and vote in full force because of the ruling to overturn Roe.

Its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court majority wrote the following  and with all due respect, justices  Women are not without electoral  or political power,' he said.

Youre about to realize just how much you were right about that, he added, with the justices sitting in front of the podium on the floor of the House chamber.

Donalds blasted the whole speech, which was energetic and politically charged, calling it disgusting.

I have never seen a speech like this, where the opposition party from the presidents party did not stand for an hour in that speech, he said. It was partisan. It was a campaign speech.

He was trying to prove himself to his political base because they have serious questions about his ability, he continued. And, frankly, they should have serious questions about his ability.

The speech was praised by Democrats and quieted concerns about the presidents speaking ability and memory that have swirled for months. Republicans also ignored the previous criticisms of Biden not being all there, instead blasting him as too loud and too forceful.

It was not about the United States of America, Donalds continued. It was not addressing the true state of the union, which is unraveling a bunch of the policies of Joe Biden, because they have been disastrous for America.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Voters in California's conservative Huntington Beach approved a measure that would restrict all non-government flags from being flown on city property, prompting backlash from LGBTQ advocates.

Measure B, authored by Huntington Beach City Councilman Pat Burns, passed with more than half of the city's vote, according to the latest tally on the county's registrar website.

The measure, for which voters cast their ballots on Super Tuesday, will prohibit breast cancer awareness, Pride, Confederate and all other non-U.S flags on city property. Burns told Fox News Digital in an interview that the measure was not meant to be discriminatory against any group, but to encourage residents to unite under a common American identity. Most of the backlash Burns said he has received has been from LGBTQ advocates.

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"I'm against the identity politics, I think it's divisive," Burns said Friday. "I think it's demeaning to be honest, that flag, that I find is so insulting to LGBTQ. And I know that they support it, but in my mind, it's demeaning that they need some kind of special recognition to feel like they're part of our community. People are equal and those kinds of things are divisive."

The city has previously flown the rainbow flag during Pride month over the last two years, Burns said. He added it had not been a major part of the city's aesthetics prior to the measure.

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Only the U.S. flag, the State of California flag, the County of Orange flag, the City of Huntington Beach flag, the POW-MIA flag, the six Armed Forces flags and the Olympic flag during the Summer Olympic Games can be mounted on city property under the new measure.

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Progressive groups in Huntington Beach fired back in response to the measure's passage.

"I love differing opinions. I love checks and balances. That's what makes us so great that we can have different voices, in society, but I just don't think it's our place as a city government, like, to play those identity politics," Burns said.

Progressive groups in the community fired back at the measure's passage. Peg Coley, the executive director of the LGBTQ Center Orange County, said in a statement to the media that the Huntinton Beach City Council is "run by a hateful majority whose only interest is advancing an agenda of intolerance for minority communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals."

"The pendulum always swings back and history is the harshest judge, but informed votes are the very best prevention," the statement read.

However, the council can still vote to approve certain flags to be flown through a unanimous vote.

Last year, a city in Michigan also banned Pride flags on city property. Several other cities in New York and Connecticut enacted similar policies in 2022.





Original article source: California city bans non-government flags, angering LGBTQ groups
California authorities recently identified four suspects allegedly involved in the 2022 murder of a 96-year-old woman in Santa Barbara County.

Porter Ranch resident Pauline Macareno, 48, and Van Nuys resident Harry Basmadjian, 58, were both named as suspects in the murder of Monecito resident Violet Alberts, 96, on Thursday.

Los Angeles resident Ricardo MartinDelCampo, 41, and Tujunga local Henry Rostomyan, 33, were also listed as suspects.

According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, Macareno was charged with elder abuse, fraud and manipulation of legal documents. The other three suspects face charges ranging from murder to conspiracy and solicitation of murder.

PHOENIX SENIOR CHARGED IN KANSAS WITH 1982 COLD CASE MURDER

Basmadjian and Rostomyan were arrested in January and February, respectively, while MartinDelCampo was arrested most recently on March 5. According to Sheriff Bill Brown, Macareno targeted Alberts for her wealth.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Ricardo MartinDelCampo, left, Pauline Macareno and Henry Rostomyan are all suspects in Violet Alberts' murder case.

"Through deceptive means, Macareno orchestrated a series of transactions, including forging documents and establishing fraudulent entities to gain control over Alberts assets unlawfully," he detailed.

Macareno reportedly tricked the victim by offering her a reverse mortgage in 2020. Authorities believe that Macareno was motivated by Alberts' advanced age.

"In the eyes of Pauline Macareno, Miss Alberts was living too longShe would probably die quickly, and then [Macareno] would have obtained this home through fraudulent means," Brown said. "And so the acceleration of her death is is presumably what was, what was behind the murder."

VIRGINIA MAN ARRESTED AFTER DNA FORENSIC ADVANCEMENTS LINK HIM TO 2 COLD CASE MURDERS

Alberts was found dead in her bed by her caretaker on May 24, 2022. Officials later determined that she died of asphyxiation, and her death was ruled a homicide.

Violet Alberts, 96, is fondly remembered as a beloved resident of the Montecito community.

Ingredients for cookies were found on her kitchen table when authorities investigated the scene. The cookies were for her then-upcoming birthday.

Police found a shattered window in Alberts' bedroom, which Sheriff Bill Brown said indicated "sinister intent behind her tragic death." In a press release, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office said that it has worked 10,424 hours "unraveling the complex web surrounding Violet Albertss tragic murder."

The mugshots of all the suspects were released except for Basmadjian. The sheriff's office said that he "subsequently suffered a life-threatening medical emergency that left him totally incapacitated with a grim prognosis."

10 YEARS LATER, QUESTIONS LINGER ON DISAPPEARANCE OF 21-YEAR-OLD MASS. STUDENT AFTER NH CRASH

This aerial view shows the Montecito neighborhood of Santa Barbara, Calif.

During a Thursday press conference, Alberts was fondly remembered as a beloved resident of her community.

"She was a vibrant 96-year-old widow, a cherished figure in the Montecito community," Sheriff Bill Brown said at the podium. "Despite her age, she had remained active and engaged, and she was known for her warm demeanor and social nature."

"Her love for her home, complete with a pond filled with cherished koi fish that she brought from Beverly Hills, reflected her appreciation for life's simpler pleasures. Despite facing challenges with her memory and cognition, Violet's spirit remained undaunted. This was evident in her plans to celebrate her upcoming birthday by baking fresh cookies."

Authorities are still investigating the incident. Anyone with information relevant to the case is encouraged to call (805) 681-4150.





Original article source: California suspects accused of murdering 96-year-old widow who was baking cookies for her birthday: police
Detectives probing the death of a 96-year-old California woman nearly two years ago have uncovered she was the victim of an elaborate murder-for-hire and reverse-mortgage scam that sought to gain control of her home, authorities said Thursday, announcing four people have now been arrested in the case.

Violet Evelyn Alberts was found dead in her bed by her caretaker in her Montecito home on May 27, 2022, with a window in her home shattered. An autopsy later found she died by asphyxiation, and the manner of her death was determined to be a homicide, according to Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown.

The case was shrouded in mystery as investigators pieced together a tangled, evil web of financial exploitation against the victim, Brown said in a news conference on Thursday.

The scheme began when the widow, who was in a financially distressful situation, was approached by Pauline Macareno, 48, who offered to sell her a reverse mortgage on her valuable home, Brown said.

But Macareno ended up making a series of transactions  including forging documents and establishing fraudulent entities  seeking ultimately to illegally gain control over Alberts property, the sheriffs office said. Macareno was the central figure in the manipulation and deceitful targeting of Alberts, Brown said.

Investigators then found evidence Alberts became the target of a murder-for-hire scheme, the sheriff said.

In the eyes of Pauline Macareno, Miss Alberts was living too long, Brown said, adding the acceleration of her death is presumably what was behind the murder.

Just three days before she was found dead, two men, 41-year-old Ricardo MartinDelCampo and 33-year-old Henry Rostomyan, had gone on a scouting trip to Albertss home, according to the sheriffs office.

This pivotal discovery shed light on the premeditated nature of the crime, underscoring the perpetrators calculated efforts to survey Alberts home and to plan their vicious and reprehensible actions, Brown said.

Rostomyan was arrested last month and MartinDelCampo was arrested on March 5 and are currently being held at the Santa Barbara County Jail without bail on charges of murder and conspiracy to murder Alberts, according to the sheriffs office. A third man, 58-year-old Harry Basmadjian, was arrested in January for his alleged involvement in the conspiracy while already being held in federal custody in Los Angeles on an unrelated charge, according to a sheriffs news release.

Macareno was arrested in 2022 and has since been sentenced to six years in state prison for fraud related to Alberts case, according to the sheriffs office. She now also faces pending additional charges, Brown said, without elaborating on the charges.

CNN has been unable to determine if any of the suspects have legal representation. CNN has reached out to the Santa Barbara County Public Defenders Office.

Identification of a suspects vehicle, a review of surveillance camera footage and forensic analysis of the crime scene led investigators to the suspects, Brown said. The investigation remains ongoing, authorities said Thursday.

Victim was a cherished figure in Montecito, sheriff says

Alberts was a cherished figure in the Montecito community, Brown said, describing her as active and known for her warm demeanor and social nature.

Her love for her home, complete with a pond filled with cherished koi fish that she brought from Beverly Hills, reflected her appreciation for lifes simpler pleasures, the sheriff said.

Alberts had plans to celebrate her upcoming birthday by baking fresh cookies before her death. The ingredients for those cookies were found on the table when, on May 27 of 2022, the Santa Barbara sheriffs office responded to a distressing call to check on Violet Alberts welfare, Brown said.

Macareno essentially took advantage of the victim, Brown said, calling it a particularly heinous case.

The victim was in a financially distressful situation where she had essentially aged out of her savings and she basically had a very valuable home that she lived in, but she had run out of money, Brown said.

In 2022, adults over 60 years old reported 88,262 complaints to the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center, with a total loss of $3.1 billion  an 84% increase in losses compared to 2021. California has the highest the number of elderly victims of fraud in the country, with $624.5 million in reported losses in 2022, according to FBI Los Angeles.

This case is certainly an extreme example, Brown said. But there are unfortunately oftentimes theres victimization of elderly victims who are preyed upon by others in a variety of different financial ways.

CNNs Sara Smart contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Demolishing Princess Diana's childhood school would destroy a town's heritage, a conservation group has warned.

The Norfolk-born royal began her formal education at Silfield Day School in Gaywood, King's Lynn.

The building that once housed it could be bulldozed as part of plans for a new care home.

Developers Aspire LLP said it would help to ease a shortage of care home beds in the area, but there are calls for it to be listed.

King's Lynn Civic Society is attempting to persuade Historic England to change the building's status to protect it.

The group's chairman Alison Gifford said: "We are convinced of its importance as an example of an architectural style not represented elsewhere in the town in such an elegant form.

"When these lovely suburban villas are demolished for multiple units of inferior housing, part of our history is lost.

"The pleasant and well-designed becomes mundane. You see it everywhere. It's symbolic of modern life.

"We are all poorer for this downgrading of our buildings."

Princess Diana attended the former Silfield private school in Gaywood, Norfolk, as a child

Diana, Princess of Wales, who was born on the Sandringham Estate, attended the privately run Silfield School in 1968 and stayed there for two years.

She later left the school in 1970 to study at Riddlesworth Hall Preparatory School in southwest Norfolk, which went on sale last year for 3m.

Silfield School remained in operation until 2004.

Aspire LLP has applied to West Norfolk Council to seek prior approval to demolish Silfield House.

It follows a bid to build six houses on the plot, which was approved in 2018.

But the company, a specialist care home developer, has different plans for the site and hopes to build a 70-bed care home.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a spokesman said: "There is currently a shortfall of care home bed spaces for the elderly across the borough.

"The site is in a highly sustainable location in close proximity to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and provides an opportunity to meet a demonstrable need and deliver a much-needed community asset."

The late Princess Diana was born in Norfolk at the Royal Sandringham estate

But Ms Gifford believes the decision to demolish the building should be viewed amid a wider neglect of historic buildings in King's Lynn, such as the Carnegie Library - built in 1905 - which is to be abandoned for a new modern library in the city, and the Old Post Office, which has been left to decay.

Silfield House was built in 1921 by members of the Jermyn family, who once ran the main high street department store in King's Lynn.

It was designed by architects John Laurie Carnell and William Dymoke White, who also designed the Majestic Cinema in the centre of the town.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830
A reelected Biden likely wouldn't be able to alter the ideological imbalance on the Supreme Court, but he could prevent it from getting worse. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

By now it shouldnt need to be said: When Americans vote for a president, the federal courts are on the ballot as well. Yet too few voters, especially among those in the decisive middle, make their choice with that in mind.

Think about it: The issues that voters do care most about in this election year  immigration, reproductive rights, the economy and government regulation, gun control  increasingly are decided in federal courts reshaped by Donald Trump, including the Supreme Court, because of the paralyzing dysfunction in Congress.

Add to those perennial issues the novel one of 2024: Trumps legal accountability. Here, the judiciarys impact couldnt be more clear. Foot-dragging  by the Supreme Court, where three Trump appointees sit, and at the Florida district court where a Trump-appointed judge presides  has all but assured that voters wont get criminal verdicts before election day on the former presidents efforts to overturn his 2020 defeat and to squirrel away top-secret documents.

Weve learned the hard way: It matters whether Trump or President Biden is picking federal judges, just as it matters which party controls the Senate and has the power to confirm them.

Read more: Calmes: A national abortion ban won't fly. But a handpicked Trump judge could do something almost as extreme

Only since the 2022 Dobbs decision overturning a half-century of abortion rights have Democrats begun to wise up to what Republicans have long known: With executive and legislative power, your party can put its stamp on the unelected third branch of government, the judiciary, and that legacy can long outlast the politicians. As Trump lackey Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina recently said of 2024, One of the big issues on the ballot is trying to have a more conservative judiciary.

Be forewarned, Democrats. Flip the script  mobilize your voters around this issue.

Read more: Kansas could make doctors ask patients why they want abortions, then report it

Here are the stakes: If Biden wins, he can continue the unfinished work of trying to offset the right-wing tilt (and white male dominance) that Trump gave to the courts by naming more judges in a single term than any president other than Jimmy Carter . Bidens effort could well be slowed if, as widely expected, Republicans take control of the Senate and gum up the confirmation works.

But better slow action in the Senate on Biden appointees than a return, if Trump wins, to a fast track for extreme right-wingers. Such as Trump-appointee Aileen Cannon, the novice Florida district judge (mis)handling the former president's trial involving classified material. Or Matthew Kacsmaryk, the Texas district judge and culture warrior who last year sought to outlaw mifepristone, one of two drugs used for the medication abortions that account for more than half of all abortions in the country. He filled his opinion with the jargon of antiabortion activists, writing at one point that mifepristone, which is used just up to 10 weeks' pregnancy, ultimately starves the unborn human until death. The Supreme Court will hear that case March 26.

Read more: Litman: Alabama's highest court declared frozen embryos people. The U.S. Supreme Court is to blame

Another consideration for voters: While a reelected Biden likely wouldnt be able to alter the imbalance at a Supreme Court between six archconservatives and three liberals, he could prevent it from getting even worse.

None of the justices are expected to retire soon. However, the two oldest (and most conservative), Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr., are in their mid-70s and could opt to step aside if Trump wins, court watchers speculate, so that he could replace them with like-minded jurists young enough to serve for decades. (In normal times, we might already be rid of Thomas through impeachment or resignation, given his well-documented ethical lapses and his refusal to recuse himself from Jan. 6 cases despite his wifes complicity in efforts to overturn Bidens election. But these arent normal times.)

Read more: CVS and Walgreens plan to start dispensing abortion pill mifepristone soon

When Trump reluctantly left the White House, his judicial picks made up one-third of the Supreme Court, nearly one-third of the 13 appeals courts and more than a quarter of the 94 district courts. Because relative youth and proven Republican bona fides were the job criteria set by Trump and the trio to whom he outsourced his court-packing  Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, then-White House Counsel Don McGahn and former Federalist Society leader Leonard Leo  Trump judges likely will be prominent on the federal bench well past midcentury .

Topping Trump seems impossible was the headline last fall on an analysis of Bidens judicial appointments by Russell Wheeler, of the Brookings Institution, who tracks the courts. In an update in January, however, Wheeler said that although Biden probably wont top Trumps one-term total for judges on the appeals courts, he could match him on district court judges.

Read more: Goldberg: President Biden's job approval rating is abysmal. Here's why he might beat Trump anyway

Should Biden fall short, it wont be for lack of trying. More than Democratic predecessors Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, he has made judicial nominations a priority in the wake of Team Trumps single-minded courts makeover. Better late than never?

Biden was, after all, a leader on the Senate Judiciary Committee for years; he knows his stuff. (Except we do have him to thank for Thomas confirmation three decades ago.) And Senate Democrats, with their one-vote majority, have helped. Together, they set a record for confirmations in a presidents first year in office, though the pace was only so-so, as Wheeler put it, by the end of last year.

One problem is that Biden didnt inherit nearly as many vacancies as Trump did. McConnell had thwarted confirmation of many nominees in Obama's final year  most famously, Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court  so Trump was able to fill the seats. Then in Trump's final year, McConnell nearly made good on a vow to leave no vacancy behind ; he even rammed 14 nominees to confirmation after Trump lost the 2020 election, the first time a defeated presidents nominees were confirmed since 1897 .

Now Democrats must copy McConnells zeal. Fifty-seven judgeships are open , and Biden has picked nominees for just a third of them. For one thing, he and Senate leaders are being too deferential to Republicans about whom to nominate for red-state vacancies. Just get 'em all filled before election day, lest Trump and a Republican-run Senate once again inherit a bonanza of seats.

If the republic is lucky, voters will give Biden another four years to keep at it. And that's more likely if enough of them remember: The bench is on the ballot too.

@jackiekcalmes

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Climate change is not a tragedy, its a crime. This refrain, increasingly common among climate activists, encapsulates rising moral outrage at major fossil fuel companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and BP as more information has come to light about their knowledge and conduct regarding global warming. The essential fact pattern is this: Fossil fuel companies have long understoodwith shocking accuracythat their fossil fuel products would cause, in their own words, globally catastrophic climate change. Instead of shifting their business model or at least alerting the public to this threat, the companies concealed what they knew and executed a multimillion-dollar disinformation campaign to spread doubt about climate science. They did this while privately acting on the predictions of climate science to protect their own business operations, for example by raising the height of offshore platforms in anticipation of sea-level rise. Internal documents show that their goal in deceiving the public was to delay or block policy or market responses that would curb their lethal but highly profitable conduct. They achieved this goal spectacularly, making trillions of dollars from their deception while most of humanity pays an increasingly devastating price.

A growing movement wants to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for this deception. The reality that polluters knew about climate change, lied about it, and should face meaningful consequences is an effective political narrative, and climate liability litigation is an increasingly promising strategy. More than 40 states, municipalities, and tribal nations are currently suing fossil fuel companies to make them pay for the damage theyve caused. After years of frustration, climate litigants are now making meaningful procedural progress and have even notched a first win.

In addition to civil harms, however, fossil fuel companies may have committed numerous criminal acts, including fraud, deceptive advertising, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, conspiracy, racketeering, and more. Indeed, many of the civil claims pending against fossil fuel companies have criminal analogues. Prosecutors could allege essentially the same conduct that civil plaintiffs are suing over.

The crime that best captures the nature, scale, and gravity of their misconduct in most jurisdictions might be homicide. In criminal law, homicide means causing a death with a culpable mental state. If someone substantially contributes to or accelerates a death, that counts as causing it. If they did so intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, that counts as culpable mental state. So the basic questions in a climate homicide trial are as follows: Did fossil fuel companies substantially contribute to or accelerate deaths, and did they do so at least recklessly, if not knowingly or intentionally? These questions would be presented to a jury. If you think the jury should say yes, youre not alone.

The reason for pursuing criminal accountability is simple: The climate crisis is an all-hands-on-deck moment if there ever was one, and we need to use every available strategy to curtail greenhouse gas pollution. In todays thinking, tort lawthe law of civil wrongsseeks economically efficient outcomes: The question is about whether one party should give another some money. Criminal law, by contrast, is concerned with societys fundamental valueswith morality. It answers whether conduct is permissible or forbidden. Where tort law prices misconduct, criminal law prohibits it.

Courts have rejected some tort cases against fossil fuel companies by reasoning that climate change is a problem for the federal political branches, meaning Congress and the executive branch, not the courts or state law. While this argument is speciousthese cases are not seeking to make climate policy but rather to require the actors responsible for climate change to pay for the harms they caused, which is the exact role that civil lawsuits are supposed to playit is even harder to apply it to criminal law. State criminal law is entitled to stop conduct that is killing people. There is no case in which a court has rejected a criminal prosecution under generally applicable lawsay, a homicide statuteon the grounds that it is preempted by federal law or is a question for the political branches rather than courts.

Prosecutors also have tools and powers that civil litigants lack, including, in some cases, simply more leverage. In response to criminal prosecution by the Department of Justice over its role in the opioid crisis, Purdue Pharma accepted a proposed settlement to restructure the company as a public benefit corporation that will function entirely in the public interest, delivering safe, legitimate prescription drugs, offering free or steeply discounted addiction-treatment and overdose-rescue medications, and donating proceeds to opioid abatement programs. A similar deal with fossil fuel companies could rewrite their corporate charters and require them to focus on hastening the clean energy transition, subsidizing adaptation and resilience measures, and redressing harms from their past misconduct.

To be clear, civil litigation is a critically important tool, and civil cases are showing promise. The point is that criminal law, long overlooked, also has contributions to make.

At a time when the criminal justice system faces a legitimacy crisis, the prosecution of powerful actors who are causing some of societys worst harm could also help rehabilitate its reputation and restore faith in the principle of equal justice under law. It is perverse and unjust to condemn the politically powerless to spend years in prison for smaller-scale criminal conduct while powerful corporations evade prosecution for massively larger harms.

Prosecutors are well aware of the problem. As the public has become more conscious of racial imbalances in the criminal justice system, district attorneys offices across the United States are dealing with low morale and struggling to recruit and retain lawyers. As one prosecutor said last year, We were so used to wearing the white hat. We were the good guys. Then all of a sudden, things are shifting. A district attorney facing high vacancy rates and a dearth of applicants summed up the situation: We have to overcome the perception that the DAs office is part of the problem and convince people that we are actually part of the solution.

In the climate crisis, prosecutors have a chance to be an essential, leading part of the solution and to fulfill their professional mission: standing up to actors that are causing immense harm to their communities, and protecting the public from the greatest danger of our time.



The climate crisis, and the crimes committed in perpetuating it, constitutes an existential threat to our society. Individual prosecutors may conclude that attempting to hold fossil fuel companies accountable doesnt make sense in their jurisdictionsthat the facts dont fit, the courts arent ready, or resource constraints are prohibitive. But the barriers to prosecuting fossil fuel companies for climate harms are not primarily legal. The main problem is the industrys extraordinary powerpolitical, economic, and even cultural powerand the truth is, powerful actors can be brought to justice. It wont be an easy fight. But at the least, prosecutors owe it to their communities and their profession to explore the possibility of pursuing the climate justice we deserve.
Usually, when one insider buys stock, it might not be a monumental event. But when multiple insiders are buying like they did in the case of Polymetals Resources Ltd (ASX:POL), that sends out a positive message to the company's shareholders.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

Check out our latest analysis for Polymetals Resources

Polymetals Resources Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

The Executive Chairman David Sproule made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for AU$125k worth of shares at a price of AU$0.30 each. That means that even when the share price was higher than AU$0.27 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. It's very possible they regret the purchase, but it's more likely they are bullish about the company. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock if insiders have bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price.

In the last twelve months Polymetals Resources insiders were buying shares, but not selling. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Have Polymetals Resources Insiders Traded Recently?

We've only seen a tiny insider purchase valued at AU$3.7k, in the last three months. Overall, we don't think these recent trades are particularly informative, one way or the other.

Story continues

Insider Ownership

I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. Polymetals Resources insiders own 52% of the company, currently worth about AU$22m based on the recent share price. Most shareholders would be happy to see this sort of insider ownership, since it suggests that management incentives are well aligned with other shareholders.

So What Does This Data Suggest About Polymetals Resources Insiders?

Our data shows a little insider buying, but no selling, in the last three months. The net investment is not enough to encourage us much. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. Judging from their transactions, and high insider ownership, Polymetals Resources insiders feel good about the company's future. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. For example, Polymetals Resources has 4 warning signs (and 3 which are a bit concerning) we think you should know about.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

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.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Colorado Department of Transportation will activate new variable speed limit signs on a 10-mile stretch of eastbound Interstate 70 on Tuesday, March 12.

The new signs, installed between Georgetown and Idaho Springs, look similar to a standard speed limit sign but feature an LED display of the regulatory limit numbers. In total, there will be 26 variable speed limit signs installed along the stretch of the highway. The signs will be placed on each side of the roadway for the best visibility.

Traffic alert: Backups on eastbound C-470 due to construction closure

According to CDOT, the project also added new vehicle speed/volume and weather detectors to gather real-time, consistent traffic and weather data. The technology can also automatically adjust based on the gathered data.

CDOT said that the new signs will allow for the appropriate speed limits to be posted in real-time. In turn, this will help prevent crashes at higher speeds, reduce the chances of secondary crashes and improve traffic flow through the corridor, according to the agency.

The key purpose behind the new signs is to improve safety on the I-70 mountain corridor, said Jessica Myklebust, the director of CDOTs Region 1, covering the Denver metro region, in a release.

(Variable speed limit signs) react to real-time congestion and incidents on the corridor, reducing speeds to a reasonable limit when needed. This helps to prevent crashes and stop and go traffic. VSLs have been shown to improve safety and operations on highways nationwide, Myklebust said.

The speed limits will only change when there are bad weather conditions or congestion that warrant a change, according to CDOT.

One example is if there is a crash ahead on the highway, the variable speed limit signs can be changed to slow traffic down before reaching the back of the traffic queue to reduce the chances of a secondary crash, the agency said in a release. Similarly, if there is a snow storm on the corridor that may cause slick conditions, the speed limit will be lowered to slow drivers down.

See the latest traffic conditions in Denver on FOX31

The speed limit posted on a variable speed limit sign is the enforceable speed limit  meaning thats what drivers can be ticketed for  and is not a recommended or suggested speed limit.

The signs are already in use in Glenwood Canyon and there are also efforts to use variable speed limits in other areas of the state, such as Wolf Creek Pass.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The Bissell company is approaching 150 years of manufacturing and designing household tools here in West Michigan. And while Bissell may be a household name, the legacy of one of its founders is not.

Americas first female CEO has roots right here in Grand Rapids. Anna Bissell was a dynamic, inventive, barrier-breaking businesswoman, who did it all while also raising a family and giving back to her community.

Learn about Grand Rapids women legends through walking tour

Anna Sutherland Bissell was born in 1846 in Nova Scotia. Bissell was a direct descendent of early Canadian pioneers, but she didnt stay in Canada long. Family records show that her parents moved to De Pere, Wisconsin, in 1850.

Anna Bissell is considered one of the first female CEOs in the history of the United States. Not only did she help her husband design and market the Bissell carpet sweeper, but she took over and expanded the company after his death. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8)

Aside from being a successful CEO, Anna Bissell was also a philanthropist, socialite and mother of five children. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8)

Glass ceiling aside, Anna Bissell was also a leader in progressive labor policies. She was one of the first to establish pension plans and workmens compensation for employees injured on the job. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8)

In a sign of things to come, Bissell pushed the limits. After completing the limited schooling in her village, she moved away to continue her education to become a teacher herself. She returned to De Pere at the start of the Civil War to help make hospital supplies, and as frustrating as that may have been, it ultimately changed the course of her life.

The legacy of Eva McCall Hamilton, Michigans 1st woman in state legislature

Shortly after the war, she met Melville R. Bissell while he was visiting De Pere and the two were quickly married. According to family records, Melville Bissell came from a family of means that had fallen on hard times. He was set on finding a fortune of his own. That drive led the young Bissells to the other side of Lake Michigan.

They first settled in Kalamazoo and Melville Bissell opened a china shop. That didnt last long, and he and his wife made their way further north to Grand Rapids. Once again, Melville Bissell opened a store to sell fine wares. This time, the business did well enough to stay afloat and stayed open until the young married couple developed an idea that would bring a fortune beyond Melville Bissells wildest dreams.

The Bissells owned a crockery shop in Grand Rapids before Melville Bissell and his wife, Anna, developed the first carpet sweeper. (GRPL Local History Archives)

INTRODUCING THE CARPET SWEEPER

From the very beginning, Melville and Anna Bissell were a team. He ran the shop while she marketed their wares. They also worked together to develop the product that put the Bissells on the map: the carpet sweeper.

Legend has it that an everyday complaint sparked the idea. Anna Bissell was frustrated with how often she had to sweep up to keep their shop clean. With her input, her husband developed the prototype for what would become the carpet sweeper. After friends and customers saw how well it worked, the Bissells filed for the patent together and began selling the sweeper in 1876.

Carolyn Cassin, the CEO of Michigan Women Forward, emphasized how important Anna Bissells role within the company was long before she took over as CEO.

She was really the product designer.  She figured out how to make (the sweeper) more efficient and more functional. She was always interested in the quality of the product, Cassin told News 8.

According to Cassin, Anna Bissells ways of marketing the sweeper triggered an industrywide change, extending far beyond Bissell products.

She actually was the first person to go take her product into department stores. (At that time) department stores (dictated) what they wanted. But she went out there and said, You need to carry this product for women in your department stores, Cassin said.

Long struggle: How Michigan women promoted suffrage

With the success of the carpet sweeper, the Bissells expanded their operation and became one of the key employers in Grand Rapids. That expansion allowed the business to weather some tough times, including the Panic of 1884 and other lean economic periods.

Another threat came in the form of a fire. The Bissells factory was gutted by a fire in 1883, but thanks to Anna Bissells business acumen, she was able to corral some local bank loans and get the factory up and running again within three weeks.

Still, the company faced its biggest hurdle in the spring of 1889.

A family photo circa 1890 featuring Anna Bissell, left, and four of her children: Anna Dorothy Bissell, Melville Bissell II, Harvey Bissell and Irving Bissell. The grown man on the right is believed to be Dorothys husband, William McCay. Anna Bissells second child, Lillie May, passed away when she was 7 years old. (GRPL Local History Archives)

TAKING CHARGE

Melville Bissells health was never the best. Even in the family tribute written after his wifes death, his children described him as a man strong in purpose, though not in health.

He died on March 15, 1889, succumbing to pneumonia at just 46 years old, leaving Anna Bissell and their four surviving children with some decisions to make about how to move forward. She could have sold the company and lived a comfortable life. Instead, she doubled down, taking complete control of the company at a time when women simply didnt run giant businesses.

She may well have been Americas first female CEO. We cant really identify one prior to that, Cassin said.

Her gamble paid off. According to the Greater Grand Rapids Womens History Council, by 1899 it was the largest corporation of its kind in the world.

Bissell used her marketing prowess to expand the companys reach, taking the Bissell Carpet Sweeper Co. from a regional player to an international one. Bissell expanded into Europe and even got one of her sweepers into Buckingham Palace.

It is said that Englands Queen Victoria insisted that the palace be Bisselled every week, the companys history page stated.

She served as the president of the Bissell Company from 1889 through 1919 and then the chair of the board from 1919 until her death in 1934, laying a foundation strong enough that it still stands 90 years later.

A photo of a Bissell-sponsored float for a Grand Rapids parade circa 1890. (GRPL Local History Archives)

BISSELL FACTORY INTERIOR3: A 1963 promotional booklet shows an employee working on a carpet sweeper inside the new Bissell factory in Walker. (GRPL Local History Archives)

A 1963 promotional booklet shows two workers cutting pieces inside the new Bissell factory in Walker. (GRPL Local History Archives)

A 1963 promotional booklet shows pieces of a carpet sweeper moving down an assembly line inside the new Bissell factory in Walker. (GRPL Local History Archives)

A 1978 postcard shows an aerial view of the old Bissell plant on the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids. (GRPL Local History Archives)

ANNAS LEGACY

Anna Bissells legacy extends beyond being a smart entrepreneur. In addition to running her successful corporation in an era when women were rarely seen in the board room, she raised her family, led community support efforts and even made a mark as a progressive labor leader.

In the late 1800s, first of all, workers were treated very badly during that period of time. Thats how the labor unions and things rose. Workers were paid pennies, there no were child labor laws, all those kinds of things. She really was determined that people have wages that were fair, Cassin said.

Bissell was one of the first companies to offer a pension plan and workers compensation.

A portrait photograph of Anna Bissell, CEO of and co-founder of the Bissell Carpet Sweeper Company. (GRPL Local History Archives)

If you got hurt on the job, you could go home, get well and come back  and she paid them during that period of time. Those were unprecedented things back then, she said.

Cassin believes she was a key factor in establishing those new conditions, not just in Grand Rapids, but nationally, to shift more rights to employees.

Id like to think that when companies came to Grand Rapids to start up, there was a norm in the community that we treat people fairly, we treat people with respect and dignity. That they are doing us a favor as the owners of the business. I think she was a big part of that, Cassin said. I think it raised the community standards, and it really became known nationally, too.

Tensions rising: What led up to the 1911 furniture worker strike

Business aside, Bissell was very active in her church and community. She helped fund two local programs to help children and families in need, including the Childrens House, which later became the D.A. Blodgett Home for Children, and the Bissell House.

According to Ruth Van Stee, of the Greater Grand Rapids Womens History Council, the Bissell House was modeled after the Hull House in Chicago. They were settlement homes in larger cities, where middle- and upper-class men and women would live and help families in need and new immigrants by offering childcare to allow them to go work and education courses to help them expand beyond low-end jobs.

By 1900, there were more than 100 settlements across the country running similar programs to Chicagos Hull House.

A giant memorial for the Bissell family stands in Oakhill Cemetery on the south side of Grand Rapids. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8)

A giant memorial for the Bissell family stands in Oakhill Cemetery on the south side of Grand Rapids. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8)

Anna Bissell is buried alongside her husband and some of her children at Oakhill Cemetery in southeast Grand Rapids. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8)

Anna Bissell died on Nov. 8, 1934. She was 87 years old. In the report announcing her death, the Grand Rapids Herald said her life had been rich in every respect and was known for her charitable giving as much as her business acumen.

To this day, the company remains firmly rooted in West Michigan, moving from downtown Grand Rapids to its current headquarters in Walker, and continuing to innovate and develop household cleaning tools. But the part of her legacy that is easiest to see now is the cracks in the glass ceiling that she helped break.

We dont know how hard it is to do that work when you look around you and theres nobody else. There are no other women CEOs. That was really crazy. She really shattered a lot of stereotypes, Cassin said. Her legacy was really a reminder that gender is not a barrier to achieving goals and aspirations.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
What issues are facing central Columbia and how the central city can keep its historic character in years to come were among questions community members sought to answer this past week as the city works toward urban conservation regulations.

Urban conservation is a means of development in a sensitive way to what neighbors seek, rather than mass redevelopment, said Tim Breihan, principal at H3 Studio, a contractor with the city's Community Development department on the project.

The central city is defined by the boundaries of Old Highway 63 to the east, Business Loop 70 to the north, Clinkscales Road to the West, and East Broadway, East Walnut, South College Avenue, and Rollins Street to the South. While a majority of this is Ward 1, it also has pieces of Wards 3 and 6. Residents here are almost exclusively lower income households, a project presentation noted.

The work by community members, city staff and H3 is in its first of four phases. A kick-off public-input meeting happened in December. From that, H3 and city staff were able to develop a draft vision statement from which community members worked off Wednesday:

"Building upon its desirable location, traditional neighborhood fabric, numerous neighborhood parks and diverse, distinctive homes, the Central Columbia Urban Conservation District will guide contextually-sensitive development, better connect residents to community amenities and promote reinvestment to strengthen the unique character of the neighborhoods and improve the social capital and quality of life for all residents, no matter their age, income or ability."

Residents review a section of a central Columbia map Wednesday at Columbia City Hall to provide feedback on what eventually will become central Columbia urban conservation regulations.

The feedback from residents this week will go into three alternate plans for presentation and discussion at an April 24 public input meeting. That meeting is where residents will hone in on one final plan for development into the urban conservation regulations, Breihan said.

One resident, who lives near Hickman High School expressed one of her top priorities was affordable housing, but also is worried about how closely the community feedback will be followed in the future.

"I think it is really great we are doing this. I have a lot of skepticism about how much this plan will be followed in the future by our elected representatives and our boards and commissions, but I'm glad to be here and give my input," said Rikki Ascani. "At the forefront of my mind is always affordable housing. We are facing one of the biggest housing crises in our known history. Coming to this table that is kind of at the forefront of my mind and building communities that feel cohesive but also provide the housing we so desperately need."

Another resident pushed H3 to hold even more public input meetings since the presentation took upward of 40 minutes, leaving residents with only about an hour to discuss and write notes on maps and feedback boards.

Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Residents give feedback on Central Columbia Conservation District
Humanitarian aid for Gaza is loaded on a platform at the port of Larnaca

Humanitarian aid for Gaza is loaded on a platform at the port of Larnaca

LARNACA, Cyprus (Reuters) -By Yiannis Kourtoglou and Stamos Prousalis

A ship carrying tonnes of food for Gaza remained docked in a Cyprus port on Sunday as preparations were underway to launch a yet untested maritime aid route to the enclave, where the United Nations estimates a quarter of the population faces starvation.

The Open Arms, a salvage vessel, plans to tow a barge with 200 tonnes of food, mostly funded by the UAE. The supplies were sourced by charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), which is working with Spanish non-governmental organisation Proactiva Open Arms.

WCK said it has another 500 tonnes of supplies in Cyprus, which will be dispatched in future missions.

However, the timing on the departure for the aid was unclear. Packing the cargo was completed late on Saturday, but one source said the departure was partly contingent on creating a makeshift jetty in Gaza to facilitate deliveries since the strip has no port infrastructure.

WCK is now constructing that jetty out of rubble.

"I hope @WCKitchen succeeds in delivering a new way to increase the arrival of food in Gaza.. And is (sic) complicated..with so many unknowns and challenges," WCK's founder Jose Andres, a Michelin-starred chef, said on social media platform X.

"But we never follow a plan, we adapt! And the plan writes itself as we go. And we will find the way."

The pilot project envisages taking aid directly to Gaza, which has been sealed off from the outside world since Israel began its offensive in response to an Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants.

This mission, if successful, would effectively signal the first easing of an Israeli naval blockade imposed on Gaza in 2007 after Hamas took control of the Palestinian enclave.

With the humanitarian crisis in Gaza becoming increasingly desperate, international players are scrambling to find alternative routes to supply aid.

The US Army has dispatched a logistics ship carrying equipment, days after U.S. President Joe Biden said the U.S. would build a temporary pier to facilitate aid deliveries.

Cyprus said cargoes are to undergo security inspections in Cyprus by a team including Israel, eliminating the need for screenings at its offloading point to remove potential hold-ups in aid deliveries.

(Reporting by Michele Kambas, Stamos Prousalis and Yiannis Kourtoglou, writing by Michele Kambas; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
On Feb. 29, Presidents Biden and Trump paid a visit to the border in Texas. Polling shows illegal immigration is a big issue for voters, and they are not happy with the open border policies of the past three years. So both Messrs. Biden and Trump are suggesting solutions. Biden wants more money for border guards and blames the Republicans for the crisis by not providing the funding he wants. Trump wants more wall to be built, and also promises to expel masses of illegals, or undocumented immigrants, if you prefer. So whats likely to work?

Hiring more border guards, while certainly helpful, wont do a thing to stem the flow, since the left wants open borders, and uses the guards as hotel doormen, welcoming the new arrivals and speeding them on their way to wherever. Candidate Biden promised open borders, and he has certainly delivered on his promise, immediately reversing Trump executive orders the day he took office. The numbers have skyrocketed  somewhere north of 2 million a year, but accurate data, by the nature of the thing, is impossible to come by.

Charles Milliken

Should Trump, if elected, reinstitute his policies the numbers would drop sharply, but still would be significant. Also, which is little known, crossings from the Canadian border have gone up by a factor of nearly ten times over the past few years. Those were insignificant a few years ago, but no longer are. On top of all these, visa overstays are in the hundreds of thousands each year.

Meanwhile, there are 10 to 15 million illegals, and maybe many more, already here. Again, accurate numbers do not exist, but how many of those does Trump actually expect to deport? Millions of them no doubt have children born in the United States. This complicates matters, since the child cannot be deported. How are millions of illegals to be rounded up? How many, I suspect the vast majority, are now working productively, and have no criminal record? (Heinous crimes committed by illegals make news, but, considering the numbers involved, are these crimes disproportionate to those committed by those born here?) In those cases, does deportation really make sense? My brother, who lives in California, told me if all the illegals were deported, California's economy would simply cease to function. In short, the toothpaste is out of the tube, and to try to put it back borders on insanity. Best to be patient, institute policies to control the border, and learn to live with the results.

Voters are also unhappy with high energy prices, high utility bills, and massive regulations and subsidies to force us all into electric vehicles, electric stoves, electric equipment, and electric everything else. This winter has shown the value of EVs when the thermometer drops way below freezing. Useless. The greenies in California arent concerned about EV problems in Michigan, but Michigan voters are. How much sacrifice are we expected to make to avoid the climate catastrophes looming in our future? I suspect the obeisance to climate insanity is running out, except, of course, for the True Believers. Patience is called for here as well, since facts on the ground will, sooner or later, supplant doomsday alarmism.

Voters are also unhappy with debt and deficits, and have been for decades. To think that balanced budgets are in our future is truly delusional! Back in the thirties, one of FDRs advisors said the road to political success was tax and tax, spend and spend, elect and elect. That playbook has served the Democrats very well indeed. Only now it has been modified to borrow and borrow, spend and spend, elect and elect. Taxes are unpopular. Only one thing is more unpopular than taxes, and thats cutting spending.

Republicans huff and puff about reining in spending, but it never happens. Subsidizing the bloat in education not only is not cut, it is increased continuously. Find me the Republican who seriously proposes cutting funding to colleges and universities, and Ill show you a Republican who has an electoral death wish.

People want something for nothing, and thinking that will change is indeed insane.

 Charles Milliken is a professor emeritus after 22 years of teaching economics and related subjects at Siena Heights University. He can be reached at milliken.charles@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Charles Milliken: Bordering on insanity
Residents of Ustick Road in North Meridian oppose a small charter school on an acre in their neighborhood, citing concerns with traffic congestion and student safety.

I dont think anybodys going to argue that we dont need charter schools, said Steve Swan, who lives across the street from the proposed school. I think we need a bigger charter school, just not there. There are other places to build in Meridian.

The school would be the second Pathways in Education school, after one in Nampa. The school would be for students in grades 9-12 and would be structured with a combination of small group instruction, independent study, online classes and experiential learning, the schools website said. The school would be located at 965 E. Ustick Road, between Meridian and Locust Grove Roads.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Pathways Charter School is nontraditional, helps students thrive

Kent Mussell, a representative of the developer, Mussell Construction Inc., said Pathways would have a maximum capacity of 40 students, but schedules would be staggered with students coming to school for 45 minutes to a hour of testing and tutoring time.

Students at Pathways complete their school work at home and come to campus only twice per week for testing and tutoring, Mussell said at a Meridian City Council public hearing on Tuesday.

Pathways Charter School is designed for students who need to catch up on high school credits to graduate, or who struggle with mental health challenges like anxiety, ADHD, or depression, Mussell said.

In its application to Meridian, school representatives attached letters from parents whose students are enrolled at the Pathways in Nampa.

One of the letters describes one of the students situations: she was home-schooled by her mother when her father died during COVID, Mussell said during the council meeting. When her mother returned to work, she had to switch from home-schooling to public school. The student was grieving the loss of her father and struggling with anxiety and depression, and entering public school was not a good fit for that transition. The girl ended up enrolling at Pathways, and the letter reports amazing things about the support that she has received there and how it has helped her to thrive.

The proposed Pathways Charter School is a nontraditional school where students do most of their work at home, but come to class for testing and tutoring.

I can see the potential for real problems

Im very much in favor of charter schools in the right place, said Nancy Wilson, a resident of Boulder Creek Avenue, a side street off Ustick near the proposed school. Aside from the increase in traffic on Ustick Road  its already busy, and speed is poorly controlled  I think that theres other safety concerns as well, one being there is no crosswalk.

Wilson worried about traffic-related pedestrian deaths that have increased in the area. She said students may risk running across Ustick if there is no crosswalk or traffic light.

Dawn Brook, who lives next to the Swan household, said she was a teacher in Meridian for several years and shares concerns about student safety.

I just know how traffic can back up and how kids can be impulsive, and we have just such a traffic pattern there that I can see the potential for real problems, Brook said.

Ustick Road, from Meridian to nearly Locust Grove roads, was widened in 2015, but traffic still plagues the area, residents say. They opposed a proposed charter school along Ustick Road.

The residents said that during school pickup and drop-off times, traffic would back up out of the schools parking lot and into Ustick Road, which is busy most hours of the day.

Mussell said Pathways is not a traditional school and parents will not be picking students up at the same time every day.

Two-thirds of students will leave at nonpeak traffic hours, Mussell said.

The Meridian City Council is waiting on the Ada County Highway District to issue a traffic report on the charter school. The council is scheduled to decide on Tuesday, March 26.

Pedestrian, cyclist fatalities influence ACHD updates. Heres what it plans for 2024 improvements

It is too fast: Meridian officials slam Idaho Transportation Department over Eagle Road
Earlier this week, the Human Rights Campaign convened advocates, educators, and leaders to discuss the urgent issues surrounding the tragic death of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old teenager of Indigenous heritage from Owasso High School in Oklahoma. The organization held the conversation a month after a fight erupted in a high school bathroom in Oklahoma, which involved the bullied transgender student who would be dead the next day.



Among the speakers was Chasten Buttigieg, husband of Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and a former teacher. Chasten Buttigieg called out what he saw as the failures of the school system to protect Benedict. The role of an educator extends beyond the classroom. Its about ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and valued for who they are, he said.

HRC president Kelley Robinson further illuminated the systemic neglect faced by LGBTQ+ students.

Our schools must be safe havens for all students, yet what happened to Nex demonstrates a catastrophic failure in our system, Robinson remarked. She emphasized the need for federal and state-level interventions to enforce and expand protections for LGBTQ+ students, stressing that Justice for Nex means ensuring no other student suffers in the way they did.

After Robinson had written to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Education, the Education Departments Office of Civil Rights announced a federal investigation into Benedicts school district.

Chasten Buttigieg specifically criticized the hiring or appointing of individuals with openly anti-LGBTQ+ views to influential positions, such as right-wing extremist Chaya Raichik, who runs the Libs of TikTok account. Many, many adults failed Nex, especially the state superintendent who has made repeated efforts to parrot anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and famously hiring openly anti-LGBTQ people to prominent positions, including Libs of TikTok, who, as last time I checked, doesnt live in the state of Oklahoma and doesnt even hold a degree in library science or education, Buttigieg said. Placing individuals who have openly attacked LGBTQ+ rights in positions that influence educational policy sends a dangerous message. It undermines the very foundation of what education should bea place of safety, growth, and inclusivity.

He further lamented the politicization of LGBTQ+ lives, illustrated by the inappropriate response to the Westboro Baptist Churchs protest at Benedicts school on Wednesday. This group, known for its extreme hate speech, was misleadingly referred to as an activist group by local education officials, underscoring a grievous underestimation and mishandling of the hate directed toward LGBTQ+ students, Chasten Buttigieg noted.

This is not an activist group, and the fact that the school district, especially the state superintendent, wouldnt speak to that fact and the type of hatred that is invited into a community when people in positions of power allow it to happen, he said.

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, echoed this sentiment by focusing on the role educators play in fostering an inclusive environment. Teachers are often the first line of defense against bullying and discrimination. We need policies that empower us to protect and affirm the identities of all students, Weingarten stated. She called for comprehensive training and resources to help educators navigate these challenges effectively, asserting, Educational policy must prioritize the well-being and dignity of every student, without exception.

Chasten Buttigieg shared his concerns as a parent navigating the complexities of preschool applications, emphasizing the universal desire for competent and empathetic educators  he and Pete Buttigieg have twins.

As a parent who is currently, you know, going through the throes of applying to preschools, if anyone can commiserate, I want the most qualified people in those rooms. I want people who are going to care about my child and who are going to see my child for the full person they are. And I also want my kid to exist in a space where its simply okay to be themselves, Chasten Buttigieg said.

He then went after Oklahomas apparent educational priorities.

Look, Oklahoma ranks number 48 in education. So, if your state ranks number 48, youve got some work to do. And I think the choice to bring someone like Libs of TikTok is going in the completely wrong direction. And if I were in Oklahoma, I would be very embarrassed that that is what my state superintendent was focusing on, Buttigieg said.

He also touched on the broader societal consequences of failing to protect LGBTQ+ youth. When we allow hate and discrimination to flourish in our schools, were not just failing these kids; were failing our society, he observed.

Nexs story is a devastating reminder of the real consequences of our inaction. This isnt just a policy debate; its about the lives and well-being of young people, he said. Every kid deserves the right to grow up, to fall in love, to be themselves without fear. We owe it to them to make our schools places where that is not just possible but expected.
KINGSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  The American Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms as they turn their clocks forward to make sure the devices are working.

With daylight saving time beginning Sunday night, youll lose that hour of sleep as we gain an extra hour of daylight in the evening.

American Red Cross officials remind us to change batteries in our smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as we spring forward.

Ye Olde Clock and Gift Shoppe springs forward

Fire departments, including the Kingston/Forty-Fort Fire Department, can help residents install them in their homes.

Its very important. smoke detectors save lives. almost every fatal fire Ive been at in over 30 years has been because there was no smoke detector, explained Floyd Youngs the deputy fire chief of the Kingston/Forty-Fort Fire Department.

if you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms, the Red Cross may be able to help.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
CHICAGO  A woman accused of carjacking a man on the citys West Side is now facing a felony charge.

Authorities say 18-year-old Litzy Rodriguez, an East Side resident, has been charged with one felony count of vehicular hijacking and one felony count of cannabis possession.

Officers say the charge stems from the womans alleged role in a carjacking that unfolded on the citys West Side on Tuesday night.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headline

According to Chicago police, Rodriguez was allegedly one of the people who carjacked the 39-year-old man in the 1800 block of North Austin Avenue, in Galewood, just before 10:30 p.m.

18-year-old Litzy Rodriguez has been charged with one felony count of vehicular hijacking in connection with a carjacking that unfolded on the city's West Side on Tuesday night.

Officers quickly located Rodriguez less than half a mile from where the alleged carjacking occurred and took her into custody about 10 minutes after the incident.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Rodriguez appeared in court on Thursday for a detention hearing.

Police have not provided a description of the other individuals who are believed to have been involved and it is unclear if any other arrests have been made.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
China operates some of the world's most extensive censorship over the internet, blocking everything from Google to news websites (Jade Gao)

China has intensified efforts to block software that enables internet users to access banned websites during a top political meeting this week, a leading provider of firewall-leaping software told AFP.

Beijing operates some of the world's most extensive censorship over the internet, with web users in mainland China unable to access everything from Google to news websites without using a virtual private network (VPN).

And as thousands of delegates gather in Beijing this week for the annual "Two Sessions" meeting, VPN software has increasingly struggled to circumvent the censorship while outages have become much more frequent, even when compared to during previous sensitive political events.

"Currently, there is increased censorship due to political meetings in China," a representative of the Liechtenstein-based service Astrill -- one of the most popular VPN services for foreigners in China -- confirmed to AFP.

"Unfortunately, not all VPN protocols are functioning at this time," they said.

"We are working intensively on bringing all services back to normal, but currently have no ETA."

The use of a VPN without government authorisation is illegal in China, as is using the software to access blocked websites.

State media workers and diplomats, however, are allowed to access prohibited websites such as X, formerly Twitter.

Security has tightened across Beijing throughout the Two Sessions, with security officers patrolling streets with sniffer dogs and elderly volunteers in red armbands monitoring pedestrians for suspicious behaviour.

Chinese social media giant Weibo has also been quick to block sensitive topics.

All hashtags discussing Beijing's decision to call off a traditional press conference by the country's premier were quickly removed from search results.

And another, a reference to China's economic woes declaring "middle class children have no future" was also removed.

China's domestic media is state-controlled and widespread censorship of social media is often used to suppress negative stories or critical coverage.

Regulators have previously urged investors to avoid reading foreign news reports about China.

In a speech last year, President Xi Jinping said the ruling Communist Party's control of the internet had been "strengthened", and that it was crucial that the state "govern cyberspace".

bur-oho/dhw
The "Magnificent Seven" is a moniker Bank of America analyst Michael Hartnett coined to describe a group of America's largest technology stocks, which handily outperformed the S&P 500 index in 2023. The Magnificent Seven includes:

Apple Microsoft Nvidia Amazon Alphabet Meta Platforms Tesla

Last year, the Magnificent Seven stocks returned an average of 112%, obliterating the 24% gain in the S&P 500. Considering most of these companies operate on the front lines of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, it's impossible not to pay attention to them.

But let's set the group aside for a moment and talk about Warren Buffett, considered one of the most successful investors of all time. He's run the Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B) investment company since 1965, and during the past five years alone, he's plowed more money into one particular stock than any other in all of his 58 years at the helm.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

The Magnificent Seven is contributing to Buffett's success

Before we talk about that mystery stock, it's important to recognize that a large part of Berkshire's success over the past several years can be credited to one member of the Magnificent Seven. Buffett loves to invest in companies with steady revenue growth, robust profitability, and strong management teams. He especially likes companies that return money to shareholders through dividends and stock buybacks.

It's no surprise, then, that Berkshire has spent an estimated $38 billion accumulating shares of Apple since 2016. It has paid off handsomely, because that Apple position is worth a whopping $163 billion as of this writing, accounting for 42.2% of the total value of Berkshire's $362.4 billion portfolio of publicly traded stocks and securities.

It's worth noting Berkshire owns a small position in another Magnificent Seven constituent: Amazon. That holding is worth just $1.7 billion today, though Buffett has repeatedly expressed regret for not recognizing Amazon's potential sooner.

Story continues

Berkshire's $38 billion bet on Apple was a home run, but the conglomerate has spent nearly twice that amount since 2019 accumulating stock in another company that has nothing to do with the Magnificent Seven, or the technology sector, at all.

The spectacular stock Buffett likes the most

As I touched on earlier, Buffett is widely regarded as one of the best investors in history. Berkshire Hathaway was a struggling textiles company when he bought it in 1965, and he transformed it into the successful conglomerate it is today.

Berkshire's portfolio features 47 publicly traded stocks and securities, including Apple, but it also wholly owns a number of private companies, including GEICO insurance, Dairy Queen, and Duracell. Berkshire generated $364.4 billion in revenue and $96.2 billion in earnings per share in 2023, both of which were record highs.

For some perspective, Berkshire generated just $49.3 million in revenue and $2.3 million in earnings during Buffett's first year in charge.

Berkshire stock returned an astounding 4,384,748% between 1965 and 2023, which translates to a compound annual return of 19.8% over 58 years. In other words, it could have turned a $1,000 investment into $43.8 million. By comparison, the same $1,000 investment in the S&P 500 in 1965 would be worth just $312,230 today.

Therefore, it shouldn't be shocking to learn that the stock in which Buffett has allocated $73.6 billion since 2019 is...Berkshire Hathaway. That's right. The conglomerate has spent more money on repurchasing its own stock during the past five years than on any other investment in its history.

Berkshire could join the $1 trillion club this year

Berkshire's stock repurchases shrink the number of shares outstanding, which lifts its earnings per share as well as existing investors' ownership stake in the company. It's a popular way for companies to return money to their investors, but it's also a clear sign of Buffett's conviction in himself and his team.

Berkshire's market value now is about $870 billion, and if its stock continues to deliver a 19.8% annual return, it will cross the $1 trillion threshold in 2024. It would be the first non-technology company in U.S. history to reach that threshold. Only Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms are currently in that exclusive club.

Investors looking for opportunities outside the Magnificent Seven might want to consider betting on Buffett, but there is one caveat. In his 2023 letter to shareholders, Buffett warned investors not to expect any more eye-popping performance from Berkshire, because the conglomerate has grown so large that it's struggling to find quality investment opportunities capable of moving the growth needle.

Nevertheless, given the sheer size of Berkshire's stock buybacks, it's clear he thinks his conglomerate is still the best investment he can make.

Should you invest $1,000 in Berkshire Hathaway right now?

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Putin is squeezing every rouble he can out of the Russian state in pursuit of victory in Ukraine. Increasingly, his war-driven economy is propped up by support from China, with Russia fast becoming a proxy in Xi Jinpings zero-sum contest with the West. Unless this reality is effectively addressed by the Western coalition, the free world risks first losing Ukraine, then Taiwan, and ultimately any hope of maintaining the current rules-based international order.

Crucially, no true strategic partnership exists between Beijing and Moscow. China has no intention of power sharing with a victorious Putin in a future post-US-led world.

But this is precisely what makes the current situation so dangerous. Backed by Beijing, protracting Putins war of attrition in Ukraine will not only weaken Russia, it will by degrees weaken and divide the Western coalition, and ease Chinas path to supremacy over a new alliance based on authoritarian cronies and client states in the Global South.

It seems clear that China is now deliberately awarding Putin massive trade surplus subsidies, worth $38 billion in 2022, to fund his pointless and reckless Ukraine war. Russian oil and gas tax revenues in February 2024, at over $10 billion, were up 80 per cent from a year before. The IMF meanwhile has raised its forecast of Russian economic growth in 2024 from 1.1 per cent to 2.6 per cent.

Putin now can afford to direct 40 per cent of his 2024 budget, or 10 per cent of GDP, on military spending. Manpower is still available, in sufficient quantity to serve as expendable cannon fodder.

Manufacturing tanks and shells to devastate Ukraine is not productive output in any real economic sense, but in effect China is largely footing the bill. Xi Jinpings efforts to revive the Chinese economy have been piecemeal and ineffective, and there is no real prospect for renewed growth that does not entail massive increases in energy consumption. Beijing is accordingly quite content buying fuel from a dependent Putin; the relationship is symbiotic.

Russia fires up to five times more shells at Ukrainian forces than vice versa, and is managing to produce more ammunition itself than Ukraine is receiving from its allies. Western production is falling behind, disrupted by the effects of Covid on the workforce and sourcing chains, unable to keep up with Ukraines needs.

Meanwhile, China colludes with Russias highly successful efforts to circumvent Western coalition sanctions on trade in materials needed in the battlefield, including some drones, missiles and sophisticated microchips, but also numerous basic components manufactured in the West, including the US.

These items, having been sold legitimately to third countries, are being trafficked into Russia across permeable customs barriers, including Kazakhstans, despite government assurances that Western sanctions regimes are fully supported there. A Norwegian consultancy estimates sanctions circumvention as having saved Moscow $8.5 billion in 2022.

It follows from all the above that what began as Putins war has by degrees become Xi Jinpings. China has no need to risk Western sanctions by directly arming Putins legions. Solely by vicarious means, the Chinese Communist Party is turning this worsening geostrategic conflict to its unilateral advantage.

Disrupting coalition efforts to defend Ukraine advances the most cherished aims of the leadership in Beijing; annexing Taiwan, and hastening the end of the Western world order based on liberal values.

It is high time that we assessed, frankly and honestly, the existential threat that the PRC regime poses to global peace and prosperity.

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One of the photos showed Geri with Monty, her son with husband Christian Horner

Christian Horners Mothers Day tribute on Instagram to his wife Geri appeared to backfire as his post was mocked in comments online.

The Red Bull Formula 1 team principal, 50, shared photos of the former Spice Girl on the social media platform on Sunday.

In the caption, he wrote: Happy Mothers Day  so appreciative of the mums in our family for everything they do. Were always grateful, today and every day.

But social media users were quick to criticise Horner, who is at the centre of a controversy over accusations about his behaviour towards a female employee.

Comments left underneath the post accused him of following PR advice and said he was digging himself a bigger hole.

Did your PR person tell you to post this? said one user, while another added: You aint fooling anyone bro.

Other comments said he had disrespected his wife with his behaviour, with one saying: 1996 Ginger Spice would have shown you the door.

Another user questioned why he had allowed comments to be made under the post, saying: You keep digging a bigger hole for yourself.

It has now been more than a week since Red Bull cleared Horner of wrongdoing following allegations of controlling behaviour made by a female colleague.

But Horner has been unable to escape the controversy after WhatsApp messages allegedly between him and a female employee were leaked to the media on Feb 29, a day after the Red Bull ruling, and were widely disseminated online.

It led to calls from Jos Verstappen, the father of Max Verstappen, the world champion and Red Bulls most valuable asset, for Horner to resign.

Horners accuser was suspended with full pay on Thursday, amid reports the woman was told of concerns around the accuracy of her evidence as an explanation.

Horner and Halliwell put on an affectionate united front in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday - AP Photo/Giuseppe Cacace/Pool

Speaking a few hours after news broke of her suspension, Horner spoke about the emotional toll the episode had taken on his family.

Im married and have three children, and when that intrusion involves your children and your marriage  and Im very thankful I have a beautiful family and a very supportive wife but Im the only one who has been named in this. So of course, its very trying. When there are children involved, family, parents its not pretty.

The reality is there was a grievance that was raised. It was dealt with in the most professional manner by the group, not Red Bull Racing, but the parent company. They appointed one of the top barristers in the land. He looked at everything. He looked at all the facts. And he looked at the case and dismissed the grievance.

My wife has been phenomenally supportive throughout this. But the intrusion on my family is now enough. We need to move forward.

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Under pressure Red Bull boss Christian Horner shared photos of his wife Geri to mark Mothers Day amid turmoil over his job at the F1 team.

Horner, 50, remains boss of Red Bulls grand prix operations after being cleared of inappropriate behaviour towards a female member of staff.

On track, the team has started 2024 the way it left off last season - with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez completing a second successive one-two result for the team in Saudi Arabia.

But Horners personal life has come into the spotlight, with the former Spice Girl, 51, reportedly embarrassed after messages her husband sent were leaked to the paddock.

The female Red Bull staff member has been suspended by the team as the couple - married since 2015 - have held hands and kissed in parc ferme.

On Sunday, Horner doubled down on the charm offensive by sharing snaps of his wife with their son Monty as well as pics of his own mother Sara.

On Instagram, he wrote: Happy Mothers Day - So appreciative of the mums in our family for everything they do. Were always grateful, today and every day.

Horner, who additionally has a daughter born from his relationship with Beverley Allen, had left the comments on for the post before limiting them.

Not present in Saudi Arabia was Jos Verstappen, the father of Max, who has been critical of Horner and said the publicity could tear the team apart.

Verstappen, a former F1 frontrunner himself, said: It can't go on the way it is. It will explode.

Horner has led the team since Red Bull bought out the former Jaguar / Ford Cosworth operation in 2005 when the team was more or less an also-ran. He has been credited for helping lead the team to multiple driver and constructor titles.

After the race on Saturday, he wrote: A second 1-2 finish and another brilliant performance by the team to secure maximum points and get our 2024 season off to a great start.

Congratulations to @maxverstappen1 on a ninth consecutive victory and 100th podium in the sport, with @schecoperez also driving a superb race to overtake Charles and secure the 1-2 and a perfect start.

The car has been an aggressive evolution to its predecessor. Its a testament to the unrelenting work of the Team in Milton Keynes that we bring home another 1-2 victory.
The usual number of eclipses in a year is four; in a few years there can be 5, 6, and even 7. The year 2024 is the usual 4-eclipse kind. What underlies this is that there are two "eclipse seasons" each year.

Each of them contains two (sometimes three) eclipses: one solar, one lunar, and sometimes another one of either type. The eclipse seasons are actually less than six months apart, by about 19-days, so they keep falling back that much earlier each year.

Last year they fell in April/May and October; this year they have shifted in the calendar to March/April and September/October. Next year they will have shifted back again, so that one will come in March, the second in September.

Related: Total solar eclipse 2024: Everything you need to know

What is an eclipse season?

It is a span of about a month during which eclipses are possible at the new and full moons, because the line of the crossing point of the moon's orbit with that of the Earth's (called a "node") is pointing near enough to the sun. The moon's orbit is tilted to the Earth's at an angle of just over 5 degrees; the nodes are the two points at which the planes intersect  that is, at which the moon passes down or up through the ecliptic plane. More often than not, the new moon will either pass too high or too low to cast its shadow on the Earth . But at least twice each year, the new moon will pass close enough to a node to cover the sun , resulting in an eclipse.

One number by which eclipses can be measured is what eclipse calculators call "gamma" () or the axis-offset. It is the perpendicular distance from the Earth's center to the moon's axis, or in other words, a line drawn from the sun through the center of the moon and out along the axis of its shadow. If the offset were 0, the eclipse would be exactly central; if it is more than .9972 of an Earth-radius, the middle of one body's shadow misses the other; the greater the offset, the slighter the eclipse.

For our April 8 solar eclipse , the axis-offset amounts to .3431 of an Earth radius. Therefore, the moon throws its shadow not far north of the center of the Earth (the core or shadow axis passes 1,358 miles/2,185 km from the center).

In the other dimension, that of the distance from the Earth to the moon, the moon has to be nearer than average on April 8 if it is to completely cover the disk of the sun and indeed it is: the moon arrives at perigee  its closest point to the Earth, 222,979 miles (358,850 km)  about 25 hours before new moon; thus, the disk of the moon will appear 5.66 percent larger than the sun.

a map showing what the sun will look like across the united states during a solar eclipse on april 8, 2024

The mechanics

A month before the eclipse (on March 10) when it came around between the sun and Earth, the moon was flying too far to the south to cast its shadow upon the Earth's surface, because it had yet to reach its ascending node which was still about 40 hours ahead. But with the April new moon the ascending node is only about 6 hours ahead; so, the shadow strikes below the Earth's south side.

The March equinox  the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere  comes about 20 days prior to the start of the eclipse, so the Earth has begun to tilt north pole-forward (being most so at the June solstice ).

For these reasons the shadow takes a general geographic course northward and also because the moon itself is ascending northward. And as a consequence, the track of the moon's umbral shadow path across the Earth might best be described as a "lazy S," which over the course of 3 hours and 15 minutes travels approximately 9,200 miles (14,800 km) and covers over 0.52% of Earth's surface area. Sweeping such a range of latitudes from 7 degrees south to 49 degrees north, causes it to visit a great diversity of climates, landscapes and human habitats.

The story of the shadow

The penumbra  the lighter/outermost part of the Earth's shadow  meets the Earth first at 15:42:11.8 Universal Time (U.T.) over the Pacific Ocean roughly 300 miles to the east-northeast of Tahiti, the largest island of the Windward group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. This section of our globe is at the front of the moving and rotating Earth, now just turning into the view of the sun  in other words the sunrise line. So, the crew of a ship near this point would theoretically see the sun's topmost edge, just coming above the eastern horizon, ever-so-slightly obscured by the lowest edge of the moon.

Just over an hour later, the penumbra begins to spread over the Pacific coast of Mexico, where a small dent appears on the upper right portion of the sun as the silhouette of the moon slowly encroaches upon the sun's dazzling disk.

By 18:00 UT, the bulk of the penumbra  a circle measuring roughly 5,300 miles (8,500 km) in diameter  has spread rapidly northward onto the Earth so that all of Mexico and Central America, as well as southwest Canada and much of the contiguous United States (save for the mid-Atlantic and Northeast), sees varying degrees of a partial eclipse during the late morning and midday.

a black and white gridded map

Then later, the remainder of the United States as well as Atlantic Canada see it during the afternoon, and finally, far to the east, parts of the United Kingdom get a very brief glimpse near local sundown.

Not quite an hour later, following the penumbra, the southern edge of a much darker shadow  the umbra, where the total eclipse is visible  arrives at 16:38:49.3 U.T., touching down on Earth farther to the west (because the Earth has been turning) and much farther to the north over the open waters of the Pacific, at a point about 1,900 miles (3,060 km) south-southwest of the big island of Hawaii.

This part of the umbra that makes its first contact with the Earth is some 89 miles (143 km) thick, so the axis (the midline of the shadow cone) arrives 1.1 minutes later, and the northern edge another 1.2 minutes later. But because it initially strikes the Earth's surface at a very oblique angle, in its opening moments the shape of the umbra resembles a very elongated ellipse, about 89 miles (143 km) at its widest but some 850 miles (1,370 km) long, while racing forward at some 8.4 miles (13.5 km) per second.

A container ship or fishing trawler that might fortuitously happen to be in this part of the Pacific Ocean during this time frame might witness (should skies be clear), the rapidly narrowing crescent of a barely risen sun being extinguished (or rekindled) by the dark disk of the passing new moon. Shortly after touching down on Earth, the umbra starts its turn toward the northeast.

Landfall!

At 11:05 a.m. M.S.T., the umbra will make its first landfall among Mexico's Islas Marias. Two minutes later, the shadow arrives at Mazatlan, a city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. With a population of 490,000, it is the second-largest city in the state and is a very popular tourist destination, with its beaches lined with resort hotels, restaurants, bars and shops. The city will experience 4 minutes 18 seconds of totality with the sun standing 69 degrees above the southeast horizon.

About 200 miles (320 km) up track from Mazatlan, is the point of greatest eclipse  that spot along the eclipse track when the distance between the moon's shadow axis and Earth's geo-center reaches a minimum  which occurs at 12:17:17.9 p.m. C.S.T. Here, the central duration of totality is 4 minutes 28.1 seconds, and the sun's altitude is 69.8 degrees. The umbral shadow is now an oval of darkness, measuring 122 miles (196 km) wide and moving at 1,568 miles (2,525 km) per hour. The nearest population center is Nazas (pop. 3,600) which lies about 6 miles (10 km) to the south of the centerline of the path of totality.

The shadow enters the United States

At 1:27 p.m. C.D.T., the umbra crosses the Mexican border and enters the United States at Maverick County, Texas, beginning a 15-state tour taking 68 minutes. During this timeframe, the shadow will sweep rapidly northeast across Texas and Oklahoma, portions of the Deep South and Central Great Plains, the Greater Ohio Valley, northwest Pennsylvania, Upstate New York and northern New England.

In Texas, the umbra will visit four out of its top-five largest cities. At 1:34 p.m. C.D.T., San Antonio (pop. 1,452,000) will be virtually cut in half by the southern limit of the totality path, with the Far West Side, Alamo Farmsteads and North Central sections of the city tucked just inside of the totality path, and the duration of totality ranging from roughly 1.7 to 2.2 minutes. At San Antonio International Airport, the total phase will last about 50 seconds. Meanwhile, places farther to the south and east, such as Mission San Jose, Highland Hills and East Side will see either a single point of sunlight or perhaps a series of sunlight beads remaining in view as the peak of a 99.9 percent eclipse is reached.

The umbra will then pass through the state capital of Austin (pop. 965,000) where Austinites will enjoy a 1 minute 43 second totality beginning at 1:36:07 p.m. C.D.T.

Fort Worth (pop. 936,000) will be plunged into midday darkness for 2 minutes 39 seconds at 1:40:24 p.m. C.D.T. and 16 seconds later, totality will come to Dallas (pop. 1,304,000), where the total phase will last 3 minutes 48 seconds. Dallas makes up one-fifth of the much larger urbanized area known as the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, in which one quarter of all Texans live.

The lunar shadow then cuts across the southeastern corner of Oklahoma and at 1:51:34 p.m. C.D.T., totality will come to another state capital, Little Rock, Arkansas (pop. 205,000), lasting for 2 minutes 29 seconds. The city derived its name from a rock formation along the river, named the "Little Rock" by the French explorer Jean-Baptiste Benard de la Harpe in 1722. The southeastern corner of Missouri also falls within the totality path with Cape Girardeau, the Show-Me State's largest city in the totality path getting 4 minutes 7 seconds of midday darkness beginning at 1:58:17 p.m. C.D.T.

a map of the united states showing the path of the total solar eclipse on april 8, 2024

Eclipse crossroads

The city of Carbondale, Illinois (pop. 22,000) billed itself as the "Eclipse Crossroads of America" in 2017 because it was near the centerline for the path of totality for that year's total eclipse (on Aug. 21), and in 2024, it again finds itself very close to the centerline of totality.

According to the law of averages, a specific geographic location will experience a total solar eclipse on the order of once every 375 years. But here is a most unusual case of a city being treated to a view of two total solar eclipses within a timeframe of less than 7 years! On April 8, totality returns to Carbondale, at 1:59:14 p.m. C.D.T. and lasts 4 minutes 8 seconds.

Through the Ohio Valley

The third state capital to experience the total eclipse is Indianapolis, Indiana (pop. 888,000). Colloquially known as Indy, the sun will be completely extinguished by the passing new moon for 3 minutes 49 seconds beginning at 3:06:02 p.m. E.D.T. It is the third-most populous city in the Midwest after Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, and the fourth-most populous state capital after Phoenix, Austin, and Columbus.

At 3:09:46.5 p.m. E.D.T., the southern edge of totality passes only about 13 miles (21 km) to the northwest of Cincinnati, Ohio (pop. 309,000), recently named among the 100 most livable cities in the world, at number 88, and is also on many Best Places to Live lists.

Those who are outside during maximum eclipse will no doubt will notice an eerie "counterfeit twilight" descend over the Queen City for several minutes, thanks to 99.4 percent of the sun's diameter being hidden by the moon. Three minutes later, at 3:12 p.m. E.D.T., a very similar story will be experienced by those living in Ohio's state capital and most populous city, Columbus (pop. 907,000), as the southern edge of the umbra also skirts by just to their northwest.

Before departing The Buckeye State, the umbra sweeps through Cleveland (pop. 373,000), the largest city on Lake Erie and one of the major cities of the Great Lakes region. Totality arrives here at 3:13:42 p.m. E.D.T. and lasts 3 minutes 49 seconds. Another Great Lakes city that will experience the total eclipse is Erie (pop. 93,000), situated in northwest Pennsylvania. They will receive a healthy 3 minutes 42 seconds of total eclipse commencing at 3:16:20 p.m. E.D.T.

New York and New England

From 3:16 p.m. to 3:27 p.m. E.D.T., the umbra passes through western and northern New York and will interact with three of its major cities. Buffalo (pop. 278,000) is the second most populated city in the state and with nearby Niagara Falls, make up the two-county Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which has an estimated population of 1.2 million. The city is almost directly on the center line of totality, providing a duration of 3 minutes 45 seconds of total eclipse commencing at 3:18:17 p.m. E.D.T.

The city of Rochester (pop. 211,000), a global center for science, technology, research and development, will enjoy 3 minutes 40 seconds of total eclipse beginning at 3:20:05 p.m. E.D.T.

Syracuse (pop. 149,000) is just inside the southern limit of totality, but will still see the total phase last for 1 minute 28 seconds starting at 3:22:59 p.m. E.D.T.

Then from 3:27 p.m. to 3:35 p.m. E.D.T., the shadow will pass through three New England states, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Montpelier, Vermont (pop. 8,100) is the fourth state capital to be visited by the umbra, and will be witness to a 1 minute 41 second totality beginning at 3:27:33 p.m. E.D.T.

In New Hampshire, majestic Mount Washington unfortunately lies 18 miles outside the southern limit of the totality path and will see 99.1 percent of the sun's diameter covered at 3:29:52 E.D.T. However, Dixville Notch (pop. 4), known for being the first place to declare its results during United States presidential elections and the New Hampshire presidential primary, is inside of the shadow path. The lunar umbra will pass on through here for a 2 minute 46 second visit beginning at 3:28:34 p.m. E.D.T.

In Maine, the highest mountain in the state, Mount Katahdin at 5,269 feet (1,606 meters), will experience a 3 minute 22 second total eclipse beginning at 3:30:55 p.m. E.D.T. Maine is the least densely populated state east of the Mississippi River and the path of totality passes over many small towns and communities. Millinocket (pop. 4,100) bills itself as "Maine's Biggest Small Town" and where darkness falls during mid-afternoon beginning at 3:31:21 p.m. E.D.T., lasting for 2 minutes 57 seconds.

Canada ... then back out into space

The umbra will also visit the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, bringing a 1 minute 52 second totality to Ontario's port city of Hamilton (pop. 569,000) at 3:18:10 p.m. E.D.T., but sadly, less than two minutes later at 3:19:53 p.m. E.D.T. it will pass just 6 miles (9 km) to the south of Canada's most populous city, Toronto (pop. 2,794,000). At maximum, the moon will cover all but one-tenth of a percent of the disk of the sun, likely  as will also be the case for Cincinnati and Columbus  causing a strange dusky twilight to descend over the city for a few minutes.

As was the case with San Antonio, another major metropolitan area that will be sliced in two by the shadow, is Canada's second-most populous city, Montreal (pop. 1,763,000). The southern and eastern sections of the Island of Montreal will be darkened by the umbra at around 3:26:53 p.m. E.D.T. with LaSalle getting 1.9 minutes of totality, Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport, 1.3 minutes and Longue-Pointe a mere 18 seconds. Meanwhile, places farther to the north and west, such as Mercier-Est, Montreal Nord and Pointe-Aux-Trembles lie barely outside of the zone of total eclipse.

Continuing rapidly east-northeast, the umbra will darken the province of New Brunswick. The capital city of Fredericton (pop. 63,100), will see 2 minutes 18 seconds of totality beginning at 4:33:45 A.D.T., while farther east, the shadow will briefly visit the north half of Prince Edward Island at 4:36 p.m. A.D.T. and a minute later the shadow sweeps over Quebec's Magdalen Islands. Then two minutes later, it provides a glancing blow to Victoria County on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.

The umbra makes its final landfall on the Island of Newfoundland. After bringing 2 minutes 54 seconds of total eclipse for the 83 inhabitants of the tiny coastal hamlet of Maberly, the umbra will move out over the open waters of the Atlantic at 5:16:41.2 p.m. N.D.T. Its shape now resembles a broad ellipse and its ground speed has increased precipitously to 4,650 miles (7,480 km) per hour. The reason is that as it now rapidly nears the end of its track, this part of the Earth is sloping away from the shadow. At 19:55:34.2 U.T., the umbra slips off the Earth and back out into space at local sunset at a point roughly 500 miles (800 km) southwest of southern Ireland.

Now, all that is left is for the penumbra to slide off the Earth's surface. Last contact comes at 20:52:18.9 U.T. at a spot in the Atlantic Ocean some 1,500 miles (2,400 km) west of Lisbon, Portugal, at which point the eclipse of April 8th, 2024 passes into history.

Eclipse chronology

April 5

03:00:00  Middle of Eclipse Season: The sun arrives at the same longitude as the moon's descending node.

April 7

17:32:00  Moon at Perigee: Measured from the center of the Earth to the center of the moon, the distance is 222,979 miles (358,850 km).

April 8

12:18:00  Moon's center reaches the ascending node of its orbit through the ecliptic.

15:42:11.8  Partial Eclipse begins: First contact of moon's penumbral shadow cone with Earth at local sunrise.

16:38:49.3  Total Eclipse begins: First contact of the moon's umbra (southern prolongation of its umbral cone) with the Earth at local sunrise.

16:39:58.5  Central Eclipse begins: The umbra's center line first touches the Earth.

18:17:17.9  Greatest Eclipse: The axis of the umbral shadow passes nearest (gamma = .3431 Earth radius) north of the center of the Earth. As seen from the point of greatest eclipse, the magnitude is 1.0566, that is, the moon covers the sun and .0566 of a sun-width more.

18:20:49.5  New moon (Conjunction of moon with sun in ecliptic longitude): The moon's center is exactly north of the sun's as measured perpendicularly to the ecliptic.

18:36:00.0  Conjunction of the moon and the sun in right ascension: The moon's center appears exactly north of the sun's as measured perpendicularly to the Earth's equator. The center of the eclipse takes place at local apparent noon, with the sun and moon on the meridian.

19:54:26.5  Central Eclipse ends: The umbras center line leaves the Earth's surface.

19:55:34.2  Total Eclipse ends: Last contact of the moon's umbra (southern prolongation of its umbral cone) with the Earth at local sunset.

20:52:18.2  Partial Eclipse ends: Last contact of the moon's penumbral shadow cone with the Earth at local sunset.

Saros Lineage

This eclipse passes fairly near the center of the Earth (and is therefore fairly long) because it is approaching the middle of its saros series, or series of similar eclipses, at intervals of 18.03 years. This is saros series 139 and it began on May 17, 1501 with the first of 7 partial eclipses in the Arctic; it then moved south across the Earth, transitioning into no fewer than 12 of the uncommon hybrid or annular-total kind (annular at the beginning and end, but becoming total in the middle of their paths); then 43 purely total eclipses, of which this is the 11th, and the 30th eclipse overall in this series out of 71.

Those of a certain age will recall the 8th total eclipse of this series, that of March 7, 1970; a Saturday afternoon in which the umbra swept along/adjacent to the Atlantic Seaboard.

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The most central member of saros 139 will be June 13, 2132, when the shadow axis passes just 73.6 miles (118.4 km) south of Earth's center. But the peak duration will continue to rise up to July 16th, 2186, which will be the longest total solar eclipse between 4000 BC and at least AD 6000 (10,000 years), lasting a maximum of 7 minutes, 29.22 seconds. Eclipse expert Jean Meeus calculates the maximum possible eclipse duration of totality in a solar eclipse is currently 7 minutes 32 seconds.

Beginning in 2619 the umbra will miss the Earth entirely, so that the series ends with 9 partials which nobody will travel to see, the last occurring on July 3, 2763 over the Southern Ocean and a small slice of Antarctica.

Joe Rao serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium . He writes about astronomy for Natural History magazine , the Farmers' Almanac and other publications.
Its a big deal, it brings tears to my eyes.

These are the words of Maria Katsikadakou, better known as Maria Cyber, speaking about this years edition of the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival (TIDF).

Renowned as one of the first lesbian activists on the Greek LGBTQI+ scene, she has served as an adviser for the 2024 festivals extensive (and timely) celebration of LGBTQI+ documentary cinema, entitled Citizen Queer.

To say shes excited about it would be an understatement. I feel over-the-top happy, enthusiastic, and excited to be part of it, says Katsikadakou of her consultant role in the grand tribute to queer documentary, which is showcasing more than 25 films, along with a rich programme of discussion-based events.

She tells Euronews Culture of her time as founder and head of Outview Queer Film Festival  Greeces biggest queer film festival  struggling with limited funds and sponsors; to have a huge institution like the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival support the LGBTQI+ community, she explains, is precious and priceless.

Maria Katsikadakou, who's better known as Maria Cyber, was one of Greece's first LGBTIQ rights activists. - Thessaloniki International Film Festival

Promoting pioneers

Running from 7-17 March 2024, the festival sees Thessaloniki, Greeces second city, draw filmmakers and documentary enthusiasts from around the globe.

Under the guidance of Katsikadakou  together with Rico Johnson-Sinclair, founder of the UK-based CineQ festival and inclusion practitioner for festivals including the Berlinale and Cannes; and Dutch writer, curator and visual artist Simon(e) van Saarloos  the festival has curated a selection of ground-breaking titles to screen.

The films of the Citizen Queer tribute unravel the origins of LGBTQI+ representation in art and cinema, pay homage to the pioneers of the movement and brave fights in difficult times, explains TIDF Director Orestis Andreadakis, [they] explore the always-evolving themes of LGBTQI+ identity, introduce us to legendary figures of the community, challenge the status quo gaze on LGBTQI+ that unfortunately is yet to disappear.

Texas Tomboy stars in Monika Treut's exploration of the worlds and thoughts of several transgender individuals. -  Roland Scheikowski

The screening list includes the 1979 cult classic Race d'Ep (The Homosexual Century), which traces the roots of gay liberation to the mid-19th century, and the pioneering Gendernauts (1996) by Monika Treut, one of the first films to delve into the theme of gender transition.

Greek films also have a strong showing, with highlights such as Betty (1979) by Dimitris Stavrakas, which narrates a day in the life of the transgender queer activist Betty Vakalidou, and AKOE/AMFI: The Story of a Revolution (2023), tracing the legacy of the first Greek LGBT movement and its magazine.

For queer and country

Forming part of a wider tribute to the filmmaker, TIDF is showing Panayotis Evangelidiss Tilos Weddings (2022), which centres on the first gay and lesbian weddings held in Greece in 2008, later ruled invalid in the courts.

Evangelidiss film, and Citizen Queer more broadly, has never been more topical  Greece legalised same-sex civil marriage last month, the first Christian Orthodox country to do so, and in spite of significant opposition from the influential Greek Orthodox Church.

"I am always happy when one of my films is screened at a festival, let alone when it is one that contains a social demand that has now been answered to a great extent, Evangelidis tells Euronews Culture.

The legalisation of the same-sex marriage is a landmark in the history of the country, says Andreadakis, who believes the decision signals the start of a new chapter for queer cinema. It is safe to say that new prospects are in store for queer cinema in Greece, as far as the audience reach and the overall interaction with society as a whole, he reflects.

The reason for the timeliness of Citizen Queer is twofold; in addition to the recent legalisation of same-sex marriage (together with adoption by same-sex couples), 2024 marks the arrival of EuroPride in Thessaloniki. From 21-29 June 2024, the pan-European international LGBTQI+ event will enthral the city, of course with a vibrant parade, but also with concerts, walking tours, fairs, movie screenings, and theatre performances, together with space for discussion of salient issues at a three-day human rights conference.

It will be a celebration of tolerance, acceptance, love, and diversity, which will leave its mark in Greece, Andreadakis describes. For Katsikadakou, Citizen Queer is partly about preparing the ground for this huge fiesta.

What makes these events particularly impactful, Andreadakis and Katsikadakou believe, are their inclusivity, broad appeal, and ability to weave queer culture into the everyday life and very fabric of Thessaloniki. Citizen Queer is educational for the ones that dont know [about queer culture], [and provides] nostalgic moments for the ones that know, Katsikadakou says, This big event that is accepted by everyone  known simply as the festival, such is its pre-eminence  is coming now to actively support the big LGBTQ winning goal: EuroPride 2024 in Thessaloniki.

Both the Citizen Queer tribute and EuroPride 2024 go way beyond the scope of target-oriented events, Andreadakis agrees, They are part of our everyday lives, of our world that keeps on moving forward even with small steps.

For the festival director, far more than just interesting film screenings and colourful parades are at stake: In reality, all these actions are interconnected links to a chain of change, he says.

The 26th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival continues until 17 March 2024.
Hundreds of runners took on the course in rainy conditions

Hundreds of runners have completed the Nottingham 10k race on its new route through the city centre.

The race began in the Old Market Square at 09:00 GMT on Sunday and competitors crossed the finish line at Nottingham Castle.

Roads were closed while the runners were on the course but Nottingham City Transport said tram and bus services had returned to normal by midday.

Organisers said the runners have raised tens of thousands of pounds for good causes.

These included the Notts County Foundation, the Trent Bridge Community Trust, Maggie's cancer charity, Mind Nottinghamshire and the Jane Tomlinson Trust.

James Mellor, of Rotherham Harriers, won the race in a time of 34 minutes and 49 seconds.

Sarah Gaunt was the first female runner across the finish line in 42 minutes and 39 seconds.

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  People from various communities across South Memphis gathered to express their frustrations in their neighborhoods with city leaders. The main topic was Illegal dumping.

Saturday morning the sanctuary at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church was packed with people looking for guidance and answers, specifically from local leaders.

Multiple city officials were in attendance to provide solutions and clarity to issues facing those living in Southwest Memphis.

Kyle Rittenhouse event at UofM stirs up controversy on campus

Barbara Britton, president of the Boxtown Neighborhood Association, organized the town hall meeting, and many people living in the area attended hoping to get their issues resolved.

One of the main topics was illegal dumping.

One man said he has been dealing with illegal dumping on his property near Tulane Road and Windsor Road for years.

Ive gotten to the point where I clean it myself. They told me, hey if you touch it, then youre responsible. I get citations for it. For cleaning my own property, I get a citation in the mail, said the man.

He says hes made multiple complaints to 311, but the problem continues.

I put up my own personal signs asking people to respect the neighborhood and please dont dump, but wherever my signs are not, thats where people dump, he said.

 Download the WREG App today and stay up to date with breaking news and weather.

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 See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South.

City officials say they are working on solutions to get illegal dumping under control and trash picked up promptly.

I need to do a better job of communicating with you guys on whats acceptable and whats reasonable. We need to work together to make collection more efficient, said City of Memphis Solid Waste Director Phillip Davis.

However, people we spoke to tell us they do not want to hear what elected officials are doing. They want to see it.

The representatives are listening. Now, whats going to be done? Well have to see, said Britton.

The president of the Boxtown Neighborhood Association says they hope to have more events like this in the near future.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Ten people were injured after Russian forces targeted the city of Myrnohrad in Donetsk Oblast overnight on March 10 with three missiles, Yurii Tretiak, acting head of the local city administration, told Suspilne.

"Three missile strikes. Three craters in one location within a radius of 20 meters. Ten residential high-rise buildings are heavily damaged. One entrance of a nine-story building is damaged to the extent that it is uninhabitable and requires major restoration," Tretiak said.

Three of the injured were also hospitalized.

According to regional governor Vadym Filashkin, Russian forces used S-300 missiles to strike Myrnohrad.

Populated areas across Donetsk Oblast were targeted 11 times over the past 24 hours, Filashkin added. One hundred thirty-four people, including 23 children, were evacuated to safety from front-line areas.

Civilians in Donetsk Oblast settlements suffer from daily Russian strikes due to their proximity to the front line. Heavy battles continue in the region as Russia intensifies offensive actions along the front, and Ukraine's military faces severe ammunition shortages to defend the region due to delays in U.S. aid.

Read also: After 10 years of war, Krasnohorivka in new danger as Russia advances in the east

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The City of El Paso, the El Paso Veterans Affairs and Elizabeth Dole Foundation are teaming up to host the Borderplex Veteran and Family Caregiving Expo next week.

The event will be Wednesday, March 13 through Friday, March 15 at the El Paso Convention Center, One Civic Center Plaza.

The expo aims to provide veteran caregivers and veterans with the local resources and information they need to support their everyday life as well as family caregiver assistance, according to a news release sent out by the City of El Paso.

The expo is free and open to the public. Event sponsors include Endeavors, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the Wounded Warrior Project, and TriWest.

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation will launch its national campaign I am a Caregiver at the expo on Thursday, March 14.

The campaign is a national program aimed at identifying and recognizing local military caregivers in order to provide them with the vital resources they need and a national platform to educate community leaders and policymakers about the issues military caregivers face, according to the news release.

Here is a look at the schedule

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 13

Special presentations from the VA

Veteran Homelessness and Special Population

Veteran Womens Health and Veteran Q+A

Healthcare and Community Partnerships

Gold Star + Survivor Outreach Services

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 14

Caregiver Presentation by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation

Caregiver Q+A and Veteran Financial Assistance

Veteran Mental Health and Crisis Intervention Programs

Estate Planning and End of Life Care/Burial Services

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 15

Presentations by the Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Veterans Network and Wounded Warrior Project

Veterans Service Organizations

El Paso Government Veterans Board

2020 Needs Assessment

For more information on veteran resources, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (FOX 2) - Information on the Clinton Township explosion, the 19-year-old who was killed by shrapnel is remembered as 'an amazing person, and the family of a 19-year-old who was shot 12 times in Detroit is still looking for justice a month later: here are the top stories from FOX 2's Week in Review.

1. Clinton Township explosion: Blasts send chunks of metal in all directions; 1 person killed One person was killed after a fire and multiple explosions at a Clinton Township wholesale distributor sent debris, including metal canisters, flying in all directions Monday night. Multiple blasts were heard as far away as Mount Clemens and Sterling Heights after the building that houses Goo and Select Distributors at 15 Mile and Groesbeck caught fire around 9 p.m. Residents reported hearing the explosions and feeling their homes shake around Macomb County.

2. Clinton Township facility illegally stored gas, other items before explosion When a fire spread through a business in Clinton Township, it ultimately led to massive explosions that rocked the area  sending metal debris flying up to a mile away, killing one person. Fire investigators and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are still looking into what caused the fire, which led to explosions, late Monday night. Multiple explosions were heard and felt miles away. The building was a storefront for the business Goo and Select Distributors, which is a wholesale supplier of vapes, CBD products, hookahs, lighters, and more.

3. 19-year-old killed in Clinton Township blast remembered as 'an amazing person' The 19-year-old who was killed by shrapnel from the Clinton Township warehouse explosion has been identified as Turner Salter.

"Turner was a great kid. Just an amazing person to be around," said Tim Berlin, a senior pastor at Faith Baptist Church of Clinton Township  where Turner was a life-long member.

4. 19-year-old shot 12 times in Detroit Jason Motley was only 19 years old when he was fatally shot 12 times in the early morning of Jan. 29. Eight of the bullets struck his head. Now, more than a month later, the family of the teenager is still searching for justice. No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been named, 8 bullets strike his head.

5. Five Guys' prices sparks outrage after $24 receipt goes viral: 'Highway robbery' A controversial $24 receipt from a Five Guys restaurant has recently put social media users up in arms. An X account named Wall Street Silver published a picture of the viral receipt, which he said he took from Reddit, on Mar. 1.

"Five Guys prices are out of control," the X user wrote. "$24 for one person."

FILE - A freshly prepared cheeseburger sits on a kitchen counter at the first U.K. outlet of U.S. burger restaurant chain Five Guys in London, U.K., on Tuesday, July 2, 2013.

6. 58-year-old convicted rapist re-sentenced after Michigan Supreme Court order An incarcerated 58-year-old Detroit man was re-sentenced on Monday to serve 50 to 100 years for rape and assault. Robert Yarbrough, who is currently in state prison, was re-sentenced in the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County for "repeatedly raping and assaulting a Detroit woman he held captive for over 20 hours in December 2017," according to a news release from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

7. Detroit police commissioner removed from seat after report finds hundreds of complaints closed improperly Several hundred complaints filed by citizens against police officers were improperly closed, an inspector general report claims following a review of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners' actions after several complaints alleged improper actions taken by some current and former members. The complaints were closed without any input from the board's chief investigator or approval from a commissioner, the Office of Inspector General found. The method that was instead implemented was "problematic" and "a clear violation of the Charter," Detroit's Inspector General Ellen Ha wrote in her report.

8. Community leader found shot to death inside Highland Park home A 34-year-old man was found shot and killed in his own home early Thursday morning. Courtney Cooper was shot in the head in his Grove Street residence in Highland Park around 2:30 a.m.

"This wasnt right, this wasnt supposed to go down. hes a good guy," said Cooper's mother. "This is wrong, yall need to stop the violence out here."

9. Woman charged with Wayne County murder and dismemberment named to Marshals most wanted It's been almost five years since David Carter was reported missing from Melvindale and his remains were later found scattered in garbage bags along I-75 in Ohio. Now, the woman accused of the heinous murder - his girlfriend - has been named to the U.S. Marshals most wanted list. Tamera Tammy Williams was named to the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list this week as authorities continue to try to get justice for Carter's murder in September 2018.

Tamera Willaims is wanted by the U.S. Marshals for the murder of David Carter, who was found dismembered in Ohio in 2018.

10. Missing NaZiyah Harris: Search conducted at pond in Clinton Township A search was held at a secluded pond in Clinton Township Wednesday in connection to a missing 13-year-old, led by Detroit police. NaZiyah Harris was last seen on Jan. 9 when she got off at her bus stop on Detroits east side. Since then there has been no sign of her. Na'Ziyah was reported missing to Detroit public schools police the day after she did not return home. Detroit Public Schools police got federal law enforcement involved, including the U.S. Marshals.



Na'Ziyah Harris
Via Metal Miner

Month-over-month, the index experienced little movement. Overall, the Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, inching down just 1.2%. Steel prices moving downward placed some bearish pressure on the index. However, several significant factors continue to press on construction from both a bearish and bullish standpoint, including the Fed holding off on adjusting interest rates, weak domestic demand within China, and the strengthening manufacturing industry. With all of these factors in play, the index will likely continue its sideways movement, at least in the short term.

Potential Manufacturing Boom: Impact on Steel Prices

The recent increase in manufacturing activity transcends a temporary phenomenon. It now represents a fundamental transformation within industrial economics, with a significant chance of impacting steel demand. As industrial facilities experience heightened production and operation, the requirement for steel changes demonstrably.

The association between the manufacturing sector and steel prices dates back to the Industrial Revolution. However, this relationship has assumed a novel character within the context of the contemporary, hyper-connected global economic landscape. In most cases, it remains driven by technological advancements, shifting consumer preferences, and the evolving geopolitical landscape. The revitalization of manufacturing within key markets, including China, the United States, and Europe, continues to serve as a critical catalyst in propelling global steel demand.

Automotive and Infrastructure Helping Drive Steel Demand

A principal impetus for the potential resurgence in manufacturing activity stems from the rapid growth observed in sectors such as automotive production and infrastructure development, both of which hold the potential to dramatically impact steel prices. Notably, the automotive industry has once again emerged as a significant contributor to the escalating demand for steel. Likewise, the construction sector continues to experience a surge in activity, mainly driven by governmental investments in infrastructure projects aimed at stimulating economic growth.

Story continues

Related: 2 Companies That Could Help Europe Win Its Energy War With Russia

Are you under pressure to generate steel cost savings? Make sure you are following these 5 best practices.

Manufacturing Industrys Role in Driving Steel Prices

The manufacturing sector exerts a significant influence on the trajectory of steel prices. Industry analysts affiliated with the World Steel Association have documented a recent double-digit surge in steel prices (followed by a stabilization period and subsequent decrease, as noted in MetalMiner Insights). Such price volatility presents an opportunity steel producers to increase revenue, contingent upon the sustained strength of manufacturing demand.

Furthermore, the possibility of a manufacturing resurgence could constrict global steel supply chains, with certain regions encountering shortages and logistical impediments. In response to such situations, steel producers typically direct investments toward capacity expansion and operational efficiency enhancements to satisfy any escalating demand from manufacturing sectors.

By Jennifer Kary

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:

Read this article on OilPrice.com
Building a diverse, prosperous, sustainable economy in Southwest Florida requires closing three interrelated, significant gaps: the participation gap, the skills gap and the attainment gap.

The percentage of Southwest Floridas population which participates in the workforce is relatively small, according to state and national comparisons. This regions participation rate is about 51.6 percent compared to 59.4 percent for the state and 63.4 percent nationally.

Dr. Mike Martin

The regional participation rate reflects the predominance of citizens who have aged out of the workforce. Charlotte, Lee and Collier are among the highest median-age counties in Florida and the nation: 60.4 years, 49.5 years and 52.1 years respectively, while the state median age is 42.2 years and 38.8 for the nation.

These differences are likely to become more severe over time as the ongoing population growth in Southwest Florida is driven by in-migration of white retirees who put unique demands on the workforce but dont participate in it. Attracting young, work-ready migrants is limited by the high cost of housing among other cost-of-living factors.

A relative shortage of workers is exasperated by a mismatch between the capabilities of the current workforce and the needs of current and emerging employers. This skills gap means that many jobs go unfilled and new employers face growth limits. And the skills gap is the result of an education and training attainment gap. The region is not educating enough nurses, physicians assistants, financial managers, K-12 teachers, medical technicians, engineers, high-tech workers, and so on.

Closing the overall skills and attainment gap requires addressing the racial attainment gap. People of color attain education and training at a lower rate than whites. Yet the workforce segment of the population growth rates is being led by people of color, especially Hispanics. The Hispanic population in Southwest Florida is much younger than the white population. Hispanics currently comprise about 24 percent of the regions population but are projected to increase to 28.4 percent in 2030 and 38 percent by 2050.

Moreover, Hispanics lead in workforce participation. While 44.9 percent of whites participate, 69.1 percent of Hispanics are in the workforce.

So, Southwest Floridas workforce will become increasingly Hispanic. To meet the long-term demands and expectations of a 21st Century economy will require maximizing the productivity of the workforce. And this means enhancing educational and training attainment to ensure the workforce skills align with a changing, more diverse and robust regional economy. FGCU, along with other collaborators, is intent on being a significant participant in creating an inclusive, responsive and productive workforce for this region. Thats why its called a regional comprehensive university.

Everyone has a stake in building a responsive, high productivity workforce in Southwest Florida. And this clearly starts with closing all three gaps. Doing so is fundamental to our regions future. And embracing a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion at FGCU invites everyone to the challenge of closing gaps and creating sustainable prosperity.

Mike Martin is president emeritus of Florida Gulf Coast University.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Closing the workforce attainment gap: An economic necessity
A panel of pundits on CNNs State of the Union Sunday argued over President Bidens use of illegal in his address to Congress last week.

Biden responded to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who had given him a pin honoring 22-year-old Laken Riley. She later heckled him over Riley, a Georgia student who police say was killed by a Venezuelan migrant who entered the country illegally in 2022.

Laken Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal. Thats right, Biden said during his address, pulling out the pin. But how many thousands of people are being killed by legals? To her parents, I say, my heart goes out to you, having lost children myself.

Pundits on CNNs State of the Union had mixed feelings about his use of illegal and his later retraction of the remarks.

Im not as worried about SNL as Im worried about what Biden told NBC, what he apologized for calling the murder of Laken Riley illegal, Republican strategist Scott Jennings said on CNNs State of the Union, mentioning Saturday Night Lives parody of Sen. Katie Britts (R-Ala.) rebuttal to Bidens address.

He had it right in the speech, and then he got bullied by his left flank and to change it. Well, its undocumented and then even more outrageous, he said, Im not going to insult people like that because they built the country,' Jennings added.

Co-host Jake Tapper noted that Biden did correct himself before former White House communications director Kate Bedingfield interjected, calling Jennings remarks ludicrous framing.

Language is important and Joe Biden is trying to build a coalition of people to get reelected President of the United States. He is trying to bring in a community of people who care about that kind of language. And when Donald Trump, you have somebody who uses language to divide, to sow hate to make people feel unwelcome, Bedingfield said.

When she suggested migrants are responsible for boosting the U.S. economy, Jennings interrupted, saying, because of murderers?. Bedingfield then said Jennings comments were disingenuous.

He was not apologizing to a murderer. He stood up at the State of the Union and said this is horrible, it is horrific what happened. And he frankly bested Marjorie Taylor Greene in a very childish effort to try to get to try to trap Biden on the issue, Bedingfield said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
According to the United States Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, the Washington state ferry Samish crew helped the Coast Guard rescue six people and two dogs from their sinking boat on Saturday in high winds and waves.

According to an account of the rescue on the USCGs social media, the 37-foot cabin cruiser called for help on Saturday afternoon when it encountered rough seas in Rosario Strait.

Waves had broken the boats windshield and started taking on water. The people on board were able to transmit their location before their radio shorted out.

It was pretty nasty out there, Coast Guard Petty Officer First-Class Travis Magee said. The vessel had a VHF radio on board, which they were able to contact the Coast Guard with. Shortly after notifying the Coast Guard of their GPS position, communications were lost. But thankfully, they were able to get a hold of us.

Today we received a call for assistance for 6 people and 2 dogs (Buster and Belle) caught in some nasty weather in... Posted by U.S. Coast Guard Station Bellingham on Saturday, March 9, 2024

Multiple Coast Guard Vessels and a helicopter from Port Angeles were dispatched to the area.

The Washington State Ferry Samish responded as well, launching a rescue boat that took four people off the vessel in distress.

The Samish also maneuvered the ferry to protect the boat and the rescue effort from the wind and waves.

In fact, both the Coast Guard and Washington State Ferries tell KIRO 7 the Samish was close enough to the incident that it arrived before the Coast Guard did.

The Coast Guard contacted (the Samish and) asked them to respond, Ian Sterling, the communications director for Washington State Ferries, said. All of the ferries have rescue boats on board and we train weekly on those. These arent just people that are helping you park your car onboard the ferry. They all have rescue boat training. Theyre all trained firefighters.

A Coast Guard Response Boat arrived, taking the remaining two people and two dogs off the boat.

Crew members from one of the responding vessels were able to board the boat in distress and drive it to a safe location in the harbor in Anacortes, with the WSF Ferry Samish continuing to provide shelter from the winds and waves.

Lt Ryan Sexton with the USCG says the boat is no longer taking on water and poses no threat of pollution.

The passengers of the damaged boat were taken to awaiting aid crews in Anacortes, where they were evaluated for injuries.

Essentially, all of the Pacific Northwest can have very dynamic and challenging conditionsso having an understanding of what weather conditions are going to look like are very important in keeping mariners safe, Magee said.












Rep. Barbara Lee's defeat in the U.S. Senate primary was disappointing to a close-knit California sisterhood. But all is not lost. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

I don't know what I had expected from Barbara Lee when an aide handed her the phone, but the laughter I heard certainly wasn't it.

Only a few hours had passed since the longtime congresswoman from Oakland had released a statement conceding the primary election for U.S. Senate and congratulating her Democratic colleague, Rep. Adam B. Schiff of Burbank.

Lee came in fourth place, more than a million votes behind Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey, and hundreds of thousands of votes behind Democratic Rep. Katie Porter of Irvine, who came in third. Ballots are still being counted, but the Senate race was called minutes after the polls closed on Super Tuesday.

Read more: Schiff and Garvey are headed to November showdown for coveted California Senate seat

It was, by any stretch of the imagination, a crushing defeat.

Especially since Lee, and a committed sisterhood of politicians, activists, academics and lobbyists across California, had spent almost four years working behind the scenes to boost representation for Black women at the highest levels of the federal government.

Now Schiff and Garvey will face each other in the November general election  and Schiff will certainly win in this overwhelmingly Democratic state. Hell be a senator for years to come.

So I wondered, why was Lee laughing?

"I've been persistent, and every step of the way there have been roadblocks and obstacles," she told me, growing serious. "But again, this is such an example of a Black woman's life."

::

It's worth reflecting on how we got here. At least, that's what California Secretary of State Shirley Weber has been doing.

"The whole thing started with believing that African Americans deserve to have a seat," she told me.

It was back in 2020, and Weber was serving in the state Assembly and as leader of the Legislative Black Caucus. Joe Biden had just been elected president, with no small amount of help from Black women, and Kamala Harris had just vacated her Senate seat to become the nation's first Black and South Asian vice president.

Weber and a long list of Black politicians, activists, academics and lobbyists decided that Black women needed to continue to have representation in the upper chamber. That it would be a loss not having someone with such intersectional life experiences when the state and country are becoming more diverse with each passing year.

The ability around the nation to recognize and to support Black women in statewide positions is very bleak, Weber told me in 2020. You got 100 people in the Senate and you dont have one Black woman."

The "Keep the Seat" campaign was born, and the words became a rallying cry. Supporters urged Gov. Gavin Newsom to do just that by picking Lee or then-Rep. Karen Bass, both eminently qualified longtime legislators, as a successor to Harris.

Lee, in Santa Rosa last month, stuck to her progressive stances and "Keep the Seat" message as she campaigned for Senate in cities and counties throughout California. (Josh Edelson / For The Times)

Newsom ended up selecting then-Secretary of State Alex Padilla instead, Lee stayed in Congress and Bass, of course, became mayor of Los Angeles. But the rallying cry didn't go silent. Rather, it returned alongside calls for Sen. Dianne Feinstein to step down over concerns about her health, prompting Newsom to promise to appoint a Black woman to her seat if it came to that.

Then Feinstein died last year, setting off a days-long political mess, mostly of the governor's own making. At issue was an apparent caveat in Newsom's promise. He said he'd make an interim appointment because the campaign for the Senate seat had already been underway for months.

Lee and other Black women  myself included  took umbrage, wondering why were only good enough to be a caretaker for Schiff, who was in the lead even then. Newsom said his words were being misconstrued, and resisted calls to appoint Lee outright.

In the end, the governor appointed his political ally Laphonza Butler, the Black woman who led Emily's List, and she ultimately decided not to run for a full term.

Given all of that back-and-forth, it came as something of a surprise to Weber that Lee would stick with her campaign for Senate and give up her House seat. This is especially true because, even without Lee, the Senate is likely to get another Black woman in November, as Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware are running for seats too.

Some people, looking at the polling, had been quietly pressuring Lee to drop out.

"But that's Barbara, you know? She does what she believes, and you can never question her heart," Weber told me. "Another one would have been calculating, 'Well, if I run I and lose, it's this versus that.' And then she didn't calculate like that. She decided that we needed to have a Black woman in that seat."

::

I doubt Lee will ever admit it, but she had to know she was probably going to lose.

For months, polls consistently showed her trailing her opponents, even after she received a plurality of the delegate vote at the California Democratic Party convention. Many of those delegates, like voters in her Bay Area district, tended to lean more progressive than voters in other parts of the state.

Lee also lacked a statewide profile  unlike Schiff, whose prominence rose by leading the first impeachment of Donald Trump; or Porter with her whiteboard notes during congressional hearings; or even Garvey, with his star turns on the Dodgers and Padres.

Perhaps even more important, Lee didn't have tens of millions of dollars to buy a statewide profile with a TV advertising blitz. Before deciding to run for Senate, the 77-year-old had never needed a sophisticated fundraising operation, and had fiercely guarded her private life rather than blast it across social media to boost her popularity.

"If you don't have money coming from all directions," she acknowledged, "it's very difficult to introduce yourself to voters."

Read more: Column: Black women pulled together for a Senate seat. Now it's pulling Black women apart

So while Lee's campaign only raised about $5 million, according to the latest Federal Election Commission filings, she was running against two of the most prolific fundraisers in Congress. Both Schiff and Porter amassed war chests closer to $30 million, with Schiff, blessed by the Democratic Party establishment, long in the lead.

Which is why it's ridiculous that, of all of the candidates, it was Porter  with about as much money left over in her campaign account as Lee had raised throughout her entire campaign  who chose to complain about the influence of money in politics.

"Because of you," she posted to her followers on X, "we had the establishment running scared  withstanding 3 to 1 in TV spending and an onslaught of billionaires spending millions to rig this election." It was a terrible choice of words because, of course, the election wasn't "rigged." No ballots were illegally manipulated.

But it's true that our political system is rigged in the sense that societal biases and structural inequities often work against women and people of color who run for office. This has been borne out in study after study, including a recent one from Pew Research Center.

We dont have an outsized number of white men in elected office because most white men are political geniuses and most women and people of color are terrible candidates. We do because women of color, in particular, have a consistently harder time raising money because they have less access to high-end donors, and therefore have a harder time getting elected.

"That's a reality when you're in a poor community, and you've just been a regular campaigner and you work hard in your community and you deliver," Weber said. "You're not in a circle that raises $30 million."

Lee, left, stayed in the race despite issues including systemic fundraising challenges and low polling against her higher-profile rivals, Adam B. Schiff, Katie Porter and Steve Garvey, from left at a January debate. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

But Lee's decision to run in spite of these challenges is what she said inspired many of the people she met on the campaign trail  including numerous Black women who were putting together fledgling campaigns to run for office.

They would swap stories about the hardships ahead. The racism and sexism embedded in the system.

"So many of them would come up and whisper to me, 'I know what the deal is.' It's a common conversation Black women have," Lee told me. "When you step out and do something that others didn't think you should do as a Black woman, then you get a lot of pushback."

I saw it too. At her campaign events in cities and counties where she'd never before had a reason to spend much time, Black women and people of color would hang on Lee's every word:

How she summoned the courage to travel to Mexcio to get an abortion as a teenager. How she worked with the Black Panthers. How, as a member of Congress, she was among the first to call for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza and the only one to resist war after 9/11.

Before running for Senate, Lee was an unknown to many. Now she's an underappreciated hero with a cult-like following.

Read more: Porter and Schiff polling neck and neck in California Senate race, in lead for a runoff

Therefore, I agree with Weber when she says that Lee's loss in the primary doesn't diminish the fight for representation that started with the "Keep the Seat" campaign. Or even the push to get Harris elected to the Senate in the first place.

"Nobody's saying we shouldn't do this again. Nobody seems to be saying, 'Well, we lost our chance. We missed our shot,'" Weber said. "But a lot of women that I've talked to more recently have said, 'You know, when this is over, we've got to organize.'"

Raising money will always been an issue. So will racism and sexism. But in the end, the campaign for Senate might have been more important than the election. And, in that way, it's Lee who is getting the last laugh.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Russian media outlets are reporting that Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, has been dismissed.

Source: Latvia-based Russian media outlet Meduza, citing Fontanka and Izvestiya

Details: According to Fontanka, Alexander Moiseev, commander of the Northern Fleet, has been appointed as acting Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy.

Navy personnel have reportedly been informed of his appointment.

Quote from Fontanka: "Nikolai Yevmenov is still listed as Commander-in-Chief on the Russian Defence Ministrys website, but opinion in the Admiralty is unanimous  he will not be returning to his office."

The newspaper Izvestiya has also reported Yevmenovs dismissal, citing sources.

The Russian Navys press service did not respond to Fontankas request for comment on the matter.

There has been no official announcement regarding any change of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy.

Nikolai Yevmenov has held the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy since May 2019. After Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, he was sanctioned by the US, the EU, the UK and other countries.

Background:

On 5 March, during the national joint 24/7 newscast, Dmytro Pletenchuk reported that no Russian warships had been spotted in the Black Sea since the sinking of the Sergei Kotov. Earlier on 5 March, it was reported that explosions were heard in Kerch on the night of 4-5 March, and the Crimean Bridge was closed to traffic for over eight hours. A Russian railway company operating passenger trains to temporarily occupied Crimea said trains were stopped near the Crimean Bridge. Russian media reported that drones had sunk the patrol ship Sergei Kotov.

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) later confirmed that the Sergei Kotov, a Russian Project 22160 patrol ship, had been struck by Ukrainian naval drones on the night of 4-5 March.

DIU said the Sergei Kotov was sunk as a result of an attack by Ukrainian Magura V5 drones.

The attack on the Sergei Kotov by uncrewed surface vessels caused fatalities and casualties, DIU representative Andrii Yusov said.

Following the attack, the Russians did not send warships into the Black Sea for four days in a row.

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DENVER (KDVR)  Commerce City Police Department said Sunday that a woman was returned home safely after being reported missing. A suspect was arrested.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

The suspect, Luis Gutierrez, 32, was arrested on domestic violence charges.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Elizabeth Andrews said, Volunteers do not necessarily have the time. They just have the heart.

All year long, we celebrate donors, volunteers, community members, past award recipients, and all of you who may have shared your hearts, assets, skills, or time to build a better Lenawee community.

The annual celebration brings together local individuals, organizations, and businesses while recognizing award recipients and the work of donors, volunteers, and community partners. On Thursday, April 4, we will celebrate three individuals, and a business that excel beyond community expectation.

Cynthia Heady is the director of development and external engagement for the Lenawee Community Foundation. She assists individuals, corporations and organizations in fulfilling their charitable goals for the community.

The Lenawee Leadership Award honors a person or couple, who exemplify the underlying principle that the future of our county will be determined by the quality of its leadership. Formerly known as the Maple Leaf Award, previous recipients continue to be recognized and are listed on the foundations website. The prestigious award has a county-wide focus that mirrors the Lenawee Community Foundations mission to enhance the quality of life in Lenawee and increase health, happiness, and hope for us all.

Harry Dusty Steele was selected to receive the 2024 Lenawee Leadership Award. Steele is active in many areas of advocacy throughout Lenawee County. He has shown exemplary community leadership and volunteerism through his participation in city government and nonprofit organizations.

In addition to running his business, HB Steele Interactive Financial Planning, Steele gives of his time, talents, and treasures. Steeles Board of Director seats include Siena Heights University where he currently serves as the board chairman, City of Adrian Downtown Development Authority (Adrian Main Street), Kiwanis Club of Adrian (also the Finance Committee), Lenawee Development Finance Authority of the City of Adrian and Tecumseh, and Kiwanis Regional Trail Authority, where Steele was a prime mover and leader of the effort to connect the County's leadership on the completion of the Kiwanis Trail, connecting Adrian and Tecumseh. Steeles leadership has helped the growth of Siena Heights University's campus and student body, the YMCA of Lenawee County's capital campaign success, adding bike lanes to the Downton streets, the establishment of Launch Lenawee and so much more.

Steele has an innate ability to help businesses and organizations realize their vision as an organization and, in many ways, becomes a part of that vision and work. Steele has a passion for our community, the heart for our community and the tenacity to make good things happen.

Katie Mattison is the 2024 recipient of the Stubnitz Award. The Stubnitz Award is presented annually to a person or couple demonstrating exemplary commitment to Lenawee Cares, our community, and volunteerism in Lenawee.

The award is named in memory of Lenawee's philanthropist and businessman, Maurice Stubniz. Giving Back should not be a phrase you hear but a lifestyle you live! Mattison has strived over the years to instill this, not only into her lifestyle, but also in how her and her husband Josh have raised their family. In 2006 Mattison and her family moved to Lenawee County.

From the beginning Mattisons family were involved with her volunteer activities, spending numerous hours learning how important our communities are. Mattison feels extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of Lenawee organizations like Adrian Symphony Orchestra, Community Learning Connection, Tecumseh Public Schools, Hospice of Lenawee, Tecumseh and Adrian Chambers, ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital, St. Elizabeth Church, City of Tecumseh Bicentennial Committee, and the Lenawee Community Foundations Lenawee Cares Advisory Board. Whether she is serving on a board, or boots on the ground with an organizations project Mattison enjoys giving her time, talents, and treasures to each of these organizations and is honored to be a part of them. Lenawee County is a better place with her in it!

Kemner Iott Benz is the 2024 recipient of the Community Pillar Award, which is presented to an individual, couple, or business to recognize outstanding impact on our community through Lenawee Cares. The Pillar Award is a testament to Kemner Iott Benz unwavering commitment to making a positive impact through Lenawee Cares. As an innovative insurance agency with a remarkable 35-year legacy in serving the Michigan area, Kemner Iott Benz has consistently demonstrated a profound dedication to community welfare.

Generosity and community support are ingrained in the agency's ethos, propelled by a dynamic team that actively engages with local organizations. Numerous employees of Kemner Iott Benz contribute to various boards, embodying a culture that goes beyond business to prioritize collective well-being. Since the inception of Lenawee Cares in 2016, Kemner Iott Benz has consistently ranked in the Top 10 for campaigns, with several team members contributing at the prestigious Pillars Club Level. Moreover, their involvement extends to key roles within the Lenawee Community Foundation's Lenawee Cares Advisory Board, highlighting a commitment to shaping a better tomorrow through initiatives like the Tomorrows Pillars program. Kemner Iott Benz stands as a beacon of community service, epitomizing the essence of the Community Pillar Award.

The 2024 Incito Award recipient is Jacob Cooper. The Incito Award was established in 2011 to recognize a young person, age 40 or under, who has emerged as a community leader and demonstrates a commitment to volunteerism, philanthropy, and leadership with Lenawee Cares and other organizations in our community. Since 2018, Cooper has been a part of the Lenawee Community Foundations Lenawee Cares Advisory Board, assuming roles of Secretary, Campaign Co-Chair, and presently, the position of Advisory Board Chair. In addition to his contributions to Lenawee Cares, Cooper serves as Treasurer for the City of Adrian Downtown Development Authority (Adrian Main Street) and as a Board Member and Public Relations Chair for the Adrian Noon Rotary Club. Cooper is a young leader that illuminates the path to positive change, inspiring the community with passion, vision, and a relentless drive to make a difference right here at home.

So, you can see there is much to celebrate in Lenawee County and at the Lenawee Community Foundations Annual Celebration Breakfast. Would you like to join in the celebration? If so, do not miss our annual meeting breakfast on April 4, from 7:45-9:15 a.m. at Adrian Armory Events Center. Tickets are just $20 and include breakfast. Reservations and payment are due by March 26, by contacting the foundation at 517.263.4696.

Thank you for helping to celebrate our community, its members, and businesses. Your collaborative spirit in working with us exemplifies a shared commitment to construct a brighter today and tomorrow for the residents of Lenawee County.

The Lenawee Community Foundation works to assist people in creating legacies and investing in Lenawee. You can donate $30 to send Imagination Library books to a preschool child for a year; volunteer; leave 10% in your will or trust to benefit Lenawee; endow annual gifts to your favorite nonprofits or make gifts or bequests for your hometown. Contact the Foundation for help in creating your legacy. Gifts and legacies work for Lenawee County. Now and forever.

 Cynthia Heady is director of development and external engagement of the Lenawee Community Foundation. For information on how to get involved, call 517.263.4696 or email cynthia@lenaweecf.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Community Foundation: Help us celebrate those who help others
A pub in Concord is sharing the love and encouraging others to follow.

MORE: Local food pantry sees increase in number of families seeking assistance

Afton Pub and Pizza on Village Drive NW is increasing efforts to feed members of their community with their Pub It Forward program.

Launched by owner, Jordan Kolod, the program provides meals to those who need it most through donations.

A donation of $20 applies to any menu item and a $6 donation will cover any kids menu item. Every donation will be matched by the Afton Pub.

As of Sunday, five meals have already been donated and there are a total of 10 available.

(WATCH BELOW: Charities discovering the hard way how Facebook changed its donation process)




OKLAHOMA COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR)  A licensed contractor in Oklahoma faces a charge of exploiting the elderly this week after getting paid over $14,000 and never doing the work.

I had the receipt from the check, I had the contract, I checked his license, I even looked up reviews of his construction company and it all checked out, said Kevin Hillhouse.

| MORE LOCAL NEWS > Shawnee Police investigating 2022 homicide >

Hillhouse said he knew Paris Bilbro because he lived in his neighborhood for a while, and never thought this would happen.

Picture of the front page of the AMG Construction website.

He came out and did a real good job of my neighbors house next door. He got the work knocked out in a pretty good time. He asked me if I wanted mine done and I said I would after hail season was over, said Hillhouse.

In October, Hillhouse found a leak in his roof. He said that he needed work done to the roof, his gutters, and his garage.

He came out and put a patch on my roof. I called my insurance company, and they came out and looked at it. It was all good. So I got a check from the bank and about three days later I met up with him and filled it out to his company AMG Construction, said Hillhouse.

| MORE LOCAL NEWS > Breakthrough glaucoma surgery starts in Oklahoma >

In October, a check was written for $14,000. Hillhouse said he got the receipt and even filled out a contract that promised work done.

I had the receipt in my hand and he had a great review on the Better Business Bureau. I dont know what else I could have done, said Hillhouse.

According to the states website, Paris Bilbro owns and operates AMG Construction Group, which is a licensed business. Bilbro is a licensed contractor, his license lasts until June 29, 2024.

The latest registration information for AMG Construction Group. {CIB}

A couple weeks later I asked him when we could get something going on it and he didnt respond, said Hillhouse. I finally got a hold of him after I threatened that I was going to file charges on him.

Thats when Bilbro responded telling Hillhouse that hes going through financial troubles.

I told him that I would give it to the middle of January, said Hillhouse. Middle of January came and he wouldnt contact me at all and let me know he was even still around.

Now on the BBB website, there is a one-star rating with several reviews and complaints.

Reviews on AMG Construction BBB page. {BBB.org}

One of the reviews written on December 13 states:

This man took over $22000.00 from my 80+ year old inlaws. He has not performed work already paid for and has also not paid for the materials he purchased on credit therefore a $9555.00 Lien has been placed on their property. Jean H., Better Business Bureau review of AMG Construction Group

Another complaint/review written on January 4 states:

***** who I am now finding out owns the *** Construction took all of my insurance money, told me she was going to fix my roof, gutters, under soffits wood, and fix my hail damaged ********** that was completed was the roof and gutters and I have tried numerous times to reaching or anyone from the company even the salesman **** who actually answered but advised me that he had quit because of his problems with ***** also. On top of all of this ***** showed up to my home weeks before the roof was started and left numerous roofing shingles and other roofing parts in my front and backyard he never came to get. Dont use him he is a smooth talker but trust me he is full of it. I have reported him to my insurance and so far its been a month and they have not replied so I assume I am out the money.

Hillhouse called the Oklahoma City Police and filed a complaint. Bilbro now has a felony charge of elderly exploitation with an arrest warrant that was ordered on March 6.

| MORE LOCAL NEWS > What is this mysterious object seen in the OKC sky? >

KFOR called the phone number on the contractors registered license with the state but it forwarded us to a different number completely. The woman on the line told KFOR that she has had the number for almost 20 years and deals with many calls from people saying they were frauded by AMG Construction Group.

KFOR then went to two business addresses listed with the state but they turned out to be P.O. Box addresses. Finally, KFOR went to the address that was on file with the court where Bilbro might be.

The woman who answered told KFOR that Bilbro didnt live here anymore and slammed the door.

I still have so much to fix and have to pay much more to get it done, said Hillhouse. I dont want to say here what I think ought to happen to him. But he needs to be held accountable, putting people out isnt right.

If you or someone you know has been frauded by a Paris Bilbro you are encouraged to call the police and make a complaint with the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board.

The board states on its website that you may email information to the Construction Industries Board at roofingcomplaints@cib.ok.gov or call the CIB at (405) 521-6538.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
It's shaping up to be a tough period for Harbour Energy plc (LON:HBR), which a week ago released some disappointing yearly results that could have a notable impact on how the market views the stock. It wasn't a great result overall - while revenue fell marginally short of analyst estimates at US$3.8b, statutory earnings missed forecasts by an incredible 77%, coming in at just US$0.04 per share. The analysts typically update their forecasts at each earnings report, and we can judge from their estimates whether their view of the company has changed or if there are any new concerns to be aware of. So we gathered the latest post-earnings forecasts to see what estimates suggest is in store for next year.

Check out our latest analysis for Harbour Energy

Following the latest results, Harbour Energy's seven analysts are now forecasting revenues of US$4.11b in 2024. This would be a meaningful 9.7% improvement in revenue compared to the last 12 months. Per-share earnings are expected to leap 1,240% to US$0.56. Yet prior to the latest earnings, the analysts had been anticipated revenues of US$4.31b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$0.52 in 2024. So it's pretty clear that while sentiment around revenues has declined following the latest results, the analysts are now more bullish on the company's earnings power.

There's been no real change to the average price target of UK3.70, with the lower revenue and higher earnings forecasts not expected to meaningfully impact the company's valuation over a longer timeframe. The consensus price target is just an average of individual analyst targets, so - it could be handy to see how wide the range of underlying estimates is. The most optimistic Harbour Energy analyst has a price target of UK5.41 per share, while the most pessimistic values it at UK2.74. As you can see, analysts are not all in agreement on the stock's future, but the range of estimates is still reasonably narrow, which could suggest that the outcome is not totally unpredictable.

Story continues

Taking a look at the bigger picture now, one of the ways we can understand these forecasts is to see how they compare to both past performance and industry growth estimates. We would highlight that Harbour Energy's revenue growth is expected to slow, with the forecast 9.7% annualised growth rate until the end of 2024 being well below the historical 20% p.a. growth over the last five years. Compare this with other companies in the same industry, which are forecast to see a revenue decline of 1.6% annually. Factoring in the forecast slowdown in growth, it's pretty clear that Harbour Energy is still expected to grow faster than the wider industry.

The Bottom Line

The biggest takeaway for us is the consensus earnings per share upgrade, which suggests a clear improvement in sentiment around Harbour Energy's earnings potential next year. Unfortunately, they also downgraded their revenue estimates, and our data indicates that is expected to perform better than the wider industry. Even so, earnings per share are more important to the intrinsic value of the business. Even so, earnings per share are more important to the intrinsic value of the business. The consensus price target held steady at UK3.70, with the latest estimates not enough to have an impact on their price targets.

Keeping that in mind, we still think that the longer term trajectory of the business is much more important for investors to consider. We have estimates - from multiple Harbour Energy analysts - going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here.

That said, it's still necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Harbour Energy , and understanding these should be part of your investment process.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  El Paso Police and Crime Stoppers of El Paso are asking for your help in finding a couple who were recorded breaking into an East El Paso tire business and stealing cash and tires.

This is this weeks Crime of the Week.

Photos courtesy of Crime Stoppers of El Paso

At about 6 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, a couple exited a small pickup truck and walked toward C&M Tires at 8900 Viscount.

They broke a window and forced their way inside of the business, according to Crime Stoppers.

After ransacking items inside the business, the found a small amount of cash. Each of them grabbed two Ironman GEN3 tires and left the business, according to Crime Stoppers.

The total value of the tires was estimated at $560.

Both suspects were wearing hooded sweatshirts and were believed to be using gloves. Investigators know someone has information on the identity of this burglarizing couple.

Anyone with any information on this burglary should call Crime Stoppers of El Paso immediately at (915) 566-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.cselpaso.org. You will remain anonymous, and if your tip leads to an arrest, you may qualify for a cash reward.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Editors Note: This story has been updated to amend the state Rep. Mike Rogers represents.

(NEXSTAR)  You may be groggy as youre reading this, thanks to our clocks springing forward an hour as daylight saving time began overnight. Or maybe you hardly noticed the time change, since nearly every one of our clocks is digital and we dont have to change them.

Unless, of course, you live in one of two states that dont observe daylight saving time. Then this Sunday is just like every other Sunday.

Hawaii and most of Arizona stay in one time zone year-round, meaning they dont switch their clocks in March and November like the rest of us.

Daylight saving time begins: Which states want to stop changing the clocks?

Since 1968, Arizona has observed Mountain Standard Time year-round, with the exception of the Navajo Nation. For Arizona, the decision was based largely on the amount of sun the state already gets.

In both cases, the abundance of daylight the states already receive is to blame.

If youve ever been to Arizona, its easy to understand why they prefer the nighttime hours to come a little sooner in the summer. As The Arizona Republic explains, by remaining on Mountain Standard Time year-round, the sun sets earlier (at least according to the clocks), providing some relief on a hot summer day.

Because Hawaii is so close to the equator, there isnt much difference in how much sun they see throughout the year. And why bother saving daylight when you already get so much of it?

But what about the other states that see high temperatures and lots of sun? Why cant Texas, Nevada, or Florida lock their clocks?

Will swaths of stinky seaweed invade beaches before spring break?

Under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, states can exempt themselves from daylight saving time by observing permanent standard time year-round, but they cannot observe permanent daylight saving time all year.

So far this year, lawmakers in California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Washington and West Virginia have introduced bills that would keep their states on permanent standard time all year.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma and Virginia, have introduced bills in recent months to observe daylight saving time permanently, which would require action by Congress. A similar bill in Nebraska already failed to pass.

Many states have tried to pass bills to make permanent daylight saving time the norm or enacted resolutions that would allow the state to do so should Congress give them permission. At least 19 states have already enacted such legislation or resolutions, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Costco is now selling silver coins  but some customers have complaints

Congress has tried to pass laws regarding daylight saving time.

That includes the 2023 version of Sen. Marco Rubios (R-Fla.) Sunshine Protection Act, a bill introduced by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) to give states the power to stay on daylight saving time year-round, and a similar bill brought forth by Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.). All three were referred to committees, where they have remained since March 2023.

Barring any action by Congress (or your local lawmakers), daylight saving time ends on November 3 this year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
(NEXSTAR)  The clocks on our phones and other pieces of tech jumped forward an hour overnight between Saturday and Sunday, which means daylight saving time has officially begun.

If some states could have their way, this would be the last time we change our clocks.

While the U.S. has had a back-and-forth relationship with daylight saving time over the last 100 years, most of us have only ever observed the twice-annual practice. As its name implies, daylight saving time (not savings) is meant to give us more time in the sun when wed prefer it: summer.

However, lawmakers in a large swath of the country  as well as in Congress  would like to make daylight saving time our all-of-the-time time.

Daylight saving time: What if we stopped changing the clocks?

According to a report released by the National Conference of State Legislatures in September 2023, lawmakers in nearly every state have considered more than 450 bills and resolutions regarding daylight saving time since 2015.

The problem that many have encountered is which side of the clock to stand on: permanent daylight saving time or permanent standard time.

Under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, states can exempt themselves from daylight saving time by observing permanent standard time year-round, but they cannot observe permanent daylight saving time all year. Hawaii and most of Arizona, as well as all U.S. territories, have made that change, while lawmakers in California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Washington and West Virginia have recently introduced bills to do the same.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma and Virginia, have introduced bills in recent months to observe daylight saving time permanently, which would require action by Congress. A similar bill in Nebraska already failed to pass.

Daylight saving time: Why attempts to make it permanent have failed

Many states have tried to pass bills to make permanent daylight saving time the norm or enacted resolutions that would allow the state to do so should Congress give them permission. At least 19 states have already enacted such legislation or resolutions, according to the NCSL. That includes Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Some of that legislation would also require one or more neighboring states to jump into permanent daylight saving time before the original state would. The bill introduced in Illinois earlier this year, for example, would put the state on permanent standard time only if Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin would do the same.

Last year, nearly 30 states considered legislation regarding daylight saving time, data from the NCSL shows. In most cases, those efforts were stalled or failed.

Bills introduced on the federal level have faced the same fate. That includes the 2023 version of Sen. Marco Rubios (R-Fla.) Sunshine Protection Act, a bill introduced by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) to give states the power to stay on daylight saving time year-round, and a similar bill brought forth by Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.). All three were referred to committees, where they have remained since March 2023.

So as you grumble while you reset your manual clocks, just know you will  most likely  have to do it all again in early November when daylight saving time ends. At least then, youll gain that hour of sleep that you lost this weekend.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department said a 14-year-old boy was arrested and charged for robbing someone at gunpoint for their jacket in Northwest D.C.

Man robbed at gunpoint for Canada Goose jacket, shots fired in Northwest DC

The robbery happened on Jan. 24 around 10:15 p.m. in the 500 block of Q St. where the teen demanded the victims coat at gunpoint. The victim complied and the teen then left the scene.

The 14-year-old was arrested on March 9 and charged with armed robbery.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said officers arrested a man moments after he assaulted someone and stole his property on Saturday afternoon in Southeast D.C.

The suspect approached the victim in the 3900 block of 4th St., SE at about 12:55 p.m. He assaulted the man and took property from him, according to MPD.

Responding officers tracked the suspect to a nearby apartment.

DC police: 14-year-old arrested for robbing person at gunpoint for coat

There, he assaulted one of the officers as he was taken into custody.

Police said 59-year-old Gardner Bradley of Southeast D.C., was arrested and charged with Robbery and Assault on a Police Officer.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
4 biggest threats to our democracy

The most significant threats to democracy are: Donald Trump, the right wing of the Republican Party, the Supreme Court arm of the GOP and China.

Survival of democracy depends on politicians and courts recognizing enforcement of religious ideals cannot be embodied in laws.

Citizens who embrace MAGA must stop accepting the words of politicians and courts without research to verify their truth; America is already great.

The Supreme Court must ignore religious beliefs and base decisions on the rights of citizens granted by the framers of the Constitution.

To reduce the threat from China, we must stop trading with China by expanding our industrial capabilities to stop reliance on them; rely on our allies when necessary; expand our industrial capabilities as we determine the need for new items created by science; require American businesses residing in China to relocate to the U.S., and pay local wages and taxes being avoided by their greed for high profits.

We must also demonstrate our resolve to prevent Chinese domination of seas and air space by harassing them in the same manner they are harassing the free world.

Jim Tow, Richland

Vote in the presidential primary now

We are currently in the Washington State presidential primary election process, and registered voters should have already received ballots in the mail (if not, please check with county officials). Ballots must be delivered to the official drop boxes located around the county or postmarked by March 12.

However, most of us have busy lives, and we often put off turning in our ballot until the last minute. Unfortunately, many things can happen at the last minute that make it difficult to get your vote in on time. Our vote is the primary action we can take individually to ensure that our concerns are recognized and our candidate of choice receives our support.

Please take a few minutes today to complete your ballot. Depositing it in an official ballot drop box assures that it will go directly from your hands to county officials who will validate and count it.

Exercise your constitutionally-provided right to influence those who make decisions on your behalf.

Dont wait until the last minute  tomorrow may be too late.

Tom and Cleda Galioto, Kennewick

Rebuild Gaza without Hamas

Hamas is a terrorist organization that emerged in 1987. Their charter calls for destruction of Israel and establishment of an Islamic society in historic Palestine. Hamas first employed suicide bombings in 1993 and has fired rockets and mortars, flown balloons carrying incendiary devices, and carried out incursions into Israel killing and kidnapping soldiers and civilians. Hamas stores its weapons inside hospitals, mosques and schools using civilians as human shields.

In 2006, Hamas gained full control of Gaza, and most of the international community cut off aid. Egypt closed their border with Gaza in 2014 and blew up most of their tunnels.

Today, Iran is one of the biggest benefactors of Hamas, contributing funds, weapons and training.

The Hamas assault on southern Israel began in the morning of Oct. 7 (during the Jewish Sabbath and two Jewish holidays). They launched several thousand rockets into southern and central Israel. Hamas militants infiltrated southern Israeli towns and villages, killing 1,400 people and decapitating many bodies, wounding and kidnapping scores more and setting homes ablaze.

Hamas needs to be removed from Gaza, the territory rebuilt, and then maybe peace and prosperity will have a chance.

Amy Small, Richland
DENVER (KDVR)  Denvers weather will stay sunny on Sunday with warmer temperatures in the 60s through the start of the next workweek.

Weather tonight: Clear and cool

Saturday night will stay clear and cool. Lows will fall to the mid to upper 20s, which is right in line with normal for this time of year.

Weather tomorrow: Sunny, warmer

Sunday, sunshine dominates the forecast across Colorado. This will boost high temperatures into the mid-60s, which is about 10 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up for weather alerts from the Pinpoint Weather team

Looking ahead: Warm week start, next chance for rain and snow

Monday, clouds will increase in Denver. Temperatures will stay on the warm side, climbing again into the mid-60s, while the chance for snow showers gets going in the mountains Monday night into Tuesday. Sunshine and mid-60s return to Denvers forecast on Tuesday.

Snow showers will pick up in the mountains on Wednesday as a system pushes through the state. As moisture moves toward Denver, it is on track to start as rain showers, then change over to snow Wednesday night into Thursday.

The Pinpoint Weather Team will have updates on the moisture moving into Denver as the system continues to progress.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Travis County District Attorney Jose Garzas resounding victory in the Democratic primary signals the continued popularity of the reform platform that got him elected in 2020, despite vocal criticism from law enforcement unions and conservatives throughout his first term.

Democratic primary challenger Jeremy Sylestine, a career prosecutor turned defense attorney, tried to make violent crime a focal point of the district attorneys race. Throughout his campaign, Sylestine argued that Garza sacrificed public safety and the welfare of crime victims in service of overly ambitious progressive policies.

But Democratic primary voters were largely unconvinced  Garza won by almost 34 points, according to the countys unofficial election returns.

Travis County district attorney Democratic primary candidate Jeremy Sylestine gives his concession speech Tuesday during his election night watch party.

Sylestine was initially thought to be a long-shot candidate, but he managed to pick up significant momentum as election day approached. His campaign spent three times as much as Garzas did, according to finance reports, and garnered support from local billionaires like KIND snacks founder Daniel Lubetzky and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Why didnt that translate into election victory?

Democratic primary voters might be wary of a tough-on-crime message and suspicious of a campaign that received high-dollar donations from people with a history of giving to Republican candidates.

It might also have been timing: Sylestine entered the race on the day of the filing deadline, giving him less than three months to campaign. Sylestine had very little time to do what political consultant Jim Wick called a Herculean task: to convince voters to oust a popular incumbent with popular policies.

Sylestine did not respond to a request for an interview for this story.

Sylestine spent three times as much as Garza, but to what end?

Garzas 34-point margin came as a surprise to some Sylestine supporters, especially after six-figure contributions to Sylestine's campaign rolled in during the weeks leading up to the election. But Sylestine faced an uphill battle introducing himself to voters and convincing them of his message.

From Dec. 11 to Feb. 26, Sylestine spent a little over $1.3 million, according to campaign finance reports. Thats three times more than Garza, who spent $344,000 in the same period.

(Thats not including either campaigns in-kind contributions, when a supporter donates a good or service to the campaign. Sylestine received $50,000 worth of supplies for mail ads from 1-800 Contacts founder Jonathan Coon. Garza received $100,000 worth of digital ads from the Working Families Party national PAC.)

Campaign finance reports from Feb. 27 to the March 5 primary wont be available until July, but it is possible to do a rough estimate of how much each candidate spent per vote. According to the countys unofficial tally, Sylestine received 32,113 votes and spent about $40.99 per vote. Garza received 64,779 votes and spent about $5.31 per vote.

Sylestine spent around $950,000 on internet and TV ads, which were likely the first time many voters had heard of him. Though he was a respected defense lawyer prior to entering the race, he was relatively unknown to the general population.

Garza had the benefit of being the incumbent, and he received endorsements from all the Democratic clubs and most of the elected Democratic officials in Travis County. Wick, the political consultant, said many voters rely on endorsements when making decisions.

Moreover, Wick said, Travis County is not fertile ground for a tough-on-crime message. Sylestine, whose campaign ended up revolving around public safety, ran a video ad claiming that rising crime rates are proof that Garza is not doing his job. (As the American-Statesman recently pointed out, the rate of both violent and property crimes has gone down during Garzas tenure.)

But Sylestine's ads might not have resonated with Democratic primary voters. According to Wick, polling shows that Garza and his policies remain popular among Democrats, who are also more likely to perceive Travis County as a safe place.

Super Tuesday voters exit the Austin Recreation Center after casting their ballots there.

Did Republican support for Sylestine hurt his chances with Democratic voters?

In a deeply blue county, the district attorneys race is decided during the Democratic primary, and some Republicans decided to throw their support behind Sylestine  which might have, in turn, repelled some Democratic voters.

The Republican candidate for district attorney, Daniel Betts, encouraged other members of his party to vote for Sylestine in the Democratic primary, and many did.

Wick called vocal Republican support for Sylestine a "liability" for his campaign.

"Any message that is amplified by well-known conservatives in the community is not going to be well received by regular Democratic primary voters," Wick told the Statesman.

Sylestine courted Republican voters in less explicit terms, saying throughout his campaign that public safety shouldnt be a partisan issue.

The DA shouldnt have a political ideology, but should use common sense to make our community safer, Sylestine said in an ad.

Many of Sylestines largest donations came from people with a history of supporting Republican candidates, though some told the Statesman they had previously given to local Democrats.

David Butts, a longtime political consultant who joined Sylestines campaign, acknowledged that there were GOP donors. But he said that Garzas campaign had unfairly painted Sylestine as the MAGA candidate.

Butts also wondered about the impact of the involvement of the Saving Austin PAC, which sent some residents mailers that claimed that Garza was "filling the streets with pedophiles and killers." Though Sylestine denounced the ads on X, formerly known as Twitter, Butts said the PAC's "Republican interference" had "tainted" the campaign's message.

Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza greets supporters at his election night watch party Tuesday.

Looking forward

Around the country, other progressive prosecutors have faced tough-on-crime challengers, often experienced former prosecutors themselves, and won reelection by large margins. Rebecca Goldstein, a law professor at the University of California at Berkeley, called it an emerging pattern. Goldstein pointed to the races of progressive incumbents Larry Krasner in Philadelphia and Kim Gardner in St. Louis.

Almost four years after the 2020 racial justice protests that helped usher Garza in, there was some question of whether Democrats had cooled on issues of police accountability and justice reform.

To Garza, his victory is a clear answer that voters are still interested.

People want a criminal justice system that holds people accountable but also begins to address the root causes of crime in our community, Garza told the Statesman in an interview. They have been clear about that over and over and over again.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Sylestine outspent Garza in Travis County DA race but lost. What happened?
One of Hartfords most visible gateways  between downtown and the citys North End  is expected to see significant redevelopment in the next couple of years.

Apartment and storefront development around Dunkin Park will resume in the next few weeks. Nearby, residential rentals will blend historic buildings with new construction in a $19 million project at Albany Avenue and Main Street, likely to start this summer.

And beyond, an 1870s former tavern on Albany Avenue will anchor an $11 million project of apartments over storefronts, possibly beginning later this year.

Vincencia Adusei sees those developments as clear signs of a revival vibe and knows her estimated $5.5 million project on Edwards Street would fit right in.

I love this site because it looks like theres a lot of room to develop, not just here, but all around here, Adusei said during a recent visit to Edwards Street, the historic tavern easily visible from her property. So I really wanted to be a part of it.

Adusei, the owner of a New Haven-based construction management firm, hopes to build a 4-story structure with 20 apartments where a historic building once stood but was destroyed by fire in 2020.

The development, which could begin in a year, is right next door to her first project in Hartford: the rehab of another historic structure  vacant and dilapidated for decades and dating to 1865  completed in 2021.

Development is new territory for Adusei, whose firm, VASE Construction, has focused primarily on managing construction projects for other builders. Most have been in the New Haven and Fairfield counties, but among those in Hartford was the conversion of an old downtown hotel and later, rooming house, at 289 Asylum St., into apartments.

Aduseis second, more ambitious project on Edwards Street still needs to pull together all the necessary financing. If she does, the apartment building will push both the boundaries of VASE and Adusei, a Black woman in an industry  real estate development  that is dominated by white men.

A 2023 report from Grove Impact, a social-impact consulting group, found that out of about 112,000 real estate development companies in the United States, about 111,000 are white owned. Whats more, of the 383 developers at the top of the industry that earn more than $50 million in annual revenue, just one is Latino and none is Black, according the Grove report.

Adusei, who is known by her nickname Vee, said she is attracted to development because it differs from being a general contractor. General contractors become involved when the plans for a project are all set and must be executed.

Here, youre starting from the ground up and saying, this is my vision for this, Adusei said.

Aduseis profile in the construction business has come to the attention of Gov. Ned Lamont. Lamont appointed Adusei to serve on the states Historic Preservation Council.

Adusei has partnered on the new project with Jimmy Miller, who is president of a New Haven housing development and consulting nonprofit in New Haven, Glendower Group. Miller has a decades long resume in housing across multiple states, including New York.

City officials in Hartford have long targeted the gateway area around Albany Avenue and Main Street as critical to reconnecting downtown and the North End, torn apart by interstate highway construction in the late 1960s.

Miller, a former city housing official in New Haven, said Hartford is showing the same sense of vibe that New Haven started experiencing two decades ago.

You can see it here, Miller said. You can feel it here.

All I ever really knew

It isnt so surprising that Adusei chose the business shes in once she starts talking about her life.

A native of Ghana in West Africa, Aduseis parents own a construction business that focuses not on buildings, but constructing roads. As a child, she remembers hopping into the back of a pick-up truck to tag along a trip to a job site.

So growing up, thats all I ever really knew, Adusei said. I was actually also fascinated about roads and how it all got developed, transportation and everything.

She came to the United States when she was 14, living with family in New York. Adusei came to Connecticut to attend the University of Bridgeport where she earned undergraduate and graduate degrees, the latter a masters in business administration.

While studying for her graduate degree, she entered an entrepreneurship program in the mid-2000s. The program helped launch her firm, first a special events business that grew into a general contracting firm by 2013 after she focused on business consulting. Her firm now employs 11.

The name VASE goes back to the early days when her firm was Vincencia Adusei Special Events. When she went to register her construction management business with the state, Adusei was asked the name of her company. She hadnt really thought about it, so she took the initial letters of the special events business.

The real thing

In 2018, Adusei came across Edwards Street in Hartford when she was headed to a school in the city that had a management project but mistakenly drove to the wrong one. She landed up at the Global Communications Academy and noticed the deteriorating, 3-story brick structure across the street at 94-96 Edwards St.

I wondered, What is going on over there? Adusei recalls thinking.

A previous developer had attempted a renovation but it turned troubled, amid a state ethics and conflict-of-interest probe. Adusei stepped in, with financing from private investors and the Hartford Community Loan Fund, a nonprofit that provides financing on community development projects, and completed the rehabilitation.

Rex Fowler, the loan funds chief executive, describes Adusei as a developer who takes a hands-on approach.

She definitely has an extra motivation that we dont always see in other developers, a hunger, Fowler said. Shes very engaged on her projects, and she stays on top of things.

Adusei said the five apartments in 94-96 Edwards are lending stability to the street and havent had any turnover in leases. One of her tenants is a school principal in Hartford.

Financing for her next project on Edwards will be tougher because Adeusi and Miller are proposing new construction, so historic tax credits arent part of the equation.

In addition to the loan fund, Edwards is talking to the quasi-public Capital Region Development Authority, which helps fill funding gaps in housing projects in Hartford.

CRDA Executive Director Michael W. Freimuth, who has reviewed dozens of funding proposals for housing developments in the last decade, said Adusei is the real thing.

Shes not only creative but shes receptive to advice, Freimuth said. Our suggestions she takes with a high degree of earnestness, analyzes it and responds and its really refreshing to work with someone like her.

Freimuth said, What is most rewarding about someone like her  shes pushing the market a little bit. Shes not building down to it. Shes looking to bring a quality and newness that isnt the same old, same old.

Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.
As a man, Im going to come out and say that Im tired of exploring the concept of toxic masculinity in horror and thriller movies. Before the pitchforks pierce my spleen, let me step back from that with a brief caveat: Its not that the perils of machismo arent real, and arent an ever-present threat in everyday life. I agree with that wholeheartedly. My complaint stems from filmmakers trying to dissect the minutiae of masculinitys effects and having no unique vision or concise message to convey.

Alex Garland and Ari Asterlisten up, boys. Its no longer enough to use ostentatious visual style and needlessly shocking gore and violence to communicate the dangers of unrestrained male virility. While Garlands Men and Asters Midsommar (and, arguably, elements of Beau is Afraid) were admirable efforts to anatomize masculinity, the directors ultimately blundered their theses by getting lost in the trappings of what audiences were expecting from them, based on their prior films. Viewers anticipated disturbing images, shocking scares, and menacing characters, and they got them at the expense of any truly original narrative.

Jack Clark and Jim Weir, who co-directed the Australian thriller Birdeaterwhich had its North American premiere at the SXSW festival March 9are unencumbered by the problems that Aster and Garland fell prey to. For starters, Birdeater is the pairs feature film debut; the audience has yet to develop preconceived notions over what the movie might feel like. But regardless of its directors prior credits, Birdeater blows Men, Midsommar, and any other recent examination of masculinity out of the water. Weir and Clark have crafted an absurdly stylish film that is never content to rest on its ambitious visual scope, burrowing under your skin for an eerie glimpse at how men in their youth form bonds with one another that can slowly spin out of control as time passes.

Ari Asters Beau Is Afraid Short Shows the Films Surprising Origins

Given that Birdeater largely takes place at a stag party (the U.K. and Aussie version of a bachelor party, though Im told they exist stateside too), the setting almost seems too conventional for a film aiming to probe the prickly thematic content that it does. Of course, a bachelor party is going to be the setting where men feel most free to be wild. But Weir and Clark, who also co-wrote the film together, are betting on the audience entering with their expectations temperedit gives them plenty more room for the amount of awe thats yet to come.

Despite the complicated and constantly delayed nuptials of young couple Louie (Mackenzie Fearnley) and Irene (Shabana Azeez), Louie arranges for his stag party to go on as scheduled. Although, theres a bit of a problem: Irene cant stand to be away from Louie for extended periods. Her separation anxiety is crippling, and its only gotten worse as their relationship has intensified. Like any decent groom-to-be, Louie invites Irene to come along to the party, figuring that his friends Dylan (Ben Hunter), Charlie (Jack Bannister), Murph (Alfie Gledhill), and Sam (Harley Wilson) wont mind. Plus, Charlies girlfriend Grace (Clementine Anderson) will tag along to make sure that Irene doesnt feel like the odd one out.

But for Irene to not feel strange is practically a feat. Like any group of old high school and college buddies, there are tightly knit bonds forged over years of kinship that Irene isnt privy toand just as many sour memories hidden beneath the surface of those dynamics. It doesnt help that Dylan is practically a feral child. Even before the group reaches their remote property in the Australian woodlands, hes alienating and loud, despite everyones requests that he try to settle down. Hey, maybe hes just excited about the ketamine in his pocket.

Weir and Clark cleverly thrust viewers into Irenes mindset. Like her, were trapped at a cabin with a bunch of rowdy men that we barely know, and their quirks are immediately annoying. These opening scenes are slow and sometimes even obnoxious, as we seek to understand finer details of each member of the group. But this slow build is ultimately a necessary tactic. By the time the men have had a few beers and wrestled in the woods, squealing at each other and making Louie wear a pleather gimp suit for their juvenile pleasure, each persons temperament is solidified. And what luckits time for a drunken dinner.

When Birdeater gets going, it doesnt let up on its expertly crafted tension for a single second. As soon as everyone comes together under the cover of night, details about what transpired in the past between parties at the dinner table are doled out with careful intention. Each small reveal builds on the last, illustrating a clearer portrait of this peculiar posse. Its here where the filmmakers seize their opportunity to ensnare viewers with a deluge of marvelous editing tactics.

Halfway through its runtime, the movie transforms from a sophisticated-but-traditional thriller into an experimental exercise in eerie, atmospheric anxiety. Considering this is Clark and Weirs first feature-length film, their ability to execute gnarly match cuts and gorgeous montage sequences awash in color is even more impressive. And thats not even mentioning the films spectacular score, which sounds as if nu-jazz band Sparkle Division got a hold of a soundboard of Mac error noises.

The Moogai: The Terrifying Horror Movie That Could Be the Next Babadook

Like the thematically similar Australian classic Wake in Fright before it, Birdeater uses style and story in tandem to flesh out its vivisection of toxic masculinity, never sacrificing one for the other. Even at its most polarizing moments, the film stays on course. Whereas other directors have made films that muddle their vision to shock audiences, Weir and Clarks vision is blissfully clear to the end. The thrills in Birdeater come from its basis in reality and its reluctance to careen over the edge into implausibility. Other filmmakers should take note: This is how you practice restraint to great effect.

But perhaps the best thing about Birdeater is that the element of true wrongdoing remains murky throughout. The question of whether manipulation can be a two-person dance weaves its way through the films narrative like a piece of barbed wire, cutting deeper as the movie tightens its focus on Louie and Irene. Its a terrific trick that holds attention until the films final moments, when Birdeater asks its audience to consider the whole picture. Sure, masculinity is a prison, but it can also be very attractive. Often, there is a contradictory mixture of both of those feelings involved, which creates a dicey allure. The real trouble comes when that enticing pull is mistaken for love, and you find yourself caught up in something you never expected.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Hongkong Land Holdings Limited (SGX:H78) has announced that it will pay a dividend of $0.16 per share on the 15th of May. Based on this payment, the dividend yield on the company's stock will be 6.8%, which is an attractive boost to shareholder returns.

See our latest analysis for Hongkong Land Holdings

Hongkong Land Holdings Doesn't Earn Enough To Cover Its Payments

A big dividend yield for a few years doesn't mean much if it can't be sustained. Hongkong Land Holdings is not generating a profit, and despite this is paying out most of its free cash flow as a dividend. Generally it is unsustainable for a company to be paying a dividend while unprofitable, and with limited reinvestment into the business growth may be slow.

The next 12 months is set to see EPS grow by 184.1%. However, if the dividend continues along recent trends, it could start putting pressure on the balance sheet with the payout ratio reaching 102% over the next year.

Hongkong Land Holdings Has A Solid Track Record

The company has an extended history of paying stable dividends. The annual payment during the last 10 years was $0.17 in 2014, and the most recent fiscal year payment was $0.22. This implies that the company grew its distributions at a yearly rate of about 2.6% over that duration. Although we can't deny that the dividend has been remarkably stable in the past, the growth has been pretty muted.

Dividend Growth Potential Is Shaky

Investors who have held shares in the company for the past few years will be happy with the dividend income they have received. However, things aren't all that rosy. Hongkong Land Holdings' earnings per share has shrunk at 21% a year over the past five years. Dividend payments are likely to come under some pressure unless EPS can pull out of the nosedive it is in. On the bright side, earnings are predicted to gain some ground over the next year, but until this turns into a pattern we wouldn't be feeling too comfortable.

Story continues

Hongkong Land Holdings' Dividend Doesn't Look Sustainable

In summary, while it's good to see that the dividend hasn't been cut, we are a bit cautious about Hongkong Land Holdings' payments, as there could be some issues with sustaining them into the future. We can't deny that the payments have been very stable, but we are a little bit worried about the very high payout ratio. We would be a touch cautious of relying on this stock primarily for the dividend income.

Market movements attest to how highly valued a consistent dividend policy is compared to one which is more unpredictable. Still, investors need to consider a host of other factors, apart from dividend payments, when analysing a company. For example, we've picked out 1 warning sign for Hongkong Land Holdings that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. 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.
Pope Francis is drawing the ire of Ukraine and some of its supporters with recently revealed comments that appear to suggest Kyiv should surrender in its two-year war with Russia as the Vatican tries to clarify his remarks.

Francis has frequently condemned Moscow's invasion and its brutality in what he has called a "senseless war,'' but in a February interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI  parts of which were released Saturday  the pontiff encouraged Ukraine to be open to peace talks mediated by international powers.

"I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates," Francis said in an English transcript provided to Reuters of remarks he made in Italian. "The word negotiate is a courageous word. When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate. ... There's no shame in negotiating."

Grappling with a loss of firepower as U.S. military aid stalls in Congress, Ukraine has endured costly battlefield defeats in recent weeks, most notably in the eastern city of Avdiivka. Russia controls about 20% of Ukraine's pre-war territory, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently said his country is determined to gain it back.

Mapping Ukraine's withdrawal from Avdiivka: Russia took city as US aid stalls

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope wasn't pushing Ukraine to capitulate but rather to seek a truce "with the courage of negotiations. He also pointed out Francis was responding to a question that included the term "white flag'' when he made the controversial statement.

Nonetheless, his words drew swift backlash. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Sunday in a post on the X platform that the strong ones support those fighting for a just cause against evildoers "rather than attempting to put them on the same footing and call it 'negotiations.'''

Elena Kuzmenko cries over the body of her son Sergeant Yehor Voloshyn, 27, during his funeral in Pavlohrad, Ukraine, on Feb. 26, 2024. Voloshyn was killed in fighting near Avdiivka on Feb.21.

"Our flag is a yellow and blue one,'' Kuleba said. "This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags.''

Both Kuleba and Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski made allusions to Europe's appeasement efforts toward Adolf Hitler before World War II, which the Nazi leader exploited to expand his empire.

Said Sikorski in an X post: How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations.

Of course, that's unlikely to happen. With the assumption the war will eventually end in a negotiated settlement, the U.S. and its allies have tried to put Ukraine in the best possible bargaining position against Russia's implacable president, Vladimir Putin, and his much larger army.

But the failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive last year and the recent setbacks, combined with the uncertainty over whether the U.S. will again provide desperately needed munitions, might change the calculus of what a peace accord looks like.

Francis' comments in the interview, which Reuters said would run March 20, seemed to reflect that harsh reality.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pope Francis rankles Ukraine by touting 'courage of the white flag'
ALPINE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  The federal government will open a Disaster Recovery Center in Alpine Township this week to help residents apply for assistance following storms and a tornado that touched down last August.

The Disaster Recovery Center will be open for six days, from March 11 to March 16 from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the Henze Center Community Room in Alpine Township Fire Station 1 at 1100 Henze Drive. The initial release from Kent County Emergency Management included an incorrect location and time. The agency later sent out a corrected release, and this article has been updated to reflect the information it contained.

Representatives with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be there to help people affected by the storms apply for federal disaster assistance. The funds can cover things like temporary lodging, basic home repairs and other expenses related to the disaster.

EF1 tornado leaves trail of damage near Grand Rapids

Residents and business owners who want to challenge a notice of ineligibility, which the Kent County Emergency Management Coordinator says is routine, can come to the center to meet with representatives. Many times, notices of ineligibility mean the applicant has not provided enough information for application approval.

Last month, FEMA announced that assistance would be available to people in Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties after storms, tornadoes and flooding that happened on Aug. 24-26.

Applications for assistance are due by April 8.

Disaster Recovery Centers have also been opened in Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, and Wayne counties. Visit the FEMA website to find the center closest to you.

People affected by the August storms can also apply for assistance without visiting a center by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800.621.3362 or online at DisasterAssistance.gov or the FEMA App.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Hood

RALEIGH  Would it shock you to learn that a regulatory bill enacted in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis ended up hurting some of the very households lawmakers were trying to help?

I didnt think so. By now it should be clear to everyone that even the best of intentions are no guarantee of good outcomes.

The Dodd-Frank bill, enacted by Congress in 2010, made many changes in how financial firms and products are regulated. Craig Richardson, the Truist Distinguished Professor of Economics and director of the Center for the Study of Economic Mobility at Winston-Salem State University, has studied how these changes affected the market for small-dollar homes  that is, single-family units or condos under $100,000 in value.

Despite the recent run-up in property values, you can still find many such homes right here in North Carolina. Some are in rural areas and small towns. Others can be found in older neighborhoods of our urban areas. Not surprisingly, Richardson chose to examine the housing market in the community where he teaches, Forsyth County.

Before 2010, it wasnt unheard of for prospective buyers to get modest loans to help acquire or renovate such low-dollar properties. But as Richardson pointed out in a recent cover story for Regulation magazine, originations for mortgage loans between $10,000 and $70,000 dropped by 38 percent over the past decade. Loans between $70,000 and $150,000 fell by 26 percent while the volume of high-dollar mortgages went way up.

One reason for these disparate trends in mortgage lending, Richardson speculated, was that the higher regulatory burdens imposed on lenders by Dodd-Frank  more disclosures, more financial-stress tests, more paperwork  made small-dollar loans unattractive to lenders.

If its going to cost a certain amount of time and money to issue a compliant loan, it makes more sense for firms to focus on larger loan amounts. Otherwise, even for trustworthy borrowers, theres just not enough revenue flow over the course of the loan to justify the expense of making it. One effect of fewer loans available for small-dollar homes is that fewer buyers will be in a position to make offers on them, thus reducing what current owners can expect to get from selling them.

Moreover, the community banks that specialize in such small-dollar mortgages will bear a disproportionate amount of the regulatory burden, weakening their competitive position versus larger financial institutions that can spread overhead costs over a larger universe of customers, depositors, and employees.

Thats the theory, anyway. Does it hold up in practice? To test his hypothesis, Richardson and his Winston-Salem State University colleague Zachary Blizard looked closely at housing prices in Winston-Salem, which is roughly bisected by U.S. 52 running north to south. As of 2022, three-quarters of all houses on the east side of town had assessed values of $100,000 or lower. In the parts of Winston-Salem west of the highway, only 27 percent of homes were worth $100,000 or less.

In the immediate aftermath of the Great Recession, property values declined for several years across Winston-Salem. Then they rebounded, though the upswing was much larger on the west side than on the east side.

After adjusting for other factors, Richardson and Blizard found that since 2010, nominal property values in lowincome East Winston have dropped by over 40 percent relative to the rest of the county, driven by a measured drop in smalldollar loans as well as a wider constriction of economic activity.

Were there many Americans who needed federal protection from unscrupulous mortgage lenders in 2010? Perhaps  but surely federal agencies and lawmakers could have come up with a better response than squashing the market for small-dollar home lending.

By uniformly increasing overhead costs across the industry, Richardson wrote, DoddFrank penalized or eliminated many community lenders who had the most local knowledge and were most likely to issue small mortgages, business loans, and home improvement loans. Not surprisingly, the legislations effects have hit lowerincome communities the hardest  a product of the law of unintended consequences.

John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His latest books, Mountain Folk and Forest Folk, combine epic fantasy with early American history (FolkloreCycle.com).

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: John Hood: Has the Dodd-Frank bill damaged the housing market?
Killers of the Flower Moon star and Indigenous performer Lily Gladstone is describing how moved she felt watching Osage Nation singers perform onstage at the 2024 Oscars.

The singers performed at the event March 10 with Osage songwriter Scott George, who wrote best original song nominee Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People). The nomination marked the first time an Osage writer notched a nod in the category.

The song ultimately lost the Oscar to What Was I Made For from Barbie, but Gladstone said March 12 on X, formerly Twitter, that seeing Osage singers perform was a win for representation.

"When watching the Osage Singers at the Oscars, my inner voice said 'Theyre the ones bringing us all up on stage tonight, thats how it should be,'" she wrote. "The history in the film and of the moment rightfully belong to the Osage Nation. What an honor to be close enough to feel the drum."

"Killers of the Flower Moon" had 10 Academy Award nominations, including best picture, best actress and best director, and depicts a harrowing moment in American history when dozens of members of the Osage tribe met violent or suspicious ends following the discovery of oil on their Oklahoma land. Though it did not take home any Oscar wins, Gladstone was a favorite for the best actress award and fans consider it an upset. The award went to Emma Stone for "Poor Things."

Read on for everything to know about Oscar-nominated song "Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)."

Killers of the Flower Moon (Apple)

When does 'Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)' appear in 'Killers of the Flower Moon'?

The song plays at the end of the movie during a scene depicting the community gathering for a ceremony after the horrific events that unfolded.

After attending Osage Inlonshka ceremonial dances, director Martin Scorsese wanted the movie to conclude with a piece of Osage music, he told AppleTV+. Scott George wrote this song specifically for the film to express his feelings about being an Osage, Scorsese said.

By the end of the film we had to have some sense of the presence of the Osage. They survive. The music of the Osage is the best display of this extraordinary survival, Scorsese told AppleTV+.

How 'Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)' came to be

Osage musician Scott George, who also served as a music consultant for the film, told Variety he wasn't sure whether to say yes to writing an original song.

A lot of people get invited to our dances to just look on and see what we do," he said. "But they are ceremonials, and we dont like for them to be filmed, or recorded. We were afraid our people would say, We dont want anybody to see that.

George was swayed once he learned where the song would play in the movie and how it would be used, he told Variety.

Scott George (Apu Gomes / AFP - Getty Images)

While George said he had around 400 ceremonial compositions to draw inspiration from, he decided on an original composition as most of the existing songs have connections to many specific individuals and communities.

What do the lyrics of 'Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)' mean?

George told The Osage News the Osage language lyrics translate to stand up" and God made it for us," repeated again and again.

The musician said the message he was trying to convey went beyond the lyrics: He hoped to capture the pride and strength behind the Osage Nation.

"In reality, my thoughts behind it are weve gone through all this, and this is showing what weve gone through, this movie  what our people went through, and still go through today, in some form or another," George told The Osage News. "So, Im asking our people to stand up, basically, and be proud of the fact that God created a way for us."

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Dominion Energy recently hosted several Grier Middle School students at the companys Gastonia headquarters for a look into a career path at Dominion.

The event is part of Dominions annual partnership with the North Carolina Business Committee and its Students@Work Month.

According to Dominion representative Persida Montanez, the partnership aims to show students the local job opportunities that are available to them.

Starting at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, the group of students learned about safety, types of careers available at Dominion, and what the careers and materials thereof look like in action.

Dominion technician Danny Revels asked students to identify all of the safety components required for the job until he was ready to work.

He then conducted a pipe fusion demonstration, showing the students a 400 degree tool that is used to fuse pipe.

After the demonstration, students had the opportunity to hear from a Dominion field technicians about working with residential clients, and they saw an example of the meter and pipe system that would typically be buried on site at a residence using natural gas.

The students then tried their hands at some examples of the math a Dominion engineer might work with on any given day.

After hearing from professionals in several different Dominion departments, Dominion senior talent specialist Susan Greene described the different requirements for each type of career and the opportunities for further education after being hired on with Dominion.

Students learned that Dominion employees have opportunities to get plumbing licenses, CDL certifications, and more.

Its a continuous learning experience, Greene said. Just because you get hired on here doesnt mean the learning stops.

The students spent the latter half of their time at Dominion watching the work happen in action.

Dominion representative Eric Newton led the students through the companys meter testing and fabrication shops, where they learned about the processes involved in testing and repairing meters and other areas of the facility.

According to Montanez, Dominion is set to host two additional groups of Gaston students later this month.

Dominion representative Danny Revels demonstrates a pipe fusion for Grier Middle School students on March 6, 2024.

Dominion meter technician Josh Haskett explains a meter testing process to Grier Middle School students March 6, 2024.

Dominion representative Eric Newton leads Grier Middle School students on a tour of the organization's Gastonia headquarters.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Dominion Energy hosts Gaston students for career program
WASHINGTON  As former President Donald Trump has all but secured the Republican nomination in his quest to retake the White House, House Republicans are grappling with one key question as he marches towards the nomination:

Whos gonna deal with him if he wins a second term?

If Trump wins reelection, someone in the House Republican conference will have to be the liaison between the former president and the lower chamber. Who that person will be isnt exactly clear to some GOP lawmakers.

Of course, all administrations coordinate closely with Capitol Hill to enact their agenda, but the designee for Trump will be especially consequential because of his at times erratic behavior compared to his predecessors. Its unclear who he will listen to as Republicans attempt to advance their priorities. House GOP members have been in disarray for much of the past few months, and have failed at times to coalesce around major legislative policy.

From the sidelines as a candidate, Trump has already irritated some Republican lawmakers after derailing a bipartisan emergency spending deal that would have significantly overhauled border and migrant policy.

The lawmaker previously assumed to be the ambassador between the House and Trump has been forcibly removed from that position. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who was ousted last year, spoke with the former president multiple times every day during his administration to brief him on legislation during his term. At times, the former president deferred to his judgment on big-ticket legislation.

The question isnt who would talk to Trump. Its who Trump would listen to and who he would trust, a senior House GOP aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said. I dont think theres anyone here right now that Trump would listen to like he listened to McCarthy.

With McCarthy gone, the GOP conference is scratching its head over who will handle Trump.

Thats a good question. I dont know, said Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, Trumps former physician in the White House and an ally in the House. I obviously have a relationship with him and Im gonna try to be as useful to him as I can possibly be.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a primary election night party at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia, S.C., Feb. 24, 2024.

A 'good working relationship' with Speaker Johnson

The presumed point of contact between the GOP conference and a Trump White House is naturally the top House Republican, in this case, current House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. But there very well could be a leadership shakeup if Republicans lose the lower chamber in the elections  which Democrats are feeling bullish about considering the lower chamber's dysfunction in recent months. Right now, Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House and Democrats would need a net gain of just four seats in order to win control of the chamber.

Regardless, Johnson has started to cultivate a relationship with the former president since assuming the mantle as speaker.

Circumstances have required them to talk pretty frequently and I think thats helped build the relationship, Jackson said. A person familiar with the relationship between Johnson and Trump also described it as a good working relationship and said the two speak frequently through a range of issues.

One of McCarthys former top lieutenants, Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., noted Johnson was on Trumps defense team in his first impeachment trial in 2020 and that has helped build a close relationship between the two. But nothing in the future is guaranteed, he added.

Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, an unabashedly pro-Trump lawmaker, didnt express much worry since the former president has already built lines of communication with other lawmakers throughout his first term.

I think there are people up here that will try to keep him informed. Nehls said he does what I can to loop in Trump to the temperature of the House GOP conference and his priorities.

Among Trumps other most ardent supporters in the House include Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio and House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., the No. 4 ranking House Republican.

The number of lawmakers who have positioned themselves as Trumps closest allies on Capitol Hill underscores the conundrum: no one knows who will lead along with the former president.

One lawmaker thinks Trump will personally pick someone himself.

I think hes gonna anoint someone, Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, a former Trump aide who regularly speaks with the former president, told USA TODAY.

Nehls also thought it was possible Trump personally picks someone out of the conference to be the point of contact between the White House and the House. As expected from the former president, Nehls said loyalty is very, very important, to Trump.

Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., applauds before the arrival of President Joe Biden in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Washington.

A 'multi-pronged approach' for a House GOP ambassador

If fealty to the former president is non-negotiable, that could rule out leaders of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus. Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., chair of the loose group of hard-right lawmakers, opted to endorse then-candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over Trump in the presidential primary, drawing the ire of Trump allies.

If he does select someone out of the GOP conference to serve as House Republicans main ambassador, one former Trump White House official described it as a multi-pronged approach, with various factors that could determine Trumps pick.

That includes defending the president on television and strong decision making. McCarthy, the official said, had a good gut about things and more often than not, Kevins advice has been correct.

Conservative firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., another one of Trumps most outspoken supporters, pitched herself as one of those key members that could have the presidents ear.

Im always happy to be a point person for the president, Greene said. I would argue Im probably his strongest supporter in the House.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., shouts at President Joe Biden as he delivers the State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the Capital building on March 7, 2024 in Washington, DC.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: If Trump wins a second term, House GOP wonders: Who will talk to him?
A man crashed his car into the gates of Buckingham Palace over the weekend, Metropolitan Police said on Sunday.

The man, who was not publicly identified, crashed into the gates of the royal residence in central London around 2:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, officials said. He was taken to the hospital after the incident.

Police said the man was charged with suspicion of criminal damage. Officials did not immediately release the man's name.

People walk past a set of boarded-up gates at Buckingham Palace in London on March 10, 2024, after a car crashed into them. / Credit: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances," Metropolitan Police said.

BBC reported that the crash was not being treated as terror-related. Buckingham Palace said no member of the royal family was at the residence at the time of the crash, Reuters reported.

Images from the scene on Sunday showed the gate covered in wooden boards.

Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of the United Kingdom's sovereigns since 1837, according to the Royal Family. Today it serves as the administrative headquarters of the monarch.

Last year, just four days before the coronation of King Charles III, a man was detained outside Buckingham Palace after he threw a number of items, including what were believed to be shotgun cartridges, into the Palace grounds, London's Metropolitan Police said.

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BENNINGTON, Vt. (WTEN)  The driver charged with causing a crash that killed actor Treat Williams in June 2023 accepted a plea agreement in court Friday morning.

Williams was driving a motorcycle near Dorset, Vermont, last summer when a car, driven by 35-year-old Ryan Koss, tried to make a left turn and entered Williams path, Vermont State Police said at the time.

Williams, unable to avoid the crash, was thrown from the motorcycle. Authorities said he suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to an Albany, New York, hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was 71.

Koss  the managing creative director of the Dorset Theatre Festival who knew the actor and his family through Vermonts theatre community  originally pleaded not guilty to a charge of gross negligent operation with death resulting in September.

Treat Williams remembered by Vermont community

On Friday, Koss pleaded guilty to a lesser misdemeanor charge that will allow him to avoid prison time. He received a one-year deferred sentence and, as part of his probation, he will have his driving license revoked for a year. Koss must also complete a community restorative justice program on the misdemeanor charge. If he commits a crime or violates probation within the next year, he could face up to two years in prison.

I made a left turn that collided with an oncoming motorcycle, and it was my responsibility to avoid that from happening, Koss said Friday, apologizing to Williams wife, Pam, and their two children, Gill and Ellie.

FILE  Actor Treat Williams attends the world premiere of Second Act in New York on Dec. 12, 2018. Williams, whose nearly 50-year career included starring roles in the TV series Everwood and the movie Hair, died Monday, June 12, 2023, after a motorcycle crash in Vermont, state police said. He was 71. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

Gill Williams, the late actors 32-year-old son, addressed Koss, saying, Ive spent months now thinking of all the things that could be hurtful, and I dont want to do that.

Instead, Gill, wearing his fathers jacket, sat across from Koss and forgave him. I do forgive you, and I hope you forgive yourself, and I dont want you to go to prison, he added. The family did not want to press charges or have Koss go to prison, he said.

After the crash, Koss called Williams wife to tell her what happened, said Bennington County States Attorney Erica Marthage, who said Koss from the beginning has taken responsibility for the accident.

Princess of Wales appears in first photo since surgery amid wild speculation

Its very difficult to have this happen based on someones negligence, Gill added, urging people to take driving a lot more seriously and to look out for motorcycles. Statements from Williams wife, Pam, and his daughter, who both did not attend the court hearing, were read aloud.

Pam Williams said in her statement that it was a tragic accident and that she hopes Koss can forgive himself.

Our lives will never be the same, our family has been torn apart and there is a huge hole that cant possibly be filled, she wrote in her statement.

Daughter Ellie Williams wrote in her statement that she was too angry and hurt at this time to forgive Koss but hopes she will in the future.

I will never get to feel my fathers hug again; be able to get his advice again, introduce him to my future husband, have him walk me down the aisle, introduce him to my babies, and have him cry when I name my first son after him, a victims advocate said in reading her statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump held competing campaign rallies on Saturday in battleground Georgia, days after Super Tuesday brought the long-anticipated, ugly rematch into hyperfocus.

The location of their dueling events was no accident. Bidens rally in the Atlanta area was just a few miles from the Fulton County Jail, where Trump was booked last summer on charges in Georgias election interference case against him and a number of his allies. And Trump was shoring up his support in Rome, part of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes district in the states conservative northwest.

Trump, who was scheduled to speak before Biden, took the stage minutes after the president wrapped his event 70 miles away. While Biden delivered a condensed version of his State of the Union address, Trump spent the first 10 minutes of his rally railing against the presidents Thursday night speech.

Joe Biden should not be shouting angrily at America, Trump said. America should be shouting angrily at Joe Biden.

Saturdays split screen wraps a defining week in the 2024 race for the White House, as both Biden and Trump swept Super Tuesday contests and the president delivered a fiery State of the Union address hammering his predecessor. The flurry of activity, particularly from the Biden campaign, offers a glimpse into the pace and nature of the fight voters can expect to see play out over the next eight months.

The venue of the split-screen visit  Georgia  also underscores the bitter nature of the rematch between the two men in what is already shaping up to be a historically long general election. Biden became the first Democrat since 1992 to flip the state, winning it in 2020 by just 12,000 votes and delivering a brutal blow to Trumps reelection effort and his ego.



It can tell you a lot about a person who they keep company with, Biden said, noting that Trump was nearby in Greenes district and spent yesterday meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Hungarys authoritarian leader. When [Trump] says he wants to be a dictator, I believe him, Biden said.

But it was the issue of immigration that loomed over their visits. Shortly before Biden took the stage in Atlanta, he said in an interview with MSNBC that he regretted using the word illegal during his State of the Union address to describe the Venezuelan man charged with killing a Georgia nursing student, who authorities say entered the U.S. illegally. And as he rallied an energized crowd at an event venue in northeast Atlanta, Biden lit into Trump for the inflammatory rhetoric the former president has used to describe immigrants.

Instead of celebrating the contribution of immigrants to our country, to our economy and our communities, Donald Trump calls them vermin, poison, poisoning the blood of America, Biden said. No one should ever doubt where my heart is.

An hour and a half away, Trump met privately backstage with the parents and friends of Laken Riley, the slain nursing student. Speaking to the crowd afterwards, he hit Biden for mispronouncing her name on Thursday and praised Greene as brave for shouting Laken Riley during his speech. And he criticized the president for backtracking on the word illegal, as supporters in the crowd booed and held signs that read, Say her name.

Now he was illegal, and I say he was an illegal alien. He was an illegal immigrant. He was an illegal migrant, and he shouldnt have been in our country, and he never would have been under the Trump policy. Trump said. And Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer.

Both men stepped foot in the Peach State facing a number of challenges. Polls show that Americans are apathetic about the rematch. And although polls have shown Trump with a slight edge over Biden, both candidates are struggling to energize their base supporters. Biden has tried to shake lingering concerns among Democrats about his age, and for months he has faced blowback within his own party over his response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. He has been confronted by protesters calling for a cease-fire nearly every time he has appeared in public this year, and Saturday was no exception as his speech was briefly interrupted by a person shouting genocide Joe.



I dont resent his passion. Theres a lot of Palestinians who are being unfairly victimized, Biden said as the person was escorted out of the venue, before returning to his planned remarks.

Despite his domination on Tuesday, Trump continues to show weakness in vital suburban areas that cost him the race four years ago. His legal challenges also continue to hover over his campaign, as its likely he will have to further drain his war chest for legal fees this summer.

While Trump for months has been trekking around the country to bolster his support with the Republican base, Bidens campaign wind-up has been slower. As part of a post-SOTU blitz, this shifted on Friday when Bidens team announced a $30 million ad buy and a slew of new travel as the president leans into an aggressive posture his team says he plans to carry throughout the general election.

Biden was in Pennsylvania on Friday and will head to New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Michigan next week, while Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Arizona and Nevada. The campaign also hired 350 new staffers and opened 100 offices across swing states.

Saturday kicked off the new ad buy, which will target battleground states, including Black and Latino-focused outlets and channels. The Biden campaign launched a new ad Saturday morning, in which Biden leaned into the age issue and touted the value of his experience in leading the U.S. through the pandemic, economic recovery and a number of other policy achievements.

Look, Im not a young guy. Thats no secret, the president said at the ads outset. But, heres the deal. I understand how to get things done for the American people, he continued.

It concluded with a short cutscene, with Biden quipping: Look, Im very young, energetic and handsome.
Eddie Norfolk: 'Let's find the courage and humility to come together to bring about the revival in nature' - Jonathan James Wilson

There is a riveting account in the 18th Duke of Norfolks new book of his late fathers valour in the Second World War, both at Dunkirk and later in the push through Italy, for which he was awarded a Military Cross.

Neither a military history book nor an account of his aristocratic family, however, the book describes the 20-year project he undertook at his home at Peppering Farm, on the Arundel estate in West Sussex, to save the grey partridge from extinction across the South Downs National Park.

The Dukes description of his fathers courage, he explains, is to illustrate that while previous generations have had enormous difficulties to overcome, ours are just as crucial  namely reversing natures decline.

The Duke  Edward Fitzalan-Howard, known as Eddie Norfolk  contends that while climate change is critical, and is being addressed at a cost of billions, it is the dwindling of natural species and habitats that will kill off mankind long before global warming does. So he has, to use the military vernacular, signed up to help save it.

At the estate office in Arundel, overlooked by 11th-century Arundel Castle, which has been the seat of his family for more than 850 years, the Duke bears no sign of stress or fatigue from organising the two biggest state events in recent history.

As Earl Marshal  a hereditary role  he planned Queen Elizabeth IIs state funeral and the Coronation of King Charles. He is, as one might imagine, the height of discretion  both on what went on behind the scenes at these pivotal occasions and on the matter of the Kings health, which at the time of writing is dominating front pages.

As Earl Marshal, Eddie Norfolk planned both Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral and the Coronation of King Charles - Carl Court/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

What he does say is that there are parallels between those huge events and his passion project over the past two decades to restore the wild grey partridge to the South Downs. Yes, there are similarities. For the funeral, I had a wonderful team of 100 people involved in the planning, while the Peppering project only has 20, but both have required a huge attention to detail to make things happen. The detailed work was done by people other than me, but I was ultimately responsible for delivery.

In 2002, the year he inherited the title from his father, the Duke recalls that Dick Potts, a renowned ecologist who had been studying the grey partridge on the South Downs since the 1960s, walked into his office and announced: Eddie, unless you do something, the grey partridge will become extinct locally within five years. The Duke replied: Dick, thats not going to happen on my watch.

Potts explained that there were only three pairs left at Peppering and, moreover, this wasnt about the loss of just one species but the crumbling of an entire ecosystem. Theres an old country saying, according to the Duke: The grey partridge is a sign of the health of the countryside. If we have them around, all is well; if we lose them, we do so at our peril.

The Duke says that he felt it was a summons. When I was 12, I would spend two weeks in September at my grandparents house, Carlton Towers in Yorkshire, before going back to school. A group of us cousins would walk up the wild greys, he says, reminiscing about his early shooting experiences.

Wed be lucky to get two a day each, but it developed my interest in nature, seeing the greys, along with the lapwings, corn buntings and other wildlife, and it gave me a great insight into the natural world.

This was a call to help a bird I had grown up with, learnt a great deal about and had an affinity with. Without realising it, I had been waiting for this moment all my life. I knew I could help.

The Dukes admiration for the grey partridge, he readily admits, coexists with a passion for a days shooting, but only when there is a surplus. We work 364 days of the year giving to nature to perhaps have one days shooting when we harvest the surplus. You have to have a passion far beyond shooting.

The shoots are also a source of income and help the estate to persevere with environmental projects and its biodiversity recovery programme.

The Duke says he understands that predator control is a 'highly emotive subject' - Christopher Pledger

Through intensive fieldwork, Dick Potts and his colleagues identified three reasons for the partridges local decline. The growing use of herbicides and pesticides was reducing the abundance of wildflowers and the insects on which chicks feed, leading to lower survival rates; more intensive farming and the consequent reduction in habitat meant there were fewer places to nest; and, as partridge numbers fell, the relative effects of predation increased.

This was pioneering work, and developed into what became known as the GWCT (Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust) Sussex Study  now the longest-established survey of farmland ecosystems in Europe. It was the first time ecologists had looked closely at the man-made habitat of farmland; until then they had focused mainly on natural and semi-natural ecosystems.

In 2002 Potts agreed with the Duke that 90 per cent of the land would be used for farming and the remaining 10 per cent for conservation. This would demonstrate how to combine food production and wildlife revival in a sustainable way.

The Duke says: In Britain we like to think we are right up there in the nature revival league, but we are the worst performer of the G10 countries. We are brilliant at writing reports and red-listing species that are heading for extinction, but we are hopelessly ineffective at actually reversing natures decline.

Habitat improvement at Peppering began in earnest with the development of a farming system that could restore biodiversity in a way that worked alongside, rather than against, food production. This involved reducing the average size of each field, creating conservation headlands (margins where the use of chemicals is minimised) alongside existing hedgerows, and planting all new hedgerows on beetle banks.

As the fields became smaller and more numerous, there emerged a patchwork of crops and a rotation that maximised yields but also provided a safe, reliable food source for the grey partridges.

This was not an exercise in rewilding. Instead, it was trying to find a middle way whereby profitable farming could take place alongside the wholesale renaturing of the land, says the Duke. Rewilding has its place, and Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell, for instance, have done a wonderful job on the estate at Knepp Castle (also in West Sussex), but at Peppering we specifically target the revival of red-listed birds, wildflowers and insects as well as producing food to feed the world.

If the Duke had the wisdom and experience of Potts to draw on for his project on his own doorstep in the South Downs, he had a well-connected and helpful friend in the shape of the late Duke of Edinburgh at Sandringham in Norfolk, and he approached him for assistance.

In March 2004, Prince Philip asked the then Sandringham headkeeper, David Clark, if he had enough grey partridges there to spare a few pairs for the Arundel project. Id like to send them five if I can, Prince Philip had told Clark, adding that he knew there had been a huge habitat improvement at Arundel, and he felt the greys would have a good chance of surviving and going on to breed.

Nine pairs arrived in West Sussex, where they stayed and nested, producing clutches of eggs. A few months later Potts wrote to the Duke of Edinburgh: Sir, I feel sure you would like to hear more good news. The excellent results I reported in July became even better as the last of the harvest was cleared; one Sandringham pair had a wonderful brood of 17.

Potts was able to decline the offer of a second consignment of birds the following year: Like Eddie Norfolk and the rest of the team, I feel we really have enough birds, especially if they do as well as last season.

The Dukes estate has since passed grey partridges on to many other estates, to share Prince Philips kindness.

The most contentious of Potts ways to restore the greys is predator control. No one likes it, says the Duke, but we adopt best practice and operate strictly within the law at all times using modern traps and humane cable restraints [HCRs], never old-fashioned snares. But I understand it is a highly emotive subject.

The Duke's estate has passed grey partridges to many other estates 'to share Prince Philip's kindness' - Jonathan James Wilson

A young grey partridge emerging from its egg on the South Downs has an impressive array of predators that can be controlled, including crows and magpies, foxes (apparently some urban foxes routinely come up from Brighton 20 miles away), weasels, stoats and rats. HCRs are designed to allow certain non-target species, such as badgers and hares, to break free, and the estates keepers are required by law to check the restraints every day. On the rare occasions when a non-target species is caught, keepers are trained to release it without harm in a matter of seconds.

There have been protests over snaring on the estate, with campaigners complaining that the grey partridge revival has come at a cost. To address this, locals were invited on to the estate, with keepers available to show how best-practice traps and HCRs worked, and the Duke says the issue is never ducked in discussions, explaining why it is done and to the highest possible welfare standards.

At the end of July all traps are lifted, and nature is left to take its course for the rest of the year to find a new balance.

Now the partridges regularly number between 1,000 and 2,000 a year, but it was 2009 before Potts thought a surplus had been achieved, sufficient for a small shoot to go ahead. That October, the Duke, with four guests and his son Henry, lined up on the first drive and, by chance, he took the first shot at a grey partridge and downed it.

According to the Dukes book The Return of the Grey Partridge (Profile Books, 20), written with Roger Morgan-Grenville, as the grey fell to earth one of the beaters remarked:

I wonder what that bird cost him. Indeed, the Duke admits with a laugh, if he had known the costs when he began the project, hed have been taken aback. But he adds: Im determined to prove that the future renaturing of farming does not just have to be a rich persons game.

His vision? We need to find a way where projects like Peppering can be self-funding. We need to bury our prejudices and work together. Lets listen to all the science, not just to that bit that suits our entrenched positions. Lets find the courage and humility to come together to bring about the revival in nature across arable England which we so desperately need.

The knock-on effect of the grey partridge project can be seen everywhere at Peppering, he says. In the field margins next to the 30 miles of newly planted hedgerows, you can see over 100 arable flowers, including many red-listed ones like the cornflower, prickly poppy, dwarf spurge and fumitories, and living on these flowers youll see 700 different species of insect, 10 per cent of which are nationally rare, including 50 different types of pollinating bees.

Youll see a thousand hares, dormice, harvest mice, hedgehogs and water voles. There are raptors everywhere, and at night you can hear the nightingale, and at dawn the cuckoo and the turtle dove.

The Dukes enthusiasm is self-evident, and when Henry, his eldest son, follows him as the 19th Duke of Norfolk, he too will continue this legacy. The idea that you can farm for nature and provide corridors of wildlife that link with hundreds of other farms that may be far smaller is a really exciting and important one, says Henry. How could I not continue it?

His father adds: You dont need a PhD to understand that things will get better if we take our feet off natures throat. In a way, thats all weve done here. Weve had to manage the process. Its been expensive, time-consuming and sometimes very frustrating. But 20 years later, the whole place is alive again.

I love to see the twitchers and country lovers with smiles on their faces when they come and see the raptors, the partridges, corn buntings, lapwings and skylarks dancing on the wind.

1 Body justified: And what next for the 18th Duke of Norfolk? His answer is to hand. Curlews, he says. Next year you just might see them breeding on the South Downs for the first time in 100 years.

1 Body justified: I think if by some miracle my father could return to Peppering today and see what was going on, he could be forgiven for thinking he was back in 1930s Britain. He would say, Eddie, its working  just get on with it.

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Finding the right stocks is the only real trick to successful investing, but it can be quite a trick. There are thousands of publicly traded stocks, and thousands of active traders, which adds up to millions of daily stock transactions  and an imposing wall of data for the retail investor to sort through.

Whats needed is a clear signal, something that can cut through the noise and show just what stocks are right to buy. Fortunately, there are several such signals. One of the best comes from the corporate insiders, the company officers holding C-suite positions or seats on the Boards  and having access to the kind of confidential information that will point toward future share performance. These insiders would be less than human if they didnt trade on their knowledge (which they are obliged to make public), but keep in mind that the only reason they have to buy is quite simple: they are sure the shares will rise.

Right now, some insiders are picking up beaten-down stocks, a clear case of buy the dip in preparation for coming gains. Using the TipRanks Insiders Hot Stocks tool, we can look up some details on two of their transactions in particular, stock buys in the million-dollar range that definitely deserve a closer look from investors.

The view from the Street shows plenty of upside on both of these stocks. Lets find out what else these shares have to offer.

Gogo (GOGO)

Gogo, the first stock on our list, fills an interesting niche in the world of broadband connectivity  the company is the leading provider of online connectivity services in the business aviation market. The company offers a suite of cabin systems, off-the-shelf or customized, allowing passengers to access integrated connectivity, in-flight entertainment, and even voice solutions. Thousands of aircraft, at all scales, from short-hop turboprops to globe-spanning jets, have Gogos solutions installed. And, the companys products are used by a wide range of operators, including fractional owners, charter airlines, corporate flight departments, and private individuals.

Story continues

While the private business air travel market may sound small and specialized, it encompasses a large customer base. As of the end of 2023, Gogos broadband services were in use on 7,205 business aircraft, and the companys narrowband satellite connectivity was installed on 4,341 planes. The 7,205 broadband installations represented a 4% increase year-over-year.

The business aviation market has also proven stable, and Gogos revenues commonly hold steady at or near $100 million per quarter. For the last reported period, 4Q23, the company had a top line of $97.8 million. While down 9.6% y/y, this was $1.32 million better than had been expected. The companys earnings, at $0.11 per share in GAAP measures, came in a penny below expectations.

Gogo has had some boosts from the news recently. In January of this year, the company won an appellate court decision that prevented an injunction against it from the competing firm SmartSky. And in February, Gogo signed an agreement with the private jet provider NetJet to extend their existing 20-year relationship.

Despite these positive news releases, shares in Gogo are down 66% over the last 12 months and one insider has decided the time is right for loading up.

Recent insider activity shows that Board member Charles Townsend made two large purchases, totaling 289,654 shares. Townsend laid out over $2.4 million for the stock, and now has a stake in the company worth almost $34 million.

The Board member is not the only bull here. TD Cowen analyst Lance Vitanza also takes an upbeat view of Gogo, citing the companys leading market share, among other factors: Gogo has set its 5-year revenue CAGR target at ~17%, driven largely by unit growth as Gogo pursues in particular a greenfield opportunity in light jets. We estimate a US fleet of ~7k light jet units, of which ~20% are currently equipped with broadband; we think its only a matter of time before most of these jets (plus whatever new units are manufactured) are installed with broadband, with the lions share likely falling to Gogo. Gogos LT financial targets suggest FCF of $1.15 per share by 2025 with substantial growth from there.

Vitanza goes on to rate the shares as Outperform (Buy), with a $15 target price to suggest a 69% gain in the coming months. (To watch Vitanzas track record, click here)

GOGO shares have a Moderate Buy consensus rating from the Streets analysts, based on an even split among the ratings  2 Buys and 2 Holds. The stock is selling for $8.88 and its $13.38 average price target implies it will gain 51% over the course of the year. (See Gogo stock forecast)

Sunnova Energy International (NOVA)

Next up, Sunnova, is one of the leaders in the US residential solar power market. The company builds and installs solar power systems in private homes, and has its hands on all stages of the installation business, from setting up rooftop panels to connecting the solar power system into the homes existing electrical system to installing the storage batteries needed as back-up for solar power generation. Sunnova is also well-known for providing solid support to its customers, including ongoing service, maintenance, and repairs as needed, as well as providing spare parts and making system upgrades.

Sunnova has made some recent announcements that should interest potential investors. In January, the company announced the upcoming opening of its first Adaptive Technology Center, a facility that will enhance the development and testing of new solar energy technologies such as microgrids and inverters. The facility will include a full-scale functional model home, for more realistic testing.

Also of note, in February the company announced plans to implement an ATM, an at-the-market offering for $100 million. The company has stated that the ATM will be used for good housekeeping purposes, and that it does not plan to implement it before the next earnings call. Management, in its 4Q23 earnings call, described putting the ATM in place now as a luxury, rather than a necessity.

Meanwhile, Sunnova reported its 4Q23 results last month, and missed the forecasts for both revenues and earnings. The revenue total came to $194.18 million, relatively flat y/y but $29.83 million less than the estimates, while the bottom line figure, a GAAP loss of $1.53 per share, was much deeper than the 18-cent EPS loss reported in 4Q22 and missed expectations by $1.28 per share. NOVA shares were already under pressure before the print, but they have shed another 54% since the readout.

However, turning to the insiders and their trades, we find that Board member Akbar Mohamed must think they have retreated by too much. He recently purchased 152,450 shares of NOVA  a stock buy that was valued at $1,054,954 and brought his full stake in the company to $1.34 million.

This brings us to the comments from Truist analyst Jordan Levy, who acknowledges the downbeat sentiment has been further exacerbated by the ATM. However, he remains long-term upbeat on the stock, writing of it, As evidenced by the sell-off in NOVA shares, in line with current negative sentiment for resi solar (& resi installers more specifically), any mention of corporate capital carries potential to snowball into a short narrative of imminent demise. However, we see minimal fundamental change in the NOVA story and view the ATM commentary as a costly misread of the current mkt. Focusing in on NOVAs 2024 guidance, new cash generation tgts, and associated opex reduction goals, we see our bullish thesis largely intact as resi mkts recovery off the bottom.

Levy is bullish indeed. He goes on to put a Buy rating on Sunnovas shares and a $16 price target that implies the stock will nearly triple in value over the next 12 months. (To watch Levys track record, click here)

Sunnova claims a Moderate Buy consensus rating, based on 16 recent reviews that include 11 Buys and 5 Holds. The shares are selling for $5.35, and their $17.60 average price target is even more bullish than Levys objective, pointing toward a 229% gain for the year ahead. (See Sunnovas stock forecast)

To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.
CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt was in contact with senior Hamas and Israeli figures as well as other mediators on Sunday in an effort to restart negotiations for a truce in the Gaza Strip during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Monday or Tuesday, two Egyptian security sources said.

Egypt's contacts with Hamas and Israeli intelligence agency Mossad on Sunday were carried out under a mandate from the Egyptian presidency in an effort to bring the two sides' divergent positions together, the sources said, without providing further details.

Qatar, Egypt and the United States have been trying to negotiate a deal for a ceasefire during Ramadan in return for the release of Israel hostages captured in the attack that Hamas carried out on Oct. 7, sparking the war in Gaza.

The latest round of talks, not attended by Israel, broke up in Cairo this week.

Israel's Mossad said on Saturday that efforts to secure a deal were ongoing, despite dimming hopes for securing a truce before Ramadan starts.

(Reporting by Ahmed Mohamed Hassan; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Giles Elgood)
Bukele, 42, is wildly popular at home and across Latin America for his crackdown on gangsters, even as rights activists raise alarm over arbitrary arrests and inhumane prison conditions (Marvin RECINOS)

El Salvador's gang-busting President Nayib Bukele said Sunday he can "fix" the spiraling crisis in Haiti, where criminal groups have unleashed havoc in recent days.

Bukele, 42, is wildly popular at home and across Latin America for his crackdown on gangsters, even as rights activists raise alarm over arbitrary arrests and inhumane prison conditions.

"We can fix it," Bukele wrote in English on X Sunday, sharing a post about the collapse of Haiti.

"But we'll need a UNSC (United Nations Security Council) resolution, the consent of the host country, and all the mission expenses to be covered."

The presidential press office later wrote that Bukele was "referring to the political and social situation that Haiti is going through."

However, no further details were given on how Bukele proposes to aid the desperately poor Caribbean nation.

Long-troubled Haiti has plunged further into despair in recent days as armed groups, which already control much of Port-au-Prince as well as roads leading to the rest of the country, launched a wave of attacks in a bid to oust Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Henry was in Kenya when the violence erupted and is now reportedly stranded in the US territory of Puerto Rico.

CARICOM, an alliance of Caribbean nations, has summoned envoys from the United States, France, Canada and the United Nations to a meeting Monday in Jamaica to discuss the violence.

Guyana's President Irfaan Ali said the meeting would take up "critical issues for the stabilization of security and the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance."

In El Salvador, Bukele launched a war on gangs in March 2022, with a state of emergency suspending the need for arrest warrants, among other civil liberties.

Under the provision, authorities have rounded up some 75,000 suspected gangsters, many of them locked away in a prison -- the largest in the Americas -- that Bukele had specially built.

At least 7,000 were later released.

Bukele was reelected with more than 80 percent of the vote in February and is widely credited with slashing homicides to the lowest rate in three decades.

His tactics have been praised and emulated by crime-weary authorities from Ecuador to Argentina.

This week he re-tweeted several posts featuring images of shirtless and subdued prisoners in Argentina's most violent province, where a governor has adopted a Bukele-style crackdown on gangs.

bur-apg/fb/mdl
Conservative Nationalism, which touts the preservation of national and cultural identity by attacking liberalism in an existential fight against "wokeness," educational elitism, immigration and globalists, is now one of the main themes defining the Republican Party. This shift reflects a political movement that has been afoot in Europe for some time now that is strengthening its foothold on our shores. One need only look at evolving foreign and foundational domestic policies implemented at home by Hungarian strongman Viktor Orban, whose visit to Mar-a-Lago further amplifies this dangerous dalliance with the global authoritarian leader club. Back in the Sunshine State, Governor DeSantis echoes Orban with his own attempted putsch against gender identification and Liberal Arts Education, aka free thought.

Jane Schlechtweg

When the former president incoherently manifests flagrantly false conversations with the world's leaders, it is not meant to be literal. Instead, it signals to those listening that Conservative Nationalism is the political philosophy guiding the Republican Party's platform. However, even among conservative groups and leaders of so-called nationalist countries, a coherent or consistent approach to policy, both domestic and foreign, has been challenging to peg against rhetoric.

For the year 2023, Poland contributed 3.9% of its GDP as a percentage to national defense, ahead of only the United States at 3.49%. Hungarys position in the top eight defense spenders, at 2.7% GDP, may come as a surprise considering their close relationship with Moscow and ideological and policy differences from NATO despite strong similarities in strategic interests. The bottom line is that no country in Europe will be able to go it alone when it comes to producing guns and butter, especially with aging populations causing economic strain on ingrained social programs.

If anything, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Republican Partys capitulation to Russia following the lead of former President Trump, has strengthened Europe's resolve to get its affairs in order. Because of these factors, and the United States perceived lack of reliability, this is likely to be the first year in a long time when European members of NATO will move to increase contributions to meet or exceed the 2% defense spending contribution.

Broader implications of not supporting Ukraine should be of utmost concern in the event one of the NATO member states, namely Poland or the Baltic countries, is threatened or, worse, invaded. This result is something that short-term campaign stump speeches have yet to think out, which should come as no surprise, given the prior administrations' tendency to make mindless remarks and concoct scattered responses.

Railing against NATO and cuddling up to Russia, while nonsensical to most Americans, has a voice and a following. Although not practically thought out past November, even this perception is reverberating worldwide, as The City on the Hill that President Regan spoke of may not remain the beacon of hope our allies, or the rest of the democracies on our planet, expected us to be.

Jane Schlechtweg is chair of the Collier County Democratic Party.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Emergence of Conservative Nationalism signals end of NATO leadership
When Albert Einstein wrote an obituary for Emmy Noether in 1935, he described her as a creative mathematical genius who  despite unselfish, significant work over a period of many years  did not get the recognition she deserved.

Noether made groundbreaking contributions to mathematics at a time when women were barred from academia and when Jewish people like herself faced persecution in Nazi Germany, where she lived.

2021 marked the 100th anniversary of Noethers landmark paper on ring theory, a branch of theoretical mathematics that is still fascinating and challenging mathematicians like me today.

I remember the first time I learned about Noether and the surprise I felt when my professor referred to the brilliant ring theorist as she. Even though I am a woman doing mathematics, I had assumed Noether would be a man. I was surprised at how moved I was to learn she was a woman, too.

Her inspiring story is one that not many people know.

A rare woman in mathematics

Emmy Noether earned a doctorate in mathematics in 1909, but women were not allowed to work as professors at that time in Germany. Mathematical Assoc, iabutit onat ofth Aatme triimcae, v ia WikimediaCommons

Noether was born in 1882 in Erlangen, Germany. Her father was a math professor, but it must have seemed unlikely to a young Noether that she would follow in his footsteps. At the time, few women took classes at German universities, and when they did they could only audit them. Teaching at a university was out of the question.

But in 1903  a few years after Noether graduated from a high school for girls  Erlangen University started to let women enroll. Noether signed up and eventually earned her doctorate in mathematics there.

That doctorate should have been the end of her mathematical career. At the time, women were still not allowed to teach at universities in Germany. But Noether stuck with mathematics anyway, staying in Erlangen and unofficially supervising doctoral students without pay. In 1915, she applied for a position at the prestigious University of Gottingen. The dean at the university, also a mathematician, was in favor of hiring Noether, although his argument was far from feminist.

I think the female brain is unsuitable for mathematical production, he wrote, but Noether stood out as one of the rare exceptions.

Unfortunately for Noether, the Prussian Ministry of Education would not give the university permission to have a woman on their faculty, no matter how talented. Noether stayed in Gottingen anyway and taught courses listed under the name of a male faculty member.

During those years, she kept doing research. While she was still an unofficial lecturer, Noether made important contributions to theoretical physics and Einsteins theory of relativity. The university finally granted her lecturer status in 1919  four years after she applied.

The University of Gottingen, seen here, was unable to hire Noether as a professor, so she taught courses under a male colleagues name. Daniel Schwen/WikimediaCommons, CC BY-SA

A revolution in ring theory

In 1921, only two years after becoming an official lecturer, Noether published revolutionary discoveries in ring theory that mathematicians are still pondering and building upon today. Noethers work in ring theory is the main reason that I, like many mathematicians today, know her name.

Ring theory is the study of mathematical objects called rings. Despite the name, these rings have nothing to do with circles or ring-shaped objects  theoretical or otherwise. In mathematics, a ring is a set of items you can add, subtract and multiply and always get another object that is in the set.

A classic example is the ring known as Z. It is made of all the integers  positive and negative whole numbers like 0, 1, 2, 3, -1, -2, -3 and so on  and it is a ring because if you add, subtract or multiply two integers, you always get another integer.

There are infinitely many rings, and each one is different. A ring can be made of numbers, functions, matrices, polynomials or other abstract objects  as long as theres a way to add, subtract and multiply them.

One reason rings are so interesting to mathematicians is that often it is possible to tell something is a ring, but its difficult to know much about the specifics of that particular ring. Its like seeing a croissant at a fancy bakery. You know you are looking at a croissant, but you might not know whether its filled with almond paste, chocolate or something else altogether.

Instead of focusing on one ring at a time, Noether showed that a whole class of easy-to-identify rings all share a common internal structure, like a row of houses with the same floor plan. These rings are now called Noetherian rings, and the structure they share is like a map that guides the mathematicians who study them.

Noetherian rings show up all the time in modern mathematics. Mathematicians still use Noethers map today, not just in ring theory, but in other areas such as number theory and algebraic geometry.

A plaque in her home town of Erlangen honors Emmy Noether and mentions her immigration to the U.S. Norman Ronz/WikimediaCommons, CC BY-SA

Escape from Nazi Germany

Noether published her famous ring theory paper and other important results in mathematics while she was a lecturer in Gottingen from 1919 to 1933. But in the spring of 1933, the University of Gottingen received a telegram: Six faculty members  including Noether  had to stop teaching immediately. The Nazis had passed a law barring Jews from professorship.

Noethers response, it seems, was calm. This thing is much less terrible for me than it is for many others, she wrote in a letter to a fellow mathematician. But she was out of a job, and no university in Germany could hire her.

Help came from the United States. Bryn Mawr, a womens college in Pennsylvania, offered Noether a professorship through a special fund for refugee German scholars. Noether accepted the offer and, as a professor at Bryn Mawr, she mentored four younger women  one doctoral student and three postdoctoral researchers  in advanced mathematics.

Noethers time at Bryn Mawr was, tragically, short. In 1935 she had surgery to remove a tumor and died unexpectedly four days later.

At Noethers funeral, mathematician Hermann Weyl compared her sudden passing to the echo of a thunderclap. In her short life, Noether shook up mathematics. She kept teaching and learning even when women and Jews were not welcome. One hundred years later, her mathematical genius and unbreakable optimism are qualities to admire.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Tamar Lichter Blanks, Rutgers University

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Tamar Lichter Blanks received funding from the National Science Foundation through the Graduate Research Fellowship Program. She is an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellow at The Conversation US sponsored by the American Mathematical Society.
Joabe Barbosa was "not prepared for the hike," New Hampshire Fish and Game officials said

Getty Images A snow and ice covered sign marks the summit of Mount Washington in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Joabe Barbosa, 23, was "not prepared" for his hike when he fell and went into a ravine while hiking on Mount Washington on Thursday, officials said

The Kentucky man called 911 and asked for help, and rescuers found him hours later

His condition remains unknown as of Friday morning



A hypothermic Kentucky man was rescued hours after he fell, hit his head and lost a shoe while hiking on Mount Washington in New Hampshire on Thursday, authorities said.

The 23-year-old hiker, identified as Joabe Barbosa, was hiking Mount Washington around 6:45 p.m. local time when he went off the trail and into the Ammonoosuc Ravine, New Hampshire Fish and Game officials said.

"While descending into the ravine, Barbosa fell and hit his head and face, lost one of his sneakers, and eventually became hypothermic," the agency said in their release.

Officials said Barbosa managed to call 911 and ask for help. That call was sent to a conservation officer along with the GPS coordinates of his location.

Related: Hiker Trapped Under Boulder Weighing at Least 6,000 Lbs. Rescued After 7 Hours

"The coordinates showed Barbosa well off trail in a drainage ravine alongside one of the tributaries of the Ammonoosuc River, north of the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail at approximately 3,600 feet in elevation," authorities added.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

He was found by conservation officers and a volunteer EMT from Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue around 10:30 p.m.

Related: Solo Mount Baldy Hiker Still Missing, 3 Others Rescued After Spending a Night amid Severe Weather

Barbosa was given a headlamp, boots, food, a warm drink and proper winter gear, NHFG officials said. Officials said Barbosa was "not prepared for the hike."

He was escorted back to the trail and then to the Cog Railway parking lot. Just over three hours later, the rescue crew arrived at the Cog Railway base station around 1:40 a.m. Friday.

Related: Missing Hiker Found Dead After 1,000-Foot Fall from Mt. Whitney in California's Sequoia National Park

Barbosa was taken to Littleton Regional Health Care in Littleton by Twin Mountain Ambulance for treatment.

His condition remains unknown at this time.

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Read the original article on People.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  The smell of bacon and eggs filled the air at Aubreys Restaurant Saturday morning as East Tennessee State University (ETSU) faculty hosted a breakfast fundraiser to support the schools newspaper and Student Media Center.

Proceeds from the event benefitted operations for the East Tennessean newspaper, along with functions of the Student Media Center, located in the D.P. Culp Student Center.

Bucs still alive in SoCon Tournament, push past UNCG to semifinals

ETSUs Director of Student Media Don Armstrong said this is the fourth year the fundraiser has taken place at Aubreys, and he and the students always look forward to raising money in a fun way.

We have about seven students who got up with us to help serve breakfast, Armstrong said. Its a great partnership with Aubreys because all of the funds go back to the students; Aubreys donates all the food, does all the cooking for us, and its just a great community partnership.

Armstrong said the Student Media Center and East Tennessean newspaper both utilize many tools, and that funds raised during events like this help keep equipment in top shape so students have the best tools to learn.

As a newspaper, we always are in need of new equipment, and so this usually helps buy us a couple of new cameras, sometimes a computer. So we always need new equipment. So thats where this will be going to.

Even Bucky the mascot grabbed a servers book and served some breakfast for a good cause.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, speaks at the European Parliament. The conservative European People's Party (EPP) nominated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as its lead candidate for June's European Parliament elections on Thursday. Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

Israel needs to do more to alleviate the extreme plight of people in the Gaza Strip, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told German public broadcaster ZDF on Sunday.

Israel is only fulfilling its duty to care for the people to a "limited extent" and must do more to protect civilian life, she said on ZDF's nightly news show.

Given the situation in Gaza, the planned EU maritime aid corridor from Cyprus to Gaza is absolutely necessary "because we are currently experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe," she said. The sea operation has been agreed to with Israel, she added.

"The decisive factor is that the Israelis can inspect the goods on the Cypriot side and carry out the security check." After that the ship can head to Gaza.

Asked about more land access for aid supplies, von der Leyen said this was also being "intensively discussed" with Israel. "Everyone is called upon to help."
Terry Reintke, German and European lead candidate for the Greens in the European elections, attends a press conference. Senior figures from the Green and liberal factions in the European Parliament have spoken in favour of including the right to abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, echoing a call by French President Emmanuel Macron. Christoph Soeder/dpa

Senior figures from the Green and liberal factions in the European Parliament have spoken in favour of including the right to abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, echoing a call by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Green parliamentary group leader Terry Reintke and Valerie Hayer, who is the leader of the liberal Renew group, spoke to Germany's RND media group for an interview published on Sunday.

"The right to safe abortion belongs in the EU Charter as a fundamental right," Reintke, a German politician who has served as a member of the European Parliament since 2014, told RND.

The right for a woman to make autonomous decisions about their body should not depend on which political parties happen to hold power at any given time, she said.

Hayer, an MEP from France and ally of Macron, also told RND that she supported the French president's initiative.

"While the radical right is working hard to find new ways to push through its reactionary agenda, we in a truly liberal society must stand up for women's rights more resolutely than ever: The right to abortion must be enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, because we must never leave women's rights to the populists," she said.

Macron declared on Friday that the freedom to have an abortion should be included in the charter, which acts as a bill of rights for EU citizens.

France anchored the right to abortion into its constitution following a landmark vote in parliament on Monday.

Abortions up to the 10th week of pregnancy have been allowed in France since 1975. Since then, the law has changed to allow abortions up to the 14th week.
Despite recently posting a $91.6 million bond to appeal the case where he was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation, former president Donald Trump continues to defame writer E Jean Carroll.

During a rally in Georgia on Saturday, Mr Trump attacked Ms Carroll, her lawyers and the judge who oversaw the case  claiming the lawsuit was politically motivated and funded by Democratic operatives.

I just posted a $91 million bond on a fake story. Totally made up story, Mr Trump said. Based on false accusations made about me by a woman that I knew nothing about, didnt know, never heard of it. I know nothing about her.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Her lawyers are big Democratic operatives. The judge was a disaster. But Democratic operatives funded and directed her, they gave her the money to pursue the case, Mr Trump told supporters.

The assertions are familiar ones that the former president has made countless times before. Theyre the same ones that landed Mr Trump with a $83m bill which he was ordered to pay Ms Carroll after defaming her when she came forward with accusations that the former president sexually assaulted her in the 1990s.

Trump again claims E. Jean Carroll made false accusations about him pic.twitter.com/yFNRBvpx2Y  Acyn (@Acyn) March 9, 2024

Two separate juries in New York awarded Ms Carroll damages for Mr Trumps defamatory statements.

Last spring, a jury found the former president liable for sexual abuse and defamation when he denied the allegations and called Ms Carroll a hoax and a con job. In that case, the jury awarded Ms Carroll $5m.

Then in January, another jury awarded Ms Carroll $83m in damages for making more defamatory statements. The jurys only job was to determine the amount Mr Trump was responsible for paying Ms Carroll as the previous jury already found him liable for abuse.

During the most recent trial, Ms Carrolls lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, urged the jury to come up with a sum of money that would prevent the former president from continuing to defame Ms Carroll. But $83m is still not enough to prevent Mr Trump from making similar statements.

Mr Trump told supporters on Saturday that even the judge overseeing the case, District Judge Lewis Kaplan, was highly corrupt and a federal Democrat Trump-deranged judge.

His name is Lewis Kaplan  an angry man, he screamed at my lawyer, Mr Trump said.

During the trial, Judge Kaplan expressed frustrations with both Mr Trumps lawyer, Alina Habba, as well as Ms Kaplan, but he never screamed in the courtroom.

Attacking the prosecution or judge is one of Mr Trumps most commonly-used defences when speaking about one of his many criminal or civil trials. In his civil fraud case, Justice Arthur Engoron placed a gag order on the former president to prevent him from inspiring people to send threats to individuals or the court.
One must not capitulate in face of evil, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said in a March 10 post on X responding to Pope Francis highly controversial "white flag" statement addressed to Ukraine.

My Sunday morning take:  one must fight it [evil] and defeat it, so that the evil raises the white flag and capitulates, he wrote.

Read also: Lithuania summons Vatican ambassador after Pope Francis praises Russian Empire

Ukraine should have the courage of the white flag and negotiate an end to the war with Russia, Pope Francis said in an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI.

"The word negotiate is a courageous word. When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate," he said.

In a statement, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the Pope had picked up on the term "white flag" spoken by the interviewer and used it "to indicate a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations".

Read also: Kremlin pleased by Popes acknowledgment of Russian cultural heritage, Vatican clarifies statement

Last year the 87-year-old Pope sent a peace envoy, Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, to Kyiv, Moscow,. and Washington to sound out leaders in those countries.

Last August, Pope Francis addressed Russian Catholic youth, urging them not to forget the heritage of their great, enlightened empire, mentioning historical figures such as Peter the Great, the founder of the Russian empire, and Catherine the Great, who aggressively expanded the Russian Empires frontiers.

The declaration sparked outrage in Ukraine, prompting the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to label the Popes words as imperialist propaganda in service of the Kremlin and used to justify the suffering of thousands of Ukrainians and the destruction of numerous towns and villages.

On Sept. 8, Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Presidents Office, said that Pope Francis could not serve as a mediator in talks between Ukraine and Russia due to his perceived pro-Russian stance.

In response, the Vatican representative in Ukraine swiftly rejected these interpretations, saying that Pope Francis categorically rejects the aforementioned interpretations, as he has never advocated imperialistic ideas and that he remains their critic.

Read also: What the Pope actually told Russians

The Vatican assured that Francis did not endorse imperialism in his address but aimed to encourage young people to preserve and develop the positive aspects of the rich Russian cultural and spiritual heritage.

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
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will propose considering the issue of recognizing Palestine, Azernews reports, citing the post shared by Prime Minister on his official X account.

The Prime Minister said he would propose to the Spanish Parliament Spanish recognition of a Palestinian state during his current term in office.

"For moral reasons, for reasons of justice and because this is the only way for two states - Israel and Palestine - to live in peace and live together," he said.




Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Brunswick fair value estimate is US$148

Brunswick is estimated to be 39% undervalued based on current share price of US$90.25

Analyst price target for BC is US$96.21 which is 35% below our fair value estimate

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE:BC) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Brunswick

The Method

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

Story continues

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$463.8m US$504.4m US$565.0m US$608.4m US$645.2m US$677.0m US$705.1m US$730.3m US$753.7m US$775.7m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x5 Analyst x5 Analyst x1 Est @ 7.68% Est @ 6.06% Est @ 4.93% Est @ 4.14% Est @ 3.58% Est @ 3.20% Est @ 2.92% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.3% US$428 US$430 US$445 US$443 US$434 US$420 US$404 US$387 US$369 US$350

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$4.1b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.3%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.3%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$776m (1 + 2.3%)  (8.3% 2.3%) = US$13b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$13b ( 1 + 8.3%)10= US$6.0b

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$10b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of US$90.3, the company appears quite undervalued at a 39% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. 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 Brunswick as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.3%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.300. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Brunswick

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Leisure market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.

Moving On:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Brunswick, we've compiled three fundamental elements you should assess:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 3 warning signs for Brunswick that you should be aware of before investing here. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for BC's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American 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.
A former council leader "inappropriately" incurred 18,909.86 of personal costs on his corporate credit card, a local authority has said.

South Tyneside Council has released the outcome of their investigation relating to credit card use by former leader Iain Malcom from 2011.

The council said Mr Malcolm settled the outstanding amount for personal costs in May 2020, before leaving the authority in November 2020.

Northumbria Police said "a thorough investigation" was carried out, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) determined there was "insufficient evidence to proceed".

The BBC has contacted Mr Malcolm for comment.

Not repaid on a 'timely basis'

The Labour-run council's audit committee began reviewing Mr Malcolm's council-issued credit card expenditure in early 2020, due to a range of information coming to light, and following some specific inquiries, the council said.

At the time, Mr Malcolm disputed that there was any shortfall.

An internal audit found his corporate credit card was used for mainly personal purposes and recorded as such, but Mr Malcom did not reimburse the council for his personal spending on a "timely basis", it said.

The council said it had informed the police due to the "gravity of the situation and the potential abuse or neglect of the power or responsibilities of public office".

It added Northumbria Police determined that the circumstances merited a formal investigation, and the council's external auditors, Ernst and Young were also briefed verbally.

Personal expenditure

Credit card statements from April 2011, which was the earliest date from which records could be obtained, were audited.

The audit found personal expenditure including at Seaham Hall (a luxury hotel in County Durham), and on clothing and petrol.

The report writers concluded the incidences of Mr Malcolm using his credit card inappropriately had been occurring since 2011.

The council added, as the practice adopted by Mr Malcolm had not been authorised, no process for the reconciliation of his personal spend with reimbursement had taken place until the end of 2019.

In May 2020, Mr Malcolm requested an update on how much was owed for personal use of the credit card. He was advised the outstanding amount was calculated as 18,909.86.

Whilst Mr Malcolm initially queried the figure, payment was made three days later, the council said.

No criminal proceedings

The report into the investigation has only now been published because Northumbria Police had instructed the council not to report its findings whilst officers were investigating.

The police "very recently" advised the council the CPS had decided there was insufficient evidence to proceed with criminal proceedings against any party.

Strengthen systems

The council said since the events, a number of measures had been implemented to strengthen systems of internal control around the use of corporate cards.

The audit committee will consider the outcome of their investigation into historic credit card use when it meets next Friday.

Councillor Ken Dawes, chair of the audit committee, said: "Further checks around the use of electronic cards to incur council expenditure indicated no issues of concern, and that these historic problems arose principally from the actions of one individual."

Leader of South Tyneside Council Tracey Dixon said: "This has been a challenging period for the council, but we have faced those challenges head-on and will continue to do so."

Follow BBC North East on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk

More stories from BBC North East and Cumbria

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For all its electoral success over the past 14 years, the Conservative Party has often seemed to be in office but not in power. One large reason has been the inability or unwillingness of Tory leaders to focus on public appointments, something that Tony Blairs New Labour took far more seriously.

Countless quangos now control the levers of Britains administrative machinery. Without fair-minded allies running them, any government finds itself fighting against the tide.

There have, however, been exceptions. As chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the former Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Falkner of Margravine continues to prove herself a stalwart defender of British values and, most important of all, a survivor.

Having weathered a campaign against her leadership at the end of last year, Lady Falkner remains in office. That came at no small cost, both in terms of 30,000 in legal fees to defend her reputation, and the emotional energy it took not to walk away. We should all be grateful for her staying power. As her interview in this newspaper today shows, she continues to be a voice for equality, freedom of speech and public decency at a time when these are all principles in need of a spirited defence.

Lady Falkner has not lost her willingness to speak with courage on controversial issues. Her call for Parliament to update the Equality Act to clarify the balance between trans and womens rights is a necessary one. She also speaks, rightly, of the need for action on integration of our increased inflow of immigrants, and for public order laws to be applied in an even-handed manner for all communities. Her call for more to be done to protect those brave enough to stand up and be counted in public life should also be heeded.

Lady Falkners own contract at the EHRC is now up for renewal, and currently the decision whether to extend it for a second term is in the hands of Kemi Badenoch. Mrs Badenoch should do so before the election risks putting that choice in Labours gift.

Whoever wins at the ballot box, Lady Falkners leadership is a boon to Britains public life.

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Claim:

A photograph shared widely online shows a real traffic roundabout consisting of five mini-roundabouts.

Rating:

Rating: True

A mind-boggling photograph has circulated online at least since 2016, allegedly showing a traffic roundabout consisting of five mini-roundabouts.

"Is this a real 'roundabout'? If it's real I swear I'll never complain about a roundabout again," one Facebook user asked on the Snopes Tips Facebook group.

"I've used my hometown roundabout on a presentation slide and I swear an audience will look at that photo for hours," another X (formerly Twitter) user captioned the image in 2017.

(X user @EduWells)

Google reverse-image search results showed that the photograph was also shared on platforms such as 9GAG, Facebook, Reddit and X. "A roundabout that contains 5 mini roundabouts. Location is Swindon, UK," one Reddit post read.

In short, the photograph is authentic and shows The Magic Roundabout, "a remarkable circular junction situated in Swindon, Wiltshire, South West England." Below you can see how the roundabout looks on Google Maps.

(Google Maps Screenshot)

An article published by The Swindon Post, a local newspaper, reported that The Magic Roundabout is located close to County Ground and is "considered to be one of the most complicated and challenging intersections in the country" (emphasis ours).

Designed by Frank Blackmore, a traffic engineer at the British Transport and Road Research Laboratory, The Magic Roundabout features five smaller roundabouts arranged in a circle, making it a highly unusual and complex intersection. The traffic flow on the small inner roundabout is counterclockwise, while it is clockwise in the five micro roundabouts and the outer loop. Despite being ranked as the fourth-most frightening intersection in Britain by Britannia Rescue, The Magic Roundabout is also considered to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing junctions in the world when viewed from above.

As the BBC reported in 2012, when the roundabout opened in 1972, "police were stationed at each mini roundabout during the pilot phase to assist drivers and oversee how traffic coped with the unique design."

As relatively few accidents have been recorded at the roundabout over the years, it is largely considered to be a success. Despite that, in a December 2007 survey by the Highway Insurance Agency, the roundabout was voted the seventh most feared road junction in the country. Julian Brunetti, who runs Queens Drive Post Office which looks out onto the roundabout, said: "Some people come in and panic and say 'oh how do I get across it', but overall it's pretty good really. "You get the odd accident now and again when people are a bit silly, but if you say the Magic Roundabout, everyone links Swindon to it."

If you want to take a closer look at The Magic Roundabout, we recommend watching this short YouTube video with the title "The Magic Roundabout: Swindon's Terrifying Traffic Circle and Emergent Behaviour."

Sources:

Magic Roundabout in Swindon | A Traffic Management Icon. https://swindonpost.co.uk/magic-roundabout-swindon. Accessed 6 Mar. 2024.

"Swindon's 'iconic' Magic Roundabout Turns 40." BBC News, 26 Sept. 2012. www.bbc.com, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-19726385.

The Magic Roundabout: Swindon's Terrifying Traffic Circle and Emergent Behaviour. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D22BOOGbpFM. Accessed 6 Mar. 2024.
The future of the Fair Grove Police Department began taking shape Thursday evening as the city's Board of Aldermen selected a new police chief. After over two hours of interviews and deliberations, the board named Roy Howell as the next chief.

The position had been vacant since mid-December, when Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott took over the post as acting chief and set out to find candidates for the job after the chief and several officers resigned, leaving only one fully-trained officer at the department. This was the second time Arnott had taken over the department, following similar turnover at the department in 2020.

A speaker addresses the Fair Grove Board of Aldermen on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. Many speakers focused on the high turnover the police department has seen in the last three years blaming city leadership.

Who is Roy Howell?

Howell, originally from Omaha, Nebraska, has more than thirty years of experience in law enforcement. Currently working as a park ranger in Springfield, he spent almost 20 years at the Bellevue Police Department in Nebraska, where he assembled a cyber forensic lab from the ground up and worked with a K9 who was the first in the Midwest trained to sniff out electronics.

Following interview questions from the board in closed session, community members had the opportunity to ask their own questions of the two candidates. During the forum, Howell emphasized the importance of community relations and interactions.

"Integrity, ethics and honesty is a big thing and you want those to be in your people," he said. "That way you can trust them to go out and do the things that you're doing, you want them to reflect you and if they don't, then you're not going to have a good department."

Some citizens explicitly asked about Howell's ability to lead a department amid tensions with the board, as they have observed with previous police staff. Howell said he understand small towns and finds transparency to be paramount in making things work.

"I'm a fixer... I try and fix things," he said. "I think I can come in here into the community and fix the problems or build a relationship between the board and the citizens, that would be my goal ... I think I could be that person in between that makes everything jam, I truly do."

Howell said he had previously applied for the chief of police job in Buffalo, Missouri but was not selected.

Coming into an empty department, Howell noted that regaining fully-staffed status will not be an easy feat as the candidate pool for police officers is "slim pickings" as departments around the country face shortages.

While visiting with those attending the forum on Thursday, Howell noted that taking the job would mean a pay cut from his current position. According to online postings, a Springfield park ranger salary falls between $41,849.60 and $65,145.60, while the range for the Fair Grove police chief is listed at $55,000-58,000.

More: Fair Grove left without police force, chief once again following resignations

Who was Howell up against?

Thursday's interview process only included one other candidate, Chris Horn of Fulton. He attended the meeting virtually as his fiancee had given birth to their daughter that morning.

Horn has eight years of experience as a police officer with additional experience in corrections and Missouri Army National Guard. He also holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Lincoln University, a master's degree in homeland security and a graduate certificate in criminology from Missouri State University.

In answering the community's questions, Horn also emphasized the importance of being visible in the community and building relationships with those the department serves.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Contact her with tips at mmieze@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Fair Grove hires new police chief to rebuild staff after resignations
Five years ago, state lawmakers enacted the infamous House Bill 6, and the fallout still spreads.

Most notably, the convictions of Larry Householder, a former House speaker, and others on federal corruption charges have been followed by the indictments of three other leading players on related state offenses. The trio amounts to no less than a former FirstEnergy chief executive, the companys former lobbying chief and a former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

Retired Editorial Page Editor Michael Douglas.

Lawmakers did repeal the element that stirred the most controversy at the time, requiring ratepayers to subsidize the operation of two nuclear power plants. Worth adding is this subsidy at least carried an aspect of good intentions.

Those plants, along with others across the country, are crucial to addressing climate change at the pace advised by scientists. They are clean energy, essentially, and needed to advance the necessary transition from fossil fuels.

Other provisions of House Bill 6 were carelessly shortsighted. For instance, the legislation ended both energy efficiency programs and the states renewable energy benchmarks. Yet, arguably, an even more misguided step was extending subsidies for two aging coal-fired power plants, one in Gallia County, near the West Virginia border, and the other in Indiana.

The monthly charge to customers for the coal-fired plants, $1.50, actually exceeded the charge for the nuclear plants, 85 cents.

Now, the PUCO has a chance to correct this policy error, short of lawmakers doing so.

Critics of the subsidy, including the Citizens Utility Board of Ohio and the Union of Concerned Scientists, have taken their case to the commission, the final reply briefs filed last week. Their argument appears strong: The subsidy fails the test of prudence and reasonableness.

The two power plants date to the 1950s. They are owned by a consortium of utilities, called the Ohio Valley Electric Corp. Today, the group includes AEP Ohio, Duke Energy and AES Ohio. For years, the plants met the electricity needs of the uranium enrichment operation in Piketon. Two decades ago, the federal government canceled its contract with OVEC, and the plants began selling power to the wholesale market.

That went well enough  until the boom in natural gas.

Around 2010, OVEC and its shareholders faced the challenge shared by other utilities: Their coal-fired plants no longer could compete with the abundant and cheap natural gas-fired alternative. This hard reality contributed heavily to the steady, and continuing, closures of coal-fired plants.

Why do the OVEC plants still operate? The PUCO came to the rescue. The commission allowed OVEC to charge customers a monthly fee to help with the plant expenses. The arrangement was packaged as a hedge. Customers would receive a refund if revenues exceeded costs.

The trouble is that costs routinely have outpaced revenues. A PUCO member once worried presciently about an illusory insurance policy.

As a result, ratepayers have paid and paid. They have done so, as critics point out, though less expensive alternative sources have been available, including solar and wind.

Critics note an analysis, looking at 2012 to 2019, that found the OVEC plants experienced an accumulated shortfall of more than $1 billion  Ohio ratepayers picking up an estimated $159 million of the tab.

This was the pattern when lawmakers considered House Bill 6. Yet they chose to extend the subsidy to 2030. What happened? An analysis by the Citizens Utility Board and the Union of Concerned Scientists found that in 2020, the first year under the House Bill 6 subsidy and the focus of the PUCO proceeding, OVEC incurred $118 million in above-market costs.

Consider that the Michigan Public Service Commission examined this matter last year. It concluded that Indiana-Michigan Power, an AEP affiliate and OVEC member, experienced about $1.3 million in excess 2020 costs because it went with coal rather than less-expensive alternatives. Put another way, the Michigan commission found the utility acted imprudently and unreasonably. It explained why OVEC shareholders, not ratepayers, must cover the costs.

The PUCO would do well to reach the same conclusion, and not just because of the unnecessary burden on ratepayers, which the Ohio Consumers Counsel projects at $700 million by 2030.

In the recent Global Tipping Points report, scientists cited increasing evidence of nearing dangerous thresholds as carbon pollution heats the planet. They point to such things as the collapse of big ice sheets, the thawing of permafrost and the death of coral reefs. Such change puts at risk how the planet works.

No doubt, the shift from fossil fuels requires a careful transition. They cannot, in all practicality, be abandoned suddenly. Yet when the opportunity arises, it is crucial to press forward. Without the current subsidy, the OVEC plants wouldnt survive. This chapter of House Bill 6 isnt environmentally or financially sound.

Michael Douglas was the Beacon Journal editorial page editor from 1999 to 2019. He can be reached at mddouglasmm@gmail.com.

Michael Douglas: Supreme Court tumbles in public opinion: Can it sink lower?

Michael Douglas: Senate hopeful Bernie Moreno dismisses the core of legislating

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Fallout still spreads from infamous House Bill 6. Will PUCO act?
False GPS signals that deceive on-board plane systems and complicate the work of airline pilots are surging near conflict zones, industry employees and officials told AFP.

A ground collision alert sounds in the cockpit, for instance, even though the plane is flying at high altitude -- a phenomenon affecting several regions and apparently of military origin.

This includes the vicinity of Ukraine following the Russian invasion two years ago, the eastern Mediterranean and the air corridor running above Iraq, according to pilots and officials interviewed by AFP.

Disruptions which were previously limited to jamming preventing access to signals from geolocation satellites are now also taking a more dangerous form making it difficult to counter spoofing.

This sees a plane receive false coordinates, times and altitudes.

By comparing this data to the geographical maps in its memory banks, its systems can conclude there is imminent danger ahead, Thierry Oriol, a Boeing 777 pilot and member of the SNPL, the main French pilots' union, told AFP.

"There were some untimely alarms ordering people to pull back as far as possible on the stick and apply full power to avoid an obstacle, while the plane was in cruise... and in any case no mountain reaches so high," explained Oriol.

He also mentioned an incident "departing from Beirut where the plane thought it was at the level of the Alps, at 10,000 feet" (three kilometres/1.8 miles) above sea level.

- Risk management -

The problem, explained a manager at a European airline speaking on condition of anonymity, is that this adulterated information enters the navigation system and can cause false alerts hours afterwards as the flight nears its destination.

"At first, crews quickly see that it is a false alarm. But as it is an alarm warning of immediate danger, we ask the crews to still carry out the emergency manoeuvre, to make a return and an analysis.

"If the problem occurs a second time and the analysis has not revealed any danger, then the only way is to turn off this alarm, knowing other systems remain active to detect possible risk," the European airline manager added.

The commonly used GPS actually only covers the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) managed by the American army.

Two others exist -- the European Galileo and Russia's GLONASS.

On board airliners, GNSS are the main tools which pilots can rely on in order to determine their position, but they are not the only ones.

Without needing to return to the sextants of bygone days, these devices are equipped with inertial orientation devices capturing movement in order to deduce an object's trajectory.

But their precision deteriorates throughout the flight.

- 'Sharp rise' -

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has been warning that GNSS signal disruptions have intensified, affecting relatively remote regions beyond the conflict zone such as Finland and the Mediterranean.

In certain cases, this can lead to a modified trajectory or even a changed destination as it was impossible to carry out a landing in secure conditions, the EASA says.

The commission governing health and safety conditions for Air France pilots last month posted a warning of what it termed a "grave and imminent danger" of GPS spoofing, estimating the phenomenon was affecting as many as 3.7 flights in 1,000, according to an informed source.

In late January the EASA made it a priority to act against such disruptions in unveiling a partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the world's main airline association with more than 300 carriers, to counter spoofing and jamming.

"GNSS systems offer tremendous advantages to aviation in increasing the safety of operations in a busy shared airspace," said EASA acting executive director Luc Tytgat.

"But we have seen a sharp rise in attacks on these systems, which poses a safety risk."

Tytgat added that "in the medium term, we will need to adapt the certification requirements of the navigation and landing systems.

For the longer term, we need to ensure we are involved in the design of future satellite navigation systems."

For IATA director general Willie Walsh, "we need coordinated collection and sharing of GNSS safety data; universal procedural GNSS incident guidance from aircraft manufacturers; a commitment from States to retain traditional navigation systems as backup in cases where GNSS are spoofed or jammed."

Those systems include beacons or transmitters on the ground emitting radio signals that help planes to triangulate their position.

"Airlines will be critical partners. And whatever actions are taken, they must be the focal point of the solution as they are the front line facing the risk," said Walsh.

tq/cw/imm
The family of a Tennessee woman who reportedly died just over two hours into her Brazilian Butt Lift surgery alleges that the Miami doctor involved shouldnt have performed the procedure in the first place.

Erica Russells estate filed a lawsuit on Monday, March 4, against Dr. John Sampson of Coral Gables Seduction Cosmetic Center. It comes after the mother of five died while undergoing the popular high-risk procedure where fat is inserted into the buttocks.

The 33-year-old went into cardiac arrest not too long after Sampson started the surgery on the night of June 16, 2021, NBC News and Miami Herald reported, citing the filing. The lawsuit accuses Sampson of puncturing the patients bladder, liver, and intestines with a cannula, a thin tube that drains fluids from a persons body.

Erica Russell leaves behind five children after dying during a butt lift procedure June 16, 2021. (Photos: Getty Images, YouTube screenshot/ WKRN News 2)

Her cause of death was listed as bleeding and pulmonary fat embolism. A recent study from 2022 revealed that South Florida is a hot spot for BBL deaths in the US.

Russell was allegedly the seventh patient on Sampsons schedule. The suit noted that his first procedure that day was as early as 6:32 a.m., and Russell was on the table about 14 hours later, per the reports.

In the documents, the family is blasting Seduction for wrongfully advertising Sampson as a surgeon, according to the outlets. In an application sent to the Florida Health Department in May 2020, the cosmetic facility specifically labeled Sampson as a designated physician.

In this role, Sampson was expected to make sure that the safety and health-related requirements were up to par, NBC News reported. A month later, Sampson sent a letter to state officials saying that hes not a surgeon at Seduction  which is also a defendant in this case.

At all times material hereto, defendant Sampson was not approved to perform surgical procedures at Seduction, Russells family lawsuit stated, the outlet reported. Despite that, between April 2021 and June 2021, defendant Sampson performed plastic surgery procedures at defendant Seduction.

According to the Herald, health officials suspended his plastic surgery board certification in 2022. Michael Lavine, an attorney who assisted in filing the suit, doubled down on the familys feelings about Sampsons alleged actions.

What happened to Ms. Russell should have never happened, Levine told the outlet. This is assembly line medicine, and thats what killed her.

Family of Mother of Five Who Died After BBL Complications Sues, Says Her Miami-Area Doctor Was Not Approved to Perform Procedure
Dozens of farmworkers and their allies of all ages gathered Sunday in Palm Beach, the third and final day of the Farmworker Freedom Festival presented by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to highlight the Fair Food Program.

Their goal on a sunny morning in one of the wealthiest towns in the United States: to draw attention to fast-food giant Wendy's and call on the company to join the Fair Food Program.

Marley Monacello gets set to put the head on a 16-foot farmworker puppet named Esperanza on the third and final day of the Farmworker Freedom Festival on Sunday, across the street from the Palm Beach home of Wendy's board chairman Nelson Peltz.

Sunday's rally for better working conditions for agricultural workers began at Bradley Park, where Leonel Perez, a former farmworker who does Fair Food Program outreach, shared the history of the coalition and program with some attendees while others participated in a yoga session led by a group of students who support the farmworkers' mission.

Past Coverage: Farmworkers carry 16-foot-tall puppet through Palm Beach in workers' rights rally

From there, shuttles carried participants to the park at the corner of Tangier Avenue and North County Road  across the street from the beachfront mansion owned by Nelson Peltz, board chair for Wendy's.

Today's event is called "Pilgrimage of Hope," a nod to the group's optimism that more workers can be helped as more companies join the Fair Food Program, organizers said.

Several dozen farmworkers and supporters gathered in the small park at Tangier Avenue and North County Road in Palm Beach on Sunday morning, across the street from the beachfront estate of Wendy's chairman Nelson Peltz, to call on Wendy's to join the Fair Food Program.

"A pilgrimage for us is our ability to come here where Nelson Peltz lives and invite him into this hopeful program," said Lupe Gonzalo, a former farmworker who also does community outreach for the Fair Food Program. "We wanted as workers to leave the place where we live and the place where we work, and come here to the place Nelson Peltz lives, to show him our face as humans, and invite him to be part of this program."

Organizers brought to the small park the 16-foot-tall farmworker puppet named Esperanza that was a constant presence throughout the three-day festival. The puppet, whose name translates to "hope," represents the farmworkers who had better working conditions because of the Fair Food Program and their hope for the program's continued expansion, organizers said.

Attendees received shirts that read "Justice for Farmworkers."

Bandannas with messages of hope written by farmworkers in the Fair Food Program and their allies also were handed out to those at the park. Some read the messages aloud to the crowd.

"The time has come where there can no longer be chains of silence," said Nely Rodriguez, a farmworker and coalition staffer, reading one of the bandannas. "Our voices are the best weapons to enable the change we deserve."

Some passing cyclists paused to listen or gaze at Esperanza before continuing on their rides. Palm Beach police, in a Thursday alert to residents, said traffic slowdowns were expected around Bradley Park from 8 a.m. to about noon.

People hold signs and participate in a rally Friday behind Palm Beach Town Hall at the start of a three-day Farmworker Freedom Festival being held throughout Palm Beach.

Peltz's presence in Palm Beach is the primary reason the group comes each year to rally on the island, as the coalition works to pressure Wendy's to join the Fair Food Program, organizers have said.

The Fair Food Program, founded in 2011, includes restaurants and retailers  such as McDonald's and Whole Foods  that pledge to buy only from suppliers who follow a code of conduct designed to protect workers' rights. Supporters of the program have said that workers in those companies' supply chains are better compensated, treated more fairly and overall receive better benefits than those who work for companies that do not participate in the program.

A Wendy's spokesperson told the Palm Beach Daily News in a statement that the company does not participate in the Fair Food Program "because we do not purchase field-grown tomatoes and there is no nexus between the program and our supply chain. Since 2019, we have sourced our North American tomato supply exclusively from indoor, hydroponic greenhouse farms, while the Fair Food Program predominantly operates in outdoor, conventional tomato-growing environments.

"Wendys has an established Supplier Code of Conduct that applies to significant suppliers of The Wendys Company and our North America restaurant system, and we also require third-party reviews related to the human rights and labor practices for suppliers of certain hand-harvested, whole, fresh produce," the spokesperson said.

The coalition responded to that statement over the weekend by saying that Wendy's could create the nexus between the supply chain and the program.

"If Wendy's were to say to its current greenhouse suppliers that it is joining the FFP and will preferentially purchase from the greenhouses that agree to become FFP-participating growers, then some of Wendys current greenhouse suppliers would join the program for the market advantages it confers on participating growers," the coalition told the Daily News. "And just like that, theres your nexus.

Speaking to the Palm Beach Daily News today, Gonzalo added that while the indoor environment of a greenhouse may provide shade and less exposure to harmful chemicals, it does not guarantee any protections against sexual harassment, wage theft and other abuses that may arise in the workplace.

"And so we invite Nelson Peltz to see our pilgrimage, to see us, to hear us and respond," Rodriguez said.

Speakers today also included the Rev. Christy Allen Holden of Channel United Methodist Church in Fort Myers, who led a prayer at the rally's conclusion.

The three-day festival began Friday afternoon with a rally through Palm Beach's Midtown area, including stops at Memorial and Fountain Park next to Town Hall, Midtown Beach at the Brazilian Avenue access point and Worth Avenue. That rally featured the Esperanza puppet, which a team of puppeteers walked from point to point.

On Saturday, a music and arts festival at Bradley Park featured popular Latin American musicians and art created by farmworkers and their supporters.

Saturday also featured the coalition's Modern-Day Slavery Museum, a mobile exhibit that documents the history of forced labor in Florida agriculture, the group said. Items included photos as well as reporting and artifacts from lawsuits filed by the federal government since 1990 over forced-labor conditions.

While this is not the first time the coalition has brought its message to Palm Beach, it is the first time the group hosted a three-day festival in the town. Last year's event included a five-day march that began in Pahokee in western Palm Beach County, with farmworkers and supporters making the trek east to Palm Beach. Previous years included marches through town that passed by or paused next to Peltz's home.

Throughout the weekend, supporters have carried signs including a flag that read, "Boycott Wendy's." Some wore stickers and T-shirts with the same or similar messages, one of which featured a black slash across the Wendy's character's face. Other picket signs were shaped like baskets of tomatoes with messages including, "Respect," "Justice," "Honk 4 Justice," "No More Abuse" and "Luchando por Comida Justa" ("Fighting for Fair Food").

Back at Bradley Park after the rally near Peltz's home, program supporters sang Latin American music, played instruments and danced under a tent before it was time to begin closing down the festival.

Im really happy with how it all went, because we were able to bring so many people together, and bring a beautiful message of hope to this town, said Gonzalo, while attendees and organizers celebrated. We came here not to annoy residents, but to educate the community about the program and the rights of farmworkers, and I think that message came through.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Farmworkers, supporters rally near Wendy's chairman's Palm Beach home
MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee man has been sentenced to two years in prison for a 2023 shooting that killed a father of three.

Ricardo Valdez, 30, pleaded guilty in January to homicide by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon. He was originally charged with first-degree reckless homicide in the death of LeRoy Price.

In addition to prison time, Valdez was sentenced to two years of extended supervision.

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Case details

According to a criminal complaint, Price was pronounced dead at the scene near 13th and Euclid on June 25, 2023 despite life-saving attempts. Family members said Price was near a fight when shots were fired and was caught in the crossfire.

Investigators found surveillance video of the fight. The complaint states it showed Valdez was one of two people involved  the other person wearing a white t-shirt with a backpack. In the video, prosecutors said Valdez grabbed a gun from that person while saying "gimme that, gimme that."

Leroy Price

The complaint states Valdez pointed the gun at the person he was fighting, but it was not fired at that time. When the fight shifted into the camera's view, though, a single shot was fired and a "second shot goes off." Valdez was then seen running with the gun to a light-colored Mercedes-Benz.

Detectives were able to get other surveillance videos in the area which allowed them to get a license plate on the Mercedes-Benz. Investigators later determined the car was registered to Valdez.

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After conducting surveillance on Valdez's home, the complaint states authorities stopped the Mercedez-Benz for a traffic violation and identified the driver as Valdez. A passenger in the car was shown some of the surveillance video from the 13th and Euclid shooting, and the passenger identified Valdez getting out of the driver's seat in that video.

A search warrant of Valdez's home allowed investigators to recover a black t-shirt and jogging pants  both of which "matched the description of what was observed in the video from the homicide scene."
Irish Continental Group (LON:ICGC) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: 572.0m (down 2.2% from FY 2022).

Net income: 61.6m (up 3.0% from FY 2022).

Profit margin: 11% (in line with FY 2022).

EPS: 0.36 (up from 0.34 in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Irish Continental Group Earnings Insights

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 5.6% p.a. on average during the next 2 years, while revenues in the Shipping industry in Europe are expected to remain flat.

Performance of the market in the United Kingdom.

The company's share price is broadly unchanged from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Irish Continental Group 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.
Act first, get the facts later

Before Marissa Bryce and Katherine Peyton went to authorities to protest a rumored Islamic refugee shelter, stirring up all kinds of emotions, they simply needed to ask the property owner. (March 6, 1A, No evidence Keller Islamic Center building a refugee shelter)

The same thing goes for Mellissa Bruckner, who was suspicious about activity at the Keller Islamic Center. Instead, she took the word of a Spanish-speaking construction worker who was asked leading questions.

Bruckner showed all threes true colors when she said she didnt care if the refugees came from Mexico, Thailand or North Korea since theyd be from institutions or prisons and would rob, steal and whatever.

Come to find out, the center was merely expanding for overflow. Like a good neighbor, all these three women had to do was knock on the door and ask.

- Max B. Baker, Arlington

MedStars service invaluable

I hope Fort Worth residents are paying attention to the City Councils consideration of an attempt to replace MedStar, the innovative, efficient and diligent emergency medical service. Yes, MedStar needs funds to maintain its service levels. Federal funding and grants have dried up. All EMS services and health care institutions are feeling the pinch.

But MedStar needs a pittance compared with the more than $50 million the Fort Worth Fire Department would need to start providing those services, and then tens of millions more each year. And it wouldnt provide the preemptive or innovative services that keep hospital emergency rooms from being overburdened and underprivileged citizens served.

MedStar is nationally recognized as a state-of-the-art EMS provider.

- David Pate, Winters

Texas public schools hamstrung

Gov. Greg Abbott told voters that if they would approve reduction in school property taxes, the Legislature would replace the funds. But state funding has not increased. School districts are having to cut budgets.

Texas provides about $6,000 as the basic per-student allotment, but Abbotts plan for funding private vouchers calls for $8,000 per student. And private schools wouldnt face restrictions on spending the money that public schools do.

- Harold L. Smith, Arlington

Schools are like grocery stores

Picture this: The government provides a grocery store near your home. It is run by government employees. There is little incentive pay or accountability, and employees are guaranteed jobs for life. Compare this with a privately owned store run on accountability, competition and value.

Which store do you want to shop at?

We force families to shop at public schools, the equivalent of subpar government stores. Would it not be a blessing for them take their dollars, through vouchers, to nicer stores? The government stores would have to get better or go out of business.

The greatest equalizer for children is a quality education. Give them the ticket for that opportunity: vouchers.

- Frank M. Wagnon, Southlake

Immunity could be a huge danger

While recently watching MSNBC Deadline: Washington, I heard the often-cited question, Would absolute presidential immunity allow Donald Trump to order SEAL Team Six to assassinate a political enemy? Thats not something to worry about. Our professional military would ignore such an unlawful order.

On the other hand, what should scare the bejesus out of us is a rogue president (protected by immunity) raising, financing and ordering a bloodthirsty militia to carry out assassinations. Dont think it could happen here? Think of the KKK lynchings for which no one was arrested or convicted.

Trump doesnt need to stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and pull the trigger. There are thousands of thugs who would if asked to do so.

- Glenn Celerier, Arlington
A federal court on Friday temporarily blocked the Biden administration from diverting $1.4 billion in funding appropriated by Congress away from border wall construction, one of a number of legal battles between Texas and the federal government.

The ruling stems from a January 2021 proclamation by President Joe Biden that terminated the Trump-era national emergency at the southern border, and ordered a pause on the construction of the border wall. The funds obligated to go to border wall funding in fiscal 2020 and 2021 appropriations were put on pause while agencies reviewed the matter.

"It shall be the policy of my administration that no more American taxpayer dollars be diverted to construct a border wall. I am also directing a careful review of all resources appropriated or redirected to construct a southern border wall," Biden said.

MAYORKAS CITES IMMEDIATE NEED TO WAIVE REGULATIONS, BUILD BORDER WALL IN TEXAS AS IMMIGRATION SURGES

In June of the same year, the Department of Homeland Security issued a plan canceling most border wall projects and would in 2022 amend the same plan to include remediation and the addition of barrier system upgrades such as lighting, cameras and detection.

Missouri and Texas sued, arguing that the reappropriation of funding was illegal and violated the separation of powers, also arguing also that the states will be harmed by more illegal immigration into their states and leading to more costs to them. Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush also sued, and the two lawsuits eventually consolidated.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

MAYORKAS CALLS POLICY TO LET 30K MIGRANTS FLY IN EACH MONTH A KEY ELEMENT OF BORDER PLAN AFTER LEGAL WIN

DHS argued that Texas had not established that the failure to build more wall would result in more illegal immigration, claiming that migration increases can be caused by social, economic and political factors."

U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton, a Trump appointee who had found in favor of the Biden administration in a separate case, ruled in favor of Texas and Missouri and put a temporary injunction on the redirecting of funds.

"Texas has shown injury-in-fact through costs that it has incurred in administering drivers licenses, education, and healthcare to a rising number of illegal aliens," he wrote in his ruling. "Traceability is met because Texas has sufficiently demonstrated that the failure to build more physical barriers will reduce the number of apprehensions that otherwise would have occurred. And finally, this controversy is redressable because it is likely that a favorable judicial decision would reduce the financial harms that Texas otherwise would incur."

In a statement, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accused Biden of acting improperly "by refusing to spend the money that Congress appropriated for border wall construction, and even attempting to redirect those funds."

"His actions demonstrate his desperation for open borders at any cost, but Texas has prevailed," he said. Fox reached out to DHS and the White House for comment.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS ZERO IN ON BORDER CHAOS WITH VIDEO SERIES ON FACES OF BIDENS STATE OF THE UNION IN CRISIS'

The administration has consistently said it disapproves of border wall construction, although it has engaged in a number of wall-related projects. In October, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas waived regulations in order to go ahead with projects appropriated in FY 19 funding.

"We have repeatedly asked Congress to rescind this money, but it has not done so and we are compelled to follow the law," Mayorkas said.

"This Administration believes that effective border security requires a smarter and more comprehensive approach, including state-of the-art border surveillance technology and modernized ports of entry. We need Congress to give us the funds to implement these proven tools."





Original article source: Federal court blocks Biden admin from diverting funds from border wall
My fiance and I met as teenagers at a hospital. We reconnected 10 years later, and he proposed to me there.

Logan Hopper was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant.

Her fiance, Dillon, also has the condition, and the two met at the hospital.

They dated as teens and reconnected nearly a decade later.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Logan Hopper. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Growing up, I didn't know anyone who had cerebral palsy. In fact, I was the first kid with a physical disability in my tiny South Carolina school district. I faced a lot of teasing about my walker and wheelchair use, and I could never play on the playground since it wasn't accessible.

So, I was intrigued when I noticed a boy my age, with the same health condition, during one of my many treatments at Shriners Children's Greenville. His wide, beaming smile drew me in. I also loved that he had a walker, just like I did. It was just awesome to see a teenage boy using one.

Dillon introduced himself. We were both 16 and bonded over the challenges of being teenagers with the same disability. Dillon had the same pump as I did, which delivered a muscle relaxant right into our spines to help us move more easily. What other 16-year-old could understand that?

Dillon proposed to Logan over a decade after they met in the rehabilitation room where they first saw each other. Courtesy Shriners Children's Greenville

We were in the friend zone for years

Back then, we dated for about eight months. Even after we broke up, we had a nice friendship. I attended Dillon's graduation party, and we kept in touch occasionally as we started our adult lives.

About a year and a half ago I texted Dillon, as I still did from time to time. We picked up right where we had left off, but this time something felt different. Maybe it's because we were now both adults, but we knew we wanted to be together. We started dating again, about 10 years after we first met.

Despite everything we had in common, dating wasn't always easy. I've always struggled with feeling unworthy. I never thought I would find love. I battle depression and anxiety on top of my cerebral palsy, and I put up walls to keep Dillon out. Eventually, he told me he needed a break.

I realized I didn't want to lose Dillon

I didn't blame Dillon for that. But during our three-week break, I realized I didn't want to live without him. I told Dillon I didn't want to lose him. Before long, we were back together, and our relationship was more serious than ever.

I wanted to visit the hospital where we'd first met. The rehabilitation room had been so important for us, and Dillon hadn't been back in years.

I thought we would just go for lunch, but I found out that Dillon had contacted Shriner's about organizing a surprise. I had a pretty strong idea of what that surprise might be. My anxiety latched onto the idea, and I kept asking about it. Eventually, Dillon told me he wanted to propose at the hospital.

After the engagement, they celebrated with their family and friends. Courtesy Shriners Children's Greenville

The proposal swept me away

Some people might think I ruined the surprise, but I loved knowing my proposal was coming. The morning of the proposal, I got my hair and makeup done. When I got to the hospital, there was a banner and balloons, and our loved ones were there, too.

Even with his physical limitations, Dillon got down on his knee. He poured his heart out to me. We both got very emotional. His sincerity washed away any doubt I had about whether I was loveable, and I know I'll return to the video of the moment again and again when my anxiety flares up.

I couldn't believe that I'd found this man who I want to spend the rest of my life with, and that we were committing to that in the same room where we first met.

We're working on an accessible home and cars

We'll probably get married in about two years. Right now, we still live separately, but we're planning to build a one-level accessible home that will be a perfect fit for us. We're also working to get handicapped-accessible cars so we can be more independent.

During our lives together, we want to help educate people about disability. I don't want anyone else to feel like I did as a child: alone. Although there's been a lot of progress, kids still give Dillon a hard time when he works as a substitute teacher.

I don't like the word disabled. Dillon and I are perfectly able  to find love, to have careers, and to share our stories. It just looks different from what people might expect.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A person using a computer with inset of teacher pointing at smart board.

The test results might not be in yet but the verdicts are.

The first sitting for the new all-digital SAT exam took place on Saturday and put students to the test, many parents have reported.

One Brooklyn student, who already took two tests the old-fashioned way  with pencil and paper  called Saturdays college admissions exam the worst one yet.

The College Board has introduced digital adaptive testing for the SAT, and the exam is designed to reduce stress for students. AP

Another change to the test is that it is adaptive, meaning the difficulty of questions will change depending on how students performed in prior sections.

I suspect it was much tougher for kids who do well on it because it is now an adaptive exam, noted Ben Morden, a Manhattan representative to the Citywide Council on High Schools.

For others, it could skip questions that are too difficult, which has been slammed as a dumbing down of the 98-year-old test. The College Board insists students given easier questions wont be disadvantaged.

The math section was said to have been the toughest for many, over the reading and writing portions.

Another student called the reading and writing part insane.

The first fully digital SAT debuted on March 9. AP

Students who are given an easier go in the second portion of the SAT wont be disadvantaged, according to the College Board. AP

I practiced all the Bluebook tests and SAT Suite questions, but the real ones were more difficult, she wrote in a Facebook page for digital test prep.

I [didnt] have enough time to check my answers and read all the questions.

The exam is administered by the College Board, which says it has been designed to reduce stress. Other changes include a shorter test time  college hopefuls are given two hours and 14 minutes instead of three hours.

Students can now expect to get results in days instead of weeks.

The CCHS hopes to hold a public meeting with a College Board representative before the next test sitting for families to learn more about the new changes.
CRESCENT CITY, Ill. (WCIA)  Several emergency response teams were called to a Iroquois County city on Saturday morning in response to a HAZMAT incident.

Officials arrived at the scene near the post office in Crescent City around 7:30 a.m. A postal driver said he opened his truck at his last stop, and noted a strong odor and a light haze inside the vehicle. An unknown substance poured from a package in his truck and onto the concrete below. The leakage started to bubble and smoke.

Watseka Fire Dept. investigating vacant house fire

Iroquois County EMA, the Crescent City Fire District and EMS, and the Watseka Fire Department worked to block off the area as the Kankakee County MABAS Division 7 Hazardous Materials Team was called in. The truck driver had difficulty breathing and was taken to an area hospital, where he has since been released, officials said.

Photo provided by the Facebook page of Iroquois County EMA.

Photo provided by the Facebook page of Iroquois County EMA.

Photo provided by the Facebook page of Iroquois County EMA.

Photo provided by the Facebook page of Iroquois County EMA.

Photo provided by the Facebook page of Iroquois County EMA.

Photo provided by the Facebook page of Iroquois County EMA.

The HAZMAT team suited up and found a bottle labeled muriatic acid. Muriatic acid is a strong, corrosive liquid often used for cleaning stone, concrete, and tiles. The lid on the bottle had cracked while in transit and caused the spill.

Crescent City Fire Chief Scott Dirks said there was no community threat and no one was hurt in the incident. The scene was cleared by noon.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Flood, avalanche worries elevated in B.C. with bout of rain and snow

Click here to view the video

The West Coast is in for an active weekend as one system after another continues sweeping across British Columbia.

Continuous rounds of heavy low-elevation rain and heavy alpine snow will accumulate throughout the weekend and into early this week.

The impacts will be considerable for travellers and backcountry skiers. The latter are urged not to venture out this weekend as fresh snow and an unstable snowpack have elevated the avalanche risk.

Rainfall warnings and special weather statements are in place for parts of the South Coast. In areas that see heavy rain, localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.

DON'T MISS: Everything you need to know for April's spectacular and rare solar eclipse

Rain and gusty winds persist this weekend

Rain over Vancouver Island and the South Coast will continue straight through Sunday.

BC precip Sunday afternoon

Widespread rainfall totals of 30-50 mm are expected throughout the region, with totals of 40-70 mm possible north of Metro Vancouver. Western Vancouver Island will take the brunt of the heavy rain with totals exceeding 100 mm through Sunday.

MUST SEE: How 10 days turned the entire B.C. ski season around

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued several rainfall warnings and special weather statements for Vancouver Island and the Metro Vancouver area ahead of these systems.

Gusty winds will accompany the heavy rain at times. Another round of blustery southerly winds will sweep over the Strait of Georgia on Sunday, bringing gusts of 70+ km/h at times.

Heavy snow hammers the Coast Mountains

While folks at lower elevations contend with persistent rains, snow will continue this weekend for elevations above 1000 m. We might see freezing levels drop a bit over the next day or so.

Farther inland, well see snow build across the Interior through the weekend. Heavy snow is possible by Sunday evening.

BC precip Monday afternoon

Snow accumulation could vary greatly depending on the intensity of precipitation as well as the temperatures. Regardless, the threat of 40-70+ cm across the hardest-hit areas will make for difficult travel conditions throughout the weekend.

Folks travelling along Highway 99 between Howe Sound and Whistler may experience slippery roads. Drivers are urged to consider postponing any non-essential travel until conditions improve.

BC snowfall totals

RELATED: What recent snowstorms mean for the drought and wildfire risk in Western Canada

This round of unsettled weather will make for dangerous avalanche conditions across B.C. this weekend.

A high avalanche danger exists for much of the South Coast, Vancouver Island, and portions of the Interior into Sunday. Avalanche Canada issued a special public avalanche warning for Banff, Kootenay, Yoho National Parks, and Kananaskis Country through the end of the day on Sunday.

Looking ahead, rounds of rain and snow will continue for southern B.C. through the start of the week. A much milder and drier pattern is set to take shape by the middle of the month and continue well into the second half of March.

WATCH: Find out how the ski season was saved in 10 short days

Click here to view the video
A man was arrested for allegedly knocking a Deltona bar patron unconscious, a missing Florida woman was found locked inside a shipping container, and Flagler County deputy was ejected from his motorcycle on I-95: Here's FOX 35's Florida Crime Files.

Man arrested after knocking Deltona bar patron unconscious, deputies say

A man was arrested after allegedly punching another man, knocking him unconscious outside a Deltona bar. a missing Florida woman was found inside a shipping container, and a deputy was ejected from his motorcycle on I-95: Here's FOX 35's Florida Crime Files.

Clayton Zinck, 31, was charged with Aggravated Battery after witnesses reported seeing Zinck swing on another person outside of Buzzards Roost Bar. Shortly before the incident, witnesses reported seeing him try to attack others.

"He cracked his head, he knocked him out, his head hit flat on the back of the concrete," a 911 caller said.

When deputies arrived on the scene, body camera footage showed the man, still on the ground, being tended to by an unidentified woman. From there, people were heard arguing about what had happened.

The majority of people who spoke to the deputies reported Zinck as the aggressor.

"Everybody was trying to chill him out and boom!," one of the witnesses said. There was a woman out front, however, who claimed the man on the ground attacked first. After an investigation, Zinck was handcuffed.

A bartender told FOX 35 News that the victim is a regular at the establishment and is well-liked by everyone.

Missing Florida woman found safe after getting locked inside shipping container, police say

A Florida woman reported missing on Wednesday was located unharmed just before noon Thursday inside a shipping container.

Marlene Lopez, 52, was last seen on Monday at her home. A coworker raised concerns when she failed to pick up her son, triggering police to check on her well-being.

Detectives with the Cocoa Police Department launched an investigation, searching known locations, interviewing family members, and issuing a missing person bulletin.

Lopez said she was locked inside a shipping container behind a business at 2005 N. Cocoa Blvd. She had been banging on the door until someone heard her and unlocked it, according to police.

While Lopez did not sustain injuries, she was transported to the hospital for evaluation and potential dehydration. The circumstances leading to her confinement in the shipping container are currently under investigation. Lopez said she did not know how she ended up in the container.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cocoa Police Department at 321-639-7620.

Flagler County deputy ejected from motorcycle after crash on I-95

The Flagler County Sheriffs Office said Deputy Benjamin Stamps was traveling down Interstate 95 when the vehicle next to him changed lanes, leading to a collision on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. [Credit: Flagler County Sheriffs Office]

A Flagler County sheriff's deputy was injured after his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle in St. John's County on Tuesday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The Flagler County Sheriff's Office said Deputy Benjamin Stamps was traveling down Interstate 95 when the vehicle next to him changed lanes, leading to a collision. After being struck, Deputy Stamps was ejected from his motorcycle.

Stamps was alert when transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, where Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly visited him on Tuesday afternoon.

"While he does have some serious injuries and required surgery for elbow injuries, he is expected to be released from the hospital within the next few days," the sheriff's office posted in a tweet.
Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) argued that communities of color are incredibly critical in helping reelect President Biden in November and said he thinks marginalized communities wont survive another term with former President Trump.

Frost joined MSNBCs Katie Phang, where he discussed the Bidens recent endorsements. The Latino Victory Fund, AAPI Victory Fund and The Collective PAC, three minority-centered political organizations, endorsed Biden in his campaign for a second term.

Heres the thing, you know, its one thing to receive an endorsement from an organization. Its another thing to receive an endorsement from three leading organizations that are saying not only will we endorse the president, but were going to put $30 million behind ensuring that we deny Donald Trump a second term and that we reelect President Joe Biden, Frost said.

The trio of major political action committees are attempting to mobilize communities of color ahead of this years election. In 2020, minority voters helped carry Biden to his victory over Trump and they will be critical in this years election in what is expected to be a close race this fall.

Frost argued that the endorsement and donations show number one, whats at stake in this election, but especially whats at stake in this election for our AAPI community, for our Black community, for Latinos and for people of color  marginalized communities across this entire country, many people who wont survive another Donald Trump term.

And thats not hyperbole, Frost continued. And so, I think just shows again, what the stakes are this November.

Frost, 27, became the first member of Generation Z to be elected to Congress when he won his Orlando race in 2022. Biden, 81, has faced increasing criticism over his age and questions about his capabilities to lead the country.

The Biden campaign released an advertisement Saturday that touted his age as an asset. In the video, Biden said he is not a young guy. Thats no secret. Still, he said, I understand how to get things done for the American people.

Frost argued that it was the right tactic for Biden to lean into his age. Young voters want authenticity and dont want a candidate who would brush aside an issue.

Frost acknowledged that while Bidens age is a real concern for some voters, it shouldnt be the top concern.

At the end of the day, I think people, when theyre in that voting booth, are less likely to think about age and more likely to think about whos going to protect my right to choose, whos going to protect abortion and whos going to fight to end gun violence, he said. And obviously, the choice is clear between Donald Trump and Joe Biden on whos going to do that.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Florida House late Thursday gave final approval to a bill that would make a series of changes in state energy laws, including preventing offshore wind-energy generation and removing references to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The House voted 81-29 to pass the bill (HB 1645), which was approved Wednesday by the Senate in a 28-12 vote. It is ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Unlike some other areas of the country, such as the Midwest, Florida does not have commercial wind energy generation. But the bill would ban wind turbines offshore and within one mile onshore of the coast and the Intracoastal Waterway.

The bill drew little discussion Thursday night, but House sponsor Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, said last week that large-scale wind energy is not viable in Florida. Also, Senate sponsor Jay Collins, R-Tampa, has said the proposed wind-energy ban is designed to help protect wildlife and ecosystems and to prevent noise.

Read: Solar panel company no longer doing business in Florida after abandoning hundreds of contracts

But some Democrats questioned imposing a ban. Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, last week acknowledged that wind energy is not currently viable in the state, but she said technologies evolve, technologies change.

The bill also would revise parts of state law to eliminate references to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

For example, it would eliminate part of current law that says, The Legislature finds that the states energy security can be increased by lessening dependence on foreign oil; that the impacts of global climate change can be reduced through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and that the implementation of alternative energy technologies can be a source of new jobs and employment opportunities for many Floridians.

That would be replaced, in part, by sentences that say, The purpose of the states energy policy is to ensure an adequate, reliable, and cost-effective supply of energy for the state in a manner that promotes the health and welfare of the public and economic growth. The Legislature intends that governance of the states energy policy be efficiently directed toward achieving this purpose.

Payne and Collins have cited a need to maintain stability in electric generation.

Our goal is to look out for the future of Florida and say what is cost-efficient, whats reliable, Payne said last week. Renewables are not always reliable and what is the best for security in the state.

Read: Navigating the wild west of home solar power

But critics pointed to issues such as flooding caused by sea-level rise.

Im not sure how it became political to care about our environment, Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, said during a Senate committee meeting last month. Florida is ground zero for climate disasters. We are surrounded by water, and the effects are showing.

Among other changes, the bill would ease a regulation on building natural-gas pipelines. Pipelines within Florida that are 15 miles or longer currently need certification under a law known as the Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Siting Act. Under the bill, the requirement would apply to pipelines 100 miles or longer.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
With Sine Die fast approaching, I found myself reflecting on a concurrent resolution introduced by Reps. Tyler Sirois (R-Merritt Island) and Tommy Gregory (R-Lakewood Ranch) early in Floridas 2024 Legislative Session. House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 703: Balanced Federal Budget proposes calling a constitutional convention to consider amending the U.S. Constitution to include a balanced budget requirement at the federal level. Both HCR 703 and its Senate companion, sponsored by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill), received strong support, with the former passing both chambers.

Jeff Kottkamp

This concurrent resolution could not be more timely. Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported that multiyear highs in treasury yields will force the federal government to pay significantly more in interest payments. In fact, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the federal government is expected to pay an additional $1.1 trillion in interest over the next decade. Moreover, this year, the costs of interest on the federal deficit will likely surpass the costs of defense as a line item in the federal budget. The CBO also projects the current record federal debt of $26 trillion will grow to $48 trillion by 2034, which would be an alarming 116 percent of the gross domestic product.

Runaway spending like this  with no apparent concern for the mounting burden of debt being placed on future generations of Americans  is not sustainable. With that in mind, it is entirely appropriate for the Florida Legislature to raise the issue of requiring a balanced federal budget, and Florida TaxWatch commends Rep. Sirois, Rep. Gregory, Sen. Ingoglia, and the entire Legislature for advancing HCR 703.

Still, as the eyes and ears of Floridas taxpayers, Florida TaxWatch wanted to know what you  the taxpayers  thought about such an amendment, so in mid-February, we commissioned a statewide poll that asked the following question: Do you support or oppose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require Congress to pass a balanced budget each year?

Unsurprisingly, nearly 71 percent of those polled answered that they support a balanced federal budget amendment. Additionally, their support is broad-based, with 72 percent of respondents over the age of 45, and 67 percent of respondents 45 and younger, in favor of the amendment. Likewise, 69 percent of white respondents, 71 percent of Black respondents, and 78 percent of Hispanic respondents are behind the measure.

It should be noted that Floridians are familiar with the benefits of a balanced budget, as the state Constitution requires the Legislature to pass a balanced budget every year, and we have one of the most vibrant economies in the nation. And the Sunshine States success proves that requiring government to operate within its means not only works, but it can also lead to a strong economy.

Florida TaxWatch is confident that a balanced budget requirement at the federal level will almost certainly lead to a more resilient and prosperous national economy as well.

Floridas 17th Lt. Governor, Jeff Kottkamp serves as executive vice president & general counsel and acting president & CEO of Florida TaxWatch, the states leading taxpayer research institute and government watchdog.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida Legislature advocates balanced budget at federal level
Leann Noga

Leann Noga, a longtime employee of the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, has been appointed executive director of the district.

Noga, who has worked for the district since 2004, most recently served as director of finance. The 43-year-old replaces Jim Broderick, who is retiring after 22 years as executive director.

The appointment occurred during a March 8 special board of directors meeting, which coincided with International Women's Day.

Each and every one of us very much look forward to working with you, said Board President Bill Long. I think we all have confidence in you and your ability to lead the southeastern district."

"I will lead by example and manage with fairness and accountability," Noga said, pointing out her top goal is to finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit project. The project involves a water treatment facility and trunkline that will bring clean drinking water to 39 communities in southeastern Colorado.

Since starting work for the district, Noga has earned both bachelor's and master's degrees at Colorado State University Pueblo.

Pueblo Strong opposes legislative bills with rally, petition

Pueblo residents have formed the group Pueblo Strong and are planning measures to oppose a senate bill and a house bill they believe will hurt local jobs.

Senate Bill 166, titled "Air Quality Enforcement: Concerning measures to increase the enforcement of violations that impact the environment," and House Bill 1338, titled "Cumulative Impacts & Environmental Justice: Concerning measures to advance environmental justice by reducing cumulative impacts of air pollution," will both be heard in committee at the state capitol on March 20.

The group is organizing a rally to show support for people who are testifying against what they say are "job killing bills." The group will meet at the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce parking lot at Fourth Street and Santa Fe Avenue at 9 a.m. on March 20 to board a bus headed for Denver.

Story continues

Lunch will be provided. To register for the event or sign the petition in opposition of the bills, go to pueblo-strong.com.

Southern Colorado Residential Rental Association President Jaton Asbury (left) and landlord Brenda Lines talk to Pat Heine about rental leases.

Southern Colorado Residential Rental Association meets March 19

The Southern Colorado Residential Rental Association is set to meet at 10:30 a.m. on March 19 at the Pueblo Union Depot, 132 W. B St.

The event will kick off with a class by Jaton Asbury, association president, focusing on businesses that can conduct background checks. Lunch will follow at 11:30 a.m. with Brian Gallagher of the City of Pueblo planning and community development, housing and citizen services department talking about local housing issues.

The class is free and lunch costs $18 for members. Non-members pay $25 for the class and $25 for lunch. Reservations can be made by calling and leaving a message, sending a text message to 719-251-2257, or emailing scrra_mail@southerncoloradorentals.org.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo Strong to oppose 'job killing' legislative bills March 20
Florida man accused of stalking ex using Apple AirTags

Related video: Police say husband uses GPS to track wife in high-tech stalking case

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Florida man is behind bars after he was arrested for allegedly stalking his ex-girlfriend using Apple AirTags, according to NBC affiliate WTVJ.

2 kittens stolen from Humane Society of Tampa Bay returned by police

The girlfriend of Roberto Janero-Quian, 57, of Hialeah, broke up with him in October but began harassing and stalking her in January, according to arrest records.

The report said Janero-Quian would pass the victims home every day and had duct-taped handwritten letters to her cars windshield several times. She also found Apple AirTags in her vehicle at least two separate times.

WTVJ reported that the victim blocked Janero-Quians phone number, but that he would use unknown numbers to contact her. The report said he would send her voicemails, threatening her, saying if she didnt return his calls he would do something bad to her.

According to Miami-Dade jail records, Janero-Quian was arrested Thursday and is facing charges of aggravated stalking and installing a tracking device. He is being held without bond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Related video: Man punches and spits on a customer in a wheelchair at a McDonalds.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Florida man is behind bars after getting into an altercation with a McDonalds employee in Fort Myers last month, according to NBC affiliate WBBH.

Donta Christopher Davis, 27, allegedly went into a McDonalds, located on Northeast Pine Road, to pick up a DoorDash order on Feb. 11.

The Lee County Sheriffs Office said a verbal altercation broke out after Davis put the phone in one of the workers faces, who then told Davis to leave the restaurant.

1 killed after motorcycle crashes into building in Bradenton: police

Security footage, obtained from authorities, from outside the fast-food joint showed Davis grabbing a crowbar from his vehicle and walking back inside.

WBBH reported that Davis told the worker that he was not someone to mess with.

In a statement, obtained by WBBH, DoorDash responded to the incident, saying:

There is absolutely no place for violence or intimidation on our platform. Upon learning about this incident, we removed the account of the individual in question and have worked with local law enforcement to support their investigation.

FHP searches for road rage driver who rammed motorcycle with car on I-75

WBBH reported that Davis was taken to the Lee County Jail on burglary and aggravated assault charges.

Arrest documents show that Davis had a previous arrest in December 2023 for battery, after an arrest report said he slammed his girlfriends head into a refrigerator.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
ALLEGAN COUNTY  Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney Myrene Koch is looking to defend her office for the third time since being appointed in 2018.

The incumbent Republican has filed for re-election, and will face challenger Mike Villar yet again in August.

Koch has worked in the prosecutors office for more than two decades. She was an assistant prosecutor, then chief assistant prosecutor before being appointed prosecutor in 2018. She was elected to a partial term later that year, defeating Villar, then narrowly earned re-election in 2020, beating Villar by less than 20 votes.

Koch said she became a prosecutor to serve my community and to give victims a voice when they didnt have one. Shes running for re-election to continue that vision.

Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney Myrene Koch.

I want to continue serving my county and its citizens, but I also want to continue helping those victims that Ive helped for over 22 years in Allegan County, she told The Sentinel. I am singularly focused on justice for victims and for the people of Allegan County.

Koch said the county has seen an increase in serious crime during her tenure, but highlighted success in prosecuting crimes like homicides, child sexually abuse material and criminal sexual conduct.

Since the 2020 election, Koch said her department had a 100% conviction rate on seven homicide cases and a 100% conviction rate in cases involving child pornography, and a "very high" rate of conviction on criminal sexual conduct.

The prosecutor also highlighted the use of specialty courts, like the sobriety treatment court, mental health court and veterans court, to help defendants receive treatment.

One of the most important things weve done is to participate in specialty courts, Koch said. Not only do I want to help (victims), but I want to help those defendants who just need a little help to get out of the circumstances theyre in, whether its an addiction or something like that, and these programs can help do that.

Allegan County Prosecutor Myrene Koch speaks about the sentencing of Dennis Bowman on Feb. 7, 2022.

Expanding those specialty court options is one goal Koch has for her next term, should she be re-elected. She mentioned a diversion program in Kent County related to juveniles sending explicit images of themselves.

Koch defended allegations by Villar that her departments budget has grown to an unnecessary figure. She said 96% of the departments budget is spent on personnel and claimed counties of similar or smaller populations have higher budgets for their prosecutors office.

This isnt something I can simply increase because I want to, its increased because of the need, Koch said. Unfortunately, along with the benefits of being a county thats increased in population  we also see an increase in crime. We have to handle that and deal with it. I think the reasons for the budget increase are valid.

The budget process, she said, starts with her office requesting a figure, that figure being approved by the county administrator, then approval by the Allegan County Board of Commissioners.

One of those commissioners is Board Chair Jim Storey, who is directly involved in Kochs campaign. The prosecutor downplayed the potential for conflict of interest.

Jim is one of several community leaders involved in helping me with my campaign, Koch said. Thats never been a secret, that community leaders have assisted, its never been something weve shied away from.

I dont think it is (a conflict of interest), because its not his sole decision. There are other members of that board. Like I mentioned earlier with regard to the budget process, it has to pass the county administrator first before it ever gets to the board of commissioners, so theres checks and balances in place.

In regards to allegations from Villar that her department is over charging, Koch said her office has turned away a higher percentage of warrant requests than previous prosecutors  15.27% compared to 13.63% in 2015. She said charges are requested by law enforcement, approved by her office, then confirmed by a judge or magistrate, not simply issued from her department.

We are authorizing what is appropriate. The judges and magistrates are signing off on what is appropriate. Unfortunately, weve just seen an increase in crime, Koch said.

While acknowledging jury trials were elevated in 2023, Koch said they still represent a small number of total cases. She said the 58 cases that went to trial were out of more than 2,600. Since shes taken office, Koch said, less than 3% of cases have gone to trial.

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August will be the third time Koch and Villar have faced off at the polls. In 2018, Koch defeated Villar by 788 vote. After the super-close 2020 election, the 19-vote win for Koch was upheld in a recount.

During the last campaign, Villar leveled allegations that Koch and Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker engaged in improper email communications during a 2019 criminal trial. He filed complaints with the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission and the Attorney Grievance Commission.

In a letter dated March 31, 2022, the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission informed Villar the complaint against Koch had been dismissed, but said  if the Michigan Supreme Court rules Koch "acted improperly in her communications" with Bakker  the grievance could be reinstated.

 Contract reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: 'Focused on justice': Prosecutor Myrene Koch prepares for third run in Allegan
Fully fund SNAP

Congress is attempting to undermine choice in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to fund the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

The recent proposal to hold the WIC funding hostage to pilot a program to limit the food choices of SNAP recipients is unjust and fundamentally undermines freedom for adults to make decisions for themselves.

Food insecurity is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive solution.

SNAP and WIC play crucial roles in ensuring that low-income families have access to nutritious foods, yet Congress seems intent on eroding these vital programs with political posturing and holding programs captive to further their narrow minded, uninformed agenda.

By attempting to dictate what foods SNAP recipients can purchase, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are infringing on individual autonomy and failing to address the root causes of food insecurity and poor nutrition by failing to address the systemic issues we face.

The lack of adequate funding for SNAP and WIC exacerbates the problem making it difficult for recipients to afford healthy foods and formulas.

This neglect perpetuates a cycle of poverty and poor health that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable.

These efforts work to impose punitive measures that will further marginalize members of our community.

Congressmen and women from North and South Carolina must prioritize the well-being of all Carolinians by fully funding SNAP, attacking the root causes for food insecurity and supporting programs like WIC that provide vital nutrition assistance to women, infants, and children.

Yolanda M. Gordon, Fort Mill

Contraband crackdown

Every few days we hear about another South Carolina prison employee being busted for providing contraband, whether its money, cell phones, cigarettes, a weapon, or sex to an inmate.

Im sick of it. Some or all of the following (which are probably against some law, ordinance, regulation, prison employee Union guidelines, etc.) would stop or severely cut back on these cases:

1.) Give every prison system employee a 5-day notice that each facility will be inspected for contraband.

2.) At the end of that time, complete a thorough inspection of every employee-access area for contraband.

3.) If found, fire the employee and never allow the person to be employed again by any prison facility in any state.

4.) Charge the now ex-employee with a felony that holds a 5-year mandatory sentence with no appeal, no parole, no serving under house arrest, or time off for good behavior.

Once word gets out that South Carolina is not fooling around, any smart person would think long and hard about trying to deal contraband in our prison system.

Robert B. Converse, Gilbert

Bothered by billboard

On a recent return trip into Columbia, I noticed a billboard advertisement that drew attention to an apparent injustice of sending $3 billion every year to Israel while Americans struggle.

Was the ad intended to besmirch monetary support for Israel? Or to prioritize the need to spend money here at home taking care of our American citizens who are also struggling?

If the latter, the billboard advertisement would have been less propagandistic if it had also included other nations that are receiving funds while Americans struggle, including, for example, the $74.3 billion recently allocated for Ukraine. Do Americans struggle more with the $3.3 billion sent to Israel compared to the $74.3 billion sent to Ukraine?

Regardless of the merits of supporting either Israel or Ukraine, it appears that the ads sponsor, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), is casting aspersion on Israel while simultaneously playing on the sympathies of American citizens by prioritizing our struggles at the expense of those who are struggling around the world.

Kirk Partin, Columbia
A woman casts her vote at a polling station at a rural parish for parliamentary elections in Portugal. Cristian Leyva/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Media forecasts suggest Portugal has shifted significantly to the right in snap parliamentary elections held on Sunday.

A voter survey by the state TV station RTP, seen as reliable and based on post-election polls, shows the conservative Democratic Alliance (AD) led by top candidate Luis Montenegro won the election and could receive up to 33% of the vote.

Pedro Nuno Santos' Socialist Party (PS), in power for eight years, would come in second with up to 29%.

Far-right Chega (Enough) improved from just over 7% in the last election at the beginning of 2022 to up to a 17% share now.

Other Portuguese media such as Publico newspaper published similar figures to RTP in the evening shortly after the last polling stations in the Azores closed at 9 pm (2200 GMT).

If the vote count confirms these results, forming a government is likely to prove difficult.

A man casts his vote at a polling station at a rural parish for parliamentary elections in Portugal. Cristian Leyva/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

A woman casts her vote at a polling station at a rural parish for parliamentary elections in Portugal. Cristian Leyva/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
International media outlets report that the Russians have destroyed two Patriot systems near the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast. The Armed Forces of Ukraine do not comment on this, while the Institute of the Study of War believes it is not true.

Source: Forbes; ISW; Bild journalist Julian Ropcke on Twitter

Details: It is specified that this is the first time in the two years of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine when the Russians managed to find and destroy a Patriot system.

Julian Ropcke, a Bild journalist, states that the launchers were 10 metres away from one another, and they "were parked for long enough for Russia to launch ballistic missiles on them".

In turn, the Institute of the Study of War at the moment does not confirm the destruction of the Ukrainian Patriots since the Russians had demonstrated the footage of destroyed German MAN KAT1 trucks, which can be used as a base for Patriot air defence missile launchers or in logistics.

Forbes recalls that over the past month, Ukrainian Patriot batteries have shot down as many as a dozen Russian air force fighter-bombers, blunting Russias air superiority.

Quote: "Indeed, its possible the launchers and crews that Iskander struck this week, 20 miles from the front line, were the very same launchers and crews who shot down many of those Russian jets.

The air over eastern Ukraine may have gotten a lot safer for the Russians."

More details: Forbes calculated that in case this information is confirmed, then the Ukrainians lost up to 13 percent of the entire number of their Patriot launchers in just one attack, and they did not have proper anti-air defence during their movement.

It is stressed that a Patriot easily downs Russian Iskander missiles but it is only possible when the batteries are deployed and on alert, rather than when on the move between positions.

For reference: A MIM-104 Patriot battery consists of a command post, a radar, and up to eight launch vehicles; each of the launch vehicles has 4 launch containers loaded with missiles of various types, such as missiles designed to down hostile ballistic missiles, and the anti-aircraft missiles designed to down planes and helicopters.

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Vincent Tionquiao, a Bremerton native and Olympic High graduate, is recently selected and confirmed for promotion to rear admiral (lower half). His new assignment as a flag officer will be the deputy director at the C4/Cyber Systems, J-6 Joint Staff in Washington D.C.

It means a lot for Capt. Vincent Tionquiao, a Bremerton native, to be promoted to a leadership role in the military. That's especially true for one where he will be able to keep using his cyber and information system profession  nurtured through higher education and numerous shore and overseas assignments in the past three decades  to serve the country.

Later this year, Tionquiao will be promoted to Rear Admiral (lower half). President Joe Biden in January nominated him for appointment to the grade and that nomination has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate. He will report to his first assignment as a flag officer  the deputy director at the Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4)/Cyber Systems, J-6 Joint Staff in Washington D.C., the Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations announced on March 1.

"I am very excited and humbled," Tionquiao said about the promotion in a phone interview with Kitsap Sun. In his words, the incoming rear admiral will work in the Pentagon to support communications and information systems across the Department of Defense, all the military services and their operations in the world.

The joy and excitement of his promotion extends to his family.

"We're honored to have this opportunity to continue to serve," he said.

Tionquiao is the current Director of Maritime Operations Center for U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, Navy Space Command, and U.S. 10th Fleet in Fort Meade, Maryland. His organization handles Navy networks and communications across the globe to ensure Navy forces have the intelligence and targeting information that they need for their operations.

Tionquiao's passion for the Navy and eagerness to serve the country dates back to Bremerton, where he grew up in a Navy family and received support from Kitsap's military community in the 1980s and 1990s.

Growing up in a military town

The captain recalled the time when his family settled in Bremerton in the 1980s. Tionquiao's father, Octavio, is a retired Navy Senior Chief submarine mess specialist, who served 22 years before retiring in Bremerton in 1988. The family moved to Bremerton in 1982.

Tionquiao went to Esquire Hills Elementary, Fairview Junior High (now Fairview Middle School), and Olypmic High School, and was able to grow up with other friends from a similar background in the community.

In his childhood, he remembered going to Boomer Fest  the Bangor submarine base's annual public party featuring country music, street dance, kids' events, military memorabilia, and more  with his parents, brother and sister. He also enjoyed Silverdale's annual Whaling Days Festival.

When he graduated from Olympic High School in 1992 and tried to figure out his next step, joining the Navy seemed an obvious option.

"The pride I saw my father serving in the U.S. Navy, the community that I grew up in over there, and the support to the military. It became a natural decision for me to see what opportunities I could continue to serve whether in the Navy or in the military in general," Tionquiao said.

In 1996, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering and was commissioned from the U.S. Naval Academy, thinking that he could become a submariner like his father to serve in the silence service.

In 2003, he earned a Master of Science in Systems Engineering and Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School, which he described as a turning point in his career in the Navy.

Focus on networks in deployment to Arabian Gulf, Western Pacific

When Tionquiao was at the postgraduate school, the Navy started branching out information professionals and communications specialists to support the fleet. They hosted a conference in Monterey, California, to look into the so-called "information professional community," where Tionquiao's school was. Coincidently, the master's student dropped in on some seminars and became very interested in the field that was just born around 2001 and 2002.

Network operations, computers and the internet had his attention. Tionquiao supplied an application to transfer to the new community and was accepted, allowing him to switch his career to a cyber-focused path.

From there, through many assignments all over the world, he helped set up networks and support the command and control in the Navy, like the ability for ships to communicate. He was once deployed to Afghanistan for eight months to help forward operating bases establish connectivity between 2008 and 2009. From 2016 to 2018, he was assigned to the Nimitz Strike Group as the Information Warfare Commander and was deployed to support joint operations between various countries in the Western Pacific, as well as operations on the Arabian Gulf.

Recalling the time with the Nimitz, he said it wasn't as long as he would've wanted to stay in the Pacific Northwest after leaving the area for over two decades. Tionquiao always appreciated the opportunity to go underway in the open ocean, he said.

"You're with a lot of shipmates, and it becomes a very tight-knit community because you're all focused on a specific mission, the safety you're looking out for each other, and executing that mission," he said.

His other assignment included working with the Joint Interagency Task Force South in Key West, Florida, where he supported communications for forces that were engaged in counter-illicit trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific area.

After the Nimitz, he served as the Deputy Director for Communications and Information Systems for the U.S. Pacific Fleet and as the Commanding Officer of Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station (NCTAMS) Pacific in Hawaii. In August 2022, he assumed his current position as the Maritime Operations Center Director.

An official portrait of Capt. Vincent S. Tionquiao, the commanding officer of Naval Computer and Telecommunication Area Master Station (NCTAMS) Pacific in Sept. 21, 2020.

Looking back, Tionquiao said the most rewarding part of his career is that he always has positive experiences working with professionals, both sailors and civilians, in this field, and the purpose of serving the country.

"While missions can be challenging, the hours can be challenging when you're on deployment, the work is hard, it's that camaraderie and esprit de corps that's built with such technical professionals that I think has been the most rewarding part," he said.

Tionquiao highlighted his missions in Afghanistan, where he worked with and learned from collegues in the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. That has also been a rewarding experience for him, Tionquiao said.

"Working with those professionals, and then having a personal sense of purpose, and then what we do and the service to our country, has been what kept me going," he said.

When sailors or officers are selected for promotion, it's a recognition of their past accomplishments and also an acknowledgment of their future potential and what they can continue to contribute, Tionquiao explained.

"In receiving this promotion...I'm honored and humbled because of, you know, that ability to continue to serve and in a various capacity," he said, adding that his parents, still living in Bremerton, were extremely happy when he called from the East Coast to deliver the good news.

Tionquiao encourages sailors who are in their early career stages to seek every opportunity the Navy provides them, whether it's learning about their homeport or traveling the world during deployments. "When you take those opportunities, other opportunities open up. You develop more skill sets," he said.

Also, just maintain a very positive attitude and always remember that sense of purpose and why they serve, the captain said.

"What we do is important for the Navy and the nation," Tionquiao said.

Kitsap Sun Archives contributed to the story.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Olympic High alum promoted to rear admiral in Navy
Former Honduran President convicted in US of conspiring with drug traffickers

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was convicted Friday in New York of charges that he conspired with drug traffickers and used his military and national police force to enable tonnes of cocaine to make it unhindered into the US.

The jury returned its verdict at a federal court after a two-week trial, which has been closely followed in his home country. Hernandez was convicted of conspiring to import cocaine into the US and two weapons counts. The charges carry a mandatory minimum of 40 years in prison and a potential maximum of life. Sentencing was set for 26 June.

Hernandez, 55, served two terms as the leader of Honduras, a nation of roughly 10 million people.

Jurors reached a unanimous verdict, which was necessary for a conviction. Defence lawyer Sabrina Shroff said Hernandez will appeal the conviction.

In a release, US lawyer Damian Williams said he hopes the conviction sends a message to all corrupt politicians who would consider a similar path: choose differently.

He added that Hernandez had every opportunity to be a force for good in his native Honduras. Instead, he chose to abuse his office and country for his own personal gain and partnered with some of the largest and most violent drug trafficking organisations in the world to transport tonnes of cocaine to the United States.

Hernandez was arrested at his home in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital, three months after leaving office in 2022 and was extradited to the US in April of that year.

US prosecutors accused Hernandez of working with drug traffickers as long ago as 2004, saying he took millions of dollars in bribes as he rose from rural congressman to president of the National Congress and then to the country's highest office.

Hernandez acknowledged in trial testimony that drug money was paid to virtually all political parties in Honduras, but he denied accepting bribes himself.

He noted that he had visited the White House and met US presidents as he cast himself as a champion in the war on drugs who worked with the US to curb the flow of drugs to the US.

In one instance, he said, he was warned by the FBI that a drug cartel wanted to assassinate him.

He said his accusers fabricated their claims about him in bids for leniency for their crimes.

"They all have motivation to lie, and they are professional liars, Hernandez said.

But the prosecution mocked Hernandez for seemingly claiming to be the only honest politician in Honduras.

During closing arguments Wednesday, Assistant US Attorney Jacob Gutwillig told the jury that a corrupt Hernandez paved a cocaine superhighway to the United States.

Stabile said his client has been wrongfully charged as he urged an acquittal.

Trial witnesses included traffickers who admitted responsibility for dozens of murders and said Hernandez was an enthusiastic protector of some of the world's most powerful cocaine dealers, including notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, who is serving a life prison term in the US.

Hernandez, wearing a suit throughout the trial, was mostly dispassionate as he testified through an interpreter, repeatedly saying no sir as he was asked if he ever paid bribes or promised to protect traffickers from extradition to the US.

His brother, Juan Antonio Tony Hernandez, a former Honduran congressman, was sentenced to life in 2021 in Manhattan federal court for his own conviction on drug charges.
A former deputy constable in Tarrant County has been arrested after authorities said he may have used his position to assault females.

Oluwafemi "Femi" Awe faces a charge of indecent assault.

According to a release from the Tarrant County Sheriffs Office, the case against the 31-year-old goes back to an incident on February 25.

No further details have been released about what led investigators to arrest Awe.

Anyone who may have additional information about Awe is asked to call Det. Holland at 817-884-2233 or email KKHolland@tarrantcountytx.gov, or call Lt. Morris at 817-884-3306 or email CEMorris@tarrantcountytx.gov.
Here are four things to start off your week.

Another super load to move through the region

COLUMBUS  One week after the first "super load" headed out from Adams County, an identical second is due to follow the same route this week.

The Ohio Department of Transportation and Ohio State Highway Patrol will escort the second large load beginning Thursday, March 14. It is scheduled to depart the same dock east of Manchester around 8 a.m.

Like the first load, this one weighs 390,000 pounds, is 18'3" tall, 18'6" wide, and 200' long and will be delivered to Hebron. It is not related to the Intel plant being built in Licking County.

The first load to head to central Ohio from the Ohio River has been offloaded and is sitting at the dock in Adams County.

Due to St. Patrick's Day, the city of Columbus will not allow the load to move through the city on Sunday, March 17, so it will remain at Rickenbacker Airport until Saturday, March 23. It is scheduled to reach Hebron on Monday, March 25.

This is the second of nearly two dozen scheduled to move over the next several months. The largest loads will tip the scales at 900,000 pounds, 19 feet wide, 24 feet high, and 270 feet long. Each oversized and overweight load will take approximately 8-15 days to reach its destination. While no official closures or detours are planned, slow-rolling roadblocks will be necessary during transit, and drivers should plan ahead for long delays along the route.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has carefully analyzed and planned the route to make sure these super loads can be accommodated. Since each load will be escorted by several Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, emergency traffic will get around the rolling roadblock with minimal delay. Working with partners like local governments and utility companies, obstructions along the route such as large overhead signs, traffic signals, and utility lines have been adjusted and moved.

The schedule of each of these loads will be checked against local events, like festivals and fairs, to further minimize impacts.

Notifications will be made in advance of each load leaving the dock on the Ohio River near the village of Manchester in Adams County. Updates will be provided as each load moves north toward central Ohio.

The route is:

From the dock site east of Manchester, it will travel east on U.S. 52 to West Portsmouth.

At west Portsmouth, cross over into the U.S. 52 westbound lanes just before the junction of the SR 239 on ramp to U.S. 52 Westbound.

Travel north on the SR 239 Southbound ramp to SR 73/SR 104

Travel south in the Northbound lanes of State Route 73/SR 104 to US 52

Travel east on U.S. 52 in the Westbound lanes to U.S. 23 in Portsmouth

Travel north on U.S. 23 southbound ramp to U.S. 52 westbound

Travel north on U.S. 23 in the northbound lanes to the intersection with Kinneys Lane and Argonne Road

Cross over into the northbound lanes and travel north on U.S. 23 to the Village of Piketon

In the Village of Piketon cross over into the Southbound lanes of U.S. 23 at Market Street to maneuver around the traffic signals then cross back over into the northbound lanes of U.S. 23

Travel north on U.S. 23 to Chillicothe

Take U.S. 35 West to SR 104 north

Take SR 104 North to SR 762 near Commercial Point

Travel east on SR 762 to Rickenbacker Parkway

Travel north on Rickenbacker Parkway north to Alum Creek Drive

Travel north on Alum Creek Drive to Rohr Road

Travel east on Rohr Road to Commerce Center Drive

Travel north on Commerce Center Drive to Green Pointe Drive south

Travel east on Green Point Drive south to Saltzgaber Road

Travel south on Saltzgaber Road to SR 317

Travel north in the southbound lanes on SR 317 past Groveport to Bixby Road east

Travel east on Bixby Road to U.S. 33

Travel east in the Westbound lanes of U.S. 33 to the Gender Road southbound to U.S.33 westbound ramp in Canal Winchester

Travel the wrong way on the Gender Road southbound to U.S. 33 Westbound ramp

Take SR 674/Gender Road north to Brice Road

Take Brice Road north to the intersection with Tussing Road/SR 204 in Columbus

Travel east on Tussing Road/SR 204 East to SR 310

Travel north on SR 310 to U.S. 40 in Etna

Travel east on U.S. 40 to SR 79 in Hebron

Travel the wrong way on the SR 79 southbound off ramp to U.S. 40

Travel north in the southbound lanes on SR 79 to local roads

Final Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) deadline is April 1

LANCASTER  The final Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) deadline is quickly approaching.

The deadline to file an initial or renewal application is Monday, April 1. As of Wednesday, March 6, over 92% of property owners in the CAUV program have returned their applications.

Any property owners on a timber plan, or who have land under contract for conservation, are encouraged to review those plans or contracts to make sure they have not expired. CAUV forms can be found here: https://co.fairfield.oh.us/auditor/fc-cauv.html.

If you have any questions regarding CAUV, please contact Greg Forquer, CAUV Specialist, at 740-652-7030 or Gregory.Forquer@fairfieldcountyohio.gov.

Career Readiness Program to offer Career Expo

The Fairfield 33 Alliances Career Readiness Program will host a Career Expo from 9:30 am to noon on March 21, at the Fairfield County Workforce Center, 4465 Coonpath Rd. NW, Carroll. The Expo will be open to 11th and 12th-grade students interested in pursuing a local career.

Students will have a chance to connect with local businesses and explore the career opportunities offered throughout Fairfield County. Businesses representing skilled trades, manufacturing, logistics, sales and service, and healthcare will be in attendance. Students do not need to have formal training or certifications in these fields. Many employers are willing to train employees in the careers represented.

The Career Readiness Program, in partnership with local businesses and school districts, helps students earn an endorsement that proves they are ready to embark on a career. The goal of the program is to help students enter the workforce while helping businesses fill the gap on in-demand jobs locally.

"Many high school students dont realize the career opportunities available to them directly after graduation, said Karie Stone, Fairfield County Career Navigator. Graduates from our programs are finding jobs with good wages that provide career growth. We prepare these students with the essential skills needed for these careers. The Expo is a great way for these young adults and employers to network with one another. We hope that students walk away with the best prospects for a future career and employers have amazing candidates for employment.

As the Career Readiness Program continues to gain recognition around the state, it is becoming more apparent than ever that creating the opportunity for students to interact with local businesses while still completing their education provides them with a vision for their futures, said Rick Szabrak, Fairfield County Economic and Workforce Development Director. This is an amazing opportunity for students to meet with more than 60 local employers to learn about jobs and companies they arent familiar with. Its also a great way for employers to find their future employees and future leaders.

Businesses that are interested in the event can contact Bayley Fields at bayley.fields@fairfieldcountyohio.gov. Priority will be given to Career Readiness business partners and businesses offering full-time positions with good starting pay and an identified career path. Students can learn more at Fairfield33.com/Career-Readiness.

Meetings this week

The Board of the Fairfield County Transportation Improvement District will meet at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, at the Fairfield County Records Center; 138 West Chestnut St.

Walnut Township Local School District Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, March 11, in the Laker Learning Center

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Four things to know to start the week: Another super load to move through region
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Beta Systems Software fair value estimate is 33.21

Beta Systems Software's 30.00 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

Beta Systems Software's peers are currently trading at a premium of 35% on average

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Beta Systems Software AG (FRA:BSS) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. 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 Beta Systems Software

The Method

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

Story continues

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 4.00m 6.90m 4.70m 4.80m 7.50m 7.68m 7.82m 7.94m 8.03m 8.11m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 2.40% Est @ 1.85% Est @ 1.46% Est @ 1.19% Est @ 1.00% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 5.3% 3.8 6.2 4.0 3.9 5.8 5.6 5.5 5.3 5.0 4.8

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 50m

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 0.6%. 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) = 8.1m (1 + 0.6%)  (5.3% 0.6%) = 172m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 172m ( 1 + 5.3%)10= 103m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 153m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 30.0, the company appears about fair value at a 9.7% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Beta Systems Software 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 1.030. 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 Beta Systems Software

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Software market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the German market.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

No apparent threats visible for BSS.

Next Steps:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Beta Systems Software, we've put together three pertinent aspects you should consider:

Risks: We feel that you should assess the 1 warning sign for Beta Systems Software we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does BSS'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 DB 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.
Stephane Sejourne, Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, has commented on the meeting with his Baltic and Ukrainian counterparts in Vilnius in order to support the idea that foreign troops can be sent to Ukraine to assist in such areas as mine action.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Sejournes interview for La Tribune Dimanche

Quote: "Baltic countries are the most vulnerable, and their concern is increasing as the uncertainty is increasing, especially due to the elections in the US. This is where our desire to create a surge in mobilisation and support for Ukraine stems from. We needed to enhance this strategic ambiguity towards Russia in order to send a strong signal that we would remain united."

He added that all Europeans and allies of Ukraine agree that they should do more and do it better. The French Foreign Minister noted that seven countries, specifically France, had signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine, and 25 more countries were in the process of signature.

"There is a certain unity in that in reality, after two years of the conflict, Russia has become more and more aggressive towards us. Everyone agrees thatit would be much worse, if Ukraine disintegrated or Russia won. So Russia must not and cannot win," Sejourne stressed.

He also said that the question is whether Ukraines allies would be able to make Russia stop the war in another way, apart from supporting Kyiv as much as they can.

"We must speak the same language with Russia  the language of the balance of forces. We are being very naive, thinking we must impose our own bans on ourselves, when it is Russia which violates the international law and tries to dictate how the foreign policy of the European countries must be like," French Foreign Minister remarked.

"History gives us several examples of how the strategies of retreat and weakness lead to a stalemate. Those who did not want to die for Danzig in May 1939 only encouraged Adolf Hitler. Even though I believe that history doesn't repeat itself, we must not repeat its mistakes," Sejourne concluded.

Earlier, Sejourne stated that Ukraine did not ask France to send its troops yet Paris "did not rule out anything".

Before that, French leader Emmanuel Macron once again commented on this statement, saying that a possible deployment of Western troops in Ukraine "cannot be ruled out". Later he added that his remarks, which have caused a stir, had been carefully thought through.

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French President Emmanuel Macron will present a bill on assisted dying to go before parliament in May, he said in an interview published by French media on Sunday.

The move could make France the next European country to legalise euthanasia for the terminally ill, following a long consultation with a committee of French citizens on "active assistance to dying".

Only adults with full control of their judgement, suffering an incurable and life-threatening illness in the short to medium term and whose pain cannot be relieved will be able to "ask to be helped to die", Macron told the La Croix and Liberation newspapers.

The change is necessary "because there are situations you cannot humanely accept", Macron said. The goal was "to reconcile an individual's autonomy with the nation's solidarity.

"With this bill, we are facing up to death," he said.

But the highly controversial move is likely to provoke stiff opposition, and even though the bill would be presented before the European Parliament elections in June, its passage is unlikely before 2025.

While opinion polls suggest a majority of French favour right-to-die legislation, religious leaders in the traditionally Catholic country as well as many health workers oppose it.

Macron acknowledged the debate by announcing the bill simultaneously to La Croix, a Catholic daily, and the left-leaning Liberation, which has championed the euthanasia cause.

The move comes days after Macron spearheaded an effort that saw the right to abortion enshrined in France's Constitution earlier this month, the first country in the world to do so.

- 'Precise criteria' -

The president said minors and patients suffering psychiatric or neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimers would not be eligible.

If medical professionals gave their consent, a lethal substance would be prescribed for the patient, who could administer it themselves or with the help of a third party if they could not physically do so.

The third party can be a volunteer, the doctor or the nurse treating the patient, according to the text, while the substance can be administered at the patient's home, in care homes for the elderly or care centres.

Medical experts would have 15 days to respond to a request for help to die and an approval would be valid for three months, during which time the patient could retract, Macron said.

Macron said that if medical professionals rejected the request, the patient could consult another medical team or appeal.

He added that he wanted to avoid the terms assisted suicide or euthanasia because the patient's consent is essential, with a role for medical opinion and "precise criteria".

Until now French patients in pain wishing to end their lives have had to travel abroad, including to neighbouring Belgium.

A 2005 law has legalised passive euthanasia, such as withholding artificial life support, as a "right to die".

A 2016 law allows doctors to couple this with "deep and continuous sedation" for terminally ill patients in pain.

But active euthanasia, whereby doctors administer lethal doses of drugs to patients suffering from an incurable condition, is illegal.

Assisted suicide -- whereby patients can receive help to voluntarily take their own life -- is also banned.

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The German city of Frankfurt switched on festive lights Sunday to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in what local media said was a nationwide first.

A large sign reading "Happy Ramadan" and a display of lights in the shape of stars, lanterns and crescent moons were formally unveiled in an evening ceremony, illuminating a pedestrianised street in the city centre lined with restaurants and cafes.

Local officials and German media said it was the first time a German city had put up street illuminations for Ramadan.

Mayor Nargess Eskandari-Gruenberg called it a "beautiful gesture" that stood for "the peaceful co-existence of all people in Frankfurt".

"In times of crises and wars, this lighting is a sign of hope for all people and strengthens cohesion in our diverse urban society," she said in a statement earlier this week.

The western city of Frankfurt, Germany's financial hub with a population of more than 750,000 people, is home to around 100,000 Muslims.

The Ramadan lights reportedly cost the city at least 75,000 euros ($82,000).

Ramadan street decorations were also on display in the city of Cologne for the first time, Bild newspaper reported, though those were financed by private donations rather than public funds.

The Frankfurt branch of the Coordinating Council of Muslims welcomed the street lights as a sign of "appreciation and recognition of the cultural and religious diversity of our international city".

But not all the reactions were positive.

Robert Lambrou, a regional lawmaker from Hesse whose far-right AfD party has been riding high in opinion polls, condemned the Ramadan decorations as a "gesture of submission to Islam".

The idea to hang the lights came from city councillor Omar Shehata, from Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party. Shehata told the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper he had been inspired by London, which last year lit up for Ramadan for the first time.

Responding to the AfD's criticism, he said: "Many people in Frankfurt stand united against right-wing extremism, anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim racism."

bur-mfp/imm/js
Other parents I know track their kids' phones, but I decided not to track my teen son.

I hope this leeway will help him build self-reliance and better prepare him for college.

Sometimes I get anxious about his whereabouts, but I trust him.

Helping teenagers transform into adults is the most important job we have as parents, and it's fraught with anxiety and concern. We want our kids to be happy, healthy, and well-adjusted as they grow into their own. While they need guardrails and guidance, how much independence should we give them?

It's a tough question, especially when it comes to teen tracking. Whether it's Life360, Find My, or Google Maps, tech gives millions of parents  including some of my good friends  instant access to their kids' locations. Moreover, many Gen Zers say they see the benefit of parental surveillance.

But I've decided not to track my high-school senior when he's out and about  even when he's behind the wheel.

Freedom is good for growing up

I believe part of being a teenager is learning how to manage yourself. The fact is that no one masters that skill without some leeway.

I grew up nearly feral in the 1980s. I roamed freely with friends, knew the latchkey routine, risked life and limb almost frequently, and made it through relatively unscathed. Today's teens don't have that sort of latitude. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I want my kid to have just a bit of that freedom I enjoyed. That means I don't need to be in his business 24/7 via a tracking app.

This autonomy is helping my son develop self-reliance. He needs to make his own decisions, and I need to give him the space to make them. My worry about his whereabouts is mine to manage, not his.

I'm not naive: I know my son won't always make the correct decisions. But my refusal to keep constant tabs allows him to make his own mistakes and power through them on his own. He needs distance  literally and figuratively  to do so.

I want to be clear: My son's safety is the most important thing, and I'm always here for him in case of an emergency or otherwise. But he can decide if and when that's the case. I'm a safety net, not a SWAT helicopter. He doesn't need his mom micromanaging him as he moves through his day.

This will be great preparation for when he goes off to college

My son heads off to college in the fall. And while new research shows that 36% of college students' parents still track their locations, I won't be adopting a "Big Mother" stance when my nest is empty.

From my perspective, college is when kids can learn, stretch themselves, and have fun independently. My husband and I have done all we can to prepare our child for this next exciting phase of life. He'll enjoy it independently, without me checking to make sure he made it to class or snooping on his weekend whereabouts.

I'm nervous, but it's worth it

It's perfectly natural to worry about our kids. I wonder what my son's up to when he's not around, and I hate the idea of him ever having to struggle. But he will; that's life. It's how you learn.

What my son gains far outweighs what I lose by opting not to use a tracking app. His personal development is much more important than my angst.

I need to learn to let that angst go. I don't always need to know where he is, but he'll always know where I am should he need me.

It helps that I trust my kid. We're close, have terrific conversations, and he knows he can come to me and his dad if he needs a sounding board or advice. We have faith that he'll make good choices; he's never given us a reason not to trust him.

Imposing high-tech scrutiny or supervision could very well damage the mutual confidence we've spent 17 years building together. The fact we've decided not to track him signals to my son that we have confidence in him, setting a strong foundation for our relationship now and moving forward.

Read the original article on Business Insider
U.S. Capitol (Photo/File)

On Saturday, President Joe Biden signed into law a six-bill funding package that will fund programs for the current years federal budget.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee.

This bipartisan bill delivers essential funding to help keep our promises to Tribes and to support Tribal communities and familiesincluding by continuing to provide advance appropriations so the Indian Health Service can serve patients with certainty. Sen. Murray said in a statement.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

Sen. Murrays office furnished an overview of the funding package. More information on the six-bill package is available HERE. Text of the legislation is available HERE.

Funding for American Indian and Alaska Native programs is spread across several federal departments and agencies. The majority of funds appropriated for Indian Country are in the budgets of the U.S. Department of the Interior and Indian Health Service (IHS).

Here is a breakdown of funds appropriated for Indian Country.

Key Points & Highlights  Tribal Programs

Tribal Programs: In total, the bill provides $10.88 billion for Tribal programs across the Department of the Interior and the Indian Health Service.

Health and Human Services

Indian Health Service (IHS): The bill provides $6.96 billion for IHSan increase of $3.6 million over fiscal year 2023to maintain critically important health care services and maintain current staffing for doctors, nurses, and health services staff. Importantly, the bill also continues the practice of advance appropriations for IHS, which were provided in a historic first for fiscal year 2024. The bill provides an advance appropriation for fiscal year 2025 of $5.19 billion to ensure budget certainty for a health care system that provides health services to 2.5 million people across Indian Country. This advance appropriation will provide the funding IHS needs to provide essential health services to patients in the following fiscal year. Finally, the bill provides an increase of $61.4 million to staff newly constructed facilities to ensure that IHS has the health care providers needed to meet increased patient demand.

Interior Department

Supporting Tribal Self-Governance and Essential Services: The bill protects essential government services for key areas like roads, housing improvements, natural resources protection, Tribal courts, economic development, and social services by maintaining the fiscal year 2023 enacted levels for Tribal priority allocations. These budget lines are the lifeblood for Tribal governments exercising self-determination and are crucial to upholding the federal governments trust responsibility.

Tribal Public Safety and Justice: The bill protects funding to support and invest in Tribal public safety and justice programs by providing $555.5 millionequal to fiscal year 2023in resources for police services, special initiatives to address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons cases, Tribal courts, and detention and corrections officers.

Maintaining Investments in Tribal Schools: The bill protects the Bureau of Indian Educations Operation of Indian Education Programs by providing $1.13 billion, equal to fiscal year 2023, to support a school system of 183 schools and 33 Tribal Colleges and Universities delivering educational services to nearly 57,000 students. This includes funding to support school operational requirements, staffing, operating costs, Native language programs, scholarships, and support for school connectivity and remote learning capabilities. Protecting these investments will improve educational opportunities and service delivery for Native American students.

Tribal Sovereignty Payments: The bill fully funds Tribal Sovereignty Payments, which consist of contract support costs and 105(l) lease payments. These are required payments that provide funding for Tribes overhead costs for self-governance under the Indian Self-Determination Education and Assistance Act

Commerce

EDA Assistance

EDA Assistance: $5 million for EDAs Assistance to Indigenous Communities Programa new grant program focused exclusively on the economic development needs of Tribal governments and indigenous communities.

Supporting Crime Victims: The Crime Victims Fund (CVF) provides critical support through direct assistance and programs offered by victim service providers to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking, and other violent crimes. The bill releases $1.35 billion from the CVF, providing $153 million above the Presidents budget request. Of this amount, $67.65 million is designated for efforts to assist Tribal victims.

Supporting State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Law Enforcement: The Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) program is funded at $924 million. $345 million is released from Byrne JAG core funding to states and territories. The COPS Hiring Program is funded at $256 million. This funding will place over 2,000 more police officers on the streets of our communities. Funding is also included for programs that support officer mental health and wellness ($10 million), the purchase of body-worn cameras ($32 million) and bulletproof vests ($30 million), and rural law enforcement needs ($7 million).

The bill also includes a provision to allow the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to access additional funding to implement broadband programs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, assisting grantees in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the territories. These programs are critical to connecting every American to high-speed, affordable broadband, and they include the Digital Equity Act Programs, the Middle Mile Program, and the Tribal Connectivity Program.

Energy

Tribal Energy: The bill provides $70 million for the Indian Energy Policy and Programs. The funding will help continue electrifying the 30,000 Tribal homes that do not have access to power.

Transportation

Highways and Bridges: The bill provides $62.991 billion for federal-aid highways, consistent with the IIJA-authorized level of spending from the Highway Trust Fund, with an additional $2.225 billion for Highway Infrastructure Programs. This includes $250 million for a new bridge bundling grant program, $150 million for the Tribal Transportation Program, $100 million for the Appalachian Development Highway System, $7.5 million for Scenic Byways, and other critical investments.

Transportation Infrastructure for Tribes: The bill includes $25 million to supplement the Rural and Tribal Infrastructure Advancement Pilot Program to deliver financial, legal, technical, and project development assistance in an effort to improve Tribal access to transportation infrastructure programs at DOT. It also includes $150 million in FHWAs Tribal Transportation Program and $500,000 for transit technical assistance for Tribes.

Housing

Expands Access to Housing Assistance for Tribes: The bill provides a record $1.344 billion for the Native American Housing Block Grant program. Through this historic level of funding and the sustained investment in the Tribal Housing and Related Agency Infrastructure Interagency Task Force, the bill will make significant progress in addressing the dire housing needs of Indian Country, where residents are nearly twice as likely to live in poverty and nearly three times more likely to live in overcrowded conditions compared to other U.S. households.

About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net."

Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
Two of the man's children, not pictured, caught hepatitis A in Gaza

A Palestinian refugee has won a legal challenge against a Home Office refusal to allow his family in Gaza to apply for UK visas without fingerprints.

The man took action after officials rejected his request for his wife and children to be exempt from the usual rules because of the situation in Gaza.

He said this was in effect a refusal to allow his family to join him, because they had no way to submit fingerprints.

A court says the Home Office must allow the family to apply without biometrics.

The Home Office told BBC News: "We have complied with the outcome of judicial review proceedings and it would be inappropriate to comment further."

A court anonymity order means the man and his family cannot be identified, for their own protection.

He had brought a judicial review against the Home Office, which is a type of legal action where a person can challenge the decision of a public body.

The judgement from the Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Court, seen by BBC News, said the Home Office's refusal to exempt the family from giving fingerprints was "disproportionate" given their "particular circumstances".

It said the decision was also in breach of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights - the right to respect for private and family life.

'I am scared'

The man applied for asylum in the UK in 2021 and was granted it in 2023, after the war in Gaza had started.

Once people have refugee status, they can apply for family-reunion visas for their family members to join them in the UK without them needing to go through the asylum system as well.

Asylum Aid solicitor Anastasia Solopova, who is representing the family, said they had applied for these in December.

In most circumstances, when someone applies for a long-term British visa outside of the UK, they need to give their biometrics - fingerprints and a photograph - at a visa-application centre (VAC), for security reasons.

As there is currently no functioning visa centre in Gaza, there was now no way for the family to submit their biometrics, Ms Solopova said.

In a statement to the court, the refugee said the decision from the Home Office had made him feel "like I wanted to die".

Two of his children had caught hepatitis A, which the World Health Organization (WHO) says is spreading in Gaza.

"I want so badly to be with my wife to help her," he said. "I am scared, I am fearing for the lives of my family and my children, I am worried that they might die."

Even before the current conflict, it was not easy for Palestinians to leave Gaza via the Rafah crossing into Egypt.

They had to register with the local Palestinian authorities two to four weeks in advance and may then have been rejected by either the Palestinian or Egyptian authorities with little warning or explanation.

And since the current war began, Egypt has said it is reluctant to allow an influx of refugees from Gaza.

In November, the Home Office said it was working with the Foreign Office to help British people and their non-British family members evacuate Gaza through the crossing.

And at the time, a team of Home Office staff was helping visa applicants in Egypt.

People now able to leave Gaza through the crossing can receive medical, consular and administrative support from British embassy staff in Cairo.
The site is often a flashpoint during flare-ups in the Israel-Palestinian conflict

There are renewed fears of violence spreading, particularly to Jerusalem, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, as a truce remains elusive.

Hamas has reiterated a call for Palestinians to step up visits to al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israel has accused Hamas of "striving to ignite the region during Ramadan", which is due to begin in the next few days.

The third holiest shrine in Islam is a place of worship for local Muslims.

But the site - also the holiest place in Judaism, known as Temple Mount - is often a flashpoint during flare-ups in the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Ramadan is due to begin on 10 or 11 March depending on sighting of the new moon.

This week, the courtyards of al-Aqsa were calm as I visited, but Palestinian worshippers' minds were on the war.

"People don't feel like celebrating and enjoying the regular Ramadan traditions," said one woman, Ayat, sadly. "This year, they won't go ahead because of what's happening in Gaza."

Hopes that a 40-day ceasefire could take effect by the start of Ramadan have faded although Egyptian sources say mediators will again meet a Hamas delegation on Sunday to try to reach an agreement with Israel.

Israel said on Saturday that its spy chief had met with his US counterpart as it continued efforts to try to release dozens of hostages.

Afterwards the Israeli prime minister's office released a statement saying Hamas was "holding to its position," as if it was "uninterested in a deal."

A framework plan being discussed would see some of the Israeli hostages snatched by Hamas in its deadly 7 October attacks released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and an increase in aid, amid UN warnings of famine.

"This Ramadan will be difficult. How will we break our daily fast and eat when we think of our compatriots in Gaza," commented Abu Nader, who had been following the news, as he crossed al-Aqsa in his mobility scooter.

"We pray to God for better times."

Abu Nader says breaking the daily fast will be hard given the levels of hunger in Gaza

Israeli police are always visibly dotted around the vast al-Aqsa mosque complex and have officers present at every gate, controlling access.

Since Israel captured East Jerusalem, including this part of the Old City, from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East War and occupied and annexed it, the site has become a prominent symbol of the wider Palestinian struggle.

In 2000, the visit of then Israeli opposition leader, Ariel Sharon to the sacred hilltop was seen as a key trigger for the Second Palestinian Uprising, which Palestinians refer to as the "al-Aqsa Intifada".

There are often clashes here between Israeli security forces and Palestinian worshippers, particularly during Ramadan.

Tensions also run high whenever there are Israeli nationalist marches in the Old City, and in response to calls from Israel's far-right to change the long-established, highly sensitive religious status quo rules at the site, which permit Jewish visitors but not Jewish prayer.

In May 2021, heightened tensions in Jerusalem erupted in violence at al-Aqsa. Hamas then fired rockets at Jerusalem, leading to a short war in Gaza and widespread unrest between Jewish and Arab Israelis.

Last year, when Ramadan overlapped with the Jewish Passover holiday, reports circulated that Jewish extremists planned to carry out the ritual sacrifice of a goat on Temple Mount.

Not trusting Israeli police to prevent that, hundreds of Muslims barricaded themselves in al-Aqsa and stun grenades were used against them.

This year, Ramadan does not coincide with any major Jewish holiday.

Dr Imam Mustafa Abu Sway says people who come to al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan do so to pray, not inflame tensions

How this Ramadan plays out depends a lot on events in Gaza as well as the limitations imposed by Israel.

The far-right Israeli National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, did call for tight restrictions on Muslim Israeli citizens' access to al-Aqsa, saying this was to stop Hamas "celebrating victory" while Israeli hostages remained captive in Gaza.

However, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has now rejected the plan. He said that worshippers would be permitted to enter the mosque during the first week of Ramadan, as they have in the past, with the security situation re-evaluated each week.

It is not yet clear what numbers will be allowed to reach the site.

During the Gaza war, Israel has largely blocked Palestinians from the West Bank from entering Jerusalem. Typically, tens of thousands would pass through Israeli military checkpoints to attend Friday prayers during this sacred month.

The Israeli government spokesman, Eylon Levy, insisted that the right decisions would be made to safeguard freedom of worship.

"Ramadan is often an occasion when extremist elements try to whip up and inflame violence. We are working to deter that," he told the BBC.

"We will continue to facilitate access to the Temple Mount for worship as in previous years, make clear that is our policy and will, of course, work against anyone determined to disturb the peace."

Next to the gold-gilded Dome of the Rock, I met Dr Imam Mustafa Abu Sway, a member of the Islamic Waqf council, which administers al-Aqsa Mosque or Haram al-Sharif, which the compound is also known as.

"A few years ago, Israel allowed practically everyone who wanted to, to come from the West Bank and there wasn't one single incident," the scholar said.

"People do come to worship. They don't come to disturb the peace. If the Israeli police and security forces leave them alone, everything will, hopefully, be ok."

This year, even more than usual, the world will be scrutinising what happens in Jerusalem, to see if that is the case.
Two men have been indicted on federal charges for blowing up a womans home in Richmond Hill, Georgia, and allegedly hatching a strange plot to unleash a python on the home to eat the womans daughter.

Stephen Glosser and Caleb Kinsey are charged with creating a plan to kill, intimidate, harass, or injure their victim, who was identified by Bryan County Sheriff Mark Crowe as a woman who had a previous relationship with one of the two men.

Their plot against her allegedly involved shooting arrows at her door, sending dog poop and dead rats, scalping her and blowing up the home, according to a press release from the United States Attorneys Office in the Southern District of Georgia. They also allegedly plotted to release a large python into the victims home to eat the victims daughter.

On Jan. 13, police responded to an explosion at a home in Richmond Hill, but the woman and child were able to escape the house unharmed, according to WJCL.

The indictment alleges that Glosser researched and planned a route to the home, and then Kinsey ordered Tannerite online, which they used to build a bomb at Glossers home. Tannerite is used to create exploding targets for long range shooting practice, authorities allege.

Glosser and Kinsey are both charged with stalking, use of an explosive to commit another felony offense, conspiracy to use an explosive to commit a felony, and possession of an unregistered destructive device, and Kinsey is charged with two additional charges relating to the fraudulent purchase of a firearm.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Two MPs from Germanys ruling coalition, Marie-Agnes Straka-Zimmermann of the Free Democrats and Katrin Goring-Eckardt of the Greens, have spoken out against Pope Franciss statement that Ukraine should have the "courage of the white flag" and negotiate with Russia to end the war.

Source: German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA); European Pravda

Details: "Before the Ukrainian victims raise the white flag, the Pope should make loud and clear calls for the brutal Russian criminals to take down their pirate flag, the symbol of death and Satan," Straka-Zimmermann said in an interview with Funke Mediengruppe.

Straka-Zimmermann, who chairs the Bundestag defence committee, also noted that the Pope has failed to criticise Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.

"And why in the name of God does he not condemn the verbal incitements to kill Ukrainian people made by Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church and a former KGB agent?" Straka-Zimmermann asked.

She added that as a Catholic, she was embarrassed that the Pope had refrained from condemning Kirill.

Meanwhile, Goring-Eckardt said in an interview with RND that no one wants peace more than Ukraine does, adding that it is Russian President Vladimir Putin who can help achieve that.

"Putin is the one who could immediately stop this war and suffering, not Ukraine. Those demanding that Ukraine should just surrender are giving the aggressor what he took illegally and thus agreeing to the destruction of Ukraine," she said.

Background:

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba responded to Pope Franciss suggestion by saying that Ukraines flag is yellow and blue, not white.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski said in response to Pope Franciss statement that the Pope should ask Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw his occupation forces from Ukraine.

On 9 March, Reuters reported that Pope Francis said in an interview this February that Ukraine should have what he called "the courage of the white flag" and negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

The Vatican later clarified the Popes remarks, stressing that he was calling for a ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations, not for Ukraine to surrender, and emphasising the Popes words that "Negotiation is never a surrender."

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said in response to the Popes comment that "one cannot surrender to evil".

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Robert Habeck, Germany's Vice-Chancellor and Economy Minister, takes a boat tour through the city and looks at the architecture of the buildings. Britta Pedersen/dpa

German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has called on lawmakers in the governing coalition to avoid a showdown on the vote brought by the opposition to supply Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

It does not make a good impression if the German parliament does not stand together here, Habeck told Welt TV channel. Habeck appealed that "we should use the days until the planned vote on Thursday wisely."

He said he hoped that by then there would be momentum to "quickly provide Ukraine with further military support."

Ukraine has been fending off a full-scale Russian invasion for over two years with Western help.

But German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly ruled out the supply of Taurus missiles to Ukraine, despite repeated requests by Kiev, arguing that he fears Germany could be drawn more deeply into the war launched by the Kremlin in February 2022.

Germany's main conservative opposition, which consists of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU), is set to table a motion in the Bundestag calling on the government to send Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Habeck was relaxed about possible dissenters from the coalition of three parties, namely the Social Democrats, Greens and FDP. "We have always had a few dissenting voices in various votes. The coalition is coping well with this," he said.

There are indications that some members of the FDP and Green Party might support the opposition's vote.

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, who chairs the defence committee and is a member of the FDP, agreed to a similar motion brought by the opposition a fortnight ago and has said she would do the same this time.
ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) is a great oil company. It has delivered peer-leading growth across several key metrics over the past several years. It also has the longest dividend-growth streak in the oil patch at 41 consecutive years.

However, ExxonMobil might not be the best energy stock for all investors. Chevron (NYSE: CVX), Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD), and Enbridge (NYSE: ENB) stand out to a few Fool.com contributors as potentially better investment opportunities. Here's why investors looking at ExxonMobil should also consider these energy stocks.

Chevron has a higher yield and lower leverage

Reuben Gregg Brewer (Chevron): ExxonMobil, with a market cap of nearly $420 billion, is a much larger company than Chevron, which has a market cap a touch below $280 billion. So if you want the 800-pound gorilla in the energy sector you should buy ExxonMobil. But after that one data point, ExxonMobil and Chevron are very similar integrated energy companies. Chevron, meanwhile, has a couple of key stats that might tip the scale in its direction.

CVX Debt to Equity Ratio Chart

First off, Chevron's debt-to-equity ratio is 0.12 times versus ExxonMobil's 0.18 times. Chevron's lower leverage is a trend that has been in place for a number of years at this point but winds up being important because of the cyclical nature of the oil patch. When oil prices fall, Chevron and ExxonMobil both lean on their balance sheets to support their businesses and continue to pay their dividend. Chevron simply has more leeway on that front today.

And then there's the dividend. Yes, ExxonMobil's 41-year streak of annual increases is better than the 36 years Chevron has put up, but both are still impressive shows of dividend commitment. They really stand toe-to-toe on this factor. But Chevron's dividend yield is 4.3% today compared to ExxonMobil's 3.6%. That makes Chevron a much more attractive dividend stock.

If you are looking at ExxonMobil, Chevron is very similar and, perhaps, even better in two very important ways.

Story continues

A much bigger yield than ExxonMobil

Neha Chamaria (Enterprise Products Partners): Investors in energy often flock to ExxonMobil for two reasons: the oil giant's rock-solid dividend-growth streak, backed by steady cash flows and strong financials. After all, 41 years of consecutive annual dividend increases in a cyclical sector like energy is no joke.

Yet, while there's no denying that ExxonMobil has proven its mettle, there's another energy stock that looks promising for long-term investors: Enterprise Products Partners. Enterprise Products may not have a long dividend-growth track record like ExxonMobil, but it has raised its dividends every year for the past 25 consecutive years nonetheless, and the dividend yield is a solid 7.2%, or twice ExxonMobil's yield.

Importantly, its high yield is well-supported by cash flows, making Enterprise Products' dividends reliable. In 2023, for example, Enterprise Products generated enough distributable cash flows (DCF) to cover its dividends by 1.7 times. In fact, its DCF has consistently remained above 1.5 times since 2018. Operating in the midstream oil and gas space helps as Enterprise Products' cash flows tend to be more stable than ExxonMobil's given the largely contractual nature of its services.

XOM Cash from Operations (TTM) Chart

As for its financial fortitude, Enterprise Products has manageable debt and ample liquidity, and it boasts one of the highest credit ratings in the midstream energy space.

Like ExxonMobil, Enterprise Products has proven its mettle over the years, and with management committed to dividend growth while expanding the company's infrastructure, an investment in Enterprise Products stock should pay off in the long run.

A much, much lower-risk energy stock

Matt DiLallo (Enbridge): As an oil and gas producer, ExxonMobil is a price taker. It must sell its output at the going market rate, which could be high or low depending on market conditions. Because of that, its earnings can be very volatile. For example, while ExxonMobil earned $36 billion last year, that was about $20 billion less than it hauled in during 2022 when oil and gas prices were much higher.

Commodity prices don't matter much to Enbridge. The Canadian pipeline and utility company gets 98% of its earnings from stable, predictable cost-of-service arrangements and long-term contracts. It gets paid the same rate no matter the price of the oil and gas flowing through its massive pipeline systems. Enbridge also generates predictable earnings from operating natural gas utilities and renewable energy assets. Because of that, its cash flow has steadily grown (and achieved the company's annual guidance) despite significant market dislocations over the years:

Image source: Enbridge.

Enbridge's business model also gives it much more visibility into its earnings growth. The company expects its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) to rise by 7% to 9% annually through 2026 and grow at around a 5% annual rate after that. The company's stable revenue frameworks and growing backlog of expansion projects give it lots of visibility into future earnings growth.

They also drive Enbridge's view that it can continue increasing its 7.7%-yielding dividend, which it has raised for 29 straight years. That higher yield, along with its more predictable business model, makes Enbridge a much lower-risk way to invest in energy stocks.

Should you invest $1,000 in ExxonMobil right now?

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Matt DiLallo has positions in Chevron, Enbridge, and Enterprise Products Partners. Neha Chamaria has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in Enbridge. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chevron and Enbridge. The Motley Fool recommends Enterprise Products Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Looking at ExxonMobil? Consider These 3 Energy Stocks Instead was originally published by The Motley Fool
Germanys CDU/CSU, a centre-right Christian democratic political alliance of the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union, has opposed the UKs proposal to replace German-made Taurus missiles with UK-made Storm Shadows in order to be able to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons.

Source: DW; European Pravda

Details: Johann Wadephul, Deputy Head of CDU/CSU, told Rheinische Post that Ukraines allies had to do everything they could to prevent Ukraines defeat, including by supplying "the best weapons systems, and Taurus is one of those systems".

"No circular exchange can replace it in terms of range, accuracy and destructive power," Wadephul said.

Background:

Earlier, Friedrich Merz and Markus Soder, heads of the CDU and the CSU, respectively, called for supplying Taurus missile systems to Ukraine.

Anton Hofreiter, a member of the German Bundestag from the Green Party, has supported a UK proposal to swap German-made Taurus missiles for British Storm Shadows as a way of providing Ukraine with long-range weapons.

Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron suggested that Germany swap Taurus missiles for British Storm Shadows so that Ukraine can be provided with long-range weapons.

The German newspaper Handelsblatt reported on this proposal in January. However, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said at the time that he was unaware of any British proposal to exchange missiles.

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A police officer stands at the counter during a search of a gambling hall. Police, customs, the public order office and the tax investigation department jointly searched premises in Duisburg under suspicion of illegal gambling under the watchful eye of NRW Interior Minister Reul. -/dpa

German police and customs officers on Saturday night conducted a series of raids against what they termed "clan crime" in the western city of Duisburg.

Two arrests were made during raids at 23 locations, the police said. The focus was on commercial premises like tearooms, gambling halls, betting shops, restaurants, barbershops and shisha bars in the city area.

The term clan crime is controversial in Germany because, according to critics, it stigmatizes and discriminates against people with a migration background due to their family affiliation and origin.

Duisburg and other cities in the Ruhr industrial region have large immigrant populations.

According to a police statement, six businesses were closed, eight arrest warrants were executed and 16 criminal charges, 16 misdemeanour charges, 20 warnings and five driving bans were issued.

Officers seized narcotics, a telescopic baton and three illegal gambling devices, but the results of the operation evidently fell short of expectations.

"We need staying power in the fight against clan crime," said Herbert Reul, the interior minister of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. "We don't catch the big fish every time. But we are disruptive."

The latest raids showed that criminals "can never feel safe," Reul added.

Employees of the NRW tax investigation department stand by gambling machines during a search of a gambling hall. Police, customs, the public order office and the tax investigation department jointly searched premises in Duisburg under suspicion of illegal gambling under the watchful eye of NRW Interior Minister Reul. -/dpa

Employees of the NRW tax investigation department stand by gambling machines during a search of a gambling hall. Police, customs, the public order office and the tax investigation department jointly searched premises in Duisburg under suspicion of illegal gambling under the watchful eye of NRW Interior Minister Reul. -/dpa
A demonstrator holds up a placard reading "Trees instead of concrete, stop the expansion of the Giga Factory" during a demonstration against the Tesla expansion under the slogan "Tesla No Thanks!". Christophe Gateau/dpa

The police filed five criminal charges at an environmental demonstration against the massive expansion plans of US electric car maker Tesla near Berlin on Sunday, held days after saboteurs cut the power supply to the plant and surrounding area.

More than 1,000 people attended the rally organized by "Tesla den Hahn Abdrehen," which translates as "Turn off Tesla's Tap."

The security authorities took action against three people for wearing masks at the "Tesla No Thanks" demonstration, a police spokesman said in the evening.

One person was said to have shown the banned Hitler salute to a group of protesters.

The police were also investigating on suspicion of dangerous bodily harm, after initial findings suggested a man and his partner from the group of an environmental initiative were allegedly injured with a truncheon, the spokesman said.

Overall, however, the gatherings in Grunheide remained largely peaceful, despite large numbers coming to separate rallies held near the site.

Another rally was organized by local residents showing their solidarity with Tesla and supporting the project as part of the area's future development.

Police accompanied both events in the small town of Grunheide, which is located south-east of the German capital in an area known for its forests and lakes.

Production at the giant factory was halted on Tuesday after a suspected arson attack on the power supply by a left-wing extremist group. Authorities say electricity could still be days away from being restored.

"An attack on Tesla is an attack on us," said the organizers of the counter-rally. "The recent attacks are a threat to our values, our cohesion and our community."

The environmentalist protest organizers say they had no hand in the power failure, which also affected thousands of local residents.

On Sunday they wanted to demand that local leaders abide by the results of a non-binding referendum held last month.

Residents were asked to participate in a poll on Tesla's plans to expand the 300-hectare site by adding a freight depot, warehouses and a company kindergarten on an additional 170 hectares. A majority said they were against the expansion.

About 100 hectares of forest would have to be cleared to make room for the additions to the site. Activists, deploying a tactic frequently seen in Germany, have been camping out in tents and tree-houses in the forest.

These activists say they will not voluntarily leave the forest even though their permit for staying there expires on Friday.

A spokeswoman for the Stop Tesla (Tesla-stoppen) initiative made it clear that the protest would continue indefinitely. When asked whether they would co-operate in the event of an imminent eviction, she said: "We will stay until we are sure that the forest and the water will no longer be sold to Tesla."

Police said earlier they were keeping a close eye on the forest protesters.

Although their permit to protest expires on Friday, authorities said following last week's attack, the authorization would be reassessed.

Environmentalists also worry about the pressure the factory puts on the local water supply and the risk of contamination. Grunheide sits in the state of Brandenburg, one of Germany's driest regions.

Lou Winters, spokesperson for "Tesla den Hahn Abdrehen," said the left-wing group that has claimed the attack on the electricity grid was not among its participants.

The previously unknown Volcano Group declared that it was responsible for setting fire to an electricity pylon that served the Tesla factory, other businesses and residents. Federal prosecutors have taken over the investigation.

Tesla's European Gigafactory has proven divisive since before it even opened in March 2022. It employs around 12,000 people in an area that has been eager to attract investment, but there has also been apprehension surrounding Tesla's environmental and labour policies.

Tesla has rejected allegations of causing ecological damage and says it is moving forward with its expansion plans, despite the local opposition.

Meanwhile, grid operator Edis said on Sunday it is making progress with work to repair the electricity pylon set on fire in the recent attack. Two new high-voltage portals have been installed, the company said on its website.

Specialists were working continuously in shifts on the electricity pylon. According to Edis, progress was also being made with the underground cable systems despite the wet conditions.

Activists stand in a wooded area near the Tesla factory and set up a protest camp against Tesla's planned expansion outside Berlin. Christophe Gateau/dpa

A police car drives past a protest camp where hundreds of activists protest Tesla's planned expansion outside Berlin. Christophe Gateau/dpa
Robert Habeck, Germany's Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, hopes that the US Congress will unblock military aid to Ukraine.

Source: Robert Habeck, Germany's Vice Chancellor, quoted by Tagesschau, European Pravda reports

Quote: "My impression is that the funds will be allocated, but it will take some time, and I hope it will not be too long," Habeck said at the end of his visit to the US.

Habeck was in the US for a three-day visit.

During the visit, he met with several US secretaries, as well as Jake Sullivan, US President Biden's National Security Advisor, and Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General.

Recently, there have been reports that the US Congress may begin collecting signatures as early as this week to put a bill to help Ukraine and other partners to a vote in the House of Representatives, bypassing Speaker Mike Johnson.

Previously: Mike Johnson, Republican Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, scuttled a bipartisan package of support for Ukraine proposed by the Senate, but left the door open for a new bipartisan foreign aid package, with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul taking the lead in trying to finalise a new draft proposal and build consensus among his fellow party members to pass a package by the end of March or in April.

Johnson stated that the bill for supplementary funding for Ukraine will be considered as soon as the federal government's financing issues are resolved.

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Germany is naive and needs to wake up to the realities of war, the countrys former spy chief has said.

In an interview with The Telegraph, August Hanning, the former head of the BND, Germanys foreign intelligence service said: Germans need to wake up  Many havent realised that we are in a conflict with Russia  thats been underestimated.

People are shying away from the truth. Russia is in a conflict with Nato, and Germany is of course part of that conflict, Mr Hanning said, adding that the country had been shaped by a naive pacifism that had existed since the end of the Second World War.

People havent realised there is a serious danger  there is sympathy for Russia too, particularly in east Germany and among elements of the far-Left and the far-Right Alternative for Germany, factions of which call for an end to sanctions on Russia.

Speaking after Russian state media released a conversation between senior German military officers that revealed details of British troops on the ground in Ukraine, Mr Hanning said Germany needs to be more careful.

Supporters of a far-Right group in Germany protest outside a venue where Mr Scholz was speaking - Getty Images Europe

When you are a party to a conflict, you need to be prepared as you will possibly be a target, so you need to protect your communication. The German defence ministry said Moscow was able to access the conversation because one of the officers involved called from an insecure line from his hotel in Singapore.

Mr Hanning said that these security failures were unfortunately not uncommon.

When I was state secretary, politicians often had conversations on public lines that should have been secure.

The former spy chief warned that he expected much more to come after saying last week that the leak was the tip of the iceberg.

I led the BND for a long time. We would have never gone public with our sources of information unless we had a political goal. The leak was definitely a political success (for Russia). There is mistrust now around Germany from other Nato states, so the Russians achieved their goals.

Germanys security failings went beyond communications, the retired intelligence chief said. We were naive  we got rid of compulsory military service, the army isnt particularly respected in society. Intelligence services arent respected. All organs that keep us safe arent respected enough. That has effects.

Mr Canning complained that German intelligence agencies were constrained by excessive bureaucracy.

The importance of the intelligence services is often underestimated in Germany. People are sceptical of them because of our history and that leads to a lot of political control.

Olaf Scholz meets German troops. The country's defence funding still falls below the Nato spending target - RONALD WITTEK/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Mr Hanning described Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Zeitenwende speech in February 2022 as a wake-up call to show that Europe had a completely different security situation, which was followed by an increase in funding for defence.

Russias attack dramatically changed Europes security. Society is starting to wake up, but there are many people who havent woken up yet.

The funding boost that followed the speech gave Germanys army one of the highest military budgets in Europe in absolute terms, though it is still forecast to be shy of the 2 per cent of GDP target which is technically required of Nato members.

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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks at a press conference with her British counterpart David Cameron (Not Pictured) during the second German-British Strategy Dialogue at the Foreign Ministry. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is open to the British foreign secretary's proposal for the countries to swap cruise missiles so that Ukraine can be provided with more sophisticated long-range weapons.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron's suggestion is "an option" worth considering, Baerbock said in an interview on German broadcaster ARD on Sunday evening.

In an interview with the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, Cameron had expressed his intention to "work as closely as possible with our German partners to help Ukraine."

Under Cameron's proposal, Berlin could supply Taurus missiles to Britain, and in turn, the British government would provide Ukraine with additional long-range Storm Shadow missiles from UK stocks.

Berlin is reluctant to provide Kiev with its advanced Taurus missiles, which are less visible to detection and capable of hitting targets 500 kilometres away.

Despite pleas from Kiev, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been blocking the delivery of the missiles out of concern they could be used to strike targets within Russia itself and further escalate the conflict.

Germany used this indirect method - what Berlin calls "ring swaps" - earlier in the war with regard to arming Ukraine with more tanks. Berlin then later decided to directly send battle tanks to Ukraine.

Scholz is under pressure within his coalition to reverse his stance on the Taurus. Baerbock has said for months she supported sending the missiles to Kiev.
By Lewis Jackson

SYDNEY (Reuters) - China will complete a review into years-long tariffs on Australian wine by the end of March and is also reviewing its restrictions on lobster imports, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said on Sunday.

Farrell said he was hopeful China would lift the tariffs of up to 218% on Australian wine, first introduced in 2021, once the review finished and that good progress was also being made in relation to the unofficial restrictions on lobster imports.

"That process [wine] is coming to an end now and by the end of March that process will be completed," he said on Sky News on Sunday. "The Chinese trade minister confirmed that to me the week before last."

However, Farrell said Australia would not hesitate to resume a World Trade Organisation suit against the tariffs if China did not remove them after the review, which Beijing began last year.

China has been steadily lifting trade barriers put in place from late 2020 on a range of commodities including barley, wine, coal and lobsters. The restrictions were part of an escalating spat over foreign investment and security that boiled over when Australia called for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19.

The wine tariffs and unofficial restrictions on lobster imports are among the few barriers left in place.

Farrell said the Chinese trade minister had also told him that a review into the lobster restrictions was also underway.

"As far as lobster is concerned ... I got an understanding from the Chinese authorities that they are reviewing the issue of our lobster coming into China," he said

"Everything is heading in the right direction."

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
This article was originally published in Arizona Mirror.

A Republican state senator wants to give students at Arizonas public universities a new way to challenge grades that they believe were handed down due to a professors political bias.

Sen. Anthony Kern, of Glendale, who has previously described himself as not a university guy, has taken aim this year at the Arizona Board of Regents and the three public universities that they govern for what he says is discrimination against conservative students and speakers.

The Board of Regents governs University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University.

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Kerns Senate Bill 1477 would create a grade challenge department within the Board of Regents at all three universities, which would hear challenges from public university students regarding grades received in any class or on any assignment if a student alleges a grade was awarded because of political bias.

The departments would be staffed by volunteers chosen by the Board of Regents.

If a challenge department concluded that political bias influenced a students grade, it could require the professor who awarded it to regrade the assignment or reevaluate the students grade for the class in alignment with the departments findings.

If a student believed that the department wrongly dismissed their grade challenge, the student could appeal the decision to ABOR, though the legislation doesnt require that the regents actually consider any appeals.

A lot of students that I met with at ASU, they do not feel that they can debate issues according to their politics or according to what they believe, because theyre afraid their grades are going to be lowered, and this is trying to help those, Kern said before voting in favor of the bill on Feb. 22.

The bill passed through the Senate that day by a vote of 16-12, with only Republicans voting in favor.

Kern acknowledged that ABOR already has its own process for students to challenge their grades, but said he criticized it as inadequate. He added that he doesnt believe that the Board of Regents is necessary at all.

He said he believes the bill would make students more comfortable speaking on issues that they should be able to speak on.

During a House Education Committee meeting on Tuesday, Thomas Adkins, a lobbyist for the Board of Regents, told lawmakers that the board opposed the measure for several reasons.

Echoing Kern, Adkins pointed out that the universities already have a grade appeal and academic grievance processes that allow students to contest their grades. The legislation would circumvent and undermine that process, he said.

Currently, the process starts with an informal conversation between the student and instructor, and can escalate to the dean and progress to a review by an academic committee.

Secondly, the bill would create what Adkins said is an unfunded burden on the regents to create and oversee the new departments at each campus, requiring them to open satellite offices there. He said that ABOR only has 40 employees and that taking on oversight of these departments would put a strain on them.

Last summer, Kern co-chaired a legislative committee to investigate free expression at Arizonas public universities. The committee was formed shortly after ASU administrator Ann Atkinson claimed that she was fired from the university for bringing controversial far-right speakers to the campus for an event.

The university denied Atkinsons claims, saying that she was let go because the organization that sponsored her position pulled its funding. In an investigation that was ordered by Arizona lawmakers, ASU determined that claims of censorship of conservative ideas and the chilling of free speech were unfounded.

The event for which Atkinson claimed she was fired wasnt canceled, and far-right speakers like Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, and Dennis Prager, a conservative radio talk show host and writer, both spoke at the event.

Referencing students who spoke to the committee, Tucson Republican Rep. Rachel Jones told Adkins that conservative students on campus were feeling silenced.

Some of these students are feeling the need to lie about their political beliefs so that they get good grades, she said.

Adkins said it wasnt a stretch to say the Board of Regents shares some of her concerns, but that its members believe that disagreements over grades can be resolved by making some changes to the existing processes instead of completely replacing them.

The bill passed out of the House Education Committee by a vote of 4-3, along party lines. Next, it will head to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

Arizona Mirror is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jim Small for questions: info@azmirror.com. Follow Arizona Mirror on Facebook and Twitter.
Republican Mark Robinson is facing growing scrutiny over his history of controversial comments as he looks to flip the North Carolina governors mansion.

Robinson, an ally of former President Trump who serves as the states lieutenant governor, won the GOP nomination this week and is headed for a showdown with Democrat Josh Stein in November. If elected, hed be the first Black governor in state history.

Now that hes under a bigger spotlight, however, Robinsons past remarks on topics ranging from LGBTQ issues to civil rights and slavery to womens issues are drawing fresh criticism and even raising worries among some Republicans that his divisive persona could cost them a winnable race.

Democrats have been given the greatest messenger against Mark Robinson, and thats Mark Robinson, said Paul Shumaker, a North Carolina Republican strategist, who worked on Robinsons primary opponents campaign.

Democrats, for their part, believe Robinson could turn off enough state voters with his words that it could propel Stein to victory as North Carolinas first Jewish governor.

Mark Robinson is an in-state mirror to Donald Trump, said Jess Jollett, executive director of Progress North Carolina. We are going to work everyday to make it very clear to voters that the choice is stark.

Robinson rose to prominence in 2018, after giving a speech in defense of the Second Amendment. In his speech, Robinson claimed that law-abiding gun owners are the first ones taxed and the last ones considered and the first ones punished when mass shootings happen.

His speech went viral, and soon after, in 2019, he began his campaign for lieutenant governor. He won that campaign, becoming the states first Black lieutenant governor.

Robinson has repeatedly flirted with conspiracy theories on the campaign trail, including that Trump won the 2020 election.

Hes also said in a video unearthed by HuffPost that he wishes he could return to a time before women had the right to vote, though Robinsons defenders say those remarks were taken out of context.

While Robinson did say I absolutely want to go back to the America where woman couldnt vote, he went on to say, Do you want to know why? Because in those days, we had people who fought for real social change, and they were called Republicans. And they are the reason why women can vote today.

Trump formally backed Robinson at a rally in Greensboro earlier this week, referring to him as Martin Luther King on steroids.

I think youre better than Martin Luther King. I think you are Martin Luther King times two, the former president said.

But its not clear Robinson will do well with Black voters.

Since launching his bid for the governorship, Robinson has described Black voters who vote for Democrats as slaves and claimed that so many freedoms were lost during the Civil Rights Movement.

Black folks dont respond to those types of comments, said Cliff Albright, co-founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter.

Folks get highly insulted and highly motivated, even when its a Black person making those comments, he added.

In a statement released to The Hill on Monday, Robinsons campaign said Democrats are using the race to distract voters from what it said were the partys failures.

Joe Biden, Josh Stein and the Democrats are so desperate to distract the voters from their massive failures like unchecked illegal immigration, crippling inflation, and more that theyre relentlessly churning out lies to smear Mark Robinson instead of talking about the real issues of this campaign, said Mike Lonergan, a spokesman for Robinsons gubernatorial campaign.

Democrats recent dirty tricks include recruiting one of their deep-pocketed donors and a long-time supporter of Josh Stein to make a low-rent website full of fake clips and outrageous lies; or pushing another pack of lies from far-left HuffPost that was debunked by media outlets & fact-checkers, he continued. North Carolina voters are tired of this nonsense and will see right through it when they reject the failed agenda of career politicians like Joe Biden and Josh Stein and elect Mark Robinson governor in November.

Of the states 7.4 million registered voters, 34 percent are Democrats, according to 2022 data from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Seventy-six percent of Black voters are registered Democrats.

Despite Robinsons identity as a Black man, Albright doesnt think hell do well with Black voters. He points to the disappointment Black voters seem to be expressing with Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who suspended a bid for the White House last year and has since been campaigning for Trump.

Tim Scott hasnt been thought of as somebody that was as extreme and controversial as Robinson is, and Tim Scott doesnt get significant Black votes, said Albright. Im very confident that Black folks are really going to be setting their targets on Robinson and really showing how much he does not speak for us.

Black voter turnout in North Carolina in 2022 was lower than previous years, with only 41.8 percent of Black voters casting their ballots, according to data from the State Board of Elections. But 92 percent of Black voters supported Gov. Roy Cooper (D) in 2020, according to exit polling from CNN.

Trump will be a big factor in the race, and Democrats plan to tie Robinson and Trump together.

While Democrats havent won a presidential election in the state since then-Sen. Barack Obamas victory in 2008, President Bidens campaign is hopeful of turning the state fro red to blue.

Women in North Carolina will be targeted by both parties, and Democrats and some Republicans see Robinson as potentially vulnerable.

In addition to his comments on voting rights for women, Robinson is a stanch anti-abortion advocate.

According to a Carolina Forward/Change Research poll released last year, 53 percent of North Carolina women said they were strongly opposed to a proposed 12-week ban on the procedure in the state.

Suburban women will be a valuable demographic for both sides. GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney in 2012 won back North Carolina from Obama, partly by winning over suburban voters in Wake and Mecklenburg counties, which make up the greater Raleigh and Charlotte areas, respectively.

Trump failed to win those counties in 2016 and 2020 but still managed to win the state.

You cannot win North Carolina without white female voters, and given his rhetoric about women, I see no path for him winning a majority of white female voters, Shumaker said.

The Biden campaign sees Donald Trumps embracing of Mark Robinson as a way for them to capture the female vote in North Carolina, he said.

Not all Republicans are so sure Robinsons nomination translates into defeat for their party.

That is way too early to say, said Doug Heye, a veteran GOP strategist. So often we like to declare eight months in advance precisely whats going to happen, without really knowing.

Weve got to go through this process, he continued. And the reality is also, he can win. And that sort of gets ignored.

Heye pointed to Robinsons strategy of trying to appeal to the states blue-collar voters that Trump successfully appealed to and Robinsons talent as a passionate speaker who connects well with audiences.

[Robinsons] rhetoric gets him in trouble frequently, he said. Thats one of the things that the campaign is going to have to deal with.

And that fiery rhetoric remains a cause for concern for Republicans such as Shumaker, who recounted predicting last month that Robinson would win the GOP primary and telling Morgan Jackson, a consultant for Steins campaign, that it would help his Democratic client.

I said, Morgan Jackson gets a gift on March the 5th, and his name is Mark Robinson,' Shumaker said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A fire broke out at an oil depot in Russia's Kursk Oblast after a Ukrainian drone was shot down over its grounds, Roman Starovoit, the region's governor, claimed on March 10.

Starovoit did not include any information pertaining to casualties or damage to the oil depot.

"Air defense is at work in Kursk. A Ukrainian drone fell and caught fire on the grounds of an oil depot. Fire brigades and emergency services are working at the scene of the incident," Starovoit wrote on his official Telegram channel at 7:22 a.m. local time.

Meanwhile, Russian Telegram channel SHOT claimed that a 3,000-ton tank was damaged at the oil depot in Kursk and that a "powerful fire" also broke out at an oil pipeline in the village of Lykhma in Russia Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. According to local residents, the fire was "visible several kilometers away from the scene."

The Kyiv Independent is not able to verify this information.

There have been multiple reports of oil depots catching fire or railways being sabotaged across Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The U.K. Defense Ministry reported last May that repeated attacks on Russian fuel networks "likely force readjustments" to the Russian military's refueling operations.

Read also: This Week in Ukraine Ep. 5  Everything we know about Ukrainian attacks inside Russia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
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Do you ever wonder how much more, or less, youd pay for utilities if you lived in a different state?

Find Out: A $150K Income Is Lower Middle Class In These High-Cost Cities

For You: Owe Money to the IRS? Most People Dont Realize They Should Do This One Thing

To find out what utility expenses look like nationwide, GOBankingRates analyzed average monthly utility costs using DOXOs State by State Bill Pay 2023 market report for each U.S. state. Additional data sourced included the average annual utility costs, the percentage more than the national average utility cost for each state and how much more money utilities cost compared to the national average.

In alphabetical order, read on to see what the cost of utilities looks like in every state.

Michael Warren / Getty Images

Alabama

Average monthly utility costs: $387

Average annual utility costs: $4,644

How much more (%) than national average: 10.26%

How much more ($) than national average: 40%

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Read Next: How Much Household Income Will Be Considered Upper Middle Class in 5 Years?

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Rocky Grimes / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Alaska

Average monthly utility costs: $424

Average annual utility costs: $5,088

How much more (%) than national average: 20.80%

How much more ($) than national average: $876

Trending Now: 7 Things the Middle Class Wont Be Able To Afford in the Next 5 Years

Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arizona

Average monthly utility costs: $357

Average annual utility costs: $4,284

How much more (%) than national average: 1.71%

How much more ($) than national average: $72

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arkansas

Average monthly utility costs: $315

Average annual utility costs: $3,780

How much more (%) than national average: -10.26%

How much more ($) than national average: -$432

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

California

Average monthly utility costs: $368

Average annual utility costs: $4,416

How much more (%) than national average: 4.84%

How much more ($) than national average: $204

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Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Colorado

Average monthly utility costs: $322

Average annual utility costs: $3,864

How much more (%) than national average: -8.26%

How much more ($) than national average: -$348

Try This: 7 Ways the Upper Middle Class Can Become Rich in 2024

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Connecticut

Average monthly utility costs: $463

Average annual utility costs: $5,556

How much more (%) than national average: 31.91%

How much more ($) than national average: $1,344

pabradyphoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Delaware

Average monthly utility costs: $313

Average annual utility costs: $3,756

How much more (%) than national average: -10.83%

How much more ($) than national average: -$456

Kruck20 / iStock.com

Florida

Average monthly utility costs: $335

Average annual utility costs: $4,020

How much more (%) than national average: -4.56%

How much more ($) than national average: -$192

ferrantraite / iStock.com

Georgia

Average monthly utility costs: $286

Average annual utility costs: $3,432

How much more (%) than national average: -18.52%

How much more ($) than national average: -$178

Check Out: How Far a $100,000 Salary Goes in Americas 50 Largest Cities

Art Wager / Getty Images

Hawaii

Average monthly utility costs: $633

Average annual utility costs: $7,596

How much more (%) than national average: 80.34%

How much more ($) than national average: $3,384

Jennifer_Sharp / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Idaho

Average monthly utility costs: $321

Average annual utility costs: $3,852

How much more (%) than national average: -8.55%

How much more ($) than national average: -$360

Pgiam / Getty Images

Illinois

Average monthly utility costs: $340

Average annual utility costs: $4,080

How much more (%) than national average: -3.13%

How much more ($) than national average: -$132

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Indiana

Average monthly utility costs: $300

Average annual utility costs: $3,600

How much more (%) than national average: -14.53%

How much more ($) than national average: -$612

Learn More: What Income Level Is Considered Middle Class in Your State?

pabradyphoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Iowa

Average monthly utility costs: $331

Average annual utility costs: $3,972

How much more (%) than national average: -5.70%

How much more ($) than national average: -$240

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kansas

Average monthly utility costs: $361

Average annual utility costs: $4,332

How much more (%) than national average: 2.85%

How much more ($) than national average: $120

hstiver / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kentucky

Average monthly utility costs: $351

Average annual utility costs: $4,212

How much more (%) than national average: 0.00%

How much more ($) than national average: $0

Larry Gibson / iStock.com

Louisiana

Average monthly utility costs: $310

Average annual utility costs: $3,720

How much more (%) than national average: -11.68%

How much more ($) than national average: -$492

Find Out: Net Worth for Baby Boomers: How To Tell Whether Youre Poor, Middle Class, Upper Middle Class or Rich

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Maine

Average monthly utility costs: $500

Average annual utility costs: $6,000

How much more (%) than national average: 42.45%

How much more ($) than national average: $1,788

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Maryland

Average monthly utility costs: $394

Average annual utility costs: $4,728

How much more (%) than national average: 12.25%

How much more ($) than national average: $516

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Massachusetts

Average monthly utility costs: $404

Average annual utility costs: $4,848

How much more (%) than national average: 15.10%

How much more ($) than national average: $636

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Michigan

Average monthly utility costs: $320

Average annual utility costs: $3,840

How much more (%) than national average: -8.83%

How much more ($) than national average: -$372

Discover More: Heres What the US Minimum Wage Was the Year You Were Born

jimkruger / Getty Images

Minnesota

Average monthly utility costs: $294

Average annual utility costs: $3,528

How much more (%) than national average: -16.24%

How much more ($) than national average: -$684

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Mississippi

Average monthly utility costs: $255

Average annual utility costs: $3,060

How much more (%) than national average: -27.35%

How much more ($) than national average: -$1,152

Tory Garcia / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Missouri

Average monthly utility costs: $284

Average annual utility costs: $3,408

How much more (%) than national average: -19.09%

How much more ($) than national average: -$804

Lightguard / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Montana

Average monthly utility costs: $352

Average annual utility costs: $4,224

How much more (%) than national average: 0.28%

How much more ($) than national average: $12

For You: Average Cost of Groceries Per Month: How Much Should You Be Spending?

MidwestWilderness / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Nebraska

Average monthly utility costs: $331

Average annual utility costs: $3,972

How much more (%) than national average: -5.70%

How much more ($) than national average: -$240

lucky-photographer / Getty Images

Nevada

Average monthly utility costs: $290

Average annual utility costs: $3,480

How much more (%) than national average: -17.38%

How much more ($) than national average: -$732

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

New Hampshire

Average monthly utility costs: $386

Average annual utility costs: $4,632

How much more (%) than national average: 9.97%

How much more ($) than national average: $420

Ultima_Gaina / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New Jersey

Average monthly utility costs: $467

Average annual utility costs: $5,604

How much more (%) than national average: 33.05%

How much more ($) than national average: $1,392

Read Next: 5 Unnecessary Bills You Should Stop Paying in 2024

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New Mexico

Average monthly utility costs: $357

Average annual utility costs: $4,284

How much more (%) than national average: 1.71%

How much more ($) than national average: $72

OlegAlbinsky / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New York

Average monthly utility costs: $384

Average annual utility costs: $4,608

How much more (%) than national average: 9.40%

How much more ($) than national average: $396

Kruck20 / iStock.com

North Carolina

Average monthly utility costs: $282

Average annual utility costs: $3,384

How much more (%) than national average: -19.66%

How much more ($) than national average: -$828

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

North Dakota

Average monthly utility costs: $344

Average annual utility costs: $4,128

How much more (%) than national average: -1.99%

How much more ($) than national average: -$84

Try This: 6 Things Minimalists Never Buy  and You Shouldnt Either

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Ohio

Average monthly utility costs: $369

Average annual utility costs: $4,428

How much more (%) than national average: 5.13%

How much more ($) than national average: $216

Davel5957 / Getty Images

Oklahoma

Average monthly utility costs: $348

Average annual utility costs: $4,176

How much more (%) than national average: -0.85%

How much more ($) than national average: -$36

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Oregon

Average monthly utility costs: $363

Average annual utility costs: $4,356

How much more (%) than national average: 3.42%

How much more ($) than national average: $144

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Pennsylvania

Average monthly utility costs: $336

Average annual utility costs: $4,032

How much more (%) than national average: -4.27%

How much more ($) than national average: -$180

Learn More: 10 Expenses Most Likely To Drain Your Checking Account Each Month

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Rhode Island

Average monthly utility costs: $360

Average annual utility costs: $4,320

How much more (%) than national average: 2.56%

How much more ($) than national average: $108

Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

South Carolina

Average monthly utility costs: $298

Average annual utility costs: $3,576

How much more (%) than national average: -15.10%

How much more ($) than national average: -$636

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

South Dakota

Average monthly utility costs: $278

Average annual utility costs: $3,336

How much more (%) than national average: -20.80%

How much more ($) than national average: -$876

Jonathan Ross / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Tennessee

Average monthly utility costs: $294

Average annual utility costs: $3,528

How much more (%) than national average: -16.24%

How much more ($) than national average: -$684

Check Out: 5 Types of Homes That Will Plummet in Value in 2024

RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

Texas

Average monthly utility costs: $296

Average annual utility costs: $3,552

How much more (%) than national average: -15.67%

How much more ($) than national average: -$660

f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Utah

Average monthly utility costs: $293

Average annual utility costs: $3,516

How much more (%) than national average: -16.52%

How much more ($) than national average: -$696

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Vermont

Average monthly utility costs: $428

Average annual utility costs: $5,136

How much more (%) than national average: 21.94%

How much more ($) than national average: $924

ferrantraite / Getty Images

Virginia

Average monthly utility costs: $334

Average annual utility costs: $4,008

How much more (%) than national average: -4.84%

How much more ($) than national average: -$204

Trending Now: How Much Money Do Americans Have in Their Bank Accounts in 2024?

benedek / iStock.com

Washington

Average monthly utility costs: $389

Average annual utility costs: $4,668

How much more (%) than national average: 10.83%

How much more ($) than national average: $456

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

West Virginia

Average monthly utility costs: $315

Average annual utility costs: $3,780

How much more (%) than national average: -10.26%

How much more ($) than national average: -$432

Jon Mattrisch / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Wisconsin

Average monthly utility costs: $356

Average annual utility costs: $4,272

How much more (%) than national average: 1.42%

How much more ($) than national average: $60

stockphoto52 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Wyoming

Average monthly utility costs: $324

Average annual utility costs: $3,888

How much more (%) than national average: -7.69%

How much more ($) than national average: $324

Heather Taylor contributed to the reporting for this piece.

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed costs from each state across a variety of utilities including mortgage, rent, auto loan, utilities, auto insurance, mobile phone, cable and satellite, health insurance, alarm and security and life insurance. The total average bill costs per month, percentage above or below national average cost, and percentage of household income was also sourced. All the data points were sourced from DOXOs State by State Bill Pay 2023 market report. All data was collected and is up to date as of March 6, 2024.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Heres What Utilities Cost in Every State
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) denied Sunday that former President Trump is calling the shots in the Senate after a bipartisan deal on the border collapsed because the former president didnt support it.

NBCs Kristen Welker asked Graham on Meet the Press to respond to comments made by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) who said lawmakers should just not even exist as a Senate then if we have to ask permission from Donald Trump for everything we do. Lets just do our work. Welker then pressed Graham on whether Trump was calling the shots in the Senate.

No. I mean, Ive voted against things that, you know, he doesnt like. The point is, to Lisa: Would you support the idea that our ally should pay us back, if they can, when were $34 trillion in debt? This is America first in action. Its not isolationism, but it is considering the needs of the American people, Graham said, referencing aid to Ukraine.

I hope to be going to Ukraine soon, and I hope to be able to tell them the aid is coming. It will be in the form of a loan. Pay us back, if you can. I want Russia to know: If you think Ukraine is going to be out of this fight, youre dead wrong, he said.

Graham said he supports giving aid to Ukraine if the U.S. makes it a a waivable, no-interest loan  a proposal that Welker noted Trump recently put forward. Grahams comments also come weeks after Senate Republicans torpedoed a bipartisan deal that included border security measures after the former president urged lawmakers to oppose it.

Graham also confirmed that Trump will be reaching out to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) about the idea of a potential loan for Ukraine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Last fall, a 35-year-old man went before a Madison County judge for a detention hearing on two counts of criminal sexual assault in connection with the rape of a teenage girl in 2022 in a Pontoon Beach motel room.

Christopher E. Stevenson of Granite City was released from jail with the stipulation that he wear an electronic monitor.

Stevenson has been arrested again and faces two additional counts of criminal sexual assault in connection with an assault against a 19-year-old woman on Wednesday in Granite City. The victim is related by marriage and had been staying in his home, according to court records.

The Madison County States Attorneys Office opposed the release of Stevenson in the fall and has now filed a petition to revoke Stevensons pretrial release granted in November.

Stevenson, who was being held in the Madison County Jail Saturday, will have a detention hearing on Monday afternoon before Madison County Judge Ryan Jumper, who conducted the detention hearing for Stevenson in November.

Court records indicate Stevenson will be provided a public defender but an attorney has not yet been assigned to him.

Illinois ended the cash bail system on Sept. 18. Judges now conduct detention hearings to determine whether a person charged with a serious offense should remain in jail before their trial.

Stevenson has tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the latest pretrial detention petition filed by the States Attorneys Office.

The petition also notes that Stevenson should remain in jail until his trial because he has the pending sexual assault charges from the 2022 assault.

In the 2022 case, prosecutors allege a then-13-year-old girl was assaulted in a Pontoon Beach motel room.

The petition to deny pretrial release for Stevenson on the latest charge alleges he carried the victim into the motel bathroom and assaulted her as she told him to stop.

The Pontoon Beach Police Department obtained a sample of Stevensons DNA, and laboratory results showed that his DNA was found as part of a sexual assault forensic exam performed on the victim, the petition alleges.
Conservation projects could receive up to 3,000

People and groups in the Channel Islands could receive up to 3,000 to fund conservation projects.

Entries for the 2024 Insurance Corporation Conservation Awards are now open, the frim has announced.

Launched nearly 30 years ago, it targets those "engaged in environmental or nature conservation".

Michelle Steele, from the Insurance Corporation, said it was open to entrants from Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

She added: "There are countless individuals of all ages tirelessly working to protect and enhance our natural environment, and we would encourage them to apply for the opportunity to secure additional funding for their projects."

Entries are welcomed from projects of any scale, and applicants can apply for multiple awards, the firm said.

Submissions were also encouraged from all sectors, including established organisations, schools, youth groups, and young achievers.

The awards feature three distinct categories: Best Conservation Project, Schools and Youth Groups Green Award, and Young Conservationist of the Year.

All entries are eligible for public voting in The Peter Walpole People's Choice category.

Entries close on 26 April, with more information available online.

Follow BBC Guernsey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Follow BBC Jersey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.
Poland's largest opposition party, Prawo i Sprawiedliwosc (PiS or Law and Justice), will organise a protest in the country's capital, Warsaw, on 18 May.

Source: Polish news channel Polsat News, citing PiS party leader Jarosaw Kaczynski at a meeting with supporters

Quote: "We have planned a big march in Warsaw on 18 May".

Details: Kaczynski stressed that the demonstration seeks to put pressure on the parliamentary coalition to pass a bill proposed by the protesting farmers.

The initiative includes an embargo on agricultural products from Ukraine and the termination of the EU's Green Deal environmental strategy for Polish agriculture.

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Attendees at a Johnson County Republican Party event Friday physically attacked an effigy of President Joe Biden, according to photos and video posted to social media, prompting the state partys former chair to call for the resignation of its current leaders.

Video posted to the right-wing video sharing site Rumble shows several people at Fridays Grand Ol Party event punching, kicking and using a bat against a mannequin wearing a Biden mask.

The effigy was part of a county party fundraiser at the Overland Park Convention Center that featured the musician Ted Nugent and former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline.

This booth was hosted by a Karate school to promote their self defense class, Maria Holiday, the chairwoman of the Johnson County Republican Party, said in an email.

The images prompted swift condemnation from Republicans and Democrats in Kansas who denounced it as an example of political violence.

Former Kansas GOP chairman Mike Kuckelman called on Holiday as well as Kansas Republican Party Chairman Mike Brown and Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden, who he said attended the event, to resign.

Ive been a Republican my entire life and I am disturbed that anyone would think this was acceptable conduct, Kuckelman said. As a Republican we were all very upset, disappointed, angry, apple when they did that to President Trump, and we cant have a double standard.

Hayden did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the event. Holiday said Kuckelmans Facebook post on the event was full of inaccuracies but did not provide details.

In an email Brown said he was not at the event.

Across the political aisle Kansas Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, called on Republicans in the Legislature to publicly condemn the behavior.

Political violence of any kind is vile and wrong, and we cannot afford to brush it under the rug when others encourage it, Sykes said. The focus now has to be on Republican leadership of the Kansas Senate and House.

If my colleagues in the Legislature agree that this conduct is shameful and dangerous, they cannot turn a blind eye to this behavior, she said. Their silence is consent.
The United States says it has airlifted non-essential embassy staff from Haiti, as the country spirals further into gang violence.

The Americans have also boosted security at their mission in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

It follows attacks by gangs on the airport, police stations and prisons this week. They are pushing for Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry's removal.

A three-day state of emergency has been extended by a month.

"Heightened gang violence in the neighbourhood near US embassy compounds and near the airport led to the State Department's decision to arrange for the departure of additional embassy personnel," the embassy posted on social media.

It added that the embassy will remain open.

The pre-dawn operation appeared to be conducted by helicopter, the AFP news agency reports, citing nearby residents who described hearing the sounds of aircraft blades overhead.

On Sunday, Germany's ambassador to Haiti also left, travelling to the Dominican Republic, along with other EU representatives, the German foreign ministry told AFP.

It comes as the situation in Haiti has deteriorated.

The country's main port said it was suspending operations on Thursday due to sabotage and vandalism.

Gangs in the violence-wracked city stepped up their attacks when Mr Henry left for a regional summit last week.

Mr Henry attempted to fly back to Port-au-Prince on Tuesday but ended up in the US territory of Puerto Rico instead.

He could not land in the Haitian capital because its international airport was closed as soldiers repelled attempts by gunmen to seize it.

Civil aviation authorities in the neighbouring Dominican Republic also turned the prime minister's plane away, saying that they had not been provided with the necessary flight plan.

Mr Henry has not given any public statements since he visited Kenya, where he met President William Ruto to salvage a deal for the east African country to lead a multi-national force to help restore order in Haiti.

The two leaders signed a reciprocal agreement which paves the way for 2,000 Kenyan police officers to be sent to Haiti but a Kenyan opposition politician says he will challenge the deal in court.

On Saturday, the US State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with the Kenyan president about the Haiti crisis and the two men underscored their commitment to a multinational security mission to restore order.

Gangs in Port-au-Prince have taken advantage of the prime minister's absence to unleash a series of co-ordinated attacks.

Among their targets was the airport - which they want to control to prevent Mr Henry from flying back in - and two prisons, from which they freed thousands of inmates.

At least six police officers have been killed while the National Police Academy has been destroyed.

The bodies of several prisoners were also left lying on the streets after the storming of the national penitentiary.

The violence has caused Haiti's humanitarian crisis to deteriorate even further.

Gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier has been holding news conferences as his G9 gang alliance has attacked key buildings

The gangs have not said what their aim is beyond the ouster of Mr Henry.

Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, a former police officer who leads an alliance of gangs called G9, has threatened that if Mr Henry does not step down there will be a "civil war" which he said could end in "genocide".

The unrest has seen 362,000 Haitians internally displaced - more than half of them children, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says.

"Haitians are unable to lead a decent life. They are living in fear, and every day, every hour this situation carries on, the trauma gets worse," Philippe Branchat, IOM's chief in Haiti, said in a statement.

"People living in the capital are locked in, they have nowhere to go," he said. "The capital is surrounded by armed groups and danger. It is a city under siege."

Aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres estimates that at least 2,300 people were killed in the violence in 2023 in the Port-au-Prince neighbourhood of Cite Soleil alone, home to 9% of the capital's population.

In other news, five people who were kidnapped in Haiti last month, including four missionaries, have been freed from captivity, their Catholic congregation said Sunday.

The missionaries were abducted in Port-au-Prince, where kidnappings for ransom are commonplace.
Some of the rarest surviving 18th Century stained glass in Britain has been refitted at its gothic tomb.

The National Trust returned the artwork to The Vyne in Basingstoke, Hampshire, after it was removed for conservation.

The charity believes climate change has increased weathering on the glass, which dates back 250 years.

The piece, designed by craftsman John Rowell, has been covered with a protective glazing as part of the work to conserve it.

A National Trust spokeswoman said: "Originally a plumber, Rowell was a self-taught glass-maker and although accomplished, his paint was not durable enough to have withstood the test of time and would 'vanish' from the glass.

"Very little of his work remains and, recently, climate change has exacerbated the fragile condition of the window, causing the painted detail to flake, lead-work to warp and leak, and cycles of condensation to eat away at the surface of the glass."

The glass window, which depicts the Adoration of the Shepherds after Van Dyck, is considered to be the most important surviving example of Rowell's work.

The trust added: "The window is one of two stained glass panels in the tomb chamber to receive protective glazing.

"The second, which depicts the same scene, was made by Rowell's great rival and another prominent glass-maker, William Price."

Dominique Shembry, National Trust curator at The Vyne, said: "It's wonderful to see these two beautiful windows back in their rightful place, looking so clean and free from mould."

The Vyne was transformed from a cluster of medieval buildings into a Tudor palace between 1500 and 1520 by William Sandys, who became Lord Chamberlain to Henry VIII in 1526.

The ostentatiously designed tomb chamber, which remains empty, was created as a family mausoleum by John Chute in the 1770s.

The glazing work was carried out by specialist conservators Holy Well Glass of Wells, Somerset.

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HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - A man in Harris County was sentenced for the deadly ambush of an 11-year-old and his stepfather while they were in their driveway in 2020.

Dwayne Batiste, 43, was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison for the death of Dominic Sumicek and his 41-year-old stepfather, Menuell Solomon, as they sat in Solomons car outside their home on Oct. 26, 2020.

"This defendants intentions were clear: he wanted to commit murder and was trying to hide behind the triggerman who killed an innocent man and a little boy in broad daylight," Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said. "We are grateful to the jurors who agreed that a capital murder conviction is the right result because it means this man can never again threaten our community."

CRIME: North Carolina mother charged in 2nd infant co-sleeping death

Batiste is the second person to be convicted in the premeditated and brazen ambush that shocked and saddened Houstonians.

Dwayne Batiste

About a week before the shooting, Solomon reported to police a man, who he believed to be Batiste, shot at him while he was parking his car in the driveway of his West Houston townhouse. Prosecutors suspect the motive was an attempted armed robbery after Solomon told police he was unsure why he had been targeted.

Batiste dropped his cell phone during the shooting and was seen on video by a neighbors doorbell camera. Prosecutors believe he planned Solomon's murder to evade accountability for the earlier attempted robbery.

SUGGESTED: Houston woman found murdered in car on Briscoe Street

A week later, on the day of the ambush, Batiste and documented gang member Desmond Hawkins parked separately at an apartment complex, waiting for Solomon to return home. When Solomon arrived with his stepson at 4:12 p.m., Hawkins shot the 11-year-old twice, and Solomon four times, killing them both. The entire attack took just 49 seconds before they both left in separate vehicles, court documents said.

Dominic Sumicek

Hawkins was already on bond for a different capital murder and was wearing a GPS monitor. He was arrested for the double murder by detectives with the Houston Police Department. Hawkins was convicted of capital murder in September and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

HPD detectives arrested Batiste after an investigation and suspected three others were connected to the armed robbery and fatal attack.

FOX 26 Houston is now on the FOX LOCAL app available through Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, Roku, Google Android TV, and Vizio!

After a five-day trial, Batiste was convicted of capital murder and automatically sentenced to life in prison without parole.

"We believe that the murders were clean-up for the earlier attempted aggravated robbery, and Dwayne Batiste tried to wrap himself in a cloak of deniabilityhe made sure he stayed hidden and had someone else do his dirty work for him," Assistant District Attorney Christopher Condon said. "At the end of the day, if not for the actions of Dwayne Batiste, 11-year-old Dominic Sumicek would now be a freshman in high school."

Authorities urge anyone with information on the identities of the other suspects to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston or the Houston Police Department.
HAZELWOOD, Mo.  Missouri U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley paid a visit to striking teamsters Saturday morning at Graybar Electric.

Workers on strike at the distribution company gathered in front of company facilities and picketed for several hours on Saturday. Workers have been on strike for nearly two weeks over wages and benefits.

Police confirm arrest following fight near Hazelwood East High School

42 warehouse workers and drivers were forced to strike on Feb. 26 after an insulting contract offer by the company. Just hours later, the electrical and industrial communications distributor locked them out and stripped them of their health care, said the Teamsters union.

Hawley said it was a privilege to join workers Saturday on the picket line. All they want is a fair wage and equal treatment. They deserve it, said Hawley.

Union leaders and business owners are meeting with a federal mediator on Monday.

FOX 2 was unable to reach a Graybar spokesperson for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
A fierce battle in Scotland in 1746 sometimes is called the Scottish Alamo because of the overwhelming victory of British Redcoats against an under-equipped band of tartanwearing Highlanders.

It was the Battle of Culloden (pronounced kul-ODD-in), and it effectively ended many of the Highland traditions such as wearing kilts and speaking Gaelic, at least for a few decades. It put the British government in London in firm control of Scotland.

I suspect that Scots would be likely to call our revered Alamo massacre the Texas Culloden, because their bitter fight on a moor near Inverness is as much a key part of Scottish history as the Alamo is for us. It was the last full-scale battle on British soil, and the site has been preserved along with a modern museum. The Alamo is just now catching up on its presentation for visitors.

The key figure in the battle and surrounding events was 25-year-old Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie (Pretty) Prince Charlie. He had recruited Highlander clans to rebel against British King George II in an attempt to put a Stuart, his father James, back on the throne of England and Scotland. His supporters were called Jacobites (JACK-obites), using the Latin word for James.

Bonnie Prince Charlie led his rebel army successfully for a few months before meeting his Waterloo at Culloden. Until then, the attractive prince had stirred the imaginations of many Scots who thought he would lead them to victory over the oppressive government.

But he is known more for his flight to avoid capture after Culloden than for the admiration he had before the battle. And surpassing him in fame and respect is a young woman who didnt ask for recognition but who is more celebrated in the British world than the prince.

Flora MacDonald was a 24-year-old woman living on a farm on one of the Hebrides islands when the bonnie prince and others took refuge there as they fled to avoid capture after Scotland's Battle of Culloden.

Flora MacDonald was a 24-year-old woman living on a farm on one of the Hebrides islands west of the Scottish mainland when the bonnie prince and a few protectors took refuge there as they fled to avoid capture after Culloden. Flora helped sew a disguise for Charles and continued with him and his entourage. The prince dressed as Floras Irish maid with the name Betty Burke.

The most famous, dramatic and romantic part of Floras involvement was a boat ride to the Isle of Skye, where the prince hid before eventually boarding a ship and escaping to France. Despite rumors, there was no romance between Flora and Charles. She and others eventually were arrested. She was held on a prison ship, then in London and finally was released. But the legend of Flora and Bonnie Prince Charlie already had been born.

Many have heard versions of the Skye Boat Song about the legend of Flora MacDonald and Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Many have heard versions of the Skye Boat Song: Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing, Onward! the sailors cry; Carry the lad thats born to be king Over the sea to Skye.

Flora was hailed not so much for her faithfulness to a cause but because in a moment of crisis, she had done what seemed right to her.

Author Flora Fraser follows the Scottish heroine for which she is named from birth to her death on the Isle of Skye in her 2022 book, Flora MacDonald: Pretty Young Rebel.

Mike Haynes

Fraser describes the in between, when the woman who had saved the prince moved with her husband to North Carolina, supported the British in the American Revolution and ultimately sailed back to her homeland.

The book details how Flora MacDonald became a celebrity in her lifetime and remains in the British consciousness today with her picture on sewing kits, jewelry and tins of Walkers Shortbread cookies. A statue of her stands in front of Inverness Castle.

Admired as a strong, clever woman who affected history, Flora even is remembered in North Carolina, where Flora MacDonald College for young girls operated for a few years and she is mentioned on historical markers.

Her grave on the Isle of Skye features a tall, Celtic cross monument with the words, Flora MacDonald  Preserver of Prince Charles Edward Stuart  Her Name Will Be Mentioned in History  And If Courage and Fidelity be Virtues  Mentioned with Honour.

So the majestic, flamboyant man with royal blood was defeated, escaped and lived an uneventful life in Europe while the ordinary, practical, woman who helped him briefly is remembered with much respect.

I cant help but think of the Jewish people 2,000 years ago who prayed for a messiah who would arrive, a royal prince possibly leading an army against Roman oppression and bringing them peace and prosperity.

Instead, Jesus came as an humble baby, grew up as a carpenters son, traveled by foot with his followers and died a criminals death.

Sometimes the best in life comes from unexpected faces.

Mike Haynes taught journalism at Amarillo College from 1991 to 2016 and has written for the Faith section since 1997. He can be reached at haynescolumn@gmail.com. Go to www.haynescolumn.blogspot.com for other recent columns.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Haynes faith column: The curious legacy of Flora MacDonald
Mr Farage's Coutts account was shut last year - Julian Simmonds

NatWest has drafted in City law firm Addleshaw Goddard to defend a looming legal challenge brought by Nigel Farage over debanking.

David Engel, a reputation and privacy lawyer, has been tasked with fending off the former UKIP and Brexit Party leader in the High Court.

Mr Engel is described on Addleshaw Goddards website as being a specialist in contentious privacy and data protection issues, including data breaches, civil claims and litigation risk under GDPR.

Proceedings are yet to be lodged against the bank, although Mr Farage is pursuing NatWest over the closure of his accounts at its private bank subsidiary Coutts in June last year.

Mr Farage has appointed Mayfair-based Grosvenor Law for his claim, a firm that is also representing Michelle Mone and Doug Barrowman in their dispute with the Government over allegedly defective PPE.

The move by NatWest to hire Addleshaw Goddard suggests the bank is ready to take on Mr Farage in the courts amid a change in the senior ranks at NatWest.

A new chief executive, Paul Thwaite, and chairman, Rick Haythornthwaite, have been appointed to lead the lender, while Coutts also hired Emma Crystal as chief executive.

After Mr Farages Coutts account was shut last year, it emerged that private bankers had labelled him a disingenuous grifter in a 36-page dossier compiled on his political views and links.

The debanking incident prompted a major crisis at NatWest, Britains second largest bank, which led to the exit of Dame Alison Rose as chief executive and Peter Flavell as boss of Coutts.

Dame Alison had discussed Mr Farages case with a BBC journalist, which was seen as a breach of client confidentiality rules.

The bank scrapped 7.6m of potential rewards for Dame Alison although there had been no finding of misconduct.

The scandal has also triggered a major political inquiry, with the Financial Conduct Authority and Treasury Select Committee both reviewing the debanking issue.

A report by Travers Smith found that although NatWest acted within the law in closing Mr Farages account there had been serious failings over the incident.

Mr Farage later dubbed the report a whitewash and vowed to maintain his campaign against the bank.

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I used to be so innocent about the internet, says Alice*, a mother once accused of being part of a satanic child abuse cult. I used it for shopping, to help my kids with their homework. But now Ive seen all the lies. I know about people who think that the Royal family are alien lizards, that the Earth is flat and that my child was abused. Ive seen how very clever people use those lies to make thousands of pounds, to gain the love, attention and respect they crave its been a headf--k.

Straight-talking, sweary Alice has met me to talk about events which, changed me, my family, my life forever. Some of the people who believe these lies about me  these people who said they were coming to abduct my daughter to save her from me  are still out there and I dont know what they look like. They could be anyone I pass on the street.

Do you know why I picked the pseudonym Alice? she notes darkly. Its because Ive been down the rabbit hole.

Alices daughter is now 18, but was nine at the time of the abuse allegations, which date back to 2015. Alice is smartly dressed and cracks jokes, but she exudes stress. Nine years of fear and self-defence have taken their toll.

While other mums similarly accused have given interviews before, notably for a forthcoming Channel 4 documentary, Accused: The Hampstead Paedophile Hoax, Alice has not, and shes wary of the whole process. Shes brought one of the other mums, Anna*, with her for moral support  and to make sure she doesnt lash out. Or as she puts it: to kick me under the table when I kick off, because shes like a librarian and Im Im angry

'Anna', as played by an actor in the new documentary, says her daughter went through a lot of anxiety as a result - Channel 4

The backstory is complicated. In February 2015, a brother and sister  then aged eight and nine  were on holiday with their mother, Ella Draper, when they accused teachers and parents at the Hampstead primary school they attended (as well as social workers, a local priest and even local retail staff) of being part of a satanic paedophile ring.

At the time, Draper was locked in a custody battle with the father of the children, from whom she was estranged. It was her new boyfriend, Abraham Christie, a man 17 years her senior and with a criminal record, who filmed the children on his phone. They do sex, one child alleges on the recording. They have plastic willies. And they stick it in our bottom. Christie asks them who. Everybody does.

They were not the only victims. The children said their classmates had also been abused. Teachers and parents were all accused of participating in a cult whose members slit babies throats, cooked their bodies and drank their blood. In the phone videos, Christie asks: And what happens in the church? One of the children replies: We do sex with the baby sacrifice and eat the baby. So we kill the baby and eat it and drink the blood from it. Christie asks the other child whether that is true: Yes. And we dance with the skulls Baby skulls. And it was their father, the children said, who led the cult.

The police investigated and found no evidence to back up the allegations, which a judge later said the children had been forced to make by Christie in a process tantamount to torture. A Family Court Judgment found that both children were assaulted by Mr Christie by being hit with a metal spoon on multiple occasions over their head and legs; by being pushed into walls, punched, pinched and kicked. Water was poured over them as they knelt semi-clothed. The judgment concluded that neither was sexually assaulted.

Ella Draper was a mother at the school. Her boyfriend, Abraham Christie, filmed the children making accusations of abuse

Initially the allegations passed Alice by. After all, they came a year after her own daughter, known only as B, had left the school. Alice admits she didnt even open the email about the cult incident from the school when it reached her inbox. Instead, I got a call from another parent, asking what it was all about, she says. By that point, parents were told, the police were satisfied that the accusations were false and no further action would be taken. But the digital rumour mill was only just getting going.

Soon, a list of the entire affected class with all the kids names and addresses was posted online. Alice and the other parents were warned they had to be vigilant. Some bought panic alarms. Others slept with crowbars under the bed. I mean, how much does that suck? asks Alice. I hated the school. We had left. But suddenly I was involved in all of this.

Alice tells me her encounters with Draper had been fleeting and uncomfortable. She once tried to sign me up to her face yoga, which I thought was weird. And we had been over for a play date. The house was very bare. There were no covers on the duvets. No kids toys. There was a big shrine in the living room to this goddess she prayed to. I took a friend with me because I knew I would feel uncomfortable with her. I also took croissants for my kids because I knew they would be hungry after school. Ella just offered the kids coconut.

After the false accusations, Drapers children were taken into care (they were eventually returned to their father), and she fled to Spain, with Christie following a day later. But the Hampstead Paedophile Ring story lingered, as the couple continued to post online about it from abroad, despite prohibitions against doing so. Before QAnon and Pizzagate (in the United States) and Covid anti-vaccine hoaxers more generally, it became a huge draw online for those who felt they had seen through the mainstream narrative to a dark conspiracy.

Although all those accused had been exonerated (with Drapers children retracting their claims in September 2015), the online whispers built to a roar. Soon the people Alice calls crusaders, narcissists and attention-seekers were posting videos about the case, crowdfunding money from vulnerable, unhinged viewers online to investigate further  even to kick down doors and rescue those children from their abusive parents.

Alice and her daughter were drawn into the web of accusations. These conspiracy theorists set up a website where they shared research about us, she says. They made videos exposing videos of the connections between us. They connected dots that werent really there. And these were intelligent people. They werent stupid. They were highly educated people they targeted groups who believed the government is corrupt, social services are corrupt, the Earth is flat. They planted the seeds and waited for it to go viral.

The fallout was dramatic. Conspiracy theorists started posting leaflets around Hampstead and protesting outside the school, with undercover police officers forced to stand guard. Documents were posted online with details of specific children and how they had been abused.

As soon as Anna* saw shed been accused, she called the police. Officers gave her 30 minutes to inform her own daughter, known only as C, of the allegations and arrived to interview the child.

But Alice took a different tack: I went rogue. She had found that her daughters photograph had been posted online. That was my lowest moment. Id lost all the tools I had to protect her. I was always a person who fixed things and suddenly [I was] on the floor. A person who fixed everything was broken. But then she rallied: Im not a victim. I get stuff done. So I made fake accounts and went online.

Disappointed by police claims that they couldnt identify the online crusaders threatening to rescue the Hampstead primary children, Alice found an online support group who helped her infiltrate the conspiracy theorists online world. They were amazing. Among us there were experts on all sorts. Other parents amassed a huge trove of digital evidence to hand to police, which would lead to legal injunctions and prison sentences.

On one occasion, Alice says, one of those pushing the conspiracy theory online was located because we had an architecture expert in the group who could identify the south London clock tower behind him [in his videos]. He was eventually jailed for nine months for harassment. Other people, we identified through their voices, says Alice. Another was pinpointed after the parents group trawled through hours and hours of mad videos about dolls until this woman opened a package with her name on it the police had told us we couldnt stop her, because they didnt know where she was. At last we did!

Other online conspirators, however, were harder to deal with. Alice tells me that when videos featuring a picture of her daughter were posted on YouTube, with text or commentary about what sexual abuse she was purported to have endured, the channels administrators told her: Shes fully clothed, its not porn. Alice exhales. When I said I was her mother and didnt give consent, they asked me to prove that by sending a photocopy of her passport. If youve just had all your childs details posted on the internet, are you going to send that to some anonymous YouTube account? You dont know who can copy it or where its going. They should just have removed it because it was sexually inappropriate and about a child. In the end I asked reporter friends to challenge YouTube and say they were making programmes about the story. As soon as they did, the videos were taken down. Its awful that you have to play the system like that to get a result.

In the end, the Hampstead mums won out against the conspiracy theorists targeting them. But it took years. Nothing happened for the first two years, says Anna. Finally they turned to a so-called takedown company, more usually employed by celebrities to remove negative content from the internet. They told us that, honestly, the best thing was to get inside the groups, so Alice did the right thing

They may be united by the common horror of what they have experienced, but the two women are so different. Alice calls Anna out over the Hampstead schools posh mum circle. She still thinks that if the incident had occurred somewhere like Holloway, where she grew up, then the online rumours wouldnt have escalated because wed have had it out in the street!

Alice also notes that Drapers exclusion from that social circle led to her accusing everyone She felt looked down on as an outsider hippy. But maybe if anybody had invited her for coffee did you invite her for coffee?

Anna winces: I didnt see her, she wasnt there

Alice shrugs: She didnt fit in. I didnt understand how resentment about that posh school, posh mums it leads to anger.

Anna carefully reminds Alice of what her own child endured. Alice is relieved her own child wasnt subjected to interviews or medical examinations. That would have happened over my dead f---ing body the damage that kind of examination could have done at a time when I was trying to rebuild my childs confidence?!

Annas child was interviewed and she tells me even verbal checks did indeed come at a price.

She went through a lot of anxiety. Anna looks down at her hands. She had some counselling. She dealt with it, has been through it. Shes cool now, shes good. But she held it a secret for a long time. She was worried people would find it online, she eventually told a couple of close friends but

As soon as Anna found out she'd been accused, she called the police - Channel 4

One of the key figures in the conspiracy turned out to be Sabine McNeill, 79, an unqualified legal adviser working with Draper to rescue her children, who was eventually found guilty on four counts of harassment involving serious alarm or distress and six offences of breaching a restraining order.

Facing their accusers in court, the mums noticed the disparity between the narcissism of those driving the online conspiracy and the vulnerability of some of their funders. They express sympathy for those they believe are mentally unwell. It makes you angry and sad, says Alice. At one point their defendants solicitor shouted out that the judge was a paedophile. Then the defendants barrister came and apologised for what we had been through.

Sentenced to nine years in prison, McNeill was released two years ago and now lives in Germany. I didnt accept any of the charges, she told Channel 4. All I can do is suffer. Suffer it, like Jesus Christ did. As for Ella Draper and Abraham Christie, both are thought to still be on the run abroad.

Sabine McNeill was sentenced to nine years in prison for her part in the conspiracy. Pictured in the documentary

Today, all the children named in the case are over 18. The mums  who are portrayed by actors in the documentary to avoid being identified  are wary that the publicity will stir things up again. But also they have seen their names thrown into the Pizzagate and QAnon conspiracies and want to distance themselves. Were ground zero for this stuff, says Alice. Weve heard it all. Nothing anyone can say online will surprise me.

They are also aware that online conspiracies can have catastrophic real-world consequences. Both Alice and Anna remind me that online anti-paedophile conspiracists really do snatch children. In 2021 six people were found guilty of conspiring to abduct a child who they claimed was the victim of satanic ritual abuse. Anke Hill and Wilfred Wong grabbed the child from foster carers as the child arrived home from school in Anglesey. Hill took the child from the car while Wong held a knife to the carers throat before slashing one of the cars tyres to prevent them from following.

That could have happened to our children, shudders Anna.

Accused: The Hampstead Paedophile Hoax is on Channel 4, 9pm, Monday March 11

*Names have been changed

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Here's a roundup of our top stories from the past week.

With a subscription to the Pensacola News Journal, you will receive full access to the work done by our journalists and photographers as they head out every day to help inform and explain the important issues affecting your community.

Neighbors upset new 'home' with 3,620 SF garage and 880 SF of living space is anything but

Picture a typical single-family home. The image that comes to mind probably isn't the building at 517 Chadwick Street in the Woodland Heights neighborhood of Pensacola, but the city permitted its construction last year as a single-family home.

Residents of the Woodland Heights neighborhood, especially those who live on Chadwick Street, feel the city allowed the owner to get around the city's zoning laws.

The new building, which was granted a certificate of occupancy in March, looks more like a private fire station or car-repair shop than the 1950s-style ranch homes that predominate the Woodland Heights area. The building has three large garage bay doors and a single regular-sized door along its front.

The episode highlights the limits protection zoning offers residential neighborhoods as the city is undertaking a comprehensive review of its entire zoning code later this year.

Full story: Neighbors upset new 'home' with 3,620 SF garage and 880 SF of living space is anything but

Baked oysters, nautical cocktails and live music abound at this Pensacola hidden gem

DeLuna's Hideout Oyster Bar and Grill at 10421 Mills Swamp House Road.

The flow of the Escambia River points the way to DeLunas Hideout Oyster Bar & Grill, a lowkey angler's respite with food so good it's putting this tucked away restaurant on Pensacolas map.

On weekdays, regulars load up on crispy shrimp poboys, smoked pulled sandwiches and fried seafood platters at 10421 Mills Swamp House Road. The customers are always quick to thank owner Brittany Snyder on their way out the door, or one of her sons, who likely either cooked or served the food they enjoyed. On weekends, the sounds of songwriters tunes fill the room with acoustic performances and trays of freshly shucked oysters and nautically inspired cocktails flow amongst friends.

The DeLuna's on-site sister business, The Swamp House, attracts diners who arrive by water and take advantage of services like their 24-hour boat launch and wet slips.

While the restaurant is under a mile away from the busy University of West Florida campus, it has managed to stay one of Pensacolas many local hidden gems for almost two years with its delicious food, friendly atmosphere and a patio right on the water.

Full story: Baked oysters, nautical cocktails and live music abound at this Pensacola hidden gem

Nightmare unfolds as woman finds Milton family home overrun by squatters

Carrie Black-Phillips was wearing a handgun on her hip Tuesday morning as she maneuvered around mounds of trash, including drug paraphernalia, that squatters had left behind in her family's home over the course of months of unauthorized residency.

She said she had been sorely tempted once to pull the weapon when the people who had chosen to shack up at her Tom Sawyer Road property taunted her as she tried to build a privacy fence to keep them out, even unplugging the power tools she was attempting to use.

She thought better of reaching for the gun, though, figuring she'd ultimately regret the decision.

"It's been a nightmare trying to deal with all this," she said. "It's very disheartening."

Full story: Nightmare unfolds as woman finds Milton family home overrun by squatters

New Orleans turned 50 acres of blight to homes and opportunity. Can Pensacola do the same?

NEW ORLEANS  Three buildings are all the remains of one of New Orleans' most dangerous public housing projects, and today those buildings are now interconnected with a modern building as the Educare New Orleans early learning school.

The 1940s buildings were "ungodly expensive" to rehabilitate, Bayou District Foundation Executive Director Jacob Peters told a group of more than 15 Pensacola community leaders Friday in the school lobby.

"These buildings were known for bad things and had a stigma, now have amazing things coming out of them," Peters said.

Reeves wants Columbia Parc and similar developments in other cities to serve as the model for what can be done if Pensacola takes control of the old Baptist Hospital property on the city's westside.

Full story: New Orleans turned 50 acres of blight to homes and opportunity. Can Pensacola do the same?

Pensacola has a new breakfast restaurant featuring favorites from Mexico

Egg N Eggs will offer its Mexican-inspired breakfast menu to Pensacola. Egg N Eggs shares it with its sister restaurant, Xiscali Taqueria.

Husband-and-wife duo Reina Medina and Gerardo Zentle have been setting the bar high for traditional Mexican fare since they opened Xiscali Mexican Taqueria in Pensacola, which has been operating at 1400 Barrancas Ave. since 2018.

Now, the two have relocated Xiscali to a former IHOP at 19 N. Navy Blvd. They have split the expansive restaurant into a fast-casual taqueria on one half, and daytime cafe, Egg N Eggs, on the other.

The Egg N Eggs menu expands on what the two started at Xiscali, with homemade breakfast plates in a sit-down restaurant setting. While Egg N Eggs offers classic American plates, such as omelets, waffles and benedicts, it also offers flavorful Mexican-inspired dishes that make the menu shine. Egg N Eggs is now open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

Full story: Pensacola has a new breakfast restaurant featuring favorites from Mexico

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola top news stories: March 4-8 Deluna's Hideout and more
A Kentucky man was rescued after falling and hitting his head while hiking Mount Washington in New Hampshire.

On March 7 around 6:45 p.m., 23-year-old Joabe Barbosa was hiking Mount Washington when he went off trail and into the Ammonusuc Ravine.

While descending into the ravine Barbosa fell and hit his head and face, lost one of his sneakers, and became hypothermic.

Barbosa called 911 and was located by conservation officers around 10:30 p.m. using GPS coordinates from the call. GPS showed Barbosa went into a drainage ravine alongside one of the tributaries of the Ammonusuc River, just north of the Ammonusuc Ravine Trail at about 3,600 feet in elevation, NH Fish and Game said.

He was given boots, food, a warm drink, proper winter gear, and a headlamp. He was then escorted back to the trail and the Cog Railway Parking Lot.

The rescue crew arrived at the Cog Railway base station around 1:39 a.m. on Friday and was treated at the scene.

Barbosa was then transported to Littleton Regional Health Care in Littleton by Twin Mountain Ambulance for additional treatment.

NH Fish and Game said Barbosa was not properly prepared for the hike.

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

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(NEXSTAR)  Just one day before the 96th Academy Awards, a surprising accusation has surfaced about one of the ceremonys contenders. As reported exclusively by Variety on Saturday, screenwriter Simon Stephenson (Pixars Luca, Paddington 2) says that Best Picture nominee The Holdovers is plagiarized line-by-line from a decade-old screenplay for a film that was never made.

Stephenson claims that while The Holdovers only has one credited screenwriter, David Hemingson, director Alexander Payne very likely read the script back in 2013 when it was moving around Hollywood as part of The Black List (a yearly survey by industry executives of the most liked scripts making the rounds during that year). At that time, Stephensons unmade film Frisco was no. 3 on the list and Varietys report appears to indicate through emails that Payne  who has said he helped shape the final Holdovers script  read the Frisco script or knew of it.

7 classic TV shows you (mostly) cant stream

Variety reached out to both Payne and Hemingson for comment, though both declined. The outlet says Stephenson verified the emails in the report are authentic.

According to Stephenson, the Frisco script follows a harried childrens hospital worker who gets saddled with watching after his 15 year-old student. In The Holdovers, Paul Giamatti plays dissatisfied classics teacher Paul Hunham, who re-evaluates his life during a Christmas break with troubled student Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa) and cafeteria manager Mary Lamb (DaVine Joy Randolph).

Variety reports Stephenson first notified the Writers Guild of America on Jan. 12, where the issue was allegedly discussed. Stephenson also meticulously details numerous other ways he believes The Holdovers plagiarizes Frisco in the report, including key scenes, sequences and dialogue. Stephenson says he was contacted by WGA board members in March who said the issue was still being considered even though the guild does not investigate these kinds of situations.

The copying is so comprehensive that it seems likely The Holdovers was created by importing Frisco into screenwriting software and directly overtyping the transposition on a line-by-line basis, Varietys report reads.

The Zone of Interest: What to know about the Oscar nominee many still havent seen

Stephenson also lays out that only five Holdovers elements are not present in his script  including, ironically, a backstory about someone getting away with plagiarism.

Ultimately, Stephenson says a WGA associate counsel referred him to a Los Angeles law firm as the WGA may be unable to help but in the counsels view, a lawsuit remains the most viable option under these circumstances.

To read the full report, visit Variety.

Stephensons claims come on the eve of the 96th Academy Awards, where The Holdovers is nominated in five categories, including Best Original Screenplay. Director Payne previously won two Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay for his films Sideways (2005) and The Descendants (2012).

The Holdovers can currently be streamed on Peacock, in addition to rented or purchased across most digital video marketplaces. Nexstars Russell Falcon rave-reviewed The Holdovers back in November, calling the film a Christmas movie for people who arent interested in watching Christmas movies.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
HOUSTON - Houston police are investigating after a woman was found dead in her car by her family.

According to HPD Lieutenant Willkens, officers responded in the 4800 block of Briscoe Street on Friday night around 7 p.m. to find a woman in her mid-40s dead inside her car.

FOX 26 Houston is now on the FOX LOCAL app available through Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, Roku, Google Android TV, and Vizio!

Initial reports say the woman left around 1 a.m. on Friday from her family's home in Willowbrook to get some snacks.

Briscoe Street murder (Courtesy of OnScene Houston)

When the woman never came home, her family began looking for her. They were able to later track her phone to the location on Briscoe Street where they found her dead from blunt force trauma, says Lt. Willkens.

The investigation into her death is ongoing and the Medical Examiner will determine the cause of her death.

Anyone with information is asked to call the HPD Homicide Division.
People take part in the final rally of a demonstration under the motto "Together against left-wing, right-wing and Islamist anti-Semitism - solidarity with Israel" organized by the German-Israeli Society. Christoph Soeder/dpa

Several hundred people demonstrated against anti-Semitism in Berlin on Sunday and showed solidarity with Israel, some five months into the war in Gaza.

Under the banner "Together against left-wing, right-wing and Islamist anti-Semitism - solidarity with Israel," the marchers headed through central Berlin to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe near the Brandenburg Gate.

Many carried Israeli flags or posters showing photos of kidnapped hostages, chanting "Never again is now!" and carried posters saying "Solidarity with Israel."

The rally had 300 attendees according to the German-Israeli Society which organized the event. The Berlin police gave the same figure and said the demonstration ended without incident.

At the end, a driver at a traffic light shouted "child murderer" at the demonstrators. They responded "Free Gaza from Hamas."

The chairman of the German-Israeli Society, Volker Beck, told the rally that a tsunami of anti-Semitism swept across Europe and the world after the terrible massacre by Palestinian Islamist Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7 in Israel. That means it is important to fly the flag and voice dissent, he said.

The Gaza war was triggered by a massacre carried out by terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups in southern Israel on October 7.

More than 1,200 people were killed and some 240 taken hostage on the Israeli side. Israel responded with massive air strikes and a ground offensive in Gaza.

According to the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza, more than 31,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed since the start of the war.

The death toll in Gaza has risen to 31,045, the authority said on Sunday, while 72,654 have been injured in the war. The figures cannot be independently verified.

People take part in the final rally of a demonstration under the motto "Together against left-wing, right-wing and Islamist anti-Semitism - solidarity with Israel" organized by the German-Israeli Society. Christoph Soeder/dpa

People take part in the final rally of a demonstration under the motto "Together against left-wing, right-wing and Islamist anti-Semitism - solidarity with Israel" organized by the German-Israeli Society. Christophe Gateau/dpa
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has finished building a new road which runs across northern Gaza from east to west, according to satellite images verified by the BBC.

The IDF told the BBC they were attempting to gain an "operational foothold", and facilitate the movement of troops and equipment.

But some experts fear it will used as a barrier, preventing Palestinians from returning to their homes in the north.

Others said it appeared to be part of an Israeli plan to remain in Gaza beyond the end of current hostilities.

In February, Prime Minister Netanyahu unveiled a post-war vision in which Israel would control security in Gaza indefinitely.

International leaders have previously warned Israel against permanently displacing Palestinians or reducing the size of Gaza.

What do we know about the road?

It runs across north Gaza, with central and southern areas lying below it. It starts at Gaza's border fence with Israel near the Nahal Oz kibbutz and finishes near the coast.

It also intersects with the Salah al-Din and al-Rashid roads, the two major arteries running through the territory.

Although there is a network of roads which connect east and west, the new IDF route is the only one which runs uninterrupted across Gaza.

Satellite imagery analysis by the BBC reveals that the IDF has built over 5km of new road sections to join up previously unconnected roads.

A satellite image showing the new road running across Gaza

The initial section of the road in eastern Gaza near the Israeli border was established between late last October and early November. But most of the new sections were built during February and in early March.

The new route is wider than a typical road in Gaza, excluding Salah al-Din.

Imagery analysis also shows that buildings along the route, which appear to be warehouses, were demolished from the end of December until late January. This includes one building several stories high.

The road spans an area which previously had fewer buildings and was less densely populated than other parts of Gaza.

It also sits below a makeshift and winding route which the IDF had been using to move from east to west.

An Israeli TV channel reported on the route in February, saying it was code named "Highway 749". A reporter from Channel 14 travelled along parts of the route with the Israeli military.

In the video, road construction vehicles and diggers were seen preparing for the construction of new sections of the route.

Satellite images of the area in October and March showing where the road has been built

How 'Highway 749' could be used

Analysts at Janes, a defence intelligence company, said the type of unpaved road surface seen in the Channel 14 footage, was suitable for tracked armoured vehicles.

The IDF did not go into this type of detail in its statement. "As part of the ground operation, the IDF uses an operational route of passage," it said.

Retired Brig Gen Jacob Nagel, former head of Israel's National Security Council and a former security adviser to Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, told BBC Arabic that the objective of the new route was to provide fast access for security forces when dealing with fresh threats.

"It will help Israel go in and out... because Israel is going to have total defence, security and responsibility for Gaza," he told BBC Arabic.

He described it as "a road that divides the northern part from the southern part".

"We don't want to wait until a threat is emerging," he added.

Maj Gen Yaakov Amidror, formerly of the IDF, had a similar view. The primary purpose of the new road was to "facilitate logistical and military control in the region", he said.

Justin Crump, a former British Army officer who runs Sibylline, a risk intelligence company, said the new route was significant.

"It certainly looks like it's part of a longer-term strategy to have at least some form of security intervention and control in the Gaza Strip," said Mr Crump.

"This area cuts off Gaza City from the south of the strip, making it an effective control line to monitor or limit movement, and has relatively open fields of fire."

Khaled Elgindy, a senior fellow at the US-based Middle East Institute, also thinks the road is a long-term project.

"It appears that the Israeli military will remain in Gaza indefinitely," Mr Elgindy told the BBC.

"By dividing Gaza in half, Israel will control not only what goes in and out of Gaza, but also movement within Gaza," said the analyst.

"This includes quite possibly preventing the 1.5 million displaced Palestinians in the south from returning to their homes in the north."

Additional reporting by Paul Cusiac, Alex Murray & Erwan Rivault
The two conservative Republican candidates campaigning to represent southern Illinois in Congress have been trading attacks on their voting records on immigration issues.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Bost and former state senator Darren Bailey are running against each other in the 2024 Republican primary for the 12th Congressional District.

Like other issues, they agree on some things related to immigration. In BND interviews and in response to the BNDs 2024 candidate questionnaire, both identified border security as the most important issue facing the U.S. Both believe finishing former President Donald Trumps border wall is part of the solution to fixing the nations immigration system. And both oppose the bipartisan immigration reform deal with new border laws that federal lawmakers proposed earlier this year.

But on the campaign trail, Bailey has attacked Bost for voting in favor of some immigration policies he said he wouldnt have supported and promises not to support in the future if elected. Bost has responded with an attack of his own about Baileys lack of action to get rid of an Illinois policy when he was in office.

Heres a closer look at their records on immigration issues:

Past immigration legislation

Bailey disapproves of two bills from Bosts tenure  the Farm Workforce Modernization Act and the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act  because they would have created a path to citizenship for farmworkers who entered the U.S. without legal permission and people who came to the country as children. They were never signed into law.

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act was introduced in both 2021 and 2019 with the goal of addressing labor shortages affecting farms and, ultimately, food prices. It would have also made changes to the temporary worker program.

The 12th District contains extensive farmland, making farmers an important part of Bosts constituency.

At the time Bost voted on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, the district had almost 7,000 farms covering 1.9 million acres of land, about 10% of states farms and farmland, according to the federal governments 2017 agriculture census, which takes place every five years.

The number of farms in the 12th District has since grown. State lawmakers drew new congressional district maps in 2022 based on population counts from the 2020 census, which added southeastern Illinois counties to the 12th. Now, it contains about a quarter of the states farms and farmland with over 19,000 farms covering 6.5 million acres, according to BND estimates from county-level 2022 agriculture census data.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is expected to release its congressional district reports in May, and the numbers may be slightly different because a couple of counties are split between the 12th and another congressional district.

Hundreds of agriculture groups like the National Farmers Union, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and other allies supported the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Among its critics were some Republicans like Bailey, who is also a farmer, and conservative groups like Heritage Action for America and the Federation for American Immigration Reform who opposed the citizenship provision. The bill was approved in the U.S. House with mostly Democratic support each time.

The Border Security and Immigration Reform Act was introduced in 2018 to address then-President Trumps immigration reform priorities, including building a border wall along the southern border and increasing personnel there. And his administration expressed support for the bill. But it got no support from Democrats and failed to pass the U.S. House. Bost described its defeat as a missed opportunity at the time. The group Heritage Action for America also opposed this bills citizenship provision.

Bost voted against other bills that included paths to citizenship for veterans and people who came to the country as children: the Veteran Service Recognition Act of 2022 and the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 and 2019.

Sanctuary state policy in Illinois

In response to Baileys attacks, Bost has accused him of doing nothing to end Illinois sanctuary state policy when he was in office in the Illinois House from 2019-2021 and in the Illinois Senate from 2021-2023.

The policy prohibits law enforcement from detaining people solely because of their immigration status or because of a request to do so from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Bailey said repealing sanctuary state policies like Illinois is among his solutions to fixing the immigration system. It was also one of his policy positions during his unsuccessful run for governor in 2022.

Bost previously served in the Illinois House from 1995 to 2015. He has represented the 12th District in Congress since 2015.

Neither of them were in office in the General Assembly when Illinois became a sanctuary state in 2017 through a law signed by former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Legislation has been introduced by Republicans in the last six months to repeal the law. It has support from metro-east lawmakers Kevin Schmidt of Millstadt, Amy Elk of Alton, Charlie Meier of Okawville and David Friess of Red Bud.

Current immigration reform debate

Both Bost and Bailey say they oppose the bipartisan national security compromise that Republicans in Congress have rejected since its unveiling last month.

It includes an overhaul of the system for seeking asylum and requirements to shut down the border when the system is overwhelmed by people entering the country without legal permission, with some exceptions.

Republicans opposed this immigration reform bill for both political and substantive reasons, according to a Brookings Institute analysis:

They believe the issue of border security is damaging to President Joe Biden and dont see why they should help him in an election year. Biden and Trump are the likely nominees for president. Trump has urged Republicans in Congress not to pass the bill.

Many Republicans believe that the president already has legal authority to take action such as closing the border. Bailey is in this camp.

And many prefer the measures included in the border security bill the U.S. House passed last year. Bost is in this camp. He voted for the Secure the Border Act of 2023, which he said would finish Trumps border wall and hire more border patrol agents.

If Donald Trump defeats President Biden and reenters the Oval Office, they believe that they will get everything they want without enacting compromise legislation, Brookings analysis concluded.

Biden continued to call on Republicans in Congress to take up the bill during his State of the Union address on Thursday.

Bost and Bailey will face off in the primary election, which takes place on March 19. Early voting is already underway. The winner will advance to the Nov. 5 general election.
An incumbent South Carolina Republican lawmaker is under fire after resurfaced videos show his apparent support for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the halls of Congress.

In the newly resurfaced videos from 2021, Rep. William Timmons, R-S.C., is heard touting his support and promotion of DEI in a hearing titled, "Recruiting, Empowering and Retaining a Diverse Congressional Staff."

"Since the establishment of this committee, we have made staff retention and diversity a top priority," Timmons said. "When we talk about modernizing Congress, we dont just mean updating the technology in the House but investing in and developing a talented and diverse workforce that accurately reflects the communities we represent."

SENATE DEMS, REPUBLICANS CLASH OVER FEDERAL IVF PROTECTIONS: THEY'RE COVERING THEIR A---S'

Rep. William Timmons, R-S.C., leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 17.

WATCH:

Timmons argued that DEI should influence the hiring process in Congressional members' offices and that "every members office should be representative of the people they represent."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"I want to start with an objective. So, in my mind, our objective should be that every Members office  well, lets start with Congress," the South Carolina Republican said. "Congress should be representative of the country, and then within Congress, every Members office should be representative of the people they represent."

"So it should be diverse based off of race, gender, geography, socioeconomic background, lifestyle, and it should be proportional based off of the population they represent," Timmons said. "Can we start there?"

Representative William Timmons, R-S.C., speaks during a House Financial Services Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., Sept. 30, 2021.

Following the resurfaced video, Timmons' wrote on Saturday on X that the clips were "selectively edited and taken out of context." When Fox News Digital reached out to Timmons' office for comment, a spokesperson directed attention to the tweet.

SOUTH CAROLINA BECOMES 29TH STATE IN NATION WITH CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY LAW: HARD-FOUGHT VICTORY

"Something we should all be able to agree on is that Congress would be better served if the staff wasnt made up of the children of DC insiders who grew up in the Swamp. Someone from the Upstate of South Carolina should have the same opportunity to serve in our nations capital as someone from Arlington, VA," Timmons wrote.

"The 2019 ModCom recommendation (which passed unanimously) has nothing to do with 2024 DEI," Timmons said. "The purpose of the recommendation has been warped by former Speaker Pelosi and woke Democrats, and our Republican majority has now appropriately defunded it in this years budget."

Timmons said that he has "always advocated" for hiring based on ability.

"I have always advocated for hiring the best and brightest, which is clearly not the same as implementing quotas," he said. "I fully believe DEI is anti-American, and have opposed it every turn. I will continue to push back on the radical lefts woke agenda."

South Carolina State Representative Adam Morgan is running against Rep. Williams Timmons.

Timmons' challenger and South Carolina State Representative Adam Morgan told Fox News Digital that his opponents' apparent DEI support is "appalling" and "anti-American."

"Its appalling that my opponent, an alleged Republican, is in support of anti-American indoctrination and racist affirmative action quotas  and even wants taxpayers to fund it," Morgan said.

"Meanwhile, Ive been working to get this leftist indoctrination out of classrooms and to cut funding from universities that push these discriminatory practices. Hes everything wrong with the swamp. The difference between us is stark  he works for the Left, I oppose them."





Original article source: Incumbent SC Rep Timmons hit with resurfaced videos of apparent support of DEI in Congress
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Days of torrential rain have brought floods and landslides in Indonesia's province of West Sumatra, forcing the evacuation of more than 70,000 people, while killing at least 19, with seven going missing, authorities said on Sunday.

The havoc since last Thursday in the provincial capital of Padang and eight other areas has damaged nearly 700 homes, scores of bridges and schools and 113 hectares (280 acres) of farmland.

Indonesia's rescue agency is hunting for those missing, officials said, with 150 rescuers drafted into the effort, hampered by blocked roads following the landslides.

"Today's search involves 150 personnel from various disaster agencies," Abdul Malik, the chief of the provincial rescue team, said in a statement.

Those evacuated gathered in the nearest mosques, said Abdul Muhari, the spokesperson of Indonesia's disaster agency BNPB, but no temporary shelters were set up. They received food, water and medicines, while others returned home as waters subsided.

Most areas in Padang are still flooded, Abdul added, with roads blocked by a landslide extending 50 metres (164 ft) in the area of Padang Pariaman.

With more rain expected in the next few days, the agency warned of further damage from floods and landslides.

Indonesia's rainy season began in January with the BMKG meteorological agency forecasting a first-quarter peak, particularly on the islands of Java and Sumatra.

(Reporting by Ananda Teresia; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Oil-Dri Corporation of America (NYSE:ODC) has announced that it will pay a dividend of $0.29 per share on the 24th of May. This payment means the dividend yield will be 1.6%, which is below the average for the industry.

View our latest analysis for Oil-Dri Corporation of America

Oil-Dri Corporation of America's Earnings Easily Cover The Distributions

If it is predictable over a long period, even low dividend yields can be attractive. However, Oil-Dri Corporation of America's earnings easily cover the dividend. This means that most of what the business earns is being used to help it grow.

Over the next year, EPS could expand by 34.6% if recent trends continue. Assuming the dividend continues along recent trends, we think the payout ratio could be 16% by next year, which is in a pretty sustainable range.

Oil-Dri Corporation of America Has A Solid Track Record

Even over a long history of paying dividends, the company's distributions have been remarkably stable. Since 2014, the annual payment back then was $0.76, compared to the most recent full-year payment of $1.16. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 4.3% a year over that time. Dividends have grown relatively slowly, which is not great, but some investors may value the relative consistency of the dividend.

The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow

Investors who have held shares in the company for the past few years will be happy with the dividend income they have received. Oil-Dri Corporation of America has impressed us by growing EPS at 35% per year over the past five years. Earnings per share is growing at a solid clip, and the payout ratio is low which we think is an ideal combination in a dividend stock as the company can quite easily raise the dividend in the future.

Oil-Dri Corporation of America Looks Like A Great Dividend Stock

Overall, we think that this is a great income investment, and we think that maintaining the dividend this year may have been a conservative choice. Distributions are quite easily covered by earnings, which are also being converted to cash flows. All of these factors considered, we think this has solid potential as a dividend stock.

Companies possessing a stable dividend policy will likely enjoy greater investor interest than those suffering from a more inconsistent approach. Meanwhile, despite the importance of dividend payments, they are not the only factors our readers should know when assessing a company. As an example, we've identified 1 warning sign for Oil-Dri Corporation of America that you should be aware of before investing. Looking for more high-yielding dividend ideas? Try our collection of 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.
Consequences of the night attack of the Russian Federation

Ukrainian forces shot down 35 out of 39 Shahed kamikaze drones in a 4.5-hour overnight Russian attack focused mainly on the southern regions of the country, the Southern Defense Forces reported on Telegram on March 10.

An industrial facility was damaged and set on fire in Odesa Oblast. The fire was quickly extinguished. No casualties were reported.

Read also: Russian overnight attack damages infrastructure in southern Ukraine, most of 37 Shaheds downed

Another drone damaged a power line in the nearby Mykolaiv Oblast. According to the military, repairs are underway.

The enemy drones were launched along traditional routes with complex maneuvers after entering Ukrainian-controlled airspace from the Black Sea and occupied part of Kherson Oblast.

Read also: 20 injured, including pregnant woman, in Russian drone strike in Odesa that killed 12

The massive drone attack triggered air-raid alerts in 10 Ukrainian oblasts. Explosions were heard in Odesa and other Ukrainian regions.

Operational Command South/Telegram

Operational Command South/Telegram

Operational Command South/Telegram

Operational Command South/Telegram

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

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Homerton Fertility Centre is located at Homerton University Hospital in east London. The clinic, which admitted "errors" in its freezing processes led to some embryos "either not surviving or being undetectable", has had its licence suspended. - Jordan Pettitt/PA

Intruders were not responsible for the destruction of embryos at an NHS fertility clinic, police have said, as internal investigations continue.

Last week, Homerton Fertility Centre in east London was ordered to close following concerns that 153 embryos, from 45 patients, may not have survived the freezing process or could not be found.

The regulator intervened after The Telegraph raised the concerns of whistleblowers who warned of bad practice and claimed that experimental techniques were being used for embryo freezing.

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said it had called in police to assess whether an outsider could have entered the storage facilities, but officers found no evidence of unauthorised access.

We believe they were satisfied with the security, a trust spokesman told the Mail on Sunday.

The Metropolitan Police said it had visited the unit but confirmed no criminal investigation was underway.

Errors in freezing process

Louise Ashley, chief executive of the trust, wrote to patients week to apologise and admitted that she was aware of three separate incidents when errors had occurred in embryo freezing processes in the past year.

Tragically this has, in some cases, resulted in a small number of embryos either not surviving or being undetectable, she said, announcing that external clinical experts were investigating.

However, experts said it was unusual for embryos to vanish while in storage and become undetectable.

Professor Allan Pacey, a fertility expert from the University of Manchester, said: I dont know what they mean by undetectable in this instance.

Its certainly possible for embryos to die and break up so they cant be found. But I think this is quite rare when they have got to the freezing stage, which is what I think they are talking about here.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) said it had suspended the centres licence to operate with immediate effect because of significant concerns about the clinic.

Whistleblowers

Homerton has been under close scrutiny by the HFEA in recent years following multiple complaints from whistleblowers.

An inspection in August 2019 found that women were at risk of swabs being left inside their bodies during egg collection because staff were not following best practice.

The HFEA also received further complaints about the clinics leadership between 2021 and 2022, as well as warnings about working conditions, welfare, training, decision making and non-reporting of incidents.

In April 2022, the trust suspended fertility services for months because of dangerous staff shortages, however, despite the recurring problems, its three-year licence was renewed by the HFEA in May.

Sarah Norcross, director of the fertility charity Progress Educational Trust, has called for the clinic's work to be investigated so that "we can make sure it does not happen anywhere else"

Sarah Norcross, director of the fertility charity Progress Educational Trust (PET), said: It needs to be established, via thorough investigation, what has gone wrong at the clinic since last years inspection. This is necessary so that we can understand what has happened, and so that we can make sure it does not happen anywhere else.

Patients informed that their embryos might be lost will be devastated by this news. Some of these patients may fear that they have lost their chance to become parents. How these patients will be compensated remains to be seen.

Over the weekend, dozens of women came forward to report issues with their treatment at Homerton.

Emily Porter, 34, from Redbridge, east London, told The Sunday Times that she and her partner were treated so poorly they eventually opted to go private at a cost of 30,000.

Not the end of the world

I was told, Youve come in without a baby, so if you leave without one its not the end of the world, Miss Porter said.

Jessica OHara, 37, told the newspaper that being a patient at Homerton was the worst time of my life. She added: Theres so much trauma from that point in time and it is entirely to do with how we were treated by staff.

The trust said it had increased security and access points in the unit and has begun contacting all fertility patients as well as opening a helpline.

Guys Hospital in central London last month admitted that the eggs and embryos of 136 patients may never be viable after it used a faulty solution during the freezing process.

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CHICAGO  Police are investigating after a woman was found dead on the citys Far North Side on Saturday morning.

According to Chicago police, officers were called to the scene in the 1200 block of West Sherwin Avenue, near Jarvis Beach in Rogers Park, just before 6:30 a.m., following reports that a woman had been found unresponsive in the area.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headline

Officers say the 63-year-old woman was later pronounced dead on the scene.

Police have not provided details on where exactly the woman was found or what may have led to her death.

Authorities say a death investigation is underway, pending autopsy results and officers have not yet identified the woman.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Anyone with information that could help authorities is asked to contact CPD Area Three Detectives at 312-744-8263 or dial 911.

Those with information can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
 Copyright 2024, Des Moines Register and Tribune Co.

In the wake of a deadly school shooting in Perry, a majority of Iowans favor allowing teachers and school staff to carry guns in school if they complete training, according to a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll.

Sixty percent of Iowans say they support arming teachers and staff, while 38% oppose it and 1% are not sure.

Support is higher among parents with children younger than 18, with 65% favoring staff carrying firearms in schools, compared with 34% who oppose it.

It also has the support of 80% of Republicans and 61% of independents. Only 18% of Republicans and 38% of independents oppose arming teachers in schools.

Democrats, conversely, are largely opposed, with 74% against it, compared with 25% in favor. In addition, 50% of Iowans 65 and older oppose arming school staff, compared with 47% who support it.

The poll of 804 Iowa adults was conducted by Selzer & Co. Feb. 25-28 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

The results come two months after the Jan. 4 shooting at Perry High School, where investigators say Dylan Butler, a 17-year-old student, fatally shot sixth-grader Ahmir Jolliff and Principal Dan Marburger and wounded six other people before killing himself.

Republican majority pushes armed staff legislation through the House

The poll was taken just before the Iowa Houses Republican majority passed House File 2586, which would allow licensed school staff to carry firearms and grant them qualified immunity from criminal or civil liability for incidents that might occur while using reasonable force on the job.

Some Iowa lawmakers and education officials support the immunity provision because school districts that have previously opted to arm staff have been forced to reverse course or lose insurance coverage.

Cherokee and Spirit Lake school district officials spoke to lawmakers about the issue after the two districts dropped their policies allowing some staff to carry firearms ahead of the 2023-24 school year rather than lose their coverage through EMC Insurance.

EMC had said the liability risk was too great.

We know immunity is a big piece that will help us find people from the outside to come in and insure us, Spirit Lake Superintendent David Smith told lawmakers during a February subcommittee hearing.

The bill outlines training for staff members and private security guards. Staff who want to carry firearms would need to go through a permit process that includes one-time, in-person legal training covering "qualified immunity, annual emergency medical training and annual communication training" approved by the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

The department would also need to "implement required annual live scenario training and quarterly live firearm training" for school employees with permits.

"This bill sets a very high standard," the legislations floor manager, Rep. Phil Thompson, R-Boone, said last month. "Because were talking about the safety of our children, the bar must be high. We recognize that this responsibility must be taken very seriously."

The bill also would require public schools with at least 8,000 students to hire armed private security guards or a school resource officer for each of a districts high schools. A districts school board could vote to opt out of the requirement.

Based on this years certified district enrollment, the requirement would have affected 11 districts, listed in order of highest enrollment: Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, Iowa City, Davenport, Waukee, Ankeny, Waterloo, Dubuque, Council Bluffs and West Des Moines.

The bill passed 61-34.

A Senate subcommittee also passed House File 2586 last week and will now go before the full Education Committee.

Additionally, the House advanced House Study Bill 692, which addresses school safety requirements and is meant as a complement House File 2586. The bill creates a $3 million grant program which school officials could use to purchase infrastructure and equipment related to arming or training staff  including purchasing guns.

If signed into law, schools would be able to apply for up to $25,000.

Related: House lawmakers advance $3 million grant program to help schools buy guns for teachers

Armed teachers and staff at Perry might have saved lives, some Iowans contend

For some poll respondents, the shooting at Perry High School was at the forefront of their minds in supporting armed school staff.

Steven Salisbury, 50, of Urbandale  who has nine young family members attending Perry Community School District  wonders if the incident might have ended differently if an armed and properly trained staff member had been in the building when the shootings happened.

Luckily, all my family members came out safely, (but) there was a possibility they couldnt have, said Salisbury, a Republican and father of four. And Im just a true believer in the right to bear arms.

Police respond to Perry High School in Perry, Iowa., Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Police say there has been a shooting at the city's high school.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Poll respondent and retired mechanic Rodney Boock, 62, of Eldridge said arming staff could serve as a deterrent for criminals.

Well, it's the fastest way of defense  with proper training  to save lives, said Boock, a Republican and father of two who argued that criminals may think twice before entering a school if they know staff might be armed.

Poll respondent Natasha Haygood, 46, of West Des Moines, however, worries about what might happen if armed staff arent properly trained.

I know there is biases. Were humans, everybody has biases ... If its that volatile, put police back into the schools again, said Haygood, who is an Independent and mother of two.

Police can have biases, but they also receive a lot of training, she said.

Nearly 300 high school students gather at the state capitol to call for gun legislation after a shooting at Perry High School Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Des Moines.

Haygood, who is Black, also worries about her 16-year-old son being in an environment where firearms are in the hands of people who may not have undergone extensive training.

I have a Black son and just by him getting up in the morning and just by sight, he's a threat for some people, she said. I just don't want to put my son in that type of environment.

What if he were to raise his voice and a staff member felt threatened, she asked.

Teachers are there to teach. They are not there to be armed guards, Haygood said.

Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @svhernandez or Facebook at facebook.com/svhernandezreporter.

About the Iowa Poll

The Iowa Poll, conducted Feb. 25-28, 2024, for The Des Moines Register and Mediacom by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines, is based on telephone interviews with 804 Iowans ages 18 or older. Interviewers with Quantel Research contacted households with randomly selected landline and cell phone numbers supplied by Dynata. Interviews were administered in English. Responses were adjusted by age, sex and congressional district to reflect the general population based on recent American Community Survey estimates.

Questions based on the sample of 804 Iowa adults have a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. This means that if this survey were repeated using the same questions and the same methodology, 19 times out of 20, the findings would not vary from the true population value by more than plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Results based on smaller samples of respondents  such as by gender or age  have a larger margin of error.

Republishing the copyright Iowa Poll without credit and, on digital platforms, links to originating content on The Des Moines Register and Mediacom is prohibited.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Poll: Most parents favor arming school staff after Perry shooting
An 80-year-old woman has spent more than 300 on fox deterrents, after she said the animals caused mess and disruption in the area.

Hilary Kenny, of Edgeworth Road in Ipswich, Suffolk, said urban foxes are living in tunnels opposite her house.

The local council said they had no authority to deal with foxes but offered advice to ease the problem.

"It's causing a lot of stress to people living here and it's destroying our quality of life," said Ms Kenny.

"They are leaving poo on front doors, digging large holes, stealing child and dog toys from gardens... We don't know what to do about it."

Hilary Kenny said the foxes are often visible in the day time

She added that one neighbour has lost four rabbits to foxes, while another's dog was attacked by one.

Research from Brighton University suggests there are 150,000 foxes living in towns and cities across the UK.

Attempted culls have proved unsuccessful and fox control was abandoned in the 1980s.

A spokesperson for Ipswich Borough Council said: "Foxes are classed as wild animals, not pests, and the council has no statutory powers or legal rights to eradicate foxes on private or other land."

The council referred people affected by foxes to their website, which included advice on how to ease fox problems, such as ensuring bins are secure and using non-toxic animal repellents.

The Suffolk Wildlife Trust said when our habitats collide with wild animals, we have to learn to live alongside them.

"It seems that the foxes are protected, but we're not," said Ms Kenny.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830
Iran bears responsibility for Mahsa Aminis unlawful death in 2022 that ignited nationwide protests, a U.N. report said Friday.

The pronouncement came from a report by the U.N. Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, which said that Tehran used unnecessary and disproportionate use of lethal force to repel protestors in the aftermath of the death.

Amini was a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who died in police custody in September 2022 after being detained by Irans morality police for alleged improper wear of her hijab.

The U.N. report rejected Irans claims that she died from a medical condition from her childhood, saying that based on the evidence, alleged complications arising from Ms. Aminis surgery in childhood can be excluded as the immediate cause of her death.

It said the mission established the existence of evidence of trauma to Ms. Aminis body, inflicted while in the custody of the morality police, adding that she was subject to physical violence that led to her death.

On that basis, the State bears responsibility for her unlawful death, the report submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council said.

Iranian Foreign Ministrys spokesman Nasser Kanaani rejected the claims in the report, saying its allegations are based on false and biased information.

The report did not name anyone specifically for her death.

The report also said that Tehrans security forces carried out unlawful killings against protestors in situations where there was no imminent threat of death or serious injury.

Some of the people who got detained faced threats of rape and sexual violence.

The security forces played on social and cultural stigma connected to sexual and gender-based violence to spread fear and humiliate and punish women, men and children, the report said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Iran turned up at a Qatari weapons exposition this week, providing a high-profile platform for Tehran to tout its military capabilities even as Doha continues to affirm defensive and strategic partnerships with the United States.

The Islamist nation was among several attending nations hostile to the U.S., raising concerns Qatar could be helping America's enemies arm up. But one expert told Fox News Digital such events often bring together strange bedfellows.

"It's not surprising that Qatar was inviting Iran, Russia and other countries. I even heard the Taliban sent a delegation there to the defense exhibition. So, this is, in many ways, typical for Qatar to be open to everyone," Matt McInnis, senior fellow for the Institute for the Study of War, told Fox News Digital.

"At the same time, it certainly is going to reinforce concerns by the U.S. and other partners about the role that Qatar's playing potentially in facilitating those arms sales and proliferation of more advanced weapons that are coming from places like Iran and Russia," McInnis added. "I think this is something the U.S. was not pleased with, but at the same time, it's somewhat par for the course for Qatar to be this type of host."

GAZA AIR DROP MISHAP REPORTEDLY KILLS FIVE, INJURES 10 AS U.S., JORDAN DENY ANY INVOLVEMENT IN INCIDENT

Visitors look at a model of Qatar's fighter jet on display during the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha March 6, 2024.

Qatars Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) exhibition for technology, maritime and defense industry capabilities ran from March 4-6 and included VIP delegations from countries across the globe. The U.S., Australia, United Kingdom, China, France and Japan are just some of the heavy hitters that turned up this week, according to the exhibitions website.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The delegations also included Russia and Iran, and Iran went a step further by also exhibiting some new weapons  drones, guns, missiles and radar systems, including the Shahed-149 drone, originally unveiled in 2021, according to the Tasnim News Agency, an outlet associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) highlighted Iran's presence at the exhibition and urged the U.S. to work toward denying such access to any future weapons expos.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran, the world's foremost state sponsor of terrorism and home to the largest ballistic missile arsenal in the Middle East, is working to sell its weapons to the world," the FDD wrote. "Washington should work to deny Iran access to weapons expos and counter its role as arms supplier."

Military boat models are displayed at the IRGC booth at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference in Doha, Qatar, March 22, 2022.

"Weapons produced in Iran don't stay in Iran," the group wrote. "Washington must begin to deny Iran access to weapons expos."

IRANIAN PROXIES WILL NOT STOP UNTIL IRAN TELLS THEM TO: GEN. DAVID PERKINS

McInnis argued that U.S. officials already started talking about the relationship America has with Qatar, which also has connections to Hamas used to help broker hostage release deals since the Oct. 7 attack in Israel, and noted that Washington has some blame in the current dynamic.

Visitors stop by the China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation booth at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, Qatar, March 5, 2024.

"The relationships that Qatar has with groups like Hamas, with Iran and with others are going to come under a lot more scrutiny from the United States," McInnis said.

"Some of this was part of our policy and Israeli policy, frankly, to have conduits to these groups through Qatar. So, we take some responsibility for this. My expectation and understanding is that there is going to be some serious conversations between the U.S. and Qatar as we maintain our alliance, that we're going to need greater security assurances about their relationships with groups, with countries like Iran and groups like the Taliban."

Visitors are inspecting a weapon during their visit to the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, Qatar, March 5, 2024.

Middle East outlet Al-Monitor also reported Taliban Acting Defense Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid attended the exhibition and planned to meet with Qatari defense officials during the event.

THERE ARE STILL AMERICANS IN HAMAS' CAPTIVITY: RONEN NEUTRA

The display occurred at the same time the U.S. and Qatar met and reaffirmed a commitment to bilateral security and defense cooperation. A joint statement following the meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani cited key priorities to include concerns about Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Exhibitors stand next to their pavilion of protective gear for military and police during the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha March 6, 2024.

The statement did not make mention of Iran, even as it highlighted a strong security partnership on counterterrorism, promising to "build greater collaboration and capacity in aviation and border security, information sharing, countering violent extremism and combating terrorism and the financing of terrorism."

"The United States expressed its appreciation for robust ongoing counterterrorism coordination between the two countries," the statement said. "To further deepen bilateral law enforcement and counterterrorism cooperation, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Qatari Ministry of Interior committed to signing a new Memorandum of Cooperation on Biometric Data sharing."

Neither the U.S. State Department nor Qatari officials, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Qatari Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Embassy in Qatar, responded to a Fox News Digital request for comment.





Original article source: Iran, Russia and Taliban among guests at nominal US ally Qatar's weapons expo
It was a little over two weeks since Mohammad Ali Raihani, 28, a student of engineering at Kabul University, had started a day job to provide for his brother and sister while he studied. On Jan. 6, an explosion ripped through the minibus taking him to the printing press where he worked, killing him and six others.

He studied at night so he could work during the day and support the family. He was our only breadwinner, his sister Sumaya Raihani told The Daily Beast, choking back tears. When Mohammad got this job, he was always telling us to study. He promised to buy a bicycle for my younger brother to encourage him to study harder.

Sumaya has been unable to work or go to school herself under the brutal restrictions on women and girls imposed since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021.

As well as cruelty and misogyny, Taliban rule has also brought a resurgence in the threat from ISIS. The Sunni Muslim terror group has been allowed to re-group and re-tool in Afghanistan where thousands of fighters are training and plotting attacks, despite Taliban claims that they are trying to clamp down on them.

Hundreds of peoplelike Mohammadhave already been killed in dozens of attacks inside Afghanistan and in the wider region this year, as part of a new campaign of violence announced in January called Kill Them Wherever You Find Them. The campaign was originally billed as a plan to target the Jewish community in response to Israels bombing of Gaza after the Oct. 7 attacks, but has since seemingly expanded to include other groups that ISIS deems heretical.

The explosion that killed Mohammad was the first of two attacks that week targeting a neighborhood in Kabul with a majority population of Shia Muslims of Hazara ethnicity. The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State of Khorasan (ISKP), the wing of ISIS based in Afghanistan.

Irans President Ebrahim Raisi visits one of the people injured in the Islamic State attack in Kerman, Iran, on Jan. 5, 2024. Irans Presidency/WANA/Handout via Reuters

The biggest of the ISIS attacks so far this year was a double suicide bombing in Iran that killed over 100 people at a memorial for Qassem Soleimani, a top commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. While the Iranian government blamed Israel for the attack, a U.S. intelligence report released shortly after confirmed to the media that the U.S. has pretty clear intel that ISKP had conducted the attack.

A former Afghan security official told The Daily Beast that ISIS would continue to grow in Afghanistan, where there is a huge supply of weaponry left behind following the U.S. withdrawal. He said an expanded ISIS would start to plan attacks on targets across the world if the Taliban continues to effectively allow them to set up a new haven.

A New Home for ISIS

The Taliban, who have been downplaying the threats posed by ISKP, wont admit to the scale of their ISIS problem. The Taliban have been struggling to seek international recognition for their government in Afghanistan, and to attract investment into the flailing economy amidst crushing sanctions from the U.S. and its allies.

The Taliban government is trying to portray itself as a viable international partner in counter-terrorism, despite continuing to maintain close ties with al Qaeda and Tehrik Taliban Pakistan (TTP), allowing the militant groups to mobilize, recruit and train on Afghan soil. A U.S. operation in 2022 targeted and killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, the al Qaeda chief in a house in an upscale Kabul neighborhood linked to a top Taliban member.

Efforts to get the Taliban government recognized internationally have had marginal success with the Chinese, who have directed some investment into the oil and mining sectors, and more recently, became the first country to officially accept the credentials of a Taliban ambassador. However, ISKP attacks on the few remaining diplomatic missions in Kabul and on business interests have damaged the Talibans illusion of security in Afghanistan.

According to the latest U.N. Security Council report, released in February, despite being largely diminished from its peak presence in 2014-19, ISIS in Afghanistan has seen a resurgence since the Taliban takeover and managed to undermine Taliban security by carrying out multiple high-profile attacks.

Why America Just Set Free the Pablo Escobar of Afghanistan

The U.N. report noted that, since 2022, the group has claimed more than 190 suicide bomb attacks in major cities in the region, resulting in over 1,300 casualties. In 2022, the ISKP conducted large-scale attacks on the embassies of Pakistan, Russia and several Chinese interests in Kabul. In fact, the ISKP attacks in 2022 were found to be greater lethality than in 2021, according to the UNSC.

Over the past year, the group has benefited from increased operational capabilities and freedom of movement inside Afghanistan. It seeks to maintain the intense pace of attacks, the UNSC report noted, adding that its member states had assessed ISKP as the most serious current terrorist threat in Afghanistan with growing local recruitment and movement of fighters from Arab and African States to Afghanistan.

Taliban fighters at a security checkpoint warm themselves by a fire on Jan. 17, 2022, in Kabul. Scott Peterson

While an accurate assessment of the strength of ISKP is not possible, the UNSC report estimates that there are between 4,000 and 6,000 ISKP members in Afghanistan, including family of the fighters. Most of them are mobilized in training camps in the north and northeastern parts of the country where loyalties to the Pashtun-majority Taliban are fluid owing to the ethnic tensions between the largely non-Pashtun population.

A former Afghan security official who has been monitoring the movements of local and foreign fighters through existing intelligence networks shared similar numbers. The largest group among them are Afghans and Pakistanis, but there are significant fighters coming from Syria, Bangladesh, India, and Central Asian countries, he told The Daily Beast on condition of anonymity.

With the Taliban in charge of counter-terrorism, Afghanistan is on its way to becoming a safe haven for global terrorists, including the ISKP who are regrouping in the region, the ex-official said. Right now, most of these groups [in Afghanistan] are still mobilizing and their attacks are limited to the region, but if allowed to gain a geographical base, groups like ISIS will be empowered to conduct larger, more deadly attacks globally, he warned.

The Talibans own failures in government are contributing to the surge in recruitment, the ex-official said. Before the fall of the Afghan government, recruitment into all regional insurgent groups followed the same narrative, calling for a fight against the U.S.-backed government. But since the U.S. withdrawal and the Taliban takeover, ISKP has directed its efforts at amplifying its anti-Taliban propaganda, he said.

The UNSC report noted an increase in ISKPs media operations in the region with new publications releasing content in 12 languages and building a network of Telegram channels as part of an ongoing internationalization strategy. Recent pamphlets issued by ISIS media have repeatedly referred to the Taliban as murtad (apostates). They criticise the Taliban for defending infidels through their protection of foreign embassies and the United Nations in Afghanistan, the report stated.

While UNSC noted that much of ISKP funding came from its parent organization, as well as from other non-governmental sources and donors, the ex-official added that the group also has access to weapons left behind by U.S. and NATO forces. Afghanistan is currently flush with U.S. weapons. It is very easy right now to build a war chest in Afghanistan with weapons that were left behind by foreign forces, and those sold by former fighters for reasons of money or sympathies, defecting fighters often take weapons and ammunition with them, he said.

Will the Taliban Really Fight ISIS?

Security analysts observing the situation in the region warn that connections between terrorist groups should not be ignored. One must understand Taliban-ISKP relations in the context of Islamist Jihadism, said Omar Sadr, senior research scholar at University of Pittsburgh. The ideological divide between various Jihadist groups, including the Taliban and the ISKP, is extremely porous. Many Taliban militants embrace ISKP's extremist transnational Salafi worldview, he said, adding that there were several ex-ISKP members who joined the Taliban and vice versa.

Factionalism within the Taliban has also played a significant part in the situation on the ground, Sadr added. While some Taliban follow the traditional Hanafi sect, others sympathize with the international jihadist movement, he said, adding that the Taliban might even at times leverage select ISKP channels as a strategic weapon against Afghanistans neighbors such as in case of attacks on Iran.

A suspected ISIS member sits blindfolded in a Taliban Special Forces car in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sept. 5, 2021. West Asia News Agency via Reuters

The Taliban, he said, tolerate transnational jihadis as long as they do not pose a substantial existential threat, leaving little motivation to resolve Afghanistans ISIS problem. It was after all the Taliban that released a number of ISKP captives upon their takeover of Kabul, Sadr pointed out, referring to multiple jailbreaks in August 2021 across Afghanistan.

It was later confirmed that several of those ISKP prisoners were involved in major attacks in Kabul, including an airport bombing on Aug. 26 that killed nearly 200 people, including 13 U.S. service members.

The Afghan ex-official added, The ISKP are also exploiting these fractures and factionalism. They are also seeking out those among the radicalized fighters within the Taliban who are disillusioned with their leaders seeking support and recognition from erstwhile enemy countries.

They have been laying the groundwork [against Taliban] for years, but with recent evidence [of the Taliban working with foreign governments] they have been able to draw in larger numbers of fighters from across Afghanistan and globally, the former security official said.

The regrouping of ISKP fighters in Afghanistan is terrible news for religious and ethnic communities already marginalized by the Taliban at home, and it is about to become a massive problem for Washington and other Western capitals in the battle against global terrorism.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Israel believe that the hostages are spread across Gaza, held by individual families and gang members - CARLOS GARCIA RAWLINS/REUTERS

Hamas will not release all of its hostages, forcing Israel to pay a lot of money through individual deals to free its citizens, a member of Israels negotiating team has said.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the negotiator said there was no way on earth the terror group would cut a deal to release all of the hostages taken on Oct 7.

The hostages are the only cards left in the pack for the personal security of the leaders of Hamas and their families.

Even if Hamas did agree to a deal to release all of the captives they will cheat, they added.

Theyll pretend to have suddenly found others and claim they didnt know about them.

Talks between Israel and Hamas continue to be mediated by the US, Egypt and Qatar but just 60 of more than 136 hostages left in Gaza are believed to be alive, the hostage team member and intelligence expert said.

The gap between the sides is so enormous that its unbridgeable and impossible to think that theyll release everyone, he said.

The only way to release them all is if Israel puts up a white flag and surrenders and allows Hamas to stay in power but this wont happen as that will be the end of Israels existence.

Free passage out in return for hostages

Hostages have been spread across Gaza and are being held by individual families and gang members.

The only way to try and release them all is by cutting small deals with those who actually are holding them, the source said, without going into detail for fear of jeopardising ongoing operations. We presume about 60 are alive, but kept in different places.

We should try to cut deals with those captors directly, allow them and their families free passage out of Gaza and of course, give them a lot of money while keeping the pressure on the leadership as much as we can.

Last week, Israel boycotted talks in Cairo after Hamas refused to hand over a list of the surviving hostages.

Over 250 people were taken hostage on Oct 7 when thousands of Hamas militia stormed Israel killing at least 1,200 mostly civilians. Since then, 112 have been freed in deals through which 240 Palestinian prisoners were released from Israeli jails, most of whom were imprisoned on terror charges.

Over 31,000 Gazans have been killed in the war by Israel, and famine and disease threaten further deaths.

On Saturday night, David Barnea, Israels intelligence chief, made a rare statement after he met with William Burns, the director of the CIA.

At this stage, Hamas is holding to its position as if it was uninterested in a deal, he said. It should be emphasised that the contacts and cooperation with the mediators are ongoing in an effort to narrow the gaps and advance agreements.

The negotiator added: Hamas as an army doesnt exist any more, it has no communications, no control over the units, its all very sporadic. If we didnt have the hostages it would have been the end game for Hamas. The hostages block us in operations in many ways to wipe out Hamas completely.

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Only a trickle of aid is making it into Gaza, besieged by Israel (-)

Along with cumbersome border checks and relentless Israeli bombardment, the humanitarian response in war-ravaged Gaza faces a new challenge: a de facto freeze on visas for many international aid workers.

Israeli authorities have stopped issuing new visas or renewing old ones for foreign employees of international NGOs, most of whom occupy senior positions, according to three senior humanitarian officials and a body representing more than 80 groups.

As of Thursday, 57 aid workers' visas had expired since the war broke out on October 7, while 42 more "will expire in the coming few weeks", said Faris Arouri, director of the Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA), whose members work in the Palestinian territories.

At least 50 requests for new visas -- for staffers ramping up the response to worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the West Bank - have gone nowhere, Arouri said.

"The total is close to 150 positions that we urgently need as of two months ago, not tomorrow," Arouri said.

"We see it as part and parcel of a larger-scale Israeli blockade on aid operations and humanitarian aid both in the West Bank and Gaza."

The United Nations has also been affected, with scores of visa applications currently "unanswered", a UN official told AFP, requesting anonymity given the sensitivity of the issue.

Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Lior Haiat told AFP there was "a change of procedures... regarding the issuing of visas to the NGOs" and that the issue "will be resolved in the near future".

- 'Grey zone' -

The war in Gaza erupted with Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 31,045 people, the majority women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

Grim reports of Gazans subsisting on leaves and animal fodder as children succumb to malnutrition have focused attention on dramatic shortages of food aid, to say nothing of medicine and other essentials.

Wile no one believes granting visas to international aid workers would immediately alleviate suffering in Gaza, the visa freeze has left 15 organisations without country directors in Israel, Arouri said, making what little work they can do even more difficult.

Work visas for international NGOs require a recommendation letter from Israel's Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, which has not issued any since August, three senior humanitarian officials told AFP.

After the October 7 attack, the ministry said it would not be able to issue new recommendation letters, but foreign aid workers were granted a blanket visa extension until February 8, the officials said.

No further extension has been announced.

The country director of one NGO working on water and sanitation in Gaza and the West Bank, whose visa has expired, said it is possible to stay in Israel by obtaining a document confirming an application for a new visa has been submitted.

But the country director said humanitarian officials holding this document cannot travel to Gaza and the West Bank.

"It really hinders the coordination and effective management of our Gaza operations," the country director said, speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid jeopardising relations with the Israeli government.

Meanwhile, some aid workers who have applied for visas have been ordered to leave the country, with no word on when they might be able to return.

"It's never clear," the country director said.

"It's like everything is a grey zone."

- Tensions with UN -

The United Nations, which deals with the foreign ministry, is still receiving some visas, but it currently has 67 unanswered applications, the UN official said.

Most of these are for staffers with the UN children's agency UNICEF, the World Food Programme and UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

Israel has accused UNRWA of employing 450 "terrorists", including about a dozen it said were involved in the October 7 attack.

While one-year visas used to be the norm for UN staffers, now just two months is more common, and one month for spouses and children.

Typically, there is no communication from the government on the applications, but in December Israel said it had "revoked" the visa of Lynn Hastings, the UN humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories, accusing her of "dangerous rhetoric" and bias.

One humanitarian official told AFP that, in light of such statements, there were concerns that taking positions like calling for a ceasefire would cause aid workers to be seen as "an enemy of the state" -- putting their visas, and the work of their organisations, at risk.

rcb/jd/ysm/jsa
Investors who take an interest in Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc (LON:ONT) should definitely note that the Non-Executive Chair, Duncan Tatton-Brown, recently paid UK1.26 per share to buy UK297k worth of the stock. We reckon that's a good sign, especially since the purchase boosted their holding by 84%.

See our latest analysis for Oxford Nanopore Technologies

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Oxford Nanopore Technologies

Notably, that recent purchase by Duncan Tatton-Brown is the biggest insider purchase of Oxford Nanopore Technologies shares that we've seen in the last year. Even though the purchase was made at a significantly lower price than the recent price (UK1.44), we still think insider buying is a positive. Because it occurred at a lower valuation, it doesn't tell us much about whether insiders might find today's price attractive.

In the last twelve months insiders purchased 472.58k shares for UK694k. But they sold 8.97k shares for UK20k. Overall, Oxford Nanopore Technologies insiders were net buyers during the last year. The average buy price was around UK1.47. These transactions suggest that insiders have considered the current price attractive. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Insider Ownership

I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Insiders own 2.0% of Oxford Nanopore Technologies shares, worth about UK25m. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment.

Story continues

So What Does This Data Suggest About Oxford Nanopore Technologies Insiders?

The recent insider purchases are heartening. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. But on the other hand, the company made a loss during the last year, which makes us a little cautious. Insiders likely see value in Oxford Nanopore Technologies shares, given these transactions (along with notable insider ownership of the company). So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. To assist with this, we've discovered 3 warning signs that you should run your eye over to get a better picture of Oxford Nanopore Technologies.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

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.
An Israeli-born Columbia University professor who gained notoriety for ripping the schools failure to address rampant antisemitism on campus revealed this week hes under investigation by the embattled Ivy  a probe he said is a clear act of retaliation and an attempt to silence me.

Shai Davidai, an assistant professor at Columbia Business School, wrote Friday to his nearly 35,000 X followers that the university opened a probe into his advocacy for the Jewish and Israeli students, faculty, and staff at the university.

To say that civil rights are being violated does not begin to capture what Jews and Israelis are forced to endure on campus right now, he wrote.

Shai Davidai, an assistant professor at Columbia Business School, wrote Friday to his nearly 35,000 X followers that the university opened a probe into his advocacy for the Jewish and Israeli students, faculty, and staff at the university. Stefano Giovannini

Davidai  who considers himself the most vocal faculty member in the United States and maybe the world against antisemitism  declined to share details of the investigation, launched last month by Columbias Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office.

I abhor Islamophobia  and prejudice of any kind, he told The Post, adding that he supports the rights of Palestinians.

My problem is with Hamas and support for Hamas. I guess the university somehow thinks that supporting terrorism a protected class. That could be the only explanation for this investigation.

Aside from his livelihood, Davidai  who has worked at Columbia for five years  claimed whats at stake is professors ability to call out bad behavior by universities.

If they go after me, I cant even imagine all of the other [faculty] who have done much less and are being silenced by their institution, he said, adding that other colleagues confided that it might not be worth it to go public against their schools policies.

The beleaguered Ivy is under investigation by Congress and the US Department of Education, and is facing two lawsuits, brought by close to 20 Jewish students, for violations of their civil rights.

Columbia is an especially bad example of antisemitism on campus that the administration has refused to act on for years, said Gerard Filitti, a lawyer with The Lawfare Project, a pro-Jewish human and civil rights organization.

Davidais investigation was launched last month by Columbias Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office. TNS

Davidai worked at Columbia for five years. Stefano Giovannini

Filitti blasted the double standard at the school that he said existed long before Oct 7, when students and faculty have complained about antisemitism on campus and feeling unsafe, intimidated, harassed and bullied by pro-Hamas and pro-Palestinian protestors on campus, including professors.

We do not comment on personnel matters. As a general matter, if the university receives a formal complaint, it will review and consider the complaint under established processes, a Columbia spokesman said.

Davidais lawyer, Mark W. Lerner, partner at Kasowitz Benson Torres, told The Post: Despite unrelenting pro-Hamas and anti-Semitic demonstrations placing Jewish students at risk, both prior to and since October 7, 2023, Columbias baseless investigation of professor Davidai for demanding that Columbia enforce its policies to protect those students is a flagrant act of discriminatory and unlawful retaliation aimed at silencing him. It will not succeed.
Protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv and Caesarea on Saturday night against Benjamin Netanyahu - ALEXI ROSENFELD/GETTY IMAGES EUROPE

Israeli police have used water cannon and made 19 arrests to disperse protests demanding the resignation of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Saturday evening as the anti-Netanyahu protest movement that faded following the Hamas attacks on Oct 7 regained traction.

About 10,000 came out in protest in Tel Aviv. Police responded with water cannon and mounted police rounded up protesters and arrested 16 with clashes turning violent in the city.

In Caesarea, about 30 miles north of Tel Aviv, around 1,000 gathered at the home of the prime minister. One protester there was held overnight.

It is not known where the other two arrests were made.

Issues including the government's failure to prevent the Hamas Oct 7 attacks have caused many to return to the streets in protest - ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK

Hundreds of thousands of protesters came out on the streets last year after Mr Netanyahu unveiled plans to reform Israels supreme court, a move many feared would remove the system of checks and balances retaining the prime ministers power.

Those protests subsided after the Hamas attacks of Oct 7, with many Israelis saying they would set aside political differences for the duration of war.

Now that a truce appears to be crumbling, issues such as the governments failure to prevent the Hamas attacks and the exemption of religious Jews from the army have become sticking points amidst a war claiming many more lives than expected.

Josh Drill, a leader of Change Generation, a protest group calling for new elections, said: The Israeli government failed the Israeli people, and we the Change Generation are setting out to the streets to demand a new responsible Israeli leadership.

This government oversaw the worst disaster in Israels history. Yet, those in charge on October 7 are still in charge today. Those who had their eyes closed to reality on October 7 still have their eyes closed today, so we are telling Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir, and everyone in government, open your eyes to what Israel needs, and go home.

Daniel Hacklai, a lawyer who works pro bono for the protesters, said the police had used excessive force and unlawfully refused permission for protesters to go to a place known since last year as Democracy Point in north Tel Aviv.

He said: In Israel, you have to be in a very, very difficult situation to justify using water cannons so in this scenario, its not even being used in the legal manner, so this is an illegal weapon against the protesters.

The limitations on protest are very problematic from a democratic, human rights point of view.

Israel Police said in a statement that officers took action at the Tel Aviv demonstration after a small group of protesters breached fences, threw a smoke grenade towards the junction, and activated a gas grenade and another group tried to block traffic.

The Israel police views the right to protest as a cornerstone of a democratic country and allows protests as long as they are conducted within the framework of the law. However, the police will not allow any breaches of order or infringement on freedom of movement, or any behaviour that may endanger public safety, it said.

A poll by the Israeli Democracy Institute in January found a majority of Israelis want elections brought forward.

The next parliamentary vote is currently due in November 2026.

One protester in Democracy Point who asked to remain anonymous said: There would be way more protesters on the streets if it wasnt for the fact that Bibi [Netanyahu] has a way of making people feel guilty.

He tells us that well lose the war if we have elections now, so people are afraid. We are losing soldiers all the time, and we have hostages in Gaza, so its his psychological war against us, and when people are already afraid, it works.

The resurgence of domestic opposition comes as Mr Netanyahu faces increasing international pressure over his conduct of the war.

Joe Biden said Saturday that he believed Mr Netanyahu is hurting Israel more than helping Israel in how he is approaching its war against Hamas in Gaza.

The US leader expressed support for Israels right to pursue Hamas after the Oct 7 attack, but said of Mr Netanyahu that he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken.

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By Charlotte Van Campenhout, Piroschka van de Wouw and Hilde Verweij

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Israeli President Isaac Herzog, attending an opening of a Holocaust museum in Amsterdam on Sunday, called for prayers for peace and the immediate release of hostages taken by Hamas in its Oct. 7 attack and still held by the Islamist militants.

As he arrived at the Portuguese Synagogue to make a speech, Herzog was greeted with booing from pro-Palestinian protesters demanding an immediate end to Israel's assault in Gaza.

Local health officials say nearly 31,000 Palestinians nC6N3FL005 have been killed since Israel launched its offensive in response to the attack on southern Israel, in which some 1,200 people were killed and 253 taken hostage, with 134 still held, according to Israeli tallies.

"Hatred and anti-semitism are flourishing worldwide, and we must fight it together," Herzog said in his speech.

At a square nearby, protesters were chanting "Ceasefire now" and "Stop bombing children", while holding Palestinian flags and signs that said "Jews against genocide" and "The grandchild of a holocaust survivor says: Stop Gaza Holocaust".

Some set off fireworks and threw eggs at police while a few tried to climb police vans as the protest grew more tense in the afternoon. Local media reported at least a thousand protesters attended.

"(Herzog attending) is a slap in the face of victims both in Gaza and the Jews that starved in World War Two," protester Huibert Boer said.

Near the new museum, a group of people holding Israeli flags and pictures of hostages was confronted by some of the pro-Palestinian protesters, some shouting "shame on you", with police officers present to de-escalate tensions.

Human rights group Amnesty International put up detour signs around the museum to direct Herzog to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

A spokesperson for the president declined comment.

Dutch Jewish anti-zionist organisation Erev Rave, which organised the protest with the Dutch Palestinian Community and Socialists International, said that while it honoured the memory of Holocaust victims, it could not stand by while the war in Gaza https://www.reuters.com/world/israel-hamas/ continued.

Faced with international concerns about the heavy humanitarian toll of the war, Israel has been stressing that it did not start it and was doing everything possible to minimize civilian casualties, blaming Hamas for fighting in densely populated areas.

Herzog's remarks https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-herzog-gaza-genocide-claim-icj-atrocious-preposterous-2024-01-09/ that not only militants but "an entire nation" was responsible for the Oct. 7 attack and that Israel will fight "until we break their backbone" have been cited by South Africa in its International Court of Justice lawsuit https://www.reuters.com/world/south-africa-asks-world-court-more-measures-against-israel-2024-03-06/ against Israel.

But Herzog has said his comments were misrepresented, and only part of what he said was cited in order to build a case against Israel in the ICJ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/key-takeaways-world-court-decision-israei-genocide-case-2024-01-26/#:~:text=THE%20HAGUE%2C%20Jan%2026%20(Reuters,calling%20for%20an%20immediate%20ceasefire.

Before he became president, a largely ceremonial role, Herzog used to head Israel's Labor party, which historically has advocated for making peace with Palestinians.

The museum told media that it had invited Herzog before the Hamas attack and Israel's subsequent offensive in Gaza.

It said in a statement it recognised that the president's attendance raised questions but that he represented the homeland of Dutch Holocaust survivors who emigrated to Israel.

Nazi Germany killed six million Jews during World War Two. Modern Israel was founded in 1948 as a safe haven for Jews.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander is set to meet Herzog later on Sunday.

(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout from Amsterdam, additional reporting by Mayaan Lubell from Jerusalem; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has said he opposes sending Western troops to Ukraine as that would stand in the way of diplomacy.

Source: Crosetto in an interview with La Stampa, as reported by European Pravda

Details: "Sending troops to Ukraine would be a step towards unilateral escalation, which would stand in the way of diplomacy. There is no point thinking about this now, after two years of the war," Crosetto said.

He added that when they say that the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine should not be ruled out, France and Poland speak for themselves and not on behalf of the rest of NATO, which has "formally and voluntarily stayed away from the war".

Crosetto said that over the course of the past year, Western countries have reached production levels that will help ensure a sustained supply of weapons for Ukraine, though he admitted that they were still lower than Russias production levels.

"We need to give Kyiv all the support we can, without holding back, but we also have to think about helping Ukrainians reclaim their freedom, territory, and security in another way: by more forcefully and assertively activating diplomatic avenues," Crosetto said.

Commenting on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Crosetto said he hoped that their efforts will result in progress.

Background:

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Climate change has forced wine makers to consider planting vines on the cooler, damper north-facing hillsides of the Piedmont, angering truffle hunters whose dogs search for truffles on them - Stefano Guidi/Getty Images Europe

Truffle hunters in one of Italys most famous wine-producing regions have accused winemakers of encroaching on their territory.

To combat rising year-round temperatures and scorching summers, winemakers in the Piedmont region would like to plant vines on the north-facing slopes of hills, which had been considered too cool, damp and shady for grape cultivation.

Extending vineyards to the northern slopes is being proposed by a consortium of winemakers as a way of addressing the challenges they face from global warming.

But it puts them at loggerheads with truffle hunters who say that, for centuries, north-facing slopes have been left for woodland and meadows to provide the perfect habitat for truffles to grow.

The battle of the gourmands is unfolding in the Langhe area of Piedmont, which is renowned for its Barbaresco and Barolo reds  the latter known as the wine of kings and the king of wines. Both are made from the Nebbiolo grape.

The Langhe area  the name is derived from an ancient Celtic word for tongue, a reference to the tongue-shaped hills that rise above the valleys  is famed for its expensive white truffles.

Vines are traditionally planted on south-facing slopes to take advantage of sunlight. But scorching summers and rising year-round temperatures are damaging grapes - e55evu/iStockphoto

Truffle hunters say that if north-facing hillsides are covered in serried rows of vines, there will be nowhere for them and their faithful truffle hounds to search for the prized tubers.

Grave threat

Opening up north-facing slopes to the production of grapes would pose a grave threat to truffles, said Antonio Degiacomi, the president of the National Centre for Truffle Studies, based in Alba, a picturesque town in the Langhe area.

All the biodiversity of the region is concentrated on the northern slopes and without it there will be no truffles.

Covering the previously wooded northern slopes with vineyards would be a lethal blow to truffle hunters, Mr Degiacomi told La Stampa newspaper and if it is allowed to go ahead, the famous white truffle of Alba will no longer exist.

The idea has been proposed by the Consortium for the Protection of Barolo and Barbaresco, an association of winemakers, which said it would be a way of addressing the climatic conditions we are experiencing and the effects they are having.

Matteo Ascheri, a wine maker who is in favour of the change, said: Faced with climate change, we have to adapt. The conditions in which we work have changed.

Truffle hunters who use dogs to root out prized white tubers have voiced concern that the Piedmont is overproducing wine - MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP

If a location that is less sunny is better than one which is exposed to the sun, lets consider it.

The suggestion is likely to catch the eye of other winemaking regions in Italy, all of which are wrestling with the problems caused by rising temperatures.

But not all winemakers are in favour of extending vineyards to north-facing slopes. Some argue that it will lead to overproduction that could undermine the value of the prestige reds.

Monoculture

They say the region is already subject to a high degree of monoculture because of the large number of vineyards.

They also caution that there is no scientific proof that Nebbiolo grapes can be successfully grown on north-facing hillsides and that vines grown in damper conditions may be more vulnerable to disease.

Expanding the area under vine cultivation could change the economy of the entire territory, to say nothing of the risk of exhausting a region which is already under pressure from monoculture, said Marta Rinaldi, a Barolo producer.

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IVF is dominating headlines in Alabama and across the country. Heres what you should know about it

(AP)  Alabama lawmakers and Gov. Kay Ivey agreed to protect in vitro fertilization providers from legal liability Wednesday, more than two weeks after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law and touched off immediate backlash.

IVF quickly became a talking point for former President Donald Trump, who said he strongly supports its availability. The Biden administration sent the Health and Human Services secretary to Alabama after the ruling, and Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine is bringing as his guest to Thursdays State of the Union the first person to be conceived via IVF.

IVF gave hope to patients trying to build their families. The turmoil in Alabama put that in doubt

Three of the states major IVF providers had paused services after last months decision, which recognized embryos as extrauterine children, was issued in wrongful death cases brought by couples who had frozen embryos destroyed in an accident. Wednesdays new law protects providers from lawsuits and criminal prosecution for the damage or death of an embryo during IVF services.

Heres what to know about this increasingly common fertility treatment.

WHAT IS IVF?

In vitro fertilization offers a possible solution when a woman has trouble getting pregnant. The procedure involves retrieving her eggs and combining them in a lab dish with a mans sperm to create a fertilized embryo, which is then transferred into the womans uterus in an attempt to create a pregnancy.

IVF is done in cycles and may take more than one to create a successful pregnancy, according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The procedure can use a couples eggs and sperm or those from a donor.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF IVF?

The first baby was born through IVF in 1978 in England. But the first in the U.S. was in 1981 in Norfolk, Virginia, with the birth of Elizabeth Carr.

Her mother, Judith Carr, had had three abnormal pregnancies, forcing the removal of her fallopian tubes. She and her husband sought treatment from Howard and Georgeanna Jones, doctors who opened a fertility clinic at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

The Norfolk clinic faced resistance before it even opened. When it sought a required state certificate in 1979, more than 600 people jammed into a public hearing. Several women voiced support for IVF and testified about wanting to start a family, while anti-abortion groups raised concerns about doctors messing with human conception and embryos being discarded.

Despite proposed state legislation to stop the clinic, it opened in 1980, with others following soon afterward in California, Tennessee and Texas. By 1988, at least 169 in vitro centers were operating in 41 states.

The use of IVF continued to grow. In 2021 alone, nearly 100,000 infants were born as a result of fertility treatments where eggs or embryos were handled outside a womans body  primarily through IVF  according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But sentiments against IVF never really went away in the American anti-abortion movement, said Margaret Marsh, a history professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

White House hits Johnson for uncertainty on IVF ruling

Many abortion opponents had made an uneasy peace with the technology as a treatment for infertility, Marsh said. But opposition to IVF has gained momentum since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Those who are firmly committed to the idea that life begins at fertilization are circling back to the movements earlier opposition, Marsh said. Not everyone in the anti-abortion movement opposes these reproductive technologies, but many do.

HOW ARE EMBRYOS MADE?

The treatment often uses hormones to trigger ovulation so multiple eggs are produced and a needle is used to remove them from the ovaries, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said.

Lab staff prepare small petri dishes, each holding several 1-7 day old embryos, for cells to be extracted from each embryo to test for viability at the Aspire Houston Fertility Institute in vitro fertilization lab Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Eggs can be fertilized by adding the sperm to the eggs in a lab, or a single sperm can be injected into each egg.

We culture that fertilized egg over a period of time  usually five to six days  to create  the blastocyst. And those are either transferred or stored for future use, said Dr. Jason Griffith, a reproductive endocrinologist in Houston.

A blastocyst is the early stage of an embryo, which is defined as the state of development that starts at fertilization and lasts up to eight weeks.

Griffith said that on Day 3 after fertilization, an embryo is anywhere from six to 10 cells. By Day 6, its between 100 and 300 cells. He added that a person contains more than a trillion cells.

HOW ARE EMBRYOS FROZEN AND STORED?

Frozen embryos can be used for future pregnancies, and the vast majority survive the thawing process.

The freezing process involves replacing the water in embryo cells with a protectant fluid and flash-freezing with liquid nitrogen, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Frozen embryos are stored in tanks containing liquid nitrogen at hospital labs or reproductive medicine centers. Griffith said they can also be kept in storage facilities contracted by health care facilities, especially when they are stored for many years. Frozen embryos can be safely preserved for a decade or more.

A view of some egg samples held inside a smaller cryo storage container, each container capable of holding approximately 150 egg samples immersed in liquid nitrogen, in one of the secured storage areas at the Aspire Houston Fertility Institute in vitro fertilization lab Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Griffith said conditions are monitored in these facilities and there are physical security mechanisms to safeguard the tanks and backup generators in case of power outages.

Dr. John Storment, a reproductive endocrinologist in Lafayette, Louisiana, said his state has a unique law that prohibits doctors from discarding any viable embryos that are still dividing  meaning they must be preserved and stored. So he and other doctors ship embryos out of state to a secure storage facility once a patient has finished using them for a particular IVF cycle.

Whenever theyre ready for embryos again, they can just ship them back here, he said. But we dont keep them stored here.

In other states, he said, patients can choose to use them, discard them or donate them to other couples or for research.

HOW COULD THE ALABAMA RULING AFFECT IVF?

The U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade sparked speculation about how the ruling could lead to problems with fertility care, said Greer Donley, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Since 2022, four states have amended their constitutions to protect access to abortion, and several others are considering ballot measures for this year. In many, the language goes beyond allowing abortion to give people rights to reproductive freedom more broadly, which could ensure access to IVF.

The recent court decision could substantially restrict access to a very vital fertility treatment that has helped countless folks today expand their families, Griffith said. When you look at the percentage of pregnancies in the United States that result from in vitro fertilization, its around 2%.

Bills aim to update Michigans surrogacy laws

It could also increase the cost of IVF for many families  although its unclear by how much  because of things like additional storage fees and liability costs, he said. One cycle of IVF, including all embryos transferred, now costs about $15,000 to $25,000, Griffith said.

Storment said the Alabama decision could have a ripple effect across the entire country.

Its one of the bigger things to happen in reproductive law in the last decade, he said.

___

Ungar reported from Louisville, Kentucky. AP reporters Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia, and Geoff Mulvihill in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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(Bloomberg) -- Japan is likely to hold a general election in the fall after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party concludes its leadership vote in September, according to a top official in a coalition party.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Voters often pay more attention to the ruling LDP during its leadership election, and support tends to be high immediately after the event, said Keiichi Ishii, secretary general of the LDPs junior coalition partner Komeito. He made the comments in an interview recorded last week and broadcast Sunday on a TV Tokyo outlet.

While Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has tried to cool speculation about a general election, his LDP has been rocked by a slush fund scandal that has eroded support for his government and spurred talk that his days as premier may be numbered. Should the slide in popularity continue, the LDP could seek to replace him in conjunction with its leadership vote.

Read more: Japans PM Kishida Apologizes, Vows Reform in Ethics Panel

The approval rating for Kishidas government fell 4.4 percentage points to a fresh low of 20.1% in a Kyodo News survey published Sunday. The premier apologized for the political finance scandal, pledging to reform regulations, in an unprecedented parliamentary ethics hearing broadcast live on television in late February.

No general election need be held until 2025 and opposition parties have failed to capitalize on Kishidas woes, with their support rates mostly limited to single figures. This means the LDP and Komeito are almost certain to retain power when the vote is held.

--With assistance from Mayumi Negishi.

(Updates with new poll results in the fourth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said he was not concerned about polling numbers showing President Biden performing worse among Black voters than he did in 2020.

In a CBS News poll this week, Biden led former President Trump among Black voters 76 to 23 percent support, while he carried about 90 percent of the group four years earlier.

The polling has been all over the place, Jeffries said in a CBS Face the Nation interview with Margaret Brennan on Sunday. But Im confident that at the end of the day in November, the overwhelming majority of African Americans, Caribbean Americans, Black voters throughout the country will support President Biden and understand that he has delivered over and over and over again on issues of concern.

Whether thats the lowest rate of Black unemployment in decades, whether thats historic investment in historically Black colleges and universities, making sure that he has been supportive incredibly of small business creation and entrepreneurship in the Black community, building upon the efforts that had been previously done by President Barack Obama, he continued.

Jeffries rejected what Brennan called a lack of enthusiasm for Biden among Black voters, saying that betrays what he has seen in his district in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Ive traveled throughout the country and spent time of course in the district that I represent here in Brooklyn, and there is a high degree of enthusiasm for President Joe Biden, and it is growing, he said.

The leader said Bidens strong State of the Union address and focus on issues that matter, specifically reproductive rights, have engaged voters.

He was strong, he was serious, and he was substantive, and he drew a clear contrast between his vision of moving America forward in an enlightened way thats inclusive of everyone, and the contrast with the extreme MAGA Republicans who want to turn back the clock, Jeffries added.

The Biden campaign has faced pressure regarding Black voters for months, with principal deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks chalking the issue up in January to people expressing urgency.

They sense a sense of urgency because of the threat that Republicans pose to, you know, America right now, and thats precisely why the president and the vice president are running for reelection to make sure that that doesnt happen, Fulks said in January. When it comes to African American voters, I want to be very clear about this, that no administration has done as much for the African American community as President Biden and Vice President Harris.

One in five Black voters said they would vote for someone else rather than Biden or Trump in the 2024 presidential election, according to a GenForward survey released in December.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) blamed former President Trump and conservative media host Tucker Carlson for the rise in anti-Ukrainian sentiment in the House, dubbing the pair the leaders of a pro-Putin faction of the Republican Party.

Ukraine aid has languished in the House for months as Republicans refuse to pass foreign spending without major border security reforms. Jeffries called on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to bring a Senate bill to the floor once again Sunday.

The reason why its not happening is because theres a pro-Putin faction in the Republican Party led by Donald Trump and Tucker Carlson who are blocking this legislation, he said in a CBS Face the Nation interview with Margaret Brennan. And thats shameful.

Aid for Ukraine was initially part of a bipartisan Senate bill that also included border security measures. That bill was killed in the House, with Democrats claiming Trump instructed Johnson and other Republicans to come out against it.

Trump said he didnt want the bipartisan measure to pass to avoid giving President Biden an electoral victory on the politically critical border issue.

Carlson, the former Fox News host-turned independent online media figure, visited Russia last month and published a series of videos praising the country and criticizing President Biden. His sit-down interview with President Vladimir Putin was panned as not critical enough.

Jeffries also said he believes some Democrats would vote against a motion to vacate Johnsons Speakership if he passes the foreign spending bill, which includes Ukraine aid.

We havent had that conversation as a caucus, Jeffries said. But I have made the observation that I believe there are a reasonable number of members if the Speaker wants to do the right thing, that dont believe that he should fall as a result of it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Twelve jurors reached a unanimous conclusion in December after observing two days of evidence and testimony: Jerome Poole strangled Crystal Dye to death and inflicted other bodily injuries.

On Friday, a year after committing the brutal March 7, 2023 crime against the woman with whom he had a casual relationship, the 60-year-old Springfield man was handed a stiff punishment.

Greene County Judge Kaiti Greenwade sentenced Poole to life in prison for his second-degree murder conviction, echoing the request of Greene County assistant prosecutor Emily Shook.

"His failure to take accountability combined with his felony history indicates he won't make changes," Shook said in court Friday. "He is unlikely to become different from the person who strangled and killed Crystal Nye. No matter what the system does, or what the community does, Jerome Poole is who Jerome Poole is."

Despite the overwhelming evidence against Poole, jury conviction and subsequent life sentence, Poole continued to declare his innocence. He said his lawyer, Carol Palmer, did not present adequate evidence in the discovery phase of the trial he believed would lead to an exoneration.

Greene County assistant prosecutor Emily Shook, seen in this 2022 trial photo, requested a life sentence on Friday for Jerome Poole.

"There were no facts given to the jury that would prove my innocence," Poole said when asked if he believed he was given adequate counsel from his defense attorney.

Prosecutors said Poole has claimed in letters that police officers were responsible for the death of Dye, 41, planted a hair from a hairbrush at the crime scene, and had purposely turned off their body cameras. Shook also said he blamed first responders for strangling the woman.

Poole said on Friday that his lawyers urged him not testify during last year's jury trial, and taking that approach led to his conviction.

Greenwade reminded Poole that she asked him before the start of last year's trial if his decision to not testify came from an outside influence, when he said he made the decision on his own.

"So you were lying to me when you were under oath?" Greenwade asked.

"Correct, your honor," Poole replied shortly before leaving the courtroom and being sent to the Missouri Department of Corrections.

What is Poole accused of?

Jerome Poole

Around 3:30 a.m. on March 7, 2023, Poole called 911 after finding Dye, a woman he said went by different names in the few months he knew her, unresponsive at his West Springfield home at the 200 block of South Clifton.

Poole told police he thought she was asleep before realizing something was awry, and that he attempted CPR. Fifteen minutes before she was found unconscious, Poole said, she was doing dishes while the two talked.

Dye, who died at the scene, was found to have abrasions, cuts and bruises on her body and clumps of what appeared to be her own hair in her hand. An autopsy later revealed she had injuries consistent with strangulation along with rib fractures.

Investigators put together enough evidence for prosecutors to charge Poole with the death of the woman, who had been homeless and struggled with substance abuse.

Shook said when EMT and police came to his residence the night Nye died, that he appeared indifferent about the situation and was casually scrolling through his phone.

He didnt think anyone would look carefully at Crystal Dyes death, Shook said.

Family, friends speak

Dye's teenage daughter, Chassity, said she was estranged from her mother at the time of her death, but had previously held out hope that things would get better once she turned 18 and began her adult life.

Chassity was present for Friday's sentencing hearing. She wrote a letter that Shook read to the courtroom to help illustrate the grief Poole had caused, and how her mother's death had led Chassity to bouts of deep depression.

Crystal Dye in a 2016 social media photo.

"I know that mother made choices to make us not have a relationship, however Mr. Poole's actions caused that to never be possible," Chassity said in her statement. "My mom will not make my graduation, make my wedding, never get to meet my future spouse or her future grandchildren. My little sister will never have a relationship with her mom, and my older brother will never get to have a relationship with his mom."

Poole's attorney, Palmer, recommended a 10-year sentence for the killing of Dye, noting his age, what she said was an honorable discharge from the U.S. military, and that he has children with whom he is very involved.

One character witness spoke on Poole's behalf Friday. Sang Bealer, the owner of a home renovation business that had employed Poole roughly a year before he was arrested, in a brief statement decribed Poole as dependable and a "good guy who took orders with no problem."

In his sentencing assessment report, prosecutors said Poole had previous convictions for domestic assault, driving while intoxicated and distribution of controlled substances.

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: Jerome Poole sentenced to life for 2023 murder of Crystal Dye
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 10, 2024) - Ratsamy Consulting, a distinguished Canadian entity known for its expertise in identifying and investing in renewable energy projects, is excited to announce a strategic alliance with RenewableErgon, a pioneering fintech company in the blockchain sector that made its debut in 2024. This collaboration marks a significant leap towards redefining the renewable energy industry by utilizing blockchain technology to efficiently connect investors with project developers, thus ensuring the seamless integration of renewable energy projects into the grid and bolstering sustainability initiatives.





Ratsamy Consulting

Markus Aurelio, the esteemed Executive Director of Ratsamy Consulting, expressed his enthusiasm for the potential of this partnership to revolutionize the renewable energy landscape. "Our collaboration with RenewableErgon is a critical milestone in our commitment to accelerating the global transition to renewable energy. By leveraging blockchain technology, we aim to simplify the investment process, enhancing transparency, and fostering trust among all participants," Aurelio remarked.

Singapore-based RenewableErgon, brought to life by founder Robert Leeds, is at the vanguard of integrating blockchain technology in the fintech realm to bridge the gap between investors and developers of renewable energy projects. This innovative approach is poised to significantly accelerate the implementation of sustainable energy solutions on a global scale.

To accomplish the goals set forth by this partnership, Ratsamy Consulting and RenewableErgon are contemplating a collaboration with Elapath Energy for the installation of solar panels in Budai, Chiayi County, Taiwan. Elapath Energy, operating in the US and Hong Kong and led by founder Liang Wei Chen, is celebrated for its cutting-edge solar technology. This potential partnership underscores the consortium's dedication to utilizing premium technology and expertise in their renewable energy endeavors.

Story continues

The Taiwan project is ambitiously planned to be executed in three stages, each comprising 50MW, with the inaugural phase expected to be completed by November 2024. This venture, commanding a proposed investment of $250 million, is anticipated to become an exemplary model of innovation, with the capacity to provide clean energy to nearly 21,000 homes. Beyond its immediate benefits, the project symbolizes a commitment to fostering a sustainable, globally connected network of renewable energy projects, significantly contributing to the worldwide effort to combat climate change.

Robert Leeds, the visionary founder of RenewableErgon, shared his perspective on the collaboration, stating, "Our partnership with Ratsamy Consulting, coupled with the potential engagement with Elapath Energy for the Taiwan project, underscores our unwavering commitment to a future powered by renewable energy. The strategic application of blockchain technology sets a new benchmark for the financing and development of renewable energy projects."

This strategic collaboration among Ratsamy Consulting, RenewableErgon, and potentially Elapath Energy represents a pivotal advancement in the global push towards renewable energy. It exemplifies how cooperative endeavors across countries and sectors can catalyze the transition towards sustainability and effectively address the challenges of climate change.

Stakeholders and individuals interested in this groundbreaking project are encouraged to stay informed about future developments. As this partnership forges ahead with its vision for a renewable energy-driven future, it highlights the critical role of strategic collaborations in paving the way for a more sustainable world.

Yohan Blake

Info@ratsamyconsulting.com

https://ratsamyconsulting.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/201161
As New Jersey investigates mumps outbreak, experts share what to know about symptoms, protection

The New Jersey Department of Health is investigating a suspected cluster of mumps cases in Hunterdon County among eight family members who traveled internationally, according to a recent press release.

No additional information was provided due to privacy concerns, the release indicated.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported at least 50 cases of mumps from over 20 states this year.

MEASLES VACCINATIONS GIVEN IN '70S AND '80S MAY HAVE WORN OFF BY NOW, DOCTOR WARNS

Health officials say that vaccination is the most effective protection.

"The best way to keep you and your loved ones safe is to get the MMR shot," said Dr. Kaitlan Baston, the acting health commissioner, per the release.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported at least 50 cases of mumps from over 20 states this year.

"These viruses are incredibly contagious, so if you suspect you may have measles, mumps or rubella, it is important to call ahead before visiting any health care provider or facility so they can take special precautions," she added.

Mumps is an infectious disease caused by a virus .

Its spread by direct contact with saliva, such as kissing or sharing water bottles with someone who has mumps.

It can also spread by respiratory droplets from the mouth, nose or throat from an infected person who is talking, coughing or sneezing, according to the CDC.

AMID MEASLES OUTBREAKS, FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SPEAKS OUT AGAINST FALSE INFORMATION

Outbreaks often occur in settings where there is frequent close contact, such as on college campuses or in large gatherings.

"Mumps itself typically causes swelling of the glands in the head and neck that make saliva  most often the parotid glands , which are the largest salivary glands that sit just in front of the ears," Dr. Mike Smith, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina, told Fox News Digital.

Someone who is infected with mumps can spread the infection several days before the parotid glands start to swell and up to five days after, the CDC stated.

Some people may not develop any symptoms; but for those who become symptomatic, they generally start to feel sick anywhere from 12 to 25 days after infection.

Mumps typically causes swelling of the glands in the head and neck, said an infectious diseases expert.

Typical symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite.

Most people get better on their own within two weeks.

In rare cases, especially in adults, swelling may occur in other parts of the body.

The most common complication of mumps in males is inflammation and swelling of the testicles, or orchitis, which occurs in about a third of unvaccinated men, Smith said.

Reported cases of the mumps fell by more than 99% after the MMR vaccine was introduced in the U.S., the CDC noted.

Outbreaks and cases have been increasing since 2006, however  with most diagnoses occurring in young adults and previously vaccinated individuals, the agency adds.

MEASLES OUTBREAKS IN US, UK HAVE HEALTH AGENCIES ON HIGH ALERT: BE VIGILANT

"There is no individual vaccine against mumps, but it is part of the MMR vaccine that prevents measles, mumps and rubella," Smith said.

It is recommended that children get two doses, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months old and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age, according to the CDCs website.

Adults who are not immune are advised to get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.

Outbreaks and cases of mumps have been increasing since 2006, per the CDC.

"Mumps immunization rates unfortunately are not where they should be," Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital on Long Island, New York , told Fox News Digital.

Only about 90% of children are fully vaccinated for mumps by 24 months of age, according to the CDC.

If people receive the standard recommendation of two mumps vaccinations as a child, there still is a chance that immunity will wane and they will get mumps if exposed later in life, according to Glatt.

"As such, we actually recommend that a third dose be given to people in an outbreak setting," he said.

Measles and mumps are caused by different viruses that belong to the same family of viruses called Paramyxoviridae, which are known to spread disease by respiratory droplets, according to the National Institutes of Health.

"Worldwide, both measles and mumps are very significant problems, with over 100,000 deaths due to measles in the previous year," Glatt said.

There is no individual vaccine against mumps, but it is part of the MMR vaccine that prevents measles, mumps and rubella.

The MMR vaccine protects against both viral infections, but measles is more contagious than mumps, with the highest mortality rate among the three infections that it protects against, Smith added.

"Measles is a far more serious illness than mumps, and is also making a resurgence in the U.S. after we thought we had eradicated it in 2002," Glatt noted.

Common complications of measles include diarrhea and ear infections, but severe cases can include brain swelling (encephalitis) and pneumonia.

MEASLES VIRUS CONTINUES TO SPREAD AS WHO SAYS MORE THAN HALF THE WORLD HAS HIGH RISK OF CONTRACTING THE VIRUS

The CDC estimates that up to 90% of people who are exposed to someone with measles will get infected if they are not already immune.

Among the current measles outbreaks in the U.S., almost all cases have involved unvaccinated individuals, according to Smith.

Many young people who get infected with mumps, however, have received vaccinations.

Typical symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite.

A 2021 CDC report that reviewed cases of mumps from 2007 to 2019 in children and adolescents found that approximately 94% of people who contracted mumps were previously vaccinated.

The two infections also have different symptoms.

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People infected with measles usually develop their first symptoms within seven to 14 days after getting exposed, while people who get mumps usually experience illness around two weeks after infection.

The most classic sign of measles is cold symptoms followed by a red rash that starts on the face and moves downward.

With mumps, a telltale sign is puffiness of one or both cheeks, which occurs after non-specific symptoms.

Most people with mumps and measles get better within one to two weeks.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health .





Original article source: As New Jersey investigates mumps outbreak, experts share what to know about symptoms, protection
Jewish students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) filed a federal lawsuit last week alleging the prestigious Cambridge institution has failed to take any meaningful action to stop the "spreading wildfire of antisemitism, including antisemitic conduct" in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

StandWithUs Center for Legal Justice (SCLJ) and two MIT students filed a federal lawsuit in Massachusetts District Court describing how MIT allegedly turns a blind eye to "hateful antisemitic discrimination and harassment" on its campus, refuses to enforce policies to protect Jewish and Israeli students and faculty, and has thereby created a hostile environment for Jews.

"In enabling this discriminatory conduct, MIT has directly and intentionally contributed to a pervasively hostile campus environment in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and breached its duties to Plaintiffs, to its other Jewish students, to its Israeli students, and, indeed, to the entire MIT campus community," the complaint says. "Any alleged action taken by MIT in response to discriminatory and harassing speech and conduct was not designed to have any meaningful impact in stopping the spreading wildfire of antisemitism, including antisemitic conduct."

In a statement to Fox News Digital, an MIT spokesperson said, "We have not been served with the complaint and MIT does not, as a typical practice, comment on pending litigation. Generally, wed note MIT has established processes in place to address concerns of discrimination and harassment."



HOUSE REPS DEMAND MIT HAND OVER RECORDS ON PERVASIVE ANTISEMITISM: WE HAVE GRAVE CONCERNS

Hundreds walk down the streets of Boston while protesting the siege on Gaza and demanding an end to U.S. funding to Israel. The rally was part of a national gathering of students including BU, MIT, Tufts, Wellesley and Emerson.

The new lawsuit calls on MIT to implement "comprehensive, meaningful remedial measures," including terminating administrators, professors, or other university employees or staff "responsible for the antisemitic abuse permeating the school," as well as suspending or expelling students and student groups, and to communicate broadly that MIT will "condemn, investigate and punish any conduct that discriminates against or harasses members of the Jewish community."

As a result of MITs "blatant and intentional disregard for its legal obligations to its students, Plaintiffs and other students have suffered injury, including in their educational experience," the lawsuit says.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

MIT PROFESSOR PENS EXPOSE OF CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM: HARASSING A SMALL AND VULNERABLE COMMUNITY



The complaint alleges that Jewish professors reported incidents where MIT students disrupted the academic environment and intimidated faculty by yelling outside their offices while rattling the doors. One professor described incidents where Jewish and Israeli MIT students were physically prevented from attending a class by a hostile group of pro-Hamas and anti-Israel MIT students.

Pro-Palestine student protesters, including those from MIT, marched down the streets of Boston demanding an end to U.S. funding to Israel.

Jewish students attested that rather than dispersing antisemitic mobs on campus, MIT warned Jewish students to steer clear of certain areas  effectively sending Jewish and Israeli students underground at their own university  with no repercussions for the students violating school policies and creating an unsafe environment for Jewish students, according to the complaint.



A group of Harvard students already sued their university last month over what they described as "severe and pervasive" antisemitism on campus. And the House Committee on Education and the Workforce continues its investigations into MIT, Harvard, UPenn and other schools after antisemitism hit a fever pitch on American college campuses in the wake of Oct. 7.

On Friday, the committee's chair, Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., wrote to MIT President Sally Kornbluth and MIT Corporation Chair Mark P. Gorenberg asking them to produce a trove of documents regarding "pervasive" antisemitism following "numerous deeply troubling incidents and developments" at the university.

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Kornbluth  along with now-former Harvard President Claudine Gay and now-former UPenn President Liz Magill  received strong rebukes over their testimonies before the House Education and Workforce Committee in December in which the trio, in the name of free speech, failed to condemn outright calls for intifada, or the genocide of Jews, on their perspective campuses. Months later, only Kornbluth keeps her job as president. Magill stepped down as president amid the criticism, while Gay later too resigned, also amid a plagiarism scandal.





Original article source: Jewish MIT students file federal lawsuit over 'wildfire of antisemitism' allowed on campus after Oct. 7
Nursing student Laken Riley, allegedly killed by a Venezuelan who entered the US illegally

Joe Biden has expressed regret for describing the immigrant accused of killing nursing student Laken Riley as an illegal.

Using the term enraged several congressional Democrats on the progressive wing of the party as the political row over immigration intensified following the suspicious death of the 22-year-old in Georgia.

A Venezuelan who entered the US illegally has been charged with murder and the case was seized upon by Republicans during last weeks State of the Union speech in Washington.

Republican representative from Georgia Marjorie Taylor Greene shouts at Joe Biden - SHAWN THEW/AFP

Firebrand congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene repeatedly yelled say her name during the presidential address.

Goaded, Mr Biden went off-script and described the suspect as illegal.

By an illegal, thats right, Mr Biden agreed.

But how many of thousands of people are being killed by legals? he asked.

I shouldnt have used illegal; its undocumented, the president said on Saturday in an interview on MSNBC.

And look, when I spoke about the difference between Trump and me, one of the things I talked about in the border was his, the way he talks about vermin, the way he talks about these people polluting the blood, he said.

I talked about what Im not going to do. What I wont do. Im not going to treat any, any, any of these people with disrespect.

Joe Biden with a badge that reads 'Regulate Guns not Women' during a campaign event in Atlanta - Megan Varner/Getty

Immigration remains one of the main Republican points of attack and Donald Trump ramped up the rhetoric at a rally in North Carolina on Saturday.

Bidens conduct on our border is by any definition a conspiracy to overthrow the United States of America, he said.

Biden and his accomplices want to collapse the American system, nullify the will of the actual American voters and establish a new base of power that gives them control for generations.

Mr Biden, 81, has faced incessant barbs about his age and recently launched a $30 million (23 million) advertising campaign to tackle the issue.

Look, Im not a young guy. Thats no secret, the president says at the ads outset.

But, heres the deal. I understand how to get things done for the American people.

The latest polls show that Mr Trumps average poll lead is 1.8 per cent with one survey, taken after the State of the Union speech, putting Mr Biden two points ahead.

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A man has been charged with murder in relation to a 38-year-old who was found dead in his home.

John Belfield, 29, was wanted by police following an investigation into the death of Thomas Campbell in Mossley in 2022.

He was arrested last week at Manchester Airport after being deported from South America.

Mr Belfield has been charged with murder, conspiracy to murder and manslaughter.

He had been wanted by police since 2022 after Mr Campbell's body was found by a neighbour at his home on Riverside, Mossley.

Mr Campbell was robbed and "tortured to death" in his own home after being ambushed by three men, police said.

Belfield has also been charged with conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He has been remanded into custody and will appear before a magistrate.

Three jailed

Three people have already been sentenced for their role in Thomas Campbell's death.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: "Reece Steven, 29, of Poplar Street, Middleton, was found guilty of murder with conspiracy to rob. He was sentenced to life in prison and must serve a minimum of 37 years.

"Steven Cleworth, 38, of Charles Street, Heywood, was found guilty of manslaughter with conspiracy to rob. He was been sentenced life and must serve a minimum of 12 years.

"Coleen Campbell, 38, of Bamford Street, Manchester, was found guilty of manslaughter with conspiracy to rob. She was sentenced to 13 years and must serve a minimum of two-thirds in prison."

Det Ch Insp Liz Hopkinson of GMP's major incident team, said: "I would like to thank our colleagues at the National Crime Agency and Suriname law enforcement, alongside our officers in GMPs Specialist Operations and Force Critical Wanted Unit, for their tireless pursuit to find Belfield.

"A team of detectives continue to work hard on this case to ensure Thomas's family gets the justice they deserve and we urge anyone who is still out there who has any information to speak to us and do the right thing."

Anyone with any information can report to GMP on 0161 856 6377 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or information can be passed to them via a LiveChat service online, or 101.

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and other Republicans went after President Biden on Sunday for walking back remarks he made during his State of the Union address, calling a man accused of murder an illegal.

The man, accused of killing university student Laken Riley in Georgia, is a migrant from Venezuela who was not authorized to be in the U.S. The incident has become a political lightning rod for conservatives.

The president is cowering to his base and showing deference to a man who deserves none, Johnson wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. This man is an illegal immigrant who brutally murdered Laken Riley. President Biden should be apologizing to Lakens family. What an embarrassment.

Biden walked back the illegal remark in an MSNBC interview Saturday.

An undocumented person. I shouldnt have used illegal, its undocumented, Biden told MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart. And look, when I spoke about the difference between Trump and me, one of the things I talked about in the border was  the way he talks about vermin, the way he talks about these people polluting the blood [of America]. I talked about what Im not going to do. What I wont do.

Im not going to treat any, any, any of these people with disrespect. Look, they built the country. The reason our economy is growing. We have to control the border and more orderly flow, but I dont share his view at all, Biden continued.

So, you regret using that word? Capehart asked.

Yes, Biden responded.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), a potential GOP vice presidential pick, also went after Biden on Sunday.

Its disgusting, Scott said of Bidens apology in a Fox News Sunday Morning Futures interview. No one can explain that. Talk about disgusting.

Joe Biden is more worried about using the word illegal or undocumented. The word he should use is murderer, Scott continued. Here, we have Donald Trump, our president, sitting down with Laken Rileys family. And you have Joe Biden apologizing for what word he used.

The use of the term illegal caused criticism from some Democrats, who view the term as derogatory and representative of harsher immigration policy that they do not support.

Just like we should not be implementing Republican policy, we should not be repeating Republican rhetoric, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A federal court has dismissed a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by three Black real estate investors in Houston who claimed they were denied the opportunity to purchase condominiums in a new community development that catered to Asians.

The civil action against the RE/MAX franchise network and others was thrown out on Feb. 27 after U.S. District Judge David Hittner ruled the case lacked the proper legal standing under the federal Fair Housing Act.

Filed in September 2022 by James Ra-Amari and his wife, Misty Ra-Amari, and Mistys sister Rosemary Afful, the lawsuit obtained by Atlanta Black Star alleged that Houston-area realtor Josie Lin and associate property managers, including RE/MAX, conspired to prevent them from buying three new units at Grand West Condominiums in the suburb of Katy.

James Ra-Amari and his wife, Misty Ra-Amari (Photo: Facebook/James Ra-Amari)

Hittner dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, or without the option to refile, suggesting the plaintiffs cannot appeal the ruling to a higher court based solely on the merits of the case.

The lawsuit had sought undisclosed punitive damages for emotional distress while claiming violations of fair housing laws, which prohibit discrimination in the sale or rental of a dwelling.

Hittners ruling focused more on whether fair housing laws had been violated rather than on whether the Black investors had faced outright racism when they tried to buy property in an area of Houston that was being marketed specifically to Asian residents.

The lawsuit said the complexs promotional materials hailed it as a new option for Chinese and Asian communities. The marketing brochure also touted the property as a new option for a safe and simple Asian life and plugged the trendy Asian shopping district within walking distance.

Undeterred, the Black buyers still called Lin for a meeting, in which they were allegedly told that all the current owners were personal friends and knew each other, which suggested to the trio they were not welcome.

In the lawsuit, they argued that the narrow focus of the marketing materials, combined with Lins comments, established discrimination.

The action named Lins company, UMRE; Grand West Condominiums; Grand West Residential Condominium Association, Inc.; United Property Management; and two real estate brokerages, including RE/MAX and EXP Reality, who filed a joint motion to dismiss the case.

They argued that because the plaintiffs, as investors, never made a cash offer and did not intend to live in the units, they did not meet the criteria for discrimination in the sale or rental of a dwelling under the Fair Housing Act.

In his ruling, Judge Hittner decided that the plaintiffs lacked legal grounds to file the suit because they had failed to establish a business relationship with Lin in the first place and that Lin was never an agent acting on their behalf.

This lack of connection also extended to the other defendants in the case, ultimately leading to the dismissal.

Attorney Justin Moore, who represented the Black investors, issued a statement following the ruling, noting that the case underscored the loopholes in establishing fair housing practices nationwide.

Our stance is that real estate investment has historically been a pathway for many Americans to build wealth, and our clients endeavors align with this tradition, Moore wrote, according to the Houston Chronicle. Property at its essence is an investment.  Your home is an investment whether you live in it or not.

Judge Rules Houston Realtor Did Not Violate Fair Housing Laws By Blocking Black Investors from Buying In Asian Community
The deadly school shooting in a tight-knit village. The recent high-profile trial that led to the conviction of the defendants spouse. The hot-button issue of gun ownership and the responsibilities that come with it.

A pool of potential jurors faced weighty issues during jury selection last week, and ultimately those factors will weigh on the panel that will consider the involuntary manslaughter charges against James Crumbley, the father of a teen who opened fire at a Michigan high school in 2021, killing four students.

Just last month, Crumbleys wife, Jennifer, was convicted in the same courtroom of four counts of involuntary manslaughter  the same charges her husband faces in a separate trial. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison  the same sentence she could get.

A jury of his peers from the Oakland County community will determine James Crumbleys fate  a fact his lawyer has said is a problem. Just after his wifes conviction, Crumbleys attorney made a motion to move the trial to another part of the state, arguing the jury pool is tainted, but the motion was denied.

I may not be the best person for this case

Emotions ran high at times during jury selection as potential jurors were confronted with the question of whether they could be fair and impartial.

Several potential jurors were dismissed from the pool because they admitted they couldnt be fair to the shooters father. One of them, a father of three, told the court news coverage about the situation would probably cloud his judgment.

One of my daughters has a lot of nightmares about school shootings, and I just think I may not be the best person for this case, he said.

Another man who was dismissed from the jury pool said the case upset him. He watched Jennifer Crumbleys testimony during her trial but had to turn it off.

The lack of remorse didnt really sit well with me, so rather than sit there and endure that I just turned it off, the potential juror said.

Its difficult to see people who dont show they value the preciousness of having children and protecting them, he told the court.

Two men dismissed from the jury pool said they were worried sitting on Crumbleys jury would affect their standing at work.

One man said he works with several people from the Oxford community and his boss told him never to talk about the case if he made the jury.

The man was worried he could be influenced to convict Crumbley knowing how peers at work might treat him if the shooters father was acquitted.

The judge denied a defense request to dismiss another juror for cause when he waffled about whether he could be fair. The 25-year-old man said he wasnt sure if he could be impartial because serving on this jury might affect his relationship with his boss, who had family members affected by the school shooting.

He said he wasnt sure if he could set his emotions aside but later said he was overthinking it. Crumbleys attorney used a peremptory challenge to remove him from the panel.

A defendant should have 12 of your peers who understand you and the local norms and how things were. They stand in judgment of you and decide whether what you did deserves punishment, Ekow Yankah, Thomas M. Cooley Professor of Law at the University of Michigan, told CNN. But the flip side of that is, you dont just get to commit a crime and then act as though it happened in an abstract space. In an abstract community. It happened in a real place with a real community, with real people, and that community, if they can try you fairly, has a genuine interest in holding you to account.

Shooting guns is a hobby in the community

Jennifer Crumbley, in the same courtroom her husband is being tried, was found guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter on February 6. - Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

This case, like the one against his wife, is set to test the limits of who is responsible for a mass shooting. Prosecutors aiming to expand the scope of blame in mass shootings have used an unusual and novel legal strategy by arguing the shooters parents are responsible for the deaths because they got him a gun and disregarded signs of his mental health issues.

Parents have previously faced liability for their childs actions, such as with neglect or firearms charges. Still, Jennifer Crumbleys case was the first time a parent of a school shooter was held directly responsible for the killings.

In her opening statement, defense attorney Mariell Lehman pleaded ignorance on James Crumbleys behalf. She said he did not know his son Ethan had gained access to the weapon and did not believe there was an imminent, immediate threat of danger.

More than half of the panel of six men and nine women selected Wednesday are parents and several of them have guns in their homes or grew up with guns.

Shooting guns is a hobby for many families in the area  Oxford High School notifies students each year to leave their guns and camouflage outfits at home before they come to school, testimony in Jennifer Crumbleys case has shown.

Whether fellow gun owners will empathize with James Crumbley remains to be seen.

Shortly after the shooting, James Crumbley told investigators the murder weapon his son used had been hidden in a case and the bullets were stored separately, according to testimony in court Friday.

If you and I really think that his behavior was shocking, even though we live in our community, and we know that guns are a part of everyday life, thats a telling fact that he really did fall beneath our standards, Yankah told CNN. But if you and I think, Well gosh, he did everything that a good responsible gun owner does and this was something you cant control, then it matters that we grew up in a community where we know what good responsible gun ownership might look like.

Owning a gun and supervising your childrens use of them might not be an issue for this jury, but several panel members  men and women  said during jury selection they believe guns should be stored securely, especially if there are kids in the house.

Hiding the weapon isnt enough, some said, because curious kids will go snooping for it.

One mother of two who is on the panel said it would be irresponsible for someone with a minor child to keep guns unsecured in their home.

She also mentioned a newly passed state law requiring people to keep their firearms unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a lockbox in their home if a minor lives at or is likely to visit the property.

She acknowledged the law was not in effect at the time of the shooting and said she could be fair.

Other parents on the jury who dont own guns also expressed their opinions that guns should be locked securely when a minor is in the house.

The defense wanted a change of venue

Crumbleys attorney filed a motion last month to move the trial to another jurisdiction over concerns the jury pool in Oakland County is saturated with potential jurors who are connected to the Oxford community or closely followed news coverage about the shooting and Jennifer Crumbleys conviction. And a venue change would be less costly than a retrial, Lehman argued.

Even if a jury can be picked, jurors could never return home to their loved ones after acquitting Mr. Crumbley, knowing that they disappointed the many victims who want to see as many people held accountable as possible, Lehman wrote.

Judge Cheryl Matthews denied the request ahead of trial, and Crumbleys attorney did not renew the motion during jury selection in open court.

The bar is high to move a trial out of the community where it occurred, but its important to seat a jury with some degree of separation from the crimes on trial, according to Eve Brensike Primus, Yale Kamisar Collegiate Professor of Law at the University of Michigan.

You know, the Oxford shooting entirely shook up that entire community and youre going to have, if the community is small enough, how many degrees of separation between individuals who are on that jury and people who either lost someone or know someone who lost someone, and the emotions can be very high in that kind of circumstance and so you want to get some degree of separation from emotional decision-making, Primus told CNN. You want the decision here about guilt or innocence to be made on the basis of the application of the law to the facts of the case, right, rather than Im upset because there was this tragic loss of life and someone needs to pay for it. So this person is on trial. Ill just make them pay for it.

A memorial outside Oxford High School, where four students were killed on November 30, 2021. - Scott Olson/Getty Images

It remains to be seen how Jennifer Crumbleys conviction will play into the jurys verdict in her husbands trial.

Her attorney stressed the precedent-setting nature of the case to that panel, warning jurors theyd be setting a dangerous standard for parents in the future by convicting a mother for her sons crimes.

Maybe the jurors will no longer find it unimaginable that there is some huge legal leap, right, that this is a new precedent breaking case but jurors arent law students who are comparing 100 cases all the time, Yankah said.

Knowledge of the shooting and the criminal cases that followed did not disqualify jurors from the prospective pool.

The community members empaneled on James Crumbleys jury said they were aware of the shooting and had seen some news coverage about Jennifer Crumbleys trial.

One man on the panel said he didnt watch Jenifer Crumbleys trial closely but his wife did and she told him, She didnt believe there was any remorse. He said hell be able to separate his wifes opinions from evidence in this trial when considering James Crumbleys fate.

Acquitting Crumbley could come down to what the jury believes he did or didnt know about his sons mental health and the gun storage  regardless of what his wife may have known.

This jury will have to judge the facts about what James knew, and what James could foresee, and well see if those facts come out to be similar or different, Primus told CNN.

Its also unclear whether James will take the stand like his wife, who testified in her own defense and, in a remarkable moment, expressed no regret for her actions.

If he either testifies and you know, is able to show remorse in a way that appeals to the jurors or to show like a lack of knowledge in a way that appeals to them in a different way, it could result in a different circumstance, Primus said. Or if he doesnt testify, and were left just with, you know, sort of the cold hard facts  well have to see like how that plays out with the jury.

Three alternates will be randomly selected before deliberations begin to solidify the panel of 12 that will ultimately consider the case against James Crumbley. The jury is expected to get the case by the end of the week.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a criminal investigation following the Alaska Airlines incident during which a door panel blew off a Boeing 737 Max mid-flight.

Investigators have contacted some passengers and crew who were on the Jan. 5 flight that made the emergency landing in Portland, Ore., the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.

The DOJ has conducted interviews with pilots and flight attendants on the flight, the outlet said, citing documents and people familiar with the investigation.

The Alaska Airlines flight was a Boeing plane that suffered a blowout shortly after takeoff at 16,000 feet elevation. Pilots successfully landed the plane and there were no major injuries, but Boeing has been under heightened criticism since the incident.

The part of the plane that blew off was a panel that was plugging a space left for an extra emergency door. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation into the incident shortly after it happened. The Federal Aviation Administration is probing overall safety at Boeing.

The Hill has reached out to Alaska Airlines for comment, but the company told The Associated Press that in an event like this, its normal for the DOJ to be conducting an investigation.

We are fully cooperating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation, the airline said in a statement.

The DOJs investigation will assist the review of whether Boeing has complied with a previous settlement that resolved a federal investigation into the safety of 737 Max aircraft after deadly crashes were reported in 2018 and 2019 killing more than 300 people, the Journal reported.

Earlier this week, the NTSB said Boeing has yet to turn over documentation related to the production and installation of the door plug that blew off. Last month, the NTSB said four bolts that keep the door plug in place were missing after the panel was removed so employees could repair something nearby in September.

In a letter to Congress, Boeing acknowledged that it cannot find records for work done on the door panel for the Alaska Airlines plane, the AP noted.

The Hill has reached out to the DOJ and Boeing for further comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Katie Britt, the freshman Alabama Senator whose State of the Union rebuttal was widely ridiculed this week, is defending accusations that she misrepresented a story about a human trafficking survivor in order to amplify fears and critiques of President Joe Bidens border policies.

Over the weekend, Ms Britt faced backlash after a journalist revealed that a story she told of a human trafficking survivor happened more than 15 years ago in Mexico and not recently in the US, as Ms Britt had implied.

But on Sunday, Ms Britt told Shannon Bream on Fox News Sunday that she did not intend to make it seem that this happened recently and clearly stated in her rebuttal speech that she spoke with someone who was trafficked as a child.

Joe Biden during the 2024 State of the Union (Getty Images)

The Alabama senator said that her language should have indicated to audiences that the story took place many years ago because she was trafficked when she was 12 years old and now she is a woman.

I very clearly said, I spoke to a woman who told me about when she was trafficked when she was 12. So I didnt say a teenager, I didnt say a young woman. A grown woman, Ms Britt said.

During her rebuttal, Ms Britt recounted graphic details of the survivors experience before saying, We wouldnt be OK with this happening in a third-world country. This is the United States of America, and its past time we start acting like it. President Bidens border crisis is a disgrace.

Ms Britt did not name the survivor but a spokesperson for her office told The Washington Post she was referring to Karla Jacinto, a human trafficking victims rights advocate who testified to Congress in 2015 in support of International Megans Law.

WATCH: @SenKatieBritt joined to discuss foreign aid appropriations, criticism linking a human trafficking case to President Biden, and IVF access in her state. pic.twitter.com/guO25pyVYM  Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) March 10, 2024

At the time, Ms Jacinto testified that she was trafficked in Mexico beginning at the age of 12 (around 2004) after her mother threw her out of the house. She was recused in 2008 at the age of 16.

However, Ms Britt omitted details about where and when this happened from her rebuttal, leading some to believe it could be tied to the current border crisis.

The Independent reached out to Ms Britts office on Saturday and did not get a response.

Katie Britt, the Alabama Senator, joined Fox News Sunday to defend herself against criticisms of her SOTU rebuttal (Fox News Sunday / Fox News)

However, Ms Britt did not apologise for causing any confusion and instead lashed out at the media for not covering Ms Jacintos story to raise awareness about human trafficking.

If you are a child and you need help because something has happened to you, you can call the NSPCC free of charge on 0800 1111. You can also call the NSPCC if you are an adult and you are worried about a child, on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adults on 0808 801 0331
By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) -Kate, Britain's Princess of Wales, thanked the public on Sunday for their support in her first public message since undergoing abdominal surgery in January, posting a picture of herself with her three children.

Her statement may go some way to answering the rumours and wild speculation on social media that have arisen in recent weeks about the health of the princess, who has been absent from public royal life since Christmas Day.

The photograph, taken by her husband, heir to the throne Prince William, showed Kate, 42, smiling and looking well, surrounded by Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte.

"Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months," Kate wrote in a message on X. "Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day."

Mother's Day is celebrated on Sunday in Britain. The photograph was taken earlier this week in Windsor where the family live, her Kensington Palace office said.

Kate spent two weeks in hospital in January after having surgery for a non-cancerous but unspecified condition. She has not been seen in public since and Kensington Palace has said she is unlikely to return to official duties until after Easter, which falls at the end of this month.

Britain's royals usually do not disclose details of illnesses, regarding all medical issues as private. But the long absence of the princess - normally a frequent smiling presence at charity and other events - has spurred speculation about her health.

Her office released a statement earlier this month, reiterating that it would be providing only "significant updates" about her recovery.

KING CHARLES' HEALTH

Kate's surgery came on the same day that palace officials said King Charles, 75, would also be entering hospital for treatment for an enlarged prostate.

During the king's hospital stay, his medical team discovered he had an unspecified form of cancer. The monarch has had to postpone his public engagements while he undergoes treatment although he has been pictured carrying out some of his duties as head of state.

Buckingham Palace also marked Mother's Day, posting a picture of Charles kissing the hand of his late mother Queen Elizabeth, who died aged 96 in September 2022.

"Wishing all Mothers, and those who are missing their Mums today, a peaceful Mothering Sunday," the accompanying message said.

(Reporting by Michael HoldenEditing by Louise Heavens and Frances Kerry)
Two Sessions Explainer: How Chinese lawmakers and political advisers fulfill their democratic duties

11:14, March 09, 2024 By Peng Yukai, Zhao Tong, Liu Ning, Zhou Bo ( People's Daily Online

During the Two Sessions, China's most important annual political gathering known as "lianghui," national legislators and political advisers from all walks of life gather in Beijing to review legislation and discuss state affairs.

This year, nearly 3,000 National People's Congress (NPC) deputies and more than 2,100 members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee are attending this major political event, bringing with them motions and proposals. This provides a global window into the country's development and helps in understanding its policy direction for the coming year.

Follow People's Daily Online to hear about the new suggestions and proposals brought forth by Chinese lawmakers and political advisers.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chengliang)
Weapons and ammunition have been found in Khankandi, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijan's Ministry of Internal Affairs.

On March 8, the police officers found 1 assault rifle, 1 grenade, 1 grenade fuse, 1 magazine, 241 cartridges of various calibers, and other ammunition in the territory of Khankandi city.

Recall that weapons and ammunition have been discovered in secret places, as well as in the basements of schools, kindergartens, and various buildings in the liberated areas of Azerbaijan's Garabagh as well as in Khankendi.

Those weapons belonging to the Armenian separatists are once again confirmed to have been hidden by the Armenians, who were illegally trying to commit terrorist operations and provocations in the territories of Azerbaijan.

It should be recalled that on September 19, 2023, as a result of the short anti-terrorist measures conducted by the Azerbaijani Army, the Armenian separatists operating illegally in Garabagh were disarmed, and the leaders of the separatist groups were brought to Baku and arrested in accordance with the law.




If you've been investing in artificial intelligence (AI) stocks, then you're doubtless familiar with Nvidia. The chipmaker develops powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) that can be used to power accelerated computing, machine learning, and a variety of generative AI applications.

Another company that has been garnering much enthusiasm from investors is Nvidia's cohort, Super Micro Computing (NASDAQ: SMCI).

Unlike Nvidia, Supermicro does not design or manufacture chips. Instead, it designs integrated systems for IT architecture, including storage clusters and server racks. The boom in demand for GPUs over the last year has served as a tailwind for Supermicro -- its revenue is currently growing by over 100% annually.

But that's not all -- the good news just keeps on rolling in for Supermicro. After trading hours on Friday, news broke that Supermicro will be joining the S&P 500. Shares surged 12% post-market and are now nearing all-time highs.

While this is quite an impressive achievement, does this make Supermicro stock a buy?

Supermicro is growing exponentially, but...

While estimates vary, some Wall Street research suggests that Nvidia in 2023 held 98% of the data center GPU market. Demand for its A100 and H100 GPUs is extraordinarily high. Given Supermicro's close ties to Nvidia, it's not surprising to see that it, too, experienced steep sales growth in recent quarters.

Indeed, in light of its critical role in integrated data center services, George Tsilis of TD Ameritrade has labeled Supermicro a "stealth Nvidia." However, there is much more to the investment case than just its top-line growth.

Image Source: Getty Images

...margins and competition could become problematic.

For its fiscal 2024 second quarter, which ended Dec. 31, Supermicro reported a gross margin of 15.4%. That was a decline from both the prior quarter and the same period in the prior year. Moreover, the company's current margin profile is in line with its 10-year average -- not growing in tandem with revenue.

Story continues

Management attributed margin deterioration to more aggressive investments in IT design and market share acquisition. This approach should be OK for now. But in the long run, Supermicro needs to demonstrate that it can expand its margins and cash flows. Otherwise, a liquidity crunch could arise.

One threat that could continue putting strain on Supermicro's margin profile is competition in the semiconductor space. Other AI leaders, including Microsoft and Amazon, are entering the AI chip market. Nvidia's near-total dominance in the market could start eroding sooner than later.

It would behoove Supermicro to foster relationships with other chip designers, as its growth cannot hinge solely on demand for Nvidia's products in the long run.

Should you invest in Super Micro Computer stock?

One of the things I've warned about regarding Supermicro is that the stock often trades in tandem with Nvidia. While this may seem like it makes sense, it could eventually become dangerous. They are entirely different businesses. Moreover, Nvidia's top line is growing at much faster rates than Supermicro's -- and the chipmaker is far more profitable.

Supermicro as a business is not really comparable to Nvidia or Advanced Micro Devices. Rather, it competes with the likes of Dell Technologies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Lenovo, and even IBM to some degree.

At a price-to-sales ratio of 5.6, Supermicro is trading at a noticeable premium to that of its peers. This is not to say that Supermicro is a poor investment choice, per se. Many investors have made a lot of money from the stock over the last year. But that doesn't mean you should follow the crowd at this point.

Given Supermicro's pending addition to the S&P 500 on March 18 (when S&P Global conducts its standard quarterly rebalance), I suspect the company will now get much more attention from institutional investors. This would be a good thing for shareholders in the long run, as a more diverse set of opinions will enter the discussion around Supermicro and its long-term prospects.

I think it's going to take years to get a concrete idea of which companies will emerge as long-term winners in artificial intelligence. For this reason, I think a prudent strategy would be to keep an eye on Supermicro's operating performance and see if the company can maintain its momentum. But given the activity fueling its shares higher by the day, I think I'd wait this one out for now.

Should you invest $1,000 in Super Micro Computer right now?

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John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. Adam Spatacco has positions in Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends International Business Machines and Super Micro Computer and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

This Red-Hot Artificial Intelligence (AI) Company Just Joined Nvidia and AMD in the S&P 500: Is It Time to Buy? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) defended herself on Sunday after she used a story of sexual violence from two decades ago in Mexico as an attack on President Biden in her State of the Union response.

Britt shared the story of a young woman she met who experienced harrowing human trafficking between 2004-2008 in Mexico, but she used the womans experience to attack Biden, drawing mass criticism.

The senator brushed off the criticism, claiming the story is emblematic of the presidents border policy.

Ive said, in [Bidens] first 100 days he had 94 executive actions, and those executive actions didnt just create the crisis. They invited it, Britt said in a Fox News Sunday interview with Shannon Bream.

The truth is, and the media knows that theyre not covering it, that human trafficking has gone up under President Biden, she continued. If you look back under 2018, it was a $500 million industry, human trafficking by the drug cartels. It is now a $13 billion dollar industry. Shannon, the drug cartels are winning under this. This is a story of what is happening now.

Britts response painted a dark picture for the future of America, warning of violence under Democratic leadership.

Later Thursday, the Biden campaign hit back, going after Britt for her record on immigration policy.

Last month, Senator Britt sided against President Biden, the Border Patrol Union, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce by opposing the toughest bipartisan border deal in modern history  instead voting with fentanyl traffickers, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said.

The bipartisan border security bill passed the Senate last month, without Britts support, but fell apart in the House.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Republican Sen. Katie Britt, who delivered her dramatic rebuttal to the State of the Union in an angry whisper from her kitchen, refused to admit she told a story of a sex-trafficking survivor in her speech that misled the audience to believe it took place in the U.S. under the Biden administration. Even when questioned about it on Fox News, Britt refused to acknowledge she wrongly tried to link the story to President Joe Biden.

During Britts speech, she told a story of a woman she spoke with who had been sex trafficked by the cartels starting at age 12. She implied that this occurred because of Bidens border policies and that it happened in the U.S. when she said right after the anecdote, We wouldnt be OK with this happening in a third-world country. This is the United States of America, and its past time we start acting like it. President Bidens border crisis is a disgrace. Its despicable. And its almost entirely preventable. As independent journalist and former Associated Press reporter and editor Jonathan M. Katz uncovered, the survivor, Karla Jacinto Romero, was sex trafficked between 2004 and 2008, before Biden was president or even vice president, and the trafficking took place in Mexico, not the U.S.

Fox News host Shannon Bream questioned Britt on Sunday about her intentions. Nobody is questioning that the story happened and she is actually who she is and says she is and that does happen, the question is about the timing and implication of you telling this story, Bream said, asking, Did you mean to give the impression this horrible story happened on President Bidens watch?

No, Britt said, adding that she was talking about Bidens executive actions on immigration during his first 100 days.

If you look back under 2018, [human trafficking] was a $500 million industry, human trafficking by the drug cartels. It is now a $13 billion industry. Shannon, the drug cartels are winning under this. This is a story of what is happening now at an astronomical rate, and we have to bring attention to it, Britt said.

But the trafficking statistic, as The New York Times pointed out, is from 2022, meaning it spans a four-year period covering the Biden and Trump administrations approximately equally.

To be clear, Bream followed-up, the story you relayed is not something thats happened during the Biden administration, that particular person?

SHANNON BREAM: To be clear, the story you relayed is not something that happened during the Biden administration?



KATIE BRITT: I very clearly said I spoke to a woman who told me about when she was trafficked when she was 12



(She actually made it sound like Biden was to blame) pic.twitter.com/aOCavy7dve  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 10, 2024

I very clearly said I spoke to a woman who told me about when she was trafficked when she was 12. So I didnt say a teenager, I didnt say a young woman. A grown woman, a woman, when she was trafficked, when she was 12, Britt responded, still not directly conceding that the way she told the story was misleading but indirectly admitting that it did not happen under Bidens watch.

The White House released a statement through spokesperson Andrew Bates on Sunday regarding Britt: Instead of telling more debunked lies to justify opposing the toughest bipartisan border legislation in modern history, Senator Britt should stop choosing human smugglers and fentanyl traffickers over our national security and the Border Patrol Union.

Biden has been trying to push bipartisan immigration reform legislation through Congress, but Republicans in the House killed the bill, just as former president Donald Trump instructed them to do.

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Details of a graphic story Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) told during her response to President Joe Bidens State of the Union on Thursday left viewers puzzled, as it emerged that the lurid tale of sex trafficking and rape she used to highlight Bidens immigration policies occurred in Mexico during President George W. Bushs administration.

But Britt didnt back away from the anecdote on Sunday  and declined to clearly state that the incident in question had not occurred during the Biden administration, when pressed by Fox News Shannon Bream during an interview on Fox News Sunday.

Did you mean to give the impression that this horrible story happened on President Biden's watch? Bream asked.

No  I very specifically said, this is what President Biden did during his first 100 days. Minutes after coming into office, he stopped all deportations. He halted construction of the border wall, and he said I am going to give amnesty to millions. Those types of things act as a magnet to have more and more people here, Britt replied.



When asked to clarify that the incident was not something that occurred during the Biden administration, Britt said: I very clearly said, I spoke to a woman who told me about when she was trafficked, when she was 12. So I didn't say a teenager, I didn't say a young woman, a grown woman, a woman when she was trafficked when she was 12.

The blowback over Britt's anecdote told at her kitchen table drew a lot of attention away from the intended purpose of the speech, to counter President Joe Biden's remarks earlier in the evening and subjected the previously little-known Alabama senator to strong criticism.

Former Associated Press reporter Jonathan M. Katz first drew attention to the cloudy details of the story in a roughly seven-minute TikTok video, indicating the woman in question was Karla Jacinto Romero, who met with Britt and two other senators in January 2023. Romero testified before Congress back in 2015 about her experiences a decade earlier with sex trafficking in Mexico.

The moment quickly spread across social media channels, and actress Scarlett Johansson stepped in to parody the speech  including Britt's confounding story  during Saturday Night Lives cold open. And Britt's story earned four Pinocchios from the Washington Posts Fact Checker columnist Glenn Kessler (the highest number for claims Kessler dubs inaccurate).
Kellyanne Conway, who used to serve as an aide to former President Donald Trump, is pushing back against bipartisan efforts that could lead to a potential ban of the social media app TikTok in the U.S.

The Club for Growth, a conservative organization that has been a staunch proponent of TikTok, is working with Conway to advocate for the Chinese-owned app in Congress, Politico first reported. The former Trump advisor has had at least 10 meetings with lawmakers in recent months to discuss the matter, according to the report.

Billionaire financier Jeff Yass, a top donor to the Club for Growth whose fund has a large stake in TikToks parent company, was recently a guest at Trumps Mar-a-Lago club. The former president reportedly sought his support in the 2024 election. Not long after the meeting, Trump appeared to walk back his previous position advocating for a ban, writing on social media: If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business.

TikTok has been under scrutiny by lawmakers over concerns about ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of the app, handing over the data of millions of American TikTok users to its government upon request, posing a potential national security and data privacy threat. ByteDance has repeatedly denied that the app poses a threat to U.S. security, but bipartisan efforts have still been made to address the concerns.

On Thursday, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce voted unanimously on a bipartisan bill, which was backed by the White House, that would force ByteDance to divest in the app within six months or risk a ban in U.S. app stores.

Americas foremost adversary has no business controlling a dominant media platform in the United States, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.), chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said in a statement.

While lawmakers have said that the bill is not an attempt to restrict the app, TikTok has argued that it is an outright ban of TikTok, no matter how much the authors try to disguise it.

Conway has previously pushed back on calls to ban TikTok, stating that she isnt a huge ban things person, the Hill reported. In a statement to Politico on Saturday, Conway said that alienating 170 million monthly U.S. users was draconian and ill-advised.

If you want to hold China accountable, why are you starting with TikTok, and not the origins of the COVID crisis, the fentanyl crisis, the persecution of Uyghurs, and the vulnerability of Taiwan, she said.

According to Politico, the former Trump aide has encouraged lawmakers to take a different approach by setting guardrails for TikTok and ByteDance on the use of American data. She emphasized to Republican policymakers that banning TikTok would create an obstacle to reaching young people, minorities and women, who are heavy users of the app.

TikTok has also joined civil liberties groups in opposition of the bill, arguing that it would be a free speech violation for the millions of Americans who use the app, The Washington Post reported.

This legislation will trample the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans and deprive 5 million small businesses of a platform they rely on to grow and create jobs, a TikTok spokesperson previously told HuffPost.

Last year, efforts were made to ban the app in Montana, but a federal judge struck it down, ruling that a ban would be unconstitutional. Other states have passed legislation to prevent employees from using the app on state devices, and the app has been banned on U.S. government devices.

Related...
Kent police arrested two men after a woman was stabbed while being called derogatory and racist names this week.

Officers were sent to a reported stabbing on Central Avenue South. The attack happened around 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, according to a Facebook post from the Kent Police Department (KPD).

Police said a woman called 911 saying she had been assaulted near a Metro bus, however, the men who allegedly stabbed her had run off.

The men allegedly said they did not like Black people

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a 43-year-old African American woman from Kent. The woman told police two men came up to her while she was on a Metro bus and allegedly called her racist, derogatory names and said they did not like Black people.

The woman said she didnt feel safe so she walked closer to the driver and asked him to call 911.

One of the men allegedly followed her to the front of the bus, grabbed her and tried to force her off the bus. The man, allegedly, then pulled her outside, punched her several times, took out a pocket knife and repeatedly stabbed her.

Officers at the scene said her jacket had several cuts in the fabric. KPD said she was wearing a bulky jacket, which protected her from being seriously injured.

The Kent Police Department makes 2 arrests

Officers said they searched the area for the two men. However, around 10 minutes into the search, a resident who lived on South 259th Street, called police saying a man was hiding under her car.

They ended up detaining a 22-year-old man from Maple Valley. Later, after he was confirmed to be the man who allegedly stabbed the woman, the man was booked into the King County Jail for assault and a hate crime.

The second man, a 22-year-old from Auburn, allegedly tried to interfere with his friends arrest. Therefore, he was arrested and charged with obstructing justice. He was booked into the City of Kent Corrections Facility.

KPD said multiple witnesses gave officers statements about the attack and the Metro bus driver provided video footage.

I am infuriated by the blatant hateful racially motivated attack on the victim. Our officers took this call very seriously, conducting a thorough investigation and successfully put the violent offender in jail, Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla said.

Padilla also said in the statement KPD will continue the investigation and will prosecute the offender to the fullest extent of the law.

I want to say this in the strongest way that I can, hate crimes will not be tolerated. If you commit a hate crime in our city, KPD will be relentless in our pursuit of bringing you to justice.

KENT POLICE OFFICERS LOCATE AND ARREST SUSPECT FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND HATE CRIME KENT, WA-March 8, 2024-Yesterday... Posted by Kent Police Department on Friday, March 8, 2024

Originally posted at mynorthwest.com
If you and your husband had visited six of earths seven continents and he, before dying, implores you to visit the seventh, what do you do?

Judy Shaw did what her late husband, Bruce, asked her to do before he died in September 2023 after a diagnosis of terminal cancer in July 2023. In January, she spent three weeks visiting Antarctica, traveling with Princess Cruises.

The late Bruce Shaw took this photo of his wife, Judy. She recently returned from a cruise to Antarctica, which means she has visited every continent in the world. Bruce Shaw died in September, and encouraged his wife to follow through with the goal to visit them all.

The journey was a pilgrimage to honor the memory of Bruce. It began with a flight to Buenos Aires, where tours of the city were available, and then on to Montevideo, Uruguay, and then off to the ice and snow of Antarctica.

Aboard the Sapphire Princess, which has a capacity of more than 2,600 passengers, Judy set sail and enjoyed places like the Beagle Channel, a deep-water ocean passage that is rich in sea life such as sea lions and seals and that was named for the boat that carried biologist Charles Darwin in the 1830s on the voyage that helped him to form the theory of evolution.

The ships next stop was Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, a group of self-governing islands whose ownership is disputed by Britain and Argentina. Its population, mostly Welsh and Scottish, voted its preference for Britain. Fishing is the main industry, although Judy said there is a strong movement against whaling among the Falklanders. The islands are also noted for their bird population.

The cruise continuedsouth to Cormorant Island off Antarcticas so-named Palmer Archipelago. Cormorant is an important habitat of penguins, shags, giant petrels and other birdlife found in the extreme southern hemisphere.

Still feeling a sense of mourning, she said she kept to herself for much of the trip, but on an excursion to see the birds of the region, said she met a fellow traveler from Cincinnati who helped her with photography.

After Cormorant, the cruise continued along the Palmer Archipelago and the Antarctica Coast, where Judy snapped photos of cold, clear water and snow-covered mountains.

Judy Shaw of Kent took this photo of an iceberg during her recent cruise to Antarctica, the southernmost continent in the world. Shaw now has visited every continent in the world.

From Antarctica, the Sapphire Princess headed north to its final destination  Santiago, the capital of Chile. But first was a stop to see Ushuaia, near the southern tip of Argentina.

January is the summer season for the southern hemisphere. With temperatures in the 90s, Judy enjoyed the amenities of the hotel, including an open-air, rooftop-terrace restaurant with views of the Andes Mountains until her flight home to the United States and her return to Kent.

The voyage felt different without Bruce, with whom she took a Cunard Line cruise around the world last winter, months before her husbands diagnosis of advanced liver cancer.

During their almost-38 years of marriage, the two based their lives in Moorestown, New Jersey, where Judy pursued a career in environmental protection and writing. Bruce cared for his father, Roger Shaw, the retired Kent State educator and a widower suffering from glaucoma, who had moved in with them. Bruce was hired by the Cadbury, a Quaker elder care facility, to administer their grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to create Americas first all-inclusive care program for the elderly.

For most of his life, Bruce had been on the move. He lived some of his childhood in postwar Germany where his father, working for the Marshall Plan, helped de-Nazify German history for their education system. Roger Shaw, in the late 1940s, accepted a position in the College of Education at Kent State. In 1961, he took on the challenge of creating the first teacher training college in what is now Tanzania. Bruce was hired by the then-new Peace Corps at age 20 and was among 200 American volunteers to teach in the schools.

Later, pursuing a bachelors degree at Syracuse University, he was hired by the Peace Corps to teach some 2,000 volunteers Swahili, a language he had learned while working in Africa. Pursuing a masters degree at the University of Michigan, he worked for their Institute of Social Research and then spent much of the rest of his career with organizations like National Science Foundation in Washington and agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development in Ghana.

Back at the University of Michigan to pursue a doctorate, Bruce and Judy, who had known each other as children, became re-acquainted after two decades, fell in love and married. It was not the first marriage for either, but the marriage was a happy one that lasted. They watched their daughter Rachel grow up, graduate from Emory Nursing School, and become an expert in communicable diseases. Unable to shake his Wanderlust, or love of adventure, Bruce, with Judy, resumed traveling, making several trips to Europe.

Janet and I encountered the Shaw family at different intervals of our lives. Janet, as an undergraduate in the late 1960s, took a class from Professor Roger Shaw at Kent State. She described him as an interesting, no-nonsense teacher who expected much of his students. I first met Bruce when I was 10 years old in elementary school. Dressed in traditional German costume, Bruce, only 8, was helping his mother, Mary, an elementary school teacher, explain to us youngsters about life in postwar Germany. Kent is a relatively small college town, so our paths crossed repeatedly after that.

Having finished her Antarctica pilgrimage to honor the memory of her beloved husband, Judy is busy now sorting through memories and reorganizing her life at the Kent University Heights neighborhood home she and Bruce inherited from his parents. Judy is a talented writer and active in the Edith Chase Symposium, which is devoted to environmental issues. Judy has much to say, and with her writing talents can contribute much to the good of the community.

David E. Dix is a former publisher of The Record-Courier.

David E. Dix

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Along the Way by David Dix: Kent woman's cruise honors late husband
For the first time in Kevin Millers brief political career, he faces a challenge from another Republican, although he wonders if Daniel Kalmbach is really a Republican.

Republican voters will choose between Miller, 49, of Franklin Township, southeast of Newark, and Kalmbach, 29, of Licking Township, south of Heath, to represent a redrawn 69th Ohio House District. State representatives earn $69,876 this year.

The winner will face Democrat Jamie Hough, 37, of Heath, in the general election. Hough, operations manager for Travel Centers of America, moved to Heath in 2018 and makes his first run for elected office.

Miller, appointed in 2021 to complete the term of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, faced no primary opposition in 2022 and easily defeated Democrat Charlotte Owens in the general election.

Republicans picked Miller from 19 candidates to replace Householder, whom a jury later convicted of racketeering in orchestrating a $60 million bribery scheme and a judge sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The district lines will change next year, with the northern half and the southeast quadrant of Licking County in the 69th District. The northwest, including Johnstown, will be new to the district. The southwest will be in the 68th District.

The district currently encompasses the eastern and southern portions of Licking County, along with parts of Fairfield and Perry counties.

Republicans criticize Miller for backing Jason Stephens for Ohio House speaker over Derek Merrin

Some Republicans criticized Miller for his 2023 vote for Jason Stephens for Ohio House speaker. Stephens, a Republican, won the job when Democrats joined with moderate Republicans to upset favored Republican Derek Merrin, whom Republicans previously supported in an unofficial party vote.

I voted for a very conservative speaker, the only one endorsed by CPAC (Conservative Political Action Committee) and Right to Life, Miller said. Anything else is nonsense. Im out working hard for the folks and I think I deserve another term.

Kalmbach, who grew up in Findlay and moved to Licking County last year, said conservative leaders from around the state encouraged him to run for the Ohio House. He has never run for office before.

The reason why Im running is because I believe this area needs a strong conservative, with the growth coming, Kalmbach said. I stood up to represent this district and the conservative voters we hold dear.

Kalmbach states in a political ad, This election comes down to trust. Kevin Miller and 21 other RINOs (Republican In Name Only) teamed up with all 32 Democrats to vote together to install a liberal speaker and crush the Republican agenda. Columbus Democrats cant buy me. Im owned by no one.

Candidates Miller, Kalmbach discuss their Licking County connections

Miller responded to Kalmbachs assertion he is owned by no one.

I would challenge that because my constituents have received numerous mailings from out-of-state PACs (political action committees) supporting my opponent," Miller said.

Im the only candidate in this race who raised a family here and educated my children in Licking County. Im the only candidate thats a registered Republican and voted in Republican candidates and endorsed by Licking County Republicans.

Miller has lived at his current home since 2018 and lived in Licking County since 2013.

Kalmbach acknowledged he voted for the first time last year.

I do not agree with absentee voting, Kalmbach said. I was never home on an election day. My address did not change until I moved to Licking County. I found ways to get involved in other ways than voting.

Both Kalmbach, Miller have connections to state Rep. Thad Claggett

One way Kalmbach got involved was working as a legislative assistant for state Rep. Thad Claggett, R-Newark.

Claggett, elected two years ago with Miller, said he is not endorsing anyone in the Miller-Kalmbach race.

He worked for me a few months in 2023, Claggett said of Kalmbach. He has a politically active family. He did a good job working for me and I have an appreciation of what hes trying to do.

Claggett said he has differed with Miller on some things, including the speaker vote.

Initially, we got along great, Claggett said. I was not pleased with his vote on the speaker. I didnt think it was proper.

Miller spent 20 years with Ohio State Highway Patrol, says officers suffer unfair attacks

Miller, employed more than 20 years with the Ohio Highway Patrol, spent the last four years there as a legislative liaison for the patrol, drafting legislation and keeping troopers updated on what was happening at the legislature.

Throughout his law enforcement career, Miller served as a state trooper, labor relations management advocate and post commander.

He said there are many important issues, but one stands above the rest:

Most important to me is to advocate for our first responders, Miller said. Thats near and dear to my heart.

He said police officers have suffered unfair attacks on their profession in recent years.

Its important we push back against that narrative, Miller said. Because of that, were having huge recruitment problems. We need to continue to support those that put their lives on the line every day.

He has 13 bills pending now. Four passed in the House and are waiting in the Senate.

Miller said he helped get $10 million for the Buckeye Lake North Shore park and pier project. He wants to eliminate the CAT tax, invest in career tech programs, support public schools and school choice through vouchers, build out the next-generation 911 system and fund professional education for law enforcement.

Kalmbach lived in Columbus before moving to Licking County; family owns Upper Sandusky business

Kalmbach was home-schooled in high school, then attended Cedarville University, a Christian school near Dayton. After graduation, he went to Case Western.

He moved to central Ohio after obtaining the job working for Claggett. He lived in Columbus for a short time in 2022. He moved to Hebron, then moved to Licking Township, near the Perry County line, when the 69th Ohio House District boundaries changed.

While living in Columbus, police there cited Kalmbach for impaired driving and following a vehicle to closely on June 4, 2022, when police records allege he hit another vehicle from behind.

Kalmach pled guilty to an amended charge, and the following to closely charge was dismissed March 27, 2023, according to Franklin County Municipal Court records.

Daniel Kalmbach

"My criminal record is clean," Kalmbach said. "My driving record is a few speeding tickets and three fender benders, one of which resulted in a reckless driving. I do not and have never had a DUI on my record.

"Yes, there was a police report stating that I was cited for OVI. Being cited for OVI and being convicted of OVI are two very different things. We all make mistakes. In this case, the officer made a mistake."

His family owns and operates Kalmbach Feeds, a third-generation business in Upper Sandusky. It was established in 1963 as a small grind and mix mill and has grown into what the company describes as a regional leader in the animal nutrition industry.

The company has six locations, three in Ohio and one each in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Mississippi.

Kalmbach said he worked as a farmer during summer and winter vacations in different parts of the company, starting at a young age. He spent one year working in a pork processing facility as one of the managers with 80 union employees.

We had to learn the company from the bottom up, working a wide variety of positions in the business, Kalmbach said.

He wants to promote agriculture as a way of life.

Agriculture has been put on the back burner for the last 50 years, Kalmbach said. We need to find ways to protect the family farm.

Kalmbach an 'avid supporter' of family friend Jim Jordan

Jim Jordan, a prominent Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, has been a close friend of the Kalmbach family for many years.

Ive known Jim Jordan most of my life, Kalmbach said. I began volunteering for him when I was 11. He is a conservative fighter who has raised the flag relentlessly for conservatives.

He said his family got connected with Jordan through one of the companys employees.

Weve been an avid supporter of his, Kalmbach said. His persistence and dedication, its something I aspire to be like.

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

740-973-4539

Twitter: @kmallett1958

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Republicans Miller, Kalmbach meet in 69th Ohio House District primary
To mark the occasion of his brother Prince Edward's 60th birthday, King Charles III has appointed him to "the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle." Credit - Julian FinneyGetty Images

King Charles III awarded his younger brother, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Order of the Thistle to mark the princes 60th birthday on Sunday, March 10.

The appointment is Scotlands highest royal honor, named after the countrys national flower, the thistle. The appointment is given to 16 distinguished Scots and any members of the royal family the reigning monarch chooses: Last year, Charles gave the award to his wife, Queen Camilla.

Also last year, for Prince Edwards 59th birthday, Charles gave Edward the title of the Duke of Edinburghpreviously held by their father, Queen Elizabeth IIs husband, Prince Philip.

Heres what you need to know about the Order of the Thistle and the new appointments.

What is Scotland's Order of the Thistle?

The centuries-old tradition was formally established by King James VII of Scotland, who was also King James II of England, in 1687 to reward Scots who supported him, the U.K.s official royal website says. Legend has it that the order informally dates back to 809, when King Achaius of the Scots made an alliance with the Emperor Charlemagne.

The King is the Sovereign of the Order and is responsible for appointments as a personal gift. The awards to 16 ordinary knights and ladies can only be given to Scottish nationals, but royals from the U.K. or other countries can be appointed as extra knights and ladies, the U.K. governments honors website says.

Along with Queen Camilla, the Kings sister Anne, the Princess Royal, and his son Prince William, the Duke of Rothesay (the Scottish title of the Prince of Wales), also currently hold the honor.

New members are appointed at a service in the Thistle Chapel at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. Knights dress in green velvet robes and white hats and join the monarch for a procession from the Signet Library in central Edinburgh to the chapel nearby, where they meet the ladies. After the installation service, the monarch holds a reception at the Signet Library, then lunch at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Who are the other new honorees in the Order of the Thistle?

This year, the King also chose three Scots to receive the award.

Professor Dame Sue Black, also the Baroness of Strome, is a prominent anthropologist and professor who is currently president of St. Johns College at the University of Oxford. She is a member of the House of Lords in the U.K. Parliament.

Baroness Helena Kennedy, also known as Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws, is a leading lawyer and academic who helped found the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at Oxford. She is also a member of the House of Lords.

Sir Geoff Palmer became the first Black professor in Scotland in 1989 at Heriot-Watt University, where he received a PhD in Grain Science and Technology in a joint program with Edinburgh University. He helped set up the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Ukraine on Sunday slammed Pope Francis's call to negotiate with Russia two years into its invasion, vowing "never" to surrender after the pontiff said Kyiv should "have the courage to raise the white flag".

The 87-year-old Catholic leader fuelled anger in Kyiv this weekend after he said in an interview that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia, which has seized large swathes of its territory in the offensive.

It is not the first statement by Pope Francis during Moscow's invasion that has caused outrage in Ukraine. The pontiff has also made statements slammed by Russia.

"Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

He was responding to the Pope's interview to Swiss broadcaster RTS in which the Catholic leader raised the prospect of surrender -- two years after Kyiv has battled Russian forces on its territory.

"I believe that the strongest are those who see the situation, think about the people, and have the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate," Pope Francis said in an interview the Vatican said was conducted in early February.

In a sign of how angered Kyiv was, Ukrainian officials compared the statement to some of the Catholic church collaborating with Nazi Germany in World War II.

"At the same time, when it comes to the white flag, we know this Vatican strategy from the first half of the 20th century," Kuleba said, calling on the Holy See to "avoid repeating the mistakes of the past".

Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican, Andrii Yurash, went further by comparing the Pope's negotiation suggestion to talking to Adolf Hitler:

"(The) lesson is only one -- if we want to finish war, we have to do everything to kill (the) Dragon!," he said on social media.

After the interview was aired, Francis offered fresh prayers for "martyred Ukraine", as Vatican officials said his call was simply intended to end fierce fighting.

- Kyiv hopes Francis will visit -

On Saturday evening, the Vatican issued a statement insisting the pope's use of the phrase "white flag" -- a widely used sign of surrender on the battlefield -- was intended to mean "a cessation of hostilities, a truce reached with the courage of negotiation".

But the pontiff's words were widely understood as a call for surrender and slammed by some Western diplomats.

"Russia is the aggressor and breaks international law! Therefore Germany asks Moscow to stop the war, not Kyiv!", said Bernhard Kotsch, Germany's envoy to the Vatican.

Kuleba said Kyiv hoped Francis would visit his war-torn country after more than two years of battling its bigger neighbour.

"We continue to hope that after two years of devastating war in the heart of Europe, the Pontiff will find an opportunity to pay an Apostolic visit to Ukraine to support over a million Ukrainian Catholics, over five million Greek-Catholics and all Ukrainians," Kuleba said.

Francis drew criticism in the first months after Russia's February 2022 invasion for failing to name Moscow as the aggressor.

He was also criticised by Ukraine last year when he allegedly praised Russian imperial leaders Peter the Great and Catherine II.

The pontiff has also caused upset in Russia, when he said in winter 2022 that its "cruellest" forces in Ukraine were "not of the Russian tradition", but minorities like "the Chechens, the Buryati and so on".

The Vatican then officially apologised to Moscow.

Last year, Pope Francis appointed a top cardinal to try to broker peace in Ukraine who has visited Moscow, Kyiv, Washington and Beijing.

bur/imm
DENVER (KDVR)  The Lakewood Police Department reported three officers were involved in a fatal shooting of an allegedly armed suspect after the officers responded to a call of shots fired on Saturday morning.

At approximately 7:17 a.m. on Saturday, Lakewood police officers responded to a La Quinta Inn located at 7190 W. Hampden Ave., for a report of shots fired on the fifth floor of the hotel.

Woman seriously hurt in Arapahoe County attempted homicide, 1 arrested

The department said that when agents arrived, a suspect was in the hallway with a weapon.

Officers reportedly ordered the suspect to drop the weapon. However, Lakewood police said the suspect refused orders and began approaching the officers with the weapon.

Three Lakewood officers fired their weapons, striking the suspect. Officers immediately rendered medical aid, according to the agency, but the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspects name is not being released pending notification of his next of kin. He was reported to be a white male in his 40s. No other injuries were reported.

The Jefferson County Critical Incident Response Team has been tasked with investigating this incident. All three agents involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave, according to the Lakewood Police Department.

No further information was available on Saturday afternoon. FOX31 is seeking details about this officer-involved shooting, including what kind of weapon the suspect was holding, if shots had been fired earlier and if further suspects are involved.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
If you're looking for a multi-bagger, there's a few things to keep an eye out for. Typically, we'll want to notice a trend of growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and alongside that, an expanding base of capital employed. Basically this means that a company has profitable initiatives that it can continue to reinvest in, which is a trait of a compounding machine. However, after investigating SG Fleet Group (ASX:SGF), we don't think it's current trends fit the mold of a multi-bagger.

Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)

If you haven't worked with ROCE before, it measures the 'return' (pre-tax profit) a company generates from capital employed in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for SG Fleet Group:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.07 = AU$195m  (AU$3.1b - AU$295m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).

Therefore, SG Fleet Group has an ROCE of 7.0%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Commercial Services industry average of 12%.

Check out our latest analysis for SG Fleet Group

roce

In the above chart we have measured SG Fleet Group's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering SG Fleet Group for free.

What Does the ROCE Trend For SG Fleet Group Tell Us?

In terms of SG Fleet Group's historical ROCE movements, the trend isn't fantastic. Around five years ago the returns on capital were 18%, but since then they've fallen to 7.0%. On the other hand, the company has been employing more capital without a corresponding improvement in sales in the last year, which could suggest these investments are longer term plays. It's worth keeping an eye on the company's earnings from here on to see if these investments do end up contributing to the bottom line.

Story continues

The Bottom Line

In summary, SG Fleet Group is reinvesting funds back into the business for growth but unfortunately it looks like sales haven't increased much just yet. Although the market must be expecting these trends to improve because the stock has gained 62% over the last five years. Ultimately, if the underlying trends persist, we wouldn't hold our breath on it being a multi-bagger going forward.

One more thing: We've identified 2 warning signs with SG Fleet Group (at least 1 which is significant) , and understanding them would certainly be useful.

While SG Fleet Group may not currently earn the highest returns, we've compiled a list of companies that currently earn more than 25% return on equity. Check out this free list here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
LANSING  The City Council Monday could approve several hundred million dollars worth of downtown developments that will change the capital city's skyline.

After a delay in February, council members are expected to vote on a pair of $40 million state appropriations  for a new city hall and the city's first new skyscraper in decades  and they could hear some of the first details on a proposal for a new Grand Avenue headquarters for the Capital Area Transportation Authority.

A February 2024 rendering of the proposed Capitol Tower, which would be part of the $228 million New Vision Lansing project, at Ottawa and Walnut streets.

The two $40 million state appropriations are to move city hall into a renovated Masonic Temple just down the street on Capitol Avenue. The other would seed the $228 million riverfront skyscraper project that includes development of two other buildings and more than 400 new apartments.

Council members paused the city hall and apartment projects in February, saying they needed more time to look at how the projects were awarded to a pair of local developers and to propose changes to the plans.

Council President Jeremy Garza said Thursday that he plans to vote for both proposals, after getting his questions answered and learning that the developers plan to hire local union labor.

He said the developers of the projects - the Boji Group for city hall and the Gentilozzi family for the New Vision Lansing housing projects - each lobbied state officials and were key in helping to get the appropriations in the most recent state budget.

"I am super excited about the transformational money we're getting from the state," Garza said.

The city has been able to work through its approval process without strict deadlines from the state so far, said Scott Bean, a spokesperson for Mayor Andy Schor's office.

A state first: The chairs of the House and Senate appropriations committee are both from the Greater Lansing area, and the appropriations coincided with a "once in a generation influx of federal pandemic dollars," state Sen. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, said in a statement Thursday.

House Appropriations Committee "Chair (Angela) Witwer, (D-Delta Twp.) and I fought for this money, to give our capital city a direct infusion of resources to address important needs in our community: Housing and municipal services," Anthony said in the statement. "The administration and council need to work through their process  but let's be clear, this money is time bound. I hope we don't look back at this time in disappointment."

Lansing City Hall

The future home of Lansing City Hall, pictured Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Formerly the Masonic Temple, the building was constructed about 100 years ago.

The city's planned move to the former Masonic Temple building would allow the city to sell its current city hall to a developer, possibly to become a hotel. Developers have floated previous proposals for such a use.

Adam Hussain, the council's vice president, did not respond to phone calls and an email for this story. In February, he said during a City Council meeting that the delays on accepting the $40 million in state money were not an indicator that the city wasn't moving forward with the projects. He said the delays had led to significant savings for the city, which he would be able to detail at a later date.

The $40 million allocation for Lansing comes with a few strings: It has to be used for a municipal building and should give consideration to historic preservation, as well as helping other governmental entities. The state also expects the money to be spent by the end of September 2027.

That savings, at least in part, appears to have been in the purchase price of the Masonic Temple.

Masonic Temple owner The Boji Group was asking $5 million from the city, including $3.65 million for the building and $1.35 million for carrying costs and for not developing a neighboring parking lot so the future city hall could have windows on the south side, Bean said.

The Boji Group bought the building in 2019 for $1.75 million, but Boji Group President John Hindo told council members the building was part of a three-building deal with Western Michigan University's Cooley Law School.

Since council's February meeting, the city has confirmed that it would not be paying the $1.35 million in carrying costs.

The Boji Group is both selling the building and planning to act as contractor for the renovations. The purchase price of the building is $3.65 million, based on a city-commissioned appraisal, according to a statement from Hindo.

The entryway at the Masonic Temple Building pictured Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, when city leaders announced plans to redevelop the building into a new city hall.

The renovation is expected to take 12 to 18 months if the city is able to acquire the building in May or June, Hindo said.

Part of the project would be figuring out what to do with the top three floors of the building since the city would only need the bottom four floors.

Garza said an incomplete plan for the building had been a major concern for him but he is expecting to hear a plan from the Lansing School District on Monday to use that space for administrative purposes.

Council member Brian Jackson said moving city hall was not a personal priority of his, but he sees the need given the current city hall's condition and he would support the move in part to get the current city hall back onto the tax rolls.

New Vision Lansing

A February 2024 rendering of Tower on Grand, the first skyscraper proposed for Lansing in decades.

The $228 million New Vision Lansing project, led by Paul, John and Tony Gentilozzi and Bloomfield Hills-based JFK Investment Company, consists of three buildings: The first would be a reworking of an historic existing office building at 100 S. Washington Square, followed by new construction of a skyscraper on Grand Avenue and a parking facility that spans Grand Avenue and connects both buildings. Additionally, another building would be built at Ottawa and Walnut Streets.

New Vision Lansing would add around 460 residential units.

The plans have changed for Capitol Tower, the third building at Ottawa and Walnut streets, which was originally pitched as a circular tower but is now expected to be a rectangular building with more street access.

The $40 million in state appropriation money would "be used for the construction of new mixed use/income housing facilities in the downtown area as proposed by Paul Gentilozzi," according to city documents.

Garza, the council president, said he was impressed when Paul Gentilozzi told council members last month that he was already working on a union labor contract with Lansing area workers.

"That was my big issue: A lot of times we have these developments going and taking place but they're hiring Grand Rapids contractors or other places and as soon as they get that money, it leaves," Garza said.

He said that without the work of developers and state legislators, the state money would be winding up in Grand Rapids, Detroit, Flint or anywhere but Lansing.

At the intersection of Ottawa and Walnut Streets, a new mixed-use building named the Capitol Tower is planned where the houses are now. Photo: Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.

Jackson said one of the city's most pressing needs is housing.

"We need more housing of all types, especially affordable and workforce, because we need people to live here," he said.

CATA headquarters

Lansing City Council will review Monday, March 11, 2024, a plan to sell a city parking lot for development of new CATA headquarters across from CATA's transportation center on South Grand Avenue.

The City Council is expected to get a first look at a plan to sell a city parking lot on Grand Avenue, which would be developed into a headquarters for CATA and potential housing for the Lansing Housing Commission.

There are no renderings of the plans or projected costs available, Bean said.

City Lot #1, located at 425 S. Grand Ave., is across the street from the existing CATA Transportation Center and it could be transformed into a transit-orientated mixed-use development, Lolo Robison, a spokesperson for the transportation authority headquartered on Tranter Street, south of Cavanaugh Road, said in an email.

The project would reduce the number of parking spaces and add housing and social development services, she said.

"While we recognize that there are still details that need to be ironed out, as a downtown anchor, we are thrilled about the prospect of being a significant partner in this exciting project," she said.

Housing commission officials announced in August they hoped to start construction this year on Riverview 220, a $22.5 million, 63-unit project planned for that block, on the south side of East Kalamazoo Street, between South Grand Avenue and Cherry Street.

Leasing would potentially start in 2026.

If you go:

The Lansing City Council meets Monday, starting with a committee of the whole meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the City Council chambers on the 10th floor of 124 W. Michigan Ave. A city council meeting follows at 7 p.m.

Schor to give State of the City address:

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor is scheduled to deliver a State of the City address from the new Grewal Hall, 224 Washington Square. You can watch a livestream of the event on City-TV's 24/7 Stream and the City's Youtube page.

Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@lsj.com or 517-267-0415

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lansing City Council could OK new skyscraper, move of city hall
The Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg, Russia, was closed on Sunday, 10 March, after a hangar caught fire, which spread over a total area of 1,000 square metres. Local authorities claimed that a drone was shot down in the area.

Source: RIA Novosti, a pro-Kremlin Russian news outlet; Aleksandr Drozdenko, Leningrad Oblast Governor; Baza

Details: Local authorities said that a hangar situated along the Volkhonskoye Highway in Leningrad Oblast was on fire; reports suggest that the fire spread over the area of 1,000 square metres. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said that two people sustained injuries in the fire.

The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency said that a number of restrictions were put in place at the Pulkovo Airport at 17:00 in order to ensure the safety of civilian aircraft.

The fire was later contained and the restrictions at Pulkovo lifted.

Baza reported that restrictions at the airport were introduced because of an attempted drone attack on a St Petersburg production facility.

Aleksandr Drozdenko, Leningrad Oblast Governor, claimed that a drone had been shot down over Leningrad Oblast, in the vicinity of the village of Fornosovo. He said there were no casualties and no infrastructure was damaged.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Earlier this week, a Lewis County man who pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to a large-scale drug trafficking organization was sentenced to more than two decades in federal prison, officials said.

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Michael Sowell entered a guilty plea in May 2023 for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute various drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine; distribution of meth; possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine; and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

Officials said the convictions stem from Michaels involvement in a drug trafficking organization that distributed substantial amounts of heroin, meth, and cocaine throughout Middle Tennessee between 2017 and 2020.

FEBRUARY 2022: Nearly two dozen charged with drug distribution crimes

Michael reportedly imported heroin, meth, and cocaine from California and distributed those drugs to other individuals, many of whom were also charged as part of the case. In addition, the DOJ said he admitted he was aware that the charged conspiracy involved at least two kilograms of heroin, at least six kilograms of cocaine, and more than 33 pounds of meth.

The 39-year-old Hohenwald man was sentenced on Thursday, March 7 to 22 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, as announced by U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee.

As part of the cases resolution, Michael also forfeited firearms and ammunition recovered from his house when authorities executed a search warrant in 2019, as well as a money judgment in the amount of $200,000, representing proceeds he obtained from his drug trafficking activity, the DOJ said.

JUNE 2023: 21 plead guilty to federal charges for drug distribution across Middle TN

As of Friday, March 8, the others charged in the superseding indictment with Michael have all pleaded guilty, officials reported:

Frank Sparkman, 42, of Hohenwald, was sentenced in October 2023 to 15 years in prison

Antonio Sowell, 39, of Hohenwald, was sentenced in January to 15 years in prison

Charles Lowe-Kelley, 32, of Columbia, was sentenced in February to 15 years in prison

Antonio Laster, 33, of Nashville, was sentenced in August 2023 to 10 years in prison

Tanasha Vaughn, 24, of Hohenwald, and Darron Weakley, 37, of Nashville, are still awaiting sentencing

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, which, according to the DOJ, identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Columbia Police Department, the Hohenwald Police Department, the Spring Hill Police Department, and the Williamson County Sheriffs Office reportedly investigated the case, which was then prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Levine and Nani M. Gilkerson.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
A council is provisionally closing one of its visitor attractions to meet "unprecedented financial challenges".

Leeds City Council is proposing to give up the lease at Thwaite Watermill and would plan to shut the site from 1 April, a meeting has heard.

Councillors said the move, which has been subject to public consultation, could help save between 660,000 and 756,000 over the next five years.

A final decision to surrender the lease was still pending, the council said.

Thwaite Watermill is currently open to the general public during weekends and school holidays only as well as during term time for booked groups and school visits.

According to the local authority, the Leeds Museums and Galleries attraction has been struggling with low visitor numbers, having recorded 11,114 visitors in 2022.

The council said financial pressures had now forced it to "look at options which would never have previously been considered".

A spokesperson said: "Ending the lease on Thwaite allows us to balance the urgent and unavoidable need to make cost savings with continuing to provide a diverse, high quality, accessible experience for our visitors at Leeds Museums and Galleries' other eight sites."

Despite the closure, all existing bookings would be honoured until October 2024, they added.

The proposed surrender of the lease, which was due to end in 2030, would be published as a key decision and subject to call-in by elected members.

Dating back to 1641, Thwaite Mill began life as a textiles mill before it was used for wood, oil and corn-grinding, and then for stone-crushing and making putty.

It was closed in 1976 but is one of the last remaining examples of a water-powered mill in Britain.

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Leo Varadkar, the Irish leader, is facing criticism from within his own government after it suffered a landslide defeat in referendums on changing the Irish constitutions language around women in the home.

Fridays poll resulted in the heaviest ever no vote for any referendum in Irish history and sparked recriminations within the coalition, with Green ministers accusing Mr Varadkar of leading a lacklustre campaign.

Irelands coalition government admitted on Sunday that it had failed to make a strong case for changing articles about women, marriage and family.

We failed to articulate to the electorate why they should vote Yes and Yes in the referendums, Pippa Hackett, the minister for agriculture, told RTE radio. Its a complex issue and there were many reasons why people voted No. We did maybe get the language wrong.

Others have been more critical of Mr Varadkar.

Joe OBrien, the Greens junior integration minister, told the Irish Independent: It would have been good to see more people knocking on doors.

Certainly from our point of view in the Green Party we got people out, I am not sure what the other parties were doing, he told the newspaper.

Criticism from Green Party

The Irish Independent also cited another Green Party source blaming Mr Varadkar for holding the referendum on International Womens Day, but not campaigning forcefully enough to remove a clause in the constitution that said women in the home serve their country.

Mr Varadkar also faced criticism for saying in a television interview last week that care was very much a family responsibility, a remark that took off on social media and was seen by some as a repudiation of the states responsibilities.

Voting on Gola Island, off the Donegal coast of western Ireland. Mr Varadkar acknowledged the government had suffered 'two wallops' of no votes

The current wording of the constitution obliges the government to make sure mothers do not have to seek work out of economic necessity.

The government had pushed for proposals to amend Irelands 1937 constitution by changing articles dealing with womens duties in the home and the definition of marriage and family.

All Irelands main parties, including Mr Varadkars Fine Gael, its Fianna Fail and Green coalition partners, and opposition Sinn Fein and Labour parties, had backed yes votes.

Mr Varadkar warned a no vote would set the country back.

Polls had suggested both amendments would pass, although a large number of voters remained undecided.

Two wallops

But the simultaneous referendums on Friday - one for each section being amended - returned what Mr Varadkar acknowledged was two wallops of no votes.

Sixty-Seven per cent of people voted no in the family referendum on the definition of marriage.

The care referendum on womens role in the home was defeated by 73.9 per cent to 26.1 per cent.

Turnout was just 44 per cent, a significant drop from the abortion referendum in 2018, which had a turnout of 64 per cent.

The stakes were lower this time, however, and the government is expected to survive the defeat.

An exit poll commissioned by the Irish Independent found that no voters cited a lack of clarity and mistrust of the government for voting against the proposals.

The poll, which used the AI tool Chat GPT to analyse tens of thousands of words submitted by respondents, also highlighted contentment with current laws or beliefs in marriage, concerns about the legal and social complications and specific issues with the wording of the proposals.

Family amendment rejected

Voters were asked to approve changes to article 41 of the constitution.

The family amendment proposed to insert a line obliging the state to protect the institution of the family whether founded on marriage or on other durable relationships.

It would also have amended the following clause from: The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage, on which the Family is founded, and to protect it against attack, to: The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage and to protect it against attack.

The care amendment would have removed two subclauses singling out the contribution of women within the home and obliging the state to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home.

They would have been replaced with a single new article recognising care, by members of a family to one another by reason of the bonds that exist among them and a promise that the state shall strive to support such provision.

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My grandmothers name was Mrs. Zola Jackson.

As one of the handful of Black teachers in Mississippi during the Jim Crow era of racially segregated public schools, she faced a daunting challenge in providing a first-class education to students considered second-class citizens.

Educated at Rust College, a historically Black school, in the 1940s, she taught in the small city of Hattiesburg for over 30 years from 1943-1975, the majority of which was spent in elementary classrooms at DePriest, the school for Black children.

Before the 1954 landmark Brown v. Board decision that deemed segregated schools separate and unequal, the efforts of Black teachers went unheralded, underappreciated and virtually unknown.

I, too, was disconnected from their stories until I became a public school teacher teacher myself and began my research on the oral histories of Black female teachers in Mississippi during the civil rights era.

My research revealed at least one important lesson: What Black teachers face today is not that different from what we faced in the past.

In spite of it all

One of the initial questions that I wanted to answer was, how did educators in the past meet the academic and emotional needs of their students with little to no resources and the constant threat of racial violence?

What I found was that for Black people, education was in and of itself an act of active resistance against racial disenfranchisement.

As education scholar Christopher Span explained in his 2012 seminal book From Cottonfield to Schoolhouse:

To be educated was to be respected; to be educated was to be a citizen. Accordingly, countless black Mississippians willingly sought out schooling, viewing it as the foundation for self-improvement and one means for attaining social and economic parity in slaverys aftermath.

At the center of that rich and complex history were Black teachers who believed that a good education was synonymous with freedom and the desire to move beyond the confines of second-class citizenship.

As a result, Black teachers used classrooms to not only impart the lessons of history, but also to encourage students to be actively involved in the fight for racial equity.

In Their Highest Potential, education scholar Vanessa Siddle Walker wrote in 1996 that Black teachers were consistently remembered by their former students and colleagues "for their high expectations for student success, for their dedication, and for their demanding teaching style.

Education was paramount

Black teachers used many approaches to ensure student success. Here are a few that serve as lessons for today:

Arguably the most important, the first is developing relationships and mentorships.

Because teachers were part of the community during the civil rights era, it was common for them to be an extension of their students families. If needed, teachers made home visits, were in regular communication with families about students well-being and held students to high academic and behavioral expectations. Further solidifying those relationships was the fact that many of the teachers had taught several generations of families.

These relationships enabled teachers to use what is now known as the whole child approach that focuses on a students academic potential as well as their social and emotional needs.

It was understood by Black teachers that educating the whole child helped to establish foundations needed for academic and emotional growth in young students. Because of their teachers, Black students valued education and modeled their own behavior to achieve their own potential.

A second lesson from the past that is useful today was the emphasis on civic engagement. Back then, classrooms were places to imagine radical change. Inaction in the face of injustice was not a viable option, and there was an expectation that young people work to become leaders.

Black teenagers in Mississippi carry American flags on Jun. 13, 1963, to protest the murder of a civil rights leader. Archive Photos/Getty Images

Going to jail, protesting, risking ones life and making sacrifices to help the Civil Rights Movement were all realities young people faced and were willing to endure if it meant securing equal rights.

A third lesson is the importance of building coalitions across racial lines.

Groups such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the NAACP and the Congress of Racial Equity worked with religious organizations and white students from colleges during the 1960s lunch counter sit-ins and the freedom rides, as well as the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

But not all coalitions were effective. During a 1967 meeting of the National Council of Negro Women, civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer criticized the educated middle-class Black alliances in Mississippi with Black ministers and white power brokers. But even still, she explained, the only thing we can do is to work together.

Of the many lessons from the past, one handed down from my grandmother still rings true today.

She knew then that education was intended to be the great equalizer in America and the key to upward mobility  and she worked her entire career making sure that became a reality in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

At the school where my grandmother taught, for instance, she used creativity to solve a critical problem: DePriest did not have a library.

Instead, my grandmother started her own by bringing in books from her personal collection and letting students borrow them one at a time.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Marlee Bunch, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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Marlee Bunch does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
SIR I am offended by Jeremy Hunts implication that income from other sources is somehow unfair and gaming the system (report, March 7).

My other sources are an occupational pension that I worked hard to achieve, and a state pension that I paid 47 years worth of National Insurance to earn. Mr Hunts Budget could so easily have been delivered by a Labour chancellor. The Conservative Party is surely heading for electoral disaster, because long-time Conservative voters like me cannot see any good reason to vote for this high-tax, big-state Government.

Norman Inniss

London SE9

SIR  I know little about economics, but I worked as a doctor in the NHS for nearly 40 years. To learn that it is to receive yet more money, without a solid plan to radically change service delivery, makes me despair.

The NHS is increasingly just a facility to treat acute illness and serious medical conditions such as cancer. Older people and those with a non-urgent problem  whether it is orthopaedic, minor surgery or dental treatment  either have to go privately or soldier on. Quality of life gradually diminishes, but no one seems to care.

The extra money will (indirectly) go on pay rises, while doctors continue to earn more money through private care from those who can just about afford it. We can and should do better.

Dr David Walters

Burton Bradstock, Dorset

SIR  It seems paradoxical that Jeremy Hunt should abolish the Furnished Holiday Lettings tax regime a couple of weeks after Rishi Sunak claimed to back farmers and rural communities (report, February 20).

Farmers have been encouraged to diversify since the 1970s, but now find their businesses are being attacked. Holiday cottages are not the same as long-term lets; they are businesses, which require hands-on attention and management. Their diminution will cost jobs and reduce visitor spending in rural areas of the country that have little else to fall back on.

Doubtless the idea of second homes reducing local housing stock will be blamed, but this has already been addressed by increasing the number of letting days needed to qualify for holiday-cottage business rates.

The majority of people affected by this will be rural business owners and their localities, not distant second-home owners.

Thomas Methuen-Campbell

Swansea

Landmark drug case

SIR  After many years of campaigning, veterans whose lives have been blighted by the drug Lariam have finally won a chance to state their case against the Ministry of Defence in the High Court next year (Soldiers harmed by anti-malaria drug launch landmark legal claim against MoD, report, March 3).

That the essential characteristic of quinoline drugs such as Lariam is that many of their side-effects are prodromal is key to this case. Even ostensibly insignificant events, such as restlessness or confusion, may be the only warning of a much more serious neuropsychiatric event  or even suicide  and mandate transfer to a safer alternative. As it is impossible to determine if such effects are caused by the drug or an operational environment, the use of Lariam is incompatible with safe military deployment.

Roche Pharmaceuticals, which manufactured and marketed Lariam, removed prodromal warnings from its UK patient and doctor leaflets in 1996  only reinstating them in 2013, 11 years after they were restored in America.

Serial Ministry of Defence carelessness notwithstanding, the safety of many thousands of service personnel was compromised by this negligence. There is surely, a priori, a case for Roche to answer.

Lt Col Andrew Marriott (retd)

Great Smeaton, North Yorkshire

SIR  Your excellent article highlighted the true courage of the veterans who have persisted until, finally, 10 lead cases have been listed for trial at the High Court in March next year. I would like to pay tribute to both former infantry officer Dr Andrew Marriott and former paratrooper Dave Rimmington, who have fought tirelessly over many years to bring the Ministry of Defence to account over the prescribing of Lariam to Britains Armed Forces. I would also like to pay tribute to all the veterans wives and widows, who have given unfailing support to their husbands and partners.

I gave evidence with Lt Col Marriott at the Defence Select Committee Lariam Inquiry in 2015. A very damning report was published in 2016, but no one imagined that it would take nearly 10 more years until the veterans would get their day in court.

In 2014 one general commented: Do not take on the MoD  you will never win. The MoD underestimated the veterans determination.

Trixie Foster

Totnes, Devon

High-tech health

SIR  Regarding the NHS forcing patients to use its app and the latest technology (Letters, March 3), I have a scheduled hospital appointment for which I have received four text-message reminders and a call to my mobile phone. I have also had two emails, the latest of which told me I had to have a QR code on my phone to gain access to the unit in the hospital.

Fortunately, my husband sorted this out by forwarding the email to his tablet, taking a screenshot of the code, then transferring that to my phone by Bluetooth. But he also gave me a printed version of the QR code.

Helen Bacon

Bordon, Hampshire

SIR  I have read the numerous letters bemoaning the fact that smartphones are now de rigueur. Lets just face it  like nuclear weapons, these things cannot be uninvented, they are a fact of modern life and must be accepted as such.

I will be 77 next year and now use my mobile or tablet for nearly everything, from payments, parking, prescriptions, banking and music, to appointments, shopping, booking flights and switching on electrical equipment. It is not hard  though it can be frustrating at times  and is certainly not impossible.

Remote access is also ensured, so for offspring to cite the unfairness of this technology to the elderly is a bit rich as they could, if so motivated, perform the tasks for their elders. So stop moaning and catch up.

Andrew McLeod

Witney, Oxfordshire

Britannia redux

SIR  In January, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, the cellist, reignited the debate about whether Rule, Britannia! should be included in the last night of the Proms, and now the MP Thangam Debbonaire has also spoken out against it (report, telegraph.co.uk, March 4).

When Ms Debbonaire objects to its inclusion in the Proms, is she unaware that it is an anti-slavery anthem (Letters, March 3) that celebrates the idea of defeating the Barbary Pirates? For centuries, they terrorised the coastal communities of the British Isles, infested the Irish Sea and are estimated to have taken hundreds of thousands of Britons into captivity. In fact, the slave-taking by these pirates was widespread across European coasts right up until the slavery system was challenged by the actions of European navies, including the Royal Navy.

The repeated moans about Rule, Britannia! are particularly irritating because those complaining never seem to acknowledge that slaves and slavers were both black and white. I would like to think that MPs know their history and believe that all Britons  regardless of their ethnicity  should be entitled to celebrate freedom from slavery, then and now.

Jenny Unsworth

Congleton, Cheshire

No substitute for reading Genesis in Hebrew

Irresistible: a detail from The Fall by the Flemish master Hugo van der Goes (1440-82) - Bridgeman Images

SIR  I enjoyed the review by Dr Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, of Reading Genesis, by Marilynne Robinson (Think you know the Book of Genesis? This will make you think again, Arts, March 6).

Though his review was very favourable, it seemed to me that what Dr Williams was actually trying to say  but could not quite bring himself to articulate  was that if you really want to understand the Book of Genesis, you need to have an in-depth knowledge of Classical Hebrew. This would mean that you are then able to read the text as it was originally written, together with the great Talmudic and post-Talmudic commentaries.

Indeed, if that is too difficult (though I have no doubt that Dr Williams is himself a formidable Hebrew scholar), then the seeker of understanding will find a wide range of far more enlightening books than the one he was reviewing, containing detailed exegesis of the text, in any Jewish bookshop.

Brian Gedalla

London N3

War connections

SIR  My father, who was born 1891, and his brothers  three Irish Guards and one Royal Lancer  all saw action on the front line (Letters, March 3). Against the odds all survived, though my father was wounded twice, and all served again in the Second World War, as did many of their surviving contemporaries.

My father recalled liberating a picture of the Kaiser from a German officers dugout during one of the campaigns. The Kaiser was his brothers godfather.

Earl Alexander of Tunis

London SW6

SIR  My great-uncle Jim, who was in the Royal Munster Fusiliers, was killed in 1915 on the first day of the Battle of Loos in France, trying to save his company commander.

My wifes great-uncle Thomas, of the Gordon Highlanders, was killed in the same battle, on the same day.

Jim is buried there at Dud Corner Cemetery, a very bleak place. Thomas was never found, but is remembered on the wall there.

David Ellis

Ellon, Aberdeenshire

SIR  I had a dear neighbour who, on approaching his 100th birthday, waited excitedly for the customary telegram from the Queen. His birthday came and went, however, with no sign of one. On checking his records, it was discovered that he had lied about his age in order to sign up to fight, so was actually a year younger than he thought. He failed to make it to his 100th birthday, so sadly never received his telegram.

David Pearson

Bottisham, Cambridgeshire

Named in a letter

SIR  Combining both the First World War and retro names (Letters, March 3), in 1918 my grandmother sent a telegram to my grandfather at the front. It read: We have a son. I am calling him Gervaise Aleric Alvis.

He sent a reply: You are not. We are calling him John Clive Malcolm.

These were the names of his platoon commanders. My father was always grateful to the efficient postal service.

Anthony Stoker

Shilbottle, Northumberland

SIR  Like Paul Rutherford (Letters, March 3), I am grateful that my parents disallowed my brothers choice of name for me. I thus avoided having to go through life called Noddy.

Jan Bardey

Kineton, Warwickshire

SIR  My father used to tell us about a large family who lived in the same village as him when he was a child. All the boys were named after boxers and the girls after flowers. On the birth of the latest addition, a girl, her siblings were asked to suggest names. One of her brothers, impatient to get out to play, said: Just call the bugger Rhubarb.

Wendy Rainford

Brayton, North Yorkshire

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BENGHAZI (Reuters) - Three key Libyan leaders said on Sunday they had agreed on the "necessity" of forming a new unified government that would supervise long-delayed elections.

A political process to resolve more than a decade of conflict in Libya has been stalled since an election scheduled for December 2021 collapsed amid disputes over the eligibility of the main candidates.

The leaders are the president of the Presidential Council (PC) Mohamed Menfi, the head of High State Council (HSC) Mohamed Takala, who are both based in Tripoli, and Aguila Saleh, speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR) in Benghazi.

In a joint statement, the three leaders also called on the U.N. Mission in Libya and the international community to support their proposals.

They said they had agreed to form a technical committee to "look into controversial points".

They met in Cairo at the invitation of Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

"The measures that were agreed upon today, we believe, are a very important beginning. They are results that live up to the ambition of Libyans to hold elections," Menfi told the media after the meeting.

Menfi came to power when the Government of National Unity (GNU) under Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah was installed through a U.N.-backed process in 2021, but the parliament no longer recognises its legitimacy.

Dbeibah has vowed not to cede power to a new government without national elections.

The House of Representatives was elected in 2014, while the High State Council was formed as part of a 2015 political agreement and drawn from a parliament elected in 2012.

Last week, Central Bank governor Sadiq Kabir wrote to parliament asking it to approve a new unified government and a national budget over GNU extent spending.

International diplomacy to resolve the conflict in Libya has focused on pushing for parliamentary and presidential elections to replace the interim political institutions, including the HoR, HSC and GNU.

While all major political players in the country have called for elections, many Libyans doubt they genuinely seek a vote that could remove most of them from power.

Libya has had little peace since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising, and it split in 2014 between eastern and western factions, with rival administrations governing in each area.

(Reporting by Ayman Werfalli; editing by Giles Elgood)
A meteor being researched for extraterrestrial origins appears to be nothing special and wrongly mistaken for a common, Earthly happening.

E.T.? More like U-Haul.

A mysterious signal that for a decade was widely believed to be a sign of alien life most likely came from a noisy truck, researchers from Johns Hopkins University have revealed.

Initially believed to be from a meteor fireball that shot out just north of Papua New Guinea in the southern hemisphere in 2014, the disappointing revelation also throws water on speculation by a noteworthy Harvard physicist that ocean-recovered materials were of extraterrestrial origin.

Upon the meteors atmospheric entry, a seismic station on the nations Manus Island also recorded several ground vibrations  apparently from ground transportation.

The signal changed directions over time, exactly matching a road that runs past the seismometer, said seismologist Benjamin Fernando, leader of the Hopkins team.

A 2014 downed meteorite thought to be from extraterrestrial origin may have just been a truck backfiring. The Galileo Project

A meteor thought to be from another world is actually much more ordinary, new research finds. NASA/Ron Garan

Its really difficult to take a signal and confirm it is not from something. But what we can do is show that there are lots of signals like this, and show they have all the characteristics wed expect from a truck and none of the characteristics wed expect from a meteor, he explained.

Fernando said that data had been misread, and that the meteor entered Earths sky at a different point. He and his team were not able to find seismic wave evidence from the space rock.

The fireball location was actually very far away from where the oceanographic expedition went to retrieve these meteor fragments, he said.

Not only did they use the wrong signal, they were looking in the wrong place.

Analyzed data suggests the real splash site is at least 100 miles away from where experts investigated. What had been recovered was actually just normal meteorites that accrued terrestrial substances.

Whatever was found on the sea floor is totally unrelated to this meteor, regardless of whether it was a natural space rock or a piece of alien spacecraft  even though we strongly suspect that it wasnt aliens, said Fernando.

Evidence pointing to a meteor of alien origin that landed on Earth waters may just be misreadings. phonlamaiphoto  stock.adobe.com

In tandem with the bummer news for alien enthusiasts, the Pentagon recently released a new report of government knowledge of UFO existence.

It found no evidence that represented extraterrestrial technology recovered by government agencies.

The report added, most sightings were ordinary objects and phenomena and the result of misidentification.
ATLANTA - President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump went head-to-head at their respective campaign rallies around Georgia. The Peach State has proven to be critical for a victory in November.

Biden was scheduled to speak at Pullman Yards in Atlanta, while Trump headed for Rome about 60 miles away.

FOX 5 covered both events. They were live-streamed on FOX 5 Atlanta, Facebook, YouTube and the FOX Local App.

To learn more about the presidential primary, visit the Secretary of State's GA My Voter Page.

Biden Atlanta rally: President speaks at Pullman Yards

President Biden spoke at Pullman Yards in Atlanta before his scheduled slot at 6 p.m. As expected, he addressed the current state of the U.S. economy in addition to healthcare and education.

Biden aimed to energize his base in order to clinch the Democratic Party's nomination.

Before he spoke, Sen. Raphael Warnock and Sen. Jon Ossoff addressed the crowd.

Dr. Jill Biden introduced her husband alongside first-time voter, Desera Lennon, a student at Clayton State University.

While Georgia remains the key swing state that Biden won in 2020 by less than a percentage point, there won't be any big statewide races this time around to keep Democrats motivated to get to the ballot box.

"Heres a guy whos kicking off his general election campaign up the road with Marjorie Taylor Green," Biden said. You can tell a lot about a person by the company [they keep]."

During Biden's just-over-20-minute speech, a protester interrupted him, calling him, "Genocide Joe," in reference to the war in Gaza.

Boos and chants of "Four more years!" drowned out the activist as the Secret Service took him out.

"I don't resent his passion," Biden said, addressing the pro-Palestine protester. "There's a lot of Palestinians who are being unfairly victimized.

One name that didn't come up in Saturday's speech was Laken Riley's.

On Tuesday, Georgia will vote in the GOP and Democratic primaries. Georgians may be able to expect to see a lot more of the current and former presidents in these parts.

Get Out the Vote rally in Rome: Trump speaks

Former president Donald Trump held a rally at the Forum River Center in Rome. He was expected to speak at 5 p.m. but arrived just before 6 p.m.

During his speech, he mentioned the mother, father, sister and roommate of Laken Riley, the Augusta student killed on UGA's campus, were sitting in the front row. He met them before going on stage.

Their support comes two days after Biden's State of the Union address in which he appeared to mispronounce Laken's name.

READ FULL TEXT OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S 2024 ADDRESS

"Biden does not even KNOW my childs name  its pathetic! If you are going to say her name (even when forced to do so) at least say the right name!" Allyson Phillips, Laken's mother, wrote on Facebook.

Laken's murder took center stage for Trump.

"'The brightest light in every room,' they told me," he said. "She was the whole world to her parents and to her sister."

Hundreds in the crowd held up signs with Laken's face on them. They read, "Say her name."

Trump made sure to say her name often.

He also laid the blame of her death solely at Biden's feet. He then addressed the Riley family directly, making them a promise:

"Laken Riley would be alive today, if Joe Biden had not willfullly and maliciously eviscerated the borders of the United States and set loose thousands and thousands of dangerous criminals into our country," he said. "To her family: Tonight, I promise you, I will demand justice for Laken. Justice for Laken."

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene also attended the event, greeting supporters before the former president's arrival.

She was one of three speakers who warmed the crowd up before Trump arrived.

"I can't believe I had to sit at the State of the Union and almost 50 minutes in, had to yell at him from sitting in my seat to say her name, say Laken Riley," Greene said at the rally on Saturday.

"This time we're going to make sure he gets a fair shake in Georgia," said former state Sen. David Perdue. "He cannot win the presidency without Georgia, and I need you to help us do that."

Rep. Mike Collins, whose SOTU invitation to Riley's parents was rejected, also spoke at the Rome rally. He took credit for the passing of the Laken Riley Act in the Georgia House. H.R. 7511 aims to equip Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and state governments with enhanced tools to combat "illegal alien" crime.

"Folks, y'all realized we passed that with 37 democrats helping us, they even realize how damn bad that border is down there," Collins said, referencing the southern border.

Trump spoke to the Rome crowd for almost two hours, often cracking jokes. At one point, he mentioned he wasn't sure why polls have suggested he and Biden were considered "unpopular" candidates, stating he believes he is very "popular" and "liked."

He also addressed rumors that he wasn't willing to debate Biden before the election.

"Officially, I want to debate Crooked Joe Biden. Any time. Any place. Anywhere," Trump said.

Aside from the theatrics, Trump made one thing very clear: He would need Georgia in November in order to win back the presidency.

"Georgia could be the State," he said. "Look, if we win Georgia, we're gonna win the election. Let me put it that way, okay? We have to win Georgia."

Trump Rome Rally: Remarks on Fani Willis, Nathan Wade remarks

Trump also attacked Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in his speech, claiming that her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade was improper. He said that should disqualify her from the case against him.

Biden arrives in Georgia

President Joe Biden and Air Force One have landed in the Peach State where he and former President Donald Trump are expected to hold competing campaign rallies.

The president and first lady Dr. Jill Biden were welcomed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport by Mayor Andre Dickens, Rep. Lucy McBath, and Rep. Hank Johnson and his wife, Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson.

Biden and Trump's visit to Georgia comes after the two swept Super Tuesday, clinching their 2024 presidential nominations.
There isn't a social program in this country that improves the financial well-being of Americans quite like Social Security. According to an analysis conducted by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 22.7 million people are lifted above the poverty line every year by the guaranteed payments Social Security provides. This includes 16.5 million seniors aged 65 and over.

But just because America's top retirement program provides the necessary income to help its beneficiaries cover their expenses, it doesn't mean Social Security is infallible.

Image source: Getty Images.

Social Security is facing a greater than $22 trillion long-term funding shortfall

For more than 80 years, the Social Security Board of Trustees has published an annual report that outlines the current financial health of the program. It also postulates what things might look like 10 years and 75 years (i.e., the "long-term") following the release of a report given a number of changes to fiscal and monetary policy, along with demographic shifts.

Since 1985, every Trustees Report has cautioned that Social Security was facing a shortfall in its long-term funding obligation. In other words, revenue collection wouldn't be sufficient to cover outlays -- primarily benefits paid, including cost-of-living adjustments, but also administrative expenses to operate the program -- over the coming 75 years.

The 2023 Social Security Board of Trustees Report estimated that the program's funding obligation shortfall had swelled to $22.4 trillion through 2097. This marked a $2 trillion increase from the estimate given in 2022 that outlined the program's long-term cash shortfall through 2096.

Arguably, even more worrisome is what could happen to retired-worker and survivor benefits in less than a decade.

The Trustees believe the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund (OASI), which is responsible for doling out monthly checks to retired workers and survivor beneficiaries, could deplete its asset reserves by 2033. Should the OASI's asset reserves be exhausted, sweeping benefit cuts of up to 23% may be necessary to avoid any additional payout reductions through 2097. For the average retired worker, a 23% benefit reduction would reduce their annual take-home by an estimated $6,638 by 2033.

Story continues

Image source: Getty Images.

Is America's top retirement program nothing more than a Ponzi scheme?

Social Security's worsening financial health has ignited the opinion on social media message boards that the program is nothing more than a gigantic Ponzi scheme.

A Ponzi scheme is an investment fraud that effectively pays out existing investors with the funds collected from newer investors. The architect(s) of these frauds may not invest the money they receive and typically pocket some of the funds for themselves. Bernie Madoff and Allen Stanford ran two of the most infamous Ponzi schemes on Wall Street.

But is Social Security truly nothing more than a Ponzi scheme? Dig beyond the social media message boards and you'll see that this opinion is completely lacking in evidence.

To begin with, Social Security isn't an investment vehicle, which is a requirement of a Ponzi scheme. The program is more of a social investment in the well-being of our nation's retired workers, survivors of deceased workers, and workers with long-term disabilities. Social Security was never designed to generate a profit or make its beneficiaries rich. It was signed into law to provide a financial foundation for those who could no longer do so for themselves.

Secondly, a Ponzi scheme specifically pays existing investors with the money collected from newer investors. Social Security fails this definition because not all of the money doled out in benefits comes from current workers.

In 2022, 90.6% of the $1.222 trillion Social Security collected derived from the 12.4% payroll tax on earned income (wages and salary, but not investment income) of working Americans. The remaining 9.4% ($115 billion) can be traced back to interest income earned on Social Security's asset reserves, as well as the taxation of benefits.

As noted, Ponzi schemes result in their architects stealing customers' funds. In other words, there's always money missing once the books are delved into. A third way Social Security confirms it's not a Ponzi scheme is by the transparency of its Trustees Reports. More specifically, every cent of the program's $2.8 trillion in combined OASI and Disability Insurance Trust Fund (DI) asset reserves is accounted for.

The Social Security program is required by law to invest any excess cash collected into ultra-safe, special-issue government bonds that generate interest income. The program's investment holdings are updated monthly, with an even more detailed breakdown of bonds held, along with maturities, in the annual Trustees Report.

Despite the extremely superficial correlation of today's workers providing a substantial percentage of the benefits existing beneficiaries are receiving, Social Security in no way meets the definition of a Ponzi scheme.

US Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund Assets at End of Year Chart

Here's what's really wrong with Social Security

In addition to the fallacy of Social Security being a Ponzi scheme, other outright lies have made the rounds on social media, including "Congress stole from Social Security" and that "undocumented workers are receiving benefits." None of these claims bear any bit of truth for why Social Security is contending with a $22.4 trillion long-term funding shortfall.

The bulk of Social Security's financial shortcomings can be traced back to demographic shifts.

Some of these shifts are well known. For instance, the steady retirement of baby boomers is lowering the worker-to-beneficiary ratio over time. Likewise, life expectancies have notably risen since the first retired-worker check was mailed in January 1940. Social Security was never meant to pay beneficiaries for multiple decades, as can happen now.

But it's the less-visible demographic shifts that are causing the most harm.

As an example, legal migration into the U.S. has declined for 25 consecutive years. Most legal immigrants arriving in the U.S. tend to be young, which means they'll spend decades in the labor force contributing to the program via the payroll tax before collecting a benefit of their own. Social Security relies on a healthy level of net migration into the U.S., and this figure has been precipitously declining.

Another problem for America's leading retirement program is a historic decline in U.S. birth rates. Although a lower number of births isn't a problem right now, it will become an issue a generation from now when the worker-to-beneficiary ratio falls even further.

Income inequality is an obstacle, as well. In 1985, 88.9% of all earned income was subject to the payroll tax. But as of 2021, only 81.4% of earned income was applicable to the payroll tax. More earned income is "escaping" taxation over time.

Lastly, Congress deserves its fair share of the blame. Lawmakers are well aware of the issues facing Social Security, but neither party has been willing to work with their opposition to find a common-ground solution. The longer lawmakers wait to act, the more painful an eventual solution is going to be for working Americans and Social Security beneficiaries.

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Is Social Security a Gigantic Ponzi Scheme? The Answer May Surprise You. was originally published by The Motley Fool
Thousands of people across Merseyside could be owed money as part of the Windrush Compensation Scheme, a campaign group says.

Liverpool Advocates for Windrush (LAW) has conducted a survey of people across the region.

It received more than 1,200 responses, which organisers say "shows how big the issue is across Merseyside".

They want to bring focus and understanding to one of the "greatest scandals" in modern British history.

The "Windrush generation" refers to a group of people from the Caribbean who arrived in Britain between 1948 and 1971 to help rebuild the country and address post-war labour shortages after the Second World War.

The programme began with the arrival of the ship HMT Empire Windrush.

When the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 was passed it resulted in a series of government interventions, which were accelerated by then Home Secretary Theresa May from 2014 onwards.

These interventions saw a significant tightening of documentation checks for people from the Windrush generation. However, it emerged in 2018 that the Home Office had kept no historic records of those granted permission to stay, and failed to issue the required documentation to confirm their status.

As a result of the policies and failings, thousands of people from the Windrush generation couldn't access NHS healthcare, benefits, pensions and work.

Some were sacked from their jobs, evicted from their homes and many were wrongly detained.

'Untold misery'

LAW was established in 2023 and is a voluntary organisation working to address the injustices caused by "hostile" government policies, which have caused "untold misery" to the Windrush generation and their families.

It also offers person-centred trauma counselling, free administrative services, and expert advice on the Windrush Compensation Scheme (WCS).

It was founded by Tonika Stephenson and Garrick Prayogg - a second generation Windrush descendant - to support people impacted by government policy on Windrush and guide families through the complex process of rectifying their immigration status.

Mr Prayogg said: "At first, we thought that if we got a hundred responses to the survey it would be a wholly worthwhile exercise.

"The fact it received more than 1200 shows how big the issue is across Merseyside."

According to the government, the Windrush Compensation Scheme is designed to compensate people who suffered loss because they unable to demonstrate their lawful status in the UK.

There is no closing date for applications and it covers a "range of categories" - it is also open to close family members of Windrush migrants, and covers people who came from 1948 to 1988.

Former deputy leader of Knowsley Council Louise Harbour said: "LAW has uncovered a minimum of 180 affected residents in the Knowsley area alone, indicating that this number may just be the tip of the iceberg.

"I will be doing everything I can at a local level in Knowsley and across the Liverpool city region to highlight the issue and find opportunities for us as a community to help and assist, in whatever way we can."
Spring break crowds shuffling along Ocean Drive and enjoying the sun on Miami Beachs sandy shores havent yet measured up to the throngs of people who attended spring breaks of years past.

On Saturday, locals and visitors alike were met with the citys strict restrictions and a heavy police presence. By 10 p.m., the crowd appeared smaller than on the average Miami Beach weekend night, even more so for peak season.

Barricaded streets, closed beach entrances and vigilant officers seem to have contributed to the noticeably lighter crowd.

READ MORE: Miami Beach wants to break up with spring break. How the city will try to do it

View of a sparse beach scene at Ocean Drive and Fourth Street during spring break in Miami Beach on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

That didnt stop the fun for spring breakers who saw the citys stay away messaging and came anyway.

Amia Campbell, a 23-year-old postgraduate student at Delaware State University, was practicing acrobatic moves and stretches on her last day in the city with local resident Hivo Gonzalez, whom she had just met, on the grass of Lummus Park.

Amia Campbell of Brooklyn practices calisthenics with local resident Hivo Gonzalez on Ocean Drive during spring break in Miami Beach on Saturday March 9, 2024.

She arrived Wednesday, and while she saw the citys advisory video, she already had plans booked for her first visit to Miami Beach. While her trip went on without incident, she is wary of whats to come.

We got here before the crazy  there is still next weekend and after, she said. I think it will definitely get crazier after.

READ MORE: See photos from South Beach as spring break begins during citys police crackdown

Performers dance on stage at Mangos Tropical Cafe on Ocean during spring break in Miami Beach, Florida on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

Jada, a 19-year-old at Morgan State University, couldnt understand why the city took such harsh action for spring break.

It was so lame, she said about the viral commercial. Spring breakers give [Miami Beach] money. How can you say no to money?

At the same time, she said she was happy to see the security measures in place and the high visibility of officers.

A police officer stands watch on Collins Avenue during spring break on Miami Beach, Florida, on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

While crowds were minimal Friday and early Saturday night, Miami Beach police and other agencies have been hard at work enforcing the citys tight restrictions, Miami Beach police spokesperson Christopher Bess said.

Since March 1, officers have made a little over 100 spring break-related arrests, he said.

As far as expectations are concerned, we are enforcing the ordinances and state statutes and will be charging accordingly if they break the law, Bess said.

Just after 7 p.m., traffic slowed on Fifth Street as Miami Beach police, with help from Florida Highway Patrol troopers, began pulling over cars at a DUI checkpoint between Meridian Avenue and Washington Street. Of the four lanes, the checkpoint took up three.

Miami Beach police detective Richard Rodriguez and a Florida Highway Patrol trooper conduct a sobriety exercise at a DUI checkpoint in South Beach during spring break in Miami Beach, Florida, on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

As they did Friday, officers were handing out citations, conducting sobriety exercises and detaining some drivers.

Miami Beach police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers detain visitors to South Beach during spring break in Miami Beach, Florida, on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

Luis Ferolito, a 20-year resident of South Beach, said he welcomed the citys crackdown.

This years spring break is a beautiful thing for the locals: no violence, no craziness, he said. Everybody is welcome, but ... we need to understand that we [shouldnt] have violence in this world; just enjoy.

Sierrah Jackson takes a picture of her friend Rayven Johnson as they visit Miami Beach from Memphis, Tennessee, during spring break on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

North Miami police officers Osvald Salien and Orestes Torres patrol Ocean Drive during spring break in Miami Beach, Florida, on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

A pelican lands in the water as beachgoers enjoy the beautiful weather during spring break in Miami Beach on Saturday March 9, 2024.

Beachgoers crowd South Beach during spring break in Miami Beach, Florida, on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

Beach goers enjoy the beautiful weather, during spring break in Miami Beach, on Saturday March 09, 2024.

FBI officers are seen patrolling along Ocean Drive, during spring break in South Beach, on Saturday March 09, 2024.
When youre longing to become a mum yet struggling to get there, Mothers Day looms heavy in the calendar. The cards, flowers and smiley families all serve as a painful reminder of what you lack. Thats why, on this weekend last year, four new friends gathered together for moral support.

Hannah Redler, Katherine Degara-Pavey, Pippa Bolton and Tess Harding had all met in March 2023 through The Worst Girl Gang Ever (TWGGE) a support group running courses for women following baby loss. Each had different experiences of miscarriage, having lost 14 babies between them, and the Hertfordshire four had formed a tight bond.

We knew Mothers Day would be a difficult one to get through, so we went for brunch together, says Hannah, 32. Miscarriage just isnt much talked about. Despite one in five pregnancies ending this way, its strangely isolating.

Youve lost something so longed for but probably hadnt told anyone you were expecting, so the grieving is done in secret. Or if you have confided in people, they often say something well-meaning that makes you feel worse. So being with other women who got it was just more comforting.

Hannah, a retail director, had just discovered she was pregnant in the spring of 2022 when she married Tom, 32, in an idyllic barn wedding.

As we said our vows we squeezed hands, delighted about our little secret. Tom had to drink my Prosecco so people wouldnt notice I was abstaining, says Hannah.

Hannah Redler with baby Arthur - Clara Molden

We honeymooned in Venice, excitedly pointing out buggies we liked and talking non-stop about our future family. But in the second week I started bleeding heavily. Tom went to ask for sanitary towels in Italian while I stayed in the hotel calling 111 for advice. It was devastating losing not just the baby  but all our dreams.

The newlyweds cut short their honeymoon and returned home that day.

We sat on the plane in shock. Returning to work the next week everyone asked how was Venice? and I just had to smile and say great, says Hannah. Putting on a brave face became a necessary coping tool as she suffered two further miscarriages.

Similarly graphic designer Pippa, 36, had been in Iceland with her partner Martin, 40, during her first trimester in March 2022, when she started spotting brown blood. It was meant to be our last adventurous holiday before the baby arrived, she says.

Pippa Bolton with baby Alice

Back home Pippa went to her local Early Pregnancy Unit where a sonographer found two embryos but no heartbeat. It was too early to be classed as a miscarriage, so I had to wait a week carrying on normally, she says. The next scan showed one of the embryos had grown, so Pippa endured a further wait until a third scan confirmed shed had a missed miscarriage (when the baby has died but hasnt been physically miscarried). She underwent a D&C (dilation and curettage) procedure at 13 weeks to remove tissues from her uterus, then struggled for over a year to conceive again.

Im a freelancer so I didnt take time off, of course I thought about the twins I would have had, but you hide the pain from the outside world.

Katherine Degara-Pavey with baby Evie - Clara Molden

Meanwhile, as a primary school teacher, Katherine, 34, had to field questions from inquisitive kids asking where shed been. Just being surrounded by young children felt cruel and overwhelming when all I really wanted was one of my own, she admits. I had to walk out of the class at one point.

Katherine, whos married to her childhood sweetheart, another Tom, had four miscarriages in total. I felt totally inadequate each time, what was wrong with me, was I just not destined to be a mum?

Tess, 38, another teacher, endured five heartbreaking miscarriages. Unlike the other women, Tess and husband Chris had already welcomed one baby, Charlie, in April 2020, with an uncomplicated pregnancy. We just assumed it would be smooth sailing again, she says. Tess fell pregnant again the following year, but lost that precious peanut in January 2022.

Then another in March, April and June, which needed medical management, and a fifth time in October where I had to sit in a corridor waiting with pregnant women happily clutching scan photos. It was agony.

I was pregnant for nine months in 2022  yet had no baby to show for it. When anyone tried to console me with at least you have one I felt fury rising, because this didnt acknowledge the cumulative pain of recurrent miscarriage. By now Charlie was asking for a baby brother, so the guilt that I was failing him was huge. I began despising myself and my body for letting everyone down.

Tess Harding with baby Daisy - Clara Molden

Pregnancy charity Tommys estimates that one in five pregnancies end in miscarriage, over 80 per cent of which occur before 12 weeks. Around half of these cases are attributed to chromosomal abnormalities of the foetus, but many are unexplained and unlikely to be anything the mother has done. But that didnt stop any of the women feeling it was their fault.

Recurrent miscarriage (RM) is currently defined as three or more consecutive pregnancy losses, and affects one percent of couples.

Hannah, Katherine and Tess were all separately referred to a recurrent miscarriage clinic for investigations, but say the psychological toll was unbearable.

My third miscarriage, just before 8 weeks, was a particularly dark time, says Hannah. It felt like a miracle that wed passed the point of our first two miscarriages, but then the heartbeat faded and she was gone.

I went to my parents house in tears, the loss was agony as was knowing Id have to carry my baby for five further days as I waited for surgery.

I started hating my own body, not trusting it and feeling claustrophobic inside it. Id felt like Id failed my husband, and even once told him he should leave me for someone else.

I felt like Id robbed my parents and my in-laws of a much wanted grandchild. I didnt feel safe in my own body and I told Tom I wanted to move house. The silence of a family home with just two of us was deafening. Where we live were surrounded by other families pushing buggies, I just couldnt bear it.

When I saw a former colleague I hadnt seen for a while, he proudly whipped out a baby scan saying he was going to be a dad. I went to the loos and cried.

After the four women met through TWGGEs Warriorship platform last year, they were able to share their heartache together. And they bonded through what the group calls the uglies  feelings of resentment, envy and anger accompanying baby loss, which women might feel ashamed to discuss.

Any time a friend announced their pregnancy it felt brutal, admits Hannah. I couldnt send a congratulations card, I swerved kids birthday parties. I was happy for them but just so broken for us.

The four women met through TWGGE's 'Warriorship' platform last year

Tess had to endure the awful irony of being at someones baby shower when one of her miscarriages began. Surrounded by pastel balloons, cupcakes and cooing women I pretended everything was lovely while I could actually feel myself cramping and bleeding, knowing it was happening yet again.

Tess admits her miscarriage ordeal cost her friendships. My misery made them uncomfortable, and that was a hard pill to swallow because it was when I needed them the most. But having these three ladies by my side made me feel safer again.

Swapping their stories and validating their ugly feelings  even finding dark humour in them  helped the women feel less alone.

In a wonderful surprise, each of the four women fell pregnant late last spring, and whats more, all of them went on to have healthy babies within days of each other. Three of them were within 11 days but Daisy was a bit earlier.

The four friends were able to support each other through their pregnancies

Hannah was the first to break her pregnancy news in a heartfelt message to the others, praying they wouldnt be devastated. To her delight, they each messaged her privately saying they too were in the early stages. Once it was all out in the open they again became each others support group sharing their many, very natural anxieties about whether their pregnancies would last.

We were each terrified until we got to the viable stage around 24 weeks, says Katherine. We were anxious for ourselves and each other, knowing what wed all been through and willing every baby to make it.

Happily, in what they call a miracle, all the babies arrived safely. Tess had Daisy [DOB 12.12.23] a little sister for Charlie, then Pippa had Alice [9.1.24], Katherine gave birth to Evie [14.1.24], and Hannah brought the only boy to the gang, Arthur [19.1.24].

In what the four women call a 'miracle', all the babies arrived safely

When youre desperate for a baby and people urge you to keep trying its not necessarily what you want to hear, says Hannah. But that is what we all did. During my pregnancy with Arthur I made a point of saying to anyone seeing me pregnant for the first time it took a long time to get here, and we had three miscarriages, because I never wanted anyone to feel Id tripped into pregnancy easily. He was so wanted after so much loss.

Katherine believes the recent introduction of baby loss certificates is a good thing. It wont bring the baby back, but having their grief recognised might help some women during the lowest time.

This Mothers Day, all four are looking forward to feeling grateful for their longed for babies.

I dont know whether its the power of community or someone was watching over us, but it feels like a miracle, smiles Tess. This year we can finally celebrate.

What not to say to someone after baby loss

According to The Worst Girl Gang Ever (TWGGE) co-founder Bex Gunn

At least 

Direct a sentence starting with the words at least and youll be met with an eye-roll. Or a snotty, mascara-streaked breakdown. At least it was early  Why? Because you hadnt had time to form a connection? No one has ever felt comforted by this. Every loss is heartbreaking no matter when it happens. Dont try to put a positive spin on our loss. If you minimise the loss, the grief is doubled. At leasts are just like slagging off your brother. Its fine for you to do it, but no one else.

At least you know you can get pregnant

Although the knowledge that your body is capable of pregnancy can be comforting to some, the fear of never being able to bring a baby home far outweighs this. Women struggling with recurrent miscarriage find no comfort in the knowledge that they can become pregnant, because its only led to pain and isolation. Knowing you can get pregnant is not helpful if you cant stay pregnant.

At least it wasnt a real baby; it was just a bunch of cells

Equating our hugely devastating baby loss with some science-y crap wont ever make us feel better. Being made to feel that our baby wasnt real is heart-breaking. Your baby mattered, you matter  dont forget that.

At least you didnt have the chance to get too attached

This is such a wild misconception. Our heartbreak is valid because the moment we see those positive pregnancy lines is often the time we become attached.

It wasnt meant to be/It was Gods plan

Ahh, OK then. We dont need to feel sad any longer now you have told us that? Telling us that our gut-wrenchingly horrible experience of baby loss was just one of those things, not meant to be hurts. And hurting someone should never be meant.

At least you are still young

If we are young, we have therefore decided that we want to become young parents. Were aware of our age  it was almost certainly part of our decision-making process. Being reminded that we are young can make us feel naive.

These comments almost always come from a place of love, but also of misunderstanding. When it comes to baby loss, there is no at least.

For more information about The Worst Girl Gang Ever, visit theworstgirlgangever.co.uk

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LOUISIANA (KLFY)  In Louisiana sits an ancient archeological site, even older than the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge.

Ouachita Parish in north Louisiana is home to the oldest earthwork mound complex in North America, constructed approximately 5,400 years ago, known as Watson Brake. This ancient archeological site was built around 1,000 years before the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge, and about 1,900 years before the other ancient archeological site in Louisiana, Poverty Point.

This Louisiana facility finds colliding black holes billions of light-years away

Artsists conception of Watson Brake, an archaeological site in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana that dates from the Archaic period. The oldest earthwork in North America, it was built and occupied 3500 BCE, approximately 5400 years ago. By Herb Roe  Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52375912

Watson Brake went undiscovered until 1981, when after logging had cleared much of the area, Reca Bamburg Jones, a local resident, identified the pattern of eleven mounds connected by ridges. The earthwork makes an oval formation, and is approximately 280 yards across. The site had been privately owned since the 1950s, with half of it still being owned by several family members of the Gentry family who allow archaeologist to conduct research and excavations. The other half was purchased by The Archaeological Conservancy and later sold to the state for preservation.

Radiocarbon dating suggest that the area was initially occupied around 4,000 BCE during the Middle Archaic period, with construction of the site beginning around 3,500 BCE and continued for approximately 500 years. For context, tin was first discovered around 3,500 BCE, and Sumerians developed cuneiform, the first writing system.

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Excavations of the site indicate the mounds were enlarged in several stages, leaving sufficient time in between building for trash deposits from residents to accumulate on top of the mounds and ridges. Evidence of trash build up indicates Watson Brake may have been used as a base for mobile hunter-gather groups throughout summer and fall.

Ancient archeological sites like Watson Brake and Poverty Point show that pre-agricultural, pre-ceramic, indigenous cultures in the United States were much more complex than previously thought. The development of these sophisticated monuments has caused scientists to analyze these hunter-gatherer peoples closer and push the boundaries of what they were previously believed to be capable of.

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The abortion time limit should be lowered from 24 to 22 weeks, more than 700 doctors have urged MPs.

In a letter to all 650 MPs, the medics have called on them to back an amendment to the Governments Criminal Justice Bill to reduce the time limit, in what would be the biggest change to the law for a generation.

The medical professionals  ranging from senior consultants to GPs  said a reduction is long overdue because of the increased numbers of babies born at 22 or 23 weeks who are now able to survive.

They cited survival rates of babies born at 23 weeks as having doubled from two in 10 to four in 10 in the past decade. This has led to new guidance from the British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) enabling doctors to intervene to save premature babies from 22 weeks gestation.

They claimed 2024 could be a similar watershed as 1990 when the time limit was reduced from 28 to 24 weeks to reflect medical and technological advances that had resulted in improving survival rates.

A reduction in the upper time limit to 22 weeks would be appropriate now given further medical advancements that have led to significant further improvements in survival rates for babies who are born before the 24-week abortion limit, said the doctors.

EU average is 12 weeks

Britain, they claimed, was out of kilter with the rest of Europe where the median abortion time limit among EU countries is 12 weeks gestation. As such, they argued that the reduction to 22 weeks was a moderate change.

A ComRes poll in 2022 showed 60 per cent of the general public and 70 per cent of women supported a reduction in the time limit to 20 weeks.

The amendment to lower the abortion time limit to 22 weeks has been tabled by Conservative MP Caroline Ansell, and is backed by a cross-party group of more than 30 MPs including former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, former home office minister Sir John Hayes and former health minister Maggie Throup.

It is one of two amendments to the Bill proposing landmark changes to abortion laws due to be debated and voted on this month. A second, backed by Dame Diana Johnson, the chair of the home affairs committee, would decriminalise abortion after 24 weeks.

Telegraph opinion piece

In an article for The Telegraph, Mrs Ansell said the current time limit of 24 weeks meant that babies of the same gestational age could meet contrasting fates even in the same hospital. One team of medics working to save life and another to end life, she said.

This is no theoretical occurrence: a study estimated that in 2020 and 2021, 261 babies born at 22 or 23 weeks gestation survived to be discharged from hospital.

These babies are unquestionably human: according to the NHS website, at 12 weeks, the unborn baby is fully formed; by 18 weeks, babies can begin to respond to loud noises from the outside world.

By 22 weeks, they enter a pattern of sleeping and waking, and by 23 weeks they are practising breathing movements to prepare for life outside the womb.

And yet in 2021, the most recent year for which we have full records, 755 abortions of babies at 22 or 23 weeks gestation were performed under ground C of the statutory grounds under which abortions are permitted, for which there is currently a 24-week time limit.

Law needs to be changed

John Wyatt, emeritus professor of neonatal paediatrics at UCL, said medical advances allowing the survival of babies born at 22 or 23 weeks put politicians in the same position as the 1990s when they backed reducing the limit from 28 to 24 weeks.

He said his own personal experience as a neonatal doctor had convinced him that the law needed to be changed.

I have first-hand experience that on the one hand we are able to keep babies alive from 22 to 23 weeks gestation and many of them survive and live normal and healthy lives, yet at the same time the current abortion act allows abortion to be carried out effectively at maternal request at 24 weeks gestation, he said.

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The film sees Ken sing about his frustrations at not being equal to the Barbies - Jaap Buitendijk

The songwriter behind Im Just Ken from Greta Gerwigs Barbie claims the song has helped young boys to express their emotions.

Mark Ronson said the power ballad, which is performed by Ryan Gosling as Ken in the toy-based blockbuster, allows boys to understand that its OK to be runner-up.

The film, in which a patriarchal society blossoms in Barbie Land, sees Ken sing about his frustrations at not being equal to the Barbies.

Ronson, 48, who co-wrote and produced the song with Andrew Wyatt, told The Sunday Times: I know Ill sound like David Brent, but the song helped young boys.

My friends eight-year-old got broken up with and he said, Its OK, because Ken got broken up with by Barbie.

The song tells boys that its OK to be runner-up. The internets caused a level of isolation in boys and this idea of male camaraderie and sharing your feelings is a nice and unexpected thing to come out of it.

Mark Ronson says the popular song almost didn't make it into the film - AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

Barbie, which also stars Margot Robbie, made more than 1 billion globally after it was released last summer and has received nine Oscar nominations.

Ronson and Wyatt, 52, have been nominated for best original song and Gosling is expected to perform Im Just Ken at the ceremony on Sunday night.

We feel their pain

London-born Ronson, who now lives in LA, has previously said he was inspired to write the ballad after reading the Barbie script and sympathising with Kens character.

Ken is ridiculous, he said. But Gretas point was that nobody should ever be laughing at a character.

We feel their pain - as crazy as that sounds about a guy wearing a white mink and two pairs of sunglasses.

I never wanted to write a song for a cheap laugh. You want something to get under peoples skin.

Greta Gerwig had to fight to keep song in film

Despite the success of the song, which has been streamed millions of times and even broke into the UK top 40, Ronson said it almost didnt make the cut.

At that first screening the song wasnt working, he said. I panicked. The humour wasnt translating and Greta had to fight. The studio asked her how much she really needed it and she said, With every inch of my body. And then there was a big swing.

The producer said the song drew inspiration from English musicians like Elton John and Robbie Williams.

It had ripples everywhere, he said. But especially in England, where there is a lineage for this kind of song.

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Alfredo Morales Sanchez had many big dreams that died in a Feb. 23 crash that claimed eight lives, including the 30-year-old native of the Mexican state of Guerrero and six of his companions.

Another victim, Victor Cirilo Hernandez was remembered Saturday as a diligent employee who cared about the quality of his work. Years ago when he first began field work, a supervisor asked him what he was doing with the tomatoes. He replied that he was cleaning them with his sweatshirt because they had dirt and fertilizers on them, recalled his older cousin.

Juvenal Jacobo Talavera, 24, never got caught up with the wrong crowd, said his brother.

Details of the men who died when a pickup truck crashed head-on onto the van with eight farmworkers heading west on Avenue 7 near Road 22 in Madera County emerged at a Saturday morning funeral mass at Kerman High School. The driver of the pickup truck, 78-year-old Robert Jerry Kovar, also died at the scene. CHP is investigating the crash.

The Saturday memorial mass was held at Kerman High because no church in the city was large enough to accommodate the seven steel caskets and attendees.

Diocese of Fresno Bishop Ameritus Armando Ochoa celebrated the funeral mass for the seven farmworkers who died in a Feb. 23 crash on a rural Madera County Road. The mas was held in the Kerman High School multi-purpose room on March 9, 2023.

More than 600 family members, friends and community members filled the schools multi-purpose room for the mass officiated by Diocese of Fresno Bishop Emeritus Armando Ochoa. The mass and other portions of the 4-hour event were conducted in Spanish.

The seven farm laborers lived in Kerman and were headed to Lyons Farms near Firebaugh to plant crops before the 6 a.m. accident happened.

The bodies of Jacobo Talavera (Michoacan), Hector Manuel Orozco Ordonez (Jalisco), and Roberto Flores Banuelos (Sinaloa) are scheduled to be flown to their home states on Sunday.

A woman pays her final respects for one of the seven farmworkers who died in a Feb. 23 crash in rural Madera County. A funeral mass was held at the Kerman High School multi-purpose room on March 9, 2023.

Today, all Mexico is in mourning, said Nuria Zuniga, consul in charge at the Mexican Consulate in Fresno. Our Mexican community is in mourning.

Zuniga, whose office was tasked with verifying the victims names and transporting their bodies to Mexico, said as she looked at the paperwork and the names of the dead, I see a person, a story, an unfinished story.

A casket of one of seven farmworkers who died in a Feb. 23 crash on a rural Madera County Road is wheeled out of the Kerman High School multi-purpose room on March 9, 2023.

Saturday was an opportunity for the public to get to know more about the victims.

Relatives, friends shared their remembrances

Morales Sanchez moved to Kerman three years ago to be closer to his family, including a brother. He was the youngest of five children born to Tomas Morales and Adela Sanchez.

He is survived by his father, and siblings. Relatives said he planned to work until he had enough to build his dream home in his home state of Guerrero.

Portraits of Victor Cirilo Hernandez (far left) and Fidel Filomeno Ojeda are displayed above their caskets at a funeral mass for the seven farmworkers who died in a Feb. 23 crash in rural Madera County. The mass was held at the Kerman High School multi-purpose room on March 9, 2023.

My husband couldnt be here today because, obviously, hes distraught over what happened, said his sister-in-law. He was a great uncle to my kids. We will always remember him.

Cirilo Hernandez, 30, was born in Guerrero and came to the U.S. as a teenager to help his parents in Mexico. He is survived by his father, Abel Cirilo; mother, Abel Hernandez; and, brother Nasareo.

He was a hard worker. He was of good character, and well-disciplined because my aunt taught him that, said his cousin Marcos.

Jacobo Talavera, the youngest of the victims, was the youngest of five brothers. He is survived by both parents, his brothers, his girlfriend, Yanira Talavera, and Miguel, his 1-year-old baby.

Friends recalled him as always singing and listening to music turned up loud.

A note written by the widow of one of seven farmworkers who died in a Feb. 23 crash on a rural Madera County Road is shown during a Mass and funeral service at the Kerman High School multi-purpose room on March 9, 2023.

Pedro Hernandez Ojeda, 35, was born in Guerrero to Crescencio Hernandez and Reyna Ojeda. His aunt Adulfa remembers waking up at 5 a.m. to make lunch for him and his cousin, Fidel Filomeno Ojeda.

Camilo Ojeda said his nephews, who were born in Guerrero, were hard workers. Filomeno Ojeda, 34, was one of the victims.

Flores Banuelos, 57, was born in Baja California. He is survived by his wife, a daughter and a granddaughter. He will be buried in Jalisco.

Friends recall him always buying toys and clothes to send back to his granddaughter.

The seven farmworkers who died in a Feb. 23 crash on a rural Madera County Road were remembered during a Mass and funeral service at the Kerman High School multi-purpose room on March 9, 2023.

Orozco Ordonez, who was born in Jalisco, had lived in Kerman for almost 15 years. He is survived by his wife, Sonia Gonzalez, and daughter, Yesenia.

Kerman community responded

Among those who spoke was Linda Martinez of the United Farm Workers Foundation.

On behalf of the farmworker movement that is responsible for improving the lives of our farmworkers every day, our condolences, said Martinez. We know that words are not enough right now, but our hearts and support are present at this very difficult time for our community.

Kerman City Councilmember Ismael Herrera said the tragedy has united the community.

About 100 family members, friends and supporters of the seven farmworkers who died in a Feb. 23 crash on a rural Madera County Road attended a Mass and funeral service at the Kerman High School multi-purpose room on March 9, 2023.

A video of photos showed the deceased during various points of their lives. There were family gatherings, a boy eating a watermelon that had been smashed on the ground, a worker tying grape vines, and a letter written to one of the victims.

A portion read, that a half of your heart joins with mine and after the last beat our souls join together there where living is indefinite.
Magatte Wade is author of the memoir and manifesto The Heart of a Cheetah: How We Have Been Lied to about African Povertyand What That Means for Human Flourishing (Cheetah Press), in which she argues the solution to Africa's problems lies in "the cheetah generation" of young Africans who embrace free markets, individualism, human rights, and transparency in government.

Born in Senegal and now residing in Austin, Texas, Wade is director of the Center for African Prosperity at the Atlas Network and the founder and CEO of Skin Is Skin, which sells skin and lip products sourced in Africa. In December, Reason's Nick Gillespie sat down with Wade to discuss her book, entrepreneurship in Africa, and startup cities.

Q: The controlling metaphor of your book is the cheetah and the cheetah generation. Where does that term come from, and what does it signify for you?

A: The reason why I am cheetah everything is because of my beloved professor, George Ayittey, a Ghanaian economist who we lost [in 2022]. He had made this differentiation between the hippo mentality. These are the people who still believe that colonialism sets us back. People who believe that slavery, even though we're out of it, sets us back. When you put them all together, it's more or less the victimhood mentality. Because as long as we stay in victimhood, we don't try to fight more. We stay poor, and the foreign aid keeps on pouring in to fix, supposedly, that poverty. And then they are facing off with whom? The cheetah generation.

George said the cheetah generation is a generation of Africans with a mindset that really is waiting for no one. They're not going to wait for the government. They're not going to wait for foreign aid. They believe in themselves. They know they have the tools and they're just going to get it done. And he said, the future of our continent lies on the back of the cheetahs.

It's not about your age. It's not about, are you African or non-African? It's not about, are you an African living on the continent or in the diaspora? It's very much, do you believe that we have a bright future? And do you believe that that bright future will be achieved by the free market?

Q: You critique development economist Jeffrey Sachs, who helped create and push the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals. What do people like Jeffrey Sachs fundamentally get wrong? What is wrong with the framework that they are trying to impart on the developing world?

A: To me it's just not understanding the way the world works and not understanding economics. It's not really rocket science. And maybe that's why for people who are always looking for complexity, they fail to see that. I think for folks like him, there's something very unsettling about this idea that the market can take care of things.

Jeffrey Sachs thought he could fix poverty and so forth, but then what he did is basically set up a village, what they would call the millennium development villages. And there they just went on to basically do a very top-down type of approach to economics. Eventually what happened is they went nowhere and things started rotting all over the place. All of this stuff that they spent millions of dollars on. And by the way, an entrepreneur would've probably produced the same, better quality, cheaper, and still be able to sell it, but they had nothing to show for it. That's the mentality of people like that.

Q: You say Africa would benefit from millions of Africans creating businesses, becoming entrepreneurial. But you stress how hard it is within Africa to start a business.

A: Life is made of tradeoffs. But when it comes to foreign aid, I think people only look at supposedly the little wins in the tradeoffs. I had this woman, she was very upset with me. For her, she's sure the roads can only be helpful. Aren't they? You see road equals benefit. Let me talk about the costs. Because of this road, I have a culture of dependency that keeps on being ingrained in my people. That surely cannot be good for the entrepreneurial mindset that we need from them in order to really create wealth and value. A cultural dependency just doesn't go hand in hand [with economic progress].

Q: How does a road create dependence?

A: This road came because of foreign aid. Foreign aid came to us because supposedly we're poor. Our governments are literally poor. They don't have enough money to cater to all the needs of what the government would need money for.

Now, I would like to tell people, why do you think we are in that situation? Why do you think that we're poor in the first place so much that we need you to inject the additional cash so that we can build the roads that normally we should have built for ourselves with the money that we made? We are poor because we don't let our entrepreneurs work. If you just come and finance for me what I should have financed for myself and by myself and we keep doing this, nothing has changed since the end of so-called colonialism.

So for that road, I get a generation of young people behaving this way, which cannot operate in the market. For that road I also got more violence and more violence as well as leaders who never want to leave.

Q: How would startup cities help in an African context?

A: Africa is the poorest region in the world because it happens to be the most overregulated region in the world. It's the region in the world where entrepreneurs lack what entrepreneurs need the most, which is an enabling business environment.

I'm sure your audience knows how cumbersome and complicated and hard and long it takes to do piecemeal legislation and also reforms. Costly, timely, everything. We've got to accelerate. And most importantly, we have to be a little bit more radical because tweaking something here, tweaking something there is just not going to get us there. We have to do tabula rasa and just start over.

So the idea instead is how about we try to clean up one place at a time? Startup cities are these next-generation special economic zones with their own law, their own governance, especially when it comes to commercial law, and usually based on common law. That's really for me what the solution is going to be, because what you're doing all of a sudden for these African entrepreneurs who are trapped in the dysfunctional systems they're in right now, you're giving them a chance.

Q: How do you get the incumbents, the people who benefit from the status quo, to allow that kind of experimentation?

A: Why I'm so bullish on the future of Africa is because we don't need all 54 nations to go for this all at once. All I need is one nation where you have a leader who is thinking a little bit more differently than the others and also has different goals than the others because not all of them are as corrupt as we think they are. And even if they do things that are corrupt, not all of them, given a chance, want to stay in this state of misery and despair.

Startup cities are a way for these leaders to actually get their cake and eat it too. So continue doing whatever it is that you're doing over there, but over here, let's do an experiment that doesn't affect [the leaders]. There is no sovereignty being attacked. Your family laws remain the same, your immigration law remains the same, criminal law, all of that stuff remains the same. You're just saying when it comes to prosperity building, entrepreneurs need an enabling environment. So we're going to look at the commercial laws especially and make sure we give them the best environment for them to create.

This interview has been condensed and edited for style and clarity.

The post Magatte Wade on Africa, Foreign Aid, and Free Markets appeared first on Reason.com.
Upset by the surge in union drives, several of the best-known corporations in the US are seeking to cripple the countrys top labor watchdog, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), by having it declared unconstitutional. Some labor experts warn that if those efforts succeed, US labor relations might return to the law of the jungle.

Related: Dark forces: how US corporations turned to courts in fight against unions

In recent weeks, Elon Musks SpaceX as well as Amazon, Starbucks and Trader Joes have filed legal papers that advance novel arguments aimed at hobbling and perhaps shutting down the NLRB  the federal agency that enforces labor rights and oversees unionization efforts. Those companies are eager to thwart the NLRB after it accused Amazon, Starbucks and Trader Joes of breaking the law in battling against unionization and accused SpaceX of illegally firing eight workers for criticizing Musk.

Roger King, a longtime management-side lawyer who is senior labor counsel for the HR Policy Association, said it will be a lose-lose if the federal courts overturn the 89-year-old National Labor Relations Act, which has governed labor relations since Franklin Roosevelt was president. Well have the law of the jungle, the law of the streets, King said. It will be who has the most power. Its potential for chaos.

Kate Andrias, a Columbia University law professor, said workers would be hurt if the courts issue a sweeping decision that declares both the NLRB and the National Labor Relations Act unconstitutional. Without them, workers will be even worse off, she said. Its critical that they continue to exist to protect the basic right to organize and engage in collective bargaining. This is an assault on rights we have considered fundamental since the New Deal.

Some worker advocates have voiced surprise that these companies are seeking to hobble the NLRB when, in their view, the labor board is already too weak, its penalties toothless. The NLRB cant fine companies even one dollar for breaking the law  for instance, by illegally firing workers for supporting a union.

SpaceX, Starbucks, Amazon and Trader Joes have put forward three main arguments for holding the NLRB unconstitutional: it penalizes companies without a jury trial, exercises executive powers without the president being free to remove board officials, and violates the separation of powers by exercising executive, legislative and judicial functions. This corporate attack is part of a wave of lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of various federal agencies that regulate business.

Andrias said one factor spurring the challenges to the NLRB is that the supreme court over the last decade, but especially in the last couple of years, has signaled a hostility to the administrative state and has radically remade administrative law in a way that would curb the governments ability to protect workers and consumers. Companies are now trying to capitalize on the courts conservative majority.

Another reason for these anti-NLRB efforts is that many companies believe that President Bidens NLRB has swung too far to the left. The board is usually pro-business under Republican presidents and pro-labor under Democratic ones. King said that SpaceX and the other companies hope the courts will provide a firewall against the NLRBs leftward shift.

William B Gould IV, who was chair of the NLRB under President Clinton, said anti-union tech billionaires like Musk and Jeff Bezos have fueled these efforts. Elon Musk says he doesnt like unions because they create a lords-versus-peasants mentality, Gould said. It certainly seems that Musk is trying to hold down the peasants here.

Benjamin Sachs, a labor law professor at Harvard, said its troubling that Trader Joes and Starbucks, which hold themselves out as progressive, are willing to sign on to legal theories that threaten not only labor rights, but our ability to have clean air, regulate food safety and assure safe and healthy workplaces.

SpaceX led the way in challenging the NLRB, calling it an unconstitutionally structured agency. In a lawsuit filed in Texas, SpaceX asserted: The NLRBs current way of functioning is miles away from the traditional understanding of the separation of powers. SpaceX quoted James Madison in The Federalist Papers: The accumulation of all powers legislative, executive and judiciary in the same hands is the very definition of tyranny. (SpaceX and the NLRB are fighting over whether a federal judge in Texas or California should hear the case.)

The NLRB declined the Guardians request for comment. It has yet to file a legal response defending its constitutionality.

Andrias defended the NLRB, noting that ever since the New Deal, the supreme court has allowed federal agencies to exercise various functions. What were seeing is part of a broad attack on Congress being able to design agencies in the way it deems most effective, she said.

The corporations maintain that the NLRBs administrative law judges should be deemed unconstitutional because, they argue, those judges exercise many executive functions and the president cant readily remove them. The NLRBs defenders say the judges exercise judicial, not executive, powers. The boards defenders further argue that the cases NLRB judges hear dont require a jury trial because the judges cant assess any financial penalties, except back pay to workers who were illegally fired or demoted.

SpaceX and the other corporations might someday appeal these cases to the supreme court. Legal experts say its hard to predict whether the courts will uphold the NLRBs constitutionality, rule that parts of its structure are unconstitutional, or wholly void the NLRB and National Labor Relations Act.

The HR Policy Associations King said that if NLRB judges are declared unconstitutional, that would essentially halt those judges hearing hundreds of cases each year in which board officials first accused companies and unions of violating labor laws. The NLRB has, for instance, filed 128 complaints against Starbucks, alleging more than 1,000 instances of illegality, including that the company unlawfully fired dozens of baristas for backing unionization. (Starbucks denies any wrongdoing.) Under this scenario, King said, the NLRB could still oversee unionization elections.

Steven Swirsky, a management-side employment lawyer with Epstein Becker Green, said, It would be pretty problematic for employers and unions if there isnt some structure in place to administer the functions now done by the NLRB. He said that federal judges wont want to handle all the cases now litigated before the NLRB. If the labor board is ruled unconstitutional, workers who feel they were illegally fired or otherwise disciplined for backing a union might file a flood of lawsuits in federal courts.

Harvards Sachs said that in seeking to have the NLRB ruled unconstitutional, corporations should be careful what they wish for. If you eliminate the National Labor Relations Act, then youll have 50 states empowered to enact their own labor laws, he said. The result: California and other blue states might enact laws that make it far easier to unionize than current federal law does.

Legal scholars said if the NLRB is ruled unconstitutional in whole or in part, that might require congressional action to fix it, but with Congress so dysfunctional, that might be hard to do.

For most workers and unions, the NLRB is the only game in town, said Gould, the boards former chairman. Most employers wont recognize and bargain with unions without the NLRB requiring them to.


A 40-year-old man was fatally shot in the basement of a Brooklyn apartment building early Sunday, cops said.

Lavel Fraiser was shot in the torso in a building on Sterling Place by Franklin Ave. in Crown Heights about 1 a.m., cops said.

Medics rushed him to Kings County Hospital but he could not be saved. Fraiser lived just a couple blocks away from the building where he was shot, according to cops.

Police have made no arrests..

The killing marks the fourth homicide this year in the 77th Precinct, which saw just one slaying through March 3, 2023, according to NYPD stats.
PeopleImages / Getty Images/iStockphoto

One of financial experts most recurring pieces of advice is to build  and beef up  an emergency fund, which they generally say should cover multiple months of living expenses. These are key to financial wellness and might also keep you from getting in debt or dipping into retirement savings.

Try This: 6 Frugal Habits of the Super Rich and Famous

Check Out: One Smart Way To Grow Your Retirement Savings in 2024

Yet, a whopping 76% of Americans currently lack sufficient savings to cover even a single months worth of expenses in case of an emergency, according to a report from emergency savings startup SecureSave, which was co-founded by personal finance expert and New York Times bestselling author Suze Orman.

The lack of emergency savings has become a billion-dollar problem for employers, and a serious problem for employees, said Orman in a press release. Employer-sponsored emergency savings accounts are now the number one benefit that employers need to offer, and time is of the essence.

Indeed, the lack of emergency savings can have detrimental consequences, as another survey, this one by LendingTree, found. The survey revealed that 27% of Americans say theyre in debt due to a past emergency expense they couldnt cover. And among those who faced a financial emergency in the past six months, more than half  55%  took on debt because of it, with 27% of them taking on more than $5,000 in debt, the survey found.

In turn, Orman recommends that people have enough money to cover 12 months worth of expenses in an emergency fund, up from her previous eight months recommendation, according to MarketWatch.

You know that my hope is that you work your way toward having enough set aside to cover 12 months of essential living costs. And you also know that I realize that can take time, Orman told MarketWatch.

While Orman also said that its essential for people to have two separate emergency funds one for known expenses and one for unknown expenses  she also realizes its not always feasible. In turn, she recommended starting small.

Story continues

Something is better than nothing. Work on the unexpected emergency account and get out of credit card debt, she said. Then youll have the money that you were paying the credit cards to go towards your must-pay account.

Another tip from Orman: Rates are still high in certain savings accounts, such as high yield savings accounts and money market funds.

At least youre making money on that money. When that wasnt true, there was no financial incentive for people to save because they were earning zero, added Orman.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Suze Orman: 76% of People Have Zero Emergency Funds  How To Build One Fast
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  A man accused of pushing his girlfriend onto the subway tracks in Lower Manhattan was arrested Saturday, according to the NYPD.

Christian Valdez, 35, now faces attempted murder and assault charges related to the violent fight that cost a 29-year-old woman her feet, according to police sources.

Fiery crash kills driver on Long Island: Suffolk County Police

Valdez and his girlfriend allegedly got into a fight about 10:26 a.m. Saturday inside the Fulton Street subway station, police said. Police said he pushed the woman onto the tracks as a southbound No. 3 train approached, hitting the woman.

She was rushed to an area hospital, where her feet were amputated, according to police sources.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered local news for years. She has been with PIX11 since 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4)  A man with fraudulent government documents was arrested Friday for the attempted kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl at a West Valley City school, according to West Valley City Police.

Miguel Angel Vega Sedano, 21, was arrested in Salt Lake County on one count of child kidnapping (first-degree felony) and two counts of possession of forgery writing/device (third-degree felony).

On March 8, West Valley City Police received information from Granite School District Police that they had detained Sedano for allegedly going to a local school with the intent to pick up a 13-year-old student.

Utah State Hospital staff member arrested for rape of patient

Granite Police were reportedly alerted to the situation by the girls mother prior to Sedanos arrival at the school.

The parent had found numerous messages over social media between her 13-year-old daughter and Sedano, according to a statement of probable cause. The messages reportedly showed that Sedano was on his way to the school to meet up with the girl.

Granite Police found Sedano in a vehicle on school property and detained him, the affidavit states. Police also found Sedano to be in possession of a fraudulent social security card and fraudulent U.S. permanent resident card.

During an interview after his arrest, Sedano allegedly admitted to police that he knowingly communicated with the girl over social media and that he was at the school that day to pick the girl up and take her home, the affidavit states.

Sedano reportedly also admitted that he got the fraudulent documents from a family member in Arizona, and not from any official government entity.

Miguel provided written consent for investigators to review his Instagram account and investigators found a chat thread with the 13-year-old girl, the affidavit states.

Provo parents arrested after they allegedly had sex with their 15-year-old child, claimed it was safer

Additionally, Sedano also admitted to being in communication with another 13-year-old girl and having seen her at least three times, police said. Investigators are reportedly working to identify and locate this girl and see if any other charges are applicable.

The Granite School District has released the following statement regarding this matter:

On Friday afternoon, the parents of a 13-year-old student notified school administrators and Granite Police just prior to the end of school, that an adult male had befriended their child online and made plans to meet in person. Granite District Police detained the suspect as he entered the campus after school had been out for about 30 minutes. West Valley City Police responded and took the man into custody. WVCPD will be handling the investigation moving forward and we would refer all media inquiries to them for any additional questions regarding the case. We are grateful the student disclosed the conversation to their parents and the student was not harmed. This is an unfortunate, but very real, reminder of the dangers of social media. Almost 60% of teenage girls say theyve been contacted by a stranger on social media platforms in ways that make them feel uncomfortable. We highly discouraged, giving minors access to social media and respectfully request that if parents or guardians are unable to monitor their childs smartphone and social media use, they restrict access to it. If your student is inappropriately contacted by strangers on social media or the internet, contact law enforcement immediately.

Sedano was booked into Salt Lake County Jail on the charges previously stated.

No further information is available at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Man broke into convenience store and stole cash and cigarettes, Atlanta police say

Atlanta police are looking for a man who broke into a convenience store and stole cash and cigarettes.

In the early morning hours of Friday, March 1, a man broke into the Stadium Grocery store on Hank Aaron Dr. SE while the store was closed.

Police say the thief made off with up to $1,200 in cash, $400 in change, boxes of cigarettes, and a lighter.

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

Surveillance video showed the man dressed in tan pants, a dark jacket with a light-colored hoodie and black hat.

If you recognize him, you are urged to call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477 or visit www.StopCrimeAtl.org. You can also text Crime Stoppers by messaging CRIMES (274637).

Tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man is facing rape charges after police say he kidnapped and sexually assaulted a woman in Whitehaven Saturday.

Quinton Burnett, 28, is charged with Aggravated Rape, Aggravated Kidnapping, and Aggravated Assault.

The Memphis Police Department responded to the 4400 block of Hudgins Road after receiving calls regarding a woman in distress.

Upon arrival, officers say they noticed a man running away from a woman lying in the bushes.

Reports say the woman advised police that she was walking home from work when the man grabbed her, forced her into the woods, beat her, and raped her.

Officers reportedly found a cell phone on the scene with an ID card belonging to Quinton Burnett.

Former Tipton County teacher indicted on new sex charges; 21 potential victims found

MPD says that while investigating, they noticed Burnett had returned and was standing in the crowd of people drinking a bottle of vodka.

Burnett was detained, and the victim identified him as the man responsible for the incident.

Police say Burnett has a history of assaults, but this incident is the only record we found on file with Shelby County.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, hundreds of sexual assaults are reported in Memphis each year. But in recent years., less than one in five have ended with an arrest.

Calling it a success to have rape kits turned around in 6 months, I think its a slap in the face of victims across our state, said Representative Antonio Parkinson of Memphis.

Parkinson sponsored a bill to have rape kits tested in 30 days, but it failed in the Tennessee General Assembly last year.

Burnett is being held on a $70,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
A man whom police shot after he allegedly pointed a weapon at officers in South Los Angeles was hospitalized in critical condition, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Saturday night.

Just before 1 p.m. Thursday, police got a radio call for a possible assault with a deadly weapon near 54th Street and Manhattan Place after a man reportedly pointed a handgun at an unidentified person.

Officers from the LAPD's 77th Street Community Police Station were responding to an unrelated radio call about three blocks west, near 54th Street and Gramercy Place, when they saw a man walking in Chesterfield Square Park and "recognized him as the possible suspect" of the assault with a deadly weapon call, the department said in a statement.

The LAPD identified him as Jose Robles.

When officers spoke to Robles, he "did not comply with officers' commands to drop the handgun he was holding" and pointed it at them, the statement reads.

Police shot Robles, who "dropped the handgun, and fell to the ground," the statement reads. He had multiple wounds.

Paramedics took Robles to a local hospital. No one else was injured.

A BB gun with a removable magazine was recovered at the scene, according to the LAPD statement, which said it had "the appearance of a semi-automatic pistol."

The department's Force Investigation Division is investigating the shooting. No further details were provided.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(KRON)  A San Francisco resident was found shot in Oakland on Saturday.

Oakland police officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of E 17th Street due to a ShotSpotter activation around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday.

1 woman dead after fatal head-on collision in Oakland

On the 2100 block of 14th Avenue, officers located a man suffering from gunshot wound(s). The victim was transported to a local hospital for medical attention but succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was a San Francisco resident. The victims identity is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide Section at (510) 238-3821.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  The Fairfax County Police Department said a man has died after the driver of a stolen car hit and killed him on Sunday.

Police said that at about 12:20 a.m., they were searching the Hybla Valley area for a black 2015 Hyundai Sonata that was stolen on March 9 from the 7900 block of Sausalito Place. While searching, an officer saw the car on Buckman Road near Russell Road.

The driver left when they saw police  officers did not pursue it.

17-year-old dies after being hit by 2 cars while crossing road in Howard County

About 15 minutes later, an officer saw the stolen car speeding on Janna Lee Ave.

Police said the driver then sideswiped an occupied car on Tamarind Street. Officers followed the driver and found the stolen car crashed into a dumpster and unoccupied.

Police then found a man who was struck in the grass nearby. He was identified as 63-year-old James Johnson of Hybla Valley. He died at the hospital.

Police werent able to find the driver.

Officers determined the driver of the stolen car hit Johnson on Janna Lee Avenue before crashing into a dumpster.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
ST. LOUIS  An Illinois man appeared in federal court last week and admitted robbing a St. Louis 7-Eleven at gunpoint in 2023.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Payton Robert Yates, 23, robbed a 7-Eleven store in the 5300 block of Chippewa Street on June 30.

Yates told the court he walked into the store, took a bag of Hot Fries to the counter, then took out a handgun and told the cashier to empty the register. The store clerk complied and Yates left with the bag of Hot Fries and $134.77.

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Prosecutors said Yates drove away in a blue Toyota Tundra. Yates father had reported the vehicle stolen a few days prior to the robbery, along with the handgun. Yates said he pawned the gun two days after the crime.

Yates pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of possession of and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Yates will be sentenced on June 4. Both the prosecution and defense recommend a 9-year term in federal prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A Columbus man was convicted of charges related to a fatal 2021 shooting during a robbery.

Xavier Wilks, 31, of Columbus, was found guilty Friday of murder, aggravated robbery, weapons under disability, and possessing a firearm while committing crimes charges after a four-day trial.

According to Franklin County Prosecutor Gary Tyack, on Sept. 16, 2021, Travis Kinsley, 23, of Franfort, was walking near East Main Street and Nelson Road when he was approached by Wilks.

Grove City man sentenced for possessing fentanyl and pandemic aid fraud

Wilks pulled a handgun and attempted to rob Kinsley, but as Kinsley tried to defend himself with his own handgun, Wilks pulled the trigger, hitting Kinsley once in the chest, Tyack said in a press release.

Kinsley was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Wilks will be sentenced at a later date.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
CHICAGO  Officers in Chicago are asking for the publics help in the search for a man who has been missing for nearly three months.

Police say 46-year-old Oscar Valenzuela went missing on Tuesday, Dec. 12, and has not been heard from since.

According to Chicago police, the missing man was last seen in the vicinity of the 5300 block of South Hermitage Avenue, in the citys Southwest Side neighborhood of New City.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Police say Valenzuela, who has black hair and brown eyes, stands 5-foot-3 and weighs around 130 pounds.

Photo provided by Chicago police shows 46-year-old Oscar Valenzuela who officers say went missing in mid-December of 2023.

Chicago police were not able to provide a description of what the missing man was last seen wearing but said he may be carrying a black backpack.

Chicago police notified the public about the missing mans disappearance in a news release on Friday evening.

Investigation underway after woman found dead in Rogers Park

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of 46-year-old Oscar Valenzuela is asked to contact the CPD Area One Special Victims Unit at 312-747-8380 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help authorities in their search can also leave a tip for police at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
I was surprised to see Rick Inatomes name on a recent social media post as having been knighted by the Royal Order of Francis I for philanthropy, entrepreneurship and social impact, along with singer Frankie Valli and a few other folks.

Could it be the same Inatome, the trailblazing high-profile entrepreneur from Detroit who helped launch the computer revolution a generation ago with his company, Inacomp, which he started by building computers by hand while a student at Michigan State University?

I hadnt heard Inatomes name in years but learned it was, indeed, him.

Singer Frankie Valli, center, flanked by Rick Inatome and Joyce Inatome at a Feb. 11, 2024 Royal Order of Francis I knighting ceremony in Florida. Both Valli and Rick Inatome were bestowed the honor.

That knighting ceremony was held in Naples, Florida, on Feb. 11. Inatome is in heady company as previous folks to be knighted include former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, tenor Andrea Bocelli and Leka, the crown prince of Albania. The Royal Order of Francis I was founded in 1829 in Italy as an award of civil merit in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies; recipients receive an honorary knighthood.

Forging a path

Inatome said he was a tech retail and distribution mentor in the early 1980s to Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak before they launched Microsoft and Apple. He said he also served on the advisory boards for both companies in the 1970s.

Now living in Naples, Inatome, 71, served on boards and nonprofits in Michigan in the 1980s and 1990s, including Henry Ford Health, AAA Michigan and numerous educational organizations.

Joyce Inatome, Rick Inatome, center, and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, along with Inatome children Dania and Evan.

Inatome was born in Detroit after his parents (American citizens of Japanese ancestry) relocated here after their internments during World War II. After college, Inatome created a distribution channel that introduced PCs to the public and then companies. He grew the company, along with his dad, Joseph Inatome, as Inacomp grew into a Fortune 500 company before they sold it in 2000.

He left Detroit in the mid-1990s and moved to Silicon Valley, where he was involved in venture capital and private equity investing. He moved to Naples in 2010 and focused on investing and also helping the next generation have better educational opportunities.

Story continues

Rick Inatome at the Inacomp store in the early 1980s.

Inatome is looking at launching a new educational platform, one he believes would have better results as it would start with the child not long after birth. He believes Detroit would be an ideal place for it.

I caught up with him and posed a few questions. Answers are edited for clarity and length.

Question: What are you up to these days?

Answer: I am managing director of Collegio Partners and board chairman of Leman Manhattan Preparatory School in New York City. Collegio Partners provides strategic assistance for service-based businesses such as educational institutions that require restructuring, capital and growth. My chairmanship of Leman Manhattan reflects a career-long interest in education.

Q: How did you get interested in computers?

A: My father was an engineer for one of the nation's largest architectural engineering firms (Giffels and Rosetti). I was a student at Michigan State University in the 1970s. One day, my father sent me a "Popular Science" article about the first computer kit and asked if I could build one. I built my first one in the basement of our home  a few years before Microsoft and Apple were founded.

Q: You were just knighted. How did it come about and what was it like?

A: I was at Andrea Bocellis home in Italy last summer and met the head of the Royal Order of Francis. A few months later, I got a letter from him (the head of Royal Order of Francis) telling me I was being considered for this honor. Becoming a knight was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Q: You grew your company in Detroit. Anything entrepreneurs here can learn from your experience?

A: Seek out high-powered mentors. Do not be afraid of rejection. When I started a small business and did not know how to run a business, I knocked on the doors of persons like Joe Hudson from JL Hudsons, legendary broadcaster J.P. McCarthy and Chryslers John Riccardo. It taught me an important lifelong lesson  Detroiters love Detroiters.

Q: Anything else you can share that folks might be surprised to learn?

A: Perhaps the most amazing insight into the heart of the Detroit community goes back to World War II and the so-called greatest generation. My parents were interned in relocation camps. To get out, they had to find a sponsor. My mother's family was sponsored by Thomas P. Archer, who was a vice-president of General Motors. My fathers family was sponsored by a reverend from the Episcopalian Cathedral Church of St. Paul on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. My parents met at Wayne State and married. Like others who were interned, they lost everything. There was no bitterness, only a determination to pursue the American dream.

Q: Tell me about your big idea to more effectively educate young people?

A: The brain does the majority of its formation between ages 1 and 5. Cities like Detroit should rethink their entire educational model to focus on early childhood education, rather than wait for traditional classrooms that begin with kindergarten. Lets start much earlier and use completely new technologies to jump-start learning and close the gaps of societal alienation. It needs to happen in communities like Detroit that are rebuilding their education system with new solutions anyway.

More: Michigan business leader talks on why career pause is worth the resume gap

More: Tax lawyer goes full-time on creating bras for cancer patients

Contact Carol Cain: 248-355-7126 or clcain@cbs.com. She is senior producer/host of Michigan Matters, which airs 5:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS Detroit and noon Sundays on Detroit 50 WKBD. See DTE CEO Jerry Norcia, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, MICHauto Glenn Stevens Jr. and Chris Holman of Michigan Business Network on this Sundays show. Michigan Matters can also be found on those stations listings on FUBO, Pluto TV, Youtube.com. It is streamed 9 p.m. weeknights on CBSdetroit.com and the CBSdetroit app.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tech pioneer Rick Inatome from Detroit knighted for life's work
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  The New Orleans Police Department is investigating a deadly shooting that happened in the St. Claude neighborhood Sunday morning, on March 10.

According to NOPD officers, around 7:49 a.m., they were called to respond to a man down in the 4100 block of North Villere Street.

When they arrived, officers said they found an unresponsive man lying down in the yard, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

NOPD releases body cam footage of January officer-involved shooting

EMS pronounced the man dead on the scene.

No further details are available at this time. The NOPD is in the process of gathering evidence and information to determine the possible suspect and motive.

The Orleans Parish Coroners Office will release the victims identity after an autopsy is done and the family is notified.

Anyone with information on the incident can call NOPD Homicide Section detectives at 504-658-5300, or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
A Hallmark Estates resident took this photo of a tree that fell Saturday on the house where a child was killed.

Athens-Clarke police are searching for two suspects in the shooting death of a 3-year-old boy, who was killed Friday afternoon while he sat on a sofa watching television.

Police announced late Saturday they are searching for Jayden Brown, 16, and Dakious Echols, 18, both of Athens.

Late Friday, police arrested Julian Cubillos, 17, of Lawrenceville on charges of murder, four counts of aggravated assault and violating the states street gang law. Brown and Echols are wanted on similar charges.

To assist with their capture, police reported that Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $2,000 reward for information leading to their location and arrests. Also, anonymous tips can be made at 706-705-4775.

The teenagers are all charged in the death of Kyron Zarco-Smith, who died of a bullet wound to his chest. Police said the shooting occurred about 5:30 p.m. Friday at Hallmark Mobile Home Park off Spring Valley Road in east Athens.

Fatal shooting: Police arrest suspect in fatal shooting of 3-year-old at Athens mobile home park

The childs 9-year-old brother was also wounded with a bullet, but police said the injury is not life-threatening.

Police Lt. Jody Thompson said the shooting that occurred outside the childs home appears to be a gang-related dispute.

At least seven bullets riddled the front of the home during the shooting, but police have not commented on whom they believe was the actual target of the shooting spree.

In a tragic series of events, a large oak tree fell on the victims home Saturday morning, heavily damaging the roof. A neighbor said that fortunately the childs mother was not home when the tree fell.

Athens-Clarke Police Chief Jerry Saulters also released a statement following the violence.

I am sickened by this heinous crime and my heart aches for the grieving family, friends and loved ones who are suffering such a tragic loss, he said, adding that the department is utilizing its full strength and resources to bring the killers to justice.

Police also asked that anyone with information regarding this investigation to reach out to Detective Paul Johnson at 762-400-7060 or paul.johnson@accgov.com.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Manhunt underway in Athens for 2 murders suspects in slaying of child
A Marine and Vietnam veteran who was found in a shallow grave in a wooded area of Pomona Park, Florida, in December 1980, after being "violently murdered" has been identified, the sheriffs department confirmed.

William Irving Monroe III was shot, had blunt force trauma to his chest, and a hairline fracture on the base of his skull, Putnam County Sheriff Gator DeLoach said in a Friday press conference.

Monroe had been previously known as John Doe #36 and was thought to have been a migrant worker prior to his identification.

Last June, DeLoach said an identification wasnt looking likely due to the "degradation of biological samples that we had. However, Othram labs was continuing to build a workable DNA sample and after a significant amount of work on their part they were able to get a viable sample collected from biologicals we had in evidence."

PHOENIX SENIOR CHARGED IN KANSAS WITH 1982 COLD CASE MURDER

William Irving Monroe III, a Marine and Vietnam veteran, has been identified 43 years after he was "violently murdered."

By September, investigators were looking into the genealogy of possible family members related to Monroe, including a potential brother and sister. By January, officials said they had possibly linked the remains to Monroe, "which is promising, because theres no records of Mr. Monroe after 1979."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

DeLoach said after investigators called Monroes brother, they realized he was "not a migrant worker as wed once thought, but a person who has ties to Putnam County, specifically Pomona Park."

Monroes ex-wife raised their two sons there, including his son, Michael, who was only 8 years old when his father disappeared, and attended Friday's news conference. Monroes other son, Chris, died in a car crash in 1994.

VIRGINIA MAN ARRESTED AFTER DNA FORENSIC ADVANCEMENTS LINK HIM TO 2 COLD CASE MURDERS

DeLoach said for years Monroes family thought he had possibly been murdered in the Virgin Islands and "we now know unequivocally that is not the case, and though this may be just a piece of the puzzle, it now gives them the peace to know that we have identified their brother who will be properly memorialized."

Scientists examine DNA models in genetic research lab.

Monroes father had hired a private investigator when he first went missing, DeLoach said, but since Monroe bounced around from state to state before his murder, they had no leads for a missing persons' investigation.

Investigators are now turning their attention toward finding a suspect.

Monroe was last seen at a convenience store in 1980 and a driver for a labor camp said he had picked up a person matching the description of Monroes remains around that time.

"I wanted to get our victim identified because I know every victim has a family," Capt. Chris Stallings, with the sheriffs department, told WJXX-TV.

Monroe's brother Richard Monroe told the station that William had PTSD from Vietnam and stopped contacting the family in 1980.

His son Michael told WJXX that his father was his "hero."

"I went everywhere with him, so when he was gone, it took a lot out of me," he said. "I wondered about it my whole life. Just to know he was found and I wasn't abandoned as a kid... it is overwhelming, I don't know how else to say it. It's shocking."





Original article source: Marine, Vietnam veteran 'violently murdered' in Florida identified more than 40 years after remains found
Mark Robinson

I find it laughable for Mark Robinson to say his general election campaign for governor will not be conducted down in the mud, when thats exactly where he has been wallowing throughout his political career. His brand of hate-filled, divisive and denialist speech has grown very tiresome for the majority of N.C. voters and I expect them to collectively put an abrupt end to his highly corrosive run in Raleigh come early November. North Carolina deserves better than Robinson at any level of state government.

Jon Gibson, Raleigh

NC DMV

Regarding GOP lawmakers should blame themselves for DMV service delays, (March 7 Opinion):

The writer is president of Progressive Democrats of Wake County.

Hear, hear to Ned Barnett about the DMV. I had a great experience recently at the DMV office in Rocky Mount  in and out in 30 minutes to renew my license. But I agree we need to invest in the DMV. Its time to stop starving the beast and invest in DMV and maybe they will see better service and less of a backlog.

Henry Jarrett, Raleigh

St. Augustines

St. Augustines University In Raleigh is losing its accreditation. It is blaming the accreditation commission for the troubles, but is not acknowledging or taking blame for the millions of tuition dollars that somehow has disappeared. Perhaps the administration should look inward to find the people responsible for this mess rather than blaming the outside service. Short-term accreditation will not solve the long-term issue.

Donna Corbett, Sanford

Activist judges?





There was a time when Republicans railed against activist judges, who they said were making laws instead of interpreting and enforcing them. Now, the U.S. Supreme Court is packed with Republican-appointed justices drunk on their own power.

In Dobbs, the court went far beyond the issue at hand and overturned a decades-old precedent. In the Colorado case, a court majority went beyond the issue to rule that only Congress can enforce a constitutional provision aimed at preventing insurrectionists from holding office. These holdings do not represent conservative jurisprudence. They are blatantly political.

Lynn Andrews, Durham

DEI and Martin

The writer is a 1982 Davidson College grad.

Former Gov. Jim Martin says diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at Davidson College have gone too far. (March 1 Opinion) Really?

When Martin seems to define racism as an attitude and not also a power structure, Davidson has not gone too far. When he fails to acknowledge the malevolent force of that power structure, Davidson has not gone too far.

According to its website, one of the primary goals of Martins group, Davidsonians for Freedom of Thought and Discourse, is achieving ideological balance at Davidson. But when one of the two major U.S. parties is actively attacking democracy and supporting the people who attempted a coup, ideological balance is grossly overrated.

Lex Alexander, Greensboro

Immigrants

We, the citizens of the U.S., need to realize the degree to which all of us depend on immigrant residents. Not a day goes by that immigrants do not directly impact our quality of life in a positive way. Often they are working hard at the jobs that others do not want, but which make our lives easier for us. Its time to respect them.

Rebecca Burmester, Raleigh

Crop walk

I tear up when I see children starving in Africa or struggling for even a bite of food in Gaza. Sadly, we have food insecure families and children in the U.S. and North Carolina as well. More than 50 million people in 45 countries are facing emergency levels of hunger and famine. The greatest cause of the problem is war. In 2022, some 468 million children worldwide lived in areas affected by armed conflict. While aggrieved by those numbers, I am heartened by our response to them in Durham. Durhams annual CROP Hunger Walk has raised more than $5 million to feed the hungry worldwide. This year marks the 50th Crop Walk in Durham  50 years of walking for the hungry. Join the fight on March 24.

Joe Moran, Durham
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) predicted that Black voters will consolidate their support around President Biden in his likely rematch against former President Trump because he has always supported them.

Moore, a member of the Biden-Harris 2024 National Advisory Board, joined MSNBCs Al Sharpton from Atlanta, Ga., where Biden held a campaign event where he announced the backing from three major political organizations that mobilize voters of color: The Collective PAC, Latino Victory Fund and AAP Victory Fund.

I can tell you I think Black support is going to consolidate around the president because the support of the Black community has always been a priority of the president, Moore said. The president has always made our interests a priority.

Moore, the only current Black governor in the country, said his state of Maryland has seen the impacts of a Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris leadership team. He pointed to the states low levels of unemployment nationwide and thousands of new jobs that have been created in partnership with the Biden-Harris administration.

And so, I see that the Black community will mobilize behind this president because this president has always mobilized behind the Black community, he continued.

The endorsement from the PACs is a huge gain for Biden, with donations to his campaign totaling $30 million.

The trio of minority-focused organizations are attempting to mobilize communities of color ahead of this years election. In 2020, minority voters helped carry Biden to his victory over Trump and they will be critical in November in what is expected to be a close race.

Moore argued that it sends a message and it shouldnt be lost on anybody that the Biden campaign is hosting an event in Atlanta after his State of the Union address Thursday.

I think people are energized and excited and we can see why, because results matter, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, commander of the Russian Navy, has been replaced with Admiral Aleksandr Moiseyev, Fontanka, a Russian news outlet, and Russian newspaper Izvestiya reported on March 10, citing unnamed sources.

The news comes amid reports that around 20% of Russias Black Sea Fleet had been destroyed as of December 2023.

Previously Moiseyev had been the commander of Russia's Northern Fleet.

Yevmenov, who had been the commander of the Russian Navy since May 2019, is still listed on the Defense Ministry's website. The Russian Defense Ministry did not comment on the alleged replacement.

Ukraine has repeatedly struck Russia's Black Sea Fleet since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, including the sinking of the flagship cruiser Moskva in April 2022 and a devastating missile attack on the fleet's headquarters in occupied Crimea that reportedly killed more than 30 officers.

In a recent development, Sergey Kotov, a Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship, was hit and destroyed in an overnight attack orchestrated by Ukraine's military intelligence agency on March 5.

Meanwhile, Atesh, a Ukrainian partisan movement, reported on March 10 that Russian forces were transporting Russian ship engines from the occupied Crimea to a naval base in Novorossiysk.

The report also said that the move was prompted by successful Ukrainian strikes on military targets in Crimea.

Read also: These are the most important Russian ships destroyed by Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A person is fighting for their life in the hospital after being shot in north Charlotte on Saturday afternoon, according to MEDIC.

MORE: A few rounds at first: Residents rattled after southwest Charlotte complex shooting kills 2

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Officials say the shooting happened just before 5:15 p.m. on Atando Avenue off North Tryon Street.

MEDIC took one person to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department have not released any information about what led up to the shooting or the identities of those involved.

At the scene, veteran crime reporter, Glenn Counts, saw crime scene tape roping off a car riddled with bullet holes.

One business owner at the scene told Counts the car was shot at on North Tryon and was then driven to Atando Avenue. He says Saturdays incident doesnt worry him.

This is a bad situation, but as far as what theyre doing to build unity I think it will you know at least set aside the bad image that North Tryon is starting to get, Tonda Shembo, Auto Shop Owner, said.

Details are limited at this time.

This is a developing story; check back at wsoctv.com for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Man shot after attacking person inside Statesville home)
Alicia Pieper is an assistant professor at Kent State University at Stark, where she teaches in the Human Development and Family Science Department.

Kent State University at Stark assistant professor Alicia Pieper teaches in the Human Development and Family Science department. She taught for several years in the Canton Local School District and then started teaching at Kent State University in the 1969-70 school year.

My first year at Kent included the May 4th shooting in 1970, which made an interesting introduction to university teaching," she said. "In the 1960s there were not a lot of career choices for women. You could become either a teacher or a nurse. Fortunately, teaching was a wonderful career choice for me.

"There is nothing more rewarding than going into a restaurant or an event and having someone tell me that they enjoyed my class, learned a lot from me or sometimes indicate that I changed their life.

Pieper earned bachelor's and master's degrees, respectively, at Heidelberg College and Kent State University.

She and her husband, John, live in Plain Township. Her husband is a retired educator in Canton City Schools. They have two children, Johnny Pieper who lives locally and works for Farmers Insurance, and Dr. Cassandra Pieper Coakley, who owns a dental practice in Montpelier, Vermont.

She also has six grandchildren. Johnnys children are Cole and Luke and Cassie has four children, Jack, Melissa, Dylan and Riley. The family dog is Rudy.

Alicia Pieper is an assistant professor at Kent State University at Stark, where she teaches in the Human Development and Family Science Department.

5 questions with Jonathan Stump: He's passionate about giving back to Stark County community

What do you feel a college education adds to a persons life and why is it important?

One of the advantages I see is personal growth. We all experience the ideas of our own family and the community around us.

College opens our minds to the world around us. We become familiar with classmates (many from different backgrounds, experiences, ages and interests). Your education includes college professors who are experts in many different fields, exposing you to subject matter, information and outlooks that you may never have thought about.

Colleges require all students to take core courses that provide students with a cross-section of knowledge seen as valuable for success in their life. After this exposure, hopefully, students find an area or areas that they find interesting, maybe even exciting.

Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) focuses on families and the people in those families. The stages of a persons life from birth to aging/death. We study different family formations (mom, dad and the kids, same sex families, single parents, grandparents raising grandchildren, blended families, divorce families, etc.).

Society is changing and as a result families are changing. HDFS prepares students to work in the helping professions where our students work in the areas of human services, foster care programs, adult day care, counseling, child development, hospital family support professionals, programs affecting children and families and many more.

Why did you select to teach in the Human Development and Family Science Department?

The first dean at Kent State Stark was Jack Morehart, and his vision was to make a two-year university education available to Stark residents.

Morehart had a technology background and thought a home economics program would be an asset to the community. The department we created had a sewing lab, textile lab, a food kitchen and dining space. I was the HDFS program and teaching all the first two-year courses.

But as time changed, so did the curriculum of the department. Presently, I teach interpersonal family studies which is part of the core courses required by Kent State students, Introduction to HDFS (an introductory course for HDFS majors), Early Adolescence, Gerontology (a core course), Management of Family Resources, and Changing Roles of Men and Women.

What did you dream of doing as a professional when you were in school?

I grew up in North Canton, and as a kid I dont have many memories about what I dreamed of doing when I grew up.

I do remember taking the Kuder test in middle school, the results were supposed to tell us what professions or fields we should pursue when we grew up. The test indicated that I should be a forest ranger. The only thing about my life related to being a forest ranger is that I do like being outside.

When I started high school, our homerooms were assigned by the first letter of our last name. My last name had me report to the home economics room. I was in that same room with the same people for four years. The home economics room became home.

Back then, there were not many choices open to women. Basically, you could be a teacher or a nurse. The dean of women was my adviser and a home economist. She asked me what I wanted to major in. I told her I had no idea. She said, How about home economics and I said, Sure. My future was set.

One thing I would like to add is that this was 1962. I had a job at Heidelberg working for a biophysicist. Such an interesting world. His wife gave me a book called the Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. That book was the beginning of the women's movement. It changed my thoughts of the roles of both men and women and formed my direction in education and in teaching.

Identify some of the ways you prepare for your work week.

I teach four courses a semester related to the study and functioning of the family. Most of my work is either partially or totally online.

My work week is spent trying to find new ways to present material that is relevant and interesting to my students.

What are the favorite ways your family shares time together?

John and I have one of the old cottages located close to the old amusement park at Meyers Lake. We bought the cottage in 1980 when our kids were small.

They grew up swimming, fishing, boating and having picnics at the lake. Now, their children are enjoying the same activities. The lake and the people living there have provided us with so many happy memories.

In addition, we had/have many vacations together. This summer, we are going to Oregon.

Editor's note: Five questions with ... is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you'd like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com.

Alicia Pieper is an assistant professor at Kent State University at Stark, where she teaches in the Human Development and Family Science Department.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: 5 questions with Alicia Pieper, professor at Kent State University
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made a surprise visit to the family of a teacher who was killed in a school shooting in Texas.

Meghan also led birthday celebrations for Irma Garcias sister, holding out a cake and singing Happy Birthday.

Is everyone singing too? the Duchess joked as she realised no one else was joining in the song.

As the family laughed and teased that she would have to sing alone, Meghan called out my love to Harry who nodded to confirm he would join her. The pair then sang together with about 10 family members, including Ms Garcias young nieces and nephews.

The Sussexes have been supporting the family since May 2022 when Ms Garcia was shot dead while trying to shield her students from a gunman who stalked the halls of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.

Nineteen children and two teachers died during the mass shooting, which was carried out by an 18-year-old former student.

In further tragedy for Ms Garcias family just days after her death, her husband of 24 years, Joe, suffered a fatal heart attack.

John Martinez, Ms Garcias nephew, revealed after the massacre that Meghan had called his mother to offer her condolences over the deaths.

The Dutchess, shes so sweet and lovely, she really went out of her way to check on the family, it means so much, Mr Martinez wrote on social media a the time.

On Saturday, he shared video and photos of his famous visitors.

The couple posed for photos with Ms Garcia's relatives

Theyre such a beautiful couple and Im so blessed - so glad they came to check up on the family, he wrote of Harry and Meghan.

Cant believe how loving and supportive they are especially to my amazing cousins.

Meghan Markle singing my mom Happy Birthday was the cutest, most adorable thing ever - she even bought her a cake.

Mr Martinez said the Sussexes are a 'beautiful couple'

Grief compounded by police actions

A report released in January found Texas police had missed 10 opportunities to stop the man who killed Ms Garcia and 20 others during the 2022 massacre.

In findings that further angered victims families, an independent investigation last week acknowledged missteps by authorities but ultimately defended the actions of local police.

The former Uvalde mayor who had ordered an investigation into the actions of police said Friday he was surprised the report defended officers and believes the acting chief on the scene had failed during response to the shooting.

What Ive seen so far, its not quite what I was expecting, said Don McLaughlin, who stepped down as mayor of the small Texas city last year and is now the Republican nominee for a seat in the state Legislature.

In the nearly two years since the shooting, families have accused police of a leadership void during the 77 minutes that elapsed between gunman Salvador Ramoss arrival at the school and police confronting him.

Part of the delay was caused by officers spending 40 minutes searching for a key to a shared classroom space that they believed to be locked, even though it had been open.

CCTV footage from the school showed one officer stopping to check his phone while another applied hand sanitiser as armed police waited in the corridor.

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Meghan Markle said she experienced cruel online bullying while she was pregnant with both of her children.

Speaking on a panel at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, on Friday, Markle said she is keeping her distance from [social media] right now just for my own well-being.

The bulk of the social media and online bullying and abuse she said she has experienced was when she was pregnant with her children, Archie and Lilibet, and while she had a newborn.

Markle had her first child with Prince Harry, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, on May 6, 2019.

The couple then welcomed Lilibet Lili Diana Mountbatten-Windsor two years later, on June 4, 2021.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (Neil Mockford / GC Images via Getty Images file)

You really wrap your head around why people would be so hateful, Markle said of the social media bullying she experienced. Its not catty, its cruel.

Markle acknowledged that there is so much work to be done in terms of keeping people safe in the current social media landscape, especially considering what children are exposed to, while also appreciating the dichotomy that can exist on social media platforms.

Using the panel, which was being streamed on YouTube, as an example, Markle said its fantastic that its on the video platform because people are going to have access to hear all of this brilliance and all of this insight, but at the same time, its a platform that has quite a bit of hate and rhetoric and incentivizes people to create pages where they can churn out very, very inciting comments and conspiracy theories that can have a tremendously negative effect on someones mental health, their physical safety.

She also called out how much of the hate is women completely spewing that to other women.

Markle said there are a lot of women in high-level executive positions who are great champions of women, who are great philanthropists, and yet theyre allowing this kind of behavior to run rampant.

At a certain point, they have got to put the dos behind the says and really make some changes on a systemic level, Markle said.

But, she added, average social media users also have work to do to ensure safe spaces online, noting that the systemic change has to happen at the same time as the cultural change is happening, calling out women who are reading something terrible, terrible about a woman and then sharing it.

I think that is the piece that is so lost right now, and whats happening in the digital space and in certain sectors in the media  we have forgotten about our humanity, Markle said.

And that has got to change, because I understand theres a bottom line, and I understand that a lot of money is being made there, but even if its making dollars, it doesnt make sense.

Markle and Prince Harry relocated to California in 2020, giving up their life in England and stepping back from the British royal family. They have since been outspoken about how the press, particularly paparazzi, has infiltrated their lives in both the U.S. and the U.K.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Tesla rival Rivian faced a make-or-break moment this week as it unveiled its latest model, the R2 SUV. Judging by its soaring shares, things went well.

Since the Thursday event, the market value of the Amazon-backed electric-vehicle maker has jumped by more than $1.7 billion. Whether it sinks again as investors reconsider remains to seen, but the initial reaction has meant a much-needed boost for the beleaguered EV maker.

Last month, Rivian announced a disappointing quarter and outlook and said it would cut its salaried workforce by roughly 10%. Its market cap has plunged from a peak of $153 billion in 2021 to $12.5 billion today.

Gene Munster, managing partner of Deepwater Asset Management, recently mulled the possibility of Apple buying Rivian, noting the low valuation and the tech giant needing to do something big after killing its own EV project.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said last month that Rivians product design was not bad, but added, the actual hard part of making a car company work is achieving volume production with positive cash flow. He suggested his rival would go bankrupt in six quarters without a drastic change, saying it needed to cut costs massively.

On Thursday, Rivian demonstrated that its willing to do just that, announcing to the surprise of many that its delaying plans to build a $5 billion factory in Georgia. Instead, it will manufacture its new models at its existing plant in Illinois, allowing it to save more than $2.25 billion in capital expenditures.

Pressure on Rivian eases

Deutsche Bank analyst Emmanuel Rosner told Reuters he sees the move relieving considerable pressure to raise capital in the near term," as it appears Rivian will have enough cash on hand to carry it through production of the R2.

Rivian surprised investors with other news, as well, unexpectedly unveiling another modelthe smaller, cheaper R3 compact SUVto be produced after the R2. It also showed off a beefier, more rugged R3X.

Story continues

"You didn't expect that 'one more thing' here," joked CEO Robert "RJ" Scaringe, referencing the tendency of the late Apple cofounder Steve Jobs to make last-minute product announcements after his keynotes.

In an X post on Friday, Scaringe wrote that in less than 24 hours the company had taken more than 68,000 reservations for the R2, which will start at $45,000. He added that the company was overwhelmed by the response to the new vehicles.

But the fact remains that Rivian has never made a profit, its still losing money on each vehicle it makes, and EV sales in general are growing at a slower pace than the industry expected.

After a long stretch of difficult months, Rivian had a good Thursday and Friday. Whether that proves to be a blip or a turning point remains to be seen.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
A former Cabinet minister has accused the Metropolitan Police of emboldening the mob after a counter-protester carrying a sign saying Hamas is terrorist at a pro-Palestine rally was arrested.

Niyak Ghorbani, 38, was pulled to the ground and handcuffed by officers after an incident close to the march through central London on Saturday.

He was arrested over an allegation of assault but was later de-arrested after officers reviewed footage of the incident.

The Met is now facing calls to take action against a protester who Mr Ghorbani, an Iranian who lives in Balham, says assaulted him.

Robert Jenrick, the former immigration minister, launched an attack on the Met for their handling of the incident and said that officers were failing to tackle the mob and putting free speech at risk.

This shameful incident is the logical endpoint of consistently prioritising community relations over even-handedly enforcing the law: the mob is emboldened and free-speech is threatened, he said. Its a chilling inversion of what law-enforcement is about. Two-tier policing must end.

Police said officers intervened to prevent a breach of the peace and the arrest was not over the placard but the Campaign Against Antisemitism said that the response was outrageous and disproportionate.

A spokesman for the group said: We are reviewing all of the footage available in relation to this incident. The Metropolitan Polices response appears to have been not only outrageous and disproportionate but potentially actionable.

For a phalanx of police officers to violently arrest a man who was verbally and physically attacked for observing that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist group while taking no action against his assailants is a breathtaking inversion of the law.

Not only are the police failing to enforce the law but they appear to be punishing those who are daring to point out what the law is. We have travelled through the looking glass. We are in touch with the victim and our lawyers are examining options.

During the protest some activists were heard chanting Zionist scum, off our streets and several placards showed support for the Houthi militias in Yemen targeting ships going through the Red Sea.

One pro-Palestine activist on the march could be seen wearing a protective helmet and carrying a riot shield. The man, whose helmet was similar to those used by reporters in combat zones, paraded holding the riot shield with the slogan: Resistance is justified when your land is occupied.

One young woman held a placard that read: One holocaust does not justify another, in defiance of criticism that such comparisons are anti-Semitic, and another placard showed a bull depicting Gaza goring a person with a Star of David on their body saying: Slaying of the beast.

Police officers were overheard being told on their radios that if they heard chants of Yemen, Yemen turn those ships around they should make active interventions.

In a video of the incident, Mr Ghorbani is heard shouting, Shame on you as officers held him down before saying: I wrote down Hamas is a terrorist organisation... but they arrested me.

Mr Ghorbani, an IT professional, said that he had been assaulted by pro-Palestine protesters as he stood holding his sign objecting to Hamas, which is a banned terror group.

They attacked me from behind and hit me in the head, he said. They pushed me and told me Hamas is a protector of Palestine.

The police destroyed my sign and told me that I had harassed someone in the protest and that is why they arrested me.

They arrested me because someone who supports Hamas attacked me and I defended myself. After 10 minutes my friends showed them a video of what I was doing and they released me. The person who attacked me was not arrested.

The Met said yesterday that enquiries were ongoing to identify the man in the footage who allegedly assaulted Mr Ghorbani.

The force said its position on the incident remained the same as a statement issued on Saturday.

It said: The man was arrested after an altercation was ongoing, and officers intervened to prevent a breach of the peace. He was arrested for assault.

Officers then fully reviewed footage provided of the incident, and he was later de-arrested. The arrest was not made in relation to the placard.

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VETERAN, N.Y. (WETM)  A Veteran man was hospitalized and could be facing charges after police say a meth lab exploded in his garage.

According to the Chemung County Sheriffs Office, Bryon J. Schwartz, 42, suffered severe burns to his upper body in an explosion on Saturday night. Deputies determined that the explosion was caused by the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

Deputies from the Chemung County Sheriffs Office arrived at Schwartzs home on Veteran Hill Road at about 7:45 p.m. on March 9 to assist the Town and Country Fire Department with the scene of an explosion. After their investigation revealed that a meth lab caused the explosion, deputies stayed on the scene through the night while waiting for a search warrant.

Horseheads man sentenced to state prison for explosives charges

The Chemung County Sheriffs Offices Criminal Investigation Division and the New York State Police Crime Scene Emergency Response Team searched Schwartzs property on the morning of March 10. Police say they found an active one-pot methamphetamine lab, lab equipment, and methamphetamine during the search. Troopers neutralized the active meth lab, processed the scene for more evidence, and disposed of the chemicals that were used to manufacture the methamphetamine.

Schwartz was airlifted to Lehigh Valley Hospital after the explosion and is currently being treated for severe burns. The sheriffs office expects criminal charges to be filed against Schwartz.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
FIRST ON FOX  Mexico will elect a new president in June and, for the first time the race is between two women, Xochitl Galvez Ruiz from a coalition of center-right-left parties, considered an unprecedented anti-communist coalition, and Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo's leftist coalition.

The differences between the two women are vast  Galvez wanting to work with the U.S. as the country's main ally while Sheinbaum seems to be more intent on following the far-left approach of the outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO.)

Galvez was recently in New York and Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress, business leaders and officials from the State Department, where she presented her vision for Mexico and for the future of its relationship with the U.S.

During her visit she addressed the border, immigration, fentanyl, organized crime, nearshoring, and the future of the trade agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC). She reminded the U.S. that "according to a study published in the journal Science, organized crime is the fifth-largest employer in Mexico."

NEW CHALLENGER GIVES MEXICAN OPPOSITION HOPE OF BEATING AMLO'S PARTY

Upon her return to Mexico, Galvez answered Fox News Digital questions at a press conference about the stark differences between her and her opponent.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"In the first scenario, Mexico gets back on the democratic track to strengthen the rule of law, and it confronts organized crime head on, and reclaims its territory, and reduces violence, eliminates extortion, and provides basic legal certainty for businesses. In this scenario, Mexico and the U.S. build a relationship that brings about not only prosperity but also security, safety, and democratic stability to North America," she said.

Presidential candidate Xochitl Galvez is running as the underdog candidate.

She claimed a win by her opponent will lead to major problems. "Mexico continues to move toward democratic erosion. Organized crime spreads, and the military gains political power and is incapable of providing security. Mexicans are victims of insecurity, extortion and violence, which hinder growth and development in entire regions. Mexico continues to be a trade partner but is not a geopolitical ally of the U.S., Mexico's populist government flirts with Russia and China. And threatens to build new partnerships."

Some analysts wonder why the bilateral relationship has not advanced during AMLO's presidency and the Biden administration. Galvez' response: "Today we are partners, but we are not allies."

She said if the ruling left-wing party wins again, "neither immigration, nor fentanyl, nor any other bilateral problem will be able to find long-term solutions. Solving the problems of immigration and fentanyl requires three things that the current government of Mexico and her candidate do not have: a state strategy, institutional capacity, and genuine will to collaborate."

She said, "presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum only promises continuity and says that Mexico is better than ever when we know with all the evidence that is not true."

Presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during a campaign rally at Plaza Liberacion on March 3, 2024, in Guadalajara, Mexico. Mexicans will head to the polls for the general election on June 2.

Presently trailing in several opinion polls, Galvez, who hopes to close the gap as the June election gets nearer, told Fox News Digital, "The United States always has the fear that our customs agents let fentanyl pass through, and we complain to them that they let weapons pass through."

Critics of Sheinbaum warn she has made clear that, under her leadership, Mexico will follow the principles of "free self-determination of the people, non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries and the peaceful resolution of conflicts," which leads her to promise the continuity of the "hugs not bullets" strategy to avoid confronting the drug cartels.

Unlike Galvez, who believes that the Mexico- U.S. relationship is the most important one, Sheinbaum wants to focus more on Latin America, where she has shown enormous sympathy with the regimes of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. She has even gone so far as to declare: "Mexico should never have a submissive relationship with the United States, ever."

MEXICO PRESIDENT MOCKS ABBOTT'S PLANNED MILITARY BASE CAMP ALONG TEXAS BORDER: 'PUT AS MANY AS YOU WANT'

Economist and political analyst Alfredo Velasco told Fox News Digital, "To evaluate a candidate and her government program, we need to know her preparation, experience and performance in previous positions or activities. Rather than assigning value to her campaign promises, it is important to know her achievements. Of the candidates in the campaign, the most prepared with master's and doctoral studies is Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. The one with the most experience in public administration and the one who has accredited important achievements is also Sheinbaum." Sheinbaum is the former mayor of Mexico City.

Xochitl Galvez holds a Mexican national flag during a political event at the Angel of Independence monument on Sept. 3, 2023, in Mexico City.

He continued, "Where I think there is a significant gap is in the approach to the campaigns. While Claudia Sheinbaum has a diagnosis and a 100-point program to address the country's fundamental problems, Xochitl Galvez focuses her campaign on public insecurity, which is perhaps what worries the population the most."

A multi-agency investigation targeting the Sinaloa Drug Cartel.

MIGRANT ON TERROR WATCHLIST ARRESTED ILLEGALLY CROSSING TEXAS BORDER PRIOR TO BIDEN, TRUMP VISITS: SOURCES

Political analyst Juan Hernandez, a former cabinet member under President Vicente Fox, believes Galvez was very clear on her visit to the U.S. and that if she wins, she will work with Washington to stop money going to drug traffickers and the weapons going to Mexico. "She didn't blame the U.S. but wanted to make sure that, to stop this cancer, both countries need to work together in a new way. She said she would be a great negotiator and emphasized that she is aware and concerned of how many people have died in the U.S. due to fentanyl consumption."

The US-Mexico border fence with camp shelters left by migrants in San Ysidro, California, on Sept, 14, 2023.

Hernandez continued, "There was more than one meeting with legislators. Their questions were very sincere, and she had a frank conversation with them. They asked her: Will you be strong in stopping the drug business in Mexico? She assured them that she will and that both sides need to work together in a new way. She insisted that they need to do their part as legislators, these cannot be done by Mexico alone."

Ildefonso Guajardo, the former minister of economy and international liaison for Galvez, told Fox News Digital that the tour was to basically "Wake up Washington!"

A musician performs during a campaign rally for presidential candidate Xochitl Galvez in Irapuato, Mexico, on March 1, 2024.

He said, "Galvez shared her vision of Mexico's position in the most important relationship it has in North America and its positioning in the world."

"She clearly established that her vision is focused on a moment in which we return to global polarization in two compasses: one defined by her values where she identifies with governments that protect human rights, advance freedom, and democracy; where, clearly, Mexico's interest is not associated with countries that are autocracies or single-man governments. And her other compass is that Mexico shares a large border with the United States where most of Mexico's economic interest is associated with this market and that is why this relationship is of enormous priority."

Questions sent to the presidential campaign of Claudia Sheinbaum were not returned.





Original article source: Mexico presidential candidate wants to move closer to US as leftist opponent prefers Cuba
Targeting Islamism should be more of a priority for Michael Gove than redefining extremism, Michael Portillo has said.

The former defence secretary said Mr Goves plans for a new definition of extremism would be counterproductive as it was likely to be misused by government agencies to crackdown on the wrong people.

Speaking on GB News, he cited how the previous definition of extremism in the counter-terrorism Prevent programme had led to government bodies focusing in a perverse way on Right-wing ideology rather than tackling the major threat posed by Islamist extremism.

Instead, he said the Communities Secretary should be seeking to define simpler ideologies such as Islamism to focus government agencies on tackling the extremist threat from the ideology.

I have a feeling that if he defines that word it is going to lead to more counterproductive activity. What he needs to get hold are the organs of state that are behaving in a perverse way, he said.

His comments come as Mr Gove prepares to unveil a new broader definition of extremism this week to enable Government, universities, councils and other bodies to ban funding for or engagement with Islamist and Right-wing groups.

Michael Gove is expected to announce his new definition of extremism later this week - PAUL GROVER

Mr Gove said: The definition will replace the existing Prevent definition and give practitioners more specificity on the ideologies, behaviour and groups of concern to support vital counter-radicalisation work. For all state institutions this definition and a set of engagement principles should act as a guide.

Speaking on Camilla Tomineys show on GB News, Mr Portillo said the last definition of extremism had seen Prevent staff draw up lists that included Right-wing Conservatives such as Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, and Brexit, even though leaving the EU had been backed by the majority of British people.

What worries me is that Michael Gove instead of trying to sort out government agencies, which are behaving in these perverse ways, is seeking to redefine extremism. The next definition of extremism will give us a new set of problems. Some of them might curb free speech, said Mr Portillo.

He said Mr Gove, in his interview with The Telegraph, had attempted to define Islamism although he did not quite get there.

Mr Gove defined Islamism as an ideology that seeks to set Muslims apart from the rest of society, divide Muslims themselves, apply Sharia law and create an Islamic state.

Mr Portillo said: I think that would be a very useful definition if you define Islamism. He says it is about promoting sharia law, about promoting an Islamic state. He doesnt explicitly say its in Britain but I assume he means Britain.

Lets define things that are simpler than extremism.

A balancing act

Meanwhile, Lord Howard, the former Conservative leader, agreed that London had become a no-go zone for Jewish people on weekends when there were pro-Palestine protests.

It is very difficult to get the balance right. The right to protest is undoubtedly a fundamental part of a free society and we must maintain the right to protest but it is also unacceptable that sections of our community think that our streets are no-go areas for them, said Lord Howard, who is of Jewish descent.

How we strike that balance has to try to reconcile those two sometimes conflicting rights is a really, really difficult challenge and I dont think we have got it right at the moment.

Victoria Atkins told Sky News there was a concern that in large-scale pro-Palestinian demonstrations there can be a minority of people who hold and extol views that make the rest of us feel not just deeply uncomfortable, but if you are a Jewish resident of London, some have said that they feel worried about walking around London when these demonstrations happen, and thats not right.

The Health Secretary insisted the new definition of extremism was not a political attempt to draw a dividing line with Labour. She said: It is precisely because we have seen, sadly, in the last six months or so, we have seen this rise in extremist ideas which is making people  other citizens in our country  feel deeply uncomfortable.

So, it is that balancing act between ... freedom of speech, but also the right of citizens to go about their daily lives.

Earlier, Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, said Mr Gove was right to look at the definition of extremism. She told Sky News Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: Well wait to see what he produces. But I do think it is right that we look again at the definition.

The most important thing from my perspective is that more is done to bring communities together. The vast, vast majority of people in this country respect, tolerate difference  [they] welcome difference and diversity  its one of the things that make our country great.

But, of course, it is always right to tackle extremism and hatred wherever it rears its head.

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Stanley Johnson arrives to address activists from a stage at Trafalgar Square, during climate change demonstrations by Extinction Rebellion, in 2019 - ISABEL INFANTES/AFP

Stanley Johnson has suggested he would consider voting for Labour as a result of its stance on the European Union.

Mr Johnson, the father of Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, said that he could support Sir Keir Starmers party if it pledged to bring Britain back into the European Environment Agency (EEA)  one of the organisations the UK left when it quit the bloc in 2020.

He cautioned that the Conservative Party would not be saved by a move to the Right and instead said that his next vote would be decided by stances on the environment and the EU.

Mr Johnson, a staunch Remainer who became a French national to keep a link with Europe post-Brexit, was asked whether Labours position on the EU could tempt him to vote for the party.

Asked if he would vote for Sir Keirs party, he told GB News: Nothing would tempt me to vote Labour.

Coherent policy needed

But pushed further, he added: What would tempt me is a coherent policy now to rebuild bridges with Europe.

It seems to me absolutely absurd that we are setting ourselves up having come out to say, Oh, well, now we must more and more separate ourselves out.

I think I would vote for any political party, which at this point said I want to bring the UK back into the European Environment Agency. We were always there.

When pressed on whether that meant he would vote Labour if it did put forward such an offer, he said: Well I might well. I tell you something I might.

He added: What is more important in the end, a political party or some absolutely massively important topic, which is the environment, which pins down what you can do for generations to come? I would say thats more important.

Labour has said that it would seek a closer relationship with the EU, which would include a veterinary agreement as well as a security and defence deal.

Brexit up for review

The party has said it would seek to rewrite the existing Brexit deal when it comes up for review in 2025, with Sir Keir saying last year that the date provided an opportunity to get a much better deal for the UK.

At a summit in Canada in September, he said: Actually we dont want to diverge, we dont want to lower standards, we dont want to rip up environmental standards, working standards for people at work, food standards and all the rest of it.

The Labour leader however has insisted that the party would not seek to take the UK back into the EU if it were to win power at the next election.

The party has not yet said whether it would consider returning to the EEA, one of the blocs executive agencies which the UK left in 2020 as it exited the EU.

Mr Johnson was also asked about reports of his sons return to British politics, amid suggestions that the ex-prime minister could be parachuted into a safe seat following a last-minute resignation of an MP or Tory candidate.

Dont turn Right

He told GB News: If my oldest son were to say to me, Look Dad, Im thinking of starting again off in politics  would you support me?

Id say, Look, Im going to make a pretty tough bargain here, Boris. In terms of my support, Im only going to support you coming back into the political fray if you start really pushing again on the environmental stuff, which you pushed very hard on, and if you really say Look, I may have been responsible for Brexit, but now my job is to rebuild that bridge.

So those are two pretty, pretty firm points Id make before I voted again.

He added: I dont think the Tory party is going to be saved by a move to the right. The Tory party is going to be saved by someone who says, Look, we were going well. It was steady as you go.

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Russian forces are increasing their use of ammunition containing poisonous chemicals on the front line, Dmytro Lykhovii, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Tavria Group of forces, reported on March 10.

Over the past week, Russian forces have dropped grenades with suffocating and tear gas from drones about 50 times, and 15 such drops of ammunition have been recorded over the past day alone, he said.

When the enemy cannot take our trenches with a classic artillery or drone strike, they use such tear gas, Lykhovii told Ukrinform, Ukraines state-run news agency.

Ukraine recorded over 400 cases of Russia's use of munitions containing poisonous chemicals from February 2022 to December 2023, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Dec. 27.

Most often, Russia's military reportedly uses grenades, such as K-51, RGR, and Drofa-PM, dropping them from attack drones.

Ukraine's military recorded on Dec. 14 Russia's use of a new type of special RG-VO gas grenades containing an unknown chemical substance.

Russian naval infantry units have confirmed they are using prohibited chemical weapons in the village of Krynky, located 30 kilometers northeast of Kherson, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said on Dec. 23.

The 1925 Geneva Protocol prohibits the use of chemical and biological weapons in war.

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MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee man is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at gunpoint on Monday, March 4.

Kevin Grant, 31, is charged with one count of first-degree sexual assault. Court records show he is being held in the Milwaukee County Jail on a $75,000 cash bond.

It happened around 3 a.m. According to a criminal complaint, the victim told police she was waiting for the bus near 27th and Lisbon when Grant approached her and asked for money. She said it started to rain hard, and she decided to walk home, and Grant began to follow her with an umbrella  offering to share it.

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The complaint states the victim told police Grant grabbed her from behind and put a "metallic object" against her neck as they approached 27th and Galena. He then said: "I'm going to shoot you in the (expletive) head." She said Grant then forced her into an open garage in an alley and forced her to perform a sexual act at gunpoint.

Police went back to that garage and lifted the victim's fingerprint from a car and recovered her bag, the complaint states.

Grant was identified as a possible suspect after a review of surveillance video from a gas station near the bus stop. A Wisconsin Department of Corrections agent identified Grant as the person seen on surveillance. The victim later identified Grant from a photo lineup, too.
Despite the Mississippi House passing a historic bill to expand Medicaid, Senate Medicaid Chair Kevin Blackwell still has plans to file a "more conservative" bill than the legislation written by House Speaker Jason White, R-West.

Hours before the deadline to take general bills out of committees Tuesday afternoon, Blackwell, R-Southaven, presented Senate Bill 2735 to his committee, which serves only as the skeleton of a proposed law while Blackwell still works out some of the more exact language, he said.

"We talked to a lot of folks," Blackwell said after the meeting. "We have talked to the Division of Medicaid and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney, and we are trying to get as much data as we can to simply make a sound decision."

When asked why Blackwell hadn't yet taken up White's bill, which was co-authored by Hattiesburg Republican and House Medicaid Chair Missy McGee, he told reporters he felt their version was a scapegoat method to expanding the state's Medicaid program with federal dollars without actually having a work requirement.

Mississippi Senate Medicaid Committee Chairman Kevin Blackwell, R-Southaven, seen in this file photo, plans to introduce a 'more conservative' Medicaid expansion bill.

"I think the House bill from the way I look at it is strictly straight expansion," Blackwell said. " I think we ought to have a more conservative approach. We need to look at the working poor, and try to get help to them. So, I think our bill would have some work requirements, and if the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services doesn't accept it, it's probably over."

House Bill 1725 passed through the House on Feb. 28, and aims to expand Medicaid to people who make 138% the federal poverty line, or about $20,000 annually. The bill would designate the Mississippi Division of Medicaid to request a 20-hour work requirement waiver from CMS.

Read about House Medicaid bill Mississippi House passes state's first Medicaid expansion bill

If CMS does not accept the waiver by September, the state would then expand the program anyway. As it is written, the program would only last for about four years, giving lawmakers the chance to repeal it.

Blackwell's prognosis of the House bill may stem from the fact that many other state's that expanded Medicaid with work requirements had to reverse them after CMS threw them out shortly after President Joseph Biden took office in 2021.

Georgia actually sued the federal government to reinstate its work requirement and won, but it is now suing again to re-up as the program comes to an expiration date. Georgia is the only other state to have an active work requirement.

If it were to come down to litigation or simply expanding in Mississippi, Blackwell said he would rather settle the whole thing in court.

"You're going to give CMS the option of taking work requirements, and they're denying them left and right. They're obviously going to deny it," Blackwell said. "We would (sue)."

White willing to compromise to expand Medicaid

In an interview with the Clarion Ledger one day after the House voted 98-20 to expand health coverage to the state's working poor, White said he is willing to compromise on some provisions of his bill, though he did not give specifics.

"The only point that I've heard they've articulated about their plan is that it would have to have the work requirement waiver request for them or it's a no go," White said. "That the piece of legislation that they're working on that they're going to pass out, will have a work requirement waiver. I think there's consensus in both chambers on that issue, and then I think we can build the rest of it around."

Read about MS other hot button bill Mississippi Legislature chambers pass competing education funding bills. See what they are

If both chambers cannot agree on either Blackwell's yet to be written bill or White's, it could go before a conference of senators and House members for an intense debate. If lawmakers cannot agree on how to expand, they would leave more than 210,000 people without healthcare coverage for yet another year.

"Whether you like the Affordable Care Act, or whether you don't, it's what's with us," White said. "It's here, and it's now older than 10 years, and we've got 40 out of 50 states that have (expanded through) it. There's not another product coming down the line that's going to cover this set of low-income workers."

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS Senator would sue federal government for more conservative Medicaid program
Mihai Popsoi says greater European alignment would help bring stability to the region - AP Photo/Alexandru Dobre

Moldova has urged the EU to save Transnistria from falling under the influence of Vladimir Putin.

Mihai Popsoi, the Moldovan foreign minister, told The Telegraph: If Ukraine were to fail to resist, then we are next in line. Our citizens are fully aware of that threat.

His comments come as European leaders rush to firm up their support for the tiny former Soviet republic.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, struck a new security deal with Maia Sandu, Moldovas president, in Paris in recent days.

Last week, Lord Cameron, the foreign secretary, said in parliament that if Putin is allowed to defeat Ukraine, Moldova would be at risk.

As Moldova vies for EU membership, Moscow has ramped up its efforts to destabilise the country by encouraging separatists in the pro-Russian enclave of Transnistria to break away, in a bid to retain its authority in the region.

Mr Popsoi called on EU countries to support Moldovas accession to the bloc and provide foreign investment, arguing that greater European alignment would help bring stability to the region.

Moldovas EU accession is a very strong pull factor for the Transnistrian region that also stands to benefit from these positive developments, he said. We want to provide them opportunities economically in exchange for reintegration of the country.

Moldovan honour guards during a ceremony in Chisinau, on March 2, 2024, to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the Transnistrian War - DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images

Relations have long been fractious between Chisinau and Transnistria, a thin sliver of land on the border with Ukraine, which has been de facto controlled by pro-Russian forces since the collapse of the Soviet Union but is internationally recognised as part of Moldova.

The wounds are still fresh for many Moldovan families, Mr Popsoi said of the Transnistrian War which split the country from 1990 onwards.

Since Moscow began its full-scale assault on Ukraine, Chisinau has been concerned the Kremlin could use Transnistria to open a new front in the south west, in the direction of Odesa.

Tensions came to a head last week when Transnistrian officials appealed for Russian protection, setting alarm bells ringing about a potential annexation plot.

The statement came a few days after Sergei Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, said the rights of pro-Russian separatists in Transnistria must be respected, and the day before Putins annual speech.

In the event, nothing happened, vindicating a Moldovan intelligence analysis which described the plot as another campaign to create hysteria.

The Kremlin has around 1,500 troops permanently stationed in the region and has warned Ukraine and Moldova that attacking them would incur serious consequences.

But more than the threat of invasion, Moldova is concerned about Russias attempts to sow instability through disinformation.

We take this bellicose rhetoric with a grain of salt, said Mr Popsoi. The imminent threat towards our borders is smaller but the threat towards our information space, our political system, remains strong.

Defence analysts believe Moscow has ratcheted up its disinformation campaign against Moldova out of concern that the countrys increasing EU alignment threatens to undermine Russias authority in the region.

Moldovan officials have long danced to the tune of Moscow, relying on the countrys neutral status as a guarantee of security, Mr Popsoi said. But in recent years, and, in particular following Moldovas decision to back Ukraine, the two countries have strongly diverged.

Dr Jack Watling, a land warfare researcher at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), believes the intention of the Kremlin in spreading disinformation is to topple the current government and install a pro-Russian regime.

Replacing the president with a Moldovan politician who looks favourably towards Russia is the ultimate goal, he said.

In a recent report, he described how Russias disinformation machine is seeking to blame president Sandu for the countrys economic woes and exacerbate the threat that strengthened EU relations pose to Moldovas Russian-speaking population in Transnistria.

Of course the Kremlin is very interested to maintain a high state of anxiety in Moldova, a state of disarray, a state in which anger at the government would be increased, said Mr Popsoi.

Spreading disinformation in this fashion also has a knock-on impact on Moldovas beleaguered economy, which was completely derailed by Russias invasion of Ukraine.

A Transnistrian border guard secures an area at the Transnistria-Ukraine border at the checkpoint in the village of Pervomaysk - SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty Images

Our economic situation is already complicated, admitted Mr Popsoi. So any state of unjustified and heightened risk is not helping us to keep the economic situation under control and to attract further investors.

To ensure Moldovas long-term stability, and with it, shore up Europes eastern border, Mr Popsoi believes European investment is essential.

We appreciate the fish, but we would be much better off with the fishing rod, he said. An investment in peace and stability in our region is an investment in peace and stability in broader Europe and the world.

The potential harm and cost further down the way is a lot bigger than the investment in peace and stability and inviolability of borders paid now.

Moldovas European future cannot be taken hostage by the conflict, he said. At the same time, we have also highlighted the importance for the government of Moldova to undertake all efforts to ensure that the entire population of Moldova can benefit from the EU integration process.

An FCDO spokesperson said: The UK stands resolutely with Moldova in the face of sustained Russian aggression and malign activity.

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MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN)  Three people from Nashville who were already wanted for other crimes were taken into custody in Mt. Juliet Saturday afternoon following a retail theft.

According to the Mt. Juliet Police Department, the trio traveled from Nashville to Mt. Juliet, committed a grab & run theft at Old Navy, and fled in an SUV with stolen plates on Saturday, March 9.

However, after being alerted by the Guardian Shield program, authorities said they intercepted the suspects vehicle as it was leaving Mt. Juliet and discreetly tracked it until it re-entered the city via Central Pike.

La Vergne family loses $110,000 of heirlooms, cash after home ransacked

A team of officers quickly detained the suspects. Meanwhile, police said they discovered a significant amount of stolen merchandise and a handgun inside the SUV.

While officials did not release the identities of the suspects who were arrested, they did offer the following descriptions:

A 30-year-old Nashville woman who had outstanding warrants for felony aggravated assault, felony theft in Brentwood, felony evading and theft in Sumner County, two felony thefts in Nashville, fraudulent use of credit card probation violation in Williamson County, and failure to appear for theft in Wilson County

A 21-year-old Nashville woman who was wanted in Nashville for failure to be booked on assault charges

A 27-year-old Nashville man who was wanted for simple assault in Georgia

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

According to authorities, all three suspects will be processed in the Wilson County Jail for their various warrants and crimes. Meanwhile, the stolen merchandise is set to be returned to Old Navy.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Tech billionaires arent the only ones fighting for control of AI. The US and China are too.

The two world superpowers are competing with each other for everything from the intellectual know-how to design AI hardware and software to the raw materials that power artificial intelligence systems. Both are also using government subsidies to spur new advancements.

Where the US holds a commanding lead at the moment is the development of generative AI systems such as large language models (LLMs), according to Frank Long with Goldman Sachs' (GS) Office of Applied Innovation. These models hoover up existing data and use it as the basis for chatbots like Open AI's ChatGPT.

Another advantage for the US is that it can place export restrictions on high-performance semiconductors designed by companies like Nvidia (NVDA) that are in intense demand across the AI world. That, for now, is keeping the development of the most sophisticated LLMs out of Chinas reach, Long said.

Nvidia is now one of the world's most valuable companies due to soaring demand for AI computing power. (Jeff Chiu/AP Photo, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

China, however, is countering with its own maneuvers. It is restricting the export of chipmaking metals gallium and germanium to the US while also reportedly amassing a new $27 billion chip fund to back its own major projects.

The fierce competition for AI talent between the two countries turned up a notch this past week when the US Justice Department unsealed an indictment charging a Chinese national and former Google (GOOG, GOOGL) AI software developer with stealing 500 files of confidential code that the tech giant uses for its supercomputing data centers to train LLMs.

The government alleged that after stealing the intellectual property, the defendant began simultaneously working for rival companies in China.

The charges are the latest illustration of the lengths affiliates of companies based in the Peoples Republic of China are willing to go to steal American innovation, FBI director Christopher Wray said in a statement.

'Horse race'

The fight for global supremacy of AI was a hot topic of discussion earlier this month at the Web Summits annual technology conference in Doha, Qatar, an event that attracted investors and tech executives from around the world.

Story continues

AI leaders from the public and private sectors acknowledged that the US and China currently have the edge. The countries currently rank No. 1 and No. 2 in Tortoise Media's Global AI Index, which measures nations based on AI investment, innovation, and implementation.

But the leaders also said at the summit that it's too soon to know which countries, over time, will leverage the technology to the greatest economic and societal advantage. Singapore, for example, is now No. 3 in Tortoise's index after moving up rapidly in recent years.

Singapore is climbing the ranks of AI powers. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) (ROSLAN RAHMAN via Getty Images)

"I think it's not going to be as straightforward of a horse race  this person or that person, this country or that country," Long said. "It's going to be a full stack with participants in competition" for the energy, computing power, data, and models needed for AI systems.

Long and his team at Goldman said in a recent white paper they suspect certain geopolitical swing states  like the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, and South Korea  may be best positioned to tap the technology and form AI alliances.

Other Asian countries beyond China already have several advantages. Taiwan is home to a cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSM), which produces 90% of the worlds most advanced semiconductors and 68% of semiconductors worldwide.

Engineers work in a cleanroom at the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute in Hsinchu, Taiwan. (Ann Wang/REUTERS) (REUTERS / Reuters)

Japan and South Korea are also home to leading semiconductor manufacturing and design firms, and they are setting aside more government funds to drive AI advancement.

Japan allocated $13 billion to the technology in its 2023 budget, up from $8.6 billion in 2022, while South Korea committed $470 billion over the next 23 years to create the worlds largest semiconductor manufacturing hub.

Other potential AI hubs could emerge in Europe and the Middle East. The Netherlands  home to ASML (ASML)  is already the worlds sole manufacturer of ultraviolet lithography machines, which are required to fabricate leading-edge semiconductors.

An employee in a laboratory at ASML, a Dutch company that is currently the largest supplier in the world of semiconductor manufacturing machines via photolithography systems. (EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP via Getty Images) (EMMANUEL DUNAND via Getty Images)

The UAE has a $10 billion fund to invest in late-state technologies, while Israel has also attracted billions in private AI investments.

Global power will shift towards nations that produce versus solely consume AI technology, according to Alaa Abdulaal, head of digital foresight for the Riyadh-based multilateral foundation Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO). The group's mission is to recommend government policies that promote access to technology.

"It cannot be only done by government itself," Abdulaal said. "It needs to take a cooperative approach, where we have at the same table the private sector, public sector, civil society  all of them sitting together to come up with the right set of frameworks for AI."

'Getting much closer'

Today, most countries have adopted, at minimum, a national strategy to develop and protect against the potential risks of AI. And some have cleared the way for regulations, though none have been tested against market forces.

In March, the EU is expected to adopt new legal restraints around AI. Earlier this year, the bloc's member states signaled their agreement with the AI Act, the worlds first comprehensive legislation to regulate the technology.

Federal laws specific to AI dont exist yet in the US or UK, and its unknown whether that will happen.

In October, President Biden issued an executive order to encourage safe AI development, including privacy protections. More than a dozen US states have adopted multiple AI-related laws.

President Joe Biden speaks about government regulations on artificial intelligence systems during an event in the East Room of the White House last year. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The UK, for its part, rolled out a National AI Strategy in 2022 and committed roughly $4 billion in chip development subsidies. The nation has also attracted the third-largest level of private investment in AI, behind the US and China.

State subsidies and export bans may not hold sway forever as nations compete, said Jihad Tayara, CEO of Evoteq, a Dubai-based company that facilitates public-private collaborations to build AI into public infrastructure.

"It's getting much closer," Tayara said of the digital divide, noting that most nations have access to high-speed 5G data capabilities.

And human capital, along with access to open-source models, will matter too.

"Today we're seeing open-source models emerging that are in many use cases equivalent in capability to the absolute most frontier models," Long said.

Nations that prepare their workforces to develop and implement AI models will gain a considerable edge, Abdulaal said.

"This opportunity cannot be seen unless we have the right people in place."

Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed.

Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
The ambulance service called police to reports of a stabbing in Carlton Way in Cambridge

A murder inquiry has begun after a man was stabbed to death in what police believe was a targeted attack.

Cambridgeshire Police said it was called to Carlton Way in Cambridge by the ambulance service after reports of a stabbing at about 05:19 GMT.

The victim was pronounced dead at 06:10 and no arrests had been made, the force added.

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information to contact them urgently.

Det Ch Insp Katie Dounias from the major crime unit said: "While we are unable to confirm the cause of death until a post-mortem examination has been conducted, we believe the man was stabbed in a targeted attack.

"We are following several leads and carrying out inquiries to find those responsible, however no arrests have yet been made."

She asked anyone with information or who may have witnessed the stabbing to get in touch "as a matter of urgency".

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830
Police have cordoned off an area near Lewisham Town Hall following the shooting - UKNIP

Police have launched a murder investigation after a man was shot dead in Lewisham, south London.

The Metropolitan Police were called to reports of a shooting in Catford Broadway at around 4.30am on Sunday.

Officers and London Ambulance Service staff arrived to find a man, believed to be in his 30s, with a gunshot wound.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

No arrests have been made. A significant cordon remained in place at the scene on Sunday afternoon.

Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry said: My thoughts and sympathies are with the family and loved ones of this man who has lost his life in very tragic circumstances.

The incident took place in a busy part of south London and Im hopeful there will have been a number of witnesses who I would appeal to come forward.

I know such a shocking incident will cause great concern in the community and want to reassure residents that we have assigned significant resources to this investigation.

We also have officers patrolling the local area and I would urge those with concerns to talk to them. They are there to support you.

Anyone with information has been asked to call 101 or X @MetCC quoting CAD1160/10Mar.

They can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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The grandson of Muriel McKay has criticised the "appalling" way in which police approached her killer at home.

Officers visited Nizamodeen Hosein in Trinidad and Tobago this week to ask where Ms McKay's body was buried.

The 55-year-old was abducted from her home in 1969 and held to ransom for 1m at a farm near Bishop's Stortford in Hertfordshire.

The Metropolitan Police said it interviewed Hosein "extensively" and remained in contact with the family.

The grandson Mark Randolph Dyer said he believed the suspect was spooked by officers arriving at his house and said police told him Hosein suffered "memory issues" when they spoke to him.

"He is terrified of police and authority, especially three Scotland Yard officers turning up at his house," said Mr Dyer, 59, who suggested officers should have made Hosein comfortable in a hotel.

"When you're giving out for what you've done and you're trying to atone, you would be anxious and clearly that is what [the police] experienced.

"To have them doorstep him is, in my mind, appalling because it doesn't work."

Ms McKay was mistaken for the wife of media mogul Rupert Murdoch when she was kidnapped from her home in Wimbledon, south London, and was held at Rooks Farm, now known as Stocking Farm.

Hosein, who was convicted of her kidnap and murder along with his brother Arthur, said her body was buried there and told the BBC he was willing to come to England to show police the location.

Police carried out what they described as an "extensive search" of the farm in March 2022, but the family believed the search was too limited in scope.

Mark Randolph Dyer said finding Ms McKay's body would end a lifetime of anxiety

Mr Dyer and his mother, Dianne McKay, 83, visited Hosein in January and described the meeting as "difficult" but also "a great success".

He said the killer had a "tremendous amount of guilt and empathy" for what he did.

"Nizam Hosein, I am programmed to destroy, because he is the devil, but the devil I have to do business with," Mr Dyer added.

Det Supt Katherine Goodwin, of the Met Police's specialist crime unit, said: "Specially trained officers conducted extensive interviews over three days."

She added: "We remain in contact with the family and will keep them updated."

The Met Police is understood to have written a letter to Hosein in advance of travelling to his home, explaining the purpose of its visit, but it is unknown whether the letter reached him.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830
An attorney already sanctioned by the Iowa Supreme Court for undermining the city he was working for now is on the receiving end of a legal action by his former client.

Matthew Brick, of the Brick Gentry law firm in West Des Moines, admitted in filings before the Supreme Court that while representing the city of Muscatine, he shared confidential information with the city's then-administrator, Gregg Mandsager, about Mandsager's impending firing, and advised him how to lay the groundwork for a future lawsuit against the mayor and council.

The Supreme Court found Brick, who specializes in legal representation of cities including Muscatine and Newton, had violated multiple ethical rules over the course of almost a year by providing advice against his client's interest, and suspended his law license for 30 days. Brick served that suspension in August 2023.

Muscatine fired Mandsager in 2019, and he sued the city, its mayor and council in 2021. His complaint included claims for disability discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge and conspiracy. The case is scheduled for trial in July, but on Feb. 26, the city filed its own petition in the case, not against Mandsager, but against Brick.

City: former attorney sabotaged our case

In its filing, the city cites the Supreme Court disciplinary case and alleges that Brick "assisted in engineering or causing this lawsuit" by Mandsager.

In particular, the city says, Brick admitted that after a council member during a meeting requested an agenda item to terminate Mandsager, and Mandsager shortly after texted him that he was considering seeking leave underthe Family and Medical Leave Act, he encouraged Mandsager to do so. Mandsager's subsequent lawsuit accuses the city of discrimination for terminating him while on that leave.

At one point, Brick texted Mandsager during a City Council debate on Mandsager's termination, writing "Hold on, I'm busy trying to save your job." Brick subsequently sought to sabotage the city's legal position by preparing a termination letter for Mandsager he intentionally wrote to be legally insufficient, the city says.

In their petition, the city and the city officials sued by Mandsager accuse Brick of negligence and breach of fiduciary duty. They also argue that, to the extent the court finds any liability by the city toward Mandsager, Brick should be on the hook for some or all of those damages.

Years of litigation between Muscatine officials

The new petition is only the latest in a chain of litigation stretching back to 2017, when Muscatine's City Council impeached then-Mayor Diane Broderson. A district court later found Broderson had been improperly removed and reinstated her. Mandsager then sued Broderson for defamation, and she responded with her own defamation claims against both Mandsager and Brick. Those claims were all voluntarily dismissed prior to trial.

Brick, whom Muscatine has since replaced as city attorney, did not respond to a message seeking comment, and does not yet have an attorney listed to represent him. An attorney representing the city in its petition against Brick also did not respond to a message from the Des Moines Register.

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William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Muscatine sues former lawyer after Iowa Supreme Court suspension
A man uses a telescope to look for the moon to mark the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan near the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem (AHMAD GHARABLI)

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins on Monday, Middle Eastern nations have announced, with the king of Saudi Arabia using the occasion to call for an end to the "heinous crimes" taking place in war-torn Gaza.

Saudi Arabia said through its official SPA news agency on Sunday that the Supreme Court had announced "Monday, March 11, 2024, the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan for this year".

Speaking as custodian of Islam's two holiest sites, King Salman gave thanks in his Ramadan message on Sunday evening for the "blessings bestowed upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia", but noted the war in Gaza would cast a shadow over the month of fasting and prayer.

"As we witness the arrival of Ramadan this year, our hearts are heavy with sorrow for the ongoing suffering of our Palestinian brothers facing relentless aggression," he said.

"We call upon the international community to uphold its responsibilities to put an end to these heinous crimes and ensure the establishment of safe humanitarian and relief corridors."

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.

After the sighting of the crescent moon, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar also announced a Monday start for Ramadan through their own official news outlets.

Egypt's Islamic advisory body the Dar al-Ifta likewise confirmed Ramadan was beginning on Monday, as it was in the Palestinian Territories including Gaza, and in Algeria and Tunisia.

Their neighbours Morocco and Libya said Ramadan would start on Tuesday.

Iran had earlier set the beginning of Ramadan for Tuesday after its "Estehlal" moon observation office said it had not been possible to observe "the crescent of Ramadan".

In Saudi Arabia, the start of the holy month had been cast into doubt after some of the kingdom's observatories reported that the moon was obscured by "cloudy weather and dust particles".

But final confirmation of the sighting came through the Al Majmaah University Astronomical Observatory in Riyadh.

As he announced Tuesday as the start of Ramadan in Jordan, the kingdom's Grand Mufti Ahmed Hasnat asked God to "relieve the anguish of our oppressed people in Gaza" and "lift affliction and aggression from them".

Oman will also mark the first day of Ramadan on Tuesday.

- 'Completely different' -

During Ramadan, observant Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, and traditionally gather with family and friends to break their fast in the evening.

It is also a time of prayer, when the faithful converge in large numbers at mosques, especially at night.

The war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has cast a long shadow over festivities in the region, with hopes dashed that a ceasefire agreement could be reached before Ramadan began.

At a market in Rafah, the southern Gaza city where nearly 1.5 million people have sought refuge, Palestinians on Sunday bemoaned food shortages and wartime uncertainty hanging over the holy month.

"Of course, this Ramadan is completely different from all the Ramadans that have gone before it," said Bassel Yassin, an agricultural engineer.

Hassuna Tabib Hassnan, a dentist displaced from Gaza City in the north, said he didn't know how the month would end -- "in our homes, in a tent, by the sea in the north or in the south".

Hassnan added that instead of spending Ramadan in their homes, "it is clear that we will live in displacement, pain and oppression".

The war was triggered by the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel that resulted in about 1,160 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza, aimed at destroying Hamas, has killed at least 31,045 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.

The United Nations has warned that famine in the Palestinian territory is "almost inevitable" unless something changes in the war, with aid trickling in at levels far below the pre-war norm.

US President Joe Biden, leader of Israel's most important ally, also spoke of the suffering in Gaza in a message marking the start of the holy month.

"The sacred month is a time for reflection and renewal. This year, it comes at a moment of immense pain," he said.

"As Muslims gather around the world over the coming days and weeks to break their fast, the suffering of the Palestinian people will be front of mind for many. It is front of mind for me," Biden added, vowing to step up aid into the besieged territory.

Shopping at a Riyadh mall, Saudi government employee Faisal, who preferred to give only his first name because of the sensitivity of the matter, said it was "the worst Ramadan I have ever experienced in my life".

The man, in his fifties, added: "I feel ashamed as I shop for meat and chicken for my family, while the people of Gaza are in famine."

ht-csp/it/srk/smw/mtp
Nothing gets Fresno excited like In-N-Out Burger.

Enough that Mayor Jerry Dyer and City Councilmember Luis Chavez donned the restaurants paper hats to pose for photos with the burgers atop a parking garage in a shopping center about to start construction.

In an exclusive interview with The Bee, they and developer Lance-Kashian & Co. confirmed that its finally official: In-N-Out is coming to Fancher Creek Town Center at Clovis and Tulare avenues.

The popular California drive-thru hamburger restaurant purchased land from the shopping center and agreed to build a location there.

But its not the only business coming. Several more restaurants and stores are in the works and construction on the first one is expected to start this year.

Previously unannounced until now, craft store Michaels has signed a lease to open in the center.

It will join grocery store Sprouts Farmers Market, which has also signed a lease to open a location. Construction on the store will likely start in June, depending upon weather, said Tracy Kashian, senior vice president of marketing and public relations.

Chipotle Mexican Grill and PetSmart are very close to signing leases, she said.

Target is also close to finalizing a purchase to buy the land it will build its own store on.

Chick-fil-A, HomeGoods and Starbucks are still in lease negotiations, she said.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, Councilmember Luis Chavez and Tracy Kashian, vice president of marketing/public relations at Lance-Kashian & Co. hold In-N-Out Burger food and drinks while announcing future tenants of the new Fancher Creek Town Center while standing atop the centers parking garage. An In-N-Out drive-thru is one of them.

If some of this sounds familiar, its because word of In-N-Out and some of the other restaurants and stores has been circulating for a year. Councilmember Chavez posted on Facebook that they were coming. But until leases are signed or land is purchased, anything can happen  including a business pulling out.

Now In-N-Out is solidly on the track to actually happening.

In addition to buying the land, In-N-Out has filed four permits with the City of Fresno to start work on the 3,887-square-foot restaurant, including grading, landscaping and irrigation.

No opening date  even an approximate one  has been shared.

Once construction starts, it usually takes the company eight or nine months to build a restaurant and open it.

Overall, the first wave of retailers and restaurants will likely open in spring of next year. Sprouts will probably be the first to open.

Its going to be River Park on steroids, Dyer said last week during an exclusive interview with The Bee at the property.

An aerial view shows the land that will soon become the Fancher Creek Town Center shopping center on Clovis Avenue and Tulare Street in southeast Fresno. An In-N-Out is slated to built on the corner, with Sprouts and other retailers behind it near the canal.

Of course, theres a lot more to the 90-acre development than restaurants,  such as senior and affordable housing, a small park, a trail, theater and mom-and-pop businesses.

The entire Fancher Creek neighborhood is designed to be walkable. You dont need a car to get around, Dyer noted.

I think a lot of people are going to be excited about that so they get their double double with cheese, he said. Seeing those folks come  and Target  I think thats going to be a game changer for southeast Fresno, for the residents.

What else is in Fancher Creek?

An aerial view shows a new green space/park located next to Sarahs Court, an affordable housing project under construction, and Brandhaven Senior Living in the Fancher Creek Town Center shopping center project on Clovis Avenue and Tulare Street in southeast Fresno.

Already, the Brandhaven affordable senior living apartments behind the parking garage are full. The two buildings have 180 units. (The complex is named after former Mayor Lee Brand, and the city paid $2.7 million toward water-system connection fees.)

Nearby, the first phase of Sarahs Court is under construction. It will have 120 apartments with two or three bedrooms. Another 120 apartments will come later. The city contributed several million in the form of a loan to bring affordable housing to the area.

The developers, who built and own River Park, decided to build the affordable housing first because the need was greatest, Kashian said.

Next comes the shopping and eating part of the center.

In-N-Out will build near the corner of Tulare and Clovis avenues.

South of there, along Clovis Avenue and near the canal is where Sprouts and the other retailers in negotiations would locate. An extra lane and traffic light will be added to Clovis Avenue.

Another phase of the center  years down the road  is slated for north of Tulare Avenue and the traffic circle. That section will include a theater.

An aerial view shows the land that will be developed as part of Fancher Creek at Clovis Avenue and Tulare Street in southeast Fresno. Apartments for seniors and low-income families, pictured in the background, have already been built.

It will also have small boutiques, locally owned restaurants and host events. That lifestyle center is akin to the part of River Park thats in front of the theater, whereas the area where Sprouts is going is similar to where Best Buy and other big-box retailers are in River Park, Kashian noted.

The housing was deliberately built nearby so people could walk to stores or restaurants or anything else a person might need within a 20-minute walk.

It is geared to be a 20-minute neighborhood, whats referred to often times as smart growth, limiting people having to use a vehicle, a car, Dyer said. Its a long time coming.

Kashian first proposed the project in 2000. A variety of factors caused it to move slowly, including an environmental-impact report that took five or six years, a recession, a switch to focus on the Campus Pointe development, the COVID-19 pandemic and the often sluggish pace of getting leases and permits approved.

In the meantime, a Fresno police substation was built nearby, and a transit center is in the works. It will connect to Fresnos Bus Rapid Transit system, which can quickly take people to downtown and north Blackstone Avenue.

Residents of southeast Fresno have long complained about a lack of big retailers and other services.

I think this will be a gateway to what Fresno is, kind of a symbol of south Fresno and the renaissance thats occurring here, said Chavez. I really see this as southeast Fresnos crown jewel.

Tracy Kashian, left, vice president of marketing/public relations at Lance-Kashian & Co., stands with Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and City Councilmember Luis Chavez while announcing future tenants at the new Fancher Creek Town Center in southeast Fresno.
Michael Gove is understood to want to publish the names of extremist groups but has been warned that he will face legal challenges if he does so - Paul Grover for the Telegraph

Michael Gove has been warned he must name Islamist groups or his crackdown on extremism will not work.

The Communities Secretary has been told by senior Tories and a leading anti-Islamist campaigner that the Government would be seen as weak if it failed to call out the extremist groups trying to subvert democracy.

Mr Gove has come under pressure ahead of an announcement this week of a new official definition of extremism that will enable the Government and bodies such as universities and councils to ban funding for or engagement with Islamist and far-Right groups.

He is understood to want to publish the names of such groups but has been warned by officials that he will face legal challenges if he tries to do so. Alternatively, he could use Parliamentary privilege which grants legal immunity to MPs to protect their right to free speech.

Original drafts of the plan included the names of eight groups that could be captured by the new definition, including the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), Palestine Action and Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND).

The MCB said this weekend it was seeking to reserve our position legally. Palestine Action said no definition would deter its campaigning.

The crackdown follows a six-fold rise in anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim abuse since the Oct 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, which sparked the conflict in Gaza. Weekly pro-Palestine protests have prompted MPs and the Home Offices independent counter-extremism adviser to warn that London has become a no go zone for Jews at weekends.

One former Tory minister said: Not publishing a list would be very weak. The definition is defined to provide guard rails for councils, schools and other public authorities as to who they shouldnt engage with.

If the Government is so scared that they wont even publish the names of the organisations, one can hardly expect others to dissociate from them.

Fiyaz Mughal, a campaigner against extremism, was lined up to become Mr Goves anti-Muslim hatred tsar until withdrawing his application at the weekend amid a torrent of abuse and threats on social media from Islamists and the far-Right.

He told the Telegraph: These groups have gone under the radar because Government has never had the spine to take them on. We need to call them out to let the public see them and know them for what they are.

They are a threat to our country. Yet, police and other organisations have been engaging with some of these Islamist groups to provide training.

Fiyaz Mughal has pulled out of a possible role as Mr Gove's anti-Muslim hatred tsar after a torrent of abuse and threats on social media - Stephen Bell / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Mughal was speaking for the first time since he decided to withdraw his application after his candidacy was revealed on Friday.

I fear for my mental health and my life as a liberal Muslim, said Mr Mughal, who is founder of the counter-extremism group Faith Matters and Tell Mama (Measuring Anti-Muslim Attacks), which supports victims of Islamophobia. He has also campaigned for closer links between Muslim and Jewish communities.

A second former Tory minister said: My instinct would be to strive towards naming them but you have to do it in a very careful way. The last time involved the Muslim Brotherhood where a review concluded membership should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism.

Where there is solid evidence, the Government should be working that up and putting that information into the public domain.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Gove warned that some pro-Palestinian events had been organised by extremist organisations. He said the Government was planning to go into details that would allow protesters to question whether they really want to be lending credence to extremist groups by marching alongside them.

The definition will replace the existing Prevent counter-terror programmess definition, giving more specificity on the ideologies, behaviour and groups of concern.

It will enable Government and public bodies to bar groups from venues or campuses and block funding if they are judged to be promoting extremist ideology that undermines or overturns British values.

It comes as a report commissioned by the governments counter-extremism tsar warned Britain faces an alarming rise in intimidation and threats of violence against those perceived to have insulted Islam.

The report by Robin Simcox, seen by The Times, warns protests condemning acts of alleged blasphemy have become more frequent and radicalised.

On Sunday, Michael Portillo, the former defence secretary, warned Mr Gove that targeting Islamism should be more of a priority than redefining extremism.

He cited how previous attempts to define extremism by the Prevent programme had led to government bodies focusing in a perverse way on Right-wing ideology rather than tackling the major threat posed by Islamist extremism.

Instead, he said the Communities Secretary should be seeking to define simpler ideologies such as Islamism.

I have a feeling that if he defines that word, it is going to lead to more counterproductive activity. What he needs to get hold are the organs of state that are behaving in a perverse way, he said.

Meanwhile, James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, announced more than 117 million of taxpayers money would be used to protect mosques, Muslim schools and community centres from hate attacks over the next four years. It follows a 70 million package for Jewish groups.

MEND was 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.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) on Sunday sparred with ABCs George Stephanopoulos over her recent endorsement of former President Trump, accusing the anchor of shaming her for being a rape victim in his line of questioning.

Stephanopoulos played a video clip on This Week of Mace delivering testimony about being a victim of rape shortly before she announced her bid for Congress in 2019. He then asked her how she could square endorsing Trump, who has been found liable for sexual battery in his defamation lawsuit with E. Jean Carroll.

Mace gave a heated response, accusing Stephanopoulos of trying to shame her for being a rape victim.

Well, I will tell you, I was raped at the age of 16, and any rape victim will tell you, Ive lived for 30 years with an incredible amount of shame over being raped. I didnt come forward because of that judgment and shame that I felt, she said.

And its a shame that you will never feel, George, and Im not going to sit here on your show and be asked a question meant to shame me about another potential rape victim. Im not going to do that, Mace added.

Stephanopoulos, who served as an adviser to former President Clinton, told her that the question is actually not about shaming you. Its a question about Donald Trump.

She shot back: No, you are shaming me.

Mace pointed out that Trump has not been found guilty of rape in a criminal case and repeatedly made the point that Carroll joked about how she would spend a more than $80 million judgement Trump was ordered to pay. A jury ruled earlier this year that Trump needed to pay Carroll $83.3 million for defaming the writer in 2019 by denying her claims that the former president sexually assaulted her in the mid-1990s.

The two continued to go back and forth, with Stephanopoulos pushing back on her claims that he was shaming her.

Stephanopoulos at one point called Mace courageous for coming forward with her story but kept pressing her on how she could endorse Trump after saying he should never hold office again after Jan. 6, and in light of the fact that he had been found liable for sexual battery.

And I answered it. Youre shaming me for my political choices, she said.

No, Im not  Im asking you a question about why you endorsed someone whos been found liable for rape. Just answer the question, Stephanopoulos said.

Mace said Stephanopouloss question was deeply offensive as the two continued to argue with one another.

You show that youre very comfortable with what Donald Trump has done, Stephanopoulos said.

And what youve done is offensive to women who have been raped. What youve done this morning is offensive, Mace responded.

Mace then took to social media to further rail against Stephanopoulos, posting a clip of the full exchange on social media.

Im not going to be shamed for being raped by a guy who worked for a President who wagged his finger and lied to the American people about having oral sex with an intern in the Oval OfficeSTFU @GStephanopoulos, Mace wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

She appeared to be referencing Clintons affair with Monica Lewinsky when she was a White House intern.

In a separate post on X, she said she was brought on to talk about 2024instead Clinton crony turned fake journalist @Gstephanopoulos attacked me and tried to shame me as a rape victim.

The Hill has reached out to ABC for comment on Maces social media posts.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON  In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently.

Legislation Introduced to Assist Tribal Communities Combat Wildfires

U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) is introducing the Slip-On Tanks for Tribes Act, legislation to make sure that Tribes in Nevada have the resources they need to fight wildfires, as the West continues to face the devasting impacts of climate change. The U.S. Department of the Interior recently launched a grant program to help rural communities better respond to wildfires by providing funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to convert vehicles into flexible, early-response fire engines. Cortez Mastos bill would ensure that Tribes are eligible for this funding. Senator Cortez Masto has led efforts to support Nevada firefighters and combat the wildfire crisis in the West, and shes secured billions in funding to support wildfire risk reduction.

Wildfires are becoming increasingly dangerous, and we must ensure rural Tribal communities have access to the resources they need to combat them, Sen. Cortez Masto said. My bill help ensure that tribes in Nevada can access funding to purchase slip-on tanks  a vital piece of firefighting equipment that will help keep communities safe.

By expanding eligibility to the pilot program, tribal communities with a population of 25,000 or fewer will be able to apply for funding to help to purchase slip-on tanker units to quickly convert trucks and other vehicles into early-response fire engines.

Assistant Secretary Newland to Travel to Pine Ridge Indina Reservation at Oglala Dam Rehabilitation Project Groundbreaking

On March 12, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland will travel to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where he will join Tribal leaders to commemorate the groundbreaking of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded Oglala Dam rehabilitation project.

The Interior Department has made a series of funding announcements for the Oglala Dam from the Presidents Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is helping make crucial investments to protect downstream communities, improve dam safety, and restore an important local water supply for the Pine Ridge community.

The project represents another milestone from the Presidents Investing in America agenda  a key pillar of Bidenomics  which is deploying record investments to provide affordable high-speed internet, safer roads and bridges, modern wastewater and sanitations systems, clean drinking water, reliable and affordable electricity, good paying jobs and economic development in every Tribal community. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $13 billion directly to Tribes throughout the United States, including $250 million over five years to address irrigation, power systems, dam safety and water sanitation.

WHAT: Groundbreaking event to commemorate Oglala Dam rehabilitation project

WHEN: March 12, 2023, at 11:00 AM MT

WHERE: Oglala, South Dakota

FCC Launches Enhanced Competition Incentive Program

The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Wireless Telecommunications Bureau released a Public Notice, DA 24-141, announcing that it will begin accepting assignment and lease applications to participate in the Enhanced Competition Incentive Program (ECIP). ECIP provides incentives for wireless licensees to make underutilized spectrum available to small carriers, tribal nations, and entities serving rural areas. This new program encourages licensees to partition, disaggregate, or lease spectrum to better match available spectrum resources with entities that seek to provide needed services to under-connected communities.

Tribal nations interested in ECIP can contact Stephanie Asous, Attorney Advisor of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Mobility Division at Stephanie.Asous@fcc.gov, or the FCCs Office of Native Affairs and Policy at Native@fcc.gov.

COPS Office Grant Announcement  New Funding Opportunity Open Now

Tribal Resources Grant Program (TRGP)  Technical Assistance funds are used to support tribal law enforcement agencies through training and technical assistance efforts around community policing topics. The focus of 2024 TRGP-TA is the Alaska Tribal Law Enforcement Technical Assistance Project solicitation, which will support Alaska Tribes with law enforcement-specific needs, including starting law enforcement agencies, developing policies and procedures, addressing jurisdictional challenges, and other needs unique to Alaska Tribes and tribal law enforcement. The TRGP-TA solicitation is open to all public governmental agencies, federally recognized Indian tribes, for-profit (commercial) and nonprofit institutions, institutions of higher education, community groups, and faith-based organizations. Approximately $300,000 is available for this program.

Applications are due by May 8, 2024 at 4:59 PM ET. Please click here for more information on the 2024 TRGP-TA program.

Save the Date  HHS Annual Tribal Budget Consultation on April 9-10, 2024

HHS invites Tribal leaders to consult on national health and human services funding priorities for the Department's FY 2026 budget request. The annual consultation will take place in-person on April 9-10 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building in Washington, DC. The event will consist of a Tribal Resource Session, one-on-one Tribal meetings with HHS Divisions, a discussion on Executive Order 14112 ( Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination), and a full-day consultation on funding recommendations. Written comments will be accepted through April 12 at 5:00pm EST and may be delivered to consultation@hhs.gov with the subject line "HHS Annual Tribal Budget Consultation."



As in previous years, HHS will host two planning sessions to work with Tribes to prepare for the consultation. These will take place on March 6 and March 20 from 3:00 to 3:30pm EST. Separate registrations for the April consultation and the planning sessions is required. Please see this Dear Tribal Leader Letter for more details.

About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. "

Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net
North Carolina Republicans have turned on the turnout machine  for Democrats.

Democrats arent thrilled about their candidates. Theyre lukewarm about Joe Biden for president and Josh Steins gubernatorial bid isnt firing up the base. U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson is a likable candidate for attorney general, but is still introducing himself to voters. And Mo Green for superintendent of public instruction is unknown outside of education and philanthropy circles.

But Democrats  and many unaffiliated voters  will turn out with a passion against the GOP ticket that emerged from Tuesdays primary.

Re-running Donald Trump for president is polarizing enough. Now the states Republican voters have nominated vitriolic Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson for governor, Dan Bishop, the caustic bathroom bill architect and election denier, for attorney general and Michele Morrow, an anti-public schools zealot, for superintendent of public instruction. Morrows agenda is summed up by her 2020 tweet: We should be MOST concerned about losing the next generation of citizens to our Public School socialist indoctrination centers!!

Democratic leaders eyes must be getting wide. After years of false starts, they may turn North Carolina blue in the presidential race, pick up key Council of State offices and see a Democratic tide that will let them win statewide judicial elections.

Democrats wont be able to take control of the General Assembly or hold onto several Congressional seats because of gerrymandering, but they may be able to take away the GOPs veto-proof legislative majority.

But what about Bidens low approval ratings? Those will improve as the economy does and Democrats get over their disappointment that the 81-year-old is seeking a second term. What really matters is who he is running against and who Democrats and many independents will be voting against.

Nikki Haley atop the GOP ticket would have been a problem for Democrats. She would have been a safe, sensible and energetic option to Sleepy Joe. Getting Trump instead is a gift for Democrats. Trump has his base, but he cant grow it.

In North Carolina, Trump is slipping. He won North Carolina by 3.6% over Hillary Clinton in 2016. Against Biden in 2020, his margin fell to 1.4% even as turnout reached a record 75%.

Four years later, Trump will face a state where the demographics have shifted even further toward minority and urban voters. Deep blue Wake and Mecklenburg counties and counties adjacent to them account for most of the states population growth since 2020. Meanwhile, turnout among young voters who tend to vote Democratic is on the rise.

Add Robinson to the mix and Republican prospects grow dimmer. Sure, hes a fiery speaker, MAGA voters love him and consultants will soften his rough edges with an up-from-the-bootstraps story, but that wont change Robinsons over-the-top reality. His outrageous comments and checkered financial history are well documented.

What should be even more worrying for Republicans is what is not known about Robinson. He rose to prominence on the basis of a viral gun-rights video and won office on his first try. Much about him is unknown, but will become known in the glare of a gubernatorial race. His nomination has attracted national comment, and not in a good way.

Bishop and Morrow wont move Democrats as profoundly as Trump and Robinson, but they are MAGA candidates who will be limited by the same narrow appeal that won them their nominations. Morrows victory is a big break for Democrats. Unseating a Republican incumbent in Catherine Truitt would have been a tall order. Now the path is wide open for Green to take the post.

It is possible, of course, that the GOP ticket wins and the nation and North Carolina enter a dark age of politics driven by anger, resentment and retribution. But its precisely that prospect that will bring a surge of Democratic voters to the polls.

Associate opinion editor Ned Barnett can be reached at 919-404-7583, or nbarnett@ newsobserver.com.
We can readily understand why investors are attracted to unprofitable companies. For example, although Amazon.com made losses for many years after listing, if you had bought and held the shares since 1999, you would have made a fortune. But while the successes are well known, investors should not ignore the very many unprofitable companies that simply burn through all their cash and collapse.

So should Kairos Minerals (ASX:KAI) shareholders be worried about its cash burn? For the purposes of this article, cash burn is the annual rate at which an unprofitable company spends cash to fund its growth; its negative free cash flow. We'll start by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves in order to calculate its cash runway.

View our latest analysis for Kairos Minerals

When Might Kairos Minerals Run Out Of Money?

A company's cash runway is calculated by dividing its cash hoard by its cash burn. In June 2023, Kairos Minerals had AU$4.1m in cash, and was debt-free. Importantly, its cash burn was AU$6.7m over the trailing twelve months. So it had a cash runway of approximately 7 months from June 2023. To be frank, this kind of short runway puts us on edge, as it indicates the company must reduce its cash burn significantly, or else raise cash imminently. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below.

How Is Kairos Minerals' Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

Kairos Minerals didn't record any revenue over the last year, indicating that it's an early stage company still developing its business. So while we can't look to sales to understand growth, we can look at how the cash burn is changing to understand how expenditure is trending over time. As it happens, the company's cash burn reduced by 20% over the last year, which suggests that management are mindful of the possibility of running out of cash. Kairos Minerals makes us a little nervous due to its lack of substantial operating revenue. We prefer most of the stocks on this list of stocks that analysts expect to grow.

Story continues

How Hard Would It Be For Kairos Minerals To Raise More Cash For Growth?

Even though it has reduced its cash burn recently, shareholders should still consider how easy it would be for Kairos Minerals to raise more cash in the future. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Many companies end up issuing new shares to fund future growth. By looking at a company's cash burn relative to its market capitalisation, we gain insight on how much shareholders would be diluted if the company needed to raise enough cash to cover another year's cash burn.

Kairos Minerals has a market capitalisation of AU$37m and burnt through AU$6.7m last year, which is 18% of the company's market value. As a result, we'd venture that the company could raise more cash for growth without much trouble, albeit at the cost of some dilution.

How Risky Is Kairos Minerals' Cash Burn Situation?

On this analysis of Kairos Minerals' cash burn, we think its cash burn reduction was reassuring, while its cash runway has us a bit worried. Looking at the factors mentioned in this short report, we do think that its cash burn is a bit risky, and it does make us slightly nervous about the stock. Taking a deeper dive, we've spotted 5 warning signs for Kairos Minerals you should be aware of, and 2 of them shouldn't be ignored.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies insiders are buying, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Miracle Johnson (left) and Messiah Johnson (center) and mother Markayla Johnson (right) in photos from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WNCN)  Police in North Carolina are asking for the publics help in finding a mother and her two young children who have been missing for just over a week.

The mother, Markayla Johnson, 22, and her two children are missing from a home in Charlotte, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

The mother, along with Miracle Johnson, 4, and Messiah Johnson, 7 months, were last seen on March 3, according to police and WJZY-TV. The trio were still missing going into Tuesday, March 12.

Johnson, her daughter, and son were last seen in the 400 block of Orchard Trace Lane, the location of Orchard Trace Condominiums near the University City area of Charlotte, according to a police news release from Friday.

Johnson has failed to contact any known family members and her family is concerned for her welfare, officers said in the news release.

A 2011 Chevrolet Camaro is listed in the police report as related property, WJZY reported.

Police said they were not sure what clothing the trio was wearing when they vanished.

Officers said anyone with information about the location of the three should call 911.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a Sunday interview fired back at President Bidens suggestion that his policies were only hurting Israel.

I dont know exactly what the president meant, but if he meant by that that Im pursuing private policies against the majority, the wish of the majority of Israelis, and that this is hurting the interests of Israel, then hes wrong on both counts, Netanyahu said in an interview with Politico.

Netanyahu said he thinks the majority of Israelis supports the operation in Gaza to destroy whats remaining of Hamas  the U.S.-designated terrorist organization that governs the Gaza Strip. Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis in the Oct. 7 massacre and took about 250 hostages.

Netanyahu has since led an operation in Gaza to root out Hamas and to rescue the hostages, killing more than 30,000 estimated Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.

These are not my private policies only. Theyre policies supported by the overwhelming majority of the Israelis. They support the action that were taking to destroy the remaining terrorist battalions of Hamas, Netanyahu said.

The majority of Israelis understand that if we dont do this, what well have is a repetition of the October 7th massacre, which is bad for Israel, bad for the Palestinians, bad for the future of peace in the Middle East, he added.

As international calls for a cease-fire have increased, Biden has sharpened his rhetoric on the operation in Gaza, warning of the danger to Israels international reputation if it does not take more steps to allow humanitarian aid in and reduce civilian casualties. Biden has maintained, however, that he would not abandon support for Israel, despite growing pressure.

Whats happening is he has a right to defend Israel, a right to continue to pursue Hamas, Biden told MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart in a Saturday interview. But he must, he must, he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken.

In my view, hes hurting Israel more than helping Israel, Biden added. Its contrary to what Israel stands for. And I think its a big mistake.

Netanyahu pushed back on Bidens remarks and said he thinks Israelis also support his position against letting the Palestinian Authority (PA), which now governs the West Bank, govern Gaza after Hamas is gone. He said he also thinks Israelis support his view that says that we should resoundingly reject the attempt to ram down our throats a Palestinian state.

That is something that they agree on, he said.

The Israel Democracy Institute survey gauges Israeli sentiment on current events on a monthly basis.

In the institutes most recent survey from February, about 64.4 percent of Israeli respondents  including 74.1 percent of Israeli Jews and 16.9 percent of Israeli Arabs  said they agreed Israel should Expand the military operation into Rafah in order to pressure Hamas into agreeing to a better deal for the release of the hostages.

When their December survey asked whom respondents wanted as the prime minister after the war, only 15 percent supported Netanyahu.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for a response to Netanyahus comments.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected US President Joe Biden's rebuke of Israel's military offensive in Gaza on Sunday and said the vast majority of Israelis support him.

Of the president's comments, he said, "if he meant by that that I'm pursuing private policies against the majority, the wish of the majority of Israelis, and that this is hurting the interests of Israel, then he's wrong on both counts."

Netanyahu spoke to Bild, Welt TV and Politico, all of whom are owned by the Berlin-based Axel Springer company, at his official residence in Jerusalem. The interview took place as tensions mount between the United States and Israel, two historically close allies.

Netanyahu was making a "big mistake" by not doing enough to protect civilians, Biden told US broadcaster MSNBC on Saturday, and this failure "is hurting Israel more than helping Israel."

"He has a right to defend Israel, a right to continue to pursue Hamas," Biden said of Netanyahu.

"But he must, he must, he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as the consequence of the actions taken. He's hurting, in my view, he is hurting Israel more than helping Israel ... it's contrary to what Israel stands for. And I think it's a big mistake."

"We cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead," Biden said, using the figure issued by the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza. He said Israel was losing support worldwide.

However, Netanyahu said on Sunday that his policy is supported by an "overwhelming majority" of Israelis.

"They support the action that we're taking to destroy the remaining terrorist battalions of Hamas," he said, referring to plans for a ground offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

The plans have been widely criticized amid fears of mass civilian casualties, given that some 1.5 million people have fled to the city in the southern-most part of Gaza from fighting elsewhere in the densely-populated strip.

Biden's remarks came after he called out Israel in his high-profile State of the Union address on Thursday. The US leader, who is seeking a second term in November, is facing growing unrest within his own Democratic Party over his handling of war, now in its six month.

Meanwhile in Israel, Netanyahu's poll ratings have plummeted as Israelis accuse him of not wanting to take responsibility for the security forces failing to prevent the massacre.

The Gaza war was triggered by a massacre carried out by terrorists from the Islamist Hamas and other extremist groups in southern Israel on October 7.

More than 1,200 people were killed on the Israeli side. Israel responded with massive air strikes and a ground offensive in Gaza.

According to the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza, more than 31,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed since the start of the war and nearly 72,660 have been injured.

During the past day, 85 people were killed, 130 were injured and an additional 25 died of starvation or thirst amid the catastrophic conditions in the strip, according to the authority. The figures cannot be verified independently.

Meanwhile, Israeli police detained 20 residents from the Arab-dominated eastern part of Jerusalem shortly before the start of Ramadan, they said earlier on Sunday.

The suspects, detained over the past two weeks, are accused of supporting or inciting terrorism. Many are still under investigation and charges have already been brought against some of them, the police said.

More incitement and fake news is being spread online to disrupt Ramadan and destabilize the region, they said.

Ramadan is a particularly holy period for Muslims and this year is set to begin on Monday. Tensions in Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories are soaring this year due to the war in Gaza.

Further conflict is expected in the occupied West Bank and around the holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem during Ramadan.

Israeli foreign intelligence service Mossad says Palestinian Islamist Hamas in Gaza is trying to "set the region on fire" during Ramadan.

Washington has been pressing for a ceasefire by the start of Ramadan and the release of hostages but despite weeks of efforts, the talks have been deadlocked for days.

Israeli police say they want to "enable the safe observance of Ramadan prayers on the Temple Mount and at the same time ensure security in the area."

In Israel, 13 people suspected of planning terrorist attacks in the country were also to be indicted on Sunday. Most come from the Arab-dominated town of Sakhnin in the north of the country, Israel's police and domestic intelligence service Shin Bet said on Sunday.

One member of the group had contacts with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and received instructions from the Islamist group to promote "terrorist activities." Security officials also seized weapons and ammunition from the group, which they said came from the West Bank. A Palestinian was also detained on suspicion of arms trafficking.
A New Jersey police officer was shot while responding to a domestic violence call, officials said.

A New Jersey police officer was shot while responding to a domestic violence call, officials said.

The cop was hurt in Mercer County Friday night after officers responded to the 1800 block of Orchard Avenue in Hamilton Township around 10 p.m., according to the Mercer County Prosecutors Office.

A Hamilton Township police officer was shot while responding to a domestic violence call on Friday night, authorities said. ABC 6

Police flood the scene of the shooting. CBS

A suspect opened fire upon the officers as they responded to the call, striking one of the officers, Hamilton Police posted on X.

The injured cop was taken to Capital Health-Fuld Hospital and is expected to survive, the post said.

We were laying in bed sleeping and we started hearing gunshots, neighbor Elizabeth Juliff told CBS News in Philadelphia. And my husband thought it was one of those cars going by, and I said No. And then our son was at the stop sign and pretty much saw the whole thing, she told the outlet.

Hamilton police posted an alert about the shooting on X early Saturday. X/@Hamilton_Police

A reminder about the dangers all police officers face, Mayor Jeff Martin wrote in a Facebook post.
CHICAGO  According to a tradition attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, God is with the brokenhearted. That idea may provide some respite for many of us on the eve of Ramadan, those entering this Muslim holy month with shattered hearts.

Even as someone who has done his best to avoid social media, I turned on NPR the other day long enough to hear the wailing of Rania Abu Anza, who had spent a decade and three rounds of in vitro fertilization to become pregnant. Last weekend, her 5-month-old twins and a dozen other relatives were crushed to death under the rubble in Gaza after an Israeli airstrike.

Rania and her family were seeking refuge in Rafah because it had been declared a safe zone by the Israelis, who have driven most of the 1.7 million displaced Palestinians like her into the very space they are now bombing indiscriminately.

Every day, our emails, WhatsApp groups and social media feeds are flooded with dozens of such accounts. Motaz Abdullah, a Palestinian American father and my friend in Chicago, and I have talked about the guilt, helplessness and rage that have driven many of us to some very steep emotional edges since Oct. 7.

Ive sobbed more in the last five months than I have my entire life, he said.

Israel is decimating Gaza with US tax dollars

My conversation with Motaz is not unique, as I have spoken to dozens of other Palestinian American friends and family expressing similar sentiments. At this point, I often find myself easily triggered and brought to tears by any encounter with stories, voices and illustrations of trauma and injustice.

A few weeks ago, I experienced one of those encounters toward the end of a tour at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. Somewhere between the holograms of actors taking on the persona, story and voices of formerly enslaved people and the exhibit on mass incarceration, I broke down and had to be consoled by a colleague. Perhaps it was the very familiar and often invisible stories of mass incarceration that I hear and experience as the executive director of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network.

Chicago cease-fire resolution: My family village in Israel shows why 'never again' must include innocent Palestinians

Maybe it was the video of the Rev. Martin Luther King delivering the last few sentences of his "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech the night before his assassination. Something about those prophetic words appealing to a beleaguered community to hold on to the vision of a promised land.

Most likely, it was a combination of everything.

If the carnage continues during the monthlong Ramadan, we are bracing ourselves for more searing impact on our souls: Fasting from dawn to sunset, by many accounts, increases ones emotional sensitivity and empathy.

More than 30,000 Palestinians lie dead in Gaza and thousands remain missing, most likely buried under the rubble. The Gaza Strip is in utter ruin, and even a complete cessation of violence would still come with the tremendous emotional burden of confronting the actual extent of the decimation funded by our tax dollars.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

With no cease-fire, prepare for more heartbreaking images

Yet, with no cease-fire in place, we are preparing ourselves for more images of children strewn out on the floors of emergency rooms, covered in debris, or dying of starvation.

Perhaps consolation in our painful brokenness comes from prayer and the opportunity to bring parts of our fractured communities together this Ramadan. These are spaces often pried open by our young artists, activists, dreamers and spiritual seekers who still believe in the integral power of bringing us together to hear and identify with each others pain.

Such gatherings occur in intimate halls or large outdoor arenas, similar to the venue where young hip-hop artist Marcus Morton, known as Redveil, performed in November. Toward the end of his set, Redveil asked his DJ to screen the names of thousands of Gazans under the age of 4 killed in five months of bombings: Nobody on this ... list made it to the age of 4. Not one. ... Its not complicated.

If it takes a 19-year-old Maryland rapper to stand in the middle of our broken human family and defy all our complicated reasons not to be accountable for Palestinian suffering, then so be it. Maybe the wisdom in confronting our broken hearts this Ramadan is to see the opening in the breaking.

'We will get you home': Doctors in Gaza struggle to save lives amid Israeli airstrikes

In his poem "Of Beauty & Breaking," Grammy-nominated poet Amir Sulaiman lays this out:

"Who would want their heart broken

But now that mine has been split open

I wonder who would want their heart closed

Ever

Can you drink from the coconut without striking it

Can you smell the aloeswood without lighting it

So much sweetness is violent

So much beauty in breaking

Can you birth without bleeding

And crying

And breathing

And dying"

Can our hearts breaking lead to an identification with suffering that provides any hope to Rania and the tens of thousands of grieving mothers like her in Gaza?

Can it lead to further unified action to get this U.S. president to take serious accountability for his complicity in the genocidal assault on the people of Gaza?

Rami Nashashibi, a MacArthur Foundation fellow, is founder and executive director of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network.

Can it push our elected officials to demand a permanent cease-fire agreement?

Can we get our president to leverage the billions we give Israel to demand compliance with international law?

If so, then maybe all that heartbreaking is the spiritual healing and medicine we need during this Ramadan.

Rami Nashashibi, a MacArthur Foundation fellow, is founder and executive director of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network.

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: As Ramadan starts without ceasefire, Gaza genocide breaks our hearts
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein (D) said Sunday he would welcome President Biden campaigning for him in the swing state.

CNN co-host Jake Tapper asked Stein on State of the Union if he would want Biden to campaign for him in North Carolina  a swing state Democrats are hoping to flip in 2024 after narrowly losing it in 2020.

Yes, because I think he can win North Carolina. He is our best chance to move this country forward. But again, Im running to be governor. I have a strong argument for the voters of North Carolina. I have been fighting for them as their attorney general, Stein told Tapper.

Stein won the Democratic nomination for the North Carolina governors race on Super Tuesday last week. He has been the state attorney general since 2017 after previously serving in the state Senate. He also has the endorsement of outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper (D).

According to The Hill/Decision Desk HQ polling average, former President Trump is leading Biden in North Carolina by about 10 percentage points.

Stein then touted the accomplishments hes had as state attorney general.

We eliminated what was the largest backlog of untested rape kits in the entire nation. Weve protected kids from child sex abuse. Weve defended peoples fundamental freedoms, whether thats the right to vote, or womens reproductive freedoms, he said. These are things that Ive done as AG, and its that fighting spirit I want to take the governors office to make sure that our schools are strong and that our communities are safe.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Elf, which stands for eyes, lips and face, was founded in 2004 as an online-only brand

Elf Beauty has emerged as one of Americas most sensational consumer brands of the past decade. The cosmetics group is achieving incredible growth, is very profitable and looks capable of delivering plenty more of the same.

The success of Elfs products comes down to their appeal to Gen Z, built on expert marketing and product innovation. The brand promises its mainly young customers products that are cruelty free, clean and vegan, high quality  and affordable. The ethos is reflected in a board and workforce that are young, diverse and more than two-thirds female.

If this is all starting to sound a bit woke, even an investor dug deep into an opposing culture war trench would find it hard to argue with the companys financial performance.

Elf has achieved compound annual sales growth of 27pc over the past five calendar years and 34pc for adjusted earnings per share. Gross profit margins (those before operating costs) are 71pc and return on capital employed was 20pc in the last reported financial year to the end of March 2023.

The balance sheet is also sound: net debt at the end of 2023 was equivalent to 0.9 times earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda).

Elf, which stands for eyes, lips and face, was founded in 2004 as an online-only brand  a move necessitated by a beauty magazines insistence that products have national distribution to feature on its pages.

The companys rapid growth attracted private equity backing before it floated on the New York Stock Exchange in 2016. Since then it has attracted investment from some of the worlds top-performing fund managers.

Twelve of these professional investors, each among the top 3pc of the more than 10,000 equity fund managers tracked by financial publisher Citywire, own shares in Elf. That results in a top AAA rating from Citywire Elite Companies, which rates companies on the basis of their backing by the worlds best fund managers.

Its been incredible at creating brand value around its products, says Fred Stanske, manager of the top-performing FullerThaler Behavioral Small Cap Growth fund, which counts Elf as a top-10 holding.

Underpinning the success is the fact that Elf is an extremely smart operator. Combining high margins, high quality and low prices is not a circle many square. Key to Elfs ability to do so is its asset-light hybrid supply chain. In practice, this means having flexible relationships with lots of Chinese suppliers, including some kept on standby.

It stays very close to these suppliers. At the end of the last financial year, China was home to about a quarter of staff, of whom there are 420 in total. Such proximity allows close work with suppliers on product innovation.

This is another thing Elf seems very good at. It uses social media to stay on top of trends and to launch new products astoundingly quickly.

Average turnaround on new launches is just 20 weeks, while some hit the market in as few as 13. Elfs own digital marketing of these products is meanwhile amplified by customers cooing about its products online.

In the financial year to the end of March 2023, 22pc of net sales, or $126m (99m), went on marketing. Testament to its effectiveness is the growth of Elfs share of the US market in colour cosmetics (eye shadows, foundations, lipsticks and the like) from 4.1pc to 9.8pc over five years. Thats taken it from the fifth-largest mass-market player to the third.

The company is now boosting brand awareness beyond Gen Z with national TV campaigns. It is also growing international sales, which currently account for 14pc of the total, compared with about 70pc for longer-established peers.

Skincare is another big growth opportunity. Last years $355m acquisition of Naturium doubles the proportion of group sales from this product category to 18pc. The US skincare market is only slightly smaller than cosmetics, at an estimated $6bn versus $7bn, but is expanding faster, at 6pc a year versus 1.5pc. That leaves Elf plenty of opportunity for growth.

Despite its online roots, much of the groups revenue now comes through major retail chains. In the last financial year its top three customers generated 60pc of revenues. This sales concentration is a risk, but Elf is a brand retailers have every reason to stock because their products fly off the shelves.

Another risk for shareholders is the valuation. At 57 times forecast earnings for the next 12 months, the rating is in nosebleed territory.

But some of the worlds top fund managers believe the shares are worth it, given high returns on capital, an exemplary record and forecasts of continued growth; earnings per share are predicted to reach more than double last years level by 2025. This column agrees.

Questor says: buy

Ticker: NYSE:ELF

Share price at close: $200.91

Algy Hall is investment editor of Citywire Elite Companies

Read the latest Questor column on telegraph.co.uk every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8pm

Read Questors rules of investment before you follow our tips

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Bad for business

The primary election resulted in two Republican Party nominees that have dire consequences for the state should they win in November. The election of Mark Robinson and Michele Morrow could be a sign to businesses that there are better states to operate in. Imagine discussions in a boardroom where leaders are faced with attracting employees to a state with a governor who is antisemitic, misogynistic and subscribes to conspiracy theories  and a superintendent of public instruction who labels public schools indoctrination centers, wants teachers armed, and whose children never attended an N.C. public school. The economic problems their election would bring arent the only reason to reject these two, but should be on voters minds.

Kent Rhodes, Charlotte

Jim Martin

Regarding Jim Martin: DEI absolutes are good... Arent they? (March 1 Opinion):

How wonderful if our current Republican representatives could express their thoughts as well as former N.C. Gov. Jim Martin. His writing shows that a conservative opinion can be stated in a civil, thoughtful manner. He presents a persuadable argument without the childish rhetoric.

Tom Ferguson, Little Switzerland

DEI and Martin

The writer is a 1982 Davidson College grad.

Former Gov. Jim Martin says diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at Davidson College have gone too far. Really?

When Martin seems to define racism as an attitude and not also a power structure, Davidson has not gone too far. When he fails to acknowledge the malevolent force of that power structure, Davidson has not gone too far.

According to its website, one of the primary goals of Martins group, Davidsonians for Freedom of Thought and Discourse, is achieving ideological balance at Davidson. But when one of the two major U.S. parties is actively attacking democracy and supporting the people who attempted a coup, ideological balance is grossly overrated.

Lex Alexander, Greensboro

Career politicians

There is a voracious cancer destroying our political system: career politicians. Regardless of political affiliation, we have seen catastrophic outcomes from members of Congress whove been in office over two terms. The only cure is term limits, but these words are never mentioned by those running for office. I would encourage all voters to avoid support for any candidate, especially incumbents, if they will not commit to a formal, written statement endorsing term limits.

Ed Carlson, Charlotte

Useless roads

The state of traffic in Charlotte is a huge issue, especially regarding the future of the city. How can such a fast-growing city expect to be sustainable when there are traffic jams on every major road for hours each day? We are constantly trying to catch up to the traffic issues, without future-proofing our road system. I entirely avoid major roads like Park Road, I-77 or Providence Road  roads made to provide fast transportation  because the amount of traffic during rush hour renders them useless.

Emerson Wells, Charlotte

Speaker Johnson

To allow Vladimir Putin to continue Russias destruction of Ukraine is unthinkable, morally wrong and dangerous to the U.S. Speaker Mike Johnson wont allow a vote to immediately supply vitally needed military aid to Ukraine. It proves he is a political hack kowtowing to Donald Trump and a small group of radical party first disruptive legislators. Johnson should be working relentlessly for the betterment of the United States. The U.S. is the world superpower. He should legislate like he understands that. Help Ukraine.

Timothy McCulla, Matthews

Blame Biden?

A bipartisan bill to address the immigration crisis is not to Donald Trumps liking and writers like Stephen Moore (March 8 Opinion) shift the blame for nothing being done about immigration to Joe Biden? Did it ever occur to them that Trump torpedoed a solution so he would be able to shift blame to Biden? Once again, this is a typical Republican response to solving our countrys problems.

Richard French, Davidson
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11)  Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last week she would send New York State Police and the National Guard to assist with bag checks in New York City subways. NYPDs Chief of Transit Michael Kemper discusses subway safety.

Watch the video player for the full interview.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Theyre New Yorks Finest four-legged friends.

A new photo exhibition honors NYPD police officers and their K9 partners who do the ruff work protecting the city.

The Dogs that Serve, which opens at the AKC Museum of the Dog in Murray Hill on March 13, features NYPD K9s from the five boroughs, who are all named after fallen officers from the NYPD, FDNY and US Armed Forces.

All the pictures in the exhibition, including this one of Officer Tulio Camejo and K9 King, will be on display at the AKC Museum of the Dog until May. @MFoxmoore

One of the images was taken on Sept. 11, 2022, of Officer Andrew Rigel with his K9 Argus, named after the dog owned by Officer Joseph Piagentini, and Officer Donald Perceval with K9 Petey, named after Officer Peter Figoski.

Both canines, who are Black Shepherds, are sitting atop the entrance to the Wall Street subway station during the 9/11 memorial.

I just see these two dogs sitting there, and my first thought is, Theyre absolutely beautiful,' photographer Margaret Foxmoore told The Post.

They didnt move. They were watching people with handbags. I took 30 to 40 pictures of them, and one is better than the next.

Foxmoore, who took all the photos in the exhibition  which will be on display until May 5  was granted exclusive access by the NYPD Transit Bureau Canine Unit into some of the most heavily guarded Big Apple events.

Once I get permission I walk away and then I just watch. Theres really no posing, said Foxmoore, who has taken 300,000 photos of the citys K9s.

Margaret Foxmoore has taken 300,000 photos of the citys K9s since 2018. Officer Kaitlin Schamberger

The New Jersey native always loved snapping photos of pups around Manhattan, but her foray into her work with K9s started in 2018, when she was at the Tartan Day Parade and stopped to ask Officer Leonel Checo, who was with his K9 Omar, a German Shepherd, named after Officer Omar Edwards, directions.

And he said, Why dont you take pictures of us?' she recalled.

Checo connected her with then-Lieutenant Commanding Officer of the NYPD Transit Bureau Canine Unit John Pappas, who allowed her to capture the dogs.

After that, she said, I basically fit the K9s in between everything.

Foxmoore considers this photo, of Officer Justin Gelband and his K9 Rett, her most iconic. @MFoxmoore

Foxmoore now travels into Manhattan in the middle of the night from her home in Brewster, NY to seek out the dogs guarding places like St. Patricks Cathedral, Grand Central Station and the Times Square subway station.

Last year, she turned her collection into a book, Dogs Outside the Ring, which is on display at the Library of Congress.

The cover of the book, she said, features the most iconic shot shes even taken, which is also in the exhibit, of Officer Justin Gelband and his K9 Rett, a German Shepherd Belgian Malinois named in honor of Officer Sean McDonald, at the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2019.

The funeral procession for Officer Wilbert Mora, who was killed in 2022, where there were 173 K9s from around the country. @MFoxmoore

In the image, Rett, who will be at the exhibitions opening, has his eyes focused on the crowd, while a balloon of Snoopy looms in the background.

Theres a peacefulness and a humor about it, she said.

The heaviest photo in the exhibition, she said, is the one she took at the funeral procession for Officer Wilbert Mora, who was killed in 2022, where there were 173 K9s from around the country.

I cant look at those pictures without crying still, she said.

Besides the transit bureau, Foxmoore has also covered other K9 units such as counterterrorism, the emergency service unit, bomb squad and harbor patrol.

She makes it a point to never edit the police officer out of the picture.

You cant really cut the officer out because they are a pair, she said. They are bonded like a husband and wife.
Louis Lanzano / UPI / Shutterstock.com

Although polling shows that few voters long for a presidential rematch, America seems destined for an electoral repeat of 2020, when Donald Trump and Joe Biden were a comparatively youthful 73 and 77.

Whoever wins will serve his second and final term, and the following president wont be inaugurated until January 2029, just five years before Social Security is set to collide with a funding shortfall that has been decades in the making.

Learn More: One Smart Way To Grow Your Retirement Savings in 2024

Explore More: 8 States To Move to If You Dont Want To Pay Taxes on Social Security

That could give the winner of Novembers election an outsized role in the programs future. Heres what could be in store for Social Security if Donald Trump becomes the first president since Grover Cleveland to win a non-consecutive second term.

Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity.

He Has Vowed To Leave the Program Unchanged

Trump blasted his last primary rival, Nikki Haley, for indicating her willingness to raise the retirement age for todays younger workers. On his campaign website, he promises to protect Social Security and insists he wont cut benefits or otherwise change the program if reelected.

In the early 2000s, Trump was on record stating that the Social Security system needs an overhaul and to cut back on funding, said Colin Ruggiero, co-founder of DisabilityGuidance.org, which provides information and resources related to the SSDI and SSI Social Security programs. However, in recent years, Trump has said that he will do everything in his power to not touch Social Security and leave it the way it is.

Discover More: Social Security  What Bidens Updated Payment Plan Means for Your Money

In a Decade, the Consequences of Doing Nothing Will Lead to Something

Haleys proposal to raise the retirement age is unpopular, but she withdrew from the race on March 6.

Story continues

While this may be a sigh of relief for many who need benefits or are close to retirement age, doing nothing could also be damaging to the program as a whole, Ruggiero said.

Thats because the Social Security Administration (SSA) expects the trusts that fund the program to run out in 2034. When that happens, payroll taxes alone will support benefits, providing enough to fund only 80% of promised payouts.

Short-term solutions to resolve this issue are either to increase the retirement age, increase payroll taxes or both, Ruggiero said.

Trump says the fix lies in an alternative solution. During a town hall in December, the former president vowed to increase Americas oil production to come up with the money to plug the looming Social Security shortfall.

He Says He Wont Raise Payroll Taxes, but Will He Cut Them?

Payroll taxes fund Social Security, with employers and employees each contributing 6.2%. The self-employed pay the full 12.4% tax themselves.

As Ruggiero said, raising payroll taxes is one way to delay the looming Social Security shortfall. Trump insists that wont happen on his watch, but a look back at his first term indicates that he might go even further by lowering payroll taxes instead of just refusing to raise them.

A second Trump presidency could introduce several dynamics to Social Security, primarily influenced by his previous administrations approach to fiscal policies and social welfare programs, said Dennis Shirshikov, who covers Social Security as an instructor of finance and economics at the City University of New York. For example, during his first term, President Trump proposed payroll tax cuts as a means to stimulate economic growth.

Short-Term Economic Stimulation vs. Long-Term Social Security Funding

In 2020, Trump signed an executive memorandum to defer the collection of payroll taxes. The New York Times reported that few companies acknowledged the deferral and that the order had little to no effect on economic growth. But if past proposals indicate future policies, permanent payroll tax cuts are on the table if Trump wins a second term.

While such measures can provide short-term economic boosts, they could also lead to decreased funding for Social Security unless alternative funding mechanisms are established, said Shirshikov, who is also the head of growth at the real estate investing firm Awning. Its essential to consider the broader context of his economic policies, which favored deregulation and tax cuts, potentially increasing the deficit. An increased deficit without a clear plan to support Social Security could put additional strain on the programs long-term viability.

Only Previously Scheduled Changes Will Impact the Program in 2025

No matter who wins in November, even the most radical changes the next president might make to Social Security wouldnt impact the program until at least 2026.

For example, when Trump signed his August 2020 executive order to defer payroll taxes, CNBC reported that he said, If Im victorious on Nov. 3, I plan to forgive these taxes and make permanent cuts to the payroll tax.

The report said Social Security Chief Actuary Stephen Goss warned that permanent payroll tax cuts could deplete the programs funding by mid-2023. The problem with that is Goss calculation presumed the cuts would take effect on Jan. 1, 2021  but Trumps second term wouldnt have started until 19 days later.

The next president will be inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2025, and even if he signs new tax legislation soon after, it would not take effect until the following tax year.

Similarly, the 2025 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be determined in this years third quarter.

Raising the retirement age would be an even slower crawl that would phase in the change starting with todays young workers. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the last major increase came from a 1983 overhaul when the full retirement age was 65, and it didnt reach 67 for those born in 1960 or later until 2022.

So, while a Trump victory wont affect the program the year hes inaugurated, his inauguration  or lack thereof  could determine the future of Social Security in the years that follow.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What a Trump Presidency Could Mean for Social Security in 2025
(BCN)  Oakland police are asking for the publics assistance in identifying a man and a vehicle whose images were captured in a commercial break-in.

Oakland Police Department are asking for help identifying an individual and vehicle wanted in connection with a March 5, 2024, commercial burglary in the 700 block of Clara St. in Oakland, Calif., at 11:00 PM. (Oakland Police Department via Bay City News)

Three people burglarized a business about 11 p.m. Tuesday in the 700 block of Clara Street, near Oakland International Airport. They fled in two vehicles, one of which was a newer model white Infiniti Q50, police said Friday.

Antioch PD asks for assistance identifying vehicle theft suspect

In addition to the burglar and the car, police supplied photos of a white Dogo Argentino, an Argentine breed of large dog. The dog, named Ghost, was also taken during the burglary.

Ghost, a white Dogo Argentino was taken during a March 5, 2024 commercial burglary in the 700 block of Clara St. in Oakland, Calif., at 11:00 PM. Oakland Police Department are asking for information in connection with the burglary. (Oakland Police Department via Bay City News)

This newer model white Infiniti Q50 used during a March 5, 2024 commercial burglary in the 700 block of Clara St. in Oakland, Calif., at 11:00 PM. Oakland Police Department are asking for information in connection with the burglary. (Oakland Police Department via Bay City News)

Anyone who recognizes this individual or dog or has seen the vehicle or has information about the case is asked to contact the Oakland Police Department Burglary Section at (510) 238-3951.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
FILE - This Jan. 15, 2020, image taken from dashboard camera video released by the Connecticut State Police, shows Trooper Brian North, left, after he discharged his weapon beside a vehicle stopped in West Haven, Conn. North testified in his defense Friday, March 8, 2024, that he believed he had to open fire because the man was armed with a knife and made threatening movements toward other officers.(Connecticut State Police via AP, File)

A Connecticut state trooper who shot a 19-year-old man to death in a stolen car in 2020 testified in his defense Friday that he believed he had to open fire because the man was armed with a knife and made threatening movements toward other officers.

Trooper Brian North, 33, took the stand on the fifth day of his trial in Milford, Connecticut, on a charge of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm. He fatally shot Mubarak Soulemane in West Haven on Jan. 15, 2020, after a high-speed chase, with police radio reports that Soulemane had earlier committed a carjacking and was armed with knife.

North, Trooper Joshua Jackson and a West Haven police officer surrounded the stolen car after it crashed into another vehicle after exiting Interstate 95. The West Haven officer broke the passenger side window, and Jackson fired his Taser at Soulemane, which didn't work.

North, who pleaded not guilty, fired his handgun seven times through the driver's window at close range when he said Soulemane pulled out a knife and turned toward to the other officers. He said he thought the other officers were trying to get into the car and were in danger. The shooting happened less than a minute after police got out of their cruisers and approached the car.

Its almost like an oh my God feeling. This is happening, while the West Haven officer Im thinking is in the window (because) I can't see him," North testified in his first public comments about the shooting. "And I was afraid that he was going to be stabbed in the face or the neck, which obviously can be a fatal injury. . I felt that I had to act in that moment or the West Haven officer, even potentially Trooper Jackson, could have been killed.

Under questioning by his lawyer, Frank Riccio II, North said he still thinks about the shooting every day and loses sleep over it. He said it was a difficult experience to live with, given that he became a trooper to try to help people.

Right after shots were fired, theres not really any training you can do to mentally prepare yourself for that," he said. "And I remember immediately after that happened, it was just a horrible feeling that comes over you, (because) you train for having that possibility because you know this is a dangerous job. But you never actually think that something like that will ever happened to you.

State Inspector General Robert Devlin, who investigates all uses of deadly force by police in Connecticut, filed the manslaughter charge against North, alleging the shooting was not justified because neither North nor the other officers at the scene were in imminent danger from Soulemane. He also said officers made no attempt to de-escalate the situation.

In his cross-examination of North, Devlin said officers had the car boxed in, the car's windows were up and Soulemane was sitting in the driver's seat not moving when officers ran up to the car. Officers' body camera video also showed neither officer on the other side of the car appeared to try to enter it.

In fact, now that youve seen all the videos and heard the testimony of those officers, in fact there was no danger to anybody outside the car ... correct?" Devlin asked North.

Not from what I could see now and after hearing testimony. But what Im perceiving at the time is that there was danger, North said.

Devlin said in his questioning that the officers could have tried to talk to Soulemane on their cruiser PA systems instead of rushing to the car and escalating the events.

North acknowledged other actions were possible. But he testified earlier that de-escalation and communication did not appear to be possible at first because Soulemane seemed unconscious initially.

After the passenger-door window was broken, Soulemane became alert and pulled out the knife, a series of events that happened within seconds and forced North to respond, North said.

North also acknowledged that firing his weapon could have seriously injured the officers.

North was the first witness of the defense's case. Devlin rested the state's case on Thursday.

To find North guilty, the six-person jury must find beyond a reasonable doubt that he killed Soulemane in extreme indifference to human life and his conduct was reckless, according to state law. First-degree manslaughter with a firearm carries up to 40 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years behind bars.

Soulemanes mother, sister and girlfriend were the first people to testify at the trial on Monday. They said he had schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and his mental health problems appeared to be worsening in the days before the shooting.

Police said the series of events on Jan. 15, 2020, began when Soulemane displayed the knife at an AT&T store in Norwalk, and he unsuccessfully tried to steal a cellphone.

Police said he then slapped a Lyft driver and drove off in the drivers car after the driver got out, leading police on a 30-mile (48-kilometer) chase from Norwalk to West Haven with speeds reaching up to 100 mph (161 kph).
Sen. James Lankford speaks to reporters in January at the U.S. Capitol.

Oklahoma County Republicans on Saturday censured U.S. Sen. James Lankford over his work on a failed border security deal.

The overwhelming vote to censure the senior Republican senator came at a party convention in Oklahoma City.

"The people have spoken," the county party chair, Ken Warner, told The Oklahoman.

"It's really because he's said he's willing to allow 5,000 illegals ... per day," Warner said. "That was part of the border bill. ... That was one of the things in there."

He estimated 225 Republicans attended the convention.

More: 'It's true': Sen. Lankford nods as Biden rehashed immigration bill in State of the Union

More: EDITORIAL: Lankford leadership in border efforts deserves applause, not censure

Lankford has worked to craft a bipartisan deal to address the surge in illegal immigration along the nation's southern border. It has the support of President Joe Biden. It has not advanced, largely because former President Donald Trump has spoken out against it.

Lankford has complained the deal has been misunderstood.

"It would be absolutely absurd for me to agree to 5,000 people a day. This bill focuses on getting us to zero illegal crossings a day," he told Fox News in January. "This is not about letting 5,000 people in a day. ... This is set up for, if you have a rush of people coming at the border, the border closes down. No one gets in."

As Biden was touting the deal during his State of the Union address Thursday, GOP lawmakers began to boo. As Biden explained what the bill would have done, Lankford nodded and mouthed "It's true."

On Sunday, Lankford joined CNN's Jake Tapper to discuss his reaction during the president's address.

"I was actually listening to the president and thinking, no that part is actually true," Lankford said. "It [the border bill] would have hired all of those additional agents, would have expedited the [asylum] process [to deport illegal border crossers], and would have also changed the asylum standard.  The only way to be able to solve this problem right now, legally, is to be able to change the asylum standard."

Lankford also said there are other executive actions the president could take, but has chosen not to do yet.

"He has a very open parole system that literally thousands of people a day are coming across and being rapidly paroled," Lankford said. "He is not actually doing whats called the 'last-in first-up for hearing' to deter people from coming across by having faster hearings in the process."

Some members of the Oklahoma Republican Party met in January to censure Lankford over what they called his "open border deal." The state party's chair, Nathan Dahm, later said the meeting was illegal and the censure was not an official position of the Oklahoma GOP.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County Republican Party censures US Sen. James Lankford
Education equity advocates are sounding the alarm at a crucial time for Americas public school system  but is anyone listening? Theres a fiscal cliff ahead as the Elementary and Secondary School Relief (ESSER) funds that helped schools across the country reopen during the pandemic are set to expire in just seven months. Is anyone bracing for the fall? For the sake of our students and our nation, policymakers and education leaders must heed the warnings of the potential crisis ahead.

That was the message I delivered recently when I testified at a congressional hearing called to discuss how student learning has fared since the pandemic and how the nation can address the inequities that have been exacerbated because of COVID.

I was glad to see bipartisan agreement that the country has an obligation to provide a high-quality education to help all children to overcome the devastating impact of learning loss created by the pandemic. However, far too many students  especially those of color, those with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds  have suffered disproportionate impacts because of structural inequities in teaching quality, home broadband access, mental health supports and other external factors.

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Over the past three years, states and school districts have used ESSER funding to address the immediate needs of students, educators and staff. But recovery will be ongoing. EdTrusts research indicates two strategies have been most effective in accelerating learning: targeted intensive tutoring and expanded instructional time before or after school, during breaks or over the summer. Education and policy experts across the political spectrum agree on these solutions. In addition, strong, positive relationships with teachers and school staff in a culturally affirming environment can dramatically enhance students motivation, academic engagement and social skills.

Leaders should continue evidence-based solutions that support students and parents and create affirming school environments. Targeted intensive tutoring programs, like those in Tennessee and Virginia, have the potential to double the progress students typically make in a year. Expanding learning time programs, like Massachusetts Acceleration Academies, which provided intensive tutoring during school breaks, have been shown to increase average student test scores by 12 points. And research on programs that foster strong relationships between students and adults has found they can increase students grade-point averages. Other states and districts invested funds in addressing chronic absenteeism or supporting students mental health, which was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

These are great uses of ESSER funds. Data suggests the average district has relied on ESSER funding to support roughly 8% of its budget, with about half of ESSER funds being used to pay for labor expenses. The reality is that all effective interventions require skilled, supportive and caring teachers who research shows are the biggest in-school factor for student success.

Unfortunately, as ESSER funds sunset, many district administrators are considering whether they will have to close schools, lay off teachers and cut successful programs and supports.

Related

ESSER Funds: NC Districts Played It Safe on Teacher Pay & May Avoid Fiscal Cliff

This will be hardest on Title I school districts, whose budgets could be slashed by an average of $1,200 per student. Take Arkansas, where 84% of all ESSER funds have been exhausted, 11% of education revenue was supplied by ESSER funds and the growth rate of incoming revenue slowed by 6% (the third-highest of any state from Fiscal Year 2023 to 2024). These financial circumstances add up to a huge challenge as leaders work to avoid destructive cuts. States like South Carolina and Oklahoma are in similar situations.

To mitigate these harmful cuts, state legislatures and education leaders should leverage existing funding streams beyond 2024 to ensure that any remaining dollars are put toward evidence-based approaches to academic and social-emotional recovery. Amid a youth mental health crisis, there should also be a focus on expanding funding for whole-child supports, including for school counselors, psychologists and social workers  especially in high-need districts and schools  and increased efforts to recruit a diverse workforce of educators and staff who reflect the communities they serve.

During my testimony, I also urged Congress to continue to support states and districts by increasing funding for Title I-A grants, which provide additional money for students from low-income backgrounds, and for Title II, which pays to help recruit and retain teachers, offer professional development and reduce class sizes. Federal leaders should also allow flexibility so schools can spend these funds in strategic ways in upcoming years.While the impact of the fiscal cliff will vary from district to district, every school will likely be affected. This could result in a huge step backward for states and districts that have been effective at assisting vulnerable student populations. The risks are too high for students if schools lose momentum. Federal, state and district leaders must take steps now to ensure that all students  especially those who need the most support  can obtain an education that equips them for future success.
Editors Note: Fareed Zakaria is the host of Fareed Zakaria GPS, airing at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET Sundays on CNN. Follow Fareed on X, and read news, analysis, and insights from Fareed and his team in the daily CNN newsletter Fareeds Global Briefing. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more CNN Opinion.

At 8 p.m. ET and PT tonight on CNN, Fareeds latest special report, Taiwan: Unfinished Business, will examine the complicated history and present dangers surrounding Taiwan.

A couple of years ago, the Economist declared on its cover that Taiwan  a tiny island, home to 24 million people  was the most dangerous place on Earth.

The reasons it came to that conclusion remain sound. In fact, they have only grown stronger recently.

The backdrop to the tensions over Taiwan is, of course, the expanding geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States. Ever since the rise first of Chinese leader Xi Jinping and then of former US President Donald Trump, both nations have fundamentally shifted their attitudes towards the other  from benign, to wary, to hostile.

Perhaps the extraordinary and rapid growth of China and the reality of Americas dominant status made this inevitable. A rising power faces an established one, creating a situation that may be, in the words of author and Harvard international security scholar Graham Allison, destined for war.

But are we destined for war? The US and China are unusual in that while they are increasingly geopolitical rivals, they are also deeply intertwined economically.

One example: During the Cold War, at the peak of US-Soviet trade, the two countries exchanged $5 billion dollars of goods with each other in one year. China and the US do $5 billion in trade every few days. And that number has not dropped that much even as tariffs, bans and restrictions on trade have grown in recent years.

In addition, China does not seem to be a revolutionary state, seeking to overthrow the international system and present the world with an alternative ideology to America. That ideological rivalry, at the heart of the Cold War, is largely absent today.

US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping walk together after a meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' week in Woodside, Calif., on November 15, 2023. - Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

One thing that is present, however, is nuclear deterrence. China and the US both have large arsenals, which should have the effect they have had elsewhere  from the US and Soviet Union to Pakistan and India  in deterring all-out war.

And yet  and yet: There is the problem of Taiwan that sits at the heart of US-China relations.

China has never accepted that Taiwan can be an independent country. This is not a Xi Jinping innovation. It is in the constitution of the Peoples Republic of China. Every Chinese leader beginning with Mao Zedong has affirmed the goal of reunifying the two, but in the past, Communist China believed that it could wait because time was on its side. Eventually, the mainland with its massive economy and billion-plus population would draw the tiny island of 24 million into its orbit.

That was the thinking. But that premise is proving untrue.

Taiwan has developed into a feisty democracy with a political culture defined by its political system in stark contrast to China. Over the past few decades, Taiwan has gotten more determined not to reunify with China. So, Xi must be looking at this situation and feeling that time is not on his side. That perhaps it would be better to act sooner than later.

For America and its many allies in Asia, Chinese aggression to retake Taiwan would be unacceptable. Washington has been willing to accept Chinas claims on Taiwan as long as it did not use coercion to achieve them.

Taiwan policy, for all sides, has been about tolerating fantasies about the future as long as there are no practical changes in the present. Most people in Taiwan simply want to maintain the status quo and keep things going as they are. While the recent elections on the island brought to power for a third term a party that is closely associated with the idea of an independent Taiwan, its worth noting that it got only 40% of the vote, with the other 60% going to two candidates with less independence-minded positions.

What does all this mean? That this issue will need to be managed rather than solved  and managed very carefully by both Beijing and Washington. This is one place on Earth where there should be little room for macho rhetoric and provocative actions. All three sides should keep talking to ensure there are no misperceptions or miscalculations.

None of this is morally satisfying. But the stakes are high enough that one thing is clear: Were these tensions to be mismanaged, were this conflict to turn into war, it would be lose-lose-lose for all three parties; indeed, the whole world would suffer cataclysmic consequences. Better to kick this can down the road as long as possible  and hope it does not explode.

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Idahos initiative process that lets voters bring their own proposed laws onto November ballots could see more changes  this time through more scrutiny on the signature-gathering process  if legislators approve a new bill making its way through the Legislature.

Rep. James Petzke, R-Meridian, has brought forward a bill that would create a public review period of the signatures submitted for an initiative petition, allow more time for voters to change their minds about signing a petition and require monthly updates on signature gathering.

It doesnt make the process harder or easier, it just makes it a little bit better, more transparent, Petzke told the Idaho Statesman. Its not a substantial change. You still need the exact same number of signatures from the exact same places.

But advocacy groups heavily involved in initiative petitions oppose the bill because they believe it further restricts the process. For Luke Mayville, a longtime signature gatherer who co-founded Reclaim Idaho, the group thats behind Medicaid expansion and heavily involved in the Open Primaries Initiative, Petzkes bill is one in a line of efforts that target the initiative process.

Mayville said the new process would allow people to remove their signatures from an initiative after the deadline for collecting signatures has already passed, so supporters would be unable to replace those lost signatures.

Theres an unfortunate tradition in Idaho history where whenever citizens use the initiative process successfully, the Legislature swiftly moves to restrict the peoples ability to exercise their rights, he said. In most cases, if citizens are going to all the pain of putting an initiative on the ballot, its because the Legislature had refused to act on an issue of urgent public concern, and oftentimes those in power dont appreciate ordinary citizens taking things into their own hands.

House Bill 652 would:

Move up the deadline for gathering signatures by a month but still give petitioners 18 months to collect signatures;

Lengthen the amount of time petition signers have to remove their signatures;

Require petitioners to submit signatures monthly;

Extend the period when signers can decide to take back their support for a measure;

Give county clerks 90 days  instead of the 60 they have now  to verify signatures before they file them with the secretary of states office.

Add a 60-day review period when signatures can be removed after they have been filed with the secretary of state. Voters can remove their signatures by submitting a request in writing or electronically to the county clerk.

Idaho initiative process a challenge

The current initiative process is difficult, requiring tens of thousands of signatures from voters in 18 legislative districts. More than a dozen efforts to bring ballot initiatives to voters have failed to qualify in recent years, but some prominent advocacy groups have succeeded in the last six years.

In the face of the states Republican supermajority, some residents have leaned on the initiative procedure to bring proposals, like Medicaid expansion and school funding, onto ballots that have strong support among voters but tepid backing at the Idaho Capitol.

Voters in 2018 passed a citizen-led ballot initiative to expand Medicaid coverage after lawmakers for several years rejected legislation to do so. Tens of thousands of voters signed another initiative in 2021 to provide more state funding for teachers; that measure was rescinded when lawmakers provided more funding for schools during a 2022 special session. Organizers are now gathering signatures to open political parties closed primaries and implement ranked-choice voting.

Rep. Todd Achilles, D-Boise, told the Statesman that he believes the state already has an intentional, thoughtful process for addressing initiatives before elections, and that the bill could disrupt that system.

Achilles, who has gathered signatures for Medicaid expansion and open primaries, said the bill is designed to give people significantly more time to reconsider their decision to sign a petition, but that few do so, and the extended periods could allow bad actors to try to target people who have signed an initiative to reduce the numbers.

Its much harder to put a signature on an initiative than it is in the statutes to take a signature off, he said. It spins up a ton of questions about what could be a process that gets badly abused by a lot of out of state sources with deep pockets to just fund an army of signature removers.

Review period could impact clerks

Secretary of State Phil McGrane told the Statesman he thinks the monthly deadlines could help clerks offices, and that he doesnt think the bill will make the initiative process more difficult or the signature removal process less secure. But McGrane said he opposes the additional 60-day review period because it pushes the conclusion of the initiative process too close to the November election. The review period would end on the last day of September.

Petzke said the review periods between the clerks offices and secretary of state could be adjusted in the Senate and said part of the intention of changing the deadlines was to give clerks a reprieve from receiving signatures that need to be verified at the end of April  the same time theyre preparing for May primary elections. The bill would not apply to petition efforts this year.

Petzke said he doesnt believe his bill would make initiatives more difficult to place on the ballot. Hes not opposed to voter initiatives, he said, and pointed out that he voted against an effort in the Legislature last year to make the process much more onerous. He added that if a lot of signers suddenly change their minds, theres probably a problem with the petition in the first place, and it probably wouldnt pass when it goes to the voters anyway.

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who met with US presidential candidate Donald Trump on 8 March, has claimed that Trump has "quite detailed plans" to end the war in Ukraine and will not be giving "a single penny" to fight Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Source: Orban in an interview with the TV channel M1, as reported by Magyar Nemzet

Details: According to Orban, Trump has "quite detailed plans" on how to end the Russo-Ukrainian war, and his plans align with Hungary's interests.

Quote: "He has a very clear vision that is hard to disagree with. He says the following: first, he will not give a single penny for the Russo-Ukrainian war. That's why the war will end, because it's obvious that Ukraine cannot stand on its own two feet. If the Americans don't give money and weapons along with the Europeans, the war will end. And if the Americans don't give money, then the Europeans won't be able to fund this war alone. And then the war will end."

More details: The issue is, Orban added, that the US does not want to fund Europe's security.

"If Europeans are afraid of the Russians or want to have a high level of security in general, they have to pay for it. Either by building their own army and their own equipment, or if they use the Americans for this, by paying the Americans a price, the price of security. So he [Trump  ed.] is speaking directly and clearly," the Hungarian prime minister said.

Orban also noted that Trump was "the first president in a long time who did not start a war during his term of office".

"So we already know about him, we already know from his presidency, that he is a man of peace. And he is not hiding his views now: he has made it clear that his goal is to bring peace to the Russo-Ukrainian war. We want a ceasefire as soon as possible. We want an early end to this war, which is slowly coming to an end. I don't see anyone else who has more determination and strength to do that than Donald Trump," Orban said.

Background:

Orban met with Trump in Florida on 8 March. The two discussed "a wide range of issues affecting Hungary and the United States, including the paramount importance of strong and secure borders to protect the sovereignty of each nation".

Orban was once again full of praise for Trump after the meeting, claiming that "the world would be a better place" if he returned to power.

Trump's meeting with Orban drew criticism from US President Joe Biden, however.

Trump, in turn, complimented Orban, calling him a "fantastic leader".

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This article contains plot spoilers of Killers of the Flower Moon.

The sheriff disguised her death as whiskey poisoning. Because, when he carved her body up, he saw the bullet hole in her skull. Because, when she was murdered, the leg clutchers bloomed. But then froze under the weight of frost. During Xtha-cka Zhi-ga Tze-the, the Killer of the Flowers Moon.

The excerpt is from the poem Wi-gi-e, or Prayer, which Osage author Elise Paschen wrote in 2009 to honor Anna Kyle Brown, who was thought to be the first victim of the Osage Reign of Terror.

Browns body was found at the bottom of a ravine near Fairfax, Oklahoma, in 1921, with the cause of death ruled as whiskey poisoning. In truth shed been murdered for her share of the hereditary mineral rights that had made her wealthy. Years later, a widespread investigation would reveal that Brown clearly died by gun violence and her cause of death was a cover-up.

Killers of the Flower Moon refers to the Osage lunar cycle during which late frosts will often kill young flowers. Its also the title of Martin Scorseses new film, which was adapted from the bestselling book written by David Grann.

The film and book trace the true story of greed, brutality and government complicity in the assassination of wealthy Osage citizens.

Brown was one of many Osage people murdered for their money in 1920s Oklahoma. Accurate numbers of the victims are hard to come by, but Geoffrey Standing Bear, the Osage Nations current principal chief, estimates that at least 5% of the tribe were murdered, or roughly 150 people.

In 1923, the Osage Nation asked the Bureau of Investigation  the predecessor to the FBI  to look into a string of mysterious deaths. After a long investigation, the bureau uncovered a massive conspiracy masterminded by white men like William King Hale, Ernest Burkhart and other non-Osage members in the community of Fairfax, Oklahoma, particularly those in positions of authority. By 1929, Hale, Burkhart and some of their co-conspirators had been tried and sentenced to prison.

But for the Osage, the story didnt end there. Existing federal policies and persistent anti-Indigenous sentiment still left Osage people vulnerable to further violence and exploitation.

Guardians in name only

As a scholar of Indigenous literary and cultural studies, Ill often teach the political and social landscape of early Oklahoma.

When I tell my students at the University of Dayton about this spate of unchecked violence, someone inevitably asks how this was allowed to happen.

There is no one answer. But there is a central cause: laws that enabled settlers access to  and control over  Osage capital and, by extension, Osage lives.

In 1872, the Osage were forced from their homelands in Kansas and sent to Indian Territory, a region that became the state of Oklahoma. Once resettled, the Osage Nation was compelled to negotiate with the federal government. Through the resulting Osage Allotment Act of 1906, the Osage retained all rights to minerals found on the land, or subsurface rights.

There was also a legal policy known as guardianship that purported to protect Native American lands and investments. But it actually functioned as a way to give local courts in Oklahoma jurisdiction over land, persons and property of Indian minors and incompetents.

When oil drilling began in earnest in 1896 on Osage lands, the Osage became one of the richest communities on the planet, with many citizens receiving substantial annual payments. This money fueled resentment among the non-Indigenous public, and guardianship became a means for them to get their hands on it.

Members of Osage Nation pictured in Oklahoma in the early 20th century. William J Boag/Oklahoma Historical Society via Getty Images

Affluent Osage citizens  who no longer fit the stereotype of the impoverished Indian  were criticized for their spending habits. So in 1921, Congress passed a law that required Osage people to prove themselves competent enough to manage their vast wealth, with competence often based on their percentage of Osage blood: The more one had, the more likely one would be declared incompetent.

Enter guardianship. Once deemed incompetent, an Osage citizen would have a guardian appointed to help manage their assets. It was also common for young Osage people to have a guardian appointed to them until they turned 21. Ultimately this law, as Grann explained in a 2023 interview with the Oklahoma Historical Society, ushered in one of the largest state-and-federally-sanctioned criminal enterprises. Many guardians recklessly spent or embezzled their wards assets, while facing little or no consequences.

Increasingly, Osage people under guardianship began to die under mysterious circumstances, with their guardian set to inherit their share of oil royalties. Tax documents from that era reveal a number of white guardians with multiple Osage wards, the majority of whom were dead within a few years.

Once oil was discovered on Osage land, the tribe became wealthy overnight. HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

As Osage actor Yancy Red Corn pointed out, once the Bureau of Investigation closed the case, the killings just kept going on. While the bureaus focus was on the murders that took place in the Gray Horse community, many more cases went unsolved in other Osage communities, including Pawhuska and Hominy. Standing Bear describes walking through those local cemeteries and noting how many young people whose grave markers show deceased: 1920  1921  1919  1923  1925.

Red Corn notes that his grandparents kept a close eye on their children, never knowing who they could trust, even after the murders had been exposed and prosecuted; many Osage left Oklahoma altogether, moving to states like California and Texas to escape the violence.

Denial and disrespect

Despite the truth of these murders being brought to light, anti-Indigenous sentiment still roiled in the area. The families of conspirators, survivors and those who continued to exploit guardianship laws had to coexist, at times with great tension. While Hale and Burkhart were both convicted and spent time in prison, they were eventually freed.

After Hale was paroled in 1947, some Fairfax inhabitants even welcomed him with open arms.

The word went around town, 'Bill Hale is here, recalled Dr. Joe Conner, an Osage citizen who had lost relatives during the Reign of Terror. And people gathered as if there was a parade.

Meanwhile, Burkhart received a pardon from Oklahoma Gov. Henry Bellmon in 1965, despite protests from the Osage.

To the Osage still living in the area, many of whom had endured the Reign of Terror, excusing the actions of men who masterminded so many deaths spoke volumes.

Years later, in the 1970s, an Osage teacher named Mary Jo Webb conducted her own painstaking research into the murders and created a small booklet detailing her findings. She donated the book to the Fairfax Library. Within a week, it vanished.

Most recently, Grann mentioned that while he was conducting research for his book, some of the descendants of guardians resisted being interviewed and attempted to dodge him. Dr. Carole Conner explains that it seems as though white community members would rather just ignore the whole topic than have the feeling that they might be blamed.

Margie Burkhart visits the cemetery where some of her murdered Osage ancestors are buried. Chandan Khana/AFP via Getty Images

Whether the film might create openings for new conversations, or new opportunities for reckoning in these communities, remains to be seen.

Paschens poem concludes with the lines, I will wade across the river of the blackfish, the otter, the beaver. / I will climb the bank where the willow never dies.

I see this poem as both an act of remembrance and a call to action: It is up to the speaker  and perhaps the reader  to explore, rather than ignore, spaces of loss and injustice.

It is also a testament to the fact that the stories of the Osage people neither begin nor end with the events that will be portrayed in Scorseses film; as one Osage citizen declared, We were victims of these crimes. We dont live as victims.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Shannon Toll, University of Dayton

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Shannon Toll does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Oscar-nominated film The Holdovers has been accused of plagiarising its script line-by-line by a Scottish writer.

Simon Stephenson, whose screen credits include Paddington 2 and Pixars Luca, has made a formal complaint to the Writers Guild of America, claiming to have the evidence to prove the allegations.

The Holdovers, directed by Alexander Payne, received five Oscar nominations including for best original screenplay by David Hemingson.

In emails obtained by Variety, Mr Stephenson claims the script of The Holdovers plagiarised Frisco, a screenplay he wrote in 2012, which was circulated in Hollywood.

Frisco, which tells the story of a doctor reluctantly tasked with looking after a 15-year-old patient, was never produced.

The Holdovers, in which Paul Giamatti portrays a weary, misanthropic schoolmaster stuck with a teenage pupil over the Christmas holiday, was one of the film successes of the past year.

Simon Stephenson's screen credits include Paddington 2 and Pixar's Luca

Complaining to Lesley Mackey, the Guilds director of credits, Mr Stephenson wrote: The evidence The Holdovers screenplay has been plagiarised line-by-line from Frisco is genuinely overwhelming  anybody who looks at even the briefest sample pretty much invariably uses the word brazen.

Mr Stephenson says his screenplay, although unproduced, was in active development.

According to Variety, Mr Paynes team wrote to Mr Stephenson in 2013 saying the director liked the script but was not interested in producing or directing it.

Six years later, Mr Stephenson was told the script was not quite what Mr Payne was looking for.

Some scenes completely unaltered

The Scottish writer alleged: The meaningful entirety of the screenplay for The Holdovers has been copied from the Frisco screenplay by transposition.

He claims scenes, characters and dialogue were lifted with some scenes being completely unaltered.

I can demonstrate beyond any possible doubt that the meaningful entirety of the screenplay for a film with WGA-sanctioned credits that is currently on track to win a screenwriting Oscar has been plagiarised line-by-line from a popular unproduced screenplay of mine, he wrote in one email.

He added: I can also show that the director of the offending film was sent and read my screenplay on two separate occasions prior to the offending film entering development.

The industrial scale of the plagiarism means that it is actually far easier to list the parts of The Holdovers that were not taken from Frisco as opposed to those that were.

Of 148 scenes in The Holdovers, there were at most 20 dialogue-containing scenes that were not lifted from Frisco, Mr Stephenson alleged.

He also claimed the lead characters, Paul Giamattis teacher and the doctor in Frisco, were both: Crumpled/dishevelled, cynical, world-weary, rebellious but deferential to authority, isolated from colleagues, rarely leaves campus/has fun.

In a lengthy complaint, Mr Stephenson compares swathes of dialogue and scenes.

Other allegations of plagiarism in Hollywood

This is not the first time Hollywood has found itself embroiled in allegations of plagiarism. In 2018, the multiple Oscar-winning The Shape of Water was sued by David Zindel who alleged the screenplay had brazenly copied the story, elements, characters, and themes of his late father Paul Zindels 1969 play Let Me Hear You Whisper. The case was dismissed.

Humourist Art Buchwald sued Paramount over Eddie Murphys 1988 film Coming to America and, after a seven-year legal battle, was awarded $825,000 (642,000).

Colin Gardner, emeritus professor of critical theory at the University of California Santa Barbara, told the Telegraph: Usually, scripts are submitted through agents who keep track of their circulation.

I wrote 10 scripts in my time and got a deposit put down on one and have no idea what happened since then.

There are a lot of unproduced scripts circulating around Hollywood.

Approached by Variety, Mr Payne and Mr Hemingson declined to respond to the allegations.

The Telegraph has contacted Focus Features, the films producers, for comment.

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LOS ANGELES (AP)  After a winter barrage of award shows  the Emmys, the Golden Globes, the Grammys  the grandaddy of them all, the Academy Awards, are around the corner. The 96th Oscars may be a coronation for Oppenheimer, which comes in with a leading 13 nominations, though other films, including Barbie, Killers of the Flower Moon and Poor Things are in the mix.

Heres everything you need to know about this years show:

WHEN ARE THE OSCARS?

The Oscars will be held Sunday, March 10, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony is set to begin at 7 p.m. EDT  one hour earlier than usual  and will broadcast live on ABC. A preshow will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT. This is your early reminder to set your clocks accordingly  its the first day of daylight saving time in the

U.S.ARE THE OSCARS STREAMING?

The show will be available to stream via ABC.com and the ABC app with a cable subscription. You can also watch through services including Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV and FuboTV.

WHOS HOSTING THE OSCARS?

Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted last years ceremony, will emcee for the fourth time. That ties him with fellow four-timers Whoopi Goldberg and Jack Lemmon, and leaves Kimmel trailing only Johnny Carson (five), Billy Crystal (nine) and Bob Hope (11) among repeat Oscar hosts. In an interview with The Associated Press, Kimmel said the upcoming presidential election could be a topic for him, he doesnt plan to a strike a very political tone.

Its not really the focus of the Oscars, said Kimmel. It doesnt mean I wont have a joke or two about it. But its not really my goal to invoke the name of he-who-shall-not-be-named at the Oscars.

WILL THERE BE ANY PERFORMANCES?

Yes, all the original song nominees will be performed on the show. That means Ryan Gosling will serenade everyone with Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatts Barbie power ballad Im Just Ken and Billie Eilish will soulfully sing What Was I Made For, which she co-wrote with Finneas OConnell. The other nominated songs include Diane Warrens The Fire Inside, from Flamin Hot, to be performed by Becky G,  Jon Batiste and Dan Wilsons It Never Went Away from American Symphony, and Scott Georges Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People) from Killers of the Flower Moon.

WHOS PRESENTING AT THE OSCARS?

Last years big acting winners are all coming back to present at the show (a tradition), including Brendan Fraser, Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis. Stars from all generations are expected to hand out awards, from Rita Moreno to Bad Bunny. Steven Spielberg, Emily Blunt, Cynthia Erivo, America Ferrera, Sally Field, Ariana Grande, Ben Kingsley, Melissa McCarthy, Issa Rae, Tim Robbins, Mary Steenburgen, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlize Theron, Christoph Waltz and Forest Whitaker were the last batch of presenters announced.

Other celebrities set to grace the Dolby stage include Scarface co-stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino (likely not together), as well as Gosling, Zendaya, Matthew McConaughey, Chris Hemsworth, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Keaton, Regina King, Jennifer Lawrence, Kate McKinnon, John Mulaney, Catherine OHara, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Lange, Nicolas Cage, Mahershala Ali, Sam Rockwell, Lupita Nyongo and Ramy Youssef.

WHATS NOMINATED FOR BEST PICTURE AT THE 2024 OSCARS?

The 10 nominees for best picture are: American Fiction; Anatomy of a Fall; Barbie; The Holdovers; Killers of the Flower Moon; Maestro; Oppenheimer; Past Lives; Poor Things; and The Zone of Interest.

HOW CAN I WATCH THE OSCAR-NOMINATED FILMS?

Many of this years Oscar nominees are streaming on various platforms.

WHO ARE THE FAVORITES?

Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer is the frontrunner. Nolan, the best director favorite, is also poised to win his first Oscar. The best actress category could be a nail-biter between Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon) and Emma Stone (Poor Things). If Gladstone were to win, she would be the first Native American to win an Oscar. Best actor, too, could be a close contest between Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) and Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers). Both would be first-time winners. Giamattis co-star DaVine Joy Randolph is favored to win best supporting actress, while Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer) is expected to win best supporting actor. His closest competition is considered to be Ryan Gosling for Barbie.

WHATS UP WITH THE BARBIE SNUBS?

While Barbie, 2023s biggest box-office hit, comes in with eight nominations, much discussion has revolved around the nominations the film didnt receive. Greta Gerwig was left out of the directing category and Margot Robbie missed out on best actress. In those omissions, some have seen reflections of the misogyny parodied in Barbie, while others have noted the tough reception comedies have historically had at the Oscars. The nominations for Barbie include best adapted screenplay (by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach), best supporting actress for America Ferrera and two best song nominees in What Was I Made For and Im Just Ken.

ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THE OSCARS THIS YEAR?

Though recent Oscars have been marked by everything from slaps, envelope snafus and controversies over which awards are presented live during the telecast, this years show comes in with no big changes (besides starting an hour earlier). All of the awards are to be broadcast live (though honorary prizes remain separated in the earlier, untelevised Governors Awards ). The academy is adding a new award for best casting, but that trophy wont be presented until the 2026 Oscars.

WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO LOOK FOR?

Composer John Williams earned his record 49th nomination for a best score Oscar, for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, his 54th nod overall. Godzilla is going to the Oscars for the first time, with Godzilla Minus One notching a nomination for best visual effects. And also for the first time, two non-English language films are up for best picture: the German-language Auschwitz drama The Zone of Interest and the French courtroom drama Anatomy of a Fall.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
(Bloomberg) -- The Philippines is counting on the US and its allies to play a crucial role in its plans to explore energy resources in the disputed South China Sea, according to Manilas envoy to Washington.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The country is seeking to parlay its deepening security ties with Washington into broader economic benefits, said Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez.

When the time comes that we are going to start exploring it, well have the options to be able to see how we can secure the expedition, Romualdez said in an interview in Manila. Were working closely with our allies, not only the US but also Japan and Australia, he said.

The Philippines is exploring several options in its quest to tap the resource-rich South China Sea, waters that China claims almost in its entirety. The body of water is estimated to hold significant quantities of oil and gas, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

Inviting US companies to invest in the exploration as well as development efforts and discussions with countries like Vietnam that also have overlapping claims with China are among the possible courses of action, he said on March 5.

The Philippines imports almost all its fuel needs and has been trying for years to start energy exploration in the disputed waters, including through a partnership with China. Negotiations between Manila and Beijing have, however, stalled amid heightened tensions, with their coast guard vessels recently clashing again at sea.

Any efforts toward developing resources in the South China Sea should not harm Chinas maritime rights and interests and sovereignty, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a regular media briefing on Monday. We advocate negotiation and dialogue to properly settle maritime disputes, including on resource development, Wang said.

Story continues

Amid its spat with China, the Southeast Asian nation is enforcing a new strategy to defend its territory and economic interests. It has also recently inked several security deals with countries like the UK, Australia and Canada.

Calculated Way

Now the Philippines and its allies are moving in a calculated way, the envoy said declining to provide more details on the energy plan, except to say that it will likely happen within President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s term ending in 2028. Its part of our energy package, he said, referring to a broad strategy to bring power costs  among the highest in the region  lower to attract investors.

As the Philippines builds its security alliances amid tensions with Beijing, it wants these partnerships to yield more trade and investment, said Romualdez. While we have all these defense ties, the bottom line is economic prosperity. If we do not have economic security, we can have all these defense agreements and it would mean nothing to us, the envoy, a cousin of Marcos, said.

China is also keen on reaping benefits from the resource-rich waters. President Xi Jinping has called on the military to align its maritime strategy with economic development, in what may further intensify its dispute with the Philippines.

In a wide-ranging interview ahead of the US trade and investment mission this week, Romualdez said Marcos is trying to leverage his rising influence on the global stage to win deals for the country. Over the past year, Marcos has deepened security ties with the US. The Philippine leader last month addressed the Australian parliament and in May will be the keynote speaker at regional security forum.

Marcos met with US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on Monday before he flew to Germany for meetings with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, alongside other Southeast Asian leaders. Raimondo is in Manila leading a delegation includes about 20 American executives to strengthen economic relations and spur investment into an increasingly important ally.

President Marcos is very, very keen on trying to catch these investment opportunities open to us now because were in the center, Romualdez said. Even European countries are taking interest, he added.

Raimondo said US companies that joined the trade and investment mission organized by President Joe Biden will invest more than $1 billion in the Philippines. From Manila, Raimondo will then proceed to Thailand, in hopes of boosting ties in areas including supply chain diversification.

While the Philippines strong relations with the US is an advantage, competition for investment among Southeast Asian nations is intense. Marcos has to prove that his government can provide a conducive business environment including less red tape and lower electricity costs, the envoy said.

High power costs remain one of the biggest hurdles for investors, according to Romualdez, and is one of the incentives driving the Philippines push to explore its own energy resources.

Marcoss defense chief, earlier this year, said that its increasingly urgent for the Philippines to pursue resource exploration in contested waters, as a key gas field nears depletion.

Last month, the nations foreign affairs secretary signaled openness to energy talks with Beijing, while maintaining that Manila would not yield control of any venture to China.

For Philippine Ambassador Romualdez, the time for being soft with Beijing is over.

What is ours is ours, and were not going to stop, he said of the nations plans to explore resources in its exclusive economic zone. Well do it when we feel like its time for us to do it, he said.

--With assistance from Clarissa Batino and James Mayger.

(Updates with Chinas comments, US investment commitments.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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HOLLYWOOD, California (ABC4 Utah)  A star-studded evening awaits, and were not just talking about the nominees! See our iconic lineup of presenters at the #Oscars LIVE Sunday at a new earlier time, 5:00 p.m. MT, on ABC. Special Red Carpet Coverage happening throughout the day beginning at 11:00 a.m. MT.

The 96th Oscars will be held Sunday, March 10, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC4 and in more than 200 territories worldwide.

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GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  On Tuesday, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners will vote on the interim county administrator after John Gibbs was fired last month because of complaints about his behavior in the workplace.

Ottawa County commissioners fire Administrator John Gibbs

In a statement posted on Board Chair Joe Mosss website, he said that since the termination of Gibbs contract, the board has received feedback from the community on who theyd like to see as an interim leader:

People have expressed exactly who they think should be appointed.

The interim leader should be appointed quickly to fill the gap.

The interim leader should be someone with experience in county-level government.

The interim leader should demonstrate proven leadership qualities and teamwork.

The interim leader should have strong budgetary and strategic planning skills.

The interim leader should understand the board and the countys vision statement.

Adjectives often used were friendly, firm, confident, trustworthy, honest, and kind.

Several people expressed a desire for someone who will prioritize supporting staff and building relationships.

John Gibbs not surprised he was fired from being Ottawa administrator

His website says that multiple names have been recommended for the position, including Grand Haven resident and retired sheriff commander Jon Anderson, whom Moss supports.

Moss said that he believes Anderson stands out for his experience in county government and proven leadership ability. He is a highly respected law enforcement leader with a history of administrative leadership and command in a county 8x larger than Ottawa.

The board chair said that he thinks it will take several months to find a permanent county administrator.

Now is a time to come together so the County can focus on working for the people, completing the important tasks of strategic planning, the 2025 budget, and choosing a long-term County Administrator, the website says.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  When it comes to the best place to have a happy and healthy four-legged friend, you need look no further than the Pacific Northwest, according to a new report.

The report by USA Today looked at important parts of a dogs life including the number of vets, proximity to dog parks, walkability and the number of cooler days and they found that Seattle and Portland topped the list.

How much do homebuyers need to earn to buy a typical house in Portland? New Zillow report released

According to the report, Seattle has 59 vets per every 100,000 residents while Portland has 47.

It was also found that 99% of Seattle residents live within a 10-minute walk of a dog park while in Portland only 90% do.

However, there were a few cases where Portland beat the Emerald City, such as having more dog parks per 100,000 residents and more cooling degree days per NOAA data, according to the report.

Tillamooks sharp cheddar wins top slots in category at 2024 World Championship Cheese Contest

Overall, while Seattle scored 100 on the list, Portland scored 98, narrowly beating San Francisco which scored a 97.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
The Netherlands opened the National Holocaust Museum on Sunday with a ceremony presided over by the Dutch king as well as Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose presence prompted protest because of Israels military campaign in Gaza.

The museum in Amsterdam tells the stories of some of the 102,000 Jews who were deported from the Netherlands and murdered in Nazi camps, as well as the history of their structural persecution under German World War II occupation before the deportations began.

The museum gives a face and a voice to the Jewish victims of persecution in the Netherlands, the Dutch King Willem-Alexander said in the address at the inaugural ceremony on Sunday. It also shows us the devastating consequences that antisemitism can have, he added.

That is why we must continue to be aware of how things began and how they went from bad to worse, the king said. Earlier, the king and the Israeli president visited Amsterdams famous Portuguese Synagogue.

Herzog hailed the Netherlandss initiative to create a new Holocaust museum that he said was a testament to raising antisemitism around the world.

At this pivotal moment in time, this institution sends a clear powerful statement, Herzog said. Remember! Remember the horrors born of hatred, antisemitism and racism, and never again allow them to flourish.

Sundays ceremony came against a backdrop of Israels devastating attacks on Gaza that followed the deadly incursions by Hamas in southern Israel on 7 October.

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered amid tightened security at the Waterloo Square in central Amsterdam, near the museum and the synagogue, waving Palestinian flags, chanting Never again is now, and demanding an end of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

The protest leaders emphasized they were against Herzogs presence, not the museum and what it commemorates.
PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - Panama's electoral court announced on Sunday it had upheld its decision to ban ex-President Ricardo Martinelli from running in the 2024 general election, following the review of a challenge presented by Martinelli's defense to annul the prohibition.

The court declared him ineligible earlier this month, citing his inability to run due to a nearly 11-year prison sentence for money laundering. Panama's constitution bars anyone sentenced to a prison term of five years or more from serving as president.

Most polls published prior to the ban positioned Martinelli as the favorite to win the election.

The electoral court said his running mate, Jose Raul Mulino, will appear in the ballot as presidential candidate for Martinelli's political party.

"Disqualifying Ricardo Martinelli is a political and coward decision," the former president's spokesperson said in a social media post, adding the move will only fuel Mulino's candidacy.

Martinelli, a 71-year-old supermarket tycoon who governed between 2009 and 2014, has denied wrongdoing and said his sentence is political. He has been living in the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama City since he requested asylum after a court ruling found him guilty of money laundering.

(Reporting by Elida Moreno; Writing by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Sandra Maler)
Despite its dangers, the 165-mile (265-kilometer) Darien Gap has become a key corridor for migrants hoping to reach the United States (Luis ACOSTA)

Panama's government on Sunday accused international aid groups of encouraging illegal migration by handing out maps to help those crossing the treacherous Darien Gap jungle.

The comments come amid a spat between the government and medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which last month criticized a sharp rise in sexual violence against migrants making the dangerous trek on their way to the United States.

In response, the government suspended MSF's humanitarian work in the jungle and accused it of failing to share data on alleged victims of sexual violence.

"International organizations give (migrants) maps on how to cross the jungle, knowing they are going to be raped, they are going to be robbed. It is extremely irresponsible," said director of migration Samira Gozaine, in a video posted on X.

In late February, MSF reported an "extreme" level of brutality against migrants crossing the jungle and urged Panamanian authorities to redouble efforts to protect the most vulnerable people "on their territory."

In just one week in February, the NGO said, it had treated 113 people, including nine children, who had been sexually assaulted by criminal groups operating in the lawless Darien Gap.

"If they have that information, the first thing they should do responsibly, and legally, is provide pertinent complaints with pertinent evidence, which they have not done," Gozaine said.

Last week, MSF said it was "forced to suspend all medical activity for the migrant population in the Darien by order of the Panamanian authorities."

It said the government cited the lack of a valid "collaboration agreement" with the health ministry to operate in Panama.

The NGO said it had been trying in vain to renew the agreement since October 2023.

MSF says it provides medical and psychological care to about 5,000 people a month, with a focus on survivors of sexual violence.

Despite its dangers, the 165-mile (265-kilometer) Darien Gap has become a key corridor for migrants hoping to reach the United States.

They face treacherous terrain, wild animals and violent criminal gangs that extort, kidnap and abuse them.

A little over two months into this year, 82,000 people are known to have crossed the Darien: mainly Venezuelans but also Haitians, Ecuadorans, Colombians and Chinese, according to official data.

In 2023, a record 520,000 people crossed through the Darien.

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As many communities throughout the Texas Panhandle have been affected by the wildfires throughout the area, many non-profits, groups and organizations across the region and beyond are working together to help those communities affected recover and rebuild.

According to the City of Borger, the City of Fritch, Stinnett and the surrounding areas are currently in need of cleaning supply donations to help remove debris following the wildfires that affected the area.

"Right now, we are focused on clean-up supplies, leather gloves, trash bags, trash cans, things of that nature, rakes, snow shovels, anything that could help in the clean-up process," Deidra Thomas, public engagement coordinator for the city of Borger, said.

"All of the things that are metal - it's bent, it's broken, there are nails everywhere - so the more protection we can give these people the better," Thomas added.

A truck carrying hay is seen heading down US 60 toward Canadian. Hay donations are pouring in to the areas impacted by wildfires ongoing in the Texas Panhandle.

According to Thomas, they currently have a surplus of food, water and other comfort items, but as things begin to cool and they reach the two-week mark, the city feels concern for when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) leaves the area and the number of volunteers that will be available in the upcoming month.

"We are not making the thresholds for FEMA. The threshold for uninsured properties is over $45 million, so we are not going to be getting any assistance from the federal government, meaning a lot of this is going to fall back on the community, our non-profits and faith based organizations to help get these people back to where they need to be. ... As they (emergency agencies) pull out, we will really need the community to help step in," Thomas said.

Product donations are being accepted at The Dome Civic and Convention Center located in Borger, and monetary donations are asked to be given to the Hutchison County United Way. For all other questions or inquiries, people are asked to contact the wildfire hotline at (806) 273-0955.

Yolos Food truck traveled from Amarillo set to serve the Canadian community and those impacted by the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hemphill County in late February.

One organization trying to make a difference for two families impacted by the wildfires includes the Amarillo Area CASA (AAC) as well as the Pampa Area CASA (PAC), raising funds for their CASA foster children who have lost their homes in a fire.

"Imagine being a foster child displaced from your original home or origin anyway, and then you move to a foster home and begin adjusting, and then it burns down and you have to move again. We felt like we need to step up and be the calm in their chaos. Our kids already go through so much and lose so much in the first place, and then to have to go through that again, it's traumatic, so we are trying to help in any way we can to lessen that trauma," said Jarah Mendoza, executive director for the Amarillo Area CASA.

Although for privacy reasons, the organization could not share the exact location of the foster families affected, Mendoza was able to share that two of their foster families lost their homes as a result of the fires.

A house destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire in the Scott Acres area of Stinnett Texas.

The AAC has currently raised $1,000 to benefit a Hutchison County family caring for a foster child, while the PAC is currently raising funds for a foster family caring for nine children in their area.

To make a donation to either locations or families in need, individuals are asked to visit their official Facebook page and donate to their "Click and Pledge" page link .

Additional means of donating to the wildfire relief efforts underway include the following organizations as relief and support continues to come in from numerous groups, individuals, businesses and more.

High Plains Food Bank accepted more than 39,000 lbs in non-perishable food donations from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Wednesday, March 6.

The Amarillo Area Foundation is collecting online donations for its Panhandle Disaster Relief Fund, creating funding needs for area nonprofits, individuals and organizations affected by the wildfires at https://amarilloareafoundation.org/disaster/ .

The Amarillo National Bank is making donations to relief efforts across the panhandle through its wildfire fund, including a $1 million donation to the Amarillo Area Foundation, $150,000 donation to the Texas Panhandle 100 Club, $100,000 donations to the First Baptist church in Canadian and Connect Community services in Fritch as well as $50,000 donations to the Hutchinson County United Way, Panhandle Community Services and Salvation Army of Borger Tx.

Amarillo National Bank donates $1 million and collects donations benefiting the Amarillo Area Foundation Panhandle Disaster Relief Fund as announced Feb. 28 in the ANB tower main lobby.

The United Way of Amarillo and Canyon and the United Way of Hutchison County are collecting donations to meet the needs of the communities affected by the wildfires as they begin to rebuild.

The High Plains Food Bank established the Texas Panhandle Disaster Relief Fund that will provide food or water to affected communities through donations made at https://www.hpfb.org/?form=TXPHDisasterRelief2024

The Walmart Foundation made a $250,000 grant donation to the Hutchinson County United Way in response to the wildfires in the Texas Panhandle. Walmart also established mobile BBQ feed units and a WiFi hotspot and charging station, operated by the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center located at their Borger location.

Tootn Totum's Change for the Better  Panhandle Strong Program will support Texas Panhandle wildfire victims where customers across all locations can donate or round up their change at the checkout to benefit the program.

Natural Grocers is allowing shoppers across their 23 Texas locations to make a $1 $5 or $10 donation or donate a non-perishable food item now through March 31 that will be donated to the Amarillo Area Foundation benefiting the communities impacted by the wildfires.

Gods Pit Crew is offering "Blessing Buckets", five-gallon buckets containing non-perishable food, water, hygiene items, first-aid kits, Bibles, and handwritten notes of encouragement to those recovering from the wildfires.

U-Haul locations across the Texas Panhandle are offering 30 free storage and U-Box container usage to residents impacted by the wildfires.

Hoffbrau Steak and Grill House is raising donations through their STAR Fund online. They also invite the community to dine with them for lunch or dinner on March 13, where 5% of their daily sales will benefit the State of Texas Agriculture Relief Fund.

On Friday, the United Family launched a statewide donate-at-the-register campaign to raise funds for wildfire disaster relief. Running from March 8 to March 23, all proceeds raised by the campaign will go to the Amarillo Area Foundation. In addition to running the campaign and sending supplies to the area, the company said it will also match the first $20,000 donated by guests. The fundraising campaign will run in all United Supermarkets, Market Street, Albertsons Market, and Amigos locations across Texas and parts of Eastern New Mexico.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: For Texas wildfire relief, Panhandle area gathers funds, support
A homeless parolee charged Sunday with shoving his girlfriend into the path of a Manhattan subway, causing her feet to be severed by the train, claimed she was hurt in an accidental fall, his shocked niece says.

Christian Valdez  who made headlines in 2017 when charged with stabbing a woman and her 3-year-old daughter and then threatening to toss the girl off a Bronx fire escape  was nabbed hours after the Saturday morning attack.

But first Valdez headed to Newark, showing up at his nieces house.

He said they had a fight and she fell down but he didnt know how, the niece told the New York Daily News. They were on their way to a medical doctor appointment. ... Together they take a train to an appointment and they had an argument.

When she pressed her uncle about it he repeatedly said, I dont know, she recalled.

He said, I dont know what happened. My girlfriend had an accident,' the niece recounted.

Valdez then gave either his social worker or parole officer a call  his niece wasnt clear which one  and was told to come back to New York, which he did, she said.

Christian has schizophrenia and he needs special help. He needs mental health help, said his niece, who spoke on condition her name not be used.

I hope the woman gets better, she said, adding she hopes the victim can ultimately forgive him, because he is sick.

Valdez, 35, was arguing with his 29-year-old girlfriend on the Fulton Street platform when he allegedly pushed her onto the tracks, cops said. A moment later, a downtown No. 3 train bore down on her, cutting off both her feet, a police source said.

The train came to a stop, trapping the woman underneath as she repeatedly screamed, I dont deserve this! I dont deserve this! a witness told the Daily News Saturday.

Medics rushed her in critical condition to Bellevue Hospital, where she is expected to survive.

Valdez was awaiting arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court Sunday on charges of attempted murder and felony assault.

Valdez has suffered from schizophrenia for the past 18 years and has been in and out of hospitals in New York and New Jersey, his niece said.

He always took his medicine but he stopped, she said. He said he was taking it but he wasnt. He was anxious and worried.

Valdez has four past assault arrests on his record, police sources said, and public records show hes still on parole for a Bronx attempted assault conviction from 2020. He was sentenced to up to eight years in prison in that case but was released to parole in January 2023.

On Sept. 13, 2017, he attacked Jenny Aquino and her then 3-year-old daughter, Bella, stabbing the little girl in the arm and knifing her mom in the stomach, according to cops and neighbors at the time.

Valdez was homeless and Aquino knew him from church, neighbors said. A lawsuit filed by Aquino blamed the buildings management company for failing to provide the proper security measures to keep criminals out. Aquino and the management company settled the suit for $225,000 last year, court records show.

The suspects niece is worried another stint behind bar will make things worse for Valdez.

In prison they dont have good medical help, she said. He needs medical help. He needs help from the doctors.

Valdezs niece said he started dating the victim just two or three months ago and they were living together in a shelter. The niece said she hasnt yet met her uncles girlfriend but believes she was aware of his mental health problems.

The Saturday attack came despite an initiative launched by Gov. Kathy Hochul last week to deploy 750 members of the National Guard and 250 state and MTA police officers to subway stations to deter crime.

The citys transit system has seen a 15% increase in felony assaults this year, with 97 attacks through March 3 compared to 84 by the same point last year, NYPD statistics show. So far, the transit system has been the scene of three homicides in 2024, up from one killing from this time period last year.

_____
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Three men were hospitalized Friday night after a party gone bad, according to the Fresno Police Department.

Around 10:30 p.m. officers were called to the 900 block of West Dakota Avenue, near Teilman Avenue, for a report of a victim of a shooting.

Officers say after the first call, several other callers reported that there were additional victims with gunshot wounds.

Investigators say people were scattering in all directions upon their arrival, so the crime scene was quite expansive and required lots of department personnel and resources.

Police say medical aid was given to the three men they found suffering from gunshot wounds before they were transported to an area hospital.

Several people were detained, including some witnesses, as officers gathered information about the incident.

The scene remained taped off for several hours, and the roadway was blocked to traffic while they investigated and discovered evidence which was scattered all throughout the complex.

Detectives are working to determine exactly how many suspects were involved.

Officers say the victims were last listed in critical condition.

Fresno Police ask if anyone has information in this case that they contact the departments non-emergency dispatch center at 559-621-7000.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
Barring divine intervention or the West Coast falling into the sea, President Biden will handily win California in the November election.

But should he  or presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump  secure a second term in the fall, the future of eithers policy agenda rests heavily on which party controls Congress, where Republicans currently hold a wafer-thin majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

With the Golden State home to some of the most hotly contested swing districts in the country, the Houses fate will almost certainly come down to California.

The battle for the next two years of partisan political control will be waged door-to-door, from Californias beachside suburban cul-de-sacs to the tiny farm towns in the states fertile Central Valley.

Those battlefields will look a lot like Bridgecreek Plaza  a sun-bleached shopping center a few hundred yards from a freeway onramp in Orange Countys Huntington Beach. The mall is home to a crystal store, several insurance brokers, a dentist and the local Republican Party headquarters.

Its also where about two dozen GOP faithful gathered on the morning of election day, bowing their heads for a quick prayer and pledging allegiance to a portable flag before turning their attention to Jessica Millan Patterson, chair of the California Republican Party.

Patterson was in a very good mood.

When she was first elected to lead the party, in 2019, California Republicans were essentially the third-largest party in the state, having sunk below the share of voters registering decline to state under party preference.

But Patterson had presided over a massive voter registration drive over the last five years, and the party had moved back into second. People across the country liked to dismiss blue California, she said, but they were forgetting that California has more registered Republicans than any other state.

California Republicans are the reasons why we have a House majority, she added, to raucous cheering.

That majority was what they hoped to hold on to, and the group would spend the morning of the March 5 primary election canvassing for Scott Baugh, a Republican attorney and former state Assembly member vying to push Democratic Rep. Katie Porters soon-to-be-open congressional seat back from blue to red.

Scott Baugh is trying again to flip Orange County's 47th District back to the red column. The seat is a chief target of state and national Republican efforts to maintain control of the House. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

The latest round of redistricting put more conservative enclaves such as Huntington Beach and Newport Beach into Californias 47th Congressional District, and Baugh lost to Porter only narrowly in 2022 despite being vastly outspent, making the coastal Orange County district one of the most competitive in the nation.

The charismatic Porter will be out of the House picture after a failed Senate run; her seat is one of the National Republican Congressional Committees three offensive targets in California and top priorities. And its equally prized by Democrats.

Read more: How Trump propelled Schiff to the general election  and likely a Senate seat

In a country where enmity and distrust separate the two major political parties on most issues, Californias utmost importance to any November House strategy is one of the few things on which Republicans and Democrats can agree.

California is home to 10 races rated as competitive by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report  five of them in districts that are represented by Republicans but that President Biden won in 2020. In the months to come, both parties will be investing significant resources in those races, as national attention inevitably turns west.

With an expected Biden-Trump rematch, voter turnout in 2024 is also likely to be supercharged compared with the 2022 midterm election. That could give an edge to Democrats, given the registration advantage that they hold in many of the competitive districts. Republicans gained one California House seat in the 2022 midterms, a nonpresidential election when turnout was substantially lower than when Biden and Trump topped the ballot two years prior.

At the end of the day, the path to 218 runs through California, said Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Dan Gottlieb, referring to the number of seats needed to garner a House majority.

Dave Min will face Baugh in November's runoff for the 47th District seat, which Katie Porter is vacating. Min's bruising primary battle for the crucial seat has already cost Democrats millions. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Gottlieb was bullish on his partys chances, citing the high turnout expected for the presidential election, along with strong Democratic candidates and a bunch of dysfunctional and out-of-touch Republicans enabling the worst of their partys chaos and dysfunction and extremism.

But Gottliebs GOP counterpart was equally roseate in his outlook, with National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Ben Petersen reveling in the ugly and expensive primary fights that consumed Democrats in several of the states most crucial swing districts.

In the O.C. district where GOP volunteers fanned out for Baugh on primary morning, Democrats had sunk millions into a bruising primary battle between state Sen. Dave Min and fellow Democrat Joanna Weiss. Min ultimately emerged victorious, but only after surviving a barrage of negative advertising centered on his 2023 arrest for driving while intoxicated  arguably a gift to Republicans ahead of his fall battle with Baugh.

Read more: Two Democrats battle to keep Katie Porter's Orange County U.S. House seat blue

Extreme Democrats are stumbling out of their vicious primary fights broke and bested by Republicans, who saw a groundswell of support for a commonsense safety and affordability agenda, Petersen said, adding that the primary results made clear the GOP was playing offense in California in a way that would set the stage for victories in November.

Baugh, though, is not expected to go unscathed. In 2022, Porters ad campaign ripped the Republican for his antiabortion stance, as well as his work as a lobbyist and criminal charges he faced over campaign violations, for which he ultimately paid $47,000 in fines.

In the San Joaquin Valley, there were last-minute fears that a bruising primary battle would lock Democrats out of one of the races where they have the best chance of flipping a seat, but those concerns proved overblown.

Rudy Salas, backed by the Democratic establishment, vanquished fellow Democrat Melissa Hurtado to secure a spot in the fall against incumbent Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) in the 22nd Congressional District, but that race also put a dent in Democratic coffers.

The November race will be a rematch of the pairs 2022 runoff, when Salas lost to Valadao by several thousand votes. And Salas and Valadao wont be the only rematch on the November ticket.

In a heavily agricultural San Joaquin Valley district that includes all of Merced County and parts of Fresno, Madera, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties, incumbent GOP Rep. John Duarte will once again face off against Democratic challenger Adam Gray. Duarte won the 13th Congressional District in the midterm election by fewer than 600 votes, one of the closest races in the nation.

Several hundred miles southeast, in Southern California, Democratic challenger Will Rollins will again take on GOP incumbent Rep. Ken Calvert, the longest-serving member of the California delegation. The recently redrawn 41st Congressional District stretches from the suburban Inland Empire, where Calvert has long lived, to Palm Springs, where Rollins and his partner make their home.

Read more: LGBTQ+ culture wars surface in heated Riverside County congressional race

The districts new boundaries  which now include one of the largest concentrations of LGBTQ+ voters in the nation and liberal pockets of Californians in the desert  are far more friendly to Democrats. They also set up Rollins, who is gay, as a potent challenger to Calvert, who voted against LGBTQ+ rights in the past, but who says his views have since evolved.

One race that will have some new blood this year, after the same pair of candidates dueled in three previous elections, is Californias 27th Congressional District in northern Los Angeles County.

Once solidly Republican, the district has been reconfigured by redistricting, and has undergone a political transition driven by younger, more diverse transplants from L.A. seeking affordable housing in Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley. The district briefly switched from red to blue with former Rep. Katie Hills victory in 2018, but the young Democrats very public scandals and ultimate resignation helped hand the seat back to the GOP.

Now-incumbent GOP Rep. Mike Garcia beat Democrat Christy Smith in a 2019 special election to fill the seat, then twice more for full terms in 2020 and 2022. He will face off against George Whitesides, a fresh Democratic challenger, in November.

Ludovic Blain, executive director of the California Donor Table, a progressive group that pools donor funds, said his organization hopes to invest about $10 million in California House races in the fall, working with local nonprofits in key areas to turn out voters of color.

Theyll be focusing on seven key races: the three aforementioned rematches, Porters open seat and two other Orange County races, and the Garcia-Whitesides matchup.

One point of concern Blain raised is that Republican Steve Garveys place near the top of the ticket, facing off against Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) in the Senate race, might affect Democrats in House races.

Schiff engaged in a controversial strategy in the primary, boosting Garvey to lock out Porter and his other major Democratic challenger, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), whom Blains organization supported.

It was a gambit that some in the Democratic establishment said would actually help Democrats in other tight races, since a less-competitive Senate race would siphon away far less money from the partys coffers.

Read more: Steve Garvey touts 'family values' in his Senate bid. Some of his kids tell another story

But others, like Blain, argue that Garveys presence could hurt down-ballot Democrats. Plus, having him on the ballot may draw in moderate Republican and independent voters who remain sour on Trump.

Having Garvey, I think, does spike or further encourage Republican voters to turn out, and more importantly, to vote down the ticket, Blain said.

Patterson agreed. Unlike Trump, Garvey will likely campaign across the state, providing a lift for other Republicans while hes at it.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Foreign banks operating Dubai will be now subject to a 20% tax on their annual taxable income, according to a new law issued in his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE.

The law applies to all foreign banks operating in Dubai, including special development zones and free zones, with the exception of foreign banks licensed to operate in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), said a report in WAM news agency.

Under the law, if these banks pay corporate tax in accordance with Federal Law No. (47) of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses and its amendments, the amount of corporate tax will be deducted from their total tax liability.

The law specifies the principles governing the calculation of taxable income, tax filing and payments, procedures for the audit of tax filing, voluntary disclosure, and responsibilities and procedures related to tax auditing.

The law also outlines the rights of foreign banks and their branches licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE. It specifies the steps for notifying the results of the tax audit. Further, it allows the taxable entity to lodge objections with Dubais Department of Finance regarding the amount of tax or fines imposed on them, subject to certain conditions detailed in the law.

According to the law, the Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai will issue a decision on acts deemed as violations of this law and penalties imposed for violations. The total penalties imposed should not exceed AED500,000. The fine will be doubled in case of repeat violations within two years up to a maximum of AED1 million.

This new law applies to the tax year beginning after its enactment.

The Director-General of the Department of Finance will also issue the necessary decisions to implement the provisions of this law, which will be published in the Official Gazette.
Nearly 30 years after Alicia Showalter Reynolds disappeared along U.S. 29 in Culpeper County, the Johns Hopkins pharmacology students younger sister has moved on with her life.

But she, and her family, still feel the impact of the unsolved murder.

It was so random and so unexpected, Barbara Showalter Josenhans said in a telephone interview this week. Its still unbelievable 28 years later.

The Reynolds case has returned to the spotlight recently in part because March 2 marked 28 years since she vanished from the rural Virginia roadside. The case is gaining more attention also because of a pair of recent cold murder case developments  one in New York and the other in Stafford County.

On the afternoon of March 2, 1996, the 25-year-old Reynolds was driving her white Mercury Tracer along a rural and hilly stretch of U.S. 29 in Culpeper County, heading from Baltimore toward the Blue Ridge Mountains, which were visible to her on the western horizon.

Reynolds never reached her destination. She was heading to Charlottesville, where her mother waited to meet her daughter for a shopping trip. Later that day, Reynolds car was found about five miles south of downtown Culpeper, abandoned along U.S. 29.

Though the area is rural, there were then and remain numerous houses near that section of highway where Reynolds car was found. The spot is still marked at the end of a guardrail with a flower bouquet and wooden cross.

Josenhans said she had mostly given up hope on the case, but that started changing last year.

I feel like theres been some more movement in the last nine months, she said. And more and more cases are being solved. Ive been following the Colonial Parkway situation, a case in which DNA evidence identified a suspect.

In January, police said DNA linked Alan Wade Wilmer Sr., 65, to some of the parkway murders, which happened between 1986 and 1989, when three couples were killed and a fourth couple disappeared and have never been found. Wilmer died in 2017.

Potential suspects have been linked to Reynolds murder over the years, including Richard Evonitz, who kidnapped and murdered three Spotsylvania County girls in 1996 and 1997. Evonitz killed himself in 2002 as police closed in on him in Florida.

Yet, in the 28 years since the abduction and murder of Reynolds, no one has been publicly identified or charged by police in her case.

The lead agency in Reynolds case, the Virginia State Police, recently released a statement marking the 28-year mark of Reynolds murder.

The department said investigators have received more than 10,000 leads in the 28 years they have investigated this case. State police remain hopeful that this case will come to a successful resolution and continue to encourage the public to come forward with any information related to the investigation.

On the day of Reynolds disappearance, the Johns Hopkins University graduate student was reported by witnesses to be standing outside her car talking with a man. There was a dark pickup truck also parked on the shoulder.

Reynolds was last seen getting into the pickup, possibly a Nissan, with the man whose only remaining public trace to this day are sketches gleaned from passersby. At the time, he was described as a white man between 35 and 45 years old with a medium build and brown hair.

After Reynolds disappearance, reports started coming in from women who said a man driving a dark pickup truck on U.S. 29 had tried, and in some cases succeeded, to coax them to pull over using a ruse about their cars having mechanical problems.

From those reports and Reynolds slaying, law enforcement believed a killer was hunting along the highway, a person believed to be the so-called Route 29 Stalker.

The sketches from Reynolds case returned to prominence again recently as media noted a resemblance between the renderings and a suspect in the Long Island Serial Killer case, Rex Heuermann.

Heuermann, a 60-year-old Massapequa resident and architect in New York City, faces charges in the deaths of four women whose remains were first discovered in 2009 along Long Islands Gilgo Beach. The remains of at least 10 victims were discovered in the area.

Heuermann, who was arrested in 2023, has ties to Virginia through his mother. She owns a home in a rural area near Charlottesville, according to media reports and an affidavit that was part of an investigation by John Ray, an attorney who has represented families of the Gilgo Beach victims.

In November, Josenhans talked about Heuermanns resemblance to the sketches for an article in The U.S. Sun.

Josenhans told The Free LanceStar she hadnt been following the Heuermann case and only noticed the resemblance to the sketches after being contacted by a reporter.

She said the family has talked to state police investigators about Heuermann and were told investigators are taking every angle possible to get the case solved.

The Free LanceStar asked the state police about any connection to Heuermann or others in Reynolds case.

At this stage of the ongoing investigation into the murder of Alicia Showalter Reynolds, there is no evidence that connects her death to any other homicides within or beyond Virginia, the state police said. Investigators are continuously re-examining the case to identify any potential, forensic links to possible suspects and/or other crimes.

DNA technology is something the Showalter family hopes can close the case.

My brother and I, as well as our parents, are very interested in making sure there is some deeper DNA work on the case, Josenhans said. More and more cases are being solved with this forensic DNA research.

She is confident the state police can close the case, explaining that investigators recently said they are going through and reworking the case from day one and relooking at evidence and resubmitting evidence for testing.

DNA technologys use in a nearly 40-year-old unsolved Stafford murder could offer a glimmer of hope for Reynolds family.

The Stafford Sheriffs Office announced last week that it arrested Elroy Neal Harrison, 65, charging him with the 1986 murder of county resident Jacqueline Lard, 40. Harrison also is a suspect in a 1989 Fairfax County homicide. He has not been connected to Reynolds death.
Many months after last year's battle over the speakership of the Ohio House of Representatives, the acrimony has begun to impact Portage County.

Republican State Rep. Gail Pavliga and her challenger, Heidi Workman, are locked in a fierce primary battle for the GOP nomination in the 72nd District, which includes most of Portage County.

Pavliga says she's the target of several mailers attacking her, from a group within her own party.

This mailer, sent to the home of State Rep. Gail Pavliga, is from a group seeking to oust her from office. Pavliga claims an "out-of-state dark-money" group is "trying to buy my seat."

Pavliga, one of three Portage County Republican incumbents facing opposition in the March 19 primary election, claimed "out-of-state dark money" is behind numerous mailers, including some that arrived at her Atwater home.

"I don't know who's trying to buy my seat," she said.

Meanwhile, Workman said ads on cable television and social media have targeted her, and she said her opponent has contributed to the group behind the attacks.

"It's just a brutal race, and I think it's very damaging to the party," Workman said. "The voters of Portage County don't have any idea who's telling the truth."

Heidi Workman of Rootstown is running for state representative in the 72nd district, which covers most of Portage County. (Credit: Submitted photo)

Heidi Workman, a Republican candidate for state representative in the 72nd District, says she's the target of several mailers attacking her. Her opponent, State Rep. Gail Pavliga, claims the same.

Speaker battle comes home

Last year, Republican Jason Stephens was elected speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives after 22 Republicans  including Pavliga  crossed the aisle to join Democrats in supporting him, the Columbus Dispatch reported. Toledo-area Rep. Derek Merrin was picked by Republicans during an internal vote, but Stephens worked with Democrats to win the job in January 2023. Stephens became speaker with votes from 22 Republicans and 32 Democrats, the Dispatch reported.

Angry Republicans labeled the new speaker's backers the "Blue 22" for siding with Democrats and got those lawmakers censured by the Ohio Republican Party. Locally, Workman posted an open letter to the Portage County Central Committee on her website, which she said was meant to call attention to Pavliga's "betrayal" of the party.

This mailer, sent to the home of State Rep. Gail Pavliga, is from a group seeking to oust her from office. Pavliga claims an "out of state dark money" group is "trying to buy my seat."

Heidi Workman, a Republican candidate for State Representative in the 72nd district, says she's the target of several mailers attacking her. Her opponent, State Rep. Gail Pavliga, claims the same.

Stephens spoke to Portage County Republicans at their recent Lincoln Day Dinner, a party fundraiser, along with Matt Huffman, president of the Ohio Senate, and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. But Stephens wasn't on their flyer.

Workman said Stephens was originally not scheduled to be a speaker, but learned about the event after the flyer was printed, and the party gave him time to speak.

The Portage County Republican Party hosted its Lincoln Day dinner Thursday at the American Legion hall in Kent. Jason Stephens, speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, also was attendance.

Who's paying for the ads?

The mailers targeting Pavliga are sponsored by Make Liberty Win, a political action committee in Alexandria, Virginia. The organization's website states that it is dedicated to electing 250 "liberty-defending state legislators."

"Our activists, stakeholders, and candidates are fighting to advance the cause of liberty and defend our only special interest: The U.S. Constitution," the site states.

Workman has not been endorsed by Make Liberty Win, according to the website. She describes herself as a "constitutional conservative" and said she had nothing to do with the mailers when asked about it on her social media page.

"My campaign has nothing to do with these pieces so I have no control over what is said or sent out," she stated. "Regarding the attack pieces against me, they are nothing but lies. I can't control those attacks either."

Meanwhile, ads targeting Workman are funded by the Ohio Republican Alliance. The group, backed by Stephens, seeks to support Republicans seeking election to the statehouse, including Pavliga.

Barrett Young, executive director of Make Liberty Win, said the group is engaging in every race where a member of the "Blue 22" is on the ballot. However, the organization will only endorse a GOP candidate if they are not facing opposition from a member of their party.

"In your neck of the woods, Gail Pavliga has been a thoroughly ineffective legislator who voted with Democrats to elect a liberal puppet as the speaker of the House," Young said. "She also betrayed consumers by following her donor money to stop healthcare price transparency and vote for job-killing and energy price-raising legislation. We look forward to seeing her defeated on March 19th."

Pavliga defends her record

Pavliga, a mental health counselor from Atwater, was elected four years ago, flipping the seat to the GOP. The terms of state representatives run for two years.

Many of Workman's campaign posts on her social media page say they want to call attention to Pavliga's voting record, with numerous posts calling out "Gail's Betrayal."

Pavliga said she is a member of the House's Finance Committee, and has been able to bring millions in funding back to Portage County. Those projects have included the new dental school at Northeast Ohio Medical University, funds for AxessPointe location in Ravenna, millions of dollars worth of projects at Kent State University and the Salmon Carter House, on the grounds of the Portage County Historical Society in Ravenna.

She said she has always been "pro life" and favored the 2nd Amendment, despite claims to the contrary from opposition groups.

"How does this happen, and it's happening in Portage County," she said.

Portage Republicans staying neutral

Amanda Suffecool, chairwoman of the Portage County Republican Party, said the party's policy is not to make endorsements in primaries, letting voters make their choice and then uniting behind that candidate.

"When you have contested races, it's tough on everyone," she said. "But it is the foundation of our democracy."

She noted that there was a time when Republican primaries, and Republican races, were few and far between.

"This shows a very healthy party, were people want to be involved and serve the community."

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com. The USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Pavliga, Workman at center of fierce House race as GOP groups battle
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said he obtained a preliminary injunction from a federal district court against the redirection of funds away from the construction of a border wall.

Paxton said the U.S. Congress previously provided approximately $1.4 billion for the construction of walls and barriers along the southern border.

Immediately upon taking office, President Joseph Biden issued an executive order demanding construction stop and directing the Department of Homeland Security to devise a way to redirect the funds, Paxton said.

According to a statement from the Office of the Attorney General, Texas sued to stop the redirect, as well as require the Biden Administration to use the money as Congress previously instructed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee woman accused of hitting a pedestrian with her car on Saturday, March 2 should not have been behind the wheel in the first place.

Jayla Hobson, 26, is charged with one count of knowingly operating a motor vehicle while revoked  causing great bodily harm. Court filings state the victim went through her windshield.

The crash happened near 76th and Mill, a criminal complaint states, and Hobson's car was stopped between the middle and right lanes of northbound traffic. The victim had to be pulled from the windshield and suffered a brain bleed, broken bones and lacerations.

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Hobson told police she was driving around 40 mph when the victim walked out from the median that separates northbound and southbound traffic on 76th Street, per the complaint. She said she tried to avoid hitting the victim, but was unable to do so.

The complaint states Hobson told police she purchased the car, which had no license plates, from an auction three days before the crash  and the car was unregistered without insurance.

Hobson also admitted that her driver's license was revoked at the time of the crash, according to the complaint. Records showed her revoked driving status was due to a previous OWI offense.

Hobson made her initial court appearance on March 7 and received a $2,500 signature bond.
(KRON)  A pedestrian has suffered life-threatening injuries after a major vehicle collision in San Jose on Saturday, said the San Jose police.

Officer on leave after allegedly texting two underage students inappropriate messages

The collision occurred in the area of South 7th Street and Phelan Avenue. The male pedestrian was transported to a local hospital.

According to police, southbound 7th Street will be closed from Phelan Sreet to Leo Avenue. Police ask residents to drive with caution and use alternative routes.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Pentagon seeks low-cost AI drones to bolster Air Force: Here are the companies competing for the opportunity

The Pentagon will look to develop new artificial intelligence-guided planes, offering two contracts that several private companies have been competing to obtain.

The Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) project is part of a $6 billion program that will add at least 1,000 new drones to the U.S. Air Force. These drones would deploy alongside human-piloted jets and provide cover for them, acting as escorts with full weapons capabilities that could also act as scouts or communications hubs, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Atomics and Anduril Industries have all taken up the challenge. General Atomics supplied the Reaper and Predator drones the U.S. has deployed in numerous campaigns in the Middle East, and Anduril is a newcomer to the field, founded in 2017 by inventor Palmer Luckey, an entrepreneur who founded Oculus VR.

Fox News Digital reached out to some of the companies pursuing the CCA contracts, but they either did not respond or declined to comment.

EUROPE SEEKS TO BECOME GLOBAL REFERENCE POINT WITH AI OFFICE

Boeing is the only company that has shown off its entrant, known as the Ghost Bat. It's between 20 and 30 feet in length and is able to fly just below the speed of sound and travel more than 2,000 nautical miles.

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The plane is designed to work with existing military aircraft and "complement and extend airborne missions," according to an overview on Boeings website. Other features of the plane include "tactical early warning" and other intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, but the highlight, according to the manufacturer, is the "low-cost design."

A Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat fighter-like drone on display at the Australian International Airshow in Avalon, Australia, Feb. 28, 2023.

Cost-cutting is one element of AI that appeals to the Pentagon in pursuing this project.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks in August 2023 said deployed AI-enabled autonomous vehicles would provide "small, smart, cheap and many" expendable units to the U.S. military, helping overhaul the "too-slow shift of U.S. military innovation."

Anduril, for its part, has showcased at least one AI-powered drone, known as the Roadrunner, a jet-powered combat drone that uses AI navigation. Anduril CSO Christian Brose hailed it as a "very low-cost, very high quantity, increasingly sophisticated and advanced aerial threat" in an interview with Wired.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

Anduril has not indicated if the Roadrunner will serve as its entry for the CCA pitch, but it does showcase the potential of what the company can produce  a reusable, vertical take-off and landing module with twin turbojet engines and "modular payload configurations" and loitering capabilities. The company also promotes a "high-explosive interceptor variant" on its website.

The variant, called Roadrunner-M, "can rapidly launch, identify, intercept and destroy a wide variety of aerial threats or be safely recovered and relaunched at near-zero cost."

Palmer Luckey, founder of Oculus and Anduril Industries, speaks during The Wall Street Journal's WSJ Tech Live conference in Laguna Beach, Calif., Oct. 16, 2023.

General Atomics even a year ago actively promoted its CCA "ecosystem" with the showcase of its Avenger Unmanned Aircraft System paired with "digital twin" aircraft to "autonomously conduct live, virtual and constructive multi-object collaborative combat missions."

The company revealed it had held tests as early as late 2022, potentially showing the edge the company could have, aside from its already healthy relationship with the Pentagon.

AI WEAPON DETECTION COMPANY SEEKS TO PREVENT SCHOOL, OTHER SHOOTINGS

"The flights demonstrate the companys commitment to maturing its CCA ecosystem for Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) UAS using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)," General Atomics wrote of the tests. "This provides a new and innovative tool for next-generation military platforms to make decisions under dynamic and uncertain real-world conditions."

"The concepts demonstrated by these flights set the standard for operationally relevant mission systems capabilities on CCA platforms," General Atomics Senior Director of Advanced Programs Michael Atwood, said.

A model of a General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial drone vehicle is displayed during the Farnborough International Airshow 2022 July 19, 2022, in Farnborough, England.

"The combination of airborne high-performance computing, sensor fusion, human-machine teaming and AI pilots making decisions at the speed of relevance shows how quickly GA-ASIs capabilities are maturing as we move to operationalize autonomy for CCAs," Atwood added.

Lockheed Martin has exhibited the ability to integrate AI into its planes, taking its VISTA X-62A training plane and updating it with AI operating systems that piloted the craft for 17 hours in early 2023.

CLEAN TECH MANUFACTURING, AI BOOM COULD PUSH US ENERGY SUPPLY BEYOND ITS LIMITS

The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School uses the VISTA X-62A at its Edwards Air Force Base in California, where the faculty has already praised the increased potential to rapidly evolve air tactics and combat capabilities.

"VISTA will allow us to parallelize the development and test of cutting-edge artificial intelligence techniques with new uncrewed vehicle designs," M. Christopher Cotting, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School director of research, said in a press release on Lockheed Martins website.

"This approach, combined with focused testing on new vehicle systems as they are produced, will rapidly mature autonomy for uncrewed platforms and allow us to deliver tactically relevant capability to our warfighter."

Northrop Grumman has not indicated or displayed what potential AI CCA unit it could submit.

The Pentagon did not respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment by time of publication.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Pentagon seeks low-cost AI drones to bolster Air Force: Here are the companies competing for the opportunity
PETALUMA, Calif. - A man was arrested after allegedly harassing juveniles, trying to lure them into sexual intercourse and offering them narcotics on Wednesday afternoon, Petaluma police said.

Petaluma police officers responded to a call coming from a minor in the East Washington Place shopping center where the victim said a man, identified as 69-year-old John Larson of Petaluma, was trying to lure her and her friends into sexual intercourse and supply them with marijuana and cocaine.

The victims told police Larson followed them into a store before getting into a fight with a community member.

Officials said Larson was booked previously under similar circumstances.

Officials did not specify the charges Larson was arrested under, just that an additional bail enhancement had been secured against Larson.
(BCN)  At approximately 8:16 a.m. Friday, Petaluma police officers arrested a 58-year-old man while responding to a call about an RV leaking human sewage onto the ground on the 100 block of Vallejo Street.

Police allege that the sewage was leaking down the street and towards nearby storm drains. Petaluma Fire Department and Petaluma Public Works employees responded to the scene to contain the hazmat situation and prevent possible ecological damage.

Pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries after vehicle collision in San Jose

Police identified the suspect as Tony Sampson, who was on probation in Sonoma County, requiring him to comply with law enforcement instructions and submit to search and seizure.

Sampson refused to exit his RV, leading to over 30 minutes of negotiation, according to a Petaluma Police Department Friday press release. A team with Petalumas Specialized Assistance for Everyone program, a mobile crisis response team, then arrived and again attempted to negotiate with the man to leave his vehicle to no avail.

Officers were able to enter the RV after nearly an hour of negotiations, leading to a brief standoff within the vehicle, according to the press release.

The man was then arrested and taken to the Sonoma County Jail. He was charged with dumping waste in a public area, disobeying a court order and obstructing or delaying an officer.

Petaluma Animal Control took two dogs found in the mans RV into temporary custody before the vehicle was towed away.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
A Pierogi contest dished up good eats for a good cause on Saturday.

More than two dozen restaurants along East Carson Street offered pierogies for $1 as a part of the St. Practice Day Pierogi Contest and Charity Crawl. Everyone who tasted the dumplings also got to vote for their favorites in a friendly competition.

All of the proceeds from the ticketed event went towards Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, a nonprofit that supports victims of sexual assault.

Pittsburgh Action Against Rape is grateful to be chosen as the charity for the St. Practice Day Pierogi Contest & Charity Crawl, said Sadie Restivo, PAARs Executive Director. We look forward to sharing PAARs mission to respond, educate and advocate to end sexual violence in Pittsburgh and surrounding communities.

A participant we spoke to said he had lots of reasons to come out and chow down during the charity event.

Its a group thing, and for charity; we like to donate. Were all with the food bank, said Eddie McCartney.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Pizza Joint in Downtown El Paso wants to celebrate its 13th year of serving the El Paso area.

The Pizza Joint, at 500 N. Stanton, will host a night of family fun starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 16.

The free event will feature DJ sets by El Toast and Luisa Houseworks, live art courtesy of Brett Powers, as well as photo ops, anniversary specials, giveaways and plenty of food, drinks and games, according to a news release sent out by the restaurant.

The Pizza Joint opened its first location at 2900 North Mesa St. in March of 2011. It has since opened locations at 500 North Stanton St. and 7000 Westwind Dr.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Lori Stinson, who serves as Attorney General and Chief Legal Officer for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, was among 25 women honored at This is Alabamas 11 th annual Women Who Shape the State event.

The Women Who Shape the State award honors those who exemplify leadership and demonstrate persistence and fearlessness. The 2024 class of Women Who Shape the State hail from all corners of Alabama and include CEOs, civic leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, and other notable women who have made their communities a better place to work and live.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

In learning that she was one of the 25 recipients, Stinson said, I consider my work for the Tribe and all the opportunities it has afforded me to serve my people, and grow as a professional, one of the greatest blessings in my life. I am incredibly honored and humbled to be part of this remarkable group of women from across our great state.

As Attorney General for the Tribe, Stinson leads the enrollment department and an in-house team of attorneys who provide legal counsel to, and representation for, the Tribe, the Tribal Council, and all the Tribes entities, which include its Tribal Government, PCI Gaming Authority (d/b/a Wind Creek Hospitality), and Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority.

Stinson personally represents the Tribe in many pivotally important capacities. She has testified before Congress on the Tribes behalf and has played a key role in drafting tribal, state, and federal legislation. Stinson also leads the Tribes litigation as well as manages the Tribes appellate issues in tribal, state, and federal courts including the United States Supreme Court.

Stinson has been highly effective in protecting the Tribes lands and sovereignty, while also serving as a role model for Tribal Citizens and employees, especially young women.Stinson is involved in many leadership organizations throughout the State, including her recentgraduation from the Leadership Alabama Class XXXII. She was also recently inducted into theAtmore Area Hall of Fame for her outstanding contributions to the community.

In her hometown, Stinson is respected and revered. She is a member of the First Baptist Church of Atmore, Atmore Planning Commission, Atmore Historical Preservation Commission, Alabama Anti-Human Trafficking Alliance Task Force, Main Street Atmores Economic Vitality Committee, and United Banks Board of Directors. She is also a 2000 graduate of Leadership Atmore.

Stinson is the widow of Brad Stinson. She has two daughters, Bradleigh Anne and Bailey Catherine, and is the daughter of Billy Conn and Shirley Madison.

Women Who Shape the State is hosted by This is Alabama and the Alabama Media Group. The honorees were celebrated during a luncheon on March 7 at The Club in Birmingham. Visitthisisalabama.org for the full list of 2024 Women Who Shape the State winners.

About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. "

Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net
Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski on Sunday snapped back at Pope Francis' controversial remarks that Ukraine should negotiate with Moscow after more than two years of war.

"How about encouraging [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine as compensation? Then peace would return immediately without the need for negotiations," Sikorski wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

The minister was responding to an interview with Francis by a Swiss public television broadcaster. A portion of the interview, which was recorded in early February, was released on Saturday, according to Vatican News, a website of the Holy See. The full interview is to air March 20.

Poland is one of the most committed political and military supporters of Ukraine as it fights to repel Russia's full-scale invasion. A member of both the European Union and NATO, Poland has taken in almost 1 million refugees from its eastern neighbour.

"When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, it is necessary to have the courage to negotiate," the pope said when asked about the war in Ukraine. He did not explicitly name Ukraine or Russia in his reply.

He went on to say that the strongest actor is the one that "thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates."

Talks should take place with the help of international powers, Francis said.
Radoslaw Sikorski, Poland's Foreign Minister, speaks at the plenary session of the United Nations General Assembly on "The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine". Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski and other lawmakers on Sunday snapped back at Pope Francis' controversial remarks that Ukraine should negotiate with Moscow after more than two years of war.

"How about encouraging [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine as compensation? Then peace would return immediately without the need for negotiations," Sikorski wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

The minister was responding to an interview with Francis by a Swiss public television broadcaster. A portion of the interview, which was recorded in early February, was released on Saturday, according to Vatican News, a website of the Holy See. The full interview is to air March 20.

Poland is one of the most committed political and military supporters of Ukraine as it fights to repel Russia's full-scale invasion. A member of both the European Union and NATO, Poland has taken in almost 1 million refugees from its eastern neighbour.

"When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, it is necessary to have the courage to negotiate," the pope said when asked about the war in Ukraine. He did not explicitly name Ukraine or Russia in his reply.

He went on to say that the strongest actor is the one that "thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates."

Talks should take place with the help of international powers, Francis said.

There were incensed reactions in other countries too.

In Germany, a defence specialist in the coalition government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz sharply contradicted Francis' appeal for peace talks.

"Before the Ukrainian victims raise the white flag, the pope should loudly and unmistakably call on the brutal Russian perpetrators to take down their pirate flag - the symbol of death and Satan," Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, the chairwoman of the German Parliament's Defence Committee, told the Funke Mediengruppe newspapers on Sunday.

"And why in God's name does he not condemn the verbal murderous incitement of Kyrill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church and ex-KGB agent, towards the Ukrainian people?" asked Strack-Zimmermann, who is a member of the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP).

She added: "As a Catholic, I am ashamed that he refrains from doing this."

The pope's appeal was also criticized by Germany's Greens, also a member of the coalition.

"Nobody wants peace more than Ukraine," Parliamentary Vice President Katrin Goring-Eckardt told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland editorial network (RND).

There has been war on Ukraine's territory for 10 years and countless people have been killed, Goring-Eckardt said, adding: "It is Vladimir Putin who can end the war and the suffering immediately - not Ukraine. Anyone who demands that Ukraine simply surrender is giving the aggressor what he has illegally taken and is thus accepting the annihilation of Ukraine."
LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  A Birmingham man is in custody in Limestone County after robbing a Burger King, the Ardmore Police Department said.

On Saturday, Joseph Payne Bouchillon robbed a Burger King restaurant at gunpoint in Ardmore, Chief Jereme Robison told News 19. The vehicle he was driving was reportedly stolen from Irondale.

HPD: Two 19-year-olds arrested after attempted robbery, shooting that injured one

Robison said that dispatchers were able to distribute information regarding Bouchillon, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency stopped him around the 343-mile marker.

Bouchillon is currently being held at Limestone County Jail awaiting extradition to Giles County.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Fort Worth police are searching for two missing people whose disappearances are not believed to be connected, according to posts on social media.

Police said in a social media post that Amanda Marie Underwood, 44, and Troy Allen Tackett, 54, are both missing.

Tackett was last seen around 3:30 p.m. March 1 in the 5200 block of Hastings Drive. He was wearing a gray and maroon hoodie, blue jeans and blue shoes, according to police. He is 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs around 200 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.

Underwood hasnt been seen since March 2, when she was in the 4400 block of Cartagena Drive. She was wearing a red shirt and blue pants. Underwood is about 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs around 145 pounds.

The two locations where they were last seen are 1.3 miles apart in south Fort Worth, west of Chisholm Trail Parkway.

Police said both people may simply be lost, but are asking the public to contact investigators at 817-392-4222 if they know oftheir whereabouts.
EDINA, Minn. (FOX 9) - Authorities are investigating after an Edina High School teacher and staff at "several" other metro-area schools received a "terroristic threat" via email.

According to the Edina Police Department, the teacher who received the email forwarded it to the Edina High School principal, who then called police just after 9 a.m. Saturday. Police responded to the high school, evacuated the building and closed the parking lots.

Edina police investigated and searched the building and grounds and just before 11:30 a.m. deemed the property safe. Police say there doesn't appear to be a threat to the public at the school. However, police will patrol the area throughout the day "in an abundance of caution."

Edina Public School District Superintendent Dr. Stacey Stanley sent a message to families on Saturday about a "threatening email" the high school received. Authorities said that staff at other metro-area schools received similar emails.

"Student and staff safety is our first priority, and we take threats extremely seriously," Dr. Stanley wrote in the email. "In the coming days, if you become aware of concerning behavior or threats in digital spaces like social media, emails, or group chats, please share that information with your students teacher or a member of our administrative team."

Authorities did not say what other schools received the emails, but said they are "investigating the incident with several other law enforcement agencies."

Law enforcement says the threat at Edina High School remains under investigation and no other information is currently available.
Police stand guard outside the Beckside branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, in Hull, England, Saturday, March 9, 2024. Police in northern England say they have removed 34 bodies from a funeral home and arrested a man and woman on suspicion of fraud and preventing lawful burials. The arrests Sunday follow several days of investigation at Legacy Funeral Directors in Hull and two related funeral homes. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

LONDON (AP)  Nearly three dozen bodies were removed from a funeral home in northern England, and a man and woman were arrested Sunday on suspicion of fraud and preventing a lawful burial, police said.

Humberside Police announced the developments after five days of investigation at three branches of Legacy Funeral Directors in Hull and East Yorkshire.

Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said 34 bodies had been taken to a mortuary in Hull for identification.

A 46-year-old man and 23-year-old woman, whose identifies weren't disclosed by authorities, were arrested on suspicion of preventing a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position.

No other details were available about the nature of the suspected crimes.

In the U.S. there have been several sensational cases of funeral home operators being arrested after dozens of bodies and cremated remains were found on their properties.

Nearly 200 decaying bodies were discovered piled up last year in a bug and maggot infested funeral home in Colorado and the owners face hundreds of charges, including abuse of a corpse. Prosecutors said some relatives had received fake ashes instead of the cremated remains of their loved ones.

Humberside police said 350 people had contacted them since Friday after they asked families who had lost loved ones to contact investigators if they had concerns.

Please be reassured that my staff and officers are working around the clock to deal with the unprecedented inquiries generated as a result of this incident," McLoughlin said. Families affected continue to be supported by family liaison officers at what we appreciate is an extremely distressing time for all involved."

A website for the business said it was family run and had been established in 2010 and then expanded. The last news update on the website  from 2021  said that despite uncertainty with COVID-19 services could continue and it was planning to open a fourth branch.

As an independent funeral director, we are able to create a unique farewell for loved ones, with more flexibility and less constraint than our competitors, the website said. With such breadth of experience, you and your family are assured the best service and care available.

An email sent to the funeral home by The Associated Press seeking comment wasn't immediately returned and a phone listed for the business rang unanswered.
DENVER (KDVR)  An adult man died in a shooting in Fort Collins late Saturday night, according to police.

The investigation was ongoing and no one was in custody as of Sunday morning.

Fort Collins police said 911 received a call at around 11:15 p.m. that someone had been shot at the apartments in the 700 block of Mangold Lane.

Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather

Officers arrived and found an adult man suffering from a gunshot wound. Lifesaving efforts were attempted, but the victim was ultimately pronounced dead.

According to detectives, this was believed to be a gang-related shooting. However, details on why that is believed to be the case were not released to prevent retaliation for the incident.

Anyone with information who has not already talked with police is asked to contact Detective Corporal Julia Chenoweth at 970-416-2645.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Thousands of visitors attend special events for Ramadan in Birmingham every year

Police say they will work with community groups and mosques to ensure Ramadan is observed safely after a series of incidents last year.

The Islamic holy month is due to begin on 10 or 11 March depending on the sighting of the new moon.

West Midlands Police said it has worked with local businesses, community groups, faith leaders and volunteers after the disruption in Birmingham the last time it was observed.

The force said it was called to incidents during Ramadan, Chaand Raat and Eid celebrations in the Sparkbrook area.

Chief Insp Haroon Chughtai said he wanted people to observe the holy month of Ramadan peacefully and respectfully without a minority spoiling it for the rest.

Our priority is always to keep families, friends and communities safe," he said.

Anti-social behaviour and causing harm and distress to others will not be tolerated and we will take action against those who come to our city to cause trouble."

Birmingham City Council said it would work in partnership with police colleagues to ensure residents and worshippers across the city could observe Ramadan in peace and safety.

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X, and Instagram, Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk

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Polish farmers temporarily ceased their blockade of the Krakivets-Korczowa checkpoint on the Polish-Ukrainian border on Sunday, 10 March.

Source: Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne, citing Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for Ukraine's State Border Guard Service, as reported by European Pravda

Details: "They [Polish farmers] ceased their actions near the Krakivets checkpoint on the night of 8-9 March. It's temporary, as they indicated that they will resume their activities around 13 March," said Demchenko.

The official added that five checkpoints remain blocked. About 1,700 lorries are still queuing.

"Although the Krakivets crossing point has been unblocked and traffic there is intense, lorries are still queuing up. They are waiting on Polish territory to cross the border towards our country. These are about 600 freight vehicles," the SBGS spokesperson indicated.

Demchenko added that Polish protesters are letting a small number of lorries cross into Ukraine.

The Yahodyn and Shehyni checkpoints remain completely blocked. About 50 lorries crossed the border to Ukraine at the Yahodyn checkpoint over the past 24 hours, and about 35 lorries crossed the border to Ukraine at the Shehyni checkpoint, Demchenko added.

Background: Polish farmers began nationwide protests in February, blocking border crossings with Ukraine and disrupting the operation of ports and roads.

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Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has responded to Pope Francis' statement on Ukraine's "white flag" in an X post on March 10.

If Putin is encouraged to withdraw his troops, then negotiations will not be needed.

"How about we encourage Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine for balance? Peace would immediately come without the need for negotiations," the Polish diplomat said.

Read also: Ukraine chastises Pope Francis for Russian imperial apologia speech

Pope Francis said earlier that Ukraine in the war with Russia "must have the courage" of the white flag and go to negotiations.

The head of the Vatican press service, Matteo Bruni, explained the Pope's statement, noting that he had picked up the image of "a white flag to signify the cessation of hostilities, a truce that should be achieved through the courage to negotiate" suggested by a journalist.

President of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics also reacted to Pope Francis' statement. He emphasized that "one cannot capitulate to evil, one must fight it and defeat it so that evil raises a white flag and surrenders."

Read also: Kremlin pleased by Popes acknowledgment of Russian cultural heritage, Vatican clarifies statement

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The caucus for the El Paso County Democratic Party had a different look, feel and overall approach on Saturday with its first-ever combined caucus, assembly and convention.

Unlike the Republican caucus, Democrats opted for a completely online approach to elect party candidates as well as discuss platforms and overall priorities.

Candidates discussed policy issues that Democrats consistently align themselves with such as affordable health care, expanding access to abortions, reforming gun laws and protecting natural resources. They also talked about winning over unaffiliated voters.

As the minority party in what has historically been a conservative stronghold, Democrats view unaffiliated voters as an opportunity to win votes away from Republicans and potentially flip the county.

This is a great time to be a progressive person in El Paso County, El Paso County Democratic Chairwoman Mischa Smith said. The tides are changing.

On Saturday, 406 registered delegates were recorded for the caucus while 61 registered attendees were rejected because of current residency, voting status and party affiliation, duplicate sign-ups and other factors.

Delegates used the software SurveyMonkey to cast votes while other actions such as changing ones delegation or submitting platform proposals were done in the Zoom calls Q&A channel to maintain anonymity.

Voters in November will elect three county commissioners, several state representatives and at least one new U.S representative to replace Doug Lamborn, an El Paso County Republican who is retiring.

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The centralized format gave candidates an opportunity to make their campaign pitch to delegates within an allotted amount of time.

Some candidates such as U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen, who represents Colorado's seventh congressional district and who is running unopposed, submitted a video instead of attending the online caucus.

Participants in the caucus included candidates for congressional districts four, five and seven in addition to the state Board of Educations fourth congressional district and an open seat for the state Board of Regents.

With U.S Rep. Lauren Boebert announcing her move to a different congressional district, the crowded field of potential Democratic nominees called her time in office extremist and harmful and said a Democratic candidate had a realistic chance of unseating her.

And several candidates said Lamborn's retirement gives Democrats a chance to make political headway in El Paso County.

Were going to pick up seats in state and local elections this year, said Adam Gillard, who is seeking Lamborn's seat. And, if we pull together, we will seat the first Democrat ever in CD-5.

Platform priorities recommended by delegates included codifying abortion rights, abolishing the electoral college and enacting a mandatory code of professional conduct for U.S. Supreme Court justices.

U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse concluded the virtual assembly with a prerecorded message emphasizing the importance of the upcoming election and the role voters play in enacting political change.

There are more Democrats  in El Paso County than any other county in the state of Colorado, he told county delegates. Which means that it is on your shoulders  to make sure the Democrats win up and down the ballot this November.

The Democratic state assembly will also be virtual and take place April 13.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski has addressed Pope Francis following the latter's controversial remarks that Ukraine should have what he called "the courage of the white flag" and negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

Source: Sikorski on Twitter, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The Polish minister believes that now the Pope should address Russian President Vladimir Putin and urge him to withdraw his occupying forces from Ukraine.

"How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine?" Sikorski noted.

He stressed that if Putin withdrew his troops from Ukraine, "peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations".

Background: Speaking about the war unleashed by Russia, Pope Francis said Ukraine should have what he called the "courage of the white flag" and negotiate.

After Francis' words caused a wide public outcry, a Vatican spokesperson issued a statement explaining his words, noting in particular that "negotiations are never a surrender".

Commenting on the Pope's remarks, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics stressed that "one cannot surrender to evil".

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Editors note: The headline of this story was updated to reflect that the location of the concert is currently unclear.

A mega star had an embarrassing moment on her ongoing tour and its making a splash online.

In a video posted by TikTok user jesusalbertosanvicente, Madonna, known for dozens of pop hits like Material Girl and Like a Virgin, made an uncomfortable mistake when trying to raise the energy in the crowd at the Kia Forum.

What are you doing sitting down over there, the superstar said, singling out a fan near the stage. What are you doing sitting down?

The Oscars are almost here. Heres what to know and how to watch

Then, in horrifying fashion, she learned the fan was sitting because they were in a wheelchair.

Oh. Okay, she said after she took a closer look. Politically incorrect. Sorry about that. Im glad youre here.

Theres no word on whether she extended a private apology to the fan after the public incident.

It was not immediately clear when or where the concert took place. The video was posted to TikTok on Thursday.

The icon has two more concerts scheduled in Southern California on her Celebration Tour, including another show at the Kia Forum on Monday night. She then heads to Palm Springs on Wednesday before wrapping up the tour with 18 more shows across the United States and Mexico.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Emma Stone's outfits in Poor Things were inspired by the fashion choices of costume designer Holly Waddington - Yorgos Lanthimos/Film Stills

Emma Stones outfits in Poor Things were inspired by the fashion choices of costume designer Holly Waddington, the British Oscar nominee has revealed.

She said her two boys, aged two and five, helped to create the look for the child-like Bella Baxter, played by Stone.

In the film, Bella has a babys brain implanted into her head by a scientist and she dresses in babydoll dresses, large frilly sleeves and discarded trousers.

Ms Waddington, 46, told The Mail on Sunday: I had two rambunctious boys who were always a mess  underpants on heads or naked from the waist down,

Waddington drew inspiration from her children to create the colourful, infantile clothing that Bella wears at the start of Yorgos Lanthimos film.

The corset forces the body into a shape that isnt natural, she said. That felt wrong for Bella  too restrictive.

Waddington, who is originally from Burnley, Lancashire, created the outfits along with a team of cutters, costume makers and fabric dyers.

Holly Waddington attends a celebration of the fantastical world of the Oscar-nominated film Poor Things - Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Her outfits were used to show Bella growing up throughout the film, with the character wearing darker and more sensible coats towards the end.

Waddington said she flew to Greece before filming to meet Stone, 35, and try out the costumes.

The producers arranged for me to go to Athens to meet her in a hotel, she said.

I took loads of suitcases, and we spent an afternoon getting dressed up and throwing ideas around. It was through those fittings that we were able to work out details such as the big sleeves and the little knickers.

Waddington added: Shes up for it all.

Shes playful in fittings, very trusting and not at all vain  she barely looks in the mirror. I found her amazing in that respect. We would have conversations close to the wire, often on the morning of filming, and make decisions in the moment.

Should she wear the full outfit or just the skirt, long knickers or short knickers?

Waddington has been nominated in the category of Best Achievement in Costume Design at the Academy Awards  one of 11 nominations received by Poor Things

But she admitted she was unsure what she would wear to the ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

Asked whether she would wear one of her own creations, she said: Probably. I feel like I have to. If I dont make my own, Ill wear something really mad that a young designer has created  something British and unusual. And Ive found a Simone Rocha dress with sleeves full of hay. I love unusual clothes, not those spray-on gowns. Id look awful in one.

But the pressure is on.

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.
Pope Francis said that Ukraine should have the courage to negotiate peace with Russia in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI recorded in February and made partially available on March 9.

While having repeatedly denounced Russia's full-scale invasion in the past and calling for peace, the Vatican had already come under criticism for the Pope's controversial statements about the war.

During the interview set to be broadcast on March 20, the Pope was asked about his position regarding those who call on Ukraine to surrender and those who say that this move would legitimize the aggressor. The interviewer used the "white flag" analogy in the question.

The Pope called this "an interpretation," saying: "Don't be ashamed to negotiate before things get worse."

"I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, who thinks about the people, who has the courage of the white flag, to negotiate," he said, adding that peace talks should involve international mediators.

In a statement released following the publication of the interview, the director of the Vatican Press Office, Matteo Bruni, clarified that the Pope didn't call for Ukraine's surrender, but for a ceasefire and negotiations. "His hope is a diplomatic solution for a just and lasting peace," Bruni said.

According to the Pope, there are many countries that would like to be mediators in the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. He also confirmed his readiness to participate.

During a visit to Turkey on March 8, President Volodymyr Zelensky ruled out his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan's idea of a peace summit with Russia. "We don't see how we can invite people who block, destroy, and kill everything," Zelensky said.

Ukraine has repeatedly said that peace talks should be held on the basis of its 10-step peace formula, which includes a full withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. Moscow has rejected this proposal.

Read also: Opinion: 6 obstacles to peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The pope raises eyebrows after saying Ukraine should have the 'courage of the white flag' and negotiate with Russia

Pope Francis said Ukraine should have the 'courage of the white flag' and negotiate with Russia.

This is not the first time the pontiff has been criticized for his remarks on the war.

Peace talks remain a long way off for both sides.

Pope Francis has sparked controversy after saying Ukraine should have the "courage of the white flag" and negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

In an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI recorded last month, the head of the Catholic Church said: "When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, it is necessary to have the courage to negotiate."

"Do not be ashamed to negotiate before things get worse," the pope added, referring to a number of countries who had offered themselves as potential mediators, such as Turkey. Ukraine will not engage directly with Russia on peace talks.

His comments raised eyebrows. According to Visegrad 24, Latvian President Edgers Rinkevics said: "You can't capitulate to evil, you have to fight it and defeat it, so that evil raises the white flag and capitulates."

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni was quick to clarify that the pope had not been suggesting that Ukraine should "surrender" but had picked up on the term "white flag" proposed by the interviewer and used it "to indicate a cessation of hostilities, a truce reached with the courage of negotiation."

"The pope clearly stated: 'Negotiations are never a surrender,'" Bruni added.

A spokesman for Zelenskyy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This is not the first time the pope has caused unease

Whilst this is believed to be the first time Pope Francis has used terms like "white flag" or "defeated" in reference to Ukraine's position on the battlefield, the pontiff has been consistently criticized for his ambiguous remarks toward Russia's invasion.

In August 2022, the pope strained relations with Kyiv after referring to the death of Russian ultra-nationalist Darya Dugina as an innocent victim of war.

Dugina, the daughter of Alexander Dugin, who has long taken a hardline view toward the creation of a new Russian empire, was killed by a car bomb near Moscow. Dugina actively supported her father's ideology and appeared on Russian state TV promoting Russia's actions in Ukraine.

At the time, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Francis' words were "unfair" and had "broken Ukraine's heart."

Pope Francis meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on May 13, 2023 Vatican Media Vatican Pool/Getty Images

A year later, the pontiff was again excoriated by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry for his controversial remarks that praised "great Russia".

He implored young Russians to be "artisans of peace" and to "never forget your inheritance."

"You are the heirs of the great Russia. The great Russia of the saints, of the kings, of the great Russia of Peter the Great, of Catherine II, that great imperial Russia, cultivated, with so much culture and humanity," he said.

Oleh Nikolenko, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, responded to the pope's comments, saying that "it is with this kind of imperialist propaganda, 'spiritual bonds' and the 'need' to save 'Great Mother Russia' that the Kremlin justifies the murders of thousands of Ukrainians and the destruction of hundreds of Ukrainian towns and villages."

Spokesman Bruni was forced to step in then as well.

The pope "certainly didn't want to exalt imperialistic logic of government personalities," Bruni said at the time.

Before this, in the fall of 2022, Francis expressed his shock at the cruelty of Russian occupiers in Ukraine, saying that such behavior was not characteristic of the typical Russian person. "I prefer to think this way because I have great respect for the Russian people, for Russian humanism," the pope said at the time.

In Ukraine, the pontiff's statement was perceived as an attempt to shift responsibility for the war from the Russian people to "soldiers" and "mercenaries" who, as Francis stated, "go to war as an adventure."

Peace talks are still a long way off

The pope's latest comments come as Ukrainian and Russian officials continue to rebuke negotiation prospects.

Last Friday, during a meeting in Istanbul with President Zelenskyy, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered to host a summit between Ukraine and Russia to end the conflict.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Istanbul March 8, 2024 Ozan Guzelce/dia images via Getty Images

But Russia and Ukraine continue to speak at cross purposes.

Zelenskyy has said that whilst he wants peace, he will not give up any territory, including Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. The Ukrainian leader also fears that any negotiated peace will only give Russia a chance to rearm before invading again.

The Kremlin, on the other hand, has consistently refused to engage in peace talks on terms set by Kyiv.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Leaders from Ukraine, Poland and Latvia sharply criticized Pope Francis' remarks from the Vatican that Ukraine should negotiate with Moscow after more than two years of war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the church should be among the people "and not two and a half thousand kilometres away, somewhere, to mediate virtually between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you."

Zelensky said "when Russian evil started this war" on February 24, 2022, "all Ukrainians stood up to defend themselves. Christians, Muslims, Jews - everyone."

He thanked every Ukrainian cleric who is working with the defence forces. These clergy are on the front line, protecting life and humanity, he said. They support soldiers with prayers, conversations and deeds.

"That is what the church is - with the people."

The pope, in comments made to Swiss public television that have been heavily criticized, said: "When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, it is necessary to have the courage to negotiate," the pope said when asked about the war in Ukraine. He did not explicitly name Ukraine or Russia in his reply.

He went on to say that the strongest actor is the one that "thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates."

Talks should take place with the help of international powers, Francis said.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski wasn't having any of that.

"How about encouraging [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine as compensation? Then peace would return immediately without the need for negotiations," Sikorski wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

A portion of Francis' interview, which was recorded in early February, was released on Saturday, according to Vatican News, a website of the Holy See. The full interview is to air March 20.

Poland is one of the most committed political and military supporters of Ukraine as it fights to repel Russia's full-scale invasion. A member of both the European Union and NATO, Poland has taken in almost 1 million refugees from its eastern neighbour.

There were incensed reactions in other countries too.

"My Sunday morning take: One must not capitulate in face of evil, one must fight it and defeat it, so that the evil raises the white flag and capitulates," Latvia's President Edgars Rinkevics wrote on X.

In Germany, a defence specialist in the coalition government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz also sharply contradicted Francis' appeal.

"Before the Ukrainian victims raise the white flag, the pope should loudly and unmistakably call on the brutal Russian perpetrators to take down their pirate flag - the symbol of death and Satan," Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, the chairwoman of the German Parliament's Defence Committee, told the Funke Mediengruppe newspapers on Sunday.

"And why in God's name does he not condemn the verbal murderous incitement of Kyrill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church and ex-KGB agent, towards the Ukrainian people?" asked Strack-Zimmermann, who is a member of the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP).

She added: "As a Catholic, I am ashamed that he refrains from doing this."

The pope's appeal was also criticized by Germany's Greens, also a member of the coalition.

"Nobody wants peace more than Ukraine," Parliamentary Vice President Katrin Goring-Eckardt told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland editorial network (RND).

There has been war on Ukraine's territory for 10 years and countless people have been killed, Goring-Eckardt said, adding: "It is Vladimir Putin who can end the war and the suffering immediately - not Ukraine. Anyone who demands that Ukraine simply surrender is giving the aggressor what he has illegally taken and is thus accepting the annihilation of Ukraine."
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  It was named Yelps top bakery in the United States in 2022 and runner up in 2023. The downtown San Diego gem, IZOLA Bakery, has been closed since October and will remain closed a little while longer as the owners are now looking for a new location.

The bakerys owners posted on their blog this week they have run into several challenges in the 100-year-old building they have been operating out of, on 13th Street in downtown San Diego.

This popular San Diego bakery is closing for the rest of the year

IZOLA closed in October 2023 for kitchen renovations and was scheduled to reopen in January, but things have since changed and new 2024 requirements, including the need to increase the structural captivity to their dining room, is forcing the bakery to move, according to the bakerys blog post.

Known for its Instagram worthy warm croissants and sourdough, IZOLA in the East Village has been a staple as one of San Diegos most popular bakeries.

Dutch Bros Coffee expanding in San Diego County with new location opening in early 2024

IZOLAs owners say they are currently searching for buildings to house their bakery with some specific characteristics like it must be available now, have a valid heath permit, restaurant kitchen space, space for their production and bake shop and more. Click here to see the blog post with the requirements.

Whats more, the bakery is kindly offering a year worth of free croissants to the person that connects them to their new home. Happy hunting!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A year ago, a cafe with the goal of giving hope to immigrants was getting on its feet.

Now, Jubilee Hall cafe on East Burnside Street inside Central City Concerns Blackburn Center is continuing to provide a space for immigrant refugees to transition to their first job in a new country.

The cafe says theyve taken on two so far, helping them learn English and to develop transferable skills.

OMSI wins Best Science Museum in Newsweeks Readers Choice Awards

Were really happy to be in this neighborhood, said co-founder Jesse Prichard. Were really happy how the neighborhood has greeted us and received us and were hoping to continue being a gathering spot for the neighborhood.

Prichard even weighed in on future hopes for the cafe.

We would like to see the training expand, he added. We have a waitlist of people who would like to be in here.

The organization plans to launch their first training cohort this spring.

They are currently open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
NORFOLK, Va.  A Portsmouth man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and sending threatening messages to a former girlfriend through Facebook.

On May 28, 2019, 40-year-old Robert Edgar English, aka H.B., Hot Boy, and Head Buster, gave money to someone else to purchase a gun for him in a straw-man purchase.

On June 16, 2019, law enforcement seized the firearm from Englishs trunk during a traffic stop. In 2005, English was convicted in Kings County, New York, of attempted criminal possession of a weapon. Due to a prior conviction, English was not legally able to possess a gun.

On Sept. 7 and Sept. 8, 2021, English threatened his ex-girlfriend through messages from a Facebook account under the name Howard Barnes. Among other messages, English threatened that the victim better be looking for the reaper and that he would black out your whole family.

On Nov. 13, 2023, English pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and interstate threatening communication.

Check with WAVY.com for updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
The image, taken by the Prince of Wales in Windsor earlier this week, showed the Princess looking happy and healthy, alongside her children - Prince of Wales/Kensington Palace

A photograph released by Kensington Palace, showing the Princess of Wales with her children, was recalled on Sunday night by five of the worlds biggest picture agencies over fears it had been manipulated.

The image, taken by the Prince of Wales in Windsor earlier this week, showed the Princess looking happy and healthy after her surgery, and is the first authorised picture of her since Christmas.

Released on Mothering Sunday, it was hoped that it would quell speculation and conspiracy theories about the Princesss health and whereabouts.

Instead, it was recalled by photo agencies Getty, Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Shutterstock and Reuters, which put out a kill notice to halt their distribution of the picture.

At closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image, the AP notice said.

A spokesman told The Telegraph: The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlottes left hand.

The agencies have a policy of not distributing photographs that have been overly edited. Kensington Palace declined to comment.

There is no suggestion that the picture misrepresents the Princess or her children, or that she is not in as good health as she appears.

The photograph had been intended, in part, to reassure the public about her health, after she has spent weeks at home recovering from a major abdominal operation.

The photograph raised further questions on social media, with critics claiming that Princess Charlottes sleeve and wrist appeared to be partially missing:

Others had already pointed out that the Princess of Wales was not wearing her wedding ring, while others made mention of Prince Louis having his fingers crossed and questioned a tree in the background which had leaves in mid-March.

The photograph was released via social media by Kensington Palace, alongside a short Mothers Day message.

Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months, the Princess said in a written caption.

Wishing everyone a Happy Mothers Day.

The message was signed C for Catherine.

It is the first time the Princess has appeared in an authorised photograph since Christmas Day and her first message since January 17, when the palace asked for privacy and specified that she would be out of the public eye until at least Easter.

The Princess, looking healthy and happy, is dressed in jeans and smiles for the camera, with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Prince George, her eldest, stands behind her with his arms around her neck in a hug. The children are seen roaring with laughter, in an image taken by their father Prince William in Windsor earlier this week.

It was something of a role reversal for the couple, who have made a tradition of releasing images taken by the Princess, who is a keen photographer.

The photograph was taken in Windsor, earlier this week, by the Prince of Wales and features Princes Louis and George, Princess Charlotte and their mother

The picture, part of the familys annual tradition of posting a message for Mothering Sunday, was intended in part to answer questions from the public about the Princess wellbeing. Kensington Palace has always reiterated that she has been doing well following major abdominal surgery in January, recuperating slowly at home in Adelaide Cottage with her young family.

Nevertheless, after 76 days out of the public eye, she has been the subject of some of the most extraordinary conspiracy theories in modern royal history, with growing conversation on social media about her whereabouts.

The Mothers Day post was hailed by royal watchers as the Princess sharing information on her own terms. Within hours, however, social media users began commenting on a so-called Photoshop fail.

The Prince of Wales has previously spoken out about the problem of fake news, and in 2018 accused social media firms of not doing enough to halt it.

It is thought to be the first time the agencies have publicly recalled an official photograph from the palace.

The growing use of artificial intelligence has prompted agencies to update their policies so that manipulated images are not distributed.

Kensington Palace has previously been accused of Photoshop fails on social media, including over a Christmas card that appeared to leave Prince Louis without a middle finger.

The recall of the Mothering Sunday photograph is the latest drama for a Royal family which has been beset by challenges this year, with the King being diagnosed with cancer, the Princess of Wales having surgery, and the Prince of Wales stepping back from engagements to care for her.

The explanation that the Prince of Wales had missed a memorial for his godfather, King Constantine of Greece, for a personal matter only encouraged mounting speculation about what was happening in the family.

Members of the Royal family will on Monday attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in what is supposed to be a show of stability.

The King, who cannot attend public engagements while undergoing treatment for cancer, will deliver a message via video. The Queen will lead the Royal family, with the Prince of Wales due to attend. He will later be seen at an evening event promoting Launchpad, the new Earthshot investing platform.

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Colorado in recent decades has been a population boom state. But a new study by the Colorado Demographer's Office indicates this may be changing, even as parts of El Paso County and greater Denver continue to grow rapidly.

From 2010 to 2020, Colorado was adding nearly 75,000 new residents a year. From July 2021 to July 2022, the annual population increase in Colorado was only 27,700 people at a rate of 0.5%. It was population growth, but not at all like in the previous decade.

Still, Colorado compared well to the rest of the nation from July 2021 to July 2022. That growth of 27,700 people ranked 21st in the United States, just above the middle of the pack.

Colorado's population growth rate thus compared favorably to the rest of the country. From July 2021 to July 2022, 18 states experienced a decline in population.

The social and economic disruptions caused by the Coronavirus pandemic were doubtless responsible with having a downward impact on population growth both in Colorado and the nation.

The major component in population growth in Colorado was the excess of births over deaths. There were 62,500 births and 49,700 deaths from 2021 to 2022, producing a natural increase of 12,800.

Annual deaths, however, reached the highest levels ever recorded in Colorado. This sizable increase in deaths was attributed to coronavirus and the natural aging of the population.

Another component of the increase in Colorado population from 1921 to 2022 was net migration, the number of people moving into the state minus the number of people leaving the state. Net migration was plus 15,000 people, thus showing that more people moved into Colorado than moved out.

Recent population growth in Colorado has not been equally distributed throughout the state. As would be expected, the counties experiencing the most population growth are those along the Front Range, from Fort Collins and Greeley on the north through Denver and Colorado Springs.

There was a rise in the number of counties that experienced a natural decline in population. By and large the regions of the state declining in population were on the Eastern Plains, in southern Colorado, and in the non-resort counties on the Western Slope.

All told, 40 of Colorado's 64 counties were in population decline. Two counties with relatively large populations, Pueblo, and Mesa (county seat: Grand Junction) were included in the population decline group.

Coloradans must adjust to the reality that the long predicted birth dearth has hit their state. The 62,500 births in the state from 2021 to 2022 compares unfavorably to 2007, the peak year for births in Colorado when the state hit a high of 70,700.

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The dropping number of births in Colorado will have long-term impacts on child care centers, K-12 public schools, and public higher education. The size of the labor force in Colorado might eventually be affected. At the present time, Weld County (Greeley) is the only county where the number of births are going up.

But the situation with births in Colorado could improve in the future. Births could begin to slightly increase in 2024 and beyond as the number of women in childbearing years starts to rise in the state. In addition, women millennials are entering their 30s, the age birthrates have increased in the past.

Most of the population growth is occurring on the Front Range, but even within the Front Range there are differences. For instance, Jefferson (Golden) and Arapahoe (Littleton) counties declined slightly in population. Meanwhile, Douglas (Castle Rock), Weld (Greeley), Adams (Brighton), and El Paso (Colorado Springs) counties experienced major population gains.

The Front Range may have sported the highest populations, but many of the ski resort counties in the Rocky Mountains experienced faster growth.

By 2022, the county with the highest total population in Colorado was El Paso County, with 740,552 people. In second place was Denver County with 712,637.

In terms of population growth from 2021 to 2022, Weld County was first with 10,341 additional residents. The runner-up was Douglas County with 6,268.

The county with the highest percentage growth rate was San Juan (Silverton) County at 8.1%. The county with the second-highest percentage growth rate 2021 to 2022 was Custer (Westcliffe) County with 5.4%. Both those counties are small.

Here are our takeaways from this recent report on population growth in Colorado:

The steady and reliable growth of state population by 70,000 people per year that characterized 2010 to 2020 could be ending. The possible decline in births in the state will be a factor. Also contributing to lower population gains could be the rise in housing prices in Colorado, which discourages new people from moving into the state.

Here's another point: The argument for building more affordable housing in Colorado is based on what happened in the state from 2010 to 2020 when population growth rates were high. If those high-population growth rates are not going to continue, Colorado could be embarking on building more affordable housing than it is going to need.

Colorado has benefited for many years from having high population growth. It stimulates the economy, particularly homebuilding, and creates a general aura of optimism. If, as this study suggests, continuous high population growth in Colorado could be easing off, Colorado will be a somewhat different place for all its residents.

The Douglas and El Paso counties will still grow, more than many of their residents would like, but Colorado may not see the population booms that until recently made it one of the fastest-growing states in the U.S.
A new photograph of the family was taken in Windsor, earlier this week, by the Prince of Wales - PRINCE OF WALES/PRINCE OF WALES

After 76 days out of the public eye and some of the most extraordinary conspiracy theories in modern royal history, the Princess of Wales has been seen.

At home, in the arms of her doting children, she has been photographed by her husband in time for a Mothering Sunday message thanking the nation for its kind wishes and support.

The image, like many others from the family over the years, shows a happy, wholesome home with the Princess at its centre.

This year, thanks to her long period out of the public eye, it somehow seems remarkable.

It has, or at least should, finally bring to an end the hurtful speculation over her whereabouts. Importantly, the Princess did it on her own terms.

Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months, she said in social media posts by Kensington Palace. Wishing everyone a Happy Mothers Day.

The short, simple message was signed C for Catherine.

It is the first time the Princess has appeared in an authorised photograph since Christmas and her first message since Jan 17, when the palace asked for privacy and specified that she would be out of the public eye until at least Easter.

The photograph was taken in Windsor, earlier this week, by the Prince of Wales.

Since then, her slow and steady recovery has taken place largely at home in Adelaide Cottage, while the Prince of Wales took time out of his own engagements to see her settled.

But as the weeks have rolled on, calls for updates on her health and whereabouts have grown.

Kensington Palace has continued to reiterate that she has been doing well and this photograph seems to prove it.

Even so, as if to reiterate growing fears that the Royal family simply cannot win in the face of unregulated social media, the straightforward Mothers Day photograph was picked over online.

Some noticed the Princess  post-surgery and at home  was not wearing her wedding ring, while others made mention of Prince Louis having his fingers crossed and questioned a tree in the background, which had some leaves in mid-March.

The Princess of Wales, looking healthy and happy, was dressed in jeans and smiling for the camera, with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Prince George, her eldest, stands behind her with his arms around her neck in a hug.

Observers noted that the image shows the three children appearing to circle their mother protectively. Some noticed a similarity with images of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, in which the young Prince William hugged her from behind.

The children are seen roaring with laughter, in an image taken by their father, the Prince of Wales, in Windsor earlier this week.

It is something of a role reversal for the couple, who have made a tradition of releasing images taken by the Princess, who is a keen photographer.

The picture continues the familys annual tradition of posting a message for Mothers Day.

On her own terms

The post was hailed by royal watchers as the Princess sharing information on her own terms, continuing the tone the family have set between their public and private lives.

The Princess is seen sitting down with a comfortable turtleneck jumper, jeans and flat See by Chloe lace-up boots, which she has worn at least 12 times in public since 2019.

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis both wear knitwear by the French label Cyrillus, with the five-year-old appearing to have his Lambrook school shirt underneath his jumper.

Prince George, seen embracing his mother, wears a teal jumper with a blue checked shirt in an image that emphasises the Princesss off-duty status.

The Princess has not appeared in public since Christmas Day but was photographed by paparazzi being driven by her mother in Windsor last week.

The question of Where is Kate? has travelled around the world on social media, accompanied by increasingly outlandish theories ranging from the Princess being in a coma to jokes about her growing out a bad haircut.

She is not due to return to engagements before Easter, likely only to be seen in person after the childrens school holiday.

The picture will go some way to assuaging concerns about the Princess, which have been exacerbated by a series of challenges for the Royal family including the Kings own diagnosis of cancer.

When the Prince of Wales missed a memorial for his godfather King Constantine of Greece, the palace explanation that it was a personal matter did little to settle an increasingly febrile atmosphere in royal commentary around the world.

The Prince of Wales was back to work at an engagement relating to his Earthshot Prize on Friday, and will appear in public twice on Monday: at the Westminster Abbey Commonwealth Day service with the Royal family and at an evening event promoting Earthshot new investing platform Launchpad.

On Mothering Sunday, Buckingham Palace also shared a photo of the King with his late mother, Elizabeth II, on its social media.

The photo shared by the King to mark Mothering Sunday - PA/PA Archive

The picture shows the King, then Prince of Wales, in 1985 kissing the hand of his mother at a presentation ceremony after a polo match.

Alongside the photo is a pink flower emoji and the message: Wishing all Mothers, and those who are missing their Mums today, a peaceful Mothering Sunday.

In the match at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park, the Kings England II team triumphed against Brazil to claim the Silver Jubilee Cup.

In recent years, the Prince and Princess of Wales have regularly authorised photographs of their family to be shared with the public to mark Mothering Sunday, as well as the birthdays of their children and other occasions.

Last year, they used an image from a set taken months earlier showing the three children climbing a tree.

In other years, they have shared images of handmade cards from Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

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A judge tells me the prison system is now so full that it may soon have no room for more convicted criminals.

Despite the Government having effectively encouraged criminality by doing little or nothing to tackle the drugs problem responsible for so many offences, it is still not building sufficient prisons in which to put the low-lifes from whom it has a duty to protect society.

Perhaps this is why a succession of gullible and inadequate home secretaries have allowed the police force to become a police service, and to limit law enforcement to such an extent that in half the neighbourhoods of England no burglars are now caught.

Police officers, most of whom are decent and dedicated people, are encouraged to act as social workers, and urged to signal their virtue by concentrating on pursuing so-called hate-criminals who call others names rather than catching villains.

There is a massive backlog of court cases, thanks to the pandemic. It can take up to three years for a case to come to court. The chances of a miscarriage of justice after such a period must be higher, with memories no longer fresh; yet nonetheless, as the backlog is cleared, those convicted will put more pressure on prisons, giving the police more licence to avoid catching robbers and burglars who need, if convicted, to be incarcerated.

We must not reach a point where judges are urged not to send to prison those who merit being there, for that is surely the prelude to a breakdown of civilised and orderly society.

However when, as ministers are, you are driven around in a chauffeur-driven car (in some cases with police protection), the increasing frightfulness of daily life manifestly matters less than it does to the rest of us.

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A woman has been charged with assault after she allegedly doused eight police officers in Vice President Kamala Harris Phoenix motorcade with red dye Friday to protest U.S. support of Israels brutal assault on the Gaza Strip.

Anasilvia Gomez-Zamora, 30, was standing on the sidewalk along the motorcade route with a group of about twenty protesters who were chanting Free Palestine and waving Palestinian flags, officers with the Phoenix Fraternal Order of Police told The Daily Beast. As the motorcade passed by, Gomez Zamora allegedly threw the red dye at the officers.

They were clearly protesting the Gaza war, John Simon, the president of Phoenixs FOP said. I believe they were the only protest group out there.

The dye was determined to be non-hazardous and didnt impede the motorcades route. Police took Gomez Zamora into custody and she was booked into Maricopa County Jail on eight charges of aggravated assault against a police officer. She was released hours later, Simon said.

Phoenix police did not respond to The Daily Beasts request for comment.

Vice President Harris was campaigning in Phoenix as part of her Fight for Your Reproductive Freedoms tour. Just a few days before the incident, she debuted her strongest stance on Gaza yet by calling for an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks, given the amount of human suffering in the Gaza Strip.

Conditions in Gaza have grown increasingly dire, with an estimated 31,000 dead and two million displaced since October. U.N. officials have warned of imminent famine if Israel continues to block aid by land to Gaza. The U.S. has coordinated airdrops of aid with other countries to Gazans and has proposed a temporary sea port to ferry aid in through the Mediterranean, but experts say that isnt enough to match the need and only aid by land can materially improve conditions.

The Biden administrations stance on Gaza has also threatened the Biden-Harris reelection campaign, with larger-than-usual number of voters in several states choosing uncommitted in Democratic primaries as a way to voice their disapproval.

Pro-Palestine protesters often use red paint to symbolize complicity in the bloodshed.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A great view of the entrance area of the Tesla plant appears deserted. Hundreds of environmental activists are set to protest the expansion of US electric carmaker Tesla's factory outside of Berlin on Sunday. Lutz Deckwerth/dpa

Hundreds of environmental activists are set to protest the expansion of US electric carmaker Tesla's factory outside of Berlin on Sunday.

Production at the giant factory was halted on Tuesday after a suspected arson attack on the power supply by a left-wing extremist group. Authorities say electricity could still be days away from being restored.

Protest organizers say they have no connection to the power failure, which also affected thousands of local residents.

Sunday's rally is to demand that leaders in the small town of Grunheide, located in an area known for its forests and lakes, abide by the results of a non-binding referendum held last month.

Residents were asked to participate in a survey on Tesla's plans to expand the 300-hectare site in Grunheide by adding a freight depot, warehouses and a company kindergarten on an additional 170 hectares.

Some 5,400 people took part in the survey, with 3,499 voting against and 1,882 voting in favour of the expansion.

About 100 hectares of forest would have to be cleared to make room for the additions to the site. Activists, deploying a tactic frequently seen in Germany, have been camping out in tents and tree-houses in the forest.

Environmentalists also worry about the pressure the factory puts on the local water supply and the risk of contamination. Grunheide sits in the state of Brandenburg, one of Germany's driest regions.

The umbrella group "Tesla den Hahn Abdrehen," which translates as "Turn off Tesla's Tap," said the protest will start at 2 pm (1300 GMT) at the train station near the plant and end at Grunheide's town hall.

Lou Winters, spokesperson for "Tesla den Hahn Abdrehen," said the left-wing group that has claimed the attack on the electricity grid was not among its participants.

The previously unknown Volcano Group declared that it was responsible for setting fire to an electricity pylon that served the Tesla factory, other businesses and residents.

The police consider a letter of confession issued by the group to be authentic. Federal prosecutors have taken over the investigation.

Tesla's European Gigafactory has proven divisive since before it even opened in March 2022. It employs around 12,000 people in an area that has been eager to attract investment, but there has also been apprehension surrounding Tesla's environmental and labour policies.

Tesla has rejected allegations of causing ecological damage and says it is moving forward with its expansion plans, despite the local opposition.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Protesters blocked traffic in both directions on I-405 on the Fremont Bridge at Everett Saturday afternoon, ODOT traffic cameras showed.

The bumper to bumper traffic jam began at around 2:30 p.m. and extended from the south end of the Fremont Bridge to the southbound lanes of Interstate 5, even reaching Rosa Parks Way, according to ODOT.

Vehicles were able to to slowly crawl past in the far right lane and dozens of protesters have stepped out of their car waving flags.

The protesters left around 4:30 p.m., allowing traffic to move freely again.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said if Russia attacks the Baltic NATO countries, it would suffer a defeat, but any cities liberated would resemble the war-torn towns of Bakhmut and Avdiivka.

Source: Delfi, a news website in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, citing Kuleba in an interview with Lithuanian news agency Elta, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Kuleba strongly believes that if the Russian president launches an invasion of the Baltic states, they would stand up bravely against "an enemy that is superior in both experience and capabilities," with NATO taking several days to decide how to respond.

"In the end, I think NATO would prevail. However, look at Bakhmut, look at Avdiivka  this is what the Baltic states will look like after intense fighting. This is what your cities will look like. Vilnius will no longer be beautiful," he warned.

For this reason, Kuleba said the cheapest and safest way to prevent all this is to support Ukrainians fighting against Russian aggression.

The minister added that Lithuania understands this and has therefore been supporting Ukraine.

"Others pretend they can avoid it," the Ukrainian foreign minister noted.

Background:

Recently, Lithuanian intelligence services presented a joint report stating that Russia has enough resources to fight in Ukraine at the current intensity for at least two more years. At the same time, Russia is preparing for a long-term confrontation with NATO, particularly in the Baltic Sea region, and is gradually expanding its military capabilities in its western regions.

In addition, Darius Jauniskis, Chief of the Lithuanian State Security Department, commenting on the threat of war, stressed that there is no reason to panic now, but that it was necessary to "prepare for the worst".

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What do we want? A ceasefire. When do we want it? Now!

Those words filled LeClaire Park on Saturday afternoon as dozens of people gathered to support the Palestinians caught in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Quad Cities Coalition for Palestine organized the rally and march that began at the LeClaire Park band shell and made its way down River Drive.

About 300 people attended the rally, organizers told Our Quad Cities News.

The Quad Cities Coalition for Palestine rallies in Davenports LeClaire Park. (photo by Eric Olsen)

An organizer named James says the goal of the organization is to point out the plight of the Palestinian people as well as what he called the violation of human rights and the unjust killing of innocent people.

James is particularly troubled by the involvement of the United States in the conflict. We need to stop funding the the bombs, the war machine. We need to stop aiding and abetting the hostility, coming from the Israeli government, he said.

James says the organization does not support Hamas. We are advocates for the Palestinian people who deserve their God given rights, just as every Israeli, he said.

The organization held a similar rally in late February. On its Facebook page, the Quad Cities Coalition for Palestine describes itself as a diverse group of peace activists who want to educate people in the Quad Cities about the challenges faced by Palestinians and work together for a better future.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
The RAF should be given nuclear weapons, an expert has said - HUM Images/Universal Images Group Editorial

The RAF should be given nuclear weapons to guard against the failure of the Royal Navys Trident, an expert has said, amid calls by ministers for more investment in defence.

The recent failure during test firing of a British Trident ballistic missile from a Royal Navy submarine has highlighted the risk of operating only one nuclear delivery mechanism.

The possibility of the RAF regaining the role of deploying Britains nuclear deterrent alongside the Royal Navy was boosted last week when the F-35 stealth fighter was certified to carry nuclear weapons.

Professor Andrew Dorman, of Chatham House, said: An air-launched system would be the obvious choice for a second delivery mechanism and would bolster Natos deterrence forces.

The F-35A would be the best aircraft. Typhoon could carry nuclear weapons, but it would take some integration work.

The easiest way [for Britain] to get an air-launched nuclear weapon would be for the RAF to get F-35A.

An expert is calling for the RAF to back up the Trident nuclear deterrent - Reuters

However, Professor Dorman said there was currently no appetite from the Government to look at any additional investment in defence, even though they say we are living in a 1938 moment.

He said: Apart from a few MPs, there is no campaigning for increased investment in defence. There are a lot of heads buried in sand.

Calls for greater defence investment were amplified over the weekend after two serving ministers took the unusual step of using social media to call on Rishi Sunak to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP.

The online article by Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a foreign office minister and former defence minister, and Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, had not been cleared by No.10.

Downing Street said social media commentary did not require prior permission.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan has called for greater investment in defence - Reuters

Its clear to us that the UK needs to lead the way in increasing our own domestic defence and security spending commitments to 2.5 per cent and beyond, the article, posted on Ms Trevelyans LinkedIn page on Friday evening, said.

Former defence secretary Ben Wallace and prime minister Boris Johnson made inroads into growing our defence budgets, which had been shrinking in real terms for years. But that only filled the hole. Now we need growth.

None of this is wasted cash. Its investment in our own economy. And it protects our future economic security.

The sad truth is that the world is no longer benign. Protecting ourselves requires investment. And effective investment means that our industrial complex must grow and strengthen at much greater pace than at present.

We cannot turn on the complex platforms and weapons, which ensure military advantage overnight. We must start that growth now, invest at pace to support our allies and stay ahead of our adversaries.

Defence spending did not feature prominently in last weeks budget.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt reiterated a pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of national income as soon as economic conditions allow.

The MoD has pledged to buy 138 F-35B jets, capable of vertical take off and landing, although money has only been programmed for the first 48.

No decision has been taken on potential future purchases of the A model, the variant that has been cleared in the US to carry the B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bomb.

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THE FOLLOWING ADVISORIES/WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED:

Winter Storm Warning for northwest Pocahontas County from 11 PM tonight to 3 AM Monday.

Wind Advisory for northwest Pocahontas County from 5 AM Sunday to Noon on Monday.

Wind Advisory for Tazewell, Bland, Giles, Mercer, Summers, Monroe, & Greenbrier counties from 6 AM Sunday to Noon on Monday.





Tonight features a cold front moving overhead, pushing scattered showers and perhaps a thunderstorm or two this evening. This front will move off to the east, kicking a bulk of the rain showers out before midnight, and showing a transition from scattered showers to isolated showers. That wont be the only thing that changes because cold, northern air will be right behind it, transitioning us over from rain to snow showers. This will drop our overnight lows drop into the 30s/20s.

Sunday will be our coldest morning in a while with temps in the 30s/20s so bundle up if you need to head out to church in the morning. As cold, northwest winds make their way in, well see the chance for some snow showers. Little to no accumulations are expected across the lowlands while the higher terrain into Pocahontas County could see a few inches. Even if you dont see any flurries, it will be a breezy and cold day on tap for most with temps in the 30s/40s.







Monday morning is a frigid one with temps in the 20s. As a southern high pressure system builds in, cloud cover will erode away, and well start to bring in more sunshine by lunchtime and eventually mostly sunny skies for the afternoon. Winds will also settle down in the afternoon, making for a mild and sunny finish to your Monday.

Tuesday keeps the sunny skies around, but first we need to make it past a cold morning near 30 degrees again. After a brisk morning, the late morning through the afternoon will be anything but that as a southern breeze kicks in. Well go from winter to spring with temperatures soaring into the 60s and a mostly sunny afternoon.

Our Interactive Radar

Wednesday will look like a carbon-copy image to Tuesday, outside of a slightly warmer morning near 40 degrees. Our local high pressure system isnt going anywhere, and with him sticking around again, you can expect a mostly clear morning followed by a mostly sunny afternoon. And with temps back in the 60s, looks great for outdoor plans.

Thursday looks to be our last dry day, but mother nature will certainly give us an early prelude to spring. Well start under a mostly clear morning with temps in the 40s. Once we get that sunshine back, it will be a very warm afternoon, with 50s by lunchtime and middle to upper 60s by dinnertime. A warm and sunny day indeed!

Friday will see our high pressure system move off toward the east coast, ushing in an arriving low pressure system. Well go from partly cloudy to mostly cloudy by lunchtime, increasing our rain chances during the afternoon and overnight. Given the late timing of the showers, temps have a good shot to make it back into the 60s once again.

#WeatherTogether

In your extended forecast, rain showers move into your Saturday, slowly clearing out by Saturday afternoon. With enough luck, well end our Saturday with some peaks of sunshine. Sunday looks mostly dry outside of a chance or two across the mountain. Monday finally brings back completely dry weather with temperatures in the 50s.

Spring Fire Ban has officially started in West Virginia. That means outdoor burning is prohibited from 7 AM to 5 PM until May 31st. If you need to burn, all fires must be attended until completely out.

TONIGHT

Showers decrease. Rain to snow commences. Cold overnight. Lows in the 30s.

SUNDAY

Chance for snow showers. Best chances across MTNS. Chilly. Highs in the 40s.

MONDAY

Dry out in the morning. Slow clearing PM. Warmer. Highs in the 50s.

TUESDAY

Mostly sunny. A great weather day. Warmer. Highs in the 60s.

WEDNESDAY

Mostly sunny. Dry morning and afternoon. Highs in the 60s.

THURSDAY

Mostly sunny. Still dry and our warmest day yet. Highs in the 60s.

FRIDAY

Dry weather AM. Afternoon showers. Highs in the 60s.

SATURDAY

Rain in the morning. Afternoon clearing. Cooler. Highs in the 50s.

SUNDAY

Partly sunny. Chance for a MTN sprinkle. Highs in the 50s.

MONDAY

Sunny skies return. Staying mild. Highs in the 50s.

TUESDAY

Partly sunny morning. Chance for rain PM. Highs in the 50s.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Hundreds of environmental activists are set to protest on Sunday against the massive expansion of US electric carmaker Tesla's factory outside of Berlin.

Also planned is a second rally by local residents who want to show their solidarity with Tesla and who support the project as part of the area's future development.

Police will accompany both events in the small town of Grunheide, which is located south-east of the German capital in an area known for its forests and lakes.

Production at the giant factory was halted on Tuesday after a suspected arson attack on the power supply by a left-wing extremist group. Authorities say electricity could still be days away from being restored.

"An attack on Tesla is an attack on us," said the organizers of the counter-rally. "The recent attacks are a threat to our values, our cohesion and our community."

The environmentalist protest organizers say they had no hand in the power failure, which also affected thousands of local residents.

Their rally on Sunday is to demand that local leaders abide by the results of a non-binding referendum held last month.

Residents were asked to participate in a poll on Tesla's plans to expand the 300-hectare site by adding a freight depot, warehouses and a company kindergarten on an additional 170 hectares. A majority said they were against the expansion.

About 100 hectares of forest would have to be cleared to make room for the additions to the site. Activists, deploying a tactic frequently seen in Germany, have been camping out in tents and tree-houses in the forest.

Environmentalists also worry about the pressure the factory puts on the local water supply and the risk of contamination. Grunheide sits in the state of Brandenburg, one of Germany's driest regions.

The umbrella group "Tesla den Hahn Abdrehen," which translates as "Turn off Tesla's Tap," said the protest will start at 2 pm (1300 GMT) at the train station near the plant and end at Grunheide's town hall.

The second rally was due to start at the same time and at one point the routes of the two processions will intersect.

Lou Winters, spokesperson for "Tesla den Hahn Abdrehen," said the left-wing group that has claimed the attack on the electricity grid was not among its participants.

The previously unknown Volcano Group declared that it was responsible for setting fire to an electricity pylon that served the Tesla factory, other businesses and residents. Federal prosecutors have taken over the investigation.

Tesla's European Gigafactory has proven divisive since before it even opened in March 2022. It employs around 12,000 people in an area that has been eager to attract investment, but there has also been apprehension surrounding Tesla's environmental and labour policies.

Tesla has rejected allegations of causing ecological damage and says it is moving forward with its expansion plans, despite the local opposition.

Meanwhile, grid operator Edis said on Sunday it is making progress with work to repair the electricity pylon set on fire in the recent attack. Two new high-voltage portals have been installed, the company said on its website.

Specialists were working continuously in shifts on the electricity pylon. According to Edis, progress was also being made with the underground cable systems despite the wet conditions.

Activists carry a tree trunk at a protest camp where hundreds of activists protest Tesla's planned expansion outside Berlin. Christophe Gateau/dpa

Tree houses and a banner reading "water is a human right!" hang in a protest camp where hundreds of activists protest Tesla's planned expansion outside Berlin. Christophe Gateau/dpa
Police said one person is dead following a reported shooting at a southeast Colorado Springs townhouse complex Saturday afternoon.

Colorado Springs police responded to the 2600 block of Stonecrop Ridge Grove around 3:30 p.m., when they found one person suffering from injuries.

Life-saving attempts were unsuccessful, and the person was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police described the apparent shooting as an isolated event, although no one was in custody as of 6 p.m. Saturday. An empty maroon-colored SUV remained at the scene shortly after 7 p.m.

This is a developing story. Stay with gazette.com for the latest updates.
(WFRV)  It is not just a Proclaimers song; for one Wisconsin man, walking 500 miles will soon be a reality and he is doing it for a cause close to his heart.

Greg Studzinski has been battling with alcohol and drug addiction for about a decade. Not only does he want to stay sober but inspire others to do the same.

One of the biggest things in recovery is addicts helping addicts and giving back, and thats the only way I really knew how to do something that made an impact on other people, Studzinski says.

If it were my kids that were missing, Id want the world looking: Volunteers expand Elijah Vue search to Green Bay

In the summer of 2022, he raised nearly $20,00 for Street Angels, an organization supporting the homeless in the Milwaukee area, and at one time supported Studzinski. He raised that money by putting one foot in front of the other, walking 132 miles from Green Bay to Cudahy.

Now, Studzinski is getting ready for his next challenge: walking 500 miles from Superior to Cudahy to raise money for the United Community Center (UCC). This time though, he does not want to do it alone.

Hoping to recruit others to join him throughout the walk Studzinski says, More people are effected by addiction than you realize. People just dont want to talk about it, but if you see a bunch of people walking, it sparks conversation. Its therapeutic and thats why I want to invite as many people who want to walk.

Brewers racing sausages surprise students in Green Bay with free tickets to home games

Even though Studzinski has his own struggles, helping others conquer theres is something he is proud of.

I do it for my own mental health. It helps my recovery and I dont know how to not do stuff. I want people to have what Im in the process of having and thats long-term sobriety, he says.

Studzinski will begin his journey in Superior on August 10th and finish up in Cudahy on August 31st. He hopes to raise $10,000 for UCC. To support Studzinski, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Angela Eagle MP has given a depressing glimpse into life under a Labour government, tweeting a wish list of pro-trans laws designed to complete a sexual revolution that, confusingly, appears to be permanent. Conversion therapy ban, modernised gender recognition, a LGBT envoy to spread the gospel of queer theory to the backwards bits of the empire.

Well, if Keir Starmer is signed-up to Angelas agenda, he might want to think again. Elites in Ireland have just discovered there is a limit to how woke a nation is willing to go

Last week, Eire held a referendum to modernise its constitution on two points: to include families not based on marriage and to rewrite references to a mothers duties in the home. In short, to expunge what Taoiseach Leo Varadkar called sexist language. Every party campaigned for a Yes-Yes vote  bar a curious Left-wing pro-life group called Aontu  and some of my conservative friends sat it out. Theyve been burnt by losing referendums on gay marriage in 2015 and abortion in 2018  both times badly  and this looked like another easy win for modern Ireland.

On the day, everyone was surprised. The country voted no to the families language by 68 per cent; no to redefining the role of women by a staggering 74 per cent. The media reacted as if Ireland had given douze points to Gilead; the problem, suggested supporters, was not the reform itself but the governments failure to sell it. Nevertheless with a majority this big, we can infer that thousands of single mothers, carers and feminists voted against amendments that the elite told them were in their sectional interests. Why?

One problem was the heavy-handed appeal to an extra-democratic consensus. A citizens assembly was involved  the deliberative bodies of voters informed by experts that Starmer is said to be flirting with here  and the National Womens Council, a powerful non-governmental organisation, was on board. According to a report published in 2021, Ireland, a land of just five million, has about 34,000 NGOs, receiving 6 billion of public money (for comparison: the health budget is ordinarily north of 20 billion). The vast majority are small and do excellent charitable work. Some, like the Council, receive funds from the taxpayer to lobby their own government to make Ireland more right-on  shifting the locus of authority away from the ballot box, encouraging a continuity of direction regardless of who is in office. This is what social democratic administrations always do. They write laws and pack quangos with activists, so that even when they lose power, they retain institutional control.

Smelling a stitch-up, different groups of voters began to spot problems with the constitutional edits. The Left said they didnt go far enough, failing to guarantee support for carers and leaving the disabled dependent on their household (matriarchy replaced by free market anarchy). Farmers worried that the introduction of a new notion of durable relationship, as opposed to marriage, would lead to vexatious claims over inheritance. Voters feared that the wording might make migration easier, even give tacit endorsement to polygamy.

The elite replied that all this was scaremongering, that the very human goal was to recognise kids born outside marriage  yet one judge defined durable relationships as intimate, romantic or sexual, ie nothing to do with children at all. In a compelling TV debate, the Tanaiste Micheal Martin articulated the unspoken message of the Yes-Yes campaign when he accused No proponent Maria Steen of representing a reactionary Ireland. Young Mrs Steen retorted that it was actually Martin who embodies a failed, ageing consensus.

It is the political elite that has destroyed single-earner households through bad economic policies and crippled social care via underfunding, and its answer to the problems it has created is to reaffirm some gibberish about equality and diversity. Here in Britain, above every police station that has ceased solving crimes, hospital with a waiting list and school with mentally ill students, flies a pride flag  proof that our betters might have wrecked the country, but they do care.

Id love to write that the 2-1 defeat was a win for ancient, Catholic Ireland, heralding the return of St Patrick to chase out the snakes. But it wasnt. Rather it was a loss for the new, bourgeois elite that lazily and arrogantly over-reached, misreading popular attitudes that are rarely strictly conservative or liberal but always contemporary.

Progressives assume Ireland is on a long march towards a new society, but many citizens probably saw liberalising gay marriage and abortion as a short jog to catch up with the rest of the world. In an age when few believe in God, let alone that marriage is a sacrament revolving around children, why not allow gay men and lesbians to have a wedding, too? Voters felt they had nothing to lose in earlier referendums, only freedoms to gain.

By contrast, millions see the trans debate as threatening to take something away, specifically their own identity and protections as a woman. Consider this: the Irish government held a referendum on gender neutrality, taking the word mother and its particular role out of the constitution, in the same week as Mothers Day. It was a step too far.

So too was the referendum in Australia last year on expanding indigenous rights  rejected 60-40, the no campaign led by a woman of indigenous descent. Its instructive that the Australian plebiscite was triggered by a Labor government that, in opposition, had proclaimed itself as moderate, insisting that they were a vote to kick out the conservatives rather than to elect a radical programme. Starmer is now doing exactly the same. Angela Eagles little list of LGBTQ+ laws suggests a more courageous agenda.

The calculation, one suspects, is that with the economy so bad, redistribution is unaffordable  so it will be cheaper for the future Labour government to leave its mark by using regulations and redefinitions to affirm officially, in perpetuity that men are toxic, everyone is a racist and being a woman is a figment of the imagination. If so, one trusts Starmer will quickly find that just as theres no money left for socialism, theres zero patience for performative woke nonsense.

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On Capitol Hill, reporters know how to find Texas Republican Troy Nehls.

After the House of Representatives finishes a vote, Nehls usually leaves the chamber and hurries toward the Capitol steps. Instead of walking straight down the stairs toward his office across the street, Nehls will veer toward the base of one of the buildings grand Corinthian columns. Thats where the Texas congressman then picks up his half-smoked cigarstill smolderingright where he stashed it.

For reporters lying in wait, its worth enduring the second-hand smoke as Nehls takes a puff; hes more than likely to say something outrageous, offensive, or newsmakingfrequently all at once.

The MAGA diehard could, for instance, nominate former President Donald Trump for Speaker of the House.

GOP Rep. Claims Capitol Police Secretly Broke Into His Office

Or Nehls might admit he wont back a bipartisan border security bill, at least, in part, because hes not willing to do too damn much right now to help a Democrat and to help Joe Bidens approval rating.

Or maybe, when asked about what the House GOP hopes to gain from its impeachment inquiry into President Biden, Nehls will candidly and proudly reply, Donald J. Trump 2024, baby!

Or Nehls will call Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO)who is Blackloud and her husband, a thug.

Nehls has done all of these things, earning seemingly endless headlines and sparking controversial news cycles.

In the process, the second-term congressman has earned a name for himself. Hes also earned blowback, occasionally from fellow Republicans. To hear him tell it, thats the idea.

I didnt come up here to make friends, Nehls told The Daily Beast last week in between drags on his cigarthis time seated in a black leather chair in his congressional office.

Every once in a while, you know, when youre that junior woodchuck in the room, you try to build a relationship with these guys and try to understand just how this place works, Nehlsa 55-year-old in his second termadded of senior Republicans.

Eventually, Nehls continued, you formulate your own opinion, and you observe, and you see whats happening up here. And I dont like it. I dont like whats happening. We put America last and its about time we put America first.

Republicans, Nehls said, need to do better. We have the gavel. We are the majority, he argued. But we dont act like it.

For a member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucusthe thorn in the side of House GOP leaders for nearly the last decadeNehls disapproval of the GOPs performance is unsurprising. His voting record backs up the rhetoric: Heritage Action, the political wing of the prominent right-wing think tank, rates Nehls as slightly more conservative than Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).

In high-profile moments, Nehls brash approach hasnt been well-suited to the subtleties of Capitol politics. After Kevin McCarthy was deposed as Speaker last October, the Texas Republican caused a stir when he got out ahead of Trump in announcing the former president was supporting Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) for the post.

Whatever heartburn there was seems to have dissipated quickly. In January, Trump endorsed Nehls, proclaiming the congressman will NEVER LET YOU DOWN on Truth Social.

Troys good. Hes tip-top, Trump ally Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) told The Daily Beast. Troy, hes well-respected in Trumpworld.

Even by the standards of a House Republican majority that has gleefully discarded norms of decorum and discretion, Nehls is distinct for so often saying the quiet part out loudboldly acknowledging political calculations reserved for closed-door discussions and slinging insults that others hide behind anonymously.

And even by the standards of a party run by a man who demands nothing less than total allegiance, Nehls support for Trumpalong with his penchant for attention-grabbing stunts to profess itis notable.

First elected in 2020, Nehls is a poster child for a new Republican Party that incentivizes its foot soldiers to behave like Trump, and often punishes those who do not. However candid and brazen Nehls may seem, those who have observed him know he understands this calculus.

Troy Nehls is an extremely good politician, Sri Kulkarni, Nehls Democratic opponent in 2020, told The Daily Beast. And I dont mean that necessarily in a good way.

Originally from Wisconsin, Nehls has spent nearly three decades in law enforcement in Texas, and 21 years in the U.S. Army Reserve. He has three daughters, and calls himself a proud cheer dad.

His law enforcement background is checkered. In 1998, he was fired from the Richmond Police Department in Texas after committing 19 violations in one yearincluding destruction of evidence and improper arrests. As a sheriff he faced scrutiny over two inmate deaths in county jails.

GOP Rep Says the Quiet Part Out Loud About Border Crisis

In 2020, when Nehls ran for his southeast Texas congressional seat against Kulkarni, the district was competitive. But he didnt act like a swing district candidate: the top issue on his campaign website in July 2020 was Standing with President Trump.

By that time, Nehls already had MAGA bona fides. As Fort Bend County sheriff in 2017, Nehls hunted down a truck with a bumper sticker that said, FUCK TRUMP AND FUCK YOU FOR VOTING FOR HIM. Nehls threatened to charge the trucks owner with disorderly conduct, sparking a free speech scandal.

In the primary, Nehls was the top candidate in a field that included George H.W. Bushs grandson. In November, Nehls defeated Kulkarni by seven points.

When Nehls made it to Congress, he was a Trump loyalist, but he was open to working across the aisle. At his first presidential address to Congress in 2021, Nehls cornered the newly inaugurated Biden as he made his way to the speakers podium. The backbench Texas Republican then famously offered to help him tackle criminal justice reform.

Since then, redistricting shifted Nehls constituency significantly. He was first elected to a seat Trump carried by one point in 2020. In 2022, Nehls ran for a seat that Trump won by 16.

Perhaps nothing tells the story of that shift more vividly than the change in Nehls State of the Union demeanor. Last Thursday, when Biden addressed Congress, Nehls stood in the back, showing-off a T-shirt adorned with Trumps mugshot and the rallying cry Never Surrender.

Wearing a blazer and an American flag bow tie around his neckwithout a collarNehls looked like a MAGA fever dream come to life. He appeared ready to pounce at every Biden slip-up.

Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, sporting a Trump t-shirt and a patriotic bowtie pic.twitter.com/qSUoUNtA8F  Riley Beggin (@rbeggin) March 8, 2024

But Nehls admitted to The Daily Beast ahead of the address that he was hoping and praying that he gives a coherent speechjust not out of any goodwill to the president.

I hope that Jill put him in bed early and gave him a nap this afternoon. I really need him to deliver a good solid speech tonight, Nehls said. Make sure the letters on that teleprompter are just nice and slow. Make sure your eyes are wide open so you can read every word and dont stumble and fumble, because I need Joe Biden to be their nominee.

He needs to be the nominee because Donald Trump will beat him for a second time, he continued, parroting the baseless conspiracy that Trump won the 2020 election.

Nehls has more firsthand familiarity with the effect of those lies than most people. Standing in the House chamber on Thursday night wearing Trumps mugshot, Nehls was just feet away from rioters on Jan. 6 when he confronted them through the same doorway Biden walked out of Thursday night. The rioters stood on the other side, after punching out the glass, trying to get into the chamber.

Photos from that dayjust Nehls third day on the jobshow him in a bright blue shirt crouched by the shattered window. Hes shoulder-to-shoulder with Capitol Police staring at the mob through the broken glass. The Justice Department released video of Nehls admonishing the insurrectionists.

You ought to be ashamed of yourself, he said.

That day, he posted a stark message on social media: What Im witnessing is a disgrace. Were better than this. Violence is NEVER the answer.

Staunchly pro-Trump Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) remembered Nehls defense of the House. When asked about Nehls, Burchett swiped through photos on his iPhone of the two that day.

He was there for the fight, and we werent gonna leave, Burchett said. And he didnt. And he stayed and he was a calm headed guy.

But for Nehls, Jan. 6 ended on Jan. 6. When the House convened later that day, just hours after marauders overtook the Capitol, Nehls voted to throw out Electoral College votes that sealed Bidens win. He fiercely opposed Trumps impeachment over inciting the insurrectionand he now maintains that Jan. 6 wasnt an insurrection at all.

While he made clear that he condemns anyone who broke windows or hurt Capitol Police, Nehls told The Daily Beast that if those who entered the Capitol wanted to stage a coup, they would have caused more harm.

If you wanted to really overthrow the government and cause an insurrection, they could have taken the flags, he said. They could have punched holes in the paintings. They could have taken the statutesevery state gets two statuesthey could have taken them, dumped them all. They could have busted everything.

The GOP Fears Working With Biden More Than It Cares About Fixing the Border Crisis

When presented with the facts that the Capitol Building was, in fact, trashed on Jan. 6, and that rioters sought out then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in her office, Nehls doubled down. Hundreds of people, he said, didnt touch a damn thing.

There was not a member of Congress that was assaulted or hurt, he said, omitting that many rioters came in hopes of doing just that.

Nehls perspective on Jan. 6 has become canon for MAGA true believers. In 2022, he wrote a book titled: The Big Fraud: What Democrats Dont Want You to Know about January 6, the 2020 Election, and a Whole Lot Else.

Trump congratulated Nehls on the book, saying the lawmaker only speaks the TRUTH.

With Trump in his corner, the rest of the MAGA contingent in Congresswhich is most of the Republican partyhas adopted the Nehls worldview. Its hard to find any Republican complaining about Nehls publicly.

Fellow Texas Republican, Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington, called Nehls a rock-ribbed conservative.

Hes probably as effective of a communicator as anybody in our delegation, Arrington told The Daily Beast.

But a man so embraced by the Republican Party is bound to be hated by Democrats. Nehls represents everything they loathe about the GOP under Trump.

One recent incident in particular crystallizes why. After the Department of Justice opened an investigation into security payments Bush, the Missouri congresswoman, made to her husband Cortney Merrits, Nehls called her loud, and him a thug.

Bush condemned the language as racist. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) called it shameful. The Congressional Black Caucus called the comments unbecoming.

Pressed about his language, Nehls was unmoved. Whatever, he said. I called him a thug. It is what it is.

During his interview with The Daily Beast, Nehls used the same language again. He called George Floydwho was murdered in 2020 by police kneeling on his neckthat criminal, that thug.

But Nehls, carrying on Trumps tradition, doesnt care about offending; he seems to relish in it.

He isnt worried about being a bully. And whether it comes to perceptions of him or Trump, Nehls doesnt think the public should either.

The headline should be: America, we are not electing the Pope. Were electing the president, he said. Try to keep the emotion out of it.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Lara Trump, wife of Donald Trump's son, Eric, addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference on February 22, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI

March 10 (UPI) -- Some Republicans are voicing anger over last week's election of Lara Trump to the role of co-chair over the Republican National Convention.

Lara Trump, who is married to Donald Trump's son Eric Trump, was elected to the role with chairman Michael Whatley - another of the former president's supporters -- at a meeting in Houston, Texas, the RNC said in a news release Friday.

"I will be laser-focused on protecting our elections, ensuring that the RNC's money is spent with maximum impact, and building out key capabilities to ensure that we win close races on the margins," Lara Trump said.

"Everything I do at this committee will have one focus: re-electing Donald Trump, flipping the Senate, and expanding the House this November."

Many people online said that they are officially "no longer a Republican" while others said the GOP gets "progressively worse" with each new party boss and that the "nepotism on display" would amount to a "major Democrat party victory."

Ayden David Marietta, who identifies as a Gen Z conservative on social media, said they will focus on down-ballot races this election.

"If these idiots aren't ousted or they don't wake up nationally in 2024, I will see to it they will," Marietta said. "We must reclaim the party of Lincoln, Coolidge and Reagan."

Some, like U.S. Navy veteran Dan Stilwell, said that they would "not donate another penny" to the Republican Party as long as Lara Trump remains involved in its leadership. Others said that they would change from Republican to Independent, or vote for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the 2024 presidential election.

"Remember-Laura Trump said 'every single penny' will be spent on Trump," Kyle Sweetser, who identified themselves as a "Haley Republican," said on social media. "Pair that with the RNC resolution to ban paying Trump's legal bills being shot down, the GOP is in for a whole lot of losing in 2024."
Backcountry skier dies on a day of accidents on New Hampshires unforgiving Mount Washington

MEREDITH, N.H. (AP)  The steep bowl at Tuckerman Ravine on New Hampshires Mount Washington has long made it a favorite spot for expert skiers and snowboarders who are seeking adventure beyond the comparative safety of the states ski areas.

But hard and icy conditions on Saturday turned the bowl deadly.

Madison Saltsburg, 20, died after falling about 600 vertical feet (183 meters) down the ravine in the afternoon, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Two other skiers suffered serious injuries after falling and hitting rocks and ice. And there were a number of other falls witnessed throughout the day which didnt result in serious injuries, the service said.

A telephone message to a forest service spokesperson seeking information about Saltsburg wasnt immediately returned Sunday.

The day of accidents prompted search efforts that continued for hours in the dark as teams worked to rescue the injured skiers and remove Saltsburgs body from the mountain. Heavy, wet snow started to fall Saturday night and winds began to pick up, forcing the rescuers to battle on through the worsening conditions.

The snow rangers and emergency personnel were up there late last night. Theyre exhausted, said Colleen Mainville, a spokesperson with the U.S. Forest Service.

Tuckerman Ravine is particularly popular in the spring, when the sun begins to soften the snow. On some days, hundreds of skiers and snowboarders make the 3-mile (5-kilometer) hike to the ravine, resulting in a festive atmosphere. From there it can take another hour to kick boot steps in the wall to get to the top.

But risks  including open crevasses, avalanches and rocks  have resulted in several deaths over the years.

The Forest Service said Saltsburg and her skiing companion encountered hard and icy snow surfaces due to cold temperatures and a lack of recent snowfall. There were also open crevasse holes on the mountain, the service said, and conditions were unforgiving.

Forest Service rangers and a team from the Mount Washington Avalanche Center also responded to two other skiers who suffered severe injuries that werent life-threatening, Mainville said.

At 6,288 feet (1916.6 meters), Mount Washington is the tallest peak in the Northeast and is notorious for its fickle weather. It is the sight of frequent rescues.

Just the previous night, on Friday, a 23-year-old hiker from Kentucky was rescued from the mountain after going off trail and into the Ammonoosuc Ravine, New Hampshire Fish and Game reported.

The hiker fell and hit his head and face, lost one of his sneakers, and eventually became hypothermic, the agency said in a statement.

He was given boots, food, warm drink, proper winter gear, and a headlamp. He was then escorted back to the trail and then to the Cog Railway parking lot, the agency said.

Another hiker who was rescued from the Ammonoosuc Ravine in February described his 11-hour ordeal to The Associated Press, acknowledging he had made some poor decisions and was underprepared for his hike, and crediting rescuers with saving his life.

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Just south of Dos Rios Ranch, a much-praised effort at river restoration, another such project is taking root.

It will add about 380 acres of floodplain and other habitat to the 1,600 acres at Dos Rios. They are near the confluence of the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers, about eight miles southwest of Modesto.

The state-funded project, totaling about $20.8 million, is on the former Hidden Valley Dairy. Annual feed crops are giving way to oaks, cottonwoods, willows and other native plants.

The floodplain will take on high river flows that otherwise could threaten nearby Grayson and downstream towns. The standing water could recharge the aquifer below for use during droughts. The place could offer food and shelter to fish, birds, mammals and other creatures.

The Hidden Valley floodplain restoration project is adjacent to a restored section of Dos Rios Ranch, left, west of Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.

The nonprofit River Partners is restoring Hidden Valley on a contract with the California Department of Water Resources. The group also did Dos Rios over the past decade with help from the Tuolumne River Trust and other entities.

Supporters say such projects are much cheaper and faster than building or expanding dams for flood control. It is engineering with nature, said Steve Rothert, a leader in the effort at DWR, in a Feb. 21 phone interview.

Nature knows what to do, and with the right conditions, it will come roaring back, he said.

Rothert is manager of the Division of Multi-Benefit Initiatives at DWR. He said Dos Rios has been an exciting, exemplary project that should be copied elsewhere.

The benefits can include recreation. Dos Rios will become a new state park by summer, thanks to about $5 million in separate funding.

Farmworkers lend a hand

The Modesto Bee got a Feb. 29 tour of Hidden Valley from River Partners field manager Austin Stevenot and Neil Wilson, senior restoration science ecologist. They work out of the Modesto branch office for the Chico-based group.

The planting began in December and is expected to run through March. It means temporary jobs for farmworkers, hired by a labor contractor during an otherwise slow time of year.

Antonio Soto works with a crew planting as part of floodplain restoration project at Hidden Valley west of Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. The nonprofit River Partners is restoring Hidden Valley on a contract with the California Department of Water Resources. The state-funded project, totaling $21 million, is on the former dairy where annual feed crops are giving way to cottonwoods, willows, oaks and other native plants.

About 40 were on hand when The Bee visited on that chilly Thursday morning. They dug holes with shovels and laid in nursery-raised trees from gallon pots. An empty milk carton protects each of them from pests and weather.

Wilson and Stevenot watched the crew from atop a levee and predicted success in short order.

In the early years, the cottonwoods and willows will really take off, Wilson said. The cottonwoods especially. We can see them putting on 10 feet a year.

Site will get 80,000 trees and other plants

River Partners has a detailed plan for each of its restorations, using trees, brush and grasses suited to the site. Hidden Valleys canopy will have three species of willow, along with one each of oak, cottonwood, elder and ash. Below them will grow native species such as deerbrush, blackberry, rose, currant, elderberry and mulefat.

About 80,000 nursery plants in all will go into the ground, and about 2,500 pounds of grass and wildflower seeds.

A few areas will be open rather than forested, welcoming to sandhill cranes and certain other wildlife. The floodplain will have a few mounds for riparian brush rabbits, an endangered species that needs such refuge during floods.

A crew member is works on a earthen mound created as high ground for small animals like the riparian brush rabbit during flooding as part of floodplain restoration project at Hidden Valley west of Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. The nonprofit River Partners is restoring Hidden Valley on a contract with the California Department of Water Resources.

Some of the trees will die over the next few decades, and thats just fine in a restored forest. The fallen trees provide homes for animals and are decomposed by microbes to enrich the soil. Beavers do their part by gnawing on trunks, Stevenot said.

The planted fields will be irrigated for three years, then left to survive on soil moisture from rain and excess river flows. The funding includes study by DWR on possibly cutting through part of a levee to aid water movement.

The lower stretches of Central Valley rivers used to flood extensively each winter and spring. Only about 5% remains today with most of the water diverted to farms and cities.

The big goals of the project are to create habitat for plants and wildlife that are short on those options here ..., Wilson said, and to open up the site to flood waters during peak flood season periods.

How the funding breaks down

The $20.8 million for Hidden Valley includes $10.3 million to acquire the site and $10.5 million for the restoration. DWR provided $6.3 million toward the purchase, and the rest came from the California Wildlife Conservation Board. The site totals 497 acres, including roads and other areas not suited for planting.

Media around the nation reported on how Dos Rios eased the flood pressure during last years abundant storms. It has been supplemented by the 285-acre Grayson Riverbend Preserve, where work began in 2022.

The three efforts total about 2,400 acres, but only Dos Rios will be open to the public for now. The others could become part of the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, which stretches across about 7,500 acres.

A crew plants cottonwoods, willows, oaks and other native plants as part of floodplain restoration project at Hidden Valley west of Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. The nonprofit River Partners is restoring Hidden Valley on a contract with the California Department of Water Resources.

River Partners senior restoration ecologist Neil Wilson checks on native grasses that will be used in the floodplain restoration project at Hidden Valley west of Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.

The Hidden Valley floodplain restoration project is adjacent to a restored section of Dos Rios, in the foreground, west of Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. The nonprofit River Partners is restoring Hidden Valley on a contract with the California Department of Water Resources.

The nonprofit River Partners is restoring Hidden Valley with 80,000 native plants including blackberry west of Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. The state-funded project, totaling $21 million, is on the former dairy where annual feed crops are giving way to cottonwoods, willows, oaks and other native plants.
This is the first part of a two-part series on "The Jennifer Servo case: A dogged pursuit of justice." The second part, featuring an interview with retired Detective David Atkins, will be published next Sunday  March 17.

It's the case that shocked the nation in 2002. Jennifer Olsen Servo was found dead in her apartment in Abilene two months after moving to the city. She was just shy of her 23rd birthday.

Up until now, there have been no arrests in the case that left many television reporters haunted by a girl cut down in the beginning of her journalism career.

Retired lead investigator Jeff Bell sat down with Reporter-News for an interview to recount the cold case that has haunted him for nearly 22 years.

While retired from the Abilene Police Department, he continues his work in law enforcement as a detective for the Criminal Investigations Division in the Taylor County Sheriffs Office.

Jeff Bell, retired Abilene police investigator, sits at his desk in the Taylor County Sheriff's Office. He is a detective for the sheriff's Criminal Investigations Division.

The first lead detective on the Servo case

In September 2002, Bell was promoted to lead investigator with APD after working many homicide cases. His first lead case, however, would be the brutal murder of Servo, a beloved TV reporter.

Bell retired from the Abilene Police Department in 2013, and the Servo case was his only open case left. Now, he sees hope with the new cold case unit, headed up by Detective Jeff Cowan.

Bell says Cowan is "a bulldog who won't quit."

Cowan was unable to comment on the case since it is active and open. He did say, however, that he began working the case in 2020, and he hopes more tips will come to APD to help solve it.

Cowan stressed that while some readers may be curious, releasing information could possibly jeopardize the investigation.

Anyone with tips is urged to contact Abilene Crime Stoppers online or at 1-800-868-8477.

A star with a bright future

Servo was born in Columbia Falls, Montana, and was inspired to become the next Katie Couric as a young girl. She moved to Abilene in the summer of 2002 at the age of 22 to start her job as a field reporter for KRBC.

According to the official police report, Servo was found dead in her apartment Sept. 18, 2002, after coworkers had not heard from her in two days. Police initially noted signs of head trauma. The last line of the police report read, "Investigation to continue."

When Bell talked about arriving on the scene, he had a faraway look in his eyes. He recalled that there had been a nationwide outrage after the brutal murder because Servo "was obviously moving up" with so much potential for her future.

'A state of upheaval'

Bell was one of the first detectives on scene after patrol had initially responded to the call. It was visible in his eyes just how much this cold case has weighed on him and how much it has affected him over the years.

What struck him most about the scene, however, was that Servo's apartment was "in a state of upheaval."

Despite that, Bell said APD "never had any issue deciphering" DNA at the scene, but the DNA they discovered belonged to individuals with explainable reasons for being there.

Ralph Sepulveda, Servo's ex-boyfriend, had previously lived in the apartment. Brian Travers, the local weatherman, was a friend who had visited her apartment often.

Detectives did not find any unknown DNA, Bell said. He also noted Servo was "kind of scared being a new town. She was not one that would leave the door unlocked." Coupled with those two pieces of evidence, the theory of an unknown assailant doesn't hold water.

The "first and major problem" detectives had, however, was the sheer number of fibers and samples they needed to collect, he said. Servo's cat had complicated the scene and "made for a rough start" for the detectives.

Bell confirmed the autopsy stated Servo had died from strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head.

The report stated, "Either one of those could have caused her to die."

Bell also confirmed she had been sexually assaulted.

Evidence also showed the alleged murder likely took place in the living room in the front of the house because of the bulk of physical evidence there.

'Not emotional in any way'

While Bell confirmed APD looked into multiple suspects, he declined to release those names, saying that they had been ruled out, and he would not "throw them under the bus."

Bell noted that Brian Travers, the local weatherman, was initially a person of interest because Travers had been the last known person to see Servo alive after a late-night shopping trip. Walmart surveillance had caught the pair on camera. It is the last known footage of Servo alive.

Bell said, however, that he does "not personally think Brian Travers is a suspect."

Ralph Sepulveda, Servo's ex-boyfriend, on the other hand, left "just weeks after" Servo's body was found. Bell also confirmed Sepulveda never took a polygraph test.

Bell said Sepulveda was "not emotional in any way" and "seemed inconvenienced by our involvement with him." The more they contacted him, the more agitated he became.

"At the end of the day, his name was still on top of the list," Bell said.

The Reporter-News reached out multiple times to Sepulveda for comment Wednesday. He did not respond by deadline.

APD has kept tabs on Sepulveda, interviewing him in San Antonio and later in Washington State.

Retired Detective David Atkins said Sepulveda never changed his story through the years.

"His story always has been 100% I had nothing to do with it," Atkins said.

All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

'We spent a lot of years looking at every rabbit trail'

While the trail did go cold, that never meant the team had given up on finding justice for Jennifer Servo.

Bell said APD "spent a lot of years looking at every rabbit trail." They even met with a psychic called in by Servo's mother, but unfortunately it did not result in any new leads.

The team later took their case to the VIDOCQ Society in 2008. There, they presented their findings to a panel of experts from law enforcement, the private sector, the military and the medical field to see if they had missed anything.

The VIDOCQ Society award to Detective Jeff Bell from February 21, 2008, in recognition of his hard work and dedication to solving the Jennifer Servo case. This award sits prominently on a book shelf in Bell's office.

But the VIDOCQ Society's feedback was that the team had "done a great investigation." While this was a blow to Bell, it was also reassuring because the team had left no stone unturned.

Remaining questions

Could this case be related to the murder of reporter Ann Presley in 2008 in Arkansas? In Bell's opinion, the answer is no.

He said these two cases are "not related" despite being "looked into pretty thoroughly."

A separate suspect was found guilty in 2009 for the Presley case and subsequently sentenced to life in prison.

Several other questions remain, such as what library books were checked out on Servo's library card after she was murdered.

Bell said one of the books was a textbook. The team spoke extensively to the library, and it was likely an anomaly.

Unfortunately, no video surveillance existed to see who actually checked out the books.

Bell did say, however, that it also is another circumstantial piece of evidence that gives credence to Sepulveda being the person of interest.

Bell also confirmed "Sex and the City" DVDs were missing from Servo's apartment in addition to the movie, "Saving Private Ryan." He noted Servo's friends had said that they were missing from her shelf.

Bell was quick to emphasize, however, that it did not appear as though someone had rummaged through her apartment. This piece of evidence could kill the theory that this was a random home burglary case.

There were no definitive signs of a struggle, and that led investigators to believe she was acquainted with her attacker, he said.

Hope for the future

Cowan, lead investigator of the cold case unit, now carries the baton.

Bell said he hopes Cowan's team is going to take this case "across the finish line."

Cowan "has always been a very motivated guy, kind of a bulldog when he gets on something," Bell said with a smile on the corner of his face.

It seems the Cold Case Unit of APD could be that much closer to an arrest with additional resources from the show "Cold Justice." The episode featuring Jennifer Servo will air this season on the Oxygen network.

For now, police are doing everything in their power to solve this heinous crime.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Retired lead investigator on Servo cold case speaks out
PULASKI COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) The New River Valley Regional Jail says an inmate is back in custody after escaping on Saturday, March 9.

According to jail officials, inmate Robert Dustin Radford escaped custody from the New River Valley Regional Jail while waiting to be processed. He allegedly slipped out a door that was left open to let vehicles out of a secured area of the facility.

Pedestrian hit by vehicle on Hershberger Road

Radford was pursued by the jails officers into the woods behind Camrett Logistics. Pursuing officers lost Radford and alerted the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office. They set up a perimeter around the Pulaski County Animal Control Center.

The jail reports Radford was eventually apprehended on the 700 block of East Main Street in Dublin.

NRVRJ thanks the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office, Dublin Police Department, and Virginia State Police for their quick response and apprehension of the inmate.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
A road just southeast of Oklahoma City's downtown tells a tale of two cities.

Despite being able to see downtown's skyline from Bryant Avenue, Del City's west boundary with its neighbor between Interstate 40 and SE 44 mostly is a worn-out, two-lane road, parts of which haven't been substantially cared for in decades.

That lack of attention partly fuels frustrations some Del City residents have expressed about plans to put a new county jail at 1901 E Grand Ave., just a couple of blocks west of the two communities' shared boundary.

While Del City has sidewalks on its side of the road for residents to use, there are none on Oklahoma City's side of the street. Uneven terrain on Oklahoma City's side of the road, which mainly fronts land zoned in the past for industrial uses, adds to hazards walkers there face.

Bryant Avenue between SE 29 and SE 44.

Over the years, traffic along Bryant probably has declined as businesses and a former, low-income housing project left that part of town.

And if it appears Del City's larger neighbor cares little about the road, why should its elected leaders and residents believe Oklahoma County would run a first-class jail at that location, especially taking into account problems the current downtown jail has experienced since it opened more than 30 years ago?

Carrie Blumert, the Oklahoma County commissioner who represents that area, hopes to change that narrative.

More: Safety, security concerns rank high among supporters of effort to keep county jail downtown

Commissioners Myles Davidson and Brian Maughan recently joined her to approve a $145,800 road assistance agreement with Del City, where the county will repair and resurface the Del City side of Bryant Avenue between SE 29 and SE 44.

The county will donate its time and equipment to complete the job, while Del City only will have to pay for the materials involved.

A sidewalk lines one side of S Bryant Avenue between SE 29 and SE 44 in Oklahoma County.

Meanwhile, Blumert is working on an agreement with Oklahoma City to take care of rebuilding its side of the road between SE 29 and SE 44, as well. She hopes to bring that agreement before the Board of County Commissioners soon.

"Oklahoma City has no issues with the actual project," she said. "We are just working on some legal terms as part of the agreement it wants changed."

The county's work on Oklahoma City's side won't add sidewalks (the larger community didn't request they be added). But Blumert said she expects the county will be able to at least improve its terrain to make it more walkable, and added she hopes to address Bryant between SE 29 and SE 15 soon.

Oklahoma County also is contemplating future Bryant Avenue-related improvement plans, but no agreements have been reached and the work has not been scheduled.

Crumbling portions of S Bryant Avenue between SE 29 and SE 44 are pictured Feb. 21.

Del City and Oklahoma County have addressed multiple issues together, records show

Road improvement projects between Oklahoma County and its smaller municipalities and school districts happen often, with most agreements requiring the partner to pay for materials and the county's time. Still, the option often saves the local entities money because the county provides its services at cost.

Oklahoma County has provided labor and equipment numerous times since 2019 to help Del City address some of its road improvement needs, including the following projects:

SE 41 between Sunnylane Road and Epperly Drive.

The intersection of SE 20 and Mickey Road.

Teal Drive from Sunnylane to Lariet Lane.

SE 29 from Sunnylane to Sooner Road.

SE 16 from Bryant Avenue to Mansfield Avenue.

SE 18 from Bryant to Mansfield.

Tilly Lane between SE 12 and SE 13.

Sunnylane between SE 20 and SE 29.

300 feet of Sunnylane north of Interstate 40.

SE 37 between Sunnylane and Wofford Avenue.

The intersection of SE 29 and Del View Drive.

SE 22 from Sunnylane to Lariet.

SE 35 from Holliday Avenue to Vickie Drive.

Trash lines the side of the road Feb. 21 on S Bryant Avenue between SE 29 and SE 44 in Oklahoma City.

In most cases, Del City paid for materials used as part of those projects and paid Oklahoma County for its costs to provide the labor and equipment (just more than $1 million since 2019).

Bryant Avenue, the western boundary separating Del City from Oklahoma City, is getting additional attention now because it likely would see increased usage if the county ultimately builds the new jail at 1901 E Grand.

"I would be open to taking a look at all of Bryant to make sure it is a high-quality road, knowing that it is going to be a lot more heavily traveled in the future," Blumert said.

Carrie Blumert, District 1 Oklahoma County commissioner, speaks during a town hall meeting to discuss the future of Oklahoma County's jail Jan. 29 at Metro Technology Centers Springlake Campus Auditorium in Oklahoma City.

After commissioners selected the Grand location, Blumert pledged to work with both the Crooked Oak school system and Del City to address their concerns as the jail is designed, constructed and finally becomes operational.

"I have been clear from the beginning that we need a new jail that is humane, both for the detainees and those who work in the facility. The new facility must also include social services and diversion programs for detainees to have access to services while awaiting trial. No matter where the jail goes, I will fight for those standards."

As for Del City, it continues to explore taking legal action against Oklahoma County to try and stop the jail from being built at 1901 E Grand, and discussed attorneys it might potentially hire to pursue litigation in an executive session it held in a recent meeting.

Del City Mayor Floyd Eason told The Oklahoman he and other elected leaders are appreciative of past support the county has provided the community to meet its ongoing road maintenance needs.

"While we don't see eye to eye on everything," said Eason, "I would say she (Blumert) has done a pretty good job for Del City."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Del City jail worries heightened by condition of road nearby
As it confronts an epochal series of decisions about how we conduct our presidential elections, the U.S. Supreme Court is skating on thin ice.

Mondays unanimous decision restoring Donald Trump to the Maine ballot just before in-person voting in Tuesdays presidential primary was not unexpected, but its sweeping nature certainly was.

Douglas Rooks

The court agreed that individual states cannot bar a presidential candidate from the ballot through the insurrection clause, Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows immediately withdrew her earlier ruling.

But the courts Republican majority went much farther, finding that to make the insurrection clause workable, Congress must pass legislation specifically applying it.

This turns the 14th Amendment on its head. The three post-Civil War amendments were the first to specify that Congress may enact legislation to enforce its provisions.

It does not say the Congress must pass legislation for those provisions to have effect. If that were true, a whole host of decisions based on the 14th Amendment would be invalid.

Starting in the late 19th century, the court interpreted the amendment liberally to strike down regulation of business, and in the 20th century moved aggressively against racial and gender discrimination under provisions for equal protection of the laws.

Chillingly, the court has now made a candidate like Trump practically immune from challenge, which can hardly constitute the legal or practical meaning of the amendment in any century.

The further difficulty the court faces, again self-created, lies in a second major case  Trumps claim he has absolute immunity for any action he took as president.

In the end the court is likely to rule, hopefully unanimously, against such audacious claims. During oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Trumps attorney even insisted that if Trump ordered the murder of a political opponent while president, he couldnt be prosecuted.

This would make Trump a king, or a tyrant like Vladimir Putin, and not a president subject to the same laws as everyone else.

Instead, the appeals courts definitive and unanimous opinion found that For the purpose of this criminal case, former President Trump has become citizen Trump . . . any executive immunity that may have protected him while he served as President no longer protects him against this prosecution.

The Supreme Court has now taken Trumps appeal, further slowing a trial more than three years after the events of Jan. 6. 2021  from different perspectives seen as a riot, invasion of the Capitol, or attempted insurrection.

The high court had the opportunity to decide earlier when prosecutor Jack Smith asked it to bypass the appeals court. It declined, let the appeals court rule, and could have accepted the result.

Instead, it decided to take the appeal and schedule arguments in April, the last possible week during its current term. That could delay a final ruling well into June.

Despite casual predictions this will push Trumps trial beyond the Nov. 5 election  his announced goal  its highly unlikely.

What could ensue is a presidential candidate going on trial well into the fall  not an inviting prospect as voters finally start weighing their decisions, rather than being subjected to endless, practically hourly opinion polls.

The courts dispatch in deciding the ballot access case vs. slow-walking the immunity case rouses suspicions its implicitly favoring Trump, allowing him to escape timely accountability for his alleged crimes  some 91 felony counts in four separate proceedings.

The specter of Gore v. Bush, the courts previous intervention into state election proceedings, looms on the horizon. What everyone knows is that the Dec. 12, 2000 decision by the courts 5-4 Republican majority made George W. Bush president.

Whats sometimes forgotten is that the court cut short a recount of the disputed Florida vote, meaning well never know who actually won that election  Bush, or Democrat Al Gore.

The court began its unprecedented involvement when it suspended rulings of the Florida Supreme Court governing the recount, and provided new instructions.

After Florida attempted to meet these conditions, the court intervened again to declare game over. The court said in its unsigned ruling it wasnt establishing a precedent, but it was.

A Republican court declared a Republican candidate president, and is dangerously close to aiding a candidate who even now doesnt accept that he lost the 2020 election  though his own attorneys admit he did.

The American people deserve to know whether Trump is guilty or innocent of the charges Smith has brought well before November.

If the court delays much longer, it may make the whirlwind that followed its 2022 Dobbs decision on abortion look like a tempest in a teapot.

Douglas Rooks has been a Maine editor, columnist and reporter since 1984. His new book, Calm Command: U.S. Chief Justice Melville Fuller in His Times, 1888-1910, is available in bookstores and at www.melvillefuller.com. He welcomes comment at drooks@tds.net.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Rooks: As U.S. Supreme Court dithers, storm clouds gather
Colorado Springs police said a postal worker was robbed Saturday morning while delivering mail to a community mailbox.

Shortly before 11 a.m, officers responded to reports of a robbery at the 900 block of Teal Court, near the Martin Luther King Jr Bypass and Mallard Drive.

Police said miscellaneous keys were taken from the victim by an unknown man.



The robbery comes just days after the U.S. Postal Inspection Service offered a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest of suspects who robbed two U.S. Postal Service letter carriers at gunpoint in northeast Denver on Monday.



Weve gotten to the point where we are now targets on a daily basis, Richard Byrne, President of the Colorado State Association of Letter Carriers, told the Denver Gazette.

Byrne said that crimes against mail carriers in Colorado has increased 300% from zero to at least 14 in the last three years.
Famous for being the spot where a spacecraft purportedly crashed in 1947, Roswell, New Mexico, has become a mecca for people fascinated by extraterrestrial phenomenon. So it's only fitting that the city's police force has uniform patches that are out of this world.

Unveiled on Friday, the new patches feature the official city logo of a flying saucer with a classic beam radiating downward to form the letter "R." The words "Protect and Serve Those That Land Here" form a circle and are separated by two tiny alien faces with large eyes.

History 1947: Rancher surprised at 'flying disc' excitement over his debris discovery near Roswell

Police Chief Lance Bateman said the department recently ordered an initial batch of 500, with the first ones being handed out just this week. The transition to the new patch is expected to be complete later this year.

Bateman said there had been discussions for a while about retiring the previous patch, which had served the department for more than 30 years. When he took office last summer, that was among the feedback he was getting from rank and file, so he pushed forward with the idea.

This image provided by the Roswell Police Department. shows the new uniform patch unveiled on March 8, 2024. Famous for being the spot where a UFO purported crashed in 1947, Roswell, New Mexico, has become a mecca for people fascinated by extraterrestrial phenomenon.

Employees submitted about a dozen designs, with most including some reference to UFOs and aliens. Top brass whittled that down to four finalists, and employees voted for the winner  designed by Support Services Sgt. Trong Nguyen  in January.

"It was a clear favorite," the chief told The Associated Press during a phone interview Friday.

The new patch also incorporates New Mexico's official state symbol, which is based on the ancient Zia Pueblo symbol of the sun.

More: Juarez UFO was of 'nonhuman origin,' Mexico ufologist Jaime Maussan claims

The unveiling of the patch came on the same day that the federal government sought to dispel claims that have captivated public attention for decades. A Pentagon study released Friday stated there was no evidence of aliens or extraterrestrial intelligence, a conclusion consistent with past U.S. government efforts to assess claims.

For those in Roswell, it has become a way of life, as thousands flock there every year to visit the International UFO Museum and Research Center, or to catch the annual UFO festival. Aliens and UFOs are plastered all over business marquees around town.

"At some point you kind of embrace it," said Bateman, who was born and raised in Roswell.

More: UFO sightings date back to the first Americans. How does New Mexico stack up?

Aside from the new patch just being cool, the chief said he hopes it will foster more relationships with the community. There are now more resource officers within Roswell's public schools, and Bateman said he and fellow officers often try to greet students on their way to school in the morning.

"They've done an awesome job with the community," Bateman said of the police force. "I think we're only getting better, and this will, I think, only enhance it. It opens conversations for the citizens and us."

___

Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Roswell, New Mexico, police unveil new UFO patches
Russia has begun using a powerful aerial bomb that has decimated Ukrainian defenses and tilted the balance on the front lines. It has done so by converting a basic Soviet-era weapon into a gliding bomb that can cause a crater fifteen meters wide.

The bomb is the FAB-1500, essentially a 1.5-tonne weapon of which nearly half comprises high explosives. It is delivered from above by fighter jets from a distance of some 60-70 kilometers, out of range of many Ukrainian air defenses. The FAB-1500 is another example of how Russia is fighting its war in Ukraine, inflicting massive destruction before trying to take territory.

Recent videos from the battlelines in Donetsk region have illustrated the immense power of these bombs as they have hit thermal power plants, factories and tower blocks - places from which the Ukrainians coordinate their defenses.

The FAB-1500 is directed towards its target by a guidance system and pop-out wings that allow it to glide towards its target. Joseph Trevithick, who has written about the development of the bomb for TheWarZone, says they offer a new and far more destructive stand-off strike option for many of Russias tactical jets that also help pilots stay further away from enemy defenses.

Law enforcement officers walk past a building damaged as a result of shelling in Donetsk. - Stringer/AFP/Getty Images

One soldier from Ukraines 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade told CNN from the frontline town of Krasnohorivka in Donetsk last week: Previously, we were only shelled with artillery. Now the orcs [Russians] have taken on the town more aggressively [and] started using air force assets, particularly the FAB-1500.

Why they are using the FAB-1500? Because the damage done by it is very serious. If you survive, you are guaranteed to have a contusion.

It puts a lot of pressure on soldiers morale. Not all of our guys can withstand it. While they are more or less used to the FAB-500 by now, but the FAB-1500 is hell.

The use of FAB bombs has become a critical element in the Russian offensive in Donetsk region, especially in razing to the ground Ukrainian defenses in and around Avdiivka, which fell in February.

Yuri Ihnat, Ukrainian air force spokesman, told CNN: On the eve of and during the battle of Avdiivka hundreds of air bombs were launched within days. There were 250 of them used in Avdiivka direction in 48 hours only.

The FAB-1500 is the most powerful in a family of Soviet-era dumb bombs now being converted at a plant near Moscow into a cheap but potent version of a missile.

Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, says that while manufacturing the glide kits is a bottleneck, the basic explosive package is something they have in huge numbers.

So the Russians have very heavy firepower to bring to bear on fixed defenses, increasing Ukrainian casualties, though not as yet enough to fundamentally change the frontlines.

Ihnat told CNN: This isnt a cheap or fast transformation, but still its much less than the millions of dollars a missile costs. Its pennies in comparison with a missile.

Russian military bloggers began referring to the weapon last September when its accuracy was being tested. The Fighterbomber telegram channel noted that after many months of trials and errors, a FAB-1500 had accurately hit its combat target for the first time.

Final checks on bombs before flight of the crew of Su-34 Fighter Bomber on March 8. - Russian Defense Ministry/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images

Fighterbomber, which is close to the Russian military and has nearly half-a-million subscribers, claimed that the newly developed glide kit had increased the range of the bombs. It also said the FAB-1500 was accurate to within five meters.

Within a few weeks, both Ukrainian and Russian sources spoke of the use of the massive bomb in Kherson in the south and Kharkiv in the north.

Then in January, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu was seen toured the plant of the JSC Tactical Missiles Corporation - a major arms manufacturer - in the Moscow region, being shown the wrap-around wings developed for the bomb. According to the Ministry video, the company said it had developed a high-precision munition converting old free-fall bombs into weapons that would glide to their target.

The director of the plant proudly reported to Shoigu that productivity had increased by 40% as it had shifted to 24/7 production.

Bronk notes that the converted FAB bombs can only be used against fixed targets, but in the grinding attritional war in the east, the main Ukrainian positions are generally known to the Russians.

The Russian planes dispatching these bombs are not invulnerable. The Ukrainian air force has claimed that it has brought down several Su-34 fighters in recent weeks. But most Ukrainian air defenses do not have the range to hit planes some 70 kilometers away.

Ihnat told CNN: Our air defense is getting stronger, but still we dont have enoughTheir goal is not only to hit our frontline positions, but guided glide bombs are also flying further behind our defenders to hit rear command posts, rear supplies, ammunition, and so on.

The attack aviation Su-35 and Su-34 bombers dont approach as close as they would like to. Still, if we had more long-range air-defense we would be able to take down these jets further [from our frontlines], Ihnat added.

Bronk says the development of the glide bombs has given the Russians a way to use their tactical air force (as opposed to long-range bombers) more effectively after its limited role in the first phase of the war. He says the US Patriot complex is just about the only defense that has the range to counter the threat, but the Ukrainians have a limited number. And the missiles used by Patriots are in short supply given the delay in the US Congress passing a further package of military aid for Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials from President Volodymyr Zelensky downwards have almost daily pleaded for longer range air defense weapons to fend off the Russian aerial threat. The F-16 combat aircraft on which Ukrainian pilots are now training are unlikely to take to the skies over Ukraine until the second half of the year but may force Russian combat aircraft to stay further away.

In the meantime, Ukrainian forces on the frontlines, especially in Donetsk, are exposed to a blitz of Russian air strikes - sometimes more than 100 in a day, according to the Ukrainian General Staff.

Just as the Russians previously wiped out Ukrainian positions with intensive artillery, they are now using a seemingly inexhaustible supply of these devastating bombs to leave Ukrainian forces with nothing to defend and nowhere to shelter.

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The discussion sparked by French President Emmanuel Macron's idea to send Western troops to Ukraine will save Europe a lot of time, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview with Latvian news outlet Delfi published on March 9.

Kyiv is not aware of any earlier discussions between EU or NATO allies on the deployment of Western troops.

Read also: Polish Foreign Minister supports Macron's strengthening stance on Ukraine

"Do we have the impression that Paris is the first European capital to publicly acknowledge the obvious? Kuleba said.

Yes, I think so. Do other capitals feel anxious and uncomfortable with this statement of fact? Yes, that is also obvious. But the discussion that this statement from Paris has sparked will save Europe a lot of time in recognizing that it needs to do more."

"We have to do this for you and for ourselves," Macron told President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris, according to Kuleba.

Macron has an understanding that is still lacking in some European capitals. Helping Ukraine is "not charity," but saving the lives of European citizens and money that would have been spent on their own defense.

Read also: No red lines for French support of Ukraine  Macron

"This message from Macron is what everyone knows but is afraid to say. He is simply the first to speak openly about what I think every sane person in Europe should understand, Kuleba said.

If Russia is not stopped in Ukraine, there will be a war in Europe."

Earlier, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne backed the idea of sending foreign troops to Ukraine during his visit to Lithuania to meet with his Baltic and Ukrainian counterparts.

"It is not for Russia to tell us how we should help Ukraine in the coming months or years," he said at a meeting chaired by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis and attended by his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba.

"It is not for Russia to organize how we deploy our actions, or to set red lines. So we decide it among ourselves."

The meeting comes as Ukraine suffers from a shortage of artillery ammunition, making it difficult to stop the onslaught of Russian attacks.

Baltic ministers praised France for "thinking outside the box."

French President Emmanuel Macon raised the possibility that Western soldiers may have to be sent to Ukraine after a conference in support of Kyiv held in Paris on Feb. 26. In response to Macron's statements, several NATO countries publicly rejected the idea of sending troops to Ukraine, including Poland, the United States, Germany, Czech Republic, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Read also: France advocates for strategic balance of power amid discussion of Western troops in Ukraine

However, the three Baltic countries  the most exposed to any Russian attack should Moscow succeed in its war against Ukraine  are much more open to the idea.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas did not reject the possibility of sending troops but clarified that they will send them only for training missions. General Onno Eichelsheim, Chief of the General Staff of the Dutch Army, said that "all options should be kept open."

Warsaw is also shifting its position.

The AFP news agency quoted a source as saying that European NATO member states had been studying the possibility of sending NATO troops to Ukraine for weeks.

On Feb. 29, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal explained that French troops could participate in the war on the side of Ukraine to protect certain borders, take part in exercises or ground air defense. He stated that there will be no participation of French soldiers in battles directly on the front line.



Read also: Discussions on deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine should be stopped  Pistorius

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A drone attacked an oil depot in the Russian city of Kursk, regional governor Roman Starovoit reported on Telegram on March 10.

According to the Russian authorities, the drone "crashed," after which a fire broke out.

Read also:

Firefighters are currently working at the site of the UAV attack.

Starovoit also reported the shelling of the village of Kulbaki, which allegedly killed a local. Her husband was also wounded.

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Russia appears to have sacked its top naval commander after a series of humiliating setbacks in the Black Sea, where its warships have been pounded by Ukrainian drones and missiles.

Two Russian news sources said Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, the Russian navys commander-in-chief since May 2019, had been fired and replaced by Admiral Alexander Moiseev.

Admiral Moiseev trained as a submariner under the Soviet Union. In 1998, he was credited with firing the first commercial micro-satellites into space from the nuclear-powered submarine he commanded.

Both Izvestia, a Moscow-based newspaper linked to the Kremlin, and Fontaka, a St Petersburg news agency, quoted unnamed sources confirming the change of command at the top of the Russian navy, based in St Petersburg.

Neither the Russian ministry of defence nor the Kremlin have commented. Unusually, too, Kremlin-linked Russian military bloggers have also not yet confirmed the change of leadership.

Russias navy has been heavily criticised during the war for being unable to defeat the smaller Ukrainian navy.

It has been virtually chased off the occupied Crimean peninsula after Ukrainian drone and missile strikes destroyed several warships and submarines, and has started to build a new base for its Black Sea fleet in a pro-Russia breakaway region of Georgia that is roughly 380 miles from Ukraine.

This week, Ukrainian intelligence said that one of its drones had hit and sunk a Russian patrol ship, killing seven sailors. In February, Russias ministry of defence sacked its Black Sea Fleet commander for the third time since the start of the war.

Admiral Moiseev has been commander of Russias northern fleet, based in the Arctic since 2019. He served as head of the Black Sea fleet from 2018.

Putins tinkering

Vladimir Putin is notorious for tinkering with personnel appointments. He has changed his military commander in Ukraine four times since his forces invaded in February 2022.

Although it has been humiliated in the Black Sea, Russian forces are on the advance along the frontline in Ukraines eastern Donbas region.

Russian military bloggers said that the Kremlins forces were making gains, although Ukrainian forces were putting up stiff resistance in villages around Chasiv Yar, which lies to the west of Bakhmut.

In Kleshcheevka, they report the advance of our troops. At the same time, they note that the Ukrainian armed forces soldiers are showing staunch resistance, the Two Majors channel quoted Russian soldiers as saying.

Ukraines forces have been criticised for not preparing defences over the summer when it launched its major counteroffensive.

The British Ministry of Defence said on Sunday that they were now digging trenches, laying minefields, building defence positions and setting tank traps. The expansion of the defensive lines will reduce Russias ability to advance or exploit tactical gains, it said.

CNN and the New York Times have also reported that US officials feared Russia could use a tactical nuclear bomb on the battlefield for the first time after Ukrainian gains near Kharkiv and Kherson in late 2022 and that the US military had been preparing rigorously for a response.

US agencies obtained communication intercepts that showed one of Russias most senior military commanders was explicitly discussing the logistics of detonating a weapon on the battlefield, the New York Times said.

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Russian forces struck Chasiv Yar and Ocheretyn in Donetsk Oblast, killing a person and injuring four others, Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office reported on March 9.

A 46-year-old man was killed when Russia shelled Chasiv Yar, which lies around 10 kilometers west of the Russian-occupied city of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin said on Telegram.

Four civilians were also injured in the attacks throughout the day.

Three of the victims, two men and one woman between the ages of 57 and 68, sustained shrapnel wounds as a results of the attacks. A fourth victim, aged 29, suffered an ankle injury stemming from a mine explosion.

No details were provided on the status of the injured victims.

Three apartment buildings and three homes were reportedly damaged as a result of the shelling.

The Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into the attacks.

Civilians in Donetsk Oblast settlements suffer from daily Russian strikes due to their proximity to the front line. Heavy battles continue in the region as Russia intensifies offensive actions along the front, and Ukraine's military faces severe ammunition shortages due to delays in U.S. aid.

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Russian troops hit a residential area in Dobropillia with Shahed drones overnight on March 10, killing two people, regional governor Vadym Filashkin reported.

Two bodies were retrieved from under the rubble of a building in the morning, according to Filashkin.

The governor also reported that the number of people injured in the Russian attack on Myrnohrad in Donetsk Oblast rose to 12.

Russian forces targeted the city of Myrnohrad overnight on March 10 with three S-300 missiles.

"Three missile strikes. Three craters in one location within a radius of 20 meters. Ten residential high-rise buildings are heavily damaged. One entrance of a nine-story building is damaged to the extent that it is uninhabitable and requires major restoration," Yurii Tretiak, the acting head of the local city administration, told Suspilne earlier in the day.

Russian troops launched an artillery attack on Chasiv Yar on March 10, killing a 66-year-old man, according to Filashkin.

"It is not safe to stay in Donetsk Oblast," he wrote on Telegram, urging residents to evacuate.

Civilians in Donetsk Oblast settlements suffer from daily Russian strikes due to their proximity to the front line.

Heavy battles continue in the region as Russia intensifies offensive actions along the front, and Ukraine's military faces severe ammunition shortages to defend the region due to delays in U.S. aid.



Read also: After 10 years of war, Krasnohorivka in new danger as Russia advances in the east

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The aftermath of the Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast. Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration

Russian troops struck the premises of a childrens camp in the town of Bohodukhiv (Kharkiv Oblast) at 00:05 on the night of 9-10 March.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration

Details: The attack reportedly caused a minibus to catch fire.

One outbuilding was damaged, but there were no casualties.

Ukrainian authorities reported that one civilian had been killed in Kharkiv Oblast over the past 24 hours.

A man, 73, was killed in a Russian attack on the village of Volokhivka, Chuhuiv district, on the evening of 9 March.

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Pulkovo International Airport in St. Petersburg suspended operations for several hours after an alleged drone attack near Russia's second-largest city on March 10, Russian state news agency Ria Novosti reported.

While Russian regions bordering Ukraine have often faced drone attacks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine over two years ago, St. Petersburg is rarely targeted by such attacks.

Leningrad Oblast Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko reported that a drone had been downed near the village of Fornovoso south of Pulkovo Airport without casualties on the ground.

Ukrainian officials have not commented on the alleged attack.

Fornosovo sits more than 800 kilometers from Russia's border with Ukraine.

Russia's aviation watchdog reported that the airspace had been closed over the airport to ensure safety without specifying other details.

Several videos were published on Russian Telegram channels depicting smoke rising near Pulkovo International Airport. Local media reported a fire breaking out at a warehouse in the vicinity. Two people were reportedly injured in the blaze.

Authorities in the neighboring Novgorod Oblast claimed that three drones had been shot down over the region.

The Kyiv Independent couldn't independently verify the claims.

Read also: The economic toll of 10 years of Russias war against Ukraine in charts

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The aftermath of the Russian attack on the town of Dobropillia. Photo: Ukraines National Police in Donetsk Oblast

Russian troops attacked the town of Dobropillia (Donetsk Oblast) with drones at midnight on 9-10 March, two people may be trapped under the rubble.

Source: Ukraine's National Police in Donetsk Oblast; Donetsk Oblast Military Administration

Details: Russian drone attacks caused severe damage in the towns residential area.

Two civilians may be trapped under the rubble.

Ukrainian authorities reported that Russian forces used Shahed loitering munitions to attack Dobropillia. Two administrative buildings and two private houses suffered damage.

Update: Later reports said that rescue workers have retrieved the bodies of two people from the rubble.

Additionally, the Russians shelled Chasiv Yar with artillery on Sunday morning, killing a 66-year-old man.

This news has been updated since publication.

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A child was critically injured, and a cat was killed in a structure fire in northeast Colorado Springs Saturday.

The structure fire was reported at 2070 Dortmund Drive, near North Academy Boulevard.

The apartment fire started around 7 a.m. Saturday morning with multiple fire units responding to the scene.

In a social media post, the CSFD's public information officer said that one child was taken to a nearby hospital and was in critical condition.

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A dead cat was also discovered in the apartment.

Displaced residents were being assisted by the American Red Cross.

Most of the fire was contained as of 8 a.m. and investigators remained on scene working to determine its origin and cause.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Russian shelling of towns in eastern Ukraine killed three people Sunday while a Moscow strike on a residential building in the town of Myrnograd wounded a dozen, Kyiv said.

Ukraine also said Moscow launched missile attacks on the northeastern Kharkiv region and sent attack drones across the centre and south of the country.

Russia, meanwhile, said one woman was killed in Ukrainian shelling of a border village.

Moscow's invasion of Ukraine has dragged on for more than two years, with intense fighting in the east and regular attacks far from the frontline.

"Three people died as a result of today's shelling in the Donetsk region," the head of the embattled region Vadym Filashkin said on social media.

He said rescuers pulled out two bodies "from under the rubble of a house" in the town of Dobropillya, which he said Russia attacked with Iranian-made Shahed drones at night.

A 66-year-old man was also killed in the frontline town of Chasiv Yar, Filashkin said.

Further south, a Russian night-time strike on the east Ukrainian town of Myrnograd wounded a dozen people, Kyiv said.

"In Myrnograd, the number of victims of the missile attack has increased to 12 people," Filashkin said.

Myrnograd is a town in the Donetsk region around 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the frontline with Russian forces.

Local prosecutors earlier said Russia struck a residential neighbourhood with three S-300 missiles around 3:00 am.

The prosecutor's office said the strike wounded a "16-year-old boy, five women and five men aged 34 to 95" and that 17 "high rise buildings" were damaged in explosions.

Officials published photographs of destroyed cars and blackened walls of typical Soviet-era housing blocks with debris outside.

- Attack drones -

Kyiv also said Russia launched more than two dozen Iranian-made Shahed attack drones across central and southern regions, including the Kyiv region.

"As a result of combat operations, 35 'Shaheds' were shot down" over 10 regions, the air force said on social media.

It said the drones were downed over central and southern Ukraine.

Russia on Sunday said Ukrainian shelling killed a woman in the border village of Kulbaki, some 10 kilometres (six miles) from Ukraine in the Kursk region.

"As a result of a direct hit from a shell, a residential building caught fire and a local woman died. Her husband had extensive burns and is now receiving qualified medical care," Kursk governor Roman Starovoyt said.

In Moscow-occupied Ukraine, Russian-installed official Denis Pushilin said Kyiv had shelled a bread factory at night in the city of Gorlovka, wounding four workers.

bur/rlp
A student of the Moscow State University has been sentenced to 10 days of arrest for naming his Wi-Fi network with a pro-Ukrainian motto "Slava Ukraini!" (Glory to Ukraine).

Source: the Moscow District Court

Details: The court claims that he "committed an administrative offence and publicly demonstrated the symbols of extremist organisations".

According to the documents, local policemen noticed the name of the network, the student was detained, and a search was conducted in his room. His personal computer, a laptop and a Wi-Fi router were seized.

The case materials say that the student used his Wi-Fi network "with the goal of conducting the propaganda of the "Glory to Ukraine" motto, which is a part of the ideology of the Organization of the Ukrainian Nationalists, to an indefinite circle of people from the number of potential users in the Wi-Fi network access area".

Background: Public demonstration of the symbols and paraphernalia of the Organization of the Ukrainian Nationalists and the use of the motto "Glory to Ukraine" and the response to it  "Glory to Heroes" has been banned in Russia.

In addition to this, this organisation was added to the list of "Nazi" organisations  as well as the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, Ukrainian National Army and the Ukrainian Peoples Self-Defence.

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The student was arrested at the dormitories of Moscow State University

A student has been sentenced to 10 days in jail in Moscow after renaming his wi-fi network with a pro-Kyiv slogan.

The Moscow State University student had titled the network "Slava Ukraini!" which means "Glory to Ukraine!".

A Moscow court found him guilty of displaying "symbols of extremist organisations" on Thursday.

Since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine, thousands have been handed prison terms or fines for criticising the invasion or supporting Ukraine.

The student was arrested on Wednesday morning in Moscow, after a police officer had reported the network name to authorities.

According to court documents, officers inspected his room within the university's student accommodation, and found his personal computer and a wi-fi router.

The court said he had used the network to "promote the slogan 'Slava Ukraini!' to an unlimited number of users within wi-fi range." The router has now been confiscated.

"Slava Ukraini" has become a rallying cry for supporters of Ukraine, and is regularly heard chanted during protests against Russia's full-scale invasion, which it launched on 24 February, 2022.

The student was found guilty of "public demonstration of Nazi symbolism... or symbols of extremist organisations". Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly made baseless claims about a "neo-Nazi regime" in Ukraine, and used it to justify his invasion.

The student is the latest in a long list of ordinary Russians who have been punished for their comments - or actions - about the war. Last month, hundreds of people were detained for simply laying flowers in memory of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died under suspicious circumstances in an Arctic Circle prison.

The conflict is not even allowed to be called a "war" in Russia - it must be referred to as a "special military operation".

According to Amnesty International, last year more than 21,000 people were targeted by Russia's "repressive laws" used to "crack down on anti-war activists".

The human rights group said "deeply unfair trials" were used to "dish out prison sentences and hefty fines to silence critics in response to the slightest dissent."
A Russian student at Moscow State University received a 10-day jail sentence for renaming a Wi-Fi network name to "Slava Ukraini" - a Ukrainian national salute that means Glory to Ukraine," Moscow court documents revealed on March 9.

On Thursday, a Moscow court found the student guilty of displaying "symbols of extremist organisations" under Russia's criminal code.

The student was arrested just one day earlier, on Wednesday, when a police officer discovered the network name in the university's student accommodation quarters. The student's room was subsequently searched and Wi-Fi router seized.

The Moscow court alleged that the Wi-Fi name was being used to promote the pro-Ukrainian salute. As a result, the student was found guilty of "public demonstration of Nazi symbolism."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly made false claims about a "neo-Nazi regime" to justify Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Tens of thousands of Russian have been arrested and sentenced to prisoner terms for showing dissent against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In 2023, at least 21,000 people were targeted by Russia's "repressive laws" used to "crack down on anti-war activists," according to Amnesty International.

The term "Slava Ukraini" is used as a patriotic rallying cry among Ukrainians, akin to "God save the King" in the U.K. or "Vive la France." The phrase can be traced back over a century and is tied to Ukrainians efforts to build an independent state, most notably in the face of enduring Russian aggression.

Read also: Russian man sentenced to 7.5 years for criticizing Ukraine invasion, Stalin

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Aftermath of Russian attack on Ukraines South. Photo: Defence Forces of Ukraine's South

Russian forces launched attack drones through residential areas and industrial districts on the night of 9-10 March, complicating Ukrainian air defence forces' efforts.

Source: Defence Forces of Ukraine's South on Telegram

Details: In the operational area of the Defence Forces of Ukraine's South, air defence units were intensively repelling a Russian large-scale drone attack  coming from both the sea and the temporarily occupied part of Kherson Oblast  for over four and a half hours.

Aftermath of Russian attack

PHOTO: DEFENCE FORCES OF UKRAINE'S SOUTH

A total of 20 UAVs were destroyed, specifically 11 in Odesa Oblast, 6 in Mykolaiv Oblast, 2 in Kherson Oblast and 1 in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Aftermath of Russian attack

Photo: Defence Forces of Ukraine's South

One of the drones hit the premises of an industrial facility in Odesa Oblast, damaging a building. Firefighters promptly put out the fire. No people were injured.

A loitering munition damaged a power line in Mykolaiv Oblast. Repairs are underway.

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Stock photo: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

A total of 73 combat clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces took place over the last day. On the Novopavlivka front, the Russians, with the support of aviation, tried to break through the defences of Ukrainian troops more than 30 times.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 10 March

Details: In total, the Russians launched 5 missile strikes and 95 airstrikes, and fired 136 times from multiple-launch rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas.

Over the past day, settlements in Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts came under airstrikes.

More than 110 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson and Mykolaiv Oblasts came under artillery fire.

The Russians did not conduct any offensive (assault) actions in the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group on the Kupiansk front.

On the Lyman front, Ukrainian soldiers repelled seven Russian attacks in the vicinity of Terny and Spirne (Donetsk Oblast).

On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian defence forces repelled six Russian attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk Oblast).

In the area of responsibility of the Tavriia Operational Strategic Group on the Avdiivka front, Ukrainian troops repelled 16 Russian attacks near Berdychi, Orlivka, Tonenke and Pervomaiske.

On the Novopavlivka front, Ukrainian forces are continuing to hold back the Russians near Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk Oblast), where the Russians, supported by aviation, tried to break through the defences of Ukrainian troops more than 30 times.

On the Orikhiv front, eight Russian attacks were repelled east of Levadne, Robotyne and west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia Oblast).

In the area of responsibility of the Odesa Operational Strategic Group on the Kherson front, Ukraine's Defence Forces are continuing to hold their positions.

Over the past day, Ukraine's Air Force struck eight areas where Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment were concentrated.

Units of Ukraines Rocket Forces and Artillery struck one area where Russian personnel were concentrated, and struck an electronic warfare station and a Russian air defence system.

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The Russians reportedly have managed to find and target part of a Ukrainian Patriot battery the first time in Russias two-year full-scale war on Ukraine, Forbes reported on March 9.

A Russian drone operator located a Ukrainian convoy outside of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, which seems included at least two truck-mounted quad-launchers for a Patriot surface-to-air missile battery.

Read also: 10 Patriot missile systems would dramatically alter the situation at the front  Zelenskyy

Responding more swiftly than usual, a Russian Iskander hypersonic surface-to-surface missile crew took aimand scored a direct hit on the Ukrainian convoy from potentially hundreds of miles away. Two of the apparent Patriot launchers exploded, almost certainly killing their crews.

Ukrainian Patriot batteries in the last month have shot down as many as a dozen Russian air force Su-34 and Su-35 fighter-bombers, blunting Russias aerial advantage on the front.

It is possible the launchers and crews that Iskander struck on March 9, 20 miles from the front line, were the very same launchers and crews who shot down many of those Russian jets. The air over eastern Ukraine may have gotten a lot safer for the Russians.

Read also: Ukrainian Armed Forces and HUR shot down another of Russia's prized A-50 AWACS aircraft and Su-34 jet in joint operation

The Ukrainians thus alleged lostin one incidentup to 13 percent of their Patriot launchers, assuming that Ukrainian batteries each have eight launchers.

The mobile launchers are critical componentsalong with radars, command stations and missile-reloadsof Ukraines best air-defenses. Patriot PAC-2 missiles have swatted down potentially dozens of Russian aircraft and, if you believe Ukrainian claims, hundreds of drones and missiles.

Patriots routinely shoot down the hypersonic Iskanders, but only when the batteries are deployed and alert, rather than convoying from one firing position to the next.

Its unclear why the Ukrainian Patriot crews didnt have their own air-defense cover while traveling. Its possible the Ukrainian air force is stretched too thin protecting Ukrainian cities and ground troops also to protect itself.

Kyiv may struggle to replace those lost launchers. Thats because U.S. firm Raytheon is the sole builder of Patriot hardware, although a German partner does contribute to the production of Patriot missiles. Ukraine or one of its allies could get in line to buy replacement launchers to replace the two the Russians just destroyed, but that purchase could take months if not years and cost millions of dollars Kyiv likely hasnt budgeted for.

On March 9, the Russian Defense Ministry released footage purporting to show the destruction of an S-300 missile launcher by a missile near the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast. However, an OSINT analyst using the call sign Cloud later reported that the video showed a Patriot rather than an S-300.



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Russian troops are slowing their offensive around Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast after making rapid gains earlier. Ukraine has deployed significant forces to defend the area, The New York Times reported on March 9.

After the Russian army captured Avdiivka, Ukraine and its allies feared that the aggressor would be able to quickly advance through strategic hubs and settlements. However, after rapid successes, the Russian offensive stalled near three neighboring villages.

Read also: Russian forces apply tactical adaptations in seizure of Avdiivka  ISW

Military experts name several factors that slow down the Russian advance:

terrain that is not suitable for offensive operations

exhaustion of Russian troops after months of fighting

the Ukrainian army, which has deployed significant forces to defend the area

However, Russia still holds the initiative on the battlefield, and military analysts say that its troops can still break through Ukrainian defense lines due to the lack of American military assistance, the NYT writes.

For now, though, the fighting has turned into the same sort of inconclusive back-and-forth that characterized most of the frontline battles last year.

Read also: Reservoir cascade to enhance Ukrainian military defenses near Avdiivka, Tavria unit commander says

"The capture of Avdiivka did not lead to the collapse of Ukrainian lines, a possibility for the Russians to reach open territory, or even achieve major success," said Thibault Fouillet, Deputy Director of the U.S.-based Institute for Strategic and Defense Studies.

Over the past 10 days, Russia has seized just over a square kilometer of land, and its troops are fighting in the villages of Berdychi, Orlivka, and Tonenke in Donetsk Oblast.

"Russian troops are trying to push forward using small infantry assault groups, but they are being destroyed in the relatively open terrain west of Avdiivka," said Pasi Paroinen, an analyst at Black Bird Group.

If the Russian army captures these three villages, it is unclear what their next steps will be, given that the terrain is hilly and dotted with streams and water bodies, which complicates further advancement, the NYT reports.

Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Feb. 17 that the Defense Forces had withdrawn from Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, after four months of intense fighting and regular attacks by the Russian troops. According to him, this decision was made to avoid encirclement and to preserve the lives and health of the soldiers.

Read also: Syrskyi faces complex tasks in leading Ukrainian forces  General Mick Ryan

Tavria operational and strategic troop grouping spokesman Dmytro Lykhoviy assured that the withdrawal of troops from Avdiivka was as successful as the circumstances allowed. Commander Oleksandr Tarnavskyi said that Ukraine's defenders have consolidated their positions on new defense lines in the Avdiivka sector.

The Tavria grouping confirmed on Feb. 26 that the Defense Forces had withdrawn from the village of Lastochkyne to organize defense and prevent further advance of the Russian forces.

Lykhoviy said on Feb. 27 that the Defense Forces had withdrawn from the small villages of Severne and Stepove near Avdiivka.



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MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Rutherford County man has been arrested for his connection to the case of a missing girl who was later found safe in Texas after a dayslong search, officials said.

On Sunday, March 10, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) announced that Iris Crum, 7, had been found safe in Texas after she was last seen in Murfreesboro on Friday, March 1.

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Authorities issued an Endangered Child Alert for the seven-year-old on Saturday, March 2 and later upgraded it to an AMBER Alert on Friday, March 8 after growing concern about her well-being.

Iris was believed to be in the company of her non-custodial mother, 30-year-old Khaila Czereda, according to investigators.

PREVIOUS: Father of missing 7-year-old girl says hell fight to get her back

After Iris was found, the TBI reported Khaila was taken into custody on charges of felony child abduction and custodial interference.

Detective Sgt. Joseph Duncan with the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office (RCSO) shared a photo of Iris after she was found, stating that she smiled after being located safely Sunday in League City, Texas.

Iris Crum (Courtesy: Rutherford County Sheriffs Office)

According to the RCSO, deputies interviewed Khailas husband  identified as Ethan Czereda  on Saturday, March 9.

We used investigative leads to gain information Iris was at a home in Texas, Duncan said. The Texas Rangers and police there apprehended Khaila and returned Iris to safety.

TN AMBER Alert: Missing Rutherford County girl found safe, mother in custody

Investigators said Ethan, 33, of Fall Parkway near Walter Hill, was charged with felony aggravated kidnapping, accessory after the fact and false report/information to officers.

He is being held on a $75,000 bond at Rutherford County Adult Detention Center and is expected to appear in General Session Court on May 13.

Ethan Czereda (Courtesy: Rutherford County Sheriffs Office)

Khaila Czereda (Courtesy: Rutherford County Sheriffs Office)

Officials expressed their thanks to law enforcement and everyone who called in tips that helped detectives locate Iris.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

It was a team effort between TBI, the Sheriffs Office, Texas officers and partner law enforcement agencies across the country, Duncan said. We worked a lot of hours but we have her safe.

No other information was immediately released.

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 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  One of the biggest annual events took place Saturday morning in the Electric City and thousands of people showed up to celebrate and show their Irish pride.

Thousands of people came out and painted the city of Scranton green on Saturday for the annual Saint Patrick Parade.

Among those marching in the parade U.S. Senator Bob Casey, a Scranton native Senator Casey says seeing the community come together is the best part of the day

Its just great to see people. this is one of the events of the year where you can see people from all walks of life really throughout the county and beyond so its as a public official its a great way to see a lot of people, said PA State Rep. Bob Casey.

The eventful day started with a mass with Bishop Joseph Bambera giving the blessing at the Cathedral of Saint Peter.

Watch: Scranton St. Patricks Parade 2024

Then many were off and running at the Brian P. Kelly Memorial two-mile foot race a parade day staple.

This year all the proceeds raised from that race will benefit Detective Kyle Gilmartin and his family.

Everyone you talk with has a favorite part of the day. For some, its the music.

Im really happy to come and see it for the first time. Im having fun I like all the bands and stuff as a musician myself, said Alexander Edwards from Montrose.

Others say it is just tradition to be here on parade day.

Before I can remember to be honest, I think there are probably pictures of me as a little kid in a bright green onesie here its been a tradition for as long as I can remember my familys Irish, says Lee Sullivan from Montrose.

One woman is here celebrating her birthday and says she plans to be back next year.

This is my first one and Im very happy to be here and definitely will be back. I love the bagpipes love and the Marine Corps band, added Christine Gursky from Montrose.

Part of it is to celebrate her birthday, but we come every year just to celebrate our Irish heritage and to have a fun day at the parade day, stated Sarah Shields from Scranton.

Yet others like Carly Miller say the fire trucks are her favorite part of the parade.

Definitely the firetrucks yeah we love the firetrucks love to see Im just the tradition of parade day like is definitely so cool we love it, said Miller

A great day for one and all to keep Irish eyes smiling until next year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
The celebration over Everything Everywhere All at Once winning the 2023 Academy Award for Best Picture is spreading everywhere, notably including Littleton, hometown of Allison Rose Carter.

Carter is one of 15 official producers of the runaway hit, which pulled seven Oscars at Sunday nights party. Carter, who has 33 professional film credits to her name, is listed as a co-producer. But she was also the films Unit Production Manager, which, according to the Directors Guild of America, is a significant title that goes to those primarily responsible for the administration of a feature film.

And talk about a multiverse: Shes going straight from Everything Everywhere All at Once to an upcoming film called Nobody Nothing Nowhere, which is starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lucy Liu and Octavia Spencer. Its about a human-looking being who has been designed and trained for the purpose of filling in a realistic world for Dave, the last remaining person on Earth.

Carter is a graduate of Columbine High School, and she was in class the day of the 1999 massacre.

Carter joins Colorado Academy graduate Shane Boris as winning Colorado producers at Sundays Oscars. Boris produced the winning Best Documentary Feature, Navalny.

Carters parents, Vince and Terri, told Denver Gazette media partner 9News that Allison would watch Steven Spielberg films growing up  and now her latest movie was nominated in some of the same categories he was (for "The Fablemans"). She started making her first movies at Columbine with the help of her parents.

"We played some of the bystanders," Terri told 9News' Marc Sallinger about a scene that was filmed in front of the familys fireplace.

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"She has surpassed anything that Ive ever done," Vince Carter added. "What you want for your kids is for them to be happy. Shes not only happy, but successful and happy. Man, that just blows me away. She was here just this last Christmas and I said, 'Youre a better person than I am, and its true.

The Carters told Sallinger they love all their daughters movies, but nothing prepared them for Everything, Everywhere All at Once hauling in 11 Oscar nominations. The film is an eccentric tale about a laundromat-owning Chinese immigrant family that blends science fiction and alternate realities.

"I know everybody says that, 'Oh, its just good that you got nominated,'" Terri Carter told Sallinger. "Well, I think that is true."

Carter is also listed as executive producer for an upcoming film called Nightbitch and producer of another called Infinite Summer. Previous credits include the award-winning film "Diane," starring Mary Kay Place as a mother desperately attempting to bond with her drug-addicted son.

Producer titles are the most fluid designations in the film industry, but one local film exec told The Denver Gazette today that Carter is the real deal. In general, the title reflects the amount of influence and responsibility a producer has on a given project. The pecking order starts with associate producer and rises to co-producer to producer to executive producer.

Carter won the L.A. Femme Filmmaker Award in 2012 as Best Feature Writer for co-writing Hannah Has a Ho-Phase. Together with Jon Read, Carter runs a production company called Savage Rose Films.
The Samish Indian Nation announced its Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has passed the one-million pounds of debris in its efforts to clean up the waters and shoreline of Skagit County, Island County, Whatcom County and the San Juan Islands. The tribe said earlier this week 1,095,534 pounds of man-made toxins and objects, including creosote-treated wood, waterborne plastics, tires, derelict boats and more. have been removed from the water and shoreline.

Our culture is directly tied to the environment around us, and preserving the land and water of the Salish Sea honors our ancestors and future generations alike, Samish Indian Nation Chairman Tom Wooten said.. The work the Samish DNR is doing preserves our cultural identity. Without the water and life within it, we have nothing.

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Since 2004, the cleanup of debris in the Puget Sound region has been a focal point of the WADNR's Restoration Program. Initially concentrated in the North Sound, this endeavor has now expanded to encompass regions throughout the Puget Sound.

The tribes DNR marine cleanup operations were conducted in collaboration with various entities, including the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WADNR), Washington Conservation Corps, Veterans Conservation Corps, and EarthCorps. The partnership between the Samish DNR and WADNR, established in 2014, has been instrumental in the cleanup efforts, with the Samish DNR providing landing crafts and manpower annually.

Clean up debris from water and shoreline. (Photo/Samish Indian Nation DNR)

Samish DNR focuses on preserving, protecting and restoring natural resources important to Samish Tribal Citizens for now and future generations, said Matt Castle, Manager of Samish Department of Natural Resources. The Samish DNR remains committed to the ongoing removal of debris from Samish Traditional Territory to ensure the Samish people and neighboring communities will be able to utilize the natural resources of the Salish Sea for years to come.

Chairman Wooten reiterated the enduring commitment of the Samish people to stewarding their land and waters, ensuring a better environment for generations to come.

The collaborative efforts of Samish DNR, the Washington Conservation Corps, and WADNR will resume cleanup activities from June through August, utilizing the MyCoast app to document all marine debris collected. The public is encouraged to participate by downloading the app and reporting any sightings of marine debris, with all information gathered being shared with the Samish and Washington State DNRs.

This ongoing project will continue annually, contingent upon funding availability.

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) hit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday for how he is running Israel amid its war with the militant group Hamas.

Sanders has repeatedly called on the U.S. to halt its military aid to Israel, citing the humanitarian crisis that has been unfolding in Gaza for months. He reiterated his call for an end to funding Israel on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday.

Year after year, we have provided billions of dollars in military aid to the government of Israel. Right now, you have a right-wing, extremist government under Netanyahu. There are plans to provide him with another $10 billion in unfettered military aid, he said.

What you can say to Netanyahu: Stop the slaughter, allow the massive amounts of humanitarian aid that we need to come in to feed the children. Please, please, please. Oh, but by the way, if you dont do it, heres another $10 billion to continue the war, he added.

CBSs Margaret Brennan then asked Sanders if he stands by his view that a full cease-fire with Hamas is unrealistic.

Look, what you have, what you need right now is a cease-fire tomorrow so that the trucks, the massive amount of humanitarian aid can come in to feed the people who are starving. But you have Hamas has dedicated to destroying Israel. You have the  Netanyahu government, which is dedicated to [destroying] Hamas, he said.

I think at the end of the day, commands cannot be continuing to run Gaza. And [the] Netanyahu government cannot continue to run Israel, if were going to ever leave  bring peace to that region, Sanders added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Satellite images of the grounds of the Taganrog aircraft plant, which was attacked by drones on March 9, have been posted online by OSINT analyst Frontelligence Insight on X.

Read also: Russia contemplates reviving old A-50 aircraft to mitigate losses  UK intelligence

The images, taken on the afternoon of March 9, show damage to one of the hangars.

There are also signs of arson on the roof of the hangar, indicating a fire.

According to the media outlet Militarnyi, the hangars were the final assembly site for the aircraft. The enterprise was used to repair special aircraft based on the Tu-95 and Il-76 airframes.

Frontelligence Insight/

Frontelligence Insight/

OSINT analysts claim that one of A-50 is missing from the images taken on March 8 and 9. It was there on Feb. 29.

Militarnyi writes that it is not yet known where the aircraft was redeployed. However, there is a possibility that it could have been damaged when it was moved to the hangar, which was later hit by a UAV.

Schemes ()

Explosions were heard in Taganrog, Russia overnight on March 8-9. The authorities reported a massive attack by allegedly Ukrainian drones.

The Taganrog authorities reported officially that the attack was repelled by Russian air defenses and acknowledged the injury of only one emergency response worker who was involved in the clearing operations.

Read also: Russia hopes to revive production of A-50 AWACS aircraft

Local Telegram channels wrote that the Taganrog Beriev Aviation Scientific and Technical Complex could have been hit. Russian military bloggers noted that the plant's workshops were used to repair the A-50 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

At the same time, Serhiy Bratchuk, head of the Public Council at the Odesa Oblast Military Administration, wrote on social media that Ukrainian special services had conducted a successful special operation in Taganrog, hitting a local aircraft manufacturing plant with drones.



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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
I love insulation. In my own home I have 500mm-thick loft insulation. The current regulations state 270mm is sufficient, but I believe in topping up  a bit like doubling up your duvet on a cold winters night.

But despite the double-glazing, efficient boiler, programmable heating control and extra loft insulation, my Victorian home still has a leaky energy efficiency grade E.

I was therefore excited in March 2023 when the Government announced the Great British Insulation Scheme, an energy-efficiency scheme administered by Ofgem. Scheduled to run until March 2026, 1bn had been ear-marked to help around 300,000 households to install new home insulation.

Finally, I smiled to myself, the Government has understood we need to insulate first, then worry about the heat source later. I say this, because as a landlord, Ive been experimenting with various measures over the years  especially internal wall insulation  to try and make the rental properties not only more economic to run, but more comfortable to live in.

It has not been a cheap task.

In fact, on account of the huge investment some of these measures require, I sold off many properties which were economically unviable. The bottom line: I could not afford to solve all of the energy-efficiency problems of all of the properties.

The Great British Insulation Scheme targeted both general people (those with properties rated D-G) and low-income households (including those in receipt of benefits). It wasnt really clear as a general person what sort of contribution you had to pay, but I figured Id tackle the cost, once I knew the savings on offer.

Either way, given this was a scheme where your energy supplier arranged a visit by a surveyor to conduct a retrofit assessment and advise how you could make changes to the property to cut energy use and reduce carbon emissions  I was all in.

In fact, I was so behind this scheme I sent the weblink to every tenant, letting agent, friend and family member, encouraging them to sign up. It takes just two minutes, was my sales cry. You could save a huge amount  sign up today!.

The scheme is designed to complement the Energy Company Obligation (EC04) scheme, so I thought support on different levels was available. The possible insulation measures were enticing:

Cavity wall (including party wall)

Loft

Solid wall

Pitched roof

Flat roof

Under-floor

Solid floor

Park home

Room-in-roof.

As somebody whos been studying retro-fit installation, I was in my element. I couldnt wait to hear what an adviser would suggest.

The problem: I have never spoken to anyone.

Nor has anyone else who I encouraged to sign up for this potentially life changing experience. Apart from the initial acknowledgement email thanking them for showing interest, not one person I know has ever had a follow-up, or a visit from the hallowed surveyor, let alone any work executed.

Its little surprise, then, to read the latest statistics from the Great British Insulation Scheme which show since it was launched there have provisionally been 4,011 measures in 3,284 households up to the end of December 2023.

Over nine months only 3,284 households have been helped. If you assume it started on April 1 2023, that is a rate of just 84 households per week.

At this rate, insulating the target of 300,000 homes will take 3,571 weeks  or rather more than 68 years.

Did I mention the scheme is scheduled to run until March 2026?

Perhaps what is most frustrating is the regional variation, which suggests some suppliers are more on the ball than others. Yorkshire and The Humber tops the chart with 16pc of all measures being installed, but the likes of Wales, East Midlands and Scotland are the worst (5pc and 4pc respectively). London comes in at just 6pc.

At a time of energy crisis and promises of net zero, its not only frustrating to see this scheme floundering  it is scandalous.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
(The Hill)  Actress Scarlett Johansson parodied Sen. Katie Britts (R-Ala.) rebuttal to the State of the Union last week in the cold open of Saturday Night Live after the response was met with widespread criticism and mocking on social media.

The episode opened with a brief introduction from cast member Ego Nwodim, who was playing CNNs Abby Phillips, before cutting to Mikey Day, who was playing President Biden delivering his State of the Union address.

Folks, tonight Im going to cover a lot. Theres going to be a lot of applause. So, Kamala, I hope you didnt skip leg day, girl. Youre going to be up and down all night, Day said, before Punkie Johnson, playing Vice President Harris, stood up and applauded.

He was later booed by Heidi Gardner, playing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)  who had heckled Biden during his address Thursday night. He then introduced Britt to give the Republican response, saying, I think shes going to help me more than anything else I could say here.

Katie Britt defends human trafficking story in State of the Union response amid backlash

Johansson, playing Britt, delivered the mock rebuttal from a kitchen like the junior Alabama Senator did last week.

My name is Katie Britt and I have the honor of serving the great people of Alabama. But tonight Ill be auditioning the part of scary mom performing an original monologue called This Country is Hell, Johnasson said.

FILE  Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala.,, speaks during a news conference on the border, Feb. 15, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

FILE  Scarlett Johansson poses for photographers at the photo call for the film Asteroid City at the 76th international film festival in Cannes, southern France, May 24, 2023. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP, File)

You see, Im not just a senator. Im a wife, a mother and the craziest b- in the Target parking lot. Im worried about the future of our children. And this is why Ive invited you into this strange, empty kitchen because Republicans want me to appeal to women voters and women love kitchen, she added.

Saturday Night Live also took aim at some aspects of her speech that were criticized online, including her telling a story about a woman who was sexually abused in a sex trafficking operation run by cartels to make her points on immigration. However, The Associated Press reported that the incident did not occur in the United States or under Bidens administration.

And like any mom, Im going to do a pivot out of nowhere into a shockingly violent story about sex trafficking. And rest assured every detail about it is real, except the year, where it took place and who was president when it happened, Johansson said.

Britt has made immigration one of her top issues in her first years in the Senate, and Republicans have seized on a surge of immigrants entering the country during Bidens term to attack the president. Former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination this year, blames Biden for the killing of a Georgia nursing student after an immigrant from Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally was arrested and charged with her murder.

The Alabama senator, 42 and the youngest woman in the Senate, has said she wants to represent a new generation of leadership in Washington. She was endorsed by Trump in her 2022 election and has remained in touch with the former president, most recently pushing him to support in vitro fertilization after a ruling by her states supreme court blocked some IVF procedures.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
One person is dead after being shot near a Dayton bar early Saturday morning, according to a Dayton police sergeant.

Police and medics were called out to the area of Partners in the 400 block of Patterson Road around 1:30 a.m., according to a previous News Center 7 report.

>>ORIGINAL COVERAGE: Man dead after shooting near Dayton bar, police say

When police got to the scene, they found a male who had been shot.

The victim was taken to Miami Valley Hospital.

News Center 7 spoke with a woman who was at Partners when the shots rang out.

Savhanna Birt considers herself a regular at the bar but has never seen anything this intense.

Ive seen fights and stuff but never guns or anything, she said. I didnt hear the fight itself, but I heard the gunshots around 1:30 (a.m.).

Birt said she usually has a good time with her friends at Partners, but this time was different.

It was scary, me and my friends all just left but I had friends still in there, so trying to see if they were still alive, Birt said.

When the gunfire rang out, Birt left her belongings behind and got out.

>> Police: Person walks into Springfield hospital with gunshot wound

Purse with my wallet, keys to my house, phone charger, so Im trying to wait for someone to come let me in, Birt said.

People who work at nearby businesses told News Center 7 that they didnt want to speak on camera because they were scared of becoming a target.

Its normally safe, I walk around here at night feeling safe all the time, but now Im not sure, Birt said.

Dayton police told News Center 7 they do not have a suspect at this time but they are investigating this shooting as a homicide.

We will continue to follow this story.
Scenic Jacksonville is thrilled to introduce its new officers and board members for the 2024 term, marking a large step forward for the organizations mission to enhance the scenic character of Jacksonville.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Leading the board for a second term as President is Michael Kirwan, alongside a dedicated team of officers: Bill Hoff Jr. as Vice President, Laura DAlisera as Secretary, Tom Larson as Treasurer, and Jim Overton as Vice President. Susan Caven continues her role as an ex-officio member.

Joining the board are three esteemed professionals: Wiatt Bowers, Melissa Schmitt, and Rebecca Billy Zeits. Each brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to furthering Scenic Jacksonvilles goals.

Wiatt Bowers, an urban planner with nearly 30 years of experience, expressed his passion for improving Jacksonvilles natural and built environments.

Scenic Jacksonvilles advocacy for design excellence meshes with my enthusiasm for enhancing public spaces and urban design, said Bowers.

Melissa Schmitt, a Certified Financial PlannerTM, emphasized the importance of community collaboration in creating a beautiful river city.

Partnering with Scenic Jacksonville is an opportunity to be a part of this shared vision: creating a place were proud to call home, said Schmitt.

Billy Zeits, a senior project manager at Corner Lot Development, highlighted the alignment between his career and Scenic Jacksonvilles mission.

The work of Scenic Jacksonville to advocate for responsible development, with the improvement of the public spaces is in line with the work that I have done over my career, said Zeits.

We are very fortunate to have such talented community leaders joining Scenic Jacksonvilles Board, said President Michael Kirwan. These new directors bring energy and enthusiasm to our already active and passionate board and will help us continue our mission of preserving, protecting, and enhancing the scenic character of our city.

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About Scenic Jacksonville

Scenic Jacksonville, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-partisan advocacy organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing the scenic character and beauty of Jacksonville, Florida. With a focus on initiatives such as tree canopy preservation, responsible signage control, undergrounding utilities, and historic preservation, Scenic Jacksonville believes in the power of community for constructive change.

The organization is a founding member of both the Riverfront Parks Now Coalition and the Jacksonville Climate Coalition.

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Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said the U.S. Intelligence Community should dumb down briefings for former President Trump when he receives classified information as the eventual GOP nominee, voicing concerns about whether Trump could share the information.

Schiff hit Trump on his criminal charges for mishandling classified information and other legal cases in an NBC Meet the Press interview Sunday.

Weve never had a situation where one of the candidates for president has been so criminally negligent when it comes to handling  if not worse  classified information, Schiff said. So I have to hope, and knowing the Intelligence Community as I do, that they will dumb down the briefing for Donald Trump.

That is, they will give him no more information than absolutely necessary. Nothing that would reveal sources or methods, he continued. Because we cant trust that he will do the right thing with that information, hes been so reckless.

Trumps federal criminal case in Florida alleges that he took boxes of classified documents from the White House with him to his South Florida home and misled federal investigators when they came looking for them.

Schiff, who is running for Senate in California and was a major figure in the former presidents impeachment, said giving Trump access to information concerns him.

It is part of a long tradition, he said. The Intelligence Community will be wary of what they share with him, and they should.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz takes part in the recording of the Radio Bremen talk show "3nach9". Sina Schuldt/dpa

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a video address just before the start of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, called for a longer-lasting ceasefire in the Gaza war.

"Preferably during Ramadan," he said. "Such a ceasefire should ensure that the Israeli hostages are finally released and that more humanitarian aid finally arrives in Gaza."

He was certain that the vast majority of Israelis and Palestinians wanted peace, he said.

Scholz was saddened that Muslims in Germany were increasingly worried about social cohesion.

"After the reports of racist deportation plans by far-right extremists, I keep hearing worried questions about the future," he said. "I think our response to this must be very clear: We will not allow ourselves to be divided as a country!"

Native born citizens and those who immigrated to Germany equally belong here, he said.

For devout Muslims, a week-long period of fasting begins on Monday, the first day of Ramadan, as announced by Saudi Arabia, Islams birthplace.

This year, the month of fasting is overshadowed by developments in Gaza. Qatar, Egypt and the United States have been negotiating a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza between Palestinian Islamist Hamas and Israel for weeks.

The mediators had hoped to reach an agreement by the start of Ramadan. In addition to a ceasefire, they want the release of Israeli hostages who have been kidnapped by Hamas.

Scholz said that many people were thinking particularly of their relatives in the Middle East these days.

"I want you to know that you are not alone in your sympathy," he emphasized. "Many people in Germany are also deeply affected - by the suffering of the murdered and abducted Israelis and the fate of the innocent people killed, wounded and suffering in Gaza."
Big Blue

Jupiter is iconic, with its swirls of water and ammonia vapor that characterize its outer surface and its distinctive Giant Red Spot, a gigantic storm raging across its face.

But its mysteries abound  such as Jupiter's strange and asymmetrical magnetic field, which has a strong area of magnetism in its equator called the "Great Blue Spot"  blue because that's how it's color-coded in maps tracing the magnetic field.

In an effort to understand the planet's magnetic field better, a team of American scientists from Harvard University, the California Institute of Technology, NASA and the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas studied an atmospheric jet  a high speed current in the gas giant's atmosphere  in the Great Blue Spot. Their finding? It's a dynamic system that fluctuates every four years or so.

Larger Mysteries

The scientists detailed their findings in a new paper published in the science journal Nature. The analysis is based on data gathered by NASA's Juno probe which has been observing and gathering information on the gaseous giant since 2016.

Because this jet, which seems to drive the Great Blue Spot, fluctuates every four years, scientists think this means that there's fluctuating wave behavior in the planet's hydrogen interior.

"Planetary magnetic fields provide a window into the otherwise largely inaccessible dynamics of a planets deep interior," the scientists write.

More data from Juno may resolve in further detail the specific type of wave and how it all works while it interacts with the planet's magnetic field.

Other discoveries from Juno have yielded a fuller picture of Jupiter's atmosphere along with stunning images of its auroras and its moons such as Europa, Ganymede and Io.

Juno is now on an extended mission to capture more data, which should lead to us knowing better the biggest planet in our neighborhood.

More on Jupiter: Jupiter Used to be Flat, Scientists Suggest
Two years ago, dozens of Colorado journalists got a chance to join a virtual meeting with several Ukrainian journalists and hear firsthand what it was like covering the eruption of war in their homeland.

They described harrowing conditions, from a fear of indiscriminate destruction, to targeted threats against them because of their work.

Last Monday, some of those same journalists, Ukrainian and American, met together again via Zoom to take the measure of the war on the Ukrainians lives, their country and their work after 730 hard days.

One thing that has not changed: the threats.

Our community is daily under shelling from all possible kinds of weapons  from machine guns to the avia bombs, said Natalia Kalinichenko, chief editor of the newspaper Bilopylschyna in the Sumy region, four miles from the Russian border. Frankly speaking, we hear explosions every day and it is quite scary and we dont know when the next bomb or rocket will hit. Waking up each day is a blessing and we just hope to stay safe.

A bomb hit next to the newsroom premises and the false ceiling collapsed. It was night time, so no one got hurt. The furniture got destroyed but everyone is alive, said Kalinichenko

In other ways, the war and the journalists have changed profoundly since we last met.

Ukrainian journalists have run the gamut from fear, a feeling of being lost, maybe a feeling of being frozen by the situation, and finally to unity, of the need to help, we have to help the people who are fighting in order to survive and bring victory, said Kalinichenko.

She delineates three stages in the war in her region:

1. In 2022, Russian soldiers surrounded the cities in the Sumy region and occupied the city where she works, Bilopillia.

2. The second stage was when the Ukrainian army liberated the Sumy region all the way to the borders of 1991. The Russians started to leave the war zone.

3. And the last year has turned into a stalemate.

This war has  turned into the level of trenches war in WWII and WWI, said Serhiy Ischyk, Chief Editor of Ye newspaper in Khmelnytsk. Both people in the rear as well as the army fighting at the very frontline are very exhausted."

The last two years also have solidified the journalists roles as co-combatants.

The past year there have been war fights and a lot of destruction but were standing side by side with the soldiers, the heroes and warriors that protect the motherland, said Kalinichenko.

Priorities now are fighting in different directions, providing verified, credible information to the Ukrainian community, fighting disinformation, support for the soldiers, and also by the physical work on the buses to the border, helping people with certification when soldiers dont have time and resources for that, said Kalinichenko.

The message from the journalists to Americans: Send weapons, ammunition and financial support for journalism as soon as possible.

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First of all I would like to thank the American taxpayers and also the media for support of Ukraine, and for all the financial support you provide, said Kostyantyn Grygorenko, chief editor of the Obrii newspaper. Without it we could not have survived through this war. But still please remind the world that the full-scale war is still going on. Small newsrooms try to cover the critical information, and supply their leaders with the critical information, but its getting more and more difficult without American and European support.

The lack of a new aid plan from the U.S. Congress is already having a direct, detrimental effect on soldiers lives in Ukraine.

Prior to 2024, our army felt the shortages of shells, rockets and mines  but it has never been so critical as now, said Ischyk . The military we are in contact with state that in the past they had 10-30 shells per one task, which was really insufficient. And now they have 1(!) to go on a task and guard with. And very often artillerymen and mortars, without having enough shells, need to leave their technology and protect themselves from the aggressor with simple rifles of the type from WWII.

The journalists, citing their countrys many analytical reports about the progress of the war, have no doubt about our Victory. But the price for not having ammunition and technology is dozens and sometimes hundreds of our soldiers killed per day, said Ischyk.

The journalists themselves daily fight an information war with Russia now.

The enemy leads video surveillance over us 24/7. Their aim is to seed distrust and question the work of reporters, said Kalinichenko. "Next threat is the information security. Our websites and social media are under cyberattacks. We were hacked a couple of times, and under phishing attacks."

Very often the Russians, after they have shelled and destroyed our land, put in fake narratives that they received this information (about targets) from the official Ukrainian local media, notes Kalinichenko. The aims of these publications in the Russian media  to spread the panic at the frontline territories and spark distrust towards the Ukrainian media. And you will understand why now: the residents of the Ukrainian frontline territories read the Russian public and make a conclusion that the reporters help the enemy.

Kalinichenko reminded us that back in March of 2023, eight bombs were dropped on her city of Bilopillia, killing dozens of civilian and destroying city buildings.

And Russians were writing that American bases were destroyed in Bilopillia and the Sumy region.

But the infrastructure that was destroyed was a school where a person was killed and also a police department where an officer was killed, said Kalinichenko.

So we are just waiting for the time when you really build the American military bases in our region so we can verify the Russian information, she added.

She even offered to give away her small plot of land in Bilopillia to build an American military base in her backyard.

Near the end of the conversation, Ischyk reminded us that three decades ago, Ukraine agreed to get rid of all its nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees from the U.S., Britain and Russia.

Though Russia violated the 1994 agreement known as the Budapest Memorandum, the Ukrainians had faith that the West, and certainly signatories U.S. and Britain, would keep their word and stand by Ukraine if its security was threatened.

"We very much appreciate the U.S. help especially in the military field," Ischyk said. "But we need more, and most importantly - timely! This is a question of world guarantees and our lives!
Sean O'Malley celebrates after retaining his UFC bantamweight title against Marlon Vera at the UFC 299 mixed martial arts event, early Sunday, March 10, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

MIAMI (AP)  Sean O'Malley emphatically defended his bantamweight belt Saturday night, unanimously outpointing Marlon Chito Vera in UFC 299.

In a fight that he controlled from the opening round, O'Malley (18-1) outclassed Vera with his quickness, precision striking and footwork.

The champion threw 344 punches, landing more than 50% of them. He was the more active fighter throughout, hurting Vera (23-9-1) with shots to the body, knees to the face, and countering nearly every one of Vera's connections with one of his own.

It was OMalleys first defense of his bantamweight title after stopping former champion Aljamain Sterling 51 seconds into the second round at UFC 292 last August.

UFC CEO Dana White called the performance a clinic" by O'Malley, who is fast becoming one of the biggest stars in the sport. White added that the card was the fourth-highest grossing UFC event ever, with a gate of $14.14 million.

He's on his way, White said of O'Malley, who some believe has star power of Conor McGregor. He's the biggest star ever in bantamweight history. You can say that right now.

Vera handed O'Malley the only defeat of his career nearly four years ago by landing a leg kick that caused O'Malley's right foot to go numb in the first round of UFC 252.

O'Malley has often downplayed that loss  the kick shut down the peroneal nerve in his lower leg, causing temporary loss of feeling  and vowed to dominate in the rematch.

"That one feels good getting that one back," O'Malley said. "Im guessing we can all agree that Im undefeated still.

He added that he wants to fight featherweight champion Ilia Topuria next.

Dana, he said, Give me a jet to Spain, baby.

Immediately after the five-round fight, O'Malley sat down on the canvas after Vera hurt him late with a shot to the body  one that could have been much more significant if it was landed earlier in the match.

I tried to stay toe to toe with him and catch him," said Vera, the Ecuadorian fighter who received a massive amount of cheers from the fans at Kaseya Center.. "At the end of the fifth round I landed a nice body that hurt him, but I ran out of time.

Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier knocked out up-and-comer Benoit Saint Denis with a right hand in the second round of their lightweight match. Saint Denis had hurt Poirier with punches in the early round before the veteran dropped him with a right hook at 2:52 in the second round. The victory moved Poirier into a tie for the fourth-most wins in UFC history with 22.

Jack Della Maddalena stretched his winning streak to 17 with the biggest victory of his career. He stopped Gilbert Burns in the third round of their bout with a crushing knee to the head, moments after it appeared Burns had secured a fight-clinching takedown. Della Maddalena followed the knee with a series of elbows on the ground for a TKO victory at 3:43 in the final round of the 170-pound fight.

___

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
Firefighters with the Seattle Fire Department responded to a small fire Saturday at an assisted living facility in Ballard.

At about 12:34 p.m. Saturday, firefighters responded to the report of a fire at an apartment building in the 5400 block of Leary Avenue Northeast.

When crews arrived, they quickly put out a food-on-stove fire in a unit on the fourth floor.

Two residents did evacuate the building but were later accounted for.

One of them was treated for minor injuries.

5400 block of Leary Ave NW: Primary search of the unit is all clear. The two residents evacuated the building and are accounted for. One is being treated for minor injuries.  Seattle Fire Dept. (@SeattleFire) March 9, 2024
CHICAGO  A second child staying at Chicagos largest migrant shelter, in the Pilsen neighborhood, has developed measles, city health officials announced Sunday.

The child has been hospitalized and remains in good condition, according to a statement from the citys Department of Public Health.

The first case in the shelter was confirmed Friday. That child has recovered and is no longer infectious. An additional, unrelated case outside of the shelter was announced Thursday  the first in Chicago since 2019.

More than 11,500 migrants are currently staying in 23 shelters across Chicago run by the city and state. The Pilsen shelter, housed in a large warehouse, has drawn scrutiny from volunteers and advocates after a 5-year-old resident died of sepsis.

Over 36,800 migrants have arrived in Chicago since August 2022, when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began busing new arrivals from the southern border.

Officials are conducting case investigations so that those who have come in contact with the two infected children are informed and vaccinated.

Residents of the shelter who havent been vaccinated for measles, or have only recently received the vaccine, will be forced to quarantine for 21 days, according to the CDPH. Previously vaccinated residents will be able to come and go from the facility.

Measles, a serious respiratory infection that causes a rash and high fever, can be particularly severe for young children. The highly contagious disease can lead to other complications, such as pneumonia.

Measles remains extremely rare in Chicago due to high vaccination coverage from childhood.

The majority of Chicagoans are vaccinated against measles and therefore are not at high risk but we are strongly urging those who arent vaccinated to do so as soon as possible, new arrivals and all Chicagoans, CDPH Commissioner Olusimbo Ige said in a statement.

Still, officials expect that the disease will continue to spread. Some residents have left the shelter despite the quarantine, the city said. Reports of measles have been increasing across the country and globally due to lower vaccination rates.

Because of how contagious measles is, I anticipate seeing more cases, Ige said.

The recent measles cases in Chicago are not tied to an outbreak in Indiana last month, which only affected one person, officials said.

_____
Alabama Sen. Katie Britt on Sunday acknowledged that the graphic anecdote she employed to criticize President Joe Bidens border policies didnt occur during his presidency.

During the Republican response to the State of the Union address on Thursday, Britt described a womans story of being sex trafficked by the cartels starting at age 12 before saying, President Bidens border crisis is a disgrace. Its despicable. And its almost entirely preventable.

Asked by Fox News Shannon Bream on Sunday whether she meant to give the impression that the story had taken place during Bidens time in office, Britt responded: No, Shannon, before criticizing the presidents border policies.

I very clearly said I spoke to a woman who told me about when she was trafficked when she was 12. So I didnt say a teenager, I didnt say a young woman, a grown woman. A woman, when she was trafficked, when she was 12, Britt said.

In a detailed video posted on TikTok on Friday, freelance journalist Jonathan Katz tracked down what appears to be the story Britt referenced and found that it happened in Mexico in the mid-2000s.

Katz cited a 2023 press release from Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who, along with Sens. Britt and Cindy Hyde-Smith, went to Eagle Pass, Texas, in January 2023  shortly after Britt took office  to hear from Karla Jacinto, a human trafficking survivor, among others.

The Senators learned about cartel activity in Mexico and the work being done to rescue victims of human trafficking, the press release said.

Jacinto has shared her story publicly, including in a 2015 hearing on sex trafficking held by the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Global Human Rights. Through a translator, she said that for four years, starting from the age of 12, she was emotionally and sexually violated time and time again. She explained how, at age 16, she was able to escape to a shelter and grow into the activist she became.

Jacinto told CNN on Sunday that she was trafficked before Bidens presidency and said legislators lack empathy when using the issue of human trafficking for political purposes.

I hardly ever cooperate with politicians, because it seems to me that they only want an image. They only want a photo  and that to me is not fair, she told CNNs Rafael Romo.

CNN reached out to the senators office seeking comment Sunday.

Britt has previously referenced the story she gave Thursday  including on Capitol Hill on September 27, 2023, according to her social media account.

White House spokesman Andrew Bates told CNN in a statement Sunday, Instead of telling more debunked lies to justify opposing the toughest bipartisan border legislation in modern history, Senator Britt should stop choosing human smugglers and fentanyl traffickers over our national security and the Border Patrol Union.

Senate Republicans last month blocked a major bipartisan border deal and foreign aid package that would have enacted restrictive border measures amid a torrent of attacks on the bill by former President Donald Trump and top House Republicans.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Rafael Romo contributed to this story.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Alabama GOP Sen. Katie Britt on Sunday responded to allegations that her response to President Joe Bidens State of the Union address was misleading.

The criticism centers on a story Britt told about a victim of human trafficking, which she implied happened during Bidens tenure.

Britt spoke in her Thursday-night speech about visiting the U.S.-Mexico border in 2023 and speaking to this woman.

She had been sex-trafficked by the cartels starting at age 12. She told me not just that she was raped every day, but how many times a day she was raped, Britt said in her response to the State of the Union.

We wouldnt be OK with this happening in a Third World country. This is the United States of America, and it is past time, in my opinion, that we start acting like it, she added. President Bidens border crisis is a disgrace.

Shortly after the address, a viral social media post by journalist Jonathan Katz looked more closely at the story and noted that the trafficking did not happen during Bidens presidency, or even in the United States; it happened during the administration of President George W. Bush, in Mexico.

On Fox News Sunday, Britt did not acknowledge making any mistake or leaving a wrong impression.

She was asked whether she meant to give the impression that the story she told about a victim of human trafficking happened during Bidens tenure.

No, Britt answered, adding later: I very clearly said I spoke to a woman who told me about when she was trafficked when she was 12, so I didnt say a teenager. I didnt say a young woman, a grown woman, a woman when she was trafficked when she was 12.

She doubled down on her Thursday statement that Biden didnt just create this border crisis. He invited it with 94 executive actions in his first 100 days.

I very specifically said this is what President Biden did during his first 100 days. Minutes after coming into office he stopped all deportations, he halted construction of the border wall, she said Sunday. (The Biden administration attempted to institute a 100-day pause on mass deportations after taking office, but that moratorium was later halted by a judge.)

Though Britt did not offer the victims name in her speech Thursday, a spokesperson for her office told The Washington Post that she was referring to Karla Jacinto Romero, a trafficking victims rights advocate who testified before Congress in 2015 about what happened to her as a girl.

Britts office did not respond to a request for comment from NBC News on Saturday.

The White House shot back at the Republican senator, accusing Britt of relying on debunked lies to attack Biden.

Instead of telling more debunked lies to justify opposing the toughest bipartisan border legislation in modern history, Senator Britt should stop choosing human smugglers and fentanyl traffickers over our national security and the Border Patrol Union, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement. Like President Biden said in his State of the Union, We have a simple choice: We can fight about fixing the border or we can fix it.

In her 2015 congressional testimony, Jacinto Romero told lawmakers through an interpreter, For more than four years of my life from the age of 12 ... I fell prey to a professional pimp who, after three months of wooing and me treating me as a princess, propped me up on a corner and forced me to work the streets for his own gain. For years and years, I was coerced, intimidated, threatened, beaten, robbed of my children and emotionally and sexually violated time and time again.

Jacinto Romero was 22 at the time of her testimony, meaning the experience she described began roughly a decade earlier.

Britt met Jacinto Romero in January 2023 during a trip to the Del Rio sector of the U.S.-Mexico border, where she was accompanied by Fox News contributor Sara Carter, former Mexican politician and victims advocate Rosa Maria de la Garza Ramirez, and GOP Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi.

We thank all those fighting for the young girls who do not have a voice. @SenKatieBritt @SenHydeSmith @SaraCarterDC pic.twitter.com/lQPezCBnOp  Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) January 10, 2023

On an episode of The Sara Carter Show released the same day as the trip, Carter said she introduced Jacinto Romero to the senators, telling listeners, She talked very vividly and candidly with lawmakers ... about what was happening to her, about people buying her.

Republicans have long criticized Bidens handling of the border, arguing that the president has been ineffective at stopping the rampant migrant crossings along the southern border. The Biden administration has countered that Congress has been unwilling to step up to the plate since the bipartisan border deal fell apart, and the president is reportedly considering taking executive action to deter migration.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(Bloomberg) -- A Senegalese opposition leader said hell renegotiate contracts with oil and gas companies if his bid for the presidency in this months election is successful.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a 44-year-old former tax inspector, will review the agreements in a bid to boost government revenue, according to his coalitions manifesto document. Offshore blocks that have not yet been awarded will be reserved for Petrosen, the state oil company.

Mining conventions will also be reviewed, party representative Daouda Ngom told reporters in Dakar, the capital.

Senegals readying to become a gas producer for the first time as its Greater Tortue Ahmeyim field, developed by BP Plc and Kosmos Energy Ltd., is scheduled to start output later this year. Faye, whos been in prison since April, is expected to be released ahead of the March 24 vote, after lawmakers adopted an amnesty proposal for crimes linked to recent political protests.

His campaign has the backing of Ousmane Sonko, another imprisoned opposition leader who came third in the 2019 vote.

Polls Rescheduled

Presidential elections were originally scheduled for Feb. 25, but President Macky Sall sought a 10-month delay to allow for an inquiry into the process of selecting candidates. The move, which required a constitutional change that was approved by lawmakers, sparked violent protest and was ruled unlawful by the nations top court, with polls rescheduled for later this month.

Sall is due to step down in April.

Read More: Senegal Rushes to Fix Election Mess Before President Sall Exits

Fayes coalition will also seek to implement monetary reforms to allow Senegal to have its own currency, the party said. Senegal is part of the West African monetary union that shares the CFA currency, which is pegged to the euro, and a central bank.

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Nearly three years after a 37-year-old mother of six was struck and killed by a motorist on a darkened Cocoa road, her family has reached an undisclosed settlement with the insurance company involved.

The terms of the settlement were confidential, court records show. B,ut the final sum to be given to Passion Lucas children was expected to be more than the $10,000 policy carried by Suzanna Norris, the woman arrested, charged and convicted in the case, court records show.

Makita Lucas, in blue, stands with the children of her sister, Passion Lucas, after a court hearing on March 16, 2022.

Money from the settlement will be immediately disbursed to Lucas' 18-year-old daughter, with the remaining funds held in guardianship accounts, according to the settlement approved by Brevard County Circuit Judge Curt Jacobus.

"The money doesn't make it any better," Makita Lucas, Passion Lucas' younger sister, told FLORIDA TODAY.

"But I feel like we need more, not money, but justice. There were too many people in this case who played their positions and challenged us every step of the way to keep things from happening."

Passion Lucas, with five of her six children.

Passion Lucas was walking along Industry Road in Cocoa after returning from a nearby hospital on June 20, 2021, when she was struck by a car driven by Norris.

Test results later showed that Norris  who had been visiting several bars in Cocoa Village  had a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit, police said. Norris, who was not immediately arrested but reached out to high-profile attorney Alan Landman for representation, was charged with DUI manslaughter later in 2021 after mounting pressure from Makita Lucas and acknowledgement by police of several investigative miscues.

An erroneous court filing from a leading traffic homicide officer with the Cocoa Police Department said that nobody was injured in the deadly crash. Makita Lucas took the case to the state attorney's office and to court to lobby for charges to be filed in the case.

More: A year after sister's death in DUI crash, sibling says battle for justice will continue in civil court

The state attorneys office used preliminary information from traffic reconstruction experts who said the crash was "unavoidable" for Norris and that the "pedestrian created the hazard by walking in (the vehicle's way). "

"Nobody was accountable. It's like the whole system was against us," Makita said, thanking her attorney, Jessica Travis, for taking on the case. She also thanked community advocate Connie McClary of south Melbourne.

In June 2022, Brevard County Judge Judy Atkin found Norris guilty and sentenced her to six months in jail, three months of which could be spent in a treatment program. Norris was also fined $1,000 and ordered to complete 50 hours of community service.

Norris is the founder of Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds in Cocoa and is known in Brevard's charitable circles. Norris was later fired from the HART organization as the case wound its way through court.

Alan Landman, who represented Norris in the criminal case, said his client continues to "live with what happened."

"This was a tragic situation; obviously she understands the impact of this," he said.

"From day one she wanted to do what she could for the children. I think everybody is relieved that this is behind them."

Makita Lucas, left, sister of crash victim Passion Lucas, testifies during a sentencing hearing June 3, 2022, for Suzanna Norris. At right is Brevard County Judge Judy Atkin.

Makita Lucas is raising three of her sister's youngest children, while a godmother is raising another. Two of the oldest children are living with their grandmother.

"If Passion were here, I believe she'd say, "I know that's right, Sis,'" Makita said, chuckling at the thought.

"My sister would tell me, 'Kita, now you can rest.'"

J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X, formerly known as Twitter: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard judge OK's settlement for family of mom killed in DUI crash
French rescue workers were on Sunday searching for seven people, including two children, missing after violent storms hit the south of the country, with most believed to have been swept away in cars on flooded bridges.

A family of four, including two children aged four and 13, was caught in the floods while trying late Saturday evening to drive across a bridge over the river Gardon in the village of Dions, north of the city of Nimes, the prefecture said.

The father and the two children were still missing but the mother, 40, who was also in the car, was found by rescuers and taken to hospital, it added.

In Dions on Sunday a helicopter flew over the village and the bursting waters of the Gardon while large numbers of firefighters engaged in search efforts, helped by drones and dogs. The bridge was still submerged.

Ongoing searches

Rescuers were also searching for two women, believed to be aged 47 and 50, who made an emergency call on a bridge in the town of Goudargues to the north before contact was lost.

Another driver, of Belgian nationality, was also missing and feared to have been swept away from a bridge in the village of Gagnieres also in the Gard department.

The road had been closed and a policeman had told the driver not to drive on the bridge, officials said.



Read more on RFI English



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A little boy from Shelby had an egg-cellent wish granted on Friday.

MORE: Make-A-Wish celebrates World Wish Day at Carowinds

The Make-A-Wish Foundation surprised 3-year-old Isaiah with his flock of chickens after joining forces with Tractor Supply Company.

Isaiah is currently battling cystic fibrosis, and his wish was to adopt a flock of chickens.

Now, he is the proud owner of 12 chickens, a brand-new chicken coop, and supplies to care for them all set up in its backyard.

(WATCH BELOW: Make A Wish: 8 year-old Union Co. girl goes to see her favorite Disney characters in Florida)




The San Juan County Sheriffs Office could be in line to receive its second major piece of public safety equipment in recent years, thanks to a nearly $1 million item that was included in an appropriations bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on March 6.

If the measure, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, is approved by the Senate and signed by President Biden, the Sheriffs Office would receive $963,000 for a new mobile command unit  essentially a large vehicle designed to serve as an emergency operations center and outfitted with advanced technology and communications capabilities.

The Sheriffs Office already has a mobile command unit, but that vehicle is 16 years old and was not designed to meet many modern technological needs, according to spokesman Mathew Chavez.

The money for the mobile command unit was secured by U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-New Mexico, who represents San Juan County and much of the rest of northern New Mexico. It was part of more than $11.8 million included in the bill that Leger Fernandez secured for 15 community projects scattered across the 3rd Congressional District.

The bill also would fund several government agencies through Sept. 30. The House passed the measure by a vote of 339-85.

The San Juan County Sheriff's Office could receive nearly $1 million in federal funds to purchase a new mobile command unit to replace its current 16-year-old model that lacks the ability to handle many modern technological needs.

Leger Fernandez described the measure as a bipartisan compromise that represents a continued investment in the states future, pointing out the funds she secured for her district will go to cover everything from water projects and health care services for Native Americans to helping domestic violence and sexual assault victims.

The money earmarked for the San Juan County Sheriffs Office would allow the agency to replace the 16-year-old mobile command unit referenced by Chavez. He said that unit was constructed during an era when the technology and capabilities found in todays units did not exist.

Our unit is essentially a camping motorhome with the sofa excluded during construction, replaced with a counter and three hard mounted chairs, he said in an email statement. The bed was also excluded and replaced with a small camping sized table and a very small amount of bench seating.

The unit has other shortcomings, as well, he noted.

The walls were not constructed with the intention of mounting large, heavy screens and the wiring capacity and access is deficient, he stated. While weve tried to add technology over the years, the lack of intentional wiring and wall mounting surfaces creates limits and deficiencies in how much can be added, or even located.

The purpose-built mobile command units of today address most of those issues, he said.

They are constructed with operations in mind, incorporating sufficient seating and workstation areas for officers and investigators to work, while incorporating a separate table and seating area for command briefings and planning, he stated, explaining that they include wiring, communications cabling and mounting-ready hardware.

If the measure approved by the House becomes law and the Sheriffs Office receives the money, the planned purchase of a new mobile command unit would be the second major public safety acquisition the agency has made recently. In November 2023, the Sheriffs Office took possession of a new Bell 505 helicopter paid for by $3.25 million in capital outlay funding from the Legislature.

More: San Juan County Sheriff's Office welcomes new helicopter into service

Chavez said the helicopter had been identified as the Sheriffs Offices most-pressing need, and agency officials had not submitted a request for a new mobile command unit until that need had been filled. Now, both the agencys biggest public safety equipment needs apparently have been filled in a short amount of time.

We live in a great community outstanding County Leaders, Undersheriff Cordell Tanner said in the statement released by Chavez. They prioritize public safety and are always mindful and searching for ways to provide the resources we need to effectively serve our citizens.

Chavez said if the House appropriations bill becomes law, the county will seek competitive bids from vendors to supply the mobile command unit. He said the ideal unit would be approximately 40 feet long with four slide-outs.

It would require two separate areas  one with work stations for deputies and investigators, and another with a table and seating where command briefings and planning sessions could take place, he said.

More: Gun buy backs legal in New Mexico, AG's staff says after Sheriff Ferrari raises questions

The ideal unit also would include large monitors, a magnetic dry-erase board, and traditional bathroom and kitchen facilities. He said it would need to be built to accommodate data and network wiring and connections.

Chavez said it is expected that a new mobile command unit would take several months to be delivered once an order is placed.

Mike Easterling can be reached at 505-564-4610 or measterling@daily-times.com. Support local journalism with a digital subscription: http://bit.ly/2I6TU0e.

This article originally appeared on Farmington Daily Times: Sheriff's Office now using aging unit that doesn't meet modern needs
By Elizabeth Pineau and John Irish

PARIS (Reuters) - President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday for the first time that he backed new end-of-life legislation that would allow what he called "help to die" and wanted his government to put forward a draft bill to parliament in May.

France's neighbours Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands have adopted laws that allow medically assisted dying in some cases. But France has resisted that step, in part under pressure from the Catholic Church.

The Claeys-Leonetti law on the end of life, adopted in 2016, authorizes deep sedation but only for people whose prognosis is threatened in the short-term.

In an interview with Liberation newspaper, Macon said he did not want to call the new legislation euthanasia or assisted suicide, but rather "help to die".

"It does not, strictly speaking, create a new right nor a freedom, but it traces a path which did not exist until now and which opens the possibility of requesting assistance in dying under certain strict conditions," he said.

Macron said those conditions would need to be met and a medical team would assess and ensure the criteria for the decision was correct.

It would concern only adults capable of making the decision and whose life prognosis is threatened in the medium-term such as final-stage cancer, he said.

Family members would also be able to appeal the decision, Macron said.

The bill builds on the work of a group of 184 randomly appointed French citizens who debated the issue.

They concluded their work last year with 76% of them saying they favoured allowing some form of assistance to die, for those who want it.

The decision to push ahead with the end of life legislation comes after the right to abortion was enshrined into the French constitution, following an overwhelming vote by lawmakers earlier this month.

Macron has sought to bolster his image as a social reformer just three months before June's European parliamentary elections. His party is more than 10 points behind the far-right Rassemblement National in polls.

(Reporting by John Irish; editing by Giles Elgood)
Three people were killed and several others injured in a shooting at a party in Arkansas early on Sunday, police said.

The shooter, who has not yet been publicly identified, was among the dead, the Jonesboro Police Department said. A man and woman, who police said were acquaintances of the shooter, were also killed.

Police haven't said what might have led to the private party shooting, which happened on Burke Avenue in Jonesboro.

Five people were also injured in the shooting, officials said. Police said three of the wounded victims had no known connection to the suspect, while one injured woman did know the suspect. Authorities did not specify whether the fifth injured victim knew the suspect. Officials also did not share how serious the victims' injuries were.

The Jonesboro Police Department has not publicly identified any of the victims.

Officers responded to the shooting scene shortly before 5 a.m. Authorities shut down traffic in the area and interviewed witnesses. Police said they believed there was no active threat to the community.

Jonesboro is about a two-hour drive northeast of Little Rock, Arkansas.

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Craig Maxwell finished his walk of the Welsh coast in Cardiff ahead of Wales' Six Nations game against France

A terminally ill dad who has walked from Anglesey to Cardiff has delivered the match ball for Wales' Six Nations clash with France.

Craig Maxwell, 41, was diagnosed with incurable and inoperable lung cancer in July 2023.

He began walking the 780-mile (1,255km) journey on 14 February and finished on the Principality Stadium pitch at 15:00 GMT on Sunday.

Mr Maxwell has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity.

Beginning his journey on Anglesey, the former chief commercial officer for the Six Nations rugby tournament and Welsh Rugby Union's former head of marketing, was joined by stars from the world of sport - including former Wales players Sam Warburton and Jamie Roberts.

He has also been joined by celebrities including comedian Rhod Gilbert, TV presenter Gethin Jones, and BBC Wales weatherman Derek Brockway.

He carried the match ball on to the pitch with his children Isla, 12 and Zach, eight.

TV presenter Gethin Jones joined Craig on his 780 mile (1,255km) journey from Anglesey to Cardiff

"It's been amazing," said Mr Maxwell, from Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, adding: "The different people joining each day has really lifted me.

"I've got some pretty epic blisters, but apart from that I'm feeling good."

On ending the challenge he said he was feeling "very emotional" .

"What a way to finish with my family at the stadium," he said.

The money raised will go to the Maxwell Family Fund which said it aims to "enhance, improve and develop the cancer pathway in Wales".
A backcountry skier died during an icy storm on Mount Washington in New Hampshire, according to police.

The skier, Madison Saltsburg, fell 600 feet (183m) on Saturday while she was traversing steep terrain in icy conditions, according to the Associated Press.

Two other people on the mountain sustained traumatic injuries from falling ice and rocks, according to the US Forest Service.

The group was in Tuckerman Ravine, a popular backcountry skiing spot, when the inclement weather made conditions dangerous.

A spokesperson with the US Forest Service, Colleen Mainville, said rescuers spent the night on the mountain trying to help the injured.

"They're exhausted," she said in a statement, and added that conditions in the ravine were dangerously icy.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning on Saturday predicting up to a foot of heavy, wet snow and fast-moving winds.

Tuckerman Rescue NH (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Mt Washington is the northeast's tallest mountain and is frequently subject to dangerous weather conditions.

The night before the deadly incident, another hiker, a 23-year-old from Kentucky, was rescued after he slid into the Ammonoosuc Ravine.

Rescuers said he fell and hit his head and face, lost one of his sneakers, and eventually became hypothermic, according to a statement.

Last month another hiker, Cole Matthes, nearly died after he became lost on the mountain and slid hundreds of feet into a ravine.

An 11 hour rescue operation eventually recovered Mr Matthes. Rescuers said he made "numerous poor decisions" in preparing and carrying out his hike despite inclement weather on the mountain.

The rescuers  and Mr Matthes  said he would have died within hours if rescuers had not reached him when they did.

I am extremely grateful to all 11 of the men who saved my life Saturday and am also extremely sorry that they had to risk their lives to save me, Mr Matthes told The Associated Press. I certainly made poor decisions and was underprepared for this hike.
Photo: Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

A sniper of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) has downed a Russian ZALA reconnaissance drone with a precision shot.

Source: SOF

Details: The report says that SOF fighters detected a hostile drone in the air on one of the operational fronts while conducting reconnaissance of the area.

Quote: "The sniper reaffirmed his competence.

The UAV has become a trophy of the SOF and will be examined by experts."

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The soldiers from the 128th Zakarpattia Mountain Assault Brigade have killed one of the commanders of Russia's Akhmat unit near the settlement of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Source: Mukachevo.net; Yaroslav Halas, press officer of the 128th Brigade, in a commentary for Ukrainska Pravda

Details: One of the UAV operators deployed near Robotyne received an order to observe a Russian buggy. It turned out the commander of the Akhmat battalion was inside the vehicle.

Halas specified in the commentary that one of the Akhmat commanders was killed a few days ago near Robotyne in the occupied territory. Neither his name nor rank are known.

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Burnham-on-Sea is moving from the Wells constituency to a new Bridgwater seat

With the Budget out of the way, speculation will no doubt return to just when a general election is going to be called.

But what we do know is that the election, when it comes, will be fought on new constituency boundaries.

Every five years the Boundary Commission for England reviews all the parliamentary constituencies.

It has to even out the number of voters in each seat.

The Boundary Commission is an independent and impartial non-departmental public body and its review is scrutinised by MPs.

Now the final boundaries have been accepted by Parliament, the question is - do people know what parliamentary constituency they are in?

People at a weekly line dancing sessions in Burnham-on-Sea were asked about the changes

At a weekly line dancing group in Burnham-on-Sea, they're more concerned with their moves, than constituency boundaries moving.

Burnham-on-Sea is moving from the Wells constituency to a new Bridgwater seat.

Mary Keay had heard about the boundary changes already

Mary Keay from Lympsham said: "We've always been a Conservative area and I think maybe they're making the boundaries different to give other parties a look in."

Linda Powell was unaware of the boundary changes

Meanwhile, Linda Powell from Puriton said she had not spotted any information locally.

"No we haven't heard anything locally [about the boundary changes]. We've had a few leaflets from candidates, but that's all," she said.

Retired doctor Jane Griffin says she hasn't had any information about the new constituency yet

Jane Griffin from Brent Knoll was not aware of the boundary changes, but is looking forward to voting in a general election.

"I think the issues are the cost of living, the NHS is a huge problem - I was a doctor so we get very angry about what's happening to the NHS, and how they're sorting it out - or not sorting it out," she said.

Carole Short wants the next MP to prioritise pensioners and the NHS

Carole Short from Burnham was aware her home town would no longer be part of the Wells constituency, but added she was "disillusioned" with politics.

"I really don't know who to vote for, we need people who are going to do something for us as pensioners - NHS, buses are a nightmare. I think schools are a problem and dentists as well."

Claire Sully, the Lib Dem candidate for Bridgwater, said the new constituencies are like pressing the reset button

The Liberal Democrat candidate for the new Bridgwater constituency, Claire Sully, is having her first go at being elected an MP.

Ms Sully said: "Part of what I have to do is shine a light on the new constituency and introduce myself, but we all do," she said.

"It's a reset, as someone who's a new voice for the area it makes it wide open. It's going to be an exciting opportunity. I am making people aware of what the new constituency is by being part of community events."

Meanwhile, in the new constituency of Glastonbury and Somerton, the Conservative candidate is keen to get her message out.

Faye Purbrick, the Conservative candidate for Glastonbury and Somerton, said it is important the boundaries are changed regularly to enable equal representation

Faye Purbrick stood in the Somerton and Frome by-election last year, which has now been re-drawn.

"I think it's really important that boundary changes happen on a fairly regular basis to make sure that everybody has equal representation. When you've got 100,000 people being represented by one MP or 50,000, that's not a fair representation for everyone," she said.

Cheddar Reservoir and the surrounding countryside are in the new Wells and Mendip Hills constituency

The South West as a whole is gaining three more MPs.

Somerset is seeing some of the biggest boundary changes.

You can use our tool to find out which constituency you are now in.

The new seats will be as follows:

Bridgwater - which will include Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge

Frome and East Somerset - which will also include Midsomer Norton and Radstock

Glastonbury and Somerton - which will include both towns along with Castle Cary, Langport, Street and Wincanton

Taunton and Wellington - which also includes Norton Fitzwarren and Staplegrove

Tiverton and Minehead - which will see Minehead, Watchet and Williton (along with the Hinkley Point C site) join up with Tiverton over the border in Devon

Wells and Mendip Hills - which will include Axbridge, Cheddar, Shepton Mallet and Yatton

Yeovil - which will include Chard, Crewkerne and Ilminster

North East Somerset and Hanham - taking in Keynsham and some parts of South Gloucestershire to the west of Bath

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(Bloomberg) -- Support for South Africas ruling African National Congress has fallen below 40%, less than three months before the country holds elections, a new opinion poll showed.

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The finding suggests the country will almost certainly have a coalition government after the vote on May 29, with the ANC losing ground to a new party founded by former President Jacob Zuma and the main opposition Democratic Alliance, according to the survey by the Brenthurst Foundation and the SABI Strategy Group.

For more on South Africas election, click on ELEC ZA

The ANCs support has shrunk to 39% from 41% and 44% in polls conducted in October 2023 and November 2022 respectively, it said. The ranking of the partys support is the lowest of any poll to date.

The partys failure to end a national electricity crisis, the collapse of state port and rail infrastructure, rampant crime and state corruption has left the party facing its toughest electoral test since it came to power three decades ago. Various opinion polls have shown the ANC will lose its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994, forcing it into a coalition with the opposition.

We are heading for a transition away from one-party dominance, which can only be good for democracy, policy competitiveness, delivery and accountability, Brenthurst Foundation Director Greg Mills said in a statement.

In the previous national vote in 2019, the ANC garnered 58% support nationally. The party has been drawing big crowds to its election rallies, including the launch of its manifesto in the eastern city of Durban last month.

Wrong Way

Four out of five respondents say the country is going in the wrong direction, citing high unemployment, graft, power outages and weaker leadership as their biggest concerns, the foundation said.

The poll shows Zumas uMkhonto weSizwe Party now ranks as the third-most popular party, less than three months after it was founded, the Johannesburg-based foundation said. Its support now eclipses that of the populist Economic Freedom Fighters, which like the Inkatha Freedom Party is losing ground, it said.

Voters appear to have left the ANC, EFF and IFP for Zumas party in significant numbers, the foundation said.

Zuma ruled South Africa for almost nine years through a series of scandals before the ANC forced him to step down in 2018 to stem a loss of support. A judicial commission of inquiry found there was wide-scale looting of state coffers and the hollowing out of key institutions during his tenure and that it took place with his tacit consent  an allegation he denies.

The ANC suspended Zuma, 81, in January after he announced in December that he would campaign for uMkhonto weSizwe.

Read More: South Africa Poll Shows Zuma Party Win in Key Province, CP Says

The only party to grow its share of the vote in latest poll was the DA, the Brenthurst Foundation said. The party, which garnered 20.8% backing in 2019, scored the highest net favorability  derived by subtracting unfavorability from favorability  at 4%, with the ANC second at -4%, it said.

More than three-quarters of those surveyed would be happy with a national coalition government, with 29% favoring the Multi-Party Charter  which includes the DA, IFP, ActionSA and eight other opposition parties, while 25% prefer an ANC-DA tie-up, the foundation said.

The opinion poll also found that the two key provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, which account for almost 40% of South African economic output, will be governed by coalitions after the election. The ANC is expected to garner 34% of the vote in Gauteng, compared with 32% for the DA, while in KwaZulu-Natal, the MKP is set to be the largest party with 25% support against 20% for the ANC.

The phone survey of 1,506 registered voters was conducted between Feb. 12 and Feb. 28 and had a margin of error of 3%. The results of the poll were modeled on the basis of the 66% turnout of the 2019 election, the foundation said.

(Updates with polling data on provincial elections in penultimate paragraph)

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(Bloomberg) -- South Korea will complete sending out this week its first license suspension notices to thousands of doctors who have walked off their jobs in protest at a government plan to increase medical school enrollment.

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The doctors who receive notices will have to submit their views to the government by March 25, and a failure to do so could ultimately lead to the suspension of their medical licenses for several months, Yonhap News agency reported at the weekend, citing government and medical industry sources, and other local media.

About 90% of the countrys 13,000 trainee doctors, who are similar to medical residents and play key roles in emergency care, have failed to report to work by the end of February deadline set by the government, Yonhap said. The walkout will soon enter its fourth week, with no signs of a quick ending.

President Yoon Suk Yeol has stood by his plan to increase enrollment by 2,000 seats a year at medical schools from the current 3,058. The government said the change is needed to ease a doctor shortage that is among the most acute in the developed world, and is essential for supporting the medical system in the rapidly aging country.

Yoons government has threatened to revoke the licenses of doctors for leading a labor action it says violates medical laws. The notices are part of the procedure for suspending the licenses of thousands of trainee doctors for three months for defying the return-to-work order, a move that could set them back on their career paths and affect employment prospects.

The labor action could widen this week with academics from the Medical Professors Association of Korea group threatening to resign over the government plan, Yonhap said.

The doctors contend the proposal to increase enrollments wont fix fundamental problems such as a concentration of doctors in urban areas and a lack of specialists in fields seen as risky and lower paying. They want to see changes to the malpractice system that give more protection to physicians.

Polling indicates the public is siding with the government, seeing the reform as a way to cut waiting times for health care. South Korean doctors rank among the best paid among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries in comparison to average wages, which has led to criticism the labor action may be more about protecting the earning power of physicians rather than improving the health-care system.

Yoons approval rating has climbed during the walkout to its highest since July last year. This could help his conservative People Power Party in April elections as it tries to take control of parliament from the progressive Democratic Party.

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SpaceX is set to send up another batch of Starlink satellites on Sunday night from the Space Coast while prepping for the return of Crew-7 from the International Space Station and the potential third test flight of the Starship and Super Heavy.

A Falcon 9 carrying 23 of SpaceXs internet satellites for its growing constellation is targeting a 7:05 p.m. Eastern liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations Space Launch Complex 40 during a 4-hour window that runs from 7:03 p.m. to 11:03 p.m., with backup options on Monday beginning at 6:42 p.m.

The first-stage booster is flying for the 11th time, targeting a recovery landing on the droneship Just Read the Instructions downrange in the Atlantic.

This would be the 16th launch from the Space Coast in 2024, but the beginning of a busy week for SpaceX as its set to support the return of the Crew Dragon Endurance from the International Space Station with its four passengers on the Crew-7 mission.

The quartet of NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov have been on board the ISS since Aug. 27, 2023.

Their relief arrived last week when the Crew-8 mission that launched from Kennedy Space Center flying the Crew Dragon Endeavour arrived to the ISS, setting up their departure pending weather as early as 11:05 a.m. Monday and a splashdown off the Florida coast as early as 5:35 a.m. Tuesday in either the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico in one of seven locations.

SpaceX is also awaiting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to try its third test launch of the Starship and Super Heavy rocket from its Starbase launch site in Boca Chica, Texas. It could fly as early as Thursday, according to a post on the company website.

The third attempt seeks to complete a successful ascent burn of both stages, open and close Starships payload door, demonstrate a propellant transfer while the upper Starship stage is in coast phase, relight one of the Raptor engines on that stage in space and perform a controlled reentry of Starship.

Instead of landing in the Pacific near Hawaii, SpaceX is aiming to send it to a splashdown in the Indian Ocean, a new flight path that enables us to attempt new techniques like in-space engine burns while maximizing public safety, according to the website.

This rapid iterative development approach has been the basis for all of SpaceXs major innovative advancements, including Falcon, Dragon, and Starlink, the post reads. Recursive improvement is essential as we work to build a fully reusable transportation system capable of carrying both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, help humanity return to the moon, and ultimately travel to Mars and beyond.

_____
During the Munich Security Conference in February 2022, before Russia's invasion, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was disappointed with the position of some Western representatives on Ukraine voiced on the sidelines of the forum, he said in an interview with NV released on March 8.

Johnson reacted to a remark by NV journalist Olha Dukhnich about the recent Munich Security Conference 2024 where "there was a certain melancholy and confusion among some European countries, a reluctance to do more than what is already being done, especially against the backdrop of events in the United States."

Read also: France gathers Ukraine, NATO, key allies to discuss military aid

"Oh my God, they are all about melancholy!" Johnson said.

They specialize in melancholy in Munich! As long as I've been there, they have specialized in it.

As an example, he cited the Munich Conference in February 2022, which he attended as Prime Minister just before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"It was so sad back then," Johnson said.

I'll tell you what they talked about. So, I had a meeting with one group of people. I won't say what country they were from, but they said: Oh, this is so terrible. Oh, no. Oh, no. Putin is so strong. Wouldn't it be better if... Maybe it would be better if Ukrainians didn't fight so much, and this war would end very soon. And I was just struck by this negativity and this pessimism.

Read also: Former British PM slams Kyiv aid skeptics in U.S., urging to give Ukraine everything it needs to win

He acknowledged that now "there is a slowly emerging European realization that this [supporting Ukraine] is critically important".

"Look at the French. Until recently, they did not want SCALP cruise missiles to be used in Crimea," Johnson stated.

Now they are saying: Okay. The Germans, traditionally very, very pacifist. Now they have actually overtaken the UK in terms of spending, although I'm ashamed to tell you this. So, in 2024, you will have 8 billion euros ($8.8 billion) from Germany. The European Parliament has just voted for another large aid package, bringing the total EU support to about 50 billion euros ($54.7 billion). So, the EU's military support is already greater than that provided by the United States.

He also cited a historical analogy of how long Britain had to wait for the United States to participate in World War II.

"Britain was on its own for a long time in 1940, 1941, 1942," Johnson concluded.

"America finally showed up in 1942, or at the end of 1941. They waited until we had really spent a lot of money and were in a very bad position. But America will always do the right thing in the end. And I think that the president of the United States, whoever it is, will be very interested in the success of Ukraine and in not letting Putin win."

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) has signed an agreement with ATS Technic to launch its new facility at Dubai South.

ATS Technic is the leading provider of line maintenance and logistics services for a wide range of aircraft types and models and the first independent EASA maintenance organisation in the UAE.

The agreement, which took place during MRO Middle East, was signed by Tahnoon Saif, CEO of MBRAH, and Mahdi Altahaineh, CEO of ATS Technic, in the presence of executives from both entities.

Operational by 2025

The new facility will be built across a 12,000 sq m plot. It will provide maintenance services approved by EASA Part 145, upgrades to the cabin, and high-quality refurbishment work on VIP aircrafts. The hangar, which can also handle multiple narrow-body family aircraft types simultaneously, will be fully operational by 2025.

Saif said: This partnership underlines our position in attracting the top players in the aviation sector to establish their presence at Dubai South and operate in an integrated economic environment where they can connect with international markets. We will spare no effort in supporting ATS expansion endeavours, in line with our mandate to solidify and cement Dubais position on the world aviation map.

Altahaineh said: The UAEs independent MRO infrastructure benefits the regions growing aviation sector, especially since over 3,000 new commercial aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Middle East by 2042, according to recently released data from Boeing CMO, and that the UAE, home to 27 EASA foreign maintenance organisations, is regarded as the largest aviation hub in the Arab world. The region is a potential market that aligns with our expansion strategy, and we thank MBRAHs team for their support in realising our growth plans.--TradeArabia News Service
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  In the entire world the only place youll find periodical cicadas is in Eastern North America, explained Dr. Matt Bertone, Entomologist and Director of the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic at NC State.

And this spring is set to have the most emerging periodical cicadas in 200 years! Love or hate them, we could see and hear them right here in our state.

We are set this year to have two broods emerging in North America, one we will see here in North Carolina, the other will be mostly in Illinois, he continued.

A cicada at the NC State Insect Museum in Raleigh. (Dan West/CBS 17)

Dr. Bertone explained that periodical cicadas emerge every 13 and 17 years. Both the 13- and 17-year broods will emerge in the state of Illinois, meaning they will see significantly more of the loud insects. North Carolina will see an emergence of the 13-year brood, however Dr. Bertone offered some good news for those in the Triangle area hoping to not hearlet alone seetoo many of them.

Not everybody will see them in North Carolina, theyre going to be more in the western part of the state, Dr. Bertone says. Here in Raleigh were probably not going to see them, but if you go out to Durham thats about the eastern most part of where theyre going to be emerging.

Demand for hands-on anatomy training growing in Charlotte

So, while we wont see the significant numbers that our friends in the Midwest might, were still going to see and hear them. The louder periodical cicadas emerge in the spring, typically in May, but we have cicadas every year usually showing up and getting loud in the summer, just not in as big of a showing.

The annual cicadas will be here and there, where the periodical cicadas emerge, youre going to have massive numbers of these adults screaming, mating and doing all their things, Bertone explains.

A row of cicadas at the NC State Insect Museum in Raleigh. (Dan West/CBS 17)

The noise from these specific cicadas might not take over all of our state, but the singing of any cicada is a sure sign spring and summer are right around the corner.

The cicadas Dr. Bertone showed us during this piece were thanks to the NC State Insect Museum. Their collection is vital for the continued study of these periodical cicadas, and all insects.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
The Oscar-winning actors of the night are (L-R) Robert Downey Jr ('Oppenheimer'), Da'Vine Joy Randolph ('The Holdovers'), Emma Stone ('Poor Things') and Cillian Murphy ('Oppenheimer') (Robyn BECK)

"Oppenheimer" swept the board on Sunday at the Oscars, Hollywood's biggest night of the year, with seven awards including best picture and best director, crowning a triumphant year for filmmaker Christopher Nolan.

Nolan's masterful drama about the father of the atomic bomb, half of last summer's massive "Barbenheimer" phenomenon, also bagged acting prizes for lead Cillian Murphy and supporting actor Robert Downey Jr.

Nolan -- a British-American filmmaker hailed as a generational talent -- said that film as an art form still has room to grow.

"Movies are just a little bit over 100 years old. I mean, imagine being there 100 years into painting or theater," he told the audience at the Dolby Theatre.

"We don't know where this incredible journey is going from here. But to know that you think that I'm a meaningful part of it means the world to me."

The haul was not quite complete -- "Oppenheimer" was nominated for 13 prizes, but with seven statuettes on the night it is still one of the most awarded films in Oscar history.

Robert Downey Jr was recognized for his stellar performance as J. Robert Oppenheimer's political nemesis Lewis Strauss.

"I would like to thank my terrible childhood and the Academy, in that order," Downey said after accepting the statuette.

Downey, who had been the butt of a joke by host Jimmy Kimmel about his well-documented drug problems, lavished thanks on his wife Susan for her support.

"She found me a snarling rescue pet and loved me back to life," he said.

Nolan's cerebral take on the man he has called "the most important person who ever lived" also snapped up prizes for editing, cinematography and best original score.

It seemed fitting that the story of the development of nuclear weapons was recognized on a night where the drumbeat of war was never far away.

"We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb. And for better or for worse, we're all living in Oppenheimer's world so I would really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers, everywhere," Murphy said as he accepted his award.

- He's just Ken -

The other huge smash of 2023, Greta Gerwig's pop feminist blockbuster "Barbie," featured heavily throughout the gala in Los Angeles.

While the movie, which grossed $1.4 billion at the box office, only won one Oscar for best original song, the bubblegum fun it generated provided fodder for the whole evening.

Supporting actor nominee Ryan Gosling brought the house down with a star-studded rendition of "I'm just Ken," accompanied by Guns 'n Roses guitarist Slash, as well as some of his on-screen Ken pals like Simu Liu and Ncuti Gatwa.

The performance slid into a karaoke session as Gosling passed the microphone around to some of the A-list guests.

Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For?" was the winning song from the summer hit film.

The 22-year-old, who delivered a heartfelt rendition of the reflective song, now has two Oscars to her name after a previous win two years ago for James Bond theme "No Time To Die" with her brother and frequent collaborator Finneas O'Connell.

- Four wins for 'Poor Things' -

In one of the few competitive awards of the evening, Emma Stone won best actress for her daring performance in the surreal, Frankenstein-esque "Poor Things," which won three other technical prizes.

She pipped Lily Gladstone, who was bidding to become the first Native American to win an acting Oscar for her role in Martin Scorsese's crime saga "Killers of the Flower Moon."

Stone, who previously won an Academy Award for "La La Land," paid tribute to the other women in her category, and the five women on stage who presented the category.

Stone also beat out Sandra Hueller of Oscars sleeper "Anatomy of a Fall."

But the French courtroom thriller did not go home empty handed, with a win for best original screenplay.

Co-writer Justine Triet revealed backstage that the 50 Cent song that features heavily in the film was originally going to be a Dolly Parton track.

"But they refused to give us the rights," she told reporters.

As well as the legacy of "Oppenheimer," there were several other reminders of the toll of human conflict.

The United Kingdom scored its first-ever best international film Oscar with Auschwitz drama "The Zone of Interest," which also won best sound.

Several nominees wore lapel pins calling for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, while sporadic protests erupted around the event's security perimeter.

There were also references to the war in Ukraine, with a best documentary statuette for "20 Days in Mariupol," and a brief tribute paid to Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, the subject of last year's Oscar-winning documentary.

hg/sst
FILE - An email from July 10, 2018, with the syllabus about Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch teaching an upcoming law class in Italy is photographed, July 10, 2023. An Associated Press examination of the ethics practices of the U.S. Supreme Court relied on documents obtained from more than 100 public records requests to public colleges, universities and other institutions that have hosted the justices over the past decade. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick, File)

PHOENIX (AP)  A nationwide review of procedures by The Associated Press and CNHI News revealed a patchwork of complicated systems for resolving open government disputes that often put the burden of enforcing transparency laws on private citizens.

The review, timed to Sunshine Week, found that fewer than a third of states have offices that can resolve residents complaints by forcing agencies to turn over documents or comply with open meetings requirements.

In most states, the only meaningful option for residents to resolve complaints about agencies wrongfully withholding public records is to file costly lawsuits.

Here is a state-by-state breakdown of the mechanisms for resolving open government disputes across the U.S.

ALABAMA

In Alabama, the only avenue for resolving complaints about alleged violations of state public records or open meetings law is to file a lawsuit. The Alabama attorney general generally does not play a significant role in enforcing state open government laws.

ALASKA

Alaska residents only option for formally resolving complaints about alleged violations of state public records or open meetings law is to sue. If an open government dispute involves a state agency, residents can file a complaint with the Alaska State Ombudsman, which can investigate. The ombudsman can make recommendations and publish its findings, but it has no authority to enforce compliance.

ARIZONA

Generally, Arizona residents must go to court to resolve open government disputes. The Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens Aide does receive complaints about public records and meeting access, and the agency can answer questions, mediate between complainants and agencies, and formally investigate complaints. But it does not have authority to force agency compliance. Residents can ask the attorney general or their county attorney to file a lawsuit to enforce open meetings laws, but these offices cant file lawsuits to enforce public records law. Residents must pursue private litigation to resolve records disputes.

ARKANSAS

Arkansas has no state entity that adjudicates complaints about alleged open meetings or open records law violations. A resident who has a complaint can either ask a local prosecutor to pursue charges at their discretion or file a lawsuit in state court.

CALIFORNIA

Generally, the only avenue for members of the public to resolve open government disputes in California is to sue. There is no ombudsman or equivalent office that adjudicates open government disputes. The attorney general and local prosecutors do have some authority to go to court over alleged open meetings violations.

COLORADO

Colorado has no independent office that adjudicates complaints about alleged public records and open meeting law violations, and the attorney general typically does not play a role. The only option for residents is to file a lawsuit.

CONNECTICUT

The Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission receives and adjudicates complaints about alleged violations of state open meetings and open records law. The commission can determine if open records laws were violated and issue orders requiring that an agency release records. It can also impose penalties on agencies, including fines and mandatory training sessions on open government law.

DELAWARE

Residents can petition the Delaware attorney general to assess whether a violation of open meeting or open records laws has occurred or is slated to occur. The attorney generals office can issue a written opinion on the matter. If a public body does not comply with the opinion, residents can file a lawsuit themselves or ask the attorney general to sue on their behalf.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Members of the public can appeal denied records requests involving an executive branch agency to the D.C. mayors office, or sue in court. For records disputes concerning the districts legislative branch, the only option is to sue in court. Complaints regarding open meetings can only be handled by the Office of Open Government, which can investigate, issue advisory opinions, and potentially file suit.

FLORIDA

Generally, there are two ways to resolve disputes over alleged public records non-compliance in Florida. The first is mediation between the complainant and the agency overseen by the Florida Attorney Generals Office, but the mediation is voluntary. The second route is to sue. Members of the public can sue to resolve open meetings disputes, and local prosecutors can enforce the law.

GEORGIA

Generally, Georgians must pursue legal action to resolve open government disputes. Residents can file certain open meetings or public records complaints to the Georgia attorney generals voluntary Open Government Mediation Program, which involves the office reviewing the complaint and contacting the involved agency.

HAWAII

People can file open meetings and open records complaints with the Hawaii Office of Information Practices. In addition to providing training, advice and general information, the office can issue enforceable opinions in such disputes, which can be appealed in court. Individuals can also file lawsuits to resolve open government disputes.

IDAHO

There is no entity in Idaho that adjudicates residents complaints about open records issues. Generally, residents only recourse is to sue. The Idaho attorney general does have the authority to file lawsuits against agencies that have violated open meetings law and have not resolved the issue when informed of the violation.

ILLINOIS

The Public Access Counselor, which is part of the Illinois Office of the Attorney General, can issue binding or non-binding opinions in response to complaints regarding open meetings and public records disputes. The counselor can also provide mediation. Additionally, members of the public can sue in court.

INDIANA

Residents can submit complaints about alleged violations of public records or open meetings law to the Indiana Public Access Counselor. While the counselor has the authority to issue advisory opinions in these disputes, the counselor cannot force agencies to comply. Residents must sue to enforce them.

IOWA

The Iowa Public Information Board receives and investigates complaints from residents about alleged violations of open meetings and public records law. It can provide advice, resolve disputes through informal mediation, or issue orders that require compliance with sunshine laws. Alternatively, members of the public can sue in court.

KANSAS

Residents can sue in court or submit complaints about alleged open meetings and open records law violations to the Kansas attorney general. The office can investigate the allegations and potentially issue a consent order or a finding of violation.

KENTUCKY

Residents can either file a lawsuit or they can ask the Kentucky attorney general to review disputes over open meetings and public records issues. The office issues binding opinions in such cases, though either party can appeal them in court.

LOUISIANA

Generally, the only recourse for resolving open meetings and public records disputes in Louisiana is to sue in court. The Louisiana Office of the Attorney General can receive complaints about alleged violations of state open meeting law, but the office does not handle complaints about public records issues.

MAINE

Generally, the publics only recourse in open government disputes in Maine is to sue in court. The Public Access Ombudsman, which is part of the Maine Office of the Attorney General, can answer inquiries from the public about open meetings and public records law, as well as mediate between residents and public bodies in open government disputes. But the ombudsman cant independently enforce open government law.

MARYLAND

Members of the public can file complaints about public records disputes with the Maryland Public Access Ombudsman. The ombudsman can attempt to resolve the issues through mediation, but it does not have enforcement authority. Disputes that are not settled through mediation are forwarded to the State Public Information Act Compliance Board, which can issue orders, though these decisions can be appealed in court. Residents can submit complaints about open meetings disputes to the Open Meetings Compliance Board, which can issue advisory opinions. Residents can also sue directly in court to resolve open government disputes.

MASSACHUSETTS

Oversight of Massachusetts open meetings and public records laws are shared by the secretary of states office and the attorney generals office. Complaints about alleged violations of open meetings law are handled by the attorney generals office, which can sue on a residents behalf in court. In the secretary of states office, the Supervisor of Public Records can decide whether a record is public and issue orders relating to whether it should be released, though the attorney general and the courts are the ultimate enforcer in such cases.

MICHIGAN

In Michigan, the only recourse for members of the public to resolve open meetings disputes is to sue. In public record disputes, individuals can either go directly to court or appeal to the agency that denied their records request.

MINNESOTA

The Data Practices Office at the Minnesota Department of Administration can answer questions related to public records and open meetings law, but it does not have enforcement authority. The Commissioner of Administration can issue advisory opinions on such matters. Members of the public can also submit public records complaints to the Office of Administrative Hearings if they can pay a $1,000 filing fee. The office can issue rulings in these disputes, which can be appealed in court. Otherwise, members of the public can sue to resolve open government disputes.

MISSISSIPPI

Residents may file complaints about alleged violations of open meetings and public records law with the Mississippi Ethics Commission, which can issue rulings in the disputes. These rulings can be appealed or enforced in court. Otherwise, residents can file a lawsuit.

MISSOURI

Members of the public can either sue over open meetings and public records issues or submit complaints to the Missouri Attorney General. The office reviews the complaints and can resolve open government disputes in a number of ways, including issuing warning letters, requiring training, or filing a lawsuit against a government entity.

MONTANA

In Montana, residents only recourse for adjudicating public meetings and public records disputes is to file a lawsuit. There is no state ombudsman or similar entity for adjudicating open government disputes.

NEBRASKA

Generally, members of the public can either sue in court in open government disputes or contact the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office. Members of the public can file petitions or complaints concerning open government issues with the office, which in turn can issue disposition letters. If the office finds that records were improperly withheld, the requester can sue or request that the office file suit.

NEVADA

Generally, enforcement of Nevada open government laws is handled in court. The state attorney general does not enforce public records law but does accept requests to investigate alleged violations. The office can publish opinions detailing violations and can require a public board or agency to publicly acknowledge that finding. The attorney general or members of the public can sue in state court alleging open meeting violations.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Residents can either sue to resolve open meetings or open records disputes or file a complaint with the one-person New Hampshire Office of the Right to Know Ombudsman. The ombudsman can make rulings on open government complaints, which can be appealed in court.

NEW JERSEY

The Government Records Council in New Jersey accepts complaints about alleged violations of state public records law and can resolve disputes through mediation or by ordering agencies to take actions. The councils decisions can be enforced or appealed in court. Residents can also go straight to court to sue over open records and open meetings disputes.

NEW MEXICO

Formal enforcement of open government laws in New Mexico is handled in court. Members of the public can sue over public records disputes and request opinions from local prosecutors or the New Mexico Department of Justice. In open meetings disputes, they can also file complaints with the Department of Justice or their local prosecutor  authorities who may file lawsuits in egregious cases. Alternatively, residents can file lawsuits regarding alleged open meetings law violations.

NEW YORK

Members of the public can contact the Committee on Open Government for advice or advisory opinions regarding public records and open meeting disputes. But the committee has no authority to enforce compliance with open government laws, and residents must pursue litigation to resolve disputes.

NORTH CAROLINA

The North Carolina attorney generals open government unit does provide guidance on open government laws, but it does not evaluate complaints or settle public records or open meetings disputes. Residents only avenue for formally resolving such issues is to sue.

NORTH DAKOTA

North Dakotas attorney general can review alleged violations of state public records or open meetings law submitted by members of the public and issue opinions. If a public entity does not comply with the opinion, residents can file suit. The office also has the authority to refer public officials who have violated open government laws in more than one opinion to local prosecutors for criminal prosecution.

OHIO

Residents can inquire with the Public Records Unit in the Ohio Attorney Generals Office for guidance on navigating open meetings and open records law. But enforcement of open government laws is handled by the courts.

OKLAHOMA

In Oklahoma, disputes over open meetings and open records issues are typically handled in the court through litigation. The Oklahoma attorney general does have a public access counselor, who can mediate between members of the public and government agencies in public records and open meetings disputes. But the counselor does not issue enforceable opinions or rulings.

OREGON

Residents can file petitions about public records disputes involving most state agencies with the Oregon Department of Justice. The department can then issue decisions, but it does not have the authority to initiate lawsuits in these cases. If either the agency or the requester disagree with these decisions, they can go to court. Requesters can also seek advisory opinions from local prosecutors in disputes involving local agencies. Additionally, they can contact the Office of the Public Records Advocate, which can compel state agencies in the executive branch to participate in mediation over records disputes, but cannot force agencies to comply. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission receives complaints concerning public meetings and can impose sanctions on governing officials. In both open meetings and public records disputes, residents can also take their case directly to court.

PENNSYLVANIA

Members of the public can appeal denied records requests to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. The office levies final determinations by which the parties abide; however, these decisions can be appealed in court. There is no administrative agency that oversees complaints about open meetings disputes, meaning lawsuits must be filed to resolve potential violations.

RHODE ISLAND

Members of the public can sue in court or file complaints with the Rhode Island attorney general regarding alleged violations of public records and open meetings laws. The office can resolve disputes with findings or potentially file lawsuits to enforce the statutes.

SOUTH CAROLINA

The South Carolina attorney general does not enforce open government laws or handle complaints about alleged violations. Residents must sue in open government disputes.

SOUTH DAKOTA

Complaints regarding open meetings issues can be brought to the South Dakota Open Meetings Commission. The commission can make determinations regarding alleged violations of state open meetings law and issue public reprimands, but it cant enforce compliance. A states attorney could prosecute open meetings violations. Residents can file public records-related complaints with the Office of Hearing Examiners, who can review disputes and issue decisions. These decisions can be appealed by either party in court. Residents can also file lawsuits to resolve open meetings and open records disputes.

TENNESSEE

Generally, complaints about alleged open meetings or open records law violations are handled by the courts, and residents must file a lawsuit to resolve such disputes. Residents can also contact the Open Records Counsel at the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, which can answer questions about public records and open meetings law and issue informal advisory opinions.

TEXAS

The Office of the Attorney General plays a central role in resolving public records disputes in Texas. Agencies must appeal to the office before denying a records request, and the office issues decisions in these cases. It also receives complaints regarding excessive fees for records, which can be resolved with financial penalties. Residents can also file suit over public records disputes. For alleged violations of open meetings law, residents can file complaints with their local prosecutor or pursue private litigation.

UTAH

Members of the public can appeal denied or delayed records to the State Records Committee, which can issue orders in disputes. The committees orders can be appealed in court, and residents can also sue over records disputes without going to the committee first. The Utah Attorney Generals Office does receive complaints about open meetings disputes, which can be resolved through training or admonishment, though the office has never brought a judicial action to enforce the open meetings law. The Utah Government Records Ombudsman can also provide information and guidance to individuals seeking records or trying to appeal denied records requests. Members of the public can also go straight to court in open meetings disputes.

VERMONT

Vermont does not have an entity that adjudicates complaints about public records or open meetings issues. Members of the public can resolve such disputes by suing in court.

VIRGINIA

In Virginia, residents only option for definitively resolving complaints about alleged violations of open meetings or open records law is to pursue legal action. Residents can also seek advice and opinions from the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council. But the courts are the final arbiter in open government disputes.

WASHINGTON

Open meetings and public records law disputes in Washington are typically resolved in court. There is an open government ombuds in the Washington Attorney Generals Office, but the ombuds does not enforce open government laws and instead provides education and answers questions.

WEST VIRGINIA

In West Virginia, residents only recourse for resolving complaints about alleged violations of open meetings and open records law is to file a lawsuit.

WISCONSIN

Open government disputes in Wisconsin are resolved in court. Members of the public, in addition to the Wisconsin Department of Justice and district attorneys, can settle complaints about public records and open meetings issues by suing. The Department of Justices Office of Open Government receives complaints, requests for enforcement, and inquiries about open government laws.

WYOMING

Generally, open meetings and public records disputes in Wyoming are resolved in court. Members of the public can file complaints about alleged violations of public records law with the Public Records Ombudsman in the Wyoming governors office. The ombudsman can mediate between residents and public bodies, but it has no authority to enforce compliance.

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This story is a collaboration between The Associated Press and CNHI News. Reporters across the U.S. from both organizations contributed.

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The APs support of local democracy coverage receives funding from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. See more about APs democracy initiative here.
Left-wing EU politicians say right-wing opponents are instrumentalising farmers' anger to stymie the Green Deal (JOHN THYS)

The EU's Green Deal -- once a core Brussels mission -- is looking increasingly under threat in the bloc's upcoming elections as resistance grows to its costs and consequences.

Farmers' protests, consumer cost-of-living worries and some countries' hesitation are already undercutting the ambitious plan to make the European Union carbon-neutral by 2050.

"The European Green Deal is our new growth strategy," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced back at the start of her mandate in 2019, as she unveiled dozens of pieces of legislation to meet climate targets agreed by EU member countries.

Five years on, the tone has changed.

Now, industry and farmers denounce the new "burdens" being piled upon them. Member states, including France, are calling for a "pause" in further measures.

"This backlash is centred on the agricultural area. It's not been true for energy, industry, transports," argued Pascal Canfin, chair of the European Parliament's environment committee.

He blames what he calls a "polarisation strategy" by right-wing parties.

Many of the Green Deal's laws have been adopted: an end to selling internal-combustion engine cars by 2035; a border carbon tax; rules against importing goods from deforested zones.

But momentum stalled last year with legislation to reduce chemical pesticides and to restore wilderness ecosystems -- opposed on grounds they could undermine food production in the bloc.

The biggest group in the European Parliament, the conservative European People's Party (EPP), from which von der Leyen hails, has made the shift an electoral gambit.

"It's easy to fix a figure. But it's more difficult to really make the transition happen in industry and also with the citizens," said a German EPP lawmaker, Peter Liese.

Farmland and forestry "should be protected much more" and farmers should not be seen "as an enemy of climate policy", he said.

- 'Identity politics' -

The climate crisis is becoming "a real identity politics issue" caught up in the farmers protests, said Susi Dennison, of the think tank the European Council on Foreign Relations.

It is being cast as "an either-or choice -- between either you do climate, or you are concerned about the economic picture," she said.

"There isn't really a strong enough response to that false dichotomy from progressive groups," Dennison said.

On the left in the parliament, Iratxe Garcia, of the Socialists & Democrats, laid the blame at the feet of "the extreme right and the EPP," accusing them of "trying to mix everything and to confuse the debate".

"What the conservatives are doing is trying to send the message that we have to choose between the farmers and the Green Deal," Garcia said, calling that "really irresponsible".

"The transition -- we have to do it. And we are prepared to confront, to speak, to explain," she said.

Yet a rightward shift in the European Parliament could put much of the legislative slate on the issue in jeopardy, undermining transitional steps needed after 2030. It could even slow the application of laws already adopted, some of which have revision clauses.

Phuc-Vinh Nguyen, of the Jacques Delors Institute, said a pause in the EU rules on battling climate change "risked being instrumentalised to legitimise populist attacks" that aim to bog down their application.

For Antonio Tajani, deputy prime minister in Italy's far-right government, it was time for Brussels "to abandon its extremist and ideological stance.

"Industry and farming cannot be penalised by unattainable environmental goals," he said.

Already Brussels has given up on trying to revise rules around chemical products and -- because of the farmers' revolt -- has put forward a lengthening list of concessions and opt-outs from environmental rules linked to its Common Agricultural Policy.

Von der Leyen herself -- vying for a second mandate -- has for the past few months been calling for a "new phase" of the Green Deal that factors in the need for better European competitivity for farmers and business.

The next EU legislature could seek to tie the deal to a reindustrialisation push, to attract investment, factories and jobs as part of the transition, said Neil Makaroff, of the think tank Strategic Perspectives.

Experts, however, point to a weak point in garnering those investments: a financing gap to reach 2030 climate goals that has been put at 406 billion euros ($445 billion) a year by the think tank I4CE.

jug/rmb/ec/cw
The Royal Stoke Hospital run by the trust

A hospital trust's bid to eliminate its 18-month waiting list has been hampered by strike action, according to one of its bosses.

University Hospitals of North Midlands had hoped to bring the list of patients waiting 78 weeks for treatment to zero.

Simon Evans, chief operating officer, told a board meeting last week that staff had made substantial progress.

But he said this had been slowed by a series of walkouts by members of the British Medical Association as part of an ongoing dispute with the government over pay.

The trust runs the Royal Stoke and County Hospitals, where industrial action resulted in some routine treatment being postponed.

There were 145 people who had been waiting more than 78 weeks in January, with 888 people on the same waiting list in January 2023.

"Unfortunately weve had industrial action in both January and February which has meant reductions in our capacity in key specialities," Mr Evans said.

"Weve had to focus on clinical urgency and emergency care at the cost of not being able to run as much planned care activity."

The trust declared a critical incident on two separate occasions in January and February this year.

The move was made to allow medics at Royal Stoke and County Hospitals maintain safety after "severe and sustained pressure".

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X, and Instagram, Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk

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President Joe Biden holds a button that reads 'Say her name: Laken Riley,' during his State of the Union message on March 7, 2024 (SAUL LOEB)

The top US congressional Republican on Sunday demanded an apology from Joe Biden over the murder of an American student for which an undocumented migrant was arrested -- a case helping to put immigration squarely at the center of the 2024 presidential campaign.

The president "is cowering to his base and showing deference to a man who deserves none," House speaker Mike Johnson said on X, the former Twitter. He said the alleged killer "is an illegal immigrant who brutally murdered Laken Riley."

Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was attacked late last month while on a morning run in a wooded area at the University of Georgia in Athens.

A Venezuelan migrant has been charged with murder and kidnapping. He had been stopped by police previously at least three times but was released each time.

Republicans led by former president Donald Trump insist that Riley's murder is a direct result of lax border enforcement by Biden.

One fervent Trump supporter, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, surprised Biden as he made his way to the front of the House chamber to deliver his State of the Union message Thursday, pressing a button with Riley's name on it into his hand and telling him, "Say her name."

- 'Say her name' -

Biden did not back down. Holding the button up, he spoke Riley's name -- mispronouncing it -- and called her "an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal."

He made the comment while urging Republicans to join Democrats in backing legislation to ease the migration crisis.

But his use of the word "illegal" drew a sharp backlash from liberal commentators and migrant advocates who say Biden should have used the more politically correct term "undocumented."

Democratic congressman Joaquin Castro of Texas said on X that "there was a lot of good in President Biden's speech... but his rhetoric about immigrants was incendiary and wrong."

On Saturday, Biden retreated, telling an MSNBC interviewer he regretted his word choice. "I shouldn't have used 'illegal,'" he said. "It's 'undocumented.'"

In sharp contrast to Trump, Biden said he would never "demonize" immigrants.

- A badly taken apology -

But while that expression of regret may have placated some on the left, his opponents on the right said it confirmed their charge that he is soft on migrants.

"Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer," Trump said during a rally Saturday in Georgia. "He was illegal and I say he was an illegal alien."

The former president, who has accused migrants of "poisoning the blood" of the country, said Riley would be alive today if Biden had not eased border enforcement.

Speaker Johnson seconded Trump's sentiment, saying Biden "should be apologizing to Laken's family."

Biden supports a reform package aimed at tightening border security -- a package negotiated at length by members of both parties but ultimately blocked by Republicans who say it contains little that Biden could not have done on his own.

Democrats say there was Republican support for the bill until Trump declared his opposition; they say he was loath to hand his rival a major political victory on a sensitive subject as they both campaign for president.

The bill would have restricted asylum claims, provided for the hiring of more border police, and allowed the president effectively to close the border if more than 5,000 migrants a day attempted to cross unlawfully in a week.

Border police registered a record 302,000 interceptions of migrants coming from Mexico in December, though the number dropped sharply to 176,000 in January, according to official data.

aue/cha/bbk/dw
Less than four years after George Floyd's murder sparked a mass awakening to the inequities of the criminal justice system, political leaders across the country are returning to a tough-on-crime approach. In some cases, voters and lawmakers are opting to reverse reforms passed years ago.

San Francisco voted Tuesday in support of two propositions that give more power to police and require addiction treatment as a condition for welfare assistance. D.C. Council members also passed a package of public safety measures Tuesday, including bringing back "drug-free zones."

The Tuesday votes follow movements to roll back reforms in Louisiana and Oregon.

"It's a stunning turnabout, especially so soon after the wave of national protests against the system for being too harsh," says Adam Gelb, President and CEO of the nonpartisan think tank Council on Criminal Justice.

Though the 50-year-pattern of reform and restrictions for may seem like we are headed back to highly punitive policies, Gelb said that isn't the full picture.

"I think there's very little chance that we return fully to the notion that we can arrest and punish our way to safety."

The Excerpt podcast: Crime stats show improvement. Why do so many believe it's never been worse?

Pendulum swinging across decades led to reforms during last 15 years

Gelb said the pattern like a pendulum swinging between restriction and reform starts as early as the 60s when a wave of reform led into a spike in crime in the 70s. The 80s brought in the crack crisis and a "get tough era," Gelb said. Over the next three decades, mandatory sentencing, a boom in prison development and harsher drug enforcement tactics led to a ballooning in the prison population.

During this time, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 was signed by President Bill Clinton, which The Brennan Center for Justice considers one of the most comprehensive federal bills on crime in history with a "complicated" legacy for its contributions to mass incarceration.

By 2007, one of every 31 adults was under the authority of the correctional system in the U.S., the country with the highest per capita incarceration rate in the world, according to a 2010 congressional report.

Efforts to reduce those populations had bipartisan support, as can be seen by the 2018 First Step Act to improve criminal justice outcomes while keeping crime low, which former President Donald Trump signed into law. But even before that, the Pew Trust reported that more than 30 states had passed laws to reduce the prison populations between 2007 and 2017. That included Louisiana.

Louisiana, Oregon repeal previous reforms, critics say ineffective in public safety

In an opinion piece in the Shreveport Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry explicitly blamed the Louisiana Justice Reinvestment Act signed by the former governor in 2017 for "rampant crime."

He kicked off a Legislative Special Session on crime, the Plaquemine Post South reported, including pushing through a measure that repealed a law passed in 2017 and now allows courts to prosecute 17-year-olds as young adults.

Landry signed 19 bills into law last week, including expanding methods of execution for the death penalty, reducing opportunities for parole and early release.

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Matthew Willard of New Orleans was critical of some of the moves, saying they will not do anything to stop crime before it happens. The ACLU of Louisiana testified against two of the bills on the grounds they were costly and not likely to reduce crime now.

Similar concerns were raised in Oregon, where the House passed a bill repealing part of Measure 110, a 2020 voter-approved measure to decriminalize drug possession. Critics of the new bill say the state's criminal justice system is already overwhelmed, and recriminalizing would disproportionally affect Black and Latino Oregonians, the Statesman Journal reported.

Tera Hurst, executive director of the Health Justice Recovery Alliance, also said it would be ineffective in helping alleviate crime rates today.

San Francisco, D.C. expand police powers by ballot and council

San Francisco voters showed great support on Super Tuesday for two measures put on the ballot by Democratic Mayor London Breed. She is up for reelection in November, with her opponents saying she has not been able to manage drug crimes, vandalism and theft, the Associated Press reported.

Proposition E grants police greater agency through less paperwork and wider drone use, according to AP. Propositions F requires adult welfare recipients who use drugs to receive treatment as a condition of receiving benefits, AP said.

District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks during a news conference in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, unveiling legislation by local lawmakers in the nations capital aimed at bringing down spiraling violent crimes rates that have stoked public anxiety and prompted congressional scrutiny. Bowser expressed her support for the bill, which incorporates several elements of previous proposals endorsed by the mayor's office. It passed with several amendments in March 2024.

D.C. Council members just passed an omnibus bill that brings together several public safety provisions raised over the last year. According to The Washington Post, the Secure D.C. Omnibus Amendment Act includes the following provisions:

Judges could more easily order some to be detained while awaiting trial for violent offenses

The definition of carjacking expanded to encompass more cases for prosecution

"Organized retail theft" considered a new felony

Establishing temporary "Drug-free zones", a 1990s-era tactic revived to address drug-related loitering

Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser applauded the legislation in a statement Tuesday, saying "We will not tolerate violence and we will not tolerate criminal activity that disrupts our sense of safety and our ability to build thriving neighborhoods." The bill heads to her desk next before congressional review.

But the bills' passage drew a mixed reaction from the ACLU.

"While the amended Secure DC Act provides some limited safeguards, it falls short of keeping us safe from abuse of power," ACLU-D.C. Policy Counsel Melissa Wasser said in a statement.

'A ratchet, not a pendulum'

While national data on crime rates is notoriously difficult to track, statistics collected and analyzed from cities across the U.S. show a spike of violent offenses and drop in property crime during the pandemic. But that data, compiled by the CCJ, suggests that most types of crime are reverting back towards pre-pandemic levels.

Gelb said the goal should actually be the recent lows in 2014, before the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri further ruptured public trust in police.

He also acknowledged that some policies that have popped up recently may be intended to send a message about crime tolerance rather than stop crime directly, noting that downward trends might not necessarily make people feel safe.

"I think this is much more about quality than quantity," Gelb said. "Most people aren't fluent in the statistics, but they know what they see and hear on the street, from friends and social media. And it's the randomness, the brazenness of some of these some of these incidents that suggests a culture of lawlessness, a breakdown of behavioral norms and social standards."

Gelb also says that even though this wave of tough-on-crime laws may seem like that pendulum is headed back to that era, he doesn't think it will be that extreme.

"It is a ratchet. It's not a pendulum," Gelb said. "They're not going back to the way it was before. They're shaving off the most aggressive edges and dialing things back rather than completely rejecting a balanced approach."

Contributing: John Dupont, Post South; Dianne Lugo, Salem Statesman Journal; Greg Hilburn, Shreveport Times; Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: From Louisiana to D.C., lawmakers backtrack on criminal justice reform
By El Tayeb Siddig and Khalid Abdelaziz

OMDURMAN, Sudan (Reuters) -A top general from Sudan's army has ruled out a truce in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan unless the paramilitary group it is battling leaves civilian and public sites.

The statement by Yasser al-Atta, a deputy commander of the army, comes after the army claimed advances in Omdurman, part of the wider capital, and an appeal by the United Nations Security Council for a truce during Ramadan, which begins this week.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it welcomed the ceasefire call.

Atta's statement, issued on the army's official Telegram channel on Sunday and based on comments he made the previous day in Kassala state, said there could be no Ramadan ceasefire unless the RSF complied with a commitment made last May at Saudi and U.S.-mediated talks in Jeddah to withdraw from civilian homes and public facilities.

It also said there should be no role for Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF leader commonly known as Hemedti, or his family, in Sudan's future politics or military.

"There are those who talk about a truce in Ramadan. There is no truce by order of the army and the people," Atta said in his Kassala speech to army graduates.

SHATTERED BUILDINGS

War between Sudan's army and the RSF erupted in mid-April 2023 amid tensions over a plan for transition to civilian rule. The two factions staged a coup in 2021 that derailed a previous transition following the 2019 overthrow of autocratic former leader Omar al-Bashir.

The army has been on the back foot militarily for much of the conflict, which has devastated swathes of the capital, triggered ethically driven killings in Darfur, and led to the world's biggest displacement crisis. The RSF seized large parts of the capital in the first days of fighting.

However, the army has recently recovered some ground in Omdurman, which along with Khartoum and Bahri makes up the wider capital divided by the Nile.

One resident of Omdurman's Wad Nubawi district, Mohamed Abdel Rahman, said locals returning to the area taken by the army wanted to help restore services and repair the war damage visible all around in pockmarked and shattered buildings, destroyed shops and kiosks, and burned out vehicles.

"We want to work as youth with official bodies to bring back our families, and to hopefully start fasting for the month of Ramadan in our homes," he said, as heavily armed soldiers patrolled nearby.

HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

The RSF said in a statement on Sunday that the army had rejected its offer to hand over 537 prisoners of war in its custody through the International Committee of the Red Cross.

"The SAF (Sudanese Armed Forces) leadership refused to accept our proposal to return their personnel as a sign of goodwill during Ramadan, as well as our previous unilateral initiatives since the current crisis began," the RSF said.

The army said it had received no communication from the ICRC about such an offer, and said the RSF's claims were "lies".

Several international attempts to broker ceasefires have failed to stop the fighting.

The U.N. says nearly 25 million people - half Sudan's population - need aid, some 8 million have fled their homes and hunger is rising. Washington accuses both warring parties of committing war crimes.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also called this week for a Ramadan truce.

Sudan's U.N. ambassador told the U.N. security council on Thursday that the head of the army and ruling council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan commended Guterres' appeal, but was wondering how it could be implemented.

Sudan's foreign ministry, which is aligned with the armed forces, said that to make any ceasefire possible, the RSF would need to withdraw from areas including El Gezira and Sennar states and several cities in Darfur, the RSF's stronghold.

(Reporting by El Tayeb Siddig in Omdurman and Khalid Abdelaziz in Duabi; Additional reporting by Clauda Tanios; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Sharon Singleton, Tomasz Janowski and Ros Russell)
Rishi Sunak says he wants to 'end the double taxation in work' - WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES EUROPE

Rishi Sunak is aiming to cut benefits to fund his plans to scrap national insurance contributions.

The Prime Minister has said that his Governments long-term ambition by the end of the next Parliament is to continue cutting National Insurance contributions (NICs) until its gone.

To fund his tax-cutting goals sustainably, he said that he would consult on plans to reduce working-age benefits, describing the current system as one that did not work properly.

His comments come amid speculation that there will be another fiscal event before the election, with senior Treasury sources claiming it could be as early as September.

Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, used last weeks Budget to announce that workers would see another cut to NI of 2p from April, on top of the 2p drop announced last Autumn.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Mr Sunak said he wanted to end this double taxation in work.

He said: Its unnecessarily complex. All that money ultimately goes into the same pot to fund public services. So  our long-term ambition is to end that unfairness, to keep cutting NICs until its gone, because that is the best way to reward hard work, simplify the tax system, and build the kind of society that I think is right.

Weve cut NICs by a third in two events over six months. So that demonstrates we are delivering and we can go further, though its important that we stick to the plan and then we can make significant progress towards that goal in Parliament.

There has been speculation that another fiscal event will happen before the next General Election - SIMON DAWSON/NO 10 DOWNING STREET

The Prime Minister revealed that it was his plan to curb welfare spending to make the money available for his tax plans, which Labour have claimed would cost 46 billion.

We should be encouraging everyone who can to work. We should be supporting them into that. As well as fairness to the entire system but also to make sure that we can sustainably keep cutting taxes.

Pointing to the almost 2.5 million people of working age who have been signed off as unfit to work, he said: We now sign off three times as many people to be out of work than we did a decade ago.

That just doesnt strike me as a system thats working properly.

Victoria Atkins, the Health Secretary, said that the Government wanted to transform sick note culture into a fit note system which encouraged people into work.

Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, Ms Atkins said she was looking into how to help Mel Stride, the Work and Pensions Secretary, to get more people back into work.

Im looking into how we can change the conversation from getting a sick note to getting a fit note.

So, changing this emphasis that somehow musculoskeletal conditions, for example, which is a very common reason for people being signed off sick, means that you cant do any work whatsoever, she said.

Because we know not only does work have financial benefits for us, it also is important for our wellbeing, it can help with our mental health, it can help with recovery.

Victoria Atkins says she wants to encourage people back to work - PETER NICHOLLS/GETTY IMAGES EUROPE

The announced NI cut will save the average worker 450, but unlike a cut to income tax, will not alleviate the tax burden on pensioners. Those aged 66 and above do not pay NI and have therefore been denied 900 of tax giveaways in six months.

Caroline Abrahams, the charity director of Age UK, described the Budget a non-event for older people, adding that the NI reductions do nothing for anyone working beyond their state pension age.

Baroness Altmann, a former pensions minister, said that she was very disappointed by the lack of changes to tax thresholds, which would have helped lower-income pensioners.

Mr Stride said on Friday that the plan to abolish NI was an aspiration, cautioning that it will take time.

He told Sky News: Well, my understanding, having seen what the Prime Minister said  and I think hes absolutely right  and the Chancellor in his speech, incidentally, was that it is a very clear aspiration to bring National Insurance down.

This will be in the next Parliament. It will take time. Down covers a whole variety of different possible end points.

Mr Hunt himself admitted that the ambition to abolish the tax wont happen anytime soon, describing NI as an unfairness that the party wanted to end over time.

Baroness Altmann says the focus on NIC left pensioners missing out on tax giveaways - HEATHCLIFF O'MALLEY

Earlier this week he said: Its something we will only do when its possible to bring down taxes without increasing borrowing while also prioritising public services.

As part of the plan for public services in last weeks Budget, the Chancellor announced that nearly 6 billion would be put into the NHS over the next five years.

He said that the Government would add 2.5 billion to the health service day-to-day budget in 2024-45, as well as an additional 3.4 billion on a NHS productivity plan over the next half a decade.

Lacking from last weeks fiscal event was any boosted funding for defence, with Mr Hunt only reiterating the Governments pledge to increase spending to 2.5 per cent as soon as economic conditions allow.

Two ministers have since gone public to urge the Prime Minister to boost funding to the promised 2.5 per cent and beyond.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a foreign office minister, and Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, published an article on LinkedIn appearing to criticise the absence of more defence money in the Budget.

Three former Tory defence secretaries have also told Mr Sunak to go even further than the 2.5 per cent currently promised and to put a pledge to increase defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP in the election manifesto.

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.
New Mexico is no stranger to sunshine, with 310 days of sunshine for New Mexicans predicted in 2024. But how much of that light will shine through the walls of your local government offices and agencies?

As it turns out, not enough. The New Mexico Ethics Commission in its 2024 Strategic Plan included a plan to collaborate with local governments to develop local ethics and disclosure ordinances, and create local ethics boards to handle local complaints.

In 2023 the state Ethics Commission received 31 complaints for violation of Governmental Conduct Act, 12 violation complaints of the Campaign Reporting Act and six complaints of violations of the State Ethics Commission Act. Nine complaints fell under the category of "other." Just 13 cases were closed in 2023, with six cases rolling over to 2024.

The Commission announced last week it had settled a complaint against a former Village of Capitan mayor for his use of government email bearing Village letterhead in which he endorsed local candidates contrary to provisions in the New Mexico Government Conduct Act. That's just one instance of when the processes put in place to protect you and your tax dollars work. To think, the Governmental Conduct Act was expanded to include local government officers and employees in New Mexico in 2011  just 13 years ago.

How many violations go unnoticed or unreported?

Learn more about the New Mexico Ethics Commission's work: FAQs

More importantly, how can you make a difference? This week, I and thousands of other transparency advocates nationwide are taking the opportunity offered by Sunshine Week to help answer that question. Sunshine Week is held annually; In 2024 it's March 10 through March 16. During this period the importance of open government and freedom of information takes center stage for those who advocate for the right to know.

Sunshine Week 2024.

Your right to know includes access to public records and public meetings through New Mexico's Inspection of Public Records Act and Open Meetings Act.

You have the right to attend any meeting of a public body. School board meetings? Yes. Meetings of ad hoc committees appointed by your mayor? Yes. Community forum about the new public park or veterans' cemetery? Yes. Commission meeting to hire a new county manager? Yes!

You have the right to inspect and copy public records generated by any local public office, board and agency. Contracts? Yes. Lawsuits settled by your local school board? Yes. Salaries of county employees? Yes. Public complaints against a law enforcement officer? Yes!

Included are agendas (72 hours ahead of any scheduled public meeting), minutes of public meetings, correspondence from your local elected leaders (schools included), and even budget documents.

Spreadsheets full of numbers are no fun, I get it. But often the stories those spreadsheets tell include important facts about how your local government works, down to the (your) last dollar. When that information is withheld or obscured it is you and your neighbors that pay the consequences.

This Sunshine Week I challenge you to educate yourself about your right to access, read the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Guide and to advocate for your public bodies to make access to information a priority because there is a difference between transparency and accountability.

Accountability is up to us as a community, and can only be accomplished when we are taking the time, paying attention and shining a light.

Interested in accessing public documents from the State of New Mexico. Visit the New Mexico Sunshine Portal.

Jessica Onsurez is news director for the USA TODAY NETWORK-NEW MEXICO. She is president of the Board of Directors for New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, a nonprofit that advocates for a transparent New Mexico government.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Sunshine Week: You have a right to know what government is doing
President Joe Biden said he wants to see a six-week ceasefire in the war in Gaza and for Hamas, Israel, and other negotiators to work toward long-term peace in the Middle East.

Biden made his stance clear during an interview with MSNBC that aired Saturday. The president seemed eager to see Hamas agree to a ceasefire with Israel as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is set to begin Sunday night. During that period, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.

"I want to see a ceasefire, and Im starting with a major, major exchange of prisoners for a six-week period," Biden said. "Were going into Ramadan. It should be nothing happening, and we should build off of that ceasefire."

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Israel has agreed to this six-week ceasefire, but Hamas has refused so far. The terrorist organization is holding over 134 hostages, according to Israel Defense Forces, including two children. Over 30 hostages have died in captivity.

During a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas last November in which hostages were exchanged for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, the terrorist group abruptly ended the agreed-upon pause early by launching missiles at Israel.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

"Look, Ive spoken with the majority there, I believe, from Saudi Arabia and Egypt to Jordan, theyre all prepared to fully recognize Israel begin to rebuild the region," Biden went on. "And thats the focus. What comes after Gaza? Whats next? Its a tough decision, but theres a lot to be done."

This comes after a movement for Democratic voters to vote "uncommitted" in primary elections as a form of protest against the president's support of Israel. The number of uncommitted votes resulted in Biden losing two delegates, who will be free to vote for any candidate they'd like later this year.
My group was leaving our hotel in Paris. The driver was loading our luggage and the women were beginning to board. Suddenly the hotel manager appeared and searched out one of the women.

Madame, madame, you have left your tarte in your room! He shoved a box at her, smiled and rushed back into the hotel before he heard her say, But I do not want the rest of this cake!

She placed it on the cement post in front of the hotel and got on the bus. Two minutes later, a man got on the bus, carrying the cake box, found her and babbling French handed it to her.

Susan Keezer

We arrived at the train station for our train to Luxembourg. All our bags were taken from the bus. The women left the bus and started boarding the train with their luggage. Then we saw the bus driver running down the track with the tarte, waving his arms. He jumped on the train to give my traveler the tarte she was trying so desperately to abandon.

As ill luck would have it, our tour guide had put us on the wrong train, and we ended up in a small village on a Sunday morning where that train was stopping. Through a series of hand gestures, I learned that a school bus was going to take us to Luxembourgs airport for our flight to Detroit. We left the train, and the tarte chased my client on to the school bus.

The bus was not the large comfortable sort that we have in the States. I think it may have been used to take chickens and goats to market  not 50 miles, with 84 pieces of luggage and 42 adults on board.

We left for Luxembourg on this elderly school bus carrying well over its legal weight.

Its top speed was about 43 miles per hour. I knew we might well miss our flight at this rate, but I also knew there was nothing I could do.

We puttered along to the border between France and Luxembourg where we stopped so I could take passports and tax declarations in for my travelers to get value-added tax refunds.

Ive submitted passports and receipts many times at points of departure. Normally, this is a fast procedure because travelers are heading for departure gates and not eager to miss a flight.

In this case, the man who was responsible for stamping the receipts so my clients could get their tax refunds must have had a bad Saturday night or was a slow reader or just plain ornery.

These were three-part receipts: an original with two copies attached. He would take a passport, open it up, place a paperweight on it to keep it open. Then he would read the entire first page of the receipt and slowly stamp it. After that he would read the next copy of the receipt and slowly stamp it. Finally, he would read the entire second copy and slowly stamp it. These were not small receipts.

If there are two exact copies of an original, it stands to reason, you dont have to read the two copies, right? But this guy felt obliged to read every word on all three pages, ink his stamper each time and stamp each page as slowly as possible.

All this time, the clock is ticking, and I can hear announcements Final Boarding, Final Boarding! singing in my brain.

At last he handed me the passports and receipts, and I ran back to the bus.

We left for the airport and on arrival were met by an airline representative who was tap dancing in frustration: Where have you been??? We are holding the plane, follow this man out on the tarmac, someone will grab your bags  RUN!

We started running for the plane, boarded and found our seats.

All of us were panting and buckling in when one of the ground crew came on board holding a battered cake box.

Tarte? Tarte?

Incredible. From a Paris hotel to a bus to a train station to a small village to a school bus to a border official then into Luxembourg to its airport and finally to our plane, this cake box managed to track its purchaser who didnt want it.

It was determined to follow her, to cling to her like a leech. I dont know what she finally did with it.

If she shoved it under her seat, and it made its way back to France, it would not surprise me that if she returned to France, it might spring out into her arms on arrival.

 Susan Keezer lives in Adrian. Send your good news to her at lenaweesmiles@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Susan Keezer: You cannot leave it
Suspect steals over $1,200 worth of items from Macys in Orange County

Police are searching for a male suspect who stole a large amount of merchandise from a Macys store in Orange County.

The theft happened at a Macys department store at the Mainplace Mall in Santa Ana on Dec. 15, 2023, according to the Santa Ana Police Department.

Video captured the male suspect entering the store and placing several fragrance items in a large clear trash bag. He then attempted to exit the store but was confronted by a security guard.

Thats when the suspect allegedly threatened the guard by saying he had a firearm while simulating a concealed weapon in his waistband, police said.

The suspect eventually exited the store, escaping with over $1,200 worth of merchandise, authorities said.

He is described as a Hispanic man in his late 30s and was last seen wearing a black jacket, white shirt and black pants.

U.S. says these mistakes could get spring breakers hurt or killed in Mexico

Police are searching for a suspect who stole thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from a Macys store in Orange County on Dec. 15, 2023. (Santa Ana Police Department)

Police are searching for a suspect who stole thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from a Macys store in Orange County on Dec. 15, 2023. (Santa Ana Police Department)

Police are searching for a suspect who stole thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from a Macys store in Orange County on Dec. 15, 2023. (Santa Ana Police Department)

Images from the stores security cameras are being released in hopes someone may recognize the man.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Santa Ana Detective Engle at 714-245-8351 or email TEngle@santa-ana.org.

Surveillance footage of the theft can be seen in the video player above.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
ST. LOUIS  An overcrowded shelter has the Stray Rescue of St. Louis calling for help.

Stray Rescue leaders are putting a pause on local rescues until it can open up 20 spots at its St. Louis shelter.

Cassady Caldwell, the CEO of Stray Rescue of St. Louis, announced a rescue freeze Saturday via Facebook and considers their current situation an emergency.

Fontbonne University to close in 2025

It kills me to do this, but because society has failed the animals so bad we cant keep up and are beyond drowning. We have 13 in crates. Which we hate, but we couldnt leave them, Caldwell said via Facebook.

It appears the shelter has been quite busy with rescues recently, sharing of a large puppy rescue from Idaho on Friday. Stray Rescue says it has more than 200 puppies looking for homes right now, and its resources to help them all adequately have become stretched.

Caldwell is asking any community members willing to help with adoptions to fill out an adoption application and schedule a visit to the shelter, located at 2320 Pine St. in St. Louis Downtown West neighborhood.

Stray Rescue is also holding a St. Patricks Day adoption event one week from Sunday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
NEW YORK (AP)  Its tax season in the U.S., and for many people, filing tax returns can be a daunting task thats often left until the last minute. But if you want to avoid the stress of the looming deadline, start getting organized as soon as possible.

Whether you do your taxes yourself, go to a tax clinic or hire a professional, navigating the tax system can be complicated and stressful. Courtney Alev, a consumer financial advocate for Credit Karma, recommends you go easy on yourself.

Take a breath. Take some time, set out an hour, or go through it over the weekend. Youll hopefully see that its a lot simpler than you think, Alev said.

If you find the process too confusing, there are plenty of free resources to help you get through it.

Here are some things you need to know:

WHEN IS THE DEADLINE TO FILE TAXES?

Taxpayers have until April 15 to submit their returns from 2023.

WHAT DO I NEED TO FILE MY TAX RETURN?

While the required documents might depend on your individual case, here is a general list of what everyone needs:

Social Security number

W-2 forms, if you are employed

1099-G, if you are unemployed

1099 forms, if you are self-employed

Savings and investment records

Any eligible deduction, such as educational expenses, medical bills, charitable donations, etc.

Tax credits, such as child tax credit, retirement savings contributions credit, etc.

To find a more detailed document list, visit the IRS website.

Tom OSaben, director of tax content and government relations at the National Association of Tax Professionals, recommends gathering all of your documents in one place before you start your tax return and also having your documents from last year if your financial situation has drastically changed.

OSaben also recommends taxpayers create an identity protection PIN number with the IRS to guard against identity theft. Once you create a number, the IRS will require it to file your tax return.

HOW DO I FILE MY TAXES?

You can either file your taxes online or on paper. However, there is a great time difference between the two options. Paper filing can take up to six months for the IRS to process, while electronic filing cuts it down to three weeks.

WHAT RESOURCES ARE OUT THERE?

The IRS is piloting a program where you can file your federal taxes online for free called Direct File. This program is now available in 12 states, which include California and New York, and for people who have very simple W-2s, an employees wage and tax statement.

Aside from Direct File, IRS offers free guided tax preparation that does the math for you. This is available for people who make $79,000 or less per year. If you have questions while working on your tax forms, the IRS also offers an interactive tax assistant tool that can provide answers based on your information.

Beyond the popular companies such as TurboTax and H&R Block, taxpayers can also hire licensed professionals, such as certified public accountants. The IRS offers a directory of tax preparers across the United States.

The IRS also funds two types of programs that offer free tax help: VITA and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program (TCE). People who earn $64,000 or less a year, have disabilities or are limited English speakers, qualify for the VITA program. Those who are 60 or older, qualify for the TCE program. The IRS has a site for locating organizations hosting VITA and TCE clinics.

If you have a tax problem, there are clinics around the country that can help you resolve these issues. Generally, these tax clinics also offer services in other languages such as Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese.

HOW CAN I AVOID MISTAKES IN MY TAX RETURN?

Many people fear getting in trouble with the IRS if they make a mistake. Heres how to avoid some of the most common ones:

Double check your name on your Social Security card.

When working with clients, OSaben always asks them to bring their Social Security card to double-check their number and their legal name, which can change when when people get married.

You may have changed your name but you didnt change it with Social Security, OSaben said. If the Social Security number doesnt match to the first four letters of the last name, the return will be rejected and that will delay processing.

Search for tax statements when you have opted out of paper mail.

Many people like to opt out of snail mail but when you do, it can also include your tax documents.

If you didnt get anything in the mail doesnt mean that there isnt an information document out there that you need to be aware of and report accordingly, OSaben said.

Make sure you report all of your income.

If you had more than one job in 2023, you need the W-2 forms of each.

WHAT ABOUT THE CHILD INCOME CREDIT?

Earlier this year, Congress announced a bipartisan agreement to enhance the current child tax credit. Currently, the tax credit is $2,000 per child, but only $1,600 is refundable. The bill would incrementally increase the maximum refundable child tax credit to $1,800 for 2023 tax returns, $1,900 for the following year and $2,000 for 2025 tax returns.

If this agreement goes through, around 16 million children in low-income families would benefit from this child tax credit expansion, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Lawmakers are hoping to move this bill as soon as possible.

WHAT IF I MAKE A MISTAKE?

Mistakes happen, and the IRS takes different approaches depending on each case. In general, if you make a mistake or youre missing something in your tax records, the IRS will audit you, Alev said. An audit means that the IRS will ask you for more documentation.

Generally, they are very understanding and willing to work with folks. Youre not going to get arrested if you type in the wrong field, Alev said.

WHAT IF I HAVENT FILED FOR YEARS?

You can file taxes late and, if you were supposed to get a refund, you might still get it. If you havent filed for years and you owe money to the IRS, you may be hit with penalties but the agency will can work with you to manage payment plans.

HOW CAN I AVOID SCAMS?

Tax season is prime time for tax scams, said OSaben. These scams can come via phone, text, email and social media. The IRS uses none of those means to contact taxpayers.

Sometimes scams are even operated by tax preparers so its important to ask lots of questions. If a tax preparer says you will get a refund that is larger than what youve received in previous years, for example, that may be a red flag, OSaben said.

If you cant see what your tax preparer is working on, get a copy of the tax return and ask questions about each of the entries.

HOW LONG SHOULD I KEEP COPIES OF MY TAX RETURNS?

Its always good practice to keep a record of your tax returns, just in case the IRS audits you for an item you reported years ago. OSaben recommend keeping copies of your tax return documents for up to seven years.

HOW DO I FILE A TAX EXTENSION?

If you run out of time to file your tax return, you can file for an extension. However, it is important to remember that the extension is only to file your taxes, not to pay them. If you owe taxes, you should pay an estimated amount before the deadline so you avoid paying penalties and interest. If you expect to receive a refund, you will still receive your money when you file your taxes.

Filing an extension will give you until Oct. 15 to file your taxes. You can file for an extension through your tax software or preparer of preference, the IRS Free File tool or via mail.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU FILE TAXES LATE?

If you missed the tax deadline and you dont file for an extension, there are several penalties that you might receive. If you missed the deadline you might receive a failure-to-file penalty. This penalty will be 5% of the unpaid taxes for each month the tax return is late, according to the IRS.

If you owe taxes and you didnt pay them prior to the tax deadline, you will receive a failure-to-pay penalty. Interest will also be charged on both taxes and penalties owed. If you are due for a refund, you will not receive a penalty and you will receive your tax return payment. If you had special circumstances that meant you were unable to file or pay your taxes on time, you might be able to remove or reduce your penalty.

If the amount of taxes you owe becomes too large, you can apply for a payment plan. Payment plans will allow you to pay off over time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
When he ran for reelection in 2018, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz sought to motivate his fellow Republicans to get to the polls by warning them that Democrats "will crawl over broken glass" to vote against him.

He wasn't wrong. Democrats that year absolutely hated Ted Cruz. They did indeed turn out in droves, broken glass or not, and they came within just a couple of percentage points of ousting the junior senator from Texas.

Six years later, the two-term incumbent opened his general election campaign with a social media post telling voters that Texas Democrats actually like the 2024 version of Ted Cruz.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is seeking a third term in the Nov. 5 election.

But do they? The short answer: maybe a few here and there. Cruz's post features a video of a handful of Democrats talking up his approach to issues such as energy, law enforcement and border security. Among them are former Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz and Presidio County Sheriff Danny Dominguez.

The real question is, do Democrats still hate Cruz? Newly minted Democratic senatorial nominee U.S. Rep. Colin Allred had better hope they do. Allred, like U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke of El Paso six years ago, is giving up a safely Democratic seat in Congress to challenge Cruz.

And when he spoke to his supporters at his Tuesday night primary election victory party, Allred sought to rekindle many of the themes O'Rourke had sounded as he attempted to push Cruz's negatives to center stage, including the senator's polarizing approach to politics and his ambition for advancement.

By the time Cruz came up for reelection in 2018, he had sought to shut down the federal government in a failed gambit to defund the Affordable Care Act. He had run for the Republican presidential nomination and in the process called eventual 2016 nominee Donald Trump "a sniveling coward." And in a Senate floor speech Cruz had accused Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of telling "a flat-out lie" during legislating maneuvering.

More: In 2024 campaign, Texas will supply Trump with imagery for hardline immigration promises

Antipathy for Cruz during that time was so baked into the political cake that it wasn't just late-night comedians making jokes about it. Joining them were the Texas Republican's own peers in the notoriously genteel Senate chamber.

I like Ted Cruz more than most of my other colleagues like Ted Cruz," deadpanned then-Sen. Al Franken, a Minnesota Democrat. "And I hate Ted Cruz.

It was a bipartisan sentiment.

"If you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody would convict you, joked Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

Graham later walked the one-liner back, acknowledging that death might be too harsh a penalty for the crime of rubbing fellow senators the wrong way.

During his second term, however, Cruz appears to have dialed back any desire to pick fights with Republicans in high places. Even though he has said he'd like to make another run for president someday, he opted out of running for the GOP nomination this cycle, preserving his post-2016 alliance with Trump.

More: Donald Trump accomplished what he needed from his Texas border visit. But did Joe Biden?

His newfound outreach to Democrats notwithstanding, Cruz will probably not be named a poster child for bipartisanship anytime soon. He was a rock-solid "no" on recent legislation, which was ultimately doomed, to boost funding for border security, even as some Republicans sided with President Joe Biden and the congressional Democratic leadership.

He also voted against the law, negotiated by fellow Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn, that expands background checks on gun buyers 21 and younger to include their mental health and juvenile justice records and closes the so-called "boyfriend loophole," which prevents people convicted of domestic abuse from legally owning a gun.

U.S. Rep. Colin Allred coasted to victory in a crowded Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate nomination.

Allred, who easily topped a nine-candidate Democratic primary field to win the nomination outright Tuesday, has been reminding voters since he entered the race that during the deadly February 2021 winter storm, Cruz jetted off to the sunny beaches of Cancun in Mexico while millions of Texans shivered without power and heat for several days.

All of that probably gives Allred the foundation he'll need to keep his party's base in line in the run-up to the Nov. 5 general election. But will it be enough to re-create the loathing among Democrats and a fair share of independents that Cruz came to fear six years ago?

According to the latest poll by the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas, released in February, 17% of Democrats and 29% of independents have a very or somewhat favorable opinion of Cruz. Meanwhile, 70% of Democrats and 48% of independents have a very or somewhat unfavorable opinion of the senator.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: In race against Colin Allred, Ted Cruz tries courting Texas Democrats
Water samples will be taken from the Thames in south-west London after a number of residents raised concerns over a potential sewage discharge.

People living near Teddington Lock said they saw what looked like "brown lumps of porridge" floating in the water.

Richmond MP Sarah Olney also said pictures on social media showed what looked like an "environmental hazard".

However Thames Water said there is "no evidence" of sewage in the water.

Resident Peter Morris said he noticed while walking by one day "little clusters of what looked like brown porridge streaming all the way down the river", and is worried it may be raw sewage.

"There was an awful lot of rubbish in there and it wasn't kind of plastic bottles or anything like that, it looked brown and threatening," he said.

Liberal Democrat MP Ms Olney said: "I hear lots from people who are using the water - they're canoeing, they're rowing, they're swimming - really, really concerned about the quality of the water.

"I've had umpteen reports of sewage in this part of the Thames and it really makes me angry. We should be doing an awful lot better."

It comes after a Freedom of Information request last year revealed the River Thames has been polluted by at least 72bn litres of sewage discharges since 2020, with Mogden near Twickenham in south-west London the worst-impacted area.

The Environment Agency said an officer found no sign of harms to the environment in the area

Thames Water previously said it is "increasing sewage treatment capacity" at a number of sewage works across the Thames Valley and had already "started the 100m upgrade of Mogden sewage treatment works".

Thames Water told BBC London there is no evidence there is sewage in the river, but it will send a team down to investigate and collect some samples.

It added it also recognises there are occasions when it does have to discharge waste into the water.

Local MP Sarah Olney said the reports make her "angry"

In a statement it said: "We are working hard to make these discharges unnecessary, and have published plans to upgrade of 250 of our sewage treatment works and sewers - to treat the high volumes of incoming sewage, and reduce the need for overflows during wet weather."

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "A specialist officer found no sign of harm to the environment after an online report of white foam on the surface of the River Thames at Teddington."

But for locals, questions remain over what is affecting the appearance of this stretch of river.

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
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) said Americans are frustrated about the situation on the border after two National Guard members and a Border Patrol agent died in a helicopter crash flying over the southern border of Texas.

This is part where I think a lot of Americans are frustrated. You know, just a few days ago, we had Americans that were killed along the border, Gonzales told NewsNations political editor Chris Stirewalt on The Hill Sunday when asked if he had any additional information on the helicopter crash.

President Biden sent his condolences for the National Guard member and patrol agent killed in the helicopter crash Friday. The helicopter was flying over the Texas southern border at the time, and the crashs cause is under investigation, per The Associated Press (AP).

These brave Americans dedicated their lives to protecting our nation, Biden said in a statement. They signed up knowing the risks and believing in the mission of serving their fellow Americans by keeping our nation safe. Our gratitude is profound, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

The AP reported that the UH-72 Lakota helicopter was assigned to the federal governments border security mission when it crashed near Rio Grande City in Texas.

Gonzales said he was thinking about the victims families regarding the helicopter crash.

I always think about the families, oftentimes the service members, they knew what theyre getting into, and its a tough job whether you get in a plane or a truck or a boat. Its just a tough job that they do. So they kind of know what theyre getting into and [that] the families come along for the ride, he said.

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Consequences of a rocket attack on Myrnohrad on the night of March 10

Eleven civilians, including a teenager, were injured in a Russian overnight attack on Myrnohrad, in Ukraines frontline Donetsk Oblast, presumably by three S-300 missiles, the Regional Prosecutor's Office reported on Telegram on March 10.

A 16-year-old boy, 5 women and 5 men aged 34 to 95 were wounded in the attack. According to law enforcement officials, 17 high-rise buildings and dozens of cars were damaged.

Read also: Russian airstrike hits center of Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast, injuring 16

The bodies of two other civilians were recovered from the rubble of a house in another Donetsk Oblasts town, Dobropillya, which was attacked by Russian kamikaze drones, the Regional Military Administration head, Vadym Filashkin, reported the same day.

Two administrative buildings and two private houses were damaged.

  /Telegram

  /Telegram

Read also: Russia hits industrial facility in Kryvyi Rih with Shahed drones

Police and the Security Service opened a criminal case for violation of the laws and customs of war (Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

A 66-year-old man was also killed in the Russian shelling of Chasiv Yar, according to Filashkin's Telegram post.

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I have been honored to serve as an Erie County Court of Common Pleas judge for more than 20 years, presiding over various areas of the law. However, from day one, I have been dedicated to handling matters involving children under the age 18 who are either without proper parental care (known as juvenile dependency) or those who have committed a crime (juvenile delinquency). Education has always served as the cornerstone of my courtroom in these matters. Together, my colleagues and I have placed significant emphasis on ensuring the children who appear in court receive every educational opportunity available to obtain their high school diploma or its equivalency. As a judge, I have worked to enhance the educational experiences of juveniles appearing before me by offering opportunities beyond the borders of Erie County to obtain their diploma or GED (General Educational Development) certificate. Having personally witnessed these juveniles earn a diploma or GED is deeply impactful and resonates long after court has adjourned.

Judge John J. Trucilla

What is a GED?

The General Educational Development (GED) test comprises four sections: math, reading (language arts), science and social studies. Each section is scored from 100 to 200, with a minimum passing score of 145 required for each component. Test-takers have the option to take each section individually until all four are successfully completed. This flexibility allows students to progress at their own pace, setting realistic goals for achievement. Gradually passing the GED test also demonstrates the student's perseverance and commitment, qualities highly valued by employers and admission committees of higher education institutions.

Courtroom observations

Erie County Judge John Trucilla holds a binder of diplomas and GED certificates from young people he has helped by requiring them to earn a GED or diploma before they can be discharged from court supervision. Trucilla was shown at the Erie County Courthouse in Erie on Feb. 29, 2024.

Several years ago, I initiated a program titled: "Great Expectations  A Collection of Hope." This educational incentive program aims to inspire juveniles, both delinquent and dependent, to earn a diploma or GED before their formal discharge from the oversight of the courts. Once accomplished, the student submits a copy of his or her GED or diploma to the court, where it is placed in a binder. Over time, I have amassed hundreds of diplomas and GED certificates, and the collection continues to grow.

It is truly remarkable to witness the expressions on these juveniles' faces when they return to court, either on a scheduled date or unexpectedly, to proudly present the court with their certificate or diploma. These moments are priceless. The students' self-esteem skyrockets, and a sense of profound accomplishment radiates from them. For many, obtaining the GED represents their first tangible success in life. The undeniable value of education underscores the need to explore viable graduation options for all students. The GED merits consideration as one of these educational choices.

The GED  a legitimate alternative

Unfortunately, the GED certificate is often viewed with skepticism and seen as an inferior alternative to the traditional high school diploma. Based on my experience, the GED deserves to be recognized as a legitimate, worthy alternative to the traditional high school diploma. As I have witnessed, the awarding of a GED can be transformative and, in some instances, life changing.

Erie County Judge John Trucilla holds a hand-written note he received from one of the young people he has helped by requiring them to earn a GED before they can be discharged from court supervision. Trucilla has a binder of diplomas and GED certificate copies from graduates he has helped.

Let me be clear, advocating for the GED does not mean advocating against the high school diploma. Rather, it recognizes that for some students in danger of educational failure, the GED may be a vital lifeline to their futures. Many of our high school students learn at different rates and in alternative modes compared to their peers. Consequently, they often find themselves significantly behind in the credits required for graduation. Among these students are 17- and 18-year-olds who have earned only one or two credits, leaving them years away from obtaining a diploma. These students urgently need another route to obtaining the equivalent of a high school diploma. While options such as cyber schools, charter schools, Intermediate Unit 5, and others exist, the GED must serve as a vital component of Erie County's educational network.

Additionally, a community-based GED initiative could play a crucial role in allowing children under court supervision to remain in their homes, avoiding the need to place them in facilities outside of Erie County that offer certified GED programs. This approach ensures that these students have access to the educational support they need while maintaining stability in their homes and their community.

Time to renew our efforts

Erie schools Superintendent Brian Polito, a steadfast advocate for student success, has long recognized the value of the GED. During my tenure as president judge, Brian, after persistent advocacy and, I am sure, some annoyance, was persuaded to implement a GED program within the Erie School District. This program was called the GED at the Transformational Learning Center (TLC) and housed within the Booker T. Washington Center.

Erie County Judge John Trucilla holds a binder of diplomas and certificates from young people he has helped by requiring them to earn a GED or diploma before they can be discharged from court supervision. Trucilla was shown at the Erie County Courthouse in Erie on Feb. 29, 2024. Trucilla is calling for the creation of a local GED program for youth.

With the successful awarding of GED certificates to early participants, momentum was building. Importantly, the attainment of a GED was recognized as a successful graduation from the Erie School District. However, in 2020, the TLC was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently closed due to public safety mandates. The effects of COVID have also significantly disrupted school attendance, with a substantial number of high school students not returning to the classroom. It is now imperative to reignite efforts to reinstate the GED option and provide these individuals with a means to successful completion of high school.

Hope and opportunity  a living example

With their GED certificate in hand, students are equipped with a tangible and effective tool to propel their young lives forward. The GED serves as a key that unlocks doors previously closed to them. Students who were once disenfranchised are now empowered with newfound options. The acquisition of a GED offers the discouraged teen something they have never had before: hope and opportunity. The GED provides them with career choices that did not previously exist. With their GED, these students now have a chance for a brighter future.

Students who have earned their GED and gone on to thriving careers often go unnoticed. One local example is the inspiring journey of Deena Long. Deena has been a math teacher for more than 30 years and currently teaches at Erie High School. Over the years, Deena has had a profound impact on the lives of countless students. Her compassion and commitment to her students was recognized recently when she received WJET's prestigious Golden Apple award. During her gracious acceptance of the award, Deena reflected on her personal journey, recalling a time when she had not taken her education seriously and dropped out during 12th grade. Undeterred, she pursued her GED, subsequently attended Edinboro University (now PennWest at Edinboro) and graduated with her degree in education.

In correspondence with Deena Long, she insightfully and wisely wrote: "Thank God we live in a country which offers second and third chances for people like me who blow it the first time!"

The GED can be the chance many of our students need to get their lives back on track and erase some of the mistakes made along their educational journeys. These successes emphasize the need for a broader community-focused GED initiative.

Erie region's commitment to education

There's no need to belabor the importance of education, especially for youth in underserved communities. The notion that education serves as the great equalizer in an often-uneven playing field is widely accepted. Throughout Erie County, our citizens and educators have made significant investments in education, striving to enhance opportunities for quality learning. With numerous universities, a community college, an expansive medical college, the United Way's Community Schools initiative, and more, Erie stands as a beacon of hope for students.

Abundant examples of our region's commitment to educating our children are on display. The Experience Children's Museum, the Erie Center for Arts & Technology (ECAT), the Patrick J. DiPaolo Student Success Center, Intermediate Unit 5, just to name a few. A recent example of this commitment was evident at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new ErieBank at East 10th and Parade streets. This collaborative effort brought community leaders together to establish an educational hub promoting financial literacy. These visionary stakeholders prioritized bringing educational resources to an overlooked sector of the community that has long lacked learning opportunities available elsewhere in Erie County.

Another commendable initiative was spearheaded by Bishop Dwane Brock in collaboration with the Erie School District. The Eagle's Nest School of Academic Distinction enrolls students in kindergarten and first grade, and sixth through eighth grades, providing them with a curriculum focused on academic excellence. Many of these students come from minority backgrounds and have faced obstacles hindering their academic progress. The Eagle's Nest school lays a solid educational foundation for these students providing them an avenue to continued academic success. These are only a few of the many efforts undertaken to ensure our children are provided with every opportunity to achieve academic success.

A community call to action

The challenge for our community now lies in providing educational alternatives to students to achieve success beyond the confines of a traditional diploma. Enter the GED. Together, we must ask how we can again provide a viable GED program for those specific students at risk of dropping out of school. The GED program I envision would cater to students aged 17 and 18 who are still enrolled in high school but who remain years away from graduation due to a lack of credits. Importantly, the focus of this GED program would not be to replace adult GED programs like the one offered through the Greater Erie Community Action Committee (GECAC).

Resources exist

Erie has observed the evolution of the United Way Community Schools and other community-based sponsorship of our educational institutions. Corporate sponsors and community stakeholders have demonstrated a strong commitment to education, adopting an "all hands on deck" approach. Notably, there is an abundance of physical learning spaces available throughout our region that could facilitate the GED program.

For example, the DiPaolo Student Success Center (DSSC), which houses the Accelerated Learning Academy and Erie School District Cyber Academy, could be considered as a facility to offer a GED program. Further, schools, such as McKinley School, which previously hosted a GED program, could serve as potential sites for a GED classroom. Other physical spaces also exist in areas beyond the city limits and in more rural areas. Importantly, the GED must be available countywide.

In Erie County, we possess the necessary resources to implement a GED program without imposing additional taxes or economic burdens on our citizens. With our collective community resources already in place, establishing a GED program is well within our grasp.

Our students must be provided with every available learning resource to facilitate their completion of high school. Under the right circumstances, the GED is a valid and achievable pathway to academic success and deserves to be part of our educational landscape.

For some, three letters  GED  could change their lives.

Judge John J. Trucilla is currently in his 23rd year as an Erie County Court of Common Pleas judge. He is a past president judge of the court and former administrative judge of the Family Division. Amongst his other court responsibilities, he continues to oversee many of the juvenile delinquency and dependency matters. Additionally, Judge Trucilla is in his 35th year as an adjunct professor at Penn State Behrend and in his 20th year as an adjunct professor at Gannon University.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Judge Trucilla calls for a local GED program for Erie County youth
Deputies with the Thurston County Sheriffs Office responded to two separate homicides Saturday morning, both on opposite sides of the county.

The first homicide occurred near Cooper Point Road, where all available detectives responded to the scene.

The Sheriffs Office did not provide any additional information about the first homicide.

The second homicide occurred near Old McKenna Road in Yelm. Yelm police are assisting with the investigation, as available deputies were working on the first homicide.

Thurston County Sheriffs Office is working to bring in additional deputies on overtime to assist with 911 calls in the region.

KIRO 7 is working to gather more information about these incidents.

Thurston County Sheriffs Office is investigating two separate suspected homicides that occurred within 2 hours of each... Posted by Thurston County Sheriff on Saturday, March 9, 2024
Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) said he thinks black voters will rally around President Joe Biden in time for the 2024 election, in which the incumbent will likely face former President Donald Trump.

Attending a Biden campaign event in Atlanta, Moore, a member of the Biden-Harris 2024 National Advisory Board, joined MSNBCs Al Sharpton. The pair discussed the recently announced support of the president from the AAPI Victory Fund, The Collective PAC, and the Latino Victory Fund, three organizations that represent voters of color. Sharpton noted that collectively, they are donating $30 million to the presidents campaign.

Were watching how people are unifying behind the Biden-Harris ticket, and were seeing that results matter, Moore said. When were talking about 14 million new jobs since this administration has come on board, some of the lowest unemployment rates weve seen historically thats been recorded under their administration.

Sharpton asked Moore about black voters in particular, which could be a concern for the Biden campaign if reports of slipping support prove to carry any weight.

I think black support is going to consolidate around the president because the support of the black community has always been a priority of the president, Moore said. The president has always made our interests a priority.

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Moore, the nations only black governor and just the third ever to be elected, said Marylanders have seen the effects of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harriss leadership, pointing to low unemployment numbers in the Old Line State, similar to the presidents remarks during the State of the Union on Thursday.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The governor added that it shouldnt be lost on anybody that Bidens first campaign event since that address is in Atlanta, in which almost 48% of residents are black, according to Census data.

I think people are energized and excited, and we can see why, because results matter, he said.
Fewer Tibetans are learning their own language as more people are taught Mandarin Chinese

Tibetan educational sociologist Gyal Lo can speak Mandarin Chinese fluently - but he would rather not.

He has spent the last few years telling the world about Beijing's sweeping educational reforms in Tibetan areas, and would prefer not to use the language of people he identifies as colonial oppressors.

China has expanded the use of boarding schools - for children as young as four - and replaced Tibetan as the main language of tuition with Chinese.

Beijing says these reforms give Tibetan children the best possible preparation for their adult lives, in a country where the main language of communication is Mandarin Chinese.

But Dr Gyal Lo disagrees - he believes Beijing's real aim is to undermine the Tibetan identity, by targeting the very youngest in society.

"They've designed the curriculum that produces a population that will not be able to practise their own language and culture in the future," he said.

"China is using education as a tool to minimise Tibetans' social capacity. No one will be able to resist their rule."

Dr Gyal Lo fled China in 2020 and now lives in Canada

Overseas human rights organisations have for decades been highlighting alleged abuses carried out by China in Tibet - but not much over recent years.

The focus has shifted to Beijing's treatment of Muslim Uyghurs, in China's north-western region of Xinjiang, and the pro-democracy protest movement in Hong Kong.

But activists say Chinese officials have been busy in Tibet too.

Over recent years, the Chinese government has closed village schools - and private ones teaching Tibetan - and expanded the use of boarding schools.

These have been in operation for many decades in a number of Chinese regions that are thinly populated - but in Tibetan areas, they appear to have become the main means of education.

Campaigners estimate that 80% of Tibetan children - perhaps one million pupils - are now taught in boarding schools, from pre-school-age onwards.

You can listen to the radio documentary, Educating Tibet, on BBC World Service Assignment here.

In a statement to the BBC, the Chinese embassy in London said this policy was necessary.

"Due to a highly scattered population, children have to travel long distances to get to school, which is very inconvenient," it said.

"If schools were to be built in every place the students live, it would be very difficult to ensure adequate teachers and quality of teaching. That is why local governments set up boarding schools."

But opponents say this kind of schooling creates psychological trauma for children who are forcibly separated from their families, who are pressured to send their children away.

"The most challenging aspect of my life was missing my family," said one Tibetan teenager, who attended a boarding school for several years, until she was 10.

She has since fled Tibet and now lives in India. The BBC spoke to her after making contact through a campaign group.

"There were many other children who missed their families and cried too," she said. "Some of the younger ones often woke up in the middle of the night crying, and would run to the school gate."

Boarding schools, like this one in Nyingchi Prefecture, are now thought to be the main means of education in Tibet

The BBC spoke to other Tibetan exiles who had heard similar complaints from their relatives still living back home.

Dr Gyal Lo has his own story, about two of his grandnieces, who were sent away to boarding school when they were just four and six.

After observing them at a family dinner, he realised that they felt awkward speaking their mother tongue.

"The way they were sitting there made me think they weren't comfortable sharing the same identity as their family members. They were like guests," he said.

It prompted the sociologist, who was then working at the Northwest University for Nationalities in Lanzhou, to visit 50 Tibetan boarding schools to see if other children were the same. They were.

Dr Gyal Lo compares these boarding schools to those that were once operated in the United States, Canada and Australia.

Native children were taken away from their families in a process of assimilation that has now been discredited.

"These kids are completely cut off from their cultural roots, and the emotional connection between their parents, their families and their community," he said.

The second major change to the education system concerns the Tibetan language, a rich oral and written tradition going back more than one thousand years.

China has replaced Tibetan as the main language of tuition with Mandarin Chinese.

Campaigners say Chinese is now valued above other languages in Tibetan schools

The Chinese embassy said ethnic minorities in China had "the freedom to use and develop their own spoken and written languages".

But the student the BBC spoke to said only Chinese was encouraged at her school.

"All the classes were taught in Chinese, except for the Tibetan language class. Our school had a big library, but I didn't see any Tibetan books there," she said.

This policy appears to run contrary to international human rights law, according to Professor Alexandra Xanthaki, a UN special rapporteur on cultural rights.

She said parents had the right to send their children to a school that used the language of their choice.

"This means that just one or two hours where it's being taught as a foreign language is not enough," she said.

There were protests against China's Tibet policy outside the UN human rights session in Geneva last month

Just over a year ago, Prof Xanthaki and two other UN rapporteurs wrote a letter to China detailing a series of complaints about its educational reforms in Tibet.

The letter suggested China was trying to "homogenise" ethnic minorities, so they would become more Chinese, with Mandarin seen as the vehicle to achieve that goal.

Dr Gyal Lo remembers an argument he had with the vice-president of a university in Yunnan province, where he went to work after Lanzhou. It illustrates how Chinese is valued above other languages.

"He came to my office one day and said, 'you're producing Tibetan articles, but not Chinese articles'," recalled the sociologist.

"It made me uncomfortable and angry. I told him I don't want produce Chinese articles." The administrator turned red and stormed out.

Shortly after that incident, in 2020, Dr Gyal Lo fled China and now lives in Canada, from where he campaigns to highlight the educational changes taking place in Tibet.

Beijing is vigorously resisting the narrative put forward by activists like him. It has launched a propaganda campaign to convince the world that its reforms are beneficial.

It has also tried to discredit those who say otherwise. Prof Xanthaki was accused by China of spreading fake news. Dr Gyal Lo has been targeted too. His authority to speak on this issue has been questioned in Chinese state media.

Despite that, he remains undeterred, if pessimistic about the future for Tibetan language and culture, and the region's young people.

"Our children are becoming an alienated generation. Many will not be able to fit in either Chinese society or Tibetan society."
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said Sunday that the next Republican Senate leader needs to be able to work hand in glove with former President Trump.

Fox Newss Maria Bartiromo asked Scott on Sunday Morning Futures who he would like to see as the next Republican leader in the Senate. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced last month he would be stepping down from his leadership position next November.

I would like to see someone leading the Senate who is willing and able to work hand in glove with President Trump. We need a majority in the Senate that understands putting America first is working with President Trump, Scott said.

Scott has been a major surrogate for the former president since he dropped out of the running for the Republican nomination last year. He has endorsed Trump as speculation has swirled over whether Scott will be selected as Trumps running mate.

Our priorities should start with closing the southern border. It should continue on having the next wave of tax cuts that gives Americans their money back, and then we should make sure that we have law and order in our streets. Thats not the person, John or John. Its the concept that President Trump will lead our country to a brighter future, Scott said.

And we must have a new majority leader who wants to work hand in glove with Donald Trump, he added.

The Senate GOP is divided on how strongly they should embrace Trump as some lawmakers throw their hats in the ring to be the next Republican leader. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) have already announced their intentions to run, while Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said he has locked down enough votes to become the next Senate Republican whip in 2025.

Updated at 3:30 pm.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
VALLEY, Ala. (WRBL) -A kayaking trip on the Chattahoochee River took a tragic turn over the weekend when a father and child both drowned. The child was pulled from the water near Riverview Dam in Valley, Alabama on Saturday. The baby was airlifted to a Columbus hospital, and has passed away, according to family. The father, Timothy Davis of Lanett was located late Sunday afternoon.

The incident began with a distress call on Saturday in Troup County, Georgia. Around 2:30 PM, a woman reported her husband and young child hadnt returned from a kayaking trip on Flat Shoals Creek.

Later, rescuers near Riverview Dam spotted the child in a life-vest. They brought the child to shore, and a medical team responded promptly. The child was then airlifted to a Columbus hospital and has reportedly passed away according to family.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr has insisted he has "no regrets" for saying Humza Yousaf may have had a conflict of interest in sending funding to Gaza.

The Scottish government gave 250,000 to the UNRWA aid agency in November 2023, while the first minister's parents-in-law were trapped in Gaza.

Mr Kerr said it suggested Mr Yousaf was "prepared to bend the rules" if he had overridden official advice.

That led Mr Yousaf to condemn the claim as an "outrageous smear".

He also said the decision by the Telegraph newspaper to carry the story was "an Islamophobic attack".

The Scottish government has said that the funding decision was taken by Mr Yousaf following advice from officials.

The SNP's deputy leader Keith Brown has now called on Rishi Sunak to block Stephen Kerr from standing as a Westminster candidate at the next general election.

'What happened and why?'

However, Mr Kerr insisted he was absolutely right to question why the 250,000 of funding went to UNWRA when government officials had initially suggested 100,000 to 200,000 should instead go to another aid agency, Unicef.

He told BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show: "No-one who watched the trauma that the first minister went through in those days and weeks when his family were stuck, locked, in Gaza... of course there was an issue of personal interest.

"And therefore it's not wrong in the slightest (to challenge the first minister).

"That being the case, the question is very simple - what happened and why did it happen?"

Humza Yousaf gave the go-ahead for 250,000 to be sent to the UNRWA aid agency

Mr Yousaf posted a series of messages on social media platform X on Saturday, in which he said the newspaper story was an attempt to link him to terrorism.

He said: "Most of my political life, I've battled insinuations from sections of the media desperate to link me to terrorism despite campaigning my whole life against it.

"Due to my faith & race, there will always be those, particularly on the far-right, who will desperately try to "prove" my loyalties lie elsewhere. That I am a fifth columnist in the only country I call home, the country I love and the country I have the privilege of leading."

The Scottish government said civil servants had presented funding options to the first minister "in the usual way".

A spokesperson said: "All those options, by definition, were open to ministers to choose. The decision being sought was which option ministers wished to choose.

"The first minister made that decision in the standard way. No ministerial direction was necessary, nor was one ever sought."

But Stephen Kerr, who sits on Holyrood's standards committee, maintains the first minister may have breached the Scottish ministerial code.

He said: "I do not regret doing my job as a parliamentarian in scrutinising the work of the Scottish government, including the work of the first minister.

"That is why we we have parliamentarians, that is my job and I will continue doing it."

Racist abuse

The SNP's deputy leader Keith Brown has said Rishi Sunak should block Stephen Kerr's bid to become a Tory MP at the next Westminster general election.

He pointed to a recent statement the prime minister made outside 10 Downing Street in which he spoke about trying to stop hatred and division.

Mr Brown also said politicians should "know the consequences of smears like this".

He told BBC Scotland News: "Anybody looking at the first minister's social media timeline will see the nature of the racist abuse that he gets.

"And I think this is a scandalous way to try and misrepresent the granting of humanitarian aid to people in Gaza.

"Rishi Sunak, if he is to be taken at his word, should denounce this and should sack Stephen Kerr as a Westminster candidate. He is unfit to be so."

UNRWA has since been at the centre of controversy surrounding Israeli accusations that members of its staff were involved in the 7 October attacks by Hamas that triggered the fighting.

Several countries, including the UK, have announced a pause in support for the relief agency while an investigation takes place after the allegations emerged in January.

However, those accusations only became known several weeks after the Scottish government funding announcement had been made.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Millions of people will be looking to the sky (with eclipse glasses on) April 8 to glimpse the celestial event.

Much of Central Texas, including Austin and Travis County, is expected to have some of the best views of the total solar eclipse, which will be the last of its kind in the area for the next 20 years.

Taxidermy, massages & weddings: Unique Texas eclipse festivals prepare for April 8

Below are some options for events taking place before, during and after the total solar eclipse.

An event in Junction, Texas, showcasing Texas music, art and culture, including bull ridings and ropings. Tickets are on sale for the event, which lasts from April 6 until April 8 at Hill Country Fairgrounds.

Eclipse Viewing Party at Wedding Oak Winery

Utilizing its three locations in Central Texas, Wedding Oak Winery said it was hosting viewing parties in Burnet, Fredericksburg and San Saba. Tickets for the event, which takes place April 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. are $200.

Ron Yate Wines Solar Eclipse Party

At this epic event, attendees can watch the rare celestial event unfold from the breathtaking hill country acreage behind the winery for perfect eclipse viewing, organizers said. Ron Yates Wines is in the direct path of totality, and there is simply no better way to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event!

The event begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $125 each.

The event will take place at the Arch Ray Resort, located at 4160 E. US Hwy. 290 in Fredericksburg from April 7 to April 8 and will include live music, including performances by the Goo Goo Dolls, Fastball, Switchfoot, Kyle Park, Cory Morrow and Lane Smith.

General admission tickets are $300 or buy during the Early Bird special for $250.

Team Light Solar Eclipse Activation event

Team Light is hosting its Solar Eclipse Activation Event on April 7 and 8. The event will include speakers and lectures in the Austin area.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
JK Rowling lives in Edinburgh, where a controversial hate crime law comes into force on April 1 - Getty Images/Karwai Tang

Trans rights activists are attempting to have JK Rowling arrested by Scottish police over misgendering after a complaint was dismissed in England.

Northumbria Police last week confirmed that it did not believe the Harry Potter author had committed a criminal offence by publicly calling India Willoughby, a transgender TV personality, a male.

Willoughby had gone to police claiming Rowling had definitely committed a crime by referring to the former Celebrity Big Brother contestant as male.

The 58-year-old former newsreader has vowed to appeal against their decision not to prosecute and is to request a review of the decision.

Meanwhile, Willoughbys supporters claimed to have submitted complaints against Rowling, who lives in Edinburgh, to Police Scotland in the hope that the force will come to a different decision.

In one complaint, published online, a user of X, formerly Twitter, said they had complained to Police Scotland and urged others to do the same.

It alleged that Rowling had misgendered Ms Willoughby repeatedly with intent to harass her, debase her, dehumanise her risking inflicting lasting psychological damage.

The complaint added: Rowlings motive for this attack is unambiguous  its because Ms Willoughby is trans.

India Willoughby reported JK Rowling to police over 'misgendering' - Getty Images/Dave Benett

Rowling has regularly denied being transphobic, saying she believes people should be able to live their lives as they please.

She has, however, voiced concerns that accepting that trans women are literally women, as trans activists claim, and giving them access to female-only spaces, which she says poses risks to the rights and safety of biological women.

Scotland has a different legal system than England, with a controversial hate crime law, which was passed by MSPs exactly three years ago on Monday, due to come into force on April 1.

In a letter to Holyroods criminal justice committee, the Edinburgh-based policy analysis group Murray Blackburn Mackenzie (MBM) raised concerns about implementation of the new law, which creates a new offence of stirring up hatred against protected groups, including trans people.

With weeks to go before the law comes into force, necessary legal orders have yet to be laid at Holyrood, raising fears of a lack of scrutiny or clarity about how it will work.

Some campaigners fear the law will be weaponised by trans rights campaigners to dilute freedom of speech.

Despite a clear promise made in the Parliament, over the three years since the Act was passed, the government has done nothing to engage with those concerned about the impact of the Bill on freedom of expression on questions of sex and gender identity, MBM said.

MSPs emphasised the importance of police training, but whats happening there is still unknown.

The whole process has been a black box of top-down, closed policy-making, that does not inspire confidence.

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The News

A British regulator will decide Monday whether to allow the Abu Dhabi-backed investment group RedBird IMI, represented by former CNN chief Jeff Zucker, to take control of The Telegraph, or whether to move the deal to another stage of review and give its opponents more time to kill it.

The decision by Culture Minister Lucy Frazer will have long-term consequences for British politics.

But the process has also set the stage for global medias most confusing and entertaining public meltdown, in which the former CNN chairman finds himself in an escalating personal battle with the bombastic 74-year old Scottish Tory media grandee Andrew Neil.

To hear Zucker tell it, as he did on the influential podcast The News Agents podcast Friday, a straightforward American news executive looking to invest in a great newspaper is standing up to tricksy natives.

Zucker says he discovered that Neil, a former Sunday Times editor and BBC presenter who currently chairs The Spectator, is quite the hypocrite. Zucker says Neil sought a job as chairman of a combined Spectator and Telegraph, and only turned on the deal after Zucker spurned him. We said no thanks, and ever since that day hes been one of our most vocal critics, Zucker said. Gimme a break.

Know More

In Neils telling, its a different story as old as time: arrogant, big money Americans stomping on British folkways. Or, as he put it in an email to me, When Zuckie came on the scene we were dealing with someone who was ignorant of Britain, British media and British newspapers/magazines and was basically a front for Arab money. We didnt know he was also a liar. Now we do.

The short-lived courtship began in December, when Zucker and Neil had a cordial lunch in New York City. The lunch, people close to both say, was not focused on business, though of course the subtext was the 11th-hour intervention by Redbird IMI, Zuckers firm, to forestall an auction of the Telegraph Media Group by repaying its debt.

Later that month, both sides say, Neil had a conversation with another person on the Redbird side of the deal that included talk of putting Neil in charge. Neil says he never floated nor sought a combined chairmanship. While Zucker cast the larger job as a request from Neil, another person familiar with Redbirds version of the account backed down from that claim, and said the idea emerged in conversation between Neil and Redbirds representative.

Then, in early January, Zucker and Neil spoke on the phone for 18 minutes, a person familiar with the call said. Zucker had planned to offer Neil a modest role on an editorial trust intended to protect the Spectator from interference. Thats when Zucker says Neil proposed the bigger job  and inquired about a payday, both of which Neil flatly denies.

Neil soon turned hard from private talks with Zucker to campaigning against the deal. He told the BBC later that month that it would be absurd to allow a dictatorship to take over the Telegraph, and promising to resign his Spectator post if the deal goes through.

Bens view

Zuckers newfound passion for the Tory press is a bit hard to figure. The Telegraph has enormous political influence in Westminster, but suffers from the same business challenges as every other medium-sized newspaper in the world.

In fact, if theres any lesson for the actual media business in this story, its that Zucker spoke out on The News Agents. That show, and its rival podcast The Rest is Politics, have abruptly seized a big slice of British political mindshare, and are the most interesting news businesses in Britain right now. Im a bit surprised RedBird IMI isnt trying to buy them.

But Zucker likes to win, and now finds himself on unfamiliar political ground, in a knife-fight with one of British medias most gleeful public brawlers. (Neil is a man of the right, but he may be most familiar to American audiences for his demolition of the conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, who made the fatal error of not knowing who Andrew Neil was.)

And while I could obviously gossip all day about the personalities involved, the substantive stakes are high, and speak to the choices facing the right  and the rights media outlets  all over the world.

In one corner is global capital, represented by Zucker, his partner the financier Gerry Cardinale, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In the other corner, leading bidders include Paul Marshall, a pro-Brexit hedge fund billionaire. Marshall bankrolls the fire-breathing New Right television outlet GB News, which outflanked and knocked out Rupert Murdochs more moderate TalkTV. (Marshall also publishes the heterodox opinion site UnHerd.)

Marshall, Zucker said, is unfit to own a newspaper after liking tweets that reflected an apocalyptic worldview on immigration  for instance, that it is a matter of time before civil war starts in Europe. The native European population is losing patience with the fake refugee invaders.

There are, it is worth saying, many other possible bidders. And there is no love for Marshall in Neils camp, either, which is hoping another bidder gets the paper. Neil co-founded, then quit, GB News. Marshall was, notably, not invited to the Spectators annual summer party.

But Zuckers best pitch to the sitting Sunak government may in fact be that foreign money is the least-bad option. Would-be center-right figures in the United States and Britain find it hard enough to govern with the Murdoch press from The Sun to Fox News pressing them on immigration and gender politics. They may not relish shifting British papers further to the populist right, even as some members of Parliament try to give the body the power to block the RedBird IMI deal.

And the Telegraphs sad state  financially troubled British owners looking to sell to a foreign conglomerate, with a populist billionaire waiting in the wings  may reflect, above all, the paucity of good choices in a diminished, post-Brexit Britain.

Room for Disagreement

The former Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger writes in the left-leaning Prospect that Marshall is a greater threat than foreign money: If Sir Paul manages to add the to his ownership of GB News, he will be holding the ring as the future of conservative politics is savagely fought out in the wake of what most assume will be a Labour victory at the coming election. Dont expect much nuance or restraint. I anticipate it will make Enoch Powells rhetoric sound like .

The View From Dubai

The Street of Shame shouldnt lecture about editorial independence, writes Frank Kane, a British journalist based in the Gulf who writes a column in Arabian Gulf Business Insight: I have no idea how the struggle over the will play out, but one thing is certain: the desire of media owners to influence the content of their publications is as old as the hills. That, surely, is why they want to own them.

Notable

Spectator editor Fraser Nelson is campaigning hard against the Redbird IMI deal: Newspapers and magazines are not like trains or shopping centres: theyre a vital part of our democratic apparatus.

Management decisions at the Telegraph are more or less on hold after Frazier rebuked management for personnel changes.

The House of Lords is considering a rule that would prevent the acquisition of a UK news media organisation by a foreign power without the approval of both Houses of Parliament.
The Anticorruption Action Centres (AntAC) head, Vitaliy Shabunin, addressed the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) allegations of document forgery and military service evasion in an exclusive interview with NV on March 9.

Ukraines State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has initiated two criminal proceedings against the well-known anti-corruption activist Shabunin, the Ukrainian journalist Volodymyr Boiko said on Facebook on March 9.

Read also: Ukraines automated corruption scans uncovered potential hidden assets in 1,000+ officials  NACP

The cases against Shabunin were filed under Part 4 of Art. 409 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (evasion of military service) and Part 1 of Art. 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (forgery of an official document), Boiko said.

The second case concerns Shabunins alleged submission to the military unit where he was registered of letters bearing the signatures of the head of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), Oleksandr Novikov, and the deputy head of NABU, Artem Sytnyk. These letters requested the transfer of the soldier Shabunin to NABU.

However, after the situation became public, the NABU leadership officially claimed that they never issued such letters and accused Shabunin of writing them himself, Boiko said.

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

NV: The SBI has reportedly opened two criminal cases against you for allegedly forging documents and evading military service. Can you tell us more about these cases? When were they opened? Who is the plaintiff?

VS: To be honest, I have no idea. I get information about it from the leaks. If I understand correctly, the applicant is lawyer Rostyslav Kravets, who is part of Pavlo Vovks team from the DACK (former head of the Kyiv District Administrative Court). This is the same Kravets who this week punched a representative of the Justice Ministry while defending the assets of (former Motor Sich executive and suspected collaborator Vyacheslav) Bohuslayev from confiscation. If Im not mistaken, the cases were opened in December (2023). Thats all I know. I was not informed (about the cases), I was not summoned.

NV: What do you know about the cases themselves, about the alleged crime?

VS: There was a leak that the SBI had opened cases (for allegedly forging documents and evading military service). On the second day of the war, I voluntarily mobilized in Kyiv, to the Territorial Defense (TRO). There was a Kyiv operation, and then I was in the East, as a revenge from (then Defense Minister Oleksiy) Reznikov - when we showed corruption in his procurement.

Am I an idiot to forge official letters? Its complete foolishness. Especially the NACP, which has an electronic document flow. It is impossible to forge anything there. Accusations of forging NAPC documents - you have to have no imagination to write such things. But let them fantasize. If there is any legal action, we will talk. This week the Presidents Office (through a network of anonymous telegram channels) came out with what (Bellingcat investigative journalist) Christo Grozev said, that (AntAC executive director Daria) Kaleniuk and Shabunin allegedly took money from the (Russian) FSB, though he did not say that. Every time its some kind of fantasy. If only we had time to respond to all this.

Read also: Ukrainian PM denies anti-corruption agency accusations that he illegally disclosed information about whistleblower

NV: So you have not been officially informed about the opening of the case, there is no information from the SBI?

VS: No. They will tell me when they either charge me or call me as a witness. Now, according to the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), in principle they dont open (cases) against anybody  unless there is a fact, if there is an evidence.

NV: Do you think the cases are really opened? Or is it a fiction?

VS: I have no idea. I have a strong suspicion that the SBI can open a case about anything. It should be investigated how the SBU caught up with Bihus in an illegal way (the SBUs illegal surveillance and wiretapping of the Bihus.Info investigative team), but there is no charge or suspicion. Similarly, the perpetrators of the attempted break-in at the home of (public procurement investigator and Nashi Hroshi editor Yuriy) Nikolovs journalist were not even charged.

NV: Why were these cases opened in the first place?

Read also: Three SBU officers involved in illegal surveillance and wiretapping of Bihus.info sent to the front

VS: In general, it seems clear to me that there is a trend of attacks on anti-corruption organizations, anti-corruption journalists, and, I suspect, independent media. After the perpetrators of the attack on Nikolovs apartment and the perpetrators of the persecution of Bihus were not even served with a notice of suspicion, it became clear that the government is the mastermind behind these cases. If not, at least the perpetrators would have been suspected. In both cases, they were identified. The National Police even searched and detained the perpetrators of the attack on Nikolovs house - they were nicely searched with officers wearing bulletproof vests and helmets and then immediately released. Moreover, there are a lot of undisclosed facts of pressure on independent media that have never been mentioned on national television. In other words, it is obvious that the authorities are trying to control the information and the experts who create problems for them.

All the corruption scandals that are so unpleasant for the Ukrainian authorities are either the work of investigative journalists or investigative experts, as was the case with military jackets or Reznikovs (overpriced) eggs. We are also constantly forcing them to clean up the BES (Bureau of Economic Security) or to restore (officials) financial declarations. We are constantly creating problems that they obviously do not need.

I had criminal cases under both (President Petro) Poroshenko and Zelenskyy. That is the nature of power. They always dislike anti-corruption journalists and activists.

NV: What do you plan to do with these cases?

VS: Nothing. Let them fantasize about what they want. How do you react to it? To what? The devil Vovk, a friend and comrade of (deputy head of the OP Oleh) Tatarov-Portnov (referring to former deputy head of the AP Andriy Portnov), filed a report about the crime. Tatarovs SBI registered it. Let them register it. If there are any actions, then we will talk to them.



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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Trump and Biden trade barbs in competing campaigns in swing state of Georgia

Donald Trump and president Joe Biden traded barbs on Saturday as they both campaigned in Georgia, signifying the key role the state may play in Novembers general election.

Mr Trump, who faces criminal charges for undermining the 2020 US presidential election in the state, repeatedly insisted falsely that he was the victim of election fraud.

He blasted Georgia district attorney, Fani Willis, who is prosecuting the former US president for interfering with the 2020 election.

Theyre trying to take us out, and its not going to work, Mr Trump told a rally in Rome, Georgia.

He also devoted much of his time to the immigration crisis in the US, blaming Mr Biden for the death of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley who was killed last month allegedly by an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela.

During his State of the Union remarks, Mr Biden used the term illegal immigrant to refer to Rileys alleged murderer, to which he apologised on Saturday.

Joe Biden went on television and apologized for calling Lakens murderer an illegal...Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer, Mr Trump said at the rally in Georgia.

Last month, Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was attacked and killed while going for a run. She died of blunt force trauma to the head after her killer allegedly used an object to strike her, disfiguring her skull, before dragging her to a secluded area.

Police say her murder came at the hands of murder suspect Jose Antonio Ibarra, the man who was charged on 23 February with malice murder, felony murder, false imprisonment and kidnapping in the case.

Mr Ibarra is not a US citizen and is an undocumented migrant.

The former US president was campaigning in right-wing firebrand congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greenes hometown of Rome on Saturday.

Mr Biden, who was campaigning in the state capital Atlanta, called out the ex-president for entertaining Hungarys right-wing nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban, accusing him of sucking up to dictators and authoritarian thugs all around the world.

When he says he wants to be a dictator, I believe him, the US president said.

Mr Trump is expected to win his partys nomination on Tuesday when Georgia  a state central to Trumps fraud claims  along with Hawaii, Mississippi, and Washington states are set to hold nominating contests.

He so far has 1,076 delegates on his side, and needs 139 more for the number needed to become the Republican nominee. Meanwhile, Mr Biden has the nod of 1,859 delegates and is 109 short of securing the Democratic ticket.

Mr Biden too faces strong backlash from his own party for his staunch support of Israel in its invasion of Gaza in the fight against Hamas.

At one of his campaigns in Georgia on Saturday, a heckler was escorted out after he called the president Genocide Joe.

Georgia, which swung in Mr Bidens favour in 2020, could be the most highly contested state in the upcoming elections.

In 2020, Mr Biden won the state by a very small margin of just 0.23 per cent.

While the ex-president continues to insist there was election interference in 2020, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and the states top election official, Brad Raffensperger, have been adamant that no widespread fraud occurred.

Georgia prosecutors allege that Mr Trump and his allies engaged in a conspiracy, making false claims about the election in a concerted effort to disrupt the official certification of votes  an allegation which Trump denies.
A supporter holds a oster with a photo of Laken Riley before Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

ATLANTA  President Joe Biden said Saturday that he regretted using the term illegal during his State of the Union address to describe the suspected killer of Laken Riley, as his all-but-certain 2024 GOP rival, Donald Trump, blasted the Democrat's immigration policies and blamed them for her death at a rally attended by the Georgia nursing students family and friends.

Biden expressed remorse after facing frustration from some in his party for the use of the term to describe people who arrived or are living in the U.S. illegally.

I shouldnt have used illegal, its undocumented, he said in an interview with MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart taped in Atlanta, where the president was meeting with small business owners and holding a campaign rally.

Trump, campaigning in Rome, Georgia, at the same time, blasted Biden for the comments.

Joe Biden went on television and apologized for calling Lakens murderer an illegal," he said to loud jeers and boos. Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer."

The back-and-forth underscored how Riley's murder has become a flashpoint in the 2024 campaign and a rallying cry for Republicans who have seized on frustrations over the Biden administrations handling of the U.S-Mexico border amid a record surge of migrants entering the country. An immigrant from Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally has been arrested and charged with her murder.

Trump was joined at his rally by Riley's parents, her sister and friends and met with them before he took the stage. They were welcomed with a standing ovation and large signs handed out by the campaign that featured Rileys photograph and the words SAY HER NAME! REMEMBER OUR ANGELS, they read on the back.

We share your grief," Trump told them in his remarks.

Trump, in a lengthy speech that lasted nearly two hours, hammered Biden on the border and for mispronouncing Rileys name during his State of the Union address this past week.

What Joe Biden has done on our border is a crime against humanity and the people of this nation for which he will never be forgiven, Trump charged, alleging that Riley would be alive today if Joe Biden had not willfully and maliciously eviscerated the borders of the United States and set loose thousands and thousands of dangerous criminals into our country.

Allyson Phillips, center, the mother Laken Riley, listens as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures at a campaign rally Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Trump, who had made immigration a centerpiece of his campaign, has repeatedly vowed to mount the largest deportation in the nation's history if he wins.

He contrasted his rhetoric with Biden's  I say he was an illegal alien. He was an illegal immigrant. He was an illegal migrant"  and accused Biden, who has long been seen as an empathetic leader, of having no remorse. Hes got no regret, hes got no empathy, no compassion, and worst of all, he has no intention of stopping the deadly invasion that stole precious Lakens beautiful American life, Trump said.

Biden earlier this year bucked activists within his party by agreeing to make changes to U.S. immigration law that would have limited some migration. The deal that emerged would have overhauled the asylum system to provide faster and tougher enforcement, as well as given presidents new powers to immediately expel migrants if authorities become overwhelmed. It also would have added $20 billion in funding, a huge influx of cash.

The changes became part of a short-lived bipartisan compromise that was quickly killed by Republican lawmakers after Trump made his opposition known.

After the deals collapse, Biden has been considering taking executive action to try to curtail migration, but hes expressed frustration that his lawyers have yet to devise options that they believe can pass muster with federal courts. Biden, instead, has insisted that Congress take up the measure again, trying to flip the script on Republicans and arguing they are more interested in being able to talk about the issue in an election year than taking action to fix it.

Among those who attended the rally was Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who represents Rome in Congress and yelled at Biden during Thursdays State of the Union to Say her name!

The phrase was popularized by civil rights activist Kimberle Crenshaw in 2015 following the death of Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old Black woman who was found dead in a Texas jail cell a few days after she was arrested during a traffic stop.

Crenshaw and others began using the phrase to draw attention to cases in which Black women are subject to police brutality. In 2020, the hashtag #SayHerName helped put more public scrutiny on the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman in Louisville, Kentucky, who was shot and killed in her home during a botched police raid.

The term illegal was once common but is far less so today, particularly among Democrats who more fully embraced immigrant rights issues during Trumps presidency.

Biden used the term Thursday night during an exchange in which the president pressed Republicans in his address to pass the bipartisan border security deal. Greene, a stalwart Trump ally, then shouted at the president to say Riley s name, adding she was killed by an illegal.

By an illegal, thats right, Biden responded immediately, before appearing to ask how many people are being killed by legals.

He added, To her parents, I say: My heart goes out to you. Having lost children myself, I understand.

Speaking to Capehart, Biden said, Look, when I spoke about the difference between Trump and me, one of the things I talked about in the border was his, the way he talks about vermin, the way he talks about these people polluting the blood. I talked about what Im not going to do. What I wont do. Im not going to treat any, any, any of these people with disrespect. Look, they built the country.

Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita slammed Biden for apologizing for his language and not to Rileys family.

He should be apologizing to the family as opposed to apologizing for the word that he used which is an accurate description, he told reporters before Trump took the stage, blasting the response as tone deaf and highlighting the candidates two very distinct differences in approach on the border invasion.

Biden's expression of regret marked a shift from a day earlier, when Biden had hesitated when asked by reporters if he regretted using the term, saying, well I probably, before pausing and saying I dont and appearing to start saying the word regret.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Laken Riley's family attends Trump rally in north Georgia
Fox News founder Rupert Murdoch announced his engagement to a woman on Saturday, setting him up for his fifth marriage.

Retired scientist Elena Zhukova, 67, is Murdoch's latest fiancee. Their engagement announcement comes days before the media mogul turns 93 years old.

The Russian-born woman, whom he met last year, is also his first romantic interest since he announced last September that he would step down from his role as head of the network and of the news division. His son Lachlan Murdoch took the position of chairman of both Fox and News Corp.

Zhukova follows model Jerry Hall, whom he most recently divorced in 2022, Australian model Patricia Booker, journalist Anna Mann, and Wendi Deng. While he had no children with Hall, he shares six children among his three other ex-wives.

Murdoch was briefly engaged to Ann Lesley Smith last spring, but the two broke it off after two weeks.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The native Australian, whose full name is Keith Rupert Murdoch, acquired his first newspaper at 21 when his father, Keith Murdoch, died. By the end of his career, he had become the co-chairman of the Fox Corporation and executive chairman of News Corp, the two of which collectively encompassed Fox News, Sky News Australia, the New York Post, the Sun, and the Wall Street Journal among others.

Murdoch remained Fox News's CEO until 2015, when he retired at 84. Even after he left, he held influence over the outlet, at one point reportedly asking for an anti-Trump bias that his replacement, the late Roger Ailes, did not agree to, which, when combined with the allegations of sexual assault against him, led to Ailes's ousting.
At a rally Saturday, former President Trump applauded Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) for the impromptu exchange she had with President Biden during his State of the Union address over Laken Riley, a college student who was killed last month by an illegal migrant.

The rally was held in Rome, Ga., Greenes district. Trump invited Rileys parents and friends to the event, a two-hour drive from Athens, Ga., where Riley was killed near the University of Georgia on Feb. 22.

The suspect in Rileys death is Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan citizen who authorities say crossed into the U.S. unlawfully in 2022. Trump used the opportunity to criticize Biden on immigration but also commended Greene for her courage to speak up during Bidens address Thursday.

And Marjorie, I have to say, you were very brave and tried to bring up a point, Trump said, addressing Greene at the rally. Very brave, takes courage. Its not easy to do, stand up and do that.

During his speech, Biden spoke about a bipartisan border security bill that was tanked in part by Trumps opposition. Greene, a strong supporter of Trump, yelled out Laken Riley.

Biden then addressed the interruption. He pulled out a pin with Rileys name on it and said his heart goes out to her parents, having lost children himself.

Biden accidentally addressed her as Lincoln Riley, which Trump criticized in his rally Saturday. Biden said she was an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal. He then questioned how many people are killed by legals.

In an interview Saturday, Biden said he regrets calling Ibarra an illegal, and said he should have said undocumented.

Trump criticized Biden for it, saying he has no remorse for the border issues.

He was an illegal immigrant. He was an illegal alien. He was an illegal migrant, and he shouldnt have been in our country, and he never would have been under the Trump policy, he said.

Trump, as have many other members of the GOP, argued that Bidens handling of the border is what led to Rileys death.

Laken Riley would be alive today if Joe Biden did not willfully and maliciously eviscerate the borders of the United States, set loose thousands and thousands of dangerous criminals into our country, Trump said.

Both Biden and Trump were holding rallies in Georgia on Saturday, as the two are set to face off in a rematch in the 2024 presidential election.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Donald Trump displayed his usual level of class on Saturday when he began a rally in Rome, Georgia, by mocking Joe Biden stutter.

Mr Trump has previously impersonated Mr Biden by exaggerating his life-long stutter, usually to suggest that the president is incompetent.

"I'm gonna bring the country together," Mr Trump said, mocking the president by stammering over the words "together". "I'm gonna bring it together."

Mr Trump was predictably maligned on social media for his cruelty.

"Trump is on stage right now making fun of Bidens stutter. The right shamed Hunter, a recovering addict. They attacked 83-yr-old Paul Pelosi whose brain was smashed in. They harassed the parents of 6-yr-old Sandy Hook murder victims. GOP has no bottom," political strategist Lindy Li wrote on Twitter. "They go right through hell."

A Biden campaign spokesman, TJ Ducklo, responded to Mr Trump's mockery in a statement issued on Sunday.

Thursday night President Biden spoke about the kind of America he wants for our future  one based on the core values of honesty, decency, dignity, and respect for everyone  values that are unrecognizable to Donald Trump," he wrote. "Trump thinks mocking people and taking away their rights makes him look strong. But it just reveals how weak and insecure he is.

Mr Trump spent much of his two hour rally speech attacking Mr Biden's physical and mental health, as well as revisiting his usual  and always growing  laundry list of grievances with his various enemies.

He told rally-goers that everything Mr Biden touches turns to "s***", and characterised the president's State of the Union speech as a "dark, angry rant."

Joe Biden should not be shouting angrily at America, Mr Trump said. America should be shouting angrily at Joe Biden.

He also criticised the press, calling reporters "criminals," and suggested that his followers were facing a "threat from within" the US.

His most extreme rhetoric was saved for immigrants. He vowed to crack down on immigration on his first day in office, if he is elected, and described immigration as the agony of our people, the plunder of our cities, the sacking of our towns, the violation of our citizens and the conquest of our country.

The "conquest of our country" line is an encapsulation of the white supremacist Great Replacement conspiracy theory, which argues that Democrats are intentionally ferrying migrants across the border in the hopes they will change the demographics of the US to favour their electoral prospects.

He further insisted that "migrants are hurting people"  likely a reference to Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was allegedly killed by a Venezuelan migrant, and whose death the GOP has exploited for fear-mongering  and called those crossing the border "monsters."

They talk about the beautiful dream of migrants. It sounds so nice, you know, like in a fairy-tale book. But some of these people are monsters," he said.
The deaths of two feral felines near a Bluffton cat colony came one after the other. Both animals were killed by gunfire, prompting public outcry and a police investigation to find a suspect in the shocking acts of animal cruelty.

Stitch, a young white cat living in the shelter behind the Kroger on U.S. 278, was found Feb. 29 behind the Chow Daddys restaurant, paralyzed by a single gunshot wound from a .22 round. She was taken to a local veterinarians office, where she had to be euthanized.

Four days later, volunteers found an older black cat named Whitney near the edge of the woods behind the shopping center. The cat appeared to have been shot and killed by a single BB gun pellet to the head.

Its hard when (the cats) get old and they pass away, or when they get hit by a car. But to have them shot  I just never thought wed see that, said Deb, the volunteer who discovered Stitch with a gunshot injury during a routine trip to feed the cats. She asked to only have her first name published.

Volunteers at the cat colony and feeding station in Blufftons Belfair Towne Village set up a memorial for Stitch, the first of two feral cats shot and killed in the area.

For years, the Hilton Head area has witnessed friction between cats and humans, with some residents attempting to relocate shelters or throw away cats food  but overt violence toward the animals is a relatively new occurrence. Critics of the colonies say the animals are nuisances in proximity to residential areas and businesses, while proponents argue that the programs help the community avoid the overpopulation of feral cats, an issue that exists nationwide.

The volunteers describe their work as a grassroots movement to care for the Bluffton areas feral cats  but they prefer the term community cats to describe the animals. They have no formal group name and are separate from the local nonprofit All About Cats, but with identical goals: trapping, neutering and releasing local strays to end their breeding cycle and control population growth, while also feeding and caring for the current cat citizenry during twice-daily visits.

Kathy Kline, another helper for the grassroots group, said volunteers reactions to the sudden deaths range from shock to outrage. She specializes in trapping unfixed cats and taking them to local veterinarians to have them spayed or neutered.

Two feral cats, Stitch and Whitney, were shot and killed in early March near a cat colony in northern Bluffton. Police believe the cases are connected and are seeking a suspect to charge with animal cruelty.

The two cats killings are under investigation by the Bluffton Police Department. Spokesperson Sgt. Bonifacio Perez believes the two incidents were carried out by the same person, but said investigators dont have much to go on. Surveillance video from businesses in the area does not seem to have captured the culprit.

Considering the colonys proximity to the Comfort Suites Hotel on Fording Island Road, Perez said its possible the suspect is no longer in the area. Still, he said, Bluffton officers have stepped up patrols near the townships cat communities. Volunteers have previously said there are about 20 colonies in the Bluffton area, most of which consist of small wooden shelters containing food and water bowls.

Anyone with information on the deaths of Stitch and Whitney are encouraged to call Beaufort Countys non-emergency dispatch number at 843-524-2777.

PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible, the animal rights organization announced Friday.

She didnt get attacked by an animal

Deb described Stitch as a sweetheart who was maybe two or three years old. The black-and-white cat, lovingly nicknamed Milk Carton by Chow Daddys employees, would bound out to greet her whenever she arrived at the feeding station.

But as the volunteer pulled in the morning of Feb. 29, there was no greeting. Instead, Deb heard the cats cries from afar, finding a blood-soaked Stitch unable to walk. She rushed the ailing animal to Blufftons Coastal Animal Clinic, suspecting a raccoon or other predator had attacked it.

Deb recalled the shocking revelation that came later that morning, after Stitch was X-rayed: She didnt get attacked by an animal, the veterinarian told her. She was shot. There was a .22 bullet.

Doctors euthanized Stitch later that day, saying recovery was nearly impossible for the cat. The bullet had pierced through her neck and struck her spinal cord, rendering her paralyzed.

Whitney was an older cat and a familiar face for Deb, she told The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. The black cat had lived in the area for around 14 years, nearly the entirety of the womans 16-year service as caretaker for that colony.

Thats why she assumed Whitney had died of natural causes  but before the cat was cremated at a local pet hospital, staff found a bullet hole in the back of her head.

The second killing in less than a week left the volunteer in a state of shock. How could people be so cruel to innocent little animals? Deb said. I just dont get that.

Whitney, believed to be at least 14 years old, was found dead at a Bluffton cat colony on March 4 after being shot in the head with a BB gun. A volunteer at the colony described her as shy but sweet: It took a while for her to warm up to me, for me to be able to love up on her.

Feline fracas in Beaufort County

Opposition to the countys cat communities from business owners and residents is fairly common, according to Kline. At times, local volunteers have dealt with people throwing away the animals food and water bowls or crusading to relocate the shelters. In October 2022, another cat colony behind Pritchardville Elementary School was found totally obliterated by an unknown vandal, although no feline residents were harmed in the incident.

In May of last year, tenants of the Spa on Port Royal Sound apartments in Hilton Head took their complaints of feces and nocturnal yowling to Town Council, asking officials to relocate All About Cats nearby 1.2-acre sanctuary. Despite similar anti-cat campaigns dating back to 2018, the live oak-laden property off Beach City Road is still home to approximately 80 feline denizens. Council members said removing the colony would likely require changes to the towns land management ordinance (LMO).

A cat walks along a fence that separates the cat sanctuary with The Spa on Port Royal Sound on May 9, 2023 located along Beach City Road on Hilton Head Island. The community has informed residents that feeding the feral cats will result in a $100 fine.

Volunteers in the area say that direct violence toward the cats was unheard of until now. Some are worried it might get worse.

Every time I pull in, Im worried who Im going to find next, Deb said in an interview Friday. We have to do something.

Sherree Capello, president of the All About Cats nonprofit, urged residents experiencing issues with community cats to contact Beaufort County Animal Services so the animals can be safely relocated and cared for.

Anyone wishing to donate toward food and veterinarian services for the Bluffton areas community cats can contact Kathy Kline at 843-368-0167.
Two Ohio women discovered that their elderly roommate had died in the home they all shared, but instead of immediately reporting it, they placed his body in a vehicle, propped it up, and drove to a bank where they used his corpse to withdraw money from his bank account, authorities say.

The pair is now facing charges of theft and gross abuse of a corpse, according to the Ashtabula Police Department.

The women, identified as Loreen Feralo and Karen Casbohm, found 80-year-old Douglas Layman dead inside his residence where they both had also been residing, police said. With the help of an unnamed third person, authorities say, they placed Mr. Layman in the front seat of his car and then drove to the bank where they withdrew an undisclosed amount of money from his account. It is further alleged that Mr. Layman was placed in the vehicle in such a manner that he would be visible to bank staff in order to make the withdrawal.

Police Chief Robert Stell told the local Star Beacon that the bank had allowed this previously as long as they were accompanied by him.

After visiting the bank, the two women are said to have left his body at the emergency room at the Ashtabula County Medical Center, but did not identify him or themselves. Preliminary hearings for the two women are scheduled for Tuesday.

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The U.S. military flew in Marines to reinforce its embassy in Haiti and evacuate non-essential personnel as heavily-armed gangs continue to challenge the countrys tenuous government and turn the countrys capital, Port-au-Prince, into a battlefield.

The middle-of-the-night operation was conducted via helicopter by the U.S. military at the request of the State Department for embassy security, the U.S. Southern Command, based in Doral, said in a statement.

This airlift of personnel into and out of the embassy is consistent with our standard practice for embassy security augmentation worldwide, and no Haitians were on board the military aircraft, the statement said.

Residents in the capital reported hearing an airplane flying overhead before the operation, and the sounds of a helicopter in the early hours Sunday morning.

A National Security Council official told McClatchy that President Joe Biden personally directed the military to carry out the mission.

He has been briefed, receives updates from his team, and is deeply concerned about the situation in Haiti, the official said.

The airlift comes amid ongoing gang attacks in multiple locations around metropolitan Port-au-Prince, including Tabarre, where the U.S. Embassy is located. Several nearby businesses have been looted and overtaken by armed gangs that today control more than 80% of the capital.

Since last Thursday, armed groups have led a coordinated attack, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry and targeting key Haitian government institutions. After taking control of several police stations, they targeted the main seaport before orchestrating a mass jail break at the two largest prisons. Thousands of inmates were freed by the gangs, including several notorious gang leaders.

The gangs have also launched attacks against the international and domestic airports. Heavy gunfire around the airports has led to the suspension of international flights into the country. Henry, who is under pressure by the United States and the Caribbean Community to resign, remains outside of the country in Puerto Rico, unable to return.

READ MORE: Rushing home on a rerouted jet, Haitis prime minister is pressured by U.S. to resign

In response to the attacks, Haiti recently imnposed a state of emergency and curfew for a month and deployed members of its fledgling army to assist the Haiti National Police. To help in the fight against gangs, the U.S. government recently provided the police with additional ammunition.

The U.S. Embassy has limited its operations as the violence has escalated.

The U.S. Embassy in Haiti remains open, the statement reads. Heightened gang violence in the neighborhood near U.S. embassy compounds and near the airport led to the State Departments decision to arrange for the departure of additional embassy personnel. All arriving and departing passengers work for the U.S. government.

Biden has previously ruled out sending U.S. troops to directly engage in the crisis. But in October, after a yearlong campaign by the U.S., the United Nations approved a Multinational Security Support mission that would bring together reinforcements from around the world to help Haitis police. Henry was in Kenya signing a security-sharing agreement for the East African nation to lead the effort when the violence escalated.

Despite the agreement, the forces deployment has been hobbled by a lack of money. Republican lawmakers in Congress are refusing to release a hold on funding, requested by the Biden administration, amid questions about the mission, while the international community has been slow to contribute to a U.N. trust fund set up to finance the operation.

Brian Nichols, assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, told the Miami Herald that the administration remains committed to expediting the deployment of the Kenyan-led mission, and is closely monitoring the situation.

Its urgent, he said of the funding needs. Every day matters, every day the lives and welfare of ordinary Haitians. If you care about humanitarian issues around the world, there is no crisis that is worse than the situation in Haiti right now.

READ MORE: White House warns Haiti force cant deploy until Republicans release funds





The Southern Command said despite that the evacuations the embassy embassy remains focused on advancing U.S. government efforts to support the Haitian people, including mobilizing support for the police, expediting the security missions deployment and accelerating a peaceful transition of power through free and fair elections.

As announced in September 2023, the Department of Defense is postured to provide robust enabling support for the MSS, including planning assistance, information sharing, airlift, communications, and medical support, the Southern Command said.
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (WHNT)  Huntsville is home to many who are employed at the Redstone Arsenal. Now, according to a report from the New York Times, less money will be coming to fund the construction of the FBI campus on the Arsenal.

News 19 reached out to Congressmen Dale Strong and Robert Aderholt, as well as Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, to ask about the impact of the cut funding.

Senate sends $460B bill to avert shutdown to Bidens desk just hours before deadline

Senator Tubervilles office confirmed to News 19 that construction funding was removed from the budget.

Sean Ross with Senator Britts office told News 19 on Saturday, The FBIs construction at Redstone has already been fully funded through previous appropriations measures.

According to the New York Times and other national outlets, the construction funding totaled up to just over $600 million. That money was previously earmarked by former Senator Richard Shelby.

A spokesperson for Congressman Strong said, Previous funds for FBI Redstone were one-time appropriations to build the FBIs state-of-the-art facilities in Huntsville.

The FBI has confirmed that this funding has been obligated and that this years funding levels reflect that additional funding was not required to complete construction.

Congressman Aderholts office told News 19 they would provide more information when they had it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
The United States military conducted an overnight operation Saturday into Sunday to evacuate American personnel by airlift from the U.S. Embassy in Haiti as violence escalates in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and across the Caribbean country, U.S. Southern Command said in a statement Sunday. Additional security was deployed as part of the operation, officials said.

"At the request of the Department of State, the U.S. military conducted an operation to augment the security of the U.S. Embassy at Port-au-Prince, allow our Embassy mission operations to continue, and enable non-essential personnel to depart," the U.S. Southern Command said in a statement to CBS News on Sunday morning.

Airlifting U.S. personnel into and from the embassy is consistent with the military's standard practice for enhancing security at embassies worldwide, the statement continued. There were no Haitians on board the aircraft during the airlifts, according to the military.

"Our Embassy remains focused on advancing U.S. government efforts to support the Haitian people, including mobilizing support for the Haitian National Police, expediting the deployment of the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, and accelerating a peaceful transition of power via free and fair elections," the southern command said. "As announced in September 2023, the Department of Defense is postured to provide robust enabling support for the MSS, including planning assistance, information sharing, airlift, communications, and medical support."

Haitian police officers deployed in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 9, 2024, as residents desperately sought shelter amid a recent explosion of gang violence in the Haitian capital. / Credit: CLARENS SIFFROY/AFP via Getty Images

In a statement, the embassy in Haiti said it "remains open."

"Heightened gang violence in the neighborhood near U.S. embassy compounds and near the airport led to the State Department's decision to arrange for the departure of additional embassy personnel," the embassy said. "All arriving and departing passengers work for the U.S. government. The State Department continually adjusts its posture at U.S. embassies and consulates throughout the world in line with its mission, the local security environment, and the health situation, as pertinent."

The statement said further information about the airlifts in Port-au-Prince was not available.

The German foreign ministry said its ambassador joined other European Union representatives in leaving for the Dominican Republic on Sunday, AFP reported.

"Due to the very tense security situation in Haiti, the German ambassador and the permanent representative in Port-au-Prince left for the Dominican Republic today together with representatives from the EU delegation," a Germa ministry spokesman told AFP, adding that they would work from there "until further notice."

Haiti has struggled with tumultuous political unrest for decades along with crippling gang violence. Last September, the Biden administration pledged $100 million, and, later, another $65 million, to support the Haitian National Police and improve security in the island nation amid its ongoing fight against powerful crime groups. Part of that money was put forward to back a cooperative security mission led by Kenya and involving multiple countries. The United Nations Security Council voted in early October to approve the mission and send a multinational force to Haiti for one year in hopes of quelling the gang violence, as it became more extreme.

But the latest bout of gang violence erupted at the end of February as Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry flew to Kenya to push for the deployment of that multinational force. Heavily-armed gangs attacked key government sites and attempted to seize control of the airport in Port-au-Prince, forcing businesses and schools in the area to close and displacing an estimated 15,000 people from their homes in the capital city, the Associated Press reported. Attacks on Haiti's two largest prisons also led to a mass escape of thousands of inmates.

Henry meanwhile, is stuck in Puerto Rico.

The explosion of gang violence prompted Haitian authorities to order a nighttime curfew and enact a state of emergency, which was still in place on Sunday.

An emergency meeting was held Monday in Jamaica to address Haiti's "dire" and "urgent" situation, according to a statement from CARICOM's chairman. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, along with officials from France, Canada, the U.N. and Brazil attended the meeting.

Margaret Brennan contributed reporting.

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A U.S. soldier in Poland totaled a luxury rental car and damaged residential property before fleeing the scene, the Polish Press Agency reported on Sunday. Police later caught up to him and issued a fine.

The American soldierwhose name has not been releasedwas driving a rented Audi through the small town of Nowogrod Bobrzanski late Saturday night. According to local police, the driver was speeding when he suddenly lost control, skidded off the road, then rolled over and tore through trees before finally colliding with a concrete wall near a private residence, stopping its tumble.

Police did not indicate how fast the car was going when the driver lost control. No one was hurt in the collision.

The soldier quickly abandoned the wreck on residential property and fled the scene with Polish police in pursuit. As a tow truck crane cleared the wrecked vehicle away, authorities pieced together the mans identity and finally caught him on Sunday.

The soldiers rental car had German plates, a spokeswoman for Zielona Gora police told reporters on Sunday. It wasnt clear where the soldier was stationed, where he was headed, or why he was traveling through Nowogrod Bobrzanski on Saturday night. The Daily Beast has reached out to the U.S. Embassy in Poland for comment.

Police didnt say whether the man was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but the fine of 5,000 PLN (about $1,272 USD) is in line with penalties for driving under the influence under Polish law. Poland has very strict drinking and driving limits, with fines incurred once blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds 0.02, within prison sentences often issued for BAC levels above 0.05.

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Two astronaut candidates waving in flight suits in front of a us flag and a t-38 jet. on the stage behind, seated astronaut candidates applaud.

The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) newest astronauts are looking forward to family reunions as Ramadan approaches, according to a media report.

UAE Space Agency astronauts Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla both graduated from basic training on Tuesday (March 5) alongside 10 NASA astronauts, in a ceremony near Johnson Space Center in Houston.

In the last 2.5 years, the UAE duo has traveled the world learning about basic skills like spacewalking, piloting T-38 jets and doing work on the International Space Station (ISS) and for the Artemis program to send astronauts to the moon. They recently talked about their plans for Ramadan, which starts Sunday (March 10), in a Khaleej Times report.

Related: NASA graduates new astronaut class as it begins recruiting for more

AlMatrooshi's graduation ceremony was attended by a "huge group of family" that flew from the Emirates to see her cross the stage; her sister also came from Toronto, Canada, which is only a few hours' flight from Houston. But other family members are eager for her to make a visit to the UAE, she said in the report.

When asked if she would return for Ramadan, AlMatrooshi said she "will be coming soon," according to the report. "My grandmother, I know, is waiting for me to come back, and I can't wait to tell the rest of my family about my experiences here," she added.

AlMulla said he will be coming back to the UAE as Ramadan begins. "I've been away for over two years, but I got all the support from them," he said in the report.

"I think it's a good time to return and spend time with the families," he added. "I missed my mother's food. I also miss my friends and colleagues, and I miss flying. Every day, there is something in Dubai."

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Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is based on local sightings of the crescent moon. The 2024 iteration will last from about March 10 to April 9. (The Islamic lunar-facing calendar means the dates change every year in relation to the Gregorian calendar, which most of the world uses.)

Most adult Muslims fast from dawn to sunset as one of the five Pillars of Islam, but last year, the UAE's first long-duration astronaut told reporters he would need to put ISS operations first. Sultan Al Neyadi's half-year flight included Ramadan, which began last year on March 23.

"We're actually allowed to eat sufficient food and to prevent any escalation of lack of food or nutrition or hydration," Al Neyadi said of Muslim travelers during a pre-flight press conference on Jan. 25, 2023. He emphasized that his orbital activities must be adjusted so that he does not "jeopardize the mission or maybe put the crewmember in a risk."

The first-ever Muslim astronaut to go to space, Prince Sultan bin Salman Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, coincidentally arrived towards the end of the holy month on June 17, 1985, during the week-long STS-51G space shuttle mission. He fasted pre-launch and broke his fast in space, with his American crew members staying alongside him in support until he was allowed to eat.

These days, the UAE participates in NASA missions both in ISS excursions, and as a member of the U.S.-led Artemis Accords. Some partners in the 35-nation pact directly supply hardware for Artemis missions, like the UAE, and all signatories commit to peaceful exploration norms led by NASA.
To the casual observer, it seemed like the long-cherished dream of a new single currency for East Africa had come to fruition.

An account on X, called "Government of East Africa", complete with a grey tick suggesting it was the real deal, released an image of a specimen note worth five sheafras, featuring a coat of arms and a space for a signature from a central bank governor.

The name sheafra was coined by combining shilling of East Africa and franc - currencies in use in the region.

The original posts from last Sunday were viewed more than a million times, going viral after being picked up by major blogs and at least one popular online media outlet in Kenya. It was reported as a launch.

The truth was still putting its shoes on as the apparent news of the single currency spread.

Some enthusiastically welcomed the idea, while others debated the name and the design.

Finally, the East African Community (EAC) - a bloc of eight countries - stepped in to say it was not true.

The man behind what turned out to be a fake single currency said he was surprised at how the news spread and the attention it received.

Ugandan Moses Haabwa told the BBC that he wanted to offer hope to people in the region.

He is the self-styled overseer of what he calls the "Federal Republic of East Africa Government", which does not exist.

The man, in his late 30s, is a relatively mysterious figure who says he has worked in the intelligence field. He currently runs a company that, among other things, says it carries out private investigations.

He also once said that he had been appointed the ambassador for an unknown European dukedom, which itself is shrouded in mystery and is probably a complete fiction.

For the past three months, the group that he leads has been releasing examples or "specimens" of different denominations of the sheafra on social media.

Grey tick from X

The earlier posts did not attract much attention, but for some reason the five sheafra note captured the imagination.

"The one we released [last Sunday] was the last one we were to post. I didn't tell anyone to tweet that we had 'launched', but how the media picked it [up] we don't know," he said.

The posts had the air of legitimacy as his "Government of East Africa" account was given a grey tick by X in January.

According to the social media company, this means that it is the official account of a government or multilateral organisation

The BBC has written to X to find out why it gave the account its stamp of approval but has yet to hear back.

A second reason why the sheafra created some excitement was that a new single currency for East Africa has long been discussed by the EAC.

But the regional bloc, as well as the Bank of Tanzania, dismissed the sheafra, calling on people to ignore rumours circulating on social media about the unveiling of new banknotes for the region.

Moses Haabwa said he has enjoyed the fact that a single currency was being discussed

"The EAC Secretariat wishes to inform all our stakeholders that the Partner States' journey to a single currency is still a work in progress," the EAC posted on X.

In 2013, EAC member countries set a target for a single currency by this year.

The bloc has since pushed the target date to 2031.

The eight members - Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda - are very different in terms of their culture, economies, physical size and politics.

While a single currency may be desirable in that it can make cross-border trade cheaper and easier and therefore boost economic growth, it might not benefit all countries equally - some fear that Kenya, the region's most developed economy, would be too dominant.

Mr Haabwa said his project was triggered by the EAC's delay and the feeling that people were losing trust in the community.

He said that part of the reason behind the posts was to offer hope to East Africans that "things can be done".

"Posting is one way you can tap into people's minds. If we hadn't tweeted we wouldn't be having this conversation," he told the BBC.

He believes that his project to push for closer East African union is "God-given".

The EAC Secretariat "can't run away from the truth, East Africans want unity", he added, saying that the EAC should speed up the work on the single currency.

Asked about the legality of what he was doing, Mr Haabwa said: "We are in the process of making these things legal, step by step. Starting from the country we are in."
Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts The Devils Advocate with Jon Caldara on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics.
Ukraine has "almost certainly" accelerated the construction of defensive fortifications along several areas of the front line, the U.K. Defense Ministry wrote in its March 10 report.

The measures include anti-tank obstacles and ditches, infantry trenches, minefields, and other fortified defensive positions.

Further fortifying the front line means that Russian forces can struggle to advance in those areas and achieve any significant tactical gains.

Any effort to push forward in more fortified areas would "highly likely be accompanied by high (Russian) losses," the ministry added.

Kyiv's stalled counteroffensive in 2023 ultimately didn't result in the desired territorial gains against Russian forces, compelling the Ukrainian military to take a more defensive approach in the latest stage of the full-scale war.

During a press conference in December 2023, President Volodymyr Zelensky replied to a question about fortifications posed by a Kyiv Independent journalist, saying that the most powerful defenses have been constructed in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv Oblast.

"When I see this there but not in other oblasts, I ask concrete questions of our military leaders in other sectors: Is it sufficient?... and why is it weaker there than in Kharkiv Oblast?" Zelensky said.



According to Zelensky, he asked the military to unify the level of fortifications in various sectors to reach the same standards.

Illia Yevlash, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Khortytsia Operational and Strategic Group, said on Feb. 26 that Kharkiv Oblast's city of Kupiansk, a crucial logistics juncture that was temporarily occupied by Russia in 2022, is coming under renewed pressure by Moscow's troops.

Ukrainian forces, in turn, have built a line of defense and "powerful fortifications" near the city, "skillfully using the features of the landscape," Yevlash said on national television.

Read also: Ukraine finally moves to fortify front line, but could it be too little too late?

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UK Defence Intelligence has noted that Ukrainian Defence Forces have started to build up defensive positions in several frontline areas at an accelerated pace.

Source: UK Defence Intelligence review on Twitter dated 10 March, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Ukrainian defensive positions include anti-tank obstacles called dragon's teeth, as well as ditches, infantry trenches, minefields and strong points, the review noted.

The UK MoD stressed that the expansion of defensive lines would limit the ability of Russian forces to advance or use tactical advantages in their current offensive operations.

"The establishment of major defensive positions is indicative of the attritional character of the conflict [war] and means that any attempt to conduct breaching operations will highly likely be accompanied with high losses," UK Defence Intelligence pointed out.

Background:

In the previous review, UK intelligence analysed the impact of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian facilities on Russia's oil refining industry.

On 8 March, the UK MoD assessed how Russia utilises Iranian drones, specifically the Mohajer-6, over the Black Sea and the territory of Ukraine.

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The next meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG, also known as the Ramstein group) will be held on March 19 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Radio Svoboda reported on March 9. citing the press service of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who usually chairs the Ramstein meetings, has invited defense ministers and senior military officials from around the world to discuss the crisis in Ukraine and various security challenges facing U.S. allies and partners.

The previous meeting was held on Feb. 14 in an online format. It discussed the strengthening of Ukrainian air defense, as well as artillery systems and drones.

UDCG brings together about 50 countries that are helping Ukraine with weapons in the war against the Russian invasion.

Read also: Probably after the war  Ukraine wont be invited to join NATO this year  U.S. State Department

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Pope's interview to Swiss broadcaster is to be broadcast later in March

Ukraine has strongly rejected a call by Pope Francis for Kyiv to negotiate an end to its war with Russia and have "the courage to raise the white flag".

Ukraine's foreign minister says it will "never raise any other flags" than the country's blue and yellow colours.

And the country's President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the comments as "virtual mediation".

A Vatican spokesman later said the Pope was speaking of stopping the fighting through negotiation, not capitulation.

The interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI, recorded in February, is scheduled to air on 20 March as part of a cultural programme.

According to a transcript quoted by Reuters news agency, the Pope was asked to comment on a debate between those who want Ukraine to seek a settlement with Russia - or wave the "white flag", as the interviewer put it - and those who argue that doing so would legitimise aggression.

The Pope was quoted as saying: "The strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates."

"When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate," he added.

Ukrainian forces in the east have been on the backfoot

The statement has triggered a barrage of criticism.

During his nightly video address on Sunday, President Zelensky did not directly refer to the Pope, but instead praised the work of Ukrainian chaplains on the frontline.

He said: "They are on the frontline, protecting life and humanity, supporting with prayer, conversation, and deeds.

"This is what the church is - it is together with people, not two-and-a-half thousand kilometres away somewhere, virtually mediating between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you."

Earlier on Sunday Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on social media: "Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags."

Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican compared the Pope's comments to those who advocated talks with Adolf Hitler during Word War Two.

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski asked whether the Pope would, for balance, encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine.

There has also been strong criticism from Ukrainians on social media, including the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic church.

In response to the row, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the Pope had "picked up the image of the white flag, proposed by the interviewer, to indicate... a truce reached with the courage of negotiation".

He added the Pope had made it clear that "negotiations are never a surrender".

More than two years after Russia's full-scale attack, Ukraine is on the defensive. Last month Russian troops captured the strategic town of Avdiivka.

Since then, the invaders have advanced further west, and taken several villages.

In Washington a bill to provide $60bn (47bn) to Ukraine has been blocked in the US Congress and European countries are struggling to agree on ways to support Kyiv.
(Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian top diplomat pushed back on Pope Francis call for his country to show the courage of the white flag and enter negotiations with Russia, a remark that fueled outrage among Ukrainians and condemnation from some foreign allies.

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Our flag is a yellow and blue one, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Sunday on X, formerly Twitter. This is the flag by which we live, die and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags.

He urged the Vatican to avoid repeating what he called its strategy from the first half of the twentieth century.

Kuleba invited the pontiff to visit Ukraine in support of the nations many Catholics, Christians and its population in general.

The foreign ministers statement followed a torrent of angry comments on Ukrainian social networks after the release of an excerpt from Popes interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI on Saturday.

There, Francis urged Ukraine to consider negotiations with Russia in the light of a looming possibility of a defeat. Dont be ashamed to negotiate before it gets worse, the Pope said.

Read more: Ukraine Sees Risk of Russia Breaking Through Defenses by Summer

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni made a separate comment after the interview, saying the pope had picked up on the imagery of the white flag after it was used by the interviewer. He reaffirmed Franciss deep affection to Ukrainian people, expressed most recently during a mass in February to mark the second anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion.

Some foreign officials, including Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, also challenged the popes view.

My Sunday morning take: One must not capitulate in face of evil, one must fight it and defeat it, so that the evil raises the white flag and capitulates, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said on X.

Ukraines leadership has so far ruled out talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as Kyivs military is strained by troop shortages and an ammunition deficit amid delays in receiving military aid from allies.

Read more: Ukraine Drafts Crucial Farm Workers to Boost Desperate Military

Theres been an increase in diplomatic activity, though, including a recent visit by a Chinese envoy to Kyiv, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiys trip to Turkey last week. Francis mentioned in Turkey in the interview as a potential mediator.

It isnt the first time the Vatican has been forced to clarify comments from the 87-year-old pontiff on Russia and Ukraine.

Last year, it walked back remarks urging young Russians to take pride in being heirs of the nations heritage of empire. In 2022, the pope stirred controversy with a plan to have Russian and Ukrainian women carry the cross together during a Good Friday procession, just weeks into Russias invasion.

Ukraine is actively working to have the nations of the so-called Global South, including predominantly Catholic South America, support its peace blueprint, which sees a departure of Russian forces as precondition for any settlement.

Zelenskiy hasnt directly responded to the popes remarks or the ensuing controversy.

Instead, he urged in a short Telegram statement on Sunday to stay strong in the face of what he called increasingly insane statements coming from Moscow.

Only our strength in protecting life and our ability to achieve our aims can sober Russia up, at least partially, Zelenskiy said.

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Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba believes that French President Emmanuel Macron's statement has triggered a discussion that will "save Europe a lot of time" in realising that it has to do more to support Ukraine.

Source: Delfi, a news website in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, citing Kuleba in an interview with Lithuanian news agency Elta, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Kuleba stated that if EU or NATO allies have discussed the possibility of deploying Western troops in Ukraine before, Ukraine was not aware of this.

"Do we have the impression that Paris is the first European capital to publicly acknowledge the obvious? Yes, I think so. Do other capitals feel concerned and uncomfortable with this statement of fact? Yes, this is obvious as well. However, the discussion that this statement from Paris has triggered will save Europe a lot of time in realising that it has to do more," the Ukrainian minister said.

Kuleba stressed that helping Ukraine "is not charity", but protection of the lives of European citizens and saving of funds that would otherwise have to be spent on their own defence.

"This statement by Macron is what everyone understands but is afraid to say. He is simply the first to speak openly about what I believe every reasonable person in Europe should understand. If Russia is not stopped in Ukraine, there will be a war in Europe," Kuleba added.

Background:

Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron noted that a possible deployment of Western troops to Ukraine "cannot be ruled out". He later added that his words, which have caused an uproar, had been carefully thought through.

Macron recently reiterated his statement that "we cannot rule out" the possibility of deployment of Western troops in Ukraine.

In addition, Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski believes that the presence of Western troops in Ukraine "is not something unthinkable".

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Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has responded to Pope Franciss suggestion that Ukraine should have what he called the "courage of the white flag" and negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

Source: Dmytro Kuleba on X

Quote from Kuleba: "Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags."

Details: Kuleba said that the strongest in the battle between good and evil "is the one who stands on the side of good rather than attempting to put them on the same footing and call it negotiations."

"[W]hen it comes to the white flag, we know [the] Vatican's strategy from the first half of the twentieth century. I urge [them] to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine and its people in their just struggle for their lives," Kuleba added.

He thanked the Pope for his "constant prayers for peace", adding that Ukraine continues "to hope that after two years of devastating war in the heart of Europe, the Pontiff will find an opportunity to pay an Apostolic visit to Ukraine to support over a million Ukrainian Catholics, over five million Greek-Catholics, all Christians, and all Ukrainians."

Background:

In response to Pope Franciss statement, Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski said that the Pope should address Russian President Vladimir Putin and urge him to withdraw his occupation forces from Ukraine.

On 9 March, Reuters reported that Pope Francis said in an interview this February that Ukraine should have what he called "the courage of the white flag" and negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

The Vatican later clarified the Popes words, stressing that he called for a ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations, not the surrender of Ukraine, and emphasising the Popes words that "Negotiation is never a surrender."

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said, in response to the Popes comment, that "one cannot surrender to evil".

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(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday dismissed Pope Francis's call for talks with Russia as "virtual mediation" from a distance.

Zelenskiy, in his nightly video address, did not refer directly to Francis or his remarks, but said the pope's ideas had nothing to do with efforts by religious figures in Ukraine to help the country.

"They support us with prayer, with their discussion and with deeds. "This is indeed what a church with the people is," Zelenskiy said. "Not 2,500 km away, somewhere, virtual mediation between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you."

(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Nick Starkov; Editing by Josie Kao)
Major Andrii Tkachenko, a fighter aircraft pilot, was killed in a combat mission in Donetsk Oblast on March 8, scouting organization Plast reported on March 10.

Plast's branch in the town of Sambir, Lviv Oblast, mentioned his death in a Facebook post. Tkachenko was a member of Plast.

No other details about Tkachenko's death were provided.

Ukraine's Air Force hasn't commented on Tkachenko's death.

A month earlier, Vladislav Rykov, an experienced Ukrainian Air Force pilot, was also killed in action, the 299th Tactical Aviation Brigade reported on social media.

Rykov had 385 sorties under his belt  he was the best pilot and commander I knew, fellow Air Force pilot Rostyslav Lazarenko posted on Facebook. My heart was ripped out yesterday.

In another incident from last August, three Ukrainian pilots, including Andrii Pilshchykov with the call sign Juice, died in a mid-air collision between two training jets.

Read also: F-16s for Ukraine: When will they arrive and what can they do?

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A mobile fire group of Ukrainian air defence forces. Photo: Serhii Naiev, former commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Ukrainian air defence forces shot down 35 out of 39 Shahed loitering munitions that Russian forces launched to target Ukraine on the night of 9-10 March.

Source: Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, on Telegram; Ukraines Air Force

Quote from Oleshchuk: "I express my gratitude to everyone who ensured this outcome!"

Details: Russian troops fired 4 S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles on Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts and launched 39 Shahed loitering munitions on the night of 9-10 March (Shaheds were launched from Cape Chauda, Russian-occupied Crimea, and the city of Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Russia).

Combat operations resulted in 35 Shaheds being shot down over Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, Odesa, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia, Kyiv and Zhytomyr oblasts.

Most of the targets have been destroyed by mobile fire groups of Ukraine's Defence Forces. Fighter jets, anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force, and electronic warfare systems were also engaged in repelling the attack.

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The Ralph L. Carr Judicial Center houses both the Colorado Supreme Court and the Colorado Court of Appeals. The facilitys namesake is former Colorado Gov. Ralph Lawrence Carr, who served between 1939 and 1943 and was known for his opposition to Japanese internment camps at that time.
Over the past day, the Defence Forces of Ukraine struck a self-propelled and anti-aircraft missile system Pantsir-S1 and a self-propelled artillery system Giatsint on the Tavriia front (Ukraine's south).

Source: Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of the Operative Strategic Group Tavriia, on Telegram

Quote: "Among destroyed and damaged Russian equipment there is a self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system Pantsir-S, a self-propelled artillery system Giatsint, a BM-21 multiple-launch rocket system, and two Murom-M video surveillance systems."

Details: On the Tavriia front, total losses of the Russians on that day were as follows: 310 persons in manpower (injured and killed); 65 units in armament and military equipment, without taking into account the UAVs.

Specifically, these are 12 tanks, 17 armoured combat vehicles, five artillery systems, a multiple-launch rocket system, 28 vehicles, one unit of special equipment etc.

In addition to this, 312 UAVs of different types were downed. The Defence Force also destroyed four ammunition storages and a dugout belonging to the Russians.

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No one in Ukraine would ever consider surrendering, said His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), in response to Pope Francis' "white flag" remark.

Source: UGCC; His Beatitude Sviatoslav on a visit to New York

Quote:"I want to tell you one thing from the people of Ukraine. Ukraine is hurt, but unconquered! [...] Ukraine is exhausted, but it is resilient and will prevail! Believe me, no one is thinking of surrendering. Even where there is fighting ongoing today; listen to our people in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy...

Come to Ukraine and see for yourself! If any of you do not believe in the victory of Ukraine  go to Confession! For this means that we have little trust in the living God present in the body of the Ukrainian people."

Background: In an interview, the Pontiff advised Ukraine to have "the courage of the white flag".

The Vatican explained the Pope's words  that he was calling for a ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations, not Ukraine's surrender.

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Two energy substations in southern and central Ukraine were damaged by Russian kamikaze drone attacks on March 9, state electricity grid operator Ukrenergo reported on March 10.

Consumers were not cut off from electricity as a result of the attacks and repairs are underway, according to Ukrenergo.

The briefing did not specify which exact regions of Ukraine the sites were damaged in.

Russian forces have repeatedly targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure since fall 2022.

Ukrainian air defense destroyed 35 of the 39 Shahed-type drones that Russia launched overnight, the Air Force reported on March 10.

The drones were intercepted over Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, Odesa, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia, Kyiv, and Zhytomyr oblasts.

Overnight on March 9, Ukraines air defense downed 12 of 15 Russian drone launched at Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Zelensky rules out Erdogans idea of peace summit with Russia during Turkey visit

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FILE - United Nations mediator Giandomenico Picco, center, accompanies Terry Anderson, chief Middle East correspondent for the Associated Press, during a news conference at the Syrian Foreign Ministry in Damascus, Dec. 4, 1991. At left is American Ambassador Christopher Ross. Picco, whose negotiating skills helped resolve some of the thorniest crises of the 1980s and 1990s, including the Iran-Iraq war and the kidnappings of Westerners by Hezbollah in Lebanon, died Sunday, March 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Mohammad Ali, file)

Former U.N. diplomat Giandomenico Picco, whose negotiating skills helped resolve some of the thorniest crises of the 1980s and 1990s, including the Iran-Iraq war and the kidnappings of Westerners by Hezbollah in Lebanon, has died.

Picco passed away peacefully Sunday after a long illness, his son, Giacomo Picco, said. He was 75.

Picco worked at the United Nations from 1973 until 1992. Javier Perez de Cuellar of Peru, the fifth secretary-general of the world body, appointed him to his executive office in 1982, and he eventually became assistant secretary-general for political affairs.

Picco represented Perez de Cuellar in negotiations between New Zealand and France after the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior was sunk by French secret agents in 1985. At the time of its sinking, the vessel was protesting French nuclear tests in the Pacific.

The following year, he became the chief U.N. official in charge of negotiating the truce in the war between Sunni-majority Iraq and Shiite-majority Iran. More than 1 million people were killed in the conflict that began when Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded his neighbor in 1980 and featured trench warfare, waves of attacks by Iranians and chemical weapons assaults by Iraq.

Picco also played a role in Afghanistan, helping facilitate the 1989 withdrawal of Soviet forces after Moscows 1979 invasion of that country.

Piccos understanding of and relations with Iran allowed him to negotiate the release of hostages kidnapped by groups with ties to the Islamic Republic, including Terry Anderson, the bureau chief in Beirut for The Associated Press, who was held the longest  from 1985 to 1991.

The mission was not without risk. In 1987, Anglican church envoy Terry Waite disappeared from Beirut while trying to win the release of the hostages and was held captive himself  also until 1991.

As Perez de Cuellars special envoy, Picco faced that risk with personal bravery and an understanding of diplomacy and the Middle East.

When asked for the difference in my approach to securing the release of the hostages to that of Terry Waite, I responded, He went to Beirut from the West and I went to Beirut from the East. In those days, the East began in Teheran, Picco wrote in his 1999 biography, Man without a Gun: One Diplomats Secret Struggle to Free the Hostages, Fight Terrorism, and End a War..

In a 2013 BBC interview, Picco described how at one point in the negotiations he traveled to Beirut, where an Iranian diplomat told him he would meet with the kidnappers that night.

The car came to a screeching halt, he said, and a bag was put on his head.

Then I was thrown into the boot of the car, something which I dont recommend to anybody, recalled the 6-foot-4 Picco, known for dressing elegantly.

Of course I knew that I could be taken, he said. At that point I had no choice. I had invested quite a bit of time, and my own belief that what I was doing was right.

Picco eventually negotiated a deal in which the militias would release 10 Western hostages, including Anderson, over several months, In return, Israeli-backed forces in southern Lebanon freed dozens of Arab prisoners.

Picco was born in Udine, in northeastern Italy, near both Austria and the former Yugoslavia. It was a location that influenced his ability to triangulate the needs of different groups and to resolve difficult problems, according to friends and family.

He was dealing with the hostage-takers, the kidnappers, he was able to draw on this background, said longtime friend, John Connorton, an attorney with experience in international relations. Gianni Picco could relate to all kinds of people.

Picco had political science degrees from the University of Padua and the University of California, Santa Barbara, along with the universities of Prague and Amsterdam.

As importantly, his son said, he was equipped with deep empathy and curiosity.

He was just a curious individual. It doesnt matter who you were, he could always learn something from somebody, said Giacomo Picco, who works in finance in New York.

After joining the world body, the elder Picco became the political affairs officer of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Cyprus. Perez de Cuellar brought him to U.N. headquarters in New York in 1981.

Different from government diplomacy, we dont try to score a political point in favor of one or another, Picco said in a 1991 interview about the U.N.s role. We would like to develop a situation where at the end, everybody wins. And if indeed everybody wins, then we have all won.

In an interview earlier this year, Anderson said Picco was selected for the hostage negotiations because I guess the secretary-general thought that if he could talk to the Afghans and the Iranians and the Russians and the Iraqis, he could talk to anybody, and he did.

He broke the logjam, is what he did, and he did it at great risk, Anderson added. He was one of the most brilliant men I ever knew.

In his book, Picco describes how a longtime relationship with Perez de Cuellar took him to Afghanistan when his mentor got the thankless Afghan brief after the Dec. 26, 1979, Soviet invasion. Helping run the U.N.s Office of Special Political Affairs, de Cuellar asked Picco to develop a road map for peace in the country.

The experience taught him about the role of the diplomat, Picco wrote.

Our job, then, was to fill the gap, nurture coalition politics in a way that would end the bloodshed, he wrote. Its fine to emphasize the good-officer role of the secretary-general, but then its up to each of his representatives to stretch the confining rubber band as far as possible without snapping it. This is critical to understanding what we did in Afghanistan.

On Dec. 12, 1991, President George Bush presented Picco with the Presidential Award for Exceptional Service.

His skillful diplomacy with Middle Eastern governments and officials and representatives of the hostage holders has resulted in freedom for many individuals held in the region outside the due process of law, including six Americans, said Maj. John Wissler, reading Piccos citation. His personal courage in the face of danger and his dedication to the mission represent the best tradition of international civil service.

In 1994, Picco left the U.N. to become the chief executive officer of international consulting firm GDP Associates.

A regular lecturer at conferences and universities, and the author of numerous publications on foreign affairs, Picco received honorary degrees and awards from at least five governments.

Working for an international body without the money or military power of major nations, Picco said he had to be armed with his own commitment, neutrality and dedication to winning innocents freedom.

I did like a lot to execute my own ideas. I dont think it was really fair to think about something and then ask somebody else to do it. Its not very courageous, Picco said in a 2017 talk in New York.
Idaho legislators sought to undermine the constitutional right of Idahoans to run initiatives by enacting a 2021 law making it virtually impossible to get the required signatures. The Idaho Supreme Court struck the law down, based on its determination that the law violated the Idaho Constitution.

The Court said that the initiative is a fundamental constitutional right and that laws to restrict it will be strictly scrutinized. In other words, there must be a compelling justification for any restriction.

The Legislature is at it again with another bill that will almost certainly be struck down for violating the Idaho Constitution. The new attack on initiative rights takes a subtler form. House Bill 652 gives initiative opponents a powerful tool to sabotage an initiative after it has been submitted for verification of signatures. The bill would allow enough signatures to be disqualified to sink the initiative at a time when it is too late to get more signatures.

Existing law allows initiative signers to remove their signature from a petition at any time after presentation of the petition to the county clerk but prior to verification of the signature. HB 652 makes a dramatic change, allowing a signature to be removed for up to five months after the signature gathering has concluded.

The bill says that no signatures may be submitted after March 31. County clerks have until June 30 to verify the signatures and must submit them to the Secretary of State four months before the election. After the Secretary of State receives the petitions, he shall provide a public review period of not less than sixty (60) days. Signatures can be removed throughout the public review period under HB 652. The upshot is that the bill allows a signature to be removed for a period of up to five months from the March 31 deadline for presenting petitions to the county clerk.

Signatures on a petition have to be witnessed in person and verified under oath by the signature gatherer. However, removals can be accomplished with just a simple emailed statement. Signature removals should require in-person verification by the signer or a statement made under oath. The bills lax removal provision is an invitation to fraudulent or coerced removals.

Would anyone in Idaho engage in such skulduggery? Not wanting to point fingers, but Dorothy Moon, the head of the extreme branch of Idahos GOP, reportedly issued a newsletter last December telling how petition signers could remove their signatures.

Initiative opponents would have a hard time justifying Idahos current removal law in a court challenge. The HB 652 removal provision is much worse and will almost certainly be found unconstitutional, should it be enacted into law. Only 4 states have signature-removal laws, so there are not many court decisions on the issue.

A 2010 Florida Supreme Court decision is instructive. That Court struck down a law that allowed signatures to be removed after the signature-gathering deadline had already passedjust like HB 652.

The Court said, initiative proponents will likely receive no notice with regard to how many of their gathered, signed petition forms have been revoked until it is too late to gather, submit, and verify additional signatures. It concluded that the politically charged counter-petition revocation campaigns created by these provisions in operation would essentially eviscerate and render meaningless the citizen-initiative process.

It is hard to see how the unfair situation created by HB 652 could withstand a constitutional challenge in Idaho. Two groups, Reclaim Idaho and the Committee to Protect and Preserve the Idaho Constitution, succeeded in having the 2021 legislation struck down. They promise a court challenge if HB 652 is enacted. That challenge will likely seek to throw out the entire signature-removal law. As in the 2021 initiative lawsuit, the challengers are certain to seek attorney fees from the state. They got $152,000 in that lawsuit and will likely get a similar amount for this one.

Ben Ysursa served as Idaho secretary of state from 2003 to 2015. He served as deputy in the office from 1974 to 1976 and as chief deputy from 1976 to 2002. Jim Jones is a Vietnam combat veteran who served 8 years as Idaho attorney general from 1983 to 1991 and 12 years as a Justice on the Idaho Supreme Court from 2005 to 2017. His columns are collected at JJCommonTater.com .
Papal interventions in conflicts are rarely advisable or welcome, however well-meaning. Joseph Stalins infamously derisive rejoinder when told Pius XII might play a role in ending the Second World War was, How many divisions does the Pope have? The Soviet dictators point was that military might pitched against moral authority tends to have one winner.

But the comments of Pope Francis about the progress of the war in Ukraine seem to side with the former against the latter. He said in an interview that Ukraine should have what he called the courage of the white flag and negotiate with Moscow to bring the bloodshed to an end. The word negotiate is a courageous word. When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate, Francis added. Do not be ashamed of negotiating, before things get worse.

Needless to say, in a country that was invaded two years ago and has lost thousands of soldiers and civilians in trying to repel the aggressor, this spiritual advice was unwelcome. Where was the condemnation of the invader? Moreover, one thing the Ukrainians have not lacked is courage.

But is the Pope articulating what a lot of temporal leaders in Europe, America and elsewhere are also thinking: that Ukraine cannot win and should seek to avoid further carnage? His assessment came just as Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a renewed effort to bring the two sides together by offering to host a summit between Ukraine and Russia.

The initiative came after he held an hour-long meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul to discuss mutual interests in Black Sea shipping security, grain exports and defence co-operation.

So far Natos position has been to keep helping Ukraine to hold the Russians back for as long as it takes, but these pledges are belied by the slowness of supplying arms to Kyiv.

Turkey has sought to maintain good ties with Russia while backing Ukraines right to sovereignty and supplying drones to help the war effort. But it is hard to see any negotiated settlement not include Russia holding on to Crimea, seized in 2014, and occupied territory in the east. To accept less would be a humiliation for Vladimir Putin. Yet even after two years of carnage, Ukraine wants to fight on, provided it is given the means to do so. If it is denied, then the Popes words may prove depressingly prophetic.

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The United States embassy in Haiti began evacuating some of its personnel on Sunday due to escalating gang violence.

The U.S. Embassy in Haiti remains open. Heightened gang violence in the neighborhood near U.S. embassy compounds and near the airport led to the State Departments decision to arrange for the departure of additional embassy personnel. All arriving and departing passengers work for the U.S. government, the embassy said in a statement.

The State Department continually adjusts its posture at U.S. embassies and consulates throughout the world in line with its mission, the local security environment, and the health situation, as pertinent, it continued.

The U.S. had previously evacuated family members of U.S. government employees and non-emergency U.S. government employees last July due to heightened violence and crime. Haiti has now been gripped by a recent wave of crime, largely due to escalating gang violence.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry is in Puerto Rico and unable to return to his country under threat of civil war by an alliance of gangs. He is also facing increasing pressure to resign from gangs hoping for political power, and critics are also taking aim at the election system in the country, according to The Associated Press.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Henry last week, the department said. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said they discussed the ongoing political, security, and humanitarian crisis in Haiti.

Miller noted that the U.S. has urged Henry and other key stakeholders in Haiti to reach a compromise that will end the ongoing political stalemate.

The Hill has reached out to the State Department for comment.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Members of the General Security Unit of the National Palace, USGPN, set up a security perimeter around one of the three downtown stations after police fought off an attack by gangs the day before, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, March 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP)  The U.S. military said Sunday that it had flown in forces to beef up security at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti and allow nonessential personnel to leave.

The aircraft flew to the embassy compound, the U.S. Southern Command said, meaning that the effort involved helicopters. It was careful to point out that no Haitians were on board the military aircraft. That seemed aimed at quashing any speculation that senior government officials might be leaving as the gang attacks in Haiti worsen.

The neighborhood around the embassy in the capital, Port-au-Prince, is largely controlled by gangs.

This airlift of personnel into and out of the Embassy is consistent with our standard practice for Embassy security augmentation worldwide, and no Haitians were on board the military aircraft, according to the Southcom statement.

In many cases, nonessential personnel can include the families of diplomats, but the embassy had already ordered departure for nonessential staff and all family members in July. The personnel ferried out of the embassy may have simply been rotating out, to be refreshed by new staff.

The statement Sunday said that the United States remains focused on aiding Haitian police and arranging some kind of U.N.-authorized security deployment. But those efforts have been unsuccessful so far.

Haiti's embattled prime minister, Ariel Henry, traveled recently to Kenya to push for the U.N.-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country to fight the gangs. But a Kenyan court ruled in January that such a deployment would be unconstitutional.

Henry, who is facing calls to resign or form a transitional council, remains unable to return home. He arrived in Puerto Rico on Tuesday after he was unable to land in the Dominican Republic, which borders Haiti.

On Saturday, the office of Dominican President Luis Abinader issued a statement saying that Henry is not welcome in the Dominican Republic for safety reasons. The Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, has closed its land border.

Given the current situation, the presence of the Haitian prime minister in the Dominican Republic is not considered appropriate, according to the statement, adding that this decision reflects the firm position of the Dominican government to safeguard its national security and stability.

The statement described the security situation in Haiti as totally unsustainable and said that it poses a direct threat to the safety and stability of the Dominican Republic.

The statement predicted the situation could deteriorate even further if a peacekeeping force is not implemented urgently to restore order.

Caribbean leaders have called for an emergency meeting Monday in Jamaica on what they called Haitis dire situation. They have invited the United States, France, Canada, the United Nations and Brazil to the meeting.

Members of the CARICOM regional trade bloc have been trying for months to get political actors in Haiti to agree to form an umbrella transitional unity government.

CARICOM said Friday that while regional leaders remain deeply engaged in trying to bring opposition parties and civil society groups together to form a unity government, the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be.

We are acutely aware of the urgent need for consensus to be reached, according to the statement. We have impressed on the respective parties that time is not on their side in agreeing to the way forward. From our reports, the situation on the ground remains dire and is of serious concern to us.

In February, Henry agreed to hold a general election by mid-2025, and the international community has tried to find some foreign armed force willing to fight gang violence there.

CARICOM has also pushed Henry to announce a power-sharing, consensus government in the meantime, but the prime minister has yet to do so even as Haitian opposition parties and civil society groups are demanding his resignation.

Henry, a neurosurgeon, was appointed as Haiti's prime minister after the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

It was unclear whether Henry would be in Jamaica for the CARICOM meeting.

In Port-au-Prince, meanwhile, police and palace guards worked Saturday to retake some streets in the capital after gangs launched major attacks on at least three police stations.

Guards from the National Palace accompanied by an armored truck tried to set up a security perimeter around one of the three downtown stations after police fought off an attack by gangs late Friday.

Sporadic gunfire continued Saturday, and one woman writhed in pain on the sidewalk in downtown Port-au-Prince with a gunshot wound after a stray bullet hit her in the leg.

The unrelenting gang attacks have paralyzed the country for more than a week and left it with dwindling supplies of basic goods. Haitian officials extended a state of emergency and nightly curfew on Thursday as gangs continued to attack key state institutions.

But average Haitians, many of whom have been forced from their homes by the bloody street fighting, cant wait. The problem for police in securing government buildings is that many Haitians have streamed into them, seeking refuge.

We are the ones who pay taxes, and we need to have shelter, said one woman, who didn't give her name for safety reasons.

Another Port-au-Prince resident, who also did not give his name, described Friday's attacks.

They (the gangs) came with big guns. We have no guns and we cannot defend ourselves. All of us, the children are suffering, said the man.
The US and Japan are reportedly discussing defence cooperation with the goal of providing Ukraine with a larger quantity of ammunition and extending the possibilities for maintenance of American military ships and fighter jets in Japan.

Source: Bloomberg with reference to a Japanese newspaper Yomiuri

Details: The Yomiuri, with reference to sources in the government, reported that the US and Japan were trying to reach an agreement before the summit in Washington on 10 April between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US President Joe Biden.

A key topic for the summit will be finding ways Japan could help widen the USs pool of armaments. American arms makers have been straining to supply weapons ranging from artillery shells to air defence systems that Washington has committed to Ukraine to fight off invading Russian forces.

Japan, which adopted a pacifist constitution after its defeat in World War II, supplied Ukraine with non-lethal aid, as well as assistance and loan guarantees worth billions of dollars, but not with armament.

Loosening Tokyos restrictions on military exports could help the US and European nations send arms to Ukraine in the short term, while in the long term, it could extend the opportunities for Japan to sell weapons overseas.

In December, the Japanese government announced it would allow sales of weapons produced under licence back to the country of origin, and would export Patriot missiles to the US. This step increased the number of interceptors available to the US, giving it more flexibility in its support for Ukraines air defence.

Yomiuri reports that Tokyo and Washington are also considering the possibility of extending the agreement, under which Japanese companies will regularly conduct technical maintenance and repairs of American military equipment.

The US Seventh Fleet and other Navy vessels forward-deployed to Japan are among the candidates for the project, as well as F-35A fighter jets, the newspaper said. That would allow shortening maintenance periods for the US while it would help Tokyo strengthen its defence production and technology.

However, this step may be politically risky for Biden, especially in an election year. His administration may be criticised for sending American workplaces to Japan.

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Japan and the US will discuss strengthening cooperation in the military sphere to help Ukraine more

The United States and Japan are discussing strengthening military cooperation to increase the supply of ammunition to Ukraine, news outlet Yomiuri reported on March 10.

Strengthening cooperation will be a key topic during the summit between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden, which will take place on April 10 in Washington.

Japan revised its three principles for the transfer of defense equipment and operational guidelines in December 2023, according to the newspaper. It allowed the export of missiles for the Patriot system to the United States to compensate for the shortage of American missiles. The two sides are expected to "reaffirm their policy of accelerating such complementary relations" at the summit, Yomiuri writes.



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Paul Pazen is the former Denver police chief and a Public Safety Fellow at Common Sense Institute. DJ Summers is the director of policy & research at Common Sense Institute.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. military said on Sunday it has carried out an operation in Haiti to airlift non-essential embassy personnel from the country and added U.S. forces to bolster embassy security, as the Caribbean nation reels under a state of emergency.

The operation was the latest sign of Haiti's troubles as gang violence threatens to bring down the government and has led thousands to flee their homes.

"This airlift of personnel into and out of the embassy is consistent with our standard practice for embassy security augmentation worldwide, and no Haitians were on board the military aircraft," the U.S. military's Southern Command said in a statement.

The European Union's delegation in Haiti has temporarily closed its offices and reduced its presence in the country to the minimum, according to a post on social media X, citing security concerns.

Haiti entered a state of emergency last Sunday after fighting escalated while Prime Minister Ariel Henry was in Nairobi seeking a deal for the long-delayed U.N.-backed mission.

Kenya announced last year it would lead the force but months of domestic legal wrangling have effectively placed the mission on hold.

On Saturday, the U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken had spoken with Kenyan President William Ruto about the Haiti crisis and the two men underscored their commitment to a multinational security mission to restore order.

In the Southern Command's statement, it said Washington remained committed to those goals.

"Our embassy remains focused on advancing U.S. government efforts to support the Haitian people, including mobilizing support for the Haitian National Police, expediting the deployment of the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission and accelerating a peaceful transition of power via free and fair elections," it said.

Jamaica will host leaders from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on March 11 to discuss ways to support Haiti and promote political dialogue.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart, Additional reporting by Harold Isaac in Port-au-Prince; Editing by Louise Heavens and Sandra Maler)
The U.S. military has sent forces to Haiti to airlift nonessential staff from the U.S. embassy and help bolster security amid gang violence plaguing the Caribbean nation.

U.S. Southern Command told Fox News Digital that U.S. Military forces conducted an operation at the request of the State Department to bolster the security of the U.S. Embassy at Port-au-Prince.

U.S. Southern Command said non-essential personnel were airlifted, and no Haitians were on board the aircraft. Nonessential personnel can include the families of diplomats, but the embassy had already ordered departure for nonessential staff and all family members in July.

The neighborhood around the embassy in the capital, Port-au-Prince, is largely controlled by gangs.

Members of the General Security Unit of the National Palace, USGPN, set up a security perimeter around one of the three downtown stations after police fought off an attack by gangs the day before, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, March 9, 2024.

"Our Embassy remains focused on advancing U.S. government efforts to support the Haitian people, including mobilizing support for the Haitian National Police, expediting the deployment of the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, and accelerating a peaceful transition of power via free and fair elections," Southcom said.

The latest development in Haitis already deteriorating situation comes after the countrys embattled prime minister, Ariel Henry, traveled to Kenya to push for the U.N.-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country to fight the gangs. But a Kenyan court ruled in January that such a deployment would be unconstitutional.

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Henry, who is facing calls to resign or form a transitional council, remains unable to return home. He arrived in Puerto Rico on Tuesday after he was unable to land in the Dominican Republic, which borders Haiti.

SUSPECTS IN AMERICANS' CARIBBEAN YACHT HIJACKING CHARGED WITH MURDERING MISSING COUPLE

Dominican President Luis Abinader said Saturday that Henry was not welcome in his country for "safety reasons" and his presence there would not be "considered appropriate."

Henry, a neurosurgeon, was appointed as Haiti's prime minister after the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Henry agreed last month to hold a general election by mid-2025, and the international community has tried to find some foreign armed forces willing to fight gang violence there.

In Port-au-Prince, meanwhile, police and palace guards worked Saturday to retake some streets in the capital after gangs launched major attacks on at least three police stations.

Guards from the National Palace accompanied by an armored truck tried to set up a security perimeter around one of the three downtown stations after police fought off an attack by gangs late Friday.

The unrelenting gang attacks have paralyzed the country for more than a week and left it with dwindling supplies of basic goods. Haitian officials extended a state of emergency and nightly curfew on Thursday as gangs continued to attack key state institutions.

Caribbean leaders have called for an emergency meeting Monday in Jamaica on what they called Haiti's "dire" situation. They have invited the United States, France, Canada, the United Nations and Brazil to the meeting. It was unclear whether Henry will be in attendance.





Original article source: US military airlifts nonessential staff from embassy in Haiti, bolsters security amid ongoing gang violence
The U.S. military conducted an overnight mission to evacuate staff and add security at the embassy in Haiti, another sign of the deteriorating situation in the capital of Port-au-Prince.

The military airlifted U.S. personnel into and out of the embassy at the request of the U.S. State Department, according to an early Sunday statement from U.S. Southern Command. The mission was designed to allow our Embassy mission operations to continue, and enable non-essential personnel to depart, according to the statement. No Haitians were on board the aircraft.

The operation took place as the Caribbean nation descended into chaos, with gangs overrunning the capital and the government on the verge of collapse. Gangs have attacked police stations and prisons, looted seaports and public buildings, and shut down the airport, blocking shipments of critical supplies such as food. The prime minister, Ariel Henry, is stranded in Puerto Rico as gang members demand his resignation.

Violence exploded over the weekend, with the gangs launching massive attacks on at least three police stations. Caribbean leaders called late Friday for an emergency meeting Monday in Jamaica on what they called the dire situation in Haiti. Caribbean nations and the U.S. are working to find a resolution.



Kenya announced last year it would lead a multinational police force to try to calm the situation in Haiti, financed partially by the U.S., but the mission has been delayed amid legal challenges.

In the meantime, the Biden administration has been considering contingency plans for months, according to a U.S. official, who was granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive situation. The U.S. has decided not to send U.S. military forces to intervene in the situation, and instead enable and encourage our international partners to resolve it themselves, the official said.

However, there has been concern in recent days that the timeline has moved up because of the reality on the ground, the official said.

The U.S. military personnel deployed in the latest mission are likely additional Marine security guards to help protect the embassy in Port-au-Prince.

The Defense Department is ready to provide enabling support for a Kenyan-led multinational mission, including planning assistance, information sharing, airlift, communications, and medical support, according to Southern Command.

Our Embassy remains focused on advancing U.S. government efforts to support the Haitian people, including mobilizing support for the Haitian National Police, expediting the deployment of the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, and accelerating a peaceful transition of power via free and fair elections, according to Southern Command.
A US military ship is sailing towards the Middle East, carrying equipment to build a temporary pier off the coast of Gaza, the army says.

The support ship, General Frank S Besson, set sail from a military base in the state of Virginia on Saturday.

It comes after President Joe Biden said the US would build the floating harbour to help get aid into Gaza by sea.

The UN has warned that famine in the Gaza Strip is "almost inevitable" and children are starving to death.

The US and Jordan carried out an airdrop on Sunday, parachuting in more than 11,500 meals that included rice, flour, pasta, and canned food, the US military said.

Aid deliveries by land and air have proved difficult and dangerous.

The World Food Programme had to pause land deliveries after its convoys came under gunfire and looting. And on Friday, there were reports that five people had been killed by a falling aid package, when its parachute failed to open properly.

The US ship departed "less than 36 hours" after Mr Biden made his announcement, US Central Command wrote on X.

It is "carrying the first equipment to establish a temporary pier to deliver vital humanitarian supplies" to Gaza, the statement continued.

The Pentagon has said it could take up to 60 days to build the pier with the help of 1,000 troops - none of whom would go ashore.

Charities have said those suffering in Gaza cannot wait that long.

Meanwhile, an aid ship laden with some 200 tonnes of food had been expected to set sail from a port in Larnaca, Cyprus on Sunday afternoon, Cypriot media reported.

However as Sunday night ticked into Monday morning, it was still docked in Cyprus.

The charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), which has provided the food aid, told the BBC: "This maritime operation remains a quickly evolving and fluid situation... we plan to embark as soon as possible."

It follows an EU announcement that a new sea route would be opened over the weekend to allow aid to sail directly from Cyprus - the closest EU country to Gaza.

The Open Arms aid ship has been ready to depart for weeks, the charity's founder has said

The ship, Open Arms, belongs to the Spanish charity of the same name. Exactly where it plans to dock when it reaches Gaza has not been publicly revealed.

Gaza has no functioning port and its surrounding waters are too shallow for large vessels, but WCK said its team had been building a jetty off the coast to receive the aid.

The charity added that its plans are "not related" to the floating pier the US is aiming to build.

Israel has welcomed the ocean initiative, and said aid would be delivered after security checks were carried out in Cyprus "in accordance with Israeli standards".

Israel's military launched an air and ground campaign in the Gaza Strip after Hamas's attacks on Israel on 7 October, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 253 others were taken hostage.

More than 30,900 people have been killed in Gaza since then, the territory's Hamas-run health ministry says.

The conflict has created a growing humanitarian crisis, and the UN has warned that at least 576,000 people across the Gaza Strip - one quarter of the population - are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity.

Western countries have pressed Israel to expand land deliveries by facilitating more routes and opening additional crossings.

Lorries have been entering the south of Gaza through the Egyptian-controlled Rafah crossing and the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing. But the north, which was the focus of the first phase of the Israeli ground offensive, has been largely cut off from assistance in recent months.

An estimated 300,000 Palestinians are living there with little food or clean water.

Israel has been accused of hampering aid efforts, and an independent UN expert last week accused it of mounting "a starvation campaign against the Palestinian people in Gaza".

Yeela Cytrin, a legal adviser at the Israeli mission to the UN, responded that "Israel utterly rejects allegations that it is using starvation as a tool of war", before walking out in protest.
A U.S. military ship is heading to Gaza to build a temporary seaport that will provide humanitarian assistance to the war-ravaged territory.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement that a U.S. Army vessel is en route to the Eastern Mediterranean less than 36 hours after President Biden announced the U.S. would provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza by sea. Biden announced during his State of the Union that he directed the U.S. military to lead the construction of a port along the coast of Gaza on the Mediterranean Sea.

CENTCOM described the General Frank S. Besson as a logistic support vessel, noting that it carries the first equipment to establish a temporary pier to deliver vital humanitarian supplies.

The Gaza aid port is expected to take two months to build and require at least 1,000 service members to complete the project, according to the Pentagon. Civilians in Gaza have been lacking humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, food, water and other basic necessities as Israel continues its fight against militant group Hamas.

The U.S. has taken steps in recent weeks to boost humanitarian aid to Gaza amid criticism of Israels actions in the territory. The United States military began delivering humanitarian aid into Gaza via C-130 cargo planes earlier this month.

Defense Department press secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said the temporary report allows for shipping vessels to transfer cargo to smaller vessels to transport and offload cargo to a temporary causeway for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, but noted that there will be no U.S. boots on the ground in the enclave.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FILE PHOTO: The corporate logo of the UnitedHealth Group appears on the side of one of their office buildings in Santa Ana, California

(Reuters) - Officials from the U.S. government asked UnitedHealth Group to expedite payments to healthcare providers in an open letter on Sunday, after a hack of the insurer's Change Healthcare tech unit crippled medical claims and payments.

Officials from the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services urged UnitedHealth (UHG)to take "responsibility to ensure no provider is compromised by their cash flow challenges stemming from this cyberattack on Change Healthcare."

While the letter specifically named UnitedHealth and addressed the recent hack, it also asked other companies in the industry to help.

"We call on UHG, other insurance companies, clearinghouses, and health care entities to take additional actions to mitigate the harms this attack places on patients and providers, particularly our safety net providers," the letter said.

UnitedHealth did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The U.S. government said last Tuesday it would accelerate Medicare and Medicaid payments to some hospitals hurt by the cyber attack on Change Healthcare late last month.

The cyberattack on Change, disclosed on Feb.21, was perpetrated by hackers who identified themselves as the "Blackcat" ransomware group and has had a knock-on effect on players across the U.S. healthcare system.

Disruptions triggered by the attack have impacted electronic pharmacy refills and insurance transactions.

UnitedHealth has said it expects to restore disrupted services for medical claims and payments platforms by mid-March.

(Reporting by Chandni Shah in Bengaluru)
In late 2022, the White House was so concerned that Russia might launch a nuclear strike against Ukraine that US President Joe Bidens administration created several task forces to develop a response plan.

Source: The New York Times (NYT), citing anonymous US officials

Details: Administration officials told the NYT that the United States countermove would have to be "nonnuclear", though they also said that there would have to be "some kind of dramatic reaction", including the possibility of a conventional attack on the units that had launched the nuclear weapons.

Otherwise, Bidens administration worried, the US would risk emboldening not only Russian President Vladimir Putin, but also every other authoritarian leader with a nuclear arsenal, large or small, the NYT reported.

"Some believed that the public warnings Russia was making that Ukraine was preparing to use a giant dirty bomb, a weapon that spews radiological waste, was a pretext for a pre-emptive nuclear strike," the NYT reported.

The "wargaming" at the Pentagon and at think tanks around Washington imagined that Putin might use a tactical weapon, possibly followed by a threat to detonate more, in a variety of different circumstances.

One simulation envisioned a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive that would imperil Putins hold on Crimea; another involved a demand from Moscow that the West halt all military support for Ukraine in order to split NATO.

During a meeting in November 2022, William Burns, CIA Director and former US ambassador to Russia, told Sergei Naryshkin, Head of the SVR, the Russian foreign intelligence service, that "there would be clear consequences for Russia".

It is unclear how specific Burns was about the nature of the US response, but Burns said that "Naryshkin swore that he understood and that Putin did not intend to use a nuclear weapon."

Background:

On 9 March, CNN reported that the US began "preparing rigorously" in late 2022 for a possible Russian nuclear strike on Ukraine.

During an address to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on 29 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the strategic nuclear forces of the Russian Federation had been put on full alert and threatened NATO with "tragic consequences" if member states sent their own forces to fight in Ukraine.

The US State Department criticised Putins claims about the threat of a nuclear war, saying that the US currently sees no threat of Moscow using nuclear weapons.

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The United States rigorously prepared for the possibility of a Russian nuclear strike in Ukraine in late 2022, the CNN reported on March 9.

The article, authored by CNN analyst Jim Sciutto, features insights from two senior officials in the U.S. President Joe Biden administration. The White House was specifically concerned Russia might use a tactical or battlefield nuclear weapon, the officials said.

The level of planning was unprecedented, CNN said.

Thats what the conflict presented us, and so we believed and I think its our right to prepare rigorously and do everything possible to avoid that happening, the first senior administration official said.

The U.S. was not driven to this level of planning by a single indicator but by a collection of developments, analysis, and highly sensitive new intelligence, the article said.

Read also: Yermak meets with Chinas top envoy in Kyiv

The administrations fear was not just hypothetical  it was also based on some information that we picked up, said a second senior administration official.

We had to plan so that we were in the best possible position in case this nolonger unthinkable event actually took place.

The U.S. National Security Council convened a series of meetings from late summer to fall 2022 to put contingency plans in place in the event of either a very clear indication that they were about to do something, attack with a nuclear weapon, or if they just did, how we would respond, how we would try to preempt it, or deter it, the first senior official said.

I dont think many of us coming into our jobs expected to be spending significant amounts of time preparing for a scenario which a few years ago was believed to be from a bygone era.

These White House conversations were taking place at a time when Ukrainian forces were advancing on the right bank of the Russian-occupied Kherson Oblast in the south. The Russians were close to losing Kherson  the only Oblast center they had captured since the start of their full-scale invasion. The Biden administration believed that such a catastrophic loss could be a potential trigger for the use of nuclear weapons, CNN said.

Although Russia was losing ground inside Ukrainian sovereign territory, not its own, U.S. officials were concerned that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin would see it differently, since he had declared Kherson to be part of Russia, and therefore could perceive a devastating loss there as a direct threat to him and the Russian state.

Our assessment had been for some time that one of the scenarios in which they would contemplate using nuclear weapons (included) things like existential threats to the Russian state, direct threats to Russian territory, the first senior official said.

Russia could view a tactical nuclear strike as a deterrent against further losses of Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine, according to this assessment.

Russias propaganda machine was then circulating a new false flag story about a Ukrainian dirty bomb, which U.S. officials feared could be intended as a cover for a Russian nuclear attack.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu even called the heads of defense departments of the U.S., the UK, France, and Turkey in October 2022, telling them that the Kremlin was concerned about possible provocations by Kyiv involving the use of a dirty bomb. and a desire to blame Moscow for it.

U.S. officials dismissed the Russian warnings but feared the motivation behind them.

One official admitted that he was worried that the Russians would say these things either as a pretext for them to do something crazy or as a cover for something they themselves were looking at doing.

That was only part of the reason for Western concerns. Western intelligence agencies received information that Russian officials were openly discussing a nuclear strike at the time.

Read also: Russia funded for two more years of war  Lithuanian intelligence

The first senior official said there were indications that we were picking up through other means that this was at least something that lower levels of the Russian system were discussing.

U.S. access to Russian internal communications proved capable before, including when intelligence warned that the Russians were preparing for a full-scale invasion, the article said.



Its never a cut-and-dry, black-and-white assessment, the first senior official said.

But the risk level seemed to be going up, beyond where it had been at any other point in time.

However, the U.S. has never had any intelligence data that would indicate that Russia is taking steps to mobilize its nuclear forces to carry out an attack, CNN said.

We obviously placed a high priority on tracking and had some ability at least to track such movements of its nuclear forces, the official said.

And at no point did we ever see any indications of types of steps that we wouldve expected them to take if they were going down a path toward using nuclear weapons.

However, U.S. officials were not certain they would know if Russia was moving tactical nuclear weapons into place. Unlike strategic nuclear weapons, capable of destroying entire cities, tactical or battlefield nuclear weapons are small enough to be moved quietly and could be fired from conventional systems already deployed to the Ukrainian battlefield.

Read also: IAEA head travels to Sochi seeking Putin talks on averting disaster at seized Zaporizhzhya NPP

If what they were going to do is use a tactical nuclear weapon, particularly a very low-yield tactical nuclear weapon and particularly if they were only going to use one or a very small number, it was not one hundred percent clear to us that we necessarily would have known, the official said.

Multiple senior administration officials took part in an urgent outreach. Secretary of State Antony Blinken communicated U.S. concerns very directly with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, senior administration officials said. Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley called his Russian counterpart, General Valery Gerasimov.

Biden sent CIA Director Bill Burns to speak to Sergey Naryshkin, the head of Russias foreign intelligence service, in Turkey to communicate U.S. concerns about a nuclear strike taking place and gauge Russian intentions, a senior US official said.

The U.S. also worked closely with allies both to develop contingency plans for a Russian nuclear attack and to communicate warnings to the Russian side about the consequences of such a strike.

The U.S. sought to enlist the help of countries like China and India to discourage Russia from a nuclear attack.

Outreach and public statements from Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped avert a crisis, the officials said.

I think we believe showing the international community the concern about this, particularly the concern from key countries for Russia and the Global South, was also a helpful, persuasive factor and showed them what the cost of all this could be, said one White House official.

The fact that we know China weighed in, India weighed in, others weighed in, may have had some effect on their thinking, a second official said.

Read also: Russia tests Yars missile, boosts shell production; nuclear threats unlikely  ISW

After the nuclear scare of late 2022, the danger diminished as the war entered a period of relative stalemate in the east, European and U.S. officials said. However, the U.S. and its allies remain vigilant.

We have been less concerned about the imminent prospect since that period, but its not something that is ever far from our minds, a senior official told CNN.

We continue to refine plans, and its not beyond the realm of possibility that we could be confronting at least the rising risk of this again in the months ahead.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The General Frank S. Besson departs n after president Biden announced the US would provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza by sea - US CENTCOM via X

The US Army has dispatched a humanitarian aid ship to Gaza, days after president Joe Biden vowed to build a temporary pier to supply the besieged enclave.

The opening of the sea corridor, along with airdrops by the US and Jordan, showed increasing alarm over Gazas humanitarian crisis and a new willingness to bypass Israeli control over land shipments.

The vessel, called the General Frank S. Besson, left Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia less than 36 hours after president Biden announced the US would provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza by sea, Central Command said in a statement.

The logistics support vessel is carrying the first equipment to establish a temporary pier to deliver vital humanitarian supplies, it said.

Gaza has no port infrastructure and has been under an Israeli navy blockade since 2007, when Hamas took control of the enclave. There have been few direct sea arrivals since then.

The US initially plans to use Cyprus, which is offering a process for screening cargoes that will include Israel officials, removing the need for security checks in Gaza.

Follow the latest updates below

04:58 PM GMT

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our coverage. The lastest updates were:

The US Army dispatched a humanitarian aid ship to Gaza, days after president Joe Biden vowed to build a temporary pier to supply the besieged enclave.

Israeli police used a water cannon to disperse anti-Netanyahu protesters in Tel Aviv on Saturday night.

Saudi Arabias King Salman bin Abdulaziz said the international community must assume its responsibilities to halt what he called brutal crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.

Egypt held talks with senior figures from Israel and Hamas as part of a renewed effort to restart discussions on a ceasefire, Reuters reported.

Israeli president Isaac Herzog, attending an opening of a Holocaust museum in Amsterdam on Sunday, was greeted with booing from pro-Palestinian protesters demanding an immediate end to Israels assault in Gaza.

The US and Jordan carried out a new airdrop of humanitarian aid to Gazas Palestinians, parachuting in more than 11,500 meals, the US military said.

Lebanons Hezbollah said it had fired dozens of rockets into northern Israel after Israeli strikes the day before left five dead in southern Lebanon, including three of the groups members.

04:46 PM GMT

Pictures from March 10

Humanitarian aid packages are seen landing in Gaza - Mahmud Isa/Anadolu via Getty Images

Palestinian artist Ayman al-Husari draws calligraphy on the tent of displaced people along a street in Rafah - MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip - IDF via REUTERS

04:43 PM GMT

Water cannon fired at anti-Netanyahu protesters by Israeli police

Israeli police used a water cannon to disperse anti-Netanyahu protesters in Tel Aviv on Saturday night.

Thousands had gathered across the country to call for an immediate ceasefire in Israels ongoing war with Hamas, and a new administration.

The demonstrators waved Israeli flags, and shouted elections now and bring back the hostages now.

Some blocked a highway in Tel Aviv, at which point they were dragged away by police. Police said 16 people were arrested.

We are a broken country, protestor Ora, a psychologist in her 60s, told reporters.

04:28 PM GMT

Saudi King Salman calls on international community to halt brutal crimes against Palestinians

Saudi Arabias King Salman bin Abdulaziz said on Sunday the international community must assume its responsibilities to halt what he called brutal crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.

In a speech read on his behalf by Saudi minister of media Salman al-Dosari to mark the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the King also said the international community must help provide safe humanitarian passages in the enclave.

04:15 PM GMT

US confirms humanitarian air drop

March 10 USCENTCOM, Royal Jordanian Air Force Combined Humanitarian Aid Drop



U.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on Mar. 10, 2024, at 2:07 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to pic.twitter.com/QIe1WNoXLt  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 10, 2024

03:37 PM GMT

Egypt in touch with Hamas and Israel in search of Gaza ceasefire deal

Egypt was in contact with senior Hamas and Israeli figures as well as other mediators on Sunday in an effort to restart negotiations for a truce in the Gaza Strip during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Monday or Tuesday, two Egyptian security sources told Reuters.

Egypts contacts with Hamas and Israeli intelligence agency Mossad on Sunday were carried out under a mandate from the Egyptian presidency in an effort to bring the two sides divergent positions together, the sources said.

Qatar, Egypt and the United States have been trying to negotiate a deal for a ceasefire during Ramadan in return for the release of the Israel hostages.

The latest round of talks, not attended by Israel, broke up in Cairo this week.

Israels Mossad said on Saturday that efforts to secure a deal were ongoing, despite dimming hopes for securing a truce before Ramadan starts.

03:03 PM GMT

Israels Herzog booed at opening of Holocaust museum

Israeli president Isaac Herzog, attending an opening of a Holocaust museum in Amsterdam on Sunday, was greeted with booing from pro-Palestinian protesters demanding an immediate end to Israels assault in Gaza.

Hatred and anti-semitism are flourishing worldwide, and we must fight it together, Mr Herzog said in a speech.

At a square nearby, protesters were chanting Ceasefire now and Stop bombing children, while holding Palestinian flags and signs that said Jews against genocide and The grandchild of a holocaust survivor says: Stop Gaza Holocaust.

Some set off fireworks and threw eggs at police while a few tried to climb police vans as the protest grew more tense in the afternoon, Reuters reported. Local media reported at least a thousand protesters attended.

Protesters hold placards with portraits of Israeli president Isaac Herzog as they demonstrate against his presence at the opening ceremony of the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam - MICHEL VAN BERGEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images

Human rights activists of Amnesty International hold traffic boards showing the way to the International Criminal Court for the president of Israel - Pierre Crom/Getty Images

(Herzog attending) is a slap in the face of victims both in Gaza and the Jews that starved in World War Two, protester Huibert Boer said.

Human rights group Amnesty International put up detour signs around the museum to direct Mr Herzog to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

A spokesperson for the president declined comment.

02:38 PM GMT

Sussex to Jerusalem call for Israeli hostages to be freed

Hundreds of Jewish people and supporters from Sussex to Jerusalem have joined in London to blow shofars and whistles in a call to free Israeli hostages.

One group met at St Johns Wood Synagogue on Sunday  led by TV presenter Vanessa Feltz and actress Dame Maureen Lipman.

It was said to be the worlds largest ram horn trumpet chorus.

They were there to show solidarity with the more than 100 hostages held in Gaza, PA reported.

Dame Maureen Lipman and Vanessa Feltz blow shofars to show solidarity with the over 100 hostages held in Gaza - Christopher Pledger

The chorus lasted for 1.55 minutes, marking the 155 days they will have been in captivity.

Marcel Knobil, who organised the chorus, said the shofars and whistles were blown from Sussex to Jerusalem and from New York to the beaches of Thailand.

He said: The shofar is such a significant icon. Its said to symbolise a number of things, some equate it with a sound of crying mothers and how appropriate that is to todays event, especially being Mothers Day.

Its also said to represent hope and we are all bursting with hope for the release of the hostages.

02:09 PM GMT

US and Jordan airdrop more aid to Gaza

The United States and Jordan carried out a new airdrop of humanitarian aid to Gazas Palestinians on Sunday, parachuting in more than 11,500 meals, the US military said.

The US militarys Central Command said that the latest airdrop took place over northern Gaza and included rice, flour, pasta, and canned food. The United States has dropped about 135,000 meals in airdrops this month, according to Pentagon data.

US president Joe Biden has also ordered the military to build a temporary port system to bring aid into Gaza by sea. The Pentagon said on Friday it could take up to 60 days to be up and running, a timeline that aid groups say is too long given the imminent risk of famine.

02:01 PM GMT

HMS Richmond fires Sea Ceptor missiles to destroy Houthi drones

01:51 PM GMT

Pictures from the protests in Tel Aviv last night

A water cannon is used against demonstrators in Tel Aviv - REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Police spray a water cannon and clash with anti-government protesters blocking a part of the Ayalon Highway - Alexi Rosenfeld

A police officer guards the area - REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

01:26 PM GMT

Netanyahu hurting not helping Israel, says Biden

US president Joe Biden speaks at a campaign event in Atlanta - Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images

Joe Biden said Benjamin Netanyahus approach to the war in Gaza was hurting Israel more than helping Israel, as the US leaders impatience with his Israeli counterpart grows increasingly visible.

Mr Biden made the remarks in an interview aired Saturday.

Mr Netanyahu has a right to defend Israel, a right to continue to pursue Hamas, Mr Biden said, but added that he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken.

In my view he is hurting Israel more than helping Israel, he said.

Despite Mr Bidens shift in tone, his administration has given short shrift to calls to cut the billions of dollars in military aid the United States sends to Israel.

01:13 PM GMT

US dispatches aid ship to Gaza after Biden vows to build pier

The US Army has dispatched a ship to send humanitarian aid to Gaza, Central Command said on Sunday, days after president Joe Biden vowed to build a temporary pier to supply the besieged enclave.

The opening of the sea corridor shows increasing alarm over Gazas humanitarian crisis and a new willingness to bypass Israeli control over land shipments.

The General Frank S. Besson left Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia less than 36 hours after president Biden announced the US would provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza by sea, Central Command said in a statement.

The General Frank S. Besson departs en route to the eastern Mediterranean - US CENTCOM via X

The logistics support vessel is carrying the first equipment to establish a temporary pier to deliver vital humanitarian supplies, it said.

Mr Bidens announcement in his State of the Union address on Thursday followed UN warnings of widespread famine among Gazas 2.3 million Palestinians five months after Israel launched its offensive.

Gaza has no port infrastructure. The US initially plans to use Cyprus, which is offering a process for screening cargoes that will include Israel officials, removing the need for security checks in Gaza.

Gaza has been under an Israeli navy blockade since 2007, when Hamas took control of the enclave. There have been few direct sea arrivals since then.

12:47 PM GMT

Palestinians prepare for Ramadan

Thousands of police have been deployed around the Old City in Jerusalem, where tens of thousands of worshippers are expected every day for Ramadam at the Al Aqsa mosque compound, one of the holiest sites in Islam.

The area, considered the most sacred place by Jews who know it as Temple Mount, has been a longstanding flashpoint for trouble and was one of the starting points of the last war in 2021 between Israel and Hamas.

After some confusion last month when hard-right security minister Itamar Ben Gvir said he wanted restrictions on worshippers at Al Aqsa, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the numbers admitted would be similar to last year.

This is our mosque and we must take care of it, Azzam Al-Khatib, director general of the Jerusalem Waqf, the religious foundation that oversees Al Aqsa, told Reuters. We must protect the presence of Muslims at this mosque, who should be able to enter in big numbers peacefully and safely.

Palestinians perform Friday prayers at the cemetery outside Old Town on Froday 8 - Sergey Ponomarev/Getty Images

Depending on lunar observations, Ramadan will begin on Monday or Tuesday of this week.

But in contrast to previous years, the usual decorations around the Old City have not been put up, according to Reuters.

We decided this year that the Old City of Jerusalem wont be decorated out of respect for the blood of our children and the elders and the martyrs, said Ammar Sider, a community leader in the Old City.

Police said they were working to ensure a peaceful Ramadan and had taken extra measures to crack down on what they described as provocative and distorted information on social media networks and had arrested 20 people suspected of incitement to terrorism.

The Israel Police will continue to act and allow for the observance of Ramadan prayers safely on the Temple Mount, while maintaining security and safety in the area, police said in a statement.

12:35 PM GMT

Spanish charity ship expected to set sail from Cyprus

A Spanish charity ship carrying food aid was expected to soon set sail from Cyprus to help alleviate the suffering in the Gaza Strip.

The non-governmental group Open Arms said its boat would carry 200 tonnes of food, which its partner the US charity World Central Kitchen would then unload on the shores of Gaza where it had constructed a basic dock, according to AFP.

A rescue vessel of the Spanish NGO Open Arms is seen at the port of Larnaca - REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou

12:26 PM GMT

Pictures: Gaza on March 10

Pckages fall towards northern Gaza after being dropped from an Egyptian military aircraft - REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Palestinians look at a car destroyed in an Israeli attack - Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images

Workers unloading aid from Turkish aid ship to deliver to Gaza - Ali Moustafa/Getty Images

12:20 PM GMT

Hezbollah fires rockets into Israel after deadly strikes

Lebanons Hezbollah said it had fired dozens of rockets into northern Israel after Israeli strikes the day before left five dead in southern Lebanon, including three of the groups members.

Hezbollah said it had launched dozens of katyusha-type rockets in the morning on the Israeli village of Meron, eight kilometres from the border.

Meron is home to a major air control base that the Iran-backed group has targeted several times since the start of the year.

Hezbollah said it had acted in response to Israeli attacks against villages in the south and the homes of civilians, particularly the targeting of the home of a fighter in Kherbet Selm the day before.

A woman and another person were also killed in the same strike, according to Lebanons official National News Agency.

Following the sirens that sounded in northern Israel, approximately 35 launches from Lebanon toward Israeli territory were identified, a number of which were intercepted, the Israeli army said on Sunday.

The statement added that the Israeli air force struck Hezbollah infrastructure during the night, including a military structure in which Hezbollah terrorists were identified in the area of Khirbet Selm.

12:14 PM GMT

Gaza talks mediators pushing to secure truce, Israel says

Efforts to secure a deal on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza are ongoing, Israels intelligence agency Mossad said on Saturday, despite dimming hopes for a truce during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Mossad chief David Barnea met on Friday with his US counterpart, CIA Director William Burns, to promote a deal that would see hostages released, Mossad said in a statement.

Contacts and cooperation with the mediators continue all the time in an effort to narrow the gaps and reach agreements, Mossad said in the statement, which was distributed by Benjamin Netanyahus office.

Israel and Hamas have traded blame over the apparent deadlock in talks in the run-up to Ramadan.

A Hamas source told Reuters the groups delegation was unlikely to make another visit to Cairo over the weekend for talks.

Egypt, the U.S. and Qatar have been mediating truce negotiations since January. The last deal struck was a week-long pause in fighting in November during which Hamas released more than 100 hostages and Israel freed about three times as many Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas blames Israel for the impasse in negotiations for a longer ceasefire and the release of 134 hostages believed still held in Gaza  saying it refuses to give guarantees to end the war or pull its forces from the enclave.

Mossad said Hamas was digging its heels in and aiming for violence in the region to spiral during Ramadan. Israeli officials have said that the war will end only with the defeat of Hamas, whose demands Netanyahu has called delusional.

12:13 PM GMT

Gaza says war death toll at 31,045

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said at least 31,045 people have been killed in the territory during more than five months of war between Israel and Palestinian militants.

The latest toll includes 85 fatalities over the past 24 hours, a ministry statement said, adding that 72,654 people have been wounded in Gaza since the war began on October 7.

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Sheep's wool (Created by Brian of Sheep's Wool 354 via Flickr | CC-BY-DEED 2.0).

A new initiative aims to help wool and cotton producers practice better climate smart land practices that build drought resilience, improve soil health, and can increase profitability of family ranches and farms.

The program, funded through the Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides for $30 million over five years. Cotton will be the focus in the South and in California, while wool will be utilized in New York, California and in the Great Plains region of Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota, said Linda Poole, Northern Great Plains Wool Project Coordinator for the National Center for Appropriate Technology.

The program is designed to bring together greenhouse gas reduction, emissions and sequestration, along with equity, social justice, including benefits for historically underserved groups  who, in our case  in the northern Great Plains  most of our historically underserved groups are going to be small limited resource beginning-,veteran-tribal members, she told the Daily Yonder.

Poole said soil health is key to profitability and drought resilience.

The type of practices that well be looking at is people who have farmed land trying to incorporate cover crops into their crop rotation will be part of it, no till or reduced till, if they are people who are already doing that, she added. A lot of us with sheep in the northern Great Plains are dealing with drought and at the same time wanting to intensify our grazing, so that we can build soil health. And what that really means is that well be doing prescribed grazing plans that will also require infrastructure investments.

In terms of the social justice component, Poole said over half of the people who have been onboarded so far are from historically underserved communities. Each of the 100 producers who will sign up to the program during the five years will create a carbon farm plan, Poole said. Technical and financial assistance will be offered to the producers.

Poole said there are several reasons why a program such as this one is needed now: Textiles are responsible for somewhere between 5% and 14% of the global annual climate contribution.

Then, if you think about whats going on with microfiber contamination, in our waterways, in our land, even in the uterine lining of human mothers  its like, this is a really big thing, not just for carbon, but also when you think about overall health, she said.

Further, sheep, Poole said, can be a wonderful entry point to people who want to have livestock integrated in their businesses and their families. Theyre little, theyre not really dangerous, theyre affordable.

Jeff Clark is a registered targhee wool breeder in South Dakota. Hes the first producer in South Dakota to take part in the program.

The reason that I reached out to them about this program was mainly because of my experience in my previous position, creating the carbon farm plan and seeing the benefit on the margin that we saw on selling our fine wool, through that program that that carbon plan allowed us to develop, he told the Daily Yonder. And quite frankly, the carbon plan implements a lot of best management practices that people should be doing anyway.

He said a lot of producers are hesitant to take part in any program related to climate.

(Im) just being honest, he said. And I was that way until I stepped out and moved this way, and really dove into that world and started to really look at what what it meant, what these people were doing, what are the actual effects of these emissions versus not, and Ill be honest, I came to the conclusion that livestock are not a problem.

He added that theres a lot of big corporations and entities that are involved in the sustainable agriculture world that reap a lot of benefit from added margins from marketing.

And its my goal that smaller producers will be able to better understand and utilize these resources and in order to increase their margin and make their operation more sustainable, but by sustainable, you could cross that right over to profitable, Clark said.

This article first appeared on The Daily Yonder and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

The post USDA-funded program works with wool, cotton producers on climate smart practices appeared first on Daily Montanan.
These days, you can find dozens of different varieties of salt in almost every grocery store and dozens more in specialty shops. Aleksandr Zubkov via Getty Images

Not so long ago, if you asked most people what kind of salt they used, theyd give you a quizzical look and reply, Uh... just salt?

But these days, you can find dozens of different varieties in almost every grocery store and dozens more in specialty shops.

So what kind should we be using? And what do professional chefs reach for when theyre cooking?

Thats what we  Raj Punjabi and Noah Michelson, the co-hosts of HuffPosts Am I Doing It Wrong? podcast  recently asked celebrity chef and restaurateur Jet Tila when he joined us to reveal some of his favorite cooking secrets.

My grandmother only cooked with iodized salt because it was all we had, Tila said. It was $0.39 for that round tub of Mortons, and it was salty as hell, and it made everything delicious.

However, iodized salt, which is a table salt made with iodine (non-iodized table salt is also available) and has a finer grain size than kosher or sea salts, is now seen by many chefs as more of a speciality salt thats great for specific recipes or culinary processes.

[I use] iodized salt for popcorn, for curing, for pickling  because its really, really salty, Tila said. And its super fine, so for popcorn, I dont think theres a better salt.

Tila said 99% of the time hes using kosher salt in the kitchen  specifically Diamond Crystal, which he claims the vast majority of pro chefs use.

Sorry, Morton  I gave you the plug on the iodized but not for the kosher, he said, laughing. The grains are larger and fatter  theyre like snowflakes, so they melt more and theyre less concentrated.

Tila emphasized that kosher salt will do everything and can be used in every step of a recipe, but different brands will have different tastes and properties, so tasting and adjusting measurements if you switch between them is vital.

Many chefs also like kosher salt because it can be handled more easily than iodized or table salt. They can pick up the large grains with their fingers and be more precise when seasoning than if they are grabbing for finer-grained vanities.

If youre feeling fancy, you can also try whats known as a finishing salt.

These are your Maldon [salt], your sea salts, your flaked salts, and your [La] Baleine salt, Tila said. These salts are often more expensive than kosher or table salts and should be used on top of a dish or baked good, like a chocolate chip cookie, to add a satisfying crunch and an extra pop of salinity.

Its important to remember that chemically, iodized or table salt, kosher salt, and sea salt are virtually identical. The difference is in the size and texture of the grains and, therefore, the relative density of the salts. Because iodized or table salt has much finer and almost uniform grains, and kosher salt and sea salt have larger, irregularly shaped grains, they are not interchangeable by volume. So, if a recipe calls for kosher salt and you only have iodized salt available, youll want to use less.

Salts can also have slightly different flavors depending on where theyre sourced, how theyre processed and the minerals they contain. Like so many things in life, choosing the best really comes down to your personal preference. Ultimately, what matters most is what you like, so go wild  try out a bunch of different kinds and stock up on your favorites.

During our chat, Chef Tila also revealed which two knives he thinks every cook should own, the secret to making dishes taste as good as they do in restaurants and much more.

After youve had a listen to the full episode above or wherever you get your podcasts, subscribe to Am I Doing It Wrong? so you dont miss a single episode, including our investigations of the ins and outs of tipping, how to score the best deals on airline tickets, how to apologize or vanquish your credit card debt, how to find love online or overcome anxiety, online shopping, tips for taking care of your teeth, pooping like a pro, secrets to booking and staying in a hotel, how to deal with an angry person and more.

For more from Jet Tila, visit his website and find him on Instagram, X and Facebook.

Need some help with something youve been doing wrong? Email us at AmIDoingItWrong@HuffPost.com, and we might investigate the topic in an upcoming episode.

Related...
UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  A Utah State Hospital employee was arrested Friday for the alleged rape of a patient, according to Utah State Hospital Police.

Jorge Alfredo Pardo, 46, was arrested in Utah County on two counts of rape (first-degree felony) and two counts of reckless abuse or neglect of vulnerable adult (class-B misdemeanor).

At around 12:30 p.m. on March 8, the superintendent of the Utah State Hospital reportedly informed police he was given reports that a staff member, identified as Pardo, had been having sex with a patient at the hospital.

Provo parents arrested after they allegedly had sex with their 15-year-old child, claimed it was safer

The patient was reportedly staying at the hospital, located in Provo, for in-patient treatment.

Upon speaking with police, the hospitals unit psychiatrist said was the victim informed him that she was engaging in sexual acts with a staff member, and that it had been happening for around two months.

The victim said they would enter a utility closet at the hospital to engage in the acts, according to a probable cause statement.

Police met with the victim at around 1:30 p.m. that same day, though the victim did not want to speak with officers because she was being loyal to the suspect, according to the statement.

After attempting to speak with the victim, police obtained surveillance footage of the unit where the victim was housed.

I observed the suspect, go into a utility closet and he left the door propped open with a small object. I observed the victim enter the utility room shortly after the suspect left it propped open, the affidavit states.

12-year-old girl takes police on I-15 chase in her moms car in Salt Lake County

Police said Pardo and victim stayed in the utility closet for a short while before exiting. This reportedly took place on at least two separate times, over the span of two months, according to the affidavit.

Orem Police then contacted Pardo and conducted an interview. Pardo allegedly admitted to having sex with the victim on multiple occasions over the span of around two months.

Pardo was booked into Utah County Jail on the charges previously stated.

No further information is available at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
HOBART, Wis. (WFRV)  A 27-year-old woman died when her vehicle rolled over off of Orlando Drive in Hobart just after midnight on Sunday.

According to the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department, the incident happened around 12:50 a.m. on March 10 when the woman crashed into a ditch on Orlando Drive near South Pine Tree Road.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Emergency Services Personnel began lifesaving efforts on the scene and the 27-year-old Hobart resident was taken to a local hospital.

Nine dead after devastating crash involving semi-truck and van in Wisconsin

Despite lifesaving efforts, the woman was later pronounced dead.

Officers say an initial investigation showed that her SUV was heading east on Orlando Drive when it left the road and hit some trees before rolling over.

The Hobart-Lawrence Police Department was assisted by the following agencies:

Brown County Sheriffs Department

Oneida Police Department

Hobart Fire Department

Lawrence Fire Department

County Rescue

Brown County Communications Center

The crash remains under investigation and no other information has been released.

Local 5 will update this story when additional details are provided.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
The University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington assigns colors for three levels of operating conditions: red, green and yellow, just like a traffic light.

Green means everything is normal. Yellow means, "We're busy, but we'll get through it." Red means there's a crisis. More patients than beds. Dr. Stephen Leffler, president and chief operating officer for the Medical Center, told the Burlington Free Press there were fewer than 10 days last year when the hospital was not in the red. Same thing this year so far, with more patients than beds every day.

"It varies from day to day," Leffler said on Feb. 21. "I have a list for today. This morning we had 429 patients in beds. We had eight people waiting in the ED (emergency department) for a bed upstairs, four people waiting for psych beds, and we had 68 people today waiting for discharge, ready to leave, but no nursing home or long-term care unit available."

Staff care for a new arrival to the University of Vermont Medical Center Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021. For months, more and more patients with acute health conditions have landed in the ICU and a second COVID-19 surge is stretching capacity. Where a typical acute patient might spend a week or less in the ICU, COVID-19 patients can take up a bed for a month or more.

The hospital's 365 beds for medical and surgical patients, including the intensive care unit, are 99-100% full almost every day, according to spokeswoman Annie Mackin.

As a result, Vermont's health care system is engaged in a game of musical beds, with dozens of patients waiting for a place to land, either for long-term care outside the Medical Center, or for specialized care at the Medical Center, where there are doctors with skills unavailable anywhere else in the state. Ever since the pandemic in 2020, Medical Center staff have struggled with where to put too many patients.

"It's exhausting, but it's our job," Leffler said. "We want to be here when people need us. If you need services only we can provide, we (want to) have a bed for you. We deal with this every day."

Medical Center chief calls for more long-term care beds in Vermont

Testifying before a joint hearing of the House committees on health care and human services on Feb. 21, Leffler called for the state to do something about the lack of beds for long-term care in nursing homes and other facilities.

"There's a boarding crisis at hospitals across the state," Leffler said. "Patients can't get to the next stage of care. Since the pandemic, we've lost about 500 (long-term care) beds. Prior to the pandemic, it wasn't perfect, but the pandemic made it infinitely more difficult to discharge patients."

University of Vermont Medical Center president Dr. Steven Leffler addresses the media on March 12, 2020.

Prior to the pandemic, Leffler said, he would have said 20 patients being boarded in the Medical Center was too many.

"Last week, we had 83 patients waiting for discharge," he said. "That has a huge impact on the state of Vermont, not just the Medical Center. It affects every Vermonter visiting an ER across this state. More people need us now and our options to get people (out of the hospital) have shrunk."

More: How short staffing at Vermont nursing homes contributed to COVID-19 deaths

While Leffler is focused on getting back those 500 long-term care beds in nursing homes and other facilities Vermont lost as a result of the pandemic, he also realizes the Medical Center needs to increase its bed count.

"We're calculating how many more beds we need to have capacity for everyone," Leffler told the Free Press. "I can't tell you an exact number right now, but it will be more than 100 beds over the next 10 to 15 years. We want to be able to accept every patient who needs to come to us. That's our job, but literally most days right now every bed in every location is full."

Bed shortage is hard on hospitals, hard on patients, and 'massively expensive'

Owen Foster, an attorney and former federal prosecutor, was appointed by Gov. Phil Scott in 2022 to lead the Green Mountain Care Board, which regulates major areas of the health care system in the state, including hospital budgets. One of the Middlebury native's main concerns as chair of the Care Board is the situation Leffler describes: too many patients and too few beds.

A respiratory therapist at the University of Vermont Medical Center Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU) cares for a COVID-19 positive child receiving care on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021. For months, more and more patients with acute health conditions have landed in the ICU and a second COVID-19 surge is stretching capacity. Where a typical acute patient might spend a week or less in the ICU, COVID-19 patients can take up a bed for a month or more.

"I see it percolating through (the health care system) in a number of different ways," Foster said. "One, it's really hard on the hospital and the hospital staff. That's certainly an issue. Two, it's really hard on the patient, who's not where they need to be for the best care, sometimes in inhumane conditions. Third, it's massively expensive to the system to have those patients backed up in a hospital."

Leffler testified to the joint House committees that the Medical Center spent about $3.2 million in the first quarter on patients it was boarding who were no longer covered by reimbursements from Medicare or Medicaid.

"I share (Leffler's) view we need to add long-term beds and we need to add them now," Foster said. "A lot of the problems we see come from the inability to move patients through the system."

Dwindling margins and dwindling cash plague Vermont hospitals

Vermont hospitals have dwindling margins and dwindling cash on hand, Foster said. Commercial insurance rates have gone "through the roof" as a result, as hospitals scramble to cover losses by asking for double-digit increases in insurance payments for procedures and appointments.

Foster and the Care Board are working with consultants to figure out how to change the health care system so it doesn't rely on ever increasing insurance payments. The Care Board is engaged in a three-step process, Foster said.

Step 1 was to meet with communities, physicians, payers and patients to understand from a "qualitative" standpoint what people needed.

One of the items on that qualitative list was wait times for medical appointments, which are often egregious. Foster had firsthand experience.

"I was unable to get a primary care doctor in this state for many years, including when I was chair of the Care Board," Foster said. "I called seven different places and didn't even get put on a wait list. I was a secret shopper. This is what people are dealing with."

Step 2, Foster said, is to review the data, and the final step is to speak with hospital boards and communities to roll out ideas for changes. The process will include a final written report sometime this summer. Then it will be up to local boards of hospitals to figure out what actions to take.

"There will be a set of recommendations about what we need to do to have an optimized system," Foster said.

Contact Dan DAmbrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosi@gannett.com. Follow him on X @DanDambrosioVT.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: UVM Medical Center struggles daily to find enough beds for patients
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Rhoshelle Clark said she wants justice for her son, who was killed by Portland police in November 2022.

Hes gonna get justice for what happened to him because he shouldnt be dead, she told KOIN 6 News. My son was only 30 years old.

Dozens of people gathered at the Policing Justice art exhibit at the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art Saturday evening to remember Immanueal Manny Clark-Johnson. The vigil was held 2 days after Clark-Johnsons family filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Portland, which accuses the officer involved and the city of Portland of excessive force, wrongful death and negligence for failing to provide emergency medical care.

An undated photo of Immanueal Manny Clark-Johnson, who was shot and killed by Portland police in November 2022 (Clark-Johnson family)

Clark-Johnson was shot Nov. 19, 2022 by Officer Christopher Sathoff during a confrontation in the parking lot of Reedwood Friends Church in Southeast Portland following a short pursuit by police, who suspected the people in the car of being involved in an armed robbery at a Super Deluxe.

According to grand jury transcripts, Sathoff had seen Clark-Johnson reach for his pocket and thought he had a gun. But Clark-Johnson was unarmed at the time.

The grand jury eventually cleared Sathoff of any wrongdoing back in September 2023.

Man arrested for DUII in NE Portland hit-run crash: PPB

Attorney Juan Chavez with the Oregon Justice Resource Center said police should have noticed something was wrong during the pursuit.

They never stopped to think, Why is this car in the opposite direction? Why does this car have less people than we were told might be in that vehicle?And why are we pursuing this person?' Chavez said. Its one thing to call it a mistake. Its another to willfully pursue the wrong person for minutes on end. And then to concoct a poorly planned felony stop on them.

The federal lawsuit claims Clark-Johnson was not armed and had his back turned when Sathoff opened fire.

They need to change something. My son, he didnt deserve this, Rhoshelle Clark said. He was kind, he gave, you know, to everyone that he could.

Its really sad that hes gone because now I have nobody, his sister, Leanesha, said. He was my only sibling. Hes the only one I had. He taught me everything. He was more like a dad to me than my brother.

Rhoshelle Clark knows the lawsuit wont heal her wound.

I know my son is gone and cant bring him back. But maybe we can bring some justice and change some laws.

The Portland city attorney declined to comment on this pending litigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Democrats stuck





I got into politics around 2014, at the height of then-Kansas Gov. Sam Brownbacks unpopularity. The Kansas Democratic Party was energized against the administration that had failed to expand Medicaid and offered enormous tax incentives for companies, widely recognized to have failed.

In 2024, the Democrats focus on Medicaid expansion remains the same. A commercial from the party today sounds the same as it did in 2014. The difference is that now they dont talk about failed tax breaks, because they are doing the same thing.

It is unfortunate to see that several legislators who built their careers opposing such disastrous tax breaks are now among the biggest proponents of the APEX Program tax break. Working people are subsidizing the new Panasonic plant in several ways  having to reopen a coal-fired plant, footing the corporations tax bill and increased electrical rates. All of this without a job or living wage guarantee.

Brownback governed during a time of economic despair, when one could reasonably believe he actually wanted to attract businesses to our state. Why are Kansas Democrats following the same policy we know failed? When will they stand up for working people and not just beg for crumbs at the feet of Republicans?

- Ethan Riscovallez, Prairie Village

With age, wisdom

My mother-in-law is 96 years old, and I admire and respect her dearly. She is my hero. For nearly 50 years, I have watched her do amazing things for our family. She has grown old gracefully, has become wiser with time and, although she has slowed down, her morals remain intact.

President Joe Biden is old, too, and being old is not a crime. It is a blessing. He has spent much of his life in the service of this country, and he is highly qualified to hold the office of the presidency. Biden has consistently made decisions that have been in the best interests of our country, and his decisions have not been self-serving.

Bidens predecessors deficient reaction to COVID-19 allowed hundreds of thousands of Americans to die from the disease in the last year of his term. He was impeached twice by the House of Representatives, has been found civilly liable for millions of dollars for sexual abuse and business fraud, and is currently facing several criminal indictments.

Biden was old when he was elected in 2020, and his age and experience have benefited America. He demonstrated at Thursday evenings State of the Union address that he is strong and sharp.

When employers hire someone, they should strive to find the most qualified person for the job and someone who has his or her morals intact.

- Jeffery R. Dysart, Overland Park

Christian message

Thank you to Baptist pastor Stephen D. Jones for his Star guest commentary, White Christian nationalists disobey Jesus. (March 5, 7A)

This column should be read by every Christian who may be drawn to this movement that seeks domination in the guise of true Christian beliefs. He lays out their falsehoods eloquently.

- Julie Buckman, Shawnee

Detail missing

I appreciated the substance of Melinda Hennebergers column on the commercial shed like to see Kansas City Chiefs players make. (March 7, 12A, Heres the TV commercial the Chiefs really need to make) Addressing gun violence would be a powerful message coming from these players.

However, she did not mention the reason these commercials will never be made. The Hunt family has donated vast sums through the years to Republican causes and candidates, who almost universally support lax gun laws and gun manufacturers. The Hunts are part of the problem.

- Sam Bennett, Kansas City

Show them all

What are the criteria for local TV stations to broadcast the funerals of people killed by gunfire? They often show processions and funerals of police officers killed in the line of duty. And recently others have been deemed worthy of having their memorials on TV as well.

Who deserves these special broadcasts? Are we going to start televising the memorial services for others killed on the job? Would that include the night cashier at a convenience store killed in a robbery? Would that include a teacher killed in a school shooting?

What if we show the services for everyone killed by gun violence? Then maybe we would see the humanity behind the numbers.

Maybe if our regularly scheduled broadcasts were consistently interrupted by funerals, we would get a better picture of just how prolific gun violence is in our metropolitan area.

- C.J. Shelly, Lenexa

Right to live

For too many, the right to life extends only to the right to be born. After that, gun laws supersede it with the right to kill. Making it legal to carry a gun implies the right to use it. After all, what else is a gun good for?

If you really mean right to life, why not stop laws on the books that let deranged people with guns go out and start shooting children? Children as young as 5 and 6, 9 and 10, and teenagers. You march and rally against abortion. Why not march against AK-47s in the hands of teenagers? You fight against even one abortion. Do the math. For every one you think you stop, a gun is killing a person, maybe more.

Killing one is against the law, but killing thousands is allowed. Not legal but allowed, because there are so many laws protecting the right to carry a gun.

Its said that the problem is people. Well, we cant get rid of people, but we can get rid of guns.

Its time to fight for the right to live. Time to fight the gun laws.

- Barbara Young, Independence
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY)  The Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail recently hosted a re-entry fair for inmates.

The event featured organizations and agencies that assist formerly incarcerated persons with housing, employment and services that are routinely difficult for them to gain access to.

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I am extremely proud of VPRJ staff and the collaborative efforts of all agencies involved resulting in yet another successful re-entry fair, said Superintendent Colonel Roy Witham of the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail. I am looking forward to our next opportunity to host this important event.

Organizations in attendance included James City County Housing, James City County Social Services, Colonial Behavioral Health, City of Newport News Human Resources and other agencies that provide information on how to obtain low-cost or emergency housing for transitioning inmates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) on Sunday accused Republicans of using the death of 22-year-old Laken Riley to score cheap political points after she was invoked during President Bidens State of the Union address.

I can tell you as a pastor who has done hundreds of eulogies, and presided over all kinds of funerals, there is no grief worse than when nature is tragically reversed and rather than the children burying the parents, the parents have to bury the children. And so its unfortunate that in this moment of grief, there are those who are trying to score cheap political points, Warnock said on CNNs State of the Union.

And the fact that they are those who walked away from this bipartisan legislation or at least a chance to debate it and now theyre trying to score political points in the wake of a young womans death. That is craven politics at its worst. its what turns people away from politics. And I think we can do much better than that. We can secure the border, and we can make sure that we are doing everything we can to make sure our children are safe, Warnock continued.

As he was making his way into the chamber for Thursdays State of the Union, Biden was met with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who gave him a pin honoring Riley. She later heckled him over Riley, a 22-year-old University of Georgia student who police say was killed by a Venezuelan migrant who entered the country illegally in 2022.

Biden had pulled out a pin that Greene gave him with Rileys name on it that many lawmakers were wearing. Many Republicans have used her death as a rallying cry for more stringent border laws in recent weeks.

Laken Riley, an innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal. Thats right, Biden said during his address. But how many thousands of people being killed by legals? To her parents I say, my heart goes out to you having lost children myself.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) lauded President Biden on Sunday after the presidents State of the Union speech and hit former President Trump for spending his election campaign concerned about himself and his legal dilemma.

Joe Biden is tried, tested and true. Hes seen this nonsense before, Warnock said in an NBC Meet the Press interview with Kristen Welker. He saw it and experienced it the other night with the other side heckling in the middle of the presidents speech. And he pressed on because hes not focused on himself.

Unlike his challenger, hes not focused on what this election means for him, as Donald Trump runs from the jailhouse, he continued. Hes focused on what this election means for the American people, the people of Georgia. And he spoke with power the other night about the future.

During his State of the Union speech on Thursday, Biden attacked Trump as only worried about himself while painting a brighter picture for his reelection, focusing on policy accomplishments and goals.

The speech was met with a warm reception by Democrats, as Biden ramps up attacks on Trump as the general election season kicks into high gear. The president also made clear that the stakes are high for the 2024 election.

Not since President Lincoln and the Civil War have freedom and democracy been under assault here at home as they are today, Biden said in the speech. What makes our moment rare is that freedom and democracy are under attack, both at home and overseas, at the very same time.

Trump faces multiple criminal cases, including a pair of federal cases alleging he mishandled classified documents and acted to overturn the 2020 election results.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Already taunting Joe Biden about his age, Donald Trump has now mocked the incumbent president for his lifelong stutter.

Mr Trump has often used his speeches to mimic and ridicule his successor in the Oval Office. The latest attack on Mr Bidens speech impediment came at a weekend campaign event in Georgia.

Im gonna bring the country tuh-tuh-tuh-together, he said as he pursed his lips.

It came after Mr Bidens generally well-received State of the Union address.

Mr Trump described Mr Bidens speech as hate-filled as he appealed to disillusioned Democrats to support him in November.

This was not the first time Mr Trump has sought to capitalise on Mr Bidens speech impediment, which had dogged the president since childhood.

Did you see him? He was stuttering through the whole thing, Mr Trump said to a chuckling crowd in January in Sioux Center, Iowa. Hes saying Im a threat to democracy.

Hes a threat to d-d-democracy, he continued, pretending to stutter. Couldnt read the word.

Trump is a vile and vicious bully

The attack did not go down well on social media, with critics describing Mr Trump as an oaf.

Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday, user Victoria Brownworth wrote: Ten per cent of kids stutter.

Biden has helped kids who stutter. Trump is pointing and laughing at those kids--YOUR kids--because hes just a vile, vicious bully.

Mr Biden has frequently spoken of how he has fought to overcome his stutter, at times using his difficulties to encourage others facing the same problem.

Stumbling over words as a child, schoolmates mocked him as Joe Impedimenta.

Even now, Mr Biden carefully goes through speeches putting in speech breaks to help him tackle the problem.

Even with an autocue, Mr Biden rehearses his speeches repeatedly to minimise the number of occasions when he will fall over his words.

Nevertheless, there are times when his speech does appear halting and the president is prone to verbal gaffes and glitches which have included mispronouncing Rishi Sunaks name.

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The City of Davenport let kids hop to it Saturday at the annual Easter Egg hunt in Vander Veer Botanical Park on Saturday.

The 3-years-old-and-younger group gets ready for Easter Eggs on Saturday in Vander Veer Park, Davenport. (photo by Eric Olsen)

Hundreds of children gathered for egg-cellent time at the Community Wide Egg Hunt, which in the grassy area behind Gabes All-Inclusive Play Village to gather as many eggs as possible and receive prizes.

.Age groups were for three years and younger, and also for children 4-7 and 8-10.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
The total solar eclipse path will run from Texas through Maine, giving Americans an opportunity to see the celestial event from more than a dozen national park units.

Occurring on April 8, the eclipse will be the last time Americans will be able to experience a total solar eclipse in the U.S. until 2044 and 2045, the National Park Service said.

For those hoping to catch a glimpse this year, here are some of the national parks, memorials and historic sites where you can go to watch it.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Waterway at Amistad.

The Lone Star State will be the first in the country to see the eclipse. Starting at around 1:30 p.m. CDT, these sites will give skygazers a peek at totality:

EXPERIENCE THE SOLAR ECLIPSE AT THIS MUSIC AND SCIENCE FESTIVAL IN TEXAS

In 1832, President Andrew Jackson signed legislation to protect the area that would later become Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas.

Next up in the path of totality is the Land of Opportunity State, where eclipse viewers can get a peek at totality at these national park units beginning at approximately 1:47 p.m. CDT:

President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site in Hope, Arkansas. The rural home is the place to go for those looking to learn about the 42nd President of the U.S.

Hot Springs National Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The site is home to ancient thermal springs, along with more modern history of visitors coming to experience the springs.

Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site in Little Rock, Arkansas. The school became the symbol of state resistance to school desegregation in 1957, according to the NPS.

Buffalo National River near the town of St. Joe, Arkansas. The river is one of the few undammed rivers in the contiguous U.S., flowing freely for 135 miles.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APRIL'S TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

Waterway at Ozark NSR.

After making its way through Arkansas, the path of totality will briefly touch the southeastern corner of the Show-Me State just before 2 p.m. CDT:

Ozark National Scenic Riverways near the towns of Eminence and Van Buren, Missouri. It is the first national park area to protect a river system, according to park officials.

Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. It was founded in 1750 and became the first permanent European settlement in Missouri, the NPS said.

WHAT HAPPENS TO CLOUDS DURING A SOLAR ECLIPSE?

Log Cabin in the fall at the Lincoln Living Historical Farm.

The path of totality will then move into the Hoosier State a little after 2 p.m. CDT:

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln City. Located in southern Indiana, the site is where a young man grew up to eventually become the 16th President of the U.S.

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park in Vincennes, Indiana. Its history goes back to the late 1770s, when American Colonel George Rogers Clark and his army captured a British fort on the site. The fort controlled an area of frontierland the size of the original 13 states, according to the NPS.

INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY TO HOST ECLIPSE PARTY IN HEART OF TOTALITY

Aerial shot of Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial.

A few minutes after 3 p.m. EDT, the eclipses path of totality will enter the Buckeye State:

DELTA ADDS SECOND FLIGHT FOR VIEWING TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

The facade of the Thompson Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, which Harriet Tubman attended. Located in Harriet Tubman National Historical Park.

The path of totality then makes its way into the Empire State, where these national park units will be able to see the solar eclipse starting at around 3:19 p.m. EDT:

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site in Buffalo. Located near the U.S.-Canada border, the site is where the 26th President of the U.S. was inaugurated in 1901.

Womens Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, New York. The park helps tell the story of the first Womens Rights Convention, which was held in Seneca Falls in July 1848.

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in Auburn. Located in central New York, the park preserves the legacy of Harriet Tubman and her fight for civil rights.

AIRBNBS FOR CITIES ALONG PATH OF TOTALITY ARE GOING FAST

Lookout at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

Lastly, the path of totality will move across the Pine Tree State starting at around 3:30 p.m. EDT:

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in north-central Maine. The monument gives visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of the area around Mount Katahdin.

For more information, visit the National Park Service Solar Eclipse website.





Original article source: Watch the total solar eclipse from these national parks
CHICAGO - Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard is facing a lawsuit, a jury found Emonte Morgan guilty in the murder of Chicago Police Officer Ella French, and outrage in the suburbs after a student was allegedly brutally beaten inside a high school bathroom.

These are the top stories on FOX 32's Week in Review.

1. Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard sued by church for alleged discrimination

Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard is facing another hurdle after a lawsuit accuses her of discriminating against a church.

Redeemed Christian Church of God Resurrection Power Assembly alleges the mayor and the village failed to apply Dolton's zoning code by preventing the church from renovating a building it purchased.

2. Ella French trial: Verdict for Emonte Morgan announced in killing of Chicago police officer

A jury, on Tuesday night, found Emonte Morgan guilty in the August 2021 murder of Chicago Police Officer Ella French after deliberating for just over three hours.

It was an emotional trial for French's family, who hugged through tears once they learned her killer would be behind bars.

3. 2 juveniles face charges after video circulates of alleged assault at Wheaton Warrenville South High School

There was outrage in the western suburbs Wednesday night after a student was allegedly brutally beaten inside a bathroom at Wheaton Warrenville South High School last month.

Two juveniles are now facing charges in connection to the beating.

4. Pilsen bakery targeted by graffiti sends message of resilience

It's a bitter taste for a Chicago business that makes sweet confections, after someone graffitied an unwelcome message on a new bakery in Pilsen. What makes it sting even more is that the owners are part of the Hispanic community.

"The number one thing I felt was disappointment. It was sadness," said Katsuji Tabares, a co-owner of the new Bittersweet Bakery in Pilsen. "I wasn't even upset. I wasn't angry. I was just more sad."

Ishawn Pitts (left) Tylo Eddins (right)

5. Man carjacks Uber driver in Chicago, picks up 2nd suspect before killing two people in random shooting: police

Two men are accused of fatally shooting two people in Waukegan last month in what authorities describe as a random act of violence.

Tylo Eddins and Ishawn Pitts both face first-degree murder charges.

6. Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard vetoes investigation into herself

Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard on Monday vetoed a resolution passed by the village board last month that sought to investigate her spending.

The resolution, which received unanimous support from the four-trustee majority, aimed to scrutinize Henyard's alleged misuse of funds. It mandated Henyard to submit the village's financial records and called for an FBI investigation.

7. Isaac Goodlow III: Carol Stream board meeting gets heated after release of body-cam video

A board meeting in Carol Stream grew heated Monday night as family members of Isaac Goodlow III confronted village trustees.

Goodlow, 30, was shot and killed by officers last month while they responded to a domestic disturbance at his apartment, located at 260 East St. Charles Road.

8. Illinois congressman leads charge challenging TikTok, which could lead to a ban

A congressional committee unanimously advanced a bill that could prevent app stores from carrying the popular social media app TikTok.

Efforts have been made in the past to block TikTok, but new legislation introduced this week  H.R. 7520, the Protecting Americans Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024  could be the most serious yet.

9. Chicago traffic alert: Prepare for more Kennedy construction

Construction on Chicagos Kennedy Expressway is once again revving up.

This marks the start of year two of a three-year construction project. Officials stress the memory of brutal traffic jams during phase one.

10. Chicago migrant diagnosed with measles among city's first 2 cases since 2019

Two cases of measles have been reported in Chicago this week, including a young child staying at a Pilsen migrant shelter, the city's first cases in five years, according to the Department of Public Health.

One case was identified in a young migrant at the new arrivals shelter in the Pilsen neighborhood, health officials said. The child's infectious period has ended and they have now recovered.

11. Suburban Chicago dog and postman forge heartwarming friendship, go viral on social media

Postal workers and dogs are notorious for being enemies, but one local pair is breaking that stigma.

In Hoffman Estates, a little pup and her postman have forged a friendship that's going viral. Frannie and Postman Dan Larsen are now lovingly referred to as "FranDan."
CHICAGO  Bag pipes, Irish dancing and Guinness pouring.

These are some of the sights and sounds that remind Chicagoans that St. Patricks Day celebrations are getting into full swing.

Two of those big celebrations are being put on by Old St. Patricks Church, the historic West Loop institution.

On Monday at 7:30 p.m., Old St. Pats will host its Siamsa na nGael  a celebration of Irish music, dance, songs and stories  at Symphony Center, 220 South Michigan Avenue.

Then, on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the church will host Shamrockin the Block at 625 West Adams Street.

Sunday Brunch: Bartolis Pizzeria

Monday nights event gives Chicagoans a chance to see the Gardiner Brothers, coming all the way from Ireland to showcase their famous Irish dancing. Between them, the brothers have won more than 40 Irish dancing titles and have performed all over the world.

Were actually American-born, one of the brothers explains. We were born in Denver. So its a huge honor to be in America during St. Patricks week as Irish Americans.

Chicago is one our favorite cities in the world, and obviously there is a huge Irish population here, and they are some of the best in the world at celebrating St. Patricks Day. So were delighted to be here.

Said Old St. Patricks Church spokesperson Maura Keller: It really just shows how strong Chicagos Irish culture is, that incredible dancers and artists like the Gardiner Brothers are saying, Yeah, I want to come join you. I want to celebrate with you guys.'

Tickets for Siamsa na nGael can be ordered at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra website, CSO.org.

And what should attendees expect?

They should be prepared for a really gorgeous day of song and storytelling, Keller said. Were Old St. Pats, but this year we are celebrating women, and were celebrating Irelands female patron saint, Saint Brigid.

Well be telling her story, a story of welcoming and inclusion. And were going to have a lot of fun along the way.

In Saturdays Shamrockin the Block, patrons can enter the Pot O Gold Raffle for a chance to win the $20,000 grand prize. All proceeds will go toward supporting Old St. Pats various ministries. Tickets are available at the door.

Weekend Break: Mordecai

Old St. Pats is over 175 years old, so the fact that here we are, almost two centuries later, still celebrating our heritage, still celebrating our culture, really just shows the resiliency, Keller said.

Of course, you cant talk about St. Patricks Day celebrations without learning to pour the perfect Guinness.

Guinness Brewers Ambassador Jimmy Callahan has instructions for doing just that.

Youre going to pop the can open, the widget inside is going to release, he demonstrates. And you want to gently pour at a 45-degree angle.

 As we say in Ireland  (clink).'

Callahan also notes that the party will continue Saturday after Shamrockin the Block at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery, 901 West Kinzie Street, in the West Loop.

Visit oldstpats.org for more information.

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Thoughts from a Principled Conservative Outpost  Fourth in a series on the aspects of Panhandle conservativism.

Society functions best when individuals have the freedom to pursue, without undue coercion, their interests within the bounds of law, ethics and morality determined by community standards. Free-market economies, where individual choice and competition are the drivers of prosperity and innovation, are largely self-sustaining. Free will is the rock upon which American Exceptionalism rests. The concepts upon which the U.S. was founded are unique principles of freedom, egalitarianism and liberty. Our nation was conceived with a special mission to lead, inspire and spread fairness and freedom widely, which enables a unique political and social system promoting individual freedom, democracy and economic opportunity. These are the principles of our founding, and they are alive in the Texas Panhandle.

There are critics of American exceptionalism who argue exceptionalism leads to nationalism, imperialism and a justification for a series of wrongs. Critics are correct. However, in a principled conservative outpost, change comes, if at times too slowly. Claiming exceptionalism, locally or nationally, does not right all wrongs. A region and a nation are made up of individuals who exercise free will. The human heart and its accompanying mind are not to be blindly trusted. Accepting exceptional status can overlook flaws and injustices, to be sure. According to Will and Ariel Durant, we must know history: "Civilization is not inherited; it has to be learned and earned by each generation anew; if the transmission should be interrupted for one century, civilization would die, and we should be savages again."

Dr. Walter Wendler, President of West Texas A&M University

Thomas Jefferson's view of free will reflected his engagement with Enlightenment ideas and his observations on human behavior and governance. In a letter to Isaac H. Tiffany, written in 1819, he wrote, "Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual." The balance between individual rights/opportunities and respect for other's rights/opportunities is a knife edge that must be walked in a constitutional republic. The wars over barbed wire in the Texas Panhandle in the late 1800s seem to demonstrate the balance between personal freedom, the exercise of free will or individual liberty and the rights of others. In the end, the consideration of access and control led to the general acceptability of barbed wireaccording to the Texas Historical Commission, barbed wire saved the Texas Cattle industry, which thrives across the Panhandle. This balance between individual liberty and respect for others is the fulcrum on which a constitutional republic lifts itself, in the Panhandle and everywhere else.

In any healthy community of folks who live and work in any society (a geographic region), there exists an expectation that people will choose between different courses of action based on the exercise of will. All need to be able to think freely, access information and make choices about their leaders and policies according to personal judgments and beliefs. For example, the act of voting is within itself an expression of free will. A healthy constitutional republic requires civic engagement. People choose their representatives and decide on issues and ideas based on personal principles. Citizens use free will to guide choice, create change, express opinions and participate in community life. Moral responsibility and free will are two sides of the same coin. One without the other is impossible to fathom. Citizens are expected to exercise personal and civic responsibility welded together for the benefit of each. This results in a common good and the rights of others informing decision-making as an exercise of morally applied free will. The idea of accountability presupposes the ability to make free choices.

Contemporary economist and social theorist, Thomas Sowell, emphasized the importance of personal choices and the consequences of choice in determining an individual's outcomes in life. Individual socioeconomic status cannot be attributed solely to external factors like race, class or social structures, although these and other factors influence decision-making and opportunity. The capacity to choose choreographs a life beyond circumstances. Sowell suggests the exercise of free will is the spine upon which an effective society lives and breathes.

George Orwell, in 1984, warns against the dangers of authoritarianism, which erodes free will and individual liberties. He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, personal autonomy and resistance against manipulation and control. Orwell's critique of the totalitarian systems suggests a strong belief in the value of free will and individual choice, recognizing the challenges and complexities of exercising such freedom within oppressive societies.

At West Texas A&M University, we value the student as an individual and implore students to value themselves as unique individuals who are free to choose right from wrong, just from unjust, in the exercise of will. As I have stated before, "Students should be challenged daily to be good leaders and good followers. Ultimately these skills will make for a successful transition into the workplace and provide the foundation for the high calling of engaged citizenship. That is the purpose of a university.

Walter V. Wendler is President of West Texas A&M University. His weekly columns are available at https://walterwendler.com/.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Wendler commentary: Free will: Conservatism's core
Marstons Mills resident Michelle Lombard was shocked when she saw the hike in premiums for her GEICO auto insurance bill last fall. Her premium went up 67% for bodily injury, 30% for property damage, and 25% for collision.

Increases in auto insurance follow changes to policies, new or additional coverage, whether a driver has been in an accident, but in Lombards case, there were no changes. That was with no accidents, no violations, no claims, and no payment issues, according to her father, Frank Lombard.

Lombard contacted GEICO to find out why the increases were so steep. He was told by a customer service agent it was due to inflation. He then filed a complaint with the state Division of Insurance. Two months later he refiled the complaint. A senior examiner told him it could take up to a year for the division to respond because of a backlog. One option was hiring a lawyer and taking GEICO to small claims court.

Our principal question was, did the Division of Insurance approve a 67% rate increase for Marstons Mills? Lombard wrote in an email. "Are auto insurers free to charge whatever they want to? If Cape residents have a complaint, should it take up to a year for the DOI to address them?

'The fact of the matter is we're hitting each other. A lot."

Frank OBrien, vice president of American Property and Casualty Insurance Association, an industry lobbying group for auto and home insurers, said the increases are due to several factors. OBrien heads up the Associations Massachusetts regional office.

What is happening in Massachusetts is happening across the nation, he said in a phone call Feb. 20. OBrien blamed inflation, supply chain issues, the higher cost of cars and their repairs, an increase in the frequency and severity of accidents, and an increase in medical bills associated with accidents.

The fact of the matter is that were hitting each other. A lot, OBrien said. It's costing more to repair these vehicles, a lot more. Todays vehicles are basically computers on wheels.

Thiago Manganelli, owner of Final Touch Auto Body in Hyannis, has seen sharp cost increases in everything from fenders to headlights. He said an average repair order 10 years ago was around $1,800 to $2,000. Today it's $4,500, he said. Manganelli holds a $1,700 taillight for a Ford F-150 on Feb. 29 at his shop.

Thiago Manganelli, owner of Final Touch Auto Body in Hyannis, has seen sharp cost increases in everything from fenders to headlights. He said an average repair order 10 years ago was around $1,800 to $2,000; today its $4,500.

Inside a bay at his shop, Manganelli held up a taillight with blind-spot radar for a Ford F-150. The replacement cost was about $1,700, without the cost of labor required to make sure all the calibrations needed are done. Insurance companies are unwilling to pay for that time, he added.

Evangelos Lucky Papageorg, Executive Director for the Alliance of Automotive Service Poviders of Massachusetts, confirmed Manganelli's claim. "Insurance is not willing to pay for scans, calibrations, all the things that ensure that vehicle functions properly going down the road once its repaired," he said in a March 1 interview."

Division of Insurance weighs in

Michele J. Campbell, director of communications at the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, said the Division of Insurance reviews all private passenger auto rates before the insurer can use them. Furthermore, the Divisions actuaries evaluate the methods insurance companies use to reach those rates.

Current market conditions, which are not unique to Massachusetts, are resulting in some carriers filing for higher rates, she wrote in a Feb. 26 email. Claim severity rises because of labor and materials cost increases, supply chain issues, vehicles containing high-cost technology, and even from severe storms.

Massachusetts auto insurance costs:

According to information on the Division of Insurance website, some of the factors contributing to high costs include the large number of urban drivers, the state's dense population, and the high cost of living. Higher medical care costs, auto repair costs, labor costs, and litigation costs drive the rates up.

Massachusetts has more property damage and bodily injury claims per vehicle than nearly every other state, according to the division.

OBrien said multiple factors play a role in a person's insurance rate, including the type and age of vehicle, their driving record, whether theyve had accidents. He called auto insurance a "data driven industry, and said Massachusetts is nowhere near the top of the pack in terms of rates. He cited Louisiana, California and several western states as having larger increases than Massachusetts. Storms, floods, litigation all fall into the mix.

It pays to shop around

Rep. F. Jay Barrows, R-Mansfield, is the president and owner of Barrows Insurance Agency with offices in Mansfield and Foxboro. The independent agency sells home and auto insurance and works with local and national carriers.

Barrows had harsh words for GEICOs recent rate increases, calling them out of whack. His advice is to shop around, and he put in a plug for independent agents for "sharing advice."

Auto body shops are the doctors of vehicles, Papageorg said. When you go to a doctor, you have to sign a form saying you'll pay the difference of what insurance doesn't cover. Auto body shops will have to do the same thing, he added.

Denise Coffey writes about business, tourism and issues impacting Cape Cod's residents and visitors. Contact her at dcoffey@capecodonline.com.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Steep hike in auto insurance criticized by Marstons Mills resident
Heres your weekly roundup of the latest retail, business and restaurant activity in and around Whatcom County:

Sweet Bellingham for sale

Sweet Bellingham, a dessert shop and bakery in Fairhaven, has posted a for sale sign in its window.

A for sale sign in the window of Sweet Bellingham on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 1005 Harris Ave in Bellingham, Wash.

The sign did not specify any information or price, but reads for information, please leave name and phone inside.

Sweet Bellingham is at 1005 Harris Ave. in Bellingham.

Texas Roadhouse progresses toward opening

Texas Roadhouse, the chain BBQ restaurant planned to open at 4331 Meridian St., the previous location of Billy McHales Restaurant, is slowly working toward opening.

Although construction isnt planned to start until the spring, the new restaurant has now posted job openings online.

Those who are interested can check the job listings online.

Buffalo Exchange 50th anniversary pop-up event

Buffalo Exchange, a chain recycled clothing store, is celebrating its 50th anniversary at all of its locations across the country, including Bellingham.

The Bellingham store will host a pop-up event from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17 that will include live music, coffee from Makeworth Coffee Roasters, tarot readings, treats and shopping.

Buffalo Exchange is at 1209 N State St. in Bellingham and is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Raven Bakery celebrates anniversary

Raven Bakerys brick and mortar shop is celebrating its one-year anniversary on Saturday, March 16. The bakery will give away free cake to the first three dozen customers and host a raffle with a prize of one bread loaf every week for a year. The bakery will also donate $1 from every load of bread sold in March to the World Central Kitchen, a non-profit that provides meals to those in need during natural disasters.

Raven Bakery is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at 205 Prospect St. in Bellingham.

Bellingham events, trivia nights and live music

Bellingham is full of local events, markets, festivals and other events during March. Heres your guide to this months events, trivia nights, live music and more.

Sign Up: Discover Whatcom

This curated weekly newsletter is a roundup of whats new and exciting to help you live joyfully in Bellingham and Whatcom County. Click here to sign up. In your inbox every Thursday.
NEW YORK  On his Brooklyn stoop, Marcel Bichotte could hold notes on his saxophone for what felt like hours.

Bichotte was an accomplished musician with the big-band group Super Jazz des Jeunes, or Jazz of the Young, in his native Haiti. In the 1960s, he moved to the U.S., where he had day jobs in textiles and security. In New York, he started smoking menthol cigarettes. His daughter, New York Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, said he smoked a pack a day.

The long notes ended after her father became addicted to menthols, she said. He developed debilitating respiratory problems and died at age 73 from lung and throat cancer.

This is what tobacco can do to you, the assembly member told USA TODAY. It can end your ability to breathe.

Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, a state assemblymember in New York who supports a ban on menthol cigarettes, poses for a portrait at her office in Brooklyn on March 8, 2024.

Bichotte Hermelyn sees her father's death as a targeted strike on a Black man in a community targeted for years by the makers of menthol cigarettes.

The Brooklyn lawmaker is backing a measure to ban the sale of menthols and other flavored tobacco products in her state as the Biden administration stalls on a separate plan to ban menthols nationwide. Both the New York and the federal ban face opposition from the deep-pocketed tobacco industry and civil rights groups, who fear a ban will prompt a crackdown on vendors and smokers.

Marcel Bichotte, a saxophonist for the Haitian band Jazz des Jeunes, took up smoking menthol cigarettes and later died from lung and throat cancer. His daughter, New York State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, is pushing for a menthol ban.

Tobacco and race: Targeted menthol cigarette ads helped lead to high Black usage. Should they be banned?

Bichotte Hermelyn and others say a menthol ban would address a festering injustice, providing long overdue respite to Black smokers who were targeted for decades by companies selling menthol cigarettes. Menthols produce a minty, cooling sensation believed to make them more addictive than other tobacco products.

Studies show menthol use has disproportionately affected Black smokers, who are more likely than white smokers to choose them. Black people are also more likely than white people to die from lung cancer.

The counterargument to menthol bans also centers on upholding Black people's rights. Organizations such as the Rev. Al Sharptons National Action Network and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives say a ban would criminalize menthol smokers because it would unfairly police people who sell and use them.

The ban has generated a showdown between tobacco control groups who want to reduce smoking deaths and the tobacco industry seeking to protect its turf.

The conflict has reached the Biden administration's Office of Management and Budget, stalling its effort in December to finalize a rule to ban menthol. That decision was bumped to this month, and it remains pending.

'Not targeting the other neighborhoods'

Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, poses for a portrait inside of the Agape house at George Floyd Plaza in Minneapolis in April 2021. In recent years, Carr has opposed measures to ban menthol cigarettes because of concerns law enforcement will overpolice Black communities who have favored menthols.

Gwen Carr, whose son Eric Garner was selling loose cigarettes when police killed him, opposes menthol bans over concerns they'll harm Black communities, where people prefer menthols. She believes curtailing tobacco use is a good thing but worries about unintended consequences.

"They are not targeting the other neighborhoods, they are targeting the Black neighborhoods," Carr told USA TODAY. "If they were talking about banning all cigarettes, then we would have a different conversation."

The tobacco industry lobbyists who formed alliances with civil rights groups have defeated proposed bans in various communities. Tobacco watchdog groups that cheered bans in California and Massachusetts on flavored tobacco, including menthol, worry their best shot at a national ban is slipping away because of these conflicts.

"Just how long are you going to wait to do something when you've had the evidence for a decade or more?" said Cheryl Sbarra, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards. "It is very frustrating."

Public health experts say a national ban would reduce harm to all Americans, particularly Black Americans who are more likely to smoke menthol cigarettes and suffer disproportionately high cancer rates. About 85% of Black smokers use menthol cigarettes, compared with about 1 in 3 white smokers.

A protest marks the five-year anniversary of the death of Eric Garner on July 17, 2019, in New York. Police killed Garner after stopping him for selling loose cigarettes. His death sparked concerns that menthol cigarette bans will result in overly aggressive policing Black communities.

Nowhere has the political fight played out more publicly than in New York, where Garner died in a police chokehold in 2014 after officers stopped him for selling cigarettes.

New York City rejected a menthol ban in 2019. In 2022, lawmakers in suburban Westchester County, north of the Bronx, passed a menthol ban bill, which County Executive George Latimer vetoed. As The Journal News/lohud, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported, the measure proposed by a Black lawmaker split Black and Latino legislators in an overwhelmingly Democratic county.

Though he supported lowering tobacco use overall, Latimer, who is white, saw the question as both jurisdictional and cultural. The region borders New York City and abuts Connecticut and New Jersey, across the Hudson River, where menthol sales are allowed. A ban would therefore be hard to enforce, he said.

But Latimer also shared the concerns of Black residents who feared theyd be criminalized by a menthol ban, and Middle Eastern and North African residents, who worried about flavored tobacco products no longer being allowed.

Before you try to impose the solution legislatively, or by law, you ought to determine if you can move popular opinion in the direction of what you're trying to accomplish, said Latimer, a Democrat now running for U.S. Congress. If you run headlong into popular opinion, you should step back and look at other strategies.

The popular will of the people that supposedly were protecting, they weren't in favor of it.

Weschester County Executive George Latimer at a rally in Mount Vernon, New York on March 1, 2024. Latimer vetoed a local a ban on menthol cigarettes saying it would be tough to enforce because nearby communities didn't have bans in place.

Health inequities: America can prevent (and control) Type 2 diabetes. So why arent we doing it?

Top menthol seller funds civil rights groups

About two weeks before the Biden administration tabled plans for a nationwide ban, White House officials met with prominent Black leaders concerned about banning menthol.

Dwayne Crawford, executive director of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, requested the teleconference also attended by former North Carolina congressman G.K. Butterfield, National Newspaper Publishers Association President Dr. Ben Chavis, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, former Florida congressman Kendrick Meek, and National Action Network senior vice president Ebonie Riley.

Through a spokesperson, Crawford declined to discuss the meeting and his group's stance.

Dwayne Crawford, Executive Director at National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, speaks at a news conference on Capitol Hill on February 9, 2022 in Washington, D.C. Crawford us among the outspoken advocates who oppose a ban on menthol cigarettes.

Sharpton made public statements on multiple occasions opposing New York's proposed ban but has maintained a lower profile over the national ban. Riley, from the National Action Network, has been the group's public face in opposing the larger ban.

In a statement, Riley said the civil rights group has "followed the lead" of Carr, Garner's mother.

She said Carr, Crump and others "have raised concerns that this ban will lead to the unintended consequences for Black people selling loose cigarettes."

Sharpton faced criticism during the debate on the New York ban when The New York Times reported his organization took money from the tobacco industry. Sharpton's group declined to say how much funding it has received from the tobacco industry.

"As a policy, we do not disclose the amount financial supporters have given," Riley said in a statement.

Carr, the mother of Garner, said she has not received funding from tobacco industry groups. She also hasn't communicated with White House officials about the national ban.

Luis Pinto, vice president of communications for Reynolds American Inc., acknowledged the company has funded the National Action Network.

"Historically, we did fund them," Pinto said. "We no longer fund them directly."

NOBLE, the law enforcement group, lists Reynolds and Altria among its corporate sponsors on its website. Reynolds still sponsors the group, Pinto said.

Pinto said Reynolds, which sells the top-selling menthol brand Newport, supports groups that are important to the company's customers. The company does not make its financial contributions contingent upon organizations maintaining a position, Pinto said.

"There is no quid pro quo from us funding you to the stances that you take," Pinto said.

Reynolds has said banning menthol cigarettes is an ineffective way to help smokers quit smoking or transition to other products.

"Reynolds has been clear on where it stands on this topic  we strongly believe there are more effective ways to deliver tobacco harm reduction than banning products," Pinto said.

A Maysville, Kentucky man carries a pack of Newport menthol cigarettes in his pocket while sitting on a bench in Washington Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.

Tobacco watchdog: 'Overpolicing ... an overreach'

The NAACP has worked with tobacco watchdog groups to pressure the Biden administration to enact a menthol ban. Backing a ban is the majority position in Black communities, according to a poll from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and conducted by the political research firm The Mellman Group. It found that 62% of Black voters support the FDAs proposed ban on menthol cigarettes, while 25% oppose the ban.

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson urged the Biden administration to consider the surveys and statements of prominent Black leaders who support a ban and the years of research showing the tobacco industry has targeted Black communities. Black Americans are concerned about their health and want to limit the harmful effects of menthol smoking, he said.

The African American community will choose health and life over flavored cigarettes, Johnson said. That's really important for this administration to understand as they consider the next step in their rulemaking.

A man prepares to light a Newport 100 menthol cigarette outside of Big V Party Store on Greenfield Road in Detroit on Friday, April 30, 2021, as he talks about a potential nationwide ban of menthol cigarettes.

Yolanda Richardson, president and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, finds the tobacco industry's approach to the debate especially pernicious. The tobacco companies have raised concerns in the Black community that a ban might prompt police to crack down on illicit cigarette sales, she said: They've been able to craft an argument that they think resonates, particularly in the African American community, Richardson said.

Richardson emphasized that the proposed federal rule does not include targeting individual people. Instead, it would prohibit the tobacco industry and retailers from making, distributing or selling menthol cigarettes.

The overpolicing argument is such an overreach as to almost be laughable, Richardson said.

She added the policing argument ignores the reality many Black smokers face. The real risk, she said, is more Black smokers getting hooked or delaying quitting and more cases of lung cancer and exacerbated health inequities.

On Friday, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department issued a 28-page report on smoking cessation that did not address the menthol and flavored cigar ban.

Harold Wimmer, CEO of the American Lung Association, described the report as "hollow unless President Biden stands up to the tobacco industry and finalizes the rules to end menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars."

Newport and other cigarettes are seen on a shelf at Big V Party Store on Greenfield Road in Detroit on April 30, 2021.

Menthol excluded from earlier flavor ban

In 2009, Congress passed the Tobacco Control Act, which empowered the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco manufacturing, distribution and marketing. With that newfound power, the FDA enacted a ban on flavored tobacco products, often preferred by young smokers to counteract the harsh taste of tobacco. The 2009 rule excluded menthol cigarettes. Two years later, an advisory committee said a menthol ban would benefit public health, but it was never enacted amid pressure from opponents.

In 2020, the FDA took action against flavored vaping products based on reports that millions of teens and underage kids were vaping. Flavors like mango and fruit were an overt attempt to market to underage vapers, tobacco watchdogs said.

But the FDAs second ban on flavored products once again excluded menthol.

Dr. Keith Wailoo, a Princeton University history and public affairs professor, has studied tobacco company marketing in Black communities. He says concerns about the ban being overpoliced don't hold water.

Civil rights leaders have argued the ban would create an underground trade for menthol cigarettes, but the national menthol ban rule does not prohibit people from possessing cigarettes. The FDA has said its rule would only prohibit manufacturers and retailers from making or selling menthol products.

Wailoo said arguments against banning menthol and restricting other tobacco products originated with the tobacco industry and have been echoed by organizations funded by tobacco companies.

What were facing is a familiar story in the history of tobacco, said Wailoo, who tracked the history and marketing of menthol cigarettes in his book "Pushing Cool: Big Tobacco, Racial Marketing, and the Untold Story of the Menthol Cigarette."

The tobacco industry's cultivated messaging has been picked up by others, who talk about the harms of restricting sales or reining in marketing practices, Wailoo said.

When you scratched the surface, what you saw is that they were actually singing from a script that the industry had created, Wailoo said.

Richardson is disappointed the federal ban is stalled despite documented harm to Black communities and despite prominent doctors and leaders calling for a ban.

If every other flavor is banned, what does that say about your commitment to protect the health of Black people? Richardson said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Menthol cigarettes could be banned nationwide. What's holding that up?
People wave signs as Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks during a rally at the Noorda Center for the Performing Arts at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.

An earlier version of this article was published in the On the Trail 2024 newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox on Tuesday and Friday mornings here. To submit a question to next weeks Friday Mailbag, email onthetrail@deseretnews.com.

Good morning, friends. Between Super Tuesday and the State of the Union, it was a week of late nights. I wish a restful weekend for all. (Daylight saving time has other plans.)

3 things to know

The Big Idea

Up for grabs: Haley voters

When Nikki Haley suspended her campaign this week, she didnt endorse Trump. Instead, she challenged him. From her speech:

It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him, and I hope he does that. At its best, politics is about bringing people into your cause, not turning them away. And our conservative cause badly needs more people. This is now his time for choosing.

Trump, Haley posits, needs to earn the support of her voters  many of whom, as Ive reported, backed her simply because she wasnt Trump. Trump took only a passive interest in the opportunity; moments before her speech, he bragged on Truth Social about Haley getting TROUNCED ... in record setting fashion, and accused her voters of being Radical Left Democrats. If they come around, though, they could be forgiven: (I) would further like to invite all of the Haley supporters to join the greatest movement in the history of our Nation.

President Joe Biden  Trumps presumptive opponent in the November election  took a different tack. In a statement Wednesday, Biden complimented Haley. It takes a lot of courage to run for president  thats especially true in todays Republican Party, where so few dare to speak the truth about Donald Trump, Biden said.

Donald Trump made it clear he doesnt want Nikki Haleys supporters. I want to be clear: There is a place for them in my campaign, Biden added. He acknowledged there is a lot we wont agree on, but said they could find common ground on fundamental issues like preserving democracy, standing for the rule of law and protecting the U.S. allies.

The question, now, is whether Haleys supporters turn to Biden or Trump. Exit polling in early open or semi-open primaries  like New Hampshire and South Carolina  suggested that a decent amount of her supporters were Democrats, but nowhere near almost 50%, as Trump suggested. That leaves millions of disgruntled Republicans and independents across the country up for grabs by Biden and Trump (or other candidates).

At least one group is already working to win them over. Shortly before the South Carolina primary, I met Robert Schwartz, co-founder of the political action group Primary Pivot. He worked in early primary states to convince Democrats to skip their partys primary and instead vote in the Republican primary for Haley. (Read more about his efforts here.)

I ran into Schwartz again in Virginia, just days before Super Tuesday, at a Haley rally. Wed love for Haley to win the nomination, but its looking increasingly unlikely, he admitted to me. As such, his team had already transitioned to a new strategy: hunker down in swing states and convince the Haley voters there to back Biden. Hed already sent staffers to North Carolina, Georgia and Michigan; between the three of them, there were 1 million Haley voters, he said.

This week, Primary Pivot rebranded as Haley Voters For Biden. Schwartz acknowledges that its a different message now  instead of convincing Democrats to vote for a Republican, theyre talking Republicans into supporting a Democrat  but Schwartz sees parallels. Our message to Democrats has been, look, you may disagree on abortion and climate change, but shes better than Trump, Schwartz said. Now, the pitch to Republicans is, you might disagree with Biden on abortion and climate change, but if you agree with choosing democracy over dictatorship, its an easy choice.

On domestic policy, Haley supporters would likely agree with Trump much more than with Biden. But Haley staked her campaign on attacking Trumps foreign policy and his character, and many of her voters may see those as non-negotiables.

Biden and Trump have eight months to build their coalitions. Expect Haley voters to be a key one.

Weekend reads

Biden voters, buyers remorse: In 2020, Biden ran as a transition candidate, vowing to be a bridge to the next generation of Democratoc leadership. To many, it was assumed he would serve four years then pass the baton. But now  out of stubbornness or necessity  Biden is fighting on, looking to serve until 2029. Some voters are perturbed by that and frightened by the potential ramifications. Its Not Just That Biden Is Old (Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic)

Here come the Haley autopsies: Nikki Haleys campaign was as consistent as they come, from her memorized stump speech to her schedule. But she was erratic  even schizophrenic, one adviser said  about how and when to criticize Trump. It ended up being the final nail in the coffin. Haley ran a near perfect race. She just couldnt figure out Trump. (Natalie Allison, Politico)

iCampaigns: In 2016, Donald Trump became the first presidential candidate to latch onto online networks en route to victory  social media, messaging groups, digital forums. Could the internet be the front line in 2024? The New Rules of Online Campaigning (Sasha Issenberg, The Wall Street Journal)

Friday mailbag

This weeks question comes from Malcom R., in response to our recent polling that shows Republicans want Ron DeSantis as Trumps running mate:

If I understand the 12th Amendment correctly, if Trump and DeSantis were on the same ticket, electors in Florida (i.e. the Electoral College) would be prohibited from voting for both men. In a close election that could mean either the president or vice president wouldnt get a majority, and one or the other would have to go to the House of Representatives or the Senate for resolution. Correct?

A fantastic question. The 12th Amendment says that each states electors will vote by ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves. Does that mean Trump will be kept from winning Floridas electoral votes, if he chooses DeSantis or Rep. Byron Donalds, two people on his VP shortlist?

I called Dr. James C. Phillips, the Constitutional Government Initiative director and an associate professor at BYUs Wheatley Institute, for insight. How this has generally been interpreted is you cannot have the president and the vice president be from the same state, he told me. Its almost never been an issue. The exception was 2000, when George W. Bush selected Dick Cheney as his running mate. Cheney promptly changed his primary residence from Texas to Wyoming to avoid a legal conflict.

Two lawsuits followed. One, taken up by a federal court in Texas, dismissed the case for lack of standing, but not before addressing the issue in question: What does inhabitant mean in the 12th Amendment? The court ruled that an inhabitant has a physical presence within that state and intends that it be his place of habitation  a definition, Phillips noted, that may not be true to the Founders intention. Im not sure thats the right reading of the word inhabitant, Phillips said. Thats a later legal development, this concept of domicile and this physical presence and intent to remain. But because Cheney moved back to Wyoming, there was no legal repercussion. Bush went on to win that election, which was eventually decided by the Supreme Court.

So, what happens if Trump picks DeSantis or Donalds? It is technically a problem, Phillips said. Its not that they cant run  he could certainly pick one of those gentleman as his VP  but its not clear the electoral votes could be properly counted.

A likely scenario is that Trumps pick for VP promptly moves out of Florida and maintains residence there, or Trump moves to his New York or New Jersey residences. Alternately, Trump wins by such a margin that Floridas electoral votes make no difference.

It is possible, though, that the election is so tight that Florida could decide it. Even after Trump and/or his VP pick move out of Florida, it could face legal challenges. Courts could rule, or they could adhere to the political question doctrine and allow Congress to decide.

Either way, the question at hand is how they define inhabitant. Is it defined like that 2000 case  physical presence and intent to stay? Or is it something more primitive, akin to place of birth or hometown?

Trump could avoid this all by selecting a running mate that isnt from Florida or by winning in November by such a margin that Floridas electoral votes are of no consequence. But neither are guaranteed.

See you on the trail.

Editors Note: The Deseret News is committed to covering issues of substance in the 2024 presidential race from its unique perspective and editorial values. Our team of political reporters will bring you in-depth coverage of the most relevant news and information to help you make an informed decision. Find our complete coverage of the election here.
The veteran unemployment rate is below that of non-veterans, but obtaining a job is only half the battle. After years spent training for battle or deployed into combat zones, most former service members still struggle to find satisfaction in a civilian work environment.

When you join the military, youre going to for a very specific reason. And when youre there, whether its four years or for 34 years, youve got your mission, team, camaraderie  you have a very clear purpose in what youre doing, Waco Hoover, a Marine Corps veteran and chair of the Be the One program at the American Legion, told The Hill.

When you transition out, all those things are not readily available, and its not there.

The U.S. is seeing some of the lowest ever unemployment rates for veterans, with the Department of Labor reporting a veteran unemployment rate of only 3 percent as of February, compared to 3.6 percent for non-veterans.

Yet job satisfaction among veterans is far lower than the general population. A 2021 poll from Hill and Ponton, a veterans disability law firm, found that veterans were more than five times more likely to report having no satisfaction at their current job than non-veterans.

One of the symptoms of this trend is high turnover rates among veteran hires, and the reason for that is purpose, Hoover said.

A CareerBuilder survey conducted last year found that 22 percent of veterans report feeling underemployed.

The one thing that I think is sometimes frustrating first for military members who are transitioning is you can be a very junior person in the military  first, second, third year  and you have tremendous responsibilities, said Jeffrey Wenger, Senior Economist at the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research institution.

And you get out of the military and someone wants you to stock shelves. And so you, youre like, I know I can do better than this.

Another driver of veterans dissatisfaction appears to be career progression. More than 1 in 4 veterans believed it was not at all likely for them to advance at their current jobs, according to the survey from Hill and Ponton.

In the civilian sector, it takes many years to work your way up through the ranks, Wenger said.

But both the government and nonprofits are focusing more of their work on not only helping veterans get jobs, but helping connect them find fulfilling careers.

Wenger pointed to the sustained efforts to raise public awareness of their skills, experiences and the programs provided to veterans after they separated  at the federal and state level.

I think weve done a better job of helping them transition into the civilian labor market, Wenger said. We now provide programs at the end of their service period that give them training on how to talk about the skills that they developed.

The Labor Department provides programs aimed at helping veterans transition to, train for and advance in a civilian career, such as the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). Different programs are set up to provide extra training to veterans before separation, creating more marketable candidates.

However, whether those programs are working remains an open question.

I would say that one of the things thats been pretty apparent across the board with transition is just the sheer lack of actual valuable experiences thats coming out of the transition, TAP programs, said Nicole Tardif, public relations manager at the American Legion.

Its considered kind of a box check, as is the way that the program is set up, where youre not really learning or being prepared for the civilian world, youre really just checking the box to make sure you took the classes you were supposed to right before you get out, Tardif added.

Theres not a lot of forethought once you actually move into the civilian world.

The Labor Department told The Hill it is addressing those concerns. The Employment Navigator and Partnership Program is a new effort to provide one-on-one career assistance to interested transitioning service members, and their spouses, at select military installations worldwide, according to the Labor Department.

Hoover says there is no one size fits all regarding career transitions for veterans. While changing career paths is difficult in any case, veterans face unique challenges.

You are with a group of human beings that are your team and your family in so many respects. And depending on how long you spend there, what your job was, the connections can be incredibly deep, Hoover said of life in the military.

You get out, and that same dynamic doesnt exist, he added.

Hoover noted the challenges and opportunities facing a service member departing in their 20s will differ significantly from those in their 30s or 40s.

Weve got to make sure that those programs are oriented for those individuals, he said.

And service members should start preparing for their post-military careers while they are still active.

Beginning with the end in mind, whether thats four years, 20 years, whatever it is, being cognizant of that along the way  will help them process and have much more perspective for what they want to do, he said.

Its not just giving them information, its giving them the tools to be introspective and understand, What do I want to do post-service?

Wenger encouraged veterans to manage expectations and explore their career preferences, taking advantage of the tight labor market to find a good fit.

[As a veteran], Im not having to take the first job offer that comes my way. I can be a little bit more selective about the kinds of things Id like to do, Wenger said. And we can, you know, force employers to give you more responsibilities or at least match better to your preferences.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FILE - Jimmy Cherizier, a former elite police officer known as Barbecue who now runs a gang federation, walks hand in hand with children as he visits La Saline district of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 24, 2023. Internationally, Cherizier is known as Haiti's most powerful and feared gang leader, sanctioned by the United Nations for "serious human rights abuses," and the man behind a fuel blockade that brought the Caribbean nation to its knees in late 2022. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph, File)

Haitis prime minister has said he will resign, bowing to international pressure to save his homeland gripped by violence and controlled by heavily armed gangsters.

Ariel Henry made the announcement hours after officials, including Caribbean leaders and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, met in Jamaica to discuss a solution to halt Haitis spiraling crisis and agreed to a joint proposal to establish a transitional council.

What is going on in Haiti?

Its easy to blame this latest spasm of violence in the West's first free Black republic on longstanding poverty, the legacy of colonialism, widespread deforestation, and European and U.S. interference.

However, a series of experts told The Associated Press that the most important immediate cause is more recent: Haitian rulers increasing dependence on street gangs.

Haiti hasnt had a standing army or a well-funded and robust national police force for decades.

United Nations and American interventions have come and gone. Without a solid tradition of honest political institutions, Haitian leaders have been using armed civilians as tools for exercising power.

Now, the state has grown fatally weak and gangs are stepping in to take its place.

Gang leaders, surreally, hold news conferences. And many see them as future stakeholders in negotiations over the countrys future.

How did Haiti get here?

A 1990s embargo was imposed after the military overthrew President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The embargo and the international isolation devastated the countrys small middle class, said Michael Deibert, author of Notes From the Last Testament: The Struggle for Haiti, and Haiti Will Not Perish: A Recent History.

After a U.S.-backed U.N. force pushed out the coup's leaders in 1994, a World Bank-sponsored structural adjustment led to the importation of rice from the U.S. and devastated rural agricultural society, Deibert said.

Boys without work flooded into Port-au-Prince and joined gangs. Politicians started using them as a cheap armed wing. Aristide, a priest-turned-politician, gained notoriety for using gangsters.

In December 2001, police official Guy Philippe attacked the National Palace in an attempted coup and Aristide called on the gangsters to rise from the slums, Deibert said.

It wasnt the police defending their governments Palais Nacional, remembered Deibert, who was there. It was thousands of armed civilians.

Now, you have these different politicians that have been collaborating with these gangs for years, and ... it blew up in their face," he said.

How did weak foreign intervention hurt Haiti?

Many of the gangs retreated in the face of MINUSTAH, a U.N. force established in 2004.

Rene Preval, the only democratically elected president to win and complete two terms in a country notorious for political upheaval, took a hard line on the gangs, giving them the choice to disarm or be killed, said Robert Fatton, professor of government and foreign affairs at the University of Virginia.

After his presidency, subsequent leaders were at best easy on the gangs and at worst tied to them, he said.

Fatton said every key actor in Haitian society had their gangs, noting that the current situation isn't unique, but that it has deteriorated at a faster pace.

For the last the three years, the gangs started to gain autonomy. And now they are a power unto themselves, he said, likening them to a mini-Mafia state.

The autonomy of the gangs has reached a critical point. It is why they are capable now of imposing certain conditions on the government itself," Fatton said.

"Those who created the gangs created a monster. And now the monster may not be totally in charge, but it has the capacity to block any kind of solution.

How does gang money hurt Haiti?

The gangs, along with many Haitian politicians and business people, earn money from an illicit brew of taxes" gleaned through extortion, kidnappings, and drugs and weapons smuggling, Fatton said.

There are all kinds criminal networks in the area, he said.

After Preval, gangs, politicians and business people extracted every dollar they could, said Francois Pierre-Louis, a professor of political science at Queens College at The City University of New York.

It was open house for gangs, drugs, the country, basically ... became a narco-trafficking state, he said. Basically, the gangs got empowered, and not only they got empowered, they had state protection, politicians protecting them.
Karen Mathes says she owes "her whole being" to in vitro fertilization.

Seventeen years ago, the 41-year-old Polk City resident and her husband began IVF to start a family. An eating disorder in college meant Mathes had a suppressed ovulation cycle, prompting the couple to seek out fertility treatment at Mid-Iowa Fertility in Des Moines.

After two rounds of treatment, Mathes and her husband welcomed three children: a daughter in 2009 and twin sons in 2012.

"I owe my whole being to Dr. (Brian) Cooper and Mid-Iowa Fertility. If they weren't there, there was no way that I would have the family that I have," Mathes, who is now a nurse at Mid-Iowa Fertility, told the Des Moines Register.

Karen Mathes and Jason Mathes, of Polk City, welcomed twin sons Camden and Gavin in 2012. Their sons and their daughter, Nora, who was born in 2009, were the result of in vitro fertilization.

Im not really sure of how many other jobs where you can help create life and help people basically reach their dreams of being parents," she said. "I don't really know of anything else out there that could really satisfy me as much as finding the first heartbeat for somebody's first child after they've been struggling for 5 or 10 years.

But recent court rulings and legislation are raising fears that IVF treatments may be in jeopardy.

Shock waves swept through the industry, and throughout the rest of the country, recently after the Alabama State Supreme Court ruled that embryos created through IVF should be legally considered children. Hospitals and fertility clinics paused treatments in the days that followed.

Last week, Alabama state lawmakers gave final approval to legislation to protect IVF providers and patients from criminal and civil liability. The bill has yet to be signed into law by Alabama's governor.

Sarah Brown, from Birmingham, Ala., holds a sign in support of IVF treatments during a rally advocating for IVF rights outside the Alabama State House. Brown has two children, ages 3 and 1, who were conceived using IVF at Birmingham Fertility center.

The Alabama ruling has no direct impact in Iowa, but it has opened the door to questions about the possible impacts to IVF care in Iowa from providers like Mathes and Cooper, the physician at Mid-Iowa Fertility.

In particular, providers and advocates worry about the potential legal ramifications of existing Iowa law defining "unborn child" and from new legislation state lawmakers are considering that furthers the effort to define fertilized embryos as "personhood."

Were tampering in ground that is difficult for science to define, which makes it exceedingly more difficult for politicians to define," Cooper said.

Existing Iowa law defines fertilized embryo as 'unborn person'

Iowa Code Chapters 146A and 146B define "unborn child" as an individual organism of the species homo sapiens from fertilization to live birth.

That language was established in Iowa as part of the law that passed in 2017 establishing Iowa's current 20-week abortion ban. Under that provision, the language applies only to doctors performing abortions in Iowa.

While this existing law doesn't directly pertain to regulation of fertility care, its language has the potential to cause ramifications in Iowa similar to those that played out in Alabama, according to legal and medical experts interviewed by the Register.

Alan Ostergren, president of the Kirkwood Institute and a prominent conservative attorney, said plaintiffs in a lawsuit could use that language to argue any loss of embryos is not destruction of property, but instead a wrongful death.

As in Alabama, that distinction would be up to Iowa's courts to decide. So far, no lawsuit has set that kind of precedent, Ostergren said.

"Whether their damages would be for the destruction of their property or would have been a wrongful death claim, those plaintiffs would have to persuade the Iowa Supreme Court that the law should recognize that embryo as a child and not just an embryo," Ostergren said. "Theres not a code section right now that would directly answer that question."

Legislation Iowa lawmakers are considering this session, House File 2575, uses the same language as existing law. The bill, which was approved by the Iowa House on Thursday, would create stricter penalties for terminating a person's pregnancy without their consent. That bill is awaiting a Senate vote.

Another bill, House File 2518, uses the same "unborn person" definition to allow Iowans to bring wrongful death lawsuits over wrongful death of an unborn child, which would include a fertilized embryo.

Republican lawmakers are trying to tamp down fears that the same thing that happened in Alabama awaits Iowa.

"These bills were not crafted with the intention of having any effect on IVF, and they don't make any changes to IVF in Iowa," Melissa Saitz, a spokesperson for Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley, said in a statement. "The Alabama Supreme Court has no effect on Iowa law. As always, the speaker will continue to seek feedback from Iowans on any legislative changes they would like made on this topic in the future."

More: House votes to raise penalty for killing an 'unborn person.' Democrats say it endangers IVF

What are the implications for IVF treatment?

To Cooper, the physician at Mid-Iowa Fertility, the personhood statute does not mean IVF treatments could not take place in Iowa.

However, he said it would pose huge ramifications for key pieces of that care, including genetic testing and disposing of leftover embryos.

I think we would still be able to do some treatment, but it can significantly limit what we're able to do and take some of our most useful tools away," he said.

If fertilized embryos are defined as persons, Cooper said, it's unclear whether providers would be allowed to discard or donate frozen embryos that patients don't want to use.

To fertility care providers, perhaps the most concerning aspect are the implications for genetic testing, which clinics rely on to detect abnormalities and otherwise ensure patients are receiving healthy embryos that are more likely to result in a healthy birth.

In some cases, patients who aren't struggling to get pregnant seek out IVF treatment to ensure implanted embryos don't inherit severe genetic conditions, such as Huntington's disease. Through this method, Cooper said IVF providers have the opportunity to "virtually eliminate" deadly conditions in children.

Who doesnt see the positivity in that? But if you define that personhood begins at conception and I have an embryo affected, youre telling me Ive got to put that back? Thats where the quagmire comes in," Cooper said.

What do supporters, critics say about the 'personhood' debate?

Iowa's effort aligns with a longtime campaign nationwide by anti-abortion advocates for governments to define "fetal personhood," therefore recognizing a fetus as a person and grant them the rights and protections guaranteed to people.

Republican lawmakers dismissed concerns that the bill approved by the Iowa House would have ramifications similar to those playing out in Alabama, stating during last week's debate that existing Iowa law has not had any effect.

More: Iowa's GOP Congress members say they're both 'pro-life' and pro-IVF after Alabama ruling

Still, Democrats and other advocates have raised alarms about this effort, particularly since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which opened the door for states, including Iowa, to establish strict abortion laws.

Mazie Stilwell, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood Advocates for Iowa, said the proposed legislation is a "blatant attempt" to further conservative advocates' anti-abortion agenda in the state. She argued that additional personhood language in Iowa law has the potential to create chaos within the legal system.

The GOP has power to take away people's control over their bodies and their lives and, unfortunately, access to IVF is no different," Stilwell said.

Karen Mathes, second from left, and Jason Mathes, far right, of Polk City, sought IVF treatment in 2009 and 2011 to have their daughter, Nora, and their twin sons Camden and Gavin.

Ostergren argued that the overturning of Roe v. Wade opened the door for legislative scrutiny of certain medical practices, including IVF and surrogacy.

"People have made a mistake if they think that they can just start fertilizing and then freezing embryos in a lab and run a business doing that and have no legal, ethical or moral scrutiny of what they're doing, Ostergren said.

Cooper pushed back on that argument, saying IVF treatment and other fertility care is one of the most regulated fields in medicine. He also said the industry has guidelines from multiple medical regulatory bodies to ensure providers are delivering the most ethical care possible.

They really need to understand what's already happening before you come in from the outside and try to impose something else, especially when you're not intimately familiar with what happens in our world," Cooper said. "You just end up restricting care and taking useful science away from patients that can really benefit from it.

Mathes disagrees with the push to define fertilized embryos as people, saying that she views those embryos more as "a potential for life." Without numerous medical interventions and support, many of those don't grow beyond a bundle of cells.

Even then, she said, there isn't a guarantee a healthy birth will result.

Polk City residents Karen and Jason Mathes, not pictured, welcomed three children with the help of in vitro fertilization treatment: Nora, born in 2009, and twin sons Camden and Gavin in 2012.

It scares me," she said, "Its not so black and white. Theres a lot of gray area in the middle. It affects a lot of people, and they dont understand that. Unless you work in it every day, you would never understand it."

Editor's note: A previously published version of this article misidentified the Kirkwood Institute, where attorney Alan Ostergren is president.

Reporter Stephen Gruber-Miller contributed to this report.

Michaela Ramm covers health care for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at mramm@registermedia.com, at (319) 339-7354 or on Twitter at @Michaela_Ramm

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: IVF treatment in Iowa could be impacted by personhood legislation
With the holy month of Ramadan beginning Sunday for Muslims, attention is again focusing on the long history of religious tension in Jerusalem, which is often said to be the third-holiest city in Islam.

While there is no Islamic Vatican to make an authoritative, infallible ranking, most Muslims would agree with the statement and there are ample grounds in Islamic tradition to justify it.

Before doing so, let me reemphasize the phrase in Islamic tradition. To make a very complex case very simple, there arent a lot of direct, contemporary sources for the foundation of Islam in the early seventh century A.D. Consequently, most scholars and most Muslims rely on a body of narratives that seem to have been first written down at length in the ninth century. Two hundred years is a long span for unrecorded history, even in an age when orality can be assumed to have bred better memories. In recent years, however, a small camp of mostly German historians has raised some issues around the historical reliability of these narratives. That is a story for another day; for most historians over time, these narratives have been assumed to be basically reliable. Because they are believed by most Muslims, they are what I am referring here to as Islamic tradition.

First, we can turn to the name of Jerusalem across the Muslim world. Most Dispatch readers will recognize the Arabic term al-Quds or the name of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds Force. It refers to Jerusalem, which was more fully and originally referred to as Madinat al-Quds in Arabic, literally the city of holiness, or as Jews and Christians conventionally describe it, the Holy City. Quds can also denote a holy place or sanctuary, and its likely that the understanding of this term was either derived from the Holy of Holies in the Jewish Temple or came to encompass its reconfigured Islamic identity as the Temple Mount sanctuary, more about which later.

Muslims recognized Jerusalems sacrality from a very early date, as shown by a reporta hadith, a codified account of an incident from the prophetic erathat for roughly the first year and a half of Muhammads mission, he instructed his followers to pray toward Jerusalem, before reorienting them toward Mecca. This hadith was only written down in the ninth century, so its historic reliability may be questioned but at the very least it shows a reverence for the city from a very early point.

Why? Muslim salvation history, to borrow an inapposite phrase from Christian theology, deems David and Solomonamong other eminent biblical figuresMuslim prophets, and so imbues the Islamic Jerusalem with an aura of holiness similar, though not identical, to the Jewish Jerusalem or the Christian Jerusalem.

Within this theological tradition, the story of Muhammads Night Journey (which looks to most outsiders as rather legendary, given that the Muslim prophet is transported on a flying, human-headed horse) is a key element. The scriptural basis of the Night Journey is the Quranic verse Glory be to the One Who took His servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing. (17:1) The reader may be puzzled by the shifting between we and he pronouns for God, but this shifting is common, if confusing, in the Quran. The details of the Night Journey are provided in hadiths that add theological (and, in the case of the human-headed horse, probably mythological) elements. However, the terms Sacred Mosque and Farthest Mosque are key here, respectively al-masjid al-haram and al-masjid al-aqsa. While theres no indication in the text where these places are, tradition identifies them with Mecca and Jerusalem, respectively.

Sharp-eyed readers will have noticed that the farthest mosque is the al-Aqsa mosque, which is the name now given to the precinct of the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Friday Mosque (Jamiat al-Aqsa). Readers familiar with the history will object that the Night Journey is supposed to have taken place in 621 and the Dome of the Rock was not built until around 691. Masjid, however literally means place of prostration, and seems to have indicated any place of worship (including a Christian church), so the idea that the Temple Mount might have been the most distant place of worship is less far-fetched than it might appear at first glance, though theres some evidence that the earliest Muslim interpreters believed it to simply mean heaven itself. However, fairly early on it seems to have become identified with the Temple Mount, and described as the site of Muhammads meeting with Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, and his leading them in prayer before ascending to the seven levels of heaven, guided by the Archangel Gabriel (Jibril), where Muhammad, as the perfect man, was, uniquely among humans, admitted to the immediate presence of God, who ratified and clarified his mission.

The Dome of the Rock is another reason Jerusalem is sacred to Muslims, but not merely because of its location upon al-masjid al-aqsa. Although the eponymous rock is said to be Muhammads takeoff point for his ascension to heaven, Islamic tradition also identifies it as the site of Abrahams aborted sacrifice of Isaac. The rock is also the Foundation Stone in Jewish tradition, the first-created part, center, and omphalos of the world. The Holy of Holies in Solomons Temple was built upon it, it served as the seat of the Ark of the Covenant, and was revered in the Arks absence in the Second Temple period. Islamic tradition relates that the cavern in it called the Well of Souls was formed by the Foundation Stones trying to follow Muhammad to heaven, and identifies not only Muhammads footprint in the stone, but the handprint where Gabriel restrained the Stone, holding it in place.

Built by Abd al-Malik (r. 685705), an early caliph, the octagonal, domed structure of the Dome of the Rock echoes a Byzantine church or martyrium or perhaps a Zoroastrian fire temple that Abd al-Malik might have encountered in Persian-influenced Iraq. Abd al-Maliks ideological agenda, however, is proclaimed in the various monumental inscriptions on the structure, a mixture of verses from the Quran and other statements that seem predominantly concerned with condemning the idolatrous association (Arabic shirk) of things with God, perhaps principally the person of Jesus. In Islamic tradition, this represents a triumphant statement of the new faith against the old, corrupted, defeated creed of Byzantium. Given that the movement at whose head Abd al-Malik stood had not yet seem to have dubbed themselves Muslims, but rather Believers, with some kind of participation by Christians and Jews, the details of the theology involved may have been messier and murkier. Perhaps uniting anti-Trinitarian Christians with Jews and others interested in a less complex, more uncompromising monotheism than that on offer by the Chalcedonian Christianity which the Byzantines had adopted. It has also been suggested that the Dome of the Rock might have been built to serve as a pilgrimage destination in opposition to Mecca, which was then under the control of Abd al-Maliks rival caliph Abdallah ibn al-Zubayr.

Whatever the genesis of the Dome of the Rock, it has served to anchor Jerusalem in the Muslim imagination. Numerous apocalyptic accounts call the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock the site of the return of Jesus at the end of time. As in Christian eschatology, the return of Jesus figures centrally in Islamic eschatological traditions, e.g., in those where he is borne by angels from heaven to the minaret of the Umayyad Mosque of Damascus, seeks out the one-eyed Antichrist figure known as the Dajjal who will have been working demonically-aided miracles, chases him to the city of Lod in Israel, and there runs him through with a swordor simply strikes him dead with a lethal glance.

The Dome of the Rock was significantly restored and renovated by another Muslim sovereign who believed the end was nigh and that he would play an important part in its coming to pass. The Ottoman sultan Suleyman I (who reigned 15201566) was given the Muslim version of the name of King Solomon, proverbially spectacular ruler and Temple builder. Known as the Magnificent to Western history (and a very entertaining if historically dodgy Turkish historical soap opera) and to Ottoman posterity as the Lawgiver, Suleyman had every reason to believe he was touched by divine favornomen est omen. Given the name of a prophet-king, he inherited his familys claim to the Roman imperium, the right to universal rule that many (even Christian observers) believed had passed to the House of Osman by right of conquest in 1453, when they took Romes capital, Constantinople. Moreover, Suleyman inherited Jerusalem in his patrimony, when his terrifying father, Selim I (who reigned 15121520) died at 50, having conquered most of whats now the Arabic-speaking Middle East.

Suleyman did his bit to make the then rather sleepy, but growing, town of Jerusalem a little more magnificent as well. (Jerusalem then had roughly 5,000 to 10,000 inhabitants, which made it roughly the size of Como in Italy or two-thirds the size of Aachen in Belgium.) Not only did Suleyman rebuild the city walls (the current walls of the city are his construction), but he renovated the Dome of the Rock, most noticeably by Ottomanizing the exterior with brilliant Turkish faience tilework (which were themselves replaced with faithful, Italian-manufactured copies in the 1960s).

Jerusalem, then, is the City of the Sanctuary to Muslims as the site of Abrahams sacrifice, the residence of the prophets David, Solomon, and Elijah, the theater of Jesuss life, a way station on the Night Journey, and, perhaps as commemorated by the Dome of the Rock, the setting for the events of the apocalypse. Jews and Christians will recognize elements of their own beliefs refracted, sometimes as if in a fun-house mirror, in this tradition, but will have no problem identifying why Jerusalem occupies an important place in the Islamic imagination.

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(NEXSTAR)  This Sunday, some of Hollywoods most celebrated actors and filmmakers will be vying to get their hands on a gold-plated Oscar statuette, one of the most prestigious awards in the industry.

But just who is this Oscar guy, anyway?

The Academy Award of Merit, as the statuette is officially named, was first presented to honorees at the inaugural Academy Awards in 1929. But it wasnt until years later that the nickname Oscar emerged, and even longer before the Academy embraced the moniker.

Oscar statuettes

The origins of the name Oscar are disputed, but one of the most common beliefs, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), concerns Academy librarian Margaret Herrick. Herrick, in the early 1930s, is purported to have claimed that the statuette looked like her Uncle Oscar  and the name somehow stuck.

But Herricks account changed slightly in later years. As noted by Bruce Davis, a former AMPAS executive director and the author of The Academy and the Award, Herrick would later admit she never had an uncle named Oscar, but would sometimes joke about a fictional Uncle Oscar with her husband. As the newer story goes, the joke eventually made its way into the Academys offices.

Unfortunately, theres little evidence to confirm either account.

Why do the Oscars still separate acting categories by actor and actress?

Theres also no evidence to support a claim once made by Oscar-winner Bette Davis, who said she coined the nickname Oscar upon winning an Academy Award in 1936 and noticing that the statuettes golden buttocks reminded her of then-husband Harman Oscar Nelsons backside. She later retracted the claim in a 1974 biography, after the emergence of other theories concerning pre-1936 references to the nickname Oscar.

A sillier controversy never existed, the actress, who was also briefly president of AMPAS in 1941, told the biographer.

Bette Davis

Sydney Skolsky, a Hollywood gossip columnist, also attempted to take credit for the name. As he once wrote in his 1975 book Dont Get Me Wrong  I Love Hollywood, he first used the term Oscar in a 1934 column in an attempt to erase the phony dignity surrounding the ceremony, according to Biography.com. But that column reportedly covered the previous evenings awards ceremony, during which Walt Disney reportedly used the term Oscar in his speech, Biography.com reported, citing the official Disney fan club.

A more likely theory, according to Bruce Davis, is that the Oscar was christened Oscar by a secretary named Eleanore Lilleberg, who worked in the Academys offices. Her duties included wrangling and overseeing the statuettes ahead of the early ceremonies, during which time she started referring to them as Oscars, Davis contended in his book.

Davis also identified corroborating witnesses in Lester Cowan, a film producer who would frequent the offices, and Lillebergs brother Einar, who briefly worked at the headquarters as well.

Einars writings, specifically, indicated that Lilleberg nicknamed the golden statuette Oscar after a neighborhood figure they both knew in younger years. He was a veteran of the Norwegian army, Einar recounted, who was known for the way he always stood straight and tall, Davis wrote.

Academy Awards: Why the Oscar statuette is worth only $1

Davis noted that it was impossible to say whether this was the true explanation. But he felt there was more evidence to back up Lilleberg than anyone else.

Unsought though it was, the credit for originating one of the worlds best-known nicknames should almost certainly belong to her, Davis wrote.

Today, however, AMPAS makes no mention of Lilleberg or her alleged contributions anywhere on its site, instead admitting that the origin of the awards nickname isnt totally clear. Nevertheless, the Academy offers up the story of Herrick and her Uncle Oscar as the most popular version of events, and leaves Lilleberg  and even Bette Davis fixation on the statues golden butt  out of the official narrative.

The 96th Academy Awards airs Sunday, March 10 at 7 p.m Eastern and 4 p.m. Pacific.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
In September, standing before a room full of Christian conservatives, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made a bold pronouncement: I dont know how you could be a leader without having faith in God.

Being an atheist is still a political liability in the US  though its not as bad as DeSantis would have you think. While a 2020 Gallup poll found that six in 10 people would vote for a well-qualified atheist presidential candidate, fewer people said they would be willing to vote for an atheist than a candidate who was gay, lesbian or Muslim. Only socialists ranked lower among poll respondents.

Though the share of Americans who say they dont believe in a higher power has increased in the past decade, some people still view atheists negatively. A 2017 study found that people believe atheists are more likely to be serial killers than believers, even though federal data suggests they are far less likely to commit crimes than religious people.

Just like people of faith, not all atheists believe the same things. Aside from their lack of belief in a higher power or powers, atheists vary widely in their answers to spiritual and existential questions.

Given the misconceptions surrounding this group, many people are reluctant to say that theyre atheists  which means its hard to pinpoint connections and differences among their numbers.

What is atheism?

An atheist is someone who does not believe in the existence of a god or any gods, according to Merriam-Websters online dictionary.

Because atheists are defined by what they dont believe, its difficult to generalize what they do believe. In the words of comedian and outspoken atheist Ricky Gervais on X, Saying Atheism is a belief system is like saying not going skiing, is a hobby.

Some atheists, like evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins and neuroscientist Sam Harris, are steadfast in their rejection of organized religion. Others are skeptical or apathetic when it comes to philosophical questions of whether a god exists.

Because of the social stigma atheists may face in the US and around the world, some people have complicated feelings about the term, said Nick Fish, president of the organization American Atheists. Plenty of people who fit the definition of an atheist dont self-identify as such, instead preferring less fraught terms such as agnostic, humanist or freethinker, he added.

Then there are the cultural Catholics, the non-practicing Jews, the secular Muslims  people who dont necessarily believe in a deity but identify with a particular faith because of their family upbringing, ethnicity or culture.

A simple dictionary definition doesnt necessarily encapsulate peoples self identity, and people use a variety of terms even when ultimately they believe the same thing, Fish said.

What do atheists believe?

Atheists also have different interpretations of what it means to not believe. While nearly all self-described atheists dont believe in the God described in the Judeo-Christian Bible, 23% do believe in God or some other higher power or spiritual force in the universe, according to a Pew Research Center report published in January.

Belief for atheists goes deeper than the question of whether there is a higher power.

Notably, a fifth of self-described atheists consider themselves spiritual, Pews recent survey on the religious nones found. The report contains other surprising insights, too: Most atheists say the natural world is all there is, but nearly a quarter believe theres something spiritual beyond our present environment. About a third believe animals other than humans can have spirits or spiritual energies, and a slightly smaller share believe spiritual energies can be found in parts of nature, like mountains, trees or rivers. Just under one in five atheists believe cemeteries or memorial sites can have spiritual energies, while fewer than one in 10 say the same about objects such as crystals. Nearly a third of atheists believe humans have souls or spirits in addition to their physical body.

Plenty of atheists consider themselves spiritual or find meaning in the natural world. - Photo Illustration by Jason Lancaster/CNN/Getty Images

These responses might seem confusing or contradictory, but atheism and spirituality arent necessarily at odds. Though some people associate spirituality with a connection to a god, for others it can mean feeling connected to other people or to something else bigger than oneself.

Indeed, there are atheists who believe in cosmic interconnectedness or in transcendent moments of wonder without considering themselves religious. Long distance swimmer and self-proclaimed atheist Diana Nyad discussed this distinction in a 2013 interview with Oprah.

Im an atheist whos in awe, she said. I think you can be an atheist who doesnt believe in an overarching being who created all of this and sees over it. But theres spirituality because we human beings, and we animals and maybe even we plants  but certainly the ocean and the moon and the stars  we all live with something that is cherished and we feel the treasure of it.

How many atheists are there?

Its hard to know just how many atheists there are when some people are reluctant to claim the label.

While a 2018 Pew survey found that 10% of US adults say they dont believe in any higher power or spiritual force, only about 4% of US adults identify as atheists. A 2022 Gallup poll puts the number of nonbelievers higher, with 17% of Americans saying they dont believe in God.

Some scholars, however, consider these numbers underestimates  an analysis by psychologists Will Gervais and Maxine B. Najle suggests the true count is closer to 26%. Gervais points to Cold War era associations of atheists as godless communists, as well as Christianitys enduring influence on American culture, as some reasons people may be hesitant to identify as nonbelievers.

The term atheist has attracted some unsavory connotations, he added. Also, religion (in the US) is politically and socially rewarded, so people might be reluctant to out themselves as an atheist.

Its also worth noting that atheism  at least in the West  is often defined in relation to monotheistic traditions, namely the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. As the organization American Atheists notes on its website, older dictionaries previously defined atheism as a belief that there is no God  the singular, proper noun typically used by Christians and some Jews. Even Gallups 2022 poll asked about belief in God.

Framing atheism in these terms doesnt capture a range of other beliefs that atheists could conceivably hold. Strands of atheist thought can be found in non-theistic traditions such as Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, as well cultures around the world that practice animism.

What is the difference between an atheist and an agnostic?

It's hard to talk about atheists as a large group because they're defined by what they don't believe in. - Photo Illustration by Jason Lancaster/CNN/Getty Images

There are all kinds of labels to describe nonbelievers. While atheism and agnosticism are among the most common, there are some differences between those terms.

Though the two are often considered distinct worldviews, technically, they arent mutually exclusive. Rather, the terms atheism and agnosticism answer different questions, Nick Fish of American Atheists said. Atheism answers whether a person believes in a god or gods, and agnosticism answers whether it is possible to know if a supreme being exists.

But again, dictionary definitions prove limiting here. In reality, many people think of agnosticism as a less stringent form of atheism.

If you spend a bit of time digging in, I think (many agnostics) will ultimately say, I dont believe in a God but Im not sure, so Im agnostic, Fish said.

Jocelyn Williamson, co-founder of the Central Florida Freethought Community, doesnt believe in a higher power but says she cant be certain. Technically, that fits the definition of an agnostic atheist. But she said she typically tells people who ask about her religious beliefs that shes a secular humanist.

Most people dont know what that means, and then I can actually have a conversation, Williamson said. Theres too many preconceived notions if I just say Im an atheist.

The term atheist only conveys what she doesnt believe in, Williamson said. The term humanist, meanwhile, signals that shes motivated by compassion for others and that she believes societal decision-making should be grounded in reason and science.

What do people get wrong about atheists?

One of the most common misconceptions about atheists is that they lack morals that others typically attribute to religion.

In a 2019 Pew survey, 44% of US residents said belief in God was necessary to be moral and have good values  in other countries, that share is much higher.

Williamson is all too familiar with such notions. When she was first getting to know faith leaders in her state, through her work with the Central Florida Freethought Community, she recalls a clergy member asking her what stops her from killing other people if she doesnt believe in a higher power.

I had always thought that was a meme, a trope, she said. I didnt think anybody actually believed that.

In fact, various studies suggest that atheists are no more immoral than religious people. Theyre also just as likely to participate in civic life as those who are affiliated with a religion and just as likely to engage in community service, according to Pews recent survey of religious nones.

Atheists also get stereotyped as angry people who vehemently oppose religion and its followers. Like any other population, though, they arent a monolith. Williamson, for example, is part of the Interfaith Council of Central Florida and works with faith leaders toward common goals. Plenty of nonbelievers volunteer with religious organizations out of a desire to serve their communities, she added  her father worked as a local director for the Christian nonprofit Habitat for Humanity despite not being religious.

Another misconception about atheists is that theyre certain or unwavering in their beliefs, Fish said. People often tell him that they arent sure on the big existential questions, and therefore cant be atheists. But many atheists are figuring it all out, too.

Just because we dont believe in a god doesnt mean that we have all the answers to everything else, he said. In fact, for many, for most of us, its the opposite. We recognize that we dont.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., the lead GOP negotiator on a border-foreign aid package, speaks with reporters outside the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024.

Amid the ongoing immigration crisis, Oklahoma County Republicans on Saturday censured U.S. Sen. James Lankford for his work in crafting a bipartisan deal to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

The overwhelming vote to censure the senior Republican senator came at a party convention in Oklahoma City attended by an estimated 225 members of the GOP.

The censure came a month after the border package died on the Senate floor.

Why did Lankford take up the bipartisan border bill?

House Republicans tapped Lankford to negotiate the bipartisan border deal.

Lankford and his fellow negotiators spent months on the package as the southern border buckled with immigrants.

In December, there were 302,034 encounters at the southern border, or an average of 9,743 a day, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Migrants are taken into custody by officials at the Texas-Mexico border, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is leading about 60 fellow Republicans in Congress on a visit to the Mexican border. Their trip comes as they are demanding hard-line immigration policies in exchange for backing President Joe Biden's emergency wartime funding request for Ukraine. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

What was in the failed border bill Lankford negotiated?

The $118 billion border package addressed the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border and included new aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.

The proposal would have expanded detention capacity while making it harder for people to qualify for asylum.

The legislation wouldve ended a practice known as "catch and release," in which those caught crossing the border illegally are released into the United States while they wait for the government to process their asylum application.

The deal expanded the number of green-card-eligible visas every year for the next five years and guaranteed that children of H1-B visa holders remain eligible for green cards once they turn 21.

The 370-page bill included a three-year policy to shut down the processing of asylum applications from people who crossed illegally if the number of expulsions and apprehensions of migrants reaches a weeklong average of 4,000. It would create a mandated shutdown after a weeklong average of 5,000 or more.

The bill included a supplemental aid package requested by President Joe Biden for foreign conflicts, which would have appropriated $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel and $10 billion for humanitarian aid, including in Gaza.

What role did Donald Trump play in killing border deal?

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., the lead GOP negotiator on a border-foreign aid package, speaks with reporters outside the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024.

In the weeks leading up to the border package vote in February, former President Donald Trump, leveraging his popularity with GOP voters, lobbied Republicans in Congress to oppose the deal.

Trump has made it clear he plans to make immigration a central platform for his 2024 reelection bid.

He posted to Truth Social that he opposed a border package unless we get EVERYTHING needed to shut down the INVASION at the southern border.

On the "The Dan Bongino Show," Trump targeted Lankford by saying the bill was very bad for his career.

Ahead of the vote on the bill, many Republicans called it dead on arrival.

Lankford was one of only four Republicans to vote in favor of the package.

Biden blamed Trump for the bill failing to move forward, saying "He'd rather weaponize this issue than actually solve it."

Lankford has previously opposed Trump

Lankford voted to certify the 2020 presidential election results amid Trumps claims that the election was rigged.

His vote followed the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot in which mobs of Trump supporters sought to stop Bidens victory from being formalized.

There was a thought that there would be several states that would have challenges  But I was never going to challenge more than one because if you start challenging multiple states, youre making obvious: Im trying to overturn this election. I wasnt trying to overturn this election.

During a Sunday appearance on CNN, Lankford discussed the border crisis, President Joe Bidens State of the Union address and his endorsement of Trump for the 2024 presidency.

Theres just no contest between the two of which ones more focused on national security issues, which ones more focused on actually securing the border, Lankford said.

U.S. Sen. James Lankford at the Governor's Prayer Breakfast, coordinated by the nonprofit Capitol Culture, at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024.

Lankford's response to GOP attacks over border bill

Some members of the Oklahoma Republican Party met in January to censure Lankford over what they called his "open border deal." The state party's chair, Nathan Dahm, later said the meeting was illegal and the censure was not an official position of the Oklahoma GOP.

Oklahoma County GOP Chair Ken Warner told The Oklahoman that Saturdays censure vote against Lankford was because of details in the border bill.

"It's really because he's said he's willing to allow 5,000 illegals ... per day," Warner said. "That was part of the border bill. ... That was one of the things in there."

Lankford has complained the deal has been misunderstood.

"It would be absolutely absurd for me to agree to 5,000 people a day. This bill focuses on getting us to zero illegal crossings a day," he told Fox News in January. "This is not about letting 5,000 people in a day. ... This is set up for, if you have a rush of people coming at the border, the border closes down. No one gets in."

After the deal died, Lankford said from the Senate floor:

"What's been told has been false, day after day. I've had a few folks that have said, 'If I can't get everything, I want nothing.' I don't find most Americans are that way in their day-to-day life. Americans are ticked off that this is not resolved, and they expect us to get things done. So why don't we do that?"

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Fallout continues over border bill US Sen. James Lankford negotiated
FILE - A ninth grader places her cellphone in to a phone holder as she enters class at Delta High School, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Delta, Utah. Most schools have policies regulating student cellphone use at school. But the reality is kids dont always follow the rules and schools enforce them sporadically. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Virginia high school teacher Joe Clement keeps track of the text messages parents have sent students sitting in his economics and government classes:

 What did you get on your test?

 Did you get the field trip form signed?

 Do you want chicken or hamburgers for dinner tonight?

Clement has a plea for parents: Stop texting your kids at school.

Parents are distressingly aware of the distractions and the mental health issues associated with smartphones and social media. But teachers say parents might not realize how much those struggles play out at school.

One culprit? Mom and Dad themselves, whose stream-of-consciousness questions add to a climate of constant interruption and distraction from learning. Even when schools regulate or ban cellphones, it's hard for teachers to enforce it. And the constant buzzes on watches and phones are occupying critical brain space regardless of whether kids are sneaking a peek.

A few changes in parents' behavior can help make phones less distracting at school. Here's what teachers and experts recommend.

TRY IT: STOP TEXTING YOUR KID AT SCHOOL

Many parents stay in touch with their child by texting, but school is a place for focusing on learning and developing independence. Teachers say you can still reach your child if you have a change in plans or a family emergency: Just contact the front office.

If the message is not urgent, it can probably wait.

Think of it this way: If you came to school and said, Can you pull my child out of calculus so I can tell them something not important?' we would say no, central Virginia school counselor Erin Rettig said.

Teachers emphasized: They are not saying parents are to blame for school cellphone battles, just that parents can do more to help. Tell your kids, for example, not to text home unless it is urgent. And if they do, ignore it.

When your children are texting you stuff that can wait  like, Can I go to Bretts house five days from now?  dont respond, said Sabine Polak, one of three mothers who co-founded the Phone-Free Schools Movement. You have to stop engaging. Thats just feeding the problem.

CUT THE CORD FROM 8 TO 3

Many parents got used to being in constant contact during the COVID-19 pandemic, when kids were home doing online school. They have kept that communication going as life has otherwise returned to normal.

We call it the digital umbilical cord. Parents cant let go. And they need to, Clement said.

Parents might not expect their kids to respond immediately to texts (though many do). But when students pull out their phones to reply, it opens the door to other social media distractions.

ANXIETY VIA TEXT MESSAGE

At parent workshops, Rettig, the school counselor in Virginia, tells parents they are contributing to childrens anxiety by sending messages, tracking their whereabouts and checking grades daily, which doesn't give kids space to be independent at school.

Some teachers say they get emails from parents right after returning graded exams, before the class is over, because kids feel the need (or are told) to report grades immediately to parents.

Dr. Libby Milkovich, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician at Children's Mercy Kansas City, says she asks parents to consider what kids miss out on by having parents at arms' reach during school hours.

By texting back and forth with a parent, a child is unable to practice either self-calming or problem-solving skills, Milkovich said. It's easy to text, but if I don't have a phone, I have to go ask the teacher or I have to figure it out on my own.

Some kids who oppose school cellphone bans say it's helpful to reach out to parents when they're feeling anxious or worried at school. For children with serious anxiety who are accustomed to texting parents for reassurance, Milkovich suggests phasing in limits so the child can gradually practice having more independence. She urges parents to ask themselves: Why does my child need constant access to a phone?

Often parents say, I want to be able to reach my child at any time, which has nothing to do with the childs outcome. Its because of the parents anxiety, she said.

TAKE AWAY THAT OLD PHONE

Beth Black, a high school English teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area, tells parents to consider confiscating their childs old phones.

Her school requires students to put phones in a special cellphone holder when they enter classrooms. But she has seen students stash their old, inactive phone there, and hold onto the phone that works.

Like many teachers, she says phones aren't the only problem. There's also the earbud issue.

"Forty percent of my students have at least one earbud in when they walk into class, Black said. The kids will set their phone in the holder to music and theyll listen to music in class in one earbud.

TURN OFF NOTIFICATIONS

Parents' reining in their texts will only go so far. So work with your kids to turn off some or all of their attention-stealing notifications.

To prove just how distracting smartphones are, Clement ran an in-class experiment where he asked students to take their phones off silent and switch on notifications for two minutes.

It sounded like an old-time video arcade  bizzing, buzzing, dinging and ringing for two solid minutes, he said.

Many studies have found students check their phones frequently during class. A study last year from Common Sense Media found teens get bombarded with as many as 237 notifications a day. About 25% of them pop up during the school day, mostly from friends on social media.

Every time our focus is interrupted, it takes a lot of brain power and energy to get back on task, said Emily Cherkin, a Seattle-based teacher-turned-consultant who specializes in screen-time management.

Teachers say the best school cellphone policy is one that physically removes the phone from the child. Otherwise, its hard to compete.

When the phone vibrates in their pocket, now their focus is on their pocket. And theyre wondering, How do I get it out to the table? How do I check it?" said Randy Freiman, a high school chemistry teacher in upstate New York. You ask them a question and they havent heard a word youve said. Their brain is elsewhere.

___

The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Bob Dennis died June 3, 2019. (Courtesy Cindy Dennis-Pollard)

BERTRAM, Texas (KXAN)  Photos of Bob Dennis line the mantle. After his death in June 2019, his daughter Cindy Dennis-Pollard moved into his home in Williamson County.

I dont want to live in this house. I want this to be my dads house, she said tearfully.

She explained his death was hard to cope with, especially not knowing how the 63-year-old died. She said it took eight months to get his autopsy back.

My dad was in a freezer at the funeral home around the street from my house  every day I drove to work, I would have to pass my dad, she said.

Its not uncommon for autopsies to take that long in Williamson County, which doesnt have a Medical Examiner. Instead, as allowed under Texas law, four Justice of the Peace judges determine cause and manner of death.

Youre pronouncing whether or not it was a homicide, suicide, an accidental death or of natural causes. And any unattended death is one that will come to the justice of the peace, explained Judge KT Musselman, Williamson County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 1.

If a case needs further investigation  for instance, for toxicology and identification purposes  they request an autopsy, which then either goes to a local, private forensics firm or the medical examiners office in neighboring Travis County, which the judges say can mean a wait of six to nine months.

Williamson County Justices of the Peace determine cause and manner of death in addition to holding court. (KXAN Photo/Arezow Doost)

Thats hard on the families, theyre  theyre, you know, kind of in limbo, and they dont have a final cause of death. They dont  theyre not able to maybe get life insurance or close out some accounts without that final death certificate. So, theyre depending on us to get the job done, said Judge Evelyn McLean, Williamson County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 3.

The judges admit the job is getting harder and harder to do. They each are on call for a full week at a time and cover the entire county day and night in addition to holding court during the week.

You might begin the day with evictions  continue with debt claims. You may have truancy cases, Judge Musselman explained. You have small claims cases, Judge Judy-style hearings and you can marry people.

Growing pains

As Williamson County continues to grow, the judges explained it has meant more deaths and more complex cases. Its why theyve been pushing for the county to have its own Medical Examiners office.

Judge Evelyn McLean responding to a scene in Williamson County. (Courtesy Judge Evelyn McLean)

We have no medical training. None of us have any kind of medical training, Judge McLean said. We feel that whats required of us, were  were doing the job were asked to do but were definitely not a doctor.

Data KXAN obtained shows the number of death investigations conducted by Williamson County Justice of the Peace judges has increased by 120% in the past decade  from 464 cases annually to 1,024. The judges added that, on average, they usually have 20 to 30 deaths within a week.

The majority of Texas counties, 254 counties, you know, many of which are small enough that a Justice of the Peace system can manage that system. But Williamson County is no longer in that category. In fact, were at the exact opposite end of that with nearing 700,000 people. And we are now the largest county without a medical examiner in the state of Texas, Judge Musselman said.

Texas law states a county with a population of 2.5 million must have a medical examiner but the Commissioners Court may establish one at any time. KXAN investigators asked whether its a priority for the county to have its own medical examiner but were referred to the law. A spokesperson added County Commissioners have not discussed the issue publicly, so they have no comment.

Justices of the Peace say with a growing population comes more deaths and more complex cases. (KXAN Photo/Arezow Doost)

We have to have somebody thats willing to step up and say, We have to start making those plans. We have to start figuring out where were going to put it. We have to start figuring out how were going to fund it,' said Judge Rhonda Redden, Williamson County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 4.

Right now, the county covers the cost of an autopsy which the judges say can run up to $3,500. They estimate an initial cost of $10 million to create a medical examiners office and an annual cost comparable to what the county currently pays to send autopsies elsewhere. But they say the investment would bring expertise locally and with the countys growing population itll eventually be required.

I have about a million-dollar budget and about $450,000 of it is for autopsies. And thats money that  we multiply that by each office  is $2 million, thats going out of the door each year, Judge Musselman said.

Impact on law enforcement

Last month, the judges along with Williamson County Commissioner Valerie Covey traveled to Fort Bend County in the Houston area to tour its medical examiners office and get a better understanding of how it was funded.

The current population of Williamson County is less than 800,000, and the Commissioners Court has not discussed this issue to date. However, I anticipate that this matter will be discussed during the countys FY24-25 budget proceedings and will be considered in the Countys strategic planning efforts, said Commissioner Covey in a statement to KXAN investigators.

Williamson County Justices of the Peace with Dr. Stephen Pustilnik at Fort Bend County Medical Examiners Office. (Courtesy: Judge Evelyn McLean, Williamson County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 3)

Fort Bend Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Stephen Pustilnik told KXAN the county opened its office in December 2019. He added funding was provided through a bond package and it cost the county $3.2 million to establish the office on land the county already owned. An expansion project was finished last year for an additional $1.75 million, making the current facility size over 18,000 square feet.

The compassion of a society is measured by how it treats its dead, Dr. Pustilnik said. What is it worth for the county to save money to miss a homicide, elderly abuse, child abuse, drug overdose when you dont have an office with a trained medical examiner.

Law enforcement across Williamson County told KXAN theyre feeling the impact especially if there are multiple incidents and scenes at one time.

The city of Round Rock Police Department might be out on multiple scenes at one time  same with Georgetown, Leander, Cedar Park, said Williamson County Sheriff Mike Gleason. Therell be multiple agencies with multiple detectives waiting on them, which, you know, its not fair to the family  the body cant be moved, the process cannot be continued until the JP arrives.

Growing dockets

The judges explained they make it a priority to arrive as quickly as possible, although deaths often fall in the middle of the night or during court.

They add their dockets are growing and starting next January theyre required to have a Youth Diversion Program, which they explained will take additional resources and time.

Williamson County Justices of the Peace say death investigations impact the growing dockets. (KXAN Photo/Arezow Doost)

Its very difficult to hold small claims trials during the weeks that youre on call because youre forced to make the impossible choice when youre in the middle of somebody elses case, their trial that they may have waited years to be heard. And another call comes in because someone has died, Judge Musselman said.

Judge Williams, Williamson County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 2, explained in one night she had three death calls she responded to from midnight until 3 a.m. The next morning, she had another death call and then had to take the bench.

I had evictions with three hours of sleep  just responded to a family and had to preside over that death. And I made a mistake on that eviction and that ruling. And as soon as I made my ruling, I knew I should have took more time. But you get pressed for time. And then lack of sleep also convolutes your judgment. And its really not fair to the taxpayers, said Judge Williams, who ended up recalling the case two weeks later.

She explained that work also doesnt stop when they leave the bench or a scene.

Youre handling death certificates and authority to cremate. Youre talking to families in abundance because families are hurting. They are  theyre confused. They dont really know what happens next. And so, you spend a lot of time on the phone with families, Judge Redden added.

Cindy Dennis-Pollard holding her fathers ashes at their home in Bertram. (KXAN Photo/Arezow Doost)

That was the case with Dennis-Pollard. She said shes grateful the judge who responded to her dads death took the time to explain the process. After waiting for months for his autopsy to be completed, she received his death certificate which stated his manner of death could not be determined.

He wanted his organs donated. He wanted to help someone else. But after being in a freezer for eight months, that was not possible, Dennis-Pollard said. Losing a parent is heartbreaking.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Woman arrested after she showered Kamala Harris' motorcade with red liquid in Phoenix

A woman was arrested after allegedly tossing a red liquid onto Vice President Kamala Harris' motorcade during a campaign visit to Phoenix.

Anasilvia Gomez-Zamora, 30, was taken into custody in connection with the incident, which happened at around 6 p.m. on Friday near 7th Street and Southern Avenue.

She was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, endangerment and resisting arrest.

BIDEN BORDER VISIT UNDERSCORES KAMALA HARRIS' SHRINKING ROLE IN HANDLING MIGRANT CRISIS

The woman was standing on a sidewalk near where the motorcade was driving when she threw a red liquid, according to Phoenix Police. The liquid landed on eight Phoenix Police officers on motorcycles.

"The motor officers were able to continue the motorcade as they progressed through their route. Other officers in the area were able to locate and arrest the woman responsible," Sgt. Phil Krynsky told Fox 10.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Police said the liquid was determined to be non-hazardous.

VP KAMALA HARRIS DODGES QUESTION WHETHER SHE'D DEBATE TRUMP RUNNING MATE

Vice President Kamala Harris was visiting Phoenix to campaign on her "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" tour.

Gomez-Zamora was booked into jail in Maricopa County on Saturday but has since been released.

Harris was visiting Phoenix to campaign on her "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" tour in support of abortion access for women in the U.S., her fourth trip to Arizona as vice president.





Original article source: Woman arrested after she showered Kamala Harris' motorcade with red liquid in Phoenix
A Minnesota woman is accused of drowning her baby in a hotel bathtub and tossing his body in a dumpster, news outlets report.

Police met with Esperanza Rae Harding, 20, at a Bloomington hospital while following up on a missing child report on March 6, according to documents obtained by KMSP. Harding told police her child died at the hospital, the outlet reported, but investigators could find no record of the boy being there.

Later, Harding told officers that her baby had died days earlier, on Feb. 28, and that she drowned him in the bathtub of a hotel, KARE reported.

She said his crying was bothering her and she was upset she could not enjoy her bath, documents read, KMSP reported.

Harding also texted a man she was seeing, 18-year-old Edwin Trudeau, telling him what she had done, Bringmethenews.com reported, citing court documents. Authorities also said she took a photo of the child floating lifeless in the tub.

Trudeau did not like her child, she told investigators, the outlet reported.

According to documents, Trudeau came over to the hotel room and tried, unsuccessfully, to revive the boy using CPR, the station reported. They left the child on the bathroom floor, then went into another room to have sex, officials said.

After, documents said Harding covered up the body, put it inside a backpack and tossed it in a dumpster, KARE reported.

Despite his knowledge of what happened, authorities said Trudeau did not contact authorities and he is being charged as an accomplice, according to the station.

Harding is facing a charge of second-degree murder, KMSP reported.

Bloomington is a suburb of Minneapolis, roughly a 10-mile drive south of the citys downtown.

Mom suffocates baby while co-sleeping, and its not her first time, NC police say

Cold-blooded partygoers record woman dying after shooting at rave, Texas cops say

Accused robber killed in shootout with man carrying concealed gun, Illinois cops say

Woman found sitting on husbands body is accused of shooting him dead, Iowa cops say
Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) recently brought together 170 healthcare professionals, including influential female figures playing a key role in shaping the future of Saudi Arabias healthcare sector, at an event marking International Womens Day (IWD).

Recognising the remarkable achievements of its female employees, which include more than 1,000 Saudi nationals, JHAH  a joint venture between John Hopkins Medicine and Saudi Aramco  hosted staff and senior leadership at an event titled Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.

The event highlighted JHAH's work promoting an inclusive and empowering environment in line with this years IWD theme of Embrace Equity in addition to the Kingdoms vision for a future in which women participate in all sectors.

Since 2015, female labor force participation in Saudi Arabia has nearly doubled to more than 36 per cent, already surpassing Vision 2030s target of 30 per cent by the end of the decade. At JHAH, women comprise over 57 per cent of the workforce with the organisation setting a precedent for gender equity in Saudis healthcare sector. Notably, 106 Saudi women occupy leadership roles within JHAH.

Highlighting the organisations commitment to promoting womens leadership and professional growth, Dr Michael Walsh, Chief Executive of JHAH, said:

JHAH is deeply committed to creating an environment where women can excel and reach their full potential. We are immensely proud of all our female colleagues and their significant contributions to the organisation and the wider healthcare sector. Their expertise, leadership, and dedication are integral to our mission of delivering world-class healthcare to our patients. That is what we are celebrating at Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.

The event was attended by Dr Noha Al Mohaisen, Head of Enablement at CQI & PS, Ministry of Defence Health Services, Riyadh; Dr Hanan Alshaikh, Chair, Women and Child, Health Department; Dr Samah Al Fahmi, Pediatric Emergency and Medicine Consultant at Makkah Healthcare Cluster; and Dr Manal Alnaimi, Thoracic Surgery, and Consultant Chief, at King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Dammam, among others.

Attendees underlined JHAH's commitment to Saudi Vision 2030 by highlighting the accomplishments of its female workforce and emphasising the critical role women play in the nations transformation. The event hosted discussions on strategies to enhance women's participation in healthcare as well as ways of cultivating a more inclusive ecosystem.

Sessions included: Developing and Empowering Women Leaders in Healthcare; Insights from Healthcare Leaders on Women Leading Change; Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Advancing Women in Healthcare Leadership; Women Wellbeing; Overcoming Challenges in Healthcare Leadership; and Developing the Next Generation of Women Leaders in Healthcare.

Dr Hanan Alshaikh, Chair of the Women and Children's Health Department at JHAH, emphasised the importance of hosting events celebrating the achievements of women: Creating a culture of empowerment and equal opportunities for women in leadership roles is crucial for the sustainable development of the Kingdoms healthcare sector. In fact, this is true for all sectors that are powering the countrys economic transformation; women empowerment is a prerequisite to achieving the ambitious objectives of Vision 2030. --OGN/TradeArabia News Service
How much do you know about the history of women in Rockford?

In celebration and recognition of Women's History Month, the Rockford Register Star has partnered with Midway Village Museum to bring readers a local women's history fact of the day.

Visit rrstar.com or the Rockford Register Star newspaper each day throughout the month of March to read about the women who played significant roles in Rockford history.

Jessie Spafford

Born and raised in Rockford, Jessie Spafford graduated from the original East Side High School and later received her bachelor of arts degree with honors in 1884 from Vassar College.

She joined the faculty of Rockford College where she served as head of the mathematics and physics departments, modernized the curriculum by introducing laboratory work and installed the first X-Ray machine in the city.

Her later career was focused on leadership of civic societies, including serving as Rockford Womens Club president for 43 years, and leading the Illinois Federation of Womens Clubs during World War I.

In her final years, Spafford ran her family business, Third National Bank, until her death in 1952.

Want to learn more about Jessie Spafford? Visit Midway Village Museum online at midwayvillage.com or in person at 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Womens History Month: Who was Jessie Spafford?
Labour MP candidate Mr Campbell-Savour said people have been "locked out" of the workforce

People unable to work due to sickness need more support, not sanctions, according to a Labour candidate.

Markus Campbell-Savours, who is standing in the Penrith and Solway constituency at the UK general election, said: The support network has been the opposite of support.

The Chancellor said in the Budget that those who can work, should. But 2.8m people are not working because they are long-term sick, a number that has risen by 200,000 in a year.

Carlisle's Conservative MP John Stevenson said: "There's a lot of employment available, so that's not a barrier to people getting on with improving their lives."

In Cumbria and north-east England, people are twice as likely to have left the jobs market because of sickness than people living in south-east England.

'Record waiting lists'

Mr Campbell-Savours told BBCs Politics North: I think the big challenge here is making sure that job centres are actually job centres.

"We've seen a period of time where the support network for many people has been the opposite of a support network. It's just sanctioned them when they've needed help."

He also said long NHS waiting lists meant people were locked out of the workforce.

You can't hide the fact that we've got record waiting lists in the National Health Service. That will not be helping economic inactivity.

"People who, years ago, were getting treatment within a matter of months, are now waiting a year-and-a-half and are seeking mental health support on the journey."

'Help available'

Conservative MP John Stevenson said the Government is helping people back to work

But Carlisle's Conservative MP John Stevenson said the Department for Work and Pensions already worked closely with individuals to get them back in the jobs market.

We must not lose sight of the fact that the most important thing of all is getting people into work. If people are in work theyve got self-esteem, financially theyre better off, they feel better about themselves.

The DWP has taskforces getting in contact with individuals to see what they can do to help guide that person into a job."

The Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, Jemma Joy, said more mental health support was key to solving the problem.

"There are people who've got mental and physical health issues that just aren't being addressed because of a crumbling NHS and not enough services in mental health," she said.

"You've also got carers. There are a lot of people who are not in work because they have caring responsibilities."

BBC Politics North (North East and Cumbria) is broadcast at 10:00 GMT on Sunday on BBC One, and available afterwards on the BBC iPlayer.

Follow BBC North East and Cumbria on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk

More stories from BBC North East and Cumbria

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This screen grab shows Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala) responding to US President Joe Biden's State of the Union address on March 7, 2024. US Senator Katie Britt on March 11, 2024 defended her Republican rebuttal to Joe Biden's State of the Union address, as critics and a famous actor piled on with cutting riffs on her remarks (Handout)

US Senator Katie Britt on Sunday defended her Republican rebuttal to President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, as critics and a famous actor piled on with cutting riffs on her remarks.

The 42-year-old Britt was a little-known junior senator from Alabama when Republicans selected her for the traditional role of offering the party's response to the president's annual message before Congress.

But the setting she chose -- her family kitchen -- as well as her sometimes awkward delivery and a misleading effort to link Biden to a sex-trafficking incident that happened long before he took office, have drawn furious pushback.

A sharply satirical take on late-night TV, with superstar Scarlett Johansson as Britt, added fuel to the fire.

The real Britt, in the remarks from her kitchen, sharply denounced Biden's border policies as "a disgrace," telling the brutal account of a Mexican woman who, at 12, was sex-trafficked and repeatedly raped.

The strong implication was that the abuse occurred during Biden's watch.

But when fact-checkers dug into the story it quickly emerged that the sex-trafficking occurred in Mexico, involved no effort to cross the border -- and took place while George W. Bush was president.

Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Britt insisted she had made it clear she was talking about something that happened years before.

In fact, she said, "human trafficking has gone up under President Biden," adding: "It's disgusting to try to silence... the story of what it is like to be sex-trafficked."

Donald Trump, Biden's virtually certain opponent in November elections, praised Britt's performance. But even conservative commentators chastised her choice of setting.

"Senator Katie Britt is a very impressive person," commentator Alyssa Farah Griffin wrote on X, adding, "I do not understand the decision to put her in a *KITCHEN* for one of the most important speeches she's ever given."

Britt's response on Fox: "Republicans care about kitchen-table issues. We are talking about the issues that women care about."

Rebuttal speeches often spotlight a young, rising star of the opposition party, and Britt's relative youth provided an obvious contrast to the octogenarian president.

But Johansson's eery portrayal of Britt on "Saturday Night Live," a program popular with young viewers, was scathing.

"I'm not just a senator," she says, "I'm a wife, a mother and the craziest bitch in the Target parking lot."

As to the sex-trafficking story, Johansson says: "Rest assured, every detail about it is real, except the year, where it took place and who was president when it happened."

aue-bbk/mlm/dw
Downtown Minneapolis' longstanding YWCA building on Nicollet Mall is about to get a new owner.

St. David's Center for Child and Family Development, a Minnetonka-based nonprofit that provides mental health and autism services to children, announced Saturday that it's buying the 120,000-square-foot building.

The sale comes more than six months after the YWCA shocked the community with the news that it was closing its Uptown and downtown fitness centers and pools. The YWCA has existed on Nicollet Mall for nearly a century.

St. David's Center, which works with 5,000 children a year in its preschool, mental health and autism services, plans to expand its programs to serve an additional 1,500 kids a year in the new building, helping it meet the rising demand for mental health help, leaders said.

"Families are struggling and children are struggling more than they ever had," said Julie Sjordal, CEO of St. David's. "We have to increase capacity in order to meet community need."

The YWCA closed its downtown and Uptown buildings on Nov. 1. Some members urged the city, park district or county to buy the buildings to keep them open to the public, but city and Park Board leaders said they couldn't afford to do so.

YWCA CEO Shelley Carthen Watson said in a statement that the nonprofit received three offers for the downtown building, including from private developers and other nonprofits, but the organization prioritized a deal that would keep its early childhood center open on site, which St. David's will do. She declined to disclose any details on the potential sale of the Uptown facility, which is in the high-profile Hennepin Avenue corridor near W. Lake Street.

St. David's and the YWCA signed a purchase agreement for the downtown building in February and hope to close the sale by summer, pending approvals from the state and Hennepin County due to previous bonding funding.

The two nonprofits declined to reveal the price of the one-acre site and building; property values aren't listed in county records because the YWCA is tax-exempt.

The corner of Nicollet Mall has housed YWCA programs since 1929, though the current building dates to 1976 and was remodeled in 2016. The 80,000-square-foot YWCA Uptown opened in 1987.

As a result of the closures, the YWCA, which still operates a building in Midtown, laid off 45 employees  about 13% of its workforce. Like other nonprofits struggling financially after the COVID-19 pandemic, YWCA leaders said they faced membership declines, staffing shortages and rising expenses. The organization decided to move away from health and fitness to focus on child care, racial equity and youth programs.

The building closures also sent about 300 swimmers in the YWCA's Otters and Masters swim teams scrambling to find new swimming clubs at pools including South High School and Southwest High School.

For St. David's, the new building will be the largest site it has owned in its six decades. The nonprofit, which started in 1961 as a preschool at St. David's Episcopal Church, has grown to one of the largest child mental health providers in Minnesota.

Sjordal said the organization started looking a year ago for a new building as mental health crises spiked during the pandemic. St. David's also leases space from Westminster Presbyterian Church downtown and owns a 65,000-square-foot former school building in Minnetonka.

Both buildings are full, Sjordal said, and there are 1,800 children on a waiting list for programs, with some kids waiting six months to more than a year.

"In the last several years, we have just seen a growing need across the community for children's mental health, for autism treatment, for pediatric therapies," Sjordal said. "We're out of space."

Renovating YWCA Downtown

St. David's will seek tax credits for the project, Sjordal said, while embarking on its largest capital campaign ever to drum up an estimated $9 million to renovate the YWCA facility, which also has 28 parking spots and a rooftop patio.

Most of the fitness areas will be converted into classrooms or treatment spaces and St. David's may keep the pool to start aqua therapy, Sjordal said. St. David's will lease about 20% of the building back to the YWCA to continue to operate its early childhood center.

Some of St. David's programs will launch there later this year, but the building won't be fully used until 2026 after a renovation starts next year, Sjordal said. She added that St. David's plans to go to the Legislature next year with a state funding request while working to draw donations and grants.

St. David's is still recovering from the pandemic, which caused its programs to shut down in early 2020. With program fees and medical assistance bringing in most of its revenue, St. David's had to furlough about 200 employees. Now, the organization has about 520 employees and is still rebuilding to return to 2019 staffing levels, she said. St. David's has increased pay, Sjordal added, to attract and retain employees as many nonprofits struggle with turnover.

The new downtown building will have 150 employees, including existing staff and new hires. The nonprofit, which had about a $27 million annual budget in 2023, has hired fundraisers and boosted efforts to obtain more grants as it moves into a new chapter with its expansion downtown.

"It's a big change [for the YWCA building]," Sjordal said. "And yet I think the legacy will live on through the kind of work that will happen in that building."
Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif (L) exchanges views with newly elected President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari to congratulate him on his victory in the Presidential elections. -/PPI via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of Pakistan's former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, was sworn in as the countrys 14th president on Sunday.

Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa administered the oath in a ceremony at the presidential palace in Islamabad attended by civil and military leaders.

Zardari, the co-chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), is the first civilian to be re-elected as president for a second five-year term.

Zardari, 68, led the PPP after his wife was assassinated in a bomb and gun attack in 2007, and he became president in 2008.

Zardaris new term begins amidst protests over alleged rigging in Februarys national elections in which no party won a majority.

The party of jailed leader Imran Khan claims that it was not offered a level-playing field before the elections, and has since claimed that the results were rigged.

Zardari replaced Arif Alvi, a long-time ally of Khan.

Once a powerful office, Pakistan's presidency has been reduced to a figurehead role after its authority was curtailed in a 2010 constitutional amendment.
Bad Bunny performs during his Most Wanted Tour at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Pope Francis' 'white flag' comment is met by criticism from Ukraine and its allies

Ukrainian and allied officials have criticized Pope Francis for saying that Kyiv should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia
New Delhi: With the Lok Sabha Elections on the horizon, political parties are intensifying their campaign efforts. Leaders from various parties are holding large rallies and addressing massive crowds in a bid to sway voters. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has joined the fray, embarking on a tour to drum up support for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the elections. Today, he took the stage at a public rally in Kurukshetra, Haryana, where he launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In his address, Kejriwal drew parallels to the epic battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas depicted in the Hindu scripture, the Mahabharata. He framed the AAP's electoral contest against the BJP as a struggle between 'Dharma' (righteousness) and 'Adharma' (wrongdoing).

He further said that, as Kauravas had everything including money, military, and power to fight the war, similarly, the BJP has central agencies like CBI, ED, and IB at its disposal, but AAP has only Dharma to fight these elections.

"It is the fight between 'dharma' and 'adharma'. We know that the Pandavas won, but the Kauravas had everything... the Pandavas had Lord Krishna with them. What do we have with us? We are also very small, but we have Lord Krishna with us. Today, they (BJP) have all the power, be it IB, CBI, ED, and everything else. We have only our 'dharma' with us, and this is the fight of 'dharma' and 'adharma'," said Kejriwal.

#WATCH | Kurukshetra, Haryana: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal says, "...It is the fight between 'dharma' and 'adharma'. We know that Pandavas won but Kauravas had everything...Pandavas had lord Krishna with them. What do we have with us? We are also very small but we have lord Krishna pic.twitter.com/N40KyZkHtI  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2024

Delhi CM further appealed to the people of Kurukshetra to not repeat the mistake of choosing the PM with general elections but rather elect an MP that would work for the prosperity of the constituency.

#WATCH | Kurukshetra, Haryana: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal says, "...Don't make a mistake this time. Don't get trapped to elect the Prime Minister; vote to elect your MPs. Elect an MP that works for you during tough times..." pic.twitter.com/5QqTfQhGei  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2024

"Don't make a mistake this time. Don't get trapped in electing the Prime Minister; vote to elect your MPs. Elect an MP that works for you during tough times," said Arvind Kejriwal.
Nine months after the split, the Nationalist Congress Party in Maharashtra is all set to witness a family battle during the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Sharad Pawar led the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) declared that Supriya Sule would contest from the Baramati Lok Sabha seat. Sharad Pawar's announcement came amid the reports that Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar will also run for the seat. Sharad Pawar's move has not only put the spotlight on the seat but also given an early advantage to Sule as the NDA is yet to finalise a seat-sharing deal in Maharashtra.

Supriya Sule Vs Sharad Pawar

Supriya is sitting as MP from the Baramati seat. If NDA announces the candidature of Sunetra from the seat, it will pave the way for a family battle - Nanad vs Bhabhi - in the seat. Baramati has been a stronghold of the Pawar family since 1996. Pawar bagged the seat in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2004 while Supriya Sule won the seat in 2009, 2014, and 2019.

NDA Vs INDIA Seat Sharing

While the Congress-led INDIA bloc has finalized its seat-sharing deal for the 48 Lok Sabha seats the BJP-led NDA has been struggling to reach a consensus in the state. While the BJP is willing to give 3-4 seats to Ajit Pawar, he has reportedly been demanding around 10 seats. On the other hand, Shiv Sena-Shinde is also demanding an equal number of seats as of the 2019 polls when the BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena contested the polls together. The BJP had won 23 of the 25 seats it contested and the undivided Shiv Sena had bagged 18 seats of the 23 it contested.
In a late-night action, the Gujarat police and the district administration conducted the demolition of an illegal Dargah and two temples yesterday. The previous attempt to demolish the illegal dargah had led to a violent clash between police and people from a particular community last year. The Dargah had encroached upon land near Majwadi Gate in Junagadh, Gujarat.

The demolition operation, commencing at approximately 2 am, concluded by 5 am. The administration put up barricades around the Dargah at a distance of 300-400 metres away guarded by about 1,000 police personnel, said reports.

Over the past two decades, the Dargah, initially constructed near Majwadi Gate, has expanded steadily in size. Prior attempts to dismantle the structure, illegally occupying the middle of the road, had been made. In June of the previous year, a police team had encountered resistance from locals, resulting in injuries to several officers.

Following the Dargah's demolition, the authorities heightened security measures in the town to prevent any potential disturbances. Additionally, two unauthorized temples situated in different locations in Junagadh were also dismantled.

In June of the previous year, a police team arrived to initiate action at the location. However, faced with protests from the local community, they were compelled to retreat. Amidst the turmoil, the mob vandalized the police post and set several vehicles ablaze. As the police attempted to disperse the gathered crowd, protesters responded by hurling stones, resulting in injuries to a Deputy SP and three policemen during the stone pelting.
Kerala Lottery Results Sunday 10-03-2024 Live: The Kerala lottery "AKSHAYA AK-642" Result, on behalf of the Kerala government, will be announced today, March 10, 2024, at Gorky Bhavan Near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala State Lotteries department, which releases the lottery in 12 series (subject to change), will draw the result. Each week, 108 lakh tickets are made available for purchase, and the series may vary. The first-place winner stands to receive a substantial 70 Lakh Rupees as the bumper prize. For those eagerly awaiting today's draw, the AKSHAYA AK-642 outcome for March 10, 2024, can be checked on this website. Stay tuned to ensure you don't miss the live results of Kerala Lottery AKSHAYA AK-642.

Kerala Lottery Result 10-03-2024 Mar: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR AKSHAYA AK-642 LOTTERY

LUCKY NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 70 LAKHS IS: AY 945870

LUCKY NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 5 LAKHS IS: AY 835256

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 Lakh ARE: AN 212024 AO 295120 AP 630704 AR 983633 AS 969950 AT 585594 AU 236317 AV 168110 AW 930452 AX 106041 AY 911778 AZ 164676

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: AN 945870 AO 945870 AP 945870 AR 945870 AS 945870 AT 945870 AU 945870 AV 945870 AW 945870 AX 945870 AZ 945870

(For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below)

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 0861 1298 1349 1872 2024 2744 3742 4158 5751 5758 5762 6413 6447 6459 6712 7660 8052 9797

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE: 1583 2643 5924 6184 6214 7628 9069

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 0421 0459 0831 1678 1947 2085 2575 2666 2684 2964 4625 5555 5962 6074 6597 6646 6735 7162 7504 7770 8522 8837 9106 9298 9560 9796

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0025 0116 0329 0565 0617 1091 1158 1160 1184 1260 1294 1336 1375 2154 2266 2491 2517 2605 2909 2983 3000 3164 3186 3321 3339 3380 3543 3662 3957 4172 4284 4290 4339 4378 4581 4608 4687 4692 4949 5087 5136 5200 5287 5604 5888 5901 6053 6258 6349 6353 6529 6659 6931 7055 7282 7701 7751 8085 8173 8196 8622 8719 8780 8914 9003 9045 9075 9204 9416 9514 9705 9806

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0007 0067 0110 0211 0213 0530 0549 0561 0594 0725 0784 0815 0840 0862 0875 0895 0970 1012 1021 1369 1425 1495 1792 1803 1837 1996 2084 2217 2219 2233 2462 2502 2515 2558 2648 2678 2691 2846 2864 2902 3023 3042 3071 3109 3387 3686 3779 3791 3867 4087 4153 4205 4210 4268 4289 4304 4308 4321 4332 4448 4500 4561 4562 4762 4795 4873 5516 5670 5738 5946 5956 6088 6096 6247 6361 6395 6400 6422 6445 6531 6667 6718 6725 6734 6963 6977 7049 7063 7178 7351 7430 7579 7596 7848 7970 8028 8057 8134 8172 8210 8215 8253 8277 8334 8406 8501 8520 8656 8756 8877 9179 9189 9317 9379 9440 9463 9578 9625 9642 9686 9787 9959 9983

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 10-03-2024 March TODAY: AKSHAYA AK-642 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS

1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakhs

2nd Prize: Rs. 5 lakhs

3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh

4th Prize: Rs. 5,000

5th Prize: Rs. 2,000

6th Prize: Rs. 1,000

7th Prize: Rs. 500

8th Prize: Rs. 100

Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000

(NOTE: Lottery can be addictive and should be played responsibly. The data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or encouragement. Zee News does not promote lottery in anyway.)
LOS ANGELES  As Universal Pictures prepared for a big night at the Academy Awards with Oppenheimer, the studio also celebrated the No. 1 debut of Kung Fu Panda 4, which collected $58.3 million in domestic theaters over the weekend, according to estimates Sunday.

Kung Fu Panda 4, the first film in the DreamWorks Animation franchise since the third installment in 2016, got off to a better start than all but the 2008 original. That Kung Fu Panda, which began the mystical adventures of Jack Blacks panda warrior Po, launched with $60.2 million.

Working in favor of Kung Fu Panda 4": It's the first big family movie since "Migration" and Wonka hit theaters in December. Kung Fu Panda 4" added $22 million internationally.

The news was just as good for last weeks top film, Dune: Part Two. Denis Villeneuves sci-fi epic sequel held strongly in its second week, dropping a modest 44%. It grossed $46 million in its second week, bringing its domestic cumulative total to $157 million for Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures.

Riding strong reviews, great word-of-mouth and plenty of sand worms, "Dune: Part Two appears well set up for a long theatrical run. Most of Sunday's Oscar nominees have already moved on to home viewing platforms, but Dune" could wind up at next year's Academy Awards.

Opening in third place was the Lionsgate, Blumhouse horror release Imaginary," about a sinister teddy bear. It debuted with $10 million.

Following it was Cabrini, a portrait of the 19th century Catholic missionary Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (played by Cristiana DellAnna). The film, released by the Christian-based company Angel Studios, the studio behind the 2023 surprise hit Sound of Freedom, collected $7.5 million.

A24 also debuted the critically acclaimed neo-noir Love Lies Bleeding," starring Kristen Stewart, on five screens in New York and Los Angeles. It grossed $167,463 for a good per-screen average of $33,493.

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Current Prime Minister and BJP stalwart Narendra Damodardas Modi has urged his party and leaders to work to secure at least 400 seats for the National Democratic Alliance. Eight months ago, when the opposition parties joined hands to form the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), there were talks about whether the NDA could withstand the combined onslaught of the opposition or not. However, the BJP remained undeterred and gave the slogan of Mission 400. In the words of political strategist Prashant Kishor, this shifted the narrative from 'whether the BJP will win or not' to 'whether the BJP will get 400 seats or not'. So, let's take a look at some key factors using which the BJP is trying to win 400 Lok Sabha seats this election:

Alliance Formation

To counter the united might of the INDIA bloc, the BJP moved swiftly to not only dent the opposition bloc but also woo other like-minded regional parties. The Narendra Modi government announces Bharat Ratna for two key personalities - Karpoori Thakur and Chaudhary Charan Singh. While the highest honour to Thakur saw the BJP regaining Nitish Kumar-led JDU in the NDA fold, Bharat Ratna to Chaudhary Charan Singh brought Jayant Chaudhary's RLD into the ruling alliance. This bolstered the BJP's poll prospects in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. On the other hand, the BJP leaders are trying to bring Naveen Patnaik's BJD onboard in Odisha despite alliance talks hitting a roadblock. In a boost for the NDA in southern India, the JDS has joined hands with the BJP in Karnataka and TDP-Jana Sena in Andhra Pradesh.

Breaking Opposition Unity

The BJP has not only managed to break the opposition alliance but also its key leaders. From Gujarat to Bengal, several key leaders have joined the saffron brigade ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. In Gujarat, senior Congress leaders like Arjun Modhwadia and Ambarish Der joined the BJP while in Bengal, Tapas Roy left the ruling TMC for the BJP. Modhwadia and Der will further boost the BJP's prospects in Gujarat while Roy will dent TMC in areas like Kolkata North and Damdam in Bengal.

Bet On Winners

The BJP has released its first candidate list for the polls and it shows that while party is brushing aside leaders who gave controversial statements besides betting on winning faces. The party fielded most of the winners of the 2019 polls once again this time thus indicating that it's not willing to take risks in seats where it has MPs who won from the seat more than once. The BJP is also fielding leaders who recently joined the party after severing ties with the opposition and Ritesh Pandey from Uttar Pradesh's Ambedkar Nagar is an example of that.

Besides these factors, the BJP is continuously taking welfare schemes of the Narendra Modi government to the public. Even the BJP's poll campaign is highly weaved around the welfare schemes like Ujjwala, Ayushman Bharat, free toilets, pucca houses and more.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, under attack from the BJP over recent incident of Sandeshkhali, today held a massive rally in Kolkata Brigade Ground where she announced names of TMC candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats, formally ditching the Congress-led INDIA bloc. The rally, where thousands of people gathered in support of the TMC, was also a show of strength by the fiery leader. During the rally, Banerjee not only slammed the BJP but also reiterated that she won't allow the Central government to implement the NRC.

The central focus of the rally was around the claimed retention of the state's financial dues by the central government, a contentious matter that has been an important issue in state politics over the last two years.

TMCs First List Out

CM Banerjee declared the party's nominees for all 42 parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal. Visuals from the Brigade Ground showed a massive crowd at the rally where Abhishek Banerjee was also present. The TMC has already made it clear that it wont form an alliance with the Congress or CPI, leaving the INDIA blocs Bengal aspirations in a lurch. The party fielded Biplab Mitra from the Balurghat constituency. Betting big on cricketers this time as well, Mamata Banerjee announced to field Yusuf Pathan from the Berhampur (Berhampore) seat.

Meanwhile, Cooch Behar is to be represented by Jagdish Basunia, Alipurduar by Prakash Baraik. Nirmal Chandra Roy is pitched from Jalpaiguri and Gopal Lama from Darjeeling. Krishna Kalyani is contesting from Raiganj. Malda North is given to Prasun Banerjee while Malda South to Shehnewaz Rahman.

One Of A Kind Rally

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee announced the rally named 'Jana Garjan Sabha,' from his X handle. This is a one of a kind gathering featuring three platforms, including a cross ramp, making it viable for the speakers to reach closer to the public, while walking on the ramp. Mamata and Abhishek are among the primary speakers for the TMC.

 -  ,  ,  | Jonogorjon Sabha - Brigade Ground, 10th March, 2024 https://t.co/vev2eq5yjQ March 10, 2024

Politics Over Years At Brigade Parade Ground

This marks the party's inaugural large-scale gathering at the ground since the opposition meeting in January 2019, where leaders from 19 opposition parties were gathered united in a show of solidarity. Despite the TMC's grassroots organisation, its seat count decreased from 34 to 22 in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, while the BJP performed strongly, securing 18 seats in the state.

Since the 2021 assembly polls, the ruling party in the state has witnessed eight MLAs and two MPs switching sides to join the TMC.
New Delhi: West Bengal Congress President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday, as she unilaterally announced the Trinamool Party's candidates for all 42 seats in the state ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls.

As Banerjee's decided to dump the INDIA bloc and crush Congress's hopes for an alliance in the state despite numerous meetings with INDIA allies, Chowdhury claimed that she is fearful of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Mamata Banerjee is worried that if she joins the INDIA Alliance, she will have to face Modi. She is worried that if the ED and CBI start visiting TMC on Modi's orders, it could pose a risk to the TMC party. So, by distancing herself from the alliance, Mamata Banerjee is sending a message to Modi's office: Don't be upset with me; I'm not part of the alliance and I won't compete with the BJP," he said.

The Congress leader also claimed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's main aim is to defeat Adhir Chowdhury at any cost, even if it means BJP winning.

"Adhir Chowdhary must be defeated at any cost. Mamata Banerjee has no problem if the BJP wins instead, that's why Yusuf Pathan was nominated from here," he said. Yousuf Pathan has been fielded from Berhampore, where Congress heavyweight, Adhir Chowdhury is a sitting MP.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, announced the TMC candidates at a show of strength in the heart of Kolkata on Sunday.

Abhishek himself will be contesting LS polls on TMC ticket from Diamond Harbour while the expelled Lok Sabha member Mahua Moitra has been fielded from Krishnanagar.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the TMC won 22 seats, while the BJP sprung a major surprise, winning 18 seats. The Congress won the remaining two seats.


With the Lok Sabha Election drawing closer, political parties have intensified their public outreach efforts. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy addressed a public gathering in Bapatla on Sunday. Taking a swipe at N. Chandrababu Naidu for joining hands with the NDA, Reddy asserted, " N. Chandrababu Naidu is a zero, and if he forms an alliance with parties, the end result will also be a big zero." Reddy alleged that Naidu failed to fulfill his 2014 manifesto hinting that Naidus current partnership will not be effective.

The Rally comes after the YSRCP leader decided upon a comprehensive campaign strategy for the upcoming days. According to reports Reddy held a session with representatives from the northern coastal Andhra Pradesh on Saturday. Notable figures such as YV Subba Reddy and Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy were present at the meeting.

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy addresses a public meeting in Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/tw4NHOcHCp  ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2024

Naidus Alliance With BJP

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), led by Chandrababu Naidu, and Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena Party (JSP) have opted to form an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in preparation for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. The parties are currently determining the seat-sharing arrangement for constituencies in Andhra Pradesh.

BJP and TDP released a joint statement about Naidus new foray with National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The joint declaration was issued following the meeting between TDP Chief Naidu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, as well as BJP Chief JP Nadda in Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and lays foundation stone of multiple development projects from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 15 airport projects and 12 new Terminal Buildings across the country. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently announced the commencement of a project valued at more than Rs 42,000 crore. The infrastructure boost for the country comes from the Eastern Uttar Pradesh weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Addressing people from Azamagarh, PM Modi slammed opposition saying that the previous governments used to fool people by announcing projects that were never materialized during their tenure.

Prime Minister Modi said that the people sitting in the earlier governments used to throw dust in the eyes of the public. "People in previous governments used to make announcements to deceive people...When I analyse, I find that announcements were made 30-35 years ago. They used to put up a plaque before elections and disappear after that, the leaders disappeared too...Today, the country can see that "Modi doosri mitti ka insaan hai." The foundation stones we laid in 2019, were not for elections. You can see that we have inaugurated it too. Even in 2024, nobody should see it through the glasses of elections. This is the campaign of my journey for development. I am making the country gallop to make it a developed country by 2047," said PM Modi.

#WATCH | Azamgarh | PM Narendra Modi says, "You can see that in the past few days, I have been inaugurating several projects of the country from one place itself. When people hear about several airports, several railway stations, several IIMs and several AIIMS, they get pic.twitter.com/Jpr9FcoFk4 March 10, 2024

Details Of Development Projects

The upcoming terminal facilities unveiled at airports located in Pune, Kolhapur, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Adampur. The airport designs draw inspiration from shared elements found in the heritage structures of the respective state and city, showcasing the local culture and region's heritage.

According to the prime Ministers Office, The aggregate capacity of the 12 upcoming terminal buildings is set to accommodate 620 million passengers annually. Simultaneously, with the laying of the foundation stone for three additional terminal buildings, the collective passenger handling capacity of these airports is expected to rise to 95 million passengers per year upon completion.

As per the statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), he is set to inaugurate the Light House Project (LHP) in Lucknow and Ranchi. Over 2000 affordable flats equipped with modern infrastructure have been constructed as part of this initiative. The utilization of innovative construction technology in these LHPs aims to provide families with a sustainable and forward-looking living experience.

Previously, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated comparable Light House Projects in Chennai, Rajkot, and Indore. The foundation stone for these projects was laid by the Prime Minister on January 1, 2021. Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to virtually inaugurate the terminal at Gwalior aerodrome and reveal a statue honoring Raj Mata Vijayraje Scindia later today.

PM Modi's Schedule On Sunday

Later this afternoon, PM Modi will travel to Varanasi to allocate the inaugural installment under the Mahatari Vandana Yojana in Chhattisgarh via video conferencing. PM Modi already offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple yesterday and engaged in a late-night roadshow in his Parliamentary constituency.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted rallies on Saturday in three eastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and West Bengal.
New Delhi: The end of the Russia-Ukraine war remains elusive, defying initial expectations of a swift resolution. Amidst escalating tensions, a CNN report made a shocking revelation: Russia had contemplated a nuclear attack on Ukraine. However, interventions by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other world leaders prevented this catastrophic escalation.

According to CNN, concerns of a potential nuclear confrontation arose in 2022, prompting the Biden administration to brace for a Russian nuclear assault. Amidst fears of devastation, PM Modi's diplomatic outreach emerged as a crucial factor in defusing the crisis. The report cites two senior US officials affirming that PM Modi's intervention, alongside other global leaders, played a pivotal role in averting the looming nuclear threat.

In response to escalating tensions, the US administration rallied support from multiple nations, including India, to dissuade Russia from resorting to nuclear aggression. By engaging with leaders whose counsel Vladimir Putin valued, such as PM Modi, the international community succeeded in averting a potentially catastrophic nuclear crisis over Ukraine.
A close ally of RJD supremo Lalu Yadav has been arrested in association with an alleged money laundering investigation related to suspected unlawful sand mining. Subhash Yadav has been apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate in Patna, Bihar. According to official sources searches have been conducted at the residences of Yadav and several others on Saturday, as part of a case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Yadav was taken into custody on Saturday night, and approximately Rs 2.3 crore in cash was confiscated from different locations, as per reports. The central agency conducted searches at around six locations in and around Patna. According to reports, Yadav is accused of carrying out illegal sand mining activities in Bihar and has previously contested elections as an RJD Candidate.

Lalus Family Under ED's Radar

Recently, Lulus wife Rabri Devi along with her daughter Hema Yadav and others, has been summoned by a Delhi court to appear on February 9 in connection with an alleged land-for-job scam. The Rouse Avenue Court, during a hearing earlier in the day, acknowledged the chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering probe related to the alleged scam involving Lalu Yadav and his family.

The chargesheet includes names such as Rabri Devi, Hema Yadav, Misa Bharti, Amit Katyali, Hridayanand Chaudhary, and others. The court took cognisance of the ED's chargesheet, highlighting sufficient material to justify the action. Amit Katyali and former railway employee Hridayanand Chaudhary, alleged close aides of the Yadav family, have also been summoned for the same date. In a hearing earlier this month, the Enforcement Directorate informed the court that the main accused in the CBI offense, Lalu Yadav and his family, held control over the situation.
New Delhi: In a twist that surprised few, Pakistan, long seen as China's compliant disciple, has danced to Beijing's tune once again. With whispers of election manipulation echoing through the political corridors, the world watched as Pakistan made a mockery of democracy. China, long frustrated by Pakistan's audacity in governance, finally succeeded in branding the Pakistani government with its own 'Made in China' stamp.

The elevation of Asif Ali Zardari to the presidency only solidified China's grip. Zardari, a known sycophant of China, joins the ranks of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and General Asim Munir, all serving as Beijing's faithful stooges.

China's delight at Zardari's victory was palpable, with President Xi Jinping extending warm wishes as if crowning a 'Made in China' president. Jinping hailed the friendship between the two nations as a cherished treasure, conveniently ignoring the scent of conspiracy lingering in the air.

China's Plan To Use Pak Against India

Pakistani experts, however, aren't so easily swayed. They see China's congratulatory gestures as part of a larger strategy, one that involves leveraging Pakistan against India's growing military might. As tensions simmer on the Himalayan border, Pakistanis are waking up to the reality that China's friendship comes with strings attached.

Skepticism abounds regarding China's intentions, particularly concerning the stalled China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. With little progress to show for years of investment, ordinary Pakistanis are questioning whether China has their best interests at heart.

Despite mounting evidence of China's ulterior motives, some Pakistanis remain blinded by anti-India sentiments, placing undue trust in Beijing's promises. However, as the truth unravels, more Pakistanis are realizing that they've been duped by China's cunning schemes.

With Balochistan languishing and promises of prosperity unfulfilled, the cracks in China's facade are becoming harder to ignore. As Pakistanis awaken to the reality of China's exploitation, the once-unwavering allegiance to Beijing may soon falter, revealing the true cost of China's puppetry.
Gurgaon is set to host a landmark event that underscores the growing influence and entrepreneurial spirit of women in business. The 8th edition of Entrepreneur's Day - 4M, organized by BNI Gurgaon & Faridabad, is poised to welcome more than 400 women entrepreneurs among over 1500 attendees on the 15th and 16th of March 2024 at The Orana, Gurgaon. This mega event, renowned as a Business Breakthrough platform, aims to catalyze innovation, foster connections, and fuel growth within Small & Medium Industries.

With over 120 exhibitors and a rich agenda featuring key insights from esteemed speakers, the event is a testament to the vibrant business community nurtured by BNI in the region. Over the past year, BNI Gurgaon & Faridabad has facilitated over INR 900+ crore in business opportunities, engaging a vast network of over 35,000 individuals. This edition of Entrepreneur's Day will not only celebrate this success but also highlight the remarkable contributions of women entrepreneurs to this thriving ecosystem.

The event is designed to offer unparalleled networking opportunities, making it an essential rendezvous for entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and decision-makers across various sectors. It showcases the commitment of BNI Gurgaon & Faridabad to inclusivity, diversity, and the empowerment of women in business, providing a dynamic platform for them to showcase their prowess, share insights, and unlock new avenues for growth and collaboration.

About BNI:

BNI is the world's largest Referrals Networking Organization, with 318,666+ members spanning 80 countries and 1,370 regions. In the last 12 months, members exchanged business worth USD 22.9 Billion, emphasizing BNI's consistent value addition over its 39-year history.

About 4M:

4M serves as a crucial platform for connecting with leading entrepreneurs and professionals in Gurgaon and the NCR. It provides an opportunity to tap into a network of industry leaders, exchange ideas, and explore growth opportunities in one of India's dynamic business hubs. The flagship event, 4M, has previously featured renowned speakers, inspiring the entrepreneurial community and fostering collaboration.
New Delhi: From being stuck with Tiger Shroff in an elevator to slipping into Rashmika Mandanas DM to invite her on the show, Neha Dhupia confesses the sixth edition of her show came with its challenges.

I had to have Rashmika on my show, after the success of Animal and her shooting Pushpa 2, it would have been incomplete without her. I DMed her and she agreed. I was a bit worried about how the chat would go, but she was so chill. This is also her first chat show, says Neha.

The show also features her good friend Kareena Kapoor Khan whom she calls the best micromanager, You would think, being a megastar, she'll have people doing things for her, but she micromanages every little detail. She picks her battles, though she hardly has any, she is perfect!

On the one hand, she observes Kartik Aaryan has a knack for comedy and reveals being happy to see a fierceness in Kriti Sanon.

Though her show boasts of the most popular celebrities, Neha Dhupia says irrespective of her closeness and access to her guests, there is always a line that she draws. I cannot make them answer something that they are uncomfortable with. Also given the current scenario where anything can have a double meaning. Also, I feel celebrities are way more guarded now, and get picked on a lot more. The more famous you are, the less you get away with things and what you say. Also, the things that you say no matter what will always have two meanings and be misconstrued and things are blown out of context. Someone is always getting attacked, so no one is a lot more careful both ways.

There is no denying the constant obsession with celebrities and their lives. Neha, who herself hails from a non-celebrity

background says there is nothing celebrity-like about celebrities in their daily life and everybody does the most normal things. I wish you could have a peek into the lives of every celebrity out there. Trust me, we are we're great bargain hunters. Thats as much as I can say.

Last seen in the thriller A Thursday, Neha has signed Blue 52 with Egyptian filmmaker Ali El Arabi. I am one of the three leads. I had to pinch myself when it came my way. There is this constant thing in my head that I have to constantly prove myself, I have done so much but dont know what others feel about me, she admits.

However, she adds she takes her husband, actor Angad Bedi's advise seriously. He constantly tells me to preserve myself as an actor. When you get a great part, go ahead and do everything for it. In the meantime, see what you have got at home is what he says. So, having Angad and our two children, I am also okay with not working at times."
Re: Getting the retailer to buy more from the manufacturer is a necessary [ #permalink

I think Option D



The problem is that while manufacturers offer quantity discount on the buying of products for the retailers, the retailers take advantage of the situation and buy large quantity and instead of selling them right away, they do stockpiling of the products so that they can sell them in future at higher prices to customers.

This causes fluctuating demand and manufacturers face a fluctuation in the production and distribution cost.



A. If the manufacturers decrease the discount offered for quantity purchases - the retailers' purchase from them could possibly go down. That will not buy any profit to the manufacturers.



B. If they give larger discounts to the bigger retail chains when they purchase in large quantities - that does not in any way ensure that the bigger chain of the retailers will not do stockpiling for greater profit.



C. increase the quantity a retailer must buy before a discount applies - again may cost them less revenue from retailers.



E. reduce the amount of product that can be bought at discount - Again , if discount is bounded, sells to retailers could decrease. No profit.



Only Option D suggests of making quantity discounts contingent on how quickly retail sales outlets can sell the relevant products - this does not cut out the discounted price to buy for the retailers, but also adds a condition of selling them quickly. 
New Delhi: Lady Superstar Nayanthara is a well-known celebrity with a huge fan base all over the world. Last year, she received critical acclaim and love from the audience for her outstanding performance in the action-thriller movie Jawan.

Currently, Nayanthara is in Saudi Arabia with her husband Vignesh Shivan and their children Uyir and Ulag to attend the Formula 1 racing event. The actor was warmly welcomed in Saudi Arabia and has been sharing glimpses of her time at the Grand Prix. On the first day of the event, Nayanthara was spotted attending the Formula 1 race with Vignesh Shivan, setting a major #CoupleGoals. Fans are eagerly waiting to see more pictures of the power duo at the F1 Grand Prix this weekend.

As we are all excited about this Grand Prix Weekend happening in Saudi Arabia, here few powerful female celebrities who have attended F1 Racing in the past.

Rihanna 2023

Rihanna attended the Las Vegas Strip Circuit for the F1 Grand Prix with boyfriend A$AP Rocky in November 2023 sporting an all-black outfit.

Gigi Hadid 2015

Supermodel Gigi Hadid attended the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix in 2015 with her BFF Kendal Jenner and sister Bella Hadid. The trio was seen dressed in a theme of beiges and whites.

Megan Thee Stallion 2021

US rapper Megan Thee Stallion attended the Formula One United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, on October 24, 2021. She was seen in a black bodycon dress with sheer cut-outs.

Katy Perry 2012

Katy Perry attended the 2012 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix where she even performed her hit songs at the event.
A new, 143-room hotel could be coming to Riverside Drive.

RMS Investments LLC in Raleigh, North Carolina, proposes to build a limited service hotel that would employ about 30 people at 1080 Riverside Drive.

The establishment would be under the Tru and Home2Suites brand, according to the application.

The Danville Planning Commission will consider during its regular meeting Monday whether to recommend approval to grant a waiver to allow the building to exceed a height of 50 feet.

The proposed construction of a new hotel is 53 feet in height, Danville Planning Director Renee Burton wrote in a letter to the planning commission. A special-use permit granting a waiver of building height is necessary to complete the project as proposed.

A dozen notices were sent to property owners within 300 feet of the projects location. The city received four unopposed notices in return, Burton wrote.

The hotel would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and would be about 15,600 square feet. It would include 153 parking spaces shared with the Hampton Inn property.

Guests would access the property through the existing Hampton Inn entrance on Riverside Drive.

A voice message left at the phone number for RMS Investments was not returned Thursday.

City Manager Ken Larking said the new hotel would provide needed lodging in Danville.

Anecdotally, weve been told there is a need for more hotel rooms in the community, and so seeing a new hotel come up on Riverside Drive is certainly helpful, Larking said.

The city has hired a vendor to start a lodging demand study to gauge the demand for more hotel accommodations in Danville, he said. The 12-week study should begin in a few days, he said.

Whether the waiver for the proposed new hotel is granted is up to the Danville City Council.

A previous hospitality study was completed in 2019, but it was limited to the River District downtown.

There has been substantial growth within our market since then, which leads us to believe that the overall demand is substantially higher than what was determined in this report, Danville Economic Development and Tourism Director Corrie T. Bobe told the Register & Bee in September.

The city has seen a steady increase in hotel stays over the past four years, Bobe pointed out last year.

Average nights per month, or nights spent in Danvilles hotels by lodgers, went up by about 50% from fiscal year 2019-20 to 2022-23, according to figures provided by Bobe.

There were 18,914 nights spent in hotels per month in Danville in 2022-23, compared to 12,234 in 2019-20. The city saw 13,546 and 17,107 nights per month in 2020-21 and 2021-22, respectively.

Caesars Virginia is building a 12-story, 320-room hotel as part of its casino hotel resort being constructed at the former Dan River Inc. site in Schoolfield.
When Eben Leigh was about 6 years old, a story from his mother sparked his desire to continue on a path to ensure women are equal.

The story, relayed from Leighs mom to dad, centered on her workplace. A man, who was hired after her, was promoted to manager.

In the following week she had to go to work to train him to be her own manager, he said, addressing the Danville School Board on Thursday evening. Ever since then its been a fuel to keep going and ensure that women are equal.

Leigh, a senior at Averett University, is in the Bonner Leadership Program, which places students with nonprofit organizations.

Hes partnered with the United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County.

Referencing a mantra by Danville Public Schools Superintendent Angela Hairston that you cant teach and empty desk, Leigh is working to collect donated female hygiene products, something thats now mandated by state law for schools to offer free to students.

Pamela Saunders, coordinator of public health and wellness with Danville Public Schools, said that 1 in 4 Virginia teens miss school because they dont have access to period products.

It wasnt until he started working with the United Way that he realized there was something called period poverty, which is essentially a burden for girls to have access to menstrual products.

I saw that it was affecting school children, he told school board members.

About 1 in 5 struggle to afford the items and more than two-thirds of women who experience period poverty show signs of depression.

If you cant take care of yourself, and you cant take care of your children, how can you afford these lavishes, that they used to call them, thank God they are not called that anymore, Leigh said. So, I thought, well, why dont we help alleviate this burden even more since you all are in compliance with the law, lets collect and donate these scheduled products.

Hes currently collecting for donations starting Monday at the United Way office at 308 Craghead St. The collection will last through March. 22.

Kids oftentimes dont have products for home or additional products, Hairston said.

We will continue to work through the United Way to keep this initiative going, she continued. Its a great initiative.

Saunders reported that all nurses in the city school system have female hygiene products for students. In January, dispensers were installed in school buildings.

The final dispensers went up at Activ8 Stem Academy and Forest Hills Elementary School last week.

In elementary schools, the dispensers are in the nursing stations. In middle and high school, they are in the bathrooms.

Now signage will be installed in the elementary schools So they will know where to go to get these items if they are not in the dispenser, she explained.
Say more or nothing

City managers come and go; Taiwo Jaiyeoba was a good one. Councilwoman Tammi Thurm and Mayor Nancy Vaughan suggest he violated city policy in an offense (supposedly not related to the December incident at his house) for which city employees would be fired. They have no further comment, however, because the matter is a personnel issue.

Thurm and Vaughan do an injustice to Jaiyeoba. If you cannot provide meaningful details because the issue is a personnel matter, then say nothing. If you believe the public has a right to know, make clear what the issue is.

As it is, citizens are left to imagine all manner of nefarious activity because of the vague claim that the manager resigned, perhaps just before he would have been fired, that are unfair to his reputation. He deserves more respectful treatment. And we shouldnt be treated to a continual drip of stories about his departure.

Scott Culclasure

Greensboro

Gov. Robinson? Yes!

Regarding the letter Gov. Robinson? Yikes. (March 8):

Vote for someone because we will not be embarrassed by him? Because too many people already think we eat squirrels here?

Really? The pompous attitude is nauseating. Should we decide based on true policy positions or whether someone just presents himself better?

I side with a true policy position every time  regardless of how the source presents himself or herself.

And there is nothing wrong with eating squirrels.

Joey Harding

Greensboro

In a nation of laws?

My Italian brother-in-laws cousin, a judge in Rome, is completely befuddled by the current state of American politics. Upon hearing the results of our primaries so far and learning that Donald Trump will be the Republican presidential nominee, he texted: Why is a person under indictment even allowed to run for the nomination? Why indeed.

The world is noticing the incongruity of allowing Donald Trump to run again in our nation of laws. In America, regular citizens are vetted when applying for a job and may not be hired if under indictment, but presidential candidates are exempt?

How can we trust someone from any political party to respect the Constitution and our governmental institutions if he or she is allowed to run for and possibly be elected to the highest office in the land despite having been formally accused of malfeasance in both civil and criminal court? Add to that Trumps vile history of threatening our democracy and refusing to adhere to the peaceful transfer of power and what we have is a recipe for disaster.

Please vote in November to protect our freedom and preserve our republic.

Marcia James

Jamestown

Too much plastic

Plastic pollution is everywhere. Its in the soil, the oceans, the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and in our own bodies even before birth. Microplastics absorb and release toxic chemicals, and the more microplastics there are, the greater the health risk for both humans and animals.

Plastic is killing sea creatures and changing the oceans chemistry. Microplastics are in our lungs, our blood, and now theyve found them in our arteries! Scientists fear that this could be another contributor to cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke and death. As if we already didnt have too many of those! The plastic pollution crisis is linked to the climate and health crises, and none of them are being addressed with the right amount of urgency. We need to not only severely cut back on our individual use of plastics, but get all of our legislators at the city, state and federal levels to do everything necessary to cut off plastic pollution at its source and clean up the plastic thats choking our planet and our bodies.

There are so many better alternatives to plastic, including bamboo and other plants. Our addiction to plastic has gone far beyond sustainable levels, and this problem should have been solved years ago. Please raise your voice. Planet and people before plastic.

Samuel Dawson

Greensboro

Freedom of faith

On March 6 a letter appeared critiquing Richard Groves cogent opinion piece defending the First Amendment right and the founding principle of the United States: the separation of church and state (March 3). The author defends the statement used by the Alabama justice Tom Parker, who declared the courts decision on in vitro fertilization was unassailable because God created government.

The First Amendment is unambiguous. In 1802 Thomas Jefferson wrote that, when the American people adopted the establishment clause they built a high wall of separation between church and state. By beginning his argument with New Testament scripture, the writer established his bias. That is fine. In fact, that is the beauty of the United States. He has the freedom to do so without government interference, as do I, as do those of the Jewish faith and Muslims and Buddhists and atheists.

To claim there is some immutable (Christian) overarching natural law is unproven and unprovable. Laws are the concrete manifestations of government. We can hope people of goodwill and a moral compass are enacting those laws. But where that goodwill originates from is not for the government to decide.

David B. Wilcox

Greensboro
President Ronald Reagan is remembered as one of Americas greatest presidents. He oversaw the end of the Cold War, creating an exceptional period of peace and an unparalleled economic boom. His policies made Americans safer and more prosperous. He has an almost mythical place today in the minds of many Republicans and the political class.

Yet many who celebrate Reagans achievements fail to acknowledge similar accomplishments made under former President Donald Trump. They perpetuate the misapprehension that the modern-day Republican Party is somehow vastly different from the 1980s Grand Old Party. As Chris Christie recently said, Ronald Reagan would not have recognized the Republican Party.

Hes wrong. His comment and others like it are the byproducts of a bizarre revisionist history. The essence of modern Republicanism has not changed, just the tone and tenor of some of the messengers.

Being a Republican today remains deeply rooted in the same bedrock ethos of yesteryear: personal responsibility and government accountability. From there, all else is derived  limited government, a free-market economy, secure borders, safe cities and peace through strength.

Detractors decry todays Republican Party as being corrupted by anti-immigration and pro-authoritarian stances. This fails to recognize that whats happening at the border is not just immigration. Most Americans support legal immigration, as did Reagan. But 78% of Americans classify the border as either a crisis or a major problem, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center. Securing the border is a needed step to have a functioning immigration policy and remain a city on the hill to which people aspire to come.

Similarly, the world is not all that different from the one Reagan inherited when he defeated President Jimmy Carter. Back then, the Soviet Union was expeditionary and expansive, Iran was emboldened and took aggressive action against the United States, and we faced a series of domestic economic problems.

Reagan was elected in no small part because of a growing unease and mistrust of government. Americans were frustrated with big spending on social programs that had little effect or fiscal oversight. Bureaucracy was growing unchecked, which led to overregulation and hurt American workers. Blind investment in international agencies failed to meet American standards and principles.

Sound familiar?

Reagan upended his times existing state of affairs and was frequently lambasted for it. Many wear retroactive rose-colored glasses. But let's remember Reagan pulled the United States out of UNESCO, cut off U.S. contributions to U.N. funds and withheld dues. Reagan was criticized by his party as indulging the get-the-U.S.-out-of-the-U.N. syndrome.

This is not dissimilar to Trumps White House suspending funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas recently pushed to hold UNRWA accountable in U.S. courts. Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas is calling for the chief of UNRWA to testify before Congress on their role in the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel.

Reagan, like Trump, was distrustful of international agencies. Reagan withheld funds from the World Health Organization and criticized its bloat and bureaucracy. Disillusioned with unregulated foreign aid, Reagan argued for aiding our allies by sharing of our material blessings with those nations which share in our fundamental beliefs but against doling out money government to government, creating bureaucracy, if not socialism, all over the world.

Reagan likewise railed against those who blame America for the ills of the world, no matter the bad actions of others.

During his remarks at the annual dinner of the Conservative Political Action Conference, Reagan lauded his achievements: In five short years, we have seen the kind of political change rarely seen in a generation on nearly every issue: Federal spending, tax cuts, deregulation, the fight against career criminals and for tough judges, military readiness, resistance to Soviet expansionism, and the need for candor about the struggle between freedom and totalitarianism.

Trump and the current Republican movement achieved nearly all of that in four.

Reagan remarked in his farewell address to the nation, The fact is, what they called radical' was really right.' What they called dangerous was just desperately needed.

Certainly, Trump does not always exemplify Reagans countenance as a happy warrior. Some of that may be specific to Trump, though we live in a coarser time. But when it comes to policy and a government vision, being a Republican means what it has always meant in the modern era. Its not the GOP thats lost its way.
Saudi Arabias first electric vehicle brand and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Ceer has awarded a SAR5-billion ($1.3 billion) contract to Modern Building Leaders (MBL) for the construction of its new manufacturing complex within King Abdullah Economic City.

Spanning over a 1-million-sq-m area, the new Ceer Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Complex will boast dedicated zones for every stage of vehicle production, including a press shop, body shop, paint shop, and general assembly.

Additionally, the complex, which will have an area under roof of 530,000 sq m, will feature special areas for logistics, waste management, warehouses, offices, water treatment system and a vehicle test track.

A joint venture between Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF and Foxconn, a Taiwanese multinational electronics contract manufacturer, Ceer was set up in 2022 to support the electric vehicle sector, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 aspirations for economic diversification, carbon emission reduction, and sustainable development.

"We are delighted to witness the realisation of our vision to ignite Saudi Arabias mobility industry, beginning with the construction of the Ceer Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Complex," said Jim DeLuca, CEO of Ceer.

This complex will be a benchmark for industrial excellence within the region and globally. It will feature the best technologies, equipment, and people, supported by partnerships with global industry leaders such as Durr, Schuler, Siemens, ABB, and many more," stated DeLuca.

"As Saudi Arabias first electric vehicle brand and OEM, Ceer is committed to design, manufacture and supply of technologically sophisticated electric sedans and SUVs, leveraging advanced systems from Foxconn and BMW, all from its base of operations in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Sunday, March 10

A Griefshare program will be hosted by Cold Springs Global Methodist Sundays through April 21 from 3:30-5 p.m. for those dealing with life stresses following the loss of a loved one. For more information and to register go to griefshare.org/findagroup or call the church office at 704-782-1811.

Monday, March 11

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner.

Tuesday, March 12

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Wednesday, March 13

The Sportscenter weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Sportscenter 233 Country Club Drive, NE, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye.

Centering Prayer Weekly via Zoom meets at 7:30 p.m. For the Zoom link, check the Calvary Lutheran Church Facebook page or website http://www.clconcord.org, or call the church office at 704-782-6923.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary will hold a League of Mercy workshop at 9:30 a.m. to make Easter favors for nursing home residents. The workshop will be held at The Salvation Army of Cabarrus County headquarters at 216 Patterson Ave SE, Concord. Visitors are welcome to participate as well as Women's Auxiliary members. There will be pre-owned books available for sale, with proceeds to be used to buy new books for the Christmas Angel Tree project.

Thursday, March 14

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500.

Friday, March 15

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 16

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Center United Methodist Church will hold it's Chicken BBQ on Saturday, March 16, from 4 p.m. until sold out. The cost is $12 per plate which includes 1/2 chicken, beans, slaw, roll and a dessert., Brunswick Stew will also be available. Dine in or carry out. Center United Methodist is located at 1119 Union Street S, Concord. Call 704-782-1785 for details.

A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763.

New Gilead Reformed Church will have a BBQ Chicken Dinner fundraiser from 11 a.m.until sold out. Dine in or carryout. The church is located at 2400 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Concord. A plate includes: half BBQ Chicken, beans, slaw, roll, chips, drink, and dessert for $11, a whole chicken: $9 and a quart of slaw: $5.

Sunday, March 17

A Griefshare program will be hosted by Cold Springs Global Methodist Sundays through April 21 from 3:30-5 p.m. for those dealing with life stresses following the loss of a loved one. For more information and to register go to griefshare.org/findagroup or call the church office at 704-782-1811.

The Piedmont Community Band will perform "Seasons of Love" at 4 p.m. at the Hickory Ridge High School Auditorium. Admission is free. Donations are graciously accepted. The concert includes songs about love including, Besame Mucho, Tango Corazon, Seasons of Love, along with a few surprises. Also, to celebrate St. Patrick's Day the band will perform A Longford Legend, a collection of Irish Street Ballades.

Monday, March 18

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner.

Tuesday, March 19

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Wednesday, March 20

The Sportscenter weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Sportscenter 233 Country Club Drive, NE, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye.

Centering Prayer Weekly via Zoom meets at 7:30 p.m. For the Zoom link, check the Calvary Lutheran Church Facebook page or website http://www.clconcord.org, or call the church office at 704-782-6923.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

The Cabarrus Senior Center Photo Club is alive and clicking away. If you like taking photos, come join the members on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Cabarrus Senior Center, 331 Corban Ave., SE, Concord, and share your photographic creativity. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or strictly amateur, all are welcome.

Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church will be holding a Hot Dog Sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located at 6001 Old Salisbury Concord Road, Kannapolis. For more information, call 704-933-0155.

Thursday, March 21

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500.

Pancake Day at the Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County will be held at the club on Spring Street in Concord from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p..m. Tickets are $9 and can be purchased online at www.bgclubcab.org, at the club weekedays or at the door.

Friday, March 22

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

18th Annual BBQ at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., eat-in or takeout, $12 a plate or three sandwiches for $12. David Childers entertaining at noon and 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 23

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St., S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763.

The United Methodist Men and the United Women in Faith will be sponsoring a hot dog sale at Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Delicious homemade desserts will also be available for $2 a slice.The church is located at 301 Mt. Olivet Road, Concord.

Sunday, March 24

A Griefshare program will be hosted by Cold Springs Global Methodist Sundays through April 21 from 3:30-5 p.m. for those dealing with life stresses following the loss of a loved one. For more information and to register go to griefshare.org/findagroup or call the church office at 704-782-1811.

Palm Sunday Worship at Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church will be at 11 a.m. A covered dish meal and Easter Egg Hunt will follow. The church is located at 6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis.

Monday, March 25

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner.

Tuesday, March 26

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Wednesday, March 27

The Sportscenter weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Sportscenter 233 Country Club Drive, NE, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye.

Centering Prayer Weekly via Zoom meets at 7:30 p.m. For the Zoom link, check the Calvary Lutheran Church Facebook page or website http://www.clconcord.org, or call the church office at 704-782-6923.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Thursday, March 28

Maundy Thursday Service observed at 7 p.m. at Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church. Good Friday Service will be held on March 29 at 7 p.m. The church is located at 6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis.

Friday, March 29

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Saturday, March 30

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St., S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763.

Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church Sunrise Service will be observed at 7 a.m. Breakfast will be provided following the Sunrise Service. The church is located at 6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis.

Does your community group or nonprofit agency have an upcoming event that would be of interest to the public? Email it to mplemmons@independenttribune.com.
Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. (Luke 10:41-42)

Many of us are seeking more balance in our lives. Did you realize that is one of the most popular resolutions for the new year? But the longing for more peace in our lives doesnt surprise me. We live in a world where peace is yearned for everywhere.

A college professor of mine told our freshman health class to be sure we had eight hours of sleep, eight hours of work, and eight hours of leisure. Life must have balance, he taught. While I dont agree with his formula, I do agree that life must have balance. However, the balancing act must begin by putting our relationship with the Lord first.

The Bible agrees! In fact, Jesus once told Martha  the sister of Mary and Lazarus  that she needed to rethink her priorities. It seems Martha was a little upset with Mary because she dropped what she was doing to sit at the feet of Jesus. Martha, however, continued with the housework until she had had enough. She said, Lord, dont you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me! (Luke 10:40)

But Jesus told Martha that it was Mary who had made the right choice by putting the Lord first in her life. He told Martha, You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. (Luke 10:41-42)

Well, apparently Martha heeded Jesus advice. When the Lord arrived to call Lazarus from the grave, it was Mary who stayed in the house and Martha who went out to greet him. Even though Lazarus had been dead for four days, Martha told Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask. (John 11:21)

You probably never realized that it was Martha to whom Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Jesus even asked her, Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26)

Her reply confirms just how much Marthas priorities had changed. Yes, Lord, she told him, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world. (John 11:27)

Its not hard in todays world to become a little confused about our priorities. We are always trying to steal a moment here and there to try and squeeze a little more out of life. Yet when our backs get up against the wall, its then that we somehow find the time to look up and ask the Lord for help. Its at that point we finally realize that Jesus was right all along: Only one thing is needed.

We try to make life so complicated! But the simple truth is that once we put God first in our lives, everything else will fall into place. That doesnt mean that life will be a bed of roses, but it does mean that God will be there to help us bring order out of chaos.

Proverbs 3:6 says it this way: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
SSL certificates are a lynchpin of the Internet, but if you thought they were boring and routine, think again. With quantum computing becoming a reality DigiCert SVP of product Brian Trzupek explains business and industry need to rise to new challenges.

Brian Trzupek is a crypto and security tech by day and night. He's testified before Congress on matters of identity and authentication and has worked in pushing the forefront of digital certificates and enterprise PKI for almost two decades.

Trzupek has been in Sydney recently to speak with customers and took time from his schedule to speak with iTWire. Far from it being the usual discussion of why certificates are essential to digital trust, he surprised me by telling me quantum computing can make it all come crashing down and industry needs to rise to the challenge. This takes a new approach that Trzupek dubs 'crypto agility'.

Quantum computing

For clarity, IBM defines quantum computing as specialised technology, including computer hardware and algorithms that take advantage of quantum mechanics, to solve complex problems that classical computers or supercomputers can't solve, or can't solve quickly enough.

For example, quantum computers can be used to simulate complex chemical reactions with better models for how atoms interact with one another, which can be used to develop new drugs and materials. They can also be used to optimise complex systems, such as traffic flow or financial trading.

Quantum computers have shown that they can process certain tasks exponentially faster than classical computers. In late 2019, Google claimed it solved a problem that would take 10,000 years for the world's fastest supercomputer within just 200 seconds using a quantum computer.

Future quantum computers could open hitherto unfathomable frontiers in mathematics and science, helping to solve existential challenges like climate change and food security.

Quantum computing isn't simply the stuff of science fiction. You could buy a quantum computer now if you have a lazy million dollars, or you could rent space from IBM.

Even so, like cloud, like aritifical intelligence, like electric vehicles, quantum computing is here now and it's only time before it is available to the masses.

Yet, for all the good quantum computing can do, there's one massive concern looming - the sheer mathematical grunt it offers that can crack - in fact, not only crack, but absolutely smash - cryptographic protections that the world relies on, in every system everywhere. One of the greatest protections of cryptography has been the sheer massive number of years it would take to brute-force such encryption. Well, with quantum computing that contracts instantly to seconds. Quantum computing, in the hands of the bad guys, takes us right back to the start from a security perspective.

Well, it would, except the giant brains of industry, people like Trzupek, are already focused on this. "People might think you just replace a certificate, it's not a big deal," he said. "But that's wrong, it goes deeper than this. Quantum computing brings advanced algorithms to break cryptographic protections on data in rest and in transit. That's the connections we use right now, it's data on laptops."

RSA

In the world of cryptography, the most famous algorithm is RSA, named after Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman, who publicly described it in 1977. The concept behind RSA encryption is to use two prime numbers as keys, which together combine to generate a shared secret that encrypts messages between two parties who share these secrets but do not know them ahead of time.

The difficulty of factoring large numbers has been known since 1770, if not earlier when Pierre de Fermat - of Fermat's last theorem fame - proved there are no solutions for factoring into an integer times itself without using any square root operations or continued fractions. In fact, it is so complex an algorithm that the energy to figure out the factors and reverse engineer is more cumbersome than brute forcing, and with huge bit-size encryption is already centuries upon centuries. Well, until quantum computing renders it to seconds.

A Google search for "quantum RSA" indicates conflicting views on precisely when quantum computing will break RSA algorithms, but ultimately it is agreed that time is coming, and it may be sooner than you think. "RSA is predicting serious trouble in five years," Trzupek said.

"Certificates will need to be replaced," he says, but it goes deeper. "The software running will need new algorithms. The Internet protocols using RSA now weren't built for other things. You can't just swap algorithms."

"All the wonderful cloud providers and content distribution networks (CDNs) doing SSL acceleration and processing are all doing RSA; it's all going to have to change."

Fortunately, the minds of DigiCert are on it. "We work ahead of things," he said. "We're the PKI geeks you don't invite to parties because all we talk about are PKIs."

"A lot of software, hardware, infrastructure, and algorithms will have to change," Trzupek said. "Vendors will have to testing, test their key generation, certificates, and so on. They're going to have to deploy hundreds of millions of dollars of infrastructure and if they can't work with these they need to know before putting them in the field or it will cost hundreds of millions to fix."

It can sound bleak; "Our quantum computing experts say it's less than five years before a quantum computer exists that can destroy RSA and then it all starts to erode. Different algorithms will erode within 10 years."

Crypto Agility

Still, this is where Trzupek and his team are working on the problem. A new skill, a new attitude, is needed, one that he describes as "crypto agility."

"Algorithms will start to not be viable. It won't be all in one day, it will be continual, but certificates, libraries, software, and hardware will need to be replaced over time."

"Crypto agility is the key to unlock this," he said.

Digital bill of materials

Additionally, Trzupek says the company's 2024 security trends report has been released. "Last time we did predictions for the year, one was that customers would embrace a digital bill of materials."

At the time, a small percentage of vendors were dealing with a software bill of materials, but fast forward to today and now 99% have embraced it. "The prediction was good," Trzupek said, "but a software bill of materials is still in our predictions. It goes back to what are the threats? Running on devices, cloud clusters, vulnerabilities in the software supply chain, things running on third-party software - it's not always known at a single point in time. These are the things that lead to breaches, disclosure of PII, class-action lawsuits, destruction of systems, ransomware, erosion of trust, and more. It all starts with a breach."

DigiCert's research is seeing recognition that the whole software lifecycle needs to be uplevelled, with more data points pulled into the lifecycle. "It's like a nutritional label," Trzupek said. "What's in this? Is it good? Is it ready to put on the store shelf?"

However, what do you do with it? "Our prediction now is companies will use the nutrition label to monitor over time and see vulnerabilities as they get injected into the lifecycle at any stage into what they're building. They'll use the bill of materials to have traceability through the software chain to see, and resolve, and stop breaches."

"We're going to see that sophistication in the software lifecycle," he said. "I talk to a lot of customers and see telcos say they're looking into hardware bill of materials to understand the full hardware supply chain - not only the devices themselves but what goes into the devices too."

It all goes back to crypto agility. "It's the crypto bill of materials - what are the algorithms being used in all that software? What are the protocols, keys being exchanged, certificates being embedded?"

"You'll see a lot more coming through next year," he said.

DigiCert

There's more to DigiCert, of course. "We can give people certificates," Trzupek said. "But we go deeper. We can provide the software to manage all these components to help people solve, and touch, all workflows. We have deep understanding of crypto and PKI and where it fits and we help people design solutions all the time."

The company last year launched Quantum Labs so customers could test tools, and a month ago it launched a service designed to help facilitate introductions with its experts and who can aid customers in inventorying, creating plans, and executing on their security plans.
EFFINGHAM  A 33-year-old suspect in a Michigan bank robbery took his own life after nearly an eight-hour standoff in Effingham.

According to the Shelby Township Police Department in Michigan, officers were notified of a bank robbery at 10:36 a.m. Thursday at a Bank of America location.

Officers spoke to bank employees who stated that a man had entered the facility, approached a teller and passed a note demanding money. He then fled the bank. Officers were unable to locate the suspect at that time.

"Detectives spent the next several hours investigating this case and reviewing video from different locations in the township," stated Sgt. Mark Benedettini of the Shelby Township Police Department. "Detectives were able to learn that once the suspect fled the bank, he got on a motorized scooter which he had parked near the bank. The suspect then drove the scooter to a semi-truck he had parked in the area."

The suspect used the semi-truck to flee the area.

Detectives found the semi-truck was associated with an Illinois trucking company, and they were able to track the suspect to Effingham.

The Effingham Police Department assisted in locating the suspect and the semi-truck at a nearby TA Truck Stop.

"The suspect resisted arrest and was able to barricade himself inside of the semi-truck with a gun," Benedettini said. "Police immediately disabled the semi-truck, which prevented his escape."

The incident was assisted by Effingham County Sheriffs Department and the Illinois State Police SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiating Team. After nearly eight hours of negotiations had failed, the suspect took his own life, the Shelby Township Police Department said.

Make no mistake about it, if you come to Shelby Township to commit a crime, our department will track you down no matter where you try to hide, Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide stated.
ABOARD THE FRENCH FRIGATE NORMANDIE  Large NATO drills in the frigid fjords of northern Norway may be just war games meant to hone the fighting skills of the newly expanded 32-nation military alliance.

But for troops taking part, they are very real. And that's the whole point.

With drills underway now, NATO is baring its fangs in its biggest exercises since the Cold War, sending an unmistakable message to Russia that alliance members are ready to defend one another if needed.

Having watched Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year, NATO aims for its training to cover all eventualities. That can include trying to catch troops off guard.

Hunting an 'enemy' vessel

These past few days, crew members aboard the French frigate Normandie, one of France's most modern warships, were roused from sleep and scrambled to hunt down and destroy a submarine that snuck into cold Norwegian waters.

The submarine belongs to Germany, also a NATO member. For the purpose of the war games, dubbed Nordic Response 2024, it was acting as an enemy vessel.

The Normandie crew spotted its periscope poking through the waves and sprang into action. The submarine already "attacked" a nearby Italian ship, the aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, scoring an imaginary torpedo hit.

The crew were determined not to let Normandie  a top-of-the-line vessel, in service only since 2020  suffer the indignity of also being struck.

An urgent 7 a.m. call got Normandie's commander, Capt. Thomas Vuong, up from his bunk. He ordered the frigate's submarine-hunting helicopter to be readied for flight, waking its pilot.

"We spotted its attack periscope," Vuong told The Associated Press on board Normandie in an exclusive interview.

"Then it dived again," he said. "We were asked to hunt for it. We succeeded."

Once airborne, the Normandie's NH90 helicopter hovered over the waves and lowered its submarine-detecting sonar into the sea. The frigate also used its sonar, and together, they zeroed in on the sub's position and "attacked" it in turn.

"Intelligence confirmed to us that there were no friendly submarines in the sector, so we were certain that it was an enemy submarine," the helicopter pilot, Lt. Olivier, recounted. The French navy withheld his last name for security reasons.

"So the frigate was able to fire a torpedo and destroy the submarine," he added  but not for real, of course.

The frigate and its helicopter pinpointed the submarine with sufficient accuracy to be sure that it wouldn't have survived actual torpedoes.

The Normandie crew of 146 mariners got no advance warning of the German sub "attack," to test their readiness in the inhospitable environment above the Arctic Circle, Vuong said.

New alliance members

As of this past week, NATO nations now also include Sweden. It formally joined the alliance Thursday as the 32nd member, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality. Finland joined NATO in April 2023 in a historic move after decades of its military nonalignment.

In both countries, Russia's aggression in Ukraine triggered a dramatic shift in public opinion, leading to their May 2022 applications to join the trans-Atlantic alliance.

The Nordic drill in the northern regions of Finland, Norway and Sweden involves more than 20,000 soldiers from 13 nations and kicked off on Monday. It is part of wider exercises called Steadfast Defender 24. They are NATO's biggest in decades, with up to 90,000 troops involved over several months. They're aimed at showing the alliance can defend all of its territory up to its borders with Russia.

German submariners are more familiar than Normandie with Norway's deep and narrow fjords and the cold Arctic waters that can complicate submarine detection, Vuong said.

The drill was "extremely beneficial, because we reach a very high degree of realism and so we better prepare our teams," he said. "The fjords are a special environment, with a temperature profile different to what we know in the Atlantic."

"To be able to train our teams here, against this threat, is extremely valuable and extremely stimulating," he added. "This is their playing field. So they know the hiding places."

Two years into war, thousands of Ukrainians search for missing loved ones
WASHINGTON  An Illinois man accused of climbing scaffolding and firing a gun in the air during the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was arrested Friday.

John Banuelos, 39, of Summit, Illinois, was charged with several felony and misdemeanor counts, including firearm charges. No attorney or working phone number was immediately available for him.

Prosecutors say he was part of a mob that forced back police officers on Jan. 6 and eventually made his way to the front of the crowd. He kicked a metal barricade and yelled at officers before simulating firing a gun toward officers with his hand. He eventually breached the police line with the crowd.

Banuelos was captured on camera footage scaling the scaffolding that had been put up for the inaugural stage and waving the crowd toward him. He pulled what appeared to be a gun from his waistband and fired two shots into the air before climbing down and rejoining the crowd, prosecutors said.

Someone reported him to the FBI in February 2021 after seeing his photo on a website for people wanted in connection with Jan. 6, according to court documents. Investigators confirmed his identity after he replied to an online post of his wanted poster with a video that appeared to show him racking the slide of a gun.

He told an agent that many of his posts were done by artificial intelligence and any weapons were fake, but interviewing him allowed the FBI to match him with photos from the riot, according to court documents.

More than 1,300 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. Over 750 of them have pleaded guilty. Nearly 200 more have been convicted after trials decided by a judge or jury. More than 800 have been sentenced, with roughly two-thirds receiving a term of imprisonment ranging from a few days to 22 years.

Photos: Scenes from the second anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot
Editors note: This story originally ran in the Winston-Salem Journal on March 19, 2000.

KERNERSVILLEDepression-era gangsters and desperado bank robbers were only a part of American lore for the residents of rural Kernersville until a spring day in 1938, when John Dillingers sweetheart sauntered into town.

Evelyn Frechette, who spent two years in a Michigan prison for harboring Americas Public Enemy No. 1, spoke at Kernersvilles Pickfair Movie Theater about the perils of crime on April 5 of that year.

Four years had passed since FBI agents had killed Dillinger in a Chicago shootout, but Frechettes visit was still big news in the town more accustomed to henhouse robberies than gangster battles. The local newspaper previewed Frechettes visit on the front page.

In a redemptive speech titled, Crime Does Not Pay, Frechette told the Kernersville audience about her affair with one of the 1930s most-notorious criminals. She discussed their escapes from FBI agents and Dillingers prison-breaks, bank robberies and shootouts.

Dillinger and Frechette had dated for 10 months before her arrest. Together they traveled through several Midwestern states with federal agents always at their heels. But in April 1934, while Dillinger was at his fathers house in Indiana recovering from gunshot wounds, Frechette went to visit a friend in Chicago.

While she was there, FBI agents arrested her. She tried to escape during her trial. But a bailiff caught her before she reached the stairwell of the courthouse.

Frechette was charged with conspiring to harbor a fugitive.

Still free, Dillinger began dating Polly Hamilton. It was a relationship that would eventually lead to his death.

Hamiltons friend, a woman named Anna Sage, was a madam at an Indiana brothel. Sage had seen Hamilton with Dillinger and offered this information to FBI agents. She told agents eager to arrest Dillinger that she would be at a Chicago movie theater July 22 with Dillinger and Hamilton. To help agents identify Dillinger, who had undergone plastic surgery, Sage wore a red dress.

When Dillinger and the two women left the theater that night, they were greeted by FBI agents. Dillinger, who recognized the ambush, reached for his gun. He was shot dead before he had a chance to fire. Hundreds of people circled the movie theater after the shooting. They were reported to have dipped handkerchiefs and newspapers in Dillingers blood for souvenirs.

After his death, Frechette was one of many people who spoke about their relationships with Dillinger. Dillingers father, a farmer, went on a personal appearance tour with his family a few days after his son was killed.
On March 2, the 13th World Trade Organization ministerial ended like most previous ministerials. After its 164 member-ministers discussed the burning need to change two key international trade rules, everyone went home without changing any key international trade rules.

This actionless talkfest, however, carried a steeper price than previous gassy gatherings; this one left the WTO, the worlds biggest trade rules-enforcing body, badly weakened and in danger of slipping into irrelevancy.

Putting a pretty face on their ugly failure, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the meeting had achieved some important things and we have not managed to complete others. But, she added, the glass is half full.

Nice try, but the Abu Dhabi meeting achieved little, managed nothing, and the metaphorical glass, half full or half empty, holds only hemlock.

The outcome wasnt unexpected. In fact, it would have been breaking news had the ministers agreed on any new rules, let alone the two they gathered to debate, changes in ag trade and overfishing. Both have been huge stumbling blocks since the group called the first WTO ministerial to order in Marrakech, Morocco, in 1995.

Despite a generation of continuous bickering, the rise and eventual embrace of the WTOs neoliberal trade regime  lower or fewer tariffs, integrated regional and global markets, more standardized food safety rules and meaningful reforms to domestic farm subsidies  did fuel decades of expanded international ag trade.

Now, however, the WTOs stumbling progress toward freer markets is running out of steam. One cause is the rise in nationalism as exemplified by Indias demand to wall off its domestic stockpiles of food from cheaper American and South American ag imports and the protectionism it breeds.

Another cause, and one that no global organization even talked about in 1995, is the increasing number of individual efforts around the world to tackle ags sizable role in climate change. These highly detailed, increasingly strict programs are focusing most nations ag interests locally and regionally  rather than globally  as farmers adapt, argue and fight over the implementation and effect of these changes.

Arguing and fighting is exactly where many European farmers find themselves in the current, monthslong protests over the European Unions new green regulations to counter todays quickly changing climate.

Most protesters see red, not green, when analyzing the new programs. First, they say, new farming rules that slash pesticide use and impose fertilizer limits will cut farm profits. Second, the new regulations are an engraved invitation for low-cost competitors, not burdened by green costs, to flood EU markets.

Political leaders see a different worry, rising nationalism. Right-wing politicians in France, Italy and the Netherlands, they claim, already are exploiting rural anger (sound familiar?) over the new regulations in hopes of expanding their clout through European Parliament elections in June.

To head off that possibility, European lawmakers have rushed to make concessions to appease farmers, Foreign Policy reported Feb. 24. In the sharpest reversal so far, it explained, the EU abandoned its major proposal to slash pesticide use by 50 percent .

In the meantime, few are looking for the WTO to muscle up and reassert its presence in international markets. For that to happen, trade analysts explain, the WTO needs to stop bleeding authority. For example, just prior to the February ministerial, delegates could not even agree to formalize the talks  to revive the WTOs top appeals court  which has been idle since 2019 .

After five years of idleness, its a safe bet that its not that the WTO cant restart the appeals court so much as key members wont allow the WTO to restart it. Similarly, the just again-failed ag and overfishing overhaul are more about wont than cant.

The result is a weaker WTO and stronger nationalism, and thats a bad trade by any measure.

Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
The body of a man was discovered in a creek by a property owner in rural Lancaster County north of Waverly on Saturday afternoon, according to the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office.

At about 3:40 p.m., a property owner driving a four-wheeler along his property line discovered the body in a ravine of the Salt Creek near North 134th Street and Mill Road.

The Sheriff's Office does not know how long the body has been in the creek, but deemed it "highly suspicious," Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said at a Sunday morning news conference.

Houchin said it is "highly unlikely" it is missing Lincoln man Tyler Goodrich.

Houchin said drone footage of the body did not match Goodrich's physical characteristics. The family has been contacted and made aware of the situation.

Law enforcement was set to work on pulling the body out of the creek Sunday to investigate further. When officials arrived on the scene Saturday, it was starting to become dark so they waited until Sunday morning to preserve physical evidence, Houchin said.

Officials could not say whether the body had sustained any trauma.

The Nebraska State Patrol is expected to help with the investigation by using its helicopter to canvas the area.

The Sheriff's Office is reviewing video footage of the area as well, Houchin said.

Those with information are asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 402-441-6500 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.

This is the third body the Sheriff's Office has discovered in rural Lancaster County in the past 12 months, Houchin said.

In April 2023, investigators found human remains belonging to 68-year-old Gary T. Lew of Omaha east of the Olive Creek Lake State Recreation Area. Investigators determined that Lew, a wheelchair-bound man with dementia and spina bifida, had been beaten to death in the basement of his west Omaha in early March 2020.

Three Omaha men were eventually sentenced to prison for their role in the fatal beating.

And in November, a body identified as 34-year-old Cecilia Perez of Omaha was found near North 98th Street and Havelock Avenue. Omaha police arrested 33-year-old Raymond Evans of Omaha, who was charged with first-degree murder.

Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
The Republican senator who gave the party's response to President Joe Biden's State of the Union address used a harrowing account of a young woman's sexual abuse to attack his border policies, but the rapes did not happen in the U.S. nor during the Biden administration.

First-term Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama in the GOP response criticized current immigration policies, describing how she had met a woman at the U.S.-Mexico border who told of being raped thousands of times in a sex trafficking operation run by cartels, starting at age 12.

The victim previously spoke publicly about the abuse happening in her home country of Mexico from 2004 to 2008  not in the United States during the Biden administration. Yet, Britt used the account to chastise Biden's action on the border.

"We wouldn't be OK with this happening in a third-world country. This is the United States of America, and it's past time we start acting like it," Britt said in the Thursday night speech televised from her home in Alabama. "President Biden's border crisis is a disgrace."

Britt made immigration one of her top issues in her first years in the Senate, and Republicans seized on a surge of immigrants entering the country during Biden's term to attack the president. Former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination this year, blames Biden for the killing of a Georgia nursing student after an immigrant from Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally was arrested and charged with her murder.

Independent journalist Jonathan Katz revealed in a TikTok video Friday that the sex trafficking of the victim Britt mentioned Thursday did not happen during the Biden administration or in the United States.

Britt spokesman Sean Ross on Saturday confirmed to The Associated Press that the senator was speaking about the account of a young Mexican woman who told of being repeatedly raped in Mexico from 2004 to 2008  when Republican George W. Bush was the U.S. president.

Ross said people are still victims of "disgusting, brutal trafficking by the cartels."

Britt traveled to the border at the Del Rio Sector in Texas in January 2023 with fellow Republican Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, according to a news release issued then from Hyde-Smith's office.

"The Senators held a roundtable with former Mexican Congresswoman Rosa Maria de la Garza, Fox News Contributor Sara Carter and Karla Jacinto Romero, a survivor of human trafficking," the news release said. "The Senators learned about cartel activity in Mexico and the work being done to rescue victims of human trafficking."

Romero  an advocate against human trafficking  spoke publicly about being a victim of child prostitution in Mexico, including during 2015 testimony to a subcommittee of the U.S. House. Romero, then 22, told the subcommittee that she was 12 when her mother threw her out on the streets, and a pimp trafficked her to more than 40,000 clients over four years. Romero said many of the clients were foreigners who traveled to Mexico for sexual interactions with minors like her.

Britt's rebuttal, delivered from her own kitchen table, laid out a dark vision for the country under Democrats and warned of violence. She talked about her two children and warned that "life is getting more and more dangerous." She also called Biden a "dithering and diminished leader."

The Alabama senator, 42 and the youngest woman in the Senate, has said she wants to represent a new generation of leadership in Washington. She was endorsed by Trump in her 2022 election and remained in touch with the former president, most recently pushing him to support in vitro fertilization after a ruling by her state's supreme court blocked some IVF procedures.

How technology plays a role in the increase in human trafficking prosecutions Prosecutors' ability to put traffickers behind bars grew over the last decade Image recognition Natural language processing Anti-money laundering programs How technology plays a role in the increase in human trafficking prosecutions
Avaya will illustrate at LEAP 2024 how organisations supporting the transformation of Saudi Arabias economy can use AI to deliver the experiences that a new economic environment demands.

Aiming to support the multiple industries transforming as the kingdom pivots towards a non-oil-based economy, Avaya will use its major presence at LEAP to showcase a range of use cases that address large organisations most pressing challenges.

These demonstrations, with artificial intelligence woven through them, will highlight the power of a unified customer experience platform to improve both customer and employee experiences, as well as deliver business growth.

Enhancing efficiency

As Saudi organisations transform, they are looking to AI to enhance efficiency, improve experience personalisation, and deliver granular customer insights - all without compromising security or privacy. But they also need to be able to innovate at their own pace, enhancing existing capabilities while preserving the trusted and reliable experiences they have built over time. At LEAP well demonstrate how they can achieve this careful balance to transform their operations, and the experiences they deliver, in line with the Vision 2030, said Nidal Abou-Ltaif, Senior Vice President  Global Head of Sales, Avaya, and President, Avaya International.

At the event, Avaya will show solutions that harness AI to transform the way customer and employee experiences are delivered. The solutions on display will also illustrate how organisations can chart their own path to delivering these AI-enhanced experiences without disrupting existing operations.

Avaya will showcase how organisations  both public and private  can empower their teams with advanced AI tools to better serve customers, as well as empower customers to create their own preferred journeys across multiple touchpoints. The solutions, demonstrated through real-world scenarios, will also reveal how existing investments can be expanded with new capabilities to deliver an even better experience.

Use cases

The use cases Avaya will demonstrate at its stand will include:

Customer experience innovations:

Self-service capabilities that empower customers to find answers quickly and efficiently, as well as assisted service that enhances direct interactions with customer service representatives. Finally, solutions will demonstrate the power of seamless digital access all channels, ensuring a consistent and cohesive customer experience.

Exployee experience innovations:

The creation of connected employee experiences that foster productivity and satisfaction, as well as workforce engagement tools that support and enhance the capabilities of internal teams.

Business growth innovations:

Customer journey orchestration that aligns every touchpoint on the customer's path, as well as

proactive customer care initiatives that anticipate and address customer needs before they arise.

Avaya will also host a number of global technology partners and customers at LEAP, highlighting the breadth and depth of its ecosystem to elevate employee and customer experiences with AI. Avayas presence at LEAP comes in partnership with AIC2, Converged Generation Communications Co., Gulf Applications, Hawsabah, Imperium, NovelVox, Next Generation Networks, Smart Information System, and Vision Space.--TradeArabia News Service
1869: The proposed University of Nebraska was approved by the Legislature, and Gov. David Butler signed the chartering bill.

1879: The merchants of Lincoln demanded that the fairgrounds be moved to the city and put in their bid for the 1879 State Fair.

1889: An artesian vein of saltwater was found at Unadilla.

Three cattle thieves were captured by ranchers in Keya Paha County after 100 head of cattle were stolen.

A preliminary survey was made by Eastern capitalists who proposed to construct a canal from the Dismal River through Broken Bow and into Wood River.

1899: Merchants and jobbers of Lincoln and smaller cities throughout the state passed resolutions against continuance of the Trans-Mississippi exposition at Omaha in 1899.

1909: Work began on the International Harvester Company's site in Lincoln where new distribution buildings were to be constructed.

1919: Nebraska farmers followed the progress of a bill introduced into Congress to appropriate $1 billion to maintain a guaranteed price of wheat.

Lincoln Boy Scouts celebrated the ninth anniversary of their founding.

1929: Three cases of spinal meningitis at Bethany were reported. Two victims were Cotner College students, and one was a 9-year-old boy.

1939: Nebraska Catholic churches were planning memorial services for Pope Pius XI who died in Rome following a twoday illness.

The Union Pacific Railroad announced plans to put 5,800 men back to work at a cost of $15 million.

1949: Nebraska was still digging out from its worst snowstorm since 1889. Dangers of flood were great, and the death toll approached 20.

1959: In Lincoln, Nebraskans began a three-day observance honoring the 150th birthday of Abraham Lincoln and the fifth anniversary of the reactivation of the Lincoln Air Force Bases.

1969: The University of Nebraska observed the 100th anniversary of its chartering with a convocation at which the president of Princeton University spoke. Honorary degrees were awarded to Olga Nielsen Sheldon of a Lexington family whose bequests made possible the construction of the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery.

1979: An explosion and fire in downtown Hastings caused an estimated $4 million damage. The blast, which occurred in the middle of the night, caused no injuries.

1989: The Lincoln City Council maintained its stand against the sale of alcohol in grocery and liquor stores by unanimously recommending denial of liquor licenses to four grocery stores and one convenience store.

1999: After three years, one of Lincoln's largest employers appeared to have bounced back from a merger with Santa Fe Railway that cost 154 jobs. Overall employment at The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co. was about 1,900.

The House Agriculture Committee visited the state for the first time in at least two decades as guests of 3rd District Congressman Bill Barrett. They listened to farmers from Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Minnesota discuss low prices, lagging exports and declining markets.
If it werent for the occasional notices announcing special meetings of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, there would be little indication a search for a new university system president was taking place.

The eight-member board charged with hiring the ninth person to lead the states public university system has convened four organized meetings this year  roughly every other week since late January  where the only item on the agenda was a closed session.

Regents have not signaled where they are in the search process, which under a 2016 law allows the board to name a single priority candidate instead of a handful of finalists, nor have officials said how close they might be to the finish line.

Its proceeding very well, Lincoln Regent Tim Clare said in early February, though he declined to provide more detail.

Clare, who was chair of the board last year, and Regent Rob Schafer of Beatrice, the boards current chairman, did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

But, based on the timeline of previous searches, the board could be closing in on naming the next leader of the NU system.

Regents named Hanks Bounds president in January 2015 roughly one year after his predecessor, J.B. Milliken, announced he was leaving NU to become chancellor of The City University of New York.

After Bounds stepped down in 2019, Ted Carter was named as the lone candidate to become NUs eighth president about seven months later following a nationwide search.

Later this month, NU will cross the seven-month threshold from the time Carter left Nebraska to become president at Ohio State University.

Clare has said while he intended the search to proceed expeditiously, that regents would take as long as they need to find the right person for the job.

Next president will face challenges

While regents have been tight-lipped on the state of the current search, there are some things we do know.

The next leader of the NU system, which enrolls 50,000 students on four campuses, employs 16,000 faculty and staff, and has a presence in nearly all 93 counties in the state, will face immediate and substantial challenges.

Some of those will be unique to NU, while others come with the territory of being the leader of a university system in 2024.

"College presidencies are very complicated, complex jobs," said Hironao Okahana, assistant vice president of research at the American Council on Education.

The NU system is a vast enterprise consisting of campuses with different missions and stakeholders competing for limited resources that operates under the oversight of an elected board and in partnership with the state Legislature.

Those inherent tensions will be exacerbated by a lingering $58 million budget shortfall created through a combination of flat enrollment growth  which results in lower tuition revenue  marginal increases in state appropriations, as well as the increased cost of doing business.

At the same time NU is focused on cutting budgets and reinvesting funds into priority programs, regents and university leaders have announced a goal of being invited to rejoin the Association of American Universities, an organization of colleges and universities that signals prestige in higher education.

Some of the steps outlined as necessary to be asked back into the exclusive club, such as combining the system's land grant and academic health care centers' research reporting into one, have been completed, while other goals, like hiring or investing in more award-winning faculty, remain before NU.

There are also broader challenges facing higher education writ large NU's next president will have to navigate as they settle into the job.

College and university presidents have continued to express concerns about how to attract learners to enroll in their institutions, Okahana said, as students look for alternatives to entering the workforce without taking on massive amounts of student loan debt.

Okahana said administrators are also being asked to think more holistically about students, providing for their mental health and well-being as much as their academic growth and career readiness.

Universities are also growing increasingly invested in the well-being of faculty and staff, he added, which has opened up another front in the challenges faced by top administrators.

Jim Finkelstein, an emeritus professor in George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government who studies the selection and employment of university presidents, said those leaders are also forced to address societal and cultural challenges that come to campus from elsewhere.

"COVID, George Floyd, now the Middle East and rising Islamophobia and anti-Semitism," Finkelstein said. "(Presidencies) have become much tougher jobs than they used to be."

Presidents, particularly those of large university systems, are also being asked to shoulder more fundraising responsibilities to pay for institutional objectives and facilities than they were in the past, Finkelstein added.

NU is currently a little more than one-third of the way to its goal of raising $3 billion as part of its "Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University's Future."

To date, the university has raised about $2.2 billion from nearly 138,000 unique donors.

Changing demographics

NU said it wanted a "talented conductor who can lead the leaders" across the system, as well as someone who could "provide compelling, inspiring and effective leadership" in a job profile it published last fall.

The profile also said that a successful candidate would possess either an "earned terminal degree" from an accredited institution, or have "significant senior-level leadership experience" in higher education or elsewhere.

Those qualifications would be what one would expect from a university board seeking to build a deep pool of potential applicants, but survey data and researchers say demographic trends give some hint to what the next NU president may look like.

According to the American Council on Education, which surveyed sitting college and university presidents in 2022, roughly 61% of those leaders served at a different institution before they were hired, while 30% were promoted from within.

More than two-thirds of presidents at institutions that grant doctoral degrees  like NU  came from a faculty and academic track.

Nine percent of sitting college and university presidents came from outside academia in the most recent ACE survey, which was down from 15% in 2016, the last time the survey was conducted.

Finkelstein said while non-academic hires to run universities have ticked upward in states like Texas or Florida  he specifically mentioned former Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse, who was named president of the University of Florida last year  those remain an outlier.

Okahana concurred: "Unique hires tend to make the news."

Still, there is some rationale behind why those individuals get hired to lead postsecondary institutions, he said.

"System presidents, no disrespect toward them, are bureaucrats," Finkelstein said. "Oftentimes, they are not academics at all, but just people who have run large systems, who can influence the legislature and are politically connected."

The average age of university presidents remains 60 years old, relatively unchanged from previous surveys, but ACE has reported demographic shifts in other areas in recent years.

In 2006, for example, nearly 90% of college presidents were men, with that number shrinking to about 67% in the most recent survey, and about 73% identified as white, according to the 2022 ACE survey, which is down from 92% in 1986, the first year the survey was conducted.

"It's an encouraging trend to see that those in the highest level of leadership are increasingly looking like the varied learners of the institution," Okahana said. "It's still not the same level of representation of the student body, but it's heading in the right direction."

Retention increasingly more expensive

The Board of Regents' goal of hiring a president who will lead NU for the next decade would be a reversal of current trends in academic leadership, according to the ACE survey and researchers.

And, based on how regents have approached their last two hirings, could come with a hefty price tag.

Since 2006, the average tenure of a college or university president has shrunk from 8.5 years to 5.9 years, the ACE survey data shows.

One way university boards  including NU  have attempted to keep leaders on is through financial incentives, both eye-popping salaries as well as potentially lucrative delayed compensation packages, what is commonly referred to as "golden handcuffs."

Carter, for example, was earning a base salary of more than $962,000 when he left NU last year, which was $400,000 more than his predecessor.

Regents also gave Carter a pair of privately funded deferred compensation packages which set money aside (one equal to 11.5% of his base salary; another deposited $340,000 annually) for him to collect if he stayed at NU for the duration of his contract.

He ultimately left $113,000 on the table when he quit NU before his contract's end date, but other university leaders have seen huge deferred compensation payouts in recent years.

Amy Gutmann, the former president of the University of Pennsylvania, a private Ivy League school, pocketed a reported $23 million when she left her post after 18 years to become U.S. Ambassador to Germany, with most of that coming from deferred compensation.

While deferred compensation packages are becoming increasingly more common in higher education, Finkelstein said there is little evidence to show they keep presidents in their jobs for long periods.

Both Bounds and Carter, NU's last two system presidents, walked away with deferred compensation payouts after 4.5 and 4 years, respectively.

"We know money is not necessarily the motivating factor in how long a president stays," Finkelstein said, "but governing boards today think you have to pay more to get more."

While the ACE survey doesn't track the reason presidents are leaving those positions, Okahana said the organization does gauge leaders' feelings about their transition into the job as well as whether or not they feel supported during their tenure.

"College presidents, just like you and I, are the employee of somebody," he said. "Our longevity in the job is a two-way street, and I think it's really important for them to feel they are in a supportive environment, a work environment where they can thrive and be successful."

That's a shared responsibility between both presidents and the boards that hire them, Okahana added. ACE data shows about 76% of men in president's offices indicated they had a clear understanding of the board's expectations when they took the job, while only 68% of women in the same position said the same.

Finkelstein said the self-satisfaction surveys of college and university presidents reflect those of CEOs in non-academic settings.

"When you look at CEO job self-satisfaction, most report the first 4-7 years are great, but starting around year seven, things sort of plateau," he said. "If you can make it to year 10 or 11, many CEOs have a renaissance, a renewal and start to become even more productive."

The challenge for governing boards, according to Finkelstein, becomes finding ways to keep them engaged in the work in a meaningful way.

"How do you support the president at the time where self-doubts and boredom begin to emerge and resistance from people they've annoyed starts to creep in?" he said. "That's the real question."

Photos: Historic UNL buildings University of Nebraska-Lincoln buildings; Architectural Hall UNL CBA building UNL Temple Building UNL Morrill Hall Cather Hall, Pound Hall Teachers College Brace Laboratory Brace Hall University of Nebraska astronomical observatory UNL Architecture Hall University of Nebraska-Lincoln buildings; Architectural Hall Cather Hall, Pound Hall University of Nebraska-Lincoln buildings; Architectural Hall
Nebraska is now down to one surgical abortion provider less than a year after lawmakers passed a 12-week ban.

The Bellevue clinic founded by the late Dr. LeRoy Carhart  once one of only three providers in the country to perform third-trimester abortions  no longer does surgical procedures but does offer patients abortion pills, clinic employees confirmed to the Flatwater Free Press.

That means Nebraskans who want a surgical abortion or who are past the cutoff for the abortion pill must go to Planned Parenthood, their sole legal option left in the state.

Nebraskans options are dwindling even as more out-of-state abortion seekers, residents of states with stricter abortion bans like Missouri, Mississippi and Texas, come to Nebraska to receive abortion services, abortion rights advocates said.

The increased out-of-state demand, limited availability and packed appointment schedules is causing more Nebraskans, in turn, to travel outside the state to seek an abortion. Leaders of Nebraska Abortion Resources, a nonprofit abortion fund, told the Flatwater Free Press the rate of their clients crossing state borders to get an abortion has more than doubled since the 12-week ban.

Using an abortion medication also continues to grow more popular since Roe v. Wade was overturned, Nebraska abortion rights advocates believe. The abortion pill is often perceived as less intrusive, but there are limitations, including potential diminished effectiveness later in the pregnancy. Most clinics only administer the medication up to the 11-week mark.

I have seen that jump personally, and some of that is because it's like, Well, we can get you in for a medication abortion next week, but if you want a surgical abortion, it might be another three weeks, said Shelley Mann, executive director of Nebraska Abortion Resources, which provides financial assistance to those seeking an abortion.

Medication abortion made up 75% of abortions reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services in 2022, under Nebraskas old 20-week ban. That rate will likely rise now that the stricter, 12-week ban is in place, abortion rights advocates said.

The Bellevue clinic that has stopped surgical abortions has long been situated, both symbolically and practically, at the center of Nebraskas abortion fight.

Carhart, who died last year, was the lead plaintiff of two cases heard by the U.S. Supreme Court after he challenged laws prohibiting an abortion procedure that removes an intact fetus from the uterus, which anti-abortion activists refer to as a form of partial-birth abortion. Carhart faced threats and his friend and colleague Dr. George Tiller was murdered by an anti-abortion extremist in Wichita, Kansas.

Carharts clinic was the leading abortion provider in Nebraska as recently as 2022, when it was responsible for 58% of all abortions reported to HHS, according to the department's latest report.

Janine Weatherby, Carharts daughter and operator of the clinic, didnt respond to requests to discuss the clinics decision to switch to medication abortion only.

But leaders of Planned Parenthood say the availability of abortion services often boils down to a single problem: staff.

Planned Parenthoods only full-time Nebraska-based physician retired in 2022, and her position is unfilled, said Andi Curry Grubb, state executive director of Planned Parenthood North Central States.

Mounting abortion restrictions and the ongoing uncertainty amid legal fights have made it challenging for the organization to recruit more doctors. Planned Parenthoods Nebraska clinics now rely on part-time abortion providers who live in Nebraska and other states, Curry Grubb said.

Patients who want a surgical abortion but cant get one in Nebraska are often sent to Minnesota, said Mann.

Planned Parenthood closed its Council Bluffs clinic at the beginning of 2024. Its currently only providing abortion services in its Lincoln location while its Omaha health center undergoes construction. The organization plans to eventually move all abortion services to Omaha.

A Nebraska law passed in 2011 requires a physician to be physically present in the room when a patient takes the first pill to begin an abortion. This law outlaws abortion medication bought on the internet or delivered via telehealth. Violators can be charged with a felony, though the law says patients shouldnt face any civil and criminal penalties.

Patients then take misoprostol, often within 48 hours of the first pill, mifepristone, which contracts and empties the uterus. Heavy bleeding is expected after the misoprostol intake.

The so-called abortion pill has become more widely used since the COVID-19 pandemic, when many clinics cut down in-person visits.

Anti-abortion advocates question the safety of mifepristone and misoprostol.

We've always had great concern for the chemical abortion drugs, said Sandy Danek, executive director of Nebraska Right to Life, citing its failure rate, as well as risk for side effects or complications when used past the suggested time frame.

Danek applauds the state ban on distributing abortion medication via telehealth and says the measure increases medical scrutiny.

Danek said she and other abortion opponents are concerned that the Biden administration is trying to remove the medical oversight and medical safeguards that (we) need to protect the health and safety of the women.

Data show the drugs are safe, said Dr. Amy Bryant, a gynecologist based in Durham, North Carolina, and board member of the Society of Family Planning. Going through a medication abortion is safer than carrying a pregnancy to full term, she said.

Nonetheless, having surgical providers available is important, Bryant said, so that they can help patients when a medication abortion is unsuccessful or unavailable.

What we're going to be seeing is a real maldistribution of people with expertise in this area, Bryant said, where people in some areas of the country have access to excellent care and others in areas that just don't have that and are at risk for more pregnancy complications.

The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter.

Photos: Anti-abortion advocates rally in downtown Lincoln for 50th annual Walk for Life
In fall 2023, Carthage welcomed its largest first-year class  again. Over the last four years, while first-year enrollment at Wisconsins public four-year institutions fell on average by 3.6% (and 6.5% at private institutions), Carthages grew by 14%.

Despite the many challenges facing American higher education, Carthage succeeds by focusing on what matters: the success of its students in college and after.

This past fall, Carthage freshmen returned for the second year at a rate of 82%, an all-time high. That group includes over 100 freshmen from Kenosha County. It made no difference whether they lived in a residence hall or commuted from home, and whether they came from Bristol, Kenosha, or Pleasant Prairie. Retention rates were strong across-the-board.

Moreover, the uplifting figures hardly differ by race or income. Students of color, for instance, progressed to the second year at 79%.

Carthages many in-demand programs are expanding.

Our nursing bachelors program recruited more than ever, and we recently added a certified nurse aide (CNA) program whose first cohort of 15 students paid nothing to attend thanks to donors Tom and Jan Duncan.

Our engineering program, built out of our stellar computer science, data science, and physics programs, is attracting students who previously had considered only long-established engineering programs at institutions like the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, or the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The progress in Carthages academic programs extends beyond STEM.

Our musical theatre program is growing by leaps and bounds, and theatre professor Herschel Kruger was recently awarded the Gold Medallion for lifetime achievement  the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festivals most prestigious honor.

This coming December, our music program will perform its 150th annual Christmas Festival, and planned renovations will soon elevate A. F. Siebert Chapel as a performance space. Kenoshas Grace Kolakowski recently committed $2 million toward the project, one of several major gifts that have come in since our $100 million Light that Travels fundraising campaign launched in July.

Carthage knows that helping students succeed in college means helping them finance their education.

Our new Carthage Commitment ensures that commuting students from Wisconsin families earning less than $65,000 pay no direct out-of-pocket tuition costs. In addition, a new equitable access program will drive down the cost of our students textbooks starting this fall.

Carthage seeks deeper partnerships with area employers.

Through our partnership with LMI Packaging, our students worked on-site earning skills, cash, and tuition benefits. Further, our faculty taught four courses on-site for 15 LMI employees, and six of those workers received a Business Foundations certificate for completing the entire sequence.

Ultimately, though, its about enabling students to succeed after graduation.

For our recent alumni, the overall placement rate in jobs or additional education is well above 95%. Carthages medical school acceptance rate is 91%. All of our music education majors were hired before graduation. And, at this very moment, five Carthage graduates are employed  including on stage  at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.

Employer connections are often formed through Carthages Business and Professional Coalition, which brings community leaders together to exchange ideas that support the regions economy. The next BPC event will be a conversation on April 18 with me and Jay Rothman, president of the Universities of Wisconsin.

Carthage remains ever grateful for Kenoshas invitation to relocate here in the 1960s, and we are always seeking to deepen our impact as we address the changing landscape of higher education and meet the needs of employers in our region.

If you are not connected already, please join us.
Over the past year, Gateway Technical College has made significant strides in fulfilling its mission to empower students, enrich communities and strengthen the regional economy.

Notably, our staff and faculty demonstrated resilience in adapting our processes and instructional methods to ensure continuity in support services and education while embracing new technologies and instructional methods.

Weve had many successes in 2023 and I look forward to future success in many different areas throughout 2024.

Much of our recent work centers on continued partnerships with industry, advanced technology to help students learn and building on the colleges strong foundation of learning.

By collaborating closely with local businesses and community organizations, Gateway has developed innovative workforce development initiatives, apprenticeship programs and career pathways that align with emerging trends in the job market. These efforts not only enhance student success but also contribute to the economic vitality of the region by supplying employers with skilled talent.

Through our strategic plan that will run through 2028, our aim is to reduce achievement gaps and support all our students to achieve better outcomes in terms of retention and completion.

To that end, Gateway in 2023 joined Moonshot for Equity, a national student success initiative led by Washington, D.C.-based education firm EAB. Through this innovative partnership, we will implement more than a dozen research-based best practices proven to remove barriers to student success and to help historically underserved students graduate with a college credential.

Eliminating equity gaps and producing successful graduates allows us to transform our students lives while meeting our community and industry needs.

Our region has been spotlighted recently as a place for technological growth, and this could not have come at a better time for Gateway, as we work with Microsoft to refine our curriculum to meet their needs specific to the operation of data centers.

Microsoft has also graciously pledged a $150,000 donation to Gateway Technical College to benefit students through Data Center Academy Scholarships, providing scholarships for students enrolled  or enrolling in  several different Gateway Information Technology, Facilities Maintenance and Refrigeration, Air Conditioning & Heating programs.

Partnerships continue to be at the forefront of everything we do.

One example came in late 2023, when Gateway signed an agreement with UW-Milwaukee to guarantee admission for our graduates and make transferring credits to the four-year college a simple, stress-free process. Gateway students will be able to transfer 60 credits to UW-Milwaukee.

Another way weve partnered with education is through dual credit, a program where high-schoolers can earn college credit free of charge while still in high school. A total of 7,322 students from nearly 50 high schools within the Gateway Technical College District participated in Gateways dual credit program in the 2022-23 academic year, the most in the state.

Those students earned 34,424 college credits at Gateway and saved nearly $6 million in tuition costs.

We feel that the dual credit program, with many avenues for high school students to earn college credits, will again be as robust  if not more so  this year in serving our area high school students.

In addition, this year we are expanding our transcripted credits and opportunities with area private high schools, providing their students with added ways to earn college credit in high school.

Looking ahead, Gateway Technical College will continue to build on its momentum and pursue strategic priorities that will shape its future direction. We change the lives of our students through our solid and innovative education, empower our employers to meet and exceed all their expectations with a well-trained workforce and fuel the economic engine of Southeastern Wisconsin to run smoothly.

We remain dedicated to empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and advancing the common good.
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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Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High near 65F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 42F. ENE winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.
UK and Saudi Arabia have agreed to work together on the deep science and tech breakthroughs that underpin progress, in tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, from food security to clean energy.

The UK Government Science Minister Andrew Griffith, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Minister Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha, are signing a Memorandum of Understanding on plans to elevate the two countries science and research links, in Riyadh.

The signing happens whilst Griffith is in KSA to attend LEAP 2024, a leading global tech event known as the Digital Davos, as well as to meet leading figures from some of the kingdom most promising research-intensive sectors, like space and life sciences.

Ambitious journey

Griffith said: KSA is on an ambitious journey to modernise its economy and harnessing the power of science and technology is central to that transformation. This is a huge opportunity for UK businesses, scientists and researchers.

Collaboration on a global scale is an essential part of realising the UKs ambitions in science and innovation. The sheer scale of Saudi Arabias aspirations means this relationship will be a key part of our own hopes for science and tech, in the years to come.

Innovations in science and technology form a key part of Saudi Arabias Vision 2030, the countrys plan to diversify its economy  as well as deliver encouraging social reforms and improved human rights. The transition the country is going through represents an enormous opportunity for the UK economy, with a view to exporting our expertise in science and tech.

As home to 4 of the worlds top 10 universities, and as just the third country in the world to boast a tech sector valued at over one trillion dollars, the UK has a huge amount to offer Saudi Arabia as a research and innovation partner.

Deep science

The MoU has the UKs world-leading research expertise at its heart, setting out how the two countries will work together on the deep science, and deep tech that is fundamental to progress in health, tackling climate change, space and more.

It also covers how links can be built between UK and KSA businesses, to harness innovative technologies and take the front foot on R&D. There are also plans for a series of regular meetings, to bring together key decisionmakers from both countries research sectors, the first of which will take place later this year.

The UK already has strong and significant economic links with Saudi Arabia  with Sabic (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation) and Alfanar committing to investing a combined total of 1.85 billion ($2.34 billion) into decarbonisation and clean energy technology in Teesside.

There are also growing science and technology links between the two kingdoms  with the UK and Saudi Arabia working together on the development of space-based solar power, a technology which could deliver clean energy, day and night.--TradeArabia News Service
The Indian Trail High School and Academy Field House was packed with student musicians and attendees Saturday night for the 61st annual Kenosha Unified Orchestra Festival.

District orchestra directors pointed to growing student numbers as a positive sign for the programs future.

Kenosha Unified Coordinator of Fine Arts Scott Plank estimated there were about 1,500 student musicians in the field house that evening, including a number of band students performing in several pieces. The concert featured performances of everything from Ode to Joy to selections from the Broadway musical Wicked.

That number was up from last year, which had already been heralded as a return to pre-pandemic normal in terms of student count at the time.

Everyone is super happy about where we are, Plank said. Were excited, these events are such signature pieces, its great were back.

As the final of the school districts big three music program festivals this year, Plank reflected on the work required for such events, and the value they provide students.

Its such a heavy lift for everybody to do this, but its so awesome for the kids, Plank said. Being part of something so much bigger  the synergy of this event, you cant describe it. Its magical what happens in this space.

The weather this year was more compliant than last year, after snow emergencies cut short rehearsal times prior to the 2023 performance. Students got their full rehearsals this year with guest conductor Michelle Kaebisch, conductor of the Wisconsin Youth Symphony and orchestra teacher at Oregon (Wis.) High School.

Kaebisch said her goal coming in was to give the students fresh ideas about the music theyve been practicing for months. They had been working with their teachers to lay the foundation, Kaebisch said, and she wanted to add the sprinkles to the cupcake.

They know the notes and rhythms; I hope to inspire them, Kaebisch said.

She talked about the challenge of bringing so many different school groups together to perform as one.

Its exhausting, but exciting. Its great to see how each school has its dynamics  I find how to bring them all together into a cohesive unit, Kaebisch said.

Saturdays group was the largest shes ever conducted Kaebisch said, but she joked shed just have to conduct bigger. She praised Kenoshas music program for creating such a powerful event.

Its fantastic ... the 61st year, Kaebisch said. Very few things last that long  Its a reflection of the value for the parents and the district.

Shannon and Brian Christman were at the event for their twin children, seventh grade orchestra students at Mahone Middle School. It was their first year attending after tickets sold out last year, and they werent sure what to expect, although they were looking forward to the show.

Shannon felt it was important for her kids to learn how to play music and praised the event for its value to both the students and their families.

Its a skill that lets them use their brain and kinesthetics, Shannon said. Its something they can take pride in  a skill theyll never lose.

Brian felt musical education should be appreciated to the same degree as sports.

Kids doing music is more important than anyone thinks; it goes unnoticed, he said.

Bradford High School orchestra teacher Heather Kamikawa, who grew up in Kenosha with the orchestra program, reflected on its resilience.

She described this year as a renaissance for the program.

Students and families are really engaged with the program, Kamikawa said. We have a full house tonight.

In a small classroom prior to Saturdays performance, Tremper and Indian Trial High Schools Orchestra Director Helen Breitenbach was busy helping students get ready, tuning instruments and helping with any other last minute preparations.

She too noted the continued growth of the orchestra program, pointing out the expanding summer program and the huge high school orchestra they had this year, an exciting development looking ahead.

Breitenbach praised Kaebisch for her work with the students during rehearsals.

She is very positive, Breitenbach said. She is a high school teacher, so she works really well with the high school students.

A recorded livestream of the event can be found on the KUSD Youtube channel.
Having closed the door on 2023, I am proud to see the great strides Herzing University has made in the last year.

More than that, I am just as enthusiastic about where we are heading in 2024.

Here are just some of the many reasons why last year, and this year, has been a great time to be part of Herzing-Kenosha.

Investments in Greater Student Outcomes & Inclusivity

Our Kenosha campus has seen marked improvement in student outcomes, most notable in graduate performance on the NCLEX exam  the primary driver for turning nurse candidates into the community caregivers we depend on.

The federal and state government has also seen the positive direction we are moving in, awarding many of our Midwest campuses  including here in Kenosha  with multiple grants to better support our veteran, Hispanic, and African American, Native American, and Pacific Islander (AANAPISI) populations.

We are also making our own direct investments into broader faculty support and student resources for the Herzing University School of Nursing.

We hope that these efforts lead to improved program completion, graduation, and career success for students across all campuses. Our reimagined regional collaboration also makes resource sharing more immediate, ensuring that Kenosha students benefit from what has worked in Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Atlanta.

A Community-First 2024 in Kenosha

We have always believed that Herzing students are part of one larger student community and, in 2024, that effort will rise to the next level.

Our launch of the new student platform, MyHU, is designed for a more seamless and improved student experience, utilizing emerging technologies to better support students both academically and non-academically.

The more we can proactively prepare for the challenges, goals, and expectations of our current and future students, the more we can deliver to them a broader array of resources to aid in student learning, career development, community outreach, and a more effective emotional and mental support system.

Our outreach will also continue to cross beyond the borders of our campus and into the local community.

I am excited to announce that we will again host Herzing Universitys annual BASH Gala. Building A Stronger Herzing (BASH) is our annual fundraising effort to help support local organizations and charities while placing a spotlight on community leaders.

As an institution with deep connections in the Kenosha community, I hope those of you that we partner with can look at what has been accomplished and what is to come with a similar sense of pride and excitement.

For those of you that havent yet partnered with Herzing University, I encourage you to reach out and lets discuss ways we can come together to build a better Southeast Wisconsin.
Saudi-listed Acwa Power, the world's largest private water desalination company, has signed a strategic alliance pact with Kazakhstan for the construction of a 1GW wind power plant in the Central Asian country. Work on the wind power plant will begin next year.

This comes following the MoU signed in June last year by Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan with regard to an executive programme for co-operation.

The programme includes cooperation in a number of energy sectors such as oil, gas and their derivatives, refining, petrochemicals, electricity, clean hydrogen, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage.

It is aimed at implementing projects in Kazakhstan in the fields of renewable energy, innovations, combating global warming, and promoting projects that contribute to achieving the goals, priorities, and commitments of both countries in the areas of energy security and transitions.

The agreement was inked by Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Minister of Energy, and Almasadam Satkalyev, the Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan in the presence of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Kazakh capital Astana.

The programme also contributes to supporting Kazakhstan's endeavours to achieve its goals and policies in the field of reducing emissions, including achieving neutrality by 2060. Additionally, it supports close cooperation between the Kingdom's companies and Kazakhstan in various related fields.

On the new power project, Mohammad Abunayyan, Founder & Chairman of Acwa Power, said: "Through strategic alliances, Acwa Power is committed to taking a fundamental role in Kazakhstan's ambitions, embarking on a transformative journey towards sustainable energy solutions."

"Our collaboration signifies more than an investmentit's a dedication to supporting Kazakhstan's energy development goals, which are in turn aligned with Acwa Powers own vision of a future powered by clean energy," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Its a well-known story. In April of 1775, an American patriot receives intelligence communicated by lantern light and travels on horseback from Charlestown to Lexington, Massachusetts, to warn his fellow revolutionaries that British forces are approaching.

The British are coming! The British are coming! the brave rider shouts as he flies through the New England countryside.

Paul Revere and his midnight ride are credited with saving Founding Fathers John Hancock and Samuel Adams and putting the American militia on high alert, tilting the balance of power in Americas favor ahead of the Battles of Lexington and Concord just days later.

And while the Revere that most Americans know today is more myth than man (He was not the only rider that night, he likely never shouted The British are coming! and he was actually arrested by British forces later that night), his story is considered a singular tale of the heroics Americans expect from their Sons of Liberty.

But many Virginians know Revere was far from singular.

Six years after Reveres heroics, Jack Jouett, known as the Paul Revere of the South, managed his own midnight ride, saved his own Founding Fathers and changed the course of history.

The night of June 3, 1781, Jouett was at the Cuckoo Tavern in Louisa County when he overheard British soldiers discuss confidential war strategies. With Richmond under threat, the Virginia government had relocated to Charlottesville. Jouett understood the British troops to be preparing for a march on Charlottesville, with plans to capture, or kill, members of the General Assembly and Thomas Jefferson, who had just finished his term as governor.

Jouett took his horse and rode the 40 miles between the tavern and Jeffersons Monticello estate just south of Charlottesville, where he warned the author of the Declaration of Independence and the other assembled legislators that the British were coming. Jefferson and the General Assembly parted ways, fleeing the Charlottesville area  and avoiding arrest and, in some cases, perhaps death.

Jouetts tale has become better known in recent years thanks to educational campaigns in the commonwealth, but its what happened next that many dont know. Whereas Americans are brought up learning about the early American victory at Lexington and Concord, many dont know about Jeffersons flight from Monticello.

A group of six women are trying to change that.

Plenty of people around here have heard of Jack Jouett, lots of kids growing up around here know about that, Wendy Tackett told The Daily Progress. But, most people havent heard of Jeffersons route to escape the British.

Tackett along with Charlotte Bailey, Nancy Bolton, Pamela Comberg, Wendy Smith and Yates Nobles are members of the Albemarle Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a nonprofit, lineage-based membership service organization for women who are directly descended from supporters of the American Revolution.

As part of a project for a Daughters of the American Revolution members course, the women dedicated the past year to researching and mapping out the path Jefferson and his family took from Monticello to Poplar Forest, their retreat outside of Lynchburg. They collected their findings in a brochure now available at both Monticello and Poplar Forest.

Following the brochures directions, people can almost exactly replicate the route taken by the Jeffersons  all while enjoying the modern conveniences of air conditioning and paved highways not afforded to the Founding Father who was fleeing down dirt roads in a horse-drawn carriage.

The route up until Shipman is the route Jefferson took, its almost identical, said Tackett. Once you get to U.S. 29, its about what he took, because some of the roads just dont exist anymore.

By combing through primary sources in Jeffersons library at Monticello and speaking with historians at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the University of Virginia and the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, the women pieced together the events that unfolded after Jouett raised the alarm at Monticello on the morning of June 4, 1781.

Right away, Jefferson sent his wife, Martha, and their daughters, Martha and Maria, ahead to a neighboring farm, Col. Edward Carters Blenheim, while he remained behind to collect documents. Jefferson then climbed to the top of Montalto, the peak neighboring his mountaintop home, from where he could view the advancing troops. Taking his fastest horse, Caractacus, Jefferson flew to his family and together they continued on to Poplar Forest.

The Jeffersons spent the night at several ordinaries, or inns, over the course of their 10-day trek south. Though these structures are no longer standing, the brochure points out some still-existing stops the family made along the way in addition to unrelated but still interesting attractions, including Michie Tavern, James Monroes Highland, the Monacan Indian National Museum, the Scottsville Museum and the Waltons Mountain Museum. At the Scottsville Museum, visitors can learn about Enniscorthy, the estate where the Jeffersons stayed during their first night on the run.

We thought that telling more of the story would, one, help get kids engaged because Jack Jouett is exciting, said Tackett. Two, theres so much more history along the way which is why we provided other stops and, third, people can learn as a family while traveling throughout Virginia.

Tackett said the Daughters of the American Revolution is considering installing markers at the sites where the Jefferson family stayed at ordinaries on their journey south.

The inspiration behind the brochure came from Jefferson himself, or rather Bill Barker, the longtime Jefferson interpreter at Monticello.

Barker attended the local DAR chapters meeting last March and brought up the escape route Jefferson and his family took after Jouetts ride.

Surprised by how few people knew the story, the women decided it would be a worthwhile research topic project to tackle for their members course.

They uncovered plenty of obscure facts throughout the process. For instance, Jefferson composed the entirety of one of his more famous works, Notes on the State of Virginia, during the familys five-week stay at Poplar Forest. Tackett said the group also was also fascinated to learn of the enslaved communitys efforts to preserve Monticello from British raids; two men in particular, Martin Hemings and Caesar, stayed behind at Monticello and hid all of the houses silver under the floorboards.

Our members had an opportunity to do primary research, and most of them hadnt done that before, said Tackett. We got to see this from a concept to fruition and now were going to roll it out. Its a way to give back to the community, and its created a lot of energy and excitement in the chapter, both within the state and nationally.

The chapter received a grant that allowed them to print 25,000 editions of the brochure currently only in circulation at Monticello and Poplar Forest. However, they are seeking out additional funding for another round of printing, according to Tackett.

The group is also working on forming an educational outreach component to disseminate the brochure to visitor centers across the commonwealth as well as schools at all levels.

Close Exploring Virginia's rich history History in the Richmond region is so deep that exploring it  whether for longtime residents or one-and-done visitors  is one of our most rewarding local endeavors. Of course, all of Virginia has amazing stories to tell, whether in celebration of Black History Month this February or other parts of our heritage. As the weather warms up and you're itching to explore, these spots can inspire you to get out and about  and probably learn something fascinating about Virginia's history along the way. As always, hours of operation and costs can vary, so be sure to check before you head out. African-American Heritage Trail This driving trail highlights 11 sites in Spotsylvania County that collectively feature about two dozen historic elements of African-American history. Sites include the John J. Wright Educational and Cultural Center and Museum (pictured), a renovated building of the only high school for black children from 1909 to 1968. Other highlights include the Goodwin Mine at Chewning Park, the third-largest gold mine in the country from 1830 to 1849; and Piney Branch Baptist Church with the adjacent Piney Branch School, the only one-room school for black children still standing in its original location. The church was also home of the 23rd Regiment, U.S. Colored Infantry  in the Civil War, it participated in the first known fight on Virginia soil of a full U.S. Colored regiment within the Army of the Potomac. visitspotsy.com/african-american-heritage-trail Gunston Hall In Northern Virginia's Mason Neck area, the Potomac River is a picturesque backdrop for the home built by Revolution-era statesman George Mason, the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. (Mason was a proponent of religious tolerance and the right to a fair and speedy trial.) The home (circa 1755) features classical motifs of British design and elaborate formal rooms. Objects include a writing table, as family records note, where Mason did much of his work helping devise governmental forms for state and country. The grounds feature a central allee of English boxwood planted by Mason as well as gardens, a deer park, nature trails and the Mason family burial ground. Outbuildings include a kitchen, dairy, laundry and smokehouse, as well as a reconstructed schoolhouse. 10709 Gunston Road in Mason Neck; (703) 550-9220; gunstonhall.org Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum A poet, civil rights activist, teacher, librarian and gardener, Lynchburgs Anne Spencer was an important figure of the Harlem Renaissance, and she helped found the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She was only the second African-American poet to appear in the Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry (in 1973), and her Queen Anne-style home  a kitchen wall even features one of her poems  was a gathering place for intellectuals and black travelers in the 1920s. Spencers home and her garden refuge are part of the citys Pierce Street district that is rich with African-American history. The gardens roses and many of the bulbs were planted by Spencer  flowers and shrubs that continue to grow. 1313 Pierce St. in Lynchburg; (434) 845-1313; annespencermuseum.com Poplar Forest One of only two homes designed by Thomas Jefferson for his own use, Poplar Forest near Lynchburg served as the third U.S. presidents personal retreat. His neoclassical home was on a more than 4,000-acre plantation and, after age 65, Jefferson spent a great deal of time at the estate, where he could unwind, read and explore the environment. Visitors can take a guided tour of Jeffersons living spaces, including his dining room and parlor/library. A self-guided tour highlights lower-level exhibits and a restored kitchen and service wing. Restoration of the property and archaeology are ongoing. Archaeologists have been restoring the ornamental landscape around the house, which Jefferson designed based on what he saw in England and France. 1542 Bateman Bridge Road in Forest; (434) 525-1806; poplarforest.org Newsome House Museum and Cultural Center In Newport News, African-American attorney, journalist and civic leader Joseph Thomas Newsome moved into this 1899 home in 1906 and converted it from a saltbox structure to a Queen Anne-style residence, which became a hub of the local black community. Newsome served as state president of the Old Dominion Bar Association, and he was one of the first black solicitors in Virginia who successfully pleaded cases before the state Supreme Court. (In tribute to him, the city courts were closed the day of his funeral in 1942.) Newsome was also editor of The Newport News Star, a weekly black newspaper, and became a columnist for the Norfolk Journal and Guide. His home was the first black-owned structure to receive a National Historic Preservation Award. 2803 Oak Ave. in Newport News; (757) 247-2360; newsomehouse.org Hampton Roads Naval Museum One of nine U.S. Navy museums, this location introduces visitors to more than 240 years of naval activity in Hampton Roads. The Norfolk museum is the Navys primary repository of artifacts from the USS Cumberland (sunk by the Confederate ironclad Virginia in the Civil War) and the CSS Florida. The more than 50 exhibits include a collection of naval ship models, 19th-century artwork and underwater archaeological finds from the Civil War. Visitors can learn about sailor life during the Revolutionary War and the floating cities that are modern aircraft carriers. Artifacts include a 1798 cannon from the frigate USS Constellation, a Mark 7 undersea mine from World War I and a torpedo warhead from a German U-boat. The museum also houses a naval history research library open by appointment. One Waterside Drive in Norfolk (second floor of Nauticus); (757) 322-2987; hrnm.navy.mil Booker T. Washington National Monument Born into slavery in Franklin County, Booker T. Washington is renowned as an educator, author and presidential adviser who founded the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and became a national black leader. The Booker T. Washington National Monument is located on the former Burroughs Plantation where he was born. (The 207-acre property is still a working farm.) The Plantation Trail runs through the historic area, passing reconstructed 19th-century farm buildings. The Jack-O-Lantern Branch Heritage Trail wanders through trails and forests on the property. The monument, which is part of the National Park Service, offers a video presentation of Washingtons life as well as an exhibit room featuring hands-on activity. Master gardeners work on the heirloom garden through the summer and share techniques used by farmowners and slaves. 12130 Booker T. Washington Highway in Hardy; (540) 721-2094; nps.gov/bowa/index.htm The Crooked Road This 330-mile driving trail through the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia is designated as Virginias Heritage Music Trail for good reason: It features nine major venues and more than 60 affiliated music sites and festivals, all along a route through 19 counties and more than 50 cities and towns. In Bristol, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum highlights the citys music history and, in Ferrum, the Blue Ridge Institute and Farm Museum captures regional folklore. In Galax, the weeklong Old Fiddlers Convention is the worlds oldest and largest fiddlers convention. The Crooked Road also includes recreational activities, crafts and cultural programs. Look for highway signs that designate the route as well as wayside exhibits highlighting local music and history. (276) 492-2409; thecrookedroad.org Museum of the Shenandoah Valley On the outskirts of historic Old Town Winchester, the heritage of the Shenandoah Valley is on full display at this large museum, whose permanent collection houses more than 11,000 artifacts. Displays touch on furniture, textiles and more  in 2016, the museum marked its 10th anniversary, and the Collect, Preserve, Interpret exhibit highlights key items that tell the Valleys story. The 214-acre property also includes the Glen Burnie House (circa 1794), which was home to museum benefactor Julian Wood Glass Jr. (Some pieces of his decorative arts collection are on view at the house, along with panels depicting the homes history.) The house, surrounded by a 7-acre garden, is open for self-guided tours April through December. 901 Amherst St. in Winchester; (888) 556-5799; themsv.org CrossRoads/Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center The center showcases the historical and spiritual legacy of the farmers and craftsmen of the Mennonites and Brethren, who have lived in the Shenandoah Valley for more than two centuries. The 24-acre main campus, CrossRoads, includes a series of 19th- and 20th-century Mennonite-Brethren buildings. Designed as a farmstead, the campus has a working garden and features a log house (circa 1829) that once accommodated church services, a wash house, a one-room school (pictured), a blacksmith shop and other structures  including a Brunk Revival semi-trailer from the popular midcentury evangelical program. The center includes two other sites: Breneman-Turner Mill is the only surviving pre-Civil War mill in Rockingham County, and Hildebrand Church is a historic meetinghouse in northern Augusta County. 1921 Garbers Church Road in Harrisonburg; (540) 438-1275; vbmhc.org Chatham Manor This Georgian mansion near Fredericksburg overlooking the Rappahannock River is owned by the National Park Service and is part of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. The former 1,280-acre plantation was built between 1768 and 1771 by prominent Virginia lawmaker William Fitzhugh, and over its storied history, visitors included Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, future American Red Cross founder Clara Barton and poet Walt Whitman. During the Civil War, Chatham Manor served as headquarters of a Union Army field hospital. Today, five of the mansions 10 rooms contain exhibits and are open to the public. So is Chatham Gardens, which offers sweeping views of Fredericksburg landmarks. 120 Chatham Lane in Fredericksburg; (540) 693-3200; nps.gov/frsp/learn/historyculture/chatham.htm Alexandria Black History Museum The museum chronicles local and regional history in the Northern Virginia city at the heart of the PBS Civil War drama "Mercy Street." The museum incorporates the Robert H. Robinson Library, originally built in 1940 after a sit-in at the segregated Queen Street library, and two additional sites were added to the museum complex in 1995: The Watson Reading Room has a collection of books, videos and periodicals on African-American life, and the nearby African-American Heritage Park (pictured)  a 9-acre green space and wetlands area  preserves the site of a 19th-century black cemetery. Sculptures of bronze trees serve as the parks focal point, and Washington sculptor Jerome Meadows titled his work Truths That Rise From the Roots  Remembered  to highlight the African-Americans who contributed to the growth of Alexandria. 902 Wythe St. in Alexandria; (703) 746-4356; alexandriava.gov/blackhistory Claude Moore Colonial Farm Authenticity lives at this living history museum in Northern Virginias McLean area, where visitors can participate in the daily activities of an 18th-century family farm. The site re-creates the life of a tenant family before the American Revolution and offers self-guided tours as well as hands-on educational programs focused on the Colonial period. Costumed staff and volunteers greet visitors in character. The farm holds a number of events related to the period, including an 18th-century Market Fair with period craftsmen, entertainers and merchants; the Wheat Harvest; Dairy Day; and the Christmas Wassail with dancing and caroling. The farm also offers plants, heirloom vegetables and herbs for sale. The Gate House Shop stocks educational and gift items. The farm reopens April 1. 6310 Georgetown Pike in McLean; (703) 442-7557; 1771.org Gloucester Dating to the late 1600s, Gloucesters courthouse square includes one of the nations oldest courthouses (circa 1766) still in use (though not for court anymore). Other structures include a debtors prison and jail, and the Botetourt Building houses the Gloucester Museum of History. (The building originally served as a roadside tavern.) Gloucester also is home to the Rosewell Ruins (pictured). Built in the early 18th century, Rosewell was the ancestral home of the Page family but was destroyed by fire in 1916  the dramatic ruins include several walls, four chimneys and the wine cellar. Other notable sites include the Colonial-era Abingdon Episcopal and Ware Episcopal churches. And the annual Daffodil Festival celebrates Gloucesters nickname as the "daffodil capital of America"  colonists brought the bulbs to the county in the 1600s. (866) 847-2450; gloucesterva.info (click visitors) Harrison Museum of African-American Culture The Roanoke Valleys African-American history and culture are featured in the museums permanent collection, which includes memorabilia and photographs as well as African and contemporary art. Local heritage is further documented through oral histories and recollections from elders of the valleys black communities. Each September, the museum hosts the Henry Street Heritage Festival, which celebrates the culture and heritage of people of African descent through entertainment, educational forums, crafts and more. The museums ongoing Artists and Musicians program features lectures, music and artworks presented by professors from nearby colleges. 1 Market Square SE (second floor) in Roanoke; (540) 857-4395; harrisonmuseum.com Virginia Museum of Natural History An official state museum, the Virginia Museum of Natural History interprets the commonwealths natural past, with exhibits touching on our story from 500 million years ago to today. Life-size dinosaur cast skeletons, elaborate animal mount dioramas and hands-on displays are among the attractions. The Uncovering Virginia exhibit highlights sites at which museum scientists have worked to reveal the states past, and visitors can peek inside a working paleontology lab to watch scientists prepare dinosaur fossils from the Mesozoic Era (approximately 250 million to 65 million years ago). The archaeology lab offers a glimpse into the study of artifacts from ancient cultures, and the How Nature Works gallery features landscape models showing how energy and geological forces have shaped the Earth. 21 Starling Ave. in Martinsville; (276) 634-4141; vmnh.net Explore our rich history: 20+ sites to check out in Virginia The RTDs latest Discover Richmond magazine explores intriguing people, places and things in local and state history  from a famous Virginian you might not know to a 10-foot sloth with a link to Thomas Jefferson. Discover Richmond will be delivered with Mondays premium RTD for home-delivery subscribers. Newsstand customers and those seeking additional copies can purchase them at select retail locations, visit Richmond.com/Discover or call (804) 649-6261. Exploring Virginia's rich history History in the Richmond region is so deep that exploring it  whether for longtime residents or one-and-done visitors  is one of our most rewarding local endeavors. Of course, all of Virginia has amazing stories to tell, whether in celebration of Black History Month this February or other parts of our heritage. As the weather warms up and you're itching to explore, these spots can inspire you to get out and about  and probably learn something fascinating about Virginia's history along the way. As always, hours of operation and costs can vary, so be sure to check before you head out. African-American Heritage Trail This driving trail highlights 11 sites in Spotsylvania County that collectively feature about two dozen historic elements of African-American history. Sites include the John J. Wright Educational and Cultural Center and Museum (pictured), a renovated building of the only high school for black children from 1909 to 1968. Other highlights include the Goodwin Mine at Chewning Park, the third-largest gold mine in the country from 1830 to 1849; and Piney Branch Baptist Church with the adjacent Piney Branch School, the only one-room school for black children still standing in its original location. The church was also home of the 23rd Regiment, U.S. Colored Infantry  in the Civil War, it participated in the first known fight on Virginia soil of a full U.S. Colored regiment within the Army of the Potomac. visitspotsy.com/african-american-heritage-trail Gunston Hall In Northern Virginia's Mason Neck area, the Potomac River is a picturesque backdrop for the home built by Revolution-era statesman George Mason, the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. (Mason was a proponent of religious tolerance and the right to a fair and speedy trial.) The home (circa 1755) features classical motifs of British design and elaborate formal rooms. Objects include a writing table, as family records note, where Mason did much of his work helping devise governmental forms for state and country. The grounds feature a central allee of English boxwood planted by Mason as well as gardens, a deer park, nature trails and the Mason family burial ground. Outbuildings include a kitchen, dairy, laundry and smokehouse, as well as a reconstructed schoolhouse. 10709 Gunston Road in Mason Neck; (703) 550-9220; gunstonhall.org Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum A poet, civil rights activist, teacher, librarian and gardener, Lynchburgs Anne Spencer was an important figure of the Harlem Renaissance, and she helped found the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She was only the second African-American poet to appear in the Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry (in 1973), and her Queen Anne-style home  a kitchen wall even features one of her poems  was a gathering place for intellectuals and black travelers in the 1920s. Spencers home and her garden refuge are part of the citys Pierce Street district that is rich with African-American history. The gardens roses and many of the bulbs were planted by Spencer  flowers and shrubs that continue to grow. 1313 Pierce St. in Lynchburg; (434) 845-1313; annespencermuseum.com Poplar Forest One of only two homes designed by Thomas Jefferson for his own use, Poplar Forest near Lynchburg served as the third U.S. presidents personal retreat. His neoclassical home was on a more than 4,000-acre plantation and, after age 65, Jefferson spent a great deal of time at the estate, where he could unwind, read and explore the environment. Visitors can take a guided tour of Jeffersons living spaces, including his dining room and parlor/library. A self-guided tour highlights lower-level exhibits and a restored kitchen and service wing. Restoration of the property and archaeology are ongoing. Archaeologists have been restoring the ornamental landscape around the house, which Jefferson designed based on what he saw in England and France. 1542 Bateman Bridge Road in Forest; (434) 525-1806; poplarforest.org Newsome House Museum and Cultural Center In Newport News, African-American attorney, journalist and civic leader Joseph Thomas Newsome moved into this 1899 home in 1906 and converted it from a saltbox structure to a Queen Anne-style residence, which became a hub of the local black community. Newsome served as state president of the Old Dominion Bar Association, and he was one of the first black solicitors in Virginia who successfully pleaded cases before the state Supreme Court. (In tribute to him, the city courts were closed the day of his funeral in 1942.) Newsome was also editor of The Newport News Star, a weekly black newspaper, and became a columnist for the Norfolk Journal and Guide. His home was the first black-owned structure to receive a National Historic Preservation Award. 2803 Oak Ave. in Newport News; (757) 247-2360; newsomehouse.org Hampton Roads Naval Museum One of nine U.S. Navy museums, this location introduces visitors to more than 240 years of naval activity in Hampton Roads. The Norfolk museum is the Navys primary repository of artifacts from the USS Cumberland (sunk by the Confederate ironclad Virginia in the Civil War) and the CSS Florida. The more than 50 exhibits include a collection of naval ship models, 19th-century artwork and underwater archaeological finds from the Civil War. Visitors can learn about sailor life during the Revolutionary War and the floating cities that are modern aircraft carriers. Artifacts include a 1798 cannon from the frigate USS Constellation, a Mark 7 undersea mine from World War I and a torpedo warhead from a German U-boat. The museum also houses a naval history research library open by appointment. One Waterside Drive in Norfolk (second floor of Nauticus); (757) 322-2987; hrnm.navy.mil Booker T. Washington National Monument Born into slavery in Franklin County, Booker T. Washington is renowned as an educator, author and presidential adviser who founded the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and became a national black leader. The Booker T. Washington National Monument is located on the former Burroughs Plantation where he was born. (The 207-acre property is still a working farm.) The Plantation Trail runs through the historic area, passing reconstructed 19th-century farm buildings. The Jack-O-Lantern Branch Heritage Trail wanders through trails and forests on the property. The monument, which is part of the National Park Service, offers a video presentation of Washingtons life as well as an exhibit room featuring hands-on activity. Master gardeners work on the heirloom garden through the summer and share techniques used by farmowners and slaves. 12130 Booker T. Washington Highway in Hardy; (540) 721-2094; nps.gov/bowa/index.htm The Crooked Road This 330-mile driving trail through the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia is designated as Virginias Heritage Music Trail for good reason: It features nine major venues and more than 60 affiliated music sites and festivals, all along a route through 19 counties and more than 50 cities and towns. In Bristol, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum highlights the citys music history and, in Ferrum, the Blue Ridge Institute and Farm Museum captures regional folklore. In Galax, the weeklong Old Fiddlers Convention is the worlds oldest and largest fiddlers convention. The Crooked Road also includes recreational activities, crafts and cultural programs. Look for highway signs that designate the route as well as wayside exhibits highlighting local music and history. (276) 492-2409; thecrookedroad.org Museum of the Shenandoah Valley On the outskirts of historic Old Town Winchester, the heritage of the Shenandoah Valley is on full display at this large museum, whose permanent collection houses more than 11,000 artifacts. Displays touch on furniture, textiles and more  in 2016, the museum marked its 10th anniversary, and the Collect, Preserve, Interpret exhibit highlights key items that tell the Valleys story. The 214-acre property also includes the Glen Burnie House (circa 1794), which was home to museum benefactor Julian Wood Glass Jr. (Some pieces of his decorative arts collection are on view at the house, along with panels depicting the homes history.) The house, surrounded by a 7-acre garden, is open for self-guided tours April through December. 901 Amherst St. in Winchester; (888) 556-5799; themsv.org CrossRoads/Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center The center showcases the historical and spiritual legacy of the farmers and craftsmen of the Mennonites and Brethren, who have lived in the Shenandoah Valley for more than two centuries. The 24-acre main campus, CrossRoads, includes a series of 19th- and 20th-century Mennonite-Brethren buildings. Designed as a farmstead, the campus has a working garden and features a log house (circa 1829) that once accommodated church services, a wash house, a one-room school (pictured), a blacksmith shop and other structures  including a Brunk Revival semi-trailer from the popular midcentury evangelical program. The center includes two other sites: Breneman-Turner Mill is the only surviving pre-Civil War mill in Rockingham County, and Hildebrand Church is a historic meetinghouse in northern Augusta County. 1921 Garbers Church Road in Harrisonburg; (540) 438-1275; vbmhc.org Chatham Manor This Georgian mansion near Fredericksburg overlooking the Rappahannock River is owned by the National Park Service and is part of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. The former 1,280-acre plantation was built between 1768 and 1771 by prominent Virginia lawmaker William Fitzhugh, and over its storied history, visitors included Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, future American Red Cross founder Clara Barton and poet Walt Whitman. During the Civil War, Chatham Manor served as headquarters of a Union Army field hospital. Today, five of the mansions 10 rooms contain exhibits and are open to the public. So is Chatham Gardens, which offers sweeping views of Fredericksburg landmarks. 120 Chatham Lane in Fredericksburg; (540) 693-3200; nps.gov/frsp/learn/historyculture/chatham.htm Alexandria Black History Museum The museum chronicles local and regional history in the Northern Virginia city at the heart of the PBS Civil War drama "Mercy Street." The museum incorporates the Robert H. Robinson Library, originally built in 1940 after a sit-in at the segregated Queen Street library, and two additional sites were added to the museum complex in 1995: The Watson Reading Room has a collection of books, videos and periodicals on African-American life, and the nearby African-American Heritage Park (pictured)  a 9-acre green space and wetlands area  preserves the site of a 19th-century black cemetery. Sculptures of bronze trees serve as the parks focal point, and Washington sculptor Jerome Meadows titled his work Truths That Rise From the Roots  Remembered  to highlight the African-Americans who contributed to the growth of Alexandria. 902 Wythe St. in Alexandria; (703) 746-4356; alexandriava.gov/blackhistory Claude Moore Colonial Farm Authenticity lives at this living history museum in Northern Virginias McLean area, where visitors can participate in the daily activities of an 18th-century family farm. The site re-creates the life of a tenant family before the American Revolution and offers self-guided tours as well as hands-on educational programs focused on the Colonial period. Costumed staff and volunteers greet visitors in character. The farm holds a number of events related to the period, including an 18th-century Market Fair with period craftsmen, entertainers and merchants; the Wheat Harvest; Dairy Day; and the Christmas Wassail with dancing and caroling. The farm also offers plants, heirloom vegetables and herbs for sale. The Gate House Shop stocks educational and gift items. The farm reopens April 1. 6310 Georgetown Pike in McLean; (703) 442-7557; 1771.org Gloucester Dating to the late 1600s, Gloucesters courthouse square includes one of the nations oldest courthouses (circa 1766) still in use (though not for court anymore). Other structures include a debtors prison and jail, and the Botetourt Building houses the Gloucester Museum of History. (The building originally served as a roadside tavern.) Gloucester also is home to the Rosewell Ruins (pictured). Built in the early 18th century, Rosewell was the ancestral home of the Page family but was destroyed by fire in 1916  the dramatic ruins include several walls, four chimneys and the wine cellar. Other notable sites include the Colonial-era Abingdon Episcopal and Ware Episcopal churches. And the annual Daffodil Festival celebrates Gloucesters nickname as the "daffodil capital of America"  colonists brought the bulbs to the county in the 1600s. (866) 847-2450; gloucesterva.info (click visitors) Harrison Museum of African-American Culture The Roanoke Valleys African-American history and culture are featured in the museums permanent collection, which includes memorabilia and photographs as well as African and contemporary art. Local heritage is further documented through oral histories and recollections from elders of the valleys black communities. Each September, the museum hosts the Henry Street Heritage Festival, which celebrates the culture and heritage of people of African descent through entertainment, educational forums, crafts and more. The museums ongoing Artists and Musicians program features lectures, music and artworks presented by professors from nearby colleges. 1 Market Square SE (second floor) in Roanoke; (540) 857-4395; harrisonmuseum.com Virginia Museum of Natural History An official state museum, the Virginia Museum of Natural History interprets the commonwealths natural past, with exhibits touching on our story from 500 million years ago to today. Life-size dinosaur cast skeletons, elaborate animal mount dioramas and hands-on displays are among the attractions. The Uncovering Virginia exhibit highlights sites at which museum scientists have worked to reveal the states past, and visitors can peek inside a working paleontology lab to watch scientists prepare dinosaur fossils from the Mesozoic Era (approximately 250 million to 65 million years ago). The archaeology lab offers a glimpse into the study of artifacts from ancient cultures, and the How Nature Works gallery features landscape models showing how energy and geological forces have shaped the Earth. 21 Starling Ave. in Martinsville; (276) 634-4141; vmnh.net
The public libraries in Fontana, Lake Geneva and Williams Bay will host their next Geneva Lakes Library Series in collaboration with The Ridge Hotel on Tuesday, March 26.

The 6:30 p.m. program will feature a How Wisconsin Became the Best, is a crash course in how the geography, climate, sociology and farming culture of Wisconsin combine to make the state the most productive cranberry region in the world.

This Badger Talk, free and open to the public, will take place at The Ridge Hotel, W4240 State Hwy. 50 in the town of Geneva.

The program by Jonjak, Cranberries: How Wisconsin Became the Best, is a crash course in how the geography, climate, sociology and farming culture of Wisconsin combine to make the state the most productive cranberry region in the world.

Jonjak, who grew up at family-owned Jonjak Cranberry Farm in Sawyer County, was hired in April 2020 to fill UW-Extensions newly-created cranberry outreach specialist position, the states first.

Badger Talks reflects UWs tradition of The Wisconsin Idea  extending the resources of the university to citizens of the state. Over 200 Badger Talks are hosted around the state each year, featuring faculty and staff with expertise in a variety of disciplines. Talk topics range from cutting edge discoveries to happiness in the workplace and everything in between. Professional, community and civic organizations, as well as schools, are invited to request a UWMadison speaker. For more information about Badger Talks or scheduling a speaker, call 608-262-3880 or email badgertalks@uwmad.wisc.edu.
Dear W.C.,

My wife, 13-year-old son and I were living with my mother-in-law for the past year while my wife went through treatment for breast cancer. My wifes mother helped to care for her when she was sick and took her to many of her doctors appointments while I worked. My mother-in-law passed away unexpectedly two months ago, and we only had a few weeks to move out as the landlord would not renew the lease with us and we could not afford the home on our own anyway. We had nowhere to go so we ended up moving into a motel. Now we are in a real dilemma because my income is not enough for us to afford the motel much longer. I had to take off work to help with the funeral, packing up the house, and taking my wife to her doctors appointments. My wife is finally done with her treatments and almost well enough to work again. She is grieving greatly for her mother, but she will begin her job in two weeks. Even with both of us working it will be impossible for us to save up enough for a security deposit and first months rent while paying for a motel room. The last thing I want to put my wife and son through right now is losing this motel room too. I feel like a failure as a husband and father as I have not been able to protect them from this additional suffering.

Dear Readers,

This family sounded like they had been through more than their share of suffering over the past year. Together we would be able to at least help remove the pains and suffering of poverty they were experiencing.

I made my call to the husband who had written this letter requesting our assistance. It was in the evening and I expected to find him at the motel room with his family. When he answered and heard who was calling, he excused himself from the room for a walk so we could talk in private.

In less than a minute he was back on the phone and explained he did not want his son to hear the details of how much trouble they were in financially. He also did not want to bring everything up again in front of his wife who was still grieving the painful loss of her mother and worrying excessively over their current living arraignment.

After a review of everything already stated in his letter and asking him many questions to make sure I had all the information necessary to get them back on track, we worked on a plan together. The father had repeated several times how he felt like a failure and had not protected his family. I knew it was important to include him in the ideas I had in mind so he believed he was part of the solution. I reminded the good husband/father that many of the things that happened over the past year were not his fault and there was not anything he could have done to protect his family from the painful experiences life had brought their way. After a long conversation I could feel his improving self-esteem and a new positive attitude.

Together we paid for a month at the motel while they continued to look for an apartment they could afford. We also helped with much needed car repairs to ensure the husband and wife had reliable transportation for work. I promised we would provide two months rent and a security deposit, along with new beds once an apartment was found. Gift cards for food and toiletries would be delivered by a volunteer the following day.

The husband/father began to cry tears of relief before I could even tell him all we would provide for his family. He said, I knew The Time is Now to Help helped people when they were down on their luck, but I never expected we would be helped enough to get us back on stable ground. I cant wait to tell my wife she no longer has to worry about living out of our car. She can focus on taking care of her health and healing her broken heart. I can never thank you enough.

When we remove the pains and suffering of poverty often the other stresses in life are given the opportunity to heal as well. That is what we do together thanks to your support.

After three weeks of intense searching, I received the phone call I was waiting for. The husband/father and his wife had found an apartment that fit in their budget and all they needed to move forward on the next step in their lives, was the promised security deposit and two months rent. New beds would be delivered soon. With this assistance they are well on their way to recovering in all areas of their lives.

We have almost met the Family Foundation 2024 $40,000 Matching Grant. This matching grant is allowing us to continue our good work by preventing homelessness, hunger, and suffering. Thank You and God Bless You.

Health & Happiness, Love & GOD Bless Everyone, Sal

Please Help: There are many coming to us in desperation. Our good fellow creations need our compassion. Together we make a big difference. Make checks payable to: The Time Is Now to Help, P.O. Box 1, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. The Time Is Now to Help is a federally recognized 5013 charitable organization. You will receive a tax deductible, itemized thank you receipt showing how 100% of your donation was used for providing poverty relief. Please visit our website for more information, to read more of our past and current columns and/or to make a donation: www.timeisnowtohelp.org

A Very Special Thank You: Family Foundation, Ziegler Charitable Foundation, Paul Ziegler, Kunes Family Foundation, Kunes Country Auto Group, Paper Dolls, Kathryn Drexler, Barbara and Lee Zuzanek, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schuberth, Martin Group, John Stensland and family, Dr. Mark and Cynthia Brower, Kim and Nancy Holmgren, Steven and Deidred Trumble, Paypal Giving Fund, Margo Goldberg, Gregory Swanson, Karin Collamore, Jeffrey and Helen Harold, Robert and Vienna Pasche, John and Rita Race, Joyce Francis, Bob and Millie McCormick, Kelleher Family, LLC, Martha Hren, Jim and Jill Kaphengst, J.N. Hackman, Jennie Pierson, Denise Hubbard, all of our anonymous donors and ALL of you who support The Time Is Now to Help donation boxes. Anyone who would like a Time Is Now donation box in your business, please call (262) 249-7000.

Honoraries: Phil and Barbara McMahon in honor of Mom Rona Bence on her 100th Birthday.

Prayer Chain: The power of prayer and positive thoughts comes from the true healer, our Lord answering our prayers. Please pray for healing for the following people: Brian, Mike, Sylvia, Megan, Kayla, Maria C., Judy, Scott, Annie, Marilyn, Brandon, Helen, Dennis, Mary, Joseph, Jordan, Jean, Tom L., Dr. Peter, Matthew, Pam E., Jenene B., John S., Patricia H., Ron K., Marian K., Judy, Wendy, Eric, Anthony, Mary, Charlie, Tom P., Christina, Billy, Mike, Cheryl, Bryan E., Ellie and Cornelia.
Etihad Airways is celebrating the announcement of double-daily flights to Rome with round-trip fares in Economy starting from a jaw-dropping AED880 (only available when buying through www.etihad.ae), and in Business from AED15,450.

The national airline of the UAE is boosting its services between Abu Dhabi Zayed International (AUH) to Rome (FCO) from 11 weekly to twice a day from November 1, 2024 to meet growing customer demand.

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, said: With our morning and afternoon departures from Abu Dhabi and sensational value fares, our double-daily Rome flights will serve up sweet timings for UAE residents wishing to have a break in Italy.

Moreover, the new flight schedule from Rome allows travellers reaching Abu Dhabi more options to explore what the city has to offer in terms of business and pleasure. It further underscores our commitment to bringing more guests to enjoy Abu Dhabi, as well as connecting to our growing global network.

The combined double-daily flights will see Etihad offer almost 10,000 seats a week between Abu Dhabi and Rome, representing a year-on-year capacity increase of 22 per cent.

Rome, the historic capital city of Italy, captivates visitors with world-famous landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the intricate Trevi fountain, the Spanish Steps and The Vatican, showcasing a blend of classical and Renaissance aesthetics. It also boasts a vibrant culture and delicious cuisine.

The services will be operated on Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777-300 aircraft from Etihads young wide-body fleet featuring the airlines award-winning cabin service. Through Etihads Wi-Fly, all Etihad Guest members can enjoy complimentary chat packages, while all guests can choose to purchase a full Surf package with unlimited data for the duration of the flight.  TradeArabia News Service
Europeans can now choose what online services, including browsers and search engines, to use for their mobile phones and computers. They can also choose where to download iPhone apps and how their personal online data is used.

They are part of changes required under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA is a set of European Union laws that six large technology companies had to start following recently. Those companies include Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Google parent Alphabet, Facebook owner Meta, and TikTok owner ByteDance.

The DMA is the latest in a series of laws that Europe has passed as a world leader in controlling large tech companies. The companies have followed by changing long-held ways of doing business. For example, Apple will permit people to download smartphone apps outside of its App Store.

Heres a look at how the Digital Markets Act will work:

What companies have to follow the rules?

Some 22 services, from operating systems to messenger apps and social media companies, fall under the DMA.

They include Google services like Maps, YouTube, the Chrome browser and the Android operating system. Others are the online store Amazons Marketplace and Apples Safari browser and operating system iOS.

Metas social media and messaging sites Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are included as well as Microsofts operating system Windows and social media site LinkedIn.

The companies face the threat of large fines of up to 20 percent of their yearly worldwide income for repeated violations. That could amount to billions of dollars. And they also face the threat of a breakup for major violations.

What effect will the rules have around the world?

Zach Meyers is an assistant director at the Center for European Reform, a research organization. He said, If it works, many Western countries will probably try to follow the DMA

Already, countries like Japan, Britain, Mexico, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, and India are writing their own versions of DMA-like rules. The aim is to prevent tech companies from having too much control over online markets.

How will downloading apps change?

In one of the biggest changes, Apple has said it will let European iPhone users download apps outside its App Store, which comes with its devices.

Apple has long opposed such a move. A large part of its income comes from the 30 percent charge it demands for payments made through iOS apps. Apple has warned that downloading apps outside of its store will come with added security risks.

Now, Apple is cutting those charges for developers in Europe that choose to stay with its payment-processing system. But Apple is adding a 55-cent fee for each iOS app downloaded through outside app stores. Critics say that will persuade existing free apps to not use outside stores.

Avery Gardiner is a director at the music company Spotify. She said those outside app stores will never grow because they will be missing many apps that would need to be there for people to want to use those stores.

How will people get more choices online?

Users of mobile devices will have more choices online.

They will not be forced to use certain services like Apples Safari browser or Google search engine. Android users can choose which search engine to use, and iPhone users will get to choose which browser will be their main one. Microsoft, meanwhile, will stop forcing people to use its Edge browser.

Some Google search results will show up differently because the DMA bans companies from giving preference to their own services. So, for example, searches for hotels will now show a list of booking sites like Expedia.

Users can also stop companies from using their online data to target them with advertising.

The DMA also requires messaging systems to be able to work with each other.

Meta owns two messaging apps that fall under the rules. So it is expected to come up with a proposal on how Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp users can send messages, videos, and images to each other.

Im Gregory Stachel.

Kelvin Chan reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English.

________________________________________________

Words in This Story

app  n. a piece of software that you can download to a device such as a smartphone or tablet, for example to look up information or to play a game

browser  n. a computer program that lets you look at or read documents on the World Wide Web

preference  n. a greater interest in or desire for somebody/something than somebody/something else

booking  n. an arrangement to have something (such as a room) held for your use at a later time
Researchers have used radar and other technologies to study a large star sand dune in eastern Morocco. The team said it was able to capture detailed data on how these dunes form and develop.

A star dune is named after its shape because it can look like a star when seen from above. These structures are very large and have a hill, or peak, at the top. They have large masses, called arms, spreading out from the peak. Star dunes are shaped by wind and other conditions in the environment.

Star dunes are common in deserts and can be found in Africa, the Middle East, China and North America. But scientists say, although there are a lot of star dunes, the formations have not been studied very much so far.

The new study  believed to be the first of its kind  was led by two British researchers. It examines a large star dune in the Sahara Deserts Erg Chebbi sand sea in Morocco. The research results recently appeared in the publication Scientific Reports.

The scientists said the star dune rises 100 meters above surrounding dunes and is 700 meters wide. The structure contains an estimated five-and-a-half metric tons of sand.

The researchers used radar that can see underground to look at different elements within the star dune. The science instruments that were used are designed to map all layers within the dunes. They also used a method called luminescence dating to study the age of the dune. This method uses minerals in the sand to estimate when they last received sunlight in an attempt to guess the age of the dune.

Geoff Duller is a professor of geography and earth sciences at Britains Aberystwyth University. He said in a statement the new technology had finally made it possible to study these large dunes. Its only because of new technology that we can start to uncover their secrets, Duller said.

The researchers estimated the oldest parts of the base of the star dune are about 13,000 years old. And the dune is moving across the desert at a rate of about 50 centimeters a year. The team noted the star dune experienced the most growth during the past 1,000 years.

Star dunes make up just 10 percent of all dunes in Earth's deserts. They have also been observed on Mars and on Saturn's moon Titan.

Earth's largest star dunes are found in western Chinas Badain Jaran desert. Star dunes also are found in places including the Namib Sand Sea in Namibia, large sand seas in Algeria and Rub' al Khali in Saudi Arabia. In North America, Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado contains a series of them.

"I first encountered star dunes in Namibia 20 years ago, Duller told Reuters news agency. He added that he still has clear memories of being surprised at the size and beauty of the first sand dunes he saw. I have a vivid memory of the long climb to the top, struggling up very loose sand in the heat of the day."

Im Bryan Lynn.

Reuters, Aberystwyth University and Scientific Reports reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English.

_____________________________________________

Words in This Story

dune  n. a hill of sand in a desert

luminescence  n. the giving out of light by a substance

vivid  adj. clear or strong
A high-speed chase in Janesville early Sunday nearly saw an occupied vehicle struck by the fleeing motorist, authorities said.

Police spotted the vehicle, a Jeep, speeding on West Court just before 2 a.m., said Sgt. Thomas Northrop.

The driver hit a curb, disabling the vehicle before he fled on foot. The Jeep had two other occupants at the time of the chase.

Police found marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, Northrop said. The driver, a 31-year-old Janesville man, was arrested on tentative charges of drug possession, recklessly endangering safety, an OWI and other charges. He was wanted on warrants out of Rock County, Dane County and Winnebago, Illinois as well.

Who are they? WI children reported missing as of March 10 These are recent reports of missing children made to local law enforcement. If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
Kimberly and Hansen have a new police chief, as indicated by Kimberlys website, but city officials are not commenting on the situation that led to the change.

Sjuni Bunderson, who was already on the police force, is now listed as the police chief, replacing Jeff Perry.

Perry retired last week, his wife posting video of an emotional final call on social media.

Tammy Perry wrote on social media that her husband was put on administrative leave by the city council but did not tell him what policy he is alleged to have broke and that he decided to retire to protect his reputation. He has worked in law enforcement for 28 years, and many people posting on Facebook praised the job he performed.

Two other police officers quit their jobs as well, she said.

Kimberly Mayor Burke Davidson didnt respond to a message from the Times-News.
Photo Illustration by Erin OFlynn/The Daily Beast/Getty Images and Public Domain

It was a little over two weeks since Mohammad Ali Raihani, 28, a student of engineering at Kabul University, had started a day job to provide for his brother and sister while he studied. On Jan. 6, an explosion ripped through the minibus taking him to the printing press where he worked, killing him and six others.

He studied at night so he could work during the day and support the family. He was our only breadwinner, his sister Sumaya Raihani told The Daily Beast, choking back tears. When Mohammad got this job, he was always telling us to study. He promised to buy a bicycle for my younger brother to encourage him to study harder.

Sumaya has been unable to work or go to school herself under the brutal restrictions on women and girls imposed since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021.

As well as cruelty and misogyny, Taliban rule has also brought a resurgence in the threat from ISIS. The Sunni Muslim terror group has been allowed to re-group and re-tool in Afghanistan where thousands of fighters are training and plotting attacks, despite Taliban claims that they are trying to clamp down on them.

Hundreds of peoplelike Mohammadhave already been killed in dozens of attacks inside Afghanistan and in the wider region this year, as part of a new campaign of violence announced in January called Kill Them Wherever You Find Them. The campaign was originally billed as a plan to target the Jewish community in response to Israels bombing of Gaza after the Oct. 7 attacks, but has since seemingly expanded to include other groups that ISIS deems heretical.

The explosion that killed Mohammad was the first of two attacks that week targeting a neighborhood in Kabul with a majority population of Shia Muslims of Hazara ethnicity. The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State of Khorasan (ISKP), the wing of ISIS based in Afghanistan.

Irans President Ebrahim Raisi visits one of the people injured in the Islamic State attack in Kerman, Iran, on Jan. 5, 2024. Irans Presidency/WANA/Handout via Reuters

The biggest of the ISIS attacks so far this year was a double suicide bombing in Iran that killed over 100 people at a memorial for Qassem Soleimani, a top commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. While the Iranian government blamed Israel for the attack, a U.S. intelligence report released shortly after confirmed to the media that the U.S. has pretty clear intel that ISKP had conducted the attack.

Story continues

A former Afghan security official told The Daily Beast that ISIS would continue to grow in Afghanistan, where there is a huge supply of weaponry left behind following the U.S. withdrawal. He said an expanded ISIS would start to plan attacks on targets across the world if the Taliban continues to effectively allow them to set up a new haven.

A New Home for ISIS

The Taliban, who have been downplaying the threats posed by ISKP, wont admit to the scale of their ISIS problem. The Taliban have been struggling to seek international recognition for their government in Afghanistan, and to attract investment into the flailing economy amidst crushing sanctions from the U.S. and its allies.

The Taliban government is trying to portray itself as a viable international partner in counter-terrorism, despite continuing to maintain close ties with al Qaeda and Tehrik Taliban Pakistan (TTP), allowing the militant groups to mobilize, recruit and train on Afghan soil. A U.S. operation in 2022 targeted and killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, the al Qaeda chief in a house in an upscale Kabul neighborhood linked to a top Taliban member.

Efforts to get the Taliban government recognized internationally have had marginal success with the Chinese, who have directed some investment into the oil and mining sectors, and more recently, became the first country to officially accept the credentials of a Taliban ambassador. However, ISKP attacks on the few remaining diplomatic missions in Kabul and on business interests have damaged the Talibans illusion of security in Afghanistan.

According to the latest U.N. Security Council report, released in February, despite being largely diminished from its peak presence in 2014-19, ISIS in Afghanistan has seen a resurgence since the Taliban takeover and managed to undermine Taliban security by carrying out multiple high-profile attacks.

Why America Just Set Free the Pablo Escobar of Afghanistan

The U.N. report noted that, since 2022, the group has claimed more than 190 suicide bomb attacks in major cities in the region, resulting in over 1,300 casualties. In 2022, the ISKP conducted large-scale attacks on the embassies of Pakistan, Russia and several Chinese interests in Kabul. In fact, the ISKP attacks in 2022 were found to be greater lethality than in 2021, according to the UNSC.

Over the past year, the group has benefited from increased operational capabilities and freedom of movement inside Afghanistan. It seeks to maintain the intense pace of attacks, the UNSC report noted, adding that its member states had assessed ISKP as the most serious current terrorist threat in Afghanistan with growing local recruitment and movement of fighters from Arab and African States to Afghanistan.

Taliban fighters at a security checkpoint warm themselves by a fire on Jan. 17, 2022, in Kabul. Scott Peterson

While an accurate assessment of the strength of ISKP is not possible, the UNSC report estimates that there are between 4,000 and 6,000 ISKP members in Afghanistan, including family of the fighters. Most of them are mobilized in training camps in the north and northeastern parts of the country where loyalties to the Pashtun-majority Taliban are fluid owing to the ethnic tensions between the largely non-Pashtun population.

A former Afghan security official who has been monitoring the movements of local and foreign fighters through existing intelligence networks shared similar numbers. The largest group among them are Afghans and Pakistanis, but there are significant fighters coming from Syria, Bangladesh, India, and Central Asian countries, he told The Daily Beast on condition of anonymity.

With the Taliban in charge of counter-terrorism, Afghanistan is on its way to becoming a safe haven for global terrorists, including the ISKP who are regrouping in the region, the ex-official said. Right now, most of these groups [in Afghanistan] are still mobilizing and their attacks are limited to the region, but if allowed to gain a geographical base, groups like ISIS will be empowered to conduct larger, more deadly attacks globally, he warned.

The Talibans own failures in government are contributing to the surge in recruitment, the ex-official said. Before the fall of the Afghan government, recruitment into all regional insurgent groups followed the same narrative, calling for a fight against the U.S.-backed government. But since the U.S. withdrawal and the Taliban takeover, ISKP has directed its efforts at amplifying its anti-Taliban propaganda, he said.

The UNSC report noted an increase in ISKPs media operations in the region with new publications releasing content in 12 languages and building a network of Telegram channels as part of an ongoing internationalization strategy. Recent pamphlets issued by ISIS media have repeatedly referred to the Taliban as murtad (apostates). They criticise the Taliban for defending infidels through their protection of foreign embassies and the United Nations in Afghanistan, the report stated.

While UNSC noted that much of ISKP funding came from its parent organization, as well as from other non-governmental sources and donors, the ex-official added that the group also has access to weapons left behind by U.S. and NATO forces. Afghanistan is currently flush with U.S. weapons. It is very easy right now to build a war chest in Afghanistan with weapons that were left behind by foreign forces, and those sold by former fighters for reasons of money or sympathies, defecting fighters often take weapons and ammunition with them, he said.

Will the Taliban Really Fight ISIS?

Security analysts observing the situation in the region warn that connections between terrorist groups should not be ignored. One must understand Taliban-ISKP relations in the context of Islamist Jihadism, said Omar Sadr, senior research scholar at University of Pittsburgh. The ideological divide between various Jihadist groups, including the Taliban and the ISKP, is extremely porous. Many Taliban militants embrace ISKP's extremist transnational Salafi worldview, he said, adding that there were several ex-ISKP members who joined the Taliban and vice versa.

Factionalism within the Taliban has also played a significant part in the situation on the ground, Sadr added. While some Taliban follow the traditional Hanafi sect, others sympathize with the international jihadist movement, he said, adding that the Taliban might even at times leverage select ISKP channels as a strategic weapon against Afghanistans neighbors such as in case of attacks on Iran.

A suspected ISIS member sits blindfolded in a Taliban Special Forces car in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sept. 5, 2021. West Asia News Agency via Reuters

The Taliban, he said, tolerate transnational jihadis as long as they do not pose a substantial existential threat, leaving little motivation to resolve Afghanistans ISIS problem. It was after all the Taliban that released a number of ISKP captives upon their takeover of Kabul, Sadr pointed out, referring to multiple jailbreaks in August 2021 across Afghanistan.

It was later confirmed that several of those ISKP prisoners were involved in major attacks in Kabul, including an airport bombing on Aug. 26 that killed nearly 200 people, including 13 U.S. service members.

The Afghan ex-official added, The ISKP are also exploiting these fractures and factionalism. They are also seeking out those among the radicalized fighters within the Taliban who are disillusioned with their leaders seeking support and recognition from erstwhile enemy countries.

They have been laying the groundwork [against Taliban] for years, but with recent evidence [of the Taliban working with foreign governments] they have been able to draw in larger numbers of fighters from across Afghanistan and globally, the former security official said.

The regrouping of ISKP fighters in Afghanistan is terrible news for religious and ethnic communities already marginalized by the Taliban at home, and it is about to become a massive problem for Washington and other Western capitals in the battle against global terrorism.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Two major Japanese companies in the Philippines announced plans to expand their operations in economic zones, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

PEZA director-general Tereso Panga identified the two companies as SIIX Co. Ltd. and FCC Co. Ltd. during a forum organized by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC) and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

Panga said SIIX Co., Ltd., a leading global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider, would expand its core business and enter new markets. The company would manufacture its patented conductive ink in the Philippines, Panga said.

Meanwhile, FCC, another participant in investment roadshow, expects significant growth in its Philippine operations over the next few years.

The company plans to manufacture clutches for Honda Click 125 motorcycles in the Philippines. It is also looking at manufacturing paper ceramics for other electronics component manufacturers and investing in new advanced technology businesses involving scooter assembly lines, lining molding lines and weight lines.

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FCC is also exploring incorporating new ventures such as promoting a circular economy in the Philippines through the use of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) for water filtration and solid biomass fuel production.

FCC is a dominant player in the global motorcycle clutch market.

SMBC and RCBC organized the mission following the signing of memorandum of agreement among PEZA, SMBC and RCBC.

The investment seminar briefed Japanese corporate clients about investment opportunities in the Philippines, particularly within economic zones.

Japan is PEZAs largest investor, accounting for 28 percent of total investments or about P798 billion, $16.3 billion in exports and 342,845 in direct jobs created across 877 PEZA-registered business enterprises (RBEs).
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ACEN Corp. signed a second partnership with BrightNight APAC B.V. to advance the development, construction and operation of the latters initial 1 gigawatt of renewable power portfolio in the Philippines.

The newly-formed partnership plans to develop and construct renewable energy projects with an estimated capital deployment of $1.2 billion over the next five years.

This is BrightNight and ACENs second partnership and builds on the success of the one established in India in March 2023.

ACEN said in a statement the investment provides BrightNight with additional resources to fund its Philippines build-out and long-term growth in one of the fastest-growing markets in Asia.

ACEN will also provide its strong domestic presence, partnership network and expertise across the regional energy value chain.

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ACEN Group chief investment officer Patrice Clausse said the collaboration with BrightNight reflects the companys shared ambition to develop superior, hybrid renewable energy solutions.

The success of our joint projects in India, which are already winning customers and building capacity, serves as a solid foundation for our venture in the Philippines, Clausse said.

This move is a strategic fit for ACEN and aligns with our dedication to meeting our customers energy requirements while upholding our environmental and social responsibilities, he said.

ACEN said it is steadfast in its mission to reach 20 GW of renewable capacity by 2030 with its 4.8 GW of attributable renewable capacity across key markets such as the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia and India.
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DARAGA, Albay  Albay mayors, led by Polangui Mayor Adrian Raymond Salceda have conveyed their sincere thanks and appreciation to the Department of Health (DOH) for the opening of the Bicol Cancer Center in the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC) in this town.

The cancer center, a major facility of the BRHMC, was formally opened on Friday, March 8 following the issuance of its license to operate by the Food and Drug Administration.

In a statement, Mayor Salceda, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Albay Chapter, thanked Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa for bringing lifesaving care closer to Bicolanos, particularly to Albayano families through the cancer center.

Cancer can be devastating for patients and their families. It gets much harder when they have to travel to Manila just to get lifesaving care. With the operation of the Bicol Cancer Center, cancer patients can now focus on recovering closer to home, where their support systems are, Salceda noted.

The mayor said then Albay governor and now 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, his uncle, had been lobbying for the creation of the cancer center since 2010, first under a public-private partnership scheme.

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He recalled that Secretary Herbosa was still a senior official of the DOH then who helped handle the concerns of DOH hospitals in Bicol when the cancer center was conceptualized.

The Bicol Cancer Center is part of a much grander dream  to transform the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center into the PGH of the South  a dream which my uncle, Congressman Joey Salceda, and Secretary Herbosa have been working on for years now, Mayor Salceda said.

The vision was a BRHMC  then called BRTTH  that would be a complete medical ecosystem providing the best quality healthcare in South Luzon, he explained.

The establishment of the Bicol University College of Medicine now ensures a consistent stream of doctor graduates who will get trained and serve the BRHMC. The Bicol Heart, Lung, and Kidney Centers, meanwhile, provide top quality sub-specialty care that was previously only available outside Bicol, he pointed out.

The Bicol Cancer Center is part of the expansion programs after the enactment of RA 11719, which was also principally crafted by Congressman Salceda. The measure converted the BRTTH into the BRHMC, and increased its bed capacity from 250 to 800.

The cancer center was officially licensed to operate after the acquisition of a linear accelerator (LinAc) and other radiological equipment needed for cancer diagnosis and treatments.

Mayor Salceda also thanked House Appropriations Committee chairman Elizaldy Co for funding further expansions of the BRHMC, and  for heavily investing in BRHMCs infrastructure from water supply to halfway houses and other facilities.

Congressman Co, of Ako Bicol Partylist, also deserves credit for massively funding BRHMCs Medical Assistance Program, Mayor Salceda stressed.

Most recently, Congressman Co helped secure funding for the Legacy Specialty Hospital in the BRHMC, which is a priority project of President Marcos. All these complementary developments helped ensure that BRHMC will be the most well-equipped hospital in the whole of South Luzon, he added.

Having the Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees in Congress being chaired both by Albayanos has been a great blessing for Albay and for BRHMC. I am sure more programs and projects for BRHMC will be delivered by both of our champions in Congress. With Secretary Herbosa, a long-time friend of the Bicol region, at the helm of DOH, we can dream even bigger for BRHMC, Salceda said.

LMP-Albay is composed of the 15 town mayors who also work closely with their city mayor counterparts from Legazpi City, Tabaco City and Ligao City.
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Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Sunday welcomed reports that Filipino seafarers in the Gulf of Aden Houthi attack are safe.

We have received heartening news that all ten of our Filipino seafarers aboard the vessel struck in the Gulf of Aden are now safe. This update brings immense relief not only to their families but to our nation as a whole, as we have been anxiously following the

developments of this distressing incident, he said in a statement.

I wish to express my profound gratitude to the international community, including the Indian Navy and the authorities in Djibouti, for their prompt and decisive actions that led to the safety of our kababayans. Their dedication and cooperation have been instrumental in securing the well-being of our seafarers, and for this, we are immensely thankful, he added.

He commended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Department of Migrant Workers, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the Department of Forei gn Affairs for their swift response and the comprehensive assistance they continue to provide to the seafarers and their families.

The collaboration between government agencies and the international partners showcased the strength and effectiveness of collective efforts in ensuring the safety of our citizens abroad, he said.

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To our brave seafarers, your safety is of utmost importance to us. We are deeply relieved that you are out of harms way and are now secure. The courage and strength you have shown in the face of danger are truly admirable, and you embody the resilient spirit of the Filipino people, he said.

While we celebrate the safety of our seafarers, we also remember and mourn the tragic loss of two of our compatriots in this incident.

We extend our deepest sympathies to their families and assure them of our continued support during this difficult time. We are committed to providing them with all the necessary assistance and ensuring that their loved ones sacrifices are honored and remembered, he added.

He called the seafarers as modern-day heroes.

As we move forward from this incident, let us reaffirm our commitment to the welfare and safety of all our overseas Filipino workers. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect their rights, promote their well-being, and ensure that they are provided with the support and protection they deserve, wherever they may be in the world, he stressed.

Again, my sincerest thanks to everyone involved in the rescue and safety operations. Your actions have brought great comfort and hope to our nation. Together, let us continue to uphold the welfare of our Filipino workers worldwide and ensure that they are always safe and protected, he said.
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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) says job opportunities await Filipinos in the Czech Republic as this Central European nation expressed interest in hosting more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) because of their work ethic.

DFA Office of European Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Elena Algabre made the disclosure as President Marcos is scheduled to visit Germany and the Czech Republic from March 11 to March 15.

Algabre said the Czech Republic had doubled the yearly quota for OFWs in their country from 5,000 to 10,000 beginning in May this year.

Starting January 2024, the quota is 5,000. The Czech [Republic], they have announced that this will be increased beginning May to 10,000 for the Filipinos only, she said.

Algabre also said this was mainly due to the OFWs work ethic as well as the shortage in Europes workforce.

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They really appreciate the work ethic of our countrymen, and their talent and skills  so thats one. So they do get a premium in terms of recruitment and benefits, Algabre noted.

They know that our skills even in our hospitable nature, in our very pleasant attitude at work  we are always smiling, she pointed out.

The Philippines and the Czech Republic are set to sign a joint communique on the establishment of a labor consultations mechanism during President Marcos visit to Prague on March 14.

The arrangement aims to enhance bilateral cooperation for the safe and orderly migration of Filipino workers, and to provide higher protection of their rights and welfare.

Records showed that there are approximately 7,000 Filipinos in the Czech Republic.
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President Marcos will leave this afternoon (Monday) for a working visit to Germany and a state visit to the Czech Republic.

The President would be joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and other members of the Philippine delegation for the five-day visit from March 11 to 15.

Mr. Marcos is expected to raise the current tensions between Manila and Beijing in the West Philippine Sea.

Previously, Germany has vowed to donate more drones to boost the countrys maritime surveillance capabilities in the West Philippines Sea.

The drones, funded by a 129-million-euro (P7.9-billion) assistance package from Berlin, will serve as the Philippine Coast Guard reconnaissance assets in the disputed area.

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In Berlin, the President is scheduled to formalize a joint declaration of intent aimed at bolstering cooperation within the maritime sector,a collaboration to be sealed by the transportation agencies of both nations.

Additionally, a cooperation program between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education is scheduled to be signed.

Meanwhile, in his trip to the Czech Republic, the President is set to sign a joint communique establishing a labor consultations mechanismaimed at enhancing collaboration between Manila and Prague to support Filipino worker migration.

The Presidential Communications Office said Mr. Marcos trip was upon the invitation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Czech President Petr Pavel.

His trip to Central Europe comes after a back-to-back trip to Australia for a state visit and his participation in the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.
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DUBAI, United Arab EmiratesThe United States and its allies said they shot down 28 drones fired by Yemens Huthis at targets in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden last weekend, in one of the Iran-backed rebels largest attacks.

Shortly afterward, the rebels said they had fired missiles at an American commercial ship and launched drones at US warships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

In November, the Huthis launched a campaign of drone and missile strikes against vessels in the Red Sea, an area vital for world trade, in professed solidarity with Palestinians during Israels war against Iran-backed Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

The US Central Command, or CENTCOM, said the large-scale Huthi attack occurred before dawn in the Red Sea and adjacent Gulf of Aden.

CENTCOM and coalition forces determined that the drones presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels, US Navy and coalition ships in the region.

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It added, in a post on social media platform X, that US Navy vessels and aircraft along with multiple coalition navy ships and aircraft shot down 15 of the drones.

These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.

CENTCOM said in an update later Saturday that the US and its allies had downed a total of 28 drones in the operation.

Huthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, also on X, said the rebels had carried out two separate attacks.

The first targeted the commercial vessel Propel Fortune in the Gulf of Aden, he said, calling it an American ship.

Vessel tracking websites describe the bulk carrier as Singapore-flagged but did not report its current position.

The second attack saw 37 drones fired at a number of American warships, Saree said.

In the Yemeni capital Sanaa, Huthi loyalists took part in a military parade on Saturday, stomping on US, Israeli and British flags.

The United States in December announced a maritime security initiative to protect Red Sea shipping from Huthi attacks, which have forced commercial vessels to divert from the route that normally carries 12 percent of global trade.

Frances defence ministry said on Saturday its fighter jets and one warship had shot down four drones in the Gulf of Aden.

This defensive action contributed directly to the protection of the cargo ship True Confidence (under Barbadian flag), which was hit on March 6 and is currently being towed away, it said in a statement.

A ministry spokesperson confirmed the four drones were among the 15 destroyed in total by the coalition.

French forces have been operating in the Red Sea as part of the European Unions parallel Aspides mission  announced last month  to protect international shipping from the Huthi attacks.

The rebel strikes this week caused their first reported fatalities.

The Philippine government said two Filipino crew members were among those killed in a missile strike on the bulk carrier True Confidence.

On March 2, the first known vessel sinking from the strikes occurred when the Belize-flagged, Lebanese-operated Rubymar went down in the Red Sea, days after a rebel missile strike.

Since January, the United States and Britain have also launched repeated strikes on Huthi targets in Yemen in response to the ship attacks.

The strikes have not thwarted the rebels, who have continued to attack merchant vessels, including American and British ships.

Yemens rebels control Sanaa and much of the Red Sea coast, despite a years-long bombing campaign that a Saudi-led coalition began in 2015.

On January 9, US and British forces shot down 18 drones and three missiles fired by the rebels toward ships in the Red Sea, the US military said at the time.

Britain said it was the largest attack to that point by the Huthis.
Jihadists in northern Nigeria are again accused of kidnapping 15 more pupils, days after Boko Haram abducted an unknown number of mostly girls and women north of the country.

The new attack took place on Saturday March 8 on a school premises in the Sokoto village of Gidan Bakuso, in the countrys north-west.

They succeeded in abducting 15 of my students, the oldest being 20 and 15, but all the others are below 13, said Bakuso by phone, adding that a woman had also been kidnapped.

We are in a state of panic and have been praying hard for their safe release, he told Reuters.

The abduction took place as Bornos state government says that 95% of Boko Haram fighters were either dead or have surrendered.
Chinese lawmakers submit 298 proposals to annual legislative session

Xinhua) 09:31, March 10, 2024

Staff members work at the secretariat of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. Chinese national lawmakers submitted 298 proposals to the country's annual legislative session as of Friday noon, the deadline for proposal submission at the ongoing second session of the 14th NPC. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese national lawmakers submitted 298 proposals to the country's annual legislative session as of Friday noon, the deadline for proposal submission at the ongoing second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC).

The secretariat of the session said Saturday it had also received over 7,000 suggestions, criticisms and comments from NPC deputies.

While the majority of the proposals are legislative bills, lawmakers' suggestions mainly focus on developing new quality productive forces, fostering emerging and future industries, and expanding effective investment, among others.

Staff members work at the secretariat of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. Chinese national lawmakers submitted 298 proposals to the country's annual legislative session as of Friday noon, the deadline for proposal submission at the ongoing second session of the 14th NPC. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Sheng Chuyi)
A spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry joined Chinese netizens to express deep condolences for the death of renowned Japanese manga artist Akira Toriyama.

Known for works such as Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump, Toriyama passed away on March 1 due to acute subdural hematoma at the age of 68. Funeral service was held with his family and close relatives, according to an announcement made by Bird Studio, a manga and design production studio created by Toriyama.

"We express our deep condolences for the death of Akira Toriyama and express our sincere condolences to his family," said China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a regular news conference on Friday.

"Mr Toriyama is a famous manga artist, and his works are also very popular in China. I noticed that many Chinese netizens also expressed condolences for his death.

"We expect and believe that more people of insight in Japan will actively participate in Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges and the cause of friendship between the two countries," Mao said.

The announcement posted on the Dragon Ball official site stated: "It's our deep regret that he still had several works in the middle of creation with great enthusiasm  We hope that Akira Toriyama's unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come."

Born in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture in 1955, Toriyama made his debut with Wonder Island, which was serialized in publishing firm Shueisha's popular Japanese magazine Weekly Shonen Jump in 1978. His series Dr. Slump, which began in 1980, became a major hit. He won the Shogakukan Manga Award, one of Japan's major manga awards, for Dr. Slump in 1982.

His iconic series Dragon Ball, which debuted in 1984 in Weekly Shonen Jump, achieved global recognition through translations and publications. The franchise expanded its reach into anime, spanning feature films and TV series, alongside ventures into video games and merchandise featuring its beloved characters.

He had worldwide fans and won a special award at the Angouleme International Comics Festival in France in 2013.

After learning about his death, a Chinese reader said on WeChat: "I sit beneath the sun-drenched window, reminiscing about those youthful days. Toriyama rides a divine dragon and departs. In Dragon Ball, there are too many regrets, just like the youth of oneself."
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The hormonal gel is applied to the shoulders, and Trevino made it part of his morning routine. Credit: Karin Higgins/UC Davis

Matthew Trevino and Emily Fletcher are self-described DINKWADsdouble income, no kids, with a dog. The Sacramento couple, who met and work at UC Davis, are as committed to each other as they are to not having children, which makes reliable birth control especially important. But except for condoms or a vasectomy, all birth control options currently available are for women. Trevino, 35, and Fletcher, 28, believe contraception should be more of a shared responsibility.

"Maybe the burden is on the wrong side," said Trevino. "I kind of think it's unfair, that it only lands on the women."

They have been participating in a clinical trial at UC Davis Health to test a reversible hormonal birth control gel for men. If successful, male hormonal birth control has the potential to make the responsibility of contraception more equitable. The clinical trial, taking place at sites around the world, is currently in its fourth year at UC Davis Health.

The hormonal gel, developed by the Population Council and the NIH, is applied to the shoulders and works by suppressing sperm production while maintaining testosterone levels. The gel works with the same principles as female hormonal birth control, which uses two hormonesprogestin and estrogento prevent pregnancy.

"The gel has a progestin called Nesterone, which prevents the testes from making sperm," explained Mitchell Creinin, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and a family planning specialist at UC Davis Health. During that process, natural testosterone production also stops.

"For a man to feel normal and even be able to have sex, he needs testosterone. So, we give Nesterone plus testosterone."

A careful decision

Participating in the trial wasn't an easy decision for the couple. Fletcher had been on some form of birth control since age 12. The trial meant going off birth control at a pivotal timejust when Roe v. Wade was overturned.

"I was worried," said Fletcher. "There was still a thought in the back of my mind that maybe this will be an issue if the drug doesn't work and I get pregnant."

Fletcher and Trevino did their homework on the trial and examined the data. They both work as researchers. Ultimately, they both decided it was the right thing for themselves and for their relationship.

Zero sperm count

The hormonal gel comes in a canister about the size of a can of shaving cream, and it holds two weeks' worth of doses. Trevino, a former Marine, has made applying the hormonal gel part of his morning routine, squirting just a small amount on his tattooed shoulders.

The list of possible side effects from the gel is long and includes dry or oily skin, increased or decreased libido, hair growth or loss, and mood swings. Besides what may be a little weight gain from the drug, Trevino has had only one other side effect.

"I've only experienced increased libido," he said. "Maybe I'm just lucking out but I hope this is the case for the majority of participants. If it is, it's definitely going to change contraception as a whole."

Fletcher said she's had to adjust to Trevino's increased libido. But she says their sex life comes with a lot less worry.

"Knowing that his sperm count is essentially zero is definitely peace of mind," Fletcher said.

Researchers hoped the gel would work about as well as the female birth control pill, but it's working even better than expected, said Creinin.

Why has it taken so long?

One of the reasons it's taken so long to develop a male hormonal contraceptive is that unlike females who produce an egg a month, men are producing millions of sperm every day. Sperm counts must be low enough to reliably prevent pregnancy. Creinin said there's also been a lack of investment from pharmaceutical companies and concerns regarding severe side effects from previous male hormonal birth control drugs.

Because men produce sperm constantly, it takes a longer time than female hormonal birth control for the gel to become effective. It also takes months to reverse its effect when coming off the drug.

Hundreds of couples at sites around the world are taking part in the trial, which takes nearly two years. UC Davis researchers are currently in phase 2 of the trial, which is no longer recruiting, and are hoping to take part in a third phase of the trial, which would include many more participants.

Creinin said he thinks this trial will be a turning point for contraception and one he thought he'd never see in his career.

"I think that this probably will be that first product that comes to market," he said. "Whenever it happens it's going to create a social change in the way our society thinks about responsibility for preventing pregnancy. It will make all of us realize that both men and women truly need to participate."

Trevino and Fletcher share that sentiment. Trevino is now in the recovery phase of the trial and off the gel. He said he'd jump at the chance to participate in a third phase of the trial. Until then, he hopes it won't be too long a wait before it's an option for every couple.

Provided by University of California
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The world's biggest vaccine maker will start rolling out a cheap new malaria inoculation in Africa from May, bolstering the fight against one of the most deadly infectious diseases globally.

The mosquito-borne malady kills more than 600,000 people a year, 95 percent of them in Africa, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

It is more fatal among the young, and the annual toll of malaria deaths includes nearly half a million African children aged under five.

The Serum Institute of India (SII) this year plans to ship 25 million doses of the new vaccine, developed along with Oxford University researchers and known as R21.

"In terms of importance and saving lives... it's going to be a hugely impactful vaccine, SII chief executive Adar Poonawalla told AFP.

"We've offered these vaccines to the African continent at $4 or less in the first year itself. And then as we scale up, maybe we can bring that down a little bit further."

The R21 vaccine, a three-dose course and booster shot for children aged 5-36 months, is the second malaria shot approved by the WHO.

But researchers say it will be cheaper than the other vaccine produced by British pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline.

The WHO said its rollout was expected to greatly expand supply to meet high demand from African countries.

'Most vulnerable'

The SII has been the largest vaccine manufacturer globally for several years but saw its profile rise substantially after manufacturing millions of cheap COVID vaccine shots for export at the height of the pandemic.

With demand for coronavirus prevention waning, it has repurposed some pandemic-era facilities to combat other diseases at its sprawling factory complex in Pune, a few hours' drive from business capital Mumbai.

Small glass vials are pumped with R21 doses and whizzed off on a conveyor belt for quality checks and packaging ahead of their looming export.

Poonawalla says the institute's goal is to roll out R21 in a few countries before the main malaria season starts in about six to seven months.

"Ideally we should have vaccinated the people most vulnerable at risk. That's the target," he said, adding that production would eventually reach 100 million R21 doses per year.

SII research and development director Umesh Shaligram said the vaccines would be shipped towards the end of April with deployment to start by May and June.

The vaccines will mostly be bought and distributed through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Gavi, a global vaccine alliance.

Chad, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Mozambique and South Sudan will be the first five countries to receive R21 doses, a UNICEF spokesperson told AFP.

"Uganda and Nigeria are planning to introduce it later in the year," the spokesperson added.

 2024 AFP
BANGKOK, THAILAND  An endangered red panda has been found alongside 86 other animals inside luggage at Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailands Customs Department said in a statement Wednesday.

The red panda was one of 87 animals found in the luggage of six Indian nationals who have been arrested for trying to smuggle live animals out of the country, the Thai Customs Department said. The suspected smugglers  and the animals  were headed for Mumbai, India, the department added.

In addition to the discovery of the red panda on Monday, Thailands Customs Department said that it had found a cotton-top tamarin monkey, a fishing cat and a Sulawesi bear cuscus in the suspected smugglers suitcases.

Lizards, snakes, birds, squirrels and bats were also amongst the animals discovered, the customs department said.

Images released alongside the Thai Customs Departments statement show animals stowed in wicker baskets, plastic tubs and fabric bags inside large wheeled suitcases. The suitcases were intended to be loaded onto an airplane, the statement alleged.

According to the Thai Customs Department, the individuals suspected of smuggling the animals violated several laws, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates the international trade of wild species of plants and animals.

The suspects are also accused of attempting to export live animals without declaring them and violating animal disease control laws, the customs department said.

A 2018 report by TRAFFIC, a non-governmental organization that campaigns against the illegal and unsustainable trade in wild species, found that there were 1,346 seizures of wildlife and wildlife products in the air transport sector between 2009 and 2016.

This form of wildlife trafficking took place in 136 countries airports between 2009 and 2017, the report said, with Thailand reporting the second highest number of these incidents in the world.

Growing fad of exotic pets

Kanitha Krishnasamy, director of TRAFFICs Southeast Asia office, said in a statement to CNN Thursday that the organization has seen a very active and persistent level of trafficking of live animals between Southeast Asia and South Asia.

Krishnasamy said that this includes a string of cases of live wild animal smuggling via air between Thailand and India in recent years, with busts taking place in both countries since early 2022.

Krishnasamy suggested that the increase in attempted wildlife trafficking into India is due to a growing fad of exotic pets, including kangaroos, cuscus and red pandas.

We need to get to the bottom of the market in India, Krishnasamy said. A robust understanding of the contemporary pet market is needed to guide future interventions, including on strengthened regulation and reducing demand.

___

9 unusual things confiscated by TSA 'Someone tried to bring THAT on a plane?!' Boa constrictor Breadfruit...with baby oil Eels and nearly 200 sea creatures Ceremonial scissors Pet turtle Freddy Krueger gloves Maggots in a suitcase Shark in a jar Antique cannonball
10:06

Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju is upset over the delay in the delivery of two supercomputers by a French firm to Indian weather forecasting institutes and hopes that the French government will step in to hasten the process.





The Earth Sciences Ministry had ordered two supercomputers worth USD 100 million from French firm Eviden, of the Atos Group, last year to better the computing capabilities of its institutions -- the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).





"I am more upset because the target we set was December. The Union Cabinet had already approved purchasing the supercomputer. We have only four petaflop capacity. We want to install up to 18 petaflop capacity," Rijiju told PTI in a video interview.





He said the French company ran into some financial trouble and wanted the government to make payment to its subsidiary.





Rijiju said the delay has caused him lots of worry as the company has overshot the timeline. "But I think we will sort it out soon," he said, adding that the government wanted to be "very correct in our position legally".





"We are ready to release the money because we want the machine immediately. The only problem is the amount is not small. So if we pay now, if the company is bankrupt or something happens, who will bail out," the minister said.





Rijiju said the government was taking some steps to speed up the delivery of the supercomputer but did not elaborate.





"But I hope the French government will also intervene because we have a good understanding and a very good relationship with the French government.





"Since it is a high-cost equipment, we want to ensure that the transaction happens duly and properly," he said.





"From outside, everything's ready. It is only the problem with the main company. They want us to pay their subsidiary. We will pay only to a company whom we have entered an MoU with," Rijiju said.





The supercomputing systems, based on Eviden's BullSequana XH2000, will have a combined power capacity of up to 21.3 petaflops.





The NCMRWF supercomputer will have an 8.3-petaflop computing capacity for weather and climate modelling to support advanced numerical weather prediction (NWP) research.





This platform will bring together 2,100 CPU nodes with AMD EPYC 7643 processors, 18 GPU nodes using NVIDIA A100 Tensor Core GPUs, the NVIDIA Quantum InfiniBand networking platform, and high-performance memory provided by Micron.





The NCMRWF supercomputer will also have 2PB all flash and 20PB disk-based DDN EXAScaler ES400NVX2 parallel filesystem storage.





The supercomputer at the Pune-based IITM will provide 13 petaflops of computing power for atmosphere and climate research.





It will integrate 3,000 CPU nodes using AMD EPYC 7643 processors and 26 GPU nodes through NVIDIA A100 Tensor Core GPUs. The system will benefit from the NVIDIA Quantum InfiniBand networking platform with In-Network Computing, 3PB all flash and 29PB disk-based DDN EXAScaler ES400NVX2 storage and Micron high-technology memory.





The existing computing facility at NCMRWF is 2.8 petaflops and at IITM is 4 petaflops, respectively.
Ukraine hits back at Pope over 'white flag' call

The 87-year-old Pope angered Kyiv after he said Ukraine should negotiate with Russia. File photo: AP

Ukraine on Sunday slammed Pope Francis's call to negotiate with Russia two years into the war, vowing "never" to surrender after the pontiff said Kyiv should "have the courage to raise the white flag".



The 87-year-old Catholic leader fuelled anger in Kyiv this weekend after he said in an interview that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia.



It is not the first statement by Pope Francis that has caused outrage in Ukraine. The pontiff has also made statements slammed by Russia.



"Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.



He was responding to the Pope's interview to Swiss broadcaster RTS in which the Catholic leader raised the prospect of surrender -- two years after Kyiv has battled Russian forces on its territory.



"I believe that the strongest are those who see the situation, think about the people, and have the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate," Pope Francis said in an interview the Vatican said was conducted in early February.



In a sign of how angered Kyiv was, Ukrainian officials compared the statement to some of the Catholic church collaborating with Nazi Germany in World War II.



"At the same time, when it comes to the white flag, we know this Vatican strategy from the first half of the 20th century," Kuleba said, calling on the Holy See to "avoid repeating the mistakes of the past".



Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican, Andrii Yurash, went further by comparing the Pope's negotiation suggestion to talking to Adolf Hitler:



"(The) lesson is only one -- if we want to finish war, we have to do everything to kill (the) Dragon!," he said on social media.



After the interview was aired, Francis offered fresh prayers for "martyred Ukraine", as Vatican officials said his call was simply intended to end fierce fighting.



On Saturday evening, the Vatican issued a statement insisting the pope's use of the phrase "white flag" -- a widely used sign of surrender on the battlefield -- was intended to mean "a cessation of hostilities, a truce reached with the courage of negotiation".



But the pontiff's words were widely understood as a call for surrender and slammed by some Western diplomats.



"Russia is the aggressor and breaks international law! Therefore Germany asks Moscow to stop the war, not Kyiv!", said Bernhard Kotsch, Germany's envoy to the Vatican.



Kuleba said Kyiv hoped Francis would visit his war-torn country after more than two years of battling its bigger neighbour.



"We continue to hope that after two years of devastating war in the heart of Europe, the Pontiff will find an opportunity to pay an Apostolic visit to Ukraine to support over a million Ukrainian Catholics, over five million Greek-Catholics and all Ukrainians," Kuleba said. (AFP)
Soon after the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said that it is 'deeply concerning' for the health of the world's largest democracy that Election Commissioner has resigned on the cusp of the Lok Sabha elections. Earlier today, Goel resigned from the post of Election Commissioner ahead of upcoming Lok Sabha polls. "It is deeply concerning for the health of the world's largest democracy that Election Commissioner Mr. Arun Goel has resigned on the cusp of the Lok Sabha elections. There is absolutely no transparency in how a constitutional institution like the ECI has been functioning and the manner in which the government pressurises them," Venugopal said in a post on 'X'. Attacking the BJP-led government, the Congress leader added, "During the 2019 elections, Mr. Ashok Lavasa had dissented against a clean chit to the PM for violating the Model Code of Conduct. Later, he faced relentless inquiries. This attitude shows the regime is hellbent on destroying democratic traditions." "This must be explained, and the ECI must be completely non-partisan at all times," he added. The president accepted Goel's resignation, earlier in the day. Goel assumed charge as Election Commissioner (EC) of India on November 21, 2022. He has also worked as Secretary, Ministry of Culture; Vice-Chairman, Delhi Development Authority; Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Labour and Employment; and Joint Secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. The Lok Sabha polls are slated to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)
The Kerala government on Saturday referred the investigation into the death of J S Sidharthan, a second-year veterinary student, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A notification for this came after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ordered the transfer of the investigation to the CBI when Sidharthan's family met him at his office. "In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act,1946(Central Act 25 of 1946), the Government of Kerala hereby accord consent to the members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment. to exercise powers and jurisdiction in the whole of the State of Kerala, for the investigation of offenses involved in Crime No.77/2024 of Vythiri Police Station, Wayanad District, registered in connection with the death of Sidharthan.J.S, S/o Sri.Jayaprakash, Pavithram Kunnumpurath veedu, Kurakkode, Vinod Nagar, Nedumangad P.O., Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and matters related thereto," said the notification. Opposition parties and the father of the student had blamed the Student Federation of India (SFI) for the death of the student. "The Chief Minister has ordered CBI enquiry into the death of Sidharthan, the second-year veterinary student in Pookkode after his family met CM at his office," an official release said on Saturday. Sidharthan was a student of Government Veterinary College, Pookkode in the state. According to police, he was found hanging in his hostel room on February 18. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan suspended Vice Chancellor of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University MR Saseendranath in connection with the death of the veterinary student. On March 1, T Jayaprakash, the father of the veterinary student, alleged that the death of his son seemed to be a "murder sponsored by the leaders and workers of the SFI." Talking to ANI, Jayaprakash said that one of the friends of Sidharthan informed him that the death of his son was "a well-planned murder" and that "brutal ragging" is regular in the college. Sidharthan's relatives told reporters that he was brutally attacked by a group of students inside the campus and it "is a case of murder and not suicide". Kerala Police had arrested six people in connection with the death of the student. Following the government's decision for a CBI probe, opposition parties ended their protest. Mahila Congress president Jebi Mather, Youth Congress president Rahul Mamkootathil and KSU state President Aloshious Xavier were among those who were protesting over their demand for a CBI probe. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the NDA government in Bihar will take stringent action against all the 'land mafias' and a committee will be formed that will take strict action against those who have taken over the land of the poor and will work towards putting them behind bars. Shah addressed a public meeting here today and said that the 'double engine sarkar' of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) will out land mafias in the state by hanging them upside down. After arriving in Bihar for the first time after the formation of the NDA-led government, Amit Shah addressed a public meeting with people belonging to the Other Backward Caste (OBC) and Economically Backward Class (EBC) at Paliganj near Patna in Patliputra Lok Sabha Constituency. Addressing the gathering on Saturday, Shah said, "A double-engine government has again been formed in Bihar, and the BJP government will do the work of straightening the land mafias by hanging them upside down." "Now, after the formation of our double-engine government, a committee will be formed that will take strict action against those who have taken over the land of the poor and will work towards putting them behind bars," said the Union Minister. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Home Minister and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, on behalf of the BJP, addressed the Backward-Extreme Backward public meeting at Paliganj in the Patliputra parliamentary constituency of Patna district. Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah said that the land of Paliganj is the land of heroes.The Union Minister began his address with a note of appreciation for the people of Bihar and appealed to the voters in Bihar for all 40 seats. "I want to thank the people of Bihar for their kindness because whenever we come, the people of Bihar have filled our 'jholi' vote bank with 'kamal' (votes) in favour of the BJP. When we came to Bihar in 2014, the public gave 31 seats to Modiji. In 2019, 39 seats were given and in 2024, we expect 40 out of 40 seats for Modiji," asserted Shah. "Brothers and sisters, Prime Minister Modiji has inaugurated and laid the foundation of projects worth over Rs 2 lakh crore across the country. Today, I would like to thank PM Modi on behalf of the people of Bihar for honouring former Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur," stated Shah. Hitting out at Lalu Prasad Yadav, the Union Minister said, "Lalu Prasad Yadav was in power in the Congress party for so many years but he did not do anything to honour Karpoori Thakur ji." "PM Modi ji did the work of honouring Bharat Ratna to people's hero 'Jan Nayak' Karpoori Thakur. The Congress Party has always taken care of its family and Lalu Prasad Yadav has also only ever worked for his family in the name of the backward classes," said Shah.Coming down heavily on the grand old party, Amit Shah said, "Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's only aim is to make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister and Lalu ji's only aim is to make his son the Chief Minister." Speaking to the public, Amit Shah questioned, "Tell me, will those who want their sons and daughters to become chief ministers and prime ministers be able to do any good to your sons and daughters? Commending Prime Minister Modi's work, Amit Shah said, "PM Modi has done a lot of work for the backward and more backward classes in the last 10 years and Congress has insulted those backward classes." "Tell me, can the one who has always opposed the backward classes his entire life do the public any good? The only thing they can do is grab the lands of those backward and extreme backward classes," stated Shah. "A double-engine government has again been formed in Bihar, and the BJP government will do the work of straightening the land mafias by hanging them upside down," asserted Shah. Amit Shah's Bihar visit today is his first since the formation of the new government in January 2024 with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Shah's public meeting in Paliganj near Patna will motivate the BJP in five Lok Sabha seats, including Patliputra, Arrah, Patna Sahib, Jahanabad and Hajipur. The public meeting of the Home Minister is organised by the Bihar BJP OBC Morcha and all preparations were completed by the party workers for the grand success of the meeting. (ANI)
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan attacked the Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh. He said that the government itself is a sand mafia, mining mafia and liquor mafia. "Party MLAs and MPs are looting sand and are providing it to their leader. Jagan Mohan Reddy's people are illegally occupying any vacant land. The government itself has become a liquor mafia. The government here is playing with the health of the citizens," Chauhan said. Earlier, the CM used to say that I would ban liquor, whereas this government has earned an income of Rs 36,000 crore from liquor, Chauhan said adding that the income which was earlier Rs 6,000 crore has now increased to Rs 36,000 crores. The former CM said that law and order are deteriorating in Andhra Pradesh, and there is no one listening to the public. "Rape cases are continuously increasing here. We have decided in Madhya Pradesh to take action against those who lay hands on our daughters. On the other hand, rape cases are continuously increasing in Andhra Pradesh," Chauhan said. He said that Jagan Mohan Reddy's government is anti-Hindu. "Hindu temples are being attacked. If anyone goes to protest, then he is also attacked," he said. Chouhan said that the Ram Mandir has been built in Ayodhya and the whole country is celebrating. "A corridor has been built in Kashi and here, anti-Hindu activities are taking place," he said. Former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said that currently, the country is moving forward under the leadership of Modi. "On one side, there are leaders like Rahul Gandhi and, on the other side, there is Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the son of Bharat Mata, who is building India. Modi ji has enhanced the image of India in the world. The echo of Modi-Modi is heard throughout the world. This is not the honour of Modi, but of 140 crore Indians," Chauhan said. He said that wherever Rahul travels, Congress gets wiped out. There is panic in Congress. Every day, Congress leaders leave the party. The former Chief Minister said that, during the assembly elections, some people used to say that the BJP would not win in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. "We used to say that the Bharatiya Janata Party would form a government with a huge majority in all the three states. There has been a historic victory in Madhya Pradesh. Women have given record-breaking votes to the BJP, women have stood firmly with BJP. Modi ji has guaranteed to make a developed India. Modi ji's guarantee is a guarantee to fulfil the guarantee," Chouhan said. The former Chief Minister said that the BJP's victory chariot is moving forward under the leadership of PM Modi. "I believe that the BJP alone will cross 370 and with NDA, it will cross 400. In Madhya Pradesh also, BJP will win 29 out of 29 seats," he said. Addressing the workers, he said that Nellore should break all the records by winning this seat. This is the right time for a change in Andhra Pradesh, he said. "We will win the Lok Sabha elections and will also win the assembly elections here. We should make contact with the beneficiaries, women, young people and also tell them the reality of Jagan Mohan Reddy while informing them about the public welfare schemes of Modi ji," Chouhan said. "Till the elections, the booth workers should devote their entire time to the party and go from door to door to spread awareness. Take a pledge that we will win in the Assembly and Lok Sabha and, for this, we will leave no stone unturned," he added. Chouhan said that PM Modi has given a gift by reducing the price of LPG by Rs 100 on Women's Day. At the same time, Jagan Mohan Reddy imposed a tax on garbage, he said. "Whoever imposed a tax on garbage, throw his government in the garbage, uproot it and throw it away," he said. (ANI)
Around 1,70,760 cases have been settled in Delhi's Lok Adalat, with a settlement amount of around Rs 1036.16 crore. The Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) organised a national lok adalat on Saturday in the High Court, various district courts and tribunals in the city. Over one lakh cases were settled and the settlement amount was Rs 3428.67 crore. "Overall 1,72,748 cases were settled and the settlement amount was Rs 3428.67 crore," DSLSA said. The Delhi State Legal Services Authority, under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority, has successfully organised the 1st National Lok Adalat for the year 2024 in all District Court Complexes, the High Court of Delhi, Permanent Lok Adalats, Debt Recovery Tribunals, the State Consumer Commission and District Consumer Commissions, on Saturday. In the seven district court complexes, 342 Lok Adalat Benches were constituted to deal with all types of civil and criminal compoundable cases. Transcending past boundaries, the highest number of 2,57,752 cases have been referred in this National Lok Adalat by the High Court of Delhi, Tribunals/Consumer Forums and all District Courts. This is the highest referral figure in a National Lok Adalat, to date. These cases include 1,80,000 NBT traffic challans; 659 traffic challans that were pending in courts; 51,336 pending cases in various district courts; 24,619 pre-litigative cases; and 1138 cases pending in the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi, Debt Recovery Tribunals, Consumer Forums and Permanent Lok Adalats. "In the district courts, a total of 1,70,760 cases were settled and the settlement amount was Rs 1036.16 crore," the statement said. In the above, 1,34217 traffic challans were disposed of across Delhi for a cumulative settlement/fine amount of Rs. 1.47 crore. Lok Adalat Bench was also constituted at Delhi High Court, New Delhi, where 46 cases were settled for a settlement amount of Rs 3.09 crore. Lok Adalat benches were also constituted at District Consumer Forums, where 256 cases were settled for a settlement amount of Rs 6.23 crore. Lok Adalat benches were also constituted at Debt Recovery Tribunals, where 287 cases were settled for a settlement amount of Rs 2376.93 crore. The Lok Adalat Bench for electricity matters was also constituted at Permanent Lok Adalat, where 1399 cases were settled for a settlement amount of Rs 6.26 crore. "Overall 1,72,748 cases were settled and the settlement amount was Rs. 3428.67 crore," DSLSA said. Judges throughout Delhi very actively participated in Lok Adalat. Litigants actively joined the proceedings for settlement/amicable disposal of their cases. In a statement, the Delhi State Legal Services Authority said that this pioneering event marks a watershed moment in our commitment to ensuring justice for all, transcending barriers and redefining the landscape of dispute resolution in India. Highlighting the diverse range of conflicts, the National Lok Adalat aims to tackle a broad array of cases, encompassing matters like those falling under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, Criminal Compoundable Cases, Civil Cases, Motor Accident Claim Tribunal cases, Bank Recovery issues, Matrimonial Disputes (excluding divorce cases), Land Acquisition disputes, Labor Disputes, and cases governed by the Arbitration & Conciliation Act. This time, the adjudication extended to compoundable traffic challans as well. "The comprehensive approach of Lok Adalats ensures accessibility for individuals from diverse backgrounds seeking dispute resolution. Renowned for their swift case management, Lok Adalats expedite proceedings, thereby alleviating the burden on our judicial system's backlog. A key benefit of engaging in the National Lok Adalat is its cost-effectiveness. The focus on amicable dispute resolution often obviates the necessity for prolonged legal conflicts, resulting in significant savings of both time and financial resources," the statement said. Mukesh Kumar Gupta, the Member Secretary of DSLSA, expressed that under the capable leadership and direction of Justice Manmohan, Acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi and Executive Chairperson of DSLSA, there has been a continuous effort to advocate for alternative dispute resolution techniques. These efforts are aimed at promoting such techniques not only before cases reach the institutional stage but also during the litigation process. In this National Lok Adalat, Justice Manmohan, Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Delhi/Executive Chairperson, DSLSA, along with Sanjay Garg. Principal District & Sessions Judge (Hdq.), Central District; Sh. Vinod Kumar. Principal District & Sessions Judge, West District; Sh. Mukesh Kumar Gupta, Member Secretary, Delhi State Legal Services Authority and other dignitaries, personally visited the Tis Hazari Court Complex to oversee the arrangements for National Lok Adalat. The dignitaries toured the court complex, engaging in discussions with presiding officers and associate members overseeing various Lok Adalat benches. The Hon'ble Executive Chairperson, Hon'ble Justice Manmohan, took a moment to extend his appreciation and recognition to the transgender individuals, acid attack survivors, and persons with disabilities serving as Associate Members at the Tis Hazari Court Complex. Mukesh Kumar Gupta, Member Secretary, DSLSA, stated that the National Lok Adalat represents a unique platform for dispute resolution that promotes conciliation and amicable settlements. He further highlighted that this initiative reflects our dedication to nurturing a legal system that is not only equitable and just but also readily accessible to all segments of society. He emphasised that DSLSA once again engaged transgenders, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, people from the north-east region of the country and acid attack victims, in the decision-making process by deputing them as Associate Members in Lok Adalat Benches at different court complexes. During the Lok Adalats, DSLSA took meticulous steps to prevent overcrowding in any of the court complexes. All essential facilities, such as help desks, wheelchairs, ramps, toilet amenities, clean portable water facilities, and sufficient space for bank negotiations and public seating, were meticulously provided in all court complexes, tribunals, and forums. Adequate police/security arrangements have also been made, making the Lok Adalat, a seamless and hassle-free experience. Special Help Desks were provided at the entry of each court complex for providing any kind of information relating to the Lok Adalats to the people visiting for an amicable solution to their disputes. Adequate arrangements have also been made for providing basic amenities and encouraging people to settle their disputes. DSLSA also said that one MACT case was settled in Patiala House Courts Complex, for an amount of Rs 90 lakh (approx.) to be paid by the insurance company to the dependants of the motor accident victim. (ANI)
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China-Europe freight train services recorded solid expansion in January and February this year, data from China's railway operator showed Sunday.

The number of China-Europe freight train trips reached 2,928 in the first two months of 2024, up 9 percent year on year, according to the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway).

About 317,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of goods were transported via the freight train services during this period, up 10 percent from a year earlier, the railway operator said.

By the end of February, the train services had expanded to cover 219 cities across 25 European countries, according to China Railway.
A 24-year-old man was shot dead while another was injured after a group of unidentified people opened fire at them in Delhi's Seelampur area on Saturday evening, police said. According to officials, the victims were identified as Arbaaz and Abid - both residents of Delhi's Jafrabad. The alleged attack incident was reported near a public toilet in the Brahmpuri Pulia area of Seelampur at around 8:30 PM. Following the incident, an FSL Team and Crime Team visited the spot. Ten empty shells (7.65 mm) were seized from the spot and CCTV footage was being examined, they said. Officials said that a case under relevant sections of IPC for the alleged murder, attempt to murder, and Arms Act has been registered against the unidentified accused persons at Seelampur police station. "The incident happened around 8:45 pm; two boys were shot (Seelampur area). Arbaaz, one of the two boys, is dead; the other boy Abid has been referred to the hospital... Investigation is underway," North East DCP Joy Tirkey said. Arbaaz (24), a resident of Jafrabad, Delhi, sustained multiple gunshot injuries on the left side of his head (temporal region), chest, and abdomen. He was rushed to JPC Hospital, where he was declared as brought dead. While the injured Abid (22) also sustained multiple gunshot injuries on the left side of the head (temporal region) and waist. He was referred to GTB Hospital and is under treatment, the DCP added. Officials pointed out that Arbaaz has a criminal history in the past and had 5 cases registered against him including riot, extortion, Arms Act, attempt to murder, and murder. Similarly, Abid was also involved in a murder case when he was underage in the year 2018 (less than 18 years), they added. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami interacted with passengers on the Tanakpur-Dehradun weekly express train on Saturday. The CM boarded the train from Tanakpur Railway station after the service was flagged off to take feedback from passengers and wished everyone well. Later, he received a grand welcome by his supporters and party cadre as he reached Khatima in Uttarakhand. "I understand the importance of good railway service for the common man. It has been a dream, which is being made possible only by PM Narendra Modi. He has transformed the Indian railways," CM Dhami told ANI. "The abode of Maa Purnagiri has now been connected with the rest of the country. Nearly 50 lakh devotees visit the temple every year. Even though the train service has started, I will try and get the frequency increased. There should be a train from here to Ayodhya also soon," he said. CM Dhami thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav for running the first express train from Tanakpur to Dehradun and also called it the fulfillment of a dream as this is the first express train to Dehradun from Tanakpur Railway Station built before independence. The CM said that in the operation of Tanakpur Express, many important cities have been directly connected from Tanakpur to Dehradun, which will provide convenience to the people. Through this express, people connected to Banbasa, Khatima, Pilibhit, Bhojipura, Bareilly City, Bareilly Junction, Chandosi, Moradabad, Najibabad, Laksar, Haridwar railway stations will get an easy option to travel and their time will also be saved. Along with this, this train service will also become a better option of transport for the devotees coming from these cities to visit Maa Purnagiri. (ANI)
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government in Delhi and the Lieutenant Governor (LG) traded charges on Saturday over demolition drives in different slums of the national capital. The Delhi government alleged that nearly three lakh slum dwellers have been rendered homeless since Vinai Kumar Saxena took office as LG. However, the Delhi LG's office refuted the claims, labelling them as "typical and blatant lies" peddled by the Delhi government. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Delhi government alleged that an attempt was made to demolish Ghosia Colony in Mehrauli on the orders of the LG. "Delhiites are aware that since Mr Vinai Saxena became Delhi's LG, more slums have been demolished in the past two and a half years than ever before in Delhi. Nearly three lakh slum dwellers have been rendered homeless on the LG's directives during the last two and a half years," the Delhi government claimed. "It has also come to light that an attempt was made to wrongfully demolish Ghosia Colony in Mehrauli on the LG's orders. When the Delhi government raised the issue of residents' voices in court, the High Court intervened. Otherwise, the LG would have demolished the entire Ghosia Colony. Similarly, there was a large slum cluster behind the Sundar Nagar nursery, which the LG demolished by misleading the court," it claimed. "In recent days, the LG has rendered numerous people homeless. Because of this, the LG is resorting to such drama just before the elections, shedding crocodile tears, as the LG also knows that this time, the people living in unauthorized colonies and slums in Delhi will vote against the BJP. The LG's actions in clusters like JJ clusters are the main reason for this," it alleged. Delhi government further pointed out, "It is also noteworthy that around 800 Hindu refugees from Pakistan have been living in Delhi since 2011. Two days ago, the LG ordered the demolition of these Hindu refugees' slums as well. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal raised their voices. Otherwise, the LG had also planned to render those 800 Hindu refugees homeless." "Earlier, nearly two and a half lakh people were rendered homeless near Tughlakabad, hundreds of people were rendered homeless in Ghosia Colony, their homes were demolished with bulldozers. Hundreds of people behind the Sundar nursery were rendered homeless. All agencies responsible for this action come under the LG. LG should answer all this," it added. In a stern reply, the Delhi LG Office said, "This is a typical and blatant lie being peddled, supposedly by the Delhi government." "Not a single Jhuggi has been removed at the LG's directions. In fact, on many occasions, the last being at Majnu ka Tila, demolitions were stopped due to LG's intervention," a Raj Niwas official said in a statement. "What is atrocious is that they are even dragging the Hon'ble Courts into their murky games. They are charging the LG of "misleading" the Courts, a tactics that they have perfected and the LG Sectt has even moved Courts against the perjury committed by them," the official said. "If they think that the LG misled the courts, why aren't they taking recourse to bringing the true picture in front of the courts? Who is stopping them?" he added. The LG has made four visits to underdeveloped areas like unauthorized colonies and slum clusters in the city in recent days. Previously, he visited Kirari, Burari, and Sangam Vihar, and shared similar pictures and issued directions for action by the concerned departments. Taking to X on Saturday, LG Saxena expressed concern about people living in these areas. "Complaints about lack of public facilities are being continuously received from every part of Delhi. In this context, yesterday I went to JJ Cluster located in Golakuan Tehkhand and Sanjay Colony, Okhla and saw the ground reality from there. A more vivid example of inaction and insensitivity cannot be found than this," he said. (ANI)
Seeking to intensify their ongoing protest over a raft of demands, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Sunday said the farmers' unions will stage 'Rail Roko' protest across the country on Sunday. The call for a 'rail roko' protest, which will be held between 12 noon and 4 pm, comes amid the farmer's 'Delhi Chalo' march. Sharing the details of the agitation, Pandher, general secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, said, "As part of the agitation that started on the Punjab-Haryana border on February 13, we have called for a 'Rail Roko' across the country today." "We urge all farmers, labourers and common people across the country to support us in the 'Rail Roko' today in large numbers. We also urge those, who are scheduled to travel on trains between 12 noon and 4 pm today, to push back their journey by a few hours today. Train passengers might face some inconvenience today. However, this is only a partial 'Rail Roko'," Pandher told ANI on Sunday. He added that as part of the protest, hundreds of farmers will sit on railway tracks at several places. The protesting farmers have been staying put at the Shambhu and the Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana after their 'Delhi Chalo' march was stopped by security personnel on February 13. The protesting farmers have put forward a raft of demands before the Centre, including a legal guarantee to MSP on their produce, withdrawal of police cases against them during earlier protests, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, debt waivers and no hike in electricity tariff. During the last round of talks with the farmers' delegation, which ended past midnight on February 18, the panel of three Union ministers made an offer to buy five crops--moong dal, urad dal, tur dal, maize, and cotton--from farmers at MSP for five years through central agencies. However, the protesting farmers turned down the offer and returned to their protest sites. (ANI)
Rajya Sabha MP and Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Sunday expressed his 'surprise' over the sudden resignation of election commissioner Arun Goel ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, raising questions over the reason behind the resignation of the poll body's official. Sibal, while speaking to ANI said that there is something "serious on the basis of which Arun Goel resigned at the cusp of an election" when he had three years remaining in his tenure. "It surely is (surprising). If at the cusp of an election, which is just a couple of months away, you resign - obviously there is something serious on the basis of which he must have resigned. I can't possibly speculate that reason but obviously there is some element of difference of opinion, especially when his term was still not over," the Rajya Sabha MP said. Sibal further alleged that the poll panel will be tailor-made to the interest of the ruling party as the BJP will "pack the Commission with their own people". "They will pack the Commission with their own people as they have done in the past. Therefore, the Election schedule, the phases of the election, all aspects of the election will be tailor-made to the interest of the ruling party," he said. The Congress veteran also said that the opposition does not have "real expectations" with the election commission. "We have seen in the past when speeches which are violative of the Code of Conduct made by the people of BJP are not proceeded against and at the slightest deviation from the Model Code of Conduct by an Opposition member, they will be immediately given a notice. So, we know the completely partisan nature of this Commission. So, we don't have any real expectations from the Commission," he added. Speaking to the reporters, Sibal accused the election commission of emerging as "an extended arm" of the government. "The Constitution, which has three pillars - Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, is the base of the democracy. The election commission's role is to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free and fair way. However, in the last 10 years, it looks like the election commission has become an extended arm of the government," Sibal said. Goel resigned just ahead of the anticipated announcement of the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The resignation of Goel leaves the three-member Election Commission with only one member, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, after the earlier retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey. (ANI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Haryana Brijendra Singh has resigned from the primary membership of the party. The MP from Hisar Assembly constituency announced his resignation citing "compelling political reasons" on Sunday on social media platform X. "I have resigned from the primary membership of BJP, due to compelling political reasons. I extend gratitude to the party, National President Sh. JP Nadda, Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, & Sh Amit Shah for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Member of Parliament for Hisar," Singh said in his post. The development came as a setback to the BJP ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. However, amid the buzz of Singh joining the Congress, Brijendra Singh reached the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge soon after resigning from the BJP. The BJP, earlier this month released the first list of candidates for the upcoming General Elections. The BJP, as anticipated, unveiled its initial roster of candidates for the 2024 Lok Sabha election, comprising more than 195 names. Notable figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 34 Union Ministers and Ministers of States feature prominently in this list. It also includes the name of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla along with two former Chief Ministers. In the first list of 195 candidates, the BJP included 28 women, 47 youth, 27 Scheduled Castes, 18 Scheduled Tribes and 57 OBCs. The party announced 51 candidates in Uttar Pradesh, 24 in Madhya Pradesh, 15 each in Gujarat and Rajasthan, 20 for West Bengal, 12 in Kerala, 11 each for Assam, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, nine in Telangana, five for Delhi, two for Jammu and Kashmir, two for Arunachal Pradesh, one for Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Daman and Diu also. However, the party has not released names of candidates for any of the seats in the state. The Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress, both part of the opposition bloc- INDIA will contest in alliance. As per the agreement reached by both parties, AAP will contest Kurukshetra while Congress will contest the remaining nine seats in the state. (ANI)
The nation will rise globally when the youth of the country progresses which will help in fulfilling the dream of Prime Minister Modi's of building a developed India by 2047, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his address at 'Lucknow "kaushal mahotsav" Rojgar Mela on Sunday. "On my behalf, I heartily congratulate all the youth who have gotten employment in this employment fair and their families, and I pray to God for their bright future," he said. "India has emerged as a hub of start-ups. Not only start-ups but a large number of start-ups are now turning into unicorns. The youth of this country are no longer just job seekers, but they are also becoming job providers," he added. Further, Rajnath Singh emphasized that no matter which government is, it is its responsibility to create such an environment in which its youth can get equal employment opportunities. "Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, government policies are being made today keeping employment opportunities at the center. Be it the construction of next-generation infrastructure on a large scale, the development of rural areas, or expansion of life-related facilities, every scheme, every policy of the Government of India is creating new employment opportunities for the youth. Our government is spending on capital expenditure," he said. The Union Defence Minister also mentioned that under the infrastructure development, new highways, airports, and railway routes are being built due to which millions of new jobs are being created in the country. "The speed and scale at which we have worked in the last 10 years is unprecedented. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister and the efforts of our youth, India is writing a great story of development that will determine the future of India for the coming thousand years. It is very important for the youth of India to have the skills to work in different sectors. Therefore, we paid special attention to the skill development of the youth. For this, higher education institutions and skill development institutions are also being constructed on a war footing in the country," Rajnath Singh said in Lucknow. "Our government has understood this problem and has also worked for it. Farmers and youth have always been our priorities. We want that if the youth is from Uttar Pradesh, then he should get employment here," he added. Further, hitting out at previous governments, Rajnath Singh said that earlier governments considered the youth as mere job seekers, whereas our government considers them as job providers. "We have promoted innovation among the youth of this country. To convert their innovative minds into wealth creation, we have started many schemes, like the Start-up Scheme, the Stand-Up Scheme, and the Mudra Scheme. In the last 9 years, the Government of India has given more than Rs. 23 lakh crores to the youth of the country under the Mudra Scheme. With the benefit of this, someone has started his own business, someone has bought a taxi. Through these schemes, we have tried to make the youth stand on their own feet," he said. The Union Defence Minister asserted that for the first time,Prime Minister Modi has provided unlimited facilities to the youth of this country to expand their potential. "Today, India has become a hub for startups. The number of start-ups in our country has exceeded 1,20,000," he said. Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh has said in August 2023 that "StartUp jump in 9 years" is a major success story of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government Jitendra Singh said that before 2014 there were just about 350 StartUps, but after Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the clarion call from the ramparts of the Red Fort in his Independence Day address in 2015 and rolled out special StartUp scheme in 2016, there was a quantum jump and India today has the world's third largest StartUp ecosystem in the world, boasting 92,683 startups with more than 115 unicorns (billion-dollar enterprises), according to the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions. The minister said, in the year 2022 alone, 26,542 entities were recognised as Startups by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as startups. A NASSCOM study says tech startups created 23 lakh direct and indirect jobs in the year 2017-2021, according to the statement of the ministry. Jitendra Singh said Indian Startups raised USD 44 billion in 2021, with over USD 33 billion going towards deals worth more than USD 5 million. "Many Indian startups are domiciled outside India - despite having the majority of their market, personnel and founders in India. These "externalised" or "flipped" startups constitute a large number of India's unicorns," he said.(ANI)
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) Assam unit on Sunday staged a demonstration and burnt the effigy of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to protest against the Sandeshkhali incident. The protesters demanded to conduct an inquiry through a central agency and to take stern actions against the culprits. Sandeshkhali in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district had been witnessing widespread protests against suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan this month as a section of women were seeking justice against alleged atrocities committed by the TMC leader. A large number of women in Sandeshkhali had accused Shajahan Sheikh and his close aides of "land-grab and sexual assault" under coercion. After weeks of no action, on February 29, TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested by West Bengal police, after which West Bengal's Basirhat Court remanded him to 10-day police custody. He is also a key accused in the Sandeshkhali extortion, land grab, and sexual assault cases. Earlier in the day, the Basirhat Sub-Divisional Court sent Sheikh to four-day CBI custody in connection with the January 5 attack on the Enforcement Directorate team in Sandeshkhali. Earlier on Wednesday, following the Calcutta High Court's directive, the Crime Investigation Department handed over custody of Sheikh Shahjahan to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Meanwhile, launching a scathing attack on Trinamool Congress and the opposition's INDIA bloc, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that it does not affect the West Bengal government when people are struggling or suffering and the "entire country is discussing what TMC leaders did to the Dalit and Adivasi women of Sandeshkhali". Addressing a gathering, PM Modi pointed out that to benefit the TMC's 'tolabaz', 25 lakh fake job cards were created and given to the people. "TMC government gives money to people chosen by 'tolabaz'. It does not affect TMC when you are struggling or suffering. The entire country is discussing what TMC leaders did to the Dalit and Adivasi women of Sandeshkhali. Atrocities against women and to loot the hard-earned money of the poor this is what TMC's 'tolabaz' do," he said. (ANI)
After the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) announced to contest the Lok Sabha Polls in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday said that he is ready to fight against the alliance and said that Chandra Babu Naidu's cycle is rusted and therefore fetching support from other political parties. A day before, the opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh--TDP, and Jana Sena Party announced to fight the Lok Sabha polls and Andhra Pradesh assembly elections together in an alliance. Addressing a public gathering here today, CM Jagan Mohan said that today, our government in Andhra has focused on the welfare of weaker sections. The TDP cycle chain in the state is not running smoothly, prompting his visit to Delhi with his foster son to seek support from central parties. "Elections are ahead. We are ready to fight against the alliance. YSRCP will stand with weaker sections," he said. "In the next four days, the election notification will be released. The national party is with Chandra Babu Naidu after forming an alliance. Chandra Babu Naidu, in the past, claimed to have worked with a steering committee, selecting Prime Ministers and Presidents. Today, our government in Andhra has focused on the welfare of weaker sections. The TDP cycle chain in the state is not running smoothly, prompting his visit to Delhi with his foster son to seek support from central parties. If Jagan doesn't instil fear, why is Chandra Babu Naidu afraid and forming alliances?" he said. Further, he said that Chandra Babu Naidu deceived the public of the state. He is zero, and if he forms alliances with parties, the final result will also be a big zero. "Contrastingly, looking at Chandra Babu Naidu's cycle, it's rusted with no tyres, seeking support from other political parties. No one remembers Chandra Babu and his welfare schemes. His foster son will unquestionably follow Chandra Babu Naidu's instructions. If Chandra Babu Naidu asks Pavan Kalyan to push the cycle, he will comply. In the year 2014, Chandra Babu Naidu has released a manifesto which was not fulfilled," the Andhra Pradesh CM said. He also alleged that Chandra Babu Naidu seeks power to exploit the state and hoard money. "Recently, he released a manifesto to deceive the public once again. Chandra Babu Naidu's manifesto is a mishmash, blending elements from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka manifestos. During the COVID period, YSRCP provided welfare through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) process. In non-DBT, we allocated lands for weaker sections to build houses. Over 58 months, we have spent 3 lakhs 75 thousand crores for welfare," he added. A joint statement was released on Saturday(March 9) by the TDP BJP and the Jana Sena said "Under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena Party (JSP) , the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena Party (JSP) as being committed for the progress of country and the upliftment of state and people of Andhra Pradesh, have decided to contest the ensuing Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections together in Andhra Pradesh."(ANI)
The Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) of the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) lodged a complaint at the Panjagutta Police Station against former SIB (Special Intelligence Branch) DSP Dugyala Praneeth Rao on Sunday. According to the FIR, D. Praneeth, while working in SIB, had two rooms exclusively for himself, unlike other teams, and operated with 17 systems issued to him. He also had an exclusive and dedicated leased line with an internet connection. Through this setup, he allegedly developed profiles of unknown persons and monitored them without authorization and illegally. "Upon investigation, it was revealed that Praneeth, by misusing and abusing his official position, regularly copied intelligence information into his personal drives and kept it under his custody. After the prevision election results, on December 4, 2023, Praneeth Rao allegedly turned off the cameras and destroyed old hard drives containing data gathered over decades, including information he obtained, to avoid suspicion. To avoid any criminal action against himself and others and to destroy the evidence, he turned off the CCTV cameras," the FIR stated. Panjagutta Police booked Praneet Rao under Section 409, 427, 201, 120b, read with 34 IPC, 3 PDPPA, 65, 66, 70 ITA-2000-2008.(ANI)
A Chinese military spokesperson on Saturday answered media questions during the ongoing second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), the country's national legislature.

Wu Qian, spokesperson for the delegation of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, responded to questions on the deliberations of lawmakers from the military, China's defense budget, and U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan.

During discussions at the NPC session, lawmakers from the military delegation said efforts should be made to step up the effective supply of advanced combat capabilities and better modernize the national defense and the armed forces based on China's composite national strength, Wu said.

Answering a question about the defense budget, Wu said China's defense expenditure is transparent, reasonable and appropriate.

This year, China plans to spend 1.66554 trillion yuan (about $234.5 billion) on national defense, up 7.2 percent from the actual figure in 2023, according to a budget report submitted to the session for deliberation.

China is currently faced with a complex and grave situation regarding the fight against separatism, with arduous military tasks and increasing instability and uncertainty in the country's national security landscape, Wu said.

He said the increased amount of defense expenditure will be mainly used to intensify military training, strengthen combat preparedness, accelerate innovative development of defense-related science and technology, and deepen reforms of national defense and the armed forces, among others.

The moderate and stable growth in defense expenditure will contribute to the Chinese military's implementation of the Global Security Initiative, allowing for more effective engagement in international peacekeeping, maritime escort missions, humanitarian assistance, and other operations, Wu said.

This will further contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, he added.

"China's limited defense expenditure is entirely necessary to defend the national sovereignty, security, and development interests. It is a requirement for safeguarding global peace and stability. The Chinese military has always been a staunch force for world peace," Wu said.

Responding to a question about the recent U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan region, Wu said China is willing to work with utmost sincerity and do all it can to strive for peaceful reunification.

"But we will never leave any room for separatist activities seeking 'Taiwan independence,'" he added.

He said that Taiwan is China's Taiwan, and that the Taiwan question is entirely a matter of China's internal affairs that brooks no external interference.

Calling "Taiwan independence" the greatest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Wu said that any connivance at and support for "Taiwan independence" forces undermines peace across the Strait.

The U.S. side should adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and cease any official interaction with China's Taiwan region.

The United States should stop arming Taiwan with weapons, fulfill its commitment to not supporting "Taiwan independence," and stop sending any wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, the spokesperson said.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan refuse to recognize the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, stubbornly stick to the separatist stance and make provocations to seek "Taiwan independence," Wu said, adding that this is the root cause of the persistent tensions and turbulence across the Strait.

The DPP authorities must bear all consequences arising therefrom, he noted.

The People's Liberation Army will continue to intensify military training and strengthen combat preparedness. It will unswervingly fight separatist forces and advance reunification to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wu said.
Residents are grappling with a severe water crisis in the Sampangi Ramanagara area of Bengaluru. Locals in the region have urged the goverment to address the matter promptly. Anuradha, a resident of Sampangi Ramanagara on Sunday highlights the escalating difficulty in obtaining drinking water. "Previously we used to receive water twice a week for a few hours, however, the onset of summer has disrupted this routine. Now, Cauvery water is released only once a week, exacerbating the drinking water shortage. The urgency for government intervention through BBMP to facilitate reliable water access is needed now," Anuradha said. Srinivas Murthy, another resident, echoes the distress, noting the absence of KDIO water supply in their area. "With 20 residents in our building, the potential solution lies in improving the regularity of the Cauvery water supply. The community has been proactive in water storage, but the current weekly supply leaves us dependent on additional water sources. I urge the BBMP to send water tankers promptly, enabling residents to collect essential drinking water and alleviate the strain on households," Srinivas Murthy said. Earlier on March 9, Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board chairperson Dr V Ram Prasath Manohar addressed the water crisis the city has been witnessing. He said, "We must clarify this to the people of Bengaluru and also the global citizens about Bengaluru. In the city, we have 1 crore 40 lakh population, 150 litres of water consumption per person per day is required. The total quantity required for Bengaluru is 200000 mld (million litres per day)." Speaking on the sources from where the city is receiving water, he said, "Right now from Cauvery, we are getting 10450 mld of water. Currently, the reservoir provides 34 thousand million cubic feet (tmc) of water. The requirement for Bengaluru for the next five months is only eight tmc water. The water from Cauvery will be sufficient till July." Ram Prasath Manohar clarified that the crisis has been experienced due to the shortage of groundwater. He specified, "Due to less rainfall and drought-like conditions, there is a shortage in Karnataka and also Bengaluru. This is a natural calamity. Not man-made. Nothing to do with Bengaluru's brand image or BWSSB." He further elaborated on how the board will work to replenish groundwater. He said, " The water coming from the borewell has been reduced but the shortage can be augmented. The tanks must be filled with good water which will replenish ground water. The treated domestic water can also be used to fill tanks." He concluded that the state government is planning to opt for tankers' registration. "Our Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is very common people friendly. He has taken steps to reduce the price of tankers," he assured. (ANI)
Post Congress fiasco, the grand old party formed a six-member coordination committee for better coordination between the government and the organization in Himachal Pradesh. According to an official release, the committee include Himachal CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, state party president Pratibha Singh, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, Congress leader Kaul Singh Thakur, Dhaniram Shandil and Ram Lal Thakur. "Congress President has approved the proposal to constitute a coordination committee as follows for better coordination between the government and the Organisation in Himachal Pradesh, with immediate effect," the statement said. Earlier on Saturday, a total of 11 MLAs from Himachal Pradesh arrived in BJP-ruled Uttarakhand amid the turmoil within the Congress party in the state, whose government is led by CM Sukhu. A bus with Haryana's number plate arrived in Rishikesh's Taj Hotel and the 11 MLAs, including six rebel Congress MLAs and three independent MLAs, were seen entering the hotel under a heavy security cover. Sukhu, while speaking to reporters on Friday in Palampur said, "Some MLAs are sad. They have been kept under CRPF security. Is this how democracy will remain strong? Horsetrading weakens the democracy." "I have just come to know through social media that they (rebel MLAs) were taken away from the hotel in Panchkula and a charter plane flew from Chandigarh airport. I don't know where it will land. This is because their family members were putting pressure on them to return," Sukhu said. After they abstained from voting on the budget following their cross voting in last month's Rajya Sabha polls against party candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, six Congress members were disqualified by Himachal assembly speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania. Pathania had said that the six MLAs, who contested on Congress symbol, attracted provisions of anti-defection law against themselves. Those who voted for the BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha polls include Congress MLAs Rajinder Rana, Sudhir Sharma, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Devinder Kumar Bhutoo, Ravi Thakur and Chetanya Sharma and three independent legislators- Hoshyar Singh, K L Thakur and Ashish Sharma. The 11 MLAs landed at Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun on Friday at around 2:40 PM, from where they left in a car towards the hotel in Rishikesh. The development comes two days after chief minister Sukhu was in Delhi to meet the Congress top brass. According to information, the Chief Minister was in the national capital to meet the Congress High Command and give a report about the current political situation in the state. Asked about the possible return of the rebel MLAs to the Congress party, Sukhu said on Thursday, "If one realises one's fault then that person deserves another chance." (ANI)
In line with the preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party's Central Election Committee meeting is likely to be held on Monday. The names of the remaining candidates for the Lok Sabha election will be discussed in the meeting. In the meeting, partners of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) from Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, and Bihar are likely to discuss seat sharing with the BJP's top leadership tomorrow. Meanwhile, four leaders from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and one from Congress joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday in the presence of party's General Secretary Tarun Chugh in New Delhi. The four BRS leaders who joined the BJP are former MP Godam Nagesh, former MLA Saidhi Reddy, former MP Sitaram Naik and former MLA Jalagam Venkat Rao. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit Telangana on March 12 and will hold a meeting with the Bharatiya Janata Party booth committee president and party office bearers to provide guidance to the party's leaders and workers regarding the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The meeting will be chaired by the Union Home Minister at the LB Stadium in Hyderabad, where he will likely brief leaders about the strategies to be adopted in the parliamentary elections. The Home Minister is likely to instruct leaders to mobilize voters at every booth. Additionally, as part of this program, the Home Minister will inform people about the development and welfare schemes undertaken by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the past ten years. He will also appeal to the people to bring PM Modi to power once again. The Bharatiya Janata Party has already announced candidates for nine out of the 17 parliamentary constituencies in Telangana for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. (ANI)
BJP candidate from Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency Madhavi Latha on Sunday said that AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has no idea about the concept of peace adding that he has done nothing except spreading hatred in the society. The remarks came after Asaduddin Owaisi that "some forces want to spread hatred in the country and these forces should be stopped". Speaking to ANI, Madhavi Latha said, "He can change any number of statements. Recently he said 'Kisi ke baap ka hai Ayodhya', his younger brother said 'give us 15 minutes...'. Stop this drama. We know what you are. Till date other than hate speech what have you spread in Muslims? Why were you against the triple talaq, UCC, 33 per cent women reservation." "After being against all these things you want to tell that you are a man who is propagating peace, he is shaken to the extent that he has changed his language. Owaisi never knew what peace is..." she added. Madhavi Latha is set to face Asaduddin Owaisi, who is a four-time Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad constituency. Earlier, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy praised AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Old City Metro Rail Project, in the Hyderabad district on Friday stating that the Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP speaks up in Parliament for all Indians. "Our government is working on a master plan to develop every corner of Hyderabad. This master plan, called Vibrant Telangana 2050, aims to create a complete plan for the next 25 years. For this purpose only, I visited London to see the Thames River. I brought Akbaruddin Owaisi with me as he has been consistently winning from here. Despite my efforts to defeat him, I couldn't succeed. I chose to go to London with him because he has more knowledge than me. Just like that Asaduddin Owaisi, in the Lok Sabha raises his voice not just for the minority but for all 140 crore Indians, emphasizing that he represents everyone in parliament, not just a specific community," Revanth Reddy said. He further said that the Telangana government will jointly work with AIMIM for the development of Hyderabad. "Our responsibility is to undertake all the necessary developments in Hyderabad, especially the 55km Musi River development. We are committed to showcasing the most beautiful Musi River development globally. Collaborating with AIMI, we will work towards the holistic development of Hyderabad," Revanth Reddy said. (ANI)
Hitting out at the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, over his remark, People's Conference chairman Sajad Lone said on Sunday that Omar should know that out of 15-16 lakh votes, he only got 40,000 votes and it is not a big deal. "I don't hold a brief for anybody. But the arrogance he shows (Omar Abdullah) shows that I came first. He should know that out of 15-16 lakh votes, he only got 40,000 votes and it is not a big deal," he said. Earlier, People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti expressed disappointment at the discontent prevailing in the PAGD and said that without any consultations with the PDP, the National Conference went on to declare that it would fight for three Lok Sabha seats. Addressing reporters in Srinagar, Mehbooba Mufti said, "Omar Abdullah himself said that they're not in the alliance. We wanted the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) to continue but everyone knows who ended it. We will talk to Congress as we are in the INDIA alliance and see how to go forward." The People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) is an alliance between the several political parties in Jammu and Kashmir campaigning for autonomy for the region by restoring special status along with Article 35A of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was founded in the year 2020. "PAGD was a democratic and unique alliance but the way it has been scattered is very disappointing. Jammu and Kashmir is a laboratory for whatever is happening in the country that is facing a big challenge and hence we should have made a collective effort. We (PDP) made a lot of efforts, but he (Omar Abdullah) declared that they'll contest all three seats, without any consultation from us. They have made PAGD a joke. PAGD was the lost hope for people," she added. Responding to the remarks made by NC leader Omar Abdullah that "a party (PDP) who secured third position in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections is trying to claim stakes in some of the Lok Sabha," Mufti said that even Farooq Abdullah lost Lok Sabha elections in 2014. "So this mean that he can never fight for election again? Omar Abdullah also lost an election earlier. Victories and losses are part of it. This does not mean that one cannot fight elections," he said. (ANI)
Former JMM MLA Sarfaraz Ahmad will file nominations tomorrow as INDIA bloc candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls in Jharkhand, said JMM MP Mahua Maji on Sunday. The consensus on Ahmad's candidacy was reached at a meeting of the INDIA alliance at Chief Minister Champai Soren's residence here. "Consensus has been reached on the name of Sarfaraz Ahmed (for the alliance candidate)... tomorrow he will file nominations... There will also be a meeting on Lok Sabha elections, " Mahua Maji told ANI. On the meeting of the INDIA alliance held at the residence of Jharkhand CM, JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya said, "Sarfaraz Ahmed has been the candidate of the alliance with the unanimous consent of all the parties of the alliance. They will file their nomination tomorrow at 11 am." Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday announced Pradip Varma from Jharkhand as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha Biennial elections. The nominations for the biennial elections to two Rajya Sabha seats from the state will be held on March 11, and the elections are set to be held on March 21. The counting of votes will be done on the same day. The Election Commission earlier asserted that fresh elections were necessitated as the tenure of two Rajya Sabha members from the state, Samir Oraon and Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, will end in May. In the recent elections, four BJP MPs from Gujarat were elected to the Rajya Sabha. These include party president JP Nadda, Jaswant Singh Parmar, Mayank Nayak, and Govindbhai Dholakia. Setting the pace ahead of its rivals, the BJP released its first list of 195 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The list included 47 youth candidates, 28 women candidates, 27 Scheduled Caste (SC) faces, 18 Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates, and 57 OBC/Backward Class nominees. (ANI)
After the Shiv Sena (UBT) announced its candidate from Mumbai's North-West Lok Sabha seat, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam on Sunday said that no party in Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has a right to announce the name of the contestants from the disputed seats before the conclusion of seat-sharing talks. Sanjay Nirupam further urged the Shiv Sena (UBT) to withdraw the candidature announcement it had made earlier. "Discussion regarding seat sharing is still underway in MVA. Even though a lot of meetings have been held, no final decision has been taken regarding various seats. Until and unless a final decision is taken, a party does not have a right to announce the name of the candidate from the disputed seat. As of now, there are 8 to 9 disputed seats. This is against coalition dharma," Nirupam told ANI. Earlier Shiv Sena (UBT) announced the candidature of Amol Kirtikar from Mumbai North-West Lok Sabha constituency. Nirupam further questioned the candidature of Amol Kirtikar stating that there are allegations against him in Khichdi Scam. "He is an accused in the Khichdi scam. The accusation is that he took a cheque of Rs 1.6 crores. ED is investigating it. Do they want the workers of Congress and Shiv Sena to campaign for such a candidate? I request Shiv Sena to take back the announcement they made yesterday," he added. Sanjay Nirupam also called Uddhav's faction a "Bachi khuchi Shiv Sena". The MVA, a coalition of Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress, is currently engaged in poll pact talks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. However, Shiv Sena (UBT) Spokesperson Anand Dubey has hit back at Nirupam saying that the latter should have informed his willingness to contest the seat to the Congress party instead of telling it on social media. "Sanjay Nirupam lost the Lok Sabha elections of 2014, and 2019. He does not even hold a portfolio in his party. Maybe this is why he is not being invited to the INDIA alliance or MVA meetings. When we won the Mumbai North-West seat in 2019, it was our right to contest that seat again. If Sanjay Nirupam wants to contest elections again, he should tell this to the Congress party and not on social media platforms," Dubey said. (ANI)
"North India's first Government Homoeopathic College, centrally funded at a cost of Rs 80 crore will come up in Jasrota area of district Kathua in J&K", Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh said in Kathua on Sunday. While continuing his consistent spree of development even after the declaration of his mandate for Lok Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh today visited the proposed site of the college in Jasrota village, where work for the boundary wall has already started. "The Minister was briefed by the engineers and senior experts from the Department of Ayush about the institution," as per a Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions press release. Dr Jitendra Singh reiterated that the agenda of the Udhampur-Kathua-Doda Lok Sabha constituency, which was taken at hand soon after he was elected as Member of Parliament in 2014, will continue uninterrupted till the date of the declaration of election schedule and will resume immediately after the Model Code of Conduct is lifted. "Dr Jitendra Singh expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi before whom this requisition was put up, and said it was a matter of pride for the people of Kathua that North India's first government Homoeopathic College at a cost of 70-80 crore rupees will come up here. He said the institution will be spread over an area of more than 8 acres, adding that the adjoining three acres may also be added to the existing premises in due course of time," as per the release. "The proposed structure will include a hospital complex, a college, an administrative block and one hostel each for male and female students", Dr Jitendra Singh informed. He further informed that the open space will be utilised later on for construction of an auditorium, playground, etc. Dr Jitendra Singh said, it will not only be a great boon for aspirants of Homoeopathy degree in North India, which was not available earlier, but this will also provide cost effective treatment to needy patients. "It will also be in keeping with Modi government's healthcare approach which involves synergizing allopathic with Ayush streams of medicine, including Homoeopathy, Ayurveda and naturopathy", the Minister added. Dr Jitendra Singh stated that the experience after Covid has further consolidated this view that traditional Indian methods of medicine and cure have a panacea value. Highlighting the medical infrastructure of Kathua built in the last ten years, Dr Jitendra Singh said the district now has a government medical college and a cancer treatment facility being provided by Tata Memorial Centre, Bombay. "The addition of a government Homoeopathic College will make Kathua an integrated and cost effective healthcare centre of North India in times to come'', he underlined. "The Minister added that with this, Kathua is all set to emerge as North India's cost-effective and state-of-the-art centre of medical facilities," the release stated. Talking to media later on, Dr Jitendra Singh said, it is ironically hilarious and laughable that some of the critics who time to time deny any development having taken place in the constituency over the last 10 years are the ones who are themselves also availing of the facility of projects brought in the last 10 years. For example, the critics and the cynics who say that no development has happened are actually admitting their children in the Medical colleges and other degree colleges established in the last 10 years, he said. He said, this is a rare Lok Sabha Constituency which got three centrally funded medical colleges in the last few years. Sarcastically, Dr Jitendra Singh said, some of the critics say that nothing has happened but when they have to travel to Delhi they avail the facility of Vande Bharat Train introduced in the last five years. He said, this is a rare constituency which got two Vande Bharat trains with stoppage at both Udhampur and Kathua and this was also mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to the public rally in Srinagar recently. The Express Road Corridor from Katra to Delhi, said Dr Jitendra Singh, will also become functional in next few months and six lanes of National Highway will reduce the road travel time from Kathua to Delhi to around four and half hours. His first five-year term, said Dr Jitendra Singh, was devoted to making up for the lapses of the past governments including the Shahpur Kandi project which had been held up for the last 30 years causing hardship for the people of Kathua. The second five-term, he said, was devoted to setting up new institutions like centrally funded Government Medical Colleges, first ever Seeding Processing Plant, the present Homoeopathic College etc. The next five-year term, he said, will be devoted to consolidating these gains and developing the region as North India's most attractive destination from the point of view of education, trade, tourism and revenue. "Earlier, Dr Jitendra Singh visited a congregation of Jasrota community being held in the vicinity of the under-construction college. He was accompanied by officers and DDC, Vice Chairman, Shri Raghunandan Singh, other DDC members, PRIs and others," the release stated. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while participating in the Beneficiary Samman Samaroh programme in Kotdwar, distributed beneficiary cheques to 43 beneficiaries of Animal Husbandry Department, Child Development Project Pauri, Horticulture Department, National Rural Livelihood Mission, Agriculture Department, Social Welfare and Municipal Corporation. During this, CM Dhami said in his address that his government was continuously working in the interest of all sections of society and was determined to include the last person at its end in the mainstream of development. He said, "Through various schemes of the central and state government, our citizens have benefited in many ways and the last 10 years, there has been no citizen of India who has not benefited from some scheme or the other." He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, about 4 crore people have been given the benefit of the housing scheme. "The ration is being provided to more than 80 crore people. More than 10 crore Ujjwala gas connections have been given. Under the Indradhanush scheme, all the children are being continuously vaccinated. From the removal of 370 to the modernization of the army, and the security of borders, we are establishing our identity as arms exporters," he said. He said that with the inspiration of the Prime Minister, Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Ek Rashtra, Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan and Ek Pradhan have been realised. "Due to the efforts of the Prime Minister, today our expatriate citizens also feel proud," he added. Referring to the state, the Chief Minister said that the sons of this Devbhoomi and Veer Bhoomi have always offered their all for the protection of the country. He said, "With the blessings of Baba Siddhbali, we will continue to do better work for the state and will continue to deliver the benefits of schemes and development works to the person sitting at the last end. During the disaster in Kotdwar, we worked on a war footing to carry out flood protection work and connectivity related to roads, electricity, and drinking water. We are moving forward with the goal that our GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) should double, we should develop as an ideal state." The Chief Minister said that with the inspiration of the Prime Minister, the state government has done many works for the safety, protection and development of all citizens, especially women. "Every person will get the benefit of the Uniform Civil Code and in the coming time, other states will also benefit from it. By bringing strict anti-copying laws, we have ensured the selection of youth on a merit basis," he said. He said that the state government has made provisions for strict laws to prevent any kind of conversion in the state. "We have made an anti-riot law by taking strict action against those who cause any kind of damage to the resources. Under this, the damage will be recovered from the person who damages the resources," he said. During this, the Chief Minister announced the construction of a bridge near Gabbar Singh Camp in Kotdwar. He said that today, through the virtual medium, 122 different schemes of 17 departments related to the development works of all the districts worth Rs 8275.51 crore were inaugurated and the foundation stone was laid through the digital medium. This also includes schemes worth Rs 828 crore related to the district of Pauri Garhwal. In the roadshow, the convoy of the Chief Minister reached the Montessori School near the Municipal Corporation via Maharaj Wedding Point in Kotdwar to Jhanda Chowk on Badrinath Marg. And during this, a huge Jain community gathered to welcome and greet the Chief Minister. Stalls of departments like Fisheries, National Urban Livelihood Mission, National Rural Livelihood Mission, Agriculture, Horticulture, Rural Enterprise Velocity Growth Project, Watershed, Dairy, Animal Husbandry, Election, Cooperation, Social Welfare, Medical, Health and Family Welfare etc. were set up at the venue. (ANI)
The Bishnupur constituency of West Bengal's Bankura district will witness a face-off between former couple Sujata Mondal of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Saumitra Khan, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate, in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The TMC named Mondal as the candidate from Bishnupur on Sunday, while the BJP announced Khan's candidature for the seat earlier this month. The couple got divorced in 2020 after Mondal joined politics as a member of the TMC in the run-up to the 2021 assembly elections. Khan, a TMC defector, joined the BJP ahead of the 2019 elections. TMC earlier on Sunday announced candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state, abandoning the opposition coalition, INDIA bloc. The list of candidates was released by TMC's general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, at the Brigade Parade Ground. Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, will contest from Diamond Harbour. Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from Lok Sabha in the winter session last year, has been given a ticket from the Krishnanagar constituency. Mukut Mani Adhikari, who recently quit the BJP, has also been given a ticket from the Ranaghat Lok Sabha seat. Shatrughan Sinha is set to again contest from Asansol, a seat he had won earlier in the 2022 bypoll. TMC has fielded Jagadish C Basuniya from Cooch Behar, Prakash Chik Baraik from Alipurduar, Nirmal Ch Roy from Jalpaiguri, and Gopal Lama from Darjeeling. Krishna Kalyani has been fielded from Raiganj, whereas Biplab Mitra and Prasun Banerjee will contest from Balurghat and Malda Uttar, respectively. On the announcement of the candidates, the TMC said that the ruling party in Bengal will stand with the common people as part of its commitment. "Under the leadership of Chairperson @MamataOfficial, we're pleased to announce the names of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. We are steadfast in our commitment to stand by the common people against the deprivation of the Central Govt. When it comes to confronting the @BJP4India jomidars head-on and responding in the language they understand best, the Twin Flower is people's only choice!," TMC said in a post on X. (ANI)
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Staff members work at the secretariat of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese national lawmakers submitted 298 proposals to the country's annual legislative session as of Friday noon, the deadline for proposal submission at the ongoing second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC).



The secretariat of the session said Saturday it had also received over 7,000 suggestions, criticisms and comments from NPC deputies.

While the majority of the proposals are legislative bills, lawmakers' suggestions mainly focus on developing new quality productive forces, fostering emerging and future industries, and expanding effective investment, among others.
Iran has condemned the US-based tech giant Meta's decision to remove the Facebook and Instagram accounts of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling it a "violation of freedom of expression," as reported by The Times of Israel on Sunday. Instagram and Facebook are among the most popular social media platforms for Iranians, but while the government blocks their use, officials in the Islamic Republic have accounts on them. Meta said last month it had removed Khamenei's accounts from Facebook and Instagram for having "repeatedly violated" its policy on "dangerous organisations and individuals." In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that the move was "not only a violation of freedom of speech, but also an insult to millions of followers of his positions and news." "The mottos of freedom of expression by some Western claimants are hollow and showy slogans and a cover for their illegitimate political goals," he tells the Middle East Eye news outlet in remarks also published by Iran's foreign ministry. Khamenei, 84, has been the country's supreme leader since 1989, a position that gives him the final say in major state policies. He had about five million followers on Instagram, The Times of Israel reported. Meta's move on February 8 came as Khamenei increasingly voiced support for Palestinian terror group Hamas following the October 7 assault on Israel, killing some 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and taking a further 253 hostages. "Khamenei is the most prominent supporter of the oppressed people of Palestine and Gaza in the world, and the Silicon Valley Empire cannot prevent this voice from reaching the public opinion of the world," Amir-Abdollahian said. Despite the Iranian government's ban on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms including X, internet users in the Islamic Republic can still access them using virtual private networks, or VPNs. (ANI)
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal shared about her arrival and said that the visit of the Liechtenstein minister will boost economic and commercial partnership between the two countries.

"Welcome to India! FM @DominiqueHasler of Liechtenstein arrives in New Delhi. The visit will give a boost to our economic & commercial partnership," the MEA spokesperson said in a post on X.

Earlier last month, Minister Hasler arrived in India to attend India's flagship annual conference, the Raisina Dialogue, which was held in New Delhi.

Moreover, in a diplomatic stride, Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) paid a crucial visit to Liechtenstein on December 7 which included exploring untapped avenues of cooperation in Liechtenstein.

During his visit to Liechtenstein on December 7, the Secretary (West) met Ambassador Martin Frick, Director, Office of Foreign Affairs for bilateral discussions, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release.

Both sides appreciated the completion of 30 years of diplomatic relations between India and Liechtenstein and agreed that there is scope to enhance overall ties. Sectors, including industrial innovation, digitalisation, medical science and R&D in niche technologies, were highlighted as potential areas of cooperation, the release also said.

Discussions were held on the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership (TEPA), India's G20 Presidency, and global and regional issues of mutual interest.

The Secretary (West) also invited a business delegation from Liechtenstein to India. Secretary (West) also visited the industrial facility of Hilti Corporation, a world leader in construction solutions across value chains. Hilti employs around 2000 people in India, it added. (ANI)
According to SSP Operations Kashif Aftab Abbasi, the blast that occurred in Board Bazar was a 'suicide' attack.

Following the blast, Rescue 1122 staff reached the incident site, ARY News reported.

The rescue team took the dead bodies and shifted the injured people to a nearby medical facility.

Moreover, police and security agencies cordoned off the area and have started further investigations.

However, no group has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.

Earlier in February, at least five cops were killed and two others sustained injuries in an explosion that occurred near a police vehicle in Kulachi DI Khan, according to ARY News.

According to the details, the explosion occurred in the Garah Aslam area of Kulachi and targeted a police vehicle.

The police officials said that the dead bodies and injured were transferred via a helicopter to DI Khan.

In another incident in February, at least 26 people were killed, and several others injured after two back-to-back blasts jolted Balochistan.

Last month, Pakistan witnessed a surge in bombings and attacks prior to the general elections. Majorly, the target areas were Balochistan, Karachi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Despite the attacks and protests, Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan earlier this month. (ANI)
Calling the signing of the agreement "tremendous," he said, "Today is a day for the history books because what we have created today is tremendous."

Vestre added that this is a new way of doing sustainable and fair business.

"This is a new way of doing sustainable, fair business, increasing our investments...making sure that we can reach our common goals, combating climate change, eradicating poverty, and bringing prosperity to all our nations," he added.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal co-chaired the meeting on the India-EFTA trade agreement in the national capital on Sunday.

Norwegian Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, took to social media X and quoted Norwegian Trade minister's words, "Today is a day for the history books, says @NFdep Minister @jcvestreas the historic India EFTA trade & economic partnership agreement is signed with @PiyushGoyal @Bjarni_Ben @DominiqueHasler @ParmelinG."

https://x.com/NorwayAmbIndia/status/1766728121812926920?s=20

Earlier, Swiss Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin emphasized that India will attract more foreign investment from the EFTA, which will lead to an increase in good jobs.

At the signing ceremony, Swiss Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, speaking on behalf of the EFTA Member States, emphasised, "EFTA countries gain market access to a major growth market."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated the negotiators and signatories on the signing of the Trade and Economic Participation Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), saying that despite structural diversities in many aspects, "our economies possess complementarities that promise to be a win-win situation for all nations."

PM Modi, in a letter, said March 10, 2024, marks a new turn and a watershed moment in the bilateral relationship between India and the EFTA countries of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. (ANI)
Lauding the USD 100-billion free trade pact between India and the four-nation bloc European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Helene Budliger Artieda, affirmed that India will be world's premier manufacturing and service hub. She also said that the quality goods from India will get a very open market in Switzerland, adding that the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) will also open job opportunities for the Indian youth. Speaking to ANI, the Swiss Secretary said, "It's a massive moment of joy for us. We've been negotiating this agreement for more than 16 years...I'm completely delighted that we managed to push it through during the past eight months." "It's momentous for us because of the size of the Indian market. But we're not only betting on the size of the Indian market, we believe in the Indian story," she added. Affirming that India will be the premier manufacturing and service center of the world, she said that it was important for Switzerland to be among the first group of European countries to sign the agreement with India. "This is the time of India and we believe that India will be the premier manufacturing and service hub of the world. And so for us, it was truly important that we also came in first, as a group of European countries," she said. Opening up on the TEPA agreement, Artieda said that Switzerland has granted over 99 per cent of access to Indian goods due to which the Indian goods will find a very open market. "Switzerland has granted over 99 per cent of access to goods, you can say Switzerland is absolutely open for Indian goods. Swiss people are good consumers, they have high incomes. So any quality good that is coming from India will find a very open Swiss market. Since we have such a divergence in size between our two markets, we have also discussed investment opportunities," the Swiss Secretary said. She added, "We are traditionally a very large FDI net exporter, India saw that opportunity. We have so many young people who do need jobs. We have pledged that we will invest...not me personally or the government, but the private sector will come to India and invest 100 billion USD in the next 15 years and will lead to jobs for the Indian youth." Further listing out some of the most famous products of Switzerland, the Swiss Secretary further said that India will be able to get access to Swiss goods at a much better cost. "I have been told that chocolates do make happy...Switzerland is a hub for some of these energy drinks. Then I also tried to signal at the press conference, that Swiss watches will also be cheaper. It's not only consumer goods. I think, more important is what Switzerland now can provide to India at a much better cost when it comes to machinery, precision tools, and so on. Switzerland doesn't compete on price, we compete on quality, on innovation," she said. "For a country such as ours this protectionism is a problem. Wherever I go I meet Swiss companies that have been in far-away markets for more than 100 years. We are happy that we have now managed to conclude this agreement," the Swiss Secretary added. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal co-chaired the meeting on the India-EFTA trade agreement in the national capital on Sunday. He said that "never before in the history of FTAs has such an FTA ever happened" adding that it is very balanced, fair and equitable. Goyal said that it is a momentous occasion and the signing of the Trade and Economic Participation Agreement with the European Free Trade Association marks the culmination of nearly 15 years of hard work, tremendous energy, and effort. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated the negotiators and signatories on the signing of the Trade and Economic Participation Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), saying that despite structural diversities in many aspects, "Our economies possess complementarities that promise to be a win-win situation for all nations." In a letter, PM Modi said that March 10, 2024, marks a new turn and a watershed moment in the bilateral relationship between India and the EFTA countries of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. (ANI)
He also spoke about the strong possibility of cooperation between the two countries in the upstream and downstream sectors.

"Amb @AdarshSwaika1 called on Dy PM and Oil Minister of Kuwait HE Dr Imad Mohammad Abdulaziz Al-Ateeqi. Amb apprised the Minister of strong bilateral cooperation in hydrocarbons and good possibilities of cooperation in upstream and downstream sectors," the Indian Embassy in Kuwait posted on X.

https://x.com/indembkwt/status/1766782112697401605?s=20

Last month, Indian Ambassador Swaika met the newly appointed Kuwait's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Abdullah Hamad AlJouan and highlighted the growing bilateral ties between the two countries.

During their meeting, both leaders discussed the significant potential for strengthening bilateral economic cooperation including investments.

India and Kuwait share historically warm and close bilateral ties and the relationship has been nourished by sustained cultural and civilizational linkages. There are around one million Indians in Kuwait. India is amongst the largest trading partners of Kuwait and the Gulf country is a major supplier of oil.

India and Kuwait enjoy traditionally friendly relations, rooted in history, and have stood the test of time. Geographic proximity, historical trade links, cultural affinities, and the presence of a large number of Indian nationals in Kuwait continue to sustain and nurture this long-standing relationship. India has been a natural trading partner of Kuwait and until 1961 Indian Rupee was the legal tender in Kuwait, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

Historically, Indo-Kuwaiti relations have always had an important trade dimension. India has consistently been among the top ten trading partners of Kuwait. Total bilateral trade with Kuwait during 2015-16 was USD 6.2 billion.

India's exports to Kuwait grew by 4 per cent (USD 1.24 billion) in 2015-16 vis-a-vis 2014-15.

India's exports to Kuwait include food items, cereals, textiles, garments, electrical and engineering equipment, machinery and mechanical appliances, cars, trucks, buses, tyres, chemicals, jewellery, handicrafts, metal products, iron and steel, etc. (ANI)
The incident occurred around 2:33 am (local time) outside the royal residence in Westminster, Central London.

However, no Royal Family member was inside Buckingham Palace at the time of the crash.

"Armed officers arrested a man at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage. He was taken to hospital. There were no reports of any injuries," police said in a statement. "Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances."

London Police were seen with their guns drawn, shouting commands at the man, who was kneeling on the ground with his hands on top of his head, according to video obtained by SWNS.

A bystander near the palace at the time of the incident said he heard a noise before seeing the police arrest the man.

"I heard a loud bang, and I looked over and the car had crashed into Buckingham Palace," the witness who wished to remain anonymous said. "Police were on the scene pretty quickly - and they got the man out and arrested him."

The driver was subsequently transported to a hospital for evaluation.

"There were no reports of any injuries. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances," the police said.

King Charles, whose office is in the Palace, resides in the Clarence House, a short walk away from the iconic building, as reported by the New York Post. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the Viksit Bharat Ambassador Artist Workshop on Sunday and appreciated the event for showcasing the aspirations of people for a 'Viksit Bharat'. The event was organised at the Purana Qila by the National Gallery of Modern Art in collaboration with the Lalit Kala Akademi. "Stopped by at the #ViksitBharatAmbassador Artist Workshop at Purana Qila today. Commend @ngma_delhiand @LalitKalaLKA for organizing. Pleased to see the various expressions of Viksit Bharat through the medium of art. #ModiKiGuarantee was the underlying message that the country agrees with today," Jaishankar posted on X. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1766774996071014464?s=20 Speaking to the reporters, Jaishankar said, "Everyone should get a chance to experience the diversity of India. Our target during the G20 was that international events should not be limited to the national capital and should be taken across the country. When we talk about Viksit Bharat it means that the impact of India in the world increases and for that, it is important for everyone to know about Bharat." "This was a great initiative. I saw the aspirations of people here. I can also see the strong impact of Chandrayaan. Modi ji and Chandrayaan are always on people's minds," he added. He further opened up on the various aspects of 'Viksit Bharat'. "There are multiple aspects of Viksit Bharat. We consider ourselves as a civilizational state. We aspire to become a leading power, become a permanent member of the UNSC. We are the most populous country. On the economic front, we are at fifth, but will soon become third," he said. Jaishankar also hailed the signing of the free trade pact and said that it reflects a new way of furthering international economic collaboration. The European Free Trade Association is a trade organisation and free trade area consisting of four European states- Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. "A great day for India's partnership with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Congratulate my colleague CIM @PiyushGoyal on this achievement. The India-EFTA Trade & Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) signed today is a bold achievement. It reflects a new way of furthering international economic collaboration," he stated. He also held meetings with his counterparts from Liechtenstein and Iceland during the India-EFTA meeting on Sunday. "Happy to reconnect with FM @DominiqueHasler of Liechtenstein during the India-EFTA meeting today. Value our regular interactions," he stated. "Good meeting with FM @Bjarni_Ben of Iceland on India-EFTA meeting sidelines. Discussed new areas of collaboration, investment and trade," the EAM said in a subsequent post. As part of the agreement, EFTA has committed to promote investments to increase the stock of foreign direct investments by USD 100 billion in India in the next 15 years, and to facilitate the generation of 1 million direct employment in India, through such investments. Notably, India has been working on a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with EFTA countries comprising Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein for several years. (ANI)
Legislation dictating how a future expansion of Interstate 27 will be named is headed to the White House for the President's signature after receiving bipartisan support from Congress.

The I-27 Numbering Act of 2023 received unanimous support from the U.S. Senate on Friday after it was passed by the U.S. House late last year. The Senate confirmed changes to the bill made in the House, which the Senate initially passed last spring.

The legislation will now go to Pres. Joe Biden's desk, officially designating the Ports-to-Plains Corridor between Laredo, Texas, and Raton, New Mexico as the future Interstate 27

The legislation simply names the previously designated corridor, which was not previously numbered when it was federally designated in 2022.

Stakeholders, including U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, celebrated the milestone, which marks another win for the Ports-to-Plains Corridor.

"The Ports-to-Plains System is a critical 963-mile transportation corridor, and this legislation builds on the success we had in passing a bill to designate the Ports-to-Plains corridor in Texas and New Mexico as an interstate," Cornyn, R-Texas, said in a statement. "I appreciate Sen. Cruzs leadership on this legislation, and I look forward to seeing the Ports-to-Plains corridor fuel more trade, more jobs, more energy security, and agricultural production for years to come.

Cruz also released a statement, saying the bipartisan bill is a clear signal to the communities and businesses across Texas that Congress supports their work to develop the current highways to become part of the Interstate system.

"Communities across this route need better infrastructure because of the increasing demand to move goods and people, which is why I am proud to have secured this victory for the Lone Star State," Cruz said in the statement. "It means more jobs, greater economic development, and better transportation. This is fantastic news for Texas.

John Osborne, Chairman of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance, said he was encouraged that the legislation received bipartisan support.

"The approval of route numbering for I-27 in Texas and New Mexico signifies a monumental step," Osborne said. "This corridor unites the nation's and Texas' strategic economic engines of agriculture production, energy, and international trade, supporting burgeoning population centers in West and South Texas."

The I-27 Numbering Act (S.992) delineates the route numbers for the future interstate highway, encompassing a vast expanse spanning Texas and into New Mexico. The allocated numbers for specific sections will facilitate streamlined navigation and development:

Laredo to Sterling City as I-27

Sterling City through Midland to Lamesa as I-27W

Sterling City to Lamesa as I-27E

Lamesa northbound through Lubbock to Amarillo passing through Dumas to Raton, New Mexico as I-27

The corridor north of Dumas as I-27N

Lauren Garduno, President/CEO of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance, said the legislation will play an important role in propelling the Ports-to-Plains corridor toward interstate standards.

"This numbering legislation championed by Congressman Arrington is critical for the corridor's evolution to interstate standards," Garduno said in a statement. "It unlocks funding avenues and will facilitate the incorporation of interstate signage as our corridor advances."

This legislative milestone follows the 2022 designation of Interstate-27 (I-27) when President Biden signed the Appropriations Bill (FY 2022), officially recognizing the Ports-to-Plains Corridor as an addition to the Interstate Highway System, according to previous reporting.

The previous Senate version of the bill, introduced by Cornyn and Cruz last March, designated the Lamesa spur as I-227 and the Dumas portion as I-327.

"There's a lot of information at the federal level that talks about how to utilize a three-number designation, and (the federal government's) original recommendation was that three-number designation," Garduno said in December. "But a lot of times you see a three-number interstate used on  spurs that are in metropolitan areas.

"We felt like the three-digit numbering system did not work for us there.  So being a rural corridor, we went ahead and used the east and west designation."

Garduno said work can now move forward with the Texas Department of Transportation on designing the future interstate, and he noted the Lubbock area could see a few new miles of I-27 as early as this year.

"(TxDOT) is finished with developing the segment south of Lubbock where the interstate ends at the loop," Garduno said. "They have completed the work to extend Interstate 27 about 4 1/2 to 5 miles south of there.

Sens. Cruz and Cornyn, along with Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., introduced the bill in the Senate. U.S. Reps. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, August Pfluger, R-Texas, and Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, introduced identical legislation in the House.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: I-27 Numbering Act passes U.S. Senate, on to President Biden






Speaker:



Mr. Huang Shouhong, head of the government work report drafting team and director of the State Council Research Office

Chairperson:



Mr. Chen Wenjun, director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:



March 5, 2024

Chen Wenjun:



Hello, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to this briefing held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). Today, we are very pleased to have invited Mr. Huang Shouhong, head of the government work report drafting team and director of the State Council Research Office, to elaborate on the Report on the Work of the Government.

Now, let's give the floor to Mr. Huang.

Huang Shouhong:

Hello, friends from the press. It's a pleasure to meet you and introduce the drafting of the report.

As you know, last year was the first year for implementing the guiding principles from the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). This year marks the 75th anniversary of the People's Republic of China (PRC). It is also a crucial year for achieving the objectives and tasks laid out in the 14th Five-Year Plan. Against the backdrop of a complex and changing global economy, how has China, the world's second-largest economy, done in the past year? How should we view it? What new goals have we set for this year? What are our plans? And what are the development prospects? These questions are not only of concern to the Chinese people, but also to the international community. The Report on the Work of the Government delivered by Premier Li Qiang this morning reviewed the work of the past year, made requirements for this year's work, put forward the policy orientation, and responded to the concerns of all parties.



The CPC Central Committee and the State Council have attached great importance to the drafting of the government work report. General Secretary Xi Jinping has issued important instructions and specific requirements on multiple occasions when presiding over meetings of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and during the deliberation on the report, providing guidance and fundamental guidelines for the drafting of the report. Premier Li Qiang presided over the drafting of this year's report. He chaired executive and plenary meetings of the State Council to discuss the draft, and convened several themed symposiums to study and revise the report and formulate relevant policies.



This year's Report on the Work of the Government follows the conventions of previous reports. As you know, the Report on the Work of the Government is a programmatic document for government governance and is normative to a certain degree. Therefore, this year's report follows the established norms, but also has some new characteristics, which can be summarized in many ways. In my personal opinion, they can be viewed from the following three aspects:

First, the report this year both reflects "top-down alignment" and is "down-to-earth." "Top-down alignment" means that the report precisely keeps to the correct political direction and fully adheres to the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. This can also be said to be the most prominent and important feature of this year's report. As we all know, at the beginning of its term of office last year, the current government made it clear that it would act as a faithful executor and an action-oriented and pragmatic team for the implementation of the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee. When the drafting work began this year, Premier Li Qiang clearly requested that the report thoroughly implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee. The main content of the report this year, including the review of last year's work and the overall requirements, main targets for development, macro policy orientations, and key tasks of government work this year, were all drafted in accordance with the guiding principles of the important speech delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the Central Economic Work Conference last year. The report this year includes 10 major tasks, nine of which are the key tasks deployed by the general secretary in his speech at the Central Economic Work Conference. At the same time, considering that education, science and technology, and talents are the foundational and strategic pillars for building a modern socialist country in all respects, and considering that the 20th CPC National Congress has listed "science and technology, education and talents" in a separate section, the report has added a new section on "invigorating China through science and education and consolidating the foundations for high-quality development." Meanwhile, following established practice, the report also incorporates content on culture, social governance, government self-improvement, ethnic and religious affairs, overseas Chinese affairs, national defense and military development, Hong Kong and Macao, Taiwan, and diplomacy. These parts have all been drafted in line with the relevant directives of the CPC Central Committee. Following the Central Economic Work Conference, the CPC Central Committee convened a series of important meetings, including those of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform and the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs , which also resulted in the formulation of key measures. After each meeting, the drafting team promptly studied and grasped the new initiatives and incorporated them into the report. Consequently, during the solicitation of opinions, all parties unanimously agreed that this year's report effectively embodies the "three full reflections." This means that it fully reflects Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; fully reflects the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and the Central Economic Work Conference; and fully reflects the important instructions and directives of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee.
The law was long used against L. Clifford Davis and his family. But Davis used the law to change the country and become one of the most respected legal minds in the country.

Davis was born in the small community of Wilton the southwest corner of Arkansas in 1925. He was the youngest of seven children born to Augustus and Dora Duckett Davis.

As he grew up, the Jim Crow system in place blocked his attempt at an education. At the time, Little River County had no high schools for African-Americans, and segregation prevented him from attending with whites. He and his older brothers moved to Little Rock where he attended Dunbar High School. After graduation, he attended Little Rocks Philander Smith College, graduating in 1945 at age 20. Seeing the success of prominent local Little Rock attorneys, Davis decided to pursue a career in law. He applied for the University of Arkansas Law School, but he was prevented from attending because of segregation. In 1946, he was accepted into law school at Howard University in Washington, DC.

In 1947, officials at the University of Arkansas Law School contacted him with a possibility of transferring to Fayetteville though under a segregated arrangement. Segregation, however, prevented him from having access to the same classes, materials, and professors as the other students, and therefore, an inferior law school experience. He instead continued at Howard University. The law school quietly desegregated the next year with the admission of Silas Hunt. Davis graduated from Howard in 1949.

Ken Bridges

Davis then returned to Arkansas. He specialized in civil rights law, and he was one of only nine black lawyers in the state at the time. Though a respected attorney in Pine Bluff, Davis moved to Waco, Texas, in 1952 to teach at Paul Quinn College (the college moved to Dallas in 1990).

Anxious to be back in the courtroom, Davis passed the Texas bar exam in 1953 and moved to Fort Worth in 1954 to open his own law firm. At the time, he was one of only two African-American lawyers in one of the biggest cities in the state. He quickly found himself in high demand.

Though the verdict in the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education brought a legal end to segregation, there were still many local districts that fought to schools separate for the races. In 1956, he filed a federal lawsuit to desegregate schools in Mansfield, then a small farming community southeast of Fort Worth. In the case Jackson vs. Rawdon, Mansfield High School was ordered desegregated, but local residents refused to heed the ruling.

Mobs gathered at the local school to prevent the three African-American children from attending that fall. Texas Gov. Allan Shivers ordered the Texas Rangers in to maintain order and prevent violence. The intimidation of the crowds prevented the students from being able to exercise their constitutional rights, and the schools remained technically segregated for some time to come.

In 1959, he again took on a desegregation challenge. He sued the Fort Worth Independent School District, one of the largest in Texas, over its racial practices. He won the case Flax vs. Potts, forcing Fort Worth schools to integrate.

He was active in community affairs, working with a variety of organizations on different causes. He was also one of the first African-American lawyers to join the Tarrant County Bar Association. Black lawyers found it necessary to come together for mutual aid and support and, with Davis, formed the Fort Worth Black Bar Association. In honor of his years of work, the organization renamed itself as the L. Clifford Davis Legal Association.

In May 1983, he was appointed as a district judge for Criminal District Court No. 2 in Tarrant County. He was known for his fairness and discernment in pursuit of justice knowing that lives depended on his work, necessary qualities in any judge worth the title. In spite of this, he was defeated for re-election in 1988. Because of his respect in the legal community, he continued to serve as a visiting judge for many more years, asked to serve as a judge in special cases. He continued to periodically serve as a visiting judge, presiding over special cases on a one-by-one basis, until he stepped down in 2004 at the age of 79.

His years of dedication to the law and persistence in pursuit of freedom and personal honor had won him praise from allies and adversaries alike. A scholarship was named for him for graduating Fort Worth students, and the Fort Worth ISD named an elementary school for him.

In May 2017, the University of Arkansas Law School awarded him an honorary degree at age 92 in appreciation for his years of work. Sometimes success speaks for itself.

Ken Bridges is a writer, historian and native Texan. He holds a doctorate from the University of North Texas. Bridges can be reached by email at drkenbridges@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Bridges: L. Clifford Davis used the law to change the country
Editors Note: Jack Becker is the editor of Caprock Chronicles and is a Librarian Emeritus from Texas Tech University. He can be reached at jack.becker@ttu.edu. Todays article about the 1947 Lubbock trial of George Holland is the second of a three-part series by frequent contributor Chuck Lanehart, Lubbock attorney and award-winning history writer.

The man accused of killing the Sheriff of Crosby County on Aug. 2, 1947, was entitled to a speedy trial  guaranteed by the US and Texas Constitutions. He got one, but a speedy trial was certainly not in his best interest.

Six days following the brutal death of J.J. Pierce, George Holland was indicted for murder with malice by a Crosby County grand jury. It was a capital crime, and 72nd District Court Judge Dan Blair acted swiftly, moving venue to Lubbock County and scheduling a trial date of Sept. 15, just 40 days following the Sheriffs death. Judge Blair was a former Lubbock County District Attorney.

The stately 1916 Lubbock County Courthouse was the site of the 1947 George Holland capital murder trial.

Dismissing his court-appointed counsel, Holland hired two inexperienced Lubbock lawyers, A.C. Cooke and Bryan Dillard, as his defense attorneys. Not much is known of Cooke, except he primarily handled probate cases. Dillard was the son of one of the first Lubbock County pioneer lawyers, J.J. Dillard, who established the Lubbock Avalanche, now the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Bryan Dillard had only seven years of legal experience in 1947. Neither lawyer had practiced much criminal law.

The defense filed a motion for continuance alleging racial discrimination, because an insufficient number of negroes had been called for jury duty in Lubbock. The motion claimed witnesses had been intimidated, precluding the defense from being able to properly conduct an investigation. The lawyers also complained of inadequate time15 daysto prepare for trial. Judge Blair denied the motion in short order.

More than 100 men appeared for jury service, and a dozenall whitewere quickly selected. The indictment was read, to which the defense answered, not guilty by reason of temporary insanity and self-defense.

The prosecution, led by District Attorney Lloyd Croslin of Lubbock, presented only a dozen witnesses. Thomas James, who operated a service station about a quarter mile from Hollands Ralls residence, testified Sheriff Pierce came by his shop about 9:45 p.m. Aug. 2 and "left his car parked on the other side of the lot behind the building and walked off."

Crosby County Sheriff J.J. Pierce, circa 1946.

Lewis Flowers was in a cafe in the Flats area of Ralls when he heard a shot. He ran onto the porch and saw the flash of two additional gunshots south of the cafe. Suddenly, Flowers saw Holland coming from the direction of the shots, walking fast and holding his right hand to his side. He heard someone ask, Is he shot? Holland replied, No, come on. Flowers watched Holland drive away in his car, and headlights illuminated a vacant lot to the south. In those lights, I seen a man, looked like the body of a man lying down in some weeds . . . That was the same place where I saw the gun flashes. The body was that of Sheriff J.J. Pierce.

Other witnesses, identified as negros in news accounts, testified they heard five or six gunshots in the vicinity, saw Holland get into his car, and some saw a shiny object in Hollands hand.

With no eye witnesses, the States evidence was circumstantial. Before the trial, news reports indicated Holland gave an oral confession the day after his arrest, but jurors did not hear Hollands confession. There were also reports Holland led officers to Sheriff Pierces pistol, hidden under a pile of trash with five empty shells. However, the weapon was not introduced into evidence, and there was no forensic evidence to prove the pistol was in fact the murder weapon.

Old Sparky, on Texas Death Row, where George Holland was sent to be executed.

The prosecution rested its case on the afternoon of the second day of trial, and the defense rested without producing any evidence. In final arguments, DA Croslin asked for a conviction and the death penalty. It took the jury only 75 minutes to agree.

Death for Negro read the prominent front-page headline of the September 17, 1947 Lubbock Evening Journal, and similar headlines throughout Texas and beyond identified George Holland only by his race.

On Dec. 5, the court heard a defense motion for a new trial. Joining the defense team to litigate the motion was 42-year-old Dallas attorney W.J. Durham, a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law who had also studied at Harvard University. Newspapers reported it was the first time a negro lawyer had appeared in a Lubbock County case. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People retained him to assist on Hollands behalf.

Chuck Lanehart

Durham led Hollands defense at the hearing, expanding on claims made before trial in the defense motion for continuance. Witnesses said DA Croslin and another officer whipped and otherwise intimidated negro witnesses soon after the slaying, claiming racial discrimination and jury misconduct. They also presented medical testimony that Holland suffered a brain injury that affected his social responsibility.

When arguments concluded, Judge Blair ruled, simply, The motion of George Holland for a new trial will be overruled. The negro was dispatched to await Old Sparky in Huntsville.

Part Three of this series will be published in next Sundays Lubbock AJ.

Suggested photo captions:

Crosby County Sheriff J.J. Pierce, circa 1946. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal archives. The stately 1916 Lubbock County Courthouse was the site of the 1947 George Holland capital murder trial. Photo courtesy of the Southwest Collection, Texas Tech University. Old Sparky, on Texas Death Row, where George Holland was sent to be executed. Photo courtesy of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Caprock Chronicles: A racially charged trial in Lubbock, part two: An exceedingly speedy trial
An Australian TV show featured a chef frying fish during a cooking segment last week  but that fish happened to be a near-extinct species. The broadcaster and chef have since issued an apology after fishermen condemned the segment.

ORF, a public radio and TV broadcaster in Austria, apologized for cooking a Frauennerfling fish, according to AFP.

The chef also said he was sorry and explained that he had "asked a friend to get him some fish" when he was asked to make a Lent-friendly meal on the show. During Lent, practicing Christians usually abstain from eating meat on Fridays, AFP reports.

"It was a chain of unfortunate events, because I trusted my friend who had a license to fish a related species and thought that also includes this fish," he told AFP by telephone.

According to local publication Die Presse, during a broadcast this week of the show "Niederosterreich Today," moderator Claudia Schubert issued an apology: "Last week we overcooked a fish in 'Deliciously Culinary,' the Frauennerfling. But it is protected all year round. We apologize for that, we had different information about this."

A Rutilus pigus, the scientific name for Frauennerfling / Credit: De Agostini via Getty Images/De Agostini via Getty Images

The fish has been red-listed in Austria since 2002 and is on the brink of extinction, according to AFP.

Also called a "female nerfling" in translations, or a "pigo," hunting of this carp has been closed year-round since 1998 in Germany and since at least 2006 in Bavaria. It has been red-listed  meaning it is in danger  by the ICUN, an international conservation organization that is part of the United Nations, since 2013.

Gregor Gravogl, director of Austria's fishery association said his organization filed a complaint this week about the fishing of the endangered species. "This is an extremely sad incident I have not come across in my career yet," Gravogl said.

The recipe from the cooking segment is still available online, urging the fish should be "from a fisherman you trust," according to AFP.

CBS News has reached out to ORF and Gravogl for more information and is awaiting a response.

Boeing and United Airlines investigate after wheel detaches from plane

Sen. Katie Britt delivers Republican rebuttal to State of the Union address

A bill that could lead to a TikTok ban is gaining momentum in Congress. Now the app is asking users for help.
DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN)  The Dripping Springs Community Library is looking to almost quadruple its size when it moves into a new 37,000 square-foot building in the coming years, but is looking for some financial help to help construct the project.

Staff for the library are campaigning to raise $5 million by the end of this year that will help finance some of the building costs associated with the new project. A spokesperson for the library said it is applying for a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program to fund the remaining cost of the project.

A look outside the proposed library in Dripping Springs (Photo Courtesy: Dripping Springs Community Library).

Staff have already raised $1 million in the first two months of the year and hope to gain more money during the first week of April, which is National Library Week. H.E.B. has pledged to match all donations up to $50,000 to go toward the new library.

Why is a new library necessary?

The need for a new library comes down to space  the librarys current 25-year-old building is only about 9,500 square feet. The proposed library, which will be built across the street from Dripping Springs High School, will be about 37,000 square feet.

Library Director Mindy Laird said that the library has become cramped as the community has grown. When the building was built in the late 1990s, there were only 900 library card holders. Today, there are 12,000 card holders.

What one of the rooms dedicated to teenagers will look like (Photo Courtesy: Dripping Springs Community Library).

If we see about 50 to 60 people in just one story time, that makes a significant impact on what were able to offer the community, Laird explained.

Theres also a problem with space for resources too. If the library adds a book, it has to remove one book to make enough space.

Another issue is that the community is actively looking for public meeting spaces. Library staff said the chamber of commerce gets a dozen calls a week from organizations looking for public meeting spaces, but there are not enough.

On the outside, there are only 35 parking spaces for cars. Thats not nearly enough space for people to visit as each story time is now getting about 50 to 60 kids.

What are you getting?

The new library will be two stories tall and have an event lawn and amphitheater on the outside. It will also feature lots of meeting space and teen rooms dedicated for students to learn.

This community has seen so much change and the library creates a space for this changed community to come together and really find our unified voice, explained Sarah Rose, capital campaign manager for the library.

One of the board rooms in the new proposed library (Photo Courtesy: Dripping Springs Community Library).

The library is one of 15 library districts in the state of Texas. It receives all its revenue from 0.25% of sales tax within its district borders. Its borders mimic the same boundaries as the Dripping Springs Independent School District.

The library projects that its sales tax revenue will double by 2033, which will provide enough money to operate the new library and its amenities. The library is one of five total libraries in all of Hays County.

If you live or work in Hays county, you are eligible to get a free library card from DSCL. The library staff said they expect to break ground on the project by 2025 and hope to open to the public by 2027.

How you can help?

If you would like to donate the new library, you can find more information on how to do so on the librarys website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
A ship with aid for Gaza has set sail from Cyprus through a safe sea corridor to the occupied territory.

The vessel is carrying the first equipment to establish a temporary pier to deliver vital humanitarian supplies, the US Central Command (Centcom) said in a statement early on Sunday.

The US Army Vessel (USAV) General Frank S Besson (LSV-1) departed the joint base Langley-Eustis  a military facility in Virginia  to the Eastern Mediterranean to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea, Centcom said.

It said the vessel left less than 36 hours after president Biden announced the US would provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza by sea.

The announcement comes days after Mr Biden vowed to build a temporary pier to supply Gaza.

Since Gaza has no port infrastructure, the US would initially use Cyprus, which is offering a process for screening cargo that will include Israeli officials.

The US, UK, and other allies rallied to create the maritime corridor amid mounting concerns about the level of aid getting into besieged Gaza, which is facing widespread hunger some five months after the 7 October attack by Hamas.

It comes after 100 people were killed while scrambling to find food for their families when crowds descended on a convoy of lorries on the coastal road southwest of Gaza City.

Israel said tanks present at the time fired warning shots but did not strike the lorries, adding that many of those killed were run over or trampled. Hamas rejected the account, claiming there was undeniable evidence of directing firing at citizens. Doctors at a nearby hospital said 80 per cent of the victims it treated after the massacre had gunshot wounds.

Lord David Cameron, the UK foreign secretary, described the deaths as horrific and called for an immediate investigation and accountability.

The Open Arms docked in Larnaca on Saturday (Proactiva Open Arms/AFP)

Earlier this week he confirmed that the UK would join the US in creating the sea corridor, with Washington troops also set to create a temporary port on the Gaza coast.

Last week, following the deaths during the convoy incident, the US dropped food in pallets over Gaza. Three planes from Air Forces Central dropped 66 bundles containing about 38,000 meals into the territory.

The European Commission said on Friday that the sea route could start operating as early as this weekend. Images on Saturday afternoon showed the vessel, named the Open Arms, remained docked at the port of Larnaca in Cyprus on Saturday.

It was expected to set sail before Sunday, although officials were unable to give a precise time for its departure. Cyprus lies about 210 miles northwest of Gaza, or about 15 hours sailing time.

The vessel belongs to a Spanish aid organisation of the same name and will deliver food aid from World Central Kitchen, a US charity founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres.

Palestinians wait for humanitarian aid on a beachfront in Gaza (AP)

In the absence of a port, Open Arms founder Oscar Camps said the ship would arrive at an undisclosed location where the group World Central Kitchen is constructing a pier to receive it.

The ship will pull a barge loaded with 200 tons of rice and flour close to the Gaza shore, he added.. Pontoon boats will then be used for the complicated final leg to tow the barge up to the pier.

Mr Camps said his group had been planning the delivery for two months, long before the EU declared the launch of the safe corridor. He said hes not as concerned about the security of the ship as about the security and lives of the people who are in Gaza.

Gaza has been under an Israeli navy blockade since 2007, when Hamas took control of the enclave. There have been few direct sea arrivals since then. Larnaca port was used by pro-Palestinian activists, who used small sail boats to get into Gaza harbour in 2008.

Negotiations on a possible ceasefire in Israels war against Hamas, meanwhile remain deadlocked.

The United Nations in February warned that at least one quarter of Gazas population  576,000 people - is one step away from famine and virtually the entire population desperately needs food.

Meanwhile, the head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said he was cautiously optimistic more donors would start funding it again within weeks, warning it was at risk of death after Israel alleged some of its staff took part in the 7 October attack.

An independent review of UNRWA has been launched under French former foreign minister Catherine Colonna, and her final report is expected to be published next month. Canada and Sweden have said they were resuming their funding of the agency.
It would be unfortunate if a state or two could determine a presidential election by voter suppression. Such would truncate the relationship between the people and the presidency. Fortunately, the federal Supreme Court (herein the court) stepped in to save our federal democracy in Trump v. Anderson, decided March 4. Life-appointed justices, without political or business obligation, stood above an irresponsible political fray. But was the opinion based more on policy and practical implications than on the text of the Constitution?

In Trump v. Anderson, plaintiffs were four Republican and two unaffiliated voters in Colorado. They argued that former President Trump (herein Trump), on Jan. 6, 2021, engaged in an insurrection against the United States and was, therefore, barred from the presidency by Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the federal Constitution (herein Section 3). Ultimately, the Colorado Supreme Court agreed that Trump was an officer of the United States and engaged in said insurrection. By a close vote, they ordered Trumps name not be on the primary ballot and any write-in votes for him not be counted.

James W. Pfister

The Court reversed the judgment of the Colorado Supreme Court in a Per Curiam decision. The three liberal justices wrote an opinion concurring in the judgment of the Court. Still, they believed that the majority went too far in holding that only Congress could enforce Section 3, since that was not necessary to resolve the case. Thus, the liberals thought the conservatives went too far!

The basic legal reason the Court ruled against the state was federalism. The Fourteenth Amendment, as a post-Civil War provision, represented an increased power of the federal government over the states. It placed limits on states; for example,  nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law  The Court wrote: It would be incongruous to read this particular Amendment as granting the States the power  silently no less  to disqualify a candidate for federal office. Giving states that power  would invert the Fourteenth Amendments rebalancing of federal and state power. Contrary to the opinion of some legal commentators, the Court did not see Section 3 as self-executing as are other parts of the Amendment, such as the Due Process or Equal Protection clauses.

Regarding precedents, the Court referenced the famous McCulloch v. Maryland case (1819) for the proposition that states cannot interfere with the federal level of government. Other 19th-century precedents included cases that held that states do not have the power to issue writs of mandamus against federal officials or grant habeas corpus relief to persons in federal custody. The 20th-century case of U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton (1995), which held that states could not impose term limits on their representatives in Congress, was also cited.

Past practice was also considered. Congress acted shortly after the Fourteenth Amendment to pass the Enforcement Act of 1870. No tradition of state enforcement of Section 3 against federal officers exists: Such a lack of historical precedent is generally a telling indication that states do not have power regarding federal officers under Section 3. There has been a general understanding that States lacked enforcement power  regarding federal officers.

There were practical implications and policy concerns. One issue was uniformity of standards with some states, say, using a preponderance of evidence standard while another uses a stricter standard, so that the same person would be treated differently.

There is the policy issue of allowing one or two states to decide the presidential election by affecting a candidates ability to receive the required number of Electoral College votes. There would be votes not allowed to be cast. There would be serious legitimacy concerns regarding our democracy. In a policy mode, the court wrote: The patchwork that would likely result from state enforcement would sever the direct link that the framers found so critical between the National Government and the people of the United States as a whole (citing U.S. Term Limits, Inc.)  Nothing in the Constitution requires that we endure such chaos.  This is a concern with consequences, or policy-making, normally reserved for the political branches of government.

The court, at times, must make some policy by itself to avoid serious unfortunate consequences. It did so here. It saved our federal democracy.

 James W. Pfister, J.D. University of Toledo, Ph.D. University of Michigan (political science), retired after 46 years in the Political Science Department at Eastern Michigan University. He lives at Devils Lake and can be reached at jpfister@emich.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: James Pfister: Saving our federal democracy
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a primary election night party at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia, S.C., Feb. 24, 2024.

Re "How can the hate of Trump advance the cause of Christ?" March 2: Dispatch letter writer Linda Middleton asks, of Donald Trump and his acolytes, "When Christians, who are supposed to be the face of Jesus, support this hate and his lies, what kind of Christianity do people see?"

That's easy, it's a fake, distorted and wholly false right-wing version of Christianity. Jesus himself condemned in strong words the "vipers, blind guides, etc." of his day. That's what these people really are, not Christians.

Mike Howard, Westerville

Jim Jordan should stop embarrassing Ohio

Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) before President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 7, 2024.

House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan of Ohio has been striving mightily to gin up some evidence, any evidence of wrongdoing on President Joe Bidens part.

But, so far, hes come up with nothing.

Even the anti-Biden crowd on Fox News says that theres no evidence against President Biden.

Now it appears that his case has fallen apart utterly. It turns out that Jordans star witness, who he referred to as a highly credible source," is a Russian agent who admitted that hes lied to the FBI about the Bidens.

Once again, Republicans have shown themselves willing to traffic in lies and disinformation to hurt President Biden.

Worse yet, it appears that, once again, Republicans are working with Russian agents to manipulate our elections. Perhaps this warrants its own investigation into whether or not Jordan knew that Smirnov was a Russian agent at the time he was being lied to.

Ohioans are tired of having Jordan embarrass our great state with his manic loathing of the Bidens.

Rick Bohan, Akron

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: When will Jim Jordan stop bringing shame to the Buckeye State?
A federal judge in Texas handed the Biden administration a win on immigration by upholding its parole policy enabling some immigrants to fly into the United States, but also ruled against it on border wall construction funding. File Photo by Adam Davis/EPA-EFE

March 9 (UPI) -- A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit to end the Biden administration's parole policy enabling some immigrants to fly into the United States but also ordered the resumption of border wall construction.

In separate rulings issued Friday in Victoria, Texas, U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton ruled Texas and other states have no legal standing to challenge the President Joe Biden's parole policy that enables migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to apply for entry into the United States and temporarily reside here upon approval.

The policy enables up to 30,000 migrants from the four nations to arrive monthly and has enabled more than 386,000 people from those nations to arrive in the United States over the past year.

In his ruling, Tipton said there is no evidence that the parole policy harms Texas or any other states, so they have no standing to challenge it in federal court, CNN and the Miami Herald reported.

The ruling was hailed by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.

"These processes -- a safe and orderly way to reach the United States -- have resulted in a significant reduction in the number of these individuals encountered at our southern border," he said in a statement Friday.

"Those who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United States will be subject to prompt removal, a minimum five-year bar on admission and potential criminal prosecution for unlawful re-entry," Mayorkas said.

Meanwhile, in a separate but related case filed by Texas, Missouri and other co-plaintiffs, Tipton ruled the Biden administration ignored the intent of Congress allocating $1.4 billion in border wall construction by diverting the funds for other purposes.

Tipton approved the states' request to stop DHS officials from misappropriating the funds and instead use them for their intended purpose of building a border wall at the southern border.

Texas General Land Office Commissioner George P. Bush and the states of Texas and Missouri in separate federal court filings challenged the legality of the Biden administration's policy while also seeking an injunction to stop the parole policy.

The lawsuits say Congress in 2020 and 2021 approved $1.4 billion in funding to complete a border wall between the United States and Mexico, but Biden "had a different view on how these funds should be spent" and "via proclamation, paused obligation of these funds they day he was inaugurated," the states said in the consolidated federal lawsuit.

Instead, Biden ordered the Department of Homeland Security to assess the matter, which resulted in two plans that didn't involve building the border wall. Instead, the DHS only would ensure any existing structure is stable.

Instead of continuing work to build a barrier system at the southern border, the Biden administration allocated the funds for "environmental remediation, flood control and cleanup projects" and "smarter border security measures" that are inconsistent with the intended purpose of the $1.4 billion allocation and "constitute misappropriation of the funds," the states argued.

Tipton agreed with the states and granted their motion to allocate the federal funding for building a border wall.

Tipton said Texas demonstrated that building additional physical barriers "would result in fewer illegal aliens entering the country," which DHS data affirms. DHS data show an 87% decline in illegal crossings in the Yuma sector during the 2020 fiscal year compared to a year prior, and a 79% decrease in apprehensions in the Rio Grande Valley sector.

The DHS also reported the "El Paso sector has experienced a significant reduction in drug and smuggling activities in areas where the new border wall system was built," plus reductions of 61% and 81%, respectively,for illegal crossings at two key zones within the El Paso sector, Tipton said.

"These DHS findings and reports show that walls, and the addition of walls, lower the volume of illegal immigration," Tipton wrote in his decision. "The court finds that in the absence of these walls some illegal immigration into Texas will occur that otherwise would not."

Tipton said the illegal immigration into Texas harms the state by incurring costs for administering driver's licenses, education and healthcare for a "rising number of illegal aliens."

"These injuries are concrete, imminent and traceable" to the conduct of DHS and Texas likely would suffer injuries from which there is no indication that the state "ever would be able to recover," Tipton said.

The judge delayed by one week his order's effect in anticipation of the Biden administration appealing the decision.
President Joe Biden says he regrets using the term illegals during his State of the Union address earlier this week.

During President Bidens address on Thursday, he used the term illegals during an impromptu response to heckling from Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, about the recent murder of a 22-year-old nursing student. Right-wing politicians have turned Rileys death into a political talking point because it was allegedly committed by an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela.

Laken Rileyan innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal, Biden said. But how many thousands of people are killed by legals? To her parents, I say, my heart goes out to youhaving lost children myself, I understand.

During an interview slated to air on Saturday night, MSNBC host Jonathan Capehart asked Biden about his use of the outdated term, which disturbed many Democrats and immigration advocates.

NEW: President Biden tells @CapehartJ that he regrets using the word "illegal" during his State of the Union speech to refer to the alleged killer of Laken Riley.



I shouldn't have used 'illegal.' It's undocumented."



Tune in at 6pm ET on MSNBC for the full interview. pic.twitter.com/EX7XuyhF1N  MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 9, 2024

During your response to [Greenes] heckling of you, you used the word 'illegal' when talking about the man who allegedly killed Laken Riley Capehart said, before quickly being interrupted by the president.

Undocumented, an undocumented person, Biden said. I shouldnt have used illegal, it's undocumented.

And look, when I spoke about the difference between Trump and me, one of the things I talked about in the border was, is the way he talks about vermin, the way he talks about these people polluting the blood. I talked about what Im not going to dowhat I wont do. Im not going to treat any, any, any, of these people with disrespect, he said.

Look, they built the country. The reason our economy is growing, Biden added. We have to control the border, and more orderly flow but, I dont share his view at all.

So you regret using that word? Capehart asked.

Yes, Biden replied.

The full interview will air at 6 p.m. on MSNBC.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing some pivotal choices as he seeks to gain ballot access across the country amid his independent presidential bid.

Kennedy has already gathered enough signatures to make the ballot in New Hampshire, Utah and Hawaii, and just this week he celebrated adding Nevada  a consequential swing state  to the list. His super PAC also says it has gotten enough support to appear on ballots in Georgia, Arizona and South Carolina.

But he also faces some notable challenges, including extremely high thresholds in bigger states, leaving him with the choice of potentially joining the Libertarian Party if he isnt able to qualify in more states as an Independent.

A strong Kennedy campaign would certainly come into play with that, said Ron Nielson, who twice served as campaign manager for Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson.

By pulling from the Democrats, thats going to damage Biden, Nielson said.

After Super Tuesday showed a clean sweep for President Biden and nearly the same for former President Trump, Kennedy sought to shift voters attention to November.

Today marks the end of the primary and the beginning of the general election, the 70-year-old environmental attorney said earlier this week, noting the unpopularity of each candidate as a central argument.

He later offered a video rebuttal to Bidens State of the Union address.

I can tell you that in every state of this union, people are rejecting fear-mongering, he said in the nine-minute video. Eighty percent of Americans say they dont want to be forced to choose in this election between the lesser of two evils. Theyre tired of voting against something or someone.

After bolting from the Democratic Party last fall when his primary bid failed to catch on, Kennedys campaign has focused intensely on pulling together enough signatures as an Independent to give Americans what he says theyre desperately seeking: an outsider.

Ideologically, he says hes no longer in sync with Democrats and also doesnt fit neatly with Republicans. An Independent run is symbolic, if not entirely practical.

A growing number of Americans are rejecting divisiveness, Kennedy said in his post-SOTU message Thursday.

While polls show Kennedy attracting varying degrees of support in some critical states  arguably enough to dent the final vote tally, if the data holds  experts say it would still take a lot for him to qualify across all 50 states before Election Day.

States have myriad individual requirements for independent candidates. In places like Tennessee, for example, a candidate must declare a vice presidential running mate in order to qualify, which Kennedy has not yet done. Others ask for tens of thousands of signatures  and well over 100,000 in Florida and Texas  and critics say he will have to scramble to meet those demands. Some also question whether hell have the cash needed to keep building a dedicated supporter base.

Still, Kennedys recent ballot successes in a handful of states have given him some traction. American Values, his super PAC, is functioning as a de facto ballot access operation tracking his progress with sign-ons.

According to an internal tally, the PAC says Kennedy is on his way to qualify for Michigan, noting hes approaching more than 29,000 of the 30,000 signatures required by the state. Reaching the Michigan threshold would be a defining moment for Kennedy, as Bidens vulnerabilities were made clear in the Wolverine State after a chunk of voters cast uncommitted ballots against him in the primary in protest against his policies in the Israel-Hamas war.

While Kennedys independent boosters say ballot efforts are underway, others see more merit in jumping into the Libertarian Party now, even if his political beliefs dont totally mesh with the party.

The chair of the Libertarian National Committee, Angela McArdle, told NewsNation that Kennedy running as a Libertarian could be mutually beneficial, after a report in The Hill this week detailed signs of interest from Kennedys allies as well as party members and activists.

Ballot experts also say Kennedy would be wise to consider the Libertarian Party simply because they have established ballot access in a majority of states built on years of preexisting groundwork.

Quite literally, you are dealing with 51 different jurisdictions, with different definitions, different procedures, and different laws, regulations, said Christopher Thrasher, a political consultant who was Johnsons ballot access director in 2016. Everything is state by state.

Its ridiculous. The laws have only gotten worse for independent, third-party candidates since that time, Thrasher said. There are states where the requirements to be an independent candidate have literally never been met like Texas, California, [and] another one is New York.

It would be historic, but its not insurmountable, he added. They would be remiss if they were not considering any ballot lines that currently exist.

Democrats worry about Kennedy because he hasnt shown signs of going away. His slow tally of smaller states, with the recent addition of some battlegrounds, has raised alarms for his competitors, while the newer consideration of appearing on the Libertarian ticket means another possible avenue for him to be a disruptor.

The results of Super Tuesday, while overall favorable to Biden, fueled questions about where Kennedy could ultimately end up. There are other third-party contenders: left-wing activist Cornel West is running as an Independent, and physician Jill Stein is campaigning for the Green Partys nomination. Both are oriented toward the general election, but many Democrats dont see them as on par with Kennedy as potential threats.

Additionally, Democratic challengers Rep. Dean Phillips, a centrist Minnesota congressman, and Cenk Uygur, a progressive media personality, who were both rivaling Biden, suspended their campaigns this week. Neither was able to get enough voters to back their bids.

And the more the race narrows, the more Kennedy is noticed.

Even Kennedys Libertarian critics who dont want him on their ticket see the benefits of a hypothetical change. That is to say, the practical question of qualifying as a candidate is different from the policy stances with which many in the party take issue.

Within the Mises Caucus, which represents the more hardcore right-wing base of the Libertarian Party, some concede that changing to their party would likely make things easier for him.

The big benefit that RFK or any other non-Libertarian would get from running in the [Libertarian] ticket is saving a lot of time and a lot of money, said Aaron Harris, who chairs the Mises PAC, which is not supporting Kennedys bid.

We have ballot access in a lot of states and are working toward it in others, Harris told The Hill. The rules often change, its fluid from race to race, but in the states where we do already have ballot access, whomever we nominate gets our spot on the ballot.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
As we kick off a new week, let's take a look back at the week that was.

Top stories this past week included:

Somerset Berkley boys ice hockey punching a ticket to the Final 4 for the first time in school history. They'll be facing Nauset today. Prior to taking the ice on Thursday, the Raiders were told that head coach Kevin Snyder's dad, George, died at the age of 95 after a long illness. From there, the theme in the locker room became "Do it for Coach."

The latest Greater Fall River real estate report, featuring a contemporary ranch in Tiverton that sold for $580,000. Built in 1930, the home on Hurst Lane boasts a cozy front porch, gleaming hardwood floors, and an abundance of natural light. Check out this property, as well as other recent top-sellers.

These were the most read stories of the week on HeraldNews.com:

Robin Murphy says 'Satanic cult' killer Carl Drew didn't do it. Why she changed her story.

Robin Murphy, the alleged mastermind of Fall River's notorious "Satanic cult" triple-murder mystery in 1979 and 1980, once more went before the Massachusetts Parole Board this past week.

Murphy, 61, has told several different versions of the story over 44 years, and on Tuesday, yet again changed her story.

She now says that Carl Drew, the man she implicated in the murder of her girlfriend, Karen Marsden, in 1980, was not to blame.

Convicted murderer Robin Murphy is led into her parole hearing in Natick on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

Herald News Reporter Jo C. Goode has the story.

'Untangle the web': Robin Murphy says 'Satanic cult' killer Carl Drew didn't do it. Why she changed her story.

It's a family affair at new Fall River Portuguese restaurant

Fall River couple Luis and Sara Pagan are bringing family and restaurant experience to Acores Family Restaurant, which had its grand opening this past week.

Step into the kitchen, check out the menu, and learn about their signature sauce.

Acores Family Restaurant: It's a family affair at new Fall River Portuguese restaurant

Report puts Fall River's Emeril among world's most popular chefs. Where is he on the list?

Known for his infectious enthusiasm and colorful catchphrases, Fall River native Emeril Lagasse remains one of the worlds most popular chefs.

A recent study showed that he is among the most popular chefs not only in the United States, but worldwide.

Here's where he ranks on the list.

Bam!: Report puts Fall River's Emeril among world's most popular chefs. Where is he on the list?

Things are heating up at Somerset's new Society Coffee Bar. Take a look inside.

Society Coffee Bar recently opened a second location in Somerset.

The Taunton-based coffee shop and cocktail lounge has a new spot, on County Street in Somerset.

Barista Katlynn Nixon prepares an order at Society Coffee Bar in Somerset on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.

Herald News Photographer and Photo Editor Colin Furze takes a peek inside to see what's brewing.

Coffee and cocktails: Things are heating up at Somerset's new Society Coffee Bar. Take a look inside.

Freight trains moving to a night schedule: The latest on South Coast Rail in 60 seconds

Residents living close to the South Coast Rail routes from East Taunton to Fall River and New Bedford may soon notice some late runs.

Starting this week, freight operator Massachusetts Coastal Railroad will be restarting freight operations in the evening to allow for work on the commuter rail lines.

Here's what you need to know, in 60 seconds.

The latest on South Coast Rail: Freight trains moving to a night schedule

Herald News/Taunton Daily Gazette copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Herald News top stories: Robin Murphy says 'cult' killer didn't do it
(FOX40.COM)  California State University Sacramento is scheduled to host the 2024 Nowruz Spring Festival on Saturday, March 9, from 1 to 8 p.m.

The festival is a celebration of the Iranian or Persian new year. Its an event that promises to bring together the greater Sacramentos Iranian and Afghan communities in a celebration of diversity, unity, and the spirit of renewal, according to the Iranian American Cultural and Educational Center.

Sacramento State launches first Black Honors College in the U.S.

Nowruz  the beginning of Spring, holds significant cultural and symbolic importance for Iranians and Afghans worldwide, festival organizers said. It marks the onset of spring, signifying new beginnings, rejuvenation, and the triumph of light over darkness.

The 2024 Nowruz Festival promises a vibrant tapestry of cultural performances, traditional music, dance, art exhibitions, and delectable cuisines, all showcasing the heritage of Iran and Afghanistan. The 2024 Nowruz Spring Festival will happen at the Sacramento State University Union Ballroom, 6000 J Street, Sacramento. For more information call 916-832-2797.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A northern Michigan timber harvester has been jailed after taking a plea deal for allegedly embezzling money from his customers.

The Michigan Attorney Generals Office announced Wednesday that 57-year-old Norman Kasubowski, of Indian River, was sentenced to 45 days in jail this week by an Otsego County judge.

Kasubowski operated two timber harvesting companies in the northern Lower Peninsula and was accused of embezzling more than $20,000 by underreporting the amount of timber he harvested from his customers property.

He had previously been bound over for trial on six felony counts of embezzlement. However, Kasubowski took a plea deal with the state, instead pleading no contest to two misdemeanor counts of embezzlement and two counts of disorderly conduct. He must also pay full restitution to his six victims.

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Defrauding Michigan residents out of their assets and on their own land is not a successful business model, its a crime, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement. My office will continue to hold crooked business agents accountable for unfairly treating their customers and those they contract with.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Pope Francis has angered Ukraine by asking it to 'have the courage to raise the white flag' and negotiate with Russia - ISABELLA BONOTTO/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine has criticised Pope Franciss call to negotiate with Russia two years into its invasion, vowing never to surrender after the pontiff said Kyiv should have the courage to raise the white flag.

The Catholic leader fuelled anger in Kyiv after saying in an interview that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia, which has seized swathes of its territory during the war.

Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags, Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraines foreign minister, said on social media on Sunday.

While battling its bigger neighbour, Ukraine has vowed not to give up its territory.

The Pope fuelled anger by saying: When you see that you are defeated, that things are not working out, have the courage to negotiate.

The Catholic leader with Volodymyr Zelensky in May 2023 - Vatican Media Vatican Pool/Getty Images

Mr Kuleba called on the elderly pontiff to stand on the side of good and not put the opposing sides on the same footing and call it negotiations.

He also appeared to reference Catholic Church collaboration with Nazi forces during the Second World War: At the same time, when it comes to the white flag, we know this Vatican strategy from the first half of the 20th century, Mr Kuleba said.

I urge you to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine and its people in their just struggle for their lives.

He also thanked Pope Francis for his constant prayers for peace and said Kyiv hoped the cleric would visit Ukraine.

We continue to hope that after two years of devastating war in the heart of Europe, the pontiff will find an opportunity to pay an Apostolic visit to Ukraine to support over a million Ukrainian Catholics, over five million Greek Catholics and all Ukrainians, Mr Kuleba said.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
UN warns of 'massive loss of life' and 'atrocity crimes' if Israel moves in on Rafah

The UN warns of 'atrocity crimes' if Israel moves in on Rafah, where over a million are sheltering.

Israel has already conducted strikes in Rafah, including one that hit a residential building.

Aid groups have warned of mass displacement, hunger, and disease impacting Palestinians in Gaza.

The United Nations warned of increased "atrocity crimes" if Israel moves forward with an assault on Rafah in southern Gaza.

The stark warning came as Israeli forces prepare for an assault on Rafah, where well over a million people are sheltering as international aid groups warn of mass displacement, disease, and starvation.

"We fear that this already catastrophic situation may slide deeper into the abyss as many Palestinians mark the holy month of Ramadan  a period that is meant to honor peace and tolerance  should Israel launch its threatened military offensive into Rafah, where 1.5 million people have been displaced in deplorable sub-human conditions," said Jeremy Laurence, the spokesperson from the UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

"Any ground assault on Rafah would incur massive loss of life and would heighten the risk of further atrocity crimes. This must not be allowed to happen," Laurence added.

Israeli forces struck a Rafah residential building housing 300 families, NBC News reported on Saturday. One resident told NBC News they were given a 30-minute warning to evacuate the building.

Some fear the assault could move forward while Americans are watching the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday evening. In February, Israel conducted a devastating offensive in Rafah as Americans watched the Super Bowl. Israeli authorities said the offensive freed two hostages, while officials in Gaza said nearly 70 people were killed, according to The New York Times.

In his remarks, Laurence condemned extreme violence from both sides of the conflict, calling violations of international law "a stain on the collective conscience of humanity."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Republican and Democratic primary elections in Mississippi will be on March 12, with voters in each party choosing their representative of choice for president and one of the state's two senators. In south Mississippi, they also will vote for their party's candidates for the 4th Congressional District.

The district represents Forrest, Lamar, Stone, Pearl River, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Marion, Perry and Wayne counties as well as part of Jones County. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day.

Many of the issues that concern the candidates focus on security at the southern border, the nation's spending, protecting law enforcement and veterans and education.

In addition, one Republican candidate wants to address such social issues as human trafficking, mental illness, homelessness and the fentanyl epidemic that is sweeping the nation.

Primary elections: Where do I vote in Forrest County? Find your polling place here

Primary elections: Do you vote in Lamar County? Find your polling place here

There are three Republican candidates and one Democratic candidate seeking office for Mississippi's 4th District of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Here is a glimpse of the candidates seeking office in the 4th District:

Former Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell was elected to Mississippi's 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022. He is seeking reelection in 2024.

Mike Ezell

Mike Ezell, 64, of Pascagoula is the incumbent congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives for Mississippi's 4th District.

He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Southern Mississippi and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy.

He and his wife Suzette Ezell have a daughter, Amy, and son-in-law, Coby Dennis, and a granddaughter, Sydney.

Ezell is seeking reelection because he said he cares about his country and the state of Mississippi. He believes his 42 years of experience in law enforcement has helped him in Washington to better protect U.S. citizens.

He wants to strengthen the southern border and hold the Biden administration accountable for the ongoing border crisis; get rid of EPA regulations that hurt businesspeople; reduce red tape and fight bureaucracy; and reduce taxes.

Carl Boyanton

Carl Boyanton is running as a conservative Republican for the 4th Congressional District of the U.S. House of Representatives

Carl Boyanton, 65, of Diamondhead is a self-employed produce broker and owner of Farmer Fresh Produce.

He has had some college education and has never served as an elected official, although he has run for office in the past.

He and his wife of 29 years, Heidi, have two daughters, Megan and Melissa.

Boyanton is running because he said he believes the current congressman "lied to us" and voted against Mississippi values.

If elected, Boyanton said he would not vote to pass the nation's budget to force the Biden administration to close the border and begin deporting illegal immigrants. He wants to move to zero-base budgeting, which would make every measure funded by the government have to be reauthorized. He would like to see law enforcement and first responders receive better pay to enhance crimefighting efforts.

Boyanton also wants to help veterans by revamping the Veterans Administration.

Michael McGill

Michael McGill is one of three Republican candidates running for Mississippi's District 4 in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Michael McGill, 43, of Long Beach is a retired Army combat veteran who served 20 years and is owner of School of Athens, a nonprofit organization that helps "disadvantaged children and military veterans." He holds a bachelor's degree in business management.

McGill has no prior experience as an elected official.He has a girlfriend, Kristen Henry, and two sons, Michael and Remington.

McGill is seeking office because he said he wants to put his country first and rectify some of the mistakes he witnessed during his years in the military. He wants to give every American a voice and "cut through the nonsense and red tape" to give a "realistic vision for our country."

Some of the issues that concern McGill are human trafficking, the fentanyl epidemic, education, veterans' health, mental health, homelessness, affordable health care, insurance costs and infrastructure.

Craig Raybon

Craig Raybon is the lone Democrat seeking office in the 4th District. He is included on the Democratic primary ballot and will be on the Nov. 5 ballot against the winner of the Republican primary since he is running unopposed in the primary.

So far, no information has been provided on the candidate. The Hattiesburg American has not been able to make contact with Raybon's campaign.

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: 4 seek office in Congress for MS 4th District House of Representatives
Two Ohio women were arrested after police say they drove their dead roommates body to a bank to withdraw money.

On March 7, Loreen B. Feralo and Karen Casbohm found their 80-year-old roommate, Douglas Layman, dead in their home, according to a news release from the Ashtabula Police Department.

Feralo and Casbohm, along with a third unnamed person, put Laymans body in the front seat of his car, police said. The two then drove to his bank and withdrew money from his account, according to police.

It is further alleged that Mr. Layman was placed in the vehicle in such a manner that he would be visible to bank staff in order to make the withdrawal, police said.

After leaving the bank, the women took Laymans body to a medical center where they left him with staff, officials said.

I couldnt do that to an animal, Laymans stepson, James Hubbard, told WKYC. I dont understand what they were thinking and how that money meant that much to them.

Police said the women left Layman without giving any information about his identity or theirs. However, a couple hours later, one of the women called the medical center to give them information on Layman, according to police.

When investigators went to Laymans home, they made contact with Feralo and Casbohm and were able to interview them about what happened.

Just a great guy, he really was. He didnt bother no one. He kept to himself, he helped people as much as he can. Hes always been there for our family, Hubbard told WKYC. I just hate to see everything splattered out like this and then thinking that he had no family, because he did. He just didnt want to be alone.

Police did not say how much money was withdrawn from Laymans account and have not listed a cause of death.

Feral and Casbohm were both charged with abuse of a corpse and police say other charges may be forthcoming.

Attorneys for the women were not listed in court records.

Ashtabula is about a 60-mile drive northeast from Cleveland.

Wife found dead 6 days after husband reported her missing, cops say. Now, hes charged

Funeral home owner kept body in hearse for nearly 2 years, CO cops say. Hes arrested

Man drags body wrapped in blanket down apartment stairs as witnesses watch, TN cops say
An attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels set off explosions ahead of a Singapore-flagged vessel in the Gulf of Aden on Friday, but did not impact the ship itself, authorities said.

It is the latest in a campaign of assaults by the Iranian-backed group over Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The attack on Friday targeted the bulk carrier Propel Fortune, which continued on its way, according to the United States military's Central Command. The missiles did not impact the vessel, the US military said. There were no injuries or damages reported.

The Houthis said on Saturday they were behind the attack. Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree claimed that along with targeting the Propel Fortune Attack, the Houthi forces also launched 37 drones targeting American warships.

American officials said early on Saturday that the US Navy, allied warships and aircraft have shot down 15 bomb-carrying Houthi drones in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

Friday's attack on Propel Fortune came after a Houthi missile struck a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday, killing three of its crew members and forcing survivors to abandon the vessel.

That was the first fatal strike in the Houthi's campaign over the war in Gaza. The Houthis describe the attacks as trying to pressure Israel into stopping the war, but their targets increasingly have little or nothing to do with the conflict.

Other recent Houthi actions include an attack in February on a fertiliser-carrying cargo ship, the Rubymar, which sank on Saturday after drifting for several days, and the downing of an American drone worth tens of millions of dollars.

The US also conducted airstrikes Friday that it said destroyed two Houthi truck-mounted anti-ship missiles in Yemen. The rebels did not directly acknowledge any destruction from those strikes.

The Houthis have held northern Yemen and the country's capital of Sanaa since 2014. Theyve battled a Saudi-led coalition since 2015 in a long-stalemated civil war in the Arab world's most impoverished country.

Since the US began its airstrike campaign in January, the Houthis have acknowledged the killing of at least 22 of its fighters. One civilian has also been reported killed.
BEDFORD  A vineyard for winemaking, a public tasting room and events is planned for a Moneta property in Bedford County close to the Hales Ford Bridge over Smith Mountain Lake.

The Bedford County Planning Commission voted 6-0 Tuesday to recommend approval of a special use permit for Tyler Wind and his wife, to operate the business on just more than 40 acres at 15772 Moneta Road. Wind, of Tappahannock, wrote in his application he is proposing a farm winery with associated events and activities.

The project will boost tourism, increase tax revenue and compliments another winery Wind is running in eastern Virginia, he stated in the application. He said the proposed vineyard close to Virginia 122 also is in line with the states push for agritourism ventures.

I think that we epitomize the farm winery concept, Wind said. I think that we epitomize agritourism.

He told the commission the Tappahannock farm business has helped boost tourism and the economy in that area.

Weve done very well with our wines, Wind said. Our wines have been excelling not only on a state level but on a national level and even winning several world competitions.

The couple has connections to the lake, has resided there before and the business would be a step to moving back, he said.

We do think our farm winery and our operation would be beneficial to Bedford County, Wind said. We are a very family-friendly winery. We do lots of events that involve people of all ages, all socioeconomic statuses. We are the great uniter. We make 34 different wines. We have a wine for everybody.

The business would be a working farm that uses locally grown products, he said.

Last year, we harvested enough grapes to produce 185,000 bottles of wine, which we produced all on our property from our own grapes without buying a single grape from elsewhere, Wind said. Whatever you get is truly a farm product.

Wind said he has talked with state officials about agritourism and the spirit of the movement is to enable farms to survive.

Farms need help nowadays, were losing a lot of family farms and agritourism is a way that were able to support the farm, Wind said. We sell more wine at our events than we do the rest of the year combined. If you take our agritourism events then our wine would cease to exist because we cant maintain operations.

The plan is to use a sister winery concept and he would transport the grapes grown to eastern Virginia, he said.

We would mainly grow varieties that grow better in this region, Wind said. Were set up where we can mass produce. I would truck grapes back, produce the wine, and truck it back here. We want to grow the grapes here.

A few members of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, which is located in that stretch of Virginia 122, during a public hearing raised concerns with additional traffic and the proposed farm winery encumbering the organizations property.

Wind said he would work with local authorities in monitoring traffic for large events. He said he has no intention to create a dangerous situation and is happy to work in whatever bounds needed in the interest of public safety.

The business would well serve the community while maintaining an agricultural, rural landscape on that property, he said.

I dont know how that can get any better for Bedford County, Wind said.

Commissioner Jeff Burdett said he has concerns on traffic, describing the property as a very low visibility area, and the noise, specifically on the Bridgewater Bay community nearby.

Given the restrictions that are imposed on us by the state of Virginia, I dont think theres a whole lot I can argue against it, Burdett said. I hope and pray it is wildly successful. I dont think its a bad thing for Bedford County. I dont think its a bad thing really for that area. I just have some qualms, but qualms can get settled.

The commissions recommended approval, which heads to the county board of supervisors, includes conditions that any outdoor sound equipment is shut down by 10 p.m. and the business connects to the Bedford Regional Water Authoritys line if the authority is in agreement.

Nick Kessler, the commissions chair, agreed noise and traffic are his biggest concerns but said he is pro-agriculture and wants to see the business succeed.

Never forget youve got neighbors and be good neighbors, Kessler told Wind.

Commissioner John Briscoe said he has milked cows and barned hay but hasnt given agritourism much thought; he is still learning about it.

I like anybody making useful product on their property and this seems like a reasonable enterprise to me, Briscoe said. I dont like to stand in the way of someone working the land.
The Lynchburg Police Departments annual report for 2023 shows general decreases in violent crime and property crime for that year compared to 2022 numbers. Police Chief Ryan Zuidema credits community partnerships and the implementation of the departments new stratified policing model, among other factors driving the downward trends.

Its no one thing, right? Stratified policing certainly plays into that. The partnerships that we have in our community play into that and the trust that weve been building for decades here, Zuidema told reporters about the data on Friday.

I think its a lot of great work that the men and women of this police department do. Even when weve been short staffed, they are still out there giving it 100% and making sure theyre doing everything they can to protect our community.

Stratified policing, Zuidema explained, is about directing resources toward known concentrations of criminal activity.

The annual report is a summary of LPDs work over the year, with statistics about crime, officers use of force, and commendations of and complaints against officers.

Violent crimes are down 10% from 2022 to 2023, and down 16% from the five-year average, according to the report. There were eight homicides in 2022 compared to four in 2023.

The department reports that 37 robberies occurred in 2023, down from 52 in 2022. Aggravated assaults were down to 154 in 2023 from 177 in 2022.

However, the city saw more forcible sex offenses last year, according to the report, an increase from 68 in 2022 to 80 in 2023, and up 2% from the five-year average of 78.6.

Asked about that increase, Zuidema said any time we see numbers go up obviously we want to look at those, and added the department will continue to work with partner organizations including the YWCA of Central Virginia, the Lynchburg Commonwealths Attorneys Office and Victim Witness Program, and forensic nurse examiners at Centra Health to provide services and identify is there an issue thats driving these numbers up or not?

If there is, what can we collectively do as a community? A lot of times its making sure that folks are educated; a lot of times with folks who are victims of sex offenses, its making sure that they feel supported, so were going to put all those resources around them, we make sure that they feel comfortable coming forward and reporting those offenses to us.

Property crimes also were down 21% between 2022 and 2023, with the greatest decrease among arsons and larcenies from vehicles, down 25% and 67% respectively, according to the report.

Zuidema said the department implemented stratified policing in May 2023, a proactive model thats evidence-based.

It looks at making sure that were getting officers into the areas where were seeing more crimes and making sure that we are engaging with our community 

Zuidema also talked about the departments violent crime response team, started in December 2022, that focuses on these hot spot areas and some of the more problematic offenders that we have.

Regarding traffic statistics, fatalities (2) were unchanged from 2022 to 2023 and crashes were down 9%, from 1,211 in 2022 to 1,103 in 2023, according to the report. Meanwhile, citations increased 63%, from 4,183 in 2022 to 6,386 in 2023. It also constitutes a 37% increase from the five-year average of 5,007 traffic citations.

As far as the traffic offenses, its no secret that after COVID and during kind of the police reform era that immediately followed after the tragic death of George Floyd that there was a lot less enforcement activity going on in terms of traffic enforcement, and I think were finally starting to see that getting back closer to what normal would be, Zuidema said, adding our officers are out there getting not just a lot of enforcement but a lot of education.

There were 46 use of force incidents in 2023, the department reported; 18 were found to be within policy and 28 are pending or under review. The greatest number of use of force incidents were physical (12) and the use of a Taser (15).

LPD employees received 374 commendations in 2023, the department reported, along with 11 allegations of misconduct and 34 demeanor complaints.

Zuidema said the information about complaints was gathered at the beginning of 2024, and that since then eight of the 11 allegations of misconduct were unfounded or exonerated; one was sustained; and two are still pending review. Of the demeanor complaints, 22 were unfounded or exonerated and 12 were sustained, according to Zuidema.

Vacancies among the departments sworn officers are also down to 18, he said. In December, when Lynchburg City Council was considering a new recruitment and retention bonus structure, that number was 28.

I think first and foremost weve got a lot of great support from our community, Zuidema said.

We live in an exceptional city where folks truly step up as residents to try and assist their police department and thats what we need to be successful here.

The 2023 annual report, and annual reports dating back to 2019, are available on the departments official website at lynchburgvapolice.gov under the transparency tab.
About 30 people gathered in the rain Saturday at the Lynchburg Community Market for a Free Palestine Rally organized by the Lynchburg Free Palestine Coalition.

The group itself had just formed a week ago and is meeting on Sundays.

Coalition members hoped to unite with other individuals who supported their cause.

This is our first action here, but we have the coalition now so were going to be planning more events and things to raise awareness, Mariah Molina, a member of the coalition, said.

Organizers held the rally to bring awareness to the situation happening in Gaza and to call for a cease-fire.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict erupted again in October when a Hamas-led group broke through Israels security barrier around Gaza and killed around 1,200 people. The death toll now for the Israeli-Hamas war is more than 30,000 people.

During the Lynchburg City Council meeting on Feb. 27, an attendee showed support of Palestine by asking the council to back a cease-fire while two other attendees held up a Palestine flag.

Weve been frustrated with what has been happening in Gaza but more specifically about the support by the Biden Administration with supplying weapons and funding, Vicente Gonzales, a member of the coalition, said.

Dan Harrison and Ruth Duenez-Harrison, married pastors of the Church of the Covenant, spent their 20th anniversary at the rally.

They said that this was a cause that was important to both of them so they needed to be there.

I think as Christians, our faith compels us to immediately try and prevent killings from happening, especially innocent people. I think its a shame that so many Christians are silent about this, Dan Harrison said.

I think especially for Christians, how people are trying to defend the genocide using scripture, its horrible, Ruth Duenez-Harrison said.

During the rally, participants broke and shared a loaf of bread together.

Many of the signs at the rally had watermelons painted on them. Attendees told The News & Advance that watermelons are a sign of solidarity with Palestine. In the past, Israel had banned the Palestine flag so a watermelon was used as a symbol because the colors were similar.

Now, its used to spread awareness.

Despite there being bad weather, people continued to show up with signs in hand throughout the morning.
You can take the boy out of Catholic school, but you cant take Catholic school out of him. Here is a true-or-false question about the Roman Catholic Sacrament of Confession  the relevance of which Ill establish as I go along: A priest who has broken his vow of celibacy by carrying on an affair with a woman cannot absolve penitents of their sins.

FALSE! According to Catholic doctrine, a priest retains the ability to forgive sins regardless of the state of his own soul. As long as penitents have a firm purpose of amendment  a sincere intention not to commit the same sins againa priest has the power to wash the heavenly slate clean of their sins. The irony of it is that a priest who has committed adultery can forgive that sin in others, but not in himself. That requires confessing to another priest.

Here on the temporal plane, yet to be decided is whether a reelected Donald Trump would have the power to pardon himself for any federal crimes he may have committed. I think not. Just as a priest cannot forgive himself, people accused of secular crimes cannot simply promise not to offend again and be done with it. Another president would have the power to pardon Trump, of course. But barring that, Trump must be subject to the due process of law just like any other citizen.

Here in America no one is held to be above the law. Can we discard that principle and still be America?

All this brings to mind a more pressing parallel  the plight of Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis. Appointing her boyfriend Nathan Wade to prosecute Donald Trump for election interference would seem to have been a lapse in judgment and may even constitute professional misconduct under the rules of the Georgia State Bar Association. What these two consenting adults did on their own time outside the office, however, has no bearing on the election interference case against Donald Trump. Where is the relevant prosecutorial misconduct?

And while Im not a lawyer, the case does seem solid to me. We all heard the recording of Trump trying to enlist Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in his MAGA conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election. He not only asked Raffensperger to find 11,780 votes  enough to place Georgia in the win column for Trump. He also delivered a veiled threat, suggesting Raffensperger would be in trouble if he didnt find those votes.

The allegations against Willis and Wade are a Republican red herring that stinks to the high heavens. Republicans are trying to distract us from the real issue in hopes of getting the case delayed until after the election. They would have us forget that Trump was indicted by a Georgia grand jury. Willis had to convince 23 jurors chosen at random that a crime was committed and that there was sufficient evidence to indict Trump.

Republicans would likewise have us forget that four of the 19 people Willis charged have taken plea deals. Trumps saving grace is Willis and Wade can only lay out the case against him. Will a Georgia trial jury forgive Trump his trespasses? I hope not. He has gotten away with too much already.
Wakayama, Mar 10 (News On Japan) - The historic launch of a private rocket in southern Japan was postponed Saturday due to a ship remaining in the designated safety zone before take-off.

SpaceOne's Executive Officer, Kozo Abe, explained the situation: "With just 10 minutes to go before the launch, a ship was still lingering in the safety zone, forcing us to call off the launch."

At a private launch site in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture, the rocket "Kairos" was scheduled to take off shortly after 11 a.m. on March 9th. However, the launch had to be postponed at the last minute.

The operating company revealed at a press conference that the launch was delayed because there was no clear plan to move the lingering ships out of the safety zone.

Fortunately, there were no issues with the rocket itself.

A disappointed mother shared her thoughts: "It's quite disappointing. We were expecting it to fly."

A boy reflected on the experience: "I learned for the first time how difficult it is to launch a rocket."

A girl expressed her anticipation: "I'm looking forward to the next launch."

The operating company has announced that they are planning the next launch for sometime after March 13th.

Related story: Kushimoto Prepares for Historic Rocket Launch

Source: ANN
TOKYO, Mar 11 (News On Japan) - A high pressure system brought calm weather across Japan on Sunday, with Tokyo experienced its first sunny weekend in a month, drawing crowds to various outdoor events.

Tokyo's First Sunny Weekend in a Month

Yoyogi Park in Tokyo was packed with people attending festivals from Egypt and Thailand. The international gourmet offerings, such as Thai cuisine and kebabs, were also popular.

An event organizer stated, "We host international exchange events from various countries. This time, we're focusing on Egypt and Thailand. The weather greatly affects us, as rain can reduce the number of visitors. We're grateful for the warm and sunny weather today and yesterday, which brought in many guests."

A Pleasant Day Nationwide

Flowers are signaling the arrival of spring.

In Toyama, colorful snowdrops are blooming.

In Yamanashi, a mysterious flower blooms while surrounded by snow. Named "Zazenso" because it resembles the figure of a mediative monk, it is now in bloom.

In Saga, children challenged a Guinness record. Over 300 children attempted to create sand molds, resulting in 20 disqualifications but ultimately achieving a world record.

The disaster-stricken areas are slowly hearing the footsteps of spring after a long, harsh winter.

In Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, which experienced winter-like cold, water supply was restored in parts of the city for the first time in about two months.

An evacuee expressed relief, "We had to do everything with just a cup of water, so I'm really happy that water is flowing again."

However, the restoration on March 10th only covered about 2% of all households in the city. Full restoration is expected next month.

Temporary housing using paper materials is also being constructed for those living in evacuation shelters in greenhouses.

Tazuko Seto said, "I'm looking forward to it. This place is scary, and it was cold all night long last night."

The temporary housing uses paper tubes for columns and beams, designed by architect Shigeru Ban.

Seto added, "I want to live somewhere as close to home as possible."
TOKYO, Mar 11 (News On Japan) - Akira Toriyama, known worldwide for his creations, remained a private figure. A former advertising executive for "Shonen Jump" recalls Toriyama as "a person like Goku."

Only 9 in the World: Toriyama-Designed Electric Car

Toriyama's roots are in models and cars, with unique vehicles often appearing in his works. Driven by passion, he even created a real electric car, the "QVOLT," which was completed in 2005. This one-seater electric car, designed by Toriyama over a year, was priced at 1.99 million yen and had a limited production of just nine units. Among the owners is veterinarian Mizuguchi, a collector of small cars. His parking lot is filled with colorful and cute cars, including the QVOLT.

Mizuguchi, Director of Yukidoubutsu Animal Hospital, confirms, "Yes, that's right. It's the QVOLT, designed by Akira Toriyama." He adds that the car, being the first model, even has Toriyama's autograph as a commemorative gesture. The QVOLT was introduced in "Weekly Shonen Jump" at the time of release and sold out immediately due to its limited quantity. Mizuguchi had long admired it and finally acquired it after years of searching. "I was attracted to its unique design by Akira Toriyama," he says.

The QVOLT has practical features, such as a surprisingly spacious trunk that can hold up to 30 liters. "It's designed for everyday use, like shopping," Mizuguchi explains. The interior also reflects Toriyama's distinctive style, with leather seats and custom-made elements like the meter and door handles. "Of course, it runs. It's been repaired to some extent, and we've obtained a license plate, so it can be driven on public roads," he says.

The electric car, filled with the world of Toriyama, attracts the attention of passersby. Mizuguchi, who has fulfilled a long-held dream, expresses regret for not being able to meet Toriyama and learn about the car's creation and his thoughts. "It's one of the great works of the teacher, so I plan to continue driving it," he says.

"Like Goku": The True Face of Akira Toriyama as Told by a Former Colleague

What kind of person is Akira Toriyama? Junji Yamamoto (74), who worked with Toriyama at Shueisha, reminisces, "It felt like something like the sun had disappeared. Toriyama-san led the way for many people, whether in manga or other fields, advancing the era. His manga energized and brought happiness to people. Even Takehiko Inoue, the creator of 'Slam Dunk,' felt reassured because Toriyama-san was leading the way."

Yamamoto was in charge of promoting works like "Dragon Ball" at Shueisha and was involved in planning Toriyama's exhibitions and events. "Toriyama-san was very humble and gentle. He never showed any hint of arrogance," Yamamoto recalls. He adds that Toriyama was always appreciated by those who got close to him.

Yamamoto analyzes the appeal of Toriyama's beloved works, saying, "Characters from 'Dr. Slump' are cute, but they also have strength. They're not intimidating, more like friends you'd want by your side."

He suggests that Toriyama's unique approach, largely uninfluenced by other manga, allowed him to break the norms of the medium. "Most manga artists study manga, but Toriyama-san came from a different place, probably from design, pop art, and illustrations. His characters are bright and harmonious, and even enemies eventually become friends. The idea of a fighting hero having a family was unheard of before. His works introduced a completely new pattern. In a mature society, it's no longer about fighting but about how to maintain the world we have. I think he made a significant ideological shift," Yamamoto reflects.

Toriyama, who created captivating characters and continued to enchant people worldwide, is likened to one of his characters by Yamamoto. "In terms of being kind but strong, I guess it would be Goku. Assistants who wrote for him said they were never scolded. He was strong but never lost his spirit, always aiming for the top, and probably sacrificed his life for it. So, perhaps he was like Goku.
NARA, Mar 11 (News On Japan) - At the Nara Prefectural Museum of Art, general admission fees are set at 400 yen for permanent exhibitions and 1,200 yen for special exhibitions. However, foreign tourists and long-term visitors from abroad currently enjoy free admission to both.

According to the prefecture, the free admission policy for foreign visitors was initiated in 2008 to boost tourism. It is currently implemented at four prefectural facilities, including the Folk Museum in Yamatokoriyama City.

Amid voices on social media calling the policy "discriminatory against Japanese people," Japanese tourists visiting Nara also expressed their concerns:

"It's somewhat unfair to charge some and not others."

"It would be better if it were the same for everyone, not just Japanese people or people from a specific country."

On March 8th, Governor Masaharu Yamashita addressed the issue, stating: "It's a system that is hard to understand."

He indicated that the policy of free admission for foreign tourists would be discontinued starting April.
OSAKA, Mar 11 (News On Japan) - The rare infection known as "flesh-eating bacteria," or severe streptococcal infection, has a mortality rate of 30%. Last year, the number of patients reached a record high of 941, and this year the pace is on track to be the worst yet.

Professor Yasutoshi Kido, an infectious disease expert at Osaka Public University Graduate School, explains the symptoms, transmission routes, and treatment methods.

According to Professor Kido, the bacteria are common and usually harmless, but when they turn virulent, the disease can progress rapidly. "You might feel something is off in the morning, and by evening you could lose consciousness," he says. "If the progression cannot be stopped with medication, surgical amputation of the arm may be necessary." He advises that if swelling worsens noticeably in a short period, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately.

Related: Record High Cases of 'Flesh-Eating Bacteria' Infections - 30% Fatality Rate, Man Loses Leg

Source: MBS NEWS
 Flash

People go on a damaged road after heavy rains in Pesisir Selatan in West Sumatra, Indonesia, March 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

The death toll of floods and landslides in Indonesia's West Sumatra province rose to 19, and 7 others were still missing, a senior official of the disaster agency said on Saturday.

The province has been stricken by the natural disaster since Thursday as the rivers could not accommodate excessive waters from heavy downpours, said Muharrindo Idwan, senior official at the provincial disaster management and mitigation agency.

"Most of the casualties were found in Pesisir Selatan regency. A total of 16 bodies were discovered there and 7 others remained unfound. The rest of the deceased were found in Pariaman regency," Idwan told Xinhua over phone, adding that two residents were also wounded in the regency of Pariaman.

"The victims were not only swept away by strong currents, but also buried by soils during the landslides," he said.

The strong currents collapsed and submerged 16 bridges, cut off roads and swept away houses, which hampered the distribution of aid for the affected people, he added.

The aid needs another access, which takes a longer time, Idwan said.

Head of the Emergency Unit of the Provincial Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency Fajar Sukma said on Saturday that the floods have receded, but tens of thousands of houses remained submerged.

An operation to search and rescue the missing persons was still ongoing, involving personnel of the disaster agency, soldiers, policemen and volunteers, said Sukma.

Emergency relief efforts have been undertaken by the agency and other government institutions, he said.
Peru has praised the Atlantic Initiative, launched by King Mohammed VI, a move aimed at transforming this continental maritime space into a zone of peace, stability, and development.

This position was expressed at the seventh edition of the Morocco-Peru Political Consultations Mechanism, held this week in Lima. The edition coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries on June 27, 1964.

The Atlantic Initiative was announced by King Mohammed VI, in a speech he delivered on November 6, 2023. Our wish is that the Atlantic coast becomes a high place of human communion, a pole of economic integration, and a center of continental and international influence, the King had said, explaining that Morocco has taken the initiative to create an institutional framework bringing together the 23 Atlantic African States with a view to consolidating security, stability, and shared prosperity in the region.

The Atlantic initiative seeks to bolster logistical connectivity, by both maritime and air routes, among the countries of the South, particularly in the Afro-Arab-Latin American geo-economic areas, where global resources and raw materials are concentrated. So, enhancing logistical connectivity will facilitate the exchange of goods, stimulate investment flows, and significantly shorten the distance between wealth-generating production chains and the sources of raw materials.

During the Lima meeting, the two countries welcomed the convergence of their views on a host of regional and international issues, which illustrates their shared commitment to peace, stability, and sustainable development.

In addition to the great interest shown in development proposals and structuring projects, the Morocco-Peru Political Consultations meeting highlighted by the drafting of multisectoral roadmap, translating the two countries commitment to launch initiatives in several cooperation sectors during 2024.

Discussions between the two sides covered all the priority topics on the agenda, with a particular focus on stepping up trade and economic exchanges, technical cooperation in education and culture, as well as cooperation in the fields of water resources, agronomic research, science, technology, and tourism.

The Moroccan delegation, led by Fouad Yazourh, Director General of Bilateral Relations and Regional Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, also held talks with members of the Peruvian Congress who hailed the major structuring and development projects in the sectors of renewable energy, infrastructure, industry, and agriculture sectors, launched in all regions of the Kingdom, particularly in the southern provinces.

The Peruvian legislators stressed the importance to further promote trade and economic exchanges between Morocco and Peru, and envisage the signing of a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.

They also welcomed King Mohammed VIs African Atlantic Initiative, which will strengthen cooperation between the Sahel states and those along the Atlantic seaboard.

The talks with Alejandro Soto Reyes, Speaker of the Peruvian Congress, Alejandro Aguinaga, Chairperson of the Foreign Relations Committee, members of the Foreign Relations Committee, and members of the Peru-Morocco Parliamentary Friendship Group, chaired by Ernesto Bustamante, hailed the level of parliamentary cooperation between the two countries legislative institutions.

Fouad Yazourh thanked the Peruvian Congress for its friendship and constant support for the Kingdoms supreme interests and welcomed the official institutionalization of Moroccos Parliamentary Day in the Peruvian Congress in November of each year, in commemoration of the Kings historic visit to Peru in 2004, the first by an Arab or African Head of State.
One of the most dangerous French drug traffickers, Felix Bingui, was arrested on March 8, 2024, in Casablanca by members of the investigation and intervention department of the National Judicial Police Brigade (BNPJ).

The 34-year-old French national, who was the subject of an international arrest warrant issued by French authorities in connection with criminal networks involved in international drug trafficking and money laundering, was arrested in Casablanca by elements of the BNPJ after a series of investigations to determine his whereabouts, the Directorate General of National Security (DGSN) said in a press release. The man was placed in custody pending his extradition to France, the DGSN said.

The arrest of Felix Bingui, the leader of a dangerous Marseille mafia clan and one of the biggest French drug traffickers, was described by French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin as dealing a major blow to narco-banditry thanks to cooperation with Moroccan authorities to whom he expressed his thanks.

One of the most notorious drug lords in Marseille was arrested in Morocco. Congratulations to the policemen who spare no effort in combating drug trafficking. A major blow has been dealt today to drug gangs thanks to our cooperation with Moroccan authorities whom I thank, Gerald Darmanin wrote on X.

Binguis clan has been fighting another gang DZ Mafia that wreaked havoc in Marseille, leaving at least 49 people dead and 123 injured in violent attacks to control territory.

Morocco had extradited in 2023 another notorious drug trafficker Karim Harrat, known as Rantanplan.

And as part of security cooperation between Morocco and France, Gerald Darmanin is expected in Rabat this March for talks with his Moroccan peer.

In another press release, the DGSN announced this Sunday the arrest in Dakhla of an Estonian woman, wanted by Interpol for homicide.

The regional judicial police of Dakhla, in collaboration with its counterpart in Laayoune, arrested on Saturday evening an Estonian national wanted by Interpol, the DGSN said.

The suspect, aged 31, was sought by Interpol at the request of Estonian judicial authorities. Wanted under a red notice, she is allegedly involved in a case of voluntary homicide.

The woman was placed in custody pending her extradition to Estonia, the DGSN said.

These arrests are the culmination of security cooperation and intelligence exchange between the DGSN and its international partners , in line with international cooperation mechanisms in the security field.
The Long awaited for Algeria episode of the French documentary, Jirai dormir chez vous (I will come to sleep in your house), was aired on Mar 8 revealing a closed-off and impoverished country, where locals are banned by omnipresent police from interacting with foreigners or tourists.

The documentary producer Antoine De Maximy has spent two-weeks in Algiers without being able to find people to host him, save an exception in the restive Kabylie region.

This was the hardest experience for Antoine De Maximy who all the time was shadowed by security agents intimidating potential hosts and obstructing the spontaneous experience of a documentary that reflects ways of life and hospitality of different people across the world.

The nearly two-decade long documentary featured episodes in 65 countries. Nowhere had De Maximy been openly harassed by security services as he was in Algiers, where he was openly banned from spending the night with ordinary Algerians.

In Ghardaia and Djanet, two desert cities, De Maximy was followed by security guards, asked for permits to film every-now and then and banned from traveling to desert alone.

Carrying his shoulder camera, he could film some conversations with nosey security agent who intervened whenever De Maximy found a potential host. In Ghardaia an agent told him its is banned to visit locals, while in Djanet he was asked to stay in his hotel or find a travel agency to stay with.

The arguments put forward by authorities is that De Maximy could be lost in the desert or get food poisoning by eating in a local home.

These arguments were dismissed by Antoine De Maximy as well as critical journalists such as Abdou Semmar, who deplored a post-Hirak Algeria where people lack means to buy meat to welcome a guest for a meal and where the state is banning people from receiving foreign tourists.

The documentary reflects an image of an Algeria in chaos where security services control the daily lives and interactions involving locals and tourists. It thwarts any tourists from a country that brags about defeating terrorism while warning tourists from the terrorism threat as was the case with Antoine De Maximy in Djanet.

Neither in big cities such as Algiers and Oran, nor in smaller ones such as restive Ghardaia and Djanet could Antoine De Maximy complete his job of a journalist/tourist looking forward to engage in spontaneity and authenticity with local Algerians due to an omnipresent police.

We would like to migrate after highschoolthere are no jobs, a Youngman in the Kabylie region told Antoine De Maximy.

In Oran, some 20 youngman were filmed singing Oh tourists we are not good, after Antoine De Maximy bought them sandwiches.

In Djanet, the reporter was asked for money if he wanted to be hosted at a taxi drivers house in order to buy foodstuff and prepare dinner for him! Police intervened to foil this paid invitation that shows the scale of poverty in new Algeria as the military rulers prefer to call the post-Hirak era.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Getty

For years, an imperialistic, hard-right European dictator unleashing bloodshed across the Continent cultivated supporters across the U.S. This despot claimed he was leading a unique, anti-Western culture, and, in so doing, cultivated allies and fellow travelers among conservatives across America, all of whom were disgusted by corrupt Western liberal values and who scorned Western liberalism as a bankrupt ideology. Nor was this appeal just rhetorical; as investigators later discovered, this right-wing revanchist bankrolled both propaganda efforts and agents on the ground, successfully turning Americans, especially on the right, to his cause.

To modern readers, the story is a familiar one  not least as it pertains to Donald Trumps affections for Vladimir Putin, to say nothing of how Russian forces have cultivated conservative Americans from Tucker Carlson to the National Rifle Association and beyond. But the aforementioned case has nothing to do with Putin or with Trump. Instead, it took place a century ago, when conservatives across the U.S. flocked to the cause of Germanys militarist tyrant, Kaiser Wilhelm II.

In so doing, as Jacob Heilbrunn successfully argues in his new book, America Last: The Rights Century-Long Romance With Foreign Dictators, they created a blueprint for how foreign dictators even decades later could cultivate conservative communities to their cause  and could, by the early 21st century, help propel one as far as the presidency. The story of the Americans who worshipped Wilhelm is just one of a range of pro-dictatorship efforts that Heilbrunn excavates, threading a century-long conservative infatuation with right-wing dictators. Its not only a corrective to the voluminous (if also accurate) investigations on how communist tyrannies fostered leftist supporters in the U.S., but also an able  and wildly timely  effort to stitch together nominally disparate views, from different epochs and eras. It all adds up to a convincing conclusion: that Trump, in lavishing praise on Putin and other dictators  wasnt creating a new style of right-wing politics, Heilbrunn, editor of The National Interest and author of a previously acclaimed book on the history of neoconservatives, writes. Instead, he was building on a long-standing tradition.

Its a tradition that has seen surprisingly little scrutiny, allowing Trumps treacly fealty to Putin to seem like an aberration. To be sure, there are elements unique to Trumps personal predilections  not least his history as a luxury real-estate developer, an industry that profited arguably more than any other from the illicit, kleptocratic flows linked to foreign dictators, laundering untold millions of dollars (and potentially more) in the process. Never before could foreign despots so easily, and so effectively, patronize the company of a sitting American president.

But in other far more conspicuous ways, Trump is simply building on a legacy long predating his rise. There were, for instance, the early devotions to the Ur-Fascist himself, Benito Mussolini. Il Duce presented himself not only as a guarantor of order and stability  and a bastion against left-wing forces in Italy and beyond  but as someone who posed as a defender of whites, Heilbrunn notes, who prioritized family values and who, in stark contrast to hedonistic America, cherished manliness. (He also cherished Wall Street with JP Morgan organizing a loan for the Fascist government worth nearly $2 billion in modern currency.) Conservatives in America lapped it up, feting not only Mussolini but salivating for a similar leader in the U.S. One conservative writer, Irving Babbitt, bleated that circumstances may arrive when we may esteem ourselves fortunate if we get the American equivalent of a Mussolini; he may be needed to save us from the American equivalent of a Lenin.

So, too, did plenty of conservative Americans view the rise of Mussolinis younger brother, ideologically, in Berlin. While the organization of pro-Nazi sympathizers in America has seen more detailed treatments elsewhere, Heilbrunn ropes in other conservatives who freely platformed Adolf Hitler. Germanys dictator was freely supported by conservatives such as William Randolph Hearst, who not only admired the Fuhrer, but commissioned him and Mussolini to write for his newspapers for handsome fees. Later investigations revealed that Hitlers regime picked up on the kaisers previous model, not only covertly funding agents in the U.S. but even slipping pro-Nazi propaganda into official congressional mailings, recruiting some of the U.S.s most conservative representatives of the time.

The postwar smothering of fascism didnt seem to slow conservatives lust for right-wing strongmen. By the 1960s, the primary home for such reverence was found not necessarily in Washington but in the pages of National Review, where founder William F. Buckley and his claque of writers apparently never found a hard-right despot they couldnt support. There was Spains Francisco Franco, whom Buckley dubbed an authentic national hero, Heilbrunn writes. There was Portugals Antonio Salazar, who wrote in the magazine that he was fighting for Western civilization and Christian values. There was Chiles Augusto Pinochet, whom Buckley viewed as a bona fide leader who knew how to exercise power. (After Pinochet used a car bomb to assassinate a political opponent in Washington, D.C., Chilean officials turned directly to Buckley for advice on how to sanitize Pinochets reputation, for which Buckley happily obliged.)

Soon, though, such sentiments swelled back into the White House. By the Reagan era, American affections for right-wing despots during the late Cold War blossomed into official policy. The architect for such fondness was Reagans foreign-policy adviser, Jeane Kirkpatrick, who served as an unabashed defender of right-wing regimes throughout her tenure. Nor was she picky about the form. Militarists in Argentina, those running death squads in El Salvador, the authors of apartheid in South Africa: Kirkpatrick, with Reagan in tow, succored them all.

But then, in 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, and a few years later, the Soviet Union shattered. America  and liberalism  stood triumphant. Supporting such regimes was suddenly gauche, out of step with this American moment. And the patterns and preferences that propped up American backing of right-wing dictators slunk back into the shadows.

But it never disappeared entirely. As with so much of the paleoconservative architecture of Trumpism  the nativism and the racism, the suspicion of the federal government and the amorality undergirding it all  Heilbrunn identified Pat Buchanan as the figure who kept the flames of such fawning for right-wing dictators alive. Not only did Buchanan refer to leaders like Hitler as an individual of great courage, but Buchanan whipped up opposition to American intervention in the Balkans, calling time and again to let Serbian tyrant Slobodan Milosevic have his way and commit genocide.

As Heilbrunn writes, Buchanan  who would later turn his affections toward figures like Putin, even before Trump entered the White House  longed for a kind of internationalism rooted in those small towns and conservative values and in whiteness, whether in the U.S. or in Serbia or Russia or South Africa or elsewhere. For years, Buchanan seemed like a Cassandra, but as Heilbrunn added, One prospective candidate for the presidency who picked up on  Buchanans unusual history lessons was a loudmouthed Manhattan real estate mogul  a figure who gave Buchanans views the biggest platform yet, carving an entire political movement out of a conservative tradition few Americans had any idea existed.

Thanks to Heilbrunns book, however, that confusion is no more. And while the books actual writing verges on the overwrought  words like oneiric and pursuivant belong in spelling bees, not mainstream political analysis  Heilbrunn correctly identifies the core of this conservative strain. Trumpists, and those who came before, are advocating ethno-nationalism in the guise of a set of principles. Just as the white supremacist Redeemers before them claimed they were simply advocating a restoration of democracy, so, too, do the Herrenvolk reactionaries of the MAGA world claim theyre simply restoring supposed American greatness  and that right-wing despots abroad should be allies in the fight.

If theres a fault in Heilbrunns writing, its that there might be too much emphasis on such ideological affinity. After all, dictatorships abilities to inflame and inflate American conservative support cant operate without a latticework of supporters. And as weve learned in recent years, those operatives  the lobbyists and the PR specialists, the law firms and the consultancies, the former congressional officials who leave office and immediately transform into mouthpieces for foreign regimes  dont require any ideological overlap with their despotic clients. All they need is to get paid, and theyll be happy to transform into foot-soldiers for tyranny.

Just look, for instance, at the network that serviced Viktor Yanukovych, the pro-Russian thug who ruled Ukraine until Kyivs democratic revolution a decade ago. There was Paul Manafort, who later became Trumps 2016 campaign manager. But there was also Tony Podesta, who until the mid-2010s oversaw arguably the leading Democratic lobbying shop in Washington. There was even Tad Devine, who helped Yanukovych grab power in 2010  and who then steered Bernie Sanderss 2016 presidential campaign. It was an ideological potpourri, all working at the behest of an autocrat who tried to cement pro-Russian rule in Kyiv  and whose ouster lit a fuse that detonated stability in Europe and that now risks far more devastation.

But thats all the subject for another book (mine, called Foreign Agents, will be hitting bookshelves in August). In the meantime, Heilbrunns analysis of this glorification of right-wing dictatorships is a warning  as if more were needed  of what a potential Trump second term could look like. Whether its Putins Russia or Orbans Hungary, or even the echoes of Wilhelmine Germany, the conclusion is clear: Aggrieved  by what they perceived as their own societys failings  its liberalism, its tolerance, its increasing secularism  conservatives have searched for a paradise abroad that can serve as a model of home. The kaiser would be proud.
Trumps lawsuit-seeking lips were again moving at a rally in Georgia on Saturday night. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

On January 26, a jury in New York ordered Donald Trump to pay more than $83 million in damages to E. Jean Carroll as punishment for repeatedly defaming her. Another jury had sided with Carroll in May and found Trump liable for both sexual assaulting and defaming her, awarding her $5 million in damages. But the former president continued to call Carroll a liar afterward, and so she sued Trump for defamation again and won in court again. This time, the judgment included a whopping $65 million in punitive damages, which was meant to deter Trump from repeating his false claims about Carroll. That deterrent only remained effective for 43 days.

On Saturday  one day after he filed to post a $91.6 million bond in order to prevent Carrolls attorneys from seizing his assets while he appeals the verdict  Trump resumed defaming Carroll.

Noting the bond at campaign rally in Rome, Georgia, Trump once again called Carroll a liar:

I just posted a $91 million bond, $91 million on a fake story, totally made-up story. $91 million based on false accusations made about me by a woman that I knew nothing about, didnt know, never heard of, I know nothing about her. She wrote a book, she said things. And when I denied it, I said, Its so crazy. Its false. I get sued for defamation. Thats where it starts.

(He actually hasnt posted the bond yet; his lawyers have requested he be allowed to.)

Trump again claims E. Jean Carroll made false accusations about him pic.twitter.com/yFNRBvpx2Y  Acyn (@Acyn) March 9, 2024

Then on Monday morning, Trump was at it again, referring to Carroll as Miss Bergdorf Goodman  a reference to the department store where Carroll said Trump assaulted her  during an interview with CNBC:

Speaking on CNBCs Squawk Box, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee claimed that the numerous judgments against him in New York will prompt companies to leave the state. Theyre the most ridiculous decisions, Trump said, including the Ms. Bergdorf Goodman, a person Id never met.

I have no idea who she is, except one thing, I got sued, he said. From that point on I said, Wow, thats crazy, what this is.

I got charged, I was given a false accusation and had to post a $91 million bond on a false accusation, Trump added.

Trump also briefly referenced Carroll at a rally in Michigan last month, vaguely implying he did not know her.

Carroll has made it clear she would file another lawsuit if he defamed her again. Her attorney Roberta Kaplan has said that all options are on the table regarding additional lawsuits. In a statement on Monday, Kaplan added, The statute of limitations for defamation in most jurisdictions is between one and three years. As we said after the last jury verdict, we continue to monitor every statement that Donald Trump makes about our client. Another Carroll attorney, Shawn Crowley, also said in an interview last month that they were watching and listening, waiting to see whether Trump would start up again.

They didnt have to wait very long.
Are you looking to kill some time before the Oscars tonight? All five of the best documentary film nominees are available to watch online, and four of them are less than 2 hours long (the fifth one is technically 2 hours and 7 minutes, but the last 5 minutes are credits). Don't forget that you can watch all of the short documentary nominees online Bobi Wine: The People's President (113 min) - stream on YouTube, Hulu, or Disney+Born in the slums of Kampala, Bobi Wine, Ugandan opposition leader, former member of parliament, activist and national superstar musician, risks his life to fight the ruthless regime led by Yoweri Museveni. Museveni has been in power since 1986 and changed Ugandas constitution to enable him to run for yet another five-year term.Running in the countrys 2021 presidential elections, Bobi Wine uses his music to denounce the dictatorial regime and support his life mission to defend the oppressed and the voiceless people of Uganda. In this fight, he must also take on the countrys police and military, which are not afraid to use violence and torture in a vain attempt to intimidate and silence him and his supporters.The Eternal Memory (85 min) - stream on Paramount or rent on Apple, Amazon, VuduAugusto Gongora and Paulina Urrutia have been a couple for 23 years. Augusto is one of Chile's most prominent cultural journalists and television presenters. His wife, Paulina, affectionately called "Pauli," is an actress who served as Minister of Culture and the Arts of the country from 2006 to 2010. Eight years ago, Augusto was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and since then, Paulina has been caring for him. Throughout his career, Augusto was dedicated to ensuring that the atrocities of the Pinochet dictatorship are not forgotten. Today, it is up to him and his wife to maintain his identity despite the challenges of his illness. Each day, the couple faces the difficulties caused by Alzheimer's disease, but they also maintain the tenderness and sense of humor that binds them together.Four Daughters (107 min) - stream on Netflix or rent on Amazon, Vudu, Apple, YouTubeThis riveting exploration of rebellion, memory, and sisterhood reconstructs the story of Olfa Hamrouni and her four daughters, unpacking a complex family history through intimate interviews and performance to examine how the Tunisian womans two eldest were radicalized. Casting professional actresses as the missing daughters, along with acclaimed Egyptian-Tunisian actress Hend Sabri as Olfa, Oscar nominated director Kaouther Ben Hania (The Man Who Sold His Skin) restages pivotal moments in the familys life. These scenes are interwoven with confessions and reflections from Olfa and her younger daughters, offering the women agency to tell their own story and capturing moments of joy, loss, violence, and heartache. Winner of four prizes including LOeil d'Or (Best Documentary) when it screened in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, Four Daughters is a compelling portrait of five women and a unique and ambitious work of nonfiction storytelling that explores the nature of memory, the weight of inherited trauma, and the ties that bind mothers and daughters.To Kill a Tiger (127 min) - stream on NetflixRanjit, a farmer in Jharkhand, India, takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the survivor of sexual assault. In India, where a rape is reported every 20 minutes and conviction rates are less than 30 percent, Ranjits decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, and his journey unprecedented. Women and men insist that the community, not the criminal court, should solve the issue with a forced marriage to remove the stain on her. The men become increasingly hostile to the family, and eventually to the film crew itself. Executive produced by Dev Patel, Mindy Kaling, Rupi Kaur, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.20 Days in Mariupol (94 min) - stream on YouTube or rent on Amazon or vuduUkrainian journalist Mstyslav Chernov and his colleagues risk their lives to document Russia's siege of Mariupol. They become trapped in the besieged city, struggling to continue their work documenting atrocities of the Russian invasion. The last international journalists remaining in the city as Russian forces close in, Chernov, photographer Evgeniy Maloletka, and field producer Vasilisa Stepanenko capture what become some of the most defining images of the war: dying children, mass graves, the bombing of a maternity hospital, and more.mods, I'm not sure why the source for the fifth documentary isn't working for you, but it's from the PBS/Frontline official YouTube channel - maybe it's region blocked in some countries?
William's just really into DALL-E y'all, nothing to see here

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what am i supposed to be seeing in that picture of louis' sweater lmao help please

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I think the pattern is mismatched?

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if you look at the middle flower pattern, at the bottom right they cloned over it poorly so the petal is doubled. it's really subtle but you can see it

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Damn, I see it. It's like a magic eye.

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I also do not see anything on the one next to it

Once someone on the other post pointed out Charlottes sleeve, that became reqlly obvious

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the pattern looks photoshopped, it's blurred and interrupted slightly to the left

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This is nuts. In all seriousness. I don't understand how the BRF is fucking it up this badly, unless they're deliberating fucking up for some reason I can't imagine.

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My first thought was wtf else is going on for them to stoke the attention on Kate like this

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Nothing really, I know this is a very unpopular take here but the Sussex Squad on twitter has been stirring this for over a months at least, under the #WhereisKate hashtag. With increasingly gleeful things William could have done to Kate (who also deserves to be mistreated because reasons). What happened was William pulling out of that memorial service, leading mainstream non royal watcher to discover this hashtag and running with it. So now you have a bunch of people finding this all memeworthy and funny while others are absolutely serious.

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It's not deliberate, they're incompetent. William especially surrounds himself with "yes men" who aren't really the best at doing their job, they just cater to him. He fucked up his appearance at the BAFTAs, insulting American actresses, he reminded everyone that in 2018 he said bringing peace to the MidEast was his life's mission and then never mentioned it again until 2024 and Israel told him to patch up his relationship with his brother before trying to meddle in their conflict. Now this. He's a walking disaster.

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their whole existence is based on privilege, not merit. its inevitable.

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gifs you can hear

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omg

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love this juicy drama. keep fucking up kate and will <3 you guys totally can outplay the press and in fact you deserve the fame and money and privilege without giving anything back

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They took what was internet nonsense and made it a legitimate scandal. Idiots. The fact someone was paid to make this big of an error is hilarious.



Anyway KP better release some undoctored outtakes that whole "no comment" not going to fly. Also, the whole "sources" claim probably not going to be enough this time.

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lol oh boy. The smart thing to do would be to release the unedited photo but KP likes to dig their heels in so idt they will and will just say nothing for the next 3 weeks while speculation runs wild. And then Kate will show up at Easter service and theyll still say nothing.

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i dont usually say this but: show us her feet

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QE would roll in her sarcophagus. She's gone for what, a year and the royals are out here showing feet?

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She would be pissed Camilla has been given more responsibilities than William. Charles did tons of work as Prince of Wales, William couldn't be bothered to read the Wikipedia articles of any of the movies at the BAFTAS

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The Princess of Wales is showing feet on the main!

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I wasn't really paying too much attention to this mess before but now I'm officially into it.

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I was legit telling a friend that it wasnt a big conspiracy and NOW THIS HAPPENS





Fucking lured me off my high horse with delicious fuckups.

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i didn't notice anything wrong with it the first time but now i'm obsessed

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Same. I did not care lol

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Same, as soon as she appears in public again Im going back to ignoring them all lol.

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lmao this is so fucking weird

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What's wrong with Louis's sweater? I am broke and most of my clothes have patterns stitched together like that.



Also I had a friend who used to do family portraits and he said he had to do a FUCK ton of photoshop if there were a bunch of kids. No one ever wanted to behave all at once. So IDK I'm not surprised.

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The kids moving around and them wanting a perfect shot is the most sensible explanation, but its such a sloppy job after weeks of weird theories, this is only going to feed into the madness now

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i think in the previous post someone was actually pointing out how did they manage to get a photo of all the three kids being mid-laugh... now we know, i guess.

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I wasn't buying the conspiracies before but I am now. Something is up.

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same like hang on now I'm invested because what could've caused them to fuck up this badly?

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this is so insane did they think they'd bury it under all the oscars coverage or something

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They probably wanted to clean up the photo a little bit, and now the news agencies have given legitimacy to online kooks.

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but what is there to clean up on the princess' sleeve? sorry idk her name

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My flatmate once merged two photos from the same 'shoot' because one of his arms looked better in the 2nd photo but the rest of his body looked better in the 1st. So it could be that they just mixed two photos.



But who knows wtf these people are doing tbh.

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As someone pointed above, probably the kids were all moving around and they had to combine more shots to get a perfect image of all of them

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When it comes to wind power in Central Asia, companies from the Persian Gulf have taken the lead.

This week, Riyadh-based green energy company ACWA Power made the news in two countries in the region for it efforts in laying the ground for major projects to come.

In Uzbekistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed off on March 5 on a decree on the construction of two wind power plants, or WPP  both projects are being implemented by ACWA Power.

One 500-megawatt WPP, along with associated power lines, will be built in the autonomous Karakalpakstan republic, near the remote western town of Kungirot. Another 300-megawatt capacity plant is set to appear in the Bukhara regions Gijduvan district.

An agreement signed by ACWA Power and the Uzbek government in November envisions $1.1 billion in investments.

ACWA Power has committed to selling the electricity produced at the WPPs to the Uzbek national grid for a period of 25 years.

Related: This Could Be A Gamechanger For Natural Gas In Europe

Mirziyoyevs office stated in November that ACWA Power is currently implementing projects collectively worth $7.5 billion.

The company is doing more than just wind. In March 2020, it signed an agreement with Uzbekistan on investing $1.2 billion into the development, construction and operation of a 1500-megawatt combined cycle gas-turbine power plant in the Syrdaryo region. ACWA Power claims the benefit of that plant will be that its design will enable twice as much power to be produced with gas as is done at existing electricity-generation facilities.

In neighboring Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met on March 7 with the visiting Energy Minister of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz Al Saud. The encounter produced an agreement on the implementation of a project to construct a 1-gigawatt wind power plant in the southeast of the country, in the Jetisu region.

Related: How To Profit From Europes $800 Billion Energy Crisis

The work there too will be done by ACWA Power. Company chairman and founder Mohammad Abunayyan was on hand in Astana to talk about ACWA Powers role in this project and other green energy initiatives in Kazakhstan.

This is all of a part with the commitment by both countries to dramatically increase how much electricity they produce with renewables.

Uzbekistans stated goal is to increase the share of renewable energy sources in its total electricity production to 25 percent by 2030. In 2022, the figure was 10 percent. The plan for the coming decade is to install solar power plants with a total capacity of 5,000 megawatts and wind power plants with a total capacity of 3,000 megawatts. On the wind front, most of the running is being done by ACWA Power and its Abu Dhabi-based peer Masdar.

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Kazakhstans renewables agenda is on paper more modest than that of Uzbekistan in the short term. Under current plans, at least 15 percent of all electricity generated must be provided by renewable energy sources by 2030. The grander target is for that share to reach at least 50 percent by 2050.

By Eurasianet.org

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
U.S. oil and gas companies spent a combined $250 billion in mergers and acquisitions last year. More than half of that came from just two megadeals: Exxon's acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources and Chevron's takeover of Hess Corp.

The buying spree, according to analysts, was mostly motivated by a drive to secure future production at a relatively low cost while there's cash in the bank after the record-breaking 2022. Analysts have commended the attitude to energy supply security. Congress Democrats, however, have not.

It was only a matter of time before the megadealsand the smaller dealsof 2023 drew the attention of the wrong people. In this case, the wrong people were a group of 50 Democrats from Congress who this week called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the deals.

Led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the group claimed in its letter to the FTC that "Fossil fuel companies have overwhelmingly identified investor pressure as the reason to keep prices high so they can continue to benefit from record profits," continuing with "Americans are paying the price for Big Oil's greed and are still struggling to keep up with gas prices higher than pre-pandemic levels."

To counter this alleged greed grab, the legislators called on the FTC to deepen already existing investigations into some of these deals and launch more, into other deals in the oil and gas space. There was no mention of federal policy aimed at shrinking the industry's growth avenues, such as through lease sales that the current administrationwith the blessing of Congress Democratssignificantly curbed.

Related: Two Countries That Could Break Putin's Gas Grip On Europe

Yet federal energy policies were a big reason for the consolidation drive in oil and gas. Those policies increased the financial burden on energy companies with new requirements for emission control and reduction, and they also limited their exploration options by making new exploration too much of a hassle.

Consolidation in a proven producing region, such as the Permian, was a no-brainer, really. So was Chevron's acquisition of Hess that gave it an entry into Guyana's oil boomunless Exxon prevents the deal from happening by snatching Hess's stake in the Stabroek Block itself.

What's more, some have noted that this consolidation has been positive for the industry's emission footprint. According to Wood Mackenzie, the two deals "add high-margin, low-emissions oil with a long runway, boosting sustainability."

Yet, according to the Democrat group of critics calling on the FTC to investigate deals, "It is now even clearer that there is an anticompetitive pattern developing as Big Oil corporations race to consolidate the Permian Basin and other key American oil fields, and the FTC must take this pattern into account as it assesses each individual transaction."

Consolidation could indeed lead to questionable outcomes for consumers if it results in a very small minority of companies operating in one field. Amazon, for instance, hardly has any meaningful competition after it bought all potential challengers. Google is an undisputable dominant force online and so are Facebook and Microsoft. Big Tech is a very small world, if you think about it. Yet Big Tech does not garner anywhere near the same level of concerned interest from Democratic legislators.

The oil industry, on the other hand, is a favorite target for the current crop of legislators in Congress. Given that this is an election year and the Democrats already have their key voter groups in their sights, chances are there will be more legislative attacks on oil and gas in the coming months, even if those FTC investigations uncover nothing more than one company buying another to improve its long-term chances of survival and profitability in the absence of any viable paths to that.

Then, there is the awkward aspect of emission reduction. While the letter-writing legislators made no mention of this in their letter, the Secretary of Energy did. Speaking to Axios, as quoted by Reuters, Jennifer Granholm noted that consolidation could help speed up the oil industry's decarbonization efforts.

"Many of the majors, many of them not all ... have been taking action on climate and clean energy and a lot of the folks who are small level producers were not as interested, or didn't have the resources to address (those issues) so I'm encouraged that there seems to be a movement in this direction," Granholm said.

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That the Democrats were going to have things to say about the wave of M&A activity in oil and gas was a given. That they would seek to interfere with the industry consolidation was also a given. A third given was that they would not acknowledge their own role in limiting the industry's growth options to consolidation and international expansion. None of what has happened so far has been a surprise.

What happens now would be more interesting, however. The FTC could be used as a tool to try and stop some of the deals, with the focus no doubt on the Exxon-Pioneer and Chevron-Hess tie-ups. Believing that such a development would result in lower gasoline prices for Americans is not simply naive but dangerous. Because it would likely result in the opposite. Just because there are more companies in the field doesn't mean they can't act in concert.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
It must be close to spring. The Dandelion Pop-Up season begins Friday, March 15.

The series of pop-up lunches, now in its eighth year, runs out of a small building at 1301 Howard St. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays during warm (or warmish) months. Other pop-up food events are also scheduled on random nights and weekends.

Chefs from local restaurants and other ventures provide food each week. Regional and national chefs are also featured occasionally.

This years first vendor is the Stuffed Spuds Co., serving baked potatoes filled with a variety of interesting toppings.

Chicken Heat Des Moines will be on hand March 22, with hot sandwiches and more.

A third event, this time on Sunday, March 31, will feature plant-based junk food from Vuture Food, known for its Crispy Chikn Sandwiches and loaded fries. Patties for the sandwiches are made from soy, wheat and peas. The company is entirely nut-free.

For more information, go to facebook.com/dandelionpopup/

Cupcakes and beer

Heavy Brewing and Daves Cakes are offering cupcake and drink flights Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The popular event will feature Easter candy-inspired cupcakes paired with a variety of appropriate brews, bourbons or craft sodas.

Daves has been making cakes for more than 20 years. It moved into a new location at 14236 U St. in Omaha a little more than a year ago.

Heavy Brewing, hosting the pairing, is a family-owned business at 20333 Patton St.

Go to the Heavy Brewing Facebook page for more information.

Packs for a perfect party

A variety of party packs from Omahas Brownie Bar Bakeries are now available online.

The packs come in sizes from six to 48 brownies, plus frostings and other toppings. They start at $23. You also can order trays with 108 bite-size brownie bits and a birthday party box that comes with dishes and decorations.

You can pick them up at five locations across the metropolitan area: Bottles & Barrels, 203rd and Q Streets; 2 Dads and A Bookstore, 1015 Galvin Road South, Bellevue; the Brownie Bar location at 108th Street and West Center Road; Fresh Floral at 50th and Dodge Streets and Pause Coffee Shop, 75th and Main Streets in Ralston.

Go to browniebarbakery.com for more information and to order.

High tea on St. Paddys Day

If the crowded bar scene isnt your happy place, heres an alternate idea for St. Patricks Day.

Spirit World is having a spirited high tea at 4 p.m. next Sunday with a menu that sounds delightful: Irish Breakfast Tea and a variety of non-caffeinated teas, Guinness beef stew over colcannon, Irish whiskey salmon on a baguette, a selection of Irish cheese and breads, Guinness chocolate cake with Irish cream frosting and Kerrygold butter cookies.

The entire spread is $70 per person, plus a gratuity. Tickets  and more information  are available through the events tab at spiritworldwine.com.

Leprechauns are busy at Masters Hand

Its Leprechaun Feast time at Masters Hand in Tekamah, Nebraska.

The popular tea room and gift shop have enhanced their regular menu through March 23 to celebrate St. Patricks Day.

For $27, you get a bottomless drink; choice of Irish stew, cheeseburger soup or Pot of Gold baked potato soup; a choice between chicken salad, Reuben sandwich, Rachel sandwich or grilled ham and Swiss sandwich; creamy broccoli salad with bacon or crunchy noodle salad; and cake, cheesecake, pie or bread pudding.

Reservations are recommended. Call 402-374-2003.
Jennifer Eno had just clocked into work at her Omaha office when a construction worker appeared at her door holding a dusty pink wallet.

The man had been cutting through cinder blocks in the basement of the office building at 84th and Dodge Streets. Inside one of the blocks, he found the pink wallet.

Now the man didnt know what to do with it. Would Eno mind taking it?

Absolutely not, Eno remembers telling the man. Ill take it and see if I cant find the rightful owner.

When Eno opened the wallet on that morning in April 2021, she found old school photos, a prayer booklet and a student ID for a Ronnette Smith from St. Richard Catholic School in Omaha.

It was enough information for Eno to begin searching for Smith on the internet.

It had a rightful owner and I just wanted to find who it belonged to, Eno said in a recent interview. Obviously, it meant something to someone at one point in time. There were a lot of photos in there.

Eno, who worked in real estate at the time, is known for her tenacity and refusal to let things go.

Its a curse and a gift, she said.

There were a few false leads including one conversation with a confused man but Eno tracked down Smiths phone number and left her a voicemail. She also reached out on Facebook.

Smith, who grew up in Omaha and now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, was shocked when she got the messages but yes, she confirmed, that was her wallet.

I didnt remember actually losing it or missing it but I do remember the wallet, Smith said. I remember everything in it. I remember the people.

Smith said many of the photos were from her 1981 eighth grade class at St. Richard. The school, which was near 42nd and Fort Streets, closed in 2009.

The pictures in the wallet brought back so many memories from my childhood, Smith said. Looking at my belongings from eighth grade gave me chills. I thought it was miraculous. It had no money in the wallet, but the pictures were priceless.

Neither Smith or Eno have any idea how the wallet ended up in the cinder block. Eno took a video of where the wallet was found and sent it to Smith but thats one part of the mystery that has never been solved.

Eno mailed the wallet back to Smith, texting her shipping updates as it made its journey from Omaha to Atlanta.

Smith was amazed at how much effort Eno put into returning the wallet.

She did not have to go out of her way, Smith said. She went completely out of her way to do that.

When Smith got the wallet, she took a photo of it in her mailbox and sent it to Eno. Smith said, despite the wallet being missing for four decades, the photos and the wallet itself were in excellent shape.

Smith and Enos interaction could have ended there but instead the two women kept chatting. They talked about their families, their interests and hobbies. They exchanged cards and gifts.

Ive never had a friendship click that quickly, Eno said. Ive never just felt close to somebody like that.

When Smith and Eno talk about the beginning of their friendship, both women said it feels like they were destined to meet.

We dont know each other, Smith said. And a wallet, something lost, brings us together and we end up loving each other.

Last year, Eno and Smith met in person for the first time when Smith made a trip back to Omaha. They met at Lewis and Clark Landing in downtown Omaha and talked for hours.

Smith told Eno about how she was back in town to help her mother move from Omaha to Atlanta. Eno told Smith she wanted to help.

She said, I just want to be here for you, Smith remembered.

Smith told Eno before they even met, Eno had been there for her.

Eno and her husband helped Smith move her mom. And Smith mailed Christmas presents last year to Enos grandson.

Smith, who is CEO of a nonprofit that aims to help level the playing field for students in Atlantas underserved communities, said she sees parallels between the work she does for kids and what Eno did for her.

Sometimes we all need to stop and remember that the kind things we do have more of an impact on others than we think, Smith said.

Smith and Eno have marveled at all the ways they couldve never met. The construction worker couldve given the wallet to someone else or thrown it away. Eno couldve found the wrong Smith.

But once the wallet brought them together, Eno said they just connected.

Shes such an amazing woman, Eno said of Smith.

Shes a special, special person and Ive grown to love her, Smith said. Things in life, we just dont know what doors will open.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024
Bailey Lauerman Wins 'Best of Show' at Nebraska Advertising Awards

In late February, the advertising community from across the state gathered together to celebrate and recognize the state's best work at the annual Creative Nebraska Advertising Awards. The event was held in Lincoln at The Rococo Theatre. Bailey Lauerman, a 54-year-old nationally recognized agency, led the competition with the most awards, including the coveted Best of Show and nine Gold ADDY awards.

Bailey Lauerman's total of 30 awards outpaced all other companies that entered work. Stealing the night was the Bosch premium-wipers campaign "Night Eyes," and the Las Vegas Sphere activation was awarded Best of Show. Awards were also received for Flagstar Bank, Kansas City's Lyric Opera, Cargill, Surest, Phillips 66, Bosch eBikes and Special Olympics Nebraska.

The Nebraska Advertising Awards are sponsored annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) to recognize and reward the spirit of excellence in the art of advertising. Competition entries were judged by an accomplished group of advertising professionals from across the nation. Selection of the most creative entry in each category was determined by a scoring process in which the judges evaluated all creative dimensions of every entry.

"In moments like this, it's right to not only give credit to the remarkable talent and teams at Bailey Lauerman, but also to a full group of clients who expect the very best from our work. They're engaged and alongside us. We believe that we are in the collective idea-making business, and the spirit of collaboration is central to that. Awards just happen to be the happy by-product," said Carter Weitz, Chairman/CCO at Bailey Lauerman.

Bailey Lauerman has been recognized by the Effie Effectiveness Index as one of the "Top 10 Most Effective Independent Agencies" in the nation, was awarded "Small Agency of the Year" by Advertising Age and has been named one of "20 Small Agencies that Punch Above Their Weight" in Forbes. The agency has earned national recognition for its work with brands including Disney, Union Pacific, AMC Theatres, Phillips 66, Bosch, Panda Express, Netflix, UnitedHealthcare, The Smithsonian and many more. Visit BaileyLauerman.com for more information.
Rebecca Queensland is a corporate attorney in LDM's Omaha office . She graduated cum laude from Hamline University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies and Business Administration. During her time at Hamline, Rebecca was a member of the nationally competitive mock trial team and served as a legal research and writing tutor.

She went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 2018, focusing on technology regulation and public health law. Rebecca earned the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for her study of Community Property. Throughout her career, Rebecca has specialized in real estate, title insurance, will and trust administration, and probate.
Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (NLOM) is pleased to welcome Jacob Spilker as Director of Development.

Spilker earned his Bachelor's Degree in Religion from Bethany College and is currently finishing his Master's Degree in Nonprofit Leadership with a concentration in Philanthropy & Resource Development from the University of Denver.
Five years ago this weekend, Nebraska was on the brink of a statewide disaster.

The massive flooding that hit the region days later claimed five lives and caused an estimated $3.4 billion in damage in Nebraska, as many of the area's rivers swelled to record levels.

In March 2019, floodwaters caused the collapse of a dam in northeast Nebraska and breached 41 levees across the state, inundating some communities. For days, the flood stranded the 27,000 residents of Fremont, Nebraska.

The flood swamped or threatened roads and railroad tracks, an Omaha wastewater treatment plant, Lincoln's drinking water wellfields, and other critical infrastructure. It poured into parts of Offutt Air Force Base and the Nebraska National Guard's Camp Ashland, costing more than $1 billion to repair. It destroyed homes and businesses, killed livestock and ravaged farmland.

Across an eight-state region, damages totaled $13.1 billion from a historic event considered "one of the costliest U.S. inland flooding events on record."

This week's anniversary of the flood is more than an opportunity to remember the devastating event and the efforts still underway to rebuild and recover. It's also a chance to examine whether the region and its residents have emerged better protected and better prepared for the next flood.

The exact confluence of weather conditions in 2019  bitter cold, heavy snow and already-sodden, frozen soils followed by a rapid warm-up and a bomb cyclone  created an arguably unique disaster. But it's also a certainty that major floods can and will happen again in this region carved by water, particularly with a warming planet fueling more frequent and potent storms.

Local officials say the region is more prepared for another flood of the same magnitude, although there still is work to be completed.

Many structures repaired, new ones 'built for resiliency'

Sizeable pieces of damaged infrastructure have been rebuilt, many to a higher standard than before. Two levees along the Platte and Missouri Rivers  R613 and R616  that protect Offutt and the Omaha's Papillion Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant and parts of Bellevue, for instance, have been repaired and raised an average of about two feet, said John Winkler, general manager of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District.

Erv Portis, assistant director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, said some 440 applicants sought funds  mainly federal dollars  for more than 2,000 projects to repair public infrastructure, including roads, bridges and sewers. About half have been completed. He estimated those repairs will approach $600 million by the time they're completed in several years. It can take a decade  or two  for disaster recovery to wrap up.

But he noted that the list of projects goes beyond protective structures to include initiatives intended to mitigate future hazards and boost resilience. To keep a future flood from impacting its well, for example, Peru last month connected to Auburn via an eight-mile pipeline to get its drinking water, a $5 million project.

Plattsmouth eventually plans to shutter its water treatment plant along the Missouri River and instead tap a Metropolitan Utilities District plant near LaPlatte for drinking water. The community also is building a new wastewater treatment plant out of the floodplain, which will eliminate flood losses and the need to send untreated wastewater into the Missouri.

"These hazard mitigation projects are being built to eliminate these repetitive losses," Portis said. "They're built for resiliency."

Other efforts are aimed at improving communities' ability to plan for and respond to floods. The Lower Platte North NRD has worked with the Papio NRD, Dodge County, the City of Fremont and the U.S. Geological Survey to add high-quality cameras along the Platte River, said Eric Gottschalk, the Lower Platte North's general manager.

In response to the 2019 flood, the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and NEMA recently launched the Nebraska Real-time Flood Forecasting tool, which can quickly produce inundation maps that visualize where water is expected to go based on predicted river stages. Such maps are local agencies' No. 1 request when floods threaten, said Jamie Reinke, division manager of the DNR's floodplain management section. But in the past, they have taken considerable time to create.

A two-year grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, funded using federal money, will go toward improving awareness and resilience in flood-prone communities through threat identification, community outreach and mitigation planning. Led by Zhenghong Tang, a professor with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Architecture, the project launched Jan. 1 and will focus on Douglas, Sarpy and Dodge Counties. He and others recently met with Fremont-area residents.

Meanwhile, the Army Corps of Engineers has been conducting what's known as the Lower Missouri River Flood Risk and Resiliency Study to reassess the flood risk on the lower Missouri River, from Yankton, South Dakota, to Herman, Missouri. The study does not address management of the upstream dams.

After the 2019 floods on the lower Missouri, the corps was urged by the governors of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri to "do something different" when it came to flood resiliency. As part of the study, the corps also is updating flow and stage frequencies on the lower river in order to provide accurate tools for flood risk management.

Colleen Roberts, a program manager with the corps' Kansas City District office, said the agency now has two more decades of data than the last time it examined flows in 2003. In general, the agency is seeing more extremes in high flows and low flows.

The agency has identified some problem spots and this summer begin to talk about possible solutions and who can address them, she said. A draft of the study will be available in 2025 followed by the completed study in 2027.

Work remains to protect communities from floods

Despite all the repairs completed so far, however, work remains to protect communities along rivers, and weaknesses will remain even after scheduled work is done. Some private levees along the Platte, Missouri and other rivers were damaged and have not been repaired, Winkler and others said.

The Platte River levee that protects Camp Ashland near Ashland, Nebraska, for instance, has been reinforced. But the camp, a Nebraska National Guard training facility, still is vulnerable from Salt Creek, which overflowed into the camp in 2015 and 2019. To mitigate the impact of future floods, the Guard raised buildings to allow water to flow without causing extensive damage. Guard officials also hope to work with other agencies to come up with a flood-control plan to direct overflow into the Platte before it reaches the camp.

Iowa plans to seek out potential levee weak spots, which could lead to opportunities for upgrades. The state launched an Office of Levee Safety within its Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in June as part of a larger levee improvement program.

Levee safety officials, who met recently with residents in Council Bluffs and Sidney, Iowa, are tasked with analyzing the condition of the state's levees and developing a rating scale to identify those most at risk. The Iowa Geological Survey will survey nearly 900 miles of levees in the coming years.

Meanwhile, local agencies have continued to buy out flooded properties to mitigate future flood risk. The Papio NRD, tapping federal dollars, purchased about 130 flood-damaged homes or cabins in the Bellevue area between 1993 and 2019, said Lori Laster, a stormwater management engineer with the NRD. That avoided some damage in 2019.

Five years later, Nebraska and Iowa communities make mixed progress on flood recovery In Omaha and throughout Nebraska and Iowa, here's how cities and towns have rebuilt after the 2019 flood  and what work still remains.

But that buyout process can be slow. Seven residents in the area were interested in buyouts after 2019, but only one is still pursuing that path, she said. In the King Lake area in northwest Douglas County, 50 residents initially were interested in buyouts, but the NRD expects only 10 to follow up by the time a grant expires in June. Buyouts also have been offered in many other communities.

For residents of hard-hit communities, flood recovery efforts remain front and center and the trauma lingers.

In others, the pandemic, the passage of time and several years of drought have eroded memories of the 2019 event. In much of the Omaha metropolitan area, high water had little direct impact. Much of the community's interior, including the downtown area, is protected by topography, levees and flood walls as well as zoning rules and dam projects.

"When we're talking about the 2019 flood, the larger metro area outside of those along the Missouri or Platte Rivers, didn't see a lot of flood damage," Laster said. "People say, 'Oh, we were really lucky.' But actually there's been about 60 years of planning, construction and regulation that went into keeping us safe at that time."

World-Herald staff writer Steve Liewer contributed to this report.

Coming Monday: How Offutt Air Force Base and the Nebraska National Guard's Camp Ashland are being rebuilt after the 2019 flooding.

Flood of 2019: The aftermath and the recovery
Recovering from a disaster on the scale of the 2019 floods takes time, even decades.

Five years after the March 2019 flood, The World-Herald revisited some of the places affected to see how far they've come.

Omaha-area levees in better shape after millions in fixes

Most of the Omaha metro area did well during the floods and would do so again in a repeat of 2019, said John Winkler, general manager of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District. Reservoirs, levees and other structures performed as they should have.

The real problem occurred where the Missouri met the Platte, which at one point contained more water than the Mighty Mo. That impacted Offutt Air Force Base, the Omaha wastewater treatment plant south of the base, and part of Bellevue and nearby lake communities.

"It was basically two interstates coming together," Winkler said. "There was nowhere for that water to go. They collided and just went up."

The levees protecting the area now are in better shape. In addition to being higher, two closure structures were added, ending the need for sandbagging. New federal requirements for water seepage under levees were incorporated, and additional repairs were made on drainage pipes that allow water to drain from behind the levee for a total cost of $34.2 million.

The City of Omaha repaired the Papillion Creek wastewater plant, which cost $40.5 million. Still under way are repairs to its Missouri River wastewater plant south of the L Street bridge over the Missouri. To head off potential problems in the future, the city also will relocate the Copper Creek sewer pipe, which currently is situated in the floodplain and within the levee along the Little Papillion Creek in Sarpy County, said Jim Theiler, the city's assistant public works director. Construction is expected to wrap up this year at a cost of $22 million.

Since 2019, Omaha has invested $350 million in a revamped riverfront. Winkler said the area would have the same protection the rest of the downtown area had in a repeat of the 2019 event. To impact the riverfront parks and the Kiewit Luminarium, more flows would have to come in from farther north and further swell the Missouri.

The Missouri peaked at 34.4 feet downtown on March 17, 2019, according to National Weather Service data. That's nearly 2 feet lower than the crest during the 2011 flood but enough to land 2019 the No. 3 spot on the city's all-time flood crest chart.

To head off future floods elsewhere within the metro area, the NRD will bring three new reservoirs online in the next several years: WP-4 on Wehrspann Creek near 204th Street and Schram Road in Gretna; WP-2 at Giles Road between 168th and 180th Streets and WP-1 at 180th Street between Maple and Fort Streets. The first two already are under construction.

In the west end of the district, Waterloo fared fairly well, Winkler said, thanks to the levee around the community. The NRD and the Army Corps of Engineers repaired Valley's levee, "so hopefully that wouldn't breach again."

'Kids get really scared'; Fremont's flood trauma lingers

Repairs to area levees and the creation of a new flood emergency action plan are among steps that have put the Fremont area, situated between the Platte and Elkhorn Rivers, in a better place, said Tom Smith, Dodge County Emergency Management director.

Agencies have worked with a local levee district to restore a dike between North Bend and Fremont that breached and impacted the north side of Fremont, he said. Repairs also have been made to a breached levee at the Fremont Rod and Gun Club.

Agencies also have applied for $55 million in drainage projects for Fremont. Another project will begin this year to repair the east bank of the North Bend cutoff ditch, Smith said. That should provide better protection for North Bend, where 70% or more of streets flooded. The agency also is working with federal officials on a project in the Rawhide Creek watershed that would prevent water from coming into the north side of Fremont.

But the Greater Dodge County Long Term Recovery Group, which includes more than a dozen agencies, faith groups and other groups, still is working with local residents who need assistance, he said.

Christy Fiala, executive director of the Fremont Area United Way, said some people face challenges as a result of the back-to-back disasters of flooding and COVID-19.

Some exhausted savings on rebuilding, which left them without a cushion from a job loss or medical emergency, she said. Others have faced recurring problems with mold or challenges completing projects, either due to the cost or a shortage of contractors. Water shortened the lives of heating and cooling systems, requiring early replacement.

"Efforts to rebuild and repair both on an individual level and as a community are challenging for many," Fiala said.

The local United Way and the long-term recovery group will mark the progress made since the floods at a March 15 event in Fremont. The event, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Milady Coffeehouse East Wing Venue, 105 E. 6th St., will include a video. It will focus on families who are recovering rather than recapping the flood itself.

Some area residents, she said, have said they don't want to attend because they don't want to remember.

"Kids get really scared when there's concern that another flood could occur in the community," Fiala said. "The trauma of it is definitely still in the community."

The United Way also is continuing to collect donations, not specifically for flood recovery but to help the agency respond to families in need, she said. In the past five years, more have sought help paying rent and utility bills and stabilizing their finances.

Winslow left with 11 occupied houses, down from 40

Five years after the flood, this Dodge County village, situated near the Elkhorn River about 12 miles north of Fremont, is approaching a decision point regarding a proposal that would move it to higher ground.

That decision will come during the primary election May 14, when voters decide whether to recall three village board members who back a move to a proposed site 3.5 miles south of the current site, said Zachary Klein, who is among the three village trustees who favor a move.

Supporters have been able to secure a commitment from an investor to cover the land acquisition, he said. But not all residents want to relocate.

"It's up to the village whether this process is going to move forward," said Klein, a Fremont firefighter.

Klein, who grew up in the village, said he understands the decisions of residents who choose to stay. "They know what the risks are and if they're willing to assume those risks ... I support it 100%," he said.

But he doesn't believe the village can sustain itself financially if it doesn't relocate. It would likely fall into bankruptcy and disband.

Before the 2019 flood, which wasn't Winslow's first, the village had a population of just over 100, with just under 40 occupied homes. Eleven still are occupied. Six have been purchased with FEMA funds and demolished.

The Nebraska Legislature changed an annexation law to allow the move. Klein and others continue to work with state and federal agencies on funding for infrastructure, such as water, streets and sewer at the proposed site. Residents who choose to move there would get the first choice of new lots.

Klein said he believes there is support enough to put together a new community. Part of the challenge is maintaining interest in the process. He and others want to see it work to make it easier for other flood-prone communities that might follow.

"I would have liked for some closure before the five-year mark, before the two-year mark," he said. "You have to be willing to work the process to see what is able to be done."

Plattsmouth utilities seek permanent fix

While much of the community south of the junction of the Platte and Missouri Rivers sat safely above floodwaters in 2019, Plattsmouth's wastewater and water treatment plants did not.

The city brought both back online in 2020, making repairs and floodproofing by ringing them with barriers that can be closed if the water rises, said Emily Bausch, city administrator. But the city has at times imposed water restrictions and tapped the Cass County Rural Water District.

The long-term solution is to move both facilities out of the floodplain, she said. The city currently is building a new wastewater treatment plant. The $76 million project includes a pumping station at the end of Main Street.

Plattsmouth also has an agreement to buy finished drinking water from the Metropolitan Utilities District. But first, the city will have to bore under the Platte River and install a transmission line connecting it with MUD's Platte South Water Treatment Plant near LaPlatte, a project estimated at $23 million.

Pacific Junction mayor: 'Keep positive'

This Mills County, Iowa, town now is home to just under 100 residents, about three-quarters its former number.

But Pacific Junction Mayor Andy Young still is working to rebuild. He returned to his home, which took on 9 feet of water, in February 2020, after getting his daughter's house back in shape.

Recently, he's been working to create another temporary space for a city office in an old ambulance building. It has been situated in a corner of a building owned by the city clerk, who hopes to open a bar and restaurant there by the end of May. Another bar opened several months ago, and a model train club is remodeling a building and hopes to open this summer.

Later this month, the village plans to start selling some of the 36 lots it bought back from FEMA, with the aim of increasing the population  and the tax base.

"There's always times when it's a struggle," said Young, 69. "You can't let it bother you. You just have to move on and keep positive, because if you're not positive, everybody around you gets down."

Long list of tasks in Hamburg

This southwest Iowa town has seen its share of floods. In March 2019, Harry Adams realized he was filling sandbags about 10 feet from where he performed the same task as a youngster in 1952.

Now Hamburg's mayor, Adams, who moved back after a long tech career in the Chicago area about two years before the flood, is among those helping to shore up the town.

About half the town flooded after multiple levee breaches. Nearly 70 houses were lost and are being bought out by FEMA.

The corps repaired the levee between the town and the Missouri River above what is called for in federal standards, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds noted during a December meeting in Omaha with the corps, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and Missouri Gov. Mike Parson.

But Adams said the water rose higher than projected in March 2019. "It's really hard to imagine the expanse of land that was flooded," he said. "It's hard to believe that happened."

The community, however, has bounced back. Not only have hard-hit mainstay businesses, including AgriVision Equipment and Hendrickson Enterprises, cleaned up and forged on, the town has added 11 new ones, including a bank, a Dollar General store and a new motel.

"People can come to town and be proud," he said.

A 24-unit apartment building has been renovated and construction has begun on a new housing development on the northeast edge of town that will offer 33 affordable homes.

But as in many impacted communities, there are still streets to repair, ballfields to fix and parks to restore. Another item on the town's punch list is finding a way to improve an area along Interstate 29 to block flood threats from the Nishnabotna River. Currently, part of the interstate serves as a levee.

"We have some fun with things, but our list of to-dos is long," Adams said.

Photos: Nebraska flooding viewed from above The Elkhorn River at the Maple Street bridge is shown under water Monday March 18, 2019. Floodwaters from the Elkhorn River have gone down and now expose a heavily damaged West Dodge Road. Floodwaters from the Elkhorn River have started to recede, exposing a heavily damaged West Dodge Road. The eastbound lanes of West Dodge Road just west of 228th Street show the damage done after floodwaters went down Monday. A cow makes its way through floodwaters near Columbus, Nebraska, on Friday. A shell of the Spencer dam is left on the Niobrara River. Floodwaters engulf a farm near Missouri Valley on Friday. Floodwaters flow over a railroad bridge near Arlington, Nebraska, on Friday. Floodwaters make their way into North Bend, Nebraska, on Friday. The Elkhorn River encroaches on Waterloo on Sunday. A portion of Highway 92 has been destroyed by floodwaters in western Douglas County. The Elkhorn River has covered several parts of western Douglas County. A levee breach is shown on the Platte River near Ashland on Sunday. Valley is shown inundated by floodwaters on Sunday. An aerial view of Missouri Valley near the Interstate 29 exit on March 15. An aerial view of Missouri Valley as floodwaters continue to impact the area on Friday. A house is surrounded by floodwaters near Waterloo, Nebraska, on Friday. Floodwaters envelop King Lake, Nebraska, on Friday. Floodwaters swallow the town of Rogers, Nebraska, on Friday. Water recedes in the town of Niobrara Neb. The highway showing is Hwy 12 and Hwy 14 Junction. The Morman bridge on Highway 12 between Niobrara and Niobrara State Park was wiped out by a flood. A train is stopped on flooded tracks next to the Platte River near Cedar Creek, Nebraska, on Friday. Interstate 29 Highway 75's northbound lane is closed because of flooding near Merritt's Beach RV Park on Friday. A Nebraska National Guard helicopter flies over areas flooded by the Platte River near Columbus, Nebraska, on Friday. Highway 81 covered in floodwaters south of Columbus, Nebraska, on Friday. A Nebraska National Guard helicopter flies over flooded Waterloo on Friday. Cars drive drive across a flooded Platte River on Highway 50 just north of Louisville. Water covers a road near Valley, Nebraska. A westward, aerial view of a flooded Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park on Friday. An aerial view of Missouri Valley, Iowa, as floodwaters continue to impact the area on Friday. The National Weather Service in Valley, Nebraska was evacuated due to flooding. A truck drives through a flooded road near the Platte River.
Fire danger will be in the very high category through midweek in the Omaha area due to warm conditions and gusty winds.

The fire danger will be even more so on Monday, its just a question of how strong the winds get, Clint Aegerter, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Valley, said Sunday. It appears the strongest winds will be west of Omaha. Its certainly dry enough to be concerned (about grass fires) throughout eastern Nebraska.

Red flag warnings are possible Monday across eastern Nebraska, with winds gusting from 20 to 25 mph in the Omaha area. The area northwest of Omaha is expecting gusts of 30 mph or more, Aegerter said.

The National Weather Service says a red flag warning means warm conditions, very low humidity and strong winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger. The Omaha Fire Department said a burn ban is currently in effect for Douglas County.

Do not throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle. They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road and become a wildfire.

Extinguish all outdoor fires properly. Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to make sure everything is cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it.

Never leave a fire unattended. Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread.

Omaha could flirt with a record high for Monday, with a forecast of 74 degrees. The record of 78 degrees occurred in 1972.

The warm weather continues Tuesday and Wednesday, Aegerter said, with highs of 70 and 71 in the forecast. Those temperatures are well above normal for this time of year when Omaha averages highs of 49 degrees and lows of 28.

Were really looking at three pretty nice days to start the week, Aegerter said.

A cold front coming into the area Wednesday night has a 50% chance of bringing much-needed rain. Some areas could see as much as half an inch of precipitation.

This could be a decent rain for some areas, its just a matter of how it tracks, Aegerter said. There may even be some thunderstorms with this front. They are more likely to occur to the south. Omaha is on the northern edge for some thunder and lightning.

The rain is expected to exit the area Thursday, leaving behind some cooler but still above average temperatures. The forecast calls for a high of 59 degrees on Thursday but gusty northwest winds will make it feel cooler, he said.

More seasonable temperatures are in the forecast for Friday through Sundays St. Patricks Day celebrations. High temperatures are predicted to be in the 50s all three days with brisk northwest winds adding a wee bit of a chill to the air.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024
Ismaila Salau, a 49-year-old electrician, on Tuesday in an Igbosere High Court denied killing his wife, Silifat Yakubu, with a pestle, NAN reports.

Salau was arraigned in 2015, on a count charge of murder preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.

At the resumed hearing, Salau, who was led in evidence by his counsel, Mr A. A. Babalola, said on Oct. 3, 2014, he was held up in traffic after running errands for a friend.

Salau said that when he got home, he did not see his wife, who had gone to her mothers place for Sallah celebration and her phone was switched off.

He said he called his older daughter who told him that the deceased left her mothers house since 8 p.m.

Salau narrated how he went for a village meeting the following day and heard about a pregnant woman who drowned in the stream.

He said, I then told the Baale that my wife was missing so he asked me and my wifes older brother to go to the Badagry General Hospital where the corpse was deposited to check if it was my wife.

When I saw the corpse, I knew that that was my wife.

During cross-examination by the Lagos State prosecutor, Jubril Kareem, the accused admitted that he did not report to the police about his missing wife.

He, however denied the statement he allegedly made to the police during police investigation.

After listening to the evidence, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, adjourned the case until April 9, for continuation of trial.

Earlier, the prosecutor told the court that the defendant murdered his wife, Silifat Yakubu, by hitting her head with a pestle and dumping her corpse in a nearby stream.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.
Barely a week after The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Africa insisted that Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will win the February 16 presidential election, Eurasia Group, reputed as the worlds largest political-risk consultancy, says President Muhammadu Buhari will win the election.

The EIU Africa had last weekend said the margin of victory was getting narrower as the election approaches, but Atiku and his political party will win the historic election.

The research unit of London-based The Economist Magazine had said in 2018 that the PDP will win the 2019 election.

With the vote likely to be split in the North, Abubakar will find it easier to garner support from the countrys south, which has traditionally been a safe haven for the PDP.

However, in its own final Eurasia Group Politics First election forecast, the group, which was founded in 1998 by American political scientist Ian Bremmer, said Buhari has a 60 percent probability chance to win.

Opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar has regained some momentum in recent weeks, but President Muhammadu Buhari remains favored to win (a 60% probability), the group said.

On election day, the ruling All Progressives Congresss (APCs) significantly greater control of local political structures and resourcesit governs 23 states compared to the oppositions 12will boost voter mobilization and solidify Buharis advantage.
Suspended council chairmen under the aegis of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Oyo state chapter have fired back at Governor Seyi Makinde, insisting the election that brought them to office was not in any way conducted against any court order.

The group through its chairman, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, noted that the purported court order the PDP government is laying claim had been vacated in a Federal High Court ruling, which paved way for the conduct of the council elections across the state on May 12, 2018.

The governor, through his Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka while justifying the purported sack of the council bosses, had said the conduct of the local government polls was against a valid court order.

He said the so- called injunction gotten by the affected chairmen was an arrangee judgement

He advised the sacked council bosses to go ahead and challenge the government decision in court, adding the new government will only obey valid court orders.

According to him: In Oyo state, we have a history of lots of unconstitutional behaviours by the outgone government.

This last local government was put together in an election that was against a subsisting court order.

I know people will go about and say, those local government executives also went to court to get an order but we all know that that was an arrangee judgement.

It was filed by the same people against the same side that did not oppose the application.

We want to rewrite all the things that have gone wrong in this state.

So, for us, we intend to obey court orders that are valid. So, we are waiting for them to challenge our decision of this administration, we have nothing to hide.

In the meanwhile, we have directed that the Heads of various administration in the various Local Governments to take over.

So, the way the issues have been resolved is that the local government executives have been shown their way out and that is how it is going to be as at now.

As soon as we come back to make further adjustment to our positions, we will let the people of Oyo state know where we are. But as at now, they stand dissolved.

READ ALSO: Makinde sacks Oyo council chairmen, boards

Reacting in statement signed by the ALGON chairman, the council bosses expressed shock a top government functionary in the status of Ilaka could describe a valid court judgement as an arrangee.

They alleged the choice of white lies, arrogance and executive lawlessness taken by the government to cover up its crime in the stead of truth is not good enough.

The chairmen said: In its response to its act of illegality of dissolving democratically elected local government administration, all discerning minds expected Oyo state government to defend its act of lawlessness and contempt of a subsisting court judgement on point of law and on absolute truth. But unfortunately, Governor Seyi Makinde administration opted for the path of white lies, arrogance and executive lawlessness.

Unlike the concocted lies spewed to the press by Makindes Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka, we hereby restate that the local government election conducted during the administration of the ex  governor Abiola Ajimobi was never conducted against a Court Order.

The court order that Chief Ilaka got stranded with was vacated on May 10, 2018.

There was an order of the Federal High Court Ibadan restraining the OYSIEC prior to our election from conducting the said election but the said order was discharged on the 10th May 2018 by Justice Joyce Abdul Malik of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan while delivering her judgement on the suit FHC/IB/CS/47/2018 (Olugbenga Adeyemi & Others V INEC, OYSIEC and OYSG) paving ways for the local government election which was conducted on the 12th May 2018.

Do not ridicule the judiciary. It is very ridiculous and scaring for a top government official of Chief Ilaka status to describe a judgment of a competent court that restrained Oyo State government from dissolving a duly elected local government as an arrangee judgement.

We advise Oyo State government not to do anything that will bring the Judiciary, an independent arm of government, to ridicule and opprobrium in the face of the public.

Such uncouth language expressed by Governor Makindes chief of staff should have been left on the soapbox after political campaigns and not be used in the arena of civil governance.

Governance is a serious business, so the government should be civil in conduct and public discourse.

The only constitutional way to redress any court judgment is to appeal not to disparage it or result to self-help.

Advising ALGON to go to court by Chief Ilaka on behalf of his employer is hypocritical and self-contradictory.

How can a lawless government whose spokesperson described a court judgement as arrangee now turned around to advise ALGON to go to court?

Do they have the sincerity and credibility when the same government that flouted and derided court now advised that we should go to court?

This government is not competent to so advise, our lawyers are already in court to do the needful and also proceed with a contempt of court case against the state government.
By Izunna Okafor, Awka

It was a daring face-off, as some kidnappers and criminal elements in Anambra State engaged a joint security patrol team comprising the police and vigilante operatives in a shootout in the State.

This came following the disruption of the activities of the ferocious kidnap gang by the joint security force who intercepted them along the AmaguAwgbu Road in Orumba North Local Government Area of the State over the weekend.

According to a statement from the States Police Command, the gang members were heading towards an exit route from the State before they were intercepted by the police while on patrol and snap checks with the local vigilante operatives.

The gang, which opened fire sporadically on sighting the patrol team, bowed to Police-Vigilante superior firepower. Two of the three vehicles the gang operated with were demobilised.

While remnant of the gang escaped in the third vehicle, other gangsters fled into the bush on foot with bullet wounds. One Pump Action Gun was recovered during the encounter.

Also recovered were two SUVs  One 2017 edition of Toyota Highlander with Reg No. Abuja GWA 141 KZ and one Mercedes Benz GLK 350 4Matic with Registration Number Anambra AGU 242 NQ.

Preliminary enquiry revealed that the number plates on the Mercedes Benz SUV were issued to a Toyota Sienna Spacewagon vehicle.

Four abducted victims were rescued unhurt from the gang. Preliminary debriefings to ascertain circumstances of their abduction are ongoing.

Reacting to the development, the States Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, expressed his delight with the effective collaboration between the Police and the Vigilante operatives, while also commending the heroic rescue of the kidnapped persons from the gang members.

According to him, the Police will continue to work seamlessly with all relevant stakeholders to ensure adequate protection of the lives and properties, and to eradicate all vestiges of threat that may be confronting the people of the state

He also directed the transfer of the case to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit Awkuzu, while also directing the Unit to deploy its expertise in tracking down and arrest the fleeing gang members.

Recall that a Police-led Joint Security Force, in February 19, 2024, similarly busted a camp of some criminal elements in Achalla, Awka North Local Government Area of the State, where they were camping to enforce sit-at-home and indulge in car snatching, kidnapping and other crimes through which they were torment the residents of the State, until their dislodgement by the joint security force.

Related
Shyngle Wigwe, the biological father of billionaire business mogul and late former Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Dr Herbert Wigwe, has been hospitalized.

Shyngle was rushed to the hospital on Saturday, November 9, after he slmped.

This was disclosed by an X user, Tony Ogbuagu, who denied the purported dath of the late billionaires father.

This is as the funeral service of Wigwe, his wife, Doreen, and son, Chizzy is being held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Recall that Wigwe and his family members died when a chopper heading to Las Vegas crashed near a border city between Nevada and California in February.
According to NAN, Tunji Alausa, minister of state for health , said a presidential executive order has been forwarded to chief medical directors of government -owned health facilities to ensure compliance.

The federal government has mandated that health practitioners relocating abroad must formally resign from their appointments with the federal government instead of applying for a leave of absence.

According to NAN, Tunji Alausa, minister of state for health, said a presidential executive order has been forwarded to chief medical directors of government-owned health facilities to ensure compliance.

The minister spoke in a chat with journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun, on Saturday.

He added that the government would not ban the relocation of health practitioners, but doctors moving abroad must quit their jobs in the country before leaving.



However, the government has not prohibited anyone who wants to move to the UK or Australia to take up appointments not to do so, the minister said.

It is a free world. But, you cannot eat your cake and have it. If you are going, just resign your appointments with the federal government, rather than applying for a leave of absence.

That is the Presidential Executive Order which has been communicated to all the Chief Medical Directors of Federal Government owned health facilities to implement.



So, to resolve this problem, the President has directed that any health worker going abroad to work should just resign his or her appointment. This way, you wont be blocking others who want to work.

Alausa said that the government has doubled our enrollment for Doctors, Dentistry and Pharmacists to offset the brain drain effect of the relocation.
Dominic Nwuzoru, the manager of the late Nollywood comic actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, has disclosed that the comedian received even greater recognition in countries such as Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Gambia, Gabon, and Botswana during his lifetime.

He also said Mr Ibu used humour to promote peace and unity across Africa, adding that he always held the Nigerian flag showing his love for his country.

He stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

According to him, the late veteran comedian was given several honours and recognitions by leaders and communities across Africa during his lifetime.



I remember vividly, how two warring tribes in Ghana came together for the first time because of Johns performance and he ended up reconciling them, Nwuzoru said.

He was thereafter given a Chieftaincy title as the Malangula I of Tamale Land, meaning the peacemaker, and I was named the Ngulala, meaning the mouthpiece of the peacemaker.

When we went to Botswana, he held the Nigerian flag when we landed to show how proud and patriotic he was because they were hearing a lot of negative things about Nigeria then.

He was a man I would say made Africans laugh and was held in high esteem like a peoples leader across Africa.

He added, Mr Ibu, as John was popularly known, was not just an actor, but Nollywood ambassador that used his talent and humour to promote peace, happiness and unity among Africans.

I signed John in 2004, and then our relationship grew beyond that of business to become that of friendship as we have become so close till his death.

The deal started with first two years, and I did not bother him with the aspects of Nigerian movies, so he could deal with anyone on Nigerian movies.

But for anything concerning international showbiz, I have to discuss with the promoters on the basic access requirements and then we would move.

There was no airport, especially in Africa, where crowd of fans would not gather to welcome John, and that was how I realised his popularity outside the shores of Nigeria.

I can tell you that he was even more celebrated in countries like Ghana, South Africa ,Kenya, Tanzania, Gambia, Garbon, Botswana and he always held the Nigerian flag showing his love for his country, he said.

According to Nwuzoru, the late thespian used his craft to project Nigeria in a positive light to the world, especially in countries that have heard negative stories about the country.



Then, John was one of the positive things other countries wanted to hear about Nigeria and everybody looked forward to meet him, including presidents of nations, he said.

For example, even a two-year-old child in Ghana knows Mr Ibu, and one thing about him was his friendliness and originality, as everything he does is just himself and does not copy anyone.

Foreigners fell in love with Nigeria through John and wanted to visit the country because of him, as we got calls from even the Caribbean.

Mr Ibu recently passed away in Lagos.

He was born on October 17, 1961 in Nkanu West Local Government of Enugu State.

He is well known for the Mr. Ibu series, which included Mr. Ibu (2004), Mr. Ibu 2 (2005), Mr. Ibu and His Son, Coffin Producers, Husband Suppliers, International Players, Mr. Ibu in London (2005).
The Nigerian lawmaker representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Bello El-Rufai, stated that his father, former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, never aspired for a ministerial position.

Bello disclosed this in an chat with Seun Okinbaloye on Saturday.

He said Nigeria lost an effective administrator in his father, after the Senate rejected his appointment as minister.

Bello said it took his pleas and those of other family members for his father to accept the ministerial nomination from President Bola Tinubu.

Recall that the Senate in August, confirmed 45, out of the 48 ministerial nominees sent by the President.

But, during the confirmation of the ministerial list sent by Tinubu, the Senate refused to confirm El-Rufais nomination as well as those of two other nominees for appointment as ministers.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said the three nominees not confirmed would be subjected to further security checks and urged those not confirmed to take their matter to the President.

The ministerial nominees rejected were El-Rufai, Stella Okotete (Delta), and Sani Danladi (Taraba).

Speaking on the development, Bello said he was disappointed when he learnt that his fathers nomination was rejected.

He said, I was in the National Assembly when my fathers nomination was rejected. It was very disappointing and still is. Myself, the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, and one of my fathers commissioners, Mr Hafiz Bayero, played a key role in convincing my father to work with this current government.

He (Nasir) didnt want it. Its hard for Nigerians to believe it because they feel it is everyone in Nigeria who wants to be a minister.

To be fair to him, he didnt want the job. We convinced him that, with the antecedents of Asiwaju, he would create an excellent team as he did in Lagos.

The President wanted to work with him. It was clear when he came to Kaduna. We also had an idea of what his portfolio would be. It was meant to be power and gas. He insisted to the President in private that Nigeria would not sort its electricity issue if gas was not put under the other components of power.

The irony is that nothing has been rougher than the lack of power in the last two weeks. Im disappointed because Nigeria lost an effective administrator in my father, one who is willing to make difficult decisions to solve a problem.

Bello, further said many Nigerians do not really know his father.

He said, My father is a very simple person whos been stereotyped a lot. I got a video of him where people say this or that about him without even knowing him.

My father does not go out of his way to change what people think about him. He doesnt really care.

Theres a perception that hes anti-Christian. But, the closest person to him since we (children) were four years old was a man from Cross River State, Peter Jones.

Religion is personal to us. As minister of the Federal Capital Territory, he demolished mosques. The imam said he hated Islam. He demolished churches and the Christians said he hated Christians. Maybe, it is the wrong imams and pastors who have issues, not him.

The Kaduna lawmaker added that his father was highly flawed in many ways.
APC

The Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday, described the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed Gov. Gboyega Oyetola as the winner of Sept. 22 Governorship Election in the state as historic.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Supreme Court in a split judgment of five to two on Friday upheld the election of Oyetola.

APC, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Kunle Oyatomi, on Friday in Osogbo, said that God had used the highest legal authority of the land to proclaim the truth that Oyetola lawfully won the election.

According to him, the Progressive God that Osun people are serving heard their prayers and granted their request.

Our fears for the calamity that might have befallen the state of Osun, if the PDP had been declared winner, have now been assuaged.

We are overjoyed for this amazing grace.

Those who had wished for a different outcome have a lesson to learn here; that there is a natural limit to which you can stretch evil.

It was this limit the PDP got in their attempt to stage a miraculous upset at last Septembers election.

Oyatomi said that subsequent efforts to spin the law at the tribunal, unraveled at the Court of Appeal, finally died at the Supreme Court.

The details are now history. This is not simply a victory for the party alone; it is a victory for the good people of the state of Osun.

May the good Lord give the governor the wisdom, strength and foresight to expand the legacy he inherited, and set Osun on the irreversible course that God and the entire people of Osun will be proud of, Oyatomi said.

Meanwhile, Oyetola has described his victory at the apex court as a victory for democracy.

The governor, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Adeshina Adeniyi, in an interview with NAN, said he was happy with the judgment.

Oyetola, who dedicated the victory to God and the people of the state, said he believed justice had been done.

The governor said he was ready to serve the people of the state faithfully and diligently.
Pastor Tunde Bakare

The Senior Pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly and televangelist, Tunde Bakare, has said that Nigerians should only hope for a pan-Nigerian to takeover from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

He suggested that it should be the turn of the South by 2023, adding that it cannot be North alone dominating the rest of the nation forever in terms of leadership of the country. He said this will not augur well for the nation.

A Nigerian president is possible. It can be from the South, it can be from the North, he told Sun.

For peaceful arrangement and for the stability of our country, even those in the North had conceded in times past when it was the southerners turn.

When Obasanjo came and YarAdua died, a southerner still took over. A Northerner is there now. It cannot be one part of the country dominating the rest of the nation forever.

It will not augur well for the nation. Whoever that person is, I pray he will be a pan- Nigerian to plan progress and who will think about how to move our nation forward.

It is no brainer that someone from the North had eight years of uninterrupted tenure. Then, someone from the South should also do it.

Fair is fair. But again, it depends on the party that will produce the president. We seem to have two major parties and that was because of the merger that took place in 2012 that produced Buharis presidency in 2015.

In 2023, depending on the party that is producing who because if your party is not strong like those small parties there is no headway.

They are just wasting time. If we are going to have two strong parties, usually you cannot determine forehand which party will win.
These are top Nigerian movies showing at the cinemas this August.

1. Sade takes Lagos

A girl decides to take a vacation to Lagos after her parents separation. With hopes of making it big in her music, she is faced with challenges.

Actors: Alex Ekubo, Seun Akindele, Tana Adelana

Director: Chibuike Ibe

Genre: Drama

Release date: August 16, 2019 (Nigeria)

2. Once Upon a Night A psychology student with a fear of being alone imprisoned himself for one night to once and for all, face his demons. Only, not all these demons are unreal Actors: Wale Ojo, Kiki Omeili, Ade Bantu, Daniel Egwede Director: Gbolahan Akitunde

Genre: Thriller Release date: August 16, 2019 (Nigeria)

3. The Reunion

Four friends from the high school reunite to plan the 50th anniversary of their alma mater. As the battle of superiority stirs up and issues from the past are revisited, secrets are revealed that threaten to tear up their seemingly perfect lives.

Actors: Steve Onu, Femi Jacobs, Mercy Johnson Okojie, Tana Adelana, Mercy Aigbe, Jide Kosoko (Prince), Frederick Leonard

Director: Thomas Odia

Genre: Drama

Release date: August 16, 2019 (Nigeria)

4. Love is Yellow

Fighting for what you believe in can be one hell of a task but your life will only be hell if you never tried! Life serves us the good, bad and ugly in different colors. Love is yellow portrays the struggle and the pursuit of happiness in Lagos. Oladayo a tech entrepreneur finds a reason to shake off the dust from his once Shiny Lagos Dream.

Actors: Bimbo Ademoye, Mofe Duncan, Timini Egbuson, Paul Utomi

Director: Kayode Kasum

Genre: Drama | Romance

5. Wings Of A Dove

The movie is an emotionally charged story of two young Northern girls married off to much older men at the ages of 13 and 14 and all they want is freedom to be children. It takes you on an emotional roller coaster of the loss of childhood innocence, the consequences of being in a forced, arranged marriage and the hopes and dreams of a future that is stolen from them.

Actors: Omoni Oboli, Amal Umar, Zack Orji, Sani Danja, Yakubu Mohammed, Martha Felix

Director: Omoni Oboli

Genre: Drama
[unable to retrieve full-text content]Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has been caught on camera attending the Supreme Court special session for the new legal year.
China to further boost employment

Xinhua) 10:01, March 10, 2024

A college graduate (R) inquires about job opportunities at a job fair in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China will release a slew of measures to stimulate employment as demand is rising in the job market, Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping said Saturday.

There is strong demand for talent in fields such as artificial intelligence and big data, Wang told journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing national legislative session, adding that demand is also on the rise in sectors including health care, accommodation, catering and cultural tourism.

Such demand proves that China's economy is picking up momentum, and reflects the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries and the accelerated development of new quality productive forces, according to the minister.

"Judging from this trend, the Chinese economy's long-term sound fundamentals remain unchanged, and the high-quality development has solid support," Wang said.

Wang said the country will release stimulative measures to stabilize the job market and improve people's livelihoods, such as continuing preferential social insurance policies and financial support, and broadening employment channels by supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

The measures also include optimizing employment services and ensuring the employment of major groups. Supportive measures will be taken for major groups of job-seekers, such as nearly 11.79 million college graduates this year, ex-servicemen, migrant workers and people with disabilities.

"The cultivation of skilled personnel is an important way to promote the development and utilization of human resources," she said.

More efforts will be made to meet the needs of emerging and future-oriented industries, she noted.

China's employment maintained continuous improvement and overall stability in 2023. A total of 12.44 million new urban jobs were created and the surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged 5.2 percent, which met the set targets and played a positive role in improving people's well-being and stabilizing social expectations.

"Looking forward, there are many favorable conditions for doing a good job on employment. We are confident in maintaining the steady trend of employment," the minister said.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Sheng Chuyi)
President Muhammadu Buhari is off to Akwa Ibom, Delta and Imo states today to boost his partys battle for governor.

Political parties are stepping up their campaigns for the elections in 29 states on Saturday.

But a group has said it is curious that the President chose Akwa Ibom as the first state to visit after his re-election instead of those that gave him overwhelming support. Besides, it reminded Buhari that Akwa Ibom is a PDP state.

The Akwa Ibom Youth Coalition Network, in an advertorial in this newspaper today, asks: Why is the APC so interested in winning our state?

The All Progressives Congress (APC) lost to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the presidential and National Assembly elections. Senator Godswill Akpabio lost his seat in controversial circumstances.

Here is a report of the situation in some states:

LAGOS

The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos has urged Igbo residents to put the events of February 23 behind them and support the governorship candidate of the APC, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The apex Igbo cultural group backed the APC candidate at a town hall meeting held yesterday at MUSON Centre in Onikan, Lagos Island. Igbo residents gathered to discuss the outcome of the presidential election in which some members were allegedly prevented from voting.

Igbo leaders noted that the APC candidate stood by the Igbo during the event that trailed the presidential election.

Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, were invited to the meeting.

President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, Chief Solomon Ogbonna, said the Igbo and Yoruba were brothers, stressing that politics would not strain the relationship between the two ethnic groups.

Ogbonna dissociated Igbo residents from a divisive campaign being spearheaded by the PDP, which is playing up an ethnic card to sway voting on Saturday.

He said the Igbo apex cultural group did not share the sentiment that Lagos had been in bondage. He observed that Ohanaeze Ndigbo would always subscribe to a healthy debate that would address the wellbeing of the people.

He said: The event of the February 23 was regrettable but we have put that behind us. We dont want the issue to define the template of our relationship with our Yoruba brothers. Our relationship is beyond politics and differences of political opinions cannot separate the two ethnic groups.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos represents the best interest of Igbo residents in the state and going forward, we have resolved to support the candidacy of Mr Sanwo-Olu, because we are convinced he is the best for the interest of our people in Lagos. Election of Mr Sanwo-Olu is tied to healing the wound and the future of our people living in Lagos. We are not part of an agenda playing the card of ethnicity to win election. We are convinced Sanwo-Olu will be a governor for all.

The groups deputy president, Vitus Uzoh, promised the APC candidate that what happened in the presidential election would not repeat itself in the coming governorship election, describing Sanwo-Olu as a detribalised technocrat.

Sanwo-Olu said he was contesting to make the state habitable for all residents and not to become a tribal leader. He said those whipping up ethnic sentiments to win election did not consider the resultant effect of their action, adding that it was unfair for politicians to divide the people they wanted to lead.

He said: The coming governorship election is not about me, but about the collective wellbeing of our people and the development of the state. We must not allow those exploiting our ethnic fault line to divide us and derail our future. I have consulted widely among all ethnic groups living in Lagos. I am not aspiring to become a tribal leader. I will be the governor for all residents, irrespective of language, religion or cultural background.

I am in the governorship race to bring more development to all Lagosians. A vote for APC is a vote for unity and shared prosperity. I will run an all-inclusive government that will not discriminate against any person, whether Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa or Ijaw.

An Igbo leader, Joe Igbokwe, reminded the Igbo residents that the APC government in the state had protected their rights to live in the state and created a platform to succeed in their chosen businesses.

In the communique issued at the end of meeting, the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo endorsed Sanwo-Olu and called on their members to vote for APC in the Saturday governorship poll.

Some of the Igbo leaders at the event included Eze Ndigbo of Lagos, Eze H.N. Ohazurike, chairman of Council of Ndieze, Eze C.U. Nwachukwu, and Eze Ndigbo of Ikeja axis, Eze Uche Dimgba, and Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, Chief Ernest Ozonneke, among others.

OYO

In Oyo State, the ambition of APC candidate Adebayo Adelabu, fondly called Penkelemesi, at the weekend received a boost as the leadership of the Yoruba Patriotic Movement (YPM) vowed to ensure that he becomes the next governor.

YPM President Chief Oladosu Oladipo assured Adelabu of the groups backing while welcoming him to his Bodija home, with over 3,000 members in attendance.

Oladipo said: Politics in Yoruba land has gone beyond allowing mediocres to be in government. In Yoruba land, we have brilliant people, holders of doctorate degrees and professors virtually in every home. So, we have no choice than to support Chief Adelabu that has an intimidating profile.

We have done our investigation among all the contestants for the seat of governor and Adelabu Penkelemesi is the best for this state in the current political dispensation.

This is not our first time that YPM, a movement that has it members in rural areas across Yorubaland, is declaring our support for a candidate that is credible.

As you can see, our members here present are over 3,000 and we have resolved to mobilise our people from the grassroots for your success.

We agreed and work for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo because of our faith in them and now, we are transferring the same for Adelabu and we are sure he is the next governor of Oyo State by Gods grace.

The APC candidate thanked the leadership and members of YPM for their trust in his pedigree to move the state to its next level.

As part of plans to ensure Adelabus victory, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party for Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency in the just concluded National Assembly election, Dr. Rotimi Ajanaku, returned to the APC.

Ajanaku, accompanied by thousands of his supports at his Oke-Ado base, noted that although he did not win the election, his absence and that of his supporters was felt in the APC camp.

RIVERS

The members of the Coalition of Governorship Candidates and Party Chairmen (CGCPC) in Rivers State have accused Governor Nyesom Wike of acquiring and distributing illegal arms and ammunition in the 23 local government areas to rig the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

On Saturday night in Abonnema, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government, Rivers State, hoodlums killed two soldiers, exactly a week after a Lieutenant was killed in a gun duel with thugs during the presidential and National Assembly elections.

The two soldiers, who were part of the troops stationed to maintain peace in Abonnema, according to sources, were gunned down at the Obonoma-Abonnema Junction.

The 6 Divisions Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, was yet to react to the killing of the two soldiers as at press time.

During the February 23 presidential and National Assembly elections, voting could not hold in Abonnema and the entire Akuku-Toru Local Government, following the outbreak of violence, which led to the death of many persons. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rescheduled the polls till March 9.

Reacting yesterday his Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, who doubles as the Director of Information and Communications of the PDPs Campaign Council in the state, stated that he was not stockpiling arms and ammunition.

BENUE

The APC in Benue State yesterday said it had uncovered plans by Governor Samuel Ortom to rig.

According to the plan, said the APC, INEC ad-hoc staff in the 5,102 Polling Units and Voting Points will be given N75,000 for refreshment amounting to N382,650,000.00. In a similar manner, Ward Collation Officers in the 276 local government wards in Benue State are to go home with N150,000 each. Each of the 23 Local Government Electoral Officers (EOs) will get N1,500,000 as understanding fee. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Benue State is not left out in the largesse as N500m has been earmarked for him to be paid through a royal father in the state.

The party said: Votes are to be bought in all the polling units with N300,000.00 (1,530,600,000 for 5,102 PUs) set aside per polling unit for that purpose. In view of where we are in Benue State where salaries are not paid for over 12 months as well as Gratuities and Pensions, these monies earmarked for the election by the Governor are ridiculous, to say the least. The Benue State Governor has not initiated and completed any project in the last four years and setting aside these huge amounts of money to buy votes would amount to playing on the sensibilities of the Benue electorates, especially those who are vulnerable.

It went on: While the emerging Entrepreneurial spirit of Benue sons and daughters has been exterminated by the Governor in the last four years, his personal enterprises have blossomed. Something as common as water taken at all government functions must be the Governors Goshen water just as printing of all documents by the Benue State Government is done by Oracle Printing Press, owned by the governor and now managed by his younger brother and his in-law.

The APC said it was presenting a credible candidate, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Jime, who is described as a patriotic Nigerian who does not own conglomerates and, as such, will not have any conflict of interest between his own enterprises and governance. He is not a businessman and would not attract foreign investors to his farm/business

Rt. Hon. Jime is not a farmer as such his administration will develop agricultural land schemes, buy tractors, fertilizers and other critical inputs for farmers in the state and not what is obtainable now  The Benue State Tractor Hiring Agency (BENTHA) has folded up  Publishers in the state would enjoy patronage under Jime who like his in-laws does not have a printing press.

The APC urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as well as other security agencies to arrest vote buyers and probe INEC officials who participated in the February 23 elections.

The APC said it read from the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Terver Akase, of alleged plans by the APC leader in Benue State, Senator George Akume to invite the military to disrupt voting on Saturday. May we for the umpteenth time request Governor Ortom to refrain from peddling false rumours as Benue people are ready to vote him out in a fair and free election without the use of the military. However, the law allows the use of the military and other security agencies to maintain peace and order during elections. Senator George Akume does not deploy soldiers.

The APC will not tolerate any attempts by Governor Ortom to disrupt the voting process with the use of Livestock Guards. It has become the trademark of the Governor that anytime he is planning evil, he turns around to accuse his opponents, the party said in a statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Abba Yaro.

KWARA

In Kwara State, hundreds of members of the ruling PDP yesterday defected to the rival APC, The defection, led by a former state lawmaker, Bamidele Aluko, was the second of such major exodus from the PDP in a week.

Until his defection, Aluko was a strong supporter of Senate President Bukola Saraki, who vowed at the weekend that the PDP would spring surprise on Saturday.

Also yesterday, over 500 PDP members from Asa Local Government Area joined the APC.

EDO

In Edo State, the PDP has accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of resorting to blackmail, intimidation and harassment of traders in the state with a view to forcing them to vote for the APC in Saturdays House of Assembly elections. There is no governorship election in the state.

The PDP said the state government financially induced various market leaders at New Benin, Oba Market, Etinosa Market and Ekiuwa market to force traders to join an Apology March to Government House scheduled for tomorrow to beg APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole and Obaseki for forgiveness.

Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, in a statement, said the traders were to pledge their loyalty to APC or lose their stalls.

Nehikhare urged the traders to resist the threat.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, described the allegation as a creation of the PDP.

Osagie said it would take someone suffering from horrific hallucination to imagine that Obaseki would hurt interest of the traders after prioritising their wellbeing through several reforms of trade practices.

He noted that some of the traders might not have obtained degrees from universities but they were more intelligent than Nehikhare.

BAYELSA

In Bayelsa, an APC chieftain Yekini Nabena, alerted of an arms build-up in the state ahead of State Assembly election.

Nabena accused the government of plotting to use armed thugs to rig the election in favour of the PDP.

According to him, the alarm being raised by Governor Seriake Dickson was diversionary.

Nabena, who is the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, cited a security report which uncovered the arms build-up in the state.

He said: The Seriake Dickson-led PDP administration has become very unpopular and stands rejected in Bayelsa State. The governor, in desperation has turned to violence and manipulation of the elections to suppress the people and keep PDP in power in the state.

Nabena called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to urgently probe the illegal activities of the state security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo, which he said was used by the governor and other chieftains of the PDP to aid rigging during the Presidential and National Assembly election in Bayelsa State.

But the State Chairman of the PDP, Moses Cleopas, raised the alarm that over 2000 members of the party who fled Nembe Bassambiri on the eve of the Presidential/National Assembly elections, were being prevented from returning to their homes.

Cleopas urge the Federal Government and the relevant security agencies to intervene in the tense security situation in Nembe Bassambiri, where thugs alleged backed by soldiers attacked PDP members.

The PDP chair also called on the Nigerian Army High Command to deploy a fresh set of soldiers to Nembe and Brass local government areas, alleging that the troops earlier deployed in the areas had been compromised.
File Photo

A woman in Japan who recovered from coronavirus and was released from the hospital has tested positive again.

The 40-year-old woman was working on a tour bus with sightseers from Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, in January.

She was first confirmed as infected with the coronavirus on January 29.

After being discharged from hospital she tested negative for the virus on February 6, although she still had a cough at the time.

She had no symptoms a week later, but returned to the doctor on February 21 complaining of a sore throat and chest pains.

On Wednesday, she tested positive for the coronavirus for a second time, officials in Osaka said.

The driver of the tour bus also tested positive for the virus.

At least 186 people in Japan have so far contracted the virus, with three deaths in the country linked to the outbreak.
Oil prices rose for the second consecutive day at the weekend with Brent (the international benchmark for Nigerias crude) climbing up further to $34.91 per barrel.

It had surged by 47% on Thursday and the further growth achieved yesterday was the largest weekly percentage gain on record, Reuters says.

The positive trend is a reaction to US President, Donald Trumps hopes that Russia and Saudi Arabia will broker a deal to cut oil output next week.

It is widely anticipated that the OPEC will achieve up to 10% reduction in global oil production at the end of deliberations on Monday.

The global oil market has been at the mercy of a historic glut that kept sending crude prices on a free fall for days on complications in Saudi-Russia rift regarding production cut.

Coming down to $22 on Monday, Brent reached its lowest point in 18 years on the account of steep demand fall caused by lockdowns imposed by government around the world to contain COVID-19s spread.

The price slump weeks compelled the Nigerian government to review its oil price assumption for the implementation of this years budget downward from $57 to $30.

Trump declared on Thursday he had held talks with Russian President, Vladimir Putin and Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince during which they consented to slash total world supply by 10 million to 15 million barrels per day (bpd).

Faith Birol, Head International Energy Agency, is however optimistic that the proposed cut, even though substantial, will do little to improve market situation as global oil stocks are expected to by 15 million bpd this quarter.

With a now discussed cut of 10 million bpd  the oil industry would get at least three weeks more room to prepare for hitting the wall when there are no more places to put the excess production, said Per Magnus Nysveen of Rystad Energy.
BLOOMINGTON  A 40-year-old man is facing a charge of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, for his third offense of that nature.

Aaron F. Thomas, of Bloomington, first appeared before the court Thursday on the charge.

Arrest records stated on Feb. 17, Thomas was involved in a collision in Bloomington in which he fled the scene. A Bloomington Police Department officer then found him exhibiting signs of impairment, the documents added.

In addition to being charged with expired vehicle registration, no auto insurance, disobeying a stop sign and leaving the scene of a crash, Thomas is also accused of obstructing justice, a Class 4 felony. Charging affidavits stated he pulled his arm away from a hospital nurse attempting to sample his blood.

A judge ordered Thomas to not consume any alcohol while released from custody. He was also ordered to possess no alcohol outside of his employment at an El Paso bar.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 1.

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STANFORD  The Olympia school district is making its case to voters ahead of the March primary election, when advocates say two ballot questions could allow the district to keep its popular swimming pool, retain staff and make other improvements.

District leaders maintain that the move would not lead to an increase in the property tax rate, although the questions would allow the district to levy more for certain specific uses. Officials say they would keep the overall tax rate flat by reducing the rate tied to other specific areas, including debt-related funds and several funds in which the district has built up a reserve.

"At the end of the day, we're not asking for a rate increase," said Superintendent Laura O'Donnell. "We simply need to reallocate the tax revenue coming in."

Financial problems in the rural district, which includes parts of McLean, Tazewell, Logan, DeWitt and Woodford counties, stem from years of budget shortfalls caused by unstable and reduced state funding, officials say.

State law limits the ability of school districts to transfer money between funds dedicated to different purposes. The law also requires Olympia to ask voters to approve tax rate increases it is seeking in two areas: the education fund, which pays for salaries and other instruction-related expenses, and the operations and maintenance fund.

The March 19 ballot questions would allow the district to change the operations and maintenance fund tax fund rate from 50 cents to 75 cents for every $100 of equalized assessed value, and the education fund tax rate from $2.90 to $3.40 for every $100 of equalized assessed value.

Overall, O'Donnell said, the rate will remain at $5.50 for every $100 of equalized assessed value for property owners in the district. The difference comes in how much money goes to each purpose and whether the district must take on debt to meet its obligations.

"I think one thing that's really important for taxpayers to understand," she said during a Feb. 29 informational meeting that was recorded for later viewing on the district's website. "If you vote yes-yes, your tax rate is $5.50. If you vote no-no, your tax rate is $5.50.

"If we don't pass that ed fund question, we have to take out working cash bonds, because we can't operate."

She noted that a resident's tax bill amount depends on both the rates set by various taxing bodies and the equalized assessed value of the resident's property, the latter of which is outside the school district's control.

"We are not saying that your tax bills aren't going to go up, because we all know that (equalized assessed value of property) is going up for all of us right now," she said. "We are simply saying that (the district's tax rate) is staying flat.

"We will be able to do what we need to do if the voters vote yes and yes for these two questions, just by reallocating that money that's coming in."

Money would secure future of pool

The way the district plans to increase revenue for these funds without increasing the overall tax rate is twofold, O'Donnell told The Pantagraph.

First, the shifting revenue for the operations and maintenance fund comes from an abundance in other funds, O'Donnell said, specifically tort, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund and Social Security.

The tort fund is "used to mitigate the risk within the school district," and the IMRF pays benefits to retired staff, according to the district website.

Because Olympia has a healthy balance in those funds, the district can reallocate the incoming tax revenue to the operations and maintenance fund, O'Donnell said. "The operations and maintenance rate has never been increased since the inception of the district in 1973," she said.

If the ballot initiative passes, "we will be making an investment in our pool and maintaining the swimming pool at the high school," O'Donnell said.

As of August, estimates for the repair of the pool were close to $3 million. Annual costs for chemicals and maintenance have been around $90,000, but with the new equipment, that number would drop to about $30,000 a year, the superintendent said.

While that is not the only project the district plans to fund, it is the initial big project it will undertake.

If that ballot initiative does not pass, the district will close the pool, O'Donnell said.

Without referendum, district would take on more debt

Second, Olympia has working cash bonds that will be paid off by the end of 2024, she said.

The money that has been going toward paying back those bonds, approximately 50 cents per $5.50 of EAV, would instead go the education fund, its primary function being teacher and staff salaries.

"Since 2015, the district has been taking out working cash bonds to supplement our education fund," O'Donnell said.

Shifting from a bond system to a tax revenue to maintain that fund helps the district because "obviously there's interest on those working cash bonds," she said.

The district is trying to maintain competitive salaries for its teachers and support staff in order to retain staff members, O'Donnell said. Currently, teacher salaries are similar to neighboring districts, but salaries for paraprofessionals have caused concern.

If the ballot initiative does not pass, O'Donnell said the district would be forced to seek working cash bonds to pay educators and staff, or continue "as lean as we can with our staff," which would include staff cuts.

She encouraged voters to check out the district's website, olympia.org/page/referendum-overview. Questions can be directed to referendum2024@olympia.org or left via voicemail at 309-379-2846.

O'Donnell said it was important to remind voters the tax rate for property owners within the district would not increase based on these ballot initiatives.

"We're just trying to maximize our funds to meet our current needs," she said. "This tax swap is the best possible scenario without raising the rate for our taxpayers."

Central Illinois Executive Editor Allison Petty contributed to this report

OLYMPIA'S BALLOT QUESTIONS QUESTION ONE: "In order to maintain Olympia High School's pool and fund other projects, the district's first ballot question will ask voters to approve increasing the operations and Maintenance fund from $0.50 to $0.75 per every $5.50 of every $100 of EAV." WHAT IT MEANS: The tax rate in the operations and maintenance fund would increase from 50 cents to 75 cents per $100 of equalized assessed value. Officials say this would allow for important maintenance and repairs, as well as continued operation of the high school's pool and other facility-related priorities. QUESTION TWO: "In order to maintain competitive salaries to retain staff, the second ballot question will ask voters to approve increasing the tax rate in the education fund from $2.90 to $3.40 per every $5.50 of $100 of EAV." WHAT IT MEANS: The education fund tax rate would increase from $2.90 to $3.40 for every $100 of equalized assessed value. Officials say this would allow the district to reduce a deficit in this fund, avoid cuts and provide more competitive salaries for teachers and support staff.

Photos: Roxana 56, Stanford Olympia 30, final
CHICAGO  Activists held a rally Saturday to urge city officials and Mayor Brandon Johnson to reverse its plans to push out potentially thousands of migrants from temporary shelters next week, calling evictions traumatic and damaging.

Migrants who have stayed longer than 60 days at shelters are scheduled to be evicted on March 16, a policy that could lead to the removal of as many as 5,600 people. Johnson did not commit to sticking with this date when asked earlier in the week, but his spokesperson later told the Tribune that nothing has changed since the mayor announced it.

Johnsons administration pushed back similar deadlines twice in January after first announcing the removal policy in November amid harsh winter weather and pressure from aldermen.

People are going to be forced out of shelter. People are going to the streets, and people are not given any direction as to how to sustain themselves, how to sustain their families, said Miguel Alvelo Rivera, the executive director of the Latino Union of Chicago.

Rivera said hes seen a vicious cycle in the city, where migrants either cant find work or they find day labor jobs that pay poorly. Its then difficult for them to find shelter, he said, a problem that will exacerbate if evictions begin.

They want housing, but they cant pay for it, he said.

Rivera was joined by at least two dozen others who gathered at Pritzker Park, carrying signs that read Stop the Evictions and Brandon do Better, while chanting Refugees are welcome here.

The March 16 deadline comes as shelter populations have dramatically decreased. Some migrants left Chicago, while others found housing through quicker rental assistance programs. However, its possible that the migrant buses from Texas  that brought many of the 36,700 migrants who have arrived in the city since August 2022  could pick up again.

City officials have said migrants facing removal would be able to request extensions for extenuating circumstances such as medical conditions and upcoming lease start dates. Removed shelter residents could go back to the citys migrant landing zone and request a new placement if the extension isnt granted.

Its not just about people being forced out. Its about finding placement for people, Johnson said Tuesday. In the event that the deadline does come, people will have an opportunity to re-enter into the shelter system. But the main goal, of course, is to move with expedition people on to a life of sustainability.

At Saturdays rally, Reina Isabel Jerez Garcia, who arrived in Chicago about seven months ago from Columbia, said that while shes faced horrible conditions inside the shelters, there are very few options for migrants to find work, meaning housing options are limited.

They want to put us out on the street, she said through an interpreter. What are we going to do when were on the street if we dont have work permits? How can we get work, if were not allowed to work?

Garcia said shed be forced out of a shelter in mid-April under the policy. If she doesnt get a work permit, she wont be able to pay for housing, adding that she worries that shell have to beg for money on the street.

I know Chicago is one of the richest cities in the United States, in the world, she said. In such a rich place, why isnt there enough for all of us.

Mimi Guiracocha, a nurse volunteering with the a mutual aid group coordinating volunteer help for migrants, said sustainable and long-term solutions are needed, including work permits for all migrants, access to subsidized housing and translation services for new arrivals.

We cannot evict our new neighbors from shelters only to set them up for failure and a second eviction, she said. We need enough funding and better living conditions inside current shelters, and then we need to increase the money that weve put into subsidized housing and programs and ensure that utilities and other wraparound services are covered.

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CHICAGO  Vicenta Buitrago stood in line for three hours at the Sheridan Market food pantry on a recent afternoon. The small waiting room was packed, and guests spilled out the front door onto the sidewalk.

Despite the wait, the Colombian migrant left beaming, pushing a grocery cart piled high with an assortment of produce and other goods. A pot of red tulips from Trader Joes was perched above her bags.

Mira, que bonito. Look, how beautiful, Buitrago, 59, said. Its been so long since Ive had flowers.

For many nonprofit food distributors, hourslong lines have become the norm. Food pantries across Chicago are grappling with a wave of unprecedented demand, driven at least in part by the influx of migrants in the city, forcing some to cut back services.

Many pantries have reduced the number of allotted visits per month to stretch supply. Others are rationing food products offered to guests.

Were running out of food, said Pastor Sandra Gillespie, who runs Chosen Bethel Family Ministries Food Pantry in Englewood. If this rate of increase continues, were going to have to change something.

The network of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, which includes over 800 food distributors across the city, served 186,000 households in December, a 29% increase from the previous year.

While pantries dont ask guests their status, anecdotally, a significant portion of the new visitors are Latino migrants, several organizations said. Nonprofit food distributors in Denver, another city that has received thousands of migrants, are facing similar challenges.

More than 36,400 migrants have arrived in Chicago since August 2022, when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began busing new arrivals from the southern border to sanctuary cities. Over 11,700 are currently staying at 23 city and state-run shelters. Since then, most have been unable to obtain work permits.

In Colombia, Buitrago owned an auto repair shop. Now, she rations what little food she can afford with her 26-year-old son while she awaits a work permit.

Were starting over, Buitrago said. I dont even know how to say Im hungry (in English).

Food insecurity is far from a new phenomenon. But new factors are driving the record demand, from soaring food prices to the end of several pandemic-era relief measures, experts say.

Food prices have been persistently high, gas prices have been high, and so I think that all of that conspires to result in people skimping when it comes to food, said Diane Doherty, executive director of the Illinois Hunger Coalition.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository has so far fulfilled all food orders from its partner organizations, according to spokesperson Man-Yee Lee. But its no simple feat.

Its hard, Lee said. We work harder to try and get more food from the federal government. Our fundraising team is working overtime, contacting our supporters.

In shelters, migrants are provided with meals, but many describe the food as substandard and limited. Others say the distribution process in the crowded facilities is uncoordinated. Shelters already have seen shortages of other essential items, including diapers and menstrual products.

Meanwhile, thousands of migrants have been rapidly resettled into homes on the South and West sides. For those without a steady or substantial income, food insecurity looms. It can make nonprofit food distributors a necessity.

You hear the stories of these people and how much theyve sacrificed, said Aber Abueid, pantry director of SANAD Social Services in Chicago Lawn. People are not coming here for free handouts. They want to work, they want opportunity.

Cutbacks

Sheridan Market resembled a bustling grocery store as guests waited to select products. The walls were adorned with colorful signs listing food groups. Eager visitors perused the selection of products offered by volunteers.

Freddy Palmer, 25, sat in the waiting area with his pregnant partner, Maryuris Zarante, 23. The couple has been living in a shelter for three months.

We didnt know it would be like this, Palmer said.

Palmer, who has yet to apply for a work permit, has begun to feel hopeless. Zarante often dreams of returning to her home in Colombia.

I dont want to go back. We came here for a reason, Palmer said. He glanced toward a wall lined with canned food. Without this place, I dont know what wed do.

Sheridan Market is one of two Nourishing Hope food pantries. The nonprofit has served 21,000 new clients this fiscal year  more than double the amount of new clients two years ago.

Amid the spike in demand, Nourishing Hope has reduced the number of visits allotted per household. Before, guests were allowed to visit once per week, but now, they can only come twice per month.

Over the last few months, its really felt pretty crushing on our team and our resources, CEO Kellie OConnell said. Were just trying to push as hard as we can, and do what we can where we can.

Nourishing Hope also has imposed a limit of 200 households per day at Sheridan Market. It ensures equitable distribution, but it also means some people are turned away at the doors, according to OConnell.

Its pretty tough, OConnell said. None of us go into this work to tell people no.

Care For Real, which runs two food pantries in Edgewater and Rogers Park, hasnt capped the number of guests. Instead, when demand began to increase two years ago, the nonprofit imposed ZIP code restrictions.

Care For Real pantries still saw a combined 4,166 visits in January  up from 2,680 the year before.

Our team is working so hard, director of programs Kate Gignac said. Thats nonstop movement for four hours and nonstop planning. Its not sustainable with the level of inventory that we have.

Theyre very angry

Meanwhile, some longtime residents are acutely aware of the cutbacks and long lines, creating a lingering resentment toward migrants.

Chosen Bethel Family Ministries Food Pantry, located in Englewood, served about 100 guests per week six months ago. That number has since doubled. The pantry, which historically has served the Black community, now feeds a group that is 80% Latino, according to Gillespie.

Longtime recipients are feeling crowded out.

Theyre very angry, she said. Theyve even voiced to me, We used to get more when it was just us.

Visitors used to be able to select four proteins each week. Now, to stretch the supply, volunteers are instructed to only allow guests to pick two. Its just one way the pantry has scrambled to accommodate demand.

I understand both sides of the coin, Gillespie said. But I also understand, as an African American, and as a voice for my people, theyve been here doing this. Were still here.

Amid the long lines, fights have broken out between Black guests and migrants, Gillespie added. She said shes had to call police to the pantry several times in the past few months.

Its a grim reality for a faith-based organization.

Its very disappointing, and its exhausting from a spiritual perspective, she said.

Almost all of the food pantries that spoke with the Tribune described some level of frustration from longtime residents. Still, the presence of migrants is more significant at some nonprofits than others.

New Life Centers, which distributes food at several locations on the West Side, has been forced to turn away 10 to 20 people per day amid an uptick in guests. But many of the new visitors are not Latino migrants, said spokesperson Rosario Dominguez.

The message of Migrants are taking our resources, I want to debunk that, Dominguez said. I dont think thats the truth.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository stressed that all food orders from partner organizations continue to be fulfilled, despite the increased demand.

The work that were doing to support the food needs of our newest neighbors does not come at the expense of our longtime neighbors, spokesperson Lee said.

Not really an end in sight

Its difficult to resolve such a layered and nuanced issue, tied to decades of systemic inequality, said food pantry organizers. For migrants, any resolution is tied to their ability to obtain work permits.

Food insecurity is always related to peoples ability to get jobs, Doherty said.

The lengthy application process, however, can seem daunting. Its unclear how many migrants qualify  permits are only available to those who entered the U.S. legally with humanitarian parole or who were granted the opportunity to apply for temporary legal status by President Joe Biden.

Additionally, shelter evictions, currently scheduled for March 16, could thrust thousands further into poverty. The evictions would push out migrants who have stayed in the facilities for more than 60 days.

Theres not really an end in sight, said Jen Kouba, director of development and communications for Care For Real. Its pretty overwhelming and daunting. Were putting a Band-Aid on a really big issue, and keeping up the best that we can.

More federal funding for anti-hunger and social service programs could also alleviate the undue burden on food pantries, according to Doherty. Many Chicagoans were left stranded when several new and expanded pandemic-era benefit programs ended.

Perhaps most significant were the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program emergency benefits, which were last issued in February 2023.

We have to remain vigilant, to make sure that these programs are funded at the level that they need, Doherty said.

Due to limited personnel and storage, simply increasing the amount of food at pantries isnt always feasible. Monetary donations, however, could allow pantries to increase storage space and personnel.

Id love to order more food, but I just dont have room to store the product safely, once I get past a certain quantity, said Ken Cozzi, executive director of Above and Beyond Free Food Pantry in West Garfield Park. Weve never run out, but I really wish we had more.

Outside Sheridan Market, Buitrago rearranged the groceries in her cart. As the sun beat down, she scrolled through her phone, waiting for a friend to pick her up.

Ive never been to a place like this, Buitrago said. It has made me really happy.

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The owners of Okanta lands near Nsawam in the Eastern Region, Asona Mensa Royal Family of the Darkwaa section, have stated that they legitimately gave out the land to Koans Building Solutions.



The owners is therefore urging the media to discard earlier reports stating that the Koans Building Solutions has wrongfully taken over the lands with land guards.



Opanyin Kwaku Amoako, during a news conference at Okanta near Nsawam Aduagyiri, exhibited the land documents to back their claim and various cheques indicating the money they took for the 400 acres of land sold to Koans Building Solutions.



He further stated that Mr. Kofi Anokye, the CEO of Koans, "is a genuine and honest man; a few people want to dent his image" but they are ready to speak the truth about the issue.



Opanyin Isaac Kofi Amankwaah, speaking on behalf of the owners, emphasized; We, the real owners of the land, wish to state that Mr. Kofi Anokye has not stolen their land as it is being speculated.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Charles Owusu has asked those giving various commentaries regarding the cause of the late John Kumah's death to stop it immediately.



News about Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah's death broke on Thursday, March 8, 2024, sending shocking waves across the political divide and many Ghanaians.



Mr. John Kumah, who doubled as the Member of Parliament for Ejisu, passed away after an illness.



But his death has been associated with poisoning, with broadcaster Captain Smart and some people claiming the Deputy Minister didn't die a natural death but was killed by some person(s) within the governing New Patriotic Party.



They cited reasons for his rising through the ranks of the party for his demise.



Commenting on the Parliamentarian's death, Charles Owusu warned the commentators to quit the claims, describing the act as insensitive to the situation of the family.



He admonished them to stop the unnecessary controversies and allow the bereaved family to mourn their dead.



"Stop the senseless commentaries and allow the family to mourn their beloved...Let's allow the family to mourn," he said on Peace FM's Friday edition of the "Kokrokoo" show.



Watch video below





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A Whiting man received five years in prison Friday for injuring a South Toms River woman in a car crash, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

William Andujar, 52, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Kimarie Rahill for assault by automobile and aggravated assault, and was given an additional one-year consecutive sentence due to a probation violation, the Prosecutor's Office said Saturday in a news release.

Berkeley Township police responded to a two-vehicle crash about 7 p.m. Nov. 2, 2020. Andujar's 2010 Honda CRV had crashed into a 2003 Hyundai Elantra driven by Susan Ewing, 44.

The impact from the crash forced both vehicles into a wooded area.

Ewing was flown to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune to treat the serious bodily injuries she sustained. She was discharged from the hospital but is still recovering from her injuries, the Prosecutor's Office said. Andujar was taken to the same hospital.

A search warrant for Andujar's blood was obtained and showed he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.18% at the time of the incident, in addition to a significant amount of Methadone in his system, the Prosecutor's Office said.

Andujar was arrested and charged Nov. 24, 2020.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, Berkley Township Police, South Toms River Police, and Ocean County Sherriff's Office Crime Scene Investigation collaborated on the investigation that led to Andujar's guilty plea and state prison sentence.

Andujar has been in the Ocean County Jail since his arrest.
CAPE MAY  It appears that the opening of a new Cape May County Library branch will take at least months longer than anticipated, but for now, residents have not lost their patience, Mayor Zack Mullock said Monday.

He joked that most people saved their impatience for ongoing work on Lafayette Street that has snarled traffic this winter, and before that the work finishing a new fire headquarters next door to the site of the new library on Franklin Street. Plus, the current library at Ocean Street remains open and available where it has been for decades.

If the library was closed, I think wed have a different story, Mullock said.

Work on the $11 million project to transform a long-vacant remnant of segregation into a state-of-the-art library began in 2022, with the intended completion in December of last year.

It was expected to take some time after the work was completed to get the building stocked, staffed and ready to open. But months into the new year, work continues. Mullock said he does not expect the building to be completed until the end of April or early May, with a potential Memorial Day opening.

But he added he does not want to rush the project, comparing it to pressuring an artist with a deadline. Historic preservation work is painstaking and time consuming, he said, and the work he has seen so far has been first rate.

It just looks spectacular, Mullock said. I think people are going to be blown away when they see the final results.

Cape Mays library was initially independent but later became part of the county system, which was founded in 1925. In 1962, Emma Elwell helped organize a group of volunteers who founded a library in the basement of City Hall, which had moved into the old Cape May High School after the creation of a regional high school two years earlier.

(Almost) forgotten history in Cape May The city of Cape May and community groups have petitioned to include the citys Black history in Cape Mays designation as a National Historic Landmark. They cite historic connections to the Civil Rights movement, abolitionists and a long-standing Black community.

In 1982, the library moved into a new home in a former Bell Telephone switching station a few blocks away. It was named for Elwell, a name her nephew Bob Elwell does not expect to carry over to the new building.

Bob Elwell, a former mayor who long wrote a regularly history column about Cape Island for a local newspaper, said his was the last class to graduate from Cape May High School.

On May 22, 1982, residents and visitors gathered to form a line from City Hall to the new location, handing the books one by one along the line. Elwell was not there to see the procession, but he has a photo of his aunt sitting in a MAC trolley among city officials and others, each holding a book. There are flowers pinned to the lapel of her jacket.

When the time comes to move the collection to the new location, City Council member Lorraine Baldwin would like to recreate that event from more than 40 years ago, as a way to involve the community and to strengthen Cape Mays connection to its new library. She brought up the idea at a recent council meeting. It is uncertain whether the library would allow that to happen again.

Cape May County Library Director Andrea Orsini declined to comment Monday. She said she did not have information about the project timing or other details requested in an email Friday, and did not immediately respond to additional questions sent Monday, including whether the extra months of work would increase the expected cost of the project.

Mullock has been inside the building while the work is underway but said few others have besides the construction teams. He said Monday that he, too, has had few answers about the timing of the project, and his request to take some volunteers with the Center for Community Arts, which preserved the structure and long sought to raise enough money to renovate it, was rejected. Mullock said insurance concerns may have been the reason.

He said residents remember the building had been all but unused for decades and seem ready to wait for the work to progress. But he said there are sometimes communication issues between the levels of government involved in the project.

The Cape May project is a combined effort of the county library system, the city and Cape May County, with funding from the New Jersey State Library as well as from the African American Civil Rights Historic Preservation Fund and the National Park Service.

Cape May opens new firehouse Firefighters from throughout Cape May County and beyond joined officials and residents for the opening of the new $5.13 million headquarters of the Cape May Fire Department on Wednesday.

County government, the Cape May County Library Commission and the city are all kicking in equal contributions for the work, Orsini said in response to questions last summer.

This rare partnership emphasizes both the remarkable nature of this project and the positive impact local government collaboration has on the community, Orsini said then in a statement.

The posted 2023 library budget shows $5.65 million for construction costs, along with close to $1 million for bond repayments under the capital line item. Thats out of a total budget of just under $18.68 million.

The renovated structure is set to include areas for lectures, movie nights, classes, exercise and more. Architect Michael Calafati has told residents at earlier town hall meetings that the design will honor the difficult history of the building, which opened in 1928 as an elementary school for Black children, one of the last segregated schools to be built in New Jersey, which banned segregation in all public accommodations in 1949.
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  Evan Drake lives by the saying the more you learn it, the more you love it.

The 30-year-old of Egg Harbor Township resident has been coming to Lines on the Pines at Stockton University for the last four years. And each time hes been here, the event has grown, as has his interest in the Pine Barrens.

Drake was one of hundreds of people who filled the universitys Campus Center on Sunday morning and afternoon.

Lines on the Pines is an annual gathering of artists, authors and artisans who have a passion for the Pine Barrens. This years theme was bugs and insects of the NJ Pine Barrens.

People had the opportunity to see some insects special to the pines up close and personal, as well as get an education about their role in the ecosystem. The honeybee was the mascot of the event, which included a few tables selling honey and teaching people about the process.

The more people learn about something, the more they will love it, and people will want to protect the things they love, Drake said. If you give someone an experience, if a kid grows up coming to this sort of thing ... theyll remember the experience. This sort of in-person, interactive thing, its an outreach that goes a long way, I would think.

Lines on the Pines has been held every year since 2006  with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has found a pretty good home at Stockton University, where its been since 2018.

Its the perfect place, said Linda Stanton, who founded the event with her late husband, Jim. Having it on a college campus, it gives us more parking, so its free. Its a nice day to come, and there is something literally for everyone.

Stanton said she never expected this event to grow to as large as it was this year.

When my husband and I moved to the area (in 2003), we fell in love with it, she said.

Our first book that we bought was by John Pierce, and it was all about the Pine Barrens. We read it, and I said we need to do a thank-you. So I got in touch with as many authors as I could ... and it was so welcomed by the community. I was amazed.

What started off as a one-off event in the lobby of the old Sweetwater Casino with a few authors has turned into 100-plus vendors, crafters, educators and more, filling almost the entire first floor of the Campus Center.

Whats most impressive, Stanton said, is how Lines on the Pines has proven how many people in this area are interested in learning about the Pine Barrens and supporting local businesses and crafters.

For others, especially the vendors, its a way to network.

I would say this is the place to network with anything Pine Barrens, said Steve Carty, 48, of Mount Holly, Burlington County, who ran a basket-making table with Pinelands Basketry. Everybodys here. You cant miss this event if you have anything to do with the Pine Barrens or are involved with the Pine Barrens. I never miss it.

Jason Chapman, founder of Pinelands Brewing Co. in Little Egg Harbor Township, called being a part of Lines on the Pines a humbling and honored experience.

This collection of people, I feel like we all share the same love of the Pine Barrens and express it in our own way, said Chapman, 46, of Hammonton.

Linsie Abshire, of Galloway Township, brought her two sons, Max, 6, and Miles, 5, for the third time. They spent part of their afternoon making baskets with Carty. Miles showed off the turtle he got painted on his right hand.

Weve started telling everybody they need to come, Abshire said. First, I think its fun to learn about stuff thats in your backyard. I think probably thats the most useful. The hikes, the nature and the animals.

Its amazing!

Carty was sharing a room with Funny Farm Rescue & Sanctuary, which brought some of its most popular animals. Owner Laurie Zaleski and her volunteers were doing demonstrations, including a baby goat that loved to climb on peoples backs.

Just up the hallway were a few tables with more animal demonstrations, including one on insects and another that featured a one-eyed owl and a snake. People crowded around both tables to learn about the wildlife and see different animals up close.

The Lines on the Pines for Kids section was also a huge hit. There were several crafting stations for kids, including painting, crafting with natural elements found in the pines, face painting and more.

Kezi Santora, of Long Beach Island, watched her daughter, Lena, 5, and her friend Quinn, 7, also from Ocean County, paint bumblebees. Both girls said they were having fun trying all the different crafts.

This is our first time, Kezi Santora said. Its amazing!

Drake, who graduated from Stockton and is now a professor at Felician University in Bergen County, said he was very interested in the tree-related offerings, especially stuff made from wood. He took a class on forestry while a student at Stockton and got involved in local programs.

Thats sort of where I got the philosophy about, the more you learn it, the more you love it. It was so much fun, Drake said. And coming back here, it was all about pines, and thats our claim to fame. Theyre the Pine Barrens, and they kind of lean into it here.

PHOTOS: Lines on the Pines at Stockton University
On a Tuesday in February, 43 years ago, Roberta Michels-Hopkins supposedly walked out into a blizzard to get cigarettes and food stamps and never returned home.

That image of Michels-Hopkins disappearing into the snow feels like a dream for the granddaughter who never met her. Growing up in South Jersey, Trinity Jagdeo heard other rumors about Roberta, who was 29 with two young children when she disappeared in 1981. Some people thought she died by suicide or may have been using drugs and disappeared onto the streets of Camden, where she was living at the time.

Since Michels-Hopkins was never officially reported missing at the time, all of those rumors just swirled in the air. But even the rumors are unreliable: It barely snowed in February of 1981, let alone a blizzard.

The possibilities are endless, Jagdeo, 23, said at her home in Vineland recently. She could be a murder victim or she could have walked away. It could have been a suicide. Im open to anything, even the 1% chance shes still alive somewhere.

Jagdeos endless curiosity, coupled with the dearth of details from her family, compelled her to take a DNA test in 2019. The results revealed family shed never spoken to on her grandmothers side, along with a letter that may offer clues into Robertas state of mind at the time.

Jagdeo spearheaded efforts to have her grandmother officially reported missing, and in March of 2022, her case was officially entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, or NamUs.

Family members were told she was running an errand and never returned, her NamUs profile states.

Through DNA, Jagdeo connected with Judy Erichson, her great-aunt, who is 79 and lives in Burlington County. Erichson told her that Robertas partner, Kumar Jagdeo Sr., called her out of the blue in the winter of 1981.

Atlantic City Housing Authority now to hold special meeting Monday The Atlantic City Housing Authority has called a special online meeting for 1:30 p.m. Friday but has not posted details on agenda items.

Your sister disappeared, he said.

Erichson said she tried to report her sister missing to the Camden Police Department, letting officers know she was suspicious of the disappearance. Erichson said no report was taken at the time or, she claimed, when she called back a month later.

They said there was nothing they could do, Erichson said in an interview.

The years rolled on, Erichson said, with no news about her sister. She said a family acquaintance with law enforcement experience tried to get more information at the time, to no avail, and her father made inquiries, years later, about Michels-Hopkins small insurance policy, which remains unclaimed today. She has never been declared dead.

We never had any closure, Erichson said.

Erichson was able to give Jagdeo photos of Michels-Hopkins, along with letters. One was written just a few days before she was last seen and hints at unspecific family tensions over a missed wedding.

I will no longer bother anyone, anymore, Michels-Hopkins wrote at the end.

The letter was mailed on Feb. 17, 1981, the official date of her last-known contact.

Judge to decide Atlantic City Ward 2 election challenge in 30 days A judge on Wednesday declined to admit as evidence videos that lawyers for Viana Bailey say show votes were cast on behalf of voters without their knowledge by political operative Craig Callaway.

While suicide is a possibility, Jagdeo said she hadnt heard that Michels-Hopkins had ever been suicidal or suffered from mental health issues. There were rumors among family members, she said, that Michels-Hopkins could have been using drugs or making money as a sex worker.

Erichson said her sister, a Pemberton High School graduate, had a seemingly normal life but that changed when she got divorced.

She had a house, a baby, dogs. Went to the Shore together, she said. All of a sudden, she got divorced, moved to Camden, and had a baby. When she got divorced, her husband got custody of their daughter and that was a red flag to me.

Michels-Hopkins ex-husband and daughter both live in Georgia today. Neither returned requests for comment, and Jagdeo said shes had little communication with either of them.

Kumar Jagdeo Sr., Trinitys grandfather, lived in Camden for years but ran into legal troubles and died in Trinidad and Tobago nearly 20 years ago. While others have told her its not likely, Jagdeo isnt ruling out the possibility that her grandfather was involved in Michels-Hopkins disappearance.

No one really knew what their relationship was like to say, definitively, oh, that could never happen, she said.

Krsna Jagdeo, Trinity Jagdeos father, was too young to remember his mother and spent most of his youth in foster care. It was painful to learn, through Trinity Jagdeos DNA results, that he had family close by he could have lived with.

Ive been without my parents for so long, its just another day for me, Krsna Jagdeo, 43, said. Im good with my life.

Krsna Jagdeo said hes ready to accept whatever comes of the case.

At this point, death is death, no matter the story, he said. Im just trying to support Trinity.

Michels-Hopkins missing persons case will be handled by police in Cinnaminson, Burlington County, not Camden, though its unclear why. A detective handling the case declined to comment, but Trinity Jagdeo said the department is working on compiling a sketch that would reveal what Michels-Hopkins could look like today and is also trying to obtain DNA from the stamp on the letter she mailed shortly before she disappeared.

DNA, if viable, could be compared against samples from the thousands of unidentified remains cases in the United States. Trinity Jagdeo granted law enforcement access to her DNA and said her father and Erichson have submitted theirs as well.

Trinity Jagdeo has also taken her case to the internet, posting on missing persons Facebook groups and sites like Websleuths.

They all want to figure out what happened to her and think the case is so bizarre, she said. Thats nice because up until now, Ive been the only one trying to do that.

Some online sleuths have noticed similarities between Michels-Hopkins case and the cheerleader in the trunk case out of Maryland in 1982. That woman remains unidentified today.

Trinity Jagdeo said its hard to understand how no report was filed for her grandmother, even in 1981. Its even harder to fathom how so many people seemingly moved on without her.

Police share updated image of missing Northfield man Northfield police are still looking for a 32-year-old city man who's been missing since the weekend.

Her parents were still alive. Her brother was still alive. Her ex-husband was still alive, she said. Didnt she have any friends?

Jagdeos mother, Angela Morrison, said that aspect of the case confused her the most.

I think theres people out there who know more than what theyre saying, Morrison said.

Jagdeo said she hopes publicity and posting about her grandmother on internet forums can shake something loose. She can imagine a future where theres a funeral or some closure, particularly for her father.

Thats kind of the hope anyway, she said.

Roberta Michels-Hopkins would have turned 72 on Feb. 26.
NORTHFIELD  Eugenia Gunn had to fight back tears while talking about her daughters prom dress.

This springs junior prom at Absegami High School will be the first for Gunns 17-year-old daughter, Selena Williams. As a single mother, Gunn talked about the burden that will be lifted off her shoulders knowing the expense of a prom dress has been taken care of.

On Saturday morning, hundreds of girls and their parents came to Kensington Furniture and Mattress on Tilton Road for Project Prom ACs annual free dress giveaway. With prom season around the corner, girls got to pick out a dress and any jewelry and accessories  all free  that were donated to the organization.

For parents like us who cant really afford to get a dress and then have this project for the families that really, really need it, its an awesome experience, Gunn said while holding her daughters maroon, sequined gown. It makes me so emotional because Im so excited for her and the fact shes going to be looking so pretty. All of this available is just a godsend.

Project Prom AC, in its 10th year, featured all types of formal gowns, ranging from long to short, embellished to laced, and sequined to simple. The event also had free jewelry, shoes and handbags to go with the dresses. The Hispanic Association of Atlantic County and AtlantiCare also had signup sheets for scholarships, and HAAC held a free raffle in which the winner won hair and makeup sessions with a local stylist.

Every girl comes in and they get a dresser to help them because we want to give them the shopping experience and the say-yes-to-the-dress kind of experience at the dressing rooms, said Rene Kane, founder of Project Prom AC.

The event, which is also sponsored by the Atlantic City Boys & Girls Club, will continue from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday at Kensington Furniture, with Kane expecting more than 500 dresses to be picked out by then.

Over 2,000 gently used dresses were available for prom hopefuls, including massive donations made this year by Davids Bridal and the United Service Organizations. Kane said the donations from Davids and the USO were so great that she forwarded a large portion to a similar program in Deptford Township, Gloucester County. Some people even dropped dresses off Saturday, but Kane said those wouldnt be available to display until they were inspected.

We even had someone donate $1,000 to go toward buying dresses for larger women because thats where we always fall short, Kane said. We have more this year than weve ever had.

Kane got the idea to start Project Prom more than 10 years ago when she saw a post on Facebook about a girl who needed a size 6 dress or she couldnt go to prom.

And I was like, how many dresses are just sitting in a closet? Kane said.

She recalled a smaller prom dress donation event that someone did at a florist. So Kane, a self-proclaimed overachiever, called a few friends and wanted to do something similar.

Hundreds of volunteers have helped over the years. On Saturday, at least 70 people were helping girls find that perfect dress. Kane wanted to highlight her gratitude toward Kensington Furniture and owner Michael Grossman for not only holding event on the second floor of his store but also storing the leftover dresses throughout the year.

Kane said the experience is about more than just going to prom. For some girls and their families, it was the first experience theyve had putting on a formal dress.

We had a girl who had never had a dress on, and she brought her mother and her grandmother and they were bawling. Kane said. Weve seen girls just blossom when they see themselves as beautiful for the first time because many of these girls have never had this opportunity to try on dresses like this. They walk into a store, and people dont want to help them the way we help them.

Kane said she met people who traveled from as far as Delaware to take advantage of the giveaway.

Future prom-goer Gabriella Reed made the 40-minute drive from Salem, where she attends high school. She arrived at the store around 8:30 a.m. and was excited to get going.

Reed got in front of a mirror to admire the fourth dress she had tried on. She turned to the people with her and said she was pretty sure the light pink dress with a floral pattern was the one.

Its exciting, she said. I hoped to find something, and if I dont, its OK. But Im excited to be able to find a dress here.

Ella Soro, an 18-year-old senior, was sifting through the racks of dresses hoping something would catch her eye.

Anything thats sparkly and form-fitting, she said, adding she was glad she came earlier to this years event to take advantage of more options.

Jazleena Ruiz, a 17-year-old senior at Pleasantville High School, tried on several dresses. Ruiz, in her third year attending Project Prom, praised the volunteer who had helped her pick out that perfect dress.

This is something thats really nice, and the fact that they are free and there are so many options, Im just so grateful, said Ruiz, who added her younger sister, Jaidalyn, 14, was there searching for her first dress.

Maya Hagan, 16, of Egg Harbor Township, a junior at Atlantic County Institute of Technology, picked out a floor-length goldsequined dress. It was the third dress she tried on, and she was pretty confident it was the keeper for her upcoming prom.

I was looking for a green one, but then I tried on this gold one and actually loved it! Hagan said.

She said programs like Project Prom make the experience so much more accessible for girls of all backgrounds.

I was worried going into prom because I didnt want to have to spend $400 or $500 on a prom dress, Hagan said. Im definitely going to donate my dress back after.

PHOTOS: Project Prom AC in Northfield
Most of the New Jersey law enforcement officers who attended a controversial training conference in 2021 that state investigators say glorified violence have used force on people during arrests and other encounters, a New Jersey Monitor examination found.

Seventy-two percent of the 240 officers who attended Street Cops six-day forum in Atlantic City have used force at least once since October 2020, when the state began publicly reporting such incidents. More than 170 of the attendees used force 796 times total, state records show.

Twenty-two officers logged at least 10 use-of-force incidents during that period, with two cops in Trenton  where the police department is under federal investigation for violent, unconstitutional arrests  racking up a combined 45. Almost a third of the attendees used force more than four times, which is the statewide average of incidents per officer who uses force, according to a 2018 investigation by NJ.com.

The New Jersey Monitor obtained a list of attendees from the state Attorney Generals Office through a public records request.

Street Cop, a New Jersey-based firm started in 2012 by a former Woodbridge cop, has been under fire since an attendee publicly leaked recordings of its October 2021 conference in Atlantic City. Several instructors at the confab preached a militaristic approach to policing, bragged and joked about shooting people, and taught tactics that acting State Comptroller Kevin Walsh deemed unconstitutional.

While officers sometimes have legitimate reasons to use force in policing, reformers say the large proportion of Street Cop attendees with documented uses of force raises red flags.

One question is whether the training thats being done is inducing people to engage in uses of force that are maybe not justified. And in the other direction, the question is whether people who are already inclined towards improper policing tactics are also inclined to attend these kinds of unregulated trainings, said Michael Noveck, a deputy public defender in the state Office of the Public Defenders special litigation unit.

Street Cop, which declared bankruptcy earlier this year, still trains officers and has an annual conference planned in Florida in late April even though several states including New Jersey have barred their officers from the firms training.

Walsh and his investigators found some instructors also presented materials that were sexually inappropriate and harassing, offensive to marginalized groups, discriminatory, and insubordinate.

But police disciplinary records in New Jersey are not public  something reformers have long lobbied to change. Only major discipline  thats sustained allegations of wrongdoing resulting in at least five days of suspension  is publicly reported. That reporting just started in 2021.

Just two cops who attended Street Cops 2021 conference had publicly reported major discipline  a Bordentown officer suspended for 15 days for tackling and beating a fleeing burglary suspect after he stopped and put his hands up and a Lincoln Park officer suspended for 20 days for being uncooperative and disrespectful while off duty to other officers investigating a disorderly persons report. The chiefs of those departments did not respond to requests for comment.

That lack of full public reporting means the public cant check whether their officers have a tendency to trample civil rights in ways that dont involve the use of force  things like racially motivated car stops or unwarranted searches and seizures.

The Street Cop training serves as a good reminder of why such transparency is needed, Noveck said.

The more this is in the public eye, the better the public and attorneys of people who are accused of crimes will be able to ensure that constitutional rights arent infringed upon, he said.

Defense attorneys have warned that cases involving officers who attended Street Cop training could collapse in court, and Noveck said his office is checking the list of Street Cop attendees against their current caseload, with an eye out for constitutional concerns.

Attorney General Matt Platkin ordered the 240 officers who attended Street Cops 2021 conference to be retrained next week in Trenton, ordered reimbursements for that conference to be suspended, and directed the state Police Training Commission to consider statewide guidelines for acceptable police training provided by outside vendors.

Atlantic City faces a myriad of issues as State of the City approaches Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. has said he will make some big announcements at this year's State of the City address. But will they be big enough to draw attention away from lingering problems and create new optimism for the city?

Not enough?

Some reformers say more must be done.

Penns Grove Police Department Director Richard Rivera, who has long advocated for police transparency and accountability, pointed out that thousands of officers have attended Street Cop trainings outside of the 2021 conference. Street Cop claims to be the largest police training company nationally, teaching 25,000 to 30,000 officers every year, including more than 2,000 from New Jersey.

Retraining just the 2021 attendees  when Street Cop has been in operation for 12 years  and investigating just one police training firm when others also train cops without oversight is not fair, Rivera said.

Theyre singling out one incident, he said. Basically, the current instructors for Street Cop and the attendees are being scapegoated for systemic flaws.

He seconded many of the recommendations Walsh made in his December report, like requiring the state Police Training Commission to oversee and vet all police training courses  which could be a tough task because its a severely underfunded, understaffed organization, Rivera added.

Pam Kruger, a spokeswoman for Walshs office, said investigators there did not investigate uses of force by officers who attended Street Cops training.

Still, she noted, our report found that the 2021 Street Cop Conference glorified violence and promoted a hyper-militaristic approach to policing that is inconsistent with police reform efforts in New Jersey. For that reason and others, we recommended that every officer who attended the training be retrained and that every law enforcement agency require officers to report any training they attended. Quality police training is critical to keeping both the police and the public safe.

This story first appeared on the New Jersey Monitor.
Northwestern Mutual grant supports Empower House QCA

Northwestern Mutual is celebrating the volunteerism of its financial professionals through its annual Community Service Awards (CSA) program. This year, 16 financial advisers and representatives were recognized for their transformational impact on the communities they serve, totaling $295,000 in grants to nonprofits nationwide. Davenport resident Tanner Peeler, financial planning specialist at Northwestern Mutuals Five Cities Financial, has been named a 2024 Community Service Award winner, receiving a $15,000 grant for Empower House QCA.

Empower House QCA has built a community focused on empowering others and inspiring a more purposeful life after brain injury by working with rehab professionals to provide a Clubhouse for survivors. At the Clubhouse, activities are organized to improve productivity and independent living for those that have survived major brain injuries. Peeler regularly volunteers at Empower House QCA to spend time with members and help organize events and fundraisers.

My goal is to show everyone that no matter what youve been through, its up to you to control your outlook on life. I enjoy being a part of this inspirational and positive community and am honored to see how Empower House is making a difference every day, Peeler said. This grant from Northwestern Mutuals Community Service Awards program will help fund new equipment, additional fundraisers and day-to-day expenses.

Wyffels Hybrids builds QA lab

GENESEO, Ill.  In 2023, Wyffels Hybrids achieved 10 years of consecutive growth, delivered more than 1 million paid units of seed corn, broke ground on a new Iowa site and completed a new Quality Assurance Lab at their Atkinson Production Facility.

To keep up with demand and growth, the family-owned seed company created new roles and hired 20 full-time employees for their Geneseo, Atkinson and Ames facilities.

The new Quality Assurance (QA) Lab was completed in time to process the 2023 seed production harvest for validation, comparing the results with the existing quality assurance process.

The new lab increases germination testing capacity threefold, Rodney Gilbert, Wyffels QA director, said in a news release. Weve increased efficiency for our test sizing and physical purity processes, while maintaining the above industry-level quality standards Wyffels is known for in the seed industry.

The lab is staffed by five team members, including four new employees.

Kelly Grief leads the team as QA lab manager. Grief attended Iowa State University and majored in Agriculture and Society, Seed Science. She is a Registered Seed Technologist (RST) and a Canadian Food Inspection Agency accredited seed grader. For the last six years, Grief worked for Corteva as a seed quality testing team lead.

Kyle Wallman, quality assurance specialist, is responsible for the development, documentation and implementation of the Production Quality Management System for ensuring consistent processes across sites. Wallman attended the University of Nebraska and worked as a research associate, gaining experience in plant transformation and genetic testing. Before joining Wyffels, Wallman worked for Corteva as a seed quality process lead.

To complete the team, Jaselyn Robertson and Barb Scott will deliver germination and test sizing results as quality lab technicians. Robertson interned with Wyffels Hybrids before graduating from Iowa State University with an ag business degree and minor in agronomy. Scott brings years of experience from the Corteva/ Pioneer Woodhull production location, where she worked in their lab as logistics coordinator.

To achieve those goals, Wyffels added two new human resources leadership roles.

Tom Nuss, chief human resources officer, focuses on strategies to serve the existing business, develop employees, add capabilities, scale operations and evolve culture for growth.

Stacy Speidel-Holke works closely with Nuss as manager of talent. Speidel-Holke will focus on talent acquisition, talent development and organizational planning capabilities. Before Wyffels, she served in leadership positions with UnityPoint Health for 10years.

Wyffels Hybrids will open its new Iowa Site in Ames in late spring 2024.

The Family Credit Union welcomes financial wellness coordinator

The Family Credit Union (TFCU), a not-for-profit financial cooperative headquartered in the Quad-Cities, has welcomed Abigail Eaton as its new financial wellness coordinator.

Eaton brings more than seven years of financial experience to the credit union. In this role, Eaton will be responsible for promoting financial wellness to the communities the credit union serves and will oversee financial education activities through classes, presentations and individual sessions to help members reach their goals.

She will also be the on-site coordinator for the credit unions new credit counseling program, Credit Climber. The Family partnered with Credit Mountain earlier this year to offer a digital credit counseling service that provides credit report analyses, personalized action plans, credit monitoring and educational resources to help members achieve positive financial outcomes.

In this role, I can delve into members' credit and finances, seek tailored solutions to enhance their present situations and reach their goals, Eaton said in a news release. Continuing my work in this industry allows me to make a difference in the financial lives of the members we serve.

Eaton is no stranger to the credit union industry. Before The Family, Eaton worked as a teller, account officer and then an assistant branch manager at Ascentra Credit Union.

QCR Holdings to build corporate headquarters

QCR Holdings, Inc. (QCRH) has purchased land for a new corporate headquarters in Bettendorf at the southeast corner of the intersection of Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road. The location will also house a new consumer banking branch of Quad City Bank & Trust (QCBT). This will be the sixth branch for Quad City Bank & Trust, which has the largest deposit market share in the Quad-Cities area. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2024.

QCBT will continue to operate its current branch in Moline. The Bank is committed to maintaining continued operations in the Illinois Quad Cities.
With the wind blowing steadily at 23 mph with gusts that reached as high as 36 mph, the American flag Wil Ehret held Saturday at Davenports LeClaire Park stood straight out at times, completely showing the stars and stripes.

Ehret, of Geneseo and a member of the Quad Cities Coalition for Palestine, was one of about 250 people who gathered at the park to demand a ceasefire in and humanitarian aid for the people living in Gaza.

Ehret has been helping to organize the rallies, but said he took a step back when the rallies started getting bigger.

Originally it was me and my Muslim brothers and sisters, he said. This is the biggest one weve had so far."

Many of those attending the rally carried signs demanding a ceasefire and peace. Others waved Palestinian flags, large and small. Some people wore the keffiyeh patterned after that worn by the late Yasser Arafat who was President of the Palestinian Authority.

James Cox, cofounder of the Quad Cities Coalition for Palestine and the organizer of Saturdays rally, spoke to the crowd from the band shell at LeClaire Park.

They are being occupied by a government who have stated there will never be a Palestinian state, Cox told the crowd. They live under blockade and an oppressive two-tier system."

He is disturbed by the silence around what he called the "many ethnic cleansing and genocides" around the world.

Now, today, as we witness the genocide of the Gazans in HD, we watch in horror, he said. This is where we can do something. Its our tax money that funds the bombs and kills and maims as many as 30,000 innocent civilian Palestinians to date, women, children and old men alike. Now we can demand to not be complicit in the crime with our tax money. Not with my dime. It is time we demand the equal rights of the Palestinians to be recognized today.

The group marched along River Drive to the Government Bridge. As they marched, they yelled, What do we want? Peace. When do we want it? Now, among other slogans.

Owen Musser, a student at Augustana College, said he got involved as he saw the escalation of violence.

I dont want to be at all complicit with whats going on, he said. Were being made to be complicit just by paying taxes.

Erin Moore of Davenport said she attended the rally because she wanted to act.

Its something thats been horrific to witness, Moore said. Im coming out to tap into this community. Its good to be here in this community.

She said she does not like her taxes going to something she does not support.

Its not by my choice, Moore said. Its not by any of our choices, and we dont want to see the U.S. bankrolling the bombing of innocent people.

Speaking to the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus Saturday evening in response to the march, Allan Ross, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, said the Quad Cities Coalition for Palestine is free to march and protest whatever they want as long as they are not violent and threatening.

But if they really want a ceasefire, he said, "they should be lobbying for the return of the hostages; that's one, and the second is bringing to justice the perpetrators, the murderers, the rapists and the kidnappers of Oct. 7."

The hostages taken by Hamas included not only Jews, but Arabs and foreign workers.

"If they say nothing about Hamas, if they tacitly support Hamas, what does that say about them?" Ross said.
When Tahj Lee, a sixth-grader at Garfield Elementary School, got a chance to meet with Davenport Superintendent TJ Schneckloth, he had a lot of questions.

For his first, though, he asked when Schneckloth planned to retire.

While he's got a bit of schooling left, Tahj hopes to become the Davenport superintendent one day.

"It's been my dream ever since about third grade," he said. "I just wanted to be a pilot or an actor (before) back then."

Tahj said this career pathway emerged after his former school, Washington Elementary, closed following the 2022-23 school year.

"I learned about it from my principal, Mr. Jones, at Washington," he said, adding this conversation led to his first introduction of a superintendent's roles and responsibilities. "As soon as I got here (Garfield), my teacher, Mr. Mueller, told me (more) about it."

Tahj's interest in the profession landed him a meeting with Schneckloth, where he got to learn more about the job.

"You have to become a teacher first, then become principal," Tahj said of a superintendent's career pathway. "You've got to be the best teacher in the school or the district, and the best principal (first)."

Schneckloth said the two also discussed degrees required for the position and other administrative roles.

"As much as he learned from our conversation, I learned a lot from him," Schneckloth said. "We could all learn from his passion and dedication to the community. It's inspiring  it's a bucket-filler."

Following this conversation, Tahj said he thinks superintendents have an "amazing job."

"You have power on everything," he said.

With this power, he's learned that sometimes superintendents have to make hard decisions  namely, closing schools.

"But I don't want to do all that," Tahj said. "I want to build my old school, Washington  I want to bring more kids into this district make our district number one in Iowa."

This would require significant leadership skills. Luckily, Tahj has already clocked a few years of experience on this front, having led various student teams at Washington.

At Garfield, Tahj helps younger students with science and social studies projects, typing and reading  he even got to be "Principal of the Day" with principal Beth Evans.

If Tahj were to become the Davenport Superintendent tomorrow, he'd be laser-focused.

"There are a couple of rules my classmates would want me to change, but I was like, 'No, I can't do that. I'm responsible,'" he said. "The rules are the rules. As soon as I was hired as superintendent, I'd attract lots and lots of kids. I'd try my best."

Fortunately for Tahj, he can work toward the first step of a superintendent's career track  teaching  as soon as eighth grade. Before he graduates from Sudlow Intermediate School, Tahj plans to sign up for a hefty load of science courses (since he wants to teach science) and the Future Educator's Club, which provides real-life teaching and classroom management practice to Davenport high schoolers.

He also plans to continue gathering input from peers.

"Some of the students might have great ideas," for the school district, Tahj said. "I'm excited to talk to teachers  and board members."

Moving forward, he's already got a meeting penciled in with Davenport School Board President Dan Gosa.

Tahj attended the district's Feb. 12 school board meeting, earning recognition from Schneckloth and other district leaders; the board and attendees.

"Tahj was very comfortable in that environment. You can tell he likes to be there. He likes the idea of working at that level, working in the political frame," Schneckloth said. "What an honor and a privilege to be around someone who cares deeply about Davenport Community Schools (and) his own neighborhood."

To him, people often underestimate how much younger generations care about their schools, community or the world around them.

"They deeply care," Schneckloth said. "They want to be involved  and that is very evident with (Tahj). He is somebody who is going to make a difference in his community, and everybody around him knows it and sees it."

When asked how it feels to have so many current Davenport school leaders in his corner, Tahj said: "That feels pretty good. I'm pretty glad for that."

Schneckloth said students like Tahj inspire him.

"Who wouldn't want somebody to sit in the chair you're in (who) cares as much about something as you do?" he said. "I think it's awesome."

Outside of school and chasing his career goals, Tahj enjoys watching TV  namely, "The Suite Life on Deck."
Guns in the hands of school staff, who should determine how funds are distributed to community colleges and term limits for Iowas elected officials were among the subjects raised at an Iowa Legislative Forum held Saturday at Scott Community College.

About 40 people attended the forum that featured Senator Cindy Winckler, Democrat for District 49 and Reps. Gary Mohr, Republican for District 93, Norlin Mommsen, Republican for District 70, and Monica Kurth, Democrat for District 98.

The forum initially was scheduled for the last weekend in March but was moved up to avoid a conflict with Easter weekend. The forum was sponsored by Scott Community College and the American Association of University Women.

Questions from the audience were written on cards and read to the panel by the moderator, former Iowa State Senator Maggie Tinsman.

Asked about who should determine how state funds are distributed to the 15 community colleges in the state, Mohr, who was a community college administrator for 41 years said it should be up to the college presidents.

Mohr said that while hes concerned about how much money is appropriated to the community colleges, he thinks the college should decide how it is distributed.

Lets let the presidents of the community colleges determine how the funding should be distributed, he said. If 10 of the college presidents agree on a formula, then that would be the formula that would be adopted, and Im in favor of that.

Winckler said that she was on the subcommittee of the bill and that it did pass that committee and passed appropriations. The senate added a little more information to the bill.

Im in favor of it," she said.

Both Mommsen and Kurth agreed with their colleagues, with Kurth saying that, the administrators have the best idea of how the money needs to be allocated.

Another question from the audience had to do with a bill that allows school staff to be armed if they get training.

House lawmakers passed the Republican-backed House File 2586 by a vote of 61-34. In addition to allowing for a permit for school personnel to carry guns on campuses, the bill would require the states largest districts to hire security officers or school resource officers in high school buildings unless such a measure is voted down by the districts school board.

Kurth said she voted against the bill, saying that, the answer to gun violence is not more guns.

She said she was talking to a former Marine about the issue and said she was told that no amount of training can safely put guns in the hands of teachers.

In addition, the question was brought up during debate that if the teacher is armed with the gun, how is he or she also going to protect his or her students, Kurth said.

Mommsen said the bill doesnt force anybody to carry a firearm.

Thats the responsibility of the school district to choose to or not to arm school personnel, he said. The law reads school personnel. It doesnt force anybody. The training is rigorous. and theyll be training with law enforcement.

Winckler said the issue has been discussed in the education committee, but it hasnt been discussed on the senate floor.

Mohr said that teachers can carry guns in school now. Its just that most people dont know that fact.

What this bill says is that if the teacher is going to carry a gun, theyre going to have to have training, he said.

Spirit Lake and Cherokee school districts reversed decisions to allow armed staff after their insurance provider said it would stop covering them and the districts were unable to find other insurance.

The bill is an attempt to add training so that districts that allow the carrying of guns can get insurance. It also removes civil liability if a bad incident happens, Kurth said.

When the question about term limits for the governor and legislators arose, Mohr stated that he can be on every side of that question.

Ive seen excellent legislators who have been in office 10, 20, 30 years, he said. The advantage of having experienced legislators is they know the system and how to get things done.

Mohr added he has seen bad legislators who were there for two or four or six years who never learned the system, and then its the bureaucrats who are running the government, not the legislators.

He said he looks at the two-year election cycle as his term limit.

If my constituents dont like the job Im doing, they can throw me out, every two years," he said.

Winckler voiced a similar opinion.

If theyre not happy with the job I do, they can vote me out, she said.

Mommsen said before getting into politics he was in favor of term limits. Now, thats not the case.

Theres a knack to knowing the system, he said, adding that experience and learning the system is key to getting things done.

Kurth simply said to their comments, I agree.
The St. Patrick Society has announced that the Grand Parade XXXVIII, the nation's only bi-state parade, will be held Saturday, March 16.

Parade organizers are seeking participants who express the spirit of St. Patrick and Irish Heritage and encourage family walking units and decorated floats.

Applicants of a purely commercial theme are not permitted.

The day will begin with a 10 a.m. Mass at St. Marys, 2204 4th Ave., Rock Island.

The Grand Parade honoring St. Patrick will start at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of 4th Avenue and 23rd Street in Rock Island. The parade will travel through downtown Rock Island, across the Mississippi River via the Stanley Talbot (Centennial) Memorial Bridge to West 3rd Street in Davenport and proceed east through downtown Davenport to the RiverCenter.

The post-parade bash will be held at the RiverCenter from 1 to 4 p.m.

For more parade information, email spsparade@me.com.

The Grand Marshal, Irish Mother of the Year and 2024 Scholarship recipient will be introduced at the Gathering of the Clan Luncheon on Friday, March 15, at the RiverCenter.

For luncheon reservations, contact vicquinn2016@gmail.com.

For full details of both events go to stpatsqc.com.

All nominations for the Irish Mother of the Year must be original letters of approximately 150 words.

A nominee should be involved in family, church and community; have a good sense of humor and demonstrate pride in her Irish ancestry.

The nominee also must be able to attend the St. Patrick Society Gathering of The Clan Luncheon on March 15 and the Grand Parade XXXVIII and Post Parade Bash on March 16.

Nominations must be received by Feb. 28. Mail nominations to the St. Patrick Society Attn. Irish Mother Nomination, P.O. Box 4487, Davenport, Iowa 52808.

The St. Patrick Society will award a $1,500 Scholarship at the Annual Gathering of The Clan Luncheon.

Applications are available from high school counselors or from Matt Wissing at wissingm@yahoo.com, or call 563-265-9353. Applications also are available at stpatsqc.com.

Eligible applicants must be related to a current member of the St. Patrick Society and be able to give evidence of the ability to pursue a college or university education, as substantiated by grade-point average, class standing, and SAT/ACT scores.

Involvement in extracurricular school and community activities also will be considered. Letters of recommendation from educators, counselors, employers and others are helpful.

Applicants are not judged on basis of need.

Applications must be received by Feb. 27. Mail to: St. Patrick Society Scholarship, P.O. Box 4487, Davenport, Iowa 52808.
The Virginia State Penitentiary or the Pen once occupied 17 acres along Spring Street at the intersection of South Second Street in downtown Richmond.

The Pen had a long historyit was in service for almost 200 years before closing its doors in 1991.

Following the Revolutionary War, Thomas Jefferson urged Virginia to construct a penitentiaryto follow in the footsteps of Europe.

For some time the General Assembly ignored Jeffersons suggestion until, in the late 1790s, when reform swept the Virginia Legislature and the plans for a penitentiary house in the state were initiated.

The first prisoners arrived in the early 1800s.

During the Civil War, prisoners sewed Confederate Army uniforms.

In 1908, an electric chair was installed in the A Building basementit was nicknamed Old Sparky.
Two employees who were fired from the Richmond Office of Elections have accused General Registrar Keith Balmer of nepotism after his office hired his brother and awarded contract labor to his wife.

Payroll records show that Keith Balmers brother, Ahmaad Balmer, was hired by the Office of Elections during the general election in 2021 and currently serves as an elections specialist compensated at a rate of $23.22 per hour.

Keith Balmers wife, Melissa McFall-Balmer, was engaged by the Office of Elections on 13 occasions between February and June 2023, according to an invoice obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. McFall-Balmer, who Keith Balmer said specializes in imparting essential life skills to individuals with  disabilities, was paid $2,300 over roughly four months to develop a training presentation aimed at enhancing the understanding of election workers regarding accommodating voters with disabilities.

Keith Balmer, who has served as the general registrar since April 2021, denied claims of nepotism.

He said his office primarily consider(s) ... reliability and proficiency when weighing candidates for employment. He also noted that his role as the head of a constitutional office entitles him to hire or fire anyone for any reason, with the exception of discrimination based on race, gender, disability or sexual orientation.

When asked about the legality of hiring immediate family members, Keith Balmer said his office does not have a policy prohibiting the hiring of individuals who are related to other employees. In response to a Freedom of Information Act request seeking guidelines for hiring practices at the Office of Elections, Keith Balmer said no such guidelines exist.

Keith Balmer also said his office was exempt from certain contracting and procurement regulations.

While Richmond city code on public procurement outlines specific competitive bidding procedures and forbids procurement transactions in which a public ... employees partner or any member of the employees immediate family holds a position with the ... contractor, Keith Balmer cited a section of code that says the requirements ... shall not apply to ... contracts for or purchases of equipment, services ... or other materials essential to the conduct of a general, primary or special election.

Keith Balmer did not respond when asked if McFall-Balmers services fell under the category of essential to the conduct of a(n) ... election.

Richmond City Attorney Laura Drewry also could not be reached for comment on the validity of the cited exemption.

Virginia state code bars registrars from appointing spouses or immediate family members to the position of deputy registrar, but does not contain language regarding other positions within local elections offices.

Andrea Gaines, a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Elections, said registrars report to local electoral boards and that the Virginia Department of Elections has no oversight over the hiring and contracting practices of registrars. The Richmond Electoral Board did not respond to requests for comment.

Jason Redd and Destiny Fleming, both of whom formerly worked under Keith Balmer at the Office of Elections before they were fired, told the Times-Dispatch that Keith Balmer is more likely to hire individuals who are related to him or to other employees, a practice they say raises questions as to whether the most qualified and eligible candidates are given a fair chance at competitive positions.

Redd said he was an elections services manager at the Office of Elections between June 2021 and October 2023, when he was told he was being fired for logging time he had not actually worked. But Redd denied logging fraudulent hours, and believes he was fired for repeatedly bringing up the issue of family members employed by the registrars office.

The nepotism was something that I frequently brought up to Keith, Redd said. His response was always if they can do the job, then it doesnt matter.

The problem with that is that the family members cant, or dont, do the jobs, Redd said. As a result, Keith Balmer overlook(ed) potentially more qualified applicants or candidates.

Fleming also was fired from the Office of Elections in October. She said she had voiced multiple concerns with the culture of the office and then was terminated after she failed to attend a workplace training that her supervisor had told her she did not have to attend.

They just hired whoever they liked, said Fleming, adding that, at one point, Keith Balmer told the staff that he had to start posting job (listings) to be fair rather than directly hiring family members and friends of employees.

When asked, Keith Balmer did not offer an explanation as to why Redd and Fleming had been fired and said he does not comment on personnel issues.

He denied making the comments regarding job listings, but acknowledged that there were times that his office hired via direct recruitment, reaching out to candidates to gauge their interest in coming to work for the Office of Elections.

Referrals for employment often come from existing staff, acquaintances, former colleagues or even family members, Keith Balmer said, but all prospective employees must meet certain qualifications, including being a qualified voter in the state of Virginia and successfully passing a city-mandated background check.

Keith Balmer added that those referrals make up a significant portion of (the) offices recruitment.

This phenomenon speaks to the tradition of civic engagement within families, where a sense of duty and responsibility toward elections is deeply ingrained ... This pattern is simply characteristic of how certain public service professions operate, and the field of elections is no exception.

Ahmaad Balmer and McFall-Balmer could not immediately be reached for comment.

50 photos from the RTD Archives
From the worlds tallest man to the fastest runner on two hands to the largest recorded cheeseburger, the Guinness Book of World Records has been a bestseller at school book fairs since its first release in 1955 as kids save up their dollars to get their hands on a copy.

For many, the dream of breaking one of the hundreds of records is enticing. But few have succeeded.

Throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s, its popularity hit a fever pitch as kids across the country attempted to claim the title of record breaker. In the Richmond area, there were some who were successful and many more who, at least, dared to try.

The 796-foot feat

In 1975, the University of Richmond student union set out to do something no one else had managed: create and then eat the worlds largest submarine sandwich.

The idea first took hold a year prior when the group put together a 600-foot banana split, but failed to contact the Guinness people in time for the feat to be documented.

This go-around, however, the group made the proper arrangements and went to work crafting the sub  all while making some money, too.

Folks from across the region came out to participate, including representatives from the state Department of Agriculture. A line of sandwich crafters lined up for assembly. The bread, baked in stages and then trucked in on the back of an 18-wheeler, was laid out and covered with slices of deli meat.

When it was all said and done, the sandwich weighed 1,370 pounds and measured 796 feet long, roughly the equivalent of 27 school buses lined up back to back.

The student union charged $1 for folks looking to chow down on the sub. The profits went toward putting on a free concert, and a portion was donated toward a charity working to end world hunger.

While television cameras bore witness, about 1,200 busy sets of teeth, devoured in 17 minutes and 39 seconds, leaving it to the union to mop up the oil, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported in the Friday, Aug. 8, 1975, edition of the paper.

Whats afoot?

In 1994, Chesterfield County public school teacher Judy Hall set a world record inside one of the schools libraries  blindfolded and sitting down.

Hall is one of the few people, only three recorded in the world at the time, who could write forward, backward, upside down and laterally inverted at the same time.

While sitting in a chair, Hall held a pencil in her left and right hands and in between her toes. Her students huddled around as she began to show off her dexterity.

Her abilities landed her some notoriety when she was chosen to appear in a British Broadcasting Corp. documentary about record breakers. There, she wrote Hello London and Virginia is for lovers with her feet.

Hall stumbled upon the idea of making the Guinness list one day (as) she and family members were reading the book, according to the Thursday, Feb. 24, 1994, edition of The Times-Dispatch. Although naturally right-handed and right-footed, Hall knew that she could write with her left hand because shed practiced as a child.

Coins in hand worth a line in book

Richmond teenagers David Burns, Todd Hylton and David Violette considered themselves avid Guinness book readers ever since they stumbled upon a copy in the fourth grade.

However, it would be years later when they first attempted to set their own record. The groups claim to fame: coin snatching.

Coin snatching consists of one person piling coins into a neat stack on the tip of their elbow and then flinging the coins in the air and catching them.

The boys, neighborhood friends, practiced for hours before gathering a crowd to show off their skills. They planned to beat the previous 1973 record of 39 coins set by Chris Redford in Arlington, England.

So, in 1975, the three performed their act to a crowd of mothers, siblings and friends.

In seeking recognition by Guinness, the group scorned oddities  such as the worlds longest fingernails, reaching about 50 inches and curving like tree branches. Instead, they tried to set a record that required some skill, since balance and speed are crucial, Violette told The Times-Dispatch in the Friday, Aug. 8, 1975, edition.

After several turns, the teens ended with Burns catching 41 pennies, Violette catching 44 and Hylton setting the record with 46 pennies. With Hylton claiming the title, the other two eventually conceded.

Oh well, it looks like Ill have to find another record to break, Burns said.

Ive always wanted to make the longest hot dog, Violette added.

About this story "From the Archives" is a series of stories exploring the history of Richmond and the region through the files of The Times-Dispatch. Have a topic you'd like us to check out? Email reporter Em Holter at eholter@timesdispatch.com and visit richmond.com to see more from our archives.

From the archives: Newspaper ads from the '80s
When the sun first breaks after a good soaking, it can be both joyous and illuminating.

Sometimes, painfully so.

The recent lawsuit filed by attorney Connie Clay, the citys former Freedom of Information Act officer, is case in point. Clay is suing the city and her boss, claiming that she was fired for blowing the whistle on the Citys ongoing FOIA violations and lack of transparency.

Clay says in the lawsuit that she was terminated on Jan. 19 by her supervisor, Petula Burks, Richmonds director of communications and civic engagement, in retaliation for reporting and refusing to engage in illegal and unethical activities in violation of FOIA. Clay is asking for $250,000 in damages.

The lawsuit offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Mayor Levar Stoneys City Hall, which these days seems to be in a perpetual state of damage control. The FOIA violations run the gamut: Clay claims she was instructed not to release documents related to the casino referendum in order to buy her bosses time to inform the public that the 2023 version would not be Black-owned as promised; refusal to release employee salaries and overtime, a standard practice; email correspondence concerning the citys Confederate shrine on Wise Street; a request for documents relating to the death of a city employee; and several inquiries into the citys disastrously bungled meals tax collections, among others.

In a statement on March 1, City Attorney Laura Drewry said the city believes the claims are baseless and intends to defend the lawsuit in court. Within days, however, the lawsuit had sparked a restructuring of how Richmond officials handle FOIA requests, according to a memo obtained by Em Holter of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Clay, who had been on the job for less than a year, was brought in to handle requests for information and centralize the process  previously, FOIAs were fielded by individual departments  but now an interim officer will serve as an intake manager of sorts, overseeing and sending requests back to department managers. Its essentially a reversion back to the old system.

In a city renowned for dysfunction, its never a good sign when the fix makes matters worse. Chief Administrative Officer Lincoln Saunders has said one issue is sheer volume  he told Holter recently that the city routinely received upward of 80 FOIA requests a week; Clay told the RTD its more like 30 to 80 a month  but thats hardly a defense for one of the more disturbing claims in Clays lawsuit.

After her hiring in July 2023, the suit alleges that Burks instructed Clay that each time she received a FOIA request, she should wait until the day the response was due and then invoke an extension of seven working days regardless of whether the City could timely produce the required information.

Under state law, public bodies have five business days to respond to FOIA requests. If the public body cannot fulfill a request within that timeframe, it must notify the requestor of the reason why prior to invoking the seven-day extension. Its run-of-the-mill legalese, but Clays suit exposes a standard operating procedure in local government  stall the release of public information (or, if that doesnt work, charge exorbitant fees) to keep citizens in the dark.

Clays lawsuit is lifting the curtain on the behind-the-scenes that we dont see very often, said Megan Rhyne, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government. Its hardly surprising, said Rhyne, who routinely hears similar stories about FOIA officers across the state.

This is a law that is written exclusively for citizens. They have the right to know how their government is spending their money; how they are making decisions that impact them both directly and indirectly, she said in an interview Wednesday. When they meet this resistance, it is their government telling them they dont have a right to see this; they dont have a right to know what they are doing.

Or in this case, its the Stoney administration telling the person hired to keep the lights on to intentionally break the circuits. Violating the public trust, however, usually backfires  especially in Richmond, which has no shortage of engaged citizens, a still-functional local media and a two-term mayor in the midst of an increasingly long-shot gubernatorial campaign.

When the storm finally passes, its easy to fixate on the damage, the scattered debris. But today marks the beginning of Sunshine Week (March 10-16), a nationwide initiative that highlights the importance of citizen engagement and open government.

Every now and then, just when you think our political system is incapable of being held to account, someone on the inside stands up  and does just that.
EDUCATION

Monet Roberts, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics at Virginia Tech, has been awarded the inaugural Henrietta Lacks Legacy Award by Young Doctors Roanoke.

Lacks, who was a Roanoke native, is known as the Mother of Modern Medicine because her cancer cells are the source of the HeLa cell line, the first and most important cell line in medical research.

The award named in her honor is specifically for researchers of color who have and are making important, innovative strides in improving the health of people using HeLa cells.

As founder of the Roberts Glyco-Diversity Lab, Roberts has used the HeLa cell in her research.

Roberts received her award during the gala Giving Them Their Flowers: An Evening of Honoring Legends and Leaders of Science and Medicine held Feb. 17 in Roanoke.

Kang Xia, a professor in Virginia Techs College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has been named associate director of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station.

In this role, Xia will help manage Techs 11 Agriculture Research and Extension Centers across the commonwealth and other research programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Since 2012, Xia, also the director of the Center for Advanced Innovation in Agriculture, has been a faculty member in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, where she has developed an internationally recognized environmental chemistry program.

Her scholarly work includes authoring or co-authoring 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and more than 30 invited speaking engagements.

In addition, Xia has secured grant funding totaling more than $12 million. Her contributions were recognized in 2019, when she received the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Excellence Award.

VAES includes more than 350 scientists from three colleges at Tech: the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

FINANCIAL

Garrett Tillman has joined Farm Credit of the Virginias, a lending cooperative that serves Virginia, West Virginia and western Maryland, as operations support. He will be based in the Roanoke branch, but he will serve the entire three-state territorys loan processing efforts.

Tillman brings previous experience in branch management and in operations at other lending institutions.

Outside of work, he volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and enjoys archery, kayaking, traveling and hiking.

LAW

Monica T. Monday, chair of Gentry Lockes executive board and head of the firms appeals and critical issues team, has been honored in the inaugural class of the 2024 Circle of Excellence by Virginia Lawyers Weekly.

The award is given to past Virginia Lawyers Weekly Influential Women of Law recipients who have sustained a level of achievement and record of leadership. This inaugural class of Circle of Excellence honorees includes five women throughout Virginia who are inspiring and accomplished leaders, serve as mentors to others, and contribute significant time and effort to volunteerism and/or pro bono initiatives.

For three decades, Monday has advocated for her clients in Virginias state and federal appellate courts, handling a wide range of cases from commercial disputes to healthcare, property, personal injury, local government matters, and domestic relations.

Monday is actively involved in the legal community, and has held various leadership roles within the Virginia Bar Association. Monica served as managing partner at Gentry Locke from 2013-2022 and currently leads the firms recruiting, diversity, and pro bono initiatives.

She is involved in the community as well, including serving on the board of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and as a member of the Virginia Poverty Law Center Advisory Council.

Restaurants

Stephen DeMarco has been named executive chef of Mountain Lake Lodge in Giles County. DeMarco will oversee culinary operations at Harvest Restaurant, Stoney Creek Tavern, Salt Pond Pub, themed weekends and special events.

DeMarco had previously been associated with Hotel Roanoke. In his 30-year career the executive chef led restaurants in New York City, including Asia de Cuba, Capitol Grille, Roots Steakhouse and the Harvest Restaurant Group. He earned his degree from Johnson and Wales culinary college.
CHARLES WILBORN

Danville Register & Bee

DANVILLE  With the River District already experiencing a renaissance, the city as a whole is about to embark on a new world by the end of the year.

When the Caesars Virginia casino and resort opens on the spot that used to house thousands of Dan River Inc. mill workers, Danville is expected to become a tourism magnet.

A temporary casino facility is already drawing travelers mostly for day trips. However, when the full operation and hotel are up and running, longer stays will mean more opportunities for visitors to explore.

Whether it will up the ante for downtown Danville remains a mystery.

I think theres too much still unknown, Diana Schwartz, CEO of the River District Association, told the Register & Bee.

Shes not sure if they have enough data at the moment to project the impact.

In general terms, she noted one or two business owners have said theyve gotten more foot traffi c since the temporary casino  housed in a giant tent-like structure  opened in May.

My understanding is that a lot of the traffi c is coming from out of state, so thats good, Schwartz said, referencing North Carolinians venturing over the border to spend time and cash at Danville Casino.

Will Mackaman, programs and services manager for the nonprofit River District Association, said the vibe from a few businesses is that its a mixed bag.

I think a lot of businesses are figuring out how they can adjust to it, Mackaman said of his interaction with downtown establishments.

Theres no way yet to know what the impact is going to be, but that makes part of our job to ensure that we can provide the one thing you cant get inside the casino, Schwartz said, which is the great outdoors and all of the opportunities that it provides.

The River District  the name of downtown Danville since the Dan River runs through it  soon will be home to a new park fronting the waterway.

Also, Danville Riverwalk Trail is nestled in the River District as a path that borders the Dan River. Its only a few feet from some of the busy streets of downtown, but once on the trail, the experience turns to one of a direct connection with nature.

When we talk about what the future looks like, part of that is ensuring we are making the best case that we can of why people do need to come downtown, Schwartz told the newspaper.

With a conference center planned at the casino and hotel site, that could be a driver for families to come to Danville on what would normally be a routine business trip.

But families may not want to remain in the confi nes of the casino space, instead choosing to explore the city.

Its our job to make sure we are providing as many opportunities for access and knowing what we have downtown, she said.

Current challenges

The same issues mounting in the community  notably a housing shortage and workforce worries  are mirrored in the River District, but the transformational impacts with the casino puts it in unchartered territory.

The community is changing rapidly, Schwartz said. That can bring its own set of problems.
By Rachel Vickers-Price, PA

Sunday's front pages focus on a range of stories from delays to the Shannon pipeline being a threat to foreign investment, as well as reaction to a resounding No No vote in the family and care referendums.

The Business Post reports possible delays to a Shannon water pipeline could be a threat to foreign investment in the area.

Tomorrows front page. Pick up a copy in stores or subscribe at https://t.co/u5ystSGUtr:



 Delays to Shannon water pipeline threatening foreign investment



 Double defeat for coalition as referendums go down



 Toxic work culture in law firms pushing lawyers out pic.twitter.com/m5UvAUlUeT  Business Post (@businessposthq) March 9, 2024

The Sunday Independent focusses on the anger surrounding the double NO votes in the family and care referendums.

Here is the front page of the Sunday Independent for March 10, 2024 pic.twitter.com/JHhXg6NJ5Y  Irish Independent (@Independent_ie) March 10, 2024

Today's front page of The Irish Sun pic.twitter.com/oogfJM78wF  The Irish Sun (@IrishSunOnline) March 10, 2024

Morning, readers. Here's a look at today's front page of the Sunday Life.https://t.co/aOFzOA9zsz pic.twitter.com/AMekTp7xdP  Sunday Life (@TheSundayLife) March 10, 2024

In the UK, politics is the main theme of the nations front pages at the end of the week.

The Observer and The Sunday Telegraph run with Levelling Up Minister Michael Goves soon-to-be-revealed plan to expose extremists and protesters who subvert democracy with bans from public life.

The Sunday Times splashes with claims Boris Johnson took a secret trip to Venezuela to meet with the nations autocratic leader Nicolas Maduro in February.

The Sunday Times: Johnson flew for secret talks

with autocrat #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/FLZuETASSM  George Mann (@sgfmann) March 9, 2024

Excerpts from the memoir of Earl Spencer, the younger brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, leads the Mail on Sunday, as he says he was sexually abused as a child whilst at a top British boarding school.

Mail on Sunday: Dianas brother: how I was sexually

abused at just 11 by school matron #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/eTMKJDEdoR  George Mann (@sgfmann) March 9, 2024

The Independent runs with a story on working parents, who are about to be hit hard by a hike in childcare fees.

The Sunday Express reports on James Cleverlys latest Labour criticisms, with the Home Secretary accusing the Opposition of choosing to carp from the sidelines rather than take action on boat arrivals.

Tomorrows front page. Words from the Home Secretary; Prince Edward talks on his 60th birthday; Englands victory over Ireland; Britain is the Hollywood of Europe. #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/T8oBywY6fV  David Wooding (@DavidWooding) March 9, 2024

The Daily Mirror runs with a piece on the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, who has met with the Prime Minister to discuss in-school and online bullying solutions.

Sunday People leads with a piece on Baby P  real name Peter Connelly  as one of the men responsible for the childs 2007 murder prepares to apply for parole.

And, lastly, the Daily Star Sunday splashes with a story on foot hygiene.
Over the years, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation has provided funding to dozens of pioneering researchers across the country. The work the Foundation has supported has contributed to numerous breakthroughs, increasing survival rates and providing better treatment options, sometimes where there were none at all.

If you're reading this, then there's a good chance you share something in common with the hard-working people at the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. Everyone at the Foundation is united in its goal of helping children beat cancers so they can go on to live long and happy lives.

Over the years, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation has provided funding to dozens of pioneering researchers across the country. The work the Foundation has supported has contributed to numerous breakthroughs, increasing survival rates and providing better treatment options, sometimes where there were none at all.

Even with the advancements that have already been made, even more progress is possible when everyone works together. Since its creation, the Foundation has worked to connect people from all walks of lifeincluding research scientists, students, administrators, social workers, cancer survivors, family members, and donorswho share its dream.

To highlight just how important collaboration is, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation recently asked several researchers whose work it helps fund to share their own experiences working with colleagues. Some of them work together in the same lab. Others are separated by geography, collaborating across interstate or even international borders. All of them, however, coalesce around the desire to advance innovation and transform pediatric cancer care.

Validating Research Through International Cooperation

Not long ago, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation detailed a clinical trial being run by Dr. Elliot Stieglitz at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital. Dr. Stieglitz has been researching juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), an aggressive form of blood cancer whose only known curative treatment is a stem cell transplant that puts patients at risk for many short- and long-term side effects.

Unfortunately, the treatment doesn't always work. That makes it even more important for physicians to be able to accurately identify which patients are most likely to benefit from such treatment and which ones aren't. To facilitate this, Dr. Stieglitz has spent the last few years developing a DNA methylation test, thanks in part to funding from us.

Dr. Stieglitz is currently overseeing a clinical trial. However, this might have never been possible without the valuable contributions of other researchers working overseas.

"Regarding DNA methylation, there were three groups that all published very similar data at the same time, one in Germany, one in Japan and our group in the United States. We collaborated and pooled all of the patient samples from each of the individual groups across three continents," Dr. Stieglitz said.

"JMML is a very rare disease, but together we were able to look at 300 patients and establish international consensus definitions for low, intermediate and high DNA methylation. These are the same consensus definitions that we're using in our recently opened clinical trial. Using DNA methylation testing on the trial, certain patients will have the option to forgo a stem cell transplant for the first time. Without international collaboration, we wouldn't have been able to do this."

Expanding Patient Access and Utilizing Resources

Collaboration isn't exactly a new concept for Dr. Ashley Plant-Fox and Dr. Josephine HaDuong. They've known each other since 2017, when the pair began working at the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) in California. Even before that, Dr. Plant-Fox had been refining ideas for a trial to test a groundbreaking new vaccine-based immunotherapy treatment for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a devastating form of pediatric brain cancer.

Significant portions of the protocol for Dr. Plant-Fox's trial were written during her time at CHOC. However, the trial itself  which was financed in part by the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation's Will Irwin Memorial Fund  didn't begin enrolling patients until 2022. By that time, Dr. Plant-Fox had relocated to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, while Dr. HaDuong remained at CHOC.

"DIPG is a devastating disease with <1% 5-year overall survival. The families of children with this diagnosis are in a very difficult situation from the start and we want to make access to innovative new therapies as easy as possible. Collaborating to make the trials available at multiple sites across the country can ease the burden of the decision to enroll in a clinical trial. Keeping families together during this tough time is essential," Dr. Plant-Fox said.

"In addition, multiple CHOC families were actually involved in funding the DIPG vaccine trial so having CHOC as a site for the trial was an easy decision."

To that end, Dr. Plant-Fox is leading the trial at Lurie Children's Hospital, while Dr. HaDuong oversees the trial at the Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC. In addition, Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and Alberta Children's Hospital in Canada are also participating. Thus, the trial can enroll more patients and take advantage of a much wider range of resources.

"With clinical trials, especially early phase clinical trials, you want to learn as much information as possible from every single patient," Dr. Plant-Fox explained. "With this trial, we have four different labs working on the blood and tissue samples of patients. We're using everyone's expertise to learn as much as possible. That way, if the vaccine doesn't work or only works for certain patients, we have as much information as possible to learn from and potentially innovate a new vaccine."

Exploring New Ideas and Learning from Others

Sometimes, collaboration isn't planned and intentional. Sometimes, it's just a matter of being willing to listen. No one knows that quite like Dr. Alex Huang, a professor of pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and program director at the Angie Fowler Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Institute at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland, whose work Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation has funded in the past.

While working to develop new therapeutic options for pediatric sarcomas, Dr. Huang was approached by a colleague who needed help explaining why certain patients responded more positively to cryoablation treatment than others. However, when Dr. Huang tested cryoablation on lab animals, the results were perplexing.

The animals responded well to the procedure, in a manner that suggested the presence of STING  a DNA-detecting signaling molecule  in their immune systems. The problem? The animals in question didn't have any STING in their immune systems.

The solution to this conundrum came from an unexpected source.

"One day, my graduate student from Saudi Arabia was sharing some data with me, and he said 'Dr. Huang, we never looked at the tumor cells that we injected into these animals. Maybe the tumor cells themselves contain STING,'" Dr. Huang recalled.

"I said 'Who cares about STING in tumor cells? We have to look at the immune system,' but he said 'No, we have to look at this.' So, he spent the next two years doing that and, in the end, he showed that the STING signaling contribution doesn't come from the immune cells like we always thought. It's actually the tumor cells themselves causing the STING signaling."

Recently, Dr. Huang and his graduate student published a paper on their findings. Further investigation could have major implications for the future of pediatric cancer research. Most notably, these findings may help researchers working to rationally deploy STING agonists to bolster the body's natural immune response against cancer cells.

"That moment came when I was meeting my student and I was supposed to be teaching him. Instead, he was teaching me. I completely dismissed the student's idea at first, but he was politely insistent. He said, 'Just because nobody else has looked for it doesn't mean it doesn't exist,' and that led to this whole new discovery that we're now trying to capitalize on," Dr. Huang said.

"There's so much we can learn from each other. That's why collaboration and communication matter."

Provided by California NanoSystems Institute
India's Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal prepares to brief journalists at a WTO meeting in Abu Dhabi

By Manoj Kumar

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India will lift most import tariffs on industrial products from four European countries in return for investment of $100 billion over 15 years, its trade minister said, after an economic pact signed on Sunday that concluded nearly 16 years of negotiations.

The deal follows trade pacts over the last two years with Australia and the United Arab Emirates, while officials say a another, with Britain, is in its final stages, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims for annual exports of $1 trillion by 2030.

It envisages that the European Free Trade Association, comprised of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, will invest $100 billion over 15 years in India's fast-growing market of 1.4 billion people, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said.

In turn, India will lift, or partially remove, very high customs duties on 95.3% of industrial imports from Switzerland, excluding gold, either immediately or over time, the Swiss government said in a statement.

"Norwegian companies exporting to India today meet high import taxes of up to 40% on certain goods," Industry Minister Jan Christian Vestre said in a separate statement.

"With the new deal, we have secured nil import taxes on nearly every Norwegian good."

The pact covers some new elements such as intellectual rights and gender equity, Goyal added, telling a press conference, "It is a modern trade agreement, fair, equitable and win-win for all five countries."

The five signatories must ratify Sunday's deal before it can take effect, with Switzerland planning to do so by 2025.

The news comes ahead of general elections due by May at which Modi will seek a record third term.

India has committed to cut its bound tariff rate' on gold to 39% from 40%, but does not anticipate much impact on imports of the metal from Switzerland, which were estimated at $16 billion last fiscal year, an Indian government official said.

The Indian market offers immense opportunities for trade and investment, said Swiss economic official Guy Parmelin, adding that the pact was the result of 21 rounds of talks.

Story continues

India is the EFTA grouping's fifth-largest trading partner after the European Union, the United States, Britain and China, with total two-way trade of $25 billion in 2023, its trade ministry estimates.

"The agreement contains a comprehensive and legally binding chapter on trade and sustainable development," the Swiss government said.

"This will enable the EFTA states, in particular, to address trade-related sustainability considerations."

Analysts said the pact may not immediately help India to cut a large trade gap with the group, but will help draw investment into key industries.

"The trade agreement will help attract investment in critical sectors like medical devices, clean energy and expand exports to other countries by accessing Swiss and Norway technologies," said trade economist Ram Singh, who heads a New Delhi thinktank, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.

(Reporting by Manoj Kumar, Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber, Gwladys Fouche and Jayshree P Upadhyay; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and William Mallard)
Two pilots flying an Indonesian plane carrying more than 150 passengers fell asleep mid-flight for almost 30 minutes, an investigation has revealed.

The pilot and co-pilot of a Batik Air flight travelling from South East Sulawesi to the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, on 25 January were asleep at the same time for about 28 minutes, according to a preliminary report by the countrys National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT).

While the incident led to several navigational errors as the aircraft was not in the correct path during the flight, which lasted two hours and 35 minutes, the report noted that its 153 passengers and four flight attendants were unharmed.

As per the report, the Airbus A320 flights second-in-command pilot had notified his co-pilot that he had not had a proper rest earlier in the day.

Once the plane took off and reached a cruising altitude, the in-command pilot asked for permission to rest and the second-in-command, who had already slept for about 30 minutes, took over the aircraft.

Then about 90 minutes into the flight, the second-in-command inadvertently fell asleep, the report noted.

The investigation report shows the points at which the pilots are believed to have been asleep (KNKT)

When the Jakarta area control centre (ACC) tried to reach the aircraft about 12 minutes after the last recorded transmission by the co-pilot, there was no reply from either of the pilots.

Several attempts to contact BTK6723 had been made by the Jakarta ACC including asking other pilots to call the BTK6723. None of the calls were responded to by the BTK6723 pilots, the investigation report said.

About 28 minutes after the last recorded transmission, the in-command pilot woke up to realise the plane was not on the correct path.

The investigation report did not name the pilots but identified the in-command flyer as a 32-year-old Indonesian male and the second-in-command as a 28-year-old Indonesian male.

According to the report, the second-in-command had to wake up several times to help his wife take care of their one-month-old twins.

No one was injured in this occurrence and there was no damage to the aircraft, the report noted.

Indonesias air transport director general, Maria Kristi Endah Murni, strongly reprimanded Batik Air over the incident and called on airlines to pay attention to the rest time of their crew, AFP reported.
The daytime fasting month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam (AHMAD GHARABLI)

Ramadan will begin on Monday, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE announced, with the Muslim holy fasting month taking place against a backdrop of devastating war in Gaza.

Saudi Arabia, which is home to Islam's holiest sites, said through its official SPA news agency on Sunday that the Supreme Court had announced "Monday, March 11, 2024, the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan for this year".

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar also announced the start date for Ramadan through their own official news outlets after the sighting of the crescent moon.

Earlier, Iran had set the beginning of Ramadan for Tuesday after its "Estehlal" or moon observation office said it had not been possible to observe "the crescent of Ramadan".

In Saudi Arabia, the start of the holy month had been cast into doubt after some of the kingdom's observatories reported that the moon was obscured by "cloudy weather and dust particles".

But final confirmation of the sighting was given through the Al Majmaah University Astronomical Observatory in Riyadh.

The daytime fasting month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.

Observant Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, and traditionally gather with family and friends to break their fast in the evening.

It is also a time of prayers, with the faithful converging in large numbers at mosques, especially at night.

The war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has cast a long shadow over festivities in the region, with hopes dashed that a ceasefire agreement could be reached before the start of Ramadan.

The war was triggered by the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel which resulted in about 1,160 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza, aimed at destroying Hamas, has killed at least 31,045 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.

The United Nations has warned that famine in the Palestinian territory is "almost inevitable" unless something changes in the war, with aid trickling in at levels far below the pre-war norm.

ht-csp/dcp/it
If you want to test your Disney knowledge, grab a copy of Wish.

Its so stuffed with subtle and not-so-subtle references to past films you dont know whether to be thrilled or incensed.

Coming on the 100th anniversary of something (the day Walt doodled?), its likely an homage to the the past. But it sure could have used a better script.

Naturally, theres a princess  or princess to be.

Wish follows a 17-year-old as she applies to apprentice King Magnifico (voiced by Chris Pine), who can make wishes come true. Unfortunately, hes not very generous. When young Asha (Ariana DeBose) pushes her grandfathers case, the king becomes indignant and plays the what about me card. She sees him for what hes worth and does a little of her own wishing, which brings a star-like creature into her life. In no time, shes mounting a challenge to his authority and getting a cadre of characters on her side.

Before you even realize Peter Pan is in this mix (no kidding), youll have witnessed comparisons to moments in Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Frozen.

Making Ashas friends counterparts to the Seven Dwarfs is purely intentional.

The story, though, doesnt provide anything new. Even the songs have a worn quality and predictable rhyming schemes.

WISH In Walt Disney Animation Studios Wish, Ashas pajama-wearing goat Valentino makes the most of the magic that accompanies a little ball of b

WISH Chris Pine voices King Magnifico in "Wish."

WISH Sharp-witted idealist Asha (voice of Ariana DeBose) makes a wish so powerful, its answered by a cosmic forcea little ball of boundless energ

The only surprises are Pines singing ability (hes good) and Alan Tudyks vocal versatility (hes super as the goat Valentino).

The rest is like it was cooked up for a theme park fireworks show.

Set in a Mediterranean country called Rosas, Wish suggests the king holds his citizens wishes in his castle. When he grants one or two, hopes are dashed and the country goes into a funk that even a singing 17-year-old cant lift.

The star (which looks like a Funko Pop) gets Asha to reorder her priorities and take on the guy she wanted to assist. That means violent rages can only be a song away. (On that note, the music sounds like early-draft Lin-Manuel Miranda. DeBose can sell them, but even a 6-year-old would see the words arent quite up to karaoke standards.)

The screenplay, meanwhile, seems like something that emerges from an office forced to invest in a failing 401k plan. It hints at tyranny but presses on because its better than nothing.

When the happy ending finally arrives, directors Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn dont hesitate to toss in fireworks that resemble the outline of Mickey Mouse. Its as if someone said Disney needed a film that would pay tribute to the companys 100th anniversary and, darn, if this isnt it.

While the success of Little Mermaid and Frozen may have corrupted the system, it didnt need to go this far in pandering to everything that worked once upon a time.

Wish isnt original or all that entertaining. Its what you sit through while you wait for the parade to begin.
LE MARS, Iowa  A Saturday morning pallet fire in Le Mars caused about $100,000 in damages and required approximately 33 fire and emergency workers to respond.

At 4:22 a.m., Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department was called to a structure fire at Tritz Pallet/Kamps Company (1811 Industrial Road), according to Le Mars Fire-Rescue Chief David Schipper. Once firefighters arrived, they encountered heavy smoke coming from inside the building and the fire departments of Orange City and Sioux Center were called for aerial ladders trucks and additional support.

"Le Mars Firefighters entered the building on the eastside through two separate walk-in doors and attacked the fire. They encountered high heat and heavy smoke and flames from the burning pallets inside the building," Schipper said. "Ladder trucks were positioned on all sides of the building in case the fire broke through the roof. Several teams rotated in and out of the structure and were able to bring the fire under control."

The fire's origin was pinpointed to pallets on a south divider wall in the north end of the building and the cause was determined to be accidental, according to Schipper.

"The most probable cause for this fire was determined to be a co-ray-vac heater that came apart at the ceiling in the building a fell into pallets below," he said. "The heater eventually started and ignited the pallets. The fire spread through several pallets and also got into the divider wall and ceiling area."

Schipper estimated damage to be $100,000 and said the building is still usable but will require repairs and cleanup.

The Le Mars Police Department, the Plymouth County Sheriff's Office, Mid-American Energy and the Le Mars Water Department all assisted on the call.
DES MOINES  A bill supported by the tobacco industry that would ban retailers from selling vape products not listed on a state-approved registry has united two disparate groups in opposition: vape shops and public health advocates.

The companion legislation, House Study Bill 682 and Senate File 2402, would require retailers, distributors and wholesalers who sell vapor products in the state to put them on a new registry. Retailers could sell only products listed on the registry  which would be limited to those the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for sale. The registration fee is $100 per product.

Those that violate the provisions would be subject to a $300 a day penalty.

Money collected from fees and penalties would be deposited into a trust fund to be used for substance use disorder treatment and prevention and tobacco prevention, cessation and enforcement.

At first blush, the bill seems to close a loophole leveraged by e-cigarette manufacturers and distributors.

Before manufacturers can sell new e-cigarette products, they must submit an application to the FDA to market the products. The FDA then can either grant their application, at which point they can sell their products indefinitely, or the FDA can deny their application  at which point they must cease selling them altogether.

But because of the lengthy time it takes the FDA to process applications, or because of legal challenges to denials, manufacturers and distributors keep their products in the marketplace until they receive a final answer.

Since 2020, 26 million tobacco products, the vast majority of which are vapor products, have been submitted for FDA approval. To date, the FDA has authorized just 23 e-cigarette products and related devices, all of them tobacco-flavored, while rejecting more than a million applications. And only three brands  all made by tobacco companies  have received FDA marketing authorization.

Manufacturers have challenged the denials in court, and use a variety of legal maneuvers to delay agency action. Most e-cigarette applications fall into limbo of having received approval or denial to market their product. Without the former, the products cannot be legally sold in the United States.

But as a result, thousands of e-cigarette products  including flavored products popular among youth  are being sold in Iowa and across the country without proper FDA authorization. The FDA has not aggressively pursued enforcement actions against manufacturers who either never applied for FDA approval or who did but persist in selling products that have not been approved.

Thousands of unauthorized vapes pouring in

The tobacco-industry-backed registry law, which mirrors those passed and being considered in other states, is purportedly intended to fill the enforcement void left by FDA inaction and inability to control the tumultuous vaping market more than three years after the agency declared a crackdown on youth-friendly flavors.

Most of the unauthorized disposable vapes being sold in the United States, such as Elf Bar, come from China in sweet and fruity flavors that have made them a favorite nicotine product among teens. Hundreds of new varieties appear each month, the Associated Press reported.

The influx has upended the FDAs regulatory model. Instead of carefully reviewing individual products that might help adult smokers, regulators must now somehow claw back thousands of illegal products sold under-the-radar.

Why public health advocates oppose the bill

Public health advocates say lawmakers should carefully consider the public health implications of the bill and evaluate whose interests it advances.

The American Cancer Society is registered opposed to the bill, as is CAFE (Clean Air For Everyone) Iowa Citizens Action Network, an organization that advocates for tobacco control policies. The American Heart Association and Iowa Primary Care Association are registered undecided.

Opponents argue the bill does nothing to reduce youth consumption and instead benefits tobacco companies.

At the end of the day, this bill will do nothing to reduce youth consumption and nor adult (use), likely, said Threase Harms, a lobbyist for CAFE Iowa Citizens Action Network.   We see it as an industry bill that does nothing other than help tobacco companies increase their market share and ultimately their profits.

If serious about reducing youth vaping, lawmakers could consider advertising bans, taxing vape products the same as tobacco products and requiring a retail permit fee, Harms said.

How retailers would be impacted

Corey Halfhill, owner of Central Iowa Vapors, which has stores in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, said the bill would eliminate 99% of the vapor products on the market and force him to close his 15 stores, putting 80 workers out of a job.

It would over-regulate us to the point where you can't conduct business, Halfhill said. We're not like a convenience store. You take a handful of items (out) at a convenience store, they're going to be able to continue to sell gas and be able to continue to sell soda, all of the snacks and things.

He said the industry is frustrated by FDA inaction and is advocating for fair regulations that allow for vaping products to remain on the market while ensuring consumer safety.

He said he regularly meets with manufacturers and visits their facilities, including in China, and requests information and documentation that their products have either been approved, denied or pending review by the FDA.

Halfhill emphasized the importance of addressing youth vaping, but believes the government should focus on holding social media giants accountable for promoting vaping products to minors and work with the industry to promote tobacco-harm reduction and support products proven to be safer than tobacco.

Halfhill and Sarah Linden, owner of Generation V in Council Bluffs and Davenport, said vape users will find other ways to get their product if it is unavailable in their stores  whether online or just across the border in neighboring states.

If this bill goes into effect, businesses like mine  because we are good actors  we will close, Linden said. But there's going to be stores that don't, and then they're going to be selling whatever illicit products to whatever age group, including potentially teens.

Where we screen and only sell to 21-plus, she said. It's just a 10 minute drive across the border to Illinois or Nebraska (from her shops in Davenport and Council Bluffs), where those states have no intention of passing these bills.

What supporters, others say

David Scott, a lobbyist for tobacco giant Altria Group thats pushing the bill, said the measure prevents illegal products from overseas popular with youth.

"China has over 50 percent of the (products) that are illegal," Scott recently told a House Ways and Means subcommittee. "Three out of the five youth brands are illicit but they are still being brought in."

Gregory Conley, director of legislative and external affairs for the American Vapor Manufacturers, said the FDA uses U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to stop illegal products before they enter the United States and conduct inspections and issue civil penalties to manufacturers and retailers of illegal products.

The FDA with their $712 million budget has decided, oh yeah, we're just going to only target specific products that have youth use problems, he said. That's something you could do in this bill. But just saying all these products have to be banned? Terrible, terrible policy.  There's a reason why Barclays and Goldman Sachs and Altria investors are so interested in this policy. Both Barclays and Goldman Sachs have said that one way for Altria to recover their falling cigarette sales is to put people like Halfhill and Linden out of business.

Conley said the bill imposes a confusing and complicated registration scheme that has been challenged in courts in other states.

The FDA in 2016 deemed e-cigarettes to be tobacco products like traditional cigarettes subject to agency review under the Tobacco Control Act, and said manufacturers of the products would need to apply for approval to continue selling them.

It initially considered e-cigarettes as having some promise in helping adult smokers transition from conventional cigarettes, but faced pressure from anti-smoking groups to restrict flavored e-cigarettes amid a rise in youth vaping.

Conley said the FDA has not released a comprehensive list of products that have received denials or injunctions, making it difficult to retailers and law enforcement to know what is legal. Instead, he suggested the legislation be amended to prohibit the sale of products that have not submitted their ingredients to the FDA.

Tony Phillips, a lobbyist representing tobacco company Reynolds American, called the bill a reasonable approach to limit the sale of illegal products.

Yes, it's a difficult process through the FDA. We've had our own challenges with it, Phillips said. But even if the registry completely weeds out e-cigarettes that never applied through the FDA process or that have received denials, tens of thousands of products can still qualify because of the FDA backlog.

To register with the state, a manufacturer would have to provide proof of marketing authorization or a similar order from the FDA, a pending application that remains under FDA review or a court order was stayed by either the FDA or a federal court. Only those products that have been appropriately entered into the registry could then be sold in Iowa.

Mike Triplett, a lobbyist representing Iowans For Alternatives To Smoking And Tobacco, said removing all flavored vaping products from the market will only increase cigarette sales, cost Iowa taxpayers millions, shutter hundreds of small businesses and throw Iowans out of work.

A 2021 study conducted for the U.S. vapor industry estimates the Iowa industry employs 752 people, generating $37.5 million in wages and a direct economic output of roughly $127.8 million.

Where the bills go from here

The House and Senate bills were approved by subcommittees and will be heard by the Ways and Means committees in their respective chambers.

My big concern is public safety, making sure that these products that people are consuming  is safe in the marketplace, said Rep. John Forbes, D-Urbandale, who served on the House subcommittee. My other concern is, you know, passing legislation here that has an impact on businesses here in the state of Iowa. People are going to still vape regardless, but I'd hate to have us pass legislation that's going to affect jobs and, you know, viable, ongoing businesses that could be out of business or severely restricted in sales.

Republicans signed off on the bills to continue the conversation and work on possible amendments to the legislation.

Vaping is finally on a downward trend in schools Vaping is finally on a downward trend in schools Online culture can reinforce the multipronged harms of vaping
Like the presidential primaries, this years Best Original Song category at the Oscars was a two-candidate race from the beginning. With all due respect to American hero Diane Warren, its Barbies award to lose. But which of the two nominated Barbie songs will win? Prognosticators overwhelmingly favor What Was I Made For?, Billie Eilishs gentle piano ballad, which has cleaned up in precursor contestsnot to mention winning Best Song at the Grammys. It sounds like exactly the kind of song that wins Oscars, which is to say it sounds a lot like Eilishs previous Oscar-winning song, the piano-ballad Bond theme No Time to Die.

Eilishs top-20 performance on the charts notwithstanding, What Was I Made For? is not the song from Barbie that everyone remembers. Only one song from Barbie was a cultural sensation, a TikTok masterpiece, a showstopping earwormand its the other nominated song, the one thats probably going to lose on Oscar night: Im Just Ken.

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Just as Best Picture tends to ignore comedies in favor of serious dramas, so does the Best Song category ignore funny, upbeat bops in favor of weepy ballads or square inspirational anthems. You might trace this trend to 1980, when Dolly Partons spiky comic masterpiece 9 to 5 lost the Oscar to the motivational pap of Fame. With few exceptionsThe Little Mermaids Under the Sea among themthe Best Song category has ignored fun ever since. Top Guns Take My Breath Away defeated Little Shop of Horrors toe-tapping Mean Green Mother From Outer Space. The 90s Disney renaissance saw power ballad after power ballad defeat the actually great comic songs from those movies: Beauty and the Beast defeated Be Our Guest, just as the next year A Whole New World defeated Friend Like Me, just as two years later Can You Feel the Love Tonight? defeated Hakuna Matata.

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And so it goes. The injustices arent always as outrageous as all-time classics Blame Canada and Everything Is Awesome losing to, respectively, the terrible Phil Collins song from Tarzan and the dull CommonJohn Legend duet from Selma. Sometimes the schmaltzy ballad that defeats a comic number is actually really good, as when The Weary Kind from Crazy Heart defeated Randy Newmans jazzy numbers from The Princess and the Frog, or when Onces Falling Slowly defeated the musical-comedy souffles of Enchanted. Nevertheless, year after year, the lively songs lose.

You may recall that the year that Eilish won her first Oscar, the movie-music song everyone was humming certainly wasnt No Time to Die. (Imagine humming No Time to Die!) It was We Dont Talk About Bruno, the catchy, joke-filled number from Encanto that Disney didnt even submit for the Oscars, because they didnt realize it was going to be a No. 1 hit. They submittedguess what!a weepy ballad, Dos Oruguitas.

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Every once in a while, a nominated song, despite being fun, is such a sensationoften one that represents a kind of showy progressive step for the staid academythat it breaks through. Thats the best explanation for the victories of Naatu Naatu from RRR last year, or Eminems Lose Yourself in 2002, orperhaps the greatest Best Song surprise in Academy Awards historyThree 6 Mafias Its Hard Out There for a Pimp in 2005. But most years, the academy persists in its bias for uplift over verve and wit and parody and all of the other things pop music can do.

Related From Slate The Real Competition Heating Up the Oscars This Year Read More

The likely loss of Im Just Ken is a particularly tough pill to swallow, because the song is the inarguable highlight of one of the years great movies, the best sequence in a Best Picture nominee. A delirious, hilarious fantasia of preening, flexing, and squinting, Im Just Ken is part old-fashioned showstopper and part dream ballet, with Ryan Gosling and the other Kens finding the perfect line between sincerity and silliness. When Gosling sings, Anywhere else Id be a 10, he delivers a laugh line that also digs at the themes of this plastic, fantastic inquiry into female empowerment and male fragility. In a way, Im Just Ken is a parody of the kinds of songs that win Oscars. Songwriters Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt are masters of not only sentimental ballads (they previously won for A Star Is Borns Shallow) but pastiche, beginning the song as a spoof of (what else?) a goopy piano ballad before taking left turns into Fame-style 80s inspirationalism and such gloriously stupid rhymes as Im just Ken, and Im enough/ And Im great at doing stuff. And Ill long remember the collective shriek in my local theater when Gosling and Simu Liu were revealed on their striped soundstage, facing each other in a dance-off for the ages.

What Was I Made For? is a perfectly nice song, and it scores a lovely part of the film Barbies encounter with creator Ruth Handler and her vision of real life, made up of carefully chosen home-movie footage of real women living, loving, and laughing. But I hope Oscar voters this year embrace fun over sentiment, comedy over melodrama, a big cheesy grin over a wistful single tear. The academy has a chance, just this once, to face all of Hollywoods tinkly ballads and uplifting choruses, and tell them: Kenough.
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Self-employed individuals often have unique tax requirements that can be overwhelming to manage during tax season. If you are looking for the best tax software for self-employed people, this article has great options. These software offer a combination of user-friendliness, affordability, and robust features.

Tax software can help you understand how to file self-employment taxes and make the process easier by streamlining the filing process and providing guidance on available deductions and 1099 rules.

Choosing the Best Tax Software for Self-Employed Individuals: Our Methodology

In our quest to provide self-employed professionals with the most reliable and efficient tax software options, we rigorously evaluate each product based on specific criteria. These criteria are rated on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 indicates lesser importance and 5 signifies critical importance to our evaluation process:

Ease of Use Importance: 4

We prioritize software that offers an intuitive and user-friendly experience. A streamlined and simple interface is crucial for time-strapped entrepreneurs. Specific Features for Self-Employed Individuals Importance: 5

Its essential that the software provides specialized features such as Schedule C support, expense tracking, and the ability to manage personal and business expenses distinctly. These features are fundamental for accurately handling self-employment tax nuances. Accuracy and Compliance Importance: 5

Accuracy in tax calculations and compliance with the latest tax laws are non-negotiable. We focus on software that guarantees up-to-date compliance to avoid legal issues. Cost-Effectiveness Importance: 3

We consider the balance between cost and functionality. Affordability is important, but not at the expense of essential features and reliability. Customer Support and Resources Importance: 4

Strong customer support is crucial, especially for complex self-employed tax situations. We look for software offering comprehensive help through various channels. Security Importance: 5

Given the sensitive nature of tax data, robust security measures are imperative. We only recommend software with stringent security protocols. Integration with Other Tools Importance: 3

The ability to integrate with other business and financial tools is a valuable feature that can enhance the overall tax preparation process. Audit Assistance Importance: 4

Software that provides audit support or guidance is highly regarded, as it can be a critical aid in the unlikely event of an audit.

Our evaluation is designed to ensure that the tax software we recommend not only meets the essential requirements for tax filing but also supports the diverse needs of self-employed professionals effectively.

Best Self-Employed Tax Software Programs

To help you choose the best self-employed tax software program for your business, weve compiled a list of some of the top options available. These programs stand out for their user-friendly interfaces, comprehensive features, and affordability.

1. Turbotax Self Employed

TurboTax Self-Employed is a tax solution aimed at independent contractors and freelancers in the United States. With a rating of 4.6/5 from 9,463 reviews, TurboTax Self-Employed offers a range of features, including industry-specific deductions, searching for 500 tax deductions and credits, personalized audit risk assessment, and self-employment tax guidance. The software is also available in Spanish.

TurboTax Self-Employed offers step-by-step guidance, allows users to snap and auto-fill their 1099-NEC and 1099-K forms, and syncs with financial accounts to find and categorize work-related deductions. The software costs $129 for a federal tax return and $39 for state taxes.

2. Quickbooks Self Employed

QuickBooks Self-Employed provides small businesses and independent contractors with basic bookkeeping tools to help them get ahead. Made specifically for self-employed businesses, features include tracking mileage automatically via GPS, importing expenses from bank accounts, organizing receipts through photo categorization, running built-in reports to analyze business performance, and estimating and filing taxes.

The software offers three flexible plans with varying levels of features, including a bundle with Intuit TurboTax Self-Employed that enables direct payment of quarterly estimated taxes and access to real CPAs for advice and help with filing. QuickBooks also automatically syncs all bank and credit card transactions for seamless tracking of income and expenses.

3. H&R Block Self-Employed Online

H&R Block offers an online tax filing service, specifically designed for self-employed individuals and small business owners. The service includes features such as personalized guidance, technical support, and expense tracking, as well as easy importing of Uber income and support for reporting cryptocurrency sales.

H&R Block offers several guarantees, including a Max Refund Guarantee and an Accuracy Guarantee. The service also provides access to live phone or chat tech support and the ability to digitally organize tax documents for up to six years. It costs $85 plus $37 per state filed.

4. TaxSlayer Self-Employed

TaxSlayer offers a tax preparation service for self-employed individuals, including small business owners, contractors, and those with both 1099 and W-2 income. The service costs $52.95 plus state fees and provides support for entering business income and expenses, maximizing deductions, and accessing tax tips and resources.

Users also have access to a tax professional with self-employed expertise for more complex tax questions and audit defense for three years. Tax payment reminders are also available to avoid unnecessary fees. TaxSlayer has been in operation for over 50 years and has a 4.4 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot.

5. FreeTaxUSA

FreeTaxUSA is a tax preparation software that allows small business owners to prepare and e-file their federal and state taxes. Federal taxes are free while state tax returns are $14.99. The software supports various tax forms and deductions, including self-employed income, rental income, health insurance costs, vehicle expenses, and more.

The company earns revenue from optional services and state tax returns. The platform also provides customer support and guarantees that users wont pay extra to file if they are self-employed, own a home, or have investments. FreeTaxUSA has filed over 50 million tax returns securely with the IRS.

6. TaxAct Self-Employed

TaxAct Self-Employed offers tax preparation services for freelancers, independent contractors, small business owners, and sole proprietors. For $69.99 it helps users take advantage of all tax deductions theyre eligible for and offer year-round support for business and quarterly taxes.

TaxAct can import data from TurboTax and H&R Block returns, and their products are easy to use, accurate, and secure. TaxAct Alerts ensures that users avoid errors, omissions, and missed tax-saving opportunities. TaxAct also offers a Maximum Refund Guarantee, Xpert Assist, and a $100K Accuracy Guarantee. Users can access and print prior returns for up to seven years after filing.

7. eSmart Tax Premium

eSmart Tax, now a part of Liberty Tax, is a tax preparation service that offers its Premium package for $85.95, best suited for small business owners or those with less common forms of income. The package covers self-employment income and related deductions, rental or farming income, and more.

eSmart Tax guarantees fast and accurate calculations and promises to reimburse any penalties or interest resulting from miscalculations. The Liberty Tax service provides features such as audit protection and tax break checks. eSmart Tax guarantees 100% accuracy and promises to provide the biggest tax refund possible or reimburse the tax preparation fees.

8. E-file.com Premium Plus

E-file.com offers online tax preparation software that helps people file their income taxes quickly, easily, and accurately. Users can signup for a free account, enter their tax info and income figures, and any deductions, and the software will calculate and prepare their returns.

E-file.com provides full-featured online tax software at a significant discount to other programs. The Premium Plus federal e-file is $37.49 plus $22.49 for the state with a coupon code.

9. FreshBooks

FreshBooks is a user-friendly and top accounting software for self-employed individuals. It makes accounting, invoicing, time tracking, and reporting effortless. The software allows users to automate tasks such as organizing expenses, tracking time, and following up with customers.

FreshBooks offers online payment solutions that get users paid 11 days faster, send automated late payment reminders, and allow for the creation of recurring profiles. With FreshBooks, users can easily organize business expenses and track billable hours.

10. Jackson Hewitt Online

Jackson Hewitt Online offers online tax filing for a flat fee of $25 with a guarantee of the biggest refund. The service offers step-by-step instructions, live chat support, and automatic error checking. It also provides security features, including two-step identity verification, encrypted data transmission, and alerts for account activity.

Jackson Hewitt also provides in-person tax filing services with flexible hours and locations, and a range of guarantees, including a Maximum Refund Guarantee and a Lifetime Accuracy Guarantee.

Software Key Features Pricing Unique Offerings TurboTax Self Employed - Industry-specific deductions

- 500+ tax deductions and credits

- Audit risk assessment $119 Federal, $59 State - Snap and auto-fill 1099 forms

- Syncs with financial accounts QuickBooks Self Employed - Mileage tracking via GPS

- Import expenses from bank accounts

- Organize receipts with photos Varies (Flexible plans) - Bundle with TurboTax for tax filing

- Access to CPAs H&R Block Self-Employed - Personalized guidance

- Technical support

- Cryptocurrency sales reporting $115 plus $45 per state - Digital organization of tax documents for 6 years

- Max Refund and Accuracy Guarantees TaxSlayer Self-Employed - Business income and expense entry

- Access to tax professionals $62.95 plus $39.95 per state - Audit defense for three years

- Tax payment reminders FreeTaxUSA - Supports various tax forms and deductions

- Free federal tax filing Free Federal, $14.99 State - No extra charge for complex tax situations

- Secure filing with the IRS TaxAct Self-Employed - Year-round business and quarterly tax support

- Data import from other tax services $99.99 - $100K Accuracy Guarantee

- Xpert Assist

- Access and print prior returns for 7 years Liberty Tax - Self-employment income and deductions

- Rental or farming income $85.95 - Audit protection and tax break checks E-file.com Premium Plus - Easy, fast online tax preparation $37.49 Federal, $22.49 State with coupon - Significant discount compared to other programs FreshBooks - Accounting, invoicing, time tracking

- Automated tasks Varies - Online payment solutions

- Faster payment processing Jackson Hewitt Online - Step-by-step instructions

- Live chat support

- Automatic error checking $25 flat fee - In-person filing options

- Maximum Refund and Lifetime Accuracy Guarantees

What is tax software?

Tax software is an essential tool for individuals, especially small business owners and self-employed professionals, to manage their tax affairs efficiently. In general, the best tax software for small business is designed to make tax preparation easier and more efficient. Heres an overview of what tax software is and what it offers for small businesses.

Digital Tax Assistance : Tax software is a digital program that significantly simplifies the tax filing process. Its designed to assist users in calculating, preparing, and submitting their tax returns accurately and efficiently.

: Tax software is a digital program that significantly simplifies the tax filing process. Its designed to assist users in calculating, preparing, and submitting their tax returns accurately and efficiently. Maximizes Deductions : One of the primary advantages of using tax software is its ability to help taxpayers identify and claim all the deductions and credits theyre eligible for. This feature ensures that users dont miss out on potential savings.

: One of the primary advantages of using tax software is its ability to help taxpayers identify and claim all the deductions and credits theyre eligible for. This feature ensures that users dont miss out on potential savings. Cost-Effective Solution : By using tax software, individuals and small businesses can avoid the higher costs associated with hiring a professional accountant or purchasing expensive tax preparation tools.

: By using tax software, individuals and small businesses can avoid the higher costs associated with hiring a professional accountant or purchasing expensive tax preparation tools. User-Friendly Interface : Most tax software programs come with a user-friendly interface, making it easy for individuals without a background in finance or tax law to navigate the complexities of tax preparation.

: Most tax software programs come with a user-friendly interface, making it easy for individuals without a background in finance or tax law to navigate the complexities of tax preparation. Time-Saving Features : These programs often include features like the ability to import previous years tax information, auto-fill forms with financial data, and more, which can save a considerable amount of time.

: These programs often include features like the ability to import previous years tax information, auto-fill forms with financial data, and more, which can save a considerable amount of time. Accuracy and Compliance : Tax software is regularly updated to reflect the latest tax laws and regulations, ensuring compliance and reducing the risk of errors that can lead to audits or penalties.

: Tax software is regularly updated to reflect the latest tax laws and regulations, ensuring compliance and reducing the risk of errors that can lead to audits or penalties. Audit Support : Many tax software programs offer audit support, providing guidance on what to do if youre audited by the IRS.

: Many tax software programs offer audit support, providing guidance on what to do if youre audited by the IRS. Electronic Filing : The ability to e-file tax returns directly through the software streamlines the submission process and often leads to faster processing of refunds.

: The ability to e-file tax returns directly through the software streamlines the submission process and often leads to faster processing of refunds. Tailored for Specific Needs : The best tax software for small businesses is specifically designed to address the unique tax situations and challenges faced by small business owners, including handling self-employment income, tracking business expenses, and more.

: The best tax software for small businesses is specifically designed to address the unique tax situations and challenges faced by small business owners, including handling self-employment income, tracking business expenses, and more. Additional Resources: Many tax software options also provide additional resources such as access to tax professionals, educational content about tax laws and financial planning, and tools for tracking and organizing receipts and expenses throughout the year.

In summary, tax software is a valuable resource for simplifying and optimizing the tax filing process, offering a range of tools and features tailored to the needs of individuals and small business owners.

Why should you consider self-employed accounting software?

Self-employed accounting software offers many advantages for business owners. Here are five reasons why you should use tax software:

Streamlines tax filing: Self-employed accounting software automates the tax filing process, reducing errors and saving time so you can focus more on your fun self-employed jobs.

Self-employed accounting software automates the tax filing process, reducing errors and saving time so you can focus more on your fun self-employed jobs. Organizes income and expenses: The software categorizes income and expenses, helping you track cash flow and identify tax deductions.

The software categorizes income and expenses, helping you track cash flow and identify tax deductions. Offers real-time financial insights: Self-employed accounting software provides real-time financial insights, enabling you to make informed decisions.

Self-employed accounting software provides real-time financial insights, enabling you to make informed decisions. Provides data security: The software securely stores your financial data, protecting you from potential data breaches or losses.

The software securely stores your financial data, protecting you from potential data breaches or losses. Affordable and easy to use: Most self-employed accounting software options are affordable and user-friendly, making them accessible to businesses of all sizes.

How to Choose the Best Tax Software for the Self Employed

Choosing the best tax software for self-employed individuals can be overwhelming. To make it easier, here are four factors to consider when making your decision:

Available Tax Forms

Not all tax software programs support every tax form, so its important to check if the program youre considering supports the forms you need. For instance, Schedule C for sole proprietors, 1099-MISC for miscellaneous income, or Schedule SE for self-employment tax are critical for many self-employed individuals. Ensure the software you choose can handle these specific forms and any others relevant to your business.

Cost

Cost is an essential factor when selecting tax software for self-employed individuals. Some programs offer free versions with limited features, while others charge a premium for their services. Remember, though, that the cheapest option may not always meet your complex tax needs. Weigh the features offered against the price to determine which software provides the best value for your specific tax situation.

User-Friendliness

Look for a tax software program that is intuitive and user-friendly. The software should offer clear guidance and instructions throughout the tax filing process.

A program that features a straightforward interface and step-by-step walkthroughs can make the complex task of filing self-employed taxes more manageable, especially if youre not accustomed to the intricacies of tax laws and regulations.

Customer Support

If youre new to tax filing or require assistance, look for a program that provides adequate customer support. Some programs offer phone support, chat support, or email support, so choose one that fits your needs.

Additionally, consider whether the software provides access to tax professionals or CPAs who can offer expert advice and answer specific questions related to your self-employed income and deductions. This can be invaluable in ensuring youre accurately reporting your income and maximizing your deductions.

FAQ

Can a self-employed person file their own taxes?

Yes, self-employed individuals can file their own taxes using tax software or paper forms. However, its important to have a good understanding of tax laws and regulations to ensure compliance and minimize errors.

Can a self-employed person file taxes for free?

Yes, self-employed individuals may be eligible to file their taxes for free using certain tax software programs like FreeTaxUSA or by utilizing free filing options offered by the IRS. Eligibility requirements vary by program.

Is it better to use a tax preparer or tax software if youre self-employed?

The decision to use a tax preparer or software depends on your personal preference, budget, and tax situation. Tax software is often more affordable and user-friendly, while a tax preparer can provide personalized guidance and advice.

What is the best accounting software for self-employed taxpayers?

The best accounting software for self-employed taxpayers depends on your specific needs and budget. Popular options include QuickBooks Self-Employed, FreshBooks, and TaxSlayer Self-Employed.

Which tax software is best for calculating self-employed business expenses?

Many tax software programs offer features for calculating and deducting self-employed business expenses. Some popular options include TurboTax Self-Employed, H&R Block Self-Employed, and TaxAct Self-Employed.
The tax season can be a stressful period for businesses, marked with pressures to file for returns by a deadline. It inadvertently provides good opportunities for scammers to strike. Scammers pounce on opportunities to steal your sensitive data, identity theft or trick you out of money by employing elaborate ruses using tax scams.

Tax scams in 2024 involve criminals impersonating IRS agents, government agencies, customer support employees and more. They can reach out to you in person over the phone, online or via the mail in an effort to trick you into sending them money for taxes, pay penalties or fees you dont actually owe.

They often prey on the least suspecting, using tactics cloaked in the guise of the official Internal Revenue Service business. The scams can be simple or extremely elaborate. What they count on are unsuspecting individuals they can easily dupe with threats and a sense of urgency to avert any penalties or fines.

Tax Scams

Below are some of the tax scams you need to watch out for. Some have been there for some time while others are variations or entirely new scams.

Phishing

This is a widely used tax scam that comes in various forms. It is a scam typically carried out with the help of unsolicited email or a fake website posing as a legitimate site to lure in potential victims.

There are basically two objectives here. One is to prompt you to provide valuable personal and financial information. Armed with this information, scammers can commit identity theft or financial theft. The second is to help install some form of malicious malware.

The IRS does not send unsolicited e-mails to taxpayers about their tax accounts. If you receive such emails report it to phishing@irs.gov. By reporting such activities, you not only stop the scammers but also prevent others from becoming victims as well.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is a crime in which crooks obtain the personal or financial information of another person for the sole purpose of assuming that persons name or identity to make transactions or purchases.

It occurs through gaining access to your sensitive personal and financial information. This could be through rummaging through your trash, social engineering by using shrewd tactics such as going through your social media posts to glean information about you or use corporate data breaches.

Once they have the information they are looking for, identity thieves can access your financials or swindle you, unsuspecting customers. If you are a victim of identity theft, contact the Federal Trade Commission immediately.

Easy Money Lure

Often, scammers will try to entice you with a get-rich-quick scheme. These will often come by way of a loophole that you can employ with their help to get significant refunds. These might be asking you to falsify income, claim credits, or advertise some form of offshore tax avoidance scheme. If you become a victim of offshore money stashes, the money is likely to stay with the scammers and the IRS may prosecute you.

Another sinister ploy is for scammers to approach you, claiming you either have a refund or are eligible for a lottery or sweepstakes. The rule of thumb here is always, If it is too good to be true, then it probably is.

Your Account or Tax Return is Locked or Restricted

This is a phishing scam that comes to you by e-mail. The email would look somewhat official and claims to be that from the IRS and can also include the IRS logo.

It will tell you your tax return has been restricted, claiming your account has been hacked. In this scenario, the con artists will prompt you to click on a link and submit your personal information under the ruse of getting your sensitive personal information.

Update Your Tax Filling Information

This is a variant of the phishing scam. In this case, the email claims the recipient needs to update their tax filing information or their tax return. Here you will be directed to click on to a link where your personally identifiable information can be accessed and submitted to cybercriminals. In some cases, the link can be replaced by an HTML attachment.

Offers of a Tax Refund

Unsuspecting victims might be lured into yet another phishing scam where the prospect of a refund is dangled. For you to get the refund you need to provide proof of identity. This could be a scanned copy of your ID, a utility bill or a credit card statement. In some cases, the refund comes with a fee to get a refund.

The Surprise Refund Bait-and-switch

This is another twist on an old scam. After the scammers have secured your sensitive personal information, such as social security numbers and tax forms, they can easily file a fraudulent return on your behalf.

Once the fund is in your bank account, the scammers, impersonating someone from the IRS or a collection agent, will contact you to demand the return of the ill-gotten money either by depositing into an account or sending it to an address.

IRS Impersonation Phone Call

One of the oldest schemes used every year is scammers calling and claiming to represent the IRS to taxpayers and demand an immediate tax payment.

The calls come from a phone number that appears to belong to the IRS on your caller ID. They might threaten or intimidate you into making a rash decision. Do not be lured into making hasty payments or giving out sensitive information.

Make sure to record the phone number and verify it is actually coming from the IRS. All tax-related disputes have a course of action and detailed paperwork of notices. You can report suspected IRS scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

Ask you to Put Money on a Prepaid Debit Card or Wire Money to Them

Once scammers have initiated contact and have reeled you in, they will ask for some payment. Those that are really audacious will ask you to transfer money by gift card or wire transfer. Scammers have also extended this scheme to email and social media channels.

The IRS does not request such payments.

Threaten to Cancel or Suspend Your Social Security Number

Criminals can make contact threatening to suspend or cancel your Social Security Number (SSN) until your overdue taxes are paid. The scam may appear real as the callers have some of your personal information.

This could be the last four digits of your SSN, your bank statements or any information that might appear that its the government that is contacting you. You can report such incidents to the Social Security Administrations website.

Fake Texts or Social media Messages

Scammers are ever more sophisticated and have elaborate tricks in their arsenal. They can come up with authentic-looking messages sent from credible-looking addresses to trick victims into sharing sensitive information or installing malware.

Before offering up any sensitive information, make sure you can verify the authenticity of the request.

Stealing Social Security Numbers and then Filling False Returns

This scheme occurs when fraudsters use your information to get a refund from the IRS before you even file your taxes. What they do is steal your social security number and personal information and file a tax return. They typically claim a low income with high deductions by filing electronically.

Scammed by Your Tax Preparer

You might be targeted by your own tax preparer. In some cases, those you trust the most are the actual scammers. Your preparer might put together returns with false information in order to boost a refund. In other cases, they might even steal your personal information as well.

If someone comes out of the blue to do your taxes for free or cheap, it should raise red flags.

If youre using a tax professional or online service to file your tax return, do some research before you narrow down your selection. Look up customer reviews or ask for references to make sure the person or service youre using is legitimate and will keep your data secure.

Send Out a Fraudulent Form to Steal Your Information

Some scammers are so sophisticated they send you a fake form looking very similar to an official IRS document. In it, they ask you to fill in answers to help them steal your identity. Some are so audacious they ask for passwords and even security PIN numbers.

Please Take a Survey

Another variation of stealing your identity. In this case, an email purporting to be from an official government agency asks you to fill out a survey. This will often redirect you to an online survey where questions will require you to fill in sensitive personal and financial information under the pretense of confirming your identity.

Posing as a Taxpayer Advocacy Panel

People claiming to be from the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) approach you about a tax refund or tax-related issue. Usually, this is a variant of a phishing scam where they try to trick you into providing personal and financial information. The true Taxpayer Advocacy Panel never requests and does not have access to any taxpayers personal and financial information.

Asking for Your Credit Card or Debit Card Number Over the Phone

Some scammers will cut across the ruse and directly ask for your credit card or debit card number over the phone. The IRS doesnt call to ask for your credit card number.

Coming to Your Home or Place of Business Posing as an IRS Agent

Some really bold scammers actually impersonate an IRS agent and literally come in person. On the off chance, it actually is an IRS agents request to see their credentials and verify the information by calling the IRS. Also, know that actual agents will not demand that you pay right then and there. Agents, just dont just drop by. You will get a notice of their visit beforehand.

Threatening to Revoke Drivers License or Have you Deported

The key to any swindle is to distract the victim enough so they have to make quick decisions without thinking it through. Very often this is done by making outlandish threats such as threatening to arrest you, get you deported, or have your drivers license revoked. The IRS does not have these powers. As a taxpayer, you have the opportunity to question or appeal what the IRS says you owe.

Ransomware

In recent years, scammers have been targeting vulnerabilities in online security by designing malicious software that exposes unwitting customers to data breaches or prevents them from accessing their data. The malware can take over the victims computer hard drive, giving someone remote access to the computer, or it could look for passwords and other information and send them to the scammer.

Victims should not pay a ransom as it further encourages the criminals and, in most cases, scammers will not provide the decryption key even after a ransom is paid.

Your Dependent Has Been Claimed by Someone Else

You might be in for a rude awakening when you file your tax return and find out that it has been rejected. This might happen when someone else has already claimed them on another return. Because the IRS processes the first return it receives, if another person claims your dependent first, the IRS will automatically reject your return. In this case, your only recourse is to print out the mail return and claim your dependent and document your claim with the IRS.

Falsifying Income to Claim Credits

Fraudsters will approach and convince you to create income to erroneously qualify for tax credits. This can lead to face large bills to pay back taxes, interest and penalties as well as possible incarceration.

Fake Charities

Scammers love charities. Posing as charitable organizations who are soliciting donations, they swindle tens of millions of dollars every year. Be wary of charities with names similar to familiar or well-known organizations.

Stealing Your Tax Refund

Through phishing, identity theft or some other ruse, scammers will use your personal information to file a tax return in your name. You will only find out until you try to file yourself and have your filing rejected by the IRS. The purpose here is not to pay your back taxes but to pocket your refund.

Not only will you face the daunting task of proving you didnt file but the IRS will delay your refund. Additionally, they can also open credit accounts, file fraudulent health insurance claims and other financial crimes with your information.

Tech Support Scams

This is often a nifty way of stealing valuable information under the pretense of solving a technical glitch. Scammers will pose as a company you do business with or maybe your internet service provider. They tell you there are viruses or other malware on your computer to sell you a service. The objective here is to steal your credit card number or gain access to your computer.

Remember, dont volunteer any information. Instead, tell them to give you their contact info so you can call them later to work with them. Call customer service and verify if they actually work there. Sometimes these come by way of pop-up warnings that might appear on your computer screen.

If you suspect there may be a problem with your computer, update your computers security software and run a scan. If you need help in fixing your computer get someone you know and trust to help you. Remember software companies offer support online or by phone, check with them first.

Things to Remember

As the adage goes, prevention is better than cure. There is no substitute for knowing what you as a taxpayer have in terms of rights and responsibilities. Some scams can be elaborate and really convincing, and people behind them can be difficult to catch. We all need to always keep our guard up.

Your first line of defense is to stay informed about the latest scamming strategies and have on-hand contacts with the IRS helpline. Know what the IRS can and cant do. Whenever you are in doubt, assume its a scam. The IRS has a dedicated Tax Scams webpage where the agency publishes warnings and updates about the current scams that are being used.

A common telltale to any scam is the victims are often confronted with a demand that comes with a sense of urgency. Do not be quick to divulge any sensitive information before confirming those seeking the information are who they truly are. Identity theft is very common, so educate yourself on how people deal with scams and become victims. If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft you can also contact the Federal Trade Commission to file a complaint.

Know What the IRS Can and Cant Do

Always remember that the IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications through email, text messages, or social media requesting personal or financial information. An easy giveaway is when the email addresses you as sir, madam or taxpayer. Never click on any links or open attachments claiming to be from the IRS. Never ever respond to unsolicited emails requesting sensitive personal information, scan copies of IDs, bank statements, credit card information or utility bills.

Learn to recognize and avoid phishing emails, threatening calls and texts from thieves posing as legitimate organizations such as your bank, credit card companies and even the IRS. More importantly, never open a link or attachment from an unknown or suspicious source. If youre not sure about the authenticity of an email, dont click on hyperlinks.

Use strong passwords to protect online accounts and use a unique password for each account. Use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. If possible, use two- or multi-factor authentication when possible. Make sure you regularly conduct deep scans of your system to keep your data safe.

There is no foolproof way to ensure you will not fall prey to a scam. But you can prevent unnecessary heartache and pain by filing early. Federal tax season typically starts at the end of January, and most people receive W-2 forms and other required tax documents around that time. When you have everything you need to file, dont waste any time filing your taxes. Filing early will prevent scammers from filing a return in your name as it will be automatically denied as a duplicate.

Always protect your personal information and that of any dependents. Dont routinely carry Social Security cards, and make sure your tax records are secure.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/blinken-reportedly-presses-henry-to-step-down-amid-haiti-turmoil--1117234757.html

Blinken Reportedly Presses Henry to Step Down Amid Haiti Turmoil

Blinken Reportedly Presses Henry to Step Down Amid Haiti Turmoil

Sputnik International

Just 700 miles from Florida, Haiti has fallen under a wave of violence as gangs and others urge Prime Minister Ariel Henry to step down.

2024-03-10T03:40+0000

2024-03-10T03:40+0000

2024-03-10T03:40+0000

haiti

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matthew miller

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Just 700 miles from Florida, Haiti has fallen under a wave of violence as gangs and others urge Prime Minister Ariel Henry to step down. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also reportedly pressed Henry to announce his resignation and a political transition in a series of tense phone calls on Thursday.This comes a day after State Department spokesman Matthew Miller denied that the US had urged Henry to step down. The prime minister is a 74-year-old unelected physician who was sworn in July 2021 less than two weeks after President Jovenel Moise was assassinated.We are not calling on him or pushing him to resign, Miller told reporters on Wednesday. But we are urging him to expedite the transition to an empowered and an inclusive governance structure that will move with urgency to help the country prepare for a multinational security support mission to address the security situation and pave the way for free and fair elections.Thomas Shannon, a former undersecretary of state who was involved in the removal of two previous Haitian leaders, said the US' back-and-forth and lack of certainty over who would replace Henry is fueling the crisis.Its really up to the United States and CARICOM to really identify whos got to run that place and then give them the resources to run it and the political muscle to run it, said Shannon. The US is now considering deploying a Marine security team to Haiti amid the deteriorating security situation there, defense officials have said. The Marines would be deployed at the request of the State Department, the defense official added.The surge in violence first began last weekend after Henry left for a meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states in Guyana. He then flew to Kenya for talks on deploying the east African nation's police to Haiti to curb gang violence  despite a high court ruling in Nairobi that the deployment would be unconstitutional.On February 29 when Jimmy Cherizier, an ex-police officer turned gang leader commonly known as "Barbecue" who leads a syndicate of gangs, vowed to stop Henry returning to Haiti. The government then announced a three-day state of emergency with a night-time curfew on Sunday after the gangs stormed two major prisons and freed 3,800 inmates.Henry has been unable to return to Haiti since the violence began. He was returning home on Tuesday when the Dominican Republican, with which Haiti shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, denied his plane permission to land. It was reported that he then headed for Puerto Rico, a US territory.Haitis new surge of unrest has caused a dramatic increase in the countrys humanitarian needs, displacing thousands, leaving many without shelter and without access to food and medical services, The New Humanitarian announced.But Haitis problems can be traced back to colonial times, when the nation became the worlds first Black republic in 1804 and was forced to pay billions to France in order to secure its freedom. The debt crippled the nation economically, and subsequent political problems and natural disasters have contributed to its turmoil.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240307/haiti-in-anarchy-gangs-flex-muscles-while-pm-disappears-1117163848.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230217/trudeau-says-canada-to-deploy-navy-vessels-airlift-more-mraps-to-haiti-1107545143.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240304/new-documents-reportedly-link-cia-veteran-to-2004-haiti-coup-1117116760.html

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antony blinken, ariel henry, civil unrest, political unrest, political turmoil, economic crisis, political crisis, former colony, neo-colonializm, neo-colonialism, neocolonializm, neocolonialism, us intervention, american intervention, american forces, us forces, us troops, us invasion, riots
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/death-toll-from-israeli-strikes-on-gaza-strip-tops-31000---health-ministry-1117244166.html

Death Toll From Israeli Strikes on Gaza Strip Tops 31,000 - Health Ministry

Death Toll From Israeli Strikes on Gaza Strip Tops 31,000 - Health Ministry

Sputnik International

The death toll from Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, when the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated, has surpassed 31,000, the Palestinian enclave's health ministry said on Sunday.

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"The number of victims of Israeli aggression since October 7 has risen to 31,045, with 72,654 people injured," the ministry said on Telegram. On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240309/gaza-strips-post-conflict-reconstruction-estimated-at-90bln-1117227594.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/france-poland-cannot-speak-for-nato---italian-defense-minister-1117241576.html

France, Poland Cannot Speak for NATO - Italian Defense Minister

France, Poland Cannot Speak for NATO - Italian Defense Minister

Sputnik International

France and Poland have no right to speak on behalf of NATO, and the alliance's intervention in the conflict would "erase the path to diplomacy," Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in an interview with Italian newspaper La Stampa, published on Sunday.

2024-03-10T11:07+0000

2024-03-10T11:07+0000

2024-03-10T11:07+0000

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Following a Paris-hosted conference on Ukraine on February 26, Macron said Western leaders had discussed the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine and, although no consensus had been reached in this regard, nothing could be ruled out. On Friday, Polish Defense Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said that the presence of NATO forces in Ukraine "was not unthinkable," adding that he appreciated Macron's initiative on the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that Poland needed to build a large airport for the transfer of NATO troops. European countries continue to support Kiev, but it is important to intensify diplomatic efforts to help Ukraine regain its freedom, territory and security, the minister added. Western countries have been providing military and financial aid to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, saying it would lead to further escalation of the conflict. In April 2022, Russia sent a diplomatic note to all NATO countries on the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russian strikes.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240308/french-politician-accuses-macron-nato-of-doing-everything-to-drag-out-ukraine-conflict-1117211450.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/germanys-2025-military-budget-lacks-up-to-65bln---defense-minister-1117241385.html

Germany's 2025 Military Budget Lacks Up to $6.5Bln - Defense Minister

Germany's 2025 Military Budget Lacks Up to $6.5Bln - Defense Minister

Sputnik International

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has warned the government of a 4.5 billion to 6 billion euros ($4.9 billion to $6.5 billion) deficit in the country's Bundeswehr budget for 2025,, German newspaper Bild reported.

2024-03-10T10:27+0000

2024-03-10T10:27+0000

2024-03-10T10:27+0000

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olaf scholz

germany

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boris pistorius

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The German Finance Ministry budgeted 52 billion euros for defense spending for next year, which is still not enough for the 2% GDP defense spending target, the report, published on Saturday, read. This amount is sufficient only for operational costs, such as soldiers' salaries, heating barracks and repairing equipment, while only 500 million euros will be left for investment in the development of new weapons, the report read. One of the Bundeswehr projects whose funding is still in question is the deployment of a combat-ready brigade in Lithuania, which would require 5 billion euros, but no funds have been allocated for it yet, the report added. On January 31, the German Defense Ministry said that Germany would meet NATO's defense spending target of 2% of national GDP in 2024, for the first time since the early 1990s. In December 2022, Pistorius and Lithuanian National Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas in Vilnius signed an action plan for the deployment of a Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania by 2027, with up to 5,000 German troops with their families arriving in Lithuania. In June 2022, the German parliament backed Chancellor Olaf Scholz's initiative to create a special fund for the Bundeswehr worth 100 billion euros so that the German armed forces could be considered the largest regular army in Europe after modernization. Scholz cited the onset of the Ukraine conflict as the reason for the investments, describing it as a turning point in the security situation in Europe.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/israels-operation-in-gaza-strip-can-be-over-in-1-2-months---netanyahu-1117246362.html

Israel's Gaza Operation Could Conclude Within 1-2 Months - Netanyahu

Israel's Gaza Operation Could Conclude Within 1-2 Months - Netanyahu

Sputnik International

Israel's military operation against Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip could be over in one to two months, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said.

2024-03-10T20:46+0000

2024-03-10T20:46+0000

2024-03-11T09:22+0000

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"We've destroyed three-quarters of Hamas' fighting terrorism battalions. And we're close to finishing the last part in warfare," Netanyahu said in an interview with Politico, adding that fighting would not take "more than two months" and proceeding to specify, "Maybe six weeks, maybe four." Approximately 13,000 Palestinian fighters have been killed since the start of the Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip, while the total death toll including civilians exceeds 26,000, according to the Israeli leader's estimate. Netanyahu confirmed his country's intention of conducting an operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. He also rejected the possibility of a Ramadan ceasefire as long as hostages remain in Hamas custody.There is also a possibility that Israel would conduct a military operation against Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah, Netanyahu said.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 the Gaza Strip, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. At least 31,045 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said.On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/netanyahu-rejects-bidens-criticism-of-israeli-war-strategy-1117245662.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/nato-diplomats-urge-european-nations-to-brace-for-us-exit-from-alliance--report-1117239392.html

NATO Diplomats Urge European Nations to Brace for US Exit From Alliance  Report

NATO Diplomats Urge European Nations to Brace for US Exit From Alliance  Report

Sputnik International

As president, Trump privately threatened several times to withdraw the US from NATO, describing the alliance as an obsolete organization.

2024-03-10T06:59+0000

2024-03-10T06:59+0000

2024-03-10T06:59+0000

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European countries must prepare for a scenario in which the US leaves NATO under a possible new presidency of Donald Trump, unnamed diplomats from the alliance's member states have told The Telegraph.The diplomats were referring to Trump's warning last month that he would encourage Russia to attack any NATO member that didn't meet the alliance's defense spending guidelines.The diplomat added that the number of nations meeting the NATO target to spend 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defense had risen significantly, so those members could tell Trump "hes getting what he wanted."NATO members need to take more of a lead in European security because if "the US pulls out there will be a massive gap," according to the official.The third diplomat insisted that NATO members must do the planning and reconsider defense capabilities due to threats by Trump.'You Got to Pay Your Bills'Speaking at a rally in South Carolina in February, the 45th US president argued that "NATO was busted until I came along.""I said, Everybodys gonna pay. They said, Well, if we dont pay, are you still going to protect us? I said, Absolutely not. They couldnt believe the answer, per the former US leader.Trump then added that "one of the presidents of a big country" at one point asked him whether the US would still defend the country if they were invaded by Russia even if they "dont pay."The key Article 5 of NATOs treaty pertains to the promise of the so-called collective defense, stipulating that an attack on one member nation is an attack on all the nations in the alliance.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240214/trump-almost-withdrew-us-from-nato-in-2018---former-national-security-adviser-1116773227.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231207/nato-will-collapse-if-trump-returns-to-power-hawkish-ex-pentagon-chief-says-1115450884.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/nato-military-personnel-already-in-ukraine-polish-foreign-minister-admits-1117243553.html

NATO Cant Hide Its Military Presence in Ukraine Any Longer - Moscow

NATO Cant Hide Its Military Presence in Ukraine Any Longer - Moscow

Sputnik International

Some NATO countries have already sent their military to Ukraine, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said during a panel discussion at an event dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the country's accession to the alliance that was broadcasted on the Sejm RP YouTube channel.

2024-03-10T14:45+0000

2024-03-10T14:45+0000

2024-03-15T11:47+0000

nato

ukraine

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emmanuel macron

poland

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Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on the statement made by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski regarding the presence of NATO soldiers in Ukraine. Speaking to Sputnik, she stated, They couldnt hide it any longer.Earlier in the day, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said during a panel discussion at an event dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the country's accession to the US-led bloc that some NATO countries have already sent their military to Ukraine. The event was broadcasted on the Sejm RP YouTube channel. Sikorski added that he is not going to disclose which states sent their military there, unlike some politicians.Earlier, the Polish top diplomat said that the presence of NATO forces in Ukraine "was not unthinkable," adding that he appreciated Macron's initiative on the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine. Polish President Andrzej Duda, in turn, expressed his opinion that Warsaw needs to build a large airport to transport NATO troops. At the end of February, Macron said that France would do everything to prevent Russia from winning this war. According to him, the leaders of Western countries have discussed the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine and, although no consensus had been reached in this regard, nothing could be ruled out.Later, the French president, who was sharply criticized for his statements, noted that all his words were carefully considered. He also emphasized that Paris has no limits or red lines on the issue of assisting the Kiev regime. That said, the authorities of many European countries stated that there is no talk of transferring military personnel to Ukraine. In particular, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized that Berlin would not send the German military to the Eastern European country. In addition, the chancellor clarified that NATO countries as a whole are not going to do this. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto likewise said that France and Poland have no right to speak on behalf of NATO, and the alliance's intervention in the conflict would "erase the path to diplomacy."Commenting on Sikorski's revelation, Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik that the alliance's members could no longer hide this.During his annual address to the Russian Federal Assembly in late February, President Vladimir Putin issued a warning about the potentially tragic consequences of any sort of NATO intervention in Ukraine for the alliance's deployed troops.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240302/natos-presence-in-ukraine-is-hardly-surprising-for-anyone-1117092483.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/france-just-cant-calm-down-itching-to-start-world-war-iii-1117236645.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240301/recent-leaks-prove-ukraine-conflict-is-russias-resistance-to-nato-aggression-1117080365.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/pope-francis-urges-zelensky-to-save-lives-find-courage-to-end-conflict-1117235173.html

Pope Francis Urges Zelensky to Save Lives, Find 'Courage of the White Flag' to End Conflict

Pope Francis Urges Zelensky to Save Lives, Find 'Courage of the White Flag' to End Conflict

Sputnik International

The Catholic leader said Ukraines president should resume negotiations with Russia with the help of international mediators.

2024-03-10T01:12+0000

2024-03-10T01:12+0000

2024-03-10T09:14+0000

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Pope Francis added his name to the long list of international critics of Volodymyr Zelensky recently in comments urging the Ukrainian president to find the courage to negotiate with Russia for an end to the Donbass conflict.The interview, filmed last month by Swiss public broadcaster RSI, took place before recent mediation proposals, including Fridays from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan offered to host a summit between Ukraine and Russia, a prospect thats undermined by a decree issued by Zelensky in late 2022 forbidding negotiations with Russia while the country is led by President Vladimir Putin.The development took place after at least two attempts by Putin to negotiate an end to hostilities early in the conflict. Both rounds of negotiations were scuttled by the United States, which intervened to end separate diplomatic efforts involving then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in 2022. The US role came to light in media reports emerging shortly after.Pope Francis made clear he believes the best option for Zelensky as well as the Russian and Ukrainian people is for the embattled leader to admit defeat. The Pope made the comment in response to a question by the interviewer, who discussed the possibility of Ukraine raising the white flag.Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, perhaps perceiving the potential controversy of Pope Francis blunt language, noted the Pope picked up on the interviewers use of the term white flag. Bruni explained the cleric intended to indicate a stop to hostilities [and] a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations.One may feel shame, but how many dead will it [the conflict in the Donbass] end up with? the Pope asked. [Zelensky should] negotiate in time, find a country that can be a mediator. Do not be ashamed of negotiating, before things get worse.The interview likely represents the first time Pope Francis has so openly acknowledged Zelenskys defeat after 2023s vaunted Ukrainian counter offensive failed to turn the tide of the conflict. In recent weeks Russian forces have made gains on the battlefield as Zelensky mulls conscripting more Ukrainians to fight, recently liberating the city of Avdeyevka from the Kiev regime.In response to the interviewers question if Pope Francis himself would be willing to help mediate negotiations, the Pope reiterated, I am here.The cleric also expressed hope for an end to Israels military operation in the besieged Gaza Strip, where the official death toll is nearly 31,000. Gazans have begun to die of starvation in recent weeks as Israel strictly limits the amount of food allowed to enter the enclave and Zionist civil society organizations form a blockade of aid delivery.Social media users were horrified this week as photos of 10-year-old Yazan Kafarneh circulated online showing the Palestinian child emaciated and near death. By Monday Kafarneh had passed away, one of many in Gaza who have fallen victim to Israels genocidal campaign.Negotiating is never a surrender, Pope Francis said, urging an end to the Zionist brutality.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240309/zelensky-rejects-proposed-peace-summit-negotiation-with-russia-1117216966.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230331/zelensky-must-negotiate-with-russia-not-beg-west-for-more-arms-academic-says-1108990752.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/with-us-backing-israel-is-starving-22-million-palestinians-in-gaza-1117237324.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/possible-use-of-russias-frozen-assets-by-eu-illegal-and-foolish---french-politician-1117235462.html

Possible Use of Russias Frozen Assets by EU Illegal and Foolish - French Politician

Possible Use of Russias Frozen Assets by EU Illegal and Foolish - French Politician

Sputnik International

The use of frozen assets of Russia in the European Union is illegal and foolish, as Russia has more Western assets than vice versa, the leader of the French Patriots party, Florian Philippot, told RIA Novosti.

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"This is illegal and foolish, since Russia has more Western assets than Russian assets [located] here [in Europe], including many French assets. If they do this, I think Russia will do the same. It will be a war," Philippot said. He noted that this could be used to provoke Russia into retaliatory measures, and then blame it. Russia has repeatedly slammed the move, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying that Moscow "considers all cases related to blocking, arrest or other retention of any funds related to state property and private property, or mixed types of property of the Russian Federation abroad, to be illegal acts."He was echoed by Russias Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who denounced the EU plans as an "escalation of economic aggression," warning that Moscow would respond in a harsh manner.Russian President Vladimir Putin, for his part, dubbed the Wests threats "unseemly business," and warned that "stealing other peoples assets has never brought anyone good."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/how-russia-could-respond-to-wests-potential-frozen-asset-seizure-1116939125.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/russia-repels-2-ukrainian-attacks-near-avdeyevka-takes-more-advantageous-positions-1117242143.html

Russia Repels 2 Ukrainian Attacks Near Avdeyevka, Takes More Advantageous Positions

Russia Repels 2 Ukrainian Attacks Near Avdeyevka, Takes More Advantageous Positions

Sputnik International

Russian forces repelled two attacks by the Ukrainian army in the Avdeyevka and Donetsk directions, eliminating up to 590 soldiers over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

2024-03-10T12:12+0000

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2024-03-10T12:48+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

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In this area alone, Ukraine lost up to 310 servicepeople, one tank and two infantry fighting vehicles, as well as eight vehicles, the ministry said. A US-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery unit, a D-20 howitzer and a Gvozdika self-propelled artillery unit, as well as two D-30 howitzers were hit in the course of counter-battery combat, the ministry added. Meanwhile, in the Donetsk direction, Russian forces eliminated two Ukrainian ammunition depots and to up to 280 soldiers and one tank, the ministry said. Kiev's losses included three armored combat vehicles, five vehicles and an Akatsiya self-propelled artillery unit, as well as a D-30 howitzer, the ministry said. In the South Donetsk direction, the Russian army destroyed more than 150 Ukrainian troops, two armored combat vehicles and four vehicles, as well as two D-20 howitzers and a Gvozdika self-propelled artillery unit, the ministry said. At the same time, in the Kupyansk direction, Kiev lost more than 110 servicepeople, two tanks and three vehicles, the ministry said, adding that a Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery unit and two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery units were hit in the course of counter-battery fire. A Ukrainian ammunition depot was also destroyed, the ministry said.In February, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that town of Avdeyevka was liberated after months of planning and preparations. The Kiev regime turned Avdeyevka into the most heavily fortified location on Earth, yet is was not enough to stop advancing Russian forces.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240217/battle-for-avdeyevka-the-view-from-donetsk-1116832006.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240221/how-avdeyevka-was-liberated-and-what-comes-next-1116895814.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/there-is-no-red-line-regarding-israeli-actions-in-gaza---biden-1117235997.html

There is no 'Red Line' Regarding Israeli Actions in Gaza - Biden

There is no 'Red Line' Regarding Israeli Actions in Gaza - Biden

Sputnik International

US President Joe Biden said he acknowledges no red lines regarding Israeli actions in Gaza as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enforces mass starvation on the enclave's 2.2 million residents.

2024-03-10T00:56+0000

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Im never gonna leave Israel. The defense of Israel is still critical, so there is no red line, he said in an interview with liberal news outlet MSNBC.However, the president noted that Netanyahu, with his actions in Gaza, is harming Israel more than helping it, turning the whole world against the Jewish state, Biden said. Nevertheless, Bidens administration has continued to support Israel in the war, and has sold hundreds of millions of dollars worth of weapons to Israel. The US has also made quite sales as well, the total value of which is unknown. Despite half-baked calls from the administration for Israel to spare civilian lives, the US has continued to restock their supply of weapons, helping to create one of the most intense bombing campaigns in military history.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 the Gaza Strip, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Almost 30,800 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240309/is-bidens-idea-to-establish-port-in-gaza-what-it-seems-1117216243.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/ukraine-cant-easily-replace-patriot-air-defenses-destroyed-by-russia--report-1117241886.html

Ukraine Cant Easily Replace Patriot Air Defenses Destroyed by Russia  Report

Ukraine Cant Easily Replace Patriot Air Defenses Destroyed by Russia  Report

Sputnik International

The Russian Defense Ministry earlier published a video of an Iskander-M missile strike, which destroyed an S-300 system along with two Patriot air defenses.

2024-03-10T11:59+0000

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It may take oceans of time for Ukraine to get new launchers for the US-made Patriot air defense systems to replace those destroyed near the town of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Forbes magazine has reported.Given that Republican Congressmen "have been blocking further US aid to Ukraine since October, every Patriot launcher the Ukrainians lose is a Patriot launcher they cant easily replace," Forbes pointed out.A security source earlier told Sputnik that two Patriot systems were among the military hardware destroyed by a strike carried out by Russia's Iskander missile in the Donetsk Peoples Republics town of Pokrovsk.The last time the Russian military hit Ukraines Patriot SAM was in late February when a high-precision strike destroyed a launcher, ammo as well as a transport and loading vehicle of the system.The US and its allies have been providing Ukraine with military equipment since the start of Russia's special military operation. The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to the Kiev regime, warning they would lead to the prolongation of the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, for his part, cautioned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russian strikes.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230824/germany-supplies-ukraine-with-us-patriot-system-missiles-for-first-time-1112857329.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/us-sends-1st-ship-with-equipment-to-build-temporary-pier-to-deliver-aid-to-gaza-1117238201.html

US Sends 1st Ship With Equipment to Build Temporary Pier to Deliver Aid to Gaza

US Sends 1st Ship With Equipment to Build Temporary Pier to Deliver Aid to Gaza

Sputnik International

The United States has sent the first ship with equipment to establish a sea corridor for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, the US Central Command said on Sunday.

2024-03-10T04:41+0000

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On Friday, US President Joe Biden told Congress that he had ordered the Pentagon to build a temporary port to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza without the US army present on sight. Later, a Pentagon spokesperson noted that the project involves the creation of a floating pier, where, presumably from Cyprus, cargo will be imported for subsequent delivery to the shore by small vessels. "On March 9, 2024, U.S. Army Vessel (USAV) General Frank S. Besson (LSV-1)  departed Joint Base Langley-Eustis en route to the Eastern Mediterranean less than 36 hours after President Biden announced the U.S. would provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza by sea. Besson, a logistics support vessel, is carrying the first equipment to establish a temporary pier to deliver vital humanitarian supplies," the command said on X. On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from Gaza and breached the border, killing 1,200 people and abducting around 240 others. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. At least 30,800 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said. On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240309/is-bidens-idea-to-establish-port-in-gaza-what-it-seems-1117216243.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/whats-left-6-abolish-homelessness-now-1117239725.html

Whats Left 6: Abolish Homelessness Now

Whats Left 6: Abolish Homelessness Now

Sputnik International

Homelessness is the single-most powerful indictment of capitalism, the embodiment of human disposability, the ultimate expression of callous cruelty.

2024-03-10T06:59+0000

2024-03-10T06:59+0000

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In this nation where one out of sixteen rental homes is vacant at any given time, one in six hundred Americans (550,000) sleeps outside. An additional 3.7 million people, the so-called hidden homelessone out of ninety of our sons, our daughters, our brothers, our sisters, our fathers, our mothersare doubled up in other peoples homes because they cant afford their own place.He was right, of course. He promised to do better. Yet, because not even a president can change an economic system, nothing has improved. Only the Left can fix it.Of the many ways America fails its citizens, its failure/refusal to ensure that everyone has somewhere warm and safe to sleep at night is the starkest reflection of what passes for a social compact: Unless you are lucky enough not to be born into poverty, and lucky enough to avoid succumbing to addiction or some other dysfunction, and lucky enough not to suffer a debilitating physical or mental illness, and lucky enough to have the charm and the education and the experience that an employer happens to need, and are lucky enough that the economy is not contracting at that time, and you are lucky enough to find a needy employer at the exact moment he happens to need someone exactly like you, sooner rather than later you may find yourself sleeping on the street or a subway platform or on a park bench or a steam grate across the street from the White House.Such a society cannot credibly claim to believe that every life is precious. It cannot criticize the way other societies handle their affairs. It has zero moral standing whatsoever.Chronic homelessness creates problems that impact housed people as well. Responding to calls about public drinking and trespassing diverts the police from dealing with serious crimes. Areas with a high homeless population suffer significantly reduced property values, which lowers assessments and hurts municipal budgets. Because homelessness is associated with chronic health conditions, mental illness and substance abuse disorders, homeless peoples frequent visits to emergency roomswhere they account for a third of all patientscost hospitals an average of $18,500 per year per person, unreimbursed since they are uninsured. Those expenses are passed on to the rest of us. Mentally-ill people are 35 times more likely to commit a crime if they are homeless, compared to the mentally-ill domiciled; they are also much more likely to become victims.Homelessness is expensive. National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that one chronically homeless American costs the taxpayer an average of $35,000 per year. That comes to about $20 billion for the Americans now living outside.Catching a glimpse of a miserable attempting to shelter outdoors also has an insidious downward effect on wages and living standards for we, the housed. It reminds you: this could happen to you. Better, then, not to risk asking for a raise.Cynical Marxists have suggested that this may be a feature, rather than a bug, of the current system. Fear of falling is a powerful motivating force.The answer to the present state of homelessness is re-housing. We give homesnot sheltersto the people who need them. If they dont have money for rent, give them stipends. Most cities keep doing what doesnt work: dangerous shelters that are only open overnight, no path to housing, people are denied shelter for drinking, using drugs or acting out.This is exactly wrong.Real homes, not shelters, help people get off drugs and alcohol because people abuse substances to numb the misery of their situation. As it happens we have plenty of real homes sitting empty: 15 million homes are vacant. 550,000 of them, beginning with abandoned units and those that have remained without a tenant for a long time, should be seized under eminent domain.Rapid rehousing can and should be mandatory; no one should be allowed the freedom to succumb to the elements. Rehousing should be done free of traditional preconditions like employment, income, absence of criminal record or sobriety. Each persons individual needs, whether they be addressed by physical rehabilitation, job or language training, psychological therapy or other services, should be carried out by a team of social workers and other experts. Housing first, The New York Times reported in 2022, rests on a reality-based approach: When youre drowning, it doesnt help if your rescuer insists you learn to swim before returning you to shore. You can address your issues once youre on land. Or not. Either way, you join the wider population of people battling demons behind closed doors.Houston, the nations fourth-largest city, moved 25,000 people directly into apartments and houses between 2011 and 2022, reducing its homeless population by 63%. Denver, another housing-first city, saw arrests of homeless people drop 95% and dependence on government cash-benefit programs fall by 80% after housing-first took hold.According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, supportive housing costs an average of $12,800 per person per year. That comes to $7 billion for the outdoor homeless population, or $55 billion if you also include the hidden homeless.The higher figure is 1.2% of the $4.5 trillion a year the U.S. is currently wasting on wars and other garbage. And after you subtract the $20 billion a year were currently on policing and hospitalization, its 0.8%.Next: How to guarantee everyone the right to free, high-quality healthcare.(Ted Rall (Twitter: @tedrall), the political cartoonist, columnist and graphic novelist)

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231216/bidenomics-strikes-again-homelessness-hits-record-high-in-us-1115619187.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/with-us-backing-israel-is-starving-22-million-palestinians-in-gaza-1117237324.html

Western Media Takes Notice of Starvation in Gaza as Millions Face Famine

Western Media Takes Notice of Starvation in Gaza as Millions Face Famine

Sputnik International

The use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare is prohibited, according to rule 53 of the Geneva Conventions.

2024-03-10T04:59+0000

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After unprecedented criticism, The New York Times was forced to admit last week an article parroting Israeli atrocity propaganda of mass rape on October 7 lacked evidence.Now, amidst claims of a racist witchhunt targeting Arab writers, the controversial newspaper has inched closer towards acknowledging Israels use of mass starvation against the residents of Gaza. One Palestinian familys story appeared Saturday on the Times website.By Monday, Yazan was dead.The pictures of Yazan circulating on social media have quickly made him the face of starvation in Gaza, acknowledged the Times, recognizing a phenomenon thats gradually forced major news outlets to respond to the inadequacy of their reporting.A similar dynamic occurred when US Airman Aaron Bushnell self-immolated in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington last month in a dramatic act of political protest. Video of the shocking incident went viral, forcing mainstream media to pick up the story even though a similar protest last year in Atlanta drew little attention.State broadcaster NPR spent a little over a minute covering the incident before pivoting to generalized discussion of political protest by US veterans, invoking the liberal hobgoblin of the January 6 riots and clarifying the Jewish state claims self-defense.Just under 31,000 Palestinian lives have been lost amidst Israel's "self defense" according to the most recent estimates. At least 300,000 are at risk of dying within days like Yazan did.Widespread knowledge of that, too, is made possible in part by the existence of the Internet. In 1977, journalist Carl Bernstein shocked the world with revelations of large-scale efforts by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to shape journalism in the United States. More than 400 reporters had secretly worked with the agency, according to Bernstein, as part of an effort that secured the cooperation of Americas most powerful news media.Chief executives at newspapers like the Miami Herald, broadcast outlets like ABC and NBC, and wire services like AP, UPI, and ScrippsHoward all lent their support. By far the most valuable of these associations, according to CIA officials, have been with The New York Times, CBS and Time Inc, wrote Bernstein.The efforts were part of a program known as Operation Mockingbird.US allies presided over their own attempts to bend global media to their will. Perhaps one of the most significant only came to light in 2020, when declassified documents revealed that for decades Reuters had been funded by an anti-Soviet propaganda unit linked to British intelligence.The existence of social media makes certain stories more difficult to ignore, as much as Western countries try to mold public opinion there, too. When all else fails, the blunt instrument of legislative action remains a final option.The full extent of intelligence agencies infiltration of the media now, as then, remains unknown. But unlike the Soviet Union, the United States makes no effort to challenge the prevailing economic and social system. Arthur Sulzberger was never asked to do anything that conflicted with his own self-interest, nor are any of the other sons and daughters of privilege who fill most important positions within an industry thats more insular and consolidated than ever.The Times article includes the obligatory statement from Israel on the matter. On Friday, the Israeli agency known as COGAT, which regulates aid to Palestinians, said, Israel is also exerting a constant and significant effort to find solutions that will bring aid more smoothly into the Gaza Strip, and into its northern area in particular, the story reads.Its an obvious lie. But one cant expect The New York Times to hold Israeli officials accountable.Like all Times journalists, I am committed to upholding the standards of integrity outlined in our Ethical Journalism Handbook, the articles co-author Vivian Yee helpfully explains in her online bio. Because I often report in authoritarian countries, I work hard to scrutinize government statements for spin, propaganda and misinformation.The failure to probe the Israeli statement suggests Yee doesnt apply such standards to Israel. Only US adversaries are authoritarian, after all. Being the global hegemon means never having your war crimes acknowledged.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231218/abhorrent-war-crime-hrw-lambasts-israel-for-gaza-starvation-1115659187.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240301/aaron-bushnell-protest-part-of-hidden-history-of-anti-war-veterans-1117064444.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210805/from-mockingbird-to-birdwatch-big-tech--big-media-uniting-against-independent-press-scholars-warn-1083535783.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231203/kissinger--the-americas-how-the-us-built-order-on-the-ashes-of-genocide-1115362379.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/woman-dies-in-house-fire-after-ukrainian-shelling-of-russias-kursk-region-1117240160.html

Woman Dies in House Fire After Ukrainian Shelling of Russia's Kursk Region

Woman Dies in House Fire After Ukrainian Shelling of Russia's Kursk Region

Sputnik International

A woman was killed in a house fire outbreak following the Ukrainian shelling of a village in the Russian region of Kursk on Sunday, while her husband received extensive burns and is currently getting medical treatment, Kursk Governor Roman Starovoit said.

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Today, Ukraine opened fire against the Kulbaki village in Glushkovsky District. A fire broke out in a residential building as the result of the direct hit by a shell, a local resident died. Her husband received extensive burns and is now receiving qualified medical care. I express deep condolences to the relatives and close ones of the victim. I wish the wounded a quick recovery, I monitor his condition, Starovoit wrote on Telegram. There is a partial power outage in the village, Starovoit said, adding that the firefighters are on their way to the site. Earlier, a drone from Ukraine crashed and caught fire on the territory of an oil depot in the Kursk region, firefighters and emergency services are working at the site, the governor said.Meanwhile, four people were injured after Ukrainian troops dropped an explosive object from a drone on Gorlovka in the Donetsk People's Republic on Sunday, the city mayor, Ivan Prikhodko, wrote on Telegram.Since the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, Russia's air defense systems regularly intercept Ukrainian drones targeted at various facilities on Russian territory.

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The best of Alberta's 2023 harness racing season were honoured at the annual Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA) Awards during a night of glitz and glam on Saturday, March 9 at the Best Western Calgary Plaza Hotel.

The star of the night was Shark Week (Vertical Horizon-Shark Gone Bad), who was named Alberta's Horse of the Year following a 20-win campaign in 2023 including his historic 1:49.2 mile last June at Century Downs that landed him in the records books as the first sub-1:50 pacer in Western Canada. Some of his connections were also recognized individually as trainer Rod Hennessy was named Horseperson of the Year and Meridian Farms was awarded Breeder of the Year.

Brandon Campbell swept both the Trainer and Driver of the Year categories after putting up career-best numbers all around. It was a big night for the Calgary horseman, whose stable stars Virtual Horizon, Grey Horizon and Metaki were also among the award winners.

The full list of winners appears below.

Two-Year-Old Alberta Sired Filly

Byby Baby Byby

Two-Year-Old Filly

Outlaw Guns N Roses

Two-Year-Old Alberta Sired Colt/Gelding

Come On Santana (tie)

Grey Horizon (tie)

Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding

Come On Santana

Three-Year-Old Alberta Sired Filly

GTs Skyla

Three-Year-Old Filly

GTs Skyla

Three-Year-Old Alberta Sired Colt/Gelding

Virtual Horizon

Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding

Virtual Horizon

Champion Aged Mare

Stash The Cookies

Champion Aged Horse

Shark Week

Champion Claimer (Fillies/Mares)

Metaki

Champion Claimer (Colts/Geldings/Horses)

Captain Fireball

Fastest Girl(s)

Daisy Corvette (1:51.4 at Century Mile)

Senga Nightmare (1:51.4 at The Track On 2)

Fastest Boy

Shark Week (1:49.2 at Century Downs)

Rising Star (Trainer/Driver)

Scott McGinn

Trainer Under 150 Starts

Gerry Hudon

Trainer of the Year

Brandon Campbell

Driver Under 150 Starts

Chris Brown

Driver of the Year

Brandon Campbell

Owners of the Year

Jodi Loftus, George Rogers and Raymond Henry

Breeder of the Year - Six or under mares

Nancy Tamblyn

Breeder of the Year

Meridian Farms - Bill and Denise Andrew

Horseperson of the Year

Rod Hennessy

Breeders Award of Recognition

Doug Stout

Ron McLeod Award of Recognition

Shelley Arsenault

Caretaker of the Year

Emma LaForce

Horse of the Year

Shark Week

(Standardbred Canada; Photo of Shark Week with driver Mike Hennessy and trainer Rod Hennessy)
Century Endeavor pulled off the biggest Open upset of the young season at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday, March 9 as the Mark Beckwith trainee swooped the group at odds of 31-1 as part of a huge evening for his stable.

The longest shot on the board in the $20,270 Open Handicap Pace got away second to last in the eight-horse feature but leading driver Brett Beckwith remained patient with Century Endeavor, who was a nominee for Pacer of the Year at the Spa in 2023. Nearly a dozen lengths off the lead after the start, Century Endeavor continued to bide his time in a race with fast first-half fractions of :27 and :56 over a sloppy track. Beckwith searched for a seam with Century Endeavor and found one in the stretch as the nine-year-old Shadow Play gelding surged home in a :28.4 final quarter to score in 1:54.3 by half a length. The Beckwith trainee paid $64.50 to win in the upset. Lanjo Lee (Leon Bailey) saved ground in the Open before getting up to be second while Soul Assassin (Marc Campbell) earned the show spot.

Century Endeavor, who is owned by Howard Jacobs of West Orange, New Jersey, was one of five winners on the evening for Brett Beckwith and one of four for his father's stable. Both horsemen have gotten their 24 campaigns off to a terrific start to sit atop the driver and trainer standings.

(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)
Standardbred Canada (SC) is pleased to announce that the artist's print of 2023 Somebeachsomewhere Horse of the Year Sylvia Hanover is now available for purchase through the Standardbred Canada website. Only 50 of these limited edition prints exist.

SC commissioned award-winning equine artist Linda Shantz to illustrate this memento, which was used to honour Sylvia Hanover in being crowned the 2023 Somebeachsomewhere Horse of the Year. The original painting was presented to Sylvia Hanovers connections on stage at the 35th OBrien Awards on Feb. 3, 2024.

"Im grateful to Standardbred Canada for inviting me to create a portrait of Sylvia Hanover, recipient of the 2023 Somebeachsomewhere Horse of the Year award, said Shantz. It is truly a privilege to capture the spirit of such an exceptional athlete on canvas.

Print Details:

Size: 16 x 20

Artist: Linda Shantz

Price: $199.00 + HST + Shipping (Pick-up option is available at the Standardbred Canada office in Mississauga, Ont.)

Secure your Limited Edition Sylvia Hanover Print by contacting Jade Regina at [email protected] or 905-858-3060 ext. 207.

(Standardbred Canada)
Joe Bidens open borders policies are the deadliest and most dangerous in American history. His failed policies have made every state a border state. It is costing Americans their lives.

Laken Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student. Last week, she was brutally murdered while on a morning run near her campus. Initial reports make it very clear that this brutal murder is a direct result of President Bidens failed border policies.

The alleged killer, Jose Ibarra, is an illegal alien from Venezuela. Ibarras case is a tragic example of Bidens abuse of parole authority. He crossed the border illegally in El Paso, Texas, in September of 2022. Like many others, Ibarra knew he could take advantage of Bidens border failure. He claimed to be seeking asylum and the Biden administration released him through parole. However, according to his wife, he was just looking for a better job.

Wanting a better job is not a reason to get asylum. Asylum and parole are supposed to be reserved for individuals with special circumstances. Theyre not intended to be a general amnesty for those who want a new job. Sadly, President Biden continues to hand out parole like candy to 85% of those who knock on our door. Under the Obama and Trump administrations, 5,600 people were granted parole each year on average. Last fiscal year alone, Biden gave parole to over 1.2 million people. That continued abuse of parole allowed Ibarra to be released into this country. It enabled him to stay here. Without this abuse of parole, Laken Riley would likely be alive today.

Bidens abuse of parole isnt the only policy that failed to prevent Laken Rileys murder. After crossing the border illegally, her murderer and his family were then bussed to New York City. There, they received free food and shelter, courtesy of American taxpayers. They also continued to break our laws. Last September, Rileys murderer was arrested by NYPD for acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17. New York is a sanctuary city which refuses to coordinate with ICE. Instead of alerting immigration authorities, New York released Ibarra. Sometime after that, he moved to Georgia and murdered Laken Riley.

The Trump administration sought to crack down on sanctuary cities like New York for supporting illegal immigration. However, President Biden restored their funding. Biden also refuses to support legislation that would hold sanctuary cities accountable for ignoring federal law. Without these policy decisions, Ibarra may never have been able to move to Georgia.

The federal government has a fundamental responsibility to secure our borders. President Biden has utterly failed to do that. His open borders policies gave Laken Rileys alleged killer incentive to come here illegally. His abuse of parole authority enabled him to stay here. Bidens refusal to enforce our laws gave Ibarra the opportunity to commit this heinous act.

President Biden failed to protect Laken Riley. He also failed to protect Taryn Lee Griffith and the countless other Americans who have died of fentanyl overdose. We must do better.

Im committed to passing a border bill that forces Biden to secure our border. We must stop the mass parole of illegal aliens. We must end the national security and humanitarian crisis created by Joe Bidens failed policies. I wont stop working until we pass the right deal, not just any deal. Thats the best way to ensure that we dont lose more innocent lives like Laken Rileys.
This week I finished the most recent book in my self-guided study of 20th century technology, namely The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation, by Jon Gertner. As the title implies, its a chronicle of research and development wing of AT&T, a history that lasts roughly from the 1920s to its demise in the 1980s.

First of all, the sheer list of things that were invented or discovered in these Labs is just insane by any measure. Physical things like the transistor,transistor, the first satellites, and cellular technology, as well as less tangible inventions and ideas like information theory, advances in quality control, the Unix operating system and the C programming language.

In all eight Nobel Prizes have been awarded for work completed at Bell Laboratories (Wikipedia).

Wicked Problems

Gertner introduces his book by attempting to establish its value. First point: we have big problems today: information overloads, infectious disease, and climate change, among others, problems that some call wicked problems. Gertner is offering a history of how one very successful institution solved a serious of large-scale technical problems.

While our engineering prowess has advanced a great deal over the past sixty years, the principles of innovation largely have not. Indeed, the techniques forged at Bell Labs that knack for apprehending a vexing problem, gathering ideas that might lead to a solution, and the pushing toward the development of a product that could be deployed on a massive scale are still worth considering today

The Process

So what were these techniques, what was the process? For Mervin Kelly, a long-time and influential director of the Labs, inventing the future wasnt just a matter of inventing things for the future; it also entailed inventing ways to invent those things.

The process was important at the Labs, especially to directors and upper-management. For Kelly in particular his field of expertise became the management of these sometimes-quirky scientists. He designed the Labs to literally require researchers in one field to walk past the offices of researchers in totally different fields, thus almost guaranteeing a sort-of cross pollination of ideas.

There was also a sort of egalitarian open-door office policy described by Gertner: Some young employees would quake when they were told to go ask Shannon or Shockley a question. Still, Labs policy stated that they could not be turned away.

But if forced to list out some principles, we can refer to a list that one of the important researchers at the Labs, John Pierce, wrote out:

A technically competent management all the way to the top Researchers didnt have to raise funds Research of a topic or system could be and was supported for years Research could be terminated without damning the researcher

We could expand on #2 and especially on #3 and say that, thanks to its government-sanctioned monopoly and ties with the U.S. war efforts and national security apparatus, AT&T could afford to run a well-funded research and development department with few enough strings to enable at least some of the scientists there to carry out what the Labs and director Kelly called basic research, that is, research that generally had no immediate application to a product or company effort but sought fundamental knowledge regarding the deeper nature of things, such as the behavior of electrons. (Which reminded me of what Steven called blue sky research in Hackers.) The Organizational Man, a supposedly-influential book on the topic that came out in 1956, praises Bell Labs for its belief in idle curiosity.

But there were of course numerous other things that made the Labs what it was, Gertner argues, like the culture of working with open doors, recording everything in formal notebooks, right down to the layout of the New Jersey offices.

All that said, Gertners emphasis on the importance of leadership in these creative settings definitely reminded me of the similar emphasis in Where Wizards Stay Up Late, a history of ARPANET.

The People

Also similar to Wizards was Gertners inclusion of details about the influential individuals in the history of the Labs.

Early on in both the book and the organizations story, Gertner describes the young recruits, mostly from small towns in the midwest, as having a certain fearlessness about life, which he illustrates with a story about what one young man who would go on to win a Nobel Prize in physics, Charles Townes, did with the $100 that the Labs gave him to get from California to Manhattan by rail, which involves riding 3rd-class on trains through Mexico next to a man playing a Nazi accordion and renting a hut on the beach in a yet-to-be-discovered Acapulco for fifty cents a night.

There are not many other stories of this fearlessness, but given the scale and apparent impossibilities of these wicked problems we have to believe that these men (and yes, all the scientists and researchers in the book are men) had both a certain fearlessness and a zest for life. At one point Gertner writes that two upper managers literally ran up and down staircases. They needed to get where [they] were going as fast as possible.

However there are also a good share of quirky researchers with seemingly no interest in leadership or power over others, who were often characterized by their ever-changing interests. Consider this story about John Pierce that makes me laugh every time I read it:

It was quite common for Pierce to suddenly enter or leave a conversation or a meal halfway through. Sometimes it was involuntarily something in his makeup, in the way his mind would click on and off, as his colleague Bob Lucky describes it. Other times it was by design. Lucky recalls that during a phone call Pierce might suddenly hang up in the middle of his own sentence, leaving the person on the other end with the impression that a technical glitch had ended the call. No one could imagine that he would hang up on himself.

Gertner describes Pierce as an instigator someone who poses questions or does other things that get others to investigate interesting problems from a new or helpful perspective. Another such researcher was Harry Nyquist, whose story I like too:

some lawyers in the patent department at Bell Labs decided to study whether there was an organizing principle that could explain why certain individuals at the Labs were more productive than others. They discerned only one common thread: Workers with the most patents often shared lunch or breakfast with a Bell Labs electrical engineer named Harry Nyquist. It wasnt the case that Nyquist gave them specific ideas. Rather, as one scientist recalled, he drew people out, got them thinking. More than anything, Nyquist asked good questions.

But arguably the hero of the book, or at least the hero of these quirky researchers, is a man named Claude Shannon. Shannons adviser at MIT, a dean named Vannevar Bush, describes him: He is shy, personally likable, and a man who should be handled with great care. Gertner concludes: There was, in other words, a quiet accord among the professors at MIT: People like Shannon come along so rarely that they must be protected.

And boy did Shannon prove himself worthy of such attention. In 1948 Shannon published a paper called A Mathematical Theory of Communication in the Bell System Technical Journal, which basically invented and proved a concept called information theory.

Im not really in a position to summarize information at this point, but as Wikipedia says, it seems to be a science of quantifying information by calculating the informations entropy.

I was fascinated enough by it to dive into another book called Information Theory: A Tutorial Introduction, which is dense and mathematical, but Im liking it a lot. Maybe worthy of a subsequent blog post when I finish it.

Look for Good Problems, Not Good Ideas

OK, so whats at least one lesson we can take from the history of Bell Labs on an individual level? If I had to pick one itd be to focus on problems and unknowns rather than ideas, solutions, or knowns.

Gertner writes:

[T]he industrial lab was a challenge to the common assumption that its scientists were being paid to look high and low for good ideas. Men like Kelly and Davisson would soon repeat the notion that there were plenty of good ideas out there, almost two many. Mainly, they were looking for good problems.

And later, about Kellys approach:
Officials say Iranian exports to Syria dropped from $244 million in 2022 to $120 million in 2023.

Iranian exports to Syria have seen a significant decline over the past two years, a fact that contrasts with the portrayal by state media in both nations, as stated by Iranian officials.

Abdul Amir Rabihawi, the Director General of West Asia at the Iranian Trade Development Organization, disclosed that Iranian exports to Syria dropped from $244 million in 2022 to $120 million in 2023.

According to the Iranian 90 Economic website, Abdolamir Rabihawi, the director general of the West Asia Organization of Iran Trade Development Organization (ATDO), emphasized that the 2023 statistics do not meet the anticipated level of economic collaboration agreed upon between Iran and Syria.

Ali Asghar Zabardust, the Vice President of the Iranian-Syrian Chamber of Commerce, accused the Syrian side of failing to implement agreements made between Ebrahim Raisi and Bashar al-Assad during President Raisis visit to Syria in May 2023. Zabardust particularly highlighted the establishment of a joint bank utilizing local currencies for trade exchanges as an area lacking cooperation.

Zabardust pointed out that the decline in Iranian exports to Syria is partly due to routing through the port of Bandar Abbas to the Syrian coast or through Turkish territory, which escalates shipping costs.

Calling for enhanced collaboration, the deputy chairman of the Joint Chamber of Commerce proposed negotiating with Baghdad to facilitate the passage of Iranian goods through Iraqi territory to the al-Bukamal border crossing with Syria.

Shah Hosseini, the head of Irans Foreign Ministrys Syria office, expressed concern over the significant drop in Iranian exports to Syria, emphasizing that $120 million is an alarmingly low figure.

Hosseini cautioned that unless Iranian goods find acceptance among Syrian traders, exporting to Syria could become increasingly challenging in the foreseeable future, urging action from the Iranian side.

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.
On October 15, Iran's Hajj and Umrah Organization suspended all religious visits to Syria, al-Modon notes.

Irans Civil Aviation Organization has announced the suspension of flights to Syria citing the ongoing special circumstances in the country. This decision comes months after the suspension of religious visits. Mohammad Mohammadi Bakhsh, the head of the organization, mentioned that the suspension excludes routine and occasional flights, although the specifics of these occasional trips were not specified. Regarding religious visits by Iranian pilgrims to Syria, Mohammadi Bakhsh stated that the Iranian Foreign Ministry will announce the resumption of such trips once the reasons for the suspension cease to exist, as reported by the Iranian news agency Ilna.

On October 15, Irans Hajj and Umrah Organization suspended all religious visits to Syria, coinciding with the onset of Israeli aggression on Gaza and subsequent targeting of Iranian advisors and assets within Syria. Israel has adjusted its strategies following the Al-Aqsa Flood, engaging in more frequent and lethal airstrikes targeting Iranian arms transfers and air defense systems in Syria. Recently, Israeli warplanes carried out an airstrike in the city of Banias on the Syrian coast, resulting in the assassination of Reda Zarei, an advisor to the IRGCs First Maritime Region Command. Zareis assassination brings the death toll of Iranian revolutionary freedom advisors in Syria since the commencement of the Gaza war in October 2023 to 8, occurring in various regions across Syrias geography.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria.

On Saturday, the UN Secretary-General underscored the pressing necessity for a negotiated political resolution in Syria, stressing the importance of safeguarding civilians and addressing the severe humanitarian crisis. As March commences, it marks the thirteenth year since the onset of the Syrian conflict, characterized by systematic atrocities and immense civilian suffering.

UN chief urges genuine, credible political solution in Syria, as conflict approaches thirteenth anniversary

The UN Secretary-General on Saturday highlighted the urgent need for a negotiated political solution in Syria, emphasizing the protection of civilians and the dire humanitarian situation.

March marks the thirteenth anniversary of the conflict in Syria, with systematic atrocities and untold suffering of civilians.

According to UN estimates, 16.7 million people, equivalent to 70 per cent of the total population, will require humanitarian assistance in 2024. Roughly half the pre-war population remains displaced inside or outside Syria.

Compounding the crisis, a series of earthquakes struck the countrys north in February last year, claiming nearly 5,900 lives, severely damaging infrastructure, and exacerbating the vulnerability of millions already struggling to meet their basic needs.

Entire communities are struggling to survive, as humanitarian funding has dropped to an all-time low. In 2023, for instance, only $2.02 billion or 37.4 per cent  was received against the $5.41 billion required for UN-led humanitarian efforts.

In a statement, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all stakeholders to do all that is necessary to reach a genuine and credible political solution.

A solution that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, restores the countrys sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015) and create the conditions necessary for the voluntary return of refugees in safety and dignity, he said.

We need civilians and civilian infrastructure to be protected, the UN chief emphasized.

It is long past time for key parties to step up and meet these needs. An entire generation of Syrians has already paid too high a price, he added.

Alarm Raised In Iran As Exports To Syria Shrink By 50%

Despite tens of billions of dollars Iran spent in Syria to save Bashar al-Assads regime from being overrun by rebels, its exports to the Arab country have dwindled to negligible levels, Iran International reported.

Abdolamir Rabihavi, Director General of Irans Trade Promotion Organization for Western Asia, said Irans exports to Syria have plummeted by 50 percent to just $120 million annually.

Irans exports to Syria were $244 million in the previous Iranian calendar year (March 2022 to March 2023) but the figure has decreased to $120 million this year, reported Rabihavi in a video released by Navad-e Eqtesadi Telegram channel on Saturday.

This is far below the expected level of economic cooperation between the two allied countries, he stressed.

His remarks came a week after Hassan Shah Hosseini, head of the Syria Desk at Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned that Tehrans 100-million-dollar exports to Damascus is very insignificant. He urged Iranian merchants to find their own ways to trade with Syria.

Referring to the shrinking trade volume, Hossein-Ali Haji-Deligani, a former high-ranking Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) officer and hardline lawmaker, said in a critical tone in September 2023: Despite our support for the Syrian government, we have little to contribute to the reconstruction of Syria today.

The countries that were the main causes of the war in Syria are now leading its reconstruction, he claimed, probably referring to Turkey.

This is while Iranian officials have repeatedly emphasized that Tehrans expenditures in Syria since 2011 should be compensated via bilateral economic cooperation. Iran entered the Syrian civil war more than a decade ago dispatching thousands of fighters and even its own Revolutionary Guard forces to fight anti-Assad insurgents.

Trying to justify the high cost of involvement in the Syrian war, the IRGC, in particular, has been arguing over the past years that trade and investment in Syria will pay off and compensate for the billions of dollars Tehran has spent to support Bashar al-Assad.

Syrian foreign minister calls for Israel to return Golan Heights

Syrias Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad discusses the Syrian regimes current policy in the region in an interview with Al-Ain News. It came on the sidelines of a meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers that recently took place in Cairo and is the 161st session of this confab. Much of this comes amid the ongoing war in Gaza, thus placing a spotlight on other issues that otherwise might be less intense.

According to the report by Al-Ain media, Mekdad discussed several issues, such as the importance of Syrias ties to the Gulf. He also discussed some of the developments that concern Syria, including the recent Israeli strikes and other regional developments that were not devoid of renewing the firm position on the Palestinian issue.

Damascus wants to improve ties with the UAE, for instance. In such a development, Syria recently returned to the Arab League last year. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have done outreach to Syria to try to reconcile and bring it back into the Arab fold after a decade of distance due to the civil war in Syria.

Syria avoids regional cold shoulder despite Captagon drug trade

Despite its deep involvement in the multibillion-dollar Captagon amphetamine trade, Syria has managed to avoid complete regional isolation. The trade, which experts say significantly benefits the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad, has positioned Syria at the heart of the Captagon market, a drug that gained international notoriety in the 2010s as a favorite among ISIL (ISIS) fighters. Originally developed in the 1960s, Captagon has found a diverse user base in the Middle East, ranging from partygoers to overworked taxi drivers seeking to endure long shifts.

According to a long report by Al-Jazeera, Syrias turn to Captagon production and exportation comes as a response to international sanctions and the loss of conventional revenue streams due to the ongoing conflict and economic devastation. This illicit trade has become a major source of foreign currency for the country, with the Syrian government and associates allegedly orchestrating the manufacture and distribution of the drug. Western governments and experts have pointed out the involvement of high-ranking Syrian officials and military units in the trade, leading to sanctions against individuals connected to the Assad regime.

The Captagon trade extends beyond Syrias borders, with military units and allied groups like Hezbollah, despite their denials, implicated in smuggling operations to neighbouring countries and beyond. The trades proceeds, estimated to be in the billions of dollars, purportedly support the regimes survival and its capacity to continue its repressive policies against civilians.

Despite the international communitys concerns and sanctions, regional dynamics suggest a nuanced approach to dealing with Syrias government. The countrys readmission into the Arab League and strategic shifts influenced by broader regional conflicts indicate that concerns over Captagon may be taking a backseat to political and security considerations among Middle Eastern nations. This pragmatism underscores the complex interplay between drug trafficking, regional politics, and the quest for stability in a volatile area.

Student, volunteer, shopowner: NW Syrias Shaima defies limitations

In Azaz, Syria, Shaima Hilal exemplifies resilience and empowerment despite her physical disability. Born without a right thigh bone, she learned to walk with a crutch at three and has since defied the limitations of her disability, becoming a beacon of hope and determination in her community. Arriving in Azaz four years ago, Shaima quickly became a cherished figure, known for her humanitarian efforts, including psychological support, case management, and sponsoring orphans, alongside managing to be a student, a volunteer, and a shop owner.

According to a report by Al-Jazeera, at 33, Shaima navigates lifes challenges with grace, pursuing a degree in special education at the University of Aleppo after a 13-year hiatus due to the Syrian war. She is determined to help others living with disabilities, a mission inspired by her own experiences and the increasing number of disabled individuals in Syria due to the conflict. Shaimas work with the Violet organisation, providing support to children affected by war, and her entrepreneurial venture, a hijab shop named Bilbaqlik (This Suits You), underscore her belief in the potential for growth and success regardless of circumstances.

Shaimas story is not just about overcoming a physical challenge; its a testament to her unwavering spirit and the support from her family, particularly her late father, who continues to inspire her. She embodies the idea that limitations are surmountable with determination, support, and a relentless pursuit of ones dreams, making her an inspiring figure not just in northwest Syria, but for anyone facing adversity.
Essex Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:LQD  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 3,018 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $308,000.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of LQD. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 150,066 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $16,228,000 after acquiring an additional 1,582 shares during the period. iA Global Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 7.6% in the 3rd quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 539,200 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $55,009,000 after acquiring an additional 38,000 shares during the period. Plan Group Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 362.7% in the third quarter. Plan Group Financial LLC now owns 58,712 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $5,990,000 after purchasing an additional 46,024 shares during the period. Payden & Rygel Investment Group acquired a new position in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $8,702,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 69.9% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 108,998 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $11,787,000 after purchasing an additional 44,850 shares during the period. 92.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA:LQD opened at $109.02 on Friday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $108.80 and its 200-day simple moving average is $105.85. iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF has a 12-month low of $98.24 and a 12-month high of $111.40.

iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF Profile

iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Investment Grade Index (the Index), which is a rules-based index consisting of liquid, the United States dollar-denominated, investment-grade corporate bonds for sale in the United States.

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Belpointe Asset Management LLC grew its position in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Free Report) by 8.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 7,051 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 556 shares during the quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLCs holdings in Southern were worth $456,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Southern by 5.0% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 38,906,760 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,518,045,000 after purchasing an additional 1,838,857 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Southern by 2.3% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,816,104 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,387,945,000 after purchasing an additional 452,511 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in Southern by 4.2% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 16,070,918 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,128,982,000 after acquiring an additional 642,737 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors raised its position in Southern by 8.0% during the second quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 11,910,166 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $836,689,000 after acquiring an additional 883,544 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp raised its position in Southern by 1.6% during the third quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 10,737,843 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $694,953,000 after acquiring an additional 163,986 shares in the last quarter. 62.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Southern news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.99, for a total transaction of $359,950.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 101,284 shares in the company, valued at $7,291,435.16. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,099 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.96, for a total value of $706,526.04. Following the sale, the insider now owns 28,691 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,007,222.36. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.99, for a total transaction of $359,950.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 101,284 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,291,435.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 25,998 shares of company stock worth $1,817,613 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.28% of the companys stock.

Southern Trading Down 0.3 %

Shares of Southern stock opened at $69.01 on Friday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $68.80 and its 200-day simple moving average is $68.64. The company has a market cap of $75.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.01, a PEG ratio of 4.30 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The Southern Company has a 1 year low of $61.56 and a 1 year high of $75.80.

Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The utilities provider reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.05. Southern had a net margin of 15.79% and a return on equity of 11.40%. The business had revenue of $6.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.26 earnings per share. Southerns quarterly revenue was down 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that The Southern Company will post 4.01 EPS for the current year.

Southern Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th were paid a dividend of $0.70 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 16th. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.06%. Southerns dividend payout ratio is currently 77.14%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Southern from $75.00 to $72.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Southern from $69.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Southern from $66.00 to $67.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Southern from $68.00 to $67.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, Mizuho dropped their price target on shares of Southern from $76.00 to $73.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Southern presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $73.46.

View Our Latest Research Report on SO

About Southern

(Free Report)

The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations.

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Belpointe Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 10.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,770 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after buying an additional 435 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $605,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Truvestments Capital LLC acquired a new stake in EOG Resources during the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of EOG Resources during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of EOG Resources during the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Peoples Bank KS acquired a new position in EOG Resources in the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Eagle Bay Advisors LLC bought a new position in EOG Resources in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. 89.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on EOG. Morgan Stanley cut EOG Resources from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $134.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Monday, December 11th. TD Securities decreased their price objective on EOG Resources from $135.00 to $130.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded EOG Resources from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $156.00 to $150.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of EOG Resources from $172.00 to $165.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 26th. Finally, Susquehanna dropped their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $164.00 to $147.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $141.80.

EOG Resources Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of EOG opened at $118.72 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $68.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.13, a PEG ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 1.39. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 52 week low of $98.52 and a 52 week high of $136.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 2.13 and a current ratio of 2.44. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $114.57 and a 200-day moving average of $121.94.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 23rd. The energy exploration company reported $3.07 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.14 by ($0.07). EOG Resources had a net margin of 31.40% and a return on equity of 25.38%. The firm had revenue of $6.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.18 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $3.30 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

EOG Resources Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 16th will be given a $0.91 dividend. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.07%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 15th. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 27.98%.

About EOG Resources

(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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OLD National Bancorp IN lowered its holdings in BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 0.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 17,567 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 114 shares during the period. OLD National Bancorp INs holdings in BlackRock were worth $11,357,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A acquired a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the second quarter valued at $26,000. West Tower Group LLC acquired a new stake in BlackRock in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Archer Investment Corp purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock in the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock during the second quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Tyler Stone Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the second quarter worth approximately $33,000. 77.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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BlackRock Stock Performance

BlackRock stock traded up $4.42 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $836.12. 396,217 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 507,832. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $798.53 and its 200 day simple moving average is $730.98. BlackRock, Inc. has a 12-month low of $596.18 and a 12-month high of $845.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 3.48 and a current ratio of 3.48. The stock has a market cap of $124.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.37.

BlackRock Increases Dividend

BlackRock ( NYSE:BLK Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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 14.74% and a net margin of 30.81%. The firm had revenue of $4.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.65 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $8.93 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that BlackRock, Inc. will post 39.73 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Investors of record on Thursday, March 7th will be issued a dividend of $5.10 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 6th. This is an increase from BlackRocks previous quarterly dividend of $5.00. This represents a $20.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.44%. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 55.88%.

Insider Activity at BlackRock

In other news, insider Marc D. Comerchero sold 450 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $785.11, for a total value of $353,299.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 5,975 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,691,032.25. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other BlackRock news, insider Marc D. Comerchero sold 450 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $785.11, for a total transaction of $353,299.50. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 5,975 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,691,032.25. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, General Counsel Christopher J. Meade sold 18,000 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $282.54, for a total value of $5,085,660.60. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 11,914 shares in the company, valued at $3,366,142.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 100,511 shares of company stock worth $71,864,028 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BLK has been the subject of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of BlackRock from $719.00 to $793.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut 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 lifted their price target for the stock from $819.00 to $938.00 in a 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 report on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded BlackRock from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $885.00 target price for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. Five research 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 company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $785.73.

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BlackRock 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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Diversified Trust Co raised its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH  Free Report) by 63.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 43,384 shares of the medical research companys stock after buying an additional 16,836 shares during the quarter. Diversified Trust Co owned about 0.05% of Laboratory Co. of America worth $8,722,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of LH. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America during the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. Provence Wealth Management Group purchased a new stake in shares of Laboratory Co. of America during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Laboratory Co. of America during the third quarter worth approximately $34,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Laboratory Co. of America during the second quarter worth approximately $43,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Laboratory Co. of America during the third quarter worth approximately $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.37% of the companys stock.

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Laboratory Co. of America Stock Down 0.4 %

NYSE LH traded down $0.86 on Friday, reaching $217.50. The company had a trading volume of 632,404 shares, compared to its average volume of 812,451. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.29 billion, a PE ratio of 46.57, a P/E/G ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 1.02. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a 1 year low of $174.20 and a 1 year high of $234.09. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $222.36 and a 200-day moving average of $213.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.02.

Laboratory Co. of America Dividend Announcement

Laboratory Co. of America ( NYSE:LH Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The medical research company reported $3.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.29 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $3.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.02 billion. Laboratory Co. of America had a return on equity of 13.99% and a net margin of 3.24%. The businesss revenue was down 17.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $4.14 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Laboratory Co. of America Holdings will post 14.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 27th will be given a $0.72 dividend. This represents a $2.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.32%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 26th. Laboratory Co. of Americas dividend payout ratio is presently 61.67%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Laboratory Co. of America news, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 259 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $222.06, for a total value of $57,513.54. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 7,637 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,695,872.22. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, CFO Glenn A. Eisenberg sold 34,504 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $215.97, for a total transaction of $7,451,828.88. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 23,595 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,095,812.15. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 259 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $222.06, for a total value of $57,513.54. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 7,637 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,695,872.22. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 35,500 shares of company stock valued at $7,670,756 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.65% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on LH. TheStreet lowered shares of Laboratory Co. of America from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Barclays assumed coverage on shares of Laboratory Co. of America in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. They set an equal weight rating and a $222.00 target price on the stock. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on shares of Laboratory Co. of America in a research report on Friday, February 9th. They set an in-line rating and a $240.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Leerink Partnrs restated an outperform rating on shares of Laboratory Co. of America in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Laboratory Co. of America currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $243.07.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Laboratory Co. of America

About Laboratory Co. of America

(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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OLD National Bancorp IN lessened its stake in Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW  Free Report) by 2.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 184,151 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 4,759 shares during the period. OLD National Bancorp INs holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $12,758,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in EW. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 3,366.1% during the third quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,941 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $134,000 after acquiring an additional 1,885 shares during the last quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. grew its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 35.0% during the 3rd quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 2,244,774 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $155,518,000 after purchasing an additional 582,028 shares during the last quarter. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Edwards Lifesciences in the third quarter valued at $106,000. Harbour Investments Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 22.9% in the third quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 3,161 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $219,000 after buying an additional 590 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 4.2% during the third quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 14,926 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,034,000 after buying an additional 601 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.25% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

EW has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup lowered shares of Edwards Lifesciences from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Wolfe Research lowered shares of Edwards Lifesciences from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $57.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Edwards Lifesciences from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday. Mizuho boosted their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $85.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $70.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $87.38.

Edwards Lifesciences Trading Down 1.8 %

Shares of EW traded down $1.67 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $92.14. The company had a trading volume of 5,909,408 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,614,697. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a 1-year low of $60.57 and a 1-year high of $94.87. The company has a quick ratio of 2.40, a current ratio of 3.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $81.09 and its 200-day simple moving average is $74.46. The stock has a market cap of $55.40 billion, a PE ratio of 40.06, a P/E/G ratio of 4.62 and a beta of 1.05.

Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The medical research company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.64. Edwards Lifesciences had a return on equity of 23.56% and a net margin of 23.35%. The company had revenue of $1.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.50 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.64 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.76 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Edwards Lifesciences

In related news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.86, for a total transaction of $574,880.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 39,503 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,838,685.58. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.86, for a total transaction of $574,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 39,503 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,838,685.58. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Larry L. Wood sold 8,658 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.86, for a total transaction of $622,163.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 213,794 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,363,236.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 220,967 shares of company stock valued at $17,740,350 over the last three months. 1.29% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Edwards Lifesciences 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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Franco-Nevada (TSE:FNV  Free Report) (NYSE:FNV) had its price target trimmed by BMO Capital Markets from C$200.00 to C$195.00 in a report released on Wednesday, BayStreet.CA reports.

Several other research firms have also commented on FNV. National Bankshares lowered their target price on Franco-Nevada from C$205.00 to C$190.00 in a report on Thursday, November 30th. CIBC decreased their price objective on Franco-Nevada from C$258.00 to C$250.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Raymond James decreased their price objective on Franco-Nevada from C$163.00 to C$162.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Canaccord Genuity Group decreased their price objective on Franco-Nevada from C$170.00 to C$165.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on Franco-Nevada from C$186.00 to C$182.00 in a report on Friday, January 26th. Three 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, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$189.46.

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Franco-Nevada Stock Up 2.7 %

Shares of Franco-Nevada stock opened at C$155.22 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 23.26, a current ratio of 37.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63. The firm has a market cap of C$29.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.34, a P/E/G ratio of 5.00 and a beta of 0.58. Franco-Nevada has a fifty-two week low of C$139.19 and a fifty-two week high of C$217.70. The business has a 50-day moving average price of C$146.14 and a 200 day moving average price of C$163.52.

Franco-Nevada (TSE:FNV  Get Free Report) (NYSE:FNV) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 5th. The company reported C$1.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$1.07 by C$0.16. The firm had revenue of C$412.95 million during the quarter. Franco-Nevada had a return on equity of 10.46% and a net margin of 55.19%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Franco-Nevada will post 4.3681517 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Franco-Nevada Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 14th will be given a $0.477 dividend. This represents a $1.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.23%. This is an increase from Franco-Nevadas previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 13th. Franco-Nevadas dividend payout ratio is 40.21%.

About Franco-Nevada

(Get 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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Harbour Investments Inc. lowered its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 6.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 26,268 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 1,755 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc.s holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $1,525,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Herold Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. Herold Advisors Inc. now owns 33,668 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,954,000 after buying an additional 1,051 shares in the last quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 69.6% in the 2nd quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,049 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $323,000 after buying an additional 2,072 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC grew its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 9.5% in the 3rd quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 139,811 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $8,115,000 after buying an additional 12,121 shares in the last quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC grew its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 14.8% in the 3rd quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 101,772 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $5,907,000 after buying an additional 13,122 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jmac Enterprises LLC grew its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 11.4% in the 3rd quarter. Jmac Enterprises LLC now owns 12,171 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $706,000 after buying an additional 1,245 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 Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE BMY opened at $53.79 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 12 month low of $47.58 and a 12 month high of $71.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $108.77 billion, a PE ratio of 13.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.38. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $50.43 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $53.24.

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.15. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 17.83% and a return on equity of 50.95%. The business had revenue of $11.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.19 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.82 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share 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 shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 5th will be issued a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 4th. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.46%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.18%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BMY has been the subject of a number of research reports. Bank of America cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the stock from $68.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Cantor Fitzgerald cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $68.00 to $55.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. StockNews.com raised shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $58.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $77.00 to $54.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have given a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $61.12.

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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 for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC boosted its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 21.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 74,269 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 12,986 shares during the quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $3,123,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Empirical Finance LLC grew its position in Altria Group by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 21,586 shares of the companys stock valued at $987,000 after purchasing an additional 225 shares during the period. Corrigan Financial Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 4.7% during the second quarter. Corrigan Financial Inc. now owns 5,294 shares of the companys stock valued at $240,000 after buying an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. Perennial Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Altria Group by 5.0% during the second quarter. Perennial Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,055 shares of the companys stock worth $229,000 after acquiring an additional 239 shares in the last quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC now owns 5,825 shares of the companys stock worth $246,000 after acquiring an additional 240 shares during the last quarter. Finally, McGowan Group Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Altria Group by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. McGowan Group Asset Management Inc. now owns 13,730 shares of the companys stock valued at $622,000 after acquiring an additional 245 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.94% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MO has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group restated a sell rating and issued a $36.10 target price on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. StockNews.com cut Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $47.22.

Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $41.87 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $73.84 billion, a PE ratio of 9.16, a P/E/G ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.65. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $39.06 and a 1 year high of $48.04. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $40.76 and a 200-day moving average price of $41.55.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.01. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.21% and a negative return on equity of 244.55%. The firm had revenue of $5.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.06 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.18 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program on Thursday, February 1st that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 1.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be paid a $0.98 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.36%. Altria Groups payout ratio is presently 85.78%.

Altria Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand.

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Kampmann Melissa S. acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 12,393 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,657,000. Eli Lilly and Company accounts for about 6.4% of Kampmann Melissa S.s portfolio, making the stock its largest position.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter valued at approximately $107,000. Roundview Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.6% during the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 2,056 shares of the companys stock worth $589,000 after buying an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter worth approximately $210,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 9.9% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 53,052 shares of the companys stock worth $15,193,000 after buying an additional 4,774 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter worth approximately $561,000. 81.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

NYSE:LLY traded down $18.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $762.14. 4,054,925 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,134,959. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $694.00 and a 200 day moving average price of $618.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $724.15 billion, a PE ratio of 131.40, a PEG ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.34. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1-year low of $312.31 and a 1-year high of $800.78. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69.

Insider Buying and Selling

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.30 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $9.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.95 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 51.22% and a net margin of 15.36%. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue was up 28.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.09 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 14,388 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $630.28, for a total value of $9,068,468.64. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 99,754,422 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $62,873,217,098.16. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 195,055 shares of company stock valued at $125,254,657. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $800.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $710.00 to $865.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and set a $815.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $825.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $680.00 to $810.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $677.62.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Eli Lilly and Company

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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Knife River (NYSE:KNF  Get Free Report) is one of 28 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 companies based on the strength of its dividends, profitability, risk, institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations and earnings.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Knife River and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Knife River 0 1 5 0 2.83 Knife River Competitors 208 998 1406 12 2.47

Knife River currently has a consensus price target of $72.20, suggesting a potential downside of 5.15%. As a group, Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels companies have a potential upside of 10.50%. Given Knife Rivers peers higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Knife River has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Profitability

67.1% of Knife River shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 47.6% of shares of all Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels companies are owned by institutional investors. 7.3% of shares of all Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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 22.01% -23.95% 4.07%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Knife River and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Knife River $2.83 billion $182.87 million -0.15 Knife River Competitors $2.30 billion $353.33 million 6.77

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.

Knife River Company Profile

(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 service, such as heavy-civil construction, asphalt and concrete paving, and site development and grading. It also sells merchandise and other building materials and related services. The company serves federal, state, and municipal governments for various projects, such as highways, bridges, airports, schools, public buildings, and other public-infrastructure projects, as well as industrial, commercial, and residential developers. The company was founded in 1917 and is based in Bismarck, North Dakota.

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Laraway Financial Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (NYSEARCA:SPLV  Free Report) by 2.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 17,418 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 337 shares during the period. Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF makes up approximately 1.1% of Laraway Financial Advisors Incs portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest holding. Laraway Financial Advisors Incs holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF were worth $1,024,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Missouri Trust & Investment Co raised its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 112.1% during the 2nd quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 507 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 268 shares during the period. Buck Wealth Strategies LLC bought a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. Spotlight Asset Group Inc. bought a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. Meitav Investment House Ltd. bought a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $43,000. Finally, Retirement Group LLC grew its position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 38.6% during the 4th quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 729 shares of the companys stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 203 shares in the last quarter.

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Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF Trading Up 0.0 %

Shares of SPLV traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $64.60. 3,211,067 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,166,180. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $63.36 and a 200 day moving average price of $61.43. The company has a market cap of $9.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.07 and a beta of 0.69. Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF has a 1 year low of $57.17 and a 1 year high of $64.80.

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF Profile

The Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Low Volatility index. The fund tracks a volatility-weighted index of the 100 least-volatile stocks in the S&P 500. SPLV was launched on May 5, 2011 and is managed by Invesco.

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Morgan Stanley trimmed its position in General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD  Free Report) by 2.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 2,466,535 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 56,195 shares during the quarter. Morgan Stanleys holdings in General Dynamics were worth $545,031,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Essex Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in shares of General Dynamics by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 11,566 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,556,000 after purchasing an additional 129 shares during the period. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in General Dynamics in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,021,000. Hamilton Capital LLC bought a new position in General Dynamics in the 3rd quarter valued at about $224,000. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV raised its holdings in General Dynamics by 10.8% in the 3rd quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 50,238 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $11,101,000 after acquiring an additional 4,915 shares during the period. Finally, Toroso Investments LLC raised its holdings in General Dynamics by 53.4% in the 3rd quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 9,051 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,000,000 after acquiring an additional 3,152 shares during the period. 86.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Alembic Global Advisors cut shares of General Dynamics from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $296.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Monday, January 29th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of General Dynamics from $286.00 to $296.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of General Dynamics from $283.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $300.00 target price on shares of General Dynamics in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of General Dynamics from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, February 3rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, General Dynamics presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $271.69.

Insider Activity at General Dynamics

In related news, CEO Phebe N. Novakovic sold 32,355 shares of General Dynamics stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $264.31, for a total value of $8,551,750.05. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 773,977 shares of the companys stock, valued at $204,569,860.87. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other General Dynamics news, EVP Mark C. Roualet sold 73,330 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $264.75, for a total transaction of $19,414,117.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 149,205 shares of the companys stock, valued at $39,502,023.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Phebe N. Novakovic sold 32,355 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $264.31, for a total transaction of $8,551,750.05. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 773,977 shares in the company, valued at approximately $204,569,860.87. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.52% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

General Dynamics Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:GD opened at $272.31 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $264.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $246.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $74.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 0.92. General Dynamics Co. has a 1 year low of $202.35 and a 1 year high of $277.43.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The aerospace company reported $3.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.68 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $11.67 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.39 billion. General Dynamics had a net margin of 7.84% and a return on equity of 16.61%. The businesss revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.58 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that General Dynamics Co. will post 14.62 EPS for the current fiscal year.

General Dynamics Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Investors of record on Friday, April 12th will be paid a $1.42 dividend. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.09%. This is a boost from General Dynamicss previous quarterly dividend of $1.32. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 11th. General Dynamicss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 43.93%.

About General Dynamics

(Free Report)

General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies. The Aerospace segment produces and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, aircraft-on-ground support and completion, charter, staffing, and fixed-base operator services.

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Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:ORA  Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Hold from the seven research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $82.00.

A number of analysts have commented on the company. Barclays reduced their target price on Ormat Technologies from $82.00 to $75.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 5th. Oppenheimer dropped their price target on Ormat Technologies from $84.00 to $83.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 19th. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their price target on Ormat Technologies from $74.00 to $70.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 23rd.

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Check Out Our Latest Report on Ormat Technologies

Ormat Technologies Stock Up 4.6 %

Ormat Technologies stock opened at $68.82 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $4.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.93, a PEG ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.48. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $67.39 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $69.01. Ormat Technologies has a 12 month low of $58.73 and a 12 month high of $90.95. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64.

Ormat Technologies (NYSE:ORA  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 21st. The energy company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 5.09% and a net margin of 15.00%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 17.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.73 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Ormat Technologies will post 2.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ormat Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be given a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 5th. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.70%. Ormat Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.97%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ormat Technologies

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Guinness Asset Management LTD lifted its position in Ormat Technologies by 5.7% during the third quarter. Guinness Asset Management LTD now owns 518,360 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $36,234,000 after purchasing an additional 28,058 shares in the last quarter. Credit Suisse AG lifted its position in Ormat Technologies by 15.7% during the second quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 307,111 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $24,710,000 after purchasing an additional 41,661 shares in the last quarter. Guinness Atkinson Asset Management Inc lifted its position in Ormat Technologies by 1.2% during the third quarter. Guinness Atkinson Asset Management Inc now owns 15,944 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $1,115,000 after purchasing an additional 194 shares in the last quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. lifted its position in Ormat Technologies by 32.1% during the third quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. now owns 185,147 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $12,945,000 after purchasing an additional 44,979 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund lifted its position in Ormat Technologies by 11.6% during the third quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 123,789 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $8,655,000 after purchasing an additional 12,897 shares in the last quarter. 88.24% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Ormat Technologies

(Get Free Report

Ormat Technologies, Inc engages in the geothermal and recovered energy power business in the United States, Indonesia, Kenya, Turkey, Chile, Guatemala, Guadeloupe, New Zealand, Honduras, and internationally. It operates in 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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Shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the ten research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $105.40.

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. UBS Group cut Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a sell rating and decreased their price target for the company from $105.00 to $86.50 in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Argus reiterated a hold rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. Societe Generale upgraded Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $87.50 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic started coverage on Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, November 16th. They set a neutral rating and a $95.00 target price on the stock.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on PM

Philip Morris International Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:PM opened at $92.68 on Friday. Philip Morris International has a twelve month low of $87.23 and a twelve month high of $101.92. The firm has a market cap of $143.88 billion, a PE ratio of 18.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.61. The business has a fifty day moving average of $91.98 and a 200-day moving average of $92.62.

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 for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by ($0.08). The business had revenue of $9.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.99 billion. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 8.53% and a negative return on equity of 116.29%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.39 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International will post 6.39 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 21st will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 20th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 103.59%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Philip Morris International

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Northwest Financial Advisors acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.70% of the companys stock.

About Philip Morris International

(Get 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.

Further Reading

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Essex Financial Services Inc. decreased its holdings in Raymond James (NYSE:RJF  Free Report) by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 3,566 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 177 shares during the quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc.s holdings in Raymond James were worth $358,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of RJF. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in Raymond James by 80.5% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,629,875 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $618,780,000 after purchasing an additional 2,510,966 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Raymond James in the 4th quarter valued at about $206,765,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Raymond James by 26.7% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,876,054 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $641,330,000 after buying an additional 1,448,047 shares in the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans increased its stake in shares of Raymond James by 214.5% during the first quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 1,141,564 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $106,474,000 after buying an additional 778,644 shares during the period. Finally, BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in Raymond James by 4.7% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,196,715 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,784,503,000 after acquiring an additional 772,492 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.00% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Steven M. Raney sold 930 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.42, for a total transaction of $102,690.60. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 55,618 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,141,339.56. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Raymond James news, Director Art A. Garcia bought 879 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The stock was 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 $98,711.70. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Steven M. Raney sold 930 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.42, for a total transaction of $102,690.60. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 55,618 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,141,339.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 9.74% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have commented on RJF shares. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Raymond James from $116.00 to $115.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Raymond James from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the company from $110.00 to $135.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a hold rating and issued a $117.00 price target (up from $112.00) on shares of Raymond James in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $116.00 price objective (down from $125.00) on shares of Raymond James in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Finally, TD Cowen began coverage on Raymond James in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. They set a market perform rating and a $121.00 target price on the stock. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Raymond James presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $119.25.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Raymond James

Raymond James Stock Performance

Shares of RJF stock opened at $120.20 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $114.47 and its two-hundred day moving average is $107.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 0.99. Raymond James has a 1 year low of $82.00 and a 1 year high of $122.40. The firm has a market cap of $25.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.06, a PEG ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.04.

Raymond James (NYSE:RJF  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The financial services provider reported $2.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.25 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $3.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.01 billion. Raymond James had a return on equity of 17.95% and a net margin of 12.81%. The businesss revenue was up 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.29 EPS. Analysts predict that Raymond James will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current year.

Raymond James Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 1st will be given a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 28th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.50%. Raymond Jamess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.56%.

About Raymond James

(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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Fidelis Insurance (NYSE:FIHL  Get Free Report) is one of 94 publicly-traded companies in the Fire, marine, & casualty insurance industry, but how does it compare to its rivals? We will compare Fidelis Insurance to related businesses based on the strength of its valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, profitability, dividends and risk.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Fidelis Insurance and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Fidelis Insurance 0 4 4 0 2.50 Fidelis Insurance Competitors 569 3108 2853 196 2.40

Fidelis Insurance presently has a consensus target price of $18.00, indicating a potential upside of 0.95%. As a group, Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies have a potential upside of 1.88%. Given Fidelis Insurances rivals higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Fidelis Insurance has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Fidelis Insurance $3.60 billion $2.13 billion 0.93 Fidelis Insurance Competitors $15.58 billion $2.96 billion 74.38

This table compares Fidelis Insurance and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Fidelis Insurances rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Fidelis Insurance. Fidelis Insurance is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Profitability

This table compares Fidelis Insurance and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Fidelis Insurance 59.30% 20.23% 4.22% Fidelis Insurance Competitors 4.04% -11.89% 0.75%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

39.6% of Fidelis Insurance shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 54.0% of shares of all Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies are owned by institutional investors. 14.9% of shares of all Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Fidelis Insurance rivals beat Fidelis Insurance on 7 of the 12 factors compared.

Fidelis Insurance Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and reinsurance products in Bermuda, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It operates in three segments: Specialty, Reinsurance, and Bespoke segments. The Specialty segment offers aviation and aerospace, energy, marine, property direct and facultative, and other specialty risk solutions. The Reinsurance segment provides property, retrocession, and whole account reinsurance solutions. The Bespoke segment offers customized risk solutions for clients that include credit and political risk, and other risk transfer opportunities. The company is also involved in specialty treaty reinsurance, and surety bonds and guarantees activities; and upstream energy, energy liability, and marine businesses; and provision of product recall and contamination, and marketing services. Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Pembroke, Bermuda.

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Savoie Capital LLC purchased a new position in American Express (NYSE:AXP) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 11,700 shares of the payment services companys stock, valued at approximately $1,746,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bison Wealth LLC increased its stake in American Express by 2.1% in the second quarter. Bison Wealth LLC now owns 20,444 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $3,561,000 after acquiring an additional 416 shares during the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI grew its stake in shares of American Express by 25.0% during the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 499,340 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $74,584,000 after buying an additional 99,813 shares during the last quarter. Beutel Goodman & Co Ltd. grew its stake in shares of American Express by 7.6% during the second quarter. Beutel Goodman & Co Ltd. now owns 1,785,141 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $310,971,000 after buying an additional 125,990 shares during the last quarter. GYL Financial Synergies LLC grew its stake in shares of American Express by 1.0% during the third quarter. GYL Financial Synergies LLC now owns 23,987 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $3,579,000 after buying an additional 242 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of American Express by 14.3% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 777 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $135,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.08% of the companys stock.

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American Express Price Performance

Shares of AXP traded down $0.05 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $223.37. 2,242,892 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,907,175. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. American Express has a 52-week low of $140.91 and a 52-week high of $224.90. The companys 50-day moving average price is $201.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $174.75. The company has a market cap of $161.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.23.

American Express Cuts Dividend

American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The payment services company reported $2.62 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.64 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $15.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 30.99% and a net margin of 13.84%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.07 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that American Express will post 12.82 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 5th will be issued a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 4th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.18%. American Expresss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.41%.

Insider Transactions at American Express

In related news, CEO Stephen J. Squeri sold 69,356 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $213.02, for a total transaction of $14,774,215.12. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 122,158 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,022,097.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Stephen J. Squeri sold 69,356 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $213.02, for a total value of $14,774,215.12. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 122,158 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $26,022,097.16. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Laureen Seeger sold 84,420 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.98, for a total transaction of $17,979,771.60. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 57,512 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,248,905.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 172,047 shares of company stock worth $36,528,388 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AXP has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Oppenheimer increased their target price on shares of American Express from $208.00 to $219.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of American Express in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set a buy rating and a $235.00 target price for the company. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of American Express from $188.00 to $206.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Robert W. Baird lowered shares of American Express from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $190.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Monday, January 8th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on shares of American Express from $216.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Express currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $189.00.

Get Our Latest Analysis on AXP

American Express Company Profile

(Free Report)

American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services.

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Savoie Capital LLC bought a new stake in Shopify Inc. (NYSE:SHOP  Free Report) (TSE:SHOP) during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor bought 8,700 shares of the software makers stock, valued at approximately $475,000.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in SHOP. Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Shopify by 292.9% in the 1st quarter. Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. now owns 110 shares of the software makers stock valued at $74,000 after buying an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Turim 21 Investimentos Ltda. bought a new stake in Shopify during the first quarter worth approximately $148,000. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in Shopify during the first quarter worth approximately $169,000. First Manhattan Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Shopify by 317.5% during the first quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 263 shares of the software makers stock worth $177,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Shopify by 508.2% during the first quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 298 shares of the software makers stock worth $201,000 after buying an additional 249 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.28% of the companys stock.

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Shopify Price Performance

SHOP traded up $0.83 on Friday, reaching $76.16. The stock had a trading volume of 10,444,348 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,195,539. Shopify Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $39.79 and a fifty-two week high of $91.57. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $79.33 and a 200-day moving average of $68.55. The company has a current ratio of 6.99, a quick ratio of 6.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. The company has a market capitalization of $97.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 846.32 and a beta of 2.22.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Shopify ( NYSE:SHOP Get Free Report ) (TSE:SHOP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The software maker reported $0.26 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.04. Shopify had a return on equity of 4.48% and a net margin of 1.87%. The firm had revenue of $2.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.07 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Shopify Inc. will post 0.57 EPS for the current year.

SHOP has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their target price on Shopify from $70.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. TD Securities raised their target price on Shopify from $65.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Shopify from $65.00 to $75.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. Atb Cap Markets lowered Shopify from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Finally, Barclays dropped their target price on Shopify from $70.00 to $68.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty-one have given a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $76.42.

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About Shopify

(Free Report)

Shopify Inc, a commerce company, provides a commerce platform and services in Canada, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, China, and Latin America. The company's platform enables merchants to displays, manages, markets, and sells its products through various sales channels, including web and mobile storefronts, physical retail locations, pop-up shops, social media storefronts, native mobile apps, buy buttons, and marketplaces; and enables to manage products and inventory, process orders and payments, fulfill and ship orders, new buyers and build customer relationships, source products, leverage analytics and reporting, manage cash, payments and transactions, and access financing.

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Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Sempra (NYSE:SRE  Free Report) by 99.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 7,734 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 3,850 shares during the quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Sempra were worth $526,000 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 SRE. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in Sempra by 0.6% during the first quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 1,141,824 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $191,963,000 after purchasing an additional 6,246 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Sempra by 780.0% during the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,804 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $302,000 after buying an additional 1,599 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. purchased a new stake in Sempra during the first quarter valued at about $782,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in shares of Sempra by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 668,646 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $112,411,000 after purchasing an additional 23,431 shares during the period. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. boosted its position in Sempra by 77.4% during the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 13,575 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,276,000 after purchasing an additional 5,924 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.83% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Sempra

In other news, EVP Justin Christopher Bird sold 5,063 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.22, for a total transaction of $360,586.86. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 19,712 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,403,888.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Justin Christopher Bird sold 5,063 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.22, for a total value of $360,586.86. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 19,712 shares in the company, valued at $1,403,888.64. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Jeffrey W. Martin sold 50,703 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.92, for a total value of $3,595,856.76. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 2 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $141.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 156,622 shares of company stock valued at $11,089,713 in the last 90 days. 0.24% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH started coverage on Sempra in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. They issued a buy rating and a $81.50 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Sempra from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the stock from $78.00 to $86.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Sempra from $76.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. StockNews.com lowered shares of Sempra from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Sempra from $75.00 to $73.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $81.83.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on SRE

Sempra Stock Performance

Shares of SRE opened at $71.07 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.54 and a quick ratio of 0.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $44.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.84, a P/E/G ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.71. Sempra has a 12-month low of $63.75 and a 12-month high of $79.51. The firms 50 day moving average is $72.09 and its 200-day moving average is $71.66.

Sempra (NYSE:SRE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The utilities provider reported $1.13 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.11 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $3.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.01 billion. Sempra had a return on equity of 9.45% and a net margin of 18.26%. Sempras revenue was up 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.17 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Sempra will post 4.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sempra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.62 per share. This is an increase from Sempras previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 20th. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.49%. Sempras payout ratio is currently 49.69%.

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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Spartan Planning & Wealth Management purchased a new stake in Halliburton (NYSE:HAL  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund purchased 7,978 shares of the oilfield services companys stock, valued at approximately $323,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Schroder Investment Management Group boosted its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 56.8% in the 2nd quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 333,133 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $10,990,000 after buying an additional 120,734 shares during the period. CX Institutional acquired a new position in shares of Halliburton in the 3rd quarter valued at about $344,000. California State Teachers Retirement System boosted its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 13.1% in the 3rd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 2,037,646 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $82,525,000 after buying an additional 235,906 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 3,342,520 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $135,372,000 after buying an additional 44,901 shares during the period. Finally, Washington Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Halliburton in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,869,000. 82.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director Margaret Katherine Banks sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.30, for a total transaction of $176,500.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 9,625 shares in the company, valued at $339,762.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Jeffrey Allen Miller sold 377,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.30, for a total transaction of $13,308,100.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 759,015 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,793,229.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Margaret Katherine Banks sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.30, for a total transaction of $176,500.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 9,625 shares in the company, valued at $339,762.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

HAL has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Susquehanna reissued a positive rating and set a $49.00 target price on shares of Halliburton in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of Halliburton from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Atb Cap Markets lowered shares of Halliburton from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. StockNews.com raised shares of Halliburton from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $45.00 target price on shares of Halliburton in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Halliburton presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $48.63.

Read Our Latest Research Report on HAL

Halliburton Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HAL traded up $0.02 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $36.21. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,601,761 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,364,149. The company has a current ratio of 2.06, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $35.19 and a 200 day moving average price of $37.71. Halliburton has a one year low of $27.84 and a one year high of $43.85. The company has a market cap of $32.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 1.99.

Halliburton (NYSE:HAL  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The oilfield services company reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.80 by $0.06. Halliburton had a net margin of 11.46% and a return on equity of 31.59%. The business had revenue of $5.74 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.78 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.72 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Halliburton will post 3.43 EPS for the current year.

Halliburton Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.17 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 5th. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.88%. This is a positive change from Halliburtons previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. Halliburtons payout ratio is currently 23.21%.

Halliburton Company Profile

(Free Report)

Halliburton Company provides products and services to the energy industry worldwide. It operates through two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. The Completion and Production segment offers production enhancement services that include stimulation and sand control services; cementing services, such as well bonding and casing, and casing equipment; and completion tools that offer downhole solutions and services, including well completion products and services, intelligent well completions, and service tools, as well as liner hanger, sand control, and multilateral systems.

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Sprott Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Dakota Gold Corp. (NYSE:DC  Free Report) by 10.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 498,556 shares of the companys stock after selling 59,149 shares during the quarter. Sprott Inc.s holdings in Dakota Gold were worth $1,286,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Dakota Gold during the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Rathbones Group PLC bought a new position in shares of Dakota Gold during the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new position in shares of Dakota Gold during the 2nd quarter valued at $167,000. Euro Pacific Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Dakota Gold by 43.5% during the 3rd quarter. Euro Pacific Asset Management LLC now owns 286,376 shares of the companys stock valued at $742,000 after buying an additional 86,776 shares during the period. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Dakota Gold by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 3,035,405 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,831,000 after buying an additional 92,198 shares during the period. 25.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Dakota Gold Price Performance

Shares of NYSE DC traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $2.15. 384,234 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 175,329. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $2.17 and a two-hundred day moving average of $2.52. Dakota Gold Corp. has a one year low of $1.95 and a one year high of $3.94.

About Dakota Gold

Dakota Gold Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. It primarily explores for gold deposits. The company holds 100% interest in the Blind Gold, City Creek, Tinton, West Corridor, Ragged Top, Poorman Anticline, Maitland, South Lead/Whistler Gulch, and Cambrian Unconformity Properties located Homestake Mining District, South Dakota.

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Diversified Trust Co grew its position in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 17.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,943 shares of the investment management companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,604 shares during the quarter. Diversified Trust Cos holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $3,541,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Cambridge Trust Co. lifted its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 82.0% during 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 period. Truvestments Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 88.0% during the third quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 94 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the period. Pacific Center for Financial Services acquired a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the first quarter worth $33,000. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the first quarter worth $33,000. Finally, First Capital Advisors Group LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the second quarter worth $34,000. 69.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance

The Goldman Sachs Group stock traded down $1.44 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $386.99. 1,657,387 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,169,316. The company has a market capitalization of $125.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.96, a P/E/G ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.42. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $384.85 and its 200-day simple moving average is $351.00. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $289.36 and a 1 year high of $397.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.76.

The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement

The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last posted 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 firm had revenue of $11.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.80 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 8.03% 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 last year, the business posted $3.32 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 32.86 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be issued a $2.75 dividend. This represents a $11.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.84%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.20%.

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 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 sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 11,463 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,357,659.45. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $376.39, for a total transaction of $1,129,170.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 10,121 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,809,443.19. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CAO Sheara J. Fredman sold 4,300 shares of the businesss 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 sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 11,463 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,357,659.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 39,064 shares of company stock worth $15,082,153 in the last 90 days. 0.54% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently weighed in on GS. Barclays increased their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $437.00 to $493.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $398.00 to $421.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Oppenheimer raised their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $491.00 to $506.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. BMO Capital Markets 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. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised The Goldman Sachs Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the company from $333.00 to $449.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $408.98.

Read Our Latest Research Report on The Goldman Sachs Group

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 financing under securities to resale agreements.

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TimesSquare Capital Management LLC lessened its holdings in Brunswick Co. (NYSE:BC  Free Report) by 4.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 965,596 shares of the companys stock after selling 49,982 shares during the period. Brunswick comprises approximately 1.2% of TimesSquare Capital Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. TimesSquare Capital Management LLC owned about 1.38% of Brunswick worth $76,282,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Alps Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Brunswick by 224.7% in the 3rd quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 49,446 shares of the companys stock worth $3,906,000 after buying an additional 34,220 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Brunswick by 127.6% in the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 866,226 shares of the companys stock worth $68,432,000 after acquiring an additional 485,588 shares in the last quarter. Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Brunswick by 12.1% in the third quarter. Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. now owns 167,736 shares of the companys stock worth $13,251,000 after acquiring an additional 18,150 shares in the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Brunswick in the third quarter worth about $927,000. Finally, UBS Group AG lifted its stake in shares of Brunswick by 52.2% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 95,593 shares of the companys stock worth $7,552,000 after acquiring an additional 32,771 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.44% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. B. Riley upgraded Brunswick from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $100.00 to $108.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Brunswick from $88.00 to $97.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Raymond James cut Brunswick from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Roth Mkm upped their price objective on Brunswick from $85.00 to $94.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their price objective on Brunswick from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $95.09.

Brunswick Price Performance

NYSE BC traded up $0.70 on Friday, reaching $90.25. 832,446 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 491,910. The company has a market cap of $6.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.17 and a beta of 1.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $87.03 and its 200 day simple moving average is $82.05. Brunswick Co. has a 12 month low of $66.47 and a 12 month high of $99.68.

Brunswick (NYSE:BC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.45 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.66 by ($0.21). The company had revenue of $1.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.44 billion. Brunswick had a return on equity of 29.78% and a net margin of 6.57%. The businesss revenue was down 14.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.99 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Brunswick Co. will post 7.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Brunswick Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 26th will be issued a $0.42 dividend. This is an increase from Brunswicks previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 23rd. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.86%. Brunswicks dividend payout ratio is currently 28.24%.

Insider Activity

In other news, VP Christopher F. Dekker sold 6,234 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.53, for a total value of $526,960.02. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 35,176 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,973,427.28. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, VP Christopher F. Dekker sold 6,234 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.53, for a total value of $526,960.02. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 35,176 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,973,427.28. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO David M. Foulkes sold 35,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $87.11, for a total value of $3,048,850.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 272,626 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $23,748,450.86. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 52,696 shares of company stock worth $4,574,199 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.58% of the companys stock.

About Brunswick

(Free Report)

Brunswick Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets recreation products in the United States, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Propulsion, Engine P&A, Navico Group, and Boat. The Propulsion segment provides outboard, sterndrive, inboard engines, propulsion-related controls, rigging, and propellers for boat builders through marine retail dealers under the Mercury, Mercury MerCruiser, Mariner, Mercury Racing, Mercury Diesel, Avator, and Fliteboard brands.

Further Reading

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BRYN MAWR TRUST Co decreased its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM  Free Report) by 9.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,902 shares of the specialty retailers stock after selling 200 shares during the quarter. BRYN MAWR TRUST Cos holdings in Williams-Sonoma were worth $296,000 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. WINTON GROUP Ltd increased its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 2.1% in the third quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd now owns 3,413 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $530,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Cooper Financial Group increased its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 2.9% in the third quarter. Cooper Financial Group now owns 2,643 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $411,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 0.9% in the third quarter. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 10,072 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $1,565,000 after buying an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 38.8% in the third quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 322 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 90 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bell & Brown Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 0.4% in the second quarter. Bell & Brown Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 21,330 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $2,669,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.76% of the companys stock.

Get Williams-Sonoma alerts:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Wedbush lifted their target price on Williams-Sonoma from $230.00 to $280.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday. Telsey Advisory Group restated an outperform rating and issued a $170.00 target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Monday, November 13th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Williams-Sonoma from $110.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Bank of America lifted their target price on Williams-Sonoma from $222.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Williams-Sonoma from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $168.25.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Williams-Sonoma news, CEO Laura Alber sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.92, for a total value of $4,038,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 525,509 shares in the company, valued at $106,110,777.28. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Williams-Sonoma Trading Down 5.1 %

Shares of NYSE WSM opened at $234.90 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $214.26 and a 200-day simple moving average of $182.23. The company has a market cap of $15.07 billion, a PE ratio of 16.30, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.66. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 12-month low of $109.44 and a 12-month high of $249.04.

Williams-Sonoma Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 19th were given a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 18th. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.53%. Williams-Sonomas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 24.98%.

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.

Featured Articles

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KEARNEY  The University of Nebraska at Kearney is once again welcoming a record-breaking group of students into its signature health science program.

A total of 72 high school seniors were recently accepted into the Kearney Health Opportunities Program for fall 2024. These students come from communities across the state  Bridgeport to Norfolk to Hebron  and represent the future of rural health care in Nebraska.

This years class is the programs largest-ever, surpassing the 56 students admitted in 2023.

Its very promising and exciting to have such a highly talented group of students who are dedicated to practicing health care in rural Nebraska, said Peggy Abels, director of UNK Health Sciences. The KHOP program is an important part of the rural health initiatives on the UNK campus that are designed to alleviate the health care workforce shortages in our state. We look forward to working with these future Lopers as they prepare to serve their communities as health care professionals.

A partnership between UNK and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, KHOP was launched in 2010 as a pipeline program designed to grow the states health care workforce by recruiting and training students from rural Nebraska who are committed to practicing in these communities as professionals. The program offers financial assistance, academic support and professional development opportunities, with many participants receiving full-tuition scholarships to attend UNK and guaranteed admission to UNMC.

KHOP members can study in the fields of dental hygiene, dentistry, medical laboratory science, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant and radiography.

Participants also receive a $3,000 room waiver through the KHOP Learning Community. A requirement for freshmen, the one-year residential learning community gives students a chance to explore various health care careers while receiving support and guidance as they transition to college. KHOP members meet with health care providers and tour medical facilities throughout the region, better preparing them for professional school and beyond.

For more information on the program, visit unk.edu/khop, call 308-865-8260 or email abelsp@unk.edu.

Central Nebraska students who will start the Kearney Health Opportunities Program this fall:

ALBION: Nyla Redler, occupational therapy

AURORA: Kassidy Quandt, dentistry

CENTRAL CITY: Adelaide Buhlke, medicine

DANNEBROG: Zachary States, dentistry

DONIPHAN: Benjamin VanDiest, physician assistant

GENOA: Tessa Cherry, nursing

GRAND ISLAND: Reid Kelly, dentistry; Kyla Sybrandts, medicine; Ava Stein, medical laboratory science; Raeghann Behrens, physician assistant

HASTINGS: Ryann Sabatka, dentistry; Abhinav Srivastava, medicine; Alexandra Chipps, nursing; Emma Schultes, occupational therapy; Megyn Scott, pharmacy

KEARNEY: Owen Wroblewski, medicine; Trista Tool, nursing; Whitney Uelmen, occupational therapy; Katie Jurado, physician assistant; Callie Bartee, pharmacy

MINDEN: Sayge Grotrian, dental hygiene

OSCEOLA: Hayden Lavaley, dentistry

ST. PAUL: Gracyn Rubesh, nursing; Harlee Behring, occupational therapy

SARGENT: Katherine Olson, radiography

STROMSBURG: Dane Holtzen, medicine

UNL announces Nebraska Young Artist Award winners

LINCOLN  The University of Nebraska-Lincolns Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts has announced the winners of the 27th annual Nebraska Young Artist Awards.

The awards recognize 11th-grade students from Nebraska for their talents in visual art, dance, music, theater, and film and emerging media arts.

Eighty students from more than 40 high schools across the state have been selected as award winners and will be invited to a day of activities on campus April 3.

Area students among the winners include: Danah Baldwin of Arnold, music; Alyssa Wostrel of Clarks (High Plains), visual arts; Violet Nunnenkamp of Hastings (Adams Central), visual arts; Brianna Fick, Kearney Catholic, visual arts, Elisa Nikkila, Kearney Catholic, visual arts, and Mads Mather, Kearney High, visual arts, all of Kearney; Samantha Ertzner of Polk (High Plains), visual arts; and Angel Estrada of Taylor (Loup County, visual arts.

The faculty always look forward to this event, said Chris Watson, director of recruitment for the college and coordinator of the awards. They love meeting enthusiastic young artists, working with them and celebrating their talent.

Students applied for the recognition and submitted an example of their work. Applications were received from 107 students. Hixson-Lied College faculty chose the winners.

Award winners were also asked to nominate the teacher who provided them with the greatest amount of mentoring and support in the development of their special talents.

Students will receive a certificate and an original piece of artwork commissioned for the event and created by a School of Art, Art History and Design printmaking student.

For the full list of award winners, visit https://go.unl.edu/nyaa24.
Australia's future lies in ASEAN: scholar

By Vietnam News Agency Sun, March 10, 2024 | 10:13 pm GMT+7

Australia's future really lies in ASEAN, said Emeritus Professor Hal Hill from the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University.

Emeritus Professor Hal Hill. Photo by Vietnam News Agency.

Talking with Vietnam News Agency in Australia, Hill described the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit marking the 50th anniversary of their dialogue relations from March 4-6 in Melbourne as very important for Australia as ASEAN is the most important partner, diplomatically and also commercially, for Australia, more than any other rich country member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

He said Australia has a long relationship with ASEAN historically, being the first dialogue partner of the bloc five decades ago. Such relations have become more important with many people from ASEAN studying and living in Australia.

According to him, the summit is a good opportunity for the Australian PM to meet nine ASEAN leaders.

He said that the Nicholas Moores report which was issued in the middle of last year was an attempt by the Australian Government to highlight the opportunities for Australian business and society in close engagement with ASEAN countries.

"Australian universities have a role to play in connecting with ASEAN, with business expertise in certain areas in climate technology and advanced medical facilities so that both sides can do a lot together."

Australia has established a fund to encourage domestic investment in ASEAN, so the government is trying to push them to take more interest in ASEAN, he said, adding that though the summit was useful, both sides need to do a lot more.

In his view, they need to deepen bilateral ties economically, politically and culturally because collectively, they are more influential than individually, especially in important global issues like climate change and energy transition. They could also do a lot more together exchange of students and faculty.

Commenting on Vietnams role in promoting ASEAN-Australia ties, he hailed Vietnam as the most dynamic economy in Southeast Asia so that Australia needs to maintain its close relationship with the country. He was also impressed by the way Vietnam has managed its foreign policy very effectively.
Southeastern Vietnam localities seek FDI for 'new' industries

By Lien Thuong, Minh Anh Sun, March 10, 2024 | 7:00 am GMT+7

Vietnams southeastern localities, which have seen strong foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows since the start of this year, are working hard to attract more, particularly into new industries.

The southeastern region, comprising Ho Chi Minh City and the five provinces of Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Tay Ninh and Binh Phuoc, is a key economic growth driver in the country. Together, these localities house the largest industrial parks and clusters nationwide.

Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park II in Binh Duong province. Photo courtesy of VSIP.

Dong Nai, which hosts several big industry names including Hyosung, Bosch, Amata, Fujitsu and C.P., attracted $439 million in FDI in the first two months of 2024, according to the Dong Nai Industrial Zones Authority, meeting 62.7% of the yearly plan.

In the same period, it saw domestic direct investments (DDI) reach VND1.94 trillion ($78.7 million), or 97% of this years target.

Notably, none of the new projects it has attracted in warehousing, mechanical engineering and manufacturing of prefabricated metal products are considered labor intensive or environmentally unfriendly.

In 2023, the province attracted 79 FDI projects worth $467.13 million and 14 DDI projects worth more than VND1.9 trillion ($77.6 million).

According to the Dong Nai Industrial Zones Authority, FDI enterprises in the provinces industrial parks invested more than $1.78 billion between January and February, up 9% year-on-year. Up to 80% of goods produced by FDI enterprises in industrial parks were exported to more than 170 countries and territories, with major markets being Europe, the U.S., Japan, China and South Korea.

Meanwhile, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province has plans to attract FDI for 110 new projects. It also aims to develop two new industries  chemicals and manufacturing of equipment serving offshore renewable energy.

Its neighboring Binh Phuoc province is partnering with EuroCham to hold a business-matching forum in manufacturing, trade and high-tech agriculture. A large number of European firms are exploring investment opportunities in this province.

Investment promotions

HCMC, the largest economic engine in the country, has been holding a series of investment promotion events since the start of this year.

At a recent meeting with AmCham, Chairman Phan Van Mai said that the municipal administration will continue to cooperate with the U.S. diplomatic mission and AmCham members to develop HCMC into a healthcare hub in Southeast Asia.

The Saigon High-tech Park earlier signed a cooperation agreement with Siemens EDA, under Siemens AG, to train human resources in the semiconductor chip industry in Vietnam.

The Netherlands BE Semiconductor Industries N.V Company (BESI) has completed preparations to put its chip packaging machinery into operation at the Saigon Hi-tech Park.

These moves indicate a shift in FDI capital flows into new industries considered crucial in the future, especially in the context of the city of 10 million residents being short of land funds for industrial park development.

Meanwhile, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province aims to attract $2 billion in FDI this year. To meet this target, the local government has implemented drastic administrative reforms for enabling a smooth investment environment and a good business ecosystem for domestic and foreign businesses, said Le Ngoc Linh, director of the municipal Department of Planning and Investment.

He said the province was striving to upgrade its road network to expand its development space and increase its attractiveness to investors.

The province is also taking measures to develop a system of logistics centers and international transshipment ports at Cai Mep-Thi Vai; deploying a project to develop large-scale industrial-service-urban complexes in Phu My; and building a strategy to strongly develop tourism in the coastal area.

Dong Nai, meanwhile, is calling for more investments into the Long Thanh High-tech Industrial Park. Amata Long Thanh Urban JSC, the project investor, aims to make it the first hi-tech focused facility in the province. The park has drawn interest from many large corporations and other businesses.

Secretary of the Dong Nai Party Committee Nguyen Hong Linh said that after the province's 2021-2030 plan is announced, provincial leaders will organize a conference to pitch potential projects to domestic and foreign businesses.
Paris police fatally shot a man Friday night after a struggle in a store off Loop 286 on Friday night, according to a news release from the police department.

Earlier that night, store employees said a man, later identified as Antonio Sessions of Greenville, would not leave a dressing room he had been in for more than 30 minutes. The Atwoods employees were trying to close the store for the evening.

Police were called and convinced Sessions, 44, to leave the dressing room. But Sessions then broke away from authorities and ran toward the exit of. He was caught before getting out of the building.

The news release said as officers attempted to restrain Sessions he grabbed an officers Taser and pointed it at an officer.

The officer pulled his gun and shot Sessions in the chest.

The injured man was then taken to Paris Regional Health where he later died.

The Texas Rangers were contacted and responded to the scene to assume responsibility for the post-shooting investigation, according to the release. In accordance with Paris Police Department policy, the officer involved has been placed on administrative paid leave pending an internal administrative review of the incident.
Critics say South Carolinas new energy bill echoes the ill-fated Base Load Review Act of 2007, which left countless ratepayers on the hook for a failed multibillion dollar nuclear power project.

The present bill parallels with the one that paved the way for the VC Summer construction debacle in four key ways.

As lawmakers debate the merits and potential pitfalls of a massive, newly proposed energy bill, H. 5118, concerns linger over past failures stemming from S. 431  the Base Load Review Act  and the lessons apparently unlearned from the VC Summer fiasco, which cost billions of dollars for a product and service ratepayers will never use.

Critics say the latest bill, dubbed the South Carolina 10-year Energy Transformation Act, mirrors the Base Load Review Act in that it:

1. Involves the same two energy companies.

2. Provides for the same energy capacity.

3. Allows for roughly the same projected timeline for the projects completion.

4. Shields utilities from fiscal liability, in the event the project fails, while transferring all the risk to ratepayers.

The bottom line?

While Santee Cooper is a not-for-profit utility, Dominion Energy will profit from this proposed energy project while ratepayers bear the burden of upfront construction costs, according to multiple critics testifying before a legislative panel. The amount of money utility customers will have to fork over, though  like during the VC Summer project  remains unknown.

But spokespersons from Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy say these parallels between the Base Load Review and the 10-year Energy Transformation Acts are inaccurate and lack context.

Same energy companies

The 10-year Energy Transformation Act and the former Base Load Review Act involve the same two energy companies, according to energy and utility expert Eddy Moore.

H. 5118 allows a joint natural gas project between Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy.

Reactor 2018 This Sept. 18, 2018, photo shows the partially built V.C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station near Jenkinsville.

S. 431, or the Base Load Review Act, joined Santee Cooper and the now-defunct South Carolina Electric and Gas company, which was later acquired by Dominion.

Mollie Gore, spokesperson for Santee Cooper, pointed out that the Base Load Review Act didnt concern or relate to Santee Cooper. Indeed, there was another piece of legislation that proceeded the Base Load Review Act that permitted the joint VC Summer venture between Santee Cooper and SCE&G  Act No. 281 of 2006.

Short of a few top executives being fired under SCE&G, Moore says, following Dominions acquisition, the utility essentially remains the same.

Its the same utility territory, its the same customers, its the same revenue stream, its the same company, said Moore, the former director of the energy and climate program for the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League. He is now with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. So, youve got the same two companies seeking a joint project as was with VC Summer.

Why do we need the legislature to step in and specifically endorse a project by the same two utility companies? Moore queried, pointing to the fact that either utility could pursue an independent project to meet the need of its utility territory without legislative approval.

Without legislative authority, Santee Cooper cannot pursue joint build/operation/ownership of generating or transmission facilities with other utilities, Gore said. Gaining that authority allows Santee Cooper to pursue economies of scale that could provide savings to our customers.

Same capacity, unknown costs

In addition, Moore said both bills allow for the same energy capacity, with unknown production costs.

The size of the project is the same, Moore said. VC Summer was 2,000 megawatts, and the proposed Canadys gas plant legislation (affords) up to 2,000 megawatts.

Santee Cooper class action lawsuit settlement funds to be distributed AIKEN  Members who received power from Aiken Electric Cooperative between Jan. 1, 2007, and Jan. 31, 2020, may receive an unexpected bill cre

Multiple critics argue that such a massive plant is not necessary to meet the states energy demands, especially not knowing the associated costs that ratepayers could be left on the hook to pay. Instead, they say, multiple smaller plants, which pose less risk, are more practical.

You dont have to build a natural gas plant at 2,000 megawatts to meet demand, said John Clark, former director of the South Carolina Energy Office, which now has been merged with the Office of Regulatory Staff. You could build smaller 300 megawatt plants as needed, which could be placed in more strategic locations. What that would do is significantly reduce the risk to ratepayers because (upfront) costs between a 2,000 and 300 megawatt facility are hugely different.

Critics contend that a bill endorsing a massive 2,000 megawatt facility should not be devoid of the potential financial impact to South Carolina ratepayers, as was the case in the VC Summer failure.

Theres a lot that we dont know about the impacts of (H. 5118), John Tynan, president of Conservation Voters of S.C., told a panel of lawmakers last week. We dont know the costs of these plants and the other projects that have been noted. We dont know the impact theyll have on energy bills. We dont know where the pipelines will go to serve them, or, frankly, where the natural gas will come from because most of our interstate pipelines are already oversubscribed. We dont how much private land will be taken. We dont know the cost to upgrade the transmission facilities to serve these facilitates and we dont know the environmental impact.

South Carolina families deserve to know these things before legislation determines that theyre in the public interest.

Gore said the details of specific costs and locations related to the project are will be developed and produced in the regulatory process to come.

H. 5118: A familiar pattern

South Carolina lawmakers are again wrestling with energy policy in light of the states purported growing demand for more energy. Some lawmakers, including House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, believe the 10-year Energy Transformation Act is the solution.

UNCOVERED: Corruption no rarity in S.C. governments This story is from reporting by Tony Bartelme, Glenn Smith, Joseph Cranney and Avery Wilks of The Post and Courier of Charleston.

Santee Coopers Gore says South Carolinas energy demands are clear and pronounced, citing customer demands exceeding capacity in December 2022 with winter storm Elliott and the growth of its customer base.

Same timeline

Moore said the Base Load Review and 10-year Energy Transformation Acts essentially share the same completion timeline, which, he says, contradicts arguments made by Smith and others that the state needs an immediate solution to its alleged growing energy demands.

VC Summers estimated completion date was eight years at the time of inception. Under H. 5118, the Canadys plant is projected to go online in the next seven years.

The projection for the gas plant is that it will come online in seven years, and if thats if everything goes right, Moore said. Theres 200 miles of transmission projects that have to be coordinated between two utility companies before it can start working. Plus, theres the gas pipeline, the location of which is still a secret and the cost of which is still a secret. So, all those things have to happen first to meet the seven year timeline. So, Im going to call that the same timeline as the VC Summer project.

Utilities get same fiscal protections

Under H. 5118, Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy have the same fiscal protections  if the project fails  as did Santee Cooper and SCE&G behind the VC Summer fiasco, according to Moore.

Moore said theres no need for a single utility to pursue legislation to build a power plant because regulatory mechanisms are already in place to accomplish that, namely, through the South Carolina Public Service Commission  an adjudicative and regulatory body that oversees public utilities in the interest of the public.

The VC Summer project was predictably, extremely financially risky, Moore said. And so, when the legislature endorses something, it goes over the head of the PSC, and it becomes the legislatures direction and endorsement, not just the management decision of the utility company.

So, if something goes wrong, and theres a big cost overrun ... the utility company will point to the state law, and say, this is in the public interest and the public has to pay for it. Thats a huge parallel to VC Summer, Moore said.

Santee Coopers Gore emphasized that H. 5118 would not unilaterally approve the proposed gas plant. Even if the bill clears the General Assembly, the project would still be subject to regulatory approval processes, namely, through the PSC along with the need to secure certain environmental permits.

But as massive and technical H. 5118 is, Clark contends the bill was likely written by utilities, who serve to benefit most from its provisions, and who are now fast tracking it.

This is a hugely complex subject involving billions of dollars of South Carolina citizens money, Clark said. Basically, the utilities wrote this bill and are fast tracking it, and the faster track you get, then the less public scrutiny you get and the less understanding, even by legislators. This (bill) needs to proceed at a rate where everything can be analyzed ... to put this something of this financial magnitude through the Legislature is a disservice to ratepayers.

Gore says those opposed to H. 5118 are misstating the case.

The (Natural Gas Combined Cycle) plant technology is already providing thousands of megawatts of power in South Carolina (Santee Cooper has one plant in Anderson County, online more than 20 years) and many more thousands of megawatts across the country, Gore said.

It is widely used and proven technology. And we cant onboard the 2,100 megawatts of new solar power were also building over the next decade without additional natural gas generation.

Dominion Energy spokesperson, Rhonda OBanion, likewise took issue with arguments offered by Moore and Clark.

Dominion Energy South Carolina continues to work with stakeholders to help determine the best path to end reliance on coal as a fuel source in South Carolina as early as possible while providing reliable, affordable and increasingly clean energy every day, OBanion said.

Building a shared resource could create economies of scale, which could reduce costs to customers, including the electric cooperative utilities Santee Cooper serves. It could also enhance efficiencies in natural gas pipeline expansions and reduce the environmental footprint needed to replace coal generation on both systems.

What was the Base Load Review Act?

Enacted in 2007, the Base Load Review Act was intended to protect South Carolina ratepayers by enhancing the certainty of investments in the construction of new energy plants aimed at serving customers in the state.

Under the law, utilities Santee Cooper and SCE&G were allowed to charge ratepayers in advance for the construction costs of two new nuclear energy plants, with the promise of cost recovery upon the plants completion. The legislation, however, proved to be a double-edged sword, granting utilities significant financial incentives while exposing ratepayers to substantial risks.

The VC Summer debacle

The Base Load Review Act paved the way for the construction of two new nuclear reactors at the VC Summer site, a project hailed as a cornerstone of South Carolinas energy future. The venture, however, ultimately unraveled amid a series of setbacks, delays and cost overruns. The project was abandoned in 2017 by investors, leaving the people of South Carolina on the hook for billions of dollars in stranded costs, and raised serious questions about regulatory oversight and accountability.

Even if (the instant project) comes online, theres no benchmark for how much they can proclaim in expenses, Clark said. So, they can say, Were going to build this 2,000 megawatt natural gas facility and the transmission lines, and even if they give an upfront cost, theyre not going to be held to it.

Once (utilities) get something approved up front, theres no incentive to even contain costs.
Following months of preparation, the Orangeburg County School District says its first spelling bee was a buzzing success.

The event brought together 24 student participants from throughout the district.

Camarie Jenkins from Marshall Elementary School took first place and a prize of $500.

Malachi Jean from William J. Clark Middle School came in a close second, winning $300.

Third place and $150 were claimed by JaQuittin Youmans from Hunter-Kinard-Tyler Middle/High School.

Sponsors included Gulbrandsen, Berry Enterprise LLC, Brothers Detective Agency, Popeyes Chicken and Karen Lee of Middleton Agency.
Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Gil Williams heard many war stories about his uncle who went missing in action, Tuskegee Airman Capt. Edward Julius Williams.

I wanted to follow in my uncle's footsteps, Gil Williams said, referring to his uncle affectionately as Uncle EJ.

The war stories also came with some show and tell. Williams now-late aunt, Geneva, would show him his Uncle EJ's Purple Heart certificate.

During those moments, Williams never saw Uncle EJ's actual medal.

Until last month.

In early February, he was contacted by his cousin, Curtis Green, about a discovery that brought joy to his heart.

Uncle EJ's service medals had been discovered in the most unusual of places: a desk drawer at the former Salvation Army thrift store on Broughton Street in Orangeburg.

It was not on my radar to look for them, Williams said. I did not think of the medals themselves until my cousin called me and told me they had been found. This came a complete surprise to me that they were even out there.

Local Orangeburg businessman Penn Moore found the medals as he was cleaning out the building to prepare it for an insurance business. The medals include a Purple Heart, Aviator Wings, Air Medal and Good Conduct medal.

The Salvation Army left the building around 2017 and moved to Stonewall Jackson Boulevard. Moore purchased the building in the middle of December 2023.

There were a lot of contents left behind, Moore said. I found it by happenstance.

The (cleanup) crew was throwing stuff away, but by the good fortune and the grace of God it happened on my watch.

When Moore found the medals, he knew what he needed to do.

They were important, Moore said. They didn't need to be tossed in the trash and they needed to be returned to the family.

Moore said he has family members who were killed in World War II.

I have always had an appreciation for military service and certainly the ultimate sacrifice of giving ones life for the United States of America, Moore said. It was important for me to seek somebody who cared for these medals.

I don't think they ended up there on purpose, Moore said. I think it was purely by accident.

The search

Having found the service medals, Moore embarked upon a search to find a family member of the fallen soldier.

Through various online searches, Moore discovered that Geneva Williams was on the faculty of Claflin College (later university) for about 60 years. She taught music and served as chaplain.

Finding the Claflin connection, Moore contacted Claflin's dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Isaiah McGee.

Dr. Isaiah McGee knew her when she was living, Moore said.

The search also revealed Uncle EJ and Geneva had two daughters: Edwina, who died in 2016, and Cherryetta, who died in 2019. Geneva died in 2018.

Moore said his aunt, who is known for her interest in family histories, started researching Ancestory.com and Findagrave.com.

Within three hours, she had an answer for the family, Moore said.

On Feb. 16, Williams, who is a Delta Airlines pilot, flew from his home in Georgia to South Carolina to meet with Moore and his fiance, Angela Burroughs, at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia. Uncle EJ's tombstone is there, as well as Aunt Geneva's.

It was quite the moment, Willams said. It was a great time to meet him. It was the first time seeing my uncle's plot. I had seen pictures of it.

Williams says he is now trying to decide what to do with the medals and has considered loaning them to Tuskegee University or perhaps to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

In the short term, the medals will be on display at the family reunion this coming summer.

An American hero

Capt. Williams was born March 3, 1917 and lived in Columbus, Georgia.

According to the Congressional Record, the late S.C. Congressman Floyd Spence recognized Williams service from the floor of the U.S. House on Oct. 10, 2000.

According to the record, Williams was drafted while studying engineering at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Before World War II, leaders of the Army Air Corps (predecessor to the modern-day Air Force) barred African Americans from serving in uniform.

Facing mounting public pressure in the years before the war, the U.S. government ordered the removal of some restrictions against Black aviators, first by opening civilian training programs in 1939, and then by accepting Black pilots into racially segregated units of the Army Air Corps in 1941.

A new air base at Tuskegee, Alabama, became the center for the training of Black air personnel.

Williams was in the first class for pilots at Tuskegee Army Air Field when he joined the service in 1941.

Williams served with the 318th Army Air Force Base Unit until 1943 as a second lieutenant pilot of a single-engine fighter, according to the Together We Served website. The website connects veterans.

Williams later became a first lieutenant when he served in the 99th Fighter Squadron from 1942 to 1945. During this time, he was also a member of the 332nd Fighter Group.

Williams flew in Europe during World War II and returned to Tuskegee as a training instructor.

He then met his wife-to-be, who worked on the base, according to the Congressional Record.

Williams was called to Korea when Edwina was 4 months old and Cherryetta was in utero.

They had not anticipated the Korean War, Geneva Williams once said. "He had been given orders to come home for the new baby. But they decided they needed him in the air.

While flying in formation over Seoul on March 30, 1951 in an F-51D Mustang night fighter with the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group, the 34-year-old's aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed into a dike on the beach and burst into flames.

His remains were not recovered and he still is considered missing in action. He is memorialized at the Courts of the Missing memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii as well as at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The American Red Cross brought the news in the form of a telegram to Geneva Williams.

It was a time when we needed support from family, community and it came in various ways," she said, according to the Congressional Record. "We thank God every day for those who extended a hand and really cared."

Edwina was recorded praising her father's sacrifice.

He gave the supreme sacrifice by fighting for his country, she said. We miss him because he did not return. Our family has been in a state of flux because just receiving a telegram in the early 50s stating that he is missing in action, there is no closure to whether he is really gone or is a prisoner of war possibly.

Geneva Williams was presented with her husbands Purple Heart at the Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter.

I celebrate my husband by being involved and answering the call, she said at the time.

Approximately 1,000 Americans of African ancestry completed flight training at Tuskegee Army Air Field. Of these, 445 went overseas as combat pilots. Combat records indicate they destroyed 251 enemy aircraft, winning more than 850 medals.

The group was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations.

As a side note, the Congressional Record notes Edwina and Cherryetta Williams were among the first Black students to integrate Orangeburg schools and Columbia College.

We were following Daddy, Edwina proudly said. Service is one of the things that my family had done through the years and is evidenced by the fact that my father is not with us because he gave his life in service for the country.
(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.
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.
Over the last few years, Leon Coldero has arguably become just as renowned for his insatiable cuisine as he is as an entertainer.

Having spent four decades in entertainment, giving soca parang lovers hits that never get old, opening his restaurant was just a natural progression for Coldero, who used the downtime during the Covid-19 pandemic, to delve full throttle into the restaurant business.
China's top political advisory body holds standing committee meeting

Xinhua) 10:05, March 10, 2024

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, presides over a standing committee meeting of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, on Saturday held a standing committee meeting.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the meeting.

The meeting approved a series of draft documents, including a draft resolution of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee on the work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, and a draft political resolution of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee.

The meeting decided to submit them to the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee for review.

Before the standing committee meeting, Wang also chaired a meeting of the Chairperson's Council of the CPPCC National Committee.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, chairs the 16th meeting of the Chairperson's Council of the 14th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

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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.
Q: Does it matter what type of air conditioner filter you use?

A: Selecting the proper air filter is critical to cleaning the air circulating in your home. However, the different filter mediums are not created equal. We have provided some information on the various types of air filters, starting from the lowest-performance filter medium to the highest-performing filters:

Spun fiberglass matte mounted in a cardboard frame: A spun fiberglass filter is the most commonly used filter today due to its low price. Each filter costs about $2.50 each.

Flat paper matte mounted in a cardboard frame: This filter is a significant improvement from the spun fiberglass. Each filter costs approximately $4 each.

Pleated paper mounted in a cardboard frame: The pleats increase the surface area exposed to the flowing return air. The larger the filter area, the more filtering occurs. Each filter costs approximately $4.50 each.

Electrostatic medium in a rigid plastic frame: These pleated filters are designed to be lifetime filters and are often referred to as reusable filters. The air movement over the monofilament medium electronically charges the dirt, dust, lint and hair particles you are trying to filter. It is not a good idea to purchase this filter unless you have the discipline to clean it at least once per month (every two weeks would be much better). Each filter costs approximately $50.

Electronic air filter: This filter is an attachment to your existing air conditioning unit that electronically zaps the dust particles as they pass through. This technology works similarly to the electric bug zappers many homeowners use on their patios back East. This filter requires regular cleaning and periodic maintenance by an authorized air conditioning technician. Only a qualified and trained technician should install this equipment. Each filter costs approximately $1,000 and up.

Note: Prices listed may not reflect current pricing.

Q: Which of the filters is best?

A: For the average home, we recommend choosing a 1-inch pleated filter for about $4. If you convert your unit from a spun fiberglass filter and the one-inch pleated filter causes your unit to have a whistling sound, return to the spun filter fiberglass. The whistling is a sign of air constriction.

A high-efficiency air filter (all the filters minus the fiberglass filter) will do a good job of trapping dust, pollen and other airborne particles before they can get into your air conditioning systems air handler, which can blow the dirt back into your house.

Q: How important is it to change my filters?

A: Because filters do such a good job, they can quickly become covered with dirt, dust and dander. When the filter is dirty, it will restrict airflow to the air handler, causing your air conditioning system to work harder and become less energy efficient.

Prevent airflow problems by changing the air filter every month. Even if the manufacturers instructions say you can change it once a season, do it every 30 days.

Also, you may have an HVAC pro check your systems ducts. If they are not sized correctly and you use a high-efficiency air filter, the system could be more likely to suffer from restricted airflow.

When replacing your HVAC system, consider upgrading your unit to one that requires a 4-inch paper pleated filter. These newer filters only require replacement once or twice a year. Your tech can do this with the recommended yearly or bi-yearly maintenance.
A bill aiming to limit shared governance, like the University of Arizonas Faculty Senate, is making headway in the statehouse.

HB 2735, proposed by Republicans Travis Grantham of Gilbert and David Livingston of Peoria, recently passed the House 31-28. It is now headed to the Arizona Senate.

The proposed law would require the Arizona Board of Regents and university presidents to consult rather than share responsibility with faculty regarding educational and personnel matters.

This is all happening in the backdrop of the UAs $177 million deficit, which many in the Faculty Senate blame on UA President Robert C. Robbins and his senior leadership team.

According to Ted Downing, a longtime research professor at the UA who also served as a state legislator and helped get the original shared governance law passed, Granthams bill puts all power in the president.

The power to set up programs, hire and fire faculty, really all power, Downing said. This is a wrecking ball to the whole concept of how we govern and operate as a university.

Is it in state law?

Proponents of shared governance point to the fact that it is technically, they say, written into Arizona state law.

Shared responsibility became a state law in 1992 with the passage of ARS 15-1601B, which stated that the faculty members of the universities, through their elected faculty representatives, shall share responsibility for academic and education activities and matters related to faculty personnel.

But, according to Grantham, that law doesnt technically have the phrase shared governance in it.

There is no shared governance, he said in an interview with the Arizona Daily Star. Thats not in state law.

He says faculty members at the UA took control of the university.

Inspiration behind the bill

Grantham told the Star the bill was inspired by the massive financial cliff thats threatening to bankrupt the university system.

Any criticism from faculty members  and theres been a lot  is wrong, he said.

Nothing in the bill takes away their ability to participate in decision-making processes, he said. Theyre making stuff up.

According to Grantham, the faculty members are the most left of the left who are grabbing and clinging to power.

They should be smarter than that; theyre supposed to be professors, he said. They dont even understand the legislation, which is kind of disappointing, so I guess I would encourage them to maybe take a civics class.

Downing took offense at Granthams comments.

Hes blaming the faculty for something we have nothing to do with, he fired back. In fact, it is to the contrary. We brought up issues about the hundreds of millions of dollars being spent to support out-of-state students.

Overspending on merit financial aid for out-of-state students is one of the things UA senior leadership have blamed the financial crisis on.

Downing says Granthams bill aims to remove the legs from the stool that accountability at this university stands on.

As for who caused the financial crisis?

I dont really know, Grantham said. And I dont care.

Then, after briefly blaming what was going on as another tactic of the left, the representative said maybe it was everybodys fault.

The organization has to be run top down, he said. The job of the president is to make decisions, and sometimes you got to make tough ones.

Grantham also claimed Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs was in support of the bill.

She voiced her support and agreed with what was in this bill, he said.

Hobbs directly contradicted Granthams statements just a day after Grantham spoke with the Star.

I havent had a chance to look at his bill, she told reporters.

Will the bill become law?

Hobbs, who exercises her veto power regularly with the Republican-controlled Legislature, hasnt come out with an official stance on the bill.

Mark Stegeman, a professor at the UA Eller College of Management and the parliamentarian for the Faculty Senate, said hes worried about potential amendments making the bill more palatable to lawmakers.

My assumption has been that the current bill has very little chance of becoming law because it has obvious problems, he told the Star. One thing that could happen which concerns me is that the bill could be amended in a way that made it less unreasonable.

Though he rarely takes positions as parliamentarian, Stegeman said he would make an exception if this bill gains more traction.

I would certainly do what I could personally to block a bill that materially reduced the role of faculty governance, he said. I would not hesitate to take a position against that and explain clearly why I think thats a bad idea.
Tucson Unified School District is looking to add school safety monitors and custodians in fiscal year 2025.

The board is not being asked to approve any new spending, TUSD finance chief Ricky Hernandez said. The board was informed on funding scenarios if a change in the allocation formula for each type of position was going to be implemented.

Formulas determining the districts number of custodial staff and safety monitor positions have remained unchanged since 2020.

The district spends $10.6 million on its 240 full-time-equivalent, 253-person custodial staff. The average student-to-custodial staff member ratio is 172:1.

Physical characteristics of a campus, enrollment and grade level are taken into consideration when distributing staff among TUSD properties.

The board will consider a range of proposals, to increase the student-to-custodial-staff ratios to: 100:1, costing an additional $9.3 million; 125:1 for an additional $5.8 million; or 150:1 for an additional $3.5 million.

TUSD is also considering expanding its roster of school safety monitors.

Current school safety monitor allocations are 212 students for every safety monitor. There are 187 full-time equivalent hours, costing the district $6.4 million.

Monitors keep a pulse on whats happening in the hallways of TUSD schools, sharing information with school security officers and building administrators, the district says.

These high-demand positions are one of the most popular requests that we have, especially in our larger high schools, where theres just a lot more ground to cover for the monitors, TUSD Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo told the board Tuesday. You see places like Cholla and Pueblo  and even Tucson High (Magnet School).

Tucson High has 11 full-time equivalent monitor positions  the most of any of TUSDs high schools. The ratio is one monitor for every 262 students.

TUSDs monitor distribution considers physical characteristics and security infrastructure of the property, along with enrollment and grade level.

Options proposed by district officials include a 150:1 ratio, costing the district an additional $4.1 million; 200:1, at an additional $1.8 million; or 250:1 for an additional $0.7 million.

There are no monitor positions up for elimination once pandemic relief funds run out.

Funding for custodians comes from the districts maintenance and operations funds. Monitors are funded through a combination of maintenance and operations funds and grants.

There is not a shortage of custodians or monitors, Hernandez told the Arizona Daily Star.

We have general turnover and attrition that has created vacancies, but nothing that is alarming for the district.
The greatest threat to our national security is disinformation from within our own country.

That warning was sounded Saturday at the Tucson Festival of Books by legal scholar and analyst Barbara McQuade, whose background includes national security prosecutions.

Viral falsehoods pushed by profit-seekers and propagandists hit a populace so polarized that not only are people susceptible to the lies, many are just going along with the con because it advances their political agendas, McQuade told a packed audience at the University of Arizona.

I dont think we can choose tribe over truth and remain a democracy, said McQuade, a University of Michigan law professor, former U.S. attorney, #SistersInLaw podcaster on Apple, and NBC and MSNBC analyst whose current book is titled Attack from Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America.

The festival, which continues Sunday at the UA, is the third-largest book festival in the U.S., featuring hundreds of authors and expected to attract more than 120,000 visitors over the weekend. In its 15 years, it has raised $2.2 million for literacy causes in Southern Arizona.

McQuade and two fellow authors raised alarms on a panel called Dangerous Information, one of the festival events where early-access tickets were most in demand and went the fastest.

Its very easy to game the system, said Jeff Horwitz, a technology reporter for The Wall Street Journal and author of the book Broken Code: Inside Facebook and the Fight to Expose Its Harmful Secrets.

His investigative reporting on Facebook/Meta through whistleblowers and internal documents showed how the platform played a significant role in pushing anti-vaxx information, among other examples he cited. Asked whether Facebook helped get Donald Trump elected, Horwitz answered, Yes, but not via the Russians. Candidly, Macedonian teenagers put the Russians to shame in showing how a small band hammers on the platforms weaknesses to get massive distribution of disinformation.

The algorithms and business models reward manipulation by boosting the influence of Facebook/Meta users who take such steps as sending out more than 100 friend requests per day or leaving 200 comments per hour, he said.

And 2024 will be very much the same, Horwitz said. He pointed out that if you start now, reposting viral cat videos over and over in order to amass a following, then in October, start posting crazy crap to your audience of over 1 million, you, too, can stir up mischief before the November election.

There is a bias toward disinformation anyway, he added, saying that if he told you what he really did this morning it would be boring compared to making up a story. Things that are not true are more interesting. A common saying inside Facebook, he said, is that Your friends are often boring, which is why the platform boosts the items it does versus what your friends are posting.

McQuade said disinformation is damaging democracy, public safety and the rule of law, and that Jan. 6 shows why that is so dire. When people are constantly told as a blanket statement that all the institutions of government are a disgrace, from the courts to the FBI to the Justice Department, It becomes so reckless, it just doesnt become a license ... but a sense of duty for some to take up vigilante violence, she said. They feel the need to take the law in their own hands, and it leaves us all in a dangerous, vulnerable position.

Rounding out the panel, New York Times tech reporter Kashmir Hill described how one company, Clearview AI, has scraped 40 billion photos from the internet and were all in the Clearview database.

Hills book is Your Face Belongs to Us: A Secretive Startups Quest to End Privacy As We Know It."

The facial recognition technology can be so useful for crime solving, but can also be used in chilling ways, including punishing critics and dissenters, Hill said.

The points were amplified at another panel discussion Saturday at the festival, called Dateline Washington.

Former Washington Post, Boston Globe and Miami Herald editor Martin Baron  famed in part for being portrayed by actor Liev Schreiber in the Oscar-winning movie Spotlight  said 25-30% of the American electorate at any time believes conspiracy theories to begin with. You got a conspiracy theory? Guarantee you can find it online, he said, adding, Polarization is a business model for politics today.

But the future of the country is decided in increments of about 5% of the electorate, and reaching that many people through factual, truthful reporting of verified and documented evidence is achievable, added Baron, whose current book is Collision of Power: Trump, Bezos, and The Washington Post.

Baron wasnt alone in offering glimmers of hope against deliberate disinformation, or as McQuade put it, that there may be a way out.

McQuade said some legislative fixes are required  not to censor but to set certain rules or at least disclosure about algorithms and non-content-based things on social media. Also, despite the limitations imposed by the high courts Citizens United ruling, she favors campaign finance laws requiring more disclosure.

She also urged that we improve our own media literacy, by checking that a source is credible and looking for a second source before you get excited and share on social media.

Hill noted that at this point, we cant really avoid having our face in a database that could be misused unless we just dont step outside anymore.

But do not post photos of your kids to the public internet, she said.

She pointed to an Illinois law, the Biometric Information Privacy Act, that could be a model for laws and regulations. It calls for individuals explicit consent or a company faces financial liability, Hill said.

Horwitz said the lessons from Facebook/Meta apply to other platforms, and you can just build a system thats a lot less volatile, by putting a cap, for instance, on the number of friends one user can have or the number of comments permitted per hour, to crack down on spam and fraud.

The story ends with either some version of regulation, or a product becoming too crappy and spam-laden to keep enough legitimate users, he said.

This is what books do

Another of the festivals hottest tickets, based on early-access demand, featured physician, Stanford medical school professor and 2016 National Humanities Medal recipient Abraham Verghese.

His latest No. 1 best-selling novel, The Covenant of Water, has been praised by Oprah Winfrey as One of the best books Ive read in my entire life. Its epic. Its transportive. It was unputdownable.

Its no wonder Verghese was the keynote speaker Friday night for the authors dinner at what he called this magical festival.

In what could be heard as an eloquent balm against the current concerns about manipulation of words on social media  for those who would go on to hear the Dangerous Information panel the next day  he spoke reverently of the timeless power of writing to change the world for the better.

Uncle Toms Cabin probably ended slavery in this country, Verghese said, wonder and admiration in his voice.

Books matter. Fiction is the great lie that tells the truth about how the world lives.

He told of being an avid and precocious reader despite an undistinguished school career as a child, and marveled at the way a good novel can stop time.

And not only fiction. When he came across scientific words written by Canadian physician Sir William Osler (1849-1918), that it matters much more what kind of patient has a disease than what kind of disease a patient has, they spoke to his core, shook him and showed medicine as a romantic and passionate pursuit, Verghese said.

A doctor must know the patient became the tenet of Vergheses own prominent medical career.

This is what books do  the quiet ephiphany that makes us read, he said.
An iconic art institution in Tucson is celebrating a milestone achievement this month  its centennial.

The Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave., officially turns 100 on March 20 and theyre honoring the accomplishment in big ways starting with a centennial gala and a new exhibition, followed by a block party later this year.

TMAs Centennial Gala starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 16, followed by a dinner provided by Cafe a La C'Art. The $350 event includes cocktails, a silent auction and a first look at the new Time Travelers: Foundations, Transformations, and Expansions at the Centennial exhibition that honors art collected by the museum over the last 100 years.

The exhibition officially opens to the public on Sunday, March 17 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 6.

Over the years, the museum has been home to numerous pieces of artwork from local and nationally recognized artists. But for many, TMA has been more than an institution storing art  its a hidden gem thats housed priceless moments, too.

TMA isnt only celebrating 100 years of art, theyre celebrating...

 100 years of artists discovering their place in the world as their work finds a home in the museum.

 100 years of local children learning about various art styles during school field trips.

 100 years of lovers strolling the galleries during first dates.

 100 years of people taking a moment to themselves to appreciate a piece of art in silence.

 100 years of Tucsonans gaining new perspectives on the world around them.

Our mission is to connect art to life, and we do that through offering meaningful and engaging experiences that inspire discovery and spark creativity, says Norah Diedrich, the museum's Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO. And the third, which really hits home to me, is to promote cultural understanding. I really think that from the beginning, (with) this organization, it was really a mission and a desire to be a community-centered institution, to be responsive to the community and advocate for the community.

A brief history of the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block

Before TMA was the museum (and historic block) we know today, it used to look and sound a little different.

In the spring of 1924, a meeting was called by Mrs. George Kitt, Alice P. Teasdale and Mrs. E. F. Harris, board members of the Art Section of the Womans Club, to discuss the creation of a permanent art organization in Tucson, according to TMAs website.

Following the womens meeting on March 20, 1924, the Tucson Fine Arts Association was born.

It was the TFAA at its beginnings and they were really community-minded individuals, Diedrich says. They also had other art enthusiasts and artists join them. And they felt so strongly that Tucson deserved to have a dedicated arts organization. And they did so very much and (were) really community supported. At the beginning, they didn't even have a dedicated space until the beautiful Temple of Music and Art opened in 1927 and the TFAA rented gallery space in that building, I believe up on the second floor. And out of a very small space, its quite outstanding what the organization was able to do.

The next four decades brought name changes and new locations for the art organization and museum. In the 1940s, the Tucson Independent Artists Group, another local art organization, and TFAA merged into one, sharing the TFAA name. During this time, the Temple of Music and Art stopped its activities, pushing TFAA to utilize the local Chamber of Commerce building on South Stone Avenue for exhibition space, according to TMAs website.

Throughout the first decades of its existence, TFAA partnered with many organizations to showcase the works of important 20th century artists.

They partnered with the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and the Brooklyn Museum of Art, Diedrich says. TFAA partnered with the Chicago World's Fair, in 1933 it was called A Century of Progress International Exposition, and they showed work by Diego Rivera and Carlos Merida. They had a solo show of Maynard Dixon at the Temple of Music and Art in 1941. They worked with the Farm Security Administration in 1942 and featured photographers such as Dorothea Lange, the iconic Walker Evans and Ben Shahn  these major names in the '50s and early '60s.

TFAA partnered with the Whitney Museum of American Art, MoMA in New York and MoMA San Francisco. They exhibited Jackson Pollock, Elaine de Kooning, Richard Diebenkorn, Henry Moore, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and it just goes on and on.  It's just absolutely outstanding that they were able to do that and this goes back to the early days in the '20s, '30s and '40s here in Tucson, I had no idea. Its outstanding.

By the late 1950s, TFAA moved into the home of former Judge Samuel Kingan at 325 W. Franklin St., after the Arizona Board of Regents approved the sale of the University of Arizona-owned property in October 1957, according to the Arizona Daily Star. The property is about one block north of TMAs current location on North Main Avenue.

In the early 1960s, TFAA officially changed its name to the Tucson Art Center, also known as TAC. During the TAC days, the organization saw around 2,000 visitors each month, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

They had an incredible art education program there at the time and that's when they really began to think about starting a permanent collection of work, Diedrich says. And that first piece was a beautiful and quite large lithograph from (Henri de) Toulouse-Lautrec. It's an 1895 print of La Revue Blanche and that was gifted to us as the first piece to come into our collection (in 1959).

After being known as TAC for over a decade, the organization changed its name to the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block in 1975 after moving into its permanent (and current) home at 140 N. Main Ave. Its historic block features five of Tucsons oldest homes including La Casa Cordova, Romero House, which currently houses the Romero House Potters ceramic studio, and the Fish House, which now houses the museums gift shop and rotating exhibitions.

During the museums public grand opening in May 1975, TMA had over 1,500 visitors check out the museum, according to an article by the Tucson Citizen in 1975.

From then, we continued to grow and added a new wing and a beautiful art education center, Diedrich says. And today we have nearly 12,000 works of art in our collection. We continue to add new pieces to the collection every year. We have on average about 375 or so works of art every year. It's really, really growing and is 12,000 beautiful, important works of art, but it spans 3,000 years of history.

In recent years, the museum added the Kasser Family Wing of Latin American Art which honors art of the ancient Americas, according to TMA. The new wing debuted in 2020.

'I think we've been on the right track for 100 years.'

While TMA has been through numerous changes over the last 100 years, something that hasnt changed is its dedication to community  whether thats through partnerships with local organizations or simply sharing the wonders of fine art with locals and visitors.

Currently, TMA has several programs that help make art more accessible in the community. Many of these programs partner with local organizations and schools, such as its Museum As Sanctuary program for immigrants and refugees that began with Owl & Panther. Another program is a partnership with Davis Bilingual Elementary School, allowing students to visit TMA every Wednesday of the academic year.

TMA currently serves over 700 K-12 students every year, according to Diedrich.

The museum also works closely with the Alzheimers Association (Desert Southwest Chapter) and the Veteran Affairs Southwestern Blind Rehabilitation Center.

To make art even more accessible to the general public, TMA offers two pay what you can days on the first Thursday and second Sunday of each month.

I've heard this for the last year that we're sort of this hidden treasure, this hidden gem, Diedrich says. And I now carry free museum passes with me all the time because I'm always meeting people that either have just moved here or have lived here for a long time. And we start talking about what my job is and where I work in the museum and they don't know we're here. So, I give them a free pass. We have this treasure here and I want more people to know about it.

Although Diedrich is fairly new to TMA after moving from Newport, Rhode Island to become TMAs new CEO a little over a year ago, she says she feels really happy to be here at this point in time.

I would like to see the museum continue to evolve and stay open-minded and carry on the initial community building (mission) the founders had way back in 1924, she says. Now, what that looks like, I don't know, but I think that if we continue to learn from that past and appreciate all that growing and learning and evolving that was done the past 100 years and if we can apply that to the future and really think about the entire (historic) block ... I would like to see us animate (the entire historic block) in a bigger way in the near future and years down the line. Nobody can guess what it'll look like but I think we've been on the right track for 100 years.

For more information about the Tucson Museum of Art and its centennial, check out their website.
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

ARIVACA, Arizona  On party days when banjos and stirring voices spill out from La Gitana Cantina and Cafe, talk of the nearby Mexican border is mostly muted. This funky little settlement smacks of a ranchland redoubt of old souls and new-age spirits.

In Avdiivka on the collapsing Ukrainian front, the soundtrack is booming artillery. Russians knifed through town to advance on farms and villages against heavily outgunned dispirited defenders who plead for more ammunition.

The two towns, 6,500 miles apart, seem to be in different galaxies. But theyre not.

Polls show the border crisis is the overriding issue as American elections approach. The Republican mantra resonates: Fix our own borders rather than worry about other peoples distant troubles. That falls somewhere between absurd and insane.

I grew up near Mexico and during 60 years as a reporter crossed hundreds of borders around the world in war and peace, legally or otherwise. Today, I see territorial imperatives  boundaries  as the greatest challenge in a world spinning out of control.

The root of Ukraine means borderlands. As on Americas southern frontier and most everywhere else, title to it has shifted over millennia. Stability depends on protecting societies that have evolved as integral parts of a single imperiled planet.

And people in disparate cultures need the possibility to move across controlled frontiers. In some cases, families in search of a better life bring fresh spices to season a melting pot. In others, increasingly, it is a matter of life and death.

Europeans settled the United States, muscling aside native tribes. Now Europe is overwhelmed. Beyond orderly procedures to admit people that its economy requires, America must confront the causes that force families to reluctantly flee their homes.

Upheaval abroad pushes yet more refugees toward a permeable wall that savages hallowed Indian ground, wildlife habitats and fragile ecological balance. War cuts deeply into food supplies. Desperate people do what they must to survive.

Much of the blame falls on T. rex, a modern-day tyrannosaurus in (sort-of) human form bent on ruling an ex-United States as his personal corrupt fiefdom. With political cunning, Donald Trump now exploits fear of intractable problems that predate him.

Gitana means gypsy, evoking an ancient people constantly on the move. A sign outside Arivacas La Gitana bans the intolerant. UNWANTED: Members of any border military group, including, but not limited to AZ Border Recon. It harks back to a 2009 outrage, long before Republicans seized on scapegoating migrants as a path to power.

Three white supremacists from Minutemen American Defense  aptly, MAD entered the home of Raul Flores Jr., a 29-year-old Mexican American, claiming to be law officers seeking fugitives. They looted the place to fund self-appointed border vigilantes.

They murdered Flores and his 9-year-old daughter. His wife took three bullets and played dead. As she was talking to a 911 operator, they came back. She fought them off with her husbands pistol.

Two await execution in a state prison; the third is locked up for life. Yet ragtag militias of America Firsters in castoff camouflage, some armed to the teeth, still roam the borderlands to harass humanitarian volunteers and kick over cached water barrels.

Land grabs and ethnic discrimination are the new norm in much of the world: Israel-Palestine; an acquisitive China; across Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Multiple millions are on the move spurred by conflict, terror, poverty and criminal gangs.

Ukraine is especially dangerous, a first step in Vladimir the Terribles grandiose imperial dreams. It starkly illustrates why Joe Bidens humane approach to geopolitical cooperation is so vastly superior to Trumps selfish, ignorant demagogy.

Voters  and all but a few trusted reporters  see only Bidens surface compromises, essential to all presidents in a superpower of 320 million people with deep-seated biases of every sort. His tough diplomacy, by necessity, is conducted behind closed doors.

Israel is a stark example of why the worlds lone free-world superpower needs consistent foreign policies and legislators who resist publicly undercutting its chief executives.

Trump backed ultra-Zionists plans to subjugate Palestinians into apartheid after moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. Hamass despicable reaction on Oct. 7 stunned Israel and spiked its popularity among Gazans who had mostly opposed it.

Biden publicly supports Benjamin Netanyahu not only because of Jewish opinion at home but also because Israel is meant to be an enlightened democracy with enough military clout to anchor a hostile neighborhood rich in petroleum.

But he despises the man who with Trumps solid support pushed issues of land and legitimacy to violence. Settlers displaced Palestinians by force in the West Bank, and Israel Defense Forces cracked down hard on young protesters who fought back.

Jews, divided into subsets, have no hierarchy. Many abhor Netanyahus devastating overkill, which violates its basic teachings. Yet his ruthless campaign in Gaza and settlers West Bank killings have turned much of the world against Jews of every sort.

Biden opened aid corridors and pushes for two-state coexistence. He has contained wider war, with plans for long-term stability. But he comes off as weak. Netanyahu ignores him, counting on a Trump second coming to save him from corruption charges.

At the core, the basic problem is boundaries and borders.

As U.S. elections near, Republican politicians parachute into Eagle Pass, Texas, to praise Gov. Greg Abbott for flouting the law. His razor wire and state lawmen prevent federal authorities from rescuing illegal crossers from drowning in the Rio Grande.

Millions of dollars that could build safe temporary housing at border posts and hire magistrates for rapid processing are squandered by shipping distressed, destitute people around the country in cruel political stunts.

Trumps harangues are lies. Nearly all fentanyl is trafficked by Americans through ports of entry. Most arrivals are now asylum seekers from other continents eager to declare themselves and, if admitted, work in an economy that badly needs them.

Biden accepted stringent demands to speed aid to Ukraine. But Trumps House puppet, Mike Johnson, killed a Senate compromise bill. Trump is exposing families to suffering and death so he can blame Biden for the border crush his own cruel policies created.

Ponder that a moment. Elected lawmakers betrayed their oaths of office in fear of an ex-president facing 91 indictments and trials he has managed to delay. Liz Cheney and Mitt Romney say some fear for their lives, and their families, at the hands of his unhinged zealots.

Trumps plan for Ukraine is simple: Block military aid and refuse to defend NATO partners who dont pay America enough protection money. That gives Putin a green light to push on from Crimea toward Kyiv and other parts of the old Evil Empire.

Ukrainians, like Afghans, would need refuge. Authoritarians would slam their doors and expel minorities, swelling the human tide looking for safe havens.

If America retreats with ignominy behind fortress borders, scornful allies will have to fill the void. Poland pays NATO nearly 4 percent of GDP. Its foreign minister told Fareed Zakaria that could double. We will not be a Russian colony again, he said.

Along with his Jan. 6 insurrection and so much other treachery, it is clear why eminent historians recently ranked Trump as the worst president in U.S. history. A second term would be incalculably worse.

Those scholars declared Biden the 14th-best U.S. president, two notches ahead of Ronald Reagan. Considering how successfully he has dealt with calamities Trump left behind, that is likely selling him short. And yet a troubling number of voters want him gone.

Doctors at Walter Reed medical center pronounced Biden healthy, active, robust  fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency. He jokes about senior moments, but his statecraft reflects acuity and wisdom acquired over time.

He is surrounded by able aides and a smart campaign-companion wife whose name he remembers. Trump recently referred to Melania, conspicuously AWOL, as Mercedes. Listen to him speak, anywhere, anytime. Basically gibberish.

Im making no predictions. Too many people reduce complexity to kneejerk simplicity and obsess on single secondary issues. Much of the media mainstream piles on. Sitting presidents are sitting ducks.

Constant polling, meaningless at this early stage, reinforces a public sense that Biden is too old and tired. Yet early signs are encouraging. Reporters focused on Trump and Nikki Haley in South Carolina primaries. Biden won the Democratic vote by 96 percent.

After Super Tuesday results all but assured Trump the nomination, Van Jones observed on CNN, Get ready for the fight of your life. Trumps speech to a cheering crowd was nearly 180 degrees off truth, beyond any possibility of comprehensive fact-correcting.

He praised his handling of the China virus, which, in fact, killed at least 200,000 Americans needlessly, wiped out jobs and left stock markets in free fall. He said he provoked no wars, ignoring Ukraine and Gaza. He blamed Biden for his own Afghanistan debacle.

Trump said he wiped out the Islamic State in four weeks. That took a months-long NATO campaign, with Iraqis and Kurds doing most combat. Today, ISIS terrorists and offshoots remain strong from Afghanistan to vast stretches of Africa.

He took credit for Barack Obamas economic boom and energy independence and did not mention how quickly Biden brought prosperity and productivity to historic levels when he took over. Historians aside, Trump ranked Biden as the worst U.S. president.

Mostly, Trump focused on immigration. He said 15 million people besiege America, adding a preposterous claim that planeloads of 300,000 migrants are being flown into the country. As president, he said, he would seal the border. There was much more.

Jacqueline Geering, a visiting French photojournalist friend with decades of global experience, watched in stunned disbelief. Nobody in that room listening to him would even consider that he was lying, she said.

I worry most about young voters, who will likely make the difference in November. For better or worse, they must live with the consequences. Conversations with smart 20-somethings I know well are troubling.

Some worry enough about the future not to have children. But few read newspapers or watch much TV. Echoes in their own circles seldom include distant geopolitics. Few want more Trump. But Biden leaves them cold.

Most report a groundswell for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Republicans bankroll exactly for that reason. His last name has a familiar ring, and he was an environmentalist before he went batty. Any vote not for Biden, or not cast at all, is one up for Trump.

With continuity in the White House and a Congress that embraces the Constitution, America can resume its historic role in a world that needs its wherewithal. Targeted aid and diplomacy can reduce the factors that force so many people to flee their homes.

This is beyond urgent. Climate collapse worsens by the month, with no regard for borders. Only concerted global cooperation can slow it down, let alone reverse it.
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

Re: the March 4 article TUSD to share data with the goal of reducing juvenile crime, helping youths.

On March 4, the Daily Star reported on an agreement between Tucson Unified School District and the Pima County Juvenile Court Center to share information about students involved in the juvenile justice system. While I applaud both TUSD and PCJCC for their commitment to providing specialized resources to children in our community who may be most in need of support, this data-sharing plan raises three important issues.

First, the scope of information to be shared appears broader than the Daily Star reported. According to the text of the plan, TUSD can provide PCJCC with detailed information not only about students arrested for school-based offenses, but any student suspended or expelled from TUSD  regardless of age or severity of the offense. A second-grader suspended for a computer network violation, for example, could have their personal information, including discipline records and special education documents, sent to the juvenile court. And PCJCC can send information to TUSD about their students who are arrested, even if the offense is unrelated to school. This raises the stakes for childhood misbehavior and risks undermining childrens privacy.

Second, sending data about students to PCJCC may result in harsher punishments. After reading a students discipline file, a probation officer might conclude that the child needs more intensive intervention than otherwise would be warranted. Although this approach could provide additional services to some children, it might also result in unnecessarily harsh consequences. This is particularly concerning because school discipline lacks due process protections that are present in delinquency cases, and students might not have a meaningful opportunity to contest the schools accusation.

I direct the Education Advocacy Clinic at the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law, and we represent Tucson-area children in school discipline proceedings. In our experience, students facing disciplinary hearings are typically not told who their accusers are; the names of witnesses or participants in a behavioral incident are redacted in school documents. Suspensions or expulsions might rest on second-hand information, and the burden of proof in disciplinary hearings is much lower than the beyond a reasonable doubt standard in delinquency cases. Many students facing school disciplinary hearings feel the process is unfair.

PCJCC should take school disciplinary records with a grain of salt, understanding that school-based investigations are not as thorough as those conducted by the police and that discipline hearings miss hallmarks of due process that are present in a courtroom.

Third, the data likely reveal as much about schools as about the children themselves. The line between student misbehavior and criminal activity can be blurry, and some schools report their students to the police for behavior that other schools would handle in the principals office. Some school administrators might address a schoolyard scuffle in the principals office, while others report their students to the police for assault. As it turns out, most school-based law enforcement referrals are for misdemeanor offenses, including assault, disorderly conduct, or disruption of an educational institution. Often, how a school reacts to student misbehavior determines whether the child becomes involved in the justice system  an outcome that can have lifelong consequences.

I anticipate that data collected under this agreement will reveal which TUSD schools are most likely to lean on law enforcement measures instead of adopting de-escalation strategies and school-based solutions to student misbehavior. My hope is that TUSD uses this information to develop targeted strategies supporting the schools that frequently refer their students to the police, building their capacity to handle behavior concerns at the school level instead of resorting to law enforcement intervention.

Both TUSD and PCJCC work tirelessly to support children in our communities. In implementing this plan, I urge TUSD and PCJCC to consider the risks that sharing information like this can pose and to limit the use of this data when making decisions about individual children.
Surprising as it might seem for a business inspired by the pubs of Ireland, Elliot Nelson did not originally plan to open James E. McNellies Public House on St. Patricks Day.

You gotta remember, back then I didnt know anything, Nelson said, laughing. I figured it would take about a year to get this place up and running. We talked about opening for Thanksgiving, then Christmas, but those days passed and we were still fixing this place up. We ended up spending 15 months on construction.

But we realized that there was simply no way that we could not be open on St. Patricks Day, he said, so we knew we had to make that happen.

And they did, with a little under a week to spare. McNellies Public House officially opened at 409 E. First St. on March 11, 2004.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the pub will host a series of events including collaboration dinners between McNellies and several of the other restaurants that now operate under the umbrella of The McNellies Group, such as Mr. Kims and Fassler Hall, and two days of the sort of block parties the public house has regularly hosted in honor of St. Patricks Day.

In the years since that opening, Nelson has become one of the citys most prolific and successful restaurateurs. The McNellies Group restaurants include fine-dining establishments such as Jimmys Chophouse, The Tavern and Yokozuna, as well as more casual places such as Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge, Howdy Burger and Red Light Chicken.

All told, The McNellies Group has some 26 restaurants and pubs in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Little Rock. And more are in the making.

Construction is set to begin this week on City Hall Steak & Cocktail, which will be at 123 E. Main St. in downtown Jenks. Nelson said the restaurant is aiming for a July opening.

Another project is a yet-to-be named Italian restaurant that will be part of Santa Fe Square, the multi-use development that is scheduled to open in the summer of 2024 at 111 S. Elgin Ave.

Santa Fe Square is, for Nelson, a kind of crystallization of the idea that motivated him to create McNellies Public House, and which has been a guiding principle behind every restaurant and development project in which he has been involved since.

We built a neighborhood pub, Nelson said, and so then we needed to build the neighborhood for it. So a lot of these things are the result of what we saw as gaps in the downtown restaurant market, and that by filling in those gaps we thought we could get more people interested in coming downtown.

I grew up here, my familys lived here for years, and Ive always been proud of Tulsa, he said. And I wanted to do what I could to help encourage people like me who grew up in Tulsa to stay in Tulsa.

It was certainly more of a challenge to lure people downtown 20 years ago. When Nelson began the 15 months of construction it took to transform what had been a derelict warehouse into a welcoming watering hole, downtown Tulsa was seen as a place you went to because you had to for work. But once the eight hours of employment had been fulfilled, workers fled to their homes in more salubrious neighborhoods and suburbs.

Nelson thought one thing that might convince people to linger downtown was beer, and lots of it. The original selling point of McNellies when it opened  and one that continues to this day  was that it had the largest selection of beers in the city, with 60 varieties on tap and hundreds more available in cans and bottles.

The craft beer scene in Tulsa really hadnt started when we opened, Nelson said. If you look at our original beer list, we had what we considered the 60 best beers we could find on tap, and there werent that many local craft beers on it. We featured a lot of European beers, from Germany and Belgium. But the local scene has really taken off, and theyve kind of squeezed out some of the imported beer we used to have on tap.

Three years later, Nelson opened El Guapo, diagonally across the intersection from McNellies, 332 E. First St. (a second location at 81st Street and Yale Avenue would follow).

We thought that would cost $1.2 million to build, and that ended up costing $2.1 million, Nelson said. And then the complexity of operating a three-story restaurant proved much more difficult than we had imagined. On top of that, it became very seasonal, because everybody wanted to be on the rooftop, and when the rooftop wasnt open, it was pretty sparse.

On top of that, maybe we had a menu that was a little too nuanced for the time, he said. It had a lot of Oaxacan food on it. You could serve that menu today, and it probably would work just fine now. But in 2007, the market just wasnt there. (Both El Guapo restaurants would close in 2020.)

In 2009, Nelson met up with Mimosa Tree Capital, a local venture capital fund, and with them established the McNellies Restaurant Group.

Their investment helped us regroup after the colossal mistake of El Guapo, Nelson said. They had the patience to invest money in us, not because of me, but really because of what I believed in about what I wanted for downtown Tulsa. They wanted to see that, too.

As I get older I realized that was pretty incredible, he said. I get a little choked up when I think about it, the faith that people had in what we wanted to accomplish.

The idea for Santa Fe Square goes back to the early days.

The first drawings I had done for that are dated August 2004, Nelson said. I went to a friend of mine, who was an architect, and he did up this beautiful drawing. Back then, I didnt know the right terms  I didnt know it was mixed-use, I didnt know about walkable, I didnt know what you want to call it. I just knew, from looking around here as we were building the first McNellies, that we need housing in this area. We need more storefronts. We need more boutique hotels. These are things Ive been thinking about from the beginning.

And while bringing people into Tulsa is important, Nelson said its just as important to keep people in Tulsa.

For me, its important to find the right growth opportunities for our own employees to be able to advance their careers, Nelson said. Weve got about a thousand employees in our company now, with so many great, loyal people who have been with us forever. So our growth is really a vehicle for most people to get to where they would be able to have a nice retirement from their career here with McNellies. Thats something I take really seriously.

Photos: McNellie's Group CEO Elliot Nelson through the years Tulsa World Scene podcast: The impact of Elliot Nelson Elliot Nelson, 2024 McNellies -p1 Elliot Nelson, 2024 Elliot Nelson, 2023, Jimmy's Chophouse Santa Fe Square, 2021 McNellie's, 2020 McNellies Trees, 2020 Elliot Nelson, 2019 Nelson in Ohio, 2018 Eliot Nelson, 2016, Elgin Park Elgin Park construction, 2016 Elliot Nelson, 2015 Tulsa Magazine Elliott Nelson, 2015 Elliot and Jimmy Nelson -- 2015 2014 2014 Eliot Nelson, 2014, Dust Bowl Elliot Nelson, 2010, McNellie's Nelson, 2010 Nelson, 2009 2009 2008 Elliot Nelson, 2008 El Guapo's, 2007 2006 McNellie's, 2004 McNellie's, 2004 HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now
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

Oklahoma music artist Ernie Fields Jr., died Friday, March 8. He was 89. Services are pending.

Born July 29, 1934 at 530 E. Marshall Place in Tulsa, Fields followed in the career footsteps of his father, Tulsa-based bandleader Ernie Fields Sr., and added to the familys rich musical legacy as a performer and music contractor. Both are in the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame.

Author and journalist Carmen Fields published a book about her father, Ernie Fields Sr., in 2023. In the book (Going Back to T-Town: The Ernie Fields Territory Big Band), Carmen Fields also shared details about the life and career of her brother, Ernie Fields Jr.

Carmen Fields wrote that Little Ernie grew to be a musical prodigy, mastering with ease the piano, clarinet and violin as a child. He turned pro at age 7 or 8, when he was paid 25 cents per week to play piano at Sunday school for the First Baptist Church North Tulsa.

It seemed that nearly every instrument he touched, he mastered, Carmen Fields wrote in the book. Some said it was hereditary  how could he be anything but good at music?

A 1951 alum of Booker T. Washington High School, Ernie Fields, Jr., initially pursued an education in the medical field but he majored in music education at Howard University. After being drafted, his time in the military included playing music across Europe with the Thirty-Third Army Band, according to the book. He returned to Howard University to finish his degree.

Ernie Fields Jr. turned down offers to teach music at colleges in order to play the saxophone in his fathers touring band. While in the band, he backed and toured with artists like the Temptations, Sam Cooke, the Impressions and Lionel Hampton, in addition to gigging with many others.

Ernie Fields Jr. eventually forged a path all his own. That included becoming a session musician who played on recordings by Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and many others.

Carmen Fields book said Ernie Fields Jr. was part of a live show for Aretha Franklin; a FreedomFest (a London concert event honoring Nelson Mandelas 70th birthday); numerous foreign tours with Fred Wesley and with French superstar performer Johnny Hallyday (known as the French version of Elvis Presley); and PBS In Performance at the White House presentations in 2010 and 2012.

In the 1980s, Ernie Fields Jr. founded Jade Sound/Fields Musical Services Inc., a multi-service, Hollywood Boulevard-based company that provided arranging, copyists, contracting and payroll services for recording studios, television shows and movies. He appeared in the television sitcom Rhoda, a Motown 25 TV special and and in Sisters in the Name of Love, a TV special that united Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick and Patti LaBelle for a concert event. He also appeared in the 1984 film Choose Me and the 1990 Sandra Bernhard musical comedy Without You Im Nothing. He served as a music contractor on The Voice and American Idol.

Ernie Fields Jr. occasionally booked himself as a musician  and being a multi-instrumentalist came in handy. Someone was needed to play the didgeridoo during a 2010 episode of American Idol. Dont worry. Therell be one, he said. He accepted the challenge and accompanied finalist Crystal Bowersox as she sang Come Together. That gained Ernie Jr. a shout-out from judge Simon Cowell during the episode.

Carmen Fields book, citing a profile in the August 1993 issue of L.A. Record, said among gold or platinum albums or singles for which Ernie Fields Jr. was musician/contractor were Marvin Gayes Lets Get it On, Twistin the Night Away by Sam Cooke, Bundle of Joy by Freddie Hubbard and Go Away Little Boy by Marlena Shaw.

Said Carmen Fields about her brother in the book: Hes leveraged his skill and his fathers good name and reputation to move in circles the elder Ernie Fields could not imagine, let alone aspire to.

Ernie Jr. was a featured guest artist during a 2019 Golden Age of Greenwood concert event that paid tribute to his fathers music.

Ernie, Jr. died in his sleep at his home in Pasadena, Calif. In addition to his sister, survivors include three daughters, three grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

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I overheard a young woman having brunch with her girlfriends next to us on the patio of a St. Petersburg, Florida, restaurant. She was detailing the cosmetic procedures she planned to have on an upcoming trip to Mexico, where the cost would be significantly cheaper than in Florida.

Anyone who saw her in her current state would find her attractive, and yet she listed multiple surgeries and procedures. None of her friends even nominally mentioned that she didnt need all this work done. They all looked to be in their 30s.

Why would someone so young and conventionally pretty subject herself to the risks involved with getting multiple surgeries in Mexico, and why werent any of her friends trying to talk some sense into her?

Dr. Deniz Sarhaddi, a plastic surgeon with St. Louis Cosmetic Surgery, explained that the trends around cosmetic surgery are changing dramatically. Patients are getting facial rejuvenation surgeries earlier than ever before. Most of her facelift patients are in their 40s. Women start preventative Botox in their 20s, and the term Sephora kids refers to tween girls buying skincare designed for aging skin.

There are multiple reasons for this accelerated war on aging.

The popularity and accessibility of minimally invasive procedures such as Botox and fillers have skyrocketed. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons released a report in 2022 that showed a 70 percent increase in the number of procedures for fillers since 2019 and a 73 percent increase in neuromodulator injections like Botox. Cosmetic surgeries also rose during this time, although not as dramatically. The facial cosmetic surgery that grew the most was cheek implants.

Sarhaddi pointed out that surgical techniques have also changed to create more natural-looking outcomes. She has seen a rise in patients who have rapidly lost weight due to drugs like Ozempic, which cause volume loss in the face, as well.

We now live in a culture that chronically documents our images on social media, increasing our own scrutiny and expectations. With ubiquitous filters on our phones, you might only see facetuned images of a person. Celebrities hire people to scrub any undoctored or unfiltered photo of them from the internet.

It used to be that magazines photoshopped celebrities faces to create an altered reality. Now, their very faces are an altered reality. Their duplicity feeds others insecurity. The irony is that the lies about their own surgeries and procedures also come from this same place of insecurity and fear of how fans will perceive them.

Many celebrities, who hawk their own skin care and beauty lines, have a financial incentive in convincing the masses that buying their overpriced products will lead to similar results. In truth, only a needle and knife in the hands of a skilled surgeon will lead to those kinds of results.

Theres still a lingering stigma over surgery to the point where many stars lie about the obvious or subtle work theyve had done on their faces.

If someone is ageless, they are having something done, Sarhaddi said. In her practice, about 95 percent of the patients are women.

Theres more tolerance for male aging, she said. Plus, men are more tolerant of their own aging. Women will bring in a photo and criticize some aspect of how they look in it. Sarhaddi explains that a phone camera uses a fisheye lens, distorting how one actually looks in real life.

She laughs when she hears celebrities denying that they have had cosmetic procedures and surgeries. She can see evidence of all types of surgeries on their faces.

No, its not just contouring, she said. And, its certainly not just olive oil like some have claimed, she laughed.

It makes me sad because people are looking at these women who are filtered and operated on and have endless money and they are thinking that thats attainable naturally, she said. In fact, numerous celebrities have admitted to lying about nose jobs and fillers for years before finally fessing up.

Sarhaddi wishes they would just be honest upfront. It would be less hypocritical and far less damaging to young girls and women who dont realize how duplicitous the industry is about aging.

Sometimes people need honest feedback more than they need a surgical procedure.

Sarhaddi reminded me that how we age is largely a function of genetics and how diligently weve worn sunscreen. She has told 20-somethings who come into her office to stop being hypercritical of their appearance.

I hope you know how beautiful you are, she says to them. She likes to say that if your parents are paying for your plastic surgery, then youre too young to have it. She also redirects women looking to have surgery to prevent aging. You cant operate on a perceived problem that doesnt yet exist.

Doing facial surgery before you show signs of aging makes no sense, she said.

Getting plastic surgery or cosmetic procedures from an unscrupulous or unskilled provider will only create far more problems. Keep this in mind while watching the stars walk the red carpet and accept those shiny awards.

The best performers are pretending its all natural beauty.

___
Alexis Ratcliff, an 18-year-old self-proclaimed social butterfly and a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic, has a simple hope.

Long term, I want to find a loving, patient, caring Christian home that I can make into my place, Ratcliff said.

Ratcliff comes across wise well beyond her years, yet fully embracing her playfulness. Her ventilator leaves her voice a mixture of youthfulness and rasp.

Ratcliff, from Mount Airy, North Carolina, was severely injured in a car accident at 18 months old caused by her mother. She requires around-the-clock care.

Both of her parents, who struggled with drug use, have died, including her mother in January.

Ratcliff achingly wants to leave the ICU unit at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, where she has lived since being admitted in January 2019 as part of a court-ordered housing solution after family options could no longer meet her needs.

Baptist administrators want Ratcliff to leave, too, but into out-of-state skilled-nursing housing arrangements that she intensely opposes.

In September, Baptist filed a lawsuit in Forsyth Superior Court that requested a permanent mandatory injunction to compel Ratcliffs departure and a determination that she is trespassing according to state law. The lawsuit was filed about six weeks after Ratcliff turned 18 in August.

A Surry Superior Court order has blocked Baptist from involuntarily discharging Ratcliff.

On Thursday, Baptist announced unexpectedly it will file to dismiss the lawsuit.

Baptist said in a statement Thursday that we continue to work with all parties, including her attorneys and North Carolina Medicaid, and are seeking resolution through mediation, to ensure a safe and appropriate long-term care plan for Ms. Ratcliff.

That has included the potential for a foster care or adoptive resolution with a Surry County family.

Joonu-Noel Andrews Coste, a Disability Rights NC attorney representing Ratcliff, said Thursday following the Baptist statement that "Alexis is happy the hospital dropped the case against her, and DRNC is still working through the legal details.

Since the filing of the lawsuit, Ratcliff has lived each day knowing she could be forced to leave and move to a housing setting signed off by Baptist, but not of her approval.

Ratcliff said in a Zoom interview with the Journal that it was a very big shock when she learned about the lawsuit. Baptist declined to give her attorneys with Disability Rights NC permission to conduct an-person interview.

The lawsuit left her confused and questioning how a hospital whose medical staff have been so warm  including celebrating her graduation from North Surry High School in June and her 18th birthday on Aug. 2  can have an administrative side so cool to her future that it would sue to compel her eviction.

So, youre suing me? Believe me, I want to get out of Baptist, too, but its not my fault, and not my decision, to be here at age 18, Ratcliff said. Its really stressed me out a lot.

Coste said Baptist administrators have told her that since she turned 18, she will not be re-admitted if she leaves the hospital  there was no maybe about it.

Coste said her group views Baptists stance on Ratcliff leaving hospital grounds as giving the appearance of being highly retaliatory.

As a result, Ratcliff has not been outside the hospital since late last fall.

Ratcliff said that some people may think, well, shes been there (in Baptist) five years, but its not like Im a typical patient, and this has become a second home to me.

I want to get out of the hospital and not come back to the hospital unless I am sick and knocking on deaths door, she said. Thats just where I am at now.

Why Baptist ICU is necessary

All parties acknowledge there is no current medical necessity for Ratcliffs ICU-level care outside it is the only properly equipped area within the hospital for a ventilator-dependent patient.

Baptist claims in the lawsuit that by Ratcliff refusing to leave and accept the placement that the hospital arranged at a Bestian, Virginia, skilled-nursing facility, she is trespassing and denying a potential patient an ICU room.

Ratcliff said she refuses the Baptist placement because she prefers an independent residential setting in Winston-Salem, the Triad or close to her Mount Airy roots, but definitely not out of state.

When asked if Baptist was ending its efforts to compel Ratcliff to leave, the hospital said Thursday that everything else in our previous statement (submitted Wednesday to the Journal) stands.

Baptist administrators want court permission to require Ratcliff to accept transfer to the next available skilled-nursing facility placement that the hospital determines is safe and appropriate for (her) care needs.

Baptist said in the first statement sent to the Journal that none of the three appropriate skilled nursing facilities in North Carolina have been willing to accept Ms. Ratcliff.

Unfortunately, we had no choice except to take legal action consistent with the processes outlined by the laws of North Carolina.

That difficult decision was necessary because Ms. Ratcliff was discharged by her physicians, refused all skilled nursing facility placement options, provided no residential placement options and refused to leave the hospital.

Ratcliff counterclaim

The main dilemma in Ratcliffs housing limbo is that no agreement has been reached on a safe and 100% electricity-reliant residential setting between Ratcliff, her attorneys, Surry DSS and Baptist.

Such a setting in particular in North Carolina has proven frustratingly hard to secure.

Ratcliff said her preferred short-term housing solution is accommodations that would allow her to be a full-time, on-campus student at Salem College, where she has a full academic scholarship as a freshman.

In the Disability Rights NC counterclaim, filed in November, her attorneys said that after Ratcliff turned 18, Baptist has consistently pressured her to leave the state and has purported to discharge her knowing that discharge endangers her access to NC Medicaid and her ability to pursue community-based services.

If another state doesnt accept NC Medicaid, Ratcliff would be dropped from NC Medicaid and placed in that states program.

She has made (Baptist) aware of her need to remain at the hospital until such time as an appropriate option is identified in North Carolina or a viable out-of-state option that would not deprive her of NC Medicaid eligibility, according to the counterclaim.

The counterclaim accuses Baptists social worker unit of intimidation and making threats in an attempt to coerce her to relinquish her property rights to NC Medicaid.

Coste considers the Baptist lawsuit as a system default.

Its really psychologically impacted her because none of us anticipated a lawsuit was the direction the hospital was going.

She was not ready or willing to consent to the hospitals plans to send her to Virginia until her questions were answered, and very quickly thereafter they filed their lawsuit.

Making lemonade

Ratcliff said she has been making lemonade our of lemons most of her life.

Its just part of being a social butterfly, as well as a coping mechanism for the darker element of her childhood.

Alexis room at Baptist, both while within Brenner Childrens Hospital and now in the adult ICU, have been filled with personal items meant to provide rays of cheer and sunshine.

They include an array of stuffed animals, photos, makeup, hair and beauty supply accessories, dream catchers and a Nutcracker Mickey Mouse.

Normal is not really a word I would use to describe me or anything about my life, Ratcliff said.

My surroundings are normal in that what I have done in this room is what I would have in an apartment or dorm. I look at this as my hospital dorm room.

I just want to live the best life I can, Ratcliff said.

Ratcliff accepts her physical limitations, but doesnt allow herself to be bitter or defined by them. She uses her voice to communicate with her iPad for her online studies at Salem College.

Everything happens for a reason, Ratcliff said. Im thankful for the opportunities that I have had and I am getting.

Has this situation been ideal? No. Would I have chosen this for myself? Probably not.

But, it has made me into the person I am today, so I guess I wouldnt choose it any other way.

Her background

Ratcliff spoke limitedly about her childhood, in particular the car accident that left her a quadriplegic. Ratcliffs attorneys said her parents struggled with drug use.

Her mother, Anna Marie Crim, was driving when the car accident occurred in February 2008. Crim was 22 at that time.

In a June 9, 2011, report in the Journal, hours before Crim crashed her car with Ratcliff inside, she had taken methadone to treat her drug addiction, smoked marijuana and taken Xanax and Klonopin pills, according to Forsyth Superior Court records.

Crims boyfriends sister told authorities that on Feb. 26, 2008, Crim, who was seven months pregnant, slurred her words, stumbled when she walked and nodded off while standing.

The behavior concerned the sister so much that she begged Crim to leave Ratcliff with her. Crim refused.

Ratcliff was moving from her unsecured car seat as Crim was driving north on Main Street in Kernersville when she veered off the road and hit a parked car. The toddler was crushed between the dashboard and her father, Dustin Ratfcliff, according to Crims attorney. The crash did not affect Crims pregnancy with her daughter, Apple.

Besides becoming a quadriplegic, Ratcliff began suffering from lung infections, pneumonia, seizures and suffers from scoliosis, which is curvature of the spine. As of the time of her mothers trial, doctors said it was not clear what was Ratcliffs life expectations.

Crim pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, assault inflicting serious bodily injury and misdemeanor driving while license revoked. Judge Todd Burke sentenced her to 24 to 38 months in prison after consolidating the misdemeanor into the assault with a deadly weapon charge

My daughter was so full of life, and Im so sorry this car accident has taken this away from her, Crim said during the trial.

It kills me for Alexis to be in the condition she is in. I love Alexis with all my heart.

She told Burke she wished that she  not Alexis  had been injured in the accident.

Dustin Ratcliff was not charged in the incident. Forsyth District Attorney Jim ONeill said prosecutors charged Crim because she was the driver and bore the ultimate responsibility in making sure her child was safe.

After Crim was released from prison, mother and daughter found a way to reconcile at Alexis Ratcliffs urging before Crim died in January at age 37. Ratcliff said her mother had returned to some old friends and relapsed.

Meanwhile, Dustin Ratfcliff died a few years after the car accident.

Alexis Ratcliff lived with family, in particular her paternal grandfather, until 2019, going to school in-person in elementary and middle schools.

However, her grandfather became unable to care for her as he developed severe health issues that required going into an assisted-living setting.

With no other family able to provide suitable accommodations, she was placed into Baptist in 2019 through a court order secured by Surry DSS.

From December 2021 to June 2022, she was placed into a foster care setting, but went back to Baptist after developing health conditions that required rehospitalization.

Baptist perspective

Baptist said in the lawsuit there is no step-down from the ICU to a less-intensive care setting within the hospital.

Such patients must be discharged to a skilled nursing facility capable of providing care and maintenance.

By refusing to vacate the ICU room, Baptist claims she is taking up a bed ... and preventing admission of other patients with critical medical needs who actually require the ICU level of care.

Multiple benefits would be provided to Ms. Ratcliff if she moves to a skilled nursing facility, Baptist said. These benefits include increased independence and opportunities for social interactions that cannot be provided in a hospital.

Baptist claims Ratcliffs attorneys have instructed her to not speak with us about discharge planning and who have not provided us with specific discharge plans.

We have gone so far as to offer to contribute financially toward a private home option where Ms. Ratcliff could live with a caregiver, but her attorneys declined to respond to this offer.

Unfortunately, we had no choice except to take legal action consistent with the processes outlined by the laws of North Carolina. 

Baptist said it appreciates how Ratcliff has faced unbelievable challenges.

We truly want her to live a fulfilling and rewarding life in an environment that can provide safe and appropriate ventilator care, offer her greater independence and social activities and help her reach her goals.

That environment is not in a hospital ICU.

Ratcliff attorneys response

Coste and Ratcliff acknowledge that a hospital is not a place you want to live for non-medical reasons.

She does not want to continue to live in the hospital any longer than she has to.

She was placed there as a 13-year-old and had no choice since the court in Surry County ordered her to stay in the hospital. Until she turned 18, the hospital didnt have a choice.

Coste said one of her main irritations with the status of Ratcliffs case is that it just strikes us that with everyone knowing she was turning 18 and could have the option to leave for suitable housing that the hospital didnt try to get ahead of it, but rather chose to try to force her to go somewhere she didnt want to go.

We have been hopeful that at anytime they would shift their stance, but it hasnt happened yet.

Coste said that even though Ratcliffs plight has gotten media attention, Baptists position on trying to force her to leave has not changed, and we are continuing to litigate this case.

We are, and have been open, with the hospital about how we can work together to move her into the community.

Coste said that skilled nursing facilities in North Carolina that have beds wont take her because of her specific trachea tube and valve that she uses.

Citing her previous foster-care situation that left Ratcliff becoming quite ill and requiring hospitalization out of medical necessity, Coste said unfortunately, we know that people with significant disabilities (that) decisions can be made that do not value their lives as much as we would hope.

Her big fear, which we can all understand, is living in another state, having a medical emergency and not have anybody she knows around her., Coste said.

Salem College role

Salem College has been lovely to work with with Ratcliffs freshman online studies, Coste said.

They have said that when she determines which classes she wants to attend in person, they will place them in classroom accessible to her.

Unfortunately, because their dorms are so old, they wont be possible. They have directed us to some apartment dwellings that their students use.

Jennifer Borrero, the colleges interim Dean of Students, said that at this point, after conversations with Ratcliffs legal advocate Kirby Morrow, we explored our on-campus housing (and) determined that Salems on-campus housing was not suitable for Alexis.

Diane Lipsett, Ratcliffs academic adviser at Salem College, said her course materials and assignments are accessible online.

She is warmly supported by Salems disability services coordinator and her professors, Lipsett said. As her academic adviser, I meet with her in person weekly.

As we would for other students with disabilities, Salem can schedule Alexis classes in accessible classrooms and would provide related accommodations.

The college said it cannot comment on whether it can accept funding from Baptist or other sources toward providing housing accommodations.

We have not been approached about funding or support from any source, the college said.

DHHS role

DHHS, citing privacy healthcare policies, said it cannot comment on specifics of any case, regardless of a patients permission.

DHHS did provide a synopsis of how the N.C. Medicaid program under its supervision ensures people are receiving the best care possible in the least restrictive setting possible.

Medicaid, in situations as described, partner with the beneficiary, their families and providers taking a person-centered approach to balance what is important for the individual with the best available care.

Once the appropriate setting of care and services are determined, NC Medicaid will leverage available programs: state plan programs such as private duty nursing and personal care services, and (federal) waiver programs for disabled children and adults.

DHHS said those programs provide wraparound services, like home and vehicle modification, limited care transition and home delivered meals.

If needed, initiatives like the Money Follows the Person program provide funding for security deposits for housing and groceries for someone transitioning from institutional care to community living.

Most importantly, a care transition coordinator to offer support pre- and post-transition.

DHHS stressed that each care transition is unique, and identifying the most appropriate option can be complicated because the age of an individual, the complexity of their care needs and the personal goals and aspirations of the individual and their family.

Room to grow

When Ratcliffs attorneys filed their response in November to Baptists lawsuit, they indicated another foster care home setting in Surry may be possible if the potential adoptive family can modify their home to meet her needs.

Coste said Baptist is aware of that potential residential solution.

Coste said Ratcliff needs living space that is modified to allow for a wheelchair, to provide access for her to a bathroom, a lift to get in and out of bed, and most importantly, a back-up power source.

The other key factor to independent life for Ratcliff is dependable and accessible modified transportation to get her to and from Salem College, Coste said.

Coste said that getting Ratcliff qualified for CAP/C takes time, but it will provide all the resources for the care that she needs and the staff wherever she is.

CAP/C is part of the state Medicaid Home and Community-based Services program  authorized by the federal Social Service Act  thats overseen by NCDHHS.

It assists children determined to be medically fragile and medically complex from birth until age 21, at which point she would transfer to the adult waiver version of CAP/C that Coste described as a well-oiled machine.

Beneficiaries are determined to require a level of institutional care under the N.C. Medicaid State Plan, including needing at least one or more CAP/C home-and community-based services based on a reasonable indication of need assessment that must be coordinated by a CAP/C case manager.

Those services can include attendant nurse care, in-home aide services, care coordination, community integration and transition services, coordinated caregiving, financial management services, home accessibility and adaptation, goods and nutrition service, non-medical transportation, respite care, specialized medical equipment and supplies, training, education and consultative services, and vehicle modification.

We continue to have more stakeholders coming to the table, but we cant do anything until we know where shes going to live, Coste said.

It would not be an obligation of that housing provider to pay for those things, Coste said. We have the ability through Medicaid to get those things done.

Whats next?

Before Ratcliff turned 18, Coste said she couldnt move into anywhere that wasnt a foster-care setting without Surry DSS approval

Now that shes 18, more options are possible, Coste said.

That includes working with the Childrens Home Society for being adopted since we know there are families out there willing to take a young person like Alexis into their home.

Her entire world is in Winston-Salem and Mount Airy, although she would be good in Greensboro or somewhere geographically close by where her aunt or her sister could be called in if something happens to her, Coste said.

When people come forward asking how they can help Ratcliff, Coste said that while she has many needs, the foremost is securing proper housing because everything else feeds out of that.

Ratcliff said she has aspirations of becoming a lawyer providing legal services for those with disabilities as herself.

Even though it seems I have changed my mind a million times. I would love to go to law school, though, she said. I have been helping with N.C. Adapt for a number of years.

While this state is one of the best for people with disabilities, I want to make this state the best it can be for people like myself to thrive.

I do know I want to be the face of that change, the voice of that change, because there are so many disabled people who are in their right mind, but they just have physical limitations.

Ratcliff stressed that having a disability doesnt mean you shouldnt be able to live your life to the fullest of your abilities.

Something better is coming. I dont know what that is yet, but Im hopeful.
Editors note: This column is part of an occasional series about tech activity and trends in Tulsa.

Tulsas legacy as an oil and gas leader provides a solid foundation for the next evolution of its energy sector, focused on innovation and sustainability.

Home to six Fortune 500 energy companies and three of the top 15 petroleum engineering programs nationally, Oklahoma has a timely opportunity to leverage its strong corporate, academic, and workforce assets to position the region as a leader in energy innovation.

It is imperative for the Tulsa region to future-proof its existing assets by collectively investing in innovations that utilize these resources to develop new markets.

For example, upstream oil and gas expertise and drilling techniques are directly relevant to enhanced geothermal projects, and midstream pipelines may one day serve as the infrastructure for transporting biofuels.

This transformation requires regional collaboration, entrepreneurial support services, access to capital, and a network of willing customers.

Rose Rock Bridge was established to help unite stakeholders to capitalize on these opportunities. Rose Rock Bridge is a nonprofit startup incubator aiming to source and support emerging technologies targeting the energy sector.

Through partnerships with leading energy corporations, we are creating a platform for early-stage startups to address the most impactful venture-scale markets for regional stakeholders.

These innovations promise to strengthen our regions corporate base and create long-term opportunities in Tulsa.

Safety Radars journey through the Rose Rock Bridge startup incubator highlights the tangible outcomes of such support.

Beginning with Garrison Hanings passion and idea for improving safety outcomes, Safety Radar received non-dilutive funding, office space, and a suite of incubation services from Rose Rock Bridge.

These resources facilitated the startups growth and engagement with the local energy industry, leading to successful pilot programs and venture capital funding from our partner EIC Rose Rock.

The ongoing success of Safety Radar sends a clear signal to aspiring entrepreneurs: Tulsa is fertile ground for energy innovation with actively engaged startups and corporations, in addition to a growing amount of venture capital funding.

It is a place where new ideas are not only welcomed but also thoughtfully integrated with the citys established energy framework.

Entrepreneurs Rose Rock Bridge supports today will serve as examples and mentors for the next generation of startups.

This positive feedback loop of support and success is crucial in building Tulsas reputation as a city that recognizes its past but actively invests in the future.

These joint efforts to foster innovation will serve as a cornerstone for a new era in Tulsas energy landscape.

This is especially important in the context of unprecedented funding currently available to support innovation clusters and energy technologies.

Tulsa has an outsized advantage in capitalizing on these opportunities due to the regions established industry assets and collaboration platforms.

For example, Rose Rock Bridge and PartnerTulsa recently won the Department of Energys MAKE IT Prize Strategies Track award to develop a clean energy manufacturing hub in Tulsa.

There is positive momentum across the region, but as entrepreneurial activity continues to grow, Tulsa will need additional innovators, customers, and investors.

Over the course of the next year, we aim to support up to 15 federally-backed innovations and integrate them into our emerging energy tech community.

Applications for the next Rose Rock Bridge cohort are now open, and interested parties can learn more at our website: www.roserockbridge.org.

This is an opportune moment for our city to reimagine its legacy and once again establish a national standard for energy venture creation and investment.

Kastle Jones is managing director of Rose Rock Bridge, responsible for guiding the strategic vision and forging partnerships for energy technology incubation in the Tulsa region.

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Michael Dekker Tulsa World Business Writer Follow Michael Dekker Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

In 2010, when Army veteran Garrison Haning was about to be deployed as a platoon leader in Iraq, he had about six weeks of training leading up to it.

In that training span, three soldiers died as a result of accidents in Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Irwin, California, as part of a task force of 5,000 to 7,000 soldiers, he said.

They were devastating. They were heartbreaking. We lost more soldiers in those weeks leading up to deployment to accidents than we lost in months to being overseas in combat, Haning said.

So he decided to do something about it.

We lost soldiers. We saw these accidents and they were always tragic. You see these things emerge of fatigue, people doing things that they werent necessarily supposed to be doing or disregarding different safety regulations.

At the end of the day, you were only as good as the systems that you had. I remember seeing that and thinking This is just such a tragedy and we train so much to what to expect overseas ... but the ever-present enemy is always the potential for accidents.

Haning and his partner, Matt Weis, established Safety Radar, a Tulsa startup that has built an artificial intelligence platform to help prevent job site accidents.

The company uses a series of screeners to detect the presence of hazards on the worksite. Its AI communicates the risks via a comprehensive, real-time dashboard.

Safety Radar said it has the first AI platform aimed to stop job site accidents through behavioral risk tracking and training.

The companys measured risk factors include:

Human factors

Fatigue/physical limitations

Lack of knowledge/training

Lack of skill

Poor safety attitudes

Environmental factors

Weather

Driving conditions

Dangerous equipment and machinery

Dangerous substances

Physical hazards

Haning, a major in the Army Reserve, and his wife moved to Tulsa in 2014, when he got a job at a local energy company as director of media affairs.

When we would have an incident, I was the first guy out on the site to go and talk with the press and put together a plan for explaining what had happened.

I said, Matt, we have to do this. We have to build a system that can capture these risks in a better way, Haning said.

Safety Radar offers its AI technology for both long-term best practices and short-term, specific company project needs, he said.

When you think about the plethora of data that a safety management system that uses AI could tap into  to track risk signatures, oh my gosh, its a perfect case for using AI.

Cost for Safety Radars technology is about $15 per user, per month, he said, but for companies who want an annual assessment, it could be a one-time annual fee.

Haning said the sky is the limit for his company.

Twenty-five percent of the U.S. workforce works in a hazardous industry. And we want to get our product in everybodys hands in industry, because we know it has potential to ... keep people alive and healthy and thats our top priority is helping people get home alive and healthy at the end of the day, he said.

We can do these analyses in seconds, where it could take a person 45 minutes to an hour and theyre not able to consider as much data.

So we want to be that tool for the safety team to help make them more efficient. We say We want to be the tool that helps make the safety team the heroes.

They dont want to be spending their time going through emails, analyzing reports. We want to help triage that, and do that on the front end so they can get to what really matters, which is working with those people in the field and keeping them safe.

Tulsa-based EIC Rose Rock, a venture capital fund focused on energy technologies, announced a $1.5 million direct investment into Safety Radar.

Tulsa-based Helmerich and Payne has also invested in the startup.

(Helmerich & Payne) is committed to finding innovative ways to better control exposures and prevent incidents in our workplaces around the globe, said Micah Backlund, H&P director of health, safety and environment.

We are excited about Safety Radars technology and the potential safety impacts it has for our employees and others working in our industry, Backlund said.

The Rose Rock Bridge program provided the initial nondilutive funding and start-up support services to ensure Safety Radars team built the company in Tulsa. This additional investment will enable Safety Radar to grow and deploy this world-class AI technology into our corporate partners operations to help further protect their employees from job site accidents  and will help to increase worksite safety across several industries, said David Clouse, managing director of EIC Rose Rock fund.

Prior to the investment from EIC Rose Rock, Safety Radar was a member of the Rose Rock Bridge startup incubator and received a $100,000 grant to build the company in Tulsa.

We had the chance to pick between Denver or Tulsa based on the different incubators that we got into and the Rose Rock program was phenomenal, so we ended up headquartering in Tulsa, Haning said.



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Kevin Canfield Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Kevin Canfield 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

Former District 5 City Councilor Karen Gilbert has decided to run for her old seat.

The district is currently represented by first-term Councilor Grant Miller, who has said he plans to seek re-election.

I had no intention of putting my name on a ballot ever again, Gilbert said. I never stopped serving through my work and was content to leave the fights and political scene in the past because its getting pretty heated.

However, over the last several months, I was repeatedly asked by neighbors to consider another run. So after meeting with many of them and hearing their concerns about the state of our district and the needs of our city overall, I was persuaded that my legislative experience and community-center focus is needed right now.

Elections will be held this year for all of the citys municipal offices. The filing period is June 10, 11 and 12. The general election is set for Aug. 27, followed by the runoff elections, if needed, on Nov. 5.

Gilbert, 55, served on the City Council from 2011 to 2018. She went on to become executive director of the Crime Prevention Network, also known as Tulsa Crime Stoppers.

Gilbert said there was one overriding concern she heard from the District 5 residents who encouraged her to run.

It is very simple  just better communication, Gilbert said. Residents right now, they dont feel like they have somebody that is listening to them, and especially not helping with their concerns.

That wont be a problem if she is elected, Gilbert said.

The one thing that I really loved doing the most was having monthly meetings with residents, Gilbert said.

If elected, Gilbert said she would focus on such issues as economic development, public safety and homelessness.

We have too many empty buildings, she said. We have strip malls that are not in the best shape, so just working with the builders to see what we can do to improve on that and doing what is best not just for District 5 but for Tulsa as a whole.

During her time on the City Council, Gilbert led the effort to establish the public safety tax, which was approved by voters in 2016, worked with the Tulsa Police Department and Tulsa Public Schools to create Project Trust, and was responsible for the Adopt A Spot beautification program.

There is still good work for me to do to do better for our area and all of Tulsa down at City Hall, Gilbert said.

Six of the citys nine councilors plan to run for re-election. District 2 Councilor Jeannie Cue, District 3 Councilor Crista Patrick and District 9 Councilor Jayme Fowler are not seeking another term.

The other newly announced candidates for City Council are Julie Dunbar, a licensed mental health therapist running in District 9; Christopher Cone, a financial planner running in District 8; and Aaron Bisogno, a loan officer running in District 2.

Here are all of the candidates who have announced their intention to run:

District 1: Incumbent Vanessa Hall-Harper.

District 2: Anthony Archie, owner, Oklahoma Toffee Co.; Rhene Ritter, director of grants management, Housing Solutions; The Rev. W.R. Casey Jr.; and Aaron Bisogno, loan officer.

District 3: No announced candidates.

District 4: Incumbent Laura Bellis.

District 5: Incumbent Grant Miller; Karen Gilbert.

District 6: Incumbent Christian Bengel.

District 7: Incumbent Lori Decter Wright.

District 8: Incumbent Phil Lakin; Christopher Cone.

District 9: Carol Bush, former state representative and former executive director of the Crime Commission/Tulsa Crime Stoppers; Lee Ann Crosby, mental health services provider; Julie Dunbar, licensed mental health therapist.

A look at the 2024 Tulsa mayoral race.

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Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Randy Krehbiel 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

Legislation its authors say addresses public safety issues in and around homeless encampments is unlikely to make much of a long-term difference, the director of a Tulsa housing nonprofit said.

Theyre pretty cookie-cutter versions of criminalization bills weve seen across the country, said Becky Gligo, executive director of Housing Solutions.

One problem is that theyre almost impossible to enforce, Gligo told the Tulsa World on Friday. If that were to be the law, we literally could not comply. The solution is affordable housing.  This would be a setback.

House Bill 3686, by Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City, and its identical twin, Senate Bill 1854, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, passed their respective legislative chambers last week. The bills would prohibit unauthorized camping on state-owned lands.

Although the bills do not specifically say so, Kannady and Weaver said their target is camping on rights of way such as under bridges and overpasses and on highway medians.

Kannady and Weaver said the bill is based on an Austin, Texas, ordinance that was enacted almost three years ago. It requires law enforcement to connect people in such encampments to appropriate services and to cite them only if they refuse help twice.

The citations carry fines of up to $50 and 15 days in jail.

We have a homeless problem, and its creating a safety issue, not only for those living in these conditions but those surrounding them. We do this because its been proven to work, Kannady said Tuesday on the House floor.

No one disputes that sleeping along highways is dangerous for all concerned, but Gligo says it isnt as common as many believe. Those sleeping in the open, she said, tend to look for isolated places away from traffic.

The best figures are that Tulsa has about 400 people sleeping rough, as it is sometimes called, at any one time, out of a total homeless population of 1,100-1,300.

Gligo said a better model than Austin is Houston. There, she said, encampments identified as the greatest nuisances are decommissioned as soon as housing can be found for residents.

Mark Smith, who succeeds Gligo on April 1 as head of Housing Solutions, has been involved in that effort as strategic planning director for the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County.

During Tuesdays floor action, state Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, asked Kannady: Is the problem were trying to fix homelessness or homelessness in public view?

Were trying to fix the public safety problem. And homelessness, Kannady replied. I dont think it matters if its in public view or not. This is a problem for those who are homeless and for those who arent. Its a problem for everybody. 

This bill lays out very specifically were just not going to throw people in jail. Theres the warning. The second offense is trying to offer them services. Unless they flatly refuse, theyre not going to arrest somebody.

The 14 or 15 days in jail, I am very confident that if we get someone who is in dire need of services before a judge, our judges can figure out a way to get them services that they need.

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Code enforcement case raises questions about future of long-standing homeless program
Edible birds nests produced in Can Gio, an outlying district of Ho Chi Minh City, will become globally popular if the product is branded, Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, told an event held in the southern metropolis on Saturday.

Speaking at a ceremony to establish a swift farmer association, called CSFA, Deputy Minister Tien said that the Can Gio birds nest will be favored by local and international customers if its quality is marketed widely.

The establishment of the association will play a key role in promoting the edible birds nest industry in Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Vietnam in general, he underlined.

Vietnam ranks among the world's leading countries for exporting high-quality bird's nests.

Due to limited supply sources, some local firms have recently imported the majority of birds nests into the country for processing and export, Tien said.

The vast Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve makes Can Gio District suitable to develop the edible birds nest industry, according to the Can Gio District administration.

The district is home to 519 swiftlet houses that generate an annual output of 14-15 metric tons of birds nests on average.

In spite of much potential for the edible birds nest industry growth, a legal framework for it has yet to be introduced, said Truong Tien Trien, vice-chairman of the district.

In addition, weak investments in farming swifts and poor connection with consumers have hampered the development of the industry, Trien noted.

Also, swallow farmers have yet to follow production steps that meet export standards, preventing birds nests in Can Gio District from accessing international consumers.

The establishment of the association is aimed at spurring the sustainability of the birds nest industry to push up economic efficiency, Trien added.

The association will connect swiftlet farmers in Can Gio District, act as a networking platform for farmers and firms, offer market information, and regulate the birds nest market.

Furthemore, the association will work toward building a brand for the Can Gio birds nest, and popularizing it in the global market, the leader of the district underscored.

The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee in late December last year issued a decision to establish the association under the management of Can Gio District.

Statistics from the Department of Livestock Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development indicate that Vietnam is seeing 42 of all 63 localities farming swifts, with over 23,000 swiftlet houses.

In November 2022, Vietnam shipped edible birds nests to China through official channels, opening up a tremendous opportunity for the former to tap the largest birds nest consumer in the world.

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Japan has recently increased shrimp imports from Vietnam and became the third-largest buyer of Vietnamese shrimp in the first two months of this year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP).

The association said that the Southeast Asian countrys shrimp exports to Japan were positive in the first two months of this year.

In January, Vietnams shrimp exports to Japan reached over US$37 million, surging 30 percent over the same period last year.

In the January-February period, Japan was the third-largest importer of Vietnamese shrimp, following the U.S. and China, accounting for 15.4 percent of Vietnams total shrimp exports.

A VASEP leader said on Friday that Vietnams shrimp exports to the Northeast Asian country at the end of 2023 increased six percent year on year.

Japanese consumers are selective in the quality and processing of shrimp.

Meanwhile, shrimp products from India and Ecuador are processed simply and have lower prices than Vietnamese shrimp, the VASEP leader added.

Vietnams shrimp products, such as battered shrimp, stretched shrimp, fried shrimp, and shrimp for sushi, remain competitive in the Japanese market.

Japanese consumers will pick Vietnams shrimp if they want to buy processed shrimp, according to Vo Van Phung, director of Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam.

Indian and Ecuadorian shrimp used to dominate the Japanese market but local consumers are choosy and are willing to spend on high-quality products despite higher prices, Phung noted.

Japan is currently the worlds third-largest consumer of seafood.

The geographical distance from Japan to Vietnam is shorter than that from Japan to the U.S. and Europe, thus avoiding the Red Sea conflict which has doubled the shipping costs, and Japans payment methods are safer.

Therefore, many Vietnamese shrimp enterprises forecast shrimp exports to Japan to rise further.

The countrys shrimp shipments were also predicted to recover and inch up 10-15 percent to reach $4.4.3 billion in 2024.

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"Do you have fifteen minutes each day for practicing music?" This is the question Professor Phuong Oanh often poses to aspiring learners who claim they are too busy to learn a musical instrument.

If the answer is 'yes,' which it often is, the veteran music teacher responds, "That's okay. As long as you can set apart fifteen minutes every day, you can learn music!"

Phuong Oanh, or Vo Quang Tung Phuong Oanh, the first Vietnamese professor teaching traditional Vietnamese music in France since 1978 at the Louis Kerven Academy of Music in Sevran, located in the northeastern suburbs of Paris, has mentored generations of learners for over five decades.

She is known for her simple yet profound '15-minute question.'

An eternal inspiration

Huynh Phi Thuyen, who got married at 21 and is now settling in Canada, has built a 'family music career' for the past three decades.

Along with her three children, they perform together in 'Phuong Ca Norway,' a traditional Vietnamese music group founded in Oslo in 2003.

Bringing her eldest son, Tin Tin, to Phuong Ca Norway's music class when he was just six, Thuyen witnessed his remarkable progress.

Tin Tin earned a certificate for playing the 'tranh' (16-string zither) at a French music school under Professor Phuong Oanh, and mastered other Vietnamese instruments like 'bau,' 'nhi,' 'sen,' and 'kim.'

Years later, Thuyen enrolled her two daughters, Uyen My and Quynh Vy, in the same class.

Uyen My, now a key percussionist in Phuong Ca Norway, has diversified her repertoire to include bamboo flute, t'rung, drum, and 'senh tien,' in addition to her primary focus on 'tranh.'

"I still remember the event where Professor Phuong Oanh helped Phuong Ca Norway members play together and with new instruments in just one evening," reminisced Thuyen.

"She taught them to play instruments they had neither touched nor played before."

Despite her reserved nature, Professor Phuong Oanh's impact in promoting traditional music learning is undeniable.

"She inspires me to sustain Phuong Ca Norway to this day," Thuyen affirmed.

Quynh Vy (L) and Tin Tin, two members of the Phuong Ca Norway club, perform the song 'Mua thu que huong' (The Hometown's Autumn). Photo: Supplied

Finding time in busy lives

To Kim Thuong, head of Phuong Ca Rennes in France, recalls her early encounters with Professor Phuong Oanh and the Phuong Ca family.

Working as an employee at a school, Kim Thuong could only spare fifteen minutes of her daily break to practice music.

Her husband, Dao Tan Anh Truc, a mechanic, had even less free time.

Despite these constraints, the couple, with their three children, managed to pursue their passion for music.

"Fifteen minutes is precious to me," Kim Thuong said.

"Thanks to Professor Phuong Oanh, I find learning music enjoyable, interesting, not too tense.

"If I am persistent, I can learn to play the 'tranh' instrument despite having just fifteen minutes per day."

Kim Thuong not only overcame her own obstacles but also supported her daughters, Tam Anh, 13, and Van Anh, 11, through their initial challenges in learning music.

"I sometimes felt too tired to practice initially. Seeing my children practice after school made me feel sorry for them. But to preserve their Vietnamese heritage, I had to stay committed," shared Kim Thuong.

Due to her commitments, the mother of three seized the opportunity in 2019 to launch Phuong Ca Rennes, the ninth branch of the Phuong Ca family, with Professor Phuong Oanh's assistance.

"Can you spare fifteen minutes a day?" Professor Phuong Oanh's question from years ago still resonates with Kim Thuong.

It highlights the simplicity of starting to learn an instrument, which many perceive as daunting.

Through this simple question, Professor Phuong Oanh has helped countless learners overcome psychological barriers in the early stages of learning.

Viewing her students as family, Professor Phuong Oanh cherishes their warm feedback.

She values their expressions of gratitude, such as "Thank you for your patience. I will strive to improve" and "Today's performance was beautiful and unforgettable. I loved performing with you all."

For the dedicated teacher, these heartfelt messages are more precious than any medal or award.

The Phuong Ca Rennes club performs at an event displaying Vietnamese 'ao dai' in Lorient, France. Photo: Supplied

About Professor Phuong Oanh

Professor Vo Quang Tung Phuong Oanh was born on March 27, 1945 in Da Lat City, located in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, Vietnam.

Currently, she resides in Taverny, France.

Professor Phuong Oanh graduated from the Sai Gon National Music Academy, where she majored in singing and traditional Vietnamese musical instruments, in 1962-1963.

In recognition of her expertise and contributions to Vietnam's traditional music, she was awarded a professors degree in traditional Vietnamese music in Strasbourg, France in 1996.

In addition to her academic achievements, Professor Phuong Oanh has made significant contributions to the promotion and preservation of Vietnam's traditional music.

She founded the chain of schools known as Phuong Ca, specializing in traditional Vietnamese music education.

Established in 1969, Phuong Ca schools have been operating in 10 countries, contributing to the global promotion and appreciation of Vietnamese musical heritage.

Beyond her teaching endeavors, Professor Phuong Oanh has also conducted extensive research on music, further enriching her knowledge and understanding of traditional Vietnamese musical practices.

Her dedication and expertise have been recognized through various awards and accolades, acknowledging her outstanding contributions to the field of traditional music.

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Four red-crowned cranes recently returned to Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam for feeding after an extended absence, an official confirmed on Friday.

At 10:30 am on Thursday, while preparing for a forest fire prevention and fighting drill, staff at Tram Chim National Park recorded four red-crowned cranes coming to Zone A5 to feed for about 30 minutes, according to Doan Van Nhanh, deputy director of the park conservation center.

The cranes then flew toward Zone A4.

Nhanh asserted that dedicated personnel are currently overseeing feeding areas 24/7, strengthening patrols, and conducting regular checks in the surrounding zones to safeguard the undisturbed habitat of the red-crowned cranes.

Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap Province has been a feeding ground for red-crowned cranes for over 30 years, but sightings have become increasingly rare in recent years.

In 2021, three red-crowned cranes were last observed at the park during their most recent visit.

In 2022 and 2023, the birds were entirely absent.

However, the return of the four cranes on Thursday signals a positive development.

Nguyen Hoai Bao, deputy director of the Wetland Research Center at the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, attributed the red-crowned cranes return to the hopeful changes in the park's agricultural ecosystem.

He emphasized the importance of restoring natural and agricultural ecosystems, noting the administration and people of Dong Thap Provinces commitment to cleaner agriculture practices.

Nhanh added that plans are underway to increase food sources for cranes to attract the birds.

Four red-crowned cranes fly above Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam, March 7, 2024. Photo: Tram Chim National Park

The park is currently implementing technical measures to restore the local ecosystem, aiming to create favorable conditions for red-crowned cranes to find food.

Vietnams red-crowned cranes, whose scientific name is grus antigone, have been classified as vulnerable, the lowest of the three risk levels, in the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) following the most recent assessment in 2016, according to the IUCN website.

The bird is native to Nepal, Australia, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Vietnam.

It was also found in Bangladesh, China, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

The Dong Thap Peoples Committee has green-lighted a project aimed at conserving red-crowned cranes at Tram Chim National Park from 2022 to 2032, with an estimated budget close to VND185 billion (US$7.5 million).

This initiative encompasses receiving, caring for, studying, and reintroducing the birds, as well as enhancing and restoring their habitats, promoting sustainable ecological agriculture, and investing in infrastructure.

It seeks to bolster crane populations through breeding and natural reintroduction processes, while also restoring wetland habitats for various other species, thereby safeguarding biodiversity and the cultural fabric of local communities.

The scheme involves a collaboration between the provincial Peoples Committee, the Vietnam Zoos Association, the International Crane Foundation, and Thailands Zoological Park Organization, which has been successful in the work.

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Catch up on the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with representatives of VietTechNZ, an association of Vietnamese intellectuals in the information technology sector in New Zealand, on Sunday morning (local time), as part of his visit to the Oceanian country through Monday.

Society

-- A welcome gate on a National Highway 1 section in Nghe An Province, north-central Vietnam burst into flames, hindering commuters from going through it on Saturday.

-- Waste on the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal in Ho Chi Minh City has yet to be collected since early last month as a contract for it expires. At present, waste blankets the surface of the canal section in Tan Binh District.

-- Police in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City are investigating a case in which a male foreigner was accused of sexually harassing a nine-year-old girl whose father is a foreigner and mother is Vietnamese.

-- A female scooter rider died in a traffic accident on Saturday in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam as a car driver suddenly opened its door, causing the woman to tumble and be hit by a passenger bus, a local official said the same day.

Business

-- Japan has recently increased shrimp imports from Vietnam and became the third-largest buyer of Vietnamese shrimp last month, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors.

Lifestyle

-- The 9th Vietnam-Japan Festival opened in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday, starting a series of trade, culinary, and tourism exchange programs, activities to promote Vietnamese-Japanese products, and art performances that last until Sunday.

-- The sky over West Lake in Hanoi was illuminated brilliantly on Saturday night with a drone light show featuring 300 devices, attracting thousands of spectators.

-- Huynh Nguyen Mai Phuong, Vietnams representative at the 71st Miss World, finished among the top 40 in the final round of the beauty pageant in India on Saturday. The Czech Republics representative, Krystyna Pyszkova, was crowned Miss World 2024.

World News

-- President Joe Biden said on Friday he would sign legislation that gives China's ByteDance about six months to divest the popular TikTok short video app as his rival Donald Trump raised concerns about a ban of the service used by 170 million Americans, Reuters reported.

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Police in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City are investigating a case in which a male foreigner was accused of sexually harassing a nine-year-old girl whose father is a foreigner and mother is Vietnamese.

The district police are keeping the man, named F.M., in custody for allegedly molesting a person under the age of 16.

The case reportedly happened at an address in Ward 22, Binh Thanh District and another location in Ward 5, Tan Binh District on February 10 and 11, respectively.

The Tan Binh District police bureau has reported the case to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security and is probing it in line with the law.

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Waste on the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal in Ho Chi Minh City has yet to be collected since early last month as a contract for it has expired.

At present, waste blankets the surface of the canal section in Tan Binh District.

Local residents and passers-by have expressed concerns about a foul odor emanating from the canal, particularly in the sections parallel to Truong Sa and Hoang Sa Streets in Tan Binh District.

The waterway is strewn with styrofoam boxes, plastic bags, bottles, old mattresses, water hyacinth, used household appliances, and animal carcasses, emitting a foul odor.

Images of fish and turtles struggling to escape from the garbage have broken local residents hearts.

Garbage blankets the surface of a Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal section in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Mai Thanh Liem, a 37-year-old resident of Tan Binh District, said he had seen no unit collecting garbage from the canal over the past month.

As a result, garbage piles up and emits unpleasant odor, affecting the lives of locals and the landscapes along the canal, Liem added.

The huge volume of trash on the canal threatens the living environment of many kinds of animals. Photo: Thu Dung / Tuoi Tre

A unit previously responsible for waste collection on the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal, under Ho Chi Minh City Urban Environment Co. Ltd., told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the Management Center of Waterway System under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has not initiated a new tender for the collection and transport of garbage from the canal.

Despite the contract expiring on December 31 last year, the unit continued to provide the garbage collection service without charge for over a month.

However, the service had to be discontinued as the contract for it has not been extended.

The Management Center of Waterway System said that it had submitted solutions to collect waste on the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal to the municipal Department of Transport and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

The center will coordinate with relevant units to conduct further steps after getting the approval from the two departments.

Waste on the canal has yet to be collected for over one month. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Mai Thanh Liem, a 37-year-old resident in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, says that the garbage emits unpleasant odor, affecting the lives of locals and the landscapes along the canal. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

A path along the canal is now deserted due to the garbage. Photo: Thu Dung / Tuoi Tre

The canal is filled with a large amount of garbage. Photo: Nguyen Cong Thanh / Tuoi Tre

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DAR ES SALAAM, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Experts from the East African Community (EAC) have called on member states of the regional bloc to develop and implement regulations that promote digital entrepreneurship.

The appeal, issued on Sunday by the EAC headquarters in Tanzania's northern city of Arusha, followed discussions at the 3rd EAC Regional Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

The experts emphasized the need for governments to create a conducive environment for digital startups by waiving taxes and levies for a specified period, allowing these businesses to establish themselves. They also encouraged universities and training institutions to introduce digital literacy programs targeting both rural and urban populations.

In the manufacturing sector, the experts advocated for the adoption of smart manufacturing practices through the integration of automation in manufacturing processes.

The EAC is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising eight member states: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania. 
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with VietTech NZ, a New Zealand-based association of Vietnamese professionals in tech and digital initiatives, on Sunday morning (local time), to discuss cooperation in high-quality information technology (IT) human resource development.

The working session was conducted in Auckland as part of the PMs visit to the Oceanian country through Monday at the invitation of his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon.

Also attending the meeting were Vietnams Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, among others.

Pham Dang Khoa, director of New Zealand-based technological group CodeHQ and founder of VietTechNZ, along with his staff, briefed the PM on the technology industry in New Zealand, future development directions, and opportunities for cooperation in medical technology, educational technology, and other areas.

Khoa also presented several suggestions and recommendations, with a particular focus on high-quality human resource training and development orientations for technology companies.

PM Chinh thanked the members of VietTechNZ for their enthusiastic and valuable opinions, derived from their dynamic, creative, and aspirational practical experiences in New Zealand.

He regarded these contributions as valuable inputs for their homeland.

The Vietnamese leader stated that such opinions have played a crucial role in shaping directions and solutions for the development of education, training, science, technology, and innovation in Vietnam.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R, 8th) and VietTechNZs members pose for a photo at their working session in Auckland, New Zealand, March 10, 2024. Photo: Nhat Bac / Tuoi Tre

Emphasizing the significance of human resources in achieving success, PM Chinh highly valued VietTechNZ's efforts in uniting Vietnamese intellectuals in New Zealand.

He acknowledged that their network's operations have significantly contributed to the overall success of the Vietnamese community in the host country.

The Vietnamese government chief recommended that VietTechNZ put forth a proposal to the New Zealand authorities for the official recognition of the association's legal status.

He suggested VietTechNZ act as a bridge to facilitate collaboration between organizations and partners from both countries, fostering connections between the educational systems of New Zealand and Vietnam.

This includes facilitating the training of Vietnamese students in New Zealand.

PM Chinh urged VietTechNZ to enhance collaboration across various sectors, including information technology, digital transformation, chip engineer training, agriculture, climate change response, architecture, construction, biological technologies, and health.

He directed the foreign ministry to swiftly prepare a plan for organizing a forum in Vietnam that brings together overseas Vietnamese intellectuals and experts.

The ministries of Science and Technology, Education and Training, and Planning and Investment were instructed to establish online channels for receiving opinions and recommendations from overseas Vietnamese scientists.

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Doctors at a hospital in Bac Lieu Province, southern Vietnam have removed dentures from a 68-year-old womans gullet.

The three-centimeter-long object got stuck in her esophagus after she swallowed it along with food during a meal on Saturday.

A representative of Thanh Vu Medic General Hospital in the province said on the same day that the hospital had admitted a patient who got false teeth stuck in her gullet.

The patient was identified as N.T.N., a resident of Thanh Tri District under Soc Trang Province, some 50 kilometers from Bac Lieu Province.

During her lunch, N. unintentionally swallowed false teeth, according to her family members.

The object choked and hurt the senior, so she was rushed to the hospital for its removal.

Dr. Nguyen Phuoc Thom, who was in charge of treating N., said that the results of an X-ray and an endoscopy showed that a large object lay deep in her gullet.

We promptly took it out. The object was identified as dentures attached to a sharp metal hook, Dr. Thom recounted.

After the removal, the patients health was stable, so she was released from the hospital.

Over the past few months, the hospital has admitted several patients, removing fish or chicken bones, toothpicks, or false teeth from their throats or gullets, Dr. Thom said.

Patients with large objects lodged in their throats may face a life-threatening condition if these hazardous items are not promptly removed.

Dr. Thom advises seniors to use permanent dentures to minimize the swallow of false teeth.

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My Tan Fishing Port, one of the three largest ports in Ninh Thuan Province, located in south-central Vietnam, is bustling with fishing boats at the crack of dawn every day.

Various vehicles flock to the port, some 15 kilometers from Phan Rang City, at daybreak to transport fresh seafood to wet markets and restaurants in the province and other neighboring localities.

Ninh Thuan Province is endowed with abundant ocean resources such as anchovies and mackerel, among others.

Boats laden with fish quickly return to the port after their departure.

Fishermen pull a fishing net back to a boat for the next fishing trip at My Tan Fishing Port in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Ly Hoang Long / Tuoi Tre

Anchovies caught after a fishing trip by a boat in Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Ly Hoang Long / Tuoi Tre

After a fishing trip, tattered nets on these boats will be repaired to make them look new and ready for the next journey.

One of the traditional crafts in Thanh Hai Commune under Ninh Hai District, where the port is situated, is net weaving.

A net factory, which is employing both women and men, is located near the fishing port.

The job requires meticulousness and patience, but helps residents in My Tan Fishing Village stabilize their income.

Each net weaver can earn VND400,000 (US$16.2) a day.

Net weavers are pictured checking a net before it is pulled back to a boat for the next fishing trip at My Tan Fishing Port in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam Photo: Ly Hoang Long / Tuoi Tre

Chin Nghe, owner of a fishing boat, hurriedly fixes his net after he finished a fishing trip. Photo: Ly Hoang Long / Tuoi Tre

Seafood traders are present at My Tan Fishing Port at 3:00 am to wait for the harvest of fishing boats. Photo: Ly Hoang Long / Tuoi Tre

Three-wheel vehicles are ready to transport fish caught by fishing boats to wet markets in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam, and other neighboring provinces. Photo: Ly Hoang Long / Tuoi Tre

Eateries near My Tan Fishing Port in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam are opened at the crack of dawn to serve fishermen after their fishing trips. Photo: Ly Hoang Long / Tuoi Tre

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The WA state government has announced almost $19 million in new funding for the states screen industry.

The funding will support WAs soon-to-be launched Screen Industry Strategy, including more than $15m for incentives to attract major productions to the screen production facility currently under construction near Malaga Station.

It will also help to market and promote WA as a film destination nationally and internationally.

It comes after Screenwest recently received $9.2m this year, an additional $1.5m from Lotterywest, with $1m for local productions and $500,000 towards First Nations programs.

Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman said, Im delighted to announce almost $19m in new funding to bring major productions to WA from across Australia and overseas, and to help our local industry to keep up with the rapidly growing demand to film productions in WA.

To date, the scheme we call the WA Production Attraction Incentive has attracted a number of high-profile productions to the State.

The announcement was made last night at the world premiere of Population: 11.

Its wonderful to have Population: 11 star Ben Feldman here, all the way from America, for the premiere of this WA-filmed production, and for us to realise the return on the Cook Governments investment  100 jobs including local cast and crew, and all the extras from Derby and Broome. Its also been great to see the $7.1m expenditure including all 62 rooms at King Sound Resort booked for the full duration of production  thats 8,620 overnight stays in our Kimberley region.

Once again, WA locations will be appreciated by Stan streaming service viewers across the country from this Thursday, 14 March.

Regional Development Minister Don Punch added, The Kimberley region is once again on our screens  after providing the stunning setting for the critically acclaimed series Mystery Road, it is now the backdrop for Population: 11.

Our Governments support for productions filmed in regional communities provides job opportunities for local talent and creatives, and showcases regional WA to international audiences.

Our latest $18.7m in screen industry specific funding will continue to raise the profile of regional WA as a filming destination.
TCN News

By Syed Amjad Hussain

Bihar Diwas or Bihar Foundation Day celebrated on 22nd of March every year was organised earlier owing to the upcoming month of Ramadan, by the team of Heritage times a website dedicated to exploring the forgotten and lesser-known aspects of Indian history.

The event was organised in Government Tibbi College, Patna on 9 March 2024 by inviting political leaders and historians.

Making of Bihar a six-minute documentary, scripted by Md Umar Ashraf and edited by Shahrukh Dawar Khan, highlighting the history of Bihar was screened for the audience followed by talks by the historians.

Historian Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, while throwing light on the history of Bihar, said that Bihar is a land where great people like Emperors Ashoka, Sher Shah Suri and Sikh guru Guru Gobind Singh have been born. He also clarified that Bakhtiyar Khilji is not responsible for the fall of the Nalanda University as is being falsely believed.

Dr. Anant Ashutosh Dwivedi, known for documenting the glorious heritage scattered in the villages of Bihar and India said, there are more than two thousand heritage villages in Bihar alone, whose history is thousands of years old and needs to be told. Speaking about Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta caves, he said that these caves are at par with Jehanabad and were inspired by Nagarjuna caves.

The founder of Heritage Times, Md Umar Ashraf, while talking about the establishment of modern Bihar, said that apart from Dr. Sachchidanand Sinha, many people made important contributions in establishing Bihar. These include people like Ali Imam, Mazhar Ul Haq, Nawab Sarfaraz Khan, Ganesh Dutt, Muhammad Fakhruddin, Mahesh Narayan, Nand Kishore Lal, Tej Narayan and many others. And the endeavour of Heritage Times has always been to bring to the forefront these contributions lest they be lost forever in the annals of history.

The chief guest of the event, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed, Former Union Minister and leader of Indian National Congress appreciated the work of Heritage Times and praised founder Omar Ashraf and his team for their efforts to restore history. He further said that the glory of the Bihar state will be restored just like its ancient glorious past during the reign of the Magadha Empire, if the ideas of the great men who laid the foundation of Bihar will be followed.

The event was presided over by Hakim Tanveer Alam, former principal of Tibbi College and moderated by Muhammad Zakaria and Muhammad Zeeshan Ul Islam Farooqui.

Many prominent personalities from different walks of fields such as scholars, academicians, sports-persons attended the event. Some of them were Intekhab Alam, Naqeeb Ekta, Mashkoor Ahmed, Rajiv Kumar, Umesh Kumar, Muhammad Sahil, Yusuf Jamil, National Karate Champion Zabir Ansari, Khurram Mallik and others.
Well-to-do foreigners are attracted by Portugal's gentle lifestyle and attractive tax policies (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA)

Portugal, a haven for retirees, holds an early general election on Sunday, 50 years on from the 1974 "Carnation Revolution" that toppled a decades-long right-wing dictatorship.

Here are five things to know about the country:

- 50 years of democracy -

Portugal is marking the 50th anniversary this year of an almost bloodless coup on April 25, 1974 that put an end to 48 years of authoritarian rule and 13 years of colonial wars in Africa.

The revolt by idealistic young army officers quickly turned into a popular uprising when the troops were joined by jubilant crowds that took less than 24 hours to bring down Europe's longest-lived dictatorship.

Nicknamed the "Carnation Revolution" after flower vendors handed out seasonal blooms to the soldiers, it led to Portugal's first free elections with universal suffrage exactly one year later.

It is a rare example of a military coup held to install democracy and a source of pride in Portugal, where its anniversary is a national holiday called "Freedom Day".

- Influx of tourists -

With 300 days of sunshine per year, Portugal keeps setting new records for the amount of foreign tourist arrivals it draws.

The sector accounts for around 15 percent of the country's economic output, generating record revenues of 25 billion euros ($27 billion) last year.

Dubbed the "Florida of Europe", the country is also home to many well-off foreigners -- retirees, investors or digital nomads -- seduced by its gentle lifestyle and attractive tax policies.

- ...and immigrants -

With one of Europe's most open immigration regimes, Portugal has seen its foreign-born population double in five years.

Fewer than half a million in 2018, last year a million foreigners were living in Portugal -- one-tenth if the country's population.

Brazilians, with their long historical links to the country, remain the largest contingent -- some 400,000-strong.

Immigrants from India and Nepal are now more numerous than people from former Portuguese colonies Angola and Cape Verde.

Story continues

Bangladeshis and Pakistanis also now figure in the top 10 of new arrivals.

- Surf XXL -

With over 800 kilometres (500 miles) of Atlantic coastline and countless breaks of all shapes and sizes, the country attracts surfers from around the world.

The best known spot is off the coast of the central town of Nazare, where an underwater canyon some five kilometres deep near the shoreline of the former fishing village helps generate what are arguably the biggest rideable waves in the world.

Germany's Sebastian Steudtner set a world record there in 2020 for the biggest wave ever surfed at 86 feet (26.2 metres).

- Cork champion -

Portugal is the world's largest cork producer, accounting for nearly half of the world's supply, according to the Portuguese Cork Association.

Cork is made from the bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber), which covers around 720,000 hectares (1,780,000 acres) of land in Portugal -- more than any other country.

Portuguese cork producers have sought to diversify its use beyond wine bottle stoppers, with the material increasingly used as building insulation as well as in footwear, furniture and even the aerospace industry.

The value of Portugal's cork exports last year surpassed one billion euros -- a record.

In 2020 the Lisbon metro replaced the fabric lining on all seats of its train fleet with cork, an easier to maintain material.

lf/ds/bc
Nepalese wives showing images of their husbands in Russian army uniforms (images blurred upon the wives request) in Kathmandu, Nepal (EPA)

As family and friends look on in silence, Buddi Naryan Aryal and his nephew Raju wrap and bind leaves of Kush grass  which is sacred to Hindus  into an effigy for the funeral for Hari Aryal.

Hari, 23, a former Nepalese army soldier who was born in Waling, a village in the Himalayan foothills in western Nepal, died thousands of miles from home, killed on 5 December 2023 on the front lines of Russias war in Ukraine.

He resigned from the Nepal army hoping to land a job with the German or Dubai police [...] In the end, he found a job in the Russian army through human traffickers, his uncle, Buddi Naryan, tells EPA Images.

His family heard from the Nepal foreign ministry on 2 January that Hari had died in an ambush in December, less than two months after enlisting.

Raju Aryal shows a Facebook post by his late brother, Hari Aryal, wearing a Russian uniform (EPA)

Hindu priests and relatives make a symbolic dead body of Hari Aryal (EPA)

Gangadhar Paudel, an uncle of the deceased Hari Aryal, is dressed in white attire with a shaven head, as he starts Haris final rites procession in Walling, Syangja district, Nepal (EPA)

Hari used to say that he would return from Russia after earning money and would build a new home, he says. That day never came.

Nepalese authorities have confirmed in a press statement that at least 14 of its citizens have died since the invasion began on 24 February 2022, although some reports suggest the real toll could be far higher.

Citing various news sources and returnees from Russia, former foreign minister and member of parliament Dr Bimala Rai Paudyal told EPA over the phone that as many as 15,000 Nepalis have enlisted with the Russian military.

Gangadahr Prasad Aryal, an uncle of the deceased Hari Aryal, cremates a symbolic representation of Haris body at the bank of the Kaligandaki River (EPA)

A group of women mourners cry during the final rites procession of Hari Aryal (EPA)

The relatives of more than 150 Nepali mercenaries fighting with the Russian army have filed requests appealing to the consular department after losing contact with their relatives.

Nepal has since, on 5 January 2024, banned its citizens from travelling to Russia or Ukraine and has also asked Russia to repatriate all Nepalis who were recruited for the conflict.

Krishna Sharma (named changed), originally from Parbat in west Nepal, worked for two years as a migrant labourer in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

After returning home to Nepal in 2018, he found himself saddled by family debts of around 2.2 million rupees (13,000).

Story continues

Sharma heard that enlisting with the Russian army could help him pay off those debts. A middleman told him he would earn 95,000 roubles per month if he joined the Kremlins military campaign. He paid a trafficker around 4,000, and within a week had obtained an entry visa.

After arriving in Russia, his 27-man unit  all Nepali soldiers except for the Russian commander  were immediately deployed to the Ukraine front.

Nepalese returnee Krishna Sharma (named changed), who had joined the Russian military fighting in Ukraine in order to pay off family debts, looks on during an interview in Kathmandu (EPA)

Krishna Sharma (named changed) displays his X-ray plate, revealing grenade fragments (EPA)

Sharma says he was lucky to escape with his life on his units first day of battle, in which he was severely wounded in a drone attack. He only survived by pretending to be dead and covering himself with mud and snow.

After the attack, he told EPA that he spent the night inside a burnt tank. He eventually reached a Wagner Group camp before being transferred to hospital.

There, someone provided substantial assistance, including giving me clothes and helping me contact my family. This kind person also facilitated my visit to the Nepalese embassy, which expedited the issuance of a 24-hour travel document, Sharma says.

Now back in Pokhara, Nepal, he is being treated in hospital to remove grenade fragments still embedded in his chest.

Despite the injuries he sustained during his brief but harrowing experience in eastern Ukraine, Sharma is one of the few Nepali recruits lucky enough to make it home.

Tina (3-L) and Sita (3-R) at a protest in Kathmandu. Their husbands joined the Russian army four months earlier and are not allowed to return to Nepal before the end of their one-year contract (EPA)

Sanu Kanchi Tumbape (L), along with her brother, submits an appeal letter seeking assistance to rescue her husband, Suresh Tumbape, at the Nepalese Foreign Ministry in Kathmandu (EPA)

Sanu Kanchis husband Suresh Tumpabe  also a former Nepalese army soldier  signed up for the Kremlins special military operation in October, and is still stuck in Donetsk in occupied eastern Ukraine.

Sanu has also appealed to the Nepalese foreign offices consular department seeking her husbands safe return. Sanu told EPA that they were ill-informed about the severity of the war, but had heard that the salary was good and that within a year, the entire family would obtain permanent residence in Russia.

It has been four months since he entered the red zone to fight for Russia. Im in constant contact with him over WhatsApp. He is still alive, and he is desperate to return home, she adds.

Suresh signed a one-year contract with the Russian army and cannot pull out until the contract ends.

It was a mistake to join the Russian army amid the ongoing war. If we make it, well meet again. If not, goodbye, Suresh told his wife in a voice message.

EPA Images
Feel the Sting of Jason Statham Pollinating 4K UHD and Blu-ray with 'The Beekeeper' on April 23
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  India

Shockwaves as Election Commissioner quits ahead of 2024 LS Polls

Following the resignation of Arun Goel, the Commission is now left with only Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar. Read More

Sunday March 10, 2024 12:53 PM , ummid.com News Network

New Delhi: The sudden decision of Election Commissioner (EC) Arun Goel to resign from his post weeks before the 2024 Parliamentary Elections has sent shockwaves across the country.

The 3-membr Election Commission of India is headed by Chief Election Commissioner. There was already a vacancy in the Election Commission after Anup Chandra Pandeys retirement as Election Commissioner last month.

Following the resignation of Arun Goel, the Commission is now left with only Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar.

Arun Goel's tenure was till December 2027 and he was most likely to succeed as CEC Rajiv Kumar after his retirement in February 2025.

It is being speculated that Goel put in his papers because of 'differences' with CEC Kumar.

Commenting on the latest development, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed concern over the implications of Goel's sudden departure. Kharge asked whether the current state of affairs warranted renaming the Election Commission to "Election OMISSION".

"Election Commission or Election OMISSION? India now has only one Election Commissioner, even as Lok Sabha elections are to be announced in few days. Why?" he asked on social media platform X.

Kharge also issued a renewed appeal to save the countrys institutions.

"As I have said earlier, if we do not stop the systematic decimation of our independent institutions, our democracy shall be usurped by dictatorship!" he added.

The resignation of Arun Goel comes amid the widespread allegations of manipulation in the Electronic Voting Machines. Fingers are also pointed out on the Election Commission for preparing poll schedules suitable to the ruling party.

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal also criticised the lack of transparency in the functioning of the constitutional institutions like the Election Commission and alleged pressures exerted by the government.

"This is quite shocking; just before the declaration of elections, the Election Commissioner has resigned. Now, only one Election Commissioner is there... What is happening in this Election Commission? The entire country is anxious. The government of India doesn't want a free and fair election," the Congress general secretary said.

Meanwhile, reports citing unnamed government sources said the 3-member panel to appoint the vacant positions in the Election Commission is likely to meet either on March 14 or 15, 2024.

The panel to elect the CEC and ECs is comprising of Prime Minister Modi, a cabinet minister designated by the Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition Adhir Ranjan Cowdhury.









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ISLAMABAD, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Ten terrorists were killed and three others injured in two separate operations in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the military has said.

The security forces conducted intelligence-based operations in North Waziristan district of KP, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said in a statement on Saturday.

During the first operation, four terrorists were killed during a clash between security forces and terrorists initially, whereas, during the follow-up clearance operation, four more terrorists were killed, according to the ISPR statement.

In a separate operation, the movement of five terrorists, who were trying to infiltrate the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was picked up by the security forces, said the ISPR.

"After an intense fire exchange, two terrorists were killed, while three other terrorists got injured," the ISPR said. 
HCM CITY  Six leading distribution systems - Saigon Co.op, Satra, AEON, Central Retail, MM Mega Market, and Bach Hoa Xanh - signed an agreement to deploy a cooperation programme on goods quality control in HCM City on March 8.

The agreement was signed at a conference on building a sustainable supply chain for Vietnamese goods and improving their quality, which was held by the HCM City Steering Committee for the campaign Vietnamese people give priority using Vietnamese products.

Under the agreement, following the direction of the city Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Department of Food Safety, the six distributors will set out specific quality parameters to detect and prevent unsafe products from entering their stores to protect consumer health.

In the initial stage, the programme will pilot three product groups, including fruits (chu mango, king orange, green-skinned grapefruit, white flesh dragon fruit, and cantaloupe), vegetables (lollo lettuce, bok choy, white cabbage, and regular tomatoes and cucumbers), and meat (pork and chicken).

Tran Thi Kim Yen, chairwoman of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee of HCM City cum deputy head of the steering committee, emphasised that the cooperation in controlling product quality will be one of the first steps in building a truly sustainable supply chain of Vietnamese goods to serve Vietnamese consumers and promote the export of the products to demanding markets.

The programme will connect distribution systems towards cooperation in controlling product quality based on voluntary spirit, while jointly developing a code of conduct and acting together to say no to suppliers that violate quality standards, thereby creating a comprehensive deterrent to contribute to developing a healthy, safe and responsible supply chain, she expressed.

Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, retailers highly appreciated the initiative to connect and build a sustainable supply chain and improve the quality of Vietnamese goods.

Suppliers information as well as their products quality inspection results will be shared among participating distribution systems, they said, adding that products that violate quality commitments and do not ensure food safety will be removed from their stores.

The conference also witnessed a signing ceremony between Saigon Co.op and six companies and cooperatives that supply livestock and poultry meat, fruits and vegetables of about 500 tonnes to Saigon Co.op's distribution systems.

Accordingly, the two sides are committed to building a sustainable green supply chain to serve consumers, and ensure benefits for consumer health, production and business efficiency.

This cooperation also aimed to support domestically produced goods and unique products of HCM City to expand their presence in the domestic market as well as reach out to international markets through Saigon Co.op's strategic partner, NTUC FairPrice (Singapore).

Saigon Co.ops exports of agricultural and fisheries products via NTUC FairPrice fetched VN90 billion (over US$3.6 million) last year, up 32 per cent from 2022.  VNS
HA NOI  Petrovietnam (PVN) and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Group (CIP) of Denmark will cooperate in the renewable energy sector following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked between the two companies.

Under the MoU, the two firms will share knowledge and information on energy transition from oil and gas to renewable energy, with specific topics such as technology, supply chain, logistics, infrastructure and technical expertise. They will also explore opportunities for cooperation in developing offshore wind power projects in Viet Nam.

For its part, CIP Group will support training programmes on new types of renewable energy such as technology to convert electricity into other fuel sources, power storage and energy islands.

Danish Ambassador to Viet Nam Nicolai Prytz said that the cooperation of the two companies will contribute to tightening the cooperative relationship between Viet Nam and Denmark.

Deputy General Director of PVN Phan Tu Giang said that developing clean and renewable energy will help ensure environmental protection and minimise the negative impacts of climate change. Viet Nam has set high goals for reducing environmental pollution, committing to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Board member of CIP Group Robert Helms said his firm looks forward to cooperating with PVN to research and develop offshore wind power projects in Viet Nam, creating a premise to complete the infrastructure system and supply chain for similar projects in the future.  VNS
HONG KONG  Vietnamese businesses joined some 300 exhibitors at the 10th Vegetarian Food Asia (VFA) that took place in Chinas Hong Kong from March 8-10 to promote vegetarian and green lifestyles in Asia.

A wide range of Vietnamese organic products were on the showcase at the fair for the first time.

According to Deputy Director of Cau Ke Tra Vinh Wax Coconut Processing Company Limited (VICOSAP) Lam Ngoc Tu, she brought to the fair 10 lines of wax coconut products, which were exported to the US, the UK, Japan, and Chinas Taiwan and Hong Kong, so as to seek more vegetarian consumers.

Other Vietnamese products such as coffee, cashew nut, noodle and dried fruits also won the interest of Hong Kong customers.

Chief Representative of Guangdong Import-Export Association in Vietnam Kelvin Chau said that he took Vietnamese firms to the fair so that they could have opportunities to access the Hong Kong market, and through which to enter the Chinese market.

Organised for the first time in 2015, the VFA has become the largest and most comprehensive showcase of vegetarian and eco-friendly living in Hong Kong. It has drawn the participation of companies from many countries worldwide, including China, Chinas Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

At this year event, vegetarian, vegan and plant-friendly guests had the chance to explore the latest vegetarian movements in Asia with various seminars and workshops. It also offered an opportunity for producers and businesses to promote connectivity so as to launch naturally organic products to the market to meet increasing demand of the consumers.  VNS
HA NOI  Thousands of people gathered at West Lake's Trinh Cong Son walking street and surrounding area to admire a brilliant night of laser mapping performance on March 9 in Ha Noi.

The spectacular light show was held during the opening ceremony of the Get on Ha Noi 2024 tourism plan.

As many as 300 drones told stories of the capital city's quintessence and development in the night sky through a semi-realistic art show along with exciting music and performance of about 50 artists and 150 local residents of Nhat Tan area.

In addition to the city's symbols and historic landmarks, audiences admired iconic images of Tay Ho District such as: Nhat Tan Bridge, lotus flowers and peach blossoms.

"The Get on Ha Noi 2024 is the starting activity in a series of festival events and tourism promotion programmes in 2024, aiming to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the capital's liberation," said ang Huong Giang, director of the municipal Department of Tourism.

"On this occasion, the city's tourism industry continues to promote the image of Ha Noi as a safe, friendly, quality and attractive destination to draw more and more tourists, actively contributing to Ha Noi's and Viet Nam's tourism industry development."

Many people came to the West Lake Cultural and Creative Space very early and were willing to wait 3-4 hours to admire the performance.

The huge number of people, especially youth, resulted in a massive 3km traffic jam around West Lake's streets such as Lac Long Quan and Trich Sai.

"I've been stuck here for more than 30 minutes, now I just want to go back," said Nguyen Anh Tu while waiting for traffic to move on Lac Long Quan Street.

"But I can't because there are too many people. When I open Google Maps, I'm still 2.8km away from the drone viewing point."

Nguyen Duy Khanh was also stuck: "I travelled nearly 10km to come here with the hope of watching the light show. But close to the viewing place, it is impossible to move, all vehicles stand still in one place for 20 minutes. Nobody can go forward and even though I want to go back, I can't move."

Many roads remained stuck until nearly midnight because of the large traffic volume, lining up for kilometers.

The strong attraction of the event came after the success of the Ruc Ro Thang Long (Resplendent Thang Long) show with 11 performances, telling the history of Ha Noi through light and music, by 2024 drones at the Eve of the Tet (Lunar New Year).

During the event, organisers announced a decision of the City People's Committee recognising Tay Ho District's Nhat Tan Tourist Area as an urban-level tourist destination.

It is home to main attractions include Nhat Tan Communal House, Tao Sach Pagoda, Nhat Tan traditional peach blossom craft village, West Lake flower valley and a water park.

According to the Department of Tourism, there are currently over 140 destinations in the city. Nhat Tan has attractive venues and welcomes a large number of domestic and foreign tourists since 1999.

Chairman of Tay Ho District People's Committee Nguyen inh Khuyen said that in the upcoming time, projects would be implemented, focusing on investing in craft villages and creative spaces to promote tourism development, making the district a more attractive tourist destination.

In addition to the light show, at the Get on Ha Noi 2024 on March 9-10 organisers also introduced local tourism products with many attractive tours, and handicraft products such as horn combs of Thuy Ung Village in Thuong Tin District and conical hats of Chuong Village in Thanh Oai District.

Beautiful Ha Noi is depicted through an exhibition of award-winning photos of the recent Welcome Hanoi City contest. VNS
SYDNEY  The establishment of the Viet Nam - Australia comprehensive strategic partnership during Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs official visit to Australia, which concluded on Saturday, has attracted attention from Australian experts and scholars.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in Australia, Professor Carl Thayer from the Australian Defence Force Academy, the University of New South Wales, said the upgrade of the bilateral ties to the comprehensive strategic partnership reflects the mutual respect for each others political regimes. Economic benefits have brought the two countries closer together for the sake of a broader strategic interest.

The new partnership will generate opportunities for more intensive discussions about various issues between Viet Nam and Australia, he said, noting that the majority of Australian people support the reinforcement of the ties with Viet Nam, especially in education.

The scholar held that Australia will prioritise cooperation with Viet Nam and promote dialogue. The two sides can jointly put forth and share ideas at different dialogue levels. All of these will serve the two countries shared future amid such challenges as climate change, economic uncertainties, and superpowers competition facing the world and the region.

Both sides will jointly gain benefits if they understand those challenges and find out the best ways for promoting the most effective cooperation via bilateral and multilateral mechanisms in which Viet Nam engages and has a strong role to play, Thayer added.

Greg Earl, former member of the Australia - ASEAN Council and former Southeast Asia correspondent at the Australian Financial Review, perceived that the elevation of the bilateral relations to the comprehensive strategic partnership will create a prerequisite for Viet Nam and Australia to enhance diplomatic ties more strongly and hold dialogues on regional issues.

In fact, he noted, the two countries have found out ways to build closer and closer relations, which are based on complementary economic policies and the large Vietnamese community that has helped deepen Australias understanding of the Southeast Asian nation.

The ties with Viet Nam form one of the fastest growing foreign relationships of Australia over the recent past. Despite different political regimes, the two countries share many similarities in their foreign policies towards the region.

In addition, Viet Nam is investing in resources of Australia, which in turn is importing more products from Viet Nam. This has helped Australian businesses become more familiar with Viet Nam, according to Earl.

Voicing his delight at the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership, Hal Hill, Emeritus Professor at the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University, described this as a positive sign for the future of both countries. Though they are not geographically close to each other, they can seize this opportunity to develop durable relations and mutual understanding in all aspects.

He said Viet Nam has enjoyed sound relations with most countries and secured an important stature in the international arena, setting an example for other countries to follow.

Besides, Viet Nam is considered as an economic star in Southeast Asia and the most successful country in this region in terms of entering the global production network  the fastest growing part of international trade. Many multinationals have come to Viet Nam and carried out production activities here.

Given this, Hill held that Viet Nam is a great opportunity for Australia.

The professor said in terms of political and social aspects, Viet Nam is a dynamic and active country which used to be one of the poorest in the world in the 1980s but thanks to oi moi (Renewal) course, it has established itself as a diverse economy with large rice exports and successful agriculture and fisheries.

With PM Chinhs visit and such optimistic signs, a new era has opened for closer relations between Viet Nam and Australia, he remarked.  VNS
BAGHDAD, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces killed four Islamic State (IS) militants in an operation in a desert area in central Iraq, the Iraqi military said on Sunday.

Paramilitary fighters from local tribal forces affiliated with the Iraqi Hashd Shaabi forces chased a pickup truck carrying four IS militants and clashed with them in the Tharthar desert, destroying the truck and killing all militants aboard, including one wearing an explosive belt, according to a statement from the Security Media Cell, a media outlet affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command.

The incident came as part of an operation conducted by the Iraqi army, police, and Hashd Shaabi forces to hunt down IS militants in the vast desert in the provinces of Salahudin, Nineveh, and Anbar, the statement said.

The statement said that the Iraqi forces possess "accurate intelligence information" about the whereabouts of terrorists and pledged to "pursue and eliminate them in every inch of the Iraqi desert."

The latest killing of IS militants brought the number of extremist militants killed by the Iraqi forces in Tharthar desert to ten during the past 24 hours, the statement added.

On Saturday, Iraqi warplanes reportedly carried out four airstrikes on six IS militants hiding inside a tunnel in the Tharthar desert and killed them all.

The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have sneaked into urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. 
NEW YORK  The permanent delegations of Viet Nam and Vanuatu to the United Nations (UN) on March 9 coordinated to organise an online preparatory meeting related to procedures for seeking the International Court of Justice (ICJ)s advisory opinion on obligations of states in respect of climate change.

Attending the event were law experts, scholars and international lawyers from more than 20 Asia-Pacific countries, representatives of delegations to the UN and relevant Vietnamese agencies.

Delegates focused discussion on many aspects related to climate change, some related case law and legal principles that the ICJ may apply in certain cases.

They exchanged views on contents and national practices that Asia-Pacific countries can provide to help the ICJ have more basis for consideration in the process of accepting the UN General Assemblys request involved in the issue.

They also shared experiences and some notes in the process of developing national reports to submit to the ICJ within the framework of seeking the courts advice.

Ambassador ang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN, said that in the context that the global climate system is gradually approaching dangerous thresholds, with ice melting faster, sea level rising, and extreme weather phenomena occurring frequently, countries need to act together rapidly and effectively to cope with climate change.

The successful promotion of Resolution A/RES/77/276 of the UN General Assembly on Request for an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obligations of states in respect of climate change, and the active participation in the procedures for seeking the advisory opinion demonstrate commitments to respond to climate change of countries around the world, especially those most affected by this process like Viet Nam.

Developing countries' active participation in the process is important, affecting their awareness of each country's legal responsibilities in responding to climate change, thus contributing to gradually shaping the legal framework on climate change in the coming time, Giang added.

The UN General Assembly recently adopted Resolution A/RES/77/276 by consensus, which was campaigned by a core group of 18 countries, including Viet Nam and Vanuatu.  VNS
PARIS Viet Nam always identifies science and technology as a top national policy and an important driving force for the country's rapid and sustainable development, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to UNESCO has told UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences Lidia Arthur Brito.

At their meeting on March 8, the ambassador expressed her wish to strengthen Viet Nam's cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in this field in the coming time in the spirit of implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on Viet Nam - UNESCO Cooperation for the 2021-25 period.

She thanked UNESCO for supporting Viet Nam in making dossiers of, preserving and promoting the value of Global Geoparks and World Biosphere Reserves to serve sustainable socio-economic development of localities; and asked the organisation to continue with its assistance in building the dossier for the Lang Son Geopark to seek recognition as a Global Geopark.

The diplomat took the occasion to invite the Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences to visit Viet Nam and attend the 8th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium to be hosted by the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang in September.

Lidia Arthur Brito thanked Viet Nam for always supporting and contributing to UNESCO's efforts to implement its functions and tasks in the field of natural sciences.

She affirmed her willingness to intensify collaboration with Viet Nam in the coming time, especially in the fields of open science, oceanography, water resources management, application of artificial intelligence (AI) in science, and ethics in AI, and preservation and promotion of the value of World Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks towards sustainable development. VNS
HA NOI  More than 400 delegates, who are government officials and representatives of diplomatic mission and international organisations in Viet Nam, went on a friendship spring tour in Ha Noi on March 9.

The trip, jointly held by the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) and the municipal Department of Tourism, took them to the Soc Temple Complex  a national special relic site  in the outskirts district of Soc Son.

They offered incense at temples and pagodas, visited booths that display traditional craft products, and enjoyed local specialities and music performances.

HUFO President Nguyen Ngoc Ky said that the annual spring friendship tour for foreign diplomats in Vietnam is an opportunity to promote cultural exchange to strengthen friendship and promote mutual understanding between the Vietnamese people and foreigners.

On behalf of the international delegates, Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam Saadi Salama, head of the diplomatic corps in Viet Nam, thanked Ha Noi leaders for their attention to people-to-people diplomacy, highlighting friendship activities like this will contribute to a better future of Vietnam, and help the country have a better position in the international arena.  VNS
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VENICE, Fla. (AP)  Authorities were seeking to assist a beached sperm whale stranded on a sandbar off Florida's Gulf Coast on Sunday, but said conditions in the water were too dangerous for crews to safely approach and administer a sedative.

The Venice Police Department said in posts on Facebook that the whale was alive on Sunday afternoon after it had beached on a sandbar about 50 yards (45 meters) from Service Club Park.

Due to high winds and surf, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation biologists have determined that a response Monday with weather conditions more favorable will be their best option. As of Sunday evening, the whale was still alive, but had labored breathing.

A perimeter had been set up to allow authorities to assess the whale's condition at the site in Venice, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of Tampa. The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and staff from Mote Marine Laboratory were assisting, the police department said in an initial post.

An afternoon post by Venice police said officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission considered the water conditions still too dangerous to approach the whale, which was estimated to be about 50 feet (15 meters) long. A police Facebook post earlier Sunday had said the whale was 70 feet (21 meters) long.

Police said authorities would make another assessment of conditions at low tide Sunday evening but that hopes of aiding the whale were dwindling. Unfortunately it appears this will likely be a recovery effort as nature takes its course," the post said.

Police said they would be present at the beach through the night.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP)  State and county authorities in New Jersey are investigating an exchange of gunfire that left a man dead and a police officer hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds.

Hamilton Township police said officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at a home in the Mercer County township shortly after 10 p.m. Friday.

The state attorney general's office said a man armed with a rifle exchanged fire with two officers. The man was fatally wounded and was pronounced dead at the scene. One officer was struck and is being treated for his injuries. A firearm was recovered at the scene.

Hamilton Township police said the wounded officer was transported to Capital Health System's Fuld Campus in Trenton and is expected to survive. The names of the officer and the dead man weren't immediately released.

The New Jersey State Policeman's Benevolent Association said in a social media post Saturday that the officer was resting comfortably" after surgery and has been up and talking today.

The county prosecutor's office and the state attorney general's office are investigating; the attorney general's office is required by law to investigate deaths that occur during encounters with law enforcement.

Our thoughts are with the officer and his partner who responded last night, and with the family of the decedent who suffered a tragic loss. ... Let us remember the daily risks our law enforcement officers take to keep our communities safe, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a statement.

Platkin added that authorities were working together to disrupt cycles of violence, end gun violence, protect our law enforcement officers, and support victims and survivors of violence as they work to rebuild their lives.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa (2nd R, front) administers the oath of office to the newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari (3rd R, front) at the President's House in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, March 10, 2024. Asif Ali Zardari took oath as the 14th president of Pakistan during a ceremony held at the President's House on Sunday, according to a statement from the President's Office. (Pakistan's Press Information Department/Handout via Xinhua)

ISLAMABAD, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Asif Ali Zardari took oath as the 14th president of Pakistan during a ceremony held at the President's House on Sunday, according to a statement from the President's Office.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa administered the oath of office to the newly-elected president at the ceremony attended by the outgoing President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, chiefs of the armed forces, politicians and foreign dignitaries.

Earlier on Saturday, Zardari, co-chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, won the election by taking 411 against 181 votes from all the electoral colleges, including the parliament and four provincial assemblies, the Election Commission of Pakistan said.

Ruling coalition candidate Zardari received 255 votes in a joint session of the two houses of the parliament, including the Senate and the National Assembly, 43 votes from the eastern Punjab province, eight from the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, 47 votes from the southwest Balochistan province and 58 votes from the southern Sindh province.

This is 68-year-old Zardari's second term as president after he served as the country's 11th president from 2008 to 2013. He is also the first civilian who reached this position for the second time in the country's history. 

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa (R) administers the oath of office to the newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari at the President's House in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, March 10, 2024. Asif Ali Zardari took oath as the 14th president of Pakistan during a ceremony held at the President's House on Sunday, according to a statement from the President's Office. (Pakistan's Press Information Department/Handout via Xinhua)
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (9 March 2024)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces repelled two counter-attacks launched by units of AFU 32nd mechanised, 57th mechanised infantry brigades near Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

Manpower and hardware of AFU 60th mechanised and 103rd territorial defence brigades were hit near Tabayevka (Kharkov region), and Terni (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and two D-30 howitzers.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces captured more favourable lines and positions on the front line, and hit units of AFU 81st airmobile, 79th air assault, 5th and 92nd assault brigades close to Belogorovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Georgiyevka, Kleshcheyevka, Krasnoye, Kurdyumovka, and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

In addition, two counter-attacks launched by assault groups of the AFU 31st Mechanised Brigade were repelled near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU has lost more than 300 troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, one D-20 howitzer, and one Strela-10 SAM system. Moreover, one AFU ammunition depot was wipied out.

In Avdeyevka direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces units captured more favourable lines and positions.

In addition, manpower and hardware of AFU 24th, 27th, 47th, and 53rd mechanised, 59th mechanised infantry brigades were hit close to Ocheretino, Novosyolovka, Pervaya, Toretsk, Novgorodovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Two attacks launched by assault groups of the AFU 24th Mechanised Brigade were repelled near Druzhba and Shumy, as well as seven counter-atacks launched by 78th air assault, 47th, 53rd mechanised, and 59th mechanised infantry brigades, which were repelled near Berdichi, Tonenkoye, Pervomayskoye, Orlovka, Petrovskoye, and Severnoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Up to 450 Ukrainian troops, three infantry fighting vehicles, two armoured fighting vehicles, and 18 motor vehicles were neutralised.

During the counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one Czech-made RM-70 Vampire MLRS combat vehicle, as well as one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-48 counter-battery radar station were neutralised.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces improved tactical situation, and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 127th territtorial defence and 72nd mechanised brigades near Rovnopol and Vodyanoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic), as well as repelled one enemy attack close to Vladimirovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy lost up to 140 Ukrainian troops, one U.S-made Stryker armoured personnel carrier, and four motor vehicles.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops hit two U.S.-made M777 artillery systems, one French-made Caesar self-propelled artillery system, one Rapira anti-tank gun, and one Nota electronic warfare station.

In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of AFU 65th mechanised, 128th mountain assault, 15th, 23rd national guard brigades close to Rabotino, Novopokrovka, Zherebyanka (Zaporozhye region), and Nikopol (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The enemys losses amounted to up to 55 Ukrainian troops, six motor vehicles, as well as one D-30 howitzer, and one Khortitsa electronic warfare station.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces eliminated one S-300 SAM system close to Pokrovsk (Donetsk Peoples Republic), ammunition depots of AFU 43rd artillery, 3rd assault, 47th mechanised brigades, one UAV control post of the AFU 126th Mountain Assault Brigade near Stepovoye (Zaporozhye region), as well as manpower and military hardware in 127 areas.

Air defence systems intercepted one Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 close to Krasnoarmeysk (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Three U.S-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles and one U.S.-made Hammer aerial guided bomb were shot down.

Moreover, 197 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Yasinovatoye, Novoandreyevka, Yakovlevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Zmiyevka, Kremennaya, Zhitlovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Shevchenkovo, Zhovtnevoye (Kharkov region), Pologi, Kopani, Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region), and Novaya Mayachka, Chaplinka (Kherson region).

In total, 577 airplanes and 267 helicopters, 14,855 unmanned aerial vehicles, 484 air defence missile systems, 15,409 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,235 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,332 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 19,549 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

Tags:

WtR


Successful $220m Placement to Move Tumas Towards Production

Perth, Mar 11, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Global uranium developer Deep Yellow Limited ( ASX:DYL ) ( JMI:FRA ) ( DYLLF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to announce that the Company has received binding commitments to raise A$220M (before costs) through the issue of 179,591,836 fully paid ordinary shares (Shares) at an issue price of A$1.225 per Share (Placement). The Placement will be undertaken in two tranches, with the second tranche subject to shareholder approval. In conjunction with the Placement, the Company aims to raise an additional $30M through a Share Purchase Plan (SPP) to be offered to eligible Deep Yellow shareholders.



The Placement was strongly supported by both new and existing domestic and international institutional investors, with demand exceeding the funds the Company sought to raise through the Placement.



A significant portion of the funds raised will be utilised by Deep Yellow to advance the development of the Tumas Project, including the commencement of construction post Final Investment Decision (FID) and securing debt financing. Funds will also be used to advance the Company's organic growth projects, including the revised Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the Mulga Rock Project and pursuing significant exploration upside potential at both the Alligator River Project, (Northern Territory), and Omohola Project, (Namibia). Deep Yellow will also be progressing its inorganic growth strategy via value-accretive M&A through the assessment of targeted opportunities.



Deep Yellow's Managing Director & CEO, John Borshoff said: "We are very pleased with the success of the placement raising $220M, buoyed by the overwhelming level of interest to participate, and would like to thank all existing and new investors for their support."



"The significant interest in the placement and quantum of equity raised represents an important milestone in the development of Deep Yellow, allowing us to materially advance the Tumas Project and bring an important greenfield conventional uranium project into production within the next three years. This is the result of a consistently applied, focused 7-year strategy based on the foresight that the uranium supply squeeze currently being experienced was inevitable.



This strategy has been supported by a proven, highly credentialled and experienced uranium team that has successfully assembled a relevant pipeline of geographically diverse projects through both organic and inorganic growth endeavours."



"I take pride in the stature of the team we have built, the tremendous support received for this raising, and the portfolio of quality projects we have introduced for development. The Tumas Project represents a long-life high-quality asset timed to deliver into what is a supply-constrained market. The Mulga Rock Project is next in the development schedule and provides a great opportunity to develop our second uranium mine, that will also benefit from integrating the value-adding critical minerals and magnetic rare earth elements associated with these deposits."



"Crucially, Deep Yellow is well-positioned and this is timed perfectly. With the funds raised, we can now move forward with confidence in progressing the development of our two advanced uranium projects while extracting the full resource potential from our highly prospective exploration projects and continuing with our successful M&A strategy to grow our project pipeline to be ready for more, much needed future development."



Conference Call



Deep Yellow will be holding a conference call for shareholders and interested stakeholders on Monday, 11 March 2024 at 10.00am AWST/1.00pm AEDT.



Participants are required to pre-register for the call at the link below. They will receive a calendar invite and a unique code which is to be quoted when dialling into the call.



To ask a question, participants will need to dial "*1" (star, 1) on their telephone keypad. Pre-Registration Link:

https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/O27FN5D8



To view details of the Placement, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/ZB774501



To view the Equity Raising Presentation, please visit:

https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/P7R08VO9





About Deep Yellow Limited





Deep Yellow Limited (ASX:DYL) (OTCMKTS:DYLLF) is successfully progressing a dual-pillar growth strategy to establish a globally diversified, Tier-1 uranium company to produce 10+Mlb p.a.

The Company's portfolio contains the largest uranium resource base of any ASX-listed company and its projects provide geographic and development diversity. Deep Yellow is the only ASX company with two advanced projects - flagship Tumas, Namibia (Final Investment Decision expected in 1H/CY24) and MRP, Western Australia (advancing through revised DFS), both located in Tier-1 uranium jurisdictions.

Deep Yellow is well-positioned for further growth through development of its highly prospective exploration portfolio - ARP, Northern Territory and Omahola, Namibia with ongoing M&A focused on high-quality assets should opportunities arise that best fit the Company's strategy.

Led by a best-in-class team, who are proven uranium mine builders and operators, the Company is advancing its growth strategy at a time when the need for nuclear energy is becoming the only viable option in the mid-to-long term to provide baseload power supply and achieve zero emission targets.

Importantly, Deep Yellow is on track to becoming a reliable and long-term uranium producer, able to provide production optionality, security of supply and geographic diversity.

Related Companies
BEIRUT, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Three Hezbollah members were killed on Sunday in an Israeli air strike targeting a house in Lebanon's southern village of Khirbet Selm, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua.

The sources, who spoke anonymously, said that members of the civil defense had rushed to the scene with bulldozers, cranes, and ambulances, and the three bodies had been transferred to the Tebnin Governmental Hospital in the central sector of southern Lebanon.

The sources added that Israel launched five raids on three areas in southern Lebanon and fired 30 shells on seven towns and villages in the south.

Meanwhile, Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said it targeted Israel's Meron air base with dozens of missiles and attacked an Israeli site in the vicinity of Mount Adir, killing and wounding its members, in addition to attacking the sites of Al-Samaqa, Al-Malikiyah, Zebdine, and Al-Baghdadi.

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 352 people on the Lebanese side, including 234 Hezbollah members and 70 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. 
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research

Bern, 10.03.2024 - On 10 March Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and his counterparts from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway signed a free trade agreement with Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal in Delhi. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swiss President Viola Amherd sent video messages for the signing ceremony.

The signing of the agreement between the countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and India after 16 years of negotiations is a significant milestone in Swiss trade policy. This makes Switzerland and the other EFTA states the first European partner to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) with India.

Most tariffs on industrial products to be lifted

India is now the most populous country in the world. The growing middle class in particular is contributing to major growth potential. However, India currently levies very high import tariffs on most products. Under the FTA, India will lift or partially remove customs tariffs on 95.3% of industrial imports from Switzerland (excluding gold) either immediately or with transition periods.

Switzerland will also have tariff-free access to the Indian market for selected agricultural products after a transition period of up to ten years. This will strengthen the competitiveness of Swiss exports to India. Switzerland's concessions to India for agricultural products are based on previous free trade agreements and are in line with Swiss agricultural policy.

Greater legal certainty for Swiss firms

In addition, improvements have been made to intellectual property rights, in particular with regard to legal certainty, patent procedures and the protection of Swissness'. This will not restrict access to medicines in India.

The FTA not only opens up broad market access for Swiss business players but also improves the legal framework, legal certainty and predictability.

Promotion of sustainable development and investment

The agreement contains a comprehensive and legally binding chapter on trade and sustainable development. This will enable the EFTA states in particular to address trade-related sustainability considerations.

Another chapter covers the promotion of investments in India by companies from the EFTA states. This is in response to India's keen interest in attracting additional investment from companies from Switzerland and other EFTA states.

Ratification by Parliament

The parliamentary approval process will be initiated immediately so that Switzerland can ratify the agreement by 2025 at the latest.

Scope of free trade agreement



The FTA with India covers a wide range of sectors. It contains provisions on trade in industrial goods and in processed and unprocessed agricultural products. Other provisions relate to technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, rules of origin, trade facilitation, trade in services, investment promotion, protection of intellectual property, competition, public procurement (development clause), dispute settlement and trade and sustainable development.

Media briefing in Switzerland

A media briefing on the FTA with India will be held with Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin at the Federal Palace Media Centre at 9.30am on Monday 11 March.

Address for enquiries

EAER Communications

info@gs-wbf.admin.ch

Tel 058 462 20 07

Publisher

Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research

http://www.wbf.admin.ch




Alabama lawmakers are looking to bar undocumented immigrants with out-of-state licenses from driving legally in Alabama.

The new bill targets a class of licenses currently issued in just a few states.

Sponsor Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, said the bill, SB108, is based on similar legislation passed in Florida. He said while only a couple of states issue such drivers licenses to undocumented people, that number may grow.

They just have no documentation whatsoever, he said of the immigrants who receive the licenses, and as a means of identification here, to be allowed to drive here in Alabama, I dont think we ought to allow it.

In total, 19 states allow immigrants to receive drivers licenses if they have documentation. The Alabama bill would void licenses in states that issue them to undocumented immigrants.

Drivers pulled over who have an invalid license would be issued a citation, under the bill.

Carlos Aleman, head of the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, said SB108 creates safety concerns, because it will result in undocumented drivers driving without licenses. He also raised concerns about the bill, if passed, leading to racial profiling.

How would anyone reasonably suspect anyone is undocumented by just how they look? he asked. If the assumption is that folks who are undocumented happen to be Hispanic, thats going to lead to a lot of folks being pulled over or being racially profiled.

Orr said he thinks the legislation is aligned with the values of many Alabamians on immigration.

I think a lot of people feel strongly about the status of our border, where you have numerous people coming across and theres seemingly no control, said Orr.

Aleman said he would like to see immigration policy in the United States focus on addressing root issues, like the need for a system to process claims for asylum seekers and a pathway for lawful entry.

Alabama is focusing on issues that dont necessarily make us safer, that dont necessarily help us economically, and that again, are meant to distract more than lift up the state, he said.
President Joe Biden said Saturday that he regretted using the term illegal during his State of the Union address to describe the suspected killer of Laken Riley, as his all-but-certain 2024 GOP rival, Donald Trump, blasted the Democrats immigration policies and blamed them for her death at a rally attended by the Georgia nursing students family and friends.

Biden expressed remorse after facing frustration from some in his party for the use of the term to describe people who arrived or are living in the U.S. illegally.

I shouldnt have used illegal, its undocumented, he said in an interview with MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart taped in Atlanta, where the president was meeting with small business owners and holding a campaign rally.

Trump, campaigning in Rome, Georgia, at the same time, blasted Biden for the comments.

Joe Biden went on television and apologized for calling Lakens murderer an illegal, he said to loud jeers and boos. Biden should be apologizing for apologizing to this killer.

Allyson Phillips, center, the mother of Laken Riley, listens as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures at a campaign rally Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome, Georgia. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)AP

The back-and-forth underscored how Rileys murder has become a flashpoint in the 2024 campaign and a rallying cry for Republicans who have seized on frustrations over the Biden administrations handling of the U.S-Mexico border amid a record surge of migrants entering the country. An immigrant from Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally has been arrested and charged with her murder.

Trump was joined at his rally by Rileys parents, her sister and friends and met with them before he took the stage. They were welcomed with a standing ovation and large signs handed out by the campaign that featured Rileys photograph and the words SAY HER NAME! REMEMBER OUR ANGELS, they read on the back.

We share your grief, Trump told them in his remarks.

Trump, in a lengthy speech that lasted nearly two hours, hammered Biden on the border and for mispronouncing Rileys name during his State of the Union address this past week.

What Joe Biden has done on our border is a crime against humanity and the people of this nation for which he will never be forgiven, Trump charged, alleging that Riley would be alive today if Joe Biden had not willfully and maliciously eviscerated the borders of the United States and set loose thousands and thousands of dangerous criminals into our country.

Trump, who had made immigration a centerpiece of his campaign, has repeatedly vowed to mount the largest deportation in the nations history if he wins.

He contrasted his rhetoric with Bidens  I say he was an illegal alien. He was an illegal immigrant. He was an illegal migrant  and accused Biden, who has long been seen as an empathetic leader, of having no remorse. Hes got no regret, hes got no empathy, no compassion, and worst of all, he has no intention of stopping the deadly invasion that stole precious Lakens beautiful American life, Trump said.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures at a campaign rally Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome, Georgia. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)AP

Biden earlier this year bucked activists within his party by agreeing to make changes to U.S. immigration law that would have limited some migration. The deal that emerged would have overhauled the asylum system to provide faster and tougher enforcement, as well as given presidents new powers to immediately expel migrants if authorities become overwhelmed. It also would have added $20 billion in funding, a huge influx of cash.

The changes became part of a short-lived bipartisan compromise that was quickly killed by Republican lawmakers after Trump made his opposition known.

After the deals collapse, Biden has been considering taking executive action to try to curtail migration, but hes expressed frustration that his lawyers have yet to devise options that they believe can pass muster with federal courts. Biden, instead, has insisted that Congress take up the measure again, trying to flip the script on Republicans and arguing they are more interested in being able to talk about the issue in an election year than taking action to fix it.

Among those who attended the rally was Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who represents Rome in Congress and yelled at Biden during Thursdays State of the Union to Say her name!

The phrase was popularized by civil rights activist Kimberle Crenshaw in 2015 following the death of Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old Black woman who was found dead in a Texas jail cell a few days after she was arrested during a traffic stop.

Crenshaw and others began using the phrase to draw attention to cases in which Black women are subject to police brutality. In 2020, the hashtag #SayHerName helped put more public scrutiny on the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman in Louisville, Kentucky, who was shot and killed in her home during a botched police raid.

The term illegal was once common but is far less so today, particularly among Democrats who more fully embraced immigrant rights issues during Trumps presidency.

Biden used the term Thursday night during an exchange in which the president pressed Republicans in his address to pass the bipartisan border security deal. Greene, a stalwart Trump ally, then shouted at the president to say Riley s name, adding she was killed by an illegal.

By an illegal, thats right, Biden responded immediately, before appearing to ask how many people are being killed by legals.

He added, To her parents, I say: My heart goes out to you. Having lost children myself, I understand.

Speaking to Capehart, Biden said, Look, when I spoke about the difference between Trump and me, one of the things I talked about in the border was his, the way he talks about vermin, the way he talks about these people polluting the blood. I talked about what Im not going to do. What I wont do. Im not going to treat any, any, any of these people with disrespect. Look, they built the country.

Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita slammed Biden for apologizing for his language and not to Rileys family.

He should be apologizing to the family as opposed to apologizing for the word that he used which is an accurate description, he told reporters before Trump took the stage, blasting the response as tone deaf and highlighting the candidates two very distinct differences in approach on the border invasion.

Bidens expression of regret marked a shift from a day earlier, when Biden had hesitated when asked by reporters if he regretted using the term, saying, well I probably, before pausing and saying I dont and appearing to start saying the word regret.

___

Price reported from Rome, Georgia. Colvin reported from New York. AP White House Correspondent Zeke Miller in Wilmington, Delaware, contributed to this report.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt defended her response to President Joe Bidens State of the Union speech Sunday, including her story about a woman who became a victim of human trafficking at the age of 12.

Britt delivered the Republican SOTU response Thursday night from her home in Montgomery. During her speech, she hammered Bidens immigration and border policies, calling it a crisis.

But she also told the story of a woman she met at the U.S. southern border who was a victim of human trafficking and sexual assault, starting at age 12. Journalists, including former foreign correspondent Jonathan Katz, noted that the events in the story happened more than 20 years ago in Mexico, well before Biden took office.

In an appearance on Fox News Sunday, Britt said that she did not intend to imply that the story took place while Biden was in office. In the time since, the woman, Karla Jacinta Romero, has become a victims rights advocate, she said, and Britt hoped that the story would shed light on what was happening at the border.

Katie Britt on Fox News Sunday (and not in the kitchen!) is asked about her misleading tale about sexual assault in her SOTU rebuttal. She claims not plausibly that she didn't meant to smear Biden by falsely implying an assault that happened 20 years ago happened under his watch. pic.twitter.com/KpPWSewZlS  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 10, 2024

Still, Britt doubled down on her criticism of Biden, arguing that his policies have led to an increase of human trafficking at the border. The media has refused to cover the issue, she says.

I very specifically said, This is what President Biden did during his first 100 days, Britt said during her appearance Sunday. Those types of [policies] act as a magnet to have more and more people here.

In her first 100 days in office, Britt said, she visited the southern border three times, asking for the real, unvarnished truth.

Britts response to the State of the Union was panned heavily for her delivery and affect. Scarlett Johansson even spoofed Britts speech on Saturday Night Live.

Tonight, Ill be auditioning for the part of scary mom, Johansson said during the shows cold open. Britts speech was also the target of jokes during the shows long-running Weekend Update sketch, hosted by Johanssons husband, Colin Jost, and Michael Che.

Not everyone criticized Britts speech. Former President Donald Trump praised the speech on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling her compassionate and caring.

Britt was elected to the Senate in 2022, following the retirement of Richard Shelby. Britt served as Shelbys chief of staff prior to his retirement.
ISLAMABAD, March 10 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and another injured on Sunday morning in a blast at a market in Pakistan's northwest Peshawar city, police told media. 
The next few nights could be quite chilly in parts of Alabama, and freeze warnings will be in effect for parts of the state.

The National Weather Service is forecasting overnight low temperatures to range from the upper 20s in north Alabama to the low to mid-30s in central Alabama and the low 40s in south Alabama.

The weather service said freeze warnings will go into effect at midnight tonight for all of north Alabama and the northern part of central Alabama. Residents in those areas are urged to protect any sensitive plants or vegetation that could be harmed by the cold.

There are no freeze warnings in effect for south-central and south Alabama, where temperatures are expected to remain above freezing.

Another chilly night will be in store for Alabama on Monday, but some places could end up being a few degrees warmer then. Here are the forecast low temperatures from Monday night into Tuesday morning:

Here are the low temperatures expected Monday night into Tuesday morning.NWS

Heres more about tonights freeze warnings from the National Weather Service:

NORTH ALABAMA

Despite a few clouds late, temperatures are expected to drop between 29 and 32 degrees overnight into Monday morning. They should climb above freezing by 9 AM. Protect sensitive plants, your pets, and bundle up if heading out early Monday morning. #HUNwx pic.twitter.com/yR2qLw6SZG  NWS Huntsville (@NWSHuntsville) March 10, 2024

* Freeze warning from midnight tonight until 9 a.m. Monday for Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Marshall, Jackson, DeKalb and Cullman counties.

The National Weather Service in Huntsville said temperatures could fall as low as 29 degrees by Monday morning in the warning areas.

CENTRAL ALABAMA

Look for lots of sunshine across central AL over the next couple days, and chilly conditions the next couple of nights. If you live in the north half of AL & have frost sensitive plants that have started growing outside, you'll probably want to provide some protection. #alwx pic.twitter.com/pI3R1eO1cr  NWS Birmingham (@NWSBirmingham) March 10, 2024

* Freeze warning from midnight tonight until 9 a.m. Monday for Marion, Fayette, Winston, Walker, Blount, Etowah, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Clay and Randolph counties.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said low temperatures between 30 and 32 degrees will be possible in those areas.

These could be the coldest nights this week: Temperatures are expected to gradually warm up through the week.
U.S. Rep. Barry Moores vote on Wednesday against a partial federal funding package occurred one day after he defeated fellow Republican Congressman Jerry Carl in a bruising primary battle in Alabamas 1st congressional district.

Moore, in a statement, said the $460 million spending plan handed victories on climate change and other issues to President Joe Biden and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

But Carl had a different take. He explained his Yes vote illustrated pride in securing federal funds for his home district that included, among other things, $4 million for the Mobile International Airport for fire and rescue service improvements, $6 million for workforce development in South Baldwin County and millions of dollars more for pipes, road works, and other infrastructure improvements throughout the district.

Im proud to deliver results for Alabama and bring our tax dollars back home to reinvest in our communities, Carl said in a news release.

The House overwhelmingly approved the spending plan in a bipartisan vote that included a 6% budget cut to the FBI. The New York Times reported on Friday that of the $654 million lawmakers agreed to cut from the agency, $622 million came from eliminating money for the construction at the bureaus campus at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville.

Take care of district

The philosophical juxtaposition, which got drowned out during a campaign bombarded with negative ads focused on nationalized issues, is worrying coastal officials who are long used to bring-home-the-bacon congressmen in a district that relies heavily on federal appropriations for infrastructure work, environmental mitigation projects, defense spending, tourism, and more.

Moore, the sole Alabama congressional No vote on the defense spending package in December, vowed on the campaign trail that he does not support earmarks out of concern over the national debt. He also said he believes that by shoring up foreign spending in Ukraine and elsewhere will help pay for massive infrastructure projects back at home, such as the $2.7 billion Interstate 10 Mobile River & Bayway project.

Former U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne of Fairhope speaks during a media event on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at the Gulf Shores International Airport, Jack Edwards Field. The airport is named after the 1st congressional district lawmaker. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

We will be represented by someone from the Wiregrass who has been clear that he sees it as not his job to take care of the needs of this district, said Mobile Chamber president & CEO Bradley Byrne, who was the 1st district congressman from 2013-2021, before the district was redrawn last fall to split the City of Mobile from Baldwin County and to include all of Baldwin with portions of Mobile County with the rural Wiregrass region into a highly-conservative 1st district.

Previous congressman in the 1st district had been more business-friendly or moderate Republicans like Byrne and Carl, Jo Bonner, Sonny Callahan, and Jack Edwards. Mobile County was also the benefactor of appropriations secured for years by now-retired U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, whose name is on a building at the University of South Alabama and whose bust is on display overlooking the Mobile River.

We have become used to this district being supported by a congressman who worked hard in this district, Byrne said. Thats not Congressman Moores philosophy. If he doesnt pay close attention to this district, he can count on getting an opponent. On the other hand, if he pays attention to it, it makes the odds of having an opponent in this part of the district much lower.

Defending Moore

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, speaks to Republicans attending a campaign rally in support of his candidacy for Congress. Ohio Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, campaigned for Moore during the rally held on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, at Waters Edge in Robertsdale, Ala. Moore is running for the Republican nomination during the March 5, 2024, primary against U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl, R-Mobile, in the 1st congressional district race.John Sharp/jsharp@al.com

A Moore spokesperson, in a statement to AL.com Thursday night, said the congressman will work hard for his new constituents in Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia counties  despite those counties overwhelmingly backing Carl during Tuesdays primary.

Moore, of Enterprise, won with massive support from the six rural counties that make up the Wiregrass in Southeast Alabama. In Coffee County, for instance, Moore secured over 83% of the vote.

Congressman Moore has extensive experience in helping communities with economic development and helped bring Airbus to Mobile while serving in the State House, his congressional office said in a statement. As a small business owner for the past 20 years, hes very aware of the challenges created by unnecessary government regulations and high taxes and has fought to streamline processes and cut through the red tape that companies face.

The statement also included an assurance to coastal Alabama officials that he is not opposed to securing federal funds for infrastructure.

He made it clear during the campaign that the coastal community can depend on his assistance in procuring federal funds for the infrastructure projects that spur job growth and economic development, the statement reads. Considering Congressman Moore, on average, received 10 points more from the counties he represented than Congressman Carl received from his, it should be obvious that Moores current constituents are very happy with the job he has done, and he plans on working just has hard for his new constituents in Baldwin, Escambia and Mobile counties.

Indeed, Moore supporters believe the skeptics in Mobile and Baldwin counties need to give Moore a chance to prove himself.

I have no reason to believe he will treat citizens on one side of the state any different from the other side of the state, said J. Nicholas Bull, chairman of the Dale County Republican Party. More than 77% of the voters in Dale County backed Moore over Carl.

Hes been very responsive to the needs of the people in the Wiregrass, especially our veterans and he has, in my opinion, done a good job of representing us and listening to our needs here, Bull said. I have no reason to believe that will change moving forward.

Jonathan Gray, a Mobile-based campaign strategist and a spokesman for a political action committee supporting Moores campaign, said in the 30 years he has worked consulting campaigns in South Alabama, he cant recall a politician receiving as much support as Moore got in a competitive political race as he did within the Wiregrass counties.

I dont know of anyone who has gotten 80% support in a contested race like this, and I think it speaks volumes of what people in the Wiregrass think of Barry Moore, Gray said. Why would people here not give him a little time?

Overall, Moore got 3,649 more votes than Carl, winning 51.75 % of the vote, according to unofficial numbers from the Alabama Secretary of States Office.

Mayors react

Some of the local officials in Baldwin County are open to doing just that, though they are hesitant in offering full-throttled support of their likely new congressman. Moore does have a general election opponent in Mobile Democrat Tom Holmes, though he will be the heavy favorite. The congressional district ranks as among the 10 most conservative in the U.S. House.

I really liked Jerry Carl, and hes been there for us, said Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon. But I do like Mr. Moore. Hes extremely conservative. Hes the kind of person that doesnt pick favorites. I think he will come over and spend time in Mobile and Baldwin and be there for us. I think.

Spanish Fort Mayor Mike McMillan, who is angling for federal support to secure a post office in the city and for improvements along the Spanish Fort Causeway, said he is concerned about the fast-growing coastal area becoming forgotten in Congress.

I think its very important he does reach out to Baldwin County folks, McMillan said. We need to get warm and fuzzy with Mr. Moore like we did with Mr. Carl. Its important he reaches out to us, and us to him as well. Its a two-way street.

The mayors in Daphne, Foley and Fairhope are also saying they look forward to working with Moore and his staff.

Our infrastructure is severely taxed by our growth and some of the issues we deal with because of lack of border security, said Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich, expressing that he was cautiously optimistic that Moore will understand how important our economy is to Alabama. The city, in the latest spending plan, is set to get $726,000 for a police department project, according to the Carl news release.

Its imperative the federal government helps local entities, Hellmich said.

Still, skepticism looms among Republicans in the districts two largest counties. And it could be a while before Moore acts on the districts behalf  if he wins the general election, as expected, it wont be until January 2025, before hes representing the newly-drawn 1st district.

Congressman Moores strategy was effective, and he won with a good margin, said State Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, who represents a sizable potion of Baldwin County. Now its time to govern. He has my full support. I appreciate his comments that he will help us in securing funding (on infrastructure projects). He has to prove it and make it happen. There is an election every two years (in Congress). Well see.

Shifting viewpoints

Wiley Blankenship, who oversaw the business-friendly Coastal 150 PAC that backed Carl ahead of the election, said hes heard from people concerned in the area about their likely new congressman not supporting efforts to secure federal support for the I-10 bridge, and that people are nervous and scared to death over Moores past statements of not accepting federal earmarks.

If he doesnt take that money and pass it down, then it will go somewhere else, Blankenship said. I see what he is saying in that we dont need that type of thing but  its so hard to get dollars to do what you need. The state only has so much money and the local people can only produce so much. If he doesnt take it, that money will go somewhere else, to a Colorado or New York, and someone will be glad to take it and spend it.

Gray said he believes Moore, once a hardline No against earmarks, has shown support as a limited earmark person by backing federal funds for some infrastructure projects.

Thats what you want elected officials to do, he said. They come to the table with gut feelings on something and through an educated process, they learn and evolve. The best elected officials learn and educate themselves and grow and evolve whether its Barack Obama or George Bush or (Mobile Mayor ) Sandy Stimpon who we watch growth from his first year as mayor to the mayor he is today. Its a different Sandy Stimpson. Same with Barry Moore. I have no reason to think he wont come down here and listen to people.

Byrne said he has hopes for Moore, even though he said each of the candidates remaining in the 2nd district contest  Democrats Shomari Figures, Anthony Daniels and Republicans Dick Brewbaker and Caroleen Dobson  have vocalized or expressed interest in supporting Mobile.

I take them all for their word that they will take care of Mobile and Congressman Moore, who says that will not be part of his job, Byrne said. We will still put our needs and issues before him and ask him to be an advocate for our area. We wont give up on him.
Just over two years from now, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and one group is already preparing for it.

America250 is launching Americas Field Trip, a nationwide scholastic contest for elementary, middle, and high school students to submit artwork, videos, and essays reflecting on What America means to them. The contest requires individual submissions and parental permission, and is open until May 17, 2024. Funding is provided by The Bank of New York Mellon Foundation.

BNY Mellon was founded by Alexander Hamilton just a few years after the birth of America, and we are proud of our firms heritage of advancing Americas industries and communities over the century, said Jayee Koffey, Global Head of Enterprise Execution and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for BNY Mellon. Its fitting that we participate in telling the countrys story of growth and resilience through Americas Field Trip and inspiring the next generation to continue the nations long history of innovation.

Seventy-five first-place winners will receive free travel, lodging, and field trip experiences to one location of their choice. Second-place winners will receive $500 cash awards. The initial field trip experiences and partners include a costumed revolutionary era roleplaying experience at American Village. The village, located on 188 acres in Montevallo, is an educational institution that seeks to strengthen American liberty and constitutional self-government, with a special emphasis on youth programs, according to its website. It is a living museum with classrooms, a stage and theater.

Other trips will include:

Tour of the Statue of Liberty in New York

Tour and hike at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Montana

Weekend at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado

Unique tours at the National Archives and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

Special tours at the Smithsonians National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, or the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Explore Americas iconic financial capital, New York City, with private tours of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Museum and Learning Center and The Bank of New York Mellon, the countrys oldest bank.

Tour of the USS Constitution Museum in Boston

Candlelight tour at Fort Point at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge

The contest is open to students in grades 3-12 in the United States, has no entry fee, and must be submitted by a parent or teacher. The first prize winner must travel with their parents.

America250 is led by the United States Semiquincentennial Commission, which aims to be the largest and most inclusive commemoration in American history. Alabamas own Robert Aderholt, a US Representative, is on the leadership team for America250. Also on the team is Mobile native and current Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

Americas Field Trip is one of the most ambitious education engagement campaigns ever attempted because its more than a contest its an extraordinary opportunity to bring students across the country together in celebrating and commemorating our nations 250th anniversary by exploring our past and allowing them to express their dreams for the future, said America250 Chair, Rosie Rios. Were proud to launch this nationwide effort alongside BNY Mellon, whose support will make it possible to send students on experiences of a lifetime. As we forge ahead toward our nations 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026, this historic milestone is just as much about the future as it is our past and Americas Field Trip will help empower young people to stand at the heart of this endeavor.

Official Rules
Sen. Katie Britt delivers the Republican response to President Bidens State of the Union Address pic.twitter.com/x7mDzO1sWP  Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) March 10, 2024

Well, it was bound to happen.

After U.S. Sen. Katie Britts Republican response to President Joe Bidens State of the Union unleashed many late night and social media jokes, Scarlett Johansson played the part of Alabamas junior senator for Saturday Night Lives cold open.

Tonight Ill be auditioning for the part of scary mom and Ill be performing an original monologue called this country is hell, The Avengers star said in the same strange, empty kitchen setting as Britts speech.

The GOP, she said, chose the setting because women love kitchen. She also said its where families have hard conversations, like the one well have tomorrow about how Mommy freaked out the entire country.

You see, Im not just a Senator. Im a wife, a mother, and the craziest bitch in a Target parking lot, she said.

She then did a pivot out of nowhere into a shockingly violent story about sex trafficking, a reference to Karla Jacinta Romero, who was sexually assaulted 20 years ago in Mexico, not in recent years in the United States, as Britt implied in her rebuttal.

Rest assure every detail about it is real, except the year, where it took place, and who was president when it happened, said Johansson, who is married to SNLs Colin Jost.

She said she was also selling gorgeous, bejeweled cross necklaces like the one Britt is frequently seen wearing. You can wear it from da church to da club.

Also appearing in cold open was Kenan Thompson, as he and Johansson recreated the tea stirring scene from Get Out.

Johansson, as Britt, closed out by warning Biden, This isnt the last youll see of Katie Britt. Maybe not in politics, but when you close your eyes Ill be right there.

Weekend Update with Colin Jost and Michael Che! pic.twitter.com/RzzJ1fDtqG  Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) March 10, 2024

Jost referenced Britts speech during Weekend Update, noting she had made some choices.

After showing snippets of her GOP response, Jost said those were all scenes from her one-woman show, A Britt Much.

Its the play critics are calling, Is she OK?

Here is the entire cold open, featuring Mikey Day as Biden giving the State of the Union address with Ego Nwodim as CNNs Abby Phillip and Heidi Gardner as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin is expecting his first child with wife Kendra Woodfin, he announced on Facebook Sunday.

Kendra, LOVE is beautiful! LOVE is all we need! Woodfin captioned a photo of the couple, with his hand over her stomach. Baby Woodfin coming August 2024.

This will be Woodfins first child. Kendra Woodfin, formerly Kendra Morris, has two children from a previous marriage.

Randall Woodfin was elected mayor of Birmingham in 2017 and was reelected in 2021. He previously served as President of the Birmingham City Board of Education and as an assistant city attorney.

Kendra Woodfin is owner and broker at Iron City Premier Realty, a real estate brokerage based in Birmingham. The Woodfins are Birmingham natives.

The Woodfins got married last fall, and their wedding was featured in the New York Times Vows section. Kendra Woodfin told the New York Times they began dating in 2021 after she told him shed had a dream about him.

I told him Id dreamed that we were just riding around in a black truck downtown, listening to music, and it was raining, Kendra Woodfin told the New York Times.
Sundays can be days for catching up on things, including local stories you may have missed in last weeks daily digital editions of The Birmingham News. So, to help you out, here are some of the stories our readers found most interesting.

Hoover trash pickup: Thousands of local AmWaste customers with Wednesday/Saturday garbage pickups will receive a new pickup schedule by the end of this month. Lede reporter Heather Gann had the details.

Primary victory oddity: A funny thing happened on the way to the polls Tuesday: GOP voters in the 7th District voted for Christian Horn as their candidate for the general election in the U.S. House of Representative race. The funny thing is  Horn had quit the race before the election. Nick Patterson and Heather Gann had the story.

Mafia-like towing service: A group of Birmingham lawyers recently filed a class action lawsuit against local towing company Parking Enforcement Systems (PES) accusing the company of illegal towing and over-charging. The Ledes Heather Gann broke it down.
The Athens company trying to bring a rock quarry to the southeastern Limestone County community of Belle Mina is promising much needed tax revenue and about 75 jobs.

Randy Thomason, a Grayson Carter & Son Contracting corporate officer, promises the company will be a good community citizen.
MANILA, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Philippine security forces have killed two suspected militants in a clash in the southern Philippines, the military said on Sunday.

In a report, the military said fighting broke out around 5 a.m. local time Saturday after troops chanced upon a group of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in a village in Maguindanao del Sur province.

The BIFF militants fled after the fighting, leaving behind an M16 assault rifle, a .50-caliber homemade barret and two improvised explosive devices, the report read.

The BIFF, a small armed group aligned with the Islamic State group, is blamed for bombings and other atrocities in the Central Mindanao region in the southern Philippines.

The group broke off from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front when the latter agreed to negotiate a peace pact with the government in 2014. 










English News China, U.S. should meet each other halfway, turn "San Francisco vision" into reality

Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 5 Mars 2024



Both sides should meet each other halfway, strengthen dialogue and communication, actively cooperate with each other when there are opportunities, resolve problems when they arise, and manage differences where they exist. Only by doing so can they benefit themselves as well as the people of both countries, and jointly promote world peace and development.

By Zhong Sheng, People's Daily In recent times, both China and the United States have been working together to implement the consensus reached by the heads of state of China and the United States at the San Francisco meeting.



They have engaged in dialogues and exchanges in various fields and at different levels, which has helped stabilize the China-U.S. relationship from deterioration and sent a positive signal to the world.



The international community has positively evaluated the constructive interaction between China and the United States. It is believed that both countries are taking concrete actions to effectively implement the "San Francisco vision," which is beneficial for the well-being of their respective peoples and also contributes to global peace, stability, and prosperity.



Last November, Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden held a summit meeting in San Francisco. The two heads of state had in-depth exchange of views on strategic and overarching issues critical to the direction of China-U.S. relations.



The two sides reached more than 20 deliverables in such areas as political affairs and foreign policy, trade and finance, people-to-people exchange, global governance, and military and security, and embraced a future-oriented San Francisco vision. These efforts have pointed the way and drawn a blueprint for the development of China-U.S. relations.



These important deliverables are further proof of the broad common interests of China and the United States and the mutually beneficial nature of China-U.S. relations. They demonstrate that dialogue and cooperation is the only right choice for the two countries.



The most important task for both China and the United States at present is to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state and make the San Francisco vision a reality, so as to promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of the bilateral relationship.



The two sides decided to resume military-to-military communication, started economic, financial, trade and climate actions, and established a working group on counternarcotics cooperation. The Chinese side also invited young Americans to China on exchange and study programs, and government talks on artificial intelligence has been initiated. The dialogues and exchanges between China and the United States have received wide attention.



To turn the San Francisco vision into reality, the right approach for the two sides is to respect each other, coexist in peace and pursue win-win cooperation. The two sides should jointly develop a right perception, manage disagreements effectively and advance mutually beneficial cooperation.



In the past 45 years since establishing diplomatic relations, China and the United States have experienced ups and downs in their relationship, which has maintained a positive momentum in general. The two sides have achieved fruitful results in their cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries.



China and the United States have engaged in beneficial cooperation on various regional hotspots and global issues, promoting world peace, stability, and prosperity.



This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. The two sides should take this opportunity to sum up experience and draw lessons, treat each other as equals instead of in a condescending way, build common ground and shelving instead of highlighting differences, and respect instead of undermining each other's core interests. Both sides should work together toward mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, finding the right way for China and the United States to get along with each other. This is a natural requirement of historical evolution and a universal expectation of the international community.



David Lampton, professor emeritus of China studies at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, believes that currently, the relationship between the United States and China is in a state of dynamic evolution. Both countries need to steer this evolution towards a better rather than worse direction and strive to find common ground.



To turn the San Francisco vision into reality, the United States should view China's development in an objective and rational way, persue a positive and pragmatic China policy, and honor commitments with concrete actions.



The China-U.S. relationship is the most important and complex bilateral relationship in the world. To responsibly manage the relationship, the U.S. side must form the right perception of China, and reflect on the fundamental and overarching issue of whether the two sides are adversaries or partners.



There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China's territory. This is the true status quo of the Taiwan question. It is the "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and the connivance and support of external forces that are trying to change this status quo. The United States should abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and follow through on its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence".



The attempts to "de-China" in the name of "de-risking" and to build "a small yard with high fences" to "decouple from China" will ultimately backfire on the U.S. itself. The U.S. side should lift its illegal unilateral sanctions against Chinese companies and individuals and refrain from doing things harmful to China's legitimate development rights and interests. It should stop the unwarranted harassment and interrogation of Chinese citizens and do more things conducive to enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples.



The world today is undergoing major changes unseen in a century, and finds itself in a new period of turbulence and transformation. The humanity is facing many challenges. The international community needs a stable China-U.S. relationship now more than ever.



China and the United States need to have a sense of responsibility for history, for the people and for the world, and plan the next stage of interactions at all levels between the two countries under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state.



Both sides should meet each other halfway, strengthen dialogue and communication, actively cooperate with each other when there are opportunities, resolve problems when they arise, and manage differences where they exist. Only by doing so can they benefit themselves as well as the people of both countries, and jointly promote world peace and development.



(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)



Dans la meme rubrique : < > China's cruise economy embraces rapid development China still considered favorable investment destination by foreign companies China will remain staunch force for peace, stability, progress of world Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)










English News Guizhou transforms its bridges into catalysts driving regional development

Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 5 Mars 2024



The popularity of the hotel has further unleashed the tourism value of the Baling River Bridge, with many boutique high-end B&B hotels clustering in Manzhai village, which generate over 16 million yuan ($2.22 million) annually.

By Huang Xian Guizhou in southwest China is the only Chinese province that comes with no plain. Though the special geographical environment has brought development bottlenecks there, it also makes the province a perfect place for building world-class bridges.



So far, more than 30,000 bridges have been constructed or under construction in Guizhou, and nearly half of the world's highest 100 bridges are built there. The bridges spanning mountains and valleys have dramatically improved transportation in the province, which was once largely impassable due to its extreme mountainous terrain.



The bridges built in the province has further improved its road network. Today, Guizhou is home to over 200,000 kilometers of highways, including 8,000 kilometers of operational expressways. The province has become a real transportation hub in southwest China, which sees prosperous flow of people and goods.



"What a delight it is to enjoy the delicious food while admiring this magnificent bridge!" exclaimed Zhang Jing, a tourist who drove all the way to Guizhou from Shanghai, and had breakfast at a restaurant in the service area of Pingtang grand bridge, also known as the "Sky Bridge."



Outside the window stood the majestic Pingtang grand bridge, towering in the mountains and surrounded by the morning mist. The bridge officially opened in 2019, spanning across the Caodu River. With its main tower reaching 332 meters in height, it is currently the world's highest three-tower cable-stayed bridge, lauded as the "Sky Bridge" for its record-breaking height and graceful design.



The "Sky Bridge" sightseeing service area where Zhang had breakfast is just 1.3 kilometers away from the bridge, which is an ideal point to admire this world-class bridge.



In addition to the usual parking, refueling, and dining services expected of a service area, it also houses a gift shop, hotels, a lodge on the cliff, a shopping mall, photo spots, an RV park, an off-road racing field and other novel tourism facilities.



Sightseeing is one of the key considerations when Guizhou builds bridges. For instance, viewing platforms were built when the Liuzhi grand bridge along the Nayong-Qinglong Expressway was constructed, so that it would be convenient for people to appreciate the grand sceneries.



Known as the "Museum of world Bridges", Guizhou is making full use of its bridge resources, with scenery and the bridges complementing each other. The fusion of bridges and tourism is becoming a new driver of tourism growth in Guizhou.



Driving along the expanded six-lane Banqiao to Xinpu section of the LanzhouHaikou Expressway in Guizhou province, one could get a sense of time travel while passing through the many tunnels and bridges. Along this 37-kilometer stretch, there are 13 bridges and seven tunnels, which make up 65.8 percent of the section's total length.



The Tuanze Service Area along the section is where the first expressway logistics park in southwest China locates. Goods can be directly distributed in the park without leaving the expressway system.



Song Meng, general manager of the service management company under Guizhou Expressway Investment Group, told People's Daily that building logistics parks in service areas gives play to expressways' advantages in location, traffic flow and transportation, and is thus beneficial for creating new business models and operations.



"This is a proactive attempt for us to explore developing road economy along the expressways and promoting economic growth across the expressway network," Song said.



The bridges have not only boosted logistics, but also spawned clusters of B&B hotels. Located halfway up a hill in Manzhai village, Baishui township, Guanling Buyei and Miao autonomous county, the internet-famous B&B hotel Jianlu  Yueshan is known for its views of the Baling River Bridge. Since this Spring Festival, the hotel has been fully booked every day.



The popularity of the hotel has further unleashed the tourism value of the Baling River Bridge, with many boutique high-end B&B hotels clustering in Manzhai village, which generate over 16 million yuan ($2.22 million) annually.



Guizhou has cleverly capitalized on its bridges to stimulate economic growth across multiple industries, including tourism, local specialty processing, and catering.



By building on its inherent assets and strategically expanding roads and bridges, Guizhou has transformed tourism appeal and logistics capabilities into catalysts that drive regional development.



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)
As Joe Biden spends millions to drop free food onto Gaza amid Hamas reports of mass starvation, the question arises as to whether the Gazans actually are starving.

Israel says they aren't, but no need to take their word for it. More about that later.

Gaza's denizens themselves have decided to let us know.

This one doesn't like the food choices, looking like he's never missed a meal:

Azati complains about the drop in aid and the quality of the food in the aid packages:



They concentrate us in a certain place and then drop the aid somewhere else, on the border or in the sea....

It's silly... and the dishes are silly... we'd better drop a kilo of flour. This is pic.twitter.com/OLhJJXr2zh  Gator Nana (@GatorNanaJag) March 10, 2024

Based on other tweets seen around on X (Twitter), others have complained that the meals-ready-to-eat for troops in the field being dropped are spaghetti instead of falafel and pitas, and one claimed the menu contained pork, which is not halal, though I doubt guys with a lot of beer guts practice a lot of halal otherwise. Picky, picky, picky, not the behavior of supposedly starving people, and recall that captured Hamas fighters looked like this:

I think we found out whose been stealing all the humanitarian aid rations. Allahu Snackbar!! #HamasTerrorists pic.twitter.com/5zGuuxVfak  Adam (@aSeegz) December 8, 2023

Meanwhile, this one's using Biden's airdropped food aid to feed stray cats:

pic.twitter.com/ktYkCcRSo5

 Gator Nana (@GatorNanaJag) March 10, 2024

This one's upset that it came from Americans.

In the attached video, you see a resident of Gaza who is so hungry that he decides to throw away the American aid that was dropped to him at the expense of the American taxpayer, and I am among them. Not only does he complain about the food someone else gives him because he pic.twitter.com/ZXtn3Ji8Xm  Intel Catalyst (@IntelCatalyst) March 5, 2024

Starvation? This is not how starving people act.

This one has a pretty clear-eyed view of what is going on:

Listen to what this man says about the situation in North Gaza and listen to what he DOESN'T say.

He doesn't say there is no food.

He says the food is not reaching the needy. It is going to the wrong people, to those who don't need it, because of favoritism. And that food in pic.twitter.com/ZJkoncdcLQ  Imshin (@imshin) March 6, 2024

According to the Jerusalem Post, there probably are hungry people but mass starvation isn't what's going on:

A former senior Israeli defense official who I spoke to on condition of anonymity has also said that there is no food shortage in Gaza; there are those who are hungry since Hamas has taken all of the food and they dont have enough money to pay Hamas on the black market. According to this former official, the food does not reach those who need it most since Hamas controls approximately 70-80% of the area. What happens is that Israel and foreign countries bring food and aid into Gaza. Then gangs take the supplies at gunpoint, and a significant portion of the population is left unable to afford necessities. THE SITUATION in Gaza is akin to hunger in New York, where homeless people suffer not from a lack of food but from a lack of money to purchase it, he explained.

There probably are hungry people in Gaza, but that's because Hamas has control of all the food drops and aid -- and shakes the locals down for their money at extortionate prices if they want any.

No money to Hamas, no food for them:

That's consistent with all modern man-made famines everywhere else.

According to scholar Michael Rubin, writing in the National Interest about a place called Somaliland, a section of Somalia that is a pretty functional undeclared country, quite unlike Somalia itself which gets diplomatic recognition:

Somaliland became independent in 1960 and, after a failed merger with Somalia, re-declared independence in 1991. While Blackhawk Down seared Somalias failure and anarchy into the American mind, Somaliland remained at peace. Democracy and government capacity matter. When drought hit the Horn of Africa in 2006, 2011, and 2017, Somalis suffered, but Ethiopia and Somalilanders rallied, transporting food where the population needed it most and saving their citizens lives. Much of the population of Somaliland escaped starvation as, local government officials explained to me, they were able to transport food across the country without fear of looting.

Emphasis is mine.

We sure as heck don't see that in Gaza. Aid trucks are being looted and burned by Hamas supporters who steal all the aid and then sell it to Gazans for profit.

Now we see more of this dynamic with Biden's airdrops intended to alleviate hunger at great cost to the U.S. and great danger to our servicemembers, effectively putting more food in Hamas's greedy gullets and pocketbooks, if not serving as food for dumpsters and stray cats.

Experts on famine know what goes on in famines, particularly man-made ones, where soup kitchen-style aid doesn't work the way they think it will work. Amateur do-gooders toss food at endangered populations thinking they can feed them, when what these populations really need is money to buy food because bad guys have all the food and control all the routes in for food.

We see that now in Gaza, with Hamas eating all the food, and well-fed Hamas allies expressing customer service complaints as various ingrates.

Gaza doesn't need food. Gaza needs Hamas out of there. Israel's war to end Hamas as an organization is the only effective idea here in ensuring that Gazans are going to get food.

Image: Twitter video screen shot
Imagine it's the Fall, and the campaign is on.

Yes, it's a few months away, but the Biden campaign is setting the table for saying "no" to debate with former President Trump. It started this week.

This is from The New York Post:

President Biden confirmed Friday that he may refuse to debate former President Donald Trump ahead of their anticipated election rematch. It depends on his behavior, the 81-year-old Biden told reporters as he left the White House for a campaign trip to Philadelphia.

Of course, how can he debate an insurrectionist? Why would the Biden White House stand on the stage with such a man?

The real reason is that President Biden can't.

First, he does not have the stamina to stand there for 90 minutes and go back and forth with the former president. It's one thing to read from a teleprompter and butcher words. Debate is more complicated.

Second, nothing is going right. Do you expect the "right/wrong direction" polls to change? Very unlikely in such a polarized nation. He is down 44.

Of course, all bets are off if the Democrats dump Mr. Biden. At the same time, Vice President Kamala Harris or California's Gov. Gavin Newsom will have the same record to defend.

Debates? I don't think so!

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Screen shot from NBC News video, via YouTube
The Great Biden Hamas Airdrop is not off to an auspicious beginning. The problem is cargo planes must fly low and slow for such missions, and even then, they cant drop their cargo with any real precision. Flying that mission profile, theyre vulnerable to shoulder-fired missiles and ground fire. Fly high enough to be reasonably safe, and well

At least five people were killed and 10 others injured when airdropped aid packages fell on them in the Al Shati camp west of Gaza City, according to a journalist on the scene. [skip] In a video obtained by CNN on Friday, an airdrop goes wrong when the parachute on a pallet malfunctions. The pallet and its contents can be seen falling at a high speed towards a residential building near the Fairoz Towers in western Gaza.

Graphic: X Screenshot

As the aid races towards the ground, free-falling bags are also seen coming apart in a shower of debris, and later seen and heard impacting the ground with audible loud thuds. While most of the other parachutes appear to have deployed properly, the pallets are still falling at a potentially dangerous speed, which could have made it difficult for anyone to get out of its way as it touched down on the ground.

Ooops.

Thus do we see the inevitable result of good intentionsIm being very generouswithout knowledge, experience, or the willingness to listen to those that possess both. Joe Biden, President of the Mummified Meat Puppet Administration (MMPA), at his recent State of the Union teleprompter slurring, announced our military will now be tasked to build a port in Gaza to allow cargo ships to offload supplies. To our deadly enemy, the enemy of civilization, a proxy of Iran, monsters who are at this moment holding Americans hostage and will not confirm if they are dead or alive. We are also assured there will be no boots on the ground. Apparently, our troops can walk on water, or perhaps there are previously undisclosed, top secret personal jet packs that will allow them to hover over ground as they build this port.

Why now? Why a port? Did the MMPA suddenly realize what a public relations disaster bombing Gazans with pallets full of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) is? Did military members forced to subsist on MREs inform the MMPA giving MREs to civilians could be considered an act of war? Or has the MMPA now decided its time to starve the Israelis, our ally, of what they need to win? Has the MMPA now fully, or nearly so, changed sides? Whatever the reasons, this is extraordinarily stupid, even for the MMPA:

*What ally is going to believe anything America says in the future? Who will believe America will not betray them as the MMPA is betraying Israel?

*Our ships, many of them unarmed cargo ships, will be sitting ducks for the weapons Iran supplies to Hamas and our numerous other proxy enemies in the area.

*Our troops will be sitting ducks, even in warships too close to shore to allow sufficient standoff time for defensive weapons.

*The idea a port can be built in Gaza, during an active war, without innumerable American troops on enemy soil is idiotic. Hundreds, at the least, will be required, and thousands will be in support, constantly moving supplies, building materials and providing security, all while directly exposed to enemy fire of all kinds.

*Even if it were possible to safely build a port, what private company will risk their ships to service it even with American naval escort?

Graphic: X Screenshot

We are going to lose American lives, in the hundreds if not thousands. Well lose ships in a Navy already far too small and shrinking, and for what? To provide Hama with more and better supplies theyll steal to continue their genocidal jihad against Israel and western civilization? To give civilizations enemies the means to continue to wage war against Israel, to prolong the conflict they started and swear to continue until they kill every Jew? The MMPA does this knowing even more Gazans will die the longer the war drags on. They do this to protect our enemies even as they destroy the American economy and throw our borders open, damaging our national security and personal safety. How can this be?

These are people who think themselves morally and intellectually superior. Their policies are unfalsifiable; they cannot possibly be wrong. There is no evidence that can prove them wrong, so they do not bother to listen to any. They create their own reality and try to force others to live in and praise it, praise their superior morality and unfathomable wisdom.

American servicemen and women, in a military few are willing to join, will die, and the light of civilization will dim more every day to feed medieval savages.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
Watching CNN is a bit like watching someone who locked their keys in a convertible  with the top down  except that its less watchable and not nearly as fun or funny outside of the irony of the most trusted name in news lying like Pinocchio all day, every day.

Its a frustrating, maddening experience, really more akin to listening to someone you know was out cheating on you offer up a fictional story about how they were out visiting a sick relative than a news program.

Its not even news; its news (fictionalized current events-themed advocacy-based programming).

CNN doesnt make it up as they go; they are fed an endless steaming pile of narrative, and they just regurgitate it.

CNN doesnt issue corrections for broadcasting incorrect information  they tried once, but they got Wite-Out all over their teleprompters.

As stupid as CNN is  ironically, when a CNN talking hairpiece moves to MSNBC, the average intelligence of both networks' office staff goes up.

I dont watch CNN (much) for the same reason I dont huff paint  it kills too many brain cells and makes the user delusional and paranoid  and it gives me a headache.

Then theres the constant race-baiting, class-baiting, and gender-baiting  one might say that the folks at CNN are master baiters.

Speaking of CNN Chief Legal Analyst Jeffery Toobin and the utter moral turpitude on parade at the network ...

Why does this guy still work there after the non-apology, apology he gave for his behavior during a Zoom call meeting at another media outlet (that wisely fired him)?

Jeff wasnt sorry about his behavior, he said he was sorry the camera was on. Jeffery basically said that the only problem with him badgering the one-eyed witness during a Zoom call  was that the camera was on.

Jeffs moral stance leaves me wondering why the world doesnt get a restraining order against him to keep him 1,500 feet from any and all television cameras.

But bringing Jeffery back isnt immoral (or immature) enough for CNN. In order to crawl around in the sewers properly, they had to bring on a Democrat congresswoman (and believe me, shes both a lowercase 'd' and 'c' in that title).

Sadly for me (and CNN it turns out), Friday was quilt-washing day, and the cleanest laundromat in town plays CNN. Although I was only exposed to about 10 minutes of their drivel, it was enough time for them to demonstrate both stupidity and immorality  in one sentence.

In that sentence, Susan Wild (D-PA), made the dumbest, most immoral comment Ive ever heard.

If you have a moral objection to abortion, the solution is easy dont have one

So what the congresswoman was saying is that if you feel murder is immoral, dont kill anyone. If you think stealing is wrong, dont steal. If you think rape is wrong  dont rape.

Yeah, congresswoman  because thats how government functions in Western Civilization.

Heres one more little 'c' for Congresswoman Wild  if you dont want to get pregnant, dont engage in coitus.

Despite all the claims of nonbinary genders and the like  pregnancy is still 100% preventable. And it still takes two to tango.

But in her discussion of reproductive rights, lost on her is that abortion isnt reproductive; abortion is the opposite of reproduction.

But the priestess of the unborn sacrificial alter business often uses misleading terminology to suit her agenda (you knownot planned, and not parenthood).

CNN is a disgusting organization. Im wondering why they dont just show the no more wire hangers scene from Mommy Dearest. Faye Dunaway, playing Joan Crawford at her worst, is still more watchable than Susan Wild at her best  and it would be a more intelligent argument for the indefensible crime of murdering a baby in the womb.

The stupidity and hypocrisy are one thing but when Hustler magazine has more journalistic integrity (and frankly, higher moral standards)  oh, how the mighty have fallen, and they just cant seem to get up!

I will not accept a lecture from the British government on human rights; Keith Richards on sobriety; or CNN on morality. A few years ago, CNN was all up in arms about the maskless killing grandma and abortion basically does the same thing (no grandbabies, no grandmas).

I cant believe a trip to the laundromat has to be so disgusting. Maybe I need a bigger washer and dryer. Because the news is starting to sound a lot like the lyrics of the Iron Maiden song Two minutes to midnight."

Image: Logo, via Wikipedia // fair use
The common opinion, at least in the West, about the starting date of the current crisis that might escalate into nuclear WWIII is February 24, 2022, with Putins unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

However, many unbiased observers believe that it began with the Western-backed regime-change coup in Ukraine eight years earlier. Victoria Nuland, at that time, was assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs (position rank No. 6 in the State Department structure), and it was she who coordinated this coup on the ground, thus earning the dubious title of Mother of Maidan.

You may recall Nulands famous utterance from around this time: F--- the E.U. One would assume that using obscene language, especially against allies, should have led to her immediate resignation or at least demotion. Instead, President Barack Obama and secretary of state John Kerry did just the opposite by promoting her to the much higher (No. 3) position of under-secretary of state for political affairs.

One explanation is that she did a good job. The coup was successful: the pro-NATO Kyiv regime was installed and replaced the one that, despite being legally elected, was not interested in joining NATO.

Another possible reason was that during the coup, Nuland was in almost daily contact with V.P. Joe Biden, to whom Obama had given the Ukrainian portfolio. She admitted this in the same leaked phone conversation with the U.S. ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt. However, this admission was overshadowed by Nulands use of expletive language.

As for her unexpected resignation, some believe that it was due to her failure to get the No. 2 position to succeed Wendy Sherman as deputy secretary of state after her retirement back in July last year. Nuland had to use the term acting in this position, but in the end, she lost a battle when Biden and secretary of state Antony Blinken nominated Kurt Campbell for this spot.

However, after Campbell had already got the job, Nuland addressed a meeting at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where she didnt mention an intention to resign. Instead, she radiated optimism, saying the tide had turned Ukraines way and that very soon, Russia would be smashed.

Earlier last month, during her trip to Kyiv, Nuland promised surprises for Russia on the Ukraine battlefield. The State Department spokesman Matthew Miller also assured the press that surprise was imminent. Instead, it looks as though Washington, London, and Paris got their surprises when Germany leaked their military presence in Ukraine.

The real reason for Nulands departure will be known sooner or later since Washington is well known for its leaks, but what is more important is that this Angel of Death, as the former foreign editor of the Washington Times and well known historian Martin Sieff called her, is no longer calling the shots.

When it comes to her replacement, a temporary one is John Bass, a former ambassador to Afghanistan who will be a bit later replaced by Julianne Smith after the Senate confirmation. Taking into account that in the past, Bass worked for Strobe Talbott during his term as deputy secretary of state in Bill Clintons administration and was a strong advocate of NATO expansion, while Smith was a Pentagon official who also served as thenvice president Bidens deputy national security adviser, one can hardly be optimistic.

The real change might come after the November elections, but let us raise hopes only a little. Even if Trump wins, and manages to assemble a team that shares his ideas that going along with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing, there are powerful forces that might prevent him from implementing his agenda, as they did during his first term.

This is what the distinguished American diplomat George Kennan wrote in 1987, when the USSR was still around, in his preface to Norman Cousinss 1987 book, The Pathology of Power: Were the Soviet Union to sink tomorrow under the waters of the ocean, the American military-industrial complex (MIC) would have to remain, substantially unchanged until some other adversary could be invented.

Former senior CIA analyst Ray McGovern believes that since then, MIC has grown into a much more powerful body named MICIMATT, which means military-industrial-Congress-intelligence-academy-think-tank complex.

One idea published in the Washington Times suggests that Trump, in case of his victory, call a Yalta 2.0 summit with Putin and Xi. Modi and Lulu might be considered as well. They should start a discussion of the frame of the new worlds security infrastructure. Once they reach a preliminary agreement, each can discuss it with his allies and partners to reach a comprehensive text.

Those who see this as unrealistic are welcome to present their ideas, since we are running out of time. The risk of WWIII is constantly growing. Four years ago, former energy secretary Ernest Moniz and Senator Sam Nunn issued a warning that the world needs a wake-up call about sleepwalking toward the nuclear precipice. Presently, it is no longer sleepwalking, but accelerating.

Repeated threats by Biden and his advisers about their intention to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia while its military doctrine orders using nuclear weapons in the face of such developments prove that a nuclear war is on the horizon  if not by design, then by accident.

Image: Victoria Nuland. Credit: Gunjan Raj Giri via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Biden has never made a secret of his hatred for Bibi Netanyahu (and its easy to see why a stupid, draft-dodging man would hate an intelligent, accomplished warrior). Still, hes now taking that hatred to new levels as he actively works to interfere in Israeli politics. For decades, leftists told us that it was morally wrong to try to affect a nations internal politics, but that doesnt apply when the nation is a liberal democratic allyand the worlds only Jewish state.

The New York Intelligencer reported on sources saying that Biden intends to overthrow Netanyahu, the democratically elected leader of a U.S. ally (emphasis mine):

Weeks before uncommitted voters sent a message to Joe Biden that he needs to bring an end to Israels war in Gaza or risk losing reelection, the president had evidently decided  to borrow another American neologism  to consciously uncouple from Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels recalcitrant prime minister. In the past month, he has, through a series of relatively quiet but closely linked and deliberate moves, sought to marginalize Bibi, as Netanyahu is ubiquitously known, internationally and at home. The change spilled out publicly on Thursday night following the State of the Union address, when Biden announced he ordered the U.S. military to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza via a sea pier. After the speech, Biden was stopped by Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, who told him to keep pushing Israels leader. Smiling, Biden said, I told him, Bibi, dont repeat this you & I are going to have a come to Jesus moment. Hidden behind Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a presidential aide whispered, Sir, youre on a hot mic, to which a buoyant Biden replied, Im on a hot mic here. Good. Thats good. [snip] One Israeli expert frequently consulted by American officials says, I have been asked by a serious administration figure what it is that will force the Netanyahu coalition to collapse. They were interested in the mechanics, what can we demand which will collapse his coalition.

The same essay notes that Biden is undermining Netanyahu with his pier-building plan and the Gaza supply airdrops. As I have pointed out (and currently seem to be the only one saying), the pier effectively forces a ceasefire on Israel. Thats because Gaza is so small, Israel cannot risk an errant rocket hitting American troops anchored off of Gazas coast.

Leftists used to hate it when America interfered in the internal politics of another nation, especially nations that were hostile to America. Now, though, its a good thing because Israel is the lefts enemy. Israel is the only nation in the entire Middle East that has full civil rights for all residents, regardless of race, creed, sex, gender identity, or country of national originand it is the country the left hates most of all. The obvious reason is that this is because Israel sided with America during the Soviet-era Cold War.

It's deeper than that, though. Leftists despise Western culture and, as always, the enemy of their enemy is their friend. If you hate the West, you must love the Islamists who loudly and with firepower threaten the West. Because the Islamists hate Israel, so do the leftists. And Israel, of course, is the ultimate Western nation, despite its Middle Eastern location.

Thats because Israel is the home of the ideology that underlies all Western culture: The Bible, both its Old and New Testaments. Worse, the Jewish nation ostentatiously believes in that Bible, grounding its rights to the land and its values in the God-given and archaeologically confirmed history of the Torah.

Three smart tweets, one from Noah Pollak (with a little added commentary from me) and the other two from Mark Levin, sum up what Bidens policies toward Israel and its duly elected Prime Minister reveal:

@NoahPollak Best summation of what's happening but leaves out something: This effectively forces a ceasefire on Israel because Gaza is too small for Israel to risk an errant rocket striking American ships. https://t.co/eeqxUdNmRi  Andrea Widburg (@Bookwormroom) March 10, 2024

Joe Biden, Americas fascist



Biden lies about his lifelong support for Israel. Hes always undermining it despite positioning himself as its supporter. He viciously attacked Menachem Begin in 1982. Now he actively seeks to overthrow Benjamin Netanyahu. Incidentally, here at  Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) March 10, 2024

Biden betraying Israel, undermining their war effort, and giving funding to Iran and their terrorist surrogates, while trying to topple Netanyahu. Today, theres a full blown Biden-media campaign against Netanyahu.



Biden is Irans proxy in the White House.  Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) March 10, 2024

From the mid-1930s until WWII, one of the most popular national radio broadcasters in America was Father Charles Coughlin. In addition to Catholic doctrine, Coughlins real subject was Nazi-esque antisemitism:

On Father Coughlins nationwide radio show, which ran from 1926-1940, he was a fearsome demagogue: parroting Nazi propaganda, telling his listeners that international bankers and Jewish Communists were plotting their demise, stating that the Jews deserved what happened to them at Kristallnacht, and encouraging the growth of the Christian Front, a pro-Nazi Christian militia that plotted to overthrow the U.S. government by attacking prominent Jews.

Based on no evidence whatsoever, I wouldnt be surprised to learn that Joes family members were Coughlin fans, an antipathy Joe has transmuted into his communist-driven Jew-hatred. Certainly, to the extent Biden has Jews in his administration (most notably Antony Blinken), he surrounds himself only with those leftist Jews who hate Jewish values and the Jewish nation as much as he does.

Image based on a YouTube screen grab.
A state Attorney General is supposed to enforce the law impartially for the benefit of all citizens. However, New Yorks AG, Letitia James, ran on an inherently political platform, vowing that she would destroy President Trumpand shes tried to keep that promise. No wonder, then, that when she spoke at a Fire Department of New York (FDNY) promotion ceremony on Thursday, she got a political response from the assembled crowd: Boos. Now, the FDNY has gone full North Korean: Those who booed must turn themselves in for punishment and reeducation or be hunted down.

Part One of this saga is Letitia Jamess 2018 campaign promise to destroy Donald Trump:

I believe that this president is incompetent. I believe that this president is ill-equipped to serve in the highest office of this land. And I believe that he is an embarrassment to all that we stand for. He should be charged with obstructing justice. I believe that the president of these United States can be indicted for criminal offenses and we would join with law enforcement and other attorneys general across this nation in removing this president from office.

Part Two is Jamess (so far) successful lawsuit against Donald Trump. In it, she alleged that Trump lied to banks by giving Mar-a-Lagos market value (among other things), even though the banks, per ordinary business practices, did not rely on Trumps alleged misrepresentations, profited from his business, and hope to do business with him again.

Parts One and Parts Two show that James makes no pretense of being an impartial law enforcement officer for the state of New York. She is, instead, a hyper-partisan political activist.

So, when she showed up on Thursday at an FDNY promotion ceremony, many in the audience, dismayed by her political activities, welcomed her with a political response:

New York Attorney General Letitia James was met with a chorus of boos and chants of Trump while delivering a speech at an FDNY promotion ceremony Thursday. As James walked onto the podium at the Christian Cultural Centers Brooklyn Campus, members of the crowd  made up of the families of captains, battalion chiefs and civilians who were up for promotion, as well as the firemen who work beside them  began to jeer, video shows. [snip] As James continued her speech, the booing swiftly turned to chants in support of former President Donald Trump. Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump, the crowd bellowed.

Did Letitia deserve to get booed?



AG Letitia James gets booed at ceremony for fire fighters! pic.twitter.com/qmCF8Sa6hy  The Silent Majority (@siIentmajority) March 10, 2024

In a healthy, free society, the commissioner might send around a memo reminding the firefighters that they should behave with grace at a promotion ceremony out of respect for those being promoted.

However, neither New York State nor New York City is a free society anymore. Instead, the FDNY commissioner announced that the malfeasors must turn themselves in for punishment and reeducation or be hunted down (emphasis mine):

FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh is hunting down smoke-eaters and other staffers who mercilessly booed New York Attorney General Letitia James  and cheered in support of Donald Trump  during a department promotion ceremony this week, The Post has learned. FDNY Chief of Department John Hodges fired off an email to other agency honchos warning a reckoning led by the departments Bureau of Investigation and Trials was coming over the chorus of boos and chants of Trump that James received at Thursdays event. BITS is investigating this, so they will figure out who the members are, Hodges wrote FDNY chiefs Saturday in the letter obtained by The Post. I recommend they come forward. I have been told by the commissioner it will be better for them if they come forward and we dont have to hunt them down , he continued.

Once in the departments clutches, the people who dared make a political protest against a political figure will be educated why their behavior is unacceptable. You and I both know that this response would not have occurred if city workers had booed an enemy of the Democrat party.

The same article quotes Alan Dershowitz:

Firefighters have an absolute constitutional right to boo the attorney general, and the government has no power to punish them for it, Dershowitz told The Post. So efforts to get the names of the booers is an effort by the government to chill free speech and is unconstitutional.

In 1994, when Kim Il Sung died, and again in 2011, when Kim Jong Il died, Westerners were mesmerized by footage of the extremes of grief that North Koreas citizens showed during the televised funerals.

Everyone understood that these paroxysms went far beyond the cries of people brainwashed into viewing a politician as something akin to a god. For example, in Thailand, when the monarch died, he was viewed as a god, and the people mourned greatly, but there was no hysteria.

The North Korean displays came from a people aware that the secret police were watching them. Anyone displaying insufficient grief was buying a one-way ticket to the regimes vast network of concentration camps.

Our miraculous Constitution has meaning only if those with political power respect the limits it places on that power. Wherever Democrats control law enforcement, that respect vanishes.

We have a steadily shrinking window of time within which to elect to office people who still believe that each individual has inherent rightsincluding the right to speech and protestwith which the government cannot interfere. If we dont vote in overwhelming numbers, what happened in New York will soon be the norm across America.

Image: Letitia James gets booed (edited). YouTube screen grab.
I was an early Candace Owens fan. Shes very bright, a good speaker, solid on most conservative issues, and attractive. However, it has become increasingly apparent that Owens does not like Jews. Thats okay. Not everyone has to like Jews. However, disliking Jews becomes a problem when you excuse damaging lies about a historically vulnerable community, and it becomes dangerous when you excuse genocide against them. One of the saddest things about Owens increasingly troubling animosity is that its representative of the antisemitism seen in large numbers of American blacks.

Rabbi Michael Barclay has written a well-sourced expose of Owenss increasingly open hostility to Jews, especially in the wake of the sexually sadistic and genocidal attack against Israel on October 7. I urge you to read the whole thing, but just a portion will suffice:

This is a woman who is such an anti-Semite and so ignorant of history that in 2018 she publicly said that Hitler was OK. [snip] A mere month after the horrors of babies being beheaded, women being raped, and the slew of horrors from Hamas, Owens went on Tucker Carlsons show to speak about how it really wasnt that bad, and why should she even care. (After all, she seems to think that Hitler was ok, so whats the problem?) She wanted to talk about the depravities of Hamas as an academic discussion, and refused to even condemn Hamas. She castigated Ben Shapiro for being passionately pro-Israel, and demonstrated a remarkable ignorance about everything Jewish, including: the Holocaust; the history of Israel; the history of the involvement of Jews in the early civil rights movement, and how Kanye Wests anti Semitic comments were clear expressions of Jew hatred. [snip] Owens has repeatedly tried to justify Kanye Wests anti-Semitic comments, who has has said, death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE, wanted to title his 2018 album Hitler, has never expressed remorse for his comments and has even double downed and repeatedly made more Jew hating statements. Condemned by everyone from Adidas to his ex-wife Kim Kardashian for his attitudes, West has been applauded and supported by Candace Owens. When Rabbi Shmuley publicly outed her, she spent the last number of days attacking him personally. She has called him and anyone who points out her Jew hating libel thugs. She has referred to Jews as gangs, and as egregious as anything, has fallen back on the Jew hating trope of the early 20th century that Hollywood is run by a gang of Jews.

I wonder how the Daily Wire will deal with Owenss increasingly open hostility to Jews. After all, Ben Shapiro is one of its founders and remains its Editor Emeritus (which I assume means he has no say in its day-to-day operations). But back to Owens.

Owenss open disdain for Jews comes at a perilous time when they are more at risk than theyve been since WWII. Its disturbing on its own, but its also disturbing because, sadly, her values reflect the fact that, while most American blacks are not antisemitic, they are still second only to Muslims when it comes to antisemitism in America.

The information about black antisemitism is hard to find. Leftist groups such as the ADL no longer publish polls that break antisemitism down by race. In 1998, over 30% of blacks held antisemitic views. By 2016, 23% of blacks polled were antisemitic. Today, finding useful polls is challenging, but it is still possible to learn that blacks are more likely than whites to be antisemitic. My guess, looking at the Squad, is that the number has crept up from 2016s low point. After all, as a general matter, antisemitism in America is spiking, something that happened even before October 7.

The interesting question is why black Americans, from Kanye and Candace on down, are more likely to be antisemitic.

Wikipedia acknowledges Islams role, which is sensible. Muslim African slaves, modern Muslim African immigrants, and Louis Farrakhans fanatically antisemitic Nation of Islam all contribute to black antisemitism. However, Wikipedia also contends that blacks dislike Jews because the latter were overrepresented in the slave trade. Considering that it was Muslim slave traders who controlled the entire African end of the slave trade, thats retrofitting and propaganda, not truth.

Another reason for black antisemitism is Marxism, which gave birth to the Holocaust and Stalins purges and which we see daily on American streets and in the White House After all, its Marxists who insist that Hamas, which has openly genocidal aspirations toward Jews and, incidentally, brutally oppresses its own people,* is the real victim. Marxism is a significant factor in the black community, especially in academia (see, e.g., Leonard Jeffries).

Finally, to the extent Marxism has infected Christianity, many churches that cater to blacks, especially urban blacks, are antisemitic. Just look at Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and Jeremiah Wright. People sitting in those pews arent learning about Christs love. Theyre learning to hate Jews (and, if theyre in Rev. Wrights church, to hate America, too).

Candace Owens is a disappointment but shes also one among many, and thats the most disturbing thing of all.

Image: Candace Owens. YouTube screen grab.

______________________

*As a reminder, before Iran/Hezbollah made a move on Lebanon, that country had a renaissance after Israel cleaned out the PLO in 1982. Muslim Arabs' worst enemies are often other Muslim Arabs.

UPDATE: A reader kindly directed me to a 2018 Rasmussen poll (behind a paywall) that speaks to the black community's admiration for Louis Farrakhan.
China Focus: China to bolster silver economy amid population aging

Xinhua) 10:11, March 10, 2024

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China has pledged to provide more products and services to senior citizens and further develop the silver economy in response to challenges presented by an aging population that is still expanding.

Addressing the challenges while improving elderly people's well-being is a hot topic widely discussed by national lawmakers and political advisors attending this year's "two sessions."

Li Xinhua, a national political advisor from Taiyuan City, north China's Shanxi Province, said senior citizens' aspirations and demands for a higher quality of life have increased.

"Developing the silver economy conforms to this trend and will help satisfy demand for multi-level and diversified products and services," Li said.

With the population aged 60 and above exceeding 290 million, China is working to tackle the population aging while improving the livelihood of the elderly.

BETTER PRODUCTS, SERVICES

The silver economy promises new development opportunities as it relates to many sectors with a long industrial chain and diversified business mode, according to Luo Yunfeng, mayor of Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, and a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature.

China's silver economy is estimated at around 7 trillion yuan (about 974 billion U.S. dollars) in size and is expected to reach 30 trillion yuan by 2035. However, the elderly care products and services currently available on the market are not practical enough for senior citizens.

NPC deputy Hu Xiaoqing, also a chief physician from east China's Jiangxi Province, said the market currently fails to effectively meet the needs of the elderly consumers for products that are not only more affordable but also safer and easier to use, calling for efforts to guide enterprises in developing quality elderly care products.

A report submitted by the National Development and Reform Commission to the national legislature proposed a robust expansion of the silver economy, aiming to cultivate more brands, guide the sector with higher standards and foster more industrial clusters.

AGE-FRIENDLY FACILITIES

Luo highlighted an emerging trend of new-generation information technology becoming increasingly integrated with elderly care products.

He called for efforts to promote the integrated application of mobile terminals, wearable equipment, service robots and other intelligent devices in elderly care scenarios at home, communities and institutions.

In the past couple of years, China has increased its investment in age-friendly transformation and renovation.

Leading mobile payment apps in the country have upgraded their services to cater to elderly people. More than 96 percent of bank branches across the country have made progress in age-friendly adaptation.

Jiangxi plans to revamp home facilities for more than 60,000 households in the province by 2025 to make life more convenient for the financially disadvantaged elderly people.

National political advisor Jin Li, also vice president of Shenzhen-based Southern University of Science and Technology, advised the country to employ more policy-oriented financial tools and weigh them toward community- and home-based elderly care services.

At the same time, the country can increase its financial support for emerging industries, such as intelligent elderly care, integrated medical and elderly care, and sojourn elderly care, he added.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Sheng Chuyi)
A policeman inspects the blast site in Pakistan's northwest Peshawar on March 10, 2024. Two people were killed and another injured on Sunday morning in a blast near a market in Pakistan's northwest Peshawar city, rescue service reported. (Photo by Umar Qayyum/Xinhua)

ISLAMABAD, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and another injured on Sunday morning in a blast near a market in Pakistan's northwest Peshawar city, rescue service reported.

The blast took place early in the morning on Nasir Bagh road near Board Bazaar, a local market in Peshawar, the capital city of the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, resulting in casualties, Bilal Ahmad Faizi, public relations officer of the state-run Rescue 1122 of KP told Xinhua.

Immediately following the attack, rescue workers reached the site and shifted the victims to a local hospital, he added.

The blast was triggered by explosives on a motorcycle in the morning and police were collecting evidence, police told media.

A heavy contingent of police has reached the site and cordoned off the area for investigation, according to the local media.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. 
Belarusian dissident Karatch, my country appendix of Russia Hard life in Lithuania for those who escaped Lukashenko

(ANSA) - TRIESTE, 10 MAR - President Aleksandre Lukashenko of Belarus "is helpful to Putin, many state-owned enterprises answer to the Russian Defense Minister. Belarus is less blocked by sanctions than Russia, so Minsk supplies Moscow with many products, as well as logistical support from the military point of view. In short, Belarus is a kind of appendage of Russia." This was said by Olga Karatch, a Belarusian journalist, political scientist and activist for peace and human and civil rights, last night in Trieste at a public meeting sponsored as part of Euromediterranea by the Alexander Langer Stiftung Foundation, Articolo 21 with Teatro Miela and Premio Luchetta.Karatch will conclude today in Milan a tour of a number of Italian cities that began in Rome to collect the Langer Prize 2023 she just won, returning to Vilnius, Lithuania, where she lives in exile with her family after being imprisoned and tortured in the prisons of the Belarusian regime.

Olga Karatch stressed that her country "acts as a military rear guard for Russia, there is Wagner, instructors in contact with Russia, and Russian soldiers wounded in the war being treated in Belarus."The country, however, "is divided because civil society is pro-Ukrainian.But just wearing yellow and blue clothes can result in jail time, as happened to a teacher who had a yellow and blue hair clip in her hair and was arrested in class."Karatch heads 'Our House' (Nash Dom), an organization that helps dissidents, conscientious objectors and people who have suffered human rights violations in Belarus.The journalist emphasized the great difficulty of life in Lithuania for the thousands of people who have fled the Lukashenko regime."The authorities consider these people a threat to national security and aim to bring them back to Belarus where they risk death." (ANSA).


Extremist views must not be allowed to percolate through society, a Cabinet minister has said as the Government prepared a fresh crackdown.

Ministers and officials are working on a new definition of extremism, with groups captured by the term set to be effectively blacklisted by the Government and public bodies, and cut off from public funding and engagement.

Communities Secretary Michael Gove is expected to set out the new definition in the coming week in the wake of the latest pro-Palestinian march, which saw tens of thousands of people protest in London about the suffering in Gaza.

Mr Gove warned some of the good-hearted people who have taken part in the series of protests since the Israel-Hamas war began could have inadvertently given credence to events organised or attended by extremists.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins warned: There are some people, sadly, who hold views that are contrary to the values that we hold as a country and we should not allow those views to percolate through society.

She told Sky News there was a concern that in large-scale pro-Palestinian demonstrations there can be a minority of people who hold and extol views that make the rest of us feel not just deeply uncomfortable, but if you are a Jewish resident of London, some have said that they feel worried about walking around London when these demonstrations happen, and thats not right.

The Health Secretary said the new approach would be a balancing act between freedom of speech, but also the right of citizens to go about their daily lives.

Mr Gove told the Sunday Telegraph the new definition of extremist groups would help protesters decide whether to attend pro-Palestinian events.

If were clear about the nature of extremist organisations, then I think that means that some of the people  and there are good-hearted people who go on these marches, I dont agree with them, but theyre moved by suffering and they want peace  but it may help some of them to question who are organising some of these events. I wont go into details now, but we will later, he said.

Some of the events that have been organised have been organised by extremist organisations.

That doesnt mean that people who have gone on them are extremist, quite the opposite. But it means that you can begin to question: do you really want to be lending credence to this organisation? If you do, fair enough. But now there is no excuse for ignorance.

Focusing on the chant of from the river to the sea  a reference to a Palestinian state stretching from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean  Mr Gove said some of whats said on these marches springs from an extremist ideology.

From the river to the sea is not a call for peace  when youre saying from the river to the sea, youre explicitly saying: I want to see the end of Israel as a Jewish state, the Jewish homeland erased.

Now, be clear about that and be clear about what that means.

Be clear about the fact that you know a key Islamist demand is the erasure of what they see as the Zionist entity or the crusader Zionist state.

And, therefore, lets be clear that there is a difference between a cry for peace and the legitimisation of an extremist position which intimidates and leads to hate.

The Governments new definition will replace one in the existing Prevent counter-radicalisation programme, giving more specificity, and will enable the Government and other public bodies to ban funding and engagement with Islamist and far-right groups.

Mr Gove sought to address fears from some Tories that the new definition could encompass gender-critical feminists or devout religious groups.

Its only extremism if you translate that into a political ideology that is anti-democratic, he said.

Private belief should be cherished. Free speech has to be protected.

Mr Gove hinted that foreign governments such as Iran could be behind some of the extremist groups operating in the UK.

One of the things that were explicitly looking at is the way in which foreign state and non-state actors seek to encourage extremism here, he said.

Thousands of people took part in Saturdays march (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Again, this is inevitably sensitive work about which I can say only a very limited amount because its not only Iran that attempts to use some of these forces to destabilise British democracy.

Meanwhile, the Observer reported that Mr Goves officials fear the new definition could face a legal challenge.

The Government wants to launch this without a public consultation on the definition, or proper engagement with faith leaders, said one official who has seen the proposals.

Its never going to work.

For Labour, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said it was right that we look again at the definition of extremism.

The most important thing from my perspective is that more is done to bring communities together, she told Sky News Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips.

The vast, vast majority of people in this country respect, tolerate difference  (they) welcome difference and diversity  its one of the things that make our country great.

But, of course, it is always right to tackle extremism and hatred wherever it rears its head.

Equalities and Human Rights Commission chairwoman Baroness Falkner told the Telegraph that the discord on the countrys streets since the Oct 7 Hamas attacks had shown that we seem to be failing to integrate.

She suggested immigrants should take courses in integrating into Western society.

Its been a sad period to witness this level of discord but, more seriously, to imagine that there are some communities in our country who dont feel safe coming out and about and going into town. I was alarmed about this early on, she said.

Highlighting a significant increase in immigration, she said: We have to recognise that large numbers of first-generation migrants havent had the background of growing up in a rights-respecting country.

What I would love to see would be a concerted programme of integration. Our citizenship test was a good innovation, but I think we need to reassess it, require people to take courses in integration.

Germany does, for example, and I think we need to follow the model of other countries that, before people are granted citizenship, require them to take a course on what it means to live in Western democratic societies.

Meanwhile, the frontrunner to be appointed as the Governments adviser on tackling Islamophobia stepped away due to the abuse he had received.

Fiyaz Mughal, founder of Faith Matters and the Tell MAMA organisation, which tracks anti-Muslim hatred, told the PA news agency: I have suffered over a decade with far right and Islamist abuse from extremist groups.

He said that after it was reported that he was in line for the role, he received even more personal attacks and I couldnt take it any more.

Mr Mughal said the Government needs to do something to protect him and others involved in speaking out about anti-Muslim attacks from being abused.

The Mail on Sunday reported that his appointment had been approved by Downing Street on Thursday, although sources said he was only on the shortlist.

The newspaper said his appointment was due to be announced on Monday.
Former prime minister Boris Johnson flew to Venezuela in February to meet President Nicolas Maduro.

The Sunday Times first reported Mr Johnson travelled to Venezuela for the meeting by private jet while on holiday in the Caribbean.

A spokesman for Mr Johnson told the BBC that the visits purpose was to emphasise the need for Venezuela to embrace a proper democratic process.

Mr Maduro was re-elected in 2018 after judges banned his primary opponents from competing, plunging the country into a severe political and economic crisis.

Mr Johnson is no longer a member of the Government (Victoria Jones/PA)

Most opposition parties refused to recognise the election results and challenged Mr Maduros rule by creating an interim government, a push for change that fizzled out over the past few years.

There has since been strong international pressure for Venezuela to hold a free and fair election.

Venezuela also approved a referendum last year to claim sovereignty over an oil- and mineral-rich area of neighbouring Guyana, which Guyana disputes.

British minister for the Americas and Caribbean, David Rutley, met with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali in December to stress the UK Governments backing for Guyana.

Mr Johnsons spokesman told the BBC that he repeatedly made clear there can be no hope of normalisation in relations until Venezuela fully embraces democracy and respects the territorial integrity of its neighbours.

He also set out the case for the cause of Ukrainian victory to the government of Venezuela.

The spokesman also told the broadcaster the trip came at no cost to the UK taxpayer nor the Venezuelan government.
Vehicles that fall foul of Londons ultra low emission zone (Ulez) rules can be donated to Ukraine rather than being scrapped from next week.

Applicants will be able to donate vehicles in return for the same grant payment available to drivers who scrap or retrofit their vehicles  up to 2,000  Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced.

The donated vehicles will be permanently transferred to Ukrainian authorities for humanitarian and medical needs.

Ukraines infrastructure has been significantly damaged in the conflict and access to healthcare in many areas has been severely impacted.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (Yui Mok/PA)

The mayor had previously made it clear he did not believe altering the Ulez scheme for exporting vehicles would be possible under current laws, until he made an apparent U-turn on the issue in December.

Kyivs mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reportedly wrote to his London counterpart to suggest the idea of donating vehicles.

Transport for London collaborated with UK-registered charity British-Ukrainian Aid to allow the scheme, with support from the Ukrainian embassy, the Mayor of London said.

From March 15, the charity will facilitate the donation of the vehicles to Ukraine and provide the relevant documentation for Londoners to receive their scrappage grant.

London Ambulance Service is planning to join the effort by donating 50 decommissioned ambulances to Ukraine.

Ambulances are not charged to drive in the Ulez, but the service plans to steadily decommission non-compliant vehicles.

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.

Mr Khan, said: As the devastating consequences of Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine continue, the countrys infrastructure has been significantly impacted.

I have worked quickly to amend our scrappage scheme so that from next week, non-compliant vehicles can be donated to Ukraine, helping to meet medical and humanitarian needs while also removing old, polluting vehicles from Londons roads.

There is still plenty of money left in the scrappage fund and I encourage anyone applying to consider donating their vehicle to this cause.
The King has appointed the Duke of Edinburgh to the Order of the Thistle as four new images of him are released to mark his 60th birthday.

Appointments to the order  the highest honour in Scotland  are entirely in the personal gift of the King and do not require prime ministerial advice.

The three other new recipients of the order are anthropologist Professor Dame Sue Black, distinguished lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy and Scotlands first black professor Sir Geoff Palmer.

Baroness Helena Kennedy (Anthony Devlin/PA)

The new appointments are effective from Sunday, and the installation ceremony is expected to take place over the summer.

The order has a complement of 16 knights and ladies, and in addition the Queen, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Rothesay, as the Prince of Wales is known in Scotland, are Royal Knights of the Thistle.

Charles made Edward the Duke of Edinburgh to mark his 59th birthday, and he had his first solo engagement with the title at the Palace of Holyroodhouse a few days later, hosting participants in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Queen Elizabeth II granted him the additional title of Earl of Forfar to mark his 55th birthday, and he holds several patronages of Scottish charitable organisations including the Edinburgh International Festival.

Prof Black is an anatomist and forensic anthropologist whose research on human morphology and biometrics has been used to assist with international war-crime investigations and to identify those involved in mass-fatality events.

Professor Dame Sue Black who has been appointed to the Order of the Thistle by the King (St Johns College, Oxford/PA)

Baroness Kennedy is the recipient of 42 honorary degrees from many universities, including those of Glasgow and Edinburgh, in recognition of work on women and the law and on widening participation in higher education.

She has also been honoured by the governments of France and Italy for her considerable work on womens rights.

Sir Geoff pioneered the use of the scanning electron microscope to study cereal grains using research from his PhD, sits on the boards of community organisations and has received honorary degrees from various academic institutions.

He has published books on race relations and cereal science and technology.

Scotlands first black professor Sir Geoff Palmer (PA)

In newly released images, Edward is pictured wearing a red jumper underneath a dark buttoned waistcoat, and smiling with his three dogs, Labrador Teal, cocker spaniel Mole and Labrador puppy Teasel.

The Kings brother, the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II, will celebrate on Sunday.

In a rare newspaper interview, Edward said the monarchy is as important as ever in trying to bring people together.

He told the Daily Mail: Our role  being part of the monarchy  in trying to bring people together is as important as ever, if not more so today.

The Duke of Edinburgh with his Labrador puppy Teasel (Chris Jelf/Buckingham Palace/PA)

I think we all wonder how we can reach out to those communities who perhaps dont always think that this, the monarchy, is something for them.

The duke carried out a series of engagements with the Duchess of Edinburgh earlier this week, ahead of his milestone birthday.

He was presented with a Leeds Rhinos rugby shirt with HRH 60 on the back to mark the date, during a visit to Headingley Stadium in Leeds on Friday.

Edward noticed the detail on the back and said to his wife: Yours is more subtle than mine.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have visited Headingley Stadium in Leeds, to attend the Community Sport and Recreation Awards.  Their Royal Highnesses also spoke to Leeds Rhinos female players and girls, who were taking part in Rugby League drills. Click for more.  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 8, 2024

He told the young players: Thanks a bunch. I really need to be reminded.

Sophie then paid a tearful tribute to Edward at the end of the Community Sport and Recreation Awards, saying he was the best of fathers, the most loving of husbands and he is still my best friend and she was so proud of the man he is.

The slimmed-down working monarchy has been under increasing pressure, with some leading members of the royal family ruled out of public-facing duties.

Charles, 75, is undergoing treatment for cancer and the Princess of Wales is recuperating from abdominal surgery.
Pro-Palestinian marchers should question whether extremist groups are behind some of the protests, Michael Gove said.

He said good-hearted people who have taken part in marches should be aware they could be lending credence to extremists.

The Communities Secretary, who is set to produce a new official definition of extremism within days, also warned that chanting from the river to the sea meant calling for the erasure of Israel and risked fuelling hate and intimidation.

In the most recent march, thousands of people took to the streets of London to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.

Mr Gove told the Sunday Telegraph the new definition of extremist groups would help protesters decide whether to attend pro-Palestinian events.

If were clear about the nature of extremist organisations, then I think that means that some of the people  and there are good-hearted people who go on these marches, I dont agree with them, but theyre moved by suffering and they want peace  but it may help some of them to question who are organising some of these events. I wont go into details now, but we will later, he said.

Some of the events that have been organised, have been organised by extremist organisations.

That doesnt mean that people who have gone on them are extremist, quite the opposite. But it means that you can begin to question: do you really want to be lending credence to this organisation? If you do, fair enough. But now there is no excuse for ignorance.

Focusing on the chant of from the river to the sea  a reference to a Palestinian state stretching from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean  Mr Gove said: We can also have a broader conversation about the way in which some of whats said on these marches springs from an extremist ideology, rather than simply being an expression of passionate opposition to conflict.

From the river to the sea is not a call for peace when youre saying from the river to the sea, youre explicitly saying: I want to see the end of Israel as a Jewish state, the Jewish homeland erased.

Now, be clear about that and be clear about what that means.

Be clear about the fact that you know a key Islamist demand is the erasure of what they see as the Zionist entity or the crusader Zionist state.

And therefore, lets be clear that there is a difference between a cry for peace and the legitimisation of an extremist position which intimidates and leads to hate.

Thousands of people took part in Saturdays march (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

The Governments new definition will replace one in the existing Prevent counter-radicalisation programme, giving more specificity, and will enable the Government and other public bodies to ban funding and engagement with Islamist and far-right groups.

Mr Gove sought to address fears from some Tories that the new definition could encompass gender-critical feminists or devout religious groups.

Its only extremism if you translate that into a political ideology that is anti-democratic, he said.

Private belief should be cherished. Free speech has to be protected.

Mr Gove hinted that foreign governments such as Iran could be behind some of the extremist groups operating in the UK.

One of the things that were explicitly looking at is the way in which foreign state and non-state actors seek to encourage extremism here, he said.

And again, this is inevitably sensitive work about which I can say only a very limited amount because its not only Iran that attempts to use some of these forces to destabilise British democracy.

Meanwhile, the Observer reported that Mr Goves officials fear the new definition could face a legal challenge.

The Government wants to launch this without a public consultation on the definition, or proper engagement with faith leaders, said one official who has seen the proposals.

Its never going to work.
MEXICO CITY, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Police and palace guards in Haiti worked on Saturday to reclaim control of the streets after criminal gangs unleashed massive assaults, which prompted regional leaders to convene an emergency meeting, local media reported.

Lionel Lazarre, general coordinator of the Haitian National Police Union, said that the police successfully repelled the attacks, eliminating several "bandits." No police officers were reported dead, he added.

Heavy shootings were heard on Friday night in the surroundings of Haiti's national palace in the capital of Port-au-Prince as armed groups targeted the presidential palace and attacked the police headquarters.

Caribbean leaders issued a call late Friday for an emergency meeting in Jamaica to address the security crisis caused by criminal gangs in Haiti, reports said.

The meeting is expected to actively pursue political dialogue in Haiti to form a transitional unity government and has invited the United States, Canada and France to join.

However, the efforts are faced with significant challenges. A statement released on Friday acknowledged that "the situation on the ground remains dire."

Since Feb. 29, Haitian armed groups have launched a wave of attacks in the capital, calling for resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. 
Hundreds of Jewish people and supporters from Sussex to Jerusalem have joined to blow shofars and whistles in a call to free Israeli hostages.

One group met at St Johns Wood Synagogue in London on Sunday  led by TV presenter Vanessa Feltz and actress Dame Maureen Lipman.

It was said to be the worlds largest ram horn trumpet chorus.

They were there to show solidarity with the more than 100 hostages held in Gaza.

The chorus lasted for 1.55 minutes, marking the 155 days they will have been in captivity.

Marcel Knobil, who organised the chorus, said the shofars and whistles were blown from Sussex to Jerusalem and from New York to the beaches of Thailand.

He said: The shofar is such a significant icon.

Its said to symbolise a number of things, some equate it with a sound of crying mothers and how appropriate that is to todays event, especially being Mothers Day.

Vanessa Feltz speaking before people blew shofars and whistles in London (Victoria Jones/PA)

Its also said to represent hope and we are all bursting with hope for the release of the hostages.

Many of us equate its wailing sound as a wake-up call. Waking us to address ourselves internally and stirring us to mend our way.

Mr Knobil added that he has spent time with families of hostages and said they are in total shock.

He said: They are living in an unreal world. To see this terror and torment to be lifted from all these family members would be just a dream for me and the world Jewish community.

Feltz said they were all there to trumpet this humanitarian urgent message  bring them home now.

Dame Maureen Lipman was among those who took part (Victoria Jones/PA)

She said: Today, our hearts are joined to the hearts and the souls of the mothers of the hostages, just imagine being there, its just unbearable to think about it even one day.

Imagine it, the mothers of the hostages whove been deprived their precious children now for 155 days.

As we celebrate Mothers Day with our beloved children, our beloved grandchildren, these mothers are in agonising torment.

Dame Maureen said: Im a mother, Im an actor, Im an aunt, Im a grandmother, and since October 7 Im a hostage like every other Jew in the world.

A hostage who shares that pain, that fear, that someone is coming, that childhood fear made real.

People blowing shofars and whistles in Abbey Road (Victoria Jones/PA)

I want to urge you to write this on your doorposts and tell your children we have to fight back.

She called for people to fight back professionally against the opposition, who she described as campus twits and marching fools, who dont know which river or which sea theyre talking about.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Dame Maureen became emotional as she said right will prevail if the hostages were released, adding: Except how many of those girls, how many of those grandmothers, are ever going to face the beauty of life again?

Conservative MP Mike Freer, for Finchley & Golders Green, spoke before the chorus and said as a non-Jew, to the Jewish community, you have friends, you are not alone.

He said: When we see mob rule on the streets of London, remember there are friends in Parliament that are seeking to curtail the hysteria that we see.

It comes after the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7 in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 240 kidnapped before Israel retaliated with months of attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing and wounding thousands.
A group of six mothers will begin a five-day hunger strike outside Parliament on Mothers Day to draw attention to parents in the UK who are skipping meals to feed their children.

The mothers taking part in the peaceful protest, set up by Mothers Manifesto, plan to strike without food from Sunday to Thursday, with a meeting in Parliament to discuss next steps with MPs scheduled for Tuesday at 11.30am.

The group will protest outside Parliament (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Their demands include making sure all children in the UK have enough to eat by enforcing universal free school meals and universal credit to guarantee lifes essentials, the Government keeping its promises on foreign aid and climate change and the implementation of a loophole-free windfall tax on oil and gas companies record profits.

They plan on protesting between 11am and 4pm each day, and are staying in a nearby Buddhism centre each night.

It is the groups second hunger strike after they protested outside Downing Street for six days from Mothers Day last year.

This is the second hunger strike for the group (Jonathan Brady/PA)

The organiser of the Mothers Manifesto campaign is Emma Hopkins, a 55-year-old herbalist and mother-of-four from Totnes, Devon, who told the PA news agency: I thought there would be something really poignant about holding it on a day when we celebrate mothers, and we celebrate what they stand for, which is around nurturing and caring.

As mothers, we feel like we should be able to feed children and take care of them and actually, many mothers are not able to do that both in the UK and globally.

I think its absolutely shameful that so many people here in the UK are struggling to manage to feed themselves  weve got millions of children who are below the poverty line in one of the richest nations.

Mrs Hopkins thinks there is still time to change the future of food poverty (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Mrs Hopkins and the rest of the strikers, Chantelle Norton, Anna Palmer, Jessica Upton, Erika Curren and Nellie Crowdy, will be joined by an additional eight women who will only be striking for a minimised time due to their own circumstances such as health reasons or work commitments.

We will sit outside Parliament with a table with empty plates and knives and forks, Mrs Hopkins said.

On the plates we have written a number of our demands and were making hearts with childrens names on to show our support for their future.

Im so excited for it, and it will really show how much mothers are struggling with feeding their children.

According to 2022 numbers from the Food Foundation charity, 25.8% of households with children had experienced food insecurity within the past month, affecting an estimated four million children in the UK.

They plan on protesting between 11am and 4pm each day (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Mrs Hopkins organised a similar strike last year that led to a meeting at Parliament and support from 10 MPs  all of whom were interested in discussing the groups demands.

It was amazing, and we have also been in touch with other organisations, such as the Food Foundation  were hoping to come together at some point for one big campaign, she added.

At the strike, different people reacted differently  everybody was quite well, but one person was really poorly from not eating.

I felt so connected with the reality for so many mothers and I think when youre not eating yourself, that hits you really hard.

Mothers Manifesto will also be having a meeting in Parliament (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Luckily, my family have always been relatively comfortable but Im absolutely heartbroken for those who are not.

Looking to the future, Mrs Hopkins said: Id say that were facing multiple crises at the moment, in terms of the climate, ecological and social crisis.

But, the future is not set  we can change the future and we know we can and that we must.

This is why were doing this action, because we want to make a future when no child goes hungry, and when no child starves to death.
Joe Biden departs after delivering the state of the union in Washington DC on 7 March 2024. Photograph: Getty Images

When an opinion poll in the New York Times found that a majority of Joe Bidens voters believe he is too old to be an effective US president, the call to action was swift. But it was not aimed at Joe Biden.

Amplifying flawed presidential polls, refusing to report on [Donald] Trumps cognitive issues, the NYT is biased for Trump, was a sample response on social media. If you have a subscription to NYT, cancel it.

The irate chorus aimed at one of Americas most storied media institutions followed finger-pointing at the legal system for failing to stop Trump in his tracks. Despite much wishful thinking, primary election results this week made clear that the nation is hurtling towards a Biden v Trump rematch in November.

That polling and media coverage are imperfect, and the wheels of justice of turn slowly, is beyond dispute. But whatever the merits of the arguments, critics argue that Democrats are at risk of playing a blame game that distracts them from the central mission: defeating Trump at the ballot box.

Tara Setmayer, a senior adviser to the Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump group, said: Commiseration is not a strategy and Democrats need to stop throwing political temper tantrums and do the work to unify and get Joe Biden re-elected. The courts, the media, late-night comedians are not going to save us. So this whining and complaining about these aspects being unfair is not a strategy for victory.

Among some Democrats, there has long been a yearning for a saviour who will stop Trump in his tracks. Hopes were pinned on the special counsel Robert Mueller, but his Russia investigation lacked teeth and failed to bring the president down. Two impeachments came and went and the Senate missed a historic opportunity to bar from Trump running again.

Now resentment is focused on the supreme court and the attorney general, Merrick Garland, for dragging their feet on holding Trump accountable for his role in the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol. The court issued a unanimous decision that Colorado and other states do not have the power to remove Trump from the ballot for engaging in an insurrection.

A justice department case alleging that he sought to overturn the 2020 election, which had been due to begin this week, was postponed until the supreme court rules on whether he is immune from prosecution. And an election interference case in Georgia is also on hold because the prosecutor Fani Willis is dealing with allegations of a conflict of interest over a romantic relationship.

In Florida, where Trump is charged over his mishandling of classified government documents, he managed to draw a friendly judge who has indicated the trial will not start soon. That means the case likely to start first is one in New York relating to Trump paying hush money to an adult film star during the 2016 election campaign, widely portrayed in the media as the weakest of the four.

Yet such a case would have been devastating to any other candidate at any other moment in history. Allan Lichtman, a history professor at American University in Washington, said: Hes going to be on trial for 34 felony counts in less than three weeks and the mainstream media has barely indicated the importance of this.

Oh, its just a hush money trial. No its not. Hes not on trial for hush money. Hes on trial for election fraud, not just paying the hush money but deceiving the American people by concealing it as a business expense.

Related: Biden hits campaign trail riding train of positive State of the Union reviews

Lichtman added: If this was anybody but Trump, any other presidential candidate on trial, it would be the trial of the century and the mainstream media would be screaming that, if the candidate got convicted, he should be bounced from from the campaign. Instead theyve misrepresented and trivialised this case.

Trump has long challenged media orthodoxies. During the 2016 campaign, the New York Times used the word lie in a headline  a move that would have been seen as judgmental and editorialising in the pre-Trump era. In 2019, the paper changed a headline, Trump urges unity vs racism, after an outcry from readers and progressive politicians.

Television has also struggled to find the right approach. There was much introspection over how saturation coverage of Trumps 2016 campaign rallies and tweets gave him $5bn in free advertising, according to the media tracking firm mediaQuant. Cable news networks have drastically reduced their live coverage of Trumps speeches, although some commentators warm that the pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction, contending that voters need to see his unhinged antics, verbal gaffes and extremist agenda.

With Super Tuesdays primary elections clearing the way for another Biden v Trump clash, some accuse the media of focusing too much on polls and not enough on the stakes, treating Trump as just another political candidate rather than an existential threat. They say the intense focus on Bidens age  he is 81  is wildly disproportionate when set against Trumps authoritarianism and 91 criminal charges.

Setmayer, a former Republican communications director on Capitol Hill, said: The media has clearly not learned its lesson from 2016 or 2020 on how to cover Donald Trump. This is not a conventional horse race election. Theres nothing normal about any of this so, by covering Biden and Trump equally, it minimises Trumps considerably disturbing behaviour, comments and plans for the future.

The Democrats do have a legitimate complaint with the way the media is bothsides-ing this. The media should not be under any obligation to tell both sides of a lie or conspiracy theory or leading presidential candidates desire to tear up the constitution and become a dictator on day one. All things Donald Trump has said he would do.

The New York Times/Siena College poll was made up of 980 registered voters across the country and conducted on mobile and landline phones. It found that 61% of people who supported Biden in 2020 thought he was just too old to be an effective president. An accompanying article in the Times was headlined: Majority of Bidens 2020 Voters Now Say Hes Too Old to Be Effective.

Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota, thinks it was a fair question. The medias not in this to help any candidate and Joe Biden is the incumbent and there are legitimate questions about an 81-year-old repeatedly struggling in public. To do a poll that asks questions about that is entirely fair.

Others take a very different view. Jeff Jarvis, a journalism professor at the CUNY Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, said: The choice to ask the question and the way the question is asked and who the question is asked of and then how the result is played are agenda-filled. Polls become a self-fulfilling prophecy of: were going to set an agenda and say it all and then were going to do a poll and act as if thats news when its just a reaction to what weve already done. This is the case with the age.

Jarvis added: The New York Times  which has been our best and which I criticise because I want it to be better - is horribly frustrating because it does not know how to cover the rise of fascism, and thats what this story really is. Neither does it know how to cover the essence of why this is happening, which is race.

Defenders of the New York Times point out that it has done extensive reporting on Trumps plans for a second term and what it would mean for America and the world. Some commentators warn that Democrats attacks on the media are likely to backfire and lead to accusations that they are shooting the messenger.

Not even comedians are immune. When Jon Stewart returned to The Daily Show on Comedy Central, and skewered Biden and Trump as the two oldest presidential candidates in history, Mary Trump, a niece and fierce critic of the former president, wrote on X: Not only is Stewarts both sides are the same rhetoric not funny, its a potential disaster for democracy.

Stewart responded on his next show: I guess as the famous saying goes, Democracy dies in discussion  It was never my intention to say out loud what I saw with my eyes and then brain. I can do better.

If history is any guide, there is no knight in shining armour coming to Democrats rescue. They have to win on the merits on 5 November. Henry Olsen, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center thinktank in Washington, observed: The Democrats have wanted to use every trick in the book to defeat or unseat or stop Trump since 2016 and nothing has changed in that respect.

The fact is he is a leading candidate. He is supported by almost half the country. The idea that he poses a threat to democracy is not unfounded but is also wildly overblown. If the media did what many Democrats want, they would effectively be acting like media in Orbans Hungary, so the irony might be telling.
Joy Labinjo's An 18th-century Family imagines African abolitionist Olaudah Equiano and his mixed-race household - Katie Young/The Fitzwilliam Museum, Photographic Services

The director of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge has said that an inclusive rehang of its collection placing historical paintings alongside modern works of art is not woke.

Luke Syson said it shouldnt be controversial to be inclusive and representative as the galleries reopen this week with rooms based on themes rather than chronological displays.

The Cambridge University museums main painting galleries have undergone a five-year refurbishment with an emphasis on reflecting the evolution of its collection.

Each gallery hosting the museums 208-year-old collection will be focused around a theme that brings the historic, modern and contemporary together.

Contemporary works such as Zipporah by Barbara Walker will hang in the same rooms as paintings dating back to the 1600s.

One room will be called identity and feature 18th-century portraits by William Hogarth of a wealthy merchant family as well as contemporary black British artist Joy Labinjos An 18th-century Family, which imagines African abolitionist Olaudah Equiano and his mixed-race household.

Ethel Walker's 1916 painting Silence of the Ravine is included in the Fitzwilliam Museum's rehang

Other rooms include one called interiors , which will feature Ethel Walkers 1916 painting Silence of the Ravine, which is thought to be the earliest female nude painted by an openly lesbian artist in the UK.

There will also be a wall of paintings dating from the 1720s to the 1920s all depicting women reading.

In one section about men looking at women, Eugene Delacroixs 1825 work Odalisque contrasts with Dante Gabriel Rossettis Joan of Arc from 1882.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti's Joan of Arc features in the 'men looking at women' section - Image Library, Fitzwilliam Museum

Mr Syson told The Observer he was hoping there would be no pushback over the new approach and it would be unfair to accuse the museum of being woke.

He said: I would love to think that theres a way of telling these larger, more inclusive histories that doesnt feel as if it requires a pushback from those who try to suggest that any interest at all in work by women artists or artists of colour  or subject matter that takes us into the world of LBGT culture  is being radical chic or what would now be called woke.

Being inclusive and representative shouldnt be controversial; it should be enriching. We should all welcome the opportunities to understand each other better through the eyes of great makers and artists.

Some new ways of looking

Mr Syson said the display suggests some new ways of looking, without insisting on them of the museums most famous works alongside new discoveries from lesser-known painters.

Dr Rebecca Birrell, the curator of the rehang, said she hoped the display would avoid the controversy of other rehangs.

Something Ive been very conscious of, doing this particular rehang, is that you want to provide the audience with stories without being overly didactic or determining the meaning of artworks. Its just trying to provide possible readings, possible ways in, rather than definitive explanations, she said.

You want the work to have the space to speak for itself.
The taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, speaks to the media inside Dublin Castle after the referendum on Saturday. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

Proposals to reword Irelands 1937 constitution to get rid of outdated language about the role of women and the nature of the family have been comprehensively rejected in a double referendum.

All the major political parties had supported a Yes-Yes vote, and the taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, had warned that any other result would be a setback for the country. But when the results came in on Saturday they were a resounding No-No. So what went wrong, and what happens now?

What were Irelands referendums about?

There were two simultaneous referendums, each designed to change parts of a constitution that was written in 1937 under Catholic church influence. Article 41 refers to the role of women in the home and defines the family as a unit based on marriage.

The government said the language was old-fashioned and did not recognise unmarried couples so it asked voters to endorse two changes. The family amendment would have widened the definition of family to include durable relationships and the care amendment would have replaced the reference to women in the home with a new provision recognising the role of carers.

What was the result?

An overwhelming, resounding no: 67% rejected the family amendment, versus 32% who voted yes, and 74% rejected the care amendment, versus 24% who voted yes. Turnout was 44%. It was a stunning defeat not just for the government but the entire political establishment. Sinn Fein and the other main opposition parties had supported yes, yes as did many institutions and advocacy groups.

Have conservative values reconquered Ireland?

No. The liberal tide that swept in the 2015 same-sex referendum and 2018 abortion referendum endures. Surveys showed widespread support for tweaking the constitution. But the yes side botched the campaign, leaving voters confused, uncertain and uninspired. The amendments were difficult to explain and understand. Some liberal lawyers and scholars warned of unintended consequences for taxation, citizenship and other issues. Some feminist groups said the amendments did not go far enough. The result was widespread doubt and a sense of needlessly rushing complex changes. If in doubt, do nowt, said a no voter in Dun Laoghaire.

What will be the fallout?

Its a humiliating blow to the ruling coalition of Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Greens, which orchestrated the fiasco. The parties look incompetent and there are calls for ministerial resignations. When you lose by this kind of margin, there are a lot of people who got this wrong and I am certainly one of them, said Varadkar, though his own position seems safe. The government will try to draw a line under the mess and swiftly move on. It will take solace from the fact opposition parties also appear out of touch. There is plenty of blame to go round.

Will there be another attempt?

Not this side of an election, which must be held within a year. The next government will have to come back to this and consider the campaign and what were the arguments that merited a no vote in both cases, said Eamon Ryan, the Green party leader.
Oleg Tarasov studied at the prestigious Moscow State University - DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/TASS

A student in Moscow has been sent to prison for renaming his WiFi network Slava Ukraini, meaning Glory to Ukraine.

The court found 22-year-old Oleg Tarasov, a student at the prestigious Moscow State University, guilty of public demonstration of Nazi symbols ... or symbols of extremist organisations and sentenced him to 10 days in jail.

Russian language reports on the Telegram social messaging network said that Tarasov had bought the router for his student dormitory in October last year and that he had changed its name to Slava Ukraini when he set it up.

Security guards at the university launched a manhunt for the owner of the router on Wednesday when they discovered that its name had been tampered with and changed to what the Kremlin views as criminal propaganda.

Tarasov was eventually tracked down by Russias Centre E, a specialist anti-extremism unit within the Ministry of Interior.

Reports said that not only has Tarasov been imprisoned for renaming his WiFi router, but that the router has also been confiscated because it had been used in a crime.

Anti-Kremlin protests and pro-Ukraine slogans are banned in Russia. Since the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian courts have given thousands of people fines and prison sentences, even for holding up a blank sheet of paper.

Russian human rights activists have also reported that dozens of people in Russia have been detained and charged with discrediting the Russian army after attending the funeral of opposition leader Alexy Navalny, who died in an Arctic prison in February.

OVD-Info, a Russian human rights monitoring and legal aid agency, said that nearly 20,000 people have been detained for anti-war protests in the past two years in Russia. The arrests of anti-war activists are often violent. Men have been raped with truncheons and women threaten with beatings and strip searches.

Kremlin propagandists, though, said that the arrest and imprisonment of Tarasov for renaming his WiFi router was no different to the arrest of a TV repair man in Latvia this week for tuning connections for people wanting to watch banned Russian TV.
The Ukrainian government has responded angrily and vowed never to surrender after Pope Francis said the country should have the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags, Ukraines foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said on social media on Sunday.

Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said the pontiff was engaging in virtual mediation. Zelenskiy made no direct reference to Francis or his comments but mentioned religious figures helping inside Ukraine. They support us with prayer, with their discussion and with deeds. This is indeed what a church with the people is, Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. Not 2,500 km away, somewhere, virtual mediation between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you.

Politicians and commentators in Europe expressed outrage after the pontiff gave an interview in which he appeared to stay silent on Russias crimes as aggressor in the invasion and placed the onus on Ukraine to make peace.

Kuleba called on Francis to stand on the side of good and not put Russia and Ukraine on the same footing and call it negotiations.

He also appeared to refer to collaboration between some of the Catholic church and Nazi forces during the second world war: At the same time, when it comes to the white flag, we know this Vatican strategy from the first half of the 20th century. I urge to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine and its people in their just struggle for their lives.

My Sunday morning take: One must not capitulate in face of evil, one must fight it and defeat it, so that the evil raises the white flag and capitulates  Edgars Rinkevics (@edgarsrinkevics) March 10, 2024

The Latvian president, Edgars Rinkevics, wrote on X: My Sunday morning take: One must not capitulate in [the] face of evil. One must fight it and defeat it, so that the evil raises the white flag and capitulates.

Dennis Radtke, a German Christian Democrat MEP, said the word shameful could be used to describe the popes comments. His stance on Ukraine reflects poorly on his pontificate. It is incomprehensible, he posted on X.

Beschamend ist leider treffend. Dieser #Papst hat so viel Begeisterung und Hoffnung zu Beginn ausgelost. Seine Haltung zur Ukraine wirft ein schlechtes Licht auf sein Pontifikat. Es ist nicht zu verstehen https://t.co/fpQ5LeRhAI  Dennis Radtke (@RadtkeMdEP) March 10, 2024

Anton Gerashchenko, a blogger and former adviser to Ukraines internal affairs ministry, wrote on X: It does seem strange that the pope doesnt urge to defend Ukraine, doesnt condemn Russia as an aggressor who killed tens of thousands of people, doesnt urge Putin to stop, but calls on Ukraine to raise the white flag instead. Do all his Cardinals share this position?

The Polish foreign minister, Radosaw Sikorski, wrote on X: How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations.

Alexandra Valkenburg, the head of the EU delegation to the Holy See, said on X: Russia started an illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine two years ago, adding that Russia can end this war immediately by respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. She said the EU supported Ukraine and its peace plan.

In an interview broadcast on Saturday by Swiss television, but which the Vatican said was conducted in February, the pontiff urged parties in the Ukraine war to have the courage to negotiate, and do so before things get worse.

The 87-year-old pope was asked by the public broadcaster RTS about a debate within Ukraine on whether to surrender to Russias invasion. I believe that the strongest are those who see the situation, think about the people, and have the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate, he said. That word negotiate is a brave word. When you see that you are defeated, that things are not working out, to have the courage to negotiate.

Ukrainians, Francis said, should not be afraid to negotiate a peace deal before the situation deteriorates further. Today, for example with the war in Ukraine, there are many who want to act as mediators. Turkey, for example. Dont be ashamed to negotiate before things get worse.

Speaking about conflict in general, including the Israel-Gaza war, Francis said: Negotiations are never a surrender. It is the courage not to carry a country to suicide.

The Vaticans director of communications, Matteo Bruni, issued a statement seeking to clarify the popes words. He said Francis had used the term white flag to indicate a cessation of hostilities, a truce reached with the courage of negotiation. He repeated the pontiffs call for a diplomatic solution in search of a just and lasting peace in what Francis called the martyred Ukraine.
Artist Leonie Rae Gasson is causing controversy with her new installation, Rein

An SNP government quango has been accused of using almost 110,000 of public money to fund a harmful and abusive hardcore sex film.

Creative Scotland has come under fire over grants to create a moving image installation which will feature a secret sex cave party in which performers will be shown having non-simulated intercourse.

The artist behind the scheme, Leonie Rae Gasson, was awarded 23,219 in lottery funding in August 2022 for research and development for the project, which she called Rein.

This helped pay for a nine-minute film in which three characters riotously hump, languidly lick, and shake their manes in an experiment in teasing each other and the viewer.

Creative Scotland then awarded the project a further 84,555 in lottery cash in January this year for full-scale development of the project, which is due to premiere in August 2025 and is currently seeking performers.

Following concerns, the agency said the project was considerably more explicit in its execution than had been indicated in its application and that it was reviewing the award.

According to the website promoting the film, it is proposed that the project will be an exploration of dyke sexuality in what is described as a magical, erotic journey through a distinctly Scottish landscape.

It will include what are described as daddies lurking in the woods, princesses playfully trying to drown each other and bare a**** lovers flolicking in long grass.

It tells potential viewers that your climax will be a secret cave sex party in which various sex acts are seen exploding onto the screens.

The description adds: The relentless pace of the work slows into a warm, spacious scene of aftercare, for the performers on screen, and the audience.

The award of public money has caused outrage among campaigners who condemned it as nothing more than porn masquerading as art and culture.

Casting call

A casting call has been made to dyke identifying performers aged 18 or over, who would be paid 270 per day, with three being sought to take part in an explicit sex scene.

It adds: Some roles will involve just snogging, others will involve vanilla sex and others more hardcore acts.

If you are selected to be in the cast, our intimacy coordinators will support you to more clearly identify your detailed needs and boundaries with the sexual aspect of the work.

It adds: We are drawing on a long tradition of pornographic, erotic and radical queer performance work where the sex, in all its messiness and complexity, is allowed to be part of the process like other acts and feelings.

So for this work, any sex that features will not be simulated but performed by cast members, with the support of the intimacy coordinators and access and care team.

Kate Barker, from the LGB Alliance, said: We see this whole project as offensive. It is harmful and abusive towards women. Its nothing more than porn masquerading as arts and culture.

We all know that women working in the porn industry are vulnerable and exploited, so this project being given 85,000 public money is unacceptable and appalling.

Trina Budge, of the For Women Scotland campaign group, said members of the public would be horrified to learn a project that is so offensive and dehumanises women would be handed so much public cash.

Act of prostitution

She added: The act of prostitution is recognised as a crime of violence towards women, and this project is paying actors to have sex, as well as promoting unhealthy and dangerous relationships.

Ms Gasson, who is based in Glasgow, describes herself as a director who works across live performance, film and virtual reality and specialises in bold, conceptual & visually arresting work from a queer and neurodivergent perspective.

It is planned that audience members would be told to take off their shoes to enter the Rein installation, for a 45-minute screening in which they will move around, sit and get different perspectives by positioning themselves in different relationships to the 3 screens.

A Creative Scotland spokesman said: We support freedom of expression and artists being able to push the boundaries of radical performance.

However, the project, Rein, is considerably more explicit in its execution than was indicated in the application received to our Open Fund.

As such, we are reviewing this award and will be discussing next steps with the applicant and with the other partners in the project.

Ms Gasson was approached for comment.
People waves Ukrainian flags before Pope Francis Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukrainian and allied officials criticized Pope Francis for saying that Kyiv should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, a statement many interpreted as a call for Ukraine to surrender.

The foreign minister of Poland, a vocal ally of Kyiv, and Ukraines ambassador to the Vatican, both used World War II analogies to condemn the popes remarks. And a leader of one of Ukraines Christian churches on Sunday said that only the countrys determined resistance to Moscow's full-scale invasion, launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 24, 2022, had prevented a mass slaughter of civilians.

In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI and partially released on Saturday, Francis used the phrase the courage of the white flag as he argued that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should be open to peace talks brokered by international powers.

How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski responded with a post on X, formerly Twitter.

In a separate post, Sikorski drew parallels between those calling for negotiations while denying (Ukraine) the means to defend itself" and European leaders appeasement of Adolf Hitler just before World War II.

Andrii Yurash, Ukraines ambassador to the Holy See, said that it was necessary to learn lessons from that conflict. His tweet appeared to compare the popes comments to calls for talking with Hitler while raising a white flag to satisfy him.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni later clarified that the pope supported a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations, rather than an outright Ukrainian surrender. Bruni said that the journalist interviewing Francis used the term white flag in the question that prompted the controversial remarks.

I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates, Francis said, when asked to weigh in on the debate between those who say that Ukraine should agree to peace talks and those who argue that any negotiations would legitimize Moscows aggression.

Kyiv remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said multiple times that the initiative in peace negotiations must come from the country that has been invaded.

Throughout the war, Francis has tried to maintain the Vaticans traditional diplomatic neutrality, but that has often been accompanied by apparent sympathy with the Russian rationale for invading Ukraine, such as when he noted that NATO was barking at Russias door with its eastward expansion.

While the pope has spoken in the past about the need for talks between Kyiv and Moscow, the RSI interview appears to mark the first time when he publicly used terms such as white flag or defeated while discussing the war.

In the RSI interview, Francis insisted that negotiations are never a surrender.

When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate, he said.

Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said Sunday that surrender isn't on the minds of Ukrainians.

Ukraine is wounded, but unconquered! Ukraine is exhausted, but it stands and will endure. Believe me, it never crosses anyones mind to surrender. Even where there is fighting today: listen to our people in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy, Shevchuk said while meeting with Ukrainians in New York City. He mentioned the regions that have been under heavy Russian artillery and drone attacks.

Shevchuk also spoke of the brutality of Moscows invasion, referencing the town near Kyiv where Russian occupation left hundreds of civilians dead in the streets and in mass graves. He argued that, if not for Ukrainians fierce resistance as Russian forces marched on the capital in February 2022, the gruesome scenes seen in Bucha would have been just an introduction."

During the Angelus prayer on Sunday from the window overlooking St. Peters Square, Francis said that he was praying for peace in the tormented Ukraine and in the Holy Land.

Let the hostilities which cause immense suffering among the civilian population cease as soon as possible, he said.

Elsewhere, both Ukraine and Russia reported civilian deaths on Sunday after overnight trading drone, missile and shelling attacks that also caused a fire at a Russian oil depot and targeted Ukrainian power stations, according to officials.

Ukrainian air defenses overnight shot down 35 out of 39 drones launched by Russia, air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported, following a 4-hour barrage that officials said damaged unspecified industrial sites in southern Ukraine and also targeted power stations.

Two people died under rubble after Iranian-made Shahed drones around midnight struck private homes and state offices in Dobropillya, a large Ukrainian-held town in the east, authorities said.

In Myrnohrad, another eastern Ukrainian town, 11 civilians were wounded after Russian missiles overnight struck residential buildings, the local prosecutors office reported. It also posted photos of rubble lining the courtyard outside a high-rise apartment building, its windows blown out, and of cars parked outside that appeared reduced to piles of twisted metal.

A woman also died in Russias Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, after shells fired from Ukraine set her house on fire, according to local Gov. Roman Starovoit, who also said that the womans husband suffered severe burns.

Starovoit also said that debris from a downed Ukrainian drone sparked a fire at an oil depot in the Kursk region.

Nine Ukrainian drones targeted the Belgorod region, another southern Russian province that borders Ukraine, overnight and on Sunday, according to local Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov. Later Sunday, Russias Defense Ministry said that two drones were shot down over the Novgorod region in northern Russia, more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from the Ukrainian border. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

___

Nicole Winfield and Giada Zampano in Rome, and Vanessa Gera in Warsaw, Poland, contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Sharon Osbourne has criticised the very bad behaviour of women who appear in reality franchise series The Real Housewives.

Osbourne, 71, who is a celebrity lodger on ITV1s Celebrity Big Brother, said she does not like the way the women represent themselves on the show.

During Sundays instalment of the series, former X Factor judge Louis Walsh asks Osbourne about the shows popularity in the US, while talking to The Real Housewives Of Cheshire star Lauren Simon.

SNEAK PEEK Sabotaging the Shopping Task? David and Zeze are the cops for the job  #CBBUK pic.twitter.com/ECGY1Lbvs2  Celebrity Big Brother UK (@bbuk) March 10, 2024

Osbourne says: I honestly, honestly dont watch them because I dont like the way the women are.

I think its very, very bad the way they represent themselves with the cat fighting.

Simon says: Its the way its produced.

Osbourne adds: They live bullshit lives, not real lives.

Elsewhere in Sundays episode, Love Island star Ekin-Su Culculoglu asks Osbourne if she would ever consider signing up for internet subscription site OnlyFans, which is commonly used by sex workers.

Sharon is ready for the Celebrity Big Brother House, but is the House ready for Sharon? #CBBUK pic.twitter.com/SArMQI2GqN  Celebrity Big Brother UK (@bbuk) March 4, 2024

Culculoglu says: Id rather have zero pounds than 1 million doing it (making money) the wrong way, but have pride.

When asked if she would consider it, Osbourne tells Culculoglu: F*** off.

Housemates will wake up to the Celebrity Big Brother pad being transformed into Big Brothers Police Department.

They are tasked with solving a murder in order to win this weeks luxury shopping budget, and Ibiza Weekender star David Potts is given a secret mission in which he must sabotage, misdirect and corrupt the crime-fighting efforts of his fellow officers.

Celebrity Big Brother airs at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
First Minister Humza Yousaf will argue Scotland has been badly let down by the UK Governments budget as he makes the case for a stronger economic future.

Mr Yousaf is set to travel to London this week to highlight how the Scottish Government aims to make the most of the countrys potential through economic dynamism.

In his speech at the London School of Economics, the First Minister will argue additional support is desperately needed to help struggling families.

Mr Yousaf will outline Scotlands economic potential compared to similar European countries, while highlighting the plan to focus on attracting investment, enterprise and determination.

But he will also set out the consequences of the Spring Budget and the continuing impact of Brexit on the economy.

Speaking ahead of Tuesdays speech, the First Minister said: The Scottish Governments view is that this was a Budget that sacrificed public services, like our NHS, in favour of unsustainable tax cuts.

When more support is desperately needed for public services and struggling households are curing out for greater cost-of-living support, Scotland has been badly let down by the UK Government.

This week I will make the case for a better future for Scotland but also re-emphasise the positive impact that an independent and more economically stable Scotland could have on the wider UK.

That, after all, is surely what politics and political leadership is all about, building a better future for the people we serve.

The speech, expected to be broadcast live on the London School of Economics YouTube page, will begin around 2:30pm on Tuesday March 12.

Mr Yousafs address will be entitled Business prosperity through social solidarity and economic dynamism.
Tech billionaires arent the only ones fighting for control of AI. The US and China are too.

The two world superpowers are competing with each other for everything from the intellectual know-how to design AI hardware and software to the raw materials that power artificial intelligence systems. Both are also using government subsidies to spur new advancements.

Where the US holds a commanding lead at the moment is the development of generative AI systems such as large language models (LLMs), according to Frank Long with Goldman Sachs' (GS) Office of Applied Innovation. These models hoover up existing data and use it as the basis for chatbots like Open AI's ChatGPT.

Another advantage for the US is that it can place export restrictions on high-performance semiconductors designed by companies like Nvidia (NVDA) that are in intense demand across the AI world. That, for now, is keeping the development of the most sophisticated LLMs out of Chinas reach, Long said.

Nvidia is now one of the world's most valuable companies due to soaring demand for AI computing power. (Jeff Chiu/AP Photo, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

China, however, is countering with its own maneuvers. It is restricting the export of chipmaking metals gallium and germanium to the US while also reportedly amassing a new $27 billion chip fund to back its own major projects.

The fierce competition for AI talent between the two countries turned up a notch this past week when the US Justice Department unsealed an indictment charging a Chinese national and former Google (GOOG, GOOGL) AI software developer with stealing 500 files of confidential code that the tech giant uses for its supercomputing data centers to train LLMs.

The government alleged that after stealing the intellectual property, the defendant began simultaneously working for rival companies in China.

The charges are the latest illustration of the lengths affiliates of companies based in the Peoples Republic of China are willing to go to steal American innovation, FBI director Christopher Wray said in a statement.

'Horse race'

The fight for global supremacy of AI was a hot topic of discussion earlier this month at the Web Summits annual technology conference in Doha, Qatar, an event that attracted investors and tech executives from around the world.

AI leaders from the public and private sectors acknowledged that the US and China currently have the edge. The countries currently rank No. 1 and No. 2 in Tortoise Media'sGlobal AI Index, which measures nations based on AI investment, innovation, and implementation.

But the leaders also said at the summit that it's too soon to know which countries, over time, will leverage the technology to the greatest economic and societal advantage. Singapore, for example, is now No. 3 in Tortoise's index after moving up rapidly in recent years.

Singapore is climbing the ranks of AI powers. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) (ROSLAN RAHMAN via Getty Images)

"I think it's not going to be as straightforward of a horse race  this person or that person, this country or that country," Long said. "It's going to be a full stack with participants in competition" for the energy, computing power, data, and models needed for AI systems.

Long and his team at Goldman said in a recent white paper they suspect certain geopolitical swing states  like the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, and South Korea  may be best positioned to tap the technology and form AI alliances.

Other Asian countries beyond China already have several advantages. Taiwan is home to a cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSM), which produces 90% of the worlds most advanced semiconductors and 68% of semiconductors worldwide.

Engineers work in a cleanroom at the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute in Hsinchu, Taiwan. (Ann Wang/REUTERS) (REUTERS / Reuters)

Japan and South Korea are also home to leading semiconductor manufacturing and design firms, and they are setting aside more government funds to drive AI advancement.

Japan allocated $13 billion to the technology in its 2023 budget, up from $8.6 billion in 2022, while South Korea committed $470 billion over the next 23 years to create the worlds largest semiconductor manufacturing hub.

Other potential AI hubs could emerge in Europe and the Middle East. The Netherlands  home to ASML (ASML)  is already the worlds sole manufacturer of ultraviolet lithography machines, which are required to fabricate leading-edge semiconductors.

An employee in a laboratory at ASML, a Dutch company that is currently the largest supplier in the world of semiconductor manufacturing machines via photolithography systems. (EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP via Getty Images) (EMMANUEL DUNAND via Getty Images)

The UAE has a $10 billion fund to invest in late-state technologies, while Israel has also attracted billions in private AI investments.

Global power will shift towards nations that produce versus solely consume AI technology, according to Alaa Abdulaal, head of digital foresight for the Riyadh-based multilateral foundation Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO). The group's mission is to recommend government policies that promote access to technology.

"It cannot be only done by government itself," Abdulaal said. "It needs to take a cooperative approach, where we have at the same table the private sector, public sector, civil society  all of them sitting together to come up with the right set of frameworks for AI."

'Getting much closer'

Today, most countries have adopted, at minimum, a national strategy to develop and protect against the potential risks of AI. And some have cleared the way for regulations, though none have been tested against market forces.

In March, the EU is expected to adopt new legal restraints around AI. Earlier this year, the bloc's member states signaled their agreement with the AI Act, the worlds first comprehensive legislation to regulate the technology.

Federal laws specific to AI dont exist yet in the US or UK, and its unknown whether that will happen.

In October, President Biden issued an executive order to encourage safe AI development, including privacy protections. More than a dozen US states have adopted multiple AI-related laws.

President Joe Biden speaks about government regulations on artificial intelligence systems during an event in the East Room of the White House last year. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The UK, for its part, rolled out a National AI Strategy in 2022 and committed roughly $4 billion in chip development subsidies. The nation has also attracted the third-largest level of private investment in AI, behind the US and China.

State subsidies and export bans may not hold sway forever as nations compete, said Jihad Tayara, CEO of Evoteq, a Dubai-based company that facilitates public-private collaborations to build AI into public infrastructure.

"It's getting much closer," Tayara said of the digital divide, noting that most nations have access to high-speed 5G data capabilities.

And human capital, along with access to open-source models, will matter too.

"Today we're seeing open-source models emerging that are in many use cases equivalent in capability to the absolute most frontier models," Long said.

Nations that prepare their workforces to develop and implement AI models will gain a considerable edge, Abdulaal said.

"This opportunity cannot be seen unless we have the right people in place."

Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed.

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Two police stations near Haitis National Palace were attacked by armed individuals Friday night, as gang violence in the Caribbean nations capital of Port-au-Prince continued to spiral.

We are still working to get the situation under control as soon as possible. We are doing our best with what we have, a security source in Port-au-Prince told CNN.

The Haitian capital has been gripped by a wave of highly coordinated gang attacks on law enforcement and state institutions in what gang leader Jimmy Cherizier has described as an attempt to overthrow Prime Minister Ariel Henrys government.

Armed groups have burned down police stations and released thousands of inmates from two prisons, and Cherizier has warned of a civil war that will end in genocide if the prime minister does not step down.

The US State Department arranged for the evacuation of non-essential personnel from the US embassy overnight due to heightened gang violence. US Southern Command said in a statement Sunday the move was consistent with standard practice for Embassy security augmentation worldwide.

Our Embassy remains focused on advancing U.S. government efforts to support the Haitian people, US Southern Command said, adding that the evacuation helps to allow our Embassy mission operations to continue.

President Joe Biden approved the operation, according to a National Security Council spokesperson, and remains deeply concerned about the situation.

The German and European Union missions in Port-au-Prince have also evacuated diplomatic staff, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation. CNN has reached out to both for comment.

Henry has had difficulty returning to the country since leaving for Kenya last week to sign an agreement for a Kenyan-led multinational mission to restore security back home.

He is now believed to be in Puerto Rico, two sources with knowledge of Henrys movements in the Caribbean island told CNN, after the Dominican Republic refused to let his flight land.

On Friday, Haitian police union Synapoha encouraged all police officers to reinforce their police stations. We need to stay united to not lose our symbol, the police. The leadership needs to put adequate support for all the units, the union said.

The violence comes just a day after intruders broke into Port-au-Princes Caribbean Port Services (CPS) terminal, a major player in Haitis food import supply chain.

A woman cries as she walks near her husband's shop that armed gang members set fire to in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 7, 2024. Haiti's troubled capital is under a state of emergency as authorities struggle to rein in violent gangs demanding the prime minister resign. - Clarens Siffroy/AFP/Getty Images

But the UN said Friday the police had been able to push back coordinated gang attacks on key infrastructures, including the airport.

We remain deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating security situation amid ongoing gang violence and sporadic confrontations between heavily armed gangs and police forces in some parts of Port-au-Prince, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said.

The Haitian government has decreed a state of emergency will run until April 3 in the countrys West Region and the capital Port-au-Prince and a curfew will remain in force until March 10.

The chaos in Haiti has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes in the past few days, adding to the more than 300,000 already displaced by gang violence.

The head of Doctors without Borders in Haiti said she is concerned about the civilian displacement, pointing to the lack of necessities.

Police officers patrol in Port-au-Prince on March 9 as Haiti remains in a state of emergency. - Ralph Tedy Erol/Reuters

There is no toilet available, no shower available, no water availablethey cannot stay for long, Sophie Mealier told CNN on Friday.

Hospitals have been targeted by gangs. Only one public hospital is still operating in Port-au-Princes metropolitan area, according to an official from the countrys Civil Protection.

Pierre Esperance, Executive Director of NGO the Haitian Human Rights Defense Network, called Haitis situation chaotic with no end in sight and said the country had completely collapsed.

Canada said a protest lasting 90 minutes broke out in front of its embassy on Thursday, with a burning tire being thrown over the outside gate, while the US has said its looking into contingency options at its embassy.

CARICOM (the Caribbean Community and Common Market), a regional bloc of 25 countries which works on economic integration, security and social development, is to hold a meeting on Haiti in the Jamaican capital of Kingston on Monday, according to the UN.

Haiti is a member state, but it is unclear if Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry will be at the meeting.

CNN has reached out to the Haitian prime ministers office for comment.

Jim Rogers, Rafy Rivera, Michael Conte and Abel Alvarado contributed to the reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
ChatGPT is using up a lot more electricity than the average US household. LIONEL BONAVENTURE

ChatGPT uses more than half a million kilowatt-hours of electricity daily, The New Yorker reported.

In comparison, the average US household uses just 29 kilowatt-hours.

Estimating how much electricity the booming AI industry consumes is tough to pin down.

AI is using up a ton of electricity.

OpenAI's buzzy chatbot, ChatGPT, is probably using up more than half a million kilowatt-hours of electricity to respond to some 200 million requests a day, according to The New Yorker.

The publication reported that the average US household uses around 29 kilowatt-hours daily. Dividing the amount of electricity that ChatGPT uses per day by the amount used by the average household shows that ChatGPT uses more than 17 thousand times the amount of electricity.

That's a lot. And if generative AI is further adopted, it could drain significantly more.

For example, if Google integrated generative AI technology into every search, it would drain about 29 billion kilowatt-hours a year, according to calculations made by Alex de Vries, a data scientist for the Dutch National Bank, in a paper for the sustainable energy journal Joule. That's more electricity than countries like Kenya, Guatemala, and Croatia consume in a year, according to The New Yorker.

"AI is just very energy intensive," de Vries told Business Insider. "Every single of these AI servers can already consume as much power as more than a dozen UK households combined. So the numbers add up really quickly."

Still, estimating how much electricity the booming AI industry consumes is tough to pin down. There's considerable variability in how large AI models operate, and Big Tech companies  which have been driving the boom  haven't been exactly forthcoming about their energy use, according to The Verge.

In his paper, however, de Vries came up with a rough calculation based on numbers put out by Nvidia  which some have dubbed "the Cisco" of the AI boom. According to figures from New Street Research reported by CNBC, the chipmaker has about 95% of the market share for graphics processors.

De Vries estimated in the paper that by 2027, the entire AI sector will consume between 85 to 134 terawatt-hours (a billion times a kilowatt-hour) annually.



"You're talking about AI electricity consumption potentially being half a percent of global electricity consumption by 2027," de Vries told The Verge. "I think that's a pretty significant number."



Some of the world's most high electricity use businesses pale in comparison. Samsung uses close to 23 terawatt-hours, while tech giants like Google use a little more than 12 terawatt-hours, and Microsoft uses a bit more than 10 terawatt-hours to run data centers, networks, and user devices, according to BI's calculations based on a report from Consumer Energy Solutions.

OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.



Read the original article on Business Insider
Sama Kai/Dave Benett/Getty Images

New mom Sienna Miller has been glowing during recent date nights with boyfriend Oli Green just three months after welcoming their baby girl.

Miller, 42 and Green, 27, looked tres chic in casual looks as they arrived at Caviar Kaspia for Frames Paris Fashion Week dinner on Sunday, March 3. For a Thursday, March 7, charity event in London (celebrating the Pamela Anne Furze Foundation), Miller slipped into a more formal black gown with pearl shoulder straps while Green remained cool in his denim and white T-shirt.

The private couple welcomed their daughter in late 2023. The duo did not announce the birth, but it became clear that the baby was born when Miller and Green were spotted out and about in London while holding the newborn in January.

News of the pairs pregnancy broke last August when Miller was spotted showing off her adorable bump in a bikini while she was visiting Ibiza.

Sienna Miller and Boyfriend Oli Greens Relationship Timeline

While the little one is Greens first child, she is Millers second. Shes also a mom to daughter Marlowe, 11, whom she had with ex-fiance Tom Sturridge in July 2012. The former couple were together from 2011 to 2015, and although they called it quits, they have remained close friends and co-parents over the years.

The actress explained that she long wanted to give Marlowe a sibling. I felt so bad that Marlowe didnt have a little partner in crime, Miller told Vogue in her December 2023 cover story. So I became that for her. I think I tried to compensate for every bit that she was lacking.

Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

As for Miller and Green, the couple were first linked in February 2022 after they were seen together on a date in New York City. The next month, the pair confirmed their romance by stepping out together for a BAFTA afterparty in London and the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty in Los Angeles.

Two months later, the model revealed that she froze her eggs when she turned 40 because of the pressure she felt.

The Best Celebrity Bump-Baring Maternity Looks: Suki Waterhouse, More

Biology is incredibly cruel on women in that decade [of their 30s]  thats the headline, or it certainly was for me. Then I got to 40 and I froze some eggs, she told Elle UK in 2022. Having been really focused on the need to have another baby, Im just like, if it happens, it happens. That kind of existential threat has dissipated.

Later that year, Miller opened up to British Vogue about her desire to have a big family and mentioned that she had always envisioned herself being married with kids in her 30s, however, she had to change course. Id invested what felt like the important years in something that was just a bucket with a hole in it of a person. I wasted time. And I felt like time was really my currency, she revealed. There was a lot of anxiety. Relationships hadnt worked out  I imagined that I would be married with three kids, being a great mum.
Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) went back and forth with Fox Newss Mark Levin this weekend after he called her sleazy amid allegations that she poorly ran the GOP side of the House Jan. 6 committee.

An article in The Federalist accused Cheney of suppressing exonerating evidence against former President Trump, citing previously unseen committee transcripts. The conservative outlet specifically cited Kash Patel, a national security official who has repeatedly called out the committees findings, but is not generally considered a reliable source.

Levin reposted the piece Saturday.

Sleazy Liz Cheney needs to receive some of the Stalinist medicine she introduced into the body politick against scores of patriotic Americans, he wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. That is, she needs to be compelled to testify under oath about, among other things, what knowledge she may have about: possible witness tampering, censorship of exculpatory information and testimony, the destruction of committee evidence and data, etc. This is very, very important.

Cheney was having none of it, shooting right back at Levin.

Hi Mark: I see youre still spreading BS, she wrote. You & the bozo who wrote this might want to actually read the 1/6 report (eg, Appendix 2, 741-2, 127-8, 587-92), SecDef Millers transcript (Trump never ordered 10k troops), Judge Wallaces finding (Kash Patel is not a credible witness).

Levin responded again, mistakenly believing Cheneys bozo comment was directed at him instead of The Federalists staffer.

I wrote it, moron. Youre a pathetic disgrace and demagogue, he said Sunday. And have exposed yourself for all time. Funny how you avoid public debates with your detractors, including me. Coward. You should consider professional help.

Again coming back at Levin, Cheney passive-aggressively corrected his misunderstanding.

Good morning, Mark  I was actually referring to the bozo who wrote the article you are peddling, she wrote. If I had been referring to you, I would have used the term angry bozo. Have a nice Sunday.

Cheney has been a top target of conservatives since leading the GOP side of the Jan. 6 committee, voting to impeach former President Trump and leaving Congress.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SAN DIEGO  Rare sightings of mountain lion activity in downtown Oceanside made new fans of the urban prowler, but days later, experts wonder if the same animal has been felled.

Police reported a mountain lion was fatally struck by a vehicle at 7:25 p.m. Friday just north of the San Luis Rey River, NBC San Diego reported Saturday.

The San Diego Humane Society was notified by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife about the cats death late Friday, spokesperson Jordan Frey said by email.

A mountain lion was seen on security video walking through the Oceanside City Hall parking garage sometime Monday to Wednesday, Oceanside police said. (Oceanside Police Department)

According to CDFW, this animal was a younger male lion, likely a disperser, she said, referring to the youthful cats tendency to travel ahead of meteorological spring.

Its difficult to say if it is the same lion that was being reported in the area this week, Jordan continued, as this is the time of year where young mountain lions will start to disperse and seek territory of their own.

The animal was being checked out by Fish and Wildlife officials, NBC San Diego said.

Sightings earlier in the week in downtown Oceanside, a city home to 172,000 people where U.S. Marines from adjacent Camp Pendleton enjoy liberty and leave time at bars and craft breweries, were captured by security video.

At least one cat, maybe more, made the scene at a movie theater, along Coast Highway, and at Oceanside City Halls parking garage, officer Tom Bussey of the Oceanside Police Department told NBC San Diego.

Those interactions are incredibly rare, Megan Senour, an expert on human-wildlife interaction at the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, told the TV station.

Despite the segregation, mountain lions are legion in the nations most populous state  and half of the state is considered mountain lion habitat, Senour said.

The mammals occupy mountains, hills and wildlife corridors with dense brush and rarely come face to face with humans, experts have said. They can travel along wildlife corridors at a rate of 10 to 12 miles a day, Andy Blue, campus director at the San Diego Humane Societys Ramona Wildlife Center, told NBC San Diego.

One reason people might be seeing more of the wild cats is a proliferation of security video cameras is picking up mountain lions on previously incognito travels, Blue said.

Theyve probably been in these areas all along, and we just never really were aware of it until youre seeing it on your camera in the middle of the night, he said.

The cats are subject to the states special protected species designation, which outlaws the possession, transport, importation or sale of any mountain lion part or product, including taxidermy mounts.
President Biden said Friday that he raised the 2018 murder of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi during his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and that he told the Saudi leader he believed him to be responsible for Khashoggis death.

I raised it at the top of the meeting, making it clear what I thought of it at the time and what I think of it now, Biden said in a speech after hours of meetings with the Saudi crown prince and other Saudi officials in Jeddah.

I said, very straightforwardly, for an American president to be silent on the issue of human rights is inconsistent with who we are and who I am, Biden continued. Ill always stand up for our values.

Peppered with questions from reporters about the exchange, Biden later said that the Saudi crown prince told him he was not personally responsible for Khashoggis murder.

I indicated I thought he was, Biden said. He said he was not personally responsible for it, and he took action against those who were responsible.

Biden received criticism earlier on Friday when he was photographed fist bumping the Saudi crown prince, who the U.S. intelligence community concluded approved Khashoggis 2018 murder.

Fred Ryan, publisher and CEO of The Washington Post, where Khashoggi worked, called the fist bump shameful in a statement Friday afternoon and said it would give the Saudi crown prince the unwarranted redemption he has been desperately seeking.

There were questions leading up to Fridays meeting about whether and how Biden would raise Khashoggis killing. The meeting with Saudi leaders largely took place behind closed doors at Al Salam Royal Palace.

Biden also withstood a torrent of criticism leading up to Fridays meeting. He was accused of reversing on his campaign pledge to make Saudi Arabia a pariah on the world stage due to Khashoggis murder.

On Friday, Biden told reporters that he did not regret his language then.

I dont regret anything that I said, Biden said, replying to a reporters question. What happened to Khashoggi was outrageous.

Biden also defended the decision to visit Saudi Arabia, which was the second stop on a broader trip to the Middle East.

Biden highlighted progress in moving relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel toward normalization and said the U.S. and Saudi Arabia agreed to partner on a far-reaching green energy initiative.

Biden also expressed optimism that Saudi Arabia would take steps to boost the global oil supply in the coming weeks, which had been viewed as a major goal of the trip given high domestic gas prices and the disruption of the global energy market caused by Russias war in Ukraine.

The trip to the Middle East, Biden said, was about reasserting U.S. leadership in the region at a time when China and Russia are trying to expand their influence and challenge global order.

We are not going to leave a vacuum in the Middle East for Russia or China to fill, and were getting results, Biden said.

Updated at 4:29 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden on Wednesday predicted a future in the U.S. where electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are as easy to find as gas stations while announcing the first round of funding to build a national charging network.

The great American road trip is going to be fully electrified, Biden said in remarks in Detroit. Whether youre driving coast to coast along I-10 or on I-75 here in Michigan, charging stations will be up and easy to find as gas stations are now.

The president announced the approval of the first $900 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to build EV chargers in 35 states, which will span 53,000 miles of national highway. The investment is part of the $7.5 billion the law allocated to build charging stations across the U.S.

It used to be to buy an electric car you had to make all sorts of compromises. But not now, Biden said Wednesday. Thanks to American ingenuity, American engineers, American auto workers, thats all changing.

The president noted that drivers can now buy electric vehicles made in America that have a long range, charge quickly and are fast.

I believe we can own the future of the automobile market. I believe we can own the future of manufacturing. American manufacturing is back, Detroit is back, Americas back, Biden said.

Biden earlier on Wednesday toured the Detroit Auto Show and test drove an electric Cadillac Lyriq. He was joined by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D).

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
UPDATE: The Moscow Police Department has identified the four students found dead on Sunday. Click here for the story.

University of Idaho classes are canceled Monday as the Moscow police continue to investigate the deaths of four students near campus Sunday.

Police responded to a call Sunday afternoon that reported an unconscious individual, according to a police news release. The incident occurred in the 1100 block of King Road in Moscow. When officers arrived just before noon, they found all four people dead, Moscow police Capt. Tyson Berrett told the Idaho Statesman Sunday.

Berrett said that the four individuals were students at the university, which the school later disclosed in a news release.

Berrett said police may release the names of the deceased students Monday, but would first need to speak with the prosecuting attorney. As of Sunday, police were still contacting family members before releasing more information to the public.

Police could not provide details on how the four students died, Berrett said, but their deaths are being investigated as homicides. There was no suspect in custody as of Sunday evening, he said.

Moscow fire Chief Brian Nickerson told the Statesman Monday morning that his department was dispatched to the residence on a medical call just before noon on Sunday. His volunteer department sent an ambulance and a fire engine, which he said is standard for such calls, but none of his team ended up entering the home.

We werent there very long, Nickerson said by phone. The (police department) was there prior to us arriving, so we determined we didnt need to do anything at that point.

The U of I posted an alert on social media at 3:07 p.m. Sunday that said police were investigating a homicide on King Road. The post said the suspect was not known at the time and advised students to stay away from the area and shelter in place.

At 3:46 p.m., the school put out a second alert that said police did not believe there was an active threat, and the shelter in place advisory had been lifted. The suspect was still unknown at that time, according to the alert. The school warned students to remain vigilant.

The university emailed students that all Monday classes would be canceled out of respect for these fellow Vandals, referencing the schools mascot. Counseling services for those students seeking support were immediately available through the universitys student mental health center, and on Monday at the schools student union building for drop-in counseling from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

An event of this magnitude can understandably have significant impacts on those left behind, University of Idaho President Scott Green said in the email. As Vandals, we must come together and lift each other up.

The school declined Sunday to provide further information on the deaths to the Statesman. A university spokesperson said Monday morning that there were not yet any updates.

The Latah County Coroners Office did not immediately respond to a Statesman inquiry Monday morning.

Moscow police asked anyone with information to call the department at 208-882-2677.

The Moscow Police Department gives our heartfelt condolences to family members, friends and the Moscow community, the release said.

Editors Note: An earlier version of this story misidentified the home where the deceased students were found as a converted apartment, based on incorrect information from Moscow police.
A Batik Air Indonesia pilot and his second-in-command are accused of allowing the flight they were operating to veer off course as they both took a snooze in the cockpit midflight, Indonesian officials said in a report.

The Jan. 25 flight, BTK6723, was carrying 153 passengers from Halu Oleo Airport in Kendari to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, said the report from Indonesias National Transportation Safety Committee.

Both pilots, whose names were not included, had just completed a trip in the opposite direction, from Jakarta to Kendari, before they made the return, which is when they both fell asleep, the report said.

A Batik Air Airbus A320 during takeoff (Afriadi Hikmal / NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Once the return flight to Jakarta took off and the plane reached a cruising altitude of 36,000 feet, the 32-year-old pilot asked for permission to take a rest, the report said. After the pilot's nap, the pilot asked the 28-year-old second-in-command whether he wanted to rest, but the co-pilot said he did not want to.

After a quick chat, the pilot went back to sleep, leaving the second-in-command in control of the aircraft, according to the report.

While the pilot slept, the co-pilot asked to change the flight path to dodge bad weather, the report said, and was instructed to check in with flight control when they were in the clear.

But then the co-pilot accidentally fell asleep, the report said.

The pilot woke up to find "that the aircraft was not in the correct flight path," according to the report. The pilot saw the co-pilot was asleep and woke him.

The flight then continued on course and landed safely in Jakarta, the report said. No one was injured, and the plane was not damaged.

The report did not mention whether either of the pilots faced disciplinary action.

Batik Air did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Both pilots were cleared to fly before the Jan. 25 flight after blood pressure and heart rate exams were considered normal and alcohol tests came back negative, the report said.

The co-pilot, though, had had a busy few days off before the flight, according to the report. Not only was he a father to 1-month-old twins, but he also moved homes in the days before the flight.

He admitted to investigators "that his sleep quality had degraded by the several wakes up" from the babies on the night before the flight.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un criticized officials over slow medicine deliveries and mobilized the military to respond to a surge in suspected COVID-19 infections, as his nation struggled to contain a fever that has reportedly killed dozens and sickened nearly a million others in a span of three days.

North Korean health authorities said Monday that eight more people died and an additional 392,920 were newly found to have feverish symptoms. That brings the death toll to 50 and illnesses to more than 1.2 million, respectively. Its a sharp jump from six dead and 350,000 sick reported last Friday, a day after the North said that it found that an unspecified number of people in capital Pyongyang tested positive for the Omicron variant.

SEE MORE: North Korea Reports 6 Deaths After Acknowledging First COVID Outbreak

Kim has acknowledged that the fast-spreading fever, highly likely driven by COVID-19, is causing great upheaval in the country, and outside experts say the true scale of the outbreak is likely much bigger than whats described in the state-controlled media.

Some suspect that North Korea has understated its fatalities or illnesses to shield Kim's leadership from criticism. The North likely lacks test kits and other tools to detect virus carriers with no or mild symptoms, which means that several million might already have been infected.

When people die, North Korean authorities will say theyve died of overwork or from natural deaths, not because of COVID-19, said Nam Sung-wook, a professor at Korea University in South Korea. Nam said the North is likely understating the death toll to protect the dignity of its supreme leader.

While neighboring South Korea and China have offered to send medical supplies and other help, experts say its too late to inoculate the Norths 26 million people, and that the only realistic outside help would be offering limited supplies of vaccines to reduce deaths among high-risk groups, including the elderly and people with preexisting conditions.

It's also unclear whether and how soon Kim would accept outside offers of aid because he has previously rallied for unity at home to guard against the pandemic without resorting to foreign help.

State media didnt specify how many of the fever cases were confirmed as COVID-19. Among the 50 fatalities, North Korea officially identified only one as a COVID-19 case so far.

Failing to slow the virus could have dire consequences for North Korea, considering its broken health care system and that its people are believed to be unvaccinated. There's also malnourishment and chronic poverty.

Additional reporting by The Associated Press.
FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that at least 13,000 "terrorists" were among Palestinians killed during Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and vowed to press ahead with an offensive in the south of the enclave - a move U.S. President Joe Biden has described as his "red line."

Nearly 31,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza during the five month long war, that began after Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

The Gaza health ministry does not break down the death toll between civilians and Hamas militants but has said that 72% of those killed were women and children. Hamas dismisses Israel's toll for militants as attempts to portray "fake victories".

Netanyahu told German media company Axel Springer, which owns Politico and Germany's Bild newspaper and broadcaster Welt TV, that extending Israel's offensive into Rafah in southern Gaza was key to defeating Hamas.

"We are very close to victory ... Once we begin military action against the remaining terror battalions in Rafah, it is only a question of weeks" until the intensive phase of fighting is concluded, Bild newspaper quoted Netanyahu as saying.

Biden and his aides have urged Netanyahu in strong terms not to launch a major offensive in Rafah until Israel crafts a plan for mass evacuation of civilians. More than half of Gaza's 2.3 million people are sheltering in the Rafah area.

Asked by MSNBC on Saturday whether an invasion of Rafah would be a red line, Biden said: "It is a red line but I'm never going to leave Israel. The defense of Israel is still critical. So there's no red line (in which) I'm going to cut off all weapons so they don't have the Iron Dome to protect them."

Politico quoted Netanyahu as saying on Sunday that Israeli forces would push into Rafah, adding: "You know, I have a red line. You know what the red line is, that October 7 doesn't happen again. Never happens again."

Three quarters of Hamas battalions had been destroyed and halting the offensive now would only allow them to regroup, Bild quoted Netanyahu as saying.

(Reporting by Ludwig Burger and Michelle Nichols; editing by Giles Elgood and Sandra Maler)
The Sunday Telegraph leads with an interview with Communities Secretary Michael Gove, who urges pro-Palestinian protesters not to march alongside extremists. He pledges to expose groups trying to "subvert democracy", adding that the government is planning to "go into details" that would allow protesters to question whether they "really want to be lending credence" to extremist groups. His comments come ahead of the publication of a new official definition of extremism "intended to ensure that the government cuts ties with individuals and groups whose behaviour or outlook crosses the line", the paper adds.

A similar story makes the splash for the Observer, which reveals Michael Gove's plans to ban groups and individuals who "undermine the UK's system of liberal democracy" from public life. The paper has seen documents circulated to the Home Office and Downing Street which show that officials working for Mr Gove "have drawn up plans for 'trailblazer' departments to pilot the scheme", it reports. The paper, like many of Sunday's front pages, also features a prominent image of England's Marcus Smith whose drop goal secured a win in the Six Nations game against Ireland on Saturday.

"England slam Irish hopes" is the caption above a photo of a jubilant Smith in the Sunday Times, which leads on former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is reported to have "secretly" flown to Venezuela last month "for unofficial talks with its autocratic leader, Nicolas Maduro". The talks, which are described as "highly unusual", centred on the war in Ukraine as well as normalising the relationship with the UK, the story says. It adds that Mr Johnson did not respond to queries about who instigated the talks, or why. Because the paper, like many others, is previewing tonight's Oscars, cartoonist Newman cheekily depicts a special Johnson-shaped trophy with the engraving "Best acting foreign secretary".

The Sunday Express continues the theme of Six Nations and Oscars on its front page, but it is Prince Edward whose picture features most prominently, holding a Labrador puppy in new images released to mark his 60th birthday. Another politics story makes the paper's lead, which reports on an article written by Home Secretary James Cleverly for the Express in which he hits out at the Labour Party on migration. He writes that Sir Keir Starmer's party would rather "carp from the sidelines" than take bold action to tackle small boats. It comes as the government's flagship Rwanda policy reaches its final stages in Parliament this week.

An extract from the memoir of Earl Spencer, the younger brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, is published in the Mail on Sunday, in which he says he was sexually abused as a child at boarding school. Earl Spencer said he was targeted by a female member of staff at Maidwell Hall, Northamptonshire in the 1970s and alleges the abuse began when he was just 11 years old. Maidwell Hall said it was "sobering" to learn of Earl Spencer's experiences, adding that allegations of sexual abuse had been referred to a "local authority designated officer".

The Sunday Mirror's masthead features the words "Happy Mother's Day" above its lead story on an interview with Brianna Ghey's mother. Sixteen-year-old Brianna, who was transgender, was murdered in Cheshire in February 2023 by Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, both 15 at the time. Her murder has inspired her mother "to go on a mission to make children kinder", the paper says, reporting that Ms Ghey is "headed into a classroom this week to launch a campaign to have mindfulness lessons made part of the school curriculum".

"Fury at Baby P stepdad parole bid" is the splash for the Sunday People. Peter Connelly died on 3 August 2007 at home in Haringey, north London, after months of abuse by his mother Tracey Connelly as well as her boyfriend, Steven Barker, and their lodger Jason Owen, who was Barker's brother. The trio were jailed in 2009, and Connelly and Owen have since been released. Now the paper reports that Barker, who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 10 years for raping a two-year-old girl and given a 12-year term to run concurrently over his role in Baby Peter's death, "is making a fresh bid for parole".

Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville is the subject of the Sun on Sunday's lead story. The paper reports that the actor has been on a "string of dates" with an actress months after splitting with his wife, which included an event at Buckingham Palace.

And over at the Star on Sunday, it is "The Socky Horror Show" as the paper reports in its lead story that something has gone "horribly pong" with Britons' sock hygiene. "Just one in three Brits put on fresh socks daily," it says, adding that "a staggering number" wear the same pair for a full year.

The Sunday Times reports that Boris Johnson flew to Venezuela last month for what it describes as "secret talks" with its autocratic leader about the war in Ukraine.

There has been concern in western diplomatic circles that Nicolas Maduro might supply weapons or other military support to Russia. The paper notes that Mr Johnson has championed President Zelensky on the world stage since leaving Downing Street and said he also discussed normalising relations with the UK which doesn't recognise the legitimacy of Venezuela's government.

The Sunday Telegraph leads with a call from the Communities Secretary Michael Gove for pro-Palestinian protesters not to march alongside extremists who he says are trying to "subvert democracy". In an interview with the paper, Mr Gove warns that some pro-Palestinian events "have been organised by extremist organisations".

The paper says his comments come ahead of plans to set out a new official definition of extremism which will be used by the government to cut ties or funding to any groups deemed to have crossed the line.

Mr Gove's plan to ban some individuals and organisations under this new framework also makes the Observer front page. It says it has seen leaked documents that express fears within government that the scheme is at risk of legal challenge. The paper reports that some departments will pilot the plans and that local councils are expected to follow the government's lead.

Michael Gove

The Mail on Sunday leads on a claim by Earl Spencer in his memoir that he was sexually abused as an 11-year-old by a female member of staff at his boarding school. Princess Diana's brother describes the woman as a "voracious paedophile" and says she groomed and abused boys in their dormitories.

The Earl says the trauma has caused lifelong damage. The paper has bought the rights to the book. The school says the welfare of children has been at the heart of significant changes since the 1970s.

The mother of the teenage murder victim Brianna Ghey is pictured in the Sunday Mirror for her new campaign to make children kinder. Esther Ghey wants mindfulness lessons to be part of the school curriculum. The 37 year-old from Cheshire has been into a primary school where such lessons are already taking place.

She tells the paper that she doesn't know if Brianna's murder could have been stopped, but is convinced that if children are taught from a young age to "have empathy and self-compassion" they will be happier and feel better about themselves.

The Sunday People reports that a man who was jailed in 2009 for causing the death of a toddler could be freed on parole within months. The case of Baby P, or Peter Connolly, shocked the country and highlighted failings in social care. His stepfather, Steven Barker was jailed for a minimum 12 years for his part in the death. The paper adds that his previous applications for parole have been turned down.

And the Daily Star has the revelation that just one in three Brits puts on fresh socks every day. It carries the headline "The Socky Horror Show".

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The Royal Navy frigate downed two drones launched by the Houthis in the latest incident in the Red Sea

US, British and French forces say they repelled a series of Iranian-backed Houthi attacks off the coast of Yemen.

US military said at least 28 uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) were downed over the Red Sea early on Saturday.

Along with coalition forces, the US said it acted after determining the "large-scale" attack "presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels".

The Houthis said they had targeted a commercial ship, Propel Fortune, and a number of US destroyers.

A statement from the US Central Command said no US or coalition military vehicles were damaged and there were no reports of damage from commercial ships.

Since November, the Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in what they say is a campaign of solidarity with Palestinians during Israel's war in Gaza.

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the Royal Navy frigate HMS Richmond downed two drones launched by the Houthis on Friday night.

Mr Shapps said: "The UK and our allies will continue to take the action necessary to save lives and protect freedom of navigation."

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the Type 23 frigate and international allies "fully repelled" a Houthi drone attack with no injuries or damage sustained.

French warship and fighter jets also shot down four drones to stop an attack targeting a European naval mission and a cargo ship being towed in the Gulf of Aden.

The mission was protecting a cargo ship, True Confidence, which was being towed after it had been struck by a missile on Wednesday.

Three sailors were killed - two Filipinos and one Vietnamese - the first fatalities since the Houthis started their attacks.

The recent wave of attacks has been one of the largest by the Houthis.

As a result, vessels using the Red Sea have been diverting around southern Africa rather than using the Suez Canal between Europe and Asia, adding to costs and creating a potential global economic risk.

The latest action suggests that despite repeated strikes by the US and UK against sites linked to Houthi activity, there seems to be little sign of the threat to shipping abating.
Protesters gather in Hollywood outside Sunday's Oscar ceremony to demand an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-amas war. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

About a thousand protesters converged on Hollywood on Sunday ahead of the Academy Awards ceremony to call for an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Their presence frustrated Oscars organizers and traffic control. Shortly before the ceremony was set to begin at 4 p.m., dozens of black vans carrying attendees stood at a standstill on Highland Avenue.

Go, go, go! one organizer yelled as he frantically waved at cars to move through the intersection at Sunset Boulevard and Highland near the Dolby Theatre, where the ceremony was set to start. Some Oscar-goers ditched their cars and walked toward the venue. By the time the ceremony began, police had cleared access routes.

Three hours earlier, demonstrators began gathering by the hundreds at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Ivar Avenue, about a mile east of the theater on Hollywood Boulevard.

An Israel supporter stands on the sidewalk as a protester shares views Sunday in Hollywood. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The demonstrators then spilled out to Sunset Boulevard, waving Palestinian flags and occupying the eastbound side of the street.

Lets shut it down! protesters chanted as they swarmed Sunset. The crowd began moving westward on the boulevard, led by a white van with half a dozen people on top chanting into a microphone and megaphone.

About 40 police officers in riot gear stood vigilant at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Las Palmas Avenue, one block west of the approaching crowd.

Free free Palestine! the crowd chanted to a drumbeat  waving posters showing a movie slate painted in black, white, green and red, the colors of the Palestinian flag  with a message addressed to the Oscar audience: While youre watching, bombs are dropping."

Demonstrators also gathered earlier around the Hollywood Boulevard exit off the 101 Freeway and at the intersection of Sunset and Vine. Still others rallied on La Brea and Franklin avenues, near the Dolby Theatre, waving signs saying "Cease-fire now."

Read more:Those red buttons people are wearing on red carpets are a call for a cease-fire in Gaza

Security was tight in and around the theater. Los Angeles Police Department officers had bolstered patrols in the area in anticipation of protests, and ticket-holders for the ceremony and after-party events were required to pass through three checkpoints and a number of steel barriers before approaching the red carpet.

Miguel Camnitzer, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace of Los Angeles, said he recently joined the pro-Palestinian cause. The grandson of Jews who fled Germany during the Holocaust, the 44-year-old said he could not stand by while Palestinians are killed.

I just cant sit home today watching an awards show when a genocide is going on in the name of my people and with a previous genocide having happened to my people," he said. "I was raised believing its a collective responsibility from preventing that from anyone else."

For Sarah Jacobus, a mentor for young writers, protesting the Israel-Hamas war is more about getting food, water and other necessities to her mentees, some of whom are in Rafah in southern Gaza.

Theyre hanging on for dear life, Jacobus, 72, said. Two are in Rafah, one in a tent with his family and another in a room with about 50 people." She said one of her mentees needs diapers for his 2-month-old, but what they need more than anything is freedom.

Joining the demonstration on Sunset, several members of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television Radio Artists showed their support for Palestinians and a cease-fire, holding a large SAG-AFTRA poster at the front of the crowd.

One of the protesters was a 35-year-old actress whose aunt and uncle are sheltering in a church in Gaza, she said. She requested anonymity for fear of retaliation against her family in Gaza and herself in the entertainment industry.

Hollywood is complicit," she said, as she marched west toward the Dolby Theatre with the crowd. There is this racist ideology running rampant inside [SAG], and there is no punishment for it.

She said Palestinian Americans who voiced support for Gaza had been unfairly retaliated against in the entertainment industry, citing the case of a friend, a fellow actor who was dropped by their manager after posting pro-Palestinian messages on social media.

We are feeling the effects of speaking up against genocide and for humanity, she said. She urged the union to make a statement in support of a cease-fire.

Rallies and marches around the world in recent months have called for an end to the war.

Israel launched its airstrikes and a ground invasion of Gaza after Hamas militants attacked on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 240 hostages. The death toll in Gaza has since passed 30,000, with most of the casualties women and children, according to the World Health Organization.

International mediators had been working unsuccessfully for weeks to broker a pact to pause the fighting before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Sunday. Officials were hoping a deal would allow aid to reach hundreds of thousands of desperate Palestinians in northern Gaza who are under threat of famine.

Officials have been warning for months that Israels siege and military attacks were pushing the Palestinian territory into famine. At least 20 people have died from malnutrition and dehydration at the norths Kamal Adwan and Shifa hospitals, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory.

Recent airdrops of aid by the U.S. and other countries provide far fewer supplies than truck deliveries, which have become rare and sometimes dangerous. UNRWA, the largest U.N. agency in Gaza, says Israeli authorities havent allowed it to deliver supplies to the north since Jan. 23. The World Food Organization, which paused deliveries because of safety concerns, said the military last week forced its first convoy to the north in two weeks to turn back.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Scarlett Johansson poked fun at Sen. Katie Britt during this weekends Saturday Night Live cold open, parodying the Republicans response to President Joe Bidens State of the Union address.

In a Thursday-night speech from her kitchen, the real-life Britt lambasted Biden over a border crisis she said he invited and a country she said was more dangerous than it was four years ago.

In a dark turn, Britt appeared to blame Biden for the death of Laken Riley, the 22-year-old nursing student who the president, in an unscripted moment, had said was murdered by an illegal. She also told a story about a victim of human trafficking, which she implied happened during Bidens tenure  a story she received criticism for.

Johansson parodied the senators response to Bidens address, saying, as Britt, that shes auditioning for the part of scary mom.

And Ill be performing an original monologue called This Country is Hell, Johansson said. The actor added that shes concerned about the future of our children.

And this is why Ive invited you into this strange, empty kitchen. Because Republicans wanted me to appeal to women voters, and women love kitchen, Johansson said to laughter from the crowd.

Johansson, as Britt, called Bidens address the performance of a permanent politician, adding with a dramatic flourish that she is not performing.

Alluding to Britts story about a human-trafficking victim, Johansson said shes going to do a pivot out of nowhere into a shockingly violent story about sex trafficking.

And rest assured, every detail about it is real, except the year, where it took place, and who was president when it happened, Johansson said.

Shortly after Britts address Thursday, a viral social media post by journalist Jonathan Katz looked more closely at the story and noted that the trafficking did not happen during Bidens presidency, or even in the United States; it happened during the administration of President George W. Bush, in Mexico.

Johansson then said shes making the video not only to respond to Bidens State of the Union address, but also to sell cross necklaces for QVC.

This Affinity Diamond necklace goes with anything, and you can wear it from da church to da club, Johansson said.

The actor continued, saying the American Dream has turned into a nightmare.

Toward the end, Johansson re-created a scene from the movie Get Out in which white actor Catherine Keener scrapes a spoon across her teacup to hypnotize a Black character played by Daniel Kaluuya. SNL cast member Kenan Thompson portrays Kaluuyas character in the scene, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and staring wide-eyed into the camera, with a tear falling down his face.

But to the American people who are struggling right now, know this. We hear you. We see you. We smell you, the actor said. Were inside your kitchen right now, looking through your fridge. And whats that on the top shelf? Migrants.

Britt responded to criticism of her speech on Fox News Sunday, where she did not acknowledge making any mistake or leaving a wrong impression.

She was asked whether she meant to give the impression that the story she told about a victim of human trafficking happened during Bidens tenure.

No, Britt answered, adding later: I very clearly said I spoke to a woman who told me about when she was trafficked when she was 12, so I didnt say a teenager. I didnt say a young woman, a grown woman, a woman when she was trafficked when she was 12.

She doubled down on her Thursday statement that Biden didnt just create this border crisis. He invited it with 94 executive actions in his first 100 days.

The White House shot back at the Republican senator, accusing Britt of relying on debunked lies to attack Biden.

Instead of telling more debunked lies to justify opposing the toughest bipartisan border legislation in modern history, Senator Britt should stop choosing human smugglers and fentanyl traffickers over our national security and the Border Patrol Union, White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement. Like President Biden said in his State of the Union, We have a simple choice: We can fight about fixing the border or we can fix it.

Britts office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from NBC News.
Thousands of TikTok users, many of whom say theyve built entire livelihoods and communities on the app, are responding to the companys plea to #KeepTikTok by urging against its potential ban.

The platform of more than 1 billion monthly active users is facing a bill that would force ByteDance, its China-based parent company, to divest TikTok or risk its ban from U.S. app stores.

This has galvanized a resurgence in videos under the hashtag #KeepTikTok, which initially gained traction a year ago  after TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew appeared before Congress to field blistering questions about whether the app posed a national security risk. Now, TikTok is calling for help by promoting the campaign to its vast network of creators.

Act now to protect your freedom to create, the company wrote in a social media statement Saturday. Share a video expressing what TikTok means to you or how it has positively impacted your life, and use the #KeepTikTok hashtag. You can also encourage your audience to tell Congress to vote NO on the TikTok ban bill.

JT Laybourne, a longtime TikTok creator who has amassed 1.7 million followers on the app, is among those who put out an emotional call to action, sharing his frustration at the possibility of losing the digital space in which hes built a full-time income stream and found community.

The app that I rely on to feed my wife and three children, Laybourne said of the platform. The app that I rely on to provide for my family. The app that I rely on to keep my business alive.

He added that he takes issue not with national security concerns, but with the lawmakers behind the bill who have made comments disparaging the platform and its users. You want me to have any kind of confidence in what youre doing when you cant even acknowledge what this app really is, what its about, what its done?

Called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, the bipartisan legislation unanimously passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is expected to receive a floor vote in the House of Representatives next week. President Joe Biden has said he would sign the bill if it passes the House and Senate.

If enacted, it would empower the president to use federal intelligence agencies to identify certain social media apps as national security threats if they are deemed to be under the control of foreign adversaries such as China, Russia, Iran or North Korea.

Such apps would then be banned from online app stores and web-hosting services unless they sever ties with entities under control of the foreign adversary within 180 days of the designation.

This legislation has a predetermined outcome: a total ban of TikTok in the United States, a TikTok spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement. The government is attempting to strip 170 million Americans of their Constitutional right to free expression. This will damage millions of businesses, deny artists an audience, and destroy the livelihoods of countless creators across the country.

On Thursday, TikTok also sent push notifications to some users urging them to call their representatives and tell them to vote against the bill.

Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., a co-author of the bill, told NBC News this week that this characterization of the legislation as a TikTok ban is an outright lie.

As long as ByteDance no longer owns the company, TikTok can continue to survive, said Gallagher, who chairs the select committee on the Chinese Communist Party. People can continue to do all the dumb dance videos they want on the platform or communicate with their friends and all that stuff.

But many online who are pushing back against lawmakers concerns say their assumptions about TikTok prove they have little to no understanding of how users have shaped the platform over the past half decade.

TikTok is so much more than just an app you can post your silly little dancing videos on, one creator and small business owner said in a video, adding that the platform has connected real people from around the world. Its been a place that people who really need a voice can find it, and TBH, I think its really scary that there are people out there that think we should not have this connection.

Many small-business owners and artists have built their dream careers through the audiences theyve built on the platform, creators say. For some of these users, TikTok has become their primary means of financial stability.

Its taken me six years to get to this point. Literally not even a month ago, I quit my job to do TikTok, social media, full time. And now this, another creator shared in a tearful video. Its just like one day my dreams are coming true, and then the next day its getting ripped away from me.

Laybourne told NBC News nearly 95% of his income comes from his apparel business, which maintains its fan base almost exclusively through TikTok. He and his wife, who is also a creator and co-owner, have found the platform to be the most effective way to promote new designs and apparel drops.

Aside from his financial reliance on the app, Laybourne said he has watched it change peoples lives: users rallying to raise money for someone in need, or simply rushing to offer emotional encouragement to someone feeling vulnerable.

His own community on the app raised more than $1 million for the American Heart Association in 2020, inspired by the support he received from the group when he underwent open-heart surgery earlier that year.

Thats why hearing our elected representatives mock TikTok, mock what it does and what it is and what it stands for and its creators, its just really disheartening, Laybourne said. It doesnt make me feel like this is anything other than just a vendetta, which is frustrating for the people that truly have found purpose and a voice on TikTok.
LAKE AMISTAD  A line of trucks with fishing boats in tow idled on the Diablo East boat ramp on the south side of Lake Amistad, waiting for their turn to launch and start their morning on the water.

Normally, there are nearly a dozen ramps open at the reservoir, which straddles the United States-Mexico border near Del Rio, about 150 miles west of central San Antonio. But as the lake level has dropped, the ramps have closed one by one, leaving just two that reach the water.

Created by damming the Rio Grande, Lake Amistad stretches across more than 65,000 acres and is more than 200 feet deep in some places. When its full, it can hold enough water to cover more than 3 million acres, about three times the state of Rhode Island, with 1 foot of water; in flood conditions, that climbs to more than 5 million.

Its far from full now. Lake Amistad is 66 feet low and sits at just about one-quarter full, according to data from the Texas Water Development Board. The surface level recently fell below 1,052 feet above sea level, the lowest recorded since the lake was filled after the dam was completed in 1969.

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The United States has rights to 56% of the lakes water, while Mexico controls the remainder. The U.S. share of that water is crucial to a big swath of South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley, home to more than 1.3 million people. Amistad and Falcon, another reservoir south of Laredo, provide drinking water for cities and irrigation water to grow crops like cotton, corn and citrus  which means shortfalls in that water supply can cause ripples across the Texas economy.

Visitors unload their boats at Lake Amistads Diablo East boat ramp on March 1. Only two of Lake Amistad's boat ramps are currently open due to record-low water levels in the lake. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News A boat travels by the Governors Landing area of Lake Amistad on March 2. The water level at Lake Amistad, a key reservoir on the Rio Grande, is at historic lows. The water is crucial to a significant portion of South Texas, but the supply is being threatened by ongoing drought and a dispute between the U.S. and Mexico. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Cindy and Bert Becker own the Lodge at Sanders Point, which is along the Devils River on Lake Amistad. The couple bought the cabin rental business in 2015. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News A fisherman who declined to give his name heads out onto Lake Amistad on March 1. The water level at Lake Amistad, a key reservoir on the Rio Grande, is at historic lows. The water is crucial to a significant portion of South Texas, but the supply is being threatened by ongoing drought and a dispute between the U.S. and Mexico. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Customers gather at Hookers 1 Stop along Lake Amistad on March 1. The convenience store and restaurant is something of a community hub on the lake, but its owners say they worry about what low water levels will do to the area's tourism industry. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Photos of fishermen posing line the wall at Hookers 1 Stop, a business on Lake Amistad near Del Rio. Business owners near the lake say they are worried about what low lake levels will do to the tourism industry in the area. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Customers hang out at Hookers 1 Stop along Lake Amistad on March 1. The convenience store and restaurant is something of a community hub on the lake, but its owners say they worry about what low water levels will do to the area's tourism industry. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Boaters head out into Lake Amistad on March 1. The lake's water is crucial to a significant portion of South Texas, but the supply is being threatened by ongoing drought and a dispute between the U.S. and Mexico. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Boaters fish in Lake Amistad on March 1. The lake's water is crucial to a significant portion of South Texas, but the supply is being threatened by ongoing drought and a dispute between the U.S. and Mexico. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News The sun sets over Lake Amistad on Feb. 29. The lake's water is crucial to a significant portion of South Texas, but the supply is being threatened by ongoing drought and a dispute between the U.S. and Mexico. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Fishermen leave the Diablo East boat ramp to explore Lake Amistad on Friday morning, March 1, 2024, in the Amistad National Recreation Area near Del Rio. On March 4, 2024, the lake reached its lowest recorded level since the lake was filled in 1969, dropping below 1,052 feet above sea level. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Fishermen spend time on Lake Amistad near Governors Landing on March 2. The water level at Lake Amistad, a key reservoir on the Rio Grande, is at historic lows. The water is crucial to a significant portion of South Texas, but the supply is being threatened by ongoing drought and a dispute between the U.S. and Mexico. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News The water level at Lake Amistad, a key reservoir on the Rio Grande, is at historic lows. The water is crucial to a significant portion of South Texas, but the supply is being threatened by ongoing drought and a dispute between the U.S. and Mexico. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News The water level at Lake Amistad, a key reservoir on the Rio Grande, is at historic lows. The water is crucial to a significant portion of South Texas, but the supply is being threatened by ongoing drought and a dispute between the U.S. and Mexico. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News The water level at Lake Amistad, a key reservoir on the Rio Grande, is at historic lows. The water is crucial to a significant portion of South Texas, but the supply is being threatened by ongoing drought and a dispute between the U.S. and Mexico. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

The low water levels in the lakes are being caused by what some experts call a double drought  an ongoing lack of rainfall to replenish rivers and reservoirs, combined with decisions by Mexico to withhold water from the Rio Grande that they are supposed to be handing over to the United States.

Historic lows

This isnt the first time drought conditions have created problems in the Rio Grande basin, but the lack of water is nearing a critical stage, experts say.

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The Rio Grande basin  which includes the two international reservoirs, Amistad and Falcon, along with Red Bluff Reservoir north of Pecos  is currently less than 25% full, according to state data.

Lake Amistad is currently about one-quarter full, less than half the typical median of 70% full this time of year. The previous record low was set in August 2022  raising questions about what the lake will look like this summer if its already breaking records in late February, before peak irrigation season gets underway and before summer heat speeds up evaporation.

Its going to be tough this summer for our farmers. About 200 miles to the south, Falcon International Reservoir is even emptier, at just 17% full, less than half the median level there.

Its concerning that this early, were this low, said Mark Wentzel, a surface water hydrologist with the Texas Water Development Board, the state agency tasked with water planning and data collection.

There arent strong indications of improvement on the horizon. The El Nino weather pattern brought hope of a wetter, cooler winter, but that didnt materialize and brought no relief to the Rio Grande, Wentzel said. La Nina conditions, which could arrive this summer, offer a hope, but an unreliable one. Those conditions could set up a higher likelihood of tropical storm and hurricane development in the Atlantic Ocean.

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The reservoirs are designed to take advantage of storm events and fill up quickly, Wentzel said, but those events arent reliable or predictable, and they also bring the threat of flooding and damage. Those storms typically hit the Gulf of Mexico in late summer, with hurricane season most active from late August to November, so a storm that refills the reservoirs at that point wouldnt help farmers who are facing water shortages now.

I dont like saying it, because of the consequences, but were overdue for a tropical storm or hurricane to replenish our reserves, said Martin Castro, watershed science director for the Rio Grande International Study Center in Laredo. Its going to be tough this summer for our farmers.

Thats partially because unlike other surface water in Texas, priority for water from the Rio Grande is given first to municipal users, then to irrigation accounts.

As of late January, there was only enough water available to meet about 22% of annual irrigation needs, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Commissioner Bobby Janecka said in a recent letter. Thats after accounting for domestic use, operating reserves and dead storage, or water that cant be released from the dams, he said in a letter to Maria-Elena Giner, who leads the U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission.

Chloe Holiday, left, takes an order from a customer during the dinner rush at Hookers 1 Stop, in the Rough Canyon Recreational Area of Lake Amistad. Crowds enjoy the evening, right, at Hookers 1 Stop in early March as the lake begins its busy season. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Chloe Holiday, left, takes an order from a customer during the dinner rush at Hookers 1 Stop, in the Rough Canyon Recreational Area of Lake Amistad. Crowds enjoy the evening, right, at Hookers 1 Stop in early March as the lake begins its busy season. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

The commission is a binational agency that applies treaties between the U.S. and Mexico, including the 1944 treaty governing water allocations for the Rio Grande, which experts and irrigation districts say Mexico isnt following.

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That situation has forced many farmers to abandon plans for this years crops, Janecka said.

Precipitation and politics

The Rio Grande begins in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, ultimately flowing into the Gulf of Mexico east of Brownsville. But it really operates more like two separate rivers, said Robert Mace, executive director of Texas State Universitys Meadows Center for Water and the Environment.

The river tends to dry up or have extremely low flows below El Paso, he said. Then it picks back up near Ojinaga, a town in the northern Mexico state of Chihuahua, where the Rio Conchos enters the river. The Conchos runs from the Sierra Madre mountains in northern Mexico, passing through several reservoirs before reaching the Texas border, where it provides much of the flow in the lower Rio Grande basin.

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But those flows arent consistent for two major reasons: one natural, one political.

According to the North American Drought Monitor, nearly three-quarters of Chihuahua is in extreme or exceptional drought, the monitors highest levels, and almost all of the state is in at least severe drought. This time last year, none of the state was classified as extreme or exceptional, and while much of Chihuahua was abnormally dry, only about half the state had reached moderate drought conditions or worse.

Thats part of why the Rio Grande reservoirs are so low  and it affects the other side of the equation, which is Mexicos delivery of water to the U.S.

Theres this natural component of drought and this international political component to whats going on in the reservoirs, Mace said. But generally, the two go together. When its raining a lot, the politics dont matter as much because the reservoirs are full.

Under the 1944 treaty, which allocated water in the Rio Grande and the Colorado River to the two countries, the U.S. is entitled to one-third of the flow of the Conchos and several of its tributaries. Mexico must provide an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water per year to the U.S. in five-year cycles by letting it flow through dams and into the Rio Grande. One acre-foot is about 326,000 gallons, enough water to cover 1 acre in 1 foot of water.

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Mexico is far behind pace on those deliveries in the current cycle, providing less water to fill up the reservoirs and send downstream to users.

Gates block entrance to the closed 277 South boat ramp in the Amistad National Recreation Area on March 1, 2024. Due to record-low water levels, only two of the lake's 12 boat ramps are open. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Mexico has delivered about 380,000 acre-feet since Oct. 25, 2020, or only about 34% of its expected minimum seasonal deliveries, according to the International Boundary and Water Commission. In the first three years of the cycle, the U.S. should have received more than 1 million acre-feet.

In an October news release, the commission said the U.S. section was going all out to bring reliability and predictability to Rio Grande water deliveries. Three groups were working on policies, models and project opportunities, and Giner and her team were holding high-level binational negotiations, the commission said.

All this is aimed at one result that will have positive implications for U.S. water users, the release said. That hoped-for result: the signing of a new amendment to the treaty, called a minute, in December.

That didnt come to fruition, and the U.S. section of the commission continues to negotiate with Mexico, commission spokesman Frank Fisher said.

Mexico doesnt care to comply

The commissions U.S. representatives hoped Mexico would sign this new minute in December, but the Mexican government still is reviewing it, he said. We realize the lack of Mexican water deliveries is harming Texas farmers and other water users. We are committed to working with Mexico, the U.S. State Department, and all stakeholders to get this minute signed and implemented as soon as possible.

U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, a Republican from Edinburg, introduced legislation last month aimed at advancing efforts seeking compliance by Mexico. The bill was co-led by Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Laredo Democrat, and calls for the U.S. secretary of state to use the voice, vote, diplomatic capital and resources of the United States to achieve more reliable and predictable water deliveries.

Carlos Rubinstein, who administered water rights as the TCEQs Rio Grande watermaster from 2000 to 2009, said the deliveries are delayed because Mexico doesnt care to comply with the 1944 treaty. The watermaster monitors water use and levels, coordinates releases and diversions, and enforces complaints with water rights rules in the basin.

Since at least 1992, officials in Mexico have been withholding water and hoping there will be enough rain to meet its treaty obligations without setting aside any from their reservoirs, he said.

Mexico bets that during the five-year cycle, there will be rain that will come and provide enough water to relieve the pressure of compliance, Rubinstein said.

Political leverage and punditry also play a role sometimes, he said, but betting on rain is almost all of it, he said.

The sun rises over the Governors Landing area of Lake Amistad on March 2. The lake's water is crucial to a significant portion of South Texas, but the supply is being threatened by ongoing drought and a dispute between the U.S. and Mexico. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Anthony Stambaugh, another former watermaster, said Mexico had an opportunity to release water earlier in the cycle after getting significant rainfall, but officials opted not to do so.

In August 2022, precipitation brought more than 2 million acre-feet of water to Mexicos reservoirs, pushing their total to nearly 3 million, he said. But the U.S. received only about 300,000 acre-feet from Mexico after that, said Stambaugh, who is now the general manager of Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 2, in San Juan, east of McAllen.

The window of opportunity passed, Stambaugh said. Mexico has much less water on hand now, even though it owes the U.S. more.

Its far from the first time the two countries have negotiated over treaty compliance, including a high-profile period in 2020, at the end of the last cycle. That year, Mexico was also behind on its water deliveries, and Mexican farmers occupied La Boquilla Dam in Chihuahua to block releases to meet treaty obligations.

Mexico and the U.S. ultimately struck a deal in late October of that year, transferring ownership of water already in Amistad and Falcon to the U.S. to make up for the shortfall.

There have been successful negotiations in the past, Rubinstein said, and he said he believes the International Boundary and Water Commission is working toward a solution, but hes also taking a wait-and-see approach.

Putting something on paper and seeing it materialize are two different things, he said.

Businesses also feel the pain

As negotiations continue and the lake stays low, residents and business owners near Lake Amistad say they are worried about how low the lake will fall.

The lake was shrinking by more than 5,000 acre-feet per day in early February, according to the International Boundary and Water Commission, as both the U.S. and Mexico release water from the dam. Peak irrigation season in the valley, which will prompt larger water releases, typically starts in March and continues through September, said Castro of the Rio Grande International Study Center. He said hes expecting levels at both Amistad and Falcon to keep dropping.

Local business owners are quick to emphasize that, despite the record low levels, theres still plenty of water in the reservoir for visitors to enjoy. In some areas, water is still more than 100 feet deep, and while most boat ramps are closed, there are still a few open for anglers to get on the water.

There are definitely areas you have to be careful, said Bart Giles, manager of Two Guys Marine. In some parts of the lake, trees and brush that have been underwater since it was filled are breaching the surface, or lurking just below it. But the fishings still good, he said, and Two Guys Marine is hosting tournaments this spring in an attempt to lure people to the area and fend off some of the economic hit that comes with lower water levels. The two remaining boat ramps still have a long way to go before the lake is too shallow to use them, he said.

Jack the dog lives with Cindy and Bert Becker, the owners of the Lodge at Sanders Point, a cabin rental business along the Devils River on Lake Amistad. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Across the street at Karlens Tackle, owner Carlos Rosales said the lower lake levels have slowed down business a bit over the last few years, but he hasnt lost his optimism that things will turn around.

He worries that the water levels will deter people, taking away one of the biggest draws to visit the area. Here in Del Rio, theres not much to do: you hunt, you fish, you drink. Taking one of the options away is tough. But hes quick to remind anyone whos upset that the lakes purpose isnt recreation: that water is intended for irrigation, so he cant complain that its being released, he said.

On the north side of the lake near Rough Canyon, the other remaining boat ramp, Allison Riley isnt worried, because shed rather not fear something thats out of her control. She and her husband, Shon, bought the Hookers 1 Stop two years ago, serving locals and visitors at the restaurant, bar, gas station and convenience store.

We cant worry. Theres nothing we can do, she said. Theyre hosting events like a cook-off and goat roping to draw in business without relying on the lake, and shes active on social media, posting photos and videos to remind people that theres still water in the lake. Were still open for business, she said.

A short drive north, Bert and Cindy Becker have been hoping for a shift in the weather. Reservations for their 10 cabins at the Lodge at Sanders Point are looking good through April, they said, but theyre not sure what will happen if the lake keeps dropping through the summer.

Their property overlooks the spring-fed Devils River before it runs into Lake Amistad, and that will remain a draw even if lake levels keep falling, they said. But theyve noticed the changes: From the back porch, Cindy Becker pointed to a dry area on the riverbed below, where someone had pitched a tent and was hanging out in the sunshine. Its usually underwater there, she said, but now it was a beach.

In 2022, the lake refilled quickly, and shes hoping for the same this year. After dropping to the then-lowest level ever on Aug. 15, it had climbed more than 10 feet in less than three weeks, according to data from the the Texas Water Development Board.

I do worry about it, Cindy Becker said. Hopefully well get some rain.

Downstream, this summer will require more coordinated water conservation in communities throughout the basin, Castro said, not just relying on relief from the skies.

We really do need a substantial weather event to replenish our reserves, he said. We should be cognizant of the consequences if such an event does not occur this summer.
(Reuters) -Ukraine on Sunday rebuffed Pope Francis's call to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy saying the pontiff was engaging in "virtual mediation" and his foreign minister saying Kyiv would never capitulate.

Francis said that when things were going badly for a party to a conflict one had to show the "courage of the white flag" and negotiate. The pope's interview was believed to be the first time Francis has used terms like "white flag" or "defeated" in discussing the Ukraine war, though he has referred in the past to the need for talks.

Zelenskiy made no direct reference to Francis or his comments but mentioned religious figures helping inside Ukraine.

"They support us with prayer, with their discussion and with deeds. This is indeed what a church with the people is," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.

"Not 2,500 km away, somewhere, virtual mediation between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you."

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, writing on the X messaging platform, said that the strong person in any dispute "stands on the side of good rather than attempting to put them on the same footing and call it 'negotiations'".

"Our flag is a yellow and blue one," Kuleba wrote in English, referring to the Ukrainian national flag. "This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags."

Kuleba also pointed to allegations that Pope Pius XII failed to act against the Nazis in Germany in World War Two.

"I urge (the Vatican) to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine and its people in their just struggle for their lives," he wrote.

That was a reference to longstanding arguments that Pius took no action despite evidence that emerged during the war of the extent of the Holocaust. A letter made public last year from the Vatican archives appeared to show that Pius was made aware of details of Nazi actions to exterminate Jews as early as 1942.

Supporters of Pius say he worked behind the scenes to help Jews and did not speak out in order to prevent worsening the situation for Catholics in Nazi-occupied Europe. His detractors say he lacked the courage to speak out on information he had despite pleas from Allied powers fighting Germany.

The head of Ukraine's 5 million-strong Eastern Rite Catholic Church, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, also rejected the pope's comments.

"Ukraine is wounded, but not conquered! Ukraine is exhausted, but it stands and will stand!" the church's website quoted Shevchuk as saying in New York.

"Believe me, no one has any idea of surrendering."

Zelenskiy has called for the withdrawal of all Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraine's post-Soviet borders. The Kremlin rules out engaging in talks on terms set by Kyiv.

The pope has upset Ukrainian officials several times in the war, including his call last year to Russian youth to take pride as heirs of tsars like Peter the Great, held up by President Vladimir Putin as an example to justify his actions in Ukraine.

European officials supporting Ukraine in efforts to evict Russian troops denounced the pope's latest comments.

"How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine?" Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski wrote on X.

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics, also writing on X, said:

"One must not capitulate in face of evil, one must fight it and defeat it, so that the evil raises the white flag and capitulates."

(Additional reporting by Giulia SegretiWriting by Ron PopeskiEditing by Frances Kerry and Lisa Shumaker)
Editors Note: Fareed Zakaria is the host of Fareed Zakaria GPS, airing at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET Sundays on CNN. Follow Fareed on X, and read news, analysis, and insights from Fareed and his team in the daily CNN newsletter Fareeds Global Briefing. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more CNN Opinion.

Airing at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 25 on CNN and CNNi, Fareed will explore the past, present and future of the hostile USIran relationship in a CNN special report, Why Iran Hates America.

October 7 was a day that changed the world. A brutal surprise attack by Hamas in Israel was followed by a massive and deadly war of retaliation in Gaza.

The US  a major security player in the Middle East, with its own allies and enemies in the region  now has a target on its back. An Iran-backed, Iraqi militia killed three US soldiers in a drone strike, carried out on a US base in Jordan at the end of January, leading the US to undertake a wave of reprisal strikes on Iran-backed forces across the region. Washington is also enmeshed in a conflict with Yemens Houthis, another Iranian ally that is defying US naval power by disrupting global shipping through a key transit point for cargo ships, the Red Sea.

Fears of a larger Middle East war have only heightened, as a result. Iran, and particularly its hostile relationship with the US, is firmly at the center.

Why is that? What has produced the tensions between Washington and Tehran that have now become so central to one of the worlds most potentially explosive conflicts?

The story is more complicated than that, as I lay out in my CNN special report Why Iran Hates America, airing Sunday at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET. But suffice it to say that Americas relationship with Iran has been hostile and confrontational for more than four decades.

No matter what happens in the world  the fall of communism, the rise and fall of jihadism  somehow this relationship seems destined to stay the same. Why? And could it ever change?

An American flag is set on fire during the annual rally commemorating Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution in Tehran on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. - Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

The answer is complicated, but its major elements will be well known to many. In 1953, the US and Britain colluded to support the overthrow of Irans democratically elected prime minister and elevate the Shah, the son of Irans former strongman ruler. In 1979, the Islamic Revolution overthrew the Shah, who fled. The US admitted the Shah for cancer treatment, sparking ire among his many critics in Iran. Americans in the US embassy in Tehran were taken prisoner. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter ordered an operation to rescue them, which failed. The US would later support Iraq with critical intelligence in its long and violent war with Iran. Mutual enmity between Washington and Tehran would continue, entrenched.

There are two ideas that often underpin American strategy that should be dispelled. The first is that the Iranian regime will collapse and suddenly morph into a pro-American ally as it was under the Shah. Its not that this is impossible. Repressive regimes are often more fragile than they seem. But premising a strategy on hope is not a sound path forward.

In addition, its worth looking at Americas recent experiences with regime change  in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and beyond  to recognize that even after the end of a bad regime, things do not always steadily improve. In fact, look at Washingtons relations with Moscow more than three decades after the Soviet system collapsed. It has not worked out as many had wished.

The second idea  or hope  is that the US and the current government in Iran can be friends. The truth is that Iran is a very proud and nationalistic country, deeply imbued with a sense of its own historical grandeur. Recall that the empire that was a precursor to modern Iran was one of the few forces that held its own in battle with the Roman Empire. At different points, ancient Persians ruled over much of what is now the Arab world. With all the current dysfunction and poverty, Iran is the heir to one of the great civilizations of the world, which means pride and prickliness.

In addition, the Islamic Revolution is anti-American in its DNA. The ayatollahs who run Iran have constructed an ideology that permeates the regime and that is as much about the importance of religion as it is about the importance of resisting America. They justify their repression by declaring that they must resist the libertine and decadent ways of the West.

There are, of course, some strong ideas and emotions that underpin Americas hostility to Iran. Washington has viewed the fall of the Shahs Iran as a deep betrayal from which it has never really recovered. It has always found it hard to deal with nationalism and anti-modern, reactionary ideologies.

But  ruling out regime change or friendship  is it possible to have a working relationship with Tehran? Not one that assumes victory or conversion or a happy marriage, but rather uneasy coexistence. That proposition has been attempted briefly but never consistently. President Ronald Reagan took some tentative steps in that direction, trading arms for hostages, but it exploded. After 9/11, Iran took some important steps to cooperate with the United States in Afghanistan in helping set up a new government. But once President George W. Bush branded them part of the axis of evil, those overtures collapsed.

The most significant effort was made by US President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who both spoke of creating a new relationship. It was not friendship. As Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif pointed out to me, the Iran nuclear deal was premised not on trust but on mistrust. Each side carefully protected its interests in that document. But it did create the possibility of a working relationship, and Iran did adhere to that deal, moving further away from a nuclear weapons program than it had for decades. President Donald Trump blew up the deal and that opportunity. And in Iran, forces opposed to the deal and any kind of rapprochement with Washington gained power, sidelined Rouhani, and now rule with an even more brutal fist.

Can Washington and Tehran find common cause again? It seems unlikely. That fork in the road lies far behind us. The path both countries are on is one they are both comfortable with despite the fact it is filled with tension and misunderstandings and could even lead to war.

This article has been updated. An earlier version incorrectly described the order of events at the time of the Iranian revolution.

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Miami Beach may be breaking up with spring break, but spring break isnt moving on just yet. Its a complicated, sometimes toxic, affair.

City officials and business owners have had to balance the billions of dollars generated by visitors with successive years of unruly crowds and spring break violence. Two fatal shootings in 2023 led to a state of emergency and a midnight curfew in the popular destination for partying college students.

Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he was dispatching 140 state troopers throughout the Sunshine State  45 of them in Miami Beach  to keep raucous spring breakers in check during the annual ritual.

The tough love comes amid a City of Miami Beach breakup campaign that includes hefty fines, curfews, bag checks, restricted beach access, DUI checkpoints, $100 parking fees and nonresident towing rates of more than $500.

This isnt working anymore, a young actor says in a viral YouTube video announcing the breaking up campaign. And its not us. Its you. We just want different things.

For David Wallack, the owner of Mangos Tropical Cafe in South Beach, a breaking point in the long love-hate relationship came after a series of stampedes last March.

That was like the final straw for me, Wallack said.

The mayhem unfolded outside Mangos, which was packed inside and out with diners and revelers. Overlooking the beach, the restaurant/club is one of Miami Beachs better-known nightspots, an Ocean Drive institution for more than 30 years.

Wallack said there were multiple stampedes in the area last spring. The mad rush can be sparked by a fight, a scream, a firecracker and, of course, a gunshot, he said.

David Wallack outside Mangos Tropical Cafe on Ocean Drive in South Beach. - CNN

Hundreds and hundreds of people running in panic, Wallack recalled. Tables and chairs go flying. People have to run for their lives.

He contemplated shutting down his establishment. But time and months and months soften you. So you become hopeful again.

We hope its an amicable separation

On a visit to Miami Beach on Tuesday, the Republican governor stood with Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner to announce the deployment of state troopers to enhance security.

Florida is a very welcoming state. We welcome people to come and have a good time. What we dont welcome is criminal activity. What we dont welcome is mayhem and people that want to wreak havoc on our communities, DeSantis told reporters.

Make no mistake about it: If youre coming here in order to enjoy Florida and have a good time, fine. If youre coming for these other reasons, if youre committing crimes, causing havoc, you are going to pay the price and we will hold you accountable.

The troopers will assist multiple local law enforcement agencies, and a rapid-response team of 24 troopers will be on standby in the states most popular spring break destinations  Panama City, Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami/Miami Beach.

The troopers will help with crowd control, DUI checkpoints, license plate readers and directing traffic.

Weve had enough, Meiner told reporters.

The Miami City Commission last month approved a series of measures to enhance public safety during spring break, including security checkpoints at beach entrances, more DUI inspections and a greater presence of law enforcement from Miami and other jurisdictions.

Every police officer in the Miami Beach Police Department will be working a minimum of 13 hours and some as much as 16 hours per day during spring break, Chief Wayne Jones told CNN.

More police than ever before. More restrictions than ever before, he said. The idea is not to ruin the fun for kids coming down for spring break. The idea is to keep people safe.

On March 17 last year, a Friday, violence erupted in South Beach amid both St. Patricks Day festivities and spring break partying, leaving one person dead and another injured, according to authorities. Four firearms were recovered, police said.

Later that same weekend, Miami Beach police said, another person was fatally shot and another injured, prompting city officials to issue a state of emergency and a midnight curfew.

In 2022, the City of Miami Beach similarly imposed a midnight curfew after two spring break shootings left five people injured on Ocean Drive.

On CNN Sunday morning, Meiner was asked about a Miami Herald Op-ed, which said pricing out parking or closing public garages during two weekends that attract Black and brown people is discriminatory.

We are trying to keep people safe, the mayor said. Last year we had two Black males shot and killed in our streets and I can tell you  its painful. Its hurtful when anyone is hurt on your streets. And I feel I have a moral and ethical obligation to keep everyone safe in our city.

Meiner defended the stricter measures in place during the busier second and third weeks of this month.

Its been the second and third weeks of March where weve had our biggest issues and thats why weve put the more robust measures in place, he said.

He added, Im very comfortable with the measures were taking and Im very proud of what were doing.

Jones said the size of the long but slender barrier island played a role in controlling large crowds.

The biggest issue for spring break is simple capacity. We are bursting at the seam, Jones said. In order to control that you have to mitigate the amount of people coming here during spring break. Thats why  were breaking up with spring break. We hope its an amicable separation. We want people to have a good time. We really dont want them not to play by our rules.

Nearly half of the people arrested during spring break each year are from South Florida, said Jones, who joined the police department in 1996 and rose through the ranks.

Asked about criticism in some quarters that the spring break crackdown unfairly targeted Black Floridians, the citys first Black police chief said: As a Black man, Im hypersensitive to that.

As a teenager  my dad discouraged me from coming to Miami Beach because of the impression that Black young men werent treated well here, he said. Were in the business of policing behavior, not race or ethnicity.

Never mind, we shouldnt go there

The City of Miami Beach sits on a small barrier island between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Much of the spring break revelry happens along 10 sun-splashed blocks of art deco hotels, trendy restaurants and nightspots on Ocean Drive.

Katie Ryan, a spring breaker from Connecticut, arrived in Miami Beach with friends on Monday. She was sunbathing on a quiet stretch of beach the other day. The area seemed tame, she said, compared to previous crazy spring break stays in Fort Lauderdale, about 35 miles north.

Beachgoers play volleyball along Ocean Drive in Miami Beach on February 27. - Marta Lavandier/AP

I saw the videos before coming here about how crazy it was going to be, so maybe people were like, Never mind, we shouldnt go there, Ryan said.

Her friend, Avery Caimes, marveled at how tranquil the beach seemed just a day before the usually busy second weekend of spring break. There is plenty of space. Its not loud, she said.

Mark Evenson, a spring breaker from Minnesota, said he had mixed feelings about the efforts to tone down the partying.

Im here enjoying kind of what they are trying to stop from happening, but I understand why theyre doing it, he said of local authorities. For the most part, I think everyone here is just trying to have some fun.

Outside Mangos, Wallack said sidewalk seating on his stretch of Ocean Drive will be shut down on weekends under the spring break restrictions  meaning about a 30% cut in profits for businesses with cafes.

If they curfew and we have no nightclub  what are we left with? A whole lot of salaries and a kitchen, he said. If its anything like its been the last few years, its very, very bad for business.

CNNs Chris Boyette contributed to this report.

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Steve VanderVeen

I vaguely remember eating rusk. When I was a little boy, my parents would serve the crisp brown biscuits, covered with strawberries or sugar and floating in a bowl of milk.

Rusk is a common international food, but with many varieties. The Dutch version of this twice-baked bread (the etymological meaning of biscuit) comes in rolls of 13 round discs. Berend Arendhorst may have been the first to manufacture it in Holland, Michigan.

Berend arrived in Michigan in 1890. A master baker, he came with a recipe his grandfather had developed in the Netherlands. By 1895, he'd produced large quantities in Grand Rapids, likely on the southwest side, before starting a business in Holland.

Here, he occupied a three-story building at 170-172 E. Eighth St.  with a retail shop on the ground floor and a one-story factory that ran to Ninth Street. Inside were ovens imported from England, which produced Americas "finest toast for grocery stores and restaurants wrapped in packages labeled with a Dutch windmill.

By 1912, Holland Rusk employed 60 people, many of them women. By 1915, the factory was producing 200,000 biscuits per day!

World War I squeezed the business. In 1917, rusk and cookie sales were $100,000, but profits were a meager $718. To remain viable, in 1921, Berend and his sons William and John joined forces with a competitor, the Hekman Biscuit Company in Grand Rapids.

Edsko Hekman founded the Hekman Biscuit Company in 1893 out of necessity. Although he worked as a baker in the Netherlands, he hoped to become a furniture maker when he immigrated to Grand Rapids.

But the Wall Street Panic of 1893 killed his dream. To support his family, he went back to baking and peddled his goods door-to-door in the familys baby buggy. That side business evolved into the Hekman Biscuit Company at 1363 Grandville Ave. It would become part of the largest biscuit company in the United States.

Holland Rusk Company

Edskos dream of becoming a furniture maker never left the family. In 1922, while running their biscuit company, Edskos three sons  John, Jelle and Henry  founded the Hekman Furniture Company, originally a maker of occasional tables.

In 1926, the Hekmans invested $10,000 in the Holland Rusk Company, which resulted in new machinery capable of producing 800,000 biscuits per day. But in 1928, the Arendhorsts and the Hekmans sold the Holland Rusk Company to the National Biscuit Company of New York.

Meanwhile, there were other competitors in Holland. In 1906, the Dutch Rusk Company briefly operated at 78-84 E. Eighth St. In 1905, Jacob and Edwin Heeringa, George and Gerrit Schurman, and William Beckman founded the Michigan Tea Rusk Company at 144-146 E. Eighth St.

Also in 1928, Jelle Hekman invested in the Michigan Tea Rusk Company. With the additional capital, the partners changed the name of their company to Dutch Tea Rusk, sold their retail shop, and built, in 1929, a $20,000 bakery at 418 W. 18th St. (at Cleveland Avenue).

There, new ovens baked 350 biscuit loves every 40 minutes, which required 30 railcars of flour per year and six trucks to deliver the biscuits to local independent grocery stores.

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In 1945, the Dutch Tea Rusk Company became Hekman Rusk. By 1947, Jelle and John Hekman fully-owned the business. They built a new bakery on Columbia Avenue at 11th Street. In 1964, the Hekmans increased their Holland presence when they purchased the Dutch-Boy Bakery at 190-192 E. 11th St. and other commercial bakeries in Holland.

They sold the Dutch-Boy Bakery in 1973. Hekman Rusk lasted until 1979.

The Holland Rusk Store

Meanwhile, in 1948, under John Hekman, Hekman Biscuit tripled its production, employing 450 people. Hekman Biscuit became part of Keebler in 1960, which became part of United Biscuit in 1974 and then Kellogg in 2001.

In 1970, the Hekman Furniture Company became part of Beatrice. In 1983, Howard Miller purchased Hekman Furniture.

Information for this story comes from Robert Swierengas "Holland, Michigan," Rapid Growth Media, Find A Grave, Newspapers.com, Furniture Today, The Washington Post, Wikipedia, Hekman and the Holland City Directories.

 Steve VanderVeen is a resident of Holland. You may reach him at skvveen@gmail.com. His book, "The Holland Area's First Entrepreneurs," is available at Readers World.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland History: The story behind Holland's 'rusks'
Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who once was critical of former President Donald Trump, landed his endorsement Saturday in what could be helpful in her run for a third term.

Trump announced his endorsement on his Truth Social platform.

Nancy Mace worked hard campaigning across South Carolina in support of our record breaking win, Trump wrote.

Mace receiving the endorsement is a win for her as she faces a primary challenge this year in her Lowcountry 1st Congressional District. Most notably, Mace is being challenged by one-time candidate for governor Catherine Templeton.

However, Mace and Trump have not always been on the same page. In 2022, Trump endorsed former state Rep. Katie Arrington in the Republican primary over Mace.

Mace, who defeated Arrington, had the backing of former Gov. Nikki Haley, who recently dropped out of the presidential race.

In this years South Carolina Republican presidential primary, Mace backed Trumps campaign and stumped for the former president.

Being supportive of the former president can be key in a primary election as Trump maintains a tight grip on the Republican Party base.

Mace said at the time the GOP was coalescing around Trump. Trump went on to win the S.C. GOP primary, but Haley carried the 1st District.
A Trader Joes canvas mini tote bag that costs about the same as a pack of gum is being resold online for nearly 200 times its retail price.

The Trader Joes bags, available in blue, red, green and yellow, have taken social media by storm in the past week, garnering more than 11 million views on Tik Tok. Although some stores have reportedly been placing limits on the amount people are able to buy at one time, customers have been flocking to stores across the country and snatching up as many of the $2.99 bags as they can, according to store employees.

The viral Trader Joe's mini canvas tote bag. - From Trader Joe's

Some have been reselling the bags on e-commerce platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. As of Sunday afternoon, hundreds of mini tote bags have been posted on eBay with prices ranging from $5 to $500.

As a seller, it just came naturally that I thought these would sell, said one eBay user who is selling four tote bags in all available colors for $145 or best offer. They have already sold eight, and have one left in their store, according to their page. I believe these were limited production, the seller added.

According to the page of another seller, who is offering a set of four bags for $499.99 or best offer, one set has been sold and two more remain.

Its unclear whether these bags have actually been sold at their advertised price point, since eBay users can bid below the starting offer.

One Iowa-based store employee told CNN the bags were only available for a week before they sold out, with the next shipment not expected until September.

Another employee at a New Jersey location said the customer craze started about two weeks ago, and that some holiday-minded shoppers are buying them ahead of time. Customers love it. Theyre buying a lot, she said. Easter is coming up and they make great baskets for kids.

The viral scenes at Trader Joes stores are reminiscent of the Stanley cup chaos last year: In December, Target introduced a limited-edition Valentines Day collection of Stanley tumblers. Shoppers jumped on the items, in some cases quite literally. The proof was documented in TikTok videos that showed people lining up outside Target stores waiting to rush in to grab the items. Stanley has since reworked its product launches to make them less chaotic.

CNNs Parija Kavilanz contributed reporting.

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ISHIGAKI, Japan  For Yoshitaka Nakayama, the mayor of the tiny Japanese island of Ishigaki, the threat of a hostile China hits very close to home. This tropical tourist destination of 50,000 full-time residents is just 124 miles off the west coast of Taiwan, and he fears a refugee crisis if China carries out aggression against the nearby island nation.

We havent prepared for it at all, he said in an interview with The Hill at the islands City Hall.

We are expressing our concern to the national government, and its kind of very difficult work to draw a line from our own people and people of Taiwan evacuating.  The war is not likely to happen, but the risk is always there.

Japans role in the region, the world  and its position between the global heavyweights of the United States and China  is undergoing a massive shift.

Tokyo cant afford to entirely alienate China, its largest trading partner and the priority destination for Japanese business investment. Yet Japan has firmly tied its future to the U.S.  its security is guaranteed under Americas nuclear arsenal  raising the risk of being collateral damage in any U.S.-Sino conflict, whether thats diplomatic or kinetic.

And Taiwan is at the top of potential flashpoints of conflict. President Biden has said he is committed to sending U.S. troops to Taiwans defense if China invades. That position has soured relations with Beijing, which views Washingtons support for Taipei as unacceptable, and risks blowback on Japan.

There is an impact on tensions between China and the United States on our bilateral ties, very much, said Makoto Nishida, a member of Japans parliament for the Komeito party, which is a junior member of the coalition headed by Prime Minister Fumio Kishidas Liberal Democratic Party.

Nishida traveled to China in November as part of a Komeito delegation, with the goal of resolving at least three points of tension between Tokyo and Beijing: Chinas ban on Japanese seafood imports after Japan began releasing treated nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima Power Station; reviving visa-free travel between Japan and China; and releasing Japanese nationals detained in China.

The delegation walked away from the trip with no immediate progress. While discussions continue over seafood imports and visa-free travel, there was no movement on detained Japanese citizens, he said.

Nishida, whose main area of focus is economics, studied in China and has deep ties to the country, and the Komeito in general promotes closer and friendlier ties with Beijing.

It is a sure fact that Japan-U.S. relations and their alliance is a cornerstone for Japans diplomacy, Nishida said through a translator during an interview at his office with The Hill.

But at the same time, Japan cannot cut up our ties with China.

A major shift

As China has asserted a more aggressive foreign policy over the past decade, Japan has beefed up its own military posture and alliances.

Beijing has raised regional alarm with provocative maneuvers in shared waters and efforts at economic coercion; clamping down on Hong Kongs freedom and democracy and threats to subsume Taiwan.

Japan in turn has pushed the boundaries of the constitutional restrictions on its military, building up counterstrike capabilities in the event of a Chinese invasion or blockade of Taiwan that could divert Americas military resources.

With some of the very advanced missile capabilities [of adversaries], at this moment, theres no way to defend our country, a Japanese Ministry of Defense official told The Hill.

Thats why we have to change our policy  to possess counter strike capability, and increase the level of deterrence, to stop the intention of aggression, thats a very big difference of the technological shift in the security arena.

The focus for both Japan and the U.S. is to give Japan the ability to not only scale up its air defenses but have the ability to take out the launching systems of adversaries, and ultimately decrease its reliance on the U.S. military.

We have set a goal, that in five years, we will have the initial operation of counter strike capability with a variety of long range missiles, to include Japanese-produced and U.S.-procured missiles, the official said.

Tension at sea

A Japanese Coast Guard ship in the port of Ishigaki, a tiny Japanese island off the west coast of Taiwan. (Laura Kelly)

At the 10th regional headquarters in Kagoshima, in southern Japan, Inoue Tatsuhiro is the captain of the brand new, 3,500-ton patrol vessel, the PL202 OSUMI  increasing the regions fleet to 11 vessels and 10 helicopters.

Its a symbol of Japan pouring more resources into its coast guard, a policing force that responds to emergencies in territorial waters but is also charged with enforcing maritime laws that, in Tokyos view, Beijing is regularly testing.

The 10th region maintains a Japanese presence around the Senkaku Islands, a flashpoint of tension with China, which claims the territory and calls them the Diaoyu Islands.

When I was young, I saw a limited number of vessels, said Tatsuhiro, reflecting on his graduation from the coast guard academy in 1984. Now the ships are becoming larger and the number of them is occurring at an unprecedented scale for me.

The PL202 OSUMI was inaugurated in November 2023. Among its stock includes a 40 mm anti-aircraft cannon and a water cannon mounted on the bow.

Most recently, the 10th region helped respond to a 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck northeastern Japan on New Years Day  a reminder of the rising threat of climate change. But potential action from China  which boasts the worlds largest navy  remains front of mind.

The Japanese government is keeping track of how often Chinese coast guard vessels intrude into Japans territorial waters in what it describes as provocations  beginning in 2012, it has monitored Chinese intrusions between 19 and 52 times each year.

Last year saw the most frequent and prolonged presence of Chinese vessels in the disputed waters, at 352 days. And Chinese vessels were present in the waters around the Senkaku Islands nearly every day in January of this year, according to government statistics.

Chinas claims to the islands appear to be part of its argument that the islands are affiliated with Taiwan, claiming both as part of greater China, said Satoru Mori, professor of international politics at Tokyos Keio University.

It wasnt really clear whether there is a sort of a unified thinking behind what Chinas coast guard does, vis-a-vis Taiwan island and also, Senkaku Islands, Mori said. But, yeah, we are actually beginning to see a sort of a very subtle change in the way the Chinese are acting, vis-a-vis the Senkaku islands.

Eyes on Ukraine

A sign outside US Embassy in Tokyo. (Laura Kelly)

The Japanese government, and many of its people, have also made a connection between Chinese President Xi Jinpings ambitions in the region and Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine.

The Japanese government has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, underscoring that Tokyo views a victory or defeat for Putin as directly linked to emboldening or deterring Xi from carrying out aggression in the region.

Japan, as a member of the Group of Seven nations, has operated in near lockstep with other member states on retaliatory measures against Russia. And what it cant provide in lethal military support  its constitution blocks weapons exports  it has sought to make up in nonlethal, economic and humanitarian assistance.

Last month, Kishida hosted a conference promoting Ukraines reconstruction and Japanese investment in the country. But Ukraines military must be able to defend the skies from Russian attacks to make business viable  which depends, mostly, on American military support.

The United States is the only provider of that extent of assistance, but you have to live with it. Its a special responsibility, a Japanese foreign ministry official told The Hill. And you have too many allies and friends that rely on you. Thats why were always watching the movement, every step of the way, on Capitol Hill.

The months-long delay for Congress to deliver on more Ukraine aid is being watched closely in Tokyo, the official said, as are as the fractious fights among Republicans, and the very real possibility of former President Trump returning to power, which would further hamper aid for Ukraine.

We are carefully watching what the U.S. politics are going to be like, because its the important ally. From my own occupational point of view, the future posture of U.S. politics and future posture of U.S. policy for Ukraine, is a very big element for us, the official said.

Among the wing of Republican lawmakers opposed to U.S. support for Ukraine are those who say Americas military priority should be directed toward Asia, and bolstering defenses for Taiwan. Japan wants the U.S. to do both.

We dont want to see reassurance and enhancement of deterrence in the Indo Pacific, with cost incurred in Ukraine or European security, Mori said.

Back in Ishigaki, Mayor Nakayama has taken lessons from Russias 2014 invasion and annexation of Ukraines Crimean peninsula. He worries about Chinese spies infiltrating Ishigaki among the refugees desperately fleeing Taiwan, and sabotaging the islands communication lines.

What Im afraid of, the example of Russia, what they did in the Crimean peninsula [in 2014], Im afraid of how China may act after they cut all our communications, he said.

Nakayama said he has observed China building up its strength at sea over the past 10 years.

The Chinese ships approaching this area  I can see that the size of the vessels are getting bigger, as well as a number of vessels, and the crew are more skilled, he said.

Before, when the typhoon came, their ships were forced to go back. Recently, even with stormy seas, they just stay in the vicinity of Ishigaki. That is the pressure we are mostly concerned with.

Disclosure: The reporter traveled to Japan at the expense of the Foreign Press Center Japan, a nonprofit foundation that receives funding from the Japanese government.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A new bill introduced by New York state lawmakers would offer inmates leaving prison around $2,600 in an effort to help them get back on their feet.

The legislation, introduced by State Senator Kevin Parker and Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs, would allow inmates to collect around $400 each month over six months once they leave prison.

As the bill currently stands, there are no limitations on how or where the money can be spent, according to Fox 5 New York.

"In New York, crime pays, literally," State Senator George Borrello said.

FUMING OFFICIALS DEMAND HOCHUL REPEAL NY BAIL REFORM LAWS AS BODY-CHOPPING SUSPECTS FREED

A new bill introduced by New York state lawmakers would offer inmates leaving prison around $2,600 to help them get back on their feet.

Borrello said he is strongly opposing the bill and that the state should prioritize other legislation over giving out money to inmates being released.

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"My colleagues seem to think that these are folks that are a victim of circumstances," Borrello said. "You chose to commit a crime in New York State. If you really are concerned about how much money you're going to have in your pocket when you leave prison, then don't go there to begin with."

Currently, inmates leaving prison are given $40, which comes from their garnished earnings behind bars.

"In this economy that amount is barely enough to get groceries or purchase clothes for a job interview," Gibbs said. "The first 72 hours after release are crucial in determining an individual's successful reintegration into society. By increasing the amount to up to $2,550 in the span of a few months, we allow folks the opportunity to reach their full potential. This isn't just a social justice bill but a public safety one. We need to start offering real support to folks re-entering society if we want to reduce recidivism and ensure stability and dignity for all."

NEW YORK GOV HOCHUL CALLS IN NATIONAL GUARD, STATE POLICE TO HELP CURB CRIME IN NYC SUBWAYS

The legislation would allow inmates to receive around $400 each month over six months once they leave prison.

The Center for Community Alternatives' Ismael Diaz Jr., who has previously spent some time in prison, says that $40 does not do enough to help former inmates reintegrate into society.

"This $40 that they give you, theyve been doing this for over 50 years," Diaz Jr said, adding that $40 was worth a lot more 50 years ago than it is now.

The sponsors of the bill are requesting that $25 million be set aside for this new initiative.

Samra Haider of The Center for Employment Opportunities, which is backing the bill, said providing more money to inmates leaving prison has proven to cut down on recidivism by almost 30%.

"It just helps them give a little breathing room to allow them to focus on their job search, re-acclimate to the community, and so we think that will really help an individual's reentry home from prison," Haider said.





Original article source:New York proposal would provide $2,600 to inmates after they leave prison
A boil water notice has been issued for the city of Lytle. Getty Images

A boil water notice has been issued for the city of Lytle.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the citys public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption starting Sunday at noon, according to a statement from the city.

Lytle, a city of fewer than 3,000 people, is about 25 miles southwest of central San Antonio.

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Residents should boil water before washing their hands or face, brushing their teeth or drinking, city officials said. The precautionary measure is especially important for children, seniors and people with weakened immune systems who are at heightened risk to harmful bacteria.

Instead of boiling, residents can also purchase bottled water or secure water from another suitable source for consumption purposes. The city will notify customers when the water is safe for consumption without boiling it first.

In a Facebook post Sunday afternoon, Lytle Mayor Ruben Gonzalez said the advisory would be in place until noon Tuesday. Gonzalez said a breaker at a well site popped and crews were working to repair it.

Please give our tanks some time to fill up, he wrote.
A seminar sponsored in Taiwan by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue with Fu Jen Catholic University in a move to formulate some guidelines on a confrontation that the focus on the Chinese world makes increasingly necessary. Also starting tomorrow in Hong Kong is the third Christian-Taoist Dialogue.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Two important initiatives to encounter East Asian religious tradition and thought see the Taiwan-Hong Kong Interreligious Dialogue Dicastros engaged in these days.

An international seminar entitled "Christians promoting dialogue with Confucians: guidelines and perspectives" was held March 8 and 9 in New Taipei, Taiwan. The initiative-promoted in collaboration with the Department of Religious Studies at Fu Jen Catholic University-is part of a track that aims to formulate official guidelines for Catholics engaging in dialogue with followers of Confucianism.

Already last January 15, the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue had convened an online study group, animated by Prof. Umberto Bresciani, an Italian for more than 50 years in Taiwan who has been pursuing this reflection at Fu Jen Catholic University for some time. That first discussion was attended by scholars and practitioners of interreligious dialogue who live or have roots, in addition to Taiwan, in the People's Republic of China, In Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Vietnam, Australia, Italy and the United States.

Msgr. Indunil Kodithwakuu Kankanamalage, secretary of the dicastery, opening that meeting had explained that this study group is part of a tradition carried on by the Vatican body, which has already developed guidelines for dialogue with Buddhists, Hindus and traditional Asian religions. Now," he had added, "a new need has emerged to develop an official dialogue with Confucians. "And as we work to build on the 'seed' that has been planted," he had concluded, "let us always keep in mind that 'God is the One who makes it grow.

The meeting held these days in New Taipei was a significant step forward in this journey, involving a wider audience interested in promoting Confucian-Christian dialogue.

The drafting of the guidelines," the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue explains in a statement, "will be followed by a final review process and is expected to serve as a valuable resource for individuals, organizations and communities both inside and outside the Catholic Church seeking to engage in dialogue with followers of Confucianism.

Starting tomorrow - on the other hand - the same Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, is participating in Hong Kong in the third Christian-Taoist Dialogue, promoted in collaboration with the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong and the Taoist Association of Hong Kong. The initiative-which will continue until March 13, 2024-has the theme "Cultivating a Harmonious Society through Interfaith Dialogue." The conference will be attended by Christian and Taoist believers and scholars from various countries, including Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China, France, Italy, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore.

The participants will reflect on the following topics: "Christian and Taoist Scriptural Foundations for Cultivating a Harmonious Society," "Cultivating Harmony through Worship and Liturgy," "Tao/The Way and De/Virtue in Dialogue and Practice," "Holiness in Taoism and Christianity," and "Transmitting Religious Faiths and Values in a Globalized World."

"This colloquium," the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue further explains, "will provide a platform for both Christians and Taoists to deepen their understanding of each other, to understand how disharmony generates pain and suffering, and to work together to heal today's fragmented world.

ECCLESIA IN ASIA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN ASIA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY SUNDAY, CLICK HERE.
In order to ensure the supply of drinking water to all regions of Morocco, the government of Aziz Akhannouch is accelerating the pace of implementation of water infrastructure projects, striving to find innovative solutions and raising awareness of the reasonable use of water.

The projects planned for the medium and long term and the emergency measures taken by the relevant ministries are proactively addressing the problem of water stress in the Maghreb country.

The Moroccan government determined to supply drinking water to all citizens

In the context of managing the water shortage crisis, the Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament and government spokesman, Mustafa Baitas, said that the government is taking a series of measures aimed at accelerating the pace of construction of several dams and river basin interconnection projects.

These measures are part of the government's strategy to address the challenge of water security. This includes the national programme for seawater desalination plants, the programme for the reuse of treated wastewater and the programme for water saving in drinking water supply and distribution networks.

Government spokesman Mustafa Baitas - PHOTO/FILE

With regard to short-term water management, Baitas stressed that the objective is to achieve optimal mobilisation of water resources, especially in dams, wells and existing desalination plants, as well as to install emergency equipment for water transfer and supply.

The Government reinforces, in this line, the vigilance to face the water challenge and adopts as emerging measures to limit the use of irrigation water and to reduce the distribution flow whenever and wherever necessary.

Programmes and alternatives to deal with the water and agriculture challenge

For its part, the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Programme (PNAEPI) 2020-2027, with an overall budget of 143 MMDH, aims to address the effects of climate change, develop water supply and strengthen the supply of drinking water in rural areas, with a view to responding to the growing demand for water resources.

The government spokesman stressed the importance of finding alternative solutions for water used in the agricultural sector in order to intensify production and at reasonable costs, on the one hand, and preserve employment opportunities in the rural world, on the other.

Mustafa Baitas explained that all these measures are being updated and developed in order to address the main problems posed by the drastic decrease in rainfall.

Aziz Akhannouch - PHOTO/FILE

Irrigating a river basin in the Dakhla area by 2026, through innovative methods, will be an efficient solution for the preservation of the region's agricultural production in the southern territories as well.

The minister stated that the water allocated to agriculture had decreased considerably in recent years, which had led the government to take a number of urgent measures in this regard. The possibility of diverting water from Um Rbii to irrigate several other basins will indeed help to increase agricultural production.

The Moroccan government is therefore mobilised to provide water "in a reasonable manner" to all citizens, without neglecting commitments to provide adequate water to the river basins, especially to avoid the problems of reducing the cultivated area and agricultural production.

The current government is defying time to complete the Casablanca seawater desalination plant within a reasonable timeframe, since, once operational, it would provide more than 300 million cubic metres of water.
Today, we're witnessing something truly special, folks. One of the meanest Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica models from the US of A is going up against another beast with enhancements, the BMW X3 M. These two outrageous monsters are so far apart from one another in terms of drivetrains and, not to mention looks, that some people might even consider this race to be unfair. But who cares when you have something this spectacular unfolding before your eyes at the end of the day?



Photo: DragTimes



Now, during the first run, it went like you'd expect. The BMW pulled a 1/4-mile score of 10.819 seconds at 131.42 mph (211 kph), while the Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica did it in 10.583 seconds at 130.62 mph (210 kph). However, the tables favored the BMW during the second run, making it a very exciting tie.



Believe it or not, the BMW won again during the third race due to an incredible start, compared to the sluggish one from the Lambo. The former came in at 10.553 seconds at 131.55 mph, while the latter did it in 10.583 at 130.78.



So, the BMW won the fair and square that day. But given that we have proof that the Huracan Tecnica can finish the quarter mile in 10.229 seconds at 134.77 miles per hour or 216.89 kph, in theory, Brooks Weiblatt should have won the race against the BMW. You win some, you lose some, you know how it goes.



Today, Brooks' Tecnica is going up against another modified monster, the BMW X3 M . It's packing a 3.0-liter inline-six engine that can allegedly develop over 700 horsepower. We don't have a torque count yet, but at least we know other stuff. It's all-wheel drive, weighs 4,610 lbs. or 2,091 kilograms, has an 8-speed automatic transmission system, and costs nowhere near the $300k for the Lambo. The X3 M was only $85,000.Now, during the first run, it went like you'd expect. The BMW pulled a 1/4-mile score of 10.819 seconds at 131.42 mph (211 kph), while the Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica did it in 10.583 seconds at 130.62 mph (210 kph). However, the tables favored the BMW during the second run, making it a very exciting tie.Believe it or not, the BMW won again during the third race due to an incredible start, compared to the sluggish one from the Lambo. The former came in at 10.553 seconds at 131.55 mph, while the latter did it in 10.583 at 130.78.So, the BMW won the fair and square that day. But given that we have proof that the Huracan Tecnica can finish the quarter mile in 10.229 seconds at 134.77 miles per hour or 216.89 kph, in theory, Brooks Weiblatt should have won the race against the BMW. You win some, you lose some, you know how it goes.

Let's break down or drag-strip warriors. First, we have the mighty Lamborghini Huracan LP 640-2 Tecnica , a marvel on wheels that's going extinct in 2024. This blue beauty packs a roaring 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 that can output 631 hp or 640 ps with 417 lb-ft (565 Nm) of torque.It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds with a top speed of 202 mph or 325 kph. The recent 10.22 seconds it clocked down the quarter mile at the Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida is even more impressive. The supercar's only modifications were the stickier rear tires for better grip.It's rear-wheel drive with a 7-speed transmission system and weighs 3,350 lbs. It belongs to Brooks Weisblat from the Drag Times YouTube channel, and when he got it, it set him back nearly $300,000. We've also seen this Tecnica before, demolishing a Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06 down the quarter-mile. But even more recently, it went up against another fierce monster, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS The modified 911 has a 4.0-liter flat-six engine that can deliver around 550-560 hp. It can hit 60 mph in 3 seconds flat with a top track speed of 184 mph or 296 kph. It didn't stand a chance against the Tecnica.
Google has started the public rollout of Android Auto version 11.5 through the Google Play Store, but as per the company's approach, users will receive the update in stages.The approach allows the company to monitor the update's reliability and gradually improve the availability as it determines a reduced likelihood of bugs.It's not a surprise that Android Auto 11.5 ships without a changelog, as Google rarely shares new release information for app updates. The company typically mentions Android Auto updates in separate blog posts whenever the new releases come with significant changes.However, while Android Auto 11.5 is now available for download without release notes, we already know that big changes are on their way to users worldwide.One of the biggest concerns the introduction of AI-powered message summaries via Google Assistant. If you're using Google Assistant to read your messages, you probably know the assistant can do this for every message you receive while driving. The feature comes in extremely handy, especially because drivers don't have to pick up their phones to read a new message.However, the message-reading experience can become a double-edged sword as the number of messages landing on your Android device keeps increasing. Google Assistant needed more efficient and distraction-free message-reading support, so the search giant turned to artificial intelligence to run the task.Using AI, Google Assistant can now create message summaries of long chats or busy group conversations, providing the driver only with the essential tidbits. Google Assistant no longer reads every single message from the same person but processes the chat and creates a summary that includes the essential information. The driver is provided with relevant message replies, including options to share the ETA when a contact asks for the arrival time.Android Auto is also getting other improvements, including support for the icon set and the wallpaper on the mobile device. The data is automatically imported, eventually creating more consistency between the smartphone and the media receiver in the car. The feature currently supports only Samsung devices, but Google could expand it to more Android OEMs in the coming months.Meanwhile, if you want to download Android Auto 11.5 without waiting, you only need to get the APK installer and save it on your device. Navigate to the file's location and tap the installer to begin the update. If you have never installed an Android app manually, you must enable sideloading, which requires special permissions to install apps from non-Google Play Store sources. The process takes only a few seconds and doesn't require users to remove the previous Android Auto version running on their devices, as the update replaces the existing files automatically.
kW

kWh

Photo: Instagram | novitecgroup

As a result, it rocks a 6.5L mill that develops 813 brake horsepower (825 ps/607) and can be revved up to 9,500 rpm. Three motors assist the V12, increasing the combined output to 1,001 horsepower (1,015 ps/747 kW). On top of that, the 3.8battery pack allows it to drive on zero emissions for a few miles.The Sant'Agata Bolognese marque quotes 0-62 mph (0-100 kph) at 2.5 seconds and says it can exceed 217 mph (350 kph). The top speed is identical to the Aventador SVJ , which is only three-tenths of a second slower to sixty-two. This model's 6.5L V12 produces 759 hp (770 ps/566 kW) and 531 pound-foot (720 Nm) of torque.But why mention the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ when it's been dead for a good while? Because it remains a fabulous supercar, for one, and second, we just stumbled upon a modified copy that deserves its 15 minutes of online fame. Well, make that a slightly modified example, as it features a few updates that contribute to the revised stance.What do you think is new? Could it be the side vent surrounds? The apron? The side skirts? That rear wing and aggressive diffuser? Well, all of them were fitted during assembly at the factory, so no. In fact, it only rocks a few tweaks here and there despite coming from a tuner that's known for making all kinds of aftermarket parts for various models, including this one.Still cannot spot the novelties? You will have to take a closer look at the wheels. Made by Novitec in collaboration with Vossen, they're called the NL4. Two sizes are available, 20 and 23 inches, and they will set you back at least $11,500 and $12,400 for the complete set. The wheelmaker's website reveals that they can be ordered in one of the 48 finishes available, and in this case, the Y-spoke alloys have a black hue.This goes perfectly with the satin black look of the supercar, which has red brake calipers and retains the Italian flag motif here and there, as well as the SVJ decals on the rear quarter panels. Red is also the dominating shade inside, as it was applied to the seats and other components that are not visible in the pictures Novitec shared on social media earlier this week. The lowering kit rounds off the makeover, and this Aventador is proof that less is more, especially when it comes to the tuning game. So, do you love it, or do you love it?
10 March 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

Islamophobia, racism and restriction of religious freedoms are in the spotlight as one of the main problems of today. The international event Embracing Diversity: Tackling Islamophobia in 2024 held in Baku discussed problems such as the intolerant approach to Islam and the restriction of people's religious freedom, especially in Western countries. Azerbaijan joins the initiative to prevent the spread of a threat such as Islamophobia and takes joint steps with the countries of the world.

Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of Azerbaijan Hikmat Hajiyev, who started the international event held in Baku on March 8 with the message of President Ilham Aliyev, touched on a number of important points related to Islamophobia, which is especially rampant in Europe. In his message, the head of state pointed out that in recent days, a number of political representatives and forces in France, European Union Parliament and Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe gave strength to anti-Islamic thoughts and created a platform for it.

Unfortunately, certain Western institutions that also portray themselves as democratic are engaging in anti-Islamic activities.

Today, the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe have become platforms that promote Islamophobia and pursue policies based on this ideology.

The present negative trend is also evident in the operations of some global media entities, President Ilham Aliyev noted.

It is no coincidence that the international event was in particular held in Azerbaijan. In his speech, President Ilham Aliyev specifically emphasized that Azerbaijan is more affected by harmful ideology such as Islamophobia.

It should be noted that during the thirty-year Armenian occupation, Azerbaijan was subjected to religious and cultural violence by Armenia. Armenian vandals, who turned more than sixty-five mosques, religious monuments and buildings related to Islam into pigsties and animal troughs, demonstrated their hatred of Turks and Azerbaijanis, and even their irreconcilable attitude towards Islam. Unfortunately, those who continue these traditions in Europe today turn a blind eye to these actions of Armenians and even justify them in a stark way.

History testifies to this that in the late 1980s, when Azerbaijanis were expelled from Iravan, one of the ancient cities of Azerbaijan and today's capital of Armenia, there were many ancient mosques there. But the sad fact is that there are no traces left of those mosques. While Armenia started to extradite the majority Azerbaijanis and ethnic Muslim community in Yerevan, it razed all remaining mosques to the ground in the city in order to completely lose track, and falsifying history by completely changing the design of some of them. However, history is not the past  slightly over 30 years have passed, there are many pictures, documents and live witnesses of those buildings. Despite all this, UNESCO remains silent in the face of such injustice.

Azerbaijan has raised this matter with UNESCO, calling for a technical mission to be sent to that country for assessing the conditions of our cultural and religious sites subjected to destruction in Armenia for years. Unfortunately, to this day, UNESCO is yet to respond to our request, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in his message to the participants of the international conference.

Western countries are considered to be the most responsible party for the world suffering from Islamophobia today. Because this trend is the basis of both their domestic and foreign policies. In countries such as France, Spain, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands, hatred towards Islam is increasing day by day.

The radical approach of the police to Muslims in France, the burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden and Denmark, and the calling of Muslims cockroaches in the Netherlands constitute the main line of this rotten policy.

In France, the number of discrimination cases against Muslims in state-owned service establishments was 369, while this figure was 197 in the private sector, the Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Gunduz Ismayilov, said at the conference. In addition, the Deputy Chairman also touched on the womens rights in France and in other European countries.

In France, 80% of Islamophobic thinking is directed at women. The Muslims are also prevented from receiving religious education. This is the case both in France and in a number of European countries," he added.

It is interesting that the West and Europe, hidden in the dress of democracy, are at the forefront of the world in terms of exploitation of women, violence and religious discrimination. Hijab and headscarves of Muslim women seem like a nightmare to many European political figures, but also the success of the Muslim community in business activities and demographic growth scare them. So, the West's concept of democracy intersects only at one point - the fact that Islam and Muslims are more widespread and tend to increase. The West avoids becoming a mere point of view and being criticized. For this reason, hiding behind the veil of democracy, it carries out harmful policies such as Islamophobia and racism with the help of other proxy forces.

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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews Deputy Editor-in-Chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

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San Antonio police say a man was stabbed in the back during an argument Saturday, FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

A man is hospitalized with a life-threatening injury after he was stabbed by a romantic partner during an argument Saturday on San Antonio's South Side, police said.

The 24-year-old man, whose name was not released, told police he and a woman were having an argument at a home in the 300 block of West Mayfield Boulevard when she stabbed him in the back, according to a preliminary police report.

READ MORE: Overnight San Antonio shooting leaves three men injured

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Police said the suspect, a women in her mid-20s, fled after the stabbing. Her whereabouts are unknown. Police did not release her name.
10 March 2024 11:05 (UTC+04:00)

We already see how Garabagh is dynamically revived, Azernews reports, citing the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kasim-Jomart Tokayev in an interview with Azerbaijan newspaper before his state visit to Azerbaijan.

"Great construction works are being carried out in this region. Transport, social and tourism infrastructure is actively developing, airports, hotels, residential buildings, schools are being built. Of course, we could not be left out of these virtuous works. During my visit to Baku in August 2022, Kazakhstan I announced that a Children's Creativity Center named after Kurmangazy will be built in the city of Fuzuli as a gift to the people of Azerbaijan. The official opening of that Center is included in my visit program this time. There is no doubt that this enterprise will become another symbol of the friendship, brotherhood, and mutual support of our countries and peoples. I am in the process of revitalizing Garabagh. I would like to confirm once again that it is interested in participating.

We expect more similar projects to be implemented with the participation of Kazakh companies in the near future. I am sure that as a result of joint efforts, Garabagh will bloom with new colors and become an example of Azerbaijan's construction policy. The restoration of the region's infrastructure will contribute to the development of not only Azerbaijan, but the entire South Caucasus. In addition, I would like to note that Kazakhstan is interested in the soon conclusion of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia. "Kazakhstan, as a country that promotes and supports international peacekeeping initiatives, is ready to support any efforts aimed at the peaceful and stable development of the entire Eurasian region," Tokayev stressed.

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10 March 2024 17:45 (UTC+04:00)

The participants of the international conference on Embracing Diversity: Tackling Islamophobia in 2024 visited the Shusha, Azernews reports.

At the end of the two-day event held in Baku, a visit of the guests to the cultural capital of the Islamic world for 2024 was organized.

130 guests from more than 30 countries, including scientists, experts of international organizations, religious leaders, representatives of non-governmental organizations, including local experts, state officials, leaders participated in the international conference.

The first place of pilgrimage was Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque. The foreign guests were informed about the rich history of the city.

The participants of the conference got acquainted with the works carried out in the direction of restoring the city of Shusha and returning it to its historical appearance. They were informed about the acts of vandalism committed by Armenians during the occupation of the city.

It should be noted that March 15 was first announced as the International Day of Combating Islamophobia on November 27-28, 2020 at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Niamey, Niger. In 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted March 15 as the International Day of Combating Islamophobia.

The guests will personally witness the destruction of cultural and religious monuments during the occupation of Armenia.

The first place of pilgrimage was Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque.

130 guests from more than 30 countries, including scientists, experts of international organizations, religious leaders, representatives of non-governmental organizations, including local experts, state officials, leaders participated in the international conference.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
10 March 2024 18:20 (UTC+04:00)

Pakistan's newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari took the oath of office on Sunday, becoming the first-ever civilian to serve a second term in the country's highest yet symbolic office, Azernews reports, citing Yeni Safak.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa administered the oath of office to Zardari during a ceremony at the Presidency in the capital Islamabad.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the three armed services chiefs, Zardari's son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who was foreign minister in the coalition government until last year and also the chairman of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), and others.

He previously served as president from 2008 to 2013 under his own party's government.

Zardari, 68, co-chairman of the center-left PPP, was elected the country's 14th president for a five-year term on Saturday by lawmakers from the National Assembly as well as four provincial assemblies.

The widower of two-time Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the ruling coalition's candidate, Zardari convincingly defeated Mahmood Khan Achakzai, a veteran politician from southwestern Balochistan province, and a candidate of the opposition Sunni Ittehad Council, a religiopolitical group that has also been joined by lawmakers from jailed ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

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In 2023, Belarus tourism industry was gradually recovering. Of course, we need to build on what we achieved last year, as well as to intensify contacts with Russian regions, the SCO countries and all other countries where Belarusians can fly. Logistics is an important factor. When planning a trip, people are looking at countries where they can get to in the easiest and most convenient way. Some people travel to Goa and Bali, but their number is not as large as it was before the pandemic. People are getting their travel bug back little by little. We should also mention that people are also eager to discover and explore their own country, Irina Voronovich concluded.
10 March 2024 22:05 (UTC+04:00)

China's Bluetooth headphone market saw expansion last year, data from a recent industry report showed, Azernews reports, citing Xinhua.

Some 85.52 million units of Bluetooth headphones were sold in China last year, increasing 7.5 percent year on year, according to the report from global market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC).

In breakdown, sales of true wireless earphones increased 5.1 percent year on year to 60.9 million units, while sales of open-ear headphones hit 6.52 million units, soaring 130.2 percent year on year.

The report forecasts that the open-ear headphone market in China will continue to grow this year, wireless earphones produced by cellphone brands will become cheaper, and sales channels for the headphones will diversify.

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This post appears here courtesy of the Carolina Journal . The author of this post is Jacob Chace The final of three debates on challenges facing North Carolina's education system is slated for Wednesday evening, November 1, in Benson at the W. J. Barefoot Auditorium. This time experts will focus on education funding in North Carolina.In the 2023 Hometown Debate series, a collaboration between the North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership and Spectrum News 1 North Carolina, lawmakers and community leaders have been hashing out pressing topics such as affirmative action, school choice and educator compensation.The first debate was held on Oct. 3 at Vance-Granville Community College in Henderson. Panelists included Rep. Vernetta Alston, D-Durham; Kenny Xu, president of Color Us United; Irving Joyner, professor at North Carolina Central University; and George Leef, director of external relations at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal.The four debated implications of the Students for Fair Admissions v. UNC case which effectively overturned affirmative action. Xu, who announced on Thursday that he will seek the Republican nomination for Congressional District 13, agreed with the Supreme Court's decision.said Xu, who recently announced he will run for office in North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District in 2024.The panelists also discussed how universities would respond to the Supreme Court ruling and the future of college admissions.Alston disagreed with the Supreme Court's decision in the case.she said.At the Dennis Wicker Civic Center in Sanford on Oct. 10, panelists talked about K-12 school choice in North Carolina and the Opportunity Scholarship Program.Sen. Benton Sawrey, R-Johnston; Rep. Zack Hawkins, D-Durham; Marcus Brandon, executive director of NorthCarolinaCAN; and Lauren Fox, senior director of policy and research for the Public School Forum debated at the forum, including why Sawrey believes tax dollars should be available to be used for private schools.he said.Marcus Brandon, a primary sponsor of the original Opportunity Scholarship bill in 2013, agreed with Sen. Sawrey,argued Hawkins.said Dr. Townsend-Smith.The third Hometown Debate, held at Meredith College in Raleigh, focused on educator licensure and compensation and featured four experts from the education field. Panelists included Rep. Ashton Clemmons, D-Guilford; Brenda Berg, president & CEO of Best NC; Jill Camnitz, NC State Board of Education; and Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith, senior director of the Dudley Flood Center at Public School Forum of NC.The experts also spoke about the complications of evaluating teachers based on merit.said Clemmons.Clemmons, when asked about teacher licensure reform, was encouraged.she said.explained Brad Young, executive director of IOPL.All three debates were moderated by Spectrum News 1 senior political reporter Loretta Boniti. Sponsors of the series included the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina and Americans for Prosperity N.C.All three Hometown Debates are available in full at the Spectrum News 1 website under the In Focus tab. Established in 1988, the North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership is a nonpartisan organization, specializing in leadership training programs for public servants.


By Andrew Thornebrooke Epoch Times

3/8/2024

Top Republicans from multiple House committees are sounding the alarm on a series of mysterious devices that appear to have been implanted into container cranes used throughout the U.S. port system by China.

The lawmakers say that numerous modems with no known function were uncovered from ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, which are used to unload cargo at the nations largest ports.

All of the cranes in question were manufactured by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC), a subsidiary of the state-owned China Communications Construction Co.

Relatedly, the lawmakers noted that ZPMCs manufacturing facility is located adjacent to Chinas most advanced ship-making facility, where the regime builds its aircraft carriers and houses advanced intelligence capabilities.

In a letter (pdf) addressed to the president and chairman of ZPMC, the lawmakers demand to know the purpose of the cellular modems discovered on crane components and in a U.S. seaports server room that houses firewall and networking equipment.

These components do not contribute to the operation of the STS cranes or maritime infrastructure and are not part of any existing contract between ZPMC and the receiving U.S. maritime port, the letter said.

The Committees have serious concerns that this proximity to the [Chinese militarys] main shipyard provides malicious CCP [Chinese Communist Party] entities, including its intelligence agencies and security services, with ample opportunity to modify U.S.-bound maritime equipment, exploit it to malfunction, or otherwise facilitate cyber espionage thereby compromising U.S. maritime critical infrastructure.

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Vann, who leads the Coast Guards Cyber Command, told reporters last month that there were over 200 China-manufactured cranes operating across U.S. ports and regulated facilities.

At that time, Coast Guard cyber protection teams had assessed the cybersecurity or hunted for threats on 92 of those cranes, he said.

The discovery comes amid an ongoing congressional investigation into the operation of cranes manufactured in China and operating at U.S. ports.

Though the investigation is still ongoing, the committees identified serious concerns regarding ZPMCs relationship with the CCP, particularly given the recent discovery of Chinese malware on vital infrastructure related to the port system.

As part of another cybersecurity investigation, some of the modems in question were also found to have active connections to the operational components of the STS cranes, suggesting they could be remotely controlled by a device no one previously knew was there.

Speaking to reporters last month, White House Deputy National Security Adviser Anne Neuberger said the cranes were designed to be serviceable from a remote location, which leaves them open to such exploitation.

By design, these cranes may be controlled, serviced, and programmed from remote locations, Ms. Neuberger said. These features potentially leave [China]-manufactured cranes vulnerable to exploitation.

As such, the letter suggests that every U.S. seaport with ZPMC cranes could already be, or is at risk of being, compromised by the CCP.

Retired Army Col. John Mills told The Epoch Times that the cranes were effectively an extension of the CCPs global cybercrime operation, which could be used during an invasion of Taiwan to sow chaos in the United States.

Those container cranes are not cranes, Mr. Mills said. Theyre IP endpoints on a worldwide intelligence collection system.

To that end, he said that the cranes operational and safety features could likely be overridden remotely. This would allow the CCP to potentially trick one of the giant cranes into shifting its counterbalance in such a way that would cause it to crash into ships or containers in the nations busiest ports.

Complicating the issue all the more, he said, was the fact that the niche nature of the cargo cranes and their programming means it is unlikely a tailored cyber response to secure the systems will be created anytime soon.

To counter the threat in the long term, he added, the United States would need to ensure that it manufactured such vital equipment in its own territory.

As things play out, theyre [the CCP] going to start initiating the hitting of target sets in cyber. The port cranes are a perfect example, Mr. Mills said.

This is the importance of making things here. If you want to reduce the Chinese threat, start making things here.


A man was struck in the head with a hatchet early Sunday, according to San Antonio police. Douglas Sacha/Getty Images

San Antonio police arrested a man Sunday after he allegedly struck another man in the head with a hatchet, police officials said.

Officer responded to a report of gunfire near East Houston Street and Chestnut Street just before 1 a.m. Officers said a 30-year-old man told them said he had been assaulted by a 45-year-old man with a hatchet, according to a preliminary police report.

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The 30-year-old man, whose name was not released, had a minor laceration on the back of his head, police said. He was treated by EMS workers at the scene.

Officers arrested the 45-year-old man on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His name was not immediately released.

Police said a 27-year-old man who was at the scene had fired a gun into the ground to stop the assault.
Dancing On Ice host Holly Willoughby has said everyone is completely gutted that Greg Rutherford had to pull out of the final only hours before, after suffering a significant injury during rehearsals.

The Olympic long jumper, 37, was due to compete on Sunday with his dancing partner Vanessa James, but announced earlier in the day that he was devastated to have to withdraw.

At the start of the final, Willoughby said: You may have noticed that Greg and Vanessa werent part of our opening and unfortunately Greg injured himself in rehearsals earlier today.

Were all completely gutted and sadly he cannot continue in the competition.

Co-host Stephen Mulhern also said he was so sorry for Rutherford and sent him well wishes.

Later in the finale, it was explained that Rutherford had a really bad accident during morning rehearsals, sustaining the injury.

A video was also shown featuring clips of the couple skating, in which Rutherford said he was thrilled to have been paired with James for the show.

He added: As experience goes, Dancing On Ice for me has been the best Ive ever had.

Hours before the show, James announced the news by sharing a photo of them on Instagram, saying they were on the way to the hospital.

Rutherford later posted a video on his Instagram story, in which he appeared to be receiving treatment from a paramedic.

He said: I know this looks very dramatic, and everything else.

Sadly, I picked up a big injury in rehearsals. Im on my way to the hospital so I will not be performing on Dancing On Ice tonight.

I am devastated but these things happen. So stay tuned, well keep you updated. What a nightmare way for this to finish.

Adele Roberts and Mark Hanretty (Ian West/PA)

Broadcaster Adele Roberts kicked off the finale show with a bang by landing a perfect 40, as she attempts to become the first female celebrity winner of the competition since 2013.

The former Radio 1 DJ embraced country for her first dance of the night as she skated to Beyonces new hit Texas Hold Em with partner Mark Hanretty.

They secured the top score with a series of dramatic moves including one in which she was held upside down.

Judge Ashley Banjo called her an inspiration while Christopher Dean said it was a mean line-dance and it has been a pleasure to watch her development in the competition.

However, Made In Chelsea star Miles Nazaire stumbled in his first performance, dropping his score down to 38.

The reality star and his dance partner Vanessa Bauer were delivering an elegant routine to Turn To Stone by Ingrid Michaelson when he lost his footing, but he quickly got back up and completed the dance.

Afterwards, a frustrated Nazaire said about Bauer: I let her down, that was a stupid mistake, but she reassured him that he had done well.

Judge Oti Mabuse said she was heartbroken but described the dance as brilliant before the fall.

Former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas pulled out all the stops for his warrior-themed finale performance with Amani Fancy.

Their powerful routine to Believer by Imagine Dragons, which featured dramatic lifts and spins, secured them a perfect 40 from the judges.

Christopher Dean said: You put your heart and soul into that right from the beginning, you left it all out there on the ice.

 Dancing On Ice continues on ITV1.
Movie star Gerard Butler has yet again been spotted socialising in Belfast city centre.

The Scottish star was seen enjoying the Six Nations on Saturday night at Sweet Afton on Brunswick Street.

Posting a photo of some staff with the Hollywood A-lister on social media, the bar and kitchen stated: "Visit from the one and only Gerard Butler who called in to watch Ireland take on England in todays Six Nations.

The actor has been staying in Northern Ireland over recent months whilst filming here for the movie, How To Train Your Dragon.

In January, he was mobbed by fans whilst having a drink at The Harp Bar in Belfasts Cathedral Quarter.

Last month, he was pictured with former local boxer Carl Frampton when he popped into The Deer's Head to watch the rugby.

Mr Butler has also been pictured at some of Belfasts restaurants, including Deane's Meat Locker and the citys oldest Indian restaurant, Archana, on the Dublin Road.

He has also branched outside of Belfast, visiting Holywood restaurant Cleaver most recently.

The iconic restaurant shared an image of the actor in the restaurant on social media, with the caption: "Gerry knows a good balti when he sees it. A pleasure having him at Archana.

A source said: He is here for How To Train Your Dragon which is out in June 2025.

With its purpose-built studios in Belfast harbour and the variety of landscapes available, Northern Ireland continues to be an attractive destination for filmmakers.
The star, from Coleraine, met Marie Curie volunteers, whom he described as the lifeblood of the charity, as it prepared to say Yes to yellow for this years flagship fundraising campaign.

Marie Curie cares for people in their own homes and at its hospices, whatever their illness, giving clinical care, comfort and emotional support to individuals facing the end of their life and those close to them.

Volunteers will be out and about selling the famous Marie Curie daffodil pins and collecting donations in stores and high streets across Northern Ireland throughout March.

There are lots of other ways for people to go yellow and get fundraising at work, in schools, at home or in their community on Thursday March 21.

It costs around 11.1 million a year to run all of Marie Curies services and deliver its policy and influential work in Northern Ireland, and the charity depends on fundraising and legacy donations.

It provided care at home and in hospices to nearly 5,000 people last year, along with the help of volunteer companions for terminally-ill people and bereavement support and counselling for grieving relatives.

Mr Nesbitt said: I greatly admire the Marie Curie nurses, healthcare assistants, doctors and the wide range of healthcare professionals who provide expert end-of-life care to people when care and support becomes more important than cure.

Actor James Nesbitt with nurse Emily Jackson, who works at Marie Curies Belfast Hospice (Brian Morrison/Marie Curie/PA)

Its a difficult, challenging role. I know from my good friend, Dr Catherine Doherty, who works at the Marie Curie hospice in Belfast, the compassion, skill and dedication that Marie Curie gives to every person and their families, providing support and care to get through the most difficult and traumatic time.

Marie Curie could not operate without the help of its loyal and devoted band of volunteers.

These men and women of all ages volunteer to raise funds and give of their time in countless ways to provide small acts of selfless service.

They are simply amazing. They are the lifeblood of this vital service.
Sharon Osbourne has criticised the very bad behaviour of women who appear in reality franchise series The Real Housewives.

Osbourne, 71, who is a celebrity lodger on ITV1s Celebrity Big Brother, said she does not like the way the women represent themselves on the show.

During Sundays instalment of the series, former X Factor judge Louis Walsh asks Osbourne about the shows popularity in the US, while talking to The Real Housewives Of Cheshire star Lauren Simon.

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Osbourne says: I honestly, honestly dont watch them because I dont like the way the women are.

I think its very, very bad the way they represent themselves with the cat fighting.

Simon says: Its the way its produced.

Osbourne adds: They live bullshit lives, not real lives.

Elsewhere in Sundays episode, Love Island star Ekin-Su Culculoglu asks Osbourne if she would ever consider signing up for internet subscription site OnlyFans, which is commonly used by sex workers.

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Culculoglu says: Id rather have zero pounds than 1 million doing it (making money) the wrong way, but have pride.

When asked if she would consider it, Osbourne tells Culculoglu: F*** off.

Housemates will wake up to the Celebrity Big Brother pad being transformed into Big Brothers Police Department.

They are tasked with solving a murder in order to win this weeks luxury shopping budget, and Ibiza Weekender star David Potts is given a secret mission in which he must sabotage, misdirect and corrupt the crime-fighting efforts of his fellow officers.

Celebrity Big Brother airs at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
The Princess of Wales shared her first picture since undergoing surgery to mark Mother's Day

The Princess of Wales has broken her months-long silence, releasing her first photo since surgery to commemorate Mothers Day and express gratitude to the public for their support.

It comes as Northern Irelands political leaders also took to social media to pay their own tributes to their mums.

The photo, taken by the Prince of Wales in Windsor earlier this week, was posted on social media to mark Mothers Day.

In the post she said: Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mothers Day. C.

The photo of the princess is the first released since she was admitted to the London Clinic  the private hospital where the King underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate  for a planned operation on January 16.

King Charles also took to social media to post a touching tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Wishing all Mothers, and those who are missing their Mums today, a peaceful Mothering Sunday.  pic.twitter.com/0HYLWclasC  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 10, 2024

The post was shared on the official Royal Family account on X (formerly Twitter).

Accompanied by a photo of the King and his mother, taken almost 40 years ago, the post said: "Wishing all Mothers, and those who are missing their Mums today, a peaceful Mothering Sunday."

Across Northern Ireland politicians have also taken to social media to pay tributes to their mothers.

Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle O'Neill took to X to pay tribute to her mother, Kathleen.

In the post she said: Happy Mothers Day. I feel so lucky to have been shaped by this wonderful woman.

Happy Mothers Day  I feel so lucky to have been shaped by this wonderful woman xx pic.twitter.com/KFiIRyXMnk  Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) March 10, 2024

Former DUP leader and First Minister Dame Arlene Foster was also among those taking to social media to mark Mothering Sunday.

In a post on X she said: Happy Mothers Day to this special woman who continues to give direction(!) and much love. Thank you mum xx.

Happy Mothers Day to this special woman who continues to give direction(!) and much love . Thank you mum xx pic.twitter.com/eXvdSeFYA1  Arlene Foster DBE PC #ProudofNI. (@ArleneFosterUK) March 10, 2024

Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood shared a message to her mother with the Belfast Telegraph.

The Lagan Valley MLA said: "My role model, my hero, best friend and the person who I am in awe of every single day. My mum Brigid.

There is very little that this woman hasn't been through in life and she has done it all with grace, dignity, warmth and a smile.

My mum taught me to be determined, to believe in myself and the importance of standing up for others and the marginalised.

My mum worked as a domiciliary care worker before going into music teaching and the common thread in both was care and compassion for others and I try and put that at the heart of my work today, helping people in our community."

Sorcha Eastwood with her mum

Eastwood also took to X on Sunday to celebrate her mother, who she credits with her success.

So proud to be this Woman's daughter  the person who said that growing up she was unrepresented, like a second class citizen, who had to fight for so much, she was proud to be in parliament buildings with me- but anything I've achieved is all down to her #MothersDay2024 pic.twitter.com/0mhZ9UYmup  Sorcha Eastwood MLA (@SorchaEastwood) March 10, 2024

UUP leader Doug Beattie, who lost his mother at 14, shared his tribute with this paper and grappled with the poignancy of marking the day without his mother.

He said: Mum was omnipresent, everywhere I turned, everything I needed, every problem that required solving mum was there. When I got into trouble it was mum who would be the scolding voice, when dinner was ready it was mum shouting my name like a family dinner bell.

Mum kept me clean, fed, at school, entertained and extremely happy. Even when her younger brother Samuel was murdered, mum kept her grief hidden, never allowing this sad episode to affect our family's life.

Mum loved to entertain and be entertained. Her laugh was infectious, her smile open and welcoming, her presence reassuring. She was the glue that held our family together through good and bad times.

Constance Evelyn Beattie, Doug Beattie's mother

The Upper Ban MLA added: Memories drift, Mother's Day is a day for others. I have no images conjured up that says I celebrated the woman who brought me into the world and gave me the best start in life possible.

I don't have a photograph of myself with mum but writing this short reflection I feel a warmth I haven't felt in a long time. Maybe I'm wrong; maybe that feeling Mother's Day is for others is really a feeling of loss suffered by a 14-year-old boy.
The Sperrin Mountains are both rugged and curvaceous with many stopping places of interest particularly for those with an interest in neolithic stone circles. Photo credit: Northern Ireland Tourist Board

A mountain range stretching across counties Tyrone and Derry has been named as one of the most underrated beauty spots in the UK this year.

The list of seven lesser known areas of natural beauty has been compiled by The Times, and sees the Sperrins place third amongst hidden gems from throughout Northern Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland.

The esteemed publication stated: "Do you know your AONBs? Thats areas of outstanding natural beauty, a distinction first awarded in the 1950s to particularly lovely swathes of English, Northern Irish and Welsh countryside.

"Big-name national landscapes include the Giants Causeway and the Cotswolds, but plenty are less well known and equally beautiful, and make brilliant spots for a weekend away.

"There are 46 national landscapes across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 40 national scenic areas in Scotland  here are seven of our favourites."

Describing the Sperrins, The Times added: "From the old Irish word speirin, meaning little pinnacle, the Sperrins sprawl across Co Tyrones northern flank into Co Derry; Sawel Mountain, a lofty 678m, is the highest of the pinnacles in question.

"Come for the emptiness, the late-summer carpets of heather and the epic walks; the Craignamaddy Circuit (about 13 miles) or the more forgiving Burntollet (4 miles) are local favourites.

"Gen up for a night of stargazing with a pitstop at the OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory at Davagh Forest; holographic displays and sky maps help make sense of what youll see.

"Less than a mile away in the foothills, Sperrinview Glamping is a collection of futuristic-looking self-catering pods that all come with tilted windows, enabling you to observe those glinting skies from the comfort of your bed.

The range stretches from Strabane and Mullaghcarn in the west, to Slieve Gallion and the Glenshane Pass in the east, with the landscape comprising of mostly moorland and blanket bog.

For the full list, see here.
Judith Thompson said that Sinn Fein needs to be clear on what it is apologising for (Liam McBurney/PA)

Northern Irelands former victims commissioner has called for Sinn Fein to apologise to families of alleged informers killed by the IRA in a specific way that has been agreed by the families.

Speaking in her position with Sinn Fein, First Minister Michelle ONeill apologised to the families of alleged informers killed by the IRA.

But Judith Thompson said that while Ms ONeills apology to families was a move in the right direction, the party needed to be clear on what it was sorry for.

First Minister Michelle ONeill apologised to the families of alleged informers killed by the IRA (Liam McBurney/PA)

It came after the publication of the interim findings of Operation Kenova, which examined 101 murders and abductions linked to the Provisional IRAs so-called nutting squad, which was responsible for interrogating, torturing and murdering people suspected of passing information to the security forces during the conflict.

The report calls on the republican leadership to apologise to bereaved relatives and victims of the IRAs internal security unit (ISU) and those who suffered under linked campaigns of intimidation against them.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald also said she has a sense of sorrow and regret for everyone who was hurt and harmed during the conflict in Northern Ireland.

Former victims commissioner Judith Thompson said that the apology to families needs to be specific (Liam McBurney/PA)

However, Ms Thompson told BBCNI Sunday Politics show that it was a move in the right direction.

But for an apology to be meaningful  it needs to be specific, it needs to be given in a way which has actually been agreed with the families involved as being what they need to see, she added.

What is said has to be what they need to hear. Also, it needs to be given at a place, a time and by a person that has meaning for them. This kind of statement is a look in the right direction, but it doesnt deliver the apology.

Apology without openness and information isnt acknowledgement. The fact that theres been an investigation, that the actual facts are acknowledged, and what the apology is for is absolutely clear and acknowledged, is really important too.

A copy of the Operation Kenova Interim Report into Stakeknife, the British Armys top agent inside the IRA in Northern Ireland during the Troubles (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ms Thompson said the report is clear and unequivocal for victims.

It tells them that much of what they believed was correct, which tells them that what happened to them was wrong, should not have happened and acknowledges the pain and the wrong that they suffered, she added.

The report also calls on the British Government to apologise for the security forces failings amid a maverick culture for handling agents and intelligence.

Ms Thompson said that an apology from the Government is fundamental to the families.

The level of stigma, isolation (and) intimidation that these families were subjected to, often within their own communities and by those who perpetrated those murders, stand out. It must have been the most terrible experience, she said.

Acknowledgement is right up there in terms of what they want to see happen. Some people want prosecutions, other people feel differently. But the demand for truth, and acknowledgement of the wrongness of it, I think those are the really important messages which this report steps towards and apologies are clearly a part of that.
Police are treating a fire at a block of flats in Co Down early this morning as arson.

One person was taken to hospital after the blaze in Bangor.

A PSNI detective inspector said police received a report from colleagues in the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service just after 1.35am that they were attending a fire at Crochan Court.

"The fire was extinguished; however damage was caused to a rear door along with minor smoke damage to the interior of the building, the officer said.

"Three residents of the block of flats were present at the time, and one was taken to hospital by Northern Ireland Ambulance Service as a precaution.

"It is believed that the ignition was deliberate and was caused by pouring an accelerant over the door.

We are appealing to anyone with information regarding this incident, who may have been in the area at the time and witnessed anything suspicious, to contact police by calling 101, quoting reference 163 of 10/03/24."

North Down DUP MLA Stephen Dunne condemned the attack.

'I am shocked at this abhorrent attack which has taken place in Bangor, he said.

"There is absolutely no place for this type of activity, and I would appeal to anyone with any information to contact the PSNI immediately.

This fire could have had very serious consequences, and I know this reckless attack has shocked the local community.
A replica RUC Land Rover of the type used during the 1980s has been sold by a Belfast car dealership.

Cherryvalley Cars and Classics based on the Bloomfield Road, Belfast, posted about the Meat Wagon replica for sale on social media.

The listing stated: What about turning up in this for the coming season car shows? You will certainly steal the limelight. Or if you're just after a bit of craic for an event or show, it's also available for hire.

Tangis are known in Northern Ireland as 'Meat Wagons'. This name comes from the police being called 'pigs' and from other armoured vehicles used by the British Army in Northern Ireland, such as the Humber Pig.

Inside the replica 1980s RUC Land Rover

At the height of the Troubles the vehicles were essential for patrolling across Northern Ireland, carrying two police officers in the front and officers with riot helmets, shields etc in the rear. At this time, they were painted in a dark grey livery.

It comes as two historically significant cars with links to Lord Mountbatten and Winston Churchill are also set to go on sale later this month.

The 1975 P6 Rover was once Earl Mountbatten of Burma's staff car before it was later found abandoned in a pigsty.

Lord Mountbattens 1975 Rover P6 3500S found in a pigsty

The car is set to auction with an estimated price of 15,000-20,000.

In 1978, the car was quietly requisitioned and became Earl Mountbatten of Burma's official staff car when he was on the Isle of Wight.

For security reasons, it was registered to the local Fire Chief and it was repainted black at Mountbatten's request as he felt that was more fitting for official duties.

At the height of the Troubles in August 1979, Lord Mountbatten was killed alongside three others as a result of an IRA bomb planted on his boat at his Mullaghmore holiday home in Co Sligo.

Following his death, the Rover was allocated to the County Council and continued to be used by the Chairman until eventually, in 1982, it was sold into private ownership.

The Rover, still in black, changed hands several times until eventually it was found abandoned in a piggery in Eastleigh in the late 1990s.

The car's restoration followed, being treated to panels, a new engine, police equipment including the triangular roof box and being repainted in its original white police uniform livery.

In recent years, historical allegations surfaced in court for the first-time linking Lord Mountbatten to alleged child abuse incidents at the Kincora Boys Home in east Belfast during the 1970s.

The home, which closed in 1980, was at the centre of a major sex abuse scandal.

Up for auction on the same day is a Daimler DE27 Limousine, previously used by former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, with an estimated price similar to the Rover.

The 1939 Daimler DE27 Limousine used by Sir Winston Churchill

The 1939 Limousine is believed to have been used by Winston Churchill during his brief return to the Admiralty in 1939. However, the car's history remains partially obscured due to lost records during World War II.

Records show that the vehicle was later sold to the Iranian Embassy in London in 1947 and then acquired by the Irish Fine Gael Party. It returned to England after being auctioned for 12,500 in late 2016.

Both historic vehicles will be available for sale on March 24th at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham as part of the 2024 Practical Classics and Restoration Show Sale.
An overnight San Antonio shooting left three men injured, police officials say. kali9/Getty Images/iStockphoto

San Antonio police officials are trying to determine how three men showed up at a local hospital with gunshot wounds early Sunday.

Officers met with an 18-year-old, 21-year-old and 23-year-old after they arrived at Methodist Hospital about 3 a.m. with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, according to a preliminary police report. Police did not release the names of the injured men.

READ MORE: Police say argument over dog attack led to stabbing near downtown

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The men told police they were driving in San Antonio when an person they didn't know shot at their vehicle, according to the report. They told police they didn't know the reason for the shooting, according to the report.
A star guide dog who was raised in Northern Ireland has given birth to nine puppies in time for Mothers Day.

All the pooches will be trained to help the blind by the Guide Dogs charity, just like their mum.

Raised in Glengormley by volunteer puppy raiser Catherine Craig, golden retriever Ellen proved a star pupil and was chosen for the organisations breeding programme in their National Centre.

Following a successful match there was a very exciting due date, as this first-time mum was expected to give birth to five girl and four boy pups on Mothers Day.

The nine future life-changers were too eager and arrived throughout the night starting at 11pm last Wednesday (March 6).

Catherine cared for Ellen at her home when she arrived as a pup in early 2022, until early 2024.

Ellen was a very affectionate, clever and serene pup, she said.

She sailed through her first year with me and at the end of 2022 she was accepted into the Breeding Programme in Royal Leamington Spa.

Ellen was closely monitored and underwent lots of health tests to ensure that she was in tip-top condition. In the New Year, I got word that Ellen was mated with a dashing black Labrador called Henderson.

Since then Ellen has been fostered with the Windrow family, close to the National Guide Dogs Centre in Warwickshire.

Caroline constantly keeps me updated with pictures and videos and Ellens health and progress, Catherine added, following the delivery of her baby canines.

Ellens resting now. Im so appreciative of Carolines input  puppy midwife extraordinaire. Ellen was always in safe hands as Caroline previously worked as vet nurse in the Guide Dogs National Centre.

Last year, in a ceremony at Parliament Buildings, Catherine was honoured with the Princess Alexandra Lifetime Achievement Award for her devotion of now 12 years, to helping guide dog puppies begin their life-changing journey.

Ellen the star Guide Dog

Catherine added: To play my part in a guide dogs journey is such a special undertaking which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Knowing the pup you have raised for a year or so has gone on to change someones life for the better, giving them independence and confidence to go live the life they want, makes the whole experience, one that Im extremely proud to be a part of.

Puppy raisers are volunteers who provide a home, basic training and socialisation from when a guide dog puppy is eight weeks old until it goes to advanced training from around 14-16 months.

Puppy development advisor for Guide Dogs NI, Emma Steele added: This role is full on  but it is a rewarding and humbling experience for our puppy raisers. Catherine and Ellen are the proof of what amazing things our NI Puppy Raising team can achieve, and I hope others are inspired to sign up.

Guide Dogs NI are currently seeking new puppy raisers to expand their scheme in Northern Ireland, as well as fundraisers, with each dog costing over 55,000 across its lifetime.

For more information and to sign up visit guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer
Mary Lou McDonald said she has a sense of "sorrow and regret" for everyone who was hurt and harmed during the Troubles.

Michelle ONeill said republicans cannot disown the suffering they caused during the Troubles.

Sinn Fein must go further in apologising for Troubles-era deaths, a former advocate for victims has said.

Michelle ONeill repeated her regret for all lives lost during decades of conflict in Northern Ireland after the publication of a report into the activities of Stakeknife - the Amy spy operating at the heart of the IRA.

On Saturday, Mary Lou McDonald also said she has a sense of "sorrow and regret" for everyone who was hurt and harmed by violence.

Judith Thompson, who was victims commissioner between 2015 and 2020, acknowledged it was a move in the right direction.

But she said an apology needed to be specific and agreed with families affected for it to be truly meaningful.

On Friday Ms ONeill said republicans cannot disown the suffering they caused during the Troubles.

She was speaking after the interim findings of Operation Kenova were published.

The report examined 101 murders and abductions linked to the Provisional IRA's so-called nutting squad.

It called on the republican leadership to apologise to bereaved relatives and victims of the internal security unit and those who suffered under linked campaigns of intimidation against them.

Ms ONeill was asked if she accepted that the murder of alleged informants was wrong and if she wanted to apologise to their families.

Speaking in her role as Sinn Fein vice-president, she said: "Yes, I've said it before and I'm going to repeat it again today for all those families out there that lost a loved one.

"I am sorry for every single loss of life and that is without exception. That's for every person who was hurt or impacted by our conflict.

"I think it's important that today as the Sinn Fein new generation, Good Friday Agreement generation, that I would repeat that for those families."

Ms ONeill said there was a "deep legacy of suffering and trauma" due to injustices of the past.

She added: "We must never forget those who have died or been injured and their families. I am sorry for all the lives lost during the conflict without exception. Regrettably the path cannot be changed or cannot be undone.

"Neither can the suffering, the hurt or the political violence of conflict be disowned by republicans or by any other party to the conflict.

On Saturday, Ms McDonald said: "The report asked for a number of things, including acknowledgement on the part of republicans, and you'll have heard my colleague Michelle O'Neill speak yesterday. "I want to reiterate that sense of sorrow and regret for everybody who was who hurt and harmed, without exception.

Speaking on the BBCs Sunday Politics, Ms Thompson said an apology should include openness and acknowledgement.

Asked about Ms ONeills comments, she said: I think its a move in the right direction, and its a change of tone which is important.

But for an apology to be meaningful - and there has been a lot of work been done around this in relation to Bloody Sunday and a number of other cases across the globe - it needs to be specific, it needs to be given in a way that has actually been agreed with the families involved as what they need to see, and what is said has to be what they need to hear.

And also it needs to be given in a place, in a time and by a person that has meaning for them.

So there is a process - that kind of statement is a look in the right direction but it doesnt deliver the apology.

She added: An apology without openness and information isnt acknowledgement

The fact that there has been an investigation, the actual facts are acknowledged and what the apology is for is absolutely clear and acknowledged, is really important.
Saoirses father Ollie and mourners carry the coffin at her funeral at St Peter and Pauls Church, Kiltullagh, Co Galway (Eamon Ward/PA)

Saoirse Ruane, who inspired the annual Late Late Toy Show appeal, has been described as a wonderful little angel at her funeral on Co Galway.

The 12-year-old, from Kiltullagh, died at her home on Tuesday years after she was diagnosed with cancer.

The youngster won the nations hearts when she appeared on the Toy Show during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and spoke about her fight with cancer.

The hearse arrives at the funeral of Saoirse Ruane at St Peter and Pauls Church, Kiltullagh, Co Galway on Sunday. Photograph by Eamon Ward Press Association

She had been diagnosed with a rare form of the disease and had to have her right leg amputated.

She inspired the launch of the Toy Show Appeal, which has led to millions of euros being raised.

An online post last week said Saoirse died peacefully at her home in the arms of her heartbroken parents, Ollie and Roseanna.

People lined up outside Saints Peter and Pauls Church in Kiltullagh, while pupils from Saoirses Kiltullagh National School and members of a local GAA club formed a guard of honour outside the church.

Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy, who became a friend of Saoirse after she appeared on the RTE show, travelled from London to attend the funeral.

Addressing those gathered for the funeral, Fr Declan McInerney said Saoirse was now the Saint of Kiltullagh.

He also welcomed Col Stephen Howard, Aide-de-Camp of President Michael D Higgins, which he said provided comfort to Saoirses family.

In an Instagram post, her mother said on Sunday: One last Mothers Day with you before you go.

So grateful to have you today Saoirse.

In a social media last week, Roseanna said: When there are no words. After a long, courageous and dignified battle, our hearts are shattered to tell you our beautiful little Saoirse took her final breath in our arms on Tuesday.

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We thank you our lovely followers for holding Saoirse and us in your thoughts these past few weeks.

We think of you all today also as we know how much Saoirse was loved by the nation and the effect she had on so many peoples lives.

Cancer you stole her from us, the life we had and our dreams.

Life will never be the same.

A statement also said: Saoirse, aged just 12 years old, was surrounded, as she has been throughout her illness, by the love, care and devotion of her family, the prayers and goodwill of the community in Kiltullagh and people all over the country who held Saoirse in their hearts.

Saoirse, adored daughter to Ollie and Roseanna, big sister to Farrah Rose, half-sister to Rebecca, granddaughter to Anne Ruane and Tony and Ann Brehony, an adored niece, cousin, family member and of course, best friend to Willow and Slush, was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.

A pupil of Kiltullagh National School, Saoirse will be missed but always remembered by her school friends and teachers, who have travelled the road with Saoirse on her journey, and were a source of joy and fun to her.

Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy said: We became friends instantly when we met. She told her story, the nation fell in love with her and a charity began because of her and with that, she helped enrich and encourage the lives of thousands of children in Ireland.

A selfless, humble, kind, optimistic and thoughtful child.

She was everything we should and could be as a country and her passing will put so much into perspective for so many of us.

The world is a poorer place without Saoirse but I do hope that twinkle in her eye shines on and on.

The funeral cortege of 12-year-old Saoirse Ruane makes its way to Saints Peter and Paul Church, Kiltullagh, Co Galway for her funeral (Eamon Ward/PA)

At the end of Fridays Late Late show, host Patrick Kielty said that Saoirse lit up TV screens and the lives of her family and friends.

When Saoirse inspired the very first Toy Show appeal back then, little did any of us know that she was going to start something amazing, he said.

In just four short years she would help so many children and their families across Ireland.

We know her light will continue to shine for so many years to come.

From everyone on the Late Late Show, we send our love tonight to Saoirses family.
The Ulez area was expanded to include the whole of the capital in August, making it the worlds largest pollution charging area (Yui Mok/PA)

Vehicles that fall foul of Londons ultra low emission zone (Ulez) rules can be donated to Ukraine rather than being scrapped from next week.

Applicants will be able to donate vehicles in return for the same grant payment available to drivers who scrap or retrofit their vehicles  up to 2,000  Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced.

The donated vehicles will be permanently transferred to Ukrainian authorities for humanitarian and medical needs.

Ukraines infrastructure has been significantly damaged in the conflict and access to healthcare in many areas has been severely impacted.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (Yui Mok/PA)

The mayor had previously made it clear he did not believe altering the Ulez scheme for exporting vehicles would be possible under current laws, until he made an apparent U-turn on the issue in December.

Kyivs mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reportedly wrote to his London counterpart to suggest the idea of donating vehicles.

Transport for London collaborated with UK-registered charity British-Ukrainian Aid to allow the scheme, with support from the Ukrainian embassy, the Mayor of London said.

From March 15, the charity will facilitate the donation of the vehicles to Ukraine and provide the relevant documentation for Londoners to receive their scrappage grant.

London Ambulance Service is planning to join the effort by donating 50 decommissioned ambulances to Ukraine.

Ambulances are not charged to drive in the Ulez, but the service plans to steadily decommission non-compliant vehicles.

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.

Mr Khan, said: As the devastating consequences of Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine continue, the countrys infrastructure has been significantly impacted.

I have worked quickly to amend our scrappage scheme so that from next week, non-compliant vehicles can be donated to Ukraine, helping to meet medical and humanitarian needs while also removing old, polluting vehicles from Londons roads.

There is still plenty of money left in the scrappage fund and I encourage anyone applying to consider donating their vehicle to this cause.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in Amsterdam to protest at Israeli President Isaac Herzogs attendance at the opening of the Netherlands new National Holocaust Museum (Phil Nijhuis/AP)

The Netherlands National Holocaust Museum was launched on Sunday in a ceremony presided over by the Dutch king as well as Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose presence prompted protests because of Israels deadly offensive against Palestinians in Gaza.

The museum in Amsterdam tells the stories of some of the 102,000 Jews who were deported from the Netherlands and murdered in Nazi camps, as well as the history of their structural persecution under German Second World War occupation before the deportations began.

Sundays ceremony came against a backdrop of Israels devastating attacks on Gaza that followed Hamass deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander speaks at the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam during a ceremony marking the opening of the new National Holocaust Museum (Bart Maat/Pool/AP)

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered near the museum and the Portuguese Synagogue in Waterloo Square in central Amsterdam amid tight security, waving Palestinian flags, chanting against Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, and demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The protest leaders stressed that they were demonstrating against Mr Herzogs presence, not the museum and what it commemorates.

For us Jews, these museums are part of our history, of our past, said Joana Cavaco, an anti-war activist with the Erev Rav Jewish collective, addressing the crowd ahead of the ceremony.

She added: How is it possible that such a sacred space is being used to normalise genocide today?

Three-quarters of Dutch Jews were among the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander tours the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool/AP)

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Mr Herzog visited the synagogue and opened the museum.

Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and the president of the German Federal Council, Manuela Schwesig, were also attending the ceremony, along with Jewish leaders from around the world.

Mr Herzog was among Israeli leaders cited in an order issued in January by the top United Nations court for Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza.

He accused the International Court of Justice of misrepresenting his comments in the ruling.

Israel strongly rejected allegations levelled by South Africa in the court case that the military campaign in Gaza breaches the Genocide Convention.

Demonstrators set off firecrackers as Dutch riot police form a line during a protest against Israels President Isaac Herzog attending the opening of the new National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam (Phil Nijhuis/AP)

I was disgusted by the way they twisted my words, using very, very partial and fragmented quotes, with the intention of supporting an unfounded legal contention, Mr Herzog said, days after the ruling.

A pro-Palestinian Dutch organisation, The Rights Forum, called Mr Herzogs presence a slap in the face of the Palestinians who can only helplessly watch how Israel murders their loved ones and destroys their land.

In a statement issued ahead of Sundays opening, the Jewish Cultural Quarter that runs the museum said it is profoundly concerned by the war and the consequences this conflict has had, first and foremost for the citizens of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

It said it is all the more troubling that the National Holocaust Museum is opening while war continues to rage. It makes our mission all the more urgent.

The National Holocaust Museum tells the stories of some of the 102,000 Jews who were deported from the Netherlands and murdered in Nazi camps (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool/AP)

The museum is housed in a former teacher training college that was used as a covert escape route to help some 600 Jewish children escape from the Nazis.

Exhibits include a prominent photo of a boy walking past bodies in Bergen-Belsen after the liberation of the concentration camp, and mementos of lives lost: a doll; an orange dress made from parachute material; and a collection of 10 buttons excavated from the grounds of the Sobibor camp.

The walls of one room are covered with the texts of hundreds of laws discriminating against Jews enacted by the German occupiers of the Netherlands, to show how the Nazi regime, assisted by Dutch civil servants, dehumanised Jews ahead of operations to round them up.
Pope Francis has been criticised for saying Kyiv should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, a statement many interpreted as a call on Ukraine to surrender (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Ukrainian and allied officials have criticised Pope Francis for saying Kyiv should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, a statement many interpreted as a call on Ukraine to surrender.

The foreign minister of Poland, a vocal ally of Kyiv, and Ukraines ambassador to the Vatican both used Second World War analogies to condemn the popes remarks, while a leader of one of Ukraines Christian churches said on Sunday that only the countrys determined resistance to Russias aggression had prevented a mass slaughter of civilians.

In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI and partially released on Saturday, Francis used the phrase the courage of the white flag as he argued that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should be open to peace talks brokered by international powers.

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How about, for balance, encouraging (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski responded with a post on X, formerly Twitter.

In a separate post, Mr Sikorski drew parallels between those calling for negotiations while denying (Ukraine) the means to defend itself and European leaders appeasement of Adolf Hitler just before the Second World War.

Andrii Yurash, Ukraines ambassador to the Holy See, said it is necessary to learn lessons from that conflict. His post on X appeared to compare the popes comments to calls for talking with Hitler while raising a white flag to satisfy him.

A Vatican spokesman later clarified that the pope supported a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations, rather than an outright Ukrainian surrender.

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Matteo Bruni said the journalist interviewing Francis used the term white flag in the question that prompted the controversial remarks.

I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates, Francis said, when asked to weigh in on the debate between those who say Ukraine should agree to peace talks and those who argue that any negotiations would legitimise Moscows aggression.

Kyiv remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said multiple times that the initiative in peace negotiations must come from the country that has been invaded.

Throughout the war, Francis has tried to maintain the Vaticans traditional diplomatic neutrality, but that has often been accompanied by apparent sympathy with the Russian rationale for invading Ukraine, such as when he noted that Nato was barking at Russias door with its eastward expansion.

While the pope has spoken in the past about the need for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, the RSI interview appears to mark the first time he has publicly used terms such as white flag or defeated while discussing the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

In the RSI interview, Francis insisted that negotiations are never a surrender.

When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate, he said.

Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said on Sunday that surrender is not on the minds of Ukrainians.

Ukraine is wounded, but unconquered! Ukraine is exhausted, but it stands and will endure, he said while meeting Ukrainians in New York City.

Believe me, it never crosses anyones mind to surrender. Even where there is fighting today: listen to our people in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy, he added, referring to the regions that have been under heavy Russian artillery and drone attacks.

Archbishop Shevchuk also spoke of the brutality of Moscows aggression, referring to the town near Kyiv where Russian occupation left hundreds of civilians dead in the streets and in mass graves.

He argued that, if not for Ukrainians fierce resistance as Russian forces marched on the capital in February 2022, the gruesome scenes seen in Bucha would have been just an introduction.

During the Angelus prayer on Sunday from the window overlooking St Peters Square, Francis said he was praying for peace in the tormented Ukraine and in the Holy Land.

Let the hostilities which cause immense suffering among the civilian population cease as soon as possible, he said.

Pope Francis waves during the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St Peters Square at the Vatican (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Elsewhere, both Ukraine and Russia reported civilian deaths on Sunday after trading drone, missile and shelling attacks overnight that also caused a fire at a Russian oil depot and targeted Ukrainian power stations, according to officials.

Ukrainian air defences shot down 35 out of 39 drones launched by Russia, air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported, following a four-and-a-half-hour barrage that officials said damaged unspecified industrial sites in southern Ukraine and also targeted power stations.

Two people died under rubble after Iranian-made Shahed drones struck private homes and state offices around midnight in Dobropillya, a large Ukrainian-held town in the east, authorities said.

In Myrnohrad, another eastern Ukrainian town, 11 civilians were wounded when Russian missiles overnight struck residential buildings, the local prosecutors office reported.

It also posted photos of rubble lining the courtyard outside a high-rise apartment building, its windows blown out, and of cars parked outside that appeared reduced to piles of twisted metal.

A woman also died in Russias Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, after shells fired from Ukraine set her house on fire, according to local Governor Roman Starovoit, who added that the womans husband suffered severe burns.

Mr Starovoit also said debris from a downed Ukrainian drone sparked a fire at an oil depot in the Kursk region.

Nine Ukrainian drones targeted the Belgorod region, another southern Russian province that borders Ukraine, overnight and on Sunday, according to local Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

Later on Sunday, Russias Defence Ministry said two drones were shot down over the Novgorod region in northern Russia, more than 620 miles (1,000km) from the Ukrainian border. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Rising star (28) plays opposite Oscar hopeful in troubling tale about Magdalene laundries

Zara Devlin at the world premiere for Small Things Like These in Berlin

Tyrone actress Zara Devlin, who stars alongside Oscar nominee Cillian Murphy in his latest film Small Things Like These, has told how he inspired her to up her own game to give her best possible performance.

The Kildress woman, who plays a traumatised, single mum incarcerated in a Magdalene laundry in 1980s Ireland in the movie, said she learned so much from Murphys calm energy and stillness on set.

Describing him as the worlds greatest actor, she said she was thrilled with his recent Best Actor Bafta win for his role in Oppenheimer and that she was confident he would scoop the Academy Award too in tonights glittering ceremony in LA.

And she said working alongside the Cork man and the star-studded cast, including Emily Watson, Michelle Fairley and Eileen Walsh, had been one of the most incredible pinch me experiences of her life.

From left: Emily Watson, Zara Devlin, Cillian Murphy and Eileen Walsh at Berlin Film Festival last month

Based on Claire Keegans award-winning novella of the same name, Small Things Like These sees Murphy play Bill Furlong, an unassuming, mild-mannered father of five daughters, who leads an unglamorous life in New Ross in Wexford.

The story is set in the weeks before Christmas 1985 when Furlong, a coal merchant, stumbles upon the startling secrets being kept by the towns convent, forcing him to confront his own past.

Devlin plays Sarah Redmond, whose heartbreaking plight prompts Furlong to make a life-changing stand, in the face of growing hostility.

I really learned so much from Cillian. He makes it easy to get into the part because hes so into it himself, so its impossible not to try and be your best around him, says Devlin, who is currently treading the boards in Audrey or Sorrow at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin.

Hes so still and has such a calm energy about him. His work is all in his eyes and hes incredible to watch. Cillian immerses himself in the character and that makes me want to do better, to work harder, to be the best that I can.

His work ethic inspired me to work hard and its that work ethic that has made the film so beautiful and successful.

Zara Devlin at the world premiere for Small Things Like These in Berlin

Devlin, who admits she is drawn to darker, more challenging roles, previously starred in Ann, the real-life story of Ann Lovett, a teenage girl who died in childbirth in a grotto in Co Longford in 1984.

The film, written and directed by Ciaran Creagh, thrust Devlin into the spotlight and earned her a lead actress Ifta nomination.

It was while starring in the Gate Theatres production of Piaf in late 2022 that Devlin received a phone call from her agent, telling her that the casting director of Small Things Like These wanted to see her.

Devlin went along for the meeting with the casting director, Murphy and the films director, Tim Mielants.

Getting that call was surreal and then walking into that room. Im still pinching myself, even now, recalls Devlin.

But Cillian is such a normal, nice bloke. Hes not this big tabloid star or anything like that and he really put me at ease from the start.

There was no stuttering or nervousness when I was trying out scenes with him. You just end up getting lost in his world.

Cillian with Zara in Small Things Like These

The 28-year-old had read Keegans short story, Foster, adapted for cinema as An Cailin Ciuin, and had loved it. Foster had a profound impact on her, so she was over the moon when she was offered the part in Small Things Like These.

The novella, shortlisted for the Booker Prize, was adapted for the big screen by Keegan and Enda Walsh. As well as playing the lead, Murphy also acted as one of the producers, alongside Hollywood star Matt Damon.

Most of her scenes are two-handers with Murphy, or feature Emily Watson too, who plays one of the nuns in charge of the convent and laundry.

Working with both was something the local actress says she will never forget.

Theres a scene when Sarah is called into the room for tea and Im sitting beside a fireplace with Cillian Murphy and Emily Watson, she explains.

There were loads of people behind the cameras and we were just waiting for someone to call action. I remember thinking What am I doing here? It was crazy.

Zara Devlin. Picture: Frank McGrath

Walking the red carpet at the Berlin Film Festival for its world premiere was another pinch me moment. Just before Devlins appearance on screen, Watson reached out and took her hand, in a gesture of unity and pride.

The film has garnered four- and five-star reviews so far, with the Guardian hailing it an absorbing, committed drama and Variety praising Murphys exquisitely pained performance.

Devlin says the story of the Magdalene Laundries needs to be retold to ensure the young girls and women incarcerated there are never forgotten. And shes proud to have been in this latest drama shining a light on one of Irelands greatest shames.

The last laundry was closed in 1996. Thats the year I was born and that blows my mind, she says.

In my first scene in the film, we see Sarah struggling with her mum and screaming that she doesnt want to be left there. She has long, curly hair and is wearing jewellery.

When we see her again, shes dressed like the others and her hair has been cut the same length. Everything has been stripped from these girls.

Films like this, like Ann, like The Woman in the Wall, need to be heard, to keep the conversation going and to make sure these women are not forgotten.

Zara Devlin stars in Small Things Like These

Expressing her delight at Murphys Bafta win last month, Devlin said it was an honour to work with him.

Cillian is, without doubt, the greatest actor in the world right now and deserves to win the Oscar. Hes doing Ireland proud, she says.

Im so happy the world is getting to see and recognise his incredible talent now.
QUB experts to begin survey of crannog found near Moneymore

A section of the remains of the crannog

Archaeologists from Queens University are to carry out a survey of what is believed to be an ancient fort in Co Londonderry.

The remains of the man-made island dwelling, known as a crannog, emerged after a swamp in Maghadone, near Moneymore, dried out following a drought.

This fort may have been used by Hugh ONeill, the last of the ONeill chieftains, as a hiding place before the Flight of the Earls more than 400 years ago.

The stones were found near the home of Sean Corey, the chairman of the Loup Historical Society.

Hed grown up hearing rumours of a hidden medieval structure, but no one was able to access it because the land was too wet.

A section of the remains of the crannog

Artist Ciaran Anderson, who made a model of what the crannog may have looked like, said Mr Corey saw the discovery as finding treasure in his own backyard.

He added: Sean spent three weeks clearing the site to release it from dense undergrowth.

Mr Corey said: Once I saw the curve of stones, I knew we had something there. We found a complete wall, four or five feet in height and 90 feet in diameter. Its very exciting.

Archaeologists from Queens are due to start a week-long survey of the site on Monday, in preparation for a more detailed excavation at a later date.

The operation is part of QUBs Community Archaeology Programme Northern Ireland, supported by a 600,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Last weekend volunteers joined a clear-up of the area, removing briars and bushes and strimming grass.

A model of the crannog

Archaeologists believe the discovery could be hugely significant because the Maghadone crannog appears to have been made out of stone, whereas most of the ancient homesteads that have been found in the past in Northern Ireland were made out of wood or clay. This explains why so many disappeared.

The possible links with Hugh ONeill have struck a chord with historians in the area.

The Flight of the Earls marked the end of the rule of the Gaelic family dynasties.

On September 14, 1607, ONeill  seen by many as the uncrowned King of Ireland  joined the Earl of Tyrconnell Rory ODonnell, fleeing on a ship from Rathmullan in Co Donegal to the continent with their entourages. Their departure opened the way for British rule in Ireland.

Sean Corey

Mr Corey said a study of historical records showed Hugh ONeill probably did hide out in the woods between the Loup and Moneymore.

Sculptor Mr Anderson, who makes miniatures showcasing what he calls Irelands hidden gems and heritage sites, crafted his model of the crannog based on an artists impression of how it may have looked in the past.

He said: The site is of particular interest because its constructed on a circular foundation of stones usually reserved for residences of important title holders such as high chieftains, lords or even kings.

The site had a servant hut, a stockade around it and a defensive design.
This Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015 photo made with a long exposure shows the glow from a Noctiluca scintillans algal bloom along the seashore in Hong Kong. A similar type of glow has been seen near Galveston. Kin Cheung/Associated Press

Visitors to the beaches along the Bolivar Peninsula after the sun dips below the horizon have been treated with a special gift the past few days in the form of neon blue waves.

The special sight is thanks to the phenomenon of bioluminescence.

What is bioluminescence?

Bioluminescence is the generation of visible light by living organisms. In the situation occurring off the Bolivar Peninsula, Texas A&M University at Galveston marine biology professor Jamie Steichen said it is likely a group of algae called Noctiluca scintillans, or sea sparkle, is blooming and causing the bioluminescence.

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During these blooms, there are enough cells present to where we can actually see the blue light in the crashing waves that is emitted from the cells, Steichen said in an email. Phytoplankton will bloom or rapidly increase in cell concentration when temperature, light and nutrient concentrations are sufficient for rapid cell growth.

How rare is it to see bioluminescence in the wild?

Bioluminescence is a chemical process that occurs within many sea creatures ranging from fish to plankton to squids and more, according to the government of South Australia. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notes that animals above land also can be bioluminescent fireflies are the most obvious example.

While there are a fair number of bioluminescent animals, seeing bioluminescent waves is a much rarer sight.

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I have seen bioluminescence reported in the Gulf of Mexico at various locations, off the California coast, Chesapeake Bay, the North Sea, Australia and in Puerto Rico, Steichen said. I am sure it occurs in other locations but it is still a fairly rare event to occur.

Why are bioluminescent waves rare?

Noctiluca scintillans are found in coastal environments, and the blooming occurs only in certain conditions. Steichen said the temperature at this time of year is just right for sea sparkle to bloom.

Not all phytoplankton produce bioluminescence and they each have specific temperature and nutrient requirements, Steichen said. Fortunately, the conditions off of Bolivar this time of year are conducive to Noctiluca scintillans blooms.

Is it OK to swim in the water?

Steichen said there is nothing she is aware of that would make it unsafe to swim in the water off the Peninsula during bioluminescence.

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However, as it is best seen at night, general safety and warning regarding nighttime swimming are also important to consider.

As far as I know, it is safe to swim in the water, Steichen said. This species of bioluminescent phytoplankton does not produce toxins so it is safe to swim in the water.

Where can you see bioluminescence?

The bioluminescent waves can currently be seen off the coast of Bolivar Peninsula. It is typically an annual sight, but the amount of time it occurs each year differs.

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If St Patrick came to Ireland now, he might not be as welcome as the festivities in his name suggest
Killer rapist swerves jail recall yet again despite another scrape with law

Authorities accused of kid gloves approach to evil ex-soldier after he crashes scooter while high on drugs

Ricky Close

Ciaran Barnes Sun 10 Mar 2024 at 09:04

A killer rapist has avoided being thrown back behind bars despite being convicted of possessing drugs and obstructing police.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
You are the owner of this article.
LENOX  Joyce Linde, whose influence and philanthropy was instrumental in the founding of the Tanglewood Learning Institute, died Friday at the age of 81.

While she was only a summer resident, Lindes influence can be felt year-round at Tanglewood by residents of the Berkshires, as well as by Tanglewood summer fellows.

As a trustee of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Linde helped conceive of the Tanglewood Learning Institute, which provides year-round music programming for the Berkshire community. She also oversaw the design and aesthetics of the four-building facility that houses that institute, the Linde Center for Music and Learning, a project costing $33 million.

The complex was named for both Joyce and Edward Linde for their contributions.

Joyce Linde named the sound stage Studio E in memory of her husband, who had chaired the BSOs board of trustees. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 10 major artists as well as BSO players recorded on the sound stage.

Mark Volpe, retired president and CEO of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, said the Lindes built a wonderful place in Richmond and made the Berkshires and Tanglewood not just their home, but in a way their spiritual home.

After Edward died in 2010, Joyce Linde was asked to become a trustee of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a role she fulfilled with particular devotion to Tanglewood.

Joyce had wonderful taste when it came to colors and finishes and all of those things that really matter. Volpe said.

The BSO put out a statement on Friday in memory of Linde.

For nearly half a century, Joyce enjoyed a close relationship with the BSO as a subscriber and dedicated Tanglewood patron, attending concerts with her beloved husband Ed, it reads. They especially shared a deep love of Tanglewood, inspired as much by the musical performances as by the beauty and grandeur of the Tanglewood estate, where they often walked the grounds long after audiences had departed.

Starting in 2010  Joyce picked up the mantle of service to the BSO and became an effective and respected member of the Board of Trustees, it continues. She was a voice for all constituencies at the board table, but especially the orchestra and staff. Her perspective as a trustee was invaluable  she was inclusive and decisive, aspirational and authentic.

Joyce was deeply committed to fostering a broader understanding of music and the arts. From this passion grew the vision of the Tanglewood Learning Institute, which manifested in the building of the Linde Center for Music and Learning. Joyce led the planning and design for this transformative complex, which opened in 2019. The Linde Center broadened the scope of Tanglewood to become a true beacon for artistic dialogue and exploration. Studio E of the Linde Center celebrates Eds commitment to building a strong community of artistic innovation and intellectual collaboration.

The statement speaks of her inspiration by Tanglewoods fellows, quietly creating opportunities for them to thrive and flourish while at Tanglewood. It was kind gestures like these that endeared her to all.

Among those gestures, she picked up the daily lunch tabs for all 150 fellows for at least one summer, Volpe recalled.

Every summer she would sponsor at least one fellow, he said. She would form relationships with them. She would take an interest in these artists but also as people.

She made a point of sponsoring aspiring women conductors. Among her fellows were Karina Canellakis, Gemma New and Ruth Reinhardt, all of whom have led successful careers post-Tanglewood.

She was very close to her grandkids, Volpe said, adding that he enjoyed seeing her with them at performances.

Kim Taylor, a BSO trustee for 20 years, appreciated that the Lindes raised thoroughbreds at their Richmond farm. She said Joyce Linde showcased American folk art at their home there and that her primary interest had been art prior to Edward's death.

In describing Joyce's appearance, Taylor recalled her care and personal style. She also spoke of Joyce's vision and a quiet tenacity.

"Joyce really made it possible. She was really visionary," Taylor said of the Linde Center. "She had a wonderful steely command when she needed it. It was always delivered in a very kind and elegant way."

Joyce Goldfine met Edward Linde in 1959 when they were in college: She at Boston University, he at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They married in 1962. In 1970, Edward Linde founded Boston Properties with Morton Zuckerman. The company went public in 1997.

In 2013, Boston Magazine ranked Joyce Linde eighth in a list of the 25 most influential people in Boston philanthropy. Her board memberships at the time included the Linde Family Foundation, the Museum of Fine Arts, the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, as well as the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Along with her family, she ran the Linde Foundation for the past 25 years supporting dozens of community organizations in the greater Boston area, including hospitals and community-based organizations.

The Lindes were supporters of MIT and in particular undergraduate financial aid. More recently, Joyce worked with MIT to create a new music building set to open in 2025. She envisioned it for students as well as being a place that young musicians from throughout Boston could have meaningful, long-term engagement in the arts.

Joyces own passion for the arts was only surpassed by her deep belief that everyone should be given equitable access to the arts, Julia Mott Toulmin, her philanthropic advisor of many years, said in a statement. Her devotion to this cause was proven time and time again through her philanthropic giving, her time, and her appreciation of those who mentor and teach young people.

Concluding its tribute, the BSO's statement reads, "Above all, for those of us who had the honor of knowing her, Joyce Linde will be remembered as a kind, gracious, and humble presence. Her legacy is enormous, and we will miss her dearly."

She leaves a son, Douglas Linde, his wife, Carol, and their children Kate, Madeline and Sam; and a daughter, Karen Linde Packman, and and her husband, Jeffrey Packman, and their children Julia and Hannah.

Funeral services and memorial observance are private.

A public celebration of Joyce Lindes life will be held at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston at 465 Huntington Ave. on Tuesday at 2 p.m. to be followed by a reception. Flowers are requested to be omitted.

Remembrances to the Community Arts Initiative at the Museum of Fine Arts and the BSOs Linde Learning Center at Tanglewood would be appreciated, according to her obituary.
SHEFFIELD  When Samya Stumo was killed in a Boeing jetliner crash five years ago Sunday, she had already accomplished so much and was making a difference in the lives of others.

She was just 24 when she died trying to improve the health of people in Africa and other parts of the globe. Hailing from the small farm town of Sheffield, and graduating college young, she wanted to relieve suffering.

Now her family is making a difference for others, as if imbued with her spirit of justice. It is a slow, uphill climb.

Weve made a difference, said Stumos father, Michael Stumo. But we're fighting one of the biggest corporations with the most political influence in the country.

That would be Boeing. Samya Stumo's parents are after stronger aviation safety precautions. It is a full-time job making sure companies and regulators are doing everything possible to stop another jetliner from going down.

There's a ton of work, said Nadia Milleron, Samya Stumos mother who is running for Congress as an independent against longtime lawmaker Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield. In her view requires a cleansing of corporations, agencies and politicians who work for each other at the expense of citizens. It isnt something you can just relax about.

Samya Stumo was one of 157 passengers and crew who were killed when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 that was headed for Kenya nosedived. The Boeing 737 Max 8 jet crashed six minutes after takeoff on March 10, 2019. Samya Stumo was on her way to start a new job in public health.

The crash came less than five months after a Lion Air Max 8 plunged into the Sea of Jakarta, killing all 189 onboard.

The problem immediately, and largely, was attributed to the new automated flight control software and sensors installed in the old 737 body design. Pilots werent informed about certain aspects of its functions and the description wasnt in the flight manuals.

And over time, investigators and whistleblowers revealed much more, including that Boeing had taken shortcuts to trim expenses. The idea was to rush the planes to market, while essentially regulating itself.

The Federal Aviation Administrations own risk analysis, months after the first crash, for instance, found that the software design flaw could cause up to 15 more crashes over the life of the fleet resulting in 2,900 deaths over 30 years, according to aviation website Flight Global. That study wasnt released until December 2019 by lawmakers.

After the second crash, regulators worldwide soon grounded the Max jets, then brought them back into service after the November 2020 recertification. The kinks were apparently out of the system, and the pilots trained for it  all of which Samya Stumo's family still questions.

A storm of lawsuits and federal probes were already underway. In January of 2021, the Department of Justice charged Boeing with fraud and conspiracy for its deception of government regulators regarding the Max 8 planes. Boeing agreed to pay $2.5 billion in a deferred prosecution agreement, and shielded the company from criminal prosecution.

But the Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 whose plug door blew off the plane in Oregon in January could put that deferral in jeopardy, though no one was killed, according to various news stories, including one in Fortune Magazine.

Milleron and Michael Stumo say that the blowout, as scary as it was, highlighted the companys production problems.

We have always been about 'no third crash,' Michael Stumo said. It was a tragedy, but a blessing because nobody was killed. It was video-ed [and] you can't blame the pilots.

Samya Stumos and other Ethiopian crash families in April 2019 filed federal civil suits in Chicago, where Boeing was based until it moved its headquarters to Arlington, Va., in 2022. Those lawsuits are still pending, said Milleron, whose experience fighting for better laws, policies and regulations have sparked her run for Congress.

The families, Milleron said, are still holding out for punitive damages." Although at the time of the suit, Illinois law did not allow punitive damages for wrongful death  only disability. Milleron had a hand in changing that.

In 2022, she drove to Springfield, Ill., and lived in a Motel 6 while she met with everyone in the state Assembly. She was so determined to go back to Massachusetts. He ended up voting for the bill to punitive damages available for wrongful death.

Its not about money  we want accountability, said Milleron, who happens to be the niece of consumer advocate Ralph Nader. We want change and we want people to be afraid to act like this.

The family is still fighting against agency capture and political capture.

Milleron and Michael Stumo  who still recommends the public not fly on Max jets  have testified at Congressional hearings and continue to press lawmakers.

The family has also successfully helped pushed for changes at the FAA to counter any coziness with Boeing, which Michael Stumo described as the big dog whose money can have a controlling influence. They said they wont stop until Boeings leadership changes.

Its an exhausting fight day after day, Michael Stumo said. We track everything. Theyve got a fleet of lobbyists and it's just us.

Michael Stumo wishes that it all was all fixed so we could just simply mourn.

Samyas resourcefulness and relentlessness continues to inspire Milleron. Samya was, as a young teen, able to find a way around adults saying she couldnt do something  like go to early college, for instance, rather than taking the typical path.

Thats how remember her, Milleron said. We can each make such a difference. Even Samya at 24.
Israel fires at Lebanese military vehicle on Lebanon's southern border

Xinhua) 10:40, March 10, 2024

BEIRUT, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A Lebanese army vehicle was targeted by Israeli machine gun fire on Saturday in the village of Aita al-Shaab in southern Lebanon, but no casualties were reported, security sources said.

The incident occurred as a joint patrol of the Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was conducting a routine patrol in the border area's central sector.

UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti confirmed that the patrol, which included a Lebanese army vehicle, came under light machine gun fire from the direction of the Blue Line near Aita al-Shaab. No injuries were sustained in the attack.

Following the incident, UNIFIL and the Lebanese army have started an investigation to determine the specifics of the event.

Additionally, the sources reported that Israel conducted 11 airstrikes on several towns and villages in southern Lebanon and launched 40 artillery shells at various locations, destroying five houses and damaging 20 others.

Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on Israeli positions, including those in Ramtha, Hunin, and Al-Baghdadi.

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border have escalated since the onset of the current Israel-Hamas conflict, with Israel and Hezbollah trading shellings and missile attacks almost on a daily basis.

According to security sources, the ongoing clashes between Hezbollah and Israel have resulted in 345 fatalities on the Lebanese side, including 231 Hezbollah fighters and 66 civilians.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Sheng Chuyi)
Houston Spring Festivals. Houston Chronicle

As spring unfolds in Houston, a variety of festivals are on the horizon, catering to diverse interests. From cultural and food events to art and concerts, we've gathered 25 of the citys must-attend festivals that you should not miss this spring.

Wild West Brew Fest

Beer lovers congregate at the Wild West Brew Fest in Katy, TX on Saturday, April 27, 2019. Craig Moseley/Staff photographer

Hosted by the Rotary Club of Katy, Wild West Brew Fest offers a variety of brews with proceeds supporting local charities. The festival starts with "K-Town Throw Down" on March 21 (6-9 p.m., free entry, $5 beers) and continues on March 22 (7-10 p.m., tickets from $75) and March 23 (VIP at 2 p.m., main festival 3-8 p.m., tickets from $50). This years event will feature more than 80 brewers offering more than 500 beer varieties, anticipating over 9,000 attendees.

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When: March 21-23

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Where: Typhoon Texas Waterpark Houston, 55 Katy Fort Bend Rd, Katy

Tomball German Heritage Festival

Katy Tompkins High School students perform as part of the school's German Club folk dancing group during the Tomball German Heritage Festival. Jerry Baker/For the Chronicle

The three-day festival features four stages with live music, games, folk dances, over 150 vendors and plenty of polka.

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When: March 22-24

Where: Tomball Railroad Depot Plaza, 201 S. Elm

H-Town Blues Festival

Tucka is a featured performer at the annual H-Town Blues Festival. Paras Griffin/Getty Images

The annual blues extravaganza returns to Houston, featuring renowned blues musicians like Tucka, Pokey Bear, King George, West Love, Lenny Williams and more.

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When: April 21

Where: NRG Arena, 1 NRG Pkwy

Foodieland

Over 150 food vendors will set up at NRG Park for Foodieland. Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

The multicultural festival at NRG Park, features live music, games and over 185 vendors serving diverse cuisines. Originating in California and inspired by Asian open-air night markets, the event has expanded to all major Texas cities.

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When: April 5-7

Where: NRG Park, 3 NRG Pkwy

Details: $6, free for ages 5 and under; bit.ly/49GUZ72

MORE FROM ANA KHAN: Best spring break destinations near Houston: Rodeo, museums and more

Hermann Park Kite Festival

Mase and Evan Meeks during the annual Hermann Park Conservancy Kite Festival at Hermann Park. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

The Hermann Park Conservancy's Kite Festival offers a day of fun and kite-flying at Hermann Park. Attendees can enjoy live music, a DJ, interactive games, face painting and other activities.

When: April 7

Where: Miller Hill and Jones Reflection Pool

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival

Visitors walk through booths during The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival at Town Green Park, Saturday, April 9, 2022, in The Woodlands. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Taking place along the scenic banks of The Woodlands Waterway and Town Green Park, the festival offers guests an open-air art gallery with music, food and kid's activities. Attendees can also shop for artworks crafted by artists from around the globe, with Regina Lyubovnaya highlighted as this year's featured artist.

When: April 12-14

Where: Woodlands Waterway Square, Waterway Square Pl, The Woodlands

Details: $15-$250, free for ages 12 and under; thewoodlandsartscouncil.org/p/festival

Houston Art Car Parade

Spectators watch a car covered in purple shag drive by during 36th Annual Houston Art Car Parade on Saturday, April 15, 2023 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer

The family-friendly spectacle and free public art event has become part of Houston's annual tradition. The Art Car Parade features more than 250 colorful and creatively decorated wheeled vehicles from more than 20 states and attracts more than 300,000 spectators each year.

When: April 13

Where: Allen Parkway from Bagby St. to Taft St.

Details: Free; additional events and grandstand seating available; thehoustonartcarparade.com

Crawfish Fest

KPRC and Discovery Green host the Crawfish Fest. sandoclr/Getty Images

Hosted by KPRC at Discovery Green, this mudbug celebration offers Cajun-style boiled foods for purchase. Guests can add a $30 option for a two-pound crawfish plate with their ticket. The event also features a local artisans market and live music.

When: April 13

Where: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney

Details: $15, VIP $45, free for ages 8 and under; bit.ly/432fetz

Houston LatinFest

Dancers wait to perform on stage during Houston Latin Fest. Justin Rex/Contributor

The annual celebration of Latin culture unites North, Central, and South America, along with the Caribbean, through music, art and food.

When: April 13-14

Where: The Crown Festival Park at Sugar Land, 18355 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land

Details: $12 and up, free for ages 12 and under; theofficialhoustonlatinfest.com

Houston Barbecue Festival

Cooper Abercombie, owner of Bar-A-BBQ, slices brisket at the Houston Barbecue Festival. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Houston's best barbecue joints unite for the 11th annual Houston Barbecue Festival at the Humble Civic Center Arena Complex. Attendees can relish unlimited smoked meats from over 30 joints, with beer available for purchase. Only a limited number of tickets are available and must be purchased ahead of the event.

When: April 14

Where: Humble Civic Center Arena Complex, 8233 Will Clayton, Humble

Details: $65-$125, free for ages 6 and under; houbbq.com

Houston Whiskey Riot Festival

Samples of more than 200 whiskeys will be poured at Houston Whiskey Riot at Post Houston. Kathy Tran

This Downtown festival for all things whiskey offers more than 200 whiskies, inventive whiskey cocktails, seminars and a chance to meet master distillers.

When: April 20

Where: POST Houston, 401 Franklin

Midtown Wine Fest

Midtown Park hosts the Midtown Wine Fest. Ken Redding/Getty Images

Attendees are invited to join for a day of wine, music, food and fun at this exclusive event highlighting over 40 international and local wines.

When: April 20

Where: Midtown Park, 2811 Travis

Details: $45, no kids or pets allowed; bit.ly/435diAq

The Grand Kids Festival

Children taking part in activities at the Grand Kids Festival in Galveston. Grand Kids Festival

Hosted by the Grand 1894 Opera House, this free family-friendly festival features fine arts activities for kids in the Cultural Arts District of Downtown Galveston, including hands-on projects, dance performances, shows, inflatables and a petting zoo.

When: April 20

Where: Downtown Galveston, 502 20th St, Galveston

Puranava Indian Art & Culture Fest

Children perform a folk dance during the fifth annual Puranava Indian Art & Culture Fest at Pearland Town Center. Courtesy Global Organization for

Experience Indian culture through performances, art exhibits, hands-on activities, a bazaar with local food, plus youth competitions in chess, art, dance and trivia.

When: April 20

Where: Pearland Town Center, 11200 Broadway St., Pearland

Brazilian Food and Music Festival

The Brazilian Food and Music Festival returns to the Wildcatter Saloon, in Katy. Dave Rossman/Contributor

The annual festival offers mouthwatering Brazilian cuisine, music, live samba music, arts and crafts, kids' area and vendors.

When: April 21

Where: Wildcatter Saloon, 26913 Katy Fwy, Katy

Top Taco Festival

Post Houston hosts the Top Taco Festival. Grandriver/Getty Images

Admission to the event offers unlimited taco samples and tequila cocktails from Houston restaurants. Attendees have the chance to cast their votes for favorites in categories such as Top Creative Taco, Top Traditional Taco, Top Vegetarian Taco, and Top Cocktail. Upgraded tickets provide "first taste," allowing entry an hour early.

When: April 25

Where: Post Houston, 401 Franklin

Details: $70-$90, no kids allowed; bit.ly/48HSqAu

Houston Brew Festival

8th Wonder Brewery will be one of the craft breweries at Houston Brew Festival. Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle

Hosted at Discovery Green, the event showcases 150 beers, food trucks, live music and lawn games. General admission covers beer samples, with food sold separately. Early admission allows attendees to enter an hour in advance.

When: April 27

Where: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney

Details: $50-$65, no kids allowed; bit.ly/3ToWK2Z

Frida Festival

Houston's Frida Festival. Alex Barber

The yearly event aims to unite the community through creative expression, collaborating with local artists and businesses to celebrate the legacy of Frida Kahlo. Embracing art, culture, and heritage, the festival is a lively showcase of diverse talents.

When: April 27

Where: The Storyhive, 4010 Canal

Houston Zydeco Fest

The Houston Zydeco Fest returns to Emancipation Park. Houston Zydeco Fest

This event at Emancipation Park, combines Zydeco music with food vendors and games, contests, and other activities.

When: April 27

Where: Emancipation Park, 3018 Emancipation

Big As Texas Festival

Julia Cole is among the performers at Big As Texas Festival. courtesy

Dierks Bentley, Billy Strings, Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wade, Warren Zeiders, Julia Cole, Dwight Yoakam, and more will headline this year's event. Big As Texas will also food, custom car shows, equestrian exhibitions, art installations, carnival games, auctions and chainsaw carvings.

When: May 10-12

Where: Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 9333 Airport Rd, Conroe

Soul Flower Music Fest

Festival goers at Discovery Green. Jamaal Ellis/Contributor

The single-day affair showcases soul and R&B performances from both local talents and nationally recognized artists.

When: May 4

Where: Discovery Green on 1500 McKinney St.

Texas Crab Festival

The Texas Crab Festival at Crystal Beach. Jake Daniels

The annual festival at Crystal Beach's Festival Park features a Crab Gumbo Cook-Off, arts and crafts, wiener dog races and live music. A cornhole tournament and a 5K run are also on the schedule.

When: May 10-12

Where: Festival Park, 1605 Highway 87, Crystal Beach

Pasadena Strawberry Festival

Breanna Zupan, Alexandria Monteth and Abby Quintanilla particiapte in the strawberry eating contest at the Pasadena Strawberry Festival Saturday, May 14. Kirk Sides/Staff Photographer

The annual festival features live music, the worlds largest strawberry shortcake, mutton bustin', a car show, carnival rides and a BBQ cook-off.

When: May 16-19

Where: Pasadena Fairgrounds, 7902 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena

Humble Bacon Festival

In a Pickle Festival and Hops n' Hot Sauce Festival present the Humble Bacon Festival. zeljkosantrac/Getty Images/iStockphoto

In partnership with the founders of In a Pickle Festival and Hops n' Hot Sauce Festival, this unique event boasts 100+ vendors offering bacon snacks and live music. Guests can enjoy eating contests for all ages and even ride a mechanical pig.

When: June 1

Where: Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway Humble

Details: $10, free for ages 12 and under; bit.ly/3wGunEK

Dark Ceremony Festival

Twin Tribes is among the performers at White Oak Music Hall's Dark Ceremony Festival. Courtesy photo

White Oak Music Hall hosts the inaugural Dark Ceremony Festival, the event highlights the legacy and evolution of modern synth and darkwave with a diverse lineup, including Twin Tribes, Clan Of Xymox, Chameleons, Glass Spells, Urban Heat, Autumn, Lathe of Heaven, Body Of Light, Haunt Me, Curse Mackey and SINE.

When: June 15
Cate Blanchett has said that, thanks to technology and Instagram filters, nobodys getting older  they just look like Barbie dolls.

The 54-year-old Australian actress and producer, who is known for her roles in Carol and The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, said she does not feel regret or shame when she looks back at photos and sees how she has aged.

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Speaking to The Sunday Times about ageing and beauty filters, she said: Nobodys getting older  they just look like Barbie dolls.

Cate Blanchett won the leading actress award for Tar at the 76th British Academy Film Awards (Ian West/PA)

Its not the ageing I find confronting at all.

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Because that is like when you stumble across a photo of a holiday when you were 16 or one of my husband and me when we got married. It doesnt produce regret or shame.

Rather, a recognition of the joy of the experience, or a painful moment. Im transported right back.

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Discussing how it feels to look back at her decades-long career, she said: I feel irked.

Its out of context. Theyre just bits.

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Like Here are the breasts. Hands. A bunion.

If you put the whole person together it makes more sense. I find it disconcerting.

The two-time Oscar-winner plays a nun in film The New Boy which explores colonialism and religion, and pondered on her own experience growing up as a Christian in Australia.

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Cate Blanchett and Aswan Reid at the photocall for The New Boy during the 76th Cannes Film Festival in France (Doug Peters/PA)

She said: As a child I wanted a religion.

I wanted the strong hand of God to put a hand on my childish shoulders to say Your (late) father is with me. Hes having fun. Youll see him in 60 years.

But that didnt happen. And so, as a 10-year-old, I fled from the church and moved down to the river and spent my childhood propelled into nature.

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If Id stayed inside the Methodist Church Id have a lot of bad guitar playing, but instead I rode my bike, thinking I was Nancy Drew, down by the Yarra River.

I remember that as profoundly as I remember the hymns.

The actress explored Australian colonialism when she co-created and executively produced the 2020 TV mini-series Stateless, which touches on issues of asylum and the countrys immigration system.

Blanchett has won Oscars for her roles in The Aviator (2004) and Blue Jasmine (2013) and in 2023 she won the best leading actress Bafta award for her role playing a composer/conductor in Tar.
The editor of a photo news company has said An Garda Siochana's attempts to compel him to hand over pictures from the Dublin riots will put the safety of photojournalists at risk.

Rollingnews.ie editor Eamonn Farrell told BreakingNews.ie that the Garda action would put "unnecessary danger" on him and his colleagues.

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He expects gardai to go to court for a warrant on Monday or Tuesday this week following his refusal.

Mr Farrell said the far-right groupings that took part in the Dublin riots are more violent and abusive than any group he has experienced over the course of his career.

"I've been recording protests going back to before the hunger strikes and the H-Bloc riots. I've covered protests of all kinds; far left, anarchists, republicans, you name it.

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"I've never come across the amount of abuse and intimidation that is occurring at the moment in relation to far-right groups. If the people I'm videoing or photographing want to do the same to me, I've no problem with that... what I do object to is the level of abuse, intimidation and threats involved when they are doing that.

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"Sometimes you end up being surrounded by three or four people videoing you at the same time. While they're doing that, they are abusing you and threatening you at the same time. We have to live with that, and we will continue to live with that and do our jobs.

"What I'm concerned about is the enhanced level of threat that we will face if it becomes known that generally the pictures we take are then made available to gardai."

Violence and threats

He said photojournalists would be seen as "the eyes and ears of the State" and more likely to face violence and threats if they are compelled to share their photographs with gardai.

Referring to certain groups that were involved in the Dublin riots, and at anti-immigration protests he has documented, Mr Farrell said: "They don't actually want the media covering their events because, as far as they're concerned, the media is all fake news. Because they're able to use new technology very effectively and produce their content online for their own followers, they're involved in an ongoing circle of information.

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"The last thing they want their followers to do is read what the media is putting out online or in print because they might see a different point of view, so the last thing they want to see while carrying out a protest is to see a reporter or photographer coming along, not trying to attack their views, but recording them and putting them out there to be discussed."

Mr Farrell described being intimidated by anti-immigration protesters last year as he documented a demonstration in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

The level of danger we may be in is possibly going to be enhanced by gardai continuing on insisting we provide them with the visual information we have recorded.

"I was down in Mullingar last year when there were people being housed in a building there. I was the only journalist there, and I was told the wheels of my jeep would be missing when I went to leave. If they found out where my house was, I was going to be burnt out, I was surrounded by a gaggle of them shouting, screaming and videoing me.

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"What I am concerned about is the level to which this kind of thing is increasing and getting worse.

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"The level of danger we may be in is possibly going to be enhanced by gardai continuing on insisting we provide them with the visual information we have recorded."

Mr Farrell reiterated his warning that a photojournalist could be seriously injured if anger against them is escalated by supplying pictures to gardai.

He said he fears not being able to send colleagues out to cover events anymore due to concerns about their safety.

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Ireland Dublin riots: Taoiseach receives mixed messages on... Read More

"I think that's a real possibility... because the level of intimidation and abuse is growing all the time. Most people saw the video recording of a lone Garda being attacked during the Dublin riots, like a lion being attacked by a group of hyenas. There was no fear in the attackers. If they feel free to do that to a Garda, what fear would they have in doing it to a photographer with his or her back turned to them?

"We're prepared to deal with this level of threat, but we're not prepared for it being enhanced with gardai turning us into their eyes and ears. What will the next step be: us being asked to livestream it to Garda HQ? We can't be a substitute because gardai don't have body cams.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's a very serious situation, and an unnecessary level of extra threat being put on us simply trying to do our job and be the eyes and ears of the people who read their newspapers, listen to the radio, and watch the news on TV.

"We've always been careful. No matter what our personal views are in relation to abortion, housing, a whole range of issues, we cover them because that's our job, and we want to continue doing it."
Saoirse Ruane, who inspired the annual Late Late Toy Show appeal, has been described as a wonderful little angel at her funeral on Co Galway.

The 12-year-old, from Kiltullagh, died at her home on Tuesday years after she was diagnosed with cancer.

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The youngster won the nations hearts when she appeared on the Toy Show during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and spoke about her fight with cancer.

The hearse arrives at the funeral of Saoirse Ruane at St Peter and Pauls Church, Kiltullagh, Co Galway on Sunday. Photograph by Eamon Ward Press Association

She had been diagnosed with a rare form of the disease and had to have her right leg amputated.

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She inspired the launch of the Toy Show Appeal, which has led to millions of euros being raised.

An online post last week said Saoirse died peacefully at her home in the arms of her heartbroken parents, Ollie and Roseanna.

People lined up outside Saints Peter and Pauls Church in Kiltullagh, while pupils from Saoirses Kiltullagh National School and members of a local GAA club formed a guard of honour outside the church.

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The funeral cortege was led by two garda motorbikes.

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Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy, who became a friend of Saoirse after she appeared on the RTE show, travelled from London to attend the funeral.

Addressing those gathered for the funeral, Fr Declan McInerney said Saoirse was now the Saint of Kiltullagh.

He also welcomed Col Stephen Howard, Aide-de-Camp of President Michael D Higgins, which he said provided comfort to Saoirses family.

In an Instagram post, her mother said on Sunday: One last Mothers Day with you before you go.

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So grateful to have you today Saoirse.

In a social media last week, Roseanna said: When there are no words. After a long, courageous and dignified battle, our hearts are shattered to tell you our beautiful little Saoirse took her final breath in our arms on Tuesday.

President Higgins has sent his deepest condolences to the family of Saoirse Ruane from Kiltullagh, Co. Galway, following her passing at the age of 12. Saoirse's strength and warmth was an inspiration to all pic.twitter.com/aMyLZyqN8g  President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) March 7, 2024

We thank you our lovely followers for holding Saoirse and us in your thoughts these past few weeks.

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We think of you all today also as we know how much Saoirse was loved by the nation and the effect she had on so many peoples lives.

Cancer you stole her from us, the life we had and our dreams.

Life will never be the same.

A statement also said: Saoirse, aged just 12 years old, was surrounded, as she has been throughout her illness, by the love, care and devotion of her family, the prayers and goodwill of the community in Kiltullagh and people all over the country who held Saoirse in their hearts.

Saoirse, adored daughter to Ollie and Roseanna, big sister to Farrah Rose, half-sister to Rebecca, granddaughter to Anne Ruane and Tony and Ann Brehony, an adored niece, cousin, family member and of course, best friend to Willow and Slush, was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.

A pupil of Kiltullagh National School, Saoirse will be missed but always remembered by her school friends and teachers, who have travelled the road with Saoirse on her journey, and were a source of joy and fun to her.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ryan Tubridy (@instatubridy)

Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy said: We became friends instantly when we met. She told her story, the nation fell in love with her and a charity began because of her and with that, she helped enrich and encourage the lives of thousands of children in Ireland.

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A selfless, humble, kind, optimistic and thoughtful child.

She was everything we should and could be as a country and her passing will put so much into perspective for so many of us.

The world is a poorer place without Saoirse but I do hope that twinkle in her eye shines on and on.

The funeral cortege of 12-year-old Saoirse Ruane makes its way to Saints Peter and Paul Church, Kiltullagh, Co Galway for her funeral (Eamon Ward/PA)

At the end of Fridays Late Late show, host Patrick Kielty said that Saoirse lit up TV screens and the lives of her family and friends.

When Saoirse inspired the very first Toy Show appeal back then, little did any of us know that she was going to start something amazing, he said.

In just four short years she would help so many children and their families across Ireland.

We know her light will continue to shine for so many years to come.

From everyone on the Late Late Show, we send our love tonight to Saoirses family.
The mother of Saoirse Ruane, who inspired the annual Late Late Toy Show appeal, has told her daughters funeral there is an enormous void in our hearts that will never be filled.

The 12-year-old, from Kiltullagh, died at her home on Tuesday, years after she was diagnosed with cancer.

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The youngster won the nations hearts when she appeared on the Toy Show during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and spoke about her fight with cancer.

The hearse arrives at the funeral of Saoirse Ruane at St Peter and Pauls Church, Kiltullagh, Co Galway(Eamon Ward/PA)

She had been diagnosed with a rare form of the disease and had to have her right leg amputated.

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She inspired the launch of the Toy Show Appeal, which has led to millions of euros being raised.

An online post last week said Saoirse died peacefully at her home in the arms of her heartbroken parents, Ollie and Roseanna.

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During the funeral mass, Roseanna said that following a relapse last year, her family were given the devastating news that her time was short.

Saoirse surpassed all expectations, she added.

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She always remained positive and looked to the future, and we ensured that she never knew she was going to die.

In the lead up to her final months, I spent a lot of time looking at her, taking in every freckle, her envious long curly brown hair, her blue eyes that seeped with kindness and I was mesmerised by her attitude to survive.

I couldnt help but wonder how did you face the battle of cancer at the tender age of seven? How do you accept that is your life and fight every single day to win your life back?

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We loved her so much. Our first child together. To speak of her in the past tense feels so wrong after speaking about her in the present for 12 whole years.

She was a perfect child and turned into a beautiful-looking girl.

The day her consultant sat us down and said she had cancer changed everything.

In life, you are meant to protect your children but we couldnt protect her from this.

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Saoirse was brave and resilient and fiercely determined.

President Higgins has sent his deepest condolences to the family of Saoirse Ruane from Kiltullagh, Co. Galway, following her passing at the age of 12. Saoirse's strength and warmth was an inspiration to all pic.twitter.com/aMyLZyqN8g  President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) March 7, 2024

People lined up outside Saints Peter and Pauls Church in Kiltullagh, while pupils from Saoirses Kiltullagh National School and members of a local GAA club formed a guard of honour outside the church.

The funeral cortege was led by two garda motorbikes.

Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy, who became a friend of Saoirse after she appeared on the RTE show, travelled from London to attend the funeral.

Addressing those gathered for the funeral, Fr Declan McInerney said Saoirse was now the Saint of Kiltullagh.

He also welcomed Col Stephen Howard, Aide-de-Camp of President Michael D Higgins, which he said provided comfort to Saoirses family.

In an Instagram post, her mother said on Sunday: One last Mothers Day with you before you go.

So grateful to have you today Saoirse.

Mourners waited outside Saints Peter and Paul Church, Kiltullagh, Co Galway for the funeral of 12-year-old Saoirse Ruane (Eamon Ward/PA)

In a social media post last week, Roseanna said: When there are no words. After a long, courageous and dignified battle, our hearts are shattered to tell you our beautiful little Saoirse took her final breath in our arms on Tuesday.

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We thank you our lovely followers for holding Saoirse and us in your thoughts these past few weeks.

We think of you all today also as we know how much Saoirse was loved by the nation and the effect she had on so many peoples lives.

Cancer you stole her from us, the life we had and our dreams.

Life will never be the same.

Col Stephen Howard, Aide-de-Camp of President Michael D Higgins, attended the service, providing comfort to Saoirses family (Eamon Ward/PA)

A statement also said: Saoirse, aged just 12 years old, was surrounded, as she has been throughout her illness, by the love, care and devotion of her family, the prayers and goodwill of the community in Kiltullagh and people all over the country who held Saoirse in their hearts.

Saoirse, adored daughter to Ollie and Roseanna, big sister to Farrah Rose, half-sister to Rebecca, granddaughter to Anne Ruane and Tony and Ann Brehony, an adored niece, cousin, family member and of course, best friend to Willow and Slush, was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.

A pupil of Kiltullagh National School, Saoirse will be missed but always remembered by her school friends and teachers, who have travelled the road with Saoirse on her journey, and were a source of joy and fun to her.

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Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy said: We became friends instantly when we met. She told her story, the nation fell in love with her and a charity began because of her and with that, she helped enrich and encourage the lives of thousands of children in Ireland.

A selfless, humble, kind, optimistic and thoughtful child.

She was everything we should and could be as a country and her passing will put so much into perspective for so many of us.

The world is a poorer place without Saoirse but I do hope that twinkle in her eye shines on and on.
Sunday's front pages focus on a range of stories from delays to the Shannon pipeline being a threat to foreign investment, as well as reaction to a resounding No No vote in the family and care referendums.

The Business Post reports possible delays to a Shannon water pipeline could be a threat to foreign investment in the area.

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Tomorrows front page. Pick up a copy in stores or subscribe at https://t.co/u5ystSGUtr:



 Delays to Shannon water pipeline threatening foreign investment



 Double defeat for coalition as referendums go down



 Toxic work culture in law firms pushing lawyers out pic.twitter.com/m5UvAUlUeT  Business Post (@businessposthq) March 9, 2024

The Sunday Independent focusses on the anger surrounding the double NO votes in the family and care referendums.

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Here is the front page of the Sunday Independent for March 10, 2024 pic.twitter.com/JHhXg6NJ5Y Advertisement  Irish Independent (@Independent_ie) March 10, 2024

Today's front page of The Irish Sun pic.twitter.com/oogfJM78wF Advertisement  The Irish Sun (@IrishSunOnline) March 10, 2024

Morning, readers. Here's a look at today's front page of the Sunday Life.https://t.co/aOFzOA9zsz pic.twitter.com/AMekTp7xdP  Sunday Life (@TheSundayLife) March 10, 2024 Advertisement

In the UK, politics is the main theme of the nations front pages at the end of the week.

The Observer and The Sunday Telegraph run with Levelling Up Minister Michael Goves soon-to-be-revealed plan to expose extremists and protesters who subvert democracy with bans from public life.

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The Sunday Times splashes with claims Boris Johnson took a secret trip to Venezuela to meet with the nations autocratic leader Nicolas Maduro in February.

The Sunday Times: Johnson flew for secret talks

with autocrat #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/FLZuETASSM  George Mann (@sgfmann) March 9, 2024

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Excerpts from the memoir of Earl Spencer, the younger brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, leads the Mail on Sunday, as he says he was sexually abused as a child whilst at a top British boarding school.

Mail on Sunday: Dianas brother: how I was sexually

abused at just 11 by school matron #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/eTMKJDEdoR  George Mann (@sgfmann) March 9, 2024

The Independent runs with a story on working parents, who are about to be hit hard by a hike in childcare fees.

The Sunday Express reports on James Cleverlys latest Labour criticisms, with the Home Secretary accusing the Opposition of choosing to carp from the sidelines rather than take action on boat arrivals.

Tomorrows front page. Words from the Home Secretary; Prince Edward talks on his 60th birthday; Englands victory over Ireland; Britain is the Hollywood of Europe. #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/T8oBywY6fV  David Wooding (@DavidWooding) March 9, 2024

The Daily Mirror runs with a piece on the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, who has met with the Prime Minister to discuss in-school and online bullying solutions.

Sunday People leads with a piece on Baby P  real name Peter Connelly  as one of the men responsible for the childs 2007 murder prepares to apply for parole.

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And, lastly, the Daily Star Sunday splashes with a story on foot hygiene.
The public have urged Taoiseach Leo Varadkar not to travel to the US for St Patrick's Day over the US backing of Israel's actions in Gaza.

Documents, seen by BreakingNews.ie under the Freedom of Information Act, show that over 4,000 people have contacted the Taoiseach's office over his planned visit to the White House.

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It is tradition for the Taoiseach to attend on St Patrick's Day. However, Israel's actions in Gaza have led to people calling for a boycott of this year's visit.

One email addressed to the Taoiseach had said: "I presume you would find it difficult to shake hands with President Biden as he continues to veto any UN ceasefire and instead gives a green light to further destruction and devastation on the Palestinian people."

The backing of Israel's actions by US president Joe Biden was a common theme in emails to the Taoiseach, with one person stating: The United States Government led by the Biden administration is corrupt and evidently complicit in the genocide of well over 20,000 Palestinians and displacement of many others.

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"The Irish Government cannot turn a blind eye and present shamrocks while so many children, women, men and journalists (who dare to show the world the truth) are slaughtered daily."

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There has also been criticism about Ireland not joining South Africa's case of genocide against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), with one person stating: "Ireland's lack of support for South Africa's case at the ICJ has not gone unnoticed by the public.

Equally regrettable is the shameful entanglement of the Irish Government, and other major parties both sides of the Border, with the US government, despite their unwavering military, financial and political support for Israel and its genocidal campaign."

As well as calling for a boycott of the White House visit, this person also called for Ireland to "immediately cease any political engagement with the US Government until it withdraws its military, financial, and political support for Israel".

The US military's actions in Yemen were also brought into question, with one person taking issue with Varadkar previously saying: "It wouldn't make sense not to attend" the White House.

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"Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the world, has stood up to the Israelis, and the UK and USA have bombed them with no word from you. They clearly said they would stop their blockade when Israel stopped their genocide. Of course, they are not white and European so they don't count in your books."

However, there were also calls for the Taoiseach to use this White House visit to call for a ceasefire.

Ireland Taoiseach's office waited a month for briefing on... Read More

One person had said to the Taoiseach to use his time with Joe Biden to make Ireland's position clear. "Put the Irish case to the US President directly in person, but I know that he knows our position and we know Americas historical position supporting the Jewish people in Israel and the citizens of Israel," they wrote.

Another person had suggested nothing good can come from boycotting visiting the White House, in which they said: "The vital interests of Ireland and the suffering of Palestinian people will not be served well by Irish politicians snubbing the St Patrick's Day fest, at the White House.

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"Worth remembering is the support given by Joe Biden to Ireland for the GFA [Good Friday Agreement] and during the ongoing Brexit turmoil".

In a statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that Mr Biden would host the Taoiseach for a bilateral meeting on March 15th, followed by a St Patricks Day celebration on March 17th.
A few ingredients are needed for a classic Barbie doll: confidence, bravery, legendary status, and impeccable style.

When inventor Ruth Handler first introduced the pint-sized plastic doll (made in the likeness of an adult) to the world at the 1959 Toy Fair in New York City on March 9th, Barbie  whose full name was Barbara Millicent Roberts, named after Handlers daughter, Barbara, and was from (fictional) Willows, Wisconsin  was wearing her now iconic black and white striped chevron swimsuit, with a pair of white retro cat-eye sunglasses in her hand.

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Handler, who died in 2002 aged 85, had a revolutionary take on dolls and wanted to change the way children played with them.

My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be, she said of her revolutionary invention. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.

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(2024 Mattel/PA)

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Now, Barbie turns 65  and there has been a whole host of incarnations over the years, including the 1977 Superstar Barbie and 1985 Peaches n Cream Barbie. Inspired by the milestone birthday, the 2024 Spring Fashionistas dolls pay homage to Barbies evolving fashion through the years by replicating her iconic looks into modern-day outfits.

The Barbie 65th Anniversary collection also revisits some of the most popular careers and fashion looks from Barbies archives.

The latest career dolls include a farm vet, pop star and astronaut  three of the most popular careers held by Barbie since her creation. One of the 65th Signature Anniversary dolls is inspired by the original 1959 Barbie, dressed in a classic white and black stripe scallop-edged ballgown, with a sheer underskirt paired with black gloves, in a nod back to that iconic swimsuit.

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(2024 Mattel/PA)

A lot of outfits are inspired by female trailblazers across various industries.

This is seen through Barbies impressive closet and repertoire of 250+ careers  Barbie is never afraid to try new things and inspires her fans to live out their limitless potential, said Kim Culmone, senior vice president and head of design for dolls at Mattel.

We are committed to using her platform to share a multi-dimensional view of beauty with kids across the globe. Were proud of our journey with Barbie to be reflective of the world children see around them and we will continue to add representation through careers, fashions, hair textures, style and more.

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How would Culmone describe Barbies evolving and effervescent style?

Barbies style is about self-expression, aspiration and living authentically. Power dressing inspires confidence and empowers you to be unapologetically yourself.

(2024 Mattel/PA)

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Barbie has played a role in the cultivation of personal style and expression across generations. Countless designers have used Barbie as a muse and likewise, Barbie is inspired by pop culture and fashion, she added.

Often, Barbie is a designers first introduction to fashion  as they dress and style her, they discover the power and delight of storytelling through her closet. Her style is unique as not only does she follow the trends, she sets them. One thing stays the same though  she is always a source of inspiration and creativity.

She evolves with the times, never allowing her style to go stagnant. Her wardrobe is limitless. All in one day, Barbie can rock a glamorous designer gown to breakfast, wear an astronaut suit to space for work, and then transition to the latest street style for dinner. Barbie is at her best when her looks are reflective of whats happening now in fashion.

(2024 Mattel/PA)

When Greta Gerwigs Barbie movie  starring Australian actress and producer Margot Robbie, Canadian actor Ryan Gosling, American stars Issa Rae and America Ferrera, among others  came out last year, there was a sharp rise in the Barbiecore trend, with hot pink having a moment.

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The trend, which encapsulates Barbies larger-than-life pink aesthetic and idyllic way of living, often paired with nostalgic accessories, was sported by celebrities such as Florence Pugh, Lizzo and Vanessa Hudgens, and even made a mark on fashion runways  including the Valentino 2023 autumn/winter show in collaboration with Pantone Color Institute, which featured the bright Pink PP hue created exclusively for the Italian fashion house.

(Ian West/PA

I loved seeing fans lean into Barbiecore, said Culmone. We are seeing the world reclaim hyper-femininity, and Barbie is here for it. Ive always said pink is not a passive colour; its a power colour.

Pink has always been Barbies favourite colour  she even has her own signature Barbie Pink Pantone shade (PMS 219). In the 1970s, the team strategically began to prominently [use] the colour pink in packaging. This creative shift contributed to the pink association with the brand. For Barbie, pink stands for limitless potential and is a symbol of empowerment, adds Culmone  noting that a book, Barbie: The World Tour, will also be published on March 19th, commemorating how movie star Robbie and stylist Andrew Mukamal brought some of Barbies most memorial outfits and curated vintage pieces to the red carpet during the films press tour.

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Barbie first stepped into the fashion scene 65 years ago, Culmone continued. Since then, shes secured her place in history with her incredible wardrobe, amazing resume, and has been dressed by the worlds most famous designers  inspiring millions as their first fashion muse and strong female role model.
Ukrainian and allied officials have criticised Pope Francis for saying Kyiv should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, a statement many interpreted as a call on Ukraine to surrender.

The foreign minister of Poland, a vocal ally of Kyiv, and Ukraines ambassador to the Vatican both used Second World War analogies to condemn the popes remarks, while a leader of one of Ukraines Christian churches said on Sunday that only the countrys determined resistance to Russias aggression had prevented a mass slaughter of civilians.

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In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI and partially released on Saturday, Francis used the phrase the courage of the white flag as he argued that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should be open to peace talks brokered by international powers.

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How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine?

Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations. https://t.co/gWNYSUt79u  Radosaw Sikorski  (@sikorskiradek) March 10, 2024 Advertisement

How about, for balance, encouraging (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski responded with a post on X, formerly Twitter.

In a separate post, Mr Sikorski drew parallels between those calling for negotiations while denying (Ukraine) the means to defend itself and European leaders appeasement of Adolf Hitler just before the Second World War.

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Andrii Yurash, Ukraines ambassador to the Holy See, said it is necessary to learn lessons from that conflict. His post on X appeared to compare the popes comments to calls for talking with Hitler while raising a white flag to satisfy him.

A Vatican spokesman later clarified that the pope supported a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations, rather than an outright Ukrainian surrender.





SoImportant to be consistent!When toSpeak about 3WorldWar,which we have now,necessary to learnLessons from2War:did anybody spoke then seriously about peaceTalking withHitler&WhitFlag to satisfy him?So,lesson is only1-if we want to finishWar,we have to do everything to killDragon! pic.twitter.com/LwSKvUCtFe Advertisement Advertisement  Andrii Yurash (@AndriiYurash) March 9, 2024

Matteo Bruni said the journalist interviewing Francis used the term white flag in the question that prompted the controversial remarks.

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I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates, Francis said, when asked to weigh in on the debate between those who say Ukraine should agree to peace talks and those who argue that any negotiations would legitimise Moscows aggression.

Kyiv remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said multiple times that the initiative in peace negotiations must come from the country that has been invaded.

Throughout the war, Francis has tried to maintain the Vaticans traditional diplomatic neutrality, but that has often been accompanied by apparent sympathy with the Russian rationale for invading Ukraine, such as when he noted that Nato was barking at Russias door with its eastward expansion.

While the pope has spoken in the past about the need for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, the RSI interview appears to mark the first time he has publicly used terms such as white flag or defeated while discussing the war.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

In the RSI interview, Francis insisted that negotiations are never a surrender.

When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate, he said.

Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said on Sunday that surrender is not on the minds of Ukrainians.

Ukraine is wounded, but unconquered! Ukraine is exhausted, but it stands and will endure, he said while meeting Ukrainians in New York City.

Believe me, it never crosses anyones mind to surrender. Even where there is fighting today: listen to our people in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy, he added, referring to the regions that have been under heavy Russian artillery and drone attacks.

Archbishop Shevchuk also spoke of the brutality of Moscows aggression, referring to the town near Kyiv where Russian occupation left hundreds of civilians dead in the streets and in mass graves.

He argued that, if not for Ukrainians fierce resistance as Russian forces marched on the capital in February 2022, the gruesome scenes seen in Bucha would have been just an introduction.

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During the Angelus prayer on Sunday from the window overlooking St Peters Square, Francis said he was praying for peace in the tormented Ukraine and in the Holy Land.

Let the hostilities which cause immense suffering among the civilian population cease as soon as possible, he said.



Pope Francis waves during the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St Peters Square at the Vatican (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Elsewhere, both Ukraine and Russia reported civilian deaths on Sunday after trading drone, missile and shelling attacks overnight that also caused a fire at a Russian oil depot and targeted Ukrainian power stations, according to officials.

Ukrainian air defences shot down 35 out of 39 drones launched by Russia, air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported, following a four-and-a-half-hour barrage that officials said damaged unspecified industrial sites in southern Ukraine and also targeted power stations.

Two people died under rubble after Iranian-made Shahed drones struck private homes and state offices around midnight in Dobropillya, a large Ukrainian-held town in the east, authorities said.

In Myrnohrad, another eastern Ukrainian town, 11 civilians were wounded when Russian missiles overnight struck residential buildings, the local prosecutors office reported.

It also posted photos of rubble lining the courtyard outside a high-rise apartment building, its windows blown out, and of cars parked outside that appeared reduced to piles of twisted metal.

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A woman also died in Russias Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, after shells fired from Ukraine set her house on fire, according to local Governor Roman Starovoit, who added that the womans husband suffered severe burns.

Mr Starovoit also said debris from a downed Ukrainian drone sparked a fire at an oil depot in the Kursk region.

Nine Ukrainian drones targeted the Belgorod region, another southern Russian province that borders Ukraine, overnight and on Sunday, according to local Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

Later on Sunday, Russias Defence Ministry said two drones were shot down over the Novgorod region in northern Russia, more than 620 miles (1,000km) from the Ukrainian border. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
US president Joe Biden has said he regrets using the term illegal during his State of the Union address to describe the suspected killer of Laken Riley.

Mr Biden spoke after Donald Trump, who is all-but-certain to be his rival in the autumn presidential election, blamed the president for her death at a rally attended by the Georgia nursing students family.

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The president expressed remorse in an interview on Saturday after facing frustration from some in his party for the use of the term to describe people who arrived or are living in the US illegally.

I wont bow down. pic.twitter.com/29pKjpOsYI  President Biden (@POTUS) March 8, 2024 Advertisement

He told MSNBC: I shouldnt have used illegal, its undocumented.

The term was once common but is far less so today, particularly among Democrats who more fully embraced immigrant rights issues during Mr Trumps presidency.

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The death of Ms Riley, a nursing student, has become a rallying cry for Republicans, a tragedy that they say encompasses the Biden administrations handling of the US-Mexico border amid a record surge of immigrants entering the country.

An immigrant from Venezuela who entered the US illegally has been arrested and charged with her murder.

Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks before Donald Trump takes to the stage in Georgia (AP)

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Mr Bidens comments came in an interview with MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart taped in Atlanta, where the president was meeting with small business owners and holding a campaign rally.

Across the state in Rome, Georgia, Mr Trump is expected to hammer Mr Biden on the border as well as his mispronunciation of Ms Rileys name during the State of the Union address, according to excerpts released by his campaign before the speech.

What Joe Biden has done on our border is a crime against humanity, Mr Trump is set to say.

Mr Biden used the term on Thursday night during an exchange in which the president pressed Republicans in his address to pass a bipartisan border security deal that fell apart after Mr Trump opposed it.

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US representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a stalwart Trump ally, then shouted at the President to say Ms Rileys name, adding she was killed by an illegal.

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By an illegal, thats right, Mr Biden responded immediately, before appearing to ask how many people are being killed by legals.

US president Joe Biden comes up behind first lady Jill Biden at a campaign rally in Atlanta (AP)

Speaking to Mr Capehart, Mr Biden said, Look, when I spoke about the difference between Trump and me, one of the things I talked about in the border was his, the way he talks about vermin, the way he talks about these people polluting the blood. I talked about what Im not going to do. What I wont do. Im not going to treat any, any, any of these people with disrespect.

Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita attacked Mr Biden for apologising for his language and not to Ms Rileys family.

He should be apologising to the family as opposed to apologising for the word that he used which is an accurate description, he told reporters before Mr Trump took the stage.

He blasted the response as tone deaf and a pivotal moment that highlights the candidates two very distinct differences in approach on the border invasion.

Theres a clear difference, he said. One is sympathetic, coddling, and making excuses. And one wants to put a stop, put an end to it.

Mr Bidens expression of regret marked a shift from a day earlier, when Mr Biden had hesitated when asked by reporters if he regretted using the term.
Pope Francis has said in an interview that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

The head of the Catholic Church added that the European nation should not be ashamed to sit at the same table with its Russian adversaries to carry out peace talks.

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The Pope made his appeal during an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI, which was partially released on Saturday.

I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people, has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates, he said, adding that talks should be held with the help of international powers.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

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Ukraine remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said multiple times the initiative in peace negotiations must belong to the country which has been invaded.

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Russia is gaining momentum on the battlefield in the war now in its third year, and Ukraine is running low on ammunition.

Meanwhile, some of Ukraines allies in the West are delicately raising the prospect of sending troops.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said on Saturday that the Pope had adopted the interviewers use of the white flag term.

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He stated clarification after the Popes white flag comments sparked criticism that he was siding with Russia in the conflict.

Throughout the war, Pope Francis has tried to maintain the Vaticans traditional diplomatic neutrality, but that has often been accompanied by apparent sympathy with the Russian rationale for invading Ukraine, such as when he noted that Nato was barking at Russias door with its eastward expansion.

During the RSI interview, the Pope said: The word negotiate is a courageous word.

When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate.

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Negotiations are never a surrender.

The Pope also reminded people that some countries have offered to mediate the conflict.

Today, for example, in the war in Ukraine, many want to mediate, he said.

Turkey has offered itself for this and others. Do not be ashamed to negotiate before things get worse.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoganwhose Nato-member country has sought to balance its close relations with Ukraine and Russiaoffered to host a peace summit between the two countries during a Friday visit from Mr Zelensky.
Dismal occupancy rates at Conroe's $117 million Hyatt Regency Hotel have led credit analysts to warn investors the hotel may not earn enough to pay back the city's $142 million debt for the project. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Dismal occupancy rates at Conroe's $117 million Hyatt Regency Hotel have led credit analysts to warn investors the hotel may not earn enough to pay back the city's $142 million debt for the project. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Dismal occupancy rates at Conroe's $117 million Hyatt Regency Hotel have led credit analysts to warn investors the hotel may not earn enough to pay back the city's $142 million debt for the project. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Dismal occupancy rates at Conroe's $117 million Hyatt Regency Hotel have led credit analysts to warn investors the hotel may not earn enough to pay back the city's $142 million debt for the project. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Dismal occupancy rates at Conroe's $117 million Hyatt Regency Hotel and Convention Center have led S&P analysts to warn investors that the hotel may not earn enough to pay back the city's $142 million debt for the project.

When a city issues revenue bonds to pay for a project, investors are paid back principal and interest with the money generated by that project, such as hotel or convention center bookings in the case of the hotel.

The city issued three separate series of revenue bonds to fund part of the hotel, and according to information from the city, the total debt on those three liens on the hotel total about $144 million, including interest.

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Now, S&P Global Ratings lowered the corporations credit rating on its first-lien and second-lein hotel revenue bonds to BB- and CCC+, ratings that show the corporation depends on good business, financial and economic conditions if it is to repay the debt.

Those two bonds are to be paid by the Conroe Local Government Corporation, an entity the city created specifically to move forward with the hotel project.

The third lien was not affected and will be repaid by the Conroe Industrial Development Corporation.

Harry Hardman, councilman and Local Government Corporation member, said the bonds have been reduced to "junk status."

'A dark day for Conroe'

It is a dark day for Conroe," Hardman said. "As I have stated publicly before, this hotel project is the worst financial decision in the citys history, and the citizens of Conroe will be unnecessarily burdened by it for years to come.

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Collin Boothe, assistant city administrator and director of finance, said the downgrade on the hotel bonds does not change the good ratings for the city of Conroe or the Conroe Industrial Development Corporation.

It does not affect the city of Conroes ability to put a bond package to the voters, nor does it affect the citys ability to pay its current debt service, Boothe said.

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Montgomery County judge denies bond reduction for Miles Fridrich in Talat Khan murder case

Financing tool for hotel project

The city formed the Local Government Corporation, made up of members of the city council, in June 2019.

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A local government corporation receives and spends taxpayer funds and private donations on projects that benefit the public. Local government corporations are also used to create public-private partnerships.

Boothe said it is unknown how the corporation will repay the liens. He said the corporation could sell the hotel but that would be subject to legal review before it could happen.

He said the city budget and that of the Industrial Development Corporation are already strapped, and there will likely not be enough funding for all existing 2025 budget requests.

If the city of Conroe or (Conroe Industrial Development Corporation) decides to financially support the hotel, it would affect other aspects of city services, Boothe said. Financial resources that would be used to pay for those services or projects would go toward the hotel."

According to the Feb. 28 report from S&P, the hotel has struggled to attract demand and its performance since opening in May has been much lower than forecasted.

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Analysts assumed the hotel would report around 54% occupancy and an average daily rate of $188.70 from May to September 2023. Instead, the Hyatt reported around 14% occupancy and $160.60 daily rate.

From October to December, the situation improved, but the hotel didn't crack 30% occupancy, and the daily rate only climbed to $162.50, which "still lags well behind our original forecast," analysts reported.

Taxpayers are footing the bill

The hotel and convention center which opened in May 2023, is the largest taxpayer-funded economic development project in the city. However, due to missed economic projections, the project has been dogged by cost overruns and multimillion-dollar taxpayer bailouts.

According to city council minutes from the council's May 26, 2021 meeting, former assistant City Administrator and Chief Financial Officer Steve Williams presented the council with the financing documents telling the council the hotel revenue would pay the bonds and would not be a burden to the city calling the project an excellent fit for the city.

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The credit rating downgrade comes after the corporation learned in November that the hotel was in the red leaving the city unable to pay $3 million in debt service due this year.

Hardman, who took office in June 2022, said the council should never have proceeded with the project.
The Netherlands National Holocaust Museum was launched on Sunday in a ceremony presided over by the Dutch king as well as Israeli president Isaac Herzog, whose presence prompted protests because of Israels deadly offensive against Palestinians in Gaza.

The museum in Amsterdam tells the stories of some of the 102,000 Jews who were deported from the Netherlands and murdered in Nazi camps, as well as the history of their structural persecution under German Second World War occupation before the deportations began.

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Sundays ceremony came against a backdrop of Israels devastating attacks on Gaza that followed Hamass deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7th.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander speaks at the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam during a ceremony marking the opening of the new National Holocaust Museum (Bart Maat/Pool/AP)

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered near the museum and the Portuguese Synagogue in Waterloo Square in central Amsterdam amid tight security, waving Palestinian flags, chanting against Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, and demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

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The protest leaders stressed that they were demonstrating against Mr Herzogs presence, not the museum and what it commemorates.

For us Jews, these museums are part of our history, of our past, said Joana Cavaco, an anti-war activist with the Erev Rav Jewish collective, addressing the crowd ahead of the ceremony.

She added: How is it possible that such a sacred space is being used to normalise genocide today?

Three-quarters of Dutch Jews were among the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis.

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Dutch King Willem-Alexander tours the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool/AP)

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Mr Herzog visited the synagogue and opened the museum.

Austrian president Alexander van der Bellen, Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte and the president of the German Federal Council, Manuela Schwesig, were also attending the ceremony, along with Jewish leaders from around the world.

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Mr Herzog was among Israeli leaders cited in an order issued in January by the top United Nations court for Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza.

He accused the International Court of Justice of misrepresenting his comments in the ruling.

Israel strongly rejected allegations levelled by South Africa in the court case that the military campaign in Gaza breaches the Genocide Convention.

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Demonstrators set off firecrackers as Dutch riot police form a line during a protest against Israels President Isaac Herzog attending the opening of the new National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam (Phil Nijhuis/AP)

I was disgusted by the way they twisted my words, using very, very partial and fragmented quotes, with the intention of supporting an unfounded legal contention, Mr Herzog said, days after the ruling.

A pro-Palestinian Dutch organisation, The Rights Forum, called Mr Herzogs presence a slap in the face of the Palestinians who can only helplessly watch how Israel murders their loved ones and destroys their land.

In a statement issued ahead of Sundays opening, the Jewish Cultural Quarter that runs the museum said it is profoundly concerned by the war and the consequences this conflict has had, first and foremost for the citizens of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

It said it is all the more troubling that the National Holocaust Museum is opening while war continues to rage. It makes our mission all the more urgent.

The National Holocaust Museum tells the stories of some of the 102,000 Jews who were deported from the Netherlands and murdered in Nazi camps (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool/AP)

The museum is housed in a former teacher training college that was used as a covert escape route to help some 600 Jewish children escape from the Nazis.

Exhibits include a prominent photo of a boy walking past bodies in Bergen-Belsen after the liberation of the concentration camp, and mementos of lives lost: a doll; an orange dress made from parachute material; and a collection of 10 buttons excavated from the grounds of the Sobibor camp.

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The walls of one room are covered with the texts of hundreds of laws discriminating against Jews enacted by the German occupiers of the Netherlands, to show how the Nazi regime, assisted by Dutch civil servants, dehumanised Jews ahead of operations to round them up.
One of Australias largest banks has urged the federal government to balance protecting peoples personal data with detecting and stamping out organised crime when it unveils sweeping reforms to privacy laws.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus this year is expected to legislate changes to the decades-old Privacy Act, after a review by his department recommended 116 changes to better protect Australians personal information.

Paul Jevtovic has implored the federal government to strike the right balance on its privacy reforms. Credit: Oscar Colman

National Australia Bank executive money laundering and reporting officer Paul Jevtovic, who was formerly head of financial intelligence regulator AUSTRAC, said the biggest threat to organised crime was governments working in tandem with the private sector.

Were dealing with a combatant that has the access to the best technologies; faster than we can probably embrace it, Jevtovic told this masthead. They are moralless, lawless, jurisdictionless. So, theres our starting point, and here we are trying to combat them within the laws we have, with the finite resources we have, and of course, endeavouring to protect our way of life.
The federal government faces growing pressure to boost consumer protections for air travellers as data reveals more than a quarter of Australian airline flights are late.

Federal independent MP Monique Ryan said consumer rights for air travellers in Australia are a decade or more behind the United States, Canada and the European Union.

Were all paying the price for the inadequate consumer protections in our aviation industry, she said.

Federal independent MP Monique Ryan said air travellers should be compensated for delayed or cancelled flights where the airlines are responsible for those issues. Credit: Paul Rovere

Data from the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics shows a deterioration in the punctuality of flights operated by Australian airlines in January 2024 compared with the same month in 2023.
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The Hook will open in early May in the former home of Izgara restaurant on Bayswater Road.

In 2021 David Spanton saved Piccolo Bar, the then 69-year-old Kings Cross institution, with a reboot that transformed it into an aperitivo bar. Spanton has one eye on the history books again, with the drinks guru set to serve up an oyster bar.

We havent had an oyster bar on Bayswater Road in 15 years, Spanton says, bemoaning the current dearth of once-common oyster bars in Sydney. Venues that shuck oysters, he says.

Spanton blames the price of the molluscs for Sydneys meagre number of dedicated oyster bars. Chris Pearce

In the spirit of the freshly shucked oysters at the long-closed Bayswater Brasserie, Stanton will open The Hook in early May, also on Bayswater Road, in the former home of Izgara restaurant just off the Kings Cross strip.

Inspired by the oyster bars of San Francisco and New Orleans, Spanton blames the price of the molluscs for Sydneys meagre number of dedicated oyster bars. He points to Morrisons Oyster Bar & Grill on George Street in the CBD as an example of a venue still dedicated to a proper offering.
They say that you should face your fears head on. Thats why I am front row at Kmarts runway show as part of the Melbourne Fashion Festival, bracing myself for an onslaught of stretch nylon dresses, untucked mens cotton shirts and dinosaur-themed childrens clothing.

Last year I wrote an article questioning the presence of a low-cost brand selling wardrobe basics alongside the considered creative output of designers such as Jordan Gogos, Gail Sorronda and Lesleigh Jermanus of Alemais. To escape accusations of snobbery, Ive returned to test my appreciation of $2.50 T-shirts.

The Kmart runway show as part of the Melbourne Fashion Festival. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

Talking to guests attending the free show held on Saturday, its clear that Im not the only one facing the stigma of snobbery.

We sometimes call it Ahnkoo, says Tania Romano, adding a mysterious European inflection to Kmarts home brand Anko. The pronunciation is reminiscent of Tar-jay for Target.
In 1948, the idea of Tax Freedom Day was created. Its the day in the year when the taxpayers in a nation have collectively earned enough to pay off their annual tax bill. Afterwards, citizens can spend their own money as they see fit. This year, Id like International Womens Day to mark such a milestone in feminism: wouldnt it be wonderful if, after IWD, we declared Feminist Freedom Day? From that day on, we could talk about how women actually want to live their lives.

International Womens Day has become a cosplay of empowerment. Credit: iStock

We might also choose to focus on the women still living in oppressive family and cultural circumstances, who get nary a cupcake to sweeten their deal. There are plenty of them in Australia and living in patriarchal societies around the globe. Their absence from IWD shows what a cosplay of empowerment the day has become.

With all due respect to the great trailblazers of the past, feminism has too often been the project of imposing a new social expectation. The message has become that only women in paid work have worth. That can be just as stifling as the gender roles that used to constrict us.

I blame a personal hero of mine, the sensational Germaine Greer. Witty, erudite, free-thinking, Greer defined the modern feminist movement for many in the West. Greer was, in part at least, as influential as she was because her writing was funny. Her signature book  The Female Eunuch  was an extremely effective recruitment tool for the feminist cause because even when her arguments fell a bit short, it was impossible for the reader not to want to be the brilliant author.
Poor transport and confusing set lists left Fred Again fans disappointed over Saturday nights pop-up gig on the Gold Coast.

The Grammy Award-winning producer and artist attracted thousands of fans to his show at Doug Jennings Park, resulting in hours-long waits for free shuttle buses.

Lisa Griffin (right) was disappointed by the long queues for transport to Saturdays highly anticipated Fred Again gig.

Gold Coaster Lisa Griffin, 24, was among the many to queue for and crawl along to the ticketed event via the free buses. The usual 10-minute journey from Australia Fair to the park ended up taking almost three hours.

Transport was an absolute joke. We arrived at Australia Fair [around] 5pm and didnt get into Fred Again [until] 7.45pm, Griffin told Brisbane Times. The bus getting there was a nightmare.
Two people have been charged after three police cars were damaged when officers arrived to break up arguments and scuffles at a car meet of about 350 people in Logan on Saturday.

Police say the large crowd turned out to see YouTube personality Spanian  real name Anthony Lees  who runs a series called Into the Hood.

Panels on the police cars were kicked in and a windscreen was smashed after organisers lost control of the crowd and several people rampaged against the police presence.



The three cars were attacked about 2pm in Bourke Street, Waterford West, where drivers began dragging and skidding their cars, police said on Sunday.

Officers from Logan, South Brisbane and the Gold Coast arrived and issued traffic infringement notices, including for driving in a dangerous manner.
Ivy and Averie Flower Company, also known as Houston Flower Girls, was founded by two sisters with a passion for creating bouquets using ethically home-grown plants. Courtesy of Masterpiece: An Acton Academy

Kids tasked with creating their own businesses and setting up booths to sell their products will show off their skills at Pearland Town Center during Spring Break.

Jeff and Laura Sandefer founded the first Acton Children's Business Fair in Austin in 2007 alongside a few other families to encourage entrepreneurship among children, according to the organization's website.

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"Every year has just been a ton of fun to see the kids get out there and be excited about their products and hustling to talk to customers," said Amelia Sofjan, co-founder and director of Masterpiece: An Acton Academy.

Sofjan was inspired by the fair held in Austin and decided to sponsor a business fair in 2021 at the Bay Area Farmers Market in Houston's Clear Lake area.

The number of kids' businesses has doubled each year, so the annual event needed to be held at a larger venue to accommodate the growth and expose it to the west side of Pearland, she said.

The business fair started off with six booths in 2021 and has 24 businesses this year, with owners ranging in age from 4 to 14 years old. Some businesses have more than one owner. More than half of the entrepreneurs are from Pearland, Alvin, Manvel and Friendswood. However, businesses from other Houston area suburbs such as Brookside Village, Tomball and Katy will also be participating.

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STAY INFORMED: Keep yourself updated on important news and stories to know around Pearland

Patrons can expect to find a variety of products and services for sale such as handmade jewelry, keychains, crochet pieces, flower arrangements, soap, rock digging experience and more.

The one-day marketplace in Pearland will be held from 1-5 p.m. on March 17 at the Houston Methodist Pavillion at the Pearland Town Center, 11200 Broadway Street.

Visitors can listen to live music from Pearland Youth Orchestra and vote for their favorite business. The winner will receive the Audience Choice Award and a $50 cash prize for the business.

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As a supervisor on one of Melbournes big tunnel projects, JJ Taiki works 12-hour days deep under city streets. He says while tunnels dont faze him, he is scared of heights.

But on Sunday, for the sake of a good cause, Taiki took courage and leapt off a four-metre platform at the 2024 Moomba Birdman Rally.

Taking flight: JJ Taika, dressed as Nacho Libre, competes in the 2024 Moomba Birdman Rally. Credit: Wayne Taylor

Cheered on by his mates from the West Gate Tunnel project and by the crowd, and dressed as freestyle wrestler movie character Nacho Libre, Taiki plunged into the Yarra River.

He was voted third most popular entrant based on crowd cheering decibel measurements.
Childrens toys and bikes could be seen in the garage, along with a Mercedes-Benz and a Mini Cooper parked inside. A neighbour who was close to Madhagani and asked not to be named said she was a beautiful and bright person who was full of energy and made the best of every situation. She was extremely intelligent, just loved her life and was really creative in how she did things, she said. You need to have dignity in life and in death  thats been taken away from her. Raja Ramesh Reddy, an Indian community leader and the former president of the Telugu Association of Australia, said in a Facebook post that he was in disbelief about Madhaganis death.

He said he had talked to the Point Cook woman last weekend and discussed activities for their children. Our hearts go out to her family and the little one during this difficult time, Reddy said. Its imperative that justice is served, and those responsible for this are swiftly held accountable and brought to justice. Reddy told this masthead Madhaganis death had left all who knew her devastated, particularly those in the Telangana community. Telangana is a state in Indias south and Telugu is its official language. She is from the Telugu community and everyone is closely connected, particularly those in the west side of the city, Reddy said. It was news no one wanted to hear, everyone is calling each other, everyone is mourning her, and it affects everyone when we lose someone who is active in our community and does all the activities.

Its devastating for everyone to think she is no more, that she has been killed in this horrific situation. Another close friend of the family was emotional as he told The Age that his children used to visit Madhaganis home to play with her son. Neighbour Felix Susanto said that Madhaganis family seemed lovely. Its shocking, I saw them a few times outside the house, just playing with their son. They were very friendly, he said. My wife had a nightmare [about the death] last night, it is so scary for us.

Praveen Kumar Thopucherla, executive chair of the Melbourne Telangana Forum, said he was profoundly saddened by the untimely passing of Madhagani, who was an active part of the Telugu community. Our hearts go out to her family and friends. May they find strength and support in each other during this incredibly difficult time, he said. Police at the Point Cook home on Sunday morning. Credit: Ashleigh McMillan A neighbour who did not want to be named said the neighbourhood was in shock. We are in shock, we dont know what to think, the neighbour said.

We know these people, we spoke to them in the past couple of weeks. So all this is just hard to imagine. I would never imagine in a million years that this would happen. The neighbour said Madhagani was an outgoing, friendly person who introduced herself when they first moved in. She was lovely, she was a great neighbour. She was talking about making a WhatsApp group for the neighbourhood so we can keep in touch. She was just a lovely person, very outgoing, very friendly. With Rachael Dexter and Roy Ward
Older Australians lost about $5 million to scams on social media platforms in the months leading up to Christmas last year, an increase of more than 50 per cent from the previous three months.

The findings in the latest National Anti-Scam Centre quarterly report prompted Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones to rebuke social media giant Meta for doing too little to crack down on scammers on its site, with the new data indicating older Australians were increasingly falling victim to Facebook swindlers.

Jones singled out Facebooks parent company, Meta, as the biggest part of the biggest problem, saying figures showed it was failing to take meaningful action to stop the criminal activity occurring on its platforms.

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has slammed Metas efforts to tackle scams on its platforms as not good enough. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Other avenues are having the noose tightened, while the social media platforms are not having their systems improved. Thats where the scammers are going. It is pretty clear in the data, Jones said.
Long wait times, a shortage of hospital beds and rising demand for adolescent care have left NSW mental health services in a constant state of crisis, the sector says as it begs the Minns government for an urgent review of funding.

The NSW Mental Health Alliance, a group that includes the peak bodies representing psychiatrists and carers, believes the state must follow Victoria and Queensland and introduce a payroll tax levy to raise more cash, as they struggle under the pressure of a mental illness epidemic.

While a 2023 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report found mental health issues represent 15 per cent of NSWs total burden of disease, spending on mental health represented only 6.5 per cent of the states total health budget last year.

The fact is the NSW mental health system is critically underfunded and on the brink of collapse, said Professor Samuel Harvey, executive director of the Black Dog Institute, a member of the alliance.
Amsterdam: The opening of a National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam with a ceremony presided over by the Dutch king and Israeli President Isaac Herzog prompted angry protests because of Israels military campaign in Gaza.

The museum tells the stories of some of the 102,000 Jews who were deported from the Netherlands and murdered in Nazi camps, as well as the history of their structural persecution under German World War II occupation before the deportations began.

Demonstrators protest against Israels President Isaac Herzog attending the opening of the new National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam. Credit: AP

The museum gives a face and a voice to the Jewish victims of persecution in the Netherlands, Dutch King Willem-Alexander said in his address on Sunday, Amsterdam-time. It also shows us the devastating consequences that antisemitism can have, he added.

That is why we must continue to be aware of how things began and how they went from bad to worse, the king said. Earlier, he and the Israeli president visited Amsterdams famous Portuguese Synagogue.
Nearly 28 years ago, Benjamin Netanyahu reached the pinnacle of Israeli political power. Fresh off a razor-thin general election victory over the incumbent prime minister Shimon Peres, the 46-year-old Netanyahu flew to Washington for his first official visit with Bill Clinton.

According to an account by Aaron David Miller, a veteran Middle East policy official for six US secretaries of state, the confab didnt go well. Venting to aides after the meeting, Clinton asked: Whos the fing superpower here?

Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu. Credit: AP

Fast-forward to today and the same question rings true.

But it seems doubtful Joe Biden has the good sense to even ask it.
'Rust' Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Facing Difficult Time in Jail Awaiting Sentencing, Attorney Says (Photo: Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility)

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the 26-year-old armorer for the ill-fated Alec Baldwin film "Rust," is struggling behind bars as she awaits sentencing on a manslaughter charge in the 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, according to her attorney, Jason Bowles. Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter on Wednesday and is currently being held at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility.

The young armorer was in charge of the guns used in the Western when Baldwin accidentally shot Hutchins with a prop gun that had been unknowingly loaded with live ammunition during a rehearsal at a ranch outside Santa Fe, New Mexico. A jury convicted Gutierrez-Reed after three hours of deliberation, finding her ultimately responsible for the live rounds on set.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Gutierrez-Reed repeatedly flouted gun safety protocols that could have detected the live rounds she's accused of unknowingly bringing onto the movie set. Her legal team, however, maintained that she had been overworked by the production and that the shooting was not her fault. They were all shocked at the guilty verdict, Bowles added.

Gutierrez-Reed faces up to 18 months in prison for her role in the tragic incident. Her attorney told TMZ that her family has yet to visit her at the detention center, although they are working on arranging a time to do so. Her loved ones are said to be devastated by the guilty verdict, despite her acquittal on a charge of tampering with evidence.

Prosecutors had presented a witness who testified that Gutierrez-Reed handed her a bag of white powder on the day Hutchins was killed. The witness, who identified herself as a recovering addict, believed the substance to be cocaine and threw it in a garbage can at the hotel where the crew was set up. However, without being able to prove the substance was cocaine, a jury found Gutierrez-Reed not guilty on the tampering with evidence charge.

Bowles told the outlet that Gutierrez-Reed's legal team plans to seek an appeal to overturn the involuntary manslaughter guilty verdict. The defense maintains that the accident was due to her being overworked by production, as well as her split duties between being an armorer and a prop master. They put the blame on "Rust" producers, claiming that Gutierrez-Reed was just an overworked employee who was rushing around to do her job.

Halyna Hutchins' family, represented by attorney Gloria Allred in a civil lawsuit against Alec Baldwin and other "Rust" producers, expressed satisfaction with the jury's decision to convict Gutierrez-Reed. In a brief statement made to People magazine, family attorneys Gloria Allred and John Carpenter said, "Halyna's parents and her sister have always wanted everyone who is responsible for Halyna's death to be held accountable. Today was the first trial and conviction in the criminal justice process. We are satisfied that the jury, based on the evidence, found Hannah Gutierrez-Reed guilty beyond a reasonable doubt for her part in the taking of Halyna's life."

As Gutierrez-Reed awaits sentencing, the criminal trial against "Rust" actor Alec Baldwin is set to begin on July 9, 2024. Baldwin, who has maintained that he never pulled the trigger, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges. The charges against both Gutierrez-Reed and Baldwin were initially filed in January 2023 but were dropped in April 2023 without prejudice pending further investigation into the gun that went off in the church, seeking possible malfunction. After an FBI report concluded that the trigger had to have been pulled for the gun to go off, prosecutors refiled charges against the 65-year-old actor in January 2024.
The pact allows EFTA nations the opportunity to export processed food and beverages, electrical machinery, and other engineering products to a potential market of 1.4 billion people at lower tariffs | Representative image

India signed a free trade pact on Sunday with a group of European nations - Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - committing to reduce tariffs, while New Delhi receives $100 billion in investments over the next 15 years.

India and the members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) held 21 rounds of talks over 16 years to clinch the broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement.



Here are key facts about the trade pact:

Boost to trade, investment:

India expects that the pact, following deals with the UAE and Australia, will boost exports of pharmaceuticals, garments, chemicals and machinery while attracting investments in automobiles, food processing, railways and the financial sector.

India is the EFTA's fifth-largest trading partner after the European Union, the United States, Britain and China, with total two-way trade touching $25 billion in 2023, its trade ministry estimates.

Its exports to the EFTA touched $2.8 billion and imports were about $22 billion during that period.

With a population of 13 million and combined GDP of more than $1 trillion, the EFTA nations are the world's ninth largest merchandise trader and its fifth largest in commercial services.

Swiss companies to benefit:

Swiss manufacturers of machinery, luxury items such as watches and transport are expected to benefit, the Swiss government says. India has invited Swiss transport companies to invest in the railways.

The pact allows EFTA nations the opportunity to export processed food and beverages, electrical machinery, and other engineering products to a potential market of 1.4 billion people at lower tariffs.

The pharmaceutical and medical devices industry within the bloc could also benefit.



India-Swiss relations:



India hopes the pact will improve trade ties with Switzerland - the biggest partner in the EFTA. India is its fourth-largest trading partner in Asia and the largest in South Asia.

More than 300 Swiss companies such as Nestle, Holcim, Sulzer, and Novartis, apart from banks such as UBS operate in India, while Indian IT majors TCS, Infosys and HCL work in Switzerland.

Tough negotiations:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has often criticised predecessor governments for compromising the interests of domestic industry in trade pacts and moved slowly in seeking a firm commitment to increase investments.

Talks on trade pacts have run for years with Britain, the European Union and other partners.

No to data exclusivity:

India earlier rejected the four nations' demand for the pact to include provisions on "data exclusivity" that would make it difficult for its drug companies to produce generic variants of the off-patent drugs, Indian officials said.

India and the EFTA also agreed to largely keep "sensitive" farm products and gold imports out of the pact.

Limitations of the pact:

Switzerland's policy of tariff-free entry for all industrial goods from any country, with effect from Jan. 1, would affect benefits to Indian companies, Global Trade Research Initiative, a think tank based in New Delhi, says in a report.

India is likely to keep facing difficulties in exporting farm produce to Switzerland due to a complex web of tariffs, quality standards, and approval requirements, analysts warned.

(Reporting by Manoj Kumar; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
The free trade agreement between India and the four European nation bloc EFTA will help boost trade and investments in the country in sectors such as engineering, pharma, food processing, and apparel, says the industry.

India on Sunday signed a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) under which New Delhi received a USD 100 billion investment commitment from these four European countries.





ALSO READ: India-EFTA deal symbolises shared commitment to equitable trade: PM Modi The investment commitment by the companies of the grouping - Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - would be executed over a period of 15 years and facilitate creation of one million direct jobs in India.

Industrialist and Tirupur Exporters Association President A Sakthivel said that the pact would help promote two-way commerce and help Indian apparel exporters increase their shipments.

"The investment commitment will boost domestic manufacturing," Sakthivel said.

Industry body CII President R Dinesh said that the "unique" pledge by EFTA members on USD 100 billion investment will help sectors such as engineering, pharmaceuticals, food processing, apparel and others to grow.



"It will also help both sides to address third markets together," Dinesh said in a statement.



pic.twitter.com/CsqWOfbf4S #EFTA states are partners in #India s growth story and the historic Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement takes their deep engagement with the Indian economy to an extraordinary level. - R Dinesh, President, CII, congratuates the Govt on the TEPA with EFTA @narendramodi March 10, 2024

Sharing similar views, trade expert and Hi-Tech Gears Chairman Deep Kapuria said that EFTA is an important trading block as it is amongst the top ten in the world in trade in goods and services.

"EFTA also has an extensive network of FTAs. Currently, it has trade agreements outside the EU with more than 30 countries, which covers 41 countries worldwide. India's FTA with EFTA would help it in integrating with the wider world market," Kapuria said.

He added that the EFTA countries are also a major source of outward investment, particularly in pharma, energy and medical devices.

"Hence the FTA would also help India attract FDI from EFTA members," Kapuria added.
Lowell and Gennie Ernst had debris left in their yard by a tree company hired by CenterPoint Energy. While the debris was removed from their yard, other neighbors still do not have their debris removed. Lowell and Gennie Ernst Lowell and Gennie Ernst had debris left in their yard by a tree company hired by CenterPoint Energy. While the debris was removed from their yard, other neighbors still do not have their debris removed. Lowell Ernst Lowell and Gennie Ernst had debris left in their yard by a tree company hired by CenterPoint Energy. While the debris was removed from their yard, other neighbors still do not have their debris removed. Lowell Ernst Lowell and Gennie Ernst had debris left in their yard by a tree company hired by CenterPoint Energy. While the debris was removed from their yard, other neighbors still do not have their debris removed. Lowell Ernst

After cutting trees close to power lines, a tree cutting company hired by CenterPoint Energy left residents to clean up the large tree trunks, branches, leaves and other heavy debris.

On Feb. 5 the company, Lewis Tree Service, initially sent a notice to residents in a Pinehurst neighborhood that they were contracted by CenterPoint to remove trees that could interfere with power lines and possibly cause outages.

They came over with a little piece of paper and said, Hey, we need to take that tree down, said 70-year-old Lowell Ernst. So I signed it. I didnt read it.

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MORE IN BAYTOWN: Baytown residents slam Exxon over petrochemical facility operations at TCEQ hearing

CenterPoints tree trimming rules

According to Centerpoint Energys guidelines on tree trimming, the tree service contracted to trim live trees should be expected to remove debris on the same day the tree is cut, although it could be left overnight after homeowners are notified.

Conditions that would prevent this would be if the tree is dead, an inclement weather event has occurred during or after trimming or if the trees that were trimmed were already interrupting service, such as broken or fallen trees. Ernst said the tree was dead, but not broken or interrupting electricity service.

In order to avoid tree conflicts with power lines, CenterPoint Energys guidelines advise residents to avoid planting trees or other tall plants under or next to transmission lines. Any plants put near these locations should be shorter, like shrubs or bushes, that cannot reach the power line.

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The guide also seriously advises that residents should not cut the tree themselves for their own safety. Residents who are also professional arborists or tree cutters must coordinate with CenterPoint Energy if they intend to trim or cut down a tree near a power line.

Cost to remove debris can fall to homeowner

Ernst has several health conditions making it difficult to move the large debris himself, including a pacemaker and an injured shoulder. He said he is also concerned about the cost for other neighbors.

This is an old neighborhood, Lowell Ernst said. Its got a lot of elderly people in it and now most of us are on a fixed income spending $500 to $800 bucks to get the tree hauled off is a strain.

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Soon after a report from ABC13 reporter Brooke Taylor was published Feb. 28, a representative with CenterPoint Energy contacted Lowell and his wife, Gennie Ernst, to notify them that they would have their debris removed from their backyard.

He said, 'Im going to send somebody out there to clean,' Gennie Ernst said. He goes, This is just between you and me. Why emphasize that and why make this such a big deal?

The debris was removed from the Ernsts yard by the next day, Feb. 29, but the debris for nearby neighbors was still present. Gennie Ernst said she did not receive the full name of the CenterPoint Energy representative.

A representative with CenterPoint Energy, Logan Anderson said CenterPoint is not responsible for any debris if a tree is already dead.

If a dead tree on the customers property could fall on CenterPoint Energys electrical equipment and disrupt service to customers, we will cut down the tree at no expense to the customer, Anderson said. However, the customer is responsible for disposing of the wood left onsite. All customers sign a removal permit granting permission to cut and stack dead vegetation on their property before work begins.

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The CenterPoint website guidelines contain a section on dead trees.

We work with customers on a case-by-case basis to resolve concerns when possible, Anderson said. CenterPoint communicated with the customer and obtained consent before proceeding with the work. While customers are responsible for the removal of vegetation on their property, we worked with this customer directly to resolve their situation due to their specific circumstances.

Anderson said that while the Ernsts had their debris removed for free after being contacted by CenterPoint, it was a special case for the couple and not to be expected by other customers.

My next door neighbor is a single mom raising her teenage daughter, Lowell Ernst said. So, they took care of mine but they left hers over there.

Gennie Ernst said she had to hire a pool cleaner to remove the other debris, like leaves and branches, that fell in the pool during the removal. Whether CenterPoint Energy will remove debris for the other residents is still unknown.

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Highlighting India's growing need for assistive technologies to cope with disabilities or chronic illnesses, experts at a recent event stressed the need for evidence-based research and collaboration to bridge the gap between these products and their end-users.

The experts at a session on 'Growing Need for Assistive Technologies' at the 8th National Health Writers and Influencers Convention, held at AIIMS, asserted that India has a huge and growing demand for assistive technologies (ATs) to help about 250 million people who need them to cope with disabilities, ageing or chronic illnesses.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr R K Srivastava, former director general of health services at the Union Health Ministry, said 18 per cent of India's population requires assistive care solutions such as spectacles, hearing aids, wheelchairs, communication aids and prosthetic limbs.

Dr Ashoo Grover, Scientist 'F' and Deputy Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research, said ICMR and other partners have identified some priority ATs for India and are working on developing and delivering them indigenously.

She said evidence-based implementation research is crucial for bridging the gap between innovative products and end-users. Grover also emphasised the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to ensure the effectiveness, affordability and accessibility of ATs.

Dr Srivastava added that these solutions were vital for improving the quality of life and social inclusion of the elderly, long-term hospital patients and individuals with congenital or acquired disabilities.

He also highlighted the global scale of the issue, saying that in developed countries, up to 30 to 40 per cent of the population requires ATs, while in less-developed countries, it accounts for about 18 per cent.

Public health expert Dr Chandrakant S Pandav, former head of the Department of Community Medicine at AIIMS, shared his personal experiences of using a wheelchair and called for a change in societal attitudes towards individuals who rely on ATs.

He said the disabled community in India faces a lack of societal acceptance and infrastructure, and urged people to view them as valued members of society.

Dr Srivastava also called upon journalists and influencers, highlighting their vital role as messengers in informing and influencing public opinion and policy decisions regarding assistive care solutions.

He stressed the need for a positive shift in society's attitude towards individuals using assistive technologies while emphasizing the critical importance of timely, affordable, and high-quality assistive products for all members of society.

The session concluded with a call for collaboration among various stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, manufacturers, healthcare providers and the media.
Switzerland on Sunday said it will get duty-free access to the Indian market for selected agricultural products after a transition period of up to ten years under the trade agreement signed between India and EFTA.





ALSO READ: India-EFTA free trade agreement holds out hope of $100 bn FDI, 1 mn jobs India on Sunday signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) under which New Delhi received an investment commitment of USD 100 billion from these four European countries.

EFTA members are Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

"India is now the most populous country in the world. The growing middle class in particular is contributing to major growth potential. However, India currently levies very high import tariffs on most products," Switzerland said in a statement.

Under the FTA, India will lift or partially remove customs tariffs on 95.3 per cent of industrial imports from Switzerland (excluding gold) either immediately or with transition periods, it added.

Swiss Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and his counterparts from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway signed the agreement with Trade Minister Piyush Goyal here.

What could be more AWESOME than signing the India-EFTA Trade & Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) on the International Day of Awesomeness! ???? pic.twitter.com/HWrmbHDPfO March 10, 2024

Switzerland's concessions to India for agricultural products are based on previous free trade agreements and are in line with Swiss agricultural policy.

In addition, the statement said, improvements have been made to intellectual property rights, in particular with regard to legal certainty, patent procedures and the protection of 'Swissness'.

"This will not restrict access to medicines in India. The FTA not only opens up broad market access for Swiss business players but also improves the legal framework, legal certainty and predictability," it added.

It also said that the agreement contains a comprehensive and legally binding chapter on trade and sustainable development.

"The parliamentary approval process will be initiated immediately so that Switzerland can ratify the agreement by 2025 at the latest," it said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

"Switzerland will also have tariff-free access to the Indian market for selected agricultural products after a transition period of up to ten years. This will strengthen the competitiveness of Swiss exports to India," it added.
Biden said of the death toll in Gaza, it's contrary to what Israel stands for. And I think it's a big mistake | (Photo: Bloomberg)

US President Joe Biden said Saturday that he believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hurting Israel more than helping Israel in how he is approaching its war against Hamas in Gaza.

The US leader expressed support for Israel's right to pursue Hamas after the October 7 attack, but said of Netanyahu that he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken. Biden has for months warned that Israel risks losing international support over mounting civilian casualties in Gaza, and the latest remarks in an interview with MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart pointed to the increasingly strained relationship between the two leaders.

Biden said of the death toll in Gaza, it's contrary to what Israel stands for. And I think it's a big mistake.

Biden said a potential Israeli invasion of the Gaza city of Rafah, where more than 1.3 million Palestinians are sheltering, is a red line for him, but said he would not cut off weapons like the Iron Dome missile interceptors which protect the Israeli civilian populace from rocket attacks in the region.

It is a red line, he said, when asked about Rafah, but I'm never going to leave Israel. The defence of Israel is still critical, so there's no red line I'm going to cut off all weapons so they don't have the Iron Dome to protect them.

Biden said he was willing to make his case directly to the Israeli Knesset, its parliament, including by making another trip to the country. He travelled to Israel weeks after the October 7 attack. He declined to elaborate on how or whether such a trip might materialise.

The US leader had hoped to secure a temporary ceasefire before Ramadan begins this week, though that appears increasingly unlikely as Hamas has balked at a deal pushed by the US and its allies that would have seen fighting pause for about six weeks, the release of additional hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza. Biden noted CIA Director Bill Burns is in the region currently trying to resurrect the deal.
By Stephanie Lai, Michelle Jamrisko and Alicia Diaz



President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump clashed with dueling campaign visits to the same state for the second time this year, making their pitches in battleground Georgia.



The Saturday visits to Atlanta and Rome  in a state that Biden narrowly won in their 2020 presidential matchup  follow the previous weeks split-screen visits to Texas border towns where the two clashed on immigration.

While Trump has targeted those border issues and economic malaise on the campaign trail, Biden has sought to reassure voters that his policies have revived the post-pandemic economy and that Trump would be a threat to democracy at home and abroad.

When he says he wants to be a dictator, I believe him, Biden said in a campaign speech in Atlanta alongside first lady Jill Biden, referring to Trumps remark last year that he wants to be a dictator for one day if he returns to the White House.

As an example of Trumps affinities, Biden cited this weeks visit to Mar-a-Lago by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. This aint your fathers Republican Party, Biden said. These guys are different.

Georgia provided a fitting backdrop for the showdown, ending a week that saw Trump cement his status as the presumptive Republican nominee in the wake of Super Tuesday primary results, and just after Bidens State of the Union speech that made a sweeping case for a second term.

Trump, overlapping with Biden at a rally in Rome about an hours drive from Atlanta, derided the presidents speech to Congress on Thursday as an angry, dark, hate-filled rant and called the president himself a threat to democracy.

Trumps trip took him to the district of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who confronted Biden during his speech about the killing of a Georgia nursing student allegedly by a Venezuelan migrant.

Biden said Saturday he regrets describing the suspect as an illegal immigrant in his riposte to Greene during the speech. Undocumented. An undocumented person, he said in an interview with MSNBC. And I shouldnt have used illegal.

Democrats won big in Georgia in the last presidential cycle, with Bidens victory marking the first time since 1992 that the state went blue, while Republicans also lost two close Senate races that helped hand control of the chamber to Democrats. Recent polling by Bloomberg News and Morning Consult shows Biden lagging Trump by about 6 points in the state  in line with the RealClearPolitics polling average.

Both candidates are pushing to win over minority voters, who could easily swing the results in hard-fought battlegrounds like Georgia. On Saturday, Bidens campaign announced endorsements from The Collective, a political action committee for Black interests, the AAPI Victory Fund and the Latino Victory Fund.

Black voters were crucial to Bidens victory in 2020, including a South Carolina Democratic primary that revived his flailing bid for nomination. But his reelection effort is imperiled by lukewarm support among Black voters, as economic sentiments have weighed on their enthusiasm.

When asked about the two likely major candidates in Novembers presidential election, in the Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll, majorities of Black voters, young voters and women labeled Biden too old.

Our campaign will continue to build and expand our efforts to reach the key communities we need to win in November, Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement.

Trump has sought to capitalise on Bidens disapproval among diverse voting blocs like Black and Latino voters in hopes of chipping away at the incumbent presidents support.

On Saturday, Trump cited a $255 million annual funding commitment for historically Black colleges and universities during his presidency, as well as criminal justice reform.
OTTAWA, March 10, 2024

Today at sundown, Muslims across Canada and around the world mark the start of Ramadan, a holy month of prayer, reflection and daily sunrise-to-sunset fasts broken by the iftar, an evening meal shared with family and loved ones. Ramadan marks a time for giving back to those most vulnerable and focuses on the values of compassion, generosity, empathy and gratitude. It is also a month filled with deep reflection and self-sacrifice.

Ramadan is also an opportunity to remind ourselves of our collective commitment and duty to uphold the value of peaceful coexistence and to stand up against hatred wherever and whenever we see it. Islamophobia, and all forms of hatred and discrimination, have no place in Canada. Everyone should feel safe, no matter how they pray or where they worship.

Diversity is at the core of who we are as Canadians and is our greatest strength. The Government of Canada recognizes the invaluable contributions of Muslim communities to our country. Their commitment to social justice, education, economic prosperity and research, among other things, is a source of inspiration for all Canadians.

I wish all those observing a blessed and peaceful Ramadan.

Ramadan Mubarak
A woman was found dead after family tracked her phone when she didn't return from getting snacks at 1 a.m. on Friday. Houston Chronicle

A woman around 40 years old was dead in her car Friday night after her family said she left for a snack run, according to Houston police.

Police said the woman was found around 7 p.m. on Briscoe Street having suffered from blunt force trauma. That classification has since wound has now been verified as a single gun shot wound.

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The woman's family told police they began looking for her when she didn't return from getting snacks at 1 a.m. on Friday near the Willowbrook area.

The family tracked the woman's phone to where she and her vehicle were found.
Who newcomers to Canada are

Newcomers to Canada may be:

permanent residents (including people who have received "approval-in-principle" from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to stay in Canada)

refugees (protected persons)

temporary residents (including student, worker, or temporary resident permit holders)

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) considers you a newcomer to Canada for the first year you are a resident of Canada.

You become a resident of Canada for income tax purposes when you have enough residential ties in Canada. You usually establish residential ties on the day you arrive in Canada.

Your residency status for income tax purposes is different from your immigration status. Read more about determining your residency status.

What residential ties are Significant residential ties to Canada include: a home you own or lease in Canada

a spouse or common-law partner in Canada

dependants in Canada Secondary residential ties that may be relevant include: personal property in Canada, such as a car or furniture

social ties in Canada, such as memberships in Canadian recreational or religious organizations

economic ties in Canada, such as Canadian bank accounts or credit cards

a Canadian driver's licence

a Canadian passport

health insurance with a Canadian province or territory Your residency status if you normally, customarily, or routinely live in another country You may be considered a non-resident of Canada if you did not have significant residential ties with Canada and: You lived outside Canada throughout the year ( except if you were a deemed resident of Canada)

if you were a deemed resident of Canada) You stayed in Canada for less than 183 days in the tax year Contacting the CRA If you want the CRA's opinion on your residency status, complete Form NR74, Determination of Residency Status (Entering Canada) , or Form NR73, Determination of Residency Status (Leaving Canada) , whichever applies.

Returning to Canada after being a non-resident

If you were a resident of Canada in a previous year and you are now a non-resident, you will be considered a resident of Canada for income tax purposes when you move back to Canada and re-establish your residential ties.
Friday, March 8, 2024 at 11:01PM

Image: Patently Apple

Apple may be closer to launching a foldable iPhone or iPad thanks to a new patent for crease-resistant displays. The patent, discovered by Patently Apple, details a process for thinning the folding area through chemical treatments and potentially using different materials to maintain a smooth surface.

Industry insiders in Korea suggest a 2026 launch is more likely, contradicting analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's prediction of a 20.3-inch foldable MacBook in 2027.

The patent describes how grooves in the display caused by folding could be addressed with a special transparent cover layer. This layer would overlap the bendable area and incorporate an elongated groove itself, running parallel to the folding mechanism.

To further reinforce the thinned area, the patent proposes a liquid polymer applied to the groove, solidifying with UV light, heat, or other methods.

The patent even suggests that the entire glass composition might be altered, potentially replacing sodium with potassium for a more scratch-resistant surface.

Source
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...
Students leave a class Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in the Ralph S. OConnor Building for Engineering and Science at Rice University in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and other congressional leaders have asked the State Department to address disparities in student visa denials, which occur at significantly higher rates for African applicants than for people from other continents.

A widely reported analysis of State Department data found that 1 in 2 students from African countries were denied student visas in 2022, a rejection rate much higher than those in countries with similar economic standing and especially above rates in European countries, where roughly 1 in 10 students were denied visas the same year. Jackson Lee, a Houston Democrat, and her co-chairs on the Congressional Caucus on Ghana, Democratic Reps. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin and Sara Jacobs of California, called attention to the worsening trend in a plea to create more equity in student exchange  a practice that they said is a crucial means of strengthening diplomacy and the U.S. economy.

Because of these benefits, it is critical that foreign students from Africa are treated similarly to foreign students from other parts of the world, they wrote in a Jan. 24 letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. There should be no reason that the State Department data should reflect such disparities among similarly situated countries.

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More by Samantha Ketterer: Rice launches synthetic biology, water institutes in boosts for graduate program

Press officers with the State Department said they do not comment on correspondence with Congress. In a statement to the Houston Chronicle, the agency cited more than 40,000 student visas issued to African applicants in 2022, the highest in a decade, as well as several outreach efforts to boost engagement between higher education institutions and African students.

Americas colleges and universities attract an unmatched pool of global talent, and the Department of State is committed to supporting international students while also upholding U.S. immigration law and national security, the press officers said in an email.

Several leaders involved in conversations with the State Department said the agency seems eager to correct the issue, particularly as African nations top the world's economic growth and an increasing African youth population will make the continent home to almost 40% of the world's school-age demographic in the next couple of decades. Continued denials could prompt those students to seek higher education in other countries, said Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

I do not want to see African students discouraged and begin to see the U.S. as not welcoming," Aw said. "That should never be the message.

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Student exchange is considered one of the cornerstones of diplomacy, aiding goodwill and returning international students  some of them future world leaders  to their countries with a better understanding of and appreciation for the United States. Foreign students also play a key role in the financial health of many colleges and universities, especially as they are more likely to pay full sticker price on tuition.

Student visas are the third-largest classification of issued nonimmigrant visas, behind temporary visitor visas and border crossing cards, according to State Department data. The U.S. issued more than 411,000 student visas in 2022, up from pre-pandemic numbers, and visas issued to African students similarly rose over the same period.

Those overall increases have come at the same time as increased student visa refusals, however. Some higher education leaders said they had long known about high rates of African visa denials, and an analysis from the President's Alliance on Higher Education blew the issue wide open last summer.

Visa denials are highest in parts of the Middle East, South America and Africa, with the African continent facing the most disparate rates of refusal, according to the analysis, which cites State Department data until 2022. Many countries' rates continued to increase the next year, when some 7 in 10 students from parts of West Africa had their student visas refused, according to new data from the agency.

The trend is also seen locally, to an unknown extent. At Rice University, where 20% of the student body is international, already-admitted African students experience higher visa denial rates than students from other continents, according to a statement from the institution. A majority of admitted students from Africa are otherwise able to enroll, although students from Africa and the Middle East also experience more significant visa delays than students from other regions.

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A 2022 Rice data report refers to African students as an underrepresented population at the school: Six percent of Rice international students are from African countries, and 4% of graduate students are from the continent.

Officials in higher education's international space say they hope that the State Department can identify the cause of the visa denials. Many possible explanations exist, Aw said, including State Department officials lacking information about the realities of Africa's population boom or those officials holding onto biases about the socioeconomic status of people from Africa.

The problems could also exist because of burdens in immigration processes, said Jill Welch, senior policy adviser to the Presidents' Alliance. Applicants should already have admission to a U.S. university, but they have to state that they don't intend to immigrate once they complete their degree. They and their consulates might lack the needed information that helps them fill out successful visa applications, she said.

"Immigration law itself is archaic and out of date," Welch said. "It seems that there is a disparate outcome where students from these countries are less successful in proving that they don't intend to immigrate."

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Welch noted that the visa denial rates have occurred over three presidential administrations. The Congressional Caucus on Ghana has requested a briefing with the State Department.
Left: Exterior of the refurbished movie marquee at the new Trader Joe's in the Alabama Theater on Shepherd, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, in Houston. Karen Warren and Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle

This week was a notable one for supermarket expansion in the area as Trader Joe's announced a new location in Sugar Land and Aldi declared it would be adding another 800 new stores over the next five years.

The two supermarkets at the center of the Houston news may be two of the country's favorite supermarkets but they have different brands. Aldi has a scaled-back, European approach while Trader Joe's has a cool, worldly vibe that leans into its Southern California roots.

While no one would get confused between the two when walking into a store, the two have more in common than you might think.

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Aldi and Trader Joe's are like the cousins of the American supermarket world.

Aldi is run by Aldi Sud while Trader Joe's is owned by Aldi Nord. Before splitting into separate companies, Aldi Sud and Aldi Nord were one company.

The history of the Aldi can be traced back to 1913 when Anna Albrecht started a food store in Essen, Germany. Her sons, Karl and Theo Albrecht, took over the business after World War II and started to expand it.

The name Aldi, which came into operation years after the brothers took over the business, is short for Albrecht Diskont. The stores owned by Karl and Theo became well-known across Germany for their discount prices. This led to a lot of success.

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But the brothers split up the business in the early 1960s over a disagreement about cigarettes. Theo wanted Aldi to stock cigarettes. Karl didn't, believing it would result in shoplifters.

At an impasse, they divided the company geographically. Karl, older by two years, landed the south half of Germany while Theo took the northern half. Nord means north in German, and sud means South.

The two Aldis made their pushes into the American market in the 1970s. The first Aldi from Aldi Sud opened in Iowa in 1976. Aldi Nord purchased Trader Joe's in 1979 from founder Joe Coulombe.

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Coulombe founded Trader Joe's in 1967 in Pasadena, Calif. Coulombe was the one who helped define Trader Joe's aesthetic and offerings over the next two decades.

Coulombe stayed with the company after Aldi Nord bought it until 1988. The store expanded out of California in the 1990s. There are now 545 stores across the country, including five in the Houston metro.

There are nearly 2,400 Aldi's across the country with 127 in Texas and 14 in Houston.

Karl and Theo lived long lives, both dying in their 90s, with significant fortunes from the supermarket business. According to Forbes, Karl Albrecht Jr. and his family are worth $15.9 billion while Theo Albrecht Jr. and his family are worth $14.1 billion.

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But even with their massive wealth, the brothers' penny-saving lifestyle that has defined their stores never went away.

In 1971, Theo was kidnapped. He was released after he and Karl paid about seven million Deutsche Marks in ransom money to the kidnappers, according to The Guardian, who were later captured.
Mildred Barrows Ball, 95, of Tucker, Georgia, died on February 15, 2024, due to complications of a recent stroke.

She was born December 25, 1928 on Lookout Mountain, Tn., the daughter of Edna Seagle Barrows and Irvin Hunt Barrows. She was a 1946 graduate of Central High School in Chattanooga. Mildred married Howard K. Ball at the Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church on Nov. 7, 1959. They were married for 35 years until Howards death on Dec. 25, 1994.



Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Howard K. Ball; her parents, Edna S. Barrows and Irvin H. Barrows; her brothers, Harold L. Barrows and David E. Barrows and a baby she miscarried. She was also predeceased by her little dog, Happy.



During her early adulthood, Mildred relocated from Lookout Mountain, to the Atlanta area and started her long banking career with the C&S Bank. In 1990, she retired after 29 years of service with the bank. She remained a resident of the Atlanta area for the rest of her life.



Mildred and Howard enjoyed many get away trips to their lake front property which they named Silver Moon.



Mildred was a long time member of The Church of the New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Doraville, Ga. When the church dissolved she was welcomed by her new church family at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Tucker, Ga. Several members of her church family recently came to her assisted living facility, Atria Senior Living Center in Tucker to throw her a surprise 95th birthday party.



Mildred is survived by her remaining sibling, her sister Margaret Barrows Staples (Robert) of Miami, and only surviving first cousin, Nina Hill of Chattanooga. Additional survivors include her three nieces and three nephews, Thomas Barrows (Linda), Susan Hamill (James), Robbin Zeidler (Jerry), Paul Staples (Wendy), Tammy Whitfield (Tim), and Mike Barrows. Furthermore, she is survived by numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind loyal neighbors and friends who were like family to Mildred.



We all will miss her sense of humor as well as her contagious giggles. She brought many smiles to our faces with her confident slight twitch of her head and the twinkle in her eyes.



A visitation for Mildred will be held on Saturday, March 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Floral Hills Funeral Home & Cremation, 3150 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker, Ga. 30084, followed by a funeral service from 1-2 p.m.
Elvis Presley enjoyed living in Germany while he was in the army. His hotel's manager did not like having Elvis as a resident, though.

In 1958, Elvis Presley left the Brooklyn Army Terminal for West Germany. He finished his army training and would reside in Germany for the next two years. Elvis wanted to be a normal soldier despite his celebrity status, though he did opt to live off base. The family members and friends who traveled with him found their initial lodgings a bit odd. It didnt matter much, though; before long, their antics had gotten them evicted.

Elvis and his entourage had to leave their first living situation in Germany

When Elvis first arrived in Germany, he stayed with his father, grandmother, and two friends in quarters at a hotel.

Well, Vernon [Presley] organized this place to stay in Bad Nauheim. It was a hotel. Now I have read stories saying that this hotel was a luxury hotel. Well, it wasnt, his friend Red West said, per the book Elvis: What Happened? by Steve Dunleavy. It was called the Grunewald Hotel, and as soon as I saw it, I knew it really wasnt the place for us to stay. It was a sort of outpatients hotel for heart-attack victims.

According to West, most of the hotels residents did not appreciate the fact that Elvis and his friends never stopped playing games. They played with water guns, had shaving cream fights, and wrestled at all hours. Eventually, they took it too far. In the middle of a shaving cream fight, Elvis locked himself in a bedroom, so West attempted to smoke him out.

Elvis Presley | Vittoriano Rastelli/Corbis via Getty Images

Well, you guessed it, it caused a little fire, West said. Nothing serious, I dont think, but there was a lot of smoke coming out of the windows, and Elvis and I are dying laughing as we try to put this damn thing out. Suddenly Herr Schmidt, the manager, appeared on the scene. He was one very pissed off German hotel manager.

This was the final straw for Schmidt, who had been fielding complaints from other residents since the Presley party moved in.

No matter how bad our German was, we got the drift of Herr Schmidts strangled shouts, West said. He said one word in English very good and that word was out.

Elvis group enjoyed their second home in Germany more

The group then moved to a nearby five-bedroom home, for which they paid an exorbitant $800 a month. Per the book Elvis Day by Day by Ernst Jorgensen and Peter Guralnick, their landlady Frau Pieper continued to live in the house with them. Though they found her presence a bit overbearing, they preferred this house to the hotel.

It was like a big family and we enjoyed ourselves, West said, adding, It was a pretty tight group, even with Frau Pieper hovering in the background.

He mostly enjoyed his time in the country

Though Elvis had some frustrations about being in the army, he enjoyed Germany. He felt he could connect well with German people.

Elvis Presley | CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

All of us, particularly Elvis, liked the Germans, West said. They werent Southerners, but they were kind of straight people who were very honest and looked you right in the face when they talked to you.

He left the country in 1960.
Elvis Presleys Dont Cry Daddy doesnt sound like a political song. However, it was inspired by a dark day in American history, specifically an event from the Vietnam War. The writer of the song said the tune was inspired by some disturbing footage he saw on television.

A Vietnam War massacre inspired Elvis Presleys Dont Cry Daddy

Mac Davis is a songwriter who gave us Elvis tunes such as In the Ghetto, A Little Less Conversation, Memories, and Dont Cry Daddy. On the surface, the latter song is a ballad about a child who is comforting his father because his mother is gone. Its not clear is she is absent or deceased. During an interview with Elvis Information Network, Davis recalled the origin of Dont Cry Daddy.

I had my son, Scotty, for the weekend and was about to take him home, he said. I had some time to kill and I flipped on the five oclock news. Scotty was about five or six years old. It just happened to be the broadcast where they were showing some film of the massacre in Vietnam. It was a very famous horrific incident where some of our guys shot to death some women and children villagers. They were showing some scenes of the bodies and apparently I started crying and didnt even realize it. The next thing I know, Scotty was patting my back and going, Dont cry, daddy.'

Elvis Presley was part of a wave of artists inspired by the Vietnam War

Davis discussed changing the song from its initial inspiration. My songwriters brain made it totally different, he said. By the time I got Scotty home to his mothers and on the way back to my house I had the chorus written. Basically, thats where the song came from.

The tune came out in 1969. Plenty of rock and pop songs from the late 1960s and early 1970s commented on the Vietnam War in some way, including The Beatles Revolution, The Rolling Stones You Cant Always Get What You Want, The Monkees Last Train to Clarksville, and Creedence Clearwater Revivals Fortunate Son. Some of these songs are overtly political, while others are more subtle. Meanwhile, the connection between the war and Dont Cry Daddy is impossible to discern from its lyrics. We know such a connection exists only because Davis was open about his influences.

Lisa Marie Presley covered Dont Cry Daddy

Dont Cry Daddy was released alongside the uptempo, bawdy tune Rubberneckin. Talk about a study in contrasts! Together, the songs reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for 13 weeks in total. The tunes both appeared on the compilation album Elvis: 2nd to None. That record climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and stayed on the chart for 16 weeks.

If anyone had the right to cover Dont Cry Daddy, it was Elvis only child: Lisa Marie Presley. She recorded a version of the song and spliced it in with her fathers vocals, creating a virtual duet. Lisa Marie also released virtual duet versions of In the Ghetto, Where No One Stands Alone, and I Love You Because.

Dont Cry Daddy is a beautiful ballad with a dark origin.
This 36-year-old man has never wanted to get married and doesnt believe in marriage. His parents have been married and divorced numerous times, so hes never had a positive view of marriage. He doesnt enjoy or have an interest in weddings or being with one person for the rest of his life.

When he made profiles on dating apps, he indicated his feelings about marriage on his profile. During first dates, he reiterated these beliefs to the women he went out with so they were on the same page. His views offended many of the women he told, but when he met his girlfriend, Ruby, 29, she didnt have an issue with his beliefs. They have been in a relationship for three years.

Ruby is an immigrant, and I am not. Recently, she suggested we get a civil partnership (UK) so we are tied together legally, as she is not a citizen. Not in a green card marriage kind of way, but we are in love, and shed get extra legal protection, he said.

When discussing the idea, Ruby told him she didnt think they should have a big ceremony and didnt feel it was necessary for them to inform their loved ones about their civil partnership. He felt the same way and liked the idea of a civil partnership because it seemed like a less complicated union to end than a marriage would be. One of his many problems with marriage is the complications of the divorce process.

In addition, he favors a civil partnership because it doesnt seem as tied to religion. He believes marriage bonds a couple together more closely than a civil union. From his perspective, the government is less involved in civil unions and is more logical from a financial standpoint, so he told Ruby they could have a civil partnership because it made more sense than marriage.

The problem is now that Ruby expects me to do things I wouldnt otherwise now that we are legally going to be partners. She suggested I move in with her and give up my apartment, he explained.

His apartment is great and fairly inexpensive for the great London neighborhood where he lives. Plus, his place is near where he works, which is convenient. On the other hand, Ruby lives in Croydon, and her apartment is more expensive than his and isnt as spacious or great as his. However, she loves her apartment and its nearby where she works.

According to Ruby, its illogical for them to continue living apart and both paying rent on their apartments. It would save them money to live together, but she didnt want to move out of her place. Ruby now wants to spend more time together and talk on the phone more frequently than they did before. Until recently, theyd talked on the phone nearly daily and texted constantly. They also got together every weekend.

Since they talked about getting a civil partnership, Ruby now wants to hang out every day and talk on the phone every night if they continue living in separate apartments. She also requested that he take a day off from work so that they can get together with her parents.

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Home News Who are the declared nominees for SBC president?

The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, will hold its Annual Meeting in June in Indianapolis, Indiana. The meeting will include electing a new president.

Current SBC President Bart Barber, who was elected in 2022 and reelected last year, will be stepping down, as the convention only allows individuals to serve up to two consecutive terms.

While it's not common in recent years for more than two people to be nominated for SBC president at the Annual Meeting, 2022 and 2021 saw messengers pick among four candidates.

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At the 2008 SBC Annual Meeting, six individuals were nominated for convention president, with Georgia Pastor Johnny Hunt winning on the first ballot with 52.94% of the approximately 5,800 votes cast.

Having more than two candidates vying for an open seat could drive up the number of messengers who attend this year's Annual Meeting.

Here's a list of the four individuals expected to be nominated for president at the SBC's Annual Meeting in June, in order of when the announcement was made that they would be nominated.
Home News Priest shaken after fake funeral with paid actors, horse-drawn hearse

In a startling incident at the London Oratory Roman Catholic church in South Kensington, England, Fr. Rupert McHardy was confronted with a funeral that seemed like any other until it was revealed to be an elaborate hoax. The service, planned for a young Latvian man, turned into a scene of confusion and disbelief as the truth unfolded.

The event was scheduled for 11 a.m. on a Monday, with a setup that spared no expense: a horse-drawn hearse, two luxury vintage cars, men in top hats, a full choir and a church adorned with photos of the supposed deceased, Lauris Zaube, a 23-year-old Latvian man reported missing since New Year's Eve, Daily Mail reported. The scene was perfectly set for an elaborate farewell, even including a director filming the proceedings.

However, the narrative took a dramatic turn when McHardy, ready in his robes to deliver the sermon, was informed by the choirmaster that there was no body in the coffin. The mourners, it turned out, were paid actors. The funeral was abruptly canceled, leaving the church and its attendees in a state of shock and confusion.

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The plot thickened with the involvement of a man named Clyde Zaube, who claimed to be the deceaseds brother. He alleged that Lauris was found frozen in ice, a story supported by a death certificate purportedly from Russia. Yet, doubts about Clyde's identity and the actual fate of Lauris Zaube loomed large, especially when it was revealed that Lauris body had not been found and he reportedly had no brother named Clyde.

McHardy, in comments to the press, expressed his bewilderment over the incident. He recounted how the funerals legitimacy began to crumble on the day, with last-minute changes and revelations about the absence of a body, replaced by supposed ashes. The presence of two distinct groups in the church  the respectful actors and another group in puffer jackets and balaclavas, including the elusive Clyde  added to the surreal nature of the event.

'I was quite shaken afterwards. I felt very disturbed by it," he said.

The priest attempted to converse with Clyde, who remained unresponsive, heightening the mystery. The actors, upon being questioned, disclosed their hiring for the event, further peeling back the layers of the scam. McHardys decision to halt the service and ask everyone to leave reflected the bizarre and unsettling nature of the days events.

The investigation into the incident revealed Jacky Jhaj, a 38-year-old convicted pedophile, was the person who orchestrated the fake funeral, having paid a significant sum to the funeral directors, The Telegraph reported. The actors, many of whom appeared young and possibly from an acting school, were part of the charade, arriving late and dressed inappropriately for a genuine funeral.

The funeral directors, T. Cribb and Sons, received a substantial payment and a questionable cremation certificate from Russia, raising suspicions about the legitimacy of the entire event.

The police involvement and the scrutiny of the fake documents, including the Russian cremation certificate, pointed to a potential forgery and misuse of legal instruments. Legal experts suggested that the orchestrator could face charges related to the fraudulent activities.

As the investigation continues, with authorities piecing together the motives and mechanisms behind the fake funeral, the community remains vigilant, wary of the potential for such deceit to breach the sanctity of their spaces and ceremonies.
Home Opinion One of my biggest regrets in ministry

Im at the point of life where Im both planning for the future and reflecting on the past. As I think back on 40+ years of ministry, including 14 years of lead pastoring, here is one of my biggest regrets: I did not invest in college students well. We gave a great deal of attention to youth (junior and senior high students) and to young married couples, but we were guilty of neglecting our college students.

Let me tell you why I regret this omission. First, there were college students all around us. We had a number of our own members who were studying locally and around the country  but we tended to give them little attention once they were not with us every week. Even within our county in Ohio was a large public university that should have served as a mission field for us.

That might be the case for you, too. More than 18 million students attend college in the U.S. They are at a pivotal stage of life that almost forces them to consider their basic belief systems. They are often inquisitive and open to other belief systems. This latter fact is a good thing when churches and believers reach out to them, share the Gospel with them, and live a strong Christian life alongside them; its not such a good thing when no believers walk beside them as theyre wrestling with serious life questions.

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At the same time, more than 1 million of these students are international students who have come to the U.S. to study. Most of these students actually never visit an American home. God is bringing the nations to us  often nations that are not open to a gospel-focused missionary presence  but our churches are often missing this opportunity. I know my church, under my leadership, did.

Heres a second reason I carry this regret: college students who truly love Jesus can be some of the most on-fire, zealous evangelists and disciple-makers in our churches. Even as I write this post, Im in South America traveling with an almost 19-year-old college student I consider my grandson. Im walking with him as he considers a call to missions. I came on this trip thinking I would simply be Papaw Chuck helping him out, but its become more than that. As I learn more of his passion for Jesus, hear him communicate the gospel in almost every conversation, and learn of other young students hes investing in, I find my commitment to Christ challenged. In fact, my faith feels a bit routine and stale right now in light of a college students zealous commitment to Christ.

Actually, I often experience something like that each time I have opportunities to hang out with believing college students these days. I almost always come away praying, God, give me that zeal again. Thus, I realize now that I likely would have been a better pastor years ago had I given more attention to the college students in our area. Thats why this oversight remains one of my biggest ministry regrets today.

I dont want you to have this same regret. So, I challenge you to:

Reach out to college students in your church. Check on them. Encourage them. Pray with them.

Check out Gospel ministries in any local college or university around you. Get to know their leaders. Ask how your church can assist that work. If there is no such work in that university, find out if you can start one.

Finally, may I ask you to pray for my grandson as he seeks the Lords will this week? I thank you for this prayer support.

Originally published at Church Answers.
Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Associated Press

Biden versus Trump

Regarding Seven states and events miles apart: How the Trump and Biden campaigns approach a rematch, (March 7): The nicest thing I can say about President Joe Biden is that he isnt Donald Trump. And for myself and many voters that is enough.

I cannot vote for someone who tells Vladimir Putin to do whatever the hell he wants to our NATO allies who, according to Trump, dont pay enough.

I cannot vote for someone who called John McCain a loser.

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I cannot vote for someone who makes fun of what his opponent wears.

What is surprising to me is that the Republicans had an excellent option in Nikki Haley, who should have been their choice for candidate. If, in November, we are left with a choice between Biden and Trump, I will be sorely disappointed.

Julia Wangler, Houston

I know why former President Donald Trump is so popular, despite his many flaws and being 100% narcissistic.

Its because he is the best speaker, and the best speakers usually win the White House. Look at John Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama and Franklin Roosevelt  all outstanding speakers. Trump can talk for 90 minutes nonstop without notes. He is funny and he is entertaining and he makes people laugh. On the dark side, Trump lies a lot, he calls opponents ugly names, he admires dictators and said he will be a dictator for one day on day one if he is elected for a second four-year term.

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He actually had the gall to say that President Joe Biden is our worst president ever and, worse than that, Trump tried to overturn Bidens 2020 election. I hope the American people see through Trumps tarnished facade and reelect Joe Biden for a second term.

Jimmy Dunne, Houston

In December, the special counsel in the Jan. 6 case asked the Supreme Court to take up the claim of Trumps immunity defense on a fast-track basis, and they said no. When the appeals court finally found that Trump had no such claim two months later, the Supreme Court took nearly three more weeks to decide that they would hear the case seven weeks later, and maybe rule as much as eight weeks after that. A likely delay of five months in all. The court, in their most recent decision, has been just derelict of duty.

Trump has no case, as four judges have already ruled. His claim of immunity for any crime he commits while in office is preposterous. If granted, it would mean the president is above the law, and can commit any crime he wants without any fear of legal consequences.

This claim should have been resolved in one day, rather than weeks. The correct thing for the court to have done was to just let the appeals decision stand without comment.

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The clock is ticking. Trumps delaying tactics should be obvious to all. It is quite clear that he wants to win the election so he can avoid jail for his 91 felony counts.

But the people need to know whether Trump is a convicted felon before they vote, before the election.

Robert L. Fischer, Houston

One would think the cartoonist Nick Anderson is on Bidens campaign payroll with two days in a row smearing Trump. On Wednesday, it was Trump the insurrectionist vote option, and on Thursday he implied Trump is senile to deflect from the obvious mental decline we witness every time Biden is allowed in public.

Shame on the medias open display of bias and the Houston Chronicle for being an accessory in the crime against journalism. There seems to be no print space allowed for any conservative voice.

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Barbara Goodson, Kingwood

I saw your various cartoons and other reports all referring to Trump violating the 14th Amendment and being an insurrectionist. If they had any evidence that he actually had joined in an insurrection, dont you think the Justice Department would have charged him with it? After Trump had his rally, away from the Capitol, messages on Trumps Twitter account urged his followers to peacefully protest the election.

Now we have states trying to block him from their state ballot, calling him an insurrectionist when he has not been convicted or even charged with that offense. Is this what the Democrats call democracy?

Kenneth M. Higdon, Katy

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Christian freedoms threatened by 'broad' extremism definition

A new definition of extremism may lead to a "clampdown" on Christian beliefs, The Christian Institute has warned.

The government is reportedly planning to introduce a new definition that will include attempts to "undermine British values".

The Times reported this week that a new definition is being drawn up by Communities Secretary Michael Gove following the Prime Minister's pledge to tackle "acts of violence" against Jews and Muslims. Under the plans, extremists will be unable to access venues or public funding.

Christian MP Miriam Cates is among the critics who have expressed concerns about the plans. Writing on X, she said it would be a "slippery slope towards the abolition of fundamental freedoms".

"What does it even mean to 'undermine British values' when there is no consensus  and certainly no legal definition  of what those values are?" she said.

"Worth noting that attempts to enforce 'British values' in schools have led to a woke crusade where what many consider to be 'extremist' views on sex, gender & race have taken precedence over biological & historical fact and where teachers & pupils are frightened to speak out."

The Christian Institute has warned against a "broad" definition, fearing its impact on religious freedom.

The organisation's Deputy Director Ciaran Kelly said, "Legitimate attempts to tackle violence on our streets must never pave the way to banning opinions which are deemed unpopular or old-fashioned.

"All too often, new measures against terrorism or extremism end up endangering rather than protecting religious freedom. We saw this only too well when Ofsted inspectors investigating 'British Values' threatened to close Jewish schools if they didn't teach children about same-sex marriage.

"This may not have been intended, but sadly it was the result. No innocent person, Christian or otherwise, should be endangered by vague legislation which threatens our historic liberties of freedom of speech and freedom of religion."
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio  Irish eyes were certainly smiling on Saturday (March 9), as Irish band Full 90 presented a delightful musical tour of Ireland from inside the Middleburg Heights Branch of the Cuyahoga Public Library.

The concert set the mood perfectly for upcoming St. Patricks Day celebrations.

Musicians Alec Stott, Michael Simile and Drew Andreatta played a variety of instruments, from uilleann pipes, also known as the Irish bagpipes, to guitars, a banjo and even a Bodhran drum.

Drew Andreatta (left) and Michael Simile strummed along to a variety of lively Irish songs. (Beth Mlady/special to cleveland.com)Beth Mlady/special to cleveland.com

They performed ballads and jigs (such as Lark in the Morning) and other toe-tapping songs, including a fun rendition of Galway Girl with vocals and a jaunty banjo accompaniment, that brought smiles and enthusiastic applause.

There is a lot of traditional Irish music in this area, Stott told cleveland.com. It has always been around, but one of the things were excited to be doing is branching out into non-traditional venues for Irish music.

Alec Stott played the uilleann pipes, also known as the Irish bagpipes. (Beth Mlady/special to cleveland.com)Beth Mlady/special to cleveland.com

The Full 90 name derives from going full speed, going for it, Stott added.

Some people in the crowd closed their eyes, and others rocked side to side or nodded their heads, fully absorbed in the music.

Band members enjoyed themselves as well, sharing smiles and a quick quip now and then. But the best part?

Playing music with friends, Andreatta said.

Drew Andreatta played a variety of percussion instruments, including the Bodhran drum. (Beth Mlady/special to cleveland.com)Beth Mlady/special to cleveland.com

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CLEVELAND -- We have met the enemy and he is us.

That line was inspired by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perrys well-known dispatch to his superiors after having won the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812: We have met the enemy and they are ours.
LANCASTER, Ohio -- Vladimir Putins recent claim that he prefers a Biden presidency is a ruse the Russian dictator is using to hide his continuing support for Donald Trump.

A look at the Kremlins list of sanctioned Americans shows that Trumps enemies are Putins enemies, as well. Their shared animus for the NATO defensive alliance suggests that Trumps thinking is more closely aligned with the Kremlins priorities than with longstanding American foreign policy.
Valerie Valcourt is living what some might consider the dream life: The 34-year-old former executive assistant quit her tech job over a year ago and now makes pastries in the South of France. She recently went viral on TikTok for posting her experience of changing careers in her 30s: "Don't let society try to trick you into thinking that it's too late to start over or that you have to choose one set path," she says in the video. Valcourt lives by that mentality: Back in 2020, Valcourt was working her Big Tech corporate job in Seattle earning just over $100,000 after bonuses and equity but feeling "at a really low place" and wondering: "What would I want to be doing that would bring me joy?" She'd always wanted to go to culinary school abroad and, after some online research, submitted her application to a French school on a whim. She got accepted in October 2020 and resigned from her day job soon after. But, she now admits, she wasn't ready to make such a big life change. "I ended up kind of falling on my face," Valcourt tells CNBC Make It. "I didn't have enough saved, and I didn't realize the mental toll it would take to quit my job at the time." So, she put culinary school on the backburner and rejoined the corporate world to sort things out.

More research, savings and a second attempt

Valcourt realized she would need to double her savings to roughly $20,000 to live off of while in school. To accelerate her savings, she took on a new executive assistant job and moved from Seattle to New York and finally to Connecticut to live with her family. By the spring of 2022, she was feeling renewed. She spent more time researching schools that would help her learn French as well as cooking techniques through an internship placement. She landed on a school in the south of France called Gastronomicom and reached out to a former student on Instagram to get a feel for the experience. Tuition ranges from 4,300 euros ($4,666) for two months of just cooking lessons, or up to 18,700 euros ($20,290) for a year-long program with cooking lessons, pastry lessons, French lessons and an internship. Valcourt says she didn't need any prior culinary knowledge to enroll  "they just want people who are enthusiastic." She officially moved to France in January 2023 and began her accelerated three-month program of intensive pastry courses and French lessons, followed by a four-month internship. All in, she paid about 10,000 euros ($10,850) for tuition and another 1,800 euros ($1,953) for housing.

A future in France

Valcourt sailed through classes. Her first internship got extended to six months, and then she got hired to work full time as a pastry assistant at the restaurant Maison Chabran in Pont-de-l'Isere, France. She earns roughly 20,000 euros ($21,705) a year, and her employer covers her seasonal housing (at least until April, when a new intern class starts). When she eventually finds her own apartment, Valcourt expects to pay roughly 300 euros ($326) per month for a studio or 500 euros ($543) per month for a 1-bedroom apartment. Valcourt says the best things about her pastry job are learning new skills and working with her hands. Looking back, she's grateful her first try at culinary school didn't pan out. She needed more time to build her mental confidence, "because being in a kitchen is no joke." While she and her French colleagues work hard, Valcourt says she's surprised by their mentality around rest. "The French are very adamant about not working overtime," she says. "When it's time to stop, it's time to stop. Go home and rest." Valcourt says she doesn't have a five-year plan but generally wants to learn as many cooking and pastry techniques as possible, and see as much of France while she can. Her next goal: saving up for a car to drive around the countryside. She feels fortunate her school and employers have helped her with the necessary visas to stay in the country, and she currently has a permanent employment contract with her company, which employs many foreign and seasonal workers.

Her advice to daydreaming career-changers
China's top political advisory body holds 3rd plenary meeting of annual session

Xinhua) 10:51, March 10, 2024

The third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Jianhua)

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, held the third plenary meeting of the ongoing annual session on Saturday.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, attended the meeting.

During the meeting, 14 members of the CPPCC National Committee shared their views and suggestions on various topics concerning the country's development. Senior officials from the CPC Central Committee and the State Council were invited to the meeting and listened to the political advisors' suggestions.

Among them, Yang Yudong drew attention to the importance of fostering industrial workers as a vital force in developing new quality productive forces. He called for the development of high-level vocational education and a lifelong vocational skill training system.

Pansy Ho Chiu-king suggested that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region should leverage its advantages in finance, trade, law and patents to contribute to the development of new systems for the country's higher-standard open economy.

Zhang Zongzhen called for accelerating the construction of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, in the city of Zhuhai. Zhang urged greater efforts to improve people's livelihoods and promote an appropriate level of diversity in the economy of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

Fu Zhiguan said that the mainstream opinion in Taiwan opts for peace, development, exchanges and cooperation, instead of war, recession, separation and confrontation. Fu said new paths should be explored for integrated development in all fields across the Taiwan Strait.

Huang Zhen proposed accelerating the establishment of a legal and regulatory system for achieving goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality to foster clear expectations for the future green development among the public and the industrial sector.

The third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Leung Chun-ying presides over the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Wei Xiaodong, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Yang Yudong, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks on behalf of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Zhoigar, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Chen Xingying, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks on behalf of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Pansy Ho Chiu-king, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Yanjue, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Zhang Zongzhen, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Wang Ning, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Sui Jun, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Fu Zhiguan, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks on behalf of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Huang Runqiu, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks on behalf of the sector of environment and resources at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Huang Zhen, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks on behalf of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Zhang Yizhen, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Muyassar Tohti, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), speaks at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Journalists work at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

The third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Li He)

The third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

The third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Li He)

The third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Journalists work at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

This photo taken on March 9, 2024 shows the Great Hall of the People ahead of the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Sheng Chuyi)
Displaced Palestinian children, who fled their houses due to Israeli strikes, sit at a tent camp, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, March 6, 2024.

A U.S. Army vessel carrying equipment for building a temporary pier in Gaza was on its way to the Mediterranean on Sunday, three days after U.S. President Joe Biden announced plans to increase aid deliveries by sea to the besieged enclave where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are going hungry.

The new push for aid came in the final hours before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which could start as early as Sunday evening, depending on the sighting of a crescent moon. Hopes for a new cease-fire by Ramadan faded days ago with negotiations apparently stalled.

The opening of the sea corridor, along with airdrops by the U.S., Jordan and others, showed growing alarm over Gaza's deadly humanitarian crisis and a new willingness to bypass Israeli control over land shipments. Israel said that it welcomed the sea deliveries and would inspect Gaza-bound cargo before it leaves a staging area in nearby Cyprus.

But aid officials say that air and sea deliveries can't make up for a shortage of supply routes on land. The daily number of aid trucks entering Gaza by land over the past five months has been far below the 500 that entered before the war.

A ship belonging to Spanish aid group Open Arms and carrying 200 tons of food aid was expected to make a pilot voyage to test the corridor "as soon as possible," said spokesperson Linda Roth with partner organization World Central Kitchen. The ship remained at Cyprus' port of Larnaca in what Roth called "a quickly evolving and fluid situation."

Biden stepped up public criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he believes that Netanyahu is "hurting Israel more than helping Israel" in his approach to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, now in its sixth month.

Speaking Saturday to MSNBC, the U.S. president expressed support for Israel's right to pursue Hamas after the militants' Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, but said that Netanyahu "must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost." He added that "you cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead."

The Health Ministry in Gaza said that at least 31,045 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. The ministry doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says that women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and its figures from previous wars have largely matched those of U.N. and independent experts.

Palestinian casualties continued to rise. The Civil Defense Department said that at least nine Palestinians, including children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza City late Saturday. Footage that it shared showed one rescuer placing the body of a dead infant on a sofa amid the wreckage.

Elsewhere, the bodies of 15 people, including women and children, were taken to the main hospital in the central town of Deir al-Balah on Sunday, according to an Associated Press journalist. Relatives said they were killed by Israeli artillery fire toward a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in the coastal area near the southern city of Khan Younis.

Israel rarely comments on specific incidents during the war. It maintains that Hamas is responsible for civilian casualties because the militant group operates from within civilian areas.

Meanwhile, U.S. efforts began to set up the temporary pier in Gaza for sea deliveries. U.S. Central Command said the first U.S. Army vessel, the General Frank S. Besson, left a base in Virginia on Saturday and was on its way to the Eastern Mediterranean with equipment for construction.

U.S. officials said that it would likely be weeks before the pier is operational.

The sea corridor is backed by the European Union together with the United States, the United Arab Emirates and other countries. The European Commission has said that U.N. agencies and the Red Cross will play a role.

The ship in Cyprus is expected to take two to three days to arrive at an undisclosed location. The World Central Kitchen spokesperson said that construction work began Sunday on the jetty for it at an undisclosed location in Gaza.

A member of the charity said on X, formerly Twitter, that once the ship's barge reaches Gaza, aid would be offloaded by a crane, placed on trucks and driven to northern Gaza, which has been largely cut off from aid shipments and was the first focus of Israel's military offensive.

Israel declared war on Oct. 7 after Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 hostages. Israel's air and ground offensive has devastated large parts of Gaza and displaced about 80% of the population of 2.3 million.

The U.S. and regional mediators Egypt and Qatar had hoped to have a six-week cease-fire in place by Ramadan, but Hamas is holding out for assurances that a temporary truce will lead to an end of hostilities.

Mediators had hoped to alleviate some of the immediate crisis with the temporary cease-fire, which would have seen Hamas release some Israeli hostages, Israel release some Palestinian prisoners and aid groups be given access to a major influx of assistance into Gaza.
For nearly two decades, Jim Cramer and his team of "Mad Money" researchers and producers have tried to break the "magician's code" of Wall Street to help individual investors make money in the stock market. At the CNBC Investing Club's recent 2024 Annual Meeting, Cramer and the show's longtime executive producer, Regina Gilgan, pulled back the curtain on its origins. They talked about the days when Cramer was a crime reporter and lived in his car in California before eventually landing on Wall Street. They also discussed the process of putting together an episode each night. "You have to break through the clutter," Cramer said. "To entertain is not what people think of" when they think of Wall Street, he added. Indeed, the concept behind "Mad Money"  a fun, but educational show about investing featuring calls from at-home viewers  had its doubters at the beginning, Cramer and Gilgan said on stage. But the official greenlight eventually came in early 2005. In fact, it was during Super Bowl 39, which featured Cramer's beloved Philadelphia Eagles against the New England Patriots, he recalled. "On March 13, 2005, nobody knew what we were up to, and many people thought there's no chance we made it past week one ... including in our camp," Gilgan said. Roughly a thousand weeks later, the show's goal of democratizing the market, with the help of sound effects like boos and lightning strikes, has stayed the same, Gilgan said. "The CEOs love the sound board. It's very funny," Cramer added. Watch the video above to hear the full Cramer and Gilgan conversation moderated by CNBC's Frank Holland.
A Lufthansa Airbus A380 aircraft stands at the gate at the airport prior to departure for Boston. The world's largest passenger aircraft is taking off again after three years on regular scheduled service from Munich to Boston.

Lufthansa's cabin crew union has called on its members to strike at Lufthansa and short-haul carrier CityLine on Tuesday and Wednesday to press their demands for higher pay.

The UFO union of flight attendants said on Saturday that the strike, which was voted for by members, would affect departures from Frankfurt airport on Tuesday and departures from Munich on Wednesday.

Lufthansa said about 100,000 passengers would likely be affected.

The airline group warned on Thursday its operating losses in the first quarter will widen and gave a subdued outlook for 2024 as it struggles with costly labor disputes, offsetting a travel boom.

Europe's airlines have benefited from unprecedented demand since the pandemic, allowing them to raise prices, but higher labor and maintenance costs have limited earnings growth.

Lufthansa in particular has agreed to new, higher pay deals to end strikes, which analysts and investors say threaten its 2024 operating margin target.

On Thursday, Lufthansa ground staff walked off the job, while on Wednesday cabin crew voted to strike as they seek a 15% wage increase.
Ukrainian and allied officials criticized Pope Francis for saying that Kyiv should have the "courage" to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, a statement many interpreted as a call on Ukraine to surrender.

The foreign minister of Poland, a vocal ally of Kyiv, and Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican both used World War II analogies to condemn the pope's remarks, while a leader of one of Ukraine's Christian churches on Sunday said that only the country's determined resistance to Russia's aggression had prevented a mass slaughter of civilians.

In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI and partially released on Saturday, Francis used the phrase "the courage of the white flag" as he argued that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should be open to peace talks brokered by international powers.

"How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations," Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski responded with a post on X, formerly Twitter.

In a separate post, Sikorski drew parallels between those calling for negotiations while "denying (Ukraine) the means to defend itself" and European leaders' "appeasement" of Adolf Hitler just before World War II.

Andrii Yurash, Ukraine's ambassador to the Holy See, said that it was "necessary to learn lessons" from that conflict. His post on X appeared to compare the pope's comments to calls for "talking with Hitler" while raising "a white flag to satisfy him."

A Vatican spokesman later clarified that the pope supported "a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations," rather than an outright Ukrainian surrender. Matteo Bruni said that the journalist interviewing Francis used the term "white flag" in the question that prompted the controversial remarks.

"I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates," Francis said, when asked to weigh in on the debate between those who say that Ukraine should agree to peace talks and those who argue that any negotiations would legitimize Moscow's aggression.

Kyiv remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said multiple times the initiative in peace negotiations must come from the country that has been invaded.

Throughout the war, Francis has tried to maintain the Vatican's traditional diplomatic neutrality, but that has often been accompanied by apparent sympathy with the Russian rationale for invading Ukraine, such as when he noted that NATO was "barking at Russia's door" with its eastward expansion.

While the pope has spoken in the past about the need for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, the RSI interview appears to mark the first time when he publicly used terms such as "white flag" or "defeated" while discussing the war.

Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said Sunday that surrender is not on the minds of Ukrainians.

"Ukraine is wounded, but unconquered! Ukraine is exhausted, but it stands and will endure. Believe me, it never crosses anyone's mind to surrender. Even where there is fighting today: listen to our people in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy," Shevchuk said while meeting with Ukrainians in New York City. He mentioned the regions that have been under heavy Russian artillery and drone attacks.

Shevchuk also spoke of the brutality of Moscow's aggression, referencing the town near Kyiv where Russian occupation left hundreds of civilians dead in the streets and in mass graves. He argued that, if not for Ukrainians' fierce resistance as Russian forces marched on the capital in February 2022, the gruesome scenes seen in Bucha would have been "just an introduction."

During the Angelus prayer on Sunday from the window overlooking St. Peter's Square, Francis said that he was praying "for peace in the tormented Ukraine and in the Holy Land."

"Let the hostilities which cause immense suffering among the civilian population cease as soon as possible," he said.
Planning purchases for a special occasion like recent Super Bowl parties or Valentine's Day celebrations might typically require consulting more than one online source  or the primary source of Google  but if Walmart has its way, that is going to change in the future.

Walmart is talking up its ability to use generative AI as a one-stop shop to search when you need to plan an event, rather than online destination to search for individual items. During a call with analysts after its February earnings, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon talked about the gen AI search capabilities in its app.



"The thing we're most excited about that's already happened is the way search has improved, and the way generative AI helped us really improve a solution-oriented search experience for customers and members," McMillon said on the earnings call. "And it happened pretty quickly."

It also adds to the questions about future use of a search engine like Google.

Walmart long ago established itself as a major tech player, successfully fending off years of anxiety over Amazon and remaining a leader in the retail space whose shares are now trading at an all-time high. The tech narrative is one the company has been spinning since it bought Jet.com, started by a former Amazon executive Marc Lore, noted Forrester vice president, principal analyst Sucharita Kodali. As a technology company, Walmart has to experiment a lot, and in the case of adding generative AI search capabilities, there's a very low cost for failure, she said.



"It establishes them as an innovator in the space," Kodali said. "They're better to be a leader than a follower in their shoes. They're operating from a position of strength."

Experiments can go wrong, though, as happened to Alphabet recently when it launched the Gemini gen AI into the market before it was ready. In a rare public appearance, Google co-founder Sergey Brin said the company "messed up" with the launch, but he dismissed concerns about the company's outlook.

"I expect business models are going to evolve over time," Brin said. "And maybe it will still be advertising because advertising could work better, the AI is able to better tailor it. ... I personally feel as long as there's huge value being generated, we'll figure out the business models."

AI and search, shopping business model shifts

It's not only Walmart investing in this type of search in the retail sector. Instacart's AI-enabled "Ask Instacart" allows customers to search based on theme like dinner or date night rather than by item. Amazon's AI shopping assistant Rufus lets people have a conversation with the platform about what they need rather than just looking for direct items. Shopify's AI-powered "Semantic Search" helps sellers find the right items to sell potential customers, making sure their search results are more accurate.

"We're going to see this become a norm for online retailers," said Jacob Bourne, analyst at Insider Intelligence. "Google is anxious is about search in general, and the question this raises is will it be a death by a thousand cuts for Google Search?" Bourne said.

Kodali sees the threat in terms that are less existential. The world still relies heavily on Alphabet's core search business for many things, and some early gen AI successes from retailers won't change that.



"You get in the habit of using Google because you use it for everything," Kodali said. "You use it for everything else (outside of shopping), and everything else is like 90 percent of the searches you do. So, unless Amazon and Walmart are going to get into the business of the other 90 percent of the searches, it's not going to happen."

Alphabet is continuing to invest heavily in Gemini, as well as more specific AI tools to embed itself inside other retail ecosystems, such as Google Cloud's Vertex AI Search for retail, and its Conversational Commerce tools which allow companies to put virtual AI-powered customer service agents on their websites and apps. Customers of Google Cloud AI products include Victoria's Secret, Macy's Ikea, Lowe's and Rainbow Shops.
As the buzz around artificial intelligence continues to build, investors are looking to identify the sectors best placed to benefit. Ark Invest's Tasha Keeney is no different. Keeney, director of investment analysis and institutional strategies at the asset manager, estimates that the equity market capitalization attributable to innovation will jump to $220 trillion by the end of the decade, from the $15 trillion-$20 trillion it is at right now. "Most of that ... we expect is actually attributable to AI," she said. Ark Invest  which has a particular focus on innovation  is invested in segments including autonomous vehicles, drones and robotics, energy storage, 3D printing, and space exploration through its Ark Autonomous Tech & Robotics ETF (ticker ARKQ). After a bumper 2020 following the pandemic, the fund has struggled and is currently down around 3.7% year-to-date. Autonomous cars: A $28 trillion opportunity Autonomous cars is one area related to AI that Keeney is "particularly excited about." "Autonomous cars are already driving in major cities today across the globe. We think that in the next 10 years, that will scale up. I think that opportunity alone could be worth $28 trillion in enterprise value because this will be very disruptive," she told CNBC's "Street Signs Asia" on Mar. 8. A company that stands out to her is Tesla  also a long-time favorite stock of Ark Invest's Cathie Wood . Naming it as a leader in the industry, Keeney pointed to "incremental progress on their self-driving technology" as one of the company's merits. "Sure, it's not perfect yet, it still messes up in specific scenarios. But what we're relying on here is the data advantage that Tesla [has and] that's very important in AI in general," she said. Shares in Tesla are down around 1.8% over the past 12 months. Ark Invest has a target price of $200 on the stock, but Keeney said this is in the process of being updated. Tesla was trading around $178 on Friday. A number of analysts are now cautious on the stock. According to Factset data, of 49 analysts covering it, 23 have hold ratings, 18 give it a buy or overweight rating, and 8 have a sell or underweight rating. Their average price target is $210.65. Autonomous drones: A 'very hot topic' Beyond automakers, Keeney is looking to ride the autonomy wave through opportunities in drones. "These days, it's a very hot topic, because ... we're seeing conflict increase globally," she said, naming Kratos Defense and Security Solutions and AeroVironment as two stocks on her radar thanks to their lower cost and more affordable drone platforms. Kratos makes defense technology such as jet-powered drone systems, while AeroVironment makes munitions, drones and has "long been a leader" in surveillance technology, according to Keeney. Keeney emphasized that drone technology can transcend military use cases and be applied across industries. For instance, supermarket chain Walmart has partnered with drone delivery players Wing  backed by Google parent Alphabet  and Zipline to deliver food to consumers. "Ultimately ... it brings down costs for the end consumer," she said.
India and four European Free Trade Association (EFTA) nations - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, have signed a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).

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With the signing of a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the EFTA, India is expected to get $100 billion in investment from the EFTA countries in the next 15 years and expects to generate one million jobs.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called the agreement as the first ever for India with the Developed western world and European countries. He also said that an equitable and balanced agreement has culminated after 16 years of negotiations. The TEPA covers modern issues like IPR, environment, trade and gender and also reflects a resurgent India, according to Goyal.

India and EFTA member countries were negotiating TEPA since 2008. As part of talks, India had sought inclusion of services as part of the deal, with an aim to enable domestic manufacturing and investment by Swiss companies. While Switzerland already levied zero customs duty on almost all its goods, India had sought a commitment on investment so that the zero duty on goods could be balanced and India's interests are protected in the bargain.

Before the TEPA was signed, the EFTA grouping had 29 free trade agreements (FTAs) with over 35 partner countries. EFTA countries are not a part of the European Union, and currently enjoy a favourable trade balance with India.

While India's exports to EFTA countries in financial year 2022-23 were $1.92 billion, India had imported goods and services worth $16.74 billion from EFTA nations in financial year 2022-23. India and EFTA have held negotiations on several chapters including trade in goods & services, intellectual property rights (IPRs), investment promotion and cooperation, rules of origin, trade facilitation and trade and sustainable development.

EFTA member Switzerland is India's largest source of gold imports, and enjoys a huge trade surplus with India. In financial year 2022-23, India had a trade deficit of $14.45 billion with Switzerland, with net imports worth $15.79 billion and net exports worth $1.34 billion.
MONTANA

Man to plead guilty in 'killing spree' of eagles, other birds

A Washington state man accused of helping kill more than 3,000 birds  including eagles on a Montana Indian reservation  then illegally selling their carcasses and feathers intends to plead guilty to illegal wildlife trafficking and other criminal charges, court documents show.

Federal prosecutors say Travis John Branson and others killed about 3,600 birds during a yearslong "killing spree" on the Flathead Indian Reservation and elsewhere. Feathers and other parts of eagles and other birds are highly prized among many Native American tribes for use in sacred ceremonies and during powwows.

Branson of Cusick, Washington, will plead guilty under an agreement with prosecutors to reduced charges including conspiracy, wildlife trafficking and two counts of unlawful trafficking of eagles, according to court documents filed Feb. 27. The documents did not detail how many birds he will admit to killing.

A second suspect, Simon Paul of St. Ignatius, Montana, remains at large after an arrest warrant was issued when he failed to show up for an initial court appearance in early January. His attorney, Dwight Schulte, declined to comment.

The defendants are accused of selling eagle parts on a black market that has been a long-running problem for U.S. wildlife officials. Illegal shootings are a leading cause of golden eagle deaths, according to a recent government study.

Immature golden eagle feathers are especially valued among tribes, and a tail set from one of the birds can sell for several hundred dollars, according to details disclosed during a separate trafficking case in South Dakota last year in which a Montana man was sentenced to three years in prison.

IDAHO

Fewer obstetricians practicing since abortion ban

BOISE  More than 50 Idaho obstetricians have stopped practicing 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 also shows that only two obstetricians moved to the state to practice in the last 15 months, the Idaho Statesman reported on Feb. 20. Obstetricians provide health care 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.

The numbers "should concern every person living in or considering a move to Idaho," the Idaho Coalition for Safe Healthcare, the collaboratives parent group, said in a news release.

Additionally, the report said two hospital obstetrics programs  at West Bonner General Health in Sandpoint and at Valor Health in Emmett  have closed since Idaho's law banning abortion took effect, the report said.

A third hospital obstetrics program is in "serious jeopardy" of closing, the report also said.

Only 22 of 44 counties in Idaho have access to any practicing obstetricians, the report said. About 85% of obstetricians and gynecologists in Idaho practice in the seven most populous counties.

Idaho banned nearly all abortions after the U.S. 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.

SOUTH DAKOTA

GOP lawmakers OK video to clarify abortion laws

PIERRE  South Dakota's Republican-controlled legislature on Feb. 29 approved the creation of a video to outline the state's abortion laws and to clarify when health care providers are legally allowed to intervene.

The bill passed by the state Senate in a 31-3 vote is also intended for the general public and would require the state Department of Health, which answers to Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, to create the informational video "and other materials" by Sept. 1. Creation of the video would take place in consultation with the state attorney general and legal and medical experts, describing how the state's abortion laws should be applied.

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 overturned Roe v. Wade.

Republican Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt said she brought the bill for clarity to providers who had questions about when they could intervene to save the life of a mother.

The bill seeks to provide clarification without "the noise of politics around the abortion issue," Rehfeldt said in an interview with The Associated Press. Efforts to clarify or redefine the statute itself likely would have failed, having little consensus around the issue, she said.

Noem spokesman Ian Fury, who is the governor's "unborn child advocate," said the administration will make the proposed video and materials available on South Dakota's pregnancy resource website.

NORTH DAKOTA

Congressional age limit could be test case

BISMARCK  North Dakota would be the first state to set an age limit for U.S. Senate and House candidates under a measure that could go before voters in June, though it's unclear whether a state limit on federal officeholders would violate the U.S. Constitution.

The move comes at a time of heightened interest in the topic given the advanced age of some congressional leaders and the leading presidential candidates in both parties. At least one political observer said the move could be an effort to create a test case for the nation.

"It's been an issue in North Dakota, it's been an issue nationally," said measure chairman Jared Hendrix, who led a successful 2022 initiative that set term limits for North Dakota's governor and Legislature. The sponsoring committee for the measure includes current and former lawmakers.

Supporters of the initiative on Feb. 9 submitted nearly 42,000 signatures, far more than the roughly 31,000 signatures required to qualify for the June 11 ballot. The secretary of state's office has until March 15 to review the signatures.

The proposal states, "No person may be elected or appointed to serve a term or a portion of a term in the U.S. Senate or the U.S. House of Representatives if that person could attain 81 years of age by December 31st of the year immediately preceding the end of the term."

University of North Dakota political science professor Mark Jendrysik has said the North Dakota initiative could be an effort to create a test case for the U.S. Supreme Court to see if the court would be willing to allow states to set congressional age limits on an individual basis.

The measure also has a "ballot advisory" to include candidates' ages by the end of their term on the ballot if "superior law requires age-limited candidates to appear on the ballot." The measure also appears to lay out a court process for denied candidates to challenge the age limit.

UTAH

Bill killed to ban Pride flags, other views from classrooms

SALT LAKE CITY  Utah teachers will be free to display LGBTQ+ Pride flags and other social, political or religious imagery after the state House blocked a bill on Feb. 26 that would have banned teachers from using their position to promote or disparage certain beliefs.

The Republican-led chamber defeated the proposal in a 39-32 vote as they raced to address hundreds of outstanding bills during the final week of the 2024 legislative session. Both Democrats and Republicans criticized the bill's vague language and warned that it could stymie important lessons in critical thinking.

Educators would have been prohibited under the bill from encouraging a student to reconsider their sexual orientation or gender, and they could have faced punishment for affirming or refusing to affirm a student's identity. Challenging a student's political viewpoints or religious beliefs, even within the context of an educational exercise, also could have left a teacher vulnerable to a lawsuit.

Some teachers pleaded with lawmakers to reject the bill, which they said would make them afraid to speak openly in the classroom. But Rep. Jeff Stenquist, a Draper Republican and the bill's primary sponsor, encouraged educators to view it as a tool to improve trust in the state's education system.

The bill's unexpected failure on the House floor comes a month after Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation limiting diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the state's educational institutions.
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Like standup comedy where every single thing is funny and doesn't waste your time? Follow Cracked Comedy Club on Instagram and YouTube for exactly that.

George Carlin was discovered by Lenny Bruce.

That comedy nugget is technically true, but of course, theres more to it than that. Bruce actually jump-started the comedy team of Burns and Carlin, Carlins partnership with his radio co-host Jack Burns. Our manager Murray Becker knew Lenny from the Navy, and I used to do an impression of Lenny in the act. So he brought Lenny in to see the impression but hoping Lenny would like (the rest of the act), Carlin told WFMUs Kliph Nesteroff. Lenny called GAC the next day, that was a big agency in that day, like William Morris. The president of GAC signed us the next day. We got a telegram. They want to sign us based on Lenny Bruces reaction. And that started us, and that started my own career.

But while The New York Times called Carlin an heir of Lenny Bruce in Carlins obituary  and Bruce himself called Carlin one of his spiritual successors  it was a comparison that made the comic uncomfortable. Lenny told that to a lot of people, Carlin told Playboy. But he never said it to me, and I didnt hear it until years later. Which is probably fortunate. Its difficult enough for a young person to put his soul on the line in front of a lot of drunken people without having that hanging over his head, too.

While Bruce may not have personally anointed Carlin, he surely heard the comparisons. The two comics seemed karmically linked  Carlin was in the crowd the night Bruce was famously arrested at the Gate of Horn club in Chicago. When Carlin refused to show police officers his ID, he was thrown in the back of the same paddy wagon as Bruce.

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The ferocity with which both comics fought for unfettered speech would have connected the two comics even if theyd never met. But those comparisons are unfair to both of us, Carlin said in his Playboy interview. Look, I was a fan of Lennys. He made me laugh, sure, but more often he made me say, Fuckin A; why didnt I think of that? He opened up channels in my head. His genius was the unique ability to investigate hypocrisy and expose social inequities in a street rap that was really a form of poetry.

Forgive us if that description doesnt sound like Carlin himself, but the comic wasnt having it. I believe myself to be a worthwhile and inventive performer in my own right, he said. But Im not in a league with Lenny, certainly not in terms of social commentary. So when people give me this bullshit, Well, I guess youre sort of, uh, imitating Lenny Bruce, I just say, Oh, fuck. I dont want to hear it. I want to be known for what I do best.
Associated Press Writer

BOSTON -- A new study on a man's reaction to seeing beautiful women indicates the pleasure experienced in the brain is similar to a hungry man's when he eats, or an addict's when he get his fix.

It's proof that feminine beauty affects the brain past the parts that compose poetry, right to its basic functions, researchers said.

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"Beauty is working similar to a drug," said Dan Ariely of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management, a co-author of the study, published Wednesday in the journal Neuron.

The study by researchers at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital measured the brain responses of a group of heterosexual males to pictures of men and women of varying attractiveness.

The pictures of beautiful women activated the same "reward circuits" in the brain as food, pleasant tastes and cocaine.

The fact men enjoy looking at beautiful women is hardly shocking, but study author Hans Breiter said evidence that beauty stimulates these primal brain circuits has never been shown.

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It counters arguments that beauty is nothing more than a socially constructed value, Breiter said.

"This is hard-core circuitry," Breiter said, comparing its basic job to the same function found in lizards. "This is not a conditioned response."

John Mazziotta, Director of UCLA's Brain Mapping Center, said the results may lead to new ways of studying aesthetic values, such as beauty.

"We think of these things as a products of a very high level of thought, and it may be very basic and fundamental," he said.

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The study, conducted over three years, included eight heterosexual men in their 20s who judged the attractiveness of men and women shown in pictures.

Another group of 15 men were shown the pictures randomly for several seconds, but could extend or cut the viewing time by pressing certain keys on a keypad.

Attractive women were viewed an average of 8.7 seconds, while average women were viewed for 5.2 seconds. The men worked frantically to keep the beautiful women on the screen, each pressing the keyboard an average of more than 6,700 times in the 40 minute session.

"These guys look like rodents bar-pressing for cocaine," Breiter said.

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Neuroimaging of the brain during the activity showed the activation in the "reward circuitry" of the brain.

Not surprisingly, the men didn't expend effort to view the men they deemed attractive, which Breiter cited as proof of a disassociation within the brain between liking something and wanting it.

In fact, Breiter said, brain signal changes indicated the men had an adverse reaction to good-looking males, suggesting they were threatened by them.

Ariely said it's significant that beauty, which is known to have some social components, can take a place in brain function beside basic physical needs like nutrition. In could have major implications in the study of what motivates people, he said.

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"There's a social stimulus that's able to acquire the same status as a food or drug," Ariely said. "That's incredible."

Steven Hyman, director of The National Institute of Mental Health, said he was struck that a man's private judgment about beauty could be seen in brain activity.

"To a layperson, it should be a bit disquieting that brain science is being used to investigate how the brain processes our ordinary thinking and response to life," he said.

"Clearly, somebody can't sneak up on you and stuff you in an MRI," he added. "But the issue of the privacy of your thoughts is one to ponder."
A private school in Devon says it is removing the names of Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh from its buildings. Exeter School is having an inclusivity drive, and says these two men no longer represent the values and inclusive nature of the school.

This miserable grovelling to the commissars of political correctness is pretty much universal among supposedly independent schools in these times. Those fool enough to pay thousands a year in fees to such places, thinking that they are buying an old-fashioned education, are in for a big disappointment.

Not that this appeasement of the new regime will save them. Sir Keir Starmers tax plans will make it harder and harder for anyone but Russian oligarchs to pay the fees of British private schools. The middle classes can forget this fast-closing escape route. Comprehensive schooling is an egalitarian political project that inevitably makes schools worse. It is so bad that nobody with any choice will let their children undergo it unless they are forced to. So choice must be relentlessly squeezed for everyone except the elite, who have their own secret ways of escape.

As for Drake and Raleigh, those sunburned, ferocious, bearded men of might and courage, how they would have laughed at what their country has become. Why, they would probably have raided its coast towns and carried off the soppy teachers to serve before the mast. They were not, like us, deluded by temporary good fortune into thinking the world is safe and soft. They knew that security and wealth came only to those prepared to fight for and defend them. I was brought up to admire them and the age in which they lived. I was, I suspect, the last person to undergo this, in a different Devon school, which I will not name, for fear the Thought Police will find it and go in search of lingering heresy there.

Exeter School is having an inclusivity drive, and says Sir Francis Drake (pictured) and Sir Walter Raleigh no longer represent the values and inclusive nature of the school.

Sir Walter Raleigh was a key figure in the Elizabethan era acting as a statesman, soldier, writer and explorer and was instrumental in exploring the New World

It was a boarding school, with dormitories furnished with plentiful chilly fresh air and hard iron-framed beds on which new arrivals wept for home for a few nights, before  like the young heroes of the books we used to read  we put that behind us and accepted that, to be good, life had to be a little hard. I will not say it never did me any harm. But I will also not say it did not do me any good. Each of those dormitories was named after a great British sea-dog, Drake and Raleigh included, but also all the others, some now forgotten, from Hawke and Blake to Hawkins, Benbow, Grenville and Rodney. My favourite of these was Sir Richard Grenville, who, in Tennysons fine and historically accurate poem The Revenge: A Ballad of the Fleet fights an entire Spanish fleet to a standstill from his tiny ship and then, mortally wounded, declares:  I have fought for Queen and Faith like a valiant man and true;

I have only done my duty as a man is bound to do:

With a joyful spirit I, Sir Richard Grenville, die!

And he fell upon their decks, and he died.

Look, I didnt actually care in those days if Sir Richard Grenville was involved in the slave trade, or was a bit of a pirate. No doubt his enemies were far worse.

This does not mean that I approve of slavery. But what I knew was that if a country had such men in it, prepared to set off across the boiling furious seas that smashed against the Cornish rocks not far from our hilltop school, and to do harm to the Queens enemies when necessary, then that country was safe from those enemies.

And behind that belief stood a long and glittering procession of similar men, my forebears, kings, soldiers, priests, rebels, troublemakers, peaceful and eloquent at home, berserk in battle, who were the reason why we lived as we did, free and happy. This version of the past, now mocked by weedy academics as drum and trumpet history, was doubtless lacking in details of the 14th-Century NHS or of wage scales for villeins. But it made us dangerous to our enemies, as we now are not.

And I remember the day, round about 1963, when a progressive teacher we had somehow acquired came into my classroom and gathered up all the unfashionable old history books, with their small dense print and wistful grey engravings of battles and Kings, and ships of the line. And I remember the new books coming in, all big print and bright colour pictures of dams in Commonwealth countries, and car factories, and sparkling new hospitals. Fortunately, it was too late. I could still hear the old trumpets blowing, far off, and the names of Drake and Raleigh were still honoured. In my house, they are honoured to this day.
So far, nothing Rishi Sunak has done has moved the dial of the polls.

The Budget, perhaps the last major chance for his Government to make a serious impact on public opinion, was generally accounted to be thoughtful and clever, within the grave limits imposed by the state of the economy.

But the voters watched indifferently and remained where they were before.

Even more annoyingly, the obvious internal confusion and external vagueness of Sir Keir Starmer's 'changed' Labour Party has yet to damage its standing.

You might have thought the Rochdale blunder  the selection of a wholly unfit candidate and the resulting win for George Galloway  might have alerted voters to the deep and intractable problems within the Opposition.

So far, nothing Rishi Sunak has done has moved the dial of the polls. When the Budget was announced, the voters watched indifferently and remained where they were before

So might the unending haziness of Labour's actual policy proposals.

How can any party be so far ahead in the polls when nobody (probably including its leader) knows what it will do in office?

It is all very frustrating for those who can see that a Starmer victory will be very bad for Britain, and that the Conservatives, with all their faults, are the only body which can prevent this outcome.

Even more annoyingly, the obvious internal confusion and external vagueness of Sir Keir Starmer 's 'changed' Labour Party has yet to damage its standing

No wonder that some in the Tory Party are muttering about some sort of complex putsch in which Boris Johnson is re-installed as leader before the Election.

READ MORE: Tory MPs in new plot to oust Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister - and they want Boris to save the Conservatives from a catastrophic defeat Advertisement

If he has any sense (and we know he has), Mr Johnson will spurn any such schemes. If there is anything that can make the situation worse, a last-minute Conservative civil war is it.

Mr Johnson' supporters  and there are many since his ejection  have another, more sensible course of action which would tend to unite rather than split the Tories.

That is to press for Mr Sunak to make full use of this powerful asset in the developing campaign.

Mr Johnson has a unique power to charm and captivate a national audience, and there is no point in Mr Sunak or any other leading Conservative being envious of this.

Tory politicians resenting Boris Johnson are  as Enoch Powell said in another context  like sailors complaining about the sea.

Mr Johnson (who, we should mention, is a Daily Mail columnist) has that rare magic which can transform campaigns and bring about unexpected victories.

London Leftist ideologues and Scottish Nationalists detest him, but that is no great disadvantage.

Mr Johnson cannot walk down a street in England without attracting friendly attention. He is effective on the stump and on TV. He does not mind making a fool of himself for the public good and his supposed 'gaffes' tend to help him and his cause.

There really is no strong argument against giving him a large battle bus in the shiniest possible blue and despatching him on a mission to save us all from Starmerism. Mr Sunak and Mr Johnson would both show themselves to be big men by agreeing such a step.

There really is no strong argument against giving Boris Johnson a large battle bus in the shiniest possible blue and despatching him on a mission to save us all from Starmerism. Mr Sunak and Mr Johnson would both show themselves to be big men by agreeing such a step

Meanwhile, the suggestion among some Red Wall Tories of a referendum on UK membership of the European Human Rights Convention is worth watching carefully.

If this caught fire, it could transform politics. It is always worth mentioning that many elections which seemed lost a few months before polling day have ended with surprise results. It is not over yet.
K9 Broko served with the Connecticut State Police until he was killed in the line of duty last December during a confrontation with a suspect in Stonington, who was shot and killed. A proposed state law would hold defendants liable for restitution in cases of injury or death to police dogs. Connecticut State Police/Contributed Photo

There's more than an emotional toll when a K-9 police dog is killed or injured in the line of duty. There's also a financial impact, say law enforcement officials who want animal assailants to be held responsible and pay restitution.

Towns and cities spend between $20,000 and $45,000 buying and training police dogs to work for their police departments, officers told lawmakers on Thursday during a public hearing on the proposed legislation.

But at least one member of the legislative Public Safety & Security Committee wondered how effective a new restitution law would be on criminals who already face Class D felony charges for injuring or killing on-duty police dogs, and might not have have tens of thousands of dollars.

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Enfield K-9 Police Officer Michael Colantuono said during the public hearing on the proposed legislation that hundreds of hours of training were required before his current partner dog "Dunkin" was certified for law enforcement operations.

He said that most law enforcement dogs are bred in Europe and brought to the United States at about one year of age, with no training. "All they know is how to eat, fight and hopefully play with a ball, and it's a bonus if they are house-trained," Colantuona said. "They have to go through a rigorous screening and a selection process to choose the right dog for the handler, for the initial patrol-dog school. The bond has to immediately commence. Civilians outside of law enforcement probably think we get a nice little dog, load him into the cruiser and the show goes on."

Dunkin is Colantuono's third K-9 partner, and was selected after a two-day visit to a facility in western Pennsylvania. For the following six months, Colantuono hand-fed the dog twice a day as part of the bonding, as training proceeded. "We tell everyone that these dogs do everything we ask them to do because they love us, but in reality it's for the ball we always carry in our pockets," he said.

The canine training academy can take as long as 16 weeks as the dogs learn handler protection, evidence recovery, and tracking missing persons and criminal suspects. They may eventually take cross-training in specialized procedures, including bomb detection.

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"That's approximately 20 to 22 weeks, cumulative, for an officer and/or a trooper to be off the road getting certified as a team, let alone all the hours and training that's done in your off time to keep the dogs in top cardio shape and proficient in their obedience," he said. "We honestly spend more time with our partner than we do with our families."

Colantuono said that law enforcement has many unknowns, such as suspects who might suddenly become violent. Canine training in de-escalation is very important, as well. "There have been more times than I can count where we rolled up on a hectic scene and all it takes is a few good barks from the back of the car and everything starts to cool down," he said.

There are hundreds of law enforcement K-9 handlers in the state, and in case of injury or death, the costs of veterinary treatment and obtaining and training for new dogs should not fall on local taxpayers or the state, Colantuono told lawmakers.

Under questioning from state Rep. Greg Howard of Stonington, a top Republican on the committee who is also a police officer, Colantuano said that during the extended training, handlers and their dogs are not on regular patrol, adding further costs to municipalities and the State Police, especially in overtime.

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"We can't lose track of the cost to the municipality that happens here," Howard said. "These dogs have tremendous value to us emotionally, but they also have tremendous fiscal value to the municipality and I think we need to look at that holistically, when we talk about restitution and what it would take to replace that animal if that were to happen."

Rep. Michael Quinn, D-Meriden and committee member, said the practical matter of retrieving restitution seems a major real-world obstacle to getting such a law, if enacted, to work. "The way that it reads, to me the restitution would be part of any probation period that they would get in addition to any time served," Quinn said. "And then not paying restitution would be a violation of probation."

The deadline for the committee to act is March 19. The legislative session ends at midnight May 8.

In December, a suspect who killed a State Police dog named "Broko," was shot dead by troopers during an incident in the Pawcatuck section of Stonington, near the Rhode Island border.

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K-9 Broko heroically served with unwavering dedication, saving lives by locating missing individuals, apprehending dangerous suspects, and providing a steadfast shield to his handler. K-9 Broko ultimately sacrificed his life doing what he was known best for, state police said at the time of Broko's death.

In written testimony, Stacey Ober, regional manager of government relations for the American Kennel Club, wrote that she supported the legislation. But Ober stressed the need for more scientific research and breeding programs to ensure more domestically bred canines are used for law enforcement.
More spending on defence, opined Chancellor Jeremy Hunt last week, is best secured by more economic growth.

Thus spoke the quintessential number-crunching Tory technocrat. He couldn't be more wrong.

When the world is already a very dangerous place and about to get even more dangerous, it is the duty of government to bolster our national security regardless of how poorly the economy is growing.

You find the money wherever you can by borrowing more, raising taxes, moving money from non-defence spending to our military.

Defence of the realm, after all, is the first duty of government, never more so than when there are multiple threats on all fronts.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said last week that more spending on defence is better secured by more economic growth

Thus spoke the quintessential number-crunching Tory technocrat. He couldn't be more wrong

You'd think a Tory government would realise that. But not this one.

Hunt claimed that UK defence spending, currently just over two per cent of GDP (the Nato minimum), would rise to 2.5 per cent when 'economic conditions' allowed.

He put no timeline on this aspiration, gave no definition of what these 'economic conditions' would look like.

Given that the hallmark of his period as Chancellor has been economic stagnation, the honest answer might be 'never'.

We don't really know, however, because in a long Budget speech last Wednesday Hunt dismissed defence in barely a sentence.

It was an unforgivable, inglorious omission. Ukraine struggles to roll back Russia's unprovoked invasion. We know that if President Putin succeeds in his ambition to annex the country (or most of it) much of Eastern Europe (Nato members all) will be in jeopardy.

As the Middle East goes up in flames our Navy is already involved in a hot war with Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in the Red Sea.

Putin is currently seeking to annex Ukraine or most of the country

President Xi's threats to Taiwan are becoming ever more bellicose

President Xi's threats to Taiwan grow ever more bellicose. Our allies, especially America, fret (rightly) that our forces are simply not up to the military challenges we face.

Yet Hunt had next to nothing to say about defence, never mind stumping up an extra penny for it.

It's not that there is no money, just that he doesn't see it as a priority. Public spending this financial year (2023-'24) will be almost 1.2trillion.

Defence accounts for just over 50billion of that, a mere four per cent and a bit. We have one of the biggest GDPs in the world but we're only prepared to devote two per cent of it to defence.

Nobody can be in any doubt that in parlous times our military is being short-changed.

But no Chancellor has the power to change this unilaterally. The Prime Minister would have to be onside, too.

And in Rishi Sunak, another Tory technocrat, we have a Prime Minister who is complicit with his Chancellor in starving defence of the necessary funding. Neither seems to care much.

Defence accounted for just over 50billion of the 1.2trillion in public spending this financial year

No extra money was allocated to defence in the budget last week (File Image)

The Budget left no doubt about that. They found 10billion to cut National Insurance. But nothing extra for defence.

They froze fuel duty again at a cost of 5billion rather than raise more revenue for defence. Hunt did increase a variety of taxes but none of the extra dosh went on defence.

He wittered on about Britain becoming the next Silicon Valley (it isn't) and how the NHS is what makes us most proud to be British (again, for many, it really isn't).

But he had not a word to say about how the Treasury and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) were working hand-in-glove to develop a new, well-funded defence strategy to keep our nation safe.

Nothing could be more important. Our military has been hollowed out so much in recent years as to make us ineffective on so many fronts.

In only the past eight years our combat power has been denuded. We have fewer tanks, troops, sailors, missile launchers, artillery, helicopters, fighter jets and ships  just about everything you need to defend the country and wage war against its enemies  than we had even in 2016, when our defence capabilities were already creaking at the seams.

Eight years ago the British Army had over 4,000 bits of military equipment essential for deployment in a war zone. Today the total is just over 3,000 (File Image)

There are now fewer tanks, troops, sailors, missile launchers, artillery, helicopters, fighter jets and ships than in 2016 (File Image)

Eight years ago the British Army had over 4,000 bits of military equipment essential for deployment in a war zone. Today the total is just over 3,000.

In 2016 we had almost 1,120 armoured fighting vehicles; now it's under 900. We had 200 Scimitar light tanks; now we have none. We had 770 ageing Warrior vehicles; now it's 625  and its Ajax replacement is mired in procurement problems. We had 227 Challenger tanks; now it's 213, with barely 100 battle-ready  and the Challenger 3 is being rolled out slowly and in small numbers. We had 724 fixed-wing aircraft; now 564, of which only 300 are in service.

The deterioration in our military capabilities has been going on for some time. But in recent years, under the Tories, it has accelerated.

Of course the MoD's cack-handed approach to procurement has made matters worse and I've written about that at length on these pages. But what is required now are not fancy new defence systems, simply more of what we have already.

We need more ammunition, more manpower, more artillery, more fighting vehicles, more fighter jets, more ships, more drones, more heavy-lift capabilities, more missiles.

Where current suppliers are unable to provide this extra equipment we should not hesitate to buy off the shelf from abroad, which is cheaper and quicker anyway.

The bane of British military procurement has been the obsession with our top brass and the MoD for expensive, bespoke, gold-plated equipment which, in the end, we can only afford to buy in small numbers.

A lot of what we have is good. But it lacks resilience and scale. In any major conflict we'd quickly run out of manpower and fighting machines.

The Poles are building the strongest land forces in Europe in a different, better way  by buying hundreds of tanks and fighter jets off the shelf from South Korea.

They will end up with an army and airforce far bigger and better equipped than ours.

South Korea faces an existential threat from the Stalinist dictator to its north. Poland will face a similar threat to its east should Putin triumph in Ukraine.

If South Korean military hardware, which benefits from huge American input, is good enough for South Korea and Poland then it should be good enough for us.

There are also plenty of other sources of quality military equipment around the world for a speedy rearmament.

Though there was nothing for defence in last week's Budget, it should still serve as a wake-up call for the nation.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps says we need to prepare for possible war in the near future

We have become a country in which couples with a combined income of 120,000 a year will still get child benefit from the state  but we cannot finance our military to the level required to ensure our safety.

We devise yet more tax incentives to make more films in the UK, including films about war. But we cannot put up more to equip us for a real war. Putin must be laughing all the way to his arsenal.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps says we need to prepare for possible war in the near future, that we are in a pre-war, not a post-war, phase. Is that just his view or is it the Government's?

If it's the collective view of the Sunak administration  and it should be given the escalating dangers all around us  then it is all the more baffling and disgraceful that the Budget was empty-handed when it came to defence.

The lesson of the 1930s is clear: a failure to rearm in the face of autocratic aggression only emboldens dictators to be even more aggressive  and the cost of seeing them off becomes all the greater in terms of blood and treasure.

The reputation of the generation between the two world wars that failed to see that never recovered and they remain reviled in history books to this day.

Now the autocrats are on the march again and it falls to a new generation to confront them. So far it is failing in much the same way as that inter-war generation failed us.

If today's political elite does not quickly change tack and recognise that we need to face down the evil that is gathering strength across the globe with a well-armed and reinvigorated military of scale, then it too will never be forgiven.
Former Teen Mom UK star Mia Boardman has hit back at those judging her based on her appearance and claiming she's a bad mother because she likes to party.

The 25-year-old mother-of-one from Southampton claims she is regularly braded as a 'bad mum,' simply due to the clothing she decides to wear and lifestyle she leads.

Boasting more than 320,000 followers on Instagram, the young single parent is often met with hateful comments and hoards of trolls each time she uploads a new snap.

But, she's keen to spread the word that you should be able to 'have a life away from being a mum' and the trolls are wrong.

Speaking to The Sun Fabulous Magazine, Mia said: 'I get called a bad mum a lot. I like to wear the clothes I wear which some people say arent typical 'mum' clothes.

Former Teen Mom UK star Mia Boardman has spoken out against people judging her based on her appearance and claiming she's a bad mother

'And that makes me a bad mum? People have gone as far to message me and say my child should be taken away because of the way I am.'

Her daughter Marliya visits her dad on weekends - something Mia said the haters seem to forget.

She said: 'If Im out every weekend Im an awful mum when Marliya is actually at her dad's house.

'Life doesnt stop when you have children, for me it has just started, but Im constantly judged because I like to party.

'Of course you have to make so many sacrifices, but I believe you should be able to go out and do what you want to do as much as you want.

Speaking about teen mothers in general, Mia told the outlet: 'I think people judge us, because they dont think we are capable parents.

'Yes an older mum has more life experience and maybe more money but I personally dont believe age makes a difference to how good of a mum you are.

'Dont get me wrong I wouldnt encourage being a young mum, because you have to sacrifice a lot, and you miss out on the normal teenage things. However, my view is Marliya has been the making of me.

The 25-year-old mother-of-one from Southampton claims she is regularly braded as a 'bad mum,' simply due to the clothing she decides to wear

Boasting more than 320,000 followers on Instagram, the young single parent is often met with hateful comments and hoards of trolls each time she uploads a new snap

Mia is keen to spread the word that you should be able to 'have a life away from being a mum' and the trolls are wrong

Her daughter Marliya also has a father, who she goes to visit on weekends - something Mia said the haters seem to forget

'So to people who 100 per cent want to have a baby young I wish them all the luck in the world and to ignore any negatives, you can be the best mum at 18 and the best mum at 35 I dont care what anybody says.'

It comes as the latest series of Teen Mom UK, the show that catapulted Mia to fame, saw her relationship with Marliya's dad Manley Geddes take a turn for the worst.

Mia explains: 'I couldnt have had a baby with someone more opposite. When its bad its bad when its good its ok. Its draining sometimes.'

Last year, the star also opened up about her experience with domestic violence, after her ex-boyfriend Christopher Brooks pinned her to the floor and choked her after she refused to go to bed with him.

Brooks, of Court Road, Caterham, Surrey, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm in March 2021.

He and Ms Boardman, who lives in Southampton, had remained friends after their one-year relationship ended in February last year.

But Maidstone Crown Court heard things turned nasty when, having spent an afternoon together in June at Brooks's then home in Sevenoaks, he began to question her about a man she had dated after they split up.

He grabbed her phone and refused to hand it back unless she spent the night with him.

Brooks then told her to swear on her child's life that she would not carry on seeing her new man.

But when Ms Boardman said she could not make such a promise, Brooks reacted violently.
Alanah chatted to chef Elliott Grover about his career journey to the Oscars

Hanging on the oak-panelled walls of Bar 45 are moody portraits of Ian McKellen, Robert De Niro, and Kate Winslet.

They were taken by photographer Andy Gotts MBE - and the images of three esteemed actors are fitting for the occasion as I'm here to sample the menu A-list stars will enjoy at the 96th Academy Awards tonight.

I visited the intimate Park Lane bar as Wolfgang Puck, who has catered the glittering awards ceremony for three decades, invited executive chef, Elliott Grover, to cook at the annual Governors Ball Oscars Party in Los Angeles this week.

The event will take place in Tinseltown, but Grover, 32, proves how British influences only make it better.

The objective is simple: bring three dishes to the cinema's most prominent event that tastes extraordinary, looks even better, and won't make a mess on Emma Stone's expensive dress.

So how did the Oscars dishes hold up under scrutiny? I tried them out to find out for myself...

Alanah, 24, tasted the Governors Ball Oscars menu and chatted to chef Elliott Grover about his journey to the prestigious event

Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding

Now, this is the real star of the show. Wolfgang also knows it because he's paired the dish with the official (and currently undisclosed) cocktail of the Oscars 2024.

The generous slice of wagyu beef is served medium rare and complemented by a surprisingly delicate horseradish sauce.

A watercress garnish sits on top of it all, making it look pretty rather than complementing the overall taste.

Yorkshire puddings and roast beef aren't what first springs to mind when you think of a small bite, but Elliott manages to somehow pull it off, though napkins on hand are advised.

Prawn cocktail roll

Elliott glammed up a typical British dish in his second small bite. A prawn cocktail doesn't scream exciting, but a generous dollop of beluga caviar certainly helps.

And the addition of a crispy bread roll transforms the dish into an ideal finger food, especially good for soaking up the champagne. He stuck to tradition with the sauce and crafted a classic Marie Rose.

The prawn is juicy and fresh - challenging my preconceptions of the typical frozen prawns one might usually find in this dish.

Elliott Grover, pictured, 32, is joining esteemed chef Wolfgang Puck to feed the stars at this year's Oscars ceremony

Fish and chips

Arguably, the most typically British dish one can get their hands on, except Elliott injects luxury by ditching fish in favour of native lobster.

It's delicious. A spiced tartare sauce accompanies the lobster, bringing in the three essential elements required for the staple British cuisine but making it much better than what you'd find at your local chip shop.

The presentation reminded me of what you might expect at a wedding doing the rounds as canapes. However, the lobster wasn't anything ordinary - juicy and made naughty with a crispy batter and a healthy dollop of tartare sauce.

The triple-cooked chips are there, too, and taste good. But the focus is on the native lobster.

'The main thing is that the dishes need to look good, taste unbelievable, and as soon as you see it you think, Britain,' Elliott told me while we sat in the crimson-lit bar.

Picking quintessential British dishes has equipped him to tick all three boxes while radiating palpable confidence as he sat chatting with me.

Born and bred in Cornwall, Elliott boasts an unusual start to his career, at least by today's standards.

Native lobster 'fish and chips' with a spicy tartare sauce and triple cooked chips in a cone is also on the menu

From waygu beef in Yorkshire puddings to beluga caviar topped prawn cocktail rolls, Bar 45 welcomes guests to taste the menu served at the Oscars

He holds zero qualifications but attributes cold-emailing, grit, and total faith in himself at all times for his success.

Elliott said: 'I was trying to work out from nine years old what I could do because I was never academic at school.

'Cooking was the only thing I was only ever good at. No one can cook in my family, my mother is the worst cook, and you can tell her that.'

But what his family lacked in culinary skills; they made up for in support. And it was his father's willingness to drive him from Cornwall to London in his early teens for a trial shift that launched his career.

He was 15 when his father took him for work experience at The Ivy (a placement achieved off the back of a cold email), which helped land him his first role at Scott's in Mayfair aged 16.

He accepted the job, making him an earlier leaver from the educational system. 'I didn't do any college qualifications, I've only got 3 GCSEs at C, not because I couldn't do it, but because I didn't apply myself to it,' Elliott explained.

'I never once believed that I couldn't do it. I don't know what it was in my brain. I just thought I could do it, and I did it.'

Elliott's prawn cocktail roll with beluga caviar and Marie Rose sauce turns a British classic into a fancy small bite

Elliott views his achievements in higher regard because of his losses at school: 'I think it's more difficult for people to do it now without culinary school, but I think it gives you the edge if you can do it without.'

It was upwards from then on, and Elliott went on to work at Le Caprice (once beloved by Princess Diana) as a junior sous chef. By the time he left at 24, he was in an entirely different ranking. 'I was one of the top five chefs in the building at 24,' he explained.

The chef remembered fond memories of his days at the now-closed restaurant: 'Le Caprice was iconic. One day, I came down with trays in my hands at 11 am to find Kiera Knightly and Kate Moss smoking a cigarette in the kitchen, I came across everybody.'

He revisited his roots at Scott's Mayfair before eventually shifting back to Le Caprice, but this time as senior sous chef.

The scenery quickly became too familiar for Elliott, and he later went on to accept the head chef role at Hix in Soho and, after that, similar positions at The Ned and Duck and Waffle.

A-Listers will dine on Elliott's waugu roast beef with a Yorkshire pudding, creamed horseradish and watercress

Now, at 32, he's got the top job at 45 Park Lane. And it's his relationship with the Austrian American chef and restaurateur that's landed him his most impressive accomplishment to date - cooking for A-listers at the Oscars.

Elliott and Wolfgang first met in LA. 'I never really knew how big he was until I went to Beverly Hills. They moved me out there for a month before I started [at 45 Park Lane].

'I sat in the Four Seasons lobby, and I could see this big, stretched hummer come into the driveway, and he hopped out and came and said hello. Proper Hollywood.

'I didn't know what to expect, but he's the most amazing, down-to-earth person. You know, sometimes you just meet someone and just click.'

'I will speak to him once a day. He'll ring me and say, "Hello, how are you?" It's not even about the food.

In an exclusive exhibition, Bar 45 is showcasing the work of celebrity photographer Andy Gotts, including Ian McKellan, pictured

Hollywood star Robert De Niro winks at diners from above as his portraits hangs on the wall of Bar 45

The curated selection of celebrity portraits include two of Kate Winslet in different phases of her career

It is the second time Elliott has cooked for the Oscars. Last year, he took a direct approach when asking Wolfgang if he could join him at the prestigious event.

Wolfgang holds total power over selecting three exceptional chefs from around the world for the event.

Being upfront has formed the basis for Elliott's career, and once again, it paid off. 'I just said can I come to the Oscars, and he pretty much said yes.' Gaining Puck's acceptance was easy, but the process was not so simple.

Picking the menu, crafting each recipe, sorting specifications, and training chefs to perfectly replicate his beloved dishes 2,000 times was no straightforward feat, especially when many are unaware of what a Yorkshire pudding is across the pond.

'I remember thinking it was glamorous, but it's damn tough work in the end,' Elliott said.

Last year, he first took to the glitzy ceremony armed with fish and chips, chicken pot pie, and a sherry trifle, all small bites. 'It was unbelievable. I didn't realise how big it was until the night of the event,' he said.

'There's only a few chefs that have the privilege of being in the ballroom, and I was lucky enough to be one of them.'

In a different image, Sir Patrick Stewart OBE sticks his tongue out while stood next to Ian McKellan

Elliott's menu was a hit. 'Everybody was so nice, that's the crazy thing,' he said. He recalled fond memories of Lisa Vanderpump enjoying his fish and chips and still appeared starstruck about crossing paths with Lady Gaga one year on.

Last year's success only heightened pressure for Elliott when planning the 2024 event. Not only because he wants to outdo his already impressive feat but because he's received the highest position for a chef this year.

He explained: 'There's another chef from Turkey and one from Bahrain, and I've got the top spot, naturally.'

The 'top spot' means his food is placed in a prime position at the ball, making it the most accessible out of the three chefs' creations for celebrities to enjoy.

However, among new stresses was one constant - Britain: 'I needed the menu to represent London, and Wolfgang wanted some classics,' he said. Elliott added: 'It's a lot of pressure, but I've got to make Britain proud.'

Alanah dined on the small bites while learning about Elliott's journey to cooking for the most prestigious evening in cinema

Elliott's waygu beef and Yorkshire pudding dish will be served with the official cocktail of the Oscars, which is yet to be disclosed

Elliott settled on three of his signature dishes for the event: waugu roast beef with a Yorkshire pudding, creamed horseradish and watercress, a prawn cocktail roll with beluga caviar and Marie Rose sauce, as well as native lobster 'fish and chips' with a spicy tartare sauce and triple cooked chips.

Tasting the food was an equally impressive experience to listening about Elliott's career history - the lobster 'fish and chips', presented in a cone, was moreish and ideal to pick at, the Yorkshire puddings crispy, and the caviar plentiful.

It was posh grub presented immaculately in small doses that would taste even better with a glass of champagne in hand, though most foods often do.

I wasn't the only one pleased. 'Wolfgang was so impressed with the roast beef and Yorkshire puddings that he paired that dish with the sponsored drink at the Oscars. 'It's going to be one of the top dishes,' Elliott said.

I'm not surprised. I ask whether the constant praise and high standards ever get too much. 'One hundred million per cent, but then you wake up one day and the passion is back,' he said.

Elliott's menu will be available to experience in London at 45 Park Lane from January 23 to April 1, 2024, served in BAR 45.
In a week when the Budget was announced, its baffling that Rishi Sunak should have been talking to Grazia magazine about who makes the bed at home  but naturally I was fascinated.

Not so much about whether it is him or his wife Akshata who straightens the duvet in Downing Street, but that it is either of them.

Surely the Prime Minister is allowed a cleaner to do that kind of thing? Its hard to imagine the French PM Gabriel Attal or Italys Giorgia Meloni thinking for a second that it was a vote winner to reveal their household role as bedmaker-in-chief.

But staff are always the ghosts at the table when well-known figures discuss their domestic lives in Britain.

In an interview with Grazia, Rishi Sunak said he sometimes goes back to their home from the office to make the bed as he will be 'be irritated if its not made'

Take the endless videos of David Beckham making pancakes or sizzling a Sunday joint on his beautiful range in his Cotswold kitchen  theres never a hint of the person who, I would lay bets on, is in the pantry doing the washing up. And its not Victoria.

Admitting to having any kind of help is still a no-go area, leaving only TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp to speak out.

But why should that be? Why do we have trouble accepting that anyone who can afford it is likely to employ someone to help with domestic tasks?

Its OK for hugely successful working women to announce that they have huge support from a house-husband, but not acceptable for them to add that he has huge support from a nanny and a daily cleaner and heaven knows who else.

Of course, employing domestic staff demonstrates an unequal distribution of wealth so that some people pay others to clear up after breakfast.

But to pretend otherwise is ridiculous. After the First World War, labour-saving devices were invented, such as the vacuum cleaner and washing machine, which helped the middle class do their own dirty work.

But it was only after the Second World War that this wariness of owning up to having staff came in.

Very soon its likely we will have AI-generated devices to take over such labour.

Whether that will make the world a better place for the many who earn their living in the domestic arena is not clear.

Fashion kings who arrived on boats

A visit to a wonderful new exhibition had extra resonance for me due to the fact that my Jewish immigrant grandmother Ethel once founded a millinery business in Toronto.

The Museum of Londons Fashion City  How Jewish Londoners Shaped Global Style, is excellent, and although it is small-scale it manages to achieve more than many much better funded and larger fashion exhibitions.

Clothes can look dreary on mannequins, but from the moment we enter the darkened space, immersed in the soundscape of those who landed in the country by boat from Eastern Europe, we are swept up into the world of this community.

This show has life, helped by infographics and projections. The design and curation cleverly evoke the work of an uprooted community who found a method of survival and some great fortunes working as tailors and shopkeepers.

I had no idea that Moss Bros was founded by Moses Moss and launched as a second-hand clothes business, or the kipper tie was named by the successful Jewish designer Mr Fish. Its the best fashion exhibition Ive seen in years.

Male politicians  so impossibly smooth

Jeremy Hunt, who ran an impressive 17 miles on Budget morning, conforms to a curious physical condition.

Why do so many male politicians have almost entirely hairless legs? Michael Gove, David Cameron, Boris Johnson, Sir Keir Starmer  scarcely a follicle to be spotted among them.

Perhaps I am acquainted with particularly hirsute men, but these ham-like hanks are strangely unendowed, unless it is thought politically expedient to attack them with the razor or wax before putting them on display.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on a run with is dog on budget morning

BA needs more than texts to fly the flag

British Airways appears to think the key to its customers hearts is to allow free texting on flights.

There is just so much wrong with the airlines service that on some flights the only thing it has going for it is that you dont hear phones.

Id suggest more urgent priorities are to ensure the online check-in service is not out of order so often, that flights have enough food and drink for return journeys, and the trolley service in economy is quick enough so that passengers can buy something before the plane lands.

Free access to WhatsApp is unlikely to win back our love.

Whos afraid of big bad Coco the cat?

After years of forgetting to cancel my domestic appliance insurance, I was almost relieved to have a reason to use it to book an engineer to fix our tumble dryer.

Just before his arrival, a text landed, requesting: For safety reasons, can I please ask you to secure any pets away.

Now my guess is that most customers who use this kind of insurance are not aggressive XL Bully owners.

What animals did the insurers have in mind so vicious that they could endanger the health of their teams? I allowed our cat, Coco, to remain in situ.

A good shout from the Deputy Speaker

Thank you Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing for introducing the command: Could you please shout more quietly during last weeks Budget debate.

Its going to come in mighty useful around these parts, where shouting regularly takes place.

Personally, I dont know why it is that shouting is regarded as so offensive.

I prefer to say I am making a point emphatically, but all the same that polite command will come in handy.

During last weeks Budget debate Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing asked MPs: Could you please shout more quietly

Hands up who wants the job, being touted, as Meghans PR adviser in the UK?

Countless brilliant consultants have fallen at the first hurdle when dealing with her, and I doubt the time she has spent in the more obsequious environs of Montecito will have improved her HR capabilities.
Prince Harry is reported to have joked about a mural he saw while visiting a BBQ restaurant in Texas.

The Duke, 39, and Duchess, 42, of Sussex were in the area as Meghan was part of a panel at the SXSW arts festival panel over the weekend.

The visit to Austin's La Barbecue restaurant on Friday came ahead of Meghan's appearance, where she spoke about her cyber-bullying ordeal while pregnant with her children Archie and Lilibet.

Harry and Meghan both embraced co-owner Alison Clem in a warm hug each before being escorted inside where they greeted other workers.

According to the Express, Prince Harry spotted a mural of rock star Freddie Mercury dressed as the late Queen Elizabeth placed next to a gender neutral toilet, and joked: 'We should take a picture in front of this.'

The mural in La Barbecue showed Freddie Mercury of the band Queen dressed as the late Queen Elizabeth II

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with the owner of the La Barbecue (pictured, centre), which they visited before Meghan appeared on the panel at SXSW

Harry and Meghan with Austin's La Barbecue's owner Alison Clem. They reportedly ordered brisket and sausages

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were all smiles as they met restaurant employees on Friday

During their visit to the eatery, the couple were dressed casually, with Meghan sporting a denim jumpsuit and white linen blazer and Prince Harry opted in relaxed, Henley style shirt.

Meghan complemented her laid-back look with a pair of black and tan Chanel ballet pumps, dark sun glasses and a cream purse.

Staff reportedly described the former senior royals - who ordered sausages and brisket - as 'lovely' during their stop at the restaurant.

Following the couple's meal at the restaurant, Meghan made her appearance on the panel which also featured Brooke Shields and Katie Couric.

The Duchess discussed 'breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes' at the event.

Meghan, 42, talked about social media use and claimed most of the online hate she experienced happened while she was pregnant with her two young children.

'I keep my distance from it right now for my wellbeing but the bulk of the bullying and abuse I was experiencing in social media and online was when I was pregnant with Archie and with Lili, and with a newborn, with each of them,' she said.

'You just think about that and to wrap your head about why people would be so hateful. It's not catty it's cruel. Why you would do that when you're pregnant or as a mom it's such a tender and sacred time.'

The Duchess of Sussex arrived in Texas today to discuss 'breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes'

Prince Harry was seen in the audience with Meghan's old friend and confidante Markus Anderson

Prince Harry was seen clapping in the front row to support his wife along with her old friend and confidante Markus Anderson.

Dubbed 'Mr. Soho House', Markus is often referred to as the 'second most important man' in Meghan's life - and was instrumental in getting Harry and Meghan together.

Just a day previously the couple were spotted by onlookers at Soho House Austin, an exclusive members-only club.

'Harry was very animated throughout the dinner. They were super low key and seemed happy to be around the upbeat vibes at the lively venue,' a fellow diner said.

In July 2016, the couple had their very first date at the Soho House in London and even went back a second time at the club, the next day, as seen in a black and white photo of Meghan nestling into Harry's shoulder - the pair laughing.
Prince William has taken a sweet snap of his wife and children to mark Mothers' Day.

The future king, 41, shared the snap of The Princess of Wales, 42, with their three children at home in Windsor.

It marks a stark difference to the family's usual portraits, with William stepping behind the lens instead of Kate Middleton.

Kate is famous for for love of photography and for the images she has taken of her children and husband.

She has also snapped images to mark Queen Camilla's (then the Duchess of Cornwall) 75th birthday.

This photo was shared by the Wales to mark Mother's Day - and unlike many of their family photos, which are taken by Kate, it was taken by Prince William

The Princess of Wales takes photos of her children to mark their birthdays - like this image she took and shared of Princess Charlotte

It has now become a tradition for the Princess of Wales to take photographs to mark her children's birthdays, famously snapping Princess Charlotte on her second birthday in 2017.

Commenting on the move at the time, Gina Jones from Bumpkins, The Baby Shows lead experts in baby photography, to MailOnline it was part of Kate and William's desire to be 'resourceful with money'.

Gina explained: 'It shows how modern Kate and William are by being more accessible and having a hands on approach.

'It also shows that they are resourceful with money as you often see Kate in high street fashion and sometimes repeating outfits and so by taking her own photos this again shows how she is savvy with money.'

Kate has previously enlisted famed photographer Mario Testino to shoot family imagery but it seems she's having a change of heart - and she could be hoping for a permanent gig as royal photographer.

Offering another explanation for the move, Simon Apps, director and photographer of PR photo agency, Professional Images, said: 'I dont think the [then] ]gyuDuchess is looking for a career in photography, but she could certainly have an eye on taking the position of "Royal photographer", a title bestowed on Lord Lichfield who sadly passed away from a stroke in 2005.

'Like him, she is perfectly, if not better, placed to capture those intimate spontaneous moments within the Royal Family for which he was so famous.'

And it's not just royal watchers who enjoy Kate's work behind the lens.

As well as snapping her children, Kate famously took the photographs for a profile in County Life magazine. The profile marked Queen Camilla's (then Duchess of Cornwall) 75th birthday

Another of the images taken by the Princess (then-Duchess) featured her husband Prince William as well as their three children

Her skills were acknowledged after she was given honorary lifetime membership of the prestigious Royal Photographic Society in recognition of her 'talent and enthusiasm'.

The society, established in 1853, works to promote photography and to support photographers 'irrespective of their level of knowledge, equipment or skills'.

It holds exhibitions and workshops and has a long tradition of links to the Royal family.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were early patrons while several official Royal photographers were members. Professional photographer Lord Snowdon won its Hood Medal in 1978.

The society described Kate is an 'excellent role model for keen amateur photographers' and a spokeswoman said it was 'clear she had photographic talent'.

Dr Michael Pritchard, chief executive of the RPS, said: 'The Duchess of Cambridge has had a long-standing interest in photography and its history.

This photo of Prince Louis, which was taken by Kate, was shared to mark the young royal going to school

It has now become somewhat of a family tradition for Kate to take birthday snaps of her children including these of Prince George (pictured, left) and Prince Louise (pictured, right)

'She is latest in a long line of royal photographers and the society is pleased to recognise her talent and enthusiasm through honorary membership. We look forward to a continuing relationship with her.'

As well as taking photos of her children, Kate was highly praised when she took the photos for a profile of Queen Camilla for Country Life magazine in 2022.

The profile, which marked the then-Duchess of Cornwall's 75th birthday, featured snaps taken at Camilla's Ray Mill House country retreat in Lacock, Wiltshire.

Speaking at the time, a royal source said it was Camilla's idea to ask Kate to take the photographs.

Meanwhile, Country Life's managing and features editor, Paula Lester said the publication 'could not be happier with the results' of the photoshoot.

She added: 'In fact, the set of images she took was so good that we struggled to choose only three, from which The Duchess of Cornwall made her final selection.'

Kate famously took this image of the Queen and Prince Philip with all of their great-grandchildren (apart from Archie and Lilibet)

According to Paula, Kate took the commission 'very seriously' and was 'incredibly professional' about the job.

'She phoned me to discuss our requirements for the cover and subsequently composed a range of beautifully shot images,' Paula explained.

In addition, the magazine's editor Mark Hedges said everyone was thrilled by the photos which captured Camilla 'magnificently'. He added that the magazine would be 'delighted' to offer Kate another commission.

The Princess, who studied history of art at St Andrews University, has been spotted several times taking photos on Royal tours with her Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

She is understood to be knowledgeable about all aspects of photography.
A series of incredible images captured by a wildlife photographer show big cats and their cubs play-fighting and cuddling.

Nick Dale, 55, has captured leopards, lionesses, pumas and cheetahs with their babies in countries across Africa, such as Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana.

In the images, the animals can be seen surrounding their mothers and climbing on them, and in some of the shots, they appear to be cuddling their mums.

Nick, who began taking pictures of wildcats in 2013, said: 'Lions spend 20-22 hours a day sleeping, so it's always a good opportunity for action shots! The cubs can be very cute, too, and cute sells.

'I've been taking pictures of lions and other cats since my first trip to Africa in 2013, and I'll carry on as long as I can.

'There's often action in different places, and you sometimes need the help of other guests to let you know when something good happens!

'I've taken hundreds, possibly even thousands of shots like this over the years, but you're never quite sure what you're going to get, so there's a lot of luck involved.'

Nick Dale captured a lion and lioness resting with their cubs

Mischievous cubs relish jumping on their parents in a heartwarming display of joy

Two cheetah cubs enjoy snuggling up to their mother

A cheetah cub engages in a game with its mother

A lion cub appears to receive a reprimand from its mother

A feisty lion cub is gently put in place by its mother

A naughty lion cub eagerly seeks playtime with its mother

This lioness seems less than thrilled as her playful cubs attempt to engage in some energetic antics

A lioness juggles the playful energy of her three lively cubs

A heartwarming moment between a lioness and her cubs in the wild

A spirited cheetah cub showcases its mischievous side

A cheetah enjoys a moment of relaxation with her three vibrant cubs

Goran Anastasovski has photographed images of deer, lambs, lemurs, monkeys and goats, as they cuddle up close to their mums

A cheeky money cuddles up to his mothers
Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have followed in their mother's very stylish footsteps by donning a French brand.

In a new photograph of the children and the Princess of Wales, taken by Prince William, Kate, 42, radiated joy alongside Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five.

And it seems that the young royals are inheriting their mother's fashion sense, as they were impeccably dressed in colourful winter clothing.

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis both wore knitwear from Parisian brand Cyrillus - Charlotte teaming her 42 raspberry wool cardigan with a tartan skirt from Amaia.

Kate has a strong penchant for French fashion labels, often favouring clothing by Sezane, Sandro, Maje and ba&sh.

Kensington Palace has released the first photo of Kate and her children since her surgery

It is the first picture Kensington Palace has released of Kate since her surgery and the Princess of Wales thanked the public for their support while she continues to recuperate.

Prince George, embracing his mother with his arms wrapped around her shoulders, opted for a sky blue jumper, with a coordinating checked shirt and jeans.

Meanwhile, Louis sported a lambswool jacquard jumper from the Parisian brand Cyrillus as he threw his head back in laughter.

The smart khaki design featured heart motifs woven into the construction of the weave, as well as button detailing along one shoulder.

Perched on the arm of Kate's chair, Charlotte chose a berry wool cardigan, also from the French label, paired with an Amaia autumn/winter 2021 tartan skirt.

The Princess of Wales opted for a pared-down look, incorporating a black roll neck jumper and classic skinny jeans.

She added her favourite 250 See By Chloe suede combat boots, which she has worn on 13 public engagements since 2019.

Kate went entirely without jewellery in the photo, in an unusual move for the royal.

Kate is pictured in the same Chloe boots in 2019

She usually wears a her wedding ring and an engagement ring, which previously belonged to Princess Diana. Featuring an oval 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a cluster of 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold, Princess Diana chose the ring when she was presented with a selection of options by the then Crown jewellers, Garrard of Mayfair upon her engagement to Prince Charles

She usually wears a her wedding ring and engagement ring, which previously belonged to Princess Diana.

Featuring an oval 12-carat Ceylon sapphire, surrounded by a cluster of 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold, Princess Diana chose the ring when she was presented with a selection of options by the then Crown jewellers, Garrard of Mayfair, upon her engagement to Prince Charles.

William proposed to Kate in Kenya in 2010 and described the ring saying: 'It's my mother's engagement ring, and it's very special to me, as Kate is very special to me now as well. It was only right the two were put together.'

She also wears a Welsh gold wedding band.

Wearing her brunette locks in signature loose waves, Kate beamed as she sat with her three children at home in Windsor.

She opted for a natural make-up look, featuring a creamy foundation and subtle lip gloss.

Sharing a post to Instagram, Kate wrote: 'Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months.

'Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day'.

The mother-of-three has stepped back from royal duties since she was admitted to The London Clinic for 'planned abdominal surgery' on January 16.
Prince Louis has once again delighted royal fans on X, formerly Twitter, with his playful demeanour.

The young prince was photographed with his mother, Kate Middleton, 42, and siblings, Prince George, 10, and Princess Charlotte, eight, to mark Mother's Day.

And social media followers couldn't resist being captivated by Louis, cheekily crossing his fingers in the family snapshot, snapped by his father, Prince William.

One user referred to the five-year-old as a 'trickster', penning: 'Not Louis crossing his fingers making it look like AI!'

It is the first family photo since the Prince and Princess of Wales released a Christmas portrait with their three children, which appeared to have suffered a Photoshop fail.

The young prince was photographed with his mother, Kate Middleton , 42, and siblings, Prince George, 10, and Princess Charlotte , eight, to mark Mother's Day

Royal fans can't resist being besotted by Louis, cheekily crossing his fingers in the family snapshot captured by his father, Prince William

Meanwhile, another fan wrote: 'Prince Louis cheeky as always his little fingers'.

Someone else said: 'It is a lovely picture. But Prince Louis has got to stop trolling us with weird finger positions'.

'How does Prince Louis do that with his fingers?,' one individual asked.

It is the first family photo since the Prince and Princess of Wales released a Christmas portrait with their three children, which appeared to have suffered a Photoshop fail.

In the monochrome image, the royal couple smiled alongside their sons George and Louis, with Charlotte seated in a chair at the front of the group and Louis's hand resting on the arm.

But in an apparent editing fail, Louis seemed to be missing the middle finger on his left hand.

Social media users immediately spotted the error - and some even found more inconsistencies.

Taken by Josh Shinner, the image showed the family in matching white shirts - George wearing a Ralph Lauren Polo number - with William and the boys in dark trousers. Kate and Charlotte opted for denim jeans.

The Prince and Princess of Wales's 2023 Christmas card image - in black and white - sent fans into a frenzy

The young royal is known for his mischievous behaviour and for stealing the spotlight at events.

In once instance, he blew out Princess Charlotte's candle during his mother's annual Christmas carol concert in Westminster Abbey, which left his sister in stitches.

The new family portrait is the first released of Kate since her surgery and the Princess of Wales thanked the public for their support while she continues to recuperate.

Sharing a post to Instagram, Kate wrote: 'Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months.

'Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day'.

The mother-of-three has stepped back from royal duties since she was admitted to The London Clinic for 'planned abdominal surgery' on January 16.
Although a handful of Hollywood stars wake up with an Oscar today, I'm nowhere near LA; those little gold namesakes were awarded in my absence.

But I like the idea that accepting an 'Oscar' into your life changes it for the better!

Following the New Moon, even though we're unlikely to be in the spotlight making acceptance speeches, there are opportunities to share and celebrate life's gifts.

Read more horoscopes from MailOnline.

ARIES

March 21 - April 20

"Some people are born great, others achieve greatness, others have greatness thrust upon them." It might have been helpful if Shakespeare had gone on to explain his definition of 'greatness'. How are we meant to know which (if any) category we fall into? It seems to me, that being labelled 'great' comes along with a massive amount of responsibility. Being born into it can't be easy. However you're feeling about your position in the world, one thing's for sure; you've got greater power and influence than you think. Use it!

What does your heart desire and how can you achieve what you really want? See your in-depth forecasts at cainer.com

While he's nowhere near LA, Oscar Cainer (pictured) likes the idea that accepting an 'Oscar' into your life changes it for the better

TAURUS

April 21 - May 21

Working out what you 'need' from what you 'want' is trickier than it sounds. Unless, of course, you've got superhuman powers and can stand back and assess your life from a distance. Or you've got access to a vast inner wealth of wisdom. In which case, could you share your knowledge with the rest of us?! If you don't possess these qualities, like everyone else, you'll make the occasional error of judgement. Yet with your ruler, Venus, changing signs, as long as you're willing to learn, you'll be able to get what you need.

Curious to know more? There's always valuable news in your in-depth forecasts at cainer.com

GEMINI

May 22 - June 22

We're all enrolled in the University of Life. Yet unlike other educational programmes, this one doesn't have terms and holidays. It's a continual process of learning new lessons and revising old ones. It involves research and discovery. Since you've recently embarked on a new subject, it's no wonder you're feeling overwhelmed (and slightly out of your depth). Yet this is a vital part of your learning. As you grow more familiar with the subject matter, you'll be able to put it to pleasing (profitable) use. Keep going!

Success is about attitude and timing. Your in-depth forecasts show the way to positive change. Visit cainer.com

CANCER

June 23 - July 23

If only we could wave a magic wand and make sweeping changes in our lives; with a simple 'Abracadabra', we'd manifest more health, wealth and happiness. Dream on! Even people who hold powerful positions in our world can't do that. Yet we all have power over our own minds. We can change our attitudes. We can shift our moods. And we can reset our expectations. The legacy of the New Moon offers you a gift. If you believe in yourself, you can turn a problem into an advantage. Your task today? Think positive!

You've got lots to look forward to. The inspiration you need is in your in-depth forecasts at cainer.com

LEO

July 24 - August 23

We all want to feel safe and secure. But achieving these qualities is harder than we'd like it to be. And it rarely involves taking the easy option. Or making too many compromises. There are occasions when instead of leading a quiet life, we have to take a stand and, even though we know we risk upsetting people (or making ourselves vulnerable) voice our concerns. Your interests might be at odds with someone you care about. But as long as you're following your heart, and being kind, expressing yourself will have positive results.

Knowledge is power. Find out how to take full advantage of your astrological assets at cainer.com

VIRGO

August 24 - September 23

People who work in the world of commerce prioritise profit. People who work in the arts prioritise creativity. What do you prioritise? Being an adaptable Virgo, you know that priorities shift and change depending on circumstances. It's all about context and perspective. And, since your grasp of an important issue in your world is changing, you're aware (on a deep level) that your priorities need to alter. Which doesn't mean it's easy. But if you use your imagination today, and stay open-minded, you'll make the right decision.

What's in the sky for you? Helpful planetary alignments! For good news, see your in-depth forecasts at cainer.com

LIBRA

September 24 - October 23

Why does life sometimes feel like an endless stream of sacrifices? Are we meant to keep negating our own needs for the sake of the 'greater good'? With your ruler, Venus, moving into sensitive Pisces it's an ideal moment to reassess your commitment to someone (or something) you care about. This is a chance to rebalance a relationship where you've been giving more than you've been receiving. And it won't take much. As you grow more aware of your needs, you'll gain more power. And the change will take place naturally.

Make the most of your opportunities. Your in-depth forecast have inspiring news at cainer.com

SCORPIO

October 24 - November 22

Imagine being a judge and dreaming that you're on trial for a crime you haven't committed. As you're about to be sentenced, you wake up. Yikes. A nightmare. Yet in real life. you're the person who makes the judgement. It's you who gets to decide peoples' fates. Whether (or not) you work in the legal profession, could you be underestimating your power? The New Moon brought a challenging scenario into focus. And you're under pressure to sort it. Today brings an opportunity to utilise your past experience. It's going to be OK.

Transform your life! To move forwards in a positive direction, there's good news when you visit cainer.com

Following the New Moon (pictured) there are opportunities to share and celebrate life's gifts

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 - December 21

It's easy to break a twig into two pieces. But if you've got a bunch of twigs, it's a different story. People are a bit like twigs. On our own, we're fragile. But when we get together in community, we gain strength. If you're struggling to accomplish what you need to achieve there's no shame in needing support. Help is available. Although being a solo-operator has its advantages (you can do what you want when you want), being part of a team brings much more strength and power. You don't have to struggle on your own. Just ask.

For advice to guide you through the twists and turns ahead, see your in-depth forecasts at cainer.com

CAPRICORN

December 22 - January 20

When we're being polite to one another, we're not always being honest. When we're trying to make an impression, we're unlikely to have a meaningful conversation. Expressing our true feelings tends to make us uncomfortable. But even if it involves a risk, it clears the air and sets the stage for more productive communication. If you walk on eggshells around someone today, you'll resent the fact that you didn't speak your truth. As Venus settles into a new celestial home, if you say what's on your heart, you'll make real progress.

How can you stay focused and happy? Your in-depth forecasts hold the advice you need. cainer.com

AQUARIUS

January 21 - February 19

Not only are we all creatures of habit who take comfort from doing the things we choose to do, but we copy other people's choices. We watch what they do, and if it seems like it's good for them, we add it to our routine. We even emulate the way they respond to different situations. If it works for them, we figure, it will work for us. But even though there's no point trying to reinvent the wheel, wheels need to be adapted to deal with different kinds of terrain. Your willingness to try doing something differently is to your advantage today.

For excellent advice to guide you through the twists and turns ahead. cainer.com

PISCES

February 20 - March 20

You're a Piscean. If anyone can adapt, you can. But no one wants to be constantly making compromises. That's no fun. You've been putting yourself through hoops, doing your best to perform a specific role in order to help someone with their plans. Compromises have been involved. But not sacrifices; it hasn't been easy, but you're not resenting your efforts. Good. With Venus moving into your sign, you're about to get the rewards you deserve. As the week progresses, you'll find the freedom you've been missing. And start to have fun.

There's no need to worry. All you need is some guidance. Your in-depth forecasts can help at cainer.com




MIYAGI, Mar 11 (News On Japan) - On March 10, 13 years ago, no one knew a disaster would strike the next day. Yet, an elementary school held an assembly warning that an earthquake might occur, saving the lives of 90 children.

Tsunami Hits Elementary School: Actions the Day Before Save 90 Lives

Announcer Rumiko Watanabe: "Here, we see objects toppled by the tsunami, left untouched. And there, it's evident that the tsunami reached near the ceiling of the second floor. Traces of the disaster are preserved everywhere."

The Nakahama Elementary School in Yamamoto Town, Miyagi Prefecture, now preserved as a "disaster relic," was visited by people from all over the country on the 10th.

Visitor from Gunma Prefecture: "I had business in this area, so I took the opportunity to visit and experience the situation firsthand."

17-year-old: "It must have been terrible, the tsunami."

12-year-old: "It must have been really tough."

Visitor from Shiroishi City, Miyagi: "This child wasn't born during the disaster. While she might not understand it timely, I hope she remembers that such an event occurred."

On March 11, 2011, a massive tsunami, originating from the sea about 400 meters away, struck Nakahama Elementary School.

"The large building retains its original shape, but the surrounding houses and roads are completely submerged."

Though the tsunami reached the ceiling of the two-story building, all 90 children and staff were safe, thanks to actions taken the day before the disaster.

The principal at the time, Takeshi Inoue, played a crucial role.

Announcer Watanabe: "Driftwood has washed up here."

Inoue, former principal of Nakahama Elementary School: "I think it's from the pine trees that grew on the coast."

Watanabe: "Desks, chairs, and shoe boxes are also here..."

Inoue: "This is where debris that entered the school building and various tsunamis merged."

The tsunami's scars are evident on the second floor.

Inoue: "The incoming wave hit the wall and rose straight up, causing this ceiling to fall. The second floor was completely submerged. If anyone had been there, they wouldn't have survived."

On that day, the school housed 90 children, staff, and local residents. Inoue decided to evacuate everyone to the rooftop.

Inoue: "The decision on the day was not according to the manual. What's important is regular preparation, which, combined with various factors, led us to the rooftop."

This was Nakahama Elementary School's "evacuation manual" before the disaster. It stated that in case of a tsunami, evacuation should be to the inland junior high school. Inoue made a decision different from the manual, influenced by an earthquake that occurred off the Sanriku coast on March 9.

In response, on March 10, Inoue and the vice principal reviewed the "evacuation manual." Reading the note that it would take at least 20 minutes on foot to reach the inland junior high school, they considered the possibility that evacuation might not be in time.

Inoue: "It's crucial to know that it takes 20 minutes to reach a safe place. In case of a tsunami, if it suddenly comes and there's no time, we go up; if there is, we head inland."

Inoue and his team decided to make flexible decisions about the evacuation destination based on the "expected tsunami arrival time" and shared this information among the staff.

They also called a special all-school morning assembly on March 10, where they addressed the children.

Inoue: "After the earthquake on the 9th, some children weren't wearing their disaster hoods, so I told them, 'There might be another big earthquake, so let's wear our disaster hoods.' The children listened intently."

Then came March 11, the day of the disaster.

Immediately after the massive tremor, a major tsunami warning was issued, with an "expected arrival time" of "10 minutes later." Inoue instantly chose to go to the rooftop. There was no confusion among the staff and children, and the evacuation was completed smoothly. They were safely rescued by the Self-Defense Forces. Looking back on the day before the disaster, Inoue emphasized...

Inoue: "Meetings, time as a standard, holding a temporary morning assembly, and everyone sharing information and raising their sense of crisis. The accumulation of small preparations is very important."

"An Earthquake Might Occur in a Minute" - The Lesson the Principal Wants to Convey

Toshinori Suzuki, one of the children who survived by evacuating to the rooftop, was a sixth-grader at the time. On that day, the children spent the night in the attic storage on the rooftop.

Q: Where were you at the time?

Suzuki (25), former sixth-grader: "I was next to this blue box. Looking back, I do wonder what would have happened to us if we hadn't escaped to this rooftop and had walked to evacuate instead."

It has been 13 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Q: Where was your house, Mr. Suzuki?

Suzuki: "It's on that side where the greenhouse is now built. This whole area used to be mostly houses, but it has become really desolate."

In Yamamoto Town, population outflow and depopulation have become severe since the disaster. Suzuki, who remained in the town and chose the path of a fisherman, wants to support the region's revival as soon as he becomes fully fledged.

Suzuki: "I was saved by that tsunami, so I want to challenge myself to do new things. I want many people to eat the fish I catch, and as the number of fishermen is decreasing, I hope more people will want to become fishermen."

This year, an earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 occurred on New Year's Day off the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture. Since late February, seismic activity has intensified off the coast of Chiba Prefecture, making further preparation even more necessary.

Inoue: "Four major tsunamis have passed through this school building..."

After retiring, Inoue became a storyteller, continuing to convey the importance of "preparation in advance" to visitors from all over the country.

Inoue: "Preparation for disasters is not a preparation if it's done after they occur. We don't know if a big earthquake might happen in a minute from now, even today."

Source: ANN
She first noticed 'two little dots' on her cheek in October 2022

A mother-of-three is urging others to be diligent with skin checks after a small brown spot on her cheek turned out to be cancerous.

Catherine Smartt's life was turned upside down after being diagnosed with stage 1 skin cancer on January 29.

The 40-year-old podcast host from Geelong told FEMAIL she first noticed 'two little dots' in October 2022 which looked like a 'pigmentation spot'. When she fell pregnant in January 2023 doctors initially thought the dot was due to 'hormonal changes'.

But over time it changed and grew in size but didn't look like a 'cliche' melanoma - it wasn't dark, there was no lump and the texture felt 'rough'.

During her pregnancy last year she watched The Kardashians regularly and coincidentally Khloe spoke about her own melanoma, which prompted Catherine to be more alert.

Mum Catherine Smartt, 40, (pictured in 2022) thought the freckle-like dot on her cheek was an 'age spot' or because she was pregnant with her third child

But on January 29 she was diagnosed with stage one skin cancer (pictured January 2023 before diagnosis)

Almost every day for two years she would film herself putting lipstick on in the car to share on social media and was unknowingly documenting the changes of the skin.

'I had other spots on my face that looked the same, so there was no indication that it was cancer,' she said.

After giving birth in October she was aware that it's 'very common' for the skin to change significantly.

'I thought to myself, "It's because I'm pregnant, don't worry about it",' she explained

And while spending time at home she would watch The Kardashians and ironically Khloe Kardashian spoke about her 'skin cancer journey'.

At the time the TV personality was diagnosed with skin cancer and showed images of what the cancerous dot looked like - and Catherine was surprised by what she saw as it looked 'just like hers'.

'I had other spots on my face that looked the same, so there was no indication that it was cancer,' she said

Catherine fell pregnant with her third child in January 2023 and gave birth in October, and she was aware that it's 'very common' for the skin to change significantly. 'The changes I was noticing [about the spot] I thought to myself, "It's because I'm pregnant, don't worry about it",' she explained

While spending time at home she would watch The Kardashians and ironically Khloe Kardashian spoke about her 'skin cancer journey'. Catherine said Khloe's cancerous spot looked 'just like hers' (pictured: Catherine pointing to the dot)

'I was lucky that I was tracking my face daily, plus I was made aware that not all skin cancers look like moles,' she said.

'After I had the baby I expected it to calm down but it didn't.'

Two months later she saw her GP for a pregnancy-related matter and asked about the dot. The doctor was immediately concerned with how it looked and conducted the biopsy.

'Thank god I prioritised getting it checked. I was sick of having to conceal it, but what if I had accepted it or said 'this is 40, this is normal',' Catherine said.

'As mums, you can't show your kids you're afraid or that something's wrong. You have to be strong for them.'

Catherine's mum did have a stage four melanoma when she was in primary school and thankfully she's still around today.

But Catherine remembers being 'afraid' and doesn't want her children feeling the same level of fear or worry.

Two months later she saw her GP for a pregnancy-related matter and asked about the dot. The doctor was immediately concerned with how it looked and conducted the biopsy which confirmed it was cancerous

'It was good news because it was found early,' she said. But the following day her eldest child was starting school so she had to 'compartmentalise' and push it to the side.

'I had to park everything that I needed to worry about and focus on being a parent. It was such a huge week,' she said.

When she arrived home she felt 'numb' then told her husband and family. In the next few hours she met with a surgeon.

Catherine had surgery to remove the spot and surrounding tissue but had to go back within a week as the surgeon 'wasn't satisfied' he had removed enough tissue.

'It was a big shock realising how put of an incision they had to make. At the time I was thinking "but it's so small and they need to remove so much",' she said. And that was more shocking than the diagnosis.

The pain after the surgery was 'excruciating' and she likened it to being 'chopped in the face with an axe'. Now she has a diagonal scar stretching from the inner corner of her eye down to her mouth.

'I particularly liked how my lips looked and now they're not symmetrical - I don't recognise myself in the mirror anymore. There was also a risk that my eye would droop down if they pulled too much,' she said.

'When I touch it, it doesn't feel like my own face.'

Surgery was required to remove the cancer and surrounding tissue, which Catherine was nervous about. While it went well she said she now 'doesn't recognise herself' due to the massive facial scar that's healing

Now Catherine's on a mission to educate others about what skin cancer can look like - and how it doesn't always appear as an 'ugly, black mole'

What are the types and signs of a skin cancer? There are three main types of skin cancer: melanoma (including nodular melanoma), basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma Melanoma: Most deadly form of skin cancer and if left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body. Appears as a new spot or an existing spot that changes in colour, size or shape. Basal cell carcinoma: Most common, least dangerous form of skin cancer. Red, pale or pearly in colour, appears as a lump or dry, scaly area. Grows slowly, usually on areas that are often exposed to the sun. Squamous cell carcinoma: A thickened, red scaly spot that may bleed easily, crust or ulcerate. Grows over some months, usually on areas often exposed to the sun. More likely to occur in people over 50 years of age Advertisement

One of her 'lowest moments' throughout the entire ordeal occurred after surgery when Catherine pondered the thought of what the outcome might've been if she didn't ask for doctors to check the sinister speck.

'It's crazy to think what may have happened if I didn't do this. The thought of my kids being without a mum really hits hard,' she said.

'I think I would've reacted very differently to this if I was in my 20s compared to now being in my 40s. You have to put on a brave face when you're raising little people, and you have to be there for them.

'The Aussie sun is so deadly and our skin has not evolved to stand it.'

Now she has full-body skin checks and blood tests every few months and she will keep doing so for the rest of her life.

Following the dilemma Catherine feels less confident in herself and wants to 'hide from the world' while she heels from the surgery.

In public she looks down a lot, wears big sunglasses and hats to cover the bandage on her face.

'I stay home quite a bit because I don't want to go out. But I'm looking forward to the day I can put makeup on again. I miss being able to be me, doing my lipstick videos and trying new beauty products,' she said.

Now Catherine's on a mission to educate others about what skin cancer can look like - and how it doesn't always appear as an 'ugly, black mole'.

'Prioritise your health, as much as you would your kids. It's so easy as mums to get caught up in day to day, when you are just as important,' she said.

'You're kids are going to miss you if you don't look after yourself - consequences are huge. So get your skin checked and look after it.

'This isn't something to be taken lightly. It's very much a life or death situation. What's the harm in getting something checked? Better to know earlier than later.'

Cancer Council recommends applying sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors and again every two hours.
Frustrated Mail on Sunday readers have lashed out at 'insulting' and 'bonkers' regulations that mean people aged 65 and the over 70s can have a shingles vaccination, but those aged 66 to 69 are barred.

This newspaper last week highlighted the situation that has left some three million Britons without the latest protection against the painful virus.

The crucial Shingrix jab  which is given as two doses and has been proven to significantly reduce the chances of developing shingles  is offered to everyone when they turn 65 as well as those aged between 70 and 80. It will soon be offered to all over-80s, too.

But a worldwide shortage has led the Government to prioritise inoculating certain age groups  leaving 66 to 69-year-olds in the dark despite being just as much at risk.

Readers have written to us in their droves, telling how they've been denied the jab upon request  something many have branded 'blatant age discrimination'.

Frustrated Mail on Sunday readers have lashed out at 'insulting' and 'bonkers' regulations that mean people aged 65 and the over 70s can have a shingles vaccination, but those aged 66 to 69 are barred (stock image)

MPs are now taking notice  Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt has raised concerns with the Department of Health and Social Care about the situation, this newspaper understands. Ms Mordaunt says she plans to lobby the Government to allow everyone to get the vaccine from the age of 65.

We have also been contacted by people across the UK claiming that due to the strict NHS rules they have been forced to spend more than 400 to get the jab privately.

Older patients also complained that they were banned from getting the Shingrix vaccine as they had already received a now-outdated, ineffective jab in the past.

One 80-year-old told us how they have suffered four bouts of shingles since receiving the old vaccine ten years ago. Others explained they had been hit by the virus between the ages of 66 and 69 and were furious about being blocked from the latest jab.

The condition is linked to chicken-pox  the highly contagious infection that leads to itchy, spotty rashes, usually in children.

The virus that causes it  varicella-zoster  remains in the body for life, lying dormant in the spinal nerves, but as the immune system weakens with age it can reactivate, causing a blotchy, red rash of blisters that can end up being excruciatingly painful.

Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt has raised concerns with the Department of Health and Social Care about the situation. She plans to lobby the Government to allow everyone to get the vaccine from the age of 65

Andrea Darwin, 68, suffered an attack last year which she likened to 'someone attacking me with a red-hot knife every day for weeks'. It was her second bout of shingles in less than five years  however, thanks to the restrictions she will have to wait another two years before she can have the vaccine.

'If I got the jab then I might never have to go through that terrifying pain again,' she says. 'I was so happy when I saw the ad for the vaccine, but then I found out I couldn't get it. It's ludicrous.'

And Christine Farquhar, 66, was so worried about the risk of shingles she decided to pay 450 to get the vaccine privately after she was told she would have to wait until 2028 to have it on the NHS.

Like many readers, Christine likened the situation to the 'Waspi Women' scandal  the ladies born in the 1950s who had their state pension age increased from 60 to 65 in order to be equal to men but which left them out of pocket.

'Each jab cost 225,' she says. 'I have already lost out on five years of state pension and free travel due to changes in Government policy. I am extremely annoyed.'

More than 50,000 elderly Britons develop shingles every year, and nearly one in four will suffer from it at some point in their life.

The Government in September announced it would begin offering the new shingles vaccine Shingrix. The previous jab, called Zostavax, reduced the risk of shingles by 50 per cent before waning. Shingrix is 90 per cent effective and provides lasting protection. However, the jab is in high demand across the globe, meaning the NHS has put a limit on the number of patients who could get it  which experts have told us is the primary reason for the decision to bar 66 to 69-year-olds from having it.

There are also no plans to allow patients who have already received Zostavax to be re-jabbed with the superior Shingrix because of the low supplies.

We have also heard from a concerning number of patients who have underlying health conditions which make them more susceptible to shingles but have still been told they cannot get the jab.

The new guidelines state that anyone over the age of 50 with a weakened immune system should get the shingles vaccine.

But Russell Davison, 68, who has type 2 diabetes  which studies show raises the risk of shingles  has been told he will have to wait until he is 70 for the jab.

'I have been excluded,' he says. 'It seems odd to deny it to an age group who embrace and understand the value of vaccines.'

Carole Lawrence, 80, says she has suffered four bouts of shingles since getting the Zostavax jab at the age of 70. 'Every time it's in a different place, my waist, shoulder, arm, leg, but not so far on my face,' she adds. 'I feel really rotten for ages. My experience shows that the old vaccine wasn't very good.'

Experts claim that the NHS should consider offering the new vaccine to those who have already received Zostavax.

'Since the protection from Zostavax only last about ten years, it would be logical to re-jab people after this point,' says Prof Adam Finn, a vaccine expert at the University of Bristol and a Government vaccine adviser. 'I can see why people in their 80s would want this new vaccine.'

Both the UK Health Security Agency and Ms Mordaunt have been approached for comment.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'From September 2023, almost a million more people became eligible for the shingles vaccination, further improving the protection for those at highest risk from this potentially debilitating disease.

'The expansion of the programme includes all those turning 65 on or after 1 September 2023, as well as those aged 50 and over who are at increased risk of serious complications. Anyone unsure if they are part of this group should speak to their GP.

'We continue to encourage all those currently eligible to come forward for their vaccination when contacted by their GP.'

A UK Health Security Agency spokesperson said: 'The approach ensures the most rapid roll out to those who are now also eligible, aged 60  69, establishing the programme more promptly and providing greater overall population benefit than applying a gradual rollout from the oldest to youngest within those groups.

' It means that the routine programme is established for those aged 60 by 2028 rather than 2032.

'The approach has been used in the effective implementation of previous immunisation programmes, including the original shingles programme, and while it may mean that some individuals may have to wait until the date that they would have originally been eligible, many others will receive the vaccines sooner and will benefit for longer.'

The confusing rules at a glance

Anyone turning 65 will now be offered the new Shingrix jab  and will remain eligible for it until they are 80.

However, those who turned 65 before September 1, 2023, will have to wait until they are 70 for the vaccine.

And anyone aged between 70 and 80 who has not had the old Zostavax vaccine is also eligible to receive the Shingrix jab as part of a catch-up campaign.

The new shingles vaccine is available to people aged 50 or over who have a severely weakened immune system. This includes some people with blood cancer, HIV or AIDS, people who have recently had radiotherapy or chemotherapy and anyone who has recently had an organ transplant.

People aged 50 or over taking certain medicines that severely weaken the immune system can also get the shingles vaccine.
Nearly 140 million Americans go to the emergency department every year for reasons ranging from broken bones to run of-the-mill coughs.

Hospital emergency department visits have been rising steadily for decades, a trend that reflects an aging population with more urgent care needs and an ever-steepening decline in the number of Americans receiving preventative care to stave off disease.

While it is the place to go in the event of an emergency health issue, millions of people go for non-urgent issues, such as mild headaches or mild burns, which overcrowd waiting rooms, bog down overworked staff, and ultimately delay access to treatment for people in more urgent need.

And relying on emergency departments costs a lot of money, both for people and for medical institutions, which are required by law to stabilize a patient who walks in regardless of their ability to pay.

An analysis by the CDC, the 2021 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, found the top 10 reasons people visit emergency departments every year - with one condition soaring above the rest.

Below, DailyMail.com breaks down the most common reasons people seek care in emergency departments.

Nearly 140 million Americans go to the emergency department every year, and 40 million of those visits are for injuries or poisonings

Stomach and abdominal pain

Stomach pain is the most common reason for emergency department (ED) visits, accounting for more than 12.4million per year.

Its also the leading reason children 15 and under go to the ED, with 1.3million visits annually.

It was the top complaint for visits among men and women between the ages of 15 and 64, with 9.4 million annual visits, and accounted for the second most visits among men and women 65 and over, with 1.8 million visits per year.

Abdominal pain can be caused by benign conditions such as constipation or norovirus, but can be severe and require emergency attention in some instances.

Appendicitis (an infected appendix) or an obstructed bowel - which can be deadly - both require emergent surgery.

Chest pain

Chest pains can indicate a life-threatening emergency such as a heart attack, which is fatal approximately 10 percent of the time.

People complaining of chest pains make up an estimated 7.8million of the total number of visits, according to the company Be Happy Go Leafy.

It was the second most mentioned reason for males and females between 15 and 64 years old, with an estimated total of 6million visits to the ED.

The causes of chest pains can vary from panic attacks to heart attacks to a blood clot in the lungs.

Typically, if those chest pains are accompanied by dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, irregular heartbeats, and/or sweating, a trip to the hospital is a wise idea.

Shortness of breath

The third most common reason for visits to the hospital was shortness of breath, at an estimated 5.9million.

Heart and lung issues were the leading causes of shortness of breath. This included heart attacks, asthma, low blood pressure, pneumonia, and panic attacks.

The complaint ranked third for reasons men 15 to 64 years old went to the emergency department and the fourth most for women in that same age bracket - totaling more than 3.3million visits.

The symptom was not ranked among people in younger age groups.

Cough

With 4.6million people complaining of a cough, this ailment came in fourth amid top reasons for a hospital visit.

Flu and a cold are the most prevalent reasons for a bad cough, but it could also be linked to more severe issues, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which affects about 16million American adults.

A cough was responsible for 2.4million visits to the hospital by males and females under the age of 15.

It was the eighth most cited reason for males and females between the ages of 15 to 64, with an estimated 1.9million visits. It was not among top complaints, however, for adults 65 and up.

Fever

The fifth most prevalent medical problem was fever, which, if left untreated, can can cause organ failure and death.

A body temperature greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is considered a fever, though the risk of organs malfunctioning or the brain becoming damaged drastically increases when the fever exceeds 104 degrees.

It can be caused by a wide range of viral and bacterial infections, including the flu and tuberculosis.

Fevers were only a common reason for emergency visits in males and females under 15, accounting more than 3.4million visits.

While a fever can be treated with an anti-inflammatory drug such as Advil, it often accompanies other conditions that require more specialized care, such as a course of antibiotics or an antiviral medicine.

Headache

In sixth place was a headache, which accounted for 3.9million hospital trips per year.

Causes are myriad, from dehydration and stress to jaw and muscle problems and issues with the eyes.

It was the third most common reason for females between the ages of 15 and 64 and the seventh most for males in the same age range, with an estimated 2.9million visits annually.

Meanwhile, it ranked only eighth among women 65 and older with around 384,000 visits annually. There were not a highly cited reason among males and females under 15.

When headaches become severe, they can be considered migraines, which in addition to a throbbing, debilitating headache, can cause nausea, vomiting, sound and light sensitivity and vision problems.

Around 47million Americans have migraine disorder.

General pain

Pain at an unspecified site on the body accounted for the seventh highest reason for a trip to the emergency department, accounting for 3.4million visits annually.

This pain could be anywhere on the body, including the skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, or reproductive system.

For women 15 to 64, this was the seventh most common reason for visiting and the fourth most for men in that age range.

In total, 15- to 65-year-olds accounted for about 2.7million of the visits, while seniors over 65 accounted for about 246,000.

Back pain

Back pain was the eighth most common reason for visiting the ED, with an estimated 3million visits annually.

Back pain is an umbrella term that encompasses muscle aches, shooting or stabbing pain, or a burning sensation.

For males and females between the ages of 15 and 64, back symptoms were the sixth most common reason, with an estimated 2.2million visits annually.

For females aged 65 and over, back symptoms placed fifth and for males aged 65 and over, it placed sixth most.

Vomiting

Vomiting was responsible for the ninth highest trips to the hospital with 2.8million visits annually.

Causes can include pregnancy, food poisoning, a gastrointestinal infection, a reaction to medication or overeating.

It was only a top cited complaint - fourth place - for people under 15 years old, making up more than 1.2 million visits.

Mental health crises

In 10th place, mental health issues accounted for 2.5million hospital visits per year.

They could include suicidality, hallucinations, restlessness, delusions, panic attacks, and persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.

Symptoms and problems relating to psychological and mental disorders were only prevalent among males between the ages of 15 and 64 years old, with an estimated total of 993,000 visits, the fifth most common reason in this age range.

Visits to the emergency room for a mental health issue are becoming more and more common, especially among children, teens, and young adults.

A shortage of mental health treatment options for children means many in crisis have to wait weeks or months for a longer term mental health care.

Other sources have placed the number of emergency department visits due to mental health issues much higher, suggesting the CDCs estimate could be an undercount.

A 2023 report in JAMA reported that pediatric mental health visits rose from 4.8million in 2011 to 7.5million in 2020, accounting for an eight percent yearly increase.
Whats the story?

The company was founded by Barney and Tasha Green in Devon in 2010  while the two were travelling through Asia theyd come across rope made from plastic bottles being used to tether fishing boats. Strong and waterproof, the rope inspired them to explore ways to repurpose some of the 35 billion plastic bottles discarded every year.

Why should I buy?

Loom-woven by hand, the rugs are stain-resistant and machine-washable, with the feel and texture of wool. Since launching, Weaver Green has recycled roughly 200 million plastic bottles, 40 per cent of them recovered from waterways destined for the ocean.

Why shouldnt I buy?

The rugs can still shed microfibres when washed. However, Weaver Green constructs its yarn from long fibres, which are less prone to this. They are also woven in India and need to be imported to the UK.

The extra mile

The company is committed to ensuring that everyone in its supply chain is treated fairly and paid accordingly. Its weavers in India are independently inspected to ensure safe working conditions for employees.

Made in

India.

Made from

100 per cent recycled plastic bottles and non-toxic dye.

Journey

By sea to the UK, then distributed by road.

Our rating



Last week's Green Guide: Calathea in a ceramic pot, 25, marksandspencer.com

Whats the story?

Why send blooms that wilt within days when you can offer the green gift  perhaps for Mothers Day  that keeps giving (for years)?

Why should I buy?

Calatheas are grown for M&S at a family nursery in Hampshire, where all aspects of cultivation are environmentally driven. Heat is sourced from a biomass boiler; rainwater is collected to use at every stage, and peat is strictly avoided.

Peatlands absorb and store large amounts of carbon dioxide, which is incredibly useful in tackling climate change. The government aimed to ban the use of peat in compost by 2024  although that has been extended until 2030.

Why shouldnt I buy?

You might source a peat-free calathea from a nursery more local to you than Hampshire.

The extra mile

Plastic-free, protective packaging, no broken leaves or spilled soil The plant is ready to display.

Made from

Calathea seed, rainwater and lots of sunlight!

Grown in

The New Forest

Journey

By road

Our rating



THE GREEN GUIDE: Compostable dog-poo bags, 6, weearewestley.com

Whats the story?

When Erica Fleishman adopted her rescue dog Daphne, she found that buying canine products meant choosing between price, functionality, aesthetics or sustainability. She launched Westley in 2022 to offer stylish, ethical dog products.

Why should I buy?

Most clean-up bags are plastic, which takes many years to break down. Westleys, made from corn starch, will biodegrade within three to six months.

Creating them uses 65 per cent less energy and generates 68 per cent fewer greenhouse gases than traditional plastic created from petroleum.

Why shouldnt I buy?

They are made almost 6,000 miles away in Yiwu, China, so there is the carbon footprint of the journey to consider.

The extra mile

Westley donates one per cent of every sale, along with samples and any imperfect stock, to animal rescue centres.

Made in

China.

Made from

Corn starch and compostable polymers with a recycled paper core.

Journey

By rail  yes really. All the way from China.

Our rating


Youre not nominated for an Oscar every day, and Poor Things costume designer Holly Waddington celebrated in style  with a rousing mug of Lemsip. I was at home in London looking after my poorly family when I found out the news, she says when we speak, two days after the nominations have been announced. But Ill celebrate properly soon.

Waddington, 46, is nominated in the category of Best Achievement in Costume Design at tonights Academy Awards  one of 11 nominations received by Poor Things. The funny, filthy, fantastical and fashion-packed film was adapted from the 1992 novel by Alasdair Gray and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, previously best known for directing Olivia Colman in The Favourite.

Emma Stones performance as Bella Baxter, the brain-transplanted child-woman created by scientist Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe), is being hailed as the best of her career. And, like Waddington, she has the Oscar nomination to prove it.

Just after we speak, both Waddington and Stone won Baftas for Poor Things; Waddington for Best Costume Design, Stone for Best Actress. Sumptuous and subversive, the costumes in Poor Things are a fashion-lovers dream, a visual feast that plucks references from myriad sources  think the surrealism of Schiaparelli and the Victoriana of Viktor & Rolf.

Holly winning the Bafta Award for Best Costume Design last month

The period is kept deliberately vague. Yorgos didnt want it to look too sci-fi, says Waddington, but he didnt want it to be an obvious period drama, either. There was an in-between tone that he wanted me to find.

Accordingly, theres an ambivalence in Bellas clothes, each costume carefully chosen to echo her progression from toddlerhood to womanhood. She spends most of the film in a state of half-undress, as toddlers do.

Waddingtons own children were two and five when the film was made, giving her plenty of inspiration. I had two rambunctious boys who were always a mess  underpants on heads or naked from the waist down, she remembers.

Its no spoiler to say that theres a lot of sex in Poor Things. Unfettered by shame because she has the brain of a child, Bella explores her sexuality with the enthusiasm of a horny teenager. Tempting as it was, Waddington avoided putting her in corsets.

The corset forces the body into a shape that isnt natural, she explains. That felt wrong for Bella  too restrictive.

For Waddington, working with Stone was its own prize. Shes up for it all! she says.

Shes playful in fittings, very trusting and not at all vain  she barely looks in the mirror. I found her amazing in that respect. We would have conversations close to the wire, often on the morning of filming, and make decisions in the moment.

Should she wear the full outfit or just the skirt, long knickers or short knickers?

Waddington seems easygoing, too. Born in Burnley, Lancashire, she began her career at the costumier Angelsin London, where she specialised in ladies period dress.

She later freelanced then worked on the TV series The Great, launched in 2020, alongside writer and producer Tony McNamara. The two kept in touch and McNamara, who wrote the screenplay for Poor Things, introduced her to Lanthimos, which Im forever grateful for  Yorgos is very encouraging and open to ideas. Nothing is off limits.

Emma Stone wearing one of Hollys sumptuously subversive creations in Poor Things. Director Lanthimos wanted the designer to strike a balance between sci-fi and period drama

There are so many ornate costumes in Poor Things that viewers would be forgiven for assuming they were either sourced from designers or vintage stores. Not so.

I created everything myself, says Waddington. I had a substantial team of skilled cutters, costume makers and [fabric] dyers, but the only costumes we didnt make were those of the background artists.

The time frame was pretty tight, too, with only ten weeks from finishing the sketches to having everything made. It wasnt enough, she says now. It was a difficult job because of the travel restrictions [filming began in the summer of 2021, meaning wardrobe planning happened while Covid rules were still in force]  and all bar one of the actors lived in the US.

But I did have to see Emma Stone  her wardrobe was massive.

The producers arranged for me to go to Athens to meet her in a hotel. I took loads of suitcases, and we spent an afternoon getting dressed up and throwing ideas around. It was through those fittings that we were able to work out details such as the big sleeves and the little knickers.

The big question: what does an Oscar-nominated costume designer wear to the Oscars?

I dont know! After Ive finished talking to you, thats the first thing Ive got to work out, she says. Will she make her own creation? Probably. I feel like I have to. If I dont make my own, Ill wear something really mad that a young designer has created  something British and unusual. And Ive found a Simone Rocha dress with sleeves full of hay. I love unusual clothes, not those spray-on gowns. Id look awful in one.

But the pressure is on.

It certainly is, not least because tonight Waddington is up against her former mentors. Some of my old bosses are in the lineup [of nominees]  Jacqueline Durran, who did Barbie, and Janty Yates and Dave Crossman, who did Napoleon. Ive got stiff competition.

Poor thing or lucky thing?

By tomorrow morning, all will be revealed.
My favourite drink as a child was Nesquik chocolate milk.

My mother was strict on sugar but shed sometimes let us have it as a treat. I still remember taking a bottle of it to school in my lunch bag and when I opened it, the chocolate milk had leaked everywhere. I was so upset.

I start 99 per cent of my mornings with a cup of tea.

I stay upstairs and wait impatiently at my writing desk for my lovely husband [Desmond, who Katie married in 1972] to bring it to me. I like no sugar and just a dash of milk.

If Im feeling especially virtuous Ill have water instead.

At our home in the Cotswolds, we have one of those fancy fridges with a water filter and cooler on the front, but to be honest its not even plumbed in. So I just have water from the tap, always with ice so its nice and cold.

The first time I met my husband we drank Monbazillac, a dessert wine.

My mother and I were staying with friends in France and he was there. It was two days after my 18th birthday, 53 years ago now! Desmond was in charge of pouring the drinks and he gave me smaller glasses because he obviously thought I was young and innocent. I remember being very annoyed by this. Looking back, I dont know why we were drinking it as an aperitif. But it was delicious and if I see it on a menu now I still want a glass.

Nesquik was Katie's first love

I dont drink alcohol very often. I stopped getting the relaxed feeling I had when I was younger and started to worry about my health.

That said, Ill never turn down a glass of Champagne. I have half a flute and fill the rest with fizzy water, and it makes a drink thats not too sugary. Im not fussed about mocktails or the like  theyre too sweet and I know I wont enjoy them. I wont bother drinking if its Prosecco, but Ill take any marque of Champagne. Thats where my pickiness ends.

I can be tempted by a rum punch in Dominica, where Ive been spending time researching my new book.

Theres a bar there that makes one with the strongest passionfruit juice, rum and lots of ice. Its absolutely delicious. I also like a sip of Kubuli, the local beer. Kubuli is taken from the indigenous name for Dominica, Waitukubuli. It means Tall is her body because of the countrys shape and mountains.

Katie couldnt resist rum punch and Kubuli in Dominica

Our family cabin in Perth is where I have the happiest memories of drinking.

We used to take a bottle of red wine to the foreshore, sit by the fire and look out over the loch as the evening closed in. It was always a special time, but what was slightly worrying is the fact the bottle used to go down so quickly. Id think, How is this happening? Its only me and Desmond!

The worst drink Ive ever tasted is a gut-health smoothie concoction.

It was terribly healthy with loads of vinegar in it. You know the people who say, Honestly its fine, its so good for you, just drink it! You always know its not going to be fine and youll never drink it again. If I drink kombucha, its courtesy of my sons wife. Shes Russian [where kombucha took off after originating in China], so I know itll taste OK.

If I could share a drink with anyone, Id pick Robert Burns.

I think having a whisky with him would be very special. Id ask him where all his ideas came from when he didnt really have the sort of background youd imagine would spill out poetry. And I used to be very fond of whisky. Burns and whisky sounds like my perfect combination. Island in the Sun by

Katie Fforde is published by Century, 16.99. Tao order a copy for 14.44 until 24 march, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937. Free UK delivery on orders over 25.
KARNIKA KISNADWALA, 29, who created online boutique Kaanjj with her mum Sonal, 63, reveals what makes their partnership work

How did Kaanjj start? We launched the business from our West London home in August 2021. Lockdown meant that during Diwali  when youre supposed to wear new clothes  I couldnt go to India as usual to shop (its not easy to get non-bridal South Asian fashions in the UK).

Mum collects handloomed [a type of material] clothes and kept buying stock from struggling artisans. We decided to start selling it to people who also couldnt get to South Asia.

Challenges? We have very different tastes. I like experimental styles and Mum likes traditional hand-embroidered pieces. Theres always debate over what brands to stock. It works because we both travel so much that were at home together for only a few months.

Kanika and her mum Sonal

Any advice? Designate your tasks. Mum deals with the supplier logistics and shipping from India while I deal with the UK accounting and social media.

How will you celebrate Mothers Day? We will be reunited after Mum has been in India for a month. Im thinking of booking a pottery class  last year we did a chocolate-making one  and we might have Sunday brunch at one of our favourite Indian restaurants, Bombay Brasserie.

Kaftan, 154, Saaksha & Kinni; Jumpsuit, 144, Saaksha & Kinni both kaanjj.com.

FRANCES PRESCOTT, 61, on why launching candle brand Maeva Rae with her daughter Scarlet, 25, has proved a feisty affair

How did we start? I used to own a beauty brand and Scarlet would help out in the factory. She became friends with our cosmetic scientist and brushed up on fragrances, so when I left we decided to create Maeva Rae, our sustainable, clean-burning soy candles with mood-boosting ingredients. We tested more than 18 scents over six months before we settled on our first candle.

Challenges? Its easy to bicker. Scarlet can be feisty and its hard for me to step back. But I used to be a nurse, so I know how to deal with fiery characters! When we were picking scents I had to follow her lead and admit that she knew more than me.

Any advice? Do things together that arent related to business. Make time for dinner, a walk or have a chat thats not about work  its just about being mum and daughter.

How will you celebrate Mothers Day? Scarlet, her partner Harrison and their one-year-old, Rudi, live with me in Whitstable. Well take an early-morning walk followed by a cuppa and, if the weathers nice, perhaps an al fresco lunch.

ALEXIA KARIDES, 34, explains how she and her mum Stalo, in her mid 60s, have made a success of their gold-plated bronze jewellery brand Ysso despite living in separate time zones.

How did it start? Mum was an archeologist but took jewellery-making workshops for fun. In 2015 I quit my job as a corporate lawyer in London because I wanted to do something more creative, and we founded Ysso. Each piece is carved by hand in Mums Athens home  we converted my dads old study into a studio  and is reproduced by an artisan workshop.

We funded the business ourselves so it was scary, but ten years on were hosting pop-ups across London.

Challenges? Working more than 1,000 miles apart  Im based in London, Mums in Athens  is tricky, and teaching her to use Zoom hasnt been easy. Then theres the lack of boundaries between home and work. When Im visiting Ill be having my morning coffee and Mum will say: Alexia, have you done this yet?

Any advice? As soon as you can afford to, get an office  physical separation from work is key to balancing it with free time.

How will you celebrate Mothers Day? In Greece it is on 12 May and Ill fly out for it. Well design in the morning then go to our favourite bar for a drink  Mum will have a spritz and Ill have wine!

Interviews: Scarlett Dargan
Poor old Jeremy Hunt. As if it were not bad enough to be called a fiscal drag queen on Radio 4, experts were quick to take potshots at his Great British Isa.

Critics claim it will benefit only the better-off and that it adds to the complexity of the once-simple Isa system.

But these potential disadvantages are outweighed by the fact that it will encourage private investors  and maybe even big City fund managers  to take a fresh and less jaundiced look at UK plc.

Contrary to the prevailing narrative that the UK market is washed up, there are plenty of shares to put into a Great British Isa.

Undervalued: Contrary to the prevailing narrative that the UK market is washed up, there are plenty of shares to put into a Great British Isa

I was struck last week by the contrasting fortunes of telecoms testing group Spirent and Geordie pie-maker Greggs.

In keeping with the view British firms are at rock bottom, an undervalued Spirent succumbed to a bid from a US rival.

At the same time, Greggs, a quintessentially British business which has made billions from the simple proposition that people like pies, notched up 27 per cent growth in profit. Its shares have gone up by nearly 60 per cent in five years, or around 4,700 per cent since 1993.

Okay, we can make pies, but the UK is useless at tech, according to our detractors.

But another company from Tyneside, software group Sage, is up 64 per cent in the past 12 months. Cybersecurity group Darktrace, which has suffered by association with Mike Lynch, the tycoon currently facing fraud charges in the US, is being re-evaluated and has seen its shares go up by 45 per cent in the past year.

Defence champion BAE Systems for many years traded at a discount to its US rivals.

It is closing that valuation gap, not only because of war in Ukraine but due to improved performance, lower debt and a shrinking pension fund deficit.

Then there is Melrose, which traditionally made its money by buying unloved industrial assets, improving them and selling at a profit.

More recently, it has reinvented itself as a pure-play aerospace business: last week it announced it had doubled earnings and is expecting higher profits than previously thought for 2024. Shares are up 71 per cent in the past year.

On the fashion front, Next has been consistently solid. After a torrid period, M&S is up 50 per cent in the past year and back in the FTSE 100 elite index.

The denim and the Jaeger coats are so good they are threatening my solvency. None of these are intended to be share tips, merely to illustrate the point there are plenty of attractive companies listed in the UK that can be bought at decent prices.

And one point often overlooked when comparing the UK with the US is that much more of the return on British shares comes from dividends.

As for Isas only helping the well off, my own investing career began when I was a skint young journalist. I resisted the temptation to sell free shares in a couple of former building societies and put them in a Pep, the forerunner of today's Isa, instead.

Gradually, dividends came, which I invested in other shares to diversify, and I put in extra money when I could. Over the years, it has gradually grown to a respectable sum.

Along with the public offer for NatWest  some free shares for taxpayers who bailed out the bank would be nice  the Great British Isa could inspire a new generation of investors.
Scrapping the 'pernicious' tax on buying shares would help revive Britain's flailing stock market, according to leading figures in the City.

Investors currently pay 0.5 per cent in stamp duty on the price of London-listed shares they buy  or 5 for every 1,000 invested in a UK company.

The tax is set to raise 3.2billion this year and 23.7billion between now and 2028-29, analysis of Budget documents shows.

With many other countries either imposing a much lower levy or no charge on share purchases, critics argue the London stock market is at a disadvantage.

The Chancellor refused to cut stamp duty on share purchases last week  a move dubbed a 'missed opportunity' by the boss of trading platform Interactive Investor.

'Pernicious' tax: Investors currently pay 0.5 per cent in stamp duty on the price of London-listed shares they buy  or 5 for every 1,000 invested in a UK company

But both the main political parties are under pressure to include a pledge to scrap the tax in election manifestos.

Miles Celic, chief executive of The City UK lobby group, said: 'Stamp duty on shares has hampered the UK's competitiveness and placed us behind other global financial markets.

'Its removal will lift an investment barrier, encouraging more institutional and retail investment in UK equities, delivering greater incentives and returns for savers and pensioners, and revive our capital markets.

'We need to unleash more opportunities and drive investment and we urge all political parties to consider this policy to stimulate growth.'

Research by consultancy Oxera, commissioned by the Centre for Policy Studies, found scrapping the levy could increase the overall tax take by around 600m due to its positive impact on growth.

The debate comes amid fears about the health of the stock market as foreign predators circle poorly valued London-listed firms on the hunt for bargains. There are also concerns about companies listing their shares abroad.

In an effort to boost share ownership and investment in British companies, Jeremy Hunt used his Budget to launch a British Isa and confirm NatWest stock still owned by the government will be offered to the public this summer.

But experts say more needs to be done. Charles Hall, an analyst at Peel Hunt, described stamp duty on shares as 'a pernicious tax which 'should be removed as part of a series of reforms to help the recovery in UK capital markets.'

Richard Wilson, of Interactive Investor, said the Budget was a 'missed opportunity' to bring a 'win-win for both investors and the economy'.
TfL are fining drivers despite not knowing if their older cars are Ulez-compliant

London's motorists are facing a secret 'Ulez lottery' as MailOnline can reveal the actual emissions released by older cars can have no bearing on if they are hit with a fine.

Sadiq Khan's Transport for London has been telling London motorists their cars do not meet emissions standards, so they will have to pay the 12.50 daily charge, despite not having any emissions data for a vast number of models.

TfL are charging as many as hundreds of thousands of drivers the fee, potentially forcing them to scrap their vehicle, without actually knowing if their cars are non-compliant with emissions standards - despite it being possible to find out.

Retired father Alex Fernandes, 74 from Wimbledon, was forced to take his 'pride and joy' 2002 Porsche Boxster off the road after the Mayor expanded the Ulez to every London borough in August last year as TfL's checker said his car was non-compliant.

But he later later discovered it did meet emissions standards after reading that MailOnline reporter Darren Boyle was fighting against multiple fines - which he later won - issued for driving his Ulez-compliant and virtually identical 2002 Porsche Boxster through the capital.

Sadiq Khan's Transport for London has been telling London motorists their cars do not meet emissions standards, so they will have to pay the 12.50 daily charge, despite not having any emissions data for a vast number of models

London's motorists are facing a secret 'Ulez lottery' as MailOnline can reveal the actual emissions released by older cars can have no bearing on if they are hit with a fine

All petrol and diesels cars registered in the UK from January 1, 2006 and September 1 2015 onwards, respectively, will automatically be compliant with Ulez rules because it was illegal to build cars which were not after those dates.

While cars built before these dates may be compliant, the DVLA has confirmed to MailOnline that did not routinely log the relevant information on V5C forms before 2018.

Ulez computer systems will automatically charge - and then subsequently fine if not paid - drivers of any vehicles that are not on the list of compliant vehicles when they drive in the zone.

TfL mostly uses data from the DVLA to check if a car is compliant and if it is known to be it is added to TfL's register.

But if emissions data does not exist on the DVLA database - such as for older cars - then a model will only be added to the 'compliant' list if TfL can source the information from the Vehicle Certification Agency.

TfL has failed to give a figure on how many and which models it was unable to get emissions data for from the VCA and car makers, despite multiple requests by MailOnline.

All of these vehicles will be assumed to be non-compliant with Ulez rules regardless of whether or not they actually are, and drivers will have to pay 12.50 a day to drive through London or may feel forced to sell their cars.

TfL told MailOnline: 'Our vehicle checker includes a substantial range of pre-2005 and pre-2015 vehicles through VCA data, in addition to DVLA records.

'We encourage drivers who believe their vehicle is compliant to supply us with information to enable us to confirm compliance on an individual vehicle basis.'

If drivers believe their car is erroneously marked as non-compliant then they can inform TfL and provide evidence with a certificate of conformity from the manufacturer, which will have the emissions numbers.

Ulez rules state that to be compliant, cars (petrol or diesel) have to release less than 0.08g of NOx - harmful pollutants - per kilometre. This information has been recorded by many manufacturers on a Certificates of Conformity since the late 1990s.

A TfL ULEZ camera in Harefield has been covered over by pictures of London Mayor Sadiq Khan with the words 'thief' and 'liar' written underneath the pictures

MailOnline reporter Darren Boyle (pictured in his car) successfully fought off Ulez fines after TfL incorrectly told him that his 2002 Porsche Boxster was non-compliant, even though it was

Motoring campaigner and founder of FairFuelUK, Howard Cox (pictured) told MailOnline hit out against the 'guilty before proven innocent' and 'cash-grabbing ULEZ lottery' system

And even if a motorist proves that a virtually identical car is compliant, such as in Mr Fernandes' and Darren Boyle's case, TfL says it will will not 'make a blanket assumption due to one compliant model variant' and only look at individual cars.

Motoring campaigner and founder of FairFuelUK, Howard Cox told MailOnline hit out against the 'guilty before proven innocent' and 'cash-grabbing ULEZ lottery' system.

The Reform candidate for London Mayor told MailOnline: 'Dishonestly taking money from compliant vehicle drivers because their emissions data is unavailable, is tantamount to saying you are guilty before proven innocent. Incompetent is best as to how I can describe TfL and Khan's ULEZ regime.

'They are both not fit for purpose and must be fully investigated by our national Government as to how this immoral and pure cash-grabbing ULEZ lottery is hurting low-income families and small businesses without any legal or environmental justification.

'This situation stinks and is another in the catalogue of reasons why Londoners must rid themselves of Khan on May 2nd.'

This comes after MailOnline revealed TfL tried to fleece drivers out of a massive 23.1million through fines which wrongly said their cars were not Ulez-compliant.

TfL admitted that drivers of compliant cars with missing emissions data will be slapped with an 180 penalty charge notice (PCN) if they do not pay the 12.50-a-day Ulez charge.

But since the introduction of the Ulez in 2019, 128,577 fines - totalling more than 23.1million - have been cancelled after drivers managed to prove that their cars in fact did meet emissions standards.

Protestors demonstrate against Ulez in Leicester Square on January 27 this year

Tory London mayoral candidate Susan Hall (pictured) branded the Ulez expansion as 'nothing but a cash grab'

After hearing of MailOnline's findings, Tory London mayoral candidate Susan Hall said that Sadiq Khan is 'happy to unfairly charge compliant vehicles and put his fingers in his ears when they complain' and branded his Ulez expansion as 'nothing but a cash grab'.

Susan Hall has committed to scrapping the expansion, telling MailOnline: 'He [Khan] has ignored Londoners and even members of his own party when they told him this would hit the poorest hardest, while doing next to nothing to improve air quality. I will scrap the Ulez expansion on day one, no ifs no buts.'

A TfL spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Our online vehicle checker uses DVLA data and a range of published data from the Vehicle Certification Agency to allow drivers to find out if their vehicle meets emissions standards.

'The inclusion of VCA data means that, where possible, petrol vehicles built prior to the introduction of Euro 4 that do meet the required standard are automatically recognised as compliant.

'All petrol cars registered in the UK from 1 January 2006 and all diesel cars registered after 1 September 2015 are automatically ULEZ compliant.'

My Porsche is Ulez compliant but TfL forced me take it off the road for five months Alex Fernandes, 74, was forced to take his 2002 Porsche Boxster off the road for five months after TfL said it was not Ulez-compliant Retired father Alex Fernandes, 74 from Wimbledon, was forced to take his 'pride and joy' 2002 Porsche Boxster off the road after the Mayor expanded the Ulez to every London borough in August last year as TfL's checker said his car was non-compliant, although he later discovered it was. Mr Fernandes was left 'miserable' for five months as he was unable to drive to see his daughter or go to the doctors, without paying an unaffordable 12.50 a day. But he was 'on cloud nine' after reading that MailOnline reporter Darren Boyle was fighting against multiple fines - which he later won - issued for driving his Ulez-compliant and virtually identical 2002 Porsche Boxster through the capital. But even after giving TfL the information that proved his car met emissions standards, Mr Fernandes was still sent a fine for driving his car through south west London on February 15. The motorist was then slapped with yet another fine for driving through London for driving through London on February 24, which he received in the post earlier this week. Mr Fernandes was first issued a Ulez fine for driving his Porsche in 2019 after he went to visit his daughter in Wandsworth to pick up medication, but TfL agreed to cancel it. When TfL's online checker said his car was non-compliant (even though it is) when the zone expanded last August he almost sold his Porsche. 'I actually advertised it,' he said. 'But I thought to myself "no", as it was breaking my heart to sell it.' Even after giving TfL the information that proved his car met emissions standards, Mr Fernandes was still sent a fine for driving his car through south west London on February 15 His car was off the road for about five months until he read how MailOnline's Darren Boyle proved that his nearly identical Porsche Boxster was Ulez compliant. Despite Mr Fernandes' and Darren Boyle's Boxsters being virtually identical, the information which proved the reporter's car was compliant was not applied to other cars and did not prompt TfL to look for blank spots in their compliance data. TfL says it will only look at individual cars and will not 'make a blanket assumption due to one compliant model variant'. Mr Fernandes added: 'My car was off the road for 5 months. I don't use the car that often but I do use it to go and see my daughter and to see my wife for a little drive, or to see the doctor. 'It made my life impossible without it. 'I think it's very unfair. If I hadn't seen Darren's article I would have had to sell the car or pay 12.50 every time I went out.' A TfL spokesperson apologised for 'any inconvenience Mr Fernandes has experienced'. Advertisement
TOKYO, Mar 11 (News On Japan) - There are approximately 3,700 female inmates in Japan, facing rapid aging and a continuous cycle of recidivism. What do these "women behind bars" have to say about their experiences?

Cameras were allowed inside a women's prison to capture the daily lives of these inmates. The prison, surrounded by a residential area illuminated with Christmas lights, houses around 200 inmates. The majority of crimes committed by these inmates are theft and drug-related, accounting for nearly 80%, while about 10% are serving sentences for murder.

The aging population within the prison is a significant concern, with the oldest inmate being 94 years old. Some inmates, like number 334 and 180, express remorse and regret for their actions. One inmate shared her struggle with shoplifting, highlighting the difficulty in resisting temptation despite her best intentions.

Inmates and prison guards have become familiar faces to each other, with many inmates returning to prison multiple times. The prison environment provides for their basic needs, making it a comfortable place for some.

The prison's structure is designed to prevent escapes and ensure safety, with shared facilities like toilets and washbasins. Inmates' movements are monitored, and personal items like nail clippers are controlled to prevent self-harm.

Male prison guards wear wearable cameras to avoid unnecessary conflicts with female inmates. Inmates earn an average of 3,000 yen per month through prison labor, but their access to personal items like makeup is restricted.

Inmates look forward to the rare occasions when they can enjoy beauty treatments, as it allows them to feel a sense of normalcy and femininity. The prison's strict rules extend to haircuts, ensuring that inmates' appearances do not change significantly.

The prison also houses inmates serving life sentences without parole, often referred to as "endless prisoners." These inmates live with the heavy burden of their crimes and the knowledge that they may never leave the prison.

Source: TBS
Locals have slammed developers for failing to transform the 'eye-sore'

The abandoned street is down the road from Liverpool's fancy Royal Albert Dock

A derelict street in Liverpool has been left to rot with abandoned homes and piles of fly-tipped rubbish - while millionaires live less than two miles down the road.

The Victorian houses on Ducie Street in Toxteth have long fallen into disrepair.

Many have damaged or missing roofs and boarded-up windows while those on the other side of the road have been completely demolished, leaving an area of wasteland where piles of rubbish, furniture and fridges have been dumped.

The rows of dilapidated houses are just a stone's throw away from the Royal Albert Docks development - which includes a modern shopping centre and flash tower blocks.

Houses there regularly sell for around 1million and are a far cry from the crumbling homes on Ducie street.

A derelict street in Liverpool has been left to rot with abandoned homes and piles of fly-tipped rubbish

Lawns are filled with abandoned mattresses and broken televisions while millionaires live less than two miles down the road

Ducie Street is just a stone's throw away from Liverpool's wealthiest area - Royal Albert Dock - where houses sell for around 1million

Dulcie Street is a far cry from Liverpool's Royal Albert Dock where homes can fetch up to 1million

Locals are appalled by the state of the area and have been fighting with the council to take ownership

The run-down area was leased by the council to private developers for nothing in 2017 and planning permission was granted for 80 apartments.

But locals are furious as developers, West Tree Estates, haven't even started work to transform the area.

Eugene Edwards, 52, who lives opposite Ducie Street, told MailOnline the seemingly forgotten street has become an 'eyesore' and a 'disaster'.

'It's been in the same state for years,' he said.

'The way things are going it will all just fall down or have to be torn down because it's dangerous.

'They need to get on with it but I guess it's all about money.

'It's sad really because it's one of the Four Streets and it should remain part of the community.'

The street was once part of the Granby Four, an area comprising four streets at the tip of a triangle near the Grade II listed Princes Park.

But while community campaigns lead to the regeneration of three of the Granby Four streets, Dulcie Street was left to become a wasteland.

Ishmaeil Farah, 19, who's has lived in the area with his family all his life thinks it's a shame Dulcie Street has been left to rot

Ducie street is the last of four streets in Toxteth, Liverpool to be regenerated but developers have failed to start work on building 80 apartments

The once-grand Victorian houses on Ducie Street in Toxteth, Liverpool have fallen into disrepair

While planning permission for luxury flats was approved by the council, its three-year time limit has lapsed - meaning the area has once again been forgotten.

Ishmaeil Farah, 19, who has lived in the area with his family since he was born, said: 'Granby used to be run-down but it's so much better now.

'It's just a shame they have left one street to neglect.

'I think the council should be doing more and putting more pressure on the developers to do something.'

Ahmed Alhakimi, 60, also says the street has become a blight on the area.

'Granby has become a nice area,' he said.

'But Ducie Street has just been neglected.

'People come from all over the place to dump rubbish there - it's terrible.

'It could be so much nicer if the houses could be refurbished.

'And it would also help solve the housing shortage.'

Ahmed Alhakimi, 60, also says the street has become a blight on the area

Locals say the area has become a magnet for fly-tippers and are worried about the safety of the building

The area is full of rubbish and the houses are becoming increasingly dangerous with bits flying off during the storms at the start of 2024

A local butcher thinks the homes should be refurbished rather than left to rot

A local campaigner says the fly-tipping is out of control

Father-of-two Mahbub Hussain wants Ducie Street to be turned in family homes

Father-of-two Mahbub Hussain, 50, who lives on the adjacent Jermyn Street, said: 'It would be better if they could turn Ducie Street into family homes.

'I think that would help retain the sense of community and history of the area.'

Ali Abdullah, 45, who owns the nearby Granby Halal Butcher and store, said the 'run-down' street didn't fit it with sense of renewal in the area which has led to new businesses like his moving in.

'The homes should be refurbished rather than the street being left in the way it is,' he said.

'People are proud of the area now and don't want to live somewhere that looks run-down.'

Several local groups have been fighting to rejuvenate the area including the Granby Somali Women's Group, who claim West Tree Estates obtained the land in a 'corrupt' process.

Dr Amima Ali, of the group, said: 'The site has now become a fly tipping zone for all, the buildings are not structurally safe and when we had storms in January, parts of the building were falling down into the street.

'With a housing crisis, these empty houses mock the community and are a eye sore for the whole area, which has been regenerated and gentrified.

'Those from outside the area, look at Ducie street and believe this is the Toxteth from the 1980's, due to these derelict houses.

Ali Abdullah, 45, who owns the nearby Granby Halal Butcher is frustrated by the lack of action to tackle the eyesore

The local council are reviewing legal options to tackle the constant fly-tipping

The council originally leased the land to developers for nothing in 2017 but nothing has been done to the site since

Eugene Edwards, 52, who lives opposite Ducie Street, says the seemingly forgotten street has become an 'eyesore' and a 'disaster'

The Granby Four Streets Community Land Trust (CLT), which helped regenerate other streets in the area, tried to take over Ducie Street when the council previously put it out to tender but were unsuccessful.

She added the fly tipping had got 'out of control'.

Not much is known about West Tree Estates; the company has no online presence or listed contact number while it's directors Michelle Gardner-Guy and Kenneth Guy are equally difficult to track down.

It's not known if they plan to renew their planning application for Ducie Street with previous planning permission having expired.

A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: 'We are aware of the fly tipping issues affecting Ducie Street and are currently reviewing legal options to assist with its removal, and preventing it happening again.

'We are exploring all options to secure control over the site and deliver an appropriate residential scheme.

'This will include consultation with local residents, the ward Councillor and the Cabinet Member for Housing.'
A 12-year-old Adelaide girl battling the world's most painful disease has spent almost six months raising money to fund her own treatment.

Jazmin Farr was just eight years old when a foot injury from playing on a trampoline triggered Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, also known as CRPS.

CRPS is a neurological disorder that is rated the most painful condition on the McGill Pain Index, placing higher than unmedicated childbirth.

Jazmin described the pain like her 'whole body is on fire' with even seemingly small tasks, like moving a blanket, causing extreme pain.

She regularly suffers painful swelling, bruising, discolouration, fatigue, insomnia and is prone to dramatic temperature changes.

Jazmin Farr (pictured), 12, from Adelaide suffers from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, the world's most painful disease

Jazmin (pictured) described the pain from CRPS as like her 'whole body is on fire', accompanied by painful swelling, bruising, discolouration, fatigue and insomnia

Her mother, Mandy Farr, told Daily Mail Australia a second injury has seen Jazmin's condition drastically worsen.

'Jazmin's CRPS spread rapidly last year after another injury, setting off full-body CRPS for her now,' she said.

'Begging for this horrific pain to stop has been a regular line from Jazmin. There have been countless days where she physically and mentally cannot tolerate it anymore.

'It's clear to see how this horrendous disease gets its nickname, the "suicide disease".'

About 5,000 Australians suffer from CRPS but there are limited treatment options available and no known cure.

Only one facility in the world, the Spero Clinic in America, has successfully managed to treat the cause of CRPS through non-invasive therapy, rather than opting for pain management.

It's approach has been very successful with a high number of patients entering remission.

Ms Farr believes the Spero Clinic could be 'the only hope' for Jazmin.

'Day-to-day life with CRPS is extremely unpredictable. Even on a good day pain is always present. Pain levels change, literally from minute to minute,' she said.

'The Spero Clinic uses cutting edge equipment and techniques to address neurological conditions, like CRPS.

'Unfortunately in Australia we have very little treatment available due to the lack of knowledge and recognition of CRPS.

'Treatment options such as ketamine infusions, spinal blocks and stimulants are not exactly ideal therapies for anyone, let alone a 12-year-old child.'

CRPS is a neurological disorder that is rated the most painful condition on the McGill Pain Index (pictured), placing higher than unmedicated childbirth

Jazmin's family are working to raise $200,000 for the 12-year-old to visit a specialty clinic in America, the Spero Clinic

However, the high cost of temporarily moving to the USA for therapy, as well as attending the clinic, have prevented Jazmin from seeking the life-changing treatment.

'We have been fundraising for five-and-a-half months. It has been a lot of late nights and hard work to get to where we are at,' Ms Farr said.

'Our GoFundMe target is $200,000 and we're currently at $136,400.

'The funds will cover treatment, travel, accommodation, living away expenses and all medical costs that will be needed.'

Ms Farr said the generosity her family has received has 'certainly knocked us off our feet, in the best way possible' but their biggest comfort has been each other.

'These past four years have definitely been the hardest thing we have ever had to go through. It has been filled with great heartache and pain,' she said.

'As a parent to sit and watch your child suffer day after day is something that no parent should ever have to endure.

'Our bond as a family has only strengthened, enabling us all to be able to get through this.'

As soon as the family is able to raise $200,000 they will take the next available spot at Spero Clinic and, hopefully, give Jazmin the childhood she deserves.

Jazmin (pictured) began suffering CRPS four years ago after suffering a foot injury while playing on a trampoline

Jazmin's mother, Mandy Farr, said the disease has had a devastating effect on her family, saying 'to sit and watch your child suffer day after day is something that no parent should ever have to endure'

'We have done numerous fundraisers and events to gain donations. We have been humbled and blown away by the kindness and support we have received from people,' Ms Farr said.

'People's generosity, support and words of encouragement throughout this difficult time have all played a positive and powerful role.

'Knowing that we are no longer alone on this isolating pathway means the world to not only Jazzy, but all of us as a family.'
Doomsday preppers have shared the most important materials for people to stockpile in the event of World War Three.

While they have been dismissed by many as needless hoarders by some, doomsday preppers insist that doing so is essential should a nuclear conflict erupt.

Lincoln Miles, hit back at critics, stating: 'There are some people in full hazmat suits talking about nuclear war and stuff, but there's so many different levels to prepping; [people] have become worried about natural disasters'.

Mr Miles claimed prepping for the end of the world makes 'a hell of a lot of sense'.

His store, in Wadebridge, Cornwall, sells a kit containing a month's worth of freeze-dried meals for 478.71.

While they have been dismissed by many as needless hoarders who are unnecessarily panicking, doomsday preppers insist that doing so is essential should another global conflict occur

One such prepper, Lincoln Miles, hit back at critics, stating: 'There are some people in full hazmat suits talking about nuclear war and stuff, but there's so many different levels to prepping; [people] have become worried about natural disasters'

Miles claims his shop was the first prepping store in Europe and is now the continent's 'leading survival store'.

He told the Guardian: 'Covid was the big boost for our business; I think people realised [that] if something happens again we are on our owns.

'The big thing was queues in the supermarkets and food supplies running out. It became real for a lot of people and served as a bit of a wake-up call.'

A similar business, UKPreppingShop, sells a one-person nuclear survival kit  complete with a gas mask  for 564.95.

Another doosmday-centric venture, Sgt Preppers, was set up during the pandemic in the Pennines and offers guides to living 'off grid' along with 95 hazmat suits that are available in both children's and adult sizes.

The Bug Out, a store in Wales, offers a 152 'survival barrel' in which supplies can be hidden in one place, in case of an unexpected emergency.

Another prepper, former soldier Tom Blakey, was keen to emphasise the importance of thinking ahead.

Speaking to Metro, he said: 'Whatever the threat is  whether it's the weather, other human beings, a natural disaster  the first step is getting away from it and having a plan B.

'What if your car breaks down? What if the bridge you wanted to cross has collapsed? What if you don't have a water supply? You need to be prepared for the 'what-ifs I think there's a bit of a stigma around the word 'prepper'. People think we're conspiracy theorists who hide away in the woods.

'For a lot of us in the UK, it's a lot more practical. I do think it's important to have an inquiring mind and to question things, but I'm no conspiracy theorist.'

It comes after a woman who built a doomsday bunker said the door will remain closed to anyone outside her home, including family.

Rowan MacKenzie, from Missouri, who became a social media phenomenon after revealing she's been prepping her home for 12 years, believes it's necessary to prepare for the end of the world.

Another prepper, former soldier Tom Blakey, was keen to emphasise the importance of thinking ahead.

Rowan MacKenzie, from Missouri, who became a social media phenomenon after revealing she's been prepping her home for 12 years, believes it's necessary to prepare for the end of the world

She previously hit the headlines after revealing she spent over $90,000 on her hidden bunker stockpile.

The 38-year-old began stocking up her cupboards 13 years ago and initially, bought lifelong essentials, such as beans and rice, which she taught herself to preserve through trial and error.

She said: 'I've always said that if you didn't help build it, then hard decisions will have to be made.

'My door won't be open to anyone, family or not, as I've prepared for my own home. I feel bad, but hard times call for hard knocks - and a harsh reality.'
The fear of a scare campaign against nuclear energy has prompted one Coalition MP to debunk some myths about nuclear reactors - and warn even coal plants can be potentially dangerous.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is considering a plan to turn five retired coal-fired power stations into nuclear reactors and use existing powerlines to distribute electricity at lower cost.

They include large coal-fired power plants in the NSW Hunter Valley, like Eraring, due to close in 2025, and Liddell, which shut in 2023.

The Yallourn power station in Victoria's La Trobe Valley, due to close in 2028, is another possibility, along with the Loy Yang-B plant near Traralgon, slated for closure in the early 2030s.

Callide B power station in central Queensland is also due to close in 2028.

With Labor and the Greens opposed to nuclear energy, the Coalition is gearing up for them to mount a scare campaign as opponents try to dismiss the plan.

Both sides of politics are committed to a target of net zero by 2050, but Liberals and Nationals are skeptical about relying only on renewable energy to achieve it.

Now Daily Mail Australia has debunked some of the myths about nuclear energy, from Labor suggesting that renewable energy can supply 100 per cent of Australia's energy, to fears of the technology's cost - and concerns about waste and radiation.

The prospect of a nuclear energy scare campaign has prompted a Coalition MP to debunk some myths about nuclear reactors and point out coal plants are also potentially dangerous (pictured is a nuclear reactor at Tihange in Belgium)

An MP who champions nuclear energy has debunked the myth that uranium from nuclear reactors can be used to make atomic bombs - and argued coal plants were potentially dangerous too (pictured is a display at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park remembering the 1945 atom bomb dropped on the Japanese city)

MYTH 1: Nuclear reactor uranium can be used to make atom bombs

Nationals backbencher David Gillespie, who chairs Parliamentary Friends of Nuclear Industries, is preparing for a scare campaign from the other side of politics.

'There's a lot of misinformation that's been baked into Australian consciousness and most of it is hogwash,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

He says a typical reactor contains less than four per cent enriched uranium among its fuel load.

'The average variety nuclear reactor that is generating steam to produce electricity only has three-and-a-half to four per cent enriched uranium,' Dr Gillespie said.

'Three-and-a-half to four per cent will not, ever, ever become bomb grade.'

A nuclear reactor is considered to be highly enriched if it contained more than 20 per cent enriched uranium.

An atomic or nuclear bomb, by comparison, has a much higher content of enriched uranium, of 85-95 per cent.

Some of the worst nuclear reactor disasters in living memory, in Ukraine and Japan in 1986 and 2011, were not classified as atomic explosions like the 1945 bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that ended World War II.

'You need 95 per cent-plus enriched uranium and plutonium to get an atomic bomb,' Dr Gillespie said.

'Neither Chernobyl nor Fukushima were atomic explosions.'

Dr Gillespie argued the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan was the result of the tsunami cutting off the diesel pumps rather than a design fault - noting the location of reactors was the problem.

Nationals backbencher David Gillespie, who chairs Parliamentary Friends of Nuclear Industries, noted the typical reactor contained less than four per cent enriched uranium among its fuel load - well below what's need to make an atomic bomb (he is pictured with party leader David Littleproud)

'Fukushima formed a whole lot of hydrogen gas because of the meltdown, the meltdown happened because the diesel pumps that pump all the cooling water around to keep the reactor at about 300 to 400 degrees, it stopped because of the tsunami,' he said.

'The electricity that was doing the pumps got wiped away by the tsunami but also the actual diesel tank and the diesel engine were wiped out.'

MYTH 2: We can rely solely on renewable energy

The Labor Party has a plan to reduce carbon emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, and the likes of Treasurer Jim Chalmers have suggested renewable energy will meet all of Australia's energy needs by 2050.

'Increasingly the future will be powered by cleaner and cheaper, more reliable and increasingly renewable sources of energy and we want to play a role in that,' Dr Chalmers told Sky News on Tuesday.

'Now, the whole world is moving in the direction of renewables. This is a very big and important opportunity for Australia.'

But entrepreneur Dick Smith has warned of wind droughts that can last for years, and argued it was unrealistic to rely on renewable energy for 100 per cent of Australia's energy needs as coal and natural gas were phased out.

'There's no way that a whole country can run on wind and solar,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

The Labor Party has a plan to reduce carbon emissions by 43 per cent come 2030, and the likes of Treasurer Jim Chalmers have suggested renewable energy will meet all of Australia's energy needs by 2050 (pictured is a wind farm in the Netherlands)

Entrepreneur Dick Smith has warned of wind droughts that can last for years, and argued it was unrealistic to rely on renewable energy for 100 per cent of Australia's energy needs as coal and natural gas were phased out.

'It's never been done: not even a city has been able to be run continuously on wind and solar because wind and solar is so intermittent and the cost of storage is stupendous.

'You don't need storage for a few hours, you can need storage for days or weeks and that's horrendously expensive, it would make the cost so high that no one could afford the power.'

Mr Smith pointed out South Australia's giant battery storage facility at Hornsdale was yet to reliably provide power sufficient for Adelaide not to fall back on coal-fired power from Victoria.

'The batteries would have to come down a staggering amount in cost to be competitive and there's no hint that that's happening,' he said.

Even with solar subsidies, renewable energy made up just 32 per cent of Australia's total electricity generation, data from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water showed.

Breaking that down, solar generated 14 per cent of Australia's electricity compared with wind's 11 per cent and hydro's 6 per cent.

Labor is planning to have renewable energy make up 82 per cent of the National Electricity Market by 2030 as part of its net zero by 2050 goal.

MYTH 3: Coal plants are much safer

Dr Gillespie said the Callide C power plant explosion in central Queensland in 2021 showed coal-fired power wasn't entirely safe either.

'Coal plants blow up too  Callide in Queensland, the hydrogen which cools the generators in coal plants, they had an accident where the hydrogen exploded two years ago,' he said. 'It took out a whole coal plant.'

In May 2021, Callide C caught fire and blew up, causing 477,000 customers to lose power as the nearby Callide B station was subsequently tripped.

CS Energy released a video in February revealing an electrical failure at unit C4, shortly after 2pm, caused turbine blades to catch on the casing, leading to a shaft tearing apart in nine spots.

The Opposition is considering converting discontinued coal-fired power stations like Liddell in the NSW Hunter Valley (pictured) into nuclear reactors

In May 2021, the Callide C plant caught fire and blew up, causing 477,000 customers to lose power as the nearby Callide B station was then tripped (pictured is a CS Energy animation)

This ejected chunks of shaft from the generator unit, firing a two-tonne projectile to five metres across the ground 'like a spinning top' as chunks of metal were launched 20 metres into the air, punching holes through the turbine hall roof.

CS Energy chief executive Darren Busine said the Queensland government-owned generator had learned from the explosion.

'This was one of the most significant and complex process safety incidents in Australia and it has taken time to work through and understand the contributing factors to the event,' he said.

'The Callide Unit C4 incident was the result of the simultaneous failure of key electrical equipment and system back-ups in a complex series of events that could not have been anticipated, with some of the contributing factors being traced back to the original design of the power station.'

Nuclear reactors use uranium instead of coal to produce electricity, with both approaches relying on spinning turbines.

'Instead of boiling water by burning coal, you use the element of the enriched uranium which glows red hot and boils the water,' Dr Gillespie said.

'The mystery inside a nuclear plant isn't that mysterious  it's like the element of a kettle except the kettle is steam tight so it gets to really high temperatures and really high pressure and the high-pressure steam spins a turbine which then spins the big magnets over copper wires and electrons come out the end.'

MYTH 4: Nuclear energy is more expensive

The International Energy Agency and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency released a joint report in 2020 arguing that nuclear energy was the cheapest form of low-carbon power.

'Electricity produced from nuclear long-term operation (LTO) by lifetime extension is highly competitive and remains not only the least cost option for low-carbon generation - when compared to building new power plants - but for all power generation across the board,' it said.

Sydney radio 2GB broadcaster Ben Fordham cited this report to refute Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's claim nuclear is the most expensive form of energy.

'That may be so according to his mates at the CSIRO but according to the international energy authority, nuclear is among the cheapest,' he said.

Labor pledged at the last election in 2022 to reduce average power bills by $275 by 2025 but they have to deliver on the promise.

Despite welching on that vow so far, Treasurer Jim Chalmers suggested starting a nuclear energy industry would be expensive, slamming Mr Dutton's plan.

'His proposal will cost hundreds of billions of dollars, take decades to build, it's more expensive, takes longer, and it's the divisive option,' Dr Chalmers said.

But Mr Smith said France, which generates 70 per cent of its electricity from nuclear power, had the cheapest electricity in Europe.

'It doesn't seem to be logical because in Europe the cheapest power available is in France and France is 70 per cent nuclear-powered,' he said.

'They have more nuclear than anyone else and nuclear is just using uranium to boil water rather than coal and you need a far smaller amount of uranium to ship around and so it doesn't sound logical to me that nuclear would be the most expensive.'

Small modular reactors that can produce 300 megawatts, or 300million watts, of power are being developed by the likes of Rolls Royce.

Small modular reactors that can produce 300 megawatts, or 300million watts, of power are being developed by the likes of Rolls Royce

But conventional, large-scale reactors have been commercially proven, with the United Arab Emirates setting up a new reactor at Barakah in 2020 with South Korean technology

Units the size of shipping containers would be manufactured in a factory and transported to a site.

'I don't believe there is one of these units actually working but it's a way of bringing down the cost,' Mr Smith said.

But conventional, large-scale reactors have been commercially proven, with the United Arab Emirates setting up a new reactor at Barakah in 2020 with South Korean technology.

'It's a large-scale reactor but it was built in six years from start until it was producing power,' he said.

'That would be my suggestion: we should simply replace our coal power stations, get the South Koreans to build what they have done in the UAE because it's so proven and it wasn't that expensive.'

MYTH 5: Nuclear plants emit dangerous amounts of radiation

Radiation is energy given off in the form of rays and high-speed particles, fuelling fears nuclear reactors would cause radiation poisoning within a close proximity.

But Australia has had a nuclear reactor for medical purposes since 1958.

Sydney's Lucas Heights reactor manufactures medical radio-isotopes that are used for chemotherapy cancer treatment and X-rays.

Australia has had a nuclear reactor for medical purposes since 1958. Sydney's Lucas Heights reactor manufactures medical radioisotopes that are used for chemotherapy cancer treatment and X-rays

After being reprocessed in France, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) stores them in the suburban facility.

'It's reprocessed in France, it's shipped all the way back to the Sydney suburb of Lucas Heights where lots of people live and it's stored there in a Sydney suburb,' Mr Smith said.

'They store it in a shed right where all the population density is to show that there's just no risk involved at all.'

Dr Gillespie said this demonstrated 'it's perfectly safe'.

'We are actually world leaders in those medical isotopes,' he said.

'We are very capable as a nuclear nation - this idea that we wouldn't know what to do is absolute hogwash.'

MYTH 6: Nuclear energy generates too much waste

Australia has plenty of room to store nuclear waste, debunking the myth we would have insufficient space.

The late Labor prime minister Bob Hawke in his later years advocated the unfashionable view that Australia could make money as the world's repository for nuclear waste.

Mr Smith, who credits Mr Hawke with converting him to the nuclear cause in the early 1990s, has suggested Olympic Dam in South Australia, the site of a uranium mine, be used to store waste.

Australia has plenty of room to store nuclear waste, debunking the myth we would have insufficient space, with Dick Smith suggesting waste could be stored at Olympic Dam, the site of a uranium mine

'Where we've taken the uranium out, I've been down into the mine with these huge, dry cavernous spaces where you could put fracking in and store the uranium waste in total safety,' he said.

Dr Gillespie said there were well-established protocols for storing spent nuclear fuel and argued the French were getting value from reprocessing spent isotopes shipped from Lucas Heights.

'I don't like calling it waste because it's only waste if you waste it,' he said.

'They use it again: we pay them a lot of money to do that and then the stuff that isn't immediately usable gets put in a big storage container which is then brought back and also stored at ANSTO.'

Uranium has an incredibly long half-life of 4.5billion years.

But Dr Gillespie argued the long half-life of radioactive atoms - or the time they took to decay - did not make them dangerous if they were buried deep underground in the middle of Australia.

'Like granite, it's got an incredibly long half life - but it's not emitting stuff around the atmosphere or the earth, it's just sitting in a rock underground,' Dr Gillespie said.

'Who gives a stuff if you buried it 800 metres underground?'
Australia's love affair with the diesel ute is under threat as the Albanese government embraces tough emissions rules that could force motorists to buy a fully-electric vehicle, a farming group fears.

New European-style laws due to come into effect from 2025 mean popular utes loved by tradies and farmers alike may only be offered as fully electric or hybrid versions by the end of the decade.

Labor wants to slash average new car emissions by 60 per cent in just four years.

This could potentially kill off models including the bestselling Ford Ranger or Toyota HiLux with one-tonne payloads, or the V8 American pick-up truck like the RAM 1500 which can tow a large caravan, boat or horse float.

Western Australian Farmers Federation chief executive Trevor Whittington fears new Euro 6 emissions standards, due to come into effect in early 2025 in Australia, could gradually erode the popularity of brand-new diesel utes as they have in Europe.

'Big diesel utes are on their way out across Europe as only vehicles with small engines and more expensive exhaust particulate filters will meet the standard,' he said.

Australia's love affair with the ute is under threat as the Albanese government embraces overseas emission and fuel efficiency rules that could force motorists to buy a fully electric vehicle, a farming group fears (pictured is an Isuzu D-Max)

New European-style emission rules due to come into effect from December 2025 mean tradie favourites may only be offered as fully electric or hybrid versions in coming years (pictured is a graphically enhanced image of an LDV eT60 - Australia's only fully-electric ute with the Tesla Cybertruck only in left-hand drive)

Australia's three most popular vehicles sold in 2023 all emit 194 grams of carbon per kilometre, on average.

This means the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max, in their current form, are under threat because the EU is planning to tighten the Euro 6d rules which Australia is planning to copy.

New passenger cars sold in the EU by 2025 would have to emit less than 95 grams of carbon per kilometre, with a 147 gram per kilometre rule applying for light commercial vehicles including utes.

New climate change rules explained NEW VEHICLE EFFICIENCY STANDARD: From January 1, 2025 average emissions in new fleet will have to be reduced. That means that by 2029, new light commercial vehicles will have to emit on average 81 grams of carbon per kilometre - down from 199g/km in 2025. Fines of $100 per gram will be imposed on car manufacturers for every vehicle exceeding that limit, but they will be able to buy credits from other car companies that meet the target. Car makers will also have to reduce the average fuel consumption of a new fleet. NOXIOUS EMISSIONS STANDARDS: From December 2025, car makers will have to comply with European-style 'noxious emissions standards'. This will apply to new models introduced in December 2025 but existing model utes will be allowed to be sold until 2028 with petrol and diesel engines. The rules are modelled on the European Union's 6d rules that also specify targets on reducing carbon emissions per kilometre for both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, including utes. Advertisement

Australia is also introducing a New Vehicle Efficiency Standard from January 1, 2025, that would require car makers to slash new fleet carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2029.

This means light commercial vehicles would have to emit just 81 grams of carbon per kilometre by 2029 - an emissions target no new diesel or petrol ute meets in 2024.

New passenger cars would be restricted to just 58 grams of carbon per kilometre in five years' time - down from 141g/km next year.

New utes sold in 2024 are typically emitting more than 200 grams of carbon per kilometre but the RAM 1500 V8 emits 279 grams of CO2 per kilometre while the Toyota LandCruiser ute belches 281g/km.

Under the new rules, car suppliers would face a $100 fine per gram for every kilometre exceeding that limit among the new fleet, based on the number of vehicles in breach.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries fears this will cause ute prices to climb by up to $13,000 as fines were passed on to customers - causing electric car makers Tesla and Polestar to this week quit the lobby group in protest.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said this fine would encourage car manufacturers to sell their most fuel efficient vehicles in Australia.

'On average they'll have to pay $100 a gram they go over that,' he told reporters in February.

'So, that's the way system works in all the comparable countries and we would expect companies to comply and send their most efficient vehicles as we require them to.'

Mr Whittington said these tougher emission rules would kill off the V8 ute, including the RAM 1500 that produces 291 kilowatts of power and can tow 4.5 tonnes or a Toyota LandCruiser ute that can pull 3.5 tonnes.

'Battler Bluey from the bogan boonies might not be too happy when told that his aspirational dream car a RAM V8 5.7 Hemi or Landcruiser 79 series V8 may no longer be sold, but he can always aspire to own a Chinese made eUte,' he said.

'This is political gold for the Opposition.'

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said the government's proposed 60 per cent reduction in average new car emissions, from 2025 to 2029, was stricter than anything done in the U.S.

'The problem is the level of ambition - 17 per cent in '26, 21 per cent in '27 and 26 per cent in 2028,' he told Melbourne radio 3AW on Friday.

'They compare our scheme with the U.S. - we're not aware of any year in the U.S. where there's anywhere like 10 per cent.'

Labor's plan to reduce carbon emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 could threaten other giant American pick-up trucks like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado.

With the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Lightning models not coming to Australia, the only fully-electric ute now available is a Chinese-built LDV eT60 selling for $92,990 before on-road costs - or about the double the price of the diesel version.

But it can only tow a tonne - or a third of what top-selling diesel utes are capable of.

This would also be insufficient to tow a five-metre boat.

This could potentially kill off the mainstream diesel ute with a one-tonne payload, or the V8 American pick-up truck that can tow a large caravan like a RAM 1500 (pictured)

The Toyota LandCruiser 70 series with a V8 diesel is also potentially under threat from the rules

The Ford Ranger will be available with a plug-in hybrid from 2025 and Toyota is developing a hybrid version of the next-generation HiLux.

Car companies that sell more fuel-efficient cars will be able to get credits that can be sold to other car makers that struggle to sell more fuel-efficient cars if they want to avoid paying fines.

Mr Whittington said car makers would simply be forced to stop selling diesel or petrol utes, as they went all-electric by the end of this decade.

Utes still topping Australian sales Utes are still dominating the Australian sales charts, with the Ford Ranger beating the Toyota HiLux again in February. The Melbourne-designed Ranger last year ended the HiLux's uninterrupted seven-year run as Australia's No.1 seller, with both having a 3.5 tonne towing capacity. Three of Australia's four bestsellers last month were utes available as a diesel, with the Isuzu D-Max fourth on the list, just behind the Chinese-built Tesla Model 3 EV. The Toyota LandCruiser was in sixth place, with the sales tally including the 300 series wagon with a V6 twin-turbo and the old-style 70 series with a V8 diesel that is available as a ute. SUVs and light commercial vehicles, including utes, made up 78 per cent of the 194,805 vehicles sold in January and February, with traditional passenger cars having a minuscule 18.5 per cent market share, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data showed. Australians are clearly favouring cars with higher ground clearance, including larger four-wheel drives and dual-cab utes that can double as a workhorse and a family weekend machine. SUVs and light commercial vehicles, including utes, made up 78 per cent of the 194,805 vehicles sold in Australia in January and February, with traditional passenger cars having a minuscule 18.5 per cent market share, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data showed. Advertisement

'There will be a credit-trading system, with suppliers who beat the targets able to trade credits with those who fall short, but few will be in a hurry to trade credits as all manufacturers will be scrambling to drop their average emissions across their fleets,' he said.

But Toby Hagon, a motoring journalist with EV Central, said car makers would engineer better electric utes and four-wheel drives to keep customers into the late 2020s.

'Engineers are smart people, car companies don't want to give up their sales, they'll do what they can to protect their share,' he told the ABC's PM program on Friday.

Mr Whittington said it was a case of policy makers living in big cities rather than regional areas.

'This is the problem when the decision makers live in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra far from the reality of the commuting tradie or farmer, both of which need utes as a tool of the trade,' he said.

Transport Minister Catherine King, who represents a regional electorate in Victoria, in December announced new cars sold from December 2025 - including four-wheel drives and utes - would be required to comply with European 'noxious emissions standards'.

Western Australian Farmers Federation chief executive Trevor Whittington fears new Euro 6 emissions standards, due to come into effect from 2025 in Australia, could gradually erode the popularity of brand new utes - as they have in Europe

The pollution-slashing move could force manufacturers to sell European versions of their bestselling cars in Australia to comply with the new Euro 6d rules - meaning fully electric or hybrid versions.

Next-generation light cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles being introduced in Australia from December 2025 will all have to comply with the Albanese government's strict climate change requirements.

Existing production models will be allowed to be sold until 2028, but would then be banned unless the petrol or diesel engine was discontinued.

The government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard from January 1, 2025, is also designed to 'catch up' with U.S. regulations by 2028.

They are modelled on American Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards, which from 2026 will require each car manufacturer's new vehicle fleet to travel 49 miles per gallon - or average just 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres.

But the Ford Ranger, Australia's top-selling car in 2023, uses 8.4 litres per 100km, based on the consumption for a popular, V6 dual-cab ute.

The Melbourne-designed Ranger last year ended the HiLux's uninterrupted seven-year run as Australia's No.1 seller, with both having a 3.5 tonne towing capacity

The Toyota HiLux, Australia's second most popular vehicle in 2023, is also under threat from upcoming fuel efficiency standards

The equivalent Toyota HiLux, Australia's second most popular vehicle in 2023, used 7.9 litres per 100km, based on figures for a 4x4 diesel.

Why motorists will be forced to buy an EV

In a late development on Thursday Tesla, which only makes electric cars, announced it would be quitting the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries in July in protest at its campaign against Labor's proposed new emissions standards.

'Tesla is concerned that the FCAI has engaged in behaviours that are likely to mislead or deceive Australian consumers,' it said in a letter.

'Tesla is also concerned that it is inappropriate for the FCAI to foreshadow or co-ordinate whether and how competitor brands implement price changes in response to environmental regulations such as the NVES.'

Chinese-owned Volvo subsidiary Polestar joined the protest on Friday, with its head of communications Laurissa Mirabelli telling ABC Radio National it was reviewing its membership.

'The FCAI's campaign so far really doesn't represent our position at all and we believe it's done some serious damage to consumer perception and trust in the proposed policy,' she said.

The FCAI had also expressed concerns about the inferior load-carrying capacity of electric utes, compared with existing diesel and petrol models.

'The mass of traction battery and other EV hardware detract from the payload available for commercial purposes,' it said in a submission last year to a parliamentary enquiry.

To sell keep selling utes, car makers would have to sell more EVs or smaller cars to bring down the average pollution levels of the new fleet.

Mr Whittington predicted tougher emissions and fuel efficiency rules would simply encourage motorists to keep their old ute or four-wheel drive.

'As for all those who are mad keen climate catastrophists, let's see if they are prepared to go all electric,' he said.

'My guess is they love their utes as much as the rest of us and will always keep a old diesel LandCruiser in the back shed to pull the caravan.'
Crufts is the most prestigious dog competition in the world - but when it comes to prize money, the amount might surprise you.

Held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, the event sees 18,000 dogs compete for the title of Crufts Best in Show.

The winner will be announced on Sunday evening, after four days of various activities.

The winner of the coveted Best in Show award will receive a replica of the solid silver Keddall Memorial Trophy, which is named after Robert Keddall, who was the show manager for 30 years.

They will also receive a cash prize, although the amount might come in as a shock to dog lovers.

Crufts is the most prestigious dog competition in the world - but when it comes to prize money, the amount might surprise you

One of the world's most prestigious dog show that has been running for over 130 years is back for 2024 as the prestigious Crufts ceremony returns

Winners of the Best in Show award will also receive a cash prize, although the amount might come in as a shock to dog show fans

Surprisingly, the winner of the Best in Show award at Crufts usually only collects a sum of just 100 for their achievement.

However, this did rise to 200 for the Best in Show in 2023, with it also being important to note that breeders who rear puppies from past winners can sell them on for thousands of pounds.

For many though, it is not about the attraction of a cash prize but the notoriety attached to winning the award that counts for competitors.

This was a sentiment echoed by a spokesman for The Kennel Club, who told Birmingham Live: 'For the vast majority of breeders, it is about the prestige, not the money.'

This year's pampered pooches include Dougal - an adorable 10-year-old Yorkshire Terrier and member of the Good Citizen display team, who looked unbelievably cute as he posed among spring daffodils at the photocall at the National Exhibition Centre.

Dougal looked tiny as he posed with Irish Wolfhound Killoughery Rockefella, aged two, as the pair made an adorable big and small duo with Dougal managing to stand between his legs.

The arrivals are just a few of more than 24,000 dogs heading to Birmingham ahead of this year's competition.

The show is traditionally split into four main categories: gundog, working and pastoral, terrier and hound, and utility and toy.

When the competition began in 1891 it was founded by Charles Cruft, a dog biscuit salesman.

Surprisingly, the winner of the Best in Show award at Crufts usually only collects a sum of 100 for their achievement

Mr Cruft had had previous experience with dog shows, having been involved with the canine section at the Paris exhibition in 1889.

When he brought the show to the UK two years later at the Albert Hall in Islington, it was considered a resounding success.

After 2,500 submissions were received, the appetite for the competition among the general public was clear.

Dog lover Queen Victoria even entered her pooches in several categories, with the royal dogs picking up three awards.

For more than a century, Crufts has remained the most prestigious dog competition in the world.
Some residents are so determined to be featured they have loitered on the main street for hours in the hopes of being noticed by the page's in-demand admin

'Class of Palm Beach' - a social media account started by Devorah Ezagui - has gone viral for asking glamorous locals about their luxury outfit details

Palm Beachers are desperate to appear on the town's unofficial best-dressed list

Palm Beachers are desperate to make it on the glitzy beach city's unofficial best-dressed list to show off their glamorous clothes and designer accessories.

The South Florida beach town is known for its posh residents, but now there is a new social status symbol residents can aspire to - being feature on 'Class of Palm Beach.'

Class of Palm Beach, which has amassed millions of views on TikTok, parades the town's best dressed and asks them where they bought their chic outfits from.

The wildly-popular social media page is the brainchild of one Millennial resident, who often found herself stopping wealthy people on the street and asking which designer shops they had bought their clothes and accessories from.

Some Palm Beachers have become so determined to make an appearance on the account - which has 672,000 followers - that they wait on the busiest avenue for hours in the hopes of being noticed by the page's in-demand admin.

This Palm Beacher was dressed up in a bright pink Lily Pulitzer dress, matching Oscar de la Renta earrings and a Hublot watch

Bridgette Pheloung, 26, and her twin sister Danielle dressed up in matching outfits - complete with designer bags - to hang around on Worth Avenue in a desperate bid to get noticed by the account's owner

One woman, wearing a Gucci matching set, with matching Gucci shoes and an orange colored crocodile Hermes Birkin, is interviewed by the social media account

Bridgette Pheloung, 26, and her twin sister Danielle dressed up in matching outfits - complete with designer bags - to hang around on Worth Avenue in a desperate bid to get noticed by the account's owner.

Pheloung, known as Acquired Style on social media, said: 'Me and Danielle just put on our best outfits, we even have our designer bags, and we're on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach.

'We're just gonna stand here and wait until Class of Palm Beach comes to us and tries to interview us,' she told her followers.

The pair were wearing matching Amanda Uprichard rompers in blue and white - the pieces retail for $255 each.

Bridgette paired her romper with an $11,000 baby pink quilted Chanel bag and Danielle paired hers with a more humble white Prada shoulder bag that retails for around $3,000.

This stylish pair wore colorful designer ensembles for a day out in Palm Beach

In one of the fashion videos, a very chic mother-daughter duo showed off their 'old-money' outfits. The daughter detailed her silk Prada shirt ($1,550), Hermes bangle ($700) and a Tiffany & Co. watch (can run up to $8,600) - while her very elegant mother wore a Ralph Lauren blazer (around $700), Brooks Brothers white button-up shirt ($200), Hermes silk scarf (can cost up to $4,000)

The lady on the left wore a Zimmermann dress paired with an Hermes bag and Van Cleef jewelry while the lady on the right was dressed in an Hermes scarf and a Hermes belt

The stylish lady on the right wore Zara jeans, Hermes sandals, an Isabel Marant belt, an ATM sweater and a Dior bag - while her friend on the left clutched a Naghedi bag and wore an Agolde jacket

The creator of 'Class of Palm Beach' revealed to DailyMail.com that people have 'bombarded' her with emails and messages to get on the account.

Devorah Ezagui said people have begged her to 'come find me' as they hop around Palm Beach in the hopes that she'll include them in a video.

Ezagui even said people have rudely bothered her at events to ask her to feature them on the account.

She said she is forced to 'beat around the bush' or even run away when desperate Palm Beachers approach her at inappropriate times.

While the Pheloung twins haven't made an appearance on the exclusive best dressed list yet - plenty of classy Palm Beach locals have.

Lily Pulitzer dresses and Birkin bags appear to be the standard get-up for residents, with many of the men touting designer loafers and expensive watches.

In one of the fashion videos, a very chic mother-daughter duo showed off their 'old-money' outfits.

The daughter detailed her silk Prada shirt ($1,550), Ferragamo sandals ($950), Valentino (around $3,600), Hermes bangle ($700) and a Tiffany & Co. watch (can run up to $8,600) - bringing her casual everyday outfit to a staggering $15,400.

Her very elegant mother wore a Ralph Lauren blazer (around $700), Brooks Brothers white button-up shirt ($200), Hermes silk scarf (can cost up to $4,000), Hermes slip-on loafers (1,250), David Webb pearl and diamond baroque cocktail ring(re-sale price of $16,500), Badgley Mischka ($508) and a Cartier (up to $23,000).

The Palm Beacher on the left wore a Chanel bag and a Nordstrom dress while the lady on the right showed off her Birkin bag

This mother daughter duo dressed in casual but classy outfits for their iced coffee run in Palm Beach and scored a feature on the Class of Palm Beach account

This elegant woman wore a Jonathan Simkhai dress, clutched a Dolce and Gabbana bag and paired her ensemble with Gucci shoes while her partner sported a Gucci tie

One woman, who Class of Palm Beach stopped in the street to record, shows off her stunning floral outfit, matched with a purple Hermes bag, Hermes sandals, and a fleet of jeweled bracelets on her wrist

Viewers were quick to comment on the duo's demeanor, calling the interaction 'awkward' and joking 'when you're so rich you don't know how to talk to anybody.'

Others in the comments pointed out the 'old money' vibes of the pair and were shocked by how much some of their items cost, especially the $16,500 David Webb ring.

In other clips, cool and collected Palm Beach residents have shown off their colorful Hermes Birkin and Kelly bags - which are only offered to shoppers who have a longstanding rapport with the French luxury brand.

A fleet of iced-out designer bracelets often adorn the Palm Beachers' wrists.

The account's owner, Devorah Ezagui, is a Palm Beach resident herself

Many of the women and men who feature on the account also wear high-end watches - including gold Cartier Tanks and Rolex Daytonas.

While many of the Palm Beach residents who make it on to the TikTok page exude elegance with neutral-toned outfits, sometimes the videos showcase bold locals who have dressed out of their comfort zone.

One woman was interviewed while wearing a gaudy Gucci matching set, with matching Gucci shoes and an orange colored crocodile Hermes Birkin.

Another lady was snapped wearing a bright pink shift dress with a matching headscarf and fuchsia-colored earrings.

The account's owner, Devorah Ezagui, is a Palm Beach resident herself.

Ezagui, 28, is a stylist and designer who has gained a cult following on her Class of Palm Beach account and her @devora.e and @ip.tebrand accounts.

The creator conceptualized the account after moving back to Palm Beach, where she had spent her childhood, after living in New York City - where she would often ask people on the street about their outfits.

Two women featured on Class of Palm Beach: One wears a green dress and sandals, while the other wears a Chanel ensemble - fit with a bag and pearl necklace from the designer

This chic trio are clad in designer for their stroll on Worth Avenue - Palm Beach's busiest street - wearing a lot of Chanel as well as Balmain, Cartier and Alice & Olivia

One elegant lady clutched a bright pink Hermes bag with black leather details

The Palm Beach day-to-day, 'wear to the grocery store' fashion is a stark contrast from the 'Real Housewives of Miami' type, as founder Ezagui put it

One woman, who made an appearance on the TikTok page, shows off her summer outfit - including a pink Hermes Kelly bag and a sleek yellow gold Cartier watch on her wrist

Ezagui told DailyMail.com that if she had to describe Palm Beach residents in one word it would be 'classy'.

She said Palm Beachers 'need to impress people, feel good and look good.'

The stylist revealed that the people she interviews on the street can be going anywhere in their designer gear - from the grocery store to the gas station, Palm Beachers are dressed up for any occasion.

The Palm Beach day-to-day, 'wear to the grocery store' fashion is a stark contrast from the 'Real Housewives of Miami' type, as Ezagui put it.

Some viewers have been quick to point the overwhelmingly white demographic of the Class of Palm Beach videos - which Ezagui defended, saying it represents the population of Palm Beach.

Ezagui also revealed that around 75 per cent of the people she has approached on the streets of Palm Beach have agreed to be in her videos.
The venue is being criticized by multiple TikTokers for being built in a similar style to slave cottages

A Washington DC-based wedding planner has taken to TikTok to criticize a Louisiana wedding venue - alleging that the venue glamourized a dark time in American history by hosting weddings in buildings that looked like slave quarters.

Andrew Roby, a Black army vet who runs a wedding planning business, posted a video drawing comparisons between a plantation-style wedding venue named White Magnolia and 18th Century slave quarters.

The White Magnolia wedding venue is owned by a mother-daughter duo, Janet Henderson Cagley and Callie Richardson and was first built in 2016 - leaving many scratching their heads as to why they would choose to build the structures in a way that seemed to mimic slave cabins.

The duo built 10 brand-new cottages on the farm site along with a chapel and a larger house named Magnolia Manor.

Roby showed footage of the Magnolia's guest house cottages and can be heard saying with much emphasis: 'You have this organization, this company that is showing cottages on their property that you can rent them for your wedding.

'I believe that these are former slave quarters.'

In a later video, he clarified that the cottages were made from the ground up in recent time and not refurbished quarters. Still, he and his followers found the design choices and the lack of responsiveness from Magnolia problematic.

Andrew Roby, a Black army vet who runs a wedding planning business, posted a video drawing comparisons between a plantation-style wedding venue named White Magnolia and 18th Century slave quarters

The White Magnolia wedding venue is owned by a mother-daughter duo, Janet Henderson Cagley and Callie Richardson and was first built in 2016

In a later video, he clarified that the cottages were made from the ground up in recent time and not refurbished quarters

One TikToker labeled it a 'cosplay plantation' as others noted the cotton plants used as decor.

'It's built to mimic exactly what it looks like,' another TikToker commented. 'A lot of plantations romanticize the slavery era.'

Roby noted that the company had not explained why they had chosen this design style and if there was any connection to past slave quarters.

He called it 'disgusting to see' and the non-clarification 'disrespectful'.

'Venues like this who chose not to clarify if this wedding venue was former slave quarters is a reason why you should not book this venue.

'This is disgusting to see and disrespectful that they would not clarify this,' he captioned his first video.

He also spotlighted in both of his videos that the venue had disabled comments on their social media posts.

Viewers of both of Andrew's TikToks have also shared their thoughts on the situation.

While many users flocked to voice their support, some denied the connection and said there were no similarities.

One user wrote: 'Perception is everything and they do look like old slave quarters on a plantation.'

While another wrote: 'New construction or not it doesn't erase what they represent. The fact that they are new builds make it even worse. They could have gone with anything.'

One of the commentators who said they were a photographer shared that they never book jobs at plantation venues. They wrote: 'as a photographer.. if the venue has the name plantation or appears to be plantation style, I won't book it. it may not be my history but it's still.'

But one user criticized Andrew's claim and said: 'I understand your POV, but as an AA living in Louisiana, I couldnt care less abt what these ppl are doing. Were putting too much emphasis on the past and not currently focusing on the current pending laws.'

An account claiming to be the venue also commented on Andrew's video and wrote: 'This venue has never been listed as a plantation nor been advertised as a plantation. Comments were closed due to people ignoring our replies.'

Since then, multiple TikTokers have released videos of how similar the structure of the South-based venue is to where the former captives were kept by their owners.

The mother-daughter duo built 10 cottages on the farm site along with a chapel and a larger house named Magnolia Manor

Preserved slave quarters shacks at cotton plantation at Frogmore Farm in Ferriday, the Deep South, Louisiana

Julie, a school principal and entrepreneur also released a video highlighting how the structure of White Magnolia closely resembles 18th Century Louisiana plantations.

She noted how the overall circular build of the venue seemed very similar to the layout of plantations where enslaved people were held.

Julie featured pictures of the Whitney plantation to highlight just how similar the Magnolia looked to an actual cotton plantation.

She also noted how close the Magnolia has been built to 18th Century and present-day Louisiana plantations and that the largest former Confederate training ground in the state, Camp Moore Museum is only minutes away from the wedding venue.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, enslaved Africans worked mainly on the tobacco, rice and indigo plantations of the southern coast, from the Chesapeake Bay colonies of Maryland and Virginia south to Georgia. (Pictured: Black enslaved people sit outside of their Quarters in Ft, George Island, Florida circa 1850)

To house slaved, quarters were built on plantation ground. These one to two-room cabins would house a family unit and were usually of poor quality - with dirty floors, brick fireplaces and wooden chimneys that could be moved. (Pictured: Tourists walk past the former slave quarters of the Boone Hill Plantation in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina)

A creator and podcaster named Seema R joined in the conversation and noted that the owners of the Magnolia had built the cottages in recent time and were not profiting off a past plantation site.

However, she then went on to spotlight how the shotgun house architecture style, which the Magnolia cottages are based on, is a derivative of slave cottages.

She also observed how deeply the shotgun style is embedded in American culture that sometimes its racist past goes unnoticed.

A shotgun house is a narrow, single-story house with a cascade-style layout. The rooms are arranged directly behind each other with no hallways.

This build of houses was the most popular in the southern US states during the end of the American Civil War through the 1920s.

Seema is also heard urging her viewers to understand the historical background between the architectural style that can be seen on the present-day cottages.

'I do hope a lot of the people who are watching videos like mine, talking about this here, what this kind of architecture feels like, for people who are enslaved and for Americans who understand that enslavement is the central factor in creation of our country.'

When asked by DailyMail.com whether White Magnolia had built their cottages in shotgun style, a spokesperson said: 'This is a far reach claim and our houses are much more shorter and less narrow than the shotgun style ones.'

The spokesperson also said the criticism was a result of one viral TikTok and none of their clients had said anything as such in the past eight years.

Quarters were often positioned near to masters' and overseers' houses or the main buildings of the plantation. (Pictured: Slaves and Slave Quarters on Plantation, Port Royal, South Carolina)

A creator and podcaster named Seema R joined in the conversation and noted that the owners of the Magnolia had built the cottages in recent time and were not profiting off a past plantation site

The cabins were sometimes scattered randomly and sometimes ordered with geometric precision. (Pictured: wooden house slaves quarters in Thibodaux, Louisiana)

While many users flocked to voice their support of the claim, some denied the connection and said there was no similarities

In the 17th and 18th centuries, enslaved Africans worked mainly on the tobacco, rice and indigo plantations of the southern coast, from the Chesapeake Bay colonies of Maryland and Virginia south to Georgia.

To house them, slave quarters, also known as slave cabins, were built on plantation ground.

These one to two-room cabins would house a family unit and were usually of poor quality - with dirty floors, brick fireplaces and wooden chimneys that could be moved.

Quarters were often positioned near to masters' and overseers' houses or the main buildings of the plantation.

The cabins were sometimes scattered randomly and sometimes ordered with geometric precision.

Not only did they act as a symbol of slavery but also illustrated the power dynamics in the southern part of the US.

In present day, many new plantation owners have refused to host weddings and instead turned them into historical sites.

In June 2020, Joy Banner, the owner of the Whitney plantation announced on Instagram that the 'Big House' will never host weddings.

'The Big House has never been nor ever will be a wedding venue. Plantations are sites of immense cruelty and violence.

'We do not allow any event that would overshadow this reality and disrespect the memory of all those who suffered, labored, and died here,' the post read.
Elon Musk and Sam Altman, once technology visionaries on a joint mission to save the world from the threats of AI, have become embroiled in a fallout that has resulted in a lawsuit and the the publication of private emails.

Altman once looked up to Musk when he first met him at SpaceX's headquarters in Southern California a decade ago, praising his 'conviction' and ambition.

The pair went on to co-found OpenAI in 2015, a non-profit to serve as a check on the potential threats artificial intelligence could pose to humanity.

After OpenAI executives refused an offer to be bought out by Tesla, Musk left the company in 2018. He has since slammed OpenAI for accepting $90 billion of funding, saying the commercial enterprise flies in the face of its original mission.

Last week Musk filed a lawsuit against the ChatGPT makers for veering from its mission statement by seeking profit after entering into a $13 billion partnership with Microsoft and keeping the code for its newest generative AI products a secret.

Elon Musk (left) and Sam Altman (right) co-founded OpenAI as a non-profit venture in 2015 to help combat the threats of AI to humanity

Altman once looked up to Musk but the pair have since publicly fallen out

Altman retaliated by revealing previously private emails from Elon Musk in an attempt to undermine the lawsuit.

The publication of the emails marks a dramatic escalation in the feud between Musk and the company which has become a fissure in the artificial intelligence arms race.

In an accompanying blog post blog post published on Tuesday evening, OpenAI said it intended to move to dismiss all of Musk's legal claims.

'On a personal level it's sad,' Altman wrote in a memo to employees the day Musk filed his lawsuit against the company.

'I like to think of Elon as a builder and someone who competes by attempting to build better technology, and someone who I'd hope to be on our side,' he wrote.

There are conflicting accounts about how the tech bromance came undone, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Those close to Altman told the publication Musk is jealous of how his former protegee upstaged him in the AI field, and that Musk cares more about beating OpenAI than AI safety.

Tech experts say that AI could represent the greatest technological advance in history, with potentially-huge riches available to those who can make it work first.

However, those close to Musk said his concerns about safety are genuine, and that he sees his own AI startup, xAI, as essential to developing an alternative to OpenAI.

Elon Musk last week filed a lawsuit against OpenAI for chasing profit by partnering with Microsoft for $13 billion and keeping the code for its newest generative AI products a secret

Sam Altman has been credited with turning OpenAI into a company with a $90billion valuation

In March 2015 Altman and Musk teamed up to discuss their mutual fears about the risks AI could pose to humanity.

Altman wrote to Musk asking if he would like to drafting an open letter to the U.S. government about AI.

In May he emailed Musk again proposing that the start-up accelerator Y Combinator start a 'Manhattan Project' for artificial intelligence.

'Probably worth a conversation' Musk wrote back.

The pair then set up OpenAI and acted as the company's first co-chairs.

Altman proposed in an email that June that the two of them sit on a five-member board that would govern the nonprofit.

Altman suggested waiting to send the open letter calling for AI regulation until after the lab was formally launched.

Musk replied: 'Agree on all', according to the Journal.

When OpenAI released ChatGPT in November 2022 Musk irritated Altman by publicly stating that the chatbot had accelerated a dangerous race to develop powerful AI

Former employees told the Journal that Musk was viewed internally as holding more influence and control than Altman.

Musk became the company's largest financial backer, donating $15 million in 2016 and $20 million in 2017.

When the company failed to reach any major research breakthroughs Musk reportedly grew restless, according to former employees that spoke to the Journal.

Musk placed much greater pressure on employees and sometimes threatened to quit the project all together, they recalled.

In the same year Greg Brockman, a member of OpenAI's board suggested changing the company's structure to a for-profit enabling it to raise money from investors in order to pay for the enormous computing power needed to create language models that power chatbots.

Musk resisted the idea, writing to Brockman, Ilya Sutskever and Altman that either 'go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit. I will no longer fund OpenAI until you have made a firm commitment to stay or I'm just being a fool who is essentially providing free funding to a startup. Discussions are over.'

Altman replied that he remained 'enthusiastic about the non-profit structure!'

In their blog post revealing Musk's emails earlier this week OpenAI said Musk understood the company needed to work for profit but wanted majority equity, initial board control and to be CEO.

In November 2015 Elon Musk wrote that the company needed $100million to avoid 'sounding hopeless'

In an email from December 2018 Musk told Altman and other executives the company needed to make 'billions per year' and was unlikely to be able to compete with Google

As discussions soured Musk withheld funding forcing the company to rely on another investor, Linked-In co-founder Reid Hoffman, to pay its bills, the Journal reported.

Musk continued to fight for more control, arguing the company should become part of Tesla.

Musk also began trying to coax OpenAI researchers to jump ship and join Tesla, irritating his colleagues.

In February 2018 OpenAI executives rejected his bid to take control, and Musk stepped down as co-chair.

Altman became chief executive and called all employees to a meeting, including Musk.

Altman thanked Musk for his time at the organization and Musk told employees he intended to pursue his own AI research at Tesla, the Journal reported.

When a young researcher challenged Musk's decision, suggesting it would exacerbate the AI arms race Musk allegedly called the employee a 'jackass' and stormed out of the building.

In 2018 Altman and Musk continued to discuss AI and even though Musk had stopped making cash donations to the OpenAI he still paid its office space rent.

Altman continued to support Musk publicly after launching OpenAI's for-profit subsidiary in March 2019.

When OpenAI released ChatGPT in November 2022 Musk irritated Altman by publicly stating that the chatbot had accelerated a dangerous race to develop powerful AI.

Musk also began questioning via tweets how the nonprofit he co-founded had launched a for-profit entity that raised billions of dollars from Microsoft.

OpenAI had been considering using data from Twitter, recently acquired by Musk, to train its language models but Musk announced shortly after that he had cut off the company's access to that data.

In response Altman invited Musk to OpenAI's headquarters where they held a long, closed-door meeting about the Twitter decision and ChatGPT, the Journal reported.

Musk revealed to Altman around the same time that he was planning to start his own AI company, xAI, to compete with OpenAI.

He also began to poach OpenAI employees for his new venture.

In November last year Musk announced the launch of his own less-woke chatbot, Grok.

In recent weeks, xAI has begun preparing for a new fundraising round, a move likely to intensify its competition with OpenAI.

After Musk filed his lawsuit, Altman wrote in a memo to his staff: 'The implication that benefiting humanity is somehow at odds with building a business is confusing,' he said.

Adding: 'I miss the old Elon.'
Experts warn Iran, Russia and China are using it due to its proximity to the US

Caracas has been accused of allowing an assassin and plotters to pass through

The US faces a significant threat in Venezuela's cozy relationship with Iran, with enemy nations using the socialist country as a base in the hemisphere to attack America, experts have warned.

Fears are rising over the influence Iran has on Caracas as the two regimes strengthen economic and military ties and grow more hostile towards Washington DC.

Last week the FBI Miami launched a manhunt to find Iranian spy Majid Dastjani Farahani, who the government accuses of looking for allies to kill US officials while operating from Venezuela.

Meanwhile four Iranians were charged in 2021 for plotting to kidnap dissident journalist Masih Alinejad from Brooklyn before using a speedboat to take her to Tehran via Caracas.

Experts warned DailyMail.com the brazen acts and strengthening relationships between dictator Nicolas Maduro and America's enemies could spell doom in the near future.

They said the rich-oil nation is being used as an 'air bridge' because it is geopolitical gold dust due to it being just 300 miles from the Miami coast in case any world war erupted.

The friendly relationship between the anti-US regimes of Iran and Venezuela have sparked a fear of political killings on American soil. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, right, and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro shake hands in Tehran last year

'Farahani also reportedly recruited individuals for surveillance activities focused on religious sites, businesses, and other facilities in the United States,' the FBI said

The FBI said the Iranian agents planned to lure Alinejad, an American citizen, from her home in Brooklyn to Venezuela, where they would capture and send her back to Iran to face treason charges.

The Iranians had a live feed of her home and researched how to get the author out of New York, according to the charging documents.

One of the four researched a service offering 'military-style speedboats for self-operated maritime evacuation out of New York City, and maritime travel from New York to Venezuela, a country whose de facto government has friendly relations with Iran,' the Justice Department said.

The conspirators, who remain at large, had also plotted to lure a person in the UK and three others in Canada to Iran, an indictment said. They had all also been critical of Iran.

Moreover, in 2022, the Department of Justice indicted several members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard for plotting to kill Trump's former national security adviser, John Bolton.

The same year, author Salman Rushdie, whose novel 'The Satanic Verses' drew death threats from Iran's leader in the 1980s, was stabbed in the neck and abdomen by a man who rushed the stage as the author was about to give a lecture in western New York. The attacker had expressed sympathies for Iran and admiration for Soleimani on social media.

The State Department, meanwhile, told DailyMail.com they are aware of reports that Iran is engaged in lethal plotting against its enemies on other countries soil  including dissidents, journalists, former US officials, and former insiders.

'Irans lethal plots and intimidation span the globe, and concerted international action is required to disrupt the plots and hold the Iranian regime accountable,' a spokesperson said.

'We take seriously and closely monitor any efforts by Iran to expand its influence or conduct lethal plots in the Western Hemisphere. The Biden Administration has not and will not waver in protecting and defending all U.S. citizens against threats of violence and terrorism. We are working closely with international partners in confronting this shared threat from Iran.'

The links between Iran and Venezuela - which is just a three-hour flight from Miami -have increasingly become more evident, as the Islamic Republic uses the South American nation as a base in the region,' according to Global security expert Joseph Humire.

'The same way Syria was so critical for Iran in terms of it building of a land bridge through the Levant to be able to arm and fund Hezbollah and then later Yemen, Venezuela is an air bridge, a logistical platform in the Western Hemisphere,' he said.

Humire added Iran is using Venezuela 'to diminish its geographic disadvantage with the United States, being that they understand the US military presence in their neighborhood. They want to threaten the United States in a in a reciprocal way.'

The FBI said the Iranian agent was targeting former secretary of state Mike Pompeo as revenge for the assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani

Aside from Pompeo, the FBI believes Farahani was also targeting Brian Hook, Trump's envoy to Tehran

Former Venezuelan military officer Jose Antonio Colina, now in exile in Miami, told DailyMail.com the relationship between Iran and Venezuela represents a threat particularly in the case of a material conflict between Tehran and the US.

'Venezuela, because of its geopolitical and geographical situation, could become an important platform in an eventual conflict between Iran and the US, and it could be an important base for Iran to launch future attacks,' Colina said.

He was not surprised to hear about the FBI's hunt for Farahani, as he remembers the Venezuelan regime holding events to commemorate Soleimani after his assassination by the US in 2020.

'That shows the level of understanding between the two regimes,' Colina added. 'They are both important enemies of the US looking to destabilize the west.'

Aside from Pompeo, the FBI believes Farahani was also targeting Brian Hook, Trump's envoy to Tehran, the agency told Semafor. Both Pompeo and Hook are currently under around-the-clock security due to the increased threat level.

Farahani was sanctioned by the Treasury department in December, which claimed he works for Iran to 'aggressively target and stifle opponents and dissenting voices.'

The relationship between Iran and Venezuela goes back to the first years of Chavez' regime, with the two nations bonding over their anti-democracy views as well as the exploration for uranium in Venezuela. The allyship has continued to grow despite Chavez' death in 2013 as Maduro has continued his agenda.

The two countries, both similarly sanctioned by the US, expanded cooperation through a swap that provides Venezuela's state-run oil company PDVSA with light oil for refining and diluents to produce exportable crude grades. PDVSA in return supplies Iran with Venezuelan heavy oil and fuel.

In 2021, four Iran nationals were charged in New York City after they targeted Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad in a failed kidnap attempt. The FBI said they wanted to lure her to Venezuela

'All their [U.S.] conspiracies against us have failed,' former Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said in a meeting with Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro in 2019.

'Iran and Venezuela have always supported each other in all international and political arenas and will continue to do so.'

By 2013, US intelligence officials were raising the alarm about Iran using Venezuela as a getaway for hostile activities in the region.

ProPublica reported that the previous year, Iran and Venezuela's spy agencies had set up a joint intelligence program.

In one of the meetings, 'Venezuelan spymasters agreed to provide systematic help to Iran with intelligence infrastructure such as arms, identification documents, bank accounts and pipelines for moving operatives and equipment between Iran and Latin America.'

Iran and Venezuela, both original members of OPEC, then signed a 20-year accord boosting economic and military cooperation in 2022 during one of Maduro's many visits to Tehran.

China and Russia, on their part, have also taken advantage of Venezuela's shaky relationship with the US to use the nation in their anti-US agenda.

Just last month Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed the Kremlin's support for Maduro.

Unconditional Russian and Chinese support has allowed Venezuela to circumvent crippling economic sanctions, imposed primarily by the US.

'Venezuela and Russia are two countries that are victims on the international stage of the illegal, irrational, illegitimate application of unilateral coercive measures,' said Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil last month.

The Venezuelan regime holding events to commemorate Soleimani after his assassination by the US in 2021

The relationship between Iran and Venezuela goes back to the first years of Chavez' regime, with the two nations bonding over their anti-democracy views. Hugo Chavez is seen with former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2006

However, he said, both countries 'have woven a close relationship, a functional, structural relationship that allows us today to show concrete results to our people.'

Iran has sent various war weapons to Caracas, which have been paraded by the Venezuelan military. Meanwhile Moscow began transporting strategic bomber aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons to Venezuela as far back as 2018.

Vladimir Putin has sent Russian troops Venezuela at different times, including in 2018 to help Maduro subdue protests supporting then interim president Juan Guaido as Venezuelans fought to overthrow the regime.

'Iran works within this alliance, this autocratic alliance, China, Russia, North Korea, they're all building joint capabilities and interoperability,' Humire told DailyMail.com.

'When they talk about changing international order, that's what they're talking about. They're talking about changing the way trade is done, changing the way human rights are looked at.'

Humire added that China uses Iran to do much of its bidding in the western hemisphere in order to protect its own diplomatic relations with Washington.

Venezuela, which has the world's largest proven oil reserves, has gone from being the richest Latin American nation to representing the largest displacement of people in the world. Chavez is pictured with Ahmadinejad in 2009

Maduro is seen with Raisi during his official welcoming ceremony at in Tehran last year

'Iran does the dirty work for China in Latin America, a lot of things that China doesn't want to get caught doing, because they don't want to be antagonistic directly to the U.S. or others,' the global security expert said.

'Iran will do it because Iran has no political capital to lose.'

Venezuela, which has the world's largest proven oil reserves, has gone from being the richest Latin American nation to representing the largest displacement of people in the world.

More more than 7.7million people have left the nation - even more than Ukrainians and Syrians. It's a rare case of massive migration from a country that is not at war but has seen one of the most extreme fortune reversals in recent history after the socialist takeover 20 years ago.

Venezuela was friendly to the US for most of the 20th century, providing its crucial oil reserves as the US engaged in wars in the middle east. But that relationship slowly deteriorated after Chavez won the presidency in 1998, as the regime became more openly authoritarian, jailing and exiling critics, and not allowing free and fair elections.
A solar array at White Flower Farms in Litchfield County, Conn. The American Farmland Trust surveyed more than 175 Connecticut farmers, with a majority stating they would consider "dual-use" solar installations that allowed for the continuing use of farmland below or around panel arrays. Leslie Hutchison / Hearst Connecticut Media

People from rural towns across the state with concerns that the Connecticut Siting Council has legal jurisdiction over the location of solar power facilities, rather than the municipalities, are hoping new legislation could give them more control of their land.

About 70 residents and officials testified to that hope on Thursday during a Connecticut General Assemblys Energy and Technology Committee public hearing on eight proposed bills pertaining to renewable energy sources. Of particular interest to many who testified is HB 5361, which would give municipalities the opportunity for local control if that town was within a five-mile radius of a project greater than 100 megawatts.

The bill was passed by the state House of Representatives last year but did not clear the Senate. It was written by Rep. Jaime Foster, D-Ellington, who also serves as vice chairwoman of the Energy and Technology Committee.

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Rep. Carol Hall, R-Enfield, spoke in favor of the bill on behalf of towns she represents in the 59th District. East Windsor has been fighting against a fourth solar facility for the town that's proposed for Thrall Road, and Enfield is in the process of applying for intervenor status to fight against a facility proposed for Town Farm Road.

The solar panel field on Middle Road, residence are complaining about the noise coming from the site on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in East Windsor. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media Jim Michaud

About 30 percent of the solar grid in Connecticut is between East Windsor, Enfield, and Ellington, Hall said.

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"It's quite mind-boggling that so much of our farmland is disappearing," she said, adding that one of Enfield's solar farms took up an entire forest in town. "When towns have done what I consider their fair share, local control should take over."

The state should look to town land-use boards at a certain point to determine how many facilities can come into a given community, Hall said. "We require plans of conservation and development be submitted every 10 years that speak to where these projects should be placed but, unfortunately, the Siting Council does not take that into account."

There's a need to recognize the importance of placement and creation of solar farms to ensure that each community is sharing in the responsibility of a greener future, Hall said.

East Windsor First Selectman Jason Bowsza said his town has done its part toward large-scale renewable energy projects. The town already has two solar farms in operation and a third one under construction. He appeared before the Siting Council in September and said a fourth facility by Verogy Holdings LLC would gobble up "prime farmland" and is contradictory to the town's plan of conservation and development that he said seeks to preserve the rural, village, and business character of the town.

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A proposed solar facility at Ellington Airport was not approved by the Connecticut Siting Council. Instructors and students at Connecticut Parachutists Inc. opposed the plan, saying it could put its instructors and clients at risk. Susan Danseyar / Hearst Connecticut Media

That project has been approved by the Siting Council and is under appeal by the town, Bowsza said.

On Thursday, Bowsza testified in support of the HB 5361, saying there are ways for the state to improve green energy by either mandating or incentivizing structures in parking lots, along highways, on commercial roofs, schools, and state or municipal buildings. The panels may not on their own be 100 megawatts but, if enough are built, it could add up to a lot, he said. This could be done instead of "leveraging renewable energy goals against farmland preservation goals," he said.

"We are trying to do what we can to balance the need for solar in the community but the Siting Council is not listening," Bowsza said. A small handful of communities should not be asked to carry the weight of renewable energy targets, he said, just as a "handful of communities successfully pushed back on the siting of trash-to-energy projects in the early 2000s." In that case, Bowsza said, it was urban centers that were asked to do more than their share and now the burden is being pushed on more rural communities.

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Ellington supports the bill, along with a revision that would require any applicant to comply with all local regulations regarding the installation of a facility, according to written testimony by Town Administrator Matthew Reed. The town had expected a solar facility be built at Ellington Airport that instructors and students at Connecticut Parachutists Inc. opposed, saying it could put its instructors and clients at risk.

The proposal was not approved after a tie vote by the Siting Council, but Reed said some residents are concerned about a large tract of land in the area of Abbott and Crane roads that they say may be offered as space for a solar facility.

Enfield resident Zach Zannoni, who attended the hearing in person, submitted written testimony, saying that the current process for approval of solar farms in north central Connecticut exacerbates an already growing problem of overdevelopment of agricultural land. He agreed with many other speakers who said it is inequitable to have a small number of communities share the majority of burden for development of solar facilities.

"Additionally, I am incredibly cognizant of the fact that the vast majority of this development has occurred in working-class, blue-collar communities," Zannoni said. "Our state's most affluent towns are simply not bearing this reality so this, at its foundation, is an issue of equality."

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As a fifth-generation resident of Enfield who has families with deep agricultural roots in the town and neighboring East Windsor, Zannoni said he takes agricultural preservation seriously. He views the long-term preservation and expansion of the region's agricultural heritage as "quintessential" to its success.

Residents in Bethany have launched a campaign seeking to block a proposed solar facility in a residential area of town. About 3 percent of the electricity produced in Connecticut came from solar in 2021, though officials have set lofty goals to increase renewable energy while weaning the state off of fossil fuels. John Moritz/ Hearst Connecticut Media Group

Others testified in favor of another bill that would require at least two members of the public serving on the Siting Council to be experienced in the field of ecology and at least one experienced in electric transmission infrastructure. That bill also asks that no more than one council member have a past or present affiliation with any utility regulatory agency or own, operate, control, or be contracting with a hazardous waste facility.

Fairfield is facing a contentious United Illuminating proposal to build steel monopoles up to 195 feet tall throughout Fairfield and part of Bridgeport. A version of the project earned approval from the Siting Council and will likely face an upcoming appeal from Fairfield.

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"What I have heard from my community loud and clear is that we actually want an electric future, we want a planet we can inhabit, we want clean air to breathe  our health actually depends on it  but we need to ensure we're making that transition in a way that's not destructive to our communities," Rep. Jennifer Leeper, D-Fairfield, said last week.

Residents and officials from Fairfield said on Thursday they want a more transparent process and confidence that members of the Siting Council are not beholden to Wall Street.
The mother of slain policeman Andrew Harper has criticised a council's decision to give the green light to a multimillion-pound revamp of the gypsy site linked to her son's death.

Debbie Adlam, 56, has been outspoken in her opposition to the 3m plans - approved last week - and has accused West Berkshire Council of 'stamping on' her son's memory.

At a meeting to decide whether the revamp would be approved, councillors offered their condolences but voted the plans through unanimously. The application had been made by the Council itself - so West Berkshire was effectively asking itself for permission to go ahead with the plan.

PC Harper's grieving mother said councillors had been 'disrespectful' by approving the plan despite huge local opposition.

During the meeting, she asked them what their decision would have been if it was their son who had been killed.

'None of them answered,' Debbie said. 'They just went ahead with it anyway.'

Addressing the councillors, she added: 'I hope you can live with your decision. It feels like it's stamping all over Andrew's memory.'

PC Andrew Harper was killed four weeks after he got married, by Henry Long, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers (pictured, with his wife Lissie on their wedding day)

Debbie Adlam (left) accused the council of showing 'no respect' to her son's memory over the plans for the gypsy site (right PC Harper)

The Four Houses Corner caravan site has been left derelict but West Berkshire Council wants to spend 3.5m revamping it

She added: 'The condolences were nice to have but they don't feel valuable. Everyone voted unanimously. It felt quite empty. They can go home and lives their lives.

'I knew it wasn't going to be easy but it was disappointing. I'm not surprised. I don't think the council are really going to turn themselves down.

In 2019, police officer Andrew Harper, 28, had only been married for a month when he tried to stop three teenage boys from stealing a quad bike in Stanford Dingley, West Berkshire.

As he chased them, he unintentionally stepped into the loop of a tow-rope attached to the back of the criminals' car.

As they sped off, it lassoed his feet and he was dragged by the boys along a mile of country lanes, swinging from side to side as almost all of his clothes were ripped from his body.

The horrific journey lasted 91 seconds and by the time he came free, PC Harper's body was almost naked and so severely battered that one of the people who found him initially thought he was a deer carcass.

His callous teenage killers Henry Long, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole fled to the Four Houses Corner Gypsy and Traveller site near Ufton Nervet, where they hid, destroyed evidence and were later arrested.

In 2020, the camp was abandoned and the travellers given council homes nearby.

Yet last Wednesday, March 6, West Berkshire Council approved a planning application made by itself to spend 3m of taxpayer money on restoring the site.

It is believed that 15 of the 17 original families living there have indicated they will return to the refurbished site once it is ready.

Debbie added: 'It was ticking a box to fill their quotas. It felt like a foregone conclusion.

'What's the point in having a consultation if they are going to do it anyway?

'They didn't take any of it into consideration. There was no expectation that we should look for anywhere else [to put the site].

'The world goes back to how it was. It's just going back with no regards to what's happened.

'They need to make something different. They are going to have electric charging points. It's so disrespectful to his loss of life.'

Henry Long (left), Jessie Cole (centre) and Albert Bowers (right), were jailed over PC Harper's death. They were found not guilty of murder in a verdict that shocked the nation

PC Harper's monstrous killers Albert Bowers (left) and Jessie Cole (right), smiling as they are led away in handcuffs

Long, Cole and Bowers were arrested at the site (pictured) in Ufton Nervet, Reading, in 2019

West Berkshire approved building 17 pitches at the camp with space for two caravans each, car parking and a 30 sqm amenity building with a kitchen, dayroom and bathroom. The site will also have a sewage treatment plant and a children's play area. MailOnline could not find evidence in the plans there will be EV chargers.

Previously, the site only accommodated for 18 single pitches. It means the new site will have the ability to house close to double the number of gypsies and travellers.

Debbie also said she is worried about complaining about the decision in case it leaves her a 'sitting duck' and prompts 'backlash' from the traveller community.

She told MailOnline: 'You don't want to put yourself in the firing line too much.

'But I'm not going to sit there and be a sitting duck. The problem is if I push too hard, there's a backlash that I have to deal with.'

Bill Bagnal, the project manager and applicant for the site's refurbishment, said the plan was a 'reasonable balance between cost and need'.

He said there was a 'legal right' to return to the site that had a 40-year history of use by travellers.

Mr Bagnall said the revival 'provides an opportunity for a fresh start and maximises the ability to have the site reoccupied in a tidy, safe and thoughtful manner'.

Earlier this year, the council was set to approve the plan before Debbie pleaded with them to think again, and later Thames Valley Police objected.

After the Mail's exclusive , objections to the revamp flooded in, with one person living in the area calling it a 'kick in the teeth to PC Harper's family and to his widow'.

Out of 51 comments, 47 objected the plan, two were neutral and two supported it.

Even so, the council approved the application.

Some travellers in the community have claimed that the site is no more connected to PC Harper's death than the stretch of road where his lifeless body was discovered.

Speaking out in support of the hugely controversial plan, one traveller said the Council was 'duty bound' to offer the land back to their community.

Another traveller said: 'As for PC Harper his death did not happen on the site, so maybe they should close the road where he did die in his memory'.

However, during the planning application meeting on Wednesday, Conservative councillor Graham Bridgman said the site had previously been a 'hotbed of criminality'.

West Berkshire Council's plan proposes building 17 gypsy pitches with space for two caravans each, car parking and a 30 sqm amenity building with a kitchen, dayroom and bathroom (pictured, a graphic design of the revamped site)

Designs show amenity buildings on the revamped gypsy site near Reading that will cost 3.5m to carry out

Pictured: The Travellers' camp near the scene of the killing in Berkshire before it became derelict

Locals said the site became a 'no-go area for the police' when it was last in use.

Debbie disagreed with the suggestion the site was unconnected to her son's death.

Describing the moment after her son's death, she said: 'When they [Andrew's killers] went back to the site, they went back to their caravans.

'They hid phones. They got rid of evidence. They knew what they had done.'

Debbie is not alone in her anger at the decision.

Objecting to the plan, PC Harper's old colleagues at Thames Valley Police called PC Harper's killers 'murderers', even though they were found guilty of manslaughter and cleared of murder.

The force said: 'This is connected to the ongoing serious historic concerns with the policing of the site in the past and the use of police resources in investigating criminal offences at the site.

'This culminated in the murderers of PC Harper being associated with the site in 2019.'

Locals were also left infuriated by the Council's decision.

Conservative opposition leader Ross MacKinnon represents residents living opposite the traveller site, in the Bradfield ward.

He told MailOnline: 'The council is not listening to the local community.

'Residents [have] concerns about crime intimidation and disorder.

'I don't believe anyone from the site ever helped the police with their investigation.

'A lot of residents feel people are being rewarded for antisocial behaviour or worse.'

He added: 'The nature of Thames Valley Police's objection is remarkable. I have never seen it happen before.

'The police have outright said they will not be able to police this site.

'It's an outrage. There's nothing to stop the council listening to public opinion for once.'

Debbie described her beloved son as a 'good lad' who always looked out for everyone Pictured: The pair together

Pictured: PC Harper with his mum Debbie who says West Berkshire Council's plans for a revamped traveller site are 'insulting' to her family

PC Harper's widow Lissie (pictured) successfully campaigned for Harper's Law, which means that criminals who kill frontline emergency workers will receive mandatory life sentences

However, Cllr MacKinnon said the plan could yet be stopped by an intervention by Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Housing and Planning.

The councillor said: 'The Secretary of State [Michael Gove] has indicated that he may call this in and I hope that he does.'

How can the traveller site reopening be prevented? Although West Berkshire Council has given the green light to the 3million revamp of the traveller site, there is still a way the application could be denied. As Secretary of State for Housing, Michael Gove has the ability to 'call in' the decision. This would mean the Government would take the decision out of West Berkshire Council's hands and reassess it on 'public decency' grounds. Mr Gove has three weeks from March 6 to prevent the application from going ahead. Advertisement

Cllr MacKinnon said a 'call in' would mean the Government took the decision out of West Berkshire Council's hands and reassessed it on 'public decency' grounds.

Mr Gove has three weeks from March 6 to prevent the application from going ahead.

By speaking at the final planning meeting, Debbie said she had put the decision on councillors' conscience.

During Wednesday's meeting, the Council summarised support for the plan as being that 'the Gypsy community [has] suffered enough' and the Council was 'duty bound' to rehouse the travellers.

The Council said: 'The council is acutely aware of past dreadful events on the site, but these are not material reasons for preventing reoccupation, that those returning are not in any way guilty of the manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper and that disallowing reoccupation would be the equivalent of preventing people reoccupying authority housing due crimes committed in an area.'

West Berkshire Council's planning officers said: '[We] recognise the tragic events of a few years ago surrounding the death of PC Harper that are public knowledge and have been raised in objection to this applicant.

'We would like to express our deepest sympathies for all of those attending who were affected by that tragedy. While recognising that tragedy, the purpose of this meeting is to examine the planning merits of the application.'

Councillor Denise Gaines, Executive Member for Housing at West Berkshire Council, said: 'This is an important site for us to deliver much-needed traveller accommodation and ensure we meet our legal obligations.

'Living in a largely rural district, it is difficult to find suitable land for travellers and in this respect Four Houses Corner is an important site for us. I'm pleased that [the Eastern Area Planning Committee] has approved proposals and that, subject to the Secreatry of State, we can move ahead to deliver these improvements.

'We are, of course, acutely aware of the history of the site and have heard the concerns raised through the planning process. So long as proposals meet best practice and policy, we effectively had no choice but to redevelop the site as suitable alternative sites do not exist. We will continue to keep the local community updated about our plans and to provide reassurance about how we will be managing the site in the future.

'We see this as an opportunity to re-set relations and despite the tragic past, deliver and manage a site as an exemplar of what a traveller site can be.'
For most happy couples, their wedding day is a euphoric blur of rings, toasts, speeches and dancing before crumpling in an exhausted heap on a hotel bed.

But for the photographers capturing the occasion - those big group shots for mum's mantlepiece or candid snaps of people drinking and dancing - it can be a VERY different story.

Last week more than 900 snappers signed an online petition calling for the conditions for wedding photographers and videographers in churches to be improved.

They accused clergymen and women of making it near-impossible to get pictures of couples on their special day because of their 'rude, humiliating, aggressive and abusive behaviour'.

But now wedding photographers have lifted the lid further, telling MailOnline the other niggly annoyances they have to deal with from grabby drunk guests to being told to avoid picturing nuisance relatives.

And according to the snappers there is always one pesky guest and more often than not it's the sister of the bride or groom that is most feared, rather than the mother-in-law.

The rumble from wedding photographers came as an old video resurfaced on TikTok of a priest halting proceedings and refusing to carry on until the snapper put their camera away.

The petition was set up by Rachel Roberts, a Lincolnshire based photographer, who feared that many church leaders were 'stuck in the past' while those who have embraced social media were left with long wedding waiting lists.

Wedding photographers have lifted the lid on what it is like working for couple's most special day. Pictured: Award winning wedding photographer Jonny MP

Last week more than 900 wedding photographers signed an online petition calling for church clergymen and women to improve their treatment of snappers

Tom Dingley, who was the photographer at Jeremy Kyle's wedding in 2021, said he had been put in some awkward situations in the past when taking snaps in church settings

'Ultimately, we all want the same thing which is to deliver lovely results for the couple,' she told the Mail.

'We live in a digital age now and couples do want loads of coverage of their gorgeous ceremonies and we can work with priests and vicars to do this without being intrusive.'

Johnny MP, 41, who has been a wedding photographer for 13 years and worked at over 400 weddings, said tensions between the clergy is 'definitely' something he's experienced.

Throughout his career, vicars have told him that no photographs are allowed as the church is 'a private room between the couple and God' while another, upon introduction, shoved her hand in his face listing off her 'three rules'.

The multi-award winning photographer of the year said: 'It's really strange because I've done weddings for every major faith in the world - Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Jewish, Humanist, all variants of Christianity - and none of those people have ever had a problem. It always seems to be Church of England vicars.

'Most are fine, you need to show respect as they are in charge and I've had some really lovely ones, but a handful have called me out during the ceremony.

'On one occasion I had already spoken to the vicar about where to stand but he called me out during the vows. It creates a really bad atmosphere and [the couple] probably felt a bit awkward.

'The couple and guests took it well and just joked about it afterwards saying you're on the naughty step but I was really embarrassed, because I am there to work and serve the couple - the same way the church makes money for doing weddings. We are all just trying to do our job.'

One female videographer, who wished to stay anonymous, said: 'I've encountered a mix of experiences with clergymen while filming weddings.

'Some have been very accommodating, allowing me to be up front and central to capture the important moments, whilst I others have made it challenging, one specifically where I was tapped on the shoulder mid ceremony and quite rudely asked to stop filming, despite being hired to do so by the couple, which i found incredibly embarrassing and disruptive to the service.

'It seems to be a luck of the draw, with both positive and frustrating encounters, but I do think certain people like to be bossy and be in control of everything.'

Tom Dingley, who was the photographer at Jeremy Kyle's wedding in 2021, has also been put in some tricky situations trying to balance the couple's wants with a stubborn clergyman or woman.

Mr MP, 41, has been a wedding photographer for 13 years and worked at over 400 weddings

Last week Dr Rowan Williams, who officiated the Prince and Princess of Wales' wedding in 2011, admitted that some vicars can be 'a complete pain' when it comes to wedding photographers in churches

He said: 'Those who work in churches seem to have this fear of being distracted while weddings are taking place.

'It is the photographer's job to capture everything and everyone without being the centre of attention - I've never met a photographer who wants to be looked at while they're working.

'We want to get all the angles and everyone's faces which can mean being behind the vicar. This can be a point of contention because they don't like it if you stand behind them and feel like we are invading their work space, but we are all here to do the job. It is an odd thing.'

Last week Dr Rowan Williams, who officiated the Prince and Princess of Wales' wedding in 2011, admitted that some vicars can be 'a complete pain' when it comes to wedding photographers in churches.

'While some vicars can be a complete pain and over-controlling to a degree, clergy too need to be able to do their jobs,' he told The Times.

'A request not to be intrusive during a service when something significant is supposed to be taking place at the spiritual level is not unreasonable.'

Outside of the church, there are other minor issues that photographers have to battle with through the day from drunken guests grabbing their clothes to family members wanting their own 'mini photoshoot'.

When it comes to church weddings, it is down to the priest or vicar's discretion on what photographs can be taken at each church and may refuse to allow them during the ceremony at all

Throughout Mr MP's career, vicars have told him that no photographs are allowed as the church is 'a private room between the couple and God' while another, upon introduction, shoved her hand in his face listing off her 'three rules'

Dr Rowan Williams officiated the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales at Westminster Abbey, London on April 29, 2011

Mr Dingley, who was an events photographer for eleven years before specialising in proposals and weddings, said: 'Normally, the couple is absolutely lovely.

'There's always one guest who thinks they know a great angle or tells you where they think you should go. They think they are being funny or are hobbyist photographers. But we treat them with politeness.

'In my experience there is always a sister of the bride or sister of the groom that has something to say, while the mother of the bride is usually lovely.'

At one wedding he attended the 37-year-old photographer from south east London, managed to get a candid snap of the groom and the best man kicking back with a beer before the ceremony.

'It was a very casual shot,' he said. 'But then the sister of the groom said 'are you going to take all the family photos here because it's not a nice backdrop'. I am polite but I am thinking leave me alone.'

Another female photographer, also based in London, spoke of the difficulties of navigating through family dynamics on the big day.

The 31-year-old said: 'Weddings are intense and emotional days so you get a lot of weird things going on. Sometimes you get guests that pull you by your clothes to ask for a photo rather than just speaking to you they'll grab your shirt.

'Sometimes you get a family member who forgets it's not their wedding, so you get pulled aside to have a mini-photoshoot with the sister-in-law.

Mr Dingley was an events photographer for eleven years before specialising in proposals and weddings. Since then he has captured more than 600 surprise engagements

The Church of England has said that it worked with professional photographers to produce guidance for couples

Mr Dingley was the wedding photographer for the wedding of Jeremy Kyle and Vicky Burton that took place in Windsor 2021 (this image was not taken by Mr Dingley)

'Especially if they have their own families they want to get shots done because everyone looks great but it's not about them.

'You have to reign them back in and tell them it's not about them - it's about the bride.'

On other occasions photographers have been told not to picture a certain person in the family or try and cut them out of group shots of the relatives.

'It's awkward because sometimes you get a bride or groom telling you they don't want pictures of a particular family member which is sometimes unavoidable,' the unnamed photographer said.

'Then you need to negotiate with that family member by putting them on the end of the photograph or try and get another family photo when they walk away but you can't make it obvious.

'I often get situations where there is a stage or an aisle and people are tapping you to move out the way saying I am blocking them which is hard to negotiate as you have to do your job.'

Some female photographers have also expressed concerns about feeling particularly vulnerable while working at weddings.

The photographer said she had been put in some odd situations during weddings and on one occasion was even offered cocaine by a groomsman.

'Often, the parties get crazy. When I started out as a female photographer, and guests were drinking, some people would get a little overfamiliar,' the photographer said.

Photographers claim it is becoming almost impossible to take pictures inside churches due to the 'aggressive, rude and humiliating' behaviour of members of the clergy

Photographers taking photos during church ceremonies claim they are only trying to honour couples' wishes, noting that images of that first special first kiss are treasured

'There was a time where I was in the groomsmen's room to take photographs but all they wanted me to do was party with them and it made things difficult.'

Mr MP added: 'I've had a few drunk people. It doesn't bother me too much. It's much harder when people are sober and more conscious of you.'

Mr Dingley, who has photographed more than 600 proposals, added: 'Guests do ask when drunk 'let me take a photo of you' but one, I don't want you holding my really expensive camera, and two no one wants a picture of me.

'I often joke about taking a selfie and there's always plenty to do so I just go off to another circle.

'But I like the guests I meet and I'll never speak to these people again so I often have a chat with them while working and it's nice seeing everyone have a good time.'

The photographers, many who say their career is a life-long vocation, stressed that all these small annoyances are just a small part of their day and never have a huge impact.

The photographers agree that when it comes to managing a wedding, and keeping everyone as happy as possible, it all comes down to communication.

Mr MP said: 'Wedding ceremonies are a big day and you cannot go on and it is a very competitive industry, it's sink or swim but I love it. The fact that you make people happy seeing couples with their photos and memories that will last forever.'

Wedding photographers say it is becoming almost impossible to take pictures inside churches due to the 'aggressive, rude and humiliating' behaviour of members of the clergy

Lincolnshire-based photographer Rachel Roberts told the Mail she felt many church leaders were 'stuck in the past'

'A lot of people think having a professional camera or smartphone will capture everything on a wedding day, but having a professional photographer who is dedicated to take photos is necessary,' Mr Dingley added.

'You can't rely on a family member or friend with a camera as you want the whole day incorporated.'

Oxford-based wedding photographer Matthew Ellacott, 50, added: 'People have expectations at weddings. People will ask for their photos to be taken and I've had mothers of the bride who have strong opinions of what they would like.

'I always feel like it is my job to please the couple and strike the tone they would like. Weddings are unpredictable and that's part of it.

'Alcohol is drunk and you get bumped, things get bashed or knocked over, it happens. I've been fortunate enough to not meet anyone who's been too aggressive and people who are very clear in the ideas they want.'

When it comes to church weddings, it is down to the priest or vicar's discretion on what photographs can be taken at each church and may refuse to allow them during the ceremony at all.

Others only permit one picture during the signing of the registry. The Church of England has said that it worked with professional photographers to produce guidance for couples.

A spokesperson told MailOnline previously: 'Our clergy welcome couples and work with them to ensure that their wedding is personal, meaningful, spiritual, and beautiful. Photography is an important part of the day for many of the couples who come to church to celebrate their wedding.

'Good early communication between the couple, the officiant and the photographer can help to ensure that expectations are aligned, and we advise that couples discuss these matters in advance with their church, so they know what to expect.

'We want to reassure couples that they don't have to be churchgoers to have a church wedding, they don't need to be christened, and we welcome couples who already have children. Just ask to find out what's possible.'
For beachcombers, finding a perfectly frosted sea glass marble lying in the sand used to be a rare, sought after prize.

But in recent years, some searchers have started 'seeding' marbles, dumping them into the water for future generations to find once they've been transformed.

The practice has sparked a furious war online, throwing beachcomber groups into chaos with purists arguing the practice destroys the novelty and excitement of finding a marble, while a liberal faction take a no harm, no foul approach.

One of the most militant purists, Dave Valle, 55, who has been kicked out of three Facebook groups over the row, told The Boston Globe: 'A marble is supposed to be the most exciting thing to find beachcombing. Its the ultimate treasure.

'They say theyre leaving this for the future? Its littering. And it sucks the magic out of it. Who wants to find a marble someone threw there?'

Dave Valle is one of the most militant purists against the process of 'seeding' marbles

Founder of a sea glass online forum, Stephen Hopkins, takes a more liberal approach, but has had to ban the topic from his forum

Finding a sea glass marble used to be a once in a lifetime experience, but now purists say it can happen multiple times a day

Sea glass collection boomed in popularity during the pandemic, with enthusiasts flocking to online forums to share their hauls, creations and discuss potential origins of their specimens.

There is no such thing as a completely 'natural' sea marble, but historically marbles have found their way into the sea while children played with them, or were knocked in from Boardwalk amusement parks, or were used as bottle stoppers.

A few years ago however, Valle says people in Rhode Island started 'seeding' marbles.

The practice caught on online and spread like wildfire until there were so many 'seeded' marbles that finding one went from a once in a lifetime experience to something that happened once a day.

Seeding drove Valle mad and he started clashing with anyone who posted photos of what he believed to be impure hauls online.

When one person shared a photo of 40 marbles found in a single day's hunt, he started his own online group, Don't Worry Be Glassy, and only allowed dedicated 'purists' like himself in.

Valle took no prisoners in his approach to the debate, attacking anyone he thought was condoning seeding.

One of the men he clashed with is Stephen Hopkins, the founder of the area's largest online forum New England Sea Glass Searchers.

Hopkins takes a more liberal approach to seeding than Valle, acknowledging that the line between seeded and natural glass is blurred.

He told the Globe: 'Daves angle is to say he only has the pure stuff.

'But then youd have people say something like they found some glass that wasnt cooked yet on a beach where kids play, so they moved it down away from where they play, and hed go after them and say thats seeding.'

Valle loves sea glass hunting and makes art from his finds

Valle refuses to tell anyone where he finds most of his hauls

The debate became so heated that Hopkins had to ban the topic from his forum.

Some in the liberal faction, like Richard LaMotte, say: 'It does feel a little like cheating, but theyre not harmful or hazardous, and I think about little kids who might never find a marble. Thats a memory maker.'

They argue that the current supply of sea glass is running out as it is collected and is being replaced by plastic.

They also say that modern 'trash glass' doesn't have the structural integrity to form new sea glass as it splinters and disintegrates, whereas marbles have the strength and composition to quickly form beautiful new pieces.

But the purists say it 'cheapens' the process, Mary McCarthy, a Maryland based beachcomber told the Globe: 'Throwing marbles is Easter egging. Its artificial.'

McCarthy travels the country helping other combers identify the provenance of their finds, but now she said: 'I spend too much time informing people their precious marble was purchased two years ago at a Michaels.'

Sea glass hunting boomed in popularity during the pandemic with thousands of people now members of online forums

Members share photos of their hauls and discuss potential origins of different pieces of glass

The International Sea Glass Association does not have an official policy on seeding, but the organization's president said it is highly discouraged.

Cesar Williams-Padin said: 'Sea glass tells a story, but with seeding it takes away that excitement and history.

'Theres plenty of glass in the ocean. It doesnt need more. And glass is going to continue to end up in the ocean without us adding to it.'

Valle's argument, that he has had time and time again online, is that seeding marbles is just not necessary.

He said: 'You dont need marbles for this to be magic.'
A cafe owner was left furious after he was told to take down a sign advertising pet euthanasia at home because it was causing 'offence'.

Rob Robinson, who runs Brew Bear Cafe in Evesham, Worcestershire, said members of the local council came round demanding the sign was removed immediately.

He was initially reported to Evesham Town Council by a member of the public who was concerned about the content of the advert.

Mr Robinson, who also owns Evesham Vets, that his sign was advertising, maintains he followed the correct procedures for getting it approved.

He told the Evesham Journal: 'We are a small business, and all small businesses find it hard to survive.

A cafe owner is furious after he was told to take down a sign advertising pet euthansia at home because it was causing 'offence'

'We followed procedure and the council had their chance to object, but they didn't.

Mr Robinson added: 'I was furious because I thought, is this what taxpayer's money should go towards?

'The people of Evesham are lovely and those who need to use our vet services appreciate us.

'When most animals go over the rainbow bridge this method is used and in Britain people treat their pets like their children. This business was to help pet owners and vets.

'It is mindboggling why there was any complaint and why the council ran in here.'

In response to the backlash against his sign, Mr Robinson posted a light-hearted TikTok video checking out the other 'outdoor advertisements' in Evesham.

In the clip, he said whilst looking at an advert for stairs: 'This one causes me the most pain as I live in a bungalow.'

He added that he also found an advert for a nail salon 'highly offensive' as he had 'no nails'.

Although the member of the public complained to Evesham Town Council about the euthanasia sign, the complaint was passed onto Wychavon Council who have responsibilty for pavement licences.

Evesham Town Council clerk Jo Adams confirmed that a member of the public had got in touch with the local authority about the sign outside the cafe.

She said there were concerns about there being 'an advert for pet euthanasia sat alongside an advert for cakes'.

Ms Adams explained that Evesham Town Council has no authority for licensing and planning matters and therefore the complaint was passed onto the district council.

Rob Robinson, who runs Brew Bear Cafe in Evesham, Worcestershire, said members of the local council came round demanding the 'offensive' sign was removed immediately

Ian MacLeod, the director of planning and infrastrucure on Wychavon District Council, said that Mr Robinson was asked to remove the sign because although he was granted permission for street furniture, this did not cover the use of barriers or screens for advertising purposes.

He added that the council had recieved a complaint about the decision and that they were currently investigating to see if there had been any breach of planning regulations.

MailOnline has contacted Evesham Town Council and Wychavon District Council for further comment.
It is not just frontline forces facing deep cutbacks  the cash crisis engulfing UK defence chiefs is now so serious even tea and biscuits are off the menu at Whitehall meetings.

The Ministry of Defence is citing 'escalating costs' to justify scrapping 'hospitality (refreshments and meals)' at meetings at its imposing London HQ.

In a leaked memo, chief operating officer Nina Cope said only events involving 'international delegations' would be offered a drink or food.

The move emerged after reports last week that the military is facing a record funding black hole of up to 29 billion and warnings that the Armed Forces would be unable to fulfil Nato obligations.

Britain also faced embarrassment last month over the test-firing failure of a Trident missile, part of the UK's submarine-based nuclear deterrent being upgraded at a cost of up to 41 billion.

The cash crisis engulfing UK defence chiefs is now so serious even tea and biscuits are off the menu at Whitehall meetings (Stock Image)

The move emerged after reports last week that the military is facing a record funding black hole of up to 29 billion and warnings that the Armed Forces would be unable to fulfil Nato obligations (File Photo)

There is also concern over the Army's size falling to its lowest level since the Napoleonic wars.

Last night Labour former Defence Minister Kevan Jones heaped ridicule on the tea-and-biscuits crackdown.

'Talk about rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic,' he said. 'Given the scale of the financial hole the Tories are leaving the MoD in, scrapping refreshments at Whitehall meetings really does take the biscuit.'

Hospitality cutbacks emerged days after MPs accused defence officials and Ministers of having no plans to pay for armoured vehicles, warships and jets  leaving Britain in an 'alarming place'.

In a scathing report, the Commons Public Accounts Committee warned of the potential 29 billion gap between the MoD budget and the cost of future equipment.

The damning verdict emerged a day after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Budget failed to include a cash boost for the Armed Forces.

However, yesterday former Defence Secretaries joined senior military officers and war heroes to back the Daily Mail's campaign for an immediate injection of money for the military.

In her memo, Ms Cope told staff that because of 'escalating costs and expenses in delivering outputs', the MoD had decided that 'except for meetings with international delegations, all meetings, including off-site team meetings and external meetings, are to be held without hospitality (refreshments and meals)'.

There is also concern over the Army's size falling to its lowest level since the Napoleonic wars (File Photo)

A source said the crackdown applied to coffee, tea, fruit and biscuits served at more than 100 meetings a week, and that even dispensing machines had not been refilled.

The source added: 'The atmosphere is horrible. There is no money for anything and most departments now supply their own biscuits and coffee.

'The same thing happened a decade ago. It is all about the contractors budget which they claim has been exhausted, so they are pulling back on their obligation.'

Privately, defence insiders have blamed a post-Covid pandemic increase in 'face-to-face meetings' for the rise in costs.

Last night a separate source said Defence Secretary Grant Shapps 'has worked behind the scenes to get the best deal for the department. There was a real terms defence increase in the Budget'.

'He has spoken widely that there will be a need for the West to increase its defence spending.'

An MoD spokesman said: 'We are committed to delivering value for money. As part of our private finance initiative contract, limited refreshments are supplied by the contractor in a small number of meetings.'
He is a keen amateur painter whose artworks have raised millions for charity. But even King Charles might baulk at the price of a 160 painting kit on sale at Sandringham, his Norfolk estate.

The limited edition watercolour set contains just one 2B pencil, two synthetic sable brushes, a cold pressed watercolour paper pad, a ceramic mixing palette, a putty rubber and a tiny bit of sponge, as well as 12 paint tubes.

Art suppliers Winsor & Newton describe it as an 'exclusively curated, limited edition set in a quality wooden keepsake box'.

But identical kits of its watercolours without the exclusive Sandringham branding are on sale online for less than half the price.

Canny shoppers can also pay far less for similar painting kits at the discount Range store eight miles away in King's Lynn. The shop  where the Princess of Wales was spotted shopping for art supplies for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis  has a set with 12 paint tubes, three brushes and a mixing knife for just 4.99.

The King describes himself as an 'enthusiastic amateur painter', although he never sells his original pictures

The limited edition watercolour set contains just one 2B pencil, two synthetic sable brushes, a cold pressed watercolour paper pad, a ceramic mixing palette, a putty rubber and a tiny bit of sponge, as well as 12 paint tubes

The new kit is among items featuring the King's paintings of Sandringham and Norfolk scenes on sale in the estate's gift shop and on its website.

Any profits are ploughed back into the running of Sandringham, where the Royal Family gather every Christmas.

The King describes himself as an 'enthusiastic amateur painter', although he never sells his original pictures.

He has said painting 'transports me into another dimension which refreshes parts of the soul which other activities can't reach'.

A limited number of signed and framed prints of the King's Sandringham House painting are currently on sale in upmarket London galleries for more than 6,000 each.

It was revealed in 2016 that sales of his prints, costing up to 15,000 each, have raised more than 6 million.

The King has not personally profited from the sales, with all the money going to his charitable foundation.

160 painting kit on sale at Sandringham, the King's Norfolk estate

The 8.99 crayon set for sale at the Sandringham House gift shop
With his grisly descriptions of gruelling workhouses, the cruel orphanages and the soul-crushing debtors' prisons, Charles Dickens authentically portrayed the social evils of 19th Century England.

But the BBC has sparked a fresh impartiality row by claiming his depictions of Victorian poverty have 'striking parallels' with Britain today.

Its flagship Radio 4 station made the claim in publicity for new adaptations of Dickens's novels Hard Times, Little Dorrit and Our Mutual Friend.

It wrote: 'In the autumn there will be a new triple bill, with titles in which the well-loved writer's critique of Victorian society has particularly striking parallels with life in Britain today.'

Experts last night criticised the claim as 'ludicrous', pointing out that Dickens was writing at a time when Britain did not yet have a welfare state, the NHS or free education.

The BBC has sparked a fresh impartiality row by claiming his depictions of Victorian poverty have 'striking parallels' with Britain today (File Photo)

Best-selling author Jeffrey Archer said: 'If the BBC is attempting to make a comparison between Victorian Britain and today it will be about as realistic as suggesting that Richard III and Charles III have anything in common.'

Top historian Lord Andrew Roberts added: 'Small surprise that the BBC has chosen Dickens's novels depicting grinding poverty and exploitation as the ones they believe reflect modern Britain  although any comparison between today and the era of child chimney-sweeps is ludicrous. When surveying modern, global-trading, post-Brexit Britain, I see great expectations.'

Hard Times, which was published in 1854, depicts the harsh realities facing the Victorian poor. Key characters include Josiah Bounderby, a hard-hearted businessman who puts unbridled profits above the well being of his staff.

Dickens's final novel, Our Mutual Friend, was written between 1864 and 1865 as a tirade against disease, poverty and class bitterness. Pitcured: Charles Dickens in his study at Gadshill

Little Dorrit, which was released in instalments between 1855 and 1857, raised the plight of thousands who were incarcerated in debtors' prisons because they were too poor to pay off their debts.

In part the story was based on the experiences of Dickens's own father John who spent three months in debtors' prison.

Dickens's final novel, Our Mutual Friend, was written between 1864 and 1865 as a tirade against disease, poverty and class bitterness.

The three adaptations will be broadcast later this year.

Themes featured in the productions include the divide between the rich and poor, collapsing banks, an education system undervaluing the humanities and  slightly more tongue-in-cheek  the processing of waste. A source said: 'They are faithful adaptations of particular books that resonate with the present day.'

It is not the first time that the BBC has been criticised for politicising the works of Charles Dickens. Last year a BBC One adaptation of Great Expectations was widely lambasted for including anti-colonial themes which were not present in the novel.

A BBC spokesman said: 'We're excited to bring listeners these new adaptations that get to the heart of Dickens and that will offer humour, romance and vivid and memorable characters, as well as fantastic storytelling.'
Victorian mother Samantha Murphy's alleged killer has not revealed where her body is after spending his fourth night behind bars.

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, reserved his right to remain silent since he was charged with Ms Murphy's murder last Thursday.

It's understood Stephenson has repeatedly refused to co-operate with police and has given no indication as to where Ms Murphy's remains could be, the Sunday Herald Sun reports.

Stephenson was arrested in Scotsburn, about 17km from Ms Murphy's home, last Wednesday and was charged with murdering the 51-year-old the next day.

Sunday marks five weeks since Ms Murphy left her Eureka St home for a 7 am run on February 4, the same day Stephenson is accused of killing her.

The remains of Victorian mother Samantha Murphy (pictured) have not been found following the arrest of her alleged killer

Patrick Orren Stephenson (left) is accused of murdering Ms Murphy on February 4, the day of her disappearance, but has not shared any details on the location of her body

Her family remain desperate for closure with her husband, Mick Murphy, on Friday pleading for Stephenson to co-operate with police.

'We are hoping he has a bit of a change of heart and that he will co-operate. That will help bring her home,' he said.

'We'd just like some more answers now.'

Victoria Police's Chief Commissioner Shane Patton on Thursday confirmed Stephenson had not disclosed the location of Ms Murphy's body.

It is unclear what specific evidence led police to Stephenson's arrest.

However, it's understood a large part of Victoria Police's investigation was CCTV footage from around East Ballarat.

Officers recently obtained videos from a light industrial and residential area, with homes and businesses in Elsworth, Joseph and Butt streets confirming police requested their security footage.

Elsworth St leads to bushland managed by Parks Victoria.

It is not known if any of the footage obtained shows Ms Murphy or any vehicles of interest.

Officers have also searched the area, which includes car detailing, roller-door and gymnasium businesses.

However, Commissioner Patton revealed police would not continue planned searches over the weekend unless the location of Ms Murphy's remains were uncovered by other means

Dedicated volunteers have scoured Ballarat bushland for five weeks but have found no trace of the missing mother.

Ms Murphy's husband, Mick Murphy (pictured), has pleaded with Stephenson to share any information he has

Sunday marks five weeks since Ms Murphy disappeared after leaving her Eureka St home for a run (pictured, a mourner at Ms Murphy's vigil)

Residents said they saw officers at a home on Yendon No. 2 Rd, in Scotsburn, about 6.30am on Wednesday - the time Stephenson was arrested.

One neighbour claimed officers seized the 22-year-old's vehicle, a white four-wheel drive.

The car is reportedly being examined by specialist officers.
Men 'wrongly convicted' during the 1980s miners' strike should get the same blanket exoneration now offered to innocent sub-postmasters, Labour MPs demanded last night.

They want the criminal records, including convictions, of thousands of striking miners erased by a single piece of legislation.

The radical approach is now being offered by the Government to give justice to hundreds of people wrongly convicted of theft and other offences in the Post Office 'Horizon' computer system scandal.

On the 40th anniversary of the start of the bitterly-fought 1984/85 miners' dispute, Left-wing Labour MPs Ian Lavery and Jon Trickett said it was 'only right' that the same remedy was given to miners wrongly convicted during the strike.

More than 8,000 people were charged during the bitterly-fought strike, mostly with breach of the peace and obstruction.

The National Miners Strike 1984 Miners and their families from Westoe Colliery march to the Town Hall in South Shields, on March 10, 1984

Mr Trickett, MP for Hemsworth in West Yorkshire, said: 'It is entirely right that we pass a blanket law giving the sub-postmasters the justice they so clearly deserve.

'But there is a glaring need to correct another long standing injustice  that of the many innocent striking miners who were left with charges and convictions that they never deserved.'

He appealed to the Government to make the anniversary of the strike by 'righting the wrongs that we all know took place and wipe the stain from these people's records.

'And if this Government is not willing to do so, I hope that an incoming Labour government would introduce rapid review of what happened and allow legislation to correct historic wrongs.'

Former miner Mr Lavery, ex-Labour Party chairman, said: 'On the 40th Anniversary of the miners' strike, any respectable Government would consider securing justice for those wrongfully convicted during the dispute.

Former sub-postmaster Alan Bates and his partner Suzanne Sercombe arriving at the High Court to discuss the Horizon scandal

'This is long overdue.'

But last night, one senior Tory MP warned against another blanket exoneration move.

He told the Mail on Sunday: 'The sub-postmasters' plan should very much be a one-off.

'We can't start willy-nilly ripping up hundreds of other types of conviction simply by passing a law at Westminster.

'This is terribly dangerous territory.'

However, miners convicted in Scotland have already received a pardon which SNP MP Owen Thompson now wants extending to those in England and Wales.
Ticketless parking fines have been scrapped following a massive backlash, and instead, the traditional paper parking tickets are being reintroduced.

The ticketless system, introduced as a trial in May 2020, sparked criticism from motorists who argued that it was unfair.

If drivers broke parking rules under the ticketless system, they wouldn't find out for weeks until they got a fine letter in the mail. This delay made it hard for them to challenge the fine.

NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos contacted councils across the state this week ordering them to go back to using paper tickets when issuing parking fines, and banned any future councils from introducing the scheme.

'Providing immediate notification to drivers is the right thing to do and is an important first step to restoring community trust in the administration of the fines system,' she wrote.

'This could be as simple as a note, which could take the form of a standardised, pre-printed card, noting that a fine has been issued.

'Doing so  will allow drivers to take their own photos and note down relevant details.'

Ticketless parking fines are being scrapped in NSW after public outcry

Finance Minister Courtney Houssos told all councils to stop using the ticketless system because it was eroding the public's trust

The note left on driver's windscreens did not have to be the infringement itself, Ms Houssos wrote, but 'at a minimum' should let people know a fine is on the way.

Ticketless fines have proven to be massively profitable for the government, according to findings from Revenue NSW.

In 2023 councils across the state collected $236 million in 2023 through the scheme which was a massive boost from the pre-ticketless system.

Almost $140 million was raised through the 749,000 ticketless fines issued.

Before the trial phase was rolled out councils only collected $198 million in revenue from parking fines in 2018.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury has been a vocal opponent of the ticketless parking rule.

'If motorists only learn they have been fined weeks later, it takes away the transparency of the scheme and stops motorists from getting their own evidence,' he told the Daily Telegraph.

'It is also not a deterrent. If you park at the beach and you see parking fines on peoples' windscreens, it reminds people that parking officers are about and to do the right thing.'
The Connecticut Legislature is considering a proposed bill that would ban the possession, sale, trade or distribution of shark fins, following a trend set by neighboring states.

The proposed bill is now before the legislature's environmental committee and is expected to move up and go before the full General Assembly. If adopted, the prohibition would apply to both raw, dried, and processed shark fins and tails.

Several nearby states, including New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts have banned the trade and practice of shark finning, and advocates say its important that Connecticut follow suit.

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Shark finning is the fishing of sharks at sea, removing their fins and tail, then throwing the rest of the animal overboard back into the sea. Finless sharks are unable to swim and soon die by suffocation, blood loss or from predators.

While shark finning is illegal in U.S. waters, advocates say Connecticut should adopt it's own ban on the trade to ensure the state doesn't become a commercial hub of shark fins.

By doing this we are aligning ourselves with similar language from the state of New York and Rhode Island," said Rep. Joseph Gresko, D-Stratford, said of the proposed bill. We are trying to make sure that theres no question  that were not going to be tolerating this.

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The shark dies a horrible death and its not used for anything, said Gresko of the discarded body. The law is twofold. Were trying to make the shark population come back  and not having Connecticut be the place for illegal trade and distribution of fins.

The fins are used in traditional Chinese Medicine and for shark fin soup, a dish that is considered a delicacy and is served at banquets or holiday celebrations.

A spike in demand during the 2000s for shark fin soup caused a rush of overfishing, and many shark species have become threatened or endangered as a result, experts say. But sharks werent doing well long before that.

Decades ago, even before (the movie) "Jaws," people would go out and kill sharks for the sake of killing sharks, said Peter Auster, a senior research scientist at Mystic Aquarium and emeritus professor at the University of Connecticut. Most local sharks were killed for trophies, but theres also always been a market for shark meat," he said. "The largest fish-eating sharks taste like swordfish and would be substitutes on the market.

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Shark finning was made illegal in U.S. waters with the passage of the Shark Finning Act in 2000, which made it illegal to remove shark fins, and discard their bodies while at sea.

This will preclude killing a long-lived, low-reproductive output animal  simply for its fin, said Auster, adding that many shark species were threatened specifically because of the fin trade. The practice caused the shark population to collapse, resulting in a systemic, cascading problem in the ocean's ecosystems and control over predators and prey among marine life, he said.

While demand for shark fins isnt high in the United States, U.S. ports and shipping facilitated the trade of fins globally, scientists say. To close that loophole Congress passes the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act in December of 2022, making it illegal to possess, buy, sell, or transport shark fins or products containing shark fins.

This is significant progress, said Auster of the proposed Connecticut legislation. Its important because it fills this gap where Connecticut cant become this point of transshipment.

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He said that it was important that Connecticut not fall out of step with nearby states or the federal government. Without the ban, Connecticuts proximity to huge population centers like New York City and Boston would make it attractive to move shark fins here, he said.

State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes and advocates on behalf of the local fishing industry offered testimony in support of the bill in recent weeks, saying the bill should protect sharks, without harming local fishermen.

Some advocates dont think the ban goes far enough, however. Annie Hornish, state director of the Connecticut Humane Society pointed out that the bill specifically carves out an exemption for smooth hounds, a genus of dogfish. There is a managed smooth hound fishery in the New England region.

You run into the problem of a restaurant serving soup where yes you could determine where that fin came from but its not likely that resources will be put toward the scientific analysis of the product, said Hornish. Without molecular testing its almost impossible to determine what species the fin came from.

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She said to fully eradicate shark finning, the state needs to make it entirely illegal to sell or possess all fins, and not make an exception, as it creates loopholes for people to hide otherwise illicit wildlife trade.

DEEP officials said the dogfish exception in the proposed bill follows federal and neighboring state guidelines.
A Sydney imam has described Jews as a 'criminal, barbaric, tyrannical enemy' in an anti-Semitic sermon, claiming Jihad was the 'only solution' to restore Palestine.

Australian Imam Abdul Salam Zoud delivered the sermon to his congregation at Masjid As-Sunnah Mosque in Lakemba, southwest of Sydney, on February 9.

The sermon, which was streamed live on the Mosque's Facebook page, was unearthed and translated by the Middle East Media and Research Institute - an American group that monitors Muslim extremists.

Imam Zoud said the Jews had trespassed on land and oppressed the people of Palestine.

He praised Jihad and Hamas, claiming the Prophet Muhammad and the Righteous Caliphs did not conquer the world by peaceful means, negotiations or concessions.

Australian Imam Abdul Salam Zoud (pictured) delivered a scathing sermon in which he labelled Jews as a 'criminal, barbaric, tyrannical enemy' and claimed Jihad was the 'only solution' to restore Palestine

'These people (Jews) only understand the language of force,' Imam Zoud said.

'Do not even dream that [Palestine] can be regained through negotiations. By Allah, Palestine will only be restored through Jihad.'

'Jihad for the sake of Allah is the only solution when it comes to the infidels.'

He said'all the billions that were spent to improve, beautify, and highlight the image of the Jews have all gone in vain'.

He added the goal of Jihad was not to kill people and take over their land but rather to remove obstacles preventing the spread of Islam.

The sermon has outraged MPs and Jewish leaders in Australia, with many claiming the hateful speech should not be tolerated.

Liberal Senator Dave Sharma labelled the sermon 'disgusting' and 'un-Australian', claiming the imam was inciting violence.

'If it is not unlawful it should be,' Senator Sharma told the Daily Telegraph. 'That crosses the line from free speech into inciting violence.'

Liberal Senator Dave Sharma (pictured) labelled the sermon 'disgusting' and 'un-Australian', claiming the imam was inciting violence

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies David Ossip said the sermon was 'incredibly dangerous' and 'inconsistent with Australian values'.

'If we are serious about maintaining the communal cohesion and harmony we all treasure, we surely cannot tolerate hate preachers poisoning the minds of their adherents by vilifying other Australians and calling for jihad,' Mr Ossip said.
Pro-Palestinian marchers should question whether extremist groups are behind the protests, Michael Gove has claimed.

The Communities Secretary warned that 'good-hearted people' participating in the demonstrations should be aware that they could be 'lending credence to extremists'.

This comes after thousands more took to the streets of London today to demand a ceasefire, with one counter protestor and five demonstrators arrested.

Mr Gove is expected to produce a new official definition of extremism over the next few days, which he believes will help protesters decide whether to attend pro-Palestinian events as at future marches there will be 'no excuse for ignorance'.

'If we're clear about the nature of extremist organisations, then I think that means that some of the people - and there are good-hearted people who go on these marches, I don't agree with them, but they're moved by suffering and they want peace - but it may help some of them to question who are organising some of these events. I won't go into details now, but we will later,' he said in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph.

Communities Secretary, Michael Gove, warned that 'good-hearted people' participating in the demonstrations should be aware that they could be 'lending credence to extremists'

This comes after thousands more took to the streets of London today to demand a ceasefire, with one counter protestor and five demonstrators arrested. Protestors in London on 9 March, 2024

He continued: 'Some of the events that have been organised, have been organised by extremist organisations.

'That doesn't mean that people who have gone on them are extremist, quite the opposite. But it means that you can begin to question: do you really want to be lending credence to this organisation? If you do, fair enough. But now there is no excuse for ignorance.'

This comes after Iranian Niyak Ghorbani, 37, waved a sign that read 'Hamas is terrorist' in the middle of the rally today as part of a counter-protest, leading to a huge brawl.

Demonstrators carrying Palestine flags charged towards Mr Ghorbani and attacked him before police stepped in to arrest the counter-protester.

Mr Ghorbani was then hauled away from the scene as pro-Palestinian marchers continued to hurl abuse at him, shouting 'shame on you'.

Five further arrests were made at the march, including a man accused of carrying a shield and wearing a helmet, a woman said to be holding an an offensive placard, two men alleged to be chanting offensive slogans and one man for assault.

Mr Gove also warned that chanting 'from the river to the sea' meant calling for the 'erasure' of Israel and risked fuelling hate and intimidation.

'We can also have a broader conversation about the way in which some of what's said on these marches springs from an extremist ideology, rather than simply being an expression of passionate opposition to conflict.

''From the river to the sea' is not a call for peace... when you're saying 'from the river to the sea', you're explicitly saying: 'I want to see the end of Israel as a Jewish state, the Jewish homeland erased.'

Protesters attend a march, demanding a cease-fire in Gaza, as it heads over Vauxhall Bridge on March 9, 2024 in London

Mr Gove also warned that chanting 'from the river to the sea' meant calling for the 'erasure' of Israel and risked fuelling hate and intimidation

'Now, be clear about that and be clear about what that means.

'Be clear about the fact that you know a key Islamist demand is the erasure of what they see as the 'Zionist entity' or the 'crusader Zionist state'.

'And therefore, let's be clear that there is a difference between a cry for peace and the legitimisation of an extremist position which intimidates and leads to hate.'

The Government's new definition will replace one in the existing Prevent counter-radicalisation programme, giving 'more specificity', and will enable the Government and other public bodies to ban funding and engagement with Islamist and far-right groups.

Mr Gove sought to address fears from some Tories that the new definition could encompass gender-critical feminists or devout religious groups.

'It's only extremism if you translate that into a political ideology that is anti-democratic,' he said.

'Private belief should be cherished. Free speech has to be protected.'

Mr Gove hinted that foreign governments such as Iran could be behind some of the extremist groups operating in the UK.

'One of the things that we're explicitly looking at is the way in which foreign state and non-state actors seek to encourage extremism here,' he said.

'And again, this is inevitably sensitive work about which I can say only a very limited amount because it's not only Iran that attempts to use some of these forces to destabilise British democracy.'

Meanwhile, the Observer reported that Mr Gove's officials fear the new definition could face a legal challenge.

'The Government wants to launch this without a public consultation on the definition, or proper engagement with faith leaders,' said one official who has seen the proposals.

'It's never going to work.'
A desperate search has been launched for a missing young boy with down syndrome and autism.

Hussein Al Mansoory, aged 12, was last seen running from Auburn Memorial Park towards the intersection of Station Road and Rawson Street, Auburn, about 10.30am Saturday.

Police were alerted when he was unable to be located and officers from Auburn Police Area Command have been conducting extensive searches and inquiries to locate him.

Hussein Al Mansoory, aged 12, was last seen running from Auburn Memorial Park towards the intersection of Station Road and Rawson Street, Auburn, about 10.30am Saturday.

Inspector Mark Wakeham, Auburn Police Area Command Duty Officer addresses the media as the search concerns a boy missing from Auburn at NSW SES Auburn Unit : Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Serious concerns are held for Hussein's welfare as he lives with down syndrome and autism; he is also nonverbal.

Inspector Mark Wakeham put a call out on Sunday for local residents to search their yards for the boy.

'We are hopeful he is still in that vicinity.

'The family is very distraught.'

SES unit is conducting a door-to-door search for a missing boy in Auburn. : Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

'We believe he's quite scared. He may walk away from members of the community if approached.'

SES members were going door to door on Sunday afternoon in the hopes of locating Hussein.

If anyone spots the boy, they are urged to call police.

A helicopter is also being used as part of the search.

Hussein is described as being of Middle Eastern appearance, of slim build, about 140cm tall, with short black hair, and last seen wearing a white T-shirt.

Anyone with information in relation to Hussein's whereabouts is urged to contact Auburn Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Disturbing photographs show the gruesome scene where the body of a young mum was discovered a wheelie bin on an isolated road.

The body of Chaithanya 'Swetha' Madhagani, 30, was found stuffed into a green wheelie bin on Mount Pollock Road in Buckley, west of Geelong, at 12pm Saturday.

The bin spent much of Saturday in the sweltering heat before homicide detectives arrived in the late afternoon.

Photos from the scene show the bin half hidden behind a bush with a large white blanket folded beside it.

The mother-of-one was found by police and sources familiar with her said the father of her son, Ashok Raj Varikuppala, recently left the country for India with their child.

Mr Varikuppala, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, has been in contact with family members in Victoria and will co-operate with police in their investigation.

The body of Chaithanya 'Swetha' Madhagani, 30, was found stuffed into a green wheelie bin on Mount Pollock Road in Buckley, west of Geelong, at 12pm Saturday

The green wheelie bin was found semi-hidden amongst rural bushland

Sources familiar with the mother-of-one said the father of her son, Ashok Raj Varikuppala, recently left the country for India with their child (pictured together)

Two crime scenes have been established by police, one on Mount Pollock Road and another 82km away at a residential address in Mirka Wat in Point Cook, Melbourne.

READ MORE: Link between Samantha Murphy and her alleged killer revealed The remains of missing mum Samantha Murphy are yet to be found Advertisement

A police spokesperson confirmed that the two scenes are connected to the death of Ms Madhagani.

Eric Lewis, who owns the land either side of where the body was found, said he'd never seen a wheelie bin lying there, despite passing by it frequently..

Another local recalled walking in the area on Friday, and noticed a pungent smell which he presumed was a dead sheep.

Friends have since described Ms Madhagani as 'a perfect woman and a perfect mother' who lived for her young son.

Ms Madhagani would often cook and share food and invited people into her home, friends said.

One neighbour told the Herald Sun that Ms Madhagani was 'one of the sweetest girls ever'.

'Everyone would want to have Swetha in their lives. She was full of life  I can't believe she's gone.

'A life is lost its worse she was found somewhere else we all deserve dignity.'

Another neighbour said he was in 'disbelief' at the news and that his son had attended a birthday party for the couple's child.

He had known the family for three years,

'They are a very good, nice family, I've never seen them argue,' he said.

Two crime scenes have been established by police, one on Mount Pollock Road and another 82km away at a residential address in Mirka Wat in Point Cook, Melbourne (pictured)

One neighbour spoke to journalists and said that Ms Madhagani was 'one of the sweetest girls ever'
Bodies have been removed from funeral homes in Hull amid concerns over the 'care of the deceased'.

Cordons were in place on Saturday night at three Legacy Independent Funeral Directors sites after officers received a report on Wednesday.

A number of bodies have since been moved to the local authority mortuary in Hull as part of the investigation.

Residents first reported police outside Legacy Funeral Directors in Anlaby Road and Hessle Road, both in Hull, at about 3am on Thursday, according to Hull Live.

Officers last night remained at both branches, as well as one in Beverley. A direct line has been set up for anyone who may be affected.

The Beverley branch, the smallest, is located on the corner of a residential street on the outskirts of the town.

The woman who owns the building and lives next door said: 'They don't very often come to this place.

Two officers are pictured outside the Hessle Road Branch in Hull. Police said earlier that a cordon has been put in place around two other branches as well

Cordons remain in place at three Legacy Independent Funeral Directors

'I have not seen them for ages. They used my place to try and drum up extra business but it has not really happened.

'It is very strange what has happened. It is not everyday you have the police watching the building.

'I know a couple of people who have had funerals there and they were really happy.'

The main branch and head office of Legacy is at the near derelict end of Hessle Road, Hull, next to a derelict house sprayed with graffiti and facing a row of takeaways and boarded up buildings.

Local takeaway staff were all aware of the investigation but had no idea what was behind it.

One local trader said: 'We think the police have been there since Wednesday night. Lights were seen in the rear yard.

'There are all kinds of rumours on Facebook.

'But all we have been told by police is they are there because of 'something the owner has done' and we don't know anything for certain.

'It has been like an episode of True Crime.'

The building is located in a row of shops next to a brightly painted tanning salon.

The front room is laid out as a chapel with a cross on a desk serving as an altar and high backed kitchen chair under the desk.

One man who claimed to know the owner said: 'He is from London but he lives in Anlaby in Hull now. He is quite posh.

'He loves his motorbikes a little too much and if you like bikes you can have a decent conversation with him. He keeps a couple of bikes in the back of the funeral parlour which I always found a little weird.

'He seems nice enough but I never really got on with him. He is always on your back. I used to call him Mr Nosey.

'I thought for years that the bodies were not being treated right but I don't know any details.'

Emma Hardy, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle, revealed her shock after hearing about the police probe, saying her 'heart goes out to all the worried family members'.

She reminded members of the public 'it is important' not to speculate about the nature of the probe, adding 'the present focus is the investigation'.

The Labour MP said on Facebook on Friday: 'I am extremely shocked to have been made aware that an investigation is taking place into a funeral directors in my constituency.

'My heart goes out to all of the worried family members and loved ones. I can only imagine the distress and devastation that you will be feeling.

orensic investigators have also been pictured at the scene on Hessle Road

Police outside the Hessle Road branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull after launching an investigation into the company over reports of 'concern for care of the deceased'

A police van has also been seen outside the Anlaby Road branch

'I have already spoken to the police and the Chief Executive of Hull City Council. I understand that the present focus is on a police investigation and believe it's important not to speculate at this time, or do anything that may jeopardise its findings.

'If you believe that you may have been affected, it is important that you contact the police on 0800 051 4674 or if you're calling from abroad please call 0207 126 7619 as they will be able to offer help and support in the first instance.

'If you are affected, be assured that I'm always here to support you and will do anything I can to help during this incredibly difficult time. I can be contacted at emma.hardy.mp@parliament.uk and I will get back to you.

Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said: 'We received a report on Wednesday, March 6 expressing concern about the storage and management processes relating to care of the deceased in these locations.

'Since the initial report was made on Wednesday, March 6, teams of highly skilled detectives and specially trained staff from Humberside Police have been working closely with partner agencies, including Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and His Majesty's Coroner.

'Together we have been conducting extensive inquiries to fully understand the circumstances and concerns expressed in the report made to us.

'As part of this, we are now in the process of moving a number of deceased from the premises on Hessle Road in Hull to the local authority mortuary in Hull.

'Specially trained family liaison officers have already seen families involved and will continue to do so. These officers are working closely with our partners to ensure that families are provided with the most appropriate care and support for their personal circumstances whilst our investigation continues.

Emma Hardy, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle, revealed her shock after hearing about the police probe, saying her 'heart goes out to all the worried family members'

A police parked with a major incident unit outside a Legacy Independent Funeral Directors branch on Hessle road in Hull

At least six marked police vehicles were in attendance at the Hessle Road branch today

A forensic investigator speaks with a police officer outside the Hessle Road funeral directors

Police outside the Beckside branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors

Police outside the Anlaby Road branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull

'Our dedicated phone line remains open today and I encourage anyone who has used Legacy Independent Funeral Directors and has concerns to please call us. You can do so by calling 0800 051 4674 or 0207 126 7619 if you are calling from abroad.

'Victim support also has a dedicated telephone line which is available to anyone who is experiencing distress or concern following this report and would like advice and guidance. This is available by dialling 0808 16 89 111.

'We have already received a number of calls from concerned members of the public and I want to offer my personal reassurance that we are working as hard as possible to make direct contact with each and every family that may have been affected by the concerns reported.

'This is a very complex investigation, with heartbroken and devastated families at the core of it, and we are determined to make sure that we keep the families involved at the heart of everything we are doing.

'We will continue to release updates as and when we are able, but we do need to be mindful not to jeopardise ongoing investigations and we ask that people refrain from speculating and show the utmost respect for bereaved families within our community.'

Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council are assisting Humberside Police in supporting affected families.
Britain's combat power has been slashed significantly over the past eight years, a Government report has revealed.

Ministry of Defence figures show that deep annual cuts since 2016 have had an impact on almost every part of the Armed Forces. In all, the amount of combat equipment is down by more than 20 per cent, with significant falls in the number of tanks, helicopters, combat jets and ships.

More than 200 Scimitar light tanks  used in Iraq and Afghanistan  have been axed and are yet to be replaced. Many classes of aircraft have also been retired, including the Tornado, which saw action in both Gulf Wars.

The fifth-generation F-35B Lightning multi-role fighter jet is still coming into service but the exact numbers remain unconfirmed. The original plan was for 138 to be delivered to the RAF and the Royal Navy  but orders for only 74 have been signed.

Ministry of Defence figures show that deep annual cuts since 2016 have had an impact on almost every part of the Armed Forces (File Photo)

More than 200 Scimitar light tanks  used in Iraq and Afghanistan  have been axed and are yet to be replaced. Many classes of aircraft have also been retired, including the Tornado, which saw action in both Gulf Wars (File Photo)

The revelations follow the Government's decision not to allocate any extra cash for defence in last week's Budget, despite fears of a possible war with Russia.

Lord West of Spithead, a former Royal Navy Admiral, said: 'I am absolutely amazed the Government have not increased defence spending in this Budget.' Colonel Richard Kemp, who commanded troops in Iraq and Afghanistan warned: 'Our ability to conduct overseas operations is at risk.'

An MoD spokesman said: 'Our Armed Forces stand ready to protect and defend the UK, and we continue to meet all operational commitments. We have significantly increased spending on equipment over the next decade.'
A Syrian refugee who was in a 'fawning' BBC documentary about the plight of asylum seekers has been convicted of raping a 13-year-old girl seven times.

Omar Badreddin appeared alongside his brother Mohamed in a 2016 Newsnight feature which followed them on an 11-month journey from Syria to Newcastle as part of the refugee resettlement programme.

This week, the siblings, along with two other defendants, were sentenced to a total of 38-and-a-half years in jail for the rape of a 13-year-old girl between August 2018 and April 2019.

Mohamed, 23, was convicted of six counts of rape and one of assault by penetration and was sentenced to 13 years in prison, while his brother Omar, 26, was convicted of five counts of rape and sentenced to 18 years in jail.

Omar raped the girl at least seven times and threatened to kill her or take her to another country, reported The Telegraph. The girl said she was 'tortured' by her attackers.

Brothers Omar (left) and Mohamed Badreddin (right) were both jailed earlier this week

The brothers, Mohamed (left) and Omar (right) pictured in the 2016 BBC documentary

During the filming of the documentary, described last night by an MP as 'fawning', the BBC was made aware of ongoing criminal proceedings against Omar, then aged 18, who was accused of the sexual assault of a 14-year-old-girl.

Omar was found not guilty by a Newcastle jury that same year, despite there being several reported issues with translations in the trial and 'inconsistencies with the evidence against him'.

The corporation was accused of sitting on this information for several weeks before the allegations were aired.

Journalist Katie Razzall interviewed the Badreddin family following the trial, to which Omar said: 'I felt she [the accuser] didn't want foreigners in this country and that is why she made up the whole story.'

Razzall did not appear to challenge this, and added that Omar believed that claim to be 'at the heart of the case against them'.

During a voiceover segment, the reporter also claimed: 'The Syrian men in many ways appeared less sexually experienced than the girls they were supposed to have attacked.'

In a follow-up BBC article, she said: 'The family told me ever since their son's arrest, they have felt humiliated and dishonoured, even though they were certain their son was innocent.

'In Syrian culture, this type of accusation is so damaging to their reputation, that even though Omar Badreddin has been cleared, they fear the stigma of it will stick.'

Omar, then aged 18, who was accused of the sexual assault of a 14-year-old-girl during the production of the documentary

During a voiceover segment of the documentary it was claimed: 'The Syrian men in many ways appeared less sexually experienced than the girls they were supposed to have attacked'

Neil O'Brien MP, a Conservative former minister, said: 'The BBC showed remarkably poor editorial judgment in commissioning this fawning documentary, more interested in airing an unchallenged accusation that a 14-year-old girl was a racist who had made up a rape accusation.

'Given that they smeared a young girl as sexually experienced and failed to challenge the racism accusations made by someone who turns out to be a dangerous sexual predator, you would hope there would be a bit more contrition, but I don't see any signs so far that any lessons are being learned from this shocking, appalling case.'

The BBC has since said in response: 'In 2015 and 2016, Newsnight followed the story of the Badreddin family, who were Syrian refugees who were settling in the UK. During the year, their son Omar was tried for sexual assault and found not guilty.

'Two years afterwards, in 2018 and 2019, Omar Badreddin and his brother Mohamed committed multiple counts of rape. They were found guilty and were jailed last week. The BBC reported this.

'In any situation, the BBC can only report on the facts as they stand at the time, which is what we did in 2016. The Badreddins' subsequent crimes are appalling, and we express our sincere sympathies to their victim.'
Activists are targeting the parents of MPs in a 'dangerous' escalation of the threat to their safety.

It comes as the security threat to Parliamentarians has reached new heights as a result of the war in Gaza.

One source familiar with Parliamentary security told the Mail on Sunday: 'Parents of MPs have been threatened  both Conservative and Labour.

'It's easier to get to the families than to the MP, that's the problem.'

The source said that in the cases where parents have been targeted the activists 'know where the families live  and the MPs might be representing somewhere else, so the families are more vulnerable with threats and intimidation.

Activists are targeting the parents of MPs in a 'dangerous' escalation of the threat to their safety, amid the ongoing war in Gaza

'That's how easy it is  and that's the worry. People think they can do what they like.'

It is understood work is now under way to provide extra protection measures for the families of MPs, as well as the politicians themselves.

Last month the Government announced 31m of funding to protect Britain's democratic processes, which will include extra security for MPs facing threats.

It comes as Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns published an email threatening her and her six year-old son.

The message read: 'We know where you and your filthy little [son] are and we hope Hamas comes for you lot.'

Former Justice Secretary Sir Robert Buckland said the message was 'disgusting and shameful'.

An aide to another MP said of the threats currently being seen: 'It is the attitude of  let's go personal. It is an attempt to personally intimidate.

'It is a dangerous thread we are living through.'

The aide said the Israel-Palestine related abuse and intimidation is the 'latest version' of the approach previously used by groups including Extinction Rebellion.

Following the 2021 murder of Southend West MP Sir David Amess, additional measures and security services have been developed, including security for constituency surgeries and security training for Members and their staff.

MPs have been provided with updated security advice following the spike in abusive and threatening behaviour towards them since the Gaza war broke out.

A UK Parliament spokesman said: 'The ability for Members and Members staff to perform their Parliamentary duties safely both on and off the Estate is fundamental to our democracy.

Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns published an email threatening her and her six year-old son

'We work closely with the Met's Parliamentary Liaison and Investigations team, and through them, local police forces.

'We cannot comment on MPs' security arrangements or advice because we would not wish to compromise the safety of MPs, Parliamentary staff or members of the public, but these are kept under continuous review.'
Elon Musk and former college swim star Riley Gaines are calling for faster legal avenues for immigration.

Gaines seconded Musk's comments, revealing that her own immigrant husband Louis Barker has been waiting two years for a green card.

The Tesla and Twitter boss said his frequent complaints about the migrant crisis led to him being accused of being 'anti-immigrant'.

However, he explained that as an immigrant himself - being born in South Africa and moving to the US for university - 'nothing could be further from the truth'.

'I am very much in favor of increased and expedited legal immigration for anyone who is talented, hard-working and honest,' he wrote on Twitter.

'It is bizarrely difficult and agonizingly slow to immigrate to the USA legally, but trivial and fast to enter illegally! This obviously makes no sense.'

College swim star Riley Gaines revealing that her own immigrant husband Louis Barker has been waiting two years for a green card

Elon Musk said his frequent complaints about the migrant crisis led to him being accused of being 'anti-immigrant', but he actually wanted more of it through proper channels

About 10,000 migrants were crossing the border and surrendering to authorities to claim asylum every day at the height of the crisis over the New Year

Musk moved to Canada aged 18 and got citizenship there via his mother, and a few years later studied at the University of Pennsylvania, then came to Silicon Valley.

Gaines reposted Musk's tweet with enthusiastic agreement. She didn't directly comment on the border crisis, but has denounced it in the past.

'My husband is an immigrant. We've been married for nearly two years and he still doesn't have his green card,' she wrote.

Barker, 24, grew up in the UK and met Gaines when they were both swimmers at the University of Kentucky.

Musk's tweet drew a misleading equivalence between the thousands of asylum-seekers crossing the border every day, and the process of acquiring US permanent residency.

Migrants who cross the border and surrender to authorities are largely allowed to stay in the US, but only until their asylum claims are heard.

Should their claim be denied, they are deported back to their country of origin. If accepted, they would face the same lengthy process as Gaines' husband to get a green card.

The problem is the process takes months, or years, due to bottlenecks in the system, even more so with the migrant surge of the past 18 months.

Gaines reposted Musk's tweet with enthusiastic agreement, revealing that her immigrant husband was frustrated waiting for his green card

Migrants cross the Rio Grande river to surrender to the American authorities in El Paso, Texas

President Joe Biden said in his State of the Union address that the bipartisan immigration bill hammered out in the Senate would slash processing times to six months, or even six weeks.

However, the legislation was killed in the Republican-controlled House at the urging of Donald Trump, who wanted to use the issue against Biden in the election campaign.

The bill would, if implemented in practice as Biden promised in his speech, speed up avenues for legal immigration as Musk and Gaines called for.

Musk has in recent days accused Democrats of sitting on their hands over the border crisis as part of a long-term strategy to improve their electoral fortunes.

'Until the loss of votes from ushering in vast numbers of illegal immigrants exceeds the likely gain of votes over time (as they are gradually legalized), the Democratic Party has a strong incentive to maximize illegal immigration,' he wrote.

At least 4.35 million migrants have entered Texas since 2021, according to US Customs and Border Protection, the parent agency of the US Border Patrol. These number reflect only those who have been stopped by federal agents, not so-called 'gotaways' or illegal immigrants who were not taken into custody

In another post, he claimed the crisis was likely to lead to a major terrorist attack.

'This administration is both importing voters and creating a national security threat from unvetted illegal immigrants,' he wrote.

'It is highly probable that the groundwork is being laid for something far worse than 9/11. Just a matter of time.'

Texas migrants buses Over 12,500 migrants to Washington, D.C. since April 2022

Over 39,100 migrants to New York City since August 2022

Over 32,200 migrants to Chicago since August 2022

Over 3,400 migrants to Philadelphia since November 2022

Over 16,600 migrants to Denver since May 18

Over 1,500 migrants to Los Angeles since June 14 Source: Office of Gov. Greg Abbott Advertisement

Musk expanded on this on Friday, criticizing Democrats for unanimously opposing a bill that wouldn't count migrants in population numbers used to determine the number of Congress seats and electoral votes each state had.

'Since illegals are mostly in Democrat states, both the House and the Presidential vote are shifted ~5% to the left, which is enough to change the entire balance of power!' he wrote.

'This is a major reason why the Biden Administration is ushering in record levels of illegals and doing so few deportations.'

Musk also responded to Biden's admission that 325,000 migrants were flown in to the US by the government, to ease pressure on the border.

He called it 'treason' and again accused Democrats of 'importing voters'.

'This is why groups on the far left fight so hard to stop voter ID requirements, under the absurd guise of protecting the right to vote,' he wrote.

It was not clear whether he was claiming Democrats were encouraging voter fraud by non-citizen immigrants, by opposing ID requirements.

The flying of migrants into the US was part of the longstanding 'humanitarian parole' and applies to Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.

These migrants, capped at 30,000 a month, must pass a background check and have a sponsor in the US, and are able to get work permits.

'Humanitarian parole does not provide any permanent pathway to remain in the US and can be revoked or not renewed should DHS decide that it is no longer warranted or if the beneficiary violates the conditions of the parole,' the American Immigration Council explained.

Musk also responded to Biden's admission that 325,000 migrants were flown in to the US by the government, to ease pressure on the border

Texas has bused more than 105,000 migrants to so-called sanctuary cities since 2022, the governor's office announced Friday

All these migrants applied through designated channels, and did not cross the border or they would be ineligible for the program.

About 10,000 migrants were crossing the border and surrendering to authorities to claim asylum every day at the height of the crisis over the New Year.

Texas has bore the brunt of the crossings, particularly at Eagle Pass, and Governor Gregg Abbott responded by sending 105,000 and counting to Democratic-run 'sanctuary cities' like New York, Chicago, and Denver.

Most of the the migrants are Venezuelans, seven million of whom fled political turmoil and violence in their country in recent years.
FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh has been branded a 'fascist pit bull' after announcing plans to seek out the unruly firefighters who booed New York Attorney-General Letitia James as she gave a speech earlier this week.

James was speaking at a New York Fire Department promotion ceremony on Thursday when the jeers began before she even took the stage.

The firefighters shouted Donald Trump's name as James appealed for calm from those gathered at the Christian Cultural Center's Brooklyn Campus.

But it appears those behind the chanting may not get away with it if Fire Department chiefs have anything to do with it.

FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens sent an email to department leaders warning of an impending investigation by the Bureau of Investigation and Trials (BITS) into the booing and 'Trump' chants directed at James.

The FDNY is investigating after New York Attorney-General Letitia James was booed by unruly firefighters who shouted Donald Trump's name as she gave a speech on Thursday

FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh has been branded a 'fascist pit bull' after announcing plans to seek out the unruly firefighters who booed New York Attorney-General Letitia James as she gave a speech earlier this week

FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens sent an email to department leaders on Saturday warning of an impending investigation by the Bureau of Investigation and Trials (BITS) into the booing and 'Trump' chants directed at James

Hodgens has urged those involved to come forward voluntarily to avoid being pursued by the department which is currently reviewing video footage of the entire ceremony.

'BITS is investigating this, so they will figure out who the members are,' Hodges wrote to FDNY chiefs on Saturday.

'I recommend they come forward. I have been told by the commissioner it will be better for them if they come forward and we don't have to hunt them down,' he urged.

'The [deputy chiefs] shall direct the captain of the company to make a list of those who come forward and send it directly to [FDNY operations]. I realize members might not come forward but they should know that there is clear video of the entire incident and they will be contacted by BITS if they don't,' he wrote.

The Uniformed Fire Officers Association also warned its members on Saturday of the plan noting how the department was in 'possession of video footage of the event.'

'As part of this discussion, questions may be asked to specific UFOA members over their actions or their recollections,' the message said.

James had been invited to speak at the event, which was held to honor The Rev. Pamela Holmes, the department's second female chaplain and the first black woman to hold that title.

'Come on, we're in a house of God... simmer down... thank you for getting it out of your system,' James said, before beginning her speech.

Laura Kavanagh FDNY commissioner is the first woman to lead New York City's Fire Department in its history

James was speaking weeks after she won a $355 million judgment against Trump for inflating the value of his properties. He was also banned from business in New York for three years.

The small, but noisy, section of the crowd ignored her calls for them to 'simmer down' and continued to boo for another minute - then loudly chanting 'Trump! Trump! Trump! Trump!'

Eventually, the hecklers ran out of steam, until James ad-libbed her speech as she thanked the firefighters who tried to save her mother, who died of breast cancer.

'Pray for those firefighters who stood with me when my mother was dying, and they worked on her for an hour in my house, not knowing who I was,' she said.

'I thank those members of FDNY who worked on her body and prayed over her body when she died. Some may even be here. Some might even be booing me. But nonetheless, I pray for them.'

That comment set off another round of booing alongside cheers from better-behaved sections of the audience.

One FDNY firefighter blasted the chief's response as being heavy handed.

'It was a political stunt for the city to have the AG there. When it backfired, they sent their fascist pit bulls after guys for exercising their First Amendment rights,' he said to the New York Post. 'Most were off-duty and not in FDNY uniform.'

The Uniformed Fire Officers Association issued a warning to its members about the investigation advising them to comply with FDNY regulations while offering legal representation if needed.

However, the FDNY has not given the specific reasons for pursuing those involved or identified any potential violations.

Indeed, legal experts, including constitutional law attorney Alan Dershowitz, have argued that firefighters have a constitutional right to express their opinions and should not be penalized for exercising their First Amendment rights.

'Firefighters have an absolute constitutional right to boo the attorney general, and the government has no power to punish them for it,' Dershowitz told The Post. 'So efforts to get the names of the booers is an effort by the government to chill free speech and is unconstitutional.'

Shortly after the ceremony, FDNY Chief Hodgens blasted the firefighters who heckled James for causing a distraction at the event.

'The ceremony was about one thing: the accomplishments of the members being promoted,' he said.

'The members whose behavior distracted from that celebration were an embarrassment and not befitting of the world's best fire department.'

James' office has declined to comment.

James was speaking weeks after she won a $355 million judgment against Trump for inflating the value of his properties. He was also banned from business in New York for three years. Trump is pictured at a campaign event in Rome, Georgia on Saturday

Trump made a rare appearance at the trial on October 3, and learned how much he would have to pay last month

New York Attorney General Letitia James is seen smiling in court at the Trump trial in November 2023

Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump and his sons Eric and Donald Jr of civil fraud in the case spearheaded by James.

He ruled they conspired to inflate the value of properties on financial statements to banks and insurers, and altered Trump's net worth to gain tax and insurance benefits.

'From 2011-2021, Mr. Trump and the Trump Organization knowingly and intentionally created more than 200 false and misleading valuations of assets on his annual Statements of Financial Condition to defraud financial institutions,' James office explained in 2022.

Independent officials will monitor Trump's businesses in New York to ensure no further lawbreaking.

James speaks outside a Manhattan courthouse on the day of the start of the trial

Trump has appealed the ruling, but faces mounting interest of $1 million every nine days until he pays up, and his assets could be seized if he doesn't.

A Brooklyn firefighter told the New York Post the heckling was directly related to the lawsuit, which he claimed was a 'witch hunt'.

'She has no problem, bragging that she convicted Trump, so this is how hard-working New Yorkers, who put their life on the line, feel about her actions,' he said.

Trump's election campaign countered that James was 'an embarrassment to the people of New York' and that's why she was heckled.

'The rank and file of the FDNY know they have no greater friend than president Trump. The president is honored by, and grateful for their very vocal support,' it said.

The ceremony honored 65 firefighters and civilian support staff who were promoted, and Reverend Pamela Holmes, who was appointed chaplain.
Utility transmission lines in New Haven County, Conn. Luther Turmelle / Hearst Connect

Eversource and United Illuminating are seeking regulator approval for upward rate adjustments to cover rising costs of electricity they purchase on behalf of Connecticut customers. The utilities expect bills to drop significantly this summer as prices ease for natural gas that is used to generate more than half of New England's electricity.

The state is likely to remain among the highest in the country for electric rates, as well as in the region. December 2004 was the last time Connecticut had the lowest monthly price of electricity on average among the New England states, at 9.1 cents a kilowatt hour according to calculations published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

By August 2006 the switch would flip for Connecticut ratepayers, however, beginning a run in which households and businesses began absorbing the biggest electric bills in the region for extended stretches. Between 2006 and 2022, the average price of electricity in Connecticut ranged anywhere from 3 cents to 6 cents a kilowatt hour above the lowest cost states in the region  most often Maine and Vermont  with Connecticut prices topping the region in eight-and-a-half months of each year on average.

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Why the wide differentials between adjacent states under the same ISO New England market that oversees electricity sales by power plants servicing the region? Partly is is the result of different times of the year that utilities purchase electricity from power plants. Connecticut law requires Eversource and United Illuminating to purchase power at six-month intervals for resale to customers on "standard offer" service.

Utilities purchase those power commitments in January and July, coinciding when prices tend to be at their most volatile whether due to competition for available natural gas supplies that is also used to heat homes and businesses, or during spikes in electricity demand during hot weather to run air conditioners.

State Sen. Norm Needleman, D-Essex, and other officials have joined Eversource and United Illuminating in promoting the idea of changing those purchase windows to the spring and fall, when prices reflect more normalized electricity use.

"What you see month-to-month from one state to another is more a function of technicalities," said Needleman, who co-chairs the Energy and Technology committee of the Connecticut General Assembly.

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The utilities are projecting another significant decline in prices this summer for standard-offer customers, given current outlooks for the price of natural gas used to produce electricity. In Connecticut and other states in the region, ISO New England oversees the wholesale market for electricity purchases from natural gas plants.

Eversource and Avangrid executives say Connecticut is carrying extra costs not being borne by neighbors, however, to include a contract to purchase power from the Millstone nuclear power plant in Waterford operated by Dominion Energy, and a COVID-19 pandemic moratorium on any terminations in service to force customers in arrears to pay their bills. The utilities want those losses spread among the larger customer base.

There have been stretches where Millstone purchase contracts have benefited Connecticut, including for six months in 2021 when Millstone electricity prices dipped far below those for natural gas power plants that other states rely on for power.

While Millstone generates regular headlines for its importance to the Connecticut grid and economy as a major employer in southeastern Connecticut, the state also purchases power from the Seabrook nuclear plant in coastal New Hampshire operated by NextEra Energy. That contract runs through 2030, with Seabrook charging a lower rate than Millstone.

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Vermont also purchases electricity from the two nuclear plants. Over 13 months through last December, Vermont had the lowest average electricity prices in New England, according to EIA, and has seen comparatively minimal swings in prices on a year-over-year basis.

Vermont was the lone state in the Northeast not to have forced utilities to sell off their power plants during the 1990s. Vermont's decision has not proven a magic wand, with the American Public Power Association reporting the state ranks among the 10 most expensive nationally for electricity prices.

But in the same study, APPA determined that in deregulated states where utilities like Eversource and United Illuminating focus on transmission and distribution of electricity, prices have been higher on average nationally since 1997.

"The original promise of greatly reduced prices has not materialized," analysts with the American Public Power Association wrote in the report. "Rates in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island have increased at least double the national average."

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A New Hampshire official told CT Insider that the state saw a short spike in prices last year that has since subsided, similar to Connecticut's experience reflecting the timing of default electricity service and accompanying volatility in natural gas prices.

"Connecticut has imposed a number of public policy decisions that New Hampshire has not engaged in, often associated with decarbonization," stated Christopher J. Ellms Jr., deputy commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Energy, in an email. "All public policy decisions come with a cost. Presumably, policymakers in Connecticut believe the benefits of those decisions are worth the cost to their constituents."

Needleman says he struggles to this day with the idea that neighboring states have differentiated policies and systems, given their shared grid infrastructure, economic ties and experiences from major weather events.

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An asylum seeker set up a prostitution ring while he was supposed to be under Home Office surveillance, it emerged last night.

Saranwee Kwanpetch, 38, is said to have had more than 40 women at risk of exploitation on his books as sex workers in plush central London.

The Thai national came to the UK on a healthcare visa in 2011 and overstayed illegally for a decade before he was picked up by immigration authorities.

Then, in 2021 he was allowed to stay after applying to the Home Office for refuge, on the condition that he did not work while this was being processed. He is still trying despite being rejected several times.

And despite being under the watch of the Home Office, on May 31 he incorporated StarAsian Ltd - whose nature of business were 'other activities of employment placement agencies'.

The company, which is based in a building minutes from the Ritz, has a website that says: 'If you are looking for an Asian escort then you have come to the right place.'

Saranwee Kwanpetch, 38, is said to have had more than 40 women at risk of exploitation on his books as sex workers in plush central London

The Thai national came to the UK on a healthcare visa in 2011 and overstayed illegally for a decade before he was picked up by immigration authorities

It catalogues more than 40 'special companions for every occasion', who, a source claimed to The Sunday Times, are in the UK illegally and under risk of exploitation.

Prices range from 150 for an hour to 1,000 for a full night.

Bangkok-born Kwanpetch registered as a tenant at ten properties in London and Essex, some of which he is alledged to have rented for escorts to use as as brothels.

One of his workers told the broadsheet that he charged her rent and took a third of her fees.

It is illegal for someone to control any activities relating to someone else's prostitution for financial gain under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

It is also a criminal offence for a brothel-keeper to organise for women to travel for sex under human trafficking legislation.

On the escort agency's website, it adds: 'If for whatever reason you are not able to get into Central London we can travel to you so you will not have to miss out on the fun.'

The company, which is based in a building minutes from the Ritz, has a website that says: 'If you are looking for an Asian escort then you have come to the right place'

A customer of the prostitution service, speaking to The Sunday Times, said that he knew Kwanpetch as 'Benny' and had reported him to immigration services in December and January. He did not get a response.

Some of the women who worked for Kwanpetch were in the UK on tourist or family visas, it is said, while it is alleged others submitted false asylum claims under his direction.

One of the escorts who works for him said: 'Anyone can do asylum. Asylum is good because you don't need to worry about anything. A visa is too hard.'

She further admitted that she had felt 'in danger' several times while working, as cruel clients choked and assaulted her.

The Home Office told The Sunday Times: 'It is a matter of longstanding government policy that we do not comment on individual cases.'
A woman has been identified after she was stabbed to death by her daughter, who reportedly tried to set her on fire.

Joanne Perry, 53, died on Friday evening after she was stabbed multiple times in the neck and chest, according to the Herald Sun.

Officers were called to Kett St in Lower Plenty about 6.30pm on Friday following reports a 26-year-old woman was trying to set her mother on fire.

Upon arrival, officers reported they were challenged by the younger woman who was armed with a knife.

Despite being told to drop the weapon, the 26-year-old continued to plunge her knife into her mother's torso and neck.

Joanne Perry was stabbed to death by her daughter

Joanne Perry was stabbed to death by her daughter, who was then shot dead by police

She was shot by a police officer and died at the scene.

At the time, the 26-year-old was on bail for an unrelated matter and was the subject of an apprehended violence order.

Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Scott Colson said the officer was left 'no other choice' than to discharge his firearm.

'It's a terrible situation,' he said.

'They (police) don't go to work expecting to draw their firearms and be involved in these sorts of tragedies.'

Officers had responded to neighbours' reports the daughter was trying to set her mother on fire at the Lower Plenty property but were instead confronted with her repeatedly stabbing the older woman once they arrived

The mother, 52, died at the Kett St property and officers were forced to shoot the daughter, 26

Superintendent Scott Colson said he was 'comfortable' with the officer's actions when confronted with the 'horrible situation'.

'(Police) were confronted with the daughter stabbing the mother and have called on the daughter to drop the knife,' he said.

'However, she continued to stab the mother ... tragically, both the mother and the daughter died on the scene.'

Neighbours told the Herald Sun they heard multiple gunshots during the incident on the usually-tranquil street.

It is understood other people were inside the home at the time of the fatal attack, but the triple-0 call came from neighbours.

The tragic incident unfolded on Kett St in Lower Plenty, Melbourne. Picture: Google Maps

In a statement, Victoria Police said they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.

Homicide Squad detectives will investigate the incident with oversight from the Professional Standards Command, which is standard protocol when a police firearm is discharged.

Ms Perry is the 17th woman killed in Australia this year and the fourth to be slain this month.

According to Australian Femicide Watch, there have been two femicides a week since the year began.
Tasmania will become home to the world's largest chocolate fountain, if the Liberals are returned to government in the upcoming state election.

The island state will head to the polls on March 23 after the Liberal minority government failed to resolve a stand-off with two crossbench independents.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff says if re-elected, his government will work with local tourism industry leader Simon Currant to deliver the 'world's ultimate chocolate experience'.

The chocolate fountain will sit alongside the Cadbury factory, just north of Hobart overlooking the River Derwent, offering chocoholics a sweet taste of the Apple Isle.

There will also be a premium chocolate studio, a chocolate lab with a make-your-own chocolate bar, a chocolate emporium, cafe and playground.

Touted by the Liberals as the 'greatest thing to happen to tourism since MONA', Mr Rockliff said tourism had been one of the state's most transformative sectors in the past decade.

'This will re-write the 'must-see' list for every visitor that comes to Tasmania; hug a Tassie devil, sip wine on Wineglass, stroll Salamanca, climb Cradle, and cap that all off with the sweetest experience of them all at the Chocolate Experience at Cadbury,' he said on Sunday.

Tasmania could become home to the world's biggest chocolate fountain if the Liberals are re-elected (pictured, artwork of the proposed Chocolate Experience)

Mr Rockliff previously claimed the new attraction will be a chance for the state to grow its dairy industry as 'Tasmanian dairy farmers produce the best milk in the world'.

'The new Chocolate Experience will deliver a new ultra-premium chocolate range, that means it will need more ultra premium Tasmanian milk too,' he said.

'This is great news for Tasmania's dairy farmers, especially in our state's dairy heartland on the North West.'

Mr Currant predicted the complex would become a tourism icon.

'My vision for many years has been to have our own chocolate experience here, not just a chocolate shop, an experience that they will remember forever,' he said on Sunday.

'It came from an initial plan to re-ignite what was once here and ... blow people's minds.'

Most of the $100million in funding will come from investment groups, Mr Currant said, adding that the Liberal government's support would give investors confidence.

The project also has the support of factory owner Mondelez International, which Mr Currant says has given permission for the Cadbury name to be used.

'Cadbury is already a loved and valued contributor to the Tasmanian economy,' he said.

'The Chocolate Experience at Cadbury will elevate it even further and add a new experience element, ensuring its sustainability and vibrance into the future.

'This is a uniquely Tasmanian story that embraces provenance, innovation and artisan chocolate production with the entire State sharing in the benefits.'

Premier Jeremy Rockliff (pictured) claimed the attraction would boost Tasmania's tourism and dairy industries

A returned Liberals government will put up to $12million aside for the project and invest $2million over 18 months on planning, designs, approvals and get it shovel ready.

Some $2million will be spent over 18 months on early-stage works on the site, including but not limited to public walkways, cycle infrastructure and headworks.

Subject to agreed milestones, $8million for the precinct would then be made available.

The project could create 300 construction jobs, 200 jobs on completion and deliver a $120million boost in annual economic activity.

AAP has contacted Labor and Greens for comment.
Police are searching for a group of attackers after four men were assaulted with 'extreme' violence in Sydney's west.

Emergency services were called to Carpenter Street in Colyton, near Penrith, about 11.15pm on Saturday following reports of the assault.

A 20-year-old man suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to Westmead Hospital.

His three friends were also attacked and are receiving hospital treatment.

Detective Inspector Steve Peroni described the 20-year-old's injuries as the 'worst categories of assault that I've seen in a long time'.

Four men were brutally attacked on Carpenter Street (pictured) in Colyton, in Sydney's west

Detective Inspector Steve Peroni (pictured) described one of the men's injuries as the 'worst categories of assault that I've seen in a long time'

'The four of them were walking down Carpenter Street ... at some time they were assaulted by a group of males of unknown numbers,' he said during a press conference on Sunday.

'The level of violence used is extreme. The injuries indicate the use of weapons or blunt force weapons.'

No arrests have been made yet but officers are focusing on a particular home on Carpenter Street where it is understood a party was held.

Insp Peroni did not confirm whether the attack was targeted or random but assured the public there was no ongoing threat, as far as police were aware.

Carpenter Street was closed overnight as officers processed the crime scene.

Anyone with information about or dashcam footage of the incident is urged to contact Nepean Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A New York state trooper who was killed in a National Guard helicopter crash near the southern border on Friday afternoon has been identified as 30-year-old John M. Grassia, III.

Grassia had joined the New York State Police in April 2022 and was with Troop G, serving with the National Guard in Texas when the chopper went down alongside a New York National Guard soldier and a border patrol agent.

'Trooper Grassia, who was dedicated to serving and protecting not only the citizens of New York State but also the citizens of the entire United States, will be remembered for his ultimate sacrifice,' the New York State Troopers PBA union said in a statement.

Grassia was killed alongside New York National Guard soldier Casey Frankoski who was also identified as the second of three crash victims, the Mayor of her home town of Rensselaer, New York, Mike Stammel said.

New York state trooper John M. Grassia III, 30, who served in NYSP's Troop G, was killed in a National Guard helicopter crash near the southern border on Friday

Casey Frankoski, a New York National Guard helicopter pilot, also lost her life in the crash

Three people have died after a National Guard helicopter crashed in Texas on Friday afternoon

Authorities are seen on the scene of Friday afternoon's helicopter crash in Texas

The Mayor of Rensselaer, New York, Mike Stammel released a statement

The New York State Troopers PBA also released a statement regarding Grassia's death

Rensselaer is deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Casey Frankoski, a remarkable New York National Guard helicopter pilot who tragically lost her life in a helicopter crash on Friday while patrolling the US-Mexico border,' the Mayor said in a posting on Facebook.

'Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Frankoski family as we collectively mourn the loss of a beloved city native and dedicated patriot.

'Casey comes from a family deeply rooted in public service, and her legacy as an American hero resonates throughout our community.'

Frankoski was the daughter of the city's former police chief and the town's flags have been put at half-mast as a mark of respect.

County Executive Steve McLaughlin extended condolences to Grassia's family while noting how the National Guardswoman 'represents the best of our nation.'

Rensselaer High School graduate Jacob Pratt, another National Guard soldier, was also injured in the crash and is fighting for his life The Times Union reported.

Grassia is seen alongside his proud parents

Casey Frankoski is pictured alongside the city's former police chief Jim Frankoski

Casey Frankoski is seen alongside her proud parents Jill and Jim Frankoski

Proud mom and dad Jill and Jim Frankoski are seen together with their daughter Casey

The crash took place on Friday afternoon, near Rio Grande City approximately two miles east of La Grulla

The helicopter can be seen lying in ruins after it came down in fields close to the border

Two soldiers and one border patrol agent were killed in the crash with a third soldier injured

The helicopter was New York National Guard Lakota chopper

A Custom & Border Patrol agent who was killed has not yet been named.

The cause of the UH-72 Lakota helicopter crash remains under investigation.

The chopper had been on federal orders working with Border Patrol and assigned to assist with the border crisis in Texas and came down at about 2:50pm close to Rio Grand City, Texas along the Mexican border, officials said.
Driver lost control and flipped car on arterial road in Perth

Two teenagers were reportedly caught driving 71km over the speed limit on the same night, just before another driver flipped their car on the same road.

Police found a white Volvo on its roof in the middle of the road on Hodges Drive in Perth after the 23-year-old driver lost control and crashed at 11:40pm on Friday.

A 27-year-old passenger was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital by paramedics while the driver walked away uninjured.

Officers said the 23-year-old lost control of the car shortly before hitting a speed sign.

Twenty minutes earlier that night, the police stopped two cars being driven by teenagers aged 18 and 17.

The police claim that these teens were racing side-by-side, reaching a speed of 141km on a road with a speed limit of 70km.

The teens were caught near Ocean Reef Harbour and both cars were swiftly impounded.

It is expected that each driver will be charged with reckless driving.

A 23-year-old man lost control of his white Volvo, causing it to flip and injuring the passenger on Hodges Drive in Perth Friday night

Twenty minutes prior on the same road police allegedly caught two teens, 18 and 17, on the same road going 141km in a 70km zone at 11:20pm

Acting Inspector Adrian Fuller said that hooning on the major arterial road would not be tolerated.

'We will not tolerate these unsafe driving behaviours, or people who want turn public roads into their own personal drag strip or racetrack,' he said.

'This nature of offending puts other road users, as well as the offending drivers themselves, at serious risk of injury or death.

'I would encourage anyone who witnesses hoon driving or dangerous driving in the community to report that activity to police.'
A controversial music festival in western Victoria has been cancelled after a 20-year-old man was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition.

In a statement on Sunday afternoon, organisers of the Pitch Music & Arts 2024 festival said it would cancel the remainder of the event in Moyston - about 15km west of Ararat.

'Nobody is in immediate danger. We encourage everyone on site not to rush, calmly pack-up and depart either this evening or early tomorrow,' it said.

'Please remember to stay hydrated, and be patient and calm with staff and each other.'

The festival, which started on Friday and was set to run through to Tuesday, saw three people hospitalised.

Pitch Music & Arts 2024 (pictured) has been cancelled following the upgrade of a heatwave over Victoria from severe to extreme

A man in his 20s was airlifted from the event to the Alfred Hospital in a critical condition about 4am on Sunday after suspected substance use

A man in his 20s was airlifted from the event to the Alfred Hospital in a critical condition about 4am on Sunday after suspected substance use.

Another two attendees, a man in his 20s and a man in his 30s, were taken to hospital by ambulance.

They were taken to the East Grampians Health Service in a stable condition after suspected substance use at Pitch Music & Arts on Saturday.

A heatwave, which was upgraded from severe to extreme on Sunday, continues to affect the region with authorities warning conditions could worsen the negative effects of drugs - including MDMA.

The toll of heat on partygoers were seen earlier this year at Melbourne's Hardmission festival which saw eight revellers hospitalised after overdosing.

Pitch Music & Arts organisers encouraged attendees who drove to the festival to 'ensure you have a sober and rested driver'.

'For those who came by other means of transport, additional buses to Ararat are being organised today, and commence again from 6am tomorrow,' they said.

'Our staff are on hand to assist you with any enquiries or with organising your departure.'

Revellers were warned a heatwave affecting the region (pictured) could worsen the negative effects of drugs, including MDMA

READ MORE: Moomba Parade is called off due to heatwave Advertisement

Festival organisers have faced dozens of accusations they put attendees at risk by continuing the event despite the extreme heat.

On Friday night thousands of ticket holders, many who had no phone reception, were left confused after being told to leave due to 'extreme fire danger'.

However, the message was followed by an announcement on Saturday afternoon that the event would go ahead, despite warnings from the Country Fire Authority.

'At the time of writing there are no active fires in the region and we wish to reassure you that those who are on site have access to ample shade, cooling misting fans, food and water,' the update said.

Ticket prices for the event ranged from $449 for a two-day pass up to $499 for a four-day pass. Camping and car passes came with an additional fee.

Organisers have not confirmed whether attendees will be refunded with Sunday's statement reading: 'We appreciate your patience as we work through this.

'Ticket holders will receive an update as more information becomes available.

'Our top priority right now is to get everyone on site home safely.'

The online cancellation announcement was met with harsh backlash from confused attendees.

It is not known whether attendees will be refunded the price of their tickets, which started at $449 for a two-day pass

'Theres no reception to get in contact with our family and friends,' one wrote.

'How come people attending don't know this? Be a good idea if you told people attending what was happening,' another said.

'Just spoke to our son whos there and no mention at the event that its cancelled,' another wrote.
EXCLUSIVE

A former schoolmate of Samantha Murphy's accused killer has revealed he had big dreams in high school of changing the world by inventing a solution to combat climate change.

Patrick Stephenson, 22, who is the son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson, was this week charged with allegedly murdering the 51-year-old mother-of-three on February 4 after she left her Ballarat home for a morning run.

The development - four weeks after Ms Murphy's disappearance - has shocked the country Victoria town, where both the Stephenson and Murphy families are well-known and respected members of the community.

As the search continues to find Ms Murphy's body, a Damascus College graduate, who attended the school with Stephenson for two years, said he, too, was taken aback by his former schoolmate's arrest.

The man, who was a grade older than Stephenson, said they were in the same roll call class and the alleged murderer was friends with his younger brother.

Patrick Orren Stephenson (left) is accused of murdering Samantha Murphy on February 4

'He was super into IT [Information Technology] and he was always tinkering with cars and tools and stuff - interested in mechanics and science,' the schoolmate said.

'We both took part in a science fair [at school] and we were working on robots together. He would ask for teachers for extra time to go use the work rooms and tools.'

The former student said Stephenson was outgoing and an avid rower who was a member of the school's sporting team.

Outside of school, Stephenson sometimes visited his family home to hang out with his younger brother, where the pair would 'work on things in the shed'.

However, his most vivid recollection of Stephenson was his ambitions to tackle air pollution caused by the transport sector.

And the former student believed he seemed tenacious enough to succeed.

'I remember him talking about how he wanted to come up with a solution to make cars more environmentally friendly to reduce carbon emissions,' he said.

'He seemed passionate about it like he would pursue it later in life.

'You know, like ''wow, he could be the next Elon Musk''.

Stephenson attended Damascus College (pictured) for his senior years of high school

The remains of Victorian mother Samantha Murphy (pictured) are yet to be found

Stephenson started high school at St Patrick's College, before transitioning to Damascus College for years 10-12.

He graduated in 2019 before picking up a trade as an electrician, like his father, who is a local electrician and Telecommunications technician.

Police say Stephenson and Ms Murphy were not known to each other, however, she worked at St Francis Xavier Primary School uniform shop around the same time he attended the school.

Ms Murphy's eldest daughter, Jess, who is also 22, was also a member of the same school community.

While Jess attended different high schools to Stephenson, Ms Murphy's younger daughter is a current student at Damascus College.

Over the past few weeks, the secondary school has publicly thrown their support behind the distressed Murphy family as they frantically searched for their missing mother and wife.

'As the search continues for Samantha, Damascus College extends our prayers and support to the Murphy family, the school wrote in a post on February 9.

'As a community we have seen and heard Michael [Ms Murphy's husband] and Jess on the recent news, and our hearts are full, as we remain steadfast in hope.

Despite his big tech teenage dreams, Stephenson (pictured with his girlfriend) picked up a trade after leaving school

'In times of challenge and uncertainty, we can experience mixed emotions, and we acknowledge the grief and vulnerabilities that the Damascus community may be feeling at present.

'We keep the Murphy family in our hearts and prayers, as we pray for a positive outcome.'

Former student Stephenson would be arrested just four weeks later on March 6 while house sitting a property with his girlfriend in Scotsburn, 19km south of Ballarat.

Police will allege Stephenson murdered the mother in Mount Clear - about 5km from her Ballarat East home - while she was on a morning run through the Woowookarung Regional Park.

Victoria police say they do not believe anyone else is involved and have seized a number of items - including a car and CCTV footage from local pubs - as part of the investigation.

Over the past month, police and dozens of volunteers have launched widespread searches across the area, however, no traces of Ms Murphy have been found.

Stephenson has been remanded in custody since being charged on Thursday and has not revealed the location of her body to detectives.

A gag order on Stephenson's identity was lifted by a Victorian magistrate on Friday.

His case returns to court at a later date.
Saturday Night Live wasted no time in mocking this week's State of the Union speech, focusing most of its attention on the Republican rebuttal, which this year came from 42-year-old Alabama Senator Katie Britt.

Britt was mocked online following the event as her tone shifted from one of dark and ominous to bright and breezy. Some said her performance was similar to an SNL skit or simply bad acting, of the type found in a Lifetime movie.

On Saturday night she was portrayed by 39-year-old actress Scarlett Johansson in a surprise appearance and hilarious take on the senator, proving that her sense of humor really is wasted in the superhero movies she's known for.

'Good evening America, my name is Katie Britt, and I have the honor of serving the people of the great state of Alabama. But tonight, I'll be auditioning for the part of 'Scary Mom.' I'll be performing an original monologue called 'This Country is Hell'', Johansson's Britt began.

'You see, I'm not just a senator, I'm a wife, a mother and the craziest b***h in the Target parking lot, worried about the future of our children.'

Alabama GOP Senator Katie Britt's State of the Union response was spoofed by Scarlett Johansson on SNL which parodied the politician's dramatic tone

Alabama Senator Katie Britt's performance was roundly mocked online on Thursday night

Mikey Day played Joe Biden at the podium, in an energetic State of The Union speech

She explained her being in a kitchen - because 'women love kitchen.'

'I'm worried about the future of our children and this is why I've invited you into this strange, empty kitchen. Because Republicans wanted me to appeal to women voters and women love kitchen,' she said.

'You know, my husband Wesley and I spend a lot of time in this kitchen  worrying. Kitchens are where families have the hard conversations like the one we'll have now about how mommy freaked out the entire country,' she joked.

Johansson's Britt went on to stress how she is a mother and how 'like any mom, I'm going to do a pivot out of nowhere into a shockingly violent story about sex trafficking. Rest assured, every detail about it is real except the year, where it took place and who was president when it happened,' she continued.

During the real-life Republican response on Thursday night, Britt told a story about a sex trafficking victim which she used as fodder to criticize the current chaos at the southern border under the Biden administration.

Johansson's Britt also attempted to sell her 'gorgeous bejeweled cross necklace' in the middle of her speech in a nod to the QVC shopping channel midway through her speech

Scarlett Johansson hilariously spoofed Senator Katie Britt's State of The Union performance, left, while the real Britt can be seen, right

Scarlett Johansson plays Katie Britt giving the Republican rebuttal with her moods shifting from being dark and emotional to bright and breezy

Britt appeared on the verge of tears at times sitting at her kitchen table as she tore into the policies President Joe Biden emphatically defended, making an emotional appeal

The story was about a women Britt had met in Texas and told how she had been trafficked by the cartels.

However, the tale was slightly misleading as the person being referenced was never trafficked across the border, while the events being referred to occurred in Mexico many years ago, during George W. Bush's presidency (2001-2009).

It's a fact that did not escape Johansson's Britt as she asked: 'Just ask yourself: are you better off today than you were four years ago, back in the good old days of 2020? The year that nothing bad happened.'

Johansson then managed to recreate Britt's bizarre mannerisms warning viewers 'Now I'm gonna get weirdly seductive for no apparent reason.'

Johansson's Britt also attempted to sell her 'gorgeous bejeweled cross necklace' in the middle of her speech in a nod to QVC midway through her speech.

'It goes with anything, and you can wear it from the church to da' club,' she joked.

Johansson sketch saw her allude to the film 'Get Out' pun, as Johansson could be seen stirring a teacup with a spoon

The cameras cut to Kenan Thompson, clearly terrified, with a single tear running down his cheek

During the sketch Johansson's Britt told viewers, 'It's like I tell my kids every night: We are steeped in the blood of patriots in a castle made of bones. Goodnight kids!'

Johansson sketch saw her allude to the film 'Get Out', as Johansson could be seen stirring a teacup with a spoon, with the cameras cutting to Kenan Thompson, clearly terrified, with a single tear running down his cheek.

She concluded her address by mimicking some of the senator's real words: 'The American people who are struggling right now, know this: We hear you. We see you. We smell you. We're inside your kitchen right now looking through your fridge. And what's that on the top shelf? Migrants.'
Police were accused of double standards yesterday after arresting a man in London who called Hamas terrorists  but refusing to intervene when nearby protesters celebrated Houthi terror attacks in the Red Sea.

As thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators marched through the capital, a counter-protester carrying a 'Hamas is Terrorist' banner was wrestled to the ground by four Met officers and handcuffed.

Shocking footage showed one of the arresting officers ripping the sign out of the Iranian man's hands and screwing it up.

As he was held down, Niyak Ghorbani, 38, shouted: 'Shame on you I wrote down Hamas is a terrorist organisation... but they arrested me.'

Last night, IT professional Mr Ghorbani, an exiled Iranian, told The Mail on Sunday: 'I think the police are totally wrong. It is a total double standard. It is one rule for the Palestinian protesters and another for me. It is hypocrisy.'

Onlookers criticised the heavy-handed treatment of Mr Ghorbani compared to the softly-softly approach towards those glorifying Houthi terror attacks on British ships.

A man with a megaphone repeatedly screamed, 'Yemen, Yemen, do us proud' while a crowd chanted in response, 'Turn another ship around.'

Niyak Ghorbani (centre) was wrestled to the ground by four Met officers and handcuffed for carrying a 'Hamas is Terrorist' banner during a counter-protest to the pro-Palestine march in London

Mr Ghorbani was seen carrying the sign during the latest national protest against Israel's bombing of Gaza

Onlookers criticised the heavy-handed treatment of Mr Ghorbani compared to the softly-softly approach towards those glorifying Houthi terror attacks on British ships

Last week three sailors were killed on their ship by missiles launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen. The Houthis say the attacks are in support of the Palestinians.

Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith last night reacted to Mr Ghorbani's treatment by saying: 'I will be demanding a full inquiry with a public apology from the police. This Iranian man has done nothing wrong at all.

'For a man to be arrested and bundled to the floor by officers, who do not seem to know the difference between a peaceful organisation and a terrorist one, is astonishing.'

Jewish Tory MP Andrew Percy said: 'For months the police have ignored support for actual terrorist groups on our streets yet they find time to arrest someone pointing out a simple statement of fact.'

Despite witnessing the chanting, two Metropolitan Police officers declined to take action when challenged by an onlooker, who asked: 'Guys, you know what that reference is, the Yemen reference the Houthis, proscribed terror organisation?'

One of the officers shook his head while the other said: 'I am listening to my earpiece, sorry.'

Mr Ghorbani, meanwhile, was later de-arrested and released shortly after.

Last night a Met spokesman said it was 'not accurate' that the man was arrested for having an anti-Hamas placard.

He said: 'He was arrested after an altercation was ongoing and officers intervened to prevent a breach of the peace. He was arrested for assault. Officers then fully reviewed footage provided of the incident, and he was later de-arrested. The arrest was not made in relation to the placard.'

The incidents took place during the latest national protest against Israel's bombing of Gaza  and follow claims that London has become a 'no-go zone for Jews' during weekend protests.

Shocking footage showed Met Police officers handcuffing Mr Ghorbani on the floor, one of them is seen ripping the sign out of the Iranian man's hands and screwing it up

For the first time since the conflict began, an official counter-demonstration was staged in solidarity with both Israel and British Jews who have felt intimidated by the weekly protests.

Organisers said they wanted to reclaim London as 'a bastion of democracy, diversity, and multiculturalism'.

Police said four other arrests were made at yesterday's march.

The UK Government officially designated Hamas as a terrorist organisation in 2021.

Membership and expressing support for Hamas is an illegal act in the UK, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
In 2013, soldiers of the 1048th Transportation Company of the Connecticut National Guard were greeted in East Granby by Gov. Dannel Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman after returning from Afghanistan. Hearst Connecticut Media Connecticut National Guard medics in training. CT National Guard Janet Allegra of Ellington hugs her son Spc. John Allegra IV at the Army aviation support facility in Windsor Locks on Aug. 25, 2010. About 110 soldiers of the 250th Engineer Co. Connecticut National Guard who were deployed to Iraq returned home. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) AP/Jessica Hill Connecticut National Guard engineers at a building site. CT National Guard Connecticut National Guard infantry in training. CT National Guard

While the nation's military struggles amid a recruiting shortfall, the Connecticut National Guard has been replenishing its ranks relatively well, Guard recruiting leaders said this week.

"We're getting back on pace. We're moving in the right direction," Army National Guard Lt. Col. Giancarlo D'Angelo said.

The Army Guard's total force is about 3,700 soldiers, D'Angelo said, adding that the Guard seeks to sign up about 450 enlisted soldiers and about 50 officers annually. Also, about 50 more enlisted soldiers and officers typically transfer in to the Connecticut Guard from other states each year, often when members move to take a new civilian job, D'Angelo said.

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The Guard did well with recruiting at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were looking for jobs, he said. But 2022, when employment around the nation ramped up, was the worst recruiting year since 1973.

In 2023 and so far this year, however, the Army Guard is rebounding, D'Angelo said. For the first quarter of fiscal year 2023-24 (the federal fiscal year, so the first quarter is October through December), the Guard signed up 110 recruits, while the regular Army and Army Reserves attracted a combined 100 recruits in Connecticut, D'Angelo said.

"We are out-recruiting them, which is rare," he said.

Both D'Angelo and the Connecticut Air National Guard's recruiting and retention supervisor, Master Sgt. Marc Mojica, said medical screening for potential recruits is complex and time consuming, a big hurdle to cross compared with previous practice. The Connecticut Air Guard aims for a force of 1,100 to 1,200 service members and is currently at about 1,090, Mojica, a New Britain native who joined the Guard in 2002, said.

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Nationally, the all-volunteer force, created in 1973 after the draft ended, "faces one of its greatest challenges since inception," Ashish Vazirani, the Department of Defense's acting undersecretary for personnel and readiness, said in December.

In the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, 2023, military services collectively missed goals by about 41,000 recruits, the DOD reported.

Recruiting challenges include:

A strong economy, which has given young people many more career options.

Generation Z, born from 1997 to 2012, "generally has a low trust in institutions," Vazirani said.

Young people have fewer family members who served, which decreases the propensity to serve. In 1995, 40 percent of young people had a parent who served in the military, Vazirani said. By 2022, just 12 percent had a parent who had served, leading to "a disconnect between the military and a large share of society," he said.

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"While the picture of the current recruiting environment is acutely difficult, the Defense Department and the military services are working together to resolve issues, improve processes, and expand awareness of the many opportunities military service offers," Vazirani said.

The military needs the help of leaders across the nation, including members of Congress, to make a "national call to service," especially for military service, but also for other public service, he said.

The Marine Corps and Space Force made their recruiting goals in the past fiscal year, the DOD reported, but recruiting patterns have increasingly come to reflect the nation's red state-blue state political divide, with sign-ups strong in the South and Midwest, but lagging on the coasts, retired Army Brig. Gen. Michael Meese said at a Rand Corp. event in January, according to Military.com, a military news site.

"When you look at it regionally, the North and the West tend to be less positive" on military service "than the South and the Midwest," said Meese, the former head of West Point's Department of Social Sciences, according to the report.

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The pattern has been in place for decades and, should it continue, Meese said, he could envision a time 50 years from now when recruits from New York and Oregon would number in the single digits, "and everybody else is gonna be from Georgia and North Carolina" despite the ongoing efforts of the services to attract recruits nationwide.

A Rand Corp. report in December, "What Americans Think About Veterans and Military Service," found the U.S. public's overall confidence in the military is declining in line with lower recruitment.

"Although the public still holds the military generally in high esteem compared with other major institutions," Rand reported, "that esteem is wavering, influenced by such factors as the end of the war in Afghanistan, the increased polarization of the public and heightened politicization of the military."

The report found that a majority of Americans (54.4 percent) would discourage a young person close to them from enlisting in the military, but a majority (61.2 percent) would encourage a young person to join the military via Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) or a service academy (for example, as an officer), according to the report.

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The U.S. Army recently announced a "transformation" to meet its mission with a smaller force. The branch finished fiscal year 2022-23 with 452,000 active-duty soldiers, its smallest force since 1940, the Army Times reported.

The healthy jobs market has affected Connecticut Guard recruiting, D'Angelo said, but he pointed to the benefits of military service. The Guard offers health insurance to single members for $50 a month, free tuition to public higher education in Connecticut, up to $50,000 for student loan repayment, sign-up bonuses as high as $20,000, and retirement benefits for those who serve 20 years.

The typical enlistment is six years, D'Angelo, an East Lyme native who has been with the service since 1999, said. Guard members serve one weekend each month and two weeks each year. Starting annual pay for a private is about $4,700, he said. The Army Guard jobs include infantry, engineers, medics, cyber warfare specialists, truck drivers, cooks, and band members.

Representatives of other Guard and Reserve branches did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Three people - including one in a critical condition - have been taken to hospital after a stabbing incident in western Sydney on Sunday afternoon.

One man was found with a knife wound at a home on Rawson Road in Guildford at around 1.10pm.

The 46-year-old was treated at the scene by paramedics before being rushed to Westmead Hospital with a police escort.

Three people - including one in a critical condition - have been taken to hospital after a stabbing incident in western Sydney on Sunday afternoon. A man is pictured being placed into an ambulance

A man was found with a stab wound at a home on Rawson Road in Guildford at around 1.10pm. A man on a stretcher is pictured

NSW Highway Patrol police cars are pictured at the scene on Rawson Road, Guildford

He is in a serious but stable condition.

A second man, 47, was treated for head injuries and taken to Auburn Hospital and is assisting police with their inquiries.

A woman who was treated at the scene was also taken to hospital for further observation.

The two men involved are reported to be brothers and the stabbing is suspected to be part of a domestic dispute, according to NSW police.

A crime scene has been declared at the home and part of the street has been shut.

A second man, aged 47, was treated for head injuries and taken to Auburn Hospital and is assisting police with their inquiries. A man on a stretcher is pictured

A man, 46, was treated at the scene by paramedics before being rushed to Westmead Hospital with a police escort (pictured)

The two men involved are reported to be brothers and the stabbing may have come about due to a domestic dispute. The scene is pictured
Prince Harry and Meghan embraced the relatives of the Uvalde school shooting victims as they made a surprise trip to Texas on Saturday.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a local event for the families whose loved one were gunned down in the horror attack in May 2022.

The couple even sang Happy Birthday to the sister of heroic schoolteacher Irma Garcia who sacrificed her own life during the massacre at Texas' Robb Elementary School in a bid to allow her young students to get to safety.

Ms Garcia, who had worked as a teacher for 23 years, was one of 21 people - two teachers and 19 children - who were killed when 18-year-old gunman Salvador Ramos stormed the building. Her husband Joe tragically died from a heart attack two days later.

Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, also surprised Ms Garcia's sister with a birthday cake as the Sussexes led the singing in a heartwarming video.

'Is everyone singing too?' the duchess joked as she tried to get others to join in. As the family laughed, Meghan called out 'my love' to Harry who nodded to confirm he would help her out.

Meghan had opened up about the online abuse she suffered while pregnant at South by Southwest Festival in Austin on Friday before she and Harry came to pay tribute to the families who are still grieving the loved ones they lost in the Uvalde shooting.

Harry and Meghan are seen with the mother of Layla Salazar who was tragically killed in the Uvalde shooting

The Sussexes were seen embracing families at the local event to support the families of the shooting victims

Prince Harry is pictured with Carlos Martinez - a relative of heroic schoolteacher Irma Garcia who sacrificed her own life during the massacre

The Sussexes were also seen supporting the family of Layla Salazar - an 11-year-old girl who loved running and dancing to TikTok videos. Her family shared a photo of Layla's mother smiling with Harry and Meghan at a local event.

Meghan had visited Uvalde days after the shooting where she laid flowers at a makeshift memorial.

'She took this trip in a personal capacity as a mother, to offer her condolences and support in person to a community experiencing unimaginable grief,' a spokesperson for Meghan told CNN at the time.

Ms Garcia's family described the Sussexes as 'compassionate, very down to earth, humble people'.

The schoolgirl's mother told CNN: 'It was kind of by surprise, she [Meghan] had called my mom one random day and dropped the news on us not too long ago that she was coming to visit the kids and of course we got so excited.'

Mrs Garcia's nephew, 22-year-old John Martinez, shared a video of Harry and Meghan singing Happy Birthday to his mother and said she 'died a hero' and 'will be truly missed'.

Mr Martinez and his family fathered around Meghan who lit candled and started singing while encouraging others to join in, as Harry stood behind her.

Mr Martinez said: 'The cake was a surprise for my mum. Meghan and Harry are so so thoughtful and sweet for doing that... I love you Sussex squad.'

Footage shows Meghan calling Prince Harry 'my love' before singing Happy Birthday

Prince Harry and Meghan timed their visit to coincide with John's mother's birthday, with the couple even bringing them a birthday cake

Harry and Meghan made a surprise trip to Uvalde, Texas to visit the family of Irma Garcia, a teacher who was killed in the May 2022 shooting at the Robb Elementary School. They are pictured with her 22-year-old nephew, John

Speaking to Hello! magazine, he said the royal couple's visit brought 'lots of tears of joy and heartfelt moments'.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle says she was cyber-bullied while pregnant with Archie and Lilibet Advertisement

The event was planned by KABOOM! - an organisation which made a commitment to the community following the 2022 shooting.

The Sussexes' visit came two days after an independent investigator who was probing the local police response to the shooting presented his findings at a city council meeting. The report cleared all local officers of any wrongdoing, sparking fury among the victims' families who have called for accountability.

Investigator Jesse Prado said officers had acted in good faith despite local authorities previously being accused of botching its response to the shooting.

Veronica Mata, whose 10-year-old daughter Tess was among those killed, shouted: 'You said that they did it in good faith. You call that good faith? They stood there 77 minutes and waited after they got call after call that kids were still alive in there.

'We're going to stand here and we're going to keep fighting for our own, because nobody else is going to do it.'

The victims of the shooting included a 10-year-old who aspired to be a lawyer and another who wanted to be a marine biologist.

John, 22, posted photos of royal's visit to social media. They see the Duchess of Sussex speaking with him his driveway

The pair shared a selfie together in the warm Texas sunshine

John posted gushing tweets following the visit by the Duke and Duchess

Meghan has kept in touch with the family since the tragic shooting in May 2022

A third pupil had been saving up money to go to Disney World. But they never got the chance to go on the trip.

Meghan visited Uvalde just two days after the shooting where paid her condolences and laid a bouquet of white roses tied with a purple ribbon at the cross for 10-year-old Uziyah Garcia.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes told the outlet that Meghan went there unannounced to privately pay her condolences at the time.

After the visit, it is believed the Duchess went to the Herby Ham Activity Center, delivering crates of food and drinks to blood donors.

On Friday, Harry and Meghan were all smiles as they headed into Austin's La Barbecue restaurant.

Harry and Meghan both embraced co-owner Alison Clem in a warm hug each before being escorted inside where they greeted other workers.

The Duchess seemed relaxed as she mingled with restaurant workers, even posing for photos along with her husband.

Irma Garcia, a teacher at the Robb Elementary School was killed in the May 2022 shooting

Two days after Irma's death, her husband, Joe, died from a heart attack

The visit came after Meghan opened up about the 'hateful' cyber-bullying she received while pregnant with Archie and Lilibet during SXSW festival.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle says she was cyber-bullied while pregnant with Archie and Lilibet Advertisement

She arrived in Texas on Friday to discuss 'breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes' at an event at the festival alongside Brooke Shields and Katie Couric

Meghan talked about social media use and claimed most of the online hate she experienced happened while she was pregnant with her two young children.

'I keep my distance from it right now for my wellbeing but the bulk of the bullying and abuse I was experiencing in social media and online was when I was pregnant with Archie and with Lili, and with a newborn, with each of them,' she said.

'You just think about that and to wrap your head about why people would be so hateful. It's not catty it's cruel. Why you would do that when you're pregnant or as a mom it's such a tender and sacred time.'

She added: 'You could succumb to it, or nearly succumb to how painful that is. Or maybe because I was pregnant that mammalian instinct just kicks in to do everything you can to protect your child and as a result protect yourself too.'

Meanwhile, Prince Harry was seen clapping in the front row to support his wife Meghan - next to her old friend and confidante Markus Anderson.

This comes as the Duchess is said to have hired a 'new PR guru' in time for her UK relaunch.

Meghan visited Uvalde just two days after the shooting where paid her condolences and laid a bouquet of white roses tied with a purple ribbon at the cross for 10-year-old Uziyah Garcia

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, visits a memorial site in Uvalde, Texas in May 2022 to honor the victims killed in the elementary school shooting

Meghan wants a stellar publicist to help her promote a new mystery business venture in 2024 that has reportedly been months in the making.

An unnamed executive has been recruited to help her handle the Duchess's UK and European media operation and promote Archewell, the foundation she runs with her husband Prince Harry.

The Duchess of Sussex's new project is said to have been in the pipeline since last year and described as 'highly personal to her' and 'genuine to who she is' by The Daily Telegraph.

It will only feed deafening rumours that she wants to relaunch her lifestyle blog The Tig, especially after her friend Gwyneth Paltrow 's GOOP brand burst through the $250million value over Christmas.

MailOnline revealed her search new UK PR executive- but those at the heart of the industry claimed it won't be an easy job because the Sussexes' don't have a reputation for being good listeners.

One described the role as 'a s**t sandwich that many senior PR people will not be willing to eat'.
A man has died from suspected drug overdose at the Pitch music festival held near Ararat in south-western Victoria.

The man in his 20s was airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital about 4am on Sunday, where he later died.

The dance music festival was cancelled on Sunday due to a dangerous heatwave and extreme fire danger, the organisers said in a statement.

'Through consultation with authorities, we have been directed to cancel the remainder of Pitch Music & Arts 2024 in light of an updated extreme fire danger warning issued (on Sunday) afternoon'.

'Nobody is in immediate danger. We encourage everyone on site not to rush, calmly pack-up and depart either this evening or early tomorrow,' the statement said.

Pitch Music & Arts 2024 (pictured) has been cancelled following the upgrade of a heatwave over Victoria from severe to extreme

READ MORE: Moomba Parade is called off due to heatwave Moomba attendees are pictured Advertisement

'Please remember to stay hydrated, and be patient and calm with staff and each other.'

The festival, which started on Friday and was set to run through to Tuesday.

Two other festival goers - men aged in their 30s and 40s - were also taken to hospital suffering from suspected overdoses and are in a stable condition.

They were taken to the East Grampians Health Service in a stable condition on Saturday.

The heatwave, which was upgraded from severe to extreme on Sunday, continues to affect the region with authorities warning conditions could worsen the health effects of drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy).

The toll of heat on partygoers was seen earlier this year at Melbourne's Hardmission festival which saw eight revellers hospitalised after overdosing.

Pitch Music & Arts organisers encouraged attendees who drove to the festival to 'ensure you have a sober and rested driver'.

'For those who came by other means of transport, additional buses to Ararat are being organised today, and commence again from 6am tomorrow,' they said.

'Our staff are on hand to assist you with any enquiries or with organising your departure.'

On Friday night thousands of ticket holders, many who had no phone reception, were left confused after being told to leave due to 'extreme fire danger'.

It is not known whether attendees will be refunded the price of their tickets, which started at $449 for a two-day pass

However, the message was followed by an announcement on Saturday afternoon that the event would go ahead, despite warnings from the Country Fire Authority.

'At the time of writing there are no active fires in the region and we wish to reassure you that those who are on site have access to ample shade, cooling misting fans, food and water,' the update said.

Ticket prices for the event ranged from $449 for a two-day pass up to $499 for a four-day pass. Camping and car passes came with an additional fee.

Organisers have not confirmed whether attendees will be refunded with Sunday's statement reading: 'We appreciate your patience as we work through this.

'Ticket holders will receive an update as more information becomes available.

'Our top priority right now is to get everyone on site home safely.'

Revellers were warned a heatwave affecting the region (pictured) could worsen the negative effects of drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy)

The online cancellation announcement was met with harsh backlash from confused attendees.

'Theres no reception to get in contact with our family and friends,' one wrote.

'How come people attending don't know this? Be a good idea if you told people attending what was happening,' another said.

'Just spoke to our son who's there and no mention at the event that it's cancelled,' another wrote.

Very high temperatures have also hit Melbourne, with Monday's Moomba Parade being cancelled.

'Safety, health and wellbeing has to be the top priority,' Melbourne mayor Sally Capp said on Sunday.
Rishi Sunak has suggested he could put a new squeeze on benefits in order to fund his ambition to scrap national insurance contributions after the general election.

The Prime Minister promised to 'end this double taxation on work' by cutting NICs until they are gone, following his fresh 2p cut to the tax on workers at the Budget.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Mr Sunak set out his bid to trim the millions of working-age Britons who are signed off as unfit to work.

He said this would allow the Government to 'sustainably keep cutting taxes' as he eyes abolishing NICs in the next parliament.

But Labour sniped the PM had 'failed to learn from Liz Truss' as they pointed to the 46billion a year currently raised through national insurance.

They pointed out this was 1billion more than the tax cuts proposed by Mr Sunak's predecessor in her ill-fated 'mini-Budget' in September 2022.

Rishi Sunak has suggested he could put a new squeeze on benefits in order to fund his ambition to scrap national insurance contributions after the general election

In his Budget on Wednesday, Jeremy Hunt set out another 2p cut in national insurance from April - following a previous 2p cut in at his Autumn Statement in November

The Chancellor raised eyebrows by spelling out his hopes on national insurance as he knocked another 2p off the rate for employees - but left the tax burden rising overall

Health Sectretary looks to move from 'sick note' to 'fit note' culture Health Secretary Victoria Atkins The Health Secretary today wants to move from a 'sick note' culture to one where a 'fit note' would show what work people are able to do. Victoria Atkins told Sky News this morning: 'I'm looking into how we can change the conversation from getting a sick note to getting a fit note. 'So, changing this emphasis that somehow musculoskeletal conditions, for example, which is a very common reason for people being signed off sick, that that means that you can't do any work whatsoever. 'Because we know not only does work have financial benefits for us, it also is important for our wellbeing, it can help with our mental health, it can help with recovery.' Advertisement

In his Budget on Wednesday, Jeremy Hunt set out another 2p cut in national insurance from April - following a previous 2p cut in at his Autumn Statement in November.

The Chancellor also made a vague promise to deliver a simpler tax system by eventually getting rid of NICs altogether.

There has since been confusion over the Government's plans, with Treasury minister Gareth Davies admitting the ambition to scrap NICs could take decades to achieve.

Mel Stride, the Work and Pensions Secretary, also sowed doubt by describing the pledge as an 'aspiration' and refusing to commit the Government to abolishing the levy.

In his newspaper interview, the PM said he was drawing up plans to curb the growing welfare bill to fund further tax cuts.

'We want to end this double taxation on work,' he said. 'It's unnecessarily complex. All that money ultimately goes into the same pot to fund public services.

'So our long-term ambition is to end that unfairness, to keep cutting NICs until it's gone, because that is the best way to reward hard work, simplify the tax system, and build the kind of society that I think is right.

'We've cut NICs by a third in two events over six months.

'So that demonstrates we are delivering and we can go further, though it's important that we stick to the plan and then we can make significant progress towards that goal in the next parliament.'

Mr Sunak revealed his plans to pay for further reductions in NICs by curbing the welfare budget, with figures having shown more than 2.8million were signed off long-term sick last year.

'We should be encouraging everyone who can to work,' he said.

'We should be supporting them into that. As well as fairness to the entire system, but also to make sure that we can sustainably keep cutting taxes.

'We now have almost 2.5 million working-age people who have been signed off as unfit to work or even look for work or think about working and I don't think that's right.

'We now sign off three times as many people to be out of work than we did a decade ago. That just doesn't strike me as a system that's working properly.

'I believe strongly in a society that rewards hard work. I've talked a lot about it and I believe work gives us a sense of purpose, a sense of identity.

'And it's really important to me that we reward hard work and that's why cutting NICs is the best way to do that.'

Labour hit out at the PM and Chancellor for outlining a plan to scrap NICs but without fully setting out how they would pay for it.

Darren Jones, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, told the Sunday Mirror: 'The Conservatives clearly haven't learned anything since Liz Truss sent people's mortgages spiralling, with the Chancellor just this week floating unfunded plans that would leave a 46billion black hole in the public finances.

'Labour have iron-clad fiscal rules that will guide how we spend taxpayers' money and we will never make unfunded promises like the Tories recklessly do.'
Emmanuel Macron's step-daughter has revealed she is so 'detested' in France because of her link to the country's divisive president that she considered writing her new book under a penname.

Tiphaine Auziere, 40, published her first novel, Assises (Assizes), last week, which has since become one of France's most talked-about books.

But the writer, a lawyer by trade, said that her connection to the current president has made her a reviled figure in France.

She told The Times: 'There are those who detest you without knowing you, others who adore you without knowing you. You learn to live with it.'

Auziere, whose mother Brigitte is married to Macron, said that she's been forced to have difficult conversations with her own children about how they may be treated for their grandmother's marriage.

They seem to be coping well. 'I think that by now they, too, have learnt to live with it,' she added.

Tiphaine Auziere, 40, (pictured) published her first novel, Assises (Assizes), last week, which has since become one of France's most talked-about books

Auziere, whose mother Brigitte (pictured, left) is married to Macron, said that she's been forced to have difficult conversations with her own children about how they may be treated for their grandmother's marriage

The young Macron (pictured, left) first met her when he was in her French and Latin classes at La Providence, a private school in Amiens

The young Macron first met her when he was in her French and Latin classes at La Providence, a private school in Amiens.

Macron, a brilliant student, fell fast and hard for the passionate literature teacher. The two grew close, especially after Macron, then 16, joined the school's drama club - managed by Brigitte.

The school was run by Jesuits  the strict Roman Catholic order  but this did not stop young Emmanuel getting together with his teacher, who ran a theatre club.

Before she met Emmanuel, Brigitte is said to have worked hard to be the perfect housewife for Andre-Louis Auziere, her banker husband, described as a 'nice man with a strong moral compass' by some family friends and as a 'kill-joy' by others.

Andre-Louis left their home after he learned what was happening between his wife and Macron, but the couple did not get officially get divorced until 2006.

After they broke up, Andre-Louis kept an incredibly low profile, even more so after Macron stood for president.

He valued his privacy so much that his December 2019 death at the age of 69 was only made public nine months later, when Tiphaine revealed it in an interview.

Brigitte has since revealed that her relationship with Macron was tumultuous, as she was 'caught in an inner hurricane' when they started seeing each other.

She said she was worried about the age gap, telling Paris Match in November: 'For me, a boy so young, it was prohibitive.

The interview comes a day after Macron spoke out for the first time against claims that his wife was born a man  saying the rumours were 'false and fabricated'.

'The worst thing is the false information and fabricated scenarios,' said Mr Macron. 'People eventually believe them and disturb you, even in your intimacy.'

The president was speaking on International Women's Day on Friday, after inscribing the guaranteed right to abortion into France's constitution.

He said the transgender claims about Ms Macron were typical of misogynisitic online attacks that women have to put up with every day.

Two women who claimed the premiere dame was born a man were punished with 'symbolic fines' reduced on appeal last June.

In turn, both claimed they were subjected to 'intimidation by the authorities' as 'ultra protected' members of the Paris establishment tried to cover up a 'state secret'.
The gates of Buckingham Palace have been boarded up after a driver crashed into them in a late-night smash.

Officers rushed to the scene after a car rammed into the main entrance gates of the royal residence in Westminster, central London, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

New footage shows the stunning gates blighted with wooden panels and scaffolding today as the damages caused by the smash are repaired.

Passers-by can be seen observing the boarded gates with confusion as they walk past the palace this morning.

The Met Police confirmed a man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

Armed officers were seen surrounding the driver who was on his knees as they ordered him to 'keep your hands on your head' at around 2.30am on Saturday.

The gates of Buckingham Palace have been boarded up after a driver crashed into them in the early hours of Saturday morning

The car that smashed into the royal gates is seen after the smash on Saturday morning

Footage shows the gates blighted with wooden panels and scaffolding today as the damages caused by the smash are repaired

Scaffolding remains in place after a man was arrested after crashing his vehicle into the gates

Police officers are seen guarding the gates which are boarded up following the smash

People walk past the boarded gates today after the collision in the early hours of Saturday morning

People walk past the scene with their umbrellas this morning following the collision this weekend

A large section of the gates has been boarded up with wood and scaffolding

The gates of Buckingham Palace are seen boarded up with wooden panels and scaffolding

Footage shows a car crashing into the main gates of Buckingham Palace before armed police yell at the driver to keep his hands on his head

Armed police were seen surrounding the driver who was on his knees and ordered to put his hands on his head

A witness said he watched the dramatic scene unfold after hearing a 'loud bang'

The incident happened at the main entrance gates of Buckingham Palace in Westminster, central London

A witness to the incident, who wished to remain anonymous, said he watched the scene unfold after hearing 'a loud bang'.

'I heard a loud bang, and I looked over and the car had crashed into Buckingham Palace,' he said.

'Police were on the scene pretty quickly - and they got the man out and arrested him.'

The Met said there were no reports of any injuries. A police spokesperson said: 'At approximately 02:33hrs on Saturday, 09 March a car collided with the gates of Buckingham Palace.

'Armed officers arrested a man at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage. He was taken to hospital.

'There were no reports of any injuries. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances.'
King Charles has this morning paid a touching tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II on Mother's Day.

His Majesty shared a black and white photo on social media of him kissing the hand of his 'darling Mama' during a 1985 polo match.

Alongside the photo and a pink flower emoji, he wrote: 'Wishing all Mothers, and those who are missing their Mums today, a peaceful Mothering Sunday.'

Queen Elizabeth II died 'peacefully' aged 96 on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral. All of her children rushed to be by her side after doctors became 'concerned' for her health.

Hours later she died surrounded by her family with Buckingham Palace announcing her passing.

It comes on the same day that Kensington Palace released the first photo of Kate Middleton since her surgery.

Princess Kate, 42, was seen beaming with her three children, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, in a photo taken by her husband, Prince William.

'Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day,' the Princess of Wales said, signing off the message with a 'C' for Catherine.

King Charles has shared a touching tribute to his 'darling Mama' on Mother's Day and wrote: 'Wishing all Mothers, and those who are missing their Mums today, a peaceful Mothering Sunday'

Charles and Queen Elizabeth II stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Platinum Pageant in June 2022

The then Princess Elizabeth is all smiles as she holds her firstborn son Charles in 1948

On Mother's Day Kensington Palace released the first picture of Kate since her surgery as the Princess of Wales thanked the public for their support in a Mother's Day message while she continues to recuperate

The then Princess Elizabeth pictured with her baby daughter Princess Anne and a young Prince Charles in 1951

Queen Elizabeth II looks down at Princess Anne outside Balmoral with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip and Prince Charles

Her death certificate revealed she died of 'old age.

Her eldest son became King Charles III following her death and in a touching tribute he spoke of his 'greatest sadness'.

READ MORE: King Charles pays moving tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on the first anniversary of her death Advertisement

'The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.

'We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved mother.

'I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.

'During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.'

The touching tribute on Mother's Day comes after Charles has stepped back from public-facing duties following his shock cancer diagnosis.

Last month Buckingham Palace announced that the 75-year-old monarch had been diagnosed with an unspecified type of cancer, which had been picked up after doctors treated an enlarged prostate.

Charles kisses the hand of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, after she presented him with a Royal Horticultural Society Victoria Medal of Honour in May 2009

Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward waving to the crowds from the balcony at Buckingham Palace, during the Trooping of the Colour in 1964

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at Windsor Castle with their children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and little Prince Edward in 1965

In his message, Charles said: 'In marking the first anniversary of Her late Majesty's death and my Accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us'

He has taken a step back from public engagements, with other members of the Royal family including his strength and stay Queen Camilla stepping up to the plate.

Charles paid a moving tribute to his adored mother as the nation marked the first anniversary of her death in 2023.

In an unprecedented break with tradition, signifying how touched he has been by the country's grief at her passing but also pride in a remarkable life of public duty, His Majesty recalled his mother's 'long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us'.

In his message, Charles said: 'In marking the first anniversary of Her late Majesty's death and my Accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us.

'I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all.'

It was signed Charles R and accompanied by a portrait chosen by the King that has never been released before to the general public. The photograph was taken at Buckingham Palace on October 16, 1968, as part of an official sitting granted to the legendary Cecil Beaton  the last he was to ever undertake with Her late Majesty before he died.

Queen Elizabeth II pictured at Windsor Castle with Prince Philip, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward in circa 1965

Queen Elizabeth ll, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward are not deterred by the rain when they attend the Olympic Games in July 1976 in Montreal, Canada

The British royal family relaxing together at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England during filming of the television documentary 'Royal Family' in May 1969. Prince Charles leans over his sister Princess Anne as Prince Philip studies a book and Queen Elizabeth II plays a game of make believe with five year old Prince Edward

Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Edward and Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in 1972

Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Charles and Princess Anne in the grounds of Balmoral Castle on Charles' fourth birthday in 1952

Queen Elizabeth II posing with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, and their son, Prince Edward in 1976

Charles holds his mother Queen Elizabeth II's hand as they leave after the Queen's speech during the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in 2019

The King apparently selected the photograph because of the 'lovely'  and slightly mischievous  look in the eyes of his mother, who was 42 at the time.

His tribute was echoed by that of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said: 'On the solemn anniversary of the passing of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, our thoughts are with His Majesty King Charles III and the whole Royal Family.

'With the perspective of a year, the scale of Her late Majesty's service only seems greater. Her devotion to the nations of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth only seems deeper. And our gratitude for such an extraordinary life of duty and dedication only continues to grow.

'I treasure my memories of those occasions when I met Her late Majesty, in particular the private audience I had with her at Buckingham Palace before presenting my first Budget as Chancellor. I was struck by her wisdom, by her incredible warmth and grace, but also her sharp wit.'
Former prime minister Boris Johnson flew to Venezuela in February to meet President Nicolas Maduro.

The Sunday Times first reported Mr Johnson travelled to Venezuela for the meeting by private jet while on holiday in the Caribbean.

A spokesman for Mr Johnson told the BBC that the visit's purpose was to 'emphasise the need for Venezuela to embrace a proper democratic process.'

Mr Maduro was re-elected in 2018 after judges banned his primary opponents from competing, plunging the country into a severe political and economic crisis.

Most opposition parties refused to recognise the election results and challenged Mr Maduro's rule by creating an interim government, a push for change that fizzled out over the past few years.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson visited Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro in February while on holiday in the Caribbean, it has been revealed

Mr Maduro was re-elected in 2018 after judges banned his primary opponents from competing

There has since been strong international pressure for Venezuela to hold a free and fair election.

Venezuela also approved a referendum last year to claim sovereignty over an oil- and mineral-rich area of neighbouring Guyana, which Guyana disputes.

British minister for the Americas and Caribbean, David Rutley, met with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali in December to stress the UK Government's backing for Guyana.

Mr Johnson's spokesman told the BBC that he 'repeatedly made clear there can be no hope of normalisation in relations until Venezuela fully embraces democracy and respects the territorial integrity of its neighbours'.

'He also set out the case for the cause of Ukrainian victory to the government of Venezuela.'

The spokesman also told the broadcaster the trip came at 'no cost to the UK taxpayer nor the Venezuelan government'.
Kyiv said on Sunday that it downed 35 Russian drones across Ukraine, including in the capital region, and that a strike on an eastern town wounded at least nine people.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has dragged on for more than two years.

Ukraine said that the drone attacks were launched at central and southern regions, while the eastern Kharkiv and Donetsk region were targeted by missile strikes.

'As a result of combat operations, 35 'Shaheds' were shot down' over 10 regions, the air force said on social media.

It said the drones were downed in the central regions of Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy and Dnipropetrovsk as well as southern regions of Odesa, Kherson and Mykolaiv.

Ukraine said that the drone attacks were launched at central and southern regions

Kyiv said on Sunday that it downed 35 Russian drones across Ukraine, including in the capital region

Further west, the regions of Zhytomyr and Khmelnytsky were also hit by drone attacks.

In the embattled Donetsk region, officials said a Russian missile strike hit the town of Myrnograd.

'Russians shelled Myrnograd with 3 S-300 missiles: at least 9 people were wounded, including 1 teenager,' the head of the Donetsk region, Vadym Filashkin, said on social media.

He added that 'nine high-rise buildings' were damaged.

Officials published images of a tall residential building that had blackened walls, with destroyed cars and debris outside it.

Drones have become a vital part of both sides' arsenal

Ukrainian servicemen of the 28th Separate Mechanised Brigade fires a 122mm mortar towards Russian positions at the front line, near Bakhmut

Drones are cheap and easy to manufacture, and pilots can be trained with ease

In the northeastern region of Kharkiv, local governor Oleg Synegubov said a recreation camp was on fire after shelling in the town of Bogodukhiv, north of the main city of Kharkiv and close to the Russian border.

Synegubov said the camp was shelled shortly after midnight. He released photos of wooden houses on fire and said there were no casualties.

Ukrainian shelling of a Russian border village in the Kursk region killed one woman on Sunday, the local governor said on social media.

Kyiv has shelled Russian border villages for months as Moscow's offensive in Ukraine drags on for more than two years, also sending drones into Russian territory, including far from the border.

Kursk governor Roman Starovoyt said Kyiv's forces had shelled the village of Kulbaki, some six miles from the Ukraine border.

Ukrainian servicemen from air defence unit of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade fire an anti aircraft cannon at a frontline, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine

A Ukrainian T-72 tank fires at Russian positions on the front line near Bakhmut

A woman puts flowers on a grave of a commander of the First Mechanized Battalion

'As a result of a direct hit from a shell, a residential building caught fire and a local woman died. Her husband had extensive burns and is now receiving qualified medical care,' he said.

Starovoyt later said that a Ukrainian drone fell on an oil depot in the city of Kursk.

Russia's defence ministry also said it had destroyed two Ukrainian drones over the border Belgorod region.

On Saturday, Moscow said it had destroyed 47 Ukrainian drones over its southern regions.

A Russian night-time strike on the east Ukrainian town of Myrnograd wounded at least 11 people, Kyiv said Sunday, while Moscow launched attack drones across the country.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has dragged on for more than two years.

Myrnograd is a town in the Donetsk region around 25 miles from the frontline with Russian forces.

'Around 03:00 AM on March 10, Russian forces launched three S-300 missiles at the city of Myrnograd. They targeted a residential neighbourhood,' the prosecutor's office in the Donetsk region said on social media.

It said the strike wounded a '16-year-old boy, five women and five men aged 34 to 95' and that 17 'high rise buildings' were damaged in explosions.

Officials published photographs of destroyed cars, blackened walls of typical Soviet-era housing blocks with debris outside.
Millions of Muslims around the world have begun to mark the holy month of Ramadan by lighting lanterns and praying.

This year, Ramadan is set to start on the evening of March 10, and will go on until April 9.

The month will see the world's roughly 1.8 billion followers of the Islamic faith fast from dawn to sunset.

In the leadup to the holy month, sites across the world have set up bright lights in celebration.

In Brazil, Muslims in Parana State, southern Brazil, stood in front of the Omar Ibn Al-Khatab Mosque in Foz do Iguacu, shining a green light on the mosque.

Brazilian Muslims celebrate the beginning of Ramadan and demonstrate in support of the Palestinians

People celebrate along a decorated street for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan in Giza, Egypt

Muslims pray to celebrate the beginning of Ramadan at the Omar Ibn Al-Khatab Mosque, in the city of Foz do Iguacu, in the State of Parana, Brazil

They also hung a large Palestinian flag on the front of the mosque, in a demonstration of solidarity with the nation.

Celebrants of Ramdan were later seen inside the mosque praying

Over in Egypt, in the Al-Barajeel district of Giza, local Muslim groups set up a massive 21ft-by-18ft- lantern in the shape of a mosque in preparation for Ramadan.

They were seen raising a smiling child on a seat as a crown walked through a brightly lit street.

The Muslims' holy month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in the Koran was during its last 10 nights.

It is celebrated yearly by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset.

Locals install a 7x6 meter giant lantern in the shape of a mosque within preparations for the upcoming Islamic holy month of Ramadan in Al-Barajeel district of Giza, Egypt

People celebrate along a decorated street for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan in Giza, Egypt

Ramadan is also a time for socialising, mainly in the evening after breaking the fast and a shift of all activities to late in the day in most countries

It is also a time for socialising, mainly in the evening after breaking the fast and a shift of all activities to late in the day in most countries.

While public celebrations of Ramadan have not traditionally been seen in the West, earlier this month it was revealed that Frankfurt became Germany's first city to hang up lights to celebrate Ramadan, with city officials citing London 's bright display in Piccadilly Circus last year as inspiration.

The city hung lights near the Alte Oper concert hall in the centre of the city, and will keep them up for the month of Ramadan.

Bild reported that since Monday, workers have been unpacking lights in the shape of stars and crescent moons and connecting them to the grid in preparation for the start of Ramadan on March 10.

The lights, which read 'Happy Ramadan' were blocked last year by the CDU, but the Greens, who run Frankfurt, managed to push the motion through.

The Green Party's application states: 'By decorating during Ramadan, the city of Frankfurt is sending an important signal for Muslim life and thereby appreciating the people of the Muslim faith in this city.'

Frankfurt's mayor Nargess Eskandari-Grunberg said: 'They are lights of togetherness, against reservations, against discrimination, against anti-Muslim racism and also against anti-Semitism.'

The lights will be hung across five steel cables at a cost of between 50,000 and 100,000 euros.

Up to 150,000 Muslims live in Frankfurt, making up roughly 15% of the city's population.